USA > New York > Madison County > History of Madison County, state of New York > Part 41
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Canastota, at present, is increasing in size and beauty ; new streets are being laid out each year, new houses are be- ing erected. Southward, fine mansions are frequently ris- ing, greatly to the beauty of this conspicuous part of the village. Large, noble looking blocks are occupied as stores, and artisans in all departments are increasing under the same roofs. The new " Railroad House " is a conspicuous and no- ble building. The public Hall (Beecher's,) is pronounced to be one of the best in the central part of the State. The " Doolittle Block," also fitted up with a public hall which would grace any city, is not to be forgotten as among the first buildings of the place. It was built by Francis Doo- little in 1869. It is situated a little south and opposite of the "Beecher Block." Both blocks confer honor upon their enterprising proprietors. In addition to the manufactures already mentioned, there are two large carriage shops and two tanneries. A new Cemetery, laid out south of the vil- lage, is being beautifully arranged and decorated, and is the pride of the citizens. A spacious fair ground indicates the public interest in the " Farmers' and Mechanics' Associa- tion."
It is due to the memory of Reuben Hawley to say that he was one of the highest esteemed business men of Can- astota in its earliest days. He started in business here in 1817, and built a very capacious store for a country village, on the west side of Peterboro street, south side of the Erie Canal. The same building has been moved back, and is
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now occupied by Reeder & Son as a grocery and feed store. It was occupied by the Messrs. Crouse until they built the large brick block before mentioned. Mr. Hawley also built a very neat mansion on the east side of Peterboro street, op- posite his store, in which he resided many years. That building is now remodeled and forms the store of Brush & Bell. There was probably no country merchant west of New York who had the confidence of the New York mer- chants to a greater extent than Reuben Hawley. His hap- py spirit and genial way of doing business inspired all with confiding respect, and he succeeded to a field of business for a great distance around the country. He finally left Canas- tota and entered into business in the village of Chittenango, but soon after died, which is now many years ago. Being of the first merchants of Canastota, he will ever be identi- fied with her history. He was the father of the well known jeweler and business gentleman of Syracuse, Col. Dean Hawley.
CANASTOTA SALT WORKS.
Almost from the first settlement of this section by the whites, from indications upon the surface of the earth, and from the geological fact that wherever there is a strata of gypsum and limestone rock upon the hills, the valleys con- tiguous abound in veins or reservoirs of salt water, it has been generally believed that salt water existed in the vicin- ity of Canastota of sufficient strength and quantity to be manufactured with success and profit. About fifty years ago, salt was made to some extent from the water of a deep spring dug in the marsh about three-quarters of a mile west of Canastota, by Capt. Oliver Clark, one of the pioneer set- tlers. Acting upon these hints a company was formed a number of years ago at Canastota for the purpose of making experiments upon the salt water tested by Clark. A well was sunk in the marsh some 400 feet, but the drilling ma- chine by some accident was broken and the work was aban- doned. The water they obtained on the surface was two
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and a half degs. by the instrument used, which was increased by the boring to nine degs. In 1863, a company was again formed in Canastota, who revived the work* and with such success as to induce them to prosecute it. The Company was reorganized in May, 1867, under the general Mining and Manufacturing laws of the State of New York, with a capital stock of $ 100,000 divided into 1,000 shares of $100 each. The Company contracted with Daniel Lewis for fifty acres of salt territory, located a little west of the village along the Erie Canal, and commenced operations which promise to be successful to those engaged in it.
PROMINENT MEN.
Capt. REUBEN PERKINS came from Connecticut to this State, and first located on Oak Hill, where he built a house and lived until he made his famous purchase of the Canas- tota Reservation. He was an active business man through life, having engaged in various enterprises pertaining to the progress of the village. He was appointed first Superin- tendent on this section of the Erie Canal. He sold the fine estate he acquired by his purchase of the Canastota lands, before the village began to increase materially, and by misfortunes and the unsuccessful and unwise use of his money, became poor. Some of the earlier landmarks of Canastota attest his enterprise, and many of the inhabitants remember him in his better days, when prosperity shone upon him, as an active, genial and generous man. He was a patriot soldier of the Revolution. He was twice married, having seven children by his first wife, five of them daugh- ters. One daughter married Capt. Wm. Jennings ; another, Thomas Menzie; a third, Warren Colton, and a fourth, George B. Rowe. The two sons, Reuben and Calvin, and all these daughters, have passed away, leaving no represen- tative to perpetuate the name. Capt. Perkins survived to his ninety-fourth year, when he too passed away, having
*Daniel Crouse, D. H. Rasbach and James H. Woodford, were of the first committee.
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been for years oblivious to all around, through the loss of all mental power.
JOHN MONTROSS .- Extract from his obituary notice pub- lished in the Canastota Herald :-
" Died, March 26, 1869, Vr John Montross, aged 58 years and 7 days. Mr. Montross may be classed with the old or early inhabitants of this place, and among our most influential and prosperous citizens. He came here over thirty-years ago. In his early life he was dependent upon his own efforts and merits for his success, and at an early day gained the good will and confidence of all who became acquainted with him. His life has been marked for its industry and economy, which was capital superior to money itself, as an encouragement in the
world. * * * His prompt and faithful way of doing busi- . ness, and frankness in matters of opinion, gave him a good name far and near, and whilst his friends were vastly numerous, he had but few if any enemies. At an early day he attained to a popularity which secured to him various official trusts from the people of his town, and he showed a business tact, coupled with integrity, which made him an excellent and approved officer in every position conferred upon him. He was always a man of praise-worthy public enterprise, and in the dutys imposed on him in the affairs of our village, he was always for those improve- ments promising the growth and prosperity of the place. He was one of the first and most active in starting and securing the project of the Cazenovia and Canastota railroad, and on all occasions of meetings, near or far distant from home, he did not allow bad weather or traveling to prevent his attendance. At no time did he allow unfavorable circumstances to discourage him or dampen his ardor. He was a continous, uncompromis- ing advocate of the work, and flattered himself that at a day not far distant, he would see the trains running and doing a prosperous business over the southern hills to the village of Cazenovia. His industry and energy carried him from his early want to a fine estate, and he lived to see a day of ease and plenty, yet died in the prime and full power of manhood."
He reared a family of sons to adult age, leaving three to mourn the loss of his wise counsel and careful guidance, a wife, an ever kind and affectionate husband, and an aged mother, the supporting arm of a dutiful son. Another writer speaks of Mr. Montross :- "His name was identified with every enterprise which has tended to the growth and prosperity of this locality."
MAJ. GEN. ICHABOD SMITH SPENCER was the oldest of of four brothers, all of whom were men of ability and mark in this section. The General being the eldest, and there-
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fore the earliest upon the stage, was the power that raised to prominence in professional life all of his brothers ; for as soon as he became able in his own profession, he took them, as it were, upon his shoulders, and carried them along in their studies and into their professions, they aiding them- selves what they could by school teaching.
General Spencer was born in Suffield, Conn., July II, 1780 ; and the year succeeding his birth his parents moved to Great Barrington, Mass., where the rest of their family of children were born. The General was married in 1801, and removed to the county of Madison, N. Y., in 1802, where he continued to reside till the time of his death.
He was a student of law, under Hathaway & Sherman, Esqs., Rome, and entered the profession and practice of law in 1808. One who was well acquainted with his re- markable powers of mind, thus writes :-
" Mr. Spencer passed with rapid strides, by the energy and activity of his own powers, to a distinguished prominence in the profession. The science of pleading was then intricate, techni- cal and refined, and he soon took place among the first and foremost as one of the safest and best special pleaders in our State. As a Chancery pleader, we may say there was none be- fore him. His power of discrimination was great, and no man would discover a legal point, and give it prominence and weight, in pleading or brief, before him. His mind would run through a case with astonishing rapidity, and no point would escape his notice, or fail of receiving the consideration due to its import- ance. *
It was not for the legal profession alone that he was pre-emi- nently qualified. There were elements also in him equally well befitting the military character. In 1813, during our war with England, he was ordered into the service of the United States as Adjutant, under the command of Col. Dutton and Brig .- Gen. Collins, and marched to the frontier at and near Sackett's Har- bor. His services on the frontier were necessarily short. He returned home in 1814 ; and the discharge of his military duties were so honorable that a train of promotions was soon opened before him. In that year (1814,) he was promoted to the office of Captain, and very soon after to that of Colonel of the 74th Regiment of Infantry, and a few years later to Brig .- Gen. of the 35th Brigade, comprising the counties of Chenango and Madi- son. This office he held until 1847, when he resigned it.
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And whilst he was thus so well calculated for the profession of law and for military life, he was most happily calculated for the social circle. His very nature was social, mingled with that high sense of manly reserve which made him both a standard and a favorite. As a neighbor, he was all that could make him a friend to the needy or suffering, and no man was more ready or willing to favor or befriend. And it is here that society has experienced the loss. A friend, a neighbor, has gone, no more to mingle his sympathies, or extend his helping hand."
HON. JOSHUA A. SPENCER, the celebrated lawyer and advocate, was one of these brothers. He distinguished himself especially upon one occasion-in his defense of McLeod in 1841, soon after the close of the "Patriot War," so called, of 1836 and '37. McLeod, a Canadian citizen, came over the border on our Canada frontier at Schlosser, near Niagara Falls, and in a raid with the men of his com- mand, committed a murder, for which he was indicted and tried at Utica. Mr. Spencer defended him, setting up as the principal ground of defence that it was a state of war between nations at the time of the killing; that McLeod was acting in the defense of his government, and was not individually answerable. The trial lasted many days and was one of much excitement. Spencer succeeded, and as a reward for his services the British Government gave him a thousand pounds sterling, being $5,000.
REV. ELIPHALET SPENCER, another brother, became a prominent minister of the Presbyterian order ; and Dr. Thomas Spencer, the fourth and we believe the youngest brother, became a prominent physician, and held various professorships in medical institutions. All, as we have seen, attained to signal prominence in life, and all were self- made men. Not one of them is living at the date of this record.
JOSEPH BRUCE was born in Roxbury, Mass., January I, 1781. His father, a native of Scotland, came to America in childhood with his parents, and in maturity became one of the daring patriots of the "Boston Tea Party."
In his childhood, Joseph Bruce came with his mother,
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(then a widow,) to New Hartford, Oneida Co., and there remained till he was eighteen years of age. In early youth he acquired habits of industry and self reliance, preparing him for an after life of success.
Soon after his marriage with a daughter of John D. Nellis, of Whitestown, he settled in Lenox, in 1810, on Quality Hill, where he resided more than three score years. Here he became engaged in mercantile pursuits in co- partnership with Dr. Nathaniel Hall, and through life the two were warm friends. He also became identified with the most important public affairs of the locality, from the first. In the war of 1812, in a company of Light Artillery of which Wm. Jennings was Captain, Mr. Bruce was appointed Lieutenant, and marched to Sackett's Harbor with his command. His Captain being sick, he had charge of the Company during their time of service. Joshua Spencer was an Orderly in the same Company, and he and Mr. Bruce were life-long friends. After the war, being a leading spirit in the old military organizations, he was commissioned Captain and then Major, and by the latter title was known through life.
Mr. Bruce was a Magistrate for many years ; was Post- master for a long period, and filled many other positions with honor. One who knew him well, wrote : "His life was characterized by those virtues which win confidence and esteem, and whether in public or private life, he held to principles which were a bulwark against even the approach of suspicion." He was always a consistent and an active Christian, and helped to build up and sustain the old Con- gregational Church of Quality Hill. As a business man he was energetic and upright, possessing qualities which fitted him for almost any position. He became a stock- holder in several banking institutions, among which was the Mechanics Bank of Syracuse, and the Bank of Whitestown, and was an efficient President of the bank last named for a number of years.
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Toward the close of his life he turned his attention to farming more than he had hitherto done. His fine farm on Quality Hill, and those of his sons, adjacent, attest the care and skill bestowed, and evince an unusual relish for rural occupations, characteristic of father and sons.
He was too frank and outspoken for a successful politician, and was never fond of the political arena. Socially he was a man of warm and constant friendship, kind and generous to the deserving and affectionate in his family.
Joseph Bruce, Esq., died at his residence in Lenox, Jan. 27, 1872, aged eighty-three years. He came down to his grave "like as a shock of corn cometh in his season." His aged companion to whom he had been wedded three score years, survived him a few months. "Died, in Lenox, August 9, 1872, Maria, relict of the late Joseph Bruce, aged eighty years." (Note 2)
From a newspaper published at the time of the death of Hezekiah Beecher, one of the prominent citizens of Canas- tota, the subjoined is taken :
"HEZEKIAH BEECHER, the subject of this sketch, died in Can- astota, on the 8th of November, inst., (1870,) aged nearly 76 years. Hezekiah Beecher, was born in Bethany, New Haven county, Conn., Dec. 28, 1794, and had he lived until next month, 28th, he would have been 76 years old. He came into this town of Lenox, Madison county, on the 15th day of April, 1816, on which day he was married, and settled down in business life on Quality Hill.
He carried on the tanning and leather business there, and continued residing there sixteen years, when he moved to Can- astota, where he resided until his death. Thus. it will be seen that he was one of the first, and lived to be one of the oldest of our inhabitants, whilst it may most truly be said, one of the most upright and esteemed of our citizens. His industry and economy were proverbial. *
His moral virtues were such as to render him the choice of the people of his town, for various places of trust in their gift, even when he was politically in the minority. He had been under- sheriff of the county, constable and collector for many years, and was promoted to the office of justice of the peace, which he held for numerous terms of four years each.
His inquiring mind and discriminating judgment were such,
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that from his experience in official and judicial duties, that he be- came so conversant with the principles and practice of law, that many years ago he was licensed to practice the profession ex gracia, without pursuing a clerkship of studies. Though quiet, unassuming and retiring of habit and nature, he is greatly missed. The poor, the sick and suffering, needing a sympathizer and friend, have experienced a loss.
Capt. DANIEL LEWIS* was one of the earliest settlers of the flats. He was born in Washington County, in 1798. When a small boy he came on with his father, Eleazer Lewis, to the town of Augusta, Oneida County ; from there the family removed to Vernon, and from there to Oneida Castle, where they lived in the block house with the half breed, Lewis Denny. Eleazer Lewis worked Denny's farm on shares. From here he moved to Quality Hill, in 1806, and lived two years. He then purchased Lot 78, of the Canastota Tract, and a piece of Lot 82, and moved into a log house situated where Col. Lamb now lives. His farm was all woods, with no road leading to it. Daniel's youth was spent here, receiving his education in the district school of Canastota, which was first taught by Dea. Cadwell, in an Indian log hut just west of the present residence of Dr. Jar- vis. His best education was gained in the stern school of necessity, where was formed those habits of industry, pa- tience, perseverance, economy, integrity and straight-for- wardness, elements which comprise a most worthy and use- ful character. He early became dependent on his own ex- ertions and soon learned to surmount difficulties on the way to prosperity. His first venture was to purchase a village lot of Reuben Perkins, for which he paid $250. This was considered in that day a bold move for a poor young man ! By hard working by the day or job, he soon realized a suffi- cient sum to build. His enterprise and industry soon won him credit and a place in public favor, for when he was found to execute all trusts committed to his care with un- tiring industry and devoted, faithfulness, he was given, first,
* Much of the story of Capt. Lewis' life is from Judge Barlow's sketches, pub- lished in the Canastota Herald in 1868.
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a place as foreman on the canal works, and soon gradually arose from that up to Superintendent of the Division. It is said the State never had any one in the charge of public works of more untiring vigilance than Capt. Daniel Lewis. No barrier, no weather, hot or cold, rain or snow, wind, mud, darkness or tempest, would deter him from duty or cause him to relax the care which was essential to the protection of the canal. Often in the severest storm he was on duty, lantern in hand, examining the banks of the canal ; in case it was necessary, the midnight found him and his squad of men out at work. Ten, twelve and more miles were thus traversed at any and all hours by this trusty servant, re- gardless of health, strength or life. For seventeen years he was thus employed, when he passed on to higher trusts confided to him by the "Syracuse & Utica Railroad Com- pany," by whom he was employed as Dept. Superin- tendent. Next he occupied a corresponding position on the Hudson River Railroad. He was ten years employed in this capacity, ending with the year 1850.
His surplus earnings in youth he invested in real estate making his second investment in the purchase of a farm of one hundred acres, of Samuel Halliday. Following in care- ful steps, from one round of the ladder of fortune to another, and never faltering in the practice of industry, fidelity and economy, prosperity crowned his efforts and blessed the riper years of his exemplary and successful life.
Up to the time of his last brief illness, he was in the pos- session of good physical and mental powers. His home was near the M. E. Church, which he adorned with his mu- nificence and beautified with his fine taste. A few years since, he caused a beautiful triangular park to be laid out, in the space afforded by the corners of the roads, nearly in front of the church. In a laudable spirit of enterprise and generosity, he, at his own cost, covered it with trees and evergreens, and surrounded it with a post and chain fence, thus securing it against all encroachments.
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Capt. Lewis spent his closing years in the quiet pursuit of farming and in the enjoyment of domestic life. His first wife was Miss Lorana Perkins, daughter of Benjamin Per- kins, whom he married in Broome County. After her de- cease, he married Miss Carrie A. Way, of New Haven, Con- necticut.
Daniel Lewis died at his residence in Casastota, Feb. 23, 1872, aged seventy-five years. He left a widow and two daughters to mourn the loss of an affectionate father and husband.
ONEIDA VILLAGE.
This place was named "Oneida Depot," in the beginning. June 20, 1848, it was incorporated under the name of "Oneida Village." Its origin is due to the enterprise awakened by the passage of the Syracuse and Utica Rail- road through its locality. The lands, including its site, to the amount of several hundred acres, were owned by Mr. Sands Higinbotham, who, in 1829 and again in 1830, made purchases here. That of 1829, was purchased of indi- viduals ; that of 1830, from the State of New York. In the autumn of 1834, Mr. Higinbotham removed here from Ver- non, where he had long been a merchant, and located his residence on the south side of the present village. That part of his estate, and also the valley lands, were cleared. In 1837, the Syracuse and Utica Railroad Company located their railroad across his farm and made one of their impor- tant stations there, naming it " Oneida Depot," from the contiguity of the " Castle," and the time-honored name de- signating this section of country. The forest was cut through to make place for the track, and in the spring of 1839, the woods were cleared away to make space for the erection of the hotel called the " Railroad House ;"-the same Railroad House of to-day, near the track of the Cen- tral .* The opening excursion on this road, made on the
*It will be remembered that railroad communication through New York State, as far as it went at that day, was effected by connecting the tracks of the several . Companies having sections of road in operation. (See page 134.)
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4th of July, 1839, was a great day for this section of coun- try. The old woods of Oneida had never before, even in the days of the Indian war whoop, been so startled from their quiet. The day, its impressions, the gay, wild scene, will not be forgotten by those who participated in its two- fold rejoicings. In all the coming years, a 4th of July sun may not again look upon the like in this section ; the heavy forest all around, the new cut stumps, the white logs stripped of their bark lying prone near by, the piles of brush, the broken earth, the freshness of everything bear- ing foliage ;- and then the great crowd of humanity, and the long train of old fashioned railway coaches which slow- ly and carefully bore away their freight of adventurous ex- cursionists. Among the latter were a few-a very few-of the remnant of red men remaining here, of the once numer- ous and powerful Oneida Nation. Fancy could read sad- ness in their faces at this last inroad of a scarcely under- stood civilization upon the domain of their ancestors and their own homes. If, with the transcient and soon gratified feeling of curiosity, they were, in the main, mourners upon the scene, it need be no marvel.
The Railroad House was built by Mr. Higinbotham ; its first landlord was Henry Y. Stewart. Mr. Higinbotham began selling lots this year. The first dwelling was built by Charles R. Stewart, on the site where the " Coe Block " now is. The same house is now used as a dwelling on Broad street. The store of S. H. Goodwin & Co. was the first store of importance in Oneida, and gave character to the mercantile business of the place. Mr. Goodwin started in May, 1844, his first business place being a wooden struc- ture on the site of his present store, on Madison street. It was burned in 1862, and rebuilt of brick the same year. The first telegraph office-the " Western Union "-was established in 1846, under the care of I. N. Messenger ; it was so entirely an experiment, that to secure it, a guarantee of a certain income for the first year, was entered into by
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