History of Monroe county, New York with illustrations descriptive of its scenery, Palatial residences, Part 62

Author: McIntosh, W. H. cn; Everts, Ensign, and Everts, Philadelphia, pub
Publication date: 1877
Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts, Ensign and Everts
Number of Pages: 976

USA > New York > Monroe County > History of Monroe county, New York with illustrations descriptive of its scenery, Palatial residences > Part 62

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

In the year 1844 a second foundry and machine-shop was established, in the east and central part of the village, by William H. Seymour and Thomas R. Roby. But business was hardly begun when Dayton S. Morgan, a young man of enter- prise and ability, bought Mr. Roby's interest, and the firm became Seymour & Morgan. Mr. Seymour had been favorably known in the business affairs of Brockport ever since its first start, in 1822,-first a clerk, then a partner, and finally successor of his brother James in the mercantile business. The new firm began moderately in the manufacture of stoves and farm implements. In 1846 it began the manufacture of the McCormick reaper,-the same year that Blickus, Fitch & Co. undertook the same enterprise,-and built and sold one hundred machines the first year. They were the first one hundred successful harvesting machines known to have been manufactured in the worldl. During this experience the necessity of improvements was learned, and in 1843 the firm constructed an improved machine, called the " New Yorker." About this time Mr. Seymour had invented and patented some valuable improvements in automatic raking, especially the quadrant platform, which no subsequent invention has been able to supersede or evade. In 1852 a self-raking reaper was built by Seymour & Mor- gan, and another by Palmer & Williams, which differed somewhat in construction. but each posscasing important principles essential to a perfeet machine. Both were manufactured by Seymour & Morgan. These were the first self-raking reapers made successful in this country or elsewhere. These patents were subse- quently consolidated in one machine, cach party holding specified interests. They were renewed by act of Congress in 18GG, and many manufacturers of reapers have paid royalty to them. In 1853, George H. Allen became a partner in the firm, which was then known as Seymour, Morgan & Allen, and continued until 1873. In 1873-74 a new reaper, combining important improvements, which experience had taught to be necessary in a perfect machine, to overcome diffi- culties in all conditions of grain, was made, called the "Triumph." This is the consummation of the forty years' experience, the skill and genius of the firm, and its complete success is attested by the rapidity with which it is being supplied to the farmers of the surrounding country. Seymour & Co. have done, and are doing, an extensive business, building at times three thou-and reapers in a single season, and are justly renowned as the first to introduce the American Harvester to the world, the first to manufacture a successful hand-raking reaper, the in- ventors and first to bring into use the successful automatic raking reaper, and the inventors and builders of the " Triumph."

160

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, NEW YORK.

George F. Barnett, one of the oldest residents of Bruckport, and for several years superintendent in the manufactory of Seymour & Morgan, associated with. George B. Whiteside as a partner in business, and commenced the manufacture of a general assortment and variety of agricultural implements and castings in 1850. Their factory is located in the west part of the village, und is doing an extensive and successful business.

Silas Hardy began the manufacture of sleighs and carriages in 1822, on the east side of Main street, south of the canal, which was continued extensively until his death, in 1838; after which it passed into other hands for a short time. or until purchased by John Smith & Co., in 1839 The new firm commenced the manufacture of furniture, and has continued to the present, though largely extended. In 1864 their shops were destroyed by fire, and they removed their factory to a place north of the canal, and in the west part of the village, while a substantial brick block was erected on the nld grounds. On the removal of the factory the facilities for manufacturing were so much enlarged that the retail trade was abandoned and the wholesale only retained.

Isaac Baroes began in an early day the manufacture of carriages, in the west part of the village, and conducted it successfully until 1862. when his failing health obliged him to abandon it. A. Boyd & Bro. have since conducted it.

BOAT-BUILDING.

Among the different branches of manufacturing in the early days of Brockport not the least prominent was that of boat-building. Before railroads the packet- boats on the canal afforded the most comfortable and speedy mode of travel. Though at a less rate of speed than the ordinary atage, by running day and night a greater distance was attained. A daily line of boats had been established between Rochester and Albany, connecting with stage lines on the Ridge and Buffalo roads, when Mr. Hiel Brockway, seizing the favorable oppertunity, built and equipped in fine taste a number of packets, and in 1828 launched them, and established a daily line through to Buffalo. Mr. Brockway afterwards, connected with E. B. Holmes, followed boat-building several years, which, with the line of packets, became a great source of wealth to them and prosperity to Brockport. In 1839 or 1840 Elias B. Holmes established a new and independent line, called " The Opposition," which reduced the profits very much, -to the gain, however, of the patrons. The completion of the Rochester und Niagara Falls Railroad in 1850 destroyed the business of the canal packets, and all lines were discontinued, Manu- facturing has been the prominent interest in Brockport, to which it owes its past and present prosperity.

OCCUPATIONS.

The occupations followed, and the number of houses engaged in each, in Brock- port are as follows, viz., nine physicians, seven clergymen, ten lawyers, two reaper and mower manufactories, one of agricultural implements, one of cahinet ware, three cooperage, one gas manufactory, two lumber manufacturers and dealers, two of marble, two of carriages, five of boots and shoes, four of clothing, three of har- ness, two of hats and caps, four dressmakers, three justices of the peace, four black- smith-shops, two dentists, three dealers in flour and feed. four produce dealers' firms, one furniture establishment, two undertakers. four barbers, four restaurants, two hair-dressers, five insurance agents, five hotel-keepers, one hank of discount. one national bank, two photographers, three meat marketg, one fish market, two bakeries, one confectionery, three livery stables, two jewelers, three druggists, fif- teen groceries, four dry goods, four hardware, two dealers in farm implements, eighteen liquor stores, five fruit dealers, one express ageney, two telegraph offices, one fruit-canning, five milliners, one whip-maker, one glove-maker, three printing offices.

THE BROCKPORT UNION AORICULTURAL SOCIETY

was organized in October, 1850, with Hon. E. B. Holmes, president, H. N. Beach, secretary, and Thomas Cornes, treasurer. It leased sixteen acres in the southeast part of the town, for ten years, of Lorenzo Porter and Humphrey Palmer, and constructed one of the finest half-mile tracks in the State. At the expiration of the lease, being unable to secure an extension of the owners, or to purchase the property, it way disbanded, which took place in October, 1869. The last officers were HI. W. Seymour, president, Daniel Ilolmes, secretary, and O. B. Avery, treasurer. Hlou. E. B. Holmes was president for five years, L. D. Babcock three years, and H. W. Seymour two years.

THE BROCKPORT CENTENNIAL RELIEF CLUB

was organized July 1, 1870. with seventy-five members, and the following officers: George Norton, president ; J. W. Larkins, vice president ; Charles Hallam, re- cording secretary ; C. H. Ginther, financial secretary ; Sidomon Kitner, treasurer ; William Henrich, Jr., messenger.

BROCKPORT COLLEGIATE INSTITUTE.

In the year 1832 or 1833, the Baptist Association of Western New York re- solved to establish a college at some point west of Rochester, where the greatest inducement should be offered in the way of local aid towards its creation. Com- missionery being appointed to receive proposals and determine location. Hiel Brockway offered to donate six acres of land for college grounds, and three thau- sand dollars in money. Others offered liberally, and after considerable strif .. between it, Le Roy, and Warsaw, this place was successful, having offered the greatest inducementa. Subscriptions were circulated in western New York. mudr especially among the Baptist people, and a sufficient amount raised to induce the building committee to commence the erection of the building. In 1934 the work was begun, and pushed rapidly until the building was inelosed, but not without incurring a large indebtedness. In 1835 or 1830 a portion was com- pleted, and a school opened in a collegiate course, with Professor Morse as principad. The great indebtedness very much embarrassed the association, creditors holding mortgages on the property for a large amount of money. Times grew wor-r. ebanging to a financial panie throughout the country, and the association found it impossible to complete the building and to maintain a college according to the original plan. Io 1836 the association, failing to meet the mortgage then due. lost the building through a foreclosure sale, it falling into the hands of Philemon Allen, a contractor, who, soon after. failed himself, when the property passed to his assignees. The school was closed, as it could no longer be maintained, and Brockport college was known no more, the building becoming literally a harbor for beasts. The Baptist society of Brockport having charge of its ercetion bal also failed, and the original design of establishing a college at this place appeared to have become impossible. But the enterprise of Brockport could not allow an institution of that character to be lost forever for the want of proper effort, or a structure which had already cost so much money to sink into decay, On August 19, 1841, the citizens of Brockport met to consider the feasibility of purchasing the buildings and grounds, which were offered for three thousand eight hundre~1 dollars, and of completing the original design of establishing a collegiate institute at this place. It was proposed to create a fund by issuing certificates of stock. in shares of twenty-five dollars, making cach holder a part owner of the property. One hundred and fifty-eight shares were taken by forty-four persons, ranging froin two to eight each, and amounting to three thousand nine hundred and fifty dollars. On September 12, following, a board of twenty-four trustees were elected as follows, viz. : Rev. B. B. Stockton, T. R. Cbapen, H. Backus, R. W. Gould, E. B. Holmes, S. H. Davis, Joseph Ganson, F. P. Root, John Efoer, .J. A. Latta, William Downs, Joseph Roby, W. H. Seymour, J. H. Nichols. S. G Wiliams, A. W. Cary, George Allen, F. W. Brewster, William Barry, II. Brock- way, I. Joslyn, D. Burroughs, Jr., T. R. Roby, and A. Fitch. Two nthers were subsequently chosen, W. E. Skidmore and Peter Sutphen, and Israel Starks tu fill vacancy. J. Ganson was elected clerk, but ao president was chosen until July 5, 1842, when T. R. Roby was chosen. It was resolved that. as the Bup- tist denomination had expended much money in the enterprise, if at any time within ten years they could raise sufficient funds to maintain a church college. and pay the three thousand eight hundred dollars, it should be transferred to that society. A loan was procured on the property, and a subscription raised to cou :- plete the building and improve the grounds. The institution was then incolt- rated as a collegiate institute, and Julius Bates, A.B., formerly a teacher in Game4 (Orleans connty) Academy, was engaged as principal for a term of four years, at an annual salary of eight hundred dollars. The other teachers in the institute during the first year were Oliver Morehouse, J. O. Wilson, J. R. Wilson. David Black, Mrs. N. A. Bradley, Mary Mortimer, Francis Colier, Mrs. R. Morchou -. Miss C. Thurston, and Eliza MeCarty. The term began November 4, 1812 Mrs. Bates took control of the house and all the internal management. On Jun- mary 3, 1843, E. B. Ilolmes was elected president of the board of truster". George Allen, vice-president, J. Ganson, sreretary, and John II. Nichels, treasurer. Two thousand five hundred dollars additional stock was raised, at twenty-five d.l. lars per share, and a donation of eight hundred and eighty-four dollars from the citizens of the town. The number of the students rapidly increased. and the fame of the school spread abroad, and it was soon classed among the first institu- tions of the kind in the State. For the years 1844 and 1845, R. W. Gould was made vice-president, and T. R. Rooy treasurer, the otber officers remainat: unchanged.

On the 27th of October, 1845, Julius Bates, the principal, in the height of his success was stricken down with death, and arrangements were immediate is made for Professor Morehouse, one of the teachers, to take the management as principal, and Mrs. Bates to continue in charge of the boarding departement. and the school was conducted to the end of the term with the same rificiety as under Mr. Bates. In November Bilowing Jerome Faller was elected a mem-

PLATE XXXI!I

RES. OF THOMAS CORNES, BROCKPORT, N. Y.

RES OF D. S. MORGAN , BROCKPORT, NY.

FLATE AARTY.

MRS. LUTHER GORDON

LUTHER GORDON.

RES. OF LUTHER GORDON , BROCKPORT, NEW YORK

DEMOCRAT

قيمة مصمصا بـ

BINK

BLOCK OF THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK,

ERECTED BY LUTHER GORDON 1973 9 1874, BROCKPORT, NY

PLATE

J. D.DECKER.

BANK

S.F. MORRISON

DECKER'S BLOCK, ERECTED BY J. D. DECKER, BROCKPORT NY

161

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, NEW YORK.

ber of the board in place of' George Allen. deceased, and on July 14, 1846, was elected president. the other officers continuing. At the end of the term Professor Morehouse resigned. and Jacob C Tooker became principal until the close of 1849, when J. G. K. Trinar was called to that position, Mrs. Bates still in charge of the boarding department. Under this management the school was conducted with great success and gave general satisfaction. In May, 1853, Mr. Trinar resigned, and Mr. N. P. Stanton and wife, from Buffalo, took charge, the former as principal and the latter as assistant. U'oder the new regime the school sprang into new activity, and a more than common prosperity prevailed. On January 11, 1854, the board of trustees elected E. Whitney president. B. Dens- more vice-president, C. E. Mott secretary, and H. Lathrop treasurer. The school bad now attained its highest efficiency, celebrated far and wide, when on Sunday, April 2, 1854, at eleven A.M., while the citizens were at church, they were startled by a great uproar, and, rushing nut, bcheld their institute wrapped in flames, which, by two P.M., was completely razed to the ground. The school of course was broken up, the students scattered and connected with other institu- tions, and but little hope remained that the Brockport Institute would ever be re-established. The salaries of the teachers for the first year under Mr. Bates amounted to two thousand two hundred and five dollars; for 1845, for six teachers, to two thousand five huodred dollars .- eight hundred dollars the highest, and Phehe Baker's the lowest, three hundred dollars. Board in the institution was first one dollar and twenty-five cents per weel, but in 1852 it was raised to one dollar and forty cents per week to make it self-supporting. On the next morning after the fire the trustees met and came to the determination to rebuild as soon as possible, and with little delay the work was begun under the direction of the former principal. Mr. Stanton, who bad been already engaged on liberal terms for a period of years to take charge of the school. On November I, 1855, it was announced that the institution would be opened on Tuesday, November 27, 1855. under the immediate mpervision of N. B. Stanton, Jr., A. MI., assisted by a full and able corps of teachers. But meanwhile Mr. Stauton was elected to the State legislature, and was compelled to resign. The trustees had incurred an indebtedness of about ten thousand dollars, and to meet it eight thousand dollars was obtained by mortgage on the. property from the University of Rochester, and a second mortgage of two thou- sand dollars given to David Burbank for that sum loaned, he to become principal for ten years, on complying with specified terms and agreements. The school was opened pursuant to notice, with E. J. Pickett, Simon Tucker, Sarah MI. Schoon- maker, and Abbie B. Burt as assistants. On December 23, 1856, the people of Brockport assembled in the college chapel for the purpose of dedicating to the cause of education the new Brockport Collegiate Institute, just completed. The dedieatory address was delivered by President Andrews, of the Rochester U'ni- versity ; and Mr. Whitney, on the part of the trustees, stated that the main building was four stories high, divided into one hundred and eighty-two rooms, fifty by sixty feet area, with two wings, cach forty by seventy feet area, giving a continuous length of two hundred feet, with the cost of all, including the grounds, of thirty thousand dollars. The school flourished under Mr. Burbank, and be- came one of the most popular in the State, though he failed to make it a success financially ; and on April 9, 1861, he asked the board of trustees to release him from bis contract, which, however, was refused. On June 7, 1861, he transferred his rights and interests to P. J. Williams, A.M., of Marion College Institute, assisted by Professor Malcolm Me Vicar, Mr. Spencer, and Miss Dornberg. Much trouble was experienced in meeting the payments of interest on the mortgage, which, in 1862, had to be raised by subscription. In consequence of this embarrassment, Professor Williams resigned January 14, 1803, and Professor Me Vicar was employed, on condition that be should be released from paying the 'interest on the indebtedness. At the end of the year he also resigned, and Pro- fessor Morehouse engaged, which, however, was rescinded, and Professor Me Vicar reinstated, with the agreement that rents and tuition should be raised. But embarrassments continued to exist, foreclosures were commenced, and there wemed to be no resource left whereby the institution could be maintained. A department had been established in connection with the institute devoted expressly to the training of teachers for common schools, which had become popular ; and a. an act bad passed the legislature, April 16. 1866, authorizing the location of four more normal schools, application was made by the board of trustees for the location of one in Brockport, in connection with the academic department. Application was also made by other localities. It was required that suitable Willings should be furnished and deeded to the State before the school would be ~~ tablished. In this locality Geneseo and Brockport became the contestants. The former offered to erect buildings worth fifty thousand dollars and deed to the State. Brockport voted to raise fifty thousand dollars to purchase the institute buildings and crect additions. making the whole worth one hundred and ten thou- und dollars, and deed to the State, reserving, however, a portion as an academic department.

NORMAL SCHOOL.

The contest was fierce in Albany, but finally decided in favor of Brockport, and confirmed by set of legislature in March, 1867. On the 21st of March. the same year, the last meeting of the board of trustees of the institute was held, at which all right, title. and interests of the board were transferred to the village, and thence to the State. On the 29th of the same month Hon. Victor M. Rice, State superintendent of public instruction, appointed a local board to manage the affairs of the school, as follows : Rochester, M. B. Anderson ; Brockport. Jerome Fuller. Thomas Cornes. William II. Seymour, A. F. Brainerd, B. E. Huntley. Daniel Holmes, J. A. Latta. Timothy Frye. J. D. Decker, and Joseph Tozier ; Clarkson, Elijah Criswell. Jerome Fuller was chosen president, Daniel Holines secretary. and J. D. Decker treasurer. The normal school was formally npened April 17. 1867, with the subjoined faculty installed : Malcolm McVicar A.M., principal ; Oliver Avery, A.M., professor of natural sciences ; Mrs. H. E. G. Arey, pre- reptress ; Misses Helen Rohy, Lucy A. Mead, Sarah Efter, Martha Starks, and Mrs. F. C. Alling, department teachers ; Charles D. McLean, LL.B., professor of mathematics ; William J. Milne, professor of academic department ; Misses Lucina J. Grant, Sarah M. Haskell, Jennie M. Thompson, C. Minerva Chriswell, and Libbie S. Richmond, assistant teachers. On the 29th of June, 1868, Professor MeVicar resigned, and was succeeded by Professor C. D. MIcLean as principal, with Mrs. W. C. Sylla as preceptress, with fourteen assistants, including the academic department. In 1867, 84034.03 was received from the State for the normal department, and $650 from tuition in the academic. In 1868, $14,734.21 were received for the former, and 84797.60 for the latter. In 1870 the total receipts were 820,209.79; in 1871, $29,943.64; in 1872, 826,585.18; in 1873, $21,200.50 ; in 1874, 820,027.71 ; and in 1875, $20,829.25. The number of pupils in the normal department in 1867 was one hundred and forty ; in 1868, one hundred and fifty-nine ; whole number in both departments, four hundred and fifteen. In 1869, in the normal. two hundred and fifty-four, with twenty graduates. In 1873 the whole number in attendance was nine hundred and eighty-three, of which three hundred and forty-six were in the normal. In 1874. total number, eight hundred and seventy-one; in the normal, two hundred and ninety-one; and in 1875 the total number was eight hundred and eighty-six, and three hundred and twenty-five in the normal. Total number of graduates up to this time, one hundred and nineteen. In 1872 a special appropriation of three thousand dollars was made by the State. The value of the buildings and grounds was then estimated at one hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars; the furni- niture at five thousand seven hundred and ninety-five dollars; and the library and apparatus at ten thousand eight hundred and nineteen dollars.

THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF BROCKPORT.

The first society of this church was organized December 10, 1827, by the Rev. John Copeland, in the academy, which then occupied the site of the present Bap- tist church. Previous to its organization religions services in connection with the cireuit had been held in a private house, then in a hotel, but after that event, and until the construction of their first church edifice a year later, at the academy. Among the first members were Luxe Webster, Silas Hardy and Mrs. Hardy, Barney Mead and Mrs. Mead, Caleb Kingsbury, Prime B. Hill, and Marietta Smith, the latter the only original member now living. The first pastor was John Copeland, one of the fathers of the old Genesce conference. The original board of trustees were Silas Hardy, Hent: Ketcham, Henry Jones, Richarond Tuttle. Hasting R. Bender, and Samuel Kingsbury; the first stewards, Luke Webster, Peletiah Rogers. Barnhart Mead, and Silas Hardy; and the first class-leaders, John Hewett, Caleb Kingsbury, and Silas Hardy. Loring Grant was presiding elder; Barney Mead the first local preacher. Their first church building was erected in 1828. This was the first church edifice of any denomination ever erected in Brockport. It was a brick structure, located on the north side of Market street cast of the post-office constructed under the supervision of Rich- mond Tuttle, at a cost of' three thousand dollars, and dedicated in January, 1829, by Rev. Ahner Chase.

In the spring of 1875 successful measures were inaugurated for the construc- tion of a more commodious and imposing edifice. The old structure and lot were sold to John A. Latta for three thousand dollars ; a subscription of ten thousand dollars was raised ; a lot on the corner of Main and Eric atrects purchased for four thousand five hundred dollars; plans and specifications procured of Waruer & Cutler, architects, of Rochester; and the contract of building awarded to Mr. Wilkinson, of Honcoye Falls, for eleven thousand dollars. It is now in process of construction,-a toagnificent brick structure, costing, with lot and furnishing, seventera thousand five hundred dollars.

Meanwhile, on the last Sunday in May, 1875, the last religious services were held in the old church, which, with its sacred metuories of over forty years, was

162

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, NEW YORK.

forever deserted, and since then the services have been conducted in the Free- Will Baptist church. On August 8, IS70, the ceremonies of laying the corner- stone of their new structure occurred, under the direction of Dr. Dennis, the present pastor, who placed the box with the records beneath the stone. Addresses were also made by Rev. A. D. Wilbur and Rev. T. J. Leak. of Rochester. The present board of trustees are Hiram Miner, Elijah E. Chiswell, Edgar A. Spring, Robert Fellows, William Bradford, Gurden Richards, and George B. Lewis.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Monroe county, New York with illustrations descriptive of its scenery, Palatial residences, Part 62

Author: McIntosh, W. H. cn; Everts, Ensign, and Everts, Philadelphia, pub Publication date: 1877 Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts, Ensign and Everts Number of Pages: 976

Author: McIntosh, W. H. cn; Everts, Ensign, and Everts, Philadelphia, pub
Publication date: 1877
Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts, Ensign and Everts
Number of Pages: 976