USA > New York > Fulton County > History of Montgomery and Fulton counties, N.Y. : with illustrations and portraits of old pioneers and prominent residents > Part 34
USA > New York > Montgomery County > History of Montgomery and Fulton counties, N.Y. : with illustrations and portraits of old pioneers and prominent residents > Part 34
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The Spraker National Bank, chartered in 1853, was the first bank in Cana- joharie under a State charter, and is still in successful operation. James Spraker has always been its president. It was organized as a national bank in 1865 ; capital $100,000.
The Canajoharie Bank was organized as a State bank in 1855, and as a national bank ten years later. A. N. Van Alstine was the first president, and P. Moyer the first cashier ; C. G. Barnes and A. G. Richmond hold those offices at present. The capital of the bank is $25,000.
The Phoenix Block, of which an illustration appears on another page, is a fine, large fire-proof building, erected in the summer of 1877, over the ruins of a frame structure, formerly the Masonic Hall building, and at the time of the disastrous fire of April 30, 1877, owned by Hodge & Stafford. The present building is of brick, the front being composed of "Croton pressed brick," with iron cornice and trimmings outside, and metal roof, and is, taken altogether, one of the best looking and most substantial blocks in the village.
The south half of this building is owned and occupied by Sticht & Shubert, as a boot and shoe store, below; while the second story is rented of them by the Canajoharie Reform Club, as a club room; and the third story by Professor Dobson for his dancing school.
The firm of Sticht & Shubert is composed of Christopher Sticht and Frank Shubert, both of German nativity, but long residents of America. Mr. Sticht, the senior member of the firm, came to America from Germany in 1854, and began work at shoe making for his brother, John M. Sticht, on this site. In 1861, he purchased of his brother a half interest in the business. In 1865, Frank Shubert, who came from Germany in 1851, pur- chased of John M. Sticht the remaining half interest, making the firm of Sticht & Shubert, which has ever since successfully traded here. In the fall of 1877, after this building was nearly completed, the firm of Sticht & Shubert purchased of Hodge & Stafford the south half of it, as now occu- pied by them. The Stichts had occupied the same store and been in the same business up to the 30th of April, 1877, the date of the fire.
Mr. Sticht enlisted at the first call for troops in 1861, with the three months men, and faithfully served out his time. Mr. Shubert also, at the call of his country in August, 1861, enlisted as a private in Co. F. 43d Regiment N. Y. S. V., and served with honor as sergeant until April, 1865, when for bravery and devotion he was given a lieutenant's commis- sion, which he proudly brought home with him at the close of the war.
For honesty and fair dealing this firm has built up an enviable reputa- tion, as they make a specialty of first-class work.
The present drug and medicine firm of Hodge & Stafford was founded in the year 1856, by Horace Bush and Dr. John H. Stafford, father of one of the present proprietors, and occupied the corner store in the old Concert Hall building, erected by James T. Easton. After about ten years the interest of Mr Bush was purchased by A. M. Hodge, who had been a clerk in the store from its commencement. Shortly after Dr. Stafford transferred his interest in the business to his son Charles T. The new firm, within a short time, purchased the block. In the memorable fire of Apr. 30, 1877, the entire block from Canal to Main streets was consumed. Within five months, on the site of the old building, but embracing in depth forty feet additional, the new and substantial three story brick blonk above described, and elsewhere illustrated, was erected, which is now or. cupied in part by the firm.
The present store as to sie, convenience and general finish, is clumed to he superior to any in the county, and certainly indicates that the bust- ness under the present management is prosperous and successful.
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102
THE HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
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Among the principal business men are John Finehout & Son, who opened a grocery and crockery store in 1860. G. F. Hiller located here in the grocery business in 1870.
W. G. Winsman, boot and shoe dealer, began business in 1862, succeed- ing his father, who commenced the trade in 1834.
Louis Bierbauer began brewing ale and lager beer in 1856, and is still engaged in it, being located in Mill street.
In the hide, leather and wool business may be mentioned James Halli- gan, the only dealer in that line, who began in 1859.
Peter Sloan, dentist, was the only one in the village when he opened his office in 1861.
William Hatter, who settled here in 1848, began the business of a clothier and merchant tailor in 1851, and still continues it.
The cut stone and lime business is carried o : by Charles Shaper, who, beginning in 1856, has built up a thriving trade. There are four others in the same line.
Philip Betts located here in 1861, and opened a meat market, which he still keeps.
S. A. Field has kept a livery stable since 1857.
E. Roberts has been a machinist in the village since 1852.
E. L. Yates built the Yates malt house in 1863. It was managed by Wemple and Read until 1869, when Mr. Yates took charge of the business. This is the only establishment of the kind now in the village, one having been burned down in the fire of 1877.
L. B. Clark & Son have a large planing mill, run by steam, and an eleva- · tor and feed mill.
An apiary is carried on by J. H. Nellis, who is an importer And breeder of Italian bees, manufacturer of artificial honey comb, and general dealer in apiarian supplies.
A. C. Nellis, as a florist and seedsman, furnishes plants, seeds, bulbs, etc., of every description.
MASONIC LODGE AND CHAPTER.
Hamilton Lodge, No. 79, F. & A. M., has an elegant hall in the village of Canajoharie. Its charter dates back to 1806, when it was No. 10 in the list of lodges. Dr. Joshua Webster was the first master.
A chapter of Royal Arch masons also have an interest in the hall and its furniture.
St. Paul's Lodge, F. & A. M., was organized at Buel, a year or two earlier than Hamilton Lodge, with which it was afterward united.
HARVEY DUNKEL.
The subject of this sketch is of German descent, his great-grandfather, Peter Dunkel, having emigrated, with his family of four sons, from Zwei Breucken on the Rhine, and settled at Freysbush, in the town of Canajo- harie, about the year 1765. His grandfather, John Garret Dunkel, who, upon his arrival here, was only six years of age, also had four sons, viz .: George, Peter, John, and Daniel. His father, John Dunkel, jr., who is still living, was born in Canajoharie in May, 1797, and, in turn, was blessed with four sons and two daughters, to wit: William J., Peter J., Moses. Harvey, Lucy and Ann Eliza, the latter being the present Mrs. S. W. Beardsley. His mother's maiden name was Elizabeth Fox, whose grand- father came from Germany, and located in the same vicinity as early as 1770. Both his grandfathers and great-uncles naturally esponsed the cause of liberty, and took an active part in the Revolutionary struggles. His paternal grandsire lost his right eye in an engagement at Sharon Hill, and was also present at the surrender of Burgoyne; at Saratoga, in October, 1777, and he and his brothers took part in the battle of Oriskany. Many Revolutionary relics, once a part of his accoutrements, are still in the possession of the family. Harvey Dunkel was born in the town of Cana- joharie, Montgomery county, April 26th, 1837. He received an academic education, studied law at Cherry Valley, Otsego county, with James E. Dewey, Esq., now of Albany, and in the spring of 1859 was admitted to the bar. On October 15th, 1861, he united in marrige with Althea H .. daughter of Joshna S. Williams, of Canajoharie. Fannie I., their only child, was born July 25th, 1862. In December, 1858, he located in the village of Canajoharie, where he soon after commenced and still continues the practice of his profession, In November, 1874, he was elected district attorney of Montgomery county for three years, and in the fall of 1877 was again elected, by an increased majority, being the only man re-elected to that office since the organization of the county. As the people's attorney, he has conducted some of the most important criminal cases ever brought before the courts of Montgomery county. In February, 1878, he tried two murder cases of great interest, in the short space of five days, which re- sulted in the conviction of both criminals ; and for the able and impartial manner in which these cases were prepared, presented and prosecuted, he received the unqualified commendation of the bar, the encomiums of the press, and the plaudits of the public generally. Although three genera- tions removed from his native German ancestry, he speaks the language of his forefathers with ease and fluency. He is also possessed of rare musi- cal talent, and has a high reputation as a singer. His genial disposition and social and sympathetic nature have won him hosts of true friends in all classes of society, while his intellectual attainments, professional ability, sound judgment, love of justice and uncompromising integrity, command the respect of all with whom he comes in contact.
HARVEY DUNKEL.
Res. of JAMES ARKELL. MONTGOMERY ST. CANAJOHARIE, N. Y.
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" JACOB SNELL
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THE PIONEERS OF CHARLESTON.
103
THE TOWN OF CHARLESTON.
The town of Charleston, the third in point of age in the county, was formed from the original town of Mohawk on the 12th day of March, 1793. The early history of the town of Glen, given in another part of this volume, is in part the early history of this town, from the fact that during the year 1823 Charleston was reduced to less than one-half of its former proportions by the creation of the towns of Root and Glen; the former having been organized January 27, and the latter April 10. The list of the first officers of the town and much other interesting historical matter are lost, owing to the fact that in the year 1867 Schuyler Gordon, who was the town clerk, kept the records in his store at Oak Ridge, and in the autumn of that year the store was burned aod the town records were consumed in the flames.
Among the early settlers in the town was John E. Van Epps, who located at the site of the present village of Fultonville, in the town of Glen. From his nephew, Charles, who came about the same time, the town received its name.
Charleston, the only town in Montgomery county which does not border on the Mohawk river, is about five miles distant from it, the nearest point being where the town line strikes the Schoharie creek. The latter forms its eastern boundary, and is the line of separation between it and the town of Florida, and also in part the dividing line between' Montgomery and Schenectady counties. The surface is generally a rolling upland, descending abruptly to the beds of the small streams which flow in every direction; the principal one, Mill brook, flowing east and uniting with the Schoharie about two miles north of the village of Burtonville. In the eastern part of the town the land bordering upon the Schoharie consists « hiefly of bluffs, varying in height from 50 to 100 feet.
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When the first white settlers came into this section, the adaptability of the water of the Schoharie for milling purposes was at once seen, and numerous mills were erected along its course.
CHARLESTON'S PIONEERS.
Among the early settters prior to the war of the Revolution, were : Thomas Machin, Capt. John Stanton, Robert Winchell, Adin Brownley, Henry Mapes, David Kimball, Nathan Kimball, Ezekiel Tracy, Nathan Tracy, Abner Throop, John Eddy and Abiah Beaman; and these were followed later by Judah Burton, Abram Davis, John Butler, Charles Ear- ing, Benjamin Beard, John Reimer, John Brand, John Hamilton, Isaac Conover, Peter Fero, Edward Montanye, Henry Shibly, John Schuyler, Garret 1. Lansing, Alexander Hubbs, Genrge Teeple, John Cochley, John Hoag, Elijah Herrick, Abram Guile, Ephraim Burtch, William Jamison, Joshua Tuhbs, Christian Overhaugh, Sylvanus Willoughby, James Sut- phen, Benjamin K. Kneeland, Elias Cady, Francis Hoag, Nathaniel Bow- lish. Ira H. Corbin, James Jermain, Henry G. Staley, David Hamilton, James Pettey., Peleg Petteys, Cornelius Wiser, Sergeant Heath, Daniel Bryant, Clark Randall, Thomas Leak, Michael Winter, Jacob Weed, Jacob Smith, Ethan Eaton, Stephen Borden, Ezra Gordon, Richard Davis, Moses l'ierson, Richard Clute, William Fero and John Onderkirk.
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This town witnessed much of the distress suffered by the dwellers on the frontier during the Revolution, from the fact that the raiding parties of British, Indians and tories usually chose the Schoharie valley as their toute from the valley of the Susquehanna to that of the Mohawk. The road leading directly north from Oak Ridge was the old Indian road, and on one occasion, during one of the hurried marches from the Susquehan- na to the Mohawk, the British and Indians were pursued by a party of Americans, and, a short distance north of the house of late occupied by
Noah Davis, built a barricade of their baggage-wagons, and for some time resisted the advance of the Americans, but were finally forced to retreat, burning the barrieade as they left.
It was also on this road that the famous "stone-heap " was situated. There is a tradition that, long prior to the Revolutionary war, a white man was murdered at this spot, and the edict was issued that every In- dian, in passing the spot, should throw a stone upon it. Who issued the command, and when it was issued, are questions whose answers are lost in the dim distance of time. The fact remains that every Indian who passed the spot did cast a stone upon it. One authority says: "Somewhere between Schoharie creek and Caughnawaga commenced an Indian road of foot-path which led to Schoharie. Near this road * * * has been seen, from time immemorial, a large pile of stones, which has given the name 'Stone-heap Patent' to the tract on which it occurs, as may be seen from ancient deeds." Rev. Gideon Hawley, in the narrative of his tour through the Mohawk country, by Schoharie creek, in 1753, makes the fol- lowing allusion to the stone-heap : "We came to a resting-place and breathed our horses, and slaked our thirst at the stream. when we perceived our Indian looking for a stone, which, having found, he cast to a heap which for ages had been accumulating by passengers like him who was our guide. We inquired why he observed that rite. He answered that his father practiced it and enjoined it on him. But he did not like to talk on the subject. *
* * This custom or rite is an acknowledgment of an invisible being. We may style him the unknown god whom this people worship. This heap is his altar. The stone that is collected is the obla- tion of the traveler, which, if offered with a good mind, may be as accept- able as a consecrated animal. But perhaps these heaps of stones may be erected to a local deity, which most probably is the case." On this, Rut- tenber remarks: "The custom referred to had nothing of worship in it. * * * The stone-heaps were always by the side of a trail or regularly traveled path, and usually at or near a stream of water. The Indians paused to refresh themselves, and, by throwing a stone or a stick to a ver- tain place, indicated to other travellers that a friend had passed."
It was the custom of many of the early settlers, especially those who came from adjoining counties, to come to their new possessions in the spring and fell the trees, and in the fall burn them, and return to their homes to spend the winter months. After two or three years they would have sufficient space cleared to cultivate, and would then bring their fami- lies and build their log-houses.
The first woman in the vicinity of Charleston Four Corners was Elizabeth Caw. She occupied a log-house, with blankets hung in the doorways and windows to keep out the night air.
CENTERS OF BUSINESS AND POPULATION.
BURTONVIL.IF .- Shortly after the close of the Revolutionary war, a tract of land, in the south-east end corner of the town, one mile square, was granted to Judah Burton and others. The date of the first settlement at this point is not definitely known, but it was probably very shortly after the close of the war, if not a year or two previous to that date, from the fact that Judah Button in the year 1785, erected the first saw and grist-mill in the town. This building stood about half a mile below the location of the present mill at Burtonville, and was built by Felix Holt. A brisk business was carried on here, as it was for many years the only mill in town The building remained until the year 1814, when a heavy freshet carried away the dam, and the business was abandoned at that point. In the same year
104
THE HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
however, a mill was erected at the site of Burtonville, by Jonathan, Eben- ezer and Abram Mudge, which remained until the year 1850. In that year, Judah Burton, the son of the original settler, built the fine structure at present occupied by J. W. &. N. H. Meriness. Burton, after building the mill, carried on the business until 1854, when he sold out to Smith Colyer, who continued it for two years, and was then succeeded by Charles M. Sitterley, who sold out in the year 1876 to the present firm. J. W. Meriness came to the town in 1854, and was employed in the mill when it was in the hands of Colyer. He has been here in the business since that time, with the exception of four or five years.
In 1810, Joseph Blanchard erected a carding machine and fulling mill. where he carried on business for a number of years. In 1844, A. G. Ran- dall commenced the business of manufacturing woolen goods at Burton- ville, and four years thereafter built the mill now occupied by himself and his son, who are now doing a first class trade. In connection with the business of manufacturing woolens, they make grape, honey, and packing boxes, and also have a patent right for manufacturing spring beds.
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In 1812, a nail factory was erected here, but the business was carried on only for a short time.
In 1817, a tannery was erected at this point by Benjamin Davis. He was succeeded in 1826 by Benjamin Palmer, who continued the business until 1863, when the tannery was abandoned.
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The first blacksmith shop in the village of Burtonville was put up in 1812, by John Walker, although one had been built previous thereto, about a quarter of a mile outside of the village limits.
The first hotel at this point was established shortly after the commence- ment of the present century, by Captain Abram Mudge, and in connection with this business he kept a general store for the accommodation of the resident farmers. From him the settlement took its first name, Mudge Hollow, but when the post-office was established here, the more attractive name of Burtonville was conferred upon it.
In addition to these business enterprises, there are at Burtonville at the present time, a hotel, two stores, a saw-mill, a wagon shop, a harness shop, and two blacksmith shops. A sash and blind factory was formerly among the industries of the place, but was abandoned in 1862.
The first hotel at CHARLESTON FOUR CORNERS was kept by Philip Young, who began the business about the year 18to. Young also kept a blacksmith shop in connection with the hotel, and in this shop Isaac S. Frost, now of Canajoharie, established a store. Shortly after this Young built a hotel on the site of the one occupied by John H Smith, but soon sold out to Captain Carl. The hotel thereafter frequently changed hands, among those who succeeded Carl being David Gordon, John and Andrew Frank, Edward Potter, Philip Rockafellow, Conrad Felters, William Haz- ard, and John H. Smith, the house at present being under the efficient management of the latter. Mr. Smith, although he has not the facilities for accomodating a large number of guests at one time, has the happy facul- ty of making every one who visits him feel very much at home.
Isaac S. Frost, who established the first store at Charleston Four Corners. was succeeded by Jesse Eaton. Eaton then took in a partner named Lovell, the firm name being Lovell & Eaton. Jas. Frost was the next occupant of the store, and he was succeeded by Charles Melnstrey, Th : establishment was carried on as a union store, and afterward James Ford kept it for a year. After Ford, Wm. Maxwell . arried on the business for eight or nine years, and was succeeded by Judson McDuffee. McDuffee built up a large trade. and did a thriving business until the year 1876, when the store was burned down. A store was afterwards opened by Il S Simmond- in the lower part of an old wagon shop.
There have been a host of blacksmiths at the Four Corners since Philip Young first swung the sledge. Monzo M. Scott, "the village blacksmith" at the present time, is a native of the town of Root, and was born in the year 1842. Tle came to Charleston in 1857, and went to farming at the Four Corners, but two years ago abandoned the plow tor the torge. Mr. Scott was a member of the 13th Heavy Artillery during the rebellion, and served until the close of the war
The other branches of business carried on at the Four Corners, are a cheese factory, a wagon shop, and an undertaking establishment. Although it does not show on the surface, there is quite an active business prosecuted at this point.
The first hotel at CHARLESTON, of, asit is more commonly known, Kinek's CORNERS, was opened shortly after the close of the list century It is not known debnitely who was the first proprietor, but among the first was W'm.
Shaw, who was followed by a man named Wolverton. The hotel then passed successively into the hands of Elisha Wilcox, Richard Carley, Kow land Rider, Joseph Steel, Priest Rider, John A Perkins, Daniel Schuyler. Gieo. Fero, John A. Perkins, W'm. J. Rider, and the present owner and o . cupant, C. D. Hall. Formerly quite an extensive trade was carried on at this point. At one time about 25 years ago, there were two stores, a hotel. a millinery establishment, a blacksmith shop, two shoe shops, and a tannery The tannery was established before the commencement of the present cen- tury by a man named Pierson, who was succeeded by his son, and the latter by Jacob Van Duysen. Jacob died and left the business to his son Joseph. who carried it on until about two years ago, when he closed it up. The store at this place was given up about eight years ago. Jacob Montanye was the last store keeper, and the business was formerly conducted in the building now owned by Mrs. Rebecca Rider.
At OAK RIDGE a store has been established for a number of years. The present merchant, Wasson C. Barlow, has by strict attention to business, and his courteous bearing toward his customers, established a large trade. Mr. Barlow is a native of the town, and is well known for many miles around He served his country in the civil war, having enlisted in the 13th Heavy Artilery in December, 1863.
Formerly the farmers of Charleston devoted their lands to dairying pur- poses, but the high prices obtainable for hay for several years past induced many of them to sell off their cows and devote their attention to the rais- ing of hav. Two years ago, after his store had been burned, Judson Me- Duffee went into the hay business. He purchases the hay froin the farmers and ships it to buyers in New York and other large cities. Mr. McDuffee handles from four to five thousand tons of hay annually He was born in the town in 1846, and has always lived in it. His father, William, owns three farms in the town at the present time, comprising, in all, 290 acres.
BRIDGES OVER THE SCHOHARIE.
Previous to the year 1790 the only way of crossing the Schoharie creek was by fording it, and during seasons of high water communication be- tween one shore and the other was necessarily interrupted. In that year the first bridge across the creek was erected at Burtonville. It was an ordin- ary wooden structure, and remained until the year 1814. In that year, while John Eaton and a boy named Raymond Barlow were crossing the bridge in a wagon, it gave way. Eaton had been warned of the dangerous condition of the bridge previous to driving upon it, but replied that he would risk it. When about in the middle of the bridge the accident occurred, and Eaton was caught by the timbers, forced under the water and drowned. Barlow escaped uninjured, and is now living in the town. It was not until the year 1820 that another bridge supplied the place of the one thus destroyed. It was a simple wooden truss bridge, and re- mained until the year 1841, when it was carried off by a freshet. Two years thereafter a fine substantial iron bridge was erected, and part of it is still standing; but in the year 1869, the western part, from the island to Burtonville, was carried away, and in 1870 the bridge assumed the form it now wears.
SCHOOL HOUSES AND TEACHERS.
The first school house in the town was located at the present site of School No. 8, and was built about the year 1800. Among the earliest teachers in the town was Andrew Higgam, the father of Dr. Biggam at Rider's Corners. The first school house in District No. 3 was built about the year 1805; and about the year 1808 the first whonl house in District No. t was erected. In the year isto the first school house in the eastern part of the town was built, about a mile and a-half north of the village et Burtonville. It was twenty feet square, and the roof came to a point over the centre of the building. The present building was erected in 1842 Squire D. C. Chase, the present teacher of the school, began teaching here in 1840, in the old building, and taught until the year 1855. He then ceased for ten years, In 1865 he commenced again, and taught eight years; since which time he has been teaching during the winter term onh. Squire Chase also holds the offices of justice of the peace and postmaster. and at his fine residence in the village of Burtonville he has three arres of land which he devotes to the purpose of raising grapes, pears and other fruit.
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