USA > New York > Fulton County > History of Montgomery and Fulton counties, N.Y. : with illustrations and portraits of old pioneers and prominent residents > Part 41
USA > New York > Montgomery County > History of Montgomery and Fulton counties, N.Y. : with illustrations and portraits of old pioneers and prominent residents > Part 41
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Myndert, son of John Starin, having carried on a large and successful business at Johnstown, and later at Sammonsville, joined, in 1822, with Thomas Robinson in buying a large tract of land, including the site of Fultonville. Here Starin and Robinson laid the foundation of the present village by building a store, a flour-mill, a distillery, a paper-mill, an ashery, a saw-mill, a blacksmith shop and nail factory, an establishment for card- ing, spinning, weaving and cloth-dressing, etc. A plaster-mill was also put up and streets laid out, and when the canal was completed it found a full- fledged village ready to take advantage of it.
In the autumn of 1825, the year in which the artificial river connecting the great lakes with the Hudson was opened to commerce, Henry P. Voor- hees began the mercantile business upon the south bank of the canal, just east of the bridge, in the village of Fultonville. His store was opened in an old farm-house, but in the next year Mr. Voorhees, to meet the prospec- tive demands of business, erected the store and store-house lately occupied by Peter Van Antwerp. He erected a shed for wagons on the corner where the Donaldson Block now stands. This shed was afterward raised and converted into a store, and later still was transformed into a dwelling- house and moved to the northwest corner of the Voorhees place, where it has been occupied by Dr. Sweatman. Soon this country place became a central point of active business, rendered attractive by the advantages of canal navigation. Several new business houses sprung into existence, though some of them endured but for a short time; and while those that survived secured a fair measure of patronage, the Voorhees establishment continued to transact an ever-increasing business. For many years this was a ready market for the agricultural products of all the region lying south, while the lumbermen of the northern forests found here an avail- able depot at which to dispose of their lumber. At this point, also, were received and forwarded to the immense tanneries north, large quantities of hides and leather ; it was at this point, too, that large quantities of deer- skins were received and forwarded to Gloversville, where they were mani- factored into gloves and nuittens, and then returned to this place, whence they were shipped to all parts of the State. Every enterprise for many years prospered, but Henry P. Voorhees was always in the van.
Mr. Voorhees was born near the settlement known a, " I.og Town, " about the year 1794, his father, Peter Voorhees, being a successful merchant doing business in Voorheesville, now known as Glen village. When eleven
years old, and having had but nine months' schooling, "Harry," as he was called, entered his father's store as a clerk. After a few years his father removed to Lysander, N. Y., and Harry went with his uncle, John H Voorhees, who established a country store in Florida, on the road leading from Mill Point to Minaville, about one mile from Schoharie creek. Young Voorhees remained here, it is supposed, until he established himself in business at Minaville, then known as Yankee Street, about the year 1815. He then kept a tavern and store, and also combined with these two branches the business of a potashery. About this time he married Jane, daughter of Ruloff Conover, of that neighborhood, by whom he had three daughters. Two of his early clerks were John Stilwell and Garret Post The duties of the first are said to have required his services as hostler, bar- tender, potash-boiler and clerk behind the counter, and so well did he per- form his several duties, that Mr. Voorhees established him as a partner in a branch of his business at.Amsterdam.
It is related that at one time, when the project of widening the canal w1> under discussion in the Legislature, Vrooman Berry, then a member from this district, suggested that such an undertaking was impracticable, as it would involve the destruction of Voorhees' store at Fultonville. In 1827 Mr. Voorhees erected the brick mansion latterly owned and occupied by Charles Donaldson, though it is still known among the residents of the village as the Voorhees mansion. Here Mr Voorhees lived until the year 1856, when advancing age compelled him to retire from business life, and he then removed to New Castle, Delaware, where he died at an advanced age. His wife and children are also dead.
Mr. Voorhees was succeeded in business by Messrs. Mears and Mat Intyre, who were followed in turn by A. J. Abel & Co., Abel Brother, Abel & Morrison, and the present firm of J. H. Morrison & Co.
The Voorhees residence was purchased by William Enders Ecker, and remained in his possession until the year 1873. The old brass know ket which was formerly on the front door, and which bears the date " 1827." is now in possession of Mr. Ecker.
Among others who embarked in business life at Fultonville in its earlier days were Clark & Post, Devoe & Martin, Thomas Robinson, Me.Arthur & McKinley, Plantz & Argersinger, Crumwell & Fink, Frisby & McCon key, Scott Campbell, S. F. Underwood, Shuler & Wilcox, Blood & Conyne, D. D. Starin, J. H. Starin, L. V. Peek & Co., and Chapman & Fonda. Peter Fonda and Henry Starin also kept canal stores at the old lock in the lower part of the village ; but these two stores, when the canal was enlarged and the lock removed, were both carried on by Freeman & Farmer.
Among the earlier physicians who practiced in the town was Dr. Alexan. der Sheldon. He was Speaker of the Assembly for several session- Drs. Lathrop, Van Est and William Smith were also among the earlier practitioners. Dr. Thompson Burton came to the village of Fultonvilk about the year 1846. He was born in Charleston, and practice several years in that town before coming to Glen. Dr. W. F. Sweatman came to Fultonville, from Schohanie county, in the year 1872, and now has an extensive and increasing practice. Dr. Leonard Proctor to; lowed his profession in the town about 1x40. Dr. James Davis, l' Richard Davis and Dr. Kelley were also located in the town about the same time. Among others may be mentioned Drs. Parson and Leach.
Isaac Hall Tiffany, lisq., was born at Keene, N. H., and died at Futter- ville, Feb. 23. 1859, aged So years. While quite young he graduated . Dartmouth College, and read law with Aaron Burr in his palmy days. H. was long a successful practitioner of law in Schoharie county, and also ur : of its judges. He was a gentleman of polished manners, social and com panionable, who desired to be useful rather than conspicuous. He was
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RES. OF P. VAN ANTWERP & SON, FULTONVILLE, N. Y. COR. MAIN & RIVER ST. G
ELEVATOR & MILLS, FULTONVILLE, N.Y. P. VAN ANTWERP & SON, PROP.
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FOLTONVILLE STEAM MILLS-
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C. B. FREEMAN & CO.
FULTONVILLE STEAM MILLS, C. B. FREEMAN & CO. PROP'S.
Res. of C.B. FREEMAN, FULTONVILLE, N. Y.
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123
FULTONVILLE CHURCHES, NEWSPAPERS AND CEMETERIES.
fond of music and the sciences, especially of astronomy, a profound schol- ar, and a constant advocate of improvement in the school-room and the workshop. He was quite at home in all intelligent society, where, gifted with a retentive memory, fine conversational powers, and a large fund of anecdotal lore, he was ever a welcome guest. He was remarkably tem- perate in his habits, eschewing the use of tobacco and alcohol. The last twenty years of his life he resided at Fultonville, where he was a much respected and esteemed citizen.
The village of Fultonville was organized Aug. 9, 1848, by the election of the following board of trustees : Howland Fish, president ; Andrew J. Yates, W'm. B. Wemple, Thomas R. Horton and Delancey D. Starin. At that time the population of the village was 630. In 1875 the population had increased to 1220.
The village at present contains two churches, a Reformed and a Meth- odist Episcopal ; one new-paper office, The Montgomery County Republican : two hotels, the Perkins House and the Starin House, in addition to several others along the tow-path, for the accommodation of the boatmen; a steam Aouring-mill, two steam saw-mills, a steam sash-and-blind factory, a fur- nace and machine shop, and eleven stores. There is also an extensive enal business carried on, this being the distributing point for a large see- tion of country. The present trustees of the village are Charles H. Quack- enbush, president ; John W. Wilson and Horace B. Freeman.
In our record of the business of the town of Glen we woul not forget to mention the hay business, in which John E. Huhbs, of Glen village, and Victor A. Putman, of Auriesville, are engaged.
FULTONVILLE CHURCHES.
KEFORMED.
The Reformed Protestant Dutch) Church of Fultonville was organiz- ed November 24. 1838, by a delegation of eight members from the church at Caughnawaga. Immediately after the organization the membership was largely increased by additions from other churches in the vicinity Steps were taken to secure a church edifice, and in November, 1839, a neat wonden building was erected on ground donated by the Putman family. Rev. David Dyer was the first minister, and was succeeded by Rev. J. M. Van Buren. During the ministry of Mr. Van Buren, the church edifice, together with its contents, was destroyed by fire. No immediate steps were taken toward securing a new building ; services were held regularly in the school-house. In 1852 Mr. Van Buren resigned, and the society was with- out a building or pastor. In 1856, the present church was erected, and in May, 1857, Rev. Dr. Wells, of Schoharie county, became the pastor ; he remained for eleven years. Rev. H. S. Teller next officiated for a year. and on September 20, 1869, the present pastor, Rev. J. L. Kip, jr., of Liv- ingston, N. Y., was called. The church now has under its care one hundred and five families, one hundred and thirty-six communicants and two Sabbath-schools, with one hundred and twenty-five scholars.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL ..
The Methodist church of Fultonville was built in the year 1854. On the 31st day of January in that year, the organization of the society was effected, and in the following spring the work of building the church was begun. The first pastor was N G. Spaulding. The number of members was twelve, and Peter Wiles was the builder of the church. The list of ministers who have officiated from time to time is quite lengthy. Among them were the following : J W. Carhart, Homer Eaton, F. Wid- mer. A. J. Dievendorf. H. D. Kimball, John Pegg, En Baker, D. Cronk. Harmon Chase, P. P. Harover, J. P. Huller, and the pastor now in charge,
Rev. F. P. Youlen. Homer Eaton is the presiding elder. The list of members now includes sixty-six names. The building now used by the society is the original structure.
THE PRESS.
The press of Montgomery county has always been regarded as number- ing in its circle some of the brightest and hest papers published in the State. Among this galaxy the Montgomery County Republican ranks with the first. This paper was started at Fultonville, in May 1840, as a weekly, under the title of the Montgomery County W'hig, by Flavms J. Mills. Within a year it was rented to Benjamin F. Pinkham, who retained the control until March, 1841, when the present editor and proprietor, Mr. Thomas R. Horton, became editor and publisher. Mr. Horton was only nineteen years of age, but the successful career of the paper from that time to the present, show, conclusively that the expectations of the original stockholders when they persuaded young Horton to assume control were well founded. The paper continued as the Il'hig until 1857, when the name was changed to the Montgomery County Republican
The progress of the Republican has been attended with ever increas- ing success. Mr. Horton has, with the exception of two years from the first of August, 1862, during which he left the newspaper field for the more dangerous one of war, leaving the editorship to his brother, J. W. Horton.) maintained control of the paper since first assuming charge, and it is to his efforts that the popularity and success of the Republican are due.
The Mohawk Valley American was the title of a weekly paper published in Fultonville in the year 1856. In that year Mr. C. B. Freeman, as editor and publisher, issued the first number, and the new organ was greeted with a fair measure of success. Its publication was continued until the year 1864, when Mr. Freeman purchased The Fonda Sentinel and united the two under the name of The Mohawk Valley Democrat, publishing the new paper from the old office of the Sentinel.
CEMETERIES.
In the year 1848 a public meeting of the citizens of Fultonville was called, to take some action in reference to the purchase of property for the use of a public cemetery. A subscription paper was circulated, and in the Autumn of that year a sufficient sum had been realized to purchase the needed ground from Garret Yates. The committee who made the purchase were Henry P. Voorhies, Cornelius Gardinier, Evert Yates, Joseph Miller, and Howland Fish. The property was laid out in plots, which were sold at auction, Additions have been twice made to the original purchase, and Hon. J. H. Starin, who has already done so much for his native village, h.s a tract as large as that now owned by the cemetery association which he proposes donating to the association, and laying out beautifully. Probably within a year or two these improvements will have been accomplished.
" Maple Avenue Cemetery" is located on the hill about half a mile est from the main part of Fultonville. It was at first laid out by Barney Gardinier as a private enterprise, but in the year 1873 the Maple Avenue C'emetery Association was formed and the grounds passed into its control. The cemetery occupies a prominent site ; the walks and drives are in fine condition, and the grounds are beautified by a great variety of ornamental trees and shrubs.
With the erection of the first church the Reformed at Glen village. three acres of ground were set apart for the purpose of a cemetery In this plot there are many old graves, the dates on the stones being past deciphering. One of the oldest on which the date can be read is that of one Woolston, and bears the date 1791. A curious feature in the plot is a wooden slab bearing the date 1813, which is still in an excellent state of preservation.
124
THE HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
៛
JOHN H. STARIN
HY WASHINGTON FROTHINGHAM
For one hundred and fifty years the name of Starin, or Staring, as it was formerly written,; has been identified with the history of the Mohawk valley. Nicholas Starin was one of the pioneers of the latter, and emigrated huber in 1720.
The original family consisted of eight persons, and included Nicholas and Catharine, his wife. and also their children, severally named Frederick, Valentine, Adam, Tunis, Joseph and Catharine. Their first settlement was near the present village of Fonda, but soon afterward several of the soas removed to German Flats. They were a well-nerved and stout-hearted yeomanry. who were equally prepared to battle with the armed foe, or with the inevitable difficulties of frontier life.
John Starin, grandson of Nicholas, was born in 1750, near the present site of Fultonville, and was old enough when the French and Indian war began, to share its perils. The Revolution found him ready to enlist in the service of his country, but he was not alone in this patriotic duty, for in the same war Nicholas, Jacob, George, Henry, Valentine, Philip, John and Adam Starin, nine in number, are recorded as soldiers under the American flag No other family in this State, and indeed in the whole Union, has ever manifested so great a degree of devotion to the national arms. Their sufferings were often severe, and the following instance may be mentioned:
In the summer of 1778 Brant ravaged the Mohawk valley, and at Andru- ston, a small settlement six miles south east of German Flats. great havoc was made. The crops were destroyed. the buildings burned and the stock driven off. A number of the inhabitants were murdered and two of the Starin family were carried captive to Canada, leaving their families to inevitable exposure and distress.
When peace was declared the Starins all became active members of the community, and some of them were called to important service. On the orgasization of Herkimer county in 1791, Henry Starin was appointed first judge. Among other notable features in this connection it may be mentioned that he presided at the first term of court held within the preseat limits of Oneida county, which occurred in Whitestown, January 3. 1794. John Starin, another of the nine,' soon after the close of hostili- ties, opened a store and an inn on the south bank of the Mohawk, the spot being near the present bridge. The first bridge, when destroyed by the ice in 1865, had at that time stood a half century, and Joseph Starin, (son of John, was one of its builders. These incidents illustrate the general enterprise of the family, which for more than a century has held a prominent rank in the advance of the age.
Myndert Starin, son of John, was born in 1787 in what is now the village of Faltonville. In his youth he served as mail carrier, making a horse- back route to and from Johnstown, and as the circuit court was often held ar his father's public house he became early acquainted with the business of the day. He was a man of intelligence and decision, and had a strong love of country. Hence, when the draft was made for the war of 1812, though he was then suffering illness. he waived his privilege of exemption and stood by the result of the draft. He was at this time a captain in the infantry, having been commissioned by Governor Tompkins. When the war closed Myndert Starin opened business successfully in Johnstown, but three years afterward. (1819 he made Sammonsville the scene of his Operations. These included the building of a hotel, an ashery, distillery, flour-mill, mechanical shops and a saw-mill.
In 1822 he was led by various circumstances to begin a new establish- ment near his old home on the south side of the Mohawk, being in this enterprise united with the late Thomas Robinson. They purchased a large tract which includes the present site of Fultonville, and their plan embraced twelve varied forms of industry. Among these were mills for
sawing lumber, grinding grain, making paper, spinning wool and dressing cloth, to which were to be added a nail factory, a distillery and an ashery As the Erie Canal was then in process of construction, the establishment of Starin & Robinson included a dry-dock and boat yard, with other facilities connected with inland commerce. The new village was laid out and was then formally named after the founder of steam navigation. Fultonville owes its existence principally to the enterprise of Myndert Starin. He married, March 22, 1816, Miss Rachel Sammons, whose father, Major Thomas Sammons, had won distinction in the Revolution. Majur Sammons was elected to Congress in 1802 and 1804, 1808 and 1810, a degree of pub. lic service which indicates the position he occupied in this important dis- triet. Myndert Starin died in 1845, being then in his fifty-eighth year. and leaving eight children to the care of a widow. The latter was endowed with those powers which are necessary to rearing a family, and her influence and example have consecrated her memory. She was a christian, and im- pressed upon her children lessons worthy of such a character, as the best preparation for the battle of life. Mrs. Starin went to her rest September 6, 1855, but she still lives in all the power of maternal influence.
John H. Starin, whose character and services demand a more extended reference than we are able here to present, is the son of the last mentioned pair, and was born August 27, 1825. His early days were passed in Ful. tonville, and after attending district school, he had a brief course under the Lancaster system, at Esperance. He also attended the Kingsboro academy, which in the hands of the late professor Sprague had won a high reputation. In 1842, being then seventeen, he began the study of medi- cine at Albany, under care of Dr. C. C. Yates, but soon afterward returned to Fultonville and became drug clerk for his brother Delancy, who wa- then carrying on a general country trade. When the firm of Starin & Freeman was formed, he took charge of the drug department, which he soon afterward in 1847 purchased, and thenceforth conducted the bus! ness in his own name. He had just reached full age, and since then he has never been in any other service than his own or that of his country He was made postmaster by the Fillmore administration, and this, with a successful drug trade, may for a time have satisfied his ambition.
New York, however, soon attracted him by its vast facilities, and in 1856, being then thirty-one, he conveyed his business to the metropolis, but still retained his original residence. Commodore Starin's early associations, m- deed, have always held their mastery, and he has never desired to be any other than a citizen of old Montgomery. On establishing himself in New York his industry and energy reached what then was considered a very satis- factory success, and he was invited to a partnership in a first-class house. which he declined. A new field was even then opening betore him, and one which was more congenial to an administrative mind. This was the freighting business. He had frequently been of service to railway mana- gers to a degree which indicated his peculiar abilities, and this soon led to a closer connection. He had won the confidence of the chief freightersol the metropolis, and on the opening of the rebellion he was found to be specially adapted to an important duty This was the transportatum of ordnance, military stores, and general commissary supplies, throughout the cities of Brooklyn and New York. It was accomplished by him at a redut- tion of from one-third to one-half former cost, and with a rapidity and precision which knew no failure. New York had become, to a large de gree, the centre of military supplies, whose transportation increased until il was in itself an immense specialty The system, however, was skillfully or ganized, and this insured its remarkable success.
When the war closed, John II. Starin's reputation as a freight operator led to a contract with one of the most important railroads, which placed it-
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HON. J. H. STARIN'S FARM
The farm of Hon. John H Starin is one of the principal attractions | feet square, and containing every appliance for the comfort and convenience which Fultonville offers to the visitor. It embraces several hundred of the four-footed boarders. Mr. Starim has at great expense laid pipes from springs in the hills, furnishing all the buildings with a constant sup .- ply of clear cold spring water. He has also laid mains down to the villige. thus giving to the residents of Fultonville, free of cost, an excellent water supply. A three-quarter mile track, with straight sides and graded curved ends, is laid out upon the farm, bordered with evergreens and maples. while the space thus enclosed is devoted to the cultivation of all manner of vegetables. Upon this track during the season, frequent trials of speed take place between the many noble specimens of horse-flesh to be found in Mr. Starin's stables. The fields abound with varieties of thorough-bred stock, alderney's, short horns, blooded sheep, etc acres upon a commanding elevation on the south side of the Mohawk river, and is distant less than a mile from the railroad depot at Fonda. A finer location for a stock farm it would be difficult to find. Mr Starin has just completed a very substantial looking brick residence at the crown of the hill, which by its situation presents a very imposing appearance from the valley below. This building, although in its exterior not as showy as many modern houses, is fitted up in regard to its interior arrangements in the most thorough and complete manner. The former residence of the {family is situated further back from the brow of the hill, and near by it is an extensive hot-house, filled to overflowing with the choicest and rarest of plants. In the rear are extensive nurseries, containing all varieties of fruit and ornamental shade trees.
One of the most attractive features of Mr. Starin's place, which, as the fuse of the walks and drives is freely given to the public, serves the pur- poses of a common park, is the magnificent deer paddock, which embraces about ten acres, enclosed by a picket fence eleven feet high, within which are confined deer, antelope, ibex, and Rocky Mountain elk. Bordering this park is a deep ravine, through which runs a dashing, sparkling hrook. which has been checked in its course and made to serve as the abiding place of numberless trout, where the spotted beauties can be plainly dis- cerned whisking about in the clear water.
A short distance from the mansion are the carriage houses and barns, encircled by streams of running water : the stables having stalls sixteen
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