History of Oneida County, New York, 1667-1878, Part 106

Author:
Publication date: 1878
Publisher: Philadelphia, Everts & Fariss
Number of Pages: 932

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# Historical sketch in the manual of this church for 1874.

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R. S. DOTY was born in Norway, Herkimer Co., N. Y., on the 26th day of November, 1808. His paternal grandfather, Samuel Doty, was born in Saybrook, Conn., in 1730; raised a company of volunteers and joined the Revolutionary army, and served nearly all through the war, and with his son, Danforth Doty, who had enlisted in his company when only seventeen years of age, was in the battle of Saratoga, at Bemis' Heights, at the time of Burgoyne's surrender. He was a farmer by occupation.

His father, Danforth Doty, was born at Stephentown, Rens- selaer Co., N. Y., in 1760; was married in 1792, and settled in Russia, Herkimer Co., N. Y., then a wilderness; raised a family of six children, four sons and two daughters, of whom the subject of this notice only survives.

In the year 1800 the father removed to Norway, in the same county, and where for many years he was a successful farmer, but by unfortunately lending his name to assist friends lost his property. Was in the war of 1812, and marched for the defense of Sacket's Harbor. Unassisted pecuniarily, Mr. R. S. Doty went into the busy world at the age of seventeen, to meet its obstacles and carve out a fortune for himself. Impressed with the idea that education was the great lever to turn the seale in his favor, and having at that time had only six months' schooling in the district sehool, he began by working on a farm in the summer; and, through the assistance of a kind lady, so applied himself to books by study- ing nights as to be able the following winter to teach a school, which he did in Oneida County.

The following spring, 1826, he entered a store at Rome as elerk, and remained there until 1830, when he commenced business on his own account, and his subsequent career has fully illustrated that his time in early life was not idly passed away, or his cdueation and development of business capacity entirely neglected.

For some twenty years Mr. Doty remained in the mercan. tile business in Rome, a part of the time under the firm-name of Mudge & Doty, and during this time engaged also largely in denling in real estate, and was active in carrying forward all publie improvements for the benefit of the village. He was a stockholder and director in one of the first plank roads built in the State (from Rome to Oswego), and director of the Bank of Rome for several years.

Mr. Doty always interested himself in the cause of educa- tion, and was a subscriber to the building fund of the Rome Academy, and connected with it as trustee, treasurer, and president of the board for many years. He assisted in build- ing the Presbyterian Church at Rome, and was several years one of its trustees. He was connected with the Oneida County Agricultural Society as treasurer, and afterwards as its

president ; and in 1850 was one in the organization of the Ex- change Bank (now First National) at Rome, and was the first vice-president and manager for several years, during which time he had full charge in the erection of the gas-works of that place, and was for several years president of its board of directors.

In the year 1855, Mr. Doty went to Rochester, and was cashier of the Manufacturers' Bank of that eity. and there he invested quite largely in manufacturing interests, which, during the panic of 1857, proved an unfortunate investment. In 1859 he was appointed deputy United States marshal under Marshal Jewett. In the year 1860 he removed to New York, and engaged in tbe produce commission business, which he carried on to a large extent, amounting to nearly one and a half million of dollars a year.

Thus Mr. Doty, as with other self-made men, rapidly rose from penury and want while a young man to become one of the largest operators of the metropolis in middle life ; and while successful in his career financinlly, he did not forget the many who were striving against poverty in the country and the deserving and needy, but was largely interested in benevolent institutions, and contributed for their support. He was for ten years one of the first active managers of the National Temperanee Society and Publication House ; was a member of the Chamber of Commerce; of the New York Historical Society ; president of the Wayside Industrial Home, and warmly attached to the day-school and mission Sabbath-school for poor children.

Ever kind to those necding aid, Mr. Doty, in trying to assist his friends, lost largely, and gave up his business in New York, and took up his residenee in the village of Oncida, Madison Co., where he now resides. It is worthy of note, in writing this sketch, that while Mr. Doty was in business in Rome, and president of that village, he had the honor of intro- dueing the world-renowned Kossuth (who was then traveling through this country) to the people assembled to see him as he passed through ; and that, while a resident of New York, he served on the grand jury thut first investigated the ring frands of that eity, and was for three and a half months one of the jury that found bills against William M. Tweed and others, and at the time advocated very earnestly the ques. tion of taking up these frands and giving them a just but thorough investigation.

For his first wife he married, in 1832, Miss Cynthia Mudge, of Rome, N. Y., by whom he had cight children, five of whom >till survive. His wife died in the year 1872. And for his second wife he married Mrs. Eliza, widow of the late Elon Comstoek, of Rome, who was formerly editor of the Journal of Commerce of New York City.

397

HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

After an cxistenee of over fifteen years, in which a large number of persons had been enrolled in church member- ship, it was voted, for financial reasons, that the second church should merge itself into the first church. To facili- tate this movement the pastors of the two churches-Rev. Drs. Haincs and Boardman-resigned their respective charges, and the union Was effected June 12, 1847. The church edifice belonging to the second church, situated on Washington Street, was sold to and has since been occupied by the Welsh Methodist Church.

The reunited church was supplied during the vacancy in the pastorate by Rev. Messrs. George C. Lucas, George Bushnell, and W. F. Williams. Aug. 2, 1848, Rev. Wm. E. Knox was installed pastor. The present large and com- modious house of worship was dedicated Jan. 19, 1853.

The church having at a previous meeting voted to sub- stitute eldership for the standing committee, April 2, 1852, elected eight men to serve as elders on the rotary principle : two of them to serve one year, two to serve two years, two to serve three years, and two to serve four years.

Rev. Dr. Knox having received a call from the First Presbyterian Church of Elmira, resigned his charge Nov. 5, 1869. There were admitted to church membership during his pastorate 516 persons, 228 of them by profes- sion and 288 by letter. After the resignation of Dr. Knox the pulpit was supplied for nine months by Rev. Howard Kingsbury. Rev. Peter Stryker, D.D., began his labors as pastor in October, 1870, and was installed November 16 following.

Upon the list of members of this church are found the following names of persons who, up to 1874, had become ministers of the gospel,-some of whom are since deccased :

Rev. Albert Barnes, late pastor of the First Presbyte- rian Church, Philadelphia, Pa. ; Rev. Thomas Brainard, D.D., late pastor of Pine Street Presbyterian Church, Phil- adelphia, Pa. ; Rev. Horace Bushnell, missionary in Cin- cinnati ; Rev. Albert Bushnell, missionary in Gaboon, Af- rica ; Rev. E. P. Goodwin, D.D., Chicago; Rev. Isaac P. Stryker, New York City ; Rev. John Barnard ; Rev. Daniel H. Butts ; Rev. J. Mills Gillett; Rev. Henry A. Sackett ; Rev. John J. Slocum ; Rev. Erastus Willard ; Rev. Alfred C. Lord ; Rev. R. S. Billings ; Rev. Frank A. Johnson.

The present pastor of this church is Rev. James H. Taylor. The membership, according to the last report to the Gencra! Assembly, was 483. A large and flourishing Sunday- school is sustained, with A. G. Benedict superintendent ; it has 11 officers and teachers, and an average attendance of 223. The church is located on the north side of Court Street, between James and Washington.

BAPTIST CHURCH.

From the records of this church the following facts are ascertained :

" In the summer and autumn of the year of our Lord 1817, several of the members of the different Baptist churches, residing in Rome and its vicinity, became impressed with the idea that it would promote the declarative glory of God, the honor of the Redeemner's kingdom, and their own happiness, if God, in his providence, should so order as to have a church formed amongst thein."

A conference was held in the school-house at Wright Settlement Oct. 23, 1817, and the result " was that there

appeared to be ground to build upon, and material with which to build, without interfering with any other church or society."

" Wednesday, Nov. 19 .- Met according to appointment. Voted to send to Whitestown, Floyd, Trenton, and Western churches for counsel. Elder Dyer Starks being present, was invited to attend ; and that they meet at the house of Joseph Briggs, on the 10th of December, at ten o'clock A.M.

" Dec. 10, 1817 .- The conference met according to request, and, after making inquiries sufficient to satisfy themselves, voted to give the brothers and sisters fellowship as a sister church, in token of which Elder Elon Galusha, in behalf of the council, gave the right hand of fellowship."

The church thus constituted consisted of seventeen mem- bers. Elder Dyer Starks became the first pastor, and eontin- ued in charge for several years. Following him came Elders Jacobs and Douglass and David Morris, the latter contin- uing with the society for ten years. The pastors since then have been Elders John Gibbs, Emerson Andrews, H. C. Vogell, David Bellamy, J. M. Harris, and H. II. Peabody, the latter having been in charge since 1870.

The corner-stone of the first church belonging to this society was laid Sept. 13, 1826, and for more than forty years meetings were held in that house when completed. The corner-stone of the present fine structure, on the corner of George and Embargo Streets, was laid Sept. 13, 1872. The material of which this church is built is the Potsdam sand- stone. The main audience-room will seat 700 persons. The membership in July, 1878, was about 330. A Sab- bath-school is sustained, having for its superintendent Cyrus D. Prescott.

ZION CHURCH (EPISCOPAL) .*

" Several of the inhabitants of Rome, anxious to have in their midst the church of the living God, agreeably to the ordinances of the Protestant Episcopal Church, met at the court-house of the said town on the 15th day of August, 1825." Rev. Algernon S. Hollister was made chairman, and Hiram Denio, Esq., secretary. An act of incorporation was drawn up and a society organized by the name and title of " Zion Church, Rome." Jay Hatheway and Henry Hayden were chosen wardens, and Numa Leonard, Hiram Denio, Horatio N. Carr, James B. Read, James A. Canfield, Rich- ard Butler, and Peter White, vestrymen. Rev. A. S. Hol- lister, missionary, took pastoral charge, preached in the court-house, and continued his services for the ensuing year. The original communicants numbered three, viz. : Mr. Butler, Mr. Canfield, and Miss A. L. Hatheway. The lower story of the Masonie Hall, corner of Liberty and Washington Streets, was soon engaged for the use of the church for eight years. Three hundred dollars were raised, and the room was furnished in a plain manner. At the opening of this chapel, on a Sunday early in 1826, Rev. Mareus A. Perry preached, and the next day Right Rev. John Henry Hobart, bishop of the diocese, which then included the whole State of New York, preached in the chapel, confirmed fourteen persons, and baptized two chil- dren. Mr. Perry took charge of the congregation Aug. 1, 1826, and preached one year alternately with Holland

* From historieal sermon by its rector, Rev. H. L. M. Clarke, and notes by J. Hatheway, late a member, now deceased.

398

HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

Patent. Zion Church Sunday-school was organized June 3, 1827, with Rev. M. A. Perry in charge. Thirty-five scholars were in attendance, and the teachers were Jay Hatheway, M. Rowley, and L. Hatheway for boys, and A. L. Hatheway, R. Judd, A. Gates, and M. Healy for girls.

It seems that although Rev. Mr. Perry was at first en- gaged for only one year, his services were continued here until some time in 1832, when he resigned, and was suc- ceeded by Rev. George Fiske. In 1833, the Rome Lodge, the lower story of which had been in use as a chapel, was purchased, the building enlarged and fitted up for a church, and opened for divine services on Sunday, July 25, 1833, with a sermon by the Rev. Parker Adams, of New Hart- ford. The church was consecrated the 15th of the follow- ing August, by Bishop Benjamin T. Onderdonk, successor to Bishop Hobart. Tre rectors at this time preached under a missionary stipend, and in September, 1834, Rev. Wil- liam W. Niles was accepted by the society to share the stipend with Mr. Fiske, and alternate with him in holding services at Rome and Oriskany. Mr. Fiske resigned in the following December, and Mr. Niles assumed sole charge. The rectors sinee have been the Rev. Nathan B. Burgess, from November, 1836, to November, 1839; Rev. Hobart Williams, deacon ; Rev. Henry Lock wood, from November, 1840 to May 10, 1842; Rev. Stephen Battin, June, 1842, and ordained priest Dec. 19, 1843; Rev. Seth Davis, April 1, 1845, resigned Oct. 4, 1845, to establish a school at Buffalo; succeeded by Rev. Almon Gregory, who re- mained till November, 1849 ; Rev. Henry B. Whipple, Dec. 2, 1849, to 1857 ; he was a portion of the time in Florida, on account of ill health, and during his absence his place was supplied by Rev. Gordon M. Bradley. Mr. Whipple resigned March 10, 1857, to accept a call from Chicago. He was succeeded by Rev. N. Barrows, who re- signed March 5, 1864. The next pastor was the present one, Rev. Hugh L. M. Clarke, who assumed charge May 1, 1864, and has since continued his labors here.

During the rectorship of Mr. Whipple the lot on the corner of Liberty and Washington Streets was purchased, and the corner-stone of the present frame church laid Sept. 5, 1850. The new edifice was opened for service on Sunday, August 16, 1851, and consecrated by Bishop De Lancey, Sept. 25, of the same year. During the sum- mer of 1867 the church was enlarged to its present dimen- sious, at a cost of nearly $10,000.

The present membership is about 400. Rev. Mr. Clarke is superintendent of a large Sabbath-school, which has 30 teachers and an attendance averaging 220.

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH .*

The first Methodist Episcopal society in the town of Rome was organized about three miles north of the then village, on the Turin road, in 1799, and worshiped in that locality until 1803, when it removed to what is now known as the " Ridge." This region was then embraced in the Philadelphia Conference. The first Methodist preachers who labored in the Mohawk Valley were Revs. Jonathan

Newman and Philip Wager, the former having preached in the town as early as 1791 ; he was recollected by Judge Hatheway as having been an energetic and able minister. Among the preachers who traveled the circuits and preached occasionally in this and neighboring towns were William McLanahan, Bishop Whatcoat, Lorenzo Dow, Charles Giles, Ebenezer White, Bishop Asbury, Peter Vanest, and B. G. Paddock. In 1810 the Genesee Conference was organized. In 1812, Rome, Western, Floyd, Lee, and Steuben were made into a two weeks' circuit, and supplied by Charles Giles as preacher and William Chase as presiding elder. In 1814, Giles was made presiding elder of the. Oneida dis- trict, which embraced in the main the counties of Oneida, Otsego, Herkimer, Oswego, Jefferson, and St. Lawrence, as far as Ogdensburg. Among his preachers were James Kelsey, Abner Chase, Zenas Jones, Ira Fairbanks, Chandler Lambert, Lette Mattesen, Goodwin Stoddard, Nathan B. Dodson, Isaac Puffer, and George Gary. From 1814, and for twelve or fourteen years afterwards, there labored in this and adjoining towns Joseph Willis, George Hannon, B. G. Paddock, William Chase, Zach. Paddock, Ephraim Hall, Matthew Van Duzen, Asa Cummins, John Arnold, John E. Kenbrack. In 1828, Lyman Beach was appointed to this cireuit, and during this year the First Methodist Epis- copal Church, at the east end of Court Street, was erected and dedicated by him, assisted by Rev. Alexander Irwin. In 1829 Rome was made a station, and has since been served by the following pastors, viz. : Andrew Peck, Charles Giles, Isaac Stone, Calvin Danforth, Albert D. Peck, Na- thaniel Salisbury, V. M. Coryette, E. W. R. Allen, Aaron Adams, Isaac L. Hunt, W. W. Ninde, John Alley, Hiram Matteson, George Lawyer, F. H. Stanton, James Irwin, L. D. Stebbins, Burenus Holmes, J. P. Jennings, T. Spicer, I. S. Bingham, B. S. Wright, W. X. Ninde, J. B. Foote, Wesley Mason, S. R. Fuller, C. P. Hard, M. D. Kinney, William Searles, F. H. Hemmenway, F. Widmer, and the present pastor, William H. Reese.

The present church edifice belonging to this society was commenced September 4, 1868, at which time the corner- stone was laid, and dedicated September 24, 1869. Its entire cost, including furniture and organ, was about $44,500. It is located at the corner of George and Em- bargo Streets ; built of brick, and has a seating capacity for 1100 persons. Over $17,000 were subscribed on the day of its dedication, clearing the society entirely from debt. The spire of the building is 150 feet in height. The mem- bership of the society in the spring of 1878 was 424. R. M. Bingham is Superintendent of the Sunday-school, and H. S. Esselstyn Assistant Superintendent.

THE EMBARGO STREET METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH was organized in 1855, and disbanded after an existence of ten years. The building erected by it is now used by the Free Methodist Society.

COURT STREET METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH

was organized as a mission in 1863, and as a society in the spring of 1864. The present briek church edifice was erected in 1870. The first pastor was Rev. P. H. Wilds, who was here also as a missionary in 1863. . His successors

* From historical sermon delivered at dedication of the new church in 1869.

399

HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

have been Revs. F. H. Beck, 1865 to 1867; R. Redhead, 1868-69 ; William Jerome, 1870,-died during his pas- torate, and the pulpit was supplied that year by Daniel O. Edgerton, who was subsequently appointed pastor, and re- mained until 1872; Robert Flint, 1873-74; J. Zimmer- man, 1875-77 ; Joseph HI. Lamb, 1878. The membership July 1, 1878, was 98, with 17 probationers ; attendance at Sunday-school, 40; the school has 8 teachers and officers, and is superintended by Olin Zimmerman.

FREE METHODIST CHURCHI.

This church has been in existence but eight or ten years, and numbers about 50 members at present. Its pastor is Rev. G. W. Hughes. Two Sabbath-schools are sustained, one in the church, and the other in the school-house on the Oriskany Road, east of Stanwix Post-Office, where meetings are also held every Sunday. The pastor is super- intendent of the school in Rome, which has an average attendance of about 20. The church occupied by this so- ciety is the one originally owned by the Embargo Street Methodist Episcopal Society, and has been purchased and repaired by the Free Methodists. The parsonage, a frame dwelling, is located next east of the church, on Embargo Street.

WELSHI CALVINISTIC METHODIST CHURCH.

Organized in 1847, and occupies the frame church build- ing on Washington Street, between Court and Liberty, for- merly used by the Second Congregational Church. The membership is not large. A Sabbath-school is sustained, with fair attendance. No regular pastor is employed, but Rev. John HI. Jones holds weekly services, and resides in the city.

WELSH CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.

The members of this church originally met for worship with the Welsh Methodists, but a separate church was finally organized, and has since been sustained. Rev. D. E. Pritchard, the present pastor, has resided here fifteen years. Services are held in the Welsh language. The membership of this church has never but little exceeded 50, and is now something less than that number. The Sunday-school is largely attended. Robert L. Roberts is superintendent. The church is located on Liberty Street, between George and Madison.

FIRST UNIVERSALIST CHURCH.

This society was organized about the years 1836-38, and meetings were held for a number of years in the court- house. The building ereeted in 1826 for a Masonic hall, and afterwards refitted for an Episcopal Church, was pur- chased by the Universalists in 1851. No regular pastor was employed until after the church was bought. The first settled pastor was Rev. Richard Eddy, who labored faithfully and successfully, and finally left for other fields, where he could secure a better salary, the society here being too few in numbers to pay liberally. The present pas- tor is Rev. H. Kirke White. The members number about 100, although a much larger congregation attends. The church is a frame building, located on the southwest corner of Washington and Liberty Streets, and will seat about 400

persons. A Sunday-school is sustained, with an attendance of 40 to 70. The pastor has general charge.

Among the early members of this church, some of whom are yet living, were Enoch B. Armstrong, Samuel B. Ste- Vens, - Yale and wife, Bela B. Hyde, Shubael Smith and wife, Charles Leffingwell, Woodman Kimball and family, Major John P. Allen, Mrs. John P. Smith, and others.

Enoch B. Armstrong, mentioned in the above list, and now living in Rome, where he has resided since 1826, is a son of Oliver Armstrong, who settled in the town of Lce about 1800. Another son of the latter, Jesse Armstrong, came to Rome about 1821-22, and both he and his brother have been among the foremost in building up the business interests of the place and adding to its beauty by the gener- ous expenditure of their means in improvements.

SEVENTH-DAY ADVENT CHURCHI.

This society was organized in 1876. The present edifice in which it holds services was erected in 1877, and is located on Bloomfield Street, between George and Madison. The first meetings were held in a tent. The membership is small, and no regular pastor is employed.

ST. JOSEPH'S CHURCH (GERMAN PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL).

Previous to 1848 there was no German Catholic church or organization in Rome. There were some twenty German Catholic families living in Canal Village, and these met once in two weeks in a room of the " Mansion House" for worship. The " Mansion House" stood on the bank of the old Erie Canal, south of the present site of the church. During the year 1840 these families perfected an organiza- tion known as " St. Mary's Church," purchased a lot at the corner of South James and De Peyster Streets, at a cost of $500, and erected a church at a cost of $900. Owing to some trouble in 1870-71, over the choice of a site for a new church, a large portion of the congregation formed themselves into a new society, called " St. Joseph's Church," consisting of some 130 families, and not far from 800 per- sons. The site for the church, on Ridge Street, was pur- chased of Philip and John Reifert, April 22, 1871, for $7500, and the corner-stone of the new edifice was laid July 27, 1871, by the pastor, Rev. Bernhardt Werner, assisted by Rev. A. J. Canfield, of Utiea, and the Common Council of the city of Rome. The church was changed into a Protestant Episcopal organization December 26, 1876. The number of communicants June 29, 1878, was 146, made up of members of 63 families. The present pastor is Rev. Julius Uuger, who has had charge sinee March 1, 1878, and was previously assistant minister at Graee Church, New York City. A Sunday-school is kept np, having over 80 scholars, the teachers, 12 in number, being members of Zion Church. Mr. Clarke, of the latter church, is rector of the parish, while Mr. Unger is associate minister for St. Joseph's. The latter person is superintendent of the Sun- day-school held in his church, and Thomas Stryker, of Zion church, is assistant superintendent. Sunday morning services are held in German, Sunday-school in English, and evening services are an English prayer and German address.

400

HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

ST. PETER'S CATHOLIC CHURCH.

The following extract from an article published in a Catholic paper subsequent to the death of Rev. Father William Beecham,* the founder of St. Peter's and pastor for forty ycars, will give a history of the formation and early trials of the church :

" Father Beecham came to Utica in December, 1836, as assistant to Father Walter J. Quarter, at that time the beloved and revered, and now the lamented, pastor of St. John's Church, in that city. In about nine months afterwards he was sent to administer to the spiritual wants of the Catholics living in the northern and southern portions of Oneida County, and scattered over the territory now embraced in Lewis, Jef- ferson, St. Lawrence, Madison, Onondaga, Chenango, and Broome Counties, with permission to make his home in Rome, Carthage, or Ogdensburg. He selected Rome as being easy of access from the different points of his vast mission, and also, no doubt, on account of its close proximity to Utica, where he could avail himself of the wise counsels of a most prudent priest, and where he could go to fortify himself with the sacraments,-a consideration by no means to be over- looked, especially in those days when priests were so few, facilities of travel so miserable, and the dangers of missionary life so numerous. From Rome he traveled over this vast extent of country, baptizing the children of the early emigrants, blessing marriages, anointing the dying, hearing confessions, and administering the bread of life day after day, encouraging and exhorting all to repentance and a life of holiness, till from Rome to Rochester, from Binghamton to the Adiron- dacks, the name of Father Beecham became a household word, at the very mention of which blessings and benedictions without number were bestowed upon him, as no doubt numerous and fervent prayers will now ascend to Gol for the repose of his soul. Those early settlers loved him as a most genial and companionable man, honored and re- vered him as a most exemplary priest, selected him as arbitrator in their differences, and showed their unbounded confidence in his honor and integrity, in his wisdom and sense of justice, by invariably and without a murmur abiding by his decision. In their trials and difficulties they found in him a kind father, who sympathized with them, and seemed ever anxious to lighten their burden hy pouring into their troubled hearts words of comfort and encouragement. Those early settlers,

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History of Oneida County, New York, 1667-1878, Part 106

Author: Publication date: 1878 Publisher: Philadelphia, Everts & Fariss Number of Pages: 932

Author:
Publication date: 1878
Publisher: Philadelphia, Everts & Fariss
Number of Pages: 932