USA > New York > Oneida County > History of Oneida County, New York, 1667-1878 > Part 113
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In the fall of the same year (1796) a tavern was built by the company, on the corner opposite, where now stands the stone building occupied by J. M. Lewis. The first man who kept this tavern was Captain Andrew Edmunds, and in size and appearance it very nearly resembles the store.
Boonville's present popular hotel, the " Hulbert House,". was built in 1819, by Ephraim Owens. Twenty years later it was purchased by Richard Hulbert, who raised it a story higher, and added twenty feet to it on the west side. This was the first two-story building erected in the village. It is built of stone, and has a broad portico, sup- ported by heavy columns of the same material. The other hotels of the village are the " Central" and " American," both new buildings, well kept and popular.
About 1817, Ephraim Owens built a saw-mill and a grist-mill on Mill Creek, where the saw-mill and chair-fac- tory of Mr. Sargent now stands. The old saw-mill is still in use by Mr. Sargent, as is also the dam. The grist-mill has long since been taken down. These mills were known as the " Boonville Mills," and the name is now applied to the mills owned by William Davis, near the railroad. This latter mill contains three runs of stone, and does both eus- tom and merchant grinding. The original structure was crected by the Holland Company, as previously mentioned, and stood some fifteen rods above the present mill. About 1815-16 it was removed, and the present " Boonville Mills" built about 1817, by Livvin (or Levin) Jillson, who carried it on for twenty years or more. The old part is the upper end of the present mill, which is much larger and more convenient than the one built by Jillson.
The large steam flouring-mill owned by S. C. Thompson & Co. was built by them in the winter of 1877-78, and does a heavy business.
Foundry and Machine-Shop. - This institution is located in the south part of the village, and was established in the fall of 1850, by Titus Powers, who soon after sold out to Holdridge & Gilbert. The present proprietors are Messrs. Gilbert & Sawyer, who employ five hands, and manufacture castings for mill and tannery machinery, a few plows and scrapers, and do general repairing.
Suw- and Planing-Mill (cast of canal) .- Built in 1875, by the present proprietors, Messrs. Norton & Avery. Frou four to six hands are employed, and the annual manufac- tures amount to about $7000. Hard and soft wood lum- ber, sash, doors, blinds, etc., are made from the log. Before starting the present factory the firm owned and operated another one south of the village, and carried on a business amounting to $40,000 annually. That mill was destroyed by fire.
Canal-boat building is carried on by Samuel M. Fergu- son, and as good boats are made here as anywhere in the State. From two to five boats are built annually. The inside timbers are tamarack, while the bows are made of white oak and the sides of pine.
A tannery was established about 1824, by Ephraim Ow- ens, Sr., and the present main building and the dwelling were erected by him. He manufactured general stock, sole and upper leather, cte. The tannery changed hands several times, and in 1849 passed into the hands of the present proprietor, Samuel Johnson, who has operated it constantly since. Mr. Johnson manufactures slaughter hides and calfskins in the rough ; does no finishing; and his annual business amounts to about $35,000. Seven men usually employed. Hemlock bark is used exclusively in tanning. Steam is used for heating, and also for power in low water. About 500 cords of bark are consumed annually on an average, although as high as 800 to 1000 cords have been necessary in recent years. The manufactures are shipped to Boston, where they are finished and made ready for market. The tannery is located on Mill Creek, east of the railroad.
A tub-, churn-, and barrel-factory was built by J. L. Mather, on Mill Creek, and was finally sold by him to the present proprietor, W. D. Davis. Three hands are em- ployed. The tubs and churns are made of white ash and white oak. A considerable business is done.
Sush- and Blind- Factory and Planing- Mill, owned by Rice Brothers. This firm has owned the factory since 1868. Previous to that it was owned by John M. Fisk, who had carried it on a number of years. It was originally built for a foundry by C. H. Jillson. Three hands are employed, and the annual sales amount to from $7000 to $10,000. The articles manufactured are sash, blinds, doors, mouldings, and general building material. Planing and matching are also done to order. The proprietors are C. F. and G. W. Rice.
The present large carriage- and wagon-factory was es- tablished in 1830, by Burton Tuttle, and the building creeted by him stood on the ground now occupied by the factory of Messrs. Tanner & Wooley. Mr. Tuttle had worked here at repairing for some time before he built the shop. He died of cholera in 1832, and was sne- ceeded in the business by Messrs. Noyes & Whiting, and they by Fisk & Burgess. After passing through several different hands, the factory became the property of the present firm in 1857. These men employ ten hands and have an annual trade of about $10,000. Their manufac- tures are of the very best.
Another carriage-factory is located in the village, and owned by E. D. Bingham, who employs two workmen, and does a very good business.
A chair-factory was established in 1851 by N. M. Sar- gent, in the northeast part of the corporation, on Mill Creek, for the manufacture of wooden chairs. Mr. Sar- gent purchased the building of Whiting Tuttle, and is still the proprietor. He employs seven hands, and does a con- siderable amount of business, some years turning ont a large number of chairs, and in others comparatively few, according to the demand.
BOONVILLE POST-OFFICE.
Mail was originally carried through this place on horse- back, the route extending from Utica to Ogdensburg. A common pair of saddle-bags were used, and the post-rider
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HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.
carried a horn, which he blew if there were any mail to de- liver. A few newspapers were taken at the village and in the town, one by Jacob Rogers. A man named Parker and Jerry Kingsbury were among those who were intrusted to carry the mail over this route. The latter was a talented young man, a resident of the town, and afterwards re- moved to Alabama, where he amassed a considerable for- tune. The first postmaster at Boonville was in all proba- bility Peter Schuyler, who came to this county from New Jersey, and for some time lived in the town of Trenton. He was a Dutchman. The date at which this office was established is not recollected by the " oldest inhabitant." The present postmaster is John M. Lewis, who has held the position about eighteen years.
PHYSICIANS.
Among the early physicians of the place was Dr. Samuel Snow, who came here about 1796, and in 1808 or there- abouts began tavern-keeping. He was called a very good physician. In 1799 the smallpox broke out in the village, and Dr. Snow inoculated many of the inhabitants at the time, as a preventive of the disease. It is not known that any of the cases proved fatal. The "pest-house" was after- wards occupied by the doctor as a residence.
Other early physicians were Drs. Samuel Bass and Nathan North. Dr. Bass practiced here a number of years, and was a very popular man. He finally removed to Leyden, and Dr. North came in after his removal, about 1820. Dr. Bass' son, Charles N. Bass, practiced medicine here for many years afterwards, and held numerous offices in the village after its incorporation.
The present physicians of the town are all residents of the village, and are the following persons : Walter Booth, Wallace Douglas, Lafayette Rinkle, William Cornell, Dr. Nold, Dr. Warren, and Dr. Corbin, beside two or three who are not regular graduates.
LAWYERS.
The present bar of Boonville is regarded as among the first in ability of any in the State for the size of the place, and its members have been eminently success- ful. The members at present are Albert L. Hayes, Walter Ballou, Henry W. Bentley, Thomas S. Jones, Leander W. Fiske, and H. R. Hadley. Of these, Messrs. Hadley, Fiske, and Bentley have been longest in prac- tice. None of them are far advanced in years. Messrs. Bentley and Jones are in partnership, the latter being a very able criminal lawyer. Mr. Hadley is one of the oldest lawyers in the place. Messrs. Hayes, Fiske, and Ballou have each represented their distriet (4th) in the Assembly, the former in 1872, Ballou in 1876, and Fiske some years previously. Probably the most noted lawyer who practiced here in former years was George W. Smith, a man of great ability. He is a fine public speaker, and is now practicing in Herkimer and Utica.
NEWSPAPERS.
The Boonville Ledger. was commeneed by James H. Norton, in March, 1852, and subsequently published by Ela Kent. In March, 1855, it was purchased by L. C. Childs & Co., who changed the name to the Black River
Herald, and published it until March 8, 1862, when they sold out to the present proprietor, H. P. Willard. Mr. Willard changed the name to the Boonville Herald, and has since continued its publication. He enlarged it, when he assumed its management, from a six- to a seven-column folio. It is issued weekly ; has a circulation of about 600; Republican in polities, and the only paper published in the Fourth As- sembly Distriet. The office is in the " Herald Building," formerly the union church.
BOONVILLE BRASS BAND.
The present band contains twelve pieces, and was organ- ized in 1876. It is under the leadership of G. Farley. A fine band was organized here previous to the war, and entered the service as the regimental band of the 97th Infantry. It was discharged soon after enlistment by a general order from the War Department. Part of the members returned home, and the others enlisted in different capacities. The present organization has a fine uniform, and is called the best band between Watertown and Utica.
THE BOONVILLE CEMETERY ORGANIZATION
was formed in 1857. The grounds are east of the village, and consist of about twelve aeres, very neatly laid out, and occupying a fine location. Numerous elegant monuments and head-stones are already in place, and the spot is probably the most eligible one in the vicinity for the purpose. The old cemetery was where the depot now stands, and the site was changed when the railroad was built. The present officers of the association are as follows: President, A. Bamber; Vice-President, Samuel Johnson ; Secretary and Treasurer, William F. Owens ; Superintendent, Samuel T. Jones ; Trustees, A. Bamber, S. Johnson, S. T. Jones, J. M. Lewis, William Higby, J. R. Tharratt, L. B. Joslin, B. O. Jackson. The Catholics also have a small cemetery.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
A fire company was organized in the village at an early date. In September, 1856, the corporation purchased of the " Village Fire Company" the " Cataract Fire Engine, No. 1," with all the apparatus, for $1560. An engine-house was built the same year at a cost of $500; and two reser- voirs were dug, costing $330 more. The same engine is still in use. The department has 52 members, and its officers are : President, C. W. Colton ; Foreman, John Vivian ; Assistant Foreman, F. Kesauer; Secretary, John Avery ; Treasurer, E. S. Thompson.
BANKING.
The First National Bank of Boonville was established as the " Bank of Boonville," in 1866, and has a capital of $75,000. The present officers are : President, J. R. Thar- rett ; Vice-President, H. W. Bentley ; Cashier, C. Dodge ; Directors, J. R. Tharrett, H. W. Bentley, C. Dodge, J. P. Pitcher, E. C. Dodge.
S. C. Thompson & Co.'s Bank was established at Con- stableville, Lewis Co., in June, 1867, by Schuyler C. Thompson, and removed to Boonville in 1872. The mem- bers of the company are S. C. Thompson, President ; S. A. Johnson, Cashier; and E. S. Thompson.
SAMUEL JOHNSON .
RESIDENCE OF SAMUEL JOHNSON, BOONVILLE, ONEIDA CO., N. Y.
LITH. BY L W EVERTS, PHILA PA
PHOTO. BY LOUEJDY
PHOTO. BY ACKERMAN.
OLD HOME, BUILT 1828
B.O.JACKSON
MRS.N.C. JACKSON
-
LITH BY L. W. EVERTS, PHILADELPHIA
"JACKSON HOMESTEAD, RESIDENCE OF B.O. JACKSON, BOONVILLE, ONEIDA CO, N. Y.
425
HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.
ORDERS AND SOCIETIES.
Boonville Lodge, No. 414, F. and A. M., was organized June 7, 1825, with David Porter, M. ; John Rogers, S. W .; and Aaron F. Bates, J. W. Its charter was declared for- feited in 1835. The present Boonville Lodge, No. 165, F. and A. M., was chartered June 8, 1850, with the follow- ing offieers, viz .: W. M., Henry Graves; S. W., Caleb Goodrich ; J. W., John Taylor. Its charter members were Henry Graves, Caleb Goodrich, Timothy Jackson, Stewart Harrington, Samuel Baker, Levin Jillson, Jera Sanborn, and John Taylor. The officers for 1878 are as follows, viz. : W. M., F. M. Jackson; S. W., H. J. Wolfe ; J. W., T. S. Jones ; See., H. C. Utley ; Treas., J. Burk ; S. D., W. Ballou ; J. D., D. W. Miller; S. M. C., R. Parsons ; J. M. C., J. J. Finlayson ; Chaplain, W. Booth ; Organist, S. Gaylord ; Tyler, C. C. Hornung.
Wheelock Post, No. 97, G. A. R., was organized in 1866 or '67 by D. F. Ritchie, now editor of the Saratogian, at Saratoga, N. Y. The present membership of the Post is about 50, and its offieers are : Commander, Alfred H. Morling; S. V., O E. Burlingame; J. V., A. Wilsey ; Chaplain, Ferdinand V. Graves; Adjutant, D. H. Grant ; Quartermaster, C. Covenhoven. Decoration Day is faith- fully observed by the members of the post, and the annual services on that day are participated in by the citizens in general.
Charity Lodge, No. 737, I. O. G. T., was organized by J. B. Fineh, of Cortland, N. Y., in the spring of 1877. Its membership, April 10, 1878, was between 80 and 90, and its officers for 1878 are : Lodge Deputy, N. Kau ; W. C. T., G. B. Farley ; W. V. T., Miss Mary Griffith; See., Walter Doig. Meetings are held in Snow's Hall, every Monday evening.
Rescue Temple of Honor, No. 45, is in connection with the Cooperative Social Temple of Honor. The former was organized Jan. 25, 1871, and has a membership at present of about GO. Its officers are : W. C. T., F. J. Wheeloek ; Ree., W. L. Burr. The latter society was instituted on the 8th of March, 1871, and has a present membership of about 120. S. P. T., Mary Hayes ; S. R., Mary E. Helmer. In connection with the temple is a seetion of Cadets (boys under eighteen years of age), instituted Nov. 20, 1876. G. G., C. H. Ford. These organizations hold their meetings in Colton's Hall.
The Boonville Driving Park Association was organized in 1870. It present offieers are : President, W. A. Tan- ner ; Secretary and Treasurer, Walter Ballou.
The Boonville Union Agricultural Society was organized in 1871, and leased the grounds of the Driving Park Asso- eiation, where it has held seven fairs. The grounds eom- prise about seventeen acres, and the society is at present endeavoring to arrange for their purchase. The fairs held by this organization have been very successful. A " Far- mers' Agricultural Club" was originally organized, and finally consolidated with the " Agricultural Society"; henee the name Union. The officers of the society for 1878 are : President, T. E. Munn ; First Vice-President, George A. May ; Second Vice-President, B. O. Jackson ; Secretary, Henry Mccluskey ; Treasurer, E. S. Thompson ; Corres- ponding Secretary and Seedsman, B. B. Miller ; Direetors,
William H. Cole, of Leyden ; T. C. Brown, of Leyden ; C. A. Wider, of West Turin ; S. Sherman, of Boonville; J. W. Fiske, of Boonville ; E. M. Sperry, of Boonville ; General Superintendent for 1878, R. H. Roberts, of Boon- ville. A large attendanee is usual at the fairs held by this society.
The village contains about forty stores of various kinds, besides the usual number of mechanie shops, etc., and in the amount of business transacted ranks third in the county, or next after Utiea and Rome.
A general aet for the incorporation of villages was passed by the State Legislature, December 7, 1847, and the village of Boonville was incorporated under the provisions of this act in 1855, with the following-deseribed boundaries, viz. :
" Commencing at the northwest corner of Elisha Seovil's land (in the said town of Boonville), and running thence south two degrees west 3718 feet to the centre of the street designated on the map ac- companying the petition as Ford Street; thence south 18° 24' cast 2583 feet; thence south 85° 41' east 5693 feet to the southeast cor- ner of William Iligby's land ; thenec north 4º 15' cast 1412 feet to the centre of the Boonville Plank-Road, or Main Street on said road; thence north 84º 2' west 811 feet; thence north two degrees east 4505 feet to the northeast corner of W. Tuttle's saw-mill lot ; thence north 88° west 5973 feet to the place of beginning, containing Eight Hundred Fifty-two and 4-10 acres of land."
The village officers from 1855 to 1878 inclusive have been as follows :
1855 .- William Higby, President ; Archibald Bamber, Joseph R. Tharratt, James Hyland, Charles N. Bass, M.D., Trustees.
1856 .- Charles N. Bass, M.D., President ; Joel T. Comstock, Peter B. Post, J. R. Tharratt, Joseph Cramer, Trustees.
1857 .- Lewis Holdridge, President ; Samuel Ulty, John M. Fisk, Samuel Johnson, James H. Diefendorf, Trustees.
1858 .- William F. Owens, President ; Archibald Bam- ber, Isaae Gilbert, James Hyland, Joel T. Comstoek, Trustees.
1859 .- William F. Owens, President ; Isaae Gilbert, Joel T. Comstock, James Hyland, Job W. Fisk, Trustees.
1860 .- James Hyland, President; Charles N. Bass, J. W. Fisk, Thomas Bamber, Jr., Philander B. Schultz, Trustees.
1861 .- Thomas N. Manchester, President; Samuel Bate- man, Thomas Bamber, Jr., Griffith Evans, Samuel M. Fer- guson, Trustees.
1862 .- Thomas Bamber, President; T. N. Manchester, Samuel Bateman, Griffith Evans, Walter Booth, Trustees.
A new charter went into effect Mareh 26, 1862, and on the 6th of May following new officers were chosen : Thomas Bamber, Jr., President ; Job W. Fisk, Silas E. Jackson, James Hyland, Lewis Holdridge, William F. Owens, Trustees.
1863 .- Archibald Bamber, President ; James Hyland, Samuel M. Ferguson, Lewis Holdridge, Samuel W. Utley, Archibald Bamber, Trustees.
1864 .- Job W. Fisk, President ; Chauncey W. Colton, Thomas N. Manchester, Samuel M. Ferguson, Silas E. Jackson, Lyman Gillette, Trustees.
1865 .- Charles N. Bass, M.D., President (died in Sep- tember, 1865) ; John F. Manchester, Payne K. Burt,
54
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HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.
James H. Diefendorf, Samuel S. Rowland, Robert Bamber, Trustees.
1866 .- Chauncey W. Colton, President ; Payne K. Burt, George P. Langdon, John F. Manchester, Joseph R. Thar- ratt, John M. Whipple, Trustees.
1867 .- C. W. Colton, President ; J. R. Tharratt, J. M. Whipple, G. P. Langdon, J. F. Manchester, Silas E. Jack- son, Trustees.
1868 .- J. R. Tharratt, President ; J. F. Manchester, S. E. Jackson, Augustus Wilder, William Davis, William H. Cole, Trustees.
1869 .- Walter Ballou, President ; Nathaniel M. Sargent, Augustus Wilder, William Davis, William Bamber, W. Ray Tanner, Trustees.
1870 .- J. F. Manchester, President ; Reuben Nichols, W. R. Tanner, George W. Wentworth, James H. Capron, William Bamber, Trustces.
1871 .- Walter Booth, President ; Frederick Gebhard, James H. Capron, William H. Cole, Augustus Sargent, Oliver C. Wood, Trustees.
A new charter was granted in 1871, and under it the following officers were elected the same year: William F. Owens, President ; J. T. Comstock, E. B. Austin, J. R. Tharratt, Trustecs.
1872 .- William F. Owens, President ; James H. Capron, Samuel Bateman, Dennis Miller, Trustees.
1873 .- Joseph R. Tharratt, President; Nathaniel M. Sargent, Schuyler C. Thompson, Nicholas Schweinsberg, Trustees.
1874 .- Henry W. Bentley, President ; William H. Gil- bert, William Higby, Nathaniel M. Sargent, Trustees. (Higby was appointed to fill vacancy in place of William H. Cole.)
1875 .- Ephraim Owen, President ; William Bamber, Linus Birdsey, Frederick Rauscher, Trustees.
1876 .- Henry Mccluskey, President; Harvey J. Lewis, William Bamber, Linus Birdsey, Trustces.
1877 .- Henry Mccluskey, President ; Jacob Burk, Har- din Buck, Harvey J. Lewis, Trustees.
1878 .- William Comstock, President; George M. Sawyer, Jacob Burk, Hardin Buck, Trustees ; Eldridge G. Palmer, Treasurer ; John Avery, Collector.
VILLAGE OF HAWKINSVILLE.
The settlement of this village was begun in 1824, by Sterry Hawkins, David Porter, and Moses Johnson, who, as partners, built a saw-mill on Black River. In 1825 they erected a grist-mill, the same now owned by T. Dal- larmi. The saw-mill was carried away during a freshet in 1869.
A carding- and fulling-mill was built by Stephen Haw- kins, about 1830-32. It was last operated by Orra Martin, and is now out of use.
Some years after the first settlement of the place a tavern was built by Alexander Murray, on the site of the present " Mechanics' Hotel," kept by Mr. Buckley.
Platt Rogers, a shoemaker by trade, located herc at nearly the same time with Porter and Johnson. His place is now occupied by Simcon Haycs.
The Hawkinsville post-office was established in the neigh-
borhood of 1850, and Sterry Hawkins was appointed as first postmaster, and from him the office was named. The village was called "Slab City" before the post-office was established. William H. Cole, now a merchant of Boon- ville, held the office after Mr. Hawkins. The present in- cumbent is Philip Graff, a native of Alsace.
The chair-factory at this place was built originally by Jacob Hilts for Sterry Hawkins. The present proprietor is William Wenncis. Chair rounds and general chair stock are manufactured, which are disposed of in New York City. Ten hands are usually employed, and thus far the annual business of the establishment has averaged from $5000 to $6000, with flattering prospects for the future.
The large tannery cast of the village was built in 1852 by William Anderson's sons. It is called the " Eureka Tannery," and is now the property of George B. Anderson. Fifty hands are employed, twenty-six in getting out and hauling bark, and the others in the tannery. About 25,000 hides are tanned annually, valued at about $250,000, and about 5000 cords of hemlock bark are used. Sole leather is manufactured exclusively, and sold principally in New York and Boston. The tannery is 316 by 40 feet in dimensions ; bark-mill, 80 by 30; leach-house, 115 by 30 ; sweat-pits, 40 by 40 ; engine-house (stone and brick), 20 by 40 ; boiler-room (fire-proof building of stone and brick), 30 by 40; iron smoke-stack, 65 feet high; cooler, 40 by 20; scrub-room, 20 by 30. Power is furnished by Cum- mings Creek, although the tannery stands on the bank of the river. It contains three boilers, a thirty .horsc-power steam-engine, Hoyt's patent furnace, one hundred and fifty- two square vats, twelve soaks, two rolling-machines, one hide-mill, two bark-mills, two pumps, and a " conveyer" for running " spent tan" from the leaches to the boiler-room. A large boarding-house and eleven tenant-houses have been erected for the use of the workmen and their families. There are also a house for the proprietor, a store, a black- smith-shop, and a carpenter-shop.
When the fceder to the Black River Canal was being dug, in 1840 and before, there was a considerable " floating" or temporary population at this place. Theodore Dennison opened a small store and saloon about 1837-38. The first regular store in the village was built and opened by Whit- man Buck about 1847-48, and is the same now occupied by D. Hayes.
The present " Mechanics' Hotel" was built by Alonzo Brinkerhoff, on the site of the old hotel previously men- tioned. Its proprietor is Dennis Buckley. The " Union Hotel" was built in 1867 by its present proprietor, Matthias Munz. A cheese-factory in the village was established by William Sperl in 1877.
The village now contains a post-office, three stores, two hotels, four blacksmith-shops, one wagon-shop, besides the establishments already mentioned. Black River at this place is a rapid, turbulent stream, and its amber-colored waters foam over the ancient gneissic rock, which outcrops in this vicinity.
ALDER CREEK POST-OFFICE
is a small village in the southeast part of town, containing two hotels, two stores, two churches, a post-office, a tannery, a shoe-shop, a carriage-shop, etc., and is distant from Alder
A. L.HAYES.
MB. Shultz
427
HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.
Creek station, on the Utica and Black River Railway, about one mile.
The post-office here is on the old Utica and Sacket's Harbor mail-route, and was established about the same time as the one at Remsen. The present postmaster is J. M. McClnsky.
The tannery located at this place is operated by W. D. Carter, and does a considerable business in the mannfac- facture of unfinished npper-leather.
A telegraph line extends from Alder Creek station through this village to Forestport, on Black River, at the head of the canal-feeder. The latter village, or a portion of it, formerly known as Williamsville, is in this town.
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