History of Oneida County, New York, 1667-1878, Part 160

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

USA > New York > Oneida County > History of Oneida County, New York, 1667-1878 > Part 160

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

John Humiston kept a tavern near the Fish Creek bridge on the main road to Rome; Samuel Sawyer lived above Otis Wheeloek's present residence, and was the first man west of Humiston's ; next towards the lake was a jolly, good-natured old man, familiarly known as " Daddy" Little, an early settler ; the brothers William and Jolin Paddock lived just above what is now known as Vienna Post-Office, or " South Corners." That place had in 1813 a tavern kept by Rufus Kinne, and was quite a settlement. Elia- kim Stoddard, who had settled in Camden in 1799, re- moved to this place in 1803, and resided five years on the corner where the tavern now is, opposite the old Rufus Kinne stand. He was the first supervisor of Vienna, and returned to Camden in 1808.

Silas Jewell settled in the south west corner of the town in 1817, coming from Massachusetts. In 1818 he removed to Constantia, Oswego Co., but finally came back and located at West Vienna village.

This town at one time contained thirty-seven saw-mills, and the manufacture of lumber was the principal industry of its inhabitants. But few are now in operation, and agricultural pursuits receive much more attention than formerly.

EARLY SCHOOLS.

The first school in Vienna was taught by Lyman Mathers, in 1803 or 1804, on the place now owned by Josiah New- lan, a short distance below McConnellsville, on the Rome road. It was kept in a small log house owned by Isaac Cook.

In the neighborhood of Fish Creek Landing a school was taught early by Phebe Barker, in a log house built by a Mr. Graves, and afterwards (1807) purchased by William Covell. The latter had built a new house when school was kept in the old one. Miss Barker afterwards taught in a log school-house, which was built in the same neighbor- hood.

In 1815-16, Otis Wheeloek taught a school in a small log house which stood a short distance above his present residence. This house contained two or three of the old- fashioned windows, having but eight small panes of glass each. There was at the same time a brick school-house at the "South Corners," which had been built four or five years previously, and several other log and frame sehool- houses then existed in the town.

In 1813-14, Miss Lueretia Tremaine was teaching in the district next below MeConnellsville. The schools of the

town at present are in good condition generally, with a fair attendance.

METIIODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, MC CONNELLSVILLE.

The present frame house of worship belonging to this society was commenced about 1832, David Pike hewing the first timbers used in its construction. Before the church was built Revs. Stoddard and Westcott preached in the school-house at the village, and a large elass had been organ- ized, which met at the same place. Of this elass Mrs. David Pike is probably the only surviving member. The society numbers at present about 150 members, and is in charge of Rev. William Merrifield. A large Sunday- school is sustained, with William Cornwright as Superin- tendent.

THE BAPTIST CHURCH

at North Bay was admitted into the Oneida Baptist Asso- eiation in September, 1841, and had probably been formned but a short time. Its first pastor was Elder Samuel Bloss, from 1843 to 1846. At present it is supplied onee in two weeks from Oneida, by Rev. Mr. Blandon. The society has a membership of about 50, and is using the frame church edifiee erected some time previous to 1850.

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, NORTHI BAY.

In 1858 this place was in the West Vienna cireuit, and previous to that time there was a small organization. Rev. J. H. Buek was the preacher in charge of the eireuit in 1858. The place is now a separate charge, having a resi- dent minister. The following is a list of the pastors here, viz .: 1858, J. H. Buck ; 1859, George S. Watson ; 1860- 61, Amos N. Nickerson (at North Bay and West Vienna) ; 1862-64, John S. George ; 1865, S. F. Kenyon ; 1866-67, J. W. Simpson ; 1868, Moses Wells; 1870, Wesley Cooper ; 1871-72, A. M. Roe; 1873, G. D. Greenleaf; 1874-76, Lucius Whitney ; 1877-78, J. G. Benson. The present frame house of worship has become nearly unfit for use, and a new one is being ereeted. The membership of this society is about 50, and the Sabbath-school has about the same attendance, with the pastor as Superintendent. Mr. Benson also holds services at Elpis, in the northwest part of town, the church and society at that place having about 40 members, and a small Sabbath-school, with J. W. Mal- lory as Superintendent. Its church is a frame building.

ST. JOIIN'S ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCHI,

west of North Bay, was organized by Rev. Father Beecham, of Rome, in 1837, and the present frame ehrurch edifice ereeted about the same time. About forty families belong to this church, which has, since its organization, been con- neeted with one at Cleveland, Oswego Co. The present pastor is the Rev. Patrick Birmingham, from the latter place. Among the first Catholie families who located in this neighborhood were Daniel Mulholland and John Henry, the former from Whitesboro', and the latter from Utiea. Mulholland emigrated from County Londonderry, Ireland, about 1825. Simon Hallagan and a family named Flanagan were also early Catholies in this vicinity.

590

HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCHI AND SOCIETY at Vienna village was organized early, and now numbers nearly 300 members. A frame house of worship is in use, and Rev. William Merrifield has pastoral charge. There are three Sabbath-schools on the charge, one each at Vienna, Fish Creek Landing, and McConnellsville.

INCIDENTS.

The pioneers of this town experienced all the dangers and difficulties of their situation. Their greatest troubles were caused by the prowling wild beasts, and those now living in town who were children seventy years ago have a rich fund of anecdotes with which to regale the younger genera- tion. Henry N. Halstead and S. A. Covell are among those who well remember the days when bears, panthers, and wolves were lurking in uncomfortably close proximity to the cabins of the settlers, and Mr. Halstead says he made the quickest trip of his life, for a short distance, and up- hill besides, when, on a certain occasion, a little, hungry panther appeared on the opposite bank of the creek from him. Mr. Covell says " wolves were as thiek as blackbirds before the canal was finished," and unless the sheep were securely " yarded" every night their number was sure to be less before morning. The following anecdotes are related by Judge Jones, in his " Annals of Oneida County":

" Messrs. Halstead and Fisher, on a certain occasion, were hunting bears. They started one in a swamp on the lake-sbore, and after following it a short distance, and in passing a place made hollow by the roots of a tree partly turned over, Mr. Halstead broke through to his armpits, when out sprang the bear. They succeeded in killing it and left, but had not proceeded more than cighty rods when they found where the she-bear and two small cubs resided, under the roots of another fallen tree. They effected a dislodgment of the old one, who shared the same fate as its mate, and seeured the two little, now orphan, cubs. It was a very cold day, and to preserve the lives of the little fellows Halstead placed one in his bosom, and Fisher the other in his pocket. They were, however, so little inured to the coid, that before the hunters reached home they both were dead. Our bunters, bowever, consoled themselves with the reflection that they had four less of these troublesome neighbors than in the morning. " After Mr. Eliakim Stoddard had removed to Camden, he and one of his neighbors started to go to the widow Jackson's for salt, each with a yoke of oxen and a sled, as it required this amount of team to draw through the woods, where there was no road or track, their supply of this necessary article,-a barrel each. They struck the lake-shore, and while making their way on the beach saw, directly in their patb, as they supposed, a fine greyhound. As they neared the animal they discovered that, instead of a bound, it was a wolf, which, from its famished appearance and the disposition it showed to stand its ground, they concluded intended to satisfy its eraving appetite at their expense. All the weapons they had, offensive or defensive, were those neecssary accompaniments of all woodsmen-their axes. After a consultation it was decided to proceed, and try titles to the right of way with the wolf, and further, that upon no consideration was either to throw his axe, but to retain his hold on it at all events. As they came nearer the wolf it commeneed an angry growl, and was evidently on the point of springing at them when the neighbor let fly his axe, without at all disabling the animal, and the only perceptible effeet was to render it more savage. Mr. Stoddard, now sceing that he must rely solely on his own resources, stood on the defensive until the wolf bad got within striking distance, when, with a well-aimed blow, be laid bis adversary at his feet, and by a quick repetition deprived him of life.

" In 1800 a Frenchman from New York came to this town on a hunting expedition. He was possessed of the two most necessary articles to the hunter, a valuable dog and a good gun. He stopped at Barnard's Bay, and his first essay was in hunting deer. He went into the woods, and had not proceeded far before bis dog discovered

what Mons. Crapeau supposed to be a fine deer in a tree-top. He shot at the animal, wounding but not disabling it. It leaped from the tree, and on reaching the ground was grappled by the dog. A furious figbt ensued, but the dog was, however, soon put hors du com- bat, when our hunter thought it time to interfere to save the life of bis favorite. He had nothing but his unloaded gun, and valuable as it was it did not come in competition with the life of the hound. Tbe first blow broke it in two at the breeeh, witbout in the least stunning tbe doubly infuriated animal, now disposed to make fight with botb master and dog. Our bero, naught intimidated, and baving a good club in the breeehless gun-barrel, gave a lucky blow wbieh broke tbe 'critter's' back. This rendered the contest far less doubtful, and the deer's life was soon taken by repeated blows. The Frenchman now started for bis boarding-house to tell his wonderful feat in deer-killing, while poor Tray, too badly wounded to accompany bim, was left with his fallen foe. Arriving at his home, the hunter soon spread the news of his good fortune, when all hands repaired to the woods to assist in bringing home tbe venison. At the place of the exploit, instead of a deer, a monstrous panther, measuring nine feet from 'tip to tip,' lay stretebed before them, while the leaves and bushes gave indubitable proof of the fierceness of the death-struggle."

Owing to the great depredations committed by the wolves in 1820, a "ring hunt," as it is ealled, was determined upon by the citizens of the town and the adjoining part of Camden. A swamp on the lake-shore, which the animals had made their home, was surrounded, and between 300 and 400 persons participated in the hunt. Only three wolves were secured, but about fifty rabbits suffered death, and it is said the fur shot from their backs resembled thistle-down in a breeze.

The first bridge across Fish Creek was built on the direct road to Rome, in 1802, the work being engineered by Mr. Hammill, of saw-mill fame. It was built upon trestles, the posts of which were twenty-two feet long and eighteen inches square ; the cap-pieces were eighteen feet long, in size the same as the posts, and all were of solid oak. The force that could be collected was inadequate to the task of raising it, and machinery and teams were pressed into service, and the work accomplished. The town of Vienna has some of the best bridges in the county, aside from those in the cities and on the railway lines.

Elijah Graves, son of Jonathan Graves, came to this town in 1800, when in his eighteenth year, and resided in it until subsequent to 1869, being during his life the oldest settler in town; since his death that honor falls upon Henry N. Halstead.

In this town, opposite Taberg Station, is quite an ex- tensive mill for manufacturing paper, owned and operated by John Halstead.

VILLAGE OF McCONNELLSVILLE.

This place is named from Joseph McConnell, an early set- tler here, and is located in the north part of town, on Fish Creek. It contains a store, a chureh, a saw-mill, a winter- green distillery, a blacksmith-shop, a hotel, a post-office, and a school-house. The post-office was established about 1812, with William Smith (probably) as first postmaster. He was followed, previous to 1814, by Friend Morse. Joseph MeConnell, who came to town in October, 1814, was also an early postmaster, and Dean Wood held the position for some time. The present incumbent of the office is Alanson Tuttle, who owns the only store in the village.

The first hotel in the place was kept by Isaac Cook, who

591

HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

afterwards sold out to Ambrose Jones. Mr. Cook has been mentioned as the second settler in Vienna. He and some others had, in a small way, "kept store," but the first mercantile establishment at the village of any importance was opened by Harvey Smith and a man named Brookins. Cook's old hotel was a double log house, and has long been removed. Within it was a bar, over which whisky was dealt out to customers in gill and pint cups, and the use of that liquor as a beverage was then freely indulged in, while its effects were not nearly as serious as those produced by the distilled poisons which misguided humanity pours down its throat at the present day.

A saw-mill was built at MeConnellsville in 1801, owned by a company composed of William Smith, Timothy Hal- stead, and others, the work being done by a man named Hammill; the same who the next year built the bridge over Fish Creek on the Rome road. Mr. Smith built a grist-mill near the same place about 1804.

PINE

is a small hamlet in the northeast part of town, east of Mc- Connellsville, where was formerly a post-office, now discon- tinued. It received its name from the former abundance of that variety of timber in the vicinity.

ELPIS

is a small village in the northwestern part of town, con- taining a church, a blacksmith-shop, etc., and a dozen or fifteen dwellings. About half a mile from here, on the farm of Samuel Holmes, is an old beaver dam, and the tract known as " Beaver Meadows," containing a large amount of peat.

VIENNA VILLAGE,

known also as the "South Corners," and formerly as " Par- ker's Corners," is in the eastern part of town, and contains a large cheese-factory, a saw-mill, a grist-mill, a store, a shoe-shop, a wagon- and sleigh-shop, two blacksmith-shops, a Methodist Church, a school-house, a post-office, a hotel, and a tannery. The latter is owned by Walter K. Cook, who manufactures upper-leather in the rough for the Bos- ton market, and conducts a very good business. A tannery was established early at this place by Rufus Kinne, who operated it for many years, and finally sold to Rufus Sawyer, who in turn disposed of it to the present proprietor.

Elisha Humiston built a earding-mill here about 1816-17; after operating it a number of years, he sold to some young men named Klock. John Harrington and a man named Wright afterwards owned it, and it was finally allowed to run down for lack of custom.

A short distance from the Corners is a still for manufac- turing oil of winter-green, owned by a man named Fox.

A post-office was established here probably previous to 1813, and a man named Parker for a long time carried the mail through here on horseback from Utica, afterwards using a team and wagon. Among the early postmasters here were Rufus Kinne, a Mr. Matthews, and a Mr. Smith ; one of them probably first held the office, but who it was is not now recollected. The present incumbent is Myron Tremaine.

A small grist-mill was built here at an early day by Elisha

Humiston ; the present one is doing a good business, and is owned by Messrs. Roundtree & Son. Saw-mills have also been erected in the village; the first probably by James Cook, who subsequently sold it to his brother, Walter Cook. The present saw-mill is owned by Frederick Keiner, and is the second built in the place.

NORTH BAY

is the largest and most thrifty village in the town, and is lo- eated on the shore of a bay of Oneida Lake bearing the same name. It has a commanding view of the lake, and has become a noted summer resort. Its hotels are filled during the season, and plenty of sport awaits the fisherman who shall launch his boat upon the silvery waters of the noble lake, for it has won golden fame as the home of the " finny tribe," which abound in vast numbers. A large number of boats are kept here for hire, and the business of canal- boat building has in former years been extensively carried 01, the product of a single season having reached as high as 35 boats. During the winter of 1877-78 five canal- boats were manufactured here, the material used being hemlock lumber. Picnic-parties in great numbers resort here for pleasure during the summer. A neat boarding- house has been fitted up near the railway station, having a livery-stable attached, and a large, new hotel in the same part of the village has been opened the present season (1878) by Henry J. Myer. The place now contains three hotels, five stores, two churches, a school-house, two saw- mills, a planing-mill, a shingle-mill, two small potteries, a blacksmith-shop, a harness-shop, a wagon-shop, and two physicians, Drs. Nicholas and Broga.

The North Bay post-office was established about 1840- 45, previous to which time the mail was procured at the Vienna post-office,-" South Corners." The first postmaster here was Hiram Higby, who opened a store in the building now occupied for the same purpose by Mr. Louden. The present postmaster is Peter Flanigan.

The first building erected in this village was a hotel, which stood on the ground now occupied by the " Phalen House." Henry J. Myer built it, as he also did the present " Tremont House" and inany other of the first buildings in the place. Myer's Hotel was last called the " Frisbie House," and was finally destroyed by fire. P. J. Phalen is the pro- prietor of the " Phalen House," which was erected by James A. Wooden in 1873; it is the largest hotel in the village.

Alexander Rae, formerly elerk of Oneida County, and now deceased, was also one of the founders of the village of North Bay, where his brother, James Rae, still resides.

The first store at this place was built and opened by Charles Louden, brother of Joseph Louden, who now has a store here. The former has been dead about twenty years ; the old store is occupied by K. D. Broga, and stands opposite the " Plialen House."

Henry J. Myer is yet living in the village, and during his entire residence here has engaged more or less in build- ing.

WEST VIENNA VILLAGE

is located in the southwest part of the town, on the shore of Oneida Lake. It has a station on the New York and

592

HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

Oswego Midland Railway, which follows the shore of the lake across the entire town.

One of the first settlers in this neighborhood was Silas Jewell, who came in 1822-23 and built the hotel now standing. The latter is now the property of F. W. Jewell.

John Bedell, from Greene Co., N. Y., settled here early on the farm he now occupies, his first residence being on the corner of the village diagonally opposite that of liis son, J. J. Bedell. The elder Bedell, who is now eighty-four years of age, opened the first store in the village in 1838, on the corner opposite the grist-mill, in the building now occupied as a dwelling by Jacob King. There is now but one store in the place, owned by Z. J. White,-a second one, which occupied the site of Mr. Bedell's first dwelling, having been burned down early in 1878.

Probably the first settler here was Eliphalet Jewell,- not related to Silas Jewell. He built the present grist-mill previous to 1817, and an Englishinan named Merrill after- wards built the saw-mill, which is still standing. The grist- mill is now the property of Ira Page.

West Vienna post-office was established about 1838-39, and first kept by Silas Jewell, at his hotel. Previous to that time the mail for this neighborhood was sent to Mr. Jewell for distribution by the postmaster at Vienna, or " South Corners." The present incumbent of the office at this place is Zenas J. White.

FISHI CREEK LANDING

is a small village on Fish Creek, south of Vienna village, and contains oue store, a blacksmith-shop a short distance up the creek, and a two-story building erected for a school- house, church, and public hall combined. Before the con- struction of the Rome, Watertown and Ogdensburg Railway this place was the depot from which most of the lumber manufactured in this region was shipped. It was trans- ported from as far as Williamstown, Oswego Co., and as high as 2,000,000 feet have been boated away from here in a single year. Pine lumber was manufactured princi- pally, the mills at the "South Corners" turning out a large amount. S. A. Covell, Sr., at one time owned a lumber- yard at the Landing.

George Covell, from the town of Lanesboro', Berkshire Co., Mass., came to this place in 1807, and settled on Wood Creek, about half a mile below the Landing, just off the Fish Creek Reservation. When the State purchased that Reservation of the Oneidas and placed the land in market, Mr. Covell purchased a lot farther up and moved upon it. He and his brother William came here in February, 1807, and purchased a place together, which they divided between them. Mrs. George Covell's father, John Babbitt, a vet- eran of the Revolution, during which he served seven years, followed them the succeeding June. Indians were here then in large numbers, and Stephen A. Covell, Sr., now living at the Landing, says he has seen a thousand of them together, " following along, squaws and all, one after the other." Two others of Mr. Covell's children are living here,-George W. Covell (born in the place) and Mrs. L. S. Haskins. When the Covells settled there were then three families living in the vicinity, who had located a short time previous. They were Elisha Freeman, a Mr. Buell,

and a Mr. Graves. The latter sold his " betterments" to William Covell, and Buell disposed of his to John Babbitt. They each had a log house built and about two acres cleared. Freeman afterwards sold out and removed to Cattaraugus County.

" Durham boats" were run until the middle section of the Erie Canal was completed, sometimes coming from as far west as Canandaigua Lake, and making their way through Oneida Lake, Wood Creek, and the Mohawk to Schenectady. They always sailed through the lake, and when the wind was fair sails were used also on the Mohawk ; otherwise sweeps were necessary going down and setting- poles coming up.

For information in this town we are indebted to Henry N. Halstead, Otis Wheelock, S. A. Covell, Sr., John Bedell, F. W. Jewell, David Pike and wife, and many others, including pastors and members of churches and numerous persons not now recalled to mind.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH.

JOHN D. YAGER.

John D. Yager was born Aug. 31, 1809, in the town of Greenbush, Rensselaer Co., N. Y. He was the second child in a family of nine children-seven sons and two daughters-

Photo, by Hovey & Brainerd.

John & yagen

of David and Polly Yager, and grandson of Solomon Yager. David Yager was an extensive and prosperous farmer, and his son, the subject of this notice, was reared to that occu- pation, living with his father till about the age of twenty- two, when he purchased a farm and entered upon the life of an agriculturist on his own account.

LITH. BY L. N. EVERTS, PHILA, PA.

FARM & RESIDENCE OF SAMUEL FAULKNER, VIENNA, N. Y.

( FARM CONTAINING 350 ACRES. )

PHOTO. BY HOVEY, POME.

Henry I, Reid. M.C.

Os RE

RESIDENCE OF HENRY G. REID, M.D. WESTERNVILLE, ONEIDA Cº N. Y.

LITH. BY L. H. EVERTS PHILA.

593

HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

In 1832 he married Cynthia Rowley, the youngest child of Seth Rowley, a Revolutionary soldier, who was engaged in the siege of Fort Stanwix (now Rome, N. Y.), and had by this marriage the following-named children : Mellissa S., born Oct. 20, 1832, died Dec. 12, 1847 ; Sarah M., born Dec. 14, 1833, died March 19, 1869 ; Phebc E., born Dec. 24, 1837, died March 20, 1841 ; Emma A., born May 9, 1839, died March 26, 1841 ; Emma O., born Oct. 25, 1845, married Jesse T. Fish, May 30, 1867, who died June 7, 1868; Oscar A. and Orrin J., twins, born May 17, 1850; both died the same year and month,-the former October 3, and the latter October 9.

In October, 1849, Mr. Yager removed from Otsego County to the town of Vienna, Oneida Co., and settled upon a farm, where he resided up to the year 1868, when he disposed of his place, and has since resided in the village of McConnellsville.

In 1856, he married for his second wife Maria Swart, daughter of Peter and Lucy Swart, of Jefferson, Schoharie Co., N. Y., who was the eldest child in a family of ten chil- dren, all deceased except three, one of whom is living in Delaware County, and one in Cherry Valley, Otsego Co., in this State. Mr. Yager has no children by this latter marriage.

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

History of Oneida County, New York, 1667-1878, Part 160

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

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