USA > New York > Oneida County > History of Oneida County, New York, 1667-1878 > Part 85
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EBENEZER B. SHEARMAN.
Ebenezer B. Shearman was largely identified not only with the early settlement of Utica, but with its growth and business for nearly half a century. He was born in the State of Rhode Island in 1783, and at the age of eighteen left home to seek his fortunes in the then far west. He settled at Utica early in 1801, and first found employment in the mercantile establishment of J. Ballou. At the age of twenty-one he entered upon business on his own account, with Judah Williams, Jr., as & partner. They conducted extensive and successful mercantile operations for some years. Afterwards he carried on business alone for a time, and at a subsequent period of life with his brother, Stukely B., and afterwards with his nephews, Joscph A. Shearman and Theo- dore P. Ballou. His business was very extensive during the ' war ; but he suffered seriously by depreciations incident to its close.
He lost also at different times from conflagrations of property in which he was largely interested ; but his admirable business talent and indomitable energy enabled him to weather all financial storms. He died in 1845, in possession of a handsome competence. Influenced by his early success, seven of his eight brothers left their native State, and, principally through his auspices, were successfully established in business in this State. In an obituary notice of the last sur- viviug of their number, viz., Willett H. Shearman, who died at Vernon, in this county, in 1868, we find the following brief sketch of the brothers :
"Jonathan, the eldest, who had been bred a physician, settled in Madison County in 1806, where he practiced his profession successfully many years, afterwards removing to Montgomery County, where he died in 1863, at the age of eighty-four years. Gidoon settled first at Vornon, but afterwards removed to Genesee County, where he engaged largely and successfully in farming operations, which he continued till his death, in 1851. Daniel C. commenced business as a merchant, at Rutland, Jefferson County, shortly before the war of 1812, in connection with his brother Jonathan. He subsequently retired to a farm in that town, where he died in 1863, venerable in years and venerated in eharacter. Robert will be remembered by most of the earlior inhabit- ants of Utica now surviving, as an upright and popular merchant, for some years successful, bnt overtaken in midlife with reverses from which broken health did not permit him to recover. He died in 1838. William Pitt commenced business in Utica, in connection with Seth Dwight, and subsequently with his brother Robert, who had closed business in Providence, R. I., in 1816, located as a merchant at Rochester, when that now thriving city was a small hamlet, and did not live to enjoy the fortune which his forethought provided for his de- scendants. Stukely B., one of the most gifted of the brothers, and whose genial, generous nature made him the loved of every circle in which he moved, was the business partnor of his brother Ebenezer. He died in early manhood. Arnold, the father of Joseph A. Shearman, remained to
guard the old roof-tree in Rhode Island. Under its shade he lived and died."
Of Willett H., the foregoing notice states that he was for nearly thirty years the superintendent of the extensive window-glass works of the Oneida Glass Company, at Vernon, and was also largely engaged in mercantile and farming operations, and held many important public and private trusts.
"As a man of business he was the soul of punctuality and probity. His industry was proverbial. He took an active interest in public affairs, and was in all things an honored and useful citizen." He died at Vernon, in 1869, aged seventy-seven years.
Ebenezer B. Shearman was one of the principal founders of the system of manufactures that have given to Oneida County so much of its pros- perity and prominence. The large cotton-factory in New Hartford that bore his name, and of which he eventually became the principal owner, was one of the first, if not the first, established in the county. The manufactory of window-glass at Vernon, before referred to, was at its establishment the only ono in the State west of Albany, and for many years supplied the western country with its sash lights. During the period Mr. Shearman was engaged in mercantile business, western New York principally depended on the manufactories of Oneida Connty for its supplies of cotton fabrics, and to a large extent for its stock of importod merchandise, and Utica was thus the distributing point for a very large amount of home and foreign production. In his deal- ings with the northern and western merchants Mr. Shearman was enterprising and sagacious, and his establishment always drew a large share of trade.
Dr. M. M. Bagg, in his admirable sketches of the " Pioneers of Utica," thus rofers to E. B. Shearman :
"His interest in public affairs was conspicuons, and the share con- siderable which he bore in the civie affairs of his time. For three successive years he was village trustee, for thirty years a trustee of the Utica Academy, and most of that time its secretary, while as a fireman and watchman in the earlier opochs of tho village history, when these offices were voluntarily assumed by its foromost citizens, his services were arduous and commendable. From its foundation he was, so long as he lived, a director of the Utica Bank, and in 1828 he was one of the electors of President of the United States.
" He possessed a judgment of remarkable soundness, a mind in all respects eminently practical, and a heart ever true to the kindest impulses. To children he was especially kind, while among associates of his own age none wore mnore welcome for his checry laugh and his overflowing fun, not. loss for his sense and his general usefulness. His store was a favorite place of retreat for the leisure hours of the busy men of the town. In person, Mr. Shearman was portly and imposing ; in bearing, dignified and courteous."
319
HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.
Building and lot .. $9,220
Outbuildings, fences, and walks. 835
Heating apparatus. 375
Furniture
1,487
Total. $11,917
CATHERINE STREET SCHOOL.
Building of brick ; two stories. Erected in 1852. tings 248; teachers, 4; average attendance, 210.
Sit-
Value of property :
Building and lot $8,200
Outbuilding, etc .. 760
Heating apparatus
300
Furniture, etc.
1,012
Total $10,272
ALBANY STREET SCHOOL.
Building of brick ; one story. Erceted in 1858. Sit- tings, 60; teachers, 2; average attendance, 69.
Value of property :
Building and lot $3,600
Outhouses, etc
500
Heating apparatus.
85
Furniture .
257
Total .. $4,442
LANSING STREET SCHOOL.
Building of brick ; two stories, with wing ; erected in 1858. Sittings, 188. A new building has been erected for the primary department of this school. It is of wood, and will accommodate 70 pupils. Teachers, 5 ; average attendance, 227.
Value of property :
Buildings and lot.
$7,300
Outbuildings, etc ... 970
Ilcating apparatus 224
Furniture, etc
1,030
Total
$9,524
COURT STREET SCHOOL.
Building of brick ; two stories ; located on Asylum Hill ; erceted in 1860; sittings, 194; teachers, 5; average at- tendance, 203.
Value of property :
Building and lot. $14,500
Outbuildings, etc .. 1,186
Heating apparatus.
1,150
Furniture, etc.
1,625
Total. $18,461
This is from the report of 1877. The building has since been enlarged and improved, but we have not the amounts expended.
SOUTH STREET SCHOOL.
Building of brick; two stories; erceted in 1867 ; sit- tings, 254; teachers, 5; average attendance, 211.
Value of property :
Building and lot $12,170
Outbuildings, etc. 935
HIeating apparatus.
381
Furniture
911
Total
$14,397
FRANCIS STREET SCHOOL.
Building of brick ; two stories, with a wing; erected 1867. Sittings, 244; teachers, 4; average attendance, 17.
Value of property :
Building and lot. $9,200
Outbuildings, etc .. 940
Heating apparatus. 281
Furniture, etc.
981
Total $11,402
FAXTON SCHOOL.
On the 24th of January, 1868, the Hon. Theodore S. Faxton, with that large liberality which he has so often manifested, presented to the city of Utica the commodious and handsome building known as Faxton Hall, with the express provision that the school commissioners establish and maintain a publie school in the building, equal in ex- cellenee and duration to the other public schools of the city. This building was completed, furnished, and made ready, in all respects, by its munificent donor, for the re- ception of the school established there in the spring of 1868. The Faxton School was then organized as one of the public schools of the city. Thus room was provided for 108 children who could not find accommodations in the other school-houses, already overcrowded, in that section of the city.
Teachers, 2; average attendance, 80.
Value of property :
Building and lot. $22,000
Outbuildings, etc ... 180
Heating apparatus .. 118
Furniture, etc .. 432
Total. $22,730
COLUMBIA STREET SCHOOL.
This was formerly a parochial school in charge of St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church. In May, 1869, it was placed under the exclusive control of the school commis- sioners, and a lease of the building made to the commis- sioners free of rent. The school was re-organized, and is now one of the regular city schools. The building occupied by it was one of the original school buildings, but after the passage of the act of 1842, establishing the present system, it was sold, and again, after the lapse of more than a quarter of a century, returned to the original possessors. Number of teachers employed, 4; average attendance, 136. No valuation of property given.
WASHINGTON STREET SCHOOL.
The building occupied by this school was formerly owned by the Welsh Congregational Society, and used as a house of worship. It was purchased and remodeled in 1870. It is 37 by 50 feet in dimensions, and accommodates 200 pupils. Teachers, 4; average daily attendance, 136.
Value of property :
Building and lot. $11,000
Outbuildings, etc. 250
Heating apparatus. 200
Furniture, etc. 821
Total .. $12,271
MILLER STREET SCHOOL.
Building two stories, of brick ; erceted in 1871. Di- mensions, 51.8 by 75.4 feet, and 49 feet high. Sittings, 448; teachers, 8 ; average attendance, 292.
Value of property :
320
HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.
Building and lot
$21,000
Onthouses, cte .. 1,150
Heating apparatus. 1,160
Furniture, etc.
1,869
Total $25,179
FAXTON EVENING SCHOOL.
This school was established in the Faxton Hall school- room in 1868. The number of teachers employed is 3; average attendance, 78.
SUMMARY.
NUMBER OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
Primary
14
Intermediate ..
13
Advanced
1
Academy
1
Ungraded.
1
Evening school.
1
Total
31
TOTAL NUMBER OF SITTINGS.
Primary departments 1930
Intermediate departments 1388
Advanced school.
624
Academy
192
Ungraded.
60
Total.
4194
NUMBER OF TEACHERS EMPLOYED.
Male.
Female. Total.
0
36
36
Intermediate.
0
29
29
Advanced.
1
12
13
Academy
3
2
5
Ungraded.
0
2
2
Evening school
1
2
3
Penmanship
0
1
1
Music
1
0
1
Drawing
0
1
1
French language.
1
0
1
German language.
1
0
1
Total
8
85
93
Whole amount paid for teachers' wages.
$47,265.87
Average salary paid male teachers.
1,025.55
Average salary paid female teachers.
439.36
Average salary paid evening-school teachers
90.00
Average salary paid teachers.
508.26
Yearly cost per scholar for teachers' wages.
9.42
NUMBER OF PUPILS ENROLLED.
Boys.
Girls.
Total.
Primary departments
1408
1334
2742
Intermediate departments.
696
669
1365
Advanced school.
264
296
560
Academy
41
68
109
Ungraded school
49
47
96
Evening school.
97
47
144
Total
2555
2461
5016
AVERAGE NUMBER BELONGING.
Boys.
Girls,
Total.
Primary departments ..
927
917
1824
Intermediate departments.
508
525
1053
Advanced school
211
247
458
Academy
37
59
96
Ungraded school
40
39
79
Evening school.
55
27
82
Total
1778
1814
3592
AVERAGE DAILY ATTENDANCE.
Boys.
Girls,
Total.
Primary departments.
874
816
1690
Intermediate departments.
460
498
9:8
Advanced school.
207
242
449
Academy
35
56
91
Ungraded school.
35
34
69
Evening school.
53
25
78
Total
1664
1671
3335
RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURES.
RECEIPTS.
State appropriation :
For teachers' wages. $18,803.70
For supervision. 800.00
For library.
341.19
Received from the literature fund.
From non-residents for tuition 750.00
From sale of catalogues of library books.
8.25
Proceeds of city tax :
For teachers' wages.
$30,000.00
For contingent expenses .. 16,000.00
For superintendent's salary 1,700.00
For city library. 300.00
For enlarging Court Street school-house .... 5,000.00
53,000.00
1
On hand October 1, 1876
18,789.97
Total.
$93,034.47
EXPENDITURES.
Ordinary Expenses.
Salaries of teachers. $47,265.67
Salary of superintendent .. 2,500.00
Salary of clerk and librarian 750.00
3,249.58
Salaries of janitors of 19 school buildings .. For fuel.
1,924.38
For repairing school-houses, furnaces, and apparatus
1,534.50
For repairing outhouse, fences, and walks .. Rent of carpenter-shop .. 150.00 226.78
For purchasing globes, maps, and apparatus. 5.06
Books and catalogues for the city library ...
257.42
Paid for water, gas, printing, and diplomas. School-books and stationery 342.92
Insurance of school-houses and furniture ...
874.00
Expenses of Academy annual exhibition ....
69.00
$59,897.33
Extraordinary Expenses.
Putting in sewers and otherwise improving sites ...
$124.72
For new furniture.
146.24
Enlarging Court Street school-house. 2,434.06
2,705.02 30,432.12
Total
$93,034.47
VALUE OF SC1100L PROPERTY.
House and lots ..
$359,045.00
Outhouses, walks, etc ..
19,964.00
Heating apparatus.
12,541.00
Furniture ..
24,781.00
Chemical and philosophical apparatus
1,119.37
City library books (6146 volumes).
17,325.00
Academy library books
1,127.36
Total
$435,902.73
UTICA LIBRARY.
This institution was incorporated in 1825, on the 5th of March, and opened for the issue of books on the 6th of July of the same year, with about 1000 volumes. The number of shares was originally limited to 400, and the price fixed at $3. In 1829 the number of volumes had increased to 1500. In 1837 it was located in Mechanics' Hall, and had increased to 2500 volumes. It was subse- quently removed to the city hall building, where it re- mained until July, 1878, when it was removed to the new library building on Elizabeth Street. Among the earlier patrons and prominent members of the association were Hon. Nathan Williams, Theodore S. Gold, Ezekiel Bacon, Gardner Tracy, E. A. Wetmore, Thomas Walker, R. R. Rhodes, and William J. Bacon. Under the school law of 1842 the board of school trustces assumed control, and have continued its management to the present time. When
$19,944.89 541.36
Balance on hand October 1, 1876
748.02
Primary
CITY
Y LIBRARY 1877
LITH. WY L. H. EVERTS. PHILADELPHIA
UTICA CITY LIBRARY,
HACKETT
ROUEEN CONTRO
IMPERIAL IMPERIAL FIREINSURING FIRE INSURANCE CO
FW HURLBURT FIRE INSURANCE
JOR
DOCTOR RUSSELL OFFICE
LOTERRY
RUSS!
COMPETIR C. HACKETT
AWYUNARTIC
DRUGGISTS.G
196| BELTZ & REUSSWIG. | 196
F. W.HURLBURT FIRE INSURANCE
196
TAILORS
TAILORS
DOCTOR M.O TERRY
RO
LITH. BY L.H. EVERTS, PRIIA.
HACKETTS BLOCK, GENESEE S! UTICA, N.Y.
321
HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.
they took charge it contained about 1700 volumes, having apparently fallen off considerably.
The strongest evidence of the popular estimate of the city library is furnished by the following statistical state- ment :
The whole number of volumes issued to the publie during the year just closed is 28,330, an inerease over that of any previous year of 7859 volumes. No comment ean add signifieanee to the above statement, yet it may be ae- eepted as prophetie of the dawn of a new era for our read- ing publie. The elassified summary of books in the library is as follows : Scientifie and political works, 696 volumes; voyages and travels, 552 volumes ; historieal and deserip- tive, 1262 volumes; biographieal works, 674 volumes ; literary, poetie, and dramatie works, 1128 volumes ; novels, tales, and adventures, 956 volumes, and 900 valuable books of referenee.
Among the books of reference are Louis Agassiz' eon- tribution to the Natural History of the United States, illustrated ; Appleton's Cyelopædia, complete sets ; complete sets of American Ornithology ; Colonial History of the State of New York, 10 volumes ; North American Sylva, by Michaux ; Natural History of New York, 29 volumes ; Muster-Roll of the State of New York, containing the name of every soldier enlisted from this State during the Rebellion, his length of service, when mustered out, ete. ; American Ornithology, by . Bonaparte ; Audubon's Birds of North America; Audubon's and Bachman's Quadru- peds of North America ; complete sets of Knight's Cyelo- pædia ; Dictionaries of Architecture, of Arts, Manufae- tures and Mines, of Dates, of Science, Literature, and of Authors. We mention the above books to show the general character of the books of reference that have heretofore, in the main, lain upon the shelves for want of a suitable room in which they could be consulted.
The library building is situated on the north side of Elizabeth Street, between Genesee and Charlotte Streets, and has a frontage of 64 feet by a depth of 88. It is built in the Vietoria Gothie style of architecture, its front and flanks faced with Croton pressed brick, with blaek brick to mark lines and arehes, and is trimmed with Conneetieut brown sandstone and Prospeet limestone.
The main building has two stories and an attie, the front façade containing a tower which projeets 4 feet, rises 51 feet to the corniee, and is covered with a pyramidal roof 30 feet in height ; and two niches for the reception of colossal busts.
On the first floor the main hall-way is 12 feet wide, and runs from the entrance eentrally through the building to the library.
The superintendent's office, 16 by 23 feet 8 inches in size, is placed first to the right on entering. This contains a fireproof vault for documents, ete. A laboratory separates this room from the room for the Board of Education, which is 20 feet by 23 feet 8 inches.
At the front end to the left of the hall is a stairway, 5 feet 6 inches wide, leading to the leeture hall above. Un- derneath these stairs is a ladies' lavatory.
A reference library and reading-room, 28 feet 4 inches by 23 feet 8 inches, occupies the rest of the main floor.
The second floor is oeeupied by a leeture-room, having a seating capacity of 400, and is furnished with platform and ante-room.
The library proper-40 by 60 feet and 47 feet to apex of roof-is situated in the rear of the main building, and is liglited by side and clerestory windows. It contains a gallery, which is supported on iron brackets, and is reached by an iron stairway. This part of the building is fireproof; the roofs being of slate, the elerestory of galvanized iron, and the windows furnished with iron shutters, while double iron doors shut it off completely from the maiu building.
The stairways and wainseoting are finished in ash and cherry ; the rest of the interior, ineluding the open timber roof of the library, in pine, painted in rich colors.
For completeness of arrangement, eleganee of finish, and beautiful architecture, it is believed the Utica Library building is not exeelled by any similar institution in the country. The arehiteets were G. Edward Cooper and E. D. Smalley.
The librarian is Mr. Frank H. Latimore. The total eost of this fine building, including ground and furniture, has been about $25,000.
UTICA FEMALE ACADEMY.
This institution was chartered April 28, 1837. The first trustees named in the charter were John II. Ostrom, Nicholas Devereux, Horatio Seymour, C. A. Mann, Joshua A. Speneer, S. D. Childs, T. S. Faxton, John C. Devereux, Alrick Hubbell, T. E. Clark, T. II. Hubbard, Theodore Pomeroy, A. Munson, B. F. Cooper, Chester Griswold, John Williams, Horaee Butler, Charles P. Kirkland, S. P. Lyman, Holmes Hutchinson, and Henry White.
The same year four lots lying between Washington Street and Broadway, with the buildings upon them, were pur- chased at a cost of $6300. The school was first opened in the building known as the United States Hotel, corner of Genesee and Pearl Streets, where it was continued until the new building was finished. The number of students in Deeember, 1838, was 168. In 1838-39 au academy building of brick, three stories, 50 by 150 feet in dimensions, was erected, the corner-stone having been laid with proper ceremonies June 20, 1838. The first principal was Miss Urania E. Sheldon (sinee Mrs. Dr. Nott), who continued until August, 1842, when Rev. James Nichols sueeeeded her, and remained until June, 1844, when he retired and was succeeded by Miss Jane E. Kelly, who continued to fill the position until 1865. At the January term of 1851 the number of pupils in attendance was 185; whole number for the year, 292.
The building was burned on the 27th of March, 1865. The present elegant and substantial building was creeted on the same ground about 1869-70, at a cost of $75,000. It is 60 by 150 feet in dimensions, three stories and base- ment, and constructed of brick, with roof laid in variegated slates. It is one of the finest structures in the State, and justly a source of pride to the citizens of Utiea even among the many noble educational and charitable institutions which ornament the city, and make it a marvel throughout the land.
41
322
HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.
The school was interrupted from 1865 to 1871, in which latter year Mrs. E. F. Hammill, of Brooklyn, leased the building for three years and opened school. At the end of the three years she leased it again for one year and eon- tinned to the summer of 1875, when she was sueeeeded by the present principal, Mrs. J. G. P. Piatt. At the present time the school employs about fourteen teachers in the various departments, and has from 30 to 40 regular boarders and from 80 to 90 day scholars.
It is a stock institution, organized by a large number of the wealthy citizens of Utica for the education of their daughters, and is in a flourishing condition.
The other private schools of the city at the present time are : Academy of Assumption, for boys, under the charge of the Christian Brothers (Catholie), corner of John and Elizabeth Streets; the German Free Association, organized Dec. 23, 1867, on the common-school system, and open to all, on Whitesboro' Street ; President, John Kohler ; See- retary, F. W. Klages ; Principal, Ad. Peterson ; Assistant, Mrs. W. J. Rulison ; Treasurer, M. Wcisner ; Kindergar- ten School, Steuben Street, Mrs. C. M. Scholcfield, Princi- pal ; Kindergarten School, Oncida Strect, Mrs. Janet Kel- logg, Principal ; school for boys and girls, No. 232 Genesee Street, by James Lombard; St. John's Select and Free School for boys and girls, under the direction of the Sisters of Charity, on Burnet Street ; St. Joseph's School (German) for boys, 163 Fayette Street ; St. Joseph's School (German) for girls, by the Sisters of St. Clair, 163 Fayette Street ; and the Utica Business College, in the Parker Building, by Messrs. McCreary and Shields.
An eceentrie individual named Solomon Barrett taught a grammar school in Utica for several years, between 1845 and 1850. He made it a specialty, and was a most excel- lent grammarian, and successful in his ealling. At one period his school was located in the rooms over what is now Hollister's book-store, where he had a large number of pupils, of both sexes, among whom were Daniel Butterfield, Jedediah Kingsley, David Williams, and J. M. Green.
Mr. Barrett was something of a linguist, and was wont to talk Latin with Judge Denio. A short time previous to his advent in Utica, he engaged in a noted discussion upon the science of grammar with Professor Brown, of Syracuse.
His schools were divided into terms, for each of which he charged a tuition fee of $5. His system of teaching was upon the concert plan, and he made use of the services of his more advanced scholars to assist him in his work. He was a very popular teacher, but quite eeeentrie, and somewhat untidy in dress. He was an inveterate tobaeeo- chewer, and was wont to cjeet his spittle over the desk in front of him upon the floor. He was accustomed to tell his pupils that when they encountered any one in argu- ment who was too much for them, to throw him off the subject by asking a question in philosophy like the follow- ing : " Does a thing move where it is ?" If he answered no, as he generally would, then ask him, " Does it move where it is not ?" "Then," says he, " you have him."
He was also the author of a peculiar text-book upon the study of English grammar, which was published in Utiea in 1845.
RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS.
TRINITY CHURCH (EPISCOPAL).
Trinity Church was organized in the year 1798, by the Rev. Philander Chase, afterwards Bishop of Illinois. For a period of five years serviees were imperfectly maintained by lay-reading, and it was not until the year 1803 that measures were taken towards the building of a chureh edi- fiee. In that year Mr. John R. Bleecker, of Albany, gave a lot on the corner of Broad and First Streets, 100 feet front and 127 feet deep, in fulfillment of a promise that such a gift would be made to that religious society which should first undertake the crection of a church edifice. On the basis of a subseription of a little more than $2000 the building was commeneed, but it was not until the year 1806 that it was so far completed that Bishop Moore was induced to eonseerate it. In Deeember, 1810, it was fin- ished, having cost $7140. Of this sum $2000 was eon- tributed by Trinity Church, New York. The building, an unpretentious yet tasteful structure, was designed by Philip Hooker, of Albany, an architect who did some good work in his day,-as witness, in his own city, old St. Peter's Church, the old State Capitol, and the Academy.
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