History of Oneida County, New York, 1667-1878, Part 90

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 90

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).

Its present officers are : First Dircetress, Mrs. Cornelia Graham ; Second Dircetress, Mrs. Annie C. Northrup; Third Dircetress, Miss Cornelia Meeker; Treasurer, Mrs. Emm Mann ; Recording Secretary, Miss F. E. Bacon ; Corresponding Secretary, Mrs. Sarah W. Wood ; Managers, Mrs. Eliza P. Foster, Mrs. Cornelia H. Bagg, Mrs. Annie C. Churchill, Mrs. Cornelia D. Curran, Mrs. Grace Evans, Mrs. Sarah B. Foster, Mrs. Mary B. Gray, Mrs. Annette T. Hunt, Mrs. Margaret A. Hurd, Mrs. Cornelia F. Jack- son, Mrs. Sarah Owens, Miss Elizabeth S. Potter, Mrs.

Emma M. Swann, Mrs. Elizabeth II. Tourtellot, Mrs. Mary B. Waterman, Mrs. Mary Goodwin.

ST. JOHN'S FEMALE ORPIIAN ASYLUM.

The object of this institution is to maintain and educate female orphan and destitute children. It was organized in 1834, and incorporated March 18, 1848.

Central New York, in 1834, affording no protection, no home for poor little orphan and destitute girls, whose num- bers were daily increasing, the late Messrs. J. C. and N. Devereux made application for the Sisters of Charity to conduct a Catholic asylum and day school in Utica.

This application was favorably received. In the spring of 1834 three Sisters of Charity, from Emmettsburg, Md., arrived in Utica to take charge of said works. The con- dition of the city and its surroundings at that time may easily be imagined, from the fact that the only means of conveyance between Albany and Utica was by conal.

The asylum opened with three children, in a small, in- convenient dwelling-house, the day school being conducted in an adjoining building, now replaced by a fine brick . school-house. Both house and grounds were the free gift of Messrs. J. C. and N. Devereux, who also were the chief support of the institution for a number of years,-in fact, until its incorporation.

In the mean time, the city had grown in wealth and im- portance, enlarging the sphere of usefulness for the institu- tion. The Sisters perceiving this, spared no efforts to increase the facilities of the house, and to make it equal to the requirements of the times. To effect this they had recourse to the interest and sympathy of their families and personal friends, residents of the different States, many of whom were persons of influence and position, and from whom they received large sums of money, which enabled them to purchase adjoining property, to ercet additions, and make necessary improvements from time to time, until the asylum reached its present truly fine proportions, contrast- ing favorably with the little story-and-a-half house of 1834.

Its area of land is now about 29,000 square feet ; build- ing 140 feet front on John Street, south side 200 fect, in- cluding wash-house, separate from prineipal building, cow- barn, cte. All the buildings are about four stories high ;. two covered porches extend the entire length of the rear building. The house is lighted by gas throughout, and is heated by three furnaces.

The last-erceted building (1864) contains a spacious, well-ventilated dormitory, infirmary, chapel, fine elass-room, sewing-room, bathing- and wash-rooms, and an extensive play-room, well heated, affording protection and amusement in inelement weather.

Thousands of helpless, destitute females, from the ten- derest years to eighteen or twenty, have been sheltered and supported within the walls of the Asylum, receiving solid moral, religious, and industrial education from the Sisters in charge, who endeavor to bring these parentless ones to habits of industry and virtue, to become good and useful members of society.

ASSUMPTION ACADEMY.

The Assumption Academy, located on John Street, Utica, N. Y., is, as well as St. John's Female Orphan Asylum, a

338

HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

part of the parish of St. John's Church. It is under the direction of the Christian Brothers, and was founded by the present Bishop McFarland, then pastor of St. John's Church. The academy has 400 boys in constant attendance.

ST. VINCENT'S ORPHAN ASYLUM.

St. Vincent's Orphan Asylum is an asylum for boys, and is also a part of St. John's parish. It is under the control of the Christian Brothers, and is partly supported by the State. 200 boys enjoy its protecting care.

HOME FOR THE HOMELESS.

The Home for the Homeless is an institution for the pro- tection, assistance, and support wholly or in part of respect- able aged indigent or infirm women who are unable to sup- port themselves. The chief benefactor of this institution is Theodore S. Faxton, who gave very liberally towards the fund for its erection. Other gentlemen at the time and since have been munificent donors for its support. It is under the direction of a board of lady managers, who make an annual report of the condition of the institution.

The building, which is located on Faxton Street, is both commodious and weil arranged, and affords a pleasant and comfortable home for its beneficiaries.

HOUSE OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD.

The House of the Good Shepherd is a charity for the maintenance of friendless children, its labors being chiefly directed to young children and the rearing of them to a life of usefulness. The average number who annually enjoy its protecting care is fifty, and the enterprise has appealed so strongly to the hearts of the ladies of Utica that donations come to it freely and willingly. It is entirely supported by weekly contributions. The Supply Basket is a convenient means of providing provisions for the inmates of the House. A number of ladies and gentlemen each fill the basket onee during the year. Every week the managers in charge of the House make out a list of such articles as are required, and send the list and basket in rotation to the subscribers, who fill it with the articles called for, and return it to the matron. This method has thus far worked well, and only a few more subscriptions to the basket are needed to make the system entirely satisfactory. The building is admirably planned and located, thoroughly ventilated and warmed, and in all its appointments well adapted to restore and preserve the health of its inmates.

BANKING INSTITUTIONS. THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF UTICA.

The Bank of Utiea was incorporated by an aet of Leg- islature passed June 1, 1812, and the charter was renewed in 1832. The first directors were James S. Kip, Thomas Walker, Samuel Stocking, David W. Childs, Marcus Hiteli- eock, Apollos Cooper, Henry Huntington, Nathan Smith, Solomon Wolcott, Jedediah Sanger, John Bellinger, Fran- eis A. Bloodgood, and Jolin Stewart, Jr. Its first presi- dent was James S. Kip. Montgomery Hunt was its first cashier. He filled the position until December 30, 1834, when he was succeeded by Wm. B. Welles. Henry Hunt-

ington having been its president since 1813, in 1845 de- clined a re-election, and Thomas Walker was elected in his placc. Mr. Wells having resigned the position of cashier in July, 1863, P. V. Rogers succeeded him. In June, 1863, Benjamin N. Huntington was elected president in place of Thomas Walker, deceased. The Bank of Utica, Sept. 1, 1865, organized under the national system, and was converted into the " First National Bank of Utica." In 1876, P. V. Rogers, its cashier, was elected president, and John A. Goodale made cashier. Its present directors are P. V. Rogers, Edward Huntington, E. T. Throop, Martin Edward Curran, John G. Brown, John C. Hoyt, Thomas R. Walker, M. C. Comstock, Thomas Hopper, E. Z. Wright, D. N. Crouse, J. C. Duff, and John A. Goodale.

ONEIDA NATIONAL BANK.

This bank was incorporated May 13, 1836, with a capi- tal of $400,000. Its first directors were Charles A. Mann, Horatio Seymour, John H. Ostrom, John D. Leland, Van Vechten Livingston, A. G. Dauby, Ezra S. Barnum, Henry Wager, Jesse W. Doolittle, Israel Stoddard, Charlemagne Tower, Hiram Shays, and Jonathan R. Warner. Augustine Dauby was its first president, and Kellogg Hurlburt first cashier. On the organization of the bank the stock was much sought after, and the distribution of its shares forms an interesting episode in its history. On Sunday, the 20th of November, 1836, a calamity befell the institution in the abstraction from its vaults of $108,000, besides $8500 in drafts, and thus was its stock reduced about thirty per cent. by this daring robbery. One of the robbers was finally convicted of the erime, and the bank secured about $40,000 in real and personal property.

On July 1, 1865, the bank went into the national system, and is now known as the Oneida National Bank. Its present organization is as follows : President, A. J. Williams ; Vicc- President, E. Chamberlain ; Cashier, Robert S. Williams ; Directors, E. A. Graham, W. D. Walcott, L. H. Lawrence, Timothy Parker, C. E. Barnard, S. Sicard, E. Terry, G. W. Chadwick, A. J. Williams, E. Chamberlain, Charles H. Sayre.

UTICA CITY BANK.

The articles of association of the Utica City Bank were made and entered into under an act of the Legislature of the State of New York, dated April 8, 1838. The association commenced business September 1, 1848, the original capital stock being $125,000. Prominent among its early sub- scribers are the names of John Thorn, Charles S. Wilson, C. H. Doolittle, Cyrus Clark, Ward Hunt, Charles P. Kirkland, Hiram Denio, C. A. Mann, Horatio Seymour, Alfred Churchill, William and Charles Tracy, Ebenezer Thomson, Wm. Bristol, J. E. Warner, J. Tiffany, Nicholas Devereux, Thomas Foster, and Owen O'Neil. The first board of directors were Hiram Denio, C. H. Doolittle, Wm. Bristol, J. Tiffany, Cyrus Clark, J. E. Warner, Edward Curran, S. W. Oley, Samuel A. Munson, George Y. Dana, C. S. Wilson, James M. Kimball, and James A. Mott. The meeting for this election was held at Bagg's Hotel. Under the National Currency Aet this bank entered into the national system, under the name of " The Utica City National Bank." Its present board of directors are Isaac

RER

Photo. by Mundy.

ABarnard

The records of the town of Hartford, Conn., show that on the 15th of March, 1732, John Barnard purchased lands of John Day. He settled in Hartford some time previous to this date, but there is no antecedent record in connection with him, although the name of Barnard appears among the landowners as early as the year 1639. In Hinman's "Gene- alogy of the Early Puritan Settlers of the Colony of Connec- ticut," it is stated that when that book was published, in 1852, all the Barnards then left in Hartford were descend- ants of John, who was surnamed the blacksmith, to distin- guish him, probably, from some other person of the same name.

The Barnards were very numerous in Hartford ; they oc- cupy an important place in the early history of the town, and appear conspicuously in the annals of the Colony of Connecticut.

Harvey Barnard, a great-grandson of John, the blacksmith, was born at Hartford, Jan. 28, 1800. While yet a boy he went to Albany, N. Y., in the employ of his brother-in-law, Lemuel Steele, an extensive manufacturer of paper-hangings. He married Phebe, daughter of Ara Broadwell, of Utica, N .. Y., on the 12th of January, 1824; and immediately thereafter removed to Utica, where he established himself in the paper-hanging business, occupying the premises now known as 119 Genesee Street. The next year he procured the store No. 85 Genesce Street, with the contiguous property on Catharine Street for a manufactory, and conducted there a successful business for nearly forty years, being succeeded by his sons, who still maintain the house founded over half a century ago.

At the first election held after the village of Utica re- ccived a city charter, in 1832, Mr. Barnard was chosen one of the aldermen from the First Ward. Among his colleagues were the late Charles A. Mann, Ezra S. Barnum, Ephraim Hart, John A. Russ, John H. Ostrom, Rutger B. Miller, and John Williams. He was elected several times subsc- quently, his last term being in 1847. Of all the aldermen who were associated with Mr. Barnard in the Common Coun- cil during his several terms of service, thereare now living but the following: Michael McQuade, B. F. Brooks, George

Curtiss, John Dagwell, Henry T. Miller, John Reed, Charles S. Wilson, and Henry Newland.

He held no other public office except commissioner of deeds, although he took a deep interest in political affairs, and was a stanch Democrat of the old school from the organ- ization of the party.

In business matters, Mr. Barnard was sagacious and con- servative, investing the profits of his store and manufactory in enterprises which ordinarily proved remunerative. Hc was an original subscriber to the stock of the Schenectady and Utica Railroad Company (now a link in the great New York Central), and in the American Express Company. He was also one of the first shareholders of and director in the Oneida Bank. Some of the stock in all these companies, purchased at the time of their foundation, is still held in the family.

Mr. Barnard died at Utica, Oct. 30, 1862, and left sur- viving six children,-Hon. Charles E. (mayor of Utica), Harvey, Horace (since deceased), Henry, Mary E. (wife of General James McQuade), and Harrict B. (wife of Major L. E. IFunt).

Mr. Barnard was greatly esteemed by his fellow-citizens. With a handsome person and commanding presence, he was singularly suave and courteous in his manners. Indecd, in this regard he closely resembled his intimate friend, the late Augustine G. Dauby, who was a model of dignified and courtly bearing. Withal he was of a kindly and genial disposition, tolerant, charitable, and without bigotry. Hc enjoyed with zest the pleasures of social intercourse, and his cheerful home was noted for its graceful and abundant hospitality. His kecn appreciation of humor was evinced in a characteristie merry twinkle of the cyc, but he never encouraged the venomous jest and rancorous satire that wound. The quiet, mellow laugh, so familiar to his friends and associates, never responded to the assaults of malice and uncharitableness.

Mr. Barnard was a kind and indulgent husband and father, a merehant of unblemished integrity, and a citizen who discharged every obligation with scrupulous fidelity. His name will be held in high respect so long as it retains a place in the memory of the people of Utica.

339

HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

Maynard, Thomas Foster, Russel Wheeler, James McQuade, Theo. F. Butterfield, John Thorn, Chas. S. Symonds, Wm. S. Bartlett, J. W. MeLean, J. S. Lowery, Henry Hopson, R. V. Yates, and E. A. Tallman. Its cashier is Charles S. Symonds.

THE SAVINGS BANK OF UTICA.

This institution was chartered in the year 1839. Its first officers were John C. Devereux, President; Thomas Walker, Vice-President ; Stalham Williams, Secretary and Treasurer. Dircetors : Samuel Stocking, Joseph Kirkland, Silas D. Childs, John Savage, Thomas H. Hubbard, John H. Ostrom, Hiram Denio, Charles P. Kirkland, James McGregor, Joshua M. Church, William Francis, and Nich- olas Devereux.

Its present officers are as follows : President, William J. Bacon ; First Vice-President, Truman K. Butler ; Second Vice-President, Ephraim Chamberlain ; Secretary and Assist- ant Treasurer, John C. Spafard. Trustees : William J. Bacon, Samuel G. Walcott, Truman K. Butler, William D. Wal- cott, William Kernan, John C. Devereux, Ephraim Cham- berlain, Addison C. Miller, Francis G. Wood, G. Clarence Churchill, John Carton, Alex. T. Goodwin, Wm. Blakie.

SECOND NATIONAL BANK OF UTICA.

This bank was organized Dee. 10, 1863, and obtained a certificate from the Comptroller, authorizing it to do business, January, 1864. The following month it opened its doors for business. The first offiecrs were Hon. William J. Bacon, President ; William D. Hamlin, Vice-President ; George R. Thomas, Cashier. The following gentlemen composed the first board of directors : William J. Bacon, William D. Walcott, Robert Middleton, Daniel Crouse, William D. Hamlin, G. Clarence Churchill, Edward S. Brayton, Zenas C. Priest, and John Butterfield. Hon. Theodore S. Faxton succeeded Judge Bacon to the presi- deney, which office he still holds ; and Edward S. Brayton now fills the office of viec-president. George R. Thomas is still eashier. The present board of directors having been increased from nine to thirteen, are as follows : Theo- dore S. Faxton, Henry Roberts, Edward S. Brayton, Ben- jamin Allen, William J. Bacon, Robert Middleton, Lewis Lawrence, G. Clarence Churchill, Zenas C. Priest, Thomas R. Proctor, Geo. Westcott, Win. B. Jackson, John M.Crousc.

T. O. GRANNIS & CO.'S BANK.

This bank was organized under the United States bank- ing laws, Aug. 1, 1862, with a capital of $50,000. It subsequently gave up its charter and began business as a private banking-house, under the name of T. O. Grannis & Co., Bankers, the firm being composed of George Curtiss and T. O. Grannis. The officers are T. O. Grannis, Banker; C. K. Grannis, Cashier.

BANKING-HOUSE OF A. D. MATHIER & CO.

This bank was organized in 1866, and for two years occupied a building on the corner of Genesee and Bleecker Streets. In 1868 a new and elegant structure was ereeted on the same site, which it now occupies. The partners

arc A. D. and Joshua Mather. The former is the Presi- dent ; Joshua M. Mather, Cashier; C. W. Mather, Teller ; and Henry J. Benson, Book-keeper.

UTICA CITIZENS' CORPS.

Forty-one years ago a few gentlemen of military taste conceived the idea of forming a military company in the then young city of Utica. The project was favorably re- ceived by the young burghers, and in a short time the cont- pany was formed. Even in its infaney the organization possessed unusual elements of strength, and its ranks were drawn from the most active, the most intelligent, and the most substantial portion of the population. With this material the Utica Citizens' Corps was organized Dee. 17, 1837, forty-one years ago. The gentleman who was chiefly instrumental in bringing about this result was Major E. K. Barnum, of the United States Army, who was sta- tioned here in command of a detachment of Government troops. He was eminently successful, and in a brief space of time had as neat and trim a company as the State of New York contained. A glance at the original roster will speak for the composition of Captain Barnum's company :

ORIGINAL ROSTER.

Captain .- E. K. Barnum, U. S. A. First Lientenant .- William K. Backus.# Second Lieutenant .- Alvin White. Third Lieutenant .- Henry R. Hart. Ensign .- Elisha K. Rodgers.

Privates .- James Halstead, George Harrison, Daniel J. Franeis, Richard Sanger, Morgan W. Brown, Daniel B. Johnson, Theo. Car- man, Stephen Abbey, Joy Ladd, Stephen Comstock, Alex. C. Hart, Geo. W. Hart, William Gray, F. W. Guiteau, William B. Dickinson, James L. Beardsley, Stephen M. Perine, Francis Vedder, Stephen O. Byington, Hugh Roberts, Edward Broadwell, Stephen O. Barnum,* E. S. Rodgers, Henry Ladd, George Westcott," Thos. J. Newland, Henry W. Rockwell, William N. Weaver, Albert Spencer, Grove Penny, Richard U. Owens, William C. Johnson.

The above list embraces names that are closely identified with the history of the city, who have honored it and who greatly contributed to its present prosperity and growth.

The first meeting preparatory to organizing the corps was attended by nine men. When everything was perfeeted the company occupied the rooms in the old Millar building, corner Genesee and Whitesboro' Streets, for an armory. A uniform of dark blue and buff. made in the prevailing style, with conical-stiaped hats, was adopted and worn. After a little over two years' service as commander, Captain Bar- num was compelled to resign, being ordered to another post by his superior officers. Deep regret was felt at his re- moval, as the company became greatly attached to their faithful commander. He was succeeded by William W. Backus, who held the post of chief officer for two years. Under his captainey the corps flourished and increased in numbers and efficiency. Light-blue pants were added to the stock of regimentals, and the Utica Band, Joseph Arnott, leader, attached to the company. Captain Baekus resigned in 1841, and Henry R. Hart was chosen in his stead. Captain Hart proved to be a popular and capable official, and still further increased the military proficiency of the company. It was while under his care that the fatigue

# Living.

340

HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

uniform of sheep's gray eame into use. This consisted of gray pants and roundabouts, appropriately set off with black shoulder-knots. They also introduced a military hat never worn by any other company in this city.

After serving the corps faithfully and well several years, Captain Hart relinquished his position, and the company chose the late Colonel Alvin White to fill the vacancy. Captain White was one of the most active and useful of its members, and took the deepest interest in the welfare of the company. He held the position until 1852, and it was then bestowed on Edward Broadwell, who commanded nearly two years. When Captain Broadwell resigned, James McQuade was unanimously chosen to fill the place.

The handsome uniform now worn by the corps, with the exception of the hats, was first donned under Captain MeQuade, and was nieely completed by the neat white eross and body-belts, which added much to the appearance of the men. In 1858, Charles A. Johnson was chosen, and discharged its funetions acceptably for one year. He was compelled to decline a re-election on account of his removal to Massachusetts.

There being no election for captain, the command then devolved upon Lieutenant Horace Barnard, who held the post till the breaking out of the war, at which time the eorps volunteered their serviees, and turned their armory into a recruiting station. The company being ready, on the 22d of April, 1861, they were mustered into service, and chose James McQuade Captain, Thomas M. Davies First Lieuten- ant, R. D. Crocker Seeond Lieutenant. On the 24th of April the corps left the city hall, and marehed down Genesee Street to take their departure for the front. Many of the gallant band never returned. The corps constituted A Company, 14th Regiment, and the balance of the latter was filled out by Oneida County companies, who eleeted Captain McQuade colonel. He took the field at their head, and raised the standard of discipline so high that he was pro- moted to brigadier-general, and finally to a major-general- ship. Sinee that time Colonel Thomas M. Davies and James Miller have been respectively in command, the for- mer having been re-elected. In September, 1878, the corps made a military visit to Ottawa, the capital of the Dominion of Canada, where they were most enthusiastically received by the military and eivie authorities, and sump- tuously treated by the hospitable people. It was a grand ovation. On the 8th and 9th of October, 1878, the eorps entertained the famous Albany " Burgesses Corps," in mag- nificent style. The city was decorated with miles of bunting, and the whole population turned out to honor the visitors.

Its present organization is as follows: Captain, John H. Douglas ; First Lieutenant, P. J. McQuade; Sceond Lieu- tenant, Egbert Bagg, Jr .; Third Lieutenant, A. T. Wil- liams ; Staff-Adjutant, James Miller ; Quartermaster, T. M. Davies ; Commissary, Win. M. Storrs ; Engineer, J. C. P. Kincaid ; Judge-Advocate, Benjamin A. Clark ; Paymaster, Joseph S. Lowery ; Inspector, D. H. Gaffin ; Surgeon, Joseph E. West, M.D. ; Assistant Surgcon, James G. Hunt, M.D .; Armorer, W. Dimbleby.

Civil Organization .- President, D. H. Gaffin ; Viee- President, Eugene Stearns ; Secretary, Egbert Bagg, Jr. ; Treasurer, George W. Booth.

ADJUTANT BACON CADETS.

The Adjutant Baeon Cadets were organized in the sum- mer of 1872, and included among their charter members Jos. W. O'Donnell, first captain, B. Batchelor, A. Sprague, George Spicer, J. Brady, and others, numbering in all 18, who originally formed the company. They first came into public notiee at an exhibition drill at the Opera-House, when their fine appearance and knowledge of military tac- tics surprised the citizens and at once established them in public favor. At this time none of the members were yet eighteen years of age. By the liberality of their friends they were soon enabled to don new uniforms, and their first parade was made on Washington's birthday, the Utica Citi- zens' Corps acting as sponsors. They appeared again in publie on Decoration Day, and established the reputation they had won as a well-drilled company. In the autumn of that year a prize of $100, gold, and a diploma, was offered for a competitive company drill, open to Central and Northern New York. Among those who competed for the prize were several companies of established reputation, one of which had won a distinguished prize at Pittsburgh the year before, practically barring out all others. The Adju- tant Baeon Cadets entered the contest and won the honors. At a subsequent encounter a very elegant flag was also added to their laurels. Their new uniforms, which were adopted in 1876, are similar to those worn by the West Point Cadets. The armory, which is located in Carton Hall, Genesee Street, is spacious and tastefully furnished, and provided with everything necessary to the convenience and comfort of the command.

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 90

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

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