History of Oneida County, New York, 1667-1878, Part 92

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

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When the Association was first organized, in 1831, the whole number of members was 32. In 1835 the number had increased to 161. In 1837 there were about the same number of paying members, but many had made themselves life-members by large contributions towards the crection of Mechanies' HIall. From 1839 to 1845 there seem to have been very few but life-members belonging to the As- sociation. From this time there has been a slow but steady increase.

The lot upon which Mechanies' Hall was originally built was purchased of the Bank of Utica. April 4, 1836, for $4600, and in the same year a building was erected at a cost of $8837.75. In 1854 another lot, north of and ad- joining the first, was bought of Augustus White for $1100, and in that year the old building was enlarged and im- proved, at a cost of about $6000. In March, 1860, the lot adjoining the hall, on Liberty Street, was bought of John Camp, for $1355, and in 1863 another lot, adjoining the former, was bought of the same person, for $3000. This shows the entire cost of the land and building, not including many alterations and repairs, to have been $24,892.75.

By a report of the finance committee, made at the an- nual meeting in May, 1863, the value of the property be- longing to the Association was estimated as follows :

Main building $25,000

Lot purchased of Camp in 1860 1,500

Lot purchased of same in 1863. 3,000

Personal property, furniture, etc. 1,000

$30,500

The whole indebtedness of the Association at this time was a mortgage of $3000, given for the last Camp pur- chase, and $1500, borrowed on two notes, which was ex- pended in repairs on the hall.

The Association entered upon its thirty-fourth year with 435 members, and property beyond all incumbrance to the amount of $26,000.

During the latter part of the interval of ten years since the foregoing history it will be seen that a spirit of progress beeame aroused to sneh an extent in the Association as to push forward a scheme, the result of which has been an accumulation of property now amounting to $125,000, on which, however, there is an incumbranee of $85,000.

OPERA-IIOUSE.

In December, 1863, the Association took the initiatory step towards the building of a new hall. The increasing " growth of the city, and the lack of publie halls, demanded that something should be done in that direction, either by the Association or private capitalists."

At a meeting held in February, 1868, a committee of nine, consisting of T. S. Faxton, S. S. Lowery, J. S. Peck- ham, A. MeMillan, James Mann, L. Blakeslee, C. C.

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HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

Kingsley, N. A. White, and A. B. Buel, was appointed, to whom was referred the subject of a new hall.

The committee having decided to erect a hall, and having secured the site, on the 26th of March, 1870, proposals for the building of the hall were opened, and after due delibera- tion it was deemed that the best interests of the Association would be served by the acceptance of the bid of Messrs. Metcalf & Dering, and contracts were entered into with this firm for the performance of the work.

On behalf of the Association, G. H. Wiley, V. B. Stew- art, A. McMillan, R. Wheeler, and A. H. Colling were appointed as a supervisory committee during the erection of the building.

Excavations were commenced in April, and the work progressed rapidly, so that the large and spacious stores were ready for occupancy by the 1st of May, 1871.

The whole structure, including its interior decorations and furnishing, was completed, and the doors thrown open to the public, on the 16th day of October following.

The new hall, styled the Utica Mechanics' Association Opera-House, now stands as a monument to the energy and persevering efforts of the Association that reared it.

In architectural appearanec, in the beauty and simplicity of its decorations, and in its seenic effect, it will bear com- parison with the best halls in the State.

Present officers : President, Hon. S. S. Lowery; Vice- President, Philo S. Curtis; Secretary, Parker W. Tefft ; Treasurer, William P. Carpenter.

THE UTICA ART ASSOCIATION.

The Utica Art Association was organized in 1865, and became an incorporated institution in January of 1866. The object of the Association is to " promote and encourage the culture of the fine arts, and to elevate and refine a proper taste therefor by the publie exhibition of paintings, statuary, and other works of art."

The first exhibition of paintings occurred during the winter of 1867, which was eminently successful, and did much to add to the pleasure of the lovers of art in Utica. The Association received very valuable aid in the furtherance of its objects through the energetic labors and refined taste of one of its early presidents, Mr. Thomas H. Wood, whose sudden death was greatly deplored by all its members.

The last exhibition was held at Carton Hall, during the winter of 1877-78. The catalogue on that occasion embraced 250 paintings, besides a choice collection of bric-a-brac. The articles represented some of the most eminent names in the world of American art, among whom were Bierstadt, Casi- lear, Wm. and James Hart, Church, Gifford, De Haas, MeEntee, Kensett, and many foreign names of celebrity. During the progress of the exhibition more than sixty of these pictures were purchased, most of which remain in Utica, and now decorate the dwellings of its wealthier citizens.

The Art Association has been so successful in its objeets as to have established for Utiea an extended reputation for refined taste and broad culture in art, and in that regard it takes rank with the metropolitan cities. Its present officers are G. W. Adams, President ; R. S. Williams, Vice- President ; G. C. Churchill, Secretary ; D. N. Crouse, Treas- urer ; B. D. Gilbert, Corresponding Secretary.

UTICA MENDELSSOHN CLUB.

Early in the year 1865 four gentlemen of cultivated musical tastes met at the old Sherwood House in this city on their return from a rehearsal at Trinity Church. They were Williamson Spruce, Benjamin F. Davies, John F. McQuade, and E. G. Kunkelly. The project of forming a gentlemen's musical club was discussed ; and at a sub- sequent meeting, held at the house of Michael McQuade, the subject was more fully considered, and the necessary steps taken to secure a large meeting of amateur musicians, to be held January 31, of the same year. This meeting was largely attended, and was but a foreshadowing of the zeal displayed in the later organization of the club. The first officers were: President, General James MeQuade ; Vice-Presidents, N. Curtiss White and George J. Sicard ; Secretary, G. W. Adams; Treasurer, B. A. Drayton ; Executive Committee, W. C. North and Charles Beare. Rooms were secured in the Tibballs Block,-which were occupied for nine years,-and, after some discussion, the present name of the society was agreed upon.

One of the articles in the by-laws provided that the club should not be disbanded so long as four members remained. The first formal action with regard to the incorporation of the Utica Mendelssohn Club was taken by Gco. W. Adams, March 20, 1866, who offered a resolution looking to that end, which was unanimously adopted. The necessary papers, certifying that the club was an incorporated body, were received March 27, 1866.

For nearly five years General James McQuade filled the position to which he was called, after which a new election resulted in placing Charles S. Symonds in the president's - chair.

The present membership is sixty, while the honorary list includes many names of professional celebrity. On the evening of February 3, 1875, the elub celebrated what was jocularly called its " tin wedding," in its comfortable rooms in the Hackett Block. On the occasion of this decennial anniversary, very interesting addresses were delivered by the ex-president and the present presiding officer. The history of the club, the fame which it had won, its musical and dramatic achievements, and its charities are matters of record, and have established for the Mendelssohn Club a leading rank among the social organizations of Utica.

UTICA PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY.

Among the most successful and popular orehestral asso- ciations of which Utica is justly proud is the Utiea Phil- harmonie Society, and its future is very promising. It was originally intended as a mutual enjoyment society, an experiment for gentlemen of musical tastes. Colonel I. J. Gray, its founder, was many years ago manager of the Whitestown Musical Association, which gave a great amount of encouragement to the people of that village, as well as to its members. Some three years ago Colonel Gray associated with him George W. Rockwell, pianist, the Manning brothers, Charles W. Hall, of Yorkville, who has since died, and Dr. Holmes, now in California. Through the liberality of a music-loving citizen these gentlemen were furnished with a room, piano, gas, etc., free of ex- pense. They worked with varying success and fortunes, but

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laboring all the time. In the course of time they developed two first and two second violin players and a viola, and succeeded in harmonizing admirably. This orchestra first appeared in public for the Enharmonic Society, which encouraged its members, and its second effort, in behalf of Westminster Church, was very satisfactory to all concerned.

Shortly afterwards the idea occurred to Colonel Gray that the orchestra would gain much valuable experience and tlie patrons of the lecture course could be pleasantly entertained if the Philharmonics would volunteer to furnish music. The project was favorably considered, and since that time the Philharmonics have played before every lecture, greatly to the satisfaction of the early goers to those entertainments. The progress and improvement of the organization was a marvel to many, but it has not been accomplished with- out very hard work and considerable expense. When the society began to receive favorable notice from the press and public, Messrs. McCormack, Vinn, and Waters, three expe- rienced musicians, joined it. Then the piano was discarded, the new instrumental force more than supplying its place. The success of the past year has been greater than was expected, and more than satisfied the most sanguine friends of the project.

The civil organization of the Philharmonic Society is as follows: President, Hon. W. J. Bacon ; Vice-President, O. F. McCormack ; Treasurer, Edward Norris ; Secretary, J. B. Howe. The present orchestra comprises the follow- ing musicians : manager, I. J. Gray ; leader of orchestra, Otto Dosenbach ; piano accompanist, C. J. Barton ; first violin, Mr. Dosenbach ; second, Messrs. Nickel, Chandler, and Schrempf; viola, Messrs. Wilson and Middeil ; 'cello, Mr. Howe; double bass, Mr. Waters ; flute, Mr. Gray ; clarionets, first, Mr. Veun ; second, Mr. Sickel ; cornets, first, Mr. McCormack ; second, Mr. Maynard ; French horn, Mr. Schrempf; trombone, Mr. Geiger ; bassoon, Mr. Ran- dall ; petite tambour, Mr. Hodiger; grand tambour, Mr. Gibbs.

UTICA MAENNERCHOR.

The Utica Maennerchor was organized January 8, 1865. It was formed by the consolidation of the old Concordia and Leiderkrantz Societies with the purpose of promoting a love for music among the Germans of the city. Its first organization embraced ten members, among whom were John C. Schreiber, Edward Gebhart, John Giersbach, Nicholas Triebel, Fred. Schmidt, Fred. Hchn, and C. C. Hornung. The first musical director was R. Ritz, and the first meetings were held on Columbia Street, in a building now occupied as a public school. Mr. Ritz was succeeded by Professor Mitzki, and he by Professor Sutorius, who conducted the club successfully for four years. Its present conductor, Mr. Zarth, is a pupil of Professor Sutorius, and was a former member of the club. The Utica Maenner- chor were the recipients in 1866 of a very beautiful ban- ner from the German ladies of the city, which they have borne with much pride on all occasions when they have appeared in public. The club have participated in several large musical demonstrations and have always acquitted themselves with credit. They were present at the Saen- gerfest in Philadelphia, in 1867, and at Baltimore on the 44

occasion of its meeting, in 1869, and in New York at the Saengerbund, in 1871.

In 1874, by invitation of the Utica Maennerchor, the Saengerfest was held in this city, and more than 300 guests were elegantly entertained by the club. A grand proces- sion marched through the streets, which were decorated by the citizens in honor of the event. In the evening the various clubs competed for prizes, and the following day an excursion and picnic was tendered the guests by their hospitable entertainers. The project, which was one of considerable magnitude, was altogether successful, and re- flected great credit upon President Schmidt and his able corps of coadjutors. The present officers of the club are : President, - Gussing; Vice-President, Anton Rohm; Secretary, Conrad Snyder; Musical Director, N. Zarth.

GERMANIA INDUSTRIAL ASSOCIATION.

In the year 1871 the German population of the city of Utica held a grand festival to celebrate the victories of the Prussian arms in the late Franco-Prussian war. A hand- some surplus having remained in the hands of the finance committee, a mecting was held to determine to what use the balance of funds in their hands should be devoted. After some deliberation it was decided that the money should be used in the founding of a society which should have for its general object the improvement and instruction of its members. On July 31, 1871, the following offi- cers were elected : John Bicderman, President ; Lawrence Conrad, Vice-President ; Nicholas Zark, Secretary ; and Charles Hutten, Treasurer. These officers having been authorized to name the society, christened it the " Utica Germania Association." At a subsequent meeting the fol- lowing officers were elected : John Biederman, President ; John C. Schreiber, Vice-President ; Neil Zarth, Recording Secretary ; Dr. J. W. Klages, Corresponding Secretary ; and Charles Hutten, Treasurer. April 6, 1874, the society was incorporated under the name of the " Germania Industrial Association," having for its chief object the promotion of industry in all departments of knowledge. A board of trustees was elected, consisting of Edward G. Kunkelly, John Bicderman, Charles Sutorius, George Wendheim, Charles Hutten, Ernst H. Reusswig, George Fulmer, Dr. F. W. Klages, and John Nelbach. The society numbers among its members over 100 of the best representatives of the German population of the city. It has been instru- mental in cultivating the pure German language among its people, and has elevated their tastes by the encouragement of reading, and especially by their devotion to music in all its branches. The entertainments given by them at their well-appointed rooms are among, the most instructive and pleasing. Its present officers are : President, Otto E. Gue- lich ; Vice-President, Herman Winchenbach ; Finance Sec- retary, George M. Stroebel ; Recording Secretary, Dr. F. W. Klages ; Treasurer, William Reichert.

ST. GEORGE'S SOCIETY.

There are traditions of a St. George's Society which existed in Utica early in the present century, though little is known concerning that organization. The present flourishing St. George's Society was organized on the 9th day of Novem-

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ber, 1857, its style and title being the "St. George's So- eiety of Utiea," and its objeet, the relief of Englishmen in distress and the eultivation of social intereourse among its members. The society aeeomplishes mueh good in a quiet way, the motto on its seal being "Charity vaunteth not itself"; but has not eonfined its benevolenee exelu- sively to the eity of Utiea, as was manifested during the year 1862. The Laneashire operatives at that period were in great distress owing to the eotton embargo, caused by the Rebellion in the Southern States. At that time the society and its friends in the city of Utica, touched by the sufferings of their countrymen, sent, through the British eonsul-general, to Laneashire nearly one thousand dollars for the relief of the operatives. In acknowledgment of their kindness they rceeived from the eonsul an elaborately engrossed receipt, which hangs, beautifully framed, upon the walls of the room.

The North American St. George's Union, which now has its affiliated societies throughout the United States and Canada, may be said to have had its first ineeption in the Utiea society. It was there that the organie resolutions of the union were framed, and a delegate sent to a conference of neighboring soeieties, which assembled at Syraeuse on the 21st of February, 1873, when the organie resolutions were passed without amendment and the union formed. The Utiea St. George's Society meets monthly, and its subscriptions to the charity-box are voluntary. The officers are elected annually.

THE EISTEDDFOD.

This word means a congress of bards and literati, a sit- ting, a meeting, an assembly. It is held annually on the 1st of January, under the auspiees of the Cymreigyddion, or Welsh Literary Society. It was established Jan. 1. 1856. Prizes are given for the best eompositions in prose, poetry, and musie, and in the Eisteddfod the prizes are awarded to the successful competitors. The prizes vary from $1 up to $200, according to the subjeet. The essays are on different subjects in agriculture, philosophy, polities, polit- ical economy, history, biography, mathematics, astronomy, navigation, physiology, theology, chemistry, ete. The Eis- teddfod was a congress of bards among the ancient Britons, and they were priests, teachers, and philosophers ; but now poetry is the only characteristie preserved by which the bard is rceognized. After passing the gradations of tuition as a poet he is styled Bard of the Isle of Britain, a title that originated with the system. His dress was uni-colored, of sky-blue, an emblem of peace and truth ; his person was saered, and he might pass in safety through hostile eoun- tries ; he never bore arms, neither was a naked weapon to be held in his presenee. On the introduction of Chris- tianity into Britain the bard still aeted as a priest, under the privilege of his order, and his maxims were perfeetly consonant with the doetrines of Revelation, and the system still remains the same. The leading maxims of bardism are perfeet equality, peaee, moral rectitude, and the investi- gation of nature, having for its motto "The truth against the world."

The officers of the Cymreigyddion for the present year are : President, Jonn W. Jones; Vice-President, Rees

Thomas; Corresponding Secretary, Richard E. Roberts ; Recording Seeretary, James Roberts ; Treasurer, Rev. Wil- liam O. Williams.

UTICA PARK ASSOCIATION.

The Utiea Park Association was organized in the year 1871, with a capital stoek of $80,000, and is one of the tracks of the so-called Grand Cireuit, which includes the traeks of Cleveland, Buffalo, Rochester, Utiea, Poughkeep- sie, Springfield, and Hartford.

The grounds are beautifully located in the eastern part of the eity, about a mile and a half from Genesee Street, and contain about 170 aeres. The extended view of the Mohawk Valley from the grand stand is remarkable for its beauty and eharaeteristie scenery.

The following premiums were offered at the various meetings : in 1872, $30,000; 1873, $40,000; 1874, $33,900 ; 1875, $36,000 ; 1876, $25,000 ; 1877, $23,500 ; 1878, $14,000.

The President of the association is C. W. Hutehinson ; Treasurer, M. G. Thomson ; Seeretary, B. A. Clark. .

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

WILLIAM J. BACON

was born in Williamstown, Mass., Feb. 18, 1803. He is son of Ezekiel and grandson of John, who were lineal de- seendants of Nathaniel Baeon, who emigrated from Eng- land and settled in Massachusetts in 1642, and was eouneilman in the old eolony of Plymouth. His grand- father, John Baeon, of Stoekbridge, Mass., represented Berkshire County in the Massachusetts Senate, and was president of that body in 1800. He also represented that eounty in Congress from 1801 to 1803, and was subsequently presiding judge of the Berkshire Common Pleas for several years. His father, Ezekiel Baeon, was a member of the Massachusetts Legislature in 1805 and 1806. From 1807 to 1813 he represented Berkshire County in Congress, and in the latter year was appointed Chief-Justice of the Mas- sachusetts Common Pleas and Circuit Courts, a position which he held but a short time, resigning the office on being ap- pointed Comptroller of the Treasury in 1814.

He east his first vote for Thomas Jefferson in 1800, and his last vote for Abraham Lincoln in 1864, having voted at every intervening presidential election during a period of sixty-four years. He died at the age of ninety-five years.

At the early age of nineteen, William J. Baeon graduated at Hamilton College, New York, in the elass of 1822, re- eeiving then the degree of A.B .; three years afterwards the degree of A.M., and about 1852 the degree of LL.D., from the same institution.

Immediately after leaving eollege he began the study of law in the office of General Joseph Kirkland, of Utiea, N. Y. He spent one year of study at the law school of Judge Gould, suceessor of Judge Tapping Reeve, founder of the well-known and widely celebrated law school at Litchfield, Conn. He was admitted to practice as an at-

HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

347

torney in 1825, and three years thereafter as counselor in the courts of the State of New York, and at once began the practice of his profession, from the active prosecution of which, however, he was somewhat diverted for about two years by becoming, in connection with the late Samuel D. Dakin, a joint editor and proprietor of the Utica Ga- zette. Having disposed of his interest in the paper he resumed the profession of the law, and in the year 1830 formed a partnership with his brother-in-law, Charles P. Kirkland, which continued for nearly twenty years, and until his partner's removal to the city of New York, and his own election in 1850 as a member of the Legislature of the State of New York. In 1853 he was elected Justice of the Supreme Court for eight years, and

of Second National Bank of Utica, Director of Utica Water-works Company, Trustee and President of Utica Savings Bank, Trustee of the Home of the Home- less, Consulting Manager of the Utica Orphan Asylum, Counselor of Oneida County Historical Society, President of Utica Philharmonic Society, and Director of Oneida County Bible Society for upwards of twenty-five years.

In the year 1828, October 23, Judge Bacon married Eliza, daughter of General Joseph Kirkland, of Utica. His children are Cornelia Goldthwaite, wife of S. W. Crit- tenden, of Cleveland, Ohio; Fanny Elizabeth ; Eliza, an infant daughter, who died in 1845, and William Kirkland Bacon, who was adjutant of a New York regiment and was killed at Fredericksburg, December, 1862. After the de-

1 gacon

in 1862 re-elected for a second term. On leaving the bench in 1870 he never resumed the practice of his profession, strictly speaking, although he was frequently consulted as counsel and engaged in the trial of causes as referee. At the fall election in 1876, Judge Bacon was elected to the Forty-fifth Congress from the Oneida district, and is still a member of that body. Judge Bacon has been or is still officially connected with the following literary, business, and charitable associations and institutions :

Trustee of Hamilton College, Director and Vice-Presi- dent of the Utica Gas Company, Director and President of Forest Hill Cemetery Association, Director of Utica and Black River Railroad Company, Director of Utica Cotton Mills, Director of Utica Globe Woolen Mills, Director

cease of his first wife, in December, 1872, he was married to his present wife, Mrs. Susan Sloan Gillette. It is a faet worthy of note in sketching this narrative of three generations, that Judge Bacon is the third of the name in direct descent that has been elected to the State Legislature, to Congress, and also held a judicial position.

ROBERT MIDDLETON

was born in the city of Aberdeen, Scotland, May 17, 1826. He is third son in a family of eight children of Robert Middleton and May Burnett, both natives of Aberdeen. His father was a manufacturer by occupation while in Scot- land, emigrated to America with his family (except the eld- est son) in the year 1840, and settled in Middle Granville,

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Washington Co., N. Y., and during the balance of his life followed farming, and died where he first settled, in the year 1876, aged cighty-six years. His wife died in the year 1856, aged fifty-two. At the time of writing this sketch, all the children are deceased except Isaac, the eldest son (who subsequently came to this country), James, a resident of Granville, with his sister Betsey, and Robert.

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History of Oneida County, New York, 1667-1878, Part 92

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

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