USA > New York > Oneida County > History of Oneida County, New York : from 1700 to the present time, Volume I > Part 56
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IRON AND OTHER METALS-In 1820 Seth Peckham came to Utica from Troy and started the making of plows and other agricultural implements. He located on Catharine street, and afterwards took as a partner Amos Peckham, and still later a nephew, John S. Peckham. The business continued to 1835, when the concern, then consisting of J. S. and Merritt Peckham, began to make stoves of all kinds, and the Peckham stove was famous throughout the country, great numbers of them being manufactured and sent out in all directions. The mem- bers of the firm accumulated fortunes, and at their deaths handed over to their sons a successful business, which was carried on after the death of J. S. by Merritt and Townsend Peckham, the son of J. S., and still had a large trade. After the death of Merritt and Townsend the business was carried on by the descendants of the Peckhams, but for some unknown reason it was not success- ful, and finally was sold out and fell into the hands of Giblin & Company, who do business somewhat along the same line as the Peckhams, and have a pros- perous and profitable trade.
In 1822 Ephraim Hart established a foundry in Utica, and had as partner at one time Andrew S. Pond, and afterwards his son, Henry R. Hart, and John Dagwell. This concern manufactured stoves, furnaces and castings of various kinds for the trade generally. About 1823 Alfred Munson commenced the man- ufacturing of lubricators, Martin Hart became associated with him in 1830, and the firm name was Munson & Hart. This partnership continued for several years, when the firm dissolved, and Alexander B. Hart, a son of Martin, and Edmund Munson, a nephew of Alfred, became associated under the name of Hart & Munson. This firm did an extensive business, but it was dissolved in 1868, and a new one formed under the title of Munson Brothers. The business is conducted under this name at the present time, although Edmund Munson died about a year since. The product is turbine water wheels, milling supplies, portable grain mills, rolling mills, and all kinds of flour and corn machinery.
About 1832 a company was formed known as the Vulcan Works, which was first conducted by Philo Curtis, and later by his son, Philo Curtis. The elder Curtis made the first steam engine that was ever made in Utica. The business was from time to time enlarged, and the manufacturing of boilers and en- gines of the most approved patterns was carried on for many years. On the death of Philo Curtis, the younger, the business was sold, and was incorporated
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under the name of Utica Steam Engine & Boiler Works, and it has been success- fully continued since.
The Utica Pipe Foundry Company was organized in 1889, the first presi- dent being Charles Millar, and the business of making iron pipe for the use of water works and other purposes was started that year. After the death of Mr. Millar his son, Henry W. Millar, was president of the company, the works were . enlarged, and a very large business has been established. The production is all kinds of cast iron pipe, the house of Charles Millar & Sons acting as the selling agent for the manufacturing company. Lead pipe has also been manufactured by Charles Millar & Sons, and they also carry on an extensive business in plumbers' supplies and agricultural implements. This establishment, including the pipe foundry, is probably the largest dealer in metal products in central New York.
The manufacturing of merchandise from metal was started in Rome at an early date, and it has been successfully conducted there for many years. As a general proposition manufacturing of this character is more desirable to any community than the manufacturing of cotton or woolen goods. The reason for this is, women are employed generally in cotton, woolen and knitting factories whereas men are employed in establishments that handle metal. This has the tendency of fixing in such localities an equality between the sexes, or, perhaps the number of men is greater than the number of women in such locations, whereas, in a location where the industries are those of cotton and wool, there is invariably a preponderance of women. The earning capacity of man is greater than that of woman, and enables him to have a home and support his family in a proper way, while in a locality where the number of women is greater than the men, they necessarily are obliged to live in boarding houses, and many of the girls thus employed are without the benefit of a home, which is not to their advantage, as is very plainly to be seen. The people of Rome, therefore, were wise in selecting as their industries those that pertain to the working of metal. There are at Rome a number of corporations and partnerships which have been successful in this line of business, notable among which are Rome Brass & Copper Company, Rome Metal Company, Rome Tube Company, Rome Manufacturing Company, Rome-Turney Radiator Company, Rome Hol- low Wire & Tube Company, Rome Merchants Iron Mill, Rome Locomotive & Machine Works, The Rome Wire Company, The James A. Spargo Wire Com- pany, Spargo Wire Cloth Company, Roux Wire Die Company, Rome Electrical Company, Rome Bronze Company, Union Can Company.
For many years a large business in the manufacturing of plows, hoes and shovels was carried on by David J. and Sterling Millard at Clayville, but the business ceased to be profitable, and many years since it was given up.
A manufactory was established at Washington Mills some years since for making hoes and forks. It passed through several changes, and was carried on successfully until about 1889, when the business ceased to be profitable, and an attempt was made to organize a company to take over all the plants of this character within the United States, but this failed, because of the fact that the manufacturers who employed state's prison labor to produce their goods re- fused to join the others in this endeavor. These manufacturers could produce
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the articles for considerable less than the outside manufacturer, and, therefore, refused to join the others in the enterprise.
THE UTICA DROP FORGE & TOOL COMPANY, located at 800 Whitesboro street, Utica, is a large establishment. Some time since it was entirely destroyed by fire, but was well insured, and upon obtaining the insurance the plant was re- built, enlarged, and is doing a very prosperous business. The goods produced are of the highest grade, and consist of plyers, pincers, and products of a like character.
Charles W. Graham, manager of the Utica Industrial Company located at Rome, invented, patented and put into operation can-making machinery of extraordinary capacity. This machinery was operated at Rome by the Union Can Company, and one set of the machinery was capable of producing 120 cans every minute. The machinery was so complete that the cans were not only made but tested, and could be loaded into a car or wagon, or delivered to any part of the storehouse without being touched by hand. This machinery has been sold to different can manufacturers in the United States, but in 1910 the plant was sold out to the American Can Company and passed into that trust. It is problematical as to what will be the future of these two companies.
HOT AIR FURNACES-In 1842 Joel C. Bailey bought out Chester Dexter's stove and machine foundry. Mr. Bailey took as his partner Russell Wheeler, his son-in-law. The new firm continued the business which had been conducted by the former proprietors of the establishment, and extended it materially. Mr. Bailey retired from this firm, and the business was conducted by Russell Wheeler, and finally he took as a partner his son, Frank Wheeler, and the con- cern continued to manufacture goods which were received by the public with great favor. The establishment was finally merged into the International Heater Company, and ceased to exist as a separate institution.
John Carton began the manufacturing of hot air furnaces in 1847. This was a new enterprise, and the furnace which Mr. Carton invented and put upon the market proved to be one of the best that has been produced by any one, even to the present day. After Mr. Carton's death a company was organized known as the Carton Furnace Company, which was conducted by his sons. On the formation of the International Heater Company this company, as well as many others, was merged into that corporation.
Another furnace company that has been eminently successful is that of Hart & Crouse. This company manufactures hot air furnaces, and the facilities for heating buildings by either hot air, steam or hot water. It has for many years done a prosperous business, is still in a flourishing condition, and sends its goods to remote parts of the country, where they are received with favor.
Still another company manufacturing heating apparatus is known as the Utica Heater Company, which manufactures the same class of goods as Hart & Crouse, and does an extensive business.
The Mohawk Valley Heating Company also deals in goods of the same character.
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CANNING INDUSTRY-One of the industries of Oneida county, and which, in some respects, originated in the county, is the preserving of fruits, vegetables and cereals in cans. At this time more goods of this character are preserved in this county than in any other county in the state. The companies now doing business and the character of goods preserved by each are as follows :
Clinton Canning Company, with office at Rome, the factory being located at Clinton, cans peas, corn, pumpkin and succotash.
Curtice Brothers Company, home office Rochester, N. Y., factory located at Vernon, cans peas and corn.
Empire State Canning Company, office at Rome, factory at Stacy's Basin, cans tomatoes, peas, corn and squash.
Fort Stanwix Canning Company, located at Rome, cans tomatoes, peas, corn, pumpkin, squash, beets, spinach, succotash, refugee beans, golden wax beans, Lima beans, red kidney beans, pork and beans, sweet potatoes, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, cherries and Bartlett pears. This company also has factories at Fulton, N. Y., Glassboro, N. J., Hampton, Maine, and leases some other factories.
L. P. Haviland, factory located at Camden, cans corn.
Kirkland Canning Company, located at Waterville, also at Kirkland and Ta- berg, cans tomatoes, peas, corn, squash, beans, succotash, sauerkraut and fruits.
Lee Canning Company, with office at Rome and factory at Lee, cans corn, peas and succotash.
Mohawk Valley Canning Company, located at Westernville, cans peas, corn, pumpkin and beans.
New Hartford Canning Company, with principal office located at New Hart- ford and one factory located there, one at Newport, Herkimer county, one at Knoxboro, one at Syracuse and one at Williamstown, Oswego county, cans to- matoes, peas, corn, pumpkin, beans, succotash and fruits.
Olney & Floyd, office at Westernville, one factory located at Westernville and one at Lee Center (formerly at Delta), cans peas, corn, pumpkin, squash, suc- cotash and other vegetables and fruits.
Oneida County Canning Company, located at Verona, cans corn.
Pennellville Canning Company, office at Camden and factory at Pennellville, cans peas, corn, beans, succotash and fruits.
Sauquoit Canning Company, office at Utica, factory located at Sauquoit, cans peas, corn, beans, succotash and fruits.
Stittville Canning Company, factory located at Stittville, cans peas, corn and beans.
W. I. Stoddard, factory located at Camden, cans corn and beans.
Turin Canning and Packing Company, located at Boonville, cans peas, corn, pumpkin, beans, succotash and pickles.
Tuttle & Company, factory located at McConnellsville, cans corn, pumpkin and succotash.
U. S. Canning Company, office at Fredonia, factory at Rome, cans vegetables and fruits.
Utica Canning Company at Utica, cans tomatoes, peas, corn, pumpkin, beans, succotash and fruits.
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I. J. White, factory located at Blossvale, cans peas and corn. Whitesboro Canning Company at Whitesboro, cans corn.
Wilson Canning Company, located at Taberg, with office at Mexico village, cans corn.
An approximate amount of the annual business of this character in the county at this time is $1,210,000.
Until 1848 there was but little business carried on by corporations, but the desire to avoid personal responsibility has induced the formation of great numbers of corporations within the county, many of which have ceased to exist. There have been many thousands of corporations organized, which have started upon their business career, but great numbers were unsuccessful, and after a few years they were either legally dissolved or were allowed to die out without any proceedings to cause their legal extinguishment. It does, however, appear from the books of the county treasurer that in the year 1911 there were 474 business corporations within the county which paid corporate tax, showing that at least there were that number having a legal existence, and of this number 43 were incorporated in the year 1911.
UTICA WATER WORKS COMPANY-This company was incorporated March 31, 1848, the object being to provide water for the citizens of Utica for domestic and fire purposes from the hills southerly of the city. These works were in- creased from time to time until opposition arose because of the fact of what was claimed were exorbitant charges for the water. The West Canada Water Works Company was incorporated May 5, 1898, the object being to bring water from the West Canada creek near Prospect to Utica for public use. This com- pany, however, did not succeed in building the works, but finally sold out its rights, as did the Utica Water Works Company, to the Consolidated Water Company of Utica. This company was organized November 13, 1899, and took over the rights of all the other water companies of the city. It constructed a reservoir in the town of Deerfield, for the purpose of taking water from the Deerfield Ravine, but this water did not prove satisfactory, and it, therefore, laid water pipes from the reservoir in Deerfield to the West Canada creek, about half a mile above the bridge across the stream at Hinckley, and about five years ago commenced taking water from the middle of that stream through a wooden pipe to the shore, and then through an iron pipe into the reservoir at Deer- field. This source of supply is sufficient for Utica for all time. The water of the West Canada creek is comparatively soft, but it is not of such a character as to be used for domestic purposes without question, and the company has at times been severely criticized for not furnishing better water to the city.
TELEGRAPH-The first telegraph company formed in Oneida county was on July 16, 1845, which was called the Springfield, Albany & Buffalo Telegraph Company. The interested parties were John Butterfield, Hiram Greenman, Henry Wells and Crawford Livingstone. The first telegraph line in the state was built from Albany to Utica, and was finished January 31, 1846. The line that connects Utica with the west was soon after completed. These several
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lines were afterwards absorbed by the Western Union Telegraph Company, and became virtually one organization. This condition existed for many years, al- though some attempts were made at competition by other companies, but none were entirely successful until the Postal Telegraph Company came into the field as a substantial rival for the Western Union.
HOME TELEPHONE COMPANY-For some years prior to 1901 the Bell Tele- phone Company had possessed a monopoly of the telephone business in central New York. December 12 of that year the Home Telephone Company was or- ganized, with a view of competing with the Bell. It obtained a franchise to erect its poles and wires in Utica January 7, 1902, and April 18, 1902, obtained the right to put its wires under ground. The company conducted its business with great energy, and became at once a rival of the Bell system. For several years past negotiations have been pending for the consolidation of the two com- panies, and during the last year a substantial consolidation has been completed. The officers of the Home Company who made it a success, were Edgar B. Odell, president; Henry W. Millar, vice president; Edward Bushinger, treasurer; and Charles H. Poole, secretary and general manager.
THE CENTRAL NEW YORK TELEPHONE & TELEGRAPH COMPANY was organized in December, 1882, and purchased the property of the following telephone com- panies which were sublicensees of the American Bell Telephone Company. All of these companies were operating under a short term contract : American District Telephone Company of Utica, Mohawk Valley Telephone Company of Rome, Herkimer Telephone Company of Little Falls, Ogdensburg Telephone Company of Ogdensburg, Watertown Telephone Company of Watertown. The terri- tory assigned by the American Bell Telephone Company to the Central New York Telephone Company was the counties of Hamilton, St. Lawrence, Jeffer- son, Lewis, Oneida, Madison, Chanango, Otsego, Herkimer and Delaware.
Its original directors were Robert S. Williams, Francis G. Wood, Lewis H. Lawrence, Charles A. Nicholson all of Utica; and, Henry L. Storke, James Seymour, Jr., and Dexter A. Smith of Auburn. Its authorized capital stock was $1,000,000.
This consolidation of telephone interests in Central New York, started business with a list of about one thousand subscribers, of which nearly half were in the city of Utica. The property of the newly organized company con- sisted of isolated telephone exchanges, and its first business was to connect these exchanges by building trunk lines from one central office to another throughout its territory.
The toll revenue of the new company at the time of consolidation, was only about $11,000 per year, and was derived from short lines located within its territory and leading out from various exchange centers to nearby villages.
The toll revenue now derived from this territory originally set off to the Central New York Telephone & Telegraph Company is about $250,000 per year.
Each of the companies mentioned above had obtained franchise rights to construct a telephone system in and for cities in its territory.
The first exhange system for Utica was constructed under a license granted
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to the American District Telegraph Company "to carry its wires over the several streets of the city of Utica" on June 1, 1877.
The Central New York Telephone & Telegraph Company on assuming con- trol in Utica, extended telephone lines in and for the city under this right, this new construction being ratified and confirmed to it by the Common Council on May 23, 1890.
The right to place its wires under ground in and for the city of Utica, was granted by the Common Council on April 5, 1905.
The county of Onondaga, including the city of Syracuse, was added to the territory of the Central New York Telephone & Telegraph Company on January 28, 1887.
Recently the New York Telephone Company has acquired control of the whole system,
UTICA ELECTRIC COMPANY-In September, 1899, work was commenced at Trenton Falls to utilize the power of the West Canada creek for developing electricity. The dam was commenced in the spring of 1900, and was completed in November of that year. The dam is placed across the gorge slightly above the upper fall at Trenton Falls, and raises the water about 52 feet. There has been developed at the present time 8,000 horse power. The gates were opened, power developed and delivered at Utica at 6:34 o'clock p. m., April 17, 1901. The power has been utilized for motor power on street cars, and for manu- facturing and lighting purposes.
OLD HORSE CAR OF UTICA
CHAPTER XXXI
TRANSPORTATION-ROUTES OF TRAVEL
INDIAN TRAILS-The main artery of travel through the central part of what is now New York state were the Indian trails along the streams, the main thor- oughfare being along the Mohawk river through what is now Oneida county. The river also furnished means, both to the Indian and white man, of trans- portation, much easier than upon horse back or upon the ox cart of the early settler. For this reason settlements occurred near the waterways earlier than elsewhere, and attention was given to improving the waterways before anything was done in the way of highway improvement.
WESTERN INLAND LOCK NAVIGATION COMPANY-In 1796 the Western Inland Lock Navigation Company was incorporated for the purpose of constructing a canal and locks around the falls at Little Falls on the Mohawk, and to construct a canal across the Carrying Place at Rome from the Mohawk river to Wood creek. This canal must have been completed about the year 1800, as it is shown on the maps printed in 1802 of that location. It is claimed that Cad- wallader Colden, then surveyor general of New York, proposed a system of in- land navigation as early as 1724. If this is so, he must have been the pioneer of this laudable enterprise, but nothing seems to have been accomplished until about 1800 in that direction.
PASSENGER BOATS Soon after 1800 a line of boats was established upon the Mohawk river, and ran weekly between Schenectady and Cayuga. By 1812 boats ran twice a week between Utica and Schenectady, and the time occupied in making a trip was about twenty-four hours.
GENESEE TURNPIKE-A highway was improved from Utica westerly to the Genesee river about 1794, which was called the Genesee Turnpike, and led through Utica, Whitestown, Oriskany, Fort Stanwix and Verona. About the same year a road was improved from Albany to Utica.
SENECA TURNPIKE-In 1800 the charter of the Seneca Turnpike Company was granted to build a road through New Hartford, Kirkland, Vernon, Oneida Castle, and on westward.
MAIL AND STAGE ROUTES-In 1792 Congress provided for a post road be- tween Albany and Whitesboro. The mail was carried by Jason Parker, who had established a line of stages about that time. Parker and Levi Stephens
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had received an exclusive right for seven years to run a line of stages twice each week over the route from Albany to Onondaga, and the charge was to be not exceeding five cents per passenger per mile. Three quite extraordinary men joined Mr. Parker in this enterprise. They were Theodore S. Faxton, Silas B. Childs and John Butterfield.
JASON PARKER settled in New Hartford in 1794. He was a native of Wil- braham, Mass. He cleared up two farms, and displayed great energy in mak- ing improvements upon his property, but his health failed and he was obliged to give up farming and take up some other line of business. He first employed post riders between Canajoharie and Whitestown. The contract from the govern- ment for the transportation of the mails, which had been given the year previous to one Simeon Pool, soon passed into his hands. It is related by Dr. Bagg that on one occasion, when Mr. Parker arrived with the great western mail from Albany, it was discovered that it contained six letters for the inhabitants of old Fort Schuyler. This remarkable fact was heralded from one end of the settle- ment to the other, and some were incredulous until assured of its truth by the postmaster, John Post. In 1810 Mr. Parker had established a daily line of stages between Albany and Utica, and in September, 1811, another line three times a week was added to the daily one. Mr. Parker was eminently success- ful. He died in Utica in 1830, and was succeeded in the business of transpor- tation largely by Theodore S. Faxton, Silas D. Childs and John Butterfield. These gentlemen from time to time extended the stage routes from Utica, until they reached out in every direction, as far east as Albany, south to the Unadilla country, west to the westerly part of the state, and north to the St. Lawrence river.
THEODORE S. FAXTON came to Utica about 1812, obtained a position as stage driver, and continued in that employment for about four years. Afterward he became one of the proprietors of the establishment, but even then, on occa- sions he would mount the box and show how he could handle the dashing four or six horses. It is related of him that in the winter of 1822-3, he drove a team of six horses from Utica to Albany and return in eighteen hours, and had as guests on that occasion the eminent gentlemen, James Platt, Richard R. Lansing, John H. Ostrom, Charles P. Kirkland, Joseph S. Porter and Wil- liam Williams. They left Utica at midnight, reached Albany before the opening of the morning session of the legislature, and, after an hour's rest, started out on their return. After they reached Utica they were not content until they had eked out the one hundred miles by a ride to New Hartford and return. Mr. Faxton accumulated a large fortune, and, as he had no children, he gave liber- ally of his large means to charities. Among other institutions, he founded or endowed the Faxton Hospital, Home for the Homeless, and the Old Couples' Home, all in Utica. He also gave liberally to other charities, and left a name most enviable in the annals of the city of Utica.
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