History of Oneida County, New York : with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 104

Author: Durant, Samuel W
Publication date: 1878
Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts & Fariss
Number of Pages: 920

USA > New York > Oneida County > History of Oneida County, New York : with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 104

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Rome Savings Bank, located in the same building with Fort Stanwix National Bank, was organized in 1851. Its

oficers are: President, G. N. Bissell; Vice-President, N. H. Leffingwell; Trustees, E. B. Armstrong, J. S. Whaley, N. H. Leffingwell, H. D. Spencer, George Barnard, F. H. Thomas, Squire Utley, Alex. H. Brainerd, Israel Denio (2d Vice-President), John J. Parry, Samuel Wardwell ; Treasurer, Bloomfield J. Beach. The number of open accounts, January 1, 1878, was 2425 ; largest account due any depositor, exclusive of interest, or of any deposits made by order of a court of record or of a surrogate, $8401.41 ; number of such accounts exceeding $5000, eight; total resources, $1,082,337.57; amount due depositors, $968,- 507.10.

Oneida County Savings Bank .- In same building with Central National Bank. Organized in 1869. Number of depositors, over 1000. Officers for 1878: President, S. B. Stevens ; Vice-President, Alfred Ethridge ; Treasurer, G. H. Lynch.

General Insurance, Real Estate, Banking, and Brokers' business is carried on by J. H. Searles & Co. and Charles T. Hayden, the latter one of the original firm of C. Hayden & Son, the senior member of which is now deceased.

BANDS.

The different bands which have had organization in Rome are many in number, and it is next to impossible to enumerate them at this time. There is at present but one organization of the kind in the city, and that is known as the Old Rome Band. It was organized about 1867-68, and contained sixteer instruments in July, 1878. During this season the Old MHome Band and the Rome Musical Association consolidated their forces, and are together under the leadership of George C. Schillner. An orchestra of fourteen members is connected with the band, and is directed by Mr. Schillner. The members of the orchestra are all Germans except four. The present organization is an excellent one, and its music is surpassed by that of few bands in the State.

CITY POLICE FORCE.

The police force, though small, is very efficient. It numbers five men, as follows: Chief of Police, Thomas C. Wilds : Captain of Night-Watch, Thomas Burns ; Patrol- men, Michael Shortall, John Doyle, and William Guilfoil.

MILITARY ORGANIZATIONS.

"I" Troop of Cavalry, 4th Brigade, 6th Division, N. G. S. N. Y .- This body was organized in 1876, and was formerly the First Separate Troop, belonging to the 21st Brigade. The brigades were subsequently re-numbered, and the Troop was given a letter. June 29, 1878, there were sixty-three names on the company-roll. The present officers are: Captain, W. L. Ames ; Senior 2d Lieutenant, D. C. Swortfiguer ; Junior 2d Lieutenant, Glen Petrie.

The Fort Stanwix Guards were organized in 1875, as the Second (now Sixth) Separate Company of Infantry. It numbers about sixty-five members, with the following officers, viz. : Captain, Charles Northrup ; 1st Lieutenant, Martin ; 2d Lieutenant, Charles N. Crain.

There was also, until recently, a company known as the " Armstrong Guards," organized in 1875, which has been

# The building occupied by this banking house was erected in 1871, at a cost of about $32,000.

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HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

disbanded. The militia companies which have existed in Rome are many in number, and the early " general train- ing" days were great and exciting events in the history of the place. For eighteen years the militia of the village was kept up by the exertions of Colonel Louis Roth, who finally resigned. The two companies now organized make a fine appearance, and arc a eredit to the city.

ORDERS AND SOCIETIES.

Roman Lodge, No. 223, F. and A. M.,* has a member- ship of 194. Stated communications for 1878 on first and third Wednesdays of each month. Officers for 1878: W. M., J. J. Barber; S. W., W. N. Trumpour; J. W., Edwin Evans; Treasurer, M. W. Smith; Secretary, Wil- liam H. Davies ; S. D., Ed. Jones ; J. D., J. A. Owens ; Chaplains, Revs. J. W. Lawton and G. B. R. Clarke; S. M. C., J. E. Brownson ; J. M. C., J. D. Archer; Organist, C. S. Hill ; Marshal, C. Hurlbort ; Trustees, F. E. Mitchell, John Groves, John Reifert ; Tyler, John Jackson.

Fort Stanwix Chapter, No. 153, R. A. M., was organ- ized Dec. 3, 1855, at which time the first stated convocation was held with nine members. The membership, June 26, 1878, was 100, and the officers are as follows, viz. : H. P., F. E. Mitchell, M. E .; K., M. W. Smith, E. ; Seribe, John Groves, E .; Treasurer, John Reifert; Secretary, L. E. Elmer; C. H., C. H. Nicholson ; P. S., William Thom ; R. A. C., W. D. Sandford ; M. 3d V., George Batchelor; M. 2d V., L. B. Sherman ; M. Ist V., Jolin Jones; Chaplain, Rev. H. L. M. Clarke; Organist, G. P. Russ ; Tyler, John Jackson.

Rome Commandery, No. 45, K. T., was organized in 1869. The membership, by the last report, was 91. Its offi- cers for 1878 are the following, viz. : E. C., F. E. Mitchell; G., Ira L. Reed ; C. G., C. H. Nicholson ; Recorder, W. H. Davies ; Treasurer, F. B. Beers ; S. W., F. M. Orton ; J. W., William Thom ; S. B., Louis Gleisman ; S. B., John Jones ; W., F. K. Joncs ; C. G., P. A. Wheeler ; Organist, G. P. Russ; Prelates, M. W. Smith, H. L. M. Clarke; Com., B. Neiss.

The rooms of the Masonic fraternity are io the building on James Street, near the Sentinel office, creeted by S. B. Stevens, and were fitted and furnished for Masonie pur- poses.

Rome Lodge, No. 266, I. O. O. F., instituted Jan. 19, 1871. The present membership is 84 (July, 1878), and the following are the officers : N. G., Cyrns D. Prescott ; V. G., George C. Seidell; Recording Secretary, John R. Monroe ; Permanent Secretary, Louis Roth ; Treasurer, Orson Knowlton ; Representative to Grand Lodge, Louis Roth ; Proxy Representative, F. X. Greenia.

Queen Esther ( Rebecca Degree) Lodge, No. - , I. O. O. F., instituted in July, 1878.

Fort Stanwix Encampment, No. 73, I. O. O. F., in- stituted with nine members, September 27, 1872. The membership in July, 1878, was 35, with the following of- ficers, viz .: C. P., Egbert E. Carr; H. P., William H.

Atkinson ; S. W., David Aldridge; J. W., Thomas Cad- dick ; R. S. and F. S., Louis Roth ; Treasurer, F. Lonis Roth ; Representative to Grand Encampment, Louis Roth ; Proxy Representative, E. E. Carr.

The lodge-rooms are over the Central National Bank, on the south side of Dominick Street, and are tastily and conve- niently fitted for all purposes required of them.

Skillin Post, No. 47, G. A. R., was organized in 1872, with about twenty members, and named after Lieutenant- Colonel Charles H. Skillio, of the 14th New York Infantry (" First Oneida Regiment"), who was killed at Gaines' Mills, Virginia, June 27, 1862. The present membership of the post is about 80, and its officers are : Commander, J. I. Sayles ; Senior Vice-Commander, D. C. Swortfiguer ; Junior Vice-Commander, Charles Northrup; Quartermaster, P. A. Wheeler; Adjutant, Elias Van Slyke ; Officer of the Day, Charles Swortfiguer; Chaplain, G. M. Palmer. The post holds regular weekly meetings. Decoration Day (May 30) is always observed with proper ceremonies.

The Young Men's Christian Association, of Rome, was incorporated in June, 1872, and at present has a member ship of about 200, with very neat rooms in the MeHarg Block, corner of Dominick and Washington Streets. The officers for 1878 are : President, H. Hannahs; Vice-Pres- ident, E. E. Carr; Recording Secretary, H. S. Graves ; Corresponding Secretary, G. M. Palmer ; Treasurer, E. M. McChesney. The association possesses a library of 1500 volumes, and about 60 periodicals are on file in its readiog- room. A monthly paper, entitled Once a Month, is published, and has a circulation of 2000 copies. Classes in book-keep- ing, penmanship, etc., are conducted by the Association, which has charge of from three to five Sunday-schools, besides having religious services at the jail. Religious literature to the amount of 150,000 pages is distributed annually. Monthly social receptions are held, also religious meetings, at the rooms of the Association, the attendance at the latter being from 400 to 600. The sustaining membership is adopted, an annual admission fee of $10 being required of members. The new rooms in the MeHarg Block include reading- and reception-rooms, library, gymnasium, and hall ; the latter having a seating capacity of 350. The aim of the Association is to improve the religious, educational, social, and physical conditions of the community. A gen- eral secretary is employed.

Rome Christian Temperance Union .- Organized Feb. 8, 1876, through the efforts of Professor W. M. Evans, the eminent temperance reform orator. It has rooms in the MeHarg Block. Present membership over 100. Its officers are : President, Rev. James H. Taylor ; First Vice- President, G. W. L. Cheney ; Treasurer, Z. R. Evans; Financial Secretary, Charles Ellis; Corresponding Seere- tary, Virgil Kingsley. A reading-room and library are owned by the association, which holds its meetings every Tuesday evening.

LIST OF LAWYERS, 1878.

The bar of Rome at the present day sustains the reputa- tion which has been established for it in previous years. The names of Judge Beardsley, Joshua Hatheway, Judge Denio, Judge Wardwell, and others, are prominently known

# A sketch of this lodge was to have been furnished us, but failed to make its appearance. The present lodge is a re-organization. The charter of the old lodge was surrendered during anti-Masonic times, and its records cannot be found.

Photo. by Hovey & Brainerd.

DR. HAROLD H. POPE.

One of the most responsible occupations in life is that of a physician ; he is daily called upon to aid the suffering and helpless public ; not only the rich but the poor, often working without a hope of any remuneration, and is often- times the possessor of family secrets which, if divulged to the world, would prove detrimental to the character of his patients ; and is deprived of his natural rest and social enjoy- ments, because he is always at the call of a complaining people.

The subject of this memoir was one that stood high in his profession and was well known all over the State; though confined to a comparatively small field of labor, his talents were appreciated abroad, and he could have occupied his same position in life in much larger communities than Rome, but an attachment for that place led him always to make it his home. He was born in Rutland, Vermont, November 15, 1801, being the youngest son of Stephen and Regined Pope, his father being a native of the State of New Hampshire, his mother of Rhode Island. In the fall of 1817, young Harold in company with a brother left his home for western New York, with the intention of purchasing land and becoming a farmer; but having an uncle, Dr. Henry Smith, at Western, Oneida County, he stopped to pay him a visit. He was prevailed upon by his uncle to remain with him that fall and attend the district school. In the following spring he taught the same school, and in the latter part of that year his uncle sent him to Albert Barnes, to prepare himself for college. He subse- quently went to the medical college at Fairfield, Herkimer County, and also attended the medical college at Castleton, Vermont. He received diplomas from both. After finish-

ing his collegiate education he returned to Rome, and to perfect his studies he entered the office of Dr. George Brown, and with a determination (rare in one so young) he devoted his time arduously to become proficient in the study of medicine. He afterwards became a partner with Dr. Brown, which continued for a few years, when the senior member of the firm sold out his interest to his young but energetic partner.

Dr. Pope was married, March 8, 1827, to Maria R., daughter of Andrew and Polly Elmer, of Western. Their union was blessed with two children,-Albert H., who is living at the present time, and Henry Smith. The latter, when arriving at a proper age, was sent by his father to the medical college at Castleton, Vermont, where he gradu- ated. He early gave promise of earning a reputation in his profession, but was unfortunately called to his last home in early manhood.

Dr. Pope was a strong and prominent member of the Democratic party, and was recognized by its leaders as one of the most earnest supporters of that party's principles and good government. He was called upon by his fellow- citizens to fill many positions of trust and honor in bis town. He was president of the village, supervisor, and held otber minor offices. He was a member of the Epis- copal Church.

Dr. Pope ended a busy life July 7, 1869, and in his death Rome lost a good and great citizen ; her people, a kind and sympathizing neighbor; her poor, a benevolent and charitable friend. His funeral was attended by a host of relations and friends, and many a silent tear was dropped over his grave.

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HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

throughout the State. Of the later attorneys, D. C. Pome- roy claims attention as having been one of the best criminal lawyers in the State, but ill health necessitated his retire- ment from practice. Those at present in practice here are the following-named persons : D. M. K. Johnson, C. D. Prescott, M. D. Barnett (present district attorney), George H. Weaver, George J. Flint, William H. Wheeler, John S. Baker, J. S. C. Bailey, Isaac Evans, W. E. Scripture, M. M. Burlison, Stephen Van Dresar (present surrogate), John F. Wilson, Charles Dunning, G. H. Lynch, Joseph Porter, George P. Nock, E. L. Stevens (present mayor of the city), Willard Rinkle, B. J. Beach, Henry A. Foster, D. E. Wager (author of historical articles relating to Rome and vicinity), W. B. Bliss (present county judge), H. S. Bedell, J. I. Sayles, C. W. White, Charles Ward, Charles Carroll, Seneca Carroll, R. C. Briggs, R. M. Grems, and D. C. Pomeroy. Henry A. Foster, mentioned in the list, has held the positions of circuit judge and United States Senator.

PHYSICIANS.

Of the physicians now in Rome, Dr. James S. Whaley is the oldest in practice. Dr. M. C. West is among the emi- nent physicians of the State, and Dr. W. J. P. Kingsley has become noted for his success in the treatment of cancers and other afflictions of a kindred nature. The practi- tioners at present are as follows : Drs. M. C. West, C. C. Reid, James S. Whaley, Edwin Evans, C. E. Frazer, Sr., C. E. Frazer, Jr., H. C. Palmer, S. O. Scudder, A. B. Southwick, W. J. P. Kingsley, J. S. Kingsley, T. M. Flandrau, R. E. Sutton (city chamberlain), E. J. Lawton, and S. Millington.

GENERAL SUMMARY.

According to the business directory of Rome for 1877, the city contained the following list of business men, manu- facturers, etc., which varies but little from its condition the present year (1878) : 27 attorneys, 3 bakeries, 6 banks, 2 private banking institutions, 10 barbers, 7 blacksmith -. shops, 1 book-bindery, 6 boot and shoe manufacturers, and 8 boot and shoe stores, 2 book and stationery dealers, 3 breweries, 1 brick-kiln, 1 broker, I broom-manufactory, I carriage hardware dealer, 4 carriage and wagon manufacto- ries, 1 cement-pipe works, 6 cigar manufacturers, 3 civil engineers, 9 clothing-stores, and 6 coal and wood dealers, 2 cooper-shops, 2 crockery and glass dealers, 1 dairy-supply store, 5 (now 6) dentists, 2 door, sash, and blind manufac- tories, 4 drug-stores, 8 dry-goods stores, 1 dyeing establish- ment, 1 fcather-renovating establishment, 1 fishing-tackle dealer, 1 flagging and paving firm, 3 florists, 2 flouring- mills, 5 flour and feed dealers, 2 foundries and machine- shops, 5 furniture dealers and undertakers, 1 gaslight com- pany, 2 general jobbing firms, 1 grist-mill, 27 groceries (retail), I wholesale grocery, 1 gun-shop, 2 hair-works, 2 hardware establishments, 1 coach and saddlery and wheel- stock manufactory, 3 harness-makers, 3 hat and cap firms, 19 hotels, 2 iron-rolling mills, 1 knitting-mill (not now in operation), 4 laundries, 1 lime-kiln, 1 dealer in limestone, 7 liveries, 4 liquor-stores, 4 lumber-yards, 2 marble-works, 10 mcat-markets, 4 merchant tailors, 11 millinery estab- lishments, I oculist, 1 oyster and fish dealer, 6 publishing

and printing houses, 17 physicians, 3. photograph-galleries, 2 piano and organ dealers, 3 dealers in pictures and frames, 2 planing-mills, 3 plumbing and gas-fitting establishments, 1 pork-packing house, 1 pump-factory, 12 restaurants, 18 saloons, I saw-mill, 1 shirt-manufactory, 1 silver-plating establishment, 3 soap and candle manufactories, I soda- water manufactory, I steel-works (not now in operation), 5 stove and tinware dealers, I tailor, 1 tannery, 1 taxider- mist, 2 telegraph companies, 1 tin-shop, 1 variety-store, 7 watch and jewelry establishments, I window-shade dealer, 1 wine-room.

The business blocks of Rome are as fine as any which can be found in a city of its size in the State, and the estab- lishments are compactly situated in the heart of the city.

NEWSPAPERS.

The Columbian Patriotic Gazette .- In the building on Dominick Street, formerly known as the MeGraw house, was commenced in 1799 the publication of the first news- paper in Rome, bearing the above title. Its proprietors were Thomas Walker and Ebenezer Eaton, young men about twenty-two years of age, the former from Worcester, Mass., and the latter from Vermont. They brought their printing material with them, procured a " Ramage" press made in Rome, and issued the first number of their paper (weekly) Aug. 17, 1799. The paper was printed for a short time in 1800 in the chamber of the main build- ing of the " Rome Coffee-House," and was subsequently moved to a building which occupied a portion of the pres- ent site of the "American" Block, where its publication was continued while it remained in Rome. Early in 1800, Mr. Eaton removed to Aurora, Cayuga Co., where he pub- lished a paper for a short time, and afterwards returned to Vermont and published for many years a paper called the North Star. He was a brother of the celebrated General Eaton, who served under General Anthony Wayne, and who afterwards went to Africa and espoused the cause of Hamet, the dethroned Bashaw of Tripoli. In 1804 he commanded the American forces in the war with Tripoli.

After Mr. Eaton left the paper, Mr. Walker continued sole proprietor, and in 1800 removed it to the " Rome Coffee-House," as mentioned. Its subsequent location on James Street was the same in which the Rome Republican was published later. In 1804, Mr. Walker removed with his paper to Utica, that place having received a start con- sequent upon the building of the Seneca Turnpike, and there continued its publication under the name of the Columbian Gazette. He became a prominent and influential citizen of Utica, and was for twenty years or more president of the old " Bank of Utica."

Oncida Observer .- In a building erected about 1812-14, near the corner of Dominick and Washington Streets, and on the north side of the former, for a harness-shop, by a Mr. Sweatman, the above paper was published in 1818 by E. Dorchester, who removed here from Utica, where he was publishing the Utica Observer, to aid the citizens of Rome and Whitestown, through the influence of his paper, in preventing the courts from being held in the thien village of Utica. In 1819 he returned with his paper to Utica, gave it the old name, and continued its publication at that place.

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HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK:

. The Rome Sentincl .- In February, 1825, the publica- tion of a paper ealled the Rome Republican was begun on the west side of James Street, in a building which occu- pied. a portion of the site of the "American Block," by Lorin Dewey. It was removed the same year to the " Mer- rill Block," on the opposite (east) side of the street, and its- management was changed in May of that year into the hands of Chauncey Beach. In June, 1828, The Republi- can was established by J. P. Van Sice, and subsequently changed to the Oneida Republican. In 1830 this paper and the Rome Republican were united. E. Moon became proprietor in. 1831, and changed the name to the Rome Telegraph. James N. Harris, John Boyd, H. A. Foster, and others were successively interested in its publication. In 1838, R. Waldby became proprietor, and changed its name to the Democratic Sentinel, with Calvert Comstock as editor. In 1840, L. D. Dana became editor ; and in 1845, H. F. Utley and S. W. Morton became proprietors, and changed the name to the Rome Sentinel. In September, 1846; Morton sold his share to A. G. Rowley, and in 1847 Utley sold to A. G. Rowley & Co .; E. Comstock became editor. In 1850, Rowley became sole proprietor, and in January, 1852, sold out to Elon Comstock. In July, 1861, Wood & Larwill became proprietors, and continued its pub- lieation until December, 1863, when the firm of Warren & Beers became publishers. Mr. Warren was formerly an employee in the Observer office at Utica, and Mr. Beers learned the trade in the Gitizen office at Rome. In June, 1864, the paper passed into the hands of its present pro- prietors, Franklin D. Beers and Augustus C. Kessinger, and has since been published by them. Mr. Kessinger began work in the Sentinel office March 17, 1856, learned his trade in it, and worked his way to his present position. The paper is published weekly ; is Democratie politically, and has a large circulation. The Rome Daily Sentinel was commenced by C. & E. Comstock, in connection with the Rome Sentinel, in July, 1852. In October, 1854, D. E. Wager and D. C. Rowley purchased a half-interest, and in April, 1855, the remainder of the establishment. The daily was continued until 1860, when it was suspended.

The Roman Citizen .- In July, 1835, a paper was established at Vernon, called the Vernon Courier. In 1840 it was removed to Rome, and its name changed to the Roman Citizen, C. B. Gay editor, and H. N. Bill proprietor. J. K. Kenyon, J. P. Fitch, Alfred Sandford, George Scott, G. H. Lynch, A. D. Griswold, and A. C. Sandford were successively interested in its publication. In October, 1854, A. Sandford became sole proprietor. In 1855 the office was burned, but Mr. Sanford soon after resumed publication. In 1866, E. E. Carr purchased an interest in the paper, and it has since been conducted by the firm of Sandford & Carr, It is issued weekly, is Republican in politics, and has a wide circulation.

The Parlor Journal and Literary News Letter, of Central New York (monthly), was published at Rome, by Graham & Co., in 1843.

The Primitive Christian (semi-monthly) was published at Rome in 1845, by Rev. H. Matteson.

The Empire State Health Journal was commenced at Rome in 1851.

Y Arweinydd (semi-monthly, Welsh ) was commenced at Rome in January, 1858, by R. R. Meredith, editor, and Thomas T. Evans, assistant editor. It was discontinued in 1860.

SCHOOLS.

The earliest schools in the town of Rome, outside of the village, were in the neighborhoood of the Wright settlement. A log school-house was ereeted on the farm of Joseph Otis previous to 1800, and was the first one in that locality. It was subsequently destroyed by fire. About 1816-17 a school-house was built in its place, on the corner of " Penny Street" and the road leading east past the present Canterbury Hill school-house, and Miss Achsah Raynsford, afterwards the wife of Josiah Hills, and mother of William H. Hills, of Rome, was the teacher. .

The first public-school building in the village of Rome was erected some time previous to 1800. It stood on the southeast corner of the west park, on James Street, and was a high, square building, with a "hip roof." The early courts, from 1798 to 1806, were held in it. It was used for educational purposes until 1819, when it was removed, and a frame school building erceted on the site of the present Zion Church. This house was, a number of years later, destroyed by fire, and the building on Liberty Street erected in its stead.

About 1800, a one and a half story frame school build- ing was erected on the east side of James Street, a short distance north of Dominick, and was known as the " Hun- tington school-house." The chimney was in the centre of the room, and the writing-desks were placed against the walls, so that the pupils faced the walls when writing.

Some years previous to 1820, Oliver Grosvenor started a private school in the upper part of the building on Dom- inick Street occupied by A. & A. B. Blair as a drug-store. At first he had but four or five pupils, but his school be- came very popular and the attendance largely increased. He kept it in the "Huntington school-house," from about 1818 to about 1832, when he removed it to Liberty Street. Mr. Grosvenor was a fine Latin scholar and an excellent instructor, and fitted many young men for college. Owing to continued ill health he was obliged to desist from the labor of teaching in 1835. Among those who were at- tendants at his school and afterwards arose to distioetion the following may be mentioned, viz. : J. D. Caton, U. S. Judge, Illinois ; Anson S. Miller, U. S. Judge, Illinois ; Oliver P. Hubbard, Professor in Dartmouth College; Rev. Thomas Brainard, the celebrated Philadelphia divine ; D. D. Whedon, editor of the Methodist Quarterly Review; and Benjamin Hubbard, a distinguished physician, and later in the Department of the Interior, at Washington, D. C.

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History of Oneida County, New York : with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 104

Author: Durant, Samuel W Publication date: 1878 Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts & Fariss Number of Pages: 920

Author: Durant, Samuel W
Publication date: 1878
Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts & Fariss
Number of Pages: 920