History of Oneida County, New York : with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 113

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 113

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).

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, ALDER CREEK.

This society, though small, holds regular meetings in the old union church, which was erected by the Methodists, Baptists, and Presbyterians. It has no regular pastor, but its pulpit is supplied by various ministers from other places. Meetings are held here in connection with Forestport. The church is a comfortable frame building.

There was formerly at this place a Baptist society, which has now no regular organization, although it still owns a house of worship, which is occupied by the Methodists.

A ROMAN CATHOLIC SOCIETY

has a small church in the southeast part of town, north of Forestport, and a small membership.

About two miles south of the village of Boonville, on a small stream, and near the Black River Canal, is a ledge of rock over which, in high water, pours a beautiful cascade, which has received the name of " Baker's Falls." In a dry scason it is hardly dampened, but the change is wondrous after a freshet, or in the spring, upon the melting of the snow. It is about sixteen feet high, and, with the cosy dell around it, and the hills towering aloft beyond it, makes a striking and lovely picture. The remains of an old saw-mill are here, the timbers rotted and worn away, leaving but little to tell of the busy days of " long ago." This fall is a short distance above the entrance of the canal into the gorge of the Lansing Kill.

North west of " Baker's Falls" is a fine white sulphur spring, whose waters possess considerable medicinal virtue, and are a great curiosity to those who have never seen the like elsewhere. With proper care and enterprise the spot might be made as famous as any of those in Virginia or Pennsylvania, as the medicinal properties of the water are nearly or quite the same.

VILLAGE OF BOONVILLE.

In the spring of 1796 the Holland Land Company built a store at the village, on the site now occupied by the

J. M. FISK.

MRS. J. M. FISK.

RESIDENCE OF JOHN M.FISK, ESQ. BOONVILLE, N.Y.

LITH BY L.K EVERTS. PMILA.

PHOTOS WY ACKERMAN, BOONVILLE, 3 1.

Matteo Booth ma

ALIDA S. BOOTH.

WALTER BOOTH, M.D.,

was born in Hamden, Conn., Nov. 1, 1808. His father was Alexander, a descendant of Richard Booth, who landed at Stratford, Conn., in 1640. His mother was Huldah, daughter of James Thompson, of New Haven, Conn., and who was of Scotch ancestry. In 1813 he removed with his parents to Russia, Herkimer Co., N. Y., and continued at home and attending school until 1824, when he entered a store as clerk, and during the next five years divided his time between his mercantile duties and obtaining an educa- tion. In 1829 he entered the office of Drs. Sears and Coon, at Russia, where he pursued the study of medicine during the next three years, and graduated at the College of Physicians and Surgeons of the Western District, New York, located at Fairfield, Herkimer County, Dec. 31, 1831, after attending three full courses of lectures at the above institution. Feb. 1, 1832, he entered into copartnership with Dr. Coon, one of his former preceptors, who, dying a year and a half later, left him with an extensive practice, which he continued with unceasing energy during the next twenty-four years. He was married, March 19, 1833, to Alida S., daughter of Dr. Peter Mabee, of Schoharie, who was a descendant of one of the Hollanders who first settled the Mohawk Valley. His family consisted of six children, three of whom, Alida E., Walter S., and George M., are now living. Always an ardent Democrat in politics, he found time to give more or less attention to the political condition of the country ; and although never a candidate for office, he has been called upon at various times to repre- sent his fellow-citizens in publio positions ; he was school inspector and town clerk for several years, and for nine

years supervisor of the town of Russia, and in 1842 elected member of the Assembly for the First Assembly district of Herkimer County. Dr. Booth was admitted a member of the Medical Society of Herkimer County in 1832, and was several times elected censor and delegate to the American Medical Association. In 1848 he was elected president of the society, which office was again bestowed upon him in 1853. In the spring of 1857, Dr. Booth commenced the practice of medicine in Chicago, having formed a copart- nership with Dr. Hitchcock, and with a fair prospect of a large and lucrative business; but, failing in health, was obliged to leave that city and return to the bracing winds of the hills of New York, where he had spent most of his life. In the fall of that year he settled in the pleasant village of Boonville, where he has continued in the active practice of his profession to the present time, riding over a large extent of country, performing a large amount of labor without recompense or reward, and though receiving no pecuniary aid or assistance from any source from the time of leaving his father's house, except by his own individual efforts, has succeeded in procuring a comfortable competency. Soon after settling in Boonville he was admitted a member of the Medical Society of Oneida County, and in 1866 was elected president of that organization. Dr. Booth has been largely engaged in obstetrical practice, and called in council by his professional brethren in very many different cases, and to that branch of the profession he has given special attention ; and, in the course of his forty-six years' practice, has been in attendance at the birth of over three thousand five hundred children.

423

HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

clothing-store of Mr. Richards, at the southwest corner of Main and Schuyler Streets. It was a one-story, heavy- framed building, and was first kept by a man named Storms. The company afterwards sold it to Messrs. Schuyler & Post, who carried on business more than forty years.

In the fall of the same year (1796) a tavern was built by the company, on the corner opposite, where now stands the stone building occupied by J. M. Lewis. The first man who kept this tavern was Captain Andrew Edmunds, and in size and appearance it very nearly resembles the store.

Boonville's present popular hotel, the " Hulbert House," was built in 1819, by Ephraim Owens. Twenty years later it was purchased by Richard Hulbert, who raised it a story higher, and added twenty fect to it on the west side. This was the first two-story building erected in the village. It is built of stone, and has a broad portico, sup- ported by heavy columns of the same material. The other hotels of the village are the " Central" and " American," both new buildings, well kept and popular.

About 1817, Ephraim Owens built a saw-mill and a grist-mill on Mill Creek, where the saw-mill and chair-fac- tory of Mr. Sargent now stands. The old saw-mill is still in use by Mr. Sargent, as is also the dam. The grist-mill has long since been taken down. These mills were known as the " Boonville Mills," and the name is now applied to the mills owned by William Davis, near the railroad. This latter mill contains three runs of stone, and does both cus- tom and merchant grinding. The original structure was erected by the Holland Company, as previously mentioned, and stood some fifteen rods above the present mill. About 1815-16 it was removed, and the present " Boonville Mills" built about 1817, by Livvin (or Levin) Jillson, who carried it on for twenty years or more. The old part is the upper end of the present mill, which is much larger and more convenient than the one built by Jillson.

The large steam flouring-mill owned by S. C. Thompson & Co. was built by them in the winter of 1877-78, and does a heavy business.

Foundry and Machine-Shop. - This institution is located in the south part of the village, and was established in the fall of 1850, by Titus Powers, who soon after sold out to Holdridge & Gilbert. The present proprietors are Messrs. Gilbert & Sawyer, who employ five hands, aod manufacture castings for mill and tannery machinery, a few plows and scrapers, and do general repairing.

Saw- and Planing-Mill (east of canal) .- Built in 1875, by the present proprietors, Messrs. Norton & Avery. From four to six hands are employed, and the annual manufac- tures amount to about $7000. Hard and soft wood lum- ber, sash, doors, blinds, etc., are made from the log. Before starting the present factory the firm owned and operated another one south of the village, and carried on a business amounting to $40,000 annually. That mill was destroyed by fire.

Canal-boat building is carried on by Samuel M. Fergu- son, and as good boats are made here as anywhere in the State. From two to five boats are built annually. The inside timbers are tamarack, while the bows are made of white oak and the sides of pine.

A tannery was established about 1824, by Ephraim Ow- ens, Sr., and the present main building and the dwelling were erected by him. He manufactured general stock, sole and upper leather, etc. The tannery changed hands several times, and in 1849 passed into the hands of the present proprietor, Samuel Johnson, who has operated it constantly since. Mr. Johnson manufactures slaughter hides aud calfskins in the rough ; does no finishing; and his annual business amounts to about $35,000. Seven men usually employed. Hemlock bark is used exclusively in tanning. Steam is used for heating, and also for power in low water. About 500 cords of bark are consumed annually on an average, although as high as 800 to 1000 cords have been necessary in recent years. The manufactures are shipped to Boston, where they are finished and made ready for market. The tannery is located on Mill Creek, east of the railroad.

A tub-, churn-, and barrel-factory was built by J. L. Mather, on Mill Creek, and was finally sold by him to the present proprietor, W. D. Davis. Three hands are em- ployed. The tubs and churns are made of white ash and white oak. A considerable business is donc.

Sash- and Blind-Factory and Planing-Mill, owned by Rice Brothers. This firm has owned the factory since 1868. Previous to that it was owned by Jobn M. Fisk, who had carried it on a number of years. It was originally built for a foundry by C. H. Jillson. Three hands are employed, and the annual sales amount to from $7000 to $10,000. The articles manufactured are sash, blinds, doors, monldings, and general building material. Planing and matching are also done to order. The proprietors are C. F. and G. W. Rice.

The present large carriage- and wagon-factory was es- tablished in 1830, by Burton Tuttle, and the building erected by him stood on the ground now occupied by the factory of Messrs. Tanner & Wooley. Mr. Tuttle had worked here at repairing for some time before be built the shop. He died of cholera in 1832, and was sne- ceeded in the business by Messrs. Noyes & Whiting, and they by Fisk & Burgess. After passing through several different hands, the factory became the property of the present firm in 1857. These men employ ten hands and have an annual trade of about $10,000. Their manufac- tures are of the very best.

Another carriage-factory is located in the village, and owned by E. D. Bingham, who employs two workmen, and does a very good business.

A chair-factory was established in 1851 by N. M. Sar- gent, in the northeast part of the corporation, on Mill Creek, for the manufacture of wooden chairs. Mr. Sar- gent purchased the building of Whiting Tuttle, and is still the proprietor. He employs seven hands, and does a eon- siderable amount of business, some years turning out a large nuniber of chairs, and in others comparatively few, according to the demand.

BOONVILLE POST-OFFICE.

Mail was originally carried through this place on horse- back, the route extending from Utica to Ogdensburg. A common pair of saddle-bags were used, and the post-rider

424

HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

carried a horn, which he blew if there were any mail to de- liver. A few newspapers were taken at the village and in the town, one by Jacob Rogers. A man named Parker and Jerry Kingsbury were among those who were intrusted to carry the mail over this route. The latter was a talented young man, a resident of the town, and afterwards re- moved to Alabama, where he amassed a considerable for- tune. The first postmaster at Boonville was in all proba- bility Peter Schuyler, who came to this county from New Jersey, and for some time lived in the town of Trenton. He was a Dutchman. The date at which this office was established is not recollected by the " oldest inhabitant." The present postmaster is John M. Lewis, who has held the position about eighteen years.

PHYSICIANS.

Among the early physicians of the place was Dr. Samuel Snow, who came here about 1796, and in 1808 or there- abouts began tavern-keeping. He was called a very good physician. In 1799 the smallpox broke out in the village, and Dr. Snow inoculated many of the inhabitants at the time, as a preventive of the disease. It is not known that any of the eases proved fatal. The "pest-house" was after- wards occupied by the doctor as a residence.

Other early physicians were Drs. Samuel Bass and Nathan North. Dr. Bass practiced here a number of years, and was a very popular man. He finally removed to Leyden, and Dr. North came in after his removal, about 1820. Dr. Bass' son, Charles N. Bass, practiced medicine here for many years afterwards, and held numerous offices in the village after its incorporation.

The present physicians of the town are all residents of the village, and are the following persons : Walter Booth, Wallace Douglas, Lafayette Rinkle, William Cornell, Dr. Nold, Dr. Warren, and Dr. Corbin, beside two or three who are not regular graduates.

LAWYERS.

The present bar of Boonville is regarded as among the first in ability of any in the State for the size of the place, and its members have been eminently success- ful. The members at present are Albert L. Hayes, Walter Ballou, Henry W. Bentley, Thomas S. Jones, Leander W. Fiske, and H. R. Hadley. Of these, Messrs. Hadley, Fiske, and Bentley have been longest in prac- tice. None of them are far advanced in years. Messrs. Bentley and Jones are in partnership, the latter being a very able criminal lawyer. Mr. Hadley is one of the oldest lawyers in the place. Messrs. Hayes, Fiske, and Ballou have each represented their district (4th) in the Assembly, the former in 1872, Ballou in 1876, and Fiske some years previously. Probably the most noted lawyer who practiced here in former years was George W. Smith, a man of great ability. He is a fine public speaker, and is now practicing in Herkimer and Utiea.

NEWSPAPERS.

The Boonville Ledger was commenced by James H. Norton, in March, 1852, and subsequently published by Ela Kent. In March, 1855, it was purchased by L. C. Childs & Co., who changed the name to the Black River

Herald, and published it until March 8, 1862, when they sold out to the present proprietor, H. P. Willard. Mr. Willard changed the name to the Boonville Herald, and has since continued its publication. He enlarged it, when he assumed its management, from a six- to a seven-column folio. It is issued weekly ; has a circulation of about 600; Republican in politics, and the only paper published in the Fourth As- sembly Distriet. The office is in the " Herald Building," formerly the union church.

BOONVILLE BRASS BAND.

The present band contains twelve pieces, and was organ- ized in 1876. It is under the leadership of G. Farley. A fine band was organized here previous to the war, and entered the service as the regimental band of the 97th Infantry. It was discharged soon after enlistment by a general order from the War Department. Part of the members returned home, and the others enlisted in different capacities. The present organization has a fine uniform, and is called the best band between Watertown and Utica.

THE BOONVILLE CEMETERY ORGANIZATION

was formed in 1857. The grounds are east of the village, and consist of about twelve acres, very neatly laid out, and oceupying a fine location. Numerous elegant monuments and head-stones are already in place, and the spot is probably the most eligible one in the vicinity for the purpose. The old cemetery was where the depot now stands, and the site was changed when the railroad was built. The present officers of the association are as follows : President, A. Bamber; Vice-President, Samuel Johnson ; Secretary and Treasurer, William F. Owens ; Superintendent, Samuel T. Jones ; Trustees, A. Bamber, S. Johnson, S. T. Jones, J. M. Lewis, William Higby, J. R. Tharratt, L. B. Joslin, B. O. Jackson. The Catholics also have a small cemetery.

FIRE DEPARTMENT.

A fire company was organized in the village at an early date. In September, 1856, the corporation purchased of the " Village Fire Company" the " Cataract Fire Engine, No. 1," with all the apparatus, for $1560. An engine-house was built the same year at a cost of $500; and two reser- voirs were dug, costing $330 more. The same engine is still in use. The department has 52 members, and its officers are: President, C. W. Colton ; Foreman, John Vivian ; Assistant Foreman, F. Kesauer; Secretary, Jobn Avery ; Treasurer, E. S. Thompson.

BANKING.

The First National Bank of Boonville was established as the " Bank of Boonville," in 1866, and has a capital of $75,000. The present officers are : President, J. R. Thar- rett; Vice-President, H. W. Bentley ; Cashier, C. Dodge ; Directors, J. R. Tharrett, H. W. Bentley, C. Dodge, J. P. Pitcher, E. C. Dodge.

S. C. Thompson & Co.'s Bunk was established at Con- stableville, Lewis Co., in June, 1867, by Schuyler C. Thompson, and removed to Boonville in 1872. The mem- bers of the company are S. C. Thompson, President; S. A. Johnson, Cashier; and E. S. Thompson.

SAMUEL JOHNSON .

RESIDENCE OF SAMUEL JOHNSON, BOONVILLE, ONEIDA CO., N. Y.

LITH. BY L N EYERTS, PHILA.PA:

PHOTO. BY LOUEJOY.

PROTO BY ACKERMAN

OLD HOME, BUILT 1828

B.O.JACKSON

MRS.N.C. JACKSON.

"JACKSON HOMESTEAD, RESIDENCE OF B.O. JACKSON, BOONVILLE, ONEIDA CO, N. Y.

LITH BY L. N. EVERTS, PHILADELPHIA,

425

HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

ORDERS AND SOCIETIES.

Boonville Lodge, No. 414, F. and A. M., was organized June 7, 1825, with David Porter, M. ; John Rogers, S. W .; and Aaron F. Bates, J. W. Its charter was declared for- feited in 1835. The present Boonville Lodge, No. 165, F. and A. M., was chartered June 8, 1850, with the follow- ing officers, viz .: W. M., Henry Graves; S. W., Caleb Goodrich ; J. W., John Taylor. Its charter members were Henry Graves, Caleb Goodrich, Timothy Jackson, Stewart Harrington, Samuel Baker, Levin Jillson, Jera Sanborn, and John Taylor. The officers for 1878 are as follows, viz .: W. M., F. M. Jackson; S. W., H. J. Wolfe ; J. W., T. S. Jones ; Sec., H. C. Utley ; Treas., J. Burk ; S. D., W. Ballou ; J. D., D. W. Miller ; S. M. C., R. Parsons ; J. M. C., J. J. Finlayson ; Chaplain, W. Booth ; Organist, S. Gaylord ; Tyler, C. C. Hornung.

Wheelock Post, No. 97, G. A. R., was organized in 1866 or '67 by D. F. Ritchie, now editor of the Saratogion, at Saratoga, N. Y. The present membership of the Post is about 50, and its officers are : Commander, Alfred H. Morling; S. V., O E. Burlingame; J. V., A. Wilsey ; Chaplain, Ferdinand V. Graves ; Adjutant, D. H. Grant; Quartermaster, C. Covenhoven. Decoration Day is faith- fully observed by the members of the post, and the annual services on that day are participated in by the citizens in general.

Charity Lodge, No. 737, I. O. G. T., was organized by J. B. Finch, of Cortland, N. Y., in the spring of 1877. Its membership, April 10, 1878, was between 80 and 90, and its officers for 1878 are: Lodge Deputy, N. Kau ; W. C. T., G. B. Farley ; W. V. T., Miss Mary Griffith; Sec., Walter Doig. Meetings are held in Snow's Hall, every Monday evening.

Rescue Temple of Honor, No. 45, is in connection with the Cooperative Social Temple of Honor. The former was organized Jan. 25, 1871, and has a membership at present of about 60. Its officers are : W. C. T., F. J. Wheelock ; Rec., W. L. Burr. The latter society was instituted on the 8th of March, 1871, and has a present membership of about 120. S. P. T., Mary Hayes ; S. R., Mary E. Helmer. In connection with the temple is a section of Cadets (boys under eighteen years of age), instituted Nov. 20, 1876. G. G., C. H. Ford. These organizations hold their meetings in Colton's Hall.

The Boonville Driving Park Association was organized in 1870. It present officers are: President, W. A. Tan- ner ; Secretary and Treasurer, Walter Ballou.

The Boonville Union Agricultural Society was organized in 1871, and leased the grounds of the Driving Park Asso- ciation, where it has held seven fairs. The grounds com- prise about seventeen acres, and the society is at present endeavoring to arrange for their purchase. The fairs held by this organization have been very successful. A " Far- mers' Agricultural Club" was originally organized, and finally consolidated with the " Agricultural Society"; hence the name Union. The officers of the society for 1878 are : President, T. E. Munn; First Vice-President, George A. May ; Second Vice-President, B. O. Jackson ; Secretary, Henry Mccluskey ; Treasurer, E. S. Thompson ; Corres- ponding Secretary and Seedsman, B. B. Miller ; Directors,

William H. Cole, of Leyden ; T. C. Brown, of Leyden; C. A. Wider, of West Turin ; S. Sherman, of Boonville ; J. W. Fiske, of Boonville ; E. M. Sperry, of Boonville ; General Superintendent for 1878, R. H. Roberts, of Boon- ville. A large attendance is usual at the fairs held by this society.

The village contains about forty stores of various kinds, besides the usual number of mechanic shops, etc., and in the amount of business transacted ranks third in the county, or next after Utica and Rome.

A general act for the incorporation of villages was passed by the State Legislature, December 7, 1847, and the village of Boonville was incorporated under the provisions of this act in 1855, with the following-described boundaries, viz. :

" Commeneing at the northwest corner of Elisha Scovil's land (in the said town of Beenville), and running thence south two degrees west 3718 feet to the centre of the street designated en the map ac- companying the petitioo as Ford Street; thence south 18º 24' cast 2583 feet; thence south 85° 41' east 5693 feet to the southeast cer- her of William Highy's land ; thenee north 4º 15' east 1412 feet to the centre of the Boonville Plank-Road, er Main Street on said read; thence north 84º 2' west SII feet; thenee north two degrees east 4505 feet to the northeast corner of W. Tuttle's saw-mill lot ; thence north 88º west 5973 feet to the place of beginning, containing Eight Hundred Fifty-two and 4-10 acres of land."

The village officers from 1855 to 1878 inclusive have been as follows :

1855 .-- William Higby, President; Archibald Bamber, Joseph R. Tharratt, James Hyland, Charles N. Bass, M.D., Trustees.

1856 .- Charles N. Bass, M.D., President; Joel T. Comstock, Peter B. Post, J. R. Tharratt, Joseph Cramer, Trustees.

1857 .- Lewis Holdridge, President ; Samuel Ulty, John M. Fisk, Samuel Johnson, James H. Diefendorf, Trustees.

1858 .- William F. Owens, President ; Archibald Bam- ber, Isaac Gilbert, James Hyland, Joel T. Comstock, Trustees.

1859 .- William F. Owens, President ; Isaac Gilbert, Joel T. Comstock, James Hyland, Job W. Fisk, Trustees.

1860 .- James Hyland, President; Charles N. Bass, J. W. Fisk, Thomas Bamber, Jr., Philander B. Schultz, Trustees.

1861 .- Thomas N. Manchester, President; Samuel Bate- man, Thomas Bamber, Jr., Griffith Evans, Samuel M. Fer- guson, Trustees.

1862 .- Thomas Bamber, President; T. N. Manchester, Samuel Bateman, Griffith Evans, Walter Booth, Trustees.

A new charter went into effect March 26, 1862, and on the 6th of May following new officers were chosen : Thomas Bamber, Jr., President ; Job W. Fisk, Silas E. Jackson, James Hyland, Lewis Holdridge, William F. Owens, Trustees.

1863 .- Archibald Bamber, President ; James Hyland, Samuel M. Ferguson, Lewis Holdridge, Samuel W. Utley, Archibald Bamber, Trustees.

1864 .- Job W. Fisk, President; Chauncey W. Colton, Thomas N. Manchester, Samuel M. Ferguson, Silas E. Jackson, Lyman Gillette, Trustees.

1865 .- Charles N. Bass, M.D., President (died in Sep- tember, 1865) ; John F. Manchester, Payne K. Burt,

426

HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

James H. Diefendorf, Samuel S. Rowland, Robert Bamber, Trustees.

1866 .- Chauncey W. Colton, President; Payne K. Burt, George P. Langdon, John F. Manchester, Joseph R. Thar- ratt, John M. Whipple, Trustees.

1867 .- C. W. Colton, President ; J. R. Tharratt, J. M. Whipple, G. P. Langdon, J. F. Manchester, Silas E. Jack- son, Trustees.

1868 .- J. R. Tharratt, President; J. F. Manchester, S. E. Jackson, Augustus Wilder, William Davis, William H. Cole, Trustees.

1869 .- Walter Ballou, President ; Nathaniel M. Sargent, Augustus Wilder, William Davis, William Bamber, W. Ray Tanner, Trustees.

1870 .- J. F. Manchester, President ; Reuben Nichols, W. R. Tanner, George W. Wentworth, James H. Capron, William Bamber, Trustees.

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 : with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 113

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