History of Oneida County, New York : with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 160

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 160

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April 3, 1807, the town of Orange was formed from Camden ; April 6, 1808, the name was changed to Bengal, and April 12, 1816, to Vienna, which has since been re- tained. This town " comprises townships Nos. 9 and 10 of Scriba's Patent, and is a part of the original grant to Nicholas Roosevelt, of New York. The latter not comply- ing with the terms of sale, a large share of his purchase was re-sold to George Scriba, a native of Germany, but then a merchant in New York, and the remainder, including this town, was subsequently sold ander proceedings in chancery against Roosevelt, and General Alexander Hamilton, John Lawrence, and John B. Church became the purchasers."* The early records of the town have been lost, and it is im- possible without them to give a list of the town officers for the years previous to 1871, since which time the Supervisors have been the following, viz. : 1871, Eri Kinne; 1872, Zeno Dorland ; 1873-74, Henry Nicholas ; 1875, S. A. Covell, Jr. ; 1876, John H. Meays; 1877-78, S. A. Covell, Jr. The remaining officers for 1878 are: Town Clerk, Lorin Bushnell ; Justice of the Peace, John H. Bedell ; Collector, Harvey H. Bailey ; Assessor, George W. Mathews; Com- missioner of Highways, Russell Campbell ; Overseer of the Poor, William G. Marsh ; Constables, Addison . West, G. W. Varian, E. M. Reed, Benjamin Peacnek ; Game Con- stable, Luther Reed ; Inspectors of Election, Distriet No. 1, Anson L. Eaton,, Ephraim MeCarty ; Distriet No. 2, Warren Wolson, Thomas Flanigan; District No. 3, W. H. Cornoste, Peter Kilts, Joseph A. Cook; Excise Com- missioners, Velsor Montross, Edward MeCormic ; Auditors, John M. Thompson, Edward Hillock, Henry D. Eaton. A portion of this town was taken off and added to Annsville in 1823.

EARLY SETTLEMENT.

The first settler in the town of Vienna was Ephraim Church, who located on a farm now owned by William

Bailey and Jolin Humiston.t He arrived probably in 1797, and afterwards sold out to a Mr. Jarvis. Isaae Cook came the same year with Church, or not later than the year fol- lowing, and Timothy Halstead, the third settler, in 1798 or 1799. The latter built the first frame house, which stood until quite recently, when it was torn down. Mr. Halstead: and his brother Joseph located first in Trenton, and the former finally came to Vienna at the earnest solicitation of Isaac Cook, from whom he purchased land. Mr. Halstead's son, Henry N. Halstead, is at present the oldest resident of the town.

Eliphalet Pierce, for a short time a resident of the town of Trenton, came to Vienna the year following Mr. Halstead's removal here. Among other settlers, all coming about 1800- 1802, were, - Kilbourne, Alexander and Jonathan Graves, John Tully, Luther Fisher, - Smith (a shoe- maker), and others. Alexander Graves was killed in the saw-mill at McConnellsville, one of the first deaths in town. Two children of Luther Fisher had previously died, and were buried upon a lot from his farm, where the present cemetery is located, west of MeConnellsville.

Henry N. Halstead was a member of the old 68th Regi- ment of militia, and in 1814 was one of 36 from it who were called to Sacket's Harbor. He is probably the only one of the number now living.

Peter Gibbons, from Massachusetts, located in this town about 1803, on the farm, about half a mile below MeCon- nellsville, now owned by Alanson Tuttle, and was one of the first settlers in the neighborhood. Upon this farm is still standing the frame barn built by Mr. Gibbons, being the second erected in the town; the first was put up by Jona- than Graves, about a year previous. Mr. Gibbons also set out the second orchard in the town. His granddaughter, Mrs. David Pike, lives with her husband at MeConnellsville, and two grandsons cousins to Mrs. Pike-reside, one in Vienna and the other at MeConnellsville Station, in the town of Annsville, where he is agent for the Rome, Water- town and Ogdensburg Railroad Company. Mrs. Kerr, another granddaughter, also resides in McConnellsville.

Luther Pike settled on the road between McConnellsville and North Bay in 1815. His son, David Pike, lives at the former village. Mrs. Axtell, living above MeConnellsville, is a daughter of Andrew Palms, who settled here previous to the war of 1812, and was out with the militia during that struggle. Oramon Tuttle, who first located in Cam- den, where he and his wife were members of the first Con- gregational Society, came to Vienna in 1815 or 1816, and settled a mile above MeConnellsville, where his son, Noah Tuttle, now resides.

John Wheelock, from the State of Massachusetts, came to this town in 1813, and settled near Fish Creek, on the farm now partly owned by his son, Otis Wheelock. Mr. Wheelock served seven years in the Revolutionary army. His son, Otis Wheelock, came to the town in 1814, with his brother Curtis, making the trip on foot. The former has walked to his old home in Massachusetts and back twice in one winter, and during the war of 1812 was out as a soldier to Saeket's Harbor. Of John Wheelock's family

* Jones' Annals.

t Also written Humaston.

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HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

but two children are now living,-Otis, in this town, and John, Jr., in Corunna, Shiawassee Co., Mich.

When Mr. Wheelock came there were but few living in this part of the town, and it was mostly covered with a heavy growth of hemlock timber. Among those in the neighborhood at that time werc George Haskins, the first settler on Fish Creek in that vicinity ; Roswell Seeley, next above Otis Wheelock (the latter owning the lot be- tween Seeley and Haskins); Enoch Strong ; Elisha Ris- ley, from Connecticut, who had relatives of the same name in the town of New Hartford ; these men were all in the southeast corner of the town, on the west side of Fish Creek.

John Humiston kept a tavern near the Fish Creek. - bridge on the main road to Rome; Samuel Sawyer lived above Otis Wheelock's present residence, and was the first man west of Humiston's ; next towards the lake was a jolly, good-natured old man, familiarly known as " Daddy" Little, an early settler ; the brothers William and John Paddock lived just above what is now known as Vienna Post-Office, or " South Corners." That place had in 1813 a tavern kept by Rufus Kinne, and was quite a settlement. Elia- kim Stoddard, who had settled in Camden in 1799, re- moved to this place in 1803, and resided five years on the corner where the tavern now is, opposite the old Rufus Kinne stand. He was the first supervisor of Vienna, and returned to Camden io 1808.

Silas Jewell settled in the southwest corner of the town in 1817, coming from Massachusetts. In 1818 he removed to Constantia, Oswego Co., but finally came back and located at West Vienna village.

This town at one time contained thirty-seven saw-mills, and the manufacture of lumber was the principal industry of its inhabitants. But few are now in operation, and agricultural pursuits receive much more attention than formerly.

EARLY SCHOOLS.

The first school in Vienna was taught by Lyman Mathers, in 1803 or 1804, on the place now owned by Josiah New- lan, a short distance below McConnellsville, on the Rome road. It was kept in a small log house owned by Isaac Cook.

In the neighborhood of Fish Creek Landing a school was taught early by Phebe Barker, in a log house built by a Mr. Graves, and afterwards (1807) purchased by William Covell. The latter had built a new house when school was kept in the old one. Miss Barker afterwards taught in a log school-house, which was built in the same neighbor- hood.

In 1815-16, Otis Wheelock taught a school in a small log house which stood a short distance above his present residence. This bouse contained two or three of the old- fashioned windows, having but eight swall panes of glass each. There was at the same time a brick school-house at the "South Corners," which had been built four or five years previously, and several other log and frame school- houses then existed in the town.

In 1813-14, Miss Lucretia Tremaine was teaching in the district next below McConnellsville. The schools of the

town at present are in good condition generally, with a fair attendance.

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, MC CONNELLSVILLE.

The present frame house of worship belonging to this society was commenced about 1832, David Pike hewing the first timbers used in its construction. Before the church was built Revs. Stoddard and Westcott preached in the school-house at the village, and a large class had been organ- ized, which met at the same place. Of this class Mrs. David Pike is probably the only surviving member. The society numbers at present about 150 members, and is in charge of Rev. William Merrifield. A large Sunday- school is sustained, with William Corowright as Superin- tendent.

THE BAPTIST CHURCH

at North Bay was admitted into the Oneida Baptist Asso- ciation in September, 1841, and had probably been formed but a short time. Its first pastor was Elder Samuel Bloss, from 1843 to 1846. At present it is supplied once in two weeks froin Oneida, by Rev. Mr. Blandon. The society has a membership of about 50, and is using the frame church edifice erected some time previous to 1850.

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, NORTH BAY.

In 1858 this place was in the West Vienna circuit, and previous to that time there was a small organization. Rev. J. H. Buck was the preacher in charge of the circuit in 1858. The place is now a separate charge, having a resi- dent minister. The following is a list of the pastors here, viz. : 1858, J. H. Buck ; 1859, George S. Watson ; 1860- 61, Amos N. Nickerson (at North Bay and West Vienna) ; 1862-64, John S. George ; 1865, S. F. Kenyon ; 1866-67, J. W. Simpson ; 1868, Moses Wells; 1870, Wesley Cooper ; 1871-72, A. M. Roe; 1873, G. D. Greenleaf; 1874-76, Lucius Whitney ; 1877-78, J. G. Benson. The present frame house of worship has become nearly unfit for use, and a new one is being erected. The membership of this society is about 50, and thic Sabbath-school has about the same attendance, with the pastor as Superintendent. Mr. Benson also holds services at Elpis, in the northwest part of town, the church and society at that place having about 40 members, and a small Sabbath-school, with J. W. Mal- lory as Superintendent. Its church is a frame building.

ST. JOHN'S ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH,

west of North Bay, was organized by Rev. Father Beecham, of Rome, in 1837, and the present frame church edifice erected about the same time. About forty families belong to this church, which has, since its organization, been con- nected with one at Cleveland, Oswego Co. The present pastor is the Rev. Patrick Birmingham, from the latter place. Among the first Catholic families who located in this neighborhood were Daniel Mulholland and John Henry, the former from Whitesboro', and the latter from Utica. Mulholland emigrated from County Londonderry, Ireland, about 1825. Simon Hallagan and a family named Flanagan were also early Catholics in this vicinity.

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HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH AND SOCIETY at Vienna village was organized early, and now numbers. nearly 300 members. A frame house of worship is in use, and Rev. William Merrifield has pastoral charge. There are three Sabbath-schools on the charge, one each at Vienna, Fish Creek Landing, and MeConnellsville.

INCIDENTS.

The pioneers of this town experienced all the dangers and difficulties of their situation. Their greatest troubles were caused by the prowling wild beasts, and those now living in town who were children seventy years ago have a rich fund of aneedotes with which to regale the younger genera- tion. Henry N. Halstead and S. A. Covell are among those who well remember the days when bears, panthers, and wolves were lurking in uncomfortably close proximity to the cabins of the settlers, and Mr. Halstead says he made the quickest trip of his life, for a short distance, and up- hill besides, when, on a certain occasion, a little, hungry panther appeared on the opposite bank of the creek from him. Mr. Covell says " wolves were as thick as black birds before the canal was finished," and unless the sheep were securely " yarded" every night their number was sure to be less before morning. The following anecdotes are related by Judge Jones, in his " Annals of Oneida County" :

" Messrs. Halstead and Fisher, en & certain occasion, were hunting henrs. They started one in a swamp ea the lake-shore, and after following it & short distance, and in passing a place made hollow by the roots of a tres partly turned over, Mr. Halstead broke through to his armpits, when out sprang the bear. They succeeded in killing it and left, but had not procceded more than cighty reds when they found where the she-bear and two small eubs resided, under the roots of noother fallen tree. They effected a dislodgment of the old one, who shared the same fats as its mate, and secured the two little, now orphan, cubs. It was a very cold day, and to preserve the lives of the little fellewe Halstead placed one in his bosem, and Fisher the other in his pocket. They were, however, so little inured to the cold, that before the hunters renched hems they both were dead. Our hunters, however, consoled themselves with the reflection that they had four lese of these troublesome neighbors than in the morning.

" After Mr. Elinkim Stoddard had removed te Camden, he and one of his neighbors started to go to the widow Jackson's fer salt, ench with a yoke of oxen and a sled, as it required this amount of team to draw through the woods, where there was no rond or track, their supply of this necessary article,-n harrel each. They struck the lake-shere, and while making their way on the beach saw, directly in their path, as they supposed, a fine greyhound. As they neared the animal they discovered that, instead of a hound, it was a wolf, which, from its famished appearance and the disposition it showed to stand its ground, they concluded intended te satisfy its eraving appetite at their expense. All the weapons they had, offensive or defensive, were these necessary accompaniments of all woodsmen-their axes. After a consultation it was decided to proceed, and try titles to the right of way with the wolf, nad further, that upon no consideration was either to threw his nxe, hut to retain his hold on it at all events. As they enms nearer the wolf it commenced an angry growl, and was evidently on the point of springing at them when the neighbor let fly his axe, without at all disabling the animal, and the only perceptible effect was to render it more savage. Mr. Stoddard, now seeing that he must rely solely on his own resources, stood on the defensive until the wolf had got within striking distance, when, with & well-aimed blow, he laid his adversary at his feet, and by a quick repetition deprived him of life.

" In 1800 a Frenchman from New York came to this town on a hunting expedition. He was possessed of the two most necessary articles to the hunter, a valuable dog and a good guo. He stopped at Barnard's Bay, and his first essay was in hunting deer. He went into the woods, and had net proceeded far before his dog discovered

what Mons. Crapeau supposed to be a fine desr in a tree-top. He shot at the animal, wounding but not disabling it. It leaped from the tree, and on reaching the ground was grappled by the dog. A furious fight ensued, but the dog was, however, soon pat hors du com- bat, when our hunter thought it time to interfere to save the life of his favorite. He had nothing but his unloaded gun, and valuable as it was it did not come in competition with the life of the hound. The first blow broke it in two at the breeeh, without in the least stunning the doubly infurlated animal, now disposed to make fight with both master and dog. Our hero, naught intimidated, and having & good club in the breechless gun-barrel, gave a lucky blow which broke the 'eritter's' hack. This rendered the contest far less doubtful, and the deer's life was soca taken by repeated blows. The Frenchman new started for his bearding-house to tell his wonderful feat in deer-killing, while poor Tray, too badly wounded to acceropsoy him, was left with. his fallsa foe. Arriving at his home, the hunter soon spread the osws of his good fortune, when all hands repaired to the woods to assist in bringing home the venison. At the place of the exploit, instead of & deer, a monstrous panther, measuring nine feet from 'tip to tip,' lay stretched before them, while the leaves and hushes gave indubitable proof of the fiereeness of the death-struggle."

Owing to the great depredations committed by the wolves in 1820, a "ring hunt," as it is called, was determined upon by the citizens of the town and the adjoining part of Camden. A swamp on the lake-shore, which the animals had made their home, was surrounded, and between 300 and 400 persons participated in the hunt. Only three wolves were secured, but about fifty rabbits suffered death, and it is said the fur shot from their backs resembled thistle-down in a breeze.

The first bridge across Fish Creek was built on the direct road to Rome, in 1802, the work being engineered by Mr. Hammill, of saw-mill fame. It was built upon trestles, the posts of which were twenty-two feet long and eighteen inches square ; the cap-pieces were eighteen feet long, in size the same as the posts, and all were of solid oak. The force that could be collected was inadequate to the task of raising it, and machinery and teams were pressed into service, and the work accomplished. The town of Vienna has some of the best bridges in the county, aside from those in the cities and on the railway lines.

Elijah Graves, son of Jonathan Graves, came to this town in 1800, when in his eighteenth year, and resided in it until subsequent to 1869, being during his life the oldest settler in town ; sinee his death that honor falls upon Henry N. Halstead.

In this town, opposite Taberg Station, is quite an ex- tensive mill for manufacturing paper, owned and operated by John Halstead.

VILLAGE OF McCONNELLSVILLE.

This place is named from Joseph McConnell, an early set- tler here, and is located in the north part of town, on Fish Creek. It contains a store, a church, a saw-mill, a winter- green distillery, a blacksmith-shop, a hotel, a post-office, and a school-house. The post-office was established about 1812, with William Smith (probably) as first postmaster. He was followed, previous to 1814, by Friend Morse. Joseph McConnell, who came to town in October, 1814, was also an early postmaster, and Dean Wood held the position for some time. The present incumbent of the office is Alanson Tuttle, who owns the only store in the village.

The first hotel in the place was kept by Isaae Cook, who

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HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

afterwards sold out to Ambrose Jones. Mr. Cook has been mentioned as the second settler in Vienna. He and some others had, in a small way, " kept store," but the first mercantile establishment at the village of any importance was opened by Harvey Smith and a man named Brookins. Cook's old hotel was a double log house, and has long been removed. Within it was a bar, over which whisky was dealt out to customers in gill and pint cups, and the use of that liquor as a beverage was then freely indulged in, while its effects were not nearly as serious as those produced by the distilled poisons which misguided humanity pours down its throat at the present day.

A saw-mill was built at McConnellsville in 1801, owned by a company composed of William Smith, Timothy Hal- stead, and others, the work being done by a man named Hammill; the same who the next year built the bridge over Fish Creek on the Rome road. Mr. Smith built a grist-mill near the same place about 1804.

PINE

is a small hamlet in the northeast part of town, east of Mc- Connellsville, where was formerly a post-office, now discon- tinued. It received its name from the former abundance of that variety of timber in the vicinity.

ELPIS

is a small village in the northwestern part of town, con- taining a church, a blacksmith-shop, etc., and a dozen or fifteen dwellings. About half a mile from here, on the farm of Samuel Holmes, is an old beaver dam, and the tract known as " Beaver Meadows," containing a large amount of peat.

VIENNA VILLAGE,

known also as the " South Corners," and formerly as " Par- ker's Corners," is in the eastern part of town, and contains a large cheese-factory, a saw-mill, a grist-mill, a store, a shoe-shop, a wagon- and sleigh-shop, two blacksmith-shops, a Methodist Church, a school-house, a post-office, a hotel, and a tannery. The latter is owned by Walter K. Cook, who manufactures upper-leather in the rough for the Bos- ton market, and conducts a very good business. A tannery was established early at this place by Rufus Kinne, who operated it for many years, and finally sold to Rufus Sawyer, who in turn disposed of it to the present proprietor.

Elisha Humiston built a carding-mill here about 1816-17; after operating it a number of years, he sold to some young men named Klock. John Harrington and a man named Wright afterwards owned it, and it was finally allowed to run down for lack of custom.

A short distance from the Corners is a still for manufac- turing oil of winter-green, owned by a man named Fox.

A post-office was established here probably previous to 1813, and a man named Parker for a long time carried the mail through here on horseback from Utica, afterwards using a team and wagon. Among the early postmasters here were Rufus Kinne, a Mr. Matthews, and a Mr. Smith ; one of them probably first held the office, but who it was is not now recollected. The present incumbent is Myron Tremaine.

A small grist-mill was built here at an early day by Elisha

Humiston ; the present one is doing a good business, and is owned by Messrs. Roundtree & Son. Saw-mills have also been erected in the village; the first probably by James Cook, who subsequently sold it to his brother, Walter Cook. The present saw-mill is owned by Frederick Keiner, and is the second built in the place.

NORTH BAY

is the largest and most thrifty village in the town, and is lo- cated on the shore of a bay of Oneida Lake bearing the same Dame. It has a commanding view of the lake, and has become a noted summer resort. Its hotels are filled during the season, and plenty of sport awaits the fisherman who shall launch his boat upon the silvery waters of the noble lake, for it has won golden fame as the home of the " finny tribe," which abound in vast numbers. A large number of boats are kept here for hire, and the business of canal- boat building has in former years been extensively carried on, the product of a single season having reached as high as 35 boats. During the winter of 1877-78 five canal- boats were manufactured here, the material used being hemlock lumber. Picnic-parties in great numbers resort here for pleasure during the summer. A neat boarding- house has been fitted up near the railway station, having a livery-stable attached, and a large, new hotel in the same part of the village has been opened the present season (1878) by Henry J. Myer. The place now contains three hotels, five stores, two churches, a school-house, two saw- mills, a planing-mill, a shingle-mill, two small potteries, a blacksmith-shop, a harness-shop, a wagon-shop, and two physicians, Drs. Nicholas and Broga.

The North Bay post-office was established about 1840- 45, previous to which time the mail was procured at the Vienna post-office,-" South Corners." The first postmaster here was Hiram Higby, who opened a store in the building now occupied for the same purpose by Mr. Louden. The present postmaster is Peter Flanigan.

The first building erected in this village was a hotel, which stood on the ground now occupied by the " Phalen House." Henry J. Myer built it, as he also did the present " Tremont House" and many other of the first buildings in the place. Myer's Hotel was last called the " Frisbie House," and was finally destroyed by fire. P. J. Phalen is the pro- prictor of the " Phalen House," which was erected by James A. Wooden in 1873; it is the largest hotel in the village.

Alexander Rae, formerly clerk of Oneida County, and now deceased, was also one of the founders of the village of North Bay, where his brother, James Rae, still resides.

The first store at this place was built and opened by Charles Louden, brother of Joseph Louden, who now has a store here. The former has been dead about twenty years ; the old store is occupied by K. D. Broga, and stands opposite the " Phalen House."

Henry J. Myer is yet living in the village, and during his entire residence here has engaged more or less in build- ing.

WEST VIENNA VILLAGE

is located in the south west part of the town, on the shore of Oneida Lake. It has a station on the New York and

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HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK:

Oswego Midland Railway, which follows the shore of the lake across the entire town.

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History of Oneida County, New York : with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 160

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