History of Oneida County, New York : with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 80

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 80

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In 1819, when De Witt Clinton was nominated for Gov- ernor against Daniel D. Tompkins, Mr. Maynard left the Federal party, then nearly moribund in the nation, and joined the fifty-one "high-minded gentlemen" who sup- ported Tompkins. This change of opinion made itself visible in the columns of the Patriot, and in the loss of its patronage; and Messrs. Seward & Williams, its publish- ers, took a summary method of self-defense. They at once literally abolished the Patriot and Patrol, and issued in its place, and to its subscribers, a new journal, bearing the name of The Utica Sentinel. There is no record of who served as their editor.

The same firm continued the publication of the Utica Sentinel until 1835, when the paper was sold to Samuel D. Dakin and William J. Bacon, the present member of Con- gress from the Oneida district. The Sentinel was consoli- dated at the time of this transfer with The Columbian Ga- zette, a paper started at Rome in Angust, 1799, by Thomas Walker and Ebenezer Eaton, and removed to Utica in 1803. The consolidated paper, with Dakin & Bacon as editors and proprietors, was issued under the name of The Sentinel and Gazette, at 122 Genesee Street, " opposite the Canal Coffee- House."

In 1829, Dakin & Bacon sold their paper to Rufus Northway and D. S. Porter, who secured Theodore S. Gold for editor. Mr. Porter withdrew from the publication in 1831, and in 1834, Mr. Northway united the Sentinel and Gazette with a paper called The Elucidator, which had been started in 1829 by B. B. Hotchkio and William Williams. The new consolidation took the name of The Oneida Whig, Mr. Gold continning as editor. The paper continued to be published under this name-as the weekly issue of the Utica Daily Gazette-until 1857, when it was merged in the Oneida Weekly Herald, at the same time that the Daily Gazette disappeared in the Utica Morning Herald.

In 1842 the rapid growth of the city and the contagious

spread of journalism throughout the country led Mr. North- way to venture upon the publication of the Utica Daily Gazette. This was the first daily paper published in Utica, and west of Albany, with the single exception of a little sheet, known as the Daily News, started a few months pre- vious by Lyon & Arthur, with J. M. Hatch and C. Edwards Lester as editors, and ceasing to exist almost immediately upon the appearance of the Gazette. A most precarious existence awaited this ambitious venture. The Gazette sank money for several years, and was often on the point of sus- pending. In the first year of its existence Richard U. Sherman, William Allen, Erastus Clark, and Ezekiel Bacon successively edited it. In May, 1843, Alexander Seward- son of Asahel Seward, who established The Patrol, in 1815, in company with William Williams-became the editor and one-half owner of the Gazette, the firm-name being R. Northway & Co. Dr. Henry C. Potter was associated with Mr. Seward as editor and proprietor in 1849, and in this same year Mr. Seward withdrew from the paper as editor, retaining his proprietary interest, to become the editor of the State Register at Albany. During the year of his ab- sence from Utica, Erastus Clark made a reputation as the editor of the Gazette. In 1853, Joseph M. Lyon and John Arthur purchased and published the Gazette, making it an organ of the Hard-Shell Democrats. In 1856 they sold the establishment to N. D. Jewell & Co., who con- verted it into a Know-Nothing organ, with a Mr. Radford as editor.

Io the meanwhile the Oneida Morning Herald had been commenced in November, 1847, by Robert W. Roberts, Richard U. Sherman, and Edwin R. Colston. Mr. Colston withdrew from this firm in 1848, and Mr. Sherman in 1851. In January, 1857, the Gazette was merged in the Herald, under the name of the Utica Morning Herald and Daily Gazette. At the same time the Oneida Whig dis- appeared in its weekly,-the same paper which had come down through the Sentinel and Gazette, the Sentinel, the Patriot and Patrol, and the Utica Patriot, from the original Whitestown Gazette of 1796.

Ellis H. Roberts became the editor and proprietor of the Utica Morning Herald in 1851, and he continued to conduct the Herald and Gazette until 1872, when he asso- ciated with him George L. Roberts and S. N. Dexter North, under the firm-name of Ellis H. Roberts & Co. This firm, which is incorporated under the general law of the State of New York, continues to publish the Herald at 60 Genesee Street.

The Utica Morning Herald is nearly three times larger than was the Daily Gazette when established in 1842, and each issue contains about eight times as much reading matter. Ellis H. Roberts acts as editor-in-chief, and S. N. Dexter North as managing editor. Six additional men constitute the corps of editors and reporters now employed. The Herald maintains a regular correspondent at Washington, at Albany, and in New York City. It was one of the charter members of the New York State Associated Press. Some idea of the manner in which the Herald has grown and extended may be gained from the fact that it now circulates regularly in the twelve counties of Northern and Central New York, and maintains fifty paid correspondents

De Mitt @ Prove

DE WITT C. GROVE.

De Witt Clinton Grove was born in Utica, on the 16th of December, 1825. His father's ancestors, who were of English origin, were among the earliest settlers of New Jersey, and his grandfather was a patriot soldier in the American Revo- lution. On his mother's side he is of German descent, the family settling in this country in 1777.

His early advantages for acquiring learning were very limited. He never attended school after the age of ten, and in his thirteenth year he was apprenticed to the printer's trade. Subsequently, however, by his own efforts, he gained a sound English and a fair classical education. He is proficient in most branches of science, and in the Hebrew, Latin, and Greek languages, for which, comparatively late in life, he developed a decided taste. In recognition of his acquirements, the hon- orary degree of Master of Arts was conferred upon him by Madison University, in the year 1861.

From the age of thirteen Mr. Grove has followed his trade without intermission, except a few months in 1844 spent in the study of the law. In February, 1846, he became one of the proprietors and editors of the Utica Democrat, the Oneida County organ of the " Barnburners," or radical faction of the Democratic party. He was then only twenty years old. Silas Wright was the Democratie candidate for Governor that year, and was recognized as the foremost representative of the oauee which the young printer espoused. He was sorely dis- appointed in the defeat of the statesman in wbose behalf he. rendered good and effective service. On election day he stood at the polls, distributing tickets, when a venerable leader of the opposition approached him and said, " I am an old man, and you are young ; I am a Whig, and you are a Democrat. Your ballot offsets mine ; let us go up and vote together." Mr. Grove, a recognized power in politics, was half ashamed to confess that he had not reached the voting age.

The canvass of 1852, which resulted in the election of Franklin Pierce to the Presidency, harmonized the discordant elements of the Democracy in this State, and seemed to do away with the necessity of two Democratic papers in Utica. The Democrat was accordingly consolidated, and in January, 1853, Mr. Grove became the chief proprietor of the Daily Observer, the leading Democratic journal of Central New York. For more than a quarter of a century he has guided and con-

trolled the destiny of that papar, and under his management its influence has steadily increased. For several years he was its sole owner ; but in January, 1867, he formed a partnership with E. Prentiss Bailey, who had long been his associate on the Observer. In August, 1873, the partnership was merged in a corporation, of which Mr. Grove, Mr. Bailey, and Theo- dore P. Cook are the trustees. Of this corporation Mr. Grove is president und treasurer.

In 1860, after four years' service as alderman in the com- mon council, Mr. Grove was chosen mayor of Utica. In the autumn of that year he was the Democratic nominee for Con- gress in Oneida County. But the district was overwhelmingly Republican, and he was defeated by the candidate of the oppo- sition, Roscoe Conkling. During Mr. Grove's first term as mayor, the abolitionists called a convention in Utica, which was threatened with mob violence. While steadfastly oppo- sing their doctrines, he felt it his duty to afford them the pro- tection which the law guarantees. By his vigilance and firmness he quelled the rising storm, and conducted the speakere in person to a place of safety to save them from hos- tile demonstratione in the street. This episode caused consid- erable excitement, but the mayor's course met the approval of the community, and in 1861 he was re-elected. Early in his second term the civil war broke out. On the 20th of April a public meeting was held in Utica, at which Francis Kernan, Roscoe Conkling, Hiram Denio, and other distin- guished citizens made addresses. At that meeting Mr. Grove presided, and in a brief and forcible speech he defined the duty of the citizen in that most important crisis in our country's history. He was re-elected mayor in 1862 by an increased majority. He retired at the end of his term, with the good-will and good wishes of his constituents ; but since that time he has persistently declined publio office. The management of his newspaper and his increasing business interests have engrossed his attention, and fairly rewarded his industry.

Mr. Grove was married, in 1845, to Caroline L. Pratt. His family consists of his wife, ona son, Mr. Edwin B. Grove, of New York, and n daughter, Mrs. F. M. Gregory, also of New York. The accompanying portrait is from a photograph taken in 1878

303

HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

in the cities and villages of these counties. It is especially noted for the fullness of its reports of the cheese markets at Utica and Little Falls, and the hop market at Water- ville. Its weekly edition, containing these reports, circulates in every Northern State of the Union. The Herald main- tains original literary and agricultural departments, and is Republican in politics. The circulation of the Daily Herald varies between five and six thousand, not having been less than five thousand for fifteen years. The average aggregate circulation of the daily and weckly Herald is thirteen thousand. At no time in its history has the Herald enjoyed a wider influence and maintained a firmer basis than now.

THE UTICA OBSERVER.

The history of this prominent journal dates back to 1816, when the publication of a weekly paper with the above title was commenced by E. Dorchester, who con- tinued it in Utica until 1818, when it was removed to Rome, and its name changed to The Oneida Observer.

In the following year (1819) it was again removed to Utica, and its original name resumed. A. G. Dauby, E. A. Maynard, C. C. Griffith, John P. Bush, John F. Kittle, A. M. Beardsley, and Joseph M. Lyon were successively interested in its publication. The issue of a daily paper was commenced in 1848, under the title of The Utica Daily Observer.

In 1853 was united with the Observer the Utica Demo- erat, which was commenced by John G. Floyd in 1836 and successively published by Edward Morrin, Jarvis M. Hatch, Benjamin Welch, Jr., and De Witt C. Grove; the latter becoming its proprietor in 1846.

The firm of Lyon & Grove, the first publishers of the consolidated journal, was dissolved before the close of the year, and De Witt C. Grove was the sole editor and pro- prietor of the Utica Daily Observer, and the Observer and Democrat, from September, 1853, to January 1, 1867, when E. Prentiss Bailey, who had been editorially con- nected with the paper since December, 1853, became inter- ested in the publication, and the firm took the name of Grove & Bailey.

In January, 1872, the weekly paper, under the name of the Utica Weekly Observer, was enlarged to eight pages, and soon after the Saturday issues of the daily edition were increased to the same size.

In August, 1873, a corporation was formed for the pub- lication of the paper, with a chartered capital of $84,000. The trustees and stockholders were De Witt C. Grove, E. Prentiss Bailey, and Theodore P. Cook, who are also the present conductors and owners.

There has been a remarkable steadiness in the growth of the circulation and general business of the Observer, and it now ranks among the most influential provincial journals of the country, and is extensively quoted by the leading metropolitan papers. Its present daily circulation is be- tween 3300 and 3400, and the weekly reaches the firesides of 7200 subscribers.

Its corps of editors and reporters numbers six writers, whose daily work is reinforced by a number of paid and volunteer correspondents from various points. The fashion

correspondent of the Observer is the famous "Jennie June" Croly.

Twenty-one compositors arc employed upon the daily paper. The jobbing department is extensive and complete, and for many years has done the larger share of the law and amusement printing of the city and surrounding region.

The Observer buildings-for there are two-were erected by the senior proprietor, Mr. Grove, expressly for the pur- poses to which they are devoted. The business and edi- torial departments are conducted in the front building, No. 113 Genesee Street, and five floors of the rear building are occupied by the mechanical departments of the establish- ment. No other newspaper office in the country is better lighted or better adapted to its uses.

THE UTICA REPUBLICAN.

The publication of this journal was commenced on the 22d of October, 1877, by the issue of the Daily Repub- lican, and this was followed on the 8th of January, 1878, by the first number of the Weekly Republican. The paper was established principally in the interests of Hon. Roscoe Conkling, and has already won a respectable position as a political journal. Its circulation (as given by Mr. D. T. Kelly) is close upon five thousand for the daily edition, and about the same for the weekly. Its proprietor is Mr. Lewis Lawrence, and it is published by Dennis T. Kelly, at No. 9 Liberty street. The editorial staff, including report- ers, numbers six writers, and the paper has a large number of correspondents, one of whom, located at Rome, devotes a large share of his time to the interests of the paper. The aggregate force employed, including writers, workmen, and carriers, numbers about fifty persons. The business of the establishment is upon a cash basis, and exclusive atten- tion is given to the publication of the paper, upon which the entire force is engaged. The circulation is steadily in- creasing, and its business prospects are very satisfactory.

UTICA DEUTSCHE ZEITUNG AND ONEIDA DEMOKRAT.

The original of this paper was commenced in 1853 by a stock company, consisting of Charles Bierbauer, Paul Keiser, and J. J. Hamlin. In 1855, Mr. Keiser purchased the interests of the other stockholders, and became sole proprietor. The establishment was removed by him from its first place of publication, on Broadway, to Keiser's Hotel building, corner Columbia and Wiley Streets, where he continued it until 1865, when Mr. J. C. Schreiber pur- chased the paper, and removed it to the northeast corner of Columbia and Fay Streets, and in 1871 again removed it to its present location, the southwest corner of Columbia and Fay Streets. It was published scmi-weekly, and con- ducted as a Democratic organ to 1865, since which, under Mr. Schreiber's management, it has been independent in politics, and has been issued three times per week. In 1872 it was made one of the official organs of the city. Its circulation is about 1200,-700 in the city of Utica, and 500 in the country,-mostly in the Mohawk Valley. Seven hands are employed, and the office docs a general book and job printing business in the English, French, and German languages.

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HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

THE GERMAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION.

This association was organized about 1852, and a library projected with a view to the mutual benefit of its members and their families. At the present time there are about 50 members, and they have a finely-selected library of 2200 volumes, largely composed of scientific works, and printed in the German language. It is located at present in the same building occupied by the German newspaper. The present officers are Charles Prielmayer, President ; Louis Schneider, Secretary ; J. J. Hamlin, Treasurer; Trustees, Joseph Faass, Frank Sang.

WELSH PUBLICATIONS.

Y Cyfaill .- This paper was removed from New York in 1841. In 1844 it was returned to New York, and in 1854 removed to Rome. In 1857 it was brought to Utica. It was published by Thomas Jenkins until 1861, and from 1861 to 1867 by Rev. William Rowlands, D.D. It is now published by the Welsh Calvinistic Methodist denomina- tion, and edited by R. W. Roberts, D.D. It circulates in all parts of the United States where there are Welsh iohab- itants.

Y Drych .- This journal was established in New York in 1851 by J. W. Jones, and removed to Utica in 1860, where Mr. Jones continued its publication until Jan. 1, 1875, when Mr. Thomas J. Griffiths became its proprietor and publisher. In 1877 the Buner America, of Seranton, Pa., was united with it. The paper is the recognized national organ of the Welsh people in the United States. Its circulation is about 8000. Editors, J. W. Jones and J. C. Roberts.

Thomas J. Roberts commenced business in the Exchange Bloek in 1860, with a capital of about $8000 and six hands. The profits of the business have been added to the original stock, and at present it amounts to about $15,000. Mr. Griffiths does a large business in general jobbing and book- printing and binding, his being the only Welsh book-pub- lishing-house in the United States. His publications are printed in both Welsh and English.

The number of writers employed on the various periodi- cals published by Mr. Griffiths is three, and correspondents furnish matter regularly from every Welsh community in the Union, and special writers are employed in the larger cities. The number of employees in the mechanical depart- ments at the present time is eighteen. The total circulation of the different publications issued from the office is about 12,000, and they circulate in all parts of the Union.

Y Wawr ( The Dawn) .- This is a religious monthly publication issued by the Welsh Baptist denomination, edited by Rev. O. Griffith, and printed by T. J. Griffiths.

The Christian Worker .- This is also a monthly publica- tion, conducted by the " Women's Christian Association," and devoted mainly to the interests of the benevolent insti- tutions of Utica. It was established in 1876, and is printed by Mr. Griffiths.

THE CHRISTIAN LEADER.

The Christian Leader was first published as the Evan -. gelical Magazine, and was at that time edited by Rev.

Adolphus Skinner. It afterwards moved to Auburn, and was consolidated with The Universalist Union, the style and title of the paper being changed to The Christian Ambas- sador. The office was removed to New York in 1861, and in 1872 it was changed from a four- to a six-page journal, and named The Christian Leader. It was purchased by its present publishers from the State Universalist Conven- tion, whose organ it was, in 1874. Its editors have been successively Revs. Dr. Skinner, A. B. Grosh, J. M. Austin, Dr. Sawyer, Dr. George H. Emerson, J. M. Atwood, and Charles F. Lee; the latter gentleman being its present editor. It is in its forty-eighth yearly volume.

THE CHURCHI ECLECTIC.

The Church Eclectic is a monthly magazine of church literature and church work, with notes and news summa- ries. It is published in Utica, and edited by Rev. W. T. Gibson, D.D., rector of St. George's Episcopal Church. It is now in its sixth volume. Its prospectus states that the " original conception of ' Eclectic,' or comprehensive char- acter, was to take in what from mere partisan intolerance was found to be practically excluded from a hearing in this country." Its pages are open to any "who will not write against the faith, and who will write what is worthy of being printed." It is a journal highly esteemed in the church it represents.

UTICA SUNDAY TRIBUNE.

The initial number of the Sunday Tribune was issued Sunday morning, May 6, 1877, with Dennis T. Kelly as publisher. In October, 1877, he disposed of his interest in the journal to his brother, Patrick E. Kelly, and com- menced the publication of the Daily Republican. The Tribune is independent in polities. It has a circulation of about 3500 in Utica and surrounding towns. Patriek E. Kelly and Thomas F. Baker are the editors.

THE UTICA NATIONALIST.

The Utica Nationalist was established on the 24th of August, 1878, as the organ of the National Greenback- Labor party in Oneida County. It is a large 32-column paper, handsomely printed, and with a circulation of 1750 copies. It is published semi-weekly, on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons, with the intention of making it a daily paper as soon as the circulation reaches 2500 copies. Colonel John F. Mines, for several years managing editor of the New York Commercial Advertiser, is editor and proprietor. The printing is done by T. J. Griffiths & Co.

TYPOGRAPHICAL UNION.

In pursuance of a call issued for that purpose the printers of Utica assembled at Temperance Hall, on the evening of Saturday, April 19, 1863, the object in view being the forma- tion of a Printers' Union. H. G. Trembley was elected temporary president, and B. F. Lewis secretary. The following gentlemen were elected permanent officers: Presi- dent, H. G. Trembley ; Vice-President, Joseph Ball ; Re- cording Secretary, M. P. Callender ; Corresponding Secre- tary, Wm. M. Ireland; Treasurer, B. C. Wright ; Executive Committee, C. W. Warren, B. F. Lewis, J. E. Roberts, Thomas Williams, C. A. Luce. The Union received its

HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

305

charter as a subordinate of the International Typographical Union May 18, 1863, under the title of the Utica Typo- graphical Union, No. 62. Its membership was then 56, which has steadily increased, and to-day numbers 100. Many of the names upon its roll have occupied positions of influence in the newspaper world.

Its present officers are : President, W, L. Short; Vice- President, W. S. Mahan; Financial Secretary, W. B. Light; Recording and Corresponding Secretary, James E. De Forest; Treasurer, W. D. Jones ; Sergeant-at-Arms, Frank J. Hueston; Executive Committee, Wm. H. Mc- Cann, W. L. Histed, Chas. B. Ford, D. B. Roberts, R. E. RenDie.

THE MANUFACTURES OF UTICA.

The manufactures of Utica are numerous and in great variety, and many of them very extensive. To their in- fluence the city owes its steady and substantial growth in population and general business, and the future advance- ment of the place in all that constitutes a flourishing municipality will mainly depend upon their continuance and expansion.

The immense field covered by our work prohibits the possibility of an elaborate description of each of the many flourishing and important industries, and we have been compelled to select from among the number what we deem the representatives of those branches of manufacture which may be considered of leading importance, either on account of capital invested, amount of employment furnished, or because of their unusual or unique character. A few minor establishments are included because of their pecu- liarity ; all others are representative in their various classes.

The statistical matter given has been in every instance furnished by officers or proprietors, and we have allowed no " guess-work" to appear in the statements wherever definite information could be obtained. Every man and every firm or corporation are supposed to know their own business best, and we have taken whatever the parties chose to fur- nish upon a careful explanation of our objects in making the application.

COTTON AND WOOLEN MANUFACTURE.

The most important of the manufacturing interests of Utica, if we take the amount of capital invested, number of hands employed, and value of products into considera- tion, are the two great cotton and woolen corporations located in the western part of the city. They are prc- eminent among all the numerous industries which have so largely conduced to the growth and commercial importance of the city, and their establishment marked one of the most important epochs in its history. We herewith give a con- deused description of these works.

THE UTICA STEAM COTTON-MILLS.

The Utica Steam Cotton-Mills Company was organized in 1847, with a capital of $200,000. The original trus- tees were Alfred Munson, President; S. D. Childs, Theo- dore S. Faxton, E. A. Graham, C. A. Mann, Andrew S. Pond, and Horatio Seymour. The first or south mill was constructed in 1848, and is 300 by 60 feet, three stories in

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History of Oneida County, New York : with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 80

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