History of Oneida County, New York : with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 87

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 87

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HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

overcome, and the sum of nearly $35,000 was provided with which to purchase the site and erect this new place of worship.

During a pastorate of about ten years of active and practical labor, in which period Dr. Dickson had endeared himself to all by his kindly social and Christian graces, he offered his resignation, which was most reluctantly accepted.

In June, 1858, the Rev. Samuel M. Campbell was elected the third pastor, and duly installed over a church having a membership of about two hundred and thirty. During his pastorate the church was welded together, and made more homogeneous.

Under this pastorate, also, Mr. Briggs W. Thomas, one of the oldest and most respected members of this church, generously provided a convenient and commodious building on Francis Street, for the Olivet Mission School.

The Rev. Dr. Fisher, President of Hamilton College, accepted the invitation of the session to supply its pulpit upon the Sabbath, and for some months regularly preached to this people.

Dr. Fisher, resigning the presidency of Hamilton College, was elected pastor on the 8th of May, 1866; the call was accepted June 11, and the installation services occurred on Nov. 15 of the same year. The sermon was preached by Dr. McIlvaine, the first pastor, and the charge to the pastor elect was made by Rev. Dr. Fowler, of the First Presby- terian Church of Utica. The church at this time con- tained about 280 members.

Dr. Fisher's ill health suddenly terminated his labors among his people, and Rev. Thomas J. Brown, of Philadel- phia, having accepted a call, entered upon his dutics on the 30th of April, 1871, and was installed, on the 11th of Oc- tober following, over a church then having about 365 members.

The present membership of Westminster Church is nearly 600, and the number of scholars upon the Sabbath-school rolls 700. The present Elders are Dr. L. B. Wells, Daniel Waterman, George E. Allen, H. H. Curtiss, Timothy Par- ker; Superintendent of the Sunday-school, H. H. Cooper ; Assistant, J. B. Sherwood.

OLIVET MISSION.

The Olivet Mission, located on Miller Street, is a growth of the Westminster Church, and is supported by that con- gregation. It has been in existence for several years, and the beneficial results of the work are so apparent as to give great encouragement to those engaged in the mission. The Sabbath-school was at first held in an old building rented for the purpose, but the increase in the size of the school rendering more commodious quarters necessary, a chapel was erected, and rented by the church for the use of the mission. Mr. George E. Allen is the superintendent of the school, and religious services are also held on Friday evening of cach week.

BETHANY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH .*

The first movement towards the organization of a Sabbath- school in East Utica was made about twenty years ago.

Near the old toll-gate stood a dilapidated school-house. Here was organized the mission Sabbath-school, with twelve teachers and fourteen scholars. Afterwards Mrs. H. C. Wood converted a small dwelling into a chapel. The school has made steady progress until this day. In 1865 a lady missionary visited and preached from house to house, and in November public service was established in the chapel, which has been continued to the present time. In 1868 the name of the Sabbath-school was changed to the Bethany Sabbath-school. In July, 1867, it was decided to employ an assistant pastor, of Westminster Church, to labor in this field. It was resolved to establish a branch of Westminster Church, and Rev. P. W. Emmons was settled as pastor. The first communion was held early in 1868, and the first baptismal service followed soon after.

Mr. Emmons' successor was Rev. C. W. Whittlesey. The congregation, constantly increasing, needed a larger church, which was erected in 1869, by Mrs. Sarah A. Gil- bert, of Utica, and her daughters, and dedicated Dec. 29, 1869. The church thus organized comprised 51 members of Westminster Church and 9 members of other evangeli- cal churches,-60 in all,-which formed the Bethany Presbyterian Church. Rev. G. T. Le Boutillier succeeded Rev. Mr. Emmons, and he was followed by Rev. George Van Deurs. Its present pastor is Rev. James Lamb. Its present membership is 179, and the number of names upon the Sabbath-school roll 400. F. G. Wood is the Superin- tendent, S. W. Raymond his Assistant, Huson Moak, Libra- rian, and Arthur Ballou, Secretary. The Elders are F. G. Wood, David Everest, Abram Brothers, S. W. Raymond, T. M. Howard, H. W. Osburn. The Treasurer is F. G. Wood, and F. M. Howard is Clerk of the Session.

WEST UTICA PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

The Presbyterian Church of West Utica was organized Feb. 10, 1868. It was the outgrowth of a Sabbath-school that has been maintained since Feb. 13, 1848. This school, under the labors of various members of the First Presby- terian Church, had steadily increased, outgrowing various places chosen for its sessions, until it filled a new and com- modious structure that was erected for it on Court Street near Garden. This building was dedicated Dec. 15, 1867. Immediately after a congregation was gathered here that gave encouragement to form a church, and two months later, as mentioned above, the church was organized, to this end, 30 persons being dismissed from the First Presbyterian Church. Their pastor, Rev. Dr. Fowler, heartily encour- aged them in this, and rejoiced in seeing the result of an enterprise that had from the first been largely due to his influence and guidance. Rev. J. W. Whitefield, before act- ing as a missionary in connection with the school, now be- came pastor of the church, and continued in this work until April, 1874. He was succeeded by Rev. A. F. Lyle, who remained until October, 1876. The present pastor, Rev. D. W. Bigelow, was installed April 17, 1878, having then acted as pastor for a year. The church has had 252 names upon the roll. Its present membership is 150. It has for some years been self-sustaining. It has always maintained the frec-seat system, and met its expenses by subscription and contributions. The present elders are Nathaniel Estes,

# Data obtained from the church records.

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HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

Richard Jones, Theodore S. Sayre, George L. Curran, Wil- liam Marsden.

The Sabbath-school has continued to flourish. About 3I teachers and 300 scholars attend its sessions, which are held in the afternoon, at two o'clock. John W. Gorse, Theodore S. Sayre, Win. B. Smith, and Addison L. Day have been efficient superintendents. Mr. George L. Curran has for years greatly helped all other workers.

HOPE CHAPEL (COLORED).

Hope Chapel, located on Elizabeth Street, was organized and the building erected under the auspices of the First Presbyterian Church of this city, many of the members being earnest workers in behalf of the colored people of the vicinity. A school was organized in 1862, and a few ladies and gentlemen devoted themselves with untiring zeal to the temporal and spiritual improvement of those who attended their teachings. In 1869 they were enabled, by liberal subscriptions from friends of the cause, to erect a very com- fortable edifice, which was dedicated the same year, when very interesting addresses were delivered by the clergy and leading citizens. Dr. De Laneey, a colored man of extensive travel and much influence, took great interest in the enterprise, and made a very stirring appeal to his brethren on the occasion.

W. H. Morris was settled as a supply, at an annual salary of $750. The first regular pastor was W. H. Thomas. In 1873, Moses Hopkins, who was studying theology at the Auburn Theological Seminary, preached on the Sabbath, coming to Utica for that purpose every week. The Sab- bath-school was for many years in a most flourishing con- dition. Among its earnest laborers were Rev. A. Gleason, Eli Marsh, Theodore Timins, L. M. Lee, and Thomas Da- vies. The first elders were Samuel Dove and John Cole- man. The Sabbath-school is still maintained, though there is no settled pastor over the congregation.

ZION CHURCH (COLORED).

This church was organized by the colored Methodists of Utica, and was for a time in a very flourishing condition ; but the congregation gradually became reduced in numbers, and finally allowed the edifice in which they worshiped to pass out of their hands.

ST. JOHN'S ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH.

This church was organized in 1819, and was the first Catholic Church formed in Central New York since the set- tlement of the country. It was for many years but a mis- sion enterprise, covering a large territory and ministered to by various missionaries ; but finally the edifice of wood was erected, which subsequently was removed to Bleecker Street, and the present massive and commodious structure of brick took its place. The late John C. Devereux contributed very largely to the erection of the present house of worship. The first resident pastor was Rev. Walter J. Quarter, who took charge of the parish Jannary 1, 1835. The first assistant pastor was Rev. William Beecham, who began his labors Dec. 23, 1836. Rev. Father Bradley also assisted the pastor. Rev. P. McCloskey became assistant pastor Jan. 27, 1838. He was succeeded by Rev. D. W. Bacon, Jau. 13, 1839.

Rev. Francis Farrell took charge of the parish as pastor Nov. 1, 1839, and remained until his death, which occurred in December of the following year. He was succeeded by Rev. John Loughlin, the present Bishop of Brooklyn, who remained until Jan. 10, 1841, and was followed by Rev. Thomas Martin, who was appointed pastor at that date. Rev. Joseph Stokes succeeded him May 10, 1845, and re- mained six years, leaving the Albany diocese, by reason of poor health, in February, 1851.

He was succeeded in March by Rev. Francis P. McFar- land, who was pastor until March, 1858, at which time he was appointed third bishop of Hartford, in which See he was consecrated bishop March 14, 1858. He died in Hartford, October 12, 1874. His assistants were Michael Clarke, who removed to Carthage, Jefferson Co., Feb- ruary, 1854; William Coghlan, afterwards the first resident pastor at Clinton, attending its missions until his death in 1863; Eugene Carroll, now at Port Leyden, Lewis Co .; James Smith, now pastor of Fulton, Oswego Co .; John U. Herbst, now at Morehouseville, Hamilton Co. ; Daniel P. Falvey, who died, while pastor at Schenectady, before 1860; John McDermott, pastor at Oneida, Madison Co., was assistant, under F. M. MeFarland, from Angust, 1855, until mid-Lent in 1856; and after him William J. H. Maeyer, who remained as assistant until Father Daly took charge after Easter, 1858. Father Maeyer is now pastor of Salisbury, Herkimer Co. Thomas Daly, the present pastor, was appointed by Bishop (now Cardinal) McCloskey to succeed Rev. F. M. McFarland in March, 1858. His assistants were Rev. P. J. McGlynn, the first resident pastor of Potsdam, at which place he died soon after, worn down with toil and illness contracted in fatiguing missionary labors. Eugene Carroll then came, and remained until December, 1860, and was succeeded by William F. Shea- han, the present pastor of St. Patrick's, West Troy, who remained until Evacuation Day, 1861; on which day Francis J. Purcell succeeded him, remaining until July 4, 1865, when he was promoted to Camillus and the sur- roundiog missions in Onondaga County, now attended by three or four clergymen. Father John McDonald came after Rev. F. J. Purcell, staying until the end of July, 1866; his present charge being Potsdam, St. Lawrence Co. Rev. P. F. Smith, now at Hudson, Columbia Co., came after Rev. F. McDonald, remaining until mid-Lent, 1867. He was followed at once by Father B. B. Grattan, who stayed until made pastor of Catskill, in June, 1868. In- mediately on the dismantling of the old church after Trinity, June 7, masses were said in the court-house and girls' school-room until January, 1871.

The seats in the new building were rented as pews on Easter Monday, 1871, the choir and galleries being still unfinished. The following year, on the feast of Angel's Guardians, the present edifice was dedicated solemnly, seven bishops and two hundred priests being present. Bishop Conroy dedicated the church, Bishop McNearny conse- crated the main altar, and Bishop McFarland preached the sermon. There were grand pontificial vespers, with a dis- course at seven P.M.

Rev. William F. Smith remained during the building of the church until March, 1870, and was succeeded by Rev.

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HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

James M. Ludden, now of Little Falls, who acted as as- sistant until December, 1872, when Rev. Aloysius Murphy, now of Rome, became assistant until the close of April, 1874, at which time he was succeeded by Rev. Luke G. O'Reiley, who organized the parish of St. Francis de Sales. His successor was Rev. Edward A. Terry, who began his labors on Easter Sabbath, 1877, and has continued them to the present. The parish of St. John's is one of the most extensive in the city, and embraces much of the wealth and culture of Utica,

Connected with it are the Assumption Academy and the St. John's Orphan Asylum. The first was founded by Bishop McFarland, and is in charge of the Brothers of the Christian Schools, with an average attendance of 400 pupils. The Orphan Asylum is in charge of the Sisters of Charity of Emmettsburg, Md.

ST. JOSEPH'S ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH.

The congregation of St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church, located corner of Columbia and Varick Streets, was organ- ized in the year 1842, by Rev. Father Probst. Their first house of worship was a frame building, purchased of one of the Methodist congregations of the city, and located on Fayette Street. In a few years its organization had so largely increased as to render a more commodious house of worship necessary, and a fine two-story brick building was erected and used as a school. It is now attended by nearly 400 children. The schools are under the guidance of the Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis. The present church on Columbia Street is a spacious edifice, being 200 feet long, and built in the Romanesque style, with two towers. It was built under the pastorate of the Fathers Minor Conventual of St. Francis, who took charge of the congregation in 1858. The church will seat 2000 persons. The present year a new convent was built on the east side of the church, and a fine cemetery is also owned by the congregation, which numbers 600 families. The present pastor is Rev. Clement Luitz, who is assisted by the fathers of the order.

ST. PATRICK'S CATHOLIC CHURCH .*

This church was organized on the natal day of its patron saint, March 17, 1850. Services were held at first in a temporary building, erected for the purpose, on Columbia Street, west of Varick, and, in the mean time, through the unremitting exertions of Father Carraher, who has been in charge of the parish from the first, a new and stately edifice was being erected on the corner of Columbia and Hunting- ton Streets. The completed edifice, which is now occupied by a large congregation, is 120 by 64 feet in dimensions, with a lofty spire of imposing proportions. The building is constructed of brick above the basement, and is in the Gothic style of architecture. The corner-stone was laid on the 30th of July, 1861, with solemn and appropriate cere- monies.

This church has grown up under the fostering care of Rev. Father Patrick Carraher, who has conducted its spiritual and temporal affairs zealously and successfully for a period of nearly thirty years. The communicants are mostly of Irish nationality, residing in the western portion of the city. The society and its several belongings are in a flourishing condition. The communicants number 1500, and the Sunday-school has 275 pupils.

ST. MARY'S ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH +

The present church edifice was purchased by the first pastor of the congregation, Rev. G. Veith, from the Ger- man Lutheran congregation of South Street, in the year 1870. Rev. G. Veith continued his relations with the church for two years, and was succeeded by Rev. J. B. Eis, who remained but six months. His successor was Rev. H. Fehlings, who was appointed by Rev. Francis McNierney, the present bishop of the diocese, in 1873. Under his ministrations the church has been enlarged, and with its various additions the building now assumes the form of a eross. Connected with the society is a parochial school, which numbers one hundred children. There are also con- nected with the church three benevolent societies, viz. : the society of St. Boniface, of St. Aloysius, and St. Stanislaus, and a cemetery, owned by the congregation, which com- prises about two hundred German families.

ST. FRANCIS DE SALES ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH.

In April of the year 1877 the bishop of this diocese carried into effect a long-entertained intention of dividing the parish of St. John's. With this end in view he gave a letter of instructions to Rev. Father Luke G. O'Reiley, then assistant of St. John's Roman Catholic Church, authorizing him to begin the work of organizing the new parish, to be known as the Church of St. Francis de Sales. Father O'Reiley began his new labor with a zeal and earn- estness which inspired most hearty co-operation among the members of his new flock. They first worshiped in a school-house which was placed at their disposal by the city authorities. Within a year after the establishment of the parish the building located on Steuben Street, near South Street, was purchased, entirely remodeled and beautified, and, by the liberality of the members of the parish, paid for. Connected with the church is the St. Francis de Sales Union, comprised of the young gentlemen of the congregation and several other Sodalities. The Sun- day-school is also in a very flourishing condition, and the parish rapidly extending.

THE WELSH CALVINISTIC METHODIST OR PRESBYTE- RIAN CHURCH.

The cause in connection with this evangelical denomina- tion was started in the year 1825, in a room on Catharine Street. In 1845 the present strong and capacious church edifice, located on Seneca Street, was erected. It measures 90 by 60 feet, and is capable of accommodating 800 per- sons. Its successive line of pastors includes the Revs. David Rees Stephens, Morris Davies, Morris Roberts, Wil-

# Of this church we have not been able to persuade the Rev. Father Carraher to furnish us any account; but not wishing to leave it out of the work, we have given such items as we could procure, and that seemed reliable. They are mainly from Mr. Jones' work. This church has a fine ehime of nine bells .- HISTORIAN.

+ Data furnished hy the pastor.

JOHN CARTON.

John Carton was born in the county of Dublin, Ireland, in 1815. He was the eldest son of John Carton and Julia Farrell. His father died while he was so young that he has no recollec- tion of ever seeing him. When he was twelve years of age the mother, with himself and only brother, Thomas, emi- grated to Quebec; and during the same summer settled in Oriskany, Oneida Co.

During the year Mr. Carton came to Utica, and engaged with the firm of O'Neil & Martin, to learn the copper- smith business. He remained with this firm until he was twenty-one years of age, receiving only his board and clothes as wages ; but it was here that he became schooled in busi- ness, learned the great secret of success as a business man,

he has had dealings. The success of this model business man, who during his entire business career bas never borrowed money or had his note indorsed, is only what he deserves. The extensive business of Mr. Carton is partially summed up in the manufacture of tin, copper, and sheet-iron ware, and the construction of hot-air furnaces of his own invention. He also manufactures locomotive headlights, as improved by another invention of himself. Mr. Carton is also one of the proprietors of the Ralph Patent Oneida Cheese Vat. He haa been a director of the Oneida County Bank for some fifteen years, a trustee of the Savings Bank of Utica for several yeara, and a trustee of the Ladies' Seminary. He has never been active in politics, but has been uns wervingly identified with the

REA

Photo. by Williams.

John lasloss

and by economy and self-reliance so improved these opportu- nities as step by step in subsequent years to become one of the most successful business men of Utica.

After having served an apprenticeship to the veteran hard- ware merchant, Owen O'Neil, Mr. Carton obtained an in- terest in the firm, which he retained from 1840 to 1845. In the latter year he established business for himself at 133 Gen- esce Street. His capital at that time was limited; but con- tinued energy and a personal supervision of his business gradually overcame pecuniary embarrassments, and gave him the unlimited confidence of the business portion of the com- munity. During the forty-three years in which Mr. Carton has conducted business for himself, he has steadily gained in wealth, as well as the esteem and confidence of all with whom

Democratic party. Brought up under the discipline of the Catholic Church, he is still warmly attached to its interests, and a liberal supporter of all kindred institutions. In the year 1844 he married Miss Mary Ellen, daughter of John and Catbarine O'Neil, of Rome, N. Y. His wife was born in New Jersey, in the year 1824, lived an exemplary woman, and died February, 1876, leaving a husband and children to mourn her loss, and a large circle of friends to remember her for her many virtues. Their children are Thomas, Mary Ellen, John F., William J., Edward A., Matthew, and Julia. Catherine and James F. died young. The two eldest sona are in business with their fatber ; the second, John F. Carton, waa married to Helen A., daughter of Lewia A. Benoist, of St. Louis, Mo.

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HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

liam Rowlands, D.D., Thomas Foulkes, William Hughes, Ebenezer T. Jones, James Jarrett, and William Roberts, D.D., who is the present pastor, and who also is the editor of the magazine called Y Cyfaill, or " The Friend," which is the organ of the connection in the United States.

The deacons who have successively officiated in this church since its commencement were Richard Hughes, Evan Roberts, Joseph Hughes, Robert Jones, Richard E. Roberts, and Hugh Davies. The present church officers are T. Solomon Griffiths, David Anthony, Robert E. Rob- erts, and John C. Roberts, who is the secretary of the church. The late Griffith W. Williams acted as leader of the singing for upwards of twenty-three years.

The present board of trustees consists of T. Solomon Griffiths, President ; Richard R. Roberts, Treasurer ; John Owen Jones, Secretary ; Rces Thomas, Thomas Edwards, R. M. Edwards, and William W. Roberts. The members number about 250, and the Sabbath-school, on an average, 160.

WELSH METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

This church was organized July, 1849, under the pas- toral care of Rev. Mr. Foster, pastor of the State Street Methodist Episcopal Church. A room was rented near the present Mechanics' Hall, and the word of God preached to them by such of the brethren as were accustomed to preach in their own country. In May, 1850, the present house of worship was purchased and repaired at a cost of $2000. The following ministers were settled as pastors until 1852 : Revs. Rees Davies and Thomas Hughes. In September of 1852, the Rev. John Jones was appointed to take charge of the congregation for the ensuing year. Since 1853 the following pastors have been in charge of the church : Revs. Richard L. Herbert, Thomas Thomas, Humphrey Hum- phreys, Isaac Thomas, and David T. Davies. The present board of trustees are David T. Davies, Lewis Hughes, W. W. Jones, Thomas Owen, Sr., H. W. Griffiths, W. O. Williams, D. J. Davies, and E. J. Perry.

SOUTH STREET METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

The Methodist Episcopal Church, known as the South Street Church, was organized twenty-six years ago. It was first known as the " Corn Hill" church, and with many of the older members it still bears that name.

The first pastor was Rev. B. I. Ives. Ten pastors have come and gone since that time, and with two exceptions all have remained their allotted time as prescribed by the church. These pastors were Revs. Hoag, Wells, Olin, Gray, Harroun, Curtis, Hartsuff, Cooper, Markham, and Cowles. The present pastor is Rev. W. Dempster Chase. The present record has 300 members upon its list, includ- ing probationers. The number of names upon the Sunday- school roll exceeds 200.

THE FIRST METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

The First Methodist Episcopal Church of Utica is located on the corner of Court Street and Broadway. This church was organized in the fall of 1866, by the union of the Bleecker Street and State Street Methodist Episcopal So- cieties.

The church edifice, including the chapel and lot, cost

about $30,000. It was dedicated by Bishop Matthew Simp- son, Feb. 2, 1871. The audience-room will seat about twelve hundred people. Rev. William Reddy, its first pastor, deserves much credit for the success of this important un- dertaking. The subsequent pastors have been Rev. R. C. Houghton, Rev. E. C. Bruce, Rev. L. D. White, and Rev. T. Kelly. Mr. White, whose pastoral term closed in April, 1878, is now presiding elder of the Utica District. The membership of this church is at present about four hundred and fifty. The Sunday-school work connected with the con- gregation includes sixty teachers and officers, and about four hundred scholars. Mr. H. G. Clark is superintendent of the Central school, and Mr. J. W. Rowe of the Mission school. Besides these gentlemen, prominent among the trustees and other official men in the church are the fol- lowing, viz. : Dr. Jacob Hunt, Isaac Estes, Edward Rowell, H. N. Dryer, C. H. Hopkins, J. C. Bates, Stephen Beck- with, N. H. Houg, Harrison Gilmore, and P. W. Tefft.

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History of Oneida County, New York : with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 87

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