History of Oneida County, New York : with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 91

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 91

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In the year 1815, Mny 6, he married Miss Mary, daughter of John and Jane Ostrom, of Utica. She was born March 5, 1793, and died July 2, 1875. Their children are: Steplien O., Richard (deceased), George (deceased), Suralı (deceased), Jane (deceosed), wife of D. V. W. Golden (deceased), Somual, Mary, Ezra (killed at Chicago during a fire), Eliza C., wife of I. C. McIntosh,

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HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

and its present Commander, Thomas M. Davies. Though siball in numbers, the Post is in a very flourishing con- dition. Like Post Bacon, it is composed entirely of vet- erans.

FREEMASONRY IN ONEIDA COUNTY.

The history of Freemasonry in Oneida County carries us back to the year 1796. At that date Horeb Chapter, of Royal Arch Masons, was formed and holden at Whites- town, with Caleb B. Merrill, Jedediah Sanger, and George Kassaek as its principal officers. It continued in existence until 1842, and Nathaniel Caulking was for many years one of its leading members.

In 1802 Craft Masonry flourished in Oneida County, and the following lodges were then in existence: Amicable Lodge, Whitestown ; Western Star Lodge, Bridgewater ; Roman Lodge, Rome; Federal Lodge, Paris. . The second named of which has a continued existence to the present day.

In the city of Utica there are three lodges, namely : Utica Lodge, No. 47; Oriental Lodge, No. 224; and Faxton Lodge, No. 697.

Utica Lodge, No. 47, was organized, in 1816, by au- thority of a warrant issued by the Grand Lodge of New York, and signed by De Witt Clinton, Grand Master ; Martin Hoffman, Deputy Grand Master; Cadwallader D. Colden, Senior Grand Warden; Elisha Gilbert, Junior Grand Warden. Among the petitioners for the foregoing warrant were Montgomery Hunt, Thomas Walker, Asahel Seward, Walter Fleming, and Levi Comstock. In 1825 the lodge formed part of the procession on the occasion of the opening of the Erie Canal, when His Excellency, Gov- ernor De Witt Clinton, visited the brethren.

Its first officers were Montgomery Hunt, Master; Ephraim Hart, Senior Warden ; Thomas Walker, Junior Warden. Its present principal officers are William E. Hopkins, Master ; Eugene B. Hastings, Senior Warden; Elon G. Brown, Junior Warden.

Oriental Lodge, No. 224, was formed and constituted in 1851. Prominent among its founders was Philemon Lyon, a man of unblemished reputation, and honored by all for his integrity and Christian character. He was ardent in all things pertaining to the welfare of the craft, and his influence and example were felt in the growth and progress of the organization. The public acts performed by the craft in the city, and participated in by this lodge, were the laying of the corner-stone of the City Hall, the Utica Orphan Asylum, and the celebration of the laying of the first Atlantic cable. Its contributions have been liberal to enterprises designed to promote the welfare of Masonry in the State.

Its first officers were Philemon Lyon, Master ; Edward Eames, Senior Warden; Erastus G. Perkins, Junior Warden. Its present principal officers are Elizur Russell, Master ; J. Scheehl, Senior Warden ; E. L. Akehurst, Junior Warden.

Faxton Lodge, No. 697, named in honor of an old Ma- son, Hon. Theodore S. Faxton, was formed and constituted in 1870. Its membership was composed of brethren who had gained experience by long practice in official positions in the other lodges. At its organization it met with de-

cided success, numbers of influential citizens having identi- fied themselves with it. The recent acquisitions are mainly composed of younger men, who by their energy contribute materially to its growth. Its first officers were Wm. C. Scranton, Master ; Judson B. Andrews, Senior Warden ; Henry H. Cooper, Junior Warden. Its present principal officers are Edward Lawson, Master ; F. S. Cur- tiss, Senior Warden ; John A. Roberts, Junior Warden.

Oneida Chapter, No. 57, of Royal Arch Masons, was organized in 1817. Its first officers were Thomas Walker, High-Priest ; Asahel Seward, King; Walter Fleming, Scribe ; who were assisted by the leading Masons of that period in building up the Chapter. Ezra S. Cozier was one of its most active and useful members, who became noted in the history of Royal Arch Masons in the State, and who filled the highest offices with honor and credit. He was elected Grand High-Priest of the Grand Chapter of the State in 1831, and was at a later date succeeded by Ezra S. Barnum in 1846-47, and by Rees G. Williams in 1871- 72, each of whom were members of Oneida Chapter. Its present principal officers are M. A. Lewis, High-Priest ; Elon G. Brown, King; Wm. E. Hopkins, Seribe.

Utica Commandery, No. 3, Knights Templar, was or- ganized in 1823. Its first officers were Richard Sanger, Grand Master; Elijah F. Willey, Generalissimo ; Thomas Latimore, Captain-General. Its present principal officers are Joseph A. Johnson, Commander ; John H. Douglas, Generalissimo ; John H. Cunningham, Captain-General.

The history of this organization during the past twenty years has been one of progress and success, and the roll of its membership has been increased by the acquisition of leading citizens from adjacent parts of the State. In 1825 the sword worn by Baron Steuben during the Revolution- ary war was presented to the Commandery, and is still preserved as a valued memento among its archives.

Utica Council, No. 28, of Royal and Select Masters, was organized in 1866. Its first officers were Rees G. Williams, T. I. M .; Theodore W. Bolles, I. D. M .; Charles B. Foster, I. P. C. of W. Its present principal officers are Edward B. Cash, T. I. M .; Edward Lawson, I. D. M .; A. I. Simmons, I. P. C. of W.

Yah-nun-dah-sis .- Lodge of Perfection (Scottish Rite) was organized in 1872. Its first officers were Theodore W. Bolles, T. P. G. M .; Daniel N. Crouse, D. G. M .; Harvey Barnard, S. G. W. ; James H. Howe, J. G. W. Its present principal officers are Theodore W. Bolles, T. P. G. M .; James H. Howe, D. G. M .; James H. Brand, S. G. W .; Thomas M. Davies, J. G. W.

Ezra S. Barnum Chapter of Rose Croix .- This Chapter was chartered in 1878. It meets the second Wed- nesday of every month, and is in a flourishing condition.

The Ziyara Temple, or Ancient Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, meets regularly in February, May, Oc- tober, and December. Its present officers are Frazier W. Hurlburt, 32º, III. G. P .; Taliesin Evans, 32º, III. C. R. ; Edward A. Tallman, 32º, Ill. A. R .; Charles B. Foster, 14°, Ill. H. P. and P .; Theodore W. Bolles, 32º, Ill. O. G.

Ezra S. Barnum, whom we have already mentioned as having been honored with the highest offices in the State,

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HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

was conspicuous for his devotion to the interests of Masonry for a period of sixty years. During the anti-Masonic times, when storms and trials in dark and troublous days over- shadowed the fraternity, Ezra S. Barnum was one of the few who remained steadfast. and upheld the integrity of the craft. His funeral obsequies, which occurred in February, 1878, were attended by the highest Masonic dignitaries in the State.

INDEPENDENT ORDER OF ODD-FELLOWS.

This order, which has attained great strength in the State, regards Utica as one of its strongholds. Its oldest organization in this eity is Oneida Lodge, No. 70, which may be regarded as the parent lodge from which all others in the western portion of the State have sprung. There are in the city five Lodges, two Encampments, and two Daugh- ters of Rebekah Lodges, beside one Degree Lodge. Oneida Lodge, the oldest, obtained its charter May 21, 1842. The following year Skenandoa Lodge, No. 95, was organized, its charter bearing date Oct. 13, 1843. Schuyler Lodge, No. 147, was chartered May 27, 1845, and Central City Lodge, May 6, 1846. There is also Allemania Lodge, No. 186. The Tri-Mount Encampment, No. 24, was chartered Aug. 25, 1845, and the Steuben Encampment, No. 57, April, 1871. All these organizations are in a flourishing condition.

KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS.

This order was founded in Washington, D. C., about fifteen years since, and in a comparatively short time has attained a membership of over 100,000. It has two Lodges in Utica,-Utica City Lodge, No. 59, and Excelsior Lodge, No. 118. The first Lodge was instituted Aug. 5, 1871: Prominent among its founders were A. R. Mckenzie, James E. Hall, R. U. Owens, G. J. Buchanan, and O. A. Buen- ham. The object of the order is the promotion of friend- ship, benevolence, and brotherly love.

EPHRAIM LODGE, NO. 41, O. K. S. B.

This lodge was organized and instituted into the Order K. S. B., under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of District No. 1, April 23, 1873, with the following officers : S. Mitchell, W. A. ; Simon Stein, W. N. ; A. Z. Heyman, Secretary ; and Joseph Wineberg, W. Ct. The principles of the order are similar to those of other secret orders of a benevolent nature. It has also an insurance provision, the widow and orphans of deceased members receiving the sum of $1000, for which each member is assessed. There are also other benevolent provisions for the assistance of mem- bers. The present officers are S. Mitchell, President; Z. Zandlospky, Vice-President ; Edward Jackson, Secretary ; and S. Stein, Treasurer. The Lodge is at present in a flourishing condition.

ONEIDA HISTORICAL SOCIETY.

The charter of the Oneida Historical Society bears date Sept. 18, 1878, though the society was organized prior to that date. Among the names inscribed upon its record as members and founders are Horatio Seymour, C. W. Huteh- inson, M. M. Joncs, Alexander Seward, Francis Kernan, Win. J. Bacon, John F. Seymour, Roscoe Conkling, Dr.

John Gray, Ellis H. Roberts, Alexander S. Johnson, M. M. Bagg, and many other residents of Oneida County. The charter states the society to have been formed for " histori- cal and literary purposes, and the particular business shall be the discovery, collection, preservation, and publication of the history, historical records of and data relating to the territory or districts of country formerly occupied or claimed by the Oneida and Mohawk tribes or nations of Indians ; the collection and preservation of books, newspapers, pam- phlets, maps, genealogies, portraits, paintings, relies, and manuscript letters, journals, surveys, field-books, and any and all other articles and other materials which may estab- lish or illustrate such history, or the growth and progress of population, wealth, education, agriculture, arts, science, manufactures, trade, and commerce in said territory or dis- triet." The Oneida Historical Society took the initiative steps in celebrating the battle of Oriskany, which was one of the most desperate and sanguinary, as well as one of the most important battles of the Revolution. This battle was fought Aug. 6, 1777, and the memorable centennial ceremonies which commemorated the event occurred Aug. 6, 1877. The society holds its meetings in commodious rooms placed at its disposal in the new library building in the city of Utica. The apartments are fire-proof, and well calculated to preserve the valuable archives and relies which are rapidly filling its cases. It's officers are : President, Horatio Seymour ; Ist Vice-President, C. W. Hutchinson ; 2d Vice-President, Alexander Seward ; 3d Vice-President, Edward Huntington ; Corresponding Sceretary, Morven M. Jones ; Recording Secretary, S. N. Dexter North ; Treas- urer, Robert S. Williams.

UTICA LAW LIBRARY AND BAR ASSOCIATION.

The Utica Law Library and Bar Association was incor- porated on the 19th day of December, 1876, the object of the Association being the founding, continuing, and per- petuating of a law library in accordance with an act of the Legislature bearing upon the subject. Its founders were Nicholas Kernan, H. J. Cookinham, A. C. Coxe, R. W. McInerow, E. H. Risley, J. R. Swan, Jr., W. B. Sutton, L. B. Root, and Addison C. Miller. Through the efforts of the Association a general term will hereafter be held in Utica, their fine library, comprising nearly 4000 volumes, having aided materially in bringing about that result.

The present directors of the Association are Addison O. Miller, N. E. Kernan, Henry J. Cookinham, Alfred C. Coxe, Richard W. MeInerow, Wm. B. Sutton, L. H. Bab- cock, Lynott B. Root, and Joseph R. Swan, Jr.

UTICA MECHANICS' ASSOCIATION.

On the 19th of May, 1827, a meeting was held at John King's tavern, which stood on the corner of Washington and Liberty Streets, to form a Mechanics' Association.

After some discussion the meeting was adjourned to the next week, when a larger number came together, and formed a " Mechanics' Benevolent Society." The member- ship of the first society was confined to practical mechanics, and the chief object seems to have been to assist the poor and needy among themselves. It dragged along for several years, holding meetings occasionally and passing " good

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HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

resolutions," which were never put in practice until the year 1831, when it was reorganized under a new constitution, with the following officers : President, Thomas Walker ; Vice-President, Kellogg Hurlburt; Secretary, J. D. Ed- wards ; Treasurer, Zenas Wright; Directors, S. V. Oley, William Francis, James McGregor, W. C. Rogers, A. B. Williams, D. S. Porter.

The whole number of members at this time was 32.

The institution was incorporated March 30, 1833, and the original charter remains the same, except Section 5, which in the year 1863 was altered so as to allow the Asso- ciation an annual income of $5000, instead of $1000, as before.

There have been in all twenty-nine presidents of this As- sociation. Thomas Walker held the office from 1831 to 1835; Gardner Tracy, from 1835 to 1837; Rudolph Snyder, from 1837 to 1843 ; and the following persons for one year each consecutively ; Ezra S. Barnum, John S. Peckham, Harvey Barnard, Levi Cozzens, S. V. Oley, Dol- phus Bennett, Otis Manchester, Grove Penny, Dolphus Bennett, John S. Peckham, Philip Thomas, John Dagwell, Wm. C. Churchill, Theodore S. Faxton, Thomas May- nard, David P. White, George H. Wiley, Russel Wheeler, Chauncey Palmer, L. W. Rogers, S. W. Chubbuck, N. A. White, E. D. Wood, Benjamin Allen, Selden Collins, Benjamin Allen, Charles Millar, George H. Wiley, Theo- dore S. Faxton, Lewis Lawrence, and S. S. Lowery.

The Association has had but five treasurers during its existence. Zenas Wright served from 1831 to 1833; James Murdock, from 1833 to 1850; Levi Cozzens, from 1850 to 1862; Grove Penny, from 1862 to 1867; and Wm. P. Carpenter, from 1867 to the present time.

Among the first objects which engaged the attention of the Association was the establishment of a library and reading-room. The accounts of the treasurer for 1834 make mention of both, and in 1836 there is a charge of $101.84 taxes, " paid on library stock." A printed cata- logue of 1836 shows that the library then contained over six hundred volumes, in all departments of learning and literature. The books were kept in the law-office of J. H. Rathbone, on Broad Street, until Mechanics' Hall was built, when they were removed to what is now the furnace-room, in the second story of the old hall. The large apartment at the southwest end of the building, subsequently occupied by the Common Council, was then used for a reading-room.

In 1838 the library was sold to the Young Men's Asso- ciation. Some $200 of the purchase-money was paid, and then it seems to have passed again into the possession of the Mechanics' Association, and was finally disposed of " in lots to suit purchasers."

In 1844 a new set of officers was chosen, whose activity and energy seemed to infuse new life and vigor into the Association. The next year the third fair was held, and from that time the Association has steadily advanced.

In the second year of its existence the Association had a course of lectures from Dr. Noyes, Professor of Chemis- try in Hamilton College, for which, as appears by the treasurer's books, he was paid $69.50. The same gentle- man lectured again before the Association in 1833, 1834, and 1835. There is no record of other lectures until the

year 1851-52, when the course resulted in a loss of $23.54. From that time until the present the Association has had a course of lectures in each year, except 1855, when they were suspended for the purpose of enlarging and remodel- ing the hall. The lectures have been upon scientific, lit- erary, and miscellaneous subjects, mostly of a popular character.

When the Association was first organized, in 1831, the whole number of members was 32. In 1835 the number had increased to 161. In 1837 there were about the same number of paying members, but many had made themselves life-members by large contributions towards the erection of Mechanics' Hall. From 1839 to 1845 there seem to have been very few but life-members belonging to the As- sociation. From this time there has been a slow but steady increase.

The lot upon which Mechanics' Hall was originally built was purchased of the Bank of Utica, April 4, 1836, for $4600, and in the same year a building was erected at a cost of $8837.75. In 1854 another lot, north of and ad- joining the first, was bought of Augustus White for $1100, and in that year the old building was enlarged and im- proved, at a cost of about $6000. In March, 1860, the lot adjoining the hall, on Liberty Street, was bought of John Camp, for $1355, and in 1863 another lot, adjoining the former, was bought of the same person, for $3000. This shows the entire cost of the land and building, not including many alterations and repairs, to have been $24,892.75.

By a report of the finance committee, made at the an- nual meeting in May, 1863, the value of the property be- longing to the Association was estimated as follows :

Main building

$25,000

Lot purchased of Camp in 1860. 1,500

Lot purchased of same in 1863. 3,000

Personal property, furniture, etc. 1,000

$30,500

The whole indebtedness of the Association at this time was a mortgage of $3000, given for the last Camp pur- chase, and $1500, borrowed on two notes, which was ex- pended in repairs on the hall.

The Association entered upon its thirty-fourth year with 435 members, and property beyond all incumbrance to the amount of $26,000.

During the latter part of the interval of ten years since the foregoing history it will be seen that a spirit of progress became aroused to such an extent in the Association as to push forward a scheme, the result of which has been an accumulation of property now amounting to $125,000, on which, however, there is an incumbrance of $85,000.

OPERA-HOUSE.

In December, 1863, the Association took the initiatory step towards the building of a new hall. The increasing " growth of the city, and the lack of public halls, demanded that something should be done in that direction, either by the Association or private capitalists."

At a meeting held in February, 1868, a committee of nine, consisting of T. S. Faxton, S. S. Lowery, J. S. Peck- ham, A. McMillan, James Mann, L. Blakeslee, C. C.

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HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

Kingsley, N. A. White, and A. B. Buel, was appointed, to whom was referred the subject of a new hall.

The committee having decided to erect a hall, and having secured the site, on the 26th of March, 1870, proposals for the building of the hall were opened, and after due delibera- tion it was deemed that the best interests of the Association would be served by the acceptance of the bid of Messrs. Metcalf & Dering, and contracts were entered into with this firm for the performance of the work.

On behalf of the Association, G. H. Wiley, V. B. Stew- art, A. McMillan, R. Wheeler, and A. H. Colling were appointed as a supervisory committee during the erection of the building.

Excavations were commenced in April, and the work progressed rapidly, so that the large and spacious stores were ready for occupancy by the 1st of May, 1871.

The whole structure, including its interior decorations and furnishing, was completed, and the doors thrown open to the public, on the 16th day of October following.

The new hall, styled the Utica Mechanics' Association Opera-House, now stands as a monument to the energy and persevering efforts of the Association that reared it.

In architectural appearance, in the beauty and simplicity of its decorations, and in its scenic effect, it will bear com- parison with the best halls in the State.

Present officers : President, Hon. S. S. Lowery ; Vice- President, Philo S. Curtis; Secretary, Parker W. Tefft; Treasurer, William P. Carpenter.

THE UTICA ART ASSOCIATION.

The Utica Art Association was organized in 1865, and became an incorporated institution in January of 1866. The object of the Association is to " promote and encourage the culture of the fine arts, and to elevate and refine a. proper taste therefor by the public exhibition of paintings, statuary, and other works of art."

The first exhibition of paintings occurred during the winter of 1867, which was eminently successful, and did much to add to the pleasure of the lovers of art in Utica. The Association received very valuable aid in the furtherance of its objects through the energetic labors and refined taste . of one of its early presidents, Mr. Thomas H. Wood, whose sudden death was greatly deplored by all its members.

The last exhibition was held at Carton Hall, during the winter of 1877-78. The catalogue on that occasion embraced 250 paintings, besides a choice collection of bric-a-brac. The articles represented some of the most eminent names in the world of American art, among whom were Bierstadt, Casi- lear, Wni. and James Hart, Church, Gifford, De Haas, McEntee, Kensett, and many foreign names of celebrity. During the progress of the exhibition more than sixty of these pictures were purchased, most of which remain in Utica, and now decorate thie dwellings of its wealthier citizens.

The Art Association has been so successful in its objects as to have established for Utica an extended reputation for refined taste and broad culture in art, and in that regard it takes rank with the metropolitan cities. Its present officers are G. W. Adams, President ; R. S. Williams, Vice- President; G. C. Churchill, Secretary ; D. N. Crouse, Treas- urer ; B. D. Gilbert, Corresponding Secretary.

UTICA MENDELSSOHN CLUB.

Early in the year 1865 four gentlemen of cultivated musical tastes met at the old Sherwood House in this city on their return from a rehearsal at Trinity Church. They were Williamson Spruce, Benjamin F. Davies, John F. McQuade, and E. G. Kunkelly. The project of forming a gentlemen's musical club was discussed ; and at a sub- sequent meeting, held at the house of Michael McQuade, the subject was more fully considered, and the necessary steps taken to secure a large meeting of amateur musicians, to be held January 31, of the same year. This meeting was largely attended, and was but a foreshadowing of the zeal displayed in the later organization of the club. The first officers were: President, General James McQuade ; Vice-Presidents, N. Curtiss White and George J. Sicard ; Secretary, G. W. Adams ; Treasurer, B. A. Drayton ; Executive Committee, W. C. North and Charles Beare. Rooms were secured in the Tibballs Block,-which were occupied for nine years,-and, after some discussion, the present name of the society was agreed upon.

One of the articles in the by-laws provided that the club should not be disbanded so long as four members remained. The first formal action with regard to the incorporation of the Utica Mendelssohn Club was taken by Gco. W. Adams, March 20, 1866, who offered a resolution looking to that end, which was unanimously adopted. The necessary papers, certifying that the club was an incorporated body, were received March 27, 1866.

For nearly five years General James McQuade filled the position to which he was called, after which a new clection resulted in placing Charles S. Symonds in the president's chair.

The present membership is sixty, while the honorary list includes many names of professional celebrity. On the evening of February 3, 1875, the club celebrated what was jocularly called its " tin wedding," in its comfortable rooms in the Hackett Block. On the occasion of this decennial anniversary, very interesting addresses were delivered by the ex-president and the present presiding officer. The history of the club, the fame which it had won, its musical and dramatic achievements, and its charities are matters of record, and have established for the Mendelssohn Club a leading rank among the social organizations of Utica.

UTICA PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY.

Among the most successful and popular orchestral asso- ciations of which Utica is justly proud is the Utica Phil- harmonic Society, and its future is very promising. It was originally intended as a mutual enjoyment society, an experiment for gentlemen of musical tastes. Colonel I. J. Gray, its founder, was many years ago manager of the Whitestown Musical Association, which gave a great amount of encouragement to the people of that village, as well as to its members. Some three years ago Colonel Gray associated with him George W. Rockwell, pianist, the Manning brothers, Charles W. Hall, of Yorkville, who has since died, and Dr. Holmes, now in California. Through the liberality of a music-loving citizen these gentlemen were furnished with a room, piano, gas, etc., free of ex- pense. They worked with varying success and fortunes, but

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History of Oneida County, New York : with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 91

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