History of Onondaga County, New York, Part 66

Author: Clayton, W.W. (W. Woodford)
Publication date: 1878
Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y., D. Mason & Co.
Number of Pages: 840

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The branch known as Hicksites continued to hold meetings at the old meeting house, in which they still worship. Their first minister after the separation was Adin Cory. At that time William Willets, Warren Giles, Abner Lawton and Silas Gaylord, were among their prominent members.

ST. MARY'S OF THE LAKE, Roman Catholic Church, Skaneateles .- Earliest meetings held in the village about 1845. In 1853, the first church was begun on the site of the present edifice, and was dedicated September 7, 1856. It was a wooden building and cost $2,500. Rev. William McCallian officiated from the organization of the church till his death, in 1864, and was succeeded by Rev. Joseph Butler, O. S. F. Rev. F. J. Purcell assumed the pastoral charge in June, 1865. The first church was destroyed by fire Wednesday, May 23d, 1866, and the present edifice erected by Rev. F. J. Purcell and dedicated June 30, 1867. Cost, $11,000. Present membership six hundred ; Sunday School fifty.

ST. BRIDGET's is a Chapel at Skaneateles Falls, four miles distant from St. Mary's of the Lake, built to accommodate parties too far from the church. It was erected by Rev. F. J. Purcell at a cost of $5,500, and dedicated September 20, 1874. It belongs to the same parish of St. Mary's of the Lake.

SKANEATELES METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. -For several years previous to 1832-'33, the circuit preachers of this denomination held religious ser- vices in a school house located nearly opposite the present parsonage on West Genesee street. A class was early formed which was largely increased

in 1832-'33, through the means of a revival con- ducted by "Father " Bibbins. Following this revival was a movement for the building of a chapel to better accommodate the needs of the growing society, which resulted in the purchase of a lot on the south side of West Genesee street, and the erection of a building thereon in 1834, under the pastorate of Rev. Lyman R. Redington.

In 1853, this chapel was enlarged and beautified at a cost of about $800. At the completion of these repairs the expense was all provided for with the exception of $75. To meet this indebtedness the society resolved to hold a reopening service at which an effort would be made to liquidate the debt. Rev. C. P. Bragdon was secured to manage the financial part. Rev. C. D. Burritt, a former pastor, preached morning and evening, and Rev. Mr. Den- ison, pastor of the Baptist Church of the village, in the afternoon. Through their united efforts the necessary amount was raised. The society was well accommodated in this chapel until 1859, when David Hall, Esq., built at his own expense a plain brick church on Jordan street, at a cost of about $5,000, and presented it to the society. The Trus- tees to whom this conveyance was made, were Richard Huxtable, David Hall, John Burridge, Lorenzo Driggs, Jacob Hoagland, Forest G. Weeks, Spencer A. Daniels. In 1868 the church edifice was enlarged, remodeled and refurnished, at a cost of about $9,000. Rev. William C. Steele delivered the address at the laying of the corner stone of the first brick church, and Bishop E. S. Janes delivered the dedicatory sermon. At the rededication of the church after its enlargement. Dr. Jesse L. Peck, now " Bishop," delivered the the dedicatory sermon.

The following named pastors have served the church here, viz : " Father " Bibbins, 1832 ; Lyman R. Redington, 1833 ; Jesse T. Peck, 1834 ; Selah Stocking, 1835 ; I. Hutchinson and Joseph Cress, 1836 : C. W. Harris, 1837 ; V. M. Coryell, 1839 ; John E. Robie, 1840; Walter Hare, 1841 ; Thos. H. Pearne, 1842; Isaac Parks, 1843-'44; John H. Mitchel, 1845-'46 ; Charles D. Burritt, 1847-'48 ; James Hartwell, 1849; Wm. N. Cobb, 1850-'51 ; O. Hesler, 1852-'53; S. H. Brown, 1854; E. N. Cuykendall, 1855-'56; W. H. Miller, 1857, served but a few months and was succeeded by Isaac Foster, 1858-'59 ; Wm. Searles, 1860- '61 ; Wm. N. Burr, 1862-'63 ; Wm. Bixby, 1864 ; M. S. Wells, 1865-'66 ; T. J. Bissell, 1867-'68-'69 ; Wm. Reddy, 1870-'71-'72; R. Redhead ; 1873- '74-'75 : G. S. White, 1876-'77. Present member-

ship, one hundred and seventy. Number of Sun-

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HISTORY OF ONONDAGA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

day School scholars one hundred and seventy. Ministerial support, $1, 104.00. Benevolent collec- tions for the year, $406.00.

THE SKANEATELES FALLS METHODIST EPISCO- PAL CHURCH is located in the town of Skaneateles about three and a half miles north of Skaneateles village. The first meetings were held in the house of M. B. Bannister, class leader, late in 1867, or early in 1868 Rev. D. W. Beadle, then supplying the M. E. Church at Elbridge, delivered the first sermon. He was soon followed by Rev. T. J. Bissell, pastor of the M. E. Church at Skaneateles village. In 1873 and 1874, the school house was occupied for religious services, and from 1875 to 1877, inclusive, a room in the brick block provided by Thomas Martin. A legal organization was effected November 12, 1877, A. G. Borden and H. C. Templar being presiding officers, and George Atyce, Joseph Hunt, Levi Starr, Marquis Giles and H. G. Borden being elected Trustees. Be- sides the above, with the exception of M. Giles, there were among the original members H. Harris and Mrs. M. Giles. A very creditable church building, 24 by 40, with basement, has been erected at an expense of $1,500 chicfly through the aid and enterprise of F. G. Weeks, a member of the M. E. Church at Skaneateles village.

The dedication took place February 6th, 1878. Previous to the autumn of 1872, the place was sup- plied by Revs. H. Woodruff and W. Whitham. Rev. P. J. Ball was the regularly appointed pastor from October, 1872, until October 7th, 1873 ; Rev. O. N. Hinman, from October 7th, 1873, until October 13th, 1874 ; Rev. Abram Fancher, from October 13th, 1874. until September 25th, 1877 ; and Rev. M. J. Wells, the present pastor, appointed September 25th, 1877. The present membership is twenty ; the average attendance at Sunday School about forty. The Protestant people within reach are not numerous, but generally interested and enterprising in their support of the church.

THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF MOTT- VILLE, in the town of Skaneateles, is comparatively young as a distinct society, though the place had been a Methodist appointment with more or less regularity for about twenty-five years. Meetings were held in private houses or the school house until 1873, when under the supervision of Rev. William Reddy, D. D., pastor of the M. E. Church at Skaneateles village, the old school house was purchased, moved to its present site and fitted up for church purposes at a cost of about $1,000. The dedication occurred January 24, 1873. Among the original members were O. Coleman, Chester

Benton, Mrs. Catharine Blodgett, Mrs. Maria Hunsiker, William Barber, Mrs. Esther Young and Mrs. Charlotte Bradley.

Rev. O. N. Hinman was the next pastor during the year beginning October 7, 1873, and ending October 13, 1874. Rev. Abram Fancher followed as pastor from October 13, 1874 to September 25, 1877. Rev. M. J. Wells, the present incumbent, was appointed pastor September 25, 1877. The present membership is forty-three, the average attendance at Sunday School about the same, con- gregation good, and social meetings well attended. An open temperance meeting is held every other Sabbath evening with remarkable interest and suc- cess. Up to January 28, 1878, one hundred and sixty-three have been induced to sign a total abstinence pledge for life.

THE UNIVERSALIST CHURCH at Mottville, was built in the year of 1831. The organization is that of a society only. The ground for the church and for a High School was given by Ansel Frost, and the building was erected by the liberal donations of Col. Robert Earll, Col. Stephen Clark, Ansel Frost and many others whose names we have not been able to obtain, as the church records are not to be found.

The church was dedicated by Rev. Dolphus Skin- ner of Utica ; the first regular pastor was Rev. Jacob Chase ; afterwards Rev. Stephen Miles, Rev. Isaac Whitnall and Rev. Mr. Root officiated, and in later years Rev. J. M. Austin of Auburn, Rev. Dolphus Skinner, Rev. G. W. Montgomery and others. Within the past eight years through the summer season, sermons semi-monthly by Rev. J. G. Bartholomew, D. D., Rev. J. M. Austin, Rev. J. W. Keyes and others, and at present by the Rev. L. L. Briggs, of Auburn

Before the church was built the society held meet- ings in the school house and the Rev. Isaac Whit- nal was the pastor.

MANUFACTURING INTERESTS ON THE OUTLET.

SKANEATELES PAPER COMPANY. - The original mill occupied by this company was built in 1930 by Solomon Earll, as a flouring mill. Earll & Kellogg remodeled it into a distillery about 1840. In 1864, it was changed into a paper mill by Earll, Thayer & Co., and is now occupied by the Skaneateles l'aper Company, in the manufacture of print paper.

WILLOW GLEN WOOLEN MILLS .- Built by Doras- tus Kellogg about 1840, and now owned by Alexan- der Horton. (Not at present, Jan., 1878, in opera- tion.) The mill is a " five set" mill.

MOSa vinY S.Anti'ft !?

F A SINCLAIR

THE

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VIEW OF F. A. SINCLAIR'S UNION CH

PHOTO BY WILDEY, SKANEATELES

MRS. F. A. SINCLAIR.

CTORY, MOTTVILLE, ONONDAGA COUNTY, N. Y.

Benovi tec

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HISTORY OF ONONDAGA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

EARLL & TALLMAN'S DISTILLERY .- Located on Skaneateles Outlet, one and a half miles from Skaneateles. It is in the twenty-fourth Collection District of New York. The building was erected by Cotton, Lewis & Co., in 1824, and remodeled at the time the present distillery was established in 1857. The capacity of the distillery is three hun- dred bushels of grain per day. Four hands are employed. Daniel Earll has been partner or sole owner from the commencement.

The present firm are also proprietors of a custom mill next below the distillery. It is located on the site of the old mill built by Abijah Earll in 1818. It was burnt in 1825 and rebuilt by Cotton, Lewis & Co, in 1826. It has one run of stones and is carried on in connection with the distillery. The proprietors of the distillery manufacture French and Cologne spirits and alcohol. In connection with the distillery, they feed one hundred and twen- ty-four head of cattle.

THOMAS MORTON'S FINE WOOLEN SHAWL FAC- TORY, Mottville. Established in 1862 ; capacity, eight thousand pounds of wool per month ; fifty hands employed. The building was erected about 1852. Machinery run by water-power ; fall about eighteen feet.

Mr. Morton is also proprietor of the Darvel Woolen Mills, at Skaneateles Falls, established in 1867. These mills have a capacity for ten thou- sand pounds of wool per month, and employ sixty hands, making a specialty of fine cassimeres.

SHERMAN, IRISH & Co, Proprietors of Mottville Flouring Mills, successors to Thayer & Irish, who owned and occupied the same mills from 1876 to the establishment of the present firm in 1878. The mills have eight run of stones, with a capacity of one hundred bushels per day. They manufacture both merchant and custom flour.

E. B. HOYT, Iron Founder and Machinist, Mott- ville. Established in 1851. The foundry occupied by Mr. Hoyt was burnt in 1868, and the present building erected upon the same location immedi- ately after.

SKANEATELES IRON WORKS and Rolling Mills, Mottville. Not at present in operation. L. F. Powell, Syracuse, proprietor. Works established in 1870, at a cost of $ 100,000.

SKANEATELES PAPER COMPANY, F. & J. Weeks, Marysville. Manufacturers of paper.

MARYSVILLE LIME AND PLASTER WORKS. E. B. Hoyt & Co., proprietors. Established in 1866. Employs twelve hands.

YOUNGS & BENEDICT, Cataract Mills, Long Bridge, Skaneateles Outlet. Established in 1876; 44*

five run of stones ; capacity one hundred and fifty barrels per day ; merchant and custom flour. Build- ing erected in 1869; owned by Wm. Barnes.

F. A. SINCLAIR, UNION CHAIR WORKS, Mottville. Building erected in 1870; business established in 1859; employs 23 hands.

HART LOT PAPER COMPANY, Manufacturers of book paper, half mile south of the junction. Capac- ity, two tons per day ; hands employed, forty-seven. Incorporated in 1869. John M. Nye, President ; John H. Childs, Secretary ; Julius H. Earll, Treas- urer ; W. E. Jones, Superintendent.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH,

BENONI LEE.

Benoni Lee was born in the State of Vermont, on the 7th day of June, 1812. At the tender age of nine years he was left an orphan. With no kind relatives to take him into the bosoms of their families and no friend but God, he entered upon his life of toil and privation, which has developed in hin those excellent habits and that astuteness which distinguish him as a lawyer and as a MAN.

His early recollections of Vermont are quite dim, having left it when a child and gone with his parents to the State of New York, and from there, when seven years old to Pennsylvania. In the year 1826 he came to Skaneateles, Onondaga county, N. Y., where he attracted the attention of Col. Warren Hecox, who carried on a large leather and shoe business. Col. Hecox saw in the young lad of fourteen years something that convinced him that he was worthy of being helped ; and, ac- cordingly, offered him an apprenticeship in his business, which offer Mr. Lee readily accepted. He was treated as a son ; being taken into the family, and for three winter's enjoying the advan- tages of the school taught by Thomas W. Allis, a young man of considerable note and more merit. He worked in the tan-yard one season ; nearly two seasons in the shop ; and as foreman, had nearly en- tire charge of the business for four years. All of his leisure moments, before and after working hours, were spent in diligent study and assiduous reading. In this he was encouraged by his em- ployer, whose reading covered a wide range of literature.

In 1833. determined to obtain a liberal educa- tion, at whatever sacrifice, he attended the Skan-

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HISTORY OF ONONDAGA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

eateles Academy, where he made such rapid and thorough progress that he won the admiration of his friends and the Principal, W'm. H. Green, now a prominent lawyer of Buffalo.

At the close of the academic course, he began to read law with Freeborn G. Jewitt, a thorough and successful lawyer, to whom he is indebted, doubtless, for many of his excellent professional characteristics. Winters he taught the village school, receiving a fair compensation, until 1840, when, after having passed a successful examination he was admitted to the Bar of the State, as an at- torney and solicitor, and soon after began the prac- tice of law in partnership with Mr. Jewitt.

For thirty eight years he has had a successful and lucrative practice, and during that long period not a stain has tarnished his professional uprightness. As a lawyer he is careful and pains-taking, always

thoroughly examining litigated cases, on both sides before suit. Not a flaw has ever been found in his preparation of a case, and no false step of his oppo- nent is ever unnoticed. As a pleader, he is per- suasive, and manages, generally, to " carry his point." His style is clear and forcible, clothed with plain, Anglo-Saxon words, which express his meaning with remarkable exactness. As a coun- sellor, he has the rare and unusual faculty, especially in a lawyer, of bringing irritated parties to settle- ment before having recourse to the law. As a citi- zen of Skaneateles, he has been prominently identified with every interest which has tended to develop its growth and beauty.

In every sense of the word he is a self-made man. Few would have had the pluck and per- severance to have broken the iron fetters of circum- stances which surrounded his youth.

ELBRIDGE.

ELBRIDGE was formed from Camillus March 26, 1829. It is the central town upon the western border of the county. Its surface is level in the north and rolling in the south. Seneca River and Cross Lake form a portion of the northern bound- ary. Skaneateles Outlet flows north westwardly through the western part of the town. Upon the banks of the Outlet, near the center of the town, are found the peculiar tunnel-shaped cavities in the earth, characteristic of regions abounding in gyp- sum. Several weak brine springs are found along Seneca River. In the west part of the town, at the time of the first settlement, were found the re- mains of three distinct fortifications : one square, one quadrangular, and one circular. (See Chapter on Antiquities.) When first discovered, the em- bankments were three feet high, and upon one of them stood an oak tree four feet in diameter. These works were each situated near a living spring of water. The remains of various articles found here seem to indicate that these fortifications were known to the French.

At Jack's Reefs, when the whites first settled this town, the Onondagas had a large settlement, with an extensive clearing and a valuable orchard. They had also cleared off what were called the Salt Fields in the town of Cato, and had a small settle- ment there. The country north of the Seneca and Oneida Rivers was their favorite hunting ground.

EARLY SETTLEMENT.

Josiah Buck made the first settlement in this town in 1793. In 179t he had surveyed the town- ship of Camillus into lots, and selecting the site where he located, came in 1793, with his family, in a large wagon. This wagon, under the shade of a large elm tree, which, we believe, is still standing, was for several weeks their only shelter, till a com- fortable cabin could be erected. The place where this settlement was made was on the lot sub- sequently owned by Col. John Munro, and a large oak log was left here for many years as a memorial of the spot. A little later in 1793, Robert Fulton settled in the town ; James Strong in 1794 : Col. Chandler, Dr. Pickard and a Mr. Porter, the first blacksmith, in 1795 ; James Weisner and Nicholas Mickles, in 1796. Isaac Strong erected a saw mill in 1795, and a grist mill in 1798. The inhabitants who first settled in this town had to go to James- ville to mill. William Stevens located here in 1794. and built a saw mill about a mile west of Elbridge. He also built the first store in the town, in 1797, in which he set up Dr. John Frisbie. Mr. Levi Clark built the first school house, in ISO1. Josiah Buck kept the first tavern in 1793. Moses Carpenter opened another soon after. William Stevens was the first Justice of the Peace in 1794.

The first settlers in the vicinity of Jordan were Zenas Wright and Aaron Wright, in 1797: Martin

THOMAS W. HILL.

MRS THOMAS W. HILL.

( PHOTOS. BY W. V. RANGER SYRACUSE NY

RES. OF THOMAS W. HILL, ELBRIDGE, NEW YORK .

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HISTORY OF ONONDAGA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

Tickner, Reynolds Corey, Isaac Smith, Jonathan Rowley and Jonathan Babcock, came soon after.

The first town meeting for Elbridge was held at the house of Horace Dodge, April 28, 1829. Squire Munro was chosen Moderator, Seneca Hale, Secre- tary. Timothy Brown was elected Supervisor, and James McClure, Town Clerk.

The channel of the Seneca River at Jack's Reefs has been deepened by the State, for the pur- pose of draining the Cayuga marshes. The work was commenced in 1854 and finished in 1857, un- der the superintendence of Hon. George Geddes. More than 200,000 yards of rock-cuttings were re- moved, and the marshes were drained as far west as Mosquito Point. The cost was $156,000. Pre- vious to this about $ 100,000 had been expended for deepening the channel near the Oswego River.

A feeder from the Skaneateles Outlet connects with the Erie Canal at Jordan.

In 1831 the schools of the town of Elbridge are reported as follows : Number of children taught, 961 ; number of districts, ten ; parts of districts, six ; text-books used, Webster's Spelling Book, Cobb's Spelling Book, Cumming's & Woodbridge's Geography, Murray's Grammar, English Reader and Testament.

VILLAGE OF ELBRIDGE.

Situated on the Skaneateles outlet in the south- west part of the town. The village was incorpo- rated April 1, 1848. Its first settlers were Moses Carpenter, James Weisner, Squire Munro, Ezra and John Brackett, and Joseph and Aaron Colman, 1794 and 1795. Squire Munro kept the first tavern in the place, soon after his settlement here.

Gideon Wilcoxon first established himself as a lawyer in the village in 1813 ; Hiram F. Mather in 1818 ; afterwards Mr. Putnam. Dr. John Frisbie was the first physician, in 1797; Dr. Sweet in 1810; then Dr. Chichester. In 1813, a postoffice was established, Gideon Wilcoxon, Postmaster. He was succeeded by Hiram F. Mather, Hendrick Wood, Squire Munro ; then Mr. Wood again, then Mr. Munro.

At an election held at the house of J. D. Rhoades, March 21, 1848, to determine whether "or not the village should be incorporated, as provided for in an act of December 7, 1847, one hundred and seven votes were cast, of which ninety-one were in the affirmative and sixteen in the negative. The officers for 1848 were Lucius Millen, President ; Harvey Roberts, Ezekiel Skinner, Alonzo Wood and William VanVechten, Trustees ; Cyrus W. Upham, Treasurer ; and Charles McGowan, Clerk.

The following have been Presidents of the village in the years named : A. Wood, 1851 ; W. P. Van- Vechten, 1852 ; William C. Van Vechten, 1853-'54 ; J. D. Rhoades, 1855-'56-'57 ; Alonzo Wood, 1858 ; J. D. Rhoades, 1859; Squire M. Brown, 1860; John Rice, 1861-'62 ; C. W. Hilliard, 1863 ; S. M. Brown, 1864 ; Nathan Munro, 1865 ; John Rice, 1866; C. G. McGowan, 1867 ; M. H. Lamson, 1868-'69-'70; M. W. Lyon, 1871-'72 ; W. P. Smith, 1873 ; B. A. Wood, 1874 ; John Rice, 1875 ; Charles O. Baker, 1876. Present officers (1877) : President, M. W. Lyon ; Trustees, T. K. Wright, A. L. Gere, D. M. Rice; Treasurer, John T. Thomas ; Clerk, John F. Thomas.

MUNRO COLLEGIATE INSTITUTE.

The Munro Academy, (now known as the Munro Collegiate Institute,) was founded by Nathan Munro, Esq, in 1835. In the winter of 1835-'6, it was opened in the ball room of Ezekiel Gardner's tavern, where Mr. M. W. Lyon now resides, and the following summer a wooden building was con- structed for it. The Academy was incorporated April 23, 1839.

At the first meeting of the Trustees under the charter, July 6, 1839, it was announced that Mr. Munro had died on the 5th instant, and that, in addition to the Academic site and buildings, library and apparatus, contained in the original grant to the Academy, and specified in the application to the Regents of the University, upon which the charter was granted, the deceased founder of the Academy, by his last will and testament, had made a further endowment to the same, by enlarging the Academic site, and by a bequest of $20,000, as a permanent fund for the support of the school, pay- able immediately after his decease,

July 13, 1839, the Board met pursuant to adjourn- ment ; John Munro, senior Trustee, in the Chair. On motion of R. Farnham, Esq., the Board pro- ceeded to elect a President and other officers. John Munro was elected President ; James Munro, Secretary ; and Hiram F. Mather, Treasurer.

In 1854, the Trustees erected the building known as " The Munro Academy." This Academy stands in an open landscape, and is surrounded by trees, which, with the irregularity of the plan and outline of the structure itself, contribute to its picturesque effect. Its general form is an octagon, from which project four arms, forming a cross. One of the arms at the right is connected by a hall with a large oblong division, projecting at the front and rear. The material is brick with stone dressings.

From the elevations it will be noticed that the

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HISTORY OF ONONDAGA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

external walls are enriched with heavy base mould- ings, buttresses and turrets at the corners of all the parts-visible at the fronts and ends.

In 1859, the Trustees further improved the Academy, by the completion of the elegant chapel at an expense of about $1,000, and placed at the east end a marble tablet, bearing the following in- scription :

To the memory of Nathan Munro, who was born at Cheshire, Mass., and died at Elbridge, New York, July 5th, 1839. in the 49th year of his age.

In 1835, he endowed the Academy which in April, 1839 was incorporated and called after his name ; and at his death gave to it as a perpetual fund $20,000. From the income of this fund and the sale of the old academy property, the Trustees in 1854 erected this edifice.

There is a Library of nearly 1,000 volumes con- nected with the institution, to which the students may have access under the direction of the Prin- cipal. The Laboratory is supplied with some ex- cellent apparatus. There is also a well selected and valuable cabinet of minerals

The Course of Instruction includes an English Course embracing five years, or a Classical Course embracing three years.

The Classical Department, Ancient and Modern, is well sustained, embracing more than half of the whole number of pupils in attendance The Academy is regarded in many respects as one of the best fitting schools in the country.

The great number of graduates who have already attained eminence in the pulpit, at the bar, and as educators, is a proof that the merits of the school have been well attested.

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History of Onondaga County, New York, Part 66

Author: Clayton, W.W. (W. Woodford) Publication date: 1878 Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y., D. Mason & Co. Number of Pages: 840

Author: Clayton, W.W. (W. Woodford)
Publication date: 1878
Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y., D. Mason & Co.
Number of Pages: 840