History of Ontario Co., New York, Part 52

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A resolution was also passed requiring the several companies to meet on the first Saturday of each month, for the purpose of working the engine and pumps, and keeping them in repair, etc.

The citizens of Geneva are entitled to much credit for the interest early shown in the fire department, by the prompt organization of companies and the furnish- ing of funds. Good engines were purchased, hook-and-ladder companies were organized, etc. With the growth of the village the demand arose for more effi- cient apparatus than the " old hand-engines;" and the result was the purchase of & Silsby steamer in February, 1866, and a Button steamer in March, 1868. The present organization was effected July 2, 1870, as a paid fire department. The officers were as follows : C. L. Hemings, chief engineer; W. H. Suydam, as- sistant engineer, secretary, and treasurer ; Thomas Coursey, foreman of No. 1; William H. Butterfield, foreman of No. 2; and A. H. Hood, foreman of No. 3, the hook-and-ladder company. The department is now in fine condition and officered as follows: W. P. Hayward, chief engineer; A. A. Campion, assistant engineer; William H. Suydam, secretary and treasurer; Thomas Coursey, fore- man of No. 1; J. Morrison, foreman of No. 2; John Dennison, foreman of No. 3, hook-and-ladder company. The engines are drawn by two teams owned by the corporation.

NEW YORK CENTRAL IRON-WORKS .- This business was established in 1853, under the above name, and by the present proprietor, William B. Dunning. It is a general machine-shop for the manufacture of mill-gearings, etc., although much attention is given to the building of steam-engines and boilers. In the Intter branch Mr. Dunning undoubtedly stands without a superior. At these works were manufactured the engines now used on the steamers "Ontario," " Elmira," and " Magee," on Seneca lake ; " Falling Waters," at Rochester; " Yates" and "Steuben," on Keuka lake, and the steamers on Otsego lake. Here also was manufactured the engine used in the extensive malt-house of Bets and Nester, at Geneva; Jones' flouring-mill, at Ovid ; the large flouring- and plaster-mills, at Union Springs; the Selmser flouring-mill, at Waterloo; the Cicero flouring-mills, etc. The establishment is furnished with all modern ap- pliances in iron-working, and has a capacity of building any sized engine re-

quired. One fact, as much perhaps as any other to which may be attributed the success of this establishment, is that Mr. Dunning himself has been a practical machinist over forty years. The works were burned in 1870, and immediately upon the old site was erected the present fine and substantial brick structure.

GENEVA MALT-HOUSE .- This mammoth structure was erected in 1871. It is constructed of brick, four stories high, with Mansard roof, and has a frontage of two hundred and fifty feet, and is one hundred and eight feet deep. It has a storage capacity of two hundred thousand bushels, and is supplied with all the modern improvements for elevating grain, and the whole is driven by a fifty-horse- power engine. This is one of the representative institutions of Geneva, and is the third largest malt-house, in respect to business transactions, in the United States ; and arrangements are now being perfected by Mr. Nester which will undoubtedly place the establishment ahead of all competitors. It is a building which for beauty of design and proportion has no superior in the State. Its construction was planned and superintended by Mr. Nester in person, and re- flects much credit upon the firm as well as the village of Geneva.

THE STEAM BENDING WORKS of T. Smith & Co., located on Exchange street, is a large establishment, and justly merits the extensive business it has secured.

THE CARRIAGE MANUFACTORIES of D. W. Baird and B. W. Keyes, on Castle street, are in successful operation, and have a reputation for first-class work second to none in the State.

THE DE LANCEY DIVINITY SCHOOL is a diocesan theological institution. Its object is to afford theological instruction to persons coming into the ministry of the Protestant Episcopal church from the business world, and from the ministries of other religious bodies who could not, in their circumstances, attend a general theological seminary. It was originated by Bishop De Lancey, and went into operation in the year 1861, by the election of the Rev. Dr. Rankine as its first rector. It was called at first the Diocesan Training School of Western New York ; but after the death of Bishop De Lancey its name was changed to the present style. Such an institution does not of course contemplate any great number of students at any one time. Twenty-five ministers, who are now preaching the gospel, have had the benefit of its provisions. The Rev. Dr. Rankine has been its rector since it first went into operation.

SCHOOL OF ST. FRANCIS DE SALES .- Father James T. McManus, ever mind- ful of the welfare of his people, conceived the idea of founding a school where the youth might receive instruction under the guidance of the church. He com- menced the erection of a school edifice in 1874, which was completed and opened for students in September of the following year. It is a neat and commodious structure, eighty-two by fifty-five feet, two stories in height, and cost about fifteen thousand dollars. It has fifty-four distinct apartments, furnished with all modern improvements, and well ventilated. The school is in a prosperous condition, hav- ing an attendance of five hundred and twenty-five students, and is taught by the Sisters of St. Joseph.

ARK LODGE, NO. 33, F. AND A. M., located at Geneva, New York, received their charter from the Grand Lodge of the State of New York September 2, 1807. It was sigued De Witt Clinton, the then Grand Master. The first presiding officer was Philetus Swift. David Cook was the first secretary. They held their meet- ings in Powell's hotel. The same building is now occupied as a hygienic institute.

The officers for 1876 are: John T. Scoon, W. M .; Henry Dey, S. W .; Wm. G. Dennison, J. W .; E. Dakin, T .; S. N. Anthony, Sec'y; M. Jenkinson, S. D .; and Meyer Jacobs, J. D. Meet every first and third Wednesdays in each month, at 7.30 P.M.

GENEVA CHAPTER OF R. A. M. was organized in this village November 1, 1813, by virtue of a dispensation from the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of the State of New York, granted to companions Jacob Dox, Gerrit L. Dox, Ellis Doty, Walter Dean, Philetus Swift, Arthur Lewis, Wm. Burnett, Nathaniel Allen, Orson Bartlett, and Samuel Lawrence.

The present officers for 1876 are: Geo. A. Laning, H. P .; D. B. Backenstose, E. K .; W. T. Spoor, E. S .; E. Dakin, Treas .; S. N. Anthony, Sec'y. Meet the second and fourth Wednesdays, at 7.30 P.M.

ONTARIO COUNCIL, No. 23, OF R. AND S. M., received their charter February 5, 1860, and organized with Corydon Wheat as Master.

The officers for 1876 are as follows: W. P. Durrant, M .; John T. Scoon, D. M .; W. E. Hayes, P. C. W .; W. F. Eddington, C. of G .; S. N. Anthony, C. of C .; W. N. Smith, Sec'y. Regular assemblies, the first Monday evening of each month, at 7.30 P.M.

GENEVA COMMANDERY, NO. 29, OF KNIGHTS TEMPLAR was instituted Sep- tember 13, 1860, by virtue of a charter issued by the Grand Commandery of the State of New York. The first officers were : C. Wheat, Commander; Calvin Walker, G .; John Shook, C. G .; W. N. Smith, Recorder.

The officers for 1876 are: W. P. Durrant, Commander; A. S. Hollenback,

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Gen .; W. T. Spoor, C. G .; Rev. E. S. Corbin, Prel .; Wm. I. Higgins, Treas. ; S. N. Anthony, Recorder. Regular conclaves, first and third Thursdays in each month, at 7.30 P.M.

OLD CASTLE LODGE, NO. 299, I. O. O. F., was instituted December 20, 1871. The following were the charter members: P. Crane, R. B. Beach, S. Green, Geo. Taylor, E. Dakin, Geo. McFeggan, C. H. Proudfit, Jas. McNicol.

The first officers were: Geo. McFeggan, N. G .; C. H. Proudfit, V. G .; S. Green, Sec. ; E. Dakin, Treas. Present officers: C. Opdike, N. G .; T. Atkins, V. G .; A. J. Swallow, Sec .; Hiram Armstrong, Treas .; Ralph Clark, P. Sec.

W. & T. SMITH'S NURSERIES .- This nursery was commenced on a very limited scale, in 1846, by William, Thomas, and Edward Smith. They were practical young men, who had been raised with habits of industry and economy. They were possessed of that skill and judgment so essential to the management of a business of this character, which commanded success, and has placed them in the enviable position they occupy in the trade to-day. Industry, economy, persever- ance, and combined labor were the essential features with which they commenced business. Good judgment in the selection of fruits and ornamental trees suitable for the various soils and climate succeeded in founding a large trade. They began business with only a few acres of land, but the growing demand for finer fruits and ornamental trees necessitated the purchase of more ground. It requires prudence and constant thought to select the most desirable stock for the diversity of soil from Maine to California, and in this matter the proprietors have had the pleasure of giving general satisfaction.

In 1863 Mr. Edward Smith retired from the firm, and gave his attention to the raising of fruits for the New York market. He planted an orchard of sixty acres, consisting of pear-, plum-, and apple-trees.

In 1864 the present proprietors added largely to their business, which had already extended over three hundred acres of land, in different stages of growth, mostly, however, in fruit-trees. During the year they erected several large green- houses, furnished with all modern improvements; packing-houses and root-cellars were also constructed, to facilitate the packing of the large orders; a neat and com- modious office was furnished; the home-grounds were put in good and better order ; many rare specimens of trees for ornament and propagation were planted, and one hundred and fifty acres of land were added to the nursery and grounds,-ren- dered necessary by their rapidly-increasing business in the great West. The open- ing of the great lines of railroads, and the general prosperity of the country, all seemed to assist these enterprising brothers in building up one of the largest nur- series in the United States, employing from fifty to one hundred persons.

Three foremen have charge of the ornamental department, green-houses, roses, eto. Three other foremen attend the fruit department. Ten to fifteen assisting agents control the shipping in boxes and bales, while sixteen horses are kept in active service, cultivating grounds and carrying goods. Nearly one hundred agents are employed directly and indirectly in the sale of the goods, but the main feature of the business has been in the wholesale line, furnishing to smaller nurs- erymen and dealers in large quantities. This nursery is said to have the most complete set of foremen in the United States, being practical men, having been with the firm from ten to fifteen years. Many of the young men have grown up in the business from boyhood, and are skillful budders and propagators. But few changes have been made in the working force, which speaks well for the gen- eral management of the concern.

The proprietors attend personally to all the business, and superintend the various departments.

The nursery is very favorably located both for soil and climate, while the ship- ping facilities are unsurpassed. Situated near the borders of Seneca lake, whose waters seldom freeze, the atmosphere is mild and humid, a protection from the winter frost.

The soil is a gravelly loam and clay subsoil. The trees make a vigorous growth, producing wood of the finest texture, very hard and solid. It is well known that heavy soils produce the hard woods, and light soils produce coarse grain and light woods. The latter are more subject to decay, and do not transplant to all soils with equal success as those grown on heavy lands. This is a matter of great importance to every planter, and not a year passes that the Mesers. Smith do not receive addi- tional testimony that the Geneva trees have proved more hardy and bear trans- planting much better than those grown on light, sandy soils.

Underdraining has been one of the principal features in the preparation of the nursery for the planting out of young trees and plants. Five large farms have been thoroughly underdrained, with the laying of four hundred miles of pipe, at a cost of thirty-two thousand dollars. This is the largest amount of underdraining done by any one firm in the United States.

The trees and plants are mostly shipped in boxes, with the roots packed in damp moss, which keeps perfectly fresh from two to four weeks. Boxes are made two and one-half feet wide, and nine to ten feet in length, and weigh, when packed,

one thousand pounds. Twelve to sixteen hundred of these boxes are shipped an- nually, besides large quantities which are packed and shipped in bundles and bales. Nearly one hundred and fifty thousand feet of lumber is used yearly for boxes, and seventy-five tons of moss for packing the roots. All trees leave the nursery in perfect condition, and have been delivered in good order to every State in the Union.

The brand of "W. & T. Smith" on their boxes is sufficient guarantee that the trees and plants are genuine and true to name. Honest and fair dealing has ever been characteristic of this firm, and it has secured to them a large trade and the confidence of the public.

T. C. MAXWELL & BROS'. NURSERIES .- T. C. Maxwell & Bros. commenced their nursery business in Geneva in the spring of 1843, by the purchase of six and one-half acres of land, then nearly covered with nursery stock.

At that time there was probably less than ten acres of nursery stock in and about Geneva. That spring they planted the remainder of their lot, and in the following spring five acres more were added and planted. From this time forward, by close application, combined with energy and enterprise, they have steadily enlarged their operations, until their nurseries now cover over five hundred acres actually in stock. They have always pursued the plan of improving their land by thorough under- drainage and deep tillage before planting to nursery stock, and in strict adherence to this policy they have purchased, drained, and planted to nursery, and now own one thousand acres of the best land about Geneva. They have not only remodeled the buildings standing at the time of purchase, but have added many new ones, in- cluding barns, and also tenant houses, where a large number of their employees are provided with comfortable homes.

From the beginning, a very noticeable feature of these nurseries has been the very large number of pear-,- standard and dwarf,-cherry-, plum-, and quince-trees grown in proportion to what is grown in many other nurseries; the soil of Geneva probably being unequaled in the production of these items, and thus inviting and securing a large trade from those sections where they cannot be grown with success.

With a true appreciation of the beautiful as well as the useful, as soon as the means of the firm would permit the ornamental department was enlarged and im- proved until it stands second to none in the civilized world, so that to-day a larger or better assortment of hardy evergreens can nowhere be found, while in choice deciduous trees, like the purple and fern-leaved and weeping beech, cut-leaved and purple birch, Kilmarnock, willow, and other weeping trees, there is no such stock to be found anywhere. In numbers and quantity of choice ornamentals these nurseries are a happy surprise to all who visit them. Among the new things first propagated and sent out by this firm may be mentioned the George Peabody arbor vitæ, the best and handsomest hardy golden evergreen known. This was sent out with three other evergreens of merit in 1873, since which time they have been sent to many parts of this country and Europe. New varieties of fruits, as well as ornamental trees and plants, are each year imported and tested, and when found worthy, propagated and disseminated. The products of these nurseries are now annually or semi-annually sent to all parts of this country, Canada, British Columbia, and the provinces, and, as mentioned above, orders from Europe are not infrequent.

R. G. CHASE & Co .- This firm consists of three brothers, R. G., G. H., and H. A. Chase, all of whom were born and reared on a farm in Oxford county, Maine. The two eldest commenced business as dealers in 1866, with a capital of five hun- dred dollars. They purchased their stock in Rochester, New York, and in person solicited orders. The first season their sales amounted to about ten thousand dol- lars. After the first year they employed agents, in small numbers, and increased the business from year to year, until during the past two years it has amounted to two hundred thousand dollars annually. About two hundred men are em- ployed by this firm us agents, many of them on a salary. H. A. Chase became a member of the firm in 1870.

In the spring of 1871 the elder member, R. G. Chase, came to Geneva to re- side, the firm having purchased an interest in a nursery, which enterprise they have kept along by planting moderately each year, until now they have as fine a stock of young trees as can be found in the State. But little is done by this firm in the wholesale trade, they preferring to send the stock directly to the planter, whom they reach by means of the numerous agents employed. They not only sell their own stock, but purchase largely of the wholesale dealers. We will add that upon inquiry we find that this firm has a reputation of handling none but first- class goods, which has secured to them a large and lucrative business.

RICHARDSON & NICHOLAS .- This firm commenced business in the year 1870, with an original planting of five acres of nursery. By enterprise and a strict attention to business their business has been largely increased. The present size of their nursery is one hundred and twelve acres ; they employ twenty-five men, and send their stock into ten different States. The principal varieties of stock grown by this firm are apple-, standard and dwarf pear-, peach-, plum-, cherry-, orange-, and quince-trees; apricots and nectarines, roses, and a few ornamental

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trees. The grounds of Messrs. Richardson & Nicholas are finely adapted for the growing of pear stock, and they have two hundred and seventy-five thousand pear-trees for sale this fall, and of a quality unsurpassed.

BRONSON, HOPKINS & Co .- This business was begun in 1867, by E. A. Bron- son. The original size of the nursery was ten acres, which has been increased to one hundred and fifty acres. Twenty-five men are employed, and stock is shipped to 'twenty different States. The principal varieties of stock are fruit- and orna- mental trees, shrubs, evergreens, roses, vines, small fruits, and flowering plants. The soil consists of a heavy clay loam, thoroughly underdrained. The stock is kept under thorough cultivation, and special attention is given to growing hardy and desirable varieties.

ATWOOD, ROOT & Co .- This firm commenced business in 1870. The nursery comprises two hundred and fifty acres; two hundred in trees and fifty in farming lands. About thirty men are employed, and stock is shipped to twenty-five differ- ent States. The varieties of stock grown by this firm are pear-, peach-, apple-, plum-, and cherry-trees, apricot and quince, ornamental trees and shrubs.

SEARS, HENRY & Co .- James S. Sears, David H. Henry, Lemuel Herendeen. This business was commenced in 1866, under the firm name of Anderson, Sears & Smith. In 1866 it was known as Anderson, Sears and Henry, and in 1869 it was changed to the present firm. The original size of the nursery was twenty- four acres, which has been increased to one hundred and fifty acres in 1876. This firm employ from fifteen to forty men, and sell stock in fifteen different States. Their varieties are apple-, cherry-, plum-, peach-, quince-, orange-, and a large variety of ornamental trees, plants, and shrubs, with a general assortment of small fruits, consisting of currants, raspberries, strawberries, etc.

This enterprise was begun on a small scale, with little capital; but by strict attention to business, coupled with a thorough knowledge of this branch of in- dustry and honorable dealings, the trade is constantly increasing, and Messrs. Sears, Henry & Co. justly deserve the wide and honorable reputation they have attained.

Other nursery firms are as follows : Merrell & Coleman, W. J. McKelvie, Richardson & Kelsey, A. Hammond, Herendeen & Van Dusen, Nicholas & Newson, Selover, Willard & Co., Sisson & Co., J. W. Love, Burtis, Hammond & Co.

ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.

ST. FRANCIS DE SALES .- In the year 1858, Rev. James T. McManus located in Geneva, and became the pastor of this church. In 1864 the congregation had so increased in numbers that the erection of a new edifice was deemed expe- dient. In that year the present church was built, at a cost of thirty thousand dollars. It is one hundred and thirty feet in length ; the transept sixty feet, and the nave fifty feet; and is one of the finest houses of worship in this village. The church was opened in July, 1864, and Cardinal John McCloskey, Arch- bishop of New York, dedicated the church and delivered the dedicatory sermon. Upon the organization of the church, it came under the control of the diocese of Buffalo, Bishop John Timens, in 1847. It is now in the diocese of Rochester, under the administration of Bishop McQuade, and is in a prosperous condition, having an attendance of twenty-four hundred persons. Father McManus, through his untiring energy and perseverance, has succeeded in building up one of the finest ecclesiastical establishments in the country ; the church, rectory, school, and convent, together, being valued at about sixty thousand dollars. He is one of the most influential priests in the State, and is the present vicar-general of the diocese.

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH .- This society was incorporated July 16, 1798, and the church was organized in the year 1800, by Jedediah Chapman ; Oliver Whitmore and Elijah Wilder being its first elders. Mr. Wilder was the grand- father of Mr. Jonathan Wilder, now living on the same farm which his grand- father and father tilled before him, on the Castleton road. The number of mem- bers of the church at first did not probably exceed twenty. The population of the village consisted of about thirty families, and the whole population of the State west of the meridian running through Seneca lake (then called by its aboriginal name, Kanadesaga) was seventeen thousand and six.

Mr. Chapman had been sent into the region as a missionary by the Presbyterian General Assembly, and spent half his time itinerating, devoting the other half to the Geneva congregation. In 1812 he was installed as pastor of this church, and Mr. Idemy Axtell, previously a teacher in the village and elder in the church, was ordained and installed as co-pastor with Mr. Chapman. The latter died in the next year, and Dr. Axtell continued in the pastoral office until his death, in 1829. His ministry covered a longer period than that of any of his successors, and he was a man of eminent wisdom, piety, and useful influence. The graves of these two faithful workers are in the old Pulteney street cemetery. They are the only pastors of the church who have died in Geneva.

The succession of pastors since Dr. Axtell has been as follows : Rev: Eliakim

Phelps, D.D., 1830-31; Rev. Philip C. Hay, D.D., 1836-46 ; Rev. William Hogarth, D.D., 1846-55; Rev. Hubbard Winslow, D.D., 1857-59; Rev. A. Augustus Wood, D.D., 1860-75; Rev. H. A. Nelson, D.D., the present pastor, installed July 29, 1874.

The first house of worship was begun in 1809, and on the 18th day of Sep- tember, 1811, was dedicated to the service of God, the sermon being preached by Rev. Oliver Ayer. In 1839 it was replaced by the present large and substan- tial edifice. The present number of communicants connected with the church is three hundred and seventy-nine. The whole number during the seventy-six years of its history has been nearly twenty-five hundred. Elders of this church have been Elijah Wilder, Oliver Whitmore, Joseph Hart, Seth Stanley, Henry Ax- tell, Moses Young, Moses Hall, John T. Chapman, Abram B. Hall, Hiram H. Seelye, Philo Bronson, James S. Hicks, Horace Hastings, Sherman H. Rose, Daniel Lum, John M. Bradford, Robert Simpson, Elijah Wilder, Jr., George W. Root, John M. Wood, Asa Messer, Andrew Merrill, Thomson C. Maxwell, E. S. Kelsey, John McKay, J. K. Van Slyke.

Its present elders are William H. Smith, D. D. Dayton, Eli A. Bronson, Paul M. Henry, Robert J. Swan, Edward B. Richardson, Samuel D. Willard, Isaac L. Seely, Arthur Hammond, Alfred Page, Solomon E. Smith, Samuel Tooker.

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History of Ontario Co., New York, Part 52

Author: Publication date: Publisher: Number of Pages: 391

Author:
Publication date:
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 391