USA > New York > Ontario County > History of Ontario county, New York : with illustrations and family sketches of some of the prominent men and families > Part 21
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HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY.
St. John's Church (Protestant Episcopal) .- Previous to 1795 there was neither Episcopal church or mission in all Western New York. The first missionary services of this church in Canandaigua were begun by Robert G. Wetmore in 1796, and on February 4, 1799, a mission was founded by Philander (afterward Bishop) Chase, and the result was the later parish and church of St. John's. The persons prominently asso- ciated with the early history of the church in this village were Ezra Pratt and Joseph Colt (both first wardens) ; John Clark, Augustus Por- ter, John Dickens, Nathaniel Sanborn, Benjamin Wells, Jones Field, Moses Atwater and Aaron Kent, who were likewise first vestrymen.
The early efforts to establish the church in Canandaigua were beset with many difficulties and discouragements, and not until 1814 was the parish completely organized, and not until 1816 was a church house provided. Services in the mean time were held in the "Town Hall," Alanson W. Welton being the first officiating rector or missionary, suc- ceeded by Mr. Onderdonk, who afterward became Bishop of Pennsyl- vania. In 1816 the society determined to build a church and on the 16th of May, following, laid the corner-stone. In December the edifice was consecrated, under Bishop Hobart. The old pioneer church build- ing continued in use from the time of its erection until 1872, and was then replaced with the beautiful stone edifice which now adorns the main street of the village, and is an honor to the parishioners who as- semble within its walls.
The succession of rectors of St. John's has been as follows : Alanson Welton ; Rev. Dr Onderdonk, appointed 1815 ; William Barlow, Jan- uary 13, 1820; Augustine Palmer Prevost, 1836; Joseph Wayland, 1844; T. M. Benedict, Alfred B. Beach, George N. Cheney, George T. Rider, Walter Ayrault, B. H. Hickox, C. S. Leffingwell, Eugene J. Babcock and Charles John Clausen, the latter being the present rector of the church and parish, and whose ministry began in December, 1892.
St. John's church has a membership of communicants numbering 185. The present church officers are as follows: Wardens, James C. Smith and D. R. Burrell ; vestrymen, Wm. H. Adams, H. W. Nichols, George T. Thompson, W. S. Ball. W. H. Tuttle, M. C. Beard, C. F. Booth and F. W. Chesebro.
The Methodist Episcopal Church of Canandaigua Village had its origin indirectly in the older classes formed at Centerfield and Sand
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Hill, but the first meetings which resulted in the village society had their beginning in 1811, and were held in the old court-house. A class was formed in 1815 by Rev. Gideon Lanning and William Boughton, the latter a local preacher, and in 1817 a chapel was built on Chapel street, the same being completed and ready for dedication in July, 1818.
On the 4th of February, 1823, the First Society of the M. E. Church in the Village of Canandaigua was incorporated, and David Benham, Wm. C. Gooding, Levi Brockelbank, Ebenezer Benham and Silas Ben- ham were elected trustees. In 1834, during the pastorate of Wilbur Hoag, it became desirable for many reasons to change the location of the church building ; therefore a lot was purchased on Main street, and in the new edifice the conference of 1836 was held. In 1855 and the year following the building was materially repaired and enlarged at a cost of $8,000.
The preachers on the circuit and pastors of this society, since 1817, have been as follows: Benjamin Paddock, William Balcom, Israel Chamberlain, Wm. Barlow, J. B. Alverson, Loring Grant, George Harmon, Gideon Lanning, James Hall, Seth Mattison, Gideon Cum- ming, Richard Wright, Ira Fairbanks, John Parker, John Easter, Wil- bur Hoag, Philo E. Brown, Gideon D. Perry, Thomas Carlton, Thomas Castleton, Wm. H. Gooding, John Copeland, Wm. R. Babcock, John Parker, J. T. Arnold, Manley Tooker, E. G. Townsend, S. W. Alden, J. T. Arnold, K. P. Jervis, Porter Mckinstry, F. G. Hibbard, J. K. Tuttle, D. D. Buck, F. G. Hibbard, John Alabaster, Charles Z. Case, Augustus W. Green, George Van Alstyne, Wm. R. Benham, Luke C. Queal, Manley S. Hard, Theron Cooper, Theron Green and Edmund B. Gearhart, the last mentioned being the present pastor. The M. E. Church numbers about 500 members.
The First Baptist Church .- In 1800 a Baptist society was organized at Cheshire, and in 1826 another at Centerfield, and both of these were afterward transferred to Canandaigua village and merged in the society there formed. The first meetings were held in the town hall, and in December, 1833, the new organization secured a lot from James D. Bemis, and in 1835 the church edifice was built, being dedicated in December of that year. The old building was of brick, forty by fifty
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HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY.
feet in size, and served the purposes of the congregation until 1879, when the present large edifice was erected on the old site.
The pastors of the church, with dates of ordination, have been as follows: John B. Potter, November 5, 1833; Marvin Allen, July 5, 1834; Lewis Ransted, October 8, 1837; J. G. Haskins, January 10, 1840; W. R. Webb, December 20, 1840; S. Wood, April 9, 1843 ; S. Adsit, January 4, 1844; D. Barnard, September 9, 1845; Leonard Whitney, November 2, 1845; A, S. Kneeland, May 15, 1847; W. H. Douglass, December 2, 1849; W. C. Phillips, June 20, 1852; A. Bowles, April 23, 1853 ; M. P. Forbes, January 15, 1856 ; A. H. Lung, May 7, 1858; H. G. De Witt, supply while Mr. Lung was in the army ; S. W. Titus, January 16, 1865; J. N. Tolman, October 28, 1866; A. Wilkins, September 25, 1870; J. B. Ford, March 15, 1874; W. H. Sloan, July 21, 1878 ; C. E. Hiscock, December 14, 1879; S. A. Mc- Kay, January 20, 1877 ; H. C. Townley, D.D., the present pastor, who was called October 27, 1889.
St. Mary's Church (Roman Catholic) .- The first missionary services which led to the founding of St. Mary's Church and parish were held in Canandaigua during the early part of 1848 by Father Bernard O'Reilly. In December of the same year the mission became a parish under the pastoral care of Father Edward O'Connor. In 1849 the church was built, and is still standing, although it has been twice en- larged and repaired The succession of pastors has been as follows : Fathers Edward O'Connor, Charles McMullen, Michael Purcell, James Early, Joseph McKenna, and Dennis English. Father English came to the parish in May, 1869, and has been in charge of the church since that time.
St. Mary's Orphan Asylum and Academy is a worthy institution having a connection with the church in the village. It was incorpo- rated October 6, 1855, and was for nearly twenty years maintained near the church. In April, 1873, the trustees of the church purchased, at a cost of $20,000, the desirable Granger property, situate at the corner of Main and Gibson streets, upon which the academy has been built, while the old and beautiful mansion is used as an asylum for Catholic orphan children, and also as a place of abode for the sisters of St. Joseph, in whose care is placed the affairs of the large parochial school and guardianship of the orphans at the asylum,
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The First Presbyterian Church was organized May 15, 1870, by the withdrawal of a number of persons of that denomination who had formerly been associated with the Congregational society. A few also of the original membership of the new organization were drawn from other churches of the village. The first public meetings were held in the court-house, and on May 15, 1870, Rev. E. A. Huntington, of Auburn Theological Seminary, organized the society, fifty seven persons then uniting in the original membership, forty six of whom came from the Congregational church. John S. Worth, Harlow L. Comstock and William H. Lamport were chosen elders, and George Hills and Daniel F. Alverson deacons. The Sunday school was organized at about the same time.
The corner-stone of the present large brick church edifice was laid May 30, 1871, and the dedicatory services were held January 26, 1872. The first pastor, Samuel H. Thompson, was installed in November, 1870, resigned January 30, 1873, and was succeeded by Rev. George C. Curtis on October 16, 1873. During the summer of 1875 the chapel was erected on the church lot. Mr. Curtis resigned the pastor- ate in April, 1884, and was followed by Rev. Wm. Rice, June 3, 1884. He resigned in October of the next year, and on the Ist of February, 1886, the present pastor, Rev. Joseph H. France, D.D., entered upon his duties.
The Wesleyan Methodist Church of Canandaigua was erected in 1888 through the generosity of John Carrington, and was by him presented to the connection as a free and voluntary gift. The society of this church was organized during the year 1891, and is under the pastoral charge of Rev. Sheldon F. Frazier. The church property is situated near the corner of Bristol and Main streets.
Ontario Orphan Asylum .- This charitable and most praiseworthy institution had its inception in the efforts of a few of the generous and benevolent persons of Canandaigua, and although not an organization of the county town, may be appropriately mentioned in this chapter. The articles of incorporation were executed in July, 1863, and soon afterward the organization was perfected, and by it provision was made (according to the constitution) for the election of seven trustees, and a board of managers, twenty-four in number, the latter to be elected from the female members of the corporation.
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HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY.
Upon the completion of the organization, the trustees purchased the Greenleaf homestead property, containing five acres of land, to which thirteen acres more were subsequently added. The building was remodeled and furnished for its proposed use, and the asylum was soon ready for the reception of orphan children of the county and vicin- ity. We may mention here, also, that this institution has been quite liberally endowed by generous admirers of its worth and purpose, and now possesses property and securities to the value of $43,460.19, and in addition derives an annual income of $3,000 from a contingent en- dowment fund of $75,000. The last mentioned sum of money will come to the trustees absolutely upon the death of certain legatees, but at this time the asylum receives an annual income equal to the amount stated.
The financial and more difficult affairs of the institution are vested in the trustees, who are the legal representatives of the corporation, for the purpose of receiving and holding the property belonging to it, while the conduct of all other affairs of the asylum is entrusted to the man- agers. The present trustees are as follows: James C. Smith, president ; Charles A. Richardson, secretary ; F. H. Hamlin, treasurer ; and Henry M Field, F. F. Thompson, David G. Lapham, and Max C. Beard.
The Board of Managers is as follows : Canandaigua-Mrs. A. Mc- Kechnie, Mrs. F. F. Thompson, Mrs. H. T. Parmele, Miss Alice Smith, Mrs. Geo. N. Williams, Mrs. Charles C. Wilcox, Mrs. H. M. Field, Mrs. R. L. Beecher, Mrs. H. M. Finley, Mrs. William Gorham, Mrs. L. E. Clarke, Mrs. Wm. H. Adams, Mrs. A. M. Stowe, Mrs. D. Alverson, Mrs. L. T. Sutherland, Miss Priscilla Hanna, Mrs. A. L Freeman, Mrs. A. Scofield, Mrs. F. H. Hamlin, Miss Ida Canfield, Mrs. Wm. Allen Reed.
Geneva-Mrs. J. W. Smith, Mrs. D. B. Backenstose, Mrs. N. B. Covert, Mrs. T. J. Skilton, Mrs. John De Lancey, Mrs. T. C. Maxwell, Mrs. D. P. Nelson, Miss Nancy Johnston, Miss Grace Sutherland, Miss Julia Sill.
Victor-Mrs. O. S. Bacon, Mrs. C. O. Jackson, Mrs. Will Osborne, Mrs. Higinbotham.
East Bloomfield-Mrs. H. E. Porter, Mrs. Helen Beebe, Mrs. E. O. Hollister, Miss Edna Beach, Mrs. W. Reed, Mrs. Oliver Swift.
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West Bloomfield-Mrs. S. H. Ainsworth, Mrs. Myron Shepard, Mrs. Will Case, Miss Harriet Hall, Miss Rebecca Orcutt.
Clifton Springs-Mrs. Dr. Archer, Mrs. C. C. Whitney, Mrs. A. A. Raymond, Mrs. H. Kellogg.
Richmond-Mrs. Dr. Wilbur, Mrs. Jackson Bray.
Bristol-Mrs. Dr. Hicks, Mrs Templar, Mrs. Gooding Packard
Richmond Mills-Mrs. Charles Reed.
Gorham-Mrs. John Cody.
South Bloomfield-Mrs. Simmons, Mrs. Frank Poole.
Canadice -- Mrs. Asher Norton.
Naples-Mrs. Geo. Gordon, Mrs. E. C. Clark.
Shortsville-Mrs. O. S. Titus.
Manchester-Mrs. Sarah McComb, Mrs. Edwin Pratt.
Miller Corners -- Mrs. Erastus Miller.
The officers of the Board are as follows : President, Mrs. Charles S. Hoyt; directresses, Mrs. A. M. Stowe, Mrs D. Alverson, Mrs. F. H. Hamlin, Miss Alice Smith ; treasurer, Mrs. Henry M. Field; recording secretary, Mrs. Hiram T. Parmele ; corresponding secretary, Mrs. William Gorham.
Brigham Hall .- This institution was founded in 1855, and was named in honor of the memory of Dr. Amaria Brigham, the first super- intendent of the State Asylum at Utica. Just on the edge of the village stands this hall which for many years has been a retreat for patients whose friends desire more privacy than is possible in a State institution. Beautiful grounds surround the retreat and there is a farm of 100 acres in connection. It was established, as has been stated, in 1855, by Dr. George Cook and was chartered by special act of the Legislature in 1859, and afterwards licensed when the law so required. It was the first institution for the insane in the State to take the name of "hospi- tal," as well as the first where was made a legal requirement for admis- sion to have the certificate of two physicians. That personal liberty of patients which is now permitted in most all insane hospitals was from the first granted by Dr. Cook. There are four classifications on the male and the same number on the female side.
In the management of the institution Dr. Cook procured the services of Dr. John B. Chapin, who remained until 1869, then resigning to
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HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY.
enter upon the duties of superintendent of Willard Asylum at Ovid. In 1876, upon the death of Dr. Cook, Dr. D. R. Burrell was appointed resident physician, and is assisted by Dr. C. A. Van Der Beck, asso- ciate physician.
The Wood Library Association. - During the latter part of 1858 a few public-spirited citizens of the village made an attempt to arouse a popular enthusiasm, having for its object the founding of a permanent library for public use. The first movement in this matter, however, proved fruitless of good results, and it was not until May 6th of the next year that the organization was in part effected. The first officers were H. Bennett, president; F. C. Bennett, vice-president ; J. G. Gregory, secretary ; H. J. Messenger, treasurer ; trustees, Francis Granger, H. O. Chesebro, Lucius Wilcox, Chester Coleman, O. H. Smith. The association adopted the name " Wood Library Associa- tion," in memory of the honorable career of William Wood, an old resident of the village, and a man worthily noted for purity of charac- ter and generous bestowal of charities. The association has rooms in the Town Hall, and there the library of miscellaneous books is kept.
The Agricultural Society .- Although an institution of the county, rather than of the village or town, we may nevertheless in the present connection refer briefly to this organization, which has its permanent place of annual meeting in the county town. As early as 1819 measures were taken for the formation of a county agricultural society, at which time the first proceedings were had under the patronage of the Board of Supervisors, and a meeting was held at the court-house. The result was that on February 18, the Ontario Agricultural Society was brought into existence with these officers: President, John Nichols; vice- presidents, William Wadsworth, Darius Comstock, Philetus Swift, Gideon Granger, Moses Atwater; secretary, John Greig; treasurer, Thos. Beals. In addition to these officers, a board of managers was chosen, each town in the county (there then were thirty-four towns) having one representative. The first annual fair was held on October 18, 1819, and the society, fairly established, became one of the institu- tions of the county which has since enjoyed a permanent existence, though not without some vicissitudes. It paved the way for a later organization, formed during the fall of 1838, and known as the Ontario
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Agricultural Society, the first public meeting of which was held October 20, 1840, at which time John Greig was its president, and Oliver Phelps and William W, Gorham secretaries.
For a period of about sixteen years following this reorganization the annual fair was held in such town as a majority of the managers should designate, but in 1854 a resolution was adopted which designated Can- andaigua as the permanent place of meeting. During this year land was purchased, and as soon as possible thereafter the necessary im- provements were made and buildings erected. Thus, from the small beginning above noted, there has grown and developed a society which affords to the people of the county generally, and to the farmers in particular, a season of interest, amusement and instruction. And while the county fair of to- day has little resemblance to that of half a century ago, it is nevertheless an indispensable requisite of county progress. The founders of the original society offered special inducements to farmers to compete in enriching and making profitable their lands, and while the societies of the present day are not altogether deficient in this respect, they, as a rule, are inclined to award the greatest premiums as a result of contests in other directions, and to encourage sports and pleasures fully as much as large farm productions. However, be it said to the credit of the Ontario county society that it shows greater zeal in promoting the agricultural interests than many other of the societies of Central and Western New York.
The Red Jacket Club .- " This association shall be known as the Red Jacket Club ; " and " Its object shall be to promote social intercourse among its members and to provide for them the comforts and conven- iences of a club house." Such are the first and second articles of the constitution of the club the name of which is given above. On the 22d of December, 1888, the association was formed, and three days later its incorporation was effected and approved. Its first officers were James C. Smith, president; Frank Rice, vice-president ; James A. Robson, secretary ; and William G. Antis, treasurer.
Soon after its organization the club purchased the north portion of the old Gorham residence on the corner of Main and Gorham streets, which was remodeled and furnished for the use of the members, and convenience and pleasure were especially considered in accomplishing
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HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY.
whatever was done in arranging the interior of the house. The officers above mentioned have been continued in their respective positions until the present time, except that David G. Lapham succeeded Mr. Antis as treasurer and was in turn succeeded by George N. Williams.
The Canandaigua Lake Steamboat Company was organized in March, 1890, with $35,000 capital stock. The boats of this company are the Onnalinda, built in 1887; the Ogarita, built in 1889; and the Seneca Chief, a small and old boat which was put on the lake about the year 1886. The officers of the company are L. B. Gunn, president; J. H. Mason, vice-president ; H. S. Hubbell, treasurer ; and Fred. A. Mc- Kechnie, secretary.
The People's Line is the name of a still younger navigation company and own the new steamer Ganundara The active man in the man- agement of the company is John M. Miller.
The above remarks lead to mention of the older boats on the lake. The first steamer was named Lady of the Lake, built and owned by Canandaigua capital, and put on the lake in 1823, under command of Captain Isaac Parrish. The second steamboat was built, or at least begun, at Naples in 1845, and floated down to this village and there finished in 1846. The third boat was the Joseph Wood ; the fourth the Ontario, and the fifth the Canandaigua.
BANKING IN CANANDAIGUA.
In 1813 the old Ontario Bank was chartered by an act of the Legisla- ture, and in the personnel of its management were the leading men of the county seat. Nathaniel Gorham was its president, and William Kibbe was cashier. The latter, however, was succeeded in 1821 by Henry B. Gibson, who was decidedly prominent in local history for many years. He continued with the bank until the expiration of its charter, in 1856, and afterward did a loaning business, but was not a banker later than that date. The Ontario Bank had a capital of $500,- 000.
The Ontario Bank was allowed to establish a branch bank at Utica, which was done April 10, 1815. However, by some process the branch was operated as a banking institution of Canandaigua, and was so con- tinued for many years, under the direction of William B. Welles and H. K. Sanger.
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TOWN OF CANANDAIGUA.
The Ontario Savings Bank was incorporated April 30, 1830, the in- corporators being Judge Howell, H. F. Penfield, Jared Willson, Jno. Greig, Jno. C. Spencer, Wm. B. Welles, Oliver Phelps and P. P. Bates. In 1832 Thomas Beals was elected treasurer, and so continued during the existence of the bank. Afterward he conducted a private banking business in the village until his death in 1864.
The Bank of Canandaigua, an individual concern, was opened for business April 4, 1854, and at one time had an apparent capital of $26,000, consisting of stocks and real estate. Theodore Hart was its chief managing officer, and in 1857, he secured a partner in William Antis, who was made cashier. After a time Mr. Antis sold his interest to H. J. Messenger, who changed its name and conducted its affairs.
John Mosher succeeded to the banking business formerly conducted by Henry B. Gibson, and established the once well-known Exchange Bank. In 1861 Mosher assigned to M. D. Messenger, and then what was known as the Messenger Bank was started.
The First National Bank of Canandaigua was established in 1864, with a capital stock of $75,000. George Cook was its president, and M. D. Munger, cashier. In 1873 E. G. Tyler was elected president. In 1887 this bank was about to liquidate and go out of business, and about the same time effected a sale, and was succeeded by the present Canandaigua National Bank, whose organization dates from December I, 1887. Its capital stock is $100,000. The first officers, who have ever since been continued in their respective positions, were: F. H. Hamlin, president; Robert Chapin, vice-president ; H. T. Parmele, cashier. The Board of Directors is as follows : Dr. Henry Foster, Thompson Sutherland, Marvin A. Wilbur, F. H. Hamlin, W. H. Tuttle, H. T. Parmele, J. Henry Metcalf, Walter Marks, Robert Chapin.
The banking firm of Williams & Barnes is the outgrowth of a bank- ing business established by John C. Draper in 1871. He went out of business in 1889, and was succeeded by Henry S. Pierce and George N. Williams, under the style of Pierce & Williams. In February, 1890, Mr. Pierce died, and immediately thereafter James W. Barnes became associated with Mr. Williams, under the firm name of Williams & Barnes.
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HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY.
The banking firm of McKechnie & Co. was founded and established by James and Alexander McKechnie in October, 1882, and although a private bank was nevertheless capitalized at $100,000. At the same time Alfred Denbow was made one of the banking firm and placed in charge as cashier, and so continued until 1890, the year of his death. He was at once succeeded by Mack S. Smith, who still fills the position. Alexander McKechnie died in January, 1883, and his interest passed to his widow and heirs. James McKechnie died in September, 1889, and a similar disposition was made of his interest. The active persons in connection with the bank at the present time are the heirs and lega- tees of James and Alexander McKechnie; Orin S. Bacon as executor ; Mark S. Smith, cashier ; and Frank E. Howe and Fred. A. McKechnie, assistant cashiers.
Business Interests-With much truth it may be said that the village of Canandaigua has never occupied an advanced position among the county seats of the State in respect to the number of its manufacturing interests. Indeed it has been asserted that during the early history of the village there was much direct opposition to encouraging manufact- ures in the community and that many prominent and wealthy families were induced to come to Canandaigua on the strength of representa- tions assuring them that they should not be annoyed by the presence of large factories. However much of truth there may have been in this assertion is now unimportant, but it is a fact that manufacturing has never been prominent in this village.
In general mercantile business, however, the situation has long been quite different, and it may be said that there has not been at any time a lack of men or capital in any branch of the trade. And we may also say, with equal truth, that there is no appearance of over competition in any business, but that the supply has been about equal to the demand. The business part of the village is peculiarly well situated, the stores and blocks being conveniently close to one another, and all well centered, a great convenience both to tradesman and customer. And there does not appear to have been any attempt to extend trade north of the railroad, hence the general growth has been to the south, on Main street, and slightly to the east and west on some of the lateral thoroughfares.
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