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 24
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100
The Geneva Hotel, above mentioned, was an institution of more than ordinary importance. Its construction began in the spring and was finished in the fall. It fronted on the large open park and was in all respects an imposing building, and one the reputation of which extended throughout the State, and was maintained for more than half a century. Its first landlord was Thomas Powell, whom Captain Williamson se- lected, and who contributed much to its early success. At this hotel was a general rendezvous for the stage lines and wagons carrying mer- chandise from the east to the west. It was also a famous resort for all travelers, and many public officers have found entertainment and rest within its comfortable walls. Wm. Powell succeeded Thomas Powell as landlord. The old house at last fulfilled its mission, but still main- tains a quasi existence as a hotel, being a part of the popular Sanita- rium now owned and managed by Dr. A. B. Smith. The cost of the building was $9,577.39, the bill of David Abbey for carpenter work being $4,538.47, of John Woods, mason, $774.90, and of James Barden
265
TOWN OF GENEVA.
for lumber, $1,411.40. Captain Williamson had two rooms in this hotel appropriated to himself, and he took care that Landlord Powell did justice to the establishment and his guests, so that as regarded provisions, liquors, beds and stabling there were few inns in America equal to this hotel.
THE GENEVA HOTEL IN 1835.
The foregoing is a good representation of the old Geneva Hotel as it appeared in its glory many years ago. It shows the original wooden building in front, as erected by Captain Williamson in 1796, and the brick addition in the rear built in 1828 by William Tillman. It fronts on the public square or Pulteney Park, the addition in the rear on Wash- ington street, comprises about one half of the building as shown in the cut. The engraving, having been made many years ago, does not show the beautiful condition of the park as it now is It has been owned and occupied a number of years by A. B. Smith, M. D., as a hygienic insti- tute, a large brick addition on the rear on Washington street having been erected by him in 1882. The older buildings have been altered, thoroughly renovated and greatly improved, and a fourth story added in 1886. In fact Dr. Smith is constantly making improvements.
John Maude, an English gentleman, who made a hurried exploration of the new country in 1800, says : " Geneva is situate at the northwest extremity of Seneca Lake. It is divided into Upper and Lower Town. The first establishments were on the margin of the lake, as best adapted to business ; but Captain Williamson, struck with the peculiar beauty of the elevated plain which crowns the high bank of the lake, and the many advantages which it possessed as a site for a town, began here
34
266
HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY.
to lay out his building lots parallel with and facing the lake. These lots are three quarters of an acre deep, and half an acre in front, and valued at $375 per lot. One article in the agreement with Captain William- son is that no buildings shall be erected on the east side of the street, that a view of the lake may be kept open. Those who purchase a lot have also the option of purchasing such land as lays between their lot and the lake-a convenience and advantage which I suppose few will forego-the quantity not being very great, and consisting principally of the declivity of the bank, which, for the most part is not so steep as to unfit it for pasturage or gardens."
The launching of the sloop, which took place the latter part of 1796, drew together an assemblage of several thousand people, and no cir- cumstance having before occurred to draw together the different settle- ments, the people composing them were not a little surprised to find themselves in a country containing so many inhabitants, and these so respectable. Natives of every State in the Union and of every nation of Europe, were to be found in the assemblage, all ambitious of the one object, the aggrandizement of the Genesee country. The sloop was named Alexander, built by Brown & Sheffield, and cost $2,304.28. About 1800 the name was changed to Seneca. The following interest- ing incident shows how important events sometimes flow from a trifling circumstance. The launching of the sloop being an unusual event, the people came from far and near to witness it, and among them was Major James Cochran, then a young man. At night the young people wanted a dance, and having a fiddle young Cochran, who was an ama- teur performer, was pressed into service. In commendation of his achievement a gentleman remarked at the supper table, " He is fit for Congress," and the hint being favorably received by the company, he was nominated and elected to a seat in Congress from the district which then included the whole of New York west of Albany. So, says Major Cochran, "I fiddled my way into Congress."
During the year 1796 the little village was provided with a water supply, by the formation of a company, followed by the laying of pipes from the White Springs, about one and one-half miles southwest of Pulteney Park The pipes were of logs, ten to twelve inches in diam- eter with a two-inch bore through which water could be supplied to
267
TOWN OF GENEVA.
each house in the village. The Geneva Water Works Company was incorporated in 1803, which will be more fully referred to later on in this chapter. Ten years of Captain Williamson's efforts increased Ge- neva to a population of 325 in 1806, there being then thirty-five houses, besides stores and public buildings, while a mill was by this time in oper- ation in the near vicinity and a steamboat was plying on Seneca Lake Also during the same year Colonel James Bogert first published the Expositor, from which it is learned that the merchants and business men who advertised their wares were A. Dox, Septimus Evans, Wil- liams, Samuel Warner, Reuben Bordwell, Foster Barnard, James Reese, Richard M. Stoddard and E. H. Gordon. About 1797 a person from Scotland, John Moffat, established at Geneva a respectable brewery which Captain Williamson says "promises to destroy in the neighbor- hood the baneful use of spirituous liquors." This brewery was located on the lake shore at Mile Point.
INCORPORATION OF THE VILLAGE.
Another ten years witnessed still greater advance in municipal prog- ress, and within that time Geneva passed beyond the stage of hamlet and became an incorporated village. The first act of the Legislature of the State of New York in relation to the village of Geneva, is an act en- titled " An Act to vest certain powers and privileges in the freeholders and inhabitants in the Village of Geneva, in the County of Ontario," passed April 4, 1806.
This act was afterwards amended, but there is no record left of any proceedings under these acts, until after the passage of "An Act for the Incorporation of the Village of Geneva in the County of Ontario," passed June 8, 1812, the record of the first action being as follows :
"At a meeting of the Freeholders and inhabitants of the Village of Geneva, held at Powell's Hotel in said village, according to the form of the act in such case made and provided, on the third Monday in May, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirteen, Abra- ham Dox, Herman H. Bogert and John Hall (Trustees of said Village appointed pursuant to the act of the 4th of April, 1806, and the act amending the same,) being present did preside as inspectors, the follow- officers were elected, to wit :
268
HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY.
" Foster Barnard, Herman H. Bogert, Abraham Dox, Samuel Colt and David Cook, Trustees for 1813. James Rees, Treasurer. David Hudson, Clerk. Jabez Pease, Collector. David Naglee, Jonathan Doane and Elnathan Noble, Fire Wardens."
In the present connection the statement may be made that the orig- inal village of Geneva, incorporated as above noted, was much less in area than at the present time. The act of incorporation has been the subject of frequent amendment, but the most important action was that taken by the Legislature in granting a charter, which act was passed March 3, 1871, and by which Geneva was advanced another step in municipal progress and became a village of the first class. The bound- aries of the village were extended to their present limits by the act of the Board of Supervisors, passed May 27, 1890; and as the village within its present limits is the subject of this chapter a description of the same is appropriate: " Beginning at a point on the Waterloo road where the present north bounds of the Village intersect the new Pre- emption line, running thence north along the said new Pre-emption line 1,008 feet to a point in the center of the highway ; thence in a straight line due west to a point in the center of the Carter road, so called ; thence southerly along the center line of the said Carter road to the cen- ter line of North street (being the present north bounds of the corpora- tion) ; thence westerly along the center line of North street, and the center line of the highway which is the continuation of North street, to the center of the Castle road at the northeast corner of the New York State Experimental Station ; thence south along the center line of said Castle road to the present west bounds of the corporation, at or near the residence of William Smith."
The act to revise and consolidate the laws in relation to the village of Geneva passed March 3, 1871, and the several amendments thereto have been the most important events in its municipal history, as radical changes in former methods of local government were made. That act provided for the election of the president, six trustees (two for each ward), three assessors, clerk, collector, treasurer, and police justice, by ยท the qualified electors of the village. The Board of Trustees was author- ized to appoint all minor civil officers of the village. Under the provis- ions of an act passed in 1882, there was constituted a Board of Police
269
TOWN OF GENEVA.
Commissioners, in whom should be vested the necessary power and authority to regulate and control all affairs pertaining to the police of the village. Under this act Samuel H. Ver Planck, Francis O. Mason, and Philip N. Nicholas comprised the first board. The Geneva Ceme- tery Commissioners were constituted as such by the Legislature by an act passed in 1872, and clothed with greater powers than formerly pos- sessed by them.
Such, in brief, is the character of the village government as it now exists. However interesting for reference might be a complete succes- sion of village officers from the date of first incorporation, the same cannot be done for the reason that previous to the granting of the vil- lage charter in 1825, the trustees acted in concert and without a presid- ing officer. However, following custom, we may furnish the succes- sion of presidents from 1825 to the present time, which is as follows.
Presidents of the Board of Trustees, appointed each year by the board :
1825-6, George Goundry.
1827-8, Richard M. Bayly.
1829, George Goundry. 1853-4, Thomas Crawford.
1830, William Tippetts.
1831, No record of any meeting except Charter Election.
1855-6, George Merrill, from July
2, 1855.
1857, Charles J. Folger.
1858, Thomas Hillhouse.
1859, John M. Page.
1 860, George W. Nicholas.
1861-2, J. Clark Rogers.
1863-4-5, William P. Hayward.
1866, Sidney S. Mallory.
1843, Alfred A. Holly.
1844-5-6-7-8, John M. Bradford.
1849, Luther Kelly.
1850, Joseph S. Lewis.
1851, David S. Hall.
1852, Samuel M. Morrison.
1855, George Barkley, resigns July 2.
1832-3-4, Lansing B. Misner. 1835-6, David Hudson.
1837, William W. Watson, from May 9.
1837, John L. Dox, from June 5.
1838-9, David Hudson.
1840, William E. Sill.
1841, William W. Watson.
1842, Sanford R. Hall.
1867, George B. Dusinberre.
1868, Samuel H. Ver Planck.
1 869, Sidney S. Mallory.
1870, James M. Soverhill.
270
HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY.
Presidents of the Village, elected at annual charter election, for the term of two years :
April 1871 to April 1873.
April 1873 to April 1875.
April 1875 to April 1877.
Matthew Wilson.
April 1877 to April 1879.
April 1879 to April 188 1.
April 1881 to April 1882.
April 1882 to April 1883.
Matthew Wilson, appointed April 18, 1882.
April 1883 to April 1885. April 1885
Matthew Wilson.
Stephen H. Parker, resigned June 30, 1885.
July 7, 1885 to Feb. I, Roscoe G. Chase, appointed to fill 1886.
vacancy.
William B. Dunning.
William B. Dunning.
Daniel F. Attwood.
Millard F. Blaine
Officers for 1893 (elective). Millard F. Blaine, president ; Thomas W. Hawkins, George F. Ditmars, trustees first ward ; James Hill, James R. Vance, trustees second ward ; Daniel E. Moore, James Taney, trus- tees third ward; Wm. A. Smith, clerk; M. S. Sanford, treasurer ; Delos W. Colvin, Stephen Coursey, Thomas Henson, assessors ; John M. Smelzer, police justice.
At the time of organization Geneva had, become a village of much importance among the municipalities of Western New York, and had, among other properties and institutions, a system of water works, a fire department, three churches (Presbyterian, Dutch Reformed, and Epis- copal), four schools, a printing office, a good hotel, a large number of stores and shops, about one hundred and thirty houses, and a total population of about eight hundred persons. The center of trade and business at this time and for several years afterward was on the "hill," principally along Main street, the park being the central point, while all business and other enterprises extended in various directions therefrom. For many years this part of the village held supremacy, and it was only
Feb. 1, 1886 to April 1889.
April 1889 to April 1891.
April 1891 to April 1893. April 1893.
Samuel Southworth.
George S. Conover.
George S. Conover.
William B. Dunning.
William B, Dunning.
271
TOWN OF GENEVA.
when the locality became crowded that the " bottom " vicinity assumed any local importance. In 1824 a large hotel was built at the foot of Seneca street (the present Franklin House), and business gradually moved in that direction; and still later, with the construction of the Auburn and Rochester railroad, Seneca and Exchange streets gained a complete ascendency over the "hill " region, and rapidly drew trade from the latter to the former locality. However, the old landmarks of the hill have been preserved to a considerable extent, and in passing along Main street, south of Seneca, the observer is at once struck with the peculiar and generally old architectural appearance of the buildings, which were constructed in " rows," generally two stories in height, and according to a mixture of colonial and English styles, the former pre- dominating.
In 1813 the once famous Geneva Academy was incorporated, and in the following year a large schooner, the Robert Troop, was launched upon the lake. In 1813, also, the Seneca Lake Navigation Company was incorporated, the purpose being to improve and make navigable the outlet of Seneca and Cayuga Lakes ; the canal and locks contemplated by the act of April 6, 1813, were constructed, owned, and used by the company until 1825, when, under the act of April 20, authorizing the Cayuga and Seneca Canal, this enterprise became State property. The work was finished in 1828, having eleven locks and eighty-three and one half feet lockage The construction of this canal was one of the factors in drawing trade from the "hill " to the " bottom." The estab- lishment of this and other public enterprises, coupled with the natural advantages offered by this locality as a desirable place of abode and business, had the effect of increasing population quite rapidly, and the year 1820 found Geneva with a population of 1,357 ; two years later it was 1,723. In the latter year the village contained 251 dwellings, twenty-six stores, two newspapers and printing offices, a bank, a land office, about fifty shops of various kind; the Geneva Academy, the Presbyterian, Episcopal, Dutch Reformed, and M. E. Churches, and daily stages coming and leaving in all directions. The newspapers at this time were the Gasette and the Palladium, and from an old " file" of the latter we learn the names of some of the advertising business men of Geneva in 1816 and 1817, and also the kind of business conducted,
272
HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY.
as follows: William Tippetts was a general merchant, whose stock con- sisted of all kinds of dry goods, dress goods, " lion skins and coatings," brandy, spirits and wine, plug tobacco and snuff, glass, crockery and hardware, "approved family medicines," and numerous other wares. Field & Grannis were general dealers in dry goods, groceries, crockery, glass and hardware, boots and shoes, and other goods, all of which they " are determined to sell uncommonly low for ready pay," at their store two doors north of T. Lowthrop & Co. William Powell had a stock similar to those described, and which, ' having been purchased low, he has it in his power to sell as cheap as can be purchased in the county." In the same manner we may also mention the firm of H. Newton & Co., which comprised William, Daniel L and Henry Newton, which was dis- solved June 20, 1816. Mountjoy Bayly advertised to collect claims for persons who suffered loss of property during the " late war, " 1812, and made his office in the store of Colt & Bayly. Henry Newton succeeded H. Newton & Co , and in May, 1816, occupied the building on Seneca street, formerly the store of Burns & Bros., two doors west of " Church's Inn." Norris & Chapman were boot and shoe dealers two doors west of the post-office in Seneca street. Smith & Noble kept a general store a few doors west of the post office and opposite Church's Inn. Carter & Bannister were local druggists. Hart & Allen were general dealers. John Sweeney advertised to pay a premium for Spanish dollars and gold coin, also to cash prize tickets in the "Medical Science Lottery No. I." Abraham Dox " recommenced " busines in this year at " the most reduced prices." Philip Rupert dealt in boots and shoes. A " New Establishment " was the copper, tin, and sheet-iron manufactory of Lewis Miller & Co., on Seneca street George Hemiup likewise be- gan " chairmaking " in the shop " lately occupied by F. Backenstose." At the corner of Main street and Canandaigua turnpike (Hamilton street) Seth Chapin had a stonecutting and monument works. Wm. Hildreth, Root & Co. advertised a mail stage from Geneva to Pittsford.
In addition we may mention the names of other early merchants of Geneva, among whom were Thomas Lowthrop & Co., Darius Bonnel, Herrick & Bliss, Carwell & Fitzhugh, Lucius Warner, Wm. Cary, James Gerry (brewer), David S. Skaats, J. Van Valkenburgh, Bank of Geneva, John Nicholas, J. B. & Robert Rumney, H. Hastings, Wm. S. De Zeng,
273
TOWN OF GENEVA. ,
David S. Hall, Phineas Prouty, James Carter & Co. The list might be continued indefinitely throughout a long period of years, but the fore- going mention is thought to be sufficient to bring to mind the names of some of the prominent business men of Geneva during the inter- esting years of early history. Many of the old names are still pre- served, but the pioneers are all gone and new generations have taken their places and enlarged upon the original beginnings. As a busi- ness locality " the hill " has lost all prominence, yet its substantial buildings, well preserved and maintained, are all occupied, many of them as dwellings, and others as offices of professional men. The old hotel has passed through some changes and enlargements, and is now a famous institution, of which futher mention is made in this chapter; the old Bank of Geneva, after a life of many years, is now a thing of the past, yet its descent can be traced to the pres- ent Geneva National Bank. This is also true of many other of the village institutions, each of which had a small and humble beginning, and have been gradually improved and enlarged by later generations of actors in every field of life until the present satisfactory condition of things is attained ; and in noting the history of these institutions, and the persons connected with them, we have in the result the history of the village itself. To these, therefore, the reader's attention is next directed.
The Geneva Water Works Company .- The present water supply com- pany traces its history back almost an hundred years, to the time when the energetic action of Captain Williamson and a few of his associates laid log pipes from the White Springs, and thus furnished the village with wholesome water for all domestic purposes. The organization of this primitive company was accomplished in August, 1796, and in the next year the water supply was furnished. On the 31st of March, 1803, an incorporated campany was formed, among whom were Herman H. Bogert, Jacob Hallett, Jacob W. Hallett, Samuel Colt, Nathaniel Merrill, David Cook, David Naglee, Ezra Patterson, Charles Williamson, Thomas Powell, John Johnston, Polydore B. Wisner and Joseph Annin. This company for some time operated the old system provided originally, cast iron pipes with a bore of two and one-half inches being substituted in 1846, but the rapid growth and extension
35
274
HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY.
of the village finally necessitated a more substantial equipment and a greater supply; consequently new pipes were laid and the storage reservoir increased in capacity. In 1875 the works of the company were a second time enlarged, and again in 1887 and '88, the latter increase in capacity being the cause of much discussion and some feel- ing throughout the village. At this time a pumping station was estab- lished on the lake to increase the natural reservoir supply, and this was the occasion of the criticisms upon the action of the company. There have been established at various convenient points throughout the village 125 fire hydrants, from which water is taken in case of fire, the same being paid for by the village. There are about fifteen miles of from four to twelve-inch main pipe. The capital stock of the company is $20,000, and the officers are Stephen H. Hammond, president ; A. L. Chew, treasurer ; Edward Kingsland, secretary ; Samuel S. Graves, superintendent. Cost of the works has been $150,000, and in the pres- ent year, 1893, the works are again being enlarged.
The Fire Department .- In 1816, at a time when Geneva had a popu- lation of about one thousand, the trustees decided to organize a fire com- pany, whose services, with " good leather buckets," hooks, axes, pikes, ladders and ropes, would be available in case of fire. The act of incor- poration authorized the purchase of an engine, but some time passed before one was secured. The first company comprised these village residents : William Giffing (captain), Silas Chapin, James Lawson, A. McNab, Phineas Prouty, Francis Day, Wm. Powell, Peter Thomas, Daniel Cook, David Field, jr., A. B. Hall, Hiram Walbridge, Castle Sutherland, Bostwick Noble, Nathaniel Noble, Gaines Clark, Roswell Baker and Eli Bannister.
This company, among whom the reader will recognize many familiar names of old times, constituted the village fire department about two years, when the trustees determined to organize three companies, numbered in order, whose members should " man the brakes," handle the hose, and attend to the ladders. By this time it seems the depart- ment passed the condition of bucket brigade and partook of more for- mal organized character ; however, the buckets were retained and held in readiness for an emergency. Reference to the organization of the three companies also recalls the names of early inhabitants, hence we
275
TOWN OF GENEVA.
reproduce them as follows : No. 1, Daniel L. Skaats, Jabez Pease, David Field, jr., James Black, Wm. Tippetts, Richard Hogarth, Comfort Haw- ley, D. L. Lum, Matthew Lum, A. P. Tillman, Joseph M. Davinny, Silas Chapin, Samuel Jacobs, Moses Hall, Francis Nares, Wm. Alcock, John Wilson, Samuel P. Hall, George Mumford and Wm. W. Watson.
No. 2, Wm. Field, Jno. Singer, Truman Smith, Jno. Dox, Perez Hastings, Jno. Staunton, Stephen Brock, Jas. G. Dorchester, Orson Brice, Elias Beach, Peter R. Thomas, Hiram Walbridge, A. B. Hall, Jas. Radliff, David Fulford, WVm. Cortelyou, Fred Haas, Wm. Goff, Daniel Cook and Jonathan Keeney.
No. 3, G. P. Griffith, Jas. R. Rees, Andrew McNab, Roswell Baker, G. Clark, Jno. Springstead, Eli Bannister, Wm. Sutton, Jas. Hayes, Seth Chapin, Anthony Hemings, E. Northam, Burton Monroe, Chris. Camp- bell, Wm. Nutting, Bowen Whiting, Chas. A. Cook, Castle Sutherland, Aaron Young, David Wilson.
These companies were equipped with what was then modern appara- tus, comprising hand engines, and hose and hook and ladder companies, which rendered efficient service for many years. In fact this comprised the department equipment until 1866, when a "Silsby " steamer was purchased, also a " Button " engine in 1868, but in the mean time the personnel of the organizations had materially changed, new and younger members entering the department, thus adding to its activity and effi- ciency. However, in July, 1870, the entire department was reorganized, its number very much reduced, and those retained in the service were paid for duty performed. Instead of drawing the engines " by hand," horse were procured, and Geneva thus inaugurated the paid system, being one of the first villages in the State to do so.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.