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 28
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
308
HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY.
The church now has 250 communicants and a Sunday-school with about 200 members. The wardens of St. Peter's are Samuel S. Graves and Davis L. Stacy ; vestrymen, S. H. Parker, Charles A. Steele, A. A. Halsey, Julius R. Roenke, James E. Brown, H. B. Graves, Benja- min Harvey, Peter R. Cole.
The Methodist Episcopal Church of Geneva was not in fact organized until the year 1818, although as early as 1793 Methodist preaching services were held in the region, and in 1811 a class of eight members was formed in the village, Mr Loomis being the first leader. In 1818 the present society was organized by Rev. Ralph Lanning, the mem- bers numbering thirteen persons, who held their meetings in the Me- chanic's Society School house on Castle street, on the site where the society afterward built a church edifice. Prior to 1821 Geneva was a mission, and the first house of worship, built on the site mentioned, was dedicated on Christmas Day, 1821.
In 1828 this church was constituted a separate pastoral charge, then having seventy- two white and three colored members. The church on the corner of Maine and Seneca streets was begun in 1839 and finished in 1840, the dedicatory services being held August 15. The original cost of the building was $20,000, and it was substantially rebuilt in 1885 at a considerable expense. The present trustees of the church are Dr. A. B. Smith, George Taylor, A. G. Frisbie, D. P. Nelson and W. I. Bonnett. The present pastor is Rev. R. D. Munger, and the superannuated ministers, D. D. Buck, D.D., and H. T. Giles.
The pastors in succession have been as follows: Manley Tooker, Seth Mattison, John B. Alverson, John W. Nevens, Calvin S. Coats, Elijah Hibbard, Seth Mattison, Wm. P. Davis, F. G. Hibbard, Moses Crane, F. G. Hibbard, O. R. Howard, John Dennis, John G. Gulick, John Raines, Wm. H. Goodwin, T. H. Kellogg, D. D. Buck, Thos. Tousey, John W. Wilson, Wm. H. Goodwin, D D., John Raines, A. F. Morey, George Van Alstyne, A. W. Green, A. J. Kenyon, Robert C. Brownlee (3 terms), T. M. House, Charles H. Wright, John C. Nichols and R. D. Munger, the latter being the present pastor, whose connection with the local church began in 1891. The Geneva M. E. church has 340 members, and a Sunday school with 250 members.
309
TOWN OF GENEVA.
The United Presbyterian Church, by many known as the Scotch church, dated its history in Geneva back as far as 1826, when Rev. D. C. McLaren ordained elders in the old M. E. church on Castle street. In 1830 the society had gained sufficient strength to erect a church house on Castle street, which it continued to occupy until the dissolu- tion of the society and the organization of what is now the North Pres- byterian church, with which nearly all the other members (in 1870) united. The supplies, pastors and others connected with the United Presbyterian church, during the period of its existence, were D. C. Mc- Laren, David Currie, J. F. McLaren, T. S. Farrington, W. S. McLaren, J. L. Robertson, D. A. Duff, A. C. Roe.
In connection with the history of this church the statement may be made that the original name of the society was " Associate Reformed Congregation of Geneva," and that in the spring of 1858, by a union of the Associate Presbyterian and Reformed Presbyterian churches at large, the local society became thenceforth known as the United Pres- byterian Church of Geneva.
The Protestant Reformed Dutch Church of Geneva was organized on the 24th of August, 1831, at a meeting held in the Associated Reformed Presbyterian church on Castle street. The original members numbered nine persons, from whom Peter Dox and John Veader were chosen elders, and John N. Bogert and George Giffing deacons. For about six months worship was held in the red brick building on William street, and afterwards in Masonic Hall, on the site of the present First Presbyterian church chapel, and in 1832 the large and commodious edifice was completed, the edifice being dedicated January 17, 1833. The society continued in existence for a period of nearly sixty years, during that time enjoying successes and meeting with reverses. Its membership began to decline about 1865, and the society was financially weak. The church was indebted to the Collegiate church in New York, which debt fell due when the local society ceased to be a Dutch church. The remedy was pursued, the edifice sold in 1887, and the village became its owner in a year or two afterwards. However, dur- ing the year 1890 the property was bought by the Catholic church for the purpose of establishing a branch of that church in the village. The pastors of the Dutch church, from the time of its organization to the
310
HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY.
final dissolution, were as follows: Revs. Henry Mandeville, Gustavus Abeel, D.D., Rev. C. C. Van Arsddale, D.D., pastoral supply, James Romeyn, D.D., Henry V. Vorhees, Joseph A. Collier, Charles Wiley, D.D., Samuel J. Rogers, William W. Brush, John O. Oppie, Rev. D. D. Buck, D.D., pastoral supply, Wm. H. Nasholds and Dr. Thomas G. Strong, the latter acting as stated supply at the time of the ending of the church's career.
The Universalist Church and Society of Geneva were organized No- vember 8, 1834, and in the next year the church edifice was erected at a cost of about $6,500. The society has never been large, and now has about one hundred and twenty-five members. The pastors have been Revs. Jacob Chase, jr., George Sanderson, Stephen Miles, Oliver Ackley, Z. Cook, Hiram Torrey, L. L. Sadler, E. Case, jr., S. W. Rem- ington, J. Bartlett, John M. Austin, J. F. Countryman, C. C. Richard- son, E. S. Corbin, E. E Bartlett, H. B. Howell, C. E. Perkins, O. M. Hilton and J. H. Ballou, the latter being the present pastor. The trus- tees of the society are W. E. Hayes, M. W. Hemiup, J. A. Barcklay, A. J. Rutheford, H. W. Harris and C. N. Hemiup.
The First Baptist Church of Geneva was organized on the 26th of February, 1826, and on the 5th of March following held its first cove- nant meeting. On April I thereafter Elder E. W. Martin was chosen as the first pastor. There were twenty- five original mem- bers. The first meeting-house was erected in 1829, and to it substantial repairs were made in 1849. In 1867 the comfortable frame edifice on Milton street was built, but during recent years the growth of the society has been such as to require the erection of a large house of worship; consequently a lot at the corner of North Main and Lewis streets was secured, upon which there is in course of erection an elegant brick and stone edifice, which from an architectural standpoint is not surpassed by any similar structure in the village.
The church now has about 350 members, and in the Sunday school are 200 pupils. The succession of pastors of the Geneva Baptist church has been as follows : Elders E. W. Martin, Norman Bentley, S. Davi- son, J. Sears, W. B. Miller, Wm. W. Smith, John Middleton, Edward Tozer, W. T. Purrington, Elder Lawton, W. T. Parish, Elder Carpenter (supply), B. B. Gibbs, T. S. Hill, M. S. Goodno, J. Byington Smith,
311
TOWN OF GENEVA.
Dr. David D. Moore, Donald Grant, Walter Barse and Brewer G. Boardman, the latter being the present pastor of the church.
St. Francis De Sales Church (Roman Catholic) .- The parish and church was organized in 1832 under the direction of Bishop Du Bois, and in the same year a church edifice was built. In 1858 Rev. James McManus became pastor, and under his ministry the attendance was so greatl, increased that a new edifice became necessary. Accordingly, in 1864 the present large structure was built at a cost of about $30,- 000. Father McManus continued pastor of this church until the time of his death, June 28, 1890, and on July 26 of the same year, was suc- ceeded by Father Wm. A. McDonald.
In 1875 Father McManus established St. Francis De Sales Parochial school, a very worthy and thorough institution, now numbering 500 pupils in attendance. This school is admirably conducted by the Sisters of St. Joseph.
The Evangelical Association of Geneva was organized in 1873, the first pastor being John Reuber. No church house was provided until 1885, when the neat brick edifice on Main street was erected. The Association has eighty-six members, and a Sabbath school with seventy-five attendants. The pastors, in succession, have been John Reuber, Charles Weisman, Jacob Burghart, A. Schlenk, David Fischer, Jacob Vosseller, Louis Heinmiller, Frederick Lohmeyer and Andrew Holzwarth.
A Free Church for the colored worshipers of all denominations was erected on High street as early as 1825 or '26. This building was burned, and a new church was built in 1892. It has no present resi- dent pastor.
THE GENEVA PRESS.
In November, 1796, Lucius Carey published at Geneva the first number of the Ontario Gazette and Western Chronicle. Although this paper was founded under the immediate direction and pat- ronage of Charles Williamson, it continued publication in Geneva only about a year and a half, when it was removed to Canandaigua, from which village its worthy descendant, the Repository and Messenger,
312
HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY.
is still issued. A copy of the first number of the paper printed at Ge- neva, is now in the Reynolds Library, Rochester, N. Y.
In the early part of 1806 James Bogert became a resident of Geneva, and in November of the same year he established the Expositor, the second paper of the village, the publication of which was continued by him for a period of more than twenty seven years, or until December 4 1833. However, in 1809, Mr. Bogert changed the name of his paper from Expositor to the Geneva Gazette, by which it has ever since been known. Grieve & Merrell (John Grieve and J. C. Merrell) succeeded next to the ownership of the Gasette, and in 1836 Mr Merrell became its sole proprietor, continuing only one year, and then selling to J. J. Mattison. During the later years of his proprietorship John H. Dey was a partner of Mr. Merrell. J. Taylor Bradt next owned the paper, and in 1839 he sold to Stowe & Frazee. From some unknown cause the Gazette was declared to be an unprofitable business enterprise, and for a time its publication was suspended. However, in January, 1845, the office and plant was purchased by Ira and Stephen H. Parker, who not only revived the paper under its old name, but who gave such ener- gy and force to its publication that it at once became a leading paper in the county, and one not only satisfactory to the reading public, but a source of profit to its owners. In 1852 Stephen H Parker became sole proprietor of the Gazette, and has continued in that relation to the pres- ent time, the year 1893 being the forty-second of his sole ownership and the forty-ninth of his connection with the paper.
During the publication of the Expositor, James Bogert was a Feder- alist, but while publishing the Gazette and on the approach of the War of 1812, he became a Democrat, and although he was associated with influence which might have allied him to federalism, he was patriotically democratic during the War of 1812-15. He was upon the frontier in 1812 bearing a captain's commission, and was afterwards commissioned colonel.
Mr. Parker has maintained the political standard established by Colonel Bogert in 1812, and has been consistently democratic in his conduct of the Gazette ; perhaps we might truthfully say his course has been at times enthusiastically with his party platform. But regardless of the political tendencies of the Gazette, it is one of the leading papers
I. A. Parker.
314
HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY.
Mr. William O. Bunn became sole proprietor of the paper and Mr. Elon G. Salisbury continued in the office in the capacity of editor.
In January, 1876, when the Geneva Courier establishment came un - der the control of Mr. Malette, then began a period of rapid growth. There was at that date in the office the usual force, in such towns as Geneva was then, of five printers, including the " devil." The business was carried on in one good sized room, in which were all the printing materials, including the press, engine and boiler. Subsequently this same establishment comprised four newspapers, a large jobbing depart- ment, and from thirty to forty persons, occupying four floors, including a building planned and erected for its use. Two printing plants had grown up within its walls; one of them newspapers, as stated else- where ; and in July, 1891, Mr. Malette disposed of the Courier, as has been narrated.
During the period mentioned, the Courier found itself two or three times out of line with the Republican party, especially in its support of bi metalism, and also its advocacy of the policy of withdrawing the Federal military arm from the administration of civil government in the Southern States, and it met a storm of opposition particularly in regard to the latter ; but both policies were subsequently incorporated into the Republican national platforms. On every important question from the inception of the party the paper was either with or in advance of the party itself, it was as a rule radical and not conservative, while on every moral question it uniformly favored the very best attainable standard, regardless of party exigency or private interest.
The Saturday Review, (Geneva) ; The News-Letter, (Ontario County), and The Seneca County News . Letter, published at Geneva, James Malette, editor and proprietor ; F. A. Malette, managing editor. These news- papers, constituting a series, issued on a plan essentially new in the field of journalism, with their field of circulation chiefly in Ontario and Sen- eca counties, and representing no one place in preference to any other, were designed to bring into more intimate relation the people of the various towns and villages in the section of the country in which they are circulated.
The initial publications were The Miscellany and The Asteroid, begun in 1878. At first the sheets comprised four pages, twenty columns in
James Malette
315
TOWN OF GENEVA.
all. Successive enlargements were made from this point, and the plan of publication was developed so that the three issues assumed their present form, size and character (1893), each paper twelve pages, seven- ty-two columns, and together including news departments and offices in from thirty to forty towns; in each of which towns the news of the other towns is served as far as practicable to all the readers every Sat- urday. Sensationalism is avoided. The three papers are alike, bright, newsy, entertaining, of high character, useful to all communities within the radius of their influence.
The Miscellaneous Register, edited by William Ray and published by Leavenworth & Ray, was published from July 20, 1822.
The Christian Magasine, a monthly publication, Rev. John F. Mc- Laren, editor, under the supervision of the Associate Reformed Synod of New York, was first published January, 1832, and was continued for about twelve years, being discontinued in 1854. The Young Ladies' Mirror, published from August 1, 1834, to August 1, 1835, by Imley Prescott. First editor, E. D. Kennicott, subsequent editor, Jacob Chase, jr. Literary Museum, published from March 13, 1834, to March 30, 1835, by Snow & Williams. Herald of Truth, publication begun by Imley Prescott on June 21, 1834, with E. D. Kennicott as first editor, who was followed by Jacob Chase, jr., and G. N. Montgomery. Publi- cation continued in Geneva until December 23, 1836, when it was re- moved to Rochester by George Sanderson, its subsequent proprietor.
The Geneva Democrat was published during the campaign of 1840, by Stone & Frazer. The District School Journal (monthly) was started in Geneva in 1840 by Francis Dwight, and removed to Albany in 1841. The Geneva Advertiser and Mechanics' Advocate, a semi-weekly, was started in 1841 by S. Merrill & Co, and continued one year. The Geneva Budget first appeared in 1852, published by Sproul & Tanner,
and suspended in 1854. The New York State Intelligencer lived only through the year 1848. The Ontario Whig, semi weekly was started in Geneva in 1850 by Wm. C. Busted and discontinued in 1852. The Geneva Independent and Freeman's Gazette was established in 1851 by W. K. Fowle and by him published until 1855, followed by H. G. Moore until 1857, when it became known as the Geneva Ledger and again passed into the hands of its founder. Mr. Fowle also started the Gen-
316
HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY.
eva Daily Union in 1858, but the venture was unprofitable, and the paper, therefore, discontinued. The Ledger also ceased in 1859.
The Geneva Advertiser first made its appearance December 31, 1880, under the editorship of Edgar Parker, and, although it ventured into a well filled field, the paper has maintained an exceedingly healthy exist- ence even from its first number. Mr. Parker entered the journalistic arena with a rich experience, gathered during long years of service on the Gazette, but he had become thoroughly disgusted with advocating radical party platform declarations when the controlling elements of the party itself failed to maintain its rights. The Tilden campaign failure of 1876, followed by the split of 1879 and the defeat of 1880, led to the founding of the Advertiser as an independent paper, bound to no party and tied to no candidate, and on this principle the publication has been founded and maintained ; and with more than fair success to the owner. The Advertiser has a good circulation and a satisfactory advertising support. In fact it is a bright, newsy and desirable family paper.
The Geneva Democrat is the latest venture into the local field of jour- nalism and, although young in years, having been published for two years, it has shown a remarkable growth. It is well dressed in appear- ance, vigorous in tone and strong in support of the party whose cause it advocates. It is edited and published by William P. O'Malley.
BUSINESS INTERESTS AND MANUFACTURES.
The mention of this subject naturally takes us back again to the early history of the village to a time when the principal business interests were centered at the square. From Mrs. Bradford's valuable history we learn that " the early merchants of Geneva were Grieve & Moffat, Samuel Colt, Richard M. Williams, Elijah Gordon, Richard M. Bailey, Abraham Dox." Septimus Evans was an early settler and "respectable" merchant. Daniel W. Lewis was an early resident and lawyer. Polydore B. Wisner prac- ticed law here in 1805. Moses Hall had a shop where Edward Kingsland lives now. Samuel Colt has already been mentioned among the busi - ness men. Dr. William Adams was the first physician ; other early med- ical men were Drs. John Henry and Daniel Goodwin. "Among the earliest mechanics were William Tappan, John and Abraham Hall, Moses Hall, William W. Watson, John Woods, Foster Barnard, Richard Lazalere and Jacob and Joseph Backenstose."
317
TOWN OF GENEVA.
From Colonel James Bogert's reminiscences of Geneva, published by Mrs. Bradford, it is learned that in 1805 there were thirty-five houses on Main street, seven on Seneca street, five on Castle street, two on Genesee street, and one on Pulteney street, and that many of the now important streets were not then laid. From the same authority we also learn " that the north side of Seneca street on which there is now (1833) a compact mass of beautiful and substantial buildings, was long after we commenced the publication of our paper (1806) improved as a mowing field."
However, it is not our purpose at this time to dwell at length on the old business interests of Geneva. There are now living in the village many persons whose recollection carries them back from fifty to sixty- five years ; persons who have observed the growth of the place from the small hamlet to the metropolitan village, now having a volume of business equal to some of the cities of the State. In a preceding portion of this chapter we have traced the development of business and noted the gradual decline of the park vicinity and the corresponding use of Seneca, Exchange (formerly Water), and Castle streets as business thoroughfares. But in manufactures Geneva did not gain any great prominence until after the building of the railroads, and the greatest strides in this direction have been made during the last quarter of a cen- tury. Glancing over the village directory for 1867, the names of man- ufacturers appearing are as follows: James Alexander, brewer, David W. Baird, carriage manufacturer; Henry D. Beach, bedstead maker and " leader of the band ; " Charles Bennett, brickyard ; Wm. H. Brund- age, carriage factory ; Bullard & Co., manufacturers of dial attachment dampers for stove pipes ; Alfred Catchpole, foundry and machine shop ; Conger & McKay, saw and planing mill and spoke factory; Patrick Coursey, wool puller and tanner; John B. Dixon, tile manufacturer ; Wm. B. Dunning, proprietor iron works ; P. H. & G. W. Field, maltsters ; Samuel L. Jones, planing- mill; Benjamin W. Keyes, carriage manufact- urer; Rubert & Co., yeast factory ; Richard Snyder, brick yard. A few of these industries are still in existence, and may be mentioned among those of the present day. Especially are the names of Wm. B. Dunning, Benj. W. Keyes and David W. Baird familiar to quite recent business interests.
318
HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY.
The New York Central Iron Works Company, that great Geneva in- dustry, was incorporated in 1890, and is the outgrowth of an original business established by Wm. B. Dunning in 1851. In 1853 Mr. Dun- ning began making boilers, mill irons and other articles on a larger scale, and with each passing year found a largely increasing business. The old works were burned in 1870, and at once replaced with the present buildings. Here are made the Dunning steam and hot water heaters, steam engines, boilers and general machinery. The company was incor- porated July 1, 1890, having $100,000 capital. Its officers are Wm. B. Dunning, president ; O. J. C. Rose, vice-president and treasurer ; E. N. Squires, secretary and manager.
In 1868 Edward W. Herendeen established the Thomas Harrow Company for the manufacture of harrows, also various kinds of other agricultural implements This branch of business has not been wholly discarded, although the chief products of the present large plant are the Furman heaters, and steam and hot water boilers. The Herendeen Manufacturing Company was incorporated in February, 1888, with $100,000 capital. The officers are : Edward W. Herendeen, president ; Francis A. Herendeen, secretary ; Wm. L. Herendeen, treasurer ; Fred- erick J. Furman, superintendent.
The firm of T. Smith & Co. is the outgrowth of a business established on the Waterloo turnpike in 1859 by Ezra Havens, who had a spoke and bendings works in that location. At a later date the firm of Kipp, McDougall & Co. succeeded Havens, and the business was moved to Exchange street, occupying the old Burrall foundry building. Thomas Smith afterward became owner of the works, but the buildings were burned in 1873. Being at once rebuilt, the firm of T. Smith & Co. was formed, Daniel Catchpole and Thomas McBlain becoming partners with Mr. Smith. The present firm comprises Mr. Smith, Daniel, Edward A.' and Lewellen G. Catchpole, and was formed in November, 1891.
In 1871 the Geneva Malt House was established by Samuel K. Nes- ter, and the industry thus founded by him more than twenty years ago has grown to mammoth proportion, being recognized as one of the most extensive of its kind in the country.
The Geneva Optical Company, whose extensive works until recently were on Linden street, but in 1893 moved to an elegant large building
319
TOWN OF GENEVA.
at the corner of Lyceum and Nursery avenue, was formed in January, 1875, for the purpose of manufacturing optical goods. The active orig- inators of the industry were Corydon Wheat, Andrew L. Smith, and William Hall. The officers of the company are : Thomas Smith, presi- dent ; Wm. Smith, vice-president ; Thomas J. Smith, treasurer ; Wm. Bowker, secretary and superintendent. The company is capitalized at $100,000, and employs about 200 persons.
The Standard Optical Company was organized in 1883, to operate in connection with the Geneva Optical Company. Its capital is $300,000.
The large Steam Roller Flour Mill at the south end of Exchange street, was built in 1877 by Patrick and Stephen Coursey. In 1880 Stephen Coursey became sole proprietor. This is one of the best mills in the county, and has a full equipment of roller machinery, with a ca- pacity of 125 barrels of flour daily.
The Geneva Preserving Company was incorporated in March, 1889, with $40,000 capital. The buildings are located in the north part of the village, and here during the year 1892 were canned 1, 250,000 pack- ages of fruits and vegetables. The officers are : Irving Rouse, presi- dent ; S. D. Willard, vice-president ; B. E. Rouse, secretary ; E. H. Palmer, treasurer.
The Phillips and Clark Stove Company. In 1885 the firm of G. H. Phillips & Co. moved from Troy to Geneva, and soon thereafter a prop- osition was made to organize a company for the manufacture of stoves on an extensive scale. Local capitalists hesitated about entering into the enterprise, but after a short time a stock company with $100,000 capital was incorporated. The Phillips interests expressed a willingness to take a $75,000 of the stock, a fact considered quite surprising at the time, but Mr. Phillips was experienced in business and saw grand pos- sibilities to be attained with works at Geneva. The necessary buildings were at once erected and the company began business ; and it is a fact that this is by far the largest and best paying industry now operating in Geneva. The works employ about 250 men, while the output of stoves is about 100 per day. The officers of the company are : George H. Phillips, president and manager; F. O. Mason, vice president ; E. B. Webster, secretary ; W. A. Clark, treasurer ; L. S. Phillips, superin- tendent.
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.