USA > New York > Oswego County > History of Oswego County, New York, with illustrations and Biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 61
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Mnch interest was manifested in the new church, and within a month from its organization twelve children were baptized by the Rev. D. D. Field, of Stoekbridge, Massa- chusetts, who visited the church as a missionary. The church was visited by Rev. J. Dunlap, as missionary, in 1818, and by Rev. J. Davenport in 1819. March 19, 1820, James Crosby presented a letter of dismission from the Presbyterian church of Volney certifying his regular standing as a member and ruling elder, and was received by this church in the same capacity. He was the first officer or ruling elder of the church, and officiated solely in that capacity until January 13, 1828, when Nathan Rowlee and Theodore Foster were ordained ruling elders. On the 16th day of July, 1827, the society was organized at a school-
house in the town of Granby, and the following persons were chosen trustees : Artemus Leonard, Bushnell Carcy, Freeman Hancock, N. B. Northrop, Theodore F. Romeyn, and Charles Comstock. It was " Resolved, that this church and society be hereafter styled the Presbyterian church and society of Fulton and Granby."
During the first nine years of the church it was visited by the following missionaries : Revs. John Dunlap, D. D. Field, John Davenport, Oliver Leavitt, D. R. Dixon, and Oliver Eastman. Up to the close of the year 1827, the church had worshiped in a school-house that stood near the Upper Landing, but in 1828 they changed their place of worship to the school-house on the west side of the river, immediately west of the western terminus of the toll-bridge then spanning the river, and near the dwelling of the late Isaac Giddings.
In 1828, Rev. Adam Miller, a licentiate from the Auburn theological seminary, officiated as supply for the church, and remained one year.
At a session of the church held in 1828 charges were presented against several members for various offenses, one of which was for playing whist. The lady charged with this monstrous sin was cited to appear before the session, and " make public confession of this fore-mentioned sin of playing whist ;" and the confession was accordingly made by one of the elders. As Judge Tyler remarks, " This was for the sin of playing whist !"
During the year 1829 the church had no regular preacher, but was occasionally visited by Revs. James Abel, Abel Caldwell, S. V. Bogue, E. J. Chapman, Martin Powell, and others. In 1830, Rev. Martin Powell was employed as a stated supply, and continued his labors until some time during the year 1832.
April 30, 1832, the church was re-organized, under the name of " The First Presbyterian Society of Fulton and Granby," with the following trustees : Peter Schenck, Geo. Salmon, Jr., Elijah Mann, Edward Baxter, Freeman Han- cock, and Moses L. Lee.
In 1833, the first church edifice was erected, built of wood, thirty by forty feet in size, and was located on the corner of Oneida and Second streets. This house of wor- ship was dedicated on the 8th of November, 1833, by the Rev. R. W. Condit. Rev. Ichabod A. Hart preached for the society in 1833. Rev. John Eastman commenced preaching for the society January 26, 1834, and on the 10th day of the following September was installed as the first pastor of the church, and remained until October 5, 1837. He was succeeded by Rev. Seth Smalley, who offi- ciated as supply about one year, and was followed by Rev. Wm. Fuller, who was installed on the 24th of April, 1839, and served as pastor until April 20, 1841. The fol- lowing-named persons served the church occasionally until 1842 : Rev. Dr. Condit, a Mr. Loomis, and the Rev. S. Whaley. Mr. Whaley was employed as stated supply one year. Soon after the termination of Mr. Whaley's engage- ment Rev. T. R. Townsend hecame a stated supply, and officiated in that capacity until the following December, when he was called to the pastorate. He was installed during the winter, and continned his labors until the spring of 1851.
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IIISTORY OF OSWEGO COUNTY, NEW YORK.
During the pastorate of Mr. Townsend the growth of the church had been so rapid that it became necessary to ereet a more commodious edifice. Measures were at once adopted to build a new church, and on the 2d day of January, 1845, the present church edifice was dedicated, the Rev. Dr. Hiekok, then one of the professors in the theological semi- nary at Auburn, preaching the sermon. At the conclusion of Mr. Townsend's labors the church was supplied a few months by Rev. S. E. Bishop. Rev. Edward Lord was installed as pastor February 10, 1852, and continued in the pastorate thirteen years. He was absent in the army one year as chaplain of the One Hundred and Tenth Regi- ment, the pulpit being supplied in the mean time by T. B. Hudson, D.D. Soon after 1865 Rev. F. A. Spencer oc- cupied the pulpit six months. He was followed by Rev. Dr. Hopkins, senior professor in the Auburn theological seminary, who supplied the desk upon the Sabbath, Deeem- ber, 1866, when Rev. C. J. Hutchins became pastor, and was installed June 12, 1867, and served until 1869.
At the close of the labors of Mr. Hutchins, Rev. Mr. Clark, of Massachusetts, supplied the pulpit two Sabbaths. Rev. A. C. Shaw, the present pastor, was installed in June or July, 1870.
THE BAPTIST CHURCH.
It is said that ministers of this denomination preached here as early as 1806, but the first church was organized in the autumn of 1817, at the house of the late Richard Falley, Esq., with the following members, viz .: Richard Falley and wife, Bradford Dart and wife, Margaret Falley, and Hannah Fish. The first persons who united with this church by baptism were Rufus Cram and Zeriah Falley. It does not appear that this church ever had a settled pastor, or became incorporated as a religious society. The little band was occasionally supplied by Rev. Enoch Ferris, an old-fashioned preacher of Richland. After a few years, the place of worship was removed to the present town of Palermo.
In 1827 a number of the members residing in the village united with others outside, and organized a new church. This meeting was held at the house of Deacon Timothy Wetmore, about three miles east of the village, and the persons constituting the new organization were as follows, viz .: Timothy Wetmore, Hannah Wetmore, Sanford Smith, Aaron G. Fish, Mrs. Luey Ann Fish, Josiah Smith, Polly Smith, Zadok Thomas, Chloe Thomas, Zeriah Sanford, Martha Baxter, and Betsey Gates. This church worshiped in the sixteenth school-house, and for five years had no settled pastor, but was supplied by various persons, among whom were Elders J. P. Evans, Judah Wright, and George Hill. In 1832, Rev. Asa Caldwell was settled as pastor, who served the church about two years, and was succeeded by Rev. Chas. Merritt, of Granby, who in turn was followed by Elder Camp; and during his pastorate the stated wor- ship was transferred to the " old red school-house," standing upon the corner of Second and Cayuga streets, in the vil- lage of Fulton. Here they worshiped four or five years, excepting a few months, when meetings were held in the old Universalist church. Elder Camp was succeeded, after a brief interim, by Rev. T. A. Green, who served the society one year. This church was without a legally in-
corporated society until July 2, 1838, when a meeting was held in the district school-house, and the society was incor- porated with the following trustees : Kingsford E. Sanford, Timothy Barnes, Joseph Sanford, M. Newell, James W. Tucker, J. C. Whitman, and Ephraim Beardsley. This organization was called the " First Baptist Society of Ful- ton." Rev. Peter Woodin became pastor of the eliurch in 1839, and served in that capacity six years. In 1841 a church edifice was begun, and in January of the following year was completed, at a cost of twenty-three hundred dol- lars. Mr. Woodin closed his pastorate in the spring of 1845.
Below is given a list of those who have served this church in the pastoral relation from 1845 to 1878, embracing a period of thirty-three years : Rev. L. Ranstead, three years ; Rev. C. B. Post, one year ; Rev. J. B. Simmons, six years ; Rev. S. W. Titus, eight years; Rev. G. R. Pierce, three years (Elder Woodin and Professor Yager, supplies, one year); Rev. E. J. Harrison, supply, six months, pastor three months; Rev. R. II. Ketcham, few months; Rev. Chas. E. Smith, supply, ten months ; Rev. J. F. Murphy, supply, nine months.
Rev. George Baptiste was called to the pastorate in 1872. After his resignation the pulpit was supplied by various persons until the present pastor, Rev. Wm. Ostler, assumed the charge.
ZION CHURCHI.
This church was organized on the 22d day of June, 1835, by the Rev. John McCarty, then rector of Christ church, in the city of Oswego.
The following persons were chosen officers of the church : Wardens, Anson Sackett and Zacharius Eddy ; Vestrymen, John C. Highriter, Robert Hubbell, Hiram D. Wheat, Norman Kellogg, Richard D. Hubbard, Elbert Holmes, John O'Niel, David H. Highriter.
In 1836 measures were adopted for the erecting of a church edifice, and on the 6th day of August of that year the corner-stone was laid by Rev. Mr. McCarty, of Oswego, and in the ensuing year the structure was inclosed. The building committee was composed of Elbert Holmes, John C. Highriter, and David Highriter, who labored earnestly to accomplish the work. Captain John Wilson, a zealous communicant of the church, also rendered efficient aid, and was indefatigable in his efforts to accomplish the work.
The first missionary who labored for the little parish was Rev. George B. Engle, who came in 1838, having in charge at the same time the parish of West Grauby and Baldwins- ville. After the close of Mr. Engle's labors, the parish was without a rector until 1842, when the Rev. A. C. Treadway took the charge, and remained three years. Ile was succeeded by Rev. O. P. Holcomb, who officiated for three years, and was succeeded by Rev. George S. Porter, who labored one year. The church was without a rector from the close of Mr. Porter's pastorate until April 26, 1849. Rev. Theodore M. Bishop then assumed the charge of the parish, and officiated until some time during the year 1857, embracing a period of eight years.
Mr. Bishop was sueeceded by Rev. William Atwell, who located in 1858, and continued one year. Rev. L. D. Fur- geson was then chosen as a supply, and served the church
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HISTORY OF OSWEGO COUNTY, NEW YORK.
nearly two years. During the rectorship of Mr. Furgeson St. Luke's church, at West Granby, was consolidated with Zion church. In the month of August, 1861, the Rev. T. M. Bishop was recalled, and officiated as rector about seven years. In 1869, Nathan F. Whiting, D.D., was chosen rector, and remained two years. The present rector, Rev. Edward Moysess, entered upon his duties May 1, 1872.
THE UNIVERSALIST CHURCH.
Under the auspices of the late Alfred Sabin, who was a firm believer in the doctrines of that church, the Rev. S. R. Smith, a Universalist preacher of Clinton, Oneida county, came to the village in the year 1828, and preached in the school-house then standing on the " flats." This was the first Universalist service held in Fulton. In 1831 Rev. Matthew Bullard, a minister of this denomination, came to the village and preached about three months in the school-house that occupied the site of the present Free Methodist church. In 1832 the church was organized, and Rev. O. Wiston employed as pastor, and preached in the then Upper Landing school-house, on alternate Sabbaths for one year. He was succeeded by Rev. John French, who officiated in the "red school-house," on the corner of Cayuga and Second streets. Rev. Charles Brown next became pastor of the church, who remained one year, and was succeeded by Rev. T. C. Eaton, whose pastorate em- braced a period of two years. It was during his labors that the society's first church edifice was erected, on the west side of Second street.
Mr. Eaton closed his engagement with the church in 1847, and was followed by the Rev. Walter Peck, who served the society one year.
In the fall of 1841, Rev. Mr. Taylor, of Baldwinsville, became pastor of the church, and on the 11th day of October, 1841, the church was legally organized under the corporate name of the " First Universalist Society of Ful- ton," at a meeting over which Messrs. Hubbard Church and Andrew B. Simons presided, and John D. Stephens acted as secretary. The trustees elected were John War- lock, Andrew B. Simons, Peter H. Keller. Mr. Taylor died in about three months after he assumed control of the charge, and was succeeded by Rev. R. O. Williams, who officiated a few months, and was followed by Rev. William Sias, who preached one year. The next pastor settled over the church was Rev. L. M. Hawcs, who served two years, and was succeeded by Nelson Brown, a supply, who remained until the latter part of the year 1848. In 1849 Rev. J. H. Tuttle was employed as pastor, and con- tinued for a period of five years, and was succeeded by Rev. G. W. Skinner, who remained about six months. After Dr. Skinner the Rev. J. M. Bailey was the pastor of the church for about five years. In 1859 Rev. R. H. Pulman was chosen pastor, and the relation continued about eight years. During his pastorate the present substantial and commodious brick edifice was erected, the corner-stone of which was laid July 13, 1864, the address being delivered by Rev. Dr. Brooks, of New York.
In May, 1867, Rev. Mr. Pulman tendered his resigna- tion, and he was succeeded in the pastorate by Rev. C. B. Lombard, who remained one year. The church was with-
ont a pastor until September, 1868, when Rev. E. K. San- born became a supply, and served the church about six months. After Mr. Sanborn left the village, the pulpit was again vacant until August 1, 1869, when Rev. L. M. Rice was employed as pastor and labored two years. From July, 1871, until October, 1873, the pulpit was generally vacant. In the early part of the latter year Rev. O. K. Crosby was employed as pastor of the church. The next pastor was Rev. E. Jacobs, who was succeeded by the present pastor, Rev. Allen P. Folsom.
THE WESLEYAN CHURCH.
This church was formed by eight persons, members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, who withdrew from that organ- ization on the 24th day of April, 1843, forming themselves into a new church that should be "free from the evils of slavery." The following were the first members, viz. : William Wright, Isaac Schenck, Sylvester Bennett, Thomas W. Chesebro, Henry C. Moody, James Parker, Jr., Charles G. Case, and John W. Arnold. Mr. Thomas W. Chesebro was appointed its first steward, and Rev. P. R. Sawyer was appointed first pastor ; and at a meeting of the society held at the " white school-house" it was resolved "that the church formed April 22 be considered the 'true Wes- leyan church in Fulton.'" This new church, located on the corner of Second and Rochester streets, was ready for occu- pancy in the year 1844, and was occupied by them while the church existed. The church was legally organized April 6, 1844, with the following persons as trustees, viz. : Syl- vester Bennett, Thomas W. Chesebro, Chiarles G. Case, H. C. Moody, James Parker, Jr., and William Wright. The following persons served the church as pastors from 1844 until its dissolution : Revs. Mr. Sawyer, P. M. Way, M. Finch, Lynden King, Schuyler Hoes, Henry Benson, Lu- ther Lee, John T. Hewitt, and S. B. Loomis.
CHURCH OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION.
The first services held by the Catholics of Fulton was in about the year 1850, when Father Kelley, then pastor of a church in the city of Oswego, gathered together fifteen or twenty followers of the church of Rome, in an old mud- colored house, and then and there formed the nucleus of the present large and influential congregation. From that time until 1854 Father Kelley occasionally celebrated mass with the little church, service being held at Mr. Donnelly's, also over a store in First street, and subsequently in Pond's hall.
In January, 1854, the church had become materially strengthened by the accession of several Catholic families, and it was deemed expedient to have a priest of its own, and accordingly the Rev. James Smith was appointed by the bishop of Albany to take charge of the flock.
The church continued their worship in Pond's hall about two years, when they removed into Empire hall, which occupied the site of the Midland depot. Here they re- mained about two years, when they purchased the premises located on the corner of Third and Rochester streets, for- merly occupied by the Fulton female seminary. The old seminary building was fitted up as a place of worship, and in about 1858 it was consecrated to the service of God by
L. E. LOOMIS.
MRS. L. E. LOOMIS
RESIDENCE Of MRS . L. E. LOOMIS, COR.3ยบ & ERIE STS., FULTON, N. Y
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HISTORY OF OSWEGO COUNTY, NEW YORK.
the bishop of Albany, now Archbishop McClosky. The building has since been enlarged and improved, and is a commodious and substantial structure.
The society has grown from a feeble band to a large and influential church organization, and its present prosperity is mainly due to Father Smith, who has labored earnestly in its behalf nearly a quarter of a century. The church is now under the control of Father Mehan.
THE FREE METHODIST CHURCHI.
This ecclesiastical body first organized a class, June 15, 1869, on the Chittenango camp ground, which was com- posed of the following persons : Alexander Wise, Mary A. Wise, Emma Ilill, Sarah Graham, and Harriet Briggs, all of whom were former members of the Methodist Episcopal church of Fulton.
Mr. Wise was chosen class-leader, and the old red school- house at the Upper Landing was soon after fitted for a place of worship, and in the forenoon of July 4, 1869, the house was dedicated by the Rev. Mr. Selhy. In the afternoon " he preached and greatly disturbed the devil in the park," as the record reads, and in the evening officiated in the school-house, at which time the church was organized. Five days thereafter Rev. C. H. Southworth, of the Sus- quehanna conference of the Free Methodist Church, was appointed their first pastor.
September 16, 1869, the society was organized under the corporate name of the " Free Methodist Church of Ful- ton," with William Jenkins, Alexander Wise, and William W. Hill as the first board of trustees. On the night of July 3, 1870, the church building was destroyed by fire. Rev. C. H. Southworth served the church faithfully, and in October, 1870, was succeeded by his son, Rev. William Southworth. January 5, 1871, a new chapel was dedicated. The Rev. Mr. Southworth was succeeded in 1872 by Rev. Z. Osborn. The present pastor is Rev. Mr. Whiffin.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
L. E. LOOMIS.
The subject of this sketch was born in Winchester county, Connecticut, March 19, 1808. He was the fourth son of Abiel Loomis, and a lineal descendant in the seventh generation of Joseph Loomis, who was born about the year 1590, and was a woolen-draper in Braintree, Essex county, England. Sailed from London April 11, 1638, in the ship "Susan and Ellen," and arrived at Boston July 17, 1638. He brought with him five sons and three daughters.
His father died when he was only eleven years old, leav- ing a wife and six children in possession of his property, which consisted of a tannery and the homestead.
At the age of eighteen he joined his brother Abiel in New York city, and engaged with him in the hide and leather trade, soon after engaging in business for himself, at No. 7 Ferry street, remaining there in trade for some fifteen years, and was successful.
In the year 1841 he returned to Connecticut to his old home, and there found his mother, who died the same year, May 15, 1841. In the year 1842, November 2, he married Miss Emeline Camp, daughter of Moses Camp, of New England birth and of English descent. In the year 1845 he, with his wife and two children, Harriet and Loyd, removed from Connecticut and settled in the village of Fulton, entering the firm as a partner with Messrs. Salmon & Falley, in the hide and leather trade.
He remained in this firm for a few years, and after Mr. Falley's death and Mr. Salmon's retiring from it, he took into partnership with him his brother Alanson, and con- tinued as a firm until the year 1854, when he gave up his connection with the business to his brother, after which time, until his death, April 27, 1876, he was only con- nected with such business in Fulton as necessity required. Though not engaged in active business during the last twenty years of his life, he took a lively interest in what was transpiring around him. He was a man of careful judgment, a safe adviser, and a trusted friend. As a busi- ness man in the early days of his life in Fulton, he stood among the first, and was esteemed and highly respected not only for those traits of character which made him a leading citizen, but as well for the high and pure integrity which marked his dealings with other men.
To Mr. and Mrs. Loomis were born five children, viz., Harriet, Loyd, Huldah, Mary, and Emma. Loyd enlisted in the One Hundred and Tenth Regiment New York In- fantry, in 1862, continued in the service as clerk of the regiment for one year, and died of fever at Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 1863.
Harriet married Daniel Perkins, an attorney of East Saginaw, Michigan, 1869, and resides in that place. Hul- dah married Rev. J. E. Richards, of the Congregational church, and resides at St. John, Michigan. They have two children,-Anne and Florence. Mary resides at home in Fulton, New York, and cares for her widowed mother, who is now in her fifty-ninth year. Emma married Mortimer Roe, of Cincinnati, Ohio, and resides there; have one daughter, named Mary.
In politics Mr. L E. Loomis was a Republican, taking an active part in political matters in his early life, but in his latter days paid little attention to such matters except to east his vote in his party's interest.
JOIIN H. DISTIN. .
The subject of this sketch was born in New Haven county, Connecticut, March 17, 1813. IIe was the son of Joseph Distin, a native of Connecticut, and grandson of Joseph Distin, who, because he was not the eldest son and could not inherit his father's estate, emigrated from England, enlisting on board a British man-of-war, to America during the Revolutionary war, and served until its close, but always in sympathy with the Americans. At the elose of the war he settled in Connecticut, having married a Miss Parker, whose father was compelled to board him and five others by the British.
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HISTORY OF OSWEGO COUNTY, NEW YORK.
His father removed from Connecticut with his wife and four children, and settled in Greene county, New York, in 1813, bought a farm and settled on it, but was unsuc- cessful.
At the age of twelve years, John H., third child, came with his father to Oneida county, his father carrying on his trade of wagon-making, and continuing in that business until 1856. The son, at the age of twenty-four, and in the ycar 1835, came to the town of Volney, Oswego County, and settled, after four years, upon lot 62, buying ninety-six acres, upon which were some improvements, where he now resides, surrounded with the result of a life of labor and toil.
At the age of twenty-six, October 12, 1839, he married Mrs. Harriet Markham, widow of the late Charles H. Mark- ham, and daughter of Rev. Thomas Hubbard, of Connecti- cut, of English descent. To Mr. and Mrs. Distin were born three children, viz. : Harriet E., Josephine A., and John W. Distin. All are living.
Harriet E. married Captain Henry H. Hubbard, an en- listed soldier of the war of 1861, and who served until its close, being in some fourteen battles. His health beeame impaired, finally, through fatigue and privation, never re- ceiving only a slight wound in the heel during the entire time. He died June 23, 1868. His widow, having a large experience as a teacher before she was married, has, since the death of her husband, resumed that profession. She is a graduate of the Albany Normal school. She had one daughter, Jessie G., who died March 20, 1874, aged five years.
Josephine A. married Hanford Lindsley, of Fulton, and now lives in Jersey City. They have two children living, -Clarence E. and a baby,-two having died, named Edson H. and Orville E.
John W. married Miss Elizabeth T. Kellogg, daughter of Erastus W. Kellogg, of the town of Volney, December 7, 1869. They have one daughter, Rhoda E., now in her fifth year. The mother died April 20, 1874. John W. married for his second wife Miss Sarah J. Van Valken- burgh, daughter of Solomon Van Valkenburgh, of the town of Volney.
John W. Distin, before he was eighteen years old, en- listed in the war of the Rebellion, in 1864, and served until the close of the war ; was in the battle of Cedar Creek, belonged to Company A, One Hundred and Eighty-fourth regiment, New York State Volunteers, under Major-General P. H. Sheridan, commanding department Shenandoah Val- ley, and was regularly discharged.
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