USA > New York > Otsego County > History of Otsego County, New York : with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 67
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She was a warm and zealous advocate of the doctrine of holiness, as I ber consisteut walk, Christian conversation, devotion to Christ wit his cause, bore unmistakable evidence that she enjoyed it. When death came it found her ready. She quietly folded her hands, "i 'suning, " All is light before me !" and peacefully fell asleep in
Mr. St. John was a member of the Methodist Episcopal march of Fly Creek from its organization. We cannot 1. tter close this record of his life than by quoting from an obituary notice furnished the Northern Christian .Mevcute by his pastor, the Rev. David L. Pendall :
Brother St. John was one of the oldest members of the Methodist > scopat church of Fly Creek, and one of it, firmest friends. The .... love feast he enjoyed with us, which was a few weeks previous to : : Irath, he gave in a fervent, melting testimony of the effects of the 's of God in his sont; and we thought, while listening to it with w. ght, that if it was the last testimony we should ever hear from 7 .1. it would be a blessed legacy to leave to his family, the church, A I the world. It was tho last. Ere he was agaiu permitted to t.il of the power of Jesus to save, in a public capacity, he was 'wimoued to the paradise of God. . . . He lived a Chris-
tian, died n Christian, and doubtless is a sharer in the Christian's blessed record.
The mother is still living, at the advanced age of eighty- four, surrounded with the loving attentions of lier children, grand and great-grandchildren.
FRANCIS TAYLOR.
Thomas Taylor, grandfather of the subject of this sketch, moved at an carly day from Bennington, Vt., and settled with his family in that portion of the town of Otsego which has been known as "Taylortown." He paid one thousand dollars for one thousand acres of land, five hundred of which was situated in a body in the town of Otsego. He had three sous and three daughters, as follows: Erastus, Thomas, and Chester ; Cynthia, Lucy, and Irena. His children were all married and settled on different portions of the five-hundred-acre tract. Thomas Taylor, father of Francis, married Margaret McCulloch. Besides the subject of this sketch, their children were Cynthia, Nancy, Erastus, and Mary Ann. Cynthia and Erastus are de- ceased.
Francis Taylor was born Nov. 15, 1811, and has always lived on the place of his birth, having inherited the farm from his father. He was married April 11, 1841, to Eliza Davidson, daughter of Asa B. and Armelia Davidson, for- merly residents of the town of Otsego. Mrs. T. was born Nov. 19, 1811.
Richard Davidson, a farmer living in the same neighbor- hood, is a brother. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor have no children. Mr. Taylor has been a life-long farmer, and everything about his home indicates thoroughness and thrift. A representation of it, together with portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Taylor, appears ou another page of this work.
CHARLES CHILDS
was born in the town of Exeter, Otsego Co., April 27, 1810, being the fifth child of Elisha and Nancy Childs. About the year 1800 his parents, who were natives of Connecticut, settled in Exeter, Otsego Co., N. Y., where all their children were born,-six sons and four daugli- ters. His father was one of the founders of the Congrega- tional church of Exeter. His mother was also a member.
Mr. Childs has been twice married. His first wife was Diantha Cushman, daughter of David and Hettie Cnsh- man, of Exeter. Their marriage occurred Oct. 7, 1847. No children by this marriage. His wife died Aug. 22, 1859. His second marriage was July 3, 1866, to Augusta Thorpe, daughter of fleury and Mary Thorpe. Mrs. Childs was born in the town of Butternuts, Otsego Co., Jan. 5, 1841. They have one child, Helen Augusta, born Feb. 14, 1868.
Mr. Childs was bred a farmer. In the year 1833 he came to Oaksville, and served four years as clerk in a store. Then went to Vanhorusville, Herkimer Co., N. Y .. and assisted Elias Braman in starting a cotton-manufactory. He remained there three years. In 1840 he returned to Ouiksville and became part owner in the manufacture of cotton goods, in calico printing, with Russell Williams.
256
HISTORY OF OTSEGO COUNTY, NEW YORK.
After five years of snecessful business he sold his interest to Mr. Williams and went into the contmission business, handling wool, cotton, and produee. At the expiration of several years, the failure of Colonel Williams threw the mill back into his hands, and he sold to Rufus Steer. He has continued the commission business and farming till the present time. Mr. Childs is Republican in politics, and has held various offices of publie trust ; was postmaster for many years, director in the Otsego County agricultural society, director of the C. & S. railroad since its organi- zation, and railroad commissioner for the town of Otsego for four or five years past.
WILLIAM KENDRICK WARREN.
Julius Warren, father of William K. Warren, the second child of Darius and Mary Warren, was born June 28, 1786. Darius Warren settled in the town of Otsego, on the farm now owned and occupied by Russell Warren, in 1787, among its first settlers. Julius married Anna Webster in 1787, by whom he had two children, Francis E. and Erastus W., the latter a farmer in the town of Otsego. His wife died Sept. 25, 1821, and subsequently he married Abigail Cook. William K. is the only child by this mar- riage. After his marriage in 1806 he purchased and set- tled on what is known as the "Dora Allen" farm, now owned by Menzo Hoke. In 1816 he sold it and settled on the place still owned and oeeupied by his son, the subjcet of this sketeh. He died Aug. 2, 1866, having lived more . than ten years beyond the allotted period of life. His wife survived him about seven years. She died Jan. 18, 1872, at the advanced age of eighty-five years.
William Kendrick Warren was born Dee. 15, 1824. He still owns and occupies the home of his birth. He was married, Feb. 15, 1849, to Ruth Janette Miller, daughter of William and Betsey Miller, of Columbia, Her- kimer Co., N. Y. Mrs. Warren was born Oct. 1, 1826. Their only child is Augusta M. Warren, born Nov. 14, 1849. who, sinee the death of her mother, which oceurred March 19, 1870, has kept house for her father.
Mr. Warren in polities is a Republican. He has been a member of the First Baptist church since 1842. His wife was a member of the same church from the time of her marriage till her death. The daughter is also a member.
An incident related by Mr. Warren forcibly illustrates the wide contrast in the circumstances of the present and early times. Ile states that at one time provisions had run so low in the family that his grandfather, Darius, walked Wenty-seven miles to Canajoharie, where he bought and had ground a bushel of wheat, and brought it home on his back.
FENIMORE C. WHIPPLE.
This gentleman was born in the town of Otsego, Otsego Co. N. Y .. Sept. 21, 1834, the youngest child of Seth and Eunice Whipple. His father was born Feb. 20, 1793, in Hanlwick, Mass. About the year 1818 he came to Otsego County, and settled on a farm situated in that portion of the town of Otsego known as Metcalf Hill. He was mar- ri- . Feb. 4, 1821, to Eunice Metcalf, daughter of Tracy
and Sally Metealf, who were among the early settlers of the town. She was born May 30, 1797. Their children were as follows: Chiron Tracy, born Dee. 20, 1821 ; mar- ried to Caroline Hicks, by whom he had two children. Effinger E. and Clarence F ; he died in Janesville, Wi- . Ang. 23, 1849. Napoleon, born Sept. 24, 1823 ; still living. Sophia, born Nov. 19, 1825; wife of Delos A. Thayer, a farmer living in Otsego. Catharine, born F.b. 10, 1828 ; living with her brother, Fenimore. Fenimore C., the subject of this sketch, born Sept. 21, 1834. The father died Oet. 6, 1848; the mother Nov. 29, 1875.
The subject of this sketeh has always lived ou the place of his nativity, and owns and carries on the " homestead' farin, having purchased the interests of the heirs. He was married, Feb. 10, 1861, to Lydia E. Clark, danghter of Thomas and Armilla Clark. Her father was a native of Rhode Island; her mother of the town of Laurens. Otsego Co., N. Y. Her father was twiee married. By his first wife he had children as follows : Caroline, Delos, Sarah, Pharez, and Diana. By his second, Lydia E. (Mrs. Whipple ). Mary J., and Asenath O. The children of the first wife are all settled in Wisconsin. Mrs. Whipple's sisters are both married and living in the town of Hartwiek, Otsego County.
Since their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Whipple have lived on the old homestead, which has been added to and much improved and is now one of the finest farm-homes in the town. They have children as follows: Minnie J., born Feb. 21, 1866, and Claude E., born Oct. 1, 1871, both living at home.
Mr. Whipple is a Republican in politics. On another page of this work may be found a view of the home, with portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Whipple.
FRANCIS HECOX.
Samuel Heeox, grandfather of the subject of this sketch. was a native of Conneetient, and in 1815 bought and settled on the farm in the town of Otsego which has since beeu held in the family.
The subject of this sketch was born at the homestead. Dee. 30, 1836, the eldest ehild of Nathaniel and Margaret E. Heeox. His father was born Feb. 9, 1804; his mother, whose maiden name was MeFee, was born July 13, 1810. They had two children, -Francis and Mary C. The latter was born Nov. 22, 1845, and married Sherman Wort, son of Hon. Azariah Wort, of Sandy Creek, Jan. 6, 1872. They have one daughter, Mabel.
Upon the death of his father, which occurred Sept. 4, 1859, the estate was left to his wife, son, and daughter. Franeis purchased his sister's interest, and thus became the owner of two-thirds of the property. He was married. Oct. 15, 1863, to Phebe A. Barton, danghter of Hiran and Naney Barton. Mrs. Heeox was born Aug. 31. 1- 10. They have four children,-two son- and two daughters .- viz .. George B., born Sept. 6. 1864; Eleanor M., born Jan. 3, 1867 ; Hiram, born June 14, 1869; Gracie, born JJan. 18, 1976 ; all living at home.
Mr. Hecox has a farm of 250 aeres, and one of the best in the township. It is devoted principally to dainying.
ML
JULIUS WARREN.
MRS. JULIUS WARREN.
MISS AUGUSTA WARREN.
W. K. WARREN
MRS. W. K . WARREN
PHOTOS BY W G SVIN COOPERSTOWN NY
RESIDENCE OF FRANCIS HECOX, OTSEGO, OTSEGO CO., N. Y.
RESIDENCE OF C. CHILDS, OAKSVILLE, OTSEGO CO . N. Y.
OUTLET TO OTSEGO LAKE AND SOURCE OF THE SUSQUEHANNA RIVER , COOPERSTOWN, N. Y.
257
HISTORY OF OTSEGO COUNTY, NEW YORK.
.. .. a stanch Republican, and has always taken an active matist in local polities. He has been twice elected road momsationer, for terms of three years each. A represen- www. of his home appears on another page of this work.
CHAPTER LA.
COOPERSTOWN.
I. a .a Occupancy-The First White Man-Cadwallader Colden- Krv. Gideon Hawley-Visited by Washington in 1783-Judge M .! ham Cooper-The First Building-The Pioneers and their 1 . stions-First Streets-Incidents-Initial Events-The Whip- ; ; Post-The Indian Alarm-Incorporation of the Village of -w.rgu"-Changed to Cooperstown - Subsequent Events-Ne- cology-Classic Scenes-The Leatherstocking Talee-Cooper- The Village Described by N. P. Willis, in 1848-Cooperstown of is Jay.
"O, a wonderful stream is the river Time, As it runs through the realm of tears, With a faultless rhythm and a musical rhyme, And a boundless sweep and a surge sublime, As it blends with the Ocean of Years."
B. F. TAYLOR.
ONE brief century ago but a faint wave of civilization had broken upon the primeval forest surrounding the pic- tunusque lake which lies nestled among the hills of Otsego. Only was heard the fierce howl of the wolf and the savage Hat-quan of the Indian warrior. The eireling smoke arve from many an Indian wigwam ; the hunter bounded through the forest after the deer and moose; beavers, otters, and martins were in abundance; the salmon smoked at every citup-fire; the waters of the lake were parted by the birchen canoe, and the dripping oar of the Indian glistened in the sunlight. Here was the red man in all his glory. This was a portion of the Indian Eden, and, as far as his un- wphisticated vision extended, destined to remain.
The first white man who passed through this region was Calwallader Colden, surveyor-general, in the year 1737. Sixteen years afterwards, in 1753, Rev. Gideon Hawley was went to this locality as a missionary to the Indians. He ways, "We met with difficulty about getting a canoe, and sent an Indian into the woods to get ready a bark, but he made small progress. In the afternoon came from Otsego like, which is the source of the Susquehanna."
The curtain which had been lifted for a brief period was again dropped, and we hear nothing of this region until 17-3, when General Washington visited it on an exploring expedition, as shown by the following extract from a letter written by him to the Marquis de Chastellux, under date of Princeton, Oct. 12, 1783: " I then traversed the coun- try to the head of the eastern branch of the Susquehanna, atl viewed the lake Otsego."
Cooperstown was founded by William Cooper, father of J. Fenimore Cooper, who became the owner of a traet of Lund embracing 100,000 acres, lying on the west side of the river and the lake, both north and south of the village, in May, 1785. Mr. Cooper acquired the title to this land from Colonel George Croghan, who had purchased it from the Indians. In the fall of the same year he visited his Ionchase with a party of surveyors, and in January, 1786,
took possession of his property, which has subsequently been known as the " Cooper patent."
The first building on the site of the present village of Cooperstown was undoubtedly erected by Colonel Croghan, as a place where he might hold negotiations with the Indians. This was a building constructed of hewed logs, and during General Clinton's campaign against the Indians was occupied by him as headquarters.
It is said that between the years 1761 and 1770, John Christopher Hartwick, proprietor of the " Hartwick pat- ent," and Colonel Croghan cach resided a short time on the site of Cooperstown, but the first permanent settlement was made under the auspiees of Mr. Cooper, in the winter of 1786.
One of the first settlers was John Miller, in 1786. A widow Johnsou also located here in the same year, and erected the first frame building,-a two-story structure, built for a tavern. One of the first conveyanees of real estate executed by Mr. Cooper was to Israel Guile, a pioncer, who, with William Ellison, a surveyor, and the widow Johnson mentioned above, were the only families that passed the winter of 1786 in this frontier settlement.
The spring of 1787 witnessed the arrival of many emi- grants ready to face the hardships of pioneer life. Mr. Cooper visited his purchase during this year, and perfected the necessary arrangements for the erection of a building for his own occupancy during the coming season. During 1787 several log dwellings were erected, and in 1789 Mr. Cooper's dwelling was completed ou Second street. This was the second regular dwelling-house in the place. It was two stories in height, with two wings, and was covered with wide boards. It commanded a full view of the lake, and was considered a very pretentious establishment for those early days. This building was burned in 1812.
The first streets iu the village were surveyed and platted, under the direction of Mr. Cooper, by William Ellison, in 1788. These were nine in number, six extending in a parallel direction east and west, and three crossing them at right angles. The street along the margin of the lake was designated as Front street, and those running parallel were numbered from Second to Sixth street. The street lying next to the river was called Water street, and that one divided by the grounds of Mr. Cooper was known by two names, Fair and Main street, while the one on the west side of the survey was called West street. This survey embraced au area of 112 acres.
In the year 1789, as mentioned above, Mr. Cooper's house was completed, and it seems that he at once mani- fested a lively interest in the embryo village, as he brought in a stock of goods and opened a store. This was the pioneer mercantile establishment in the place, and was con- ducted by R. R. Smith. The first tannery was also erected in 1789, by John Howard. In the year 1790, Mr. Cooper brought his family to the village and became au actual resident of the town.
The following pleasing description of his advent is from the pen of G. Pomeroy Keese, Esq., of this village :
" One bright October afternoon eighty years ago, as the sun was drawing lengthened shadows over the landscape. bathing in rich antumnal light the hills which surround
258
HISTORY OF OTSEGO COUNTY, NEW YORK.
.
the limpid waters of Otsego lake, came around the base of ' Mount Vision' a lumbering family coach, bearing with its attendant vehicles the founder of Cooperstown and his household to their new home. All the glorious beauties of the changing foliage which have since charmed so many thousands who have visited this still rural retreat, were in their virgin splendor, and as the new-comers looked upon the scene and beheld in the reflection of the lake below the dark shades of the evergreens contrasted with the gold and crimson hues of the maple and the becch, they must have been sadly insensible to the chief attraction of their future abode if they failed to see in it one of the most perfect combinations of hill and valley, lake and forest, which the hand of painter could portray. The party, numbering fifteen in all with the family and domestics, was an imposing cav- alcade in this primitive regiou just emerging from the wilderness.
" The pilgrimage of which this afternoon's journey was the eonelusion had taken two long and steady weeks of travel ; and as the party left their former home in Bur- lington, New Jersey, and severed all the connection which bound them to a residence in the midst of the civilization and refinement of the early days of the republic, they doubtless felt that they were far more the pioneers in a new and untried venture than many an cmigrant now feels when he starts for the most distant valleys of Montana.
" With the fading sunlight our travelers passed along the western slope of Mount Vision, and as they paused to take a view of the lake, they saw a deer come out of the forest and drink of its waters. Soon they crossed the Susque- hanna at its sourec, the outlet of Otsego lake, and entered the confines of the village named after its founder-Coopers- town. The whole population of the place-thirty-five in all-were drawn up to receive the 'lord of the manor,' who, from henceforth, as the first judge of the county and its largest landed proprietor, became the leading spirit in all that region."
Judge Cooper, in addition to his love of athletic sports, was also fond of the humorous, as the following incident, related by J. Fenimore Cooper, clearly illustrates :
" In the course of the winter of 1789-90, during one of the periodical visits of Colonel Frey, a large lumber-sleigh was fitted out with four horses, and the whole party sallied upon the lake for a morning drive. An ex-officer of the French army, a Monsieur Ebbal, resided by himself on the western bank of the lake. Perceiving the sleigh-and-four approaching his house, this gentleman, with the courtesy of his nation, went forth upon the ice to greet the party, of whose character he was not deceived by the style in which it appeared. Mr. Cooper invited his French friend to join him, promising him plenty of game, with copious libations of Madeira, by way of inducement. Though a good table- companion in general, no persuasion could prevail on the Frenchman to accept the offer that day, until, provoked by his obstinacy, the party laid violent hands on him and brought him to the village by force. Monsienr Ebbal took his captivity in good part, and was soon as buoyant and gay as any of his companions. He habitually wore a long- skirted surtout, which at that time was almost a mark of a Frenchinau, and this surtout he pertinaciously refused to
lay aside, even when he took his seat at table. On ile contrary, he kept it buttoned to the very throat-as it might be in defiance. The Christmas jokes, a plentiful board, and heavy potations, however, threw the guest ntf his guard. Warmed with the wine and the blazing fire. l ... incautiously unbuttoned, when his delighted companions discovered that the accidents of a frontier, the establishment of a bachelor who kept no servant, and certain irregulariti- in washing-days that were attendant on both circumstances, coupled with his empressement to salute his friends, had induced the gallant Frenchman to come abroad without a shirt. He was uncased on the spot, amid the roars of the convives, and incontinently put into linen."
" Cooper was so polite," added the mirth-loving Hendrick Frey, when he repeated this story for the hundredth time, " that he supplied a shirt with ruffles at the wristbands, which made Ebbal very happy for the rest of the night. But how his hands did go after he got the ruffles !"
Upon the organization of the county in 1791, Coopers- town was designated as the county-seat, and Mr. Cooper was appointed first judge. The population at the time was one huudred. This year ushered in a progressive era in the history of the village. A court-house, jail, and several other buildings were erected. It was during this year also that the first regular tavern was erected in this village, called the Red Lion, and stood on the southwest corner of Main and Pioncer streets. This was an inn of considerable note, and was a favorite rendezvous for the settlers generally, and in front of the old Red Lion occurred many of the wrestling matches for which Cooperstown in "ye olden time" was famous, and here it was that the celebrated eon- test took place between Judge Cooper and Timothy Morse .*
The secoud tavern erected in the village was called the Blue Anchor, Wur. Cook proprietor, and stood on the site now occupied by the brick block of Hooker & Co., on the northeast corner of Main and Pioncer streets, and was diagonally opposite to the Red Lion. In speaking of this primitive establishment, J. Fenimore Cooper says, " This house was in much request for many years among all the gentecler portions of the travelers. Its host was a man of singular humor, great heartiness of character, and perfect integrity. He had been the steward of an English East Indiaman, and enjoyed an enviable reputation in the village for his skill in mixing punch and flip. On holidays a stranger would have been apt to mistake him for one of the magistrates of the land, as he invariably appeared in a drab coat of the style of 1776, with buttons as large as dollars, breeches, striped stockings, buckles that covered half his foot, and a cocked hat large enough to extinguish him. The landlord of the Blue Anchor was a general favorite, his laugh and his pions oaths having become his- torical." Among the other inns at that tiuie, the one that elaimed the most importance was Washington Hall, which stood on the site now occupied by the " Skeleton Hotel."
In those days, as at present, there were " Doubtful balances of rights and wrongs,
And weary lawyers with endless longues."
The first Gamaliel of the law who raised his voice in
$ See page 22.
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HISTORY OF OTSEGO COUNTY, NEW YORK.
Cooperstown was Abraham Ten Broeck, of New Jersey, and soon after, in the same year,-1791,-came Jacob G. Fonda, of Schenectady. These gentlemen constituted the "Cooperstown bar" until about 1793, when the village, having increased in importanee, witnessed the advent of Joseph Strang, Esq., of Orange county, and Moss Kent, a brother of the well-known Chancellor James Kent. Those four attorneys, however, all left Cooperstown within the next twelve years.
The first disciple of Esculapius came to reside in the village in 1791. His name was Powers. His career, how- ever, soon terminated. Ile was charged with the heinous offense of mixing tartar emetie with the beverage of a ball at the Red Lion, and was tried, found guilty, and placed in the stocks, which event served to sever his connection with the village. During the same year eame Dr. Fuller, who soon acquired an extensive practice, and during a long period was the prominent physician of this section. About two years after Drs. Farusworth and Gott also took up their residence in the place.
The first birth in the village occurred in 1792, and was that of Nathan Howard, a son of John Howard. The first death was that of a son of Joseph Griffen, also in 1792. The second death was that of Jabez Wright, a cabinet-maker, who was drowued in the outlet; and the third, James Barber, died of smallpox in 1795.
The first mills on tlie Susquehanna were erceted by Wm. Ellison, in 1792.
Through the indefatigable efforts of Judge Cooper the village steadily increased in business importance, and be- tween the years 1792 and 1797 many important interests were established. James Averill erceted a tannery, and Messrs. Wade, Stevens, Rensselaer Williams, Richard Williams, Peter Ten Broeck, Norman Landon, and Le Quoy opened mercantile establishments. The latter was a Frenchman, and at one time was governor of Martinique.
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