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 69
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263
HISTORY OF OTSEGO COUNTY, NEW YORK.
April 21, James McNally, Jr., aged forty-five years. April 21, David Snyder, aged seventy-two years. April 26, Owen Kinney, aged fifty-five years. May 5, Jacob Van Nort, aged forty-eight years. May 25, Hannah McCoy, aged seventy-three years. June 1, Mrs. Naomi Lakin, aged fifty years. June i, George Dunavan, aged twenty-nine years. June 12, George Jarvis, aged sixty-seven years.
June 15, Mrs. Mary Converse, aged seventy-nine years ..
June 28, Edwin Grube, aged fourteen months. June 30, Rufus D. Wills, aged fifty-five years. July 4, Albert S. Harper, aged six months. Aug. 8, Herbert D. Harper, aged seven months.
Aug. 18, Mrs. Harriet J. C. Dewitt, aged forty-eight years.
Sepl. 1, Wilhemina Dennisson, aged twenty-three years. Sept. 10, Mrs. Libbie Newell, in her twenty-fifth year. Sept. 14, Mrs. Marilla Peck, aged eighty-two years. Oct. 2, Jeremiah C. Adams, aged fifty-four years. Ocl. 20, Alma Miranda Crafts.
Nov. 23, Alice Simmons, aged twenty-three years.
Nov. 29, George Story, aged seventy-four years.
Dec. 29, Mrs. Abby Card, aged seventy-six years.
14:4,-Jan. 15, John R. Worthington, aged seventy-three years.
Writing from Cooperstown, a correspondent says, "I onfess to a weakness for visiting the houses and haunts of Erul of genius. Nothing in the world drew me here but the fact that it was the place where Cooper, the great trelist, lived, died, and was buried. I wished to see the wvnes so graphically described in the ' Pioncer,' and other Leatherstocking tales, and to visit the spot where the great master drew so much of inspiration.
" I had heard much about the loveliness of the place, and for once fame has not overshot the mark. The situa- ation is most picturesque. Cooperstown is einbowered in the sweetest of little valleys, amid mountain views, at the source of the Susquehanna river. It has a rich valley on the one side, and the Otsego lake on the other. This lake is not unworthy of the appellation bestowed upon it by Cooper, of 'Glimmerglass,' for the wonderful transparency of its waters. On its eastern shores extend a range of mountains from five to six hundred feet high, densely wooded. On the western shore the hills are less high, less rugged, but hardly less picturesque."
CLASSIC SCENES-THE LEATHERSTOCKING TALES.
The shores of Otsego lake are classic. Every cove and nwky glen is hallowed by tender memories. Here are lowated some of the most thrilling scenes in the " Leather- rocking" tales. Here glorious " Natty Bumppo," first a. the youthful " Deerslayer," afterwards as the aged " leatherstocking," loved the dark-eyed Judith Haller, and noseuted from the panther's claws the fair form of " Eliza- 14 ili Temple." Here the curious traveler may explore the depths of " Leatherstocking's Cave," visit the scenes of the 6.ht with the panther, and the site of Muskrat Castle. So true was Cooper to life, so faithful to nature are his pictures, that every curve and indentation of the shore and every "wep of the hills is familiar to the reader of the " Pioneer" >t.l " Deerslayer." It requires no great stretch of fancy ",, people the scenes with wraiths of old " Haller," " Harry Husy," the gentle " Hetty," " Wah-ta-wah" (the Indian In tiden), " Natty," and the rest of the deathless concourse. "tegu is fitly called the " Haunted Lake."
Judge Cooper, father of the novelist, was a petty landed
baron in his time, and exercised a mild species of lorddom over the inhabitants of the village. He was a man of courtly manners, lived in what in those days was considered a stately mansion, and entertained distinguished company, numbering among his guests a no less illustrious persouage than Prince Talleyraud.
His distinguished son kept up something of the fauuily state, but, living much abroad, affairs fell into neglect. Cooper and Professor Morse, the inventor of the magnetic telegraph, were intimate friends. They knew each other as young men, when Cooper was a literary fledgling and Morse an obscure artist at Cooperstown ; they knew each other in Europe, when cach had become famous. After his death* the family was broken up, and the Cooper mansion, after various vicissitudes, was finally burned. The obliteration of such an historical landmark is now regarded as a public loss.
Five children of the novelist are living, viz., Paul, an attorney in Albany ; Caroline F., widow of the late H. F. Phinney, of Cooperstowu ; Frances M., widow of Richard Cooper; and Misses Charlotte F. and Susan F., residents of this village. Miss Susan F. Cooper is somewhat cele- brated as an authorcss.
COOPER'S GRAVE AND MONUMENT.
"Cooper sleeps in the church-yard beside his kindred, an unpretending slab marking the site of his grave. His monument is at Lakewood Cemetery, on the eastern shore of the lake, just beyond the site of the panther scene in the ' Pioneer.' It is of Italian marble, twenty-five feet high, with a figure of Leatherstocking on the summit. Natty is represented as loading his rifle and gazing off on the lake spread out beneath him, while his dog by his side watches his master with eager interest.
"The die is carved with symbols in alto-reliero : on one side is the name of ' Fenimore Cooper,' surrounded by palm and oak branches; on the opposite is the student's lamp and inkstand, with the pen borne aloft by an eagle. On the north side are the naval emblems (Cooper served in the navy some time), and on the south the Indian devices- bow and quiver of arrows, scalp-locks on a lance, tomahawk, and necklace of beavers' claws."
The following picture of the lake and surrounding hills is from the " Deerslayer :" " On a level with the point lay a broad sheet of water, so placid and limpid that it resemu- bled a bed of the pure mountain atmosphere compressed into a setting of hills and woods. At its northern or nearest end it was bounded by an isolated mountain, lower land falling off east and west, gracefully relieving the sweep of the outline ; still, the character of the country was mount- ainous, high hills or low mountains rising abruptly from the water on quite nine-tenths of its circuit. But the most striking peculiarity of the scene were its solemn solitude and sweet repose. On all sides, wherever the eye turned, nothing met it but the mirror-like surface of the lake, the plaeid river of heaven, and the dense setting of woods. So rich and fleecy were the outlines of the forest that the whole visible earth, from the rounded mountain-top to the
J. Fenimore Cooper died Sept. 14, 1851, age I sixly-two years.
264
HISTORY OF OTSEGO COUNTY, NEW YORK.
water's edge, presented an unvaried line of unbroken ver- dure."
The points viewed by " Leatherstocking" still remain,- the same nooks, eascades, hills, and the beautiful lake, are all here, as they were in the long ago.
Cooperstown in 1848 is thus described by Nathaniel Parker Willis: " It looks like a town where everybody ' gets along,' where there are six or seven rather rich people, and no such thing as a pauper. The principal tavern looks a good deal fingered and leaned against; the ' hardware- stores' are prosperously well built ; the boys playing in the street draw grown-up audiences, whose pleased attention to the varlets shows that there is nothing better going on ; and in the windows of the houses on the side streets sit young ladies without a sign of a shirt-collar in their com- pany, and this last bespeaks a town of exhausted uncertain- ties : everybody's exact business ascertained, and no object in visiting except with definite errand or invitation. By glimpses that I caught, over rose-trees and pieket-fences, I should say there was many a charming girl wasting her twilights in Cooperstown, while I saw no sign of the gen- . der to match,-nothing maseuline stirring except very little boy's and very manifest ' heads of families.'"
This state of affairs has been materially changed. Since Willis rumbled in in the old stage-coach a railway has been built, connecting with the Albany and Susquehanna rail- road on the southi, and the steamers "Natty Bumppo" and " Pioneer" ply on the lake, connecting with the D. L. and D. W. on the north, thus rendering Cooperstown easy of access. In the summer it presents a lively appearance, as it is much sought by the denizens of the cities, who delight to leave the " madding crowd" and wander here in the cool shade along the classie shores of the "Glimmerglass," rendered famous by the pen of America's gifted son, J. Fenhuore Cooper.
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The village is pleasantly located at the foot of the " Haunted Lake," and has a population of about 2500 in- habitants. It contains six churches,-Episcopal, Presby- terian, Methodist, Baptist, Universalist, and Catholic, -two banks, two newspapers,-the Freeman's Journal and Otsego Republican,-a flourishing school, seven hotels, and various mercantile establishments, all of which seem to indicate an unusual degree of prosperity.
CHAPTER LXI.
COOPERSTOWN -- Continued.
The Cooperstown Academy-Female School-Academy and Board- ing-School-Female Aca.lemy-High-School-Classical and Mili- :"tary Academy-The Otsego. Academy -Select School-Bangs' Classical School-Cooperstown Seminary-Union School-First National Bank-Second National Bank-Trustees and Clerks of Village from 1:12 to 1879-Lakewood Cemetery-Fire Depart- ment-Business Interests.
THE COOPERSTOWN ACADEMY.
This was the first educational institution, after the dis- triet school taught by Mr. Cory, founded in the village. An interest was manifested among the citizens generally, as shown by the following names which appeared on the
original subscription paper : Win. Cooper, Wm .. Abbott, Huntington and Ingalls, Elisha Fullman, Jonas Perry, Lemuel Jewell, Thomas Fuller, Samuel Tubbs, Uriah Luce, Joseph Holt, John Miller, James White, James Gardner, Nathan Davison, James Averill, Francis Henry, Jabez Ilubbell, Norman Landon, Timothy Sabin, Barnet Whip- ple, Bill Jarvis, Moses Kent, Peter Lambert, Nathaniel Galt, Wu. Ellison, Stephen Ingals, Abner Dunham, E. Phinney, Joseph Griffen, John Howard, Wm. Cook, Ben- jamin Griffin, Jacob Morris, Benjamin Gilbert, Joseph N. Jones, Griffin Crafts, Lewis De Villers, Robert Riddle, Aaron Noble, Matthew Bennett, Isaac Stacy, Levi Went- worth. The building was raised in September, 1795. Nothing but the common English branches were taught, all attempts at a classical education failing.
Among the other schools that were founded at various times, and are now obsolete, were as follows: Female school, established in 1808 by Mr. and Mrs. Andrews. Academy and boarding-school, established by Rev. Mr. Molther in 1819. A female academy was in operation in 1822. A high school was kept, in 1828, by Mrs. Gilberts. "Cooperstown Classical and Military Academy," established by W. H. Duff in about the year 1839. The Otsego aead- emy was opened in 1841. Miss M. A. Spafard successfully conducted a seleet school for a number of years. A classical school was taught, in 1852, by E. L. Bangs.
THE COOPERSTOWN SEMINARY.
On the 20th day of December, 1853, a meeting was held iu this village for the purpose of considering the feasibility of establishing a seminary. Several meetings followed, and it was finally resolved that a committee should be ap- pointed for the purpose of raising the necessary funds for the erection of the building by issuing shares of fifty dol- lars each, the holders becoming a joint stock company. In 1854 much interest had already been manifested by the people of Cooperstown in the new enterprise, and they subscribed $20,000. In the same year the Methodists in the vicinity also pledged $15,000.
At a meeting of the stockholders twenty-one trustces were appointed, who elected Elihu Phinney president. The erection of the building was begun in June, 1854, and within four months from that time the entire structure was completed and ready for oeenpaney. The building contained one hundred and sixty rooms and the plastering covered two and one-half acres in area.
The seminary was opened Nov. 15, 1854, with Rev. J. L. G. MeKown as principal, assisted by a corps of six- teen professors and teachers. The institution was formally dedicated Nov. 17, 1854, by Rev. S. II. Batten. Addresses were delivered by Bishop Simpson, F. A. Lee, and Prof. MeKown, and the benediction was delivered by Rev. M. C. Manning. It was placed under the control of the Metho- dist denomination, who chose its principal and a majority of the trustees. During the first year it was higlily pros- perous, numbering on its rolls 410 students.
In July, 1855, Prof. MeKown severed his connection with the seminary, and was succeeded in the following Angust by Rev. P. D. Ilanmond. In June, 1856, the building was leased for a period of five years to Hammond
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Photo. by W. G. Smith, Cooperstown.
14 Sturges .
HEZEKIAH STURGES.
Hezekiah Sturges is u nativo of the county of Otsego, and is descen led from genuine Yankee stoek. Hle was born on the third day of November, 1810. His parents, directly after their marriage in 1810, emigrated fromu Fairfield Co., Conn., and settled in what was then regarded as the western wilderness. He passed the greater portion of his boyhood on the original homestead, which had been elcared and cultivated by his father. He often referred to the "old farm" in later years as crowning the summit of the highest range of hills separating the Butternuts valley from the Susque- hanna, through which ran the boundary line of the towns of Butteruuts aud Unadilla; and he related, with great glee, the youthful pride and pleasure with which he was wont to stand upon his ancestral domain and, facing the north, trace the winding course of the Butternuts from its source in the distant highlands to its confluence with the Unadilla river ; and then, turning to the south, survey the rugged intervening country spread out before him to the banks of the Susquehanna.
Pursuing the beaten track of boys of his age in the agricultural dis- triets, he worked with his father on the farm during the summer months, and attended the district school in winter. He gave early promise of mental vigor, and evinced so strong a predilection for intellectual tastes and hooks that his father, who was a mau of more than ordinary discern- ment and ability, announced his intention of affording him, if possible, a more than comumnon-school education : and when the boy had reached the age of fifteen years the father placed him under the care of an excellent teacher in a select school at Butternuts, and remained there until the spring of 1836. He'gave unremitting attention to his studies during this period, and his progress was rapid and satisfactory. The school being discontinued for the reason of the failing health of its master, he reluc- tantly returned to the farm for the summer, and the following winter was himself master of a district school.
In the spring of 1837, with the approbation of his father, he entered Oxford academy, with the avowed intention of preparing to enter college. His zeal and progress was such in his preparatory course, that in the fall of 1838 he left the academy, with a recommendation from its faculty that he was prepared to enter the sophomore class of Yale college. Alone, sul an entire stranger, ho presented his certificate from the neademy to the then venerable president of the college: hal a preliminary examina- tion by ono of the professors, and was therenpou eurolled in the class of 1541 of Yalo college.
While at times he found the duties of college life severe, yet the aequi- sition of learning he there made, the life-long acquaintances and cherished friendships he there formed, renler the recollection of his days at Yale, oh l the associations that cluster around them, among the most agreeable of the memories of the past.
Having graduated in August, 1841, for the purpose of replenishing his resources, for expenditure during his professional studies, ho accepted the position of tutor of Latin and Greek in the Gilbertsville academy, and continued in that occupation till the spring of 1843.
lle was then entered as a elerk in the law office of Morehouse & Lathrop, then a leading firm in the county, and with theiu and with llon. Charles C. Noble, of Unadilla, pursued the study of the law till 1846, when he was admitted to practice as an attorney-at-law and solicitor in the court of chaucery, and afterwards was enrolled as an attorney and counselor in the supreme court of the United States.
Unfortunately, the same year that he was admitted to the har his father died, and that event seemed to make it necessary that he should relinquish his design of eomuencing the practice of his profession in some one of the then rapidly-growing commercial towns of the State, and to remain in the circle where the family resided. He yielded to that apparent necessity, which has always been regarded as the mistake of his life.
lle commenced the practice of his profession at Butternuts, and re- mained there till 1862, when he removed to Cooperstown, having then formed a copartnership with Hon. E. Country man. then of Cherry Valley, now of the city of Albany, under the firm-name of Sturges & Country- man.
This firm had a large business in this and the adjoining counties, and continued in full practice for many years until it was dissolved hy the elevation to judicial office of each of the partners.
In the fall of 1867 he was elected to the office of county judge of his native county, and discharged the duties of the office in a manner that reflected honor upou him and the position he occupied till 1872, when he resmined the practice at the bar.
In 1877 he was nominated by Goveruor Robinson, and confirmned hy the senate, to the office of canal app aiser, which position he now holds, with Hon. Charles G. Myers and lon. Vivins W. Smith, his associates, In presenting cases to a jury and in his public addresses, especially where his feelings have been wrought into the occasion and the eireuinstance, he displays oratorical powers and a tervid eloquence which have often in his professional and political career won the almiration of those who have hal on those occasions the pleasure of listening to him.
In his intercourse with his brethren at the bar, and indeed in all his social life, he is uniformly genial and courteous; and from him, as far as in him lies, indigence or poverty is never turned empty away.
In 1863 he married Elizabeth, daughter of Hon. W. W. Snow. of Oneonta. He has two children,-a son. Weston Snow Sturges ; a daughter. Elizabeth Sturges : and his doroestie life, so far as is known or can be observed, is as happy ns his social and public life is honorable.
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265
HISTORY OF OTSEGO COUNTY, NEW YORK.
wie l'an my, and in February of the following year Rev. CR I'meroy became its principal. It was soon after Closed and remained so until September, 1859, when it was meyened by Mr. R. C. Flack, by whom it was con- Tinned until 1864, when it was purchased by Mr. William N Canton, and the school reopened April 19, 1865, with Dr. " Kerr as principal. In April, 1867, Rev. Orren Perkins became principal of the institution, and remained point capacity until it was purchased by Mr. F. Phinney # 18.82. It was then abandoned as an educational institu- rs, and the building is now known as the Cooper House, ter of the finest summer hotels in the State.
COOPERSTOWN UNION SCHOOL.
What is now the Cooperstown union school and academy w .. inaugurated as a free graded school in 1868, the orig- wwf school building being erected during that year. The tras term of the school was in the fall of 1869; it became . union free school Oct. 9, 1871, and in January, 1873, os academie department was established by the regents. In the spring of 1873 occurred the only change there has wort been in the board of education, B. F. Murdock suc- moisling at the death of William H. Ruggles. In the rammer of 1874 the building was enlarged and its efficiency stratly increased. The school property is valued at $30,000. The number of students for the year 1877-78 was about Som, about fifty of whom held the regents' certificate of ww.lemie scholarship. Since the opening of the school the werage daily attendauce has increased fifty per cent. tivorge W. Howe was principal the first two teruis ; there has been but one principal since. There are established in connection with the school the following prizes : the " Ed- wand Clark Punctuality Prizes." amounting annually to about sixty dollars, by Edward Clark, Esq. ; the " Averell Gold Medal," for scholarship. given annually and valued at twenty dollars, by Mrs. J. R. Carter ; and the " Ruggles Memorial Prize," for composition and oratory, given annu- ally and valued at fourteen dollars, by the friends of the Lte William H. Ruggles.
The Cooperstown union school is constituted as follows : The Board of Education .- Horace Lathrop, M.D., presi- dent ; Hon. Samuel A. Bowen; Benjamin F. Murdock, weretary ; Henry L. Hinman, treasurer.
Instructors .- John G. Wight, A.M., principal, Greek a ... ] Latin ; E. O. William Mildner, German and Music ; Martha A. Ball, Higher English, Latin, and History; J. nie P. Cole, Natural Science and English ; Jennie L. Amstock, Higher Mathematics and French. Intermediate ' Apartment : Charles P. Thompson, Sarah W. Shipway, Eva J. Bliss. Primary department : Emily E. Niles.
FIRST NATIONAL BANK. .
The Otsego County bank was organized at Cooperstown, J : 23, 1830. Capital stock, $100,000 ; increased to $200,000 in 1834. The first board of directors were I Fort Campbell, Joseph Moss. Calvin Graves, Lawrence M. Namee, Levi Beardsley. William II. Averell, Henry Ihinney, John Russell. Thomas Fuller, Henry Scott, Alvan St. wart, Sammel Starkweather, and Joseph White. The the inspector of election were John A. Dix, E. B. More- 1
house, and Arunah Metcalf. The first president was Rob- ert Campbell. The first cashier was Henry Scott.
At an election of directors, held June 14, 1831, the following changes were made: David Little, in place of Levi Beardsley ; Leonard Caryl, in place of Alvan Stew- art. Inspectors: George Pomeroy, Elihu Phinney, E. B. Morehouse. June 12, 1832, James Boyd was chosen in place of Joseph White. June 12, 1833, Delos White was chosen in place of David Little. June 10, 1834, William Campbell was chosen in place of Samuel Stark weather. June 9, 1835, Elihu Phinney was chosen in place of Delos White; Robert Dunlap in place of Williamu Campbell. Inspectors : E. B. Morehouse, George Pomeroy, and Levi C. Turner. June 14, 1836, Chauncey Strong was chosen in place of Leonard Caryl; Gurdon Turner, in place of James Boyd. Inspectors : George Pomeroy, James Stowell, and E. B. Morehouse. June 13, 1837, Charles Smith was chosen in place of Henry Scott. June 12, 1838, James Markham, Jr., was chosen in place of Thomas Fuller ; William Dean in place of Robert Dunlap. Inspectors : E. B. Morehouse, Horace Lathrop, and George Poweroy. June 11, 1839, Obadiah Beardsley was chosen in place of Joseph Moss. June 14, 1842, William Temple was chosen in place of W. H. Averell; Robert Ormston in place of Obadiah Beardsley. Inspectors : Horace Lathrop, Geerge Pomeroy, and Abel H. Clark. June 13, 1843, W. H. Averell was chosen in place of William Ormston. June 11, 1844, Samuel Nelson was chosen in place of John Russell. June 9, 1846, George A. Stark weather was chosen in place of Gurdon Turner. June 8, 1847, inspectors : Horace Lathrop, A. H. Clark, and George W. Ernst. Oct. 2, 1847, Henry Phinney was elected president to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Robert Campbell, who had been president of the bank from its organization to this date. June 13, 1848, Henry Scott was chosen in place of Robert Campbell; William Nichols in place of Elihu Phin- ney ; William Comstock in place of Chauncey Strong; James Boyd in place of James Markham ; Lewis Averell in place of William Temple ; Joseph Moss in place of G. A. Starkweather. June 12, 1849, Joseph Moss was chosen in place of William Nichols; George A. Stark weather in place of William Comstock; Elihu Phinney in place of James Boyd; William Temple in place of Lewis Averell. June 10, 1851, William Comstock was chosen in place of Henry Phinuey.
On Dee. 29, 1850, the bank was robbed of $30,000.
June 8, 1852, Gurdon Turner was chosen in place of William Dean. Inspectors: Horace Lathrop, G. W. Ernst, and William A. Campbell. June 14, 1853, Chester Wright was chosen in place of William Temple.
On Nov. 14, 1854, the following-named persons were elected directors for the ensuing year: Win. H. Averell, Samuel Nelson, Henry Scott, Elihu Phinney, George A. Starkweather, Geo. W. Ernst, Wm. Nichols, Joshua H. Story, James H. Nellis. Win. HI. Averell was cheted president in place of Henry Phinney. Inspectors : James Stowell, Horace Lathrop, and Wm. A. Comstock. Nov. 15, 1855, Philip Roof was added to the board in place of James H. Nellis. Inspectors : Horace Lathrop. Wm. A. Comstock, and Geo. Story. Nov. 10, 1856, C. Graves
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