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 7
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After his term of service expired he continued the prac- tice of his profession at Athens, in his native county ; but his distaste of the practice of quedieine so increased upon him that he resolved to renounce the mortar and pestle and abandon the profession forever; and, accordingly, in September, 1815, he entered as a clerk the law-office of Stranahan & Jordan, in Cooperstown, and began to dream of life anew. He came here on the invitation of Mr. Jor- dan, who was also a native of Columbia county, and between whom there was an acquaintance of long standing. His student-life was devoted to laying broad and deep the foundation of those legal acquirements for which, in after- life, he was so eminent. He was admitted to the bar as an attorney of the supreme court in January, 1818, his license was signed by Chief-Justice Thompson, and in June following he was commissioned by Governor De Witt Clin- ton, as brigade judge advocate of the second brigade of infantry in this State.
In 1821 he was admitted as counselor of the supreme court of the State, Ambrose Spencer then being the pre- siding justice. In the same year he was made solicitor in the court of chancery, and his license was signed by Judge Kent; and in 1824 he was admitted counselor of that court, and in the same year was made a master in chancery, and afterwards was appointed " injunetiou-master," an office which conferred upon him many of the powers and duties of vice-chancellor. He held the office many years, receiv- ing his commissions successively from the chancellor, from Governor Troop, and in 1833 from Governor William L. Marcy. In 1836 he was admitted to practice in the supreme court of the United States.
In 1831 he was one of the four members that represented this county in the assembly. He held the office of district attorney in this county from 1829 to 1837, and in June, 1817, was elected justice of the supreme court of the Sixth judicial district, and died while holding that office, in De- cember, 1819.
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HISTORY OF OTSEGO COUNTY, NEW YORK.
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His literary taste and acquirements, his ready wit and grunine humor, his genial disposition and courteous man- ners, made him a conspicuous ornament in the social and literary eircle for which Cooperstown was then distin- guished ; his legal crudition, his manly bearing. his ability aud fidelity in all the trusts, public or private, reposed in him, rendered him eminent at the bar ; his inflexible love of right, his elcar and lucid perception of vexed questions of law, his perspicuous exposition of intricate questions that came before him to be decided, distinguished him as a judge.
The joyous smile that always greeted him in the streets of the village he loved so much, whether of hoary age or snuny childhood, disclosed to every observer the affection- ate regard and esteem in which he was held as a neighbor and a citizen.
In 1827 he married Eliza, daughter of Dr. Thomas Fuller, of Cooperstown. She was a lady thoroughly edu- eated, but her kindness of heart, her refinement of manner, her mild and gentle disposition, and her unostentatious piety, were the marked traits of her character ; and whoever have been the recipients of their refined hospitality, at " Woodside," their beautiful residence, constructed on the mountain-side, overlooking the main street of Cooperstown, ereeted under the superintending care and guidance of the taste of Mr. Morchouse, know something of the graceful and accomplished manner in which she presided over that delightful home.
GEORGE A. STARKWEATHER is a native of the State . of Conneetieut ; was born on May 19, 1794. He worked on his father's farm until the fall of 1813, and his health having failed he went with a friend to Orange county, State of New York, with a view to spend the winter and recuper- ate. It resulted in his taking a common school, which he taught for two years, in the town of Wolkill. working in the summer season on a farm, before and after school hours. He returned to Connecticut in the fall of 1815, taking with him as the fruits of his labor about $600. He then commenced preparing for college, and in the fall of 1817 entered Union college, joining the sophomore class. He remained in college until the fall of 1$19. when he came to Cooperstown and commenced his professional studies with his brother, Samuel Starkweather. He was elected by the faculty of Union one of the first six of his class as a Phi Beta Kappa, and had the third appointment in his class, but, his funds being exhausted. did not return to fulfill his appointment. In the fall of 1820. Mr. Stark- weather went to Ithaea, tanght a select school for six months, pursuing his studies in the mean time with Mr.
Woodcock. He returned to Cooperstown in the spring, 'and paid up his little bills ; was admitted as attorney of the supreme court in January, 1823, as counsel in 1826, and solicitor's counsel in chancery in 1831. In September, 1842, admitted as counsel in the district court of the United States for the northern district of New York, and in 1854 was admitted as attorney and counsel of the supreme court of the United States. Mr. Starkweather formed a partnership with his brother Samuel, and prae- tieed his profession in the county of Otsego thirty.three years, having purchased his brother's interest in the busi- ness in 1831.
In 1856 he joined his eldest son, John C. Stark weather, in business in the city of Milwaukee, where he practiced his profession for two years, having sold Apple Hill to Edward Clark, the present owner. Mr. Starkweather took a very active part in politics. He was challenger at the polls for ten years when the elcetion was held three days, and never missed a day ; was twenty years chairman of the Democratic corresponding committee of Otsego County, and wrote most of the addresses and resolutions ; was fre- quently a delegate to county, senatorial, and State conven- tions ; was delegated to the national convention at the time Mr. Van Buren was nominated, and was secretary of the convention. The first office he held was commissioner of decds, elected by the board of supervisors. In 1833 was appointed surrogate of the county of Otsego, and after- wards elected without opposition, and held the office for eight years. He was clected supervisor of the town of Otsego in his absence, and held the office for four years, and was chairman of the board; was appointed one of the examiners of school-teachers for the town of Otsego, and took a deep interest in the common-school system, and visited the schools of the town withont compensation. Elected to congress in 1846, Otsego and Schoharie forming the congressional district. Made a speech opposing the extension of slavery, which was favor- ably commented upon by the New York Tribune, Herald, and several other papers. Was commissioned adjutant, major, lieutenant-colonel, and eolonel of the 12th Regiment of Artillery of the State of New York, and was honorably discharged in the fall of 1829. In 1850 was appointed a member of the American legal association. In 1834 became a life member of the colonization society, and in 1847, a life member of the Otsego Bible association. Was one of the vestry of Christ Church, Cooperstown, for twenty-seven years. When a resident of Milwaukee. he donated one hundred and sixteen volumes of his congres- sional books to the Young Men's association of that city, and was made an honorary life member of the association. Mr. Starkweather had four sons in the army during the late Rebellion, all volunteers. The oldest, John C. Stark- weather, was commissioned colonel, and was in the three- months' service, and afterwards raised the Second regiment, and remained in the service until the close of the war, having been promoted to brigadier-general; was in six battles, the last at Chattanooga, and was twice wounded. At the time Mr. Starkweather commenced practice, and for many years after, Elisha Williams, of Hudson. Nicholas Hill, Sam Stevens, and other leading members of the bar of Albany, Daniel Cady, of Johnstown, Joshua Spencer, of Utica, Count Vanderlen, James Clapp, and other men- bers of the Chenango bar, and members of the bar from Delaware connty, were in the habit of attending the Otsego circuits, which were then held by the judges of the supreme court. The Otsego bar was then in its palmy days, and was considered the ablest bar in the State west of the Hudson. The actors of those days have passed away. The old familiar faces are all gone, and Mr. Starkweather is the only one remaining.
LEVI S. CHATFIELD, while a resident of Otsego County, was a member of the assembly four sessions. Speaker of
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HISTORY OF OTSEGO COUNTY, NEW YORK.
the house, member of the constitutional convention of 1846, and attorney-general of the State.
SAMUEL S. BOWNE was noted as an advocate rather than as an elementary lawyer. As an advocate he stood deservedly high.
LEVI C. TURNER held the office of county judge one term; was judge advocate under Edwin M. Stanton, the secretary of war. He died in Washington; was brought home, and buried in Lakewood cemetery. His widow is still living, and occupies the old mansion-house that her father owned at the time of his death.
The present members of the bar are as follows :
Arms, Clifford S., Unadilla. Arnold, F. B., Unadilla.
Burditt, Luthier I., Cooperstown.
Bowen, Samuel A., Cooperstown. Brooks, George, Cooperstown. Bridges, Nathan, Morris. Bowne, Chas. A., Morris. Bureh, William, Cherry Valley. Bates, Davis W., Cherry Valley. Bentley, Wmn. C., Butternuts. Barnum, Jas. W., Cherry Valley. Bundy, L. L., Queonta. Burnside, S. S., Oneonta. Bowe, L. E., Otego. Benediet, Philor, Schenevas. Baldwin, Fredrus, S. Worcester. Belknap, E. C., Unadilla. Barnes, S. J., East Worcester. Cook, Morey S., Portlandville. Cary, Edgar, Richfield Springs.
Hyam, V. A., Cooperstown. Johnston, F. U., Cooperstown.
| Keyes, J. II., Oneonta.
Keyes, Melville, Onconta. Kendall, Frank, Cooperstown. Lynes, Jas. A., Cooperstown. Lewis, John, Cooperstown. Leonard, Chatfield. Lane, Albert, Cooperstown. Loomis, David P., Unadilla. Luee, II. D., Richfield Springs. Marsh, John, Cooperstown. Nelson, HI. D., Oneonta. Pope, Adelbert A., Edmeston. Sturges, Hezekiah, Cooperstown. Seofield, B. J., Cooperstown. Sbaw, A. G., Onconta. Seramling, George, Oneonta. Shumway, F. D., Otego. Stewart, James, Oneonta. Scott, Seymour. Oneonta. Tueker, Jas. W., Cooperstown. Tennant, A. C., Richfield Springs. Townsend, R. M., Portlandville, Van Horne, Geo., Cooperstown. Wells, M. M., Hartwiek. Washbon, Henry R .. Morris. Wendell, William, Unadilla. Ward, Edm'd A., Riebf'd Springs. Wilber, Chas., Oneonta.
. Davenport, J. S., Rielif'd Springs. Edick, Samuel S., Cooperstown. Edson, W. D., Unadilla. Fay, Parker D., Richfield Springs. Gorham, Geo. S., Burlington. Graham, C. II., Sehenevas. Grant, Samuel H., Worcester. Gano, C. J., Richfield Springs. Gould, M. F., Oneonta. Harris, Edwin M., Cooperstown. Henry, Lowell S., Schuyler's Lake. | Young, James, Cherry Valley.
A large portion are self-made men, but as a whole ranks as high as any bar in this judicial district.
" Lives of great men all remind us, Wo can mako our lives sublime, And, departing, leave behind us Footprints on the sands of time."
CHAPTER XIV.
THE PRESS.
The Otsego Herald or Western Advertiser-The Impartial Observer -Cooperstowu Independent-Freeman's Journal-The Toesin- The Otsego Republican-The (Cherry Valley ) Republican-The Watchtower-The Cherry Valley Gazette-The American Banner -The Morris Chronicle-The Worcester Times-The Susquehanna News-Tho Unadilla News-The Weekly Courier-The Unadilla Herald-The Unadilla Times-Home and Abroad-The Oneonta Heruld-The Susquehanna Independent-The Otsego Democrat- The Herald and Democrat-The Schenevas Monitor-The Valley News-The Temperance Investigator-The Otsego Journal-The Oneonta Press-The Switch-The Otsego Examiner-The Saw- Buck-The Otsego Fartuer-The Otego Literary Record-Temiper- ance Newspapers.
THE intellectual, civil, and social status of a county, State, or nation is evidenced by the character and condition
of its press. In that locality where is disseminated this great educator of the masses, by which public opinion is so largely shaped and controlled, is ever to be found an intelli- gent people. The blessings flowing from a healthy press have been bestowed with a lavish hand upon the people of Otsego, for, from the foundation of the Herald, by Elihu Phinney, in 1795, down to the present, it has ever been marked by a strong intellectuality, and it may truthfully be written that among the country press of this State none wield the influence or command the respect in a greater de- grec, in their several spheres, than that of Otsego County.
THE PIONEER IN JOURNALISM
in this county was Elihu Phinney, who established the Otsego Herald, or Western Advertiser, April 3, 1795. This was the second paper west of Albany. The first number bore the following motto :
" Historie truth our Herald shall proclaim ;
The law our guide, the public good our aim."
It was a four-column folio, seventeen by ten inches, printed on coarse paper. It was published by Mr. Phiuney, as editor and proprietor, until his death, which occurred in 1813, when it was continued by H. & E. Phinney until 1821, when its publication ceased. It is said that it never demanded pay from its readers until the last number, Jan- uary 29, 1821.
THE FREEMAN'S JOURNAL.
The newspaper now called The Freeman's Journal was given that name in 1820, about the time the Federalist party broke up. It was started in 1808, was for a short time called the Impartial Observer, and then changed to Cooperstown Independent. Judge Cooper was the first owner of the material purchased for the office, William Andrews, for a brief period, the first editor, and J. H. and L. H. Prentiss the printers. John H. Prentiss soon touk entire charge of the paper, and bought out the interest of Judge Cooper. Under his proprietorship, which extended for a period of forty years, the Journal took front rank among the country press. In 1849, Colonel Prentiss sold it to Daniel Shaw and Joseph A. Titus, who remained its editors and proprietors until July, 1851, when it was sold to Samuel M. Shaw, who still remains its owner and editor. It exerts a strong influence in the Democratic party.
Mr. Shaw had for about three years beeu associated with the Croswells in the publication of the Albany Argus. He is a native of Dutchess county, and has been an editor siuce he was twenty years of age. With the political movements of the Democratic party he has for a quarter of a century had much to do, and has been one of its trusted counsel- ors. Though often solicited to accept nominations for office, Mr. Shaw has never consented to become a candidate for any official position.
The Journal was originally a four-column sheet, and the first subscription price was two doliars a year. It is now the same price, and contains five times the amount of read- ing matter. The office in which it is printed is one of the most commodious in the State, and commands a fine view of' the whole length of Otsego lake.
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HISTORY OF OTSEGO COUNTY, NEW YORK.
THE OTSEGO REPUBLICAN.
This paper was established in 1828, bearing the name of the Tocsin, and was changed to the title it now bears in 1831.
Its present publishers and proprietors, Messrs. Russell & Davidson. purchased it of James I. Hendrix & Son, in November, 1794. Prior to the formation of the Republican party it was an able advocate of the principles of the Whig party, and since that time it has been a consistent and influential exponent of the Republican faith. It is a well- established paper, and takes first rank among the leading weekly journals iu the State.
It is a large sheet 28 by 44 inches, nine columns, and is devoted to literary selections, choice family reading, the news of the day, general, political, and local. Its sub- seription price is two dollars per annum. The offiecs are pleasantly located on Main and Pioneer streets, Coopers- town, N. Y., and are furnished with all the modern im- provements of a first-class printing establishment.
Andrew Davidson, one of the proprietors, is the editor. Mr. Davidson is a lawyer by profession, but left the bar for the more congenial field of journalismn. Under his editorial management the Republican has attained a large circulation, and is an able exponent of the principles of the Republican party.
The first paper published in Cherry Valley was The Otsego Republican, in 1812, by Clark & Crandall.
The Watchtower was established in Cherry Valley in 1813, and iu 1814 removed to Cooperstown, and was pub- lished by Ismael W. Clark until May, 1817, when it passed into the possession of Edward B. Crandall, and was issued until 1831.
THE CHERRY VALLEY GAZETTE
was started in October, 1818, by William MeLean, by whom it was conducted until 1832, when it passed into the hands of Charles McLean, who continued it until Jan. 1, 1847. when A. S. Botsford became its proprietor, and remained as such until 1851, when it reverted to Charles MeLean, and in 1853 was sold to John B. King, and issued one year as the American Banner. King dis- posed of it to A. S. Botsford, by whom it was re-named The Gazette. It subsequently passed into the hands of J. L. Sawyer. its present able and efficient editor. The Guette is a local paper of merit, and is in a prosperous condition.
The first newspaper in Morris was established by W. HI. Winans, in 1846, and discontinued in 1847.
An advertising sheet was issued occasionally by A. S. Avery.
THE MORRIS CHRONICLE.
This paper was first known as The Otsego Chronicle, and was cade Asked about the year 1863, by William A. Smith, by whom i: was issued until 1865, when it passed into the Twissessi. a of L. P. Carpenter, who changed it to its present name. M :. Carpenter published it ten years, when his son became za viated with him, and it is now issued by L. P. Carpenter & Son. It is a lively sheet, and deserves its present popularity.
THE WORCESTER TIMES
was established by M. W. D. Fenton, Sept. 1, 1875. In 1876 it passed into the hands of Marcus M. Multer, who conducted it until Aug. 1, 1877, when it was purchased by Miss A. E. Smith, its present editor and proprietor. It is ably edited, and is in all respects an excellent local paper.
The first newspaper published in the village of Unadilla was about the year 1822, in Dr. Huntington's old store, by William Daily, who came from Liberty, Sullivan Co., N. Y. It was neutral in politics, and was continued but a short time.
THE SUSQUEHANNA NEWS.
In August, 1840, the publication of the Susquehanna News was begun by Edward A. Groves, formerly of Coop- erstown, N. Y., in the old Mechanics' hall, terms two dol- lars per annum, in advance, or two dollars and fifty cents at the end of the year. Its proclivities must have been Den- ocratie, for under the heading of the paper was the Jack- sonian motto, " It is not iu a splendid government supported by powerful monopolies and aristocratical establishments that the people will find happiness or their liberties protec- tion." The Susquehanna News was continued about one year, when, in August, 1841, the name was changed to the Unadilla News, and was published by George W. Noble, of Unadilla, about eighteen weeks in the same place with- out any change in terms or politics.
THE WEEKLY COURIER.
In February, 1842, the Weekly Courier was started by Edson S. Jennings, of Unadilla, who published it in the Baldwin House about one and a half years. It was neutral in polities. T. S. Ames was connected with the Courier for a short time, but the firm of Ames & Jenuings was dis solved, and Mr. Jennings became the sole proprietor.
THE UNADILLA HERALD.
The publication of the Unadilla Herald was commenced by William S. Hawley, of Canajoharie, N. Y., in the for- mer residence of the late Judge Page, and was continued about one year. For want of sufficient publie patronage being given to the newspapers which had been started in Unadilla and been forced to suspend their publications, or for some other cause, there was no further effort made to publish a newspaper in this village for about nine and a half years.
THIE UNADILLA TIMES.
In June, 1855, John Brown, a Scotchman, came from Cobleskill, N. Y., and commenced the publication of the Unadilla Times, in what was then known as the Carpenter buildings. It was neutral in polities, and was conducted with considerable ability and spirit; but, unfortunately for the welfare of the paper, the proprietor let his temper get the better of his judgment at times, and the office was moved to the Masonic hall building and its publication continued by Mr. Brown until about Oct. 1, 1856, when it came into the hands of E. S. Watson, of Bain- bridge, N. Y., who continued its publication at the same place about seven months, when Mr. Watson, by force of circumstances, was obliged to discontinue its publication.
34
HISTORY OF OTSEGO COUNTY, NEW YORK.
The office was closed for a few weeks and theu sold to George B. Fellows, of Unadilla, who, by the urgent request of the people, commenced its publication and moved the office to the present location of the Uuadilla Times. Mr. Fellows found the office in a bad condition, the good-will of the people gone, its patronage wasted, its reputation at a low ebb, and it seemed like a herenlean task to endeavor to place it upon a permanent foundation.
On April 27, 1857, Mr. Fellows took possession of the Times office, and for eight years continued its publication through " good and evil report," sunshine and storm, pros- perity and adversity, and all through the trying times of the late " Civil War." The predictions of the opponents of the enterprise were falsified, while the hopes of its friends were realized, until the Unadilla Times occupied a prominent place among the successful newspapers of the country.
It was an outspoken and decided Demoeratie paper, and did its full share in the advocacy of Democratie principles and in the formation of a correct publie opinion. In short, the Times, under Mr. Fellows' management, established an enviable reputation as a good and reliable newspaper, which time cannot dim, and of which he may well be proud.
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On April 1, 1865, the Unadilla Times was sold by Mr. Fellows to George E. Beadle, of the towu of Otsego, who published it until Sept. 1, 1866, when the office was again sold to Gilbert A. Dodge, of Whitney's Point, N. Y., who continued its publication nine years, or until Sept. 1, 1875, when A. J. Barlow, the present proprictor, purchased the office, making in all a coutinuous publication of the paper for, about twenty-two years. The terms of the paper during these years varying from one dollar to one dollar aud a half; its name changing under Mr. Dodge to the Home and Abroad, and back again to the Unadilla Times under Mr. Barlow; it being a Demoeratie paper up to a short time ago, when its publisher made it independent.
Mr. Beadle published a very creditable newspaper. Mr. Dodge proved himself well adapted for the management of a local paper ; he possessed a great diversity of mental resources, indomitable perseverance and industry, aecom- panied by strong, practical good sense; while Mr. Barlow, the present proprietor, is acknowledged by all to publish an excellent local and general newspaper, and he is doing his work well as a publisher.
The Unadilla Times is now established on a firm basis, and its continued existence assured.
THE HERALD AND DEMOCRAT,
published at Oneonta, N. Y., was established in 1873 by Edward M. Johnson, formerly editor and publisher of the Addison, N. Y., Advertiser, and E. W. Capron, of Wil- liamsport, Pa. The establishment of this paper was effected by the consolidation of the Oneonta Herald and the Otsego Democrat. The Herald was established by L. P. Carpen- ter, new publisher of the Morris, N. Y., Chronicle, who published it until Nov. 14, 1870, and then soll to G. W. Reynolds. In November, 1873, C. S. Carpenter purchased the office, and after conducting the business three years sold to Messrs. Johnson & Capron. The Herald was Re- publiean in polities. For many years it had the largest subscription list in the Second assembly district. The Dem-
ocrat was established in 1868, by G. A. Dodge, as the In- dependent. Subsequently he changed the name to Home and Abroad, and again to the name it bore when consoli- dated with the Herald. It was Democratie in politics, and had a good circulation. Mr. Jefferson published the Dem- ocrat about one year, he purchasing of Mr. Dodge.
The Herald and Democrat, although starting in the panie of 1873, after cutting off all duplicates, attained a circulation of over sixteen hundred copies within six months, which has been held until this time, notwithstanding hun- dreds of names have been erased when their advance pay- ment on subscription expired. The paper has a consider- able eirculation in Delaware county, and a larger advertising patronage than any other paper in Otsego County. It has thirty-six long columns, and the subscription price is $1.50 per year, in advance. In January, 1875, Messrs. Johnson & Capron dissolved partnership, Mr. Capron retiring. In February following, C. S. Carpenter accepted an editorial position on the paper, and in 1876 was made associate edi- tor. Mr. Johnson, the editor and proprietor, has served thirteen years consecutively, excepting only a break of one year, as clerk, journal and assistant clerk of the assembly and senate. In 1876-78 he was clerk of the assembly.
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