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 70
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266
IHISTORY OF OTSEGO COUNTY, NEW YORK.
was chosen in place of G. A. Starkweather. Inspectors : Horace Lathrop, W. A. Comstock, and Geo. Story. Nov. 8, 1859, John Eddy was chosen in place of Philip Roof. Nov. 13, 1860, inspectors : W. A. Comstock, Geo. Story, and N. H. Lake. Nov. 8, 1864, C. W. Smith was chosen in place of Sammuel Nelson. Nov. 14, 1865, Rufus Steere was chosen in place of John Eddy. Inspectors : W. A. Comstock, George Story, and Edwin M. Harris.
At a meeting of the directors of the Otsego County bank, held March 14, 1866, it was .
Resolced, That in the opinion of the directors of the association the interests of the stockholders of said association require it to be dis- solved, and that this bank proceed to invite the assent of the share- holders of the said association, holding two-thirds of the existing capital, to such dissolution.
On May 14, 1866, notiec was sent to the superintendent of the banking department, at Albany, N. Y., that the Otsego County bank intends to close the business of bank- ing, the same being with the written consent of its stock- holders, and by the direction of the board of directors. In 1866 the Otsego County bank was merged into the First National bank of Cooperstown, N. Y.
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The First National bank of Cooperstown was organized in February, 1864, with a capital stock of $50,000. The following officers were eleeted :
President .- Geo. W. Ernst. Vice-President .- Joshua H. Story. Cashier .- Chas. W. Smith.
Board of Directors .- Wm. H. Averell, Henry Seott, G. W. Ernst, Joshua II. Story, and Chas. W. Smith.
March 22, 1864, Geo. W. Ernst retired from the presi- dency and directorship, on account of having been appointed United States internal revenue collector of the Nineteenth district. Calvin Graves was appointed to fill the vaeaney in the board, and was also elected to fill the office of president.
Sept. 6, 1864, the capital stock was inereased to $75,000.
Jan. 10, 1865, the following persons were elected diree- tors for the ensuing year : Calvin Graves, W. II. Averell, Henry Scott, Joshua II. Story, Chas. W. Smith.
March 2, 1865, the capital stock was inereased from $75,000 to $100,000.
Jan. 9, 1866, the following persons were elected directors for the ensuing year : Win. II. Averell, Henry Scott, Joshua HI. Story, Chas. W. Smith, and Calvin Graves.
March 12, 1866, the capital stock was increased from $100,000 to $200,000.
July, 1866, C. W. Smith resigned the eashiership, and Henry Scott was appointed in his place.
>The directors for 1867 were Win. H. Averell, Henry Scott, Calvin Graves, Joshua H. Story, Win. Nichols. Ia 1869, E. M. Harris was elected in place of Wm. Nichols. The directors for 1870 were Wm. HI. Averell, Calvin Graves, Henry Scott, Joshua II. Story, and E. M. Harris. In April, 1871, Geo. W. Ernst was appointed to fill the vaeaney in the board caused by the death of Joshua II. Story. In November, 1871, Henry Scott resigned the cashiership, and John HI. Noble was appointed to fill the vacancy. In December, 1871, E. M. Harris was appointed vice-president, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Joshua H. Story. In December, 1871, John II. Noble
having disappeared under a temporary aberration of min 1, the office of cashier was declared vacant. The director- for 1872 were Win. HI. Averell, Calvin Graves, E. M. IFarris, Geo. W. Ernst, Geo. D. Ilinman, and Henry Scott. In February, 1872, Frederick L. Pahner was appointed cashier. The directors for 1873 were Calvin Graves, E. M. Harris, W. II. Averell, G. W. Ernst, and G. D. Ilin- man. In August, 1873, C. W. Smith was appointed to fill the vacancy in the board caused by the death of Wm. II. Averell. The directors for 1874 were Calvin Graves. E. M. Harris, G. W. Ernst, G. D. Hinman, and C. W. Smith. The direetors for 1875 were Calvin Graves, E. M. Harris. Geo. W. Ernst, G. D. Hinman, and C. W. Smith. In October, 1876, F. L. Palmer was appointed director in place of G. W. Ernst. The directors for 1877 were Calvin Graves, E. M. Harris, C. W. Smith, C. K. Mcllarg. and E. Delevan Hills. E. M. Harris was elected president, and C. K. MeHarg vice-president. The officers and directors for 1878 are the same as those of last year.
THE SECOND NATIONAL BANK.
The Bank of Cooperstown was organized Jan. 1, 1853, with the following board of directors: Calvin Graves, Theodore Keese, John HI. Prentiss, Frederick A. Lee. Horace Lathrop, Jedediah P. Sill, and George B. Warren. The first officers were Calvin Graves, president ; Theodore Keese, vice-president; Frederick A. Lee, cashier. The capital stoek was $150,000.
Nov. 1, 1854, the capital stock was inereased to $200,000.
Sept. 13, 1856, Calvin Graves resigned the presidency, and on Sept. 15 F. A. Lee was chosen his successor. Sept. 20, Dorr Russell was elected eashier. March 5, 1857, owing to physical disability of the president, the office was declared vacant, and Theodore Keese elected to fill the vaeaney. Frederick G. Lee was appointed teller, in 1857. John H. Prentiss was elected viee-president Sept. 27, 1858; the president, Theodore Keese, died, and on Oet. 19 John H. Prentiss was elected to fill the vaeaney. Ansel C. Moore was elected vice-president.
The board of directors elected May, 1859, were John H. Prentiss, Ansel C. Moore, Harvey Strong, Schuyler Crippen, Samuel M. Shaw, Jedediah P. Sill, George B. Warren, Horace Lathrop, George W. Chase, William E. Cory, and G. Pomeroy Keese. John II. Prentiss Was elected president, and Jedediah P. Sill vice-president. July 16, 1861, John F. Scott was elected a director in place of John II. Prentiss, deceased. Jedediah P. Siil was elected president, and G. Pomeroy Keese vice-president. to fill vacaneies. May 5, 1862, Dorr Russell was chosen in place of George W. Chase. July 28, 1862. Luther I. Burditt was elected a director in place of Horaee Lathrop, deceased. January 6, 1864, William M. Clinton was elected a director in place of S. M. Shaw, resigned.
The Second National Bank of Cooperstown was orzan- ized Jan. IS, 1864, with a capital of $100,000. TL+ first board of directors were Jedediah P. Sill. G. Pomeroy Keese, William M. Clinton, Dorr Russell, Inther I. Bur- ditt, Schuyler Crippen, William E. Cory, John F. Scott. Jedediah P. Sill was elected president ; G. Pomeroy Kece, vice-president ; Dorr Russell, cashier.
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HISTORY OF OTSEGO COUNTY, NEW YORK.
M.) 6. 1-65, the capital stock was increased to $300,000. -. 14. 15, 1865, the business of the Bank of Coopers- # ## was transferred to the Second National bank of . afonsown.
I.b. 1, 1866, David A. Avery was appointed teller, in some of Frederick G. Lee, resigned. Aug. 1, 1867, [41.1 .A. Avery was elected eashier, in place of Dorr Rus- a ... migned, and Adrian Foote was appointed teller. Jan. :+ 1-is, Frederick G. Lee was chosen director, in place 4 1\ er Russell. Sept. 1, 1868, Frederick G. Lee was granted teller, in place of Adrian Foote, resigned. May : 1-69, Benjamin M. Cady was appointed teller, in place / Frderick G. Lee, resigned. Jannary 18, 1870, David hur and Andrew Shaw were chosen directors, in place af W. M. Clinton and F. G. Lee.
March 9, 1872, by a vote of the stockholders, the num- Wet of directors was inereased to nine. At a meeting of directors held that day, appropriate resolutions were passed la the death of the Hon. Schuyler Crippen, a member of se board. D. A. Avery was elected a director in his place. May 1, 1872, F. G. Lee was chosen eashier, in place of D .A. Avery, resigned, and B. M. Cady was appointed istant cashier. Oet. 1, B. M. Cady resigned as assistant ex.hier, and D. A. Avery was appointed in his place. Jan. 11, 1873, Marcus Field was added to the board of directors, making the ninth member. Nov. 3, 1873, F. G. Lee re- esned as cashier, and D. A. Avery was elected. Jan. 1, 1-74, B. M. Cady was appointed assistant cashier. Jan. 13, B. F. Murdock was elected a director, in place of J. P. Sill. resigned. Jan. 13, J. P. Sill resigned the office of insident on account of ill health. G. Pomeroy Keese "> elected president, and L. I. Burditt vice-president. 4 pt. 28, 1875, resolutions were passed on the occasion of the death of J. P. Sill, late president. Jan. 11, 1876, Robert Quaif was elected a director in place of John F. Scott. S.pt. 4, 1876, B. M. Cady was elected cashier, in place of D. A. Avery, resigned; H. L. Hinman appointed teller. Jan. 9, 1877, Hon. II. Sturges and Caleb Clark were shorted directors, in place of Marcus Field and D. A. Avery. The present officers of the bank are as follows: G. Pomeroy Kor, president; Luther I. Burditt, vice-president ; Ben- Jamin M. Cady, cashier ; H. L. Himmnan, teller. William F. Cory, Andrew Shaw, Robert Quaif, David Wilbur, B. F. Murdock, H. Sturges, and Caleb Clark, directors.
LIST OF OFFICIALS.
The following is a complete list of the trustees, presidents, a:I clerks of Cooperstown from its incorporation in 1812 to
1.12 .- Robert Campbell, president ; John Russell, Elijah II. Met- enlf, Peter Goodsell, and James Averell, Jr., trustees; George Pomeroy, clerk.
1.13 .- Isaac Couper, president; Robert Campbell, Elijah II. Met- calf, Cyrus Clark, and Henry Phinney, trustees; Georgo Pomeroy, elerk.
1.14 .- Isaac Cooper, president : Elijah HI. Metcalf, Cyrus Clark, Robert Campbell, and Henry Phinney, trustees ; George Pomeroy, elerk.
1.13 .- Isaac Cooper, president; Robert Campbell, llenry Phinney, and Elijah H. Metcalf, trustees; George Pomeroy, elerk,
1416 .- Isaac Cooper, president ; Robert Campbell, Elijah Il. Met- calf, Heury Phinney, and John II. Preutiss, trustees; George Pomeroy, clerk.
1817 .- Isaac Cooper, president; Robert Campbell, Elijah 11. Met- ealf, James Averell, Jr., and William Nichols, trustees; George Pomeroy, clerk.
1818 .- Thomas Fuller, president : Robt. Campbell, Henry Phinney, Geo. Morell, and Samuel Cooper, trustees ; George Pome- roy, elerk.
1819 .- Thomas Fuller, president; Robt. Campbell, Henry Phinney, Geo. Morell, aud John F. Erust, trustees ; George Pome- roy, elerk.
1820 .- A. L. Jordan, president; Stephen Gregory, Miles Comstock, William Wilson, aud lleury Beadle, trustees; Sumuel Starkweather, clerk.
1821 .- George Morell, president ; Farrand Stranahan, Ilenry Beadle, Ilarvey Luce, and Miles Comstock, trustees ; Samuel Stark- weather, elerk.
1822 .- Geo. Morell, president; Farrand Stranahan, Henry Beadle, Miles Comstock, and H. Luce, trustees; Ilenry Seott, elerk.
1823 .- Samuel Starkweather, president; Farrand Stranahan, Ilenry Phinney, John Philipps, aud Miles Benjamiu, trustees ; Ilenry Scott, clerk.
1824 .- Farrand Stranahan, president; Miles Comstock, Joseph B. Walton, Constant Sherman, and James Stowell, trustees ; Geo. S. Crafts, elerk.
1825 .- Henry Phinney, president; Miles Benjamin, Lawrence McNamee, Joseph Griffen, Jr., and Samuel Starkweather, trustees ; Geo. S. Crafts, elerk.
1826 .- Win. H. Averell, president ; James Stowell, Henry Phinney, Stephen Gregory, and T. W. Lay, trustees; Henry Scott, clerk.
1827 .- Wm. H. Averill, president ; Joseph B. Watson, Heury Phin- ney, Geo. Morell, and Stephen Gregory, trustces ; Henry Scott, clerk.
1828 .- Geo. Morell, president; Miles Benjamin, Henry Luee, O. Sabin, and Constant Sherman, trustees ; Henry Scott, clerk. 1829 .- Stephen Gregory, president; Ilenry Phinucey, Geo. Morell, Henry Beadle, aud Jamues I. Paul, trustees ; Ilenry Seott, elerk.
1830 .- John A. Dix, president; IIenry Phinney, Stephen Gregory, James I. Paul, and Seth Doubleday, trustees ; Henry Seott, clerk.
1831 .- No record.
1832 .- Henry Phinney, president; Richard Cooley, Ellery Cory, Ilarvey Luce, and John R. Worthington, trustees ; Ilenry Seott, clerk.
1833 .- Henry Phinney, president ; Richard Cooley, Robert Cump- bell, Ilenry Brown, and Jabez Chapman, trustees ; Henry Seott, elerk.
1834 .- Ilenry Phinney, president; Robert Campbell, Jabez Chap- man, Richard Cooley, and Henry Brown, trustees; llenry Scott, elerk.
1835 .- George A. Starkweather, president; Henry Phinney, Ellery Corey, Isnae Lewis, and Chester Jarvis, trustees ; Henry Seott, elerk.
1836 .- George A. Starkweather, president; Ilenry Phinney, George Pomeroy, Geo. W. Holmes, and Isaac Lewis, trustees ; Henry Scott, elerk.
1837 .- John R. Worthington, president; James I. Paul, James Stowell, Ilorace C. Fish, and Henry B. Ernst, trustees ; II. A. Smith, clerk.
1838 .- Henry Phinney, president; Isaac Lewis, Henry Miller, E. D. Richardson, and Abner Graves, Jr., trustees; Seth Double- day, clerk.
1839 .- Eben B. Morehouse, president ; C. D. Pense, Rensselaer Water- mau, George Pomeroy, aud Philip Roof, trustees; Seth Doubleday, clerk.
1840 .- Schuyler Crippen, president; Robert Davis, Peter Becker, William Lewis, and Richard Cooley, trustees; Seth Double- day, clerk.
1841 .- Schuyler Crippen, president ; S. M. Ingalls, B. F. Kipp. Peter Becker, and P. E. Johnson, trustees ; Seth Doubleday, clerk.
1842 .- Chauncey D. Pease, presideut ; Peter Becker, Thomas Clark, und James I. Paul, trustees; Robt. A. Davis, elerk.
1843 .- William Wilsou, prezident; Luther 1. Bur litt, Philip Roof,
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HISTORY OF OTSEGO COUNTY, NEW YORK.
Alfred Carr, and Henry B. Ernst, trustees ; Cutler Field, clerk.
1844 .- George Pomeroy, president ; Geo. Jarvis, C. D. Pease, Abner Graves, and Robert Davis, trustees ; Thos. Clark, clerk.
1845 .- Georgo Pomeroy, president : E. P. Byram, Thomas Clark,
C. D. Pense, and R. Waterman, trustees; Chas. J. Still- man, elerk.
1846 .- Perley E. Johnson, president ; Jacob G. Bush, Abner Graves, Jr., R. Waterman, and Saml. W. Bingham, trustees ; Charles J. Stillinan, clerk.
1847 .- George W. Ernst, president ; E. P. Byram, Ellery Cory, Robert Davis, and William Lewis, trustees ; Chas. J. Still- man, elerk.
1848 .- Goorgo W. Ernst, president; Richard A. Leslie, George Story, Chauncey D. Pease, and Edwin Pier, trustees; George Me- Namce, clerk.
1849 .- Schuyler Crippen, president ; Peter Becker, Horace C. Fish, Chandler Root, and Geo. W. Ernst, trustees ; John Il. H. Doty, elerk.
1850 .- George A. Starkweather, president ; Samuel W. Bingham, Z. Willoughby, Ransom Spafford, and E. P. Byrain, trustees ; C. J. Stillman, elerk.
1851 .- George A. Starkweather, president; Abner Graves, Jr., Z. Willoughby, Seth F. Winslow, and Marcus Fields, trustees ; C. J. Stilhnan, clerk.
1852 .- Cutler Fields, president; Georgo W. Ernst, Peter Becker, Herman W. Robinson, and Edward Edwards, trustees; C. J. Stillman, elerk.
1853 .- Peter Becker, president; Edward Edwards, Benj. F. Kipp, Philip Roof, and James HI. Nellis, trustees ; Chas. J. Still- man, clerk.
1854 .- L. C. Turner, president ; Peter Becker, William Lewis, Chaun- ecy D. Peasc, and E. P. Byrain, trustees; Cyrus Lewis, elerk.
1855 .- L. C. Turner, president ; Charles J. Stillman, Seth S. Wins- low, Edward Edwards, and B. F. Kipp, trustees ; Cyrus Lewis, clerk.
1856 .- E. P. Byram, president ; Alfred Robinson, Wm. A. Comstock, Geo. W. Ernst, and Edward Edwards, trustees; Cyrus Lewis, clerk.
1857 .- Abner Graves, Jr., president ; L. M. Bolles, E. Edwards, B. F. Kipp, and John F. Scott, trustees; Cyrus Lewis, clerk.
1858 .- C. J. Stillman, president : L. M. Bolles, E. Edwards, Samuel R. Thompson, and Delos L. Birge, trustees ; W. G. Smith, clerk.
1859 .- D. L. Birge, president ; S. R. Thompson, Thos. McIntosh, Jr., William R. Bingham, and Edward Edwards, trustees ; W. . G. Smith, clerk.
1860 .- C. J. Stillman, president ; E. P. Byram, Peter Becker, S. R. Thompson, and Henry B. Ernst, trustees; Joseph W. Pixley, clerk.
1861 .- Samuel R. Thompson, president ; J. P. Sill, John S. Brown, Albert A. Kendall, and G. Pomeroy Keese, trustees; Chas. B. Cooley, elerk.
1862 .- Peter Becker, president ; Philip Roof, John J. Crafts, Geo. W. Holmes, and William E. Cory, trustees ; Charles B. Cooley, clerk.
1863 .- Peter Becker, president ; L. I. Burditt, Arthur A. Brown, Frederick A. Goffe, and Richard A. Lesley, trustees; Chas. B. Cooley, elerk.
1864 .- Thos. MeIntosh, president; Ransom Spafford, L. I. Burditt, Abner Graves, and John J. Crafts, trustees; Chas. B. Cooley, elrrk.
1865 .- S. R. Thompson, president; G. Pomeroy Keesc, D. Ball, L. M. Bolles, and W. K. Bingham, trustees ; Chas. R. Burch, elerk.
1866 .- S. R. Thompson. president : G. Pomeroy Kecse, W. K. Bing- ham, Samuel A. Bowen, Porr Russell, aud Robert Quaif, Jr., trustees ; Chas. R. Burch, clerk.
1867 .- W. K. Bingham, president : S. R. Thompson, David A. Avery, G. Pomeroy Keese, and Dorr Russell, trustees; Chas. R. Burch, clerk.
ISGS .- S. R. Thompson, president ; G. Pomeroy Keese, Peter Becker, David A. Avery, Horace M. Hooker, and Seth J. Temple, trustees ; Chas. R. Burch, clerk.
1869 .- G. Pomeroy Keese, president ; S. R. Thompson, Wm. E. Cory. D. A. Avery. Seth J. Temple, and Peter Becker, trust ... Chas. R. Durch, clerk.
1870 .- G. P. Keese, president; Wm. E. Cory, Seth J. Temple, Geor~ Brooks, George W. Ernst, and Peter Becker, trustees; Chie. R. Burch, elerk.
1871 .- Peter Becker, president; Wm. E. Cory, George W. Ernst. George Brooks, Daniel B. Boden, and Edward N. Griswold. trustees : Chas. R. Burch, clerk.
1872 .- George W. Ernst, president ; Daniel B. Boden, Edward N. Griswold, D. L. Birge, Orrin C. Benton, and F. U. Johnson, trustees ; Chas. R. Barch, clerk.
1873 .- F. U. Johnson, president ; Daniel B. Boden, Orrin C. Benton. Edward N. Griswold, Seth T. Winslow, and D. L. Birge, trustees ; S. S. McFarren, clerk.
1874 .- F. U. Johnson, president ; L. H. Hills, I. E. Sylvester, Seth T. Winslow, Orrin C. Benton, and W. T. Bassett, trustees : T. C. Turner, clerk.
1875 .- James A. Lynes, president ; L. H. Hills, W. T. Bassett, Orrin C. Benton, M. M. Millis, and Robert Quaif, trustees ; J. Frel. Reustle, clerk.
1876 .- James A. Lynes, president; Robert Quaif, A. A. Jarvis, D. Jefferson MeGown, W. T. Bassett, and L. H. Hills, trus- tees; Lee B. Cruttenden, clerk.
1877 .- Robert Quaif, president ; James A. Lynes, D. Jefferson Me- Gown, A. A. Jarvis, C. L. Root, and G. Pomeroy Kecse, trustees; M. C. Brady, clerk.
LAKEWOOD CEMETERY.
This cemetery was organized by a number of gentlemen of the village of Cooperstown, during the summer of 1856, to meet a requirement which had long been felt by the citizens of the village and vicinity of providing a more suit- able place for the interment of the dead than the limited accommodations of the crowded church-yards.
A site for the cemetery was selected on the hillside over- looking the lake, in the town of Middlefield, a short distance from the corporate limits of the village of Cooperstown ; and on Sept. 3, 1857, it was appropriately consecrated to the repose of the dead. A deep interest was manifested in the cemetery, and the consecration services were of a very interesting character. The Rev. Mr. Tomlinson read a portion of Scripture, which was followed with prayer by the Rev. Mr. Battin, at the close of which the choir sang an appropriate anthem. The Rev. Mr. Bush then read a part of the 4th chapter of 1st Thessalonians, and the following dedicatory ode, written for the occasion by Theodore Keese, Esq .:
Join in the praise we offer To Him who reigns above ; Whose hand can clothe with beauty The graves of those we love.
For here, in pleasant places, Our dear ones may repose, Till our life's day is ended, And we join them at its close.
Ilere let the graves be opened Beneath these deep'ning shades, Or when the cheering sunshine The hallowed spot pervades.
By the lake whose sparkling waters Lie before us elenr und deep ; In the grave or by the hillside, May our beloved sleep.
No gloomy pall enshrouds them, Or bides them from llis sight, Who spreads llis curtain o'er them, Whose fokls are decked with light.
269
HISTORY OF OTSEGO COUNTY, NEW YORK.
Hlere shall no faith uncertain Unballow'd symbols trace ; But boly Truth and trusting Hope Shall guard their resting-place.
Our willing feet shall often These pleasant pathways trend, Where beauty breathes its fragrance O'er the dwellings of the dead.
And voices sweet with musie Wake the solemn stillness round, As the pine-tree and the hemlock The sleepers' requiem sound.
We have not sought to hide them In the wildwood's sombre shade ; Nor distant from our living homes Shall their last bed be made.
But while we walk among them, The whispering gale shall bear The softened sound of village bells Upon the list'ning ear.
And from the lake's calm bosom Shall echo-calls resound, When summer's twilight deepens The shadows o'er the ground.
Every charm of Nature greets us As we tread, with lingering feet, These paths upon the hillside Where shade and sunshine meet.
. When ahsent, thought will wander To those who share our love, While our hearts hold sweet communion With their spirit forms above.
And when our pilgrim journey Brings us here at last to rest, Be our footsteps safely guided In the pathways of the blest.
At the conclusion of the reading of this beautiful ode a f-alm was read and sung, when the dedicatory address was delivered by G. Pomeroy Keese, from which the following «stracts are made :
" Friends and neighbors, you are here to-day to inaugu- nate a good work. Following the example of many towns and cities in the land, you have organized and established e rural cemetery,-eminently a rural one. Not among the busy hannts of trade and commerce, where man jostles his Low in his eager anxiety to secure as much as possible of the world's goods. Not in the outskirts of a teeming city, where the din and clamor of an ever-restless population f- strates even the sanctuaries of the dead. But far above :)- Arife of tongues, here among the evergreen hills of in wyo, where the deep shade of the primeval forest still tarrounds us, overlooking the bosom of the placid lake, . ke the theme of story and of song, spread out under the * *! ". 15 of heaven, and reflecting from its mirror surface the yeah in hue of the sky above.
" Truly we stand on classic ground. Here, at the very . of Mount Vision, whose rugged sides have for years Been trod by every lover of quiet beauty in the land- " je, and almost under the shadow of Prospect Rock, ' tually celebrated for its perpetual view of nature's loveli- ...... while but a few minutes' walk from hence lie crum- Lin; in the dust the bones of many a red man who once
walked proudly through the forest; for here, at the source of the Susquehanna, were accustomed to meet the Six Nations of the Mohawk, with their brothers of the Dela- ware; here was their council rock, where they met in sol- emn conclave; here they smoked the pipe of peace and amity ; and here they laid the bones of the warrior to his rest. Methinks I almost even now see a dusky form glid- ing through yon thicket, so little removed seem we from the traces of the past.
" The spot we have chosen seems peculiarly adapted for the purpose intended. Do you seek retireuient and repose, and desire a shady nook where perpetual twilight reigns, emblematie of the shadow of death; beneath these ever- green pines, whose clustering tops shut out the glare of day, is all you wish for. Or do you prefer the lighter foliage of deciduous trees, whose leaves of brilliant green sparkle in the rays of noonday, joyous and hopeful; the maple and the beech, the oak and the chestnut, are in mingled groups. awaiting your advances. Or further still, do you look for a more open spot, where the genial sunshine is ever present, typifying the glories of eternal day ; 'tis there before you. Here may you unite with friends and relatives, and secure in company a permanent place of sepulture ; or preferring retirement and seclusion, the grounds are ample enough to gratify your inclination. The commanding eminence, the retired grove, the open terrace, all are here."
Following the address of Mr. Keese, a consecration- hymn, written for the occasion by Mrs. A. R. Elwood, was sung, and the services concluded with a benediction by Rev. Mr. Shank.
The interest manifested by the people in the inaugura- tion of this enterprise has steadily increased. There are many costly monuments in this cemetery, prominent among which is that erceted by Edward Clark, a wealthy citizen of Cooperstown.
The monument erected to the memory of J. Fenimore Cooper occupies a delightful spot, affording a fine view of the lake, the hills, and the village he so dearly loved, and around which his gifted pen threw the charm of fiction, and rendered them familiar to the literature-loving world.
The monument is a white marble column, about thirty feet high, executed by Launitz. The sculptures near the base include emblems of literary, nautical, and Indian life, and on its capital is a statue of Leatherstocking.
" My glance took in an obelisk. High towering near the solemn wood, Where Natty Bumppo's stalwart form In lifted grandeur stood. Careless his hand the rifle grasp'd, That weapon known throughout the world ; And, crouching at the hunter's feet, His faithful houud was eurl'd."
The lake and landscape view from this cemetery is un- surpassed, and art has vied with nature in rendering . Lake- wood" one of the most enchanting burial-places within the boundaries of the Empire State.
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