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 71
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I. O. OF G. T.
Cooperstown lodge, No. 663, I. O. of G. T., was insti- tuted by G. Williams Mason, then the G. W. Sec. of New York, July 16, 18GS, in the Methodist Episcopal church,
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HISTORY OF OTSEGO COUNTY, NEW YORK.
with 28 charter members. Its first officers were : Rev. Willis L. Thorp, W. C. T .; Carrie T. Russell, W. V. T .; Geo. D. Pennington, See. ; D. L. Ilecox, F. Sec .; E. Dela- van Hills, Treas. ; Rev. Mr. Burditt, Chaplain ; J. F. Reus- tle, Marshal: M. Moak, Guard; M. W. Russell, Sent. ; Libbie Glazier, W. A. S .; Libbie Deyo, D. M .; Kate Deyo, R. II. S .; Jennie Witt, L. II. S.
The first three meetings of the lodge were held in a jury- room in the court-house. A room was then rented in the seminary (now the Cooper House), where meetings were held for nearly a year. The meetings are now held in Odd-Fellows' hall, on Main street.
Since its organization over 325 persons have passed through its forms of initiation, and at one time it reported to the grand lodge nearly 200 members in good standing, while its present membership is 61.
Its present officers are B. Ismond, W. C. T .; Miss E. E. Niles, W. V. T .; M. W. Russell, See .; Wm. Russell, F. See .; Miss Carrie T. Russell, Treas.
It is in a flourishing condition, having among its men- bers several reformed men, and during its existence has 'been the means of doing a good work in the temperance reform. A considerable amount of money has been ex- pended since its organization, for charitable purposes, among its members.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
The first regularly constituted fire-company in this vil- lage was what is now known as " Rescue Engine Co., No. 2," organized in about the year 1802, at which the a fire- engine was presented to the village by Isaae Cooper. A man named Carpenter was captain in 1840. In 1844 Ger- man Suyder was elected captain, and officiated in that capacity twenty years.
" Protection Engine Co., No. 1," was organized some time prior to 1820.
" Neptune Engine Co., No. 3," was organized May 8, 1841, and the following were chosen first officers : Augustus Putnam, first lieutenant ; John B. Williams, second lieu- tenant ; Ralphi R. Lathrop, secretary ; Charles J. Stillman, treasurer, and James Evans, steward.
" Phinney IIose Co., No. 1," was organized in 1871, and named in honor of II. F. Phiuuey.
" Nelson Hose Co., No. 2," was organized in August, 1874, under the name of the " Rescue Ilose Co., No. 2." In April, 1876, it was changed to its prescut name in honor of the late Samuel Nelson.
" Winning Hose Co., No. 3," was organized June 22, 1874, aud named in honor of John Winning, of Fort Plain, N. Y.
The department is now in a prosperous condition, and numbers 131 men, as follows: 1 .chief engineer, 2 assist- ants, 128 members of companies, of whom 81 are cugiue men, 31 hose men, and 15 hook-and-ladder men.
The members of the department as at present organized are as follows :
Marcus Field, chief engineer.
Protection Engine Co., No. 1 .- C. R. Burch, foreman ; O. J. Walradt, first assistant ; Frank Carroll, second assist- ant; N. W. Cole, sceretary ; S. W. Keyes, treasurer; W.
HI. Russell, D. L. Birge, S. W. Bingham. J. Warren Luat. W. II. Bunn, B. M. Cady, F. A. Goffe, G. D. Hinman. B F. Murdock, George Peck, Andrew Shaw, W. E. Cory, T C. Smith, D. E. Siver, W. II. Merchant, T. S. Sayh .. John Worthington, J. G. Wight, M. A. Smith, T. II. Bingham, M. H. Lippitt, T. W. Eldred, G. M. Grant. A. A. Jarvis, II. K. Murdock, W. HI. Peak, W. G. Smith ; total, 32.
Rescue Engine Co., No. 2 .- II. J. Russell, foreman ; V. P. Cooper, first assistant ; Israel Parshall, seeond assistant ; M. W. Russell, secretary ; D. L. Ileeox, treasurer ; S. S. Ediek, Mathias Harvey, G. W. Holmes, F. M. Robinson. Robert Pearse, Hiram Tuthill, Nelson Smith, W. II. Fur- gerson, Jacob Bell, S. S. MeFarran, Russell Fitch, Charles Scott, S. T. Bliss, Geo. Bell, F. C. Parshall, David Bice, George Spingler, Sanford Casler, W. H. Heury, E. II. Bailey ; total, 25.
Neptune Engine Co., No. 3 .- Albert Pieree, foreman ; James Bunyan, first assistant ; Harrison Ball, second assist- ant ; E. P. Cory, secretary ; H. L. Hinman, treasurer ; John McCabe, steward ; Malachi Kraham, O. Benton, Ilenry Con- verse, Levi Gray, E. Adams, Jacob Rurey, Michael Brady, L. B. Knapp, Charles R. Hartson, Jerome Fish, Chas. R. Peck, G. Schermerhorn, G. T. Winslow, Delos Van Ort, George Shaw, Laurence MeCabe, Jas. Bowes, William Robbins; total, 24.
Phinney Hosc Co., No. 1 .- W. A. Coekett; foreman ; W. S. Bassinger, secretary; W. E. Leaning, treasurer ; P. Hotailing, F. B. House, S. D. Temple, E. S. Bro- cham, H. Ellsworth, J. M. Russell, W. J. Ryan, C. E. Smith.
Nelson Hose Co., No. 2 .- M. W. Russell, foreman ; E. A. Childs, first assistant ; C. S. Cuppernall, second assist- ant; Charles Bullis, special secretary ; Henry Youmans, Chas. Wood, Emmett Peek, E. Stocking, Christopher Jones, Charles Collar.
Winning Hose Co., No. 3 .- J. F. Reustle, foreman; G. M. Jarvis, first assistant ; F. R. Winnie, T. C. Turner, H. C. Richmond, A. A. Cooley, T. B. Tunnicliff, C. P. Thomp- son, F. L. Palmer, John Fulner, E. S. Bunday.
Mechanics' Hook-and-Ladder Co., No. 5 .- John Pank, foreman ; E. T. Newall, first assistant ; V. A. Hyam, sec- retary ; C. L. Root, treasurer; A. J. Wikoff, steward ; Albert Evans, F. G. Lewis, L. Stiles, M. M. Millis, E. W. Filmore, A. Gorringe, Peter McCabe, F. M. Hendershott, Jolin W. Seott, George A. Persons.
BUSINESS INTERESTS.
The following constitute the present business interests of Cooperstown. Physicians : T. S. Blodgett, Horace I ..!- throp, W. T. Bassett, Mary A. Bassett, Lyman HI. Hills. J. M. Westlake. Dentists : E. P. Byram, D. E. Siver, C. I. Wadsworth, E. T. Newell. Attorneys-at-law : S. 1. Bowen, L. I. Burditt, Geo. Brooks, S. S. Edick. E. M. Harris, Jas. A. Lynes, John Lewis, HI. Sturges, Chatticid Leonard, B. J. Scofield, Geo. Van Horn, Frank P. Ken- dall. Postmaster : Thomas S. Blodgett. Surveyor : Henry B. Walker. Printing: S. M. Shaw, Russell & Davidson. Boots and shoes: William C. Bailey, S. Mckean Thomp- son, Beadle & Soule, P. Couine, Win. Brockway. Build-
Jededicato I Still
. Jedediah P. Sill was the fifth son of Abel Sill and Hep- zibah Peck, and grandson of the late Judge Jedediah Peck, a man of note in his day in this county and in the State.
He was born in the town of Burlington, May 28, 1808. His father died in 1824, leaving to the care of his wife -- a woman of remarkable strength of character and well- balaneed mind-a family of nine children.
When seventeen years of age, by her consent, Jedediah P. left home to learn the trade of a gunsmith, at which he served four years, and then engaged in the business on his own account, taking jobs of his former employers. Having worked at the trade about seven years, he then abandoned it, believing that he was pursuing the wrong ealling. He thien entered the store of his unele, Henry Sill, at Burling- ton, with a view of getting an insight into the mercantile business, and gave to him nine months' serviee; after which he moved to Schuyler's Lake and opened a store there with his unele as partner, under the firm-name of H. & J. P. Sill. This eo-partnership lasted for about six years, when Mr. Sill bought out the interest of his unele and continued in trade on his own account until 1848, when he sold out. He held the office of postmaster for thirteen years, and represented his town with marked fidelity and success for seven years in the board of supervisors. He ran for dele- gate to the constitutional . convention of 1846, and was defeated through a split in the Democratic party of this county.
After closing his mercantile business, Mr. Sill engaged in the produce trade, and continued the saque up to August, 1854, when he moved to the village of Cooperstown, and entered into the hop and wool trade, under the firm-name of Scott, Pier & Sill, which firm dissolved after the expiration of one year, and was succeeded by the firm of Seott, Sill & Co., which firm remained in the trade about three years and was then dissolved ; after closing the business of the late firin he ocenpied most of his time in looking after the affairs of the Bank of Cooperstown and operating in real
estate. During fifteen years, ending with 1874, he pur- chased about 30 acres of land lying on the corporation of Cooperstown, nearly all of which he divided into village lots, and sold to actual settlers. He also put up a number of dwellings, and loaned to others the means with which to build.
In January, 1853, the Bank of Cooperstown was organ- ized, and at the first meeting of the stockholders Mr. Sill was chosen one of the directors, which position he held during the existence of that institution. In 1859 he was elected vice-president, and in 1861, on the death of Colonel Prentiss, president of the bank. When under the act of congress it became expedient to close the affairs of the bank, it was succeeded by the Second National Bank of Cooperstown. This took place in January, 1864. and at the first meeting of the stockholders Mr. Sill was elected president, and held that position for ten years, till January, 1874, when he resigned the office on account of ill health.
Mr. Sill took great interest in the location and construc- tion of the Cooperstown railroad, and no man was more efficient in raising means for that object. He was a large stock and bondholder, a director from its organization until his death, and one of the railroad commissioners for Coopers- town.
In 1872, Mr. Sill, though always a most ardent old-school Democrat, heartily indorsed the nomination of Horace Greeley for president, and was that year placed upon the Democratie-Republican ticket as elector for this con- gressional district. Mr. Sill was a man of excellent natural abilities and strong common sense ; for several years pre- vious to his death he was a member of the congregation of Christ's church, of Cooperstown, and one of its vostraen at the time of his decease. He was twice married. first to Caroline S., daughter of Noah Wood, of Smyrna: secoml to Lavantia, danghter of the late Noah Wood. of Syracuse and niece of his first wife. He died at Cooperstown. Sept. 27, 1875, leaving two children, Florence V. and Hemay D.
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HISTORY OF OTSEGO. COUNTY, NEW YORK.
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-Carpenters : John Pank, Daniel L. Hecox, Sanford t'ash. r. Albert Pierec, C. L. Root, Jacob Walradt. Masons: "; C'abe Bros., George B. Wood, Jas. Goodenough, John La.her. Blacksmiths : Loren Brown, Michael Little, G. W. Hohnes. Blacksmiths and wagon-makers: Jerome Koh, George B. Wellman. Boating : P. P. Cooper, Joseph Coper. Steamboats: A. H. Watkins & Co. Barbers : Frank Clark, P. H. Hotaling. Books and stationery : W. A. Cockett, A. L. Tanner & Co. Boarding-houses : Mrs. Doublelay, Mrs. Comstock, Mrs. Gaylord, Mrs. Weeks, Mrs. Sule, Mrs. Eldred. Ice-cream : Mrs. B. F. Beadle. Cigar and tobacco stores : D. Fowle & Co., Park & Co. Clothing : Johnston & Field, Smith & Spingler, Glatner & Co. Coal, four, feed, etc. : E. Delevan Hills & Co., Griswold & White. Cooperage : Orren Benton. Dry-goods : B. F. & II. K. Murdock, Robt. & Wur. II. Russell, Gabriel Tyley, Bundy Bros., Eldred & Ball. Groceries : E. D. Shumway, John J. Short, N. W. Cole. Groceries and liquors : D. B. Boden & Son, Strachan Bros., V. C. Shumway. Drugs and med- icines : Bliss & Conrad, H. S. Westlake & Co., Shun- way & Church. Furniture : Samuel Harper. Gas-factory : (). R. Butler. Grist- and planing-mills : Lewis & Adsit. Hardware: Wm. E. Cory. Hardware aud stoves : H. M. Hooker & Co., J. Warren Lamb & Co. Hops : Robert. Quaif, Andrew Shaw, J. R. Scott & Co., Stocker & Jarvis. Harness-makers: Joel White, A. Gorringe. Insurance agents : Hooker & Jarvis, I. E. Sylvester, D. L. Birge. Insurance and real estate : F. A. & F. G. Lee. Livery- stables : E. W. Filmore, F. C. Parshall, W. HI. Scott, Geo. T. Winslow. Hotels : Cooper House; Hotel Fenimore, James Buuyan, proprietor ; Central Hotel, W. C. Keyes & Son; Ballard House, S. M. & N. Ballard ; Carr's Hotel, Miss Carr; Clinton House ; American Hotel. Markets: Nelson Smith, John Wood, Sherwood & Ball, O. N. Hinds & Bro., Parshall & Reno. Marble and stone : Potter & Co., MeCabe Bros. Millinery : Susan M. Hewes, Murphy Sisters, Carrie Risedorph Thompson, Mrs. Reno. Photographing : W. G. Smith, Cooley Bros. Painting and paper-hanging : E. S. Coffin, Frank Carroll, Levi Grey, P. McNelly. Saw- miill : D. C. Coleman. Saloons : Chas. R. Hartson, Geo. Shaw. Undertakers : Parshall & Cory. Upholstering and carriage-trimming : W. HI. H. Camp. Variety-store : Geo. M. Grant & Co. Watches and jewelry : Charles R. Burch, Jasper A. Schrom. P. G. Tanner & Son. Telegraphic : Westeru Union Line, Mrs. Smith, operator.
OTSEGO LODGE, NO. 103, I. O. O. F.,
located in the village of Cooperstown, was instituted Jan. 29, 1844. The first officers of the lodge were Cutler Fields, N. G. ; Geo. B. Wilson, V. G .; Chas. J. Stillman, Rec. Sce .; Wm. J. Abel, Treas. The lodge paid sick benefits until the year 1864; since that time has paid funeral benefits only. Since its organization 400 members have been received ; the present membership is 82. The total amount of money paid into the treasury is $12,875.11; amount paid for sick and funeral benefits and relief, 81,025.
The present officers of the lodge are Ellery P. Cory, N. G .; Danforth L. Hecox, V. G .; Geo. L. Gould, R. S .; Chas. R. Thompson, P. S. ; G. M. Jarvis, Treas.
"MOUNT VISION ENCAMPMENT, NO. 15, 1. 0. 0. F.,
Cooperstown, instituted Feb. 24, 1848. Present officers : Ww. Russell, C. P .; G. B. Kellogg, S. W .; Geo. L. Gould, H. P .; J. Fred. Reustle, Scribe ; Peter P. Cooper, Treas.
CHAPTER LXII.
COOPERSTOWN-Continued.
Presbyterian Church-Methodist Episcopal-Baptist-Universalist -Christ Church-St. Mary's (Catholic) Church.
TIIE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
THE Presbyterian society of Cooperstown was organized Dec. 29, 1798. No records having been preserved of events between this time and the organization of the church, June 16, 1800, the history of the organization is impossible to conjecture. One sermon, preached Thanks- giving day, Nov. 26, 1795, by Rev. Elisha Mosely, is mentioned, but that is all.
The present organization was effected on the above day, the record of which is as follows : "On the 16th of June, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred, Stephen Warren, Timothy Sabin, George Mckinsey, Thomas Tanner, John Williams, Stephen North, Hannah Sabin, and Susannah North, having good recommendations from regular churches in New England, and James Applin, Obadiah Dunham, John A. Lee, George Roberts, and Sarah Spalding, having just made a publiek (sic) profession of their faith in Jesus Christ, unanimously and voluntarily entered into a bond of Christian fellowship and com- munion, and were constituted a regular Presbyterian church. James Applin was chosen and ordained an elder of this church, and Timothy Sabin was chosen and ordained a deacon."
The record immediately following is : "The Rev. Isaac Lewis, a member of the presbytery of Albany, was regu- larly enstalled (sic) pastor of the church and congregation of Otsego, on the first day of October, in the year of our Lord 1800. The sermon was pronounced by Rev. R. Smith, of Schenectady. The charge to Mr. Lewis by Rev. J. Coe, of Troy, and the charge to the people by Rev. E. Nott, of Albany."
Upon the 10th of the same month fourteen new mem- bers were received into the communion of the church by certificate and upon confession of it. Among the Christian names of these carly members, we find those of the okl Puritan times prominent, such as Zeruiah, Mercy, and Thankful.
Upon the 24th of this month another elder, Isaac Williams, was elected, and upon February 8, in the follow- ing year, 1801, the incumbent in the office of deacon, Timothy Sabin, was promoted to the eldership, the vacated office not being refilled until Nov. 30, 1804, when Elisha Eldred was elected deacon by the congregation. At the same meeting Thos. Loomis was chosen elder, vice James Applin resigned.
On Sept. 23, 1806, Wm. Neill, a licentiate of the New
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HISTORY OF OTSEGO COUNTY, NEW YORK.
Brunswick presbytery, was ordained and installed pastor of the church, Dr. Carnahan, afterwards president of Prineeton college, preaching the sermon. Mr. Neill, who in after-life attained deserved repute as pastor, scholar. and author, continued over the church until September, 1809, when he assumed the pastorate of the First church. Albany, N. Y .; thence in 1816 to the Sixth church, Philadelphia, and thenee in 1824 to the presidency of Dickinson college, Carlisle, Pa.
No minutes are recorded concerning any of the trans actions of the church between Jan. 12, 1809, and July 6. 1810. In this interim Mr. Neill resigned the pastorate. During his pastorate. the church edifice was ereeted, which in " revised form" stands to-day.
Dr. Neill in his autobiography gives several items of interest in regard to the field of his labors here. "The church," says he, " had been but recently formed, and it was the only church of any denomination within several miles around ; the people were a good deal seattered, and there was a demand for much visitation and frequent preaching in the neighborhood. . . . Hitherto the people had not enjoyed the convenience of a suitable place for publie worship, but held their meetings on the Sabbath in an academy, which soon became too contracted for their accommodation. Within eighteen months or two years after my coming among them, they creeted and completed, in a neat style, a church edifiee which would accommodate eight or nine hundred persons."
On Feb. 7, 1811, after an interval of a year and a half, . the Rev. John Smith was ordained and installed pastor of the Cooperstown church, over which he remained pastor for twenty-three years, sending in a request for a dissolution of the relations with the congregation upon March 4, 1834, to which request the church acceded "with deep regret."
The immediate occasion of this action may perhaps be traced in the records of the church. About this time certain members had, for a period of three years previous to the terinination of the relations of the church with Mr. Smith, been " impressed with the belief that some more efficient means than were then employed were demanded for the salvation of the population of the place and its vicinity." There was a delicate little satire involved in those words " more efficient means," which doubtless reached Mr. Smith in one form or another. The culmination of this impression was the regular organization of a second Presbyterian church upon Oet. 30, 1833. After an incom- plete organization of eight months, a stated supply for the pulpit was secured in the person of Rev. J. A. Hart, who continued as such until the reunion of this ephemeral church with the First church, in the month of November, 1834. Upon the 25th of this month, Rev. Alfred E. Campbell was installed common pastor, continuing such for a period of twelve years and a half. Shortly after the beginning of his ministry the church building was remodeled and enlarged.
On Feb. 27, 1819, Rev. Charles K. MeHarg was in- stalled pastor, having filled the pulpit for some six months previous to the time of his installation. This relationship lasted little over a year, being dissolved July 10, 1850, by presbytery, at the joint request of pastor and people.
Rev. J. A. Priest succeeded Mr. MeHarg. being inst. June 25, 1851, and continuing in the pastorate till O ... ! 1854, when by mutual consent presbytery dissolved !! relation.
In April of the year following a call was extendedl ., Rev. Samuel W. Bush, of Norwich, N. Y., who having .... cepted was installed pastor October 31, and remained a. such till June, 1862. In September of this year, a 4.2 1 call was extended to the former pastor, Rev. C. K. Mellar? who consented to fill the pulpit till the first of Novender
The church being evidently unsettled at this time, al ... records present a very incomplete view of the existing con. dition of the church. Between this time and that of the next regular pastorate the pulpit was supplied by the former pastor, Rev. J. A. Priest, and Rev. W. W. Newell. Jr., the latter acting as stated supply for one year, at the expiration of which Rev. Charles K. MeHarg was again chosen to fill the pulpit. This pastorate continued till the spring of 1870, when through ill-health Mr. Mellarg a second time resigned, and the Rev. G. R. Alden was chosen to the vacant office. Mr. Alden continued pastor two and a half years, when at the people's request the relationship was terminated.
In January, 1873, Rev. F. B. Savage was chosen to fill the pulpit for eight months, at the end of which time he was called to the pastorate. This relationship lasted till the summer of 1875, when through ill-health, consequent upon the sad death of his wife, the pastor was compelled to seek a severance of the union.
In September of the same year the present pastor, Rev. Newell Woolsey Wells, was invited to preach, with a view to a call in case of mutual satisfaction of people and preacher. His installation occurred in the opening of November.
During the pastorate of Mr. Savage the church was re- paired, enlarged, and beautified at an expense of 88000. a new organ also being substituted for that then in use.
The present eldership consists of Messrs. Cyrenus Warren, F. A. Lee, Robert Russell, A. H. Watkins, Charles W. Smith, and Henry G. Walker. The deaeonship ineludes Messrs. Gabriel Tyley, O. R Butler, and Elihu Phinney. The church numbers 197 members ; its Sabbath-school 167 members.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCHI.
This church was organized Oet. 22, 1816, at a meeting called by A. Canfield and Amos Berry, with the following- named members: P. Butts, George Roberts, Daniel MeLe- land, Joseph Perkins and wife, Asher Campbell, Justin Hinman, B. Eaton, Ezra Crane and wife, Andrew Penty and wife, Benjamin Allen and wife, Potter and wife, 1. Jarvis, and H. Knowlton.
After the organization of the church, services were hell in the court-house, school-house, and in private dwellings until 1819, when a church edifice was ereeted. 35 by 15 feet in size. This building was located on the west side of Chestnut street, on the site now occupied by the Cooper House. The dedicatory services were probably conducted by the Rev. Benjamin G. Paddock, the first stationed eler- gyman who administered to the spiritual wants of this little flock.
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HISTORY OF OTSEGO COUNTY, NEW YORK.
The first trustees of the church were George Roberts, Paul McLeland, Joseph Perkins, Asher Canfield, and 2 wwan Hinman.
The first church edifice was removed to its present site und cularged in 1839, during the pastorate of Rev. D. W. Betol. It was remodeled in 1847, and again repaired and mianadi iu 1875, at a cost of $5000.
The following have served this church as pastors from es organization to the present time. Others than those Mme names appear in the list have undoubtedly officiated w justors, but in consequence of the imperfection of the om nis it is impossible to give either their names or terms of service : B. G. Paddock, one year ; - Ruper, one trat ; - Herkenbeck, one year ; Isaac Grant, one year ; Gorze Harman, one year; H. F. Rowe, one year; N. KL unds, two years; D. W. Bristol, four years, two terms; v. M. Coryell, one year; W. Bixby, one year ; L. Eddy, two years; Joseph Shank, two years; - Harvey, two years; B. W. Gorham, two years; E. G. Andrews, two yary; Charles Blakesly, two years; Silas Comfort, one war; M. L. Kern, two years; Joseph Slank, one year ; John Cripper, two years; J. L. Wells, two years; G. K. Briggs, two years; Robert Townsend, two years; John l'ikington, two years; Isaac Peaselee. three years; W. L. Thorpe, three years; H. M. Crydenwise, two years; W. .A. Wadsworth, one year; A. S. Clarke, three years.
The church is now in a prosperous condition, and is under the pastoral care of Rev. W. M. Hiller. Present member- ship, 200.
The present officers of the church are as follows :
Trustees .- E. D. Hills, John Pank, D. E. Siver, G. W. Holmes, and James Ismond.
Stewcards .- E. D. Hills, John Pank, G. W. Holmes, I. Shutes, I. Haynor, B. Rogers, James Wood, and James I.mond.
Class- Leaders .- G. W. Holmes, George Van Deuzen, Gorge Bowers, and Ira Howland, Ira Haynor, assistants. Treasurer .- John Pank.
THE BAPTIST CHURCH .*
A few years after the settlement of Cooperstown, in 1756, the Baptists commeneed to hold prayer- and confer- thre-meetings in private houses in the hamlet. Public ser- virs were occasionally held, when some missionary or other ; racher of their denomination visited the settlement, sonie- litara in private houses, and, later on, in the school-house or "urt-house. As early as the commencement of the present century, baptisms near the Otsego rock at the oulet of the lake were of frequent occurrence. This continued until Jan. 21. 1834, when a church society was regularly organized, with Bev. Lewis Raymond as pastor, and in 1835-36 the present church edifice was erected at a cost of about $3000. To wwwinplish this work at that time required individual sae- 1.4. " un the part of many, for the society embraced but few 1. roots of even moderate means ; some gave money, others snlmial or labor, and kind friends lent a helping hand. The energy and zeal displayed by the pastor were invaluable, adl did much to insure success.
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