USA > New York > Putnam County > History of Putnam County, New York : with biographical sketches of its prominent men > Part 43
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The present banking house was erected in the winter of 1885-6. It is 28 by 40 feet and one story in height. The walls are of Mine Hill granite up to and including the window sill course and above that Philadelphia brick. The granite walls are eighteen inches thick and the brick walls one foot. It has large fire proof vanlts, burglar proof and special deposit safes and is a convenient edifice for the use for which it was intended.
In 1871, the Putnam County Savings Bank was incorporated, the trustees being Augustus D. Slasson, Le Ray Barnum, War- ren S. Paddock, Charles W. Budd, James Haviland, William F. Fowler, Ahaz S. Mygatt, Coleman K. Townsend, Thatcher H. Theall, Samuel A. Townsend, James R. Kelley, Thomas Drew, Odle Close, Lawrence McKenna, Joshna L. Dean, Agus- tus S. Doane, William T. Ganung, Jesse Haviland, Daniel W. Dykeman, George Hine and Morgan Horton. This institution still exists in a flourishing condition.
On the night of February 23d, 1880, a disastrous fire started two doors east of the Town Hall, in a building owned by Alex- ander F. Lobdell, and occupied by Edward Stone as a clothing store. The Town Hall, with the early records, was burned and also the office of the "Standard " newspaper. The Town Hall was soon rebuilt.
A second fire took place November 6th, 1882. This started in the feed mills which stood on the site of the former hat fac- tory and were occupied by Warren S. Paddock & Co. By this fire the Town Hall was again burned, also several other build- ings, the loss being estimated at $34,000.
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TOWN OF SOUTHEAST.
An " Act to establish a fire district' in the village of Brews- ter" was passed by the board of supervisors in December, 1881. The bounds of the district then established are as follows :
"Commencing at the passenger depot of the New York and Harlem Railroad Company; thence running northerly along the west line of the lands of the New York and Harlem Railroad Company to the north line of the New York City and Northern Railroad Company; thence running easterly along the north line of the lands of the New York City and Northern Railroad Company to the easterly line of the lands of the New York and New England Railroad Company; thence running easterly along the easterly line of the lands of the New York and New England Railroad Company to the railroad bridge over the highway leading from Brewsters to Southeast Center; thence running southerly along the said highway to the highway bridge over the Croton River, near the Condensed Milk Factory; thence running southerly along Croton River to the highway leading from Brewsters to Turk Hill; thence running westerly and northerly along said highway and Railroad avenue to said pas- senger depot and place of beginning."
The first meeting of resident taxpayers of the district was held on the first Tuesday in March, 1882, and the following officers were elected : President, Stephen T. McMahon; secre- tary, Emerson W. Addis; treasurer, Frank Wells; trustees, Francis E. Foster, Abram J. Miller, Philip Diehl.
The taxable property within the district is valued at about $850,000. The annual appropriation is about $1,000. The dis- trict property consists of an engine house, a hand engine, hook and ladder truck, hose carts, etc. A steam fire engine to cost $3,200 has been ordered. Water is supplied by cisterns con- taining about 20,000 gallons of water each.
The present officers are : President, Abram J. Miller; vice- president, Edwin W. Dixon; secretary, Emerson W. Addis; treasurer, Frank Wells; trustees, Alfred Armstrong, Silas O. Avery, Philip Diehl.
The first newspaper in the place was the " Brewster Gazette," which was established in 1869, by H. A. Fox. It was succeeded by the "Brewster Standard " November 5th, 1871, the editors being H. A. Fox and O. H. Miller. It was changed to "Put-
1 This sketch of Brewster Fire District was contributed by Emerson W. Addis.
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HISTORY OF PUTNAM COUNTY.
nam County Standard " in April, 1874, and was then conducted by Frank Wells and Emerson W. Addis. Mr. Addis, who is now the editor, has raised the paper to a high degree of popu- larity and it has a wide-spread influence as the organ of the re- publican party.
EMERSON WESLEY ADDIS was born in Litchfield, Conn., October 13th, 1853. He became an apprentice in the office of the " Litchfield Enquirer " in 1865. He was a job printer at Hutchinson's, in Hartford, Conn., in 1868, and in the office of the " Danbury News," at Danbury, Conn., in 1869-70. From 1871 to 1873 he was editor of the "Journal," New Milford, Conn. In 1874 he was for a short time engaged as foreman and in local work on the "Times," Appleton, Wis. He was local editor and foreman of the "Brewster Standard," under the management of Frank Wells, from May 1st, 1874 to April 1st, 1877. He continued in the same capacity under the manage- ment of John G. Borden from April 1st, 1877, until April 1st, 1880. when he purchased the "Standard " of Mr. Borden, and has since been its editor and proprietor.
BORDEN CONDENSED MILK FACTORY .- The site of this fac- tory, which is on the Croton River at the east end of the village of Brewster, was formerly owned by Zenas and Demas Doane and afterward by Zenas D. Storm, who had a saw mill and grist mill on the stream. This mill site, with three acres of land " bounded south by the old Croton River Turnpike," was sold by him to Jeremiah Millbank October 12th, 1863, and he sold it to the " Borden Condensed Milk Company " December 13th, 1865. Another tract was bought of Zenas D. Storm, which ran "to the old road leading to the Croton Turnpike and near the site of the old Methodist Church."
The "Borden Condensed Milk Company " was incorporated January 28th, 1864. The partners were Gail Borden, jr1., Jere-
1Gail Borden was born in Norwich, N. Y. When a young man he went to Texas and engaged in the war of independence. He was afterward appointed Mayor of Galveston by Governor Houston. In 1853, he invented the plan for condensing milk, but had great difficulty in getting a patent and expended all his money in the effort. He finally succeeded, and formed the " New York Con- densed Milk Company," the first factory being at Wassaic, Dutchess county. The war brought an unlimited demand for his products and in a short time he became a millionaire. He was a man of unselfish mind and very benevolent. He died in Texas January 11th, 1874, aged 73. His remains were brought home and now rest in Woodlawn Cemetery.
JA
Smallis
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TOWN OF SOUTHIEAST.
miah Millbank and Elnathan W. Fyler, and the capital $30,000. The company erected extensive works and a large business has been carried ou till the present time. June 23d, 1876, the com- pany conveyed the premises to the "New York Condensed Milk Company." The buildings have been greatly extended, and 30,000 quarts of milk are condensed daily, the business employing a large number of hands, while the products are sent to all parts of the world.
A person who visits this factory is struck by the absolute neatness everywhere apparent. Every portion of the business is conducted within the building, including the manufacture of the tin cans in which the prepared article is placed and sealed up ready for market.
On the death of Gail Borden the management and develop- ment of his large interests in this county and elsewhere de- volved upon his son, John Gail Borden, who succeeded to the presidency of the company, and continued to direct the three large manufacturing enterprises with which his father had been connected. In 1885, ill health compelled him to relinquish his persistent labor. It was under the supervision of Mr. John Borden that the present factory at Brewster was erected in 1879, and his inventive genius and energy have developed many valu- able mechanical aids in the business. As a public spirited citi -. zen he left behind him, when he removed to Ulster county in 1881, a place not easily filled. His large benefactions have helped to complete the present school honse, the town hall and Baptist church, and his aid was given to every good work and brought comfort to many a needy household.
Mr. John S. Eno, the superintendent of the factory, was born in Colebrook, Litchfield county, Conn. When very young he went with his parents to Pennsylvania where he remained till 1863. In that year he came to Brewster as an employé in the factory, and was appointed superintendent in 1870. His pecu- liar skill and eminent fitness for the position are universally acknowledged and to him in no small degree, is owing the suc- cess of the enterprise.
BREWSTER HILL .- North of the village of Brewster and on the east side of Lake Tonetta is an elevated ridge of land. It takes its name from Samuel Brewster, who came to the town from Rockland county about 1820. His father, Samuel Brews- ter, was a prominent citizen and an extensive land owner in
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HISTORY OF PUTNAM COUNTY.
Rockland and Orange counties, and resided near Stony Point, where he died November 29th, 1824, at the age of 80. His son, Samuel, was born May 14th, 1786, and came to this county and bought the place on Brewster Hill where his son Samuel is now living. He married Eliza Strang of Yorktown. During a long life he was one of the best known citizens of the town. He died April 26th, 1871, aged 84 years, 11 months and 12 days, and is buried at Doansburg. His sons, Samuel, Frederick, William C. and Walter F., are well known and prominent citizens.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, BREWSTER. - As early as 1791, this section was embraced in a Methodist Circuit, the first name appearing being that of Isaac Candee, one of the preach- ers of the circuit, a young man still on trial, who preached in the Milltown school house. About this time there came from Connecticut two brothers, Hezekiah and Zalmon Sandford, both of whom were zealous Methodists and godly men. The former was a local preacher and immediately began to preach in school houses and private dwellings. The house of Zalmon Sandford, which is still standing, surrounded on three sides by roads, is a short distance southwest of Southeast Center, and was a fre- quent place of meeting. It was also at this house that the first town meeting was held, in the town of Southeast, in 1795. At the same time Richard Barnes, also a Methodist, came from Westchester county and settled near Dykeman's, on the farm now owned by his son, Mr. James Barnes, and his house became a preaching place. The house of Major Cliff, on the site of the present residence of William H. Drew, was also open for the purpose and it is said that Daniel Drew (whose liberal gift to the church and its interests render his memory hallowed) was converted there.
In January, 1809, the old Cortlandt Circuit was organized and covered a large district. Among other preachers may be mentioned the eccentric Billy Hibbard, with Henry Eames and Nathan Emory. The date of the first class in Southeast is given as 1830. Jacob Hall was the leader.
A society was organized in 1834, under the guidance of Rev. David Holmes and Alonzo F. Sellick, and plans were made for building a church. The society was incorporated by electing Harry Pardee, Wesley Mead, Benjamin Mead, David Adams and Stephen Ryder trustees, at a meeting held in the school honse January 20th, 1835, and the church was named the
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TOWN OF SOUTHEAST.
" Doanesville Methodist Episcopal Church." The edifice was begun in 1836, completed in 1837 and dedicated August 19th of that year. The cost was $1,000 and the building stood on the east side of the Croton Turnpike and immediately south of the New York and New England Railroad, a very short distance northeast of the Borden Condensed Milk Factory. The church took its name in recognition of a considerable gift promised by Mr. Benjamin Doane, but the gift failing, the congregation changed the name to " Heddingville," after Bishop Hedding, of the M. E. Church. This was sanctioned by an Act of the Legis- lature.
Among the preachers especial mention should be made of Rev. Cyrus Foss, who resided at Drewville and exerted a wide- spread influence. One of his sons, Archibald C., lived to be a presiding elder of the district; another Cyrus D., is one of the bishops of the church. In 1853 the church was enlarged and improved and a basement added. In 1855 the church came into the Carmel Circuit, and in 1858 became a charge known as Heddingville and Millplains. In 1861 it became an inde- pendent charge, Rev. George Clark being pastor. By this time Brewster Station had become a flourishing village and the church was greatly increased in strength and numbers and it was determined to build a new edifice at the station. A fine property was purchased on the south side of Main street, and a large and commodious church erected, while the dwelling that was on the place became the parsonage. This church, which is one of the finest in the county, was erected in 1863. The cost was $16,000, of which Daniel Drew and family gave half. The dedication occurred January 27th, 1864. A fine organ was added, through the munificence of Mrs. Alanson Robinson, who has long been a member of the church. In 1883, under the pastorate of Rev. Horace W. Byrnes, the church was very com- pletely renovated and repaired at a cost of $3,000, and the old windows replaced by new ones of ornamented cathedral glass. Eight of these are memorial windows, to perpetuate the mem- ory of Rev. Cyrus Foss, Albert Brush, Alanson Robinson, Harry Pardee, Silas Mead, Daniel Drew, Laura Van Scoy and Mrs. Alonzo Brush.
The church was reopened December 17th, 1883. The semi- centennial of this society was duly celebrated on the 27th and 28th of January, 1884, and during the pastorate of Rev. Horace
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IIISTORY OF PUTNAM COUNTY.
W. Byrnes, B. D., to whom we are indebted for most of the in- formation in this sketch. The honor roll of this church con- tains many names precious and long to be remembered. Among these are Benjamin Mead, Platt V. Brush, Sally Seymour, Daniel Drew,"Dr. Stephen C. Barnum, Aaron B. Marvin, Jennie Hutchinson, Horace Purdy, Henry Pardee, Phineas Trowbridge, Silas Mead, Albert Brush and his brother Alonzo, and Levi H. Roberts, who passed to his rest December 23d, 1885.
In the burying ground at Milltown rest the mortal remains of one who was the support of Methodism here in the days of its weakness, and his tombstone bears the inscription: "In Memory of Hezekiah Sandford, Esq., who died triumphant in the merits of the Lord Jesus Christ, March 18th, 1834, aged 72 years, 2 months and 12 days."
The name of the church was changed from "Heddingville Methodist Episcopal Church" to "First Methodist Episcopal Church of Southeast" by Act of Legislature, April 24th, 1867.
ST. ANDREW'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH, BREWSTER. - The first ser- vices of this church were held in the Town Hall, Rev. Mr. Moore, Rev. Wilberforce Wells, and Rev. R. C. Russell being the first to officiate. The church was organized August 29th, 1881, at which time Seth B. Howes and Daniel Tillotson were chosen wardens, and Elbert C. Cozzens, Howard E. Foster, Well- ington Ketchum, Robert W. Kelley and Frank Wells were elected vestrymen. The first rector was Rev. R. Condit Russell, who was officiating semi-monthly at the time the church was organ- ized. His successor was Rev. Ralph Wood Kenyon, who re- ceived a call October 24th, 1881, having been previously assist- ant minister of St. John's Church, Brooklyn. He remained till January 15th, 1884, when he resigned, and was succeeded by Rev. Frank Heartfield, who came October 18th of that year. Mr. Heartfield's ministry continued till April 30th, 1885, when he resigned, to take charge of St. Paul's Church, Poughkeep- sie. His successor and the present minister is Rev. Eli Draper Sutcliffe, who was born in Poughkeepsie and educated at St. Stephen's College, Annandale, Dutchess county. He subse- quently studied at the Berkeley Divinity School, Middletown, Conn. After graduating, in June, 1885, he received a call to this church and is now the minister in charge, having been or- dained deacon May 7th, 1885. The church edifice was opened for service January 23d, 1881, and is built on the north side of
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TOWN OF SOUTHEAST.
Church street, at the corner of Prospect street. A new organ, which is now being built, will be a valuable addition to the church. The present church officers are: Seth B. Howes and Frank Wells, wardens; Elbert C. Howes, John M. Sloane, E. C. Cozzens, William H. Drew, George Wise, and Howard E. Foster, vestrymen.
BAPTIST CHURCH, BREWSTER .- The first meetings of members of this church were held in 1867, the services being conducted by Rev. W. W. Ferris. Among the principal promoters of the church was Horace Waters, of New York, the well known manufacturer of musical instruments. After this Rev. Mr. Romaine, an English evangelist, held meetings in Kelley's Hall, on the north side of Main street, near the depot, and afterward in Masonic Hall, and a call was given to Rev. Frank Fletcher, of Cross River, Westchester county. Among the active leading members were: John G. Borden, William H. Townsend, William Pinckney, James K. Smith and Alanson Ellis.
The church lot was purchased of William M. Clark and others, June 7th, 1870, and described as " bounded on the west by the highway from Brewster to Carmel, and on the east by the old road from Carmel to Doanesville." The cost of the church was $15,000, and it was dedicated on Wednesday, Decem- ber 28th, 1871. The parsonage was built about six years later. The pastors have been: Rev. W. W. Ferris, Rev. Mr. Edwards, Rev. Frank Fletcher, who came in 1868 and remained four years; Rev. O. C. Kirkham, Rev. W. B. Guiscard, Rev. M. C. Lockwood, Rev. D. D. Reed, Rev. E. B. Jones, and Rev. Wil- liam A. Granger, the present pastor. Mr. Granger was born in Broadalbin, Fulton county, N. Y., and graduated from Madi- son University. He subsequently studied at Union Theological Seminary, New York, was ordained in February, 1876, was pastor of a church in Long Island City for many years, and was called to his present field of labor in January, 1885. The church has a membership of 70, and exerts a widespread influence.
ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH, BREWSTER .- In 1850, Rev. Charles Slevin was in charge of a parish which extended from Mount Kisco, in . Westchester, to the upper part of Dutchess county. The first services were held in Brewster, by Father Slevin, during that year. He was succeeded by Rev. John Osnejo, whose successor was Rev. Lawrence McKenna, who took
30
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HISTORY OF PUTNAM COUNTY.
charge about 1870, and was succeeded by Rev. Patrick Daly. The latter died in 1878, and the present pastor, Patrick J. Healy, came in charge.
The church edifice, a neat and commodious building, was erected during the pastorate of Rev. Lawrence McKenna. Rev. Patrick J. Healy came to this place from Purdy's Station, in Westchester county. Father Healy, who is a native of Ireland, came to this country in 1850, and was educated at St. Francis Xavier's College, New York, and was ordained at St. Joseph's Seminary, Troy, in 1870. His first charge was St. Bernard's Church, New York, where he remained four years, and upon his retirement, received from his parishioners an elegant testi- monial and a purse of $2,000 as a token of their high apprecia- tion of his services. He was afterward appointed to Dover Plains and Pawling and then to Beekman, in Dutchess county. His next appointment was to Croton Falls, which included Brewster, Towners, Lake Mahopac and Katonah.
In 1880, Father Healy divided the parish, retaining the churches at Brewster, Towners and Carmel. Under his able and efficient management the church at Brewster is free from debt; improvements and additions have been made to the church edi- fice, and a parsonage built at'a cost of $3,000. In 1875, he built the church at Towners, and' a debt which was necessarily in. curred has been very greatly reduced. Church service is held in Carmel in a public hall as no church has been built there as yet. The membership of the parish is about 500. A flourishing Sunday school is connected with the church and there are cate- chisings three times a week in various districts.
SOCIETIES .-- The following is a record of the first masonic meeting:
"At a meeting of a number of the fraternity of Masons, members of different Lodges, whose names are as follows: David Crosby, James Porter, George Burch, Daniel Bull, Nathaniel De La Van, Wm. Pearce, Alexander Kidd, Jacob Reed, Daniel Delavan, Eli Crosby, Samuel A. Barker, Stephen Kelly, Thomas Sears, Joseph C. Field, Zalmond Sandford, Benedict Davis, D. Lambert De Forest, Francis Burdick, James Knapp, Ezra Sherman, Peter Crosby, Benj. Platt, Stephen Delavan, Daniel Waring, Wm. Patch, Philetus Scudder and Stephen Field, Jr., who are inhabitants of Frederickstown, in the County of Dutchess, and towns adjacent, at the house of James Phillips,
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TOWN OF SOUTHEAST.
in said Frederickstown, the 5th day of Dec., 1793, and in the year of light 5793.
" Brother David Crosby was appointed Moderator and Bro. James Porter Clerk of the meeting.
" Voted unanimously as the opinion of the brethren compos- ing this meeting, that an application be made to the Right Worshipful Grand Master of the state of New York, for a war- rant to erect a Lodge at Frederickstown.
" Voted that if such warrant be obtained, that the name of Samuel Augustus Barker be inserted as Master of said Lodge, and that the name of Jacob Reed be inserted as Senior Warden, and the name of George Burch as Junior Warden, and that it be named Columbus Lodge.
"Voted that Bro. Crosby, Moderator of this meeting, be em- powered to make application for the warrant above mentioned."
By a certificate dated May 17th, 1794, the officers of Solomon Lodge, No. 1, of Poughkeepsie, certified that Samuel Augustus Barker, George Burch, and Stephen Kelly were members of that lodge in good standing. In accordance with this Andrew Billings and Cadwallader D. Colden were appointed to consti- tute the lodge, which they did October 1st, 1794, at the house of James Phillips, and appointed the officers recommended above, and October 14th, 1794, Samuel Augustus Barker, as master of the new lodge, made application for a "Book of Constitu- tions " to the grand master.
On a Return of "Columbia Lodge" in 1798, the following list of members is given: Samuel A. Barker, George Burch, Stephen Kelsey, Francis Burdick, James Porter, David Crosby, Benjamin Platt, Nath. Delavan, Thomas Sears, John Penney, Peter Crosby, Oliver Barker, James Knapp, Jacob Reed, Hez. Hyatt, Daniel Delavan, Eli Crosby, David L. De Forest, Zalmon Sandford, David Waring, Stephen Field, Waight Ball, Hezekiah Dykeman, Conkling Ketcham, David Balding, Seth Sears, jr., James Fairchild, Ephraim Marvin, Zadock Rider, James Craft, Uriah Wallace, Darius Crosby, Moses Crosby, Benjamin Titus, Samuel Penney, Berry Hopkins, David Haviland, Charles Crosby, Peter Hepburn, Daniel Aikins, Stephen Barnum, Ezra Richards, Thomas B. Sears, James Schofield, Isaac Sears, Lewis Burton, Caleb Smith, jr., Ira Crane, Job Smith, Elijah Doty, Thomas Hines, Samuel Chapman, Charles Hines, James Grant, Rowland Bailey, John Paulding, James Foster, jr., Robert
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HISTORY OF PUTNAM COUNTY.
Weeks, Edmond Foster, Job Jones, William Smith, Caleb Fowler, jr., Elisha D. Hall, Daniel Jones, Abijah Corbin, Jere- miah Hopkins.
The Masonic bodies at Brewster, N. Y., comprise Croton Lodge, No. 368, F. & A. M .; Croton Chapter, No. 202, R. A. M .; and Crusader Commandery, No. 56, K. T.
The oldest of these bodies is Croton Lodge, which held its first communication under a dispensation from the grand master of the State of New York, at Croton Falls, in the adjoining county of Westchester, on the 11th day of April, 1855, the first officers being: George W. Gregory, worshipful master; Edward Adams, senior warden ; Harrison Pardee, junior warden ; Thomas Field, secretary. Of the above, Thomas Field is at this time the only survivor, and is an honored resident of Southeast.
Mr. A. J. Miller was master in 1876 and 1877: on January 24th, of the latter year, a resolution was passed that the lodge remove its place of meeting to Brewster. The grand lodge of this State having given its consent in June, the removal was made, and the first communication was held at Brewster Au- gust 22d, 1877. The officers are: Worshipful Charles Denton, master; Isaac Armstrong, senior warden; John Q. Adams, junior warden; Frank Wells. secretary and treasurer; Past Worshipful Abram J. Miller, senior deacon; Henry W. Dale, junior deacon; Theodore Phelps and George Moore, masters of ceremony; Frederick Kratz, chaplain; James A. Foshay and George H. Kniffen, organists; Past Worshipful Ferdinand Wil- son, tiler. The living Past Masters are George W. Abrams, Abram J. Miller, Leonard H. Secor, and Ferdinand Wilson.
The first convocation of Croton Chapter, No. 202, R. A. M., was held under dispensation at Croton Falls, January 7th, 1867; and a charter being granted February 7th, following, on the 18th of the same month the first officers were installed as follows: George W. Gregory, high priest; Gerard Crane, king; Jacob Townsend, scribe: Benj. D. Crane, captain of host; Jere- miah W. Keeler, principal sojourner; Jared G. Wood, R. A. C .; Herman Best, master 1st V .; William M. Clark, master 2d V .; Harrison Pardee, treasurer; Theophilus Pratt, secretary; Henry W. Smuller, chaplain; William Barker, tiler.
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