USA > New York > Schoharie County > History of Schoharie County, New York : with illusustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 19
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82
John S. Pindar, now of Cobleskill, was born in the town of Sharon in 1835. After attend- ing the district school he entered the "Rich- mondville Literary Institute " in 1853, and upon the closing of the school returned to the farm. In 1862 he entered the law office of Ramsey & Young, and was admitted to the State courts in 1865, and that of the United States in 1872. Mr. Pindar has practiced con- tinually since 1867, and was the first Police Justice in the corporation of Cobleskill. He was chosen chairman of the Democratic County Committee in 1877, and still holds that posi- tion creditably to himself and satisfactorily to the party. Mr. Pindar is known as one of the hardest legal workers in the County which has gained for him a successful business.
O. C. Stevens, the subject of this sketch, is a native of Greenville, Greene county, and was born on the 30th of August, 1850. He early attended the Greenville Academy and closed his educational advantages at Hamilton College, but not as a graduate. In 1869 he entered the law office of Sanford & Thorne, and was admitted in the spring of 1872. He formed a connection with William E. Leet, then District Attorney of Greene county, which continued about two years, when he withdrew and became a partner of his father-in-law, Wm. H. Engle, with whom he is at the present time. Mr. Stevens is a well-read professional and
118
HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY.
genial gentleman, and possesses the confidence of those with whom he mingles as a most honorable and earnest worker.
E. L. Snyder, of Richmondville, is a graduate of Union College of the class of 1861, and was born in Columbia county, N. Y., on the 19th of June, 1839. Mr. Snyder studied law with M. H. Dorr, of Hillsdale, Columbia county, and was admitted to the bar at Albany, May 5, 1864. He located at Richmondville, and as a mark of the confidence the people have in his ability and integrity they elected him to the office of Justice of the Peace in the spring of 1881. His superior education, gentlemanly bearing and studious application to business, have drawn around him a host of friends, and given to him a very flattering practice.
Frank Snyder was born in the village of Middleburgh on the 13th of January, 1855. His educational advantages were of the village school and at the Wainwright Institute. He studied law in the office of Peter S. Danforth, and was admitted as counselor in 1878, and as attorney and counselor in the year following. By the request of his legal tutor he located in his office, and the success with which he meets in legal business is highly creditable to himself as a lawyer and the office from which he was admitted.
Wilfred P. Thomas was born in Albany, N. Y., March 24, 1856, and fitted himself for col- lege at the Schoharie Academy. He graduated from Union College in 1872, and that year entered the law office of Mayham & Krum from which he entered that of James F. Crawford, of Cohoes, N. Y., and finished his studies. He was admitted in April, 1876, and located at Schoharie village, where he is now in practice in company with Chauncey W. Hinman. Mr. Thomas has worked up a flattering practice, and coming to the profession with a fine education and a desire to succeed, he can but be success- ful.
Wm. E. Thorne was born at Athens, Greene county, on the 21st of July, 1840. He attend- ed the district school and Knox Academy, and afterwards studied mathematics and the lan- guages with Dr. Charles Abrams, of Hyndsville.
After teaching school a few years, he entered the law office of S. L. Mayham, then of Blen- heim, (1863) and removed with that gentleman to Schoharie in the spring of 1865, and was ad- mitted in December of that year.
On the Ist day of January, 1866, he formed a co-partnership with Lyman Sanford, of Mid- dleburgh, which continued until the decease of that gentleman. In 1877, he was elected Dis- trict Attorney and proved an able official. The firm's business was extensive, especially as relates to the settlement of estates, for whichi no firm enjoyed a better, and but few an equal, reputation.
John Van Schaick was born in the town of Sharon, on the 29th day of July, 1840. After an elementary course in the district school he attended Williams College. Like most farmer's sons that are ambitious to obtain an education, he did so by teaching school a portion of the year. He studied in the office of John H. Salis- bury while located at Sharon Springs, and after- wards in that of Wm. H. Youngs, and after passing a course at the Albany law school he was admitted in 1864. Counselor Van Schaick was elected to the office of School Commis- sioner in the second district in 1871, and re- elected in 1874. He established an office at Cobleskill after his admittance, where he still continues and receives his share of the public patronage in legal affairs.
Le Grand Van Tuyl is a young man who has but just stepped upon the legal path and his future honor or disgrace depend upon the bent of his moral qualities and not his intellectual, as of the latter, nature has blessed him exceedingly, which he has wisely chosen to direct and sup- port him through his legal adventure. May he prove one with firm stability of purpose. He is the son of Isaac Van Tuyl, of Schoharie, and was born in that town on the 9th of April, 1857. He received a thorough Academic education at the Schoharie academy and entered the law office of Krum & Grant, from which he was ad- mitted in January, 1881. He was elected School Commissioner of the second district in the fall of 1881 without opposition, and located in the village of North Blenheim.
119
TOWN OF GILBOA.
Moses S. Wilcox, of Jefferson village, is a na- tive of Harpersfield, Delaware county, and was born in that town in March, 1836, and received an academic education at the Harpersfield Acade- my, from which hc emerged as a school teacher. For two years while thus employed he read law and entered the office of Abraham Becker, of South Worcester in 1858, and was admitted in May, 1860. In the fall of that year he formed a co-partnership with Robert Parker, and located at Delhi, and remained so connected until 1865 when he returned to his father's farm, and spent two years in agricultural pursuits.
At the expiration of that time, he located at Jefferson, where he still resides and enjoys a flattering practice through his earnest and prac- tical labors, and the confidence of the people in his ability and integrity.
Regardless of his legal taste, we find Mr. Wil- cox interests himself in agriculture and the breed- ing of superior stock for which he has become noted among the practical farmers of the country. Mr. Wilcox is well read, and keeps up with the times, and does not, as is too often the case, af- ter a few years practice, settle down to fogyism without an effort to advance. He is an easy and plain speaker, sound and apt reasoner, which, coupled with his honest fervency, holds attention in his arguments, and gives.a pleasing satisfaction to his listeners.
Isaac W. Winne .- Mr. Winne was born in the town of Sharon, March 29, 1834, and is the son of Francis Winne, whose father moved from Albany county and settledin the town of Cherry Valley, in the fore part of the century. After attending the district school, he entered the "Ames Academy" from which he returned to the homestead and engaged in agricultural pur- suits, until the spring of 1871, when he com. menced studying law in the office of Albert Baker, then located at Sharon Springs. Mr .. Winne was admitted to practice in June, 1875, and at once located at Rockville, where he still remains, enjoying a flattering practice.
CHAPTER VII.
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF GILBOA.
TOWN FORMED -- FIRST TOWN OFFICERS -- BOARD OF INSPECTORS-DIVISION INTO DISTRICTS- TOWN MEETING OF 1849-ANTI-RENT DIFFI- CULTIES-SHERIFF'S POSSE OF SOLDIERS -- FIRST SETTLERS AND MILLS-JOHN DISE -- ARCHIBALD CROSWELL-TANNERY-TUTTLE & OSBORNE TANNERY-GRIST MILL PUR- CHASED BY PLATT, POTTER & CO-COTTON FACTORY-LUMAN REED -- JOHN REED --- FIRST TAVERN-GILROA BRIDGE-FURNACE -CHURCHES-MERCHANTS-BROOME CEN- TRE-HENRY TIBBETTS-MCKEYS CORNERS - DAVID ELLERSON-HIS NARRATIVE-OFFI- CIAL LIST-SUPERVISORS-DISTRICT ATTOR- NEY -- COUNTY CLERK-ASSEMBLY -- STATE SENATOR-BOUNDARIES.
BLENHEIM and Broome were two very large towns, making it inconvenient, in various ways, and to remedy the evils, the people pe- titioned to the Seventy-first Legislature to divide the territory, and. form a new town. Adam Mattice, of Livingstonville, and James Parson, of Sharon, were in the Assembly, to whom the petition was entrusted, and through whose la- bors a bill to that effect was passcd, on the 16th of March, 1848. Broome, previous to that date, bordered on the west, on the Schoharie creek, while Blenheim took in all the territory of Gil- boa, that lies upon the west of that stream. Gilboa village had for a long time been an ex- tensive manufacturing seat and business center, and being the main and only village upon the territory, the town was named after it.
First Town Meeting :- On the 20th day of April following the organization of the town, the first town meeting was held, and elected the following officers :---
For Supervisor, Colby Reed; Town Clerk, Paige Croswell ; Justices, Samuel More, David E. Chichester, Hiram Fridenburgh and John
120
HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY.
Chichester; Assessors, Elisha Griffin, for one year, Philo Johnson, two years, and John Hoagland, three years; Commissioners of Highways, Archibald Croswell, one year, David S. Howard, two years, and Ransom Allerson, three years ; Overseers of Poor, Benj. E. Smith, and Nicholas L. Mattice ; Collector, Elam Rich- mond ; Constables, Lewis T. Davis, Solomon D. Mackey, Jacob McIntyre, and Reynolds Al- len ; Town Superintendent of Schools, Joseph Schofield, for full term, and vacancy ; Sealer of Weights and Measures, Abram Mudge. Town house at Lawrence & Kibbes.
The first Board of Inspectors appointed for the town meeting, was Luman Reed, James G. Hackey and Hiram Fridenburgh. It was voted at that meeting to raise three hundred dollars for the support of the poor. On the 13th of May following, the road commissioner and clerk appointed sixty-nine overseers for that number of road districts then created.
In September the assessors divided the town into three election districts, pursuant to the statute, as follows :-
" District number one consists of all that part of the town of Gilboa lying west of a line com- mencing at the south line of the town and run- ning thence north along the west line of Lot No. 5, occupied by John V. Hoagland, thence north to the east line of the lot owned by Peter Mattice, lately occupied by William Stevens, thence north along the east line of said lot, and north to the north line of the town."
" District number two consists of the central part of the town, bounded on the west by the eastern bounds of District number one, on the south by the south line of the town, thence northeast along the line between the towns of Gilboa and Conesville to the line between School Districts No. 2 and 3, thence west along the line between said school districts to the end of said line, thence in a direct line to the corner of the east and south lines of Clark's patent, thence along the south line of Clark's patent to the Schoharie creek, thence along the north line of the town of Gilboa to the place of be- ginning."
of the town of Gilboa lying north of District number three as described above."
At the town meeting held the 20th of Febru- ary, 1849, no choice of Supervisor was made, owing to the two candidates, Lunian Reed and Henry Tibbetts running a tie. Elisha Griffin was appointed to fill the vacancy. The political sentiments of the people of this town are so nearly equally divided that it requires strategy upon the part of the candidates to gain an election.
The Anti-Rent troubles of the '40's were ex- perienced in this section to an alarming extent, but no real serious collision between the op- ponents took place, with the exception of the "Injuns " overtaking a deputy while on his way to serve the papers upon a belligerent tenant. He was a citizen of the village and respected, but without ceremony was taken upon the hill west of the bridge, and threatened with a tar and feather garment if he would not promise not to serve the papers. He did so and was liberated. In conversation with a gentleman of the place who freely admitted he was a "big Injun " through those times, we learn that nearly all the people of this locality were Anti's, and were not organized with any real intention of defying the law and creating a rebellion, but more to make pretentions and frighten the landlords. "If," said our inform- ant, "we had any such intentions, we had plenty of opportunities even to kill as well as tar and feather, and not be caught. Many of us joined for fun, being young and venture- some, and we had plenty of it too."
Political aspirants took advantage of the troubles and did much towards the " blowing of the flames " which made unusual lively political canvasses. Sheriff Brown's posse of soldiers lay at this village for some time and was here, while that officer and deputy were upon Bald- win's Heights in the hands of the Anti's. They were one hundred in number, "armed to the teeth," and looked, our informant tells us, " ferocious enough to eat a biled Injun for each breakfast ;" but said he, "when the boys gave war-whoops in the night through the streets and upon the hills, the soldiers hugged their guns
" District number three consists of all that part | and looked tame."
121
TOWN OF GILBOA.
First Settlers and Mills .- Who were the first settlers of this town is unknown for a certainty but supposed to be the Dise family about the year 1760. After their losses as stated in the Conesville chapter of this work, they settled upon the Plattenkill, and John Dise, a son of one of the partners, located near the present iron bridge. He built a grist-mill some time between the years 1790 and 1800, near where Luman Reed's present grist-mill now stands. As the country became quiet and prosperous in the beginning of the century the well watered hills and fine mill privileges attracted the attention of the Yankees of New England and drew to this place men of energy and ingenuity that soon laid the foundation for a manufacturing town.
Among the number was Archibald Croswell, a very active man, such as every town requires, to create and push enterprises that give em- ployment and add to the production of the country. He came from Connecticut and set- tled where Luman Reed's residence now stands, about the year 1800. He purchased the Dise mill property and soon rebuilt a stone structure for the same purpose, which stood for several years when the walls cracked and fell, obliging him to again rebuild. The second time he placed the mill above the present bridge. In 1821 Mr. Croswell built a fulling mill upon the west side of the river which was changed to a store and a new mill of larger capacity built be- low. In 1810 Jonas Soper commenced a tan- nery which did a fair business. The quantity of hemlock bark that was accessible at a trifling cost led Mr. Croswell to build a factory to ex- tract from the bark the tanning qualities found therein, which he shipped in large quantities to Europe. Requiring a vast number of barrels he immediately started a cooperage which not only furnished himself with necessary shipping barrels, but the surrounding country with every thing it required in that line. In the year 1831 the extract factory was burned, and having a large quantity of bark on hand Mr. Croswell built a tannery. About the same time another was erected by Tuttle & Osborne, which soon was owned and managed by Sidney Tuttle & Sons. Besides the grist-mill, fulling-mill, coop- erage, store and extract establishment, all in operation at one time, that gentleman built a
pottery, manufactured potash, managed a saw- mill, giving employment to numberless workmen, but he became financially entangled and made an assignment to his brother, Dr. Croswell, of Catskill, and - Brace, who continued the different branches of business for a while and then closed. If it were possible to make the people believe it would be to the interest of the country for them to hold such business men up when they get in close financial quarters, in- stead of pouncing upon them as vultures, it would be to their best interests. With such a business man as Mr. Croswell, Gilboa with her unsurpassed water privileges might soon be made the largest manufacturing center in Cen- tral New York and number thousands of inhab- itants.
Mr. Croswell after an active life passed away, leaving five children, Paige, John Keyes, Able Brace, Mrs. Wm. Wicks and Kellogg, the latter the only one remaining in the place. Platt, Potter & Co., of Schenectady purchased the grist-mill above the bridge of Croswell & Brace, and became owners of other valuable property at this place.
Cotton Factory .- About the year 1840, a company was formed with a capital of $50,000, called the "Gilboa Cotton Mill Co." for the purpose of building a cotton mill. Sidney Tut- tle was at the head of the concern as President, and it became a prosperous establishment, with one hundred looms, employing about eighty hands.
B. G. Morss and Luman Reed became the owners, and while in their possession, the flood of October, 1869, destroyed the whole, entailing a heavy loss. Thus we find to-day the most active business interests that have adorned this romantic spot, have ceased to exist, have passed away as many of those whose brains were the grand motive power.
Luman Reed, one of the busy men of "years gone by " still remains, and is still identified with the enterprises of the place. In 1879 he built the present grist-mill but a short distance from the site of the first one, which he con- tinues to manage, together with a general assort- ment of merchandise, the latter in connection with A. H. Bartley. Mr. Reed is a son of
122
HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY.
Colby Reed, who removed from Vermont in 1806, and commenced a small "store" at Stry- kersville, and removed to " Blenheim Hill," or South Gilboa where he continued the business about thirty years, when he retired from busi- ness and was followed by his son Philetus Reed. He died in 1860 at the age of eighty, highly respected as a citizen and business man. Lu- man Reed has been elected as Supervisor of the town eleven terms and from the eastern assem- bly district in the Legislature in 1853 as a col- league of Hon. John Westover, of Richmond- ville. From the fact Mr. Reed's political prin- ciples being adverse to the majority of the voters of the County, his election to that position is evidence of his popularity as a social and busi- ness man.
John Reed, a brother was for many years an active business man of the town and held several local offices, and was supervisor five terms. He is at present a resident of Syracuse engaged in the insurance business.
First Tavern .- The first "tavern" or hotel built in the place was to the west of the present "Gilboa House." It was built against the bank, the stone basement of whichi still stands. It was built about the year 1797, and was a small affair conducted by Wm. Edwards. . When the Catskill & Ithaca turnpike was built bringing travel, additions were put on from time to time, until it was at least seventy-five feet long. Here the first pioneers assembled to talk matters over and indulge in toddy and flip, and built air castles upon "the thousand hills" from which they might look down upon the land-holders with contempt.
Gilboa Bridge .- Upon the advent of Archi- bald Croswell a trestle bridge was built across the creek which was carried away by high water and replaced by a lattice one when the turnpike was built, that was also carried away in Octo- ber, 1869, and the present iron structure, the finest one in the County, took its place at a cost of nearly thirteen thousand dollars.
Furnace .- A. H. Jackson built the first fur- nace in 1832, which was in operation a few years and closed, and succeeded by the present one in 1876, built by M. Gilberts & Co.
CHURCHES-Reformed Church of Gilboa .- Upon the fly-leaf of the records of this church we find written in a bold hand :-
"Record of the Baptisms, marriages and members of the church of Schoharie Kill under the ministerial labors of the Rev. Cornelius D. Schermerhorn, which labors he discontinued in the year 1813. May the Great King of his church supply this flock with the regular admin- istration of his word and ordinances."
Below the above we find recorded :-
"This is to certify that the Rev. Winslow Paige, A. M., V. D. M., became the pastor of the united congregation of the Reformed Dutch Church in the towns of Broome, Windham and Blenheim, on the Ist day of April, 1820."
As near as can be ascertained the organiza- tion was effected about 1802, at which time Rev. Schermerhorn commenced his pastoral care. The society built an edifice nearly three miles to the east, in the present town of Cones- ville, about the year 1805 or 1806, and becom- ing old and needing repairs, and this village being then in its growing glory, the society resolved to remove it to Gilboa village, which was done in the year 1836. The church for many years was known as the "Church of Dise's Manor," and "Manor Church," for reasons stated in the Conesville chapter.
This organization has always been a popular one, comprising the best citizens and attend. ance, and has maintained a very prominent list of pastors. Rev. Winslow Paige has been fol- lowed by Cornelius Bogardus, 1838 to 1843 ; L. H. Van Dyck, 1843 to 1852 ; Samuel Lock- wood, 1852 to 1854; R. B. Welsh, 1854 to 1856; William G. E. See, 1857 to 1861; W.' W. Letson, 1865 to 1868; William S. Moore, 1869 to 1873; J. A. Ball, 1874 to 1876; Edward Cornet, 1876 to 1880; B. C. Miller, present supply.
Rev. Winslow Paige was in charge seventeen years and retired from the ministry. His chil- dren, J. Keyes, Alonzo, and Mrs. Judge Potter, became eminent personages.
The former was appointed as a Regent of the University the 31st of March, 1829, and held the office until his death, which occurred in 1858.
123
TOWN OF GILBOA.
He removed from this County to Albany where he was elected Mayor of the city in 1845. Alonzo was elected Judge of the Supreme Court in the Fourth District, in 1847 and 1855, and was honored as one of the purest minded and most competent Judges upon the bench. Mrs. Potter's free heart and other christian graces endeared her to a large circle of friends, especially the unfortunate, who have been the recipients of her charity.
Methodist Episcopal Church of Gilboa .- The records of this class were not to be found upon our several visits for them. Mr. J. M. Hazzard, however, informed us that a class was here as early as 1842, and thinks it was formed about that year, and that the edifice was commenced in 1844 and completed in 1845. The pulpit has been supplied by circuit preachers under the orders of the New York Conference. The society is prosperous and energetic in the re- ligious cause, not sparing time or labor in its furtherance.
Flat Creek Baptist Church .- Rev. John Ormsbee with thirteen members organized this society on the 2d of January, 1831. They held their meetings in private houses for several years and built a house of worship in 1843. The present commodious structure was erected in 1865 at a cost of $3,300.
Merchants of Gilboa Village .- Through Mr. Hazzard and Luman Reed we find that Samuel ยท Bortles and Archibald Croswell commenced the mercantile business together about the year 1823 and were followed by Ozias Stevens in 1828, and Allen H. Jackson in 1832. The ycar after, S. Tuttle & Sons established and did a fine business up to the year 1850, and were contemporary with Platt, Potter & Co. in the first years of business, and with Luman Reed from 1840. The present merchants are Reed & Baldwin, F. A. Haggidorn, Freidenburgh & Thomas and James M. Hazzard.
BROOME CENTRE.
This place was first settled by Job Tibbetts whose son, Henry Tibbetts, possessed an am- bition similar to Archibald Croswell to drive business. Upon the building of the road from
Potter's Hollow to Gilboa (1850) Henry Tib- betts built the present hotel and storehouse and for several years did a large business. Being the builder of the hamlet, it was called for a long time as " 'Tibbetts," and, in fact, is known only as such by residents within a few miles. Being belated in reaching the place upon our first visit, to a late hour in the night, we became fearful of not being upon the right road, and awoke three farmers to learn the truth of our situation. Upon asking for Broome Centre and its distance we were told that the road "ran to Tibbetts," but did not remember how far it was to Broome Centre. The third call brought a live lass of eleven sum- mers to our aid, who gave the desired informa- tion with intelligence and grace. Henry Tib- betts was an active man. He was elected to the Legislature in 1845, and to the Board of Supervisors in 1860, in which positions he served with commendable credit to himself and the County. He died in March, 1877. The early settlers of this locality were Elisha Griffin, Calvin Case and the Chichester family.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.