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 47
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Dr. Thomas B. Van Alstyne, a native of Kin- derhook, N. Y., and a student of the noted Dr. White, of Hudson, N. Y., was sent in answer to the above request, who continued to practice to the year 1856, and reared a family of six chil- dren, each of whom have made themselves worthy of a worthy father, and become promi- nent and useful citizens.
Thomas J., is a resident of Albany, and has occupied the county judicial bench for two terms, highly satisfactory as a gentleman and an able jurist. He was elected at the late election to the United States Congress, and takes his seat in December, 1883.
Sylvester M. Van Alstyne followed his father in the practice of medicine, and stood at the head of the medical fraternity in the County. He represented the town in the Board of Super- visors in the years 1862, 1863, 1864, 1875, 1876, where he displayed the ability of a legis- lator, that very few possess. He died October 28, 1882.
We give space to the following article from the Richmondville Democrat, of October 28, 1882 :-
"In the death of Dr. S. M. Van Alstyne, Richmondville loses one of its most worthy citizens. Dr. Van Alstyne was born on the 28th day of February, 1833. He had the full advantages of a complete education, and was always regarded as one of the most learned in our community. At the early age of seventeen he received an appointment to the military academy of West Point. During his stay at that institution his peculiar brilliancy and edu- cation placed him at the head of his class, which exalted position he maintained until, submitting to the very urgent solicitations of his parents, he resigned his position at West Point and chose the study of inedicine as his profession, graduating with high honors at the Albany Medical College, December 2, 1854. He was a member of the Schoharie County Medical Society, also of the New York State Medical Society. As a physician he occupied a position which can only be obtained by a thorough study, and application to one's chosen profession. He was selected by his townsmen to represent them in the Board of Supervisors for five years, discharging the duties pertaining to this office to their utmost satisfaction.
" He was married on the 9th of July, 1855, to Cynthia E. Whitney, daughter of Colonel Whitney, of Milford, N. Y. He leaves a wife, one son-Dr. T. B. Van Alstyne, of Richmond- ville, and two daughters-Mrs. Dr. Voorhees, of Auburn, N. Y., and Miss Adah Van Alstyne, of Richmondville.
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HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY.
" Dr. Van Alstyne was a conscientious Chris- tian, a true gentleman, a kind husband, and lov- ing father. His death will be a great loss to this community, and his genial presence and kindly recognitions will be missed by all. We can pay no higher tribute to the memory of our distinguished friend, neighbor and physician than to say that a great, grand and noble christian man has gone to his rest."
Fayette E., became a mechanic and settled at Binghamton where he now resides.
John studied medicine and commenced to practice in 1865, and remained till the year 1873, when he removed to Binghamton, where he still resides, and stands at the head of his profession. He received, very shortly after grad- uating in 1862, a commission as assistant-surgeon of the 3d N. Y. V. C., was soon promoted to surgeon of the regiment, and toward close of the war was made brigade surgeon.
Mrs. Joseph K. Barry, [deceased,] of Chicago, and Mrs. J. L. Multer, of the Independent Cal- istogian, of California, are the daughters that com- plete the family of six, whose early training in the principles of right and usefulness have made them an honor to the place of their birth.
Dr. Thomas Skinner located here in 1833, and after removed to Hartwick and died near Syra- cuse in 1879. J. B. Rossman came in 1840 and remained till 1850 when he located at Albany.
Dr. Henry Barnes was in practice here some years. Dr. Valentine Cornell came in 1865 and removed to Cobleskill village in 1874, where he died in 1877.
Dr. Atkins came in 1874 and the year follow- ing located- at Saratoga village, and thence to Essex, N. Y., where he enjoys a lucrative practice.
Dr. George H. Leonard, of East Worcester located here in 1858 and entered the Union army in 1863 as assistant surgeon and died of consumption soon after.
Dr. Thomas B. Van Alstyne, grandson of the first Thomas B., opened an office in June, 1881, and at present is the only physician practicing in the village. He is the only male represent- ative of the Van Alstyne family now residing in the county, and bids fair to maintain the enviable reputation acquired by his ancestors.
. Dr. Rowley settled at Warnerville about 1832 and died there in 1846 and was succeeded
by Dr. Jared Chase in 1850 and Dr. Eli Bois & Son in 1854. The elder Bois died in 1857 and Willard succeeded him and still remains. Dr. H. S. Gale removed from West Fulton in the spring of 1881, who together with Doctors Chase and Bois attend to the "ills " of their friends.
Churches -- Here we find four churches whose appearance bespeak the enterprise of the people as well as their pride in their houses of worship.
The Methodist Church is the pioneer, it being organized in 1820 by John Bangs.
Their meetings were held in the school house until the year 1836 when an edifice was erected. The present one was built in 1866 and will seat nearly seven hundred. A prosperous Sabbath School and large Bible class are sustained by the society and a deep interest in the religious cause is manifested by the church as a whole.
The Lutheran Church was organized in 1830 and the first edifice erected in 1833. The present one was built in 1857, being repaired and enlarged in 1876, and will seat over six hundred. The records have not been preserved in such order as to enable us to glean the desired information but we find John Selemer was the first pastor and after a few years was recalled and died in 1876, at the age of sixty-nine.
He was followed by Ira Parker, P. Ludden, S. Curtis, Charles L. Barringer and Jacob Paul, the latter at present officiating.
There is also connected with this church a large Sabbath School and Bible class in whose behalf the society takes a lively interest.
The Baptist Church was next in organization and was formed in 1838 by twenty-six members.
The records say, "At a council held in Rich- mondville on the 13th of June 1838 by the delegates from the Baptist churches in Summit, Jefferson, Worcester, Westford, Cobleskill, Ful- ton and Harpersfield, it was thought proper to constitute a Baptist church in the above men- tioned place to be called the 'Richmondville Baptist Church'. A constitution was drawn up embracing articles of confession, Faith and practice and entered upon the church-book, which tersely exhibits the sincerity, stability and character of professors of that day.
" At a covenant meeting held September II, 1841, Elder Walter Covey was appointed
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TOWN OF RICHMONDVILLE.
a committee to prepare an article on Temper- ance which he did and attached it to the church articles of Practice. It being the first move by the body in the cause we here copy the same. " We believe that intemperance is a great evil and therefore we will not use intoxi- cating liquors as a beverage, nor traffic in them nor provide them as an article of entertainment, or for persons in our employment and that we will discountenance their use throughout the community."
The following Elders have officiated :-
1838-David B. Collins. 1839-James Ingles. 1840-Walter Covey. 1841-Walter Covey.
1842-L. C. Bates. 1843-L. C. Bates.
1844-L. C. Bates. 1845-L. C. Bates. 1846-I. C. Bates. 1847-L. C. Bates. 1849-W. Covey.
1850-L. E. Spafford. 1851-I. E. Spafford. 1852-L. E. Spafford. 1853-A. S. Davis. 1854-A. S. Davis. 1855-A. S. Davis. 1856-George Evans. 1857-George Evans. 1858-George Evans. 1859-C. C. Boorne. 1860-C. C. Boorne. 1861-C. C. Boorne. 1862-C. C. Boorne. 1863-C. C. Boorne. 1866-W. M. Halleck. 1867-W. M. Halleck. . 1868-W. M. Halleck. .1869-W. M. Halleck. 1871-P. C. Bently. 1872-P. C. Bently. 1873-G. W. Remington. 1874-G. W. Remington. 1875-G. W. Remington. 1876-G. W. Remington, 1877-G. W. Remington. 1878-D. B. Collins.
1879-D. B. Collins. 1880-O. W. Cook. 1881-R. Lehman and present.
The first church edifice was built in 1843.
Richmondville Bank-Mr. Westover, for many years, feeling the inconvenience of having no bank to transact business in a systematic man- ner, with his ample means established a banking house which was opened for the convenience of the business public on the first day of April 1881.
J. M. Foster long interested in the business of the place, was associated in the enterprise, making the firm Westover & Foster, Bankers. The business men of the village and surround- ing country fully appreciate the convenience, and assure their confidence, in a flattering pat- ronage.
Christian Church - The Christian church was built in 1875 at a cost of twenty-five hun- dred dollars and dedicated on the 4th of Jan- uary 1876 under the pastorate of A. J. Wel- ton, who was followed by T. N. Davis and D. M. Tuller, the present incumbent. This church, as before mentioned is connected in pas- torate with the "Christian church of Warner- ville."
Seminary-In the spring of 1852 the citizens of this place concluded to make a permanent investment of a few thousand dollars in one of those palatial seminaries to which many com- munities, suddenly become partial. During the summer of that year a building was erected up- on the lot, now occupied by James N. Burn- ison and school commenced in the fall under very flattering circumstances.
One night in December of the same year an incendiary laid the whole in ashes, which was a heavy stroke to the stockholders.
But believing in the wisdom of the invest- ment a similar building was built the season fol- lowing and opened for patronage in the fall of 1853. The success of this institution was con- sidered certain, but in 1854 the second structure was burned and after an expenditure of nearly sixty thousand dollars, further efforts to rebuild were abandoned.
296
HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY.
Newspapers .- The first paper published was the Schoharie County Democrat, by the pro- prietors of the Schenevus Monitor, .J. J. & J. L. Multer. The issue bears date .November 5, 1870. The paper was purchased in 1876 by J. B. Olmstead and its title changed to the Rich- mondville Democrat. Mr. Olmstead has steadily improved the paper and made of it a neat, readable and newsy sheet that fully deserves its success.
District Schools .- At what time the first schoolhouse was built we have not been able to learn, but it is supposed about the year 1807.
The present school building was erected in 1865. It is a graded school, having become such under the charge of George Ostrander. Three teachers are employed with an average of over one-hundred pupils. The studies are the higher English branches, and no pains or expense are spared to make it a first-class school. J. E. Mann is the present principal.
The road leading to the west follows the course of the Cobleskill and winds around the lofty hills, that the waters have broken through, presenting to the traveler a varied and pleasing picture. The broad fields lying upon the hill- sides are productive of both winter grain and grasses, and well adapted for dairying purposes, being well watered. Snugly located a short distance above the village is William Rocker- fellow, grandson of Captain Rockerfellow, of Revolutionary fame.
Mr. Rockerfellow's father moved from Colum- bia county upon " Dutch Hill" in 1812. The family bearing that name, of the Schoharie valley, originally belong to the same descend- ants of brothers who emigrated from Germany at an early day. Mr. Rockerfellow's success in the accumulation of property is an example of what the will can perform if aggravated to work under unfavorable circumstances, and is worthy to be here recorded. During his boy- hood days, he was both uncouth in appearance and dissipated in habits, having allowed himself to be drifted along without care, by the uni- versal custom of the valley in fighting, horse- racing, gambling and dancing. Peter Foland was the keeper of the "Inn" that is now
Kennedy's wagon-shop in Cobleskill village, and he had a daughter Elizabeth, who awakened Rockerfellow's inward soul, and which the father forbade the daughter, to countenance. But their sympathies were mutual, and after being driven away several times, with the idea of the old gentleman's opinion of him firmly impressed, the young lover firmly decided to change his course in life and show the family that he was neither lazy or intemperate. Changing his whole course of conduct he began in earnest, with eyes and ears opened to every opportunity, to gain a livelihood independent of his family or persecutors. Gaining here and there, with care and industry, we now find him upon the verge of seventy with a large property, and by his side is found one happy in her choice and sur- roundings, knowing that their combined efforts have brought William's prophesy true, that "they could see the day they could buy the whole of them out."
WEST RICHMONDVILLE.
West Richmondville is a small hamlet near the county line, and comprises a small Metho- dist church which was built in 1865, a black- smith shop and a few dwellings. It was origi- nally known as Caryleville, but upon the post- office being established it was changed to its present name.
The first settlers of this neighborhood were Cornelius Ten Eyck and his son Bornt, John, Moses and Isaac Caryle, John Lampson, Madi- son Skinner, Joel Bates, Isaac White, John Houck, George Jones and Robert Smith, (the latter from Duchess county,) whose son Solomon still lives upon the old place, at the age of seventy-five, in the vigor of early life. Asa Foster settled about the year 1816; Isaac Caryle built a distillery about the year 1810, and run the same to 1820, also a store. The lands not then occupied, around this place were purchased in 1815, by Stephen Jumel, the hus- band of the renowned Madame Jumel. Owing to the fact of Jumel's property causing a long litigation, we will here state the circumstances and give a sketch of Mr. Jumel's life, as written by Mr. J. G. Caryle, of Brooklyn, N. Y., who lived with Mr. Jumel and was well acquainted
297
TOWN OF RICHMONDVILLE.
with the family affairs. A settlement of the litigation, we believe was due to Mr. Caryle's testimony in the case. Mr. Caryle was born near West Richmondville, in 1813. He says :-
"I first became acquainted with Madame Jumel of New York city in the town of Sharon, Scho- harie county in 1826. My father then lived upon lands owned by Stephen Jumel, a French- man of the Kingdom of France, City of Paris. He had been a resident of New York city from the year 1795 until the year 1815 when he re- turned to France. Mr. Jumel left France when a young man and took up his residence in the Island of St. Domingo that being at the time a French province. He then engaged in trade and run a coffee plantation up to 1793 when at the uprising of the Blacks, and extermination of the Whites, Mr. Jumel made his escape in the following manner. He had an old colored man living with him who was very much attached to Mr. Jumel, who told him of the approaching in- surrection which Jumel did not credit at the time, but from observation he finally concluded to make the best shift possible and wait the result. He gathered in all the coffee and spices he could and loaded a brig and consigned the cargo to a firm in New York. When the time came, the black man took Jumel in the moun- tains and secreted him in the rocks, stating that if the blacks did not rise as represented and the town not burned then Jumel could return, but if the blacks rebelled, then he must look out for himself. The result was the Whites were mas- sacred and the place burned.
"Jumel remained in the mountains for several days, and the black not making his appearance and being a good swimmer, swam across the bay to a small island where he subsisted for several days on such barks and grapes as he could collect. After many days a sail made for the port and finding the place burned, did make a landing, supposing tliere was something wrong. Mr. Jumel with his garments signaled the vessel and a boat was sent and took him in. Learning the state of affairs from him they put to sea for St. Helena where Jumel shipped for France, and arrived in New York the year fol- lowing. With what money he left in New York and the proceeds of his cargo of coffee etc. he commenced trade and became a heavy ship-
ping merchant, and during the time of the em- bargo, made, through the importation of French brandy and wines a fortune, amounting to two hundred and fifty thousand dollars, which was, in that day considered ample.
"It was during that success he became ac- quainted with Eliza Bowne a beautiful young woman from Providence, R. I. whom he mar- ried and who became the noted Madame Jumel. In 1809 or '10 Mr. Jumel retired from business in part and bought a fine property at Washing- ton Heights and moved to it, from Whitehall street. All things not running smoothly-or to Mr. Jumel's liking, in 1815 he left for France taking with him an adopted daughter-a niece of Madame Jumel. He kept the girl in France seven years and educated her in the French schools, when Madame went over and returned with the niece to New York in 1826. She had a power of attorney from Mr. Jumel to take charge of affairs in New York for the benefit of her husband.
"Under the power of attorney, Madame Jumel sold in 1827, the entire estate of Jumel, em- bracing several hundred acres in the town of Sharon, (now Richmondville and Seward,) Decatur and Worcester, Otsego county."
The town of Richmondville consists of 19,844 acres of land, with an assessed valuation in 1880, of $442,700, and a population of 2, 119 in- habitants. Bonds were issued to aid in the con- struction of the railroad to the amount of $50,- ooo, upon which there remained due $14,552. This amount was raised by special tax in 1881, and the debt liquidated. Total amount of town expenses in 1879, was $824.50. Total amount of tax, including interest on bonds, $5,844.04.
SUPERVISORS.
1849-Peter H. Warner.
1850-Peter H. Warner.
1851-Thomas B. Van Alstyne.
1852-David Mann.
1853-David Mann.
1854-William Snyder.
1855-William Snyder.
1856-Tobias Mann.
1857-Tobias Mann.
1858-Tobias Mann.
1859-Tobias Mann.
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HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY.
1860-Dr. Jared Chase.
1861-Dr. Jared Chase.
1862-Dr. S. M. Van Alstyne.
1863-Dr. S. M. Van Alstyne.
1864-Dr. Sylvester M. Van Alstyne.
1865-Dr. Jared Chase.
1866-William T. La Mont. 1867-William T. La Mont.
1868-James A. Warner.
1869-James A. Warner.
1870-John Westover.
1871-James Harroway.
1872-James Harroway. 1873-James Harroway.
1874-James Harroway.
1875-Dr. S. M. Van Alstyne.
1876-Dr. S. M. Van Alstyne.
1877-Fred Moot ..
1878-Fred Moot.
1879-Samuel Butler.
1880-Thomas W. Zeh, Jr.
1881-Dr. Jared Chase. 1882-Samuel Butler.
The following items were furnished through the kind- ness of J. B. Olmstead, Esq. :--
The village of Richmondville was incorporated in 1881, and is now officered by a Board of three trustees, police justice, constable, collector, etc.
There was organized in this town, in 1882, a Board of Health in accordance with the law. Dr. H. S Gale, of Warnerville, is the present Health officer, and H. S. Lewis, Town clerk, is Registrar of Vital Statistics.
Cemeteries .- Situated near the village are two ceme- teries, the "Sunnyside " and "Rural." They are both organized and incorporated. Both have fine grounds, being laid out very tastily, and many of the lots are adorned with handsome monuments.
Water Power Company .- Lying upon the hills south of the village are two large reservoirs. These are now owned and controlled by an incorporated company, the stock being owned by the various manufacturers. This is one of the most important institutions in town, and the company will doubtless soon build another reservoir, and then the supply of water will be unfailing and sufficient to run any manufacturing enterprise that desires water- power.
School .- The village school is now in a very flourish- ing condition. There are three teachers employed, and it has two departments. The teachers are :- Prof. C. Northrup, principal ; Misses E. Evans and Ella La Mont, assistants. The Board of Education consists of three members, viz :- Freeman Loveland, William T. La Mont and E. L. Snyder.
The following is a list of the various persons engaged in business in the town :-
Richmondville.
Bank of Richmondville, John Westover, president, James M. Foster, cashier ; organized in 1880. If. Frasier & Son, general merchants. Wm. T. LaMont, groceries and feed.
Robinson & Fox, general merchants.
Holmes & Drew, general merchants. Nathan ffogeboom, dry-goods and notions.
J. C. Smith, grocerics, boots and shoes, flourand feed. Mary Babcock, millinery store.
Thomas L. Shafer, jewelry store. David HI. Smith, hardware, stoves and tinware.
R. F. Royal, hardwarc, stoves and tinware. G. W. Ostrander, drugs and hardware. M. W. Ilarroway, flour, fced and coal.
II. S. Lewis, furniture and undertaking.
Thomas W. Zeh, meat market.
H. M. Sheldon, oysters, fish and vegetables.
T. B. Warner, photographer and general insurance agent.
D. B. Van Dusen, hay dealer.
John M. Campbell, dealer in horses, wagons, and revolving horse-rakes, etc.
Ed. Fox, poultry dealer.
Richmondville Manufacturing Co., Hiram Conch- man, proprietor, grain cradles, forks, etc.
Milo H. Bradley, manufacturer of domestic woolen goods, cloth, yarns, fulled mittens, etc.
Richmondville Iron Works, A. B. Stevens, proprietor, hop-drying furnaces, plows, water-wheels, etc.
C. E. Dickinson, manufacturer of straw paper. Mosher Brothers, flouring mill.
Westover & Olendorf, sash, blinds and doors.
S. P. Canfield, clothes dryers and box blueing. Samuel Hannis, manufacturer of hop-presses.
Henry Brazee. wagon and carriage maker.
John Neer, wagon and carriage maker.
Decker & Co., manufacturers and refiners of cider.
D. G. Mann & Co., fruit evaporators.
James L. Munn, harness maker.
Charles B. Brown, harness maker, robes, whips, etc. William Hilsinger, horse-shoeing and general black- smithing.
John C. Biret, horse-shoeing and blacksmithing.
James II. Leggett, horse-shoeing and blacksmithing. Wm. Ockempaugh, horse-shoeing and blacksmithing. J. Skidmore, cooper.
R. G. Waldorf, cooper.
Alex. Rury, boot and shoe maker.
Rockefellow & Richtmyer, dealers in eggs and hides. Matthew O'Rorke, bread and cake baker.
Menzo Waldorf, barber.
Isaac Mann, surveyor.
E. L. Snyder, lawyer, surveyor, and insurance agent. I'. Wheaton Sheldon, fire insurance agent.
Westover House, (a fine three-story brick building,) L. & L. D. Mattice, proprietors.
Empire House, (billiard-room and restaurant attached,) Alvin Wharton, proprietor.
Cottage Hotel, Peter Snyder, proprietor.
Burneson's House, James N. Burneson, proprietor ; livery in connection ; is proprictor of stagc-route running between here and Jefferson, Schoharie county, N. Y., and also carries the United States inail to same place. Railroad House, II. J. Heiseradt, proprietor. Warnerville.
David H. Zeh, groceries. Gerves F. Peck, tanner.
John Frederick, woodenware manufacturer, miller, etc. (Steam power.) David Snyder, flouring mill. David S. Mann, dealer in stoves, West Richmondville.
David F. Richtmyer, wagon maker. Baldwin, groceries.
Robinson, horse-shoeing, etc.
Charles Isham, saw-mill.
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Weston
Engy ; y H.R Hall & Swas, New York
TOWN OF RICHMONDTIL.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH.
TOS JOHN WESTOVER
Hon John Westove jonah Wistover, was born 1. the .. .. cmont, hire county, M sac : Sthe Toby, 1797. In the year Perdeved to wohne County - h. 1 and I ated where the village of Ricl il now sends,
when the grounds and suen - is ure covered : the forest. This of the County eing new and the setl ent . ry sparse, it wont be supposed that 's towers school was of an inferior grade, and the chances for a with to obtain an e .tion extremely dis- uraging, Yet regardless of adverse circun- ces and privileges, many of the best nen of r country have loomed up om such positions, Trough their indomita) le wi.l and en rgy, and c me what they were and are.
1 subject of this ketch is . example of a Viande mar. By studious efforts, he was Molto enter the school-room at the age of Mmen as teacher, and followed the avocation 1 t of the time to the year r$24, when, with ager saving , I purchased a part of the Come upon which he mil jesides, of Governor Vwles. The Govervi oned a lamy tract of ind lying here, thixo rax mal col in 925 appointed je tove & lt in the sale and rertin of !! an". held nearly forty years _ 04
Governor and his - winnertien with b - Ma: Mr. Westover
Er t passei_Trola carsi tle Te.
Hemi --
ter sufivar ar, er stage coach fuey
'The Gown commissione co: the militia services. under the old pour promoted to Clown of her 113tr Regiment.
He was derted by i people of the old town of Class'el, in 1024, istice peace, and stad e position il the ts of Rich m-idville, for the hoz pod of thirty eight years. He sure 'dinha tr. election, his brother, Jonah Westover, Jr, who held - ofice twenty-out jeans, making fly- nin pan the fire was h. 1 = the fami! ", a
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