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 64
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The widow of John J. Borst is still living at the advanced age of eighty-three, with all the vivacity of many at fifty. Mrs. Borst was a daughter of the late Jeremiah Brown, who was one of Captain Brown's children that fled with the school-master. Thus we find running through her veins, the true blood of Revolutionary pa- triotism, such as has caused volumes of brilliant pages to be written and to be admired through all coming time.
Yost or Christian was too young during the war to take a part. He was the grandfather of Josiah Borst, the present resident of the village.
Peter Schaeffer had but one child who, we before stated, married Christian Schaeffer of Schoharie.
John Schaeffer reared a large family of boys, and one daughter, she being Eva, the wife of Jeremiah Brown, and mother of the present Mrs. John J. Borst. John or Hans Schaeffer took out a license in 1804 as an innkeeper, which busi- ness he followed to his death, in conjunction with the farm. He was followed by his son Peter, who was long known as Colonel Peter, being honored with a commission in the State militia, under the old military law.
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HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY.
The oldest son, Henry, was located upon the farm now owned by John Wieting and built a small grist-mill upon the south side of the knoll east of the house. It was called the "Corn cracker " and many of the old citizens of the town well remember visiting the same. The second son, David, settled upon the farm, and built the large yellow house that was re- cently torn down, so long owned and occupied by William Walker.
Mr. Walker's firm opposition to bonding the town to aid in the construction of the Sus- quehanna railroad can but be fresh in the minds of the people of the town. He fought the project long and bravely but the bonds were given and caused as he predicted "trouble and anxiety." Mr. Walker removed from Grov- enor's Corners to this farm.
Lambert Shafer, another son settled upon the farm now owned by the Van Dresser Brothers. Here he kept an inn which was for many years a rendezvous for the neighboring farmers to in- dulge in horse racing. The race course was from the house, west to the turn of the road and upon it many of the wheat fed horses displayed their speed regardless of the day of the week or state of the weather. The present residence is the one then used and in which were witnessed many sports peculiar, we may say, only to those days. Here one Michael Haenig formerly a Hessian soldier and taken prisoner at Saratoga being rather full of " flip" and troublesome "nog" hurrahed for King George, upon some occasion, when a lusty yeoman caught him up and threw him in the fire-place swearing he should be burnt up. Peter, father of Milton Borst, being present, caught the poor fellow and dragged him out, but not soon enough to save him a severe scorching.
The farm was purchased by Abram and Will- iam Shutts two brothers who occupied it for many years and sold to John Van Dresser and is now successfully managed by his sons Jacob and Henry under the title of Van Dresser Brothers, Mr. Van Dresser having died in 1880.
Richtmyer Family .- Joining the Van Dres- ser farm is found one of Schoharie's oldest fam- ilies and in whose veins, ran staunch, patriotic
blood. Conradt and William Richtmyer set- tled here in 1791-the latter upon the south, and the former upon the north side of the woods. The two brothers first located upon the west side of Karker mountain opposite of Joseph and Solomon D. Karker's-as black- smiths soon after the Revolution, but not being successful they changed to this neighborhood where each grew old and died full of honor as exemplary citizens, conscientious christians and successful farmers. They were sons of Chris John Richtmyer, of Middleburgh, who was a spy through the war and comrade of the famous Tim Murphy.
Joining the Richtmyer's upon the south, where Bradley Wetsel now resides, Abram Bouck settled at the close of the Revolution. He was taken prisoner in the fall of 1781 but escaped and to the day of his death was venom- ous towards Indians and Tories. He carried one gun through the war and gave it at last to George Becker, of Carlisle, who christened the relic " Old Abr'm Bouck."
Mr. Bouck was a son of John Bouck who settled where Martinus Swart now resides. The old gentleman was succeeded on the place by another son Peter, who kept an inn in the com- mencement of the century. Peter married Maria Hynds who was taken by Adam Crysler and a squad of seven Indians in Dorlach upon the 4th of July, 1780, as will be seen by consult- ing " Seward."
Abram Bouck lived to a good old age and by frugality and industry accumulated a fine property.
Captain Christian Browm died soon after the war closed. His children were Jeremiah, William, Christian, John Jost, Eva, (Mrs. David Barner) and Christina (Mrs. David Becker, of Fox's creek). They too have passed away as long years have intervened since they fled with their mother through the forest to escape the vengeance of an unprincipled foe.
Henry Shafer settled upon the farm now oc- cupied by his grandson, George Shafer, some time before the Revolution, but not as early as the other Shafer families, and was the youngest brother of John Shafer. He became a prom-
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TOWN OF COBLESKILL.
inent man in the County, being appointed As- sistant Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, in 1796, and represented the district in the Assen)- bly in 1806, 1807 and 1808, besides being Su- pervisor of the town twelve terms, viz :- 1802, 1803, 1804, 1805, 1806, 1807, 1808, 1809, 1810, 1811, and in 1814, 1820, 1830, 1831. He was also Justice of the Peace for many years, all of which official duties he performed creditably to himself as a self-made inan under adverse circum- stances, and acceptably to his constituents. As we have before mentioned, the German Dutch invariably had in each of their settlements, one to whom they would look up as the business man. He was to take their cares of business upon himself, and whatever he considered best to be done, was done, and Shafer, possessing in a degree, the characteristics required-honesty and ability, was the chosen leader. There were many living within the town during his day, superior in ability, but they were of different blood, and had not the confidence of the Ger- man element. The Judge was followed in the people's confidence, by General Thomas Law- yer, and it is doubtful if the town will ever claim two men again, that were more highly esteemed by the people of the County, than the Judge and General Lawyer.
Mr. Shafer had two sons and two daughters, George, Peter, Mrs. Samuel Ward, and Mrs. John Brown. He died on the 15th of April, 1839, at tlie ripe old age of eighty-two years.
Many of the grandchildren are residents of the town, and highly respected citizens, prom- inent among whom are William and George Shafer and William Brown.
Mrs. Shafer was a daughter of George War- ner, Sr., and performed many hazardous acts during the struggle. Previous to the erection of Fort DeBoise, she collected such eatables and other comforts as the citizens of Cobleskill could donate for the garrison at Schoharie, and car- ried them on horse-back alone, without guide or guard.
While on the way at a certain time, with a plentiful supply, she came across a squad of In- dians, who were roasting a pig near the present residence of Mathew Bice.
Assuming friendship and courage, she drew her horse up to the party, and asked one of
them to cut a whip, as her horse was lazy. He complied with her order, and she passed on her "way rejoicing." Three different times she ran from the Fort to extinguish the flames the In- dian torch had lighted against the side of her log home. (Mrs. David Shank.)
BERNER SETTLEMENT.
In the orchard near Dr. Werner's residence stand two tomb-stones that mark the graves of Joseph Berner and his wife, the first settlers of the place. Mr. Berner was born in 1755 and set- tled upon the farm now owned and occupied by Peter Myers, and was soon followed by his brother George. A permanent settlement was not made until the close of the Revolution, as frequent invasions of the enemy made it hazard- ous, being quite a distance from others. Mrs. Berner was a daughter of Jacob Borst, and sister of Joseph and Lieutenant Jacob. Berner built a grist-mill about the year 1789, where Dr. Werner's barn now stands, and a few years after removed it to the site of the old paper-mill. His son, David I., became the possessor and built a larger mill where the present Quacken- boss mill now stands, which was burned. In the year 1810 Joseph Berner placed the first burr stone in his inill that was used upon the Cobleskill, it being removed from Alexander Boyd's mill in Middleburgh, to give room for a larger one, which the increasing grain crop of that section demanded. The early built mills were very small, containing but one run of stone, that being either a common sand-stone or a "Sopus," scarcely over two feet in diameter. Fall and spring freshets made it necessary to rebuild several times within a few years, but not being particular about the architectural beauty of the structures, the losses were not considered heavy. Mr. Berner was fortunate in escaping from the Indians in the winter of 1782, as re- lated by author Simms and verified by Jeremiah Berner, the only son of the old patriot at pres- ent living, he having arrived at the age of eighty, in full possession of his mental, as well as physi- cal faculties.
"On the 11th of December, 1782, Nicholas Warner and Joseph Berner went from the Scho- harie fort to the Warner farm to obtain a sleigh.
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HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY.
When Warner and Berner were fastening one sled to the other, one of the horses broke loose and ran into the woods, and while they were recovering the animal the enemy arrived. Catch- ing the horse they fastened the team to the sled and in driving past the house they discovered the Indians, three of whom attempted to take them. Two of the Indians fired upon them, the third reserving his fire.
" The horses ran partly over a log and the hindermost sleigh, not running true, struck a sappling and drew the box off and Warner un- der it. Berner, having the reins, was drawn over the box and remained upon the sleigh bot- tom. The Indian that reserved his fire ad- vanced with steady aim upon Warner, who seeing it was useless to undertake to regain the sleigh, he told Berner to secure his own flight and leave him to his fate. Berner drove to Schoharie, while Nicholas and his father were driven in captivity."
Dr. Philip Werner, to whom belonged the old mill site, for many years the only physician of the place, is of the same family that reside at Warnerville, in fact of the whole County, as they are descendants of four brothers that came from Germany, at different times, the last about the year 1760. The great-grandfather of the Doctor was Christopher, a brother of George, to whom we just referred as being taken prisoner. This branch of the family retain the original name Werner, while others give to "e" the German sound of the English "a," and wrote it so. The Doctor's family settled at Beaver Dam, in Albany county, where a large settlement of Germans was made at an early day. He came to this place in 1846, and retained a practice to the year 1881, when he removed to Washington, D. C. His son, Edgar S., is editor and proprietor of the Monthly Voice, a periodical printed in Albany, devoted to the cultivation of the human voice, and which meets with a success beyond the expectation of its energetic editor.
BERNERVILLE.
This little hamlet has been for many years quite an important one to the surrounding country, owing to the different mills that have
been constructed from time to time. The Quackenbush grist-mill has been a substantial enterprise for a great many years, from the fact that its water privilege is one of the best found in the country, enabling the mill to run in dry seasons long after many others have been obliged to cease. The machinery is of the best and produces the choicest brands of flour, which reputation it has always enjoyed.
Farther down, upon the Cobleskill, Isaac Riley built a fulling mill, about the year 1814, and superintended the same until his death, which occurred in 1823, when he was succeeded by his brother-in-law, Milo Bradley.
Mr. Bradley removed to Richmondville, and was followed here by Azariah Riley, who suc- cessfully carried on the business until his death, which occurred in 1880. Mr. Riley was a thorough business man, and after several years' . connection with the mill accumulated a fine property. In his death, the town lost one of its best men, and the neighborhood a substantial member.
Beside the two mills alluded to, a paper-mill was in operation for a number of years, but it was burned, and no efforts have been made to rebuild.
James Gale & Sons, have for several years manufactured revolving horse-rakes, chairs, wagon felloes, and other wooden merchandise, besides running a clover ınill.
Being a business center for the farmers of the vicinity, a store was opened by John Berner, about the year 1825, and was followed by Law- rence Becker, in 1830, Jacob Russell and Jehiel Larkin, in 1835, and Clark B. Griggs after.
It was subsequently managed from 1847 to 1851, as a "Company store," the "company " being farmers and mechanics living near. The idea was to lessen the cost of goods to the stock- holders, they having the privilege of obtaining such articles as they wished to purchase, at cost price.
An agent or manager was chosen by the Com- pany at a salary, and for all goods bought by those who were not stockholders, a profit was realized, which it was thought would pay the running expenses of the concern. There were several like institutions throughout the country,
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TOWN OF COBLESKILL.
but all of them proved failures, and causes of litigation. The one at this place went down after the experience of four short years, and the building remained idle for a long time. John J. Berner built a distillery upon Peter Myer's present place in 1830. The bridge was built in 1832.
Union Church .- The church at this place was built by different denominations, in 1845 and 1846. The pulpit is regularly supplied by the Methodist Episcopal and Free Methodist.
The pastorate in past years has been in con- nection with other churches, particularly Cobles- kill and Mineral Springs, but what years with each, we are unable to learn. We stated it was built as a Union Church, but find the deed of the lot says it is to be privileged first to the Methodist Episcopal society, and when the pul- pit is not supplied by a minister of that society in good standing, it was to be privileged to other denominations.
Passing down the stream, we come to Cary's Mill which was built in 1816 by Nelson Eckerson, and at present is owned by John Cary. The Eck- erson family early settled near and have been from the first settlement of the Schoharie valley, especially during the Revolution, one of the head families of the County. The early fathers were intimately connected with the Reformed churches of Schoharie and Middleburgh, and were the substantial supporters of those organizations. Thomas Eckerson a nephew of Major Thomas Eckerson, of Middleburgh, settled after the Revo- lution, upon the farm now occupied by Alex- ander Hays. He held a commission as Major after that war, and was a very sagacious and energetic man. He early enrolled himself in the Colonial cause and was the miller of the present Stevens mill, near the lower fort, during the Revolution. He was a son of John Ecker- son, and nephew of Thomas, Jr., the major under Colonel Peter Vroman, of the 18th regi- ment.
This Thomas, had seven children who were as follows :--
Jolın, Nicholas, William, Cornelius,
Agline, (Mrs. Nicholas Snyder,) Maria, (Mrs. John Dykman,) Catherine, (Mrs. Henry H. Aker.)
The names Ecker, Eckerson and Aker are often confounded as one, but it is a mistake ; while the first two are one, the latter is an entirely different family. The changes through which the former name has passed, with a general history of the family may be seen by consulting the chapter upon Middleburgh.
Kilmer Settlement .-- In the year 1799, John Kilmer and his two sons, George and John, came from Clermont, Columbia county, and settled where John Kilmer, Jr., now resides. The whole territory throughout this neighbor- hood was a dense wilderness, with the exception of small flats cleared by Joseph Berner, Major Eckerson, and James Vielie (now George Young.)
The original family name was Kilmore, but since the family immigrated from the Old Coun- try it has been known as Kilmer.
The father died and left his two sons in his stead, whose children too, have nearly passed away, leaving honorable records as energetic and useful citizens. Those of George, were John, Jeremiah, Joshua, David, Mrs. Jesse Pat- rick, Christina and Nancy, wives of David I. Berner.
Those of John were Peter, Jonas, John, Jr., David, Thomas, Mrs. T. J. Myres, Mrs. Jacob Zimmer and Mrs. John Werth.
John Kilmore is still living upon the old homestead, at the age of eighty-tliree, in full possession of his faculties, and we are indebted to his retentive memory for many facts that would have been lost and which are of interest.
About the year 1811, there came to this neigh- borhood, John Jost Werth, from Schoharie, who settled upon the farm now occupied by his son- in-law, Tobias Bouck.
Mr. Werth was the grandson of the first resi- dent practicing physician and surgeon in Scho- harie County, and son of Dr. Johannes Werth, who succeeded his father in the profession and practiced a short time before, and during the Revolution. A few of the old gentleman's in- struments are retained by the descendants, and in comparing them with those of the present
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HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY.
day, we can see but few things present a greater improvement than surgical instruments.
Mr. Bouck was appointed Under Sheriff by John S. Brown, in 1842. During his official term the famous Anti-Rent war occurred in the south part of the County. referred to in Chap- ter IV, of this work. Upon the expiration of Sheriff Brown's term of office, in 1845, Mr. Bouck was elected to the position which he filled creditably to himself and economically to the County. He represented the County in the Legislature in 1857, being elected from the town of Schoharie, where he made his home for many years.
The family now known , as Wetsel early settled in this section, and are a branch of the Wessels who came from Holland about the year 1655 or 1660. There were three brothers, and the descendants of one settled upon the Mohawk, one in Columbia county, and one in the Scho- harie valley, at a much later date. How or why the name was changed to Wetsel we are unable to say, unless it came through the old German pronunciation, as in many other cases. The change has been of such long standing, it is im- possible to convince many branches that a change was made, and even that the family were the true, or Holland Dutch.
John W. Brayman, of the Scotch Patent, established a fulling-mill about the year 1830, and carried on quite an extensive business for many years. He built the present building now occupied by George Casper as a cider-mill, and being the business man of the little hamlet, it received the name of Brayman's Mills, by which it is at present known.
But few fulling-mills are to be found in the County now, where thirty years ago there were many. We find Brayman's mill turned to other uses. Mr. Casper is extensively engaged in the manufacture of cider, making from fifteen hundred to two thousand barrels annually. When we consider the numberless smaller mills that surround it, each making a few hundred barrels yearly, we can have a faint idea at least, of the amount of cider manufactured in the County.
'The hamlet being closely connected with Howe's Cave, around which has sprung up quite a settlement, the citizens of the two places and
surrounding neighborhood, erected a fine Re- formed Church in the season of 1875. It was in fact a removal of the Reformed Church of Schoharie Mountain, or Punchkill. The society was formed in 1808, and the church supplied by the Schoharie Reformed Church up to the year 183-1, when James E. Quaw was called and preached that and the year following. He was succeeded as follows :-
Paul Weidman, 1836 to 1846.
J. M. Scribner, 1847 to 1848.
R. Wells, (in connection with Schoharie,) from 1848 to 1855.
E. Vedder, 1855 to and including 1863.
From the latter to 1872, no regular appoint- ments were made.
J. Markle, 1872 to 1875.
A. C. Millspaugh, 1876 to 1878.
W. D. Buckelew, 1879, and present.
This church was originally the "High and Low Dutch Reformed," and the first celebration of the Lord's Supper was in February, 1809. Elijah Dickinson was the first clerk, and held the office for a long term of years. The first records are not to be found, consequently the first officers cannot be given.
The present ones (1882) are :--
Elders :-
Tunis Swart, George Casper, Theodore Owen.
Deacons :-
Martin Collins, John King. Peter Rockefellow, Alexander Hayes.
Rev. Buckelew, within the past year, has been active in organizing a society at Central Bridge, and in building an edifice in which to worship, in connection with this church, and through his energy and earnestness in the cause, has been successful in the accomplishment of his aim.
Following the stream down one-half mile and looking upon the side of the rock-bound hill, amid the clicking of the workman's hammer strokes,-the rumbling of machinery reducing the rock to dust, and the puffing clattering
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steam-cars, is safely ensconced the entrance of the celebratd Howe's Cave.
HOWE'S CAVE.
This recess of darkness and wonders was dis- covered by Lester Howe, a farmer living near, in the year 1842. In regard to its discovery we will here copy an article that was published in the New York Tribune in August of that year by one of the first visitors that traversed its aisles, whose initials were F. G. S.
He says :-
"It may be well before going any farther, to give some account of the discovery of this cavern. Since the early settlement of this part of the country, it has been known to the inhab- itants of the vicinity, that there was a spot somewhere along the ledge of the rocks on the side of the mountain north of the stream, from which issued a strong current of cold air-so strong indeed that in summer it chilled the hunter as he passed near it. It was familiarly
THE CAVE HOUSE.
called the " blowing rock," and no person ever ventured to remove the underbrush and rubbish that obscured the entrance, lest probably some hobgoblin or wild beast should pounce upon him as legal prey. Mr. Howe, who has recently removed into the neighborhood, accidentally heard some intimation of its existence in May last, and with commendable curiosity immedi- ately determined to visit it, and set out alone without delay for that purpose. He found the fact as stated, and upon removing the under- brush he discovered a spring, some four feet square, from which proceeded a current of cold air, plainly to be felt at the distance of several rods. Satisfied that there was a cave of some
-
extent, he returned next day with a friend and entered it by the aid of lights to a great depth. He renewed his visits from time to time, pro- ceeding a little farther each time, until about the 15th ult., when, after penetrating to the distance of a mile, his passage was interrupted by a lake of water. Since then he has transported materials, built a boat, crossed the water, and explored the Cave to the extent of five miles by measurement, and the end is not yet. How much farther it extends is unknown."
Mr Howe's financial condition was such as to debar him from opening the discovery to the visiting world with that display of advertising etc., which is necessary to an immediate success
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HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY.
at the present time, and it was long weary years before its wonders were advertised and the cavern made easy of access by blasting and re- moving debris, that for ages had been crum- bling from the ceiling through the action of frost and water at and near the entrance. The proprietor built a hotel near and at a later date extended the same over the entrance which was burned the 19th of January 1872. The year following, the present gothic structure was erected and owing to the increase of patronage it became necessary to make large additions to it in the winter of 1880 and 1881. Great im- provements have been made without and with- in for the convenience, comfort and safety of visitors.
It is generally supposed that such caverns are caused by convulsive upheavals that occurred in the far back unhistoried centuries, making fisures in the rocks, through which streams of water pass and slowly wear them deeper and broader, by dissolving the carbonate of lime of which the rock is chiefly composed. In enter- ing we find no signs of upheaval in displace- ment of strata or dip of rock, but the most peaceful regularity. The side chambers issuing from the ceiling, the "rotunda," and various other sections of the cave, present evidences of the water's work, in their smooth rounded form as "pot holes," so often found in the rock bed of many rivers. As like scenes in nature pro- duce unlike thoughts and feelings to different beholders, so also this dark aisle may exert differ- ent impressions upon different minds. The mighty Niagara awakens in some an indescribable awe, while to others it is but a water-fall, pos- sessing a certain beauty, but without grandeur or greatness. A visit to this cavern may give to such the same impression. As we stand within these massive walls. deep down in Nature's vaults, in impenetrable gloom, we cannot but feel the silent majesty of the works of God! When we trace the lines of far-back centuries, written so plainly upon each atom, and vainly attempt to count the ages that have preceded ages, and rolled their events within this lower world, as memoirs of their creation, we exclaim, " Thou ART Infinite !" Here are above, below and all around, the evidences of such power. Our mind is lost in wonder, and the soul cries
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