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 67
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The house so long occupied by General Law- yer, was built in 1810, by Seth B. Wakeman, the father of the present owner and occupant.
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TOWN OF COBLESKILL.
Mr. Wakeman came from Connecticut about the year 1796, as a carpenter and joiner. His first work within the County, was in the build- ing of Judge Beekman's palatial residence. In 1802, while at work upon that building, Lam- bert Lawyer was burned out, and called upon Mr. Wakeman to build the present Courter mansion.
In 1808 he built that of Lawrence Lawyer, and in 1810 and 1811, the General Lawyer and John Redington houses. He was one of the most methodical men found in the country, and none was respected more. He kept a diary from his boyhood, and to it we have been indebted for many dates and transactions, that could not have been obtained with accuracy without it. His children, Horace, Alonzo and Horatio, were tutored in conformity with his ideas of duty and order, and are the brightest examples of manly integrity and systematic business men.
A public library was sustained at this little hamlet at a very early day, and we believe it was the only one in the County. The school found here was in a prosperous condition, with a well educated teacher as early as 1800 ; and in look- ing over the sketches of the lives of the settlers, which we have not intended to overdraw, we can imagine Lawyersville to have been a “ green spot," in a new country. To say that the set- tlers were free from taint-that their characters as Moralists and Pietists, were without blemish, would be exaggeration. But in knowing “to err is human," and that they were men of action -brain action-and were useful in propagating sound, intellectual, political and social princi- ples, we can well afford to draw the folds of the curtain of Charity over their faults, and look with respect and pride upon the bright pages their lives have written.
The Reformed Church standing here, was founded in New Rhinebeck, in 1788. Upon the records we find in German :---
" In the year of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, 1788, was by the Grace of God here at Durlach and Rhinebeck, founded a High Ger- man Reformed Church by the Reverend F. C. L. Droffel (Broeffle), of Schoharie. The fol- lowing officers were ordained :---
Peter Young, Philip Karker, Abram Mereness, Martinus Vrooman, Conrad Eker, William Heintz, (Hynds,) Johannes Engle, Hendrick Adams."
The settlers of Rhinebeck, belonging to this society, worshipped in the present Rhinebeck church, with the Lutherans, until an edifice was built at this place in 1800, which stood a few yards to the south. The Society intended to build upon the present Winne farm, which was given by Johannes Lawyer for that purpose, but as the citizens of Dorlach built the present Re- fornied church in 1795, and quite a settlement was anticipated here, the Rhinebeck branch de- cided to build as they did, and formed a legal organization in 1797, as required by law.
The sacrament of the Lord's Supper was first administered to this branch on the 21st of August, 1796. The first settled minister of the united congregation of Dorlach and Rhine- beck was Rev. Christian Bork, of the city of Berlin, and was ordained in Albany on the 2d of March, 1796. Those that have followed are as follows :-
M. Gasple, Isaac Labagh, (1805,) Nicholas Jones, Isaac Labagh, (recalled in 1821,) B. Bassler, William Lockhead,
Cyriel Spaulding,
E. S. Hammond,
D. B. Hall,
H. A. Raymond,
J. H. Van Wort,
J. Markle,
G. A. Reis,
William P. Davis, present pastor.
Upon the record in the clerk's office, at Scho- harie, we found the following :-
" Whereas by virtue of an act entitled ‘An Act making such alterations in the Act for In- corporating Religious Societies' as to render the same more Convenient to the Reformed
·
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HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY.
Protestant Dutch Congregation passed 7th March, 1788.
"We, the subscribers, Christian Bork, Minister, Johannes Young, Joshua Cook, Salah Jackson, John M. Brown, Elders, and William Brown, Jo- hannes Kerger, Sylvanus Parkinson, Deacons, of the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church or Con- gregation, formed and established at Rhinebeck, in the county of Schoharie, having assembled together at Rhinebeck in the county aforesaid on this 20th day of April, in the year of our Lord One Thousand Seven hundred and nine- ty-Seven, by virtue of said act, do by these pres- ence Certify that the trustees of the said church or Congregation, and their Successors in office, forever as a body corporate, shall be called, dis- tinguished, and known by the Name, Style and Title of the Minister, Elders and Deacons of the Dutch Reformed Church of Rhinebeck, in the county of Schoharie. IN WITNESS where- of we the said Minister, Elders and Deacons have hereunto set our hands and seals this day and year last above written.
Signed Sealed and Deliv- ered in the presence of NICHOLAS KERGER,
PETER BORK,
CHRISTIAN BORK, Minister.
JOHANNES YOUNG, JOSHUA COOK, SALAH JACKSON, J. M. BROWN,
Elders. WILLIAM BROWN, JOHANNES KERGER, SYLVANUS PARKINSON, Deacons.
Lutheran Church .- The Lutheran church at this place, as well as the one at Gardnersville, is a monument of the labors of Rev. Philip Wieting. During his pastorate of many long years in the old Rhinebeck church, many of his flock lived in this neighborhood, and upon abandoning the old church and building the one at Gardnersville, the distance compelled the charge to divide, and erect a house of worship here in 1849. Both churches were supplied by
the same pastor during the life of Mr. Wieting, but for the last eleven years the Rev. Marcus Kling has officiated in connection with Little York.
Mr. Kling is at present the veteran Lutheran minister of this section, having preached for the term of thirty-three years. He was born in the town of Sharon, on the 6th day of January, 1820. He entered the Hartwick Seminary in 1842 and received his license to preach the Gospel in July, 1848. His first charge was Argusville, Little York and Centre Valley, and he held the same without interruption for eighteen years and nine months. These churches, upon the commence- ment of Mr. Kling's pastoral duties, were strug- gling weakly, but through his earnest labors they became strong and active, and are firm monuments of his work under the help of Prov- idence. The Lutheran church of Johnstown, Fulton county, gave him a call to which he re- sponded in July, 1867, and remained two years and eight months, when, there being a vacancy at Lawyersville and Little York, he returned to a portion of his early field of labor. Eleven years he has successfully officiated in the latter two churches, making as before mentioned thir- ty-three years of ministry. But few pastors draw around them more confiding flocks than Mr. Kling. His earnest sermons, persevering labor, and watchful care over the spiritual inter- ests of his charge, awakened a confidence that but few are fortunate to gain.
During the interval from Rev. Wieting's res- ignation, (1868) to the commencement of Mr. Kling's pastorate, this pulpit was supplied by Rev. P. H. Turner, in 1869, Chauncey Diefen- dorf and N. Daniels.
Early Merchants .- The first general store of merchandise at Lawyersville was kept by George W. Porter, a native of Vermont, and soon after Sprague & Dana, of Esperance, followed. Peter Osterhout, of Schoharie, Goodyear & Frisbee, Courter & Shutts, Herrick & Redington, George Goodyear, Abram Osterhout, Gilbert Kneiskern, and J. Van Wagenen, successively followed. At times there were two and three stores, each doing a lively business, while the present Cobles- kill village was dormant, or inactive.
Undoubtedly the first practical physician in
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TOWN OF COBLESKILL.
the town of Cobleskill was Jabez Kromer, of Pennsylvania, who came in 1793, and estab- lished a practice but did not obtain a license for several years after. Others of a school of quacks, from time to time had stopped for a while to attend to the ills of the settlers, by "talking" the disease away, the patient swallowing charmed minerals or drinking gallons of syrups made from the medicinal roots and herbs with which the forests abounded-the latter being the only practical method and undoubtedly one · they as little understood.
Dr. Shepherd, as we have already noticed followed Dr. Kromer about the year 1798 or 1799.
Dr. Patrick Gannon removed from Columbia county in 1815, in company with his father-in- law William Huddleston who was assassinated in 1818, while performing his official duties and whose remains lie in the cemetery at Law- yersville. Dr. Gannon settled upon the farm now owned and occupied by ex-Judge William C. Lamont and practiced until the year 1830, when he removed to Albany City where he died in February, 1851, at the age of seventy-five.
Contemporary with Dr. Gannon's first years of practice was Dr. Cornell who practiced till the year 1830 when he settled in the Western States. Dr. Cornell occupied a small yellow house, still standing nearly opposite of Harder's machine shops and commanded an extensive practice.
Dr. Daniel H. Kibbe immediately after fin- ishing his studies with Dr. Greene of Esper- ance, settled at Lawyersville and enjoyed the confidence of a large section of the country, but his health became too much impaired by falling from a horse, to allow him to endure the expos- ures his profession required him to meet. The Doctor married a daughter of General Thomas Lawyer. He died after a lingering illness on the 8th of January, 1850.
Dr. Rowley, of Warnerville, (at the same time Kibbe practiced) also claimed a lucrative patronage, as did Dr. Lorin Thompson who was a resident of the village. Mr. Thompson was a student of Dr. Delos White, of Cherry Valley and removed from Carlisle in 1835, and remained here until his death which occurred
in 1846. Dr. John H. Benham was a co-part- ner with Dr. Thompson a short time. He re- moved to the city of Hudson in 1847, where he still resides. The vacancy made by the death of Dr. Thompson was immediately filled by Dr. John J. Flint, a student of White and grad- uate of the Albany Medical College. After a practice of six years Dr. Flint removed to Fort Edward leaving his fellow student at college, David Frasier, alone in the field. Dr. Frasier, at present practicing physician of the Allopathic school, was born in the town of Richmondville (then Cobleskill) November 23, 1819. He en- tered the office of Dr. C. VanDyck in 1844, and that of Swart & Crounse in 1845.
He graduated at Albany in 1847, and settled at this place, where he still holds a lucrative practice. Beside his professional duties he has been called upon at various times to perform official duties, to which his constituents have given him encomiums of credit, such as only careful and earnest offices receive. He repre- sented the town in the Board of Supervisors in the years 1867, 1868 and 1869.
Michael G. Delany, a nephew and student of Dr. Gannon, settled at Lawyersville, but did not practice medicine. He entered the United States Navy in 1830, and remained in service for many years. He removed to and died in Geneva.
Augustus Lawyer, son of General Thomas Lawyer, studied in the office of Dr. Henry Greene, of Esperance, and entered the United States Navy in 1838. He circumnavigated the globe in the " Brandywine," under Commodore Parker. During the Mexican war, under Com- modores Conner and Perry, he acted as sur- geon, and was in several engagements, and received creditable commendations for his skill in surgery.
Lemuel Cross, contemporary with Dr. David Frasier, from 1861, was born in the town of Sharon, and for several years was a successful school teacher. He entered the office of Dr. Leonard Hawkins, of Newport, and after that, of Dr. Amenzo White, of Cherry Valley, for the study of medicine, and graduated in 1856 from the Albany Medical College. He practiced a portion of the year following at Canajoharie,
-
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HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY.
and then became connected with Dr. Gleason as an assistant in surgery, with whom he trav- eled two years. In 1861, he located at Cobles- kill village. In the beginning of the war he was appointed by Governor Morgan examining surgeon for the draft, and in 1879 to the same position by the United States Commissioner of Pensions, for the counties of Schoharie, Otsego and Delaware.
Dr. Valentine Cornell removed from Rich- mondville in 1874, and settled here as an Allo- pathist, but being a victim to consumption, he died in March, 1877.
Dr. Ezra Lawyer was born in Carlisle, in August, 1826, and studied in the office of Dr. Isaac Mayham, of that town. He graduated in November, 1854, at the Castleton Medical College, and settled in Broome county, N. Y., and removed to Cobleskill in 1874. In con- nection with his practice, he engaged in drugs and medicines in 1876, and discontinued the same in 1880, to give more attention to practice, in which he is successful.
Dr. Charles K. - Frasier, son of Dr. David Frasier, studied in the office of the late Dr. J. H. Armsley, of Albany, and graduated at the Albany Medical College in 1874. He immedi- ately settled here, and is flattered by a lucrative practice.
Dr. C. Durant Welsh, of the Homeopathic school, settled in the village in 1880, and Dr. Allen, of the Eclectic school, at Lawyersville, and was followed by Dr. W. Tyler Miller, an Allopathist, the same year.
As has already been stated, Isaac Hall Tiffany was the first professional lawyer in the town, and was followed by General Thomas Lawyer, Jede- diah Miller, Thomas Smith, Demosthenes Lawyer, Joshua M. Donaldson, Henry Smith, Joseph H. Ramsey, Josiah L. Hawes, Jeremiah Fox, and William H. Young, as principals, and those that now reside here, a sketch of whom may be found in Chapter VI. Of those we have here particularly mentioned, all, with the exception of Smith, Ramsey and Hawes, have passed to the Bar of the Eternal court. While the three stand as links to bind the past with the present, and the old school with the new, they well represent the qualities that their tutors
possessed, such as energy, studious application to professional duties, and professional integrity. The legal critic would be at a loss to find bet- ter talent, in a country town, than those men possessed that have passed away. They were a host within themselves, upon whom the Bar of to-day can look back and find worthy examples to follow in the practice of their duties as ad- vocates of honor and justice. Their struggles under adverse circumstances in preparing them- selves for the important duties they so success- fully performed, are also worthy examples for the youth of our country similarly situated, to follow, in the intricate and discouraging labors against poverty's pressing burdens.
The first regular manufactory of the town, outside of flour and lumber by . the numerous small mills that were early built, of which we have any knowledge, was a hattery by one Miller, established about the year 1810.
Joseph Betts was a journeyman in the factory, and upon his settling above Lawyersville, and launching out in a business ınanner, Miller's works at this place were abandoned. S. Tap- ping revived the works a few years after, but did not continue them long. Benjamin Barton set- tled upon the farm now occupied by Martin and Chester Berner, sometime previous to 1820, and manufactured the well-known "Barton Grain Cradle," an implement of his own invention, and said to surpass all others. He manufac- tured it up to the year 1825, when he removed.
The cradle is made at the present time, only by Christian Bouck, of Mineral Springs, and is still known as the " Barton."
Besides the grist-mills already mentioned, one was built immediately after the Revolution, by David Bouck, a short distance to the east of South Grand street bridge, and was succeeded in 1830, by the present mill owned by Milton Borst. Alexander Boyd, of Middleburgh, built the structure, and brought the present " flour run" from his mill at that place. The property was owned at one time by George Goodyear, and was for a long time called the "Goodyear mill." Mr. Borst, the present proprietor, was for many years the owner of the "Scribner mill," of Mid- dleburgh, previous to his removal here.
The first agricultural manufactory in the town
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TOWN OF COBLESKILL.
of which any knowledge can be gleaned, was carried on by Jacob Shafer upon the farm now occupied by " Boss" Hilts. He manufac- tured a two-handled plow, which was considered by most people a humbug. They have been des- cribed to us as long, awkward implements, yet they did good service for those who could be in- duced to use them. Shafer spent quite a prop- erty in the project, and persisting in the busi- ness he was called " crazy Jake," by which name he was known to the day of his death. Soon after, a firm bearing the name of "Bouck & Butler" made a specialty of straw cutters, worked by a lever. An occasional one may be found in the County at the present time after a usage of over forty years.
Empire Agricultural Works .- The next estab- lishment of any note was the " Empire Agri- cultural Works." Reuben and Minard Harder purchased the foundry and small agricultural works of David Anthony, erected by the latter gentleman about the year 1850. Before we go farther we cannot in justice to genius, pass by Mr. Anthony, without giving notice of his supe- rior qualities as a mechanic. He was a native of Sharon, and before locating at this village was engaged in a foundry at Moak's Hollow [1847] where he struggled with his genius in a small way and laid plans for an extensive business at this place. At Cobleskill he manufactured, in connection with the foundry, horse-powers and other implements of his own invention, but was in such circumstances as not to engage largely therein. He was looked upon by prominent mechanics throughout the country as a superior. Messrs. Harder purchased Mr. Anthony's inter- est in May, 1859, and at once enlarged the buildings and increased the facilities to manu- facture agricultural implements, making horse- powers and threshers a specialty. In April, 1870, Reuben's interest was purchased by Mi- nard, under whose management the establish- ment has been and is still conducted. While other firms in like business have and are manu- facturing a greater variety of machines, this firm have confined themselves largely to railway" horse-powers and threshers of their own, and Mr. Anthony's inventions and patents, and none other, claiming superiority over others in the
saving of power, ease of draught, durability and saving of grain.
At the time these machines were first manu- factured they were almost entirely unknown outside of the County, cut now they are in use throughout the United States and portions of Europe. The " Fearless" as these machines are called were awarded a medal and diploma of merit at the " World's Fair" in 1876, as by re- port, which says "For special features in the tread-power, to secure light running and mini- mum friction. Also for the ingenious form of straw shakers, which ensure the proper agitation to separate the grain from the straw." Two gold medals were also awarded to the Harder's by the New York State Agricultural Society, and like emblems of merit received from other sources too numerous to mention.
The establishment is an honor to the County and we feel justly proud of the genius that in- vented these machines, together with those that have worked them up to world renown, in a sys- tematic and energetic business way. They are neither of foreign birth but germs that sprang from the farm and the rude district schools of our own County.
In 1872, John H. Overpaugh and Charles Courter purchased the sash and blind factory of Alexander and William H. McHensh & Co., who had been engaged in the business a few years, being the first firm making a specialty of those articles in the town. Improved machinery was procured to facilitate manufacture, and heavy purchases of lumber for building purposes niade, to which has been added from year to year, as increased demand has required, all the necessary machinery and stock for a first-class factory and lumber yard. The firm received a check in business affairs through a conflagra- tion in 1877, that burnt the building and de- stroyed the machinery, entailing a loss of sev- eral thousand dollars. The buildings are com- modious and the machinery first-class, consisting of various saws, powerful planers and jointers driven by a forty-horse power engine.
A co-partnership was formed between John Van Voris and H. Harder, of Eminence, in No- vember, 1880, for the production of flagging, curb and mantle stones, from the quarries of
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HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY.
Fulton, which bids fair to become an extensive business.
Peter Feek, son of John Feek, of Gallupville, commenced the manufacture of carriages exten- sively in 1870, and was succeeded by James Kennedy the year following. In 1872 John Feek took possession of the buildings near the fair-grounds and manufactured alone until 1873, when Thompson Perrine became connected, who is now the sole proprietor. These firms have made a specialty of light buggies, carriages and cutters, and during their existence have made them by the hundred. Beside supplying the increasing home demand, large shipments have been made yearly to distant parts, and their superior workmanship and style of finish make an increased demand, that can but require an extension of facilities.
William H. and N. B. Davis, of Quaker Street, N. Y., came to the village in April, 1880, and engaged in the manufacture of boots and shoes. They employ from ten to fifteen workmen, and make a specialty of kid and calf goods, that find a ready market.
Cobleskill Lodge, No. 394, A. F. and A. M., was organized at Summit and removed to Rich- mondville, and soon after it was wafted to Cobleskill. It was chartered on the 24th of June, 1856, and the name changed, as at present, in June, 1862.
The first officers of the organization were :- Isaac Mann, W. M. Seymour Boughton, Sr., S. W. Edward Kinnicutt, J. W.
It numbers at the present time about one hundred and seventy-five members and is in a flourishing condition.
The present officers are :- S. J. Thatcher, W. M. John M. Dean, S. W. William Farqher, J. W. Jeremiah Borst, Treas. Clarence Fox, Sec. Henry Bellenger, S. D. Irving E. Ottman, J. D.
Rescue Lodge, No. 209, I. O. G. T. of Cobles- kill was organized on the 23d of March, 1880.
The charter officers of the society were :-
R. T. Lafevre, W. C. T. Ida Fuller, W. V. T. Reuben Harder, W. C.
L. L. Griggs, W. S. Mrs. Wm. H. Weeks, W. A. S. Elmer France, W. F. S. Elnora J. Beare, W. T. John Mack, Jr., W. M. Mrs. W. C. Shafer, W. D. M.
Anna Hyser, W. E. G. Charles France, W. O. G.
Maggie E. Kling, W. R. H. S.
Libbie Overpaugh, W. L. H. S. Jerome Niles, P. W. C. T.
The order numbers one hundred and eight members, and has one of the finest rooms of any society in the County, which are also occu- pied by the
Anchor Temple, No. 44, of Juvenile Templars. The following are the chartered officers :-
Rev. J. S. Bridgford, C. T. Mary Hurst, V. T.
· A. J. Niles, R. S. Jay Cady, P. C. T. Edward Borst, T. S. Rose Hallenbeck, T.
Chartered January 13, 1881.
Post Snyder G. A. R .- This Post was formed in 1868, and named in honor of Lieutenant George W. Snyder, of Sumter memory. The object of the order, as copied from the "order card " is :-
I. To preserve and strengthen those kind and fraternal feelings which bind together the sol- diers, sailors and marines, who united to sup- press the late Rebellion, and to perpetuate the memory and history of the dead.
2. To assist such former comrades in arms as need help and protection ; and to extend need- ful aid to the widows and orphans of those who have fallen.
3. To maintain true allegiance to the U. S. of America, based upon paramount respect for, and fidelity to the National constitution and laws ; discountenance whatever tends to weaken loyalty, invites insurrection, treason, or rebellion, or in any manner impairs the efficiency and perma-
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TOWN OF COBLESKILL.
nency of our free institutions ; and to encourage the spread of universal liberty, equal rights and justice to all men.
"The Grand Army of the Republic is an or- ganization purely patriotic, social and charita- ble."
The charter officers of this lodge were :---
C. E. Foote, Com. Charles Hamilton, S. V.
M. D. Lewis. Jr., V. C. Eugene Coffin, O. D.
J. M. Esmy, Q. M. John S. Collett, Adj. Peter F. Borst, O. G. Walter Dingman, Chaplain.
The First National Bank of Cobleskill was organized February 8, 1864, with a capital of sixty thousand dollars, under the following Board of Directors :--
C. Courter,
C. H. Shaver,
Alonzo Wakeman, Jonathan R. Herrick, Minard Harder, Stanton Courter.
Charles Courter, President. Stanton Courter, Cashier.
The capital has been increased to one hun- dred thousand dollars.
The present Board of Directors are :-
J. R. Herrick, C. H. Shaver, Alonzo Wakeman, Abraham Sternbergh, James Becker.
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