History of Seneca Co., New York, with illustrations descriptive of its scenery, palatial residences, public building and important manufactories, Part 43

Author:
Publication date: 1876
Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts, Ensign & Everts
Number of Pages: 294


USA > New York > Seneca County > History of Seneca Co., New York, with illustrations descriptive of its scenery, palatial residences, public building and important manufactories > Part 43


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RES. OF THOMAS R. COLLINGS, SENECA FALLS, N. Y.


RES. OF N. H. FRENCH , JUNIUS TP., SENECA CO., N. Y.


113


HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY, NEW YORK.


The edifice was completed, and divine service held therein in July, 1834. A lot was donated by Frederick A. Swaby, on east side of North Cayuga Street, and a timely gift of two thousand dollars from Mrs. Elizabeth Mumford, of Rochester, applied in building the present parsonage. A Sunday-school was early started at the Bixby school-house, which stood on the site of the Globe Hotel; Lewis Bixby was the first superintendent. A mission school was established by Rev. J. M. Gnion in the north part of the village, and now meets at the church. The present wardens are John Fitch and Frederick I. Swaby. The vestrymen are George B. Daniels, Josiah T. Miller, Charles B. Keeler, Philo Cowing, George M. Guion, Lansing S. Hoskins, Andrew O. North, and Edwin Bull. Communi- cants, one hundred and sixty-one. Sunday-school pupils, two hundred and forty- five; missions, one hundred and sixty-two.


METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF SENECA FALLS .- In 1812 a small class ex- isted at the Falls, and held meetings in the log house of Case Cole, which was situ- ated on what is now the northeast corner of Ovid and Canal Streets, on the Lock. There were then no framed houses on that side of the river. The class belonged to the Seneca Circuit. Case Cole and wife, Mr. and Mrs. Witham, and Mr. and Mrs. Swect* were of its first members. Preaching was enjoyed once in fonr, and occa- sionally once in two weeks, usually on week-day evenings. Among the first preach- ers of this period were Revs. Riley, Bennett, Snow, and Prindle; the latter came from Canada, and exhibited such a Tory spirit as to become obnoxious in the State, and soon returned to that province. A young and flourishing class ex- isted on " Black Brook" prior to the organization of a second class in the village, the former class being broken up by removals.' This class met at Mr. Gardner's, distant three miles from the village, and many of its members were transferred to the village class on its formation. In 1828 the second village class was formed, with seven to nine members, at the residence of Peter Marceleous on Bridge Street, nearly opposite the site of the present Franklin House. The original class consisted of Peter Marceleous and wife, his sister, Mary Ann Marceleous, Phoebe Petty, now Mrs. Schoonoven, Jane Moore, Mrs. Pitcher, and Catherine Mead, now Mrs. McKee. Additions were received from Black Brook, so that in 1830 the class numbered twenty-five.


On January 6, 1829, " The Seneca Falls Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church" was incorporated, by the election of Ansel Bascom, James Essex, Joseph Metcalf, Stephen B. Gay, and Peter Marceleons as trustees, the elec- tion being certified to by John M. Odell and James Essex, who presided at the meeting, held at the house of Benjamin Knney. Joseph Metcalf was then the only freeholder in the society. Abner Chase was Presiding Elder on the for- mation of the class, and was followed by Gleason Fillmore in 1829. Palmer Roberts and William Kent were on the circuit from 1828 to 1830. Preliminary 'steps were taken in 1829 towards building a meeting-house. A subscription paper was circulated, headed by Joseph Metcalf, two hundred dollars; Andrew Brown, twenty-five dollars, and followed by lesser amounts. On July 30, 1830, Lot No. 83, the present church site, was deeded by Wilhelmus Mynderse as a gift to the society. The erection of a brick church was begun, and the walls carried to the height of the plates, when the work was suspended until fall. Rev. Mr. Roberts became discouraged, and recommended that the enterprise be abandoned.


At the fall Conference, Revs. Jewett and Anderson were appointed to the circuit, and the society became inspired to new effort. Joseph Metcalf being the only member of means, was forward in inclosing and roofing the church before winter. Rude seats were provided, revival meetings held, and seventy members added to the church. Peter and Henry Marceleous, carpenters, offered to work on the church during winter withont wages, provided the society would, meanwhile, provision their families. The offer was accepted; a team was sent out from time to time for family supplies. Metcalf became responsible for material, and the building was completed. Rev. Mr. Chapman and others ocenpied the pulpit till 1834, when the following preachers were annually and successively appointed to the charge, viz., Ebenezer Lattimer, Robert Parker, Thomas Carlton, whose wife died in the par- sonage, John Easter, Seth Mattison, wife died during term, Ramsley Harrington, and D. F. Parsons, whose wife also died at the parsonage. On August 18, 1834, Levi and Lorana Rogers executed the deed of a lot on Chapel Street, marked No. 6 on map of 1833, for a parsonage, and presented the same to the trustees for that purpose. During the term of Rev. Mr. Parsons, in 1842-43, a portion of the society, seceding from the church, organized the Wesleyan Methodist Church. Rev. Calvin S. Coats having served the society from 1843-44, Alex. Farrell was appointed from 1844-46 ; Joseph T. Arnold, 1846-48; A. C. George, 1848-49; R. Harrington, returned, 1849-50; Elijah Wood, 1850-52; David Crow, 1852- 54; David Ferris, 1854-56; and A. N. Fillmore, 1856-58. During his pastorate,


in 1857, the church edifice was remodeled at a cost of two thousand four hundred and seventy-five dollars. The contract is dated September 17, 1857. Revs. Wm. Hosmer served from 1858-59; C. S. Coats, second term, 1859-60; J. W. Wilson, 1860-62; A. S. Baker, 1862-65. During this year occurred the Free Methodist movement, and a few from this church left and joined in it. Next were I. Watts, 1865-66; Martin Wheeler, 1866-69; E. P. Huntington, 1869-72. In 1871 the old church was torn down and an entirely new one erected on its site, at a cost of twenty-one thousand dollars. The construction was personally super- intended by J. P. Chamberlain. It was dedicated on July 24, 1872. Bishop Gil- bert Haven, of Boston, in the morning preached the dedicatory sermon, assisted by Rev. R. Hogaboom. The evening sermon was by Rev. Mr. Fordyce, of Rochester. Isaac N. Gibbard was pastor from October, 1872, to April, 1874; and the term of George S. White is from May 1, 1874, to October 1, 1876. The membership of the church, on May 10, 1876, was two hundred and thirty, and fifty on probation. Salary raised, twelve hundred dollars; for benevolent objects, two hundred and sixty-five dollars. The Sunday-school numbers two hundred and fifty scholars, has thirty officers and teachers, and a library of three hundred volumes.


THE WESLEYAN METHODIST CHURCH is an offshoot from the Methodist Epis- copal Church. At a meeting held pursuant to statute to organize a religions society, on the evening of March 27, 1843, at the school-house in District No. 1, in Sen- eca Falls, H. L. Worden was chosen Chairman, and A. Failing, Secretary. Six trustees were elected, namely : John C. King, H. L. Worden, Abram Failing, E. O. Lindsley, Joseph Metcalf, and William Fox. The society was to be known as "The First Wesleyan Society of Seneca Falls." The trustees were empowered to purchase a building-lot and raise means to erect a honse of worship. Joseph Metcalf headed the list with five hundred dollars. A church was built at a cost of seventeen hundred and seventy dollars, during the year 1843, upon a lot pur- chased for six hundred dollars from Harmon Desmond, on May 31 of that year. The building stood upon the corner of Mynderse and Fall Streets, and it was a rule of the society that it should not be used for political discussion. In January, 1871, the old building was sold, with the lot on which it stood, to C. G. Corwin for five thousand dollars, and is now known as Johnson's Hall. A new site was purchased at the corner of Fall and Clinton Streets, for two thousand dollars, and a church building began thereon. The question of finances delayed the work, which was finally completed, and the edifice was dedicated on Angust 11, 1875. The dedication sermon was delivered by Rev. D. H. Kinney. The church build- ing and site are valued at fourteen thousand five hundred dollars, and the society is free from indebtedness. The building is of brick, in dimensions as follows : main building, forty by twenty feet ; session-room, twenty by forty fect, and two towers, the one one hundred and ten feet, the lesser sixty feet. Over the entrance fronting south on Fall Street is the name of the church, with the date, 1871, when the corner-stone was laid; fronting west, in the rear of the main building, is the session-room, over whose entrance is placed the church name, with date, 1843, the same being the stone from the old church which stood on the east of the church lot. The services of Rev. Ralph Bennet were received for a few months pending the commencement of the church. Rev. George Peglar was the first regular pastor, from 1843-45. His successors were Revs. Samuel Salsbury and Phillips, each two years ; B. V. Bradford and D. B. Douglas, three-year terms. Then Revs. Loomis, Swallow, H. B. Knight, and Wm. S. Bell, for two years cach. Mr. Knight was returned for a year. The membership in 1862 was two hundred.


During the pastorate of W. W. Lyle, in 1869, a portion of the society, together with the minister. formed the Congregational Society. The Wesleyans now num- bered about sixty members, and it was but a brief space ere their energies were developed in increased membership and new house of worship. The pastors from Mr. Lyle have been Adam Crooks, who served but a few months ; Marshall Flint, but part of a year ; and then came Rev. Samuel Salsbery, whose term continued two years; the membership being, in 1872, sixty-five. Two-year terms have snc- ceeded, giving the church the ministrations of C. F. Hawley, A. F. Dempsey, and A. H. Kinney, present pastor. Connected with the church since its organization there has been a Sabbath-school, whose first Superintendent was Cornelius Hood, and whose present presiding officer is David A. Deming. The library numbers five hundred and fifty volumes, and a large number of papers are taken.


A CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH was organized in Seneca Falls as early as the fore part of the year 1834. It began with a membership of from forty to sixty. Rev. Mr. Pomeroy assisted them in the organization. Their first minister was Rev. Mr. Ingersol, their second and last Rev. Mr. Grey.


They erected a chapel on the north side of Bayard Street, nearly opposite to the Episcopal church. Among the members were Asahel Carpenter, George Goodman, Mr. and Mrs. A. Aumick, Jephtha Wade, Taber Potter, Elias Dennison, James Downs, Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Whiting, Mr. and Mrs. Jabez Mathews, Abram Failing, and J. K. Brown, M.D. Messrs. J. W. Whiting and Dr. Brown were deacons, and the latter was Superintendent of Sabbath-school.


* Mr. Sweet, above mentioned, was with his wife attending a meeting at Case Cole's house when their leg house, a mile distant in the woods, was burnt, with three of their children who had been left alone in the house.


114


HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY, NEW YORK.


The church had a hopeful beginning, and for a time grew in influence and numbers. But unfortunately the health of their minister completely failed, and no one could be found to take his place. Sermons were read by the deacona, and supplies were had from Auburn Seminary for a year or more. But being without a pastor, the congregation scattered ; some died and others moved away. Be- coming discouraged, it was thought best finally to disband. The most went to the Presbyterian Church.


During the great conflict on the question of American slavery, true to the spirit of the Pilgrims of the Mayflower, many of the Congregationalists withdrew from the other churches and became identified with the Wesleyan, in 1843.


In 1852 an effort was made to revive the old Congregational organization. Rev. B. F. Bradford, who had served the Wesleyan Church on anti-slavery grounds for three years, was called, and the incipient steps were taken to complete the organization. What is known as old Concert Hall was hired, and a Sunday- school was organized. About forty united in this move, many of whom had been for some years worshiping with the Wesleyaus. After a year and a half, Mr. B.'s health became so impaired that he was compelled to suspend his labors for two years. Having no house of worship, the organization was deferred, and the most returned to the Wesleyan congregation, with whom they remained till the move under Mr. Lyle. The germ of the first organization never died out, but retained its vitality during all the years of the suspension. They served with any branch of God's people where in their judgment they could be the truest to their prin- ciples of civil and religious liberty. It is an interesting fact that three of the most honored of the present organization, viz., Mr. and Mrs. Jabez Mathews, and Abram Failing, Esq., were members of the organization of 1834. But the years have whitened their locks and furrowed their browa, and ripened them for the "better land," where soon they will rejoin their old companions.


The Congregational Church is of recent formation. In the fall of 1869 a large majority of the members of the Wesleyan Church, together with its pastor, Rev. Lyle, seeeding from that society, proceeded to form themselves into a new society, to be known as the " First Congregational Church at Seneca Falls." The meet- ing for organization was held on December 19, 1869. in Good Templars' Hall. The first society meeting took place on December 27 following. The number of members enrolled was sixty-three, now increased to one hundred and forty. The first officials were: Deacons-Horace Seekell, William Conklin, and A. Failing; H. W. Knight, Secretary, and W. L. Bellows, Treasurer. At a meeting for that purpose, it was resolved to ask recognition from the Congregational Church at large. . Accordingly a Council was held, which was attended by delegates from Syracuse, Rushville, Niagara City, Elmira, Henrietta, and Ilomer. After due counsel, it was declared the society at Seneca Falls is "fully entitled to recog- nition and fellowship, and in the name of the Congregational Churches of our country we heartily extend to them our welcome to the fraternity work and church sympathy." The first pastor, W. W. Lyle, served the society from organ- ization till July 14, 1873, at which date he tendered his resignation, through ill health, and it was accepted. Rev. J. C. Holbrook, Secretary of the Home Mission Society, himself filled the pulpit. temporarily, and until a permanent pastor should be secured; he was assisted by S. C. Fessenden, who occupied the pulpit during the summer of 1873. From December 4, 1873, until January 1, 1875, the Rev. W. A. Smith was pastor. He was followed by Rev. B. F. Bradford, whose term, beginning June 1, 1875, still continues. A flourishing Sabbath-school is con- nected with the church. Youth and adult alike attend. Edward Medden was the first Superintendent, assisted by Rev. Mr. Lyle. There are good teachers, many scholars, and a fine library of two hundred and fifty volumes. A building was needed. Accordingly, a lot formerly owned by Dr. Davis was purchased . from him by the church trustees in the spring of 1870 for three thousand five hun- dred dollars. Ground was broken for a church edifice early in June, and the corner-stone was laid on August 19 following. The lecture-room, in the rear of the main building, was finished and ready for use January 1, 1871. Here ser- vices were held during work on the main building. The edifice proper fronts on State Street, and is eighty-eight feet long by forty-six feet wide. The audience- room is seventy-five by forty-four feet wide, with high, airy ceiling, and is finished throughout in solid black walnut. The frescoing is unsurpassed elsewhere in the State. Adair & Cowin were carpenters; Golder Brothers masons; and slating by A. O. & W. B. Norcott. The audience-room seats six hundred. The cost of the entire building was twenty-three thousand dollars. The dedicatory services took place on September 21, 1871 ; opening services by Rev. J. D. Krum ; Scrip- tures read by Rev. F. W. Allen, of Canandaigua; prayer by Rev. L. S. Hobart, and the dedicatory sermon by Rev. Edward Taylor, D.D., of Binghamton, from Psalm xevi. 6. The pulpit was presented by the Sunday-school children, and it is notable that the love of flowers, shown by their presence upon the pulpit, is common to pastor and people.


THE CATHOLIC CHURCH at Seneca Falls has shown a rapid and substantial


growth. In October, 1831, the first Catholic congregation, composed of eight members, was organized in this village. In the course of time very many Catholic families arrived from the Old World, principally from Ireland, and took up their abode at Seneca Falls, and the weak church grew strong. The prosperity. marking earlier years has continued unabated to the present, and the Catholic population is . now numbered at two thousand three hundred. The pioneer prieat was the Rev. Francis O'Donohoe, who at intervals visited this village from Syracuse, and was the founder of the church here. The trustees during O'Donohoe's administration were Hemy Graham, John McGivin, and Michael Flynn. About 1840, Father Conally succeeded O'Donohoe, and remained about two years, meanwhile attending congregations at Anburn, Geneva, Waterloo, and Union Springs. To him suc- ceeded Rev. Patrick Bradley, who remained four years. Bradley engaged in mission work, as had his predecessors. Next came Rev. Thomas O'Flaherty, late pastor of the church of the " Holy Family" in Auburn, and now retired from action. The mission was now divided, and Father Carroll was appointed pastor at Seneca Falls, with Geneva, Waterloo, and Ovid as branches. In 1835 a small frame church had been erected on a lot upon Swaby Street. This lot was the donation of the late Judge G. V. Sackett, whose memory is dear to the Catholics of this village. During the ministration of Father Carroll, a new site for a church was obtained on Bayard and Toledo Streets, and in 1848 was laid the foundation of an edifice in dimensions forty by sixty feet ; since enlarged to forty by one hundred feet by the Rev. Edward McGowan, at present pastor at Auburn. The term of Father Carroll terminated in 1854; in October of which year Father Michael Walslı came here from Clyde, and served the church acceptably till September 16, 1855. To him succeeded Rev. Thomas Brady, who served most faithfully till June 6, 1859, when he removed to Medina, New York, thence to Grand Rapids, Michigan, whence he went to service in the late war as Chaplain in Mulligan's Brigade, and died ultimately at Detroit, Michigan. After Father Brady came Rev. Charles McMullen, an amiable and dearly beloved pastor, whose death took place a few years since at Greenwood, Steuben County, this State. The Rev. John O'Mara assisted MeMullen from January 1, 1860, till February 12, same year. He is now pastor of the church of the "Immaculate Conception," in Buffalo. Father MeMullen left November 27, 1860, and December 22, same year, Rev. J. MeGraw, present pastor of St. Rose, in Chelsea. Massachusetts, came to Seneca Falls. A zealous laborer in the vineyard of his Divine Master, the church prospered during his brief administration, which closed March 17, 1861. Next came Rev. Edward McGowan, who enlarged the church edifice, and during his time, which extended till March, 1865, the society advanced heavily in numbers. He was succeeded by Rev. Michael O'Brien. at present pastor of St. Patrick's, Lowell, Massachusetts, who remained from March till August; went then to Loekport, and next to his present mission. Father Mulholland succeeded O'Brien, September, 1865; removed to Lockport, July, 1866, and there died about 1874, after a brief but faithful service in the saered ministry. Next came Rev. Martin Kavanagh, an exemplary, affable, and pleasing person. After three years here, to the great regret of the people he was sent to Auburn as pastor of the church of the "Holy Family," and is now enjoying a few months' rest. Rev. T. Keenan, from Waterloo, was the next pastor. He died August 16, 1870, and his remains repose in the Catholic Cemetery at Lockport. It may be said that "none knew him but to love him," not only of his own people, but all classes and conditions. The Rev. B. MeCool, sent here by his Bishop upon the death of his predecessor, ia the present agreeable and efficient pastor. The society is building a school- house, two-storied, forty-five by eighty feet dimensions, three rooms below and three above, each twenty-two by thirty-six, fifteen feet to ceiling; rooms divided by sliding doors; a six-foot corridor along west side; William Flynn, builder; estimated cost, eighteen thousand dollars.


To him who views the village of Seneca Falls to-day, there is presented a pleas- ant scene. A cheap, unexcelled railroad, with numerous trains, afforda conveyance to and from the place. Four hotels, among them the Hoag and the Globe, wel- come the traveler. Three banks, two national, give opportunities to deal in finance ; seven churches offer choice of religious teaching; half a dozen schools, conveni- ently located, make the site desirable to persons of family ; two old, well-estab- lished papers supply the news of the day ; a number of societies recognize in a stranger a member of like institutions, and extend the hand of welcome. A co-operative grocery opens the way for cheapening the cost of living; building and loan associations make the acquisition of a home possible to the mechanie; and good society opens its doors to the worthy. Forty-six retail establishments of varied rank and character ask the trade of the citizen and the farmer, and thrive upon their patronage. On either side of the river, beautiful streets, wide and trec-lined, lead past fine residences embellished with taste,-the homes of the cultured, wealthy, business, and professional. Factories, mills, and manu- factures covering acres of ground with many-storied shops and strong, time-worn buildings, resound with the hum of machinery, while within are seen masses of


115


HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY, NEW YORK.


grain, wood, iron, and other material in process of manufacture at the hands of hundreds of workmen. Tons of crude material arrive upon the canal at the wharves of the various works, and the freight trains bear away the finished pro- ducts of these industries. Natural resources of soil, location, and water-power, combined with intelligent and energetic action on part of citizens, render the village of Seneca Falls a desirable residence for capitalist, manufacturer, trades- man, and the man of family secking a permanent and pleasant home.


THE MILITARY OF SENECA FALLS.


Before the opening of the war, which exhibited the tremendous energy of a great people turned upon itself, the village of Seneca Falls was famous for the proficiency of its militia banded as the " Zouaves," from whose ranks numerous organizations were later supplied with capable and efficient officers. When the call came, " To arms !" it met a prompt response ; cavalry, artillery, infantry, and engineer branches of the service found willing and brave reernits. The Nine- tieth Infantry, later Third Artillery; the Ellsworth Regiment ; the Ontario Thirty- third; the Cayuga Seventy-fifth ; the Fiftieth Engineers; and the later One Hundred and Twenty-sixth, One Hundred and Forty-eighth, and One Hundred and Sixtieth Infantry, with batteries, cavalry regiments, sailors upon the wooden decks of Farragut, or the monitors with monitor guos, had no better or braver men than those from Seneca Falls. Every call to the elose met a prompt response, and the record following shows the men who went.


REGIMENTAL RECORD.


The following transcript exhibits the record of each man who enlisted in the Thirty-third New York State Volunteers, at Seneca Falls, May 9, 1861.


Robert T. Mann, Major, Company A; resigned, January 4, 1862.


George M. Guion, Captain; promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel One Hundred and Forty-eighth New York Volunteers, September 28, 1862; Colonel October 26, 1863.


Edwin J. Tyler, Captain ; served as First Lieutenant to September 28, 1862; promoted October 1, 1862 ; discharged June 2, 1863.


Pryce W. Bailey, First Lieutenant ; served as Second Lientenant to promotion, May 21, 1862; detailed, January 28, 1863, as Assistant Inspector-General of Third Brigade, Second Division, Sixth Corps.


Thomas H. Sibbalds, Second Sergeant; was promoted to Second Lieutenant October 31, 1862.


Archibald B. Randolph, First Sergeant; wounded May 4, at Fredericksburg ; paroled ; re-enlisted as private October 10, 1863.


William Proudfoot, wounded at Fredericksburg, May 4.


Robert Pennel, promoted Corporal August 12, 1861 ; to Sergeant December 1,1862.


Edwin J. Armstrong, promoted to Corporal August 12, 1861; to Sergeant November 1, 1862.




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