History of Tioga, Chemung, Tompkins and Schuyler counties, New York, Part 179

Author: Peirce, H. B. (Henry B.) cn; Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts & Ensign
Number of Pages: 1112

USA > New York > Chemung County > History of Tioga, Chemung, Tompkins and Schuyler counties, New York > Part 179
USA > New York > Schuyler County > History of Tioga, Chemung, Tompkins and Schuyler counties, New York > Part 179
USA > New York > Tioga County > History of Tioga, Chemung, Tompkins and Schuyler counties, New York > Part 179
USA > New York > Tompkins County > History of Tioga, Chemung, Tompkins and Schuyler counties, New York > Part 179

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Havana Full .- It is recorded of the noted Seneca chief and illustrious orator, Red Jacket, that in the carlier years of his eventful life he was in the habit of visiting this majestic fall, which in the Seneca dialcet was called She- qua-gah (place of the falling or roaring waters), there, in solitude, to commune with nature and practice his oratorical powers,-as did his ancient prototype, Demosthenes, by the sea-side, and amid the ocean's roar. It is also a matter of history that Louis Philippe, the King of France, when an exile in this country, visited this locality on his way to Philadelphia, and while the guest of " Unele George Mills," the earliest settler here, took a sketch of this remarkable fall, which was in after-years, on his restoration to the throne, framed and hung in the Art Gallery of the Tuileries in Paris, where it was seen by Thurlow Weed when in Europe, and its history given by him, in a letter of much interest, to the Albany Evening Journal.

Next in importance to Havana Fall is "Montour Fall," probably fifty feet high, and very beautiful. Then there are " Paragon Fall," the "Sylvan Sisters," " Pigmy Fall," the "Sylvan Cascades," "Surprise Fall," and many others.

Another very lovely waterfall, and one the existence of which was until recently not generally known, is L'Hom- medieu Fall, located on the beautiful demesne of Hull Fanton, Esq. In speaking of this, the same authority from whom we glean most of the information concerning the natural beauties of Havana-" Tourist "-says,-

" There is another beautifully-wooded little ravine di- reetly north. It has a large entrance amphitheatre, densely shaded, truly sylvan in its characteristics. The first and main fall is one of great magnitude for such an unpreten- tious ravine, being about seventy-five feet high, and when seen from the amphitheatre, in full play, in connection with the cascades above it, presents an interesting view, which is greatly enhanced by the fine and carefully-preserved foliage, mosses, ete., on either side. The down view, into the amphitheatre, from the summit of this fall is also very finc ; and the short gorge above it, but a few rods in length, is almost a grotto in its way, a tiny gem of a gorge."

Besides Havana Glen proper there are several very fine glens, which although not developed by the material im- provement of man, yet possess much of the varied loveli- ness of nature so lavishly bestowed upon this locality. Prominent among these are " Montour Glen" and " Deek- er's Glen," both very magnificent natural curiosities, only lacking the ingeniously-contrived conveniences similar to those of the chief attraction in this direction-the Havana Glen-to bring them into deserved popularity.

MAGNETIC SPRINGS.

In addition to the many other natural advantages en- joyed, Havana has also been blessed with mineral springs, the health-inspiring waters of which are greatly appreciated alike by the invalid and those enjoying unimpaired health. By reference to an analysis of the waters of the Sanitarium and Cole's Magnetie Springs, we find that they contain sulphate of lime (small quantity), bicarbonate of soda, bi- carbonate of iron, bicarbonate of magnesia, bicarbonate of lime, chloride of sodium, and silica (small quantity). The total solid contents of one gallon, left in evaporation, was 27.35 grains, equivalent to nearly 40 grains of bicarbonate.

The Magnetic Spring Sanitarium is kept by Elizabeth D. Pope, M.D., under whose efficient management the in- stitution has acquired quite a popular reputation. The Magnetic Springs are conducted by Mr. David Cole, and also enjoy a fine reputation as a curative establishment. On the whole, we know of no place on God's beautiful earth more extensively favored by nature than is Havana, and it is a ereditable fact that the industry and enterprise of its people have accomplished everything possible to de- velop the natural beauties the place enjoys ; all and every- thing, in short, of man's handiwork, as here displayed, betokens the activity and ingenuity of a tasteful and richly- endowed class of people.

THE BEAUTIFUL HOMES OF HAVANA.

The casual visitor to Havana is agreeably impressed with its beautiful homes and fine residences. Without entering

PETER TRACY

NATIONAL HANK XOTE CONY

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AND SCHUYLER COUNTIES, NEW YORK.

into a lengthy partieularization of any of them, we may be permitted, in a general way, to mention a few of the most conspicuous. Perhaps that of Ilull Fanton, Esq., con- sidering its charming location and elaborate improvements (including water-works), ranks first. Situated on a com- manding eminence, surrounded by a lovely demesne, in which is the pretty eascade known as L'Hommedieu Falls, orna- mented with fountains and statuary, and supplied with all the modern improvements calculated to insure convenience, it stands before one as a home of case and comfort, which places its possessor in an enviable position indced. There are many other beautiful homes, notably that of Mr. Syd- ney S. Decker. There are two very fine mansions now being erected, one by Mr. Elbert W. Cook, and the other by Mr. M. N. Weed.

Another noticeable feature about the village is the abun- dance and beauty of its shade-trees. It is a matter of fact that the demand for ornamental shade-trees increases every year. In this utilitarian age, any evidence of a growing refinement and of a more carefully-cultivated taste is cheer- ing. A trec may be a powerful educator. Some one has said that there is a good deal of human nature in trees. Is there not in them, too, that which is considerably better than human nature, as commonly illustrated and interpreted ? A man may have a worse monument after he is gone than the tree his hands have planted. Somehow, the living tree secms to perpetuate the dead life, while the lettered stone, itself senseless and stolid, only helps to emphasize the grim idea of death. It is within the reach of all to plant trees. Let us do it. Perhaps all of us cannot afford to have monuments of stone or marble.

As presenting a fair estimate of the moral, material, and social importance of Havana, we may be permitted to enumerate its business, literary, and benevolent institutions. It contains four first-class dry-goods stores, of which P. C. Campbell, Edwin Weller, M. N. Weed, and Peter Keyser are the proprietors, respectively. It has seven grocery- stores, kept by the following gentlemen, namely : D. L. Shelton, James Ellsworth, Andrew Jobbitt, John June, G. F. Stolp & Son, Hiram Raymond, and George Thompson. There are two hardware stores,-one kept by Sidney S. Decker and the other by N. H. Conklin & Co., the com- pany being William Cronk. The drug-stores are those of George T. Hinman, M.D., and Frank Van Duzer. F. I. Tracy represents the boot and shoe interest. There are three millinery establishments, two meat-markets, and sev- eral business establishments of minor importance. The village has three good hotels,-Cook's Montour House, the Central House, and the Webster House,-besides a number of restaurants. There are three livery-stables. The manu- facturing interests of the place are represented by four foundries, one vise-works, a furnace, a grist-mill, a steam saw-mill and planing-factory, two woolen-mills, an yeast- factory, a pottery, five carriage-factories, seven blacksmith- shops. There are two banks,-the Havana National Bank and Cook's Private Banking Office ; two newspapers,-the Journal and the Democrat ; five churches,-one each of the Methodist Episcopal, Presbyterian, Baptist, Protestant Episcopal denominations, and one Colored Union Church. Of literary institutions and social organizations there are

the Cook Academy and a well-conducted departmental public school, a publie library, one lodge and one encampment of the I. O. of O. F., one lodge of F. A. M., a division of the Sons of Temperance and a lodge of Patrons of Tem- perance, and a Cemetery Association. The places of gen- eral resort are the glens, the club-house of the Driving Park Association, the Sanitarium, and Cole's Magnetie Spring; and Langley Hall is where the amusements and entertainments of the place are held. The legal profession is represented by Hull Fanton, S. C. Keeler, L. M. Conk- lin, M. M. Mead, and Washington Robertson ; and that of medicine by Drs. B. T. Smelzer, E. B. Wager, J. B. Ames, G. M. Post, A. P. Hollett, and Elizabeth D. Pope. There are four resident ministers of the gospel, two justices of the peace,-Minor T. Brodrick and Roswell S. Wakely, Esquires. The present town elerk, A. W. Keyser, and the supervisor, E. A. Dunham, both reside in Havana. . The population of the village is fairly estimated at 2000. It enjoys good railroad facilities, besides the privilege of transportation by canal .*

The information from which the above history of the village of Havana has been written was furnished by the following persons and authorities, to whom we hereby extend our very sineere thanks : Hull Fanton, Esq., Hon. Wm. T. Jackson, Samuel S. Crawford, Esq., Simon Decker, John F. Phelps, Captain Caleb Hill, L. M. Conklin, F. D. Goodwin, Mrs. Armenia Quick, E. W. and Elbert P. Cook, M. N. Weed, A. G. Ball, of the Journal; George T. Hin- man, M.D., Captain H. L. Couch, Edwin Weller, S. B. Shearer, Minor T. Brodrick, and others. To the various newspaper articles on local history, French's State Gazet- teer, Hamilton & Child's Historical Directory, and the " Colonial History of New York," we are also indebted.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

PETER TRACY.

Among the truly representative men of Schuyler County who have passed away few, if any, were more intimately associated with the material development of that part of the county where he spent the major part of a long and useful life than Peter Traey. He not only witnessed the transition of the little hamlet of Catharine's Landing into the prosperous, incorporated village of Ilavana; of a thin settlement into a busy and populous community ; of a semi- wilderness into a fertile and highly-produetive region, but in his own person typified so admirably the agencies which wrought these changes, that no history of this part of the State would be complete without some sketch of his life, labors, and character. Though now removed from the field of his exertions, the impress of his enterprise, activity, commercial sagacity, and moral force will long remain upon the memory of those with whom he mingled.

Peter Tracy was born at Franklin, New London Co.,

# Sec under head of " Internal Improvements," in general history of the four counties.

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HISTORY OF TIOGA, CHEMUNG, TOMPKINS,

Conn., July 16, 1800. His carly advantages were limited, and when but a lad he left Connecticut, and went to reside with an aunt at Columbus, Chenango Co., N. Y., where he remained until he attained his majority, at which time he pushed out into the world for himself, becoming a contractor on public works in New York and Pennsylvania. In 1830 he came for the first time to Havana, on some business con- nected with a contract on the Albany and Schenectady Railroad. This chance visit led to his subsequent settle- ment here and marriage, in 1832, with Miss Maranda Hall. For upwards of thirty years he was one of the leading busi- ness men of Havana, carrying on both a mercantile and lumber trade. He filled at times various local offices, and in 1849 was the Whig candidate for the State Senate in the district composed of the counties of Chemung and Steuben, but was defeated, as was the entire Whig ticket. His active business habits debarred him from attaining any particular political distinction, for he always had an abiding faith in the old aphorism that " the post of honor is a private sta- tion." He succeeded Charles Cook as president of the Chemung Canal Bank of Elmira, of which John Arnot was then cashier and manager. In 1864 he was the chief mover in organizing "the Havana National Bank," of which he became president. The general good fortune that attended Mr. Tracy in most of his business transactions was not in any sense accidental. It was a necessary consequence of untiring industry, good management of his interests, and, above all, of a firm, uncompromising spirit of personal honor and integrity. When he began trade the speculative tendency which has so conspicuously marked the conduct of mercantile pursuits in this country of late years was comparatively unknown. Capital was limited, business principles few and simple, and the standard of individual rectitude sevcrer than we find them in our day. Hard and persistent labor, diligence, punctuality in fulfilling engage- ments, and, to use a trite but expressive phrase, " square dealing," were then the prime, we might almost say the only, factors of success. These Mr. Tracy possessed in a remarkable degree. His name was from the first and to the last continued a synonym for excellent judgment and sterling honesty. In his social and domestic life he was the genial gentleman, the faithful friend, the affectionate husband, the kind father. After an eminently useful and meritorious life, he died June 16, 1864. As though sor- rowing for the dear departed one, his wife survived hin a little more than a year, she dying in September, 1865. Four of their children -- two sons and two daughters-arc now living, the youngest son, Willis H. Tracy, holding the position of cashier of the bank of which his father was the principal founder. The other son is Charles A. Tracy, now and for three years clerk of the Board of Supervisors. We have thus briefly sketched the life and services of Mr. Tracy, not as parading his virtues, but as placing on the pages of history the record of a character worthy the cx- ample of all, and particularly of the emulation of the youth of future ages. A portrait of this gentleman, inserted by one who is connected with the family, and who was a busi- ness associate of Mr. Tracy, who knew him intimately and well, adorns our pages, and will be looked upon with pleasure by those to whom the original was known ..

M. M. MEAD.

Among the prominent and successful members of the Schuyler County bar, M. M. Mcad holds a foremost posi- tion, which he has attained by his own enterprising in- dustry. He is the son of John Mcad, who was born near Norwich, Chenango Co., N. Y., March 29, 1800, and died at the residence of his son, above named, Aug. 15, 1878. He removed to Lansing in 1817, when the town was very sparsely settled. On the 29th of November, 1829, he mar- ried Elizabeth, daughter of James McGower, of Tompkins County. Had two sons and one daughter, of whom the subject of the sketch is the only one now living. Mrs. Mead dicd April 26, 1878, at the residence of her son.

M. M. Mead was born Feb. 5, 1834, on the old home- stead in Lansing which he now owns. He received his rudimentary education at the public schools, and subse- quently attended the Ithaca Academy a short time, also the Lancasterian Academy two or three terms. These advan- tages formed the basis of his education, which he largely improved by self-study. He entered the law-office of Bruin & Williams, and subsequently studied with Harvey A. Dow, of Ithaca. He was admitted to practice at Owego, May 13, 1857 ; and two weeks thereafter opened an office at Havana, where he has since continued to practice. He was admitted to practice in the United States Courts at Buffalo.

One of the chief characteristics of Mr. Mead is his opposition to political life, and his dislike to associate with politicians. In 1861 he stood alone as a Breckenridge Democrat, but soon thereafter joined the Republicans. His relatives were all Whigs, so that the principles of the Republican party became natural to him.

On the 10th of October, 1860, he married Charlotte D., daughter of Hon. William T. Jackson. She died Sept. 13, 1871, leaving one daughter, Hannah Elizabeth, born June 30, 1863. He married a second time, Sept. 17, 1872, to Miss Jennie Kellogg, who is still living. Mr. Mead has been eminently successful in his profession, having a large and lucrative practice.

J. C. BRODRICK, LL.B.

The subject of this sketch, whose portrait is given on opposite page, was born at Havana, N. Y., Oct. 16, 1842, and in early years attended the Havana Academy, and eom- pleted a literary course at Fort Edward Institute in Wash- ington County. Commenced the study of law at Havana in 1860, and in 1862 entered upon a two years' eourse in the Law Department of Columbia College, New York City, under Professor Theodore W. Dwight, Francis Lieber, and John Ordinaux. From that institution Mr. Brodrick graduated in 1864, receiving the degree of LL.B. In November, 1864, he was admitted to practice at the Rochester term, on motion of Judge Strong. Commenc- ing the practice of his profession at his native town, Mr. Brodrick in a short time established a fair business, but in 1865 removed to San Francisco, Cal., where he con- tinued doing a good practice for a period of eight years ; business engagements then necessitated his removal to

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In In mead

C. Brounick

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AND SCHUYLER COUNTIES, NEW YORK.

North Carolina, where he married Miss Lodie Grandy. When Mr. Brodrick's business here was concluded, he was called to Washington on professional engagements, where he remained one year, meanwhile being admitted to prac- tiee in the Supreme Court of the United States. In the spring of 1878 Mr. Broderick resumed the practice of his profession at Havana, N. Y., where he is now permanently located, occupying the same offices used by him in 1865.

CHARLES AND E. W. COOK.

Among the most prominent citizens and families of Schuy- ler County are the Cooks,-living at Havana. The fore- most of this family (and perhaps the foremost citizen of the county at the time of his death, and for years prior

tributing freely to the support of his mother and sister; and at the age of twenty-six or twenty-seven, associating with himself his next younger brother, Hiram, he became a contractor upon the public works on the Hudson and Delaware Canal; the State of Pennsylvania; then in New Jersey. The brothers took into partnership with them their youngest brother, Elbert W.

In the prosecution of this kind of work the brothers came to this section of this State in 1829 or 1830 ; Charles, the senior one, and the guiding spirit of the partnership, preceding the others by some months in quest of work, while the others remained behind engaged in completing prior contracts. Their work in this State was upon the Chemung Canal, and their headquarters were at Havana. Their last partnership contraet was carried out by the spring of 1831, and their partnership was then dissolved. Hiram

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thereto) was the late Hon. Charles Cook, who died in October, 1866, while on a visit among relatives in Auburn.

He was born in the town of Springfield, Otsego Co., Nov. 20, 1800, his parents being of English deseent ; their ancestors on both sides came from England in the early part of the seventeenth century, settling in New England. His father was a blacksmith, and a man of property for those days, and of very strong and decided characteristics. Losing all his property through indorsements for friends, he went into the army as farrier and blacksmith in the war of 1812, and there died, leaving a widow and six children very poor.

Charles, at the time of his father's death, was in the four- teenth year of his age, and the second in years among his mother's children. He early became a clerk in a leading dry goods house in Herkimer village ; while there he first learned how to make canals. After this he was next settled in Utica, buying and selling for himself. There he grew saving of his earnings; accumulated a little, besides con-

and Elbert W. took their portion of the profits of their many contraets, and went into the " West," which, in 1831, meant in part Erie County, in this State. They located together in Springville, thirty miles southeast from Buffalo, in Erie County. Hiram sickening there, returned to Havana, and died in the latter place in September, 1833, leaving one child-a daughter-Zand his widow. Elbert W. married in Springville, in 1832, reared there a family of six chil- dren by his first wife (a woman of remarkable beauty and ability, a Vermonter, of Scotch descent, named Murray), and continued to live there, engaged in various farming and manufacturing enterprises, until the death of the older brother, Charles. Whereupon, succeeding to a large por- tion of the estate of Charles, and becoming one of the ad- ministrators of the estate, he removed to Havana in the early part of the year 1867, and has continued to reside there till the present time. . Before making a more lengthy mention of Charles, the eldest of these three, it may be interesting to state of them that there never was any dis-

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HISTORY OF TIOGA, CHEMUNG, TOMPKINS,

agreement among them, notwithstanding the hot temper and imperious disposition both of Charles, the oldest, and of Elbert W., the youngest. Much of the time of their partnership they not only occupied one cabin, but they also frequently shared the same bunk, ate from the same dishes, and wore the same clothes. In fact, their wardrobe being scanty, when one of them wished to go abroad for any pur- pose he took from the clothing of the three, indiscriminately and unhesitatingly, those pieces which would make up the most presentable suit, and went unquestioned and unre- buked, their form and size being so similar and their life so harmonious.

Charles, the one who spent most time in Schuyler County, continued to reside there after the departure of his brother. Determining at an early day to make his home there, and seeing the importance of the location at the head of Seneca Lake, he sought opportunity from Doctor Samuel Watkins, then principal owner of the desirable lands at the village now called by his name, for a purchase of such portion as would give him the standing-grounds which he desired for his future operations ; but he was utterly refused what he thought he needed, and he thereupon settled determinedly at Havana, and began a long and earnest struggle to build up a flourishing and commanding village. He bought farms and improved them. He bought village lots and built upon them. He erected mills and set them in opera- tion. He built hotels and opened them to the public; a church (St. Paul's Protestant Episcopal), and gave its use for worship. Made a new county from parts of other counties and located its court-house at Havana. Estab- lished a bank and conducted it with success. Erected a magnificent building for a People's College, gave it and a hundred-acre farm to a corporation for educational purposes, and largely aided in procuring the land-grant legislation by Congress, and by the New York State Legislature, which gave this People's College scrip for 990,000 acres of the public lands. All the time he was engaged in these various business enterprises of both private and public nature he was also busy in the politics of his section, his State, and the nation at large ; and during his life he was a canal commissioner of the State, a State Senator, a candi- date for Congress, and gave refusal to a tender of nomina- tion for Governorship. His business enterprises were not confined to his immediate vicinity, for his activities reached out in many directions beyond the immediate neighborhood.

Among the most important of these engagements was the building, in connection with his cousin, Constant Cook, of Steuben County, John Magee, of Steuben County, John Arnot, of Chemung, and others, of a long line of the Erie Railway from Binghamton to Elmira, and furnished the capital for doing it, westward; also, in connection with Mr. Arnot, of Chemung, Constant Cook, of Steuben, and others, in buying, developing, and operating large tracts of coal lands at Blossburg, Pa.

Proud, public-spirited, and imperious, with rare execu- tive abilities, pertinacity of purpose, and persistence in labor and almost boundless physical endurance, he not only succeeded largely in his private business operations, but he also left his mark upon men and affairs about him. In politics he was the associate of such men as Seward, Grce-

ley, and Wecd. With these he was instrumental in moulding the Whig and Republican politics of his State; while many of his poorer neighbors remember him as a kind friend, ready with wise counsel and material aid to help them in times of need.

He never married,-the untimely death of the expected bride of his early manhood keeping him therefrom till the day of his own decease.

In 1863 he was smitten with paralysis ; and though, after some months, he got about some with the aid of crutches, he never fully recovered from the effects of the attack. And he manifested as marked loss of mental clearness and energy as of physical strength during the three years that he lingered till the second, and fatal, para- lytic stroke at Auburn, in 1866.

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History of Tioga, Chemung, Tompkins and Schuyler counties, New York, Part 179

Author: Peirce, H. B. (Henry B.) cn; Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) Publication date: 1879 Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts & Ensign Number of Pages: 1112

Author: Peirce, H. B. (Henry B.) cn; Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts & Ensign
Number of Pages: 1112