History of Tioga, Chemung, Tompkins and Schuyler counties, New York, Part 44

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 44
USA > New York > Schuyler County > History of Tioga, Chemung, Tompkins and Schuyler counties, New York > Part 44
USA > New York > Tioga County > History of Tioga, Chemung, Tompkins and Schuyler counties, New York > Part 44
USA > New York > Tompkins County > History of Tioga, Chemung, Tompkins and Schuyler counties, New York > Part 44

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).

"I went to work for Mr. Southwick in February, 1815, where I used to hear the journeymen talk of yourself, Davis, and others. Of all the journeymen printers in Albany of that day, John O. Cole and yourself only survive."

After leaving Albany Mr. Leonard worked for a time in the book establishment of the Messrs. Wood, of New York, and then returned to Owego, where, taking possession of the Farmer office, he changed the name in 1814 to T'he Owego Gazette, which he continued to publish until 1835, when he was elected to Congress.

As the editor of an influential political journal he attained a de- cided prominence in politics, and was early elected by the Democratic party, with which he always affiliated, to represent the distriet then composed of the counties of Tioga, Chemung, Cortland, and Tomp- kins in the popular branch of Congress. He was first clected in 1834, served with distinguished success, and was re-nominated in 1838 for a second term, which expired March 4, 1841. A re-nomination was tendered him for a third term, so well had he represented his con- stitueucy ; but, having promised not to be a candidate against a friendly competitor, he declined. His course in Congress was uniform, honorable, successful.

Mr. Leonard held the office of postmaster of Owego for several years while editing the Gazette, and afterwards during the adminis- trations ef Presidents Tyler and Polk. He was also a Deputy United States Marshal for this district under President Buchanan. Local offices, such as trustee of the village of Owego, supervisor and com- missioner of excise, were often hestowed upon him. He took a deep interest in the cause of education, being one of the trustees of the Owego Academy from the time of its incorporation until it was merged into tbe free-school system, and his labors in this department were assiduous and valuable. As a business man he was also successful, being for many years an extensive mail contractor and stage pro- prietor. In 1818, Mr. Leonard carried, en horseback, the first mail

ever taken through this section. He was a venerable member of the Masonic fraternity for a long period of years, was Master of Friend- ship Lodge, No. 153, and held various offices in the Royal Arch Chapter.

By the practice of honesty and economy he amassed a competence which secured him a heautiful home, surrounded with plenty and comfort, and cheered to the end of his days hy the presence of children who venerated their sire. He died suddenly, from an attack of pncu- monia, May 8, 1876, in the cighty-fourth year of his age. The sur- viving members of his family are his widow-Esther Henrietta Sperry, a native of Litchfield Co., Conn., who attended the celebrated school of Miss Pierce, at Litchfield, contemporaneously with Catharinc Beecher -and three sons and two daughters, viz. : William B., a banker in New York City ; IIermon C., located at Portland, Oregon, where he is connected with the Portland Gas-Light Company and the Portland Water-Works; and George S., a resident of Owego. The two daugh- ters reside with their mother, at the family home, in Owego.

Rev. William A. Leonard, rector of the Church of the Redcemer, Brooklyn, N. Y. (who is alluded to in the letter of Hon. Thurlow Weed), Lewis H. Leonard, merchant, New York, and Mrs. Louise Leonard Van Nostrand, of Brooklyn, N. Y., are the children of William B. Leonard and the grandchildren of the subject of this sketch.

The IIon. Thurlow Weed, in a letter to the New York Tribune, dated May 9, 1876, thus speaks of Mr. Leonard :

" The Hon. Stephen B. Leonard, a venerable printer and editor, died on Suuday, at his residence in Owego. Mr. Leonard established the Owego Gazette, in 1814, and conducted it for more than thirty years with marked ability and devoted patriotismn. llc was twice during that period elected to Congress, serving creditably and uscfully there, as he did in other positions of trust and responsibility. My acquaintance with Mr. Leonard dates back to 1814, when we were both journeymen printers. Ile established himself at Owego two years after I broke ground editorially at Norwich, a neighboring village. Though seeing cach other less frequently than would have becu pleasant, we have always heen friends. . . . The Rev. W. A. Leonard, rector of the Church of the Redeemer, iu Brooklyn, N. Y., is a grandson of my deceased friend."

In politics Mr. Leonard was firmly attached to principles, and never swerved from what he believed to be duty ; at the same time he was always considerate of the feelings of others. Ilis private life was singularly pure and irreproachable. He was one of the people in heart and feeling, and, as a result, had a large acquaintance and many friendships; he was, in fact, one of the few remaining links counectiug us with the memeries of the early days of the Republic, when honesty, integrity, and patriotism were requisite te eutitle a man to the esteem and confidence of the people,-the days of pure statesmanship and honesty in the administration of publie affairs.

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171

AND SCHUYLER COUNTIES, NEW YORK.

there had been a death in the family of some favorite child ; the adopted one being received in the place of the deceased and treated with the utmost kindness. The romantic case of Mary Jameson and the wonderful Frances Slocum, and quite likely Queen Esther, are cases in point. After the adoption it was considered displeasing to the Great Spirit to allow a separation, which added strength to the attachment so sure to spring up between the foster-parents and the adopted child.

At the first session of the Sixth Congress, held in 1799- 1800, a mail-route was established from the Hudson, by way of the Kaatskill, Harpersfield, Oulanout, Unadilla, and Windsor, in New York, to Tioga Point (Athens), Penn- sylvania. The same act provided a mail-route from Wilkesbarre, by way of Wyalusing, Tioga Point, New- town (Elmira), Painted Post, and Bath, to Canandaigua. It is difficult to conceive how a mail could have been eon- veyed over these routes, where there were neither roads nor bridges. For fifteen years, however, the pioneer had been dependent upon private hands and chanec ways for receiving by letter or verbal communication news from distant friends, until 1801, when a post-office was established at Owego, with David Jones as postmaster. In 1814 the mail was carried between Chenango Point and Tioga Point in a one- horse wagon. This continued until 1816, when Conrad Peter commenced carrying the mail between Owego and Newburg on the Hudson, in a wagon drawn by four horses. In 1825, Stephen B. Leonard established a line of coaches running twice a week between Owego and Bath, Steuben County ; subsequently Lewis Manning and his son, Chester J. Manning, of Owego; Major Morgan, of Che- nango Point; Cooley & Maxwell, of Newtown (Elmira) ; and John McGee, of Bath, became the proprictors of the Great Southern Tier Mail and Passenger Coach Line, be- tween Newburg and Bath, which became a daily line, and was continued until the opening of the New York and Erie Railroad in 1849. Thus the first fifty years of this century were a period in which were made three marked advances in the mail service: first, from the irregular and chance service to one at intervals of two weeks; second, a mail twiee a week, and improving to a daily delivery ; third, the present mail service, beginning in 1849.

The changes wrought in the facilities for travel, com- merce, transportation of mails, and by telegraph, within thirty-five years, are marvelous.

The first school-teacher was John Kelly. He taught in a log school-house that stood where the academy now stands. Mrs. Carmichael (who was born in Connecticut, Sept. 11, 1794, and came to Owego with her parents a child in arms) remembers the school-house and the teacher; and from her we glean the thought also that he was a thorough teacher, imbued with the love of his profession, and sowed seed that laid the foundation for the stability and integrity of the characters that have brought about the excellent state of public instruction of which Owego may so justly boast.

About 1824, Philip Goodman was the publican of the old Owego tavern, built previous to 1800 by Captain Luke Bates, and the first in the county. Soon after, the Franklin House was opened. It stood near the corner of Front and Court Streets, and was consumed by fire in 1849, an account of

which will be found elsewhere. The next lot west of the Owego Hotel was vacant until 1840, when the Log Cabin was built for the Whig headquarters in the presidential campaign of "Tippecanoe and Tyler too," or the "Hard Cider" campaign, of great importance in this as well as many other parts of the county. Beginning at the south- west corner of the Park, going west on Front Street, the residence of Wm. Pumpelly, still there; then that of Wm. Camp and the small house occupied by the widow of Elia- kim Goodrich ; then the James Pumpelly mansion and land-office stood as now. Below McMaster Street, on Front, were the residences of Dr. Charles White, Isaac Lillie, and Daniel Turner. The old court-house, with its dove-cote and bell-tower, was thien a familiar object. The David Tinkham building was the only building between Mrs. Mary A. Lanning's dwelling and " the Ithaca Turn- pike" (now North Avenue). Dean & Valentine occu- pied the corner of Lake and Main Streets as tin and stove dealers. Jared Huntington's residence and harness-shop, on west side of Lake Street, survived the fire of '49.

The Owego Academy opened in 1828, with Joseph Ely as principal. The ground occupied by the academy was the early burying-ground of the village, and was thus used about 1810.

On Front Street above Church were the residences of Judge Latham, A. Burrows, Widow Mack, John H. Avery, Charles Pumpelly, Eleazer Dana, Stephen B. Leonard, Asa H. Truman, John Hollenback, now the residence of Wm. Pumpelly ; but here the enumeration would be that of to-day-or their descendants.

On the corner of what is now Temple Street and North Avenue " the Old Brewery" stood. The residences of David Thurston, Asa Dearborn, and two maiden ladies named Dwight were on the east side of the turnpike, be- tween Temple and Main Streets. On the north side of Main Street, facing Lake, was the residence of Isaac B. Ogden and his furniture-shop. Jas. Ely and Amos Martin had residences on Park Street, then without a name; the Park was then called " Publie Squarc."

No material change took place in the village until 1849, when the whole business portion was swept away by fire. In the autumn of that year the New York and Eric Rail- road was completed to Owego, which at once changed the whole aspect of the town. The old-fashioned stage-coach and the memorable stage-driver, with his whip and horn, disappeared. The new impetus aided the rapid rebuilding of the burnt district; nearly every building standing in 1830 had either disappeared or been so transformed as not to be recognizable. The village has excellent railroad facil- ities ; openings exist to the east and west and in two diree- tions north ward. Here all the wooden bridges of the Erie are made, and the timbers prepared for all repairs.

The Bank of Owego was chartered in 1836, with a cap- ital of $200,000; reorganized in 1864 as the First National Bank. The Tioga National Bank was organized in 1865. There is also a private bank.

The postal service, as now known, was established at Owego, Oct. 7, 1806. The first postmaster appointed was John Burt, who held the office until Jan. 24, 1815, when he was succeeded by William Dolloway, who was succeeded

172

HISTORY OF TIOGA, CHEMUNG, TOMPKINS,

by Nathan Sage, June 17, 1816 ; and he by Jedediah Fay, May 15, 1820 ; and he by Daniel Ely, Feb. 4, 1842; and he by Stephen B. Leonard, Nov. 20, 1844; and he by Chas. R. Barstow, April 18, 1849. The office became a Presidential appointment April 18, 1849. Hiram A. Beebe was appointed May 4, 1853, and Charles Stebbins June 30, 1862; and the present incumbent, Frank L. Jones, Feb. 17,1871.

In 1790 the entire length of the post-roads in the United States was only 1875 miles; on the 30th of June, 1875, the post-roads had extended to 277,873 miles.

James Pumpelly was prominent among the citizens of the county, not only on account of the magnitude of his dealings in real estate but his uprightness, genial manners, and many excellent qualities. He was born in Glasten- bury, Conn., settled in Owego in 1802, and with his two younger brothers surveyed the twelve townships. His land- office for fifty years and more was a well-known place. His unexpected death produced a deep gloom in the community. Charles Pumpelly, his brother, settled at Owego about the same time; he was for half a century one of the aetive business men of the county, had a pleasant temper, and was highly respected. He was a member of the Constitutional Convention of 1822. William Pumpelly, another brother, settled in Owego in 1802; was for many years a surveyor, subsequently a merchant, and also connected with the Bank of Owego as its president : his career has been honorable. Harmon Pumpelly, another brother, settled in Owego about the same time; was also a surveyor and became a wealthy land-owner, but removed to Albany about 1842.

William Platt was one of the earliest lawyers of the county. " His was a blameless life, without guile." He was agent for " Cox's Manor." He was son of Jonathan Platt, of Niehols, and died in 1865, aged sixty-three. There were Jonathan and Nehemiah Platt, men of strong and good character also. Other of the prominent men of Owego will be found written more in detail in the recital of mem- bers of the bar and the medical profession.

Hon. Charles P. Avery was the first judge eleeted after the change of the judicial system by the constitution of 1846, making the office elective; he was elected in 1847, and held the position during two terms. He was very zealous and active in reviving an interest in the early his- tory of the county, and in 1854 published in the St. Nicholas several important papers on the History of the Susquehanna Valley, from which some extracts for this work have been made. Though his influence mainly several pioneer festivals were held in this and adjoining counties in 1852, 1853, and 1854, bringing together the early settlers of Tioga, Chemung, Broome, Bradford, and Susquehanna Counties, and at which addresses were made and much valuable data collected. He was also aetive in tracing Indian history of those tribes who had frequented here. About the year 1855 an Indian of the Mohawk tribe in Canada, by the name of Loft, with two sisters, eame through this part of the country giving musical entertainments for the purpose of obtaining funds to publish the Bible in the Mohawk language. They were entertained for some time by Judge Avery. A few days after leaving Owego, Sa-sa-na, the eldest sister, a very beautiful and intelligent girl, was

killed by a railroad accident at Deposit, Broome Co. Judge Avery erected to her memory a monument in " Evergreen Cemetery."

Some ladies in Auburn, Albany, Binghamton, and Oxford manifested their sympathy for the bereaved and their regard for the deceased by contributing $109.75 towards a monument ; Hon. Charles P. Avery delivered a lecture at the court-house, "Tioga County and its early History," which netted $34.27, which he donated to the saine purpose; and the ladies of Owego made up the rest; so that a monument was obtained for $201.58-value much more-and placed on her grave. It is a handsome shaft, 17 feet high, and is inscribed :

"SA-SA-NA LOFT. " By birth a daughter of the forest ; By adoption a child of God."

The site is one of the most conimanding, overlooking the beautiful valley of the Susquehanna, with its bright and shining river laving the shores where once her ancestry bathed their blood-stained forms, danced on her verdant banks, and reeounted their victories, or prepared for new deeds of valor. Now a beautiful village, filled by the sounds of industry, with embowered streets, and here and there a church-spire peering through the umbrageous foliage of trees grown since that day, bespeak of peace and quiet to them unknown ; while on yonder mountain, high up, o'er- looking the lovely valley as if contemplating the fruits of industry, she sleeps, and through the native forest-trees that surround her we hear the refrain of the angel-choir mur- muring,-but

" Hark ! in the holy groves of palms, Where the stream of life runs free, Echoes, in the angels' psalms, . Sister spirit ! hail to thee !'"

Owego, historic Owego ! Here is a remarkable combi- nation of bold scenery and habitable plain, fast being filled up by the industries and homes of intelligent citizens. Near by is one of those small, bright rivers which are called ereeks in this country, and which comes in with its valley at right angles to the vale and stream of the Susquehanna, forming a plain with three radiating valleys,-a city with three magnificent exits and entrances. The angle is around a mountain near five hundred feet high, which kneels down at the meeting of the two streams, while another round mountain of an easy acclivity lifts gracefully from the oppo- site bank, as rising from the same act of homage to Nature's God. Below the town and above it, the mountains for the first time give in to the exact shape of the river's short and capricious course ; and the plain on which the town stands is inelosed between two amphitheatres of lofty hills, shaped in the regularity and even edge of a eoliseum, and resem- bling the two halves of a leaf-lined vase, struck apart by a twisted wand of silver.

Owego Creek should have a prettier name, for its small vale is the soul and essenee of loveliness. A meadow of a mile in breadth, fertile, soft, and sprinkled with stately trees, furnishes a bed for its swift windings ; and from the edge of this new Tempe, on the southern side, rise three steppes or natural terraces, near the highest of which the forest rears its head and looks in upon the meeting of the

Charles A. Clark

HON. CHARLES AUSTIN CLARK.

The subject of this sketch was born at Guilford Centre, Chenango Co., N. Y., May 28, 1830. His father, Austin Clark, is still living in the town of Berkshire, Tioga Co., N. Y. His mother, whose maiden name was Julia Ann Phelps, died Oet. 3, 1845, at South New Berlin.

At an early age Charles manifested a desire to obtain an education. He was endowed with an excellent memory, and in many respects gave evidence of possessing a fine order of mind. While a good scholar in all his studies, he particularly exeelled in mathematics. His parents were anxious to give him a liberal education, but unfortunately they were poor. With them their son had to share all the labors and disadvantages of poverty. This he did eheer- fully. Not discouraged however by adverse circumstances, he pursued his studies zealously. Throughout his boyhood he attended school during the winter months, but during the summer it was necessary for him to work with his father on the farm. When seventeen years of age he had so far succeeded in his earnest endeavors 'as to receive a teacher's certifieate, and enter upon his labors as the teacher of a dis- triet school.

While attending a Teachers' Institute the following year, he met Dr. Calvin Cutter, of Massachusetts, author of a work on physiology, and lecturer on that science. He made an engagement with the doctor to travel as his agent, and, in the discharge of his new duties, visited institutes and academies throughout the State of New York, introducing Dr. Cutter's work on physiology. While thus engaged his attention was attracted particularly to the subject of medi- eine. At length he entered the office of Stanford C. Gib- son, M.D., of South New Berlin, and commenced his studies for a physician. Afterwards he went to the University of Michigan. He graduated from the medical department of that institution in the spring of 1853. While prosecuting these studies he taught school in winter, except while attend- ing medieal leetures.

During his school-boy days, as well as afterwards, he was aceustonied to engage in debates at lyceums, and wherever favorable opportunities invited, in which contests he obtained a gratifying degree of success, often winning the laurels.

He commeneed the practice of medieine as a regular physician at Berkshire, Tioga Co., N. Y., in April, 1853.

On the 30th of May following he was married to Evelyn Amelia Hodge, of Morris, Otsego Co., N. Y.

The young couple had little to depend upon but their own health, energy, and firm determination to succeed in life. Having spent the summer in Berkshire, Mr. Clark was induced to move to Bainbridge, Chenango County. Here he followed his profession for a time, but his hopes were not fully realized. The praetiee of a new physician in Bainbridge was not sufficiently remunerative. He there- fore opened a select school in the spring of 1854.

In this enterprise he was successful, and at the next an- nual town-meeting he was elected superintendent of common schools, which office he continued to hold so long as he resided in Bainbridge, at the same time keeping up his select school, which remained in a flourishing condition.

While residing at Bainbridge his only son, Henry Austin, was born, March 31, 1855. He is now an attorney, having been admitted to the bar at Binghamton at the general term, May 5, 1876. Ile practices his profession with his father at Owego, where he already holds a prominent posi- tion among the younger members of the bar.

In the spring of 1856, Mr. Clark made an engagement to teach in New Jersey.

After remaining a year in New Jersey he returned to Berkshire, to which place his father had removed in the spring of 1856. Here he engaged for three years in mer- cantile business ; then hoping for greater success, he tried sueeessively Marathon and Oneonta.

While residing at Berkshire his only daughter, Emma L., was born, April 16, 1859.

Having purchased a farm in the town of Newark Valley, he decided to retire from mercantile life. Accordingly, he went to his farm, where he lived during the years 1864 and 1865.

In early life it was Mr. Clark's ambition to become a lawyer. Many obstacles, however, stood in his way. Now at length there seemed an opportunity for him to gratify his long-cherished desire. Accordingly, he devoted himself to the study of law while carrying on his business, and, overcoming all obstacles, was admitted at the general terni at Binghamton, May 15, 1867, to practice in the State of New York, and shortly after was admitted to practice in the United States eourts.

His energy soon secured for him a prominent position at the bar. He resided at Newark Valley, but his practice extended largely into the neighboring counties of Broome and Cortland.

In 1869 he was elected supervisor of the town of Newark Valley, and the next year was re-elected without opposition.

In the fall of 1871 he was nominated by the Republican party as their candidate for the office of county judge, and after an exciting canvass was elected by a majority of 822. He entered upon the duties of his office Jan. 1, 1872. On the 29th of August following he removed his family to Owego, where he still resides.

During his first term as county judge he held court in his eounty every term except one, and also held terms of court in Broome, Chemung, and Schuyler Counties, and so careful was he in all his rulings and decisions that not one of them was ever reversed.

In the fall of 1877 he was unanimously renominated for the same offiee and eleeted by a majority of 1256, though no special effort was made in his behalf. IIe is now serving his second term, with every prospeet of giving as general satisfaction as he did during his first six years.

In 1876, Judge Clark was elected an elder in the Pres- byterian Church of Owego, in which church for several years he had been an active member.

Much of his success in life Judge Clark attributes to the assistance and adviee of his wife. Uncomplainingly and heroically she shared with him all the vicissitudes of his early struggles and disappointments, and she enjoyed, though all too briefly, the success she had so materially helped to achieve. On March 17, 1878, she passed to her home in heaven. Still she lives upon the earth, cherished in the hearts of her own people, and fondly remembered by neigh- bors and friends as a lady of force of character and amiable disposition, full of charity and good works, most beautifully illustrating in her quiet home-life those Christian graces that make mortals immortal. ,

At the carnest solicitation of many friends, Judge Clark reluctantly yields his consent to have this brief sketch of his life, so varied in its experienee as teacher, doctor, farmer, lawyer, and judge,-now troubled with the adversities of poverty, and now blessed with abundant prosperity ; a life in so many respects worthy of heartiest commendation, as honorably ambitious and honestly successful,-appear, to- gether with the steel portrait accompanying it, in this his- tory of Tioga County.

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History of Tioga, Chemung, Tompkins and Schuyler counties, New York, Part 44

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