USA > New York > Chemung County > History of Tioga, Chemung, Tompkins and Schuyler counties, New York > Part 70
USA > New York > Schuyler County > History of Tioga, Chemung, Tompkins and Schuyler counties, New York > Part 70
USA > New York > Tioga County > History of Tioga, Chemung, Tompkins and Schuyler counties, New York > Part 70
USA > New York > Tompkins County > History of Tioga, Chemung, Tompkins and Schuyler counties, New York > Part 70
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The next year after coming to Elmira he was chosen trustee of the First Presbyterian Church, and continued by re-election to hold that office until his death, Sept. 1, 1868. In November, 1836, he was elected an elder, and was always an efficient member of the session, able in counsel, and fully identified with the prosperity and progress of the church.
He began early a system of beneficence, but he never gave ostenta- tiously, and probably no man in Southern New York did, during the thirty-five years preceding his death, give so large an amount to re- ligious, charitable, and educational objects, even besides his gifts to the college. He was for many years a trustee of Auhurn Theological Seminary and Hamilton College, to both of which institutions he made liberal donations of $10,000 each, and in his will devised $10,000 to the former and $20,000 to the latter. For more than ten years he was a corporate member of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, and took a deep but quiet interest in the great missionary work. The last and crowning object of his Christian liberality was the Elmira Female College. From the first he was the financial manager, as treasurer and president of the board of trustees. His donation of $5000, the largest amount then subscribed by any one, fixed the location, changing it from Auburn, where it had been located, and for which a charter had been granted as the Auburn Female Uni- versity. By act of the Legislature the charter was amended, the name changed, and the institution removed to Elmira.
The college opened with a debt of nearly $40,000, mostly owed to Mr. Benjamin. After a few years he proposed to give to the college $25,000 by releasing so much of the amount due him, on condition that the college be placed under the Synod of Geneva, with the pro- vision that the evangelical denominations he represented in the board, and also with the condition that the interest every year of the sum so released should be paid into an endowment fund, for the endow- ment, first, of the presidency, and then of professorships and the in- crease of the library.
The college accepted the proposal, and has been from that time under the care of the Synod of Geneva. Yet Mr. Benjamin never designed to narrow its boundaries, or diminish its liberal catholicity. In the recent effort to raise $50,000 by subscription, to improve and endow tho college and meet the condition of the State appropriation, he at once subscribed $25,000 in addition to his previous gift, making a total of $55,000; and in his will he provided for the payment of $25,000 more, making a total for the Elmira Female College of $80,000. He also gave $30,000 to the Presbyterian Board of Publication, and $2000 to the Elmira Orphan Asylum, besides many other munificent gifts to various institutions.
He married Sarah Wickham Goldsmith, born at Mattituck, Long Island, and sister of Rev. Dr. John Goldsmith, for thirty-eight years pastor of the Presbyterian Church at Newtown, Long Island. The fruit of this marriage was three sons and four daughters. All but one son and one daughter died in childhood, and the surviving son, William, a youth of uncommon loveliness, died immediately after finishing his course at Williams College. The remaining daughter is the wife of Hon. John T. Rathbun, of Elmira.
Photo, by Larkin.
89 Rathbun
JOHN T. RATHBUN was born in the town of Ballston, Sara- toga Co., N. Y., March 8, 1810.
His father, John Z. Rathbun, was a native of Lee, Mass., was a physician by profession, settled in practice while a young man at Ballston, where he continued a successful prac- titioner for some forty years, and in the year 1822 removed to Cayuga County, town of Scipio, where he remained in the practice of his profession for some twenty years, when his age debarred him from the further active duties of his profes- sion, and he came to Elmira, where he died at the very advanced age of ninety-eight, in the year 1867.
His mother, whose maiden name was Celia Tobey, a native of Lee, Mass., lived to the age of eighty, and died at Scipio, Cayuga Co., N. Y.
Of their family of three sons and six daughters, Mr. Rath- bun was second son. His other two brothers, Lorenzo and Valentine, were prominent physicians, the latter of Harris- burg, Ill., the former of McLeansburg, Ill.
The boyhood days of Mr. Rathbun were spent at home, receiving the advantages of a fair English education. After reaching his majority he selected farming for his occupation, which he followed in the town of Scipio for some thirty years, and was one of the most successful agriculturists in grain raising, and also shecp breeding, of his time in Cayuga County, raising some years as many as one hundred acres of wheat, and as much more spring grain.
In the fall of 1857 he removed to Elmira, where down to the present time he has been quite largely engaged in the purchase and sale of real estate. Among his first purchases was the " Brainard House," now known as the " Ratlibun House," one of the finest and largest structures and well- appointed hotels in the city and in the southern tier of the State.
Mr. Rathbun, during his residence in Cayuga County, was connected with the most important offices of trust in the vicinity where he resided ; was supervisor for several terms,
and represented the Auburn district for three terms in the Legislature of the State. He was originally a stanch member of the old Whig party, and upon the formation of the Republican party became an ardent supporter of its platform.
Since his residence in Elmira his attention has been given wholly to business matters. For some nine years he was one of the directors of the Chemung Railroad, and president of the same for six years; was director of the Canandaigua Railroad for nine years; was one of the prime movers in forwarding the construction of the Elmira, Tioga and State Line Railroad in 1876, and one of the first directors of the road.
He was one of the first men connected with the construction of the rolling mills, and was trustee for several years. Hc is also a trustee of the Elmira Female College, acting as president of the board of trustees for one year, and has been a trustee of the La France Manufacturing Company since its organization.
Mr. Rathbun has been closely identified with most of the enterprises of the city during his residence here, and among the important ones has acted as principal manager of the Simeon Benjamin estate, of which a portion was bequeathed to benevolent institutions. In all enterprises tending to educate and clevate the rising generation he has shown that liberality and integrity characteristic of his life, and which is largely filled with sympathy for those in need.
He was first married, in the year 1835, to Maria, daughter of Jesse Recd, of Auburn. By this union there were born four children,-George R., of Desota, Ill. ; John H., of New York ; Mrs. Mary Van Campen, of New York; and one dicd in infancy.
His wife died in 1845. In the year 1847 lic married Sarah M., daughter of Simeon Benjamin, Esq., of Elmira. By this union he has had four children,-Simeon B., of Elmira ; Sarah Maria, deceased ; William R., of Elmira; and Louis G., in the office with his father.
263
AND SCHUYLER COUNTIES, NEW YORK.
Losie, C. W. Fay, C. Bantley, E. A. Beers, D. C. Mer- tunes, A. Voorhees, J. Kolb, J. J. Meyer, Jr., Edward Cor- nell, E. B. Pickering, D. R. Davenport, and A. N. Smith. First officers: C. B. Bovier, C. P .; T. M. Losie, H. P .; A. Voorhecs, S. W .; J. H. Ladley, Scribe; E. O. Beers, Treas .; O. N. Smith, J. W. The present officers are J. L. Cornell, C. P. ; C. Bantley, H. P .; R. R. R. Dumars, S. W .; J. S. Allen, Scribe ; J. Kolb, Treas .; T. M. Losie, J. W.
The foregoing is extracted from records gathered specially for this history by W. L. Gibson, a charter member of New- town Lodge, No. 254, and its first V. G., also a member of the District Grand Committee from 1846 to 1870, and the highly-esteemed Dist. Dep. Grand Patriarch for the last twenty years, and for which we return him sincere thanks.
The District Grand Committee of Chemung was formed Dec. 14, 1847. The Past Grands of the several lodges having been called together at the request of E. S. Hin- man, D. D. G. M., mnet in Havana Lodge rooms; P. G. George T. Hinman was chosen Secretary. The lodges be- longing to the District of Chemung at this time were Chemung, Newtown, Havana, Millport, Sullivan, and Cana- desaga. In 1854, Schuyler District Grand Committee was formed. This left only four lodges in the District Grand Committee of Chemung. Dec. 28, 1861, Chemung Lodge merged into Newtown, as before stated. In 1864 only Newtown Lodge was left in the district, Millport and Sullivan having gone down ; and Chemung and Schuyler Counties were again formed into a district, Newtown and Havana being the only lodges working. In 1869, Tioga County was added. In 1874, Chemung, Schuyler, and Tioga Districts were divided, making a district of cach county. The district of Chemung had three lodges. There are now (July, 1878) four lodges in this district. The following Past Grands have held the office of District Deputy Grand Master: 1846, W. L. Gibson ; 1847-48, E. S. Hinman; 1849-50, W. L. Gibson; 1851, A. F. Corey ; 1852, George T. Hinman ; 1853, Cyrus Barlow ; 1854, Leonard Pearce; 1855, J. W. Chapman ; 1856, John N. Beers; 1857, W. L. Gibson; 1858, Dewitt C. Curtis ; 1859-61, Rev. William Sharp; 1862-67, W. L. Gibson ; 1868, George T. Hinman ; 1869-70, W. L. Gib- son ; 1871-72, O. H. P. Kinney ; 1873, Samuel J. Brown ; 1874-75, C. G. Fairman ; 1876-77, John T. Davidson ; 1878, George S. Sadler is recommended.
ODD-FELLOWS' RELIEF ASSOCIATION .- Pursuant to an act for the incorporation of societies, passed May 1, 1865, this association was organized with the name above written.
The object of the association is the defraying the funeral expenses and charges of its members as they shall from time to time deceasc, and the affording of pecuniary relief to their families.
The association at the organization elected the following Board of Directors : J. M. Tillman, W. L. Gibson, Charles Hazard, A. B. Galatian, C. G. Fairman, H. T. Palmer, J. Bartholomew, James McCann, G. W. Palmer, O. H. P. Kinney, E. W. Rutan, Wm. P. Dewitt, and Wm. Olivcy, who thereupon chose the following from their number to serve them as indicated : J. M. Tillman, President ; J. Bartholomew, Vice-President ; Wm. L. Gibson, Secretary ; James McCann, Treasurer.
The annual meeting of the members of the association for the election of directors, and the transaction of general business, shall be held on the fourth Thursday of December in each year, notice of which shall be sent by the secretary to all the lodges of whose membership one or more are mem- bers of this association. Such notice shall be mailed at least ten days previous to such meeting.
The present directors are J. M. Tillman, Wm. Olivey, H. T. Palmer, C. S. Cranc, James McCann, E. W. Rutan, Joseph Golden, O. H. P. Kinney, James Baker, C. J. Fair- man, Wm. L. Gibson, Wm. P. Dewitt, Jacob Schlosser.
The present officers are J. M. Tillman, President ; H. T. Palmer, Vice-President ; Wm. L. Gibson, Secretary ; James McCann, Treasurer.
SCHOOLS.
We are indebted to Mrs. E. J. Cleeves for the following, concerning the first school. "The first school-house stood where Park church now stands; it was a little wooden building, painted red, and was the only meeting-house in the place. Sarah Cleeves, who had taught the academy in Bloomingrove two or more years, as soon as settled in a house on Lake Street was invited to take charge of the village school. This was in the spring of 1817, and the school was approached by narrow paths, through woods.
" In 1823, Joshua Cleeves purchased two lots on West Water Street ; on one of these lots the sisters (there were three, Mary, Sarah, and Julia) built a school-house, with two apartments, for primary and higher classes ; this was the
FIRST HIGH SCHOOL
in Elmira (then Newtown). Miss Mary Cleeves was princi- pal, and Miss Sarah had charge of the primary department ; they were assisted by their niece, Abbie Cleeves, a lady of much refinement ; gentlemen were employed to teach mathematics and Latin. In 1841, Mary Cleeves died ; the school was continued until 1844, when Sarah's health failed, and she was compelled to give up her chosen work."
ELMIRA SEMINARY.
This institution was opened in November, 1847. The design of the founder and principal, Miss Clarissa Thurston, was a " Home Seminary, the young ladies being regarded as a family circle." The influence of the school was de- cidedly religious, " the Scriptures the great source from which lessons of instruction arc drawn." The names of teachers for the year ending March 30, 1855, were Princi- pal, Miss Clarissa Thurston ; Professor of, Languages, G. A. Matile, LL.D .; of Language, Mathematics, and Natural Science, Miss Mary D. Thurston, Miss Anna R. Atwood ; Instrumental and Vocal Music, Mrs. G. A. Matile, Miss Frances W. Owston, Miss Helene Matile, Miss Leonora J. Atwood, Miss Maria C. Kimball.
The school was held in the building now occupied by Judge Thurston and Miss C. Thurston, and was in success- ful operation seventeen ycars, until the health of the prin- cipal failed ; she closed it in her sixty-third ycar. Miss Thurston is still living, and engaged in preparing a work on the fulfillment of the prophecies, as shown in subsequent history,-a work which her fricuds consider her competent
264
HISTORY OF TIOGA, CHEMUNG, TOMPKINS,
to do. A brief natico of her writings will be found in the chapter on anthors.
ELMIRA FEMALE COLLEGE.
This was the first of its kind established in this State, and is believed to be the first fully-chartered female college in this country.
The college owes its origin chiefly to Mr. and Mrs. Hackett, who began the effort to establish a superior colle- giate institution in the city of Auburn about the year 1856. The trustees then were Rev. N. S. S. Beman, D.D., Tray ; Prof. Mandeville, of Hamilton College; Rev. I. N. Wyckoff, D.D., Albany ; F. D. C. Mckay, Warsaw ; Rev. William Hogarth, Geneva ; Rev. H. A. Sackett, Au- burn ; Rev. Wm. Hommer, Auburu ; Rev. R. Tinker, West- field ; Rov. Isaac Shaw, Cayuga; Rev. S. R. Brown, An- burn ; Rev. L. P. Hickok, D. D., Auburn (president of Union College); Solomon Jeuner, New York City ; and Simeon Benjamin, Ehnira. A subscription was begun, but. owing to local obstacles in selecting a site, the proposition was made to transfer the enterprise to Elmira. It was at this point that Mr. Benjamin became more heartily enlisted, and by a subscription of $5000 secured its location here. It was hoped that a large part of the subscriptions could be also transferred, but very little was actually realized from this source. A new subscription was raised, amounting to $25,000, additional to Mr. Benjamin's, and a loan of $24,000 and a State appropriation of $10,000. This was expended in oreeting a building and titting it up sufficiently for begin- ning. The college was formally opened in October, 1855, and at once filled. The first year it was in charge of Mrs. Dunlap, an accomplished lady, who had spent some years teaching in Athens and Smyrna. The Rev. A. W. Cowles, D.D., was inaugurated as president, Ang. 7, 1856.
The faculty of the college is as follows: Rev. Angustns W. Cowles, D.D., President, and Benjamin Professor of Sacred Literature, Mental and Moral Science,-classes in Greek and Astheties ; Rev. Darius R. Ford, D.D., Pro- fessor of Physical Science, Mathematics, and Astronomy; Miss Anna M. Robinson, Lady Principal,-classes in Eng- lish Literature and Physiology ; M'lle Agathe Elise Jacot, Preceptress in French and German ; Miss Helen N. Con- verse, Latin Department and Physiology ; Miss Minnie A. Knox, Physical Culture, History, and Arithmetic; Miss Amelia F. Willard, Algebra, Higher Arithmetic, English Analysis, and United States History ; W. Inton Wood, Piano, Organ, Harmony, and Composition ; - Piano and Vocal Music; George W. Waters, Director of Art. Department ; Miss Kate M. Bacon, of Drawing and Painting; Mrs. Fidelia E. Stanley, Matron ; M. S. Con- verse, A.M., Commissioner.
Eclectic Department .-- Well-advanced students who de- siro to omit Latin, or whose time for study renders it impracticable to pursue the regular course, will be allowed to select studies which they are prepared to enter. The college has sent on' 19 graduating classes ; more than 200 have received diplomas of this institution. The college has always stood on the broad basis of unsectarian union. The charter expressly requires that several denominations, men- tioning by name the Episcopal, Congregational, Dutch Re-
formed, Methodist, and Baptist Churches, shall be repre- sented by at least one member cach in the board of trustees, so that it cannot become exclusively denominational.
The college owes its existence and financial snecess to the liberality and management of Simeon Benjamin, Esq., as the able and generous treasurer ; he carefully watched over the pecuniary interests of the institution. The aggregate of his donations is not less than $80,000. The citizens of Elmira and community at large owe him a lasting debt of gratitude.
PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
" An Act in relation to Common Schools in the city of Elmira, passed April 4, 1859." Section 1, amended April 22, 1873, provides that from and after the 30th day of September, 1873, the territory embraced within the corpor- ate bounds of the city of Ehnira shall constitute one school district, to be called "the School District of the city of Elmira." By reference to preceding schools it will be seen that. Elmira was not deficient in means of education, but that the demand for free schools, although previously felt, just culminated. This was the most opportune time, how- ever, as it became the work of well-matured plans, put into operation when everything was fully prepared ; so that the system is equal to any other, and the school buildings ample in number and well arranged. The number of school-honses is nine,-two frame and seven brick ; the architecture of the brick buildings is highly ornamental. The cost or value of the school-houses and sites is $299,000. The member of licensed teachers employed for 1876 and 1877 is,-males, 6; females, 77; total, 83.
The whole number of children of school age who attended public school some portion of the year was 4451 ; average number, 31-43; average daily attendance, 2979; number of days attended, 575,927.
Number of volumes in public-school library, including the Young Men's Christian Association Library, and the library corner of Baldwin and Water Streets, is 2810 ; pres- ent valne, $2550.
The following comprise the Board of Education, 1877- 78: Commissioners at. Large,-J. F. D. Slee, term expires October, 1879; Matthias H. Arnot, term expires October, 1879; I. D. V. Pratt, term expires October, 1878; James 1. Woods, term expires October, 1878. District Commis- sioners,-Sahnon F. Chase, First District, term expires October, 1879; Chauncey N. Shipman, Second District, term expires October, 1880; Charles W. Brown, Third District, term expires October, 1879; Robert M. McDowell, Fourth District, term expires October, 1880; Patrick Bat- tersby, Fitth District, term expires October, 1879. J. D. F. Slee, President; M. M. Merrell, Secretary and Super- intendent.
There is one practice in these schools that is conducive of the best results for the teacher, viz., visitation. In ac- cordance with the rule on this subject, teachers have been encouraged to visit each other's schools. These visits have been arranged by the superintendent, so as to secure to the visiting teachers the best and most helpful illustrations pos- sible of work like their own. They are expected to take careful notes, and required to report their observations cir- cumstantially to the superintendent. Of course the best
ELMIRA SURGICAL INSTITUTE
ELMIRA SURCICAL INSTITUTE, THAD S. UP-DE-GRAFF, M. D., SURGEON & PROPRIETOR, ELMIRA, NEW YORK.
CARRIAGE
MANUFAR
J.C. SEELEY
CARRIAGES
CARRIAGE
MANITACTA Y
HE NICK & SEELL
OFFICE
CARRIAGE
J.C. SEELEY. MANUFACTURER,
ELMIRA.N. Y.
WITH DY L HEVIRES PHILADA
COR CHURCH & WILLIAMS STS .
265
AND SCHUYLER COUNTIES, NEW YORK.
teachers see and learn the most in this way. " Unto him that hath shall be given" has here its fulfillment and illus- tration.
ACADEMY OF OUR LADY OF THE ANGELS.
This school was organized in 1866, by French and Ger- man ladies of the order of Saint Mary. The school was first taught in the residence of the Sisters, on the corner of High and Market Streets. In 1873 a new building was erected on the lot adjoining, and the school now employs five teachers. The course of studies is similar to other academie institutions, ineluding ancient and modern lan- guages, and the ornamental accomplishments.
The Superior of the community is appointed by the Superior of the Mother-House, residing in Lockport, New York. The great Parent-House is in Belgium.
THE ELMIRA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
This society for the promotion of science had its origin in 1858, in the labor and liberality of Prof. C. S. Farrar, of the Female College in this city, together with a few public-spirited citizens.
Practical astronomy was their first idea. The grounds for a building were donated by Hon. E. P. Brooks. About $2000 were subscribed for building an observatory ; tele- seopes and other apparatus were purchased ; considerable debt was incurred, which, in a few years, was cleared off.
In the west wing was placed a good transit telescope. In the ceutre stands a sidereal elock and a museum of minerals and curiosities. In the east wing are placed an electric chronograph and a small library. The dome above contains a fine refraeting telescope, equatorially mounted ; its length is 113 inches, with a clear aperture of 8} inches ; it has seven Huyghenian eye-pieces, commanding powers of from 55 to 880, and has the usual eireles, reading microscopes, and clock-work movement.
The title aud control of this property was, in 1861, vested in a chartered society, called " The Elinira Academy of Sciences." Rev. Thomas K. Beecher was the first president, and Prof. C. S. Farrar the first secretary aud superintendent of the observatory. For many years, with- out salary, the superintendent has taken care of the build- ing and apparatus, and annually instructed in practical astronomy a class of college students, who pay a small fee into the treasury of the academuy.
The academiciaus (numbering about fifty gentlemen) are accustomed to hold business meetings at stated periods, and to hold scientifie meetings as occasion demands, at the call of the president. At these meetings certaiu standing con- mittees report and discuss scientifie matters in their depart- meuts, and generally two or more members present papers on special subjects of investigation ; often the evening is spent in inspecting specimens of geology or natural history, or in examining some new instrument of philosophical research.
The society usually reports its meetings in the current local news of the day. A small and valuable monograph, on "The Birds of Southern New York," by one of its officers, is its only publication as yet. A collection of its scientifie papers and proceedings will probably be published ere long.
From the beginning, having no endowment fund nor income to support an able astronomer who might give his whole time to the work of discovery, nor having any con- venient hall for meetings, the society has aimed chiefly to promote the diffusion of scientific knowledge, and the eul- ture of a taste and aptitude for scientifie pursuits rather than original discovery. There has indeed been the pur- pose and preparation for adding a scientific hall to the observatory, where lectures, experiments, and discussious on the natural sciences and education might be held prac- tically few to all ; but the city is yet young, and members of scientific taste and sufficient wealth to bring this about are too few. A considerable amount of useful and inter- esting work has already been done by the society.
The Elmira observatory is situated in longitude 76° 48' 28.5" west of Greenwich, in latitude 42° 6' 25" north, and is 864 feet above the sea level.
Prof. D. R. Ford is its present superintendent, and H. F. Atkinson president.
THE TELEGRAPH.
The first telegraph-office was opened in Elmira in 1850, over Dr. Paine's drug-store, ou Water Street, the line run- ning from Elmira to Canaudaigua, connecting with the New York Central Railroad wires. Soon after the New York and Erie Railroad was built, the superintendent, Charles Minot, saw the necessity of having a telegraph wire for their business, and in 1852 or 1853 a wire was put up on the Erie, the company using it exclusively for their own business. About this time the down-town office was moved to the American Hotel, near the depot (now the Frazer House). Mr. William F. Rolfe was the operator. About the first operators at the Erie were Charlie Thompson, Robert Cunningham, James H. Smith, and L. G. Tillotson. Mr. Tillotson was appointed superintendent, and held that position until about eight years ago, when he resigned and eutered into the manufacture and sale of telegraph instru- quents in New York City, and Mr. W. J. Holmes was ap- pointed superintendent, and still holds that position.
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