History of Tioga, Chemung, Tompkins and Schuyler counties, New York, Part 72

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 72
USA > New York > Schuyler County > History of Tioga, Chemung, Tompkins and Schuyler counties, New York > Part 72
USA > New York > Tioga County > History of Tioga, Chemung, Tompkins and Schuyler counties, New York > Part 72
USA > New York > Tompkins County > History of Tioga, Chemung, Tompkins and Schuyler counties, New York > Part 72

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).

The engine, in a house near the main building, is of five- horse power, with a ten-horse power boiler, supplying the bathing department, and eutting wood, and grinding food for the animals, and running the mangle for the washing- department, which is also done by steam. The simplieity of the apparatus for conveying water to and from the various apartments is very remarkable and suggestive.

The attraetions are not all in-doors. Passing but a few rods beyond the house-grounds is a glen, rieh in deep shadows, and meandering tortuously for half a mile, yet within half that distance from the house. In these soli- tudes, so consoling to tired nature, the musie of the waters, as they tumble through the gorges, do so lull the disturbed nerves, and the eool air ealms the fevered brow, while the feathered songsters enliven the sense with their Jubilate Deo amid the branches of those majestic pines, heroes of a century or more.

ELMIRA IRON AND STEEL ROLLING-MILL COMPANY

was chartered Aug. 7, 1860. This was originally the Elmira Rolling-Mill Company, with the following officers : Asher Tyler, President; Edwin Eldridge, Vice-President ; H. W. Rathbone, Secretary and Treasurer ; who continued in offiee until 1869.

The stoek subscribed was originally $50,000. Jan. 9, 1869, it ehanged hands, and with the new organization the stoek was inereased to $500,000, and the following were

the officers: George M. Diven, President; Henry W. Rathbone, Secretary, Treasurer, and General Superintend- ent. On June 9, 1869, Mr. Diven resigned, and Edwin Eldredge was elected to fill his place, and served until his death, Dec. 16, 1876.

The old mill was located on the site of the present one. Was a rail-mill only. In 1864 the company added a bar- mill, for the manufacture of merehant bar-iron. The ad- ditions have been frequent, until they now have a rail-mill, with puddling-furnaces sufficient to turn out 20,000 tons of rails per annum. The bar-mill, originally of wood, has been rebuilt, and of briek, considerably enlarged, and fire- proof. Have also machine-shop, smith-shops, warehouses, shop for eutting plate-iron and straightening angles, puneh- ing fish-place, etc. There are two blast-furnaces, with an annual capacity of 25,000 tons. The character of the ore used is fossil and magnetic. The location is favorable, being surrounded by swamp, which forms the most eapa- eious dumping-ground. The Erie, Lehigh Valley, and Northern Central Railroads run through the land of the company, and near the furnace, and eonneet with the eom- pany's private traek and switches. The present offieers are Henry W. Rathbone, President and General Superin- tendent ; S. T. Reynolds, Vice-President; J. L. Cooley, Secretary and Treasurer.

ELMIRA DRIVING-PARK.

"'An Aet to incorporate the Elmira Park Association,' passed April 13, 1871, and the act of the Legislature amending the same, entitled ' An Act to incorporate the Elmira Driving Park Association, passed April 13, 1871, and to repeal Chapter 329 of the laws of 1872,' do by these presents, pursuant to and in conformity with the aets of the Legislature aforesaid, associate ourselves, and form a body politie and corporate, ete., for the purposes men- tioned." The direetors eleeted being Frank A. Atkinson, Samuel S. Reynolds, Ephraim W. Howes, Lorenzo Howes, Charles J. Langdon, Myron H. Foster, Charles W. Skinner, Henry H. Purdy, Uri Bartholomew, and Frederiek A. Frasier.

The officers eleet were Frank H. Atkinson, President ; Samuel T. Reynolds, Vice-President ; Myron H. Foster, Treasurer ; Ephraim W. Howes, Superintendent; William E. Straight, Seeretary.

" State of New York, Chemung County, ss. : On the 16th day of June, 1875, personally appeared before me N. R. Seeley, John A. Reynolds, S. T. Reynolds, H. H. Purdy, J. B. Clark, A. Diven, Charles W. Skinner, W. E. Straight, L. Howes, F. H. Atkinson, E. W. Howes, F. A. Frasier, J. M. Shoemaker, M. H. Foster, U. Bartholomew, A. R. Burgett, C. T. Potter, J. R. Reid, and Edwin Eldridge, to me known to be the persons who executed the foregoing instrument, and severally acknowledged that they executed the same. F. G. HALL, Notary Public."

The present officers are F. H. Atkinson, President ; S. T. Reynolds, Vice-President ; M. H. Foster, Treasurer ; S. W. Clark, Secretary. The direetors are F. H. Atkinson, S. T. Reynolds, M. H. Foster, E. W. Howes, L. Howes, Frank Hall, C. J. Langdon, Charles Skinner, and Dr. H. H. Purdy.

Photo. by Van Aken.

Ile le owen

THADDEUS C. COWEN was born in Sehoharie Co., N. Y., Dec. 17, 1814. His father, Isaac Cowen, was a native of Putnam Co., N. Y., and whose grandfather (the family name was then ealled M'Cowen) was of Scottish birth, and emigrated to America prior to the Revolutionary war. Mr. Thaddeus C. Cowen's grandfather, John Cowen, was a soldier in the war of 1812-14, was in the engagement at Lewiston Heights, and was among those who were erowded off the rocks and perished in the Niagara River. His father died at the age of sixty- seven, at the residence of his son in Elmira, in the year 1855.

His mother, Anna (Seeor) Cowen was a daughter of Major John D. Secor, a Frenchman by birth, who came to this country with General Lafayette, and upon General Lafay- ette's return joined the staff of General Washington, was in service during a large part of the Revolutionary war, was twice wounded, and after the war was a pensioner, and died at the age of ninety-six, in the city of Rochester.

Mr. Cowen had three brothers and nine sisters, of whom only one brother, David, and two sisters, Mrs. Pereis Cham- bers and Mrs. Betsey Ann Galpin, are living.

Mr. Cowen began life without pecuniary assistance, and under extreme privations. With only five dollars of borrowed money, he started out as a peddler of notions when only eleven years of age. This experience while so young became a school of value to him, and learned him from necessity that self-denial, economy, and the value of time whieli have in all his subsequent career been his characteristics, as well as to impress upon his mind the valuable lesson of kindness to the needy and sympathy for the suffering.

In the year 1838 he established a store in Candor, Tioga Co., N. Y., and after two years removed to Elmira, and clerked one

year for Joseph Van Vleek ; when he bought out his goods and opened a general store for himself, through the assistance of Solomon L. Gillett, which he continued until about the year 1855, when he sold out his goods ; and after one year's travel through the Western States, during which time he took the stump for John C. Fremont, he returned to Elmira, and opened an auction, commission (wholesale and retail) store, which he has continued until the time of writing this sketch as a successful business man.

Mr. Cowen had been an active member of the Whig party in its day, and is an ardent supporter of the Republican party. Upon the organization of the city of Elmira, Mr. Cowen was captain of the night watch and chief of the police, and previous to the organization was elected trustee of the village from the Fourth Ward, which was largely Democratic. In all publie trusts and responsibilities he has fulfilled his duties with scrupulous integrity to all concerned. In the year 1836, Jan- uary 7, he married, while a clerk in New York City, Eliza Robertson, of Norwalk, Conn.

Their children by this union were Georgiana, Thaddeus, Newton, Seaver, and Frank. His wife died June, 1856. For his second wife he married Mary Eleanor Miller, of Wilkes- barre, Pa., by whom he had five children,-Edwin M., Nellie, Jennie, Grace, and John. Of these children, Thaddeus and Newton enlisted in the first eall for soldiers in the war of the Rebellion. The former after serving twenty-one months came home an invalid, and died one year after; the latter entered the service at the age of seventeen, did duty for two years, and coming home was so broken down in constitution that he only survived about one year. There are also deceased- Frank, Nellie, and Jennie.

Solomon Lbillets

SOLOMON L. GILLET was born in Colchester, Conn., Sept. 20, 1803. His father, Solomon, was a native of the same place, born Aug. 10, 1773, and his grandfather, Aaron, was born in 1732. The former was a farmer by occupation, and was married to Martha Doolittle, of Russell, Mass., June 15, 1801. Their children were five sons and three daughters, of whom all are living in 1878 except two.

The father died at the age of eighty-three; the mother died at the age of ninety-three, in the year 1871.

Of this family of children, Mr. Solomon L. Gillet is eldest, and until the age of seventeen spent his time at the district school and on the farm at home, followed by six years as a clerk in a general store, when in the year 1826 he entered into partnership with the former proprietor, where he remained until the death of his partner in 1829. In the year 1830 he eame to Elmira, in company with Joshua B. Wheeler, and opened a general store, and for twelve years was associated in business with Joshua B. Wheeler and Alvenus Cone; and in 1842 elosed his mer- cantile business, since which time Mr. Gillet has been connected with various enterprises. For four years was land commissioner and assistant treasurer of the Elmira and Williamsport Railroad (now Northern Central), for some time treasurer of the Elmira, Canandaigua and Niagara Falls Railroad, vice-president of the Chemung Canal Bank for two years, and president of the village of Elmira.

By industry, unsullied integrity of purpose in all his business relations, and judicious management, he has, as is common with all self-made business men, unassisted pecuni- arily, overcome the obstacles coincident to a business life, and secured a competence sufficient to place him beyond the apprehension of want.

Mr. Gillet was first a member of the old Whig party, and is now ardently attached to the Republican party. Not active in politics, he has never been solicitous of political notoriety or cmolument, but has practically lent his ener- gies to a business life.

In the year 1826, July 24, he married Mary J., daughter of Colonel Daniel Watrous, of Colchester, Conn.

She was born August 9, 1803, and possessed those womanly qualities that grace the household. . She was en- dowed with such intellectual gifts and strength as easily made her a superior woman, and qualified her to contribute a full measure of interest and support, in such ways as woman may, to the moral and social welfare of the commu- nity to which she came in an early day, and with which she was identified for so long a period. She died June 12, 1876. Her brother, John C. Watrous, was for a long period judge of the United States Court for the Eastern District of Texas.

Their children were Elizabeth K. (died at the age of three years), Daniel Watrous, and Charles Lewis (died at the age of ten years). The only son living, Daniel Wat- rous Gillet, was active in raising troops during the early part of the late Rebellion, and subscquently, until after the battle of Antietam, was quartermaster of a regiment; and resigning, was appointed clerk of the quartermaster-gen- eral's department of New York, and subsequently appointed assistant quartermaster-general, and at the close of the war settled in New York City as an attorney and counselor at law. Mr. Gillet in early life, in the year 1823, became identified with church interests, and has been a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Elmira since his residence in this place, and since the year 1841 has officiated as elder of that church.

271

AND SCHUYLER COUNTIES, NEW YORK.

THE TURF.

Inaugural meeting Sept. 28 to Oet. 2, 1875. One of the most noted animals of the American turf, American Girl, winner of 150 heats in 2.30 or better, dropped dead on the track at Elmira, N. Y., Oct. 2, 1875. Her best raee, and the crowning one of her career upon the turf, was at Albany, September 26, when she beat Camors in 2.20}, 2.162, 2.19, being an average of about 2.18} to the heat,- among the fastest three consecutive heats ever trotted in a raee. In most of her raees this season she was driven by Murphy, but in this, her final effort, John L. Doty was seated behind her. She had been slightly ailing from the prevailing epizootic, but it was thought she had recovered so far that there was no danger in starting her in the race. A post-mortem showed her lungs in a congested condition. The association have ereeted a life-size statue of her,-a handsome monument with a granite base, at a cost of $2200, -located near the entrance to the park, on a mound erected so as to show their favorite to good advantage.

The rage for fast horses has not been eonstant, notwith- standing there have always been those whose appreciation for fine stock indueed them to patronize the turf, and to invest their money in noted strains. In 1865 the Wileox Park, on the south side, was put in order, and a new stoek of trotters brought out, and the feeling in favor of horse-racing began to revive, and some of the best strains of the country were represented here ; some of them got down to 2.253.

The Driving Park Association have ereeted fine aceommo- dations for the comfort and convenience of patrons, and have as good a half-mile traek as there is in the country.

ELMIRA AS A MILITARY DEPOT.

Upon the banks of the Chemung River, near the present city of Elmira, was held the first public rejoicing in Western New York. The occasion was upon the return of General Sullivan's army from the Genesee country in 1779, during the Revolution, when they received the intelligence " that Spain had deelared war against Great Britain." This gave life to the veteran soldiers of the expedition, many of whom had served in the dark hours of our country's history. The event was appropriately celebrated by each of the five brigades composing Sullivan's command.

During the war of 1812, one company of infantry and one of light horse were formed in Newtown for frontier service.

At the breaking out of the Rebellion, as the various ealls for troops were borne along the wires, quickly the quotas of Chemung and other counties were filled. At Elmira the brave volunteers from the beautiful valleys and hills of the distant portions of the State collected. As regiment after regiment arrived they were equipped and means of trans- portation provided, with but little time for military drill before going to the front. Guard-mountings and dress- parades, varied with infantry or artillery exercise, were the order of the day. Mounted orderlies hurried from the post headquarters either to Lake Street barraeks or the River barraeks No. 3.

For months the pavements resounded with the tramp of citizen soldiery, and strains of martial musie reverberated along the northern heights of Mount Zoar or the lofty hill- sides which skirt the valley. Many of those daring men

returned ; but, alas ! many of them met a soldier's grave. The flowers of the valley now bloom o'er many silent graves,

" Where sleep the brave who sink to rest."

In 1864 a portion of barracks No. 3 was fitted up for a military prison, which was occupied by about 12,000 prison- ers (mostly North Carolinians, althoughi many other of the Southern States were largely represented). During the continuanee of the war, visitors were not permitted unless by special permit from the Secretary of War. A strong high fenee surrounded the inclosure, which was earefully guarded by the regiments detailed for this service. Al- though the prisoners were supplied with abundant rations, medical attendanee, ete., owing to change of elimate and diet many of them died. No less than 2950 were buried at Woodlawn Cemetery, where the government eaused each grave to be marked by a simple head-stone, giving the name of the State and regiment to which its oceupant belonged. The total number of prisoners of war at post, 11,916. Number of deaths during imprisonment, 2950. The hos- pital was supplied with competent medical attendants and everything to make the siek comfortable.

THE SOLDIERS' HOME.

The same kind hands were uneeasingly at work in devis- ing means for the comfort of those patriots who needed their attention. The government hospitals, as usual, did all in their power to relieve the wants of their inmates, yet this in- stitution found mueh to do : there were many comforts which woman's hand supplied to the suffering hero. Whether in the hospital or the " Home," at the depot, or even in transitu, the siek and wounded soldiers were ministered to, and from many a sleepless eot the prayer went up, "God bless the ladies of Elmira !"

THE BOOT AND SHOE INDUSTRY.

Of all the manufactories of which Elmira may boast, perhaps no one is more beneficial to the community, or more ornamental in its appointments, than that of Jaekson Rich- ardson & Co. It will be interesting to the general reader to note the beginning of this establishment, as the industry and taet are worthy of emulation, and herein may be dis- covered the secret of success.

Mr. Jackson Richardson, son of Thomas Richardson, one of the earliest manufacturers in New York, came from Almond, Allegany Co., N. Y., where he had been asso- ciated with his father and brothers in the manufacture of boots and shoes, and located in Elmira in April, 1861. He began with skilled labor and improved machinery, and a capital of $10,000.

The old establishment, situated on Water Street, just west of the railroad bridge, is familiar not only to Elmirans, but to the trade. Here, with a foree of 50 men, the busi- ness was established. In March, 1865, this building was washed away by a flood from the river, the only consider- able flood known here. The briek structure oeeupying the same ground was somewhat larger, and the force employed reached 225 operatives. In the beginning the machinery, valued at $3000, sufficed ; now it is estimated at $10,000. The business has averaged $500,000 during the past ten years. The stoek earricd has averaged $75,000, purchased

272

HISTORY OF TIOGA, CHEMUNG, TOMPKINS,

largely in New York State tanneries and Chicago, Ill. In the fall of 1877 the present building was erected. This is one of the most imposing structures in the city, being 60 feet front, 90 fect deep, and six stories high, situated on Railroad Avenue, corner of Market Street, which greatly facilitates the shipment of goods to and from the establish- ment.

The manufacturing capacity now is about 400 cases per week. It is an actual pleasure to go through the cstablish- ment, and see the operatives, some 300, supplied with every possible device, convenience, and comfort, converting mate- rial as if by magic into symmetrical boots and shoes.

The pegging-machine, which makes and drives the pegs so marvelously fast and perfectly, is perhaps the most as- tonishing device, yet cvery other department is equally fur- nished.

The building is the result of the accumulated experience of years, every part being specially adapted to the use in- tended, and the whole is a marvel of simplicity, and abso- lutely fire-proof. The original proprietor, Mr. Richardson, has been engaged in this business all his life. The asso- ciates, Mr. Westlake and Mr. Hawkes, have had many years' experience. Mr. Enos is the veteran cutter in the upper- leather cutting department. He cut the first side of leather for Mr. Richardson when he began business in Elmira.

The new firm was organized Jan. 1, 1875.

NOBLES MANUFACTURING COMPANY.

Organized, 1866. Incorporated, June 12, 1866. The object for which the company is formed, the manufacture and sale of carpenters' braces and a number of specialties in carpenters' tools. The first trustees were John C. Nobles, Milton V. Nobles, David Decker, William J. Donna, Lewis M. Smith, N. P. Fassett, and George Wor- rell. Their first building was corner Railroad Avenue and Fourth Street.

This company sold out, and the Elmira Nobles Manu- facturing Company was formed, March 1, 1871, with a capital of $60,000, and articles of incorporation filed. The first trustees were David Decker, E. M. Frisbie, James S. Thurston, D. R. Pratt, S. L. Gillett, George Worrell, John M. Dexter, N. P. Fassett, William Vial. The officers clected were as follows : David Decker, President ; E. M. Frisbie, Vice-President ; James S. Thurston, Treasurer ; S. L. Gillett, Secretary.

The company purchased from the Nobles Manufacturing Company their machinery, tools, manufactured goods, and all other property belonging to said company, for $58,000, the new company assuming all the liabilities of the old company.

In the summer of 1871 the new company purchased the lot and building corner Baldwin and Clinton Streets, and had the premises put in order, and in the fall continucd the manufacture of tools, as indicated in the beginning. On the last day of March, 1877, the buildings, machinery, tools, etc., were sold at auction.

On the 1st of April, 1877, S. L. Gillet and R. T. Turner, under the firm-name of Gillet & Co., rented the buildings, machinery, and tools, and have continued to carry on the manufacture of augers and auger-bits, etc.

Richard N. Watrous, who has been engaged in the manufacture of auger-bits, etc., for nearly fifty years, is foreman.

This industry has achieved an enviable name, and is a valuable acquisition to the city.

THE POST-OFFICE DEPARTMENT.

The mail-service in Elmira has kept pace with that of any similar population. By referring to the records it will be seen that the first postmaster was Mr. John Konkle, appointed Jan. 1, 1801, for Newtown, afterwards changed to Elmira. Mr. Konkle was a noted man, and some account of him will be found in a previous chapter. His successors, with the date of their appointment, are as follows : Aaron Konkle, Oct. 1, 1809; Grant W. Baldwin, March 21, 1822; Thomas Maxwell, July 11, 1835 ;* Ransom Birdsall, July 9, 1841; Levi J. Cooley, May 13, 1843; Henry H. Mat- thews, May 5, 1849 ; Daniel Stephens, April 6, 1853 ; Daniel F. Pickering, July 26, 1861; William T. Post, March 18, 1867; Charles G. Fairman, April 5, 1869 ; Daniel F. Pickering, April 4, 1877.

Photo, by Van Aken.

Daniel, A, Porering

In connection with the foregoing sketch of the Elmira post-office we present a portrait of Daniel F. Pickering, the present postmaster, who was born June 6, 1816, at Middle Smithfield, Monroe Co. (then Pike Co.), Pa. The ances- tors, on his father's side, were early emigrants from England to the then colony of Pennsylvania, and, like its founder, were Friends or Quakers. His maternal ancestors were from Holland, also settling in the colony of Pennsylvania. The maternal grandfather was a soldier of the Revolution, leaving the army with a major's commission.

* Changed to Chemung County, April 15, 1836.

AND SCHUYLER COUNTIES, NEW YORK.

273

Mr. Pickering removed with his parents from his birth- place to Chemung, this county, arriving at the now village of Chemung on the 2d day of December, 1828. He re- ceived only the limited opportunities for an education af- forded by a country school, consisting of the plainer branches of an English education. Launched upon the world the graduate of a log school-house at the age of six- teen, he continued, in various capacities, a resident of Che- mung County,-a farm hand, carpenter and joiner, raftsman, lumberman, farmer, merchant, and liveryman.

On attaining his majority he was elected as constable and collector of the then town of Chemung, embracing the present town of Baldwin and a part of the town of Erin. Subsequently he held the office of school commissioner for two terms of the town, then its supervisor.

Mr. Pickering was elected to the office of sheriff of Chemung County in the fall of 1852, and removed to El- mira, assuming the duties of the office Jan. 1, 1853. He was appointed postmaster at Elmira, by President Lincoln, July, 1861, and re-appointed, by President Johnson, July, 1865, serving until April 1, 1867. He was removed for political reasons.

In March, 1872, he was appointed superintendent of the Chemung and Crooked Lake Canals, serving until March, 1873.

Mr. Pickering was appointed to his present position as postmaster at Elmira by President Hayes, April, 1877.

The following is a statement of the business done at the post-office of Elmira for the year ending May 31, 1878 :

Gross revenue. $25,856.70 Allowances (clerks, free delivery, postmaster's salary). 14,120.93

Net revenue $11,735.77

REGISTERED-LETTER BUSINESS.

Registered letters mailed

" delivered. 5,559

1,302

packages in transit

16,894

MONEY-ORDER BUSINESS.

Including domestic and foreign, with fees. $98,375.62

Disbursements, money-orders paid and repaid, domestic

and foreign.

98,325.62

FREE-DELIVERY BUSINESS.

Registered letters delivered.

5,195

Mail letters

691,708

Mail postal cards

140,517

Local letters

52,033

Local postal-cards

30,234

Newspapers, etc.

281,562 516

Letters collected.

282,980

Postal-cards collected.

88,015

Newspapers, ctc., collected.

33,821

Postage on matter for local delivery.

$1770.08

The officers and employees are as follows: Danicl F. Pickering, Postmaster ; A. J. Carpenter, Assistant Postmas- ter ; Charles H. Palmer, Mailing Clerk ; E. Ward Farring- ton, Money-Order Clerk ; Minnie Carpenter, Stamp Clerk ; Charles E. Hutchinson, Distributing Clerk ; George Ward, Assistant Distributing Clerk.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Tioga, Chemung, Tompkins and Schuyler counties, New York, Part 72

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