USA > New York > Ulster County > History of Ulster County, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers. Vol. II > Part 44
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Mr. Duminie was lost in reflection or prayer, and Teunis at last deliberately took off his coat, which he slowly folded and hung over the back of the elerk's desk. With another heavy sigh he proceeded maufully to sing through the entire 119th Psalm, until Dominic Doll's attention Was happily arrested and the error corrected, to the relief of the congregation and Teunis, who devoutly believed that his time har come.
At the corner of Pearl and Fair Sheets lived Peter New- kirk, in the house which is now the parsonage of the Second Reformed Church. This gentleman was the father of Mrs. James D. Baldwin.
Next was the quaint old house of Mrs. Sabler, then oc- cupied by Jesse Buell, and here he published the Plebeian (first issued in November, 1801) until he was called to Albany, in 1813, to edit the Argus.
Beyond were the first plains, and on their westerly side no building stood, and the only stone house on the south- orly side of the first plains was that now belonging to the Presbyterian Church property, and then occupied by Dr. Abrain Vosburgh.
Passing to Maiden Lane and going westerly along its north side is the stone house now of Miss Jackson, then of a Masten family, and from it there was nothing until the corner of Fair, where stood Evert Bogardus' tavern, which was the headquarters of the Federalists, the seene of many a public dinner and reception, the best-known publie- hoase in the county for many years, and in which sat the convention which framed the first constitution of the State of New York.
Mrs. Sickles' house was then occupied by Solomon Has- brouck, the village pedagogne, who taught school in the old building formerly opposite the Methodist church, where he was succeeded by Mr. Dederick.
At the corner of Maiden Lane and Wall was a house occupied by Joshua Du Bois, many years the court-erier. It is now gone, and the next of that date is Mr. Fowler's, then the home of Jongh Mebane, on the corner of Mailen Lane and Green. He is remembered for once upon a time,
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177
CITY AND TOWN OF KINGSTON.
when the Woolverhookers invaded the territory of the Kinderhookers and attacked them, coming gallantly to the rescue of his own clan and routing the Woolverhookers by heaving a red-lot iron in their midst.
Iu the house now on the opposite corner lived Tobias Van Buren, the grandfather of the five brothers John, Tobias, Heury, Persen, and Isaae.
On the southeast corner of Maiden Lane and Wall there was a house occupied by two old ladies named Brink; the site now covered by the residences of Messrs. Johnson and Ridenour.
Next, and on the southwesterly corner of Maiden Lane and Fair, there was a small stone house occupied by Mr. Snyder, which in ISOT was taken down and rebuilt by Edward Eltinge, and afterwards purchased by Mr. A. Bruyne Hasbrouck. On the opposite corner was the rival public- house, the Republican headquarters, kept by Conrad Elmeu- dorf, familiarly known as " Topper Conrad." This is now the residence of Gen. Van Buren.
The frame house of Mr. Teller, then of John Hitt, was not built until about 1814, and thence also there was noth- ing to the plains. Nor was St. James Street much occu- pied in those days. On it, indeed, there was a small frame house painted red, the home of Hendrich Crook. The American Hotel of later times occupies the same site.
The stone house farther westerly, still standing and opposite the furnice, was a homestead of the Masten family.
At the corner of Ea-+ Front, where Mr. Charles Brod- head's house now stands, was the stone residence of John Van Keuren (brother of Lucas), who was born in the celler of the old Van Keuren homestead, where his mother had fled while the English troops were firing the building over her head.
Ou the northeast corner of St. James and Wall lived a Du Bois, and opposite to him a Crook, and at the opposite corner of Wall lived Mrs. Katje Hermance. She sold small- beer and sponge-cake to the academy boy -.
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On the southeast corner was a stone house where the large frame one now stands, occupied by Mr. Hamilton, the father of fhenry, who saved the Dutch church frou fire, as already mentioned, and whose family subsequently re- moved to Twaalfskill.
Passing easterly. there was nothing to remark until you reached the Van Keuren house, and it is interesting to note its great antiquity by stating that it is known to have been occupied by the grandfather of old Lucas Van Keuren.
At the corner of Pine and St. James is the old Hough- taling homestead, still held by the family; and on the corner of East Front and St. James. Ineas Van Keuren bought a small frame house in 1805 of Maj. Swart, fron: which he rebuilt the present residence of Dr. Davis. In front of it was the only free well erected by the trustees of the tewu, and in the rear of Dr. Davis' house was the pound, opposite which lived the poundmaster, " Bill" Keator, as he was familiarly known.
Returning now to North Front Street, and following Green ou its right or westerly side, there is found the long stone house in which lived James Styles, the watchmaker.
Next was the house of Egbert Dumond, the first sheriff
of the county under the State organization, and afterwards re-elected in 1785, -- the place in later times of Charles G. Cooper.
After that we reach the homestead of Col. Abraham Hasbrouck, burned in 1775, when he removed to his East Frout Street house. It was again rebuilt by the colonel after the war for his son Abraham, and by him conveyed to Judge Jonathan Hasbrouck, first judge of the county, in 1798.
Next is the house of Lucas Elmendorph, first judge of the county, in 1815, with its fine front, perhaps unrivaled in the county.
There was no house on this site before the war. It was built by Judge Elmendorph, and is said to have been the first house illuminated in Kingston, which occurred in 179S, on the occasion of his election to Congress.
Here in a room over his stable the post-office was kept for many years, and on the spot where the Ostrander barn of later times stands was the village school-house, -the same building afterwards removed to Fair Street, in the rear of Mr. Bruyn's.
Next is the handsome house of Jacob Tremper, father of Judge John Tremper, whose sister married Conrad Ed- mundns Elmendorph as his second wife and became the mother of Mrs. Jonathan D. Ostrander, by which means it passed into the hands of the Ostrander family.
Next is the old homestead of Direk Wynkoop, first judge of the Common Pleas, in 1783.
Beyond Green on Pearl Street there are three old stone houses,-one so long the residence of William Van Aken, then of Cornelius Masten ; another, of John Masten, occu- pied in later times by his daughter ; and last, the well-known homestead of that devout man William H. Dederick.
There were three small stone houses beyond Judge Wyu- koop's,-the first of Thomas Beekman, the second of Jacob Marius Groen (now removed), and the third of Abraham Wynkoop, a part only of which remains, near Mrs. Bevier's. The last stone house on Green Street is the large one built by Tobias Van Buren the elder.
Beginning again at. North Front Street, and passing south- erly along the east side of Green, there was a house of George Tappen, son of old Christopher Tappen, the county clerk, torn down to make way for the new school-house of District 11. On the corner of Green and John Streets lived Dr. Luke Kiersted, the leading physician of the place. Next, and on the opposite corner, was the home- stead of Abraliatu Van Keuren, burned in 1775 by the same fire that destroyed Col. Hasbrouck's house, and rebuilt after the Revolution.
Then follows the large square mansion of John Tappen. occupying the corner of the triangle, which, by the way, is correctly laid down on the old map of 1695, given in this volume. Here John Tappen-published the Plebeian, and the outline of the staircase ascending to the printing.room on the western exterior of the building can still be traced.
Having completed Green Street, we return next to the head of Crown Street at its junction with North Front. Going south on the east side, there was a small stone house, which is now a part of the Kingston Hotel, where lived Elizabeth Elinge, an unmarried lady. Levi Jansen, sheriff
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HISTORY OF ULSTER COUNTY, NEW YORK.
and Samnel Ostrander, for three years; and the proceedings were verified before Judge David Staples.
THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF PLEASANT VALLEY WEST
was organized April 12, 1814, by the Rev. James I. Ostrom, with four members, -Benjamin Russell, Jonah W. Huff, Mary Huff, and Lucia Baxter.
Benjamin Russell and Jonah W. Huff were chosen and set apart to the office of ruling elders.
From this time to 1822, 26 were added to the church, mostly on confession of their faith ; during which time there was no settled pastor, nor even stated supply, but it was occasionally supplied by different ministers of the Pres- bytery of North River. Frem 1822 to 1834 there were no additions, but several removals by death and otherwise, until it became almost extinet. On the 1st of April, 1834, the Rev. Leonard Johnson, of Marlborough, and the Rev. Isaac Beach, of New Paltz, held a protracted meeting, as the results of which nearly twenty were added to the church. From that time to 1841 there were various additious and removals, until it numbered 53.
The following are the stated supplies that have been en- ployed since 1834: From April, 1834, to April, 1835, the Rev. Win. J. McCord; from July, 1835, to May, 1837, the Rev. Mr. Tuckerman ; from November, 1537, to No- vember, 1838, Robert Laird; from November, 1838, to April, 1810, the Rev. Michael La Cert ; from July, 18-40, to April 2, 1813, the Rev. Sherman Hoyt. Mr. Hoyt be- came the regular pastor of the church on Oct. 5, 1841, and is the only pastor the church ever had. Ile was followed iu 1844 by the Rev. S. Lockwood, as stated supply. In July, 1848, Rev. Charles Parker'was chosen as supply for one year, being the last regularly-officiating minister of the church. For a long time the society used the meeting-house in the old burying-ground in common with the Baptists, but erected a church edifice of their own in 1833. They con- tinued to hold meetings until the year ISCS, when, owing to several causes, the principal of which was the proximity of the Methodist and Dutch Reformed churches, it began to decline, and finally suspended all sessional and other meet- ings.
A certificate incorporating this society was executed Feb. 17, 1813. At the meeting for organization Benjamin Rus- sell was chairman, and Ezra Williamsou clerk. The trus- tees chosen were Lemuel Leght, Richard Garrison, James Russell, Jonah W. Huff, Alexander Ross, Renjamin Rus- sell. The paper was signed by the officers mentioned above, aud verified before Judge David Staples.
A further incorporation was effeeted by a certificate dated Aug. 18, 1834. The instrument was executed by Aaron Raymond and William Garrison, inspectors of the election ; witnessed by D. H. Hartshorn ; sworn to before D. H. Harts- horn, commissioner of deeds; aud the record attested by Jacob Snyder, clerk of the county. The trusters then chosen were Seth Terry, Henry Bodine, Aaron Raymond.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL.
The leading denomination in the town at the present time is the Methodist Episcopal, there being no less than
four meeting-houses of that denomination in the town, pre- sided over by three pastors.
The church in the south part of the town is in a flour- ishing and growing condition. No records are obtainable in the town to indicate the date of the establishment of Methodist worship at this point. It was first a link in a large circuit. It has been a separate charge for a great many years. The pastors of the church since 1863 have been : 1863, Rev. J. W. Smith; 1866, Rev. L. W. Patti- son ; 1869, Rev. M. M. Curtis; 1872, Rev. N. Tuttill; 1873, Rev. Charles Palmer ; 1875, Rev. Nelson Brazee; 1878, Rev. Robert Kerr, the pastor in 1880. The church edifice was built about the year 1840, and, having under- gone modification and repair, is a substantial and comely structure. The neat parsonage adjoining the church was built in the season of 1875-76. The valuation of church property is 84000. The present membership of the church is 140 ; size of Sabbath-school, 135 ; Sabbath-school library, 400 volumes. The stewards of the church are Griggs Waring, Edwin Mitchell, Matthias Overfield, John Gerow, and J. C. Brushfield.
Three successive incorporations of this society appear on the records of the county, as follows: A certificate exe- cuted Dee. 7, 1846 ; Sylvanus Terwilliger and John Hoes presided at the meeting for organization. The trustees elected were John Hoes, Pulaski Birch, Sylvanus Terwii- liger, Meigs Warring, Nathaniel M. Van Duser, Win. C. Content, Edward Pickens. The instrument was verified before Stephen Riker, justice of the peace, and the record attested by Richard Keator, deputy elerk.
A certificate executed Jan. 20, 1850 ; Joseph H. Merritt and John Ioase were the presiding officers at the meeting for organization. The trustees elected were Sylveuus Ter- williger, Wu. J. Coutant, Griggs Waring, John Hoes, Josiah HI. Merritt. The name of Daniel Hunt appears as witness upon the instrument, the verification before Judge Liuderman, and the record was attested by J. D. Montanye, county clerk.
A third certificate of incorporation was executed July 6, 1875; Griggs Waring, John B. Gerow were inspectors of the election. The trustees chosen were Griggs Waring, John B. Gerow, Harvey Griffu, Isaac Wood, Richard G. Morten, Robert Lowery, Ebenezer Stevens, Francis Gani- son. Henry Griffin. The instrument was verified before Francis Garrison, justice of the peace, and recorded Sept. 30, 1875.
MODENA METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCHI.
Methodism was introduced into this town about 1786 by Revs. Ezekiel Cooper and John McClusky. This section was then a part of a very large circuit extending into New Jersey. The first preaching-places are not known, but a stone school-house, still standing a little north of the village, was used for service a long time before the first church was built. The first church, then called the Plattekill Church, was erected in 1926, while Rev. Bradley Silleck was pastor. It stood on the east side of the road, haif a mile south of the village, and near the present school-house ..
Modena formed part of a large circuit, embracing New Paltz and New Paltz Landing, having seven preaching
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Photo. by Lewis, Kingston.
JOIIN B. GEROW.
John B. Gerow was born in the town of Plattekill, Ul-ter Co., N. Y., Feb. 6, 1827, the second child of Jacob C. and Jane T. (Thorn) Gerow. The family are of French origin. Three brothers, John, Wil- liam, and Elias, came from Westchester Co., N. Y., and settled in the southern part of Plattekill. Elias, who was grandfather of John B., married Elizabeth Coutant, and raised a family of nine children,-five sons and four danghters.
Jacob C. Gerow, his father, was born in Plattekill, April 2, 1802; married Jane T. Thorn, Feb. 5, 1824. The latter was born April 23, 1807. Their children were Mary B., born March 3, 1825, wife of Lewis Wygart, living in Newburg, N. Y .; John Bodine, subject of this sketch ; Elizabeth G., born Sept. 21, 1830, wife of John Lansperry, living in Plattekill; Phebe Catherine, born Nov. 9, 1835, living in Platte- kill.
His father, Jacob C., was a life-long farmer. In politics a Whig and Republican. He was a member of the Friends' Church at South Plattekill. He died Oct. 26, 1857, and is buried in the Friends' burial-ground.
His wife is still living with her son JJohn B. The latter lived at home until he was twenty-five years of age . His education was received in the common school of Plattekill, by an attendance mainly during
the winter months. In 1852 he rented the farm of seventy-four acres, situated on the southern line of the town of Plattekill, including a grist-mill, which after three years he purchased. To this farm, by subsequent purchase, he has added twenty-five aeres. He married, Oet. 20, 1858, Merilla Powell, dangliter of Elias and Catherine (Thorn) Powell. Mrs. Gerow was born in the town of Newburg, Orange Co., N. Y., April 23, 1840. Their chil- dren are Ellsworth P., born May 17, 1861, and Catherine J., born April 1, 1866. Both are living at home.
In polities Mr. Gerow has been identified with the Republican party, and is one of its most active and efficient members in the town. For twenty-one years he has served as assessor of the town of Plattekill, and has been elected its supervisor for the years 1873, '75, '79, and '80. For the last six years he has been postmaster of the Plattekill Post-Office. He has frequently served upon school committees. Both himself and wife have been- members of the Platte- kill Valley Methodist Episcopal Church for thirteen years. During that time he has been one of its trus- tees. The positions of public trust which, for so many years of his life, he has been called by his fellow-townsmen to fill, sufficiently attest the high estimation in which he is held.
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TOWN OF PLATTEKILL.
places, until 1850, when the East Plattekill Church and Clintondale were set off with it under the name of the Plattekill Circuit. The membership before the division was 421 ; afterwards, 131, viz. : 84 at Modena, 43 at the East Church, and 6 at Clintondale.
The present church was built in 1855, while Rev. Charles Isham was pastor. It has been improved and repaired since, and is a commodious and substantial editiec.
The parsonage, which adjoins the church, has been oceu- pied since 1856. The name of the charge was changed to Modena in 1856. The present membership is about 150. Trustees, Ira HI. Elting, Andrew P. Limeburner, John W. Ostrander, Elisha O. Palmer, Oscar Hasbrouck, Sr., Daniel B. Gregory, and A. Hait Ostrander; Stewards, Elisha .O. Palmer, John W. Ostrander, Oscar Hasbrouck, Sr., and A. Hait Ostrander. The Sunday-school is well conducted; total number in school, about 75. Elish: O. Palmer is the superintendent.
The succession of pastors is as follows: 1786, Ezekiel Cooper and John MeCloskey ; 1788, Jesse Lee and Aaron Hutchinson; 1803, Gideon R. Knowlton and John Craw- ford; 1811, William Jewett and E. Hibbard ; 1824, Nich- olas White; 1825-26, Bradley Silleck ; 1827, Humphrey Humphreys and Eben Smith; 1828, H. Humphreys ; 1829, E. Smith ; 1830, Valentine Buck ; 1831, Benjamin Griffin ; 1832, II. Wing ; 1833, E. Washburn, D. Wing, and David Webster ; 1834, E. Washburn, J. D. McFarlan, and David Webster ; 1835, J. W. Le Fever and M. M'A. Ferguson; 1836, C. Stillman, J. Shaw ; 1837, Valentino Buck and M. Crawford ; 1333, John C. Green and C. Craw- ford; 1839, E. C. Green and Eben Smith ; 1840, Ira Fer- ris and R. K. Reynolds; 1841, Ira Ferris and MI. D'C. Crawford; 1812, Edward Oldrin and Eli Westlake; 1843, Edward Oldrin and J. W. Lindsay ; 1844, Thomas New- man and J. W. Lindsay; 1845, Thomas Newman and John Davy ; 1846, C. W. Carpenter and John Reynolds; 1547, C. W. Carpenter and John K. Still; 1848-40, A. S. Lakin and J. C. Washburn ; 1850-51, C. W. Carpenter ; 1852-53, J. II. Romer ; 1854-55, Chas. Isham; 1856-57, Uriah Messiter ; 1858-59, Win. Ostrander ; 1860-61, Wil- Bain Stevens; 1862, Win. Blake; 1863-64, 31. Van Deu- sen; 1865-66, J. C. Hoyt; 1867-69, M. M. Curtis; 1570, A. Ostrander; 1871, John H. Lane; 1872-73, S. G. Keyecr; 1874, J. G. Slater; 1875, D. H. Hana- burgh ; 1876-78, W. W. Shaw; 1879, J. Ogden Kern.
EAST PLATTEKILL METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH is three miles cast of Modena. A class was formed as early as 17SS, and regular preaching was kept up at the house of Aunt Ilullah Hait, until the church was built. One of the first leaders was Daniel Ostrander, who after- wards became a very prominent minister. The church was erected in 1829. It was repaired and enlarged in 1871-72 through the efforts of Rer. J. HI. Lane, pastor. The present membership is about 40.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, CLINTONDALE.
This church was formed in 1872. The first trustees were Theron Deyo, David Geralds, George Siddell, J. J. Hull, William Kuifhin, William Roc, Ira Terwilliger, D. W.
Schoonmaker, and Joseph Wardell. The first cost of the church building was $1700 ; it has been improved since, at considerable expense. Its growth has been quite rapid, the membership numbering about 140.
Rev. J. Ogden Kerr and an assistant pastor are in charge of the Methodist Churches at Modena and Clintondale, and what is known as the " East Church," between the two,- nearly. These societies are in a flourishing and prosperous state.
THE WEST PLATTEKILL METHODIST EPISCOPAL. SOCIETY
executed a certificate of incorporation, July 27, 1854. Abraham II. Ostrander and James Brown were the inspect- ors of election. The trustees chosen were Thomas II. Skid- more, Oscar Hasbrouck, Abraham HI. Ostrander, Robert I. Everett, Ira H. Eling. The proceedings were verified before Isaac Fowler, justice of the peace, and the record attested March 2, 1855, by M. Sheldon, county clerk.
THE EAST PLATTEKILL METHODIST EPISCOPAL SOCIETY was incorporated April 14, 1856. William Fowler and William Seymour were the officers of the meeting. The trustees chosen were Milton S. Gregory, Josiah Seymour, William Fowler, Daniel B. Gregory, Amos Hart, Jr. The proceedings were verified before James H. Brown, justice of the peace, and the record attested May 23, 1856, by J. M. Schoonmaker, county clerk.
A PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH
has been established at Clintondale, and the building of a house of worship just begun in 1879. The movement manifests but little strength, and the time when the church edifice will be completed is somewhat uncertain.
X .- BURIAL-PLACES.
There are several places of publie burial in the town, a number of which are of considerable antiquity. In the south part of the town an ancient yard of this kind adjoins the Friends' meeting-house. It was probably first used and laid out soon after the formation of the society in that local- ity. At first, in conformity to the humble character of its founders, it was decorated with no head-stones, and even now contains but a few modest ones. Another yard of even greater antiquity lies near the school-house at Plattekill. It has been in use since the first settlement of the town, and a number of stones bear ancient dates. Another bury- ing-ground adjoins the "East" Methodist church, in the north part of the town.
THE MODENA RURAL CEMETERY
is situated about one-fourth of a mile north of the village of that name. It is beautifully laid out, and contains 8} acres of land. It is regularly incorporated under the gen- eral laws of the State, and is controlled and managed by an association, of which Thaddeus Hait is president, John B. Deyo vice-president, George T. Seymour secretary, and Oscar Hasbrouck treasurer. The trustees of the associa- tion are Thaddeus Hait, George T. Seymour, Oscar Has- brouck, George Everitt, Joseph Limeburner, O. B. Church, John B. Deyo, Ha H. Elting, and John Van Orden. It was dedicated in July, 1870, and cost about £3300.
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HISTORY OF ULSTER COUNTY, NEW YORK.
The association was formed June 26, 1869, Timothy Seymour, chairman of the meeting, and Ira II. Eling secretary. The trustees chosen were Timothy Seymour, Ira H. Elting, John B. Deyo, Oscar Hasbrouck, Thaddeus Hait, George Everitt, Samuel Church, Joseph Limeburner, Jolin W. Orden. Verified before James Brown, justice of the peace, and recorded June 29, 1869.
PLATTEKILL CEMETERY ASSOCIATION.
This association executed a certificate of incorporation Nov. 3, 1862. The chairman of the inceting was Aaron Carle, the secretary Charles S. Dederick ; the trustees chosen were Philo Snyder, Levi Carle, Charles Van Keuren, Sebastian Place, Charles S. Dederick, and Peter Snyder. The instrument was verified before Judge Brodhead, and recorded Nov. 4, 1862.
UNION CEMETERY ASSOCIATION OF PLATTEKILL.
This association perfected an organization March 7, 1870. Charles Brink was chairman of the meeting, and I'. Henry Brink secretary ; the trustees chosen were P. Henry Brink, Wellington Wallace, George F. Carle, Peter Schoonmaker, Charles Brink, Jacob HI. Cunyes. The proceedings were verified before John E. Van Etten, notary public, and recorded March 5, 1870.
XI .- INDUSTRIAL PURSUITS.
The principal occupation of the inhabitants of Plattekill has always been the cultivation of the soil. Fruit-raising is now the leading feature of this employment. " Spafford's Gazetteer of the State of New York," published in 1813, says of the town :
" It is a good township of farming land, and has little to invite minule detail. The inhabitants are principally farmers of plain, economica! habits, and much of their clothing is the product of the household wheel and loom. There are 109 looms in farailies, which annually make abont 25,000 yarIs of eloth for common clothing. Its agriculture is still improving, though still inferior to that of the farm- ing towas of Dutchess County, on the opposite side of the river."
Probably no town in the county is the equal of Platte- kill in the cultivation of fruit, aud in the production of grapes, in particular, it is largely ahead of the other towns. The census of 1875 furnishes the following fruit statistics regarding the town : Number of apple-trees, 19,828; num- ber of bashels of fruit produced in 1874, 52,274 ; nuumber of barrels of eider made, 1874, GGT; pounds of grapes raised in 1874, 348,995. Quite a successful establishment for the drying of fruit exists in the town, and is owned by Alexander Palmer, who resides about a mile and a half east of Modena. The building is 30 by GO feet, with steam- engine and other apparatus, and is capable of preserving a large amount of fruit during the season, Preserved by this process the fruit retains all its original flavor and color, and is superior in many respects to canned fruit.
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