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 69
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88
The present officers (May, 1SS0) are F. W. Eighiury, N. G .; Willian Prull, V. G .; A. Van Bramer, Sec. ; A. McClung, F. S. ; William II. Vredenbergh, Treas.
EXCELSIOR ENCAMPMENT, No. 21, I. O. OF O. F ..
was duly instituted as No. 13, Jan. 7, 1847. The inti- tuting officer was D. G. W. P. John R. Wilsie. Ile was assisted by C. P. Andrew Saul, of Mount Carmel. The officers chosen and installed were Chief Patriarch, Caich S. Clay ; High Priest, Rodney N. Baldwin; Senior Wardco, Benjamin F. Valiet; Scribe, William H. Romeyn ; Treas., William Maston ; Junior Warden. E. W. Watson.
The other charter member, besides these officers named, was Joseph H. Tuthill
Degrees conferred va other brethren elected the same evening as follows: Jacob K. Tramphour, Samuel More- wood, William Townsend, C. Deyo Keator, Christian F.
272
HISTORY OF ULSTER COUNTY, NEW YORK.
machinery and tools are modeled after the latest improvements known in the business. The shops have a capacity for the daily production of 600 chopping axes nlone, in addition to knives adapled for use in dye-wood, tobacco, paper, hay-cutting. mowing, planing, and other machines, besides broad-axes, hatchels, picks, adzes, tanners' tools, erow-bars, etc.
"The company's machine-shop, comprising lathes, planers, drills, ete., nll new and of modern construction, and originally designed merely as a repair-shop in connection with their own work, is a model of ils kind, and has gained a high reputation for accurate and satis- factory work.
"This company is the lessee of the ' Rutherford' Forge and Rolling- Mill, in which is manufactured from pig and serap all the iron used in Napanoch axes-and tools, besides a surplus for market.
" The power is derived from the Rondout Creek alone, the water being used three times at as many different points, and made avail- able hy five turbine-wheels.
"The various processes of rolling the iron, punching and forging, tempering, grinding, polishing, and packing the tools employ 200 horse-power, communicated through 1600 feet of belting, and the labor of 100 men.
"Capital of the company is $60,000, fully paid in. Sales of mann- factured goods are made principally at the New York warehouse, 46 Park Place, to buyers from every portion of the West and South, while many Napanoch axes and picks find their way to California, Australia, the West Indies, and South America.
"Since the establishment commenced operations, nearly forty years ago, 200 axes per day may be set down as a moderate average esti- mate of its productions. This would mako 62,600 per year. Total product of the establishment equal to 2,441, 400 axes.
" About the time the Messrs. Southwick commenced business here, the Delaware and Hudson Canal was opened, and this was another moving spring to the growth of the place. In 1832 they also erected the large store building used by them for a tannery. The wood-work was subsequently destroyed by fire, and on its ruins has grown up the paper mill. Their energy and lavish expenditures attracted set- tiers, and the plsee grew as if by mungie. A village sprang up within the period of a few months, and it seemed. destined soon to become the metropolis of the surrounding country. But they gave up their busi- ness about 1835, which circumstance threw a damper upon the pros- pects and prosperity of the place. For some time afterwards business and improvement languished, but both revived when Judge Ludlum took charge of the abandoned places. Mr. Bange bought part of Judge Ludlum's property and became a co-worker in manufacturing and improvement. The iron forge was established on his land, and be built the foundry, which was burned a few years since. He also built the blast-furnace some seventeen years ago. The Napanoch forge was put in operation about twenty-five years ago. Ils business is to manufacture serap and pig iron into rolled and hammered iron, also to manufacture iron into varions ordered shapes. During one year it used 353 tous of serap. 453 tons of pig-iron, 75 tons of iron-ore, 17,200 bushels of charcoal, 155 cords of wood, il50 tons anthracite or bituminous eval. During the same period it finished 663 tons of rolled aud hammered iron, and pail for labor : 20,000.
" The business of the blast-furnace is to reduce iron-ore into pig- iron. In operation it consumes 12 to 15 tons of ore and about 10 tons of coal daily, producing 4 to 6 tons of pig-iron.
" The lower flouring- mill, owned by Messrs. Du Bois and Decker, was erected some seventeen years ago, und is in constant operation, grinding about 20,000 bushels of grain annually.
"Duvall & Porter's rake- and handle-factory Turns out annually n large supply of hay-rakes, fork-, hoe-, and shovel-handles.
"The paper-mill, Messrs. Humphrey & Le Fever proprietors, ex- hibit, a kind of manufacture altogether new in this section of country, and in fact rare throughout the country at large. A blank sheet of paper, having such an insignificant appearance, would seem to be the product of a simple contrivance. But the fact is far otherwise. Wheels and cylinders almost innumerable are brought into requisitior, and work with such precision as to have the appearance of maling each motion under the immediate direction of an intelligent will, rather than by The moving-power of a senseless stream of water. Tho same machinery will make either printing or brown wrapping-p.per, according to the tralerial used. This establishment is now making wrapping paper only. the materials for which are principally straws and lime. About 2500 pounds of straw are used every twenty-four
hours. The engine consumes about one ton of coal in the same time. The daily product of paper is from 80 to 90 reams. The paper of this manufacture is much sought after, and commands the highest price in The market.
" In addition lo tho manufactories by water now in operation, the stream affords choice and extensive water-privileges now lying in a dorinant state. Not half the waler- power within half a mile of the place has yet been developed. At the Monk Falls almost an unlimited power could be obtained with comparative case.".
After the lapse of ten years the above needs but little revisal. Mr. James B. Sahler, of the flouring-mill, died a few years since, and the mill property is now owned and the business carried on by Jacob Hoornbeck. The blast- furnace suspended operations in 1873, but preparations for a reopening of the business are now being made ( February, 1880). The paper-mill of Messrs. Humphrey & Le Fevre is now the property of George Young, and operated by him. The fouring-mill of Du Bois & Decker is now carried on by Shook & Eaton. John B. Russell established a factory at Napanoch about 1871 for the manufacture of axes and tobacco-knives. He crected buildings, having premises and power of Jacob Hoornbeck. A large business has been done, the mill being kept in active operation during the " hard times" (1873 to 1878). The specialty is the making of tobacco-knives. Newton Le Fevre, in 1879, built a new paper-mill opposite the village of Napanoch, at the foot of the Shawangunk Mountain.
THE ULSTER KNIFE COMPANY.
This business was first started in 1871. Under the gen- eral law of the State a company was organized, by the name of " The Ellenville Co-operative Knife Company." The stockholders were mostly operatives originally from Shef- field, England, but more recently from Connecticut. The business was reorganized in 1875 by Jacob Hermance, John Lyon, Alfred Neafie, R. H. Brodhead, and Dwight Divine, under the name of the " Ulster Knife Company." In 1578 the entire business was assumed by Dwight Divine. who is the present owner. The operatives number nearly 100. The line of work consists of pocket-knives of all grades. The annual capacity is from $50,000 to $75,000 worth of finished work.
INDUSTRIAL STATISTICS.
In the census of 1875 the value of the farms in Wawar- sing is stated at $1,054,435 ; buildings other than dwellings. $245,165 ; stock, 8201,230; tools and implements, 801,351 : fertilizers bought, $2524 worth; valne of gross sale ?; $86,649 ; area plowed, 4512 acres; area in pasture, 9203 acres ; area mown, 9727 aeres ; hay produced, 2780 tons: grass-seed, 9 bushels ; barley, 6 bushels; buckwheat, 13,207 bushels; corn, 27,687 bushels; oats, 25,446 bushels; rye. 12,475 bushels ; winter wheat, 2320 bushels; corn fodder. 38 aeres; beans, 50 bushels ; potatoes, 32,678 bushels ; ap- ples, 36,959 bushels; cider made, 827 barrels : grapes, 3758 pounds ; wine, 22 gallons ; maple-sugar, 775 pounds : maple syrup, 241 gallons ; honey collected, 5625 pounds, horses ou farms, 865; mules, 29; value of poultry, $1514 . valne sold, 82811 ; value of eggs sold, $1134; neat castle on farms, 2479; milch-cows, 1860; beef slaughtered, 177 , butter made, 164,917 pounds; milk sold, 101,017 galiors;
Photos. by Tice, Ellenville, N. Y.
PAR Hoornbeeck On Ss
JOHN HOORNBECK.
P. D. B. HOORNBECK, M.D.
P. D. B. Hoornbeck, M.D., was born in the town of Wawarsing, Ulster Co., N. Y., Jan. 2, 1827, being the youngest in a family of five sons of Johannes and Gertrude (Du Bois) Hoornbeck, both natives of Ulster Co., N. Y. Mrs. Gertrude (Du Bois) Hoornbeck was a lineal descendant of Louis Du Bois, who was one of the twelve patentees of the town of New Paltz. She belonged to the fourth generation.
Dr. P. D. B. Hoornbeeck lived at home with his father on the farm until he was seventeen years of age (in the mean time acquiring a good education), and then began the study of medicine with David Wurts, M.D., of New Paltz. One year later he en- tered the Geneva Medical College, where he re- mained three terms and graduated with the usual honors. Ile soon after began the practice of medi- vine in Tuthill, but after a residence there of about one year settled permanently where he now resides, the place of his birth. In polities he is a Dem- orrat, and since 1840 has taken quite an active port in behalf of his party. He has hekl positions of trust in his town.
He was married, Feb. 16, 1860, to Catherine J. Kelley. They have one daughter, Lillie Evelyn,
born Nov. 10, 1862. Dr. Hoornbeck has been a member of the Ulster County Medical Society since 1858.
JOHN HOORNBECK.
John Hoornbeck, second in a family of five sons, was born in the town of Wawarsing, Ulster Co., N. Y., May 17, 1818. His brothers' names are Calvin, John, Methusalem, Cornelius, and Philip D. B.
Mr. Hoornbeek has followed agricultural pursuits through life, and is known as an active, industrious, and upright man. He has taken a somewhat active part in local politics, and is identified with the Re- publican party. He has been honored by his towns- men in official capacity ; was assessor in 1845 ; elected commissioner of highways, in 1875, for one term ; and represented his town on the board of super- visors in 1876. He is not a member, but a sup- porter of the Reformed Church at Napanoch.
He married, in 1838, Helen, daughter of Elias De Pay, of Rochester. Of this union have been born eight children, of whom four are living, to wit : Egbert, born Oct. 12, 1842; Eli, born March 19, 1817; Anna, born Feb. 3, 1819, wife of George Bruyn; and Eugene, born April 27, 1857.
ยท
273
TOWN OF WAWARSING.
sheep shorn, 850; weight of clip, 3135 pounds; lambs raised, 653; sheep slaughtered, 108; killed by dogs, 21 ; swine on farms, 2482; pork made year before, 217,641 pounds.
XII-MILITARY. -
In the wars connected with carly settlement this town seems to have almost wholly escaped. An Indian village was situated in the town. The natives and the whites lived on peaceable terins. There was mutual trade and friendly intercourse between them. It was not until the period of the Revolution that these valleys became the scene of danger and of slaughter. There is an incidental allusion in a pamphlet written about thirty-five years ago to an occurrence in the time of the " old French war." One family is said to have been murdered by the Indians on the county line, seven miles south of Napanoch. This would be in the vicinity of what is now called Homowack, but practically the above statement as to general peaccable in- tercourse is believed to be correct.
The slaughter mentioned above occurred as follows : About ten o'clock in the morning of October 12, 1757, while Peter Jans Saxe and two sons were on his farm, near Homowack, a band of predatory Indians made a sudden attack on his house and family. There were three rangers stationed there at the time, two of whom, with one daughter, were killed before the doors of the dwelling could be closed. The remaining soldier, assisted by Saxe's wife and two daughters, made a good defense, and finally drove the sav- ages off, when he conducted the women in safety to the residence of Capt. Charles Brodhead, at Leuren Kill. The father and sons were not injured. It is said the family moved to other parts soon after this occurrence. The Brodhead house was used as a fort, and the venerable building is still standing.
In the stormy period of the Revolution the Indians were easily excited by the influence of the British and the Tories, and several tragie events occurred in this town. The fol- lowing account of them is condensed from a history men- sioned above, published in 1846, entitled " The Indiaus ; or, Narratives of Massacres and Depredations on the Fron- tier, in Wawasink and its Vicinity, during the American Revolution, by a descendant of the Huguenots."
" NARRATIVE 1.
"OOSTERHOUDT AND ANDERSON.
" It is the unanimous testimony of tradition that the following erents ocenrred a little before or about the connuenecment of the American Revolution ; the precise date is not known.
"There was a widow lady living at Lackawack, about four miles from Napanuch, who had lost her second husband. Her first husband's L.Ame was Osterhout, and she had a son by the name of Jacob Oster- hout. She kept a public-house at that place; and it appears that rither Osterbout or Anderson had, on a previous occasion, offended l'y Indians by telling her not to let them have any more liquor. The In-lians were determined ou revenge ; und, a favorable of portu- atty recurring when George Anderson and Jacob Osterhout were both at this tavern in the night, three Indians entered it, took them both prisoners, and carried them off towards Binghampton, in Broome Foanty. It appears that whilst they were seenring the prisoners. the woman fed, with uo other clothing about her than her night.clothes. she was out all night in the woods, and in a shower of rain. The zeat day she came to Wawasink and gave the alarm. Whether the fliuns were pursued or not, the writer has not been able to ascertain ; the probability is that they were. 35
"The prisoners were taken to within thirteen miles of the place of destination, where they effected their escape. George Anderson con! ! understand the Indian dialert, and on their last day's warch he goth- ered from the conversation of the Indians that it was their design to sealp Osterhout, he being a weakly man and not able to travel la.t. Anderson maile this known to his companion. and inspireI him with a determination to escape. At night an opportunity offere.l. The Indiana, after taking supper and securing the prisoners, retired to res: by the side of a large fire. Before the Indians retired, a knife bil been used either by them in securing the prisoners, or by the pris- oners in eating. Anderson succeeded in covering it slightly in the leaves with his feet without being discovered by the Indians. They looked for it before retiring to rest, but, not findling it ren:lily, gave up the search. Tired by the avocations of the day, they soon fell into a deep sleep. With the assistance of the glimmering embers, Anderson found the knife, with which he cut loose the fetters of his fellow-pris- oner, who then cut him loose. The next thing was to despatch the Indians, two of whoin lay on one side of the fire and one on the offer. The understanding was that Osterhout should kill the one, and Arier- son the other two. Each took the hatchet to give the fatal blow. Anderson commenced; but in his baste he struck the first Indian rather slightly, when he rose up and fell into the fire; the next How finished the other. Osterhout not doing his part, he crossed over to the other side of the fire and killed the third Iudian. In the mean time Osterhout had pulled the first Indian out of the fire. instead of helping to destroy them. This conduet of Osterhout ean be aceoun'e ! for on the ground that. he was completely disconcerted and unnervei, and for the time being did not know what he was doing. There were two squares with the Indians, who woke up and made the forest resound with their frantic yells. One tradition of this event sys that the agreement between Osterhout and Anderson was. that the former was to kill the squaws and the latter the Indians. Could this have been effected, their subsequent danger of arrest by other Indians would not have been half so great. They wero well aware that the squawe would inform the nearest Indians of what had occurred : and it they should be so unfortunate as to fall again into their bands. the inost awful torture that savage barbarity could invent would be the.r inevitable doom. Nerved by this reflection, they made every prena- ration in their power for their return, taking from the slaughtered Indians all the food which they had with them, and such other articles as might be useful to them in their journey.
" From the part Osterhout had acted, and from the fact that he was naturally a timid, weakly man, Anderson was well aware that their escape, if effected, would depend mostly on his own vigilance and perseverance. His speed was much retarded by the slow move- ments of his companion, and self-preservation doubtless dictatei to him to leave him behind; but this every feeling of humanity and affection, strengthened by their being companions in suffering. wor- bade. Their seanty supply of provisions was soon exhausted, and torturing hunger began to pierce their very vitals. Although they had arms and ammunition, they dared not fire at any game for fear of being heard by Indiana. In the course of their march they fell in with a horse, which they killed with a spear, and out the flesh out of the thighs to eat. They were obliged to avoid the usual route, and often to scerete themselves in the daytime and travel at nigh :. in order to avoid detection, and on one occasion Anderson had to swim a small river with Osterhont on his back.
"After suffering more than tongue can tell or pen deseribe, they arrived at a house on Ifunkhill, the Chester L. Dudley place of later years, then owned by a man named Timmerman. This place was. or became soon after, the site of a stockade fort, and was occupied by a garrison.
"Osterhout and Anderson were so nearly exhausted with hung. r that it would have been death to them both to have esten a full inval. Anderson bad still self-government enough to manage his own case. He took a crust of bread and eat it, and kept walking across the floor. Osterhout was fed like a child. His slender constitution sur- vived the shock but n short time, and be was numbered with Lis lathers.
"NARRATIVE 2. "NARROW ESCAPE OF THREE SCHOOLCHILDREN FROM THE INDIANS.
" The following incident also occurred, it is believe.l, in the early purt of the American Revolution :
"Three children started from Jacob Bevier's, who lived in Napa-
271
HISTORY OF ULSTER COUNTY, NEW YORK.
noch, in Job Crum lane, to go to school at Wawarsing. One of those children was Jacob Bevier's son. His onme was Abram, and, from his being a bright and shrewd child, he had received the nick- name of Lawyer-um, by which he was generally known amongst the old Dutch people. The other two, it is believed, were his sisters. In those times there was a footpath which left the road a little east of the Abrin. G. Bevier place, and struck the rond again about half a mile farther east. Soon after leaving this path Lawyer-um diseor- ered two or three Indians sitting by the wayside, either engaged in eating a piece ur mending their moccasins. He immediately sung ont ' Indians!' but, having been in the habit of making false alarms, in order to frighten his schoolmates, was not heeded at first; but they soon perceived by his countenance, which spoke n language not to be misumlerstood, that it was now in earnest. They dropped their din- ner-baskets and ran for life. A little knoll intervening, the Indians could not keep sight of them. The children took the footpath, and were happy in reaching home in safety. The men then went after the Indians. They saw by their tracks in the road where the foot- path intersceted it that they had been at a loss to ascertain which the children had taken, and whilst they dallied the children got beyond their reach.
" NARRATIVE 3. " MASSACRE AT FANTINE KILL.
" This was an attack upon three families,-those of Widow Isaac Bevier, Jesse Devier, and Michael Soeks. They lived about three- quarters of a mile northeast of Ellenvillo. It appears that the attack was simultaneous on those three families; in fact, they lived so near each other that the one could not be assaulted withont alarming the other two. The assault was made just at the dawn of day. There was a young negro, by the name of Robert, living at the Widow Isaac Bevier's. He heard an unusual tiamping around the house, early in the morning, like that of horses. He got up and listened, and soon found out that it was Indians. He opened the door, and, taking a lit- tle start, jumped out and ran. As he was going he received a wound from a tomahawk in his bend, and a ball was fired through the ellow of his roundabout, but did not hurt him. The Indians sung out, in their native tongue, ' Run, you black ! run, you black !' It does not appear that he was pursued by them. He made his escape over the low-land to Napanoch ; but tarried a while in the field, at a stack, in order to stop the blood, which was flowing profusely from his wound. Whether the Indians met with much resistance or uot at this place does not appear; but we know that the widow and hoth ber sous wore killed. The house was set on Gre, and the women went into the cellar. The daughter Magdakne took the Dutch family Bible with her. When the flames approached thein there, they chose rather to deliver themselves up to the savages than to endure a horrible death by tire. The eveut proved that ' the one must be taken and the other left.' They made their way through the cellar-window, the mother in advance. The mother instantly became a prey to the ruthless tomahawk, whilst the daughter was retained as a prisoner. It is said that a young Indian manifested a strong attachment to her, and in- terposed in her behalf, but this is not certain. Some of the old people say that she was saved on account of her not being altogether sane, which was the case. The Bible was wrested from her hands and stamped iu the toud. When the Indians left the place they took her a short distance into the woods, and then sent her hack with a war- club, and a letter written by the Tories to Capt. Andries Bevier, at Napauoch. The elnb was stained with fresh blood and bair. It was long in the funily of the Beviers, but is now lost. On her return she recovered the Bible preserved from the flames. Some of the leaves were soiled by the mud, but not materially. It is still preserved as a precious relie in the family of her connections.
" Whether the two boys perished in the thames, or were tomahawked, the writer has not been able to learn.
"The family of Michael Socks were all killed. As none survived to tell the uwful tale, no particulars can be giveu here. There were a father, a mother, and two sons who were young men, and it is be- lieved that there were two other members in the family.@ One young man, cither a Sveks or a Bevier, had ron some distance from the house into a piece of plowed ground, where it appears that a desperate con- test had taken place between him and an Indian. A Large patch of
ground was trodden down, and the scalped and mangled corpse of the young man lay upon it. Ile hind several wounds from a tomahawk in his arms. A few days before this there had been a training at Napanoch, and one of those boys boasted that he was not afraid of the Indliaus.
" At the house of Jesse Bevier there were some 'mighty meu of valor,' and the enemy accordingly met a warin receptiou. The first salute which the old man received was, the blocks in the window were stove in, and two or three balls were fired just above his head as be lay in the bed. He sprang from the bed and seized his axe, with which he prevented thein from entering the window, at the same time calling to his sons, David and John, who were soon in readiness, and a desperate action ensued. Those Beviers were all famous marksmen, and extraordinarily fond of hunting, especially David, who had some choice powder for that purpose, which his mother brought forward in the course of the action. Ile declined to use it, thinking that common powder was good enough to shoot Indians with. . . . They had their powder louse in basins on a table for the sake of couvenience, and measured their ebarges only in their hands. It appears that the women assisted in loading, it being common to have a double stock of arms. But the enemy Gred the old log house at a point where the little band of Huguenot heroes could not bring their guns to bear. Their situation now became alarming in the extreme. Every drop of liquid in the house was applied to retard the progress of the flauies by the women. They took milk and even swill in their mouths, and spirted it through the eracks of the logs, hoping in this way to pro- tract their existence until relief might come from Napanoch. At this awful crisis, when death in its most awful form was staring them full in the face, that pious mother proposed that they should suspend hos- tilities, and unite iu petitious to the throne of grace for merey. David replied that ' she must pray, and they would continue to fight.' But that mother prayed, and the sequel will show the verification of the promises of God to those who eall on him in sineerity and truth. Wherever this narrative is read, ' there will this also which this woman di-l be' read ' for a memorial of her.'
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.