USA > New York > Yates County > History of Yates County, N.Y. : with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of the prominent men and pioneers > Part 32
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The Lake Keuka Ice Company (Limited), was incorporated March 30, 1888, having a capital stock of $3,500, by Daniel Beach, Oliver G. Shearman, Samuel S. Ellsworth, Perley P. Curtis, Thomas G. Ross, Morgan D. Tracy, and William T. Morris. The officers were O. G. Shearman, president ; S. S. Ellsworth, vice president; P. P. Curtis, treasurer ; W. T. Morris, secretary ; Morgan D. Tracy, general mana- ger. From the time of organization to the present there has been no change either in the direction or officers of the company.
The Penn Yan Opera House Company (Limited) was incorporated in 1889, having a capital stock of $10,000 in 200 shares ; but the capi- tal stock by no means represents the total value of the company's real and personal property. As its name implies, the purpose for which the company was organized was the building of a suitable and commodious opera house in the village of Penn Yan ; and that the designs of its cor-
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HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.
porators and stockholders were carried out to the full satisfaction of every patron of such institutions, is amply attested on each occasion of a public assemblage beneath its roof. In fact, it is a common remark, and one founded in absolute truth, that no similar village in the State of New York has a superior, more elegant, or better equipped place of amusement or entertainment than has the village of Penn Yan in the Sheppard Opera House. As has been stated, the nominal capital stock of the company is $10,000, but the property with its franchises represents an investment of $23,000, an amount that was mainly contributed by the public-spirited citizens of the village. The plans for the house were prepared by Leon H. Lempert, of Rochester. The builders were H. O. Dorman & Co., of Corning. The opera house has a seating capacity of 800. The work of construction was commenced in 1889, and com- pleted in 1890. It was then christened "Sheppard Opera House " in honor of Morris F. Sheppard, its principal founder, and one of the largest stock owners of the company. The directors of the company are Morris F. Sheppard, John H. Lown, Hanford Struble, Samuel S. Ellsworth, James MacKellar, Charles V. Bush, William T. Morris, T. S. Burns, Edward Kendall. Officers, Morris F. Sheppard, president ; J. H. Lown, vice president; W. T. Morris, secretary; C. V. Bush, treasurer ; C. H. Sisson, manager.
The Penn Yan Electric Light and Power Company was incorporated in August, 1891, with a capital stock of $100,000. The directors are Henry Russell, Calvin Russell, H. Q. Stimpson, Calvin Russell, jr., C. T. Birkett, H. L. Woodruff, and W. S. Bruen. Officers, H. Q. Stimpson, president ; Calvin Russell, vice-president and treasurer ; W. S. Bruen, secretary. The electric lighting system was introduced in Penn Yan in 1889, and the present company is the outgrowth of the firm that owned and managed the original plant.
Societies and Orders -Keuka Lodge No. 149, I. O. O. F., was orig- inally instituted May, 2, 1845, having these charter members : Andrew Oliver, Peter S. Oliver, John Gregg, George R. Youngs, and Samuel H. Welles. First officers : Andrew Oliver, N. G .; George R. Youngs, V. G .; Peter S. Oliver, secretary ; Samuel H. Welles, treasurer ; John L. Lewis, jr., warden ; Charles G. Judd, conductor.
The first twelve years of the lodge's history were exceedingly pros-
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perous, but for the next score or so of years the society appears to have suffered from inactivity and want of attention, which nearly proved fatal to its existence. A new charter was granted March 18, 1879, and the lodge became re-established upon a permanent basis. The char- terees under the new dispensation were George D. Stewart, Charles N. Burrill, Joseph T. Slaughter, James B. Norris, Moses W. Eastman, and George Kinner. The officers elected at that time were George D Stewart, N. G. ; Charles N. Burrill, V. G .; Joseph T. Slaughter, secre- tary ; Moses W. Eastman, treasurer.
ยท Succession of Past Grands (since re-organization) : E. R. Bordwell, S. B. Briggs, G. H. Brown, P. W. Danes, W. B. Davies, C. Elmendorf, E. G. Hopkins, G. F. Hopkins, C. Hunter, A. Jessup, George B. Kinner, G. S. Klingman, J. T. Knox, R. B. Lefferts, F. H. Lynn, J. F. Morris, J. B. Norris, H. W. Perkins, R. C. Peters, J. F. Randolph, D. C. Robinson, R. F. Scofield, G. D. Stewart, N. S. Dailey, A. C. Harwick, W. R. McFarren, George W. Miller.
Keuka Lodge has a present membership of ninety persons, and is officered as follows : John T. Knox, district deputy and grand master ; George W. Miller, N. G .; Frank M. Royce, V. G .; Ralph N. Cole, secretary ; Arthur Jessup, permanent secretary ; C. Elmendorf, treas- urer.
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Penn Yan Encampment of Patriarchs, No. 98, I. O. O. F., was or- ganized in pursuance of charter dated April 6, 1882, having for char- ter members George D. Stewart, John L. Lewis, Joseph T. Slaughter, Levi O. Dunning, Charles N. Burrill, Charles Lee, James B. Norris, and George B. Kinner. The first principal officers were these : George B. Stewart, C. P .; Charles Lee, H. P .; Joseph T. Slaughter, scribe ; L. O. Dunning, treasurer. The encampment has a present member- ship of fifty, and is officered as follows: Benjamin S. Briggs, C. P .; John J. Hood, H. P. ; William Sattler, S. W .; William Holloway, J. W. ; C. Elmendorf, scribe; George W. Miller, treasurer.
J. B. Sloan Post No. 93, G. A. R., was granted a charter on April 22, 1869. The original members were Martin S. Hicks, Abb W. Shear- man, Jere S. Weed, George Titus, S. Harvey Ackley, Hanford Struble, Truman N. Burrill, J. Lorin Robbins, Cassius N. McFarren, Josiah C. Baker. The first officers were Martin S. Hicks, commander ; A. W.
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HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.
Shearman, S. V. C .; Jere S. Weed, J. V. C .; Charles B. Turner, adju- tant ; S. H. Ackley, Q.M .; T. N. Burrill, O. of G .; J. L. Robbins, O. of D .; Hanford Struble, chaplain.
Although Sloan Post began its existence and history under the most favorable auspices, it was not long before dissentions found their way into its ranks with such result that its usefulness was virtually distroyed and its life practically at an end. But the necessity of a G. A. R. organiza- tion was so strongly manifested on several occasions that a number of the older members united upon its re- establishment. Upon their pe- tition the charter was re-issued on the 17th of May, 1872. Therefore it may be said that the old society has never lost its identity. From the time of reorganization Sloan Post has been one of the strongest orders having an abiding place at the county seat. During its existence the total muster roll has shown 215 members, the present number being IOO. The present officers are these : Commander, John F. Randolph ; S. V. C., Charles H. Dunning; J. V. C., Russell H. Carr; adjutant, Edward Kendall ; surgeon, David Philbrooks ; chaplain, O. R. Towner; Q. M., Philo H. Conklin ; O. of D., D. C. Robinson ; O. of G., James Taylor ; Q. M. S., G. B. Barden ; Sergent Major, John H. Veeder ; delegate, Charles Kelley. Past commanders, Martin S. Hicks, 1869-71; C. N. McFarren, 1872-73 ; Jerry S. Reed, 1874-75 ; Morris F. Shep- pard, 1876 ; D. C. Robinson, 1877 ; H. M. Mingay, 1878, 1884; John F. Randolph, 1879-80, 1891; James M. Smith, 1881 ; Hanford Stru- ble, 1882-83 ; Richard H. Andrews, 1885; Perry W. Danes, 1886-88 ; George W. Hobart, 1889-90.
Minneseta Lodge No. 234, K. of P., was chartered July 28, 1886, with original members as follows : D. D. Turner, William M. Johnson, S. B. Ables, John T. Andrews, 2d, Edward Kendall, George R. Cornwell, Theodore G. Ross, James A. Thayer, William C. Allen, Charles C. Hayes, Bert Stiles, A. H. Veasey, Frank R. Knapp, A. C. Clube, Toby Bush, H. A. Struble. The Pythian Knights are ranked among the stronger and more influential orders of the village, the present members numbering ninety, and of whom nearly all are in good standing in the society. The lodge rooms, too, are the best in the locality. The pres- ent officers of the lodge are as follows: F. N. Swarts, P. C .; H. A. Struble, C. C .; H. C. Sherman, V. C .; Stephen Bailey, P .; J. A. Ams-
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bury, K. of R. S .; Charles Bell, M. F .; J. J. McInerney, M. E .; John Ackley, M. A .; Charles Jobbitt, I. G .; William O.Brien, O. G.
Harwick Lodge No. 152, A. O. U. W., was instituted May 3, 1878, with charter members as follows: William W. Eastman, Arthur S. Bush, Charles Bell, George F. Morgan, David B. Gray, Horace C. Guth- rie, Delos A. Bellis, M. E. Botsford, C. Irving Paige, Charles H. Sisson, Charles F. Morgan, E. H. Hopkins, C. Elmendorf, Francis E. Murphy, Fred N. Miller, and William A. Henderson. First officers : P. M. W., Andrew C. Harwick; M. W., H. C. Guthrie; foremam, D. G. Gray ; overseer, C. W. Morgan ; recorder, Charles Elmendorf; financier, E. H. Hopkins; recorder, C. H. Sisson; G., M. E. Botsford; I. W., C. I. Paige; O. W., Charles Bell.
Harwick Lodge has a present membership of forty-four persons. Its present officers are as follows: P. M. W., William Holloway ; M. W., Gilbert A. Brown; foreman, George B. Dunning; overseer, Taylor Dunn; recorder, John T. Gaige; financier, A. C. Harwick; recorder, H. C. Guthrie ; G., C. Elmendorf ; I. G., E. B. Sample; O. G., Allen Meade.
Keuka Council No. 179, R. T. of T., was chartered February 2, 1889. Its charter members were F. S. Sampson, Ella F. Sampson, Eda L. Comings, George A. Comings, S. N. Thayer, Minerva Thayer, Amelia A. Carroll, William F. Whaites, I. J. Wilmarth, A. G. Tompkins, Cor- nelia S. Tompkins, A. J. Preston, William H. Moore, C. E. Brockway, Lewis Radder, Cora Radder, A. M. Todd. First officers, A. G. Tomp- kins, S. C .; A. M. Todd, V. C .; C. E. Brockway, chaplain; Ella F. Sampson, recording secretary; A. J. Preston, financial secretary ; George A. Comings, treasurer ; Lewis Radder, herald; Cora Radder, deputy herald; S. N. Thayer, guard ; William F. Whaites, sentinel; F. S. Sampson, medical examiner.
Metawissa Tribe No. 124, I. O. of R. M., was organized in pursuance of a charter granted the 23d Sun of the Hunting Moon. The charter members were Frank M. Fletcher, George S. Klingman, Fred S. Sayer, John Hood, George Brown, W. T. Murphy, Homer Pelton, J. M. Smith, Isaac Sands, Eugene Harrington, John Ball, James Ball, Dayton Coons, Charles Welles, Charles Southerland, David D. Taylor, Wilson Taylor, Edward Dunning.
Masonic .- Having an abiding place in the village of Penn Yan are
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HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.
four Masonic organizations named and known respectively as Milo Lodge No. 108, Penn Yan Chapter No. 100, Ontario Council No. 23, and Jerusalem Commandery No. 17. Under all ordinary circumstances each of these societies should receive in this place the same mention that is made of other societies, but inasmuch as Freemasonry in Yates County is made the subject of special chapter in the present volume, the necessity of extended mention here is avoided. To all, therefore, who are interested in the order, the request is hereby made that they refer to a preceding chapter of general history.
Manufacturing Industries of Penn Yan .- That branch of commercial industry commonly called manufacturing has never succeeded in gain- ing a substantial and permanent foothold in this village. This may in a measure be accounted for in the fact that the locality unfortunately possesses but a single stream capable of furnishing natural power to any considerable extent; but the stream which furnishes power-the outlet of Keuka Lake-however limited its capacity, is nevertheless taxed to its utmost degree, and but little of its water passes to Seneca Lake with- out having been utilized by at least half a dozen large factories. How- ever, the majority of these manufactories are outside the corporate limits of the village, and are institutions of the town of Milo rather than of Penn Yan.
The principal manufacturing establishment of the village is the indus- try owned and operated by the present firm of Russell & Birkett, and known as the Penn Yan mills. These mills comprise two large frame buildings, each having extensions or additions of less size. One is known as a roller flour-mill, and the other as a feed and grist-mill. They stand on almost historic ground, for here David Wagener first diverted the waters of the outlet in pioneer times, and while at work building the dam across the stream Mr. Wagener contracted a cold that ultimately resulted in his death The work was afterward taken up and completed by Abraham Wagener, who also built the pioneer mills on . the privilege
The old property was owned by Mr. Wagener for some years, and then passed by sale to Aaron Remer, John Sloan, Abner Woodworth, and John J. Rosenbury, the purchase price being about $25,000. Next Ezekiel Casner1 became proprietor of the mill on the north side of the
1 For an extended biographical sketch of Mr. Casner see page 519.
Ezekiel Lewner
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stream. He came to the village in 1824, and was employed by Abra- ham Wagener, who was his uncle. John Scheetz1 afterward came to Penn Yan and became partner with Mr. Casner, and the firm of Casner & Scheetz, proprietors of the old "brown mill," was of many years standing, and of excellent reputation in the county. The death of Mr. Casner, in 1882, ended the partnership, after which the property to- gether with the mill south of the outlet was sold to the "syndicate," comprising John. T. Andrews 2d, Calvin Russell, W. H. Fox, Oliver G. Shearman, Seneca L. Pratt, and P. P. Curtis, which company made great improvements in the property and buildings in 1883. But the syndicate company became involved in some misunderstanding, with result in an action in partition and the final sale of the plant to John T. Andrews 2d. The latter with Mr. Russell as partner operated both mills for some time, when Mr. Russell became its owner, afterward associating with himself in the business his son-in-law, Clarence T. Birkett, under the name of Russell & Birkett.
The old " white mill," built by Abraham Wagener, was sold by him to Jeremiah Gillett, and from the latter descended to his sons, Jeremiah S. and Richard Gillett. This property has since undergone more changes in proprietorship than did its companion property on the op- posite side of the stream. Among the persons interested in its opera- tion can be recalled the names of Edward Gillett, James Longwell, Oli- ver F. Reed, James Forbes, and William W. Armfield, each of whom were after the Gillett Brothers, and before its sale to the syndicate, which last company rebuilt the entire structure and replaced the white mill with the present large roller-inill. Since 1883 the history of the latter has been identical with the grist and feed- mill.
St. John's Mill, so-called, stands about half a mile down the outlet, on a site originally occupied by a saw-mill, but afterwards put to divers uses by many proprietors in succession. Joseph St. John became in- terested in the property about 1857, when he and A. W. Franklin built a grist-mill, which was destroyed by fire. Before that time, however, Mr. St. John operated it as a saw-mill. The present grist-mill replaced the former building of the same character, and has since been operated as above named.
Above the St. John Mill stands an old unoccupied factory, on a site
1 For an extended biographical sketch of Mr. Scheetz see page 495.
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where the waters of the outlet were diverted for manufacturing purposes nearly if not quite three-quarters of a century ago. The more recent use of the privilege has been in operating a planing- mill, sash and door factory, known as the Armstrong mill.
Near the property last described, and a few rods further up the stream is another factory now in disuse. Here formerly stood a plaster- mill, much in use during the canal days, but afterward turned into a basket factory. Its last occupant was A. W. Franklin.
The present Penn Yan planing-mill, and in fact the only completely equipped industry of its kind in the village, is that operated under the name of M. B. Miller & Co., limited. The plant on Lake street was first established by John S. Sheppard in 1870, and by him operated in connection with his extensive lumber business. The building, which was of frame construction, was burned in 1884, and replaced by a more substantial brick structure during the same year. In 1876 the plant was leased by Mr. Sheppard to Miller & Holloway, but after the fire the property and leasehold came back to the owner of the fee. Since that time Mr. Miller has acted in the capacty of manager under the firm style first above mentioncd.
Potter, Kinne & Kendall is the firm name of one of the largest lum- ber dealers of the village or county. Their principal offices and yards are on Benham street, with a second point on the Northern Central Railroad. In connection with their lumber business the firm also has a planing and matching-mill. The present firm is the successor to the old partnership of R. B. Lefferts and Edson Potter.
The Commercial Iron Works Company was organized in 1872, with a capital stock of $15,000. J. H. Benton was its president ; John Whit- taker, secretary and treasurer ; and John Lynn, superintendent. In 1876 the principal machine shop was erected, it being in size 35 x 84 feet. The foundry adjoining is 40 x 40 feet in diminsions. The pres- ent officers are the practical owners and managers of the company's works. John Whittaker is the president; John Lynn, secretary and treasurer ; and Fred H. Lynn, general foreman. The company employs ten men. The shops are on the south side of Lake street, in rear.
Prior to 1872 Timothy Brigden was the owner of a carriage and wagon factory which stood on Jacob street. In the year named the
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property was burned, after which the firm of Beebe, Whitfield & Co. became owners of the land, upon which were erected the present ex- tensive buildings which comprise the factory plant of George Beebe. Their manufactures were the same as previously produced by Mr. Brig- den. Messrs. Beebe & Whitfield were partners for about eleven years, Mr. Beebe then becoming sole proprietor. He is a general manufac- turer of carriages, but his specialty is the "Dandy Speeding Cart," a vehicle of improved pattern and quality, and one that is received with great favor by the driving fraternity.
The carriage works of Whitfield & McCormick are located on Jacob street near Main. The partnership comprises William H. Whitfield . and Michael McCormick, each of whom is a practical man in his line . of trade. The firm was established in May, 1888. Its general business is the manufacture of fine carriages, carts, cutters, etc., together with general repair work. Mr. Whitfield has charge of the office and busi- ness management, while Mr. McCormick is the practical man in the manufacturing department.
The Parks Manufacturing Company is the almost direct outgrowth of a still older business industry carried on by James Cooley in the line of wagon making. Mr. Parks succeeded Mr. Cooley in 1853, and two years later took Deacon J. D. Applegate as partner. In 1857 Mr. Ap- plegate retired, and Sherer and Caton succeeded, the firm becoming Parks, Sherer & Co. The new partners soon retired, and Mr. Parks continued until 1876, and then sold out to Birdsall & Co., who changed the plant to a threshing machine factory. After this sale Mr. Parks built a shop in rear of Cornwell's Opera House and carried on the car- riage business until 1885, when he re. occupied the old stand on Head street. The firm now was Parks & Allington, but two months after C. V. Bush was made a partner, continuing only thirty days. Then the Parks Manufacturing Company was formed, comprising Marvin Parks and C. W. Morgan.
The firm of O. G. Shearman & Co., malsters, was organized in 1882 as successors in part to the firm of Shearman & Lewis, grain dealers. The latter partnership was formed as early as May 1, 1860, since which time it has continued to carry on business. The firm of O. G. Shear- man & Co. comprised Oliver G. Shearman, John Lewis, E. C. Dwelle,
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and George R. Youngs. Under this ownership the "Yates County Malt House " was built in 1882. As its name indicates, the purpose of this erection was the manufacture of barley into malt. The building has a capacity of 75,000 bushels. In 1888 Mr. Youngs withdrew from the firm, whereupon the name and style was changed to Shearman, Lewis & Dwelle, as at present known.
The old malt house standing on the street leading from the Knapp House to the locks was built in 1856, by George R. Youngs, Daniel Foster, Daniel W. Streeter, and Jared C. Munson, under the firm name of D. W. Streeter & Co. Mr. Munson soon dropped out of the con- cern, and the name was then changed to George R. Youngs & Co. Mr. Streeter subsequently failed, and under the style of Youngs & Foster the business of malting was continued until about 1866 or 1867, when. Captain Henry Tuthill and " Doc." Tuthill, became its proprietors by purchase. Later the firm became H. Tuthill & Son, and so continued until the failure of the concern in 1890
Robert C. Hewson's feed mill on Sucker Brook was established in 1890. The extensive evaporating plant owned and operated by the same proprietor was started about 1880.
The large grape basket factory owned by S. L. Pratt was built dur- ing the spring of 1891. It stood at the foot of Monell street, and was eighty two by thirty-five feet and three stories high. This was the best equipped mill of its kind in the county, but it was destroyed by an unfortunate fire during the latter part of August, 1891.
The carriage and cart works of T. S. Watrous were put in opera- tion on Stark avenue in February, 1890. They furnish employment to five men.
The Struble Kidney and Liver Cure Company was incorporated in 1890, having a capital stock of $50,000. The object of the company was and is to furnish to suffering humanity a prompt and sure cure for diseases of the kidneys and liver. The medicine prepared is the same as used for fifteen years by Dr. H. A. Struble in his professional work. The incorporators of the company were Hanford Struble, H. N. Hunt- ington, James Spicer, Henry Sherman, Fred U. Swarts, M. B. Shaw, and H. A. Struble. The officers are, Fred U. Swarts, president ; M. B. Shaw, vice-president ; H. C. Sherman, secretary ; H. N. Huntington, treasurer ; and H. A. Struble, general manager.
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The Hammondsport Vintage Company was established in Penn Yan in 1886, by Charles Hunter, Frank Hallet and Charles M. Rarrick. In 1887 Mr. Rarrick became sole proprietor and has so continued to the present time. Originally the place of business of the firm and com- pany was in the so-called concrete building on Canal street, but with the building of the Cold Storage block the factory and plant were transferred to that place. The products of the company are sweet and dry wines and brandies ; also they are dealers in champaigns. The cellar has a capacity of 30,000 gallons of wine.
Borgman's Cider- Mill and Distillery was built by Barney Borgman in 1869. The manufactures of this mill are cider and champaign. Ca- pacity, 20,000 gallons.
The Penn Yan Hub and Spoke Works were established in the fall of 1888, by E. A. Price & Co., for the manufacture of hubs and spokes of all kinds, and incidental to the leading product, as a custom saw-mill. Sixteen men are employed in and about the shops on Head street.
Hotels .- A preceding portion of the present chapter has referred at some length to the hotel interests and proprietors of the past in the village of Penn Yan; wherefore it becomes the province of this divis- ion of the subject to refer only to such public houses as are in existence at the present time, and that in the most brief manner.
The hotels of Penn Yan are numerous, almost "too numerous to mention." This happens to be a locality in which the most liberal con- struction is placed upon the meaning of the existing laws, rendering it quite difficult to define just what does or does not constitute a hotel, tavern or inn. The object in establishing so many hotels in the village is plain and perfectly well understood, and is a subject that needs no comment in this place. Many of them will receive no mention in this work.
The Benham House is the largest and most convenient of the hotels of the village. It was built soon after the burning of the old Amer- ican, and has been one of the leading public houses of Penn Yan from that time until the present. It was named for its proprietor, and still holds the original appellation, notwithstanding the changes of proprie- torship.
The Shearman House, on Elm street, was so named by its proprie-
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HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.
tor, Charles Shearman. The house was established many years ago by " Arn " Tuell, a local celebrity, but succeeding proprietors have made frequent additions to the building. The present owner and pro- prietor, Fred U. Swarts, purchased the property in 1888, becoming its landlord January Ist of that year.
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