USA > New York > Oswego County > Landmarks of Oswego County, New York > Part 47
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LANDMARKS OF OSWEGO COUNTY.
death occurred in 1891 ; his place was filled by Leonard Ames, jr. Only one of the original trustees, John B. Edwards, is living. The first president of the board was Alvin Bronson, who was succeeded in 1873 by George C. McWhorter, the present incumbent. The librarians have been Chester Hull (1854 to 1859), Joseph E. Bloomfield, John Wicks, Arba Leonard, Benjamin Stocks, Robert S. Kelsey,1 and since June, 1890, Robert Seeley Kelsey (son of Robert S.) The present trustees are :
George C. McWhorter, president ; Frederick O. Clarke, secretary ; John B. Edwards, treasurer ; Swits Condé, Gilbert Mollison, Theodore Irwin, Leonard Ames, jr., and Thomson Kingsford.
The library contains about 12,000 volumes, exclusive of New York State and United States reports, and includes many rare works as well as very complete collections covering general literature.
The public school circulating library is stored in the Oswego City Library building and embraces about 7,000 volumes of history, biogra- phy, English literature, etc. It is controlled by the Board of Educa . tion and in charge of Robert Seeley Kelsey, librarian. Besides this, several public schools in the city have small reference libraries.
A well selected library, consisting of text, miscellaneous, and refer- ence books, is maintained by the State Normal School for the use and benefit of its students.
The Oswego Orphan Asylum .- First and oldest among the three charitable institutions of Oswego is the Oswego Orphan Asylum, which was incorporated February II, 1852, by
Gilbert Mollison, William Lewis, S. H Reynolds, Simeon Bates, George Fisher, J. I. Fort, R. F. Childs, James Brown, J. C. Hugunin, Richard Perkins, Luther Wright, Daniel H. Marsh, A. P. Grant, Hamilton Littlefield, S. H. Lathrop, James Bickford, Moses P. Hatch, L. B. Crocker, Delos De Wolf, Henry Eagle, Sardis Allen, William Brown, and Portius F. Parsons.
The first Board of Trustees consisted of
Hamilton Murray, Luther Wright, James Bickford, Moses P. Hatch, Simeon Bates, Samuel B. Ludlow, John B. Edwards, Gilbert Mollison, Patrick H, Hard, Robert F.
1 Robert S. Kelsey, a native of Orange county, came to New Haven in early life and engaged in the mercantile business. In 1859 he was elected to the Legislature and at the end of his term removed to Oswego. He was superintendent of repairs on the canal for two years, served as city clerk, and was connected with the Midland railroad. He died July 3, 1890.
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OSWEGO AS A VILLAGE AND CITY.
Childs, Margaret Mc Whorter, Elizabeth M. Grant, Catherine C. Marsh, Lois Ann Allen, Elizabeth P. Fisher, Ann C. Crocker, Elizabeth Bond, Emily D. Harmon, Emily Allen, and Mrs. Allen Mead, of whom only Messrs. Mollison and Edwards are living.
The first meeting was held in the recorder's office February 27, 1852. Soon afterwards a building was leased on the east side of West Sixth street and occupied for the purpose until the erection of a new structure in 1856. The first regular teacher was Miss Eliza Tabbs, who entered upon her duties on June I of that year, and about the same time Miss Mary T. Condit became superintendent of the Sunday school. The work thus inaugurated soon commanded the attention of citizens gen- erally, and efforts were projected for the erection of a suitable and sub- stantial building, which now graces a commanding eminence in a healthful and pleasant part of the city. The builder was Richard Per- kins, and the architect was Z. D. Stevens. The building was completed and ready for the reception of children May 1, 1856, at which time the inmates numbered seventy-four. The close of this year found the asylum in debt $4,551.96, and the building still unfurnished. Individual contributions were invited, to which the citizens nobly responded, and the establishment was soon completed, the school-room being furnished by the children of the public schools. The asylum is now in a most prosperous condition and to its noble and benevolent progenitors, through whose efforts it was founded, is due lasting credit and imperish- able gratitude. The presidents of the institution have been William F. Allen, Orville J. Harmon, and Robert G. Post. The treasurers since the organization have been Orville J. Harmon, Oscar H. Hastings, and William R. Hosmer. Gilbert Mollison has served as secretary since the incorporation, and to him is largely due the credit of its present prosperous and flourishing condition. The trustees for 1894 were :
John B. Edwards, Thomas P. Kingsford, H. D. McCaffrey, Niel Gray, O. H. Hast- ings, Mannister Worts, O. F. Gaylord, George B. Sloan, Swits Conde, and Henry L. Howe. The Board of Directresses, of which Miss E. J. Seeley is secretary, consists of Mrs. Luther Wright, Mrs. Coe, Mrs. A. S. Page, Mrs. Swits Condé, Mrs. T. Kingsford, Mrs. Gilbert Mollison, Mrs. Collins, Mrs. Talcott, Mrs. Benson, Mrs. Wheeler, Mrs. J. C. Churchill, Mrs. W. T. Henderson, Mrs. Theodore Page, Mrs. Penfield, and Miss Mary Lathrop.
In July, 1878, the building was slightly damaged by fire, but was immediately repaired.
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LANDMARKS OF OSWEGO COUNTY.
The Home for the Homeless, the second charitable institution founded in Oswego, was the result of a movement started by a number of Chris- tian ladies of the city in February, 1872, on the 10th of which month it was legally incorporated by
Ozro M. Bond, Theodore Irwin, Thomson Kingsford, George B. Sloan, Simeon Bates, Delos De Wolf, Samuel B. Johnson, Isaac G. Jenkins, Benjamin Hagaman, Benjamin Doolittle, Alanson S. Page, George Goodier and Mannister Worts.
The first Board of Directors consisted of
Mrs. Cheney Ames, Mrs. James Brown, Mrs. L. A. Card, Mrs. John C. Churchill, Mrs. Crossman (resigned, and Mrs, Smalley elected to fill the vacancy), Mrs. Delos De Wolf, Mrs. Benjamin Doolittle, Mrs. A. H. Failing, Mrs. George Goodier, Mrs. William Goit, Mrs. E. C. Hart, Mrs. Theodore Irwin, Mrs. S B. Johnson, Mrs. Mary Kingsford, Mrs. Thomson Kingsford, Mrs. D. C. Littlejohn, Mrs. John E. Lyon, Mrs. Thomas S. Mott, Mrs. J. J. Mack, Mrs. Robert Oliver, Mrs. John K. Post, Mrs. W. A. Poucher, Mrs. W. A. Run- dell, Mrs. Caroline Randell, Mrs. M. B. Underwood, Mrs. M. C. Worts, and Mrs. Adaline Young.
The first officers were as follows :
Mrs. Theodore Irwin, president; Mrs. Cheney Ames, Mrs. J. C. Churchill, Mrs. Delos De Wolf, Mrs. William Goit, Mrs. George Goodier, Mrs. Thomson Kingsford, Mrs. John K. Post, and Mrs. M. C. Worts, vice-presidents; Mrs. M. B. Underwood, treasurer ; Mrs. J. E. Lyon, corresponding secretary ; and Mrs. W. A. Poucher, recording sec- retary.
In 1872 a small building was leased on West Second street, opened May 2, and occupied by the Home until the present handsome structure on the corner of East Third and Utica streets was erected. The building committee consisted of Theodore Irwin, Delos De Wolf, Thom- son Kingsford, Simeon Bates, and George Goodier. The structure is of brick and cost $20,000, of which one-fourth was contributed by one citizen of Oswego. It was formally opened May 10, 1877, at which time the property was mortgaged for $6,500, which has since been re- moved by subscriptions. The object of the organization is the protec- tion and support of aged and needy women. At its original opening on May 2, 1872, seven inmates were present, of whom one is still in the Home; a total of fifty-three women have become its inmates down to the present time. The institution has admirably carried out the humane objects of its founders, and is now in a prosperous condition. It reflects great credit upon the several noble ladies who have fostered and sus-
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tained it. Mrs. Theodore Irwin has served continuously as president since the organization, and to her efficient management and executive ability is largely due the unqualified success which the Home has at- tained. In February, 1876, Mrs. W. A. Poucher was succeeded as re- cording secretary by Mrs. Daniel L. Couch, who has ever since filled that position with rare fidelity. Mrs. John E. Lyon, as corresponding secretary, was followed by Miss Anna Lyon, the present efficient in- cumbent. The treasurers have been Mrs. Mary B. Underwood, Mrs. Mary E. Kingsford, and Mrs. John D. Higgins. The other officers for 1894 are as follows :
Vice-presidents, Mrs. Delos De Wolf, Mrs. Thomson Kingsford, Mrs. Mannister Worts, Mrs. Edwin Allen, Mrs S. M. Coon ; board of trustees, O. M. Bond, Theodore Irwin, George B. Sloan, S. M. Coon, Benjamin Doolittle, Thomson Kingsford, A. S. Page, Mannister Worts, G. B. N. Relyea, Dudley M. Irwin, James F. Herrick, Swits Condé, and J. F. Johnson (deceased); board of directors, Mrs. Robert Oliver and Mrs. John B. Edwards (life membrs, retired), Mrs. Theodore Irwin, Mrs. Daniel L. Couch, Mrs. John D. Higgins, Miss Anna Lyon, Mrs. W. G. Chaffee, Mrs. James Herrick, Mrs. Mary Henderson, Mrs. Dudley M. Irwin, Mrs. Edgar Johnson, Mrs. Judson Mattison, Mrs. William McChesney, Mrs. Laura Newkirk, Mrs. -- Perham, Mrs. Elisha Powell, Mrs. Caroline Randall, Mrs. George B. Sloan, Mrs. Robert Sloan, Mrs. Helen Taylor, Mrs. Mannister Worts, Mrs. Parker Wrignt, and Mrs. William Burr.
The Oswego Hospital .- The lack of a hospital having been long felt in Oswego, some of the women of the city determined in 1880 that the need should be supplied, and after many consultations between a num- ber who have since been identified with the institution, the project took definite shape, by means of a large subscription made by the late Charles P. Murray, M.D., after which the Hospital Association was formally incor- porated, the act of incorporation being filed in the office of the secretary of state at Albany on the 13th of January 1881. At a subsequent meeting of the incorporators the following named officers, trustees and medical staff were elected :
President, Mrs. Charles W. Pardee; first vice-president, Mrs. John T. Mott; second vice-president, Mrs. William R. Hosmer; secretary, Mrs. Sidney Van Auken; treasurer, Mrs. James D. Macfarlane; trustees, Mrs. Charles H. Butler, Mrs. Charles Bond, Mrs. Carrington Macfarlane, Mrs. Anna L. McWhorter, Mrs. James McCarthy, Mrs. Charles W. Pratt, Mrs. C. H. Sexsmith, Mrs. E. D. Stacy, Messrs. Charles H. Butler, George N. Burt, Swits Conde, Athelbert Cropsey, George De Forest, Alonzo H. Failing, George Goble, J. Clark Howe, James F. Johnson, Wm. Pierson Judson, Joseph B. Lathrop, 58
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LANDMARKS OF OSWEGO COUNTY.
James D. Macfarlane, Robert T. Morrow, John T. Mott, Charles P. Murray, M. D., M. P. Neal, Charles W. Pardee. Consulting physicians and surgeons, Carrington Macfarlane, M. D., C. C. P. Clark, M. D., A. S. Coe. M. D .; visiting physicians and surgeons, J. K. Stockwell, M. D., J. W. Eddy, M. D., P. M. Dowd, M. D., A. M. Tully, M. D., Eggles- ton Burrows, M. D., Elvira Ranier, M. D. Surgeon Marine Department, Byron De- Witt, M. D.
The Eagle house on West Second street-one of the oldest private residences in the city-was hired, and the outfit for housekeeping, etc., was nearly all donated in the spring of 1881, and on May 16 it was equipped for use as a hospital with six beds, which number was after- wards increased to eleven, which was the maximum capacity of the house.
As the existence of a proper place for the care of the sick and suffer- ing became known and appreciated by the community, the demands upon it increased beyond the limits of this temporary location, and it was determined on February 16, 1883, to erect a building especially designed for the purpose. A number of existing buildings were urged upon the trustees, but were reported against by the building committee as being impossible of adaptation to the needs of a modern hospital. Various sites were offered as free gifts-Mrs. W. F. Allen and Dr. Mac- farlane proffered three lots on West Van Buren, near Eighth street ; the estate of F. T. Carrington offered two acres on the east side river-road, and Mr. Thomas S. Mott offered $1000 in cash and a plot 198 feet by 100 feet, on the corner of West Fourth and Schuyler streets, being one quarter of the block in front of and overlooked by his own residence on Fifth street. This last offer was accepted, and ten years' experience has shown the location to be a most fortunate one, perfectly adapted to the purpose. At a meeting of the trustees held on February 16, 1883, the following building committee was appointed to decide upon plans for the building to occupy this site : Messrs. Wm. Pierson Judson, John T. Mott, George Goble, Charles W. Pardee, Thomas Mathews, with Drs. Macfarlane and Tully as consulting members. After examination of various detailed plans of small modern hospitals, and after consultation with Drs. J. M. Cleveland and A. O. Kellogg of Poughkeepsie and with several other recognized authorities on modern hospital construction, the committee decided upon the general plan and arrangements of the proposed building, and employed Architect A. J. Hopkins to prepare
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the necessary detailed drawings, and later to supervise its construction. In making the plans the committee gave special attention to meeting the highest requirements for air-space, ventilation and sanitation. The contract for the building was made with James Gibbs on March 30, 1883. Ground was broken on April 13, 1883, and the construction was practically completed on December 16, 1883. The building with accommodations for thirty patients was formally occupied and opened with appropriate ceremonies on February 21, 1884. Its cost, including fitting and fixtures up to this date, was $10,573.83, of which about $8,000 was on hand from contributions and from proceeds of fairs, etc. In 1886 the balance of the debt was paid by a gift of $2,000 from Mr. Thomas S. Mott, and $700 from two others, whose names were not known.
From its origin in 1881, to October 15, 1894, the hospital has re- ceived and cared for 1,087 patients, being maintained by contributions of large and small sums from all classes, by a very small income derived from the investment of some legacies, and by the endowment of free beds in memory of Mr. Thomas S. Mott and Mrs. James F. Johnson, the latter being endowed by the King's Sons and King's Daughters. The hospital also receives payments from such patients as are able to pay for their own care. Such other patients as are sent by the Board of Chari- ties of the city are paid for by that board at the rate of $2 50 per week, which is but a fraction of the actual cost for food, maintenance, and at-
tendance. Since the organization of the hospital the United States government has employed it to receive and care for marine patients, and for this service pays $1.00 per day for each patient, this depart- ment being in charge of the marine surgeon. Beneficiary patients re- ceive precisely the same care and attention as others. The medica staff of the hospital give their services gratuitously. The organization of the hospital board is strictly non sectarian, and all proper patients are received without regard to race or color. The minutest details of the management receive the daily attention of the ladies of the board ; each in turn serving one month as a daily visitor. The number of pa- tients applying for treatment is showing a steady increase, and the institution is constantly growing in usefulness and popularity, as is evidenced by voluntary contributions made by different organizations,
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LANDMARKS OF OSWEGO COUNTY.
by special rates, discounts and donations given by storekeepers and others and by the receipts from various successful public entertainments given for its benefit. It is hoped that this growth of interest will keep pace with the increasing demand for its ministration. In December, 1894, the list of officers, trustees, and physicians was as follows :
President, Mrs. Sidney Van Auken; Ist vice-president, Mrs. Carrington Macfarlane ; 2d vice-president, Mrs. George De Forest ; treasurer, Mrs. J. B. Alexander ; secretary, Mrs. Wm. Pierson Judson ; corresponding secretary, Mrs. Henry H. Post ; trustees, Mrs. W. J. Dowdle, Mrs. H.C. Eddy, Mrs. Frederic A. Emerick, Mrs. James D. Macfarlane, Mrs. J. B. McMurrich, Mrs. John T. Mott, Mrs. I. B. Poucher, Mrs. J. K. Stockwell, Mrs. M. C. Worts, Messrs. Charles H. Butler, George De Forest, James Dowdle, George Goble, John D. Higgins, Theodore Irwin, jr., Wm. Pierson Judson, James D. Macfarlane, H. D. McCaffrey, John T. Mott, M. P. Neal, T. E. O'Keefe, Elisha B. Powell, Robert S. Sloan, John Smith. Consulting physicians and surgeons C. C. P. Clark, M. D., B. De Witt, M. D., Elvira Ranier, M. D .; visiting physicians and surgeons Joseph W. Eddy, M. D., Pascal M. Dowd, M. D,, Carrington Macfarlane, M. D., J. K. Stockwell, M. D., J. S. Howard, M. D., J. T. Langan, M. D .; W. C. Todt, M. D., surgeon Marine Department.
Cemeteries .- If the reader will turn to the map, printed herein, from the survey made by John Randel in 1814 he will discover on the lake shore, westward of the old fort on the west side, the first burying ground in Oswego. At the State sale of lands made in 1827 blocks 92 and 93 on the west side were reserved for cemetery purposes. It was subsequently decided that these were unsuitable and they were never inclosed.
January 19, 1827, the title to the old cemetery first mentioned was vested in five commissioners, viz .: Henry Eagle, John Grant, jr., George Fisher, Daniel C. Van Tine and David Bailey, who were author- ized to sell the property at public auction, and with the proceeds to purchase not less than three nor more than six acres and prepare a burial ground. They acted accordingly, and in July, 1827, purchased blocks 95 and 96 (nearly six acres) of the State for $350. This plot was bounded by West Third, Niagara and Fifth streets and the original south line of the village. It was partially cleared and leveled, and in April, 1828, the removal and interment of bodies from the old burial ground on the lake shore began. The commissioners continued in charge until 1836, when the cemetery was turned over to the village officials. In 1830 lots 92 and 93 on the east side of the river were pur-
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chased and set aside by the village corporation for public burials. This burying ground was bounded by Tenth, Cayuga, Bridge and Eleventh streets. Interments in these two cemeteries continued to some extent for a few years after the present Rural Cemetery was opened, until the Common Council adopted a resolution discontinuing them altogether. Soon afterward the Legislature authorized the city to remove the bodies to the new burial place, which was done. The old sites were converted into pleasant public parks, known as Kingsford park (west side) and Fitzhugh park (east side).
As these two old burial grounds became more and more inappro- priate and incommodious as resting places for the dead, the project was agitated of establishing a new cemetery more remote from the thickly settled parts of the city and better adapted for its purpose. As early as July 11, 1849, a cemetery meeting was held at which James Platt presided. Trustees were elected as follows: Lucius B. Crocker, J. W. Judson, George Ames, Moses P. Hatch, George Seeley, David Harmon, jr., Leander Babcock, James Bickford, Hamilton Murray, Stephen B. Ludlow, George H. McWhorter and Joseph R. Renaud. Nothing was done by this organization towards establishing a new cem- etery. July 13, 1865, the Oswego Rural Cemetery Association (River- side Cemetery) was organized with the following board of trustees :
John C. Churchill, John B. Edwards, Abraham P. Grant, Gilbert Mollison, Frederick T. Carrington, Thomas Kingsford, Samuel B. Johnson, Simeon Bates and William F. Allen.
Of these only John C. Churchill and Gilbert Mollison are still offi- cers. The first officers were Abraham P. Grant, president; Frederick T. Carrington, vice-president ; John C. Churchill, secretary ; William F. Allen, treasurer. The capital was $6,400, which was divided into 128 shares of $50 each. The association purchased the farm of 140 acres of Thomas Robinson for $5,600. It is pleasantly situated on the river road in the town of Scriba one-half mile south of the city limits, and was consecrated to the burial of the dead November 8, 1855. The presidents of the association have been :
A. P. Grant, 1855-58; William F. Allen, 1859-62; Frederick T. Carrington, 1863 ; Thomas Kingsford, 1864; F. T. Carrington, 1865; Simeon Bates, 1866; Joel B. Pen- field, 1867; John K. Post, 1868-69; F. T. Carrington, 1870-75; John K. Post, 1876-89; Benjamin Doolittle, 1889 to his death. Ozro M. Bond is now president.
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In 1859 Gilbert Mollison succeeded William F. Allen as treasurer and still serves in that capacity. John C. Churchill has been secretary ever since the organization.
CHAPTER XVIII.
THE TOWN OF ALBION.
The town of Albion, containing an area of 30,457 acres, was set off from Richland on the 24th of March, 1825.1 Lying wholly in the in- terior and a little northeast of the center of the county, it is bounded on the east by Orwell and Williamstown, on the south by Parish, on the west by Richland, and on the north by Richland and Orwell. The principal stream is Salmon River, which pursues a serpentine course through the northern part of the town, flowing westwardly into Rich- land and thence into the lake. It receives the waters of Trout Brook near New Centerville, besides other small tributaries, and affords much picturesque scenery and numerous valuable mill sites. There are also two or three small ponds in the town.
The surface is level, gently undulating, and broken in places by abrupt hills and narrow valleys. The highest elevation is 392 feet above Lake Ontario. The soil is only moderately fertile and consists of sand and gravel. Drift deposits cover the entire surface, except along the streams, where underlying rocks crop out. In many localities there is considerable marshy land, unfit for cultivation, but in most instances valuable for grazing purposes. Dense forests of pine, hemlock and deciduous trees originally covered the whole area, and for many years lumbering was the chief industry. Even within a recent period this business was of paramount importance, affording employment to scores of workmen. Only an occasional remnant of the wilderness remains as
1 This sub-division of Scriba's great patent was known in the original surveys as Township No. 22, or Alkmaar, so named by George Scriba from Alkmaar, Holland, an old town of the Netherlands, on the North Holland Canal, nineteen miles northwest from Amsterdam, and noted for its manufactures of sail-cloth, sea-salt, soap, vinegar, leather, etc.
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THE TOWN OF ALBION.
evidence of its former magnitude. In 1860 there were thirty-eight saw mills and three tanneries in operation within the bounds of Albion. Now there are only two or three of the former outside the village of Sand Bank. Large quantities of barrels were formerly manufactured for the Onondaga salt and Oswego flour markets. Albion was formerly one of the chief lumbering towns in Oswego county. Much of the timber was converted into lumber at home, yet many thousands of logs were floated down Salmon River in times of high water to mills in Richland. In 1871 the Salmon River Improvement Company, with a capital of $50,000, was incorporated for the purpose of removing ob- structions, as noticed in the chapter devoted to Richland, and thence- forward the business of floating logs assumed greater proportions than at any previous date. This industry, however, has practically given place to agriculture, the principal productions being the grains, corn, hay, potatoes, apples, strawberries, and other small fruits. Dairying is also profitably carried on and forms an important branch of the farm- ing interests. There are now five cheese factories in the town, all turn- ing out an excellent product.
At the first town meeting in 1825 the sum of $250 was voted for roads and bridges, and since then an adequate appropriation has been made annually for this purpose. Surveys of the principal highways immediately followed, many of them being extended and altered as occasion required. In 1826 the town had eleven road districts ; in 1831, twenty-one ; in 1835, thirty ; in 1850, forty-five; in 1860, fifty-three ; in 1894, sixty-one. In March, 1850, the citizens of Albion resolved to aid in constructing a plank road from Sand Bank to Constantia. The various thoroughfares at the present time are well graded and kept in good condition, and favorably compare in every way with those of other localities. The Rome branch of what is now the R., W. & O. Railroad was completed through the northern part of Albion, with a station at Sand Bank, in May, 1851, and gave a new impetus to the development of the town's resources.
The first town meeting was held at the house of Peter Henderson, in Sand Bank, and was adjourned to the horse-barn of Reuben Rich, May 3, 1825. Moulton Cross was moderator and John Barker secretary. The following officers were chosen .
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