Landmarks of Oswego County, New York, Part 60

Author: Churchill, John Charles, 1821-1905; Smith, H. P. (Henry Perry), 1839-1925; Child, W. Stanley
Publication date: 1895
Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y. : D. Mason
Number of Pages: 1410

USA > New York > Oswego County > Landmarks of Oswego County, New York > Part 60

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

The successive principals of the academy, so far as ascertained, have been,

M. W. Southworth, E. Dorchester, -- White, --- - Brooks, -- Shepard, O. H. Whitney, M. W. Southworth again, George G. Hapgood, Benjamin E. Deven- dorf, Russell Whiting, W. H. Gillespie, George G. Hapgood again, W. H. Gillespie again, E. E. Bragdon, Abner Davison, W. H. Gillespie again, John R. French, J. Dorman Steele, S. B. Potter, A. B. Dunlap, S. H. Adams, William M. Mclaughlin, William H. Reese, S. Mortimer Coon, Charles E. Havens, J. M. Gifford, John H. Butler, Henry R. Fancher, Professor More, Frank B. Severance, and Melzar C. Richards.

Prominent among those who have in some form or other had connec- tion with the Mexico Academy, are recalled the names of J. T. Headley, author, teacher, and secretary of state in 1855 ; Prof. J. Dorman Steele, the distinguished author and teacher; Andrew and Luke Parsons, re- spectively governor and lieutenant-governor of Wisconsin; Charles R. Skinner, N. W. Nutting, and Columbus Upson, members of congress ; J. F. Kinney, judge of the Supreme Court of Iowa; Asa Wing, the great anti-slavery champion; George F. Comstock, chief justice of the Court of Appeals ; and many others.

The Board of Trustees for 1894-95 was as follows :

President, Benjamin S. Stone; secretary, G. H. Goodwin; treasurer, George W. Stone; for business management, R. H. Baker, L. B. Cobb, George Davis, J. B. Driggs, George G. French, G. H. Goodwin, T. J. Green, C. L. Griffiths, J. M. Hood, E. L. Huntington, G. P. Johnson, J. W. Ladd, Lewis Miller, C. A. Peck, Timothy W. Skin- ner, George W. Stone, Asa L. Sampson, Benjamin S. Stone, M. L. Wright.

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LANDMARKS OF OSWEGO COUNTY

Mexico Village .- Old in settlement as well as in name, and possess- ing natural and picturesque advantages seldom found in similar com- munities, the village of Mexico, as it stands to-day, enjoys a position, the importance of which is recognized throughout the county. The site early became the nucleus of a busy colony, and the place took the name of Mexicoville. In 1812 there were a dozen houses within its present bounds. Nathaniel Rood was the first settler-the Rood who lost his life in the lamentable lake disaster off " Vera Cruz " in 1799. The first frame house was built by Shubael Alfred in 1807. It was 20 by 24 feet, and in it the Masonic Lodge held one or more meetings in 1808. Both this and his barn were afterward sanctified by religious services, and in the latter were held several of the earlier sessions of school.

John Morton located here in 1801, and a few years later Leonard Ames became a settler. The second frame house was erected about 1811 by Capt. Daniel Murdock who opened it as a tavern ; it was long occupied by R. A. Butler, and was burned in 1864. The third was built in 1812 by Matthias Whitney, who purchased seventy five acres on the east side of Church street, and settled here in February of that year. Phineas Davis erected the fourth one in 1813. John Morton built a saw mill in 1804, where Goit's mill afterward stood, and a few years later added a run of stone for grinding corn. In 1811 the property passed to Matthias Whitney, who put in another run of stone, and about 1827 sold to Dennis Peck. William Goit subsequently became the owner, and following him were successively, David Goit, Almeron Thomas in 1864, and Amos C. Thomas. From 1855 until his death Almeron Thomas was the most extensive mill owner in town. He was succeeded by his son, Amos C., who was followed at his death by a brother, Fred- erick A., the present proprietor of the Toronto and the State Mills. The Railroad Mills were formerly known as the Sandhovel Mills, and among the several proprietors have been Almeron Thomas, Brooks & Rider, Amos Rider & Son in 1863, A. Beebe & Son, Lyman Robbins & Son, and G. H. Meeker. They were burned in June, 1887, and rebuilt in their present form.

The first blacksmith in the village was Brainard Selby, who was born in Massachusetts in 1779. He settled at " Fort Eleazer," in this town,

Ist Goodwing

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THE TOWN OF MEXICO.

in 1804, but soon afterwards removed to Mexico village and located at the foot of Morton Hill, where he made scythes, forks, axes, plows, etc. In 1820 his wife died, and in 1821, he went to Paris, O., where he died in April, 1870.

The first regular hotel was built by Matthias Whitney on the site of the Mexico House, in 1823. It was subsequently replaced by a better building, which burned July 22, 1864, under the proprietorship of Albin Meyer. Among the landlords previous to the latter, were A. S. Chamberlain, Chamberlin & Robbins, and J. B. Taylor. It was rebuilt in 1865, and opened by Ira Biddlecome as landlord, who was followed in 1886 by J. B. Davis. In January, 1867, it passed to C. S. Mayo, who changed the name to the Mayo House. It later assumed its older and present appellation, and has had various proprietors.

About 1837 Judge Whitney erected a frame tavern on the site of the Boyd House, and in 1851 Dr. C. D. Snell built a brick structure, using the wood part as a wing. The whole, costing $8,500, was called the Empire House and block, and on June 29, 1866, was destroyed by fire, the proprietor at that time being J. B. Taylor. Previous to him I. L. Dillenbeck, L. Millington, C. Tickner, and others had conducted it as landlords. It was rebuilt as at present and opened as the Empire House, in March, 1867, by J. B. Taylor and George Swanson. After- wards J. B. Gillson was proprietor, and when Capt. David Boyd assumed charge, its name became the Boyd House.

As early as 1818 Mathew McNair and T. S. Morgan, of Oswego, built a store, ashery and distillery. The ashery stood on the west bank of the creek and on the north side of the road. The distillery was run by Simon Tuller, who was succeeded by Lamb, Webb & Tuller. In 1825 Bazaleel Thayer established a wool-carding and cloth-dressing mill, and Jabin Wood a tannery. The latter soon after started the first shoe shop, and was succeeded in the tanning business by Archibald Ross, William Merriam and others.

The first merchant in the village was William S. Fitch, who kept the store built by McNair & Morgan. About 1827 he erected a store build- ing, and this in a remodeled form, is now the billiard room of William Simons. The upper part was used as a place for holding religious and Masonic meetings, and for a select school kept by Miss Eggleston, a sister of Mrs. Fitch.

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LANDMARKS OF OSWEGO COUNTY.

Moses P. Hatch very early had a store and dwelling combined, in front of what is now B. F. French's stone house. He also had a distil- lery on the opposite side of the creek from the Toronto Mills.

Peter Chandler came here in 1828 and commenced business in the old Fitch store. Later he built a brick store just east of George W. Stone's building, which was torn down in 1852. He retired from trade in 1843 and died in 1848. He was a successful merchant, was promi- nent in the town and county, and became wealthy. He built the stone house above mentioned, in 1838.

George T. Butler, brother of Rawson A., had an early mercantile establishment on the site of the store of G. W. Stone. He also con- ducted an ashery.

Robert A. Stitt was a brother-in-law of Dr. Benjamin E. Bowen. They came from Oneida county about 1836 and opened a store in the old Hatch building. Dr. Bowen was succeeded by Jonathan Goodwin, and he by Rawson A. Butler as Stitt & Butler, who built on the southwest corner of Main and Church streets. The business finally passed to Mr. Butler who was burned out in 1864. Mr. Stitt was an active politician, was appointed county treasurer, and removed to Oswego.

About 1839 Joseph N. Barrows started a store near where Hall's barber shop now stands. He afterward had other locations, and at one time Calvin G. Hinckley was his partner. The store he once occupied was removed from near the grist mill, and is now used by John J. Cobb.

Henry Webb owned about forty acres of land opposite the academy, on which he built, about 1840, a house that is still standing. He erected a brick store where the Webb block stands, and about the same time a three-story frame building was put up by Dr. Bowen and James H. Tuller, on the adjoining corner of Main and North Jefferson streets. All were burned in 1854, and the present Webb block was built the next year. Mr. Webb was long a prominent merchant here. A general store was early kept by James B. Driggs, and J. J. Parker, who finally dissolved partnership. The latter opened a dry goods store where W. H. Penfield now is, and continued until he was burned out in 1864, when he removed to Chicago. In 1865 James B. Driggs and Cyrus Whitney, erected a store on the southwest corner of Main and South Jefferson streets, and the same year Benjamin S. Stone built another

Moms Truch B. S Store

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THE TOWN OF MEXICO.

adjoining. Mr. Driggs continued business there until he was succeeded by William Cooper, who eventually sold to Eleazer Rulison, and moved to Syracuse.

James S Chandler was an early and successful merchant. With Leonard Ames, he built the block in which G. G. French's banking office is located. On this site Mr. Hatch originally erected a building for the storage of grain and produce, in which he was an extensive dealer ; it was finally removed to the corner of Main and Water streets, and occupied by Mr. Bailey, as a clothing store. Benjamin S. Stone has been a merchant in Mexico village since 1843, starting on the site occupied by R. T. Simpson. With his brother, Samuel H.,1 as S. H. & B. S. Stone, he early had a general store, from which, in 1857, in part- nersnip with S. A. Tuller, he drew out their stock of hardware, and thus established the first exclusively hardware store in town. In 1864 the firm dissolved, and Mr. Stone bought and built on his present lot. From then until 1868, he was associated with his brother, J. R., who died in the latter year. Since then the firm has been B. S. Stone & Co. Samuel H. Stone continued in business after his brother's withdrawal, and was succeeded by George W. Stone.

The first jeweler was Nathaniel Butler. The first drug store was opened by Dr. Levi F. Warner, who died in Boston a few years ago. Dr. Warner was associated for a time with a Mr. Elliott, and subse- quently sold to Chauncey Sims, who sold to Rulison Brothers, one of whom afterward became a surgeon in the army. They were succeeded by George S. Thrall & Co., and the latter by Butler & Higgins. After Mr. Butler's death Mr. Higgins continued alone until he sold to John C. Taylor. The latter died in 1887, and the business passed to his heirs. The second drug store in the village was started by Edwin L. Huntington.

Starr Clark came here in 1832, and engaged in mercantile trade, con- tinuing until about the time of his death. He was appointed county treasurer, and was an active and influential citizen. He was born in Lee, Mass., August 2, 1793, and died here September 1, 1866.

Among other merchants were Henry C. Peck, who succeeded Samuel

1 Samuel H. Stone, first treasurer elected in Oswego county. He ran on the Free Soil ticket, and held the office two terms.

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LANDMARKS OF OSWEGO COUNTY.

H. Stone as county treasurer ; Bailey & Ayers. clothing; C. F. Tuller, -

and Baird & Griffiths, groceries; Clinton & Eaton, general dealers; Peck & Conklin, dry goods (a partnership that continued from 1849 to 1868) ; Ames, Alexander & Co., shoes; Albin Meyer, tailor; James Lamb; Elias May ; J. F. (died 1885), and D. D. Becker; J. P. Plank & Son ; Taylor & Meyer; S. W. Plank; Huntington & Rickard; Stone, Robinson & Co .; Goit & Richardson ; Pierce & Brown; L. H. Sayles (succeeded by A. W. Waters) ; Ball & Mond; E. J. Parmelee (suc- ceeded by Chamberlin & Wallace); W. O. & Charles C. Johnson ; Jesse H. Holmes (succeeded in 1865 by B. G. Eaton and T. G. Brown) ; C. H. Clinton; Brooks & Huntington ; J. R. Norton; Cobb & Woodruff; L. G. Ballard ; L. L. Virgil; C. P. Whipple; George G. Tubbs; and H L. Alfred.

The first newspaper was the Oswego County Democrat, which was started by Thomas Messenger in 1837 or 1838, was soon changed to the Messenger, and was discontinued in 1839. It is said that another effort was made at an early day to establish a journal in the village, but like the Messenger venture, it was soon abandoned. On March 19, 1861, the first number of the Mexico Independent appeared. It was founded by Henry Humphries and James M. Scarritt under the firm name of Humphries & Scarritt, and has ever since had a successful career. In December, 1865, Mr. Scarritt sold his interest to Henry Humphries, the present editor and proprietor. It was started as an eight page sheet, but on January 2, 1862, appeared in folio form. October 2, 1872, it adopted the title of the Mexico Independent and Deaf Mutes' Journal, and added a department of one page, bearing the last name, of which Henry C. Rider, a deaf mute, had charge. For this purpose Mr. Rider secured an appropriation from the State of $300. The combined publications were continued until November 5, 1874, when they separated, each taking its respective title. The Deaf Mutes' Journal was published in Mexico about two years thereafter, when it removed elsewhere in the State. The Independent is non-political and ably represents the best public thought and general interests of its im- mediate field. Mr. Humphries is a native of England and has visited Europe three times, besides traveling extensively in this country. In point of continuous journalistic service he is the oldest editor in the county

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outside the city of Oswego. In November, 1884, Frederick A. Thomas started the Mexico Republican, which expired about three years later.

The first banking business was instituted in a private way by O. H. Whitney, who was succeeded by Cyrus Whitney and Timothy W. Skinner. About 1855 Stone, Ames & Co. started a banking office in the upper part of the present building of George W. Stone, and were succeeded by Chandler & Ames. The latter finally disposed of the business to James S. Chandler, who was followed by Luther H. Conk- lin, who for more than twenty years served as county treasurer. George G. French became interested in the Second National Bank of Oswego, and upon severing his connection with that institution, he opened a pri- vate bank in Mexico with his brother Benjamin F. as cashier.

The village of Mexico has been noted in past years for its many fires. The first of importance occurred in 1832 or '33, when the distillery of Simon Tuller, and the blacksmith shop of Asa Beebe were burned. The others in chronological order were as follows : 1 1844, tannery of Orson Ames ; 1850, November, unfinished store of John Fort, store of Albin Lawrence, Methodist church, and barn of Levi Downing; 1852, November 27, Robert Kelley's brick hotel, two small tenements, and house of Luke D. Smith, formerly belonging to the estate of Luther S. Conklin ; 1854, March 25, store of Forsyth & Whitney, clothing store of John Butler, "an old red house " and other small buildings; 1854, August 26, three story store of Peck & Conklin, and stores of Henry Webb and William Rulison ; 1857, November 24, blacksmith shop of Charles Johnson, and wagon shop of Haven & Smith ; 1860, February 14, Whitney's brick block ; 1861, March 10, store of Almeron Thomas ; 1862, March 14, Town Hall, store of Stone & Tuller, store and house of Solomon Doolittle, millinery shop of Miss Chubb, shoe shops of M. W. Babcock, and R. Howard, office of Luke D. Smith, etc .; 1864, July 22, Mexico Hotel, Whitney block, Dr. C. D. Snell's block, post-office, and twelve other buildings, loss about $67,000; 1866, June 29, Empire House and block, and other buildings, loss $24,000.

From the first settlement of the town to August, 1867, a total of seventy-six buildings had been burned in the village and vicinity, en-

1 Condensed from a similar list prepared by Starr Clark, and published in the Mexico Inde- pendent.

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LANDMARKS OF OSWEGO COUNTY.

tailing an aggregate loss of about $179,000. Following this, three stores were destroyed by fire in November, 1868; Homer Ames's saw mill and cheese box factory in August, 1879; Homer Ames and Henry Cook's sash and door factory and heading mill in July, 1880; Homer Ames's planing mill in February, 1881 ; the Phoenix block, March 14, 1882 ; L. J. Clark's foundry in August, 1888; and Almeron Thomas's old saw mill in May, 1889.

During most of these years there was a regularly organized fire de- partment which, in many instances, rendered valuable services. June 2, 1852, the sum of seventy dollars was voted to purchase a hook and ladder truck, and on December 10, thirty firemen were appointed as members of Hook and Ladder Company No. I. April 7, 1860, twenty- one persons were designated to form Engine Company No. I. In 1882 the department was reorganized and in 1887 a Silsby steamer and hose cart were procured at a cost of $4,000. During the latter year the last of a series of four reservoirs was completed.

The present officers of the fire Department are: John M. Wing, chief ; Pratt Sweeting, assistant chief ; Edward F. Hollister, secretary ; Anson J. Hallock, foreman engine company ; Thomas Pepper, foreman hook and ladder company.

In 1890 the Mexico Electric Light, Heat and Power Company was organized, and early in 1891 an adequate electric light system was placed in operation. It is controlled by Edwin L. Huntington, Linus B. Cobb, and Charles E. Hocknel.

Among the manufactures of the past, were S. N. Gustin's animal- poke and tub pail factory ; Salem T. Beebe's iron foundry, which he bought in March, 1863, of the estate of J. H. Tuller ; A. C. Erskine's sash and blind factory ; Bews & Walton's iron foundry " near the acad- emy ;" the cabinet shops of J. A. Rickard and Simon Leroy ; and the butter-dish factory of Frank M. Earle. The Wilson Corn Canning Factory was started in 1886, and has a capacity of 50,000 cans daily. In 1852 Lewis Miller established a carriage factory, and a few years afterward he secured the old academy building, which has ever since been occupied for the purpose. For a time the concern was operated under the name of Alfred & Miller, but in 1868 Mr. Miller became sole proprietor. Afterward the firm became Miller & Snow. In the spring

И. И. Фкиши. Киши,

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THE TOWN OF MEXICO.

of 1890 the Miller Spring Wagon Company was organized, with a capi- tal stock of $25,000. John H. Gass is president ; Henry Humphries, vice president ; H. H. Dobson, secretary ; and J. Hoose, treasurer.

Among the postmasters of Mexico have been Rawson A. Butler, Starr Clark, S. B. Barnes, John J. Lamoree, La Fayette Alfred, George P. Johnson, and George D. Babcock. The present incumbent is Wil- fred A. Robbins.

Mexico village was incorporated January 15, 1851, and on March 26 O. H. Whitney, Dr. Clark D. Snell, James S. Chandler, David Goit and Asa Sprague were chosen the first trustees; Seabury A. Tuller, treas- urer ; Cyrus Whitney, clerk ; William W. Merriam, Ezra C. Mitchell, and R. L. Alfred, assessors ; John A. Fort, collector ; Grandus Gregory, poundmaster.

April 21, 1864, the village was authorized to raise by tax $2,000 to aid in building the Oswego & Rome Railroad through the town. In 1866 the corporate limits were enlarged to the present area, of nearly 636 acres.

August 22, 1876, and again June 24, 1881, new by-laws and ordi- nances were adopted, and in March of the latter year, a special act passed by the Legislature legalized all previous acts of the village trus- tees.

The village presidents have been as follows :

1851, Asa Sprague ; 1852, Luke D. Smith; 1853, William W. Merriam; 1854, Dr. Clark D. Snell; 1855, Marlow Newell; 1856, Luther H. Conklin ; 1857, George G. French; 1858-59, La Fayette Alfred ; 1860-61, Perley J. Babcock; 1862-63, Marlow Newell; 1864-65, David Goit; 1866, Dr. Benjamin E. Bowen; 1867, Daniel H. Stone ; 1868, Calvin F. Brooks; 1869, Henry L. Cole; 1870, Winsor Beebe; 1871, Seabury A. Tuller ; 1872, La Fayette Alfred; 1873-77, Luther H. Conklin ; 1878, George H. Good- win; 1879, Amos C. Thomas ; 1880-82, Maurice L. Wright; 1883-85, John D. Hart- son ; 1886-87, Robert H. Baker; 1888, James B. Driggs; 1889, Solomon L. Alexander ; 1890, Timothy W. Skinner ; 1891-92, Frank M. Earle; 1893, Hiram W. Loomis; 1894, George H. Wilson; 1895, Dr. S. M. Bennett.

The Mexico village officers for 1894-5 were as follows :

George H. Wilson, president; George H. Patten, Weeden P. Lyons, George A. Davis, trustees; George G. Stone, treasurer ; George A. Penfield, collector (died May 7, 1894, and George H. Utter appointed; John Everts elected in March, 1895); Webster M. Richardson, clerk ; Charles G. Rice, street commissioner ; Wilfred S. Sweetland, police constable. The population in 1890 was 1,315.

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LANDMARKS OF OSWEGO COUNTY.

Texas .- This is a post village on Little Salmon Creek, about one-half mile above the mouth of that stream. Its history under the original name of " Vera Cruz," down to its destruction by fire in about 1820, has already been detailed. Soon after that date, S. P. Robinson estab- lished a boat yard and built boats there for five or six years, and later a paper mill and store were conducted for a time. Finally a post office was established, the present postmaster being Richard Mosher, who suc- ceeded John Ramsey. For several years a life-saving station was main- tained by the Government, but it burned March 27, 1886, and has never been rebuilt. On either side of the mouth of the creek bordering on the lake, are pleasant summer resorts, known collectively as Mexico Point. On the east side is "Twice Told," owned by Frank M. Earle, who erected in 1891 an imposing frame hotel that cost about $15,000. On the west bank is Ontario Park, which is owned by a company of that name. Within a decade or so the place has become the most im- portant point in Oswego county for summer tourists seeking rest and recreation, and it is yearly increasing in importance and in the number of its visitors.

Colosse received its name from French settlers who located there at an early day. It was originally known as "Mexico Four Corners." It lies in the southeast part of the town, on the old Syracuse and Watertown plank road, and its post-office is one of the oldest in the county. Dur- ing the pioneer period it was generally believed that it would become a very important place, and for many years no little rivalry existed be- tween `this and near-by villages. The first settlers on the site were Perry Allen and Elisha Huntley. Mr. Allen located on lot 133. With Mr. Huntley came his sons, William, Lorenzo, Lyman, and Elisha, jr., of whom the latter took up a large farm on lots 132 and 133. William located on lot 118, while Lorenzo remained on the homestead. Lyman became a physician, and settled on the northwest one of the four corners. On the southwest corner Judge Bates erected a story- and-a-half inn, which he kept until 1817, where he was followed successively by many other hosts. Adjoining this tavern was the store of Rufus Tiffany, started about 1816, and among its subsequent proprietors were Milton Harmon and Leander Parkhurst. Henry Webb was an early merchant here, but about 1840 sold out to his brothers, Thomas and Charles L.,

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THE TOWN OF MEXICO.

and moved to Mexico village. A union store was established at an early day by a stock company, whose successor was John Becker. The latter was succeeded by his son, John F. and Marcus D. Richardson, as Becker & Richardson. Mr. Becker later acquired his partner's interest, and finally sold to Joseph A. Richardson.

R. A. Burke, another merchant, was followed by George C. Brown & Son, who were succeeded by Peter Gray, whose son James is now in business. Other merchants were William A. and J. A. Johnson, of whom the latter was burned out in December, 1853, and is now a lawyer in Mexico village. In 1821 Paul Allen built a second tavern, and a few years before, an ashery and distillery had commenced opera- tion.

Joseph Devendorf started a tannery and shoeshop in 1822, and soon after was succeeded by Truman Rood. About the same year Marshall Fairchild began making hats. F. L. Barnes, L. D. Snell, and Seymour Worden were among the hotel keepers down to 1875. Early black- smiths were Alvin Richardson and Sidney D. Markham.

Perhaps nothing more clearly indicates the future importance which the early settlers anticipated for the then thriving village of Colosse, than an act of the Legislature, passed April 12, 1842, incorporating the " Colosse Hydraulic Company," with Cyrus Allen, Sidney D Markham, Leander Parkhurst, Alvin Richardson, Chas. L. Webb, William A. Bates, Thomas Webb, Artemas Church, and John M. Richardson as the first trustees. The capital stock was $5,000, and the scheme was the con- struction of a canal from the " pond of Nicholas E Chambers," to Lake Ontario, through Colosse, using Little Salmon Creek as a portion of the channel. For some reason the project was abandoned.

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Landmarks of Oswego County, New York, Part 60

Author: Churchill, John Charles, 1821-1905; Smith, H. P. (Henry Perry), 1839-1925; Child, W. Stanley Publication date: 1895 Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y. : D. Mason Number of Pages: 1410

Author: Churchill, John Charles, 1821-1905; Smith, H. P. (Henry Perry), 1839-1925; Child, W. Stanley
Publication date: 1895
Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y. : D. Mason
Number of Pages: 1410