USA > New York > Oswego County > Landmarks of Oswego County, New York > Part 81
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The Farmers' Mills were built by R. N. Hoff & Co. in 1870. On this site there was originally an axe factory and later the stone carding mill of A. J. Thayer, the latter building being enlarged and converted into a grist mill. R. N. Hoff & Co. were succeeded by Conger & Hoff, who were followed in 1880 by R. N. Hoff, the present proprietor. These mills employ the old fashioned stone system in grinding and do custom work exclusively, the daily capacity being from 300 to 400 bushels of grain.
The Oswego River mills were originally built by John J. Wolcott as a warehouse. About 1850, when the canal was enlarged, it was rebuilt and extended for forwarding purposes, and finally passed into the pos- session of H. N. Gilbert, N. H Gilbert, A. G. Gilbert and R. B. True, of whom Horace N. Gilbert came to Fulton in 1855. They converted it into a small flouring mill, and in 1886 sold it to R. B., G. E. and C. H. True, the present proprietors, the firm name being True Brothers. They enlarged the mill as it now stands and fitted it throughout with the roller process. The capacity is 200 barrels of flour per day.
In 1870 a machine shop was erected just above the lower bridge, which in 1875 was converted into a planing mill and bedstead factory by A. T. and J. H. Loomis. It subsequently passed into the hands of L. E. Loomis and was operated by James F. Herrick. At one time the buildings were occupied by Henry S. Condé as a knitting factory, and very early a gang saw mill was carried on here by Farwell & Co. The site is now occupied by the box factory of the Standard Oil Company.
Among the merchants not previously mentioned who formerly con - ducted business in Fulton may be noted here the names of
Hon. G. M. Case, Almon, Wilson, and Churchill Tucker, Anson Nibloe, John J. Wol- cott, James Cole (still in business), R. T. Jones, Horace P. Pond, Reuben Bradshaw,
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Hannah & Lasher, R.C. Kenyon, S. N. Kenyon, William B. and Isaac Shaw, the Palmenter sisters (milliners), Ward Gasper, John Wooden (succeeded by Snow & Loomis in 1885), Henry J. Case (grocer and contractor, who died January 11, 1889, aged fifty nine), Pliny Conger, Charles R. Nichols, M. A. & Isaac Shumway, George Salmon, N. E. Burdick, George F. Falley, Charles G. Case (a noted abolitionist, whose widow resides in the village in her ninetieth year), Thomas Keeler, G. C. Lathrop, Charles M. Case, Jonathan Case, James Whitaker, Charles Phillips (afterward an M. E. preacher), Wood & Spicer, J. D. Stephens (father of William G. and Melvin F.), William Schenck, Cyrus Phillips, Robert E. Phillips, H. G. Colgrove, Willlam H. Pruyne (died September 22, 1888), and Roberts & Mistler (marble dealers on the corner of First and Cayuga streets ; Morgan Roberts died in September, 1890, aged seventy-nine.)
The village charter has been amended several times, notably on March 17, 1862, on April 26, 1873, and on March 24 and May 28, 1881, the last time authorizing the election of a president, six trustees, one police justice, three assessors, a treasurer, collector, and street com - missioner, and the appointment of a clerk, surveyor, jailor, and one or more policeman, under which plan the municipal government is now conducted. The ordinances of the village now in force were passed July 28, 1880.
The sewerage question was agitated in December, 1881, and on April 24, 1886, an act was passed by the Legislature authorizing the con- struction of an adequate system. In 1889 a contract for the work was let for $20,240 and the trustees decided to raise by tax $25,000 for the purpose, but both were abandoned. In the fall of 1894 another plan was projected which is now (January, 1895) under consideration. The Board of Sewer Commissioners consists of George E. True, president ; Arvin Rice, clerk ; Francis Stiles, Prentice Youmans, Edwin R. Red- head, and Thomas Hunter 2d.
The new Clark House was opened December 29, 1881, with James Clark as proprietor, and on November 28, 1882, the Stephens Opera House, which was built by Dr. John J. Stephens, of Washington, D. C, was formally opened for public entertainments. In April, 1883, the Cole block was burned.
In January, 1884, the Fulton Water Works Company was organized with H. E. Nichols, president; J. W. Pratt, vice-president ; Giles S. Piper, secretary ; and F. A. Emerick, treasurer. The plant was not put in operation, however, until November, 1885. The water sup- ply is derived from the famous Great Bear Springs near the river, south
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of the village. Mr. Emerick has been continually connected with the company and is now its principal manager. During this year (1884) a rink was built which was burned in August, 1885.
On January 27, 1885. a fire destroyed J. J. Wright's and Sheridan Brothers & Co.'s, hardware stores and other establishments on Oneida, street, entailing a loss of $40,000. About this time James Pearman started his present foundry and machine shop and J. M. Campbell built a new foundry on First street.
The Fulton and Oswego Falls Street Railroad Company was organ- ized July 16, 1885, with the following officers : Arvin Rice, president ; F. A. Gage, vice-president ; John Hadcock, secretary ; Reuben Brad- shaw, William Waugh, D. C. Hadcock, W. A. Hall, Frank Marsh, and C. H. Dexter, directors. The work of construction was commenced in August of that year and the road was completed and formally opened August 17, 1886, at which time Charles Lyman was secretary. It ex- tends from the railroad on Cayuga street to First street and along First street to Broadway, where it crosses the river and runs thence to the D., L. & W. Railroad depot in Oswego Falls.
In August, 1886, the Fulton Schuyler Electric Light Company was incorporated with a capital of $33,000 and a plant was placed in opera- tion before the close of that year. Soon after this a similar company was formed, and in October, 1887, the first named corporation was re- organized under the style of the Citizens' Electric Company. In April, 1889, the two concerns consolidated under the title of the Thompson- Houston Company. On April 1, 1891, the Fulton Electric Light and Power Company was incorporated with a capital of $80,000, and suc- ceeded to the property and vested rights of all the foregoing concerns as well as those of the Fulton Gas Light Company previously noticed. The first officers were C. S. Haley, president ; F. A. Emerick, vice- president; and G. G. Chauncey, secretary. The present president is W. A. Carey ; the others hold their respective positions.
The Oswego Falls Pulp and Paper Company was incorporated in February, 1886, with a capital of $30,000. Their pulp mill was erected in 1888 and doubled in size in 1889, the capacity being twenty tons of dry pulp daily. On or near this site there was formerly a grist mill, a saw mill, and a plaster mill. The hydraulic raceway which furnishes
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water to propel these mills was constructed in 1887-8 at a cost of about $40,000. From thirty to thirty-five men are employed. The officers are F. G. Weeks, president; H. L. Paddock, treasurer ; and George P. Wells, superintendent.
The Hunter Arms Company was started here in 1889 as the Hunter- Comstock Arms Company, making the Comstock gun. In 1890 the the L. C. Smith gun was purchased in Syracuse and the firm adopted its present designation. As many as 175 mechanics are employed. The capital is $400,000, and the officers are John Hunter, of Sterling Valley, N. Y., president ; Hon. Thomas Hunter, of Sterling, N. Y., vice- president ; John Hunter, jr., secretary ; Thomas Hunter 2d, treas- arer and manager; William Hunter, assistant manager.
The Tuerk Water Meter Company and the Acme Burnisher Company were moved to Fulton in 1890. The officers of both concerns are John Hunter, president, and J. C. Hunter, secretary, treasurer, and manager. The first named company manufactures the F. W. Tuerk water meters and motors, ventilating fans, etc., while the other makes picture bur- nishers.
The Fulton Excelsior Company was started by Charles M. Allen, the present proprietor, in 1890, and employs ahout twenty men. The butter tub business connected with this concern was established in 1888.
The Pure Water Supply Company was organized in July, 1890, by F. A. Emerick, H. E. Nichols, Arthur Gilbert, and John H. Case. The busi- ness consists of bottling the water taken from the Great Bear Spring and shipping it, principally to Syracuse.
The Fulton Machine Compaay was incorporated in November, 1890, with a capital of $35,000, and with these officers: F. E. Bacon, presi- dent ; George J. Emeny, vice-president ; C. C. Benedict, secretary and treasurer. The present officers are the same except the vice-president, who is Abram Emerick. Mr. Emeny was manufacturing an ensilage cutter in a small way, to which business the company succeeded, occu- pying the building formerly used by R. H. Harris & Son as a carriage factory. From thirty to thirty-five hands are employed.
The Fulton Board of Trade was organized December 9, 1890, with the following trustees : F. E. Bacon, A. Bristol, L. C. Seymour, F. A. ' Emerick, A. J. Snow, H. E. Nichols, G. S. Piper, C. C. Benedict, 102
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Thomas Hunter 2d, S. F. Merry, E. R. Redhead, A. Rosenbloom, and George E. True. George Kellogg was chosen treasurer.
The Miller- Tooley Knife Company was established in the spring of 1891, by L. T. Miller and A. J. Tooley, and began business that year in the old Ross foundry. They employ about fifteen men.
The Fulton Pleasure Boat Company was incorporated March 25, 1891, with E. T. Shepard, president; D. J. Freeman, vice president ; and William C. Stephens, secretary aad treasurer. The capital was $10,000. The company builds all kinds of small pleasure boats, does a general moulding and planing business, and employs from ten to twenty men. E. T. Shepard is president ; Dr. C. M. Lee, vice- president ; and I. M Gere, secretary and treasurer. The Diamond Ex- celsior Works were started by George E. Mason in 1892 and employs four hands. The Empire State Pulley and Press Company was incor- porated January 1, 1895, by George Ehrhard, president; J. E. Sheri- dan, secretary ; Francis Stiles, treasurer. The capital is $20,000 and wood split pulleys, cider machinery, etc., are manufactured. The busi- ness was originally started by M. P. Schenck about 1876, making cider machinery. In 1881 he was joined by J. E. Sheridan, who became sole owner in 1884. In 1891 the manufacture of pulleys was added.
During the various periods of growth and development just noted several other public institutions were established in the village which had an important influence upon its business, social, and moral life. These are detailed separately.
The post-office was originally established in the fall of 1810, under the name of Oswego Falls, with Noah A. Whitney as postmaster, and his first return to the post office department, made January 1, 1811, was for eight cents. On April 1, 1815, he was succeeded by James Lyon, who held the position until the office was discontinued February 14, 1829. He kept the office at the Upper Landing, and when the village proper became so thickly populated as to necessitate postal con- veniences at its center, he refused to move it. Fulton post-office was therefore established May 29, 1826, with Lewis Falley as postmaster. His successors have been as follows :
M. Lindley Lee, appointed June 22, 1841 ; Hiram Bradway, October 20, 1844; George Mitchell, June 23, 1849; Albert Taylor, April 9, 1853. The office was made a presi-
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dential one February 21, 1856, and Albert Taylor was re-appointed; William B. Shaw was appointed July 27, 1857; Allan C. Livingston, April 17, 1861; Thomas W. Chesbro, March 13, 1871; Charles T. Bennett, April 22, 1875; Mrs. C. T. Bennett, in 1878; N. H. Gilbert, in 1883; S. B. Whitaker, in 1887; Fred Bennett, in 1890; and A. J. Aubrey, April 14. 1894, incumbent.
The first banking institution in Fulton was the Citizens' Bank, which was established here in 1852 with a capital of $100,000 and with the following board of directors : Charles G. Case, Samuel Hart, Willard Johnson, R. C. Kenyon, S. N. Kenyon, H. H. Coats, George Grosvenor, George Salmon, T. W. Chesbro, J. J. Wolcott, J. W. Pratt, J. H. Reynolds, and Edwin Rockwell. George Grosvenor, of Rome, was cashier and manager of the bank, and occupied that position until 1857, when Amos H. Bradley was elected. In 1862 the capital was increased to $166,100, and has since remained unchanged. At the same time Samuel F. Case was elected president. In May, 1865, it was reorgan- ized and became the Citizens' National Bank of Fulton, which name it still retains. On April 1, 1867, Charles G. Case and Samuel F. Case were elected respectively president and cashier, positions they held until their deaths. The latter died in July, 1869, and was succeeded by George M. Case, who was followed on January 11, 1881, by Solon F. Case, the present cashier. Charles G. Case died in December, 1875, and was succeeded by Thomas W. Chesbro, who served till his death January II, 1881, when George M. Case was elected president and still holds that position. The vice-president is Jonathan H. Case. The di- rectors for 1895 are George M. Case, George Kellogg, E. E. Hart, C. M. Lee, C. R. Lee, S. F. Case, and J. H Case.
On October 6, 1855, the Oswego River Bank was organized with a capital of $114,500 and with John J. Wolcott, president; George Sal- mon, vice-president; Dewitt Gardner, cashier ; and Lewis E. Loomis, W. B. Shaw, John E. Dutton, John A. Livingston, Alfred Mix, Elisha Leavenworth, Charles Benedict, Justice Townsend, and B. N. Hinman, directors. January 19, 1865, it was reorganized into the First National Bank of Fulton (a name it has since borne), with a capital of $115,000. M. Lindley Lee was chosen president in 1870 and served until his death in May, 1876. The office then remained vacant until January 9, 1877, when R. H. Tyler was elected. He was succeeded January 13, 1880, by De Witt Gardner, the present president. Mr. Gardner had served
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as cashier until the last named date, when the assistant cashier, Amos Youmans, was elected and still holds the position. F. E. Bacon is vice- president. The directors for 1895 are D. W. Gardner, F. E. Bacon, Abram Emerick, L. C. Seymour, H. C. Gardner, Thomas Hunter 2d, and William Waugh. On June 21, 1877, the capital was reduced to $57,500
The Fulton Savings Bank was incorporated March 29, 1871, by Sands N. Kenyon, president ; Benjamin J. Dyer, H. H. Merriam, and Ira Carrier, vice-presidents ; Abraham Howe, secretary ; Dr. Charles G. Bacon, treasurer ; George M. Case, John Harroun, John W. Pratt, Willis S. Nelson, William D. Patterson, Calvin Osgood, Morris S. Kim- ball, Willard Johnson, Stephen Pardee, John C. Wells, Amos Dean, Henry N. Somers, Hiram Bradway, William Dexter, and James H. Townsend. Dr. Bacon soon resigned as treasurer and Sands N. Ken- yon was elected to the vacancy, holding also the office of president. He resigned January 10, 1887, and Abraham Howe was chosen his successor. In October, 1888, the bank was moved into its present building. The officers for 1895 are as follows : President and treas- urer, Abraham Howe; first vice-president, Abram Emerick; second vice-president, Arvin Rice; third vice-president, Willis S. Nelson ; secretary, William J. Lovejoy ; attorney, G. S. Piper ; trustees, W. S. Nelson, Arvin Rice, J. W. Pratt, J. C. Wells, G. S. Piper, W. D. Patter- son, E. S Hogeland, W. J. Lovejoy, Dr. C. G. Bacon, George M. Case, Reuben Bradshaw, Abraham Howe, Abram Emerick, F. A. Emerick. and George P. Wells. There are about 3,400 depositors with deposits aggregating over $450,000.
The first newspaper published in Fulton and the second in the county outside of Oswego was the Fulton Chronicle, which was started by Thomas Johnson in November, 1837. In 1840 he sold it to Isaac S. Clark and Edwin Thompson, who changed the name to the Ben Frank- lin, which proved unsuccessful and the paper died the next year. Its immediate successor was the weekly Dispatch, conducted by E. C. Hat- ten which lived about twelve months. In 1841 N. B. Northrup started the Fulton Sun and on August 20, 1842, Daniel Ayer established the Fulton Mirror; very soon afterward the two papers were consolidated under the name of the Fulton Sun and Mirror and published until
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1844, when it was sold to Spencer Munroe and a little later was discon- tinued.
The Fulton Patriot was started by M. C. Hough in 1846, who trans- ferred it to John A. Place in 1848. In 1854 it was sold to Thaddeus S. Brigham (who died in Union Village August 8, 1890), and in 1858 Hon. R. K. Sanford became the proprietor. In 1853 George E. Will- iams started the Oswego County Gazette, which he sold in 1858 to Mr. Sanford, who consolidated the two papers in November of that year under the title of the Fulton Patriot and Gazette. In 1861 it became the property of Rodney L. Adams, who was succeeded in 1865 by the Bennett Brothers. They continued as editors and proprietors until the death of Charles T. Bennett on August 14, 1877, when Fred Bennett assumed charge. He sold out to Frank M. Cornell, the present editor, December 1, 1892. The latter dropped the name, Gazette, and changed it to eight pages of six columns. It is Republican in politics, is issued every Friday, and ably represents the best interests of the village. Mr. Cornell was born in Skaneateles, N. Y., July 4, 1852, learned his trade in the Democrat office in that place, and in 1867 removed to Rochester, Minn., where he became local editor of the Post. In 1881 he went to Tower City, N. D., and started the Herald, which he moved to Valley City, N. D., in 1889, consolidating it with the Times-Record. In Sep- tember, 1892, he sold out and came to Fulton. He is W. P. of Eliza- beth Chapter, order of the Eastern Star, and secretary of Fulton Chap- ter R. A. M.
In 1860 the Democratic Union was published for a few months in Fulton. In June, 1868, George E. and J. M. Williams established the Fulton Times, which finally passed to E. D. Deming. September 21, 1881, Warner C. Wheeler purchased an interest. December 21 the paper was enlarged, and March 29, 1882, W. C. Wheeler & Co. be- came the publishers They were succeeded September 19, 1883, by Mrs. Mary L. Wheeler, with F. C. Bullock as editor. The latter died In June, 1884, and was followed by John A. McKay, and November 5 of that year the firm of J. A. Mckay & Co. became the proprietors. In 1885 the paper passed to F. D. Van Wagenen with James R. Fair- grieve as editor, who remained in charge until August 27, 1890. Soon afterward Richard Carr purchased the establishment and changed the
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paper from a folio to eight pages, and on January 15, 1894, was suc- ceeded by William E. Hughes, the present editor and proprietor. The Times is independent in politics, makes a specialty of local and neigh- borhood news, and has secured a wide and growing patronage. Mr. Hughes was born in the north of Ireland October 5, 1853, came to America with his parents in 1864, and learned his trade in New York city, where he became assistant ship news editor on the Journal of Commerce, a position he held thirteen years. He owned and edited the Orange Life and Evening Record in Orange, N. J., and in January, 1894, removed to Fulton.
The Fulton fire department was organized April 16, 1857, with Dixon Van Valkenburgh, Abial T. Loomis, James Peyden, Thomas Reeves, Abial W. Lewis, and John W. Knox as fire wardens. It still works on the volunteer basis and now consists of Steamer Company No. 1, Fred Gardner, president, and William Hoff, foreman; Steamer Company No. 2, and Johnson Hose Company No. 2, James Briggs, president, and George Sheridan, foreman ; Protection Hook and Ladder Company No. I, Thomas Hunter 2d, president, and James Keeler, foreman ; Sharp Hose Company No. 3, Charles Mitchell, foreman ; and Hose Company No. 4, E. E. Hart, president, and Elmer Taylor, foreman. The fire board consists of G C. Hewes, chief ; M. M. Williams, first assistant ; Jesse R. Waugh, secretary ; and Frederick P. Keeler, treas- urer.
The presidents of Fulton have been as follows :
Aaron G. Fish, 1835; George F. Falley, 1836; Samuel Dean, 1837 ; Oliver French, 1838; Joseph P. Whitney, 1839; John J. Wolcott, 1840, 1851, 1857; John Worlock, 1841; Hiram H. Coats, 1842; Lovwell Johnson, 1843, 1846-7; Jonathan Case, 1844; Sands N. Kenyon, 1845, 1854 (O. O. Shumway resigned) ; Robert C. Kenyon, 1848; Elliott Harroun, 1849; Amos G. Hull, 1850; Quartus Rust, 1852; Gardner Wood, 1853 ; S. F. Case, 1855; Willis S. Nelson, 1856, 1863-4, 1874; Lucius A. Hovey, 1858; Wil- lard Johnson, 1859, 1872 ; John C. Highriter, 1860; Lewis E. Loomis, 1861-2; Charles I. De Graw, 1865; R. T. Jones, 1866; William G. Gage, 1867; William C. Stephens, 1868-9; William D. Patterson, 1870; Daniel Pardee, 1871; Hiram Bradway, 1873 ; Rensselaer R. Dodge, 1875; William Waugh, 1876, 1884-5, 1887, 1892-3; John H. Woodin, 1877; Joel S. Palmer, 1878; Henry S. Gardner, 1879; Charles R. Nichols, 1880 ; Francis M. Wilson, 1881-2, 1889-90 ; James F. Herrick, 1883; John N. Sharp, 1886; George E. True, 1888; J. H. Merton, 1891 ; Thomas D. Lewis, 1894; G. P. Wells, 1895.
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The village officers for 1894-5 were :
Thomas D. Lewis, president; Charles W. Washburn, George G. Emeny, Willard Johnson (resigned January 16, 1895, and George P. Wells elected), C. Wellington Hastings, John M. Foster, and Clarence W. Streeter, trustees; William P. Hillick, clerk ; James R. Loomis, treasurer ; Seymour Van Buren, collector ; Thomas B. Reynolds, Seymour Parmelee, and James F. Cooper, assessors ; Anson J. Osborne, street commis- sioner ; John N. Sharp, police justice ; Job Bennett, Morgan Van Buren, and Daniel Morfa, excise commissioners; Clarence C. Hewes, Napoleon Gorman, and Willard Cur- tis, Board of Health ; Dr. H. L. Lake, health officer.
A brief history of the earlier schools of Fulton has been given in previous pages of this chapter. As the village increased in population a number of select schools came into existence, the first one of which there is any record being in 1828. at the upper landing, kept by a Mr. Brockway. Others followed, and in 1833 Miss Gardner, who had taught the district school at the upper landing in 1830-31, opened a select school on the corner of Third and Oneida streets, which was at- tended by over seventy pupils. She was a lady of great energy and fine attainments, was eminently successful, and in 1834 went to India as a missionary, being the first one to depart from this county for foreign lands. At this time Rev. John Eastman was supplying the pulpit of the Presbyterian church here, and the success which had at- tended Miss Gardner's enterprise was undoubtedly instrumental in prompting him to attempt the establishing of a seminary for the educa- tion of young ladies. In September, 1834. he opened a school in the building then recently vacated by her, which led to the incorporation of the Fulton Female Seminary, May 25, 1836, with Rev. John Eastman, Aaron G. Fish, Thomas R. Brayton, John E. Dutton, George Salmon, M. Lindley Lee, Israel P. Knox, Chauncey Betts, Henry West- fall, Henry Pearson, Samuel Merry, and Lemuel Dada as trustees, who
were authorized to hold stock not to exceed $12,000. Mr. Fish was chosen president, Mr. Dutton secretary, and Mr. Salmon treasurer. In 1839 the school was placed in charge of the Regents of the State Uni- versity, and on April 1I, 1842, its title was changed to the Fulton Academy, and youth of both sexes were admitted to its classes. Hon. George F. Falley, who died in June, 1847, had been a liberal contributor to the school, and in 1849 his widow, Mrs. Mehitable E. Falley, donated $4,000 more, in recognition of which the name was
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changed by the Legislature on April 11, 1849, to the Falley Seminary of the Black River Conference. In this year the erection of a brick building was commenced on a lot donated for the purpose by Col. James L. Voorhees. It cost about $20,000 and was dedicated Decem- ber 5, 1850. A large debt hung over the institution which a few years later seriously embarrassed it. In 1856 Prof. John P. Griffin assumed charge and expended much of his private means in reducing the in- debtedness. In 1869 he was succeeded by Rev. James Gilmour,1 who became sole owner of the Seminary property and conducted it until about two years before his death. The seminary was closed with the fall term of 1883, and since then the building has been occupied as a residence by Professor Gilmour and his widow. The principals of Falley Seminary were :
Miss Maria Clara Maynard (afterward Mrs. George Salmon, died May 6, 1861), 1836-41; Amos G. Hull, M. A., 1842; Rev. Edmund E. E. Bragdon, 1842-44 and 1848-53; Rev. Benjamin H. Caldwell, M. A., 1844-46; Theodore S. Parsons, A. B., 1847-48; J. R. French, 1853-4; Rev. John W. Armstrong, M. A., 1854-55 ; Rev. J. Henry Mansfield, A. B., 1855-56; John P. Griffin, M. A., 1856-69 ; Rev. James Gil- mour, 1869-83.
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