Landmarks of Steuben County, New York, Part 28

Author: Hakes, Harlo, 1823- ed; Aldrich, Lewis Cass. cn
Publication date: 1896
Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y. : D. Mason & Co.
Number of Pages: 1180

USA > New York > Steuben County > Landmarks of Steuben County, New York > Part 28

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 good work accomplished by this institution, the outgrowth of the generosity and philanthropy of Father Early, needs no recital here. The rich and poor alike receive the same kind treatment and attention at the hands of the devoted sisters who have direct control of the hos- pital. The institution is supported by popular contribution and the city fund referred to. The annual expense of maintenance amounts to about $3,000. The staff of medical attendants has been organized through the efforts of Dr. Kelly, and comprises the physicians of the city.

Another of the important and interesting departments of municipal government is the educational system, at present perfected to a degree that places it in favorable comparison with that of any city in the State, and far in advance of many of them. We are told that the first

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school of the then hamlet was opened through the efforts of Judge Hornell about 1810, and that Sarah Thacher was its first teacher. The building stood near the corner of Main and Arkport streets. The next school was that of district No. 7, predecessor to the Central school, and was maintained in a log house on lower Canisteo street.

The first building erected for school purposes was also a log struc- ture, and stood at the lower end of Main street. Here at one time George Hornell, jr., taught. The third school stood near the "Canisteo block," and among its early teachers were Rev. Samuel White, James Osborne, Mr. Case, Mary Morris, Pamelia Stephens, Deacon Thacher, and later John S. Livermore, Dr. Thomas, Orange McCay and others. In 1833 the " little red school " was built on the Tribune building site, and was burned in the great fire of 1868. The early pedagogues here were Washington Cruger, Samuel Porter, H. V. R. Lord, Samuel Street, Hiram Bennett and others of later date.

In 1844 the district purchased the Park school site, and the first school house built there was also used for town hall and theatrical per- formances. But notwithstanding its various uses here were taught youths and misses who are now our best business men and most cul- tured women. Recalling a few of the many names possible of mention, let us note Judge Solon O., T. Dwight, Safford M. and T. Scott Thacher ; also Col. Frank B, Doty, Martin and Levi Doty, Emmett and Charles Reynolds, Maxwell Cameron, Scott Belden, Matthew Hale, Russell M. Tuttle, the Prindle boys, and the Bennetts, Stephenses, Caldwells, Mor- rises, Browns, Popples, Hawleys and a host of others. The first teacher here was Rev. O. B. Clark who opened his school in February, 1845. The old building was modified, enlarged, and in fact replaced, but to- day the site is occupied with one of the most modern, convenient and attractive school buildings in the southern tier. It is known as the Park School, and bears the year mark " 1886."

The present educational system was adopted in 1872, and the affairs and management of schools is vested in a Board of Education, authorized to levy and raise a tax sufficient for all purposes of main- tenance, additions, repairs and equipments, independent of any other branch of city government. The plan of naming each school was adopted in 1888. The city now has five public schools, viz .: The Park

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School, built 1886, having 213 pupils; the Lincoln School, on Canisteo street, attendance, 400; the Columbian School, built 1893, cost $20,000, located on Pearl street, 319 pupils; the Irving School, formerly First ward school, 265 pupils ; the Bryant School, formerly Sixth ward, 249 pupils.

The present Board of Education is comprised of J. E. B. Santee, president; Stephen Hollands, J. W. Nicholson, F. C. Prindle and Cass Richardson. The secretary of the board is Joseph Cameron. Members of the board are elected from the city at large, and hold office for a term of five years. The city schools are under the superintendence of W. R. Prentiss, appointed in 1887 as successor to Robert Simpson.

In this connection we may also properly mention some of the past and present private schools which have been opened in the village and city; among which were those of Rachel Bennett, Hannah Wilbur, Harriet Waldo, Mrs. Van Court, Mrs. Schuyler, Helen Thacher. In August, 1862, Mrs. B. A. McNall (Belva Lockwood) organized a young ladies' school in the M. E. church. She lived here several years and had a good school. Mary Dwight also had a good private school, and as well had Professor Ford. Dr. Jamison taught penmanship in the Park school.

St. Ann's Union Academic School, parochial in its general character, and attached to and sustained by the parish of St. Ann's church, was founded during the pastorate of Father M. Creedon, which began Oc- tober II, 1863. This is a large school, numbering 435 pupils, and is under the State regency. The teachers are selected from the Sisters of Mercy, nine of whom devote themselves wholly to the work of educa- tion. The only other educational institutions of the city are the Busi- ness Colleges, of which there are two, both well conducted and afford- ing excellent opportunities in their special branches.

The ecclesiastical history of Hornellsville, town and city, is alike rich, interesting and instructive, and although the local churches are men- tioned in another department of this work, they are of sufficient im- portance to this chapter to demand more than a passing allusion to them in this place, even at the hazard of repetition.

Gleaning information from all sources, we learn that as early as 1799 religious services were held at the house of Judge Hornell by Robert

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Logan, a Presbyterian, and that about the same time Rev. John Durbin, Methodist, preached in a log house in Main street. From this time forth occasional services were held in the little settlement by ministers of different denominations, but not until about the year 1830 does there appear to have been made any successful effort at church organization ; and as the Methodists and Presbyterians were originally in the mission- ary field about the same time, so, also, their society organizations were at about the same date, the former slightly in advance.

The present Park Methodist Episcopal church had its inception in the little primitive meetings held during the early years of the century, and a society came into existence in the year 1830. The members met in dwellings and school houses until strong enough to erect a church home. This was accomplished in 1832-33. The second edifice was built in 1864-5 (cost $9,500), and the present structure in 1878-9. From first to last the church has ever increased, steadily and surely, and now it has a membership of 700, with 171 probationers. During the history of the mother society, two other churches have been formed in the city, each drawing a portion of its original membership from the Park organization. The pastors of the church have been Revs. Asa Story, 1830; W. D. Gage, 1835; Robert Parker, Nelson Hoag, 1837; Ira Bronson, Nelson Hoag, 1838; Samuel Church, 1839; D. B. Lawton, 1840; V. Brownell, 1841 ; Philo Tower, 1842; W. E. Prindar, 1843 ; Sheldon Doolittle, 1844; W. E. Prindar, 1846; John Knapp, John Spink, 1847-48 ; Carlos Gould, 1849; S. B. Rooney, 1850; James Wilson, 1851; A. S. Baker, 1852; James Ashworth, 1853 ; N. A. De Puy, 1854; H. N. Seaver, 1856; W. C. Huntington, 1857; J. R. Jacques, 1859 ; J. Walters, J. B. Knott, 1861 ; E. P. Huntington, 1862 ; C. M. Gardner, 1863-66; C. P. Hart, 1867; Thomas Stacy, 1868; W. C. Mattison, 1870; E. Wildman, 1872; C. C. Wilburn, 1873 ; K. P. Jervis, 1874; L. A. Stevens, 1877; C. W. Winchester, 1878-80; S. W. Lloyd, 1881-83; J. E. Williams, 1884-86; E. H. Lattimer, 1887-89 ; Ward D. Platt, 1890-92 ; L. A. Stevens, 1883 ; Ward B. Picard, 1894. The trustees of this church are William O'Connor, Charles W. Kress, Joseph L. Schaumburg, F. G. Schutt, S. M. Townsend, James H. Stevens, George Hollands, John D. Mitchell. Superintendent of Sun- day school, L. B. Crandall.

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The East Avenue Methodist Episcopal church society was organized and the edifice built during the year 1885, and though but ten years old is an entirely progressive body, having 190 full members, and 33 probationers. The pastors have been Revs. F. S. Roland and F. H. Van Kuren, the latter now officiating.

The South Side M. E. church was organized about the Ist of Janu- ary, 1895, by certain withdrawing members from the Park church ; not, however, with the approval of the mother society. The new organiza- tion has a small though neat edifice at the corner of Canisteo and Van Scoter streets. The members number about fifty persons, and are under the pastoral charge of Rev. George S. Spencer.

The First Presbyterian church of Hornellsville was organized by Revs. Moses Ordway and Moses Hunter, on July 10, 1832. The original members were twelve persons who presented letters of dismis- sal from other churches, and sixteen received on confession of faith. The first trustees were James McBurney, Ira Davenport, Samuel Mul- hollen, Truman Bostwick, Philander Hartshorn and Otis Thacher. After the church and society were organized attention was at once given to providing a church home. For this purpose Dugald Cameron donated two lots on Main street, each 4x8 rods in size, and here the edifice was built, at a cost of $3,000. The original building was 39x40 feet, with side and end galleries. The several subsequent enlargements to the building were made in 1862, 1871, 1875 and 1877, the latter being the lecture room addition. The manse was purchased during the pas- torate of Dr. Pettengill, and stood on Main street. This property was sold in 1862, and in the spring of 1873 the society purchased the prop- erty now occupied by the pastor.

This church is among the strongest religious organizations of the city, both in influence for good and in membership. The members on the roll now number 472, and in the Sunday school are 267 attendants, and 32 teachers. The ministers, supplies and pastors, in succession, have been as follows: Moses Ordway, July 10, 1832 ; George P. King, Sep- tember, 1832 ; Moses Hunter, March, 1834; vacant from March, 1835, to October, 1837 ; Benj. Russell, October, 1837 ; Samuel W. May, sup- ply, 1839 ; John W. Hopkins, first pastor, 1839-41 ; Charles B. Smythe, 1841-42 ; Elias S. Peck, 1842-43 ; Thos. M. Hodgman, 1843-45 ;

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Foster Lilly, 1845-48 ; Horatio Pettengill, second pastor, June 10, 1849-September, 1857; F. W. Graves, 1857-58 ; Ira O. De Long, 1859-60; Milton Waldo, 1861-71 ; W. A. Niles, April, 1872-April 7, 1884 ; Edward M. Deems, installed May 10, 1890, the present pastor. Elders, Nathan Platt, T. Scott Thacher, Geo. W. Seymour, C. H. Hub- bard, Alex. Davidson, Geo. H. Miller, Wm. A. Tracey and C. H. Glady. Superintendent of Sunday school, Alex. Davidson.

The Hartshorn Presbyterian church was organized February 26, 1891, and was the outgrowth of the mission Sunday school and chapel founded in 1883 through the generosity of Charles Hartshorn. About two months before his death Mr. Hartshorn deeded the chapel property to his wife, who, in turn, conveyed it, without consideration, to the trustees of the newly organized society. The present members number about sixty- five, and in the Sunday school are eighty attendents. The pastors have been Revs. William Veenscoten, George F. Danforth and Andrew Brown, the latter now officiating.

St. Ann's church, Roman Catholic, was organized as a parish and a church home provided in 1849, under the pastoral charge of Father Michael O'Brien. However, masses were said in this region as early as 1843, by Father Benedict Bayer, followed in 1844 by Father McAvoy, the latter continuing his missionary labors in this field until 1849. Next came Father O'Brien, under whom the little chapel on Cass street was built, and the church placed upon a substantial footing in the village. Then, following through the successive pas- torates of Father McCabe, Daniel Moore, Joseph McKenna, Terrance Keenan, and James McGlew, under each of whom the church constantly increased in members, we reach the year 1863, during which four priests were in the parish, Fathers John Lawton, W. A. Gregg, R. J. Story and M. Creedon. The latter came in October of that year, and during his earnest labors here the first portion of the large edifice on Erie avenue was erected and St. Ann's Academic school was founded. He died in 1870, and was followed by Father Wm. J. McNab. Francis Clark came in 1873, and was in turn succeeded, in November, 1879, by Rev. James M. Early, who, during his pastorate, enlarged the church and also founded St. James Mercy Hospital. Father Early died in February, 1890, and was succeeded by James O'Loughlin, and the

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latter by Rev. Arthur Barlow, who came to the parish June 10, 1893. The parish of St. Ann's contains about 700 families, or a total of 3,500 persons.

The earliest missionary work of the Protestant Episcopal church in this field began about the year 1850, when Rev. Asa Griswold read services to the few adherents of the church then living in the locality. These informal services were continued for a year or two, the Metho- dist edifice being occupied for a time, and later the old Washington Hall which burned about 1859. On the 6th of March, 1854, a meeting was held for the organization of the parish of Christ's church, and the election of wardens and vestrymen. At this meeting were present Martin Adsit, John M. Wisenell, Truman Warner, Nirom M. Crane, John Jamison, Aaron Morris, Wm. H. Chandler, Chas. Strawn, Peter C. Ward, Thomas Snell, Russell Pardee, George Huckett, Charles L. Prindle and Charles E. W. Baldwin. On the 20th of March following, the church was duly incorporated under the name of " Rector, Church Wardens and Vestrymen of Christ's Church in the town of Hornellsville, County of Steuben." The first officers were Rev. James A. Robinson, rector ; Aaron Morris and Charles L. Prindle, wardens ; and Peter C. Ward, Martin Adsit, William H. Chandler, Charles Strawn, George Huckett, T. Jefferson Magee, Thomas Snell and Nirom M. Crane, vestrymen. The corner stone of the church edifice was laid in May, 1860, and the church was consecrated by Bishop De Lancey, on April 10, 1862. The first service in the new church was on Christmas day, 1860. The old edifice still stands and is kept in such excellent repair that to day it is one of the most attractive structures of its kind in the city. Rev. Lloyd Windsor became rector January 1, 1859, and died in the performance of his duty during service, on June 30, 1889. His rectorate therefore covered a period of more than thirty years. In another department of this work will be found a biographical sketch of the life of this beloved rector and esteemed friend, but here we may say that his memory is preserved in the beautiful memorial window in the chancel. The present rector, Rev. Edwin S. Hoffman, came to the city in March, 1890. In the parish are about 160 families, and the communicating members number 262. The church raises annually between four and five thousand dollars. The present wardens are Martin Adsit and

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Judge Harlo Hakes. The vestrymen are Dr. J. S. Jamison, Don L. Sharp, John K. Chapman, C. B. Windsor, L. W. Rockwell and Henry E. Gilpin. The parish societies are the Woman's Missionary Auxiliary, Ladies' Guild, The Unity, St. Agnes' Guild, Daughters of the King, and the Brotherhood of St. Andrew.

The First Baptist church of Hornellsville was organized October 17, 1852, with fifteen constituent members. For seven years the society held its meetings in Union Hall, and it was not until the pastorate of Henry A. Rose (1856-59) that the brick edifice on Church street was built. The church now numbers 430 members. The present trustees are J. W. Nicholson, W. E. Tuttle, Alfred E. Brown, Herbert M. Hor- ton, S. D. Pitts, E. M. Le Munyan. Deacons, S. D. Pitts, O. S. Palmer, Aaron Brown and M. Tuttle. The pastors, in succession, have been Thomas S. Sheardown, 1852; William Luke, 1854-55; Henry A. Rose, 1856-59 ; John B. Pittman, 1859-61; Jacob Gray, 1861-63; A. G. Bowles, 1863 ; Isaac C. Seeley, 1864-67 ; Joel Hendrick, 1867-72 ; D. Van Alstine, 1872-79, followed by T. J. Whittaker, A. Coit, Jesse A. Hungate, and Will C. Gates in the order named. Mr. Gates came to the pastorate about November 1, 1894.

The South Side Baptist church was established as a mission of the mother church in the year 1884, but was granted a separate organiza- tion and pastor on September 18, 1893. At that time the members numbered seventy-six; in 1895 the membership is 155, while the Sun- day school has 153 pupils. The first pastor was Elder G. W. Grimm, succeeded in May, 1894, by Rev. George H. Thompson. The deacons are Isaac Thomas, Jacob Hodge, Frank Towner and A. C. Boyce.

The Evangelical Lutheran St. Paul's church was organized in 1885, and the edifice erected in 1886, and in its membership numbers about fifty families. In the Sunday school are ninety pupils. The parsonage was built in 1893. The church was organized by Mr. Miller, and under the pastorate of Carl Graf the house of worship was built. The later pastors have been Revs. Edward Schuelke, A. Brown, and M. O. Poole.

Among the other religious societies which in the past have had an existence in the city, may be mentioned the First Universalist church, organized May 23, 1868, by Rev. A. G. Clark ; also we may recall the

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Jewish congregation, Ahavat-Achim, organized in June, 1876, by Rabbi Israel Erlich, and which passed out of existence about 1892. The Seventh Day Baptist believers formed a society in the village, April 11, 1877, but this, too, is among the things of the past.

In 1849, when Martin Adsit was engaged in mercantile pursuits, he began in a small way to do a banking business in the rear of his store. This was the first attempt in this direction and met with such approval in business circles that it rapidly grew into importance. Mr. Adsit con- tinued this branch until 1863 and then organized the First National Bank. In the meantime Samuel Hallett opened a private bank in the village, which in March, 1856, developed into the Bank of Hornellsville, an incorporated concern with $100,000 capital, and authorized to issue currency. This bank did business several years, under the management of Mr. Hallett and Frank McDowell, and finally went into liquidation.

The First National Bank of Hornellsville was organized in November, 1863, by Martin Adsit, Ira Davenport, and others, with a capital of $50,000, authorized to issue $200,000 of stock. Business began May I, 1864, at the corner of Main and Canisteo streets, and was subse- quently moved to the present building on Main street. The first offi- cers were Ira Davenport, president, and Martin Adsit, cashier. After two years Mr. Adsit succeeded to the presidency, and Charles Adsit was elected cashier. These respective offices they have continued to fill. The present capital of the bank is $100,000; surplus, $20,000. The officers are Martin Adsit and Charles Adsit, president and cashier, and Ira Davenport, vice- president ; also Martin Adsit, Ira Davenport, E. J. Adsit, S. G. Adsit, Charles Adsit and F. A. Bull, directors.

After the affairs of the old Bank of Hornellsville were wound up, the firm of N. M. Crane & Co. began banking in the same building, and continued through a long period of years. Nirom Crane was the active man of the concern, and S. H. Crane was for a time its cashier. The firm failed July 31, 1893.

The present Bank of Hornellsville was organized and opened its doors for business on February 1, 1875. Its capital is $50,000 ; surplus, $20,000. The officers are F. G. Babcock, president; W. E. Pittenger, cashier ; C. C. Babcock, assistant cashier ; F. G. Babcock, C. C. Bab- cock and Mrs. Elizabeth Babcock, directors. This institution is organ- ized under the laws of this State.

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The Citizens' National Bank was organized and began business in 1881, with a capital of $125,000, which, however, was subsequently reduced to $100,000. The first president was John Santee, followed by Charles Hartshorn, and the latter succeeded (October 17, 1887) by Charles Cadogan. The surplus and undivided profits of the Citizens' Bank aggregate $25,000. The present officers are Charles Cadogan, president ; J. E. B. Santee, cashier ; Charles Cadogan, George N. Or- cutt, C. H. Hartshorn, John M. Finch, J. B. Woodbury, D. K. Belknap, C. F. Strack, F. D. Sherwood, George D. Terry and J. E. B. Santee, directors.

Tradition (we have no positive record) informs us that Judge Hornell was the first postmaster at this place; that the office was established soon after the opening of the old stage road in 1809, and that the name of the office previous to 1823 was Canisteo. In the year mentioned it was changed to Hornellsville. So near as local authorities can determine the postmasters in succession have been as follows : . George Hornell, Ira Davenport Dr. Manning Kelly, John R. Morris, John K. Hale, Maj. Thomas J. Reynolds, Martin Adsit, Andy L Smith, Dr. Luman A. Ward, E. G. Durfey, J. W. Shelly, S. M. Thacher, Fran- cisco M. Cronkrite, William H. Greenhow, George L. Tubbs and Will- iam H. Murray.

The Hornell Library, in which every patriotic person in the city feels a just pride, was the outgrowth of a series of lecture courses inaugur- ated for public edification and entertainment about the year 1866. The profits of a third course were saved and the young men having the matter in charge determined to establish a library in the village. These managers became also managers of the library association formed in 1868, and were Miles W. Hawley, I. W. Near, Dr. E. J. Johnson, Stephen F. Gilbert, S. M. Thacher, N. P. T. Finch, J. W. Shelley ; Charles Adsit, president ; John M. Finch, vice-president, and N. M. Crane, treasurer. Horace Bemis secured the passage of an act author- izing the trustees to have the excise moneys of the village, amounting to about $1,500. This sum, however, was afterward reduced to $500. The association now receives annually about $1, 500. On March 3, 1888, the Jewett Club building on Canisteo street was purchased at a cost of $8,000. The library now contains 10,000

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volumes. The free circulation system was adopted in 1889. The present officers are De M. Page, president ; Dr. C. S. Parkhill, vice- president ; James M. Welsh, secretary and treasurer. Managers, J. W. Burnham, Cass Richardson, C. W. Etz, E. D. L. Robertson, William H. Van Dusen, J. E. B. Santee, Dr. C. G. Hubbard, R. M. Tuttle. Librarian, Miss Isabella A. Charles, assisted by Miss Mary A. Windsor.

The Steuben Sanitarium Association, although not a public institu- tion of the city, is nevertheless noteworthy as one of the factors in municipal and individual welfare. The building, situate in the north part of the city, is located on a commanding elevation, and is provided with every essential requisite to health and comfort. In November, 1894, the Sanitarium passed under the care of Dr. J. E. Walker, as superintendent. Soon after he with others purchased the establishment, and have made it one of the most successful medical and surgical insti- tutions in the country. It has among its consulting staff some of the highest talent in Western New York. The most complicated medical and surgical cases are given all the advantages known to science.

The Forty-seventh Separate Company, N. G. S. N. Y., was organized September 30, 1891. The first officers were Avery McDougall, cap- tain ; T. G. Babcock, jr., first lieutenant, and Wm. S. Charles, second lieutenant. The company numbers seventy-five men, well uniformed and equipped and thoroughly drilled. In April, 1893, the State appro- priated $32,000 for the erection of an armory in the city, and added $12,000 a year later. The county also contributed $12,000 to the building. The armory, one of the largest and most attractive public buildings in the county, was begun October 19, 1894, and was com- pleted during the summer of 1895.

The Hornellsville Co-operative Loan and Savings Association was incorporated and organized in 1888, and is under the supervision of the State banking department. As a purely local concern it is worthy of notice, and as an investment is far preferable to many of the outside companies which promise greater returns.

The Hornellsville Water Company is a local improvement concern, though owned by foreign capital. The water system of the city 38

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is exceptionally good, the supply abundant, and results satisfactory. The works were constructed in 1882, water being taken from springs (through a large reservoir) in the town of Fremont, six miles from the city, and elevated at least 250 feet above city base level.

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Landmarks of Steuben County, New York, Part 28

Author: Hakes, Harlo, 1823- ed; Aldrich, Lewis Cass. cn Publication date: 1896 Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y. : D. Mason & Co. Number of Pages: 1180

Author: Hakes, Harlo, 1823- ed; Aldrich, Lewis Cass. cn
Publication date: 1896
Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y. : D. Mason & Co.
Number of Pages: 1180