Landmarks of Tompkins County, New York : including a history of Cornell University, Part 24

Author: Hewett, Waterman Thomas, 1846-1921; Selkreg, John H
Publication date: 1894
Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y. : D. Mason
Number of Pages: 1194

USA > New York > Tompkins County > Landmarks of Tompkins County, New York : including a history of Cornell University > Part 24

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VILLAGE OF TRUMANSBURGH.

Campbell built a dam above the one just described in early years, which supplied power to a small wood-working shop. About twenty rods above this John Campbell built a saw mill, and still farther up Peter Van Dervere had another. The next site above was owned by John Treman, who built a factory for wool carding and cloth making, which was operated by Samuel Smith; Allen Pease purchased it later and changed it to a plaster mill. Just above this was A. B. Dicker- man's tub and pail factory. Farther up still Mr. Dickerman had a saw mill, and next above that David Williams established a trip hammer shop, where most of the axes used about here were made; this was subsequently changed to a woolen factory; later cloth-making ma- chinery was added, and a large business was carried on. Turner, Andrews & Company had a similar establishment on or near the site of the store of Biggs & Company; it was managed by Frederick Beck- with. There was another woolen mill at "Podunk."

Besides all these early industries, there were numerous asheries in the vicinity, which for many years were a source of considerable in- comc. H. Camp probably had the first one soon after 1800. Albert Crandall had one, and James McLallen another just west of the Trem- bley House barn, which was at that time a tannery. It is said that between 1830 and 1850 more people in Trumansburgh were engaged in various industries than at any time since.

Sometime between 1820 and 1830 Jonathan Treman, son of the pioneer, Abner Treman, built for two mechanics, Grant & Lockwood, the main building of what is now the agricultural works of Samuel Almy. The property became locally famous' over quite a section as "The Red Furnace," and during a half a century had various pro- prietors and met with periods of alternate success and failure. The original building was occupied early as a blacksmith shop in the basement, a wagon shop on the first floor, while David Will- iams lived in the upper story, and later William Chandler had a chair factory there. A succession of firms such as Grant & Stet- son, Grant & Campbell, Grant & King, and King & Lambert suc- ceeded that of Grant & Lockwood in blacksmithing, wagon work and building thrashing machines. Grant & Stetson introduced a metal working lathe, and moulding and casting, and a little later steam power was put in. Abram Andrus was then taken into the business to en- large its capital, but his interest was soon purchased by McLallen & Hesler, who, with George T. Spink and Stephen H. Lamport, formed a

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new firm. The next change was to the style of Spink, Lamport & Pease, Alvin Pease coming in with additional means. Various other changes followed, during which George Auble, Milo Van Dusen, Daniel Cooper, a Mr. Tobey, George Curry, Emmet Ayres, William Ogden and several others had more or less interest in the business. Ogden's admin- istration was succeeded by the firm of Rumsey & Almy, and this by Rumsey, Almy & Hunt. The present proprietor of the works, and who succeeded the last mentioned firm, is Samuel Almy, who makes barrel hoops by special machinery, and has otherwise improved the property.

Grant & Lockwood and Urial Turner were the pioneers in wagon making. Others who have been identified at different times with this interest are several of Mr. Turner's sons, William and Joseph Creque, Abraham Creque, D. P. Cuffman, David Trembly, Cuffman, Mosher & Rose, Mosher & Burch, Cuffman & Clark (J. G. Cuffman and John G. Clark), Cuffman & Son, Alanson Bean, Peter Jones, John Aiken, Harvey Pollay, M. Curry, Allen & Uhl, J. G. & D. C. Clark. J. H. B. Clark, William Douglass; Mosher, Bennett & Bates, and Mosher & - Bennett. Urial Turner's shop was where Biggs & Company's store is now situated, and was occupied by him and his successors many years. William Creque and his successors had their shop on the lot now oc- cupied by Joseph Davenport, carpenter, and Mosher & Burch afterward occupied the same building, which later on was changed to a door, sash and blind factory, and was burned. Mosher & Bennett occupy the buildings made vacant by the failure of Allen & Uhl, and are now mak- ing platform spring wagons under Clark's patent as a specialty. J. G. & J. H. V. Clark occupy the building in wagon making and repairing.

One of the early harness makers was Lyman Strobridge, whose settle- ment has been described. His first shop was on Union street, next to John Creque's blacksmith shop, and the two became firm friends and subsequently partners in manufacturing plows. In 1831 Mr. Strobridge erected a building on Main street, on the lot now occupied by John Kaufman, where he carried on harnessmaking until his retirement in 1850. He was prominent in politics as a Democrat, a Free Soiler, and finally a Republican; was presidential elector in 1836; was in the Leg- islature in 1845, and was postmaster in 1848-9. His wife was Sarah Potter, and they had four children. H. L. Strobridge is his grandson.

Soon after the great fire of 1864 the Gregg Iron Works, which had been in operation at Farmer village, building agricultural implements, were removed to Trumansburgh, and during more than twenty years

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added largely to the prosperity of the place. A. H. Gregg was a mem- ber of the firm, and through financial difficulties E. C. Gregg, the father, and C. P. Gregg, brother of A. H. Gregg, took the machine shop part of the plant. They purchased the land where the works now stand, and in 1865 ereeted the present machine shop. After that ad- ditions were made as necessity demanded. The principal implement made was the Meadow King mower, but others were added, notably the Osborn sulky plow, Sharpe horse rake, Morse horse rake and lawn mowers. About 100 hands were usually employed. In 1887, owing to over-production and the failure of several of their customers, the works were forced to assign, which they did, to S. D. Halliday, of Ithaca. By consent of ereditors he continued to operate the works. The as- signee sold the property at publie sale to Dr. G. W. Hoysradt, of Ithaca, and from him it passed to the family of Mr. Gregg, and is still operated under the style of Gregg & Company.

The firm of J. W. & C. W. Dean now operates a saw mill with gen- eral wood-working facilities attached, and a feed mill. L. H. Gould also does a large business in a similar line. At and near Halseyville are two excellent flouring mills, both by the roller proeess, one eon- dueted by Eugene Dewey, and the other by W. D. Brinkerhoff & Son.

The quarrying of stone for building and flagging is extensively ear- ried on at Taghanie Falls by Homer Rightmire, who has a large mill for stone dressing, and by D. S. Biggs & Sons. Cornelius Collins is postmaster at the Falls, the offiee having been established soon after the opening of the railroad.

POST-OFFICE .- The first postmaster of Trumansburgh was Oliver C. Comstoek, who held the office from 1811 to 1813. He was succeeded by H. Camp, who continued eighteen years, resigning in 1831, to be suceceded by James MeLallen. The latter resigned in 1844, when for four years Lyman Strobridge had the office. Sanford Halsey was then appointed, and about a year later, in 1849, L. D. Bennett was appointed and continued until June, 1853. He was succeeded by Benjamin Allen, who retired August 16, 1861, and was followed by A. G. Stone. He held the office until April, 1871, and was succeeded by S. R. Wieks, who retired in 1873. C. P. Gregg was his sueeessor, who resigned the offiee to D. S. Biggs. He was followed in July, 1885, by J. T. Howe. R. J. Hunt took the office under Harrison in March, 1890. Under the administration of D. S. Biggs the office was made a presidential office. J. T. Howe has recently been appointed postmaster.

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CEMETERY .- In 1847, when it became evident that the old burial ground, owned by the First Presbyterian church, was insufficient for the needs of the community, meetings were held to consider the subject of providing a new cemetery farther from the village center. At one of these meetings held May 24, 1847, the Grove Cemetery Association was organized with the following trustees, who afterwards became in- corporators: Walker Glazier, George T. Spink, William Atwater, Nicoll Halsey, F. S. Dumont, James McLallen, John Creque, James H. Jerome, and N. B. Smith. On the 20th of the same month the above persons appeared before Henry D. Barto, county judge, and acknowledged the execution of the articles of incorporation, and at a mecting called soon after, Nicoll Halsey was elected president; N. B. Smith, secretary; and Walker Glazier, treasurer. The following Au- gust the association bought of Smith Durling cight acres of land, for which they paid $85 per acre. This land was a part of the present beautiful cemetery, and has been greatly improved. In 1858 seven acres more were purchased, and other additions have since been made. In 1861 the Presbyterian Society made a proposition to the Cemetery Association for the latter to assume control of the burial ground, and the arrangement was subsequently effected; but the care of the grounds became a useless burden, interments there ceased, and in 1890 all the bodies were removed to the new cemetery. The present cemetery, with its beautiful landscape effects, a handsome receiving vault and other modern improvements, is an attractive and appropriate place for the repose of the dead. The officers for 1894 are Truman Boardman, president; L. P. Hand, vice-president; H. A. Mosher, secretary ; James K. Wheeler, treasurer; executive committee, H. A. Mosher, Ephraim S. Pratt, Edward Camp.

MERCANTILE BUSINESS .- Mention has been made of the first store in Trumansburgh, kept by Robert Henshaw at the beginning of the cen- tury. At that time Owego was a place of considerable importance, whence most of the supplies for the country between the lakes was received, and whither went much of the produce of this section. The firm of Camp Brothers were the leading merchants of that place, and their business brought them a knowledge of "McLallen's Tavern." In 1805 they made a prospecting visit in quest of a site where they might build up a large trade. The result was the purchase by them of Mr. Henshaw's store, which was placed in charge of Hermon Camp, a younger brother of the firm. This event was an important one for the

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VILLAGE OF TRUMANSBURGH.

village of Trumansburgh. The ample capital of the firm, and the cx- ceptional business ability of Hermon Camp were powerful factors in building up the place. The old store soon became too contracted for the business and a new one was built, a part of which has been recently used for Charles Thompson's market. To this store additions were made from time to time, as increasing trade demanded, and in 1820 several clerks were employed, among whom was Daniel Ely. In 1823 a partnership was formed between Mr. Camp and Mr. Ely.

The following account of Mr. Camp's after life in Trumansburgh is taken from the pamphlet history of the place before alluded to:

In 1825 occurred the most important event of Mr. Camp's life, namely, his sepa- ration and subsequent divorce from his first wife. The trial resulted in the political division of the town; two factions sprang into existence, old political lines were obliterated, and for many years candidates were nominated and elected on the basis of their position in the Camp-Ely embroglio. The feeling even extended into the jury box, and the animosities between former friends became as bitter as their friendships had been strong; this feeling was even handed down to the next genera- tion, and even to this day, when it is believed that all the actors in this lamentable affair are in their graves, it has not been obliterated. A man of lighter calibre would have succumbed under the pressure, but a fixed purpose, an iron will, and a deter- mination to live through and rise above social difficulties and alienation of friends was to him the stimulant for a more aggressive business policy. Mr. Camp was no saint; he had his share of faults and social infirmities of primitive times. The moral code was not so well defined nor its provisions so well observed as at present; the country was still little better than a wilderness; society was in a chaotic state; might too often made right; practices which would not now be tolerated were common. Mr. Camp simply adapted himself to his surroundings and made the most of his opportunities; he was no better nor worse than his fellows. He sold whisky as freely as molasses and with no more thought of committing a moral wrong; the use of one was as common as the other, and the man who did not drink was the excep- tion, and he did not drink, at least to any extent. In those days all merchants kept a jug of whisky behind the counter which was free to customers; no sale was con- sidered complete or barter consummated without the customary treat. Most drinkers are never so rich as when in their cups, and while reveling in imaginary wealth are prone to indulge in luxuries if they have the cash-or credit. Alas! the poor man's credit was too often to his discredit, a day of settlement must come, and his rum courage and whisky wealth vanished into thin air. If Mr. Camp profited by this condition of things, he certainly did no more than other merchants, but it must stand to his credit that he was also identified with the first temperance movement in this town. As early as 1830, at a meeting of the merchants and grocers called for the purpose, he heartily endorsed a proposition to abolish the treating custom. Five years before this a move had been made to stop the licensing of groceries; whether this emanated from the tavern keepers or citizens does not appear, but it is evident, even at this remote period, that Trumansburgh had troubles over the whisky ques- tion.

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During the revival of 1831 Mr. Camp was converted, and on February 6th of that year united with the Presbyterian Church on profession of faith. From this time in many respects he was a changed man. He resigned his position as postmaster rather than to obey the law of the department requiring the mails to be changed on Sunday; the light-hearted, open-handed, freethinking man became an austere and uncompromising Calvinist. He abandoned the sale of liquor and began the war against its use and sale which he fought to his dying day. He at once assumed, as if by right, a prominent position in the church and became its acknowledged leader, and he administered upon its affairs with the same uncompromising purpose which characterized him in business. He would brook no opposition; everything must yield to his imperious will. He dealt with recreant members as with an unruly child; discipline and punishment swift and sure were certain to follow any infraction of the puritanical code which he had adopted. Such men as E. C. Gregg and Lyman Stro- bridge must confess it a sin to ride in a wagon on Sunday in order to reach their families from whom they had been separated for weeks or be disciplined; they re- fused and left the church. Yet he was but following his nature, and in his heart believed he was doing God's service. He was active, persistent and consistent. He abstained from what he condemned in others, and there is no question but that to his skillful management of its affairs the Presbyterian Church owes much of its pres- ent prosperity. He gave his time and money without stint to deserving objects, he always being the judge. He prospered in business and waxed rich, built houses and stores, invested in stocks, was for many years president of the Tompkins County Bank. During the financial troubles of 1857, when all banks suspended specie pay- ment, a mob of people collected in front of his house clamoring for their money. He came out to them demanding the cause of such a demonstration. "We want our money," cried some. "Go to your homes; you have my personal guarantee that every Tompkins County Bank bill you hold is good for its face in gold." They went. The bank might not be sound, but H. Camp was, and his simple word better than their bond. Mr. Camp was not an ostentatious bestower of charity, but he gave liberally to educational institutions, particularly to those for preparing young men for the ministry. He was instrumental in organizing the first temperance society called the Sons of Temperance, and in company with James McLallen circulated a temperance pledge through the village, making a personal application to every male person of suitable age in the place; this was in 1835. He subsequently became very active in the temperance movement, was for some years president of the State Tem- perance Society, and was spoken of as a candidate for governor on a prohibition ticket. He obtained his military title for services in the war of 1812-14, having raised the only cavalry company in the State. This company was recruited mostly from this and adjoining towns; the drilling ground was the then open field now oc- cupied by the " Phoenix House " and adjacent property. He marched his company to the Niagara River, which was the western frontier of the State, and did guard and picket duty along the river until close of the war. Although never in a general en_ gagement, they were constantly harassed by stray shots from the river, and the writer well remembers an address made by " Col." Camp to the first volunteers from this town in 1861 in which he described his sensations when listening to the whistling of bullets from unseen British soldiers from the other side. He was a hearty sup- porter of the Union during the late war, rendering substantial aid to the soldiers and

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their families. Mr. Camp's second wife was Caroline Cook, who died in 1840; his third wife was Catharine Cook, who died in 1847; in 1848 he married Sarah P. Camp, widow of his nephew Frederick M., who survives him. Mr. Camp died June 8, 1879, aged ninety years and eight months.

It is manifestly impossible in this work to follow the varied mercan- tile interests of Trumansburgh in past years. As a rule, the business men of the place have been enterprising. and at the same time have traded on conservative lines and in many instances with the most gratifying success. The various stores in the place at the present time will compare favorably with those of any other similar village in the State. Such establishments as those conducted by Manning Atwater, Ezra Young, Biggs & Co., Mosher Brothers, Chapman & Becker, Mosher & Sears, H. S. Bates, and others, are a credit to their owners, and render it needless for citizens to go elsewhere for needed supplies.

The Barto Bank, organized in 1863, to which allusion has been made, closed its offices in 1889. Since 1885 the banking business of the town has been done by the private bank of L. J. Wheeler & Co., the com- pany being James K. Wheeler.

Personal sketches and biographical notices of most of the prominent citizens of the town will be found in a later department of this work, to which the reader is referred.

HOTELS .- As before stated, John McLallen kept the first public house in Trumansburgh. It was built of logs and a very primitive " hotel " in all respects. After a few years in this house he built a more pretentious structure on the opposite side of the street, which was called " McLallen's Tavern." This was afterwards demolished to make room for the Union block.

Soon after 1800 a tavern was built on land including that now occu- pied by Owen Ferguson and Mrs. S. Earle. In 1811 this bore the name of "Schenck's Tavern," when it was the political headquarters and general resort. Later it was known as the "Bond's Hotel." In 1819, when the building was owned by Allen Boardman and occupied by several tenants, some of whom had become obnoxious to their neighbors, it was demolished by a mob. The inmates escaped injury and fled.

As early as 1815 there stood on the site of the Cornell House a build- ing which was afterwards remodeled by Dr. Lewis Halsey and kept by him as a tavern called the "Union House." He was succeeded by Gilbert Halsey and perhaps a score of others, and the building was

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burned February 22, 1864. From this time to 1871 the lot was vacant, in which year it was sold by David S. Dumont to Leroy Trembley. On May 5, 1871, the second great fire occurred and the Washington House was burned. A building boom succeeded and hotels were conspicuous among the new structures. Leroy Trembley was then keeping a restaurant in the building now occupied by Owen Ferguson, which Trembley sold to Hiram Sawyer. Mr. Trembley was a veteran land- lord and thought he saw a good opening for a hotel. He accordingly purchased the vacant lot owned by David S. Dumont, as above stated, and on June 5, 1871, broke ground for the "Trembley House." The house was opened under promising auspices and was one of the finest hotels in the county, representing an investment of $30,000. In No- vember, 1881, Charles Plyer became owner of the house; leased it to James H Bowman, and the name was changed to "Cornell." Plyer sold the property to a Mr. Kennedy, of New York, who placed D. P. Peters in charge, expecting to so run the house that it would soon be filled with guests. In this he failed, and a year later retired. The house then remained vacant to 1886, except a short period when J. H. Covert was a tenant. Kennedy finally sold the property to Mrs. M. J. Bowman for less than one-fourth its original cost, and it is now kept as a first-class public house.

In 1836 P. H. Thompson, who was a son-in-law of John McLallen, bought a piece of land on Main street nearly opposite the site of the first log tavern. There he erected what was perhaps the first brick hotel between Owego and Geneva. The formal opening of this house took place on the 4th of July, 1837, and was made an event of great local importance; but in spite of energetic management, Mr. Thomp- son did not meet with the success he had anticipated, and in 1846 the property was transferred to John Markham. From this time on sev- eral landlords, among whom were Dr. Benjamin Dunning, James Race, James Bradley, William and Stephen De Mund, William Jones, and others, tried the business, all probably losing money. In 1854 several attachments were issued against the property, leading to tedious litiga- tion; J. De Motte Smith was appointed receiver, and by the final decision of the Court of Appeals he was ordered to sell the property. He had already rented it to George Hoyt, who retained it under the purchaser, David Jones. The entire property brought less than $2,000 at the sale. On January 24, 1863, the property was sold to Joseph Giles (who had kept a hotel at Havana) for Leroy Trembley. A few

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years later Corydon Burch purchased an interest, and the firm became Trembley & Burch. In 1867 Trembley sold to Halsey Smith, and Burch to Almeron Sears, who were in possession when the building was burned in the great fire of May 22, 1871. Mr. Sears then purchased the John McLallen homestead and fitted it up for a hotel, which he and his son opened as " The Phoenix," and kept it until the following spring.

Immediately after the fire Mr. Sears bought the old McLallen storc, altered it materially, and fitted it up for a hotel. There was then developed a craze for building, and the fine business blocks of the vil- lage and the Trembley and the Central Hotels were erccted. Many of these structures proved to be in advance of the needs of the community. The Central Hotel, as it was named, did not pay, became involved in litigation, and passed rapidly under the management of half a dozen persons successively, and in 1881 was sold to Leroy Trembley. He made the house popular and tolerably successful. June 6, 1887, it was partly burned. Soon afterward, as a result of negotiations with J. B. Hamilton, a shoe manufacturer of Farmer village, a company purchased the hotel of Mrs. Trembley and furnished funds to start a shoe factory here. L. E. Dake afterwards came into the firm, and the business was continued for a time and finally closed out.

In the spring of 1888 Mrs. Trembley bought the Phoenix Hotel, bc- fore mentioncd, of A. V. McKeel, refitted it, and has since conducted it as a temperance house.

In the summer of 1877 Hiram Sawyer purchased a lot of L. H. Owen on Main street and built a two-story structure, which he occupied Jan- uary 1 following. He gave it the name of "Farmer's Inn," which he has conducted ever since.

Albert Crandall, who has been mentioned as a pioneer of 1806, built a structure in 1808 on Main strect between the site of the Barto Bank and J. D. Bouton's residence, and in part or all of it kept a tavern many years. His son Minor was the landlord here for a time.

CHURCHES.

The first church in the town of Ulysses was of the Presbyterian faith and was organized January 10, 1803. A few families of this denomi- nation had settled in the town from 1796 to 1800, among whom were Jabez Havens, Burgoon Updike, David Atwater and Cornelius Hum-

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Landmarks of Tompkins County, New York : including a history of Cornell University, Part 24

Author: Hewett, Waterman Thomas, 1846-1921; Selkreg, John H Publication date: 1894 Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y. : D. Mason Number of Pages: 1194

Author: Hewett, Waterman Thomas, 1846-1921; Selkreg, John H
Publication date: 1894
Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y. : D. Mason
Number of Pages: 1194