USA > New York > Oneida County > Utica > Memorial history of Utica, N.Y. : from its settlement to the present time > Part 20
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Theodore P. Ballou was the son of Jerathmel Ballou and grandson of Joseph Ballou, one of the pioneer settlers of Utica. He was born March 18, 1808. He was a clerk for some years for Ebenezer B. Shear- man, his uncle, and in 1832 became one of the firm of E. B. Shearman & Co., remaining in it until the death of Mr. Shearman. Afterward he engaged in the lumber business and in insurance. He was the owner of the gang-mills at Prospect, built the Ballou block on the site of his father's store, and was concerned in other business. He died February 28, 1887, leaving a widow and two children.
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C.N. Adams.
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JOHN CARTON AND OTHERS.
Martin Hart, first as a book-deeper for Alfred Munson, but soon hav- ing an interest with Mr. Munson in the making of burr millstones, re- mained long in the same connection, unassuming and retiring, but reposing in the full confidence of his fellow townsmen.
A wholesale grocery establishment was this year inaugurated by Job Parker and William P. Swift under the firm name of Parker & Swift. The latter remained some years in Utica, Mr. Parker very much longer, retaining throughout a character for high integrity and general excell- ence. He died in 1872. His sons succeeded to his business as Job Par- ker's Sơns.
John Carton, a native of Dublin, came to this country and to Utica when he was twelve years of age, learned his trade as a coppersmith with O'Neil & Martin, and having served an apprenticeship became one of the partners, which partnership he retained until 1845. At that date he conducted business alone. By his industry, energy, and self-reliance he became one of the most successful business men of the place, gaining steadily in wealth as well as in the esteem and confidence of all with whom he had to do. He was a manufacturer of tin, copper, and sheet ironware, the inventor of hot-air furnaces known by his name, a man- ufacturer of headlights, and proprietor of a cheese vat. Mr. Carton was for some years a director of the Oneida Bank, a trustee of the Sav- ings Bank, and a trustee of the Female Academy. Brought up under the discipline of the Catholic Church he was warmly attached to its in- terests and a supporter of its institutions. He left five sons and two daughters.
Others whom it must suffice to mention by name only were Grove Penny, one of the firm of Manchester & Co., tailors, who is still living ; Orville Olcott, boat builder ; and T. J. Newland, coppersmith.
1833 .- The city officers for the year were: Mayor, Henry Seymour ; aldermen, Charles A. Mann, Rutger B. Miller, Harvey Barnard, John Butterfield, Robert McBride, Chauncey Rowe, Gardiner Tracy, Ches- ter Griswold, Ezra S. Barnum, Zenas Wright, Ephraim Hart, Nicholas Smith; clerk, Thomas Colling ; treasurer, Thomas Walker; attorney, John G. Floyd ; surveyor, John Fish.
On the 3d of January a committee was appointed consisting of the mayor and Aldermen Griswold, Mann, and Tracy to present a memo-
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MEMORIAL HISTORY OF UTICA.
rial to the legislature praying for "alteration in the location of the Chenango Canal at its northern termination." On the Ioth of January, 1834, the following preamble and resolution were unanimously adopted by the council :
WHEREAS, Certain individuals now in our city are disturbing the peace of the good citizens thereof, by circulating sentiments which we deem demoralizing in themselves and little short of treason toward the government of our country,
Resolved, That we, the common council of the city of Utica, regard the agitation of the question of Negro Slavery as it exists in the Southern States of this Republic to be highly inexpedient at the present juncture of our National affairs ; and that it can only tend to keep alive the dying embers of internal discord, which we fondly hope and believe will soon be entirely extinguished if not disturbed by the zeal of misguided philanthropists.
This preamble and resolution were ordered to be sent to the repre- sentative in Congress.
January 3 Ist an ordinance was adopted designed to effectually close and control brothels, gambling places, assignation houses, etc.
The Utica and Schenectady Railroad project was now before the pub- lic and the subscription books were opened here during June 17, 18, and 19. Utica subscribed for about $4,300,000 of stock. On the 19th of July a committee was appointed to report at what point in the city the railroad should terminate. The report stated that " it shall termin- ate on the square (so called.")
The question of procuring a town clock had been before the author- ities for a year or more and on the 26th of April Aldermen Mann, Hart, and Tracy were made a committee to contract for a clock to be placed on the Bleecker street church.
August 9th the aldermen of the Third and Fourth wards were au- thorized to contract for the purchase of lots selected in those wards for school purposes, and report plans for brick school-houses on each lot. A lot was purchased in the Third ward for $1,250.
The principal improvements of the year were the extension of State street from Fayette to Huntington's basin ; improvement of Chancellor Square by setting trees and making walks; paving Broadway from Pearl to the canal; building a two-foot sewer from the junction of the then present sewer with the culvert under the canal near James Kip's residence diagonally across land owned by J. M. Church to Pine street,
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LAWYERS OF 1833 - f. H. EDMONDS.
and in Pine Street across Fayette to an alley and through the alley to Columbia street. Other proceedings of the council were the appropri- ation of $50 to the Mechanics Association, just incorporated, for the purchase of medals, and the appropriation of $350 for a new engine for company No. 3 if an equal sum should be subscribed.
From the Elucidator is gleaned the following : Business is spoken of as prosperous. The Utica and Schenectady Railroad was incorporated and the stock sold here at ten per cent. advance. After the opening of the canal business was active; but the first influences of the ap- proaching financial stress of 1836-37 were, doubtless, beginning to be felt. There was a need of banks here and the amount of currency was insufficient. In 1834 this financial stringency was more marked and there was bitter opposition to the removal of the deposits from the U. S. Bank. It was stated that "money was never more scarce and local banks were discounting no paper."
The men of the bar now first met with were P. Sheldon Root, John H. Edmonds, John Hogan, James Knox, John L. Talcott, and John C. Van Rensselaer. Of these the first three were the only ones who were fixed in Utica for any considerable period. Mr. Knox, a brother of John J. Knox, of Augusta, having studied law with Joshua A. Spencer, was one year in partnership with him, when he removed to Illinois and was there a conspicuous and useful man. Mr. Hogan was in practice until 1840-42, when he received a consular appointment to Hayti and left the city. Mr. Talcott, son of Samuel A. Talcott, made his reputa- tion as a judge of the Supreme Court in Erie County. For sketch of P. Sheldon Root see chapter on the Bench and Bar.
John H. Edmonds was a native of Utica. After receiving his aca- demic education he studied in the office of John Bradish and was ad- mitted to practice in 1833. For some years longer he remained with Mr. Bradish, who acted as agent for attorneys throughout the State in the service of papers in the Supreme Court. Assisting him in these duties the assiduous labors of Mr. Edmonds undermined his health. It was re-established by a long journey taken on horseback. In 1833 he became a partner of Charles A. Mann and so continued until the death of Mr. Mann in 1860. During this period he was several years master in chancery, the only official position he ever filled. He did not seek
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MEMORIAL HISTORY OF UTICA.
office, but his life was one of continuous labor. After the death of Mr. Mann he was associated with his son, James F. Mann, and with Addison C. Miller until 1871, when he retired. His occupations were mostly attendance on reference cases and the management of private estates. His opinion, especially on the nature and management of property, was given with careful deliberation, was weighty, and was much confided in. His is the spotless record of a good and true man. Few have better deserved the tribute of respect and esteem which was universally ac- corded him. He died on April 1, 1881, leaving a widow, son, and daughter.
Physicians who first advertised in 1833 were Josiah Rathbun, Will- iam Morris, David L. Bradford, Walton H. Peckham, the first two be- ing the only ones who were persistent in Utica. Josiah Rathbun was born in Brookfield, Chenango County, N. Y., on January 12, 1795. He spent the time until he was seventeen years of age at home, receiv- ing the advantages only of the common school. His father being in limited circumstances Josiah resolved to leave home and begin a busi- ness life for himself. He accordingly went to Martinsburg, N. Y., where he worked on a farm for two years, attending school during the winter seasons. It was during this time, on account of a feeble consti- tution, that he became impressed with the idea of leading a professional life, and entered Onondaga Academy, where he remained for nearly three years including the time spent in teaching in winter. In the year 1820 he began the study of medicine at Lowville, Lewis County, N. Y., which he continued for some three years, including one course of lectures at Fairfield, Herkimer County, and two courses in the old Medical College of New York. After receiving his license Dr. Rath- bun practiced some eight years in Martinsburg, and then in the spring of 1833 settled in Utica, where he remained in the practice of his pro- fession until his death. He lived to see pass away most of his associates of the medical fraternity who were here when he came. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church and a liberal supporter of all kin- dred interests. As a practitioner he was careful and judicious, honor- able in his¿ professional intercourse, and quiet and unobtrusive with the sick. Affable and courteous a large and influential circle called for his aid, and through many years he ministered to the same families.
217
DRS. WILLIAM MORRIS AND G. A. FOSTER.
Dr. William Morris was born in Chatham, Columbia County, Decem- ber 29, 1806. He was left an orphan when but five years old and sub- sequently entered a family related to him, where he assisted at farm work. In later years he followed school teaching, in which he was very successful, and for several years he pursued that occupation in win- ters and worked on a farm in summers. By economy he was enabled to take a course at Hamilton Academy and later graduated with high honors from a medical college in Massachusetts. He came to Utica in 1832 and soon gained friends and a considerable practice, particularly in the rural districts. He was an attentive and kind adviser and a worthy and upright member of society. He left two sons, one of whom succeeded him in practice.
In the directory of the previous year Dr. Gilbert A. Foster had been chronicled as a machinist ; in that of 1833 he appears as a dentist. As such he filled a leading place almost to the time of his death, and most of the time in connection with his son, Dr. Charles B. Foster. Resolu- tions passed by the profession after his decease declare that he was a "power among them." To his geniality and good fellowship, his de- light in sports, in music, and in Masonry, multitudes of his cotempo- raries can attest.
Beginning at this time as a dry goods merchant Jarvis M. Hatch appears some three years later as a lawyer, in which profession he re- mained, having by turns several different partners until 1849, when he went to Rochester.
Other dealers were George D. Foster, who was with Alfred Hitch- cock in the sale of drugs and groceries and afterward of the firm of Foster & Dickinson. Another was Stephen Comstock, also grocer.
Jireh Durkee was proprietor of the Utica Steam Mills, which were set in motion this year on the corner of Fayette and Cornelia streets and of which John Dagwell was the millwright. Mr. Durkee afterward sold flour, but did not stay long. Mr. Dagwell has remained to the present, having succeeded to the foundry established by Ephraim Hart and conducted by him and his son. Mr. Dagwell became the associate of the latter and has lived an industrious and respected life. Francis Ramsdell was a clerk in the mill. Asaph and Bradford Seymour started the City Furnace on the north corner of Jay street and First
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MEMORIAL HISTORY OF UTICA.
street. The former did casting for a few years (till 1847 at least), but eventually went back to Hecla, whence they came.
Two sign painters who for many years pursued their useful calling and were both respected men were John Tunbridge and George Bullock. Charles Adams for a long series of years transported the United States mails between the postoffice and railroads. Other long lasting residents were Peter Brewer, cooper, and Trumbull Smith, grocer.
.1834 .- The officers for the year were as follows: Mayor, Joseph Kirkland; aldermen, Zenas Wright, Sylvanus Holmes, Comfort Butler, Thomas McQuade, Robert McBride, James Sayre, John Williams, Au- gustus Hurlburt, Chauncey Rowe, Daniel Stafford, Gardiner Tracy, Edward Curran; treasurer, Thomas Walker; attorney, Orsamus B. Matteson; clerk, Jacob D. Edwards; surveyor, John Fish; street commissioner, Morris Wilcox.
April 4th the aldermen of the Fourth ward were appointed as a committee to erect a school-house in that ward and were authorized to contract for a lot and report. On the Ist of August $200 were appro- priated in addition to $1,250, which had been previously appropriated, for the lot and school-house.
At a special meeting of the council held April 5th a committee prev- iously appointed on the termination of the Chenango Canal made their report. This matter was before the people and the authorities a long time and created much feeling, but it was finally amicably arranged by locating the canal where it was constructed.
April 11th one alderman from each ward and the street commis - sioner were appointed a committee to superintend the laying out and fencing of " the new burial ground recently purchased of W. F. Pot- ter." This was an additition to the former one.
May 16th the clerk gave notice that he would receive separate proposals for cleaning the streets for the year. This seems to have been the first year the street cleaning was done in this manner. Con- tracts were awarded at $100 each to various persons for cleaning each ward In June the name of Steuben Square was officially changed to Steuben Park The streets were also numbered this summer at a cost of $47.50, under direction of a committee, and within the fire limits only. The common council took new quarters on the east side of Ho- tel street about midway between Liberty and Whitesboro.
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DISCUSSION ON COLONIZATION.
July 11th the Utica and Schenectady Railroad was given permission to lay tracks in Main, or Water, or Jay, or John street, " provided that no steam be used in propelling cars after they pass Third street."
The success of the Erie Canal led to a prevailing inclination through- out the State to project new canals, and Utica felt her proper degree of interest in the work. At this time there was considerable discussion over a ship canal to Oswego, and the authorities actually appropriated $250 toward $1,000 proposedfor a survey of the route. The project was also characterized as a "steamboat canal."
There was very little street improvement this year. Bleecker street was graded and improved from Bridge to First and several streets re- ceived sidewalks.
On the afternoon of the 14th of August there swept over the city a violent cyclone which was quite destructive in its effects, unroofing buildings and demolishing chimneys and trees. Coming from the west its course was most severely marked along the line of Court street. Be- sides the unroofing of one or two of the houses on this street and adja- cent thereto several others near its intersection with Genesee and one of the few then standing on Rutger street; it carried away the spire of the Second Presbyterian Church on Bleecker street, bent the lightning rod of the First Presbyterian, and capsized a few wooden houses. There was no loss of life or injury to any individual. The town clock, before alluded to, had been placed in the tower of the Bleecker street church only a fortnight previous.
On the 18th of November the flouring. mill of Parker & Seymour, just below the river bridge at the foot of Genesee street, was destroyed by fire. The dam below which it was located, and which had been the cause of much litigation, was soon broken up and was never rebuilt.
The Young Men's Association of the City of Utica was founded in February, 1834. Its object was the mutual improvement of its mem bers by establishing a reading room, a library, a society for public de bates, and courses of lectures. James Watson Williams was the first president ; Milton D. Parker and Henry R. Hart, vice-presidents ; Will - iam Tracy, corresponding secretary ; James Knox, recording secretary ; Ward Hunt, treasurer. For a few years it had a vigorous life, collected a respectable library, and had delivered before it some able addresses by
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MEMORIAL HISTORY OF UTICA.
the best talent of the city. A struggle for office and a partisan spirit killed it. The Utica Mechanics Association contributed also to sup- plant it.
The Utica Museum was founded in May, 1828, and in 1834 it was located at 173-175 Genesee street. Its founder was Linnæus Peale, of Philadelphia. "The entire collection of curiosities is quite respectable." The first keeper of it after Mr. Peale was Comfort Butler.
Prior to the year 1827 a wooden building for a circus and theater had been erected and used. A spacious brick building, designed for a the- ater, was put up about 1827 on the corner of Genesee and Pearl streets where is now the city hall. It was soon occupied for a tavern and afterward became the temporary place of the Female Academy. The tone of public sentiment was such in early years as to discourage per- sons of talent from resorting here to give theatrical exhibitions. How- ever a building was suitably fitted up and opened in February, 1834, and a company embracing some of the best histrionic talent of the large cities played several weeks to good audiences. It was called the " Utica Theater."
The most notable lawyer who now first made his home in Utica was William C. Noyes, of whom a sketch will be found in the chapter on the Bench and Bar. Others of his professioni were Aaron Hackley and Anson Little, who were some time quartered here, the first named be- coming recorder and the latter clerk of the United States District Court.
A merchant whose extraordinary career in Utica deserves notice was Frederick Hollister. He had been for some years a clerk in the drug and grocery store of John Williams, as had also been Abijah Lobdell. Together they now began business in their own names. Ere long Mr. Hollister was associated with Mr. Williams and eventually succeeded him. Of great activity of mind and body, with broad conceptions, a sanguine temper, and unrestrained ambition, possessed, moreover, of a personal magnetism that gave him power over others, Mr. Hollister embarked in projects alien to his legitimate trade, which, succeeding at first, eventually wrought his ruin, entailing therewith damage to many who had confided in him. He began operating at Checkerville in 1840, buying up the mill of Isaac Mason. By two fires, against which he was
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FREDERICK HOLLISTER AND OTHERS.
not insured, he lost about $40,000, but kept his loss to himself so as not to injure his credit, and rebuilt with improvements. In 1842 he bought property at Clayville and built the factory known as the Empire Mill. At these two points he expended nearly $500,000. But his re- turns were not adequate to meet the investment. In 1851 he failed with liabilities not far from $1,800,000. His endorsers were numerous, and so, too, were the individuals of small means who had entrusted their earnings in his hands. For Mr. Hollister was generally popular, and if reckless in some of his doings he was believed to be honest. He had, too, considerable public spirit. He was an alderman about 1838 and mayor in 1843. He was the originator of the Bridgewater plank road, the first of the kind that led out of the city. After his failure he re- moved to New York and became a broker. His death occurred De- cember 18, 1863.
One or two clerks may here be sketched who had already lived some years in Utica and who afterward rose to prominence. One of them was Charles S. Wilson. Born in Scotland in 1809 he came to New York in 1830 and later to Utica. From 1832 to 1848 he acted as teller of the Bank of Utica. Then with others he co-operated in the organi- zation of the Utica City Bank and became its cashier. As a banker he stood high. As a Democrat he was interested in city politics. He was three years an alderman and in 1859 was nominated for mayor. Though he failed of election, yet when Roscoe Conkling not long afterward re- signed the mayoralty in order to enter Congress Mr. Wilson was ap- pointed by the council to fill his place. In 1863 and again in 1867 he was elected by the popular vote. Mr. Wilson was for some years a vestryman of Trinity Church. He was proud of his native land and versed in its history and literature. His death occurred July 30, 1884.
Another was James V. P. Gardner, who from 1829 had been a stage agent in the employ of J. Parker & Co. As agent, book-keeper, and partner in the firm of J. Butterfield & Co. he remained as long as stages were run. Through this, the express company, and similar investments he acquired a handsome property and was relied on as a safe man in business undertakings, but took no especial part in municipal affairs. He died September 30, 1882, leaving a widow, but no children.
John S. Peckham, born in Rensselaer County, October 3, 1803, was
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MEMORIAL HISTORY OF UTICA.
a resident of this county and of Utica from his youth. In 1828 he suc- ceeded to the plow factory of his uncle, Seth Peckham. In 1835 his half-brother, Merritt, took part in it and the firm of J. S. & M. Peckham was formed and continued until the death of the senior partner May 2, 1879. In business, prompt, energetic, decided, he was willing to work hard and accomplished much by his broad views and his industry. A consistent friend of temperance he carried his principles to the point of a crusade against tobacco. Originally a Whig he went into the Free Soil movement in 1848, and became a Republican, giving to that party toil and counsel and believing in it with intense faith. His zeal was born of patriotism and not of ambition, for he sought not place, but only the success of the principles which he espoused. He was distin- guished for his public spirit, for his efforts for the common welfare, and especially for the advancement of those who labor with the hands. In the Utica Mechanics Association he found a means to that end. He entered it in early manhood and gave to it of his means and his labor. He was one of those who organized the lecture system on a paying basis and agreed to the plan of including in every course some scientific instruction. He was active in maintaining the fairs which were for years so useful a feature of that society. Out of the same aims and purposes grew the Art Association, of which Mr. Peckham was one of the founders. He had enthusiasm himself and was able to impart it to others. He was one of those positive, energetic men who are a power in a community. He gave an impetus to the city in many directions which was long felt for good.
1835. - Officers for the year: Mayor, Joseph Kirkland ; aldermen, Edward Curran, Rufus Peckham, Sylvanus Holmes, Comfort Butler, Samuel Sidebotham, James Dean, John Williams, Gardiner Tracy, James C. De Long, Spencer Kellogg, Robert McBride, George W. Hub- bard ; clerk, Jacob D. Edwards; attorney, William C. Noyes ; treas- urer, Thomas Walker; surveyor, John Fish; supervisor, Joshua M. Church.
Early in April a street marshal was appointed to enforce the ordi- nances, restrain animals from running abroad in the streets, etc. In the same month a committee previously appointed to inspect the schools reported them in a satisfactory condition. It was provided that no
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DISCUSSION ON COLONIZATION
paying scholar was to be admitted to school privileges to the exclusion of those too poor to pay. A committee of four (one from each ward) was appointed to hear appeals from the conclusions of teachers on tuition. Records of attendance were ordered kept, honorary certificates provided for, and vaccination of pupils made compulsory.
May 22d the committee on fire department were authorized to sell engine No. 5 and buy a new suction engine costing not to exceed $700. A new engine-house was ordered erected a few months later on Union street for the use of this company and its engine.
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