USA > New York > Oneida County > Utica > Memorial history of Utica, N.Y. : from its settlement to the present time > Part 60
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In 1841 he received his first office, being selected by the Democrats of Oneida County to represent them in the Assembly. His fellow assemblymen included the historic names of Sanford E. Church, Levi I. Chatfield, John A. Dix, David R. Floyd Jones, Michael Hoffman, and others who a few years later received the highest political honors in the gift of the State. The attitude of Governor Bouck had somewhat divided the Democratic party, resulting in crimination and recrimination, nor did the sharp discus- sions concerning the canal policy which now occurred tend to heal the increasing diffi- culties. On the contrary the Democratic party found itself divided, one wing being represented by Mr. Hoffman, the other by Mr. Seymour. As the counsels of Mr. Sey- mour finally prevailed from this hour many looked upon him as rapidly advancing toward political leadership. Returning to Utica the next year he became its mayor and in the years 1843-44 was returned to the Assembly. In entering anew upon State legislation he found that none of the previous politico-personal frictions which had so recently revealed themselves had disppeared; still the party which he represented on so many issues was strongly united. One thing was manifest; within the past few years the gulf between the Whigs and the Democrats had widened, and both were bent on obtaining the mastery. Combinations brought upon the Whig party perhaps the most inglorious disaster in its entire history. The triumphs of the Democratic party in this heated canvass brought Mr. Seymour once more into prominence. He became speaker of the Assembly and, by virtue of his influence, did much to heal the differences existing among his political associates and secure the advance of Democratic principles. In 1850 he became the nominee of his party for governor, but owing to the popularity of his opponent and a division among the Democrats he was defeated. When renom- inated in 1852 he was elected. Later, in the years 1854, 1862, and 1864, the guber- natorial chair was offered to him, but he was successful only in the year 1862. Party
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differences and the influence of the Know-Nothings contributed largely to his defeat in 1854. Perhaps the most important question that arose during the magistracy of gov- ernor was what was known as the Maine law. Contrary to the expectation of many when the law came before him from the legislature he attached to it his veto. His postion in the main was that intemperance was a sore evil, but depriving citizens of their rights and personal liberties was a greater wrong. Men are not reformed by law- making, nor does severity conquer the lawless. Laws are wise only as they have edu- cation, morality, and religion for their basis, and not coercion-an opinion the Supreme Court a little later fully sustained. It is doubtful whether any of the previous official acts of Governor Seymour received more severe and unkind criticism. In the storm, however, he remained true to his convictions, both as to the mission of the law and to the great principle which he considered as underlying democratic government.
During the intermitting years of Horatio Seymour's public trusts the State and nation passed through extraordinary trials. While the State was divided and sub-divided into many political factions and the nation was rapidly realizing that a moral cancer was threatening its very life, and differences existed concerning the politics in the new States and Territories, a new party appeared whose mission was to right, if possible, existing wrongs and free the country from the troubles investing it. It called itself the Republican party. As its purposes became understood many of previously conflicting opinions identified themselves with it. Quite contemporaneous with the birth of this party the clouds which had been gradually gathering thickened and darkened. At last the nation found itself engaged in fratricidal war. Though not occupying any official position at the ontbreak of the war, when, however, it had been formally de- clared and means for defence had been entered upon Mr. Seymour was convinced it should be prosecuted. His popularity at this time is seen in his succeeding Governor Morgan in the governorship. Never since New York became a State had one of its magistrates been summoned to a position more difficult to fill than the one on which he now entered. While believing that the rupture might have been avoided, and the life and property which it threatened and finally consumed could have been spared, and at- tributing its origin as much to the intemperated speech of the North as to the error and obliquity of the South, he deplored the struggle and denounced the Rebellion as most wicked. Governor Seymour was a war Democrat of the purest luster. At the open- ing of the conflict, when the general government appealed to New York for assistance, he was made chairman of a committee of his own county to raise needed troops, and by purse, influence, and word did much to preserve the dignity and integrity of the Union: Having been inaugurated governor in 1863 his message contained expressions of the strongest character in support of the government in its struggle and deprecation of any division of the Union. Necessarily omitting reference to those numerous meas- ures which Governor Seymour at this crucial period in the nation's life proposed for its integrity, as well as all consideration of the addresses which he so frequently delivered bearing upon the issues of that time, including his special messages to the legislature, and the firmness with which he declared that at all risks the public faith and the credit of the State should never be impaired, the appearance, however, of the "riots " caused him and others of every political complexion great alarm. But the roots of these dis-
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MEMORIAL HISTORY OF UTICA.
turbances existed anterior to his administration. The thistles, and the thistles only, were his. At this period in the estimation of not a few the conflict had become nothing but an abolition war. This opinion begat not only new differences, but gave new force to the inquiry whether the general government was not violating by its acts the con- stitution and trampling upon the rights which its very genius conferred. While these convictions were spreading the North was fairly appalled at its misfortune in the field. Volunteers were slow in enlistment. To remedy the strain to which the government was rapidly being subjected an act providing for the enrollment of the national forces was adopted. Attempting to enforce this act precipitated the riots. No sooner, how- ever, did this spirit exhibit itself than Governor Seymour sought to arrest it by force and by words. The latter, owing to the disturbed condition of the public mind, re- ceived from many unkindly criticism. Governor Seymour never denied the abused phrase ; on the contrary he acknowledged it would have been wiser perhaps to have chosen language less exposed to twist and misinterpretation. In brief his relations to the war were quite as pronounced as those of many sitting in the halls of legislation or active in the field. Yet measures were proposed and in some instances enforced that he did not approve. When, however, the great question came, "Shall the Union be pre- served ? " no one displayed a more determined purpose. Amid the excitement of those war hours the problem which came home to him with seriousness was not, as some have conjectured, whether the national unity shall be broken, but now, that it is in jeopardy, what were the wisest and the legitimate methods by which it could be con- served and its perpetuity forever secured ?
At the expiration of Governor Seymour's war term he resolved to return to his rural home and devote himself to study and rest. He did so. But he was often solicited to express his opinions upon prominent political measures then in process of forination ; and he was presently selected as a candidate for governor in opposition to Reuben E. Fenton. In this canvass he was defeated by a small majority. When in 1868 the national convention assembled to select a candidate for the presidency Horatio Seymour attended as a delagate and was chosen its presiding officer. On the third day of the session, after the names of several candidates had been before the convention, the name of Horatio Seymour was introduced; and notwithstanding his earnest opposition it was unanimously resolved that he be the candidate. With General Grant, then wear- ing his many laurels as the victorious military commander, as his opponent it was a forgone conclusion that the Democratic candidate would be defeated. With the close of this campaign Governor Seymour's political life may be said to have come to an end. Contrary; however, to his oft expressed wishes he was renominated in 1876 for gov- ernor ; and had it not been for his resolve to pass his remaining years in retirement he would have been sent the same year to the United States Senate. The other official positions proffered to Horatio Seymour were State senator and congressman. He held likewise at various times the following offices: In 1868 he was chosen one of the first of the commissioners of State fisheries, in 1876 member of State survey, and in 1878 president of the Board of Commissioners of State survey. For many years he occupied the presidency of the National Dairyman's Association, of the American Prison Asso- ciation, and was the presiding officer of the Oneida County Historical Society from its
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
inception until his death. It is worthy of note here that the many positions which had been offered to Mr. Seymour by his neighbors. his district, his State, and the nation came wholly unsolicited. He never asked for office.
A subject very near the heart of Mr. Seymour was the waterways of the State. He early appreciated their usefulness and in 1844. when member of the Assembly. he made a report to that body covering seventy-two octavo pages in which he outlined what should be the policy of the State in reference to its canals, a report which still bears fruit. During this period of his busy career he wrote for and addressed the public. not only on political questions. but on themes purely philanthropic and unpartisan. His contributions to the State library and to the topography and history of the State and its natural resources were extensive and valuable. Few were better acquainted with the early history of the State. He studied with care the habits. travels. and character- istics of the Indians and his articles on the Iroquois are numerous and authoritative.
Few men in public life have revealed such an even and rounded character. There was a charm about him that was irresistible. All who came to him received prompt recognition. His love for our common humanity was intense. He loved men because they were men : friendliness permeated his whole being. His beneficiaries were almost innumerable and unlimited by creed or nationality. Even his political opponents en- rolled themselves among his friends and he harbored enmity against none. His humor was always pleasant, never coarse. In his manner he was gentle, courteous, and digni- fied. and free from even the appearance of affectation. In his religions views be was as clear and definite as he was in those that pertained to the welfare of the State. His presence was often seen in the higher councils of the Episcopal Church and for many years he was warden of old Trinity Church of Utica. All the years of his public life fail to disclose an act that affects either his honesty, purity, or uprightness, or that mars his escutcheon with a single blot.
Horatio Seymour married, May 31. 1935. Mary. the youngest daughter of John Rut- ger Bleecker, of Albany. They had no children. He died February 12. 1856, and his wilow followed him within a few weeks.
G RAHAM, EDMUND A .. born in October, 1802, in New York city, of mingled Scotch and Huguenot descent, past the first fire or six years of his life in the metropolis. Then his family removed to Newburgh. where he had the benefit of instruction in the village academy until he was twelve. afterward for about two year- mingling farm work with attendance at school. At the age of fifteen years he went to Ogdensburg to be under the care of his uncle. Louis Hasbrouck. a lawyer who was also postmaster. The nephew was put to work with the mails and soon took full charge of them, reading law as his leisure would permit, and by his industry in due season he was admitted to the bar and entered upon practice. He found no difficulty in building up a profitable practice from clients in New York, Albany. and Troy as well as at home. He was made the attorney of the Bank of Ogdensburg, of which he was a director, and also agent for David B. Ogden to manage and sell tracts of land in the town of Oswegatchie. For four years he was clerk for the village of Ogdensburg. In 1830 Mr. Graham was
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MEMORIAL HISTORY OF UTICA.
one of the projectors and a director of the company which ran the first line of American steamers on the St. Lawrence and the lakes, that was for a long time maintained after- ward in no small part by Utica capitalists like Alfred Munson, Samuel Farwell, John Butterfield, and Henry Barnard, whom he enlisted with himself. It is a tradition that the first steamer of the line was built from his designs.
In 1835 he married Miss Cornelia Cooper, only daughter of Judge Apollos Cooper, of Utica, and on the death of the judge in 1839 lie removed here to manage the large estate to which local growthi was adding value-an estate which extended from the Mohawk to Cornelia street and from Genesee street quite a distance westward, and which he laid out in streets and lots. This task he combined with his law practice, and for half a century Mr. Graham was an active factor in the community.
The present generation can hardly appreciate the services rendered by Mr. Graham and his associates, who, in 1845, entered upon an investigation of the feasibility of intro- ducing manufactures by steam into the city. The lack of water-power was recognized and the statutes then forbade corporations with a larger capital than $100,000 while the use of steam required larger investments. The population of the city had fallen from 12,000 to 10,000 and the increase of manufactures was relied upon to turn the tide. At a public meeting Spencer Kellogg, Andrew S. Pond, and Mr. Grahamn were appointed a committee to visit New England and report upon the relative cost and advantages of steam and water for manufactures. Their report started both the cotton and woolen factories within the city. Mr. Pond favored the organization of a company for woolen manufacture, and the steam woolen-mills were built. Mr. Graham and Mr. Kellogg recommended investments in cotton manufacture in preference, and the Utica steam cotton-mills have for more than forty years confirmed the wisdom of their choice. In order to permit the use of capital to the amount necessary, and to get rid of full personal liability on the part of the stockholders, Mr. Graham drafted what became the general manufacturing law of 1848, but hard labor at Albany during two sessions was necessary to secure its passage. The chief work of raising the capital for the cotton-mills was done by Alfred Munson, T. S. Faxton, S. D. Childs, and Mr. Graham, and they met with many difficulties before success was assured. When the company was organized Mr. Munson was chosen president and Mr. Graham secretary as well as director. Upon the latter fell the task of drawing the contracts and making many of the purchases. He continued to give close attention to the mills, became one of the largest stockholders, and for many years and down to his death was president of the company.
Of the original movement in behalf of the Black River and Utica Railroad he was one of the most zealous and influential promotors. His acquaintance with Northern New York enabled him to see the need for the road and to render important services in its behalf. The struggle between Rome and Utica for the northern alliance constitutes an interesting chapter of local history, in which a compromise was offered by our neighbor that the railroad project be abandoned by both parties. Mr. Graham devoted much time to the enterprise and subscribed $5,000 to the stock, which was lost. He was attorney and counsel for the original company up to the foreclosure of the mortgage, as he was also a director in that, and he held the same positions until 1884 in the corporation which bought in the property. For a considerable period he was vice-president of the
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
Utica and Black River Railroad Company and acted as president for three or four seasons while Mr. Thorn was abroad. For a number of years Mr. Graham owned and con- ducted in Sauquoit the mill for the manufacture of white paper previously belonging to Savage & Moore, but the introduction of wood pulp brought changes which closed that establishment.
The number of positions of trust to which he was called was many, and he was faith- ful in them all. He was one of a committee to prepare amendments to the city charter, and at his instance a provision to make aldermen personally hable for excessive expend- iture was enacted. As one of the commissioners to acquire the site and build the city hall he served with three other citizens. In 1847 he was chosen a director of the Oneida Bank and survived every one of his associates of that time. From 1853 to 1872 he was one of the managers of the State Lunatic Asylum in this city and gave to the institu- tion a great deal of care and attention. In the Utica Gaslight Company he was long a director and for some time its vice-president. He was one of the organizers of Grace Church, a vestryman, and a church warden. As chairman of the committee appointed for the purpose he superintended the enlargement of the older edifice and w as one of the building committee for the erection of the present building. At a later period he was one of the vestry of the mother church, Trinity. He was often a delegate to the diocesan convention.
As a lawyer he exhibited the qualities which marked him as a man. Well grounded in the principles of his profession he was careful in his preparation, careful, accurate, aud persistent in his work. He was concerned in some great litigations. In the long contested Bradstreet cases, which involved a large amount of property, Mr. Graham was the attorney who studied out the law and dug out the facts, and was instrumental in carrying the cases to a successful termination. His business was largely in chancery, in the equity side of the Supreme Courts, at general term and the Court of Appeals, more than at the circuit and before juries, and his railroad cases were important and numerous. Politically he started as a Democrat and had clear and strong convictions, but since his clerical service in early manhood he was but once only a candidate for office. After the Charleston convention of 1860 he left the party and became an ardent supporter of Mr. Lincoln and of the war for the Union.
The record of such a life is its own best commentary. Of unquestioned integrity, an excellent neighbor, a faithful friend, a useful and enterprising citizen, diligent in busi- ness, honoring all the obligations of religion, unostentatious and patriotic, he needs no eulogy in a community where for half a century he lived a quiet and exemplary life.
F AXTON, THEODORE S., a native of Conway, Mass., was born about 1793, on the 10th of January. His educational advantages were limited and concluded with six months in school at Clinton soon after his taking up his residence in Utica in 1812. In 1813 he obtained a position as driver on the stage and from that time until 1817 he held the reins of four-in-hand every day with the exception of the six months in school alluded to above. After 1817 he only occasionally mounted the box ; yet such was his acknowledged skill as a reinsman that on occasions of ceremony, or where some-
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MEMORIAL HISTORY OF UTICA.
thing extraordinary was required, he was the person usually selected to do honor to the service. For example, when Lafayette visited the place in 1825 Mr. Faxton secured six dashing gray horses, put silverplated harness on them, borrowed the old Van Rensselaer carriage, and drove to Whitesboro, where the distinguished guest was to be received. After General Lafayette left the boat and entered the carriage Mr. Faxton felt, as he him- self said, grander than Napoleon Bonaparte. After the year 1817 Mr. Faxton for a considerable period had charge of a portion of the stage business of Jason Parker, and a little later was offered an interest in the concern, the sole condition being that he should pay for his share as fast as the profits would permit. It was in 1822 that he thus became a partner, together with Mr. Childs, in the firm of Jason Parker & Co. In spite of the competition of the new Erie Canal the stage business through Central New York continued very large for a number of years, and at the death of Mr. Parker in 1828 there were eight daily lines running through Utica east and west besides four lines north and south. This vast and intricate business the firm continued to success- fully manage for ten years after the death of the senior member, and they continued in partnership some time longer. Together they erected the Exchange building on the site of the old Canal Coffee House and occupied themselves with collecting the rents of this, the Eagle Tavern, and other real estate which they held in common. Before the conclusion of the partnership Mr. Faxton joined with John Butterfield, Hiram Green- man, and others in running a line of packet boats on the canal. In connection with Alfred Munson and associates he organized the first American line of steamers that ran on the St. Lawrence and Lake Ontario, and for a number of years was one of the man- aging directors. He was one of the originators of the Utica and Black River Railroad, paid in a larger subscription than any other man, and for a long time held the office of president of the company. He gave the first $100 that was subscribed to found the Utica Mechanics Association and held the presidency several terms. Together with Willett H. Shearman and Anson Dart he was one of the commissioners who, in 1843, completed the erection of the State Lunatic Asylum in Utica. In 1852 he was chair- man of the able committee who superintended the erection of the First Presbyterian Church in this city. Mr. Faxton was also one of the originators of the Utica Water Works Company, the Utica steam cotton-mills, of which he was president for a time, and the Second National Bank, of which he was also president. He also deserves par- ticular credit for the conspicuous part he took in 1845 in developing and adapting to wider use the then greatest invention of the century, the telegraph. He was attracted to the possibilities of the wonderful invention at the first, and soon after the success of the first line from Baltimore to Washington he went to the latter city to investigate for himself and the few others who shared his confidence. He had learned from his expe- rience in his Telegraph line of stages-a line his company fitted out to carry a small number of passengers at the greatest possible speed, and which had been so popular that every seat was spoken for days in advance of departure -- that men loved speed and would encourage the fastest stages, the fastest boats, and the fastest means of trans- mitting intelligence. While absent he obtained the right to establish a telegraph line between New York and Buffalo, the owners of the patent to have one-half of the stock of the company when the line was complete. Returning home he united with John
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BIOGRAPHICAL ..
Butterfield, Hiram Greenman, Messrs. Livingston, Wells, and others and formed a com- pany with a capital of $200,000, which laid the first wire between the cities above mentioned. He was chosen president of the company and superintendent of the line, and continued to act in that capacity seven years, laboring hard against much opposi- tion to make the enterprise the great success which it proved to be. The first wire used was copper, costing about $60 per mile. Professor Morse believed that iron wires would rust and could not be used unless they were perfectly insulated. Mr. Faxton's attention was called to the wire fence which had been in use twenty-five years on Colonel Walker's grounds, and he concluded that if iron wire was good for fences for such a length of time it would also do for telegraphing. The copper wires were taken down and sold for enough to put up two iron wires, the latter kind costing only $18 per mile.
Mr. Faxton never took a very active part in politics, but was often called to positions of honor and trust. In 1831 he was a trustee of the village of Utica, and was an alder- man in 1836 and mayor in 1864. He was a delegate to the Whig National Convention which nominated Zachary Taylor in 1848, and was also sheriff of the county in 1842; but he held the office for only a few weeks, when he was displaced by the governor solely for political reasons. In addition to the stage, packet, steamboat, railroad, and telegraph lines, banks, manufactories, and other enterprises that have added wealth and prosperity to Utica Mr. Faxton left three other monuments which will perpetuate his name and add honor and blessings to his memory-the Old Ladies' Home on Faxton street, Faxton Hall at the junction of Varick and Court streets for the education of the children of factory operatives by day and night, and Faxton Hospital.
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