Our county and its people. A descriptive work on Jefferson County, New York, Part 35

Author: Emerson, Edgar C., ed
Publication date: 1898
Publisher: [Boston] Boston History Co.
Number of Pages: 1368

USA > New York > Jefferson County > Our county and its people. A descriptive work on Jefferson County, New York > Part 35

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).

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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

Scotland, and who had served with the famous Scottish volunteers, be- came commandant of C company, 35th battalion, and held the captaincy until the spring of 1881. when he resigned; and it was through his in- terest in the organization and his knowledge of military tactics that the company was brought to so high a degree of proficiency. He was suc- ceeded by Capt. C. A. Settle, on whose death in 1984 Capt. Miller re- turned to the command and practically reorganized the company and estab ished it upon a safe basis, from both military and financial points of view. In the spring of 1888 he (and also Lient. Scott, who had as- sisted in elevating the company standing) resigned, and was succeeded by Capt. W. R. Zimmerman, and in the latter in turn by Capt. James Boyer, the present commandant, who was commissioned captain March 21, 1893.

The Post-office -Previous to the erection of the present beautiful government building the post office was kept in rooms rented for its occupancy; and in the early history of the village the office often changed location with each appointment of postmaster. In 1891 con- gress appropriated $15,000 for the purpose of purchasing a site and erecting a post-office building. The lot on Arsenal street was secured, at a cost of $15,000, and thereon was built during the years 1891-2 the present attractive stone structure. The work was done under the supervision of postmaster Edward MI. Gates. The building was occu- pied in May, 1892. (The post-office was kept in the Arcade from 1850 until the completion of the post office building).

Watertown was made a post-office station in 1804. Since that time the postmasters, with dates of appointment have been as follows:

Henry Coffeen, April 1, 1804: Joseph Clark, Oct. 1, 1906; Paul Hutchinson, Jan. 1, 1-12: Henry H. Sherwood, July 20, 1816; Daniel Lee, May 20, 1822; Alpheus S. Greene, June 3, 1>29: Alvin Hunt, June 23, 1840; John F. Hutchinson, Sept. 27, 1-41: Pearson Mundy, June 25. 1548: Philo S. Johnson, April 25, 1849; W'm. H. Sigourney, April 1. 1853; Levi Smith, April 9. 1961; Wm. G. Williams, Jan. 28, 1870; Alexander Campbell. Jan. 26, 1974; Wm. G. Williams, May 5, 1574; E. M. Gates, July 1, 1942, John C. Streeter, July 26, 1\\6; E. M. Gates, Sept. 26, 18$9; Chas. W. Clare, April 15, 1893; De Witt C. Middleton, May 17. 1997.

The State Fair .- Among the interesting events in connection with the past history of Watertown was the state fair, which was first held in the village in 1856. This indeed was an extraordinary occasion, and that the event should be properly celebrated, grounds were laid out in the locality known as " Keepes' woods," the tract being bounded by Academy. Franklin. Goodale and Gotham streets, as now laid out.

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THE CITY OF WATERTOWN.

The entrance was on Academy street, near the school house, The en- tire situation is well shown in the map of Watertown made by J. D. Huntington in 1856, and reproduced in this work,

The fair was held September 30-October 3, of the year mentioned, and if all memories of the occasion be true, was a gratifying success. The receipts aggregated $8,010. The next and final state fair in Watertown was held on the fair ground and race course in September, 1861, and was, like its predecessor, a successful event, The state authorities were at that time casting about for a favorable permanent location for the annual exhibition, and Watertown was one of five places seriously considered as available for the purpose. However, the locality was thought to be too far north, and the railroad facilities in- sufficient, hence the project was abandoned so far as this municipality was concerned.

Masonic .- The history of masonry in Watertown forms an interest- ing chapter in the local annals. Indeed, in at least one respect this record is remarkable, for while there were hundreds of lodges through- out the state which, during the so called anti-masonic period, sur- rendered their charters and suspended meeting on account of the pre- vailing excitement and frequently threatened indignities, old Eastern Light lodge of Watertown retained its identity, organization, charter and jewels, and held regular meetings in the old lodge room.' The candle set in the window was a sufficient notice of a meeting, and the brethren assembled and transacted business as if the period was with- out dangers to institutions of this particular character.

Eastern Light lodge, No. 136, F. and A. M., was instituted June 16, A. I .. , 5806, with the following charter officers and members: Powell Hall, W. M. ; Samuel C. Kannady, S. W. ; Zelotus Harvey, J. W. ; Benj. Allen, treas. ; Isaiah Massey, sec'y : Hart Massey, S. D. ; Josiah Farrar, J. D .; Benj. Pool, S. S .; Samuel Foster, J. S .; Andrew Bassinger, Tiler, and Gershom Tuttle, jr., members, In 1814 the lodge voted to surrender its charter and procure a new warrant for a Master's lodge, whereupon the property of the lodge was placed in possession of Mark Master Mason's lodge, No, 46 (at that time at work here) for safe keep- ing until the new lodge should be instituted. A new warrant was is-

1 The present Masonic building is owned jointly by the National Union bank and the Masonic bodies of the city, the first two stories being owned by the bank, and all above the second floor by the Masens. In case the building is burned or otherwise destroyed the bank, or its successors. are to furnish the foundation and walls to the third story, and in the same manner the Masons are to keep the building properly roofed.

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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

sued June 5, 1812, and on the festival of St. John the Evangelist, of that year, Watertown lodge, No 289, was duly set to work, by Br. Joseph Enos, grand visitor. The brethren named in the warrant were Isaac Lee, master; Timothy Burr, S. W., and George Smith, J. W.

The records of Watertown lodge furnish many interesting incidents and reminiscences, and above all fully attest the genuine benevolence and charitableness of the institution. On one occasion in 1825 the lodge voted to appropriate $10 with which to provide an unfortunate brother with "a decent coat in which to appear at lodge meetings"; and about the same time the lodge resolved " to buy a cow for the use of a brother." As late as the year 1840, at a meeting held Dec. S, on motion of Br. I. B. Crawe. it was resolved " that a sum of money not exceeding $20 be placed in the hands of a committee of two," who, in connection with a committee on the part of the chapter, were to pro- cure a suit of clothes for Bro. -.

The history of the lodge has been uneventful, and from the time of its original charter has been a constantly growing body, and an instru- ment for good in the community. In 1840 the number was changed to 49. Its present membership is 23%. In the order of succession, the past masters have been as follows:

Powell Hall, 1806-09; Samuel C. Kannady, 1809; Calvin Mcknight, 1-10-13; Isaiah Massey, 1814; Isaac Lee, 1815 (all of Eastern Light lodge). In 1816, while awaiting the new charter no officers were elected; Isaac Lee, 1817-19; Dyer Huntington, 1520-21; Abner Baker, jr., 1-22-23; David W. Bucklin, 1824; Abner Baker, jr., 1825- 26: Isaac H. Bronson, 1827: Ithamar B. Crawe, 1828-29; Isaac II. Bronson, 1830-32; Asher N. Corss, 1833; no officers in 1834; Wm. H. Shumway, 1835: Asher N. Corss, 1836-39 (all of Watertown lodge No. 289); Asher N. Corss, 1840-44; Wm. H. Shum- way, 1945; Calvin Auhorn, 1846; Lysander H. Brown, 1847: Peter Horr, 1848; Lysander H. Brown, 1$49-50; Alex. Button, 1851; Randolph Barnes, 1852-55; Wm. B. Farwell, 1856; Wm. A. Loomis, 1857-58; Stephen L. Potter, 1859-60; Edward L. Sargent, 1461-62; Nelson H. Pierce, 1863; Samuel N. Hodges, 1864; Gco. W. Nim- rocks, 1565; Allen C. Beach, 1866: Frederick Emerson, 1967; Azariah H. Sawyer, 1468-70; J. Addison Lawyer, 1571-72; Thomas C. Chittenden, 18:3-44; Louis C. Greenleaf, 1-25-76; James R. Miller, 1877-78; Watson M. Rogers, 1979-80; Leslie B. Cooke, 15-1-2: Alanson D. Seaver, 1883-84: Wilbur F. Bingham, 1-$5; Chas. H. Vau Brackle, 19 6; Frank M. Bingham, 1887; Edgar C. Emerson, 1888-91; Wm. Loan, 1892, Willis W. Rice, 1-93-94; George Adams, 1895-96; De Witt C. Middleton, 1897-95.

Watertown Chapter No. 59 R A. M., was instituted February ?, IsIt, the first grand council consisting of Egbert Ten Eyck, H. P. ; Amasa Trowbridge, K, and Isaac Lee, S. Like the lodge, the chapter

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THE CITY OF WATERTOWN.

has maintained a continuous and healthful existence from the date of its charter in 1812 to the present time, and the period of its history has not been interrupted by vicissitudes of unusual events. In 1829, at a special convention held March 26, a resolution was offered to the effect that the charter be surrendered to the grand chapter of the state. The chapter had been summoned for the occasion and a large number of brethren were present, but the proposition was unanimously rejected.' In the same manner at a convention held Sept. 14, 1833, a resolution was passed authorizing a sale of the furniture owned by the chapter, butt at an adjourned convocation held Oct. 4, the previous action was rescinded. The chapter now numbers 113 members. Its past high priests, in succession, have been as follows:

Egbert Ten Eyck, 1817-26; Gideon W. Wells, 1821; Abner Baker, jr., 1828-31; Ithamar B. Crawe, 1832-38; Orville Hungerford, 1839-10, Hiram K. Newcomb, 1841-43; Ithamar B. Crawe, 1844-45; Peter Horr, 1846; Lysander H. Brown, 1847; H. K. Newcomb, 1848; Orville Hungerford, 1849; Pearson Mundy, 1850; Peter Horr, 1851-53; L, Il. Brown, 1854-61; Allen C. Beach, 1862-65; Roswell P. Flower, 1866 66; Nelson 11. Pierce, 1869; John C. Armstrong, 1870-71; Louis C. Greenleaf, 1872-73; Thos. C. Chittenden, 1874-76; Leslie B. Cooke, 1877-79; Chas. D. Bingham, 1880-81; Wilbur F. Bingham, 1882-83; Willis W. Rice, 1884-91; Edgar C. Emerson, 1892-93; Frank Keefer, 1894-95; Fred T. York, 1896-97; Joseph Nellis, 1898.

Watertown Commandery No. 11, Knights Templar, of Watertown, was organized February 22, 1826, under a dispensation issued by the grand encampment of the state, in answer to the petition of Sirs Orville Hungerford, Adriel Ely, Isaac H. Bronson and others. The first meeting under the dispensation was held March 24, 1826, at which were present in addition to those above mentioned, Sirs T. B. Brayton, who was appointed prelate, and George C. Sherman, who was named as recorder. The officers for the year were Orville Hungerford, com- mander; Adriel Ely, generalissimo; Isaac II. Bronson, captain general ; Thos. R. Brayton, prelate; Geo. C. Sherman, senior warden; Abner Baker, jr., junior warden; Andrew Newell, treasurer; Geo. C. Sher- man, recorder; Jas. H. Meigs, sentinel.

On June 8, 1826, Sir Kt. Orville Hungerford was elected grand sen- for warden of the grand encampment of the state, and was promoted to G. C. G. at the annual conclave, June 6, 1828. On June 5, 1829, at the annual conclave of the grand encampment, Adriel Ely was elected

1 The chapter record reads: "Memo: At the action taken on the above resolution a full meeting was convened, and a great number of brethren were present ; and to the honor of the craft be it said not one voice was raised in favor of the resolution on finally taking the question."

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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

G. C. G. In 1854 Sir George C. Sherman was elected G. C. G., and was promoted successively G. G. and D. G. M. in 1855 and '56. In September, 1862, the 49th annnal conclave of the grand commandery of the state was held at the asylum of Watertown commandery, No. 11. In 1865 Pearson Mundy was elected G. C. In 1879 Thos. C. Chitten- den was elected G. C. At the annual conclave held at Utica in 1896, Chas. D. Bingham was elected grand warden; and at the annual con- clave held in 1897, he was elected grand sword bearer, which position he now hołds.

During the years 1829-31 there was but a single conclave held in each year on account of the anti-masonic crusade against all the orders of masonry, and in the year last mentioned business and meetings were suspended. The warrant for the encampment was retained several years, and was finally surrendered to the grand encampment, June ", 1839.

About the first of February, 1850, upon the petition of Orville Hun- gerford, James H. Meigs, Solomon Robbins, jr., James C. Partridge, John Mullin, sen. and jun., Pitt Morse, Hugh Wiley, J Whitley, Syl- vester Reed and John McGuillon, the grand encampment of the state reissued its former warrant, and the commandery was revived. The dis- pensation was issued February 25, 1850, and on the next day an en- campment was held in Watertown. From this time the commandery maintained a continuous and prosperous existence, and has for many years been regarded as one of the strongest templar bodies in the state outside the large cities. The present membership is 272.

In succession, the past commanders have been as follows :

Orville Hungerford, 1826-28; Adriel Ely, 1829-30; Isaac H. Bronson, 1831; Or- ville Hungerford, 1850; Sylvester Reed, 1851; George C. Sherman, 1852-60; Pearson Mundy, 1861-68; J. Addison Lawyer, 1869-70; Thomas C. Chittenden, 1871-72; John C. Armstrong, 1873; J. Addison Lawyer, 1874; Azariah H. Sawyer, 1875-76; Louis C. Greenleaf, 1877-78; R. E. Smiley, 1879-80; Henry A. House, 1881-82; James R. Miller, 1883-84; Leslie B. Cook. 1885-86; John C. Armstrong, 1887-88; Charles I. Bingham, 1889-90; A. Ten Eyck Lansing, 1891-93; Edgar C. Emerson, 1894-95; Willis W. Rice, 1896-97.

Media Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., was organized April 6, 1891, with seven charter members, and during the seven years of its history has increased to the present number of 495 nobles. These members are of course Masons, but the organization is not otherwise associated with the craft.

Odd Fellowship .- On September 24, 1844, Black River lodge, No.

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THE CITY OF WATERTOWN.

124, I. O. O. F., was instituted, with Fred S. Hawley, N. G. ; William H. Shumway, V. G .; and Edwin Clark, secretary. In May, 1845, Iro- quois lodge, No. 161, was instituted by district deputy William H. Shumway, with Benjamin Jervis, N. G .; R. M. Chittenden, V.G. ; and Alexander Wilson, secretary. Both lodges were in a healthful condi- tion and were constantly increasing in strength when the disastrous fire of May 13, 1849, laid waste the business portion of the village, and also destroyed all the records of both organizations. However, a reorgan- ization was effected, and the former bodies were consolidated under the name of Jefferson Union lodge, No. 121, instituted August 1, 1819, with Ira F. Rowlson, N. G., and William A. Loomis, V. G. From that time the lodge has maintained a continuous existence, and is now re- garded as one of the oldest and most substantial Odd Fellow bodies in this part of the state. Its present membership is 296.

Watertown City lodge, No. 291, 1 O. O. F., was instituted September 20, 1871, by D. D. G. M. A. G. Wheeler with twenty charter members taken chiefly from old Jefferson Union lodge. The first officers were Lucius Gill, N. G. ; W. S. Carlisle, V. G .; W. P. Brown, recording sec- retary; M. V. Kitts financial secretary; and Daniel Lee, treasurer. This lodge has ever since been the rival of the parent organization, and has now outstripped the older body in point of membership, having at this time a total of 350

Corona lodge, No. 105, I.O.O.F., was brought into existence under a dispensation granted May 11, 1891, and was instituted June 12, follow- ing, with 25 former members of Jefferson Union and Watertown lodges comprising its charter membership. A charter was issued to the new lodge, August 23, 1894. The present membership is 125.

Montezuma Encampment, No. 26, was instituted November 19, 1816, by D. D. G. P. Nathan Randall, with J. J. Safford, C. P. ; Sylvester Smith, 11. P .; William 11. Sigourney, S.W .; John H1. Smith, J. W .; Benjamin Lewis, scribe, and Morris Livingston, treasurer. The en- campment has ever been an increasing and popular Odd Fellow society, and now numbers about 100 swords.

Canton Ridgley, No. 14, Patriarchs Militant, was mustered March , 1866, and has been an important element of Odd Fellowship in the city. Its present membership is about 40 persons.

The City Opera House .- In 1885 A. D. and C. R. Remington and Edward M. Gates built the City opera house, one of the most complete, attractive and commodious buildings of its kind in this entire region.

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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

It has a seating capacity for 1,350 persons. Previous to the erection of the opera house, the popular place for entertainments was the upper floor of old Washington hall. This building was erected by Walter and Gilbert Woodruff in 1854, and the entertainment hall occupied the whole third floor, having a large seating capacity. It is still used for its original purpose, though to a very limited extent since the comple- tion of the city opera house in 1885. Still another place for lectures and other entertainments has been provided on the upper story of the city hall building. Indeed, there has not been a time within the last three quarters of a century that Watertown has been without a reason- ably convenient public assembly hall, but not until the erection of Wash- ington hall had the village a place of this kind with proper accommo- dations.

Hotels -In the earlier pages of this chapter frequent mention has been made of the old taverns and hotels of the village, which had an existence previous to the great fire of 1849. Among the numerous buildings then destroyed were the American and Columbian hotels, both of which were popular public houses. Two years later the Per- kins hotel standing on the site of Washington hall was also burned, but in the meantime the splendid Woodruff house, and also the American and Columbian hotels had been rebuilt, the latter taking the name of Globe hotel. The Woodruff house, notwithstanding the fact that it was built nearly half a century ago, is still one of the largest and most complete public houses in northern New York. It was built by Norris M. Woodruff, and stands a lasting monument to his enterprise and public spiritednes :. The American hotel was rebuilt after the fire, and was maintained as a public house until about the time the property became a part of the Henry Keep estate.' The Columbian was rebuilt as the Globe hotel, and was maintained until 1891, when it was mate- rially reconstructed and enlarged, and took the name " Otis house," after its owner. The Harris house, near the southeast corner of the square, stands on a location where a hotel has been maintained under various names and proprietors for a period of more than forty years. The Crowner house was built about the same time, but in 1895 gave

This once famous hoste'ry stood (and the building still stands) at the corner of the public Square and Arsenal street. What is now the entrance to the upper floors was formerly Hagar & Beebee's jewelry store. The office was where is now Baker's grocery store, on Arsenal street, and in rear of it was the bar. Next beyond Baker's store was the billiard room. In later years Joseph Marriage's hotel at the corner of Arsenal and Arcade streets, took the name Ameri an.

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THE CITY OF WATERTOWN.

way to the Hotel Hardiman, the latter one of the finest publie houses in the city. The City hotel was built about 1860, and was enlarged about 1874.

Banking and Financial Institutions. - Well authenticated records in- form us that the first attempt to establish a bank in Watertown was made in the early part of 1803, when an application was presented to the legislature for a charter, and also for a loan of $150,000, to the peo- ple of the county, on good security, for the purpose of starting a bank in conformity with the laws then in operation At that time general banking powers could only be secured by act of the legislature, and in many of the earlier banks the state reserved the right to subscribe to the stock, and also to appoint directors to represent its interest in pro. portion to the shares taken. In the application for the establishment of the local bank, it was proposed to issue bills of credit, which were sought to be declared legal tender for payment of debts. However, Mr. Kent, to whom the matter was referred, reported adversely, on the ground that the federal constitution forbade the states to make legal tender of any commodity other than gold and silver, wherefore the pe- tition could not be granted. In 1808 the state loaned the county the sum of $10,339.86. In 1816 another attempt was made to establish a bank, but for several political reasons the scheme proved a failure.

The Jefferson County bank, the direct outgrowth of which is the present Jefferson County National bank, was incorporated by act of the legis- lature, passed April 12, 1816, in answer to the petition of John Brown, Roswell Woodruff, Eliphalet Edmunds, David I. Andrus, Ethel Bron- son, Jabez Foster, Egbert Ten Eyck, Hoel Lawrence, Frederick White, Abel Cole and others. The charter authorized the bank to do business until January 1, 1832, with a capital of $50,000, in shares of $10 each. The commissioners appointed by the act to apportion the stock and locate the seat of operations of the bank, were Elisha Camp, of Ilouns- field, Jesse Hopkins, of Henderson, Ebenezer Wood, of Ellisburgh, Jabez Foster, of Watertown, Clark Allen, of Lorraine, Samuel C. Kan- ady, of Rodman, Ethel Bronson, of Rutland, John Durkee, of Cham- pion, Thomas Brayton, of Wilna, Silvins Hoard, of Antwerp, Musgrave Evans, of Le Ray, John Paddock, of Brownville, and Eliphalet Ed- munds, of Adams.

These commissioners met at Watertown, and, if local tradition be true, engaged in a long and animated discussion as to the proper place of business. The old rivalry between Brownville and Watertown was

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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

again revived, and political conditions in both places had much to do with the spirited controversy which is said to have taken place. The result was thit neither place secured the institution, but in compromis- sion Adams was favored with the designation. The first board of di- rectors was chosen June 20, 1816, and comprised John Paddock, Hoel Lawrence, Ebenezer Wood, Clark Allen, David I. Andrus, Samuel F. Hooker, Elisha Camp, Frederick White, David Hale, Samuel C. Kan- ady, John Cowles, Eliphalet Edmunds and Josiah Sterling. John Paddock was the first president, and James Wood the first cashier.

Under the direction and management thus indicated, the Jefferson County bank opened its doors for business in Adams in 1817, but dur- ing the period of its operations at that place it was not a success from a financial point of view. Consequently, after a temporary suspension, in 1824, the legislature passed an act authorizing its removal to the county seat, and also requiring each of the directors to own at least $500 of the capital stock. On April 14, 1830, the charter was amended by increasing the capital to $80,000, and another amendment (June 19, 1836). still further increased the amount to $200,000. In 1844 the cap- ital was reduced to $148,800.

In 1822 this institution had become one of the safety fund banks of the state, and remained such until 1853, when it was reorganized as an associated free bank, authorized to do business until January 1, 1900. Its securities comprised stocks and real estate, and it was thereafter recognized as one of the solid financial institutions of northern New York, and was perhaps the leading bank of the county until 1865, when it went into voluntary liquidation and reorganized as the Jefferson County National bank, a name well known in banking circles through- out the entire state.

The Jefferson County National bank succeeded the old pioneer bank- ing institution by a transfer of interest dated August 3, 1865, and was thereupon organized under the name indicated, with a capital of $148, - 000. The first president was Talcott H. Camp, who continued in that position until his death, February 8, 1897, and was then succeeded by John C. Knowlton, the present president. The first cashier was (). V. Brainard, succeeded, in 1886, by Myers Thompson, and the latter in 1861 by Smith T. Woolworth. The present officers and directors are as follows :

John C. Knowlton, president; G. B. Massey, vice president; S. T. Woolworth, cashier ; G. V. S. Camp, assistant cashier ; John C. Sterling, Levi II. Brown, George

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THE CITY OF WATERTOWN.

B. Massey, John C. Knowlton, John Lansing, Richard Marcy, E. M. Gates, B. J. Strough, O. E. Hungerford, W. H. Stevens and G. V. S. Camp, directors.

In the order of succession the presidents of this institution from the time it was founded in 1816, have been as follows:

John Paddock, 1816; Jabez Foster, 1817 19; Ethel Bronson, 1820 25; Jabez Foster, 1825-26; Perley Keyes, 1826-33; Micah Sterling, 1833-34, Orville Hungerford, 1834 45; Norris M. Woodruff, 1815-54; Robert Lansing, 1855-56; Talcott 11. Camp, 1856 97 (more than forty years); John C. Knowlton, 1897.

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Our county and its people. A descriptive work on Jefferson County, New York, Part 35

Author: Emerson, Edgar C., ed Publication date: 1898 Publisher: [Boston] Boston History Co. Number of Pages: 1368

Author: Emerson, Edgar C., ed
Publication date: 1898
Publisher: [Boston] Boston History Co.
Number of Pages: 1368