Our county and its people. A descriptive work on Jefferson County, New York, Part 40

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 40

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).

One of the old sash, door and blind makers of the city was V. R. Harvey, who began business in 1861. In 1868 Lorenzo Case established the business which is now (with its many subsequent changes) carried on Case & Folsom. In 1869 the firm became L. Case & Son. The present Case & Folsom mill on River street was built in 1892. York & Moon, sash, door and blind makers, began business in 1820, but the firm is no longer known in local trade eireles. They were followed by York & Starkweather. The firm of Roblin & Hotchkin was formed in 1891, succeeding the older firm of Roblin, Folsom & Co., the latter the successor to the business started in 1845 by Joseph W. Peck. An- other and later lumber working firm was Graves & Van Doren. The firms of Charlebois Bros., Wager & Landon, and White & Sullivan are, in addition to those before mentioned, now engaged in active wood- working enterprises of the character referred to. The Watertown Match company was formed in 1894 by Samuel Felt, W. H. Conger, F. W. Streeter and A. L. Upham, and built a factory in the western part of the city, on lower Main street. The works were partly burned in 1895, and business was not resumed. In this connection mention may also be made of the old furniture manufacturing firm of Service. George & MeGillis (established in 1858), and also of Lewis, Heinrich & Rounds (established in 1821), neither of which is now in business. Zimmerman & Hardiman began business in manufacturing furniture in 1879, and for about eighteen years were active operators in that line. However, since January, 1898, their factory has been practically closed. Foster & Begg began manufacturing furniture on Mill street in 189 ;. In 1876 W. Allingham & Co. started a boot and shoe factory, and for several years employed about fifteen men.

In 1840 J. M. Ferrin started a marble and monument works in the village, and was one of the pioneers of that industry in this locality. 1I. F. Ferrin, who is still in the business, was the son of J. M. Ferrin, and is now perhaps the oldest representative of this branch of trade in the county. Foster M. Ferrin, another son, began marble working in 1856, but is now out of business. George Van Vleck began in 1872. The Davidson marble works at the upper falls were started about 1890.

George A. Lance's woolen yarn mill on Beebee's island began busi-

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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

ness in 1882, in a building standing in the rear of the old Solomon . lladcock axe factory. Originally the Hadcock axe factory was on River street, and was established at least as early as 1840. It was burned out, and afterward business was resumed on the island, where is now the Collins machine shop. Hadcock went out of business about the time of the war of 1861-5, and the old building, after being varions- ly used, passed into the hands of John E. Collins, its present proprietor. Adjoining this building on the north stands the old Lord plow works, an industry started about 1850 by Judah and Gilderoy Lord, and con- tinued until Gilderoy Lord's death a few years ago. Mr. Lance, the present proprietor, continues the manufacture of plows and other agri- cultural implements in the same building. Another old plow factory was that of Nelson Long, which stood on the Emerson corner, on the north side of the river. He at one time did business where the Har- mon machine company's works now stand.

In 1886 the firm of Davis & Cook began the manufacture of spirit levels, and soon succeeded in building up a successful business. The works are on High street, near Factory street. In 1884 W. R. Baker started a hardware specialty manufacturing business, and conducted it until March, 1889, when the the W. R. Baker Manufacturing company was organized, with $15,000 capital. The Watertown Boat and Canoe Co. was formed in 1887, by D. J. Freeman. The Gifford Manufactur- ing Co. was incorporated Nov. 20, 1888, with $20,000, and began mak- ing churns, shovels and forks. The company comprised John Gifford, Il. D. Waite, Henry S. Munson and G. C. Martin.

The Ryther Manufacturing Co., whose business of making baling and packing presses and wagon jacks is carried on in the Wise building on Mill street, was incorporated in 1887. The president of the company was Charles P'. Ryther (now deceased). James B. Wise is the secre- tary and treasurer.

The extensive tin ware manufacturing industry carried on by John M. Tilden at the corner of Arsenal and Massey streets, was established somewhere about 1845 or '50 by the old firm of Goodnow, Holden & Co. Mr. Tilden was a peddler in the company's employ from 1857 to about 1870, when he became a partner. Two years later he acquired a half interest (the firm then being Holden & Tilden) and soon after- ward became sole proprietor. For four years Mr. Tilden was partner with D. M. Anderson, but since 1888, has managed the business prac- tically alone.

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THE CITY OF WATERTOWN.

The Stiles & Fladd Press company was incorporated November 16, 1895, with $60,000 capital, for the manufacture and sale of presses, dies, drop-hammers and general machinery. The first directors were George S. Bagley, George W. Knowlton, Frederick C. Fladd, E. A. Stiles and Albert Fish, On December 3, 1897, the name was changed to E. S. Stiles Press company. Business was begun January 1, 1896, at the corner of Mill and Moulton streets, but on January 1, 1898, the plant was removed to the works of the Watertown Steam Engine com- pany. The officers of the company are George W. Knowlton, president ; Albert Fish, vice-president; Robert J. Good, secretary and E. S. Stiles, treasurer and general manager.

The Elwood Silk Manufacturing company, one of the most recent and important industries of the city, was incorporated June 15, 1896, with $10,000 capital, by J. D. Wendell, B. H. Elwood, E. E. Elwood, Will- iam Clark and Edwin S. Van Dusen, The company came to Water- town from Fort Plain, and was attracted to the city by the superior water power of the river and the better opportunity to employ labor than was afforded in the former location. The factory building, 165 x 51 feet in size, was erected in 1897, and its machinery is operated with power taken from the old City Mills privilege. The company employs 125 hands. The officers are B. 11. Elwood, president and E. E. El- wood, secretary and treasurer.

Ecclesiastical .- - The First Presbyterian church of Watertown, the mother of religious societies in the village settlement, and one of the first in the county, had its inception in the little informal meetings for worship which were held in pioneer Hart Massey's house as early as the year 1801. In 1803 the society began to take form, and in that year an organization was effected at Burrville, of which a number of residents in the village were members. The Congregational form of government was adopted, and regular services were held in convenient places in the town, and occasionally in the log school house south of the square, though no pastor had been engaged. On February 11, 1811, a village society was formed, but a portion of its members came from the outside part of the town. The trustees were Tilly Richardson, John Sykes, Thomas Sawyer and William Fellows, who represented the Burrville neighborhood; Aaron Brown, the Watertown centre district, and Hart Massey and Amos Benedict the village settlement. It was then voted to ercet a meeting house in a central location, but the out- break of the war delayed the work several years. On May 25, 1811.

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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

the Watertown Ecclesiastical society was organized, and has ever since maintained its identity. On February 28, 1821, it was received into the St. Lawrence presbytery, and still later was the leading church of the Watertown presbytery. After the organization of other societies from this as the parent body, it became known by the distinguishing name of the First Presbyterian church.

The first trustees of the society (chosen May 25, 1814), were Jabez Foster, Orrin Stone and Hart Massey. In 1815 the Burrville society removed to Watertown and united with the Ecclesiastical society, and on July 22 a pastoral call was extended to Rev. Daniel Banks, who accepted and divided his time between this and the Rutland church. A stone edifice was erected on the academy lot during the summer of 1820, and was dedicated June 1, 1821. It was an imposing structure for its time, and was the first house of worship in the village. The old pioneer building was torn down in 1850, and was replaced with the present edifice in that and the following year. It was dedicated April 10, 1851. In 1892 the building was remodeled and redecorated at an expense of $30,000, and is now one of the largest and most attractive church edifices in the city.

During the period of its history, four distinct churches have been or- ganized from the First Presbyterian society, viz: The Congregational in 1830; the Second Presbyterian in 1831, the Burrville Congregational in 1836 and Hope Presbyterian church in 1889. The membership in the mother church at the present time numbers more than 600 persons. In the order of succession, the pastors have been as follows: Rev. Daniel Banks, 1815-21; Geo. S. Boardman, 1821-37; Isaac Brayton, 1834-64; J. Jermain Porter, D. D., 1864-81; Geo. B. Stevens, 1882-86; Allen Macy Dulles, 1886-98.

The Stone Street Presbyterian church was organized July 20, 1831, under the name of the Second Presbyterian church of Watertown, by the withdrawal of thirty one former members of the First church and four members of the Congregational church, all of whom presented letters of dismissal from their mother society. This action was ac- complished under ministerial direction of Revs. Abel L. Crandall and George S. Boardman. The first ruling elder of the new church was Lewis R. Sandiforth. A site was soon afterward secured at the corner of Factory and Mechanic streets, whereon in 1831 a church edifice was erected,' the dedicatory service being held on October 10. The building

1 The old building is still standing and is occupied as a tenement house.

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THE CITY OF WATERTOWN.

was occupied by the society for a period of thirty-three years, but in 1864 a more desirable site on Stone street was purchased. The new edifice was built in the same year, at a cost of about $20,000, the soci- ety receiving substantial assistance from the First church in this under- taking. It was dedicated October 26, 1864, by Rev. Dr. Hutton of New York. About this time the name was changed to the Stone Street Presbyterian church.

The history of this church shows a record of constant progression, both in numerical strength and good work. The present members number 400, and in the Sunday school are 180 attendants. In succes- sion the pastors and stated supplies have been as follows:

Jedediah Burchard, October, 1831-March, 1832; James D. Pickard, March-May, 1832; James R. Boyd, May. 1832-October, 1833; L. Hill, October, 1833-May, 1835; Marcus Smith, November, 1835 .September, 1843; W. E. Knox, Jannary, 1811 Feb- ruary, 1818; Peter Snyder, May, ISIS-December, 1463; George D. Barker, April, 1851 November, 1867; Charles C. Wallace, August, 1868 May, 1870; Chas. M. Liv- ingston, December, 1870-September, 1876; Samuel A. Hayt, D. D., March, 1877 the present pastor.

Hope Presbyterian church, the offshoot chiefly from the First church of the city, dates its separate history to an informal Sunday school mission established on the north side on September 9, 1888. The school was assembled in the Bacon block, and in connection with its work in the vicinity a sewing school was also formed. On April 17. 1889, a site on Le Ray street was purchased, and Hope chapel was built in 1890. The building was burned January 19, 1891, but during the next four months a new and larger edifice was erected. An informal organization and mission was maintained until November 18. 1895, when Hope Presbyterian church superseded the former organization. The persons most prominently connected with building up the now progressive society were Rev. Allen M. Dulles and wife, Miss Munson, Mrs. Greenlies, Mary Boon, Emma Lansing, Mrs. H. J. Brown, Mrs. John C. Sterling, S. F. Bagg, Revillo F. Carter. W. A. Winslow, Chas. 11. llyde and others. The financial supporters of the work were John C. Knowlton, T. 11. Camp, Wm. W. Taggart, A. M. Farwell and others. The first elders were R. Rich, A. Munk and G. D. Tuckerman: dea- cons. Geo. Hughes, Robert Munk and H. C. Smith. Rev. Geo. B. Van Dyke officiated as pastor from 1892 to 1894, and was then followed by Rev. Geo. H. Feltus, the present pastor. The church has a present membership of 110 persons, and on the roll of Sunday school are 325 names.

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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

The Arsenal Street Methodist Episcopal church, as now known, dates its history away back to the early years of the century when the village and its vicinity formed a part of a circuit over which those earnest missionary workers, Barzilla Willey and John Husselkus traveled and preached to the scattered inhabitants. As early as 1804 Griffin Sweet and Asa Cummins preached in Watertown, and following them other zealous missionaries also visited the village, although not until Nov. 21 was the society regularly incorporated and organized under the name of the First Methodist Episcopal church of Watertown.

The first trustees were Titus Ives, Jonathan Cowan, Henry H. Coffeen, John Collins and Thomas Potter. In the early history of the church in this section all missionary services were held under the direction of the Philadelphia conference, and this county formed a part of the Black River circuit. The New York conference was organ- ized in 1805, and this county was successively a part of the Albany, Cayuga and Oneida districts. Watertown became a special charge in 1818, and a regular station in 1829.

Soon after the organization of the society (1821) a stone meeting house was built near the site of the Arsenal street school building. This was occupied by the society until 1851, when a new edifice was erected on the site of the present house of worship on Arsenal street. It was burned February 22, 1880, and was at once replaced with the present edifice, the latter being dedicated (free from all debt) June 9, 1881. The society took the name of Arsenal street church about the time the State street church was organized from the mother society (1848-49), but notwithstanding the considerable withdrawal at that time, the Arsenal street is one of the strongest Methodist bodies in this part of the state. The present membership is 550, while in the Sunday school are 425 pupils.

The circuit preachers, supplies and pastors of this church from the time of its earliest history (so far as can be ascertained) have been as follows :

Griffin Sweet and Datus Ensign, 1805; Matthew Van Drzen, Luther Bishop, 1808; William Jewett, Luther Bishop, 1809; Joseph Willis, Chandley Lambert, 1810; Will- iam Snow, Truman Gillett, 1%11; Joseph Kirkhead, 1812; Isaac Puffer, Goodwin Stoddard, 1813; C. Lambert, 1811; 1ra Fairbanks, 1815; James Hazen, 1816; Ira Fairbanks, G. Stoddard, 1817; John Dempster, 1818; Dana Fox, 1819; Israel Cham- berlain, 1820; John Dempster, 1811-22; Benjamin G. Braddock, 1823; Hezekiah Field, 1$24; James Brown, John Ercanback. Nathaniel Salisbury, 1825: N. Salisbury G. Baker, 1826; G. Baker, L. Edgerton, 1827; W. W. Randall, Azariah Hall, 1828;

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John S. Mitchell, 1829 30; N. Salisbury, 1881 32, V. M. Coryell, 1833; Squire Chase. 1834; Luther Lee, 1835; N. Salisbury, 1836 37; Allen D. Peck, 1835; Squire Chase, 1839 -40; William L. Bowdish, 1811; Iliram Mattison, 1812-43; William Wyatt, 1811; Isaac Stone, 1815-16; James Irwin, 1817-18; George Gray, 1819: A. J. Phelps, 1850 51; I. S. Bingham, 1852-53; John B. Foote, 1851 55; J. W. Armstrong, 1856; B. I. Devendorf, 1856-58; W. W. Hunt, 1859-60; S. Call, 1861-62; J. W. Armstrong, 1863-61; 1. S. Bingham, 1865-67; S. R. Fuller, 1868 09; 1. S. Bingham, 1870; F. Widmer, 18:1-13; J. C. Stewart, 1874; G. M. Mead, 1875 77, A. Bramley, 1878-80, W. F. Hemingway, 1881 83; W. H. Reese, 1884 86; J. B. Kenyon, 1887-91; A. P. Palmer, 1892-93; J. B. Hammond (present pastor) 1891-98.

The State Street Methodist Episcopal church was the direct offshoot from the older society above mentioned, and was made necessary by the constant growth of Methodism in the village. In 1848, as a result of a series of revival meetings, more than 300 persons were added to the mother church, and on Jan. 29, 1849, a considerable colony with- drew and effected the new organization. The large and comfortable edifice on State street was erected in 1850, and was remodeled in 1883. Its seating capacity is 500. The present members of the church num - ber 425 persons, and in the Sunday school are 300 pupils. The pastors have been as follows:

E. Arnold, 1849 -50; F. H. Stanton, 1851-52; James Erwin (or Irwin) 1853-54; L. D. White, 1855 -56; W. S. Titus, 1957-58; B. S. Wright, 1859-60; W. S. Tisdale, 1861; 11. F. Spencer, 1862; O. C. Cole, 1863 64; J. D. Adams, 1865; T. Richey, 1866-67; W. D. Chase, 1868-69; M. D. Kinney, 1820-72; T. Cooper, 1873-74; M. G. Bullock, 1875 76; S. Cole, 1877-78; Charles W. Parsons, 1879-81; Melville R. Web. ster, 1852-84; Charles C. Townsend, 1885-87; Charles W. McCormick, 1888-92; William D. Marsh, (the present pastor) 1893-9%.

Bethany Methodist Episcopal church was organized chiefly from the membership of the Arsenal street society, and had its inception in a class formed in the early spring of IssS, through the efforts of Henry Dixon, aided by his pastor, Rev. J. B. Kenyon, of the mother church. A class of forty members was formed, and William Colthart was chosen leader. Meetings were held in residences and afterward in the Striff building until the Arsenal street society purchased for the north side class the property whereon the house of worship was subsequently erected. The Sunday school was organized in May, 1889, and in the same year the church edifice was completed. This church has grown in numbers to a present membership of 334, and its Sunday school has thirty five pupils. Among the ministers who supplied the pulpit were Wm. W. Atwell, S. E. Snowden, E. Wheeler and E. Arnold. In 1891, Rev. R. Flint was appointed pastor, and in the same year Bethany

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church became a district organization. The present pastorate began in April, 1896, when Rev. C. E. Dorr was appointed to the church.

Trinity church (Protestant Episcopal) of Watertown dates back in its history to the year 1812, when Rev. Daniel Nash held the first ser- vices in the school house on the southeast corner of the public square. Following him other missionary workers (whose names are now un- known) also held occasional services previous to 1826, when Bishop Hobart visited the village and laid the foundation for a permanent church organization. In the next year a parish was organized, and in 1830 an ineffectual attempt was made to secure a church edifice. The corporate society was formed on May 31, 1828, under the ministration of Mr. Rogers, and Ira Wright and Wm. D. Ford were chosen wardens. The vestrymen were Win. Cowan, Samuel McClure, Loveland Paddock, Philo S. Johnson, Henry L. Harvey, Forrester Dexter, llenry Bron- son, W'm. MeCullock and Walter Woodward.

In the latter part of 1831 another and more successful effort was made to provide a church home. A lot on Court street (just below the city hall) was purchased, and here in 1832 and '33 a frame edifice was erected. For its construction Trinity church, of New York, contributed $1,000; and an additional $600 was raised in that city for the same pur- pose by Samuel Brown, of Brownville. The edifice was consecrated Sept. 18, 1833. The structure was burned in the disastrous fire of May 13, 1849, but in the following year the work of rebuilding was begun ; and was completed and the edifice consecrated in January, 1851, by Bishop De Lancey. The new building was purely after the gothic style of architecture, and was designed by R. Upjohn, of New York. The old edifice still stands although nearly ten years have passed since it was abandoned for ehureh services. The structure was moved back from the street and a brick building was erected in front. In its rear is the old church-yard burial ground where several conspicuous tomb- stones still mark the graves of once well known parishioners.

In 1887 Trinity House was built, and was dedicated February 14, 1888, by Bishop Huntington. This splendid parish house was the gift of Roswell P. and Anson R. Flower. Adjoining on the north stands beautiful Trinity church edifice, one of the most elegant structures of its kind in the region. This, too, was the munificent gift of the same liberal donors. Its erection was begin April 1, 1889, and the completed stone edifice was dedicated by Bishop Huntington, Sept. 9, 1890. The total value of Trinity church property is estimated at $155,500. The

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parish is the largest and one of the most wealthy in northern New York. It comprises nearly 400 families, and the church has about 950 communicants.

In the order of succession the rectors of Trinity church have been as follows: J. M. Rogers, 1897-28; W'm. Lynn Keese, 1828-29; Hiram Adams, Jan., 1829 April, 1831 ; Richard Salmon, Dec., 1831-Sept., 1832; E. G. Gear, Sept., 1832 34; Burton W. Hickox, April, 1835-May, 1837; Chas, Ackley, Sept., 1837 April, 1839; John F. Fish, Sept., 1839 Oct., 1841; Wm. M. Carmichael, D. D., Jan , 1815-July, 1846; Levi W. Norton, Aug., 1816-1853; Geo. M. Hills, July, 1853-May, 1857; Theodore Babcock, D. D., Nov., 1857 May 8, 1872; Leigh R. Brewer (afterward Bishop Brewer) June. 1872 Jan., 1881; Russell A. Olin, Feby .. 1881-died May 27. 1893; J. Saunders Reed (present rector), Oct., 1891.

The assistant ministers of the church have been Revs. J. Winslow, 1883-87; Fred- erick P. Winue, since Sept., 1887; Osgood Eaton Herrick, D. D., since May, 1893.

St. Paul's church (Protestant Episcopal) of Watertown, was organized June 14, 1864, as Grace church, by the consent of Bishop Coxe and Rev. Theo. Babcock (then rector of Trinity) that Frederick W. Hub- bard and other former communicants at the mother church should with- draw and form a new Episcopal church in the then village. The first service under the new parish organization was held in the court house, July 21, 1862, Rev. R. E. Van Duzen, of Grace church, Utica, officiat- ing. The new society was regularly incorporated as Grace church, August 14, 1867, with F. W. Hubbard and Charles D. Wright, wardens, and Levi H. Brown, James F. Starbuck, George A. Bagley, Luther J. Dorwin, George H. Sherman, W. R. Trowbridge, A. II. Hall and C. 11. Van Brackle, vestrymen.

Soon after the organization was completed the old school house at the corner of Jay and Sterling streets was secured for the parishioners. The erection of the present church edifice was begun in 1889, and was completed in January, 1891. It cost about $25,000. On November 1, 1897 (All Saints' day) the parishioners voted to change the name to St. Paul's church. Revs. W. H. Milburn and W. A. Ely conducted the services previous to Jn'y, 1868, but after that time the rectors (the period of service of each is unknown) were as follows: John A. Staun - ton, George T. Le Boutillier, Wm. L. Parker, Albert Danker, Ph. D., John F. Nichols, Charles M. Carr. W. H. Brown ( April 4, 1893 to May, 189%) and Dr. C. H. Mockridge, the present rector, who came to the church in June, 1892. St. Paul's has 150 families and 225 communi- cants.

The Church of the Redeemer, formerly known as the North Water-

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town mission of Trinity parish, was established in its original character in 1887 by Mrs. Mary B. Sterling Clark, deaconess, under the super- vision of Rev. R. A. Olin, S. T. D., rector of Trinity church. In 1896 Mrs. Frances Lord-Bennett gave the sum of $8,000 for the purpose of building a church edifice in memory of her father, Gilderoy Lord. The work was begun in September, 1896; the corner stone was laid in Oc- tober following, and the edifice was completed in April, 1897. It was consecrated October :, 1892, by Bishop Huntington.

Through the generosity of other friends the building was completely furnished. The church has about 50 communicating members. The officiating clergy and rectors have been as follows: Rev. Dr. Olin and F. P. Winne, 1887-92: A. H. Redding, 1892-93; C. E. S. Rasay, 1893- 94; George Maxwell, 1894-95; Horace B. Goodyear, 1895-97; G. E. Prerucker, 1898.

The Universalist society of Watertown was organized at the court house, April 23, 1820, by a meeting assembled on'the call of twelve citizens. Levi Butterfield, Chauncey Calhoun, Henry Caswell, Simeon Scheeles (Skeels) and Darius Doty were the first trustees. The church organization was perfected June 21, 1823, with fourteen members, and the society was legally incorporated Jan. 3, 1825, with Joseph Sheldon, R. Goodale, J. M Howell, Jonathan Baker and E. Makepeace as trus- tees. In 1825 a stone house of worship was erected at the southeast corner of the square, on the site of the first village school house, where- on stands the present edifice of the society. The old building cost about $1,000, and was dedicated Nov. 10, 1824. It was destroyed by fire Sept. 29, 1850, and was replaced in 1851-52 with the present large brick edifice, which cost $10,000. It was dedicated Nov. 4, 1852. The building was materially repaired in 1896. The parsonage, at No. 8 Winthrop street, was built during the early 'eighties, and cost $6,000. The church has a present membership of about 150 persons, and in the Sunday school are about 125 pupils and 15 teachers. The succession of pastors has been as follows:

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Our county and its people. A descriptive work on Jefferson County, New York, Part 40

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