Our county and its people. A descriptive work on Jefferson County, New York, Part 44

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 44

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Daniel Hardy opened a hotel previous to 1810. Brooks Harrington was the second landlord, and in 1828 built the brick hotel on the Hen - derson side. Jesse Smith built the large stone store building in 1831. Later store keepers were Robert MeGregor, Dudley & Burr, John

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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

Bishop, Bliss & Gibbs, Abram Cramer, George Babbitt, Thomas Angel. Il. Knapp, A. Schuyler, A. P. Hall and perhaps others whose names are now forgotten. The post-office was established previous to 1818, Brooks Harrington being the first postmaster. Dr. E. Adams was the first physician, and settled here about 1825. A school house was built in 1823 or 1824 at the joint expense of the district and the religious societies whose members lived in the locality. The building was used both as a school and church until 1845, when the new school house was erected.

The Smithville library was another of the once important local insti- tutions, and was formed Feb. 16, 1824, with Abel L. Crandall, Henry Keith, Daniel HIall, John M. Bart, C. M. Adams, Roswell Bosworth and Brooks Harrington as trustees. A good collection of books was secured and the library was a useful institution of the village until 1845, when it was dissolved.

The Congregational society of Smithville was formed Sept. 16, 1823, by the withdrawal of members from the North Adams church. The new society united with the Baptist members, and with the school dis- triet trustees, and erected a combined school aud meeting house as above stated. This church, however, was not of long duration, some of its members afterward uniting with the Presbyterian church of Hen- derson, while others united with the Baptist church.

The First Baptist church of Smithville was formed Sept. 23, 1823, with Henry Keith, Austin Robbins and Ebenezer Sumner as trustecs. In the same year, with the Congregationalists and school district, the society built the stone church edifice at Smithville, at a cost of about $3,000. It stands on the Henderson side of the line.' This society has survived to the present time and has a present membership of ff per- sons, and a sunday school of 70 pupils. The present pastor is the Rev. 1. Foster Wilcox.

The First Methodist Episcopal church of Smithville was organized Oct. 31, 1844, with Horace Ivory, John Shanley, John G. Gillett, James Morton and John Bailey as trustees. The society secured the old stone school house and occupied it as a place of meeting. After eight or ten years the organization was dissolved.

As now situated Smithville is a pretty village of about 200 inhab- itants, located on Stony creek. In the present history of either Adams

1 In 1828 the Baptist society became owners of the house of worship, and in that year made extensive repairs, at a cost of $2,600. It was then dedicated as a Baptist church.

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THE TOWN OF ADAMS.

or Henderson, it occupies a position of no special prominence, yet is a convenient trading center in the heart of a rich agricultural region. It has a good district school, a large church and several mercantile and manufacturing industries, which may be mentioned about as follows: Frank Ives, general store; Leonard Hill, grist mill; W. S. Rice, truss factory; F. K. Hallett, furniture factory; Chas. Benjamin, saw mill; Timothy Roberts, hotel keeper. The local postmaster is D. B. York.

Adams Centre .- This pretty little village of between 100 and 500 in- habitants is pleasantly located on what is commonly known as the upper lake ridge, which here forms a plain. It is a little east of the geograph- ical center of the town, in the midst of the most fertile agricultural districts of the county, where all the elements of nature seem to have combined to make easy the life and work of the husbandman. These conditions have been accepted, for all along the north and south thoroughfare of the town, on which the village is chiefly built up, are seen fine and well cultivated farms, and evidences of thrift and plenty prevail on every hand. Notwithstanding all this, settlement in this part of the town was not begun until about 1816. The region was slow in development, and did not really begin to make history until several years after the pioneers in other localities had opened their farms.

This locality was originally covered with a heavy growth of cedar and hard wood timber, and clearings were made with much difficulty. This condition of things confronted Luman and Hiram Arms when, in 1816, they opened a farm just north of the village site, and also opposed the way of pioneer Priest, who about the same time made a beginning where the village stands; but Priest soon left the place, having sold his improve- ment to Luman Arms, and the latter was in fact the founder of the set- tlement. Just south of him one R. Warriner settled and opened a tavern as early 1810. He kept a public house until 1827, when Luman Arms built a large two-story house and opened "Arms' Inn." The old structure was maintained with various changes and became the 'Talcott house of later years.

In laying out roads in the town several thoroughfares centered at this place, from which the locality became known as the Five Corners, but soon afterward Adams Centre became the generally accepted name, and was so definitely fixed when the post-office was established here about 1828. In 1822 Hiram Arms built a wagon shop, and he and his brother made wagons here for more than forty years. Julius Palmer and Pliny Wright afterward engaged in the same business, and the

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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

fame of Adams Centre wagons spread all through the Black river country. One Wellman, whose first name is lost, opened a blacksmith shop in 1823. In 1830 Jonathan Davis started a store, and was after- ward for many years in trade here. Later merchants were O. R. Davis, WV. D. Arms, Calvin Greene, Joseph Dewey, and Joseph Davis. Greene began trading in 1835. The Union block, built of brick, was erected in 1860 by llull & Whitford, who were also in trade at that time. The upper floor of their building was arranged for public assemblages. The first village physician was Dr. John T. Diekson, who was followed in later years by A. P. Hale (an eclectic), E. R. Maxon (1846), Wm. C. Bailey (1855), E. D. Potter (about the same time), Dr. Wilder and C. F. Wright, all a quarter of a century or more ago.

The village did not gain a position of any importance until about 1852, or following the completion of the railroad. The absence of de- sirable water power prevented its building up as a manufacturing cen. ter, yet in times past several industries have been established, and some still have here a seat of operations. The Adams Centre sash and blind factory was started by O. De Grasse Greene in 1868, and is still the chief industry of the place. The buildings were burned about 1891 or '92, but were at once replaced. The handy package dye factory was started by Dr. Potter in 1874, and at one time did a flourishing busi- ness. It is no longer known among local enterprises. The other and present industries are the Ingraham feed mill; the Edmunds axe helve works; the Parkham steam saw and shingle mill, and the Maxon feed mill. Not all of these are within the village proper but are to be counted among local industries. The village mercantile interests are represented by the general stores of G. B. Grimshaw, A. G. Glass, Bunce & Dean, and J. C. Heath's dry goods store; A. L. Wiswell's variety store; Dr. F. C. Bailey's and M. D. Titsworth's drug stores; Prior & Spencer's harness shop; two blacksmith shops and two hotels (Centre house and Exchange hotel).

The Adams Centre Union school, one of the most complete and thorough institutions of its kind in any unincorporated village in the county, was established in its present character in 1876, but was the outgrowth of the little old plank school house which was built at the forks of the road away back in 1823 by Luman and Hiram Arms, R. Warriner and Major Earl. In 1829 a stone school building was erected and occupied until 1857, when the large frame school house was built. In 18:6 the old district system gave way to the union free school, and

TO'AC LI. . .

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THE TOWN OF ADAMS.

from that time Adams Centre has maintained the best pubhe school in the town. The first board of education comprised C. D. Potter, J. A. D. Snell, J. J. Witter, E. C. Crosby, T. Williams, W. Fuller, A. J. Greene and J. Q. Arms. The present board comprises Rev. J. O. Perkins, prest .; W. P. Greene, treas .; D. C. Read, seey., and E. C. Maxon, A. G. Glass, W. HI. Melntyre, W. D. Snell, E. M. Hammond and O. D. Greene, jr. Principal, V. C. Warriner.

The church and religious history of the village is also interesting. Indeed, the inhabitants of the Centre and its surrounding region have long been known as a decidedly church-going people, and the societies have been noted for their numerical strength.

The Seventh- Day Baptist church dates back in its history to 1817, when several families of that faith settled in the vicinity of the Centre, although not until June 9, 1822, was the church organized. The first members were Rev. William, Charles, Joseph, Ethan, Russell, Merey, Amy, Amanda, Betsey, Cynthia, Clarissa, Martha and Mercy (2d) Greene, Jared Potter, James Main, Elisha Crosby, Selah Burdick, Ros- well Saunders, Olive Sweet, Mary Saunders and Sarah Crosby. William Greene was the first pastor, and Jared Potter the first deacon. Regu- lar preaching was maintained in the school house at Greene settlement for fifteen years, and until 1832, when the meeting house at the Centre was erected. The structure was raised and enlarged in 1868, and had a seating capacity for 400 persons. The church has ever enjoyed a healthful existence, and at one time numbered 300 members. The present number is somewhat less, yet the congregations are large and all the influences for good are kept alive as in years past. The present pastor of the church is Rev. A. B. Prentice.

The Adams Centre Baptist church was organized Dec. 17, 1852, when about 50 members of the mother church at Adams village withdrew to form a new society at the Centre. The deacons were Abram Sheldon, J. W. Ilorton and L. Allen. The house of worship was completed in 1853, and cost $6,000. It was dedicated January 12, 1854. The edifice was thoroughly repaired in 1877, and is one of the finest church struc- tures in the entire town. Its members number about 230 persons, thus being one of the largest churches in Adams. The Sunday school has about 200 pupils. The present pastor, J. O. Perkins, Ph. D., was set- tled in 1894.

The Seventh. Day Advent society at Adams Centre was formed in 1863, with seventeen constituent members. A small house of worship

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was soon afterward erected in the south part of the village. The mem- bership is small, numbering about 35 persons. The society is without a pastor, Mr. Whitford being the present reader.

The Village of Adams .- In 1800 David Smith made the first settle- ment and improvement on the site whereon now stands this village. In the same year the worthy pioneer built a saw mill on Sandy creek, and notwithstanding every effort on his part he could not manufacture Inmiber as rapidly as the settlers required, hence they were content to use slabs in erecting their first habitations. From this the settlement became known as " Siab City," but when Inmber became more plenty the rude cabins disappeared and comfortable frame and plank houses replaced them. Then the place took the more appropriate name of Smith's Mills, and was so called until after the post office was estab- lished.

In 180% the town meeting voted "that cattle shall not run at large within half a mile of Smith's Mills between the 1st day of December and the 15th day of March." This simple resolution of the inhabitants assembled in town meeting was an evidence of the thrift and cleanli- ness which have characterized Adams in all subsequent years. In making their beginning the settlers were of necessity compelled to use both logs and slabs in erecting dwellings and other buildings, but just as soon as the mill could supply the lumber, the native love of order on the part of the people asserted itself, and from that day to the pres- ent time Adams has been known as the most attractive and desirable residence village in all Jefferson county. In 1802 pioneer Smith erected a small grist mill, and thus furnished another much needed industry to the people, for previous to that time they were obliged to go to the Coffeen mill in Rutland (at Felt's Mills) for their grist. The old mill stood until 1822, and was then replaced with the "Adams mills, " the latter one of the most substantially constructed buildings in the region, and one which has ever stood the wear of time and the elements. It was built by Willard Smith, son of the pioneer. The property has since passed through many ownerships, and is now operated by E. J. Seeber & Co. In 1808 Seth Gaylord came to the settlement, and soon afterward erected a small tannery on the creek. He was followed in the same industry by Wm. Doxtater. The latter was discontinned in 1832, and a shoe store was built on its former site.

In 1814 David Wright purchased a mill site about fifty rods above the Smith mills, and there he erected a saw mill and also a carding and

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THE TOWN OF ADAMS.

fulling mill. He carried on business until 1822, when the buildings were swept away by one of the spring floods for which Sandy creek has ever been noted. The mills were afterward rebuilt by William and - Herman Grinnell, but still later the carding mill was converted into a woolen cloth factory by Willet R. Willis. The first bridge over the creek at this point was built in 1848. The once well-known Jefferson tannery was built in 1831 by Wright, Grinnell & Co., on the site where formerly stood an old distillery which was erected and operated by Hale, Hart & Williams; but when the latter was built is not now known. In 1847 J. S. Lewis became proprietor of the tannery and for many years did an extensive business. In 1850 John F. Weaver built a tannery in the lower part of the village, and operated it for a number of years, but all the industries of this class have now passed out of ex- istence. Another of the pioneer enterprises of the village was the cabinet and furniture factory established in 1817 by Samuel Bond and Perley D. Stone, by whom the business was carried on forty-four years, when they were succeeded by Overton Brothers. There were also pot and pearl asheries and distilleries among the early interests of the place, with which at one time or another Elihn Morton, and also Hale, Hart & Williams were connected; but just when these lesser interests were begun or when they passed out of existence is now difficult to deter- mine. However, all added to the growth and business importance of the village during its early history, and as elements which contributed to later progress and development, are worthy of at least a passing mention in this chapter.

The first village merchant was Jesse Hale, who came from Oneida county in 1804 and brought a small stock of goods. For two years he was the only merchant in the place. He died in 1808, and his son Erastus succeeded to the business. Hale & Hart opened a store in 1806 and continued until 1809, when the firm became Hale, Hart & Williams, merchants and distillers. During the war of 1812 this firm furnished large quantities of supplies for the army at Sackets Harbor, and were among the most extensive dealers in the county. The firm was dissolved in 1815, and Mr. Hart moved the stock to a new building on the north side of the creek, the old store having been on the south side. lle retired from business in 1811, but in a few years sold out to M. V. V. Rosa. The latter was in trade more than thirty years, and retired from busi- ness and removed to Watertown, possessed of a comfortable fortune. John 11. Whipple was a merchant from 1820 to 1859, and Frederick

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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

Harter was also in trade from about 1820 to 1840. William Doxtater & Son began about the same time and were known in trade circles until 1848, when they retired. Whipple, Eddy & Johnson began soon after 1840, and S. N. Bond in 1845. Among the other leading old firms who carried on business in the village were Bond & Co., Angel & Chittenden, H. Miller, Stearns & Carter, Salisbury & Bond and Waite & Co. In 1860 A. P. Redway opened a book store, and in 1862 was succeeded by D). A. Dwight. In 1863 the old firm of Dwight & Eddy (Justus Eddy) was formed. Still later village merchants were Arms & Hungerford, D. E. Taylor, Lovelee & Kilby, E. B. Cooper, E. S. Salisbury, Thompson & Little, John Waite & Son, Withington & Kneeland, Fox & Ingraham, Lyman Buckley. J. O. Brown, J. E. Cook, Ripley & Son, Chandler & Lampson, B. F. Thayer and others down to a time well within the memory of young men. Thus it is seen that as years passed and the population increased, so, correspondingly, did enterprising business men establish themselves in trade; but of all who have been mentioned few indeed now remain, and many of the old familiar signs of a quarter of a century and more ago have disappeared, and have been replaced with others representing a new generation of business proprietors.

The pioneer landlord was Abel Hart, who about 1803 opened an inn on the site of the afterward known Huson house. Four hotels were built on this site, at the corner of Main and Railroad streets, and during their long years of occupancy probably four times four landlords have greeted the arrival of the wearied traveler. The present building was erected by Mr. Whitney in 1867, and under its present owner (G. L. Gardner) has taken the name Hotel Gardner. The Continental Inn stands on the rear of the site of the Cooper house, which was built in 1867, and was burned Aug. 28, 1884. Among the other local institu- tions which had an existence previous to the incorporation of the village, was the institute, the history of which is reserved for a later page, for it survives to the present time.

Incorporation .- As early as 1823 an effort was made to secure an act of incorporation for Adams village, but for some reason the attempt was not successful. The petition for the act bore the names of Elihu Morton, David Smith, Benjamin Wright and John Burch. So far as any previous record shows, no further attempt was made in the same direction until November 11, 1851, when the village was incorporated '

! On Dec. 5, 1844, the village was incorporated under the general act of 15.0.

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THE TOWN OF ADAMS.

under the provisions of the general statutes relating to municipal cor- porations. The original plat contained $12 acres of land, and has not been materially changed.

The first regular election of village officers was held in March, 1852, and resulted as follows: Jeremiah Griswold, J. H. Whipple, C. Skinner, C R. Totman and W. Benton, trustees; Wm. Merriam, Samuel Harmon and Samuel Greene, assessors; Mason Curtis, clerk ; Nelson Greene, collector ; Spencer Woodward, treasurer; Alonzo Maxon, Seelye Hungerford and Perley D. Stone, fire wardens; Samuel B. Bliss, poundmaster.

On May 22, 1852, the village was divided into five wards, and by- laws and regulations were adopted. These laws have been subsequently revised as the growth and interests of the village seemed to demand. The territory was also divided into three fire wards, or districts, and an appropriation of $650 was voted to purchase a fire engine. With this money the trustees purchased a "Button engine, " and in 1853 Tempest fire company of 44 men was duly formed. This organization has since been maintained, although few indeed of its old members still survive.

The Adams fire department, however, had its origin in a company formed in the village as early as 1836. A subscription fund was raised and a small crank engine was purchased. Previous to this time there had been few serious fires in the village, but in later years, particu- larly in 1860 and 1866, several valuable buildings and much property were destroyed. On Dec. 15, 1860, a fire burned Saunders & Holman's machine shop, the Carter and Skinner blocks, Rosa's store and Dox- tater's corner store. The conflagration of April, 1866, destroyed nearly all the business buildings on the east side of Main street, including the Whipple block and the Whitney house. These disasters occasioned great temporary loss, but in the end had a rejuvenating and purifying effect, for fine buildings replaced those of former years, and by the im- proved character of its business places Adams soon gained the enviable prominence of being the cleanest and most attractive village in the county. This reputation it has since easily maintained.

The Adams Water Works was organized as a stock company in 1885, by the constructing firm of Moffett, Hodgkins & Clark. The works were located on the north side of Spring street, and on the top of Dox- tater hill was erected a stand pipe 400 feet high and 15 feet in diameter. Water is taken from springs on the south side of the creek, and is pumped to the tower. It is then distributed throughout the village streets by gravity pressure. In the fall of 189; the company met with

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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

financial disaster, the property and franchise were sold under order of the court, and were purchased by F. H. C. Reynolds, of Boston. The local superintendent of the water works is Isaac W. Payne, who has served in that capacity since the system was constructed.

The educational system of the village also has an interesting history, and dates back to the year 1802, when the first school was opened at Smith's Mills, as then known. A short time afterward (the exact year being unknown) a frame school house was built, and was occupied sev- eral years as a district school, but was finally turned into a furniture fac- tory. After the Jefferson county bank was removed to Watertown, the building was occupied as a select school by M. C. Manning, who after- ward became a distinguished Baptist clergyman. Later on Jason Marsh taught the school, and here many of the now old business men of the village and town acquired their education. The Adams seminary was also a noted institution, and was established in 1832, chiefly through the efforts of Judge Thomas C. Chittenden. The academy was erected jointly by individual enterprise and the Universalist society, with the understanding that the latter should hold Sunday services in the build- ing. It was originally a female school, and was placed in charge of Miss Frances Willard, who came to Adams from Troy for that purpose. She conducted the school successfully for several years, but when the institution was opened to both sexes Ira Mayhew became principal. Still later instructors here were Foster Montgomery, Prof. Stephens and others, but finally the institution declined and eventually resolved into a private school, and was so occupied until about 1848 or '50.

In 1846 the public school of the village was erected on a lot east of the institute building, at a cost of $4,000. This is still a district graded school, and has never taken the character of a free or academic school by reason of the presence of the institute. It is nevertheless a good school, and is under charge of Miss Mary Salisbury, with five assistants. The trustees are George W. Williams, William H. Nichelson and W. H. Legg.

The Adams Collegiate Institute, as originally and now known, but otherwise as the " Hungerford Collegiate Institute," was incorporated by the regents, April 22, 1855, and was the ultimate success of several endeavors to establish a permanent school for higher education in the village. The preliminary organization had been completed, but nothing further was done previous to 1859, when Gen. Solon D. Hungerford placed in the hands of Justus Eddy a proposition whereby he offered to

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deed to a board of trustees the Sidney J. Mendell hotel property,' with the single reservation that in case the trustees should sell the same, the avails should be used to ereet another building for an academy within one mile of the Hungerford residence. At a public meeting held Nov. 30, 1863, the offer was accepted, and a committee was appointed to raise a fund to equip and open the school. For this purpose the sum of $10,568 was subseribed, and at a public meeting held March 4, 1864, it was resolved to apply to the regents for a charter under the name of Hungerford Collegiate Institute; which, accordingly, was accomplished.

The first trustees were Joseph Mullin, E. R. Mason, George Frasier, Asa M. Whit- ford, William M. Johnson, Solon D. Hungerford, B. Randall, W. A. Gilbert, George Cooper, Justus Eddy, George W. Bond, Philander Smith, J. N. Hobart, G. W. Mackie, F. F. Jewell, Rufus P. White, A. J Brown, T. P. Saunders, HI. F. Overton, Samuel llarmon, E. S. Salisbury and A. W. Ingraham.

'The institute was opened an began its career under the most gratify- ing conditions, but on Jan. 19, 1858, the building was burned to the ground. Five days later the trustees met and decided to at once rebuild, but as a change in location was suggested General Hungerford gener- ously paid for the proposed new site, whereon the institute now stands. He also gave $7,000 toward the construction of the new build- ing, which was duly completed and dedicated Aug. 24, 1870. It then was, and still is, one of the largest and most attractive educational structures in the county, being four stories high and 97 x 120 feet on the ground.

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Our county and its people. A descriptive work on Jefferson County, New York, Part 44

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