Our county and its people. A descriptive work on Jefferson County, New York, Part 47

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 47

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443

THE TOWN OF ALEXANDRIA.

The Alexandria Bay steamboat company was organized in 188? and incorporated in 1888: capital, $30,000. The first directors were O. P. Haddock, R. H. Hall, H. F. Inglehart, Geo. L. Doane, E. W. Visger, A C. Cornwall, J. F. Walton, W. W. Butterfield, Anson Harder, Iliram Copley, C. E. Britton, O. G. Staples and B. B. Taggart. The purpose of the company was to build and maintain a line of steamers on the St. Lawrence, operating from Alexandria Bay. Two boats were put on the river and were run with a moderate degree of success for several years, but the company at last concluded to discontinue business, therefore sold their boats and in effect ceased to exist after the spring of 1897.

A brief allusion to the ecclesiastical history of the village will be found of interest. As early as 1823 a Congregational society was organized here, with Dr. Jerre Carrier, N. Goodale, A. Goddard, Will- iam Merrill and James Carnagie trustees. However, it soon ceased to exist, and not until December 22, 1835, was another formed, when the Methodists of this part of the town organized a society which has been permanent, although accompanied with many vicissitudes. The first chapel was built in 1839 at Alexandria Centre, that region being then quite thickly settled, while about the bay was hardly more than a handful of residents. The church and society at the bay is now the leading religious body of the village, numbering 110 full members and 50 probationers. The church edifice is a substantial structure, esti- mated to be worth $3, 100, and the parsonage, $2, 100. This church is under the pastorate of Rev. F. E. Arthur. The society was incorpo- rated July 16, 1878, as "The First Methodist Episcopal society of Alexandria Bay." The first trustees were Friend S. Truman, Daniel Springer, Wm. Norton, John Burdick and Samuel Miller. The house of worship was built about that time.

The Reformed church of 1000 isles, as at present organized, was in- corporated February 2, 1881, but in its history the society dates back to the summer of 1846, when Rev. George W. Bethune, a noted divine of Brooklyn, N. Y., visited the bay and found its people without a re- ligious body of any kind. Through his efforts and influence the Rev. Jerome A. Davenport came to the locality in the capacity of missionary, and also to assume charge of the Sunday school which had been formed as the result of Dr. Bethune's suggestions. In 1850 the board of mis- sions of the Reformed Protestant Dutch church assumed charge over the local mission, and in May of the next year the stone meeting house was opened for services, having been built on lands donated by the

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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

heirs of the Depau estate. Rev. Anson Dubois then took charge of the society as pastor. On August 1, 1851, a church organization was per- fected with thirteen constituent members, and at that time the name " The church of the Thousand islands " was adopted. No further change in the character of the society was made until 1881, but all through the period of its history this has been one of the strongest religious organi- zations of the town, both in members and influence. The present membership is 100; pastor, Rev. Isaac J. Van Hee, successor to Rev. George Z. Collier.

The Church of St. Lawrence (Protestant Episcopal) of Alexandria Bay, was established as a mission in 1880, and is still maintained as such, although in the year mentioned a substantial church edifice was built, at a cost of about $10,000. The parish contains 16 resident fami- lies, and is now without a rector. W. C. Browning is president of the board of trustees.

St. Joseph's church (Roman Catholic) of Alexandria Bay, was or- ganized as a mission in February, 1886. The church, known as St. Cyril's, was built in 1892-93, and was dedicated during the year last mentioned. It is still a mission, supplied from Redwood by Rev. Father McDermott.

Redwood .- In the eastern part of the town of Alexandria, on the small but never failing stream which connects Edmunds (formerly Mud) lake with Butterfield lake, is the village called Redwood, but which, had the original intention of surveyor Clark been carried out, would have been known as Jamesville. The subject of incorporation has frequently been suggested to the people but that consummation has never been attained, although both population and business interests warrant such action. The village owes its existence, at least so far as founding was concerned, and much of its later prosperity, to the start- ing of the somewhat historic glass company.

In the spring of 1833 John S. Foster visited this part of the town. where, according to reports previously made to him, there existed an excellent water power, and also a superior quality of sand suitable for the manufacture of glass. The conditions and location were acceptable to Mr. Foster; the stream connecting the lakes offered abundant water power, as was proved by the previous erection and operation of both saw and grist mills by David Smith. Foster purchased from the Depau proprietary a thousand acres of land in this vicinity, and also received from them substantial assistance in his proposed enterprise, thus being

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THE TOWN OF ALEXANDRIA.

able to build (in 1833) the glass factory which led to founding the vil- lage. Pioneer Foster had come from Redford, Clinton county, in allu- sion to which place he named this hamlet Redwood, though the previous intention had been as above stated to name it Jamesville. The first glass was made Sept. 30, 1833, and thereafter an important industry was built up, but on Jan. 2, 1834, the founder died, after which opera- tions ceased for a time, and the property reverted to the Depau propri- etary.

The business, however, soon revived, and was conducted by Schmanss & Co., Gerlach & Son, Forbes & Co. and Il S. White, all with varying success. The next proprietors were De Zeng & Co., practical glass men from the works at Clyde. N. Y., the individual members of the firm being Lawrence W. De Zeng, Abner Burlingame and Theodore linman. Soon afterward Alexander Salisbury succeeded to the Hin- man industry, and the firm thus constituted continued the business until July 1, 1853, when the Redwood glass manufacturing company assumed control. The capital of the company was $16,000, and the trustees were David Slack, Abner Burlingame, Robert N. Hoffman, Lawrence W. De Zeng. Alexander Salisbury, Hiram Gordon and Henry Campbell. In 1859 W. W. Butterfield (who, by the way, is one of the most enterprising men of the village) became interested in the company and was elected its president. Ile soon afterward acquired all the stock by purchase, therefore owned the plant, which he operated from 1863 to 1821, when it was leased to a new concern for three years. It was poorly managed, hence unsuccessful, and at the end of the term came back to Mr. Butterfield, and by him was continued until business competition made this factory unprofitable.

Thus it was that the starting of the glass factory in 1833 led to the building of this village. In the meantime, however, the place had grown to a position of some importance, could boast of two or three good stores, two hotels, a grist mill, saw mill, carding machine and cloth factory, and about 350 inhabitants. Even then the question of incorporation was suggested, but not further progressed. The popula- tion comprised Germans, Yankees and French, the former leading in point of numbers. The old Redwood iron company, incorporated in 1855, also contributed to local growth, though not an industry directly of the village. The grist mill previously mentioned was built in 1814, by Joseph Butterfield and W. W. White. The wool carding and cloth works were started in 1846. The present proprietor of the grist mill

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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

is A. A. Holmes, but the cloth and carding mills are now things of the past. Among the more prominent early merchants of the place were WV. W. Butterfield, J. Buckbee and Norton & McCollister, the latter firm from 1857 to 1866.

Redwood is one of the most pleasantly situated hamlets in the north part of the county, where the inhabitants are thrifty, progressive and forehanded. It is the trading point for all the region, and the estab- lished route of travel from the railroad to Alexandria Bay during the winter season. The road was built through the village in 1873, and the whole townspeople owe a debt of gratitude therefor to Mr. Butter- field, although the town generously bonded to the extent of $60,000 to secuire its construction. Henry S. White was another factor in this enterprise.

A union school was established in 1859, and from that time the vil- lage has maintained and generously supported one of the best non- academic institutions in this part of the county. The records of the distriet prior to 1842 were burned in an unfortunate fire, hence the names of the officiary previous to that time cannot be learned. How- ever, in September, 1897, the school advanced still another degree by forming Redwood union free (school) district from old town district No. 15 of Alexandria. The board of education comprises Dr. E. E. Eddy, William E. Courtney and Fred Rebscher.

The present mercantile and other business interests may be summarized about as follows: Nelson R. Cook, saw mill; A. A. Holmes, grist mill and coal dealer ; Cook & Smith, sash, door and blind factory and planing mill; Holmes Bros. (F. T. & W. W. Holmes), general store; Christian Ahles, general store; Geo. Pilger & Son, groceries and boots and shoes; C. A. Catlin, general store; Geo. C. Tanner, drugs and groceries; Fred Carman, grocer; Elizabeth Nichols, grocer; Ellis J. White, gen- eral hardware; Peter Bert and Jacob Quencer, undertakers and cabinet makers; Win. Courtney, general store; Jere Rexford, jeweler ; Geo. Hartman, tailor; Geo. A. Roy, meat market; T. H. Donald, insurance; Geo. Cable, Geo. Ilyle, Wm. Kimball and Lewis Bruso, blacksmiths; George Bailey, harness shop; Cosgrove & Rebscher, dealers in all farmers' produce; Anson Harder and Don A. Watson, attorneys and counsellors at law ; Robert Clink, Martin J. Hutchins, Charles A. Catlin, James E. Ryan and Elmer E. Eddy, physicians and surgeons.

The Baptist church of Redwood, originally known as the second Bap- tist church of Alexandria, was organized June 7, 1832, and was the second church of that denomination in the town, the first having been formed in the southwest part during the early years (the date being unknown) of the century, but soon dissolved. The constituent mem- bers of the Redwood society were Jarius Chaffin, Lind Pierce, Isaac and

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THE TOWN OF ALEXANDRIA.

Daniel Leonard, Alvin Maxin, Nancy Cranck, Hannah Spearbeck, Mary Ann Lake, Drusilla Murray, Cynthia Leonard and Anna George. Meetings were held in private dwellings and schools houses until 1856, when a house of worship was built at Redwood village. The first pas- tor was Elder C. Havens, The early life of this society was one of vicissitudes and struggles, but in later years it acquired a permanent growth and strength. The present members number about 60, with 100 attendants in the Sunday school. The pastor is Rev. V. G. Shaffer.

St. Francis Xavier's church ( Roman Catholic), of Redwood, had its origin in the masses said by missionary priests during the carly forties, particularly by Father Capp. The parish was soon afterward formed, and included nearly all the Catholic families north of Theresa in the county. In 1848 the church edifice was erected, the material therefor being contributed by the liberal people of the locality. Father Me- Farland first officiated in the new structure. The present priest in charge is Rev. Father MeDermott.

St. James church, Episcopal, of Redwood, was organized Ang. 12, 1850, and in August of the next year the church edifice was completed and dedicated, Bishop Delancey officiating at that ceremony. The first wardens were Daniel Slack and A. M. Harrison ; vestrymen, Rich- ard Gray, Lawrence De Zeng, Charles Clark, James Wright and Josiah Buekbee. The number of present communicants is 43. The rector is Rev. John Smiley. Wardens, W. A. Failing and C. W. Dollinger.

The Evangelical Lutheran St. Paul's church of Redwood was in- formally established in 1850, and was the outgrowth of the missionary services of that faith held in the vicinity many years previously. The church was regularly organized in 1860, and in 1881 a house of worship was built. This society includes in its congregations nearly the entire German element of this part of the town, and is therefore strong in its influence and membership, numbering about 200 persons. The pastor, Rev. Francis Rudolph Hoffman, has served in that capacity since 1884.

The First Methodist Episcopal church of Redwood was formed July 8, 1889, with ten constituent members, through the efforts of Rev. C. Phelps, and under the same efficient worker a house of worship was built in the two years following. Since that time the society has grown in members and influence though not yet in possession of suf- ficient strength to support a separate pastor. The pulpit is supplied from Plessis by Rev. J. W. Higbey.

Plessis .- The first improvement at this place was made in 1817 when

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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

Mr. Le Ray caused a grist mill to be built on the creek for the accom- modation of the scattered settlers of the vicinity. To the creek and the hamlet were given the name of Plessis, in allusion to a place of that name in France; but to the settlers the locality was more commonly known as Flat Rock, from the abundance of surface sandstone found in this part of the town. In 1818 William Merrill came and built a log house, which was afterward used as a tavern. In 1826 landlord Mer- rill was killed by John Powell, and upon conviction of the offense Powell was sentenced to fourteen years imprisonment. William Tan- ner built the first framed house in the settlement, the same being after- ward occupied as a store and dwelling. The first store was opened in 1820 by Lull & Walton; Jason Clark and William Shurtleff became owners of Le Ray grist mill, and rebuilt it in 1830. James Carter started a tannery on the village site in 1821. In the same year a Pres- byterian society was organized. In 1826 a school house was built, and in 1833 the first meeting house was erected.

Thus was Plessis established, and while almost three quarters of a century have passed since that time there has been but little growth in local interests and the only changes have been those of one genera- tion succeeding another. The village is pleasantly situated in the southeastern part of the town, in a good agricultural region. The total population does not exceed 100 inhabitants, and the business interests are those needed to supply local demand. John H. Cline is proprietor of the grist and saw mills, both of which were the old so-called Jason Clark mills, of which mention has been made. The merchants are Augsbury & Wilcox, Makepeace & Son, and F. M. Walts, all doing business in a remote country village, but in these stores can be pur- chased almost any commodity needed in any family of the town. There are also the customary shops and interests found in all such hamlets. The hotel is called the Central house, and is kept by Patrick Bailey. The village also has a good district school, and two churches. The Presby- terian church was one of the pioneer institutions of the town, and was organized August 11, 1821, by Rev. Nathaniel Dutton, the old mission- ary worker and pioneer of Champion. The original members were Aaron Goddard, James Carnegie, Lydia and Elizabeth Carnegie, Cynthia Merrill, Polly Young and Sally Hoadley. The first elders were David J. Weeks and Aaron Goddard. The first pastor was Rev. William B. Stowe. The early meetings were held in private dwellings until the union meeting house was completed in 1833, and in the latter

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until 1861, when an attractive church edifice was erected by the society. It was dedicated in 1862, and was regarded as one of the finest country churches in the county. The organization has ever been maintained although the membership in more recent years has so materially de- elined that a resident pastor is not regularly supported. The Metho- dist Episcopal church at the village is of more recent formation, al- though a class has been in existence in this part of the town for at least twenty-five years. From this the society has grown, drawing a part of its membership from the other church. Plessis forms a joint charge with Redwood, both churches having 140 full members and 8 proba- tioners. The pastor is Rev. J. W. Higbey.

Wells' Island is in many respects one of the most interesting districts within the jurisdiction of the town, and around it cluster many historic memories. Although the lands of the island were not patented until 1823 settlement there was begun in 1807 by Claudius Duclon, a French- man, and of course a squatter, and about the same time, and thereafter continuing several years the splendid timber tracts suffered from the depredations of the lumber thieves who infested the region. There was some other straggling settlement on the island previous to the issue of the patents but the greatest acquisition in the way of population was between the years 1835 and 1850. The island contains 8, 068 acres of land, and as good land for general agricultural purposes as can be found in the county, but nearly two-thirds of the territory is in the adjoining town of Orleans. In 1850 the inhabitants numbered 334, of whom 233 were in Orleans and 101 in this town. This population comprised Ger- mans, French and Yankees, all of whom were devoted to the peaceful arts of agriculture until the region became famous as a summer resort, when the special production of sheep, lambs, poultry, eggs, butter, milk and vegetables became a staple industry and a source of profit to all engaged in it. This indeed has been a profitable employment for the farmers on the island, and with the products of their labor more' than six hundred summer visitors are fed throughout the season. (1 the upper extremity of the island is the splendid Thousand Island park and its appurtenances, while at the lower end is Westminster park, less perhaps in extent but nevertheless of great importance during the out- ing season.

The Westminster Park association of the Thousand islands was in- formally organized in 18:5, and articles of association filed on January 3, 1876. The incorporators were Andrew Cornwall, Rosell C. Collis, 57

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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

George Gilbert, John D. Ellis and Norris Winslow. The capital was $50,000, and the purpose of the association was to purchase, lay out, divide and improve lands on Wells' island; to erect buildings thereon and to sell and lease lots. The trustees for the first year were the in- corporators above named, and also Seth G. Pope, Wm. H. Kimball, Timothy Hough and Wm. S. Taylor. However, the association soon afterward deemed it prudent to reincorporate, and accordingly on Aug. 29, 1882, filed new articles, showing a capital of $30,000, and Andrew Cornwall, Rosell C. Collis, George Gilbert, John D. Huntington, Solon D. Hungerford and Patrick H. Agan as incorporators. The trustees named in the articles were the incorporators and S. B. Van Duzee, Lewis Lawrence and Philemon H. Fowler.

The association then purchased 512 acres of land on the island, in- cluding Picnic island adjoining, from Andrew Cornwall, but afterward sold to Cornwall Brothers 300 acres of the tract. Here in 1878 and 1819, the noted Westminister park was laid out and improved in the ereetion of a large hotel and other necessary buildings. The hotel was leased and the sale of lots was begun. As is well understood, the asso- ciation is a Presbyterian organization, and has maintained that charac- ter since its formation. In 1888, having a desire to enlarge the corpo- rate powers of the association, and to avail themselves of the amended laws then recently passed by the legislature, another reincorporation was decided upon, which was carried into effect January 22d of that year. The first trustees were Andrew Cornwall, Rosell C. Collins, George Gilbert, John D. Huntington, Solon D. Hungerford, S. B. Van Duzee, Patrick H. Agan, Lewis Lawrence and Philemon H. Fow- ler. Under this reorganization still greater improvements were made to the park property, and from that time to the present the association has enjoyed a healthful existence. Island Mary, commonly called Picnic Island, is association property and has been laid out in a delight- ful park for small parties of pleasure seekers. In 1897 the association sold to the state twelve and one-half acres for the purposes of the re- cently authorized international park. H. F. Inglehart & Son have been lessees of the hotel at the park for the last thirteen years.

Central Park association was incorporated March 28, 1881, with $25, - 000 capital, by R. H. Hall, Pardon C. Williams, William G. Williams, J. F. Moffett and C. A. Holden. The association purchased from Mr. Grinnell 55 acres of mainland on the shores of the St. Lawrence, in the town of Alexandria. The tract is beautifully situated, and in many

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THE TOWN OF ALEXANDRIA.

respeets resembles an island, being almost surrounded with water. The improvements made by the association were the survey and gen- eral laying out of the park tract and the ereetion of the large hotel - the Central Park House. The tract has an abundant supply of good water. About a dozen cottages have been built, all of them handsome buildings. Lots are leased for 99 years. The present officers of the association are Sidney Cooper, president ; O. G. Staples, vice-president ; Joseph Atwell, secretary; Smith T. Woolworth, treasurer. The officers above mentioned, with Richard Marey and Byron B. Taggart, comprise the board of trustees.

Edgewood Park association was incorporated Aug. 27, 1886, for the purpose of erecting and managing a "summer home" at Edgewood Park, in the town of Alexandria. The capital was $50,000. and the incorporaters were J. M. Curtiss, J. S. Hartzell, William M. Thomson, John I. Cornwall and Elisha W. Visger. The life of the association was short; its affairs were closed, and the property was sold to I. P Lamson of Cleveland, Ohio. .

The Thousand Island club is the most recent venture in this vast summer pleasure field, and was formed in 1897. A beautiful club house was built on Welcome island, just above Alexandria Bay, and was opened to the public in June of the year mentioned.

Supervisors.1-John D. Davilson, 1829-32; Jason Clark, 1833-35; John D. David- son, 1836; Jason Clark, 1837; John W. Fuller, 1938; Michael Lewis, 1839-40. Alex. Salisbury, 1841; Jason Clark, at a special meeting, May, 1811; Jason Clark, 18.12; Harvey D. Parker, 1813-19; George W. Clark, 1850; Moses C. Jewett, 1851; Harvey D. Parker, 1852; Andrew Cornwall, 1853-54; Jason Clark, 1855-57; W. W. Butterfield, 1558; Jason Clark, 1859; Andrew Cornwall, 1860; W. W. Butter- field, 1861; Andrew Cornwall. 1862-65; W. W. Butterfield, 1866; Ebenezer Campbell, 1867: Joseph E. McAllister, 1868, Ebenezer Campbell, 1869, William M. Thompson, 1870 72; Newton Rand, 1873-74; Alfred A. Holmes, 1875-27; R. Gurnee, 1878 80: A. C. Cornwall, 1881-83; T. B. Marshall, 1984; A. Bieklehaupt, 1885-87; A. C. Corn- wall, 1888; Fred. T. Holmes, 1889-93, William H. Thomson, 1891 97; Adam Bick- lehaupt, 1898 99.

1 The town records, previous to 18M, are lost.

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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

CHAPTER XXIII.

THE TOWN OF ANTWERP.

On April 5, 1810, an act of the legislature divided the town of Le Ray, and taking therefrom 61,018 acres off the east side, created a new town by the name of Antwerp; so called in allusion to the Antwerp company of capitalists, who at one time owned a greater part of great lot No 4, of the Macomb purchase. As the story is told in an earlier chapter, Constable, the agent of Macomb, sold in London to Charles Michael De Wolf, of the city of Antwerp, tract No 4, for 300,000 florins (equal to $125,356). This was done April 12, 1793, and in June following, De Wolf sold the tract to the Antwerp company for 680,000 florins. Governeur Morris was the first agent of the company in Amer- ica, and to him in that trust capacity a deed was executed by Constable, on behalf of the company, carrying title to 220,000 acres of the tract, and including the present town of Antwerp. On Dec. 23, 1804, Morris, the agent, sold to Lewis R. Morris 49, 280 acres of land within the bounds of the town, and the latter subsequently sold to Silvius Hoard 41 lots in the west part, adjoining Theresa. This was afterward known as the Cooper tract, in allusion to the interest acquired therein in 1812 by Abra- ham Cooper, of Trenton, N. J. The remaining lands of the town, ex- cepting three ranges of lots on the southeast side, were sold in 1808 by Morris to David Parish. This tract contained 29,033 acres and was set- tled under agents of the Parish estate. Parish was an influential and wealthy banker of Hamburg, and by various purchases became pos- sessed of vast tracts of land in northern New York. His first agent to sell and settle the lands was John Jenison, succeeded by Silvius Hoard, 1 and the latter, in 1824, by William McAllaster.

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Our county and its people. A descriptive work on Jefferson County, New York, Part 47

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