Our county and its people. A descriptive work on Jefferson County, New York, Part 85

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 85

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).

In 1845, four years after the town was created, the number of in- habitants within its boundaries was 2,109, showing it to have been,

815

THE TOWN OF THERESA.

with two exceptions, the largest town in the county at the time of erec- tion. In 1850 the number had increased to 2, 310.

The subsequent changes in population are best shown by the census tables, viz. ; 1855, 2,278; 1860, 2, 628; 1865, 2,515; 1870, 2,364; 1875, 2,360; 1880, 2,389; 1890, 2,391; 1892, 2,342.

The bounds of Theresa have not been changed since the town was created, therefore these figures may be regarded as a fair index of growth and development. It is seen that the greatest population was attained in 1860, and that the subsequent decrease is inconsiderable when compared with the majority of towns similarly situated. Indeed, Theresa has always been regarded as one of the substantial towns, rich in agricultural productions, stable in all its interests and institutions, and peopled with as progressive and liberal a class of inhabitants as the county can show. Situated somewhat remote from the shire town, the people have learned to depend on their own efforts and home industries for support, and therefore have been thoroughly democratie in domes- tie life and economy. The same patriotic spirit impelled the business men of Theresa village and vicinity to build the little steamboat " In- dian Chief " and launch it on the river below the falls, in April, 1858. At that time no railroad was in operation through the town, and this undertaking furnished a partial means of transportation to the St. Law- renee and of better market for the productions of the region. The boat run on the river about five years, and was then sold. The second boat was purchased about 1860, by Wm. D. Chapman, and after run- ning a few years as an excursion boat was sold and taken to Alexandria Bay. The third steamer was the little " Lady of the Lake," built at Theresa by Mr. Chapman and run on the river until sold to St. Law- rence river navigators. Then followed the "Sir John Keach," also built by Mr. Chapman, and still later the " Eldorado," built at the ex- pense of counsellor David Bearup, of Theresa. She was the largest of the five boats run on the Indian river by local owners. In 1876 this boat was sold to James McAllister. None of these investments were profitable to the owner, but their operation attests the public spirited- ness of Theresa's people. Dr. James Kelsey's pleasure yacht was the most recent boating enterprise on the river at this point.

Previous to 1812 Theresa had no railroad communication with the outside world nearer than Philadelphia, about eight miles distant. The need of such a means of traffic had long been felt, but the conditions for the consummation were not developed until 1820, when the Black

816

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

river and Morristown railway company was organized, the articles of incorporation being filed with the secretary of state March 22, 1870. In this enterprise all Theresa was interested, particularly the residents and business men of the village, among whom may be mentioned the names of David Bearup, Franklin Barker, George E. Yost, Dr. Lucius Hannahs, Ambrose Walradt, John F. Lambie, Percival D. Bullard, B. Palmer Cheeseman, and others. Mr. Bearup was elected president of the company and has served in that capacity to the present time. The road was completed to Theresa village in December, 1822, and in the course of the next two years was substantially completed. In 1873 the Clayton and Theresa railroad was built, and in this enterprise the busi- ness men of the town were also active participants. Both companies, while maintaining separate organizations, were merged in the R. W. & (. system, and in 1891 were leased to the management of the Central- Hudson system.

In the history of the town there has been but little attempt at man11- facture, except as has been noted in preceding paragraphs. The town is almost wholly an agricultural region, and butter and cheese have been the staples not directly the product of the soil. Cheese making has been for many years an established industry and the source of much revenue to those engaged in it. At the present time there are at least half a dozen limburger factories in operation, yet this commodity is made in such manner that it attracts no attention, requires little cap- ital, and no special building for its production. The manufacture of English or Yankee cheese has been carried on in the town for more than twenty years, and there are now in operation four good factories known and distinguished as follows: The Brooklyn factory, located in Theresa village, owned by 1. C. Cooper; the Cooper home factory, and the Still's corners factory, both managed by Mr. Cooper; also one on the J. P. Douglass farm, known as Patron's factory.

One of the early and for a time substantial industries of the town was the old Redwood iron company and works, located on the west side of Mill-site lake. It was started in 1847 by William Bones, Joseph C. Budd and Samuel T. Hooker, who built a smelting furnace and pro- duced pig iron from ores mined in the vicinity. The business was con- tinued for several years with varying success, but was stopped chiefly for want of profit. On July 16, 1855, the Redwood iron company was incorporated, with a capital of $10,000, for the purpose of "opening mines, raising iron ore, manufacturing pig iron and castings of all de-

817

THE TOWN OF THERESA.

scriptions, also bar and hoop iron and nails," as set forth in the articles of association. The incorporators were Gustavns M. Spencer, Albert G. White, Robert Bostwick, Horan Langdon, Isaac N. Conklin and Nathan W. Merwin. This company was composed chiefly of foreign capitalists, and its business after a time shared the fate of its predecessor.

Theresa Village .- In 1818, when Musgrove Evans surveyed and laid out for the proprietor a thousand-acre tract of land around the high falls on Indian river, it was the intention of Mr. Le Ray to found a village, although more than half a century passed before it was sep- arated from the town for municipal purposes. In a preceding para- graph is noted the early industries which were started from time to time on the village site, but manufactures spring up in all localities where water power is found and without special reference to locality. At least such was the case in the early history of Theresa and other towns in the county. The surest index of hamlet and village character was the tavern and country store at the established crossroads.

Ebenezer Lull was the pioneer merchant of the settlement, and bc- gan business at the clearing in 1820. Alexander Salisbury, afterward prominent in local affairs, was his clerk. Lull was also partner with Azariah Walton in the lumber business, and carried on an extensive trade on the river. In 1825 Olney Pierce, acting for Anson Ranney, bought Lull's store and succeeded him in mercantile business. In 1832 Ranney built the stone building at the corner of Commercial and Main streets, where he was in business many years, having as partners Per- cival D), Bullard and later Silas L. George. About 1830 John J. Gil- bert began trading in a brick building at the south end of the lower bridge. Later occupants of the store were De Grasse Salisbury, Benj. L. Smith, A. Salisbury, Mr. Morseman and John S. Casler, the latter changing the building to a dwelling and currier shop. Another mer- chant of about the same period was John Gibbs. Salisbury & Thomp- son began business about 1832, and were followed by Salisbury, Thomp- son, Ashley & Davison, one of the strongest of the early firms of the village. The Exchange block was built in 1845, comprising four brick stores, and was one of the most pretentious structures of the village. Among its first occupants were P. D. Bullard, William D. Chapman, Franklin Parker (with a stock of " East and West India " goods), and Baker & Salisbury. A brick block was built on the west side of Com- mercial street in 1847, also including four stores, and was owned by William Townsend, Thomas Gale, Miles Myers and A. N. Brittan.

103

818

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

The first hotel in the village was that built on the site of the Getman house in 1819, owned by Mr. Le Ray, but which was burned in 1820. A colored servant was burned to death in the building. In 1824 Gen. Fisher erected a new hotel on the site, the famous " Brick tavern," which he kept for many years. Later landlords were Marcius B. Ash- ley, S. Wilson, J. Davis, J. F. Smith, W. E. Bennett, C. C. Chadwick, B. N. Hanson, Noah Perkins, Niles Terrill, Elias Getman, and after- ward Getman Bros., the present proprietors. In 1800 the old house was destroyed by fire, and was at once replaced with the present hotel, one of the best appointed and managed country hotels in northern New York. The erection of the American house was begun in 1822, soon after the Le Ray tavern was burned, but was not fully completed until several years afterward. It was used for various purposes until 1842, then remodeled and opened to the public, and has since been occupied and managed by many landlords.

The first post-office in the town was established at Theresa village in 1822; Ebenezer Lull, postmaster. The village was then a station on the post and stage route leading from Champion to Alexandria Bay, by the way of Evans' Mills. In the southwest part of the town a post sta- tion called Military Road was established previous to 1840; but the office was long ago discontinued. The office at West Theresa was es- tablished in 1848, but that, too, has been out of existence for many years.

In this connection it is also proper to briefly mention some of the more prominent industries of the village in later days. In 1821 the business interests included a grist mill, a saw mill, an ashery, a store and a tavern. Just thirty years later there were two grist mills, three saw mills, two foundries, a machine shop, plaster mill, wagon shop, clothing and fulling mill, eight stores, two hotels, several small shops, and about 600 hundred inhabitats. The next quarter of a century wit- nessed many changes and improvements in the village. At that time (1875), Webster's planing mill stood on the site of the old Le Ray saw mill of 1811. The large Empire grist mill occupied the ground on which once stood the Le Ray grist mill. Pool's saw mill was on the south side of the river, in a locality noted for its variety of early indus- tries. A. N. Brittan's chair factory stood near the lower dam, on the left bank of the river. This vicinity, also, was noted for its many factories. There were also Wakefield's foundry, Collis' cloth works, Stockwell's tub factory, Gregory's foundry, Snell & Makepeace's grist

819

THE TOWN OF THERESA.

mills, Sheley's sash, door and blind factory and planing mill, and per- haps still others worthy of notice, but now forgotten. Between 1860 and 1870 the business of the village was at its best, and Theresa, then unincorporated, was one of the most popular manufacturing and trad- ing centers of the county; and that notwithstanding the fact that no railroad had connected the place with the markets of the state.

The magnitude and number of business interests made necessary at last a partial separation of the village from the town, and steps were taken to secure that result. George Rockwell made a survey of the re- gion, and included within the limits of the proposed corporation a body of land about one mile wide and three miles long. The river divided the district in nearly two equal parts. An enumeration of the inhab- itants was made, the necessary notice was given by the town board, a special election was held, and by a good majority the residents in the districts voted to incorporate. All preliminaries being this settled, the necessary papers were filed with the county clerk, and on the 29th of June, 1821, Theresa became an incorporated village. The first election of officers was held July 29, and resulted as follows: President, George E. Yost; trustees, John Parker, Ambrose Walradt, Gideon Snell, sen. ; treasurer, Hiram Salisbury; collector, Charles Fairbanks. The trus- tees chose Melvin E. Cornwall as town clerk, and Lucius Hannahs, health officer.

The succession of village presidents has been as follows: George E. Yost, 1871 ; Norval E. Douglas, 1872; John Parker, 1813; George Kelsey, 1874; P. B. Salisbury, 1875; Elias Getman, 1876; Jerome Cooper, 1877; Jason C. Morrow, 1878; William Dresser, 1879; Dorman Walradt, 1880-81; John F. Lambie, 1882; Richard Roden- hurst, 1883; Emmons R. Stockwell, 1884; William Walradt, 1885; William M. Lambie, 1886, Ceylon Wakefield, 1887; Loren F. Shurtliff, 1888; Ager J. Jarvis, 1899; William M. Lambie, 1890; G. G. Perrine, 1891; Leman W. Tyler, 1892; Rich- ard Rodenhurst, 1893 91; Leman W. Tyler, 1895; Ager J. Jarvis, 1896; Almanson T. Smith. 1897.

The first twenty years of municipal history in Theresa was a period of continued prosperity, varied only by the ever changing events of time. The period was one of growth and development, and during the ten years next following 1880 the population increased to abont twelve hundred, and all other interests in like proportion. The ordinary pre- cautions were taken to prevent serious disaster, yet no definite action was had to properly guard against loss by fire. This neglect, if such it may be called. resulted disastrously to all interests, for on April 5, 1890, a conflagration swept away almost the entire business part of the

820

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

village, causing a total loss in property of about $150,000, with only about $100,000 of insurance to protect the owners. In all about forty buildings were destroyed. In one respect, however, this disaster had a purifying effect. Many of the burned buildings were of frame, some of them old and presenting an unattractive appearance, but after the débris had been removed the enterprising men of the village set them- selves to work, and within the next year and one-half a new Theresa stood on the old site, having little resemblance to the former village, but presenting a class of buildings which rival any in the county in a municipality of twice the size of this. Indeed, Theresa is now looked upon as the most attractive village in this part of the state. The new structures are almost wholly of brick, three stories high, substantially built, and an ornament to any place.

The people of the town also exhibited a spirit of liberality, and cansed to be built an attractive town hall. The lower floors are. rented for business purposes, and the upper floor is arranged for public meetings and entertainments. The revenne derived from rents more than pays the interest on the investment. Another good result from the fire was the organization and equipment of a fire department, and also the erection of a village hall, and fire department building. This, how- ever, was not fully accomplished until 1894, in which year the building was erected. The department comprises a good chemical engine, a hook and ladder truck and two service hose carts, each supplied with a reel of good quality of hose, and manned by a company of the most active young men of the village. The department was regularly in- corporated September 12, 1892.

Union free school district No. 1, of the town of Theresa, was organ- ized in 1866, but was not incorporated under the state regents until 1893. The institution then became known as " Theresa union school." The present large stone school building was erected in 1870, and was enlarged by a material addition built in 1897, at a cost of about $3,000. The school has always been generously supported by the residents of the district. The present principal is Prof. J. S. Fox, successor to Prof. Marshall. The board of education comprises Henry Cheeseman, pres. ; Dr. J. R. Sturtevant, sec'y, and A. T. Smith, L. W. Tyler and John Bogart.

In 1806 the village bonded to the extent of $18,000 to secure a suf- ficient supply of pure and wholesome water for domestic purposes. In the same year the works were constructed, main pipes were laid through-

821

THE TOWN OF THERESA.

out the principal streets, fire hydrants were located at convenient points, and a stand-pipe was erected on a commanding elevation on the outskirts of the village. A contract was made with Snell & Makepeace to pump the supply of water from Indian river to the stand-pipe. All these things were accomplished speedily and well, during 1896, and the result is a system of water works not surpassed in any municipality in the county.

Theresa lodge No. 174, F. and A. M., was organized Nov. 28, 1849, with John D. Davison, master; John Moak, S. W .; John Dillenbeck, J. W. ; Alanson Doolittle, treas. ; J. B. Davison, see'y; A. Baker, S. D .; A. Morrow, J. D., and George W. Cornwell, tyler. These officers were the charter members. The members now number 80 persons.

The past masters have been as follows: John D. Davison, 1819-51; John Moak, 1859-51; Archibald Fisher, 1855; Davis Ballard, 1856-57; John Monk, 1858; James B. Carpenter, 1859; Jesse D. Moak, 1860-69; Percival B. Salisbury, 1870-76; Jesse D). Moak, 1876; John F. Lambie, 1878 79; Percival B. Salisbury, 1880-83; Jeremiah B. Sturtevant, 1881-85; Charles W. Thompson. 1886; Lester 11. Pool, 1887-89; Per- cival B. Salisbury. 1890 92; Clayton Wakefield, 1893; W. A. Fisher, 1894-95; A. T. Smith, 1896.

Theresa chapter, No. 119, R. A. M., was organized in Jannary, 1854, with John D. Davison, H. P. ; John Moak, K. ; and John C. Young, S. The original membership was small, but has increased to abont 40 at the present time. The succession of high priests has been as follows:

John D. Davison, 1854-55; John Moak, 1856-65; Davis Ballard, 1866; John Moak, 1867; John B. Linn. 1868; Jesse D. Moak, 1869-86; Jeremiah R. Sturtevant, 1887-90; Wm. M. Lambie, 1891; J. R. Sturtevant, 1892-97.

Cassiopia lodge No. 291, I. O. O. F., was formed at Plessis, April 13, 1847, and in December following removed to Theresa village. The lodge remained in active operation only a few years. No similar organ- ization was maintained until 1896, when Theresa lodge No. 755, was instituted, with 22 charter members. The present number is 45. The officers are George Walradt, N. G .; Scott Sargeant, V. G .; Jas. Vock, fin. sec .; Chas. Walters, rec. sec. ; Edward Graham, treasurer.

George E. Yost, banker, began business at Theresa, January 1, 1822, although for several years prior to that time he had done an informal banking business in connection with his other interests in the vicinity. The bank is entirely a private enterprise, yet does not lack any of the essential elements of state or national banks, except the necessary formalities. The fact that Mr. Vost has continued the business for

892

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

more than twenty-five years is evidence of the success of the bank ; and the fact that the bank has the entire business of the village and vicinity is also evidence that the people are satisfied with its management. In- deed, there has been no public enterprise of consequence to the people of Theresa during the last thirty years with which George E. Yost has not been in some manner prominently connected.

In the same manner may be mentioned the manufacturing and mercantile interests of the village as represented at this time. The manufacturers are C. Wakefield & Son, iron founders, machine shop; Stockwell & Parker, box factory; Snell & Make- peace, roller flour mill, with a capacity of 125 bbls. per day ; Pool & Cheeseman, flour, feed and saw mill; George Heller & Co., sash, doors and blinds; A. N. Brittan & Son manufacturing company (limited) established in 1843, but burned in 1889, and not rebuilt; Brooklyn cheese factory, I. C. Cooper, prop'r. The principal mercantile interests are George Kelsey, Cheeseman & Avery, Lambie & Co., and Walradt & Sons, dry goods and general stock ; J. II. Drummond1, drugs and groceries; Roden- hurst & Son, hardware and plumbing; Stratton & Cheeney, crockery and groceries; Wm. Root, general store; Wm. Loucks, boots and shoes and groceries; Chas. Lehr, boots and shoes; Chas. Young, grocer; A. T. Smith, drugs; Fisher & Middleton, furniture and undertaking; Hoover & Westcott, hardware and plumbing; J. Casey & Sons, dry goods and groceries; G. W. Henry, hardware and groceries; J. D. Nellis and Gilson Cook, meat market; W. D. Chapman, jeweler; Getman Bros. and G. W. Bretch, landlords; David Bearup, C. A. Kelsey and C. A. Van Allen, lawyers; J. R. Sturtevant, F. L. Santway, Jas. Kelsey and Miss Dell Dresser, physicians.

The First Presbyterian church of Theresa, now more commonly known as the Flower memorial church, was organized May 8, 1825, at the dwelling of pioneer Abraham Morrow. There were nine constituent members, five males and four females. Mr. Morrow and Sylvester Bodman were the first elders. On Dec. 22, 1835, the society was regu- larly incorporated, Anson Ranney, James Shurtliff and Nathan M. Flower being the trustees. These officers, with a like committee from the Methodist society, caused to be built in 1837 and '38 a meeting house for the joint use of the societies. The edifice was dedicated in September, 1838. In 1849 the Presbyterians purchased and afterward occupied it until the building was replaced with the beautiful edifice erected in 1879, by the children of Nathan and Mary Ann Flower as a tribute of love to their parents. The generous donors caused to be erected within the church two tablets, on one of which was inscribed the names of the original members, viz. : Abraham Morrow, Lucinda Morrow, Sylvester Bodman, Relief Bodman, Nathan M. Flower, Mary Ann Flower, Abner Cheeseman, James Shurtliff, Leona Shurtliff. On the other tablet are inscribed these words: " Erected to God in memory

423

THE TOWN OF THERESA.

of Nathan and Mary Ann Flower, by their children, 1879." This is the largest and strongest church society in the village, and numbers 110 members. The present pastor, Rev. Charles G. Cady, was installed June 1, 1892, succeeding Rev. Geo. S. W. Renwick.

The Methodist Episcopal church of Theresa was organized March 5, 1836, although a class was formed in the town as early as 1827, and Theresa was made a charge in 1831. In 1832 a church edifice was built, as above stated, in connection with the Presbyterian society, but in 1849 the Methodist interest was sold, the society then beginning the erection of a new church home. This structure was burned in 1860, and was replaced in 1862 with the edifice now occupied by the society. This church has 181 full members, and 41 probationers. Pastor, Rev. W. H. Bury.

St. James church (Episcopal) of Theresa, was organized July 16, 1848, although previous to that time services had been held in the vil- lage. The first communicants were Daniel, Horace and Franklin Parker, E. W. Lewis, Dr. Lucius Hannahs and wife, and Percy Jarvis. In the spring of 1850 a church edifice was begun. The corner stone laid July 19, and the church formally dedicated by Bishop De Lancey, Aug. 2, 1861. Horace and Daniel Parker were the first wardens. The present number of communicating members is 56; wardens, Franklin Parker and Peter Schwarz; rector, Rev. John Smiley.

A Roman Catholic mission has also been established in the village. and while services are held the parish has not been organized. It is an out-station of Evans' Mills.

When James Le Ray laid out the village tract in 1818, he reserved and donated a parcel supposed to contain about an acre of land for the purpose of a burying ground. On measurement, however, the parcel in fact contained 1.40 acres. No authority appears to have been exercised over this lot prior to the creation of the town in 1841, when a sum of money was voted for improving the ground, and three trustees were appointed to have charge of the plat, to lay out lots, and otherwise have authority over them. The trustees were Jesse S. Doolittle, Na- than M. Flower and Alexander Salisbury. From that time the vil- lage cemetery was cared for at the public expense. The Oakland cemetery association was organized in October, 1884, for the purchase and maintenance of a cemetery tract of land. About eighteen aeres comprised the grounds, on which was erected a substantial vault. Lots were laid out, the surroundings made attractive, and Oakland became the established cemetery of the village.

824

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

The inhabitants of Theresa, town and village, have ever been gen- erons in providing for the educational welfare of their youth. The first school in the town was opened while the territory formed a part of Le Ray, and was started by a Mrs. Castleman in a house standing on the tract cleared for Le Ray and put to use as a pasture. This was in 1820. Soon afterward Almira Barnes opened a school in the widow Keeler's house, while the third was taught about the same time by Abigail Salisbury, at the dwelling of Carley Smith. A school house was built in the settlement about 1821, and a Mr. Welch is said to have been the first teacher.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Our county and its people. A descriptive work on Jefferson County, New York, Part 85

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