Our county and its people. A descriptive work on Jefferson County, New York, Part 89

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 89

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854

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

David Coffeen came to the Falls in 1806 and began the erection of a grist mill on the west bank of the river. He also constructed a dam, extending diagonally up the stream from his mill, but not across the channel. The structure was subsequently completed by the owners of the forge on the east side. The forge was built in 1816 by Mr. Le Ray, and he also about the same time was chiefly instrumental in causing to be built a highway leading from the Falls to the St. Lawrence, known as the Alexandria road. Also under the same direction Claudius S. Quilliard built a blast furnace in 1819. The old forge burned soon after it was built, but in the course of a few years another, having greater capacity, was erected by a company from Fort Ann, comprising Nathan Brown, Francis Lloyd and James Barney, who manufactured mill irons, anchors and other commodities. The company also opened a store, back of the present R., W. & O. station, and by their enter- prise laid the foundation for an enterprising village previous to 1825; but Mr. Barney's death so unsettled the business then carried on that it was soon discontinued, and the property reverted to Mr. Le Ray. The industry was soon revived, and during the long period of its oper- ation was managed by various proprietors, the names or succession of whom cannot now be ascertained. Ores were obtained from the county and region, and the old furnace and forge were almost directly the cause of the village settlement, and its chief industry for many years.

In the meantime, through the constant arrival of other settlers, the hamlet had assumed fair proportions. In 1812 the legislature author- ized the construction of a toll bridge across the river, " where the state road leading to Oswegatchie crosses," and in pursuance of the act, in 1812-13, the structure was built, under the direction of Ezra Church. In 1829, the old bridge being decayed, the subject of a new free bridge was much discussed, and through the enterprise of Mr. Le Ray, Joseph C. Budd and others, a free bridge was built, from island to island, across the river. This series of bridges lasted less than two years. The upper bridge had been repaired and made free (1829), and toil gate keeper Seth Hooker no longer collected fares at the east approach. In 1840 a new covered bridge was built on the site, and by an act passed April 11, 1853, the state assumed charge of the structure, rebuilt and has ever since maintained it. The work was completed in 1854, and in the next year the state also built the substantial dam below the bridge, at the head of the falls. The present bridge was built in 1896.

Between the years 1825 and 1830 the residents at Carthage became

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THE TOWN OF WILNA

deeply interested in a proposition to construct a canal connecting with the Erie canal at Rome and thence running northward to the Black river, below High (now Lyons) Falls. In this project Vincent Le Ray, Dr. Eli West and many other business men were active factors, and filled with confidence as to the ultimate result, they with others, formed a company and in 1832 built the steam boat Cornelia, to ply between the village and High Falls. The canal, however, was not fully completed until more than twenty years later, and in the mean- time the Cornelia, though a staunch boat, proved unsatisfactory for her proposed work, and in the summer of 1853 the Enterprise in a measure replaced the former boat. During this period of expectancy, rumors and projects for other canals also occupied public attention in our vil- lage, and while the hoped for results were not fully realized, Carthage became a central point of interest and much good was derived there- from. Still later, in 1822, the Utica and Black river railroad was com- pleted to Carthage, and in the same year another railroad was built between this village and the county seat. The now Carthage and Adi- rendack railroad was projected as early as 1865, but not until 1889 was it fully completed. However, the subject of railroads is treated at greater length in another chapter, and the brief allusion here made is only as an element of local history.

The erection of the furnace and forge and the construction of the toll bridge had the effect to stimulate the business interests and resulted in rapid growth along the river bank. In fact for many years nearly all business was transacted at the points mentioned and when in 1866 George and John L. Norton opened a store, on the site where the lat- ter is still in business, they were referred to as "up in Wilna." Ili- ram McCollom was one of the early merchants, and first opened a store soon after 1820 in a frame building opposite the toll gate. He was in trade for many years, and built the long brick and stone structure still standing between Water and Canal streets. Indeed, he was the leading merchant of the village until about 1850.

Between the years 1830 and 1855 the greatest growth was accom- plished, and some of the prominent business interests of the period may be recalled about as follows: Charles Strong kept a tavern; Dr. Eli West was local physician and also justice of the peace; Budd & Bones operated the furnace; Dr. Budd was a physician; Nathan Starks bought the Levis honse site in 1828 and erected a one and one-half story house which Horace Henry remodeled for hotel purposes. Remsen R.

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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

Brown bought it in 1854 and rebuilt with brick. Seth Hooker was the first postmaster, understood to have been appointed when the hamlet was known as Long Falls. According to Mr. Brown's recollection, the name was changed to Carthage about 1828. Later postmasters were William Blodgett, Elijah Farrington and Eugene West.

Among the other early business men were Nathan Brown, hotel keeper; Thomas Baker, in the furnace enterprise; John F. Colston, printer: Chauncey Dodge, wagon maker; Charles Dayan, in Squire Lathrop's flax mill; Leonard C. Gates, saw mill; Elihu Jones, printer; Nutting & Pierce, shoemakers; Walter Nimocks, owner of sev- eral lots on State street; Peter Odell, blacksmith; Nathaniel Rice, liquor dealer; Charles Strong, hotel: Samuel J. Davis, saw mill. There were also Samuel Gilbert, Morrow & Stewart, Clark Dodge, Pitt Matthews, West & Peck, Frank G. Connell, and others whose names are now lost. Between 1820 and 1850 the purchasers of lots on the north side of State street, between Church street and the river, were (begin- ning at the river) Seth Hooker. Hezekiah Morris, Charles Strong, Nathan Brown, Nathan Starks, Walter Nimocks, Samuel Gilbert, Clark Dodge, Elijah and Walter IIorr, Eben Hodgkins, Samuel C. Hoyle (site of the First National bank), Ste- phen Lake, J. C. Kellogg. Andrew Doig. On the south side, in like order, the owners were Hiram McCollom, Paul Boynton, Eli West, Alford Lathrop Walter Nimocks, Calvin Auburn. John Chase, Eben Hodgkins, Allen Peck (Strickland block site), Samuel C. Iloyle (site of hotel Elmhirst), Thomas B. Lake, Linus R. Cady, James P. Hodgkins, and the Catholic church property which latter was deeded in IS21.

All these owners purchased directly from Mr. Le Ray, through his attorneys, Isaac H. Bronson, and Micah Sterling, or, after 1835, from Patrick S. Stewart. In 1835 the land sales in Carthage were so fre- qnent that Mr. Stewart became resident agent for the proprietary, and an office was built on West street, next east of the priest's resi- dence. It was maintained until the last lands of Mr. Le Ray in this immediate locality were sold by Mr. Goodale,

While the mercantile interests of our enterprising village were thus enlarging, so was there a corresponding growth in other directions, es- pecially in manufactures of various kinds. Indeed, it was this element of development which contributed more to local advancement than to the strictly mercantile branch, for the latter was chiefly dependent on the former for support. The truth of this statement is evidenced in the history of Carthage during the last ten years, when all branches of manufacture have been much depressed and as to its result the mer- chants of the village have suffered serions embarrassments. However, it is not the purpose of this work to enquire into conditions of trade or causes of depression in business.

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THE TOWN OF WILNA.

For a period of more than fifty years Carthage has been known as a manufacturing center of much importance, and in the prominence thus gained, the Long Falls and the numerous islands in the river, all con- tributing to the splendid natural water power afforded, have been active factors; and the suggestion of one naturally calls for mention of the other. From first to last Tannery island has been a scene of busy ac- tivity, beginning with the construction of a tannery in 1830 by Walter Nimocks and Allen Peck. The building subsequently passed through various ownerships and was finally burned in the fall of 1895. In the mean time a pulp mill was erected on the lower end of the island, and now, combined with an extensive paper mill, is its only industry.

Bazille Guyot came to Long Falls in 1816, and with Lonis Bryant built the machinery for the forge erected in that year. Mr. Guyot also built for Mr. Le Ray a grist mill on the island named for him, Guyot's island. Later on he bought the site, and in 1833 erected what has ever since been known as Guyot's mill. A chair factory and the electric lighting power house are now on the island with the mill. An old nail factory, built in 1828, was also a former industry of this historic spot, and in the course of its long occupation for manufacturing purposes there have been in operation on the island a forge, rolling mill, grist mill, nail works, axe factory, broom handle works, furniture factory, carding mill and general repair shops. In the same vicinity, though just off the island, stood the old furnace, the pioneer industry of the village, of which mention has been made, and of which Budd & Bones were perhaps the most prominent proprietors. About 1846 the works were closed and not revived until 1866, when the Carthage Iron com- pany resumed operations there and continued business several years. In 1884, then unoccupied, the building was burned.

In 1845 Hiram McCollom began the erection of a nail factory and rolling mill in this part of the village, and in the same year, in company with James P. Hodgkins, built a large casting foundry on what then became known as Furnace island. Among the many persons and firms connected with this industry were Seth R. King, Ezra Hodgkins, Hodgkins & Fuller, Hodgkins & Wood, George M. and Alexander Brown, Brown, Winch and Bliss, all previous to 1868. In this year C. P. Ryther acquired a half interest and the business was conducted by Brown & Ryther until 1871, when the partnership of Ryther & Pringle was formed. The firm continued until the death of Mr. Ryther, Nov. 22, 1897. These works were burned in 1884, but were at once replaced with more suitable buildings and equipments.

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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

Referring briefly to other old and present industries of the village, but not attempting to follow all of them through changes of ownership, mention may be made of the Carthage company, manufacturers of wood pulp, 1883; Spicer and Sons' pulp mill, 1889, more recently known as the Union pulp mill, George E. Spicer, proprietor; the Empire steam pump company, established by E. G. Shortt, now the Adirondack machine company; Balcom & Spicer's veneering mill; M. J. Garvin's (now Matthews') custom feed mill; L. H. Mills' saw mill on Guyot's island, now replaced with Outterson & Ball's paper mill; Guyot's grist mill, on the old mill site on the island; Hammond & Waters' wood- working shops; Wing & Sons' machine shops; Alsesser's chair factory; Carthage lumber and wooden ware company, closed, established 1889; Dodge's glove and mitten factory, 1889; Peck & Wrape's pressed brick works; Dr. Robinson's and W. P. Herring's pulp mills ; Fred Guyot's plan- ing mill; Duffy & Connelley's chair works, formerly on Tannery island but now burned; Austin's chair factory; Maxwell, Yousey & Co. 's pulp and paper mill, new; Houghton Bros., brick manufacturers; Shortt & Emery's air brake works, with others of perhaps less note, but all of which have combined to make Carthage a flourishing manufacturing village. Trne, several of these industries, under the general depression of the period, are not in full operation, but each has been an important element of progress in local annals.

During the period of its history Carthage has suffered from the rav- ages of several serious fires, the first of which of note occurred July 15, 1861, resulting in the destruction of twenty buildings in the mercantile portion of the village, including the Baptist church and four dwellings; loss $60,000. On December 22 of the same year a fire destroyed sev- eral buildings and other property situated near the eastern end of the river bridge. A disastrous fire also occurred in May, 1872, resulting in the loss of several business buildings between the Lewis house and Water street. On the night of Dec. 12, 1864, Volney Warren's livery barn was burned, but the most serious accident of the fire was the burning to death of Levi Warren. However, the most extensive con- flagration in the history of the village was the great fire of Oct. 20, 1884, originating in West Carthage and by burning embers blown across the river communicating with buildings in this village, in the factory dis- trict, and thenee spreading and burning with resistless force until an area of seventy acres lay in ruins. All asked for help from surround- ing villages quickly came, but no human power could stay the fury of

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THE TOWN OF WILNA.

the flames until one hundred and fifty-seven buildings of all descrip- tions had been destroyed, among them the school, the Episcopal, Pres- byterian, Baptist and Disciples church edifices. The total losses were variously estimated at from $500,000 to $250,000. On July 24, 1892, several manufacturing buildings were burned, at a loss of more than $50,000, and on December 16, following, another serions fire destroyed six stores between Mechanie street and the Bones building.

While each of these losses was indeed serious they nevertheless were an ultimate benefit, for on the sites of the generally primitive structures were ereeted substantial briek buildings, especially in the business dis- triets, many of which stand as ornaments to the village and evidence of thrift and enterprise on the part of their owners. Again, on State street, on sites where old frame structures formerly stood the same spirit of enterprise has impelled owners to creet attractive buildings, and now it is doubtful if any village in the county can show a better array of business houses than those at the intersection of State and Mechanic streets in Carthage, while between Church street on the east, and Water street on the west, is as fine a row of mercantile buildings as can be found in this section of the state; and within the stores can be found a large and well selected stock of goods and wares, all evidence of thrift and prosperity.

Incorporation -As must be seen from what has been stated on pre ceding pages, the growth in all branches of village life in Carthage was both rapid and substantial, and the natural result was a desire for at least a limited separation from the surrounding town that necessary public improvements might be made to insure comfort, convenience and safety to the inhabitants; improvements of a character that called for an ex- penditure of money, and in which the town at large could not be asked to bear a share. Therefore the legislature, on May 26, 1841, passed an act to incorporate the village of Carthage, defining its boundaries and making provision for its government by a board of five trustees.

The first trustees elected under the act were Virgil Brooks, Suel Gilbert, Ebenezer Hodgkins, Amos Choate and Walter Nimocks. The first president of the board (appointed from the trustees) was Virgil Brooks. The original act was subsequently amended, but the first radical change was made May 11, 1869, when the legislature passed an act amending the village charter in several important particulars, from which time the office of president becane elective by the people. The number of trustees was reduced to four and their term of office was

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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

also changed. In fact, the corporate powers of the village were mate- rially enlarged, a detail of which is not necessary to this chapter. An amendment to the charter, passed April 15, 1896, provided for the elec- tion of president, trustees, treasurer, collector and assessors. The other officers were made appointive by the trustees.

The succession of village presidents has been as follows: Virgil Brooks. 1842; Hi- ram McCollom, 1843-44; Eli West, 1845-46; Hiram McCollom, 1847-49; Patrick S. Stewart, 1$50; Johr B Johnson, 1-51; Eli West, 1952-53; Orlin Holcomb, 1854: William D. Davis. 1855; Eli West, 1-56; Samuel J. Davis, 1857; Joseph Crowner. 1>>: Eli West, 1859; Richard Gallagher, 1860; S. S. Hoyt, 1>61 ; Richard Gallagher. 1962. Charles T. Hammond, 1868; Horace Hooker, 1864; George Gilbert, 1865, Lawrence J. Goodale, 1466, Augustus Babcock. 1567; Rollin Dickerman, 1868; T. J. Morgan, 1869; S. S. Hoyt, 1870-71; Samuel Branaugh, 1472; Nicholas Wagoner, 1873; A. W. Sylvester, 1874; Charles P. Ryther, 1875-76; Charles Rugg, 1877; Charles P. Ryther, 175; Orin S. Lewis, 1579: Henry J. Kellogg, 1880; Orin S. Lewis, 1951; Henry J. Welch, 18\2; Orin S. Lewis, 1853; Henry J. Welch, 1>84; John C. Reed, 1985; Charles P. Ryther, 14-6; Henry J. Welch. 1857-88; William H. Del. more, 18-9-90; Ephraim H. Myers, 1891-93; George E. Spicer. 1894-95; John L. Norton, 1896; Henry J. Welch, 1997.

Educational .- In the early history of the town the commissioner of common schools divided the entire territory into three districts and made some informal provision for the maintenance of a school in each. In 1828 the same territory was redistricted. and the hamlet called Long Falls, now Carthage, was in district No. 3. About that time a school- house was built on School street, near State, and was in all respeets a novel building, perhaps modelled on plans suggested by Mr. Le Ray after the French style, being amphitheatrical in interior arrangement. It was a substantial structure, nevertheless, and served a good purpose for several years. Another old school of the hamlet was that opened about 1830 by Arby Leonard in a building just above the present hotel Elmhirst, and where many of the most prominent men of the village in later years acquired an elementary education. This, however, was a private or select school Harrison Wilbur succeeded Mr. Leonard and in 1:42 built an academy on the present High school site, to which he gave the name, "Carthage Academy." In 1843 Rev. Orin Wilbur came from Lowville and conducted the school about two years, and was in turn succeeded by the Misses Hooker. Still Jater principals were Rev. Jacob A. Wood and B. T. Bush and wife. During its his- tory the old building was twice removed, and in 1552 was replaced with a more substantial structure. On July 30, 1866, at a village meeting it was resolved to organize a union free school district, and in August

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THE TOWN OF WILNA.

following the new board of education was authorized to purchase the Bush property, comprising one and one-half acres of land and its build- ings. The schoolhouse was burned in the disastrous fire of October 20, 1884, but in the next year was replaced with the present high school building, one of the most complete and substantial structures of its kind in this part of the state; and in its management and results no educa- tional institution in this county has gained a better standing.

The first board of education comprised Lawrence J. Goodale, Rich- ard Gallagher, John B Emmes, Horace Ilooker and Lysle Bones. Within a few years afterward Leonard G. Peck and John L. Norton were elected members of the board and have continued in office to this time. Mr. Norton has been president since 1881, and Mr. Peck secre- tary also for many years; and in a great measure the success and standing of the school has been due to their unselfish efforts. The present board comprises John L. Norton, president, Leonard G. Peck, secretary, and John S. Edwards, L. D. Thompson and Edward Villars.

Fire Department .- Previous to the incorporation of the village the apparatus for extinguishing fires was indeed primitive, and the depart . ment comprised the village population, without regular order or recog. nized head. However, after the corporation act was passed the trus. tees set about organizing a fire department, and on July 24 formed a company, Carthage No. 1, with Samuel A Budd as captain On An- gust 12, 1842, a hand engine was purchased, and on June 9. 1843, Washington fire company was formed. The large cistern at the cor. ner of State and School streets was built in 1849. A hook and ladder company was organized May 21, 1851, Levi Wood, captain, and on April 9, 1852, and again Dec. 20, 1810, similar companies were organ- ized, one succeeding the other. Still another of the same character was formed in May, 1820. Carthage hook and ladder company, a per- manent organization, was formed June 12. 1874. Ilose companies were soon afterward organized, Nos. 1 and 2, of which Tiger and Reseue Hose companies are the outgrowth. The steam engine, a sec- ond elass or No. ? Silsbee, was purchased in pursuance of a resolu- tion of the trustees passed in February, 1815. Reservoirs were con- structed at convenient points in the village, and were used until the completion of the waterworks in 1893. The present chief engineer of the department is Cassius M. C. Weichard. The department is com- fortably quartered on Mechanie street, in the village hall, built in 1891, at a cost of $6,000.

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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

Water Works .- On June 7, 1892, the qualified electors of the village voted affirmatively on a proposition to issue bonds to the amount of $50,000, the avails of which were to be used in constructing a water supply system. The work was begun by contractors Moffett, Hodgkins & Clark, of New York city, in the fall of 1892, and was completed and accepted June 1, 1893. The system as established consists of a pumping station on Guyot's island, from which point water is taken from the river and thence forced to a stand pipe (25 feet high and 20 feet in di- ameter) erected on an elevation in the eastern part of the village. By this system Carthage is supplied with an abundance of good water for all domestic purposes, and an additional means of extinguishing fires is provided.

Banks and Bankers .- Hiram McCollom was the pioneer in the history of banking in Carthage, beginning in that direction about 1845 or '50, in connection with his varied mercantile and manufacturing enterprises. On July 16, 1852, he opened the bank of Carthage with a nominal capital of $18,000, but after two years the concern suspended business.

The next banker was Myron Raplee, formerly of Penn Yan, N. Y., who did business on State street, near the "angle" on the north side. After a time Raplee sold out to Nathan Whiting and Miner Guyot, who continued as a firm until Whiting succeeded by purchase and eventu- ally failed.

Then followed in the same line of business the firm of Holcomb & Horr, comprising Orlin Holcomb and Elijah Horr, who carried on a successful banking, for both were men of means and influence. E. H. Myers associated with them in 1871, and was one of the firm until 1874, when he withdrew and with De Witt Rogers organized the firm of Myers & Rogers, general bankers. In 1875 Holcomb & Horr retired from business, but Myers & Rogers continued until 1880 when the firm merged in the First National Bank of Carthage.

The First National bank of Carthage was organized January 1, 1880, with $50,000 capital, Gilbert B Johnson, president, and Ephraim H. Myers, cashier. On January 1, 1887, Mr. Myers was elected president and Allen G. Peck, cashier. This bank has been regarded one of the safe financial institutions of the county, and in January, 1894, increased its capital to $100,000.

The present officers are E. Il. Myers, president ; A. E. Kilby, vice-president ; Allen G. Peck, cashier; and Martin Rugg, Foster Penniman, Marcus P. Mason, A. E. Kilby, A. Potter. C. M. Rohr, A. L. Clark, E. A. Spencer, E. Il Myers and Allen G.

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THE TOWN OF WILNA.

Peck, directors. The bank building was erected in 1887 and is one of the most at tractive structures in the village.

The Carthage savings bank was organized and began business Oeto ber 1, 188;, occupying rooms with the First national bank.

The first officers were Lawrence J. Goodale, president; John L. Norton, vice-pres- ident; A. G. Peck, treasurer ; and Ambrose Collins, secretary. On January 1, 1895 Mr. Norton was elected president, viee L. J. Goodale, removed to Watertown. The present officers are John L. Norton, president; Marcus P. Mason and C. L. Fred- erick, vice-presidents; Allen G. Peek, treasurer; and Ephraim 11. Myers, secretary.

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Our county and its people. A descriptive work on Jefferson County, New York, Part 89

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