USA > New York > Madison County > Our county and its people : a descriptive and biographical record of Madison County, New York > Part 29
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sequently the firm became Spencer & Eaton and in 1876 the business was moved to Geneva, N. Y.
The present large manufacturing element in Canastota is mainly the growth of years since 1873, when a large part of the village, was swept away by fire from an incendiary's torch. Not a building was left stand- ing on the west side of the principal business street, causing a money loss of about $500,000, and paralyzing the energy of the people. But with renewed courage the village was rebuilt in more substantial manner and better style than before and many new industries were established. Among these was the Canastota Knife Company, which was incorporated October 12, 1874, with an authorized capital of $11,000, which was held by fifty-two stockholders. The first directors were Fred C. Fiske, William Hurlbut, T. N. Jarvis, E. R. White, J. H. Allen, Garret A. Forbes, J. B. Miller. Mr. Hurlbut was elected president; G. A. Forbes, vice president; E. R. White, secretary; F. C. Fiske, treasurer. A building was erected and work was begun in June, 1875, under the superintendence of Silas Moore, a practical knife maker. The small number of hands employed at first was soon increased to seventy and the reputation of the goods rapidly extended. The capital stock was subsequently increased and a large and remunerative business was car- ried on, which continued until 1895, when the factory was closed, ow- ing to the unfavorable tariff.
The Canastota Glass Company was organized in 1881, with capital stock of $40,000, which was twice increased, first to $70,000 and later to $120,000. A large factory was built west of the village and a heavy output of window glass continued several years, the sand being brought mainly from Oneida Lake. The business finally became part of the United Glass Company and the factory was closed, remaining idle until 1898. It was purchased in 1896 by six persons, who sold it in 1898 to the present organization, which is a co-operative company, the stock be- ing all held by workmen in the business. The six purchasers turned the property over to the company, with the sum of $3,000 donated by the citizens, with the understanding that after operating the works five years, the company should have a deed. The stock is $10,000 and about fifty hands are employed. The officers of the company are H. C. Hoff- man, president; Robert L. Bruen, vice-president; Paul Greiner, treas- urer; William Rechtenwald, secretary.
One of the largest and most prosperous industries in this town is the wheel rake manufactory of Patten & Stafford. This business was be-
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gun in Clockville in 1866, by William H. Patten. In 1872 Norman Stafford was admitted to the business and in 1882 it was removed to Canastota, where a large plant was built. About the same time the firm was changed to Patten, Stafford & Myer; the latter went out in 1892. The wheel rake made by this firm is called the Champion and finds a large sale throughout the country.
The Smith & Ellis Company are large manufacturers of hall racks, china closets, book cases, ladies' desks, etc., and employ about eighty hands. They occupy the large brick building erected by the Canastota Casket Company, a stock organization, the books of which were opened in September, 1888. This undertaking was destined to early failure and the building became the property of Patten & Stafford, who sold it to the Smith & Ellis company in January, 1894. About eighty hands are employed by the company, and it has its own electric plant. The proprietors are Samuel C. Smith and Arthur N. Ellis.
A. M. Barrett has a large lumber yard and in connection with that business operates a steam saw mill and a planing mill. His business was established in 1876.
C. N. Cady, son of one of the pioneers of Clockville, began operating a machine shop in 1886, and now employs five hands, making a spe- cialty of the manufacture of tool grinders and sensitive drills. Another machine shop is conducted by James Mahan, who began about ten years ago; he manufactures steam engines and does general work.
The Watson Wagon Company was organized June 1, 1899, with Charles E. Crouse, president; D. S. Watson, vice-president and manager ; A. A. Keesler, secretary; J. C. Rasbach, treasurer. Previous to the organiza- tion Mr. Watson manufactured the Watson patent dumping wagon, be- ginning about ten years ago. This wagon has a wide sale at the pres- ent time. About twenty-five hands are employed.
A furniture manufacturing business was started some five years ago by Felix Tondeur. The business was removed to Oneida where it failed and was bought by C. H. Tondeur. It was returned to Canastota and Mr. Tondeur manufactures roller top desks. He occupies a build- ing formerly used for a time by William Hurlbut in furniture manufac- ture.
A prosperous industry of the village is the cider and vinegar works of Harrison & Co., located a short distance west of the corporation. This business was started in 1857 by E. M. & D. V. Harrison, four miles west of Canastota, on the canal. In 1886 it was removed to its present
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location, where about 200,000 bushels of apples are used annually. In 1878 the firm name changed to its present form, the members being D. V. and E. M. Harrison, jr.
A feed mill was built and started about 1880 by Judson Field; this burned and the present mill was built in 1886, which passed to posses- sion of the State Bank in 1896.
The former large cheese factory interest of this part of the county has mainly passed away and the milk product is mainly shipped to New York or made into butter in a domestic way. There is a milk station in Canastota, which was opened in March, 1899, by Samuel Levy, which now takes about 1,900 quarts daily. There is a station also at Chitten- ango, which is elsewhere noticed.
The canning business, which is now such an important factor in the industrial life of the county, is represented by an establishment here, which dates from 1880, when J. W. Mix began canning corn and built the present factory. Two years later he was succeeded by Jarvis & Hubbard (Thomas M. Jarvis and Fred F. Hubbard), under whose man- agement the business and plant was greatly increased and corn, succo- tash and tomatoes were marketed. Since the death of Mr. Jarvis in 1888 Mr. Hubbard was associated three years with Alonzo W. Wheeler, since which time he has continued alone. About 1,000,000 cans of vegetables are put up annually.
The Lee Chair Company began business in Herkimer in the manu- facture of a patent chair; the business was brought to Canastota in 1892 and in 1895 C. A. Lee became the sole owner. About 100 hands are employed in making the chair mentioned and a Morris chair.
Besides these various prosperous industries the village has the usual blacksmith, wagon, tin and other shops, with a large number of enter- prising merchants. Among the latter is the furniture, carpet and wall paper store of John H. McMahon, who began business in his present location in 1886. The store was built for the purpose by him and Jud- son Field.
Farr Brothers (Edwin and Levi) have a large hardware business which was started by Edwin Farr in 1879; his brother joining him in 1892. The old building is a landmark and was erected by the late John H. Wilson. Another large hardware business is conducted by Bemiss & Co. (S. K. Bemiss and R. R. Bemiss). The business was begun across the street in 1882, where it was burned out and removed to its present location in 1884. Plumbing and steam heating is a part of the business.
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J. E. Warrick is one of the old-time business men of the place. He began wagon making in 1845, and in 1879 opened a furniture and car- pet store in his present location. L. F. Phillips was with him until 1892.
One of the older and prominent firms in general merchandise was Brown & Parker, who carried on a successful trade many years. The successors of that firm are H. C. Brown's Sons, who carry a stock of groceries, boots and shoes and furnishing goods. Their present store was occupied in 1884. The firm of J. J. Ingraham & Co. was consti- tuted of Mr. Ingraham and J. M. Parker, the latter having employed Mr. Ingraham as clerk; he had also served as clerk for Brown, Green & Co. at an earlier date. Mr. Ingraham has been alone since 1890 and carries a general stock. The firm of Groat & Avery (William R. Groat, Stephen Avery) carried on grocery business and sold boots and shoes and coal from previous to 1880. They were succeeded in 1898 by E. J. Clark, whose stock consists of dry goods and ladies' and gentlemen's furnishing goods.
P. T. Weaver has carried a stock of crockery and glass since 1890. The firm of Boon & Vreeland began business as merchant tailors and clothing in 1895. In the spring of 1899 the firm became Boon & Son. John and Charles Cronk were former merchants of prominence. Mrs. Etta Cronk now conducts the dry goods business founded by C. W. Cronk, who died six years ago. J. H. Fancher has sold boots and shoes at his present site since 1870. He was burned out in 1876, in the Beecher block, which was built by the late Hamilton Beecher. A boot and shoe business was started before 1890 by H. O. Pratt, who sold to G. D. Wallace. In 1892 A. H. Anderson bought the store and still continues.
The oldest drug store in the village is that of J. W. Wilson, who be- gan business in 1877 and moved into his present store in 1881.
C. F. McConnell began selling drugs in 1891 and moved to his pres- ent location in 1897. C. A. Jones came from McGrawville, where he had long been in trade and started in the drug business.
The increasing business interests that followed the opening of the railroad demanded local banking facilities, and on January 12, 1856, the Canastota Bank was organized with forty-six stockholders and cap- ital stock of $110,000. The board of directors were George Crouse, William E. Fiske, John Montross, Jacob Crouse, Franklin M. Whitman, Robert G. Stewart, Daniel Crouse, De Witt C. Roberts, Daniel Lewis,
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Charles Stroud, Daniel Van Vleck, John Crouse, and Daniel B. Moot. The election of officers, March 5, 1856, resulted in the choice of Daniel Crouse, president; William E. Fiske, vice-president; George Crouse, cashier. Daniel Crouse was succeeded as president in 1858 by William E. Fiske, and at the annual election a few months later George Crouse was chosen president; Charles Stroud, vice-president ; William E. Fiske, cashier. D. H. Rasbach succeeded as cashier in 1859, and H. K. W. Bruce to the presidency soon after the death of Mr. Crouse. At a meeting held May 9, 1865, it was resolved to change the name of the institution to the Canastota National Bank, it becoming a part of the national system. In the great fire of 1873 the bank building was burned and the stockholders immediately erected the building used by the bank until it went into voluntary liquidation in September, 1890. In closing its affairs the stockholders were paid $1.3534 per cent., besides having paid large dividends throughout its whole life.
On the 19th of September, 1890, the present First National Bank of Canastota was organized, with a capital of $50,000, which remains the same. Le Grand Colton was chosen president; Edom N. Bruce, vice- president ; J. Clarence Rasbach, cashier; F. W. Dew, teller. These offi- cers still hold their positions.
The existing State Bank of Canastota is successor of the private banking house of Milton De Lano, which was opened August 7, 1876. It was made a State bank in 1887, with capital stock of $40,00), which remains the same. William H. Patten was at that time chosen presi- dent and still holds the office. The vice-president was E. N. Bruce, who was succeeded by Norman Stafford. Milton De Lano has remained cashier from the first.
The Canastota Savings and Loan Association was incorporated Feb- ruary 9, 1889, and has ever since had a prosperous career, giving effi- cient and permanent aid to many worthy persons. Its affairs have been prudently managed, so that it has never foreclosed a mortgage nor come into possession of a piece of real estate. The assets are now about $32,000. The officers of the association are S. K. Bemiss, presi- dent; William H. Patten, vice-president; J. E. Roantree, secretary ; E. L. Mason, treasurer; M. E. Barlow, attorney.
Canastota has had the experience with newspapers that fall to almost all villages. The stirring young community wanted a paper long be- fore it was incorporated as a village, or thought it did, and accordingly Silas Judd started the Bulletin in 1829. He soon sold out, of course,
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and Thomas G. Sutherland continued the publication about a year, calling the paper The Vidette. This brief and modest effort closed Canastota journalism until 1856 when George H. Merriam established the Canastota Times; this continued two years under his direction and a few months under Frederick A. Williams, when it was discontinued in June, 1858. In the fall of that year James E. N. Backus started the Canastota Eagle, which soared until the winter of 1859-60. The Weekly Gazette was established in the summer of 1860 by Smith Van Allen, and soon passed to Francis A. Darling, who continued it until he enlisted in 1861, when it was suspended. The next paper was the Canastota Herald, which was started in 1864, or 1865, by Arthur White. John Greenhow soon became a partner and a year later was sole owner. Still later he took his son in with him and in 1870 sold to a Mr. Schaffer, who kept the paper only a few months and sold to Wal- ter C. Stone. He published the Herald until February, 1873, when he sold out to Albert R. Barlow. In October, 1875, he sold to M. B. Rob- bins and he sold in 1889 to Samuel C. Salisbury. In June, 1889, the Bee was started by Charles Skelton and on March 1, 1890, was consoli- dated with the Herald. The Bee Publishing Company, which suc- ceeded Mr. Skelton, still publishes the paper.
The Canastota Journal was started as the Canastota News in 1881, by Clarence A. White. The name was subsequently changed and about 1884 the establishment was sold to H. L. & F. M. Spooner. It soon went back into White's hands. He left about two years later and the Spooners took the plant on a mortgage. In April, 1887, they sold to the present proprietor, P. F. Milmoe. Mr. Milmoe is an experi- enced newspaper man and gives the people of the community a well edited paper.
The best known hotels that succeeded the old taverns before men- tioned are the Twogood House and the Lewis House. The former is a successor of a hotel of former years that stood on the same site and burned in 1873. It was built and kept by D. C. Twogood, as also was the present commodious house, which he erected in 1877 and kept nine years. It afterwards had several proprietors and finally came into the hands of the present popular landlord, J. B. Weaver, who took it in May, 1898.
What was formerly the Pratt House stood on the site of the Lewis House and was burned. Another building was erected on the site which was bought by J. G. Lewis and enlarged and opened as a hotel in 1877. It is now kept by his widow.
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The Delaney House was built by Michael Hitchman about 1875 and he kept it two years. It passed through numerous proprietors' hands until 1890, when James E. Delaney took it. The Doolittle House stands on an old hotel site and has borne its present name many years and has been kept by various landlords. In October, 1898, the present proprietor, F. H. Gullerat, succeeded C. W. Lower. The Cornell House was built by the late J. D. Cornell. It is kept by E. C. Lower who has owned it since 1895, succeeding George Cross.
Canastota has suffered in the past from destructive fires beyond the fate of most places. The primitive fire department was very inefficient and when the incendiary applied his torch in 1873, the flames were soon beyond control and a large part of the village was swept away. The lesson was a costly as well as a salutary one. The fire extinguishing apparatus then in the village was a hand engine and hose cart. Within a few years a steamer was purchased, two hose companies were formed and other apparatus purchased, which gave the inhabitants a sense of better security. Through the installation of a splendid system of water works Canastota is at the present time not only as thoroughly protected from fire as any village in the State, but also has an unequaled supply of pure water for all other purposes. Steps were taken in 1883 for the purpose of supplying the village with water, and the system was fin- ished in 1886. Pure spring water was found near Clockville at a high elevation. This is stored in a large reservoir from which it reaches the village by gravity and with a pressure of 101 pounds to the square inch under 250 feet head. Pipes have been laid in most of the streets, fifty- eight hydrants are set in the village, and the corporation is supplied with water free. The works are owned by the corporation and cost in all about $70,0)0. The water commissioners are F. F. Hubbard, presi- dent; E. M. Harrison, and Herman Casler. With the introduction of this system, fire apparatus became almost useless, aside from hose and hook and ladder carts and fixtures. There are now excellent hose com- panies, bearing the names of Forbes Hose Company and De Lano Hose Company. A modern hook and ladder truck and apparatus is owned by members of the Todman Hook and Ladder Company, and was pur- chased since the water works were installed. Perley Buck is chief en- gineer and has two assistants. The firemen are all volunteers, but the companies are voted about $200 each by the corporation.
Under chapter 479, laws of 1895, the existing Board of Police and Fire Commissioners, consisting of four members, was created, whose
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duties will be understood from their title. The term of service is four years. The members of the board are William H. Patten, president ; S. K. Bemiss, D. C. Twogood, and C. H. Tondeur. The police force consists of three members.
Canastota is well lighted by electricity, for which condition William H. Patten is chiefly responsible. The Canastota Electric Light and Power Company was organized in 1887, with a capital stock of $20,000, a large share of which has always been owned by Mr. Patten. An excel- lent system was installed, forty-two arc lights are now maintained in the streets, and private consumers are supplied at fair prices. The offi- cers of the company are Milton De Lano, president; William H. Patten, secretary and treasurer; G. Tibbits, superintendent.
The schools of Canastota, especially in late years, have been kept abreast of modern methods. A meeting was held at the house of James Graham on November 27, 1820, at which district No. 9 was organized and the following trustees chosen : Samuel Halliday, Barnhardt Nellis, and Eleazer Lewis. A school house was built and accepted by the trustees in February, 1821. It was occupied until 1831, when it was burned, and in the following summer a new building was erected. This was occupied until 1846, when a new, larger and more modern school house was built. The building now occupied for the high school was erected in 1877. In 1883 the old district No. 9 was consolidated with No. 20, forming a Union district. In the recent division of the town of Lenox, this district took the old number 9 again. The school building on the south side was erected in 1893 largely to avoid the neces- sity of having small children cross the railroad tracks. The building on Spencer street was erected in 1886. The high school building, on Chapel street, was built in 18;1. Most of the property on the south side of the railroad was in old No. 20, now a part of No. 9, as before stated.
The schools are in charge of a Board of Education consisting of Mil- ton De Lano, president, who has served on the board seventeen con- secutive years; S. K. Bemiss, secretary, and Dr. William Taylor, S. Mead Wing and Norman Stafford. Clarence L. Hobart is clerk of the board. The principal of the high school is George Henry Ottaway, A. M. ; Es- tella M. Vedder. preceptress, and Francis Davenport, assistant in aca- demic department. Teachers in the grammar department-Nellie Van Ingen, Jessa Burkhardt; intermediate department-Laura B. Wager, Kate Dew (who has taught in the village twenty-six consecutive years).
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Emily Van Alsyne, Marie Cooper; primary department-Nina L. Per- kins, Florence Phoenix, May Chapman and Catherine Phoenix. In the south side school the teachers are Florence J. Williams (who has taught in the village about ten years), Miss Brister and Florence Avery.
Mention has been made a few pages back of the old Congregational church at Quality Hill. This society was organized probably in 1809, with Nathaniel Hall and John Hall the first deacons. Zebulon Doug- lass, Sylvester Beecher, Asa Cady, and a Mr. Sessions were the first trustees. The church edifice, a large wooden structure, was begun in 1814 and completed in 1819. The building is still standing.
The first religious society at Canastota was the Baptist, which was organized about 1819 with only a very few members. Without a regu- lar pastor and with no resources outside of their own little circle, the organization soon passed out of existence. A little later the Methodists in the vicinity began holding meetings in the school house, and in 1830 the first class was organized. A meeting house was projected in 1833, but was not completed until several years later; it was, however, used for meetings in 1835. The building was enlarged and improved in 1859, and in 1866 was practically rebuilt into its present form. The society is a prosperous one and the long succession of pastors closed with the appointment of Rev. J. E. Rhodes. An addition was built in 1884 and the church remodeled.
An Episcopal society was organized here in 1820, but services were not held regularly for many years. Rev. Joseph B. Young held services a few years, and other pastors ministered occasionally to the congrega- tion until 1883, when the present Trinity church was formed. In 1885 the present house of worship was erected. Rev. Frederick P. Winnie was succeeded by lay readers and among later pastors were Rev. Abram W. Ebersole, Rev. F. P. Tompkins, Rev. George H. Ottaway, who was assigned here as a lay reader and ordained while here; he served until 1897 and was followed by Rev. Charles H. Tindell. The present pas- tor, Rev. Joseph P. Foster, came in 1897. This is a mission of the church in Chittenango where the pastors reside.
The Reformed Protestant Church was organized in 1833, with Charles Spencer and Samuel Halliday deacons. The church edifice was erected in the same year, at the corner of Peterboro street and the railroad. Rev. Thomas Gregory was the first pastor. The church building was abandoned in 1878 on account of the disturbing noise of railroad trains.
What became known as the Independent Church was organized as
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the Free Church in 1845, the congregation being mainly strong anti- slavery advocates. Their creed was very liberal and was made still more so in 1864. A former feeble Universalist congregation united with the Free Church in the building of a meeting house in 1841, which was burned in 1871. In 1873 another edifice was erected, which, after the Free society gave up its organization and the old house of the Re- formed society was abandoned, passed to the latter and is still occupied by that society, but was organized under the name of the Presbyterian Church in 1886. The first pastor was John Calvin Mead; he was suc- ceeded after about six years by Rev. P. D. Cowan, present incumbent. J. C. Rasbach has served as Sunday school superintendent since the organization. Soon after the organization the edifice was extensively remodeled and additions made according to modern ideas.
A second Baptist society was organized in 1868 and in 1873-74 erect- ed the brick church which is still in use. The pulpit was supplied for a time by Madison University. Rev. C. E. Babcock is the present pastor.
St. Agatha's Catholic church was erected of brick in 1883. It is a mission of St. Patrick's parish of Chittenango and has a membership of about eighty families. It is now under ministration of Rev. James Collins of Chittenango.
Of Canastota and the surrounding territory as set off to form the new town of Lenox by the division of 1896, there is little further to record, the subject being treated further on. The map accompanying this chapter shows the approximate boundary of Lenox. H. O. Travis was chosen clerk of the new town and has since held the office. F. W. Doolittle, who was supervisor of the old town, held over until 1897, when George S. Sadler was elected; he died in 1899, and Francis Staf- ford was appointed to fill the vacancy. T. L. Murphy and S. H. Stroud are justices; Charles A. Allen, assessor; Charles S. Taber, highway commissioners; C. V. Parkhurst, collector.
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