USA > New York > Madison County > Our county and its people : a descriptive and biographical record of Madison County, New York > Part 33
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The Oneida Valley Presbyterian Church was organized May 24, 1847, with James Williamson, Ezra McEwen, G. T. Kirkland, Charles Smith, William Williamson members. Rev. James Nichols had preached there some time previous to the organization and was succeeded in 1848
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by Rev. Jehiel Talmage. The church records are fragmentary. The frame of the meeting house was built in 1848, with the intention of making it a union edifice; but funds ran out and it was not until 1854 that sufficient money could be collected to finish it.
Oneida Lake is another post hamlet near the lake shore in the north- west corner of the new town of Lenox. The place has also been called "Messenger's," from O. C. Messenger, who long kept the hotel there. Homer W. Sherwood has kept a store and been postmaster more than twenty years.
Very little of the hamlet of Durhamville in the northeast part of the new town of Oneida is on the Madison county side of the line. The place took its name from Eber Durham, who settled there 1826. At that date there were only four log houses on the site of the village. Through Mr. Durham's enterprise and the opening of the canal, the place assumed considerable business importance At one period there there were a tannery, a glass factory (still in existence), two or three stores, nine groceries, a steam grist mill (still running), an iron foundry, and three or four hotels. These and the present business in- terests of the village have little bearing upon the history of Madison county. The dry dock of Michael Doran, at which considerable busi- ness is done, and the hotel of John Wimmett, are on the Madison county side.
A part of the large business interests of Kenwood are situated in the east part of the new town of Oneida, under management of the Oneida Community Limited. The railroad station is named Kenwood, and the canning factory, the silk spooling establishment and dye house are in this county. The thread, trap works, etc., are in Oneida county. The Community was organized in 1848, prospered greatly in business and wealth, but gained unenviable notoriety through its peculiar views on the marriage relation as expounded by John H. Noyes, who was the founder. It is not felt that any extended account of this Community is needed in these pages. When its underlying doctrine as to marriage was abolished in response to pressure of public opinion, it became a purely business institution and as such continues with a high degree of success.
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CHAPTER XVII.
PROGRESS OF IMPROVEMENT IN TOWNS CONTINUED-SULLIVAN.
The recent division of the old town of Lenox into three towns leaves the town of Sullivan the largest in the county, though it is not, of course, the most numerously populated. The population has steadily declined in numbers during the past thirty or forty years, from causes that have already been noticed, the census of 1892 giving it as 3, 944, while in 1860 it was 5,233.
When John H. Walrath came to the site of Chittenango in 1808, with his son, Henry I., he settled on the well-known Walrath farm of 100 acres, which was largely forest covered. He and his son had contracted for the construction of a section of the Seneca Turnpike. In the spring of 1809 work was begun in clearing on the farm. At that time there were only three or four houses on the site of Chittenango, a part of which was low and swampy. The site of the park itself was a sort of mud hole; but the beauty of the surroundings and the splendid water power gave the site natural advantages that the earlier village of Can- aseraga could not compete with.
The beginning of the village may be said to date from the time in 1812 when Judge Sanger and Judge Youngs of Whitestown built the first mills. Joseph Sanger also opened the first store, conducted an ashery, bought cattle and drove them to market, etc. He continued in mercantile business until near his death, about 1850, at an advanced age. Moses Parmalee came here from Cazenovia and was a merchant contemporary with Mr. Sanger. He died in March, 1860, at the age of seventy years.
In the spring of 1816 John B. Yates, a man of great business ability and unbounded energy, appeared in Chittenango and under the stim- ulous of his activity the place grew rapidly. He opened a large store for that time and continued the leading business man of the village many years. In 1818 he built a plaster mill adjoining the grist mill in the village and soon after the discovery of water lime engaged exten- sively in its manufacture. He was largely instrumental in constructing
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the lateral canal from Chittenango to the Erie, and conducted a packet line to Utica, with other operations yet to be noticed. Mr. Yates was a lawyer by profession and a more detailed sketch of his life is given in another chapter of this work.
The opening of the canal was a source of rapid settlement and im- provement of this town and village. About the time that Mr. Yates came in Dr. Samuel Kennedy, James Kennedy, Dr. Samuel Fuller, Thomas Livingston, Robert and David Riddell, and other progressive men became residents. David Riddell was son of Robert the elder, and in 1811 went to Peterboro where he learned the tanner and currier trade with Benjamin Wilber. In 1815 he and his brother Robert estab- lished the same business in connection with boot and shoe making, in Chittenango, in the tannery built about 1808 by a man named McBride, who left it in a year or two. The business was revived by Vincent Wilber, who was superseded by the Riddells, who purchased the prop- erty from Jonathan Smith, the former proprietors not having acquired title. This old tannery was situated on the site of the Baptist church and the store building adjoining. Another tannery was built about 1817 by John Bouck, near the site of the village grist mill which was operated a few years by other persons.
With the growth of settlement, the improvement of land and the in- crease of produce for shipment, other merchants set up business in the village and the place became an active trade center. Henry H. Cobb, a clerk for Mr. Yates, became his partner and continued in trade and the manufacture of lime until about 1836. He became owner of seven canal boats, which he loaded with grain bought by himself and shipped to Albany. His brother, Nathan Cobb, was for a period associated with him; both subsequently removed to Syracuse where they died.
The firm of George K. Fuller and Joseph Clary (Fuller & Clary) were in business about a year in the Yates & Cobb store and also man- ufactured water lime. They failed and sold their goods to Reuben Hawley, the pioneer Canastota merchant. Mr. Hawley was succeeded in the same store by James Crouse, who came from Durhamville, and later was associated with his brother George. About ten years subse- quently John A. Lamphere, from Pompey, and F. H. Hutchinson, from Fayetteville, became his partners. The firm of Crouse, Lamphere & Co. continued about four years when they removed into the brick build- ing erected by the Cobbs and now occupied as a dwelling and town clerk's office by George W. De Witt. Shortly afterwards they sold out
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at auction, the Crouses to go to Syracuse and the other partners re- maining in business here. Lamphere formed a partnership with James S. Atwell, from New York. About a year later Lamphere retired and went to New York, and Atwell continued. In 1866 he associated with himself Ambrose E. Gorton, a native of Brookfield, who had then been in business since 1856; the firm was J. S. Atwell & Co., and continued until 1873, when Atwell went to Syracuse, Mr. Gorton continuing the business until the present time. He is now one of the oldest merchants in the county.
Robert and Daniel Stewart and A. J. and R. B. French formed a mer- cantile partnership and about a year later the Stewarts sold to their partners. A little later Thomas A. Clark bought an interest. French, Clark & Co. continued about two years when R. B. French sold to his cousin, J. H. H. French. About five years later Clark sold his interest to his partners who engaged in forwarding at Chittenango landing and carried on a grocery some years in the building in which the Chitten- ango Pottery Company began business.
John Williams was a merchant of about 1822 and two or three years later took in William Bates. In 1829 they sold to David Mitchell and Edward Sims. Mitchell & Sims continued nearly three years, when John Bates, of Cazenovia, who had been a clerk for Williams & Bates, bought Mitchell's interest and the firm continued until 1855, when Sims sold his interest to Benjamin French. The firm of John Bates & Co. thus formed continued until 1861, when the business was closed out. Mr. Bates was afterwards engaged in forwarding and died in Chittenango. This store was the one occupied by Harley Gay as a hardware store.
Moses Parmalee and Albert Dunham, the former having kept a gro- cery a few years, traded a short time from about 1831. William Briggs came here about 1828 and was in business a few years. He went to Chicago, built the Briggs House and became wealthy. Hezekiah Beecher was an early merchant and continued many years. His store stood on the site of Dr. Eaton's house and he had as partners a man named Norton and his son-in-law, William Lawrence. Hugh White was another early merchant who removed to Cohoes. Peter Groesbeck traded a few years from about 1844.
The Atwater Brothers settled about 1840, began trade, but about two years later returned to New York, whence they came. Curtis & Steele came from Penn Yan about 1840, and bought out Sims & Bates, and
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were burned out a year and a half later, when they left the place. Kit- tridge & Allen were in business about two years from 1832. Jacob Colyer came from Canajoharie in 1818, was a farmer until 1827, when he began the trade of tanner with David Riddell. In 1833 he began boot and shoe making and continued until 1853. Alfred Bellamy opened a store about 1835, in company with his brother, whose interest he purchased a little later. He was afterwards associated with James Walrath and the firm of Bellamy & Walrath continued until about five years later, when Bellamy removed to Watkins, N. Y. Walrath con- tinued business many years, when he failed; his brother Richard had been associated with him several years. Henry and George Perry were in business eight or ten years from about 1835 and failed. There were a few other early merchants whose periods of business were mainly brief.
Benjamin Jenkins came from Barre, Mass., where he was born, and settled in Chittenango in 1834, serving as clerk for James Crouse & Co. until 1840, when he opened a store where A. N. Chariton is now located ; Jenkins was in trade more than forty years. At different periods he had as partners Abner Hatch, P. D. Harrington, and his son, Ben- jamin R.
Richard R. Walrath and C. V. Harbottle formed the firm of Har- bottle & Walrath in 1860 and in 1867 took in Joseph Harbottle, father of C. V. They continued until 1870, when C. V. Harbottle retired and the firm name was changed to Walrath & Harbottle. The firm subsequently dissolved. A. V. Boardman and Robert Harrison were in business a number of years as clothiers and tailors. Mr. Boardman is deceased and Harrison is in an asylum for insane. L. E. Shepard was in business twenty or more years from 1861, at first with R. J. Tappen, and later with B. W. Soper. Soper ultimately removed to Syracuse. The late Robert Kennedy was a grocer about twenty years from 1863. Lyman Gay came here in 1865 in company with Lucius M. Conine, and began a hardware business. Conine sold to Mr. Gay about two years later. The son is still in the same business. A tin and hardware store is also carried on by Richard Jones. Nicholas Greminger, a native of Germany, came here in 1866 and began furni- ture business; he built the Greminger block, but is now an Onondaga county farmer. Jerry Taylor began the boot and shoe business in 1866, associated afterwards with his son, William J., and later with E. Root; this business is now conducted by W. S. Siver, who is also postmaster.
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Joseph H. Walrath and his son Alfred were grocers a number of years after 1869; Alfred is now in business in Syracuse. H. M. Barrett, dealer in stoves and hardware for about ten years, removed to Cali- fornia. Fred W. Lamphere, a native of New Woodstock, began a drug business in May, 1875. John Colyer began as a boot and shoe dealer in 1879 and is now on a farm in this town. W. P. Maine, a native of this town, was a general merchant from 1880, having previously had a store a few years at Bridgeport; he is now in Indianapolis. Edgar Drew was a grocer a short time from 1880, and both G. W. and G. M. Dewitt were formerly in trade. F. W. Stillman, a jeweler, of that period, went west.
Merchants of the present, not all of whom have been mentioned, are Abner Hatch, general store; A. N. Chariton, general store; W. I. Tyler, furniture; George C. Clark, druggist; Costello & Root, general store and drugs, firm formed by consolidating the business of A. E. Root and J. R. Costello in 1897; A. E. Gorton, Harlan L. Gay, and a few places of business of minor importance.
The manufacturing interests of Chittenango in past years have had considerable importance and in some respects are still prominent fac- tors in the business of the town. At the time of the building of the first mills in 1812, before mentioned, a saw mill and clothing works were erected. The saw mill was demolished many years ago, and the other factory, which stood on the site of the later cotton factory, was burned. In 1816 John B. Yates, William K. Fuller and David P. Hoyt purchased the mill property, in company with William Britton, and their enterprise soon gave an impetus to the growth of the village. Hoyt soon returned to Utica, whence he came, and Yates acquired Fuller's interest which he retained until his death, when it passed into his estate. About 1854 it was sold to Rathbone & Son, who enlarged the grist mill. They sold to James Broadhead, who transferred to James and Ransford Button. E. A. Judd became the owner, and it subsequently passed to Ransford Button, who, about 1875, made it a roller mill and after being operated by two or three different men it finally passed to Frank Suiter, the present proprietor.
On the site of the paper mill John B. Yates had an oil mill which was burned about the close of the war, and a saw mill. This was con- verted into a paper mill for the manufacture of mill-board by Simon D. Paddock and during the war period did a prosperous business. John G. Yates afterwards operated a saw mill there and later sold to H. L.
21
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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.
Jones, who fitted it for making wrapping paper. About 1878 Beard, Crouse & Co. of Fayetteville came into possession and owned it until it burned down.
In 1824 John B. Yates built a woolen factory of stone, the building still standing on the site of the later cotton mill, which passed to James Broadhead. Burned in 1866, it was rebuilt, and in December, 1867, was purchased by T. H. Hintermister, of Ithaca, and his brother, Otto, to be used for a cotton factory. Machinery was brought from England consisting of 1,500 spindles and forty looms, and in the fall of 1868 the manufacturing of sheeting was begun. In the next year a Leffel tur- bine wheel was installed, a steam boiler, with two additional mules and twenty-eight looms. Before starting with the new improvements, a' stock company was formed with capital subscribed of $200,000, mostly by persons in this vicinity. The Chittenango Cotton Company pur- chased the factory, and also the distillery property a mile and a half south of the village, with the intention of there building another cotton factory, where spinning only was to be carried on. The first officers were Daniel Stewart, president; Ebenezer Pennock, vice-president; Robert Stewart, treasurer; Otto Hintermister, secretary and manager. In 1870 twenty more looms were added and in 1873 the factory was en- larged by adding a one-story and basement stone building. The hard times of that immediate period prevented the completion of this struc- ture. In the spring of 1879 the company's affairs were placed in a receiver's hands and in July the property was sold to Ebenezer Pen- nock. He associated himself with Otto Hintermister and began over- hauling and repairing machinery, improving the old building and finishing the new structure, into which a part of the machinery was placed from the old factory. In February, 1880, the factory was started, but for various reasons it could not be made profitable, and was closed in about three years. The building is now in use for storing onions and shipping to market by Charles F. Pennock. The old distillery building was used for a paper mill a number of years by A. Crichton.
Richard R. and D. D. Walrath were associated with Dr. P. S. Arndt in 1852 in starting another paper mill, but it was operated only two years. The building was removed to Canaseraga and converted into a creamery.
The old Walrath foundry and machine shops, on the creek in the north part of the village, were established more than sixty years ago by Daniel Walrath, who operated them until his death, which was
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caused by an accident on August 4, 1861. He was succeeded by his son, Peter Walrath, the present proprietor, who was associated about two years with his brothers, Jesse and Abel. The works have been enlarged and improved by both father and son, and are adapted for the building of steam engines and other high grade machinery. Daniel F. Kellogg had a former foundry on the site of the residence of the late Ebenezer Pennock, which was subsequently taken down.
In connection with the industries of this town should be noticed the works of the Chenango Pottery Company at the Landing. This com- pany was organized in 1897, with a capital of $35,000, which has been increased to $70,000. The officers were Frank Gates, president, suc- ceeded by T. D. Wilkin, now in the office; vice-president, Dr. John R. Eaton, still in office; secretary, W. J. Logan, succeeded by Frank A. Peck. The old distillery, before mentioned, was purchased, but before the business was under way it burned. It was at once rebuilt and again burned in December, 1898. Since then a substantial brick struc- ture has been erected and the business started up anew. Fine table ware is manufactured.
At the Landing are also the tile works which have been in operation nearly twenty years by outside capital. This was in former years a brick yard owned by Philander Millington. From 1872 until his death in 1893, Jacob Walker kept a store at the Landing, which was managed for him after 1887 by I. J. Northrup. The latter bought the business in 1893 and still conducts it. Also the large canning and preserving factory of Merrell & Soule (of Syracuse) situated at the Landing, where immense quantities of vegetables are canned or otherwise preserved for domestic use.
In the village Peter P. Carl & Son have a wagon and blacksmith shop, in a building which was first occupied by Obadiah Tibbitts. Mr. Carl, the elder, began business in 1852. Mr. Carl is also owner of the modest opera house, which was erected in 1870 by Daniel Stewart. Henry Rogers carries on shoemaking, succeeding Charles Holtz. The oldest manufacturer in the village is A. L. Porter who makes harness and boots and shoes, in which he has been engaged more than fifty years.
There are two good hotels in the village. The Yates House was orig- inally built sometime previous to 1805 and was first kept by a Mr. Wilson. The original building is lost sight of in the present structure. It has had many proprietors and is now conducted by Clark Wheeler.
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The Dixon House, conducted by O. A. Russell since 1877, when he suc- ceeded William Sternberg, was built in 1827 by Timothy Pratt, who conducted it a short time. Like most couutry hotels it has had half a score proprietors.
When the business of Chittenango was at its height and a bank was needed, the Chittenango Bank was organized and began business April 1, 1853, with capital of $110,000, which was increased the next year to $150,000. The first directors were George Crouse, George Grant, John A. Lamphere, James Crouse, John Knowles, John Crouse, Jairus French, William E. Lansing, Daniel Gates, George E. Downer, Daniel Stewart, John A. Campbell, Hiram Brown. George Crouse was the first president; George Grant, vice-president; David H. Rasbach, cash- ier. Damon Wells was the second president, and Daniel Gates the third, taking the position in 1858. The bank building was erected in 1853. This bank, the first in the town, closed its business in 1864. Daniel Gates, the third president, is still a resident of the town and one of the most respected and beloved citizens. Frank H. Gates, who has been prominent in public affairs of the county and held many offices, is a son of Daniel Gates.
The First National Bank of Chittenango was organized December 28, 1863, with a capital of $50,000, which was several times increased until it reached $150,000. The first directors were James Broadhead, Daniel F. Kellogg, George Kellogg, Daniel D. Walrath, Henry C. Howe, Ed- ward Sims, Ebenezer Pennock, John H. Walrath, Peter Walrath. James Broadhead, president; Peter Walrath, vice-president; George Kellogg, cashier. Robert Stewart was the second president (1864), and Peter Walrath from 1873. The bank occupied the building erected by the first bank. It went into liquidation in 1883. The bank building is now occupied by Walter H. Stewart, who has conducted private bank- ing business since 1886, which is a great convenience to the residents.
Chittenango has seen less change in its newspapers than most simi- lar villages. The first paper here was the Chittenango Herald, estab- lished in 1832 by Isaac Lyon. It afterwards bore successively the name of Chittenango Republican, the Phoenix, and the Democratic Gazette, until it was discontinued in 1856. The Madison County Times was founded August 14, 1810, by Arthur White, who sold it seven years later to H. E. Barrett. He published it until 1883, when Luke Mc- Henry purchased the establishment and has ever since given the people a bright and ably edited journal. Mr. McHenry is now serving his second term as president of the village.
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Chittenango has been the place of residence and labor of many pro- fessional men of high standing. The first physician was Dr. Weed, who moved to Manlius where he died. Dr. John P. Kennedy, and Drs. Tilden and Amos Amsden, practiced hereabouts while located at Can- aseraga. Dr. Kennedy was here as early as 1815, and finally removed to Dryden, N. Y. About 1825 his brothers, Samuel, Isaac, and James, all physicians, came here and engaged in practice, Samuel continued until his death in 1849. The late Judge Charles L. Kennedy, of Mor- risville, and Robert Kennedy, of Chittenango, were sons of Samuel.
Drs. Samuel and Edward Fuller came from Schenectady in 1822 and 1827 respectively. Both were graduates of Union College. Samuel continued practice here until 1868, removing to New York; Edward re- sided here until his death in 1877, but did not practice in his later years. Both were very successful and enjoyed the respect of the com- munity.
Dr. Isaac Thompson Teller settled in Chittenango in 1842, having previously practiced in Whitesboro. He continued until his death in June, 1874. Dr. William Oaks began practice here about 1851. Five years later he removed to De Ruyter and thence to Hamilton, where he died in 1863. Dr. P. S. Arndt came here about 1853 and about three years later removed to Chicago. Dr. R. S. Bishop, Dr. Reynolds and Dr. W. H. Griffith were in practice here before 1880, each a short period.
Sylvanus D. Hanchett, a native of Oneida county, settled in Chitten- ango in 1852, and is one of the oldest practicing physicians in this county and a much respected citizen. Dr. Merchant Billington, now in practice in the village, is a son of Charles Billington, was born in 1836, and began practice here in 1860. He was in the Assembly in 1877 and is prominent in public affairs.
Dr. John R. Eaton, now in practice, is a native of Vermont, and a graduate of the Medical College of Syracuse University, 1875, in which year he began practice here. Dr. W. Estus Deuel, now in practice, is a native of Wayne county, N. Y., graduated at the New York Homœo- pathic Medical College in 1876, settling in Chittenango in 1877.
The pioneer lawyer of Chittenango was William K. Fuller, born in Schenectady in 1792, and a graduate of Union College. He read law with Henry and John B. Yates and in 1814 became a partner with the latter, coming with him to this place. He was not only an able lawyer but a surveyor of ability. He was prominent in public affairs and
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