Our county and its people : a descriptive and biographical record of Madison County, New York, Part 55

Author: Smith, John E., 1843- ed
Publication date: 1899
Publisher: [Boston, Mass.] : Boston History Company
Number of Pages: 960


USA > New York > Madison County > Our county and its people : a descriptive and biographical record of Madison County, New York > Part 55


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).


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Whereas, A few of the members of this Society have repudiated the doctrines and practice which are are almost universally taught in the Medical schools throughout the civilized world and have adopted the theory and practice of medicine called Homoeopathy; therefore,


Resolved, That in our opinion the so-called system of Homoeopathy is irrational and delusive and its believers, however high may be their intelligeuce or moral standing, are deceived by the specious reasoning by which it is attempted to be supported.


Resolved, That in our opinion the practice of Homoeopathy is highly fraught with danger to the community, and that our duty to the public imperiously demands an exposure of its fallacies; therefore,


Resolved, That we as a Society disclaim all participation in the peculiar doctrines of Homoeopathy.


The protracted conflict between the two schools of medicine is well remembered by most persons to-day. Broader and more liberal views at last prevailed until the differences that once existed on the subject have mostly passed away. That this result was approached earlier than in most localities is indicated in a resolution offered by Dr. V. W. Mason on January 26, 1847, two years after the foregoing series was adopted :


Resolved, That a committee be appointed whose duty it shall be to investigate the theory of medical practice called Homœopathy, to tests its medicines by actual ex- periment and report to this society.


534


OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.


If this action was taken the records do not show its results. In more recent years the society has kept abreast of the advancement in general medical science and practice, and placed itself on record on all subjects of importance in relation to the profession.


Following is a complete list of all the physicians who have at any time been members of the Society, with the dates when they joined, as shown in the record book:


Abell, July 27, 1824


Carpenter, E. H., 1894


Adams, Homer,


July 27, 1852


Carpenter, H, W., Oneida, July 12, 1870


Allen, J. B.,


1891


Carpenter, Wesley M., July 14, 1863


Amsden, Amos S.,


July 29, 1806


Carter, H. T. 1888


Antes, Jan. 28, 1840


Cavana, M. 1894


Babcock, Benjamin W., July 27, 1824


1884


Chamberlayne, J. K., July 27, 1852


Babcock, H. E.


July 31, 1822


Chase, D. D., Morrisville, . July 11, 1871


Bailey, E. P.,


1888


Cheesbrough, Amos, July 12, 1859


Bailey, Eli S. July 28, 1818


Bailey, Silas, July 26, 1836


Ballaou, Jan. 28, 1834


Ballou, Russell, July 12, 1859


Banning, George W. 1896


Barber, Philo J.


July 29, 1834


Barber, Samuel Apr. 29, 1807


Barker Daniel, July 28, 1820


Barnett, Milton, Dec. 24, 1833


Collins, D. S. P. July 25, 1826


Beardsley, Henry G., July 31, 1832


Beardsley, L., Oneida July 7, 1857


Corcoran, James A., 1898


Beebe, F. D., Lebanon, July 7, 1857


Cornell, Alanson, Jan. 31, 1832


Beebe, F. G., 1889


Beebe, Loren C.


1898


Billington, Merchant,


Jan. 13, 1874


Birdsall, Gilbert, North Brookfield, Jan. 19, 1864


Cunningham, Hugh, July 29, 1828


Curtis, Seymour, July 30, 1839


Blakeslee, A., July 27, 1841


Davis, George W.


1889


Boden, Edwin R. 1894


Davis, Lavinia R., 1899


Bradley, Samuel B. July 28, 1819


Davis, W. A., 1889


Brooks, Nelson O.,


1896


Decker, John J 1898


Brown, N. Clift, 1881


Didama, John, Jan. 26, 1819


Buckingham, E. D., Jan. 27, 1835


Dodge, A. A., 1895


Bullock, C. N.,


1883


Douglas, A. S., July 9, 1872


Bushyte, Orlando W., 1880


Douglas, James S., Jan. 28, 1834


Burrough, Erastus B., Jan. 31, 1827


Douglass, W. H., 1892


Bush, Edwin D., Madison, Oct. 6, 1857


Dorrance, John July 29, 1806


Cleaveland, Benjamin F., July 25, 1826 Cleveland, William P. July 29, 1806


Colegrove, C. M. 1895


Barrow, - Jan. 25, 1825


Collins, Nathan, July -, 1830


Collister, Samuel, July 27, 1824


Cook, Orange R. July -, 1829


Coy, William B., July 31, 1838 Crandall, H. S., Leonards- ville, July 7, 1857


Bass, Henry, Jan, 30, 1810


Clarke, Samuel R., July 25, 1826


Clarke, Silas S., De Ruyter Oct. 11, 1859 Clarke, Welcome A. July 28, 1818


Clarke, Isaac, July 31, 1838


Clarke, John, . Apr. - , 1809


Cazier, John Le Conte, July 28, 1819


Babcock, John


535


MEDICAL SOCIETIES AND PROFESSION.


Drake, F. C.,


1894


Huntley, J. F. Jan. 22, 1878


Eaton, John R.,


1880


Huntley, J. F. 1892


Farnsworth, Charles Jan. 29, 1828


Hurd,


July 28, 1840


Farrell, Andrew July 25, 1837


Hurd, D. E., July 25, 1843


Farrell, Israel, July 29, 1806


Joy, Milton R.,


1887


Fay, Jonas, July 29, 1806


Kennedy, James, July 29, 1828


Fisk, Joshua M., Jan. 26, 1819


Kennedy, Samuel,


July 31, 1821


Fitch, W. R., Oct. 13, 1858


Kenney, July 25, 1837


Foord, Alvin,


Jan. 27, 1829


Knapp, J. W.


1884


Foord, Henry, Jan. 22, 1878


Knowlton, Josiah, July 31, 1821


Foote, David Y. July 26, 1825


Lane, Ebenezer, Jan, 30, 1809


Foote, Noah B., July 30, 1821


Langworthy, O. S. 1891


French, John H., W. Eaton July 8, 1856


Lee, July 27, 1835


Lewis, Birdseye, July 26, 1825


Litchfield, W. M., 1892


Lloyd, Frederick O., 1898


Lloyd, G. F. 1887


Lockwood, Henry, July 30, 1833


Loomis, George S. July -, 1829


Loomis, Joseph, July 28, 1840


Gibbs, Levi, July 28, 1818


Gillett, Jacob, July 29, 1818


Goff, I. N., Cazenovia, Feb. 18, 1862


Goodell, John,


July 29, 1828


Goodwin, Timothy, Jan. 25, 1825


Marsh, M. M., July 27, 1841


Mason, Adolphus A., Jan. 29, 1828


Mason, V. W. Jan. 31, 1837


Greene, Carl D. July 10, 1877


Mayberry, F. T., July 29, 1845


Greenly, Thomas, July 29, 1806


Greenwood, Levi P. Jan. 25, 1842


Griffith, W. H. 1888


Mead, H. P., Oct. 13, 1858


Guernsey, Jonathan, July 31, 1822


Mead, Onesimus, July 29, 1817


Mead, Powers R., Jan. 28, 1834


Mead, Thompson, Jr July 30, 1839


Halbert, H., 1889


Merrick, Constant, July 29, 1806


Messenger, E. G. Jan. 27, 1835


Messenger, M. P. 1895


Miller, Edgar L , Eaton, July 8, 1879 Miller, H. P., Eaton, July 12, 1870


Mills, George W. 1890


Mitchell, David, July 29, 1817


Mitchell, David, Jan. 26, 1841


Moffett, Joseph, July 29, 1817


Hoskins, A. N., 1892 Moore, - Munnsville, July 13, 1875


Hovey, Isaac, July 28, 1819


Moore, E. M. Jan. 26, 1847


Moore, J., Jan. 27, 1835


Moore, James, July 29, 1806


Galloway, E. H., 1885


Germain, Morris, July 28, 1820


Germer, Hermann G. 1898


Loveland, E. W., Oneida, - Jan. 10, 1871


Lull, Almond, Jan. - , 1833


Lull, Ansel July 31, 1822


Lum, W. Tappan, 1896


Goslee, James P. July 25, 1837


Gray, R. H., July 10, 1860


McClelland, -, De Ruyter Mead, Henry M. July 25, 1843


July 13, 1875


Guernsey, Sylvanus, July 31, 1822


Guthrie, Jarvis Moore, July 25, 1842


Hamer, J., Oneida, July 13, 1858


Harris, George W., July 12, 1864


Havers, Peter B. July 28, 1820


Head, A. D., 1874


Heffron, John,


July 27, 1813


Henry, John D., July 29, 1806 Holmes, A. M., Morrisville Oct. 6, 1857 Holton, Rufus, July 29, 1806


Howland, Perez, July 28, 1820


Hubbard, F. H. 1888


Fuller, Edward, July -, 1829


Fuller, Samuel, Jan. 26, 1819


Furman. Charles L., Ham- ilton, July 8, 1879


536


OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.


Morey, Zabina M., Jan. 29, 1828


Mumford, E. S.


July 8, 1862


Munger, G. B. July 12, 1864


Nash, Rivera, Oct. 27, 1807


Nichols, Jan. 25, 1842


Nicholas, A. S. July 25, 1843


Norton, Joel,


July 29, 1817


Norton, Samuel,


July 26, 1836


Noyes, Helon Fay, July -, 1830


Oaks, William, July 8, 1862


Orton, Jan. 28, 1840


Palmer, Benjamin, July 31, 1821


Parker, Zadoc, July 29, 1806


Patrie, William, Oct. 25, 1808


Payne, John, Jan. 29, 1828


Peck, Daniel, July 29, 1817


Peck, S. W.,


July 30, 1839


Percival, Stephen, July 29, 1806


Perry, C. H.


Jan. 13, 1874


Pfaff, Otto, 1894


Pierce, Jeremiah B. July -, 1810


Potter, S. M.


July 30, 1839


Powers, Isaac,


April 29, 1807


Powers, N. C.,


Jan. 26, 1841


Pratt, Daniel,


July 28, 1819


Pratt, Elijah,


July 29, 1806


Pratt James,


July 29, 1806


Pratt, Jonathan,


July 29, 1806


Prior, Asahel, July 29, 1806


Purdy, Albert G.


July -, 1830


Putnam, Elijah,


July 29, 1806


Putnam, John,


July 31, 1827


Rankin, J.,


Jan. 27, 1835


Rankin, Jairus,


July -, 1829


Ransom, C. H. 1874


Ransom D. Jan. 25, 1842


Reed, Amos, July 30, 1839


Ressinger, J. A. July 10, 1866


Rockwell, Alva W. Jan. 28, 1823


Rogers, A. C.


1874


Root, F. W., July 8, 1862


Root, R. B., Jan. 31, 1832


Sammis, O.K., Wampsville, July 8, 1862 Saunders, A. L., July 30, 1839


Scott,


1896


Seamans, Horace,


July -, 1829


Sexton, E. H., Oneida, July 11, 1871


Sherman, Jonathan, July 28, 1807


Silsby, Jonathan, July 29, 1817


Sizer, Asa B., July 29, 1806


Smith, A. D., New Wood- stock, July 14, 1868


Smith, Hubbard, Oct. 25, 1808


Smith, J. W. July 9, 1872


Spence, Ira, Jan. 28, 1834


Spence, Ira, De Ruyter, Oct. 11, 1859


Spencer, Thomas,


July 28, 1818


Spooner, Stillman,


Jan. 26, 1830


Stacy, Consider H.


July 28, 1820


Stowell, Joseph,


Jan. 30, 1809


Sumner, Henry T.


July 26, 1825


Taylor William


Jan. 27, 1818 Taylor, William, Munnsville July 12, 1870 Teft, Joseph, July 30, 1833


Teller, J. T.,


July 25, 1843


Throop, J. Motte, Lebanon July 14, 1868 Tompkins, A.Miss, Hamil-


ton,


July 8, 1879


Treadway, July 25, 1842


Trevor, J ,


July 25, 1843


Tucker, Laban,


July 31, 1838


Upham,


Jan. 27, 1818


Ure, H. D.,


1874


Usher, Nathaniel,


July 31, 1827


Van Wagner, L. A., North Brookfield, July 11, 1871


Warner, N. P., New Wood- stock July 8, 1879


Warner, William, July 31, 1832


Webster,


Jan. 27, 1818


Wells, J. R.,


Jan. 31, 1843


White, Adonijah,


Jan. 26, 1819


White, A. N.,


1890


White, Homer H. 1891


Whitford, James,


July 31, 1838


Whitmore, Theophilus,


Jan. 30, 1809


Wilcox, O. B., Earlville, -. July 8, 1879


Wilson, S. J.,


1896


Wilson,


July 26, 1814


Woods, Harvey.


May 8, 1810


Youngs, John T.,


Jan. 28, 1834


537


MEDICAL SOCIETIES AND PROFESSION.


The Madison County Homoeopathic Medical Society .- Many years passed after the introduction of homœopathy in New York in 1825, be- fore any organized society existed. The new school met with deter- mined opposition, and in 1830 there were only six homœopathic phy- sicians in the whole country, and almost all of these were practicing in New York city. When Dr. George W. Roberts introduced the practice into the neighboring county of Chenango, in 1841, there were not prob- ably forty homœopathic doctors yet in the country, and none at all in Madison county.


Previous to 1857 there were homœopathic medical societies, but they were mere gatherings of physicians without any legal standing what- ever. An act of the Legislature of April 13, of that year, authorized the formation of such societies with the same privileges and immunities enjoyed by those of the older school. In 1862 the Legislature incor- porated the Homoeopathic Medical Society of the State of New York, and under this act county societies became auxiliary to the State society.


The organization of the Madison County Homoeopathic Medical So- ciety was effected at a meeting of the Oneida County Society, held in Utica, October 18, 1864, Drs. E. A. Munger and George B. Palmer acting as the committee of organization of a society in both Madison and Chenango counties. This committee issued an invitation and on January 4, 1865, the following physicians met at the office of Dr. D. D. Loomis in Morrisville: D. D. Loomis, W. B. Brown, of Hamilton; G. L. Gifford, of Hamilton; A. E. Wallace, of Brookfield; Ira C. Owen, of Sherburne; George B. Palmer, of East Hamilton; E. A. Munger, of Waterville; George W. Bailey, of Waterville, and H. M. Paine, of Al- bany. The formal organization under the act then took place, Dr. Munger acting as temporary chairman, and Dr. George B. Palmer as secretary. Drs. Loomis, Owen and Wallace were appointed a com- mittee to report a form of constitution and by laws. When these were reported they were discussed and finally adopted at the same meeting. The first officers, also elected at that time, were as follows:


Dr. D. D. Loomis was elected president; Ira C. Owen, vice-president ; George B. Palmer, secretary and treasurer; and Drs. A. E. Wallace, G. L. Gifford and George B. Palmer, censors.


Drs. E. A. Munger, H. M. Paine and G. W. Bailey were elected hon- orary members.


During the period since the organization of the society it has been kept in a fair state of activity and accomplished much for the benefit of


538


OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.


its members. Valuable papers have been read at its meetings and the many able and honorable men who have been and are members of this school of medicine in the county, have labored unselfishly for the afflicted.


Following is a list of the members of this society from its formation to the present time with dates of election :


Isaac Clark, Eaton, June 27, 1865


H. F. Adams, Canastota, June 27, 1866


John P. Hunting, Brookfield, October 2, 1866


Henry F. Adams, Canastota,


October 2, 1866


Stillman Spooner, Oneida, October 2, 1866


Harrison Willis, Clinton, (honorary) October 2, 1866


Edgar C. Bass, Cazenovia,


June 25, 1867


A. A. Lewis, De Ruyter,


Edward Loomis, Oneida, June 25, 1867


H. P. Mera, Canastota, June 22, 1869


John W. Brown, Morrisville,


June 22, 1869


M. M. Catlin, Brookfield,


June 22, 1869


L. C. Crowell, Morrisville,


June, 1873


E. L. Coon, De Ruyter,


June, 1873


W. H. Griffith, Chittenango, June, 1875


J. T. Wallace, Oneida, 1876


E. P. Hussey, 1876


J. E. Slaught, Hamilton, 1881


George E. Sanford, Eaton, 1882 I 1 I


Melvin E. Edgerton, Canastota, 1882


June 22, 1869


539


GAZETTEER OF TOWNS-BROOKFIELD.


CHAPTER XXVII.


GAZETTEER OF TOWNS.


The Town of Brookfield.


This town was set off from Paris March 5, 1795, and originally in- cluded Nos. 17, 18, and 19 of the Chenango Twenty Townships. Of these No. 17 was taken off to form the town of Columbus in February, 1805. Brookfield is the southeast corner town of the county and bounded north by Oneida county, east by Edmeston and Plainfield, south by Columbus, and west by Hamilton and Madison. Its surface is hilly and rugged, with soil principally of gravelly loam, well adapted to grazing; in the valleys is found a rich alluvium. Hops have been raised in large quantities in past years in the northwest part. There are abundant springs throughout the town and the Unadilla River forms the eastern boundary and receives numerous tributaries, the principal one of which is Beaver Creek which flows south through the central part of Brookfield, along a beautiful valley and furnishing many mill sites. The east branch of the Chenango crosses the northwest part, rising in the so-called Terrytown swamp, which covers a consid- erable area in that part and takes its name from the Terry family. Gorton Lake, a small body of water in the north part, takes its name from the Gorton family of settlers. What was formerly the Utica, Chenango and Susquehanna Valley Railroad, now a branch of the D., L. and W., crosses the northwest corner of the town, along the valley of the Chenango branch.


The population of Brookfield on the dates given in the census taken at intervals is shown in the following figures:


1835 1840 1845 1850 1855 1860 1865 1870 1875 1880 1890 1892 3959 3695 3623 3585 3770 3729 3593 3565 3511 3685 3262 3235


The number of inhabitants in Brookfield has fluctuated and declined less than in many of the other towns of the county, a fact due partly, at least, to the extent and variety of manufacturing operations that have been carried on in past years. These industries were once of real importance, especially in the village of Leonardsville. The lumber in-


540


OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.


dustry was also of considerable magnitude, but is now confined to a small trade in hemlock. From the large cedar swamp near Clarkville, a great quantity of that wood has been taken, as well as large numbers of hop poles. In comparatively recent years the dairying interest has been large and profitable. E. D. Lamb was for some years an exten- sive manufacturer of cheese and owned several factories near the Otsego county line; but the building of the railroad through the Una- dilla valley and the establishment along its line of numerous milk sta- tions, where the farmers shipped their milk to the large markets, has greatly depreciated this industry. The manufacture of furniture on an extensive scale was once prosecuted at South Brookfield by George W. Bentley, and other industrial operations gave the town prosperity in early years, as noticed further on.


Settlement in Brookfield began in 1791 by Stephen Hoxie and Phin- eas Brown, whose operations and those of other early settlers have been described in earlier chapters. In the same year Samuel H. Burdick and Samuel Billings settled at the site of Five Corners, and Stephen Collins on Beaver Creek below Clarkville. In 1792 John and Elias Button, Lawton Palmer, Thomas and James Rogers, Paul and Perry Maxson, Eleazer and Simeon Brown, Samuel Langworthy, Elder Henry Clark and Phineas Rogers settled in the town. In 1793 David Gates and Ethan Babcock located in the town, and in 1794 Zadock Beebe, Joshua Whitford, John York and a few others became settlers. During the next ten years and before the formation of the county are found among the names of pioneers those of Samuel Gorton, and his sons Varnum aud Benjamin, Asa Frink, Nathaniel, Joseph and George Denison, Thompson Burdick, Thomas Keith, Elisha Burdick, Augustus Saunders, Elisha Johnson, Harris Chesebrough, Joseph Livermore, Nathan Brown, and others whose names appear in subsequent pages.


The first town meeting in Brookfield was held at the house of Capt. Daniel Brown, April 7, 1795, and the following officers elected : Stephen Hoxie, supervisor; Elisha Burdick, clerk; Clark Maxson, Joshua Whitford and John Stanton, assessors; Powel Hall, Joel But- ler and John Chesebrough, commissioners of highways; Daniel Brown and Simeon Brown, poormasters; Elijah Palmer and Oliver Brown, constables; Oliver Brown, collector; David Convers, Jaba Brown and Benedict Babcock, fenceviewers; Ashbe Kellogg, Ephraim Waldo, George Palmer and Jonathan Bedford, pathmasters; Daniel Brown, John Wilber and Willard Convers, poundmasters.


541


GAZETTEER OF TOWNS-BROOKFIELD.


Following is a list of supervisors from the erection of the town to the present time, with the dates of their election: 1795-1807, Stephen Hoxie; 1808-10, Jonathan Morgan; 1811, Samuel H. Coon; 1812-16, Joshua Morgan; 1817-19, Samuel H. Coon; 1820-22, Henry Clark, jr. ; 1823-29, Joseph Clark; 1830, Patten Fitch; 1831, John Hoxie; 1832, John Davis; 1833-37, Wait Clarke; 1838, Andrew Babcock; 1839, Waite Clarke; 1840, John De Lancy; 1841, Dennis Hardin; 1842, Ben- jamin Burdick; 1843, Cyrus Clark; 1844, Ira Crane; 1845, Joseph Clark; 1846, Benjamin Burdick; 1847-48, Nathan T. Brown; 1849, Hosea B. Clarke; 1850, John T. G. Bailey; 1851, Dennis Hardin; 1852, Elisha G. Babcock; 1853-54, J. V. R. Livermore; 1855, John Babcock; 1856-57, Dennis Hardin; 1858-59, Thomas R. Gorton; 1860-61, Luke Hoxie; 1862-64, Calvin Whitford; 1865-66, Luke Hoxie; 1867-70, William H. Brand; 1871-72, John T. G. Bailey; 1873-75, Thomas R. Gorton; 1876-79, Augustus L. Saunders; 1880, Oliver T. Brown; 1881-83, S. A. Fitch; 1884, Arthur J. Stillman; 1885-89, William Stanbro; 1890-93, Arthur J. Stillman; 1894-97, Emory D. Morgan.


There were formerly four post-offices in this town-at Clarkville, Leonardsville, De Lancy and South Brookfield; only the two former are now open. Clarkville is an active village near the center of the town on Beaver Creek. It was known in early years as Bailey's Cor- ners, from Dr. Eli S. Bailey, the first physician there. The post-office was established about 1820 with the name, Beaver Creek, with Joseph Clark, postmaster; he was succeeded by Andrew Babcock in about 1840, and he by Varnum Crumb, Maxson Clark, jr., Lucius P. Clark, John T. G. Bailey, Benjamin Gorton, Richard Stillman, A. G. Still- man, Charles J. Elliot, H. L. Spooner, F. D. Rogers, and H. L. Spooner, incumbent.


The first merchant was Reuben Leonard who built a store just before the war of 1812. Other early merchants were Sheffield Collins, Henry Holmes, Chester Palmiter, Varnum Crumb, Andrew Babcock, John T. G. Bailey, Nathan Brownell and his sons, Mattison Clarke and Leroy Babcock. The present merchants are A J. Stillman, general store; D. F. Main, hardware; F. D. Gould, H. H. Elliot and A. C. Tuttle, grocers; A. C. Miller, druggist; M. H. Brown, bakery and groceries; J. T. Stillman, hardware; W. M. Crane, flour and feed, and also oper- ates a saw mill; G. T. Whitford, merchant tailor; E. A. Pope, jeweler; H. E. Maxson, livery. Calvin Whitford established a banking busi- ness in 1871 and in 1872 erected a building for its accommodation.


542


OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.


The bank is still in existence and his son, Edward C. Whitford, is asso- ciated with him.


The first manufacturing industry in the town was a saw mill built by Oliver Babcock, father of Ethan and Oliver, in 1795; it was on the site of the Elijah Clark mill, the property passing into his possession in 1857. He soon built a grist mill in connection with the saw mill; the latter fell into decay long ago. Samuel Jordan built a grist mill and a tannery in 1865, which he operated more than fifteen years; they are now owned by William Crane, who uses the old tannery building as a repair shop. Jonathan Babcock carried on an extensive tanning busi- ness here in early years.


The other industries of the present are the blacksmith shops of Will- iam Crane, W. M. Clarke and C. Morgan, the wood repair shop of Adelbert Crandall, the new creamery of Dart & Wallace who started it in 1898, and the photograph gallery of H. A. Fitch.


The Central Hotel was built in 1815 by Ethan Babcock who con- ducted it until 1822; it was the first public house in the village, and later passed to Joseph Clark who sold it in 1843 to his son-in-law, Henry Keith. It was conducted by him forty years or more, and passed to the present proprietor, Lyman Brown, who changed the name to Brown's Hotel.


A Union free school was established in the village in 1875. The school building was enlarged in 1894. The present Board of Educa- tion are H. E. Kingsley, president; J. L. Stillman, secretary; C. C. Chandler, M. L. Fisk and A. C. Miller. Brookfield Academy, estab- lished in 1847, is properly described in chapter XXIV.


The first physician in the village was Dr. Eli S. Bailey, from whom the place took the name of Bailey's Corners; he settled in 1809 and died in Brookfield in 1864. A. E. Wallace practiced a few years, as also did a Dr. Catlin about two years. Dr. Augustus L. Saunders practiced many years and until his death, and Dr. Nelson B. Parr the same. Dr. Albert C. Rogers practiced a number of years and removed to California. The present physicians are Dr. O. W. Bushyte and Dr. H. C. Brown.


The first attorney in the village was Thomas J. Yaw, who practiced from about 1830 until his death in 1863. Other early lawyers were Pardon Davis, George W. Gray, Henry M. Aylesworth, Samuel D. White, William H. Davis, George M. Havens, Barna J. Stimson, Sher- man Daboll, Frederick Clarke, Israel Wilkinson, Duane B. Stillman


543


GAZETTEER OF TOWNS-BROOKFIELD.


and Lewis H. Eddy. The only attorney now in the place is N. A. Crumb, a native of the town, who began practice in 1891, removing from Canastota. Duane B. Stillman, before mentioned, is now State Excise Commissioner.


Brookfield village is incorporated under the general law, and the first president was H. L. Spooner, who served several years. Other presi- dents were P. Fitch, A. J. Stillman and Herbert E. Kingsley, present incumbent. In 1897 the question of establishing a water system was agitated, but meeting with determined opposition, the matter was abandoned. The village has no fire department, and when the Clarke opera house burned in 1898, the destruction of much of the place was averted apparently only by a heavy fall of snow.


The Brookfield Agricultural Society was incorporated in 1849 and has had a long and successful existence and been of great benefit to the village and the vicinity. Annual fairs were at first held on the land now owned by F. M. Spooner, and later on a tract just north of the village. In 1884 the society purchased the present grounds comprising about seventeen acres, erected good buildings and constructed a race track.


The Brookfield Courier was founded in 1876 by Frank M. Spooner, who was associated with his father, H. L. Spooner, several years. In 1883 they sold the paper to W. E. Phillips and B. G. Stillman, jr., who conducted it as Phillips & Stillman until the following year, when the Messrs. Spooner purchased the interest of Mr. Phillips and the firm name took its present form of Stillman & Spooner. In 1898 F. M. Spooner, founder of the paper, took the management of the Afton En- terprise, H. L. Spooner continued in this business and Mr. Stillman re- maining the active partner. The paper is a four-page nine-column weekly, independent in politics, and has found a large list of readers in its field.


Clarkville is connected by stage with Leonardsville and with the sta- tion on the D. L. & W. railroad at North Brookfield.


There are three churches in Clarkville, Methodist, First-Day Baptist, and Seventh-Day Baptist, all of which have been noticed in an earlier chapter.


Leonardsville .- This village is pleasantly situated on the east border of the town, in the beautiful Unadilla valley, on the line of the Unadilla Valley Railroad, which connects at the north with the D., L. & W. road at Bridgewater, and on the south with the Ontario and Western road at




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