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