USA > New York > Saratoga County > Our county and its people : a descriptive and biographical record of Saratoga County, New York > Part 31
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Mr. West came to Ballston Spa in 1861. Having learned the best
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processes for the manufacture of paper, he entered the employ of C. S. Buchanan, proprietor of the paper mills at Rock City Falls. A year later, in June, 1862, with a capital of only about $3,000, he purchased the Empire paper mills at Rock City Falls. From the start his success was pronounced, for the paper he made was of a very superior quality and the demand for it was heavy. Soon he was compelled to increase his facilities. In 1866 he built the Excelsior mills and dam at Rock City Falls, and about the same time became a partner in the purchase of the Angell paper mills at Waterford. In 1870 he retired from the management of these mills in order to devote his entire attention to his properties in Saratoga county. The same year he bought the mills at or near Middle Grove, rebuilt them, and at once purchased the Pioneer mill at West Milton. But so rapid was the increase in the demand for his paper that in 1874 he found it expedient to purchase the Eagle mill, located two miles above Ballston Spa. The following year he bought the Island mill in Ballston Spa, formerly owned and operated by Jonas A. Hovey as a cotton mill. These three buildings were immediately converted into a paper mill. About the same time he purchased the cotton mill known as the Union mill and the woolen mill near it, both of which were soon devoted to the manufacture of paper, paper bags being manufactured in the old woolen mill. For many years Mr. West manufactured manilla paper exclusively. All his mills are located on the banks of the Kayaderosseras creek. He is reputed to be the heavi- est individual paper manufacturer in the United States.
The tannery of Haight & Co. at Ballston Spa is one of the most im- portant industries of Saratoga county and one of the largest tanneries in the country. This industry was established at Milton Centre about 1830 by Seth Rugg. It was subsequently owned by Mr. Morey, then by Jacob Adams, who sold it to Samuel Haight. Mr. Haight greatly increased the business and in 1882 moved it to its present location in the village of Ballston Spa. For several years Matthew Vassar was in partnership with Mr. Haight, up to the time of the death of the latter, October 6, 1891. The firm is now composed of Matthew Vassar, H. Vassar Haight and Theodore S. Haight, the two latter being the sons of the late Samuel Haight. The tannery operated by them employs about 300 men, and contributes immensely to the prosperity of the community.
The National mill at Ballston Spa, which manufactures manilla box board, and produces about nine and a quarter tons per day, was pur-
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chased in the spring of 1892 by the National Folding Box and Paper company of Hartford, Conn. Many improvements have been made since that time, including a new dam constructed in 1895 at a cost of $8,000. The mill was formerly known as the Idlewild mill It was at first owned and operated by John McLean, then by John McLean and Harvey J. Donaldson, and later by Mr. Donaldson and Harvey M. Geer.
While Mr. West was investing so heavily in paper mills others were establishing paper mills and other industries in various parts of the county, though on a smaller scale. In 1865 Thomas Brown, of Niagara Falls, who six years before had purchased the old woolen mills at Cor- inth, and established an edge-tool factory, built a large woolen mill there, which began operations in 1866. This mill was run by him for over three years. On the evening of November 7, 1869, Mr. Brown was mistaken for a burglar or incendiary by his night watchman, while coming from his mill, and shot, his death occurring a few moments later. The factory was burned in 1870, but was soon rebuilt a short distance south of the original site. Until 1874 it was operated as a woolen mill, but in the latter year it was purchased by the Hudson River Pulp and Paper company and used by that concern for a store- house.
The latter corporation began operations in a large new mill Septem- ber 1, 1869, at first manufacturing wood pulp. The year following it bought the old edge-tool factory and began in it the manufacture of printing paper. In 1872, the demand for its product increasing, a new mill for the manufacture of the finer qualities of printing paper was erected, and began running in May, 1873. In April, 1877, the large mill was burned by spontaneous combustion, but soon after rebuilt.
The tannery at Corinth built in 1855 by Powell & Co. was burned in August, 1874, but was immediately rebuilt by Rugg & Co. of Schnec- tady. About 1875 Morgan L. Prentiss began the manufacture of bolts and nuts and other carriage iron in the building which originally was built by Washington Chapman, in 1805, for a woolen factory.
At South Glens Falls the Morgan Lumber company operated four large lumber mills as early as twenty years ago. In connection with this industry this corporation also began, about the same time, the operation of a planing mill and a box factory. The Glens Falls Paper company, which began business at this point neary a quarter of a cen- tury since, has become one of the most extensive manufacturers of
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paper in the country. In 1872 Reynolds, Dix & Co. began working a large marble and stone quarry, sending the surplus limestone to lime kilns. Stone works had been established there as early as 1836 by Julius H. Rice.
In 1863 Henry Poor & Son of Boston purchased the Lynwood tan . nery at Conklingville, which was established in 1848 by Gurdon Conk- ling. The new proprietors, possessed of abundant capital, made numerous improvements and increased the facilities of the tannery until it became an enterprise of considerable importance. In 1872 James L. Libby of New York established a paper-box factory at Conk lingville, employing from seventy to eighty hands. The wooden-ware works in this village, operated for many years by Benjamin R. Jen- kins, formerly of Batchellerville, who died in 1877, were established soon after the war, and from time to time their capacity was increased until, in recent years, they have become a mammoth enterprise, em- ploying more than a hundred hands.
Lewis E. Smith of Mechanicville for many years had charge of the works of the American Linen Thread company of that village, begin - ning with 1853. The company manufactured all kinds of sewing and machine threads, and employed from one hundred and fifty to two hundred hands.
Mechanicville's manufactures are mostly of modern growth. The immense plant of the Duncan company, established in 1888, located on the banks of the Hudson river, just north of the village, in the town of Stillwater, is one of the most important industries of its kind in the country. It owns besides its mammoth mill, a large and finely con- structed dam in the Hudson, which furnishes most of its power.
South of the village is located the extensive power house of the Hud- son Power and Transmission company, incorporated in 1896. This plant, including a fine dam across the Hudson, was completed in 1898. The building is supplied with generators, operated by water power, which develop electricity and transmit it by means of many wires to the works of the General Electric company at Schenectady.
Among the other manufacturing concerns in Mechanicville, many of which have been established within the last decade, are the knitting mills of W. B. Neilson, Mechanicville Knitting company, Sagamore Knitting company; the shoddy mill of Cunningham Bros. & Whitbeck ; the sash, door and blind mills of Barnes & La Dow and J. B. Orcutt & Son; the plant of the Fiberite company; the Mechanicville brewery; John Smith's machine shop, and the foundry of Longstaff & Son.
BENJAMIN R. JENKINS.
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1861-1898-MANUFACTURES.
The G. F. Harvey company, manufacturing chemists, of Saratoga ยท Springs, though of modern establishment, has risen to a position of great prominence in the business world. This company was incorpo- rared May 13, 1890, by George F. Harvey, S. A. Rickard and Edgar T. Brackett, with a capital stock of $200,000. The stock was increased to $850,000 April 4, 1895, and upon its increased valuation the com- pany has paid an annual dividend of five per cent. each year. The present officers of the company are: S. A. Rickard, president; L. H. Cramer, vice-president and treasurer; James Mingay, secretary; E. T. Brackett, attorney. The business of the company extends over the entire United States, including the manufacturing branch at Mille Roches, Ont. It has sixty-six salesmen constantly traveling, who make daily reports to the head office at Saratoga Springs, or those who travel in the Canadas to the branch house at Mille Roches. The company employs over one hundred hands at its factory, and as its entire busi- ness is conducted with customers out of town, all the money paid for help every Saturday (which amounts to nearly $1,000) is from funds brought in from outside. The company has over thirty thousand cus- tomers upon its books and its business is constantly increasing. It is the intention, within a very short time, to establish a western depot, not for the purpose of manufacturing, but for distributing goods to cus- tomers remote from the home office.
Stillwater's manufactures have made the place noted. The paper mill established in 1847, which has been referred to in a preceding chapter, was the first extensive industry at that point. It had not been in operation long before the splendid facilities at that point were no- ticed by capitalists and manufacturers elsewhere. About 1862 Gardner Howland & Sons built a large paper mill opposite Baker's lock. This was burned, but at once rebuilt, and the business continued on a larger scale than ever. In 1866 D. & W. Pemble established the straw-board mill there. In 1873 Newland & Dennison established a mill for the manufacture of knit underwear, and Ephraim Newland in the same year built a mill for the manufacture of hosiery and underwear. The water power in the Hudson at this point is utilized by nearly all the manufacturers in town, and is capable of still greater development.
Waterford had become an important manufacturing centre long be- fore the war. Numerous changes have been made since that time, however. In 1864 Levi Dodge purchased the feed mill formerly owned by Henry Lape and converted it into a straw-board factory. This
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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.
building, probably the oldest on the hydraulic canal, was originally used as a button factory, then as a barley mill, then a feed mill, and finally a card-board mill. The old mill was burned and a new one was erected in 1874, passing into the hands of the Saratoga County bank of Waterford, and being operated by Edwards & Younglove. In 1864 E. Van Kleeck began the manufacture of brushes, but the business was removed to Lansingburgh a few years later. In 1870 Holroyd, Safely & Dowd remodeled the old flouring mill of T. M. Vail & Sons and con- verted it into the Alaska knitting mill. In 1877 it passed into the con- trol of the Hudson Valley Knitting company. The Massasoit Knitting mills were erected in 1872 on the foundation of the old Shatemuck flouring mills, and were placed under the management of E. G. Mun- son. The Mohawk & Hudson paper mill was established in 1872 by a stock company, but soon afterward was sold to Frank Gilbert of Troy, who still operates it, turning out large quantities of printing paper. The Waterford sawing mills, established in Cohoes in 1835, were re- moved to Waterford in 1872, when the plant was greatly increased in size. The Globe iron foundry was established in 1873 by Robert Pink- erton in a building formerly occupied by the Button Fire Engine com- pany. The Pilot knitting mill was started in 1875 by Van Schoonhoven & Co.
The Eureka knitting mills were established in 1881 by John W. Ford and John H. Pynes, the latter succeeding to the sole control in 1891. The manufacturing facilities are comprised in a three-story brick build- ing, covering an area one hundred and fifty feet square.
The Waterford Knitting company was incorporated in 1885 with a capital stock of $50,000. The officers are: President and treasurer, Thomas Breslin; vice-president, Charles L. Mitchell; secretary, C. C. Ormsby; superintendent, Michael Organ. The mill is a four story brick building eighty by one hundred and twenty feet in dimensions.
The Bishopton knitting mill was established in 1886. It is owned by L. Kavanaugh and managed by C. H. Kavanaugh.
The Kavanaugh Knitting company's mill was erected in 1891. It is a handsome three-story brick structure, having a large square tower on the front elevation.
The paper-box manufactory of Sidney D. Sault was established in 1892 at Cohoes but soon afterward removed to Waterford, where the proprietor now has a finely equipped plant.
The Clyde Knitting company is the successor to the Meeker, Spotten
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& Meeker company, which was organized in 1892 with John H. Meeker as president and James H. Spotten as treasurer. This concern failed in 1896, and in November of that year the mill was sold to the Clyde Knitting company, which occupies the same building. The latter com- pany is officered as follows: President, Thomas Breslin; vice-president, Samuel Bolton, jr .; secretary, James H. Shine; treasurer, John H. Pynes.
The Clover Knitting company is the successor to the Hudson Valley Knitting company. The latter company failed, and in the summer of 1897, after the mill had been idle for about a year and a half, the Clover Knitting company began operating it. The officers of the latter com- pany are: President, Peter McCarthy; vice president, Thomas Breslin ; treasurer, John H. Pynes; secretary, Robert E. Stover; superintendent, G. M. Langner.
The Ormsby Textile company was incorporated in 1893 and began operations in 1895 in a large new mill located on King's canal. This mill is a four-story and attic building, constructed on the slow-burning principle. The officers of the company are: President, Thomas Bres- lin; vice-president, Charles L. Mitchell; secretary, Michael Organ; treasurer, Charles C. Ormsby.
The plant of the Eddy Valve company comprises a group of sub- stantial brick buildings, and its products comprise a general line of valves from half an inch to 56 inches in diameter. In addition to the company's own plant its management also controls the operations of the Mohawk & Hudson Manufacturing company of Waterford, iron and and brass founders. The officers of the company are: President, John Kinckerbacker; vice-president, H. C. Rogers; treasurer, T. A. Knickerbacker.
Schuylerville has also been, for many years, one of the leading in- dustrial centres of Saratoga county. Its early enterprises have been referred to in the preceding pages. One of the many resources from which the village derives a benefit is the paper mill. This industry was established in 1863-1864 by D. A. Bullard & Co. as the "Schuyler paper mill." In 1870 Mr. Bullard purchased the interests held by his partners and introduced his sons into the business.
From time to time during this period industries of various kinds were established at other points in the county, but those mentioned were the most important. While the commercial interests of the community were being cared for, the inhabitants were not unmindful of the men-
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tal and spiritual welfare of the rising generation, as is illustrated by the increase in the number of religious institutions, the establishment of new schools and the great improvement of the old ones.
CHURCHES.
Several new churches were organized during this period in Saratoga Springs. March 8, 1865, witnessed the founding of the First Congre- gational church at Saratoga Springs. Rev. E. N. Sawtelle, D. D., the first pastor of the church, was installed in April, 1865. The church edifice was not erected until 1868. Nearly all the original members were from the First Presbyterian church, and the first trustees of the new society were Dexter H. Knowlton, Lewis E. Whiting, Waldo M. Potter, Solon B. Bushnell, Hiram P. Trim, Abisha Bailey, Jacob Myers, Andrew Hall and Joseph A. Shoudy.
In 1869 a number of members of the First Presbyterian church who resided at an inconvenient distance from their house of worship formed a new society, which subsequently became the Second Presbyterian church. August 31 of that year the corner stone of their chapel was laid by Rev. Dr. John Woodbridge, then pastor of the First Presby- terian church, and the edifice was dedicated by him January 30, 1870. Rev. James N. Crocker was at first placed in charge of the mission work. The church was not regularly organized until August, 1871, when John Newland, B. M. Fay and B. F. Edwards were installed as elders. August 28 Charles F. Dowd, George S. Batcheller, John New- land, Adam B. Smith, Alexander Bennett and Samuel H. Freeman were elected trustees. The church was received under the care of the Albany Presbytery October 10, and October 22 Rev. James N. Crocker was installed as the first pastor.
The First Free Methodist church was organized October 2, 1865; the house of worship was built in 1869, and dedicated January 8, 1870, by Rev. B. T. Robert. The first pastor was Rev. A. B. Burdick, and the first trustees F. A. Town, Seneca Weed and Seth Grawberg.1
The African M. E. Zion church was organized in June, 1863, by Rev. J. Boler, who, with A. Freeman and J. Lewis, constituted the first board of trustees. The house of worship was dedicated in 1863 by Bishop William H. Bishop. In November, 1866, the building was destroyed
1 The pastors are as follows: Revs. A. B. Burdick, D. M. Sinclair, William Gould, James Odell, Harry Mathews, B. Winget, James Odell, O. W. Young, W. H. Clark, Almiron Smith, Zenas Osborne, M. D. McDougall, H. W. Fish, A. B. Burdick, D. C. Johnson, M. N. Downing, W. H. Clark.
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by fire, but was rebuilt the following year and dedicated by Bishop J. J. Clinton.
The Second Baptist church was organized as the Union Avenue Bap- tist Sunday school by members of the First Baptist church, February 7, 1874, after services had been held in various places for nine months. February 22, 1876, the society was duly organized as the Second Baptist church. Rev. Daniel Corey, the first pastor, began his labors in April following.
The New England Congregational church of Saratoga Springs was organized March 1, 1880. The main part of the present house of wor- ship was erected that year, and the chapel in 1881. Rev. Thomas W. Jones served as pastor from 1880 to 1888; Rev. Clarence F. Swift from 1888 to 1895; and the present pastor, Rev. William Orr Wark, began his labors in January, 1895.
The Congregational Methodist church of Saratoga Springs was or- ganized September 30, 1896. The church edifice was commenced April 8, 1897, and dedicated August 15, 1897. Its cost, including the lot, was $8,700. Rev. L. C. Pettit has been the pastor since the organiza- tion of the society.
All the churches at Ballston Spa were erected before the war. In 1876 a number of Spiritualists of that village erected Centennial hall, which for several years was devoted to services of that sect, but in recent years the building has been devoted to various purposes.
The only church organized in the town of Halfmoon during this period was the M. E. church at Smithtown. In thetown of Stillwater, the Presbyterian church at Ketchum's Corners was incorporated Jan- uary 22, 1866, when Tyler Dunham, Edward Moore and William Flag- ler were elected elders and John H. Brightman deacon. The house of worship was dedicated December 12, 1866, by Rev. A. M. Beveridge of Lansingburgh. Rev. William M. Johnson was the first pastor.
Until 1874 the Catholics of Stillwater attended church at Mechanic- ville. In that year a separate society was formed at Stillwater, the old edifice of the Protestant Episcopal society was purchased and a society organized.
The Episcopal church at East Line, in the town of Ballston, was established in 1876, under direction of the Rev. William Delafield, rector of Christ Episcopal church at Ballston Spa. Services have not been held there regularly for several years.
- In Corinth, the Free Methodist church at Jessup's Landing was or- .ganized as a class in November, 1867.
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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.
In the fall of 1868 Rev. C. T. V. Eastman, rector of the Church of the Redeemer at Northampton, Fulton county, organized St. John's Episcopal church at Conklingville. Thomas Gillespie and Samuel Kinnear were the first wardens, and James Parker, John Hall, sr., Thomas Evans and William W. Foulks the first vestrymen. The corner stone of the house of worship was laid by Bishop Doane of Albany September 17, 1870.
The Methodist Episcopal church of Day Centre was formed as a class in October, 1865. The church was erected in the fall of 1868 and ded- icated the following winter. Rev. J. K. Wager was its first pastor.
St. Paul's Catholic church at Rock City Falls was built early in 1873, and the society regularly organized and incorporated in July, 1874, by Rev. Father McMenomy, who attended it while residing at Saratoga Springs. The church was dedicated by Bishop McNierny, in Septem- ber, 1877. Rev. Father Smith, then Rev. Father Mullany, were the first pastors, the latter being the first resident priest. He was suc- ceeded in 1884 by Father Donahue, who attended Galway as a mission, and built the church there about 1884. Father McGeough of Ballston Spa bought the land where the present St. Mary's church in Galway now stands. In May, 1888, Father Quinn succeeded Father Donahuc. Father Quinn established his residence at Galway, and Rock City Falls then became a mission to Galway. In October, 1897, Rev. Father Barrett of St. Mary's church, Troy, became pastor of the two churches.
The Wilton Methodist Episcopal charge comprises the three churches of that denomination within the town-at South Wilton, Gurn Spring (formerly Kent), and Wilton (formerly Wiltonville). The house of worship at Wilton was built in 1860, during the pastorate of Rev. R. G. Adams. At Gurn Spring a church was erected in 1886 during the pastorate of Rev, Charles B. Lewis. The old " Union church " is now the property of the town and is used as a town hall. For many years the M. E. society at South Wilton has been quite strong. About 1888 the interior of the church was entirely renewed at considerable expense, and during 1897-98, under the pastorate of Rev. William H. Edwards, it was repainted. The latter is the present pastor of these churches.
A Methodist Episcopal church was built at Middle Grove, in the town of Greenfield, in 1888. The present pastor is Rev. George M. Moody.
1861-1898- SCHOOLS. 283
SCHOOLS.
For years the youth of Saratoga county have enjoyed educational advantages unexcelled by those of any other community in the country. In preceding chapters reference is made to some of the earlier schools, as well as to some of those which attained a high standard even before the war, and yet occupy a high position. The public school system of Waterford has attained a conspicuous position in comparatively recent years. The Waterford high school enjoys the distinction of having been the first in this State to have a military cadet corps. The com- pany is composed of fifty boys, ranging from fourteen to twenty years of age, with a fife and drum corps. Alexander Falconer, the present superintendent of schools, was elected to the position August 24, 1892, and during his incumbency of the office the schools have made rapid strides.
The first record of a public school in Waterford is dated 1821. It was held in Classic hall, now Knickerbocker hall, on First street. This building was erected in 1813. A. M. Steele was the first principal of this school. He was succeeded by Xenophon Haywood, who remained until 1836. William W. Day followed and continued until 1850, when he retired. Upon retiring Mr. Day made a report which showed a registration of two hundred and thirty-two pupils in 1838, and himself to be the only teacher. The report also showed that six private schools existed in Waterford, including the academy, with two hundred and four students.
The need of a more commodious school house became apparent, and in 1849 a new building was erected on the corner of Fourth and Divi- sion streets. The structure contained six rooms. At that time oppo- sition to the erection of the building was encountered, but through the efforts of Lysander Button and others the project was consummated. In 1854 a union free school system was organized. The first board of education consisted of: Charles Johnson, president; W. T. Seymour, James R. Blake, M. C. Powell, Daniel Murray, John Cramer 2d, John Higgins, Stephen Munson and J. M. King.
After the establishment of the union free school system public school work increased in favor and a corps of teachers was employed, with Silas J. Pratt as principal of school 1, J. Weldron principal of school 2 and Amanda Thorne principal of school 3. Professor George H. Stowits was principal from 1855 to 1859. Among the others who held the position of principal were: W. H. Bently, 1859-1861; John L.
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