Our county and its people; a descriptive work on Oneida county, New York;, Part 36

Author: Wager, Daniel Elbridge, 1823-1896
Publication date: 1896
Publisher: [Boston] : The Boston history co.
Number of Pages: 1612

USA > New York > Oneida County > Our county and its people; a descriptive work on Oneida county, New York; > Part 36

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The Utica Daily Gazette was the first daily paper published in Utica, excepting the Morning News, which lived about three months in 18.42 under management of Lyon & Arthur. The Daily Gazette was started by Rufus Northway, proprietor of the Oneida Whig, February 4, 1842. Richard U. Shearman was editor the first year and was succeeded by Ezekiel Bacon for about two months. Alexander Seward became editor and joint proprietor May 1, 1843, and under the firm name of R. North-

E. PRENTISS BAILEY.

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way & Co. it was published until the fall of 1853. Dr. H. C. Potter, who was associate editor from November 1, 1847, and sole editor from May I, to September 23, 1850. became part proprietor with Northway & Seward on the latter date. The establishment was sold to Lyon & Arthur October 12, 1853, and J. M. Lyon became editor. N. D. Jewell bought them out July 25, 1856, and continued the publication with C. J. Radford, editor, until January 29, 1857, when the name and good will was purchased by Ellis H. Roberts and united with the Morning Herald.

Meanwhile in November, 1847, the publication of the Oneida Morn- ing Herald had been begun by Robert W. Roberts, Richard U. Shear- man and Edwin R. Colston. The last named withdrew in 1848 and Mr. Shearman in 1851, when Ellis H. Roberts became editor and proprietor, a position which he capably filled until 1872. In that year he associ- ated with himself his nephew, H. L. Roberts, and S. N. D. North, under the firm name of Ellis H. Roberts & Co. Mr. North withdrew from the firm in 1885. Financial difficulties accumulating through a series of years culminated in 1890, in the appointment of a receiver for the pub- lishers of the Herald, Mr. Roberts, then assistant U. S. treasurer of New York, being agreed upon for that position. The affairs of the old firm were soon adjusted and in October, 1890, the plant was sold to the Utica Herald Publishing Co., which was organized with Joseph R. Swan, pres- ident ; Titus Sheard, of Little Falls, vice-president, and Fred H. Wienke, secretary. The latter was made business manager, and John H. Cun- ningham, editor. Throughout all its changes and embarrassments the Herald has retained its distinction as one of the leading Republican or- gans of this State and has given entire satisfaction to its large Central New York constituency.

The first number of the Utica Observer, long one of the strongest and most popular Democratic daily journals in the State, was first issued by Eliasaph Dorchester January 27, 1817. Within two years thereafter the paper was transferred to Rome and its name changed to the Oneida Observer ; but it soon returned to Utica and resumed its former title. The burning of the Observer files renders it impossible to give a detailed history of the early life of the paper. Between 1820 and 1860 such men as Augustine G. Dauby, C. C. Griffiths, E. A. Maynard, John P. Bush, John F. Kittle, Arthur M, Beardsley, Joseph

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M. Lyon and Dewitt C. Grove were successfully connected with its management. Mr. Grove was sole owner of the Observer from 1853 to 1867, was mayor of Utica at the time of the breaking out of the Rebellion and was a prominent factor in city affairs. He came to the Observer through its consolidation with the Utica Democrat in 1852. The Democrat was started by John G. Floyd in 1836 and was success- fully edited and published by Edward Morrin, Jarvis M. Hatch, Ben- jamin Welch, jr., Welch & Grove and Dewitt C. Grove. The new firm of Lyon & Grove came to an early end in 1853, Mr. Lyon retiring, and John B. Miller was employed as editor for several years. Mr. Grove then became editor and so remained until 1883, his connection with the paper covering a period of thirty years. During all that period saving a part of the first year, E. Prentiss Bailey was associated with him edi- torially and became his business partner in 1867. Several years later · the firm of Grove & Bailey was succeeded by a corporation with a capital stock of $84,000. The ownership remained the same except that Theodore P. Cook was admitted as stockholder and trustee. So it remained until ill health compelled the retirement of Mr. Grove, whose shares was purchased by Mr. Bailey and the corporation title changed to E. P. Bailey & Co .; at the same time Thomas E. Clarke was ad- mitte as part owner. The entire Observer plant, with about $1,000,- 000 worth of surrounding property, was destroyed by fire March 2, 1884. The loss to the corporation was a heavy one, but it resulted in their building on Franklin street their present handsome and commo- dious structure, which contains a modern newspaper plant, perfect in all its features and equipped to produce the large edition which goes daily out to the Observer's constituents.

The first number of the Utica Daily Press was issued March 13, 1872, by a combination of practical printers, who had joined in a strike in the Herald office. It was first published in a job printing office on Colum- bia street, but a few days later removed to an office of its own on Seneca street. In the following May another removal was made to No. 7 Broad street, whence it went into its new building, No. 7 Main street, in November, 1891. After various changes in the stockholders a new company was organized in February, 1883, including some of the lead- ing and professional men of the city. In February, 1885, a majority of

GEORGE E. DUNHAM.

A. M. DICKINSON.

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the stock passed to Otto A. Meyer and George E. Dunham, the latter being made president and the former secretary and treasurer. At this time F. A. Eastman, who had edited the paper about two years, re- signed, and Mr. Dunham, who had previously acted as city editor, took the chair. Mr. Meyer continued as business manager, a position which he had already held about two years, and F. W. Bensberg became a stockholder and took charge of the mechanical department. The Press is independent in politics, enterprising in the quest of news, is ably edited throughout and has from the first enjoyed an excep- tionally large circulation. Its new building is a model of its kind and is equipped with a first- class modern newspaper plant.

The Sunday Tribune was founded in May, 1877, by Dennis T. Kelly and T. F. Baker. It was the first Sunday publication in the city and was successful from the start. The present proprietor, H. E. Deven- dorf, became interested in the fall of 1877 and sole owner in 1883. Early in 1878 the office was removed to the corner of Broad and John streets, where the facilities of the establishment were soon outgrown. Later it was moved to its present quarters in Broad street.

The Utica Saturday Globe was founded May 21, 1881, by William T. and Thomas F. Baker. The circulation grew so rapidly that en- larged quarters were obtained three times before its permanent home in Whitesboro street was built in 1886 Two enlargements were neces- sary here, the first in 1887, and the second in 1892, each doubling the former capacity. Since the completion of the last the Globe doubtless occupies more room than that devoted exclusively to the publication of any newspaper in the State. It is probably the best and most complete newspaper plant in the State outside of New York city, among its equipment being a new multi-colored press, set up in 1896. The cir- culation during 1891 averaged 165,354 copies and on occasions has risen to 269, 175 and 268,536. A. M. Dickinson is managing editor ; associate editors, Timothy H. Sweeney, Hugh P. McCabe. Fred G. Reusswig, Byron B. Merrill, and five assistants.

The Utica Daily Union was first issued October 12, 1895, by an as- sociation of fifteen persons, thirteen of whom were printers from other papers. The corporation was known as the Union Publishing Company of Utica, Andrew Keiner being president, Enoch M. Chase, secretary,

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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

and E. L. Mainwaring, treasurer and general manager. It was the first one-cent paper started in Utica.

The Utica Sunday Journal was started October 14, 1894, by the Journal Publishing Company, consisting of John A. Neyenhouse, John M. Dolan, and Thomas D. Cahill.

Measures were adopted in 1853 to establish a paper in Utica for the German element. Charles Bierbauer, Frank Sang, John Hahn, J. W. Wasmer, A. Brendle, Joseph Leutheuser, Joseph Faass, Paul Keiser, Fred Koelbel and others formed a stock company and started a paper called the Central New York Demokrat. The first printers were two men from New York city, named Timm and Brand, and Dr. Soden was the first editor. The paper was issued twice each week and after about two years passed to possession of Paul Keiser, who changed its name to the Oneida Demokrat. J. C. Schreiber became the editor under Paul Keiser's management in 1860, the paper then being a weekly. In 1865 Mr. Schreiber bought the establishment and made the paper again a semi weekly. He changed the name to its present title, The Utica Deutsche Zeitung and Oneida Demokrat and later issued it three times a week. On April 1, 1891, the establishment passed into the control of a stock company of which Mr. Schreiber was president and John C. Fulmer secretary and treasurer. The paper has been ably con- ducted and widely read by the Germans

The Utica Volksblatt was started by the present editor and proprie- tor, Henry Kruempel, on September 6, 1887. It is issued weekly, and is the only German Republican newspaper in Oneida county.

Y Drych (The Mirror), the only Welsh weekly newspaper in the United States (1896), is published in Utica, by Thomas J. Griffiths, at 131 Genesee street. The paper was started in New York city in 1851 by J. M. Jones, who conducted it until 1854, when he sold it to a com- pany, and the late John W. Jones was employed as its editor. After a time the editor became the proprietor. He moved the paper to Utica about 1860, and this city has since been its home. The late J. Mather Jones purchased it not long after its removal, and John W. Jones re- tained the position as editor and T. B Morris was associated with him. The journal gained popularity rapidly, and was widely circulated among the Welsh people. In 1869 J. Mather Jones and John W. Jones went

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to Arvonia, Kansas, to establish a Welsh settlement there, and J. C. Roberts came on from New York in March of that year to manage the paper, which position he has since retained Mr. Morris remained to assist him for a while, but soon went to Scranton, Pa., to edit the Baner America. John W. Jones made a short stay in Kansas, and returning continued his connection with the paper. He was often absent for ex- tended periods. He made several trips to the old country, though up to the time of his death, which occurred in October, 1884. he was em- ployed on the paper and wrote for it. He was a prominent man among the Welsh. With them he was very popular and by them he was much respected. J. Mather Jones remained in Kansas from 1869 to 1872, and continued to own Y Drych till his death, in December, 1874, when the paper passed into the hands of T. J. Griffiths, who is now its enter- prising and successful proprietor. Joseph W. Nichols was associated with Mr. Roberts for about eight months in 1870; then G. H. Hum- phrey for some years from 1885 ; and now (1896) Benjamin F. Lewis, late of the Utica Herald.

In 1877 Mr. Griffiths bought the Baner America, which had been running nine years and had a circulation of about 2,000. In 1890 he bought. Y Warg (The Press) which had been published in Pittsburg since 1871 ; and in 1894 the Columbia (started in Chicago, 1888), was merged in Y Drych, which is now alone in the field with a circulation of about 12,000 It aims to be a family paper. It has all the Welsh news carefully edited and condensed. Contributions are frequently sent in and the best are published. Editorial comment on current events is provided, and in short, it is made just such a paper as pleases all who can read Welsh Y Drych has the largest circulation in Penn- sylvania, and other States follow in this order : Ohio, Wisconsin, New York, Vermont, Kansas, Illinois, and so on through the list, for there is no State nor Territory that is without at least a few copies of Y Drych. It goes wherever there are any Welshmen.

Y Cyfaill (The Friend), a Calvanistic monthly magazine, founded in 1857, has been published by J. C. Griffiths from the office of Y Drych since 1860. It is printed in Welsh.

Y. Wawr, a Baptist monthly magazine, was established in January, 1876, by Rev. Owen Griffiths, the present editor.

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The Cambrian, a monthly magazine published in English in the in- terests of Welslı Americans, was started in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1880, and moved to Utica in December, 1886. This and Y Wawr are printed by J. C. Griffiths.

The Utica Advocate, weekly, was started by Horton & Deane in 1894 and is now published by Bantham, Folkes & Co.

Besides the foregoing there are or have been several publications in Utica with special purposes. The Church Eclectic, a monthly maga- zine of church literature, was formed March 1, 1873, by Rev. W. T. Gibson, D.D., then rector of St. George's Church.

A monthly paper called the Christian Worker isissued by the Women's Christian Association, and devoted to the interests of charities of the city.

The Gospel Messenger, organ of the Episcopal church in Western New York, was founded in 1827 in Auburn by Dr. John Churchill Rudd. About the year 1846 Dr. Rudd removed with his paper to Utica, where he died April 15, 1848. Bishop De Lancey succeeded to the ownership and turned it over to Rev. Dr. William A. Matson as editor and proprietor who continued down to 1860. Rev. William T. Gibson, D.D., then assumed the same position, which he continued until January, 1872. The new diocese of Central New York having been set off in 1868, the Gospel Messeuger was removed in January, 1872, to Syracuse, was merged with the Church Journal in November of that year, which a few years later was in turn merged in the present Churchman.

The American Journal of Insanity was founded in what is now the Utica State Hospital in 1844 and has been continued under the offices of the various superintendents until the present time.

The Evening Telegraph was founded as an independent daily paper May 1, 1851, by T. R. McQuade & Co., the company being James Mc- Iver, who was editor. He was succeeded in 1856 by James McQuade, who acted until 1861 and was followed by Henry W. Chase. In the fall of 1863 the paper was purchased by F. A. Crandall, who soon sold out to D. C. Ritchie. The publication ceased its existence in 1865.

Other publications, which had a brief existence were, the Christian Magazine, 1814-15, published by Congregational and Presbyterian

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THE CITY OF UTICA.

ministers; The Christian Repository, 1822-28, a monthly printed by William Williams ; The Western Recorder, 1823-28, published by Mer- rell & Hastings; The Baptist Register, a weekly started by Rev. E. F. Willey and Elon Galusha and removed in 1855 to New York city ; The Utica Evangelical Magazine, later called the Magazine and Advocate, edited by Adolphas Skinner in behalf of Universalism, 1827-31 ; The Western Sunday School Visitant, 1826-28; The Friend of Man ; The Teetotaler; The Mechanics' Press ; The Uticanian ; The Mothers' Magazine, 1833 ; The Club, by Henry Goodfellow, 1814-15; The Woman's Era, started by Charles M. Curry and M. Stanislaus Murphy in May, 1895, and published by them until April, 1896; and the Parish Record, issued by Trinity Church.

Banking and Manufactures .- It is an acknowledged fact that the city of Utica of to-day rests upon a financial foundation more stable and sound than those of the majority of the large communities of the coun - try. This position has not been reached, however, without bitter lessons of experience, struggles to avert disaster, and periods of monetary stringency that threatened to overwhelm the business of the place From the consequences of the well known financial " panics," as they are called, which have afflicted the country, Utica has suffered more than many of her sister cities. There are good reasons for this, and they lie chiefly in the facts that apart from her location in the midst of a rich agricultural region, she possesses no natural sources of wealth, and that she has no large water power, from which in early years might have been cheaply developed a large manufacturing industry. I

The beginning of banking operations in Utica dates from the arrival of Montgomery Hunt in 1809, who was sent hither by the Manhattan Bank of New York to organize a branch of that institution. This he did and began business in a small building standing back from the west line of Hotel street, a little south of Whitesboro. In July, 1809. the lot on the corner of those streets was purchased and a brick bank building erected. Mr. Hunt's only associate was Henry B. Gibson, who acted as teller and bookkeeper. The institution existed until 1818 and appears to have been prosperous.

1 Until after about 1845 there were almost no manufacturing operations in Utica, while Whites- town, New Hartford, Clinton, Paris. Oriskany, and Waterville were the sites of flourishing estab- lishments.

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Iu February, 1811, a call was published for those interested in a bank in Utica to meet at the hotel. This step resulted in the incorporation of a Bank of Utica,1 June 1, 1812, which began business on the 8th of the following December, on the west side of Genesee street ; in 1813 it was removed to the brick building on Whitesboro street, next east of the hotel, and there remained until February, 1854, when it was removed to its present location. The capital stock was placed at $1,000,000, but in reality it did not exceed $600,000 and on the renewal of its charter in 1832 it was fixed at the latter sum. Since the expiration of the sec- ond charter in 1850 the business has been carried on by an association under the State law. The presidents of this bank have been James S. Kip, a part of one year; Henry Huntington, until 1845; Thomas Walker, until June, 1863; Benjamin N. Huntington, until 1876; when Publius V. Rogers, then cashier, was chosen president. On his death in July, 1895, Charles B. Rogers succeeded to the office. On the first of September, 1865, this bank was organized under the national system, becoming the First National Bank of Utica.

The Oneida National Bank was incorporated May 13, 1836, and be- gan business in November of the same year with a capital stock of $400,000. Augustine G. Dauby was the first president and Kellogg Hurlburt the first cashier. The stock of the bank was in great demand and subscriptions to the amount of about $1,000,000 were soon made. On Sunday night, November 20, 1836, preceding the morning proposed for opening business the bank was robbed of $108,000 in cash and $8,500 in drafts. The theft was perpetrated in the early morning after the watchman had gone home. The two thieves went to Canada where they purchased farms and other property. They were subsequently arrested ; one of them was convicted and about $50,000 in property was recovered. Though this loss was a severe one, the bank made a redis tribution of stock and soon became financially strong. On the Ist of July, 1865, it went under the national system, becoming the Oneida National Bank. Succeeding Mr. Dauby, who held the office of presi-

1 Timothy O. Grannis came to Utica and about 1832 entered the Bank of Utica as clerk, after- wards rising to the position of teller. In 1838 the Bank of Central New York was organized and Mr. Grannis acted as teller and later as cashier. July 1, 1862, the T. O. Grannis & Co. Bank was opened to business, at first under a State charter and later as a private institution. Mr. Grannis was a worthy and enterprising citizen, was long connected with Trinity church and later with Grace church and was alderman in 1849. He died May 19, 1883.

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THE CITY OF UTICA.

dent only about three months, Alfred Munson was chosen in December, 1836, and continued until his death, May 6, 1854. Charles A. Mann succeeded, continuing to his death, January 20, 1860. In June of that year James Sayre was chosen ; he died April 24, 1877, and on the 6th of July following A. J. Williams was elected, and held the office until his death in August, 1888. In November of that year R. S. Williams was elected and still holds the position. The handsome bank building owned by the institution was erected in 1886-87.

The legislative act incorporating the Utica City Bank bears date April 8, 1838, but the organization was not effected until September I, 1848. The original capital was $125,000, which was increased May II, 1849, by $75,000, and in January, 1888, was raised to $400,000 ; the bank began business at 37 Genesee street. In 1862 property on the corner of Genesee and Catherine streets was purchased and the next year a suitable building was erected. This was burned in the destructive fire of March 2, 1884. Temporary quarters were then occupied until May, 1885, when it removed to its present building. In May, 1865, the bank was reorganized under the national system. Hiram Denio was its first president and was succeeded, September 5, 1859, by Jared E. Warner ; he resigned January 10, 1878, and was succeeded by Isaac Maynard, who died February 23, 1885. February 7 of that year Charles S. Symonds, the present incumbent, was elected.

The Oneida County Bank1 was organized in 1853 with a capital of $125,000, which has always remained the same, and began business in its present quarters. The first president was Ira B. Cary, who died in 1855, and was succeeded by Judge Charles H. Doolittle, who served u til his death in 1874. In June of that year Francis Kernan was elected and held the office until August 2, 1887, when John Milton Butler was chosen. Mr. Butler came to Utica to enter this bank in 1853 and was made its cashier in 1855. The institution has always maintained its credit and has passed through the various financial panics almost unscathed.

1 Stephen Sicard, born in New York in 1835, was reared in Utica and from 1854 to 1865 was in the Oneida Bank as clerk and later as teller. In the latter year he became a member of the firm of H. H. Hurd & Co., wholesale grain dealers, in which he continued to his death, November 5, 1890. He was secretary of the board of trustees of the Female Academy, at one time was cap- tain of the Citizens Corps, and for many years was director of the Oneida Bank.

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The Second National Bank! was incorporated December 10, 1863, and began business at 75 Genesee street in February, 1864. The first officers were William J. Bacon, president; Theodore S. Faxton, vice- president ; William D. Hamlin, cashier. A few months later Mr. Fax- ton was chosen president and held the office until his death in 1881 ; he was succeeded by Edward S. Brayton, who continued until his death in 1887. William M. White was then elected to the office and held it until his death in January, 1896, when Thomas R. Proctor was chosen. J. R. Swan is vice president and D. A. Avery, cashier. The original capital stock was $300,000 and has always remained the same.

In 1821 the Legislature granted a charter for "A Bank for Savings in the City of Utica." No further action was taken until 1839, when, on the 26th of July, a charter was granted to the Savings Bank of Utica. The institution was promptly organized and began business on May 18 of that year in the office of Nicholas Devereux. The charter limited the deposits to $500,000 and each depositor $2,000. John C. Devereux was elected president, Thomas Walker, vice-president, and Stalhanı Williams, secretary. At the second meeting May 8, 1839, a code of by-laws was adopted, and Mr. Williams was appointed treasurer of the bank, an office which he held thirty-four years, until his death in 1873 at the age of ninety-nine and one-half years. In 1842 an act was passed authorizing the bank to loan $5,000 on personal security instead of $3,000 and another act of 1860 extended the limit of deposits to $1,000,000. This amount was increased in 1864 to $2,000,000; in 1869 to $3,000,000, and in 1871 to $5,000,000. The Central City Savings Institution was incorporated June 20, 1851, and failed in 1873. The National Savings Bank of Utica incorporated March 22, 1865, was merged later with a branch of the People's Safe Deposit and Savings Institution of the State of New York, incorporated May 14, 1868. This institution became bankrupt early in 1872. The failure of the two institutions caused some distrust among the depositors of the Savings Bank of Utica, which culminated in a run on the bank in the latter part

1 George R. Thomas, son of Daniel Thomas of Utica, was born January 8, 1822. After being employed in several banks, the longest in the Rome Bank, where he was teller and cashier until the expiration of its charter, he settled in Utica in 1864, and with E. S. Brayton and others organ- ized the Second National Bank and was cashier until his death, July 25, 1887. Through the confi- dence reposed in him he filled many positions of financial trust.

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Our county and its people; a descriptive work on Oneida county, New York;, Part 36

Author: Wager, Daniel Elbridge, 1823-1896 Publication date: 1896 Publisher: [Boston] : The Boston history co. Number of Pages: 1612

Author: Wager, Daniel Elbridge, 1823-1896
Publication date: 1896
Publisher: [Boston] : The Boston history co.
Number of Pages: 1612