Our county and its people; a descriptive work on Oneida county, New York;, Part 57

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 57

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569

THE TOWN OF VERNON.

The first marriage in this town was that of Aaron Davis and Amy, daughter of Josiah Bushnell; it occurred before 1798. The first white child born in the town was Edward Marshall, son of Levi Marshall, the date being April 19, 1799

The father of Abraham Van Eps was a fur trader at Schenectady. After the close of the Revolutionary war he took a lot of valuable property to the Canadian shore of Lake Ontario, where he was plundered by Indians and refugees; he never returned and his fate is unknown. Abraham was born in Schenectady in 1763, and in the spring of 1784 passed through what is now Oneida county before the arrival here of either Judge Dean or Judge White, on his way to Niagara with fur traders' goods. Returning in the fall he found along the old military road through the site of Whitesboro village the begin- ning of improvements by Judge White and his sons. Mr. Van Eps established a trading station at the mouth of Oriskany Creek in 1785, where he traded till about 1787, when he moved into the town of West- moreland and built a log store on Judge Dean's farm. About 1792 he erected a building north of the site of Westmoreland furnace in which he kept house, having married a Miss Young of Schenectady, and also sold goods ; thus he was both the first merchant in the county and in the town of Westmoreland. When his patent was granted in Vernon he at once built a store in what is now the eastern part of Vernon village. In the same building Gershom Hubbell kept a tavern a short time. Mr Van Eps built a dwelling there in 1798, moved into it, opened his store and thus became the first merchant in the town of Vernon. He was successful, but in 1809 removed to Schenectady. In 1829 he re- turned to this town, his wife having died in 1828, and married Miss Sarah Underhill. He died in 1841, after a long and very useful life.

Some of the early roads in this town received local names ; for exam- ple, a part of the Seneca turnpike east of Oneida Castle was called Turkey street, said to have been so named from the fact that some of the early settlers went in the night to Oneida Castle and stole some turkeys be- longing to the Indians What was called Cooper street runs parallel with and a mile or more north of the Seneca turnpike, and was so named from the number of early coopers settled there. Hovel, or Webster street, be- gins about two miles west of Vernon village and leads southward to

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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

Sargent's patent. The first title came from the " hovel" style of some of the early dwellings along this road, while the residence there of five Websters was sufficient to name it Webster street.

The first school in this town was taught at the Center by a Mr. Sessions, in a log school house. The first frame school house was built at Vernon village soon after 1798 and was used also as a church for a number of years. As the inhabitants increased in numbers, the town was subdivided into districts, the number of which in 1860 was twelve ; at the present time there are ten, with school houses.

The village of Oneida Castle is situated partly in this town and partly in the town of Lenox, Madison county. A considerable hamlet gath- ered here in early years. The first public house was kept by John Otis on the site of the later lower hotel. East of this house previous to 1824 Stephen Parkhurst kept a small tavern ; in the year named he moved the building opposite to the so called White House and kept it as a hotel eight or ten years. About 1833 he built the White House. This is still standing, but is unoccupied. The present hotel of Luke H. Coon was built by him in 1887 on the site of an older one which he had kept more than ten years. Another hotel is kept by John Don ovan, called the Central,

The post- office was established prior to 1818 and George Baldwin, an early lawyer, was made postmaster; he was succeeded by Stephen Parkhurst, who held the office twenty years and was followed by Tim- othy Jenkins.

The first store in this village was that of Andrew Van Alstine, who was succeeded by Thomas Hooker. The stone store was built about 1834 by Elphalet Hotchkiss, on the site now covered by S. D. Bridge's store. Timothy Jenkins, just mentioned, was a prominent citizen, an excellent lawyer, and practiced in Vernon village from 1825 to about 1832, when he removed to Oneida Castle and there passed the remainder of his useful life. Stores are now kept by S. D. Bridge and Chester Martin. The Brid e store was built by Rufus Peckham.

The earliest physician in this place was Dr. John Morrison, who sub- sequently removed to Wisconsin. Other prominent physicians of the place were Drs. Hurlburt G, Wetmore, Martin Cavana, and A. P. Dodge.

TIMOTHY JENKINS.

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THE TOWN OF VERNON.

An academy was started early in the village by one of the Bronson family, who taught in it for a time. It declined in later years and was merged in the Union school. This school is continued in the academy building and is in charge of J. H. Kales, principal, and two assistants. A branch of the school is maintained at the Community with three teachers.

Oneida Castle was incorporated May 26, 1841. and the following were elected the first officers :

Robert Perry, Rufus Peckham, Horatio Stevens, H. G. Wetmore, Nathan F. Graves, trustees; James Tomlinson, clerk ; Daniel Lamb, collector and treasurer ; Timothy Jenkins, John Smith, and Stephen Parkhurst, fire wardens.

A reincorporation was effected under the general State law of 1870 on the 22d of December, 1872, and the first election under that charter was held January 11, 1873. The following were elected :

President, James B. Avery ; trustees, John Klock, J. L. Bridge, C. H. Wells; treas- urer, H. Luce; collector, L. Budlong; clerk, M. L. Carr.

The village officers for 1896 are: President, E. B. Beebee; trustees, Amos Joslin, James Taylor, Stephen Goodnow; collector, Daniel E. Teale; treasurer, Charles Hitchcock; clerk, George R. Morrison. Mr. Morrison is also postmaster.

Among the past tradesmen of this village were Horatio Stevens, Newman Schofield, Van Eps Hotchkiss, and others.

The village of Vernon began its existence as a hamlet very early in the century. The beginning of mercantile business here by Mr. Van Eps has been described. A post-office was established early in the history of the place. Hezekiah and Asa Ames, brothers, built a card- ing and fulling mill early, ard a dwelling which afterwards became the Empire House. Samuel Gay kept a tavern probably as early as 1813 in a building that in later years became the residence of A. Judson. A public library was founded in the little village in 1806, which continued probably to 1811. Salmon Case came to the village in 1813 and lived here all his life; he died in 1871. He opened a store and long carried on a successful business. He was the first cashier of the Bank of Vernon, was twice elected supervisor of the town, and was otherwise honored. Benjamin Pierson, who came to the place about 1800, and Thomas Williams, sr., were also early and prom- inent citizens of the place. The latter operated a large tannery in the

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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

southeast part of the village which ultimately burned and was not re- built. He also carried on shoe and harness making.

Vernon village was incorporated on April 6, 1827, and the first election of officers was held on the third Tuesday in May of that year, resulting as follows :

John P. Sherwood, Thomas Williams, Luke Hitchcock Salmon Case, Robert Richardson, trustees; Henry Y. Stewart, John Stevens and Ira Kirtland, assessors ; J. H. Collins, treasurer.

Mr. Sherwood was afterward chosen president of the Board, and Timothy Jenkins, clerk. The officers for 1896 are F. Martin, president; J. J. Bartholomew, George Lewis, Ard Johnson, trustees.

The grist mill in this village was built for Mr. Van Eps in early years, the first millwright being Robert Richardson. The latter also estab- lished a brewery here, and at one time the Granger brothers had a fac- tory for making glass bottles. A window glass factory was carried on at one time by Willett Sherman for a stock company ; both of these industries were removed from town. Other past industries were a manufactory of scythe rifles and a drain tile factory. The grist mill is now operated by J. J. Bartholomew. A canning factory is run by the Curtis Canning Company.

An academy was opened here in 1833 chiefly through the efforts of Salmon Case. It was incorporated and started with good prospects. Until 1876 the institution had a fair degree of prosperity, but in that year it was merged into the Union school of the village and its prop- erty was transferred to the trustees.

Soon after the incorporation of the village the " Vernon Village Fire Company " was organized. A small hand engine was already owned, which with additions of hose and other apparatus continued in use until 1833, when a new company was organized and in 1840 a new engine was purchased and an engine house erected. This outfit sufficed until 1872 when another and better engine was bought. It is still in use and a fire company and hose company are maintained.

The Bank of Vernon was organized in 1839 with a capital of $100, - 000. John j. Knox was the first president and Salmon Case, cashier. The stone bank building was erected in the same year. In 1865 the bank was changed to a national band. Josiah Case succeeded Mr.

573

THE TOWN OF VERNON.

Knox as president in 1862, and Salmon Case was succeeded as cashier by T. F. Hand, and he by Everett Case in 1851. The present presi- dent is A P. Case, and D. B Case is cashier.

The founding of the Vernon Courier many years ago and its later removal to Rome have been described in another chapter of this vol- ume. The village remained without a newspaper until the spring of the present year (1896). Rev. H. A. Howard established the Search- light, a monthly publication, in December, 1895, and continued it to May, 1896, when the Vernon Times succeeded it, with Curry & Mur- phy publishers and editors. The Times is a sprightly folio and is re- ceiving liberal support.

Present stores are kept in this village by C. H. Pfister, George P. Langford, and a tin and stove store by William Hyden. J. A. Ott is postmaster.

The hotels now in existence are the Vernon House by William Zim- mer, the Lewis House by G. H. Lewis, and the West Shore House by William Kernan. The old Hubbell tavern (afterwards the Pierson) was the first one in the place. In 1878 it was enlarged and improved. Samuel Gay kept a hotel as early as 1813 and was succeeded by other landlords in the building that subsequently became the residence of A. Judson. A hotel formerly known as the Empire House was built for a dwelling by Hezekiah and Asa Ames, brothers. Shelburn Ives owned and occupied it many years. The Ames Brothers also had a carding machine and fulling mill on Scanandoa Creek.

The laying out of the village plat of Vernon Center by the pioneers has already been noticed. A post office was established here soon after the war of 1812, and Pitt Cody was among the first, if not the first, postmaster ; he kept the office in his shoe shop. His father was Sam- uel Cody, a justice of the peace. Elisha Pettibone kept a hotel, which was built early in the history of the place. A second one was built be- fore Mr. Pettibone completed the changes which he made in his house, on the site of the Methodist parsonage. Mr Pettibone opened his house January 1, 1818, after which the other house was closed as a hotel. Mr. Pettibone also operated a distillery north of the village many years. A store was kept as early as 1818 opposite the hotel by Syl- vester Herrick. Other former merchants were Elihu Foot, John Pil-

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()UR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

cher, Josiah Foot, Alpha Church and Willis Walters. Stores are now kept by Elliot Norton, who succeeded his father, Alson Norton, and another by George Earl.

Charles Dix came with his family, a wife and five children, from Wethersfield, Conn., to Vernon, in 1802. He purchased a tract of land in the extreme south part of the town, a portion of which is still owned and occupied by his granddaughter, Mrs Gay Henry Rodemore. His new home was in a picturesque, narrow valley, with his lands extending up the hills on either side. Adjoining, on the north, was the Oneida Indian Reservation, whence formerly a considerable quantity of beads were washed down the ravines of the hill side. The Indians were buried in shallow graves with their beads and other ornaments The writer

still has a string of beads that he picked up at this place more than fifty years ago. Mr. Dix brought with him sufficient means to give him at once an independent financial position. He built a tannery and shoe- shop, and later a rope walk and flax mill, and in the early part of the century this little valley, where there is now only a lone farm house, was a busy place The Indians made almost daily visits, and bread and other food was often given them, which they ate, sitting in groups near the dwelling of Mr. Dix on the logs that had been drawn for wood to be used in the great fireplaces of the time. They were always peaceable and friendly, except occasionally when intoxicated by liquors furnished by the whites.

Charles Dix was born in Wethersfield, Conn., November 8, 1764, and died in Vernon, N. Y., July 13, 1850 He was a descendant in the fourth generation of Leonard Dix, one of the original settlers of Weth- ersfield. He married, March 5, 1786, Prudence Wells, daughter of John Wells, a descendant in the fourth generation of Thomas Wells, also one of the original settlers of Wethersfield (1635), and the first colonial treasurer of Connecticut, and afterwards secretary, deputy governor and governor of the colony, and for twenty three years one of the judges of the General Court, and the writer, and one of the enactors, in 1642, of the severe statutes that have given rise to the tradition of the exist- ence of a criminal code, commonly known as the " Blue Laws."

Charles Dix removed from Wethersfield to Torrington, Conn., in 1786; where, according to the published history of that town, he built

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THE TOWN OF VERNON.

its first tannery ; he returned to Wethersfield in 1795, and moved to Vernon, N. Y., in 1802.

Children of Charles and Prudence (Wells) Dix : 1, Lydia, born April 6, 1787, in Torrington, Conn., died August 27, 1870, in Vernon, N.Y. ; 2, William, born June 7, 1789, in Torrington, Conn., died March 19, 1876, in Dover, Mich .; 3, Erastus, born April 15, 1791, in Torrington, Conn., died in 1844, in Ausable Forks, N. Y. ; 4, Ara, born July 14, 1793, in Torrington, Conn., died September 4, 1826, in Vernon, N. Y .; 5, Martha (Patty),1 born December 12, 1796, in Wethersfield, Conn., died December 23, 1863, in New Haven, N. Y. ; 6, Hannah, born De- cember 8, 1799, in Wethersfield, Conn., died February 27, 1848, in Stafford, N. Y .; 7, Charles, born May 1, 1802, in Wethersfield, Conn., died March 8, 1862. in Le Roy, N. Y .; 8, Samuel, born July 14 1805, in Vernon, N. Y., died March 27, 1807, in same place ; 9, Eli Richard, born October 6, 1807, in Vernon, N. Y., died August 18, 1852, in same place.

The first religious society in this town was of the Congregational form and was organized at Vernon Center in 1803. It subsequently changed to the Presbyterian form and has so remained. Rev. Mr. Bogue was the first pastor who was followed by Rev. Calvin Bushnell, who preached here and in Vernon village until 1817, when he was set- tled at the latter place. The first church building was erected in 1812 and was rebuilt in 1839.

The " Mount Vernon Presbyterian Society " was organized at Ver- non village in 1805, taking its name from the then commonly used title for that village. The frame church was built by subscription in 1815, and was extensively improved in later years. Rev. Calvin Bushnell, before mentioned, remained with the church until 1829, aad was suc- ceeded by Rev. Aaron Gunnison

The Baptist church at Vernon village, was organized in October, 1807. The church edifice was built many years ago and is still in use in remodeled form This society has always had a vigorous existence.

The Methodist Episcopal church at Vernon Center was formed in

1 Martha, daughter of Charles and Prudence ( Wells) Dix, married, in Vernon, N. Y., March 8, 1814, Zadok Farman, son of Roswell and Abiah (Hutchins) Farman. Their second son, Henry Far- man, born March 14, 1823, in New Haven, Oswego county, N. Y., has resided at Knoxboro, Oneida county, N. Y., for over fifty years. (See sketch on another page of this work).

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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

1826, and in 1828 the society built its frame edifice. In 1850 the spire was demolished by lightning and afterwards rebuilt.

The Methodist church at Vernon village was organized about 1830, and soon afterward built its church in the northwest part of the corpo- ration. The building was moved to its later location in 1839, and the society has always been active and zealous.

A Unitarian Congregational society was formed in March, 1841, and the church building near the Oneida Community's factories, formerly used by the Indians, was removed to the village of Vernon, and dedi- cated in September, 1842. The society finally passed out of existence.

A Presbyterian society was formed at Oneida Castle not long after 1840, and a church built at a later date, meetings being held at first in the school house. The old chuch was used until 1884, when a new edifice was erected.

Oneida Community -The property of this celebrated organization is largely in the town of Vernon. The community was founded in 1847- 8 by a company of so called Religious Perfectionists, under leadership of John Humphrey Noyes.

The lands where the Community settled were fertile and well- watered. They bought of the State a part of the Oneida Indian Reservation. This land had never been subject to private ownership. The Indians held it in common. Near the center of this tract of Indian land, and about midway in the mouth of the valley was a beautiful plateau of sev- eral acres in extent, near the Oneida Creek, but rising about a dozen feet above the adjacent land. It was a natural garden spot. On this plateau the Community reared its primitive mansion-a wooden struc- ture built mainly of hemlock lumber, cut in the neighborhood and sawed in their own mill. Here they afterward built a larger Community home of brick, and surrounded it with beautiful lawns and flowers, shrubbery and trees. Since 1863 their grounds have been noted as among the most beautiful in the State, and have been visited and admired by thousands.

The Community soon after its settlement here began fruitgrowing. One of their prominent business men, Henry Thacker, a man with a clear head and practical mind, was an enthusiast in this line. He brought a stock of fruit trees with him when he joined; he set out

577

THE TOWN OF VERNON.

orchards-apple, pear, peach, cherry and plum; he planted straw- berries and raspberries ; he imbued the Community with his confidence and enthusiasm. The winters of Central New York are cold, with oc- casional falls of temperature to 20° or more below zero. The Com- munity were obliged after experiments to abandon peach, cherry and plum culture as uncertain. In other fruits, especially strawberries, they had success. Gradually the farmers around them caught the fruit growing fever. They inquired as to the Community methods of culture, and put them into practice, and ultimately made the Oneida region famous in strawberry growing.

In 1854 Mr. Thacker began canning and bottling fruits in a small way for family use. The art was learned from a member of the North American Phalanx in New Jersey. His success led the Community to encourage him to further experiments. In 1855 a few dozens of toma- toes and plums were canned for the market and sold in Syracuse, Os- wego and other neighboring cities. From this small beginning a large business grew.

Other manufacturing businesses also grew up in the Community in much the same way, notably the Newhouse Steel Trap business. Sewell Newhouse, an accomplished hunter and trapper, and trapmaker joined the Community. He soon converted the Community to his own en- thusiasm for making Newhouse's superior steel traps, for trapping all kinds of fur bearing animals, from the rat and muskrat to the grizzly bear. A quantity was made and put on the market. They were in- troduced to fur dealers and hardware men, and through them to trap- pers all over the country. Demand for them sprang up and grew faster than the Community could supply. A great business was the result. The whole continent, from the Gulf of Mexico to Hudson's Bay, and from the Atlantic to the Pacific, has for over thirty years been mainly supplied with steel traps from the Oneida Community factory. They still lead in the business, distancing all competitors, both in quality and popularity of their traps. In 1866 a beginning was made in a small way in the manufacture of sewing silks and machine twist. This busi- ness has also grown to large proportions, and the goods placed on the market by them are among the best of American make. In 1877-8 the manufacture of silver-plated table ware was begun, and is now a

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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

leading business. The factories of the trap and silk businesses are located at Sherrill, Oneida county, a mile and a quarter north of the home buildings, on the New York, West Shore and Buffalo Railway. The canning factory is near the home buildings. The table ware works are at Niagara Falls, N. Y.

In 1879 the Community receded, in compliance with the wishes of the surrounding public, from the practice of their peculiar doctrines of Social Communism, and in 1880 it was re-organized as a joint stock company, under the name of the Oneida Community, Limited. Their social life is now similar to that of surrounding society. The joint stock company carries on the leading business of the old Community. The large domain of over 500 acres, lying in both Oneida and Madison counties, is kept nearly intact. The farm is a beautiful one, under good cultivation. The grounds are still well kept.

The goods put on the market by the Oneida Community had an un- rivaled reputation. The Oneida Community, Limited, inherit that reputation and aim to increase it.

In 1879 the Oneida Community, having exhibited for thirty three years a harmonious and prosperous form of society in which the private ownership of both property and persons was abolished, peaceably re- solved itself into a joint stock company. The shares in the large prop- erty which had been accumulated by their industry were divided, with- out any litigation. among the members of the Community, the amount allotted to each individual being proportioned to the number of years of service. There was no distinction at the settlement. The women shared equally with the men and the children born in the Community were given an annuity. The five flourishing businesses established by the Community have been continued without interruption, and afford a profit in dividends which support the original members in comfort. The younger people intermarried on the dissolution of the Communistic form of society, and have made happy families. Mr. Noyes died in 1886, and his followers have refrained from any attempt to form small Communities.

The chief agricultural product of Vienna in the past has been hops, but in recent years the dairying interest has successfully competed for precedence, and with the prospects of prevailing depression in the

SILAS ADAMS.

579

THE TOWN OF VERONA.

hop market, is likely to become the leading industry. Among the prominent farmers in the town who have passed away were Nicholas Dyer, Harlem Norton, and J. L. Stone. Some of the leaders of the present time are Silas Adams, J. F. Morrison, the Markham brothers, Merrick Webber, Neil Duross, and Ira Snell.

CHAPTER XLVIII.

THE TOWN OF VERONA.

The town of Verona is situated on the western border of Oneida county, centrally north and south, and originally constituted a part of the Oneida Reservation, the territory of which was sold at auction in August, 1797. The town was erected February 17, 1802, from West- moreland. The western boundary is formed by Oneida Creek and Oneida Lake, and its northern boundary by Wood Creek, Other smaller streams, among them Stony Creek, are tributary to the two larger creeks and lake. The surface south of the Erie Canal is rolling, while the northwestern part is level with a slight slope towards the lake, by which it was undoubtedly once covered ; the soil here is a rich allu - vial and was covered by a dense forest of the ordinary hard woods, with some hemlock and cedar. The town has an area of 41,796 acres.

The Verona Springs, that have attained considerable local celebrity, are situated in the southeast part of the town. This spring was known to the Indians, by whom it is said to have been called " the medicine spring." The water was used to some extent from the time of the early settlements in this region; but it was not until about 1830 that the spring was brought into public notice. In 1850 Dr. Seymour Cur- tiss established a water cure. Some years later Dr. Nelson Hunt and his wife, Mrs. A. A. Hunt, M. D., took the establishment and success- fully conducted it. Many boarders, both patients and others, were accommodated and many were greatly benefited. The boarding house is still open under the supervision of Mrs. Hunt. The analysis of the spring water is as follows :

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Our county and its people; a descriptive work on Oneida county, New York;, Part 57

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