USA > New York > Tioga County > Our county and its people : a memorial history of Tioga County, New York > Part 19
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ยท Cornelius R. Rogers, Owego; born at Windham, Bradford county, Pa .; diploma Jan- uary 22, 1867, from Geneva Medical College ; also diploma June 27, 1877, Syracuse University.
William R. Buttles, Newark Valley ; born at Lee, Berkshire county, Mass .; diploma 1873, from University of the City of New York.
Carlton R. Heaton, Owego : born at Newark Valley ; diploma January 26, 1864, from Geneva Medieal College ; also from Medieal Department of Syracuse University. John Frank, Owego; born at Virgil, Cortland county ; ecrtifieate June 12, 1844, from Eclectie Medieal Society of Albany.
William Henry Fisher, Spencer ; born at Spencer ; diploma March 1, 1876, from Belle- vue Hospital Medical College, New York city.
Andrew T. Pearsall, Owego; boru at Florence, Alabama; diploma October 1, 1861, from College of Physicians, New York.
Alonzo Norris, Speneer ; born at Erin, Chemung county ; diploma March 12, 1860, from Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia.
John C. Dixon, Candor ; born at Gilbertsville, Otsego county ; diploma December 26. 1854, from Albany Medical College.
George W. Beach, Apalachin ; born in New York city ; diploma January 14, 1864, from Yale Medical College, New Haven, Conn.
Theodore S. Armstrong, Owego; born at Albany ; diploma January 16, 1847, from Geneva Medieal College.
William H. Allen, Smithboro ; born at East Smithfield, Penna .; diploma February 25, 1880, from University of Buffalo.
John Talcott Greenleaf, Owego; born at Owego; diploma March 1, 1867, from Homeopathie Medieal College, New York eity.
John Pike Magee, Candor ; born at Magee's Corners, Seneca county ; diploma June 4, 1850, from Geneva Medical College ; graduate of Jefferson Medical College, Phil- adelphia.
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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.
Charles C. Eastman, Owego ; born at Owego ; diploma January 21, 1866, from Geneva Medical College.
Abram F. Crans, Owego ; born at Shwangunk, Sullivan county : diploma February 19, 1873, from Eelectic Medieal College, New York eity.
Daniel S. Miller, Candor ; born in Cayuga county ; diploma November 3. 1847, from Berkshire Medieal College, Pittsfield, Mass.
Harriet P. Van Kirk, Owego ; born at Mt. Hope, Orange county ; diploma February . 18, 1870; from Ecleetie Medical College, New York city.
Charles L. Stiles, Owego ; born at Wantage, Sussex county, N. J .; diploma 1865, from Geneva Medieal College.
Henry P. Vosburgh, Ilalsey Valley ; born at Otto, Cattaraugus county ; diploma De- eember 25, 1864, from Albany Medical College.
William R. Nieol, Waverly ; born at St. Mary's, Canada ; diploma Mareh 28, 1872, from McGill Medieal College, Montreal, Canada.
Horaee M. Corey, Waverly ; born at Halsey Valley ; diploma March 27, 1878, from Homeopathie Medieal College, University of Michigan.
Warren L. Ayer, Owego; born at Little Meadows, Penna .; diploma June 28, 1868, from Long Island College Hospital, Brooklyn, N. Y.
Azel E. Metealfe, Owego ; born in Delaware county ; diploma February 27, 1832, from Medieal Society of Herkimer county.
Theodore F. Bliss, Speneer ; born at LeRoy, Bradford county, Penna .; diploma Jan- uary 26, 1869, from Geneva Medieal College.
Lueius II. Allen, Owego ; born at Athens, Greene county ; diploma September 6, 1820, from Medieal Department, Brown University, Providence, R. I.
Revere C. Tappan, Newark Valley ; born at Newark Valley ; diploma February 1876, from University of the City of New York.
Albert W. Post, Tioga Centre ; born at Saugerties, Ulster eounty ; diploma January 24, 1871, from Geneva Medieal College.
Robert Watts Eastman, Owego ; born at Owego; diploma February 25, 1871, from Medieal Department, University of Buffalo.
John L. Corbin, Athens ; born at Warren, Penna .; diploma Mareh 9, 1874, from Hahne- mann Medical College, Chicago, Ills.
Elizabeth H. Bates, Owego; born at Charlemont, Mass .: diploma February 25, 1854, from Female (now Woman's) Medieal College of Pennsylvania.
LeRoy D. Farnham, Candor ; born at Owego; diploma February 15, 1878, from Col- lege of Physicians and Surgeons, New York eity.
Willard M. Hilton, Waverly ; born in New York ; diploma March 8, 1876, from New York Homeopathie Medical College.
Elias W. Seymour, Owego ; born at Windsor, Broome county ; eertifieate January 5, 1875, from Eclectic Medical Society, Twenty-sixth Senatorial distriet, state of New York, so-called.
Parmenas A. Johnson, Niehols ; born at Linolean, Chenango county ; eertifieate Jan- uary 5, 1875, from Eeleetie Medical Society, Twenty-sixth Senatorial district, state of New York, so-called.
George P. Cady, Niehols ; born at Windsor, Berkshire eounty, Mass .; diploma Novem- ber 1, 1855, from Berkshire Medical College, Pittsfield, Mass,
181
THE MEDICAL PROFESSION.
William Josiah Burr, Newark Valley ; born at Homer, Cortland county ; diploma Feb- ruary 15, 1845, from Geneva Medical College.
Daniel De Witt Harnden, Waverly ; born at Victor, Cayuga county ; diploma January 13, 1844, from Geneva Medical College.
John B. Benton, Owego ; born at Liberty, Sullivan county ; diploma June 15, 1839, from Fairfield Medical College, New York.
Edwin D. Cahill, Owego ; born Fall River, Mass .; diploma April 13, 1876, from Eclectic Medical College, Cincinnati, Ohio.
Frank P. Blair, Barton ; born at Castle Creek, Broome county ; diploma January 31, 1877, from Albany Medical College.
William E. Johnson, Waverly ; born at West Town, Orange county ; diploma Decem- ber 31, 1859, from Albany Medical College.
Francis M. Bishop, Newark Valley ; born at Castle Creek, Broome county ; license May 12, 1875, from Homoeopathic Medical Society of Tioga, Tompkins and Cortland counties.
Charles E. Hollenbeck, Halsey Valley ; born at Barton ; diploma March 1, 1874, from Bellevue Hospital Medical College, New York.
Ransom Tiffany, Ketchumville ; born at Maine, Broome county ; diploma January 22, 1867, from Geneva Medical College.
Isaae W. Lewis, Apalachin ; born in Owego ; diploma June 14, 1848, from Castleton Medical College, Vermont.
Rufus S. Harnden, Waverly ; born at Port Byron, N. Y .; diploma February 27, 1873, from Bellevue Hospital Medical College, New York.
Frank K. Post, Weltonville; born at Apalachin ; licensed March 6, 1880, by the Eclec- tic Medical Society of the Twenty-sixth Senatorial district, state of New York.
James Allen, Jr., Richford ; born at Bristol, Rhode Island ; diploma November 20, 1849, from Berkshire Medical College, Pittsfield, Mass.
Isaac W. Gay, Berkshire ; born in Putnam county ; diploma June 6, 1870, from Eclectic Medical College of Pennsylvania.
Ralph De Witt Eastman, Berkshire; born at Cortland ; diploma February 26, 1878, from Medical Department, University of Buffalo.
Charles Ayers, Tioga ; born in Tioga ; license November 27, 1876, from Eclectic Medical Society of Twenty-sixth Senatorial district, state of New York.
Edward E. Pease, Nichols ; born at Windham, Penna .; diploma March 27, 1873, from Medical Department, University of Michigan.
Hallam C. Champlin, Owego ; born in Herkimer county ; diploma January 24, 1843, from Albany Medical Coliege.
Charles S. Vaughan, Tioga Centre; born at New Castle, Ontario ; diploma March 11, 1880, from Monroe county Medical Society.
Ezekiel B. Phelps, Owego; born at Hebron, Conn .; license March 1824, from Medical College of New Haven, Conn.
John H. Tanner, Spencer ; born at Harford, Cortland county ; diploma February 28, 1863, from Buffalo Medical College.
Mary L. Briggs, Owego ; born at Dryden, Tompkins county ; diploma June 30, 1879, from University of Michigan.
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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.
F. W. Keyes, Bradford, Penna .; born at Bradford ; certificate August 18, 1880, from Eclectic Medical Society, Twenty-sixth Senatorial district, New York.
A. H. Lewis, Apalachin ; born at Schenectady ; diploma November 28, 1851, from Castleton Medical College, Vermont.
William E. Roper, Candor ; born at Danby ; diploma March 8, 1881, from Cleveland Homeopathic Hospital Medical College.
Alanson Bishop, Owego; born Otsego county ; diploma March 1, 1868, New York Homeopathic Medical College.
Eliza J. Beach, Waverly ; born at Knoxville, Tioga county ; diploma February 14, 1877, from Homeopathic Hospital Medical College, Cleveland, Ohio.
Louisa L. Seymour, Owego ; born at Florida, Orange county ; certificate July 7, 1881, from Eclectic Medical Society, Twenty-sixth Senatorial district, New York.
Charles M. Hamilton, Smithboro ; born at Harpersfield, Delaware county ; diploma June 26, 1877, from Medical Department, University of Vermont.
Ezra Canfield, Binghams ; born at Smithboro ; diploma February 23, 1881, from Eclec- tic Medical College of New York.
James Morris Barrett, Owego ; born Stanford, Dutchess county ; diploma March 25 1874, from Medical Department, University of Michigan.
George C. Brown, Owego ; born Wethersfield, Wyoming county ; diploma March 25, 1880, from Medical Department, University of Pennsylvania.
I. W. Bailey, Owego ; born Leeds, Maine ; diploma August 1, 1881, from Philadelphia Electropathic Institution.
James H. Catlin, Tioga ; born in Tioga ; certificate Eclectic Medical Society, Twenty- sixth Senatorial district, New York.
Merritt T. Dutcher, Owego ; born Somerset, Niagara county ; diploma from Home- opathic Medical College, New York city.
Fred D. Bailey, Owego; born at Sidney, N. Y .; diploma March 9, 1882, from Univer- sity Medical College of City of New York.
R. D. Dearborn, Weltonville ; born in Spencer ; diploma March 24, 1878, from Eclectic Medical College of Philadelphia.
George W. Davis, Spencer ; born at Trenton, Wisconsin ; diploma February 21, 1882, from University of Buffalo.
George F. Dudley, Owego; born at Newfield, Tompkins county ; diploma February 25, 1875, from Bellevue Hospital Medical College, New York.
Algernon J. Harris, Candor ; born at Candor ; diploma May 16, 1882, from College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York.
Manuel D. Gamble, Waverly ; born at Lycoming, Penna .; diploma June 1, 1881, from American Health College, Cincinnati, Ohio.
Edward J. Stone, Waverly ; born East Troy, Wisconsin ; diploma February 25, 1880, from Bellevue Hospital Medical College, New York.
James L. White, Halsey Valley ; born at Bordentown, N. J .; diploma March 12, 1881, from Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, Penna.
Phineas Sewell Stearns, Owego ; born Hartford, Washington county ; certificate Jan- uary 25, 1871, from Eclectic Medical College of New York.
Joseph H. Hillyer, Waverly ; born New York city ; diploma February 25, 1876, from University Medical College of New York.
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THE MEDICAL PROFESSION.
Charles S. Payne, Newark Valley ; born at Berkshire ; diploma February 26, 1884, University of Buffalo.
Frances M. Wright, Waverly ; born at Farmington, Penna .; diploma March 27, 1878, from New York Medical College for Women; Homeopathic College at Ann Arbor, Michigan.
James L. Beers, Willseyville ; born at Danby, Tompkins county ; diploma Mareh 8, 1882, from University Medical College, City of New York.
Charles T. Lyons, Waverly ; born at Coleranc, Mass .; diploma March 6, 1852, from University Medical College, City of New York.
G. E. Pierson, Candor; born at Middletown, N. Y .; diploma January 24, 1870, from Geneva Medical College,
Frank W. Severn, Waverly ; born Farmer Village, N. Y .; diploma June 19, 1883, from Long Island College Hospital, Brooklyn, N. Y,
John T. Tucker, Waverly ; born at Ithaca ; diploma June 3, 1885, from Long Island College Hospital, Brooklyn, N. Y.
John Burge, Waverly ; born at Alstead, N. H .; diploma 1841, from The Botanical Medical College of Ohio.
George Brinton Lewis, Apalachin ; born at Apalachin ; diploma March 6, 1886, from University College of New York.
Otto F. Seidel, Candor ; born at Buffalo ; diploma February 22, 1881, from College of Physicians and Surgeons, Buffalo.
Chancy W. Chidester, Weltonville ; born at Apalachin ; diploma February 23, 1886, from College of Physicians and Surgeons, Chicago, Ills.
Arthur Osborn, Candor ; born at Speneer ; diploma June 30, 1882, from University of Michigan endorsed by Syracuse University.
Emily A. Hammond, Owego ; born at Elkland, Penna .; diploma July 2, 1880, from University of Michigan.
Mark H. Lineoln, Owego ; born at Laurelton, Penna .; diploma May 1, 1885, from Uni versity of Pennsylvania.
Jesse W. Jansen, Owego; born at Slaterville, Tompkins county ; diploma March 1, 1886, from University of the City of New York.
Isaac S. Vreeland, Waverly ; born at West Milford, N. J., diploma March 15, 1876, from University of the City of New York.
George Marvin Cady, Nichols ; born at Niehols ; diploma March 8, 1887, from Univer- sity of the City of New York.
James M. Peebles, born at Whittingham, Windham county, Vt .; diploma March 9, 1876, from American Eclectie College, Cincinnati, Ohio.
R. Belle Beach, Waverly ; born in Tioga county ; diploma February 28, 1883. from Homeopathie Hospital College, Cleveland, Ohio.
Edwin Beck, Owego ; born at Candor ; diploma February 28, 1888, from University of Buffalo.
Hiram L. Knapp, Newark Valley ; born at Windham, Penna .; diploma Feb. 28, 1888, from University of Buffalo.
Theodore C. Washburn, Van Ettenville ; born at Spencer ; diploma Mareh 29, 1889, from Albany Medical College.
184
OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.
Daniel Cook, Barton ; born at Richmond, Mass .; diploma April 9, 1885, from Eclectic Medieal College, New York city.
Franklin D. Pierce, born Venango county, Penna .; diploma March 19, 1878 ; Univer- sity of City of New York.
Ellsworth Gamble, Waverly ; born at Franklin, Penna .; diploma June 4, 1889, from Eeleetic Medical Institution, Cincinnati, Ohio.
Thomas B. Flagler, Waverly ; born in Dutchess county ; diploma June 13, 1854, from Albany Medical College.
Mary E. Smith, Waverly ; born in Sullivan county ; diploma March 19, 1884, from Homeopathic Hospital College, Cleveland, Ohio.
Robert Lanning Lounsberry, Owego; born at Smithiboro ; diploma Marchi 13, 1889, from University of the City of New York.
Edgar Bailey Morey, Waverly ; born at De Ruyter, Madison county ; diploma Febru- ary 19, 1889, from Chicago Homeopathic Medical College.
James George Grant, Waverly ; born at Smithville, Chenango county ; diploma March 15, 1886, from Bellevue Hospital Medical College, New York.
Charles Albert Beach, Waverly ; born at Mansfield, Penna .; diploma February 28, 1883, from Homeopathic Hospital College, Cleveland, Ohio.
John N. Norris, Spencer ; born at Spencer ; diploma March 28, 1892, from Bellevue Hospital Medical College, New York,
Walter Coryell Everett, Nichols ; born at Nichols ; diploma May 1, 1894, from University Medical College, New York.
Abram W. Stoughtenburg, Owego ; born at Pittsford, Monroe county ; diploma May 3, 1894, from New York Homoeopathic Medical College.
Henry Estes Merriam, Owego ; born at Waverly ; diploma May 3, 1894, from New York Homeopathic Medical College.
Louis D. Hyde, Glenmary ; born at Owego ; diploma May 3, 1894, from New York Homeopathie Medical College.
Merrill Brainerd Dean, Newark Valley ; born at Newark Valley ; diploma July 10, 1894, from University of the State of New York.
Frank IJ. Harrison, Candor ; born at Indianapolis, Ind .; diploma May 16, 1882, from College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York city.
Dell Gerry Van Ostrand, Willseyville ; born at Ithaca ; diploma May 2, 1895, from Homeopathic Medical College of New York city.
Sidney Welles Thompson, Owego ; born at Owego Feb. 10, 1873 ; license and diploma from the University of the State of New York.
185
AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES.
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CHAPTER XV.
AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES.
A S early as the year 1806 the legislature of New York appro- priated moneys from the public funds of the state to be used in promoting agriculture in the several counties. In later years appropriations were made for the like purpose, and in 1819 the amount apportioned to Tioga county was one hundred and fifty dollars, but there is no record extant showing by whom this sum was received or how it was applied, although it unquestion- ably was received by authorized persons and duly expended, for it was not the custom even in that early day to allow public appro- priations to be returned to the treasury uncalled for.
There are existing records tending to show the organization of an agricultural society in Tioga county previous to or during the year 1819, but showing when it was in fact formed, how long it continued in operation, or what was its final ending, there is no data. In the American Journal of December 1, 1819, there appears a report of the proceedings of a meeting of the society in these words :
" At an adjourned meeting of the Tioga Agricultural Society at the house of Andrew Purdy, Esq., in Spencer, on Wednesday, the 10th of November, 1819,
"The president, in behalf of the committee appointed for that purpose at the last meeting, reported the following system of By-laws :
"1st. Special meetings of the society may be convened by the president or the exeeu- tive committee. Notice of all society-meetings shall be given in the newspapers of this county, and those of Ithaea and Owego (the latter then in Broome county), at least twenty-one days previous to the time of holding sueh meetings."
Another part of the report read as follows :
"Resolved, That it be recommended to the members of this society to appear at the next annual meeting clothed in the manufactures of our own country, as far as practicable.
"Resolved, That the editors of the American Journal, the Owego Gazette, and the Vedette be requested to give the foregoing proceedings an insertion in their respective papers.
" Nov. 10, 1819."
"T. MAXWELL, Secretary."
186
OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.
In 1837, Ezra Canfield, of the town of Tioga, represented this county in the assembly. On March 28, of that year, he secured the passage of an act constituting " James Pumpelly, Anson Camp, Ezra Canfield, Francis Armstrong, Stephen Strong, Henry Mc- Cormick, Ira Clizbe, John Coryell, Erastus Goodrich, Asa Wolver- ton, Ira Woodford, Russell Gridley, Henry Miller, George Fisher, Stephen Wells, Jr., Ezekiel Rich, David Williams, Horatio Collins, Joseph T. Waldo, Abram Hotchkiss, Otis Lincoln, Nicholas Schoon- over, Samuel Mills, Isaac Shepard and William Platt, and all. such persons as might thereafter be associated with them," a body corporate by the name of "The Tioga County Agricultural So- ciety," for the purpose of improving the condition of agriculture, horticulture, and the household arts. The society was empowered to purchase, hold and convey such real estate as their purposes might require, not exceeding the value of $5,000. The act was to continue in force twenty years, subject to alteration, modifica- tion, or repeal by the legislature.
Public notice was afterward given of a meeting to be held for the purpose of organizing the society, but, as very little interest was shown in the matter, no organization was effected. May 5, 1841, the legislature appropriated $5,000, to be apportioned among the counties for the promotion of agricultural pursuits, and of this amount Tioga county was awarded sixty-one dollars. The act also made it the duty of county clerks to publish in the news- papers a notice of the time and place of a meeting to be held in each county for the purpose of organizing an agricultural society. Accordingly the clerk of Tioga county published in the Gazette a notice to the effect that a meeting of the farmers of the county would be held at the court-house in Owego on the 23d day of Au- gust, at 12 o'clock, noon, for the purpose of organizing a society in conformity with the provisions of the act.
At the time indicated the meeting was held and an organization was effected, Thomas Farrington being elected president. How- ever, of this first meeting there is no present record, as the books and papers of the society showing transactions previous to 1867 were destroyed by a fire in that year. But as the first fair was held in October, 1841, it may be assumed that the officers of 1842
187
AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES.
were substantially the same as in the preceding year. The first fair was held in Owego. The live stock was exhibited on James Pumpelly's lot, at the northwest corner of Main and McMaster streets. The vegetables, and like farm produce, were displayed in a building owned by S. S. Tinkham, just below the bridge in Front street. Floral hall was in the old court-house. No admission fee was charged. The officers for the year 1842 were as follows: Thomas Farrington, president ; J. Coryell and A. Higbee, vice-presidents ; C. F. Johnson, secretary ; John Carmichael, treasurer.
The following executive committee was appointed for the several towns :
Barton .- Isaac Shepard, Owen Spaulding, Washington Smith. Berkshire .- Joseph T. Waldo, John B. Royce, Calvin Jenks.
Candor .- Ebenezer Woodbridge, Hiram Smith, Russell Gridley. Newark .- William B. Bennett, Joseph Walters, Elijah Wilson. Nichols .- John Petts, Miles Forman, Clark Hyatt.
Owego .- George J. Pumpelly, John Fleming, Asa Camp, 2d. Richford .- Chester Randall, O. L. Livermore, Joseph Belden. Spencer .- Horace Giles, Isaac Carpenter, Anthony Riker.
Tioga .- Jesse Turner, John Dubois, Erastus Goodrich.
Under the then existing organization six exhibitions were given by the society, covering the period from 1841 to 1846, inclusive. A feeling of dissatisfaction had found its way into the society which finally culminated in dissolution after the fair of 1846. No effort was made to effect a reorganization until- 1855, when, on July 21, a meeting was held at the old village hall, in Main street in Owego, to determine whether the society might be revived. Osee Hall, of Tioga, was chosen chairman, and William Smyth, of the Times, secretary.
The Tioga County Agricultural Society was the result of this meeting, and among the persons prominently connected with the reorganization measures were John J. Taylor, T. I. Chatfield, Moses Carlton, W. B. Green, G. M. Cady, M. Hotchkiss, Lucius Humphrey, John L. Howell, W. H. Gardner, Andrew H. Calhoun, Lemuel Clift, C. M. LaMonte, Robert Howell, T. P. Patch, Caleb Chaffee, Benjamin W. Brownell and others. Articles of associa- tion and incorporation were at this time adopted and executed,
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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.
and certified the officers for the first year to be as follows : Harvey L. Coryell, Nichols, president ; Louis P. Legg, Berkshire, Ist vice- president ; Benj. H. Davis, Barton, 2d vice-president ; Thomas Far- rington, Owego, 3d vice-president ; William Smyth, Owego, secre- tary ; Thomas I. Chatfield, Owego, treasurer ; and Calvin Ames, of Candor ; Daniel G. Taylor, of Newark Valley ; Chester Randall, of Richford ; Calvin Bradley, of Spencer ; David Taylor, of Tioga, and William R. Shoemaker, of Nichols, directors.
The first exhibition of the new society was held October 23 and 24, 1855. The live stock, machinery, &c., were exhibited on the lot at the southeast corner of Main and William streets, and the domestic articles, fruits and produce were displayed in the village hall. No admission fee was charged. In the afternoon of the second day Ezra S. Sweet delivered an address in the court-house, after which the premiums were awarded and announced from a platform in the village park. They amounted to about seventy dollars.
The next fair was held September 24 and 25, 1856, and while the premium list was not large it was encouraging, and soon after- ward the society determined to secure a suitable site for future exhibitions and enclose it with a substantial fence. To this end a committee on location was appointed, and offers of sites were received from George W. Hollenback of Owego; Mr. Curtis, of Factoryville, and David Taylor, of Tioga. The Hollenback offer was accepted and the land leased for five years. The grounds were enclosed, a race course constructed, and rough board build- ings erected for the proper protection of exhibits ; but conspicuous among them was "Old Joe" De Witt's refreshment hall in the center of the enclosure. The first fair on the new ground was held September 30 and October 1, 1857, and was a successful exhi- bition.
Notwithstanding the favorable beginning of the affairs of the society, and the influence and worth of its managing officers, there soon arose a feeling of dissatisfaction among the patrons and exhibitors which eventually led to a temporary discontin- uance of operations. In 1862 the managers began paying pre- miums, amounting to three dollars and more, in silver-plated cups
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AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES.
and goblets instead of cash, which of itself greatly dissatisfied the competitors, and added thereto was the discontent occasioned by changing the location of the grounds. George Talcott, George J. Pumpelly and John J. Beers offered sites, and finally that of Mr. Beers was taken, comprising thirteen acres of land, just north of the village line, on the north side of the highway leading from the old Ithaca and Owego turnpike to Leach's mills. It extended from Owego creek east to a point just west of the Delaware, Lack- awanna and Western railroad tracks. However much of an improvement this location was over the old grounds, the debt created in preparing it for exhibition purposes, together with cer- tain innovations in the way of offering large purses for horse racing and correspondingly reduced premiums for agricultural exhibits, worked the ultimate downfall of the society. . In 1864 the price of family tickets was increased from one dollar to one dollar and fifty cents, and while the fair of that year was a par- tial success, a decline soon followed. In June, 1865, a horse fair was held, and racing was an important feature of the regular county fair in September following. This practice was continued for several years, and the fair of 1868 was such a failure that the society as an organization ceased to exist.
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