USA > New York > Tioga County > Our county and its people : a memorial history of Tioga County, New York > Part 34
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1853, June 18, Alva Jarvis. 1887, April 14, Andrew A. Slawson.
1861, July 1, William Polleys. 1889, Oct. 6, Charles C. Brooks.
1875, April 1s, Oliver HI. P. Kinney. 1894, Dec. 11, James A. Clark.
With the absorption of Factoryville by the village of Waverly the latter became one of the most progressive and interesting mu- nicipalities in the county, and while possibly not the largest, is in point of situation and natural commercial advantage the most important. Within its present limits are about 4,800 inhabitants,
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but including South Waverly, a borough on the Pennsylvania side of the line, and in fact a part of this village, the local population is just about 6,000. Two miles south of Waverly is the enterpris- ing village of Sayre, and two miles still further south is old his- toric Tioga Point, now known as Athens, and both of these places are tributary to and in a measure dependent on Waverly as a chief centre of trade. Therefore, within a radius of five miles from a central point in this village is a population of from twelve to fifteen thousand inhabitants. Here are the great east and west trunk lines of railroad, the Erie and the Lackawanna, while in East Waverly is the no less important Lehigh Valley, a strong com- peting line with the others, and having a branch from Waverly to Owego, and thence up the valley of Owego creek through the county to the city of Auburn. As Waverly owed its very exist- ence to the construction of the Erie railroad, so, too, has its later development and progress been due to the opening of the other lines of road ; and to-day, as a railroad centre, this village has ad- vantages superior to the great majority of municipalities in this part of the state.
The civil and political history of Waverly may be stated briefly. The incorporation was accomplished December 12, 1853, and on March 27, 1854, the first village officers were elected. This organ- ization, while complete was nevertheless informal, and the presi- dent was chosen from the trustees until 1863, when William W. Shepard was elected to that office by the people. This was the first step in municipal advancement, but in 1876 the old charter was wholly abandoned and the village was incorporated under the general statutes of the state, and then advanced to the dignity and position of a village of the first class.
At the first village election, March 27, 1854, these officers were chosen : Trustees, Francis H. Baldwin, William Gibson, Hiram M. Moore, Peter Dunning, and Alva Jarvis; assessors, Squire Whitaker, John L. Sawyer, and Benj. H. Davis ; collector. Win. P. Owen ; treasurer, Owen Spalding; clerk, Peter V. Bennet ; street commissioners, Morris B. Royal, Absalom Bowman, and W. A. Brooks ; poundmaster, David E. Howell.
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In this connection it is interesting to note the succession of vil- lage presidents, viz :
1854-Hiram M. Moore.
1867 -- William Polleys. 1877 -- Levi Curtis.
1855-Alva Jarvis.
1868 -- Richard D. VanDuzer. 1878-83-James R. Stone.
1857-James Manners.
1868 -- Hugh T. Herrick.
1884-88 -- Henry H. Sniffen.
1858-Moses Sawyer. 1869 -- Hugh T. Herrick.
1889 -- Andrew A. Slawson.
1859-Delos O. Hancock. 1870 -- 0. W. Shipman.
1890 -- Hugh J. Baldwin.
1860-Jolin L. Sawyer. 1871-William E. Johnson.
1872-William E. Johnson.
1892 -- Charles H. Shipman.
1893-Charles II. Shipman.
1863 -- William W. Shepard. 1874 -- Alex. McDonald.
1894 -- Hugh J. Baldwin.
1864-Lewis W. Mullock.
1875 -- William Polleys.
1895 -- Levi Curtis.
1865-George W. Chaffee.
1876 -- George W. Orange.
1896 -- Edwin G. Tracy.
1866-George W. Chaffee. 1876-Henry C. Clapp. 1897 -- Andrew A. Slawson.
1891 -- Hugh J. Baldwin.
1861-James S. Sheafe.
1862-James S. Sheafe.
1873 -- Levi Curtis.
The village hall, frequently called the city hall, was erected in 1892, and cost $18,000. It is a large and well appointed building and appears the more attractive as it is so vastly superior to its old predecessor structure. The basement is occupied for heating purposes and for the lock-up, or prison. The first floor is occupied for fire department purposes, by Tioga Hose Co., No. 1 ; Waverly Hook and Ladder Co., No. 2; Spalding Hose Co., No. 3 ; the fire police, and also by the trustees and the police justice. On the second floor, up one flight, are the elegant assembly and business rooms of Spalding Hose and the Hook and Ladder Co., while the third floor is used for like purposes by Tioga Hose Co., and the fire police.
The Waverly fire department has for many years been regarded as one of the fixed and substantial institutions of the village. It had its inception in old Neptune Engine Co. No. 1, organized May 24, 1855, immediately after the fire which destroyed Compton's dry goods store, in Broad street. The trustees then authorized Joseph E. Hallet (the founder in fact of the department) to visit New York city and there procure an engine and other fire appar- atus. This " Uncle Joe " did, and brought back to Waverly an engine, a hose cart, and 400 feet of hose, the cost of all which to the village was only $900. Old Neptune's first fire was the Phillips & Murray tannery at Factoryville, June 9, 1855, and while not within the corporate limits of the village the firemen nevertheless did excellent service on that occasion. In truth, in that day the
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THE VILLAGE OF WAVERLY.
company knew no territorial boundary and gave service where and when needed. The same may also be said of the present com- panies, and South Waverly has frequently received the good serv- ices of the local department, although that borough is in another state.
The second fire of importance was the disastrous conflagration of 1871, by which sixteen blocks and twenty-five business places were burned. This disaster had the effect of arousing the trus- tees to action, and in 1873 they voted to expend $5,000 for a fire steamer. The result was a second-class Silsbee, for years the pride of the department. With this acquisition Neptune company was reorganized, and about the same time Hope Hose was formed, but was disbanded in 1874.
Tioga Hose and Steamer Co. No. 1, was organized April 15, 1875, whereupon Neptune was disbanded. However, the old veterans reorganized May 14, 1884, for active duty in any emergency. Tioga was incorporated May 18, 1876, and did duty with the steamer as long as it was used and then resolved into a hose company. The steamer was sold in 1894.
Waverly Hook and Ladder company was organized June 12, 1876, and has since been in active service in the department.
Spalding Hose Co., was organized September 4, 1888, and was named in compliment to Owen Spalding, an old and public spirited citizen of the village.
The Waverly Fire Police, whose duty it is to exercise police pro- tection in time of fire, and which has proved one of the most valuable and efficient bodies in the department, was organized June 12, 1877.
Cayuta Hose Co. No. 4, is the junior fire organization of the village and was formed in 1891. The company occupies a build- ing provided by the trustees located in what is called the East ward.
The chief engineers of the Waverly fire department have been as follows :
1855-57 -- William Polleys. 1864 -- O. W. Shipman.
1869-John Mahoney.
1858-61-Joseph E. Hallet. 1865 -- O. H. P. Kinney. 1870-71 -- Joseph E. Hallet.
1862-William Sharp. 1866-67 -- Amasa S. Mott. 1872 -- William P. Stone.
1863-William W. Terry.
1868 -- William H. Sliney. 1873-J. Newton Dexter.
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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.
1874 -- William H. Sliney. 1883 -- H. Wallace Kinney. 1891 -- Percy L. Lang.
1875-Robert G. Crans. 1884 -- Charles Sweet. 1892 -- H. Wallace Kinney.
1876-77 -- Fred'k R. Warner. 1885 -- Wm. H. W. Jones. 1893 -- Selvin C. Smith.
1878-Hugh J. Baldwin.
1886 -- Michael W. Kennedy. 1894 -- Howard C. Van Duzer.
1879 -- Harry C. Mercereau.
1887 -- Charles W. Jones.
1895-Fred A. Sawyer.
1896 -- Fred F. Smith.
1880 -- George H. Grafft.
1881 -- Harry E. Robbins.
1888 -- N. E. Walker.
1889-P. J. Sheahan.
1882 -- Lucius R. Manning.
1890 -- Fred W. Genung.
SCHOOLS AND THE ACADEMY .- The loss of early town records precludes the possibility of any reliable data concerning the primi- tive schools of either town or village. Indeed, previous to 1824 this entire territory was a part of Tioga, and such provision as was made at that time for the maintenance of schools was a part of the history of another civil division of the county. However, the fact is well known that in the early history of the region, and before Barton was set off from Tioga, two schools were in operation in what is now the corporation, one of them at the hamlet called Factoryville and the other in the west part of what is now Wa- verly, standing near the residence of Charles H. Shepard. In fact this school building was erected by that worthy pioneer, Isaac Shepard, and probably about the year 1825. These schools were established and supported in accordance with the public educa- tional system of the state as then authorized, and were considered sufficient for the time. The first school in the village was that opened by Deacon Ephriam Strong in his dwelling house on the site of the academy afterward built. However, almost immedi- ately after the village was incorporated the question of a school of higher grade was seriously discussed. About that time and as early at least as the year 1854 a Mr. Howe came to Waverly and opened an academic school at the corner of Lincoln and Chemung streets, as now laid out. The school was in operation in 1855 when Anthony Hemstreet canie to the village to teach in the district school. Mr. Hemstreet remembers Prof. Howe's school as a worthy institution and well patronized. It was continued until the winter of 1856, and was then closed.
The only other private or select school in Waverly of any con- siderable note was that opened by Mrs. Porter, wife of the pastor of the Methodist church. Perhaps some of the older residents of the village will remember the school at the corner of Ithaca and
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Chemung streets, and also at East Waverly under the same direction.
About the year 1855 a man, whose name is now forgotten, came to Waverly and began the erection of a school building at a point opposite Forest Home cemetery. The cellar was dug, but soon afterward the proposed proprietor suddenly departed from the village.
During the early summer of 1856, a number of the leading mien of Waverly determined to establish an academic school in the vil- lage, which should be in all respects worthy of its founders, and an honor to the county. The prime spirit of the enterprise was Owen Spalding, who generously donated to the trustees the land on which the building was erected, and who also purchased one- half of the stock of the association. The result of this public spiritedness was the Waverly institute, but which institution was originally known as the "Shepard institute," according to William F. Warner's centennial history. The latter name was applied in deference to the local prominence of Isaac Shepard, and was truly characteristic of Owen Spalding, as he was known in the con- munity. However, at a meeting of the stockholders held Decem- ber 2, 1857, the name was changed to " Waverly Institute."
The incorporation was effected and trustees chosen August 30, 1856, the board comprising Owen Spalding, Arthur Yates, Ben- jamin G. Rice, F. H. Baldwin, Isaac Shepard, Richard A. Elmer, Sr., Alva Jarvis, William Manners, G. H. Fairchild, and Richard D. VanDuzer. The officers of the board were chosen December 1, 1856, and were Arthur Yates, president ; G. H. Fairchild, secre- tary, and R. D. VanDuzer, treasurer.
The institute was placed under the charge of Prof. Andrew J. Lang, a native of Palmyra, Me., and a graduate of Union college, at Schenectady. His connection with the school continued until the time of his death, August 22, 1870, he then being thirty-nine years of age. The management of the institute so highly valued the services of Prof. Lang that upon his death this resolution was entered in the minutes : "Resolved, That as a public educator Prof. Lang stood deservedly high in this and adjoining states ; and that in his death the educational interests of the country have suf-
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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.
fered a serious loss." In addition to the gratifying expressions of esteem on the part of the public press, those who knew him best said Prof. Lang "crowded sixty years work into less than forty." He was indeed a noted educator, and for six years held the office of county school commissioner.
After the death of Prof. Lang, the institute was continued with a fair degree of success until the following year, when on April 15, it was superseded by and merged into the academic department of the recently established union school district, and placed under the principalship of Prof. S. C. Hall. By this merger and the action of the electors of the village, the present educational systeni of Waverly was established ; a system more complete and elabo- rate, and of greater value to the youth of the village than at any previous period in village history.
Union Free School district No. 9 was established in 1870, and included within its limits the territory of the village and also the hamlet of Factoryville. Then there were two schools, one at the east and the other at the west end of the district. Now there are five schools, known and distinguished as follows : Central school, or academy, successor to the institute, having nine teachers ; East Waverly school, three teachers ; Grove school, two teachers ; Lincoln street school, four teachers ; west end or brick school, two teachers.
Briefly stated, the present condition of the village schools is about as follows : Census of district, 1,200; number on school roll, from about 800 to 900 ; annual expense of schools, about $16,000 ; public moneys received for year ending July 31, 1896, $3,833.29 ; received from regents, $509.80 ; raised by tax, $11,- 862.54 ; paid teachers, $10,461 ; paid for libraries, $448.54 ; paid for apparatus, $40. In the library are 2,125 volumes, valued at $2,700. The value of school buildings and property in the district is estimated at $43,000.
The personnel of the present board of education is as follows : George D. Genung, president ; George H. Grafft, secretary ; Fred- erick E. Lyford, Edwin G. Tracy, William C. Farley, Albert J. Lester, and Harvey C. Brewster.
BANKING IN WAVERLY .- The old Waverly Bank, the pioneer in-
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THE VILLAGE OF WAVERLY.
stitution of its kind in the village, filed articles of association Au- gust 20, 1855, although its business began August 6 of that year, under a hundred year charter, and with a capital (in 1859) of $106,100. The first president was John C. Adams ; cashier, George H. Fairchild. Business opened in the northwest corner room of the old Snyder house, but in May, 1856, Isaac Shepard dug the first shovelful of earth in making an excavation for a new bank building at the northeast corner of Broad and Loder streets. Here the bank did a successful business until 1865, when it changed character and became a national bank, under the United States law. The new name was Waverly National Bank, and this, too, did a profitable business for a time, until in 1871, when its con- trolling officers removed the seat of operation to the building now owned by the Citizens' Bank. Here, about April 1. 1872, a private bank was opened with H. T. Herrick president, George Herrick cashier, and H. T. Sawyer teller. These officers held the same positions in the National bank, and within one month after the private concern had been organized the National bank passed into the hands of a receiver. Col. James S. Thurston was the first appointee, but resigned at the end of three months, and was suc- ceeded by J. T. Sawyer. After a like time he also resigned and J. B. Floyd closed up the affairs of the concern. In May, 1873, the Herrick bank also failed, and its assignees, J. Theodore Saw- yer and Richard A. Elmer, settled its affairs.
The Home Savings Bank was in a measure a local institution, but was organized and began business in South Waverly under Pennsylvania authority, so far as it had any authority whatever. The ostensible capital was $86,000, and the officers were Selim Kirby, president ; C. E. Pendleton, cashier. Directors, Selim Kirby, C. E. Pendleton, J. R. Stone, G. P. Cady, O. A. Barstow. This bank failed June 27, 1887.
The First National Bank of Waverly, No. 297, was organized February 13, 1864, with a capital of 850,000. Business began at the same time in the Warford house block. The first officers were Richard D. Van Duzer, president ; Richard A. Elmer, vice-presi- dent ; Howard Elmer, cashier; and directors, R. D. Van Duzer, R. A. Elmer, Jesse Owen, Abner Turner and H. D. V. Pratt. Mr.
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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.
Van Duzer was president until January 14, 1868, when he was succeeded by Howard Elmer, and Mr. Elmer continued in active charge of the bank to the time of his death, September 9, 1892. Frederick E. Lyford was elected to the position of president by the directors at a meeting held in January, 1893. He has since been at the head of the bank, and its present prosperous condition is in a good measure due to his management.
Mr. Lyford's connection with the First National began Novem- ber 14, 1871, in the capacity of clerk. He was appointed cashier, in 1881, to succeed Richard A. Elmer, who had then recently re- tired to enter upon the discharge of his duties as second assistant postmaster-general. Mr. Lyford was cashier until the death of Howard Elmer, and was then made president. At the same time Percy L. Lang was chosen cashier vice Lyford.
The capital of the First National has always been $50,000, and no losses other than in the regular course of business have been a part of its history. The surplus is $10,000, with $4,000 to the credit of the undivided profit account. The present officers are as follows : Frederick E. Lyford, president ; Nathan S. Johnson, vice-president ; Percy L. Lang, cashier : F. E. Lyford, N. S. John- son, Percy L. Lang, Charles H. Shepard and Riton Durfey, direc- tors.
The Citizens' bank of Waverly was incorporated June 18, 1874, and began business in July following. The capital was, and still is $50,000, to which may now be added a surplus of $10,000, and an undivided profit account of $7,000. J. Theodore Sawyer has been president of the bank since its organization. S. W. Slaugh- ter was vice-president until his death, in 1894, and was then suc- ceeded by Dr. William E. Johnson, the present vice-president. The cashiers, in succession, have been Moses Lyman, one year ; Hatfield Hallet, until 1878, and then succeeded by L. R. Manning. The next cashier was F. A. Sawyer, the present incumbent.
The Gas Light company of Waverly was organized January 3, 1873, with $50,000 capital, and these officers : William F. Warner, president ; Henry G. Merriam, secretary and treasurer. No change was made in the personnel of the management until the death of Mr. Warner, Nov. 7, 1890, when Mr. Merriam became president
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and treasurer, and Moses Lyman was chosen secretary. The works were completed in August, 1873, and were built by Deily & Fowler, of Philadelphia, at an entire cost of $50,000.
The Waverly Water company was incorporated in 1880, by J. T. Sawyer, S. W. Slaughter and J. B. Floyd, who were, in the order named, chosen president, vice-president, and secretary, the president also holding the position of treasurer. The work of construction was done during the year 1880, and now the company has ten miles of main pipe, about 600 taps, and 46 fire hydrants. As a result of this enterprise Waverly has an abundant supply of good wholesome water for all domestic purposes, and the village has fire protection as good as is found in the southern tier. The total reservoir capacity is 130,000,000 gallons of water. The com- pany are J. T. Sawyer, president and treasurer ; Wm. E. John- son, vice-president, and J. B. Floyd, secretary.
On June 2, 1897, the Waverly, Sayre, and Athens Electric Trac- tion Co. purchased a controlling interest in the Waverly electric light and power company. At a meeting held the same day these officers were chosen : President, A. C. Wade, of Jamestown ; vice- president, Percy L. Lang, Waverly ; secretary and treasurer, A. N. Broadhead, Jamestown ; directors, A. C. Wade, Percy L. Lang, A. N. Broadhead, W. E. Case, and G. N. Tidd.
As a business and manufacturing village Waverly stands well among the trade centres of Tioga county, but has never attained any special prominence in this respect in the central or southern portions of the state. Old Factoryville owed its very existence to the several milling industries established there during the early years of the century, but now, even with the advantages of three separate trunk lines of railroad, only one industry remains, and that has been in operation but a few years. However, south of East Waverly and bordering on the state line are two of the largest and most important manufacturing industries of the region, and both of them have contributed in a large measure to local prosperity.
The large tannery formerly owned and operated by Abram I. Decker, but more recently by the United States Leather company, stands on the same site whereon Isaac and Job Shepard built a woollen mill more than three-quarters of a century ago. The carly
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history of the operations here have been mentioned in this chapter, in view of which it is only necessary to state that, in 1853, after the buildings were burned, they were rebuilt by William and Gilbert Brooks, sons of the former owner. In 1863, Charles C. Brooks bought a half interest in the property, and with his partners started a large foundry and machine shop. In 1873 the plant was sold to A. B. Phillips, who converted it into a tannery. In 1879, Abram I. Decker purchased the property and conducted the busi- ness until it passed into the control of the U. S. Leather company. Within a very short time the company has determined to close the works, by which action Waverly loses one of its best in- dustries.
The Sayre Butter Package company is and has ever been re- garded as an industry of Waverly, although the buildings are situated just across the state line. On the site Jerry Adams built a tannery, in 1824, the subsequent changes in which are narrated on an earlier page. About 1868, J. A. Perkins became sole owner of the property, and conducted the business until 1882, when the Sayre Butter Package company, of which Richard D. VanDuzer was the founder, leased the buildings. This is to-day one of the leading industries of the village. The proprietors are R. D. and H. C. VanDuzer.
Richard D. VanDuzer has been identified with the business his- tory of Waverly for many years. In 1851 he opened a general store, and about 1864 built the Waverly steam flouring mills, the first of its kind in the county. He was the first president of the First National bank, was connected with other enterprises, and had a saw mill on Shepard's creek. The VanDuzer & Lyman planing mill was built in 1877, and succeeded the VanDuzer & Hallett mill of still earlier construction.
The Mullock & Sliter carriage works was one of the old indus- tries of the village, and was established in 1867 by G. L. Mullock and J. B. Sliter.
The Waverly Furniture Factory was started by H. G. Fessen- den, in 1875.
The Novelty Furniture Works, indirectly the beginning which resulted in the present Hall & Lyon Furniture Company, were
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established in 1873 by S. C. Hall, former principal of the academy. Mr. Hall was partner with George S. Cummings in the enterprise. At first the business was unsuccessful and in the winter of 1875-76 was removed to Athens, where F. R. & G. F. Lyon acquired an interest in the works. In June, 1884, the buildings were burned, and the firm then operating the business, Hall & Lyon, removed the works to Waverly and erected the present extensive buildings in Broad street. The business was conducted by the firm of Hall & Lyon until the summer of 1893, when the Hall & Lyon Furni- ture Company was incorporated, having a capital of $80,000. This is by far the most important industry of the village and the people feel a just pride in it. When running at full capacity 130 men are employed.
The Waverly Steam Flour Mills, in Broad street, were built in 1878, and for several years were operated by Weaver & Shear. Mr. Shear became proprietor in 1882, and the present owner, D. V. Personious, in 1891.
The old water power grist mill, over at Factoryville, which has been mentioned as one of the pioneer industries of the town, and which was burned in 1888, and then rebuilt, was sold by Levi Westfall to Ira Dodge and by him to Mr. Ward, the present owner.
The Lawrence-Letts Elbow Company, limited, was incorporated in the spring of 1893, having a capital of $50,000. The works are located south of the railroad, and furnish employment to about twenty-five men. The company manufactures a patented metal elbow for water and stove pipes.
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