USA > New York > Tioga County > Our county and its people : a memorial history of Tioga County, New York > Part 42
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Notwithstanding these early interests of the upper hamlet, the place did not have any special prominence previous to about 1850, and other than the mills there was little in the way of business. The first merchant was Sherman Barber, whose store was across the bridge. John Sackett and S. S. Downing were also early storekeepers at the centre.
In 1851, Jerome Thompson, a former merchant and resident of Catherine, Schuyler county, came to Candor and opened a stock of general merchandise at the Centre, and from that to the time of his death he was one of the foremost men of the town in business enterprises. In 1856 John W. McCarty, a former clerk in the store, became partner with Mr. Thompson, and for the next thirty years they were associated in business enterprises in this part of the county. Indeed, it is conceded that the members of the firm, by their enterprise and public spiritedness practically
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built up the upper village and gave to it a place of importance in the town; and it is equally true that no one man has been a inore potent factor in maintaining the established standing of the vil- lage at large than John W. McCarty, senior member of the pres- ent firm of McCarty & Payne.
The First National bank of Candor, No. 353, was chartered March 3, 1864, with a capital of $50,000. The persons who were chiefly instrumental in securing to Candor this enterprise were the first board of directors, who were also the largest stockholders, viz: Norman L. Carpenter, Jerome Thompson, Edwin A. Booth, John W. McCarty, Lyman Bradley, Hiram Smith, Romanta Woodford, Frank R. Preston and Edward C. Coryell. The first officers were Norman L. Carpenter, president, and John J. Bush, cashier. Mr. Carpenter was president to the time of his death, and May 16, 1865, Mr. Booth, the present president, was chosen his successor. Mr. Bush was cashier until February 10, 1865, when he resigned, and was succeeded by Jerome Thompson, who served in that capacity until his death, December 5, 1892. The present cashier, Fred W. Smith, was then elected.
December 18, 1868, the bank was entered by burglars, and money, securities and other property to the value of almost $20, - 000, were taken from the safe. A second attempt in the same di- rection was made in the night of April 29, 1892, but was unsuc- cessful. The First National of Candor, as it is frequently called, is looked upon as one of the reliable financial institutions of the county, and has been at all times in its history under safe and careful management. Its present surplus and undivided profit account is nearly $5,500. The directors are Edwin A. Booth, president; Fred W. Smith, cashier, and John W. McCarty, J. P. Fiebig, William B. Smith, M. A. Beers and George H. Hart.
The principal business interests of this part of the village at the present time comprise the large general store of McCarty & Payne, Gridley's flour, grist and planing mill, John Ryan's saw mill and lumber yard, the Ashland house, the glove factory, and several other stores and shops, as are found in all small village settlements.
The Wands Glove company was incorporated May 4, 1895, with a capital of $10,000, and was brought to the village through the
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efforts of business men at what is commonly called the Centre. The officers are J. W. McCarty, president; E. H. Wands, vice- president; H. P. Potter, treasurer, and W. J. Payne, secretary. In a measure the introduction of a glove factory in Candor was looked upon as an experiment, but so far as practical results show, the management has no cause for dissatisfaction. Buck, kid, calf, horsehide, hog, sheep, and oil-tanned gloves are made here, and constant employment is furnished to about forty persons.
Down at Candor Corners, which place is distant less than half a mile from the Centre, pioneer Hart laid the foundation for the vil- lage by erecting mills and building a dam across Catatonk creek. He owned much of the land in the vicinity, and in addition to the mills he built a tavern and made this the chief business centre of the town in the early settlement times. The mill stood on the site of the present mill building, but the latter was erected by John J. and Richard Sackett. It is now owned by Mr. Ellis. Among the old merchants here were Henry W. Sackett and Bottsford Bacon, both of whom were in trade all of sixty and perhaps more years ago. Other and later business men were Leonard Fisher (son of Gen. Fisher, of Spencer), Joseph Van Vleck, Samuel Barager, John J. Sackett, Ira Keeler, Hubert A. Barager, P. M. Thompson V (brother to Jerome), Booth & Potter, Chidsey & Holmes, Matthews & Ward, North & Hemingway, Tuttle & Neal, W. H. Andrews (still in business), and Booth & Williams (now in trade). Mr. Williams began here as a tailor, in 1856, and has since been in active mercantile life. The firm of Booth & Williams was formed in 1875. In the drug business at the Corners was Dr. Sutherland, followed by Dr. Harris, Edward Jennings, and the sons of Mr. Jennings, till the store was burned. The present local druggist is J. H. Jennings.
The "Ironclad Blanket " factory of the present day stands on the site whereon once was the Durkee tannery of old times. A little later it was known as the Sturgis tannery, but still later John J. Sackett erected on the site the "Candor Woollen Mills." The plant came into the hands of John Southworth, who sold to Senator Barager and he changed it into a blanket factory and con- ducted it with good success for several years. At his death the
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property was sold to the present proprietors, Fiebig & Hart, man- ufacturers of the celebrated "Ironclad Blanket," a commodity which has brought profit to the owners and fame to Candor.
. The once noted Humboldt tannery was built by Elmendorf & Sackett in 1859, but it is said that Mr. Carpenter had an interest in the enterprise. In 1865 it passed into the hands of E. S. Esty & Sons, who, with the Hoyts, of New York, conducted the works as long as they were operated. J. W. Henderson was superin- tendent of the tannery for many years. The buildings were burned in 1868, but were at once rebuilt. This was for many years the leading industry of the village and furnished employ- ment to at least 25 men. The tannery was closed in 1894.
The Candor Iron Works was another of the industries of the lower village, established in 1854 for the manufacture of general castings and machine work. Plows were also finished here, the castings being brought from elsewhere.
From what has been stated it will be seen that from first to last Candor village has been a busy hamlet, and notwithstanding the general depression which has come upon many inland villages of the same class and condition, Candor is to-day in as good stand- ing from a business and manufacturing point of view as at any time in its history. True, several important industries have run their course and are now out of use, but in their places local public enterprise has established others of equal magnitude and employ- ing a like number of men in their operation ; and it is a fact that business of all kinds in Candor is in as healthful condition as ever, the lamentations of discontented man to the contrary notwith- standing.
During the last twenty-five years of its history the village has grown, and now, except for purposes of particular designation little is heard of Candor Centre or of Candor Corners. All is Can- dor and all interests and efforts are united for the general welfare. In the course of time the once separated hamlets have grown together, and now a continuous row of dwellings and business houses line Main street on both sides. The station of the Dela- ware, Lackawanna & Western railroad is centrally located in the village, and there, too, is the village hall, the postoffice, a good
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hotel, and several mercantile business houses. Public enterprise has provided a hand fire engine, and while the fire-fighting organ- ization is wholly informal, the people are content to work under the direction of Frank Doty in subduing any fire which may occur.
The Candor Free Academy is one of the important and worthy institutions of the village, and among the academic schools of the county enjoys an enviable reputation and standing. The free dis- trict was established in 1864, in conformity to state laws, and nearly all the leading business and professional men of the village were instrumental in securing the benefits of such an institution. The first principal was Prof. Denson, followed in 1867 by Prof. L. D. Vose. The academic department was added in 1867. The library of the district (No. 9) contains 642 volumes, and the school is fur- nished with good chemical and philosophical apparatus. The dis- trict received from the regents in 1896 the sun of $328.39. The present principal is Prof. James W. Alexander. The members of the board of education are George H. Hart, president ; A. H. Krom, clerk, and S. E. Gridley, John R. Chidsey, Charles F. Fiebig and W. S. Moore.
The Congregational Church of Candor, as now known, was the outgrowth of " the Farmington society," organized by the pioneers of the region at a meeting held in Sylvester Woodford's barn June 29, 1808. However Congregational services were held in the town long before either Candor or Spencer were erected, and those old christian workers Seth Williston and Jeremiah Osborn preached to the inhabitants and occasionally administered the ordinances. The first members of the society were Ebenezer and Rhoda San- ford, Asa and Laura North, Eli and Sarah Bacon, Job Judd, and Ozias and Theda Woodford. The meeting house stood about on the site now occupied by McCarty & Payne's store, and was built in 1818. The second was erected in 1824, north of the creek. The pres- ent church edifice was built in 1868. The first parsonage was built in 1837, and the present in 1870. Previous to 1811, and after Spen- cer had been set off from Owego, this society was known as the Second Congregational church of Spencer, and after this town was created it took the name of Congregational church of Candor. The pastors and ministers in charge have been as follows : Revs.
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Seth Williston and Jeremiah Osborn, occasionally in 1808 and 1809 ; Daniel Loring, the first regular pastor, followed in succes- sion by Mr. Bascom, Jeremiah Osborn, Samuel Parker, Jeremiah Osborn, Alfred White, Mr. Shafer, Zenas Riggs, Edwin Benedict, M. C. Gaylord, Wm. H. Hayward, Geo. N. Todd, Geo. A. Pelton, Augustine Barnum, Alexander B. Dilley, Charles C. Johnson, J. P. Richardson, John Marsland, Henry G. Margetts and Ferdinand West Dickinson, the latter the present pastor who came to the church January 1, 1895. The members number 195, and on the roll in the Sunday school are about 185 names.
The Methodist Episcopal church in Candor dates back in its his- tory almost to the pioneer times, although it was not until 1827 that an organization was effected. From that to the present tinie the church has enjoyed a healthful and generally increasing ex- istence and is now one of the strongest in numbers in the town. The first meeting house was built about 1835, and the present edifice on the same site in 1865. The original members in this church were Judge Barager and wife, James Smith and wife, Hannah Gil- bert, Thomas Hewitt and wife, George Hubbard and wife, A. Hub- bard and wife, Jared Smith and wife, Mrs. Asaph Colburn. They also formed the "class" of which Mr. Hewitt was leader. The present pastor of the church is Rev. T. R. Warnock.
The Candor Village Baptist church was organized at a meeting held at the house of Hiram Allen, March 11, 1852, but Baptist ser- vices were held in this town away back in the early years of the century ; and churches of this denomination were formed and meetings regularly conducted in Candor long before the village society was organized. The first pastor of the village church was Rev. J. W. Emery, followed by D. C. Marshall and E. L. Benedict. The present pastor is Rev. V. M. Seagers ; clerk, Chas. N. Tubbs. The members number eighty-four. The church edifice was built in 1855 and is still in good repair.
St. Mark's church, Protestant Episcopal, of Candor, was or- ganized April 23, 1832, at a meeting of churchmen and churchwo- men held at the Masonic hall in the village. Rev. Lucius Carter was made chairman, and after the organization was perfected he was the first rector. The wardens were Seth and William Bacon,
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and the vestrymen were Daniel Bacon, Harvey Abbott, Willian Hand, Richard H. Sackett, Samuel Barager, Stephen F. Smith, Thomas Buell and Hiranı Smith. A lot was purchased in 1835, and two years later an edifice was erected. The church was reasonably strong for many years, but after the death of the older members the number of regular communicants gradually decreased. The present rector, Rev. D. A. Parce, has recently removed to another village.
In the history of the town the hamlets outlying from the prin- cipal village are of small consequence as factors during the last half century. However, previous to that time they were of great importance and added materially to growth and prosperity of the whole region ; in view of which it seems necessary that some brief mention should be made of each.
Willseyville is a small settlement in the northwest part of Can- dor, in the locality originally designated as "The Big Flatt," and otherwise as the Cantine location. It is on the north branch of Catatonk creek, in the neighborhood where Jacobus Senich, Dr. Joel Tallmadge, and Christian Hart were among the pioneers. At Mr. Senich's house the first town meeting of the town of Spen- cer was held. Ezra Smith was another pioneer here and founded a settlement by building a tavern and keeping it open to the public until it was burned, about 1812. The principal business in early days was lumbering, and at one time within a radius of five miles it is said that not less than six or seven saw mills were in constant operation. The hamlet was named in allusion to Jacob Willsey, who came from Fairfield, Herkimer county, at an early day and was identified with many of the most important events of local history. He was one of the founders of the Baptist church, was justice of the peace, and also associate judge of the old common pleas court. Morgan A. White was also associated with interests here for about 25 or 30 years, and was indeed one of the best mien of the hamlet in his time. However, after the timber was cleared from the lands, Willseyville began to lose its former prestige. and even the construction of two railroads through the settlement had not the effect to restore prosperity. The public buildings are the
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Baptist church and the district school. The merchants are Ray- mond Strong and Irving Johnson.
The Willseyville Baptist church was organized in 1837, as noted in church reports, and in 1839, according to other records, the meeting house was built in 1840. The original members numbered 15 persons. The present number is 25 ; pastor, Rev. V. M. Sea- gers.
Gridleyville is a hamlet containing a small cluster of dwellings and situate about two miles north of Candor, in the location where the pioneers of the Booth family made their first purchase of land in the town. The settlement here was due almost wholly to the construction and operation of the old turnpike, and the subsequent horse railroad on the same route. In those days this was a place of much importance, for here all drivers stopped for rest and to change horses, and all the current news of the day was obtained only through that worthy, the driver ; and it has been said that the denizens of Gridleyville felt highly honored by the presence of her learned Jehus, and an intimation in some manner got abroad that the average citizen here was just a little better in- formed on general subjects than residents in some other parts of the county. However, in writing of Gridleyville mention must be made of Captain Russell Gridley, the pioneer of the family in the town and who became a permanent settler in 1803. He preferred land in this town to that further south, as the timber was far bet- ter, for Captain Gridley was a lumberman and in later years an extensive operator. After the famous period of horse railroading and the day of stage coaches had passed our little hamlet began to decline, and still later, when the timber lands were cleared, the glory of the place departed forever.
East Candor is a little hamlet in the eastern central part of the town, in the vicinity where the Blinn family settled in early days. The locality was also known by other names, among them being " Blinn's Settlement," and "Honey Pot," and occasionally as "Upper Fairfield." A postoffice has been kept here for many years. The Union church at East Candor was built in 1854.
West Candor is a hamlet and postoffice in the west part of the town, on the highway leading from Candor village to Spencer. In
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fact the settlement here, so far as it can be described by bounds, is partly in this town and Spencer. It. was in this locality that Israel Mead settled in 1796, and here, too Selah Gridley and Cap- tain Ira Woodford were among the early settlers. The hamlet is also a station on the now called Lehigh Valley railroad, and is in the centre of a rich agricultural region. The store is kept by Luther Sawyer.
Weltonville is a post hamlet in the east part of Candor at the mouth of Doolittle creek, where that stream discharges into Owego creek. The hamlet was named in allusion to Rev. A. J. Welton, a former resident, but later of Binghamton. The local merchant is Mr. Graves.
The West Owego Creek Baptist church at Weltonville is one of the oldest religious bodies in the county, and it has also been called the mother of churches from the fact that several other societies have drawn members from it. This was the second church in the county, the date of its formation being May 1, 1802. Among the first members were Lewis and Lovina Mead, Jasper and Catha- rine Taylor, John and Hannah Bunnell, George and Sarah Lane, Peter and Sarah Gorbet, Abram and Deborah Everett, Samuel and Alvin Steward, and Elizabeth Jacobs. The church of course drew its members largely from Candor and Newark Valley, and a few from Owego. The edifice was built in 1844. The members now number 57. The pastor is Rev. R. K. Hanmond; clerk, S. R. Barrott.
Catatonk in the early history of the town was a place of more than passing importance, and it was not until with the last half score of years that its prestige has been lost. The hamlet is pleas- antly and conveniently situated on Catatonk creek, on the line of the D., L. & W. railroad, and in early times was the first stopping place of any note on the old Ithaca & Owego turnpike after leaving Owego village. In this locality there settled some of the most worthy pioneers of the town, notably Captain Thomas Park, who opened a farm and also built one of the first saw mills in the county. Here, too, was a fertile agricultural region, and a store at Catatonk became necessary to supply the wants of the inhabi- tants. In 1852 Saekett & Forman built a tannery and furnished
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employment to about twenty men. The property afterward passed through various ownerships and was finally closed. The last store- keeper here was A. H. Smith. A small but convenient union meet- ing house for religious worship was erected in 1861.
Perryville is the name given to a settlement in the north part of the town, distant about one mile southeast from Willseyville.
South Candor is a cluster of dwellings on Catatonk creek between Candor and Catatonk.
Prospect Valley is the latest hamlet in this town of many settle- ments, and is located about a mile south of Willseyville. A store is kept here by William Owen.
Among the many church and religious organizations of the town, not previously mentioned in this chapter, is the Fairfield Baptist church, an offshoot from the old society on West Owego creek, and was formed in 1858, and provided with a church home in 1871. The members number 23, and are under the pastoral charge of Rev. R. K. Hammond, of Weltonville.
The Baptist church at Strait's Corners, sometimes called the Pipe Creek Baptist church, was organized in 1842 with 38 constituent members, many of whom were residents of Tioga. The members now number 39. The church is under the pastorate of Rev. Seth Hammond, of Strait's Corners.
The Methodist church at Anderson Hill, a locality named from the Anderson family, was formed in 1860 with 20 members. The Pipe Creek M. E. church is a still older organization, and was formed in 1830, under the pastoral care of Rev. Gaylord Judd.
A society of the Free Will Baptist church was formed in the town as early as 1816 and held meetings in convenient school houses. The first pastor was Rev. John Gould, who gained notoriety by departing for the west about 1830 and joining with the Mormon church. The local society dissolved about 1831. An- other society of the same denomination was formed on West Owego creek about 1820, but had only a brief existence.
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CHAPTER XXV.
THE TOWN OF TIOGA.
A LL hail, old Tioga town, home of the pioneer ! Closely in- terwoven with the early history here were many of the most important pioneer events of the beautiful Susquehanna valley. Here, too, was the home of the once dreaded red man and only the devastating army of the intrepid Sullivan drove the fierce Iroquois from the soil he loved so well. Here nature yielded abundantly of her fruits, while the ever-flowing river likewise gave plenty in food with no other labor than the simple act of taking. Small wonder, therefore, that the hardy white-faced New England soldier of the revolution was charmed with nature's endowment to this country when Sullivan's men found growing here grass, and corn full six feet high, while various fruits on heavy laden trees still further testified to the rich qualities of the soil. Up and down this valley in the summer and fall of 1779 marched Sullivan's conquering army, burning and destroying as it went, driving the merciless and offending savages from the region. However, both record and tradition inform us that this part of the valley was previously, though imperfectly, known to the whites, for the Moravian missionaries traversed the country in the vain endeavor to christianize the natives ; and record also informs us that previous to Sullivan's invasion two white prisoners escaped from their savage captors on the south bank of the river opposite this town. Many indeed are the interesting reminiscences associated with Indian and pioneer life in this locality, but being recounted in an earlier chapter, need no repetition here.
Past writers of Tioga history have also stated that the valley of the Susquehanna, within the limits of this town, was occupied by white adventurers or traders previous to the permanent settlement by the pioneers. This is undoubtedly true, as the published jour-
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nals of several of General Sullivan's officers attest the fact that one Fitzgerald had an abiding place on the bank of the river. Yet this occupancy was of a transient character and in no manner reflects either the times or the quality of the pioneers.
The first civilized white settlement within the limits of what now forms the town of Tioga was made when the territory was a part of the old county of Montgomery, a jurisdiction comprising more than ten million acres of land. In Tioga county the towns of Tioga and Barton were a part of the comparatively small area which was not ceded by New York to Massachusetts in compro- mission of the conflicting claims of those states growing out of irregularities in the charters by the crown. Therefore the state of New York caused to be made a survey of this land and sold it to individuals and companies at a modest price per acre. How- ever, there appears to have been a small settlement of whites in the Chemung valley and disturbances frequently arose among them regarding their squatter claims to title ; and to such an ex- tent were these disputes carried that a new town was created in Montgomery county, including nearly all the territory south of the Military Tract, west of the Boston Purchase and Coxe's manor, east of the pre-emption line and north of the state line, to which was given the name of Chemung, but which by common designa- tion has ever been known as "the old town of Chemung." By this organization the authority of Montgomery county was directly exercised over the region, and officers were chosen for the new town. The act erecting the town was passed March 22, 1788, and in that and the next three years the lands in what is now Tioga were principally granted to individuals and companies, as we have mentioned. Few of the patentees or grantees became actual set- tlers and it is not necessary to reproduce their names or a descrip- tion of the lands granted them.
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