USA > New York > St Lawrence County > Our county and its people : a memorial record of St. Lawrence County, New York > Part 47
USA > New York > St Lawrence County > Our county and its people: a memorial record of St. Lawrence County, New York > Part 47
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One more list comprising fifty-four names is worthy of preservation here, consisting of the electors of the town (though it then embraced a part of De Peyster) in December, 1807, all of whom were heads of fam- ilies excepting Nathaniel Holt ; they are as follows : Joseph Anderson, Ichabod Arnold, Elias Alexander, Seth Alexander, Daniel Barker, Ralph R. Bell, Mansfield Bristol, Truman Bristol, James Burnett, Isaac Burnham, Barton Carver, Abraham Cole, Elisha Cook, James Cooper, William Cleghorn, Abel Cook, David Day, James Farr, Elisha Farr, Joseph Fisk, Ephraim Fisk, Matthew Grover, Elisha Griffin, Potter Goff, Russell Goff, Nathaniel Holt, Levi Holt, Philo Hurlbut, John Jackson, David Judson, Philo Lord, Abial Lyon (chairmaker), Richard Merrill, James Merrill, Solomon Pratt, Jacob Preston, Samuel Phelps, Solomon Rich, Salmon Rich, Joseph Rounds, William Sloan, Nathaniel Smith, Joshua Sweet, John Seeley, M.D., Isaac Stacy, Elijah Stock- well, Marvel Thair, Josiah Thornton, Samuel Thatcher, Timothy Utley, William Van Booscirk, William Woodhouse, Abner Wright, Eseck Whipple.
In the spring of 1804 Mr. Cooper began the erection of that great necessity to the pioneer, a grist mill, under direction of three brothers named Jackson-Cyrus, Asahel and Asa. The latter was severely in- jured during the work by falling on his head, and it is said that Dr. John Seeley performed on him the operation of trephining with no other instrument than a steel thimble, which he fashioned into an annular saw and fitted to a handle. Further notice of the hamlet at the Falls is given a little further on.
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HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
Aside from Mr. Cooper, probably Thomas B. Benedict was the first merchant in the town, as he was granted a license for that purpose in 1806, and William Cleghorn received a license to keep a tavern in the same year. To these were added licenses to Solomon Pratt and Elijah Utley in the year 1807. In 1808 John Ross began working as a cooper in the town, and Peter Thatcher started a chair shop at De Kalb vil- lage, and Abner Wright a wagon shop. These were the first in the town. In the next year tavern licenses were granted to Jonathan Has- kins and Solomon Rich. A tannery was in operation in 1814 by Gideon Townsley, who was then agent for the lands of the Daubeny and Wad- dell estates. He wrote in a memoranda that he was operating a tan- nery and " was accumulating money fast." The late E. P. Townsley, who died about two years ago, succeeded his father as agent for the lands mentioned, and they were not sold out until about thirty years later. A mill lot of two and a half acres was sold by Salmon Rich in June, 1808, near the site of Richville, to Ralph R. Thrall, for "a ton of potash and fifty dollars worth of sawing after the mill was completed." The mill was built and operated until 1814, when it was burned ; but a new one was erected in the following spring through aid of many of the settlers. Russell Goff, who bought a farm of his brother, Potter Goff, in 1806, built a saw mill on his place (lot 503) as early as 1814. He was a mason by trade and noted for his great strength. Elijah Farr, son of James, built a dam on Farr's Creek and started a carding machine before 1814. It had to be abandoned after some years on account of scarcity of water in the creek.
The first death in the town of De Kalb was that of George Cowdry, one of the first party of settlers, who was drowned by going over the falls in the Oswegatchie, September 13, 1804. The first birth was in the family of Jehiel Dimick, in 1804, and the second that of Mary Ann Rich, daughter of Salmon Rich, born May 16, 1804. The first mar- riage was that of Elisha Cook and Letta Willey, May 27, 1804; they were married by Stillman Foote, then of Canton, and the nearest magis- trate. The first road that is on record as being laid out in this town was on the 28th of June, 1806, "Beginning at the State road on Mr. John Jackson's southwest line, near Mud lake," and thence easterly to " Beaver Creek Bridge." A second one, under date of July 7, 1806,
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THE TOWN OF DE KALB.
ran "from Captain Farr's place to the town line towards the Ballybeen road." From the village to Captain Farr's was laid out in 1805 by Salmon Rich and Kelsey Thurber. Of course the first road in the town was that already mentioned as having been cut through by the first party of settlers in 1803, from the State road to the site of De Kalb village.
The settlement of De Kalb progressed with encouraging prospects and by a class of people who were competent to build up the community in both its material and moral aspects. The War of 1812 was scarcely felt here, except in the effect it had upon the general interests and the anxiety and unsettled condition of mind everywhere prevalent. Although many enlisted, as well as being drafted (see Chapter on the War of 1812), by the year 1818 the population of the town was 725, and the principal land owners at that time were James Cooper, Luther Bra- dish, Lloyd Daubeny, Henry Waddell, and Frederick De Peyster.
In relation to the educational question in De Kalb, we quote as fol- lows from Dr. Hough's work :
In this, as in some other towns, a large amount of poor money had accumulated, by taxes levied ostensibly for the support of the poor, for which there was no use after the adoption of the poor-house system. By an act of February 22, 1830, the overseers of the poor in this town were directed to pay a thousand dollars to the trustees of the public lots, to be invested for the support of schools. From this source and the sale of the school lot this town acquired a very large fund. The location of the two reserved lots was at first not known, and they were sold by Mr. Cooper. This afterwards became a subject of difference, and Simeon Dewitt, the surveyor-general, was empowered by an act passed April 3, 1811, to settle with the legal representatives of William Cooper, on such terms as he might deem just and reasonable, for any differences which might have arisen between the State and the said Cooper, in consequence of any mistakes com- mitted in locating the public lots in De Kalb. In the general law relating to the gospel and school lots of these towns, De Kalb was excepted.
During the early years the settlers depended principally on the lumber sent down the river to Ogdensburg market, and the " black salts " they made in clearing up their farms, to raise money. With the passing of the years in such industry the lands of De Kalb became largely cleared, and the agricultural interests developed in ratio with those of other localities. Dairying interests have in recent years greatly advanced, and the manufacture of butter and cheese has become an im- portant branch. The cheese factory formerly operated at De Kalb was
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HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
burned in the winter of 1882 and was rebuilt in the following spring, and has since been operated as a creamery for the making of choice butter, which finds a market in Boston. The factory is owned by Gardner Murphy & Co., of that city, and is conducted by William Keyes. Aside from this factory, cheese is the principal product. The first factory, near Richville, was built in 1863, which was the first north of Black River. There are several prosperous factories now in opera- tion, and the town ranks third in the county in the quantity of cheese made.
In educational affairs this town has always shown a proper degree of interest. There are twenty-two districts in the town, and all have well conducted schools. The village of Richville has a union free school, for which a commodious house was built in 1874, and three teachers are employed. At De Kalb Junction also is a graded school with three departments, in which J. C. Holland acts as principal.
The opening of the railroad and the establishment of the junction with the line leading to Ogdensburg had a permanent effect upon the business interests of the town, drawing trade largely to the Junction and to Richville, and away from the interior of the town, as recounted further on.
During the war period De Kalb put forth patriotic efforts in support of the government, and sent her quota of men to the front, providing liberally for the payment to then of bounties. A special town meeting was held December 15, 1863, at which a resolution was adopted pledg- ing the payment of $300 to each volunteer enlisting after the 17th of October of that year, until the quota was filled under the call for 300,000 men. Similar action was taken on the 27th of February, 1864, to fill the quota under the call of February I of that year. At a special meeting, August 17, 1864, after the call for 500,000 men, the town board was authorized to issue certificates of indebtedness to the amount of $600 to each volunteer or substitute, but owing to some alleged illegality in these proceedings and the fact that the Board of Supervisors authorized the payment of a county bounty of $400 each, this action was annulled. On the 30th of August the town board was authorized to issue bonds to the amount of $500 for each volunteer in addition to the county bounty of $400 each, and the quota was thus filled. There
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THE TOWN OF DE KALB.
were some unappropriated moneys in the hands of the committee which were by resolution appropriated to the payment of the taxes of persons who enlisted in the years 1861 and 1862. The total amount of bonds issued by the town was $29,231.
Following are the names of the supervisors of the town from its formation to the present time, with years of service :
1807-15, Isaac Burnham ; 1816-18, Gideon Townsley ; 1819-20, Elisha Griffin ; 1821- 28, Asa Sprague, jr .; 1829-30, Jonathan Round ; 1831, Nathaniel Martin ; upon his failing to qualify, Roswell White was appointed to fill vacancy ; 1832-35, Asa Sprague ; 1836-39, Seth Alexander; 1840-42, Harlow Godard; 1843-45, Asa Sprague; 1846, Dwight Spencer ; 1847-49, Orin M. Fisk; 1850, Edward H. Hopkins ; in September, Ormn M. Fisk appointed to fill vacancy ; 1851-56, Orin M. Fisk ; 1857-60, Elias P. Townsley ; 1861-63, George D. Hastings; 1864 Henry Thompson ; 1865, Abel Godard ; 1866, Henry Thompson ; 1867-75, Darius A. Moore; 1876-78, Thomas M. Wells ; 1879- 81, Abel Godard; 1882-4, Geo. E. Gibbons; 1885-6, Ara J. Moore; 1887-8, G. E. Gibbons; 1889-91, Chas. R. Walker; 1892, John W. Morrison ; 1893-94, A. J. Moore.
De Kalb Village .- The first settlement of this place (then called Cooper's Village) and the building of a public house by Judge Cooper in 1805, has been alluded to. Around that house, which was a large structure, sixty feet square and three stories high, the stores and shops of the place sprang up. After being kept by various persons, among them Isaac Stacy and Wm. Cleghorn, the building fell into decay and was taken down. Mr. Holt built a hotel about this time, which was favorably known throughout the country. The first school in the town was opened here in 1807, by Bela Willis, a Methodist exhorter. The post-office was established in 1820, the mails being carried through from the Black River country on horseback. Thomas B. Benedict was probably the first postmaster. Among those who have held the office since then may be mentioned Gideon Townsley, his son, Elias P., Na- thaniel Holt, Asa Sprague, Stephen Slosson, John Kingsbury, L. D. Townsley, John Whipple, and the present incumbent, A. J. Moore.
Among the former merchants of this place were Asa Sprague, jr., Hiram McCollom, John Rounds, Stephen Slosson and D. A. Moore. Stores are now kept by D. A. Moore & Son, and Joseph Thraves. The only hotel in the place is the Seymour House, kept by Edward Sey- mour.
At Cooper's Falls was formerly concentrated a little settlement and some business interests. The falls are about six feet high, and are
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HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
about a mile below De Kalb village. There Judge Cooper erected a saw mill and a grist mill in 1804-5. Subsequently a stock company built a furnace there, the ore being obtained in the town of Hermon. The mine was abandoned, the grist mill went to decay, and the water power now is not in use.
Richville .- The first settlement made on the site of Richville was by Salmon Rich and Jonathan Haskins in 1804. It is said that they reached this point from Cooper's village in the winter, drawing a sled, with the help of two or three others, up the winding river on the ice, a distance of about ten miles. They formed a camp opposite the vil- lage site and began a clearing. In April of the next year Haskins built a log house near the river, and in June, P. Rich began clearing on the site of the village. The first school taught here was by Joseph Knee- land, who was killed in a skirmish at the taking of Ogdensburg by the British in 1813. About 1807 the first tavern was opened by Solomon Pratt. About the year 1810 Charles Boreland built a grist mill on the stream that bore his name, about a mile and a half above Richville, where Salmon Rich built a saw mill in the previous year ; this grist mill was the second one in town. Jonathan Haskins was granted a license in 1809 and opened the second public house here. About the year 1819 John C. Rich erected a building for hotel purposes. This was burned in 1870, and on the site, what is now the Lynde House (formerly the Godard House) was erected ; it is now kept by F. W. Foster. The first store at this point was established by James Phelps on the road leading to the station ; he was a shoemaker and combined work at his trade with his store. Among the merchants of the past at this point are W. E. Carpenter, Charles Higbee, E. P. Griffith, Spooner & Wiser, J. C. Wiser, and Charles R. Walker. The present merchants are J. F. Wiser, William Walker, A. D. Gardner, F. P. Beaman, Alexander Mc- Coy. The present postmaster is Willis P. Hendrick, the office having been in existence since 1824, when John C. Rich took the office and held it about twenty-five years. He was a son of Salmon Rich, the first master of Northern Light Lodge, No. II (see page 225), and long a prominent citizen of the town. The village was known for many years as " Rich's Settlement." The grist mill here and the saw mill connected were burned in 1877, when they were the property of James
Chas, Wieliens
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THE TOWN OF DE KALB.
O'Connor. They were rebuilt a few years afterward and again burned in 1881, while owned by Abel Godard, who rebuilt them and sold the property to A. D. Lawyer, the present owner. The mill is on the site of the one built in 1815, and described a few pages back.
With the opening of the railroad a considerable settlement grew up at what has been named Richville Station, near Richville village, in the southwestern part of the town. A post-office is located there now under the name of " Bigelow," and H. N. Williams is postmaster and general merchant. An extensive lime kiln has been in operation at the station, and quite recently quarrying of lime stone and sand stone near the station has been entered upon extensively by Williams & John- son and the Clarksons, of Potsdam. This industry is probably destined to become an important one. S. W. Phelps has a mercantile business here, and a saw mill, built in 1884 by S. A. Martin, is now owned and operated by H. M. Townsley.
De Kalb Junction .- At this point the opening of the railroads has built up a thriving community. The Ogdensburg extension of the rail- road was opened in September, 1862, and from the then only building of the place, a log house, the present village has grown. The first store was opened in the fall of that year by T. M. Craig, and about three years later Patrick Green built what was called the " Union Hotel." Later on two other hotels were built, one by Israel Smith and the other by Patrick Green, and they, with two steam mills owned by Joseph Ray, were burned with other buildings. The post-office here was es- tablished in January, 1864, with Israel D. Smith as postmaster. The present postmaster is W. E. Vandelinder. A. C. Hine built a grist mill in 1877, which he conducted a number of years. A saw and a plan- ing mill was built in 1880 and burned January 31, 1892 ; it was then rebuilt, and is now doing a thriving business in the hands of John D. Smith. The flour and feed mill is now operated by Fairbanks & Lewis. The merchants of the place are W. E. Vandelinder, George A. Sheldon & Co., Dr. E. M. Cole, D. McGruer, Frank Green, I. G. Haven, W. L. Thomas, M. D Alverson, L. M. Wainwright, and G. E. Gibbons. A. Stiles sells flour and feed, and S. T. Walker has the meat business. A pump and oar factory was started in 1878 by S. Smithers, who continues the business. A sash and blind factory was established by Lemuel 65
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HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
Clark in the spring of 1893, and is now operated by Gibbons & Clark. The Union Hotel was burned in 1888 and has not been rebuilt The Goulding House is kept by Hurley Brothers, and the Thomas House by N. G. Thomas.
There was formerly a post-office and a small settlement at East De Kalb, the post-office of that name having been opened in 1853, with Harvey Bartlett as postmaster. The office is not now in existence. The locality was settled by Elijah Pooler and Chester Dewey. Thomas and Isaac Tanner, John Williams, Freeman Stewart, and a Mr. Adams settled here in the winter of 1810-11. Harvey Bartlett built a hotel here at an early day, and kept it for some years; it was afterwards con- ducted by others and finally closed.
RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES.
The former record of these societies has been somewhat mixed. De Kalb was one of the towns visited by the missionaries sent out by the Massachusetts Society in 1806, when meetings were held in . private houses. In this way a circle of friends would congregate as a society without a formal organization. During a series of meetings held in the town of Russell by Rev. James Johnson, in the summer of 1817, Mr. Seth Pomeroy, of De Kalb, invited him to come and preach to his people. Arrangements were made, and his preaching awakened a deep interest in the minds of a few, and warmed up several backsliders, which resulted in the formation of a Congregational church at Old De Kalb, with ten members, on August 30, 1817. Rev. Mr. Johnson was their first pastor, and continued to supply them, in connection with the Rus- sell church, for some two years. The society was incorporated De- cember 18, 1818, with Seth Pomeroy, Joshua Dewey, Isaac Burnham (see page 126; he was also S. W. of F. and A. M.), Elisha Griffin, Isaac Stacy, jr., and Jonathan Haskins, trustees. A revival soon fol. lowed, when the church was greatly strengthened. Rev. Mr. Johnson soon returned to Vermont, when the Rev. Thomas Kennon was engaged to supply them a part of the time. A small church was built by the united efforts of the people, including other denominations, about 1818. A few years later a stone church was built by the Congregationalists at East De Kalb, where regular services were held until about 1853,
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THE TOWN OF DE KALB.
when, a number of the more prominent members having died and others moved West, services were discontinued, the members, however, going either to Richville or to Old De Kalb church. The Presbyterian minister serving a small church at Old De Kalb commenced to hold services at the stone church, but the spiritual life of the people in that neighborhood was on the wane, and after a short time the meetings were discontinued and the stone house left to decay.
The Congregational Church located at Richville was formed by a few of the waning society at East De Kalb then living in the place. The organization was effected in 1828, with Marshall Allen, Darius Wiser, Jonathan Baker, Josiah Walker, Orson White and A. V. Chandler, trustees. Rev. Thomas Kennon supplied them in connection with the church at East De Kalb. Rev. Gorham Cross came into the place in the summer of 1839 took charge of the church, and brought his family on the following spring, and served the church in connection with others near by for fifty years, and who is now (1894; aged eighty-four) living in the place enjoying the fruits of his labors. In 1840 the society, with the Methodists, built a small wooden church, and each held meet- ings on alternate Sabbaths. In 1859 a new church was built on a lot donated by A. B. Lynd. In the spring of 1877 Rev. Mr. Dixon came to minister to the Methodist portion of the congregation, when a desire on their part led to a separation. The Congregational society paid them for their interest in the church and became full owners of the property the following year. A parsonage was built on the lot, and in 1890 the church was thoroughly repaired and refurnished at an expense of $1,500. Rev. T. T. Davis served this church, with the Welsh society, for a number of years, and resigned December, 1893.
The Congregational church located at De Kalb village was reorgan- ized in December, 1829, with Stephen Thompson and two other trustees. The society has continued to maintain services most of the time since with varied success. In 1878 a new church building was built, in modern style, at a cost of $4,500, which was erected principally through the influence and means of A. D. Moore. The membership is not large and is now coupled with South Hermon church, and served by Rev. W. Y. Roberts.
Welsh Congregational Society, located at Richville. The settlement at an early period of a large number of Welsh people led to the for-
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HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
mation in 1856 of the Welsh Congregational church, by Rev. Thomas D. Rees. Meetings were first held in the stone dwelling of James Jones, near the village, but in the summer of 1859 a frame church was erected. The church prospered and at one time had a membership of more than 125 ; it is now about forty, and Rev. T. T. Davis ministered to the church a number of years up to December, 1893.
The Methodist Episcopal Society .- This body of believers was among the first to commence their labors in town, but they did not form a legal organization until February 25, 1829, when a society was formed at Old De Kalb, with Seth Alexander (see war incident, page 140), Dwight Spencer, Obadiah R. Rundell, Orin C. Spencer, Elijah Pooler, Thomas Spafford and John D. Smith, trustees. They had a part interest in the union church where they had previously met for worship. The society built a church at East De Kalb in 1839, and have continued since to hold forth in both places.
A Methodist Episcopal society was formed at Richville about 1835. They united in building a church with the Congregationalists in 1840, also in 1859. In 1877 the Rev. Mr. Dixon had charge of the society, when it was thought best by that body to withdraw from the Congre- gational or union house and build for themselves. Consent was given, and they received the value agreed upon from the other body. A lot was purchased a short distance north of the other church and a contract made with Albon F. Deen to erect a wooden church, which was com- pleted and dedicated about December 1, 1878. The entire cost, in- cluding lot, furnishings, etc., was $2,500. The membership is now about eighty. F. W. Thompson is the present pastor, who also supplies a small church of about forty members just over the line in North Gouverneur.
The M. E. Church located at De Kalb Junction was formed when that place, on account of the two railroad lines passing that point, at- tracted the people to locate there. A neat wooden church was erected in 1880. It is now in a flourishing condition, having about 135 mem - bers, with the Rev. J. P. Dunham, pastor.
What has been known as the Kendrew Methodist church (the first class having been formed by Thomas Kendrew, sr.), was located a few miles below De Kalb village on the west side of the river. The frame
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THE TOWN OF DE KALB.
church was erected in 1859 at a cost of $1,000. The first pastor was Rev. W. C. Lent. In recent years the church has commonly been sup- plied by the pastor at Rensselaer Falls (see history of Canton).
Presbyterian Societies .- This body of believers was early on the ground, and assisted in the erection of a small union church at Old De Kalb in 1818, and organized a church soon after. The names of the officers and members were not preserved. Services have been continued most of the time since, and meetings were also held at East De Kalb for a time. When the Congregational society built a church in 1879, the Presbyterians and Methodists overhauled the union church and re- furnished it, which has served the two bodies since.
A second Presbyterian church was organized at De Kalb Junction in 1879, and erected a convenient edifice in 1880, at a cost of about $2,000. The membership is now about forty-eight, and the pastor is Rev. George F. Walker.
Baptist Church -The Baptist society of Richville was formed March 13, 1836, with Nathan Barker, Harlow Godard, John Chase, James Phelps, Danford Johnson, Russell Johnson and several others. A small building was erected for worship the summer following, and on the 2d of October, 1837, the society was incorporated, with Eleazer Dewey, Jacob C. Temple, Jabez Bosworth, John C. Rich, Harlow Godard and Simeon Millen, trustees. Some years later the first building was de- molished and the present frame edifice erected. In 1876 about $2,500 were expended in improving the church. The membership is now about eighty, and the pastor is Rev. George Barnes.
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