USA > New York > Oneida County > Camden > Pioneer history of Camden, Oneida County, New York > Part 27
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Samuel Higley Stevens died in Camden in 1866, aged 69 years. Mr. Higley Stevens married Miss Susan, daughter of Timothy W. Wood. They had one son, Jay Stevens, now living at La- conia, N. Y. William Stevens was chosen trustee of the Congre- gational Society in 1810.
LINUS STEVENS
Was born in Cheshire, New Haven County, Conn., November 29, 1800. At Naugatuck, Conn., December 6, 1821, he married Miss Fannie Smith. They removed to Camden in 1836. and
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THE TOWN OF CAMDEN.
purchased a house of Hopkins and Martin Stevens, which is the present post-office building, then standing with the caves to the street. They reared a family of children-Lawrence S., Elizabeth S., Nelson B., Anson L., F. Ellen, Fernando D., and George L. Lawrence married Kate Daniels of Lockport, N. Y .; Flizabeth married Joshua H. Tracy of Camden, N. Y .; Nelson B. married Hannah Upson of Camden, N. Y .; Anson S. Miss Julia Beecher of Naugatuck, Conn .: Ellen, Gershom B. Bradley of Westport, Conn .: Fernando D., unmarried: George L., Miss Mary Ransom of Camden. Mrs. Tracy is the only member of the family residing in Camden. They were a family of much talent in music, literature and conversation. Stearns was a min- ister of the gospel. Nelson the editor and publisher of a West- (11 New York newspaper. Ellen, George L., and Nelson, also had fine taste for music, the former giving instruction in the same. Mr. Stevens resided in Camden thirty-seven years. He was greatly respected and beloved in this community for his quiet and unostentatious character and his honest, upright, in- dustrious life. In his 75th year Linus Stevens died at Johns- town, N. Y., in 1875: Mrs. Stevens, in Camden, in April, 1885. They passed away in old age, crowned with the joys of a correct and well-spent life. Buried in Forest Park Cemetery.
ORANGE DAYTON.
From Mr. Melville E. Dayton of Chicago, Il., we have the following concerning his father's residence in Camden: ".M father, Orange Dayton, went to Camden in 1842 or 43, and left there, I think, in 1852; was born in Hadley, in Northern New York, married at Vernon Center to Miss Mary Phinney. He had five children-Samuel James, Lois Amelia, Melville Emory. Wilber Fiske and Oscar Milton. His first wife, my mother, died in Camden, and is buried in the church-yard on the road to Rome. A few years later he married Miss Irinda Skiff War- ner, who then lived near Vernon, N. Y. After leaving Camden. my father took up his residence in Clinton, N. Y., where he continued to live till 1881, in which year his wife died. He then came to Chicago to live with his children, residing here with my brother Oscar and myself, and died later in the same year, at the age of 78. My father went to Camden from Hamp-
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PIONEER HISTORY OF
ton. N. Y., where he had been engaged in the shoe business. He started in business in Camden. as a partner in the firm of Dayton & Bettis, which conducted tanning, currying and shoe- making. This was done at the south end of the bridge on Main street. where the Costellos subsequently built up a very large manufactory of leather. Later my father conducted a shoe busi- ness by himself mainly, in a building nearly opposite the Spen- cer block. (We believe it to have been the checkered store.) His daughter. Lois Amelia, was a student and teacher of fine attainments, and married the Rev. Dr. Abel Stevens, a distin- guished author in the M. E. Church. ('History of Methodism,' in seven volumes: also 'Madame De Stael. a story of her life and Times,' and other works of high literary character, were among the results of his life's labors). Mrs. Stevens lived but a year after her marriage; her death occurred at Brooklyn, N. Y., at the age of 35 years. Wilbur Fiske Dayton died at Clin- ton, N. Y., at about the age of 32. After the experience of mov- ing to Camden. I do not recall any incidents of special interest. The move referred to was remarkable, inasmuch as it was ef- fected in April, over more than four feet of snow, a fact that I have heard commented upon as somewhat unusual, and which I personally remember from having been tipped out of the box sleigh. in which the family were transported, into the snow banks. I recall that among the friends of my father were Mr. Empey, Mr. Spencer and Mr. Bird, and some others. Very cordially and respectfully yours, M. E. Dayton."
LEVI MATTHEWS
Lived in town somewhere: we have not been able to locate the spot. He married Polly, daughter of Eliakim Stoddard. They had a family of seven children, viz .: Chloe, Irene, Mendana, Mar- cia. Atvero, Lorin and Ransom. This information was given us by George Matthews, son of Alvero. Ransom Matthews and Solon ( oo!, were playing squirrel in a tree: Ransom was striving to make his escape from the tree before it fell. He attempted to come down from the tree, up which he had climbed. and Solon, who had been using a new ax to chop it. hurried to get in another clip, and fell it before Ransom escaped. The result was dreadful: the ax sinking into his leg and partly
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THE TOWN OF CAMDEN.
severing it from his body. Dr. Chatfield was sent for, a distance of four or five miles. Anaesthetics were then unknown: surgery was but little practiced, and the amputation finished with much pain with a saw, taking a half day to complete it. The shrieks of the poor afflicted boy were heard a great distance. Ransom Matthews lived and learned the trade of a tailor, and had a busi- ness in Taberg. A circumstance of the dishonesty of one of his customers comes to our knowledge. A coat had been made by Mr. Matthews for this customer (name withheld), which he claimed was too small, and he flatly refused to pay for it. where- upon Mr. Matthews prosecuted him to recover for the coat. The dishonest customer appeared in the court room with the garment on his back, which surely enough, was too small. Of course the jury gave a verdict in his favor, and inviting a few friends to a near-by bar, the victor treated, and disclosed to them the secret of the shrinkage of the coat. Underneath he had dressed him- self generously with several shirts and two or three vests, which made it impossible for a well-fitting coat to go around.
ERASTUS UPSON.
Deacon Erastus Upson moved to Camden from the Seventh in 1820. He bought the property on Mexico street, west of the cemetery, for his mother, and also carried on a tin shop. A little later he purchased the tavern which stood where Robson's hard- ware store now stands, built by Elihu Curtiss, who sold it to E. Goodyear. of whom Mr. Upson bought it. He also pur- chased a small red building just north of it, in which he carried on a general store in connection with the tin shop. using the tavern as a dwelling house. Some time afterwards he sold this property to H. J. Miner, reserving the tin buisness and con- tinuing it in what is now the dining-room of the Crimmins House. He erected this building for the purpose. It was uni- versal in those days to make a bee for raising buildings, and in- viting all to come, and when the work was done to pass liquor around very freely; but on this occasion they were told, when invited, he had made up his mind to depart from the u val cus- tom and provide only cake and hot coffee. All were on hand. however, and the building raised very quickly. One man left
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shortly after the work was done and came back with a jug of whisky, and very pleasantly invited the boys to go over across the street into the mill yard and have a good time, but greatly to their credit, not one accepted. About this time Erastus Upson purchased of the Huntingtons of Rome nearly all of the land lying south of Union street, to Mad River on the east, and Fish Creek and the top of the bank (near the Raymond house) on the south, across to Second street, up to the Ranney Park's house (now owned by Dr. Bacon), embracing nearly all east of Second Street making him one of the largest land owners in the corpora- tion. This part of the town was called Pine Hill, being covered with partly burned log heaps and pine stumps. After his pur- chase Erastus Upson proposed to the town to throw up the road leading diagonally from the Town Hall, and running back of the John Stewart residence, and down the hill back of the Godfrey place, coming out just south of the place where the blacksmith shop now stands, crossing the three branches of the river, on as many bridges, and substituting in the place a road from Second street to Mad River. now Union street, and opening Church street to Mad River, and crossing' it on one- bridge. instead of three, thus changing materially the eastern part of the town. In 1837 he purchased the land lying south of Empey avenue, and the rear line of lots on the east side of Main street, embracing all north of Union street, and including all of Second and Third streets. He built the house at the top of the hill in 18.42, where Union and Church streets join, and there he spent the remainder of his days. Erastus Upson de- parted this life January 3. 1850, aged 61 years. Cynthia, his wife. died May 20. aged 75.
The children of Erastus and Cynthia Upson were Angeline .. Cynthia, Hannah. Mary. Ballard and Larne Perrine, the latter a bright boy of eleven years, who died August 9. 1829. and sleeps in the old cemetery on Mexico street. All are dead but Ballard. who with his wife and one son. George, continues to reside in the old home, to whom we are indebted for this history of Eras- tus Upson.
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THOMAS D. PENFIELD.
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PIONEER HISTORY OF
THOMAS DEMILT PENFIELD.
Mir. Penfield has been a life-long resident of Camden. He came from his home in the country to the village before he had attained his majority, to learn the boot and shoe trade, and has been identified with it since. He has honored the village and the village had honored him. Its improvements and advancements have been his pride and pleasure. He built a fine residence on Main street, which he now occupies. He has been identified with the Penfield & Stone flour and grist mill since 1854. In politics he has always been an ardent Democrat. His public life was inaugurated as School Commissioner in 1842. He next served as Justice of the Peace and as Justice of the Oneida County General Sessions. For eleven terms he represented the town in the Board of Supervisors, his first term was in 1851 and his last in 1886. In 1856 he was elected to the State Assembly as a Democrat, and again in 1862. For years he has been prom- inent in county affairs, its religious, agricultural and manufac- turing industries. As a member of the Oneida Agricultural Society he has many times been its President and member of its Executive Committee. He has been nine times President of Camden village: served as Water Commissioner, and several times Commissioner of Highways for the town. He was Sheriff . of Oneida County, duly qualifying January 1. 1883. Mr. Pen- field has been twice married: his first wife being Miss Ann, ·daughter of Rev. Eliakim Stoddard: his second wife, Miss Lu- .cinthia, daughter of Judge Israel Stoddard.
FRANCIS H. CONANT.
Francis H. Conant was born in Albany, N. Y., September 19. 1815. He married Mary Gates in Stow, Mass., October 25, 1836. where they remained until the following spring, when they came to North Bay, this State, and remained about twelve years. They returned to their Eastern home, but in 1851 came to Cam- den to reside, and Mr. Conant entered into partnership with Gen. Lyman Curtiss in the milling business. During the year 1854 he bought the property in the valley, and engaged in the busi- ness of manufacturing chairs and furniture. In 1865 he pur- .chased the Detroit Chair Manufactory, which he managed for
UTICA FNG OG
FRANCIS H. CONANT.
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PIONEER HISTORY OF
several years. While in business in that city he was also asso- ciated with S. P. Duffield in the manufacture of fluid extracts for medicinal purposes. Later he went to Adrian, Mich., where. he lived several years, but returned to Camden, his former home. where he continued to reside until the death of his wife, which occurred June 25, 1882, in Toledo, while on a visit to her son, Walter N. Conant. She was brought to Camden and laid to rest in Forest Park Cemetery. Mr. Conant was a man of un- usual activity, energy and enterprise. He was a member of the Congregational Church, and always interested in its welfare. He was superintendent of the Sunday School, and was for many years a trustee of the society. At various times he was elected a trustee of the Corporation and a member of the Board of Edu- cation. Six sons were born to Mr. and Mrs. Conant. The two older ones died in infancy. The rest grew to manhood. Frank E. Conant enlisted in the late civil war and was killed at the battle of Antietam September 17, 1862, when but nineteen years of age. His remains were brought back to his home for in- terment.
Walter N. Conant married Mary Gatchel of this town, and eventually settled in Toledo, (., where he became an extensive furniture manufacturer and dealer. Two children were born to them. Mary and Frank, both residing in Toledo. Walter Co- nant's death occurred in Los Angeles. Cal .. December, 1801, where he had gone on business.
E. H. Conant was born in North Bay, and came to Camden with his family when about six years old. He married Caroline E. Phelps, a resident of Camden. Their children are-Harold T. Conant, Alice P., and Mary E. Conant ; all reside in Camden.
John Alexander Conant was born in this town. He married Genevieve Waterman, also a resident of Camden. They reside in Clinton, la., at the present time.
George F. Conant, the youngest son, is a native of this town. He married Ella Spicer of Adams, N. Y .: they have two chil- dren, Clarence and Bertha Conant.
After the death of his wife Francis H. Conant went West to reside. July 25, 1883, he married Mrs. Sarah Beach for his second wife. They lived in Coldwater, Mich .. the home of MIrs. Conant, where his death occurred May 12. 1887, aged 71 years.
THE TOWN OF CANIDEN.
His remains were brought to Camden to rest in the family burial place.
REUBEN BETTIS.
John Bettis, now residing in Cedar Rapids, la., gives us the following account of his own and his father's life while they lived in Camden :
Reuben Bettis came from Westmoreland to Camden during the year 1822. He located just south of Fish Creek bridge, bought several acres of land, and built a home for himself, which stood on the east sideof the road. Hebuilt the first tanneryin that locality and conducted the business until it was well established, when he took Calvin Wymple as a partner, who conducted the business, and Mr. Bettis moved into the Bvington tavern, where he remained for a time, then lived in Esquire Timothy Wood's house about one year. At this time Mr. Wood was a widower. Reuben Bettis married Amanda Doolittle in Westmoreland: one son was born to them, John Bettis, who was four years of age when his father came to this town. The first wife of Mr. Bettis died October 26, 1832, aged 33 years. He married the second time. Caroline, daughter of Billions Pond. No children came to their home: her death occurred October 23. 1836, aged 33 years. He married again Miss Mary Peck of Brooklyn. N. Y. Their children were Nathan, who died in infancy: Fannie, who married William Sperry, and resides in Denver; and James, who located in Little Rock. Ark. He is the editor of a paper in that place. For many years the family resided in the old Bettis home on the north-west corner of Washington and Second streets. It has been very materially changed in these later days. Reuben Bettis and son John established a boot and shoe store on the east side of Main street. They suffered from the fire which swept through that part of the village in 1856, but immediately resumed business, and continned it until 1862, when, on account of failing health, they sold out the business, and Reuben Bettis retired from active life. His death occurred September 15. 1962. His wife survived him and found a home in the West with her children. As business men this firm were upright and honorable, commanding the respect of their patrons in every instance.
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PIONEER HISTORY OF
JOHN BETTIS.
John Bettis married Elizabeth, daughter of Samuel B. Hink- ley. They made their home on Second street, where Aaron Cor- nish now resides, but later occupied the house on North Park street, now owned by Christian Boehm. Mr. and Mrs. Bettis were most consistent members of the Congregational Church and were prominent members of the choir. Mrs. Bettis was one of the sweetest singers among the number. No musical circle was complete without their presence.
Four children came to the home of Mr. and Mrs. Bettis, viz .: Willie, who died in infancy; Otis, Bruce and John, Jr., who re- side in the West. In 1864 Mr. Bettis bought all of the land south of Church street, and east of Fourth street, except one
John Bettis.
tier of lots on the east side of Fourth street, of Mrs. Cynthia Gatchel. The land was covered with stumps and but little liad been done to improve or beautify it. He cleared the land and then extended Miner avenue through to J. C. Sperry's land, now
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THE TOWN OF CAMDEN.
the property of Alfred Stoddard; then laid out Fifth and sixth streets, and sold the lots for building purposes. It is now a fine part of our beautiful village. It was with sincere regret that Camden lost this most desirable citizen. He moved with his family to Bergen, in the western part of the State, on a fruit farm. Later he sold the property, and located in Cedar Rapids, la ... where he continues to reside. The death of his wife occurred September 10th, 1888.
WILLARD W. WILLIAMS.
Willard W. Williams was born in Rome, N. Y. He com- menced his business career in Higginsville, where he married Jane, daughter of the late Silas Frazee. In 1862 he came to Camden and purchased the boot and shoe establishment of Reu- ben Bettis & Son, where he built up an extensive business. He was associated with his brother-in-law, Dayton Locke: also for a time with Q. Barber, but at the time of his death was sole proprietor of the business. He erected the house on Second street, where his wife continues to reside. In 1868 he united with the M. E. Church in Camden, becoming a devout and consistent member, and devoted much of his time to the Master's work. For fourteen years he was Superintendent of the Sunday School. doing the work most successfully. In 1870 he was licensed a local preacher, frequently occupying the pulpit in this village. and often going to surrounding towns, preaching the plain gos- pel to his fellow men. As a business man his example is worthy of imitation; as a citizen, he had the respect of the community at large, by whom his loss was deeply mourned. He died No- vember 24, 1883, aged 49 years.
Dayton Locke married Harriet Frazee and came to Camden in 1862. Was associated several years with W. W. Williams in the boot and shoe business, but eventually moved to Madison. Wis., where his death occurred May 14. 1893, leaving a wife and one daughter.
A. G. OLMSTEAD.
A. G. Olmstead came to Camden in 1844. At this time his family consisted of his wife and two children, Fayette W. and Maronctte P. They drove two horses, with their effects in . wagon. It being late in the evening when they arrived, their
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PIONEER HISTORY OF
goods were unloaded in Truman Spencer's Exchange building. In the fall of 1847 Mr. Olmstead purchased of Linus Stevens the lot upon which his house now stands. A blacksmith shop was on the lot at the time: this was sold to S. Crouch and moved across to the east side of Main street, south of Martin Stevens' cabinet shop. During the winter of 1848 Alexander Kilpatrick taught school in what was called the Lower District : he boarded around, as was the custom at that time. While stopping with Mr. Olmstead he told of the brick-kiln which he had put up the fall before in Vienna. It contained thousands of brick that he desired to dispose of to raise money sufficient to attend school at Cazenovia. Mr. Olinstead, intending to build soon, bargained for the entire kiln at two dollars and fifty cents per thousand. with which his house was built. It was the first brick building put up in the corporation. Lorenzo J. Wetmore was the mason. A. G. Olmstead was married January, 1839. to Miss Almira Plumley of Sandy Creek. In 1852 Mrs. Olmstead died, leaving four children, Fayette W., Maronette P., Mary and Francis. Fayette W. married Miss Jennie, daughter of James Stark: their home is in California: Maronette P. is unmarried and lives in Toledo, O) .; Mary married P. L. Hoadley, and they live in New- ark. N. J. Francis married Jas. H. Worden of Orange, N. J.
In 1856 Mr. Olmstead married Miss Martha F. Cropsey of Pulaski, the mother of William and George Olmstead; she died in 1859. In 1860 Mr. Olmstead married Miss Melinda Lathers, who with Mr. Olmstead still survive and reside in the brick house. Mr. Olmstead's life was a busy one for many years. He carried on the dry goods business for some time, and later, was engaged with his son. Fayette, in the clothing trade, both ready- made and custom work. In late years he has been more in re- tirement, and less active, but interested in all local matters.
CHAPTER XV.
FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST IN CAMDEN.
The first records of the Church of Christ in Camden were made by Curtiss Pond, whose handwriting is very plainly to be discerned at this time. In the first book of Town Records his chirography also appears frequently, legible, fuil. letters well formed, spelling correct, and of all the specimens of either found in these interesting pages, none are so perfect as those of Cur- tiss Pond. Much of the penmanship, we must admit, is inferior -extremely so-and some of the spelling far from scholarly: vet we have gleaned many items by carefully studying the pages, and feel we owe a debt of gratitude to them for what we know of their early achievements.
As in New England, the meeting house and its services were paramount in the hearts of the people; so here, in the formation of a new town, its settlers must have the privilege of religious worship. Congregationalism was then the most widely accepted of all denominations in the Eastern States, and as our pioneers were from families who settled the colonies, and were reared in that faith. it was natural that they should form themselves into a Congregational body, which they called the "First Church of Christ in Camden." They were descendants of Pilgrims and Puritans, strong in body, in mind and endeavor, recognizing the leadership of God in all they did. desiring liberty of thought and worship more than worldly gain. They were largely from Ver- mont, Massachusetts and Connecticut, and of sturdy New Eng- land stock. Many Camden settlers of those early days, in their seekings after a new home, seemed to have tarried first at Paris. Oneida County. There, was a church, and from it came the first eight organic members of this Camden Church, which was established February 19, 1798. Its first communicants were Ben- jamin Barnes, Jemima Barnes, Noah Tuttle. Thankful Tuttle. Philip Barnes, Laura Barnes, Marshal Merriam, and Benjamin Barnes, Jr. The first sermon was preached by the Rev. Joshua
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THE TOWN OF CAMDEN.
Johnson of Redfield. Text, Isaiah, 35 : 1: "The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them, and the desert shall re- joice and blossom as the rose." A more appropriate selection could not have been chosen, and in the growth of this pretty vil- lage from the howling wilderness of a hundred years ago, behold its verification! Full and complete record does not commence until 1806. Previous to this time there had been no book for the purpose, but at an annual meeting they voted to buy one to re- cord the "doings of the meetings." Into this necessary article, bought December 26, A. D. 1806. the earlier history of the society was copied, and from it we choose such items as we be- lieve will be of interest to the general reader of our work. We know its authenticity is beyond dispute. On its first page we find: "A register of the names of those who have signed the articles of the First Society in Camden. These names were copied from other records and put on this book this 3d day of January. A. D. 1807. by me, Curtiss Pond: Jessie Curtiss, Abner Matthews, Aaron Matthews, Joel Dunbar, Elihu Curtiss, lehabod Brown, Daniel Parke, Ephraim Wright, Gershom Holdridge, Samuel Pond, Gideon Northrup, Sylvanus Wilson, Israel Stod- card. Abner Legg. Lemuel Corey. William Weaver, Eliasaph Preston, Elisha Curtiss, Eliab Dunbar. Eliasaph Parker, Ezra Barnes, Philip Pond, Calvin Stafford. Henry Filkins. Abner Preston, Erastus Deverise, Truman Baker, Daniel Allen, Isaac Barnes, Jonah Sanford, Bartholomew Pond, Giles Sanford, Darius Wiard, Jesse Pond, Elnathan Thrasher, John Smith. Ezra Gatchell. Isaac Barnes, 2d, William Smith, John Thrasher. William Stevens, Heman Byington, Daniel Dean, Allen Sperry, Joseph Curtiss, Phineas Castle, Amos Soper, Samuel Porter, Seth Dunbar. Eliphalet Johnson, Billious Pond, Oliver Cook, Joshua Ransom, Warren Preston, Abel Collins, Persons Allen, David Matthews, Linus Sanford, John Dean, Samuel D). Castle. Curtiss Pond, Conet Scoville, Benjamin Phelps. Joseph T. Sco- ville, Lyman Matthews, James Whaley. Isaac Pond. Treadwell Soper, John Wilson, Jr., John Wilson, Sr., John Bryan, Martin Cook, Jehiel Higgins, Samuel Beech, Jesse Penfield. Phineas Tuttle, David Osborn, Reuben Osborn, Orrimon Tuttle, Henry Holly, Daniel Fellows, Sylvester Curtiss, Ransom Barnes,
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