USA > New York > Oneida County > Camden > Pioneer history of Camden, Oneida County, New York > Part 35
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CAMDEN HOUSE.
The tavern called for many years the "Camden House," and which stood on Main Street on land now owned and occupied by B. D. Stone, was intended for a Masonic Hall, as that organiza- tion put up the frame. George L. Coe purchased it in 1829, the Masons reserving the right to the second floor of the main part of the building as a meeting place for all Masonic purposes, giv- ing Mr. Coe the right and title to the whole premises. Mr. Coe constructed what for those days was a spacious and convenient tavern stand. He sold to T. G. Chidsey. In the spring of 1838 this property was sold to Jefferson Colton, and for a time while he owned it, the tavern was kept by S. Crouch. Mr. Colton, in 1842, sold the property to Junia Seymour, who came to Camden from Monticello with his wife Mary (called Polly) Smith, who was born in 1806, and died in 1857. Junia Seymour born in 1806, died in 1872. Their children were: Dwight Clin- ton, Burge Wiles, Mary, Emma Sophia, James Delos. Or- risa, Clark B. (twins), Andrew Jackson, Mary Estella, George Washington, Maria Louisa, Lovina D., Albert Junia. The Cam-
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THE TOWN OF CAMDEN.
den House was burned in 1860, at that time kept by Fred Jones, who came to Camden from Boonville, N. Y.
From "Camden Gazette" of June 22, 1842, we copy Mr. Sey- mour's tavern advertisement :
"TO THE PUBLIC.
Friends and Fellow-Citizens:
The practice of inn-keeping, or keeping a public house for the entertainment of travelers, has been followed from time imme- morial, and that such houses have been a place of resort for the most illustrious and august personages that ever appeared on this terrestrial ball, we have indubitable proof if we credit the sacred historian (so called). The God of Israel condescended to call his servant Moses at an inn, and the reputed babe of Bethlehem would have been born in an inn had it not been thronged with company on the night of his birth. An inn, according to the an- cient etymology of the term, is a public house designed for the entertainment of travelers and strangers. A tavern is a place where wines and liquors are sold; but the laws of our land consid- er the terms synonymous, and we may reasonably conclude that the ancient inns were early converted into taverns, for we learn from the same high authority that Moses commanded the people to tithe the increase of their flocks and fields, and eat it before the Lord; and if the place of worship was too far to carry it. they were allowed to turn it into money, and to lay out the money for whatever their soul did lust after; for oxen, sheep, wine or strong drink, and to rejoice with their household: hence we may conclude that wine and strong drink were sold near the place of worship. That these inn or tavern-keepers were honest. up- right men, we may infer from the trust committed to one of them by the gentleman journeying between Jericho and Jeru- salem. The example of the Samaritan is worthy of our imitation. and the two pence left with the landlord at that early period no doubt was equivalent to a large treasury note of these days. It also admonishes us that a tavern-keeper ought to possess all the moral qualifications of a Christian bishop. We find Paul meeting his brethren at Appii Forum and the 'three taverns." Again we find Paul boarding at a tavern in Corinthus, kept by Gains. This
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landlord no doubt belonged to the church, as the church gener- ally met at his house.
Having selected these few quotations from a number of others of the same high authority, I shall leave them for theological criticism, and the consideration of a large and respectable por- tion of the community, who manifest a zeal, but not according to knowledge. After serving the public a number of years in the arduous capacity of tavern-keeper, I retired from the field with those self-approving sensations which virtue's votary feels when he sums up the thoughts and actions of a well-spent day. But in the course of human events. I have been induced once more to embark again in this responsible business. This I shall do (with. permission) calm as a voyager to some distant land, and full of hope as he. Having purchased the convenient and well-known tavern stand in Camden village formerly kept by Mr. J. Colton, and lastly by Mr. S. Crouch, I shall endeavor, by adding to my former limited experience, a few of the more prominent moral qualifications, to keep a tavern on the most approved principles ; that is, by giving strong drink to those that are ready to perish, and wine to those who are heavy of heart. To name a public house in these days appears to be as necessary as to name a ship. As for the name, it is called the 'Camden House,' which I shall not attempt to alter; and from the peculiar construction of the house, together with its location, as it stands near the centre of one of the most beautiful and respectable villages in western New York, and nearly opposite the far-famed German Doctor Seewir's office, it is emphatically the Camden House. As for myself, I shall earnestly strive by unremitted application, to merit a share of that blessing which consequently results from watching at wisdom's gate, and waiting at the post of her door. Here then I shall be found at my post, firm as a Camden patriot. ready to receive all classes, from the sturdy mastiff that howls at the treasury door, to the most starveling turnspit that larks on the. farthermost verge of our frontier. Having respectable and long- tried competitors in this village, I shall not dream of halycon days, or suffer my vanity to soar into regions of golden humbugs .. but shall be content to gain my bread by the sweat of my face. As I am not constituted a judge in Israel, should any come-
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THE TOWN OF CAMDEN.
neither eating or drinking, I shall not infer from thence that they have a devil; should others come eating and drinking, I shall not denounce them as gluttons, wine-bibbers and friends of publicans and sinners; and claiming those inalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, I shall be ever ready to grant them to others, circumscribing my political and religious creeds with- in the following distich :
For forms of government let fools contest, What'er is best administered, is best ; For modes of faithi let graceless zealots fight, He can't be wrong whose life is in the right.
The usual style of thanking for past favors and soliciting fu- ture patronage has become so hackneyed by prostituted learning, that I shall dispense with it. being so well known, that I cannot gull the public with unmeaning epithets. I shall now close this epistle by subscribing myself the public's humble servant.
Camden, March 24, 1842. J. Seymour."
ABBOTT HOUSE.
The Abbott House was built about 1853, by Isaac and Daniel Rhines, who were its first landlords, succeeded by Eben Abbott, Sen .; at his death, in 1857, succeeded by his son Eben, Jr. and later occupied by Samuel J. Andrus, H. H. Woodruff, William Moses, H. H. Woodruff again, Win. Ryder, James Cunningham. Sold about 1876 to Win. Erwin, and by him conducted some two years, and by his brother James, then by William again for about two years, or until 1880, when it was purchased by the present landlord, M. G. Ronan.
MALONE HOTEL.
Built by Amos Pond; was later owned by Frank Gray, and still later by William Moses, who sold it to the present owner, Patrick Malone.
WHITNEY HOUSE.
Was originally the private residence of John F. Mix, who sold to Moses Whitney. The latter enlarged it, and converted it into a hotel. In 1876 this property was conveyed to D. G. Crimmins. who has enlarged it, and made many improvements.
PATRICK DURR
Purchased the Dr. Wright residence, and converted it into a hotel. It is at present the "American," and its proprietor Mc- Daniels.
31
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PIONEER HISTORY OF
WELCH HOTEL.
In 1860 Welch kept a hotel for a short time at the head of Main Street. This property was purchased by A. B. Hildreth.
COMMERCIAL HOUSE.
Joe Lewis, from Florence, purchased a small dwelling-house west side of Main Street, fitted it over into a small hotel: later it became the property of Jolin Olden. While in his possession this building was destroyed by fire. Mr. Olden then erected another building for a hotel on this spot, which was purchased of his widow by C. L. Roberts, who is its present proprietor. Mr. Rob- erts has made many modern improvements in this building. and converted it into a convenient hotel.
SPENCER'S EXCHANGE
Was arranged for a hotel by A. B. Hildreth, and kept by his son Charles. It also had other occupants. viz: Fay. Kernan and John Owens.
WILES HOTEL.
In 1860 John Wiles converted the J. D. Cavarly home into a hotel. In 1867 Moses Whitney purchased the business of Mr. Wiles. Amos Kenfield was proprietor at one time, and John Olden when it was burned. John Wiles came to Camden in 1858. His wife was Miss Mary Casler. Children. Isabel. Joanna, Walter, William and Mary.
CHAPTER XVII.
FACTORY VILLAGE.
The hand of time has been heavily laid on the valley at the foot of Third Street, not to destroy, but to make changes, removing those who first began the different manufactories in that busy part of the town, to a better land. Fire has passed over it, but in most cases, it has only tended towards the erection of larger buildings, and the increase of business. At the beginning of this century, it was a quiet spot, disturbed only by the song birds, and the ripple of the waters flowing peacefully through the land. But the white man came, and gazing upon it, immediately saw the possibilities of the future.
Squire Timothy Wood purchased all of the land on Main Street, north of the bridge, to what is now Miner Avenue, across to the foot of the hill at the south end of Third Street, as well as a large share of the water power, about 1800. He built the first saw-mill in the valley, which was later owned and operated by John Richmond. A primitive affair it was, but it was equal to the work required of it.
The next account we can find of this property is in 1803. when we find recorded "Alvah Raymond bought the land and water privilege of Roswell Ballard and his wife Jane." He im- mediately removed the old structure, and built a more modern mill, with increased facilities for business. Fire destroyed it, but it was rebuilt, and the business conducted by Mr. Raymond and sons. During the year of 1864 Mr. Raymond bought the old Ballard homestead, at the top of the hill. at the lower end of Main Street, where lie continued to reside until his death, and where his son James lives at the present time. April 2. 1891, the property came into the possession of A. G. Robson. It is now owned and operated by Herbert Giles.
Alvah Raymond was one of our most respected citizens. He was born in West Monroe, Oswego County. February 18. 1815. he was a millwright by trade, his work extending over a wide territory in Central New York. He was married in 1837. and
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came to Camden in 1860 with his wife and four children. After the mill property passed out of his hands he devoted his time to moving buildings, and was considered an expert in the business. He possessed an iron constitution, and met with many accidents that nearly cost him his life, and which made him a cripple. But he was ambitious to the last. His children were Aaron A. and James S. Raymond of this village, and Mrs. A. D. Shaw of Waterville, and Sarah, deceased. His death occurred February 16, 1897. surviving his wife but a little more than a year.
THE WOOLEN FACTORY.
The first woolen factory was established in the valley, but the exact date can not be ascertained. As early as 1842 it was in the possession of James Wright. In a publication of that year we find this advertisement: "Wanted. 15,000 pounds of wool, at the Factory Village." He moved the original building back, and built a new one, and with improved machinery "was prepared to please all customers."
. Samuel Olmstead and John Sears at one time put in machinery in the old building, and started a last factory, but after two or three years discontinued it. Later it was fitted for a dwelling house, and occupied by several families at different times. but finally used only for a store house. The new factory was pur- chased by Roswell Ballard about 1850, and the business con- ducted successfully by his sons Roswell and Charles. It was a very common occurrence for wagons to arrive at the factory, coming from the surrounding country, bringing large bundles of wool to be carded into long white rolls, which the busy house- wife would later spin into stocking yarn for the winter's supply. or left at the factory to be woven into cloth.
During the year 1860, Roswell Ballard met with a terrible acci- dent. He was caught in a belt while attending a machine, and his arm torn completely off at the shoulder. This was followed the ensuing year by the destruction of the factory by fire, which was a total loss. It was rebuilt, but greatly to the sorrow of the community, in 1865 he sold the property, and moved to Water- ville, Oneida County. Conradt F. Huyck purchased the factory, and continued the business of "roll carding, cloth dressing, and
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THE TOWN OF CAMDEN.
custom manufacturing." His sons, Leonard and Carry, were associated with him in the business.
June, 1873, the building was again destroyed by fire, at total loss to its owners. It was again rebuilt. P. D. Penfield of Rome, formerly of Camden, was for a short time interested with Mr. Huyck in the business. Later, A. Voorhees and A. B. Powell were associated with Mr. Huyck. April, 1885, Wakefield, Gard- ner & Co. purchased the property, Mr. Huyck retaining a five years lease of the upper floor for roll carding.
In 1886 Q. Barber purchased an interest, and the firm was known as Wakefield, Gardner & Co. Later, N. S. Wakefield sold his interest to George Dana. Gardner finally withdrew, leaving the business to George Dana, who is sole proprietor at the pres- ent time. The business, after it passed out of Mr. Huyck's posses- sion, was changed. Every detail of woodwork needed for build- ing is manufactured here, with a large stock of lumber in the yards.
THE FOUNDRY.
The first foundry was built in the valley at the foot of Third Street, in 1832, by Horace McIntyre and James Barber. During the year 1837 or 1838 it was purchased by the firm of Wood & Phelps. The men were George Wood, father of A. G. and D. T. Wood, and Albro Phelps, father of Theron and Byron A. Phelps. all living in Camden. These parties continued in business to- gether until 1853. when the death of Mr. Phelps occurred. and Mr. Wood continued the business alone until 1858, when his son A. G. Wood entered into partnership with him. Ten years later George Wood withdrew, leaving his two sons, A. G. and Henry D. Woods, to continue it.
In 1881 William G. Percival was admitted, and Wood Brothers and Percival commenced the manufacture of the famous turbine wheel, of which Mr. Percival was the inventor. The death of Henry D. Wood occurred October 18th, 1883, and three years later A. G. Wood and W. G. Percival bought out the interest of the estate of Henry D. Wood. In 1882 they bought the old Eagle Foundry at the foot of Main Street, just north of the bridge, and transacted business at both establishments. The Eagle Foundry was originally owned by Josiah Wood, who sold
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PIONEER HISTORY OF
the property to Tripp & Fifield, of whom it was purchased by Wood Brothers and Percival. The parent foundry in Factory Village was burned September, 1884, and the entire business was transferred to the Eagle Foundry, the ruins of the burned build- ings left to mark the spot of what "had been."
PLANING MILLS.
Another industry which was started in the valley was a plan- ing mill, built by Hiram Hammond and Aaron Stone in 1838. In 1840 Charles Allen came from Scotland, settled in Camden, and purchased an interest in the planing mill, and the business was continued under the firm name of Hammond & Allen. In 1850 Mr. Allen's brother, William, bought out the share of Mr. Hammond, and the brothers carried on the business for many years. William Allen died, and Mr. Silas Frazer, who had come to Camden to reside, purchased an interest in it, and it went um- der the firm name of Frazer & Jones for three years, when Mr. Allen again resumed the business alone. At one time the build- ing was burned, but it was immediately rebuilt, and the business carried on as before. This was the only original sash and blind factory in town for many years. Mr. Charles Allen, after a long life, remaining in business almost to his last days, died in May, 1894, aged 75. Mr. Charles Wheeler occupied the lowest story, where he had a turning lathe, and made broom handles, mop handles, clothes pins, and other articles usually made in such establishments.
In 1852 Daniel P. and Samuel Cox started a planing mill in the valley, between the Woolen Factory and Fish Creek. Two years later Andrew J. Stone was taken in as a partner, and for many years the business was continued under the name of Cox & Stone. In 1871 the firm name was Stone, Williams & Co .. successors to Cox & Stone. the members of the firm being An- drew J. Stone. George Williams, James Grossart and Jacob Rush, Mr. Cox having withdrawn, and with his family gone to Clinton, Iowa. In 1879 Messrs. Stone and Grossart retired. leav- ing Williams and Rush to continue the business. In 1884 Mr. Williams withdrew, and the business was conducted by Mr. Rush alone. His sons, Howd and Horace, eventually succeeded him for a time, when Howd Rush sold his interest to L. Smith, who
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THE TOWN OF CAMDEN.
finally withdrew, leaving Horace Rush to carry on the business alone, which he has done up to the present time. Like all of the other manufactories in the valley, it has been destroyed by fire. and rebuilt. The fire occurred in 1861, which also consumed the Woolen Factory.
F. W. CONANT'S SONS' CHAIR MANUFACTORY.
Mad River rises in Lewis County, and flowing through the town of Florence, enters Camden at its north-eastern boundary, and flows nearly south-west, until it unites with Fish Creek below the village. In summer it is a peaceful stream, flowing through the pleasant valley, in places, a mere thread of silver, but in the spring and fall, swollen by the melting snows of the northern country, and heavy rains, it rushes with lightning rapidity, sweeping away bridges and all obstacles, overflowing its banks, making of the meadow lands broad rivers, and in many places washing out new and permanent channels. Our fathers rightly named it Mad River. This stream was largely utilized for running sawmills in the early days of this century, and later. large manufactories have taken the places of the primitive mills. The valley at the head of Second and Third Streets has seen the rise of many industries, and has been a busy place during the present century. It was included in the early purchase of Sam- uel Royce, and consequently became the property of Bartholo- mew Pond, when the land in this part of the town came into his possession. He built a saw mill at a very early date, the first building in the valley. As early as 1822. Riley Preston had a cloth dressing and carding establishment on the east side of the road. When the business was discontinued, the building was moved to the west side of the road, a little farther north, and converted into a dwelling house. It has long since fallen to the ground beneath its weight of years.
In 1836 all of the land in the valley was sold to Richard Empey. He built a grist-mill on the west side of the road, on the south bank of the river, which he operated, together with the saw -mill. March 1, 1847, Shepherd Marvin purchased the property, but sold it October 12, 1852. to Edward N. Hills and Alexander Gifford, from whom Francis H. Conant purchased it March 1. 1854. He converted the building into a chair and furniture
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PIONEER HISTORY OF
factory, enlarged it, and started a business, which increased rapidly as the years went by. His oldest son, Walter N. Conant, was associated with him in the business for a time, but eventually went West. In the fall of 1876 all of the buildings on the west side of the street were destroyed by fire. At that time the busi- ness was conducted by F. H. Conant and son, Eugene H. Conant being the junior member of the firm. After the fire F. H. Conant withdrew from the business. Larger buildings were erected, with increased facilities for manufacturing goods, the firm being designated as F. H. Conant's Sons, E. H. and G. F. Conant being the sole proprietors. The reputation of this firm is almost world-wide in their line of business, which at the present time is the exclusive manufacture of chairs.
This extensive business has grown from a small establishment. Mr. F. H. Conant and Malchus Harrington purchased the oil mill of J. C. Sperry situated where the Grove Mills were erected later, some time during the year of 1852. They manufactured chairs only. The business was continued two years, when Mr. Harrington sold his interest to F. H. Conant, and in a short time it was transferred to the present site, where the business has since been continued.
On the north side of the stream, F. H. Conant built a tannery. which he operated for a time, but sold to Jacob More in 1864. who with increased facilities, carried on the business until some- time during the late summer or fall of 1865, it was destroyed by fire, and the land came into the possession of Mr. Conant, where now the lumber yard is situated.
January 28. 1866. Leonard Wood and Capt. Bochner pur- chased land of Mr. Empey on the east side of the road. where they built and operated a distillery until September 9. 1860). when it was sold to John Lambie. May 22, 1871, F. H. Conant purchased the property, and the building was converted into a paint shop, and the distillery business discontinued. The many industries in the valley have had their rise and fall, and the chair manufactory at the present day covers the site of nearly all other structures.
CHAPTER XVIII.
PROFESSIONAL MEN.
DR. JOEL RATHIBURN
Was the pioneer physician of Camden. He first came to this town about 1801. He married and settled on the Seventh in 1802, where there is farther notice of him. Those who were associated with him about that time were Dr Freeman of Williamstown. Dr. Beach of Annsville, and Dr. Daniel Chatfield of Vienna, all members of the Philanthropic Lodge of F. & A. M.
DR. JOSHUA RANSOM.
Was the second practicing physician in town: he came about 1807 or 1808. He was always an energetic and hard working man, and was successful in his profession. He was a great hearted friend, whose busy life was a blessing not only to the village but the surrounding country. He built his office on the site now occupied by "Wood's Five Cent Store." He died with consumption about 1830. Notice of him elsewhere.
DR. WHITMAN RANSOM,
A brother of Dr. Joshua Ransom, and a son of Joshua Ransom the elder, studied medicine with his brother, and evinced no mean skill in his treatment of serious cases of illness. Was much em- ployed by residents of Camden, and socially a favorite. Al- though not of Camden at the time of his death, it is meet that he should receive a brief sketch. It was with regret the citizens of Camden heard of his intention to make his home at McConnellsville, where he saw a field for larger practice than here. Alche Parker, a niece of Judge Israel Stoddard, whose family he had felt a sincere interest in, and had watched their course in life with a father's care, removed early from Camden to McConnellsville to make a home for her brother, Dr. Abiram Parker. In 1817 Dr. Whitman Ransom met Miss Alche when she was but fifteen years of age. The wily little Cupid led his heart toward her: and they were married February 20, 1817.
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and began life in earnest. November 15 of the same year Dr. Ransom was stricken with typhoid fever and died, leaving a deso- late wife, a mother and a widow within a year. He died in the 25th year of his age, cut down in the beginning of a useful career. A stone is standing in the Mexico Street Cemetery, inscribed "Dr. Whitman Ransom, died November 15, 1817, in his 25th year." The little daughter born to Dr. and Mrs. Ran- som became the wife of David Mattoon of Albany, and mother of Mrs. C. A. Phelps of Camden, and Mrs. Fitzpatrick of Al- bany.
HORATIO GATES TORBERT, M. D.
Was born in New York City January 27, 1802; died in Camden October 4, 1869, in his 68th year. His father, Dr. Samuel Tor-
Horatio Gates Torbert, M. D.
bert, was a physician of long practice. In 1804 he bought a tract of land in Williamstown, and built the first grist mill, which was in operation until burned February 20. 1897. We find in a "Western Recorder," printed in Utica in 1825. this obituary: "Died-In Williamstown, on Friday, the 20th of May, Dr. Sam-
THE TOWN OF CAMDEN.
uel Torbert, aged 61 years. He has left a widow and six chil- dren, and many friends and acquaintances to lament their irrepar- able loss. He was blessed with a sound mind and a wonderfully strong constitution, having enjoyed uninterrupted health until a short period before his death. He was born and educated in the State of Pennsylvania. He removed to the City of New York, where he was distinguished as a physician; and from thence he removed to this town. Previous to his death he observed to his companions and friends that he felt entire reliance on the merits of Christ Jesus for his salvation, to whom he had made a pro- fession some years since. "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord."
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