USA > New York > Cortland County > Pioneer history; or, Cortland County and the border wars of New York, from the earliest period to the present time > Part 17
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In 1795 Thomas Rockwell went to Cincinnatus and
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purchased one hundred acres on lots 9 and 19. He set- tled on the former, where he remained for thirty-two years, and then removed to Taylor and .located on lot 100. He purchased six acres on which the village of Taylor, familiarly known as Bangall, now stands. He also purchased one hundred and seven acres on lot 99. His house originally stood on the ground now covered by the public house kept by E. W. Fish. He has cleared four farms, erected several dwellings, and, with Leonard Holmes, built the tavern, about 1818. Mr. Holmes kept the house a number of years. He now resides on lot 86. Mr. Rockwell is now eighty-one years old, straight and active as a man of thirty.
The Beebes were originally from Connecticut. Rod- eric located on Mt. Roderic, lot 75, in the spring of 1794. He is described as being an active, hardy and indus- trious man, capable of enduring great privation and fatigue. The venerable Orellana Beebe migrated from New Haven in 1796, and settled on lot 7 in Solon, now Truxton. He remained there two years, and then re- moved to Taylor, and located on lot 100. He survives at the advanced age of eighty-eight years, remarkably active and healthy. Mrs. Beebe is eighty-four, blind, and very infirm. Ira Rockwell married his youngest daughter.
Increase M. Hooker, a native of Vermont, located on lot 88, in 1797. He removed the next year to Truxton.
Lewis Hawley, from. Huntington, Conn., located on the Howe farm in Pitcher, in 1805. He remained but a brief period, and then came to Taylor and settled on the farm now owned by Ebenezer C. Wicks. One or two years after he settled on the Orrin Randall farm, where
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he remained two years, when he was attacked with the Ohio fever, and started for the then Great West. But the snow having suddenly disappeared, he was unable to proceed farther than Bath. The next fall he removed to Lisle, and the spring following returned to Taylor, and settled on lot 78. He subsequently purchased one hundred acres on lot 77, where he died January 15, 1858. He was an industrious, active, and valuable citi- zen. He reared a family of seven children-all living. Lewis T., resides in Syracuse; James T. on lot 87. Sarah Ann is the wife of John Biger ; Francis, on the homestead ; Hiram L., at Liverpool, Onondaga county ; Cyrus M. is an active, practising attorney in Chicago ; John H., in Kansas.
John L. Boyd and John Phelps migrated from Sar- atoga county. The former located on lot 98, in 1811, and purchased one hundred and nineteen acres. He subsequently made an additional purchase of two hun- dred and fifty-one acres. The latter settled on lot 86, and purchased eighty-six acres. He now has two hun- dred and twelve. When Mr. Phelps located on his land, the country around him was entirely covered with tim- ber ; or to use his own language, "it was a dense will derness." By economy and persevering industry, he has accumulated a respectable competence.
In 1814, David Wire, originally of Connecticut, lo- cated on lot 100. He has reared a family of eleven children-five living. His father, Thomas Wire, was a native of England ; was kidnapped in London when but seven years old, and sold in Boston, where he re- maincd until the commencement of the French and English war. He was then impressed in the English
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service for a period of six years. He subsequently set- tled in Connecticut. When the American Revolution broke out, he entered the army by enlistment, and served throughout the war.
The early pioneers were not unfrequently subjected to hardships and privation. Provisions,-the real sub- stantials of life,-were scarce, and the prospect of pro- curing them from a distance was often precarious and uncertain. Orellana Beebe told us that during one of those periods of scarcity, he and his son, Koakland, went to Genoa, Cayuga county, to purchase wheat, which he obtained, and had ground at Squire Bradley's mill. The next spring he was equally as much in want, and being very anxious to get in a small crop of corn, said to his son, then only ten years old, " Koakland, can you take the horse to-morrow and go to Genoa and get some grain or flour ?" The boy's answer was, "I can try." The necessary preparations were made, and at early dawn he was on his way. He took with him three bags, each one containing eight pounds of maple sugar, with which to pay for his wheat, at the rate of one dollar, or eight pounds to the bushel. Almost the entire distance (forty miles) was traversed by marked trees. He reached his destination just at evening, and immediately inquired of Mr. Bradley if he could accommodate him with the grain. A negative answer brought tears into the lad's eyes, for he felt most keenly the disappoint- ment. Mr. Bradley, however, quieted his feelings by generously offering to take care of him and his horse until morning free of charge, when he would open a barrel and let him have the value of the sugar in flour- one hundred and twenty pounds. Morning dawned, and
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the boy was duly prepared to start on his return for home. He reached Judge Bingham's, at the Salt road, just at the close of day, and, though contrary to his will, was prevailed upon to remain until morning, the Judge telling him that it would not be possible for him to continue his way by glazed trees. At about ten o'clock in the forenoon of the next day he reached home in safety, much gratified with his trip. That boy had the nerve and the muscle of a man.
William Blackman was the first blacksmith ; Hiram Rockwell, the first merchant ; Ezra Rockwell, the first post-master. The office was established in 1834. Mr. Rockwell continued in the office for fifteen successive · years, and is at present the recipient of its perquisites, having recently been reappointed. Barak Niles, the first school teacher. The first saw-mill was erected in 1812, by Thomas Rockwell. A portion of the old mill forms a part of the one now owned by Hiel Tanner. The first grist-mill, by Messrs. Wells & Lord. The first mission- ary was Dr. Williston. The first settled minister, Ruben Hurd. The first birth was that of Polly H. Beebe, now widow Rockwell, of Wisconsin.
In 1850 the population of Taylor was 1,232 1855 1,201
There are but few who fully appreciate the beauty and loveliness of the TIOUGHNIOGA VALLEY. The strife for rivalry and gain hangs like a fated incubus upon the minds of the people, preventing them from viewing with admiration, hill, dale, and valley, which appear spread out like a splendid panorama. Indeed, we have often wondered how little the citizens were impressed
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with the natural beauties and advantages with which they are surrounded. Descending from an elevated point into the valley, we have beheld a luxuriance of unrivaled richness. Ilere was the green herbage- yonder the golden tinge. An occasional old monarch- a proud relic of three centuries, towered aloft in his glorious majesty, while to the westward of the glassy waters of the Tioughnioga river,* our eyes rested upon the fertile uplands, dotted with the neat white cottage residences of thriving agriculturists. The quiet rural village of Homer, f nestled in the lap of the luxuriant valley; the numerous glittering spires rearing their points towards the azure zenith, and the ever-varied beauties of the surrounding landscape, complete a view rivaled only in the more rugged and picturesque scenes of nature.
HOMER is beautifully located on the west side of the Tioughnioga river, and is regarded as being one of the handsomest villages in the State.
In 1800 there were six houses within the limits of the corporation.
Whole number of its inhabitants, June 1st, 1855- 1625. Increase since 1848-225.
The various branches of business indicate a healthful progression.
The present aggregate of business transacted in the village, we have not endeavored to arrive at. It is perhaps sufficient to say that the merchants, grocers
* The Tioughnioga river, as called by the Indians O-nan-no-gi-is- ka, signified Shagbark Hickory.
¡ Homer, as called Te-wis-ta-no-ont-sa-ne-ha, signified the place of the silversmith.
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and mechanics are doing a larger business than at any previous time.
The first merchant in Homer was John Coats. His store stood on ground near Harrop's sign-post.
The first permanent merchant was Jedediah Barber. He came into Homer in 1811, but did not engage in the mercantile trade until 1813. The original part of the Great Western store, twenty-two by thirty feet, was erected at about that period. He entered into business with exceedingly limited means, but by industry, perse- verance and economy, he was eminently successful, and finally became the heaviest dealer in the Tioughnioga valley, carved his way to fortune, and established a financial reputation unrivaled in the county. He has done more to improve and beautify the village of Homer than any other man. The monuments of his memory are scattered all around the village in the numerous buildings of various classes he has caused to be erected, or contributed to rear, and they will long remain more honorable and enduring memorials than any marble column which might be erected over his final resting- place. His name is identified with the history of the Tioughnioga valley, and will only cease to be remem- bered when the spirit of enterprise no longer exists.
William Sherman, the second pioneer merchant, came into Homer during the summer of 1815. He located near the cooper shop. Soon after, he erected a machine shop for the manufacture of nails,-the first of the kind in the State of New York,-the machinery being so arranged as to feed, cut, head and stamp without assistance. On the head of each nail was stamped the letter S. Four- penny nails were then worth twenty-five cents per
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pound. Iron was exceedingly high. The manufactur- ing of oil was another branch of productive employ- ment in which Mr. Sherman engaged. In 1827 he erected the "Homer Exchange" store, in which for a period of nearly thirty years he conducted a heavy mercantile trade. John Sherman, and also his son William, now deceased, were at different periods his active partners in business.
The original part of the store occupied by Geo. W. Phillips, was erected in 1819 by Benajah Tubbs. It has been successively owned by Thadeus Archer, Horace White, Marsena Ballard, Amos Graves, and at present by Giles Chittenden, Esq. The brick part is thirty-six by forty-six. Mr. White added improvements to an amount of $1,200 ; Mr. Chittenden, by an increase of land, other buildings, and improvements to the store, to an amount exceeding $1,300. The brick part cost about $4,000.
The store occupied by C. O. Newton, was erected at a later period.
The first furnace was built in 1826 ; it was of a very limited structure, the blowing done by a horse attached to a plunge bellows. It stood on the opposite side of the street, and a little to the north of the foundry of Messrs. J. W. & A. Stone, sons of Deacon Nathan Stone, of pioneer memory. It ceased to be operated in 1838. During this year Jacob Saunders erected a foundry on the west side of the street; it was destroyed by fire during the fall of 1844. Damage, $2,000. Insurance, $1,000. It was immediately rebuilt, so that in six weeks from the day of its destruction, a blast was made.
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The first engine was of six-horse power. The one at present in use rates somewhat higher.
The foundry was purchased by the Messrs. Stone, March 1, 1853.
The buildings cover one acre of ground. The furnace is forty by forty feet. The machine shop is twenty-six by thirty-six.
Their business is one of increasing importance. They melt upwards of one hundred tons of iron per year.
The grist-mill of Messrs. Cogswell & Wilcox, was put up in 1834. This is located on the ground occupied by the first mill erected in the county in 1798, by John Hubbard, Asa White, and John Keep.
The Homer Cotton Mills of J. O. Pearce & Co. were erected in 1834, and put in operation in 1835. The main building is fifty by one hundred feet. The ma- chinery is propelled by steam and water. The engine is of thirty horse power, and was manufactured in Eaton, Madison county, N. Y., by A. N. Wood & Co. Number of spindles, 2,400 ; looms, 50.
In 1836 the amount manufactured in dollars, $7,000. In 1855, $30,000.
The planing mill and carpenter shop of Mr. George W. Almy was erected in 1853. The building is thirty by sixty feet, and two stories high. The machinery is propelled by a steam engine of fifteen and a half horse power. During the past year (1855) Mr. Almy has planed two hundred thousand feet of lumber. The planing and matching is done with a correctness and smoothness which makes it a most valuable auxiliary in the department of saving labor.
In 1855, the population of Homer was 1,625.
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CORTLAND .- The valley of Tioughnioga is unrivaled in beauty-in wild, picturesque scenery. The quiet vales of central New York present few, if any, more attractive scenes than are to be found in our own broad valley. These exhibit all the grand requisites for the most varied and sublime spectacles. The forest-fringed hills with their impenetrable depths, present the varied shades of green and yellow, with an occasional tinge of orange and vermillion ; while the young and tender leaves glisten in the morning frost, or sparkle amid the fresh dewdrops kissed by the soft rays of the orient sun.
" Here, in this lovely valley, the quiet village of Cort- land is situated, about three miles from its twin sister, Homer ; and through it a beautiful stream passes with murmuring music on its journey to the Susquehanna, which adds a new charm to the romantic and seques- tered spot. This beautiful village exhibits much enter- prise, united with social comfort ; for the undisturbed retirement of the location invites hither, during the summer, many of that class of citizens who prefer seclu- sion to the bustle of city life."
· Cortland Village was incorporated November 5, 1853, under the act passed in 1847, providing for the procure- ment of village incorporations by an order from the Court of Sessions and a vote of the citizens.
Cortland contains many attractive and costly private residences, among which are those of W. R. Randall, Roswell Randall, Joseph Reynolds, W. O. Barnard and G. N. Woodward. The first mentioned was built by William Randall, now deceased, father of the present occupant of the estate. The premises upon which the
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building stands, comprises about six acres of land. The portion fronting Main street is beautifully laid out in flower plots, dotted here and there with evergreens and stately shade trees. There are winding graveled walks, on either side of which are beds of flowers, selected and cultivated with great care. In the rear of the ele- gant mansion is an extensive greenhouse filled with a superb collection of cactus-roses, and flowers of almost every variety and hue, besides orange and lemon trees. In spring time the various buds and blossoms that ap- pear are most grateful to the eye, and impart a most healthful and cheering influence. Poetically, " myriads" of happy songsters fill the air with their melodious strains, making the delightful grounds appear like a Paradise of delight. There are very few more attrac- tive residences in the State.
The village contains four churches, one academy, a number of first class hotels, stores, groceries, manufac- turing establishments, and warehouses.
The "Randall Bank" commenced doing business De- cember 3, 1853.
Capital, $50,000; deposits March 8, 1856, $80,718; amount of business transacted during the year 1855, $4,810,685 25. William R. Randall, President; Jonathan Hubbard, Cashier.
The large and extensive hardware, agricultural and seed store of Mr. S. D. Freer, is situated on Port Wat- son street. The building is appropriately divided into necessary apartments, among which are the foundry, machine, blacksmith, wood, and tin shops. It is thirty- six by one hundred and forty feet. The original portion was erected in 1836-rebuilt in 1848.
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The grist-mill-the second one in the county-was erected in 1799, by Jonathan Hubbard ; is at present owned by Ebenezer Mudge. Originally it contained only two runs of stone ; but during the improvements which were made a few years since, two more were ad- ded, making it one of the largest and best mills in the county. The greater portion of the wheat that is ground at this mill is purchased in the northern and southern portions of the State, as also from the southern part of Canada. During the past year there were ground at this mill about twenty-eight thousand bushels of wheat.
There were shipped from the Cortland Railroad sta- tion, from April 1, 1855, to March 24, 1856, to the differ- ent stations on the Syracuse, Binghamton and N. Y. Railroad, five millions eight hundred and eighty- three thousand one hundred pounds of freight.
We have elsewhere remarked with reference to the productive results of the dairy business-a prominent branch of agriculture, which has already superseded the others in practical importance. The amount of but- ter purchased and shipped by gentlemen in Cortland, reaches an aggregate amount which is certainly exces- sively large. The amount paid out in 1855 by James Van Valen, J. D. Schermerhorn, James S. Squires, and J. A. Graham, exceeded $249,000.
Cortland is a pleasant and prosperous village, with a population (as per census of 1855) of 1,576 persons. There are few villages in central New York, more favorably located, or in which may be found a more active and energetic class of enlightened citizens. In
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1813 Port Watson numbered twenty-five inhabitants, and Cortland, twelve.
MARATHON is remarkable for its health and beauty, is pleasantly situated on the Tioughnioga river, and is surrounded by a densely peopled, rich, and highly culti- vated country. It has a ready and cheap communi- cation, not only with middle and western New York ; but with Pennsylvania, Ohio, the Canadas, and indeed with the ever prosperous and growing West, by rail- road, canal, and the great chain of northern lakes. The mass of its inhabitants are characterized for morality and intelligence, sobriety, industry, and enterprise.
The positive proof of her prosperity may be seen in the result of the numerous transforming influences which for the last few years have attended her healthful growth and permanent strength-in the newly erected public and private residences, as well as the commodi- ous and truly valuable mercantile and mechanical establishments. That Marathon is exceedingly " fa- vorably located, both in regard to the value of the country by which it is surrounded, and the area likely to be tributary to its business interests," is no longer a question admitting of a doubt.
Of the village of M'Grawville, we have remarked in another place. Cincinnatus, Truxton, East Homer, Preble Centre, and Scott Corners, are pleasant and prosperous villages.
CHAPTER XIII.
GENERAL REMARKS ON EARLY HISTORY-PAST AND PRESENT COMPARED.
Times change-one age succeeds another, And pining want and grim despair Are left behind, and fairer, brighter Scenes the pioneers do view.
THE history of Cortland county from the day when Amos Todd first planted the standard of civilization in this then " western wilderness," is but a record of such incidents as the faithful annalist is usually called to record of the rural or gradually improving agricultural districts of a naturally rich and fertile country. The early pioneers were mostly from the New England States, and were imbued with the Puritan habits of their fathers. In 1800, this inland, obscure, and almost inaccessible region had become dotted with log cabins and small clearings. The burning of huge log-heaps served as land- marks to guide the weary wanderer or returning hunter, as he neared the rustic home of the pilgrim pioneers. Clouds of smoke ascended from hill and valley as the old forest monarchs bowed before the invincible axmen. The wilderness vanished before the hand of civilization. It was scathed with fire, and ruthlessly torn with iron
13
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harrows. While the lowlands were being brought into suitable culture for corn, wheat, and potatoes, the cru- saders ascended the hillsides and even made war with the hemlock highlands. This was the heroic age-an age of iron fortitude and persevering industry. The pioneers went forth armed with the conquering axe, im- pressed with a determined will, and inspired with a devotional feeling for home and country. Years of toil and privation succeeded, and occasionally penury and want communed together. Instances of this character, however, were not often allowed to be repeated, without an effort at prevention ; for the liberal hand of the more fortunate brother did not withhold the alleviating chari- ties, especially if the means were in his power. Unlike their modern rivals in wealth-the golden barons of the present day, who are hoarding up means to procure Grecian, Gothic, and Italian finery-they were most happy in relieving the wants of their industrious neigh- bor. Unlike the present day, the means of subsistence were scant, and not easily obtained from a distance, and consequently want was not a stranger, even in the Tioughnioga valley. As settlements increased, and improvements spread, hope and joy began to realize the anticipated benefits which they saw in their day dreams and nightly visions. The products of a generous soil were garnered in their various depositories, and peace and gladness reigned in the pioneer's home.
What a change has been wrought in fifty years ? Then the majority of the inhabitants were found located in our valleys. How changed the scene ! Now the majority are found upon the more elevated lands. The huge log-heaps, sending forth their red-hot flames, like
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fiery serpents coiling around some proud old monarch, eating out its very vitals, the charred stumps, and rough brush fences, are no more seen as in days past. The change is hardly to be realized. Then a thousand un- sightly scenes met the laborer's eye-the timber was felled in every conceivable form, or as best suited the purpose for the more ready application of the crusader's torch. Here and there were seen half-haggled outlines, and blackened trunks of stately trees, while the sun, half hid from sight, only occasionally glimmered through the thick hemlock boughs, as the rosy-cheeked maiden wandered in pursuit of the favorite cow, listening to catch the well-known sound of the tinkling bell, so fre- quently heard by the brave old pioneer. Now beautiful and well-cultivated farms, bedecked with the tranquil abode of the husbandman, mark the rapidly-improving aspect of the once hated and shunned highlands. Val- uable horses and fine fleshy cattle graze upon the pro- ductive meadows. A thousand lights are seen at night from the windows of tasteful and elegant mansions. Carriage wheels rapidly roll upon the roads where once were seen only the Indian trails. The cheering light of science has ascended the hillside, and education erected her standard on the higher summit. A hundred school-houses, within whose walls literature and learn- ing love to linger, as in some royal academic edifice, send forth an intellectual influence of far more service than the entrenched embattlements of a thousand war- riors,
An intelligent and enterprising population of twenty- four thousand souls are now living within the bounda- ries of Cortland county. Mills and machinery are add-
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ing wealth and elegance, while the agriculturists are turning up the golden sands of an almost unrivaled soil, and the dairymen are shipping to eastern markets heavy consignments of butter and cheese. The heavy goods of our merchants are not now, as once, "dragged in logy wagons" from Albany and Utica, but the huge monster, clothed in iron mail and steel clad armor, belch- ing fire and smoke, rushes with wild discordant shriek over the iron rails which are laid down through our valley, forcing, as with superhuman speed, heavy trains laden with every variety of merchandize for the retail trade-the sugars from the islands of the ocean, the teas of China, the silks of Calcutta, and the thousands of valuable products from oriental looms and spindles. The Republican, Gazette and Banner enter weekly almost every dwelling, even in the rural districts.
There has been a uniform indifference, and an almost entire absence of correct information, through the west- ern divisions of our State in regard to a correct knowl- edge of this county, as well as with respect to the intelligence and rapidly increasing wealth of the inhab- itants ; and we are very sure that no other portion has been so generally misunderstood and decidedly misrep- resented. Indeed, Cortland county has been singularly unfortunate in this particular. And yet, through the active and enterprising exertions of her citizens, she is quietly and rapidly growing to be second to none in the State in all the elements of wealth and prosperity. Her agricultural resources and lumber trade are of consider- able importance. The dairy business has increased to an almost unparalleled extent. Beside the home con- sumption, we have, for several years, sent to eastern
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