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 21
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In April, 1857, the Academy was incorporated by the Regents of the University of the State of New York.
Miss Gleason continued in her position as Preceptress until the 17th of March, 1858, when in consequence of the illness of her friends she resigned, and was suc- ceeded by Miss A. A. Field, a graduate of Oneida Con- ference Seminary.
The institution is indebted to the liberality of the citizens of the village for a select library, consisting of 160 volumes, valued at $180 ; as also for a philosophical and chemical apparatus. The entire property owned by the corporation is $3,654 08. The entire income for the past academic year, ending September 7th, 1858, was $1,232 26. The number of different pupils in attend-
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LITERARY AND BENEVOLENT INSTITUTIONS.
ance during the year was 151 ; tuition bills made out for the same time, 247.
The present members of the Board of Trustees are- Jeremiah Bean, President ; Benjamin F. Tillinghast, Secretary; John Kingman, Jr., Treasurer ; Peleg Holmes, Matthew G. Lee, Waite Wells, Israel Gee, R. R. Moore, Oliver Kingman, John Potter, Adna Warner, Dayton Kingman, Jacob A. Ressegieu ; A. P. Kelsey, Register.
TEACHERS.
Ambrose P. Kelsey, A. B., Principal ; Miss A. A. Field, Preceptress ; Miss Cornelia J. Dutton, Assistant ; Frank Place, Mathematics ; Miss Cornelia Kingman, Music ; Almon H. Benedict, Penmanship.
The first apportionment of the Regents was $115 35 ; that of the present year is $184 34. There has been also apportioned the sum of $60 for the purchase of apparatus.
In November last this institution was selected by the Regents of the University to instruct a class in common school teaching, and the class is now in process of instruction.
At the time of our visit to the Academy, there were eighty students in attendance, and the various exer- cises were conducted with marked success. At the date of writing the number in attendance is much larger. The career of the institution thus far has been of unex- . ampled prosperity. Not an instance of discipline has yet occurred. And from the character of the Board of Trustees, we cannot doubt but that it will continue to increase in popularity. They will use every laudable effort to promote its prosperity, and furnish every facility
15*
2
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LITERARY AND BENEVOLENT INSTITUTIONS.
which the ability and talents of competent teachers can impart.
Prof. Kelsey graduated with high honors in 1856. He is a self-made man, having been deprived by death of his father when but five years old ; he early learned to depend upon his own energies for success in life, and bracing himself for a career of emulation, he has grad- ually carved his way to his present honored position. With the faithful and accomplished principal at its head, the Cincinnatus Academy will soon rank among the best educational institutions in the State. Indeed, we believe that with the experienced and highly competent teachers, and the valuable philosophical and chemical apparatus, the academy offers every facility needed to impart a good, thorough, and practical education.
The Academy is entirely free from that baneful spe- cies of aristocracy so common in older institutions, and hence should be vigilantly guarded, that the pernicious influence so seriously felt in other localities may not be permitted to enter its honored halls.
ODD FELLOWS.
This Order was founded in Cortlandville, February 16th, 1847, by the institution of a Lodge ; and again at Homer, March 30th, 1847, and now numbers six lodges, as will be seen by the following statistics :
Lodges.
No.
P. G's.
Memb's.
Receipts.
N. G's.
Tioughnioga,
50
8
37
102 26
Frank Goodyear.
Homer,
280
20
67
136 50
O. Porter.
Preble,
409
8
19
65 00
H. M. Van Buskirk.
Marathon,
415
4
24
171 00
John H. Preston.
M'Grawville,
459
8
28
75 92
Leander B. Palmer.
Virgil,
465
7
15
$1 88
Henry Luce.
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LITERARY AND BENEVOLENT INSTITUTIONS.
ASTROESSA ENCAMPMENT, No. 19.
The Encampment is a higher branch of the Order, having a separate organization, but receiving its char- acter from the Grand Encampment, and is otherwise responsible to the Grand Lodge of the United States. Its charter was granted January, 1848, and was insti- tuted February 12th, 1848.
D. Hawkes, R. O. Reynolds, Seth Haight, J. S. Leach, J. D. Clark, E. M. Leal, L. Reynolds, charter members.
J. S. Leach, D. Hawkes, E. M. Leal, L. Reynolds, R. O. Reynolds, A. G. Bennett, G. K. Stiles, J. Freeman, I. M. Seaman, J. B. Fairchild, Z. C. Allis, S. R. Hunter, H. P. Goodrich, J. Price, W. O. Barnard, W. S. Copeland, P. G. P's.
This branch of the Order is in a very flourishing con- dition. " The door of the Patriarch's tent is never closed to the needy or distressed."
Cherishing the principles of love, purity and fidelity, temperance, benevolence and mutual aid, a galaxy of unrivaled briliants, the members of the various lodges have extended to the needy and distressed the more substantial means of comfort and social union.
In September, 1854, a Masonic Lodge was instituted in Homer by dispensation from the Grand Lodge of the State of New York, and the Hon. Ashbel Patterson was appointed W. M., Cornelius B. Gould, S. W., and Lyman Reynolds, J. W.
This lodge, under the most favorable auspices, is increasing in numbers and in means of usefulness, and we have no reason to doubt that a long course of pros- perity is open before it.
CHAPTER XVI.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
" Lives of great men all remind us, We can make our lives sublime ; And, departing, leave behind us, Footprints on the sands of time."
Ir is one of the pleasurable duties of the annalist to record the names and services of the most active and energetic characters who have taken part in forming new settlements, originating and reducing to system- atized order such plans and measures as appeared best calculated to secure union and harmony among the va- rious discordant elements of which society is composed, to extend civilization and dignify virtuous character. A due appreciation of the blessings of civil and relig- ious liberty that surround us, urges us to laudable efforts to perpetuate those privileges, and contemplate the circumstances that tended most largely to make us thus happy and prosperous. The noble spirits of other days who devoted their best energies to the achieve- ment of the means of happiness with which we are sur- rounded, are deserving of our warmest gratitude. We honor them for what they were while living, and now that they are dead, regret that we can only pay them just homage by recording their worthy efforts in the
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
furtherance of the progressive improvements of the times in which they labored, and in emulating their cherished virtues. And to those who still survive the stern strife of the enterprising and brave pioneer, we extend our warmest and heartfelt congratulations. It is not our province to record their names or virtues in marble or in brass, in poetry or in eloquence ; but we will hope to make a plain yet faithful record of a few of the more prominent characteristics which marked their course through life. True history is but a simple and unvarnished record of men's actions. The few usually originate measures of public policy which are adopted by the many, and when the projectors of those measures devotedly cherish a sympathy of feeling for those whom they are calculated mostly to affect, do their acts reflect credit upon themselves, and inspire us with a regard for their worthy efforts. The few names we have selected are such as best presented us with posi- tive data regarding their lives. True, it has been diffi- cult for us to discriminate between the many who ap- peared equally worthy of a brief notice from us, and of whom we should have been pleased to have recorded their generous efforts in the popular enterprises of the day, did not circumstances and the limits of our work preclude the possibility of extending to any great length our biographical sketches. We shall, therefore, be par- doned for selecting a few names only from among those who have labored equally, ardently and devotedly for the advancement of our happiness and prosperity.
TOM ANTONE, was born at Oquaga, (now Windsor,) in July, 1770. This place has been made famous in history on account of its having been the ancient
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
dwelling-place of a respectable tribe of Indians- the proud old Romans of the wilderness. Being located upon the Susquehanna river, and but a little distant from "the north-east angle of the Great Bend," it natu- rally became a half-way resting-place for the Six Na- tions, as they passed and repassed upon the war path, or as they more frequently propelled their canoes be- tween the Mohawk and Wyoming Valleys.
The father of young Antone was a chief of great and commanding influence ; and he reared his son in ac- cordance with the strictest precepts of right. He was undoubtedly of French extraction, as many of his natu- ral eccentricities were peculiarly French. He bore upon his person the certificates of his valor, for he had distinguished himself in many a hard-fought battle. His flesh had been cleft with arrows, and his bones had been shattered with leaden missiles. In 1794, though his hair had become whitened by the frosts of time, and his form bent with age, he bade adieu to the valley of Ohnaquaga, and united with his brethren in arms in Ohio, who were preparing to make a bold defence against the invading force of General Wayne.
At about this time, Tom came into the Tioughnioga valley, and erected his rude wigwam a little to the east, yet within sight of the present village of Cort- land. His disposition was antagonistic to that of his father, who, when around the camp fire, took pride in telling his shrewd and often comic yarns, or practical jokes. On the contrary, Tom was strictly taciturn-a stern, cold Roman hunter. His path had been crossed by a northern trapper, whose polished steel pierced the heart of his young and cherished princess, and she fell
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
a bloody sacrifice to his heartless inhumanity. Re- venge, hatred deep and undying, settled upon his hith- erto generous mind, and he resolved to avenge the wrong by pouring out the blood of his fiendish foe. Numerous instances are related of his cruelties inflicted upon wild beasts, in imitation of the horrible tortures which were to be visited upon the person of the mur- derous trapper.
And yet, Antone possessed many fine traits of char- acter, among which stood preeminent an idolatrous affection for her whom he called " wife." His love, like the generous sympathies of the heart, was warm and ardent. Indeed, we might describe it as being purely reverential. He hoped entirely to exclude himself from the association of "the pale face," unless he could destroy the foe who had wrecked his happiness. As the refining hand of civilization appeared in front of his cabin, he drew his blanket more closely about his person, and was seen retreating back into the wilder- ness. The New Englanders, with their rifles, strode manfully through the Tioughnioga valley, or ascended the hillside in pursuit of game, without receiving the slightest insult from their savage brethren. Antone would have regarded their conduct with the greatest displeasure, had they conducted otherwise than in ac- cordance with his expressed wishes. He loved fame- he loved glory ; but he would purchase neither on any other terms but such as justice dictated, or honor re- quired. His hate, really, was directed or cherished against only one person, and that was the murderer of her who had strewed his youthful path with the fairest of flowers.
1
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
Leaving Tioughnioga valley, he struck forward in the wilderness in a direct line for the highest elevation bordering the majestic Mohawk. Here by mere acci- dent he caught sight of his mortal enemy. The war- whoop was instantly echoed from hill to hill, and An- tone leaped from the threshold of his cabin and darted forward in hot pursuit of the fast disappearing and hated destroyer of his happiness. The pursuit was continued to the shores of Ontario, beyond the thunder- ing Niagara, around the southern coast of Lake Erie, to the banks of the Great Father of waters, where he left the coward's heart upon the sandy beach, a foul and fetid thing.
He fought under the brave Tah-wan-nyes* at the ter- rible massacre of Wyoming. He was at the Genesee Castle on the approach of General Sullivan, and fled just in time to escape the vengeance of the troops. Standing at a little distance, his eyes beheld its utter annihilation. But his proud and noble spirit did not break. His mind went back to the achievements and wide desolation which marked the course of his breth- ren when they swept along the majestic Mohawk, bear- ing the torch of conflagration ; and his dark eye saw the ghastly spirit of massacre, charred and blackened, while the voice of lamentation was heard throughout the settlement of Cherry Valley. He clenched his toma- hawk with a firm grasp, and with his long knife sheathed at his side, went forth to battle for glory and conquest in the fairer fields of the "sunny South."
And still Antone lives ; and he who visits the West-
* Gov. Black Snake.
.
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
ern Reservation may look upon his stooping form, and behold his unblenching eyes as they glare upon the objects around him.
He was never cowardly-never unmerciful, unless driven to the adoption of measures which, under other circumstances than such as those tending to utter exter- mination, he would have despised and detested.
JOSHUA BALLARD was born in the town of Holland, Massachusetts, July 21, 1774. His early literary ad- vantages were respectable, and by a close application to study he became an excellent scholar. The various refining influences under which he was reared were well calculated to fix their impress upon his naturally generous and impulsive heart. At the age of twenty- one, (1797,) he left his native town and selected a loca- tion in the town of Homer. The next year he returned and moved in his young and interesting wife, who hav- ing enjoyed similar advantages in obtaining an English education, and in cultivating the moral and social vir- tues, was rendered an agreeable and cherished com-
panion. They came in by way of Cazenovia. Their entry into the town of Homer, then a mere " dot in the wilderness," on horseback, and by a scarcely discernible " bridle-path," was hailed by the firm-anchored forester with sensations of heart-felt joy. He originally pur- chased about one hundred acres of land, but subse- quently made several valuable additions. He was affa- ble and courteous in his deportment. In intellect he afforded a rare combination of excellence. His judg- ment was sound and active. He read much-thought much, and as a natural consequence, usually arrived at correct conclusions. He became an active participant
338
BIOGRAPHICAL.
in the political strifes of the day, and few, if any, in our county, have acquired a greater or a more correct reputation as a practical thinking man. And few, per- haps, if any, for upwards of half a century have been more intimately connected with public affairs,-political or progressive,-than Mr. Ballard ; and the numerous offices of trust and emolument to which he was at various periods elevated, furnish the most positive evi- dence of the confidence reposed in him as a just and worthy citizen.
He taught the first school in the old town of Homer, was one of the "projectors and directors of the Fifth Great Western Turnpike Company, whose road was built at an early day through this county. The Cort- land Academy owes much of its present as well as past high reputation to the early exertions of Mr. Ballard, who was one of its founders and most permanent sup- porters. He was also a firm pillar in the Congrega- tional church of Homer, of which he became a member in 1813. He was appointed Sheriff, April 30, 1810. He was an active member of the Legislature of 1816. He was appointed County Clerk, July 7, 1819, soon after which he located in Cortlandville. He also held most of the important town offices in Homer and Cort- land. At one period of his life he took quite an interest in military affairs. He raised the first company of cavalry in the county, and was appointed its captain ; and afterwards held the office of Brigadier Major and Inspector.
The greater portion of his life, however, was spent in agricultural and mercantile pursuits. The impulses of his heart were warm and ardent. His philanthropy gave
339
BIOGRAPHICAL.
ample evidence of a fellow feeling and sympathetic nature. Place and station never swayed nor influenced him from the path of duty. Kind and generous, his social and beneficent sympathies were always favor- able to the unfortunate or oppressed. Frank and open, having no concealments, he was never charged with being time-serving. He never trimmed his sail to catch the popular breeze, but rather sought honest defeat than corrupt success.
He died January 10, 1855, having reached fourscore years. His illness was short but severe, yet his dying moments were like those of a child sinking into a calm / and pleasant sleep, and his approach to the tomb was like that of one
" Who wraps the drapery of his couch Around him, and lies down to pleasant dreams."
The hand that once aided in subduing the hoary growth of forest trees, and in planting and rearing the early germs of civilization, is cold and nerveless. The tongue that often spoke fervently and eloquently, is mute and dumb in the cold chamber of the grave. The reflection, pleasing and grateful, is forced upon the mind, and we justly exclaim-
" He was the noblest Roman of them all ; His life was gentle ; and the elements So mixed in him, that Nature might stand up And say to all the world, this was a man."
JOHN ALBRIGHT, the pioneer of East Homer, was the son of a plain republican, who was originally from the land of the liberty-loving TELL. Of his ancestors we know but little-of his birth-place, nothing. Nor have
340
BIOGRAPHICAL.
we any definite information regarding his early advan- tages ; but, from his limited knowledge of letters, we are left to conclude that they were not of the most flat- tering character. His father died a little previous to the Revolution. He had, however, some time before been apprenticed to the tailoring business, to a gentle- man whose only son was drafted at the commencement of hostilities into the American service. The young man not appreciating this favor, and his father not rel- ishing the idea of his son being made a mark for Brit- ish fusileers, consented, after due reflection, that young Albright, who had offered to volunteer, might go in his son's place. The matter being thus settled, John Albright, then only in his sixteenth year, with a heart full of patriotism which neither difficulty nor danger could chill, entered into the service of his country, and went forth to win laurels upon the ensanguined field of military glory. We have not the records at hand from which to glean the name of the commanding officer of the detachment to which he was at first connected. Numerous commissions were tendered him, but de- clined. In the office of Quarter Master he officiated for some time. He remained in active service until the fall of Montgomery, when he was taken prisoner by the British and carried to New York. He remained there eleven months, suffering all the hardships to which prisoners in the hands of the enemy were exposed ; but his uniform good behavior and honorable deportment won for him many friends. At the time he fell into the hands of the enemy he had an excellent dog, to which he was much attached. After repeated efforts the dog was separated from his master, and taken possession of
341
BIOGRAPHICAL.
by a British officer. He was occasionally permitted to visit his sister Elizabeth, who was living in the family of an English surgeon. Just before he was exchanged he was on his way thither, and was very much startled by something springing suddenly upon his back ; turn- ing quickly around he was greatly surprised at behold- ing his own dog, the officer then being at head-quarters. At the time the animal was taken in custody the officer requested Mr. Albright to tell his name, which, for cer- tain reasons, he refused. But finally, being assured that no harm should occur to him in consequence, he told him that his name was Liberty-a name that was dear to the oppressed, though hateful to tyrants.
After being exchanged he again entered into the service of his country, and continued an efficient actor until after the taking of Fort Stanwix. Soon after this event, he and a few other soldiers, being engaged at a short distance from the main army in picking berries, were surprised and taken prisoners by a company of tories and Indians, and were conducted to Canada. We regret that we are able to give but a few of the inter- esting incidents connected with his second captivity. During his toilsome march to Canada he was compelled to carry a heavy pack ; his shoes having become worth- less, were left on the way ; and his feet, already blis- tered and torn, became so very sore that he could be tracked by his own blood. There were in the company an old Indian and an aged squaw, whom he had previ- ously known,-the former he had befriended ; the latter called him "son," while he courteously called her " mother." They were consequently his friends. The young Indians appeared to take pride in vexing and tor-
342
BIOGRAPHICAL.
turing the prisoners. One of them sought every oppor- tunity to follow close behind Mr. Albright, and tread upon his lacerated, bleeding heels. He feared to make any re- sistance, lest it should offend the chief and other influ- ential Indians. But the repeated cruelties inflicted upon him at length exhausted his patience and forbearance ; he turned suddenly upon his persecutor, and with one powerful and well-directed blow of his fist laid him at full length upon the ground. As was natural, he ex- pected to meet the indignant frowns of the Indians, but to his surprise they clapped their hands and laughed most heartily ; then, approaching him, they slapped him on the shoulder and exclaimed, " brave man ! brave man !"
At another time the march had been so rapid and protracted, and his pack so heavy, that he thought he must sink and die under it. He at length threw it down, declaring that he would carry it no farther. Again he expected to meet the angry displeasure of his enemies, and perhaps be tomahawked on the spot ; but, after they had uttered some angry words and ex- hibited many fearful gesticulations, an Indian was ordered to take up his burden, and he was permitted to proceed unmolested. When they encamped for the night he was tied to a tree, and during the absence of his protector, an Indian, whose hate seemed unrelenting, threw his tomahawk at him, which fortunately missed him and spent its force in a tree not more than three inches from his head. He was finally obliged to run the gauntlet. Then his face was painted jet black, indicating that his death had been determined on. But the squaw whom he called "mother" obtained access
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
to him, and removed the filthy composition from his face ; and, through her influence, he escaped with only a few lacerating blows upon his back. Reaching the point of destination, he was thrown into the prison, the damp- ness of which soon brought on a fever. He was attended by a British physician, who gave him such large doses of calomel that the most fearful result
was anticipated. His tongue became excessively swollen, and protruded from his mouth ; but by the kind interposition and skill of a French physician he was saved. After suffering every species of cruelty and hardship for nearly a year, he was again exchanged and returned to active service, in which he continued until the announcement of peace.
He was certainly a brave and heroic man, displaying the true characteristics of the reflecting and devoted soldier ; not the least of which were exhibited while accompanying General Sullivan during most of his skir- mishes with the Indians and tories.
He married a young lady by the name of Catharine Smith. They spent several years in the city, but at length concluded to exchange the pleasures of city life for those of a more rural character ; and with his cherished wife, four daughters, and aged mother-in-law, he left with the determination to locate on the land which had been assigned by his country for services in her cause. He stopped and remained a year and a half at Charles- . town, a little west of Schenectady. During this time, accompanied by his wife, on horseback, he came on and explored his "military" lot ; after determining to oc- cupy it, they returned to Charlestown and remained until the spring of 1797. On the 12th of March, they
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
reached Mr. Benedict's house in Truxton, where they remained until Mr. Albright could erect a small house on his lot. It was of the most primitive character, being composed of logs covered with bark.
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