The growth of a century: as illustrated in the history of Jefferson county, New York, from 1793-1894, Part 84

Author: Haddock, John A., b. 1823-
Publication date: 1895
Publisher: Albany, N. Y., Weed-Parsons printing company
Number of Pages: 1098

USA > New York > Jefferson County > The growth of a century: as illustrated in the history of Jefferson county, New York, from 1793-1894 > Part 84

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VARIOUS ORGANIZATIONS.

Adams Grange No. 391, was organized in January, 1876, with 20 charter members. The The first master was B. F. Haines. Washing- ton Cornwall is the present master. Its present membership is 75.

Adams Centre Grange was organized in 1889. It has 200 members, with A. M. San- ford as Master.

Sons of Veterans: David M. Green Camp, was mustered May 26, 1890, as M. C. Bailey Camp No. 53, with 15 members. Frank H. Swan, captain.

DeAlton Cooper Post, G. A. R., No. 381, was organized June 25, 1883, with A. Whit- ford, commander. The Post has now a membership of about 90, and is officered as follows: Commander, A. C. Dack; Senior Vice-Commander, Adelbert B. Cornwall; Junior Vice-Commander, L. A. Stewart.

Woman's Relief Corps was organized in 1892, with 43 charter members. Angie Bas- sett was the first president. Present president is Ellen A. Titsworth.

A Good Templars Lodge was organized in the village November 10, 1890. It has a membership of 16. Present officers are: Chief Templar, Miss Charlotte Phillips; Vice Templar, Miss Marion Muir; Secretary, Miss D. Josephine Phillips; Treasurer, Mrs. Gil- bert Daniels; Marshal, Gilbert Daniels; Lodge Deputy, D. A. Dwight.

ADAMS MASONIC LODGE.

The charter for this lodge was grant- ed July 18, 1851, with the following as its first officers: Benjamin Wright, W. M .; John C. Cooper, S. W. ; and Jeremiah Griswold, J. W., with these additional mem- bers: Dennis M. Waite, Almanson Tibbetts, Heman Strong, John H. Whipple, Elijah Wright and Titus Bassett.

The present membership is 122, and the following are its officers: D. E. Taylor, W. M .; C. E. Copeland, S. W .; F. S. Kenyon, J. W .; William Rogers, Secretary.

The Chapter membership is 58, and its present officers are: Edward Bersie, H. P .; A. D. Ripley, R .; J. M. Hungerford, S .; A. S. White, Secretary.

At different times in its history, Adams village has suffered from disastrous confla- grations. A fire company was formed in 1836, and a small engine was purchased.

April 23, 1852, $650 was appropriated by vote to purchase an engine with necessary ap- paratus, and in 1853 the Tempest Fire Com- pauy was formed with 44 men.

Adams Waterworks Company was organ- ized as a stock company, by Moffett, Hodg- kins and Clarke, in 1885, and the works built the same year. The village of Adams pays yearly $1,300 for fire purposes. The first superintendent of these works was Isaac W. Payne, who still serves in that capacity.

Jefferson County Bank was first located at Adams in 1816, but not proving successful was, after a temporary suspension, by an act of the Legislature, removed to Watertown.

S. D. Hungerford's bank was organized in 1844, with Publius V. Rogers as cashier. In 1853 it was reorganized under the State law, and known as Hungerford's Bank, when George W. Bond became cashier. In 1865 it was changed from a State to a National bank, and in 1881 Hungerford's Bank went into liquidation.

In 1863 S. D. Hungerford and others organ- ized the First National Bank of Adams, and R. H. Huntington was cashier. In 1873 the First National Bank of Adams was sold, re- moved and consolidated with the Deposit National Bank, of Deposit, N. Y.

In 1883 the Adams National Bank was organized with a capital of $50,000. W. Waite was president; Harrison Fuller, vice- president, and G. W. Hannahs, cashier.

In 1889 the above bank went into voluntary liquidation, and reorganized as the Farmers' National Bank, with a capital of $65,000. C. D. Potter, president, George Hannahs, cashier.

The Citizens National Bank of Adams was organized August 7, 1889, under the National Bank Act, with a paid-in capital of $50,000. George Mather was president; Lafayette Caulkins, vice-president, William H. Hatha- way, cashier.

MORMONISM.

In 1841 missionaries were sent out by the Mormons, or Church of the Latter Day Saints, who preached to the people in the vicinity of what is known as Lisk's Bridge. Their labors seemed confined to a radius of from two to five miles from this point. They came "with- out scrip or purse," and lived upon the farmers, many of whom permitted them to hold meetings in their homes, and many con- verts was the result of their labors. These new doctrines brought dissension and disas- ter to many families.

Bellevers and unbelievers were found be- neath the same roof. They taught their hearers that the same gifts were still in the church as in the days of the apostles, and they claimed to speak in tongues, heal the sick, cause the deaf to hear and the blind to see.

They urged their followers to sell their possessions and flee to Nauvoo, the promised land, to escape the vials of wrath that were shortly to be poured out upon this Gentile na- tion. Thus spoke their prophet, Joseph

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Smith, who claimed to act in conformity with a direct revelation from Almighty God. Many began straightway to make arrange- ments for their departure. Everything that could possibly be converted into money was sold. Large wagons were purchased and covered with canvas in which were packed bedding and other necessary articles for sleeping and eating, while cooking utensils similar to those used in the old-time fire- place, swung from beneath the long wagons, each ready for use at the wayside fire they would light to cook their meals. Husbands in some instances deserted their wives, who were unbelievers, children left their aged parents, while whole families who received the word acted in accordance with their be- lief. The writer recalls the days when it was not unusual to see these canvas-covered homes, filled with tearful occupants, bidding a long farewell to home and friends and all the familiar scenes of their childhood, as they slowly wended their way down through the village, disappearing beyond the hill which forms the western limit of the town.

It is due to the memory of these people, who were industrious, moral and law-abiding citizens, and as intelligent as the average popu- lation, to say that polygamy was not at that time preached by these elders. On the con- trary, they strictly denied its existence in the Church of the Latter Day Saints. But when their long and weary prilgrimage was ended, and they heard it proclaimed from the mouth of their prophet, Joseph Smith, that it had been revealed unto him by Almighty God that in this way a nation should be raised up who should be His chosen people, they believed and bowed them- selves in submission to the mandates of the church, and many a sad-faced, deluded wife, believing it to be a duty she owed to her God, went before the altar, as the church required, and laid the hand of another in that of the husband of her youth, as a father might give his daughter to the husband of her choice, re- turning to her home to mourn in secret all the days of her life. They soon found them- selves plunged in the midst of a cruel war. The inhabitants, exasperated at the innova- tions of the Mormons in their midst, rose in their might, shot and killed their prophet and drove them without the borders of the State, forcing them to resume their weary march towards the setting sun. A few returned, while others, still strong in their faith, pressed onward. Exposed to the malaria of the country through which they passed, beset with difficulties and privations, many died in their wagons before reaching Council Bluffs, where they wintered, while others lived to reach the valley of the Utah, some of whom, since the completion of the railroad, have re- visited their native land, still strong in their faith.

THE BUSINESS OF ADAMS.

The Adams Electric Light and Power Company was organized March 28, 1889, and

affords ample light for the village. It is owned by D. A. Dwight and W. J. Allen.

In 1825 Willard Smith built a flouring mill upon the same site occupied by his father. It was afterwards purchased by George Frasier, who is said to be the originator of the paper flour sack, which is now so extensively manu- factured and used by all dealers in flour. The mill is now owned by S. T. Pitcher. It has four run of stones and is of a capacity fully equal to the demands upon it.

F. S. Webster's canning factory is an in- dustry which was established in 1889. Mr. Webster makes a specialty of canning dande- lions, spinach and other vegetables, also fruits and berries. This establishment fur- nishes employment to 60 people during the canning season.

Adams Furnishing Company was organized September 22, 1888; capital $2,000, with D. A. Dwight, President; A. W. Ingraham, Vice-President; John Sinclair, Secretary ; and G. W. Hannahs, Treasurer.

The Adams Foundry and Machine Shop was first started in 1863 by T. P. Saunders and D. O. Holman. After several changes in proprietorship, the property passed into the hands of the first named gentleman, who has since been its sole proprietor. The machine shop is 72x24 feet in size, and the foundry 72x32 feet. Mr. Saunders employs 5 men in general jobbing and repair work.

The Adams Lumber Company's mills were established by the late Julius Fox, in 1858, for dressing lumber and manufacturing doors, blinds, moldings and builders' sup- plies. In 1864 the works were purchased by William Wheeler, who soon after bought the old woolen factory near the bridge and added it to his works. In 1889 Mr. Wheeler sold it to W. H. Proctor, of Ogdensburg, who asso- ciated with him several Ogdensburg parties, together with M. L. Pratt, of Adams, who at present conducts the business. The works are located on Factory street.

William Wheeler came to Adams in 1850. He is still engaged in active business as a contractor and builder, and some of the fiuest specimens of architecture in Adams, Water- town and other portions of the county, are known as his handiwork.

J. W. Wilson, J. Strachan and J. M. Bremer are an enterprising firm, who came to Adams in 1891. They manufacture all kinds of American granite and marble, and are also importers of foreign granite. Their works are located on Clay street.

Other business firms are as follows:

George W. Williams, jeweler.

A. M. Walrath, dental parlors.

D. T. Taylor, dry goods.

M. D. Manville & Son, dentists.

S. T. Thompson, hardware.

D. Fisk, druggist.

R. P. White, variety store.

E. Wright, groceries.

Lamson & Tucker, meat shop.

G. A. Lee, groceries.

L. J. Bullock, millinery.

Charles Gero, groceries,

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THE GROWTH OF A CENTURY.

R D. Gardner, musical instruments and sewing machines.

Mrs. Robert Schram, millinery.

William Dixon, machine shop.

H. O. Kenyon & Son, manufacturers of Hale's Ointment.

F. Garwin, groceries. Mrs. Rhodes, milliner.

Bert Huson, livery. M. C. Totman, livery. Miner Jimmerson, livery.

Damon, saw mill.

L. G. Landon, blacksmith.

H. E. Fox, druggist.

J. M. Bateman, flour and feed.

J. E. Coit, groceries.

M. L. Hodge, harness-shop.

G. F. Maloney, hardware.

W. R. Brown, boots and shoes. Overton & Fish, furniture and undertaking. H. H. Norton, meat market.

L. Ripley, harness sbop.

J. G. Haskins, laundry.

E. P. Averill, clothing store.

J. O. Brown, groceries and crockery.

J. H. Gilbert, clothing store.

The present physicians are Dr. A. K. Hale, Dr. H. Nickleson, Dr. Johnson, Dr. Alfred Goss and Dr. J. B. Pierce.

N. M. Wardwell came to Adams in 1860. He was the second son of the late Judge Daniel Wardwell, a former resident of Manns- ville, and a brother of the late Mrs. R. B. Doxtater. He has been engaged in malting to some extent, and has been prominently connected with the growth and prosperity of Adams. He is the present postmaster, having been appointed under Harrison's administra- tion.

William D. Arms has long been known as a successful merchant in Adams, under the firm name of Arms & Hungerford. Mr. Hunger- ford retired a few months since, and Mr. Arms continues the business as its sole pro- prietor. He was a son of Luman Arms, of Adams Centre, where for many years he con- ducted a mercantile business in company with O. R. Davis. He afterwards removed to New York, where he was engaged in business a few years, but subsequently located in Adams village. Mr. Arms has been elected supervisor of the town 14 successive years. being often chairman of the board, and is otherwise known as a valuable citizen.

A. W. Ingraham is an active business man. who for several years has been a resident of Adams. He is engaged in the purchase of butter and cheese, and is a prominent mem- ber of the Board of Trade. He resides on Church street.

George Cooper, son of Miles, was born in Adams village in 1811. He has long been known as a successful farmer, residing upon the farm his father once owned, lying two and a half miles southeast of Adams village, on the south side of Sandy Creek, where he still resides. The farm contains several hun- dred acres of fertile and well cultivated land, which, with the fine residence and outbuild-

ings, present one of the most attractive homes in the town. He married Roxanna, daughter of George Doxtater. Both Mr. and Mrs. Cooper are estimable residents and val- ued members of the Presbyterian church of Adams village.

I. L. Hunt is the only son of Isaac L. Hunt, the late distinguished clergyman of the Methodist Episcopal denomination. He is a lawyer by profession, being a graduate from the Albany Law School. He represented the First Assembly District in the Legislature in 1882-3-4, and is one of Adams' most promi- nent citizens. He owns a large and valuable farm on the south side of Sandy Creek, to which he gives much of his personal atten- tion. In 1874 he married Miss Alice, only daughter of Hon. William A. Gilbert.

DeAlton Dwight was born in Henderson, September 25, 1825. He came to Adams in 1861 and purchased a book store, in which business he still continues. He was one of the incorporators of the Adams National Bank and one of its directors. He was one of the founders of the Farmers' National Bank of Adams. In 1854 he married Catherine, daughter of Amasa and Sarah Hopkins Brown, of Henderson. Both Mr. and Mrs. Dwight have been deeply interested in the welfare and growth of Adams since becoming its residents, and the Presbyterian church, of which they are devoted members is largely in- debted to their liberality. The Adams Col- legiate Institute also owes its present exist- ence to their united generosity.

Justus Eddy was long known as one of Adams' most estimable citizens, and there most of his life has been spent. He was engaged in different enterprises, and was at one time editor and publisher of the Adams paper, having purchased the same of E. J. Clark, in 1855. Later he became associated with De- Alton Dwight in books and stationery, in which business he continued until his re- moval to Syracuse, where he now resides. Mr. Eddy was much interested in the history of his native county, and was one of the first to enroll his name as a member of the Jefferson County Historical Society. He was a son of Cyrus Eddy, one of the early settlers of the town, and married Miss Mary Helen Colburn.

ADAMS CENTRE

Is about three-and-a half miles north of Adams village, and was originally known as Adams Five Corners. In 1816, Luman and Hiram Arms cleared and settled farms in this locality. Soon others settled there, and it is now a thriving and pleasant village of 500 in- habitants. It is located in the midst of a rich farming country, whose sandy soil is pecu- liarly adapted to certain productions, and they have brought wealth to the inhabitants. It has three churches, a Baptist, a Seventh Day Baptist and a Seventh Day Advent.

Jonathan Davis built the first store, and eventually became a rich man.

Daniel Fox, son of Samuel Fox, one of the pioneers of the town, settled at the Centre in

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early life. He was a prominent member of the Baptist church, and greatly beloved by his many friends. He died at the age of 74.

Adams Centre has recently suffered from a severe conflagration, which destroyed the sash and blind factory with all its contents, causing a loss variously estimated at from $8,000 to $10,000.

Dr. Dickinson was the earliest physician at Adams Centre, and for many years conduct- ed a large practice in the surrounding country.

Drs. Bailey & Son are now the leading physicians of that vicinity, and proprietors of a drug store.

Those engaged in business at the present time are as follows:

George McComber, general store.

A. G. Glass, and Glazier & Bruce, hard- ware and groceries.

Mrs. J. C. Heath, milliner.

J. B. Vischer, harness shop.

Mrs. J. Tittsworth, milliner.

Arthur J. Green and L. A. Safford, meat markets.

William Morden and George Stone, black- smiths.

D'Albert Mismell, Yankee notions and jewelry.

C. N. Green and Giles Hall, printers.

Miss Mattie Grannis, postmistress.

Greene's Settlement is two miles west of Adams Centre, on the road leading to Smith- ville. Some of the early inhabitants of the town settled there, and among them was Charles Greene, who lived to the age of 98. Paul Greene, Edward Greene, Joseph Greene, all of whom lived to old age, reared large families and were industrious citizens.

SMITHVILLE.

Jesse Smith, from whom the village of

Smithville derives its name, was its founder. It lies partly in Henderson and partly in Ad- ams. It is situated on Stony Creek. There were several settlers there in 1803-4-5, who built a dam aud a saw mill, but all these im- provements were virtually purchased hy Jesse Smith, and from this time the settle- ment at this place dates its history. He cleared land, made potash and was a dis- tiller and a general merchant. He became a rich man and for business thrift and enter- prise had few equals. In 1838 he removed to Newark, Ohio.

A carding mill was operated in Smithville about 1830, by Samuel Eaton, and afterwards by Daniel Hardy and Millard Dodge. It was subsequently consumed by fire.

Daniel Hardy kept a log tavern previous to 1810. Brooks Harrington afterwards erected a frame building for the same purpose. Jesse Smith kept the first store. In 1831 he built a large stone store.

A postoffice was established at Smithville at an early day, with Brooks Harrington as postmaster.

One of its earliest physicians was Dr. E. Adams. At present it has a flourishing school with two departments and 50 scholars.

The men engaged in business in that part of the village lying in the town of Adams are as follows :

J. W. Ivory, general country store.

Frank Ives, in the same business.

Babcock & Allen, blacksmiths.

A. W. Wakefield, wagon shop.

L. J. Hill, grist mill.

Captain C. Seeley, saw and cider mill.

F. R. Hallett, manufacturer of sash, doors and blinds and general contractor.

D. C. Ivory, contractor and builder.

M. S. Rice, manufacturer of trusses and medical and surgical specialties.

D. B. York, postmaster.

BISHOP WHIPPLE.

RIGHT REVEREND HENRY BENJAMIN WHIPPLE, D. D., L.L.D., Bishop of Minne- sota, is a native of Jefferson county. He was born in Adams, February 15, 1822. His father was John H. Whipple, for many years a promi- nent merchant of Adams. His mother was Elizabeth Wager, a daughter of Hon. Henry Wager, of Westernville, Oneida county, New York. His brothers and sisters were Rev. George Brayton Whipple, Captain John Whipple, Mrs. Z. Hill, Mrs. H. Salisbury and Francis Ransom Whipple. His grandfather, Benjamin Whipple, served in the Revolu- tionary War and was a prisoner on the Brit- ish ship Jersey.

In writing about his early life, Bishop Whipple has said : " My father designed me for a profession, but when ready for college, my health failed me, and the doctor said the only hope of saving my life was to put me in active business. My father was very anxious that I should be carefully trained in mathe-

matics, and as my uncle was professor of mathematics at Oberlin, I was sent to him. The other schools which I attended were all Presbyterian schools. My dear wife was a communicant of the Episcopal Church when we were married, and I shall always feel that it was her blessed example, her quiet faith and loving service, which made me, when I had four children, give up a brilliant offer to cn- gage in business in Chicago and become a candidate for Holy Orders in this church."

After leaving Oberlin, Mr. Whipple engaged in business with his father, and at the same time took an active part in political affairs, and was rapidly rising to distinction as a politician. It was remarked of him at that time by Thurlow Weed (who was the shrewdest politieian in New York State), that Mr. Whipple was the ablest political manager of any young man then on the stage, and gave promise of taking the very first rank in political life. Circumstances, however, oc-

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THE GROWTII OF A CENTURY.

RT. REV. HENRY B. WHIPPLE, D. D., L.L.D.

curred to turn his attention towards the ministry, and with characteristic energy he immediately entered on the work of prepara- tion.

He studied theology under the Reverend W. D. Wilson, D. D. He was ordained deacon August 17, 1849, and priest, July 16, 1850, by Bishop DeLancey. His first parish was at Rome, New York, which he made one of the most flourishing in the diocese. In 1857 he received an earnest appeal to come to Chicago from a devoted churchman, Mr. Al- bert E. Neeley. He went without a church, without friends, without assistance, but with a burning zeal in his Master's cause, and an energy of purpose that knew no such word as failure. He rented a hall and went into the streets, the alleys, the by-ways of the city, and gathered in the perishing souls. He rapidly built up a free church, and in two years it was in a very flourishing condition.

During the summer of 1859 he was elected the first Bishop of Minnesota, and on October 13th, same year, was consecrated in St. James Church, Richmond, Va. He at onee set out for his new field, and decided on Faribault, Minnesota, as his residence. He has steadily worked to promote the spiritual welfare of all within his great diocese.

He has devoted his energies in and out of season in the interest of the Indians, and his success in their improvement and evangeliza- tion has been something wonderful. He is a recognized authority everywhere on all ques- tions relating to the Indian problem. Among the Indians he is known as "Straight Tongue," or "The Father Who Don't Lie." Not long since an Indian chief was standing on a street corner in Minneapolis, when he said to a bystander, as he saw the Bishop pass on the other side of the street, " There goes a man who never lied to an Indian." For

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years Bishop Whipple struggled against the iniquitous system carried out by the agents of the Government among the Indians. His letters to Presidents of the United States, public officials and memorials to Congress, have been both dignified and statesmanlike. He has been a member of several important Indian Commissions sent ont by the Govern- ment to make treaties, and on more than one occasion, through his influence with the red man, prevented an outbreak. He has to-day in his diocese seven native Indian clergymen, nine churches and one hospital. One of these churches, the Indians requested, should be named St. Cornelia. in memory of the Bishop's wife, and so to-day it stands on the Western prairie as a monument to Mrs. Whipple, one of the best friends these poor people ever had. The Bishop has also been instrumental in securing lands in severalty for the Indians.

A few years ago the Bishop preached in the Chapel of Cornell University. Hon. Andrew D. White, then President, paid him the fol- lowing tribute: "Take the sermons we had last Sunday, the two discourses preached by the great apostle to the Indians-discourses not only noble in themselves, but preached in such a way that you felt that behind the ser- mon there stood a man-a very great man-a man who has made his mark on the history of this country ; a man to whose honor statues will be erected; a man who has stood be- tween the helpless Indian and the wild greed of the whole Northwest; a man who has fought scoundrelism and lust and avarice in low places and in high; who has pursued it to the National Capitol, and driven it hence; who has taken hold of Governors of States and Presidents of the United States, and has told them; ' If you don't cut loose from these things, I will denounce you to the world,' and he has done it. It was something to sit in the presence of such a man-and his closing words in the afternoon regarding the future of the country and your own part in it-who can forget them? Certainly none of us ever will. There is no man who heard them who was not strengthened by them."

Bishop Whipple has founded and built at Faribault, a beautiful cathedral, the Seabury Divinity School, St. Mary's Hall for young ladies, and Shattuck Military School for young men; also the Breck School for farm- ers' sons, at Wilder, Minn. All of the insti- tutions have large and substantial buildings with ample grounds, and all are in a flourish- ing condition.

The citizens of Faribault, on the 25th anni- versary of Bishop Whipple's consecration, honored him by giving him, a reception which continued three days, and invited many people from abroad as their guests. At this celebration, the clergy of his diocese present- ed him with a handsome Bishop's pastoral staff. The Pioneer Press, of St. Paul, Minn., editorially referring to this celebration, said, that it was not confined to the City of Schools nor to the Protestant Episcopal Church, but the entire Northwest felt an interest in paying him honor, and concluded by saying: "The

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The growth of a century: as illustrated in the history of Jefferson county, New York, from 1793-1894, Part 84

Author: Haddock, John A., b. 1823- Publication date: 1895 Publisher: Albany, N. Y., Weed-Parsons printing company Number of Pages: 1098

Author: Haddock, John A., b. 1823-
Publication date: 1895
Publisher: Albany, N. Y., Weed-Parsons printing company
Number of Pages: 1098