The growth of a century: as illustrated in the history of Jefferson county, New York, from 1793-1894, Part 85

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

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full measure of the results to grow from what Bishop Whipple has begun with such unerring foresight and such wise prac- tical wisdom, can only be appreciated hy pos- terity. But his venerable figure is prominent among the pioneers and those who wronght valiantly the beginnings of both material and spiritnal progress in Minnesota; and the tribute in which those who have assembled at Faribault, in common with the people of that beautiful city, have united to do him honor, is eminently fitting and deserved. His name will stand not only on the records of the church, but in the memories and upon the his- toric pages of this great commonwealth of the Northwest."

A writer has said of him: "He stands to- day one of the most remarkable men of America. In the homes of the rich and cul- tured, among scientists, scholars and savants, he is at home. In the cabin of the slave, the wigwam of the Indian, or the degraded homes of vice and poverty, he is in touch with their infirmities, and leads with a silken cord, the vile, brutal and dangerous characters that infest the slums of great cities. The power of his presence is marvelous."

Bishop Whipple is a natural orator. In action he is a disciple of the Demosthenian school of eloquence. His gestures are suffi- ciently frequent for effect, graceful, appro- priate and well timed. There is something in the tone, inflections and volume of his voice, as he reads the beautiful service of the church, or opens his discourse, that convinces yon there is heart, soul and intellect there.

Bishop Whipple has visited Europe several times. At the request of the Archbishop of Canterbury, he preached the opening sermon at the Lambeth Conference, in 1888, in West- minster Abbey, and the same year delivered the annual sermon at the University of Cam- bridge, England. He has received the de- gree of D.D. from Hobart College, and also from Durham University, England; also the degree of L.L.D., from Cambridge Univer- sity, England, with much ceremony. On December 7, 1890, he was presented to Her Majesty, Queen Victoria, at Windsor Castle, in a special audience, and received from her a large picture of herself with her autograph, also a copy of Her Majesty's book.

The Bishop has been for 20 years a member of the Peabody Board of Trustees for educa- tional work in the South.

On June 6, 1894, the 35th anniversary of Bishop Whipple's consecration was celebrated in St. Paul's Church, St. Paul, Minn., by the Diocesan Convention. The Daily Globe, of St. Paul, in giving an account of it, said: " The celebration of the 35th anniversary of the elevation of the Rt. Rev. H. B. Whipple, of Faribault, to the Episcopate, occurred Jast night at St. Paul's Episcopal Church. The church was packed to the doors and many people were unable to gain admission. The good and venerable Bishop seemed to be hale and hearty, and participated in the exercises by delivering an able address fitted to the occasion, and suitable for a great man of God,

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THE GROWTH OF A CENTURY.

who is rounding up a completed life in a great work. Bishop M. N. Gilbert, the Coad- jutor of the Diocese, directed the exercises, and opened them with a terse address suited to the occasion.

There were a number of Indians present, two of whom were in the convention of 1859 that elected Bishop Whipple. For the first 10 years of the Bishop's work, there was a rapid growth in the rural districts. In the first three years of his service, the Bishop travelled 27,000 miles by wagon, in the dis- charge of his duties. He slept in frontier taverns and preached in bar rooms, cabins, log school houses and Indian villages. At the Indian massacre of 1862, at St. Peter. he bound up the wounds of the injured. Dur- ing the Civil War, he held services on the battle fields in the camps of Generals Meade and McClellan.

Iu 1879, the close of 20 years' work showed that Bishop Whipple had consecrated 58 churches and confirmed 6.969 persons, and delivered 5,000 sermons and addresses. He did much to encourage immigration, and in 1882, it was said that 10,000 immigrants passed through St. Paul in a single week. He established schools and did a great work among the Indians, as well as building up the church, until now there are 103 clergymen in the diocese.

One of the lay delegates, Hon. Isaac At- water, in closing his speech at this eonven- tion, said: "Bishop Whipple's name has be- come a household word in the United States, and is as well known in England as the Arch- bishop of Canterbury's, and he is recognized as the greatest American who has held a seat in the House of Bishops." The magnitude of his educational and benevolent work was also alluded to.

On October 5, 1842, Bishop Whipple mar- ried Cornelia Wright, the eldest daughter of Hon. Benjamin Wright, for many years sur- rogate of Jefferson county. She died in 1890, at Faribault, Minnesota, honored and beloved by all classes for her benevolent and charit- able work.

Bishop and Mrs. Whipple have had six children : Mrs. Charles A. Farnum. of Phila- delphia, Pa .; Mrs. F. M. Rose, of Faribault, Minn .; Mrs. H. A. Scandrett, of Faribault, Minn .; Maj. Charles H. Whipple, of the United States Army; Mrs. F. W. Jackson, of Cleveland, Ohio, and John Hall Whipple.

Of late years the Bishop's age and delicate health has made it necessary for him to spend his winters in a mild climate. He has an at- tractive cottage at Lake Maitland, Orange county, the winter park region of Florida. where he spends the winter months. Here he has built a church in memory of two of his children, and while in Maitland he is the parish priest. The colored people in the vicinity claim much of his time, and he goes gladly to their churches to preach. They show a loving appreciation of his ministry. Florida being the resort of so many suffering invalids, the Bishop has found there abundant work to do for the Master, and has been to

many weary, lonely souls, a friend in need, and a guide to " the peace that passeth under- standing."

Although brief biographical sketches of Mrs. Cornelia Whipple, wife of the Bishop of Minnesota, have from time to time appeared and although she was widely known, both in and out of the church, it seems fitting that her name should also appear in the history of her native town and village. Perhaps no person recalls more vividly her girlhood, her early married life and her sweet, motherly ways when the little ones came to brighten their home, than the writer of this sketch.

She was born in Adams, Jefferson county, November 10, 1816. In her childhood she at- tended the schools of her native village and finished her education at Mrs. Emma Willard's Troy Female Seminary. Subsequently she taught in South Carolina, returning in the early part of 1842, and the same year married Henry B. Whipple, who was then a merchant at Adams. She was a lady of culture and great amiability, and the social life of the lit- tle village was in those days largely indebted to her. She early became a communicant of the Episcopal Church, and through her in- fluence her husband was induced to abandon tempting business offers and devote himself to the interests of the church. From her early girlhood she seemed eminently qualified for the place she was destined to occupy, and most nobly did she meet the trials and priva- tions incident to her Western life. Her kind interest in the red man, the confidence she in- spired in them and their appreciation was often expressed in their own peculiar way. A beautiful tribute to her goodness to them was paid by the Indian chief "Good Thun- der," when, at the laying of the corner stone of their church at " Birch Coolie," he asked that their church might be named "St. Cor- nelia."

During the later years of her life she spent several winters in Florida, and here she be- came the warm friend of the colored people. Wherever she went she seemed instinctively to be recognized as the friend of the poor, the sick and the needy. It was on one of these Southern trips that Mrs. Whipple met with a railroad accident, which, a few months afterwards, terminated her earthly existenee. On the last night of her stay in her Southern home, we are told, a number of these colored friends asked the privilege of singing their last good-bye beneath her window, and here, in the melodious strains peculiar to their race, thev sang " The Sweet Bye and Bye" and "Shall We Meet Over There." This was their last farewell. They never saw her more. The attractive home erected for the reception of the newly wedded pair in 1842, still remains unchanged. "The little church stands near," round which hallowed memories cluster. Mrs. Whipple died at her home in Faribault, Minn., July 16, 1890. Of her it can be truthfully said :

" None knew her but to love her,

"None named her but to praise." J. A. C.

JAMES M. CLEVELAND.

T HE history of the town of Adams and of Jefferson County would not be complete, nor should it be written, without prominent mention of James M. Cleveland, an old and nearly life-long resident of Adams. Mr. Cleve- land was born in 1820, from a family early identified in the history of New England, and is a direct descendant of Moses Cleveland, who came from Suffolk County, England, in 1635, and settled in Woburn, Mass., as appears by the custom-house lists and militia-rolls at that date; and from said Moses Cleve- land can be directly traced, as descendants, all persons bearing the Cleveland name in the Northern States. Mr. Cleveland was educated for and commenced life as a farmer, and up to 1851 was successful in his vocation, and by industry and foresight paying for and owning a fine property in the town of Adams. He was always a thinking man, not only devising schemes for his own advance- ment, but for the benefit of the agricultural community in which he lived. He was a prominent and valuable member of the Agricultural Societies of Jef- ferson County, and was always looked up to as a man of excellent judgment. In 1851 he conceived the idea and established at Adams the business of grow- ing peas, beans, and other seeds for seed purposes for the domestic and foreign markets. This was the first business of the kind ever established in Northern New York, and proved of incalculable value to the farmers of his town and of Jefferson County, whose lands were so well adapted to the cultivation of such products, and furnished them a fine income from their farms, as hundreds can testify who have paid for homes out of this industry alone. Mr. Cleveland conducted this business from 1851 to 1877, when the business was removed to Cape Vincent and subsequently to New York City. As long as Mr. Cleveland was interested in the business it was one of the finest enterprises in the State, and from which he retired with a competency. The farmers of this county will for years to come gratefully remember Mr. Cleveland for the advantages he furnished them, and the fair dealing which characterized his transactions with them. Few men, and certainly no other man in this section of the country, have been endowed with the love of the beautiful and taste for adorn- ment of nature in an equal degree with Mr. Cleveland. His house and grounds where he resides are arranged with the finest idea of symmetry, and a veritable paradise of flowers greets the eye of the visitor in their season, and his neigh- bors and friends delight in viewing his collections and asking his advice in lay- ing out and beautifying their homes. The people of the village of Adams have fully appreciated this quality on the streets and improvements of different kinds affecting the public.

Mr. Cleveland has always borne an enviable reputation for honesty, integ- rity and charity. He has been foremost in the advancement of all the interests which pertain to the best advantage of his village and the community in which he lives. All of the religious societies of Adams have in time of need met with liberal donations from him, and the cause of education has received sub- stantial tokens of his liberality from the competence which he enjoys. The poor and needy have cause in every instance to thank him for kindly remem- brance in their adversity, and on all occasions speak of him in terms of praise. In rounding out a life full of business activity Mr. Cleveland can rest assured that he is and will be gratefully remembered by his fellow citizens.

In politics Mr. Cleveland has always been a Democrat, and though not in any sense a politician, has always stood well in the councils of his party. In 1880 he was nominated for Member of Assembly for the First Assembly Dis- trict of Jefferson County ; and though the district was hopelessly Republican, he made a very successful canvass and lead his ticket throughout the district, showing in an eminent degree his personal popularity. Though the general public attest to his worth, yet it is in his own village that he is most appreci- ated. Ten times have the citizens of Adams elected him to the presidency of the village, and each time by majorities that have made his election almost unanimous ; showing their appreciation of his judgment and conservative actions in controlling their municipal affairs.

Mr. Cleveland is a man of culture and information, which has been acquired by contact with men and affairs, augmented by wide experience in travel and research. At various times in his life, on business and pleasure, he has visited nearly all the cities of note in his own country, and traveled through the South and on the Pacific coast, visiting all the places of interest, thus acquiring an enexhaustible store of knowledge upon topics connected with his country, which it is a pleasure to hear him recount, enjoyed by his neighbors and friends.

MONUMENT AND GROUNDS OF J. M. CLEVELAND, Eso., ELMWOOD, ADAMS.

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VIEW IN ELMWOOD CEMETERY. ADAMS.

ELMWOOD CEMETERY.

NE of the most attractive spots at Adams is the "new " Cemetery called Elmwood. It is situated somewhat similar to Brookside, at Watertown, the erosion of a waterway having developed a somewhat tortuous ravine, leaving high and sloping banks, thus affording fine opportunities for obtaining the best effects in landscape display. This Cemetery organization is fortunate in having for its President Mr. J. M. Cleveland, who has displayed untiring industry and fine taste in developing these grounds, which are now beautiful, yet capable of still greater development when the lately-planted elms shall have grown up, as very many already have, into their full beauty. In Mr. Cleveland's beautiful enclosure are two double graves, containing some of his remote ancestors, whose remains he has transferred to his own lot from Connecticut. These stones bear the oldest date of any in Jefferson County, going back to a birth that took place in 1722. The record of these ancient ones, as given upon his classic monument, reads as follows : Ezra Cleveland (the Ist), died January 7, 1802, aged 80 years. Jerusha, his wife, died October 28, 1804, aged 82 years. Ezra (the 2d) died November 17, 1833, aged 85. Abigail, his wife, died December 8, 1826, aged 82 years. These were Mr. J. M. Cleveland's great grand-parents and grand-parents. His own parents were : Elihu (the 3rd), who died Oct. 17, 1861, aged 80 years. Lucreta, his wife, who died April 16, 1874, aged 87 years. This is a remarkable case of family longevity. Mr. J. M. Cleveland is himself now in his 74th year, hale and hearty, excepting a slight dimness in eye-sight-but he promises to last yet many years.

In this beautiful cemetery the writer noticed the grave-stone of Sarah D. Hammond, who was 107 when she died. She was the mother of Mrs. Mills, of Smithville. Until this grave was visited, the writer supposed that Mrs. Bod- man, of Theresa, who died at 105, was the oldest person buried in the county.

ADAMS COLLEGIATE INSTITUTE.

With this page we present exterior and interior views of Adams Collegiate Institute, an institution of learning in which the citizens of Adams, for nearly four decades, have taken a just pride, and aided and sustained in a substantial manner. On page 382 is a more ex- tensive sketch, from its establishment in 1855 to 1882, when Professor Orlo B. Rhodes was the principal. He ably presided until June, 1894, when he became Editor-in-chief of The Watertown Standard. Pro- fessor Firman Coar was chosen by the Trustees as his successor. The

new principal is an able scholar, having studied abroad, and possesses a tact and energy that promise well for the future of the Institute. Aside from the superior educational advantages, the building is sup- plied with the modern conveniences and lighted throughout by electri- city; the nicely-graded grounds present a most pleasing spectacle.

The Institute is governed by a Board of 24 Trustees, prominent business and professional men of the county. We append a list of the Trustees and Faculty.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES.

D. A. DWIGHT,

A. K. HALE, M. D.,

T. T. CARTER,

JOHN SINCLAIR,

W. H. H. TAYLOR, EsQ.,

S. T. THOMPSON,

L. E. PRUYNE, EsQ.,

(). B. RHODES,

A. J. LOVELEE,

A. D. RIPLEY,

G. W. HANNAHS,

H. O. KENYON,

W. H. WHEELER,

J. J. STILLMAN,

R. D. GARDNER,

J. M. HUNGERFORD,

A. W. INGRAHAM,

D. E. TAYLOR,

W. A. WAITE,

S. H. PITCHER,

W. D. ARMS,

W. H. NICKELSON, M. D.

W. J. ALLEN,

OFFICERS.

D. A. DWIGHT, PRESIDENT,

A. K. HALE, M. D., SECRETARY.

W. D. ARMS, VICE-PRESIDENT. T. T. CARTER, TREASURER.

FACULTY. J. FIRMAN COAR (University of Bonn, Germany, ) PRINCIPAL, Languages and Literature. MRS. EMILY MILLER COAR, PRECEPTRESS, English. MRS. LYDIA L. TRIPP, Ass'r PRECEPTRESS, Assistant in English.

MILTON J. TRIPP, Mathematics and Sciences. DAVID C. DAVIES, Commercial and Banking. MRS. L. B. WOODWARD, Pedagogy. MISS ELLA M. WALRADT, Languages. MISS ALICE H. CAREY, Assistant in Languages.

DR. F. W. COAR, Chemistry and Astronomy. PERLEY DUNN ALDRICH, Rochester, N. Y., Director Musical Department. MISS MAY E. IRWIN, Voice and Piano. MRS. W. D ARMS, Painting and Drawing. MRS. V. H. LEGG, Elocution.

GOVERNMENT.

The objects of discipline are two-fold; 1st, The welfare of the pupil; 2d, The highest good of the Institute. To accomplish these objects, the Faculty aim to be mild but firm, relying largely upon the moral sense of the students to dictate correct deportment, and mutually to assist in attaining the highest moral and intellectual culture. No student whose influence is known to be pernicious will be allowed to retain a connection with the school. A permanent record of scholarship and deportment is kept, and monthly reports of those board- ing in the building will be sent to their parents upon their request.

Our aim can be expressed in a few words: To make Men and Women of our students.

Manhood and Womanhood mean not only intellectual development, but, moral growth, and we trust all will leave these halls with the feeling that they have met with friends desirous of their best.

The studies have been arranged-so far as possible and whenever in accordance with the best judgment of the faculty,-to meet the suggestions of the now famous "Committee of Ten." It is the general opinion of all educators that very few students are capable of choos- ing intelligently a course of study suited to their tastes and best interests until they have spent at least one year in college preparatory work. For this reason, the course of studies for the first year has been so arranged in all departments as to postpone to the latest possible date the final decision between the different courses, and to give to the student an opportunity to exhibit his quality and discover his tastes by making excursions into all the principal fields of knowledge.

RELIGIOUS INFLUENCES.

While the Institution is in no sense sectarian, a strong religious influence is exerted by the different members of the Faculty, who are members of the several churches. Daily religious exercises are held in the chapel, and students are required to attend the regular morning and evening services on Sunday, at the Methodist, Baptist, Episcopal, or Presbyterian church, as their parents may direct.

TEACIIERS' CLASS.

Every Fall Term a separate class is formed for the benefit of those intending to teach in the public schools of this State. Free tuition is given to a limited number in this class. Those who hold Regents' Certificates are preferred as members of the class.

This class will be in charge of the Principal, who will be assisted by the other teachers, and especial pains will be taken to give the class such instruction and drill as will best pre- pare its members to become successful teachers in the common schools. An examination of the class will be held at or near the close of the term.

The name "ADAMS COLLEGIATE INSTITUTE" was restored by the Regents in a provisional charter granted May 29th, 1883, and declared absolute November 16th, of that year. The Academic building has since been re-purchased by D. A. Dwight and wife, of Adams, and conveyed by perpetual lease, subject to certain conditions, to the present Board of Trustees.

ADMISSION.

Students are admitted at any time, but should, if possible, enter at the beginning of the term. No deduction in the bill is made for absences during the first week of the term, nor for leaving before the close of the term, unless on account of sickness, or in case of persons going out to teach. No bills for tuition are made out for less than one-fourth of a term. Rooms in the building will not be reserved after the first day of the term, unless a special arrangement has been made.

SCHOOL CALENDAR FOR 1895.

Monday, March 11, 1895, to Friday, March 15, 1895, Term Examinations and Examina- tions by Regents.

Friday, March 15, 1895, Winter Term ends.

Monday, March 25, 1895, Spring Term begins.

Monday, June 10, 1895, to Friday, June 14, 1895, Final and Regents' Examinations.

Monday, June 17, 1895, to Friday, June 21, 1895, Commencement Exercises.

Friday, June 21, 1895, School Year closes.

The usual holidays will be observed throughout the year.

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ADAMS COLLEGIATE INSTITUTE.

NE TE QUALSIVERIS EXTRA

ADAMS COLLEGIATE INSTITUTE.

THE CHAPEL.

ADAMS COLLEGIATE INSTITUTE.

THE LIBRARY.

393

ADAMS.

JOSEPH LANGFORD GREENE.

MR. GREENE was born in Berlin, Rensse- laer county, New York, February 8, 1808. He was a grandson of Joseph and Phoebe (Langford) Greene, who removed to Warwick, R. I., in 1769, and settled in the town of Ber- lin, being the third family to settle in that town. Mr. Greene's parents, Thomas and Hannah (Rix) Greene, both died in 1812, leav- ing a family of four young children-three boys and a girl-of whom Joseph was the youngest. This little family of orphans was divided among their uncles and raised, under the guardianship of Mr. Thomas Rix, a brother of Joseph's mother, of whose pru- dence and good management it is sufficient to say, that when Joseph attained his majority, Mr. Rix paid to each of the three brothers $3,000, as his share of his father's modest es-

tate. With this little patrimony, reinforced by a fair education and industrious habits, each of the brothers became prominent and successful farmers. Joseph and Russell Sage were fellow clerks in a grocery and provision store in Troy, between 1825 and 1830. This service, however, did not quite suit Mr. Greene; the sanding of sugar and the water- ing of whiskey, which were practiced in those days by the direction of their employer, did not exactly accord with the old-fashioned ideas of honesty which had been impressed upon his mind by his faithful guardian, and he gave up his position. His chum, Russell, however, continued "in trade" and pros- pered. It was but a step from watering whisky to watering stocks, which Mr. Sage seems to have followed with such phenomenal

394

THE GROWTH OF A CENTURY.

success that his wealth is now counted by many millions.

A single incident, which occurred in the winter of 1825-6, will serve to show of what material Mr. Greene was made. He was then 18 years old.

It was the custom, in those early days, for the back-country farmers to market their sur- plus produce in the winter. Troy, 24 miles away, was the market. It was too expensive to spend a night in the city. For this reason the farmer would leave his home in the night, reach the city early the next morning. sell his load of produce, purchase his supply of groceries, do errands for his neighbors, and return to his home at a late hour the next night. On one occasion Mr. Greene left bis home at midnight, with the usual load, on a home-made sleigh, with its shoes of flattened hard-wood saplings, fastened to the runners with wooden pins. As was the custom, an axe, an auger and other simple tools were car- ried, in order that in case of accident on the road, necessary repairs could be made. The night was hitter cold. About 2 o'clock in the morning, on the top of Grafton mountain, one of the sleigh shoes, having worn nearly through, broke, and a portion of it became de- tached, so that further progress was im- practicable. The young man unhitched and secured his team, went to work and unloaded his sleigh, turned it up, cleared away the wreck, shouldered his axe, went into the woods, cut a sapling, brought it out to the road, prepared it, secured it to his barefooted sleigh-runner, reloaded his produce, and went on his way to market. What would a boy of 18 years do, under like circumstances, in this year of grace 1894 ?

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The growth of a century: as illustrated in the history of Jefferson county, New York, from 1793-1894, Part 85

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