The growth of a century: as illustrated in the history of Jefferson county, New York, from 1793-1894, Part 89

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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THE GROWTH OF A CENTURY.

time no one should lose a dollar. He kept his word, paid them all and had a balance left sufficient for all the necessary demands of life.

Mr. Smith and Hon. E. G. Merick re- mained life-long friends, each ready to help the other in any emergency.

About 1858 he removed to Peru, Indiana,

where he died January 7, 1867, respected by all who knew him as an honest, high-toned man; one who had filled a wide space in business life, and had come through without a blemish upon his reputation. In this respect he resembled Mr. Merick, who also left a name entirely unsullied.

ALEXANDRIA.

THIS town, bordered as it is, for its whole western margin by the noble St. Lawrence river, is really of more ancient note than any other point in the county except the head of Carlton Island, where the English built a fort in 1760. The first explorer saw this shore in the earliest times, noted the islands, remarked upon the bold and picturesque banks of the river and gave the place a local habitation and a name, long before our century, and many years before people began to come into the Black River country from France or from New England.

The town is bounded on the northwest by the river, on the northeast by St. Lawrence county (town of Hammond), on the southeast by Theresa, and on the south and west by Or- leans. The surface of the town, especially along the river. is generally rough and rocky, but that portion underlaid by sandstone is level, with a thin clayey or sandy soil. All lands having the Potsdam sandstone founda- tion are usually quite level, and whatever soil covers the rock has been deposited there by the erosive and mutative action of the water during the long period of submergence-the original soil, if any, having been swept clean off during the period of deluvial abras- ion. Besides the grand St. Lawrence, this town is well watered by streams having their source in the southern part of the town. But- terfield lake is the largest of the many pictur- esque lakes in this town and Theresa. Mud and Clear lakes are smaller, but highly appre- ciated bodies of water.

The town was erected from Brownville and LeRay, April 3, 1821, by the same act which formed Philadelphia and Orleans. Theresa was by that act included in Alexandria. It was named after Alexander, son of James D. LeRay, who obtained a colonel's commission in the Texas revolution, and was finally killed in a duel. All the early town records are lost, but it is known that James Shurtliff was the first supervisor, Nathaniel Goodell the first clerk, Ashley Tanner assessor, and Allen Cole and Joel Porter inspectors of elec- tion.

The following is the list of supervisors from the organization of the town up to 1854, as given by Dr. Hough. From 1854 the list is continued to 1894, as may be seen on pp. 337-344. This Alexandria list is perhaps in- complete, as the early records were destroyed by fire when the office of the town clerk was burned. James Shurtliff was the first Super- visor, 1822; 1829, John D. Davidson; 1833_5, Jason Clark; 1836, J. D. Davidson; 1837, J.

Clark; 1838, John W. Fuller; 1839-40, Michael Lewis; 1841, Alexander Salisbury, at a special meeting in May, J. Clark; 1842, J. Clark; 1843-9, Harvey D. Parker: 1850, George W. Clark; 1851, Moses C. Jewett; 1852, H. D. Parker; 1853-4, Andrew Corn- wall.

The Thousand Islands, which are now so well known wherever the English language is spoken, and which cover all the river front of Alexandria, are quite extensively treated of on pages 154 to 168n of this History, and the reader is urged to give those pages careful at- tention in connection with the town of Alex- andria. Beautiful as these islands are, how- ever, it was not until 1872 that the great rush to this vicinity commenced. Since that time millions of dollars have been expended in the erection of private homes, hotels and public parks, and in the improvement of these islands.

And now this charming locality attracts people from all parts of the United States and Canada, and from Europe, who spend a por- tion of their summers here, hundreds of whom have built summer homes, some modest but comfortable, while others are more pretentious, and in some cases almost palatial. The scene at night during the height of the season, is gorgeous indeed. At that time the cottages on the islands are mostly illuminated with colored lanterns, and the steam yachts, with their gay parties, go flitting by, the whole scene, like a kaleidos- cope, continually changing, but ever beauti- ful and full of surprises. Among the most beautiful and yet substantially improved of the Thousand Islands, we name Manhattan, one mile below Alexandria Bay, as the most elegant. It is the summer home of Hon. J. C. Spencer. of New York, and of Mr. Has- brouck, the former owner of the famous Hud- son River steamer, Mary Powell.

In 1880 Alexandria had a population of 3,135. The town is located in the third school district of Jefferson county, and in 1880 had 22 school districts, one of which was joint, in which 28 teachers were employed the same number of weeks or more. The whole number of scholars attending school was 931, while the aggregate days attendance during the year was 78,606. The total value of school buildings and sites was $17,400, and the assessed valuation of all the districts was $1,275,061. The whole amount raised during the year for school purposes was $8,602.05; $5,299.11 of which was received by local tax.

The first school-house was a primitive log

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ALEXANDRIA.

structure, erected in 1821. It stood on the lot now occupied by the Reformed Church. The first church was that of the Reformed Protestant Church Dutch Society, erected in 1848, and opened for public religious worship in 1851. A fine graded school building was erected in 1884, and in 1885 opened for classes. It has five departments under the instruction of competent teachers.

In 1848 the late Charles Crossmon began keeping hotel at the Bay, but it was not until 1872 that the rush commenced, although many men of note had made it their summer vacation place for years. Among these early visitors were Governor Seward, Martin and John Van Buren, Silas Wright, Frank Blair, Preston King, General Dick Taylor and Rev. George Bethune. In 1872 President Grant and family and a party of their friends accepted an invitation from George W. Pull- man, of palace-car notoriety, to visit his island cottage. In 1872-73, the two fine hotels were thrown open to the public, since which time no watering place has received a better or more elegant patronage.

Alexandria Bay has never been noted for its manufactories, except, perhaps, for the su- perior class of small skiffs and steam yachts built here. It contains two steam saw and lumber-dressing mills, and a goodly number of stores and mechanic shops, including a ma- chine shop, where the repairing of marine machinery is made a specialty. Indian bas- kets, bead work and other curios here find a ready market during the summer season. The village is provided with a steam fire en- gine and other adequate fire apparatus.

The first improvement in this town was made about 1811, by LeRay, who caused a clearing to be made at Alexandria Centre, and this plan was adopted to some extent in Theresa, to afford facilities to first settlers, by supplying them with grain, until it could be raised by themselves. He paid $12 per acre with the ashes and half the first crop, for these jobs, and built a log barn. In 1811, the pro- prietor made the Morris and Hammond road, extending from Hammond village to the Red Tavern, near Theresa, where it intersected another road from the river to Philadelphia. The former was cleared four rods wide, bridged and seeded with grass, but had be- come nearly closed up when it was re-opened as a part of the Military Road, in 1820-3.

Cranberry Creek, about three miles from its mouth, was, during the war, the scene of an engagement that will be detailed in its place. Sales of land commenced in this town and Theresa in 1816, under Mr. LeRay, the pro- prietor. The first contracts were made paya- ble in seven years, and required the settlers, within one year, to build a house, equal to a log house 18 feet square, and to clear one twenty-fifth part of the land contracted, in a farmer-like manner. Prices began at $3, and after 1820, mineral reservations were inserted in contracts and deeds. James Carnegie, Samuel Youngs, Wm. Martin, Moses George, Leicester Hoadley, the Barnes family, a Mr. Root, John W. Fuller, Jere Carrier and others,

were early settlers. The town continued to improve rapidly until 1828, when a sickly season checked its growth, and gave it a repu- tation from which it was slow in recovering.

Alexandria Bay was selected by Cadwal- lader Child, in 1804, wbile surveying a road from the Friends Settlement to the St. Law- rence, as an eligible site for a port, and, ac- cordingly, a reservation of a mile square was made by Mr. LeRay for a village, which was surveyed out for that purpose by Edmund Tucker, about 1818. Mr. LeRay erected a tavern and warehouse, and for many years a thriving lumber trade was carried on, which continued as long as the supply lasted. This consisted of oak staves, and square oak and pine timber. A considerable amount of valua- ble timber had been stolen from this town, in common with the whole front of the State on the St. Lawrence, before there was any one to assert the title of the proprietors. The lower wharf at this place was built by Fuller & Walton, in 1823, and the upper one by Walton & Hamblin, in 1840. The port has always been a landing place for the American steamers, and was an important wooding sta- tion. About 16,000 cords were sold each year. A custom house was established at this port in 1828, subordinate to the Cape Vincent district, while John B. Esselstyn was in charge of that office. The geology and na- tural history of this section are very interest- ing, and the observer can scarcely advance a step without having his attention arrested by some interesting feature which affords subject for thought and admiration. The rock forma- tion is, like most of the Thousand Isles, primitive, and, every varying, presents a beautiful outline which pleases the eye of the careless observer and furnishes food for thought to the more considerate and studious mind.

This town set a commendable example by holding town fairs and cattle shows for the encouragement of agriculture, in 1838 and 1839, the first of which was held at Plessis and the second at Theresa Falls, then in Alex- andria. The notice of the first was issued in March, several months in advance, and prom- ised the distribution as primiums of not less than $130, the most of which was given by the land proprictors interested in the town. Mr. Marshall, agent of Depeau, was active in originating the first fair, while the second was a popular movement. They were held but two years.

This early effort at the formation of a per- manent Agricultural Society was supple- mented in 1874 by the Redwood Union Agri- cultural Association, of which Hon. W. W. Butterfield was president. It prospered for a while, its principal attraction at its annual meetings being the exhibition of horses, either for speed or show, and was doubtless the means of improving good stock. After some ten years of varied prosperity, the Asso- ciation disbanded about 1882.

CHURCHES AT ALEXANDRIA BAY .- " The Reformed (Lutheran) Church of the Thousand

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Islands " was organized under the following circumstances: In 1846 the Rev. Dr. George W. Bethune, of Brooklyn, N. Y., on visiting the Bay, recognized the need of a Christian organization there, and in that year a Sabbath School was commenced. The church was organized in August, 1851, with 13 members. A stone church building had been com- menced as early as 1848, and was dedicated and opened for public worship May 25, 1851. The Rev. George Rockwell served this church as pastor for 22 years, and proved a most useful and popular preacher, gratefully remembered by all the people who heard him preach. Mr. Rockwell's residence is now at Tarrytown-on-Hudson, but he came to Alex- andria Bay in 1893, to conduct the funeral services of John Walton. The present mem- bership of this society is about 130, under charge of Rev. G. W. Collier. The first church edifice was demolished and rebuilt in a more central locality several years since.

"The First Methodist Church of Alexan- dria Bay " had for its first pastor the Rev. W. M. Holbrook. The present pastor, as ap. pears from the minutes of the last Conference, is Rev. G. N. Warn. The church has seat- ing capacity for 280 persons.

"The Episcopal Church of St. Lawrence" at Alexandria Bay was established as a mis- sion in 1880. They have a neat house of worship, seating 250 persons. At present there is no local rector, the services being con- ducted by such supplies as may from time to time be secured. In the summer season the attendance at this church is quite large.

"St. Cyral Church " (Roman Catholic) of Alexandria Bay, was dedicated in August, 1893. The priest in charge is Rev. Father Michael F. Ambrose, and the organization is in a flourishing condition. Father Ambrose is a popular and acceptable priest, educated in Canada and the United States, and his suc- cess as a preacher of the most ancient and ex- tensive of all Christian faiths is well assured.

In these several religious organizations the people of Alexandria Bay and the great num- ber of transient residents and tourists each summer visiting there, have no lack of local opportunities for worship. The citizens of the Bay are certainly entitled to credit for the zeal they have displayed for the spiritual welfare of the " strangers within their gates."

The largest island before this town is Wells Island, containing 8,068 acres, and in 1894 had many inhabitants, the number depending largely upon the time of year when the census should be taken. In the height of the sum- mer season there may be 4,000 to 6,000 people at Thousand Island Park alone, the extreme head of the Island, and perhaps 1,000 at Westminster Park, at the lower end. . These are summer resorts of a semi-religious char- acter, almost entirely deserted after the first of November, and nearly so by the middle of October. It is probable that the regular winter population of Wells or Wellesley Island is about 500 souls, scattered all over the terri- tory. The rock formation of this, like most

of the other Thousand Islands, is primitive, and presents a fertile though rather strong soil. There are many interesting mineral lo- calities in the neighborhood. Until the na- tional boundary was run by the commissioners provided by the terms of the treaty of Ghent, the British Government exercised authority over Wells, as well as nearly all the other islands in this archipelago.

The following are the officers and trustees of the Westminster Park Association :

President, Hon. A. Cornwall, Alexandria Bay, N. Y.

Secretary, George R. Hanford, Water- town, N. Y.

Trustees, Dr. J. D. Huntingtown, Water- town, N. Y .; W. P. Carpenter, Utica, N. Y .; V. B. Stewart, Utica, N. Y. : J. H. Bronson, Amsterdam, N. Y .; W. H. Nivens, Syracuse, N. Y .; Dr. W. Jamison, Syracuse, N. Y.

Redwood, the most prominent business place in Alexandria. is situated between Butterfield and Edmunds lakes, two of a chain that are bound in close proximity to one another, the names of which, in the immedi- ate vicinity of Redwood, are: Edmunds, Clear, Crystal, Butterfield, Millsite, Sixbury and Lake of the Woods-all of which are well stocked with as great a variety of fish as any inland lakes in the State of New York. Butterfield lake is a famous fishing place, and abounds with wall-eyed pike, pickerel, bass, Oswego, black and large rock bass, and a va- riety of other kinds, some of which grow to considerable weight. The white fish of the Lake of the Woods are the finest caught in this northern country.

The remarkably fine atmosphere and the many mineral springs have caused many to seek Redwood for health as well as pleasure. The remarkable age of those who have a long time lived there, almost makes us believe that had Ponce de Leon come this way, he would have found that fabled spring, the waters of which imparted perpetual youth to whomso- ever drank them.

The mercantile business of Redwood during the fifties and sixties far exceeded that of many much larger places in Jefferson county. Such was the case when Norton & McAllister, H. S. & M. White and the glass works store were in full blast. The glass works kept em- ployed a large force of men, and gave employ- ment to all who had wood lands they wished to clear, the owners of such wood lands set- ting to work every person who had the dis- position to cut cord wood. The grist mill during those years was a strong element in bringing customers to the place.

The present business interests are looked after by Adam Bickelhaupt, general mer- chant.

Holmes Brothers, general merchants.

Christian Ahles, general merchant and boot and shoe dealer.

G. C. 'Tanner, drugs, medicines and gro- ceries.

Robert M. Clink, restaurant.

Charles A. Catlin, dry goods and groceries.

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George A. Hartman, merchant tailor.

Kabel Brothers, dealers in farm implementa, general blacksmithing and wagon building. George Pilger & Son, boots, shoes and gro- ceries.

Giffin & Marshal, livery.

D. H. Smith, hardware.

Peter Bert, undertaker and furniture.

Harry Hollinshead, harnesa.

George Bailey, harness.

William Courtney, general merchant.

C. S. Reade, hardware and groceries. Miss Libbie Ahlea, milliner. Miss Mattie Casey, milliner.

A. A. Holmes, griat mill.

Nelson Cook, saw mill.

Cook & Smith, planing, sash, blind and door factory.

George C. Hyle, general blacksmithing. William Kimhall, blacksmithing.

Joseph Bartlett, veterinary surgeon.

Anson Harder, attorney and counselor.

Don A. Watson, attorney and justice of the peace.

Nelaon Suita, Edward Suits, Fred Suits and Michael McHugh, master builders.

The graded school, under the management of John T. Delany, for the past few years, has advanced its curriculum each year by taking in more advanced studies, -and an at- tempt is now being made to place the school in the Regent's grade.

The Hotel " Dollinger," under the efficient management of Zoller & Springer, is gaining freah laurels. The old building has been re- modeled, and now presents a modern appear- ance. The Farley House is also a commo- dious, well-kept hotel.

In this healthy locality a practitioner of medicine has not many calls. Once in a while they are called in the villege, particu- larly when visitors come here aick. E. E. Eddy, James E. Ryan and Charles A. Catlin are the "Esculapians" who tell you quinine and whisky is the best thing for the grip. Martin J. Hutchins, for many years a prac- titiover, has grown old in the practice of medicine, and has put aside his calomel and rhubarb.

Jere Rixford and William Marsh are the village jewellers and watch repairers.

John Brown, boot-maker.

George A. Roy, meat market.

William M. Cosgrove and Fred Rebschee, copartners in speculation, buying everything a farmer has to sell except butter and cheese.

Benjamin Petrie is another of Redwood's business men, who pays out quite as much money to the farmers as any man doing busi- ness in that locality.

Thomas H. Donald is an old soldier, now an insurance agent, known as a strictly hon- est and trusty man.

The surving soldiers living in Redwood are: Elias Ruasell, Levi A. Butterfield, T. H. Donald, Edward H. Smith, Charles A. Catlin, Christ Ahles, Martin Petrie, Gilbert Wheeler, Robert Layng, Julius Youngs, Jason Dillon, Alonzo Padget. James Dillin, Daniel Shan- non, Alexander Loucks, Henry Hyle, George

I. White, John B. George, Harrison Zoller, Delos Herrick, George Laivre, George Millot, Walatein A. Failing, Lewis Ortlerb, George Reed, German Reed, Herman Caples, Walter Caples, Darwin V. Olney, Benjamin Sayles, Thamas Fox, Don Alonzo Watson, Ory Rey- nolds, Truman Simpson.

These are mostly members of the James B. Campbell Post, G. A. R., at Redwood, and served in regiments recruited in Jefferson and St. Lawrence counties.

The Catholic Society of Redwood cele- brated maas first in private houses, principally at Mr. Dollinger'a. The numbers increased by the incoming of workers quite rapidly, and the general desire of all, Catholics and Protestants, was to have a church built. Mr. Dollinger and James Cosgrove set about look- ing up funds and alotting to the members the particular work they cared to do. Their efforts were successful, and resulted in a con- tract to build the church walla, whichi was let in 1847 to Joseph Senecal, who was assisted by Stephen Senecal, his brother; completed in 1848. Measrs. Dowell, McCartin and others took charge of burning the lime. The lum- ber was donated in the log, and the sawing was donated by Butterfield & White. The glass was donated by the glass works and one other. The land was given by Pat- rick Sommerville Stewart, for Depeau's heirs. Mr. Dollinger and daughter took a trip to New York to see John Jacob Astor (who was one of the company with Mr. D. from the old country), and Mr. Aator purchased and do- nated a hell, the same that now hangs in the belfry of the church. The first priest to cele- brate mass in Redwood was Father Capp. The first to celebrate mass in the church waa Father McFarland. Rev. Father Ambrose is the resident priest, living at Alexandria Bay.

The Episcopal was the second church edifice at Red wood. The foundation stone was laid August 7, 1851, by Bishop DeLancy. The church edifice was completed and consecrated in May, 1853. The cost of the structure was $1,400. The society was organized when there were but three communicanta, Mra. Ahel Bigelow, Mrs. David Slack and Misa Sarah Bigelow. Rev. William Allen Fisk was the first rector in the church. First wardens, David Slack and Matthew H. Smith. D. Tilton Bigelow procured from the Depeau heirs direct a grant of the land upon which the church stands. Rev. B. W. Witcher was at one time rector of this church. His wife was the talented author of the Widow Bedott Papers. The first marriage in the church was William W. Butterfield to Mrs. Laura Butterfield, widow of Joseph Butterfield. The present rector, residing at Theresa, is Rev. John Smiley.

The Evangelical Lutheran St. Paul's Church Society was founded about 1850. Missionaries held service at Redwood many years before, in private houses and school houses. In 1860 a constitution was adopted by this aociety, under direction of Pastor Joseph Schamll, third Sunday in Advent.

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A resolution to build a church edifice was at the same time adopted. The church was completed and dedicated November 17, 1861. The number of voting members at that time was about 20, but the number of communi- cants at that time was much larger. The present number of communicants is 208. There have been seven different pastors for this society since its organization. The pres- ent pastor, Francis Rudolph Hoffman, is a na- tive of Colberg, Pomerania, in the North of Prussia. Mr. Hoffman, still a young man, is one of the finest pulpit orators in this north- ern country. He received the greater part of his education in the German Gymnasium at Colberg, one year at Rochester and four years in the Philadelphia Theological Seminary, where be graduated with honor. He has been pastor of this parish nine years. This church was enlarged and re-dedicated in 1886.

The business of Plessis is conducted by the following named: S. Boyer, hotel.

Augsbury & Wilcox, general merchants.

Soloman Makepeace, general merchant, and is an old soldier.

Joseph Tassey, general blacksmith.

Horatio Norton, wagon making and repair- ing.

James Wissel, drugs, groceries and post- master.

Mark Parker, hardware, groceries, farmers' furnishing goods.

John H. Cline, miller, grist and saw mill.

Mrs. H. Hoyt, millinery.

Fred Ahles, boots, shoes, harness, flour, feed, groceries.

Dr. J. A. Wood sells pills and plasters.

Charles Nash, boots and shoes.

Byron Ostrander, undertaker.

Don A. Parker, photographer.

William W. Van Amber, tanner, currier, fine furs, etc., etc.

Walt Chase, manufactory.

Hoyt estate. saw mill. James Cranker, blacksmith.

THE AFFAIR AT CRANBERRY CREEK.

Elijah Adams, son of Robert Adams and Nancy Andrus, came from Vermont, where they were married in 1790, to Rutland in 1803, thence to Houndsfield, and moved into the town of Alexandria in 1824. They were three days and three nights getting from Houndsfield to their first home on the margin of the sheet of water then known as Round lake. where they resided about five years, removing to the farm now occupied by their granddaughter, Mrs. A. McDonald, with her husband and family. The transactions of the early inhabitants and the dates of the occurence of many events, is as indelibly written on the memory of Elijah Adams as if stamped on parchment at the time of the occurrence. The story of the fight on Cranberry Creek, as it comes down from preceding generations, some of the par- ticipants having tarried in this section long after that occurrence, is as follows: Previous

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The growth of a century: as illustrated in the history of Jefferson county, New York, from 1793-1894, Part 89

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