USA > New York > Ulster County > The history of Ulster County, New York > Part 35
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The first large Tannery was started in Greenfield in 1814, by Henry Southwick. It did not prove a success, owing to the long haul to market of its product. While settlements increased and much new land was brought under cultivation, the small needs of each family kept the com-
Benjamin F. Neal, M.D.
399
TOWN OF WAWARSING.
munity in a primitive condition, until the work of erecting the Delaware and Hudson canal commenced in 1824. This great internal improvement caused a business boom in the valley, which grew with the completion of the work in 1828. The low cost of canal transportation started industrial enterprise at once. At Napanoch, in 1829, the Southwick Bros. com- menced making axes, and within a few years large tanneries were in course of erection or completion at Greenfield, Ellenville, Napanoch, Homowack, Lackawack, and Wawarsing. The saw mill followed the bark-peelers, and millions of feet of hemlock and pine from the forests of the Cape, Drowned Land and Greenfield section found ready market. Every canal port became a business center, with canal store-house and retail store. Ellenville grew rapidly, and Kerhonkson, Port Ben and Homowack were soon postoffices and centers of trade. Boat building developed into a profitable industry at several points along the canal. In 1836 the Ellenville Glass Works were established, and the enterprise and strength of its management at once placed Ellenville in the van as the growing trade center of the canal line between Rondout and Honesdale. Napanoch was its equal in business importance at this time. Here the enterprise of the Southwick Bros. in a large tannery and in axe making was carrying the name of the place into the business marts of the whole country. The virgin soil of the town, as it was denuded of the forests by the axes of the bark-peelers and lumbermen, was brought rapidly into improved lands by the sturdy German and Irish workmen, who found employment in the glass works, iron mills and tanneries of the locality.
In the early 50's the plank road era began. The citizens of Wawarsing united with those of Newburgh and Sullivan county, and constructed plank roads, leading from Ellenville to Newburgh and Woodburn, and from Napanoch to Grahamsville. In 1853 the Bange iron forge was erected at Napanoch, and a blast furnace was put in operation in 1859 to convert the iron ore found in that vicinity into pig iron. The axe industry was also greatly enlarged, and later, mills for rolling merchantable iron and making knives used in the manufacture of tobacco and the making of straw paper were added to Napanoch industries. All these enterprises were the product of local capital in the main, and all were conducted with varying success up to the 70's, when changed trade conditions determined it to be more profitable to do the work elsewhere. The Ellenville Glass Works contributed more to the town's prosperity and growth than any
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single industry. But all the industries mentioned, with the wealth of hem- lock bark and lumber, and aided by the cheap canal transportation and cheap coal, added greatly to local prosperity and development up to the period of the Civil War. The first bank-the First National-was established in 1863 at Ellenville. Previously the banking business of the town had been transacted mostly at Kingston, Newburgh, Middletown and Rondout. The town's activity continued during the Civil War period and up into the 70's. In 1870 the first railroad reached the town of Ellenville. Funds for its construction were provided by town bonds issued to the amount of $259,000. This burden, added to the issue of Civil War bonds, then unpaid, had a blighting effect upon the town's property values and no doubt retarded for a period the town's growth materially, as the burden of taxation became heaviest at the period of trade transition which followed the decline of the tanning industry for want of bark, and the loss of the iron industry owing to the development of the great iron and coal regions of Pennsylvania and Michigan.
By 1880 the great industries which had made the town of Wawarsing a populous and growing community had gone out of existence within its borders, or retained but a fitful and unprofitable life and soon expired. With their decline the name and fame of Ellenville and Napanoch became almost lost for a period in the markets of the country and the world, and within the town many homes were abandoned to ruin and many acres of improved lands returned to the wilderness. Of the old industries there remains only the Russell Tobacco Knife Works at Napanoch.
WAWARSING AT PRESENT.
For a period of several years, up to the beginning of the Twentieth Century, Wawarsing lost in population, business and capital. Its enter- prising citizens were not lacking either in spirit or effort to meet the new conditions surrounding them. Many efforts were made by individuals, and through co-operation, to start new industries. Among these, the making of pocket cutlery was undertaken at Ellenville in 1874, through a co-operative organization. The venture was not successful and the factory passed from one management to another until it became the prop- erty of Dwight Divine, who now conducts the works under the name of the Ulster Knife Company. It is now a large and prosperous concern, employing the largest number of employees of any single concern in the town. The Ulster Paint Works, at Ellenville, is also a large plant.
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TOWN OF WAWARSING.
Napanoch, owing to its fine water power, is still in the lead as the largest center of heavy manufacturing. Here are three paper mills, a tobacco knife works, the Napanoch Knife Co., making pocket cutlery, and a mill making ground wood pulp for use in the making of explosives and lino- leum. The Honk Falls Power Co., at Honk Falls, of 2,000 H. P. capacity, is one of the finest plants in the line of electrical construction in the country and noted for its efficiency and economy. It supplies electric current for lighting Ellenville and Kingston, as well as to several small villages and many homes within an area of thirty miles distant. Agricul- ture has attained a more important development in the town of late years, due in a measure to the successful management of the Ulster County Agricultural Society, the annual meetings of which have been held at Ellenville for many years. Several local dairies have a State reputation for the high class of stock and product. Fruit culture is also making headway as a profitable industry. The abandonment of the Delaware and Hudson Canal in 1902 was a serious blow to Wawarsing interests. The loss was met in a measure by the early construction and extension of the Ellenville branch of the Ontario and Western Railroad to Kingston, and the inauguration of a most liberal management and service by that corporation, which has greatly enhanced the summer hotel and boarding business of the town. The near proximity of the great and growing city of New York is now Wawarsing's greatest asset. This influence has of late advanced real estate values, built many summer homes and devel- oped several most beautiful estates in the hands of new and wealthy resi- dents.
A large Hebrew population has, since 1903, settled in Wawarsing, mostly in the Western part of the town, and this accession promises to be an important factor, in the future of the town's growth. They have pur- chased many farms and are conducting many large boarding houses for summer guests. The large summer hotels at Minnewaska, Mr. Meenaga and Lackawack have high reputations throughout the country as popular resorts. A large sanitarium for invalids is located on the west slope of the Shawangunk mountain, near Kerhonkson. The population of Wa- warsing in 1905 was 7,215, showing a loss of nearly 1,000 in twenty-five years. Ellenville (incorporated) is the leading village, with 2,872 inhabi- tants, two banks, the First National and the Home National, the latter established in 1873, also the Ellenville Savings Bank, established in
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THE COUNTY OF ULSTER.
1869. It has Reformed, Methodist, Episcopal, Lutheran, German and English Catholic churches. Its public schools have a State reputation for their excellence, and its fire department in efficiency and morale is equal to any in the State. Its water system, owned by the municipality, was erected in 1871. The water is most excellent, owing to its purity. The village is situated amid picturesque surroundings, with wide, well kept streets, lighted with electricity and finely shaded, with flagged sidewalks, and its local government is efficient and popular. The two local papers, the Journal, established in 1849, and the Press, established in 1870, are well conducted and are successful local news purveyors. Flourishing fra- ternal lodges of Masons, Odd Fellows, Red Men, and Knights of Pythias center at Ellenville, and lodges of the Junior Order of United American Mechanics are at Ellenville, Napanoch and Kerhonkson. Napanoch has a population of 683, with Methodist and Reformed churches. Wawarsing has 240, with a Free Chapel, and Kerhonkson has 546, with Reformed and Methodist churches. The post offices of the town are Cragsmore, Spring Glen, Ellenville, Greenfield, Dairyland, Ulster Heights, Montela, Lacka- wack, Wawarsing and Kerhonkson. During the summer a post office is maintained at Minnewaska. There is a Baptist church at Lackawack, Methodist churches at Montela and Ulster Heights, also a German Cath- olic church at the latter place. The New York City Catskill water supply project, which includes the valley of the Rondout river above Honk Falls, will obliterate the neighborhood above Honk Falls to Montela and destroy the water power at Napanoch when the work is completed. This work will have a disastrous effect upon the industries of the town. The influ- ence which is adding growth and prosperity to Wawarsing to-day is its proximity to New York City, of which it will be merely a suburb when the Hudson river tunnels are completed and electric power is applied to railroad trains. Then Wawarsing, without a rival in its attractions within the area of its distance from that great city, will become a growing and prosperous community to a degree unknown in the past.
John C. Hoornbeek.
403
TOWN OF WOODSTOCK. .:
CHAPTER XXXIV. TOWN OF WOODSTOCK
By HOWARD HENDRICKS.
T HIS is one of the interior towns of Ulster County, and it is located on the northern boundary adjoining the county of Greene .. The towns of Saugerties and Kingston are on the east, those of Hurley and Olive on the south, and the town of Shandaken on the west. It now covers an area of about 37,085 acres, of which nearly one-half is under some form of cultivation. The balance consists of mountainous woodland, forest slopes and quarries.
While the general aspect of the town is unfavorable to easy cultiva- tion, there are many fertile valleys and some fine uplands where fine fruit and other farm crops are successfully grown. The soil and loca- tion seem well adapted to the growth of fine flavored apples which are produced to a profitable extent. The general altitude of the farming section is about 600 feet above the Hudson. But the northern part con- sists of high mountains rising abruptly from the base to the height of 3,150 feet above tide, as in the case of Overlook Mountain, one of the eastern sentinels of the Catskills. Not far below this summit is Echo Lake, or Shues Lake, as it is often called, and at a lower elevation near the center of the town is Cooper's Lake, which covers about eighty acres. The principal streams are the Beaverkill, Sawkill, and the Mink Hollow brook. These with their numerous tributaries furnish valuable water power and some fine trout-fishing.
The region was settled just previous to the Revolution. Philip Bone- steel, the first settler of record, came in 1770 and made his "clearing" about one mile below the present Woodstock village, on what is known as the old Hudler farm. He was followed six years later by Edward Short, who located in the region since known as "Yankeetown." Next came Peter Short, in 1784, and four years later, Jacob DuBois, Ephriam Van Keuren and Philip Shultis. Among other early settlers were Bement Lewis, Henry Shultis, John Hutchins, William Elting, Matthew Keip,
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THE COUNTY OF ULSTER.
Peter Vandebogart, Johannes Kipp, Peter Van Benschoten, Peter Harder and Jeremiah Reynolds.
Jacob Montross seems to have built the first grist-mill of which there are now two or three others in the town. Among these are the old Disch Mill, near Woodstock village, and the Shufelt Mills at Zena. All these mills get their power from the Sawkill stream. There are also many steam saw-mills in the town, which are operated certain seasons of the year.
Tavern-keeping seems to have been a profitable occupation in the early history of Woodstock, judging from the large number of licenses granted. In fact, it was the pioneer industry, because Philip Bonesteel got his license in 1789, and the following persons were licensed in the same year ; the fee then being 8 shillings. Stephen Kierce, George Ellwyn, Richard Peck, John Tuttle, Julius Edgar, Martinus Loriway, Gilbert Decker, Robert More, William Goss and John Van Loan. During the next decade there were a host of other tavern-keepers licensed. As to the other important industries of that period which contributed toward the support of these numerous hotels, the record is far less complete. Dr. Stephen L. Heath seems to have been among the earlier physicians of the town.
Nineteen days after the inauguration of George Washington as the first President of the United States, on April II, 1787, Woodstock was incorporated as a town. The territory had previously been included in the old town of Hurley, and consisted of the settlements known as Great and Little Shandaken. The fact that the name Woodstock originally covered a wide territory is shown by the statement that ten years after its formation a part was taken off in the formation of the town of Mid- dletown, Delaware County, and in 1798 another portion was annexed to Windham in Greene County, and in 1804 nearly all of the present town of Shandaken was taken from Woodstock. Then in 1853 the southern town lines were again changed, by which parts of Hurley and Olive were added, and another bit of Woodstock went over to Olive. And finally in 1879, a small part of the historic old town of Kingston, on the north, was annexed to Woodstock.
The first town election was held the first Tuesday in June, 1787, at the house of Elias Hasbrouck, who was then chosen the first Supervisor. He was succeeded by John Van Gaasbeck, Jr., 1792-98; Wilhelmus Rowe,
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TOWN OF WOODSTOCK.
1799-1802; Benjamin Olmstead, 1803-05; Cornelius Dumond, 1806-07; John Wigram, 1808-09; Isaac Elting, 1810-22; Daniel Elliot, 1823-26; Henry P. Shultis, 1827-29; Samuel Culver, 1830-37; Andrew A. New- kirk, 1.838-41 ; Henry P. Shultis, 1842-44; Herman Reynolds, 1845-47; Andrew A. Newkirk, 1848; John H. Lockwood, 1849; Peter Reynolds, 1850; William M. Cooper, 1851, 1865, 1867, 1870; Peter Reynolds, 1852, 1862-64; Joseph Miller, 1855; Cornelius, Risely, 1856-57; Herman Rey- nolds, 1858-59; William Johnson, 1860-61 ; Albert H. Vosburgh, 1866, 1867, 1881-85, Edward B. Harder, 1868; Orson Vandevoort, 1871 ; Edward B. Harder, 1872-73; Mark C. Risely, 1874; William H. Reynolds, 1875, 1878; Alex H. Elwin, 1876; William F. Cooper, 1877, 1886-88, 1890-92 ; Isaac W. Mosher, 1879; Lyman B. Smith, 1880; Alfred Reynolds, 1889; Vactor Shultis, 1893, 1894, 1904-06; Henry P. Vanderbogart, 1895-1899; Christian W. Winne, 1900, 01-02-03.
The only village of importance in the town is Woodstock, in the southeastern part, about twelve miles from Kingston. The location is, invested with rare scenic charm; nestled there at the base of the gigantic Overlook Mountain crag which forms a towering background for the tall church spires, and the neatly painted stores, shops and dwellings. There is a good hotel, a post-office, telegraph office, two general stores and many shops and comfortable dwelling houses. In the summer season many of these houses entertain city boarders at moderate prices, and they are charmed with the rural environment and the healthful surroundings.
There are nine churches in the town, the oldest of which is the Re- formed Church which was incorporated in 1805. The present church edifice was erected in 1842. There are two Lutheran churches, the older dating back to 1806, and the other 1878. The first Methodist church was incorporated in 1835, the society having been formed seven years earlier with twenty members. The first church was built in 1833. The second Baptist church is next in order of date, starting in 1844. Ten years later the first Wesleyan Methodist church began with 23 members, an offshoot from the parent Methodist church. Then in 1856 came the second Meth- odist church, and in 1870 still another Methodist church in the hamlet known as Bristol. Three years later the South Woodstock Methodist church was organized.
There are seven post-offices in the town known as Woodstock, Bears- ville, Lake Hill, Zena, Willow, Shady and Wittenberg.
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THE COUNTY OF ULSTER.
The hamlet known as Bristol was the site of the old glass factory which ceased operations about fifty years ago. From this factory at that time there was a turnpike-road built to the Hudson at Glasco which seems in some way to have derived its name from this mountain glass factory. Lake Hill is another hamlet with a Baptist church and a few dwellings. It was the site of the noted Cooper's Hotel.
Under the early school laws commissioners were chosen annually to manage the schools. William B. Rogers, John Van Gaasbeck, Jr. Stephen Simmons and Justice Squire being the first commissioners in 1797. In the early part of the last century the records do not show any important official action of the town authorities in respect to local educational affairs. Under the new school act in 1813, the management became vested in in- spectors and commissioners who were elected annually. This continued until 1844 when the system of superintendents was begun. Then in 1856 the present plan of district commissioners was inaugurated, and the schools were no longer under town control.
The principal cemetery is at Woodstock village, and it is nicely kept. There are many ante-revolutionary monuments and an interesting mound known as the "Elm-Tree Grave." In connection with this there is an · interesting tradition regarding a sad incident of domestic infelicity with tragic features, in which Dame Nature seems to have taken an important rôle in the final act, and left an indelible mark upon the scene. Many of the older Woodstock residents will give these details more fully than they could be presented here.
The records show that some ninety or more citizens of the town of Woodstock served in the Civil War, many of whom lost their lives on the battlefield, and others as a result of this service for their country.
The famous Overlook Mountain, before alluded to, is of course the great native attraction of this old town. The scenic beauties of this massive mountain crag overshadow and dominate every other feature of Woodstock. From this airy crest, 3,150 feet toward the sky, it must have been that "Leatherstocking" that most original and eloquent char- acter in all fiction, whom Carlyle characterized as "the one melodious synopsis of man and nature," stood when he said he saw "all creation, and looked at the ways of men, and upon all that God had done or man can do." Parts of seven different States can be seen on a clear day from this summit, with some seventy miles of the Hudson which shimmers
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TOWN OF WOODSTOCK.
in the sunshine like a silver ribbon. This vast mountain crag is always a gigantic background of beauty to Woodstock, no matter from what point it is seen. For many years a large summer hotel near its summit, so plainly seen from the Hudson, known as the Overlook Mountain House, was a famous summer resort with tourists. The first hotel there was built in 1870, and opened by John E. Lasher in 1871. It was much larger than the present structure, and was run by Lasher until 1873 when, in the winter of that year, it burned down, and for three years the prop- erty stood vacant. At length it was purchased by the Kiersted brothers who built the present hotel in 1876-77. It was then managed by Col. Smith for four years, who was succeeded by C. K. Haskell and others, and finally closed a few years ago for lack of profitable patronage, be- cause of the long stage ride to reach it, and the opening of other mountain hotels nearer the railway. During the past year the property has passed into new hands and the house was partly opened this season, with a promise of greater development next year. With improved means of access this Overlook Mountain resort is sure to become one of the most famous and popular in the Catskills.
George Mead was the pioneer landlord of this mountain. In June, 1863, he began to build his hotel half way up the slope, where it now stands. The place was then a dense wilderness and a woodsman had built a small rude shanty in the clearing. Mr. Mead bought up his claim and began to entertain a few visitors in the fall of 1863. Christopher Agar and H. B. Schoonmaker are the first names on his old register, which now contains a long list of names of eminent men and women of fame and importance. There was then only an old Indian trail from his hotel to the Overlook crest. In 1869 Mr. Mead raised money from some Kingston business men and built the first wagon road up that very steep slope. This road was afterward improved by the hotel company and was well kept for some years at considerable expense. The Mead hotel was the first mountain house built south of the Kaaterskill Clove. It has since been much enlarged and is now in charge of W. S. Mead, the son.
The Overlook House is about 500 feet higher than any other hotel in the State, and the air is always cooler than any other point in the Catskills.
The public roads of Woodstock have been materially improved during recent years. The main thoroughfare to Saugerties has been rebuilt
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THE COUNTY OF ULSTER.
with the assistance of the State, and the road to West Hurley has been greatly improved.
The great Woodstock watershed, which is now furnishing water for the city of Kingston, was first brought into requisition in 1883. The water is gathered into three large reservoirs and conveyed to the city by gravity in a double line of mains. It is of exceptional purity. The main streams are the Sawkill and the Mink Hollow. The former begins at Echo Lake not far below the Overlook summit on the northwesterly slope. This watershed covers an area of about 35 square miles, and there is a storage capacity in the three reservoirs in the town of 305,000,000 gallons. The mechanical filtering plant has a daily capacity of over 6,000,000 gallons.
The Bluestone industry is also carried on to a considerable extent in Woodstock, although the work here is confined to the quarrying, and carting the stone to market. There is an abundance of stone, and nu- merous quarries have been opened on the lower mountain slopes and hills. Some fine large platforms and other varieties of flag are secured. Most of this stone is drawn to the river at Glasco, Saugerties or Malden and sold to the Hudson River Bluestone Company, or to James Maxwell's Sons, who are now the only buyers and manufacturers in this vicinity. In fact, it may be said that the Hudson River Company practically con- trols the bluestone industry and output in Ulster County at the present time.
"Byrdcliffe" is the name applied to an important artist colony settle- ment on the mountain slope north of Woodstock village at an elevation of about 1,500 feet above tide. It was established by Mr. Whitehead, an English colonist, a few years ago, and it now contains some 25 or more cottages and buildings of different kinds upon which much money has been spent. The grading and construction of roads has also been done at large cost. The place has been made attractive to artists endowed with artistic tastes and inclinations, and the colony has many summer visitors. 'A summer class of from twenty to thirty students has worked there in what is known as the New York Art School, and much talent is being developed. It is said that over half a million dollars has been expended in the establishment of this colony and the subsequent improvements.
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F595 & Williams 3. Er: NY
JI van Slyke
THE REFORMED PROTESTANT (DUTCH) CHURCH. 409
CHAPTER XXXV. THE REFORMED PROTESTANT (DUTCH) CHURCH.
By REV. JOHN GARNSEY VAN SLYKE, D.D.
T HE Reformed Church in America," commonly known as "Dutch," like every other type of ecclesiastical life in our country, is an exotic. Its beginnings in Ulster County were due to seeds brought hither from the Netherland. In that ancient "Hollow-land," the doctrines of the Reformation early found a peculiarly congenial and nutritious soil. That same vigorous type of character which has been emblazoned in the annals of patriotism, found equal illustration in the religious life of our Dutch ancestors. The principles of an emancipated Gospel were incorporated in their bone and sinew, and found ardent and unequivocal assertion in their theological dogmas.
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