Centennial history of Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, Part 58

Author: Stocker, Rhamanthus Menville, 1848-
Publication date: 1887
Publisher: Philadelphia, Pa. : R. T. Peck
Number of Pages: 1318

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ment, he won the good-will of his employer and received an advance in his wages above the contract. He purchased a half-interest in the In- dependent Volunteer for five hundred dollars. In 1838 he was made deputy United States marshal for Susquehanna County, taking the census of nearly the entire county. In 1841 he formed a partnership with Deacon Jerre Lyons in the mercantile busines. In 1845 he dis- solved with Lyons and became a partner with G. V. Bentley for fifteen years. A. Watrous and H. C. Foster succeeded Bentley in 1860 ; with various partners he continued in the mer- cantile business twenty-nine years. In 1855 he was associated three or four years with H. H. Frazier in conducting the Independent Re- publican. In 1856 lie was elected associate judge of Susquehanna County, a position which he held by re-election ten years. He was Pres- idential elector and voted for Lincoln and John- son in 1864. In business he was careful and conscientious, avoiding speculation and holding usury in abhorrence. In 1840 he became a member of the Presbyterian Church, and con- tinued an earnest and consistent member the remainder of his life. He died January 1, 1876.

INDUSTRIES-MANUFACTURING .- Montrose, owing to its location on a hill at the fountain head of a stream, instead of being beside its majestic course, is not adapted to manufactur- ing ; consequently her manufactories are not extensive. The first manufacturing that was done consisted of home-made flannels and woven fabrics of various kinds, such as full- cloth for men's wear, plaids for women's wear, and table-cloths and toweling from flax which was grown in the county. A large number of sheep were kept for their wool for this domes- tic manufacture. This industry, which was carried on in every household by the good house-wives of those early days, with their spin- ning-wheels and old-fashioned hand-looms, was of greater importance to the hardy pioneers than we can estimate now. The old merchants remember that the manufactured product of these old hand-looms not only clothed the fami- lies of the pioneers, but also furnished an arti- cle of commerce that could be exchanged in

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New York for such other articles as the settlers needed. All honor to the women, while they were "rising up early in the morning while it was yet night, seeking wool and flax and work- ing willingly with their hands, girding their loins with strength, laying their hands to the spindle and distaff, stretching out their hands to the needy and not fearing the snow for their households, for they were covered with scarlet and plaids and full cloth, " 1-their husbands, who were sitting among the elders of the land, were engaged in manufacturing the rye (which ought to have been ground into flour to make bread for the needy) into whiskey for home con- sumption.

Distilleries were operated contemporaneously with the early settlement of Montrose, and nearly all the old families were either interested in its manufacture or sale. Francis Fordham had a distillery on the farm now owned by John S. Tarbell, also another in town near Fos- ter's tannery. Nathan Raynor, Mr. Herrick and Clark were interested with him. In 1824 Herrick, Fordham & Clark were in partner- ship, " continuing the stilling business on a pretty extensive scale." This establishment was closed in June, 1875, and soon after " 2 Clark & Tyler (Harvey) take pleasure in in- forming the public that the distillery they have been erecting near Joncs' mill is now com- pleted and in perfect readiness for business."

" In the second issue of the 'Centinel,' February, 1816, Daniel Curtis offers '350 gallons of good, rec- tified whiskey at $1.00 per gallon;' and the whole air of the advertisement presupposes the community ready to hail it as a benefaction.

"F. Fordham announces' a hogshead of rum, to be sold cheaper than ever it was sold in the village.' But he was a respecter of money, if not of persons, since he asked '9 shillings only if N. Y. bills are offered, but 10 shillings if those of Philadelphia, and 11 shillings if bills from the interior.'

"Nathan Raynor ' will sell rum if requested.'

" In 1817, Isaac Post 'sells brandy, rum, gin, and whiskey ;' but this was not probably a new business with him, since he became a 'taverner' ten years previous to this.

"Sayre & Mulford advertised, about the same time with Mr. Post, rum and brandy ' of the first quality ; ' and doubtlessly the endorsement would be considered

good, could their liquors be tasted after the adulterated ones of the present day.

"In 1819, 'Nathan H. Lyons sells whiskey by the hogshead, tierce, barrel, gallon, or quart,' in a small red house on the corner since occupied by J. R. Dewitt & Co.

"In 1820, probably from the increased number of distilleries, whiskey is sold, for cash, at 44 cents per gallon, by I. D. Post.

" The Britannia Distillery is announced in 1821.

" In 1822 ' Butterfield's best rectified whiskey ' was by no means the result of his enterprise alone ; I. P. Foster, Daniel Lathrop and S. S. Mulford were silent partners.

" In 1823, the Montrose Gazette complains of the scarcity of wheat, which is felt the more since 'too much rye goes to the distilleries.' One bushel of rye purchased five quarts of whiskey."

Daniel Searle, who run the stage lines for a number of years and had a large number of horses to feed, actually bought out one or two of the distilleries and discontinued them, be- cause they were taking too much grain out of the country and raising the price of feed for his horses. The temperance agitation that followed Rev. Lyman Beecher's sermons caused con- scientious men to view the distilling business in a different light from what they formerly did, and they gradually discontinued the business.

Tanneries .- Isaac P. Foster came from South Hampton, L. I., in 1811, and started a tan- nery. He carried on shoemaking in connection with tanning, and employed a number of hands. The tannery stood near where the Exchange Hotel now stands. They obtained their water supply from a well and a little stream of water that ran through the yard in the wet season. In 1827 Mr. Foster sold to Luther Catlin, whose son-in-law, Stephen Keeler, shortly after discontinued the business and turned the resi- dence and shops into a hotel.

William Foster started a little upper-leather tannery at Montrose in 1838. The first tan- nery was a primitive affair; the vats had no covering save the clouds. He had buildings, however, in which he carried on shoemaking, together with tanning and currying. His buildings were destroyed by fire and he built larger, and associated his son, Charles S. Fos- ter, in the business with him. This building was also destroyed by fire, when the present

1 See Ecclesiasticus xxxi.

2 Blackman's " History."

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building was erected. After William Foster died, Charles S. associated his son, Selden M., in business with him. Their tannery contained thirty vats and consumed from seventy-five to one hundred cords of bark. They tanned about one thousand skins per year until 1883, when the business was discontinued.

The Susquehanna County Agricultural Works were put into successful operation in 1856 by S. H. & D. Sayre. These works were par- tially destroyed by fire in 1861-62 and imme- diately rebuilt. In 1876 F. B. Jewett was chosen president, W. H. Cooper treasurer, and D. Sayre secretary. These officers, together with F. B. Chandler and S. H. Sayre, consti- tuted the business directory. The foundry em- ployed about thirty-five men, and made agri- cultural implements, steam-engines, grist-mills, plows, wheel-rakes, mowers, revolving rakes, cultivators, dog-powers, corn-shellers, wagon- boxes, agricultural furnaces, cauldron kettles, etc. The works occupy nearly two blocks ; the general foundry and machinery department, in which are located the foundry, wood-working department, machine-shop, blacksmith-shop and finishing departments, is two hundred and sixty-six feet long, with an L one hundred and fifty feet in length, which is furnished with good machinery, and the power is furnished by two engines of forty-five horse-power. On the opposite corner, diagonally from the work- shops, are the storehouses, warerooms and offices, which occupy a building one hundred and fifty by forty feet in dimensions. At the western end of the shop is a grist-mill with three runs of stone, which was originally built by Isaac Post. The agricultural works were sold at sheriff's sale November 12, 1885, and purchased by H. L. Beach and J. Griffis for seven thou- sand dollars. February 1, 1886, H. L. Beach, F. J. Brown and W. S. Benjamin bought the works, and are conducting the business under the firm-name of Beach, Brown & Co. They have expended about three thousand dollars in improvements, replacing the two engines with a fifty-five horse-power Ball automatic cut-off en- gine, which does all the work with one-half the fuel formerly used. They grind from six hun- dred to seven hundred bushels of grain per day

in the mill, and make all kinds of agricultural instruments in the shop, as was formerly done.

Toy Works .- C. M. Crandall Company, manufacturers of building blocks and toys, started their toy-factory at Montrose in the second story of the foundry building in 1867. It was started principally for the purpose of manufacturing Crandall's building-blocks, which were invented and patented by Crandall. This toy had an immense sale. This was the pioneer wooden toy-factory in the United States ; pre- vious to this wooden toys were imported from Germany. In 1875 the works were moved into a commodious building, about forty by seventy feet, and three stories high ; besides this there were offices, lumber-sheds, etc. The buildings were back of Boyd & Cooley's and extended the whole length of the block. They employed about sixty-five hands and did a business of sixty thousand dollars per year. This building was burned in the great fire in August, 1886. The New York Tribune said that it was the most complete factory of the kind in the world. The business was conducted in the foundry again for a time, but has now been re- moved.

Fork-Factory .- George Lathrop and Asa Hawley started a factory for manufacturing agricultural implements, and operated it for a few years, when it was reorganized by Turner and others, and called The Fork Company. In 1866 Azur Lathrop took fifteen thousand dollars stock or one-half interest in it, and was finally obliged to take full charge of the concern. In 1875 he sold the building to C. M. Crandall and moved the fork-factory to South Montrose. This factory did a business of twenty thousand dollars per year, and employed from fifteen to twenty-five hands.

Francis Fordham was the first hatter in town. He started the business in 1812, just below Boyd's corner. He found good clay and burnt brick seventy years ago, where Boyd & Cooley are now burning brick for their new store. William Turrell started the first saddlery and harness-shop in 1817, in the basement of his residence.

Wagon and Sleigh-Making .- Charles Beards- lee started the first wagon-shop at Montrose in

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1832. He rented a building at first and built a shop the following year, back of the Montrose House, extending from Church Street to Straw- berry Alley: Jonas Mack, who was an appren- tiee in the same shop with Mr. Beardslee in 1829, came with him, and in 1839 purchased the business, which he continued until 1856, when he traded the shop to Leonard Searle for a farm, and Mr. Searle sold it to E. H. Rogers, who conducted the business for a number of years and sold it to Isaac and James Melhuish, who run it a while and sold it to Blakeslee, who sold it to Jonas Mack, who has a shop near Lathrop's planing-mill. E. H. Rogers lias the old shop. Mr. Rogers has worked at the business for nearly fifty years, and Mr. Mack has worked at it since 1829, exeepting a few years while he was on the farm. These shops formerly employed from eight to eleven men, and did a large business in carriage, wagon and sleigh-making; but this work is now being concentrated in large factories, and the two veteran workmen above mentioned are all that remain in the business at Montrose. Jonas Maek built the best coaches for the stage pro- prietors that could be obtained anywhere in this section. Messrs. Beck & Warner are manu- facturing tables quite extensively at present (1886).

Cabinet-Shops .-- Jeremiah Ethridge came to Montrose from New London, Conn , and estab- lished the first cabinet-maker's shop in 1818, in the South neighborhood. He occupied a building in the rear of the present residence of Dr. Halsey. This he used as a shop for a few years ; then he built a residence at the corner of Cherry Street and Cedar Lane. He devoted his time exclusively to furniture business until 1835. James N. Eldridge came to Montrose about 1835 and established a furniture-shop on quite an extensive scale. He was burned out in 1854. W. W. Smith learned his trade of Eldridge and commeneed business for himself in 1844. He set up the first engine in town, employed from eight to ten hands, and did a large business until competition from large fac- tories destroyed the small furniture-shops. Smith & Stevens were partners first; then Fayette Avery eame into the firm. Afterwards

it was Smith & Fordham ; finally W. W. Smith, who is still the village undertaker. The first three years that he was in business he only took in seventy-five cents in money ; all the rest was barter, such as cattle, grain, apples, lumber,-anything the farmers could produce. Money was so scarce that he gave Norman J. Mitchell a mahogany bureau worth twenty-five dollars to pay fifteen dollars taxes. During the forty years and more that Mr. Smith has been undertaker he has buried over three thousand persons. He has buried from one hundred to one hundred and sixty annually. His services have extended for a number of miles around Montrose. Garner Isbell was also an early cabinet-maker and ingenious at all kinds of mechanical work. Ira Vadikan was the first man that had marble-works in town. In 1880 E. J. Mathews started a shop, which employs four men. T. C. Allen manages the business (in 1887).

Jabez Frink carried on blacksmithing for Isaac Post in a shop west of the William Foster place in 1810. His sons, Jabez Frink, Jr., and George Frink, followed the same trade for many years. Alanson Coy and Daniel Curtis were also early blacksmiths. Embly Shaffer and Rufus Allen worked at the trade later for a long time. Rufus Frink came to Bridgewater from Connecticut about 1806, and was the first mason in the place. He also worked at cooper- ing and shoemaking. His only son, Avery Frink, has been a carpenter and builder for fifty- seven years. W. H. Boyd and Mr. Frink have been the principal builders and contractors in town. Zebulon Deans, Asahel Dcans, Hiram Plum, Oliver Smith, Hyde Crocker, Levi Greg- ory, Daniel Gregory, Ackerly Bronson, Charles Avery and Hubbard Avery are among the number who have built the houses in Montrose. Zebulon Deans came in 1804, and his brother, Asahel, in 1806. They were the first carpen- ters at Montrose. Asahiel Avery, who lived in Dimock in 1801, was a carpenter, and did work in Wilkes-Barre. Mr. Deans worked for him there.

George Claggett was probably the first tailor. Reuben B. Locke advertised as a tailor as early as 1817. He continued in the business a num-

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ber of years and became so corpulent that he seldom rose from his chair. He sat behind his counter and cut garments without rising. He was a great reader, told good stories, laughed and grew fat, until he weighed some four or five hundred pounds. Philander Lines learned the trade of him and continned the business a num- ber of years, until S. H. Morse, a tailor from New Milford, came to Montrose and entered into partnership with him. Mr. Lines removed to Great Bend, and Mr. Morse continued until age compelled him to stop in 1883. John Grover is an old tailor in town. W. H. Maw- hiney learned the trade of Morse, purchased the old National Bank building and now has the finest tailor-shop in town. George Walker and Ralph Smith also work at the business. In 1887 F. D. Melhuish and R. B. Smith formed a partnership and have combined the jewelry, dry-goods and tailoring business in one store.

Mrs. S. S. Mulford was one of the first mil- liners. She kept the largest stock of goods and trimmed bonnets in connection with her hus- band's store. Mrs. Sayre also did some work in that line. In 1831 the Misses Sutton advertise as milliners over A. Baldwin's harness-shop. Mrs. Faurot worked at the millinery business a great many years. Mrs. S. E. Newton has the largest millinery store now (1887). Mrs. Backus, Mrs. Baker and a number of others work at the business. Miss Simpson was the finest dress-maker ever in the place up to the time when she came here. She worked at the busi- ness some thirty years and died here. Many women with ingennity enough to construct a woman's outfit have worked at the business at Montrose.

WILLIAM H. BOYD .- Robert Boyd, his great- great-grandfather, emigrated from the north of Ireland early in the eighteenth century, and settled in Sadsbury township, in the western part of the great Chester Valley, in Chester County, Pa. Here he purchased land, upon which he resided until his death (1678-1743). His grave is one of the first in Octoraro church- yard. The sturdy Scotch-Irish Presbyterian- ism of his native land he brought with him from over the sea, and his descendants have always adhered to it.

He left to survive him one son, James Boyd (1715-99), who inherited his lands, consist- ing of four hundred acres. James Boyd had two sons-Matthew and George-and before his death he conveyed these lands to them by deed, in equal proportions. The descendants of George (1742-1818) yet occupy the land conveyed to him by his father (now the sixth generation).

Matthew Boyd was born in 1737. He had imbibed from his Scotch-Irish ancestry that hatred of oppression and love of liberty that led him, early in the great struggle for independence, to take an active part in opposition to British oppression ; in fact, during the darkest days of the Revolution, a Scotch-Irish "Tory " was unheard of. The following document, now in possession of his grandson, evidences alike his generosity and his patriotism :

"PRINCETOWN, January 20, 1777.

" Received of Capt. Boyd, of the 6th Battalion, Chester County Militia, the sum of Fifteen Pounds, which he, the said Boyd, desires me to divide amongst the poor associates of said Battalion now in the ser- vice of their country, as equally as my judgement would direct. (Signed)

" J. FULLERTON, Major."

Another time-yellowed document, also in possession of William H. Boyd, is a commission granted by the "Supreme Executive Council of Penna. to Matthew Boyd, Esq.," as lieuten- ant-colonel, signed by the president and secre- tary of the Council and dated at Philadelphia, May 6, 1777.

In January, 1769, Matthew Boyd married Mar- garet Hamilton (1746-77), who belonged to an early and prominent family of Lancaster County, Pa. They had four children,-James, born 1769; Jane, 1771; Mary, 1773 ; and William Ham- ilton, 1776. The latter died in 1808, leaving a wife and three children. On the 17th day of May, 1782, Colonel Matthew Boyd was almost instantly killed by being thrown from his horse during a review of his battalion at Cochran- ville, Chester County, Pa. James Boyd was thirteen years old when his father died, and upon reaching his majority came into posses- sion of the old homestead in Chester County, known as the " Valley Farm." He was mar- ried, in January, 1804, to Mary McMullin, who

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resided at Columbia, Lancaster County, Pa. They had seven children,-Nancy, Matthew (1806-37), William Hamilton, John P. (1810- 35), Francis G. (married and now living in Jowa), Hannah and Josephus (1819-83; he was a printer by trade, and for several years edited and published the People's Advocate, at Montrose, Pa.). After his marriage James Boyd remained on the old homestead, cultivat-

started with his family for their new home in Susquehanna County. A large, old-fashioned Pennsylvania wagon drawn by four horses, and a one-horse " Dearborn," were the means of transportation. The journey occupied nine days. Few goods were brought, except bedding and a few household necessities, and no agri- cultural implements except an old-style Scoteh I plow, which was soon found to be useless in the

your of Borgate

ing its fertile acres, until 1822, when he sold the Chester County farm.

Having read some flattering accounts of the lands in Susquehanna County, in the Village Record, published at West Chester, he decided to come and see for himself, and he made the journey on horseback, being absent from home three weeks. While in Susquehanna County he purchased of Joshua W. Raynsford the farm in South Bridgewater now owned by E. P. Stamp. The consideration was two thousand dollars. Early in April, 1823, James Boyd 19

stony soil of this section. Surrounding his new home with such comforts as he could command, James Boyd continued to cultivate and improve his farm until his death, which occurred in 1835. He was a life-long Democrat and a great admirer of Thomas Jefferson and Andrew Jack- son, both of whom his vote assisted in eleeting. He served his country for a time as a soldier during the War of 1812-14, being stationed at Baltimore when the Britishi were repulsed near that city, and General Ross killed. His wife, Mary, survived him ten years, and died in

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Montrose borough, to which place she removed after her husband's death.

William Hamilton Boyd was born De- cember 8, 1808, at the old homestead in Ches- ter County, and was named after his uncle, who had died that year. He was fourteen years old when his father removed from Chester to Sus- quehanna County. His boyhood was spent on his father's farm, and in the performance of such duties as fell to the lot of farmers' boys sixty or seventy years ago. The only educational facil- ities within reach were those furnished by the country schools, and a few months in summer, in lis early years, and a few months in winter, after he was old enough to help on the farm, comprised his educational advantages.

When he was eighteen years of age he left home to learn the carpenter's trade, and served an apprenticeship of three years. After learn- ing his trade he worked several years as a journeyman, most of the time in Bradford County, Pa., until 1838, when he went to the then Territory of Iowa, where he spent nearly two years working at his trade. While there he voted at the first election had in the Territory -the election being held at Davenport, in Scott County. In December, 1839, in company with a Connecticut man, he started for home, travel- ing on foot the first hundred miles over the almost uninhabited prairies of Illinois, some days hardly seeing a habitation, and on one occasion, having lost their way in a snow-storm, came near spending a December night on the bleak and desolate prairie. Arriving at Peru, on the Illinois River, they took stage via Chicago to Detroit, from which place they pro- ceeded to Buffalo by boat over Lake Erie. At Buffalo Mr. Boyd separated from his traveling companion and took stage for Montrose. The trip occupied ten days.

In the spring of 1840 Mr. Boyd commenced his business career in Montrose as a contractor and builder, and for the ensuing eighteen years he devoted his entire time to that business. The first building erected by him was a dwelling- house for Mrs. Biddle, now owned by her daughters. Of the public buildings in the borough, the academy (now graded school build- ing) was erected by him, also the Episcopal

Church, which was the first building in the borough covered by a slate roof. In company with one Smith, he built the old jail (now used by the Fire Department) and was associated with Avery Frink in the erection of the court-house. After engaging in mercantile business lie con- tinued his occupation of builder, and besides dwellings and store-buildings, he erected the present Presbyterian Church, and in 1883 he was awarded the contract for building the addi- tion to the court-house.

During his active career as a builder he has erected, besides the public buildings mentioned, forty new dwellings, eight stores and remodeled as many more. The title " veteran builder of Montrose " certainly belongs to him, and, what is better, he enjoys a reputation for thoroughness and conscientious work that stamps the creations of his mechanical skill with an appearance of substantial permanency.

In the fall of 1858 he entered into partner- ship with A. L. Webster in the tin and sheet- iron business, under the firm-name of Boyd & Webster, and a few months thereafter, by pur- chase of S. A. Woodruff, they added stoves, tinware and hardware to their stock in trade. This was the foundation of the large and pros- perous business with which Mr. Boyd has been identified to the present time. Besides his original partner, Mr. Webster, who left the firm permanently in 1868, several gentlemen have been associated with him in the business. The present firm is Boyd & Cooley-the junior member, J. H. Cooley, having been connected with the business since 1876.

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Centennial history of Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, Part 58

Author: Stocker, Rhamanthus Menville, 1848- Publication date: 1887 Publisher: Philadelphia, Pa. : R. T. Peck Number of Pages: 1318

Author: Stocker, Rhamanthus Menville, 1848-
Publication date: 1887
Publisher: Philadelphia, Pa. : R. T. Peck
Number of Pages: 1318