tfiMIM Q(atneU Hnittetaitg attiata, S^tni fock BOUGHT WITH THE INCOME OF THE JACOB H. SCHIFF ENDOWMENT FOR THE PROMOTION OF STUDIES IN HUMAN CIVILIZATION 1918 F 12705*^077" ""'"'""^ ""^ oiin "^ ^^^^ 028 832 462 Overs Cornell University Library The original of this book is in the Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924028832462 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY NEW YORK From 1700 to the Present Time By henry J. COOKINHAM ILLUSTRATED VOLUME I CHICAGO THE S. J. CLARKE PUBLISHING COMPANY 1912 CONTENTS CHAPTER I The Indians — Iroquois — Oneidas 1 CHAPTER II French-English-Indian War 21 CHAPTER III Revolutionary War 25 CHAPTER IV Organization and Geography 40 CHAPTER V Geology 42 CHAPTER VI Mineralogy 47 CHAPTER VII Botany 49 CHAPTER VIII Forestry 54 CHAPTER IX Animals — ^Birds — ^Fish ■. 59 CHAPTER X Political History 1698-1812 70 CHAPTER XI 1813-1823 82 CHAPTER XII 1824-1839 87 CHAPTER XIII 1840-1859 104 CHAPTER XIV 1860-1869 118 CHAPTER XV 1870-1879 134 vii viii CONTENTS CHAPTER XVI 1880-1889 141 CHAPTER XVII 1890-1899 149 CHAPTER XVIII 1900-1912 , 156 CHAPTER XIX Public Officials and Statistics 167 CHAPTER XX Municipal Corporations and Statistics 208 CHAPTER XXI Courts, Bench and Bar 230 CHAPTER XXII Financial Institutions 273 CHAPTER XXIII Press and Publications 280 CHAPTER XXIV Religious Institutions 297 CHAPTER XXV Educational Institutions 354 CHAPTER XXVI Libraries 377 CHAPTER XXVII Medical Profession and Institutions 391 CHAPTER XXVIII Eleemosynary and Charitable Institutions 428 CHAPTER XXIX Reformatory and Penal Institutions 431 CHAPTER XXX Industries and Commerce 433 CHAPTER XXXI Transportation — Routes of Travel 457 CHAPTER XXXII Fraternal Orders — Societies — Clubs 464 CHAPTER XXXIII Historic Places and Buildings 505 CHAPTER XXXIV Eminent Men and "Women 513 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS Aborigines of New York i Academy, Rome (old) 372 Academy, Rome (new) 372 Academy, Utica (old) 378 Academy, Utica (new) 344 Alden, Gustavus R 298 Alden, Mrs. G. R 546 Assumption Academy 344 Bacon, William J 236 Bailey, Alexander H 168 Bailey, B. Prentiss 293 Bagg, Dr. M. M 400 Bagg's Hotel 510 Baptist Church, Rome 348 Barn of Colonel Sanger 300 Barneveld Library 380 Battle of Resaca, Georgia 526 Beach, Bloomfleld J 274 Beardsley, Samuel 244 Beecham, Rev. William 304 Bentley, Henry W. 168 Bethune, George W., D.D 334 Bill, Dr. Earl 396 Bissell, Dr. Daniel P 392 Bleecker Street Baptist Church 312 Brant, Joseph (the Great Mohawk Chief) . 14 Brigham, Dr. Amariah 422 Brown, E. D 542 Brown, Dr. Matthew, Jr 391 Bussy, Mrs. Mary 546 Butler, J. Milton 278 Butterfield, Major General Daniel 536 Butterfield, John 458 Butterfield House 510 Campbell, Samuel 484 Canal at Forestport 113 Carnahan, James 334 Caswell, H. A 238 Central New York Institute for Deaf Mutes, Rome 96 Chamberlain, Ephraim 550 Chancellor Square, Utica 502 Childs, Silas D 460 Christ Reformed Church 308 Church of the Redeemer, Utica 308 Church of Reconciliation 308 Churchill, Dr. Alonzo 400 ix City Hall, Rome 108 aty Hall, Utica 104 City Hospital, Utica 414 City Hospital, Rome 480 Clarke, H. S. N 304 Cleveland, Grover 513 Cleveland, Rose Elizabeth 546 Coggeshall, Henry J 236 Comstock, Calvert 326 Comstock, Edward 226 Conkling, Roscoe ' -240 Conkling, Mrs. Roscoe 556 Cookinham, Henry Jared 1 Corey, Daniel G 304 County Clerk's Office (old) in Utica 178 Court House at Rome (bfefore it was re- built) 233 Court House at Rome (after it was re- built) 232 Court House in Utica (first) 212 Court House in Utica (second) 213 Court House in Utica (third or last) 216 Coventry, Dr. Alexander 392 Coventry, Dr. Charles 392 Coxe, Alfred C 266 Daggett, Gen. Rufus 126 Dauphin of France 12 Davis, John C 236 De Angelis, Pascal C. J 266 Delta Dam (the Great) 463 Denio, Hiram 244 Dering, N. H 400 Devereux, John C 553 Didymous, Thomas Library at Remsen . . . 380 Doolittle, Charles H 236 Douglass, Dr. I. H 400 Elmer, 0. E 70 Erwin Library at Boonville 380 Ethridge, Alfred 274 Farwell, Samuel 460 Faxton, Theodore S 460 Faxton Hospital, Utica 416 First Methodist Episcopal Church, Utica. .308 First Moravian Church, Utica 313 First Presbyterian Church, Utica 308 First Presbyterian Church, New Hartford . 297 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS Fisher, Samuel W 304 Flandrau, Dr. T. M 422 Floyd, Gen. William 520 Ford, Dr. Willis E 423 Fort Bull (site of) 24 Fort Schuyler 24 Fort Schuyler Club, Utica 500 Fort Stanwix (map of) 505 Fort Stanwix (site of) 22 Foster, Henry A 246 Foster, Mrs. Henry A 556 Fowler, Philoman H 304 Frazier, Dr. Robert 408 Furbish, Edward B 298 Ga-ka-ah, or skirt 18 Gansevoort, Colonel 28 Gaynor, William J 516 Genesee Street, Utica 510 Gibson, William, D.D 304 Gillette, Samuel 226 Glass, Dr. James H 423 Golden, David V. W 550 Grace Protestant Church of Utica 312 Gray, Dr. John P 393 Gridley, Philo 366 Grindley, Gen. J. G 126 Group of Ministers of the first church organized in Oneida County 398 Grove, Dewitt C 293 Guiteau, Dr. Luther 391 Guiteau, Dr. Luther, Jr 400 Halleek, Major General H. W 524 Hamilton Academy 358 Hamilton College, 1918 362 Herkimer, General Nicholas 522 Historic Stone of the Oneida Nation or their altar 8 Holy Trinity Boman Catholic Church 318 Home for Aged Men and Couples 96 Home for the Homeless (for women) . . . .438 Homeopathic Hospital 416 Homestead of Gen. Collins, New Hartford . 83 Hopper, Thomas 552 House of the Good Shepherd 428 Hunt, Montgomery 278 Hunt, Ward 346 Huntington, Edward 274 Huntington, Henry 278 Hutchinson, Dr. Edwin 423 Iroquois Indian Young Man Da-ah-de-a in Costume 18 Iroquois Girl Ga-hah-no in Costume 18 Iroquois Indian House Ga-no-sote 18 Iroquois Ornamental work Gos-to-weh or Headdress 18 Jenkins, Timothy ^68 Jervis, John B SS* Jervis Library, Rome 380 Johnson, Alexander B S52 Johnson, Alexander S 244 Kellogg, Spencer 552 Kelly, Jane, Preceptress of Utica Female Academy 546 Kernan, Francis, U. S. Senator 250 Kernan, Mrs. Francis 556 Kessinger, A. R 328 Kimball, Charles C 298 Kingsbury, Oliver A 298 Kingsley, W. J. P 228 Kirkland, Samuel, D.D 354 Knox, William E., D.D 304 Laird, Dr. Frank F 432 Lawrence, Lewis 460 Lynch, Dominick '. 554 Lynch, Mrs. Dominick 554 McCall, Dr. John 393 McMillan, Andrew 370 McQuade, Brigadier General James 126 Making Charcoal at Boonville 56 Map of Oneida County showing Land Grants 40 Matteson, Orsamus B 168 Maynard, Isaac 460 Merwin, Milton H 266 Middleton, Robert 550 Millar, Charles 550 Miller, Addison C 552 Monument of General William Floyd .... 520 Mohawk River at foot of Genesee Street near old Ford 144 Mohawk River at foot of Genesee Street as it now exists 144 Morse, Jonathan B 542 Murphy, Aloysius, D. D 304 New Century Club 500 New York Central Railroad Station, Utica 156 New York State Hospital (approach) as it now appears 404 New York State Lunatic Asylum as Orig- inally Built 404 Ninde, Bishop W. X 334 Nock, Thomas G 238 Odd Fellows Temple 438 Old Fashioned Surgical Instruments 396 Old Horse Car of Utica 457 Olmsted, Rt. Rev. Charles T 334 Oneida County Hospital, Rome 96 Oneida County Jail 431 Oneida Historical Building, Utic» 506 Oriskany Monument on Day of Dedication 34 Oriskany Monument Tablets 74 Orphan Asylum, Utica 438 Payson, Elliot H 398 Peabody, H. H., D.D 304 Police Office, Utica 100 Pope, Dr. H. H 400 Postoffice, Rome 108 PostoflSce, Utica 136 Presbyterian Church and Cemetery at Westernville 530 Presbyterian Church, Rome 348 Prescott, Cyrus D 168 Presidents and Mayors of Utica 330 Residence of Senator Koscoe Conkling. . .308 Residence of General William Floyd .... 83 Residence of Senator Francis Kernan .... 150 Residence of Senator Elihu Root 83 Residence of Governor Horatio Seymour. 508 Residence of Vice President James S. Sherman 150 Residence of Baron Steuben 88 Robert Fraser Store 118 Roberts, Ellis H 393 Rogers, P. V 378 Rome aub 33 Rome in 1803 234 Root, Elihu 514 Rutger Street, Utica 503 Scripture, William E 366 Scudder, Dr. Samuel 408 Seiboth, Joseph 542 Seymour, Dr. George 393 Seymour, Horatio 360 Seymour, Mrs. Horatio 556 Sherman James S 356 Sherman, Mrs. James S 538 Sherman, Richard U 393 Sieard, Rear Admiral Montgomery 530 Skenandoah 8 Skinner, Adolphug, D.D 334 Snowdon, Rev. E. H 398 Soldiers' Monument, Rome 130 Soldiers' Monument, Utica 130 Soldiers' Monument, Verona 130 Soldiers' Monument, Waterville 130 Sprecher, Samuel P 334 Spencer, Joshua A 168 Spriggs, J. Thomas 168 St. Elizabeth's Hospital, Utica .413 State Custodial Asylum, Rome 96 State Custodial Asylum, Rome 438 State Masonic Home 96 Statue of Colonel Gansevoort in park at Rome 30 Steuben, Baron 10 Steuben, Baron (monument) 88 Stevens, Edward L 336 Stevens, James 336 Stevens, S. B 336 Sutton, Dr. Harry 430 Sutton, Dr. R. E 408 Talcott, Charles A 168 Taylor, James H 334 Terry, Dr. M. 436 Thorn, John 460 Townsend, S. B 338 Trenton Falls 44 Trenton Gorge 44 Trinity Church, Utica 313 Utica in 1803 208 Utica City Library 380 Van Deusen, Edward M., D.D 334 Walcott, William D 434 Walker, Colonel Benjamin 78 Walker, Edyth, Opera Singer 546 Wardwell, Samuel 374 Waterville Library, interior view 380 Watson, Dr. W. H 436 Wells, John B 553 West, Dr. M. C 430 Wetzel, Andrew, D.D 334 Wheelock, General Charles 136 White, A. S 338 Wiley, George 550 Willett, Lieut. Col. Marinus 38 Williams, Rev. Eleazer 13 Williams, E. Stuart 236 Williams, Robert S 378 Williams, Stalham 378 Wilson, Dr. Claude 408 Wolcott, Dr. Samuel 408 Wood, Thomas 503 Young Men's Christian Association Build- ing, Rome 496 Young Men's Christian Association Build- ing, Utica 496 Zion Episcopal Church, Rome 348 6'-W^:Ci.-v- 'V 'ftvl^ ^ HISTORY OP ONEIDA COUNTY 5 "Of all the inhabitants of the New "World, they were the most terrible foes and the most capable of organized and sustained warfare, and of all the in- habitants north of Mexico; they were the most civilized and intelligent." Whoever became acquainted with the Iroquois in early days realized that they were an extraordinary people. Sir "William Johnson, who knew them as well as any Englishman and had, perhaps, more dealing with them than any other officer of the crown, said of them: "They are the most formidable of any uncivilized body of people in the world. ' ' The nation for which the county is named consisted of about 3,000 in 1776. They are said to have been lovers of peace, were more refined in manners than the other nations, and were the diplomatists of the confederation. Long before the beginning of the 18th century, they had a fixed dwelling place on the west- ern border of what is now Oneida county. In 1904 the regents of the university of the state of New York caused a history of the New York Iroquois to be prepared by "W. M. Beauchamp, S. T. D. The book is known as Bulletin 78, and it contains a map of the territory occu- pied by the different nations belonging to the league. From this, it appears that the territory of the Oneidas was bounded on the east by a line extending from the St. Lawrence river to a point about 25 miles below Ogdensburg; southerly to Trenton Falls; thence bending slightly easterly to Herkimer and to Oneonta ; thence along the northwesterly line of Delaware county to Broome county; thence along the northerly line of Broome county to the Chenango river; thence northwesterly about 15 miles; thence northerly to a point about 3 miles from Oneida lake ; thence westerly about 3 or 4 miles ; thence northerly across the westerly part of the lake and bearing westerly slightly about 25 miles; thence north bearing slightly eastward to Carthage; thence northwest- erly to the St. Lawrence river between Alexandria Bay and Clayton; thence along the river to the place of beginning, the territory being somewhat be- tween 7,000 and 8,000 square miles. A study of the life and manners of this most interesting people reveals the fact that their comforts were greater and they lived upon a higher plane than is generally supposed. Their food was more abundant and of greater variety than many other of the aborigines. In the spring they made, from the maple trees, their supply of sugar for the year. In the summer there were berries of many varieties and fish of the finest species. In autumn there were nuts, apples, plums, cherries, corn, potatoes, pumpkin, squash and other vege- tables, and an abundance of such game as makes the sportsmen of our age most envious of their day. There were bear, moose, deer, wild turkeys, geese, ducks, grouse, wild pigeons, rabbits, squirrels and other game of which they could lay by a supply without serious effort, for their time of need. For cloth- ing, against the rigors of winter, they had the fur of the beaver, otter, fisher, sable, mink and other fur bearing animals, for which the wealthy of the present day pay such prices as would have purchased almost a kingdom in that early period. In fact, no part of the colonies presented better facilities for the com- forts of life to the savage than the Mohawk valley. Not until the ravages of war had swept their valley was want necessarily known among the Indians in this region. Their wigwams or houses were gen- 6 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY erally built of bark, and were comfortable even in the severest winter weather. A fire was continually kept burning in them in cold weather, and these peo- ple, robed in their furs in the daytime, and lying upon the skins of the moose, bear and deer at night, rested more quietly than the prince in his palace. Their musical instruments were the flute, kettle-drum, and various kinds of rattles. They used nets and bone harpoons, and sometimes lines and bone hooks for fishing. Their boats were dugouts and bark canoes. They made baskets, mats, wooden dishes, including spoons, and many vessels of clay, some of which were ornamented. Some of their clay pipes were ornamented with a figure on the bowl facing the smoker. They used a wooden mortar and pestle for making their corn meal. They buried their grain in the ground, when it would keep for several years. Wampum was used for money, ornaments and other pur- poses; it was made of shells and of different colors, white, black or dark purple. Their domestic relations were peculiar. Property was transmitted through the female line. A man was not permitted to marry a woman of his own tribe, and the marriage relations were sacred. Marriage was not founded upon af- fection, but was recognized as a necessity, and was arranged usually by the mothers of the parties. Polygamy was unknown among them. Although di- vorce was easily obtained, it was not frequent. Relationship was recognized as far as uncle, aunt and cousin. Sachems were the Head Chiefs, and had great influence among their people. They had religious leaders who were called "Keepers of the Faith," and they had charge of the festivals and religious services. They believed in a Great Spirit, the Creator of all things; also in the immortality of the soul and an exclusive heaven for the Indians; but, in their admiration of Washington, they accorded him a place in their future celestial abode. They also believed in a place of future punishment for the wicked and in an Evil Spirit who had created reptiles, noxious weeds and monsters. There has been much specu- lation as to the origin of their religious belief, whether from the Lost Tribes of Israel or otherwise, and it will, in all probability, remain a mystery. It is, however, a singular circumstance that these dwellers in the American wilder- ness should more nearly attain to the conception of the Christian God than any other nation untaught by revelation. It is stated by Rev. Thomas Donahue, D. D., in his book entitled "The Iroquois and the Jesuits," that "the first foundation of their religious belief is the same as that which formed the prin- cipal feature of the religion of the Barbarians who first occupied Greece, and spread through Asia, and which forms the groundwork of all Pagan Myth- ology." However this may be, it is not our purpose now to inquire, for the Iroquois are taken, for the purpose of this work, as they were in 1700. At this period the belief of these Indians was neither pantheistic, nor idolatrous. They held religious and other assemblies, and had many different modes of recreation. Many of these were called dances. There were about 33 of these dances, some of which were religious, some had reference to war, and some would seem to be solely recreative. Morgan gives a description of them in his work on the Iroquois. Their game which was held in highest esteem was la crosse. It was played HISTORY OP ONEIDA COUNTY 7 by chosen representatives from different nations or tribes with as much enthu- siasm, and was enjoyed by the large audiences which assembled, as much as are the college football contests of the present day. Another game was called the peachstone game, and was somewhat similar to the game of dice. These peach stones were of different colors, white, black or dark purple. Betting on games was common, and the Indian at times found himself in as sad a plight as the college boy, who bet his last cent on his team and lost, without reserv- ing a sufficient amount of funds to pay his fare back to his alma mater. Crimes were seldom committed among these Indians. Witchcraft and mur- der were punished by death, unless the witch confessed and was forgiven, and unless the murderer made atonement to the tribe to which the victim belonged. Adultery was punished by the whipping of the woman. The transgression, however, was very rare. Theft was substantially unknown, but after the white man introduced rum among them, drunkenness was not in- frequent. The best men among the Iroquois strenuously opposed the traffic in rum, and pleaded with the white men to desist from selling it to their people. Addressing several of the governors of the colonies, one of the Mohawk chiefs said: ""We request of all governors here present that it may be prohibited to carry it (rum) among any of the Five Nations." They had no prisons, and in case of a first offense, if the culprit promised good behavior, he was allowed to go on parole. They had no locks to their houses, no secret places, and larceny was unknown among them. The Sacred Stone of the Oneidas demands special attention. The Oneida nation was called "People of the Stone," or the "Upright Stone," or the "Granite People," and there is one reference to them in the Indian legends as the "People who lean their backs against the Everlasting Stone." This has reference to their Sacred Stone or altar. The legend in regard to the Stone is as follows : A settlement was made by the Indians on the north shore of Oneida river at the outlet of the lake. One morning there appeared at their camp a granite boulder, which was unlike any other stone in that locality. The In- dians were informed that it should be their altar and that it would follow them forever. They moved their habitation to the mouth of the Oneida creek. The Stone, unaided, followed them, and appeared in their midst. Prom here they removed to near what is now Oneida castle, in Oneida county, and again the Stone appeared among them, unaided. Here it remained as the altar of the nation for hundreds of years. It was around this Stone their great councils were held and their warriors, sages and orators resolved the great questions presented to them, and they here worshipped the Great Spirit. When the Oneidas left their home and took up their abode in Wisconsin, the Stone did not follow, but remained, a deserted altar. With the consent of the remnant of the nation which tarried at the ' ' castle, ' ' it was removed in 1849 to Porest Hill cemetery in Utica, where it now rests upon a substantial foundation as an everlasting memorial to the Oneida nation. Its weight has been estimated as somewhat less than a ton, and it bears an appropriate tablet. Beauchamp, in his history of the New York Iroquois, page 160, says that one of their early villages was on Cazenovia lake, but that the earliest village iden- 8 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY tified with their name was a mile southeast of Perryville, N. Y., at a remark- able stone, now destroyed, hut long venerated by them. He also says that it was from this stone they took the name of the "People of the Stone." How- ever this may be, it is certain that the Oneida Stone, now in the cemetery at Utiea, is really all that is claimed for it— the altar of the Oneidas. Long before the beginning of the eighteenth century, the Catholics had es- tablished missions among the Iroquois, but they had not been successful. These early missionaries labored under unusual difSculties. The Iroquois were friendly to the Dutch and English, and the early Catholic missionaries were Frenchmen. This fact was a barrier which was difficult to pass. There was later, also, another reason, which, to the present generation, may seem most extraordinary. The colonial legislature, on August 7, 1700, passed an act excluding Catholic priests, clergymen and teachers of all kinds from the colonies, and requiring them to leave the country before the first day of No- vember of that year on pain of being " adjudged to Suffer perpetuall Imprisonm't and if any person being So Sentenced and actually Imprisoned shall break prison and make his Escape and be afterwards retaken he shall suffer such pains of Death penalties and forfeitures as in Cases of felony." Any one who harbored a priest or other Catholic teacher was subject to a fine of two hun- dred and fifty pounds and to sit in pillory for three days and also to be bound to good behavior at the discretion of the court. At the beginning of the eighteenth century, the Catholics had practically withdrawn their missionaries, as the circumstances seemed to be such that their efforts could not be successful. The fierce opposition did not, however, deter them from re-entering the field some years after. The first successful mission of the Catholic church during the 18th century was established by Abbe Francis Piquet at Fort Presentation, now Ogdens- burg. He was so effective that within two years he had won, from the Ononda- gas and Cayugas, about three thousand of the Indians to his cause. The ef- fect of the English and French war was so disastrous to this work as to destroy what had been accomplished by the Frenchmen in evangelizing the Iroquois, and about 1760 this mission was abandoned. In his introduction to the ' ' History of the Diocese of Syracuse, ' ' Monsignor J. S. M. Lynch says, "Bishop Dn Breuil de Pontbriand, of Quebec, visited the mission in May, 1752. He baptized one hundred and twenty and confirmed a large number. This was, undoubtedly, the first confirmation administered within the limits of the state of New York." Morgan, in his work entitled "Iroquois Confederation," pays the highest tribute to these early Catholic missionaries. He says: "They traveled the forests of America alone and unprotected; they dwelt in the depths of the wilderness, without shelter and almost without raiment; they passed the perils of Indian captivity and the fires of the torture ; they suffered from hunger and violence, but, in the midst of all of them, never forgot the mission with which they were entrusted. ' ' The first Congregational missionary among the Iroquois was Elihu Spencer, who began his work among them in 1748. One of his converts was Peter Agwrondougwas, or "Good Peter," who was an eloquent Oneida. THE GREAT CHIEF OF THE ONEIDAS, SKENANDOAH THE HISTORIC STONE OF THE ONEIDA NATION OR THEIR ALTAR HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 9 In 1761 Reverend Samson Occum came from the school of Dr. Wheelock at Lebanon to the Oneidas, and Samuel Kirkland, then a young man, accompanied him. In 1766 there were 127 Oneida and Mohawk boys in the Wheelock school. Reverends C. J. Smith, Theophilus Chamberlain, Eleazer Moseley, Peter and Henry Avery served as missionaries between 1764 and 1774. Foremost among Protestant missionaries was Samuel Kirkland. He was educated at the school of Dr. Wheelock at Lebanon and at Princeton college. While at these institutions he had Indians as well as white men for his fellow students. Among them, at Dr. Wheelock 's school, was the renowned Joseph Brant. He became greatly interested in the welfare of the Iroquois, and, iri 1764, Mr. Kirkland commenced his work first among the Senecas. In conse- quence of a famine among them, he returned East for a time, and during his visit was ordained a minister of the Congregational church. He then returned and took up his work among the Oneidas, and in 1769 he organized a church among them. The famous chief, Skenandoah, was among the converts to Chris- tianity. It was owing to the influence of Samuel Kirkland, more than to any other cause, that induced the Oneidas to take sides with the colonies against the mother country in the Revolutionary war. At a meeting of the Sons of the Revolution held February 22, 1911, Rever- end Dana W. Bigelow, D. D., in a speech referred to Mr. Kirkland as follows : "In 1763 one of the college boys at Princeton, a sophomore from Connecti- cut, son of a Congregational minister, was Samuel Kirkland. He had attended a preparatory school where Indians and white studied together. There he formed with Joseph Brant a friendship which lasted through life. At Prince- ton he was in a class with Indian boys and he learned something of the Mo- hawk language. Before his college course was finished, his fixed zealous pur- pose carried him out for his life work. In January, 1764, he called on Johnson, who gave him counsel and belt of wampum. He went on snowshoes to the most distant and warlike tribe, the Senecas. He did not meet with a warm recep- tion, but was adopted as a member of the tribe. Famine came, and he was obliged to return to the eastern settlements for a brief time. Then he went back to his post for another year. Having been ordained a minister in New England, he settled among the Oneidas for his life work, and here he lived and labored until his death in 1808. "For five years he received no financial aid; he built his own cabin and tilled his own field. The great enemy he had to fight was the white man's rum. Among the converts were some chiefs, the most noteworthy of all, Skenandoah, great in stature, eloquent in councils, faithful unto death. "When the Revolutionary war came on, the English tried to get the aid of the Iroquois. Sir John Johnson, Guy Johnson and Joseph Brant represented the British ministry in a mighty endeavor to win the Indian nations to their side. One rock sheltered the people of the frontier. It was the person and influence of Samuel Kirkland. He, too, attended council after council, far and near. He argued and pleaded. It was out of his own heart and his efforts were also in response to urgent requests from the colony that he should exert his ut- most influence for the cause of independence. His Oneidas and Tuscaroras fol- 10 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY lowed his leadership, and, as far as possible, remained neutral. The stand they took broke the unity of action which was a fundamental law of the confederacy. How great aid he gave to the cause of the American patriots at this crisis of the war in this valley of the Mohawk where the battle of Oriskany was fought that the victory at Saratoga might follow, cannot be set down in figures or told in few words. Over against great forces of evil, appealing to every motive, good and bad, in savage hearts, his influence was on the right side, was exerted to the utmost, and was not in vain. "After the battle and massacre at Wyoming, in 1779, he was a minister of comfort to 150 widows and their children. Under General Stdlivan, in his famous expedition, Kirkland was brigade chaplain to his forces. "At the close of the war New York state united with his faithful Indians in appreciation of what had been wrought by him, and presented him with a most valuable tract of land or nearly 5,000 acres — ^the Kirkland Patent, as then known. "His strenuous life was not yet done. He lived after this for 20 years and near Clinton, still ministering to his scattered people. His heart was not with- out hope that they might be gathered together and made part of the fabric of civilized society. With this in view, seeking counsel and co-operation with chief men of the state and of the national government, he gave freely of his lands, that on them might be founded an institution that would educate and uplift Indian and white youth. ' ' On a beautiful September afternoon in the year 1793, a procession left his home and marched to the hill where the corner stone was laid of the Hamilton- Oneida academy, a service rendered by Major-General Baron von Steuben. "His hopes for the Indians were not realized, for the fragments of the tribes not long after migrated to the distant West. But he had builded wisely, for in 1812 the academy became Hamilton college, whose record in church and state is known to us, and whose future is bright in promise of greater results in promoting the interests of mankind of every land or every race. "In the college cemetery are the monuments to Kirkland and Skenandoah, who was the noblest trophy of victory over darkness, and we repeat the words once well spoken there: 'Brothers, here sleep the good and the brave.' " Foremost among the chiefs of the Oneidas was Skenandoah. This is Beau- champ 's way of spelling the name, although it has been spelled several different ways by other writers. He is said to have been savage and intemperate in his youth, but he reformed in after life, and was called the noblest counselor among the North American Indians. He was of powerful frame, but mild in manner, yet terrible in conflict. He became a Christian under the ministry of Samuel Kirkland, lived a noble life, and had great influence among his people. It was he, with Kirkland, who influenced the Oneidas first to be neutral, and then to take sides with the colonies against the mother country in the war for inde- pendence. He died at Clinton, March 11, 1816, at the age of 110 years, and was buried upon the land of Mr. Kirkland. He was dignified in his bearing, courteous, and a shrewd and able diplomatist. In conversation he avoided saying anything to give offense. As a public speaker he was one of the most eloquent in the nation, and his words were potent in influencing his own peo- BARON STEUBEN HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 11 pie. His speech to a friend shortly before his death is one of the choice pieces of literature. He said, "I am an aged hemlock; the winds of a hundred win- ters have whistled through my branches ; I am dead at the top ; the generation to which I belong have run away and left me ; why I live, the Great Spirit only knows; pray to my Jesus that I may have patience to wait for my appointed time to die. ' ' In 1700, the Earl of Bellomont, then governor of the colonies, sent a com- munication to Queen Anne advising the establishing of the Church of Eng- land in the colonies to counteract the influence of the Catholics among the Iroquois. King William sent over plate and furniture for a chapel. Merrill, in speaking* on the subject of missions among the Iroquois, says: "The tribe (Oneidas) can boast of being the oldest of our church's Indian mis- sions, dating from the year 1702." The Reverend Mr. Smith and Reverend Mr. More were sent from England about this time. Mr. More remained for about three years, and was followed by Reverend Thomas Barclay, who remained from 1708 to 1712, and was suc- ceeded by Reverend William Andrews, who remained about six years. He found the work so discouraging that he gave it up in 1718. On returning from the field he said, ' ' Heathen they are, and heathen they will be. ' ' About 1731 Reverend John Milner visited the Mohawks. In 1733 it was re- ported that there were "but few unbaptized among that nation." Reverend John Ogilvie also ministered to the Mohawks in 1750. Reverend John J. Oel also served the Mohawks, Oneidas and Tuscaroras. He was followed by Rev- erend John Stewart, who remained as a missionary among them until the breaking out of the war of the Revolution. Mr. Stewart, assisted by Joseph Brant, translated the Gospel of Mark, part of the Acts, and wrote a short his- tory of the Bible in the Mohawk language. After the Revolutionary war, missionaries were sent among the Oneidas. Bishop Hobert sent Eleazer WiUiams, who did very effective work among this nation. It was he who has been thought by many to be the renowned Dauphin of France. He was called the son of an Indian woman, but his personal ap- pearance was such as to contradict the statement. As to his lineage there is a mystery. By some he was said to be the son of Reverend Mr. Williams of Deerfield, Massachusetts, and that he had been taken captive by the Indians while a child; by others he was said to be the son of a squaw. Much has been written upon this subject on both sides, but Bloomfield, in his book on "The Oneidas," devotes many pages to the subject. He undoubtedly believed that Mr. Williams was the French prince. The pictures of the two persons that are here given certainly bear much resemblance, and it can safely be said that from their appearance there is better reason for believing that Mr. Williams was the Dauphin of France than that he was the son of a squaw. In 1750 the Moravians undertook to establish missions among the Six Na- tions, and sent John C. Pyrlaeus and his wife to work among the Onondagas. They, with Anton Sej^ert, undertook to reach the Onondagas, but the Oneidas refused to allow them to pass through their territory. By other routes, some of the missionaries of the Moravian church reached the Onondagas and Senecas, but they made no progress in their work among the Oneidas. 12 HISTORY OP ONEIDA COUNTY The Methodist church sent a missionary among the Oneidas in 1829, in the person of Reverend Dan Barnes. No great impression was made by Mr, Barnes among the Indians, and he was followed by Reverend Rosman Ingalls who, in turn, was followed by Reverend Daniel Fancher. A church was built in 1841, but it was sold with the lands of the Indians, and another building was afterward constructed. The departure of the Oneidas for the west, however, ended the work of the Methodists among that nation in this state. At the approach of the war for independence, it was an exceedingly impor- tant question what would be the position of the Iroquois. The subject was much considered by the Indians, and council after council was held, for, upon its determination, hinged the very existence of the confederation. In a note to Morgan's "League of the Iroquois," the subject is clearly presented. The note is as follows : "At Onondaga in January, 1777, the annual council fire of the Six Nations was extinguished, seemingly not without bloodshed. The Senecas and Cayugas openly and unitedly espoused the cause of the king; the Mohawks and Ononda- gas were divided, some for the king, some neutral ; the Oneidas and Tuscaroras endeavored to remain neutral, but many of them were soon actively engaged on the American side. These allies gave much aid to the patriots in the border wars of the Revolution, and suffered greatly in consequence. Their faithful friendship and assistance were formally and gratefully recognized by the United States by treaty proclaimed January 21, 1795. If the league had been unanimous under its ancient laws in making war upon Americans it is quite likely that Burgoyne's campaign would have been a British triumph, and that the war would have ended in the success of the royal arms. On the other hand, if the league had espoused the American cause or had remained neutral, it Avould have been both difficult and unjust to have taken from them an inch of their territory at the end of the war and the settlement of the West, the open- ing of the Erie canal and all the developments of the Empire state and its chief city would have been long postponed, even if commerce and empire had not been diverted into other channels. Any attempt at the settlement of the coun- try while still under Indian rule would have produced an unendurable state of affairs, much worse than any Transvaal problem. Being abandoned by the British government, the Iroquois had, at the end of the Revolution, no defense except the generosity of the American people." Too often, in the public mind, the Indian is set down as a cruel monster. It is true that words cannot portray the cruelty of many of their acts, but can it be said that white men are able to throw the first stone? Go to the' receptacles for relics of the dark ages in Europe. You will find there instruments of tor- ture, than which nothing can be invented more terrible. To come nearer home, we may find that there were no acts of the Iroquois more brutal than those of the whites who sided with the British in the struggle for independence. Over against the tortures which the Indians inflicted upon their captives, place the following examples of the white man's mode of warfare: Sir Guy Carlton, governor general of Canada, was commissioned to wage war on land and sea against "all enemies, pirates or rebels either in or out of the province, to take them and put them to death, or preserve them alive, at his discretion." REV. ELEAZER WILLIAMS AT 17 YEARS OF AGE (Supposed to be the Dauphin of France) THE DAUPHIN OF FRANCE (LOUIS XVII) From a painting HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 13 In connection with this it is to be remembered that the British government paid five dollars apiece for scalps of men, women or children. On one occasion a British captain shipped to Albany 154 dried scalps, and demanded the reward. Take also a specific act. In 1778, while the Indians were prowling around Schoharie, they killed and scalped a mother and several children. At this junc- tion a party of loyalists came up to the place, and discovered an infant in .its ci-adle. An Indian warrior, noted for his barbarity, approached the cradle with his uplifted tomahawk. The babe looked iiito his face and smiled; the tomahawk fell with his arm, and he was about stooping down to take the child in his arms, when one of the tories, cursing him for his humanity, thrust his bayonet through the smiling child and held him up struggling in death, ex- claiming, "This, too is a rebel." Very much has been written in regard to the bad side of the Indian, but very little in his behalf. It would not be just to place the Iroquois, and particu- larly the Oneida nation, in the class with ordinary Indians. Many leaders among the Iroquois were great and good men. Foremost was Joseph Brant — Thayendanegea. His prominence, ability and character demand that he should receive a more extended notice than any other man among the Indians. He was the son of a Mohawk chief. It has been claimed frequently, in consequence of the eminence of Brant, that he was at least partly white, but this is error. In one of his letters he expressly states that he was a Mohawk. His father's name was Tehowaghwengaraghkwin, and he was born on the Ohio river in 1742, but the home of his father was the castle at Canajoharie. He was edu- cated at the school of Reverend Doctor Bleazer Wheeloek at Lebanon, Connecti- cut. He acted as an interpreter for Reverend Charles J. Smith, missionary to the Mohawks, and was afterward private secretary to Sir John Johnson. He took part in the early wars in which the Mohawks engaged, and it is claimed by some that he was elected head war chief of the Six Nations. It has been claimed by others that he never was properly elected to that office, but that by his great ability he was accepted as the head war chief, and was the head com- mander of the war parties of the Iroquois. It was very largely through his influence that the great portion of the league took sides with England in the war of the revolution. Unlike many other chiefs he was humane in his treatment of prisoners, on many occasions saving the lives of captives in opposition to his own people, and frequently hazarding his own life to accomplish this end. He has been charged with being cruel and taking part in the massacre at Wyoming, but history establishes beyond any question that he was not present at that time. It is true that with his own hand he killed Colonel "Wisner, but from his standpoint he did it as a merciful act, as Wisner had been mortally wounded, and, rather than to leave him upon the field to suffer, Brant struck him with his tomahawk and instantly ended his misery and life. It has been charged against him as an act of cruelty that he killed his own son. It is true that his own son died from a slight wound inflicted by his father, but the facts are as follows : The son was a degenerate, a drunkard and a murderer. He had frequently threatened his father's life, and in one of his debauches he attacked his father with a knife. In resisting the attack, the father drew his own knife, struck the 14 HISTORY OP ONEIDA COUNTY son, and cut him slightly on top of the head. Several days afterwards blood poisoning set in, and from the effect of this the man died. Brant gave himself up, was tried, acquitted, and he received the condolence and sympathy of the court that tried him. This was a great source of sorrow through all the re- maining years of his life. It is said that he had been frequently known to weep over it. Brant was present at the Cherry Valley massacre, but did all he could to prevent cruelty. It is reported that on entering one of the houses Walter Butler ordered a woman and child, who were in bed, to be killed. Brant inter- fered and said, "What! kill a woman and child! no! that child is not an enemy to the king nor a friend to congress. Long before he will be big enough to do any mischief the dispute will be settled. ' ' After the war Brant settled in Canada, devoted his life to good works, and received marked attention from eminent men in England and America. He translated a portion of the Scriptures into the Mohawk language ; was a mem- ber of the Episcopal church ; built a church for his people ; manifested a deep interest in charitable work, and contributed liberally of his means to all good causes. One would scarcely think of taking counsel on high moral subjects of an Indian, even in our day, but Brant, on one occasion, was asked to give his opin- ion on the question of whether or not civilization is conducive to happiness. His answer is so remarkable that it is given in part below. It is scarcely surpassed in elevation of thought and power of expression by any philosopher, either ancient or modem. He said: "You ask me, then, whether in my opinion civilization is favorable to hu- man happiness ? In answer to the question, it may be answered, that there are degrees of civilization, from cannibals to the most polite of European nations. The question is not, then, whether a degree of refinement is not conducive to happiness; but whether you, or the natives of this land, have obtained this happy medium. On this subject we are at present, I presume, of very dif- ferent opinions. You will, however, allow me in some respects to have had the advantage of you in forming my sentiments. I was, sir, born of Indian parents, and lived while a child among those whom you are pleased to call savages; I was afterwards sent to live among the white people, and educated at one of your schools ; since which period I have been honored much beyond my deserts, by an acquaintance with a number of principal characters both in Europe and America. After all this experience, and after every exertion to divest myself of prejudice, I am obliged to give my opinion in favor of my own people. I will now, as much as I am able, collect together, and set before you, some of the reasons that have influenced my judgment on the subject now before us. In the government you call civilized, the happiness of the people is con- stantly sacrificed to the splendor of empire. Hence your codes of criminal and civil laws have had their origin; hence your dungeons and prisons. I will not enlarge on an idea so singular in civilized life, and perhaps disagreeable to you, and will only observe, that among us we have no prisons; we have no pompous parade of courts ; we have no written laws ; and yet judges are as highly revered amongst us as they are among you, and their decisions are as much regarded. THE GREAT MOHAWK CHIEF, JOSEPH BRAXT HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 15 Property, to say the least, is as well guarded, and crimes are as impartially pun- ished. We have among us no splendid villains above the control of our laws. Daring wickedness is here never suffered to triumph over helpless innocence. The estates of widows and orphans are never devoured by enterprising sharpers. In a word, we have no robbery under the color of law. No person among us de- sires any other reward for performing a brave and worthy action, but the consciousness of having served his nation. Our wise men are called Fathers; they truly sustain that character. They are always accessible, I will not say to the meanest of our people, for we have none mean but such as render them- selves so by their vices. "The palaces and prisons among you form a most dreadful contrast. Go to the former places, and you will see perhaps a deformed piece of earth assum- ing airs that become none but the Great Spirit above. Go to one of your prisons ; here description utterly fails ! Kill them, if you please ; kill them, too, by tortures; but let the torture last no longer than a day. Those you call savages relent; the most furious of our tormentors exhausts his rage in a few hours, and dispatches his unhappy victim with a sudden stroke. Perhaps it is eligible that incorrigible offenders should sometimes be cut off. Let it be done in a way that is not degrading to human nature. Let such unhappy men have an opportunity, by their fortitude, of making an atonement in some measure for the crimes they have committed during their lives. "But for what are many of your prisoners confined? — for debt! — astonish- ing! — and wiU you ever again call the Indian nations cruel? Liberty, to a rational creature, as much exceeds property as the light of the sun does that of the most twinkling star. But you put them on a level, to the everlasting disgrace of civilization. I knew, while I lived among the white people, many of the most amiable contract debts, and I dare say with the best intentions. Both parties at the time of the contract expect to find their advantage. The debtor, we will suppose by a train of unavoidable misfortunes, fails ; here is no crime, nor even a fault ; and yet your laws put it in the power of the creditor to throw the debtor into prison and confine him there for life ! a punishment infinitely worse than death to a brave man! And I seriously declare, I had rather die by the most severe tortures ever inflicted on this continent, than languish in one of your prisons for a single year. Great Spirit of the Universe ! — and do you call yourselves Christians ? Does then the religion of Him whom you call your Saviour, inspire this spirit, and lead to these practices? Surely, no. It is re- corded of him, that a bruised reed he never broke. Cease, then, to call your- selves Christians, lest you publish to the world your hypocricy. Cease, too, to call other nations savages, when you are tenfold more the children of cruelty than they." If space permitted much more could be said concerning the acts, ability and character of this remarkable man. Among the characteristics of the Iroquois chiefs and head men were dignity, self control and eloquence. About 1800, a religious reformer appeared among the Iroquois. He claimed a divine mission, and wrought a revolution among the Indians by his great personality and high moral teaching. He was called Ga-ne-o-di'-yo or "Hand- ^Q HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY some Lake." He was a Seneca sachem of the highest class. He also had a descendant who was their great religious teacher and who was c^Ued bo-se-na - . No better idea can be conveyed of the ability of these two men than to quote portions of their sermons. As the Indians had no written language, the teaen- ings or addresses of their religious teacher were handed down by tradition, and the teachings of "Handsome Lake" were delivered to the league through a grandson, So-se-ha-wa. He recited these speeches precisely the same as is reported by those who heard him, on many occasions. The following is So-se- ha-wa 's introduction to one of his speeches, in which he recites what he claims to have been the teachings of his grandfather : "Chiefs, warriors, women and children— We give you a cordial welcome. The sun has advanced far in his path, and I am warned that my time to in- struct you is limited to the meridian sun. I must therefore hasten to perform my duty. Turn your minds to the Great Spirit, and listen with strict attention. Think seriously upon what I am about to speak. Reflect upon it well, that it may benefit you and your children. I thank the Great Spirit that he has spared the lives of so many of you to be present on this occasion. I return thanks to him that my life is yet spared. The Great Spirit looked down from heaven upon the sufferings and the wanderings of his red children. He saw they had greatly decreased and degenerated. He saw the ravages of the fire- water among them. He therefore raised up for them a sacred instructor, who having lived and traveled among them for sixteen years, was called from his labors to enjoy eternal felicity with the Great Spirit in heaven." Sose-ha-wa then, at great length, presented the teaching of his grandfather, but we can only here give a very small portion of the address, and that only for the purpose of showing the eloquence and deep religious thought contained in it: ' ' I have a message to deliver to you. The servants of the Great Spirit have told me that I should yet live upon the earth to become an instructor to my people. Since the creation of man, the Great Spirit has often raised up men to teach his children what they should do to please him; but they have been unfaithful to their trust. I hope I shall profit by their example. Your Creator has seen that you have transgressed greatly against his laws. He made man pure and good. He did not intend that he should sin. You commit a great sin in taking the fire-water. The Great Spirit says that you must abandon this enticing habit. Your ancestors have brought great misery and suffering upon you. They first took the fire-water of the white man, and entailed upon you its consequences. None of them have gone to heaven. The fire-water does not belong to you. It was made for the white man beyond the great waters. For the white man it is a medicine, but they too have violated the will of their Maker. The Great Spirit says that drunkenness is a great crime, and he forbids you to indulge in this evil habit. His command is to the old and young. The abandonment of its use will relieve much of your sufferings, and greatly in- crease the comfort and happiness of your children. The Great Spirit is grieved that so much crime and wickedness should defile the earth! There are many evils which he never intended should exist among his red children. The Great Spirit has, for many wise reasons, withheld from man the number of his days ; HISTORY OP ONEIDA COUNTY 17 but he has not left him without a guide, for he has pointed out to him the path in which he may safely tread the journey of life. "When the Great Spirit made man, he also made woman. He instituted marriage, and enjoined upon them to love each other, and be faithful. It is pleasing to him to see men and women obey his will. Your Creator abhors a deceiver and hypocrite. "By obeying his commands you will die an easy and a happy death. When the Great Spirit instituted marriage, he ordained to bless those who were faith- ful with children. Some women were unfruitful, and others became so by mis- fortune. Such have great opportunities to do much good. There are many orphans, and many poor children whom they can adopt as their own. If you tie up the clothes of an orphan child, the Great Spirit will notice it, and re- ward you for it. Should an orphan ever cross your path, be kind to him, and treat him with tenderness, for this is right. Parents must constantly teach their children morality, and a reverence for their Creator. * • * "When a child is born to a husband and wife, they must give great thanks to the Great Spirit, for it is his gift, and an evidence of his kindness. Let par- ents instruct their children in their duty to the Great Spirit, to their parents, and to their fellow men. Children should obey their parents and guardians, and submit to them in all things. Disobedient children occasion great pain and misery. They wound their parents' feelings, and often drive them to desperation, causing them great distress, and final admission into the place of evil spirits. The marriage obligations should generate good to all who have assumed them. Let the married be faithful to each other, that when they die it may be in peace. Children should never permit their parents to suffer in their old age. Be kind to them, and support them. The Great Spirit re- quires all children to love, revere and obey their parents. To do this is highly pleasing to him. The happiness of parents is greatly increased by the affec- tion and the attentions of their children. To abandon a wife or children is a great wrong, and produces many evils. It is wrong for a father or mother-in- law to vex a son or daughter-in-law ; but they should use them as if they were their own children. It often happens that parents hold angry disputes over their infant child. This is also a great sin. * * * "All men were made equal by the Great Spirit; but he has given to them a variety of gifts. To some a pretty face, to others an ugly one ; to some a comely form, to others a deformed figure. Some are fortunate in collecting around them worldly goods. But you are all entitled to the same privileges, and there- fore must put pride from among you. You are not your own makers, nor the builders of you own fortunes. All things are the gifts of the Great Spirit and to him must be returned thanks for their bestowal. He alone must be acknowledged as the giver. It has pleased him to make differences among men; but it is wrong for one man to exalt himself above another. Love each other, for you are all brothers and sisters of the same great family. The Great Spirit enjoins upon all, to observe hospitality and kindness, especially to the needy and the helpless; for this is pleasing to him. If a stranger wanders about your abode, speak to him with kind words; be hospitable towards him, welcome him to your home, and forget not always to mention the Great Spirit. Vol. I— I 18 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY In the morning give thanks to the Great Spirit for the return of day, and the light of the sun ; at night renew your thanks to him, that his ruling power has preserved you from harm during the, day, and that night has again come, on "which you may rest your wearied- bodies.* * * ' ' Speak evil of no one. If you can say no good of a person, then be silent. Let not your tongues betray you into evil. Let all be mindful of this; for these are the words of our Creator. Let us strive to cultivate friendship with those who surround us. This is pleasing to the Great Spirit. * * * " He then ceases to quote from "Handsome Lake," and closes his own ad- dress as follows: "The four messengers further said to Handsome Lake, they were fearful that, unless the people repented and obeyed his commands, the patience and forbearance of their Creator would be exhausted; that he would grow angry with them, and cause their increase to cease. "Our Creator made light and darkness. He made the sun to heat, and shioe over the world. He made the moon, also, to shine by night, and to cool the world, if the sun made it too hot by day. The keeper of the clouds, by direc^i tion of the Great Spirit, will then cease to act. The keeper of the springs and running brooks will cease to rule them for the good of man. The sun will cease to fulfil its office. Total darkness will then cover the earth. A great smoke will rise, and spread over the face of the earth. Then will come out of it all monsters, and poisonous animals created by the evil-minded; and they, with the wicked upon the earth, will perish together. "But before this dreadful time shall come, the Great Spirit will take home to himself all the good and faithful. They will lay themselves down to sleep, and from this sleep of death, they will rise, and go home to their Creator. Thus they said. "I have now done. I close thus, that you may remember and understand the fate which awaits the earth and the unfaithful and unbelieving. Our Creator looks down upon us. The four Beings from above see us. They witness with pleasure this assemblage, and rejoice at the object for which it is gathered. It is now forty-eight years since we first began to listen to the renewed will of our Creator. I have been unable during the time alloted to me, to rehearse aU the sayings of Ga-ne-o-di'-yo. I regret very much that you cannot hear them all. "Counsellors, warriors, women and children — I have done. I thank you all for your attendance, and for your kind and patient attention. May the Great Spirit, who rules all things, watch over and protect you from every harm and danger, while you travel the journey of life. May the Great Spirit bless you all, and bestow upon you life, health, peace and prosperity ; and may you, in turn, appreciate his great goodness. Naho'." The eloquence of the Iroquois was also frequently shown in conversation. It is related of Hone-yost, or Honaguwus, an Oneida chief, that when he heard the Revolutionary war was ended he said: "The Great Spirit spoke to the whirlwind, and it was still." In one of the councils called by Samuel Kirkland to further education among them, one of the chiefs said: "You, my friends, are increasing, and we Iroquois Girl, Ga-liah-no, In costume Iroquois Indian young man, Da-ali-de-a, in costume Iroquois Indian house Ga-no-sote Iroquois ornamental work, Gos-to-weh or headdress Ornamental work of the Iroquois Indians upon buckskin with moosehair and porcupine quills Ga-ka-ah or skirt HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 19 are decreasing. Our canoes were once on the rivers and lakes, which are now full of your great ships. The land which you bought of us for a trifle you now sell for thousands of dollars. Your villages and great cities cover the land where once rose the smoke of our wigwams. Why this difference? It is the curse of the Great Spirit resting upon us for some unknown sin." Much has been said and written upon the subject of the United States tak- ing the lands of the Indians without proper compensation. Undoubtedly there were many abuses in regard to purchasing land of the Indians, but there is one phase of the question which is rarely mentioned, and which presents the situation in a different light, so far as the government of the United States is concerned and the Iroquois nations. It must be remembered that all of the nations of the Iroquois league, ex- cept the OneidaS and a portion of the Tuscaroras, took sides with England; that by the treaty of peace between Great Britain and the United States all the territory controlled by the Iroquois was ceded by Great Britain to this government. The Five Nations, which had east their lot with England and had been conquered in the war, had, according to the rules of war, forfeited their domain to their conquerers. The United States, therefore, had the right to insist on the forefeiture of all the land controlled by the Mohawks, Onondagas, Cayugas and Senecas. The Tuscarora nation was divided, and if the unfriendly part controlled any territory, that, also, belonged to the United States govern- ment for the same reason. The Oneidas and a portion of the Tuscaroras were in a very different situation, and were entitled to the greatest consideration on the part of the government. Largely through the influence of Washington and General Schuyler the unfriendly Indians were accorded merciful treatment. They had been aban- doned by their friends, the English, and were left without any protection from the United States government. After many negotiations between representa- tives of the Iroquois and the Federal government a settlement was made of the whole question, and the lands of the unfriendly Indians were ceded to the United States, except such reservations as had been agreed upon between the contracting parties. The services rendered by the Oneidas to the colonies cannot well be over- estimated. As guides, scouts and spies they many times did what white men could not have accomplished. They also aimed to prevent cruelties, and ren- dered protection to the white settlers in the valley of the Mohawk. They carried on the war on the principle of civilized nations. Stone, in his life of Joseph Brant, says of them: "They neither hurt the women, children or old men, nor took the scalps of those whom they killed. 'We do not take scalps,' said one of their chiefs, 'and we hope you are now convinced of our friendship to you in your great cause.' " In 1823 a large number of the Oneidas removed to Green Bay, Wisconsin. They were opposed to the removal, but were helpless to resist. The government concluded a treaty with them and the Tuscaroras, giving them about 65,000 acres of land near Green Bay, Wisconsin, in exchange for their territory in the state of New York. In opposing the removal the eloquent Oneida chief, Daniel Bread, among 20 HISTORY OP ONEIDA COUNTY other things, said to the governor of this state: "Father, the white men are powerful and they are rich. You can turn the rivers of the waters ; you can dig away the mountains ; why then do you want the little spot that we have ? It is but a little time since, and we possessed the whole country; now you have gained all but a few spots. Why will you not permit us to remain?" The march of civilization, however, said that the Indian must go, and they sorrowfully took their departure for their home in the west, where, on Green Bay, they were accorded a strip of land about eight or nine miles wide and twelve miles long. A small stream flowed through it, and there were fish, game and wild fowl there in abundance. Here they have made their home since, and have learned more thoroughly the art of husbandry than they had known it before. Peace between the United States and England was concluded in 1783. In 1795 a treaty was made with the Oneidas, Onondagas and Cayugas, and the bounds of the lands of the Senecas were specified. The Oneidas, Tuscaroras and Stoekbridge Indians were paid for their losses during the war at the same time. In 1796 it was estimated that there were 1,031 Oneida Indians still in New York. In 1845 Henry R. Schoolcraft was employed by the state to take a census of the Indians. He reported 210 Oneidas in this state and 722 in Wisconsin. The government census of 1890 showed 212 Oneidas in this state, and the census of 1910 showed only 37 Oneidas within the county of Oneida, while at the pres- ent time, 1911, there are only about 100 still remaining within the state. These are all that now remain within this commonwealth of the once famous and powerful 0-na-yote-ka-o-no. CHAPTER II FRENCH-BNGLISH-INDIAN WAR In 1754 the controversy between Great Britain and Prance had taken such shape that it was evident war in America between them was imminent. The Iroquois Confederation was an important factor to be considered, and the Brit- ish ministry advised the Colonies to secure, if possible, the support of the Six Nations. The Colonies were notified to send representatives to a council to be held at Albany in 1754, but only seven of them responded to the call. It was to this council that the plan of confederation among the colonies, prepared by Dr. Franklin, was submitted and adopted by the council, but afterward rejected by the colonies themselves, acting independently of each other. An amicable agreement was made by the English and the Six Nations for mutual support against the French. With the English upon one side and the French upon the other there was continuous controversy and some armed con- flicts, although no declaration of war had been made, and this condition con- tinued for more than a year, without either side gaining any especial advantage over the other. Then followed the disastrous year of 1755, for the British. Braddock was defeated and slain at Fort Duquesne. General John Winslow, with 3,000 men, sailed from Boston for the Arcadian country, landed at the head of the Bay of Fonda, and was joined there by Colonel Monckton and about 400 reg- ulars. He then took and destroyed the settlements of the Arcadians and car- ried away the people. This expedition of Winslow 's has ever been severely condemned, and has furnished rich material for song and story. It was in this year that Governor Shirley of Massachusetts, then command- er-in-chief of the British forces in America, made his expedition to Oswego, intending to take Niagara and Frontenac, but failed. Sir William Johnson also undertook the capture of Crown Point, but failed, although he repelled the attack of Baron Dieskau, who, with about 2,000 Cana- dians and Indians had come from Montreal to drive the English from that part of the country. Up to this time no important military encounter between the English and French had occurred in the Mohawk valley. Forts Craven, Bull, Williams and Newport had been erected, in whole or in part, at Rome, and some prepa- ration had been made by the colonies for the impending arbitrament of arms. New York was destined to be the principal place of conflict. The colony, by its legislature, voted to raise a liberal sum to carry on the war and to raise 2,680 men, and offered a bounty of 15 pounds for each volunteer. 22 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY In 1756 M. De Lery, in command of about 362 men, of which about 100 were Indians, having passed from Montreal by the way of Ogdensburg and the Black river and then by land to what is now Rome, captured and destroyed Fort Bull. This fort was located on Wood creek near the westerly terminal of the "Carrying Place." De Lery reached this vicinity on March 27, early in the morning, attacked Fort Bull garrisoned by about 60 men, captured the fort, a large quantity of stores and ammunition, put nearly the whole garrison to death, and escaped with substantially no loss to himself. Fort Williams was situated on the Mohawk, and was not attacked by De Lery. The distance between Fort Williams and Fort Bull is supposed to have been between two and four miles. The history of Fort Williams is somewhat uncertain. It was said to have been much more formidable than Fort BuU, but little more is known about its early history. This incursion of De Lery's resulted in a loss of one soldier and one Indian killed and five men wounded, while the loss to the English is said to have been ninety men, of which only thirty were made prisoners. It was estimated by the French commander that he had destroyed about 40,000 pounds of powder. At about this time a conference of the Six Nations was held at the resi- dence of Sir William Johnson at Johnstown, with reference to the political situation. Sir William also visited the Oneida Indians in June, and met the representatives of the Iroquois League at Onondaga July 19, 1756. On his return from the council he stopped with the Oneidas and heard their com- plaints against Captain Williams, who was the commander of Fort Williams, and the officer in whose honor the fort was named. It does not appear what the complaints were, but soon thereafter he was relieved from command and placed upon half pay. It was during this summer that Colonel Bradstreet made his ascent of the Mohawk for the purpose of re-enforcing and carrying munitions of war to Oswego. He left Albany in June with 200 men, a number of boats and 32 cannon, together with ammunition and supplies, as it had then been deter- mined to fortify at Oswego. He reached his destination July 1, and three days after, started on his return. He had proceeded only about ten miles when he was suddenly attacked at Battle Island, July 3, by a body of French under M. de Villiares, but he repulsed the assault with severe loss, and has- tened back through the Mohawk valley to Albany. Lieutenant, afterwards General Philip Schuyler accompanied this expedition. Sir William Johnson, Colonel Bradstreet and General Schuyler endeavored, in vain, to convince the Earl of Loudon, then the commander-in-chief, of the necessity of protecting the Mohawk valley by an armed force. Their warn- ing was unheeded for some time. They also used their endeavor to convince Loudon that Oswego was a strategic point, to be well fortified and guarded. Too tardily did Loudon awake to the necessity of doing what had been recommended by his subordinates, but at last he sent Colonel Webb, with a force of about 1,500 men, up the Mohawk valley to Oswego to re-enforce the garrison and to repel the threatened attack by the French. Assistance did not arrive, Oswego was attacked by Montcalm; its commander. Colonel Mercer, was killed, and the garrison was compelled to surrender. The French report SITE OF FORT STANWIX, CANNON MARKING THE SOUTHWEST BASTION. THE BUILDING IS NOW THE ROME CLUB FORT STANWIX, Ooale HISTORY OP ONEIDA COUNTY 23 states that "the Indians perpetrated a multitude of horrors and assassinated more than a hundred persons included in the capitulation, without our being able to prevent or having the right to remonstrate." Colonel Webb had proceeded as far as Wood creek when he heard that Os- wego had fallen. When he received this news he destroyed all the forts at the Carrying Place, caused trees to be feUed across Wood creek to impede the progress of Montcalm's army should he, as was expected, make an advance from Oswego to the Mohawk valley, and then hastened with all speed back to Albany, to the disgust of his Indian allies. Sir William Johnson had been ordered by Loudon to go to the assistance of Webb, but it was too late. Webb was already upon his retreat before John- son could render any assistance. For his conduct Webb has been severely criticised, as having been a coward or utterly incompetent. Up to this time the war had gone decidedly against the English. The French held Oswego, Niagara, Ticonderoga, Crown Point, and, after the re- treat of Webb, the Mohawk valley was virtually abandoned by the British. M. de Bellestre, with a body of French Canadians and Indians, made in- roads into the Mohawk valley in 1757. He passed down the valley in Novem- ber, and on the 12th destroyed the village of German Plats, took several small fortifications, and returned entirely unmolested. He destroyed much prop- erty, killed about 40 of the inhabitants, and carried away about 150 more. General Abercrombie, then in full command of the British forces, had been warned by Johnson and the Indians of the threatened attack by de Belles- tre, but paid no attention to the warning. In 1758 General Stanwix was sent to the Carrying Place to build a fort. Pomroy Jones, in his "Annals of Oneida County," says that this fort cost 60,000 pounds, and that it was built on the most "approved scientific principles of military engineering, having four bastions surrounded by a broad ditch eighteen feet deep, with a covert way and glaces. In the center of the ditch was a row of perpendicular pickets, and a horizontal row from the ramparts. ' ' It is stated by Lossing (page 198), that Colonel Bradstreet, when on his return from Prontenac with his troops, assisted in building this fortification. Bradstreet had been sent with 3,000 men to take Prontenac, now Kingston, Canada. This he accomplished without serious resistance, captured the fort, garrison and shipping, losing only three or four men. Afterwards, however, he lost a large number of his men by sickness. It is estimated that about 500 died, and the sickness is supposed to have been caused by bad water. The progress of the war during 1758 had been most favorable to the Eng- lish. In the next year, 1759, a determined effort was made by the English government to drive the French from the continent. The commander-in-chief, Jeffrey Amherst, with a strong force, drove the French from Ticonderoga and northward into Canada. Wolfe defeated Montcalm at Quebec, and Gen- eral Prideaux, with Sir William Johnson as second in command, undertook the capture of Niagara. He had 3,100 soldiers and Indians, and on July 20 he commenced the attack, and was killed the first day. Johnson immediately assumed command, and handled his forces most skilfully. He was attacked in the rear by about 3,000 French and Indians, but repelled the attack, and 24 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY the next day, July 25, the fort, with its garrison and about 700 men and a large quantity of supplies, was surrendered. Johnson was not able to procure transportation for his army, in order to re-enforce Wolfe at Quebec, so he re- turned to the Mohawk valley. It was in this year that Fort Schuyler was built near the ford, which is now near the foot of Genesee street, Utica. Dr. Bagg, in his ' ' Pioneers of Utica, ' ' describes this fort as foUows: "This fort, which was designated to guard the fording place in the Mohawk river above it, was situated on the south bank, a very little distance southeast of the present intersection of Second street and the Central Railroad. The left bank of Ballon 's creek, which joins the river just below, was formerly much depressed a short distance above its mouth, so as to form, in high water, a lagoon that must have reached almost to the walls of the fort, and thus have facilitated the landing and embarkation of troops. The fort consisted of an embankment surrounded by palisades, nearly all traces of which had disappeared at the time of the arrival of the first set- tlers, although its site could still be distinguished less than thirty years ago by the presence of a large apple tree that had been planted within the inclosure. It was named in honor of Colonel Peter Schuyler, an uncle of General Philip Schuyler of the Revolution. During and subsequent to this war it went by the name of Old Fort Schuyler, to distinguish it from another fortress erected at Rome, and which was sometimes known as Fort Schuyler, though it had been christened and was therefore more correctly called Fort Stanwix." At the opening of the campaign of 1760 there were undertaken three grand operations by the British military forces for the purpose of dealing a crush- ing blow to the French on the American continent. Vaudreuil, the French commander, concentrated his forces at Montreal. Amherst, with 10,000 men and 1,000 Indians under Sir William Johnson, passed up the Mohawk valley and on to Oswego, and advanced on Montreal. General Murray, with 4,000 men (Wolfe's army), arrived in front of the city on the same day, September 6 ; on the very next day, Colonel Haviland arrived with 3,000 men, making a combined force of nearly 17,000. Against this for- midable army resistance on the side of the French was useless, and on Septem- ber 8, 1760, Vaudreuil surrendered the city and all the French territory in Canada to the British government. Thus passed away the French power in the American colonies. A continent had been lost and won; and, although no more fighting occurred between the British, French and Americans, the treaty of peace was not concluded between the two great nations until February 10, 1763, in Paris. From the surrender of Montreal until the stirring events of the Revolutionary war peace reigned in the Valley of the Mohawk. FORT SCHUYLER (CORNER PARK AVENUE AND MAIN STREET) SITE OF FORT BULL AT THE WESTERLY END OF THE CARRY ON FISH CREEK CHAPTER III REVOLUTIONARY WAR From 1760 to July 4, 1776, there had been many acts of the British govern- ment oppressive to the American colonies. An act had been passed imposing a duty upon sugar, coffee and other articles imported from the West Indies. The "Writ of Assistance," which authorized the searching of any citizen's house or store to find therein goods imported without the payment of duty, had given rise to fierce opposition, and the famous Stamp Act had been im- posed upon the Americans. The eloquence of Patrick Henry of Virginia, and James Otis of Massa- chusetts in denunication of these measures was the vocal expression of what was in every patriot's mind. Public meetings were held to denounce these acts of oppression, and a congress of delegates from several of the colonies was held in New York in October, 1765, to put its condemnation of them in formal shape. On the first day of November, 1765, the Stamp Act was to take effect. The feeling of opposition was so intense that the day was set apart as a day of mourning. Bells were tolled, funeral processions paraded the streets, ships lowered their flags to half mast, buildings were draped in mourning, and other evidences of intense opposition were manifested throughout the colonies. It was expected that in the accession of William Pitt to the office of Premier of England some remedies would be applied, and such was the case, but these remedial acts did not allay the excitement caused by the ill-advised measures of prior ministries. The Pitt government insisted upon the fundamental prin- ciple, with others, of former ministries, that the government had the right to tax the colonies without their consent. This was intolerable to the Americans, and, so long as this principle was insisted upon by the home government, no reconciliation was possible. Even a duty on tea would not be tolerated. New York and Philadelphia refused to allow ships laden with this commodity to land their cargoes, and the renowned "Tea Party" of Boston might have occurred at any other seaport in the col- onies had occasion afforded an opportunity. As if an intent existed in Parliament to add fuel to the fire, it had enacted a bill closing the port of Boston to imports. It was also provided that the trial of Americans should be had in England instead of in the colonies, and British troops were sent to Boston to enforce these obnoxious laws. Anglo-Saxon could not and would not longer submit. Then came Lexing- ton, Concord, Bunker Hill and July 4, 1776, the day above all others, on which Liberty, civil and religious, came into the world. It is probable that the first public assembly held in what is now Oneida 25 26 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY county to consider the grave questions which had arisen between the colonic! and the mother country, was held in July, 1774, in the district of Tryon county A committee was appointed at this time to confer with others and to tab charge of operations. The spirit which had been manifested elsewhere in the colonies existed alsc among the sturdy Germans and Hollanders who had settled along the fertilf valley of the Mohawk. Sir William Johnson, who had great influence with them, died in 1774. His death was very sudden, and it is claimed by Camp- bell, in his Annals, that it was caused by his own hand, because of the threatened contest between the king and the colonies, and realizing that he would soon be called upon to decide between his government and the colonies, he pre- ferred to die. Colonel Stone, however, in his life of Joseph Brant, says that Sir William died of apoplexy. He was succeeded by his son. Sir John, and he, with a nephew, Guy John- son, exerted all their influence with the Iroquois Indians to hold them to the side of the king in the impending conflict. Philip Schuyler, Reverend Samuel Kirkland and General Nicholas Herki- mer were equally persistent in their efforts to induce the Indians to side with the colonies, or, at least, to remain neutral. Nicholas Herkimer was chairman of the Tryon county committee, and he was afterwards created a brigadier general, placed in command of the militia in the Mohawk valley, and won immortality in the bloody ravine at Oriskany. As an evidence of the unsettled state of the public mind at this time it is a notable fact that Washington passed through the city of New York, on his way to take command of the Continental army then at Boston, and was received with great attention. At the same time Governor Tryon, intensely British in his sympathies, who had been on' a visit to England, returned, and was ac- corded a cordial reception. Even at this time hopes were entertained that some satisfactory settlement of differences might be made without resort to arms. This hope was, however, iUy founded, and the Continental Congress commenced preparation for war, called for 20,000 men, and appointed major and brigadier generals, Philip Schuyler being named as one of the former and placed in command of the northern district, which included central New York. In 1775 Colonel Guy Johnson, with his armed force, passed up the Mo- hawk valley. He held a council with the Indians at Port Stanwix, then went on to Oswego, and finally settled at Montreal. With him were Colonel Butler and his son, Walter Butler. Joseph Brant, with his Indians, also joined Johnson at Oswego. Sir John Johnson, although an ardent royalist, remained at Johnstown and made preparation to defend his opinions by force of arms. The loyalists also commenced arming themselves, and were ready to accept the wager of war. The National Congress recognized the importance of Fort Stanwix, and had ordered it repaired. This work was done under the direction of Colonel Dayton by the Tryon county militia. The meeting between General Herkimer and Joseph Brant at Unadilla had been productive of no result; and, although it is probable that Herkimer HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 27 had hoped to induce Brant to join the colonists, or, at least, to remain neutral, his hopes were doomed to disappointment. It is most probable that, had the great Mohawk chief cast his lot with the Americans, the history of the Mo- hawk valley would have been a different story. His ability and his influence with the Indians were so great that, undoubtedly, the Mohawk nation would have followed his leadership, and, perhaps, the entire Iroquois confederacy. It was after his conference with Herkimer that Brant joined Guy Johnson at Oswego. The Tryon County Committee required of Sir John to declare himself either for or against the king. October 26, General Herkimer, as chairman of that committee, addressed a letter to him requesting the right to form military companies according to the regulations of the Continental Congress, and also asked "if your honor would be ready himself to give his personal assistance to the same purpose?" He also asked if Johnson would "hinder" the use of the public buildings of the county in the interest of the colonies. Johnson addressed Herkimer in a lengthy letter, which was entirely unsatisfactory to the committee. Johnson promised neutrality, but, being suspected of violating his prom- ise, a regiment of soldiers was sent to arrest him, and he fled with his family and retainers to Canada. His property and effects were afterwards confiscated by the colonies. At about this time an armed conflict occurred between the Patriots and Tories in Schoharie, and Tory as well as Patriot was arming in the Mohawk valley ready for the coming conflict. Although the Iroquois Indians had pledged themselves to neutrality, all but the Oneidaa and a portion of the Tuscaroras soon cast their lot with the king. This was unquestionably largely due to the influence of Joseph Brant — Thayendanegea. Discouraging reports came from other parts of the country. Washington had been defeated in the battles of Long Island and White Plains, lost New York City, and retreated southward through New Jersey. The patriot cause had also fared illy in central New York, and at the beginning of the eventful year 1777, the condition of the Americans was desperate, bordering on a state of general hopelessness. Alarming reports kept the inhabitants of the Mohawk valley in constant fear of Indian and Tory depredations. Some of the Tories of central New York were contemplating leaving their homes and joining the king's forces. Others of the inhabitants, fearing the final outcome, placed themselves under the pro- tection of the loyalists. From the Schoharie country came distressing accounts and a call for help. Momentous consequences depended upon what should be done within the next few months. It was recognized in England, as well as in America, that a crisis in affairs between the two countries was at hand. The British ministry had planned a campaign for the summer of 1777 that was intended to put an end to the revolution in America. This plan was as follows: Sir Henry Clinton, who was in New York City, was to ascend the Hudson river with a considerable force to Albany; Burgoyne, an able soldier, who was in Canada with about 7,000 men, was to pass southward along the 28 HISTORY OP ONEIDA COUNTY west shore of Lake Champlain, capture Port Ticonderoga, sweep down the Hudson valley and join Clinton at Albany; Colonel Barry St. Leger was to leave Oswego, cut his way through the forest, capture Port Stanwix, pass down the Mohawk valley, lay that beautiful valley desolate, rouse the Tories and Indians on the way, and join forces with Clinton and Burgoyne at Albany. Speaking of the plan, Mr. E. S. Creasy, in his book entitled "Fifteen De- cisive Battles of the World," in discussing the battle of Saratoga, says: "With- out question, the plan was ably formed ; and, had the success of the execution been equal to the ingenuity of the design, the reconquest or submission of the thirteen United States must in all human probability have followed, and the independence which they proclaimed in 1776 would have been extinguished before it existed a second year. No European power had as yet come forward to aid America. It is true that England was generally regarded with jeal- ousy and ill will, and was thought to have acquired, at the treaty of Paris, a preponderance of dominion which was perilous to the balance of power; but though many were willing to wound, none had yet ventured to strike ; and America, if defeated in 1777, would have been suffered to fall unaided." The defeat and capture of Burgoyne 's army at Saratoga was made possible by two other events, which, at the time, were not considered as important by any means as subsequent occurrences proved them to be. The battles of Oris- kany and Bennington made Gates's victory over Burgoyne possible. During the summer of 1777 the British government was making its prep- aration to prosecute the war in America with greater vigor, and it was ap- parent that the state of New York was to be the battle ground, not only for that state and America, but for Republican institutions in the world. One of the principal acts in the tragedy about to be played was to be per- formed in the valley of the Mohawk and in what is now Oneida county. The scene opened July 17, when General Herkimer issued his famous proclamation calling the inhabitants of Tryon county to arms. He announced the gathering of St. Leger 's army at Oswego, and called on those in health between 16 and 60 years of age to prepare for active service, and those over 60 to prepare to defend the women and children; the disaffected were to be arrested, placed under guard, and required to join the main body of his army. The Oneida Indians were most excited over the threatened invasion, and requested General Schuyler to send troops to Port Stanwix (at this time Fort Schuyler), to defend it against St. Leger. The importance of St. Leger 's at- tempt to capture Fort Stanwix and desolate the Mohawk valley appears from the fact that it was planned in England, and was a part of the grand plan to crush the rebellion in the East; and it was thought by the ministry that if the plan -was successful, resistance to the royal authority would cease in the South without further bloodshed. By the king's command Lieutenant Col. Barry St. Leger was given 675 trained soldiers and a large number of Canadians and Indians, the last under the famous Mohawk chief, Joseph Brant. The total force of St. Leger was slightly over 1,700. He had also eight pieces of artil- lery. The fort was commanded by Colonel Peter Gansevoort, with Lieutenant Colonel Marius Willett second in command. Before the arrival of St. Leger in the Mohawk valley the Indians had been 1 1 f ■'t^ ^^w"^^ yjiClx |K ^ -™i jHI 1 -hH 'M^\. V ^ .^^^^^^^^^^1 ^1 ^^Hir isiifl^^^l 1 COLONEL PETER GANSEVOORT Commander at Fort Stanwix during the siege by St. Leger LIEUTENANT COLONEL MARINUS AVILLETT Second in command at Fort Stanwix HISTOEY OP ONEIDA COUNTY 29 skulking about near the Port and committing depredations and murder. Cap- tain Gregg and Corporal Madison, who had gone out of the fort to shoot birds, were attacked, and Madison, killed and scalped, Gregg, shot and scalped, but survived. Soon after this three girls were picking berries near the fort and were attacked by Indians, two of them killed and the other wounded. Colonel Gansevoort described the conditions of afifairs in and about the fort in a letter to General Schuyler on July 4, and called for re-enforcements and supplies. The crimes of the Indians increased until no one could venture from the fort except well armed forces, and even one of these parties was attacked, several of them killed, and the officer in command taken prisoner. Lieutenant Colonel Mellon had reached the fort with a re-enforcement of about 200 men the day before Joseph Brant, with his Indians, and Lieutenant Bird arrived at the head of St. Leger's advancing forces. Brant was so close upon Colonel Mellon that his Indians captured the officers in charge of the .stores brought to the fort by Mellon. Colonel St. Leger, with the main body of his army, invested the fort on August 3. His force was made up of British regulars, Hessians, New York Loyalists, called "Johnson's Greens," together with a number of Canadians and the Indians under Joseph Brant — Thayendanegea, Sir John Johnson, Colonel Claus and Colonel Butler. A flag was sent into the fort on August 3 by St. Leger, and a pompous demand for a surrender was made. He offered employment to those who would join his standard, security to the infirm, and payment in coin for all the supplies the people would bring to his camp, and in conclusion he said: "If, notwithstanding these endeavors and sincere in- clinations to effect them, the frenzy of hostility should remain, I trust I shall stand acquitted in the eyes of God and man in denouncing and executing the vengeance of the state against the wilful outcasts. The messengers of justice and of right await them in the field ; and devastation, famine and every con- comitant horror that a reluctant but indispensable prosecution of military duty must occasion, will bar the way to their return" This manifesto, however, produced no effect upon the commandant of the fort, and the demand to sur- render was promptly refused. It is sometimes in the world's history that momentous consequences hang upon minor events. Such was the case with the defense of Port Stanwix. It was an event, not only important to Oneida county, to the state of New York, to the national government, but to the world. Cowardice or incompetency within the fort might have changed the history of America and the world. Had St. Leger succeeded, the Mohawk valley would have been at his feet, the tide would have turned in favor of the king, Burgoyne's defeat would most likely have been turned into a victory, Prance would not have given its essential aid to the American cause, and British arms would have prevailed. But abil- ity and superb courage within the fort, aided by the same qualities among the yeomanry of Tryon county, worked out most important results and changed the "tide of times." The fort was fully invested on August 4, and hostilities commenced. The Indians were scattered through the woods so as to entirely surround the fort, and at night kept up their hideous yelling. Through the Oneida Indians the 30 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY inhabitants of the valley had been informed of the approach of St. Leger, but not until their houses and families were threatened by the invading army were they aroused sufficiently to rally to Herkimer's support. There have been many descriptions of the battle of Oriskany and the siege of Fort Stanwix both in history and in fiction. All of these descriptions are, in substance, taken from Colonel Stone's "Life of Joseph Brant," and none of them have improved upon the description given in that excellent book, and we, therefore, quote his description in full : "No sooner was the advance of St. Leger upon Fort Schuyler known to the committee and officers of Tryon county, than General Herkimer, in con- formity with the proclamation heretofore cited, summoned the militia of his command to the field, for the purpose of marching to the succor of the garri- son. Notwithstanding the despondency that had prevailed in the early part of the summer, the call was nobly responded to, not only by the militia, but by the gentlemen of the county, and most of the members of the committee, who entered the field either as officers or private volunteers. The fears so generally and so recently indulged seemed all to have vanished with the arrival of the invader, and the general soon found himself at the head of between eight hundred and a thousand men, all eager for action and impatient of de- lay. Their place of rendezvous was at Fort Dayton (German Flats), in the upper section of the Mohawk valley — and the most beautiful. The regiments were those of Colonels Klock, Visscher, Cox, and one or two others, augmented by volunteers and volunteer officers, who were pushing forward as though de- termined at all hazards to redeem the character of the county. Indeed, their proceedings were by far too impetuous, since they hurried forward in their march without order or precaution, without adequate flanking parties, and without reconnoitering the ground over which they were to pass. They moved from Fort Dayton on the 4th, and on the 5th reached the neighborhood of Oriskany, where they encamped. From this point an express was sent for- ward by General Herkimer to apprise Colonel Gansevoort of his approach, and to concert measures of co-operation. The arrival of the express at the fort was to be announced by three successive discharges of cannon, the report of which, it was supposed, would be distinctly heard at Oriskany — only eight miles distant. Delays, however, intervened, so that the messengers did not reach the fort until ten or eleven o'clock the following morning; previous to which the camp of the enemy being uncommonly silent, a portion of their troops had been observed by the garrison to be moving along the edge of the woods down the river, in the direction of the Oriskany creek. The concerted signals were immediately fired; and as the proposition of Herkimer was to force a passage to the fort, arrangements were immediately made by Colonel Gansevoort to effect a diversion of the enemy's attention, by making a sally from the fort upon the hostile camp, for which purpose two hundred men were detailed, consisting one half of Gansevoort 's, and one half of the Massachu- setts troops, and one field piece — an iron three pounder. The execution of the enterprise was entrusted to Colonel Willett. "It appears that on the morning of that day, which was the 6th of August, General Herkimer had misgivings as to the propriety of advancing any far- STATUE OF COLONEL GANSEVOORT IX THE PARK AT ROME HISTORY OP ONEIDA COUNTY 31 ther without first receiving reinforcements. His officers, however, were eager to press forward. A consultation was held, in which some of the officers mani- fested much impatience at any delay, while the general still urged them to remain where they were until reinforcements could come up, or at least until the signal of a sortie should be received from the fort. High words ensued, during which Colonels Cox and Paris, and many others, denounced their com- mander to his face as a Tory and coward. The brave old man calmly replied that he considered himself placed over them as a father, and that it was not his wish to lead them into any difficulty from which he could not extricate them. Burning, as they now seemed, to meet the enemy, he told them roundly that they would run at his first appearance. But his remonstrances were un- availing. Their clamor increased, and their reproaches were repeated, until, stung by imputations of cowardice and a want of fidelity to the cause, and somewhat irritated withal, the General immediately gave the order — 'March on ! ' The words were no sooner heard than the troops gave a shout, and moved, or rather rushed forward. They marched in files of two deep, preceded by an advanced guard and keeping flanks upon each side. "Having, by 10 o'clock, proceeded rapidly forward to the distance of only two or three miles, the guards, both front and flanks, were suddenly shot down, the forest rang with the warwhoops of a savage foe, and in an instant the greater part of the division found itself in the midst of a formidable ambuscade. Colonel St. Leger, it appeared, having heard of the advance of General Herki- mer, in order to prevent an attack in his intrenchraents, had detached a divi- sion of Sir John Johnson's regiment of Greens, under Sir John's brother-in-law. Major Watts, Colonel Butler with his Rangers, and Joseph Brant with a strong body of Indians, to intercept his approach. With true Indian sagacity, Thay- endanegea had selected a position admirably fitted for his purpose, which was, to draw the Americans, whom he well knew to be approaching in no very good military array, into an ambuscade. The locality favored his design. There was a deep ravine crossing the path which Herkimer with his undis- ciplined array was traversing, 'sweeping toward the east in a semi-circular form, and bearing a northern and southern direction. The bottom of this ravine was marshy, and the road crossed it by means of a causeway. The ground, thus partly enclosed by the ravine, was elevated and level. The am- buscade was laid upon the high ground west of the ravine.' ' ' The enemy had disposed himself adroitly, in a circle, leaving only a narrow segment open for the admission of the ill-starred Provincials on their approach. The stratagem was successful. Unconscious of the presence of the foe, Herki- mer, with his whole army excepting the rear-guard, composed of Colonel Vis- scher's regiment, found himself encompassed at the first fire — ^the enemy clos- ing up the gap at the instant of making himself known. By thus early com- pleting the circle, the baggage and ammunition wagons, which had just de- scended into the ravine, were cut off and separated from the main body, as was also the regiment of Colonel Visscher, yet on the eastern side of the ra- vine; which, as their general had predicted, instantly and ingloriously fled, leaving their companions to their fate. They were pursued, however, by a portion of the Indians, and suffered more severely, probably, than they would 32 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY have done, had they stood by their fellows in the hour of need, either to con- quer or to fall. "Being thrown into irretrievable disorder by the suddenness of the sur- prise and the destruetiveness of the fire, which was close and brisk from every side, the division was for a time threatened with annihilation. At every op- portunity the savages, concealed behind the trunks of trees, darted forward with knife and tomahawk to ensure the destruction of those yi^ho fell; and many and fierce were the conflicts that ensued hand to hand. The veteran Herkimer fell, wounded, in the early part of the action — a musket ball having passed through and killed his horse, and shattered his own leg just below the knee. The general was placed upon his saddle, however, against the trunk of a tree for his support, and thus continued to order the battle. Colonel Cox, and Captains Davis and VanSluyck, were severally killed near the commence- ment of the engagement; and the slaughter of their broken ranks, from the rifles of the Tories and the spears and tomahawks of the Indians, was dread- ful. But even in this deplorable situation the wounded general, his men dropping like leaves around him, and the forest resounding with the horrid yells of the savages, ringing high and wild over the din of battle, behaved with the most perfect firmness and composure. The action had lasted about forty- five minutes in great disorder, before the Provincials formed themselves into circles in order to repel the attacks of the enemy, who were concentrating, and closing in upon them from all sides. Prom this moment the resistance of the Provincials was more eflfective, and the enemy attempted to charge with the bayonet. The firing ceased for a time, excepting the scattering discharges of musquetry from the Indians; and as the bayonets crossed, the contest became a death struggle, hand to hand and foot to foot. Never, however, did brave men stand a charge with more dauntless courage, and the enemy for the mo- ment seemed to reooil — ^just at the instant when the work of death was ar- rested by a heavy shower of rain, which suddenly broke upon the combatants with great fury. The storm raged for upward of an hour, during which time the enemy sought such shelter as might be found among the trees at a respect- ful distance; for they had already suffered severely, notwithstanding the ad- vantages in their favor. "During this suspension of the battle, both parties had time to look about, and make such new dispositions as they pleased for attack and defense, on renewing the murderous conflict. The Provincials, under the direction of their general, were so fortunate as to take possession of an advantageous piece of ground, upon which his men formed themselves into a circle, and as the shower broke away, awaited the movements of the enemy. In the early part of the battle, the Indians, whenever they saw a gun fired by a militiaman from behind a tree, rushed up and tomahawked him before he could reload. In or- der to counteract this mode of warfare, two men were stationed behind a single tree, one only to fire at a time — ^the other reserving his fire until the Indians ran up as before. The fight was presently renewed, and by the new arrangement, and the cool execution done by the fire of the militia forming the main circle, the Indians were made to suffer severely; so much so, that they began to give way, when Major Watts came up with a reinforcement, HISTORY OP ONEIDA COUNTY 38 eonsisting of another detacliment of Johnson's Greens. These men were mostly loyalists, who had fled from Tryon county, now returned in arms against their former neighbors. As no quarrels are so bitter as those of families, so no wars are so cruel and passionate as those called civil. Many of the Provincials and Greens were known to each other; and as they advanced so near as to afford opportunities of mutual recognition, the contest became, if possible, more of a death struggle than before. Mutual resentments, and feelings of hate and revenge, raged in their bosoms. The Provincials fired upon them as they ad- vanced, and then spriaging like chafed tigers from their covers, attacked them with their bayonets and the butts of their muskets, or both- parties in closer contact throttled each other and drew their knives; stabbing, and sometimes literally dying in one another's embrace. "At length a firing was heard in the distance from the fort, a sound as welcome to the Provincials as it was astounding to the enemy. Availing them- selves of the hint, however, a ruse-de-guerre was attempted by Colonel Butler, which had weU-nigh proved fatal. It was the sending, suddenly, from the di- rection of the fort, a detachment of Greens disguised as American troops, in the expectation that they might be received as a timely reinforcement from the garrison. Lieutenant Jacob Sammons was the first to descry their approach, in the direction of a body of men commanded by Captain Jacob Gardenier — an of&cer who, during that memorable day, performed prodigies of valor. Per- ceiving that their hats were American, Sammons informed Captain Gardenier that succors from the fort were coming up. The quick eye of the Captain de- tected the ruse, and he replied — 'Not so; they are enemies; don't you see their green coats!' They continued to advance until hailed by Gardenier, at which moment one of his own soldiers, observing an acquaintance, and supposing him a friend, ran to meet him, and presented his hand. It was grasped, but with no friendly grip, as the credulous fellow was dragged into the opposing line, and informed that he was a prisoner. He did not yield without a strug- gle; during which Gardenier, watching the action and the result, sprang for- ward, and with a blow from his spear leveled the captor to the dust and lib- erated his man. Others of the foe instantly set upon him, of whom he slew the second and wounded a third. Three of the disguised Greens now sprang upon him, and one of his spurs becoming entangled in their clothes, he was thrown to the ground. Still contending, however, with almost superhuman strength, both of his thighs were transfixed to the earth by the bayonets of two of his assailants, while the third presented a bayonet to his breast, as if to thrust him through. Seizing this bayonet with his left hand, by a sudden wrench he brought its owner down upon himself, where he held him as a shield against the arms of the others, until one of his own men, Adam Miller, obserAdng the struggle, flew to his rescue. As the assailants turned upon their new adver- sary, Gardenier rose upon his seat; and although his hand was severely lac- erated by grasping the bayonet which had been drawn through it, he seized his spear lying by his side, and quick as lightning planted it to the barb in the side of the assailant with whom he had been clenched. The man fell and ex- pired — ^proving to be Lieutenant M 'Donald, one of the loyalist officers from Tryon county. All this transpired in far less time than is necessarily occupied voLi— I s an 34 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY by the relation. While engaged in the struggle some of his own men called out to Gar denier — 'for God's sake, Captain, you are killing your own men!' He replied — 'they are not our men — ^they are the enemy — fire away!' A deadly fire from the Provincials ensued, during which about thirty of the Greens fell slain, and many Indian warriors. The parties once more rushed upon each other with bayonet and spear, grappling and fighting with terrible fury ; while the shattering of shafts and the clashing of steel mingled with every dread sound of war and death, and the savage yells, more hideous than all, presented a scene which can be more easily imagined than described. The un- paralleled fortitude and bravery of Captain Gardenier infused fresh spirits into his men, some of whom enacted wonders of valor likewise. It happened during the melee, in which the contending parties were mingled in great con- fusion, that three of Johnson's Greens rushed within the circle of the Pro- vincials, and attempted to make prisoner of a Captain Dillenback. This offi- cer had declared he would never be taken alive, and he was not. One of his three assailants seized his gun, but he suddenly wrenched it from him, and felled him with the butt. He shot the second dead, and thrust the third through with his bayonet. But in the moment of his triumph at an exploit of which even the mighty Hector, or either of the sons of Zeruiah might have been proud, a ball laid this brave man low in the dust. ' ' Such a confiict as this could not be continued long ; and the Indians, per- ceiving with what ardor the Provincials maintained the fight, and finding their own numbers sadly diminished, now raised the retreating cry of 'Oonah!' and fled in every direction, under the shouts and hurrahs of the surviving Provin- cials and a shower of bullets. Finding, moreover, from the firing at the fort, that their presence was necessary elsewhere, the Greens and Rangers now re- treated precipitately, leaving the victorious militia of Tryon county masters of the field. "Thus ended one of the severest, and, for the numbers engaged, one of the most bloody battles of the Revolutionary war. Though victorious, the loss of the Provincials was very heavy, and Tryon county had reason to mourn that day. Colonel Paris was taken prisoner by the enemy, and afterward murdered by the Indians. Several other prisoners were also killed by the savages, after they had been brought into Colonel Butler's quarters; and, as it was said, by the Colonel's own tacit consent, if not permission in terms. But the general character of that officer forbids the imputation. Major John Frey, of Colonel Klock's regiment. Was likewise wounded and taken; and to show the more than savage fury burning in the bosoms of the men brought into conflict on this occasion, the disgraceful fact may be added, that his own brother, who was in the British service, attempted to take his life after he had arrived in Butler's camp. The Major saw his brother approaching in a menacing man- ner, and called out — 'Brother, do not kill me! Do you not know me?' But the infuriated brother rushed forward, and the Major was only saved by the interposition of others. The whole number of the Provincial militia killed was two hundred, exclusive of wounded and lost as prisoners. Such, at least, was the American report. The British statements claimed that four hundred of the Americans were killed, and two hundred taken prisoners. DEDICATION OF THE HERKIMER MONUMENT OX THE ORISKANY BATTLEFIELD, AUGUST 6, 1884. Erected in the year 1883, by tlie Oneida Historical Society to the memory of General Nicholas Herkimer and his associate patriots, who fought In the battle August 6, 1777 THE SWAMP OP THE ORISKANY BATTLEFIELD HISTORY OP ONEIDA COUNTY 35 "Retainiag possession of the field, the survivors immediately set themselves at work in constructing rude litters, upon which to bear off the wounded. Be- tween forty and fifty of these, among whom was the commanding general, were removed in this manner. The brave old man, notwithstanding the imprudence of the morning — ^imprudence in allowing a premature movement at the dicta- tion of his subordinates — ^had nobly vindicated his character for courage dur- ing the day. Though wounded, as we have seen, in the onset, he had borne himself during the six hours of conflict, under the most trying circumstances, with a degree of fortitude and composure worthy of all admiration. Nor was his example without effect in sustaining his troops amid the perils by which they were environed. At one time during the battle, while sitting upon his saddle raised upon a little hillock, being advised to select a less exposed sit- uation, he replied — 'I will face the enemy.' Thus, 'surrounded by a few men, he continued to issue his orders with firmness. In this situation, and in the heat of the onslaught, he deliberately took his tinder-box from his pocket, lit his pipe, and smoked with great composure.' At the moment the soldiers were placing him on the litter, while adjusting the blankets to the poles, three Indians approached, and were instantly shot down by the unerring rifles of three of the militia. These were the last shots flred in that battle. "The loss of the enemy in this engagement was equally, if not more severe, than that of the Americans. The Greens and Rangers of Sir John Johnson and Colonel Butler must have suffered badly, although no returns were given in the contemporaneous accounts. Major Watts was severely wounded and left on the field, as was supposed, among the slain. His death was reported by Colonel Willett in his letter to Governor Trumbell, and by others in au- thority. But such was not the fact. Reviving from faintness produced by loss of blood, some hours after the action, he succeeded in crawling to a brook, where, by slaking his thirst, he was preserved from speedy death, and in the course of two or three days was found by some Indian scouts, and brought into St. Leger's camp. But the Indians were the most roughly handled, they having lost nearly one hundred warriors, several of whom were sachems in great favor. Frederick Sammons, who had been detached upon a distant scout previous to the battle, returning some days afterward, crossed the battlefield, where, he says, 'I beheld the most shocking sight I had ever witnessed. The Indians and white men were mingled with one another, just as they had been left when death had first completed his work. Many bodies had also been torn to pieces by wild beasts.' "It has been affirmed that the Indians were persuaded to join in this battlt only with great difficulty, and not until they had been induced to sacrifice their reason to their appetites. It was very manifest that during the action many of them were intoxicated. The consequence was, that they suffered more severely than ever before. According to the narrative of Mary Jemison, the Indians (at least the Senecas), were deceived into the campaign. 'They were sent for to see the British whip the rebels. They were told that they were not wanted to fight, but merely to sit down, smoke their pipes, and look on. The Senecas went to a man ; but, contrary to their expectation, instead of smoking and looking on, they were obliged to fight for their lives; and in the end of the battle were completely beaten, with a great loss of killed and wounded.' 36 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY "The whole Indian force was led by Thayendanegea in person — 'the great Captain of the Six Nations,' as he was then called — and as the Cayugas had now likewise joined the Mohawks in alliance with the arms of England — the Onondagas adopting a doubtful policy, but always, in fact, acting against the Provincials — ^he must have had a large force in the field. Of the Senecas about thirty-six were killed, and a great number wounded. Captain Brant was accustomed, long years afterward, to speak of the sufferings of his 'poor Mohawks' in the battle. Indeed, the severity with which they were handled on that occasion, rendered them. morose and intractable during the remainder of the campaign; and the unhappy prisoners were the first to minister with their blood to their resentment. 'Our town,' says Mary Jemison, 'exhibited a scene of real sorrow and distress when our warriors returned and recounted their misfortunes, and stated the real loss they had sustained in the engagement. The mourning was excessive, and was expressed by the most doleful yells, shrieks, and bowlings, and by inimitable gesticulations.' "It was unfortunate that General Herkimer formed his line of march with so little judgment that, when attacked, his men were in no situation to support each other; and more unfortunate still, that he marched at all, so long before he could expect to hear the concerted signal for the diversion to be made in his favor by the sortie of Colonel Willett. The heavy rain storm, moreover, which caused a suspension of the battle, had likewise the effect of delaying the sally for nearly an hour. It was made, however, as soon as it was practi- cable, and was not only completely successful, but was conducted with such ability and spirit by the gallant officer to whom it was confided, as to win for him the applause of the foe himself. In addition to the two hundred men detailed for this service, under Colonel Willett 's command, as before stated, fifty more were added to guard the light iron three pounder already mentioned. With these troops, and this his only piece of mounted ordnance, Colonel Will- ett lost not a moment, after the cessation of the rain, in making the sally,' The enemy's sentinels being directly in sight of the fort, the most rapid mo-ve- ments were necessary. The sentinels were driven in, and his advanced guard attacked, before he had time to form his troops. Sir John Johnson, whose regiment was not more than two hundred yards distant from the advanced guard, it being very warm, was in his tent, divested of his coat at the moment, and had not time to put it on before his camp was assailed. Such, moreover, were the celerity of Willett 's movement and the impetuosity of the attack, that Sir John could not bring his troops into order, and their only resource was in flight. The Indian encampment was next to that of Sir John, and in turn was carried with equal rapidity. The larger portion of the Indians, and a detachment from the regiment of Sir John, were, at the very moment of this unexpected assault upon their quarters, engaged in the battle of Oriskany. Those who were left behind now betook themselves, — Sir John and his men to the river, — and the Indians to their natural shelter, the woods — ^the troops of Colonel Willett firing briskly upon them in their flight. The amount of spoil found in the enemy's camp was so great, that Willett was obliged to send hastily to the fort for wagons to convey it away. Seven of these vehicles were three times loaded and discharged in the fort, while the brave little Pro- HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 37 vmcial band held possession of the encampments. Among the spoils thus captured, consisting of camp equipage, clothing, blankets, stores, etc., were five British standards, the baggage of Sir John Johnson, with all his papers, the baggage of a number of other officers, with memoranda, journals, and or- derly books, containing all the information desirable on the part of the be- sieged. While Colonel Willett was returning to the fort. Colonel St. Leger, who was on the opposite side of the river, attempted a movement to intercept him. Willett 's position, however, enabled him to form his troops so as to give the enemy a full fire in front, while at the same time he was enfiladed by the fire of a small field-piece. The distance was not more than sixty yards be- tween them; and although St. Leger was not backward in returning the fire, his aim was nevertheless so wild as to be entirely without effect. The assail- ants returned into the fortress in triumph, without having lost a man — ^the British flags were hoisted on the flag-staff under the American — and the men, ascending the parapets, gave three as hearty cheers as were ever shouted by the same number of voices. Among the prisoners brought off by the victors was Lieutenant Singleton, of Sir John Johnson's regiment. Several Indians were found dead in their camp, and others were kiUed in crossing the river. The loss to the enemy, particularly in stores and baggage, was great; while the affair itself was of still more importance, from the new spirit of patriotic en- thusiasm with which it inspired the little garrison. For this chivalrous ex- ploit Congress passed a resolution of thanks, and directed the Commissary General of military stores to procure an elegant sword, and present the same to Colonel Willett in the name of the United States. "General Herkimer did not long survive the battle. He was conveyed to his own house near the Mohawk river, a few miles below the Little Falls; where his leg, which had been shattered flve or six inches below the knee, was amputated about ten days after the battle by a young French surgeon in the army of General Arnold, and contrary to the advice of the general's own medical adviser, the late Doctor Petrie. But the operation was unskilfully performed, and it was found impossible by his attendants to staunch the blood. Colonel WiUett called to see the general soon after the operation. He was sitting up in his bed, with a pipe in his mouth, smoking, and talking in ex- cellent spirits. He died the night following that visit. His friend. Colonel John Roff, was present at the amputation, and affirmed that he bore the op- eration with uncommon fortitude. He was likewise with him at the time of his death. The blood continuing to flow — ^there being no physician in imme- diate attendance — and being himself satisfied that the time of his departure was nigh, the veteran directed the Holy Bible to be brought to him. He then opened it, and read, in the presence of those who surrounded his bed, with all the composure which it was possible for any man to exhibit, the thirty- eighth psalm — applying it to his own situation. He soon afterward expired; and it may well be questioned whether the annals of man furnish a more strik- ing example of Christian heroism — calm, deliberate, and firm in the hour of death — ^than is presented in this remarkable instance. Of the early history of General Herkimer but little is known. It has been already stated that his family was one of the first of the Germans who planted themselves in the 38 HISTORY OP ONEIDA COUNTY Mohawk valley. And the massive stone mansion, yet standing at German Flats, bespeaks its early opulence. He was an uneducated man, with, if pos- sible, less skill in letters, even than General Putnam, which is saying much. But he was, nevertheless, a man of strong and vigorous understanding — des- titute of some of the essential requisites of generalship, but of the most cool and dauntless courage. These traits were all strikingly disclosed in the brief and bloody expedition to Oriskany. But he must have been weU ac- quainted with that most important of all books — The Bible. Nor could the most learned biblical scholar, lay or clerical, have selected a portion of the Sa- cred Scriptures more exactly appropriate to the situation of the dying soldier, than that to which he himself spontaneously turned. If Socrates died like a philosopher, and Rousseau like an unbelieving sentimentalist. General Herki- mer died like a Christian hero. Congress passed a resolution requesting the Governor and Council of New York to erect a monument at the expense of the United States, to the memory of this brave man, of the value of five hundred dollars. This resolution was transmitted to the governor of New York, George Clinton, in a letter from which the following passage is quoted: — 'Every mark of distinction shown to the memory of such illustrious men as offer up their lives for the liberty and happiness of their country, reflects real honor on those who pay the tribute ; and by holding up to others the prospect of fame and immortality, will animate them to tread in the same path.' Governor Clinton thus wrote to the committee of Tryon county on the occasion: — 'En- closed you have a letter and resolve of Congress, for erecting a monument to the memory of your late gallant General. While with you I lament the -cause, I am impressed with a due sense of the great and justly merited honor the Continent has, in this instance, paid to the memory of that brave man.' Such were the feelings of respect for the services and memory of the deceased en- tertained by the great men of that day. Sixty years have since rolled away, and the journal of Congress is the only monument, and the resolution itself the only inscription, which as yet testify the gratitude of the republic to General Nicholas Herkimer." Strange to say, even the grave of General Herkimer remained substantially unmarked until Warren Herkimer, the grand-nephew of Captain Charles Herki- mer, who fought at Oriskany, erected a monument to the memory of his great- uncle. Since then, however, by the assistance of the government, the state and private contributions, a substantial and beautiful shaft has been erected at the grave of the illustrious soldier. The village of Herkimer has also paid due respect to the hero for whom it is named, by placing in its park a bronze statue of General Herkimer by a son of United States Senator Warner Miller, Burr Miller, who has won fame as an artist. The monument received honor- able mention at the recent Exposition in Paris, Prance. The result of the battle of Oriskany was such that both sides claimed a victory, but the Americans held the field. St. Leger continued the siege of the fort until, fearing the advance of Arnold with re-enforcements and through a stratagem instigated by Arnold, he was frightened into a hasty retreat, and made as rapid return to Canada as possible. Great suffering was endured by the prisoners who were captured by the i 1 I i 1 i M J^ t ll Mk'^ m"i r^l KL a^ste tei. ^S 5*;!/4 ^■aP---'-'^« <£,'',%llil/.':isit<< ■j«i!r^ " ~. ^^^I^^H ^■1*^: ■ • ,'■' ■'r^^:U.fv3^m-';,'-'^ '-i^- 1^, ||?t .'il'''-!'. tf~'- ''-ixi'^Si ^ . .S ■^^^a|^ *i'--'jj^» 1 ' mK^^amm ■^, > \ COLONEL BENJAMIN WALKER Aid to George Washington HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 79 "peace at any price." The Republican party accused the Democrats in this election of nominating a Tory for the senate, and the other party reiterated by making the same charge ; and, as no person could be in worse odor than a Tory, this was supposed to be enough to disqualify any candidate from receiv- ing the vote of any citizen. The attack upon the respective candidates seemed to have little effect, as the Federalists carried the county by their usual major- ity. For senators, Piatt carried the county by 583 majority, Hall by 582, Phillips by 586, and the Federal assemblymen were elected by substantially the same majority. A meeting of the Federalists to rejoice over the election was held May 5 at Whitestown. After the adoption of resolutions denouncing Mr. Jefferson as president, declining to express opinion upon the differences between the United States and Great Britain, denouncing Napoleon, and fav- oring some amicable arrangement with Great Britain to settle the differences, they held a banquet, at which Colonel Benjamin Walker presided, and at which seventeen toasts were responded to. It would be interesting to give them all, but we will only occupy the space to give two or three. The second was as follows: "James Madison, president of the United States; we hail the first act of his administration, as a pledge, that unlike his predecessor, he will prefer the great interests of the nation to the gratification of foreign partialities or party prejudices." The third one was: " The constitution of the United States: the corner stone of federalism." The tenth was: "Thomas Jefferson: his retirement from office, the best act of his life ; and the only time all parties agree, was beneficial to his country." The 11th was: "Our fellow citizens on the northern frontiers : we congratulate them on their deliverance from the inquisition of the embargo and the vexations of military law. ' ' The 16th was : "The state of Virginia the birthplace of Washington; the late election bears witness that she has not wholly forgotten his precepts." The 17th was: "The memory of Washington" (drank standing, band playing and a discharge of musketry and artillery). 1810 — It has been very difficult to get information in regard to the politi- cal history of the county during the year 1810. No authentic records in the county clerk's office can be found, and newspaper files are only fragmentary for that year. It appears, however, that on the 6th of February a meeting of the electors of Steuben, Remsen, Boonville and Trenton was held at the house of John Storrs at the village of Oldenbarneveld, for the purpose of making a choice of delegates to the respective conventions. Resolutions were passed favoring the candidacy of Moss Kent of Jefferson, Joel Thompson of Chenango, and Wilhelmus Mynderre of Seneca, and Freegift Patehen of Schoharie for senators, and Thomas R. Gold for representative in Congress. One of the resolutions adopted at this meeting was as follows: "Resolved, That we, as disciples of the great and good Washington, are ready to make a tender of our property and lives in defense of our constitution and maintenance of our na- tional independence against any foreign or domestic foe. ' ' , 1811 — The Republican county convention assembled February 28, 1811, at the house of Thomas Shepard in Whitestown, and adopted a resolution which read as follows: "Resolved, That Nathan Sage, Samuel Dill, Henry Wager, Thomas Skinner and William Hotchkiss be recommended to the electors of the county of Oneida, at their next election, as 'suitable characters to represent 80 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY them in the next assembly of this state.' " On the 20th of April a public meeting was held at the same place, at which resolutions were passed favoring the candidacy of DeWitt Clinton for governor and Casper M. Rouse for sena- tor. This meeting was presided over by ApoUos Cooper, and the secretary was James Sherman. At the election the federal candidate for lieutenant governor carried the county by 287, and Mr. Sanford, the federal candidate for senator, received a majority of 294. The federal candidates for assembly, Huntington, Bristol, Brayton, Storrs and Clark were elected by about 300 ma- jority each. 1812 — For several years prior to 1812 the United States had submitted to insults from Great Britain, commercial relations between the two governments were suspended, and England sent her ships of war to cruise in American waters to intercept merchant vessels and send them to England as prizes. This caused intense feeling in this country against England, and most American citizens were willing to again accept war with the mother country instead of submitting further to such insults, although it was understood that this course was fraught with great hazard. The state convention assembled in Albany on the 17th of September, 1812, of the party opposed to the war with England. The delegates from Oneida county were Morris S. Miller, Jesse Curtis, James Dean, Adam G. Mappa and James Lynch, and a committee was appointed to prepare a platform expressive of the sentiments of the Federal party con- cerning this grave subject. They passed a series of resolutions denouncing the war, and calling for a meeting of all persons opposed to the war to take into consideration a "common plan of operation, having for its object the restoration of peace to our degraded and afflicted country. ' ' The Federal party, calling itself the friend of peace, liberty and commerce, nominated for gover- nor Stephen Van Rensselaer, for lieutenant governor George Huntington and for senators in the western district Simeon Ford, of Herkimer, Robert Camp- bell, of Otsego, and Valentine Brother, of Ontario. It was a very serious matter for a country with but twelve large war vessels and a number of small crafts, carrying all told 300 guns, to fight a government with about 900 war vessels manned by 144,000 men. England was again making effort to enlist the Iroquois Indians in the war which was deemed imminent. This question was before the people in the elections of 1810 and 1811, and, although the Federal party opposed the administration, Mr. Madison, then president, was sustained, and his supporters still kept control of both houses of Congress. In the west and south the feeling was very strong for war with England, but in New England the sentiment was the other way, and the president,- feeling the great responsibility, hesitated. This gave rise to the saying in England that the United States could not be "kicked into war." The American people finally verified the old adage that "it takes a long time to make Brother Jonathan mad, but when he gets mad he is awful mad." This time came, when John C. Cal- houn presented to Congress a bill declaring that war existed between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and the United States of America. This bill passed the house of representatives by a vote of 79 to 49, and passed the senate by a vote of 19 to 13, and was signed by the president the same day, June 17th. The first year of the war was disastrous to the Americans on land. Gen- eral Hull surrendered Detroit to the British. Captain Heald, who was in com- HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 81 mand at Fort Dearborn (now Chicago), ordered by Hull to abandon the fort and retreat to Detroit, was attacked and his party almost exterminated ; and an American force under General Rensselaer was defeated and many of them taken prisoners at Lewiston, Canada. The success of the Americans, however, upon the sea, where it was least expected, gave much encouragement to the adminis- tration party. The Constitution defeated and captured the Guerriere and the Java; the Wasp captured the Frolic; the United States defeated and captured the Macedonia ; and American privateers had wrought great havoc among British merchant vessels. In the election of that year Mr. Madison was reelected, and a majority of Congress was still with him. The experiences of the people in the Mohawk valley were not to be repeated in the war of 1812 and, except for the passage of troops through the valley and the calling of men from this locality into the army, no important military events occurred within the county during the three years of the second war for independence. Oneida county, however, furnished its quota of men for the war, and some of the officers who took promi- nent part in that important event. Joshua Hathaway was appointed quarter- master general of the state militia, and went to Saekett's Harbor, and Colonel Bellinger commanded the first troops from the county that went to Saekett's Harbor. In his Annals of Oneida County, Mr. Jones says that "all the militia of the county was called to go to Sackett 's Harbor, and that the 157th regiment, usually known as the Rome regiment, commanded by Colonel Westcott, marched to that place. ' ' Among the officers of this regiment were Lieut. Colonel Joshua G. Green; Captains Rudd, Fillmore, Church, Grannis, Hinckley and Peck; the staff officers being Adjutant Samuel Beardsley, Paymaster Jay Hathaway, Sur- geon Henry H. Smith. The chief military officers from this county who took part in the war of 1812 were Brigadier Generals Oliver Collins, Joseph Kirkland and Henry McNeil. General Collins took the most prominent part in the war of any officer from Oneida county. He had settled in the town of Whitestown about 1784, and bought a large tract of land about half a mile from Whitesboro. Before he was sixteen years of age and prior to his removal to the state of New York he ran away from home and enlisted as a soldier in the war of the Revolution, but on account of his age he was brought back home. About a year later, filled with a military spirit, he again enlisted in Captain Burbank's com- pany of artillery, and served during the war. He, therefore, had a military experience that was of great help when he was called into the service of his country the second time. At one time he had command of the post at Saekett's Harbor, and his order book on that occasion is among the valuable records in the Oneida Historical Society of Utica. He had a large family, and his de- scendants in many states have filled positions of great honor as governors, sena- tors, representatives in Congress, lawyers, doctors, and were men of character and influence wherever they cast their lot. From Charles D. Adams, the emi- nent lawyer, still living in Utica, who is grandson of General Collins, the writer learns that none of his descendants are residents of Oneida county at this time except Mr. Adams and his family, and, so far as he knows, there are no other descendants of General Collins within the state of New York. The wife of President Taft is a great granddaughter of General Collins. The writer has not been able to ascertain just what service General Kirkland and General McNeil performed during the war. CHAPTER XI 1813—1823 1813 — In this year a draft was ordered in Oneida and other counties in cen- tral New York. General Collins was placed in command of the soldiers raised by this conscription. He was in command of the post at Sackett 's Harbor, and this was so important a post that the governor sent his aide-de-camp, Colonel Washington Irving, the eminent author, with orders to the commander to make such requisitions for militia as he might deem necessary, and the gen- eral called out the militia of Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis and Oneida coun- ties. Oneida and Herkimer furnished 2,500 men, which with the others, gave Collins a force of about 6,000. 1814 — In 1814 the situation at Sackett 's Harbor was so desperate that by direction of the governor, Collins ordered out the brigade of Brigadier General Ellis and directed him "with all possible dispatch to march * * * by the most direct and convenient route to Smith's Mills, twelve miles from the Har- ][)QP # # * g^jjjj immediately on your arrival * * * report yourself to the commanding general." This was caused by a threatened attack by the British upon Sackett 's Harbor, but it never occurred. Disease and a poor commissariat at the Post caused panic at one time, and there were many deser- tions. After Collins 's return from Sackett 's Harbor to Utica he ordered a court martial of the deserters, and this court was held at the New England House, which stood where the Arcade now stands. The deserters were con- victed, and, despite threats of interference by violence, they were sentenced and drummed out of camp to the tune of the Rogue's March. In this year the United States government purchased lands in Rome for an arsenal, and it was completed in 1816. It was used for government purposes until about 1873, when it was sold for other purposes, and the occupation by the government ceased. Two men of great ability and very high standing in the community were candidates for representatives in Congress in this year — ^Nathan Williams and Thomas R. Gold. The county, which at that time included part of what is now the county of Oswego, gave Mr. Gold a majority of 638. The candidates for the senate in the district which included Oneida county were J. I. Pender- gast, B. Bicknell, C. Loomis and P. Swift of one party, and of the opposing party J. Sandford, J. Forman, V. Brother and Joseph Kirkland. The five last named received a majority in the county of about 600. The candidates for assembly were E. S. Salsbury, T. Hathaway, J. Grant,. W. Lord and Luther Guiteau, upon one side, and James Lynch, R. Pettibone, J. Lay, J. Storm and Theodore Sill upon the other, the latter of whom were elected by 711 majority. 82 RESIDENCE OP T'NITED STATES SENATOR EMHl' ROOT HOME OF GENERAL COLLINS IN- NEW HARTFORD RESIDENCE OF GEN. WILLIAM FLOYD, WESTERNVILLE, WITH REAR AD- MIRAL MONTGOMERY SICARD IN THE YARD ABOUT TO TAKE A HORSEBACK RIDE HISTOEY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 83 1815 — The senatorial candidates of the Federal Republican party from Oneida county for the western district for the year 1815 were George Hunting- ton of Rome, and Jared Sanford, and for members of assembly James Lynch, Richard Sanger, Isaac Brajrton, Roderick Morrison and Jesse Curtis. It has been impossible to ascertain who all of the local candidates were at this election. 1816 — The convention of the Federal party was held ia Albany, February 15, 1816, and Rufus King was nominated for governor and George Tibbils for lieutenant governor. The county convention of this party was called for the 6th of March at Whitesboro, but it has been impossible to ascertain what was done at that meeting, as no records of it are attainable. It appears later in the Utica Patriot of May 21st that King carried the county by a majority of 435; that the Federal candidates for senator, Samuel M. Hopkins, Valentine Brother and Theodore Sill received about the same majority; that Henry R. Storrs received 278 majority for representative in Congress, and that Abram Camp, Martin Hawley, David Ambler, Wheeler Barnes and Newton March were elected to the assembly by about the same vote. The summer of 1816 was noted as being the coldest season ever known in this part of the country. Snow fell in the county several inches deep during the month of June, and crops were almost a total failure. 1817 — One of the most important events which occurred in the county dur- ing the year 1817 was that pertaining to the Brie canal. Ground was broken for this great waterway at Rome July 4, 1817, and the first boat passed over the canal from Utica to Rome and return October 21, 1819. Governor Clinton, with a distinguished company of state officials and other invited guests, con- stituted the passengers upon this trip. It is well to state here that one of the chief scientific men who, as an engineer, had charge of the work, was John B. Jervis of Rome. There entered into politics a man of unusual ability in this year — DeWitt Clinton. He was elected governor, and received in Oneida county 2,428 votes against 43 votes, which were called ' ' scatterings. ' ' 1818 — The election of 1818 resulted in the Republican candidates carry- ing the county of Oneida by substantial majorities, but as the senatorial district consisted of more than Oneida county the Federal candidate, Jonas Piatt, was elected; Henry R. Storrs was elected representative in Congress by 2,329 ma- jority; the assemblymen elected seem to have been of both parties, as the suc- cessful candidates were L. Guiteau, D. P. Hoyt, T. Woodruffe, Ezekiel Bacon and Henry Huntington. 1819 — In the year 1819 it seems that the parties divided, at least locally, upon no particular issue, but one ticket was called the Republican, and the other was, by the newspapers, denominated the "Tammany ticket." It is notable that as early in the history of the state as this there was supposed to be some sort of odium attached to a ticket known as the "Tammany ticket," yet, it is also notable, that the candidates in Oneida county this year upon that ticket were some of the most respected, influential and able men who ever have resided within its limits. For senators in the western district the Republicans nominated Gideon Granger and Lyman Payne, and for members of the assem- bly George Brayton, Charles Wiley, Luther Guiteau, Theor Woodruffe and David Bates. The Tammany ticket consisted of Philetus Swift and Nathan 84 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY Garrow for senators, and for members of assembly Joseph Allen, Benjamin Hickcox, Samuel Beardsley, Prosper Rudd and John S. Davis. The Federalists nominated for members of assembly George Huntington, Henry McNeil, John Storrs, James Dean, Jr., and Theophilus S. Morgan. The election returns show that the votes cast for the respective candidates in Oneida county for senators were Granger 957, Payne 865, Lansing 1,186, Merrell 1,084, Swift 600 and Garrow 558. The Federal candidates for members of assembly were all elected by a plurality of nearly 1,000. 1820 — The Republican convention was held at the village of Hampton, February 2, 1820, and nominated delegates to the senatorial convention of the western district, and this convention passed a series of resolutions approving the state administration and recommending the electors to support DeWitt C. Clin- ton as a candidate for governor, and John Taylor as candidate for lieutenant governor, and denounced the action of the portion of the legislature which had assembled at Albany in a convention and nominated Daniel D. Tompkins for governor. The opposition to Clinton was known as the "Bucktail party." The term "Bucktail" was known to designate the opponents of DeWitt Clinton, be- cause of the fact that Tammany Hall opposed him, and some of the chief mem- bers of that organization on certain occasions wore a buck's tail in their hats. During this year a large number of public meetings were held throughout the state, for the purpose of expressing approval of the acts of DeWitt Clinton and for the denunciation of Daniel D. Tompkins, as these really two great men at this time were arrayed against each other, as leaders of the great political organi- zations of the day. It had been claimed that Daniel D. Tompkins had misap- propriated funds, which created intense feeling throughout the state, and he was denounced unquestionably unjustly. As an illustration of the feeling against him, we quote from a communication to the Albany Register of March 3, 1820 : "The leaders of the Bucktail opposition, routed and discouraged as they are by the steady and overwhelming reverses of the present winter, and determined to make one more bold and desperate push to retrieve their blasted fortunes, Daniel D. Tompkins and his $600,000 claim — Daniel D. Tompkins with his old muskets — his basket of vouchers and his double charges — Daniel D. Tompkins, with his unprecedented defalcation is to be run hard for the first office in the gift of the people." The Republicans nominated for senators for the western district Ephraim Hart, Elijah Miles and Oliver Forward, and for members of assembly Ezekiel Bacon, Greene C. Bronson, Allen Frazer, Israel Stoddard and David S. Bates. The Federal candidates for members of assembly were Josiah Bacon, Allen Frazer, George Huntington, Joseph Kirkland and William Root. Fierce attacks were made upon Mr. Tompkins during the entire campaign, and his accounts were the subject of legislative investigation. In the Columbian Gazette of April 18th there is a violent attack upon Mr. Tompkins. The writer, among other things, says: "The question then for the electors to decide is, whether they will hurl Mr. Clinton from power, to gratify the wishes of a can- didate who is his inferior in point of talents and qualifications, and who besides this decided inequality, labors under the imputation of being a defaulter to a large amount ! What excuse could there be for turning out Clinton and putting in Tompkins?" This seems to be rather severe language to be used against HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 85 the vice-president of the United States. Clinton was elected by a majority of 1,454, and he carried Oneida county by 1,314. For senators Hart, Miles and Forward carried the county by about the same majority. There seems to have been a third ticket in the field, and Mr. Frazer was upon two tickets, and there- fore received a much larger vote than any other of the candidates who were elected to the assembly ; the other candidates of the Federal party. Bacon, Hunt- ington, Kirkland and Root were elected to the assembly by a plurality of about 1,000, as the district ^TtEis time consisted of Oneida and a portion of Oswego county. 1821 — An important event occurred in the year 1821 in the state, which was the holding of the State Constitutional Convention. The delegates to this conven- tion from Oneida county were Ezekiel Bacon, Samuel Sidney Breese, Henry Huntington, Jonas Piatt and Nathan "Williams, three of whom were Clintonians and two were Democrats. At this time DeWitt Clinton was governor, and the Democrats had a majority in the Constitutional Convention. The constitution formulated by this convention removed the property qualification of voters and liberalized the constitution in many other respects, which constitution remained in effect until 1848. The county convention, which was held at Whitestown dur- ing this year, was called so as to include all voters "without regard to former political distinctions," and Joseph Kirkland was nominated for representative in Congress; the candidates for senator in the western district were Stephen Bates and Samuel M. Hopkins; and George Huntington, Greene C. Bronson, Israel Stoddard, Samuel Chandler and Peter Pratt were nominated for mem- bers of assembly, Pratt being a resident of Mexico, in that portion of Oswego county which was a portion of an assembly district with Oneida county. The canvass was somewhat bitter, and charges of fraud were made against the Buck- tail party, then in power. One of the serious charges was, as it appeared to the electors of that day, that they had endeavored to ' ' palm upon the community a statement to the effect that they had reduced the wages of members of assembly to three dollars per day," whereas, as a matter of fact, they actually received four dollars per day. Mr. Kirkland, for representative in Congress, carried the county by 1,030, and the district by 838. Hopkins and Bates, for senators, car- ried the county by about 900 majority, and for members of assembly, Hunting- ton, Bronson, Stoddard, Chandler and Pratt were elected by little less than 1,000 majority in the district, and substantially the same majorities in the county. 1822 — The local ticket for 1822 was nominated at a Republican convention held in Utica October 11th. This seems to have been the first county convention ever held in what is now the city of Utica. This convention resolved that George Huntington of Oneida, Westel Willoughby of Herkimer, Levi Adams of Lewis and Matthew McNair be nominated as candidates for the senate. On the 21st day of October a convention was held at Whitesboro which approved the nomi- nations of Joseph Yates for governor ; Henry Huntington for lieutenant gover- nor ; the senatorial ticket as mentioned above ; Ezekiel Bacon for representative in Congress; and nominated for members of assembly Israel Stoddard, Josiah Bacon, John Billings, James Dean, Jr., and Wheeler Barnes ; for sheriff, Simeon N. Dexter, and for county clerk Julius Pond. The opposing candidates of the county were for representative in Congress, Henry R. Storrs; for members of 86 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY assembly, Henry Wager, Thomas H. Hamilton, Samuel Wetmore, Uri Doolittle and James Lynch; for sheriff, John E. Hinman; for county clerk, Garrit G. Lansing and also Eliasaph Dorchester. For governor Yates carried the county by 2,653, while Huntington, for lieutenant governor, carried it by only 95, and Storrs, for representative in Congress by only 55. The candidates for senator, Beardsley, Wooster, Greenley and Bronson, carried the county by about 200; Hinman, for sheriff, was elected by 1,193 ; Dorchester was elected county clerk, while the assemblymen, "Wager, Hamilton, Lynch, Doolittle and Wetmore, re^ ceived a majority of about 400 each. 1823 — The Republican county convention assembled at Whitestown October 27, 1823, and passed resolutions favoring what was known as the "Election Law." This convention nominated for members of assembly, George Huntington, John Storrs, John P. Sherwood, Theophilus Steele and Thomas B. Clark, candidates known to be favorable to such a law. The convention also recommended William Ford, of Jefferson county, as a suitable candidate for senator in the fifth sena- torial district. Perley Keyes had also been put in nomination as a candidate for senator in the same district. In this canvass the principal subject before the people was the election law. It is notable that the same principle was involved at that time in the people insisting that presidential electors should be elected by the people, as is involved at the present day in the issue much debated in re- gard to the election of United States senators by the people instead of by the legislature. The vote on senator in Oneida county gave Keyes 2,095 and Ford 1,784; for members of assembly Wager, Allen, Grant, Cooper and Ruger were elected by an average majority of about 300. CHAPTER XII 1824r-1839 1824 — In 1824 an unusual campaign occurred in the county. A bitter fight throughout the state was being waged on a very important question, which was this: Presidential electors had been appointed by the state legislature, and the Republican party took strong ground in favor of a law providing for their elec- tion by the people. A bill had been presented in the legislature providing for such election, but had been defeated largely through the influence of Martin Van Buren. Through his influence, also, the members of the legislature had nomi- nated Samuel Young for governor and Erastus Root for lieutenant governor. This usurpation of power by the legislature, as it was called, was resented by the people, and there was a strong sentiment in favor of the nomination of ex- governor DeWitt Clinton for the office which he had so acceptably filled before that time. The Republican state convention was called to be held September 21st at Utica. The Republican county convention, to elect delegates to the state convention, was held at the courthouse in Whitesboro September 14th. The delegates chosen to the state convention were George Brayton, David Pierson, David H. Hoyt, John Wescott and Aaron Barnes. Resolutions were adopted favoring the "Election Law." By this was meant the bill providing for the election of presidential electors by the people. The state convention assembled at Utica September 21st, and John Taylor was made chairman. The nomination of DeWitt Clinton was made unanimous and by acclamation except one vote, and James Talmadge was nominated for lieutenant governor unanimously. A committee was appointed to draft an address to the people. It seems that this was the custom at that day, rather than to lay down what was known as a plat- form. This committee consisted of Gerrit Smith, C. G. Haynes and John Arm- strong. It made its report through its chairman, Mr. Smith, and the address was unanimously adopted by the convention. It may well be supposed that a committee with Gerrit Smith at its head would produce a paper worthy of seri- ous consideration, and this address consisted of a powerful denunciation of the usurpation of power by the legislature and of the Van Buren party, and of the candidate it said: "That Samuel Young is in the opinion of this meeting a mere political adventurer — a usurping demagogue — a fawning office seeker and servile tool of Martin Van Buren. ' ' The address then lauded Clinton and Tal- madge, and called "upon all fellow citizens to be vigilant at the polls and de- feat the vain professions of selfish and impudent office seekers and support the cause of 'Freedom and the People.' " Another resolution referring to the can- didates of the opposite party was as follows : ' ' That one of these candidates is habitually intemperate, a scoffer at the Christian religion, and through his tal- 87 88 HISTOEY OF ONEIDA COUNTY ents and official influence deplorably successful in contaminating public morals. And it is not more than the misfortune of the other candidate that he is found in such company." The campaign of 1824 was exceedingly important and bitter in the county. Henry R. Storrs had been nominated for representative in Congress by the Republican party, and for members of assembly the nomi- nations were Joseph Kirkland, Israel Stoddard, David Pierson, Samuel Wood- worth and Broughton White. The opposing ticket for Congress was James Lynch, and for members of assembly Thomas H. Hamilton, William H. May- nard, Asabel Curtis, Fortune C. White and Benjamin Hyde. At this time po- litical discussion was not carried on through the medium of newspapers to any large extent, for the reason that the daily paper was then unknown, and other papers were few and issued at odd intervals, except, perhaps, a few weeklies. Under such circumstances the political parties and their candidates assailed each other on the rostrum and through the medium of printed circulars. Per- haps the best method of showing the exact condition which existed in this county during this notable campaign is to set forth a few of the many circulars which were issued by the respective parties and their candidates. The supporters of Clinton held a meeting in Utica, October 12th, and after adopting certain reso- lutions adjourned the meeting to a future day, and called the adjourned meet- ing by issuing the following circular: BEPUBLICAN MEETING OF YOUNG MEN "At a numerous and respectable meeting of the Republican young men, of the town of Utica, convened pursuant to public notice at Col. Hooker's Long Room, on the evening of the 12th October, Mr. Samuel G. Walker was called to the chair and Mr. William Walker appointed secretary. "On motion, it was resolved, that a committee of five be chosen to draft reso- lutions expressive of the sentiments of this meeting, on the nominations made at the state convention held in this town, and on those made at the county con- vention held at Whitesborough. "Messrs. J. H. Ostrom, Seth Gridley, Charles R. Doolittle, J. P. Gould and J. G. Lundegreen, were then appointed as a committee, and after retiring for a sufficient length of time, returned and reported the following resolutions, which were unanimously adopted: — "Resolved, That it is the duty of Republicans and free men, at all times, to express fully their opinions of those who are entrusted with the administra- tion of public affairs, and especially so when they attempt to infringe upon those rights which have been purchased by the blood of our fathers, and secured to us by the letter and spirit of our Constitution. "Resolved, That the denial by the Legislature of the right of suffrage, to Two Hundred and Sixty Thousand Freemen of this state, is an act of direct hostility to the rights of the people, and subversive of the free principles of our govern- ment. ^'Resolved, That we disapprove of national and state legislative Caucuses. "Resolved, That we disapprove of the nomination of Samuel Young and Erastus Root, because they received their nomination from a Caucus of that Leg- BAKOA' STEIBEX'S KESIDENCE IN THE TOWN OF STEUBEiV, ITiJO BARON STEUBEN'S MONUMENT IN THE TOWN OF STEUBEN HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 89 islature who defeated the electoral law, for the purpose of furthering the views of a favorite chieftain, who is driving a lucrative traffic in the suffrages of free- men at Washington. ' ' Resolved, That we concur in the nomination made hy the State Convention, at Utica, of "DeWitt Clinton for Governor, and James Talmadge for Lieut. Governor, And that we will unite our individual efforts, with the rest of our fellow citizens, in promoting their election. "Resolved, That we approve of the nomination made in this county of "Henet R. Stoers, "For Congress, and ' ' Joseph Kiekland, Iseael Stoddaed, David Pieeson, Samuel "Woodwoeth and Beoughton White, "For members of Assembly, and that we will also support them at the Polls. ' ' Resolved, That we recommend to the young men in the several towns in this county, to call similar meetings, to adopt measures to further the election of the above candidates. And that a corresponding committee of five be appointed from this meeting for the purpose of communicating with the several towns ; and that Messrs. Z. Piatt, A. C. EUinwood, 0. Whipple, J. E. Warner, and Wm. Bristol, compose that committee. "Resolved, That a committee of ten in each ward in this town be chosen, as a committee of vigilance, to further the wishes of this meeting, with power to increase their number. "Resolved, That this meeting adjourn to meet at the same place, on the Friday evening previous to the election, at 7 o'clock. "Wm. Walkee, Samuel G. Walkee, Secretary. ' ' Chairman. "To THE Republican Young Men op Oneida. ' ' The time is near at hand when the Electors of this state are again to exer- cise the boasted right of choosing their rulers. It is an era always interesting to freemen; but it is peculiarly so at this period. "A faction has grown up among us, which threatens the ultimate destruc- tion of our civil liberties. That faction is composed of unprincipled office holders and greedy office seekers, whose object is self aggrandizement; and who would sacrifice their very country rather than fail in the accomplishment of their ambitious and wicked purposes. "The present contest is literally between Republicans and faetionists — between the people and the people's enemies. The people claim the right of nominating their own rulers. The faetionists deny to them that right. The people demand the right of choosing their own presidential electors. The fae- tionists answer, "The people are not to be trusted." In such a warfare, it is 90 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY not only the privilege, but it is the duty of every good citizen to be up and doing. To be inactive is to be criminal. "The constitution of these United States, that safeguard of our rights, was purchased at too high a price, to be surrendered now without a struggle. That constitution has been not only disregarded but insulted by our last state legis- lature. That legislature withheld from the people the choice of presidential electors; and in doing so, they violated their solemn pledges, and betrayed their constituents. A caucus of that same legislature have nominated a Gov- ernor and Lieut. Governor, who for their political sins and private vices, are obnoxious to the great mass of electors. "The caucus candidates for Congress and assembly, in this county, have been brought forward to carry into effect the schemes of a favorite chieftain, who is driving a political traffic, at Washington, in the suffrages of freemen. Demagogues may tell you that they are friendly to the electoral law. But be on your guard! they are wolves in sheep's clothing. The people's candidates are known to you all — they have been long tried — ^they are men of talents — they are honest and sober men — they are firm and ardent supporters of the people's rights — they are pledged to support and defend these rights, and will not violate their pledges. "Young Men of Oneida! Much is expected of us at the ensuing election. We can, and we ought to do much. Our national prosperity, and our national glory — our civil institutions, which are deservedly our pride and our boast — in a word, all the blessings which we enjoy in this happy republic, were won for us by the labors, and sufferings, and blood of our fathers. Let it be the business of their sons to protect and preserve and perpetuate them." This circular, together with many others in the possession of the writer which will be hereafter referred to, was found among the valuable papers of Stalham Williams, who lived to be 99 years and 6 months of age, and was for fifty years treasurer of the Utica Savings Bank. The other party, not being backward in the issuing of circulars and in its assault upon its opponents, issued the following circular from Albany county, but it was distributed throughout the entire state "Gratuitous Servtoes "To the People of the State of New York. "Fellow Citizens: Much has been said of the gratuitous services of DeWitt Clinton as a Canal Commissioner, especially since his removal from that station by James Talmadge, and others, who thought him undeserving of the place. When the claims of Mr. Clinton in this respect, are examined, they will be found as flimsy as his other pretensions to the favor of the people. A plain statement of undeniable facts, derived from authentic sources, will place this subject in a just light. "DeWitt Clinton was appointed a canal commissioner on the 13th of March, 1810. As nothing further was then contemplated than the procuring of surveys and other sources of information, no salary was attached to the office, but all HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 91 THE EXPENSES OP THE COMMISSIONERS AND THEIR AGENTS, WERE FULLY PAID BY THE STATE, and large sums were from time to time appropriated for that purpose. From 1810 to 1816, very little was done by the Board. In 1816 a new board was organized, of which Mr. Clinton was appointed president, — (in which place he continued till April last) — and Twenty Thousand Dollars were appropriated to defray the expenses of the commissioners and their agents. In 1817 the legislature provided for the commencement of the canals, and provision was subsequently made, fixing the salaries of the acting canal commissioners, while the expenses of the others continued to be defrayed as before. Mr. Clinton never was an acting commissioner; and on this account, like Gouverneur Morris, Ste- phen VanRensselaer, and others of his colleagues, he received no salary, but his expenses while traveling, or otherwise engaged in the business, were fully paid by the state. As the monies appropriated for this purpose were generally paid to the whole board, and accounted for in gross, we have not been able, except in a few cases, to ascertain how much was paid to Mr. Clinton for his individual expenses. It appears by the accounts rendered to the state, that in a few in- stances he separately received compensation for his individual expenses, and on referring to them, the gross imposition of the clamor about Gratuitous Services will be clearly seen. Look at them, fellow-citizens, for yourselves. "On the 23d of January, 1812, he received Three Hundred Dollars for his own expenses 'in going to, staying at, and returning from Lancaster and Wash- ington.' This occupied him, according to his own account, thirty- five days, making a compensation of nearly Nine Dollars per day! which is only three times as much as the pay of the members of the legislature ! ! ! "In 1814 he received Two Hundred and Sixty-one Dollars for his expenses in 'going to, staying at, and returning from Albany.' This jaunt took, according to his own account, from the 27th of February to the 30th of March, 1814, being thirty-one days, and giving a compensation of only about Bight Dollars and Fifty Cents per day ! ! ! "In 1816 he received Two Hundred Dollars for his expenses in 'going to, staying at, and returning from Albany. ' This jaunt took him from some time in the beginning of February, 1816, to about the 15th of March, say at the most, forty days, giving the trifling compensation of Five Dollars per day ! ! ! "From these instances, aU of which appear on the public records, some idea may be formed of the liberal allowances made by the state to Mr. Clinton for his services as a canal commissioner, and instead of rendering them GRATUITOUSLY, as has been pretended, it is plain that he has received from the people of New York, a liberal equivalent. "But this is not all. While Mr. Clinton was a canal commissioner, he actu- ally received from the people of this state, the enormous sum of SEVENTY- SIX THOUSAND DOLLARS from the profits of OTHER OFFICES. The following calculation will show this. "The first canal board was organized, as has been said, in March, 1810. In 1810, DeWitt Clinton received for his services as state senator, at least $400. "In 1811 he was appointed Mayor of New York, an office which he had previously held for several years, and to which he was so much wedded, that although he held the office of state senator, the venerable Col. Marinus Willet 92 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY was removed from the mayoralty to make way for him. This was then the best office in the state, and one of the best in the Union. It was estimated to be worth from FIFTEEN to TWENTY thousand dollars per annum! and so lucra- tive had it become, that in 1813, the legislature provided that the mayor should not be allowed more than $7,000 per annum, and that the remainder of the fees of office should be paid to the city. To keep within bounds we put down the office, previous to the fixing of the salary, at $15,000 per annum. By deserting the Republican party, and making terms with the federalists, he succeeded in holding this office until 1815, when he was removed by a republican council, upon the advice of Ambrose Spencer and others of his present supporters. "From 1811 to 1813 is two years, at $15,000 per annum is $30,000 "From 1813 to 1815 is 2 years, at $7,000 per annum 14,000 "In 1811 he was elected lieutenant-governor, which he held two years, and for which he received at least 1,200 "From 1815 to 1817 he held no office but that of canal commissioner, and for all his expenses in that capacity was fully indemnified, as has been already stated. "In 1817 he was elected Governor by the republican party, on his pro- fessions of repentance and promises of amendment, and he received for salary, from the 1st July, 1817, to the 1st April, 1820, 2 years and 9 months, at the rate of $7,000 per annum 19,250 "For salary as Governor from the 1st April, 1820, to the 1st of April 1821, one year, at $5,000 per annum 5,000 "For salary as Governor, from the 1st April, 1821 to the 1st of January, 1823, 1 year and 9 months, at $4,000 per annum 7,000 MAKING THE ENORMOUS SUM OF $76,650 actually received by DeWitt Clinton, for public services, while he was a Canal Commissioner, besides being furnished, while governor, with a dwelling house, the rent and taxes of which were paid by the state ! Well, then, might he afford to make an occasional visit to the line of the Canal, and to attend the sittings of the Board, especially when his expenses on all such occasions, were amply provided for by the state. Away, then, with the pretence of his GRATUITOUS SERVICES ! He has not only been munificently remunerated for every moment he has devoted to the public business, but he has actually received MORE MONEY from the people of New York, for the emolument of office, than any other man in the state. He has literally fattened on the public bounty. He has not only held the most lucrative stations in the gift of the people, but, for a great portion of his life, so greedy has been his appetite for power and wealth, that he has insisted on having TWO OR THREE OFFICES AT A TIME. To prove these assertions still more clearly, let us carry our calculations a little farther back: The above statement shows that since the 13th March, 1810, he has re- ceived, besides compensation for his expenses, etc., as canal commis- sioner, the sum of $76,650 Previous to that time he had received as follows, viz.: Before 1797, as private secretary of the governor, secretary of the University, and of the Board of Fortifications, at least 2,000 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 93 In 1797, as member of the assembly, at least 300 From 1798 to 1802, as state senator, 4 years, at least 1,400 In 1802, as United States' Senator, say 1,000 From October, 1803, to March, 1807, as mayor of New York, 3 years and 5 months, at $15,000 per annum 51,250 From 1805 to 1809, as state senator, 4 years, about 1,600 From March, 1808 to March, 1810, as mayor of New York,, 2 years, at $15,000 per annum 30,000 In 1810, as state senator ' 400 making the immense sum of $164,000 164,600 Dollars! ! ! Paid to DbWitt Clinton out op the Pockets of the People op this State, for the Offices he has held, besides paying most liberally, all his expenses as Canal Commisioner, and besides furnishing him with a splendid dwelling house, for 5 years and 9 months, at a rent, for a part of the time, of $2,000 and the residue at $1,200 a year ! ! ! He is now about fifty years of age, and has actually received from the public, since he was one and twenty, an average of nearly Five Thousand Dollars a year; a sum equal to the whole estate, for which many an honest elector toils for a whole lifetime. And yet, this is the man whose GRATUITOUS SERVICES are gravely put forth before the people, as entitling him to the first station in their gift! ! ! And this, too, is the man, who, two years ago, affected to decline a reelection as governor, on the republican principle of ROTATION IN OFFICE ! ! ! The history of his life shows that, in his opinion, ROTATION IN OFFICE, means DeWitt Clinton all the while, or at least every other time. "People of the State of New York! The facts we have stated are undeniable. "We challenge our opponents to contradict them if they dare, to disprove them if they can. We have thought it our duty to lay them before you, in order to counteract the misrepresentations of those restless and aspiring demagogues who are now striving to prostrate the democratic party. Their object is not to promote your interests, or to extend your rights; it is to secure their own aggrandizement. You found them faithless to you during the war ; they opposed the calling of a convention ; they resisted the extension of the elective franchise ; they were hostile to the new constitution. Their pretenses to republicanism are hypocritical; their pretended 'love of the people' is mere sound; their moving principle, 'UNCHASTBNED AMBITION'; their sole aim, the attainment of POWER. All this you know, and knowing this, we trust you will give them, at the polls, the reception they deserve. Albany, October 15, 1824. "By order of the General Republican Committee of the City of Albany. Philip Phelps, Estes Howe, Secretary." Chairman. 94 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY In answer to this the Clinton party issued the following circular : "Bewake of Fraud! ' ' The Albany Regency and their coadjutors are making their last desperate effort to prop their tottering cause. They have this day dispatched into every part of the county, loads of hand bills, fraught with the basest falsehoods and calumnies, and we already hear they chuckle in their sleeves at the anticipated success of their frauds, in imposing upon the People : Yes, Electors of Oneida, A People who are impudently told by these desperadoes "have not wisdom and virtue enough to appoint their electors of president or nominate their state officers. "Freemen of Oneida! One bold effort on your part will forever hereafter save you from the insults of this proud Junto, and crush to atoms their fallen hopes. On Monday Next the Polls of Election will Open ; rally to a man, and by your united suffrages, quiet once more the tumults which have too long distracted and degraded this great State. "Who is so blind as not to see, that the dearest rights of the People have been basely assailed 1 Who so deaf, that he does not hear the cries of the People for a redress of their grievances? Who so regardless of the cause of freemen that he will not make one effort to annihilate a corrupt combination of fac- tionists, whose motto is Self Aggrandizement ! and who profane the hours allotted to repose, by their unhallowed machinations and secret plans, to foist themselves into power over the ruins of all that is pure in our excellent republi- can institutions, and who, the more effectually to deceive the unsuspicious, have assumed our name and impudently pretend to profess our sentiments? Let the ballot boxes solemnly pronounce the answer. None! ! ! Utica, October 24, 1824." A very interesting incident occurred in this campaign at Hampton in the town of Westmoreland. It is somewhat difficult to understand the preliminaries to the meeting that was held there, but it would appear that a meeting had been called at Hallock's in that village for the 23d day of October by the opponents of the Clinton party, or that Mr. Dauby, then the political boss of the Van Buren party, had engaged the hall in which the meeting was to be held, and that the meeting had been called by the regular Republican party, which was in reality the Clinton party, and that Mr. Dauby engaged the hall to prevent the meeting being held. However that may be, the Clinton supporters assembled in great numbers at the hall and took possession, which provoked a bitter contest, and the sheriff was called from Utica to bring peace out of the discord. The Utica Observer, which contained one side of the controversy, cannot be found, as the entire files were burned, but a circular was issued by the Clinton party in explanation of this meeting. It will be borne in mind that the intense feeling which existed between the parties at this time arose over the Election Law, that is, the Clinton party advocating the election of presidential electors by the people, and the other party, which had opposed it, preventing the law being passed in the legislature, made pretence to be for it or against it, as the cir- cumstances required. The circular issued by the Clinton party in explanation of the Hampton meeting is as follows : HISTORY OP ONEIDA COUNTY 95 "FALSEHOOD EXPOSED! "Under the editorial head, in the last 'Observer,' an account is given of the meeting of BepuiUcan young men held at Hampton on the 23d inst. That account is a tissue of falsehood, from heginning to end; and was designed for electioneering effect in the remote parts of the comity. But we do not charge Mr. Dauby as the author of these falsehoods; for although he is the ostensible editor, he has not the control of his own press; — and while we pity the man whose circumstances or feelings have induced him to assume a responsibility where he has no power, we cannot but denounce the malicious slanderers, who, protected by this disguise, ply their trade of calumny. But according to Noah's code of ethics, "all is fair in politics." And everybody knows that a coward can print what he dare not utter. "The facts in relation to that meeting are as follows: — A notice was pub- lished in the 'Columbian Gazette' of a meeting at Hallock's, in Hampton, on the 23d inst. of the 'Republican Young Men of Oneida, friendly to the Electoral Law. ' We supposed this invitation meant what it purported; we considered it as addressed to ourselves, and we attended accordingly. "On arriving at Hallock's, we told the bar-keeper, (the landlord being absent) that we had come to attend the meeting as advertised, and requested him to conduct us into the room designed for that purpose. He did so, and did not pretend that the room was otherwise engaged. The meeting then assem- bled in Hallock's large room to the number of 187. There were 36 from Utica and the remaining 152 were from the various towns in the county. "The friends of the Electoral Law, thus assembled, and just proceeding upon the business of the meeting, were interrupted by the intrusion of 15 or 20 individuals, who, in a noisy and indecent manner, declared that the room was engaged to Mr. Dauby; and that the meeting must leave it. Mr. Hallock (the landlord) disgracefully lent himself to their views, and falsely stated that he had so engaged the room, and that it should not be used for a public meeting. At this moment two young men of their party, who had been sent to advise with Judge Enos, rushed into the room, and declared that unless the meeting surrendered immediate possession to Mr. Dauby, they would procure a warrant from a Judge, and we should be put out by force of law. They had, in the meantime, sent an express to Utica,. for the Sheriff, who soon after arrived, with his trusty friend. Colonel Honicle, to carry this judicial threat into execution. "We expostulated, and we reasoned with them; we told them we had come as Republicans, to express out sentiments upon the Electoral Law; and invited them to unite with us. They answered us with insults, and with threats of vio- lence. We then proposed having separate meetings, and appointing Committees of Conference ; and if it should be found that we accorded in sentiment upon the Electoral Law, that we should then unite our meetings; they would not listen to this fair offer, but persisted in their billingsgate abuse and threats of out- rage. "Despairing of effecting a compromise, we organized our meeting, and peace- ably adjourned to the house of Mr. S. Ray, and there accomplished the business for which we had assembled. 96 HISTORY OP ONEIDA COUNTY ' ' This is a simple and true statement of the facts. If we had gone to Hamp- ton (as the 'Observer' declares) for riotous purposes, we surely would not have yielded the possession of the room. We were six to one their superiors in num- bers ; and our very forbearance towards them proves the justness of our cause, and the honesty of our intent. "They were turbulent, factious and insolent in the extreme. We had assem- bled as Republican Young Men to assert the rights of the people ; and when we discovered that we could not do it at Hallock's, for the moT), we retired to Ray's. The Republican Young Men op Oneida. October 28, 1824." The Clinton party was successful in the county, carrying it against Young by 1329, and Clinton was elected governor of the state. The majority for George Brayton, senator, was 1377; for Henry R. Storrs, representative in Congress, 1052; and the vote of the town of Steuben was rejected as defective; for mem- bers of Assembly, Joseph Kirkland, Israel Stoddard, David Pierson, Samuel "Woodworth and Broughton White were elected by a majority of about 1,100. During this year Lafayette visited the United States, and was received every- where with great enthusiasm, and the gratitude of the American people for his services during the Revolution showed itself wherever the illustrious French- man went. 1825 — The presidential electors appointed by the legislature at its 1825 session held the balance of power, and as they did not agree, great difficulty was encoun- tered in perfecting the election. The candidates were John Quiney Adams, William Crawford of Georgia, and Henry Clay. There being no election by the people, the election was thrown into the House of Representatives. There were 34 Republicans in Congress from New York, 17 of whom favored John Quiney Adams and 16 opposed him, while Stephen VanRensselaer was doubtful and would not declare himself in favor of any candidate. It was of the utmost im- portance how he should vote, because, if he voted against Mr. Adams, the Repub- licans would be a tie and the vote of New York could not be counted, while, if he voted for Mr. Adams, it would give him a majority of states and would make him president. It was not known until the vote was cast what Mr. VanRensse- laer 's position was, but on the appointed day he walked into the House of Rep- resentatives, took his seat among the New York Congressmen, cast the vote, and when it was counted it was found that he had voted for Mr. Adams, and Mr. Adams was declared duly elected president of the United States. The local cam- paign in this year was without special interest, and the Oneida Observer of November 20 says that its party did well, but it might have done better. This paper reports the election as follows: For state senators, Gerrit Smith 3,831 votes, and Charles Stebbins 2,960 votes; for assemblymen, Theodore Sill, Lorenzo Hull, Israel Stoddard, Aaron Barnes and Russell Clark were elected by about 1,000 majority over Greene C. Bronson, Thomas H. Hamilton, Linns Parker, Theor Woodruffe and Samuel Mott. 1826— The Whig state convention was held in Utica in September of this year. The Buektails held their convention at Herkimer. The principal issue in the campaign was for or against Clinton. The candidate of the Republican ^^H-i' A ' f/\ 1 : ■ '"■ hbhI ^^^^iWlH ^H BBBKil^** '- Toll— T 98 HISTORY OP ONEIDA COUNTY Reuben Bacon of Sangerfield, Fortune C. White of Whitestown, John Parker of Vienna, Benjamin P. Johnson of Rome and Thomas H. Hamilton of Steuben. The nomination of William H. Maynard for senator was approved. There was a continuous attack upon Andrew Jackson through the entire campaign of the most bitter character. Directly under the Republican ticket there were given reasons why he ought not to be elected president, among which were the fol- lowing: He said "our government ought to be damned," and that we "ought to have a standing army of upwards of 100,000 men, ' ' and that in 1814 he had said that Mr. Madison was unfit for president for the horrid reason that he was "too much of a philosopher to look on blood and carnage with composure." VanBuren was elected governor, but Thompson carried the county by 607, and the presidential elector, Ebenezer B. Sherman carried the coTinty by about the same majority. Storrs was elected to Congress, Maynard to the senate, and Bacon, Johnson, Savage, Tower and Fortune C. White to the Assembly. The local fight centered principally upon the election of sheriff, and circulars were isued pro and con by John E. Hinman and Kellogg Hurlburt. A personal attack was made upon Mr. Hinman, and forgery, perjury and other crimes were set forth in these respective circulars. One of them, dated November 1, and signed by David Pierson, chairman of the Republican committee, among other things said: "Fellow citizens! If there ever was a case which merited your indignation this is one. If you have never before understood the real character of John E. Hinman, this exposure presents him to your view, and you who will yet vote for him, must reconcile it to your consciences and to your sense of propriety and decency as well as you can. ' ' It would appear that a large num- ber of voters of the county reconciled themselves to their consciences, as Mr. Hinman was elected by a substantial majority. 1829 — During the year 1829 intense excitement prevailed throughout the state upon the subject of Free Masonry. So bitter was the feeling that the political parties divided upon that question, and candidates were nominated by the Anti-Masonic party throughout the state. In the county of Oneida there were a great number of tickets in the field, as follows: For senator — Anti- Masonic ticket, Edward Bancroft of Lewis; Federal Jackson Anti- Tariff ticket, Aloin Bronson of Oswego; Mechanics' ticket, Edward Bancroft. For members of assembly— Republican ticket, Benjamin P. Johnson of Rome, David Pierson of Verona, John Storrs of Trenton, John Humaston of Vienna and Aaron Barnes of Deerfield ; Anti-Masonic ticket, Thomas R. Palmer of New Hartford, Stephen Bridgman, Jr., of Vernon, James Dean of Utica, Benjamin Hyde of Annsville, and William Hubbard of Trenton; Federal Jackson Anti-Tariff ticket, Eli Savage of New Hartford, Elisha Pettibone of Vernon, and Aaron Corn- stock of Western; Mechanics' ticket, Aaron Barnes, Eli Savage, James Dean, Itha Thomson and John Humaston. The public prints attainable at this time do not give the remainder of the tickets nominated by the respective parties. It seems that William H. Maynard was elected to the senate, and Aaron Corn- stock, Linus Parker, Elisha Pettibone, Eli Savage and Itha Thompson members of assembly. 1830 — In this year the Whig party nominated Francis Granger for governor and Samuel Stevens for lieutenant governor; S. Newton Dexter was nominated HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 99 for representative in Congress. The Bucktails met at Herkimer and nominated Enos P. Throop for governor and Edward P. Livingstone for lieutenant gover- nor. A convention of farmers, mechanics and workingmen of the county met at Whitesboro, and nominated for representative in Congress Fortune C. White, and for assembly Gardiner Avery, John J. Knox, John Storrs, Aaron Barnes and David Pierson. Nehemiah Huntington, Ephraim Hart ajid Henry A. Foster were candidates for the senate. The Democratic candidate for representative in Congress was Samuel Beardsley, and for members of assembly Reuben Bettis, Aaron Comstock, David Moulton, Riley Shepard and John F. Trowbridge. Throop carried the county for governor by a majority of 2,550, Foster by nearly the same majority for senator, and Samuel Beardsley by about the same majority for representative in Congress. The following candidates were elected to the assembly: Aaron Comstock, Reuben Bettis, Riley Shepard, John F. Trowbridge and David Moulton, by about 1,300 plurality. 1831 — In this year the Anti-Masonic party felt strong enough to make a nomination for the presidency for 1832, and named William Wirt of Maryland for president, and Amos Ellmaker of Pennsylvania for vice president; Thomas Beekman of Madison for senator, Kellogg Hurlburt of Utica for sheriff, James H. Collins of Verona for county clerk, and for members of assembly, James Piatt, William RoUo, Alexander Whaley, Thomas R. Palmer and Eliphaz B. Barton. The opposing parties had nominated Robert Lansing for senator, Samuel M. Mott for sheriff, John H. Ostrom and George Brown for county clerk, and for members of assembly, Eliphaz B. Barton, David Moulton, Lemuel Hough, Nathaniel Fitch and Rutger B. Miller. The official canvass gave Robert Lansing for senator, 1,562 majority, Samuel M. Mott, for sheriff, 950 majority, George Brown for county clerk, about 500 plurality, and Daniel Twitchell, David Moul- ton, Lemuel Hough, Nathaniel Fitch and Rutger B. Miller about the same majority. 1832 — The national campaign of 1832 is known as the one without an issue,, The agitation of the slavery question had brought about the great debate between Webster and Hayne, and this was for the next thirty years to be the paramount question before the people of the United States, although for the time being it was held in abeyance. The Anti-Masonic convention was held in Utica, June 21, 1832, and nominated Francis Granger for governor, and Samuel Stevens for lieutenant governor. The American party adopted Granger and Stevens, and James Kent and John C. Spencer as presidential electors at large; the sena- torial candidate was Nathan Hall of Madison ; for representative in Congress, Charles P. Kirkland of Oneida, and Peter Sken of Oswego ; and for members of assembly James Piatt, Warren Converse, George Manchester, William Park and John Williams. The opposing candidates were Henry A. Foster for senator, Sam- uel Beardsley for member of Congress, and for members of assembly, Ichabod C. Baker, Levi Buckingham, John Dewey, Squire Utley and David Wager. The county gave a majority for William L. Marcy for governor of 546, and gave the same majority for the electoral ticket headed by Edward P. Livingstone ■ Sam- uel Beardsley was elected to Congress by about the same majority, and John G. Stower, for senator, carried the county by a vote of 569 ; Henry A. Foster car- ried the senatorial district, while Ichabod C. Baker, Levi Buckingham, John 100 HISTOEY OF ONEIDA COUNTY Dewey, Squire Utley and David "Wager were elected to the assembly. The state gave Marcy a majority of a little over 10,000, and the Jackson presidential elec- tors carried the state by about the same majority. 1833 — During the political campaign of 1833 the Eepublieans and Anti- Masonic parties united, and nominated for senator in the fifth district "William "Williams. For members of assembly on the ticket of the Oneida Democrats were Chester Hayden, Benjamin P. Johnson, John Dewey, Robert I. Norris and Jona- than Hubbard. On the ticket known as the Utiea Regency were Pomroy Jones, Israel Parker, Itha Thompson, Aaron Stafford and Hiram Shays. A bitter fight was made against what was known as the Utica Regency, and in the Eluci- dator of October 22 there is a proclamation, ostensibly issued in burlesque form by the Regency, reversing the excommunication of one George Brown, "who hath since then been languishing in spirit and hath manifested deep humiliation insomuch that he hath implored our gracious pardon, and hath moreover con- descended to kiss the great toe of our chief autocrat. ' ' Francis Seger, candidate for senator, carried the county by 4,972, and Itha Thompson, Hiram Shays, Israel S. Parker, Pomroy Jones and Aaron Stafford received about 1,000 ma- jority for members of assembly. 1834 — A convention was held in Syracuse in August, 1834, and the term ""Whig" was first applied to the new party, which made the nomination at that time of William H. Seward for governor. This was the first entry of Mr. Seward into what might be called national politics, for, from this time forward, he became a very important element in conventions and in shaping the thought of the people of this country. He was a man of unusual acquirements, of great facility with the pen, an accomplished lawyer, who had commenced practice in the city of Utica, but after about a year he removed to Auburn and spent his days there. Silas N. Stillwell was the candidate of this party for lieutenant governor. The candidates of the Democratic party were "William L. Marcy for governor, and John Tracy for lieutenant governor. The local ticket of the Repub- lican party at that time was for senator of the fifth district, Abijah Beckwith; for member of Congress, Samuel Beardsley; for sheriff, Erastus Willard; for county clerk, John D. Leland, and for members of assembly, Amos "Woodworth, David "Wager, Dan P. Cadwell, Merritt Brooks and Riley Shepard. During this campaign and on the 29th day of October a largely attended meeting of Irish Adopted Citizens was held in Utica. It seems that handbills had been circu- lated throughout the city signed by a few Irishmen claiming to represent the sentiment of the Irish, and asking the support of the "VanBuren ticket. This was resented by the large mass of Irishmen, and this meeting was called to denounce the procedure. Among other resolutions passed by this largely at- tended meeting was the following: "Resolved, That the "Whigs have proved their confidence and friendship for the Irish citizens both in this city and else- where, by placing them in important trusts, and more recently by placing on their congressional ticket, "William Sampson, the co-patriot of Emmett, and a dis- tinguished native of Ireland, resolved that the Irish electors did not wear the collar in their own country and will not in this." These resolutions were pub- lished and set forth in a flaming circular signed by a large number of Irishmen, with John Queal as chairman and James McDonough as secretary. POLICE OFFICE, UTICA HISTOEY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 101 William L. Marcy was elected governor against William H. Seward, and car- ried the county of Oneida by a majority of 366 ; Samuel Beardsley was elected representative in Congress ; Henry A. Foster, senator ; Erastus Willard, sheriff ; and Merritt Brooks, Dan P. Cadwell, Riley Shepard, David Wager and Amos Woodworth were elected members of assembly by substantial majorities. 1835 — It was during the year 1835 that the agitation of the slavery question assumed great proportions, and Utica was a center of the excitement. It was at- tempted to hold meetings at different places to further the cause of the freedom of the slaves, and meetings had been held in the First Presbyterian Church in Utica favoring the American Colonization Society. These meetings had created intense excitement, and a convention of the Anti-Slavery Society was called to be held October 21, in Utica. On September 3 a meeting of prominent citizens was held at the court house in Utica, and the Utica Observer of September 8, gives a report of this meeting. It states that the courthouse was crowded, and that many were unable to obtain admission. The meeting was addressed by Hon. Samuel Beardsley, Joshua A. Spencer and Ephraim Hart. A motion was made for the appointment of a committee to report the officers of the meeting. The committee reported Hon. Joseph Kirkland, as president ; Hon. Henry Sey- mour, Hiram Denio, Chester Hayden, Gardiner Tracy, Rudolph Snyder, John C. Devereux, Thomas H. Hubbard, Kellogg Hurlburt, Thomas Goodsell and E. S. Barnum as vice presidents; Theodore Pomeroy, John M'Call, Joshua N. Church and David Wager as secretaries. A committee was appointed to draft resolu- tions, which made its report, and the resolutions were unanimously adopted. The resolutions are too lengthy to be quoted in full, but one of them was as follows: "Resolved, that the relation of master and slave having been consti- tutionally recognized, can in no way be impaired or affected by the general government; that, therefore, all attempts to dissolve their relations through the medium of public meetings and publications can only tend to exasperate one por- tion of the union, and eventually to overthrow the glorious fabric of our national confederacy." The meeting also resolved that "we will in every lawful way, by public meetings, through the presses, and by our individual efforts oppose the measures of the Abolitionists, believing that if carried into effect the union of the states will be broken into pieces. ' ' Dr. Bagg, in his Memorial History of Utica, on page 224 gives an account of the meetings that were held, and attempts to palliate the acts of the citizens who undertook to prevent the holding of the Anti-Slavery convention. We do not think he presents the situation in its true light, for, as a matter of fact, it is undisputable that the meeting to be held was for the sole purpose of the discussion of the question of slavery ; that no injury was threatened or thought of, so far as the facts show, to any person either north or south, but that, by discussion of the question, the people might be brought to a true realization of what slavery was, and that such means should be taken as would result in the freedom of the colored race in this country. The fact that the mayor of the city and prominent citizens of both parties opposed the holding of this convention does not in any way change the situation. Truth is paramount to position or social standing, and it was truth that actuated the law abiding citizen who undertook to hold a meeting for the expression of their views. This convention assembled at the Bleecker street church, and these 102 HISTORY OP ONEIDA COUNTY ' ' prominent citizens, ' ' who had taken part in the meeting, repaired, headed by the chairman of the committee, Samuel Beardsley, to the church, and demanded that this meeting be abandoned. To quote from Dr. Bagg, who gives it as rosy a color as possible for the "prominent citizens," he says after the committee had carried out these instructions it returned, and ' ' during the delay thus alluded to there were undoubtedly some lively scenes inside the church. The presence of the committee was an incentive to whatever rowdy element was in the church, as well as on the outside, to create a disturbance ; there was much noise, and some threats of violence, hymn books and other missiles were tossed about, and some personal assaults, in one of which Spencer Kellogg 's coat was torn from his back * * « The excitement was intense, and it was remarkable that a destructive riot did not follow * * * Gerrit Smith was a spectator. When the necessity of breaking up the convention became apparent, he invited the people to go home with him, where they would find a warm welcome. About four hundred accepted the invitation, and the work of the convention was finished at Peter- boro. ' ' Up to that time Gerrit Smith was not an ardent supporter of emanci- pation, but, true to the old saying that "the blood of the martyr is the seed of the church," the outrages at the Utica convention were the seed that resulted in the conversation of Gerrit Smith and made him one of the foremost champions of the cause which the prominent citizens of Utica would have smothered at its very birth. In the election of this year, Henry A. Poster was again elected to the senate, and Henry Graves, John W. Hale, William Knight, Jared C. Petti- bone and John Stryker were elected to the assembly. The palliating circum- stance, it would seem, for the acts of these prominent and reputable citizens was they feared the disruption of the union in consequence of the agitation of the slavery question. Many of them had, undoubtedly, experienced that which we of the present day know little of, and that is that slavery had existed in their midst. What would be thought to-day of an advertisement like one in the Utica Patriot of April 18, 1815 — "Por Sale. Two years and five months service of a female slave (a woman). Inquire at this office. Utica, March 21." 1836 — The Democratic candidate for president in this year was Martin VanBuren. The Whig party was divided, and the northern wing of this party nominated William Henry Harrison, while the southern wing nominated Hugh L. White of Tennessee. The Democratic candidate for governor was William L. Marcy, and the Whig candidate was Jesse Buell, with Gamaliel H. Barstow for lieutenant governor. It was a foregone conclusion, when the Whig party divided, that VanBuren would be elected and that the state of New York would give a Democratic majority. The county of Oneida gave Marcy 2,054 plurality, and the electoral ticket and the county officers generally about the same. The VanBuren ticket carried the state of New York by 29,474. Samuel Beardsley was elected representative in Congress, and Levi Buckingham, John I. Cook, Lester N. Fowler and Andrew S. Pond were elected members of assembly. The presi- dential elector for this district was Parker Halleck. 1837 — The financial panic had wrought havoc in the Democratic party, to the great advantage of the Whigs. The Whigs went into the campaign with-much confidence, and this confidence was well placed. There were three tickets in the field for county offices. The Democratic-Republican nominated, for senator. HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 103 Avery Skinner of Oswego; for sheriff, Calvin Hall; for county clerk, Israel S. Parker ; for members of assembly, Willard Crafts, Ebenezer Eobbins, Amasa S. Newberry and Luke Hitchcock. The opposing candidates were Jonas Piatt for senator; for sheriff, Lyman Curtis (Whig) and Samuel Comstock, who was called an Irregular; for county clerk, James Dean (Whig) and Anson Knibloe (Irregular) ; for members of assembly, Whigs, Russell Fuller, Fortune C. White, James S. T. Stranahan and Henry Hearsay ; Democrats, Willard Crafts, Ebenezer Eobbins, Clark Robbins, Luke Hitchcock; Irregulars, John P. Sherwood, Nathan- iel SherriU, Ingham Townsend and Jared C. Pettibone. Jonas Piatt carried the county for senator by a plurality of 1,050; Lyman Curtis for sheriff by about 400 plurality; James Dean for county clerk, by about the same plurality; Levi Buckingham, John I. Cook, Lester N. Fowler and Andrew S. Pond, for members of assembly, by about the same plurality. 1838 — The canvass of this year opened with warmth all along the line. All the great Whig leaders were alarmed at the situation. Gerrit Smith, at the head of the Abolitionists, questioned Seward as to the propriety of granting fugitive slaves a fair trial by jury, but Mr. Seward declined to make anti-elec- tion speeches. Seward had been nominated by the Whigs for governor, and Luther Braddish for lieutenant governor. Francis Granger had been the op- posing candidate for governor, but had been beaten in the convention. A branch of the Democratic party, under Nathan P. Talmadge, assembled at Syracuse, adopted Seward and denounced Marey. The Democratic convention assem- bled at Herkimer, September 12, renominated Governor Marcy for governor, and John Tracy for lieutenant governor. Mr. Greeley, editor of the New York Tri- bune, was confident of the election of Seward, and the great political manipulator of the age, Thurlow Weed, was confident of success. This wizard of politics had for some time been influential in Whig circles, and but few men had exercised the power that Mr. Weed exercised in political affairs in any age, and at this time he was about entering upon his remarkable career. The Marcy local ticket was as follows : For representatives in Congress, John G. Floyd of Oneida and David P. Brewster of Oswego ; for senator, Joseph Clark of Madison ; for members of assembly. Ward Hunt, Israel Stoddard, Jesse Armstrong and Amasa S. New- berry. The Whigs nominated for representatives in Congress, Charles P. Kirk- land and Henry Fitzhugh; for senator, John D. Ledyard; for members of as- sembly, Fortune C. White, Patrick Mahon, John J. Knox and Philip M. Schuyler. The majority for Marcy for governor in the county was 1,040, but Seward was elected by a majority of 10,321; Floyd and Brewster were elected representa- tives in Congress by about 900 ; Clark, for senator, carried the county by about 1,040 majority ; Hunt, Stoddard, Armstrong and Newberry were elected members of assembly by an average majority of 730. 1839 — This year was an "off year" politically. It would seem as if the great parties were preparing for the unusual campaign of 1840. The county officers elected in this year were members of assembly, as follows : Nelson Dawley, Anson Knibloe, Charles A. Mann and John F. Trowbridge. CHAPTER XIII 1840—1859 1840 — The campaign of 1840 was perhaps the most extraordinary of any that has ever oecurred in the country. The Whigs nominated General William Henry Harrison for president and John Tyler for vice president; William H. Seward was renominated for governor, and the Democrats named William C. Bouck. The entire campaign was carried on upon national issues. The great cry of "Change of the Administration" was most effective. The Whig candidate for president was ideal, under the circumstances. He had performed valuahle mili- tary services for the country, had been a successful general, and immortalized himself by the battle of Tippecanoe, which gave rise to the most ef- fective cry of "Tippecanoe and Tyler too." A Virginia paper had said that Harrison should remain in his log cabin. This was taken up by the Whigs, and log cabins were built all over the country ; and Horace Greeley commenced the publication of a paper known as the Log Cabin. This was the entry of this great writer into national politics, and it is perhaps useless to say that he never had an equal as a newspaper writer. The state conTcntion which nominated Seward was held in Utica, and, instead of being an ordinary convention, people came from all over the state in vast numbers. It is estimated that not less than twenty-five thousand people paraded the streets, and attempted to witness the proceedings of the convention. When the parade was passing, a bystander asked one of the marshals of the day how long the procession was. The marshal replied, "Indeed, sir, I can't tell you; the other end of it is forming somewhere near Albany." There was an attempt to ridicule General Harrison by suggestions of the log cabin, cider barrel and coon skin cap. This was taken up by the Whigs, and marching parties carried the cider barrel, drew the log cabin, and wore coon skin caps. This spirit was most effective in drawing to the Whig candi- date the common people, and Harrison was elected by an overwhelming ma- joritj"". As a matter of fact General Harrison was a most cultured gentleman, the son of Benjamin Harrison, who presided in the Continental Congress, was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, was governor of Virginia, and General Harrison, was the grandfather of Benjamin Harrison, one of the most able presidents who ever filled the executive chair. Of this campaign Henry Clay said, "The nation was like the ocean when convulsed by some ter- rible storm." Bouck for governor carried the county by 789 majority, but Seward was elected governor by 5,203. John J. Knox was elected presidential elector; John G. Floyd was elected to Congress; Calvin Dawley, Joseph Hal- lock, Luke Hitchcock and Nathan Odell were elected to thn assembly, and David Moulton was elected sheriff. 104 CITY HALL, UTICA HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 105 1841 — The year 1841 was uneventful as a political year, as neither president nor governor were to be elected, and very little interest was manifested in the election. The death of President Harrison was a sad blow to the "Whig party, as John Tyler abandoned the party that elected him and took sides with its opponents. This divided the party somewhat, and the Whig party really never was rehabilitated, although it had temporary successes thereafter. The assem- blymen elected this year were Ichabod C. Baker, Ebenezer Bobbins, Horatio Sey- mour and DeWitt C. Stevens. This year marked the entry into state politics of one of the most prominent politicians upon the Democratic side in the history of its party. Horatio Seymour, from this time up to the day of his death, was a powerful element in Democratic circles, and at times swayed the entire party of the nation as well as the state by his unusual ability and high character. 1842 — In 1842 the "Whig party was really on the decline, for its prominent men, who were thought to be eligible, declined nominations tendered them for high ofiSce. Even Seward, who had twice been elected governor, declined to be a candidate. Luther Braddish was finally nominated for governor and Gabriel Parnam for lieutenant governor. The Democratic party was divided into two factions, the Conservatives and the Radicals. The division of the "Whig party made the triumph of the Democratic party this year easy, and under the lead- ership of such men as Edward Croswell, editor of the Albany Argus, Daniel S. Dickinson, Samuel A. Beardsley, Henry A. Poster and Horatio Seymour they were victorious, and elected Bouck governor by a majority of 21,981, he having a majority in Oneida county over Braddish of 1,397. The members of assembly elected were Dan P. Cadwell and Amos S. Passett by an average majority of 768 over Andrew Rockwell and Salmon Chase, and Evan Owens and Ezekiel Butler over David Murray and John H. Tower by an average majority of 230. Samuel A. Beardsley had a majority for representative in Congress over Charles P. Kirkland of 785. Henry A. Poster, being elected to the senate, was made its president pro tem, and, although he was not a stranger to office at this time, the wisdom of this choice was shown in his great ability as a presiding officer, and it is not extravagant to say that he had no equal as a debater in the senate. In another part of this work we give a sketch of Mr. Poster 's life, but we cannot let the occasion pass to pay our tribute to his great ability, and, had he the elements of suavity that Horatio Seymour possessed, he would have been in the front rank among our national leaders. 1843 — The Whig county convention assembled at Rome, September 28, 1843, and nominated Palmer V. Kellogg for sheriff, Calvin B. Gray for county clerk, and for members of the assembly Warren Converse, George Bristol, Samuel B. Hinckley and Russell Puller. The Locofoco or Democratic convention met at Hampton and nominated for sheriff Squire Utley, for county clerk Delos DeWolf, and for members of assembly Horatio Seymour, James Douglass and Richard Empey. The Locofocos carried the county by about 800 majority. Kel- logg was elected sheriff by a plurality of 525 ; DeWolf was elected county clerk by a plurality of 1,011 ; Horatio Seymour, James Douglass, Richard Empey and Justus Childs were elected to the assembly by an average plurality of about 1,100. 1844 — In 1844 the National Democratic party nominated James K. Polk of Tennessee for president and George M. Dallas of Pennsylvania for vice presi- 106 HISTORY OP ONEIDA COUNTY dent, but it was claimed that VanBuren had been defeated for the nomination by treachery. The Whig convention nominated Henry Clay, the idol of the party, for president, and Theodore Frelinghuysen for vice president. Silas Wright, resigned as United States senator, became the Democratic candidate for governor, although this was not satisfactory to the Radical wing or the Soft Shells, as they were called, of the Democratic party. Millard Fillmore was nominated for governor and Samuel J. Wilkin for lieutenant governor at the Whig convention. Fillmore had been defeated for the Whig nomination of vice president on the Clay ticket, and this was to assuage his sorrows. Fillmore was about entering on a distinguished career. He had been a successful member of Congress, and this was a contest between two of the most prominent men in their respective parties. But a new element entered into the contest. The Abolition party had nominated James G. Birney of Michigan for president and Alvin Stewart of Utica for governor. Gerrit Smith and Briah Green, two of the ablest orators in the Abolition party, supported this last named ticket. The Whig county convention assembled at Hampton in September, and nominated to fill vacancy for member of Congress Salmon Chase, and for the full term For- tune C. White; for members of assembly Josiah S. Kellogg, Harvey Brayton, Samuel B. Hinckley and Jeremiah Knight ; at the senatorial convention Samuel Farwell received the iiomination for senator. The opposing candidates for senator were Enoch B. Talcott and Isaac S. Ford; for representatives in Con- gress, Timothy Jenkins, Levi D. Carpenter and Bela Allen; for members of assembly Horatio Seymour, Andrew Billings, Calvert Comstock and Merritt Brooks. The canvass was carried on with great spirit, and much sorrow was manifested at the defeat of Mr. Clay. Oneida county gave 734 plurality for the Polk electors, and 821 plurality for Wright for governor; about the same plurality for Talcott for senator, and Timothy Jenkins had a plurality of 526 for member of Congress for the full term, and Levi D. Carpenter about the same plurality. Andrew Billings, Merritt Brooks, Calvert Comstock and Horatio SejTuour were elected to the assembly by a small plurality. 1845 — The political campaign of 1845 was fought out largely in the legis- lature. This fight grew over the question of calling a Constitutional Conven- tion. The two wings of the Democratic party had a majority in the assembly, but the Hards and Softs were not united, and a remarkable young man appeared upon the Whig side, who made a determined fight for the convention. This was John Young. Prior to this time he had done nothing to attract atten- tion, nor was the public aware generally of his extraordinary talents. He was an excellent parliamentarian, and had set his heart upon carrying through the legislature the bill for a Constitutional Convention, and ultimately succeeded. This presaged his future career, and he at once passed into the front rank among young men of the Whig party. The Whig county convention met in Whitestown September 7, and nominated for members of assembly Benjamin F. Cooper, first district, Chauncey C. Cook, second district, Daniel G. Dorrance, third district, and Russell Fuller fourth district. There was nothing before the people to make the canvass exciting beyond the ordinary struggle for precedence and the question of a Constitutional Convention, which tended to strengthen the Whig party, as they were entitled to the credit of having this bill pass through HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 107 the legislature. The candidates for senator were Lyman J. Walworth, Demo- crat, Joshua A. Spencer, Whig, and James Brown, Abolitionist. The Democratic candidates for assembly were James Watson Williams, Henry Wager, Squire M. Mason, Nelson Dawley ; and the Abolition candidates were John M. Andrew, William J. Savage, Edmund Allen and Freeman Waterman. The Whig candidate for senator, Joshua A. Spencer, had a plurality in the county of 811, and the Whig assemblymen, Messrs. Cook, Cooper, Dorrance and Fuller were elected by a plurality of about 500. 1846 — The most important event in the state during the year 1846 was the work of the Constitutional Convention. The delegates to this convention from Oneida county were Harvey Brayton, Julius Candee, Edward Huntington and Charles P. Kirkland. Mr. Alexander, in his political history of the state, erron- eously mentions Ezekiel Bacon as one of the delegates to this convention. Mr. Bacon was a delegate in the convention of 1821, but he was not in the convention of 1846. In speaking of Messrs. Bacon and Kirkland, Mr. Alexander refers to them as "the powerful leaders of a bar famous in that day for its famous law- yers." This convention liberalized the constitution, made nearly all offices elec- tive, shortened the term of senator from four to two years, and provided that members of assembly should be elected in separate districts. The Whig state convention met at Utiea, September 23. The delegates from Oneida county were Salmon Chase, Palmer V. Kellogg, Elihu Storrs and Samuel Beach. The prominent candidates for governor were Millard Fillmore, John Young and Ira Harris. On the third ballot Young received 76 votes to Fillmore's 45, and was declared duly nominated. Hamilton Fish was nominated for lieutenant gover- nor by acclamation. The Whig county convention assembled at Rome on the 7th day of October, and nominated for member of Congress, Orsamus B. Mat- teson ; for sheriff, John B. Bradt ; for county clerk, George Tracy ; for members of assembly, Warren Converse, James J. Car ley, Isaac Curry and Nathan Burchard; also four coroners. The Barnburners met in convention at Rome, October 14, and nominated for Congress Timothy Jenkins; for sheriff, H. G. Everett; for county clerk, Richard Hurlburt, and for members of assembly, John Dean, John B. Miller, Vincent Tuttle and Ira Lillibridge. Mr. Jenkins was the representative in Congress at that time, and had been renominated by the Hunkers before this convention was held. The candidate for sheriff had also been nominated by the Hunkers, and the two last named assemblymen were Hunkers, but were not on the Hunker ticket. A Mass Young Men's Whig state convention was held in Syracuse, October 21st, was largely attended, and passed resolutions calling upon all Whigs to support the nomination of Young for governor. The delegates from Oneida county took a prominent part in that convention, the most prominent among them being Palmer V. Kellogg. The of- ficial canvass shows that Young carried the county for governor by a majority of 1,337 ; that Jenkins received a plurality for representative in Congress of 1,325 ; that Nelson J. Beach carried the county for senator by a plurality of 1,174; that Lester Barker received a plurality of 217 for sheriff ; that Patrick Mahon received a plurality for county clerk of 360^ that Nathan Burchard, Abel E. Chandler, Isaac Curry and John Dean were elected to the assembly by a small plurality. 108 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 1847 — In 1847 the Democratic party was rent in twain, one branch being known as Hunkers and the other known as Barnburners. The term "Hunkers" was applied to the conservative element, because it was charged against the members of that wing of the party that they hankered after office, and this word was turned into "hunkers." The Barnburners were the radicals, and the term was applied to that branch of the party because it was said of them that they were like the farmer who burned his barn to get rid of the rats. The foremost leaders of the Hunker element were Horatio Seymour and Henry A. Foster. This division of the party was caused by the bolt of the Barnburners in the Syracuse convention September 7th, when the Hunkers had carried the con- vention against a resolution in favor of the Wilmot proviso. The Barnburners called a convention, declared in favor of free soil, but did not nominate a ticket. The effect, however, was to elect the Whig ticket by about 30,000 majority. The Whigs nominated Hamilton Fish for lieutenant governor to fill a vacancy; for comptroller, Millard Fillmore, for secretary of state, Christopher Morgan; for state treasurer, Albin Hunt; for attorney general, Ambrose L. Jordan; for state engineer, Charles B. Stuart ; three canal commissioners and three inspectors of state prisons ; the candidate for senator for the nineteenth district was Thomas E. Clark ; for members of assembly, first district, Luke Smith ; second district, Warren Converse; third district, Bloomfield J. Beach; fourth district, Russell Fuller. The Utica Gazette of the 22d of October, announces the nominations for the respective offices, and also contains a most interesting report from the Mexi- can seat of war. It is the report brought by steamer to New Orleans, and spread broadcast through the country, that General Scott had taken the city of Mexico ; it also states that Generals Pillow and Shields had been wounded, but were doing well ; that the loss in killed, missing and wounded of our army up to that time was from three to four thousand; that General Scott had issued a congratu- latory order requiring the officers and men to return thanks to God for their triumph, and enjoining strict discipline and sobriety; also, that an American paper had already been issued in the city of Mexico. Clark carried the county for senator by 1,128. The Whig majority in the first assembly district was 739 ; second district, 330 ; third district. Beach was elected, and Henry Wager was elected in the fourth district by a small majority. 1848— The political campaign of 1848 was intensely interesting. The Whig convention had nominated General Zachary Taylor for president, who was one of the greatest heroes of the Mexican war, and MiUard Fillmore for vice presi- dent. The Democratic candidates were Lewis Cass for president, and William 0. Butler for vice president. The Whig state convention was held in Utica Sep- tember 14th, and nominated Hamilton Fish for governor, and George W. Pat- terson for lieutenant governor; for electors at large, Henry H. Ross and John A. Collins. The Free Soil Democrats nominated for governor John A. Dix, and for lieutenant governor, Seth N. Gates. The Hunkers nominated R. H. Wals- worth for governor, and William J. Forman, for lieutenant governor. General Taylor had won great fame in the Mexican war, which had virtually commenced in 1846. Taylor had been ordered to invade Mexican territory ; he had done so, and from the time he entered it, in the many engagements he had with the Mexicans he had been successful. The declaration of war was made by Congress CITY HALL. ROME POSTOFFICE, ROME HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 109 on the 11th day of May, 1846, and the efSeiency of Taylor was illustrated by the fact that he, with a less body of men, in every engagement with the Mexicans had been successful. This was notably true at Buena Vista, where he had de- feated Santa Anna with twenty thousand men, although Taylor had but five thousand. His war record became a prominent element in the political cam- paign, and, although his opponent had rendered important military service, Taylor was swept into the presidential chair by an immense majority. The Whig candidate for governor was elected by a large plurality, and carried Oneida , county by 1,401. There appeared upon the scene of action in Oneida county a man of remarkable ability, who, from this time for twenty years was the con- trolling element in Whig politics in central New York — Orsamus B. Matteson. In another part of this work we have given a sketch of his life as a politician, but it is proper here to say that he excelled as a manipulator in- politics, and, but for an unfortunate cloud upon his actions as a member of Congress, he would have gone down in history as one of the foremost citizens of this great coun- try. The Whig county convention met at Rome and nominated for member of Congress, Orsamus B. Matteson; for county treasurer, Sanford Adams; three superintendents of schools; and the members of assembly nominated in their respective districts were as follows: first district, Oliver Prescott; second district, Nehemiah N. Pierce; third district, Junius Woods; fourth district, John M. Muscott. The result of the election in the county was that the Whig candidates were elected by more than 1,000 majority over the Free Soil party, and more than 2,000 inajority over the Himkers. The Taylor electors had a majority over the Cass electors of more than 2,000 ; Matteson was elected to Con- gress, and Prescott, Pierce, Elwell and Stevens were elected members of assembly. 1849 — General Taylor became president March 4, 1849, but the country was shocked because of his untimely death, and political parties seriously disturbed because of the fact that MiUard Fillmore had become president. It was sup- posed that the slavery question had been permanently settled by resolutions which had passed Congress known as the Clay Compromise, and the greatest sat- isfaction was manifested throughout the country; bells were rung, guns were fired, and great rejoicing occurred, because this question, which threatened the disruption of the Union, was supposed to have been finally disposed of. But the truth of the saying, attributed both to Lincoln and Seward, that the "Nation could not exist half free and half slave," arose and "would not down" until it was finally settled at Appomattox, when Lee tendered his sword to the great hero of the Federal armies. The Whig state convention met in Syracuse in September and nominated Joshua A. Spencer for judge of the Court of Appeals ; Washington Hunt for comptroller; Christopher Morgan for secretary of state; Alvin Hunt for treasurer ; Samuel Stevens for attorney general, and some other state officers. By the constitution of 1846 Supreme Court justices were to be elected by districts, and the nominations were made this year; Joseph MuUin was the candidate for the fifth judicial district nominated by the Whigs, and the Locofocos nominated F. W. Hubbard. Both these candidates were from Jeffer- son county. The Whigs nominated for state senator, Joseph Benedict ; for sher- iff, John B. Jones ; for county clerk, Alexander Rea ; for members of assembly, first district, William J. Bacon; second district, John J. Knox; third district. 110 HISTOET OF ONEIDA COUNTY William Howes ; fourth district, George Brayton. The Democrats nominated for sheriff, Edward Eames ; for county clerk, Richard Hurlburt ; for members of as- sembly, first district, Augustus Hurlburt ; second district, Ralph Mcintosh ; third district, Robert Frazier ; fourth district, Luther Leland. The result of the elec- tion was that Mr. Mann received 111 majority for senator, Jones, for sheriff, 147 ; Rea, for county clerk, 480 ; and the members of assembly, first district. Bacon, Rep., 625; second district, Mcintosh, Dem., 20; third district, Frazier, Dem., 84; fourth district, Leland, Dem., 110 majority. 1850 — In 1850 the Whigs nominated Washington Hunt for governor, and George W. Cornwell for lieutenant governor. The convention, however, that nominated Hunt was a riotous one, and resulted in a split of the Whig party. Francis Granger headed the bolters, and with his dignified manner, elegant ap- parel and silver gray hair led the bolting delegates as they passed out of the hall. This gave rise to the name "Silver Gray Whig" that was attached to that wing of the party thereafter. They called a convention to be held at Utiea, October 17th, but did not make any nominations. The Democratic convention nominated Horatio Seymour for governor, and Sanford E. Church for lieutenant governor. A great meeting of citizens was held in New York city under the management of the Democrats for the purpose of capturing the Silver Gray element of the Whig party, but this was not very successful, and, although Seymour carried Oneida county by a majority of 1,088, Hunt was elected governor by a plurality of 262. The vote was so close that it required weeks to determine who was elected governor, although the other candidates upon the Democratic ticket were elected by substantial pluralities. The Whig county convention nominated for representative in Congress, Orsamus B. Matteson; for district attorney, Roscoe Conkling; for members of assembly, Joseph Benedict; second district, Lorenzo Rouse; third district, William Howes; fourth district, George Brayton. The Democrats nominated Timothy Jenkins for representative in Congress ; for dis- trict attorney, Samuel B. Garvin ; for members of assembly, first district, Nantis White ; second district, William H. Hubbard ; third district, Lewis Rider ; fourth district, David Moulton. The result of the election was that Timothy Jenkins, Dem., received 117 majority for representative in Congress; Garvin, Dem., for district attorney, 626; and Joseph Benedict, Lorenzo Rouse, Lewis Rider and George Brayton were elected members of assembly. 1851 — In 1851 there was no governor to be elected and the campaign was a quiet one. Seymour dominated the Democratic party, and nominated a state ticket of his own liking. Charles A. Mann, a senator from this district, with other Democrats resigned their seats in the senate in order to prevent legisla- tion favorable to canals. This act was resented by the people of the county,, and a Whig convention held at Rome, May 8th, denounced his conduct by reso- lution, and nominated Benjamin N. Huntington to fill the vacancy ; Mr. Hunt- ington was elected by nearly three thousand majority. The Democratic county convention was held at Rome and nominated P. Sheldon Root for county judge; Othneil S. Williams for surrogate ; DeWitt C. Grove for treasurer ; and Jesse- Armstrong for senator; for members of assembly, first district, George Gra- ham; second district, James M. Tower; third district, Henry Sanford; fourtb district, John J. Castle. The Whig convention nominated Benjamin N. Huat-^ HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 111 ington for senator; for county judge, Benjamin F. Cooper; for surrogate, Amos 0. Osborne; for treasurer, Edmund H. Shelley; for members of assem- bly, first district, George D. Williams; second district, Chauncey S. Butler; third district, Robert H. Jones; fourth, George Brayton. Mr. Huntington was elected senator by 749 majority; and the members of assembly, first district, Williams, Whig, 583 ; second district, Butler, Whig, 93; third district, Sanford, Dem., 265; fourth district. Castle, Dem., 98. 1852 — The campaign of 1852 was an interesting one in the state, as the Whig national convention had nominated General Scott, the great hero of the Mexican war, for president, and William A. Graham for vice president. These nominations did not give satisfaction throughout the state of New York, as Henry Clay, at this time, was the idol of the Whig party, and great disap- pointment was manifested everywhere because he was not nominated for the presidency. The Democratic national convention assembled at Baltimore, and, notwithstanding the fact that the state of New York pressed the candidacy of Marcy, its delegates were divided ; Seymour was the prominent figure in the Democratic party, and controlled the delegates to such an extent as to cast the majority of the vote for Marcy. Twenty-three supported Marcy and 13 sup- ported General Cass. The result was that Franklin Pierce of New Hampshire was nominated for president, and William R. King of Alabama, for vice presi- dent. The Whig state convention met at Syracuse and renominated Governor Hunt, and William Kent, son of Chancellor Kent, for lieutenant governor. The Democratic state convention met in Syracuse and was entirely dominated by Seymour, who succeeded again in obtaining the nomination for governor, with Sanford E. Church as lieutenant governor. The division in the Whig party over the nomination of General Scott was the overthrow of the party, and Pierce was elected president and Seymour governor, carrying the state by 22,596 plurality, and the county by 1,632 plurality. The presidential elector for this district was Daniel Babcock. The Democratic county convention was held at Rome September 30th, and nominated for sheriff, Hugh Crocker, and for county clerk, Richard Hurlburt. The Whig county convention was held Octo- ber 1st, and nominated for sheriff, John Bradt; for county clerk, Alexander Rae; for members of assembly, first district, Ephraim Palmer; second district, S. H. Addington; third district, John O'Neil; fourth district, W. D. Rowley. Dissatisfaction had been manifested in regard to the representative in Congress, Orsamus B. Matteson, and a very generally signed petition by very prominent men was presented to Hon. William J. Bacon, asking him to become a candi- date for the nomination, who consented, but was not nominated in the con- vention. The fight against the nomination of Mr. Matteson for representative in Congress was led by Roscoe Conkling. The champion of Mr. Matteson in the convention was James McQuade, and it was finally determined that an informal ballot should be taken which resulted in Matteson 63, Huntington 9, Bacon 11, and one blank. Although this ballot was called informal, Mr. Conkling, after it was announced, arose and withdrew the name of Mr. Bacon. Mr. Conkling made a speech advocating harmony, and after speeches by others a formal ballot was taken which resulted in Matteson, 69, Huntington 16, whereupon Mr. Conkling moved the unanimous nomination of Mr. Matteson. As a protest 112 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY against this Joshua A, Spencer was put in nomination as an Independent can- didate for representative in Congress. The Daily Gazette, a Whig paper, re- fused to support Mr. Matteson, but placed the name of Joshua A. Spencer in large type as its candidate for representative in Congress. The same paper, commenting upon the result of the election on the morning after, says: "We acknowledge beat, — ^whipped throughout. Some of the Whigs had a little con- solation, amid the general overthrow of the Whig party, in the election of Oneida's favorite son to Congress." Mr. Matteson carried the county by 306, Rae by 365, while the rest of the Democratic ticket was elected. The assembly- men elected were Dexter Gilmore, Amos 0. Osborne, Julius C. Thorn and Amos C. Hall. 1853 — The Democratic state convention was held September 13, 1853, at Syra- cuse, and resulted in another split, and this time the Hunkers seceded from the convention and the Barnburners controlled the situation. The Whig convention assembled October 5th, and Roscoe Conkling was a prominent candidate for attorney general, but was defeated for the nomination by Ogden Hoffman. The state officers nominated by the Whigs were elected, with the exception of Hiram Denio of Oneida county and Charles H. Ruggles, who were elected to the Court of Appeals bench, because they were placed upon the tickets of both wings of the Democratic party. In this year William J. Bacon was nominated by the Whigs for justice of the Supreme Court in the fifth judicial district ; they also nominated for senator, Daniel G. Dorrance; for district attorney, Eaton J. Richardson. The Democrats nominated for senator, John E. Hinman; for district attorney, Henry T. Utley. Mr. Dorrance, Rep., for senator, had 1,298 majority; Utley, Dem., for district attorney, 232 majority; and Joseph Bene- dict, A. P. Case, D. L. Boardman and James Mitchell were elected members of assembly. 1854 — ^When the respective conventions assembled in 1854 the country was again extremely agitated over the slavery question. Mr. Seward had stirred the country by his discussion of the subject, and the Democratic party in the south was pressing its views with great vigor and great ability. This subject was paramount all through the land. The Democratic party, still rent iu twain, held two conventions. The Hards nominated Greene C. Bronson for governor, and Elijah Ford for lieutenant governor. The Softs nominated Horatio Sey- mour for governor, and William H. Ludlow for lieutenant governor. This was a singular circumstance because, up to this time, Seymour was classed as a leader among the Hard Shells, but he had abandoned them and joined the Soft Shells. The Whig state convention held September 20th nominated Myron H. Clark for governor, and Henry J. Raymond for lieutenant governor. The great news- paper king, Horace Greeley, advocated the dropping of the name "Whig," and substituting for it the name "Republican," as a proper name for the party that opposed the extension of slavery. This had been done in some of the western states, and at Jackson, Michigan, it is claimed that the Republican party was formed. The platform that nominated Clark declared "for justice, temper- ance and freedom." Clark was supported by the Prohibitionists, and Roscoe Conkling, in referring to the idea of the new name for the party, said "this county belongs to the Republican party." In this year a new element entered REPAIRING THE GREAT BREAK IX THE BLACK RIVER CANAL AT FORESTRORT HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 113 into politics — the American party, then known as the Know Nothings, which nominated Daniel UUman for governor, and Gustavus A. Seroggs for lieutenant governor. The term "Know Nothing" grew out of the fact that it was charged of the American party that they had certain secrets, and that it was in reality a secret organization, the acts of which were mysterious, and when any of the party were interrogated in regard to it they made no answer, and it was then said of them that they were Know Nothings. For weeks after the election it was supposed Seymour had been elected, but the complete returns showed that Clark was elected governor by 309 plurality. Seymour carried Oneida county by 349 plurality. The Democrats nominated for county treasurer Henry Arm- strong; for members of assembly, Henry R. Hart, Noah B. King, Spencer H. Stafford and Jesse Talcott. The Whigs nominated for members of assembly, G. D. "Williams, Levi Blakeslee, H. H. Baker and Daniel Walker, who were all elected. For representative in Congress the candidates were Orsamus B. Matteson, William C. Johnson, Naaman W. Moore and Benjamin N. Hunting- ton. Mr. Matteson had a plurality of votes for representative in Congress of 1,320. 1855 — An important event in political affairs in 1855 was the election of a United States senator. The term of William H. Seward expired, and his posi- tion on the slavery question had drawn to him certain support, and alienated from him many of his former followers. The north was intensely excited over the Kansas question. About five thousand Missourians had invaded Kansas and had fraudulently carried the election. This outrage was resented in the North, and it became a political issue. After a bitter fight in the legislature Seward was re-elected. The Hards of the Democratic party met in convention at Syracuse August 23rd, approved the compromise measures, and did nothing to satisfy the people of the North upon the slavery question. The Softs met in convention August 29th, condemned the Kansas outrages, and opposed the further extension of slavery. The Whig convention, and a mass convention, made up largely of the Softs, was held at Syracuse, September 26th. One of the objects of these two conventions was to get together upon some basis under the name of the Republican party, and committees were appointed to agree upon a ticket. This was successful ; the Whigs marched in a body to the Republican convention, were received with great rejoicing, cheers and shouts, and the coalition was effective. The American party and the Free Democracy and Liberty party met in Utica, September 12th, and nominated Frederick Douglass for secretary of state, and Lewis Tappen for comptroller. The result of this election was that although the new party did not have a plurality in the state, it cast 135,962 votes. The Democratic county convention was held at Rome October 4th, and nominated for senator Naaman W. Moore ; for sheriff, Marcus L. Kenyon; for county clerk, Henry R. Hart; for county judge, P. Sheldon Root; for surrogate, John G. Crocker; for members of assembly, first district, Peter Brewer^ second district, James J. Hanchett; third district, Thomas D. Penfield; fourth district, Caleb Goodrich. The Republican county convention was held at Rome, October 10th, approved the action of the Republican state convention and the Whigs held at Syracuse, and appointed a committee to confer with what was known as the Matteson Whig convention in session at Rome. 114 HISTOEY OF ONEIDA COUNTY The same proceedings were had in the Matteson convention, and in the even- ing the committee of the Matteson convention reported that they had con- ferred with the committee of the other convention, and had agreed upon the following ticket: for senator, E. J. Richardson; for sheriff, Calvin Hall; for clerk, Israel S. Parker ; for county judge, J. "Wyman Jones ; for surrogate, H. M. Burchard; for members of assembly, first district, Benjamin Allen; second dis- trict, Horace H. Eastman; third district, John B. Elwood; fourth district, George W. Smith. The result in the county upon the local ticket was as fol- lows: Richardson, Whig, for senator, 1,001 plurality; Hall, Whig, for sheriff, 1,950 plurality; Howes, Dem., for county clerk, 490 plurality; Root, Dem., for county judge, 908 plurality; Burchard, Whig, for surrogate, 55 plurality; members of assembly, first district, Fowler, Dem., 436 plurality ; second district, Hanchett, Dem., 643 plurality; third district, Penfield, Dem., 191 plurality; fourth district, Goodrich, Dem., 154 plurality. 1856 — Again a presidential canvass was upon the people. The Kansas con- troversy was still the excitement of the hour, and when the national conven- tions met in 1856 the country was in a ferment over this great question. The Democratic national convention was held at Cincinnati, and one of the most prominent men in this convention was Horatio Seymour. In reality, he was the great moving spirit in shaping the work of the convention. The candidates for president were Franklin Pierce, Stephen A. Douglass and James Buchanan. The conservative spirit controlled the convention, refused to renominate Pierce, would not accept Douglass, as too advanced in his ideas upon the slavery ques- tion, and nominated James Buchanan for the presidency, and John C. Brecken- ridge for vice president. The Republican national convention met in Phila- delphia June 17th, and contained a vast majority of northern Whigs, Soft Shell Democrats, Abolitionists, and men of almost all shades of opinion, pro- vided their sympathies were against the extension of slavery. John C. Fre- mont, known as the Pathfinder, was nominated for president, and two promi- nent candidates appeared for the nomination for vice president — ^William L. Dayton and Abraham Lincoln, and Mr. Dayton was nominated. The Repub- lican state convention met in Syracuse, September 17th, and nominated John A. King for governor, and Henry R. Selden for lieutenant governor. The two wings of the Democratic party met in separate conventions, combined, and nominated Amasa J. Parker for governor, and John Vanderbilt for lieutenant governor. The American party nominated Brastus Broots for governor, and Lyman Odel for lieutenant governor. This party had also nominated Millard Fillmore for president. Theodore S. Faxton of this county was the candidate for presidential elector on the American ticket ; James Lynch on the Republican ticket, and John Stryker on the Democratic ticket. The Republican candidate for member of Congress was Orsamus B. Matteson, and the Democratic candi- date, William C. Johnson; for district attorney the Democrats renominated Henry T. Utley, and the Republicans nominated Jairus H. Munger; the Repub- licans nominated for members of assembly, first district, Richard U. Sherman; second district, Peleg B. Babcoek; third district, John Halstead; fourth dis- trict, Ingham Townsend. The Democrats nominated for members of assem- bly, first district, Henry R. Hart ; second district, George H. Cleveland ; third HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 115 district, William S. Parkhurst; foiarth district, John T. Thomas. Fremont carried the state of New York by a plurality of 80,000, but Buchanan, being a resident of the state of Pennsylvania carried that state, and that made him president. King, for governor, carried the state by 65,784 plurality, and Oneida county by the unprecedented plurality of 4,279. Matteson was re-elected to Congress, Hunger was elected district attorney, and Messrs. Sherman, Babcock, Halstead and Townsend were elected members of assembly by substantial majorities. 1857 — In the legislature of 1857 Ward Hunt, of Utica, was a prominent candidate for United States senator. There were several other candidates, but the great wizard of politics, Thurlow Weed, had decided upon Preston King, and with his usual adroitness, when it became necessary to exercise his power, gave the nomination to Mr. King by a vote of 65 to 17 for Hunt. No governor was elected in this year. There were three tickets in the field — Democrat, Re- publican and American, or Know Nothing ticket. It is a fact that many of the American party supported the Democratic ticket, and it was elected, as fol- lows-. Gideon J. Tucker, secretary of state; Sanford E. Church, comptroller; Lyman Tremain, attorney general ; Hiram Denio, of Oneida county, judge of the Court of Appeals. The Republican county convention nominated Richard U. Sherman for state senator, but he declined, and Aldrich Hubbell was substi- tuted in his place ; John J. Parry for county treasurer, and the . assembly ticket was made up as follows : first district, George P. Weaver ; second district, Will- iam J. McKown; third district, Thomas G. Halley; fourth district, Reuben Knight. The Democrats nominated Othniel S. Williams for state senator; Adam VanPatten for county treasurer; for members of assembly, first dis- trict, Henry R. Hart; second district, Charles D. Jones; third district, Will- iam S. Parkhurst; fourth district, Obadiah J. Owens. The result was that Hubbell, Rep., was elected senator by 107; Parry, Rep., county treasurer by 157 ; for members of assembly. Hart, Dem., 359 ; second district, McKown, Rep., 627 ; third district, Halley, Rep., 27 ; fourth district. Knight, Rep., 296. 1858 — The Republican state convention was held in Syracuse, and the prominent candidates for governor were Timothy Jenkins of Oneida county, and Edward D. Morgan, of New York. This convention was manipulated by Mr. Weed, and he was able to nominate Morgan by a vote of 162 to 52 for Mr. Jenkins. Robert Campbell was nominated for lieutenant governor. A large ratification meeting was held in Utica during this campaign, and Mr. Jenkins made one of the principal speeches in support of the ticket. The Demo- cratic state convention would have nominated Horatio Seymour for governor, but he declined, and Amasa J. Parker received the nomination, and John J. Taylor for lieutenant governor. The American party held its convention at Syracuse, and after two days of negotiations failed to unite with the Repub- licans, and nominated for governor Lorenzo Burrows. At the Republican county convention Roscoe Conkling was nominated for representative in Con- gress; William J. McKown for sheriff; J. Earl Hulbert for county clerk; for members of assembly, first district, Charles M. Scholefield; second district, Ed- ward Loomis; third district, Patrick C. Costello; fourth district, Didymus Thomas. The Democrats nominated for representative in Congress P. Sheldon 116 HISTORY OP ONEIDA COUNTY Root; sherifE, Thomas D. Penfield; county clerk, Zenas M. Howes; for mem- bers of assembly, first district, William C. Churchill; second district, Pomroy Jones ; third district, Enoch B. Armstrong ; fourth district, Thomas B. Allanson. Here entered into national politics a man who was destined to rank among the foremost in the country — ^Roscoe Conkling. The congressman from this district, Orsamus B. Matteson, had become unpopular in his own party, and a consultation of prominent Republicans was had at the house of Richard U. Sherman, which then stood on the corner of Eagle and Kemble streets, which house has since been removed from the lot. The persons who took part in this consultation were Ward Hunt, Richard U. Sherman, William Ferry, Palmer V. Kellogg, Roscoe Conkling, Joseph A. Sherman and several others. The question was, who should be nominated to redeem the district from Matteson 's domination. Several different persons were considered, but finally it was agreed that Mr. Conkling should be the candidate. He had made a reputation as dis- trict attorney, was a young man of whom there could be no fault found, and it was supposed that he would unite the party better than any other candidate that could be nominated. The Matteson element of the party, when the an- nouncement was made that Conkling was to be a candidate, were tremendously excited, and strained every effort to defeat him. Charles H. Doolittle was the opposing candidate, was one of the foremost lawyers of his age in central New York, and a man of very high character. The contest was bitter, as might be expected, but Mr. Conkling was nominated by a small majority in the conven- tion, went into the canvass with his great ability, and manifested his wonder- ful faculty for organization. The disappointment of Matteson, because of the defeat of his candidate in the county convention, caused him to support the nominee on the Democratic ticket for representative in Congress. The result was that Morgan was elected governor by a plurality of 17,440, and carried Oneida county by 2,735; Conkling was elected representative in Congress by 2,833; McKown, sheriff, by 2,124; Hulbert, for county clerk, 824; all Republi- cans; members of assembly, first district, Scholefield, Rep., 84; second district, Loomis, 1,314 ; third district, Costello, Rep., 308 ; fourth district, Thomas, Rep., by 596. 1859 — As no governor was to be elected this year the campaign was not exciting, as the highest officer to be elected was secretary of state. In this year delegates were elected to the national conventions to nominate a president. The great question before the people was that of slavery, and it entered largely into the canvass, for it was understood that the delegates to the national con- vention would have the shaping of the position of the parties upon this great question. The Democratic state convention met at Syracuse, September 14th, to elect delegates to the national convention to be held at Charleston, S. C. A fierce fight occurred in this convention. A body of prize fighters had been brought there by Fernando Wood of New York, to control the convention by force, if it could not be controlled otherwise. Resolutions endorsing the admin- istration of President Buchanan were adopted. The Republican state conven- tion assembled at Syracuse September 7th, and nominated a ticket made up of candidates of Democratic and Whig antecedents. Its candidate for secretary of state was Elias W. Leavenworth. The American party met September 22d, HISTOEY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 117 and endorsed five of the candidates of the Democratic party. Leavenworth was defeated by about 1,500, showing that this was accomplished by the vote of the Know Nothings. The Eepublicans nominated William H. Ferry for state senator; George "W. Smith for county judge; for members of assembly, first district, James McQuade ; second district, Benjamin A. Allen ; third district, Thomas Evans; fourth district, George Williams. The Democrats nominated Lewis Eider for state senator; N. Curtis White for county judge; for members of assembly, first district, Dan P. Cadwell; second district, Charles B. Wilkin- son; third district, Charles Graham; fourth district, Alfred Buck. The residt of the election was that Ferry, Eep., was elected senator by 3,407 ; Smith, Eep., for county judge, 2,616; members of assembly, first district, McQuade, Eep., 601; second district, Allen, Eep., 920; third district, Evans, Eep., 293; fourth district, Williams, Eep., 683. It was during this year that the famous John Brown episode occurred in Virginia, and intensified the feeling on the subject of slavery to an extent abso- lutely unparalleled. This was as much of an issue in this county as elsewhere. Brown was eulogized as a patriot and martyr, and condemned as a murderer, and his real position in history is problematical. CHAPTER XIV 1860—1869 I860— The eventful year of 1860 opened with the public mind greatly ex- cited over the approaching national conventions. The Democratic national convention was held at Charleston, S. C, where a bitter controversy arose, and it was found impossible to harmonize the views of the Democrats of the North and the South upon the slavery question. It has been frequently charged that this was intentional on the part of the South, to give them an excuse for with- drawing from the Union, which, it was thought, was in the minds of the lead- ers of the South at this time. The Northern wing of the party adjourned the convention to assemble in Baltimore, and Stephen A. Douglass and Andrew Fitzpatrick were nominated for president and vice president ; they declared in favor of what was known as Squatter Sovereignty, the meaning of which was that each territory should decide for itself on the question of slavery. The southern wing of the party met at Richmond, and nominated John C. Breck- enridge for president and Joseph Lane for vice president. Still another party was in the field with its candidates; it was known as the Constitutional Union and Old Line Whig party, the candidates of which were John Bell for president and Edward Everett for vice president. The Republican national convention met in Chicago May 16th. The foremost candidate for president was William H. Seward of New York, and there was but little question when the convention assembled as to his nomination. Horace Greeley had disagreed with Seward, and opposed his nomination, claiming that he was not the strong- est candidate. He appeared in the convention as the delegate of a western ter- ritory, and his influence was great in favor of the nomination of Abraham Lin- coln. Although Seward had led on the vote for two ballots, on the third ballot Lincoln was nominated by a vote of 2311/2 against 180, and Hannibal Hamlin was nominated for vice president. Although it was claimed that Lincoln was not well known throughout the country, his nomination gave general satisfac- tion except to the supporters of Seward. The Republican state convention re- nominated Governor Morgan and Robert Campbell for lieutenant governor. The Democratic state convention nominated William Kelley for governor and William C. Grain for lieutenant governor. James T. Brady was also the Inde- pendents' candidate for governor. The Republican county convention nomi- nated for representative in Congress Roscoe Conkling; for county treasurer, John J. Parry ; for members of assembly, first district, James McQuade ; second district, Levi T. Marshall ; third district, George H. Champlin ; fourth district, William Lewis. The Democrats nominated for representative in Congress, De- Witt C. Grove; for county treasurer, Griffith M. Jones; for members of assem- 118 THE ROBERT FRASER STORE HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 119 bly, first district, Francis Kernan; second district, Garrit I. Bronson; third district. Marquis Kenyon; fourth district, Daniel J. Drummond. This cam- paign was a notable one in the history of the country. During the fall, business was almost suspended, and every one was giving attention to the political can- vass. Men were organized into what was known as Wide Awakes — ^which were uniformed marching clubs composed of Eepublicans. Upon the Democratic side similar organizations existed known as Little Giants, in honor of Stephen A. Douglass, who was known as the "Little Giant." A general canvass was made throughout the state, and particularly in Oneida county, and public meetings were held in substantially every town and hamlet. The great demon- stration on the Republican side was on October 15th in Utica, when an immense mass meeting was held, and was attended very largely by the inhabitants of Central New York. Two great tents were erected between State, Hart and "William streets, that property being void of any buildings at that time. The speakers were Carl Schurz, ex-Lieutenant Governor Noble of Wisconsin, and William A. Howard, who had been chairman of the committee to investigate the outrages in Kansas. The tents, which it was claimed would hold eight or ten thousand people, were entirely inadequate to hold the crowd, and an outside meeting was organized, and it was to this meeting that ex-Lieutenant Governor Noble delivered his address. In this campaign Roscoe ConMing spoke exten- sively and most effectively. The Democrats also held great mass meetings in Utica and in Rome during the campaign. On the night of election the ex- citement was so great that scarcely any one in the city of Utica slept, and the streets were filled with men awaiting the news. Before morning the news was of such character that it was reasonably certain Lincoln had been elected, and enthusiasm of the Eepublicans was unbounded. It appeared afterwards that Lincoln had carried the state by 50,136, and Morgan had been elected governor by 63,460. The result in the county was that the Lincoln electors received over 3,000 majority; Morgan for governor, 3,400; Conkling for representative in Congress, 3,563 ; Parry for county treasurer, 3,384 ; the following were elected members of assembly; first district, Kernan, Democrat, 436 majority; second district, Marshall, Republican, 1,389 majority; third district, Kenyon, Demo- crat, 249 majority; fourth district, Lewis, Republican, 883 majority. 1861 — The enthusiasm and rejoicing over the election of Lincoln had scarcely subsided when the war cloud appeared in the South. Buchanan's vacillation and timidity was severely condemned by the Republicans and many Democrats, but what seemed evil at the time probably worked out the greatest good in the end. As soon as it was certain that war would come and the president called for volunteers, there was a hearty response, and war meetings were held throughout the country. The support of the president during the year 1861 was most cordial. The Democratic state convention assembled at Syracuse; Francis Kernan of Utica, was temporary chairman, and in his speech he fa- vored the prosecution of the war. The platform, however, was not satisfactory and the candidates nominated at this convention virtually repudiated the plat- form before election day. A convention called the People's convention, which consisted of Republicans and Democrats favorable to the national administra- tion, nominated a Union ticket headed by Daniel S. Dickinson for attorney gen- 120 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY eral, also William B. Taylor of Oneida county, for state engineer. A great Democratic meeting was held in Utica, October 28tli, and was addressed by Governor Seymour. His speech could not be said to have been patriotic under the existing circumstances, and the state gave a majority for the Union ticket of 100,000. The local Union ticket consisted of Alexander H. Bailey for sen- ator, Hugh Crocker for sheriff, and Dan P. Buckingham for county clerk; for members of assembly, first district, Charles N. Scholefield; second district, Eli Avery; third district, Thomas D. Penfield. There was also a People's candi- date for member of assembly in the third district, Rensselaer Lament, nomi- nated by those who were dissatisfied with the nomination of Mr. Penfield; Fourth district, Jeremiah Sweet. The Democratic ticket was made up of John F. Seymour for senator ; Giles Hawley for sheriff ; James J. Hanchett for county clerk; and for members of assembly, first district, Abram B. Weaver; second district, Bradford C. Montgomery; third district, Rensselaer Lament, the can- didate of the People's party, who was adopted by the Democrats; fourth dis- trict, John F. Thomas. The result of the election was that Bailey, Union, re- ceived a majority of 3,069 for senator; Crocker, Union, 2,845 majority for sheriff; Buckingham, Union, 3,198 majority for county clerk; for members of assem- bly, first district, Scholefield, Union, 5 majority ; second district, Avery, Union, 1,325 majority; third district, Penfield, Union, 604 majority; fourth district, Sweet, Union, 782 majority. , 1862 — During the year 1862 the war had been disastrous to the Union side, and a great depression existed throughout the country. The Democratic news- papers and public speakers severely condemned the administration, criticised Mr. Lincoln and ridiculed him in every conceivable way. His proclamation, declaring that in the future if the South did not lay down its arms he should issue another proclamation declaring the slaves free, had caused intense feel- ing, and many who had supported him up to that time abandoned him and went over to the Democrats, upon the theory that the war was being prosecuted to free the slaves, and that it might cease if the government would compromise with the South upon the basis of union as it had existed prior to the secession of the states. This, however, was not the case, for Mr. Lincoln communicated with the president of the Southern Confederacy, and the confederate states declined to even negotiate upon any basis except their independence. Horatio Seymour was nominated for governor by the Democratic state convention, and David R. Floyd Jones lieutenant governor. The Republican candidate for gov- ernor was James S. Wadsworth, who, at the time, was a general at his post in the army, with Lyman Tremaine as lieutenant governor. The contest was so bitter that it was proposed at one time to have both candidates withdraw, and to agree upon John A Dix. Dix, however, declined to be considered, as he was at his post doing most effective duty in the army. The discouraging condition at the seat of war, the feeling against the proclamation of the president on the slavery question, and general dissatisfaction with the administration caused the defeat of the Republican ticket, and Seymour was elected by a majority of 11,571, although Wadsworth carried Oneida county by about 481. Great in- terest centered in the election of the representative in Congress. Roscoe Conk- ling had served four years, and, as is the case, had disappointed many in not HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 121 procuring their appointment to office. This militated against him, and his very prominent antagonist justly took advantage of all fair means to accom- plish his own election. Francis Kernan had been nominated by the Democrats, and the two went into the canvass with great vigor, but Mr. Conkling's health was very poor, and it was necessary for him to harbor his strength late in the campaign, and much of the time he was not able to be out of the house. The writer has heard him state that as the cause of his defeat in this election. The candidates for the assembly upon the Republican ticket were — first district, Charles H. Doolittle ; second district, Daniel M. Prescott ; third district, Samuel P. Lewis ; fourth district, Isaac McDougall. The Democratic candidates for the assembly were — ^first district, Abram Weaver ; second district, Barzilla Budlong ; third district, Asa Sherman ; fourth district, Thomas Bamber, Jr. The majority for Mr. Kernan for representative in Congress was 98, "Weaver, Democrat, was elected to the assembly from the first district by a majority of 128; Prescott, Republican, second district, by 1,154 majority; Sherman, Democrat, third dis- trict, by 604 majority ; McDougall, Republican, fourth district, by 469 majority. 1863 — The most extraordinary condition of affairs existed in the legislature in the winter of 1863. The parties were so evenly divided and party ties so weak that it was impossible for weeks to elect a speaker. Chauncey M. Depew was in the legislature and a prominent candidate for speaker, but, after weeks of controversy, the Republicans united upon an Independent Democrat known as Timothy C. Callicot, and he was duly elected speaker amidst an unprecedented scene in the legislature. Threats of personal violence and substantially a riot existed during the proceeding. A prominent candidate for U. S. senator this year was Ward Hunt, of Oneida county, but, by the combination of opposing elements, Edwin D. Morgan was selected. At this time the sentiment of a por- tion of the Democratic party was so strongly in favor of the South that they were denominated as Copperheads, the significance of which was that they were likened to a snake called copperhead, which is said to attack its enemy in the rear. Governor Seymour vetoed a bill, which had been passed by the legislature, per- mitting soldiers to vote in the field under proper restrictions, and on the 4th of July he delivered an oration in New York, dwelt largely upon the subject of war, condemning the administration, and, in his adroit manner, intensified the feeling against the administration and against the prosecution of the war. About this time a pamphlet appeared, known as the New Gospel of Peace, which was a satire upon what were known as the Copperheads, in which Seymour was included. This pamphlet, among other things, said: "He is sometimes called Seemer, because he seems to be what he is not. Others call him Saymore, be- cause he can say more and mean less than any other man in the country. ' ' In Mr. Seymour's New York speech, he said: "When I accepted the invitation to speak, with others, at his meeting, we were promised the downfall of Vieksburg, the probable capture of the confederate capitol, and the exhaustion of the re- bellion. By common consent, all parties had fixed upon this day when the re- sults of the campaign should be known, to mark out that line of policy which they felt that our country should pursue. But, in the moment of expected vic- tory, there came the midnight cry for help from Pennsylvania to save its de- spoiled fields from the invading foe ; and within sight of this great commercial 122 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY metropolis, the ships of your merchants were burned to the water's edge." It is a remarkable fact that on the morning on which Governor Seymour delivered this speech Pemberton surrendered, with more than 27,000 men and great quan- tities of munitions of war, the city of Vicksburg to the commander of the union forces, Ulysses S. Grant. More than that, Meade, on the afternoon of the 3d day of July, had driven Lee from Pennsylvania and won the great battle of the ■war — Gettysburg. It is still more notable that Governor Seymour's speech said that such things were promised upon that day, but little did he think that they had actually been accomplished. It was claimed afterwards by Seymour's op- ponents that the famous riots in New York city occurred in consequence of his Fourth of July speech, and he was severely criticised for addressing the mob as his "friends." "We do not think that this criticism is well founded, for the writer has heard Governor Seymour many times deliver political speeches, and he never heard him use a harsh term. It was his custom, in speaking of the Republican party, to refer to them as ' ' our friends. " As no governor was to be elected this year the Democratic state ticket was made up of David B. St. John, comptroller, Sanford B. Church, attorney general, and other minor offices. The Republicans nominated Chauncey M. Depew for comptroller, Will- iam B. Taylor of Oneida, for state engineer, and the state was carried by Depew by a majority of 29,405. The Republicans were not idle during this year in Oneida county. At their convention, which was called the Republican Union convention, held on September 25th, they had nominated Alexander H. Bailey for senator, George W. Smith for county judge, John J. Parry for county treas- urer, and for members of assembly, first district, Benjamin Shaw; second dis- trict, Levi Blakeslee; third district, Aaron W. Kellogg; fourth district, John W. Douglass. The fifth judicial district had also nominated Henry A. Foster, of Rome, for justice of the Supreme Court, and at the time of his nomination it was understood that if elected he would remove to Oswego. This he did after his election, and on the expiration of his term he returned to his old home in Rome, and died there at an advanced age. A sketch of his life is found in another chapter of this work. The Anti- Administration party, as it was styled at this time, nominated for senator, Othneil S. "Williams ; Grifiith M. Jones, for county treasurer; and for members of assembly, first district, Abram Weaver; second district, Edmund Terry; third district, Chauncey Brodock; fourth dis- trict, William W. Hallock. Substantially the only issue in the campaign was the question of the war, the Republican Union party supporting the admin- istration, and the other party opposing substantially everything done by the administration. The result in the county was as follows: For senator, Bailey, Rep.-Union, 963 majority; for treasurer. Parry, Rep.-Union, 1,093 majority; members of assembly, first district. Weaver, Democrat, 212 majority; second district, Blakeslee, Rep.-Union, 1,005 majority; third district, Brodock, Demo- crat, 313 majority; fourth district, Douglass, Republican, 393 majority. 1864 — There was much fault found with the national administration in 1863-4, and Mr. Lincoln was criticised severely by the Radicals as being too con- servative, and a like criticism was made by the Conservatives because he was too radical. The Radicals called a national convention at Cleveland, Ohio, for May 31st, and John C. Fremont was nominated for president and John Cochran HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 123 for vice president. Many prominent Republicans were opposed to the re- nomination of Lincoln, and General Grant was talked of by many as the proper candidate to lead the Republican party in this campaign. The Republican convention held at Baltimore, however, unanimously nominated Lincoln for president and Andrew Johnson for vice president. An attempt was made after that to induce Lincoln to withdraw, and it was proposed to hold another con- vention to agree upon somebody who would unite the party. The convention, however, was not held, Mr. Lincoln stood, and almost from the time of his nomination he grew in popularity with his party, and finally the Fremont ticket was withdrawn, and his supporters fell into the ranks of the regular Republi- can organization. The Republican platform declared for a vigorous prosecution of the war, and sustained Lincoln in his proclamation freeing the slaves. The Democratic convention was held in Chicago, and the prominent figure was Ho- ratio Seymour. He presided in the convention, but declined to be a candidate for the presidency. His sincerity in declining was questioned by some of the orators of the day. Francis Kernan was also a delegate in the convention, and it can be said without qualification that they were two of the leading spirits in shaping the policy of that convention. The platform condemned the national administration and demanded a cessation of hostilities "with a view to an ulti- mate convention of all the states or other peaceful means to the end that, at the earliest practical moment, peace may be restored on the basis of the federal union of the states." The convention then proceeded to nominate General George B. McClellan for president, and George H. Pendleton vice president. The Republicans nominated for governor Reuben B. Fenton, and Thomas G. Alvord for lieutenant governor. The Democrats nominated John T. Hoffman for governor, and David R. Floyd Jones for lieutenant governor. The cam- paign in Oneida county was intensely interesting. Roscoe Conkling made a thorough canvass of the county, and he had such able assistants upon the stump as Ellis H. Roberts, Alexander H. Bailey and Henry A. Foster. The Democratic party was represented upon the stump by Horatio Seymour, Francis Kernan, J. Thomas Spriggs, and other able and eloquent speakers. The feel- ing was intense, and the chief subject discussed was the "war," the Republi- cans arguing that no quarter should be given to traitors and that the war should be prosecuted with the utmost possible vigor, the Democrats arguing for recon- ciliation with the South and a suspension of all hostilities until negotiations could be carried on to the end that peace might be established between the con- tending forces. The Republican county convention was held under unusual circumstances. A fierce attack had been made upon Roscoe Conkling by mem- bers of the Republican party led by George W. Smith, county judge, and they endeavored in every possible way to prevent his nomination. Mr. Kernan had defeated him two years before, and as a last resort Conkling 's opponents cir- culated diligently the report that the president did not wish him nominated, and ■this was having great effect in the canvass. The convention assembled at Rome, September 23d. Roscoe Conkling was put in nomination, and Judge Smith, who was a remarkable talker, made a bitter speech opposing his nomination, and stated in substance that it would be displeasing to the president to have Conkling nominated. This move had been anticipated and "Ward Hunt, being 124 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY a delegate in the convention, replied to Judge Smith, and, as a part of his reply, read the following letter from Mr. Lincoln: "Executive Mansion, August 16, 1864. Hon. Ward Hunt, my dear Sir — ^Yours of the 9th inst., was duly re- ceived, and submitted to Secretary Seward. He makes a response which I here- with enclose to you. I add for myself, that I am for the regular nominee in aU cases, and that no one could be more satisfactory to me as the nominee in that district, than Mr. Conkling. I do not mean to say there are not others as good. as he iu the district; but I think I know him, to be at least good enough. Yours truly, A. Lincoln." This letter produced the desired effect, and Mr. Conkling was readily nominated. The Republican local ticket, in addition to member of Congress, consisted of Daniel B. Danforth, for sheriff; Orson Car- penter, for county clerk ; and for members of assembly, first district, Samuel E. Campbell; second district, Lorenzo Rouse; third district, HezeMah L. Wilcox; fourth district, George W. Cole. The local Democratic ticket consisted of Fran- cis Kernan, for representative in Congress; Giles Hawley, for sheriff; James C. Bronson, for county clerk; and for members of assembly, first district, Abram B. Weaver; second district, Isaac T. Doolittlc; third district, Thomas D. Pen- field; fourth district, Simeon Fuller. There was great excitement on election day, and the returns were received in Utiea and read to crowds on the streets and around newspaper ofSces ; in fact, the city was kept all night in a state of excitement over the result, but before morning it was reasonably certain that Lincoln had been elected, although he lost the state of New York. There were crowds in the streets shouting and singing and rejoicing over what was deemed to be a great victory for the union cause. A humorous song was sung himdreds of times during the night, one verse of which was as follows : "Come, come, come, Jeff, come, Come with your old Beauregard; Your niggers and your cotton wiU soon be forgotten. You can't go back on Abe so very hard." It is said that many men were moved to tears when it was determined that Lincoln had been re-elected. Fenton carried the county for governor by 1,152 majority; Conkling received 1,150 majority for representative in Congress; Danforth for sheriff, 1,041 majority; Carpenter for county clerk, 1,070 ma- jority; for members of assembly, first district. Weaver, Dem., 113 majority; second district, Rouse, Rep., 1,055 majority; third district, Penfield, Dem., 675 majority; fourth district, Cole, Rep., 635 majority. 1865 — The year 1865 witnessed one of the most joyous events in the his- tory of the government, which was the termination of the great Civil War. It also witnessed one of the saddest days in the history of the country— the day on which Abraham Lincoln was assassinated, April 14th. When the news of the surrender of Lee reached Utica it was proposed to celebrate the event by a public demonstration. On Friday evening, April 14th, a meeting of citi- zens was held in the Common Council Chamber to make arrangements for the celebration, and a committee was appointed to consider the subject. At one o'clock that night the telegraph announced the sad news that President Lin- HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 125 coin had been assassinated. The celebration was never had, but what occurred is described in one of the newspapers, which said : ' ' Nowhere did the terrible national calamity fall with more depressing effect than in Utica. It came upon us in the midst of rejoicing for victories won. While we were assembled to devise means for a formal celebration, the assassins at "Washington had formed a plan and waited an opportunity to bereave the nation of its great head. People read the telegrams and turned away from the horrid deed and sickening details with feeling well nigh bordering on despair. At 8 a. m., the wires flashed the last sad truth, that President Lincoln was dead. Our flags were not forbidden to float, but reasonably were lowered to half mast, while above their folds the black pennant of mourning symbolized the deep anguish of twice ten thousand hearts in Utica. Before the hour of noon Genesee street was robed in mourning. Heavy festoons of black drooped from window to window, and crape everywhere floated sorrowfully in the breeze. Neighbor met neighbor with a saddened look. The people crowded around the various bulletin boards, reading with the most intense anxiety the news dispatches, and many silent prayers ascended that God would spare that life, which although it had almost flickered to its socket, stiU seemed so essential to our nation's future." The following proclamation was issued by Mayor Butterfield: "Public Sorrow. Mayor's Office, Utica, April 15, 1865: A great calam- ity has befallen the nation in the murder of its chief magistrate and the at- tempted murder of the chief ofScer of his cabinet. Citizens are requested to close their place of business and suspend their usual avocations from 12 noon till 2 p. m., of today, during which hours all the bells of the city will be tolled. John Butterfield, Mayor." In accordance with their own feelings and sense of propriety not less than with the proclamation of the mayor, the business men closed their several offices and stores during the hours suggested. And for those two hours the beUs of the city tolled slowly, sadly. "And so Utica, in common with the nation, demonstrated by every outward and inward manifestation her grief at the event which now paralyzes the coun- try. But we still keep the flag flying. It is an act which Abraham Lincoln would commend were he living." Sunday the churches were draped in black and the congregations were sorrowful. The texts of the discourses preached were expressions in which Christians of all ages have given utterance to the emotions of grief, and the discourses themselves reviewed the details of the awful event, the character of the illustrious deceased, and the greatness of our loss, expressing the foremost confidence in the future of the country and pledging the support of the peo- ple to the executive on whom the tremendous responsibilities of giving shape to the events of that future have so unexpectedly fallen. It was indeed a solemn day for Utica. No one remembers its like. "Wednesday of the following week the funeral was held, and there was in this city a demonstration taking the form of a memorial parade of all the so- cieties. The grand marshal was Col. James McQuade, and his assistants were Col. C. A. Johnson and Col. J. Palmer. The procession was headed by the 126 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY military Brig. Gen. Dering and staff, the 21st Brigade, 45th, 53d and 101st regiments; a catafalque, officers of the army and navy; the colors of the 14th, 25th and 26th regiments borne by wounded soldiers ; veteran officers and soldiers and wounded officers and soldiers in carriages ; soldiers on furlough. The second division was commanded by Gen. Z. C. Priest, and it was made up of all the Masonic, Odd Fellow and Kechabite bodies of Utica, the Hibernians, St. Vincent de Paul Society, the police, mayor and Common Council. The third division was made up of the 12 companies of the fire department. The procession moved from Broad to John, Bagg's Square, Genesee, Lafayette, State, Court, Hopper, Rutger, Howard avenue. South, Park avenue, Genesee, Whitesboro, Washington to Columbia. All the societies wore badges of mourning and the apparatus was draped in black. A public meeting was held at the First Presbyterian church, at which there were present Dr. Campbell, Rev. P. H. Fowler, D. D., Rev. Ashbel G. Vermilye, D. D., Rev. D. C. Corey, D. D., and Rev. Mr. Whea- don. The pastor. Rev. Dr. Fowler, presided. There were addresses by Dr. Vermilye and Dr. Corey. Hon. C. H. Doolittle suggested that resolutions should be adopted, and Mayor Butterfield was called to preside. Judge William J. Bacon offered appropriate resolutions, which were adopted. Bishop Coxe issued a letter in accordance with which a meeting was held at Grace church the same day. The burial service was read by the rector of the church, Rev. Edwin M. Van Deusen. Rev. Dr. S. H. Coxe, of Trinity church, Rev. Dr. W. T. Gibson, of St. George's church, and Rev. Dr. A. B. Goodrich, of Calvary church, and Rev. Messrs. Perry and Baker, also took part in the serv- ice. Appropriate services were held in all the Episcopal churches Thursday, the following day. A committee of prominent citizens of Utica went to Little Falls on the day of the funeral and escorted the remains of President Lincoln through this city. Immediately after the assassination the Utica Herald said editorially: ' ' From the heights of joy to the depths of despair ! On Friday the country rang with jubilation over the victory of the Union arms and the speedy return of peace. The country awoke Saturday to the direst affliction, to woe the pro- foundest, to the alarm and terror which the assassin's arm carried to the bravest hearts. Tears flow, strong men sigh, sorrow and anguish and lamentation fill the land. The nation mourns as a mother mourns for her first born. But Mr. Lincoln is no longer mortal. The assassin has given him the honor of martyr- dom. The national grief enshrines his power, and he has passed to the white light of history. Alas, he is dead. But God still reigns and the republic lives. The fruits of the victories won must be secured. The work of pacification must go on. ' ' These meetings were not confined to the cities, but were general in all the towns of the country. The terrible event, coming so soon after the surrender of Lee, seemed to impress the people more than if it had come at any other time. Perhaps it is as well here as anywhere to refer to the soldiers from Oneida county who took part in the great conflict. When it is considered that five regiments were made up in Oneida county, and that a large number of young BRIG. GEN. JAMES McQT'ADE GEX. CHARLES WHEELOCK BREVET BRIG. GEN. RXJFUS DAGGETT BRIG. GEN. JAMES G. GRINDLAY HISTOEY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 127 men had enlisted in other organizations than the regiments organized in this county, it may be concluded that almost every household had its representative upon the battlefield, hundreds of whom sleep in unmarked graves. The regi- ments organized in this county were the 14th, 26th, 97th, 117th and 146th. When their shattered ranks returned they were received with every manifesta- tion of gratitude, and their memory has ever been and will ever be held sacred in this community. The principal officers in these regiments were as follows: 14th — James McQuade, colonel and Brev. Brig. General; Charles Skillin, lieut. colonel, killed at the battle of Gains Mills, June 27, 1862; Thomas M. Davies, Lieut. Colonel. The majors were Charles B. Young and Lewis Michaels; ad- jutants, John F. McQuade and Thomas Manning; quartermasters, Thomas H. Bates and William Broadhead; surgeon, Alonzo Churchill; chaplain, Charles E. Hewes. 26th — Colonels, William H. Christian and Richard A. Richardson; lieut. colonel, Gilbert S. Jennings; major, Ezra F. Wetmore; adjutants, Will- iam K. Bacon and Charles Ackerman — Bacon died of wounds received in the battle of Fredericksburg; quartermasters, William B. Blackwell and DeWitt C. Starring; surgeon, Walter B. Coventry; chaplains, Ira Smith and Daniel W. Bristol. 97th — Charles Wheelock, colonel and Brev. Brig. General — died in the service of disease; John P. Spofford, colonel and Brev. Brig. General; Charles Northrup, major and Brev. Lieut. Colonel; Charles Buck, Joel T. Comstock and N. D. Ferguson, majors — Ferguson died in the service; J. V. Ferguson, chap- lain. 117th — ^William R. Pease, colonel and Brev. Brig. General; Alvin White, colonel; Rufus Daggett, Lieut. Colonel and Brev. Brig. General; Francis X. Meyer, Lieut. Colonel; Egbert Bagg, major and Brev. Lieut. Colonel; adjutants, James M. Lattimore, Augustus M. Irwin, Charles S. Millard and Charles H. Roys; quartermaster, William E. Richards; surgeons, Edward Loomis, Henry W. Carpenter and James A. Mowris; chaplain, J. F. Crippin. 146th — Kenner Garrard, colonel and Brig. General ; David T. Jenkins, colonel, kiUed at the bat- tle of the Wilderness, May 5, 1864 ; J. Neilson Potter, colonel ; James Grindlay, colonel and Brev. Brig. General; Peter Glaesgens, lieutenant colonel and Brev. Colonel; majors, George Pomeroy, William S. Coming, Jesse J. Armstrong, Henry C. Curran and Isaac P. Powell; adjutants, Edward Comstock, William Wright and James P. Pitcher; quartermasters, A. Pierson Case and Marvin Eggleston; surgeon, Thomas M. Flandrau; chaplains, Albert Erdman and Edward P. Paison. In 1865, the highest officer to be elected was a judge of the Court of Appeals. No great significance was attributed to the election, except that it was understood the Republican-Union party supported the national adminis- tration, and the other party opposed it. There does not seem to have been any other issue. The Republicans nominated for judge of the Court of Appeals Ward Hunt; for senator, Samuel Campbell; for members of assembly, first district, Charles M. Scholefield; second district, Alva Penny; third district, Benjamin N. Huntington; fourth district, Silas L. Snyder. The Democrats nominated John W. Brown for judge of the Court of Appeals ; John Butterfield for senator ; for members of assembly, first district, George Graham ; second dis- trict, Oliver B. Brown; third district, William S. Parkhurst; fourth district, William H. Owen. Ward Hunt was elected judge of the Court of Appeals 128 HISTOEY OP ONEIDA COUNTY by a substantial majority; Campbell was elected senator by a majority of 2 196 • the following members of assembly were elected ; first district, Graham, Dem.,' 242 majority; second district, Penny, Rep., 1.072 majority; third dis- trict, -Huntington, Rep., 740 majority; fourth district, Snyder, Rep., 636 ma- jority. An incident of unusual importance occurred June 10th, which was the reception of General Grant in Utica. He had not returned to his home in Galena during the entire war, and he left Washington for the purpose of visiting his home, passing through New York city and along the Central and on to Chicago, and was received with unprecedented enthusiasm. His train ar- rived in Utica at 4:40 a. m. It was known that he would be upon this train, and the entire country for miles around were at the station to see him. When the train arrived a salute was fired, all the bands in the city were on hand to enliven the occasion with patriotic music, all the bells in the city were rung, fire companies were on hand, and an immense concourse of people. He was aroused in his berth and appeared on the platform. The Utica Morning Herald of the next morning said: "Quietly opening the door of one of the sleeping cars, there appeared upon the platform Ulysses S. Grant, lieutenant general of our armies. He was dressed in a mulberry broadcloth coat, with woolen vest and pants, and carried in his hand a common black Kossuth hat. * * * For fully ten minutes he faced his Utica admirers. * * * The same appearance of stubborn determination ' was there that we expected to see * * * 'un- conditional surrender.' Not a word did he say to us; indeed, had he done so, we should have mistrusted that we had waked up the wrong man." 1866 — The political situation in the entire country in 1866 was most peculiar. Andrew Johnson had succeeded to the presidency, had abandoned the party that elected him, taken sides with the South upon many of the important ques- tions of reconstruction, and, in order to merit public opinion, made an ex- tensive trip through the country and made a number of speeches in which he undertook to vindicate himself in the position he had taken. He was received in Utica by a delegation of eminent men, and was welcomed by Mayor Mc- Quade, who, in a guarded speech, extended the freedom of the city to the presi- dent of the United States. This trip was known at the time as "Swinging Around the Circle," and it was during this trip that he made such an attack upon Congress that one of the charges made against him on his impeachment was that he had committed high crimes and misdemeanors by assaulting one branch of the government. Some of the prominent Republicans in the state and county sided with Mr. Johnson, and the line was quite sharply drawn be- tween Congress and the president. After President Johnson had made his speech in Utica, General Grant, who was in the party, was presented to the crowd by Hon. Charles H. Doolittle. The newspaper report says: "Hats were wildly flung upward, handkerchiefs waved, and from the wild cheering which greeted him, it was plain to see who was the man Utica came out to see. ' ' The newspaper report also says: "With Parragut and Secretary Seward, General Grant stood upon the rear platform and waved his farewell to the crowd." The Union-Republican state convention renominated Reuben E. Penton for governor, and Stewart L. Woodford for lieutenant governor. The same party HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 129 held its county convention at Rome September 10th, and renominated Roscoe Conkling for representative in Congress, and Charles Northrup for county treasurer; the same party also nominated for members of assembly, first dis- trict, Levi Blakeslee ; second district, Ellis H. Roberts ; third district, Benjamin N. Huntington; fourth district, Leander "W. Fiske. The Democrats nominated for governor John T. Hoffman, and Robert H. Pruyn, for lieutenant governor. In the county there was nominated an Independent Republican ticket, adopted by the Democrats, and it consisted of Palmer V. Kellogg for representative in Congress, and Griffith M. Jones for county treasurer ; for members of assembly, first district, Peter Clogher; second district, James G. Preston; third district, George H. Sanford; fourth district, Nathaniel D. Bronson. It is doubtful whether there was ever a political canvass on local issues as exciting as this one, and the interest was centered in the congressional candidates. Palmer V. Kellogg was one of the men who had been instrumental in making Mr. Conkling the candidate for representative in Congress in opposition to Orsamus B. Matte- son. After the election of Mr. Conkling in 1860, Mr. Kellogg and certain other Republicans called upon Mr. Conkling in regard to the appointments which would be made by President Lincoln. He received them in an arrogant manner, and, instead of accepting any suggestions from them, he said to them that when he wanted them he would call for them. It is easy to understand that these men were offended, and from that time onward they sought for an occasion to get even with Mr. Conkling. It was thought by them that the year 1866 was a favorable time to accomplish this end. Mr. Kellogg, therefore, accepted the Independent Republican and Democratic nominations, with a view of defeat- ing Mr. Conkling. The writer was at this time a student in the law office of Mr. Conkling, and had the privilege of learning the inside of the campaign. Mr. Kellogg was a man of great wealth, spent his money liberally in the canvass, and unquestionably believed that he was to be elected. The campaign upon Mr. Conkling 's side was most effective. He threw himself into the canvass with great energy, addressed Republican meetings in nearly every town and hamlet in the county, procured the list of the names of every voter in the county, had them classified as Republican, Democrat or Independent, and literature was distributed with great discrimination to every voter in the congressional dis- trict. An incident of great importance occurred the week before election. A workingmen's organization had appointed a committee to communicate with every candidate in the county upon the subject of legislation to better the con- dition of the workingmen. It was claimed that this committee had been cor- ruptly controlled by Mr. Kellogg, or some of his followers, and on Thursday evening of the week before election a meeting was held in the city hall at which the committee made its report, recommending that the labor men support Mr. Kellogg for Congress, Mr. Clogher for member of assembly in the first district, Preston in the second district, Sanford in the third, all Democrats, and Fiske, Republican, in the fourth. This report produced a sensation in the meeting, and a number of workingmen, who were Republicans, protested against it, and finally started a counter-movement in the interests of Mr. Conkling. On the day following the meeting, a petition was circulated calling a meeting for Sat- urday evening to protest against the action of the committee, and to take such Vol. 1—9 130 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY action as should be thought proper in the premises. This meeting was held in Concert Hall, which stood where the U. S. government building now stands, and an enormous crowd attended. The great number of people could not be accommodated inside of the hall, and a meeting was organized in the street. The first important speech of the evening was made by F. X. Greenia of Eonte, and it was very effective in demonstrating to the worMngmen that they had been sold out by the committee, and that they should not support the candidates recommended by the committee which had made its report at the city hall. A motion was then made that Mr Conkling be invited to address the meeting, but that he should confine himself entirely to a discussion of the questions pertain- ing to the workingmen. A committee was appointed and he was brought before the meeting, and it is safe to say that he never made a more effective speech than he made on that occasion. At the opening of his address it was difScult to quiet the crowd in consequence of hisses and yells, but before he had fiinished he had so changed the sentiment that the meeting went wild with enthusiasm. He addressed himself that evening to the candidates of the two parties, and en- deavored to show that in every instance the candidates nominated on the ticket with him had been favorable to the workingmen 's interests, and those on the opposite ticket had been unfavorable. On the night of election both parties were extremely excited at their headquarters when the news of election came in. The ward in which Mr. Kellogg lived had given him an excellent vote, and his friends were confident that he was to be elected, but other parts of the city were more favorable to Mr. Conkling. The Eepublicans had assembled in Concert Hall, and there awaited the returns. At that time there was no rapid means of communication between Utiea and the northern part of the county, neither telephone nor telegraph existing there at that time, and the only means of get- ting the report was to run a special train upon the Utica & Black River rail- road from Boonville to Utiea, to bring the returns to the city. This train ar- rived about 1 o'clock at night, and at that time it was believed that Mr. Conk- ling was elected, but when the train came in and the report was that he had carried the northern towns by about two thousand majority it was then certain that he was elected, and the wildest enthusiasm existed. He was in the hall, and had been called out repeatedly to address the great crowd assembled. As soon as it was reasonably certain that he had been successful different ones were called upon to address the meeting, and also a Mr. John Morgan of Deerfield, an excellent humorist, was called out repeatedly to entertain the crowd. Among other things which he did was to sing a song, which he said he had composed upon the political situation. Two verses of this song were as follows : "I dreamed a dream the other night, when all around was still, I dreamed I saw the Kellogg ship a coming up a hill ; With all the Copperheads on board, all dreaming of the future, And wondering what their fate would be when landed up Salt River. "The ship rode on, the storm prevailed, and Barber, he got ill. But Goodsell was on board in time, and Smith to make his will ; They held a council on his case, and told him not to die, For all the greenbacks were not gone they got of General Frye." ■ f r 1 ^^^B JRji.iv 1 %v x.;-.v SOLDIERS' MONUMENT IN UTICA SOLDIERS' MONUMENT AT VERONA SOLDIERS' MONUMENT IN ROME SOLDIERS' MONUMENT IN WATERVILLE HISTOEY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 131 The individuals referred to in the verses were these with whom Mr. ConMing had had a bitter fight, and had worsted them in every instance, Frye being the provost marshal general, who had been removed from his position largely through the influence of Mr. Conkling. Smith was Judge Smith, who had bit- terly attacked Conkling in the Eepublican convention of 1864. "When it was finally determined that Mr. Conkling was elected John Morgan stepped to the front of the stage and said he had composed an epitaph to be placed upon the tombstone of the Kellogg party. It was as follows : "Stranger, lightly tread. For God's sake, let them lie; For since they're dead we live in peace, But Hell is in a Frye." At this the audience went wild with enthusiasm, and Morgan was compelled to repeat it over and over again. The crowd finally left the hall, and it was swelled by great numbers in the street ; a cannon and a band were pro- cured, and from five to ten thousand people went up Genesee street to Mr. Kellogg 's house; the cannon was fired, a dirge was played by the band, and one, Billy Phillips, delivered a funeral oration. If the proceeding might not be called disgraceful, to say the least, it was most extraordinary. Conkling had received a majority of 1,417; Northrup for county treasurer^ 161; for members of assembly, first district, Blakeslee, 88 majority; second district, Roberts, Republican, 550; third district, Sanford, Democrat, 490; fourth dis- trict, Fiske, Eepublican, 571. 1867 — ^A constitutional convention was to be held in 1867. From Oneida county Francis Kernan, Democrat, was elected as one of the delegates at large. Both parties made nominations of some of their most worthy men as delegates in the senatorial district. Richard U. Sherman, Prof. Theodore W. Dwight, Benjamin N. Huntington and George Williams were nominated by the Repub- licans, and ex-Judge of the Court of Appeals, Hiram Denio, ex-County Judge Othneil S. Williams, Thomas D. Penfield and George Graham were nominated by the Democrats. The Republican delegates were elected, and did excellent service in the convention, Mr. Sherman ranking with the leaders of the con- vention, and much of the time presiding, although William A. Wheeler, after- wards vice president of the United States, was president of the convention. It was in this year that Eoseoe Conkling was elected to the United States Senate, and this left a vacancy in the office of representative in Congress. The Eepub- lican convention nominated Alexander H. Bailey for this vacancy; for state senator, Samuel Campbell; for sheriif, George F. Weaver; for county clerk, Arthur F. Brown, and for members of assembly, first district, John French; second district, Alanson B. Cady; third district, John J. Parry; fourth dis- trict, Ambrose Nicholson. The Democrats nominated for representative in Congress, John Stryker ; for senator, George H. Sanford ; for sheriff, Giles, Haw- ley; for county clerk, James C. Bronson; for members of assembly, first dis- trict, William H. Chapman; second district, Oscar B. Gridley; third district, James Stevens; fourth district, George J. Flint. The campaign was one of no 132 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY special interest, and the result was as follows: For representative in Congress, Bailey, 667 majority; for senator, Campbell, Republican, 259; for shentt, Weaver, Republican, 810; for county clerk, Bronson, Democrat, 75; for mem- bers of assembly, first district. Chapman, Democrat, 94; second district, Cady, Republican, 410; third district, Stevens, Democrat, 378; fourth district, Nichol- son, Republican, 434. 1868 The impeachment of Andrew Johnson, President of the United States, by the House of Representatives by a vote of 126 to 47, was the great event in the year 1868. The Republicans, generally, in the country sustained the Repub- licans in the House of Representatives on the question of impeachment, al- though on the trial the Senate failed to convict him, because of the fact that two or three of the most prominent Republicans in the Senate voted against conviction, and they were virtually driven out of the Republican party by their acts. The issues between the parties were still those that pertained to the war, and the logical candidate for the presidency was General Grant, who was nomi- nated with great enthusiasm at Chicago, with Schuyler Colfax for vice presi- dent. The Republicans nominated John A. Griswold for governor, and Alonzo B. Cornell for lieutenant governor, and in Oneida county the following ticket was nominated : For representative in Congress, Alexander H. Bailey ; for dis- trict attorney, Daniel Ball; for members of assembly, first district, Eli Avery; second district, Addison B. Tuttle; third district, Myron G. Beckwith; fourth district, Erastus Ely. The Democratic national convention was held in New York city, and was presided over by Horatio Seymour. After three days of unsuccess- ful endeavor to agree upon a candidate and failing, Mr. Seymour was nominated by acclamation, and reluctantly accepted the nomination. It is quite proba- ble he realized that his election was doubtful, but he had received great honors from the party, and felt constrained to accept the nomination whether it would result in his election or defeat. Francis P. Blair was nominated for vice presi- dent. The Democrats nominated for governor, John T. Hoffman, and for lieutenant governor Allen C. Beach. The Democratic local ticket consisted of J. Thomas Spriggs for representative in Congress; Henry 0. Southworth for district attorney; for members of assembly, first district, DeWitt C. Bay; second district, James M. "Willard; third district, James Stevens; fourth dis- trict, Joel T. Comstock. Both parties went into the canvass with enthusiasm, and Governor Seymour, having established his headquarters at the Butterfield House in Utica, made that the mecca for the leading Democratic politicians of the country. It was, however, impossible to stem the tide in favor of the great hero of the war, and General Grant was elected by a large majority of the elec- toral vote, and carried the county by 1,317, although Seymour carried the state of New York by about 10,000 majority, and Hoffman, for governor, by about 26,900. It has been claimed that the result in the state was procured through the election frauds in New York city. Griswold, Rep., for governor carried the county by 1,260 ; Bailey, Rep., for representative in Congress, by 1,302 ; BaU, Rep., was elected district attorney by 1,262 majority; the members of assembly were elected as follows: first district, Avery, Rep., 45 majority; second dis- trict, Tuttle, Rep., 651; third district, Stevens, Dem., 304; fourth district Ely, Rep., 709. HIStOEY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 133 1869 — ^No questions of importance were before the people of the county in the political campaign of 1869. There was, however, a division in the Repub- lican party that continued from this time for many years; it consisted on one side of the friends of Roseoe Conkling, and on the other side of his political op- ponents in his own party. The Republicans nominated for state senator, Daniel B. Goodwin ; for county treasurer, Charles Northrup ; for members of assembly, first district, Samuel S. Lowery; second district, David B. Miner; third dis- trict, George A. Cantine; fourth district, James Roberts. The Democrats nominated for senator George H. Sanford; for county treasurer, George Bar- nard; for members of assembly, first district, Thomas J. Griffith; second dis- trict, Lewis H. Shattuck; third district, St. Pierre Jerred; fourth district, Thomas B. AUanson. The result of the election was as follows: Sanford, Dem., was elected senator by 26 majority; Northrup, Rep., treasurer, 791 ma- jority; the members of assembly, first district, Lowery, Rep., 448; second dis- trict, Miner, Rep., 408; third district, Jerred, Dem., 620; fourth district, Roberts, Rep., 787. CHAPTER XV. 1870—1879. 1870 — The Republican state convention assembled at Saratoga, September 8, 1870, and nominated General Stewart L. Woodford for governor, and for lieu- tenant governor Sigismund Kauffman, and its county ticket was made up as follows: For representative in Congress, Ellis H. Roberts; sheriff, Lewis Gay- lord; county clerk, Linus R. Clark; for members of assembly, first district, George W. Chadwick; second district, Sidney A. Bunce; third district, Eras- tus W. Graves; fourth district, Isaac McDougall. September 22 the Demo- cratic state convention was held in Rochester and nominated for governor, John T. Hoffman, and for lieutenant governor, Allen C. Beach. At the Demo- cratic county convention held at Rome, September 24, Abram B. Weaver was nominated for representative in Congress, Thomas D. Penfield for sheriff; James C. Bronson for county clerk; the Democrats also nominated for mem- bers of assembly, first district, Theodore P. Cook ; second district, Joseph Bene- dict; third district, Thomas Mulhall; fourth district, Nathaniel Bronson. The Democrats were successful in the state and elected their governor, but Wood- ford carried Oneida county by a majority of 1,330 ; Roberts, Rep., was elected representative in Congress by a majority of 1,716 ; Gaylord, Rep., sheriff by 941 ; Clark, Rep., county clerk, by 1,478 majority; members of assembly, first dis- trict, Chadwick, Rep., by 648 majority; second district, Bunce, Rep., 693 ma- jority; third district, Mulhall, Dem., by 398 majority; fourth district, McDou- gall, Rep., by 589 majority. 1871 — The year 1871 was an off year, and there was no particular issue before the people except as to who should hold office. The Republicans nomi- nated for senator, Samuel S. Lowery, for district attorney, David C. Stod- dard, and for members of assembly, first district, Martin T. Hungerford; second district, Eleazer Beckwith ; third district, William Jackson ; fourth dis- trict, Albert L. Hayes. The Democrats nominated for senator, George H. San- ford; for district attorney, Lewis H. Babcock, for members of assembly, first district, William H. Barnett; second district, Joseph Benedict; third district, George K. Carroll ; fourth district, Harry Weed. At this time Senator Lowery had become a potential factor in the Republican party of the county, and he carried the election by a majority of 1,457, while Stoddard, the Republican candidate for district attorney, carried the county by 845. The members of assembly elected were, first district, Hungerford, Rep., by 540 majority ; second district, Beckwith, Rep., 715; third district, Carroll, Dem., 152; fourth dis- trict, Hayes, Rep., 658 majority. 1872— A presidential election was to be held in 1872, and a large number 134 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 135 of Republicans, who had been disappointed generally in not getting office or controlling patronage, were displeased with the administration of General Grant. They formed themselves into an organization known as the Liberal Republican party, and their chief object was to prevent the renomination of General Grant in this year. The foremost Republican to take this position was Horace Greeley, editor of the New York Tribune. Greeley had become an old man, and had been greatly disappointed repeatedly in not obtaining that which he desired from the Republican party. His ability as a newspaper writer has been acknowledged throughout the entire country, and it is probably safe to say that he has never had his equal as a clear, forcible writer upon polit- ical subjects. The power of the Tribune had been so great, that in all locali- ties of the state there were dovout followers of Horace Greeley, and this had the effect of drawing quite a percentage of Republicans into the Liberal Republi- can movement. The popularity of General Grant, however, was so great, that he was unanimously nominated by acclamation in the Republican national con- vention held in Philadelphia, and Henry Wilson was nominated for vice presi- dent. The Liberal Republican party had held a convention at Baltimore, and had nominated for president, Horace Greeley, and for vice president, B. Gratz Brown. This ticket was adopted by the Democrats, and the canvass was, there- fore, between Grant, Republican, and Greeley, Liberal Republican, and in some respects it was quite peculiar. In 1864 the New York Tribune had been a pow- erful element in the canvass supporting General Grant, and among other things Mr. Greeley had said in his paper, "General Grant, the man who was never beaten and never will be. ' ' Little did he think at that time that in four years he was to be the candidate against General Grant, and that his prophecy should be so eminently true. The Republican state convention was held in Utiea, August 22, and when it assembled it seemed to be conceded that "William H. Robertson was to be the candidate for governor. He was present until the evening before the convention assembled, but returned home with the under- standing that he was to be nominated. A number of candidates were presented to the convention, and the chairman arose and announced that the vote would be taken. Just at that instant Henry Clews advanced upon the pla,tform and addressed the chair. The chairman, still standing, recognized the speaker, who stepped forward and in an eloquent speech presented the name of General John A. Dix as the candidate for governor. It was a thunderbolt in the convention. A delegate from Monroe arose and withdrew the name of Freeman Clark. Other delegates arose to second the nomination of Dix, and amid the greatest enthu- siasm all other names were forgotten and General John A. Dix was unanimously nominated. It has been claimed that this dramatic event was planned by Roscoe Conkling; also that it was planned by Thurlow Weed; but, whoever planned it, it was a master stroke of political engineering. John C. Robinsou was nominated by the convention for lieutenant governor. The local ticket consisted of, Ellis H. Roberts, for representative in Congress; for county treas- urer, William McPherson; for members of assembly, first district, Nicholas A. White; second district, Henry J. Coggeshall; third district, Patrick H. Cos- tello; fourth district, Daniel Walker. The Democrats and Liberal Republi- cans nominated for governor, Francis Keman; for lieutenant governor, Chaun- 136 HISTOET OF ONEIDA COUNTY cey M. Depew ; for representative in Congress, Eichard U. Sherman ; for county treasurer, Charles S. GrifSn ; for members of assembly, first district, Lewis H. Babcock; second district, Eeuben S. Bingham; third district, George K. Car- roll; fourth district, Charles B. Coventry. This campaign was as enthusiastic on the Eepublican side as any that has ever occurred within the county since that of 1840. Greeley was ridiculed because he had so often and so bitterly assailed the Democratic party, and now to be its candidate, the situation was peculiar. During the campaign he said, "I have been assailed so bitterly that I hardly know whether I am running for president or for the penitentiary." The result in the county was 3,248 for the Grant electors; 2,156 for Dix, Eep., for governor ; 2,803 for Eoberts, Eep., for representative in Congress ; 2,609 for McPherson for county treasurer; the Eepublicans elected their members of assembly by the following majorities : first district, "White, 135 ; second district, Coggeshall, 426 ; third district, Costello, 789 ; fourth district. Walker, 1,000. 1873 — ^Nothing of importance occurred in the political arena of Oneida county during the year 1873. The usual excitement over candidates was not sufficient to arouse the county to enthusiasm, but the Eepublicans were gen- erally successful at the polls. Their ticket consisted of Samuel S. Lowery for senator, George Benedict for sheriff, and James B. Paddon for county clerk; for members of assembly, first district, George "W. Chadwick; second district, Arthur P. Brown; third district, John J. Parry; fourth district, Griffith 0. Jones. The Democratic county convention met in Eome, October 8, and nomi- nated for senator Enoch B. Armstrong; for sheriff, James C. Bronson; for county clerk, Egbert Bagg; for members of assembly, first district, Harvey D> Talcott; second district, George W. Cleveland; third district, Harvey S. Bedell; fourth district, John M. Whipple. The result of the election was that Lowery, Eep., for senator received 2,829 majority; Benedict, Eep., for sherifiE, 948; Paddon, Eep.,- for county clerk, 2,006; and Eepublican assemblymen were elected by the following majorities: first district, Chadwick, 764; second district, Brown, 17 ; third district. Parry, 244 ; fourth district, Jones, 635. 1874 — In 1874 there entered prominently into the polities of the state of New York a man who was destined to be a very important element, not only in state but in national politics — Samuel J. Tilden. He was nominated for governor by the Democratic state convention, September 18, and William Dorsheimer, for lieutenant governor. The Democrats named for supreme court judge, fifth judicial district, Albertus Perry; for representative in Congress, Scott Lord; for district attorney, Henry T. Utley; for members of assembly, first district, Eichard U. Sherman ; second district, Silas T. Ives ; third district, Edward Lewis ; fourth district, Harry Weed. The Eepublican state convention met in Utica and renominated Governor John A. Dix, and John C. Eobinson for lieutenant governor ; Milton H. Merwin was nominated for Supreme Court judge, fifth judicial district; for representative in Congress, Ellis H. Eoberts; for district attorney, M. D. Barnett; for members of assembly, first district, George Chadwick; second district, John W. Boyle; third district, Stephen Cromwell; fourth district, Harrison Lillibridge. There was also an independ- ent State ticket in the field, which was Myron H. Clark for governor, and James L. Bagg for lieutenant governor. For representative in Congress, Eichard UTICA POSTOFFICE HISTOEY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 137 B. Sutton; for district attorney, Dean F. Currie; for members of assembly, first district, Harlow Skeels; second district, Silas Purdy; third district, James C. Longland; fourth, district, William E. Clark. It has always been claimed by the friends of General Dix that many of his supporters in 1872, who de- sired to control him while he was governor but failed, turned against him in the election of 1874, and that this resulted in his defeat at this election. He carried the county of Oneida by a plurarity of 747. The local canvass cen- tered upon the candidates for representative in Congress. Ellis H. Eoberts and Eoscoe ConMing had had political and personal differences, each accusing the other of acts that were unfriendly, and Scott Lord, the candidate of the Demo- cratic party in this election was the law partner of Mr. Conkling. It is scarcely susceptible to argument that had Mr. Conkling and his friends supported Mr. Eoberts there would have been no doubt about his election, but they found it a convenient time to punish him for what they deemed ingratitude, and, therefore, supported Judge Lord, who was elected by a plurality of 1,426; Merwin was elected to the Supreme Court bench, carrying Oneida county by a majority of 416 ; Barnett, Eep., for district attorney, was elected by a plurality of 167; and members of assembly, first district, Sherman, Dem., 255 plurality; second district, Ives, Dem., 175 plurality; third district, Lewis, Dem., 446; fourth district, Lillibridge, Eep., 525. 1875 — It is doubtful whether an event more imposing ever occurred in Utica than that which occurred in 1875 — ^the reunion of the Army of the Cum- berland. This was an immense gathering of the veterans of the civil war. There were present President Grant, Generals Sherman, Hooker, Slocum, Ful- lerton, and many others who had won fame during the great war, and the city received them with open arms. The decorations were profuse, and at night the city was illuminated as it never had been before, and has never been since. The meetings were most impressive, and among the prominent civilians who took part were Horatio Seymour, Eoscoe Conkling, Judge Doolittle, Francis Kernan and many others. Notable addresses were made by Governor Sey- mour and Eoscoe Conkling, and a remarkable speech was made by General Sher- man. Again an off year came in politics, and there was little excitement attend- ing the conventions, and few candidates were anxious to be selected as the standard bearers. The Eepubliean convention at Eome, September 22, nomi- nated for senator, Theodore S. Sayre; for county treasurer, William McPher- son; for members of assembly, first district, Arthur B. Johnson; second dis- trict, Sylvester Gridley ; third district, Curtis J. Wright ; fourth district, George B. Anderson. The Democrats on September 25, nominated for senator Josiah K. Brown; for treasurer Thomas B. Slingerland; for members of assembly, first district, Eichard U. Sherman ; second district, Silas T. Ives ; third district, James H. Flanagan; fourth district, Walter Ballou. There was also an inde- pendent or Prohibition ticket which nominated for senator, Charles Avery; country treasurer, George B. Law; for members of assembly, first district, Timothy Parker ; second district, Silas Purdy ; third district, James Longland ; fourth district, Otis P. White. The election returns showed that Mr. Sayre, Eep., for senator had received a plurality of 355 ; McPherson, Eep., for county treasurer, 493 plurality; for members of assembly, first district, Sherman, Dem., 138 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 365 plurality; second district, Gridley, Rep., 1,065 plurality; third district, Flanagan, Dem., 123 plurality; fourth district, Ballou, Dem., 221 plurality. 1876 — The Republican national convention assembled at Cincinnati, and after an earnest canvass for candidates Rutherford B. Hayes was nominated for president and William A. Wheeler for vice president ; while the national Demo- cratic convention at St. Louis nominated Samuel J. Tilden for president and Thomas A. Hendricks for vice president. At the state convention the Repub- licans nominated Edwin B. Morgan for governor, and Sherman S. Rogers for lieutenant governor. The Republican local ticket was nominated August 31 at a convention held at Rome, and consisted of William J. Bacon, for repre- sentative in Congress; Frederick G. Weaver for sheriff; Taliesin Evans for county clerk ; and for members of assembly, first district, James Corbett ; second district, Everett Case; third district, Benjamin D. Stone; fourth district, J. Robert Moore. The Democrats again nominated for governor Horatio Sey- mour. He was not at the convention, and when he was waited upon and the nomination tendered him he peremptorily declined. Lucius Robinson was named in his place for governor, and William Dorsheimer for lieutenant gov- ernor. Scott Lord was nominated for representative in Congress; for sheriff, James G. Preston; for county clerk, Thomas J. Grififiths, and for members of assembly, first district. Grove W. Bagg; second district, Joseph B. Cushman, 2d; third district, Spencer J. Upson; fourth district, Walter Ballou. Mr. Til- den made an excellent canvass of the state, and his great ability was manifested in the remarkable detail of his work. This was a very eventful campaign, in that both parties claimed the election of their candidate for the presidency, and it all turned upon certain electoral votes from southern states. It will be re- membered that this was decided by a board consisting of certain senators and representatives in Congress, and this board, having decided by a vote of 8 to 7 that Mr. Hayes was elected, he became president, and Mr. Tilden ceased to be very active in politics from that time onward. The Republican presidential electors received a majority in Oneida county of 1,175. Morgan, Rep., for governor received 1,071 majority; Bacon, Rep., representative in Congress, 719 ; Weaver, Rep., for sheriff, 795 ; Evans, Rep., for county clerk, 1,435 ; and the Republican assemblymen were elected by the following majorities: first district, Corbett, 208; second district, Case, 247; third district. Stone, 638; fourth district, Moore, 424. 1877 — The divisions in the Republican party that had been somewhat healed broke out anew in the campaign of 1877. The Republicans assembled at Rome in convention, October 3, and nominated for senator Sylvester Gridley; for district attorney, Milton D. Barnett; and the Republican candidates for mem- bers of assembly were, first district, William Jones ; second district, Seth W. Peck; third district, Cyrus D. Prescott; fourth district, Seymour Jones. The Democrats nominated Alexander T. Goodwin for senator; James L. Bennett for district attorney ; and for members of assembly, first district, James V. H. Scoville ; second district, A. De Verney Townsley ; third district, James D. Cor- coran; fourth district, Robert H. Roberts. The Republican nominee for sena- tor was supposed to be a friend of Roscoe ConMing, but the division in the party was so bitter at this time that there were a large number of Republicans HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 139 who would not vote for any candidate supposed to be a warm friend of Conk- ling. The Democrats, therefore, elected their candidate for senator, Mr. Good- win, by a plurality of 1,145 ; while Mr. Barnett, Rep., carried the county by a plurality of 2,189 for district attorney. The result on members of assembly was as follows : first district, Jones, Rep., 188 plurality ; second district, Towns- ley, Dem., 192 plurality; third district, Prescott, Rep., 148 plurality; fourth district, Roberts, Dem., 174 plurality. 1878 — In 1878 the Republicans presented Cyrus D. Prescott, candidate for for representative in Congress; for county treasurer, John Kohler; for mem- bers of assembly, first district, Benjamin Allen; second district, Frank Sang; third district, Henry R. Jones; fourth district, H. Dwight Grant. The Demo- crats nominated for representative in Congress, J. Thomas Spriggs; for county treasurer, John DeRyther; for members of assembly, first district, Richard U. Sherman; second district, R. Wilson Roberts; third district, Thomas D. Pen- field; fourth district, Robert Roberts. The canvass centered on members of assembly in the first district. It was conceded that the county would go Repub- lican, but the situation in the first assembly district was an unusual one. Mr. Conkling resided in the district, and Benjamin Allen was a very strong friend of Mr. Conkling. Mr. Sherman, the candidate of the Democratic party in that district, had been one of Mr. Conkling 's warmest friends, and it was at Mr. Sherman's house that Mr. Conkling was brought forth as a candidate for Con- gress when he was yet under 25 years of age. Both sides were determined to win in this election. The influences were so strong for Mr. Conkling and his friends that the district gave a substantial Republican majority, and Mr. Allen was elected by 509 plurality. In the second district, Sang, Rep., received a plurality of 254; third district, Penfield, Dem., 393 plurality; fourth district, Grant, Rep., 649 plurality; and, as was expected, the county gave 1,068 plu- rality for Prescott, Rep., for representative in Congress, and 1,686 plurality for Kohler, Rep., for county treasurer. 1879 — The Republican state convention met in Saratoga in 1879 and nomi- nated for governor, Alonzo B. Cornell, who was classed as a friend of Roscoe Conkling, which disappointed many Republicans, and they manifested no inter- est in the canvass. George G. Hoskins was nominated for lieutenant governor. The Democrats met in Syracuse, September 12, and nominated for governor, Lucius Robinson, and for lieutenant governor Clarkson N. Potter. The local Republican ticket was, for senator, George B. Anderson; for sheriff, Francis X. Meyers ; for county clerk, Henry J. Coggeshall. The county ceased to have four members of assembly at this time, in consequence of a reapportionment giving Oneida county only three members, and the Republican candidates were : first district, Henry J. Cookinham; second district, James A. Douglass; third district, David Gray. The Democrats nominated for senator, James Stevens; for sheriff, Wilson Smith; for county clerk, Martin S. Gotry; and for mem- bers of assembly, first district, James V. H. Scoville; second district, Martin V. B. Warner ; third district, Lewis R. Powell ; Mr. Scoville also was supported by the Labor party. There was also a bolting Democratic ticket for governor, which resulted in the election of Cornell, although the combined vote against him was greater than that cast for him. The rest of the Republican ticket in 140 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY the state was elected. The result in the county was that Stevens, Dem., was de- clared to be elected by a plurality of 154. It was proposed by Mr. Anderson to contest the election, claiming that there had been fraud in the town of West- moreland and that he (Anderson) was elected by about 100 plurality. The writer was present when this matter was considered at a conference of legisla- tors held in Albany, and it was finally decided that the election should not be contested. The senator, who was chairman of the committee on privileges and elections, said in the hearing of the writer that there were too many Republi- cans in the senate already. Myers, Rep., for sheriff received a plurality of 2,996; Coggeshall, Rep., for county clerk, 1,002; and the Republican assembly- men were elected by the following majorities: first district, CooMnham, 137; second district, Douglass, 118; third district, Gray, 593. CHAPTER XVI. 1880—1889. 1880 — The year 1880 presented the Democratic party divided into two fac- tions, the Regulars and the Kelly or Anti-Tilden party, and two conventions were held in Syracuse to elect delegates to the national convention. The Til- den element controlled, and the national convention nominated for the presi- dency General Winfield S. Hancock, and "William H. English for vice president. The Republican national convention assembled in Chicago, and on the 36th bal- lot nominated for president James A. Garfield, and for vice president, Ches- ter A. Arthur. The Greenback party also had a ticket in the field consisting of James B. Weaver for president and B. J. Chambers for vice president. The Republicans nominated for representative in Congress Cyrus D. Prescott; for county judge, William B. Sutton; for district attorney, William A. Matteson; and for members of assembly, first district, James Armstrong; second district, David G. Evans ; third district, Thomas D. Roberts. The Democrats nominated Richard E. Sutton for representative in Congress; Thomas E. Kinney for county judge ; for district attorney, William Townsend ; and for members of as- sembly, first district, Joseph Joeressen; second district, Edward D. Evans; third district, Charles E. Eraser. This canvass was made almost entirely upon the tariff question. The Democrats declared in favor of a tariff for revenue only, and the Republicans declared in favor of the protection of home indus- tries. There was also a violent attack made upon General Garfield, it being claimed that he had acted improperly in regard to money transactions while a member of Congress. This, however, produced little effect, and the tariff ques- tion was the all-absorbing theme during this exciting campaign. Immense meetings were held within the county, notably a Democratic meeting on Sep- tember 16, in Utica, which was addressed by Governor Seymour, Francis Ker- nan, and other distinguished speakers. There was also an immense Republi- can meeting and torchlight procession at night on October 25. At this meet- ing General Grant was present, presided and made a brief speech. The meet- ing was addressed by Senator Conkling and Governor Boutwell of Massachu- setts. In the evening the torchlight procession was made of up of uniformed Republican clubs, and Senator Conkling gave a public reception to General Grant. At the beginning of this campaign Mr. Conkling was lukewarm, and probably would not have taken an active part in it had it not been for the in- fluence of General Grant. Conkling had been a delegate in the national con- vention, had advocated the nomination of General Grant, and Grant had re- ceived 306 votes in the convention, but a speech made by Garfield in nominat- ing John Sherman produced a tremendous effect in the convention, and was the 141 142 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY means of the nomination of Garfield. This disappointed Conkling, and he was always jealous of Garfield, and on his return from the convention he criticised Garfield severely. The result of the election was that Garfield carried the state, and carried the county by a majority of 2,053. Prescott, Rep., for repre- sentative in Congress had a majority of 2,052 ; Sutton for county judge, 2,213 ; Matteson for district attorney, 1,660; while the Republican members of as- sembly were elected as follows: First- district, Armstrong, 214; second district, Evans, 534; third district, Roberts, 1,255. 1881 — The assassination and death of President Garfield changed the whole situation politically in the state of New York. The President had refused to make certain appointments desired by Mr. Conkling. Thomas C. Piatt had been elected to the senate, and took his seat trammeled by promises that he had made to certain prominent Republican legislators just prior to his election. Mr. Conkling had asked, prior to election, that he should be allowed to name the secretary of the treasury and the collector of the port of New York. Mr. Gar- field had declined to make that promise, but stated that he would accord such political favors as he was entitled to in consequence of his very prominent place in the party. At Albany during the canvass for U. S. Senator, the prominent candidates were friends of Mr. Conkling — Thomas C. Piatt and Richard Crow- ley. Few, even, of Mr. Conkling 's friends knew which of the two he favored, but the writer knows that he favored Mr. Piatt, as he confided to some of his confidential friends. On the evening the caucus was to be held for the nomina- tion of senator, Mr. Piatt was asked to attend a conference at the Delevan Hotel. He did attend, and this conference consisted of the prominent Repub- lican members of the senate. He was there told if he would support Senator William H. Robertson for any position for which the President should nominate him, they would nominate him, (Piatt) for the United States Senate on the first ballot. Mr. Piatt made this promise, and he was nominated on the first ballot. It was at that time supposed that Mr. Robertson would be nominated as Minister to France, but, instead of that, the President nominated him for Collector of the Port of New York. Mr. Conkling violently opposed the con- firmation of Mr. Robertson. Mr. Piatt informed Mr. Conkling of the promise he had made, and said to him that he could not live in the state of New York and not keep his promise. It was then suggested by Mr. Piatt that they should resign, that the legislature was favorable to them, that they could both go back to the legislature, be re-elected, and then come to the senate untrammeled by promises. This was finally consented to by Mr. Conkling, and resignations were forwarded to Governor Cornell, but they failed of reelection, after a desperate struggle. From this time onward Mr. Conkling took no active part in politics. President Arthur and Mr. Conkling did not agree, and the relations between them ceased to be friendly. Memorial services were held throughout the coun- try on the death of General Garfield, and a notable gathering assembled in the First Presbyterian Church in Utica, where addresses were made by Dr. Daniel G. Corey, Hon. William J. Bacon, Rev. Dr. Thomas Brown, and many others. The Republican party was rent in twain by this fight between the President and Mr. Conkling, and the Conkling party was known as the Stal- warts, while those who sided with the President were known as Halfbreeds. The HISTOKY OP ONEIDA COUNTY 143 Republican county convention was held at Rome, October 12, and nominated for senator, Samuel H. Fox; for county treasurer, John Kohler; and for mem- bers of assembly, first district, Willard J. Scott; second district, J. Theodore Knox; third district, Frank A. Edgerton. The Democratic county convention was held in Rome, October 14, and Robert H. Roberts was nominated for sen- ator; Henry Hopson for county treasurer; and for members of assembly, first district, H. Lee Babcock ; second district, Morris R. Jones ; third district, Charles J. Edic. The result of the election was that the Democrats elected Mr. Roberts senator by a plurality of 791 ; the Republicans elected Kohler, treasurer, by 33 plurality; and for members of assembly, first district, Patrick GriEfln, an In- dependent Republican, was elected by a plurality of 114; second district, Jones, Dem., 140 plurality; third district, Edgerton, Rep., 613 plurality. 1882 — The year 1882 found the Republican party still rent in twain, and when its state convention assembled at Saratoga it met under great difficulties. It is stated by Alexander, in his "Political History of the State of New York," that James S. Wadsworth was made a candidate for governor in the interest of Judge Charles J. Polger, who was the national administration candidate for governor, but this is an error. Mr. Wadsworth was first favored for the nomination in Oneida county, and the writer drew the resolutions, which were adopted in the Oneida county assembly district conventions, instructing the delegates to the Saratoga convention to favor the nomination of Mr. Wads- worth. The writer also served as chairman of the delegation in that conven- tion. The meetings of the Wadsworth delegates were held in the writer's room in the United States Hotel, and the facts in regard "to the case are that 68 dele- gates assembled in that room. There were several others favorable to the nomination of Wadsworth when the convention assembled, among whom was ex-Senator Madden. It was evident that these delegates had the control in the convention, provided they could be held together. A committee was appointed to meet the representative of Governor Cornell to agree upon organization of the convention, as the Cornell forces and the Wadsworth forces constituted a majority in the convention. The writer was chairman of the committee of the Wadsworth delegates, and he, with two others, Senator Lorin Sessions and Charles E. Perrin, met U. S. Senator Warner Miller and Edmund Pitts, and it was agreed between them that Mr. Pitts should be selected as the temporary chairman of the convention. This committee made a report to the Wads- worth delegates on the evening before the convention, and their report was unanimously adopted. It was then also unanimously determined that every delegate in the room should vote for Mr. Wadsworth as long as his name was in the convention. The national administration's influence then began to have its effect. Tremendous inducements were offered to delegates who were in the in- terest of Mr. Wadsworth to vote for Senator Madden for temporary chairman, and these influences with others were so potential that twelve of the delegates violated their promise, refusing to vote for Pitts, and east their votes for Mad- den, thus determining the policy of the convention. The result of this was that Charles J. Polger was nominated for governor, with B. Piatt Carpenter for lieutenant governor; but the feeling was so intense that it was from that day an assured fact that whoever should be nominated by the Democrats for gov- Hi HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY ernor would be elected. It fell to the lot of Grover Cleveland to be nominated by the Democrats for governor, with David B. Hill as lieutenant governor. The result of the election proved the folly of the action of the national admin- istration party in controlling, in the manner that it did, the Republican Sara^ toga convention, and placed a former resident of Oneida county in the execu- tive chair of the great state of New York. The local ticket nominated by the Republicans was for representative in Congress, Samuel H. Fox; for sheriff, Hugh P. Owens; for county clerk, Arthur BaUou; and for members of as- sembly, first district, Albert P. Seaton; second district, Ira C. Jenks; third district, Oscar F. Hulser. The Democrats nominated for representative in Con- gress J. Thomas Spriggs ; for sheriff, Thomas D. Penfield ; for county clerk, Henry Hopson; and for members of assembly, first district, William Town- send; second district, Clarence E. "Williams; third district, Thomas B. AUan- son. The division in the Republican party was manifested in the county as well as in the state, and Grover Cleveland, the Democratic candidate for gov- ernor, carried the county by 4,932 majority; Penfield, Democrat, was elected sheriff by 693 majority; Ballou, Republican, was elected county clerk by 225; and the Democratic assemblymen were elected by the following majorities: first district, Townsend, 765; second district, Williams, 2,087; third district, AUan- son, 195. 1883 — The year 1883 presented no events worthy of great attention among the political controversies in the county. The Republican state convention wp.s held at Richfield Springs, but as no governor was to be elected it was rather a tame affair. The local Repilblican ticket was, for senator, Henry J. Coggeshall ; for district attorney, William A. Matteson ; and for members of assembly, first district, Joseph Joyce; second district, Clarence E. Allen; third district, T. James Owens. The Democrats nominated for senator, Thomas E. Kinney; for district attorney, WiUiam Townsend; and for members of assembly, first dis- trict, Joseph Marron ; second district, Joseph Ackroyd ; third district, Thomas B. Allanson. The result of the election was that Coggeshall, Rep., received a plurality of 1,054; Matteson, Rep., for district attorney, received a plurality of 823 ; and members of assembly were elected as follows : first district, Joyce, Rep., 524 plurality; second district, Ackroyd, Dem., 150 plurality; third dis- trict, Owens, Rep., 538 plurality. 1884^-The congressional district in 1884 consisted of Oneida and Lewis counties and was known as the 23d district. The first meeting of delegates in this district was held at Boonville, April 18, for the purpose of electing dele- gates to the national convention, and the delegates chosen were William E. Scripture of Oneida and A. M. Lampher of Lowville ; William S. Bartlett was nominated for presidential elector. The state convention was held in Utica and nominated delegates to the national convention, resulting in the selection of Andrew D. White, Theodore Roosevelt, John I. Gilbert and Edwin Packard as delegates at large, and the accrediting of the delegates selected by the dif- ferent districts. James G. Blaine was the most prominent Republican candi- date for the presidency, and these delegates at large were opposed to Mr. Blaine, while a good number of the delegates selected from the respective districts were favorable to his nomination. The national convention nominated Blaine for MOHAWK RIVER AT THE FOOT OF GEXESEE STREET. UTICA. NEAR THE OLD FORD ^'^■~ afe»-i£ -, - V-i ^•is(L '^ijSfc^ -^-iH. 3^^ a MOHAWK RIVER AT THE FOOT OF GENESEE STREET. TTICA (THE OLD FORD), AS IT NOW EXISTS. THE RIVER CHANNEL HAVING BEEN ENTIRELY FILLED. THE NEW CHANNEL IS NOW FARTHER NORTHWARD HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 145 president, and John A. Logan for vice president. Henry J. Cookinham was nominated by the Republicans for representative in Congress at a convention held at Booonville, September 17, and the Republican county convention nomi- nated for county treasurer, John R. Edwards; and the candidates for members of assembly were, first district, Benjamin Steber; second district, George P. Nock; third district, T. James Owens. Grover Cleveland was nominated by the Democrats for president, and Thomas A. Hendricks for vice president. J. Thomas Spriggs was renominated for representative in Congress by the Demo- crats at the convention held in Booneville, September 11, and at the Democratic county convention Pierre Becker was nominated for county treasurer; the Democrats nominated for members of assembly, first district, Thomas J. Grif- fith ; second district, Lewis B. Sherman ; third district, S. Mason Smith. There was also a Prohibition ticket in the field, consisting of Dr. Henty, of Lowville, for representative in Congress. Dr. Henty was not a Prohibitionist, but was put in nomination by the influence of the Anti-Blaine element for the purpose of defeating Mr. Cookinham for Congress, as the bolting Conkling Republicans supported Mr. Spriggs, as well as they did Mr. Cleveland. The campaign was one of the most bitter in the history of the country. Grover Cleveland was violently attacked, and his character assailed in almost every possible way. Mr. Blaine was also attacked, charged with dishonesty, incompetency, and of using his office as speaker of the house of representatives corruptly. Roscoe Conkling never forgot that Mr. Blaine and he had disagreed in the house of representatives, and that Blaine had characterized him as having "the strut of a turkey gobbler." Mr. Conkling, although at this time practicing law in New York City, came to Utica, called together his political friends, and en- deavored to induce them to support Cleveland instead of Blaine at the ap- proaching election. This appeal was not in vain, for in the Utica Press of Octo- ber 24, there appears a paper signed by about one hundred of Mr. Conkling 's friends styling themselves a "committee," which paper is a violent attack upon Mr. Blaine. One of the subdivisions of this paper reads as follows : ' ' The lack of all statesmanship in his long congressional career which has failed to identify his name with any single affirmative act of well defined or conspicuous public importance, and in its negative character has contributed to the delay or defeat of many measures of wise legislation." When it is remembered that Mr. Blaine was the leader of the Republican side of the house of representatives, was one of the ablest speakers who ever presided over that body, that he was one of the best informed men in the entire country, was one of the most ef- fective writers and speakers that the country has ever produced, to say the least, the statement of this committee is quite extraordinary. The county gave the Cleveland electors a plurality of 30, and the state gave him a plurality of 1,034, which, it has been charged, were fraudulently obtained by the manipula- tion of the returns in New York City by one, John O 'Brien, who was a Conk- ling Republican, and at the head of the election department in that great city. Edwards, Rep., was elected county treasurer by 340 plurality, and the mem- bers of assembly elected were, first district, Steber, Rep., 22 plurality; second district, Sherman, Dem., 240 plurality; third district, Owens, Rep., 174 plu- rality. 146 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 1885 — General Grant died in August, 1885, and memorial services occurred in Utica on August 9, an immense crowd assembling at the Opera House, and addresses were delivered by Hon. Ellis H. Roberts, Frederick G. Fincke, Charles H. Searle, Hon. Francis Kernan, and a letter was read from ex-Governor Hora- tio Seymour. After General Grant retired from public office he received great honor, all feeling of bitterness that had existed during the political campaign seemed to have been laid aside, and he was admired by the entire country, no- where more than in Oneida county. He had visited the county on several oc- casions, had been the guest of Senator Conkling, and his gentleness, which was almost womanish, was most remarkable in a man. who had been so terrible a warrior. In this year the Republicans nominated Ira Davenport for governor, and Joseph B. Carr for lieutenant governor, while the Democrats nominated David B. Hill for governor ; Mr. Hill had succeeded to the executive chair of state because of the election of Mr. Cleveland to the presidency. Roswell P. Flower was nominated for lieutenant governor, but declined, and Edward P. Jones was nominated in his place. The Republicans nominated for senator, Henry J. Coggeshall; for sheriff, John Batchelor; for county clerk, M. Jesse Brayton; and for members of assembly, first district, Benjamin Hall; second district, Robert W. Evans; third district, Israel J. White. The Democrats nominated for senator, Abram Weaver ; for sheriff, Robert A. Jones ; for county clerk, LeGrange E. Scrafford; and for members of assembly, first district, Charles K. Grannis ; second district, Lewis B. Sherman ; third district, Willard T. Atwood. Hill was elected governor, and the result in Oneida county was that Coggeshall, Rep., for senator received a majority of 2,381 ; Batchelor for sheriff, 2,037 majority; Brayton, Rep., for county clerk, 1,282; all of the Repub- lican members of assembly were elected, as follows: first district. Hall, 275; second district, Evans, 110; third district. White, 1,273. 1886 — In 1886 the Republican congressional district convention met at Boonville and nominated James S. Sherman for representative in Congress, and this was the first appearance of Mr. Sherman in national politics. He had been elected Mayor of Utica by a large majority, had been chairman of the Republican county committee, and was thoroughly equipped by education and training to fill the office for which he had been nominated, as future results have clearly demonstrated. The county convention met in Rome, October 1, and nominated for district attorney Josiah Perry; for members of assembly, the Republicans nominated, first district, Benjamin Hall; second district, Robert W. Evans; third district, John C. Davies. The Democrats nominated for representative in Congress, J. Thomas Spriggs ; for district attorney, Thomas S. Jones, and for members of assembly, first district, Charles K. Grannis ; second district, Lewis B. Sherman; third district, Thomas D. Penfield. The result of this election was that Mr. Sherman, Rep., was elected to Congress by a plurality of 697; Jones, Dem., was elected district attorney by 129 plurality; and the Republican assemblymen were elected by the following pluralities: first dis- trict, Hall, 646 ; second district, Evans, 210 ; third district, Davies, 1,023. 1887 — There was nothing in the year 1887 to excite public interest in the election, and everything moved on in an ordinary way. The Republicans nominated for senator, Henry J. Coggeshall; for treasurer, John R. Edwards; HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 147 and for members of assembly, first district, Michael H. Sexton ; second district, George G. McAdam; third district, George Beatty, Jr. The Democrats nomi- nated for senator John G. Gibson; for treasurer, George P. Russ; and for mem- bers of assembly, first district, J. Harry Kent ; second district, Edward Ker- nan; third district, A. J. Sly. The result was as might have been expected, that the county gave a Republican majority, electing Coggeshall senator by a plurality of 1,243 ; Edwards, county treasurer by 1,712 ; and members of as- sembly, first district, Kent, Dem., 295 plurality; second district, McAdam, Rep., 265 plurality; third district, Beatty, Rep., 357 plurality. July 14 President Cleveland, who had been recently married, visited Utica with his wife, and was entertained by Senator Kernan. In the evening a pub- lic reception was given at the Butterfield House, which was attended by a great number of people, and the impression made by Mr. Cleveland and his beautiful wife was most favorable. There was a particular interest manifested in the reception because of the fact that Mr. Cleveland had formely resided within the county at Clinton, and also at Holland Patent. 1888— Roseoe Conkling died in New York, April 18, 1888. His residence had always been retained in Utica, but his law practice was in New York, and he spent most of his time there, only occasionally coming to Utica, and when there he mingled very little with his former associates. It is supposed that he contracted a severe cold by undertaking to walk up Broadway from his office to his hotel during the great blizzard of 1888. Traffic was virtually suspended in the city, and it was substantially impossible to travel except upon foot, and when- he arrived at the hotel he was near collapse. He was taken sick, and it resulted in an abscess behind the drum of the ear, which proved fatal. A committee, consisting of prominent Uticans, went to New York, accompanied the remains to Utica and to the cemetery. As prominent as he had been in his day, he left little to make his name prominent in the annals of the nation. The Republican congressional district convention, including Oneida and Lewis counties, was held at Boonville, May 23, to elect delegates to the national con- vention, and the delegates selected were Samuel R. Campbell and Henry Phil- lips. They were unpledged, but were supposed to be favorable to James G. Blaine, should he be a candidate for the presidency. The presidential elector nominated by this convention was J. S. Koster of Lewis county. The Repub- lican national convention nominated General Benjamin Harrison for president, and Levi P. Morton for vice president, and this gave great satisfaction to the Republicans of Oneida county. Harrison was favorably known throughout the country, and the family to which he belonged had been one of the most prominent in the history of the country, as his great-grandfather, Benjamin Harrison, presided in the Continental Congress, his grandfather had been three times governor of Virginia, his father a prominent politician and candidate for Con- gress, himself governor of the state, United States senator, and general in the Union Army during the great Civil War. The Republican state convention con- vened at Saratoga and nominated Warner Miller for governor, and for lieu- tenant governor S. V. R. Cruger. The Republican congressional district con- vention met at BooneviUe, September 5, and renominated James S. Sherman for representative in Congress. The county convention nominated Thomas Wheeler 148 HISTOKY OP ONEIDA COUNTY for sheriff, and for county clerk, Fred D. Haak. The Republicans nominated for members of assembly, first district, Adelbert D. Risley; second district, George G. McAdam; third district, Abisha B. Baker. The Democratic national convention renominated Grover Cleveland for president, and Allen G. Thur- man for vice president. Governor Hill and lieutenant governor Jones were renominated by the Democratic convention in Buffalo by acclamation, and the Democrats in their congressional district convention nominated John D. McMa- hon for representative in Congress. In the Democratic county convention Richard B. Sutton was nominated for sheriff, and Charles H. Ballou for county clerk. For members of assembly the Democrats nominated, first district, Joseph H. Kent ; second district, Erastus Tiffany ; third district, Frederick H. Thomp- son, who declined, and one Knowlton, was a candidate, but received few votes. From the time Harrison was nominated he grew in public estimation, and his letter of acceptance was a masterly production. The campaign turned almost entirely upon the tariff question, and Mr. Harrison was elected, carrying the state of New York, his electors receiving a majority in the county of Oneida of 1,966. Miller, Rep., was defeated for governor, but carried Oneida county by a majority of 874. The result in the congressional district was the election of Mr. Sherman, and he carried the county of Oneida by 1,213 majority. Wheeler, Rep., was elected sheriff by a majority of 4,256; Haak, Rep., county clerk, by 2,915 majority ; for members of assembly, first district, Kent, Dem., received 216 majority; second district, McAdam, Rep., 426 majority; third district, Baker, Rep., over Knowlton, 3,395 majority; it appears that there was really no op- posing candidate to Mr. Baker. 1889 — No particular importance attached to the political canvass of 1889, and the primary elections and conventions were held with the usual routine of business, attended and controlled by the professional politicians. September 13, the Republican county convention was held in Rome, and Henry J. Cog- geshall was nominated for senator, and Myron W. VanAuken for district at- torney. A political fight within the party was made against the nomination of Mr. VanAuken, and the defeated party resented the way they thought they had been treated, at the polls. The Republicans also nominated for members of assembly, first district, James H. O'Connor; second district, George G. McAdam; third district, Russell S. Johnson. The Democrats nominated for senator, James H. Flanagan; for district attorney, Thomas S. Jones; and for members of assembly, first district, John S. Siegrist ; second district, James T. Dempsey; third district, the Democrats had no candidate, but the Prohibi- tionists nominated Andrew Hurlburt. The result was that Coggeshall, Rep., was elected senator by a majority of 1,046, but the bolting Republicans against Mr. VanAuken defeated him for district attorney, and gave Jones, Dem., a majority of 2,164; for members of assembly, in the first district, O'Connor, Rep., received a plurality of 323 ; second district, Dempsey, Dem., received 297 plurality; third district, Johnson, Rep., over the Prohibition candidate, re- ceived 3,624. CHAPTEE XVII. 1890—1899. 1890 — The Eepublican congressional district, consisting of Oneida and Lewis counties, nominated for representative in Congress James S. Sherman, and the Democrats nominated Henry "W. Bentley. The Republicans also nominated Theodore B. Davis for county treasurer, and for members of assembly, first district, James K. O'Connor; second district, Geo. G. McAdam; third dis- trict, Eussell S. Johnson. The Democrats nominated for county treasurer Charles F. Barnard; for members of assembly, first district, Cornelius Haley; second district, James L. Dempsey; third district, Leonard E. Adsit. In this campaign the interest centered largely upon the candidates for representative in Congress. Mr. Sherman had been elected in 1888 over Mr. Spriggs, and had made changes in the post ofiBces and other federal offices throughout the con- gressional district. This was accompanied by the usual disappointment of those who did not obtain positions, and it was resented by them at the polls. This feeling was manifested more strongly in the town of Westmoreland than in any other part of the congressional district. Mr. Sherman had been re- quested by some Republicans to appoint the wife of a deceased postmaster at Hampton, in the town of Westmoreland, who was a Democrat appointed by Mr. Cleveland, which he had refused to do, but made the appointment of one of the foremost citizens of the town. The result of the election was that where- as, the town should have given more than 100 Republican majority, it gave a majority for Mr. Bentley, and Mr. Bentley was elected by a plurality of 399. Barnard, Dem., was elected county treasurer by a plurality of 10, and the members of assembly, first district, Haley, Dem., received 715 plurality; second district, Dempsey, Dem., 168 plurality; third district, Johnson, Rep., 136 plurality. 1891 — Governor David B. Hill, who had served as the executive of the state since the elevation of Cleveland to the presidency, was elected to the United States senate at the 1891 session of the legislature, but did not take his seat in Washington until January, 1892. He was the chief manipulator of Democratic politics in the state, and used his power to the aggrandizement of himself and his friends against all opposition. He procured the nomina- tion in the Democratic state convention of Roswell P. Flower for governor, and for lieutenant governor William F. Sheehan. The Republicans nominated for governor J. Sloat Fassett, and for lieutenant governor John W. Vrooman. The local Republican ticket was for senator, Henry J. Coggeshall; for sheriff, Samuel H. Budlong; for county clerk, Rouse B. Maxfield; and for members of assembly, first district, T. Solomon Griffiths; second district, David C. Wal- cott: third district. C. Winfield Porter. The Democrats nominated for sena- 150 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY tor, Thomas E. Kinney; for sheriff, John C. Sehreiber; for county clerk, Charles N. Pelton; and for members of assembly, first district, Cornelius Haley; second district, Harry S. Patten; third district, Leonard E. Adsit. The result of the election in the state was the success of the Democratic party upon its state ticket, although Fassett, Rep., for governor received a pluraliy in the county of 266; Coggeshall, Rep., for senator, received a plurality of 1,567, while Sehreiber, the Democratic candidate for sheriff, was elected by 1,240 plu- rality; Maxfield, Rep., for county clerk, received 91 plurality; and the mem- bers of assembly, first district, Haley, Dem., received 786 plurality ; second dis- trict. Patten, Dem., 321 plurality; third district. Porter, Rep., 796 plurality. 1892 — On September 8, 1892, occurred the death of ex-Senator Francis Kernan. It is not extraordinary praise to say of him that, with a single ex- ception — Horatio Seymour— he was the most prominent Democratic politician who ever resided within the county of Oneida. A sketch of his life is given in another chapter of this work, but there was one thing about Mr. Kernan that should be said in this connection, which is this : He was an ardent partisan and never forsook his party, although he disapproved many times of its policy, and sometimes, also, of its candidates. During the reign of "William Tweed, when Democratic polities were dictated by him in the state of New York, and during the corruptions in the legislature, Mr. Kernan was heard to say that, although he disapproved of the ticket and the policy many times, he thought it wiser to remain an active member of his own party or he would lose his in- fluence for good. Perhaps this was a correct philosophy, and was exemplified in the life of Mr. Kernan, who invariably was on the side of economy and hon- esty in public office. His funeral occurred September 10, was attended by members of the bar, and every mark of respect was paid to his memory. As 1892 was a year in which a president was to be elected, much interest was manifested upon the Democratic side as to the candidate. It was a fore- gone conclusion that President Harrison would be renominated, but it was also feared that he could not be elected, not because of any fault of his ad- ministration, but because of the passing of what was known as the McKinley Tariff Bill, which, it was claimed by the Democrats, raised duties to such an extent as to be injurious to the interests of the farmer and of the common people. President Harrison was renominated June 11, with Whitelaw Reid as the candidate for vice president. Grover Cleveland was nominated for the presidency by the Democrats with Adlai E. Stevenson for vice president. The Democrats made an aggressive campaign upon the tariff question, the people were frightened by the discussion of the McKinley law, and from the begin- ning of the canvass it was reasonably sure that Mr. Cleveland would be elected. For state engineer and surveyor the Democrats nominated Richard W Sher- man, of Utica; for representative in Congress, Henry W. Bentley; for county judge, Charles A. Taleott; for district attorney, Edward Lewis; for members of assembly, first district, Cornelius Haley; second district, Harry S. Patten. For representative in Congress the Republicans renominated James S. Sher- man ; and its county ticket consisted of Watson T. Dunmore for county judge ; George S. Klock for district attorney; members of assembly, first district, Samuel S. Lowery; second district, C. Winfield Porter; by a re-apportionment RESIDENCE OF VICE PRESIDENT JAMES S. SHERMAN RESIDENCE OF UNITED STATES SENATOR FRANCIS KERNAN HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 151 of senators and assemblymen in the state, Oneida county was assigned two members instead of three. The result of the election was that Cleveland, Dem., was elected president ; Sherman, Rep., elected representative in Congress by a plurality in Oneida county of 562 ; Dunmore, Rep., county judge, by 530 plurality; Klock, Rep., district attorney, by 2,190 plurality; and members of assembly, first district, Haley, Dem., by 138 plurality; second district. Porter, Rep., by 142 plurality. It was during this year that the 400th anniversary of the discovery of America was celebrated. A very large meeting was held in the First Pres- byterian Church in Utica to commemorate this notable occasion, and a very able address was delivered by the Hon. Ellis H. Roberts. 1893 — The year 1893 was an uninteresting year for the politics of the county. The Republicans nominated for county treasurer, William E. Rich- ards, and for members of assembly, first district, Henry T. Hoeffer; second district, Joseph Porter. As this was a year for the election of delegates to the constitutional convention, and as the statute provided hat they should be elected by senatorial districts, the district consisting of Oneida, Lewis and Otsego counties required a convention of delegates from these three counties to make the nomination. The following ticket was nominated by the Republicans: Henry J. CooMnham, John C. Davies, of Oneida; Charles S. Mereness, of Lewis; and James W. Barnum and Abraham Kellogg, of Otsego. Henry J. Coggeshall was also nominated in this district for state senator. The Demo- crats nominated as delegates to the constitutional convention, Charles D. Adams, Thomas H. Stryker, Oscar F. Lane, Lowell S. Henry and T. Miller Reid; for state senator, Harry S. Patten; for county treasurer, Charles P. Barnard; for members of assembly, first district, Ernest J. Ellwood; second district, Charles N. Felton. No special interest was manifested in the election, although the most important part of it was the election of delegates to the Constitutional Convention. The convention of 1867 had submitted a revised constitution, but it was rejected by the people, except as to the judiciary article, which was adopted. A feeling was strong in the state in favor of a radical revision of the constitution, and the Republican candidates for delegates were elected and carried the county by more than 2,000 majority. Senator Cog- geshall received a plurality of 2,279 ; Richards, Rep., for treasurer, 2,143 ; and the Republican assemblymen in both districts were elected, in the first district HoefBer receiving a plurality of 1,583, and Porter, in the second district, a plurality of 1,273. 1894 — The Constitutional Convention assembled in May, 1894, and the dele- gates from Oneida county were well treated in the organization, Mr. Davies being made chairman of committee on railroads, and Mr. Cookinham being placed upon the committees of the judiciary, privileges and elections and suffrage. At the close of the convention Mr. Cookinham was appointed chair- man of a committee to draft an address to the people of the state explanatory of the new constitution. The constitution as revised made material changes, was adopted in the convention by a vote of 95 to 45, and was ratified by the people by a large majority. One radical change in this revised constitution was made in the system of representation. The apportionment of senators 152 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY was according to senatorial districts, but a provision was placed in the con- stitution that no city, no matter how great its population or how many coun- ties it should consist of, should have more than one-half of the senators. This provision, it is apparent, was intended to prevent the city of New York ever having a majority vote in the senate. The Republican local ticket consisted of James S. Sherman, for representative in Congress ; Van R. "Weaver, for sher- iff; Garry A. Willard, for county clerk; and for members of assembly, first district, Henry P. Hoeffler, second district, William Carey Sanger. The Demo- crats nominated for representative in Congress, John D. Henderson ; for sher- iff, Adrian Lee; for county clerk, John C. Schreiber; and for members of as- sembly, first district, Thomas D. Watkins; second district, James L. Dempsey. The congressional district had been changed by a new apportionment, and Oneida and Herkimer counties now constituted the 23d district. The Repub- lican state convention had nominated for governor, Levi P. Morton, and for lieutenant governor, Charles T. Saxton. The Democrats again placed before the people as a candidate for governor David B. Hill, and for lieutenant gov- ernor Daniel P. Lockwood. Hill was in the ascendency in his party, and un- questionably desired another candidate for governor, but it was difficult for him to induce a candidate of his liking to accept the nomination, and he was compelled to fill the position himself to hold his party together. This, however, was not entirely successful, for the anti-Hill element of the party nominated Everett P. Wheeler for governor, and adopted Daniel P. Lockwood for lieu- tenant governor. The result in the state was most disastrous to Hill, as he was defeated by an enormous majority. The result in Oneida county was a plurality for Morton, Rep., for governor of 3,717; Sherman, Rep., representa- tive in Congress, 4,478 plurality; Weaver, Rep., candidate for sheriff, 4,387 plurality; Willard, Rep., county clerk, 3,457 plurality; the Republican mem- bers of assembly were elected as follows: first district, Hoeffler, 2,236 plu- rality; second district, Sanger, 2,213 plurality. 1895 — The most important office to be filled locally in 1895 was that of justice of the Supreme Court. Irving G. Vann of Onondaga, and William E. Scripture of Oneida, were nominated for this office upon the Republican ticket. The county ticket consisted of Frederick G. Weaver for senator, and George S. Klock for district attorney. The revised constitution having been adopted Oneida county was allotted three assemblymen instead of two, and the Republicans nominated in the first district, Henry P. Hoeffler; second dis- trict, William Carey Sanger; third district, William B. Graves. At the Re- publican county convention held at Rome, Senator Coggeshall appeared and was supported by a minority of the convention. Having failed to obtain the coveted prize he bolted with others, and he was nominated for senator by the bolters, and adopted by the Democrats as their candidate for senator. The Democrats made no nomination against Vann for justice of the Supreme Court, but nominated Theodore L. R. Morgan against William E. Scripture. For dis- trict attorney, William J. Kernan; for members of assembly, first district, Walter Embly; second district, James L. Dempsey; third district, D. Francis Searle. The canvass during this year centered upon the candidates for sena- tor. Mr. Coggeshall had received great favors from the Republican party— HISTOEY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 153 no charge was made against the party because he was not nominated — ^he had been fairly defeated in the convention, but, refusing to submit to the will of the majority, he seized the occasion, and, unquestionably having been prom- ised the support of the Democratic organization in case he should bolt the Re- publican convention, consented to this arrangement, and carried the county against Mr. Weaver by 4,763 majority. Scripture, for justice of the Supreme Court, received a majority in the county of 3,736, while Klock, Rep., for district attorney, carried the county by a majority of 3,794; the result upon members of assembly was, first district, Embly, Dem., 375 majority; second district, Sanger, Rep., 705 majority; third district. Graves, Rep., 1,141 majority. 1896 — The defeat of President Harrison in 1892 was accomplished by the effective way the Democratic party had treated the McKinley tariff law, and after three years of Democratic control under Cleveland it would seem that the people came to the conclusion that they had made a grievous error, and at the Republican national convention William McKinley of Ohio, chairman of the committee that had framed the McKinley bill and the man from whom it derived its name, was nominated for president, with Garrett A. Hobart as the candidate for vice president. In New York state Frank S. Black was nominated for governor, with Timothy L. Woodruff for lieutenant governor. James S. Sherman was again nominated for representative in Congress by the Republicans; William E. Richards was renominated for county treasurer, and the assembly ticket consisted of, first district, George B. Philo ; second district, William Carey Sanger; third district, William B. Graves. The Democrats nominated for president William J. Bryan, with Arthur Sewall for vice presi- dent; for governor, Wilbur F. Porter, and for lieutenant governor Frederick Schraub; for representative in Congress, Cornelius Haley; for county treas- urer, Charles T. Hayden ; for members of assembly, first district, Walter Embly ; siecond district, Arnon G. Williams; third district, John J. Dooley. The can- vass was made entirely upon the tariff issue, and McKinley, being the em- bodiment of the protection principle, had enthusiastic support from manu- facturers generally throughout the country, and, as Oneida county is so largely interested in industries that require protection, he swept the county by the unprecedented plurality of 7,706, and Black received a majority of 5,607 for governor. Sherman was re-elected for Congress by a plurality of 7,283 ; Richards re-elected treasurer by 7,421 ; and the members of assembly, first district, Philo, Rep., received 1,101 plurality; second district, Sanger, 2,348 plurality; third district, Graves, 2,494 plurality. This unprecedented vote in Oneida county was due to the fact that after the election of Mr. Cleveland the Democrats had control of both branches of Congress and passed what was known as the Wilson tariff law, which was in principle a tariff "for revenue only" law, and it had caused a great financial depression, most favorable to the Republicans in the canvass, and undoubtedly produced an extraordinary result in every commer- cial and industrial center. 1897 — The excitement over the election of 1896 had passed over, and again there came an off year in 1897. Little interest was felt in the election, and again the politicians had their own way in nominating whoever they saw fit. 154 nioiAjiii Kjr \jiyrjLui\. »JuuiMi and the people acquiesced in their choice. The Republicans nominated for sheriff, "William H. Reese; for county clerk, George D. Frank; for members of assembly, first district, John Williams; second district, Louis M. Martin; third district, John E. Mason. The Democrats nominated for sheriff, Michael Doll; for county clerk, Joseph Wurz; and for members of assembly, first dis- trict, Cornelius Haley; second district, Daniel D. McBIhenny; third district, John Singleton. The returns of the election showed that the county had been carried by the Republicans by large pluralities, Reese, for sheriff receiving 3,238; Prank, for county clerk, 3,665; and the members of assembly, first dis- trict, Williams, 430 ; second district, Martin, 1,410 ; third district. Mason, 1,719. 1898 — The war between the United States and Spain had brought to the front a man, of whom it could not be said that he was unknown in New York politics at that time, but who came forward with tremendous strides until he became in the public eye the foremost American of the times — Theodore Roose- velt. He was nominated for governor by the Republicans in 1898, and Timothy L. Woodruff received the nomination for lieutenant governor. From this time onward Mr. Roosevelt was a potential element in the Republican party until the fall of 1910. The Republicans again renominated James S. Sherman for representative in Congress; and the Republican county convention apparently forgot the bolting of Mr. CoggeshaU two years before, and nominated him again for state senator; for county judge, Watson T. Dunmore; for district at- torney, Timothy Curtin and for members of assembly the Republicans nominated, first district, John Williams; second district, Louis M. Martin; third district, John E. Mason. The Democrats nominated Augustus Van- Wyck for governor, and Elliot Danforth for lieutenant governor; for repre- sentative in Congress, Walter Ballou; for senator, Thomas D. WatMns; for county judge, D. Francis Searle; for district attorney, James W. RayhiU; for members of assembly, first district, William J. Sullivan ; second district, Joseph B. Cushman; third district, William S. Thomas. Mr. Roosevelt, who at the time was immensely popular in the state, made a canvass, and was received with every manifestation of enthusiastic support. Mr. VanWyck also made a canvass, and, although his party made a strenuous effort to carry the state, the Roosevelt ticket was successful. Mr. Roosevelt carried the county by a plurality of 1,377; Sherman by a vote of 1,906 plurality, but Senator Cogge- shaU 's plurality dwindled down to 56; Dunmore, Rep., for county judge, 1,432 plurality; Curtin, Rep., for district attorney, 312 plurality; members of assem- bly, first district, Sullivan, Dem., 1,176 plurality ; second district, Martin, Rep., 622 plurality; third district. Mason, Rep., 1,370 plurality. 1899— Nothing of importance in the political field occurred in 1899, and a light vote was cast at the election. The Republicans nominated General Rufus Daggett for county treasurer, and the assembly ticket consisted of, first district, William E. Richards; second district, Louis M. Martin; third district, Edward M. Marson. The Democrats nominated for county treasurer James H. Flanagan, and for members of assembly, first district, William Sulli- van; second district, Joseph B. Cushman; third district, Frank Z. Jones. Flanagan, Dem., carried the county for treasurer by 280 plurality; members HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 155 of assembly, first district, Sullivan, Dem., 666 plurality ; second district, Martin, Rep., 1,110 plurality; third district. Mason, Rep., 4,162 plurality. It was during this year that Vice President Hobart died suddenly. He was a man of great ability, and up to that time there had scarcely been a vice president who had so impressed himself upon the public mind as Mr. Hobart. He died November 22, and due honors were paid to him because of his great worth and high position he occupied in the nation and in his party. CHAPTER XVIII 1900—1912 1900 The administration of President McKinley had been such that no Eepublican assumed to become a candidate against him for renomination. He was renominated at the Republican national convention, and Theodore Roose- velt was nominated for vice president. The Republicans nominated Benjamin B. Odell, Jr., for governor, and Timothy L. Woodruff for lieutenant governor; Robert MacKinnon was nominated for presidential elector; again James S. Sherman received the nomination for representative in Congress; and the Re- publican county convention nominated for senator, Garry A. Willard; for sheriff, Lincoln E. Brownell; for county clerk, Joseph Porter; and for mem- bers of assembly, first district, Michael J. McQuade; second district, Fred J. Brill ; third district, Edward M. Marson. The Democrats nominated for presi- dent, William J. Bryan, and for vice president Adlai Stevenson; for governor John B. Stanchfleld, and for lieutenant governor, William P. Mackey; for representative in Congress, Henry Martin; for senator, Leonard E. Adsit; for sheriff, William J. Sullivan; for county clerk, Robert Lockhart; for mem- bers of assembly, first district, Frank J. Bugental; second district, William J. Butler; third district, Omar R. Brayton. This campaign was very interesting because of the personality of Mr. Bryan. He had the peculiar notions upon finance which were not approved of by many of the leading men in his own party. He was a brilliant orator, and one of the most successful campaign speakers in the entire country, had been nominated against the judgment of men of his own party who were interested in large financial institutions, and they feared, if elected, he would undertake to carry out some of his, as they called them, visionary ideas. No question was ever made as to his honesty, and he was highly respected as a man. The large financial centers, however, could not support him, and in Oneida county the result was what might have been expected, that the county gave a very large Republican majority, and elected all of its candidates for minor ofSces. Mr. McKinley received a plurality in the county of 6^386; Odell, for governor, 5,066 plurality; Sherman, for representative in Congress; and the Republican county convention apparently sheriff, 3,367; Porter, for county clerk, 3,286; for members of assembly, first district, McQuade, 5,801; second district, Brill, 1,754; third district. Mason, 2,235. 1901 — The greatest industrial event in the United States during the year 1901 was the holding of the Pan American Fair at Buffalo. Early in September President McKinley visited the fair, and in the great hall prepared for such occasions he delivered a very eloquent, statesmanlike and excellent address. 156 NEW YORK CENTRAL STATION. UTICA HISTOEY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 157 A few moments after an assassin approached him, having a pistol concealed in his hand, and shot him. It can be said to the credit of the police that the assassin would have been torn in pieces except for their interference. Although the president lingered for a few days he died at Buffalo, and this made Theodore Roosevelt president of the United States. The death of McKinley produced a tremendous effect throughout the country, as he was admired by every one and was a conservative and safe ruler. Mr. Roose- velt was considered erratic, and for some time uncertainty reigned in financial affairs. A series of memorial services were held throughout the coun- try, and a notable one in the First Presbyterian church in the city of Utica on September 19, which was addressed by Rev. Dr. WiUard A. Bartlett, who was a personal friend of President McKinley. The political affairs in central New York, although much disturbed by the death of McKinley, moved on in their usual way, and local politicians took charge of the conventions and pro- duced such results as they thought wise. The Republicans nominated for district attorney, Timothy Curtin; and the members of assembly were, first district, Michael J. McQuade ; second district, Frederick J. Brill ; third district, Edward M. Marson. The Democrats nominated Seymour B. Spinning for district attorney, and for members of assembly, first district, Thomas A. Mortimer; second district, George H. Green; third district, John B. Cough- lin. No particular interest was manifested in this campaign, and the Repub- licans were successful, as they should be in a county which is so largely Republican, except in years when dissensions in that party hand over some of the offices to the Democrats. Curtin, for district attorney, received a plu- rality of 3,272 ; and the Republican members of assembly were elected as follows : first district, McQuade, 55 plurality; second district, Brill, 861 plurality; third district. Mason, 1,834 plurality. 1902 — Benjamin B. Odell, Jr., had for several years been chairman of the Republican state committee. He was an ex-oongressman, and was candidate for the Republican nomination for governor in 1902. Although he had bitter opponents in the party he succeeded in obtaining the nomination, and for lieutenant governor Frank W. Higgins was nominated. Higgins was a state senator, and a man of ability and high character. For representative in Congress James S. Sherman was again renominated. In the Republican county convention a bitter contest occurred over the nomination for senator, and "Will- iam E. Lewis was finally the successful candidate, but his nomination was not received by a portion of the party with high favor. For county clerk the Republicans nominated Harry G. Lake; for treasurer, Henry W. Roberts; for members of assembly, "first district, Michael J. McQuade ; secon'd district, Fred J. Brill, third district, John C. Evans. The Democratic party nominated for governor Bird S. Coler, and for lieutenant governor, Charles N. Bulger; for representative in Congress, Edward Lewis; for senator, "William Townsend; for county clerk, Herman Clark; for treasurer, Leonard E. Adsit; for mem- bers of assembly, first district, Thomas A. Mortimer; second district, Edwin E. Dorn; third district, "William H. Goetz. The campaign was carried on chiefly between the candidates for senator and clerk. 158 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY A bitter contest over the election of a justice of the Supreme Court in the Fifth judicial district occurred in this year. John C. Davies of Camden, this county, was nominated by the Republicans, which was distasteful to some of the party, who immediately took steps to put an independent candidate in the field. This was done by petition signed by, as was claimed, over two thousand electors. The independent candidate selected was "Watson M. Rogers, of "Watertown, who was also a Republican. He was endorsed by the Demo- cratic party, and was elected by a majority of about ten thousand, carrying Oneida county by a majority of 1,788. Mr. Rogers was a lawyer of good standing, and had been district attorney of Jefferson county. Mr. Davies had twice been attorney general of the state, was prominent in the Republican party, and his experience in public affairs was far greater than that of Mr. Rogers. The result of the election was to place Governor Odell again in the execu- tive chair of state, although he carried Oneida county by only 163 plurality; Mr. Sherman, Rep., for representative in Congress, received 1,764 plurality; Townsend, Dem., for senator, received 221 plurality; Clark, Dem., for county clerk, 371 plurality; Roberts, Rep., for treasurer, 1,797 plurality; for mem- bers of assembly, first district, Mortimer, Dem., received 421 plurality; second district, BriU, Rep., 267 plurality; third district, Evans, Rep., 1,167 plurality. 1903 — It was not all harmony in the Republican ranks as they approached their conventions in 1903. Sharp controversies were going on in regard to candidates, but the county convention settled this by the nomination of William T. Binks for sheriff, and for members of assembly, first district, Henry L. Gates; second district, Jay A. Pratt; third district, John C. Evans. The Democrats nominated for sheriff, Samuel H. Jones; for members of assembly, first district, Thomas A. Mortimer; second district, William H. Squires; third district, Charles J. Durr. As is frequently the case some particular candidate upon the ticket concentrates the work of the different parties, which some- times occurs upon an office comparatively insignificant, but in this case they centered upon the office of sheriff, and the result was the election of Jones, the Democratic candidate, by a majority of 1,407; for members of assembly, first district, Mortimer, Dem., received 73 majority; second district, Pratt, Rep., 3 majority; third district, Evans, Rep., 886 majority. 1904 — The administration of President Roosevelt, although disappointing to many Republicans, was of such a character as to commend him for renomi- nation, and he received a unanimous renomination at the Republican national convention, and Charles W. Fairbanks was nominated for vice president. The Republican state convention nominated Lieutenant Governor Frank W. Higgins, for governor, and M. Linn Bruce for lieutenant governor. For representa- tive in Congress James S. Sherman was renominated; for senator, Henry J. Coggeshall again appeared as the nominee of the Republican party; Emerson M. Willis was nominated for district attorney, and the assembly ticket was made up as follows: first district, Henry L. Gates; second district, Jay H. Pratt; third district, John C. Evans. The Democrats nominated for presi- dent Alton B. Parker, and for vice president, Henry Gassaway Davis; for governor, D. Cady Herrick, and for lieutenant governor, Francis Burton Harri- HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 159 son; for representative in Congress, Prof. William H. Squires; for senator, Howard C. Wiggins; for district attorney, P. H. Fitzgerald; for members of assembly, first district, Thomas A. Mortimer; second district, Albert C. Salis- bury; third district, Dwight H. Colgrove. Parker proved to be a weak can- didate, and made some mistakes by public utterances and communications to the press, and Mr. Roosevelt swept the country like a whirlwind. The Repub- licans elected their entire ticket in Oneida county by large pluralities. Mr. Roosevelt carried the county by 5,202; Higgins, for governor, by 2,084; Sher- man, for representative in Congress, 3,591; Coggeshall, for senator, 1,972; WiUis, for district attorney, 4,485; members of assembly, first district. Gates, 128; second district, Pratt, 857; third district, Evans, 1,851. 1905 — For many years the Prohibition party has had a ticket in the field in Oneida county, sometimes nominating candidates for every office, and at other times nominating only for certain offices. There have been also for a number of years other tickets in the field, but the votes given to the candidates of these minor parties have been so insignificant that it is thought wise not to enter into that question here. The Prohibition vote has decreased instead of increasing, but it is altogether probable that some of the other parties will in- crease in numbers, as, for instance, the Socialistic party, which is a new party in this part of the country, although it is probably destined to cut quite a figure in politics in the future. After the strenuous campaign of 1904, the political energy seemed to have spent itself, and in 1905 but little interest was taken in the election. The Republicans nominated for county clerk, Alfred J. Bromley; for treasurer, Henry W. Roberts; and for members of assembly, first district, Henry L. Gates; second district, Jay H. Pratt; third district, John C. Evans. The Democrats nominated for county clerk, Gervase M. Flower; for treasurer, Robert C. Fehrmann; for members of assembly, first district, Louis F. Vogel ; second district, John W. Spring ; third district, Willard J. Teelin. It would seem that the Republicans had not forgotten to vote this year, although they took little interest in the election, and they made a clean sweep in the county, electing Bromley clerk by a plurality of 3,743 ; Roberts treasurer by 3,380; members of assembly, first district. Gates, 571; second district, Pratt, 1,337; third district, Evans, 1,099. 1906 — The year 1906 brought to the front a new man in state politics on the Republican side — Charles E. Hughes, a lawyer of New York City, who had been selected to investigate the insurance companies, and had won quite a reputation in his work in that direction. He was Mr. Roosevelt's candidate for governor, and his selection was acquiesced in generally throughout the state, and he received the nomination, with M. Linn Bruce as the candidate for lieutenant governor. The Republicans nominated for justices of the Su- preme Court in the Fifth judicial district Peter B. MeClennan of Syracuse, and Pascal C. J. DeAngelis of Utica. Again James S. Sherman was nominated for representative in Congress; John C. Evans was nominated for senator; Fred E. Swancott for sheriff; and for members of assembly, first district, Merwin K. Hart ; second district, Ladd J. Lewis, Jr. ; third district, A. Grant Blue. The Democratic party in the state was rent asunder by the prominence which had been obtained by William Randolph Hearst, the proprietor of the 160 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY New York American. Many of the better class of Democrats opposed him as an improper man to be nominated for the office of governor, but, with his influence and with his paper at his back he succeeded in capturing the nomi- nation, with Lewis Stuyvesant Chandler as the candidate for lieutenant gov- ernor; for justice of the Supreme Court the Democrats adopted Peter B. Mc- Clennan, because he was already a justice and had served fourteen years; and they nominated against Mr. DeAngelis, Owen M. ReiUy; for representative in Congress, James K. 'Connor was nominated ; for senator, Joseph C. Ackroyd ; for sheriff, Frederick Gilmore; for members of assembly, first district, Louis F. Vogel ; second district, John W. Bell ; third district, Charles -Knight. The canvass was intensely interesting. Mr. Hearst flooded the country with the most extraordinary literature. One of the most eventful circumstances in the campaign occurred at Utica. Mr. Blihu Root, who was secretary of state in the cabinet of President Roosevelt, came to Utica for the purpose of making a political speech. It was understood that Mr. Root voiced the sentiment of the national administration, and his speech was printed, not only in the principal papers of the state, but throughout the entire nation. It was a most extraordi- nary effort, and was such an arraignment of Mr. Hearst that no answer could be made. The plan of Mr. Hearst, in distributing his literature, was to fol- low Republican speakers with his emissaries; this was done in Utica, and his paper, bitterly attacking Republican candidates, the president and Mr. Root, was distributed in the streets by the thousands upon the night that Mr. Root delivered his address. But his methods seemed to work against him instead of in his favor, and were resented by many of the thinking Democrats. The result in the state was to give Hughes a large plurality, and he carried the county of Oneida by 3,420; DeAngelis, for justice of the Supreme Court, received 5,347 plurality; Sherman, for representative in Congress, 2,508 plu- rality ; Ackroyd, Dem., for senator, received a plurality of 485 ; Gilmore, Dem., for sheriff, 529 plurality; the Republican members of assembly were elected as follows: first district, Hart, 149 plurality; second district, Lewis, 1,555 plurality; third district. Blue, 1,686 plurality. 1907 — In 1907 the political situation had not been changed materially from the year before, and the canvass was carried on in its ordinary way in an off year. The Republicans nominated for district attorney, Emerson M. Willis, and for members of assembly, first district, Merwin K. Hart; second district, Ladd J. Lewis, Jr.; third district, A. Grant Blue. The Democrats nominated for district attorney William M. Arthur; for members of assembly, first district, Monroe C. TeUer; second district, Frank T. Watson; third dis- trict, Charles Knight. As the Republican party was united in this election there was little hope for any of the candidates on the Democratic ticket, and Mr. Willis for district attorney carried the county by a plurality of 4,042 ; for members of assembly the result was as follows: first district, Hart, 1,510; second district, Lewis, 1,834; third district, Blue, 1,066. 1908— Again in 1908 the people were confronted with a presidential elec- tion. On the Republican side there was but one name that was prominent as the probable candidate for this office, and that was William Howard Taft of Ohio. Mr. Taft had served as judge of the circuit court of U. S., and HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 161 presiding judge of the circuit court of appeals; had been governor-general of the Philippine Islands ; was secretary of war in President Roosevelt's cabinet, and was in good repute. It cannot be said, however, that his candidacy met with the general approval of the Republicans throughout the country. The Presi- dent, however, had selected him as the candidate, and all the influence of the national administration in the hands of Mr. Roosevelt was used to secure his nomination, and this was accomplished and was accepted by the Repub- licans without serious disappointment. There were many candidates for the vice presidency. It cannot be said, however, that the successful candidate made himself a candidate at any time during the canvass. James S. Sherman of Utica had served five terms as representative in Congress, was among the most effective legislators in the house of representatives, extremely popular with his fellow members, and a majority of the Republicans of the House desired his nomination, although it was not desired by Mr. Roosevelt. The convention in making up the ticket, however, in its wisdom decided that Taft and Sherman would be the strongest combination that could be made, and Mr. Sherman, therefore, was nominated with great enthusiam. On his return to Utica he was received with every mark of respect, Democrats as weU as Republicans joining in the great reception tendered him. For Gov- ernor the Republicans renominated Charles E. Hughes, and for lieutenant governor Horace White, of Syracuse; the Republican congressional conven- tion assembled at Herkimer and nominated Charles S. MiUington, a banker of Herkimer, for representative in Congress, a man of excellent standing in the community; the Republicans also nominated for senator, Frederick M. Davenport; county clerk, Charles A. G. Scothon; treasurer, James T. Somers; for members of assembly, first district, Merwin K. Hart; second district, Ladd J. Lewis, Jr. ; third district, Robert C. Edwards. Again in the Democratic na- tional convention Mr Bryem loomed up as the presidential candidate, and hia party, against the judgment of many of its foremost men, were compelled to accept him, with John W. Kern as the candidate for vice president. For gov- ernor the Democrats nominated Lewis Stuyvesant Chanler, with John A. Dix as the candidate for lieutenant governor ; for representative in Congress, Cur- tis F. Alliaume; for senator, Joseph C. Ackroyd; for coimty clerk, John T. Evans; for treasurer, Charles H. Sullivan; for members of assembly, first district, John W. Manley; second district, George Benton; third district, Al- bert Kaufman. During the campaign the county was favored by a visit from the candidate for the presidency on the Republican side, and an immense crowd assembled at the Opera House in Utica to hear him, but it cannot be said that he added to his reputation by his address on that occasion. Mr. Sherman was called upon, and discussed the tariff question in a concise, well worded, short address, and after the meeting had ended the common talk in the audience was that the ticket would have been much stronger had it been reversed. Mr. Bryan also visited the county, spoke in Utica and Rome, and was received with enthusiasm. It must be said of him that he is one of the most effective speakers in the country, and invariably makes an excel- lent impression. The result of the election was a foregone conclusion in the state of New York, because the great industrial interests were disturbed by 162 HISTOEY OP ONEIDA COUNTY the policies advocated by Mr. Bryan, and Taft and Sherman carried the county by a plurality of 4,192 ; Hughes, for governor, by 2,620 plurality ; Mill- ington, for representative in Congress, by 3,165; Davenport, Rep., for senator, 2,586 ; Scothon, Rep., for county clerk, 3,845 ; Somers, Rep., for treasurer, 5,072 ; and members of assembly, first district, Manley, Dem., 595; second district, Lewis, Rep., 2,153; third district, Edwards, Rep., 1,566. 1909 — The county of Oneida in 1909 was extremely agitated politically over the subject of nominating a justice of the Supreme Court. William E. Scripture had served for fourteen years, and he had given offense to the large corporate interests in the county by what they claimed was bias against their interests. It was also charged against him that he had given too much at- tention to politics, but no one questioned his integrity. A fierce attack, how- ever, was made upon him in the county, and some prominent Republicans bit- terly opposed his nomination. At the county convention held in Rome to elect delegates to the judicial convention Charles A. MiUer of Utica made a bitter attack upon Judge Scripture, and threatened that in case he was nominated there would be a bolt of Republicans, and that Scripture would not be sup- ported by the element which he represented. Judge Scripture was nominated by the convention held in Syracuse, but the delegates from the county of Lewis refused to vote to make his nomination unanimous. Edgar S. K. Mer- reU of Lowville was selected as the candidate in opposition to Mr. Scripture, although he had written a letter advocating the renomination of Judge Scrip- ture. It can safely be said that it is the opinion of the bar that Mr. MerreU in no sense was the superior of Judge Scripture. The Republicans also nom- inated for sheriff Daniel P. Becker; for members of assembly, first district, Minard J. Fisher; second district, Herbert E. Allen; third district, James T. Cross. The Democrats nominated for sheriff, James T. Lockhard; for mem- ber of assembly, first district, John W. Manley; no assemblymen were nomin- nated in the second and third districts. The result in the county was that MerreU, candidate for Supreme Court judge, received a plurality of 5,585, and was elected in the judicial district; Becker, Rep., for sheriff a plurality of 2,636; for members of assembly, first district, Manley, Dem., 1,081 plurality; as there was no Democratic candidate against Allen in the second district he received a plurality of 6,786 ; Cross, in the third district, also having no op- position, received 5,258 plurality. 1910— There were serious divisions in the Republican party in 1910. Vice President Sherman had been prominent in the councils of the party, and had not conceded to certain elements in the party the consideration they thought themselves entitled to, and an organization was effected known as the Republican league. The moving spirits in this league were ex-Attorney General John C. Davies, Hon. William Carey Sanger, Hon. Russell S. John- son, Hon. Merwin K. Hart, and others prominent in Republican local politics. It was claimed that this organization was for the purpose of purifying poli- ces and procuring the passage of a law in favor of direct primary elections. On the other hand, it was claimed that the sole object of the organization was to oppose what was desired politically by the Republican club of Utica. The teeling between these factions was very bitter, and was manifested by the HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 163 league in its opposition to Vice President Sherman and ex-Mayor Wheeler. The Eepublican state committee met in New York and selected the vice presi- dent as temporary chairman of the approaching state convention at Sara- toga. In this meeting a member proposed that ex-President Roosevelt should be nominated instead of the vice president. This motion was made after the vice president had been nominated. The vote, however, in the committee, was in favor of Mr. Sherman, and Mr. Roosevelt was highly indignant at his de- feat. He instituted a vigorous canvass to procure the election of delegates to the state convention who were favorable to him. It may be said that no more bitter contest for delegates ever occurred in the state of New York than that precipitated by Mr. Roosevelt. He put himself in communication with members of the Republican league in Utica, and sought to prevent the vice president being a delegate in the state convention. This combination placed an opposition ticket in the field in Mr. Sherman's own ward and also in his assembly district. The opposition ticket in the ward consisted of Charles H. Searle, William H. Start, Charles B. Tefft, George W. Miller, WilUam G. Ed- wards, Edmund J. Wager, John P. Williams, George W. Chapman, E. L. Hockridge and Alfred J. Bromley. It was said at the time that many of these opponents to Mr. Sherman took the position they did because, during Mr. Sherman's long service in public life, he had not supported them in their political ambitions. However that may be, there were enough votes against him to carry the vice president's ward against him, and the assembly district convention also contained a sufficient number of opposing delegates to send a delegation to the state convention opposed to the vice president. Mr. Roosevelt, in a telegram, congratulated his supporters in Oneida county at their success. Mr. Sherman was sent as a delegate from the first district, in- stead of from the district in which he resided. When Mr. Sherman left Utica to attend the convention at Saratoga a large nimiber of citizens, calling them- selves "Sherman's Friends" accompanied him, whUe the opponents of the vice president, calling themselves "Roosevelt's Boomers" went to the con- vention in considerable numbers. On reaching Saratoga the vice president was called upon for a speech, and he spoke to a crowd in the park in a happy vein, declaring himself to be a Republican, and virtually saying that he was willing to abide by a majority vote. Mr. Roosevelt, on his way to the convention, was greeted by a large number of people wherever he stopped, and spoke in bitter terms of his opponents. He declared that he had them "beaten to a frazzle." He also said that he was making the fight against the bosses. In commenting upon this the Utica Daily Observer of August 29, called attention to the fact that a large number of those Mr. Roosevelt called "bosses" had been appointed to the offices which they had fiUed by Mr. Roosevelt himself. The Observer said that Mr.. Barnes was made surveyor of the port of Albany, Mr. Merritt was made postmaster at Washington, D. C, and collector at Niagara Falls, Mr. O'Brien collector at Platsburg, Mr. Hen- dricks superintendent of insurance, Mr. Ward a member of the national Re- publican committee, and Mr. Wadsworth speaker of the assembly by Mr. Roosevelt himself. All of these men were at the convention opposed to Mr. Roosevelt, and he, therefore, denominated tliem as "bosses." Mr. Roosevelt 164 HISTORY OP ONEIDA COUNTY controlled this convention and was elected temporary chairman by a vote of 568 to 443 for Mr. Sherman. It had been charged that when Mr. Sherman was elected by the state committee as the temporary chairman of the conven- tion it was done through some misrepresentation, but at Saratoga, just prior to the meeting of the convention, there was a meeting of the state committee at which it was unanimously determined that such was not the case, and the action of the committee in selecting Mr. Sherman at the prior meeting was re- affirmed by a vote of 22 to 15. Mr. Roosevelt procured the passage of a reso- lution through the convention changing the method of selecting the members of the Republican state committee. Prior to this time it was always accom- plished by the delegates from the congressional district selecting the member of the committee from each district. At Mr. Roosevelt's instigation a resolution was passed giving to the temporary chairman of the convention the right to select a committee from the delegates from each congressional district, which com- mittee was to name the members of the state committee. It was charged by his opponents that of all acts this was the most arbitrary of anything that had ever occurred in a Republican state convention. The selection of the state ticket was dictated entirely by Mr. Roosevelt, and was made up of Henry L. Stimson for governor, and Edward Schoeneck for lieutenant governor. Mr. Roosevelt procured his nephew, Douglass Robinson, whose father has a sum- mer home in Herkimer, to become a candidate for representative in Congress against him at the election. The Republicans nominated for county judge, without serious trouble in the Republican district congressional convention, but it was apparent from the beginning that the Roosevelt influence would be against him at the election. The Republicans nominated for county judge, George E. Pritchard; renominated for senator, Frederick M. Davenport; for district attorney, Bradley Fuller; comptroller, a new office in the county, Charles H. Watters; for members of assembly, first district, John C. Dillon; second district, Herbert B. Allen; third district, James T. Cross. It was ap- parent from the beginning that the Republican party was sadly shattered by what had occurred at the state convention, and the prospects were gloomy for success in the state and in the congressional districts. The Democrats were harmonious, and after many consultations to fix upon a proper candi- date for governor they finally selected John A. Dix for that office, and for lieutenant governor Thomas F. Conway. They nominated for representa- tive in Congress, Charles A. Talcott; for county judge, Frederick H. Hazard; for senator, T. Harvey Ferris; for district attorney, William S. Mackie; for comptroller, Jeremiah H. Carroll; for members of assembly, first district, John "W. Manley; second district, Fred W. "Wasmuth; third district, Robert G. Jones. A vigorous campaign was carried on throughout the entire state by both parties. A special effort was made in Oneida county to hold up the Republican vote, but it was uphill work, and, although Mr. Sherman sup- ported the ticket, the feeling of resentment was so great in the coimty that the Democratic party was substantially successful at the election, carrying the state and most of the congressional districts, and getting a majority in both houses of the legislature. Dix carried the county by a plurality of 882, and Talcott, for representative in Congress, by a plurality of 2,826. It was evi- HISTORY OP ONEIDA COUNTY 165 dent that the Republican League supported Mr. Talcott instead of Mr. Mill- ington. Senator Ferris, Dem., received a plurality of 791 against Mr. Daven- port ; Hazard, Dem., for county judge, received 580 plurality ; Fuller, Eep., for district attorney carried the county by 919 plurality; Carroll, Dem., was elected comptroller by 768 plurality ; and the members of assembly, first district, Man- ley, Dem., was elected by 1,521 plurality ; second district, Allen, Rep., by 1,106 plurality; third district. Cross, Rep., by 961 plurality. Mr. Roosevelt's con- gressional district and town gave a majority against his ticket, and when this was determined the Democrats in his own town started the cry, "We have beaten him to a frazzle." 1911 — The political situation in the county in this year was more favorable to the Republicans than in 1910. The differences between Vice President Sher- man and ex-President Roosevelt, which divided the party in 1910, were held in abeyance in the fall of 1911. The Republicans held their caucuses and the wing of the party favorable to Mr. Sherman was successful, carrying every town and ward in the county. The county convention was harmonious and made the following nominations: For county clerk, Charles A. G. Scothon, who had served in that office for three years, it being the first instance in many years when a county clerk was renominated. James T. Somers, who had served one term as county treasurer, was renominated; for coroner. Price Lewis. For members of assembly, first district, Ralph Bntwistle; second dis- trict, Herbert E. Allen, renominated; third district, James T. Cross, re- nominated. Allan S. Pimie, a Republican, had been a candidate for the nomination of county clerk in the Republican convention, but was defeated by Mr. Scothon. He afterward accepted the nomination on the Democratic ticket for the same office. Jacob H. Bohrer was nominated for county treasurer by the Demo- crats, and Dr. H. J. Haberer for coroner. For members of assembly, first district, John W. Manley; second district, Charles J. Amrhein; third district, John F. Clark. Two other county tickets were in the field, the Socialist and Independence league. The Socialists nominated for county clerk, Edward Stansfield; for county treasurer, Frank VanAlstyne; for coroner, Herman Jacob; for members of assembly, first district, Henry J. Grant; second dis- trict. Max Jahn; third district, B. F. Ouderkirk. The ticket nominated by the Independence league was made up partially from the Republican ticket and partially from the Democratic ticket, as follows : for county clerk, Charles A. G. Scothon; county treasurer, James T. Somers; both Republicans; for coroner. Dr. H. J. Haberer, a Democrat. This party made no nominations for members of assembly. The campaign was carried on enthusiastically by the Republicans, par- ticularly in the city of Utica, as the ticket which had been nominated was a popular one, and a sufficient amount of attention was given to the county ticket to get out a comparatively full vote for an off year. The result in the county was the election of the entire Republican county ticket, by the fol- lowing majorities: For county clerk, Charles A. G. Scothon, Rep., received a plurality of 2,105; for county treasurer, James T. Somers, Rep., received a plurality of 3,105 ; for coroner. Price Lewis, Rep., 2,036 plurality ; for members 166 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY of assembly, first district, Ralph Entwistle, Rep., 131 plurality; second dis- trict, Herbert E. Allen, Rep., 1,645 plurality; third district, James T. Cross, Rep., 1,078 plurality. In regard to the election of justice of the Supreme Court for the fifth judicial district, Oneida county gave Edgar C. Emerson, the Republican candidate, who resides in "Watertown, a majority of 1,771 over Henry PurceU, the Democratic candidate, who also resides in Watertown; and Henry PurceU received a plurality of 522 over Irving 6. Hubbs, Repub- lican, who resides in Pulaski ; but in the judicial district Mr. Emerson and Mr. Hubbs were elected by substantial majorities. CHAPTER XIX PUBLIC OFFICIALS AND STATISTICS Oneida eoiinty from its organization has been one of the most important in the Empire state. National and state offices have been filled by her sons with marked ability and distinguished honor, from constable to the high po- sition of president of the United States, and from justice of the peace to governor of the commonwealth. Despite the probability of criticism for oc- cupying so much space with a list of names, but presuming that many wiU desire at times to examine it, the following list is given of men who have been residents of Oneida county, and who have filled important offices under the federal and state government and also within the county. The offices which pertain especially to the courts of the county are given in another chapter under the heading, "Courts, Bench and Bar." Member of Continental Congress and signer of the Declaration of Inde- pendence — ^William Floyd. President of the United States — Grover Cleveland, elected in 1884 and 1892. Horatio Seymour, Democratic presidential candidate in 1868, but not elected. Vice President of the United States — James S. Sherman, elected 1908. Secretary of State for the United States — Elihu Root, appointed March 4, 1905. Secretary of War of the United States — Elihu Root, appointed August 1, 1899; re-appointed February 1, 1903. Assistant Secretary of "War of the United States — ^WiUiam Carey Sanger, appointed March 14, 1901^03. Postmaster General of the United States — Gordon Granger, appointed under Presidents Jefferson and Madison, and held the position prior to becom- ing a resident of Oneida county; Thomas L. James, appointed, 1881. Treasurer of the United States — Ellis H. Roberts, appointed 1897 to 1905. Assistant Treasurer of the United States — EUis H. Roberts, appointed 1889 to 1903 ; Daniel Butterfield, appointed in 1869. UNITED STATES SENATORS Henry A. Foster, Rome, N. Y., Nov. 30, 1837; appointed in place of Silas Wright by the governor during recess of the legislature. Roscoe Conkling, Utica, January 15, 1867; re-appointed January, 1873; 1879. Francis Kernan, Utica, January, 1875. Elihu Root, Clinton, 1909. 167 IQQ HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY POSTMASTER OF GREATER NEW YORK Thomas L. James, 1873-81. CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS The United States constitution directs that a census of the inhabitants be taken every tenth year, commencing with 1790, and after each enumeration Congress apportions the representatives pro rata among the several states. As soon thereafter as practicable the legislature divides the state into con- gressional districts. The ratio of apportionment and number of representa- tives for the state of New York since the adoption of the constitution in 1788, have been as follows: Years Ratio Representation 1789 30,000 6 1792 33,000 10 1802 33,000 17 1811 35,000 27 1822 40,000 34 1832 47,700 40 1842 70,680 34 1852 93,423 33 1861 127,381 31 1872 131,427 33 1880 134,000 34 1900 194,182 37 1910 211,877 43 The following are the districts, with their numbers, which have included Oneida county: Under act of March 23, 1797: District No. 9, Chenango (1798), Herki- mer, Montgomery, Oneida (1798). Under act of March 30, 1802: District No. 15, Herkimer, Oneida, St. Lawrence. Under act of March 20, 1804: District No. 15, Herkimer, Jefferson (1805), Lewis (1805), Oneida, St. Lawrence. Under act of March 8, 1808: District No. 11, Madison, Oneida. Under act of June 10, 1812: District No. 16, Oneida, part of Oswego (1816). Under act of April 17, 1822 : District No. 14, Oneida county. Under act of June 29, 1832: District No. 17, Oneida and Oswego, two members. Under act of September 6, 1842 : District No. 20, Oneida county. Under act of July 19, 1851: the same. Under act of April 23, 1862 : number changed to 21. Under act of June 18, 1873 ; number changed to 23. Under act of May 16, 1883: District No. 23, Oneida and Lewis. Under act of April 27, 1901, District No. 27, Oneida and Herkimer. Timothy Jenkins Joshua A. Spencer Orsamus B. Matteson Hon. A. H. Bailey J. Thomas Spriggs Cyrus D. Prescott Charles A. Talcott Henry W. Bentley REPRESENTATIVES IN CONGRESS HISTOKY OP ONEIDA COUNTY 169 REPRESENTATIVES Jonas Piatt, Whitesboro, 1799-1801, Sixth Congress. Benjamin Walker, Utica, 1801-3, Seventh Congress. Nathan Williams, Utica, 1805-7, Ninth Congress. Thomas R. Gold, Whitestown, 1809-11, Eleventh Congress; 1811-13, Twelfth Congress; 1815-17, Fourteenth Congress. Morris S. MiUer, Utica, 1813-15, Thirteenth Congress. Henry R. Storrs, Whitesboro, 1817-19, Fifteenth Congress; 1819-21, Six- teenth Congress; 1823-25, Eighteenth Congress; 1825-27, Nineteenth Congress; 1827-29, Twentieth Congress; 1829-31, Twenty-first Congress. Joseph Kirkland, Utica, 1821-23, Seventeenth Congress. Samuel Beardsley, Utica, 1831-33, Twenty-second Congress; 1833-35, Twenty-third Congress; 1835-37, Twenty-fourth Congress; 1843-44, Twenty- eighth Congress. Henry A. Foster, Rome, 1837-39, Twenty-fifth Congress. John G. Floyd, Utica, 1839-41, Twenty-sixth Congress; 1841-43, Twenty- seventh Congress. Timothy Jenkins, Oneida Castle, 1845-47, Twenty-ninth Congress; 1847-49, Thirtieth Congress; 1851-53, Thirty-second Congress. Orsamus B. Matteson, Utica, 1849-51, Thirty-first Congress; 1853-55, Thirty-third Congress; 1855-57, Thirty-fourth Congress; 1857-59, Thirty-fifth Congress. Roscoe Conkling, Utica, 1859-61, Thirty-sixth Congress; 1861-63, Thirty- seventh Congress; 1865-67, Thirty-ninth Congress. Francis Kernan, Utica, 1863-65, Thirty-eighth Congress. Alexander H. Bailey, Rome, 1867-69, Fortieth Congress; 1869-71, Forty- first Congress. Ellis H. Roberts, Utica, 1871-73, Forty-second Congress; 1873-75, Forty- third Congress. Scott Lord, Utica, 1875-77, Forty-fourth Congress. William J. Bacon, Utica, 1877-79, Forty-fifth Congress. Cyrus D. Prescott, Rome, elected 1878, 1880, district, Oneida. J. Thomas Spriggs, Utica, elected 1882, district, Oneida; 1884, district, Oneida and Lewis. James S. Sherman, Utica, elected, 1886, 1888, 1892, district, Oneida and Lewis.. Henry W. Bentley, BoonviUe, elected 1890, district, Oneida and Lewis. James S. Sherman, Utica, elected, 1894, 1896, 1898, 1900, 1902, 1904, 1906, district, Oneida, and Herkimer. Charles A. Talcott, Utica, elected 1910, district, Oneida and Herkimer. presidentiaij electors These were appointed by the legislature from 1792 until 1825, since which they have been elected by the people. They were elected under the district system at one election only. The legislature passed an act April 15, 1829, under which they have since been elected on a general ticket, made up of one 170 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY from each congressional district, and two to represent the state at large. In 1872 there were three at large, one to represent a congressman at large, be- fore redistricting the state. APPOINTED BY LEGISLATUEE 1804, "William Floyd; 1808, Henry Huntington; 1812, Henry Huntington, James S. Kip; 1816, Montgomery Hunt; 1820, WiUiam Floyd, Henry Wager; 1824, Samuel Hicks. ELECTED BY DISTRICTS 1828, Ebenezer B. Shearman. ELECTED BY GENERAL TICKET 1832, David Moulton; 1836, Parker Halleck; 1840, John J. Knox; 1844, Thomas H. Hubbard; 1848, William B. Welles; 1852, Thomas H. Hubbard; 1856, James S. Lynch; 1860, Benjamin N. Huntington; 1864, John J. Knox; 1868, James McQuade; 1872, Samuel Campbell; 1876, James McQuade; 1892, Alexander T. Goodwin; 1900, Robert MacKennon; 1904, Wilfrid Hartley; 1908, WiUiam Cary Sanger. STATE OFFICERS Governor — Horatio Seymour, elected 1852 and 1862. Council of Appointment — Abolished 1821, Thomas R. Gold, Henry Hunt- ington, Jonas Piatt and Henry Seymour. Private Secretary of the Governor — Horatio Seymour, private secretary of Governor DeWitt Clinton; John F. Seymour, appointed 1863 private secre- tary of Governor Horatio Seymour. Aide-de-Camp — Colonel James McQuade. Surgeon-General— William H. Watson, appointed 1880; M. 0. Terry, ap- pointed 1895. State Engineer and Surveyor— John T. Clark, 1853; William B. Taylor, 1861, 1871; J. Piatt Goodsell, 1865; Horatio Seymour, Jr., 1877-79; Camp- bell W. Adams, 1893-95. Canal Commissioners— Ephraim Hart, 1818; Henry Seymour, 1819; S. Newton Dexter, 1840. Canal Appraisers— Chester Hayden, 1843 ; Charles M. Dennison, 1880. Bank Commissioner — Hiram Denio, April 10, 1838. Inspector of State Prisons — ^Wesley Bailey, Nov. 4, 1856. State Superintendent of Public Instruction— Abram B. Weaver April 7, 1868. Regents of the University— Frederick William, Baron de Steuben, April 13, 1787; Nathan Williams, January 28, 1817; George R. Perkins, January 30, 1862; Alexander S. Johnson, April 12, 1864; Francis Kernan, February 10, 1870; WilHam H. Watson, 1880. Railroad Commissioners— John D. Kernan, 1883-7; Michael Rickard, 1887; Samuel A. Beardsley, 1902-7. HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 171 Principal of State Normal School — George R. Perkins, January 12, 1848. Commissioner of Public Charities — ^John C. Devereux, February 11, 1874. Commissioner of Labor — John "Williams, October 3, 1907. State Civil Service Commissioner — E. Prentiss Bailey, January 10, 1893. Commissioner of Gas and Electricity — ^John C. Davies, July 1905. Member of Commission on State Survey — Horatio Seymour, August 29, 1876. Commissioner of Quarantine — ^Horatio Seymour, 1859. Commissioners of Fisheries — Horatio SejTnour, April 22, 1868; R. U. Sher- man, January 2, 1879. State Dairy Commissioner — Josiah K. Brown, 1884. Commissioner State Reservation at Niagara Falls — Daniel Batchelor, February 12, 1889. Commissioner State Agricultural Experiment Station at Geneva — ^Daniel Batchelor, 1891. Universal Exhibition Commissioner — Thomas R. Proctor, December 23, 1898. State Factory Inspector — John "Williams, April 12, 1899. Commissioner of State Parks — Horatio Seymour, May 23, 1872. Trustee of New York State Soldiers' and Sailors' Home — Thomas R. Proc- tor, February 5, 1900. State Commissioner in Lunacy — ^WiUiam Carey Sanger, February 10, 1910. Clerks of the Assembly — ^Richard U. Sherman, 1851-6; Joseph B. Cush- man, 1862-6. Chief Game and Fish Protector — ^Frederick P. Drew, 1900. Fish and Game Protectors — ^WiUiam P. Dodge, 1880; Nathan C. Phelps, 1883; Frederick P. Drew, 1884; R. M. Rush, 1895; Pliny B. Seymour, 1906; H. Roberts, 1910. Major detailed to serve on Staff of Governor Frank Higgins — Henry J. Cookinham, Jr., 1904. Chief Engineer of Conservation Commission — Richard "W. Sherman, 1911. LeGISIiATIVE SENATE Under the first constitution the senate consisted of 24 members, appor- tioned among four great districts. After the first election they were divided by lot into four classes, so that the terms of six should expire each year. An additional senator was to be added to each district whenever, by a septennial census, it was shown that the number of electors in the district had increased one-twenty-fourth. This increase was to be allowed until the number reached 100. The census of 1795 made the number 43. In 1801, the rule being found unequal in its operation, the constitution was amended so as to fix the num- ber permanently at 32, where it remained until 1894. Under the first constitution the state was divided ino four great senatorial districts, entitled Southern, Middle, Eastern and "Western Districts. The num- ber of senators from each district varied according to the acts of assembly passed at different times. 172 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY Under the second constitution (1821) the state was divided into eight great senatorial districts, each of which was entitled to four senators. Under the constitution of 1846 the state was divided into thirty-two sen- atorial districts, and this arrangement continued to 1894, the districts being re- arranged after each state census according to the population. The term of service under the new constitution was reduced to two years. Senatorial Districts — Oneida county was a part of the Western district, under the first constitution. Under the second constitution it formed a part of the Fifth district. Under the constitution of 1846 it formed the Nineteenth district. In 1892, Oneida, Lewis and Otsego counties formed the 23d district, but by the constitution of 1894 Oneida county was again made a district by itself, the 34th, and the number of senators in the state increased from 32 to 50. SENATORS — 1797-1847 Thomas R. Gold, Whitesboro, Western District, 1797-1802. Jedediah Sanger, New Hartford, Western District, 1797-1804. Henry Huntington, Rome, Western District, 1805-7. WiUiam Floyd, Western, Western District, 1808. Francis A. Bloodgood, Utica, Western District, 1809-16. Jonas Piatt, Whitesboro, Western District, 1810-13. Bphraim Hart, Utica, Western District, 1817-22. Samuel Beardsley, Utica, Fifth District, 1823. George Brayton, Western, Fifth District, 1825-26. Truman Enos, Westmoreland, Fifth District, 1827-30. William H. Maynard, Utica, Fifth District, 1829-32. Henry A. Foster, Rome, Fifth District, 1831-34. 1841-44. David Wager, Utica, Fifth District, 1836-40. Joshua A. Spencer, Utica, Fifth District, 1846-47. SENATORS UNDER THE CONSTITUTION OP 1846 Thomas E. Clark, Utica, Nineteenth District, 1848-49. Charles A. Mann, Utica, Nineteenth District, 1850-51. Benjamin N. Huntington, Rome, Nineteenth District, 1851-53. Daniel G. Dorrance, Florence, Nineteenth District, 1854-55. Eaton J. Richardson, Utica, Nineteenth District, 1856-57. Alrick Hubbell, Utica, Nineteenth District, 1858-59. William H. Ferry, Utica, Nineteenth District, 1860-61. Alexander H. Bailey, Rome, Nineteenth District, 1862-65. Samuel CampbeU, New York Mills, Nineteenth District, 1866-69. George H. Sanford, Rome, Nineteenth District, 1870-71. Samuel S. Lowery, Utica, Nineteenth District, 1872-74. Theodore S. Sayre, Utica, Nineteenth District, 1875-76. Alexander T. Goodwin, Utica, Nineteenth District, 1877-78. James Stevens, Rome, Nineteenth District, 1879. Robert H. Roberts, Boonville, Nineteenth District, 1881. Henry J. Coggeshall, Waterville, Nineteenth District, 1883-96. Henry J. Coggeshall, Thirty-fourth District, 1898. HISTOEY OP ONEIDA COUNTY 173 Garry A. Willard, Boonville, Thirty-fourth District, 1900. William Townsend, Utica, Thirty-fourth District, 1902. Henry J. Coggeshall, Waterville, Thirty-fourth District, 1904. Joseph Ackroyd, Utica, Thirty-fourth District, 1906. Frederick M. Davenport, Clinton, Thirty-fourth District, 1908. T. Harvey Ferris, Utica, Thirty-fourth District, 1910. ASSEMBLY— 1798 TO 1847 The assembly has always been chosen annually. It consisted at first of 70 members, with the power to increase one with every seventieth increase of the numbers of electors until it contained 300 members. When the constitu- tion was amended in 1801 the number had reached 108, when it was reduced to 100, with a provision that it should be increased after each census at the rate of two annually, until the number reached 150. This increase was 12 in 1808 and 14 in 1815. The constitution of 1821 fixed the number permanently at 128. Members were elected on a single ticket, which has been since con- tinued. No change can be made in the representation of counties between the period fixed by the constitution for the apportionment based upon the census taken in years ending in 5. Coimties erected from parts of other counties, or em- bracing parts of different election districts, between these periods cannot have a separate representation until the next apportionment. The Legislature ap- portions to each county its relative number of members, and the boards of su- pervisors divide the towns and wards into assembly districts. The constitution of 1846 required the boards of supervisors of the several counties to meet on the first Tuesday of January succeeding the adoption of the constitution, and divide the counties into districts of the number appor- tioned to them, of convenient and contiguous territory, and as nearly equal population as possible. After each state census the legislature is required to re-apportion the members and to direct the time when the supervisors shall meet for the purpose of redistricting. The constitution of 1894 increased the number of assemblymen of the state to 150, and the apportionment of a county entitled to more than one member of assembly was left with the board of su- pervisors, and under this apportionment Oneida county was entitled to three members. 1798 — Abel French, Henry McNeil, David Ostrom. 1800-^ohn Hall, David Ostrom, Nathan Smith. 1800-1 — Jesse Curtiss, Abel French, David Ostrom. 1802 — Joel Bristol, Abel French, David Ostrom. 1803 — James Dean, St., Abel French, John Lay, Aaron Morse. 1804 — David Coffeen, Joseph Kirkland, David Ostrom, Abraham VanBps. 1804-5 — Geo. Brayton, Jos. Jennings, Jos. Kirkland, Benj. Wright. 1806 — George Brayton, Thomas Hart, Joseph Jennings. 1807 — George Brayton, Uri Doolittle, Charles Z. Pratt. 1808 — Thomas R. Gold, Henry McNeil, Benjamin Wright. 1809 — Joel Bristol, James Dean, Sr., David Ostrom, John Storrs, Benjamin Wright. ^Y4 HISTORJ OF ONEIDA COUNTY 1810— Levi Carpenter, Jr., Samuel Chandler, John Humaston, David 0»- trom, John Storrs. 1811— Isaac Brayton, George Doolittle, George Huntington, Henry McNeil, John Storrs. 1812— Isaac Brayton, Joel Bristol, Erastus Clark, George Huntington, John 1813— Josiah Bacon, Erastus Clark, George Huntington, John Lay, Nathan Townsend. 1814— Isaac Brayton, Laurens Hull, James Lynch, Henry McNeil, Theo- dore Sill. 1815— Theodore Sill, John Lay, James Lynch, Rufus Pettibone, John Storrs. 1816— Isaac Brayton, Jesse Curtiss, James Lynch, Roderick Morrison, Richard Sanger. 1817— David I. Ambler, Wheeler Barnes, Abram Camp, Martin Hawley, Henry Huntington, Newton Marsh. 1818— George Brayton, Henry Huntington, Joseph Kirkland, Nathan Wil- liams, Theodore Woodruffe. 1819 — (Oneida and Oswego) Ezekiel Bacon, Luther Guiteau, David P. Hoyt, George Huntington, Theodore Woodruffe. 1820— (Oneida and Oswego) James Dean, Jr., George Huntington, Henry McNeil, Theophilus S. Morgan, John Storrs. 1821— (Oneida and Oswego) Josiah Bacon, Allen Eraser, George Hunting- ton, Joseph Kirkland, William Root. 1822 — (Oneida and Oswego) Green C. Bronson, Saml. Chandler, George Huntington, Peter Pratt, Israel Stoddard. 1823 — (Oneida) Uri Doolittle, Thomas H. Hamilton, Jesse Lynch, Henry Wager, Samuel Wetmore 1824 — Joseph Allen, ApoUos Cooper, Joseph Grant, John Ruger, Henry Wager. 1825 — Joseph Kirkland, David Pierson, Israel Stoddard, Broughton White, Samuel Woodworth. 1826 — Aaron Barnes, Russell Clark, Laurens HuU, Theodore Sill, Israel Stoddard. 1827 — John Billings, W. H. Chandler, Benjamin P. Johnson, John Parker, Theodore Sill. 1828 — Gardiner Avery, S. Sidney Breese, Thomas E. Clark, Benj. P. John- son, Eli Savage. 1829 — ^Reuben Bacon, Benj. P. Johnson, Eli Savage, Reuben Tower, For- tune C. White. 1830 — ^Arnon Comstock, Linus Parker, Elisha Pettibone, Eli Savage, Ithal Thompson. 1831 — Reuben Bettis, Arnon Comstock, David Moulton, Riley Shepard, John P. Trowbridge. 1832— Nathaniel Fitch, Lemuel Hough, Rutger B. Miller, David Moulton, Daniel Twitchell. 1833 — ^Ichabod C. Baker, Levi Buckingham, John Dewey, Squire Utley, David Wager. HISTOEY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 175 1834 — ^Pomroy Jones, Israel S. Parker, Hiram Shays, Aaron Stafford, Ithal Thompson. 1835 — ^Merit Brooks, Dan P. CadweU, Eiley Shepard, David Wager, Amos Woodworth. 1836 — Henry Graves, John W. Hale, WiUiam Knight, Jared C. Pettibone, John Stryker. 1837 — Levi Buckingham, John I. Cook, Lester N. Fowler, Andrew S. Pond. 1838 — Russell Fuller, Henry Hearsay, Fortune C. White, James S T. Stran- ahan. 1839 — Jesse Armstrong, Ward Hunt, Amasa S. Newberry, Israel Stoddard. 1840 — ^Nelson Dawley, Anson Knibloe, Charles A. Mann, John F. Trow- bridge. 1841 — Calvin Dawley, Joseph HaUeek, Luke Hitchcock, Nathaniel Odell. 1842 — ^lehabod C. Baker, Ebenezer Bobbins, Horatio Seymour, DeWitt C. Stevens. 1843 — Dan P. CadweU, Amos S. Fassett, David Murray, John H. Tower. 1844 — Justus Childs, James Douglass, Richard Empey, Horatio Seymour. 1845 — ^Andrew Billings, Merit Brooks, Calvert Comstock, Horatio Seymour. 1846 — Chauncey C. Cook, Benjamin F. Cooper, Daniel G. Dorranee, Rus- sell Fuller. 1847 — ^Nathan Burchard, Abel B. Chandler, Isaac Curry, John Dean. UNDER CONSTITUTION OF 1846 First District 1848— Luke Smith 1849— Oliver Prescott 1850— Wm. J. Bacon 1851 — Joseph Benedict 1852— G. D. Williams 1853— D. Gilmore 1854 — Jos. Benedict 1855— G. D. Williams 1856— G. F. Fowler 1857— R. U. Sherman 1858— Henry R. Hart 1859— C. M. Scholefield I860— J. McQuade 1861— F. Jernan 1862— C. M. Scholefield 1863— A. B. Weaver Warren Converse N. N. Pierce Ralph Mcintosh Lorenzo Rouse C. S. Butler 1864— A. B. Weaver 1865— A. B. Weaver 1866 — George Graham 1867— L. Blakeslee 1868— W. H. Chapman 1869— Eli Avery 1870— S. S. Lowery 1871— G. W. Chadwick 1872— M. L. Hungerford 1873— N. A. White 1874.-G. W. Chadwick 1875— R. U. Sherman 1876— R. U. Sherman 1877— Jas. Corbett 1878— Wm. Jones Second District Amos 0. Osbom A. P. Case Levi Blakeslee J. J. Hanchett P. B. Babcock 176 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY Wm. J. McKown Edward Loomis Benjamin Allen L. T. Marshall Eli Avery D. M. Prescott Levi Blakeslee Lorenzo Rouse Alva Penny- Ellis H. Roberts Alanson B. Cady 1848— B. S. Beach 1849— J. M. Elwood 1850— R. Frazier 1851 — Lewis Rider '1852— Henry Sandford 1853— Julius C. Thome 1854 — D. L. Boardman 1855— H. H. Beecher 1856— T. D. Penfield 1857— John Halstead 1858— Thomas G. Hailey 1859— P. C. Costello I860— Thomas Evans 1861— M. L. Kenyon 1862— T. D. Penfield 1863 — Asa S. Sherman Henry "Wager C. Stevens Luther Leland George Brayton John J. Castle Amos C. Hall James Mitchell Daniel Walker Caleb Goodrich I. Townsend Reuben Knight Didymus Thomas George Williams William Lewis Jeremiah Sweet Isaac McDongall A. B. Tuttle David M. Miner Sidney A. Bunce E. Beckwith H. J. Coggeshall Arthur F. Brown Silas T. Ives S. Gridley Everett Case A. DeV. Townsley Third District 1864— C. Brodock 1865— T. D. Penfield 1866— B. N. Huntington 1867— George H. Sandford 1868 — James Stevens 1869 — James Stevens 1870— St. Pierre Jerred 1871— Thomas Mulhall 1872— George K. CarroU 1873— P. H. Costello 1874^John J. Parry 1875 — Edward Lewis 1876— J. H. Flanagan 1877— Benj. D. Stone 1878— Cyrus D. Prescott Fourth District J. W. Douglass George W. Cole Silas L. Snyder L. W. Fisk A. Nicholson Erastus Ely James Roberts Isaac McDougall Albert L. Hayes Daniel Walker G. 0. Jones H. Lillybridge Walter Ballon J. Robert Moore Robert H. Roberts HISTOKY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 177 First District First District 1879 — Benjamin Allen Second District Frank Sang Third District 1879— Thomas D. Penfield Fourth District H. Dwight Grant Second District 1880 — Henry J. Cookinham 1881 — James Armstrong 1882— Patrick Griffin 1883— William Townsend 1884 — Joseph Joyce 1885— Henry A. Steber 1886 — Benjamin Hall 1887— Benjamin Hall 1888— J. Harry Kent 1889— Joseph H. Kent 1890— James K. O'Connor 1891— Cornelius Haley 1892— Cornelius Haley 1893— Cornelius Haley 1894— Henry P. Hoefifler 1895— Henry P. Hoeffler 1896— Walter Bmbly 1897— Geo. E. Philo 1898— John Williams 1899— William J. Sullivan 1900— William J. Sullivan 1901— Michael J. McQuade 1902— Michael J. McQuade 1903— Thomas A. Mortimer 1904 — Thomas A. Mortimer 1905— Henry L. Gates 1906— Henry L. Gates 1907— Merwin K. Hart 1908— Merwin K. Hart 1909— John W. Manley 1910^John W. Manley 1911— Ealph Entwistle James A. Douglass David G. Evans Morris E. Jones C. B. Williams Joseph Ackroyd Lewis B. Sherman Robert W. Evans Robert W. Evans George G. McAdam George G. McAdam James L. Dempsey James L. Dempsey Harry S. Patten Chester W. Porter Joseph Porter Wm. Carey Sanger Wm. Carey Sanger Wm. Carey Sanger Louis M. Martin Louis M. Martin Louis M. Martin Fred J. Brill Fred J. Brill Fred J. Brill Jay H. Pratt Jay H. Pratt Jay H. Pratt Ladd J. Lewis, Jr. Ladd J. Lewis, Jr. Ladd J. Lewis, Jr. Herbert E. Allen Herbert E. Allen Third District David Gray Thomas D. Roberts Frank A. Edgerton Thomas B. Allanson T. James Owens T. James Owens Israel J. White John C. Davies Geo. Beatty, Jr. Abisha B. Baker. Russell S. Johnson Russell S. Johnson Chester W. Porter William B. Graves William B. Graves John E. Mason John E. Mason Edward M. Mar son Edward M. Marson Edward M. Marson John C. Evans John C. Evans John C. Evans John C. Evans Arthur G. Blue Arthur G. Blue C. Robert Edwards James T. Cross James T. Cross 178 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY DELEGATES TO CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION Convention of 1801 — James Dean, Bezaleel Fisk, Henry Huntington. Convention of 1821 — Ezekiel Bacon, Samuel Sidney Breese, Henry Hunt- ington, Jonas Piatt, Nathan "Williams. Convention of 1846 — Hervey Brayton, Julius Candee, Edward Huntington, Charles P. Kirkland. Convention of 1867 — ^Benjamin N. Huntington, Francis Kernan, Richard U. Sherman. Convention of 1872 — Commission for amending the constitution, Francis Kernan. Convention of 1894 — Henry J. Cookinham, John C. Davies. These delegates were elected by senatorial districts, and the senatorial district at this time con- sisted of Oneida, Lewis and Otsego counties. The district was entitled to five delegates, and one was chosen from Lewis and two from Otsego. COUNTY OFFICERS County Clerks — Appointed up to 1847 ; elected for terms of three years since. The county clerks are keepers of the county records, and clerks of all the courts, including the Supreme courts, for their respective counties. Jonas Piatt, 1798 ; Francis A. Bloodgood, 1802 ; Abram Camp, 1813 ; Francis A. Bloodgood, 1815; Eliasaph Dorchester, 1821-22; John H. Ostrom, 1825; George Brown, 1831; John D. Leland, 1834; James Dean, 1837; P. Sheldon Root, 1840; Delos DeWolf, 1843; Patrick Mahon, 1846; Alexander Rae, 1849; Richard Hulbert, 1852; Zenas M. Howes, 1855; J. Earl Hulbert, 1858; Daniel P. Buckingham, 1861; Orson Carpenter, 1864; James C. Bronson, 1867; Linus R. Clark, 1870; James B. Paddon, 1873; Taliesin Evans, 1876; Henry J. Oogge- shall, 1879; Arthur H. Ballon, 1882; M. Jesse Brayton, 1885; Frederick D. Haak, 1888; Rouse B. Maxfield, 1891; Garry A. "Willard, 1894; George D. Frank, 1897; Joseph Porter, 1900; Herman Clarke, 1902; Alfred J. Bromley, 1905; Charles A. G. Seothon, 1908, also 1911. County Treasurers— These were appointed by the boards of supervisors until the adoption of the constitution of 1846, since which time they have been elected for terms of three years. The following list is from the record at Rome and goes back to 1830, anterior to which we have not been able to procure the names. Jay Hatheway, 1830-41; A. Bennett, 1842-45; W. Tracy, 1846; E. B. Arm- strong, 1847-48; Sanford Adams, 1849-51; E. H. Shelley, 1852-54; J. Thomas Spriggs, 1855-57; John J. Parry, Jr., 1858-66; Charles Northrup, 1867-72; Will- iam McPherson, 1873-78; John Kohler, 1878-81; John R. Edwards, 1884-87; Charles F. Barnard, 1890; William E. Richards, 1893-96; James H. Flanagan, 1899; Henry W. Roberts, 1902-05; James T. Somers, 1908, also 1911. Sheriffs— These officers, under the first constitution, were appointed by the council of appointment annually; but no person could hold the office for more than four successive years. Under the constitution of 1821 they were elected for three years, and were ineligible for a second term. These conditions still exist. THE OLD COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE IN UTICA, NOW THE UTICA GAS & ELECTRIC COMPANY'S OFFICES HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 179 William Colbrath, (written also Colbraith) March, 1798 ; Elizur Moseley, De- ember, 1798; Charles C. Brodhead, November, 1800; James S. Kip, 1804; Jenajah Merrill, 1807; James S. p:ip, 1808; Benajah Merrill, 1810; James S. Qp, 1811 ; Apollos Cooper, 1815 ; John B. Pease, 1819 ; John E. Hinman, 1821- 2; David Pearson, 1825; John E. Hinman, 1828; Samuel M. Mott, 1831; Eras- us Willard, 1834; Lyman Curtiss, 1837; David Monlton, 1840; Theodore S. Haxton, 1842; Israel S. Parker, 1843; Palmer V. Kellogg, 1844; Lester Barker, .847; John R. Jones, 1850; Hugh Crocker, 1852; Calvin Hall, 1855; WilUam r. alcKown, 1858; Hugh Crocker, 1861; David B. Danforth, 1864; George F. i^^eaver, 1867; Lewis Gaylord, 1870; George Benedict, 1873; Frederick G. Weaver, 1876; Francis X. Meyers, 1879; Thomas D. Penfield, 1882; John Batchelor, 1885; Thomas Wheeler, 1888; John C. Schreiber, 1891; VanRens- lelaer Weaver, 1894; William H. Reese, 1897; Lincoln E. Brownell, 1900; Sam- lel H. Jones, 1903 ; Frederick Gillmore, 1906 ; Daniel J. Becker, 1909. Superintendents of Poor — Originally five in number and appointed by board )f supervisors. By the constitution of 1846 the number was reduced to three md made elective. Finally the number was reduced to one by resolution of ;he board of supervisors, and superintendents of the poor are now elected for ;erms of three years. Julius C. Thorne, 1861 ; Archibald Hess, 1864 ; Owen E. Owens, 1867-1870 Roderick Morrison, 1873 ; Thomas J. Brown, 1876 ; Richard E. Hatfield, 1878 Theodore S. Comstock, 1880-86 ; Robert W. Evans, 1889 ; David Aldridge, 1892 Douis Mittenmaier, 1895-98; DeWitt C. Smith, 1901-04; Walter W. Elden, L907-10. Coroners — This list is not entirely complete. The oaths of office of many )f them are lacking in the clerk's office, but we have made it as full as possible. 1798 — ^April 1, Samuel Ensign, Lemuel Leavenworth, Eleazer House. 1799 — ^April 30, Bill Smith, Lemuel Leavenworth, Samuel Ensign, Eleazer Bouse. 1800 — ^Lemuel Leavenworth, Eleazer House. 1801 — Shadrach Smith, Bill Smith. These were sworn before Hugh White, jounty judge. 1803— Shadrach Smith, Bill Smith, George T. Klock. 1804r— Shadrach Smith, Wells Kellogg. 1806— Blisha Spurr, John B. Pierce. 1807 — Solomon Evarts, John B. Pierce, Joseph Butler, B. Spurr. 1808— Shadrach Smith, E. Spurr. 1809 — Joseph Butler, Solomon Evarts, Smith and Spurr. 1811— E. Spurr. 1812— Jedediah H. Peck, John Herrick. 1813 — John Hunter, John Pierce, John E. Hinman, Bela B. Hyde. 1814 — Levi Green, Enoch Strong, John Pierce. 1815— J. H. Peck, B. B. Hyde, J. B. Hinman. 1816— Wm. Stone, E. Spurr, J. H. Peck. 1818— B. B. Hyde, David Pierson. 1819 — John Butler, Jr., Ezra S. Barnum, David Pierson, B. B. Hyde. 1820— Ezra S. Barnum. 180 HISTORY OP ONEIDA COUNTY 1821 — Zenas Howes, Charles Granger, Samuel Jones, Seely Jewell. 1822 — E. S. Bamum, A. L. Wood, Freedom Tibbets, Stephen White, Zenas Howes. 1823 — E. Spurr, James D. Stebbins, Preston Hilgard, C. Halladay. 1824 — P. H. Graves (or Groves). 1825 — ^Benjamin Hyde, Jr. 1826 — Eliphalet Bailey, Robert Jones. 1832 — ^Linns Sanford, Martin Rowley. 1837— Francis Bicknell. 1840 — ^Willett Stillman, Abraham A. Barnes. 1841 — ^Benjamin F. Brooks, Benjamin B. Hinkley. 1843— P. McCraith, Abner B. Blair, Daniel Chatfield. 1844 — Elisha Fowler. 1846— Aaron B. Bligh. 1847 — Benjamin F. Brooks, A. B. Blair, William Tompkins. 1849— H. H. Roberts. 1850— A. B. Blair, John R. Everett, E. B. Harris. 1851— S. M. Ferine, R. H. Francis. 1852— William H. Green. 1853— A. B. Blair, John H. Tower. 1854r— James H. Frear. 1855— S. M. Perine, Clark A. Riggs. 1856— John P. VanVleck, Alexander Gifford. 1857— H. H. Roberts, J. M. Browne. 1858 — David Donaldson. 1859— J. P. VanVleck. 1860— H. H. Roberts. 1861— Newton Graves, Jabez V. Cobb, John H. VanNess. 1863— H. H. Roberts. 1864^Newton Graves, Saml. F. Meney, J. V. Cobb, E. A. Munger. 1865— W. B. Monroe. 1866— Charles B. Tefft. 1867— J. V. Cobb, E. A. Munger, W. B. Monroe. 1869— Evan G. Williams. 1870— E. J. Lawton, E. A. Munger, Christian Weiss. 1871— Charles B. Tefft, Wm. Meyer. 1872— E. G. Williams. 1873— Edward D. Taylor, James G. Hunt, E. J. Lawton. 1874— David Larrabee, James G. Hunt. 1875— Chas. E. Fraser, Jr., Francis T. Gorton. 1876— James G. Hunt, E. J. Lawton. 1877-78— E. J. Lawton, E. F. Gorton, C. E. Fraser, Charles Munger, Edwin W. Raynor. 1879— James G. Hunt, Elon J. Lawton. 1881— Edwin W. Raynor, Hiram P. DuBois. 1882— Albert G. Spencer, Henry C. Sutton. 1884-Henry W. Leonard, Herbert G. Jones, Edwin W. Raynor. HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 181 1885— Willis E. Millington. 1886 — ^Leander Swartwout. 1887— Herbert G. Jones, G. Massillon Lewis. 1888— Willis E. Millington. 1889— Matthias Cook. 1890— Myron W. Hunt, G. Massillon Lewis. 1891— Thomas G. Nock. 1892— Charles B. Tefft. 1893— G. Massillon Lewis, Myron W. Hunt. 1894^Thomas G. Nock. 1895— Charles G. Ward. 1896 — Howard G. Bartless, James W. Douglass. 1897— Thomas 6. Nock. 1898— George R. Taylor, Robert Dodd. 1899 — James W. Douglass. 1900— Howard F. Hubbard. 1901 — Robert Dodd, Robert B. Wilson. 1902— George C. Morey. 1903— Howard F. Hubbard. 1904— Robert Dodd, G. Massillon Lewis. 1905— George C. Morey. 1906— Howard F. Hubbard. 1907 — ^Robert Dodd, G. Massillon Lewis. 1908— Edward N. Sparks. 1909— Gilbert N. Lehr. 1910— Robert Dodd, John D. Shipman. County superintendents of common schools, appointed by boards of super- visors from 1843 to 1847, when the office was abolished. Elon Comstock, Julius C. Thorne, Hosea Clark, Stephen Moulton, William S. Wetmore. In 1857 the office of school commissioner was established and made elective. First election held in November, 1859. Term of office three years. Abram B. Weaver, Harvey E. Wilcox, Mills C. Blackstone, Grove W. Bagg, Peter B. Crandall, Charles T. Pooler, Julius C. Thorne, Joshua H. Tracy, Harvey S. Bedell, Homer T. Fowler, Merritt N. Capron, Silas L. Snyder, Eugene L. Hinckley, John R. Pugh, Charles T. Burnley, Henry S. Ninde, Horace 0. Farley. Mills C. Blackstone, Harvey B. Wilcox, Abram B. Weaver, Grove W. Bagg, Peter B. Crandall, Charles T. Pooler, Julius C. Thorne, Joshua H. Tracy, Eugene L. Hinckley, Silas L. Snyder, Merritt N. Capron, Homer T. Fowler, Harvey S. Bedell. 1872— John R. Pugh, Charles T. Burnley, Henry S. Ninde, Horace 0. Farley. 1875— John R. Pugh, Charles B. Howe, Martin W. Smith, Milton W. George. 1878 — Franklin P. Ashley, Julius M. Button, Jonas W. Armstrong, George Griffith. 1881— William D. Biddlecome, Julius M. Button, Martin W. Smith, Jerome F. Hilts. 182 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 1884— William D. Biddlecome, Edward A. O'Brien, Everett B. Edgerton, Jerome F. Hilts. 1887— William D. Lewis, Fred E. Payne, Everett E. Edgerton, William B. Graves. 1890— Laura F. Mayhew, Fred E. Payne, Nellie K. Tibbits, James MeCul- lough. 1893— Cora A. Davis, Frederick B. Pierce, Selden L. Harding, James Mc- CuUough. 1896— Cora A. Davis, Everett E. Edgerton, Selden L. Harding, James Mc- CuUough. 1899— Cora A. Davis, William J. Lewis, Daniel J. Covell, Frank E. Niess. 1902— William J. Lewis, Daniel J. Covell, Frank E. Niess, Charles A. Higley. 1905— Ray P. Snyder, William J. Lewis, Ervin W. Glaus, Prank E. Niess. 1908— Ray P. Snyder, Harry C. Buck, John C. Evans, Benjamin F. Hughes. Each commissioner reports his own district separately and independently to the state superintendent. LOAN COMMISSIONERS The list of these officers is imperfect, for the same reasons which apply in the case of coroners — ^the records are not complete. We give what names we have been able to find : Benjamin Hyde, 1824-26; James D. Stebbins, John Parker, 1838; Denio Babcock, 1840; David Babcock, 1842; (These names are obscure, and may be identical.) Parker Halleek, A. S. Newberry, A. Hazen, 1843; Clark Potter, 1844 ; Denio Babcock, William Higby, C. C. Cook, J. P. Fitch, 1848 ; Ephraim Storrs, John W. Stafford, 1852; Mark Potter, 1854; Andrew Jones, 1855-58; William E. Griffith, 1860; Israel B. Spencer, Jason S. Ethridge, 1870; Benjamin D. Stone, 1871; Curtiss J. Wright, A. G. WiUiams, 1873; Curtiss J. Wright, A. G. Williams, 1878-1879 ; Newton Sholes, Burlington Button, 1880-82 ; S. W. Patten, Charles B. Hitchcock, 1883-1890 ; H. S. Patten, Charles B. Hitchcock, 1891; Jonas W. Armstrong, Charles B. Hitchcock, 1892-94; Luther G. Will- iams, James Brown, 1895-1903; John R. Watkins, James Brown, 1904-1908; Luther G. Williams, Robert A. Pritchard, 1909-1911. VOTES FOB PRESIDENT Presidential electors were selected by the legislature of the state of New York until 1828. In that year they were elected by the people, but no record can be found of the vote in Oneida county. Search has been made in the office of secretary of state at Albany, the Oneida county clerk's office, and the file of every newspaper published in that period in Oneida county, but no record can be found. This is also true of the year 1836. The following table gives the vote for presidential electors, with the names of the candidates of the great parties for president, and the vote cast in each town and ward, where the figures were attainable. In a few instances towns and wards are missing, and where they are not given in the tables the records cannot be found. HISTOEY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 183 1832 1836 1844 11 n SI 1 i h i &| M ^i 11 i fi s IB &: & S B «t 1 1 S at 1 r s Annsville .. 154 128 .. . . 179 189 175 208 173 143 73 Augusta .. 300 250 .. . . 207 250 173 232 172 149 103 Ava . . . . . . . . . . . . 70 15 71 Boonville .. 269 211 .. . . 343 449 304 336 226 94 209 Bridgewater . . . .. 125 169 .. . . 160 153 134 158 131 118 39 Camden .. 165 201 .. . . 283 169 213 197 163 45 224 Deerfield . . 231 147 .. . . 175 260 146 227 101 99 190 Florence .. 98 60 .. . 82 125 84 177 59 27 196 Floyd .. 214 100 .. . 86 215 80 192 57 121 49 Kirkland .. 217 288 .. . . 322 283 305 261 272 123 189 Lee . . 380 119 .. . . 154 442 188 433 155 205 190 Marcy .. 161 95 .. . . 125 211 106 204 63 57 78 Marshall .. 185 222 .. . . 208 233 202 215 137 58 167 New Hartford . .. 194 329 .. . . 392 230 403 225 340 156 96 Paris . . 219 317 .. . . 315 240 319 260 290 109 241 Eemsen . . 76 154 .. . . 216 88 198 114 146 32 111 Rome .. 429 356 .. . . 522 570 495 592 487 393 196 Sangerfield .. 235 220 .. . . 253 277 222 283 171 177 103 Steuben . . 143 147 .. . . 196 135 189 141 70 55 73 Trenton .. 258 322 .. . . 352 309 333 288 253 61 259 Utica (1) . . 1477 1692 .. . . 1883 t784 152 137 133 98 74 Utica (2) ... 226 121 181 58 102 Utica (3) ■ ■ ■ . ■ ■ ■ ■ > ■ ■ 312 218 344 89 224 Utica (4) .. ... > ■ • • • 373 365 129 90 105 Utica (5) • . . > . > . . . • . . . 255 98 203 Vernon .. 268 352 .. . . 328 264 312 288 231 108 151 Verona .. 353 252 .. . . 395 477 449 493 416 194 198 Vienna .. 267 108 .. . . 148 333 107 368 . . . . . . . . • Western .. 384 45 .. . . 113 463 100 377 63 271 81 "Westmoreland . . .. 273 311 .. . . 300 303 278 290 199 137 218 Whitestown .. 338 395 .. . . 419 316 405 317 353 151 220 Total 6,413 5,989 tTotal vote in Utica. 7,156 7,768 6,983 7,717 5,830 3,531 4,533 184 HISTORY OP ONEIDA COUNTY 1852 1856 1860 1864 si ' el l| h ^ il f 4 Annsville 193 292 24 181 280 322 308 301 360 Augusta 188 205 5 141 302 316 191 312 203 Ava 108 133 23 100 107 136 112 145 147 Boonville 264 318 128 175 539 641 341 583 410 Bridgewater ... 132 141 12 80 177 200 113 197 106 Camden 258 248 65 148 453 519 232 498 291 Deerfield 120 234 24 182 233 258 233 238 281 Florence 149 217 9 127 158 185 332 123 424 Floyd 67 213 13 139 133 147 177 139 181 Kirkland 293 217 50 261 399 530 394 496 424 Lee 259 375 27 237 346 351 357 325 374 Marcy 81 173 15 106 185 203 157 186 186 Marshall 166 228 1 116 289 281 146 289 211 New Hartford . . 359 487 43 161 503 575 218 557 260 Paris 320 255 31 155 520 617 266 526 289 Remsen 170 114 30 99 345 409 213 374 253 Rome 632 839 231 846 650 837 934 768 1,239 Sangerfield 223 257 8 194 286 265 230 251 278 Steuben 161 102 5 72 211 255 81 232 102 Trenton 301 262 10 120 554 600 194 586 228 Utica (1) 138 148 39 127 117 128 161 106 203 Utiea (2) 196 177 51 158 232 278 275 290 330 Utica (3) 276 178 81 151 342 384 255 447 280 Utica (4) 333 260 88 252 414 428 290 474 291 Utica (5) 229 299 54 394 389 191 388 163 479 Utica (6) 198 206 66 282 252 365' 423 343 532 Utica (7) 373 257 380 338 "Vernon 274 240 56 135 416 429 224 414 252 "Verona 479 496 180 178 402 692 345 663 624 "Vienna 225 378 23 118 291 322 235 434 398 "Western 117 362 40 250 235 250 288 254 288 Westmoreland .. 292 262 72 130 479 464 214 427 280 Whitestown .... 460 335 98 186 525 436 196 523 384 Total 7,661 8,473 1,632 6,009 10,064 12,387 8,780 12,044 10,924 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 185 1868 I 5 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 a ■d 1 s •a 5 Annsville . . . 282 350 280 303 284 372 310 315 299 301 Augusta .... 316 208 289 194 *39 321 253 303 273 Ava 131 127 131 90 74 94 138 128 127 123 BoonYiUe . . . 624 428 633 331 635 429 686 385 574 472 Bridgewater 192 106 180 104 181 156 186 128 160 164 Ca.Tnden 557 289 554 281 540 349 574 309 579 333 Deerfield . . . 246 241 270 182 270 264 400 223 278 241 Florence .... 163 387 ... * 159 ... *278 184 274 202 261 Floyd 148 162 139 125 145 155 124 145 121 140 Forestport . . • . . . 141 126 ... ■ • ■ 185 169 210 168 Kirkland . . . 531 478 500 503 570 488 496 586 537 600 Lee 327 350 *2 .. . 316 *356 ... 76 221 337 Marcy 175 178 202 116 197 170 184 175 198 158 Marshall 302 210 253 229 268 306 283 236 295 288 NewH'rtfo'd 562 291 590 270 555 314 616 367 517 423 Paris 516 317 486 272 494 357 210 360 405 402 Remsen 399 235 275 39 264 54 551 63 204 67 Rome (1) .. t860 tl,307 tl,115 Jl, 196 222 330 234 336 263 392 Rome (2) .. . . . . . * • , , . 153 300 160 252 150 311 Rome (3) .. . . . . . • ... . , . 217 453 254 411 223 431 Rome (4) . . . . • . . . . . . , . 232 277 223 268 234 303 Rome (5) . . , , . . ■ ■ ■ . . 375 278 406 260 425 282 Sangerfield . 287 337 ... *13 342 433 351 399 324 423 Steuben 222 92 215 58 199 98 198 92 151 97 Trenton 524 199 562 164 648 182 644 189 528 227 Utica (1) t2,409 J2,912 13,027 t2,791 140 158 144 119 164 120 Utica (2) . . 307 463 341 424 345 501 Utica (3) . 636 442 394 277 404 341 Utica (4) . 440 236 463 249 446 308 Utica ( 5 ) . 54 244 88 254 85 249 Utica ( 6 ) . 141 270 163 252 156 306 Utica ( 7 ) . 696 585 335 372 378 388 Utica ( 8 ) . 272 429 326 468 367 576 Utica ( 9 ) . 465 482 471 550 530 574 Utica (10) . 216 243 208 258 209 271 Utica (11) . . . . . • ■ 279 208 317 235 Utica (12) . 421 327 463 371 Vernon ■^ -55 257 412 2 66 155 104 448 336 430 354 Verona ( )55 ! 501 ' 692 i !3£ ! 480 349 639 565 539 647 Vienna 1 4£ I 112 ! 372 2 '31 . . . *12 335 331 294 314 Western .... S !5S ! 31C ) 307 2 !38 ! 277 317 323 280 255 289 186 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 1872 1876 1880 1884 g |B 1 1 n his f 2 4 1-9 9 1 •a 1 Westmor'l'nd 438 266 407 254 431 261 442 253 353 221 Whitestown 546 365 307 177 631 387 644 407 529 528 Total .. 12,365 11,021 12,475 9,629 12,561 11,415 14,382 12,329 13,790 1 3,809 •Majority tTotal 1888 1892 1896 ] 900 1904 g ^1 1 1 |i •a S E? a L h9 i to hsQ S a fe— 1 s 3 S g < Annsville . . 350 292 225 236 268 223 257 160 259 187 Augusta . . . 303 274 249 200 295 191 337 205 335 200 Ava . 126 119 94 101 93 109 107 93 66 32 Boonville . . . 669 429 549 357 652 301 657 288 582 345 Bridgewater 179 141 167 118 213 63 222 82 186 81 Camden . . . . 602 319 543 313 751 184 766 227 680 333 Deerfield .. . 294 223 213 162 267 160 284 166 254 170 Florence . . . . 188 252 157 179 172 164 189 160 175 160 Floyd . 150 124 114 115 117 91 131 90 Forestport . . 238 149 222 113 283 126 239 94 242 110 Kirkland . . . 597 617 491 532 585 486 653 498 641 423 Lee . 262 291 241 249 263 175 277 202 222 214 Marey . 219 153 *25 • • • 235 135 223 140 224 152 Marshall . . 314 252 259 256 220 171 289 217 309 185 New H'rtf'rc i 655 467 495 323 618 281 750 413 760 405 Paris 465 398 395 382 457 305 428 302 390 269 Remsen .... 226 82 205 65 230 55 231 55 206 55 Rome (1) 356 476 299 394 390 335 477 398 200 267 Rome ( 2 ) . 226 313 196 284 243 212 271 261 254 279 Rome ( 3 ) 269 483 230 379 277 341 330 406 349 419 Rome ( 4 ) . 306 333 283 314 397 204 400 284 417 365 Rome ( 5 ) . 492 288 438 294 574 209 598 284 333 184 Rome ( 6 ) • < • > > . 346 155 Rome (7) . . . . • > . • • • 252 243 Sangerfield . 388 403 358 363 407 230 377 281 346 264 Steuben 180 73 164 65 144 72 157 73 142 61 Trenton 505 201 452 169 569 134 551 143 511 138 Utiea ( 1 ) . 182 106 166 110 189 101 187 155 160 140 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 187 1888 1892 1896 1900 1904 a 1 i g ■a c o 1 iB a pi »^ l-sS 16 1 :i h 3 Utica '2) . 426 492 386 490 618 402 508 461 472 513 Utica (3) 435 336 397 351 524 255 517 292 521 351 Utica (4) 516 351 433 281 527 223 516 263 492 302 Utica (5) 110 273 76 245 145 172 166 153 165 208 Utica (6) 202 314 184 296 296 225 260 275 275 341 Utica (7) 497 450 564 507 810 418 846 492 985 551 Utica (8) 525 784 575 908 1,074 982 797 985 896 1,137 Utica (9) 646 773 545 825 914 611 602 659 669 685 Utica (10) 261 281 226 301 334 248 298 283 338 351 Utica (11) 431 277 442 287 539 263 579 347 564 410 Utica (12) 657 424 690 545 956 443 563 405 636 460 Utica (13) . . . . . . . . . . . . 294 257 368 305 Utica (14) . . . • • > * > > 293 224 377 251 Utica (15) . . . . . . > > • • • ■ 516 250 544 284 Vernon 474 345 425 297 500 237 513 288 531 322 Verona 4,674 562 489 495 431 269 596 413 574 429 Vienna . 320 335 268 282 356 211 351 217 311 234 Western . . . 276 252 242 234 282 175 263 191 254 194 Westmor'l'nc 1 391 229 323 250 361 175 394 160 342 181 Whites town al .. 657 537 665 570 895 426 922 504 924 578 Tot 16,241 14,275 14,150 13,297 18,471 10,793 19,182 12,796 19,079 ] L3,923 •Majority 1908 1 T Annsville , 254 Augusta 320 Ava 76 Boonyille 595 Bridgewater 159 Camden 596 Deerfleld 242 Florence 148 Floyd 147 Forestport 77 Kirkland 665 184 210 75 349 94 327 199 160 83 105 477 ^88 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY ,^^3 3- fcl >^S i i I ^ 244 208 ^^® .. 212 158 Marcy 289 224 Marshall 835 5^^ New Hartford ■.■■■.■.'.'."."..... 442 286 ^^™ 210 63 K«°^^«^- 220 244 ^°^^ i . 275 239 S""^" y, .■;.■.... 340 423 ^"^^ ';^2 ... 442 373 5°°^^ ' ::::::.... 382 211 5°^^ ^ 311 209 5°"^ S ". 278 287 f^^^S. 325 292 JT 123 67 f"^^" 414 160 Trenton TT. . ,-, . 110 181 mica (2) *^^ *°^ Utica 3) 548 349 mica (4) 477 279 mica (5) 176 168 mica (6) 258 368 mica (7) 1.032 613 mica (8) 1.044 1,126 Utica ( 9 ) 654 763 Utica (10) 345 324 Utica (11) 647 452 Utica (12) 606 534 Utica (13) 423 399 Utica (14) 395 336 Utica (15) 601 338 Vernon 522 340 Verona 540 340 Vienna 320 228 Western 237 176 Westmoreland 347 186 Whitestown 837 679 Total 19,155 14,963 VOTES FOR GOVERNORS The votes for governors in the several towns and wards of Oneida county from 1801 to 1912 are given in the following table, so far as the same are attainable. It will appear that certain towns, originally a part of Oneida county, are dropped when they ceased to be a part of the county, having been taken off in the organi- zation of St. Lawrence, Lewis, Jefferson and Oswego counties. HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 189 1804 1807 H"3 as -50 o to- C3 KS S |S ^i Adams Augusta 22 175 Boonville Bridgewater . . 5 130 Brownville Bengal Camden 11 36 Champion ... 17 29 Constantia Deerfield .... 20 41 EUisburgh Floyd 38 34 Florence Fredericksburgh Harrisburgh Leyden 14 59 Lowville 28 7 Lee Mexico 17 8 Martinsburgh Paris 47 612 Rutland Remsen 1 32 Redfield 24 ... RichJand Rome 84 60 Steuben 3 47 Scriba Sangerfield Turin 1 48 Trenton 1 51 Verona Vernon Volney Watertown ... 29 27 Westmoreland . 23 149 Whitestown ... 27 485 Williamstown Western 91 12 248 a 3 as 1 i < s 1 1 a 1 1 a 1 Ti 1 n 1-3 3 L el A" a Q jl 89 41 ... • • • . . . ... ■ ■ ■ ... 131 87 139 176 150 200 74 126 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ 11 74 15 52 11 80 41 63 52 67 63 88 65 72 26 65 . . . . . . . . . ■ ■ • ... . . . . . . . ■ ■ > . . > > . 46 25 37 43 84 65 64 88 68 110 44 129 30 61 • • ■ ■ ■ • ... , , , ■ ■ • • > ■ ■ > > 7 19 6 23 45 55 52 41 62 55 70 65 88 22 125 17 99 28 151 55 > > • 27 25 33 29 20 22 . . . . . . 2 5 5 6 . > • • ■ • 33 100 • • ■ ... ... 74 43 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ • • ■ • ... 140 29 ... ... 89 26 27 10 53 33 62 61 43 73 64 1 ■ ■ ■ ■ > ■ • • • • • ■ • . ■ • • • 128 403 143 412 187 465 158 500 85 49 ■ ■ ■ • ■ • • > ■ ... ... ... 32 9 16 22 19 14 15 17 50 . . . 53 • • • 54 3 57 2 > . . 37 25 73 79 71 125 96 33 138 68 100 82 116 76 74 27 89 42 83 57 45 23 58 6 40 89 34 118 44 133 42 137 60 47 • • ■ • • ■ ■ • ■ ■ > > > ■ > ■ ■ ■ 14 47 31 66 45 82 55 103 68 15 81 36 98 53 91 76 73 93 102 78 88 102 142 5 213 26 105 58 > . , ■ ■ • • • • • • ■ • ■ ■ 35 63 54 101 48 93 64 143 128 278 144 322 161 372 161 364 ■ • • 37 11 34 48 30 56 248 7 295 1 255 20 210 15 503 2042 2108 1860 1779 1828 1899 2276 1895 2631 190 HISTOEY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 1817 1820 1821 1822 B -I I g s -a & Augusta 73 134 105 2 66 104 183 14 69 88 221 BoonviUe .... 40 62 54 . . . 24 36 54 44 59 15 90 Bridgewater . . 63 81 104 1 35 86 95 102 87 65 181 Bengal 30 21 Camden 53 97 86 . . . 89 166 74 64 47 111 253 Constantia ... 5 11 17 . . . 30 25 91 3 72 10 . . . Deerfield 78 48 72 . . . 33 97 103 81 95 84 210 Floyd 109 27 97 . . . 72 61 162 47 140 41 176 Florence 14 19 28 . . . 16 41 40 17 31 18 59 Lee 97 35 95 ... 123 32 136 19 126 27 185 Mexico 19 21 42 1 17 64 New Haven . . 33 31 45 ... 20 12 126 OrweU 24 ... 54 15 68 8 Paris 186 433 340 8 129 430 272 409 252 269 621 fiemsen 16 9 31 31 29 9 16 23 58 fiedfield 38 ... 28 3 41 9 Richland 139 115 51 . . . 66 64 391 Rome 116 108 124 ... 96 140 354 22 222 44 412 Steuben 41 54 35 3 44 51 122 3 74 5 115 Scriba ..15 9 15 ... 16 108 Sangerfield ... 58 125 96 2 26 142 121 97 72 89 321 Trenton 83 100 95 3 41 133 122 167 108 122 221 Utica 25 122 244 64 139 90 448 Verona 104 73 101 ... 78 95 180 50 134 83 262 Vienna 75 ... 20 149 80 71 73 58 164 Vernon 80 127 106 ... 20 196 140 151 67 164 219 Volney 15 19 2 3 61 21 147 35 108 39 ... Westmoreland. 65 155 154 ... 95 135 207 104 154 109 352 2 Whitestown ..140 355 293 17 103 260 359 141 294 120 600 1 Williamstown. 43 44 38 . . . 64 32 62 26 51 12 Western 140 14 129 ... 134 24 241 13 197 5 263 ... 14 1893 2327 2387 43 1638 2881 4205 1761 2687 1691 5431 34 HISTORY OP ONEIDA COUNTY 191 ^ ^ i2 II oi OS S^ «'3 ^St S hg cf «^ 3s ?| el ^s '"I ji "I a 5"" 5"^ ."^ S"^ ?"^ 53 mS §S 5 a I Is I fi S l£ sa es g fi AnnsviUe .... 76 116 58 145 96 157 142 75 150 129 Augusta 126 222 188 164 243 225 247 208 305 248 Ava BoonviUe .... 120 92 115 126 163 180 188 29 263 217 Bridgewater . . 113 135 93 130 127 112 132 167 124 174 Camden 54 161 50 183 90 186 146 167 175 194 Deerfield 149 204 132 169 291 213 272 147 230 145 Florence 45 34 43 44 77 42 71 49 99 60 Floyd 154 90 122 92 183 125 206 77 217 97 Kirkland 251 505 215 171 222 284 Lee 193 77 160 92 323 107 242 14 383 113 Marey 160 97 Marshall 140 117 192 219 New Hartford 163 328 188 264 200 325 Paris 287 704 233 511 165 319 205 261 214 317 Remsen 47 52 26 75 45 132 77 74 77 153 Rome 277 257 297 235 448 299 354 192 434 353 Sangerfleld ... 91 228 63 199 151 235 196 173 235 221 Steuben 116 49 103 42 127 114 115 130 139 152 Trenton 117 250 122 201 169 353 229 212 259 323 Utiea 150 384 246 460 470 715 501 323 470 689 Vernon 52 391 76 343 , 196 367 290 277 289 331 Verona 178 187 160 162 351 206 295 232 358 255 Vienna 80 139 100 166 165 142 181 113 265 110 "Western 310 41 236 33 380 50 346 15 387 41 Westmoreland. 250 230 205 199 253 276 266 252 281 301 Whitestown .. 255 516 244 409 203 349 292 247 342 378 3240 4559 3072 4180 5130 5737 5536 4086 6470 5926 In 1828, Solomon Southwick, the anti-Masonic candidate for governor, re- ceived 136 votes in the county. In 1824 the votes of Steuben were rejected by the county canvassers on account of an error in the date of returns (1823 in- stead of the right year) by a vote of 9 to 8. 192 HISTOKY OP ONEIDA COUNTY ti s ^§ as di S^ oi «g oi Jdw IBS SB ■"» "S ■"« ffl? "S fiff us "S UE s9 g§ ja oS SB "S sB Sa SB riS SB 1 162 102 150 116 119 157 141 133 129 132 106 180 2 237 164 258 174 249 210 207 217 226 274 231 286 3 346 160 362 177 334 179 335 205 307 220 334 235 4 362 208 409 211 326 272 393 226 356 256 376 292 5 182 249 130 351 145 330 148 332 209 323 145 380 6 221 295 303 270 278 412 258 429 323 430 295 457 7 225 200 253 202 288 179 345 198 307 244 318 282 Total . . . 1,735 1,378 1,865 1,501 1,739 1,739 1,827 1,740 1,857 1,879 1,805 2,112 18G3 1864 1865 1866 1867 1868 M§ ml «d «>| fg fi a-a «! ^-a aii g^ Si 5 =5 SB |5 SB wB so ^t^ so op jo °p IB 1 87 192 81 183 95 160 149 139 104 190 85 171 2 214 309 267 279 273 261 230 274 257 330 199 381 3 291 251 397 210 336 233 334 200 377 301 392 335 4 364 276 413 255 432 218 322 234 426 261 409 254 5 117 410 173 370 190 349 227 333 174 467 189 435 6 238 479 317 418 291 427 296 439 355 460 318 505 7 281 281 369 252 307 261 348 272 421 273 344 342 Total . . . 1,592 2,198 2,017 1,967 1,924 1,909 1,906 1,891 2,114 2,282 1,936 2,423 PEESIDENTS AND MAYORS OF t'TICA. 1798-1911 HISTORY OP ONEIDA COUNTY 221 9 1870 1871 1872 1873 1874 I I i_ I- t- i- S I- i o_ o 5_ I H U n M ^9 "i ii «i si «i li "i • laS 16 «E ?a is "B «» so ?M so B« uo 1 a s 65 I |- r ^- a- r r »- i~ 1 79 202 107 176 125 190 161 114 133 100 92 203 2 177 354 250 321 244 351 276 339 101 422 210 353 3 390 363 484 240 469 316 499 275 106 450 614 257 4 391 297 460 227 493 279 397 152 112 208 364 177 5 146 495 121 309 135 362 157 213 107 160 70 179 6 284 546 88 182 144 212 151 213 48 251 177 165 7 394 374 384 275 453 388 448 329 169 420 532 376 8 123 289 156 304 189 337 165 325 220 326 9 281 305 307 367 287 352 131 480 452 259 10 195 182 107 172 212 225 Total . . . 1,861 2,631 2,298 2,324 2,526 2,769 2,660 2,516 1,179 2,988 2,943 2,520 1875 1876 1877 1878 1879 & I 5 I I a 1 J i 3 "" a_ s I- " a- s || B_ |_ 6- gi Ii Ii H§ °i |i U |i wi «§ 11 , |« Wq SS sQ Wfi Wq Bg no go 2a SB f r e;" b;" r ? fe ^ F 1 I s 1 62 169 130 158 147 124 104 41 103 85 163 2 233 365 249 390 356 230 246 233 235 180 472 3 538 340 405 474 540 301 219 486 227 507 405 4 354 216 300 234 353 178 220 266 90 359 244 5 51 202 97 198 75 177 67 125 130 49 252 6 159 198 127 200 156 198 58 155 178 111 252 7 503 494 582 485 599 449 303 718 225 500 621 8 149 391 262 384 263 292 245 306 144 233 502 9 391 329 343 450 408 381 140 505 186 253 515 10 210 222 197 230 207 201 161 185 114 197 240 Total 2,650 2,926 2,690 3,203 3,104 2,531 1,763 3,020 1,634 2,473 3,666 1880 1881 1882 1883 1884 ^ ^ s S- «l I- ft- s„ I- S^ s- Si Ii ii ii si "i i« «!« Is ^S 1 89 180 42 192 109 181 121 134 163 158 122 156 133 2 173 491 62 457 374 440 435 328 509 311 432 299 467 3 267 355 97 472 290 409 307 312 418 447 380 477 345 * 279 248 127 352 333 366 318 338 324 394 255 348 295 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 223 1890 1892 1893 1895 1897 1899 « I ®^ I I i I I I M I a I HI Sd ^B >~ I'd ^'7 a'2 J ^7 H-T 37 M- !>"■; 5 . . . . 59 244 40 176 159 206 166 157 206 166 188 130 210 6 . . . . 99 250 83 299 174 256 271 184 269 222 278 242 262 7 .... 377 342 186 407 545 495 581 543 614 591 466 618 550 8 . . . . 314 682 219 727 679 673 885 708 988 553 738 603 842 9 . . . . 342 682 235 655 687 683 735 574 846 490 674 561 612 10 ... . 228 194 74 227 302 249 252 231 321 251 290 208 302 11 ... . 305 244 135 379 303 368 377 378 392 436 352 434 423 12 ... . 526 310 172 599 490 624 556 579 583 414 397 435 371 13 414 397 274 267 14 214 189 267 201 15 415 298 421 280 Total . 3,058 4,222 1,482 4,932 4,445 4,950 5,013 4,476 5,633 5,364 5,283 5,473 5,560 1901 1903 1905 1907 1909 «K Bn sS SB SK vo 1 62 217 53 221 82 185 117 165 121 114 2 385 394 261 546 430 407 430 481 356 505 3 434 338 387 486 497 346 562 306 457 351 4 320 344 273 378 387 310 441 277 366 348 5 170 217 174 230 223 247 216 196 191 256 6 248 268 183 369 214 328 259 329 234 374 7 566 724 478 876 776 691 866 692 776 717 8 601 946 696 1,038 742 1,090 1,071 973 783 1,272 9 512 705 377 899 585 717 699 656 614 725 10 206 354 188 400 274 366 342 279 245 340 11 446 441 466 534 436 504 527 470 509 511 12 397 450 325 592 506 456 600 453 534 520 13 308 300 301 326 352 312 444 343 413 429 14 242 243 221 332 311 281 352 303 328 400 15 441 329 325 440 474 337 606 289 427 414 Total .... 5,338 6,270 4,606 7,667 6,289 6,577 7,532 6,212 6,354 7,276 224 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY f I 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 r 197 84 Si O s 3 il •^fi 524 329 30 331 492 18 8 5 279 366 11 4 3 212 220 . . * 1 1 313 252 21 2 5 601 993 37 9 11 1,258 626 752 643 54 100 12 5 9 3 314 311 11 4 3 436 652 34 2 5 545 549 15 5 5 472 459 31 7 15 324 427 61 2 3 318 558 14 4 3 Total 6,750 7,097 440 65 72 BOME The village of Rome was incorporated in 1819, with the following boundaries, to-wit: "Commencing at the junction of the Erie canal with Wood creek, near the white house caUed the 'Clark house,' and thence down the canal to the west line of George house; thence on a line of said farm to a poplar tree south of the old canal; thence to the east comer of Fiero's barn; thence to the north comer of Jacob Tibbits's bam; thence north to the east comer of Bloomfield's garden; thence northward to Wood creek; thence down the creek to the place of beginning." There seems to have been a local pride in having one of the largest incor- porated villages in the state, rather than to be one of the smallest cities, which evidently deterred the citizens of Rome for some time in making application for a city charter; but, after its population had reached more than ten thou- sand, it was thought advisable to incorporate it as a city. The last census taken of the village of Rome was that of 1865, when it showed a population of 9,478. There was from that time onward a gradual but not rapid growth, as is shown by the census, which has been taken generally every five years. There does not seem to have been anything of great importance to record in regard to the vil- lage corporation between its organization and its being incorporated as a city. The important events which occurred in the territory known as the "town and village of Rome" are mostly recorded in other parts of this work. The present chapter has to do especially with the corporate life of the village and city. HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 225 In 1853 the village was divided into three wards, the portion east of James street being the first ward ; that west of James street and south of Liberty the second ward; that west of James and north of Liberty the third ward. It appears from the history written by Mr. Wager that the trustees of the village from 1820 to 1834, inclusive, were the following persons, viz: 1820-21 — George Huntington, Elijah Worthington, Stephen White, Elisha Walsworth, Numa Leonard. 1822 — Same, except Wheeler Barnes was elected in the place of Stephen White. 1823 — ^Wheeler Barnes, Joshua Hathaway, Simon Matteson, George Brown, Denis Davenport. 1824-25 — ^Wheeler Barnes, Arden Seymour, Simon Matteson, George Brown, Numa Leonard. 1826 — George Huntington, John W. Bloomfield, Jay Hathaway, Elisha Wals- worth, Henry A. Poster. 1827 — John W. Bloomfield, George Huntington, Henry A. Foster, Martin Galusha, Jay Hathaway. 1828— J. W. Bloomfield, Jay Hathaway, H. A. Foster, Seth B. Roberts, Arden Seymour. 1829 — J. W. Bloomfield, Jay Hathaway, Seth B. Roberts, Francis Bicknell, Lyman Briggs. 1830 — Alanson Bennett, Bela B. Hyde, Noah Draper, James Merrills, Syl- vester Wilcox. 1831 — Bela B. Hyde, Henry Tibbits, James Merrills, Sylvester Wilcox, Jo- seph B. Read. 1832 — ^A. Bennett, Alva Whedon, James Merrills, Francis Bicknell, Jay Hathaway. 1833— No record. 1834 — Jesse Armstrong, John Stryker, Alva Mudge, Samuel B. Stevens, Virgil Draper. From 1835 to 1849, inclusive, the records of the village have been lost or misplaced, and it is impossible to give the trustees for those years. From 1850 to 1869 they were as follows: 1850 — Edward Huntington, Oliver J. Grosvenor, Andrew J. Rowley, Stephen VanDresar, Henry C. Mallory. 1851-52 — Enoch B. Armstrong, Roland S. Doty, Woodman Kimball, Sanford Adams, Marquis D. Hollister. 1853 — ^President, Alanson Bennett. 1st ward, H. S. Armstrong, E. A. Gage, E. M. Hinkley; 2d ward, Stephen VanDresar, J. Lewis Grant, Publius V. Rogers ; 3d ward, M. L. Kenyon. Zaccheus Hill, Henry Hayden. 1854— President, B. J. Beach. 1st ward, Gordon N. Bissell, James L. Wat- kins, A. MeCune; 2d ward, J. L. Grant, M. Bums, Richard Peggs; 3d ward, James Walker, S. Scofil, C. P. Williams. 1855 — President, Marquis L. Kenyon. 1st ward, Harrison Jacobs, E. A. Gage, Moses Wingate ; 2d ward, Michael Burns, Henry T. TJtley, Eri Seymour ; 3d ward, R. G. Savery, J. H. Gilbert, M. L. Brainard. 1856 — President, George Barnard. 1st ward, A. W. Cole, Joseph Higgins, Vol. 1—16 226 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY Robert Whitworth; 2d ward, H. H. Pope, J. J. Armstrong, John Wardj 3d ward, A. H. Bdgerton, Edward Dickinson, John J. Parry. 1857^President, George Barnard. 1st ward, Henry 0. Southworth, Robert Whitworth, Jacob P. Hager; 2d ward, John Ward, Thomas H. Pond, Daniel Hager; 3d ward, A. H. Edgerton, Georg« W. Taft, Edward Smith. 1858— President, George Barnard. 1st ward, Henry 0. Southworth, Paul Schneible, Robert Whitworth; 2d ward, John Ward, Daniel Hager, Glen Petrie; 3d ward, A. H. Edgerton, G. W. Taft, Edward Smith. 1859— President, George Barnard. 1st ward, Alva Mudge, H. C. Case, H. C. Mallory ; 2d ward, H. H. Pope, John Ward, D. Hager; 3d ward, A. H. Edger- ton, E. P. Wait, R. E. Lee. 1860— President, George Barnard. 1st ward, Charles F. Bissell, Henry C. Mallory, Nathaniel Hazelton- 2d ward, H. H. Pope, Adam Kochersperger, John 0'Neil;'3d ward, Robinson E. Smiley, N. Hyde Leffingwell, Zaccheus Hill. 1861— President, George Barnard. 1st ward, H. C. Mallory, Jason Rastizer, George Merrill; 2d ward, A. K. Adams, H. H. Pope, Peter Quinn; 3d ward, William J. Walker, Daniel Cady, Nicholas Moran. 1862— President, George Barnard. 1st ward, H. C. Mallory, M. W. Rowe, , Peter Rothmund; 2d ward, H. H. Pope, A. K. Adams, Peter Quinn; 3d ward, Z. Hill, E. A. Allen, Jeptha Matteson. 1863— President, George Barnard. 1st ward, D. B. Prince, H. Edmonds, R. Whiteworth ; 2d ward, H. H. Pope, A. K. Adams, Thomas Flanagan ; 3d ward, J. Matteson, Z. Hill, E. A. Allen. 1864— President, David Utley. 1st ward, M. Maloney, Martin Seger, Daniel L. Ketcham ; 2d ward, John Harrington, John Spelliey, Peter Quinn ; 3d ward, James Walker, John D. Ely, Harvey D. Spencer. 1865 — President, E. B. Armstrong. 1st ward, Joseph Higgins, Orson Knowl- ton, James Elwell; 2d ward, John Reifert, John Hook, Thomas Flanagan; 3d ward, Samuel WardweU, James Walker, G. H. Lynch. 1866 — ^President, George Barnard, Jr. 1st ward, H. 0. Southworth, Orson KJiowlton, Joseph Higgins; 2d ward, John Reifert, John Hook, Thomas Flan- agan; 3d ward, James Walker, Lewis Gaylord, Sylvester F. Tremain. 1867 — President, James Stevens. 1st ward, Lawrence Gaheen, James Elwell, Peter Rothmund ; 2d ward, Nicholas Kapf er, Thomas Flanagan, John Spelliey ; 3d ward, Griffith W. Jones, Lewis Gaylord, William Jackson. 1868 — President, James Stevens. 1st ward, Peter Rothmund, James H. Carroll, George H. Brodoek ; 2d ward, Henry W. Tibbits, Fred Rostizer, Thomas W. Edwards; 3d ward, William Jackson, Lewis Gaylord, B. W. Williams. 1869 — President, Edward L. Stevens. 1st ward, James H. Carroll; 2d ward, John Spelliey; 3d ward, Ackley B. TuUer. A portion of the old board held over this year, according to the new regulations for the election of trustees. Rome was incorporated as a city by an act entitled "An Act to Incorporate the City of Rome," passed February 23, 1870. Municipal elections were held in the spring from 1870 to 1903, when the two great parties would present their respective candidates; and, as Rome has naturally been Democratic, the Demo- cratic party has been in control most of the time since it received its city charter. The first Republican mayor elected in Rome was E. Stuart Williams, in 1891. Ciilvert Comstock 1S70 Samuel B. Stevens 1875 Edwai-d L. Stevens 1877 Edwai-cl Comstock 1881-1885 James Stevens 1887-18S9 E. Stuart Williams 1891 Samuel Gillette 1893 MAYORS OF KOME HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 227 In 1895 Dr. W. J. P. Kingsley, Republican, was elected, and re-elected in 1897. Thomas G. Nock, Republican, was elected in 1903. In 1909 a curious political situation existed in Rome. Judge William E. Scripture had been renominated for justice of the Supreme Court by the Republicans, and it was desired that he should obtain as large a vote in Rome as possible. To that end an arrange- ment was made by whiuh A. R. Kessinger, the then Democratic mayor, should be renominated by the Democrats and nominated by the Republicans, which was done, and Mr. Kessinger was of course, elected. In 1911 the Republican city convention nominated Stewart E. Townsend for mayor and Adolph F. Moldt for president of the common council. The Democrats nominated Leon V. Jones for mayor and Alfred L. Evenden for president of the common council. The Republican party was successful, Mr. Townsend receiving a plurality of 250 for mayor, and Mr. Moldt a majority of 125 for president of the common council. Votes on Mayors of Rome. 1870 1873 1875 1877 1879 1881 3i wg |i II «i 3.1 ji li u gi Si wg tjO ■o^ ,Q ^« "S" ^« 'SO S" •« l« 'S<=' i^w !> «^?'5o!>a:'^Ww ■'Ob: 1 130 91 249 143 264 169 307 193 314 209 298 186 2 256 223 200 127 264 100 267 140 260 170 247 106 3 301 147 285 139 363 106 309 265 322 226 363 148 4 231 150 179 192 275 103 220 237 229 214 232 209 5 201 380 197 297 245 265 214 332 260 322 209 331 Total 1,209 991 1,110 898 1,411 743 1,317 1,167 1,385 1,146 1,349 980 1883 1885 1887 1889 1891 I a -.3 5 a a 9- . I- I i- i- f I s- i Id id 8i ^2 la id |a "2 Sd |d ^2 al UB -S ■gl OS ss ^£ ss «s Efi ^1 || el f m" fe" r &~ r « a r ^ =" s~ «- 1..... 262 129 364 182 369 43 430 250 19 366 358 23 2 236 113 325 116 360 7 317 158 6 166 301 11 3 336 109 398 167 349 26 490 115 11 271 361 14 4 282 152 279 198 272 32 284 268 28 201 378 16 5 210 252 213 336 184 119 180 361 31 164 496 21 Total .1,326 755 1,579 999 1,534 227 1,701 1,152 95 1,168 1,894 85 228 HISTORY OP ONEIDA COUNTY 1897 1809 , s 1 1 a ?- a a a_ 1 CO 3 51 ■so is u jl li ii 39 Oi'g II El 11 li li ■s q ^ p^i Hs Eh Hb B3 ^ n ■«i 4 ^ W Ei l-i 1-5 & & m <1 ^ K tri ■•! 1 351 286 19 286 379 340 357 23 417 424 394 387 29 2 306 128 9 168 286 229 213 8 273 220 262 157 56 3 399 176 12 256 306 295 272 11 437 291 321 277 54 4 287 264 14 230 328 243 328 16 322 306 255 362 37 5 267 380 25 225 428 222 471 33 355 422 251 495 37 1,610 1,234 79 1,165 1,727 1,329 1,641 91 1,804 1,663 1,489 1,678 213 1903 1905 1907 li II fi li MO a 11 1 1 n tl 9 li em 11 f w' a « K g 1 j; K B s E «< & p< f< b < H s (^ ^ o g 1 K 1 ... .. 416 444 11 237 141 13 8 188 145 23 5 4 2 ... .. 306 210 2 341 196 22 3 243 173 26 9 8 3 ... .. 359 307 7 348 290 27 12 861 256 16 11 11 4 ... .. 301 355 20 348 311 15 20 344 305 29 11 19 5 ... .. 304 570 12 178 247 11 13 206 222 40 2 20 6 ... . . . 189 238 11 7 201 193 21 5 8 7 ... 223 181 30 10 289 169 25 4 14 Total .1,689 1,886 52 1,764 1,604 129 61 1,832 1,463 180 47 84 n u h «^ H h Id K 5 we 3s is «fe ^§ h g| II 1 157 109 6 73 164 161 15 4 2 167 180 6 20 225 211 19 2 3 282 256 12 104 366 289 29 4 192 244 32 247 328 413 36 2 5 146 218 6 196 192 377 10 3 ^ 130 229 11 124 196 280 11 1 '^ 195 189 12 99 260 230 13 3 '^^^^^ 1,269 1,425 99 911 1,731 1,961 133 15 Town Officers— From time to time the officers of the towns have been changed, but all of the laws which preceded the consolidated laws of 1909 have been Dr. W. J. P. Kingslej' 1895-1897 Abnei- S. White 1809 Hedding A. Caswell 1901 A. R. Kessinger 1905-1907-1909 Thomas G. Nock 1903 Stewart E. Townsend 1911 MAYOES OF ROME HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 229 repealed or superseded by this act. This is the town law of the consolidated laws and is known as chapter 63 of the laws of 1909, and is chapter 62 of the consoli- dated laws, as enacted in that year. The town officers are now elected biennially, and they consist of supervisor, town clerk, two justices of the peace, three asses- sors, one clerk, one or two overseers of the poor, not more than five constables, and one superintendent of highways. There are some provisions for an increase of officers in the large towns. It is also provided in the consolidated act that at any election for the raising of money by tax or assessment women who are taxed have the right to vote. Villages — Chapter 64 of the consolidated law provides for the creation and control of villages. The requirement is that the territory shall not exceed one square mile, and that there shall be not less than 200 inhabitants. Villages are divided into four classes by article 3, section 40, of the act, as follows: First, those with 5,000 or more population ; second, 3,000 and less than 5,000 popula- tion ; third, 1,000 and less than 3,000 population ; fourth, less than 1,000 popula- tion. The officers of villages are president, treasurer, clerk and two trustees. It is also provided that in large villages trustees may be elected by wards. Many of the villages of the state have been organized by special charters, and this is true of some in this county. Under this general provision of the consolidated laws any village incorporated by special charter may re-incorporate under the general law, as provided in article 13 section 300. As a general proposition it is much better to be incorporated under the general statute than under any private act. One reason for this is that aU the villages are controlled by the same officials and in the same manner, whereas, under special charters powers of officers might be very different, and a decision of the court in one case would not be conclusive on the same questions arising under different charters. The incorporated villages within the county at the end of 1911 are as follows : Oriskany Falls Town of Augusta Boonville Town of Boonville Bridgewater Town of Bridgewater Camden Town of Camden Forestport Town of Forestport Clinton Town of Kirkland "Waterville Partly in Sangerfield and partly in Marshall New Hartford Town of New Hartford Clayville Town of Paris Remsen Town of Remsen and Trenton Trenton Town of Trenton Holland Patent Town of Trenton Prospect Town of Trenton Vernon Town of Vernon Oneida Castle Town of Vernon New London Town of Verona Sylvan Beach Town of Vienna Whitesboro Town of Whitestown YorkviUe Town of Whitestown CHAPTER XXI COURTS, BENCH AND BAR During the early history of the state of New York no locality in the state contributed more, according to its population, than did Oneida county in fur- nishing able and conscientious men for high official positions. These, men were among the foremost in framing the constitution and statutes of the state, and, through the courts, in laying down those fundamental rules of law that have since been a guide to courts, legislators and lawyers. The county of Oneida was erected by an act passed March 15, 1798, by which act provision was made for holding courts in the county and for the erection of a court house and jail. The first court of record held within what is now Oneida county convened at the "Meeting House" in the town of Whitestown on the third Tuesday in January, 1794. Henry Staring was judge, and Jedediah Sanger and Amos Wetmore justices. The meeting house referred to was the Presbyterian church at New Hartford village. This was the only meeting house then existing within the county, and the village of New Hartford was then within the town of Whitestown. Soon after the formation of the county in 1798, Jedediah Sanger, Hugh White, James Dean, David Ostrom and George Huntington were commissioned judges, and Amos Wetmore, Thomas Casety, Garret Boon, Adrian F. Vander- Kemp, Elizur Moseley, Henry McNeil, Peter Colt and Needham Maynard assist- ant justices. John Lansing, Jr., chief justice, held the first circuit court in Oneida county at Port Stanwix (Rome) on the second Tuesday in September, 1798. James Kent, afterwards author of "Kent's Commentaries," a justice of the Supreme Court, held the first court of Oyer and Terminer at Rome, June 5, 1798. The first court of common pleas was held by Judges Sanger, Hunting- ton and Ostrom. At this term attorneys, who had been admitted to the bar in Herkimer county, were admitted to practice in Oneida county courts. They were : Thomas R. Gold, Joseph Kirkland, Arthur Breese, Erastus Clark, Joshua Hathaway, Jacob Griswold, Nathan Williams, Francis A. Bloodgood, Jonas Piatt, Rufus Easton and Medal Curtis. From about 1802 sessions of the United States District Court have been held in Utiea, and the United States Circuit Court has held stated sessions here "since July, 1851. The Supreme Court of Judicatory held sessions in Utiea during its entire existence. A lawyer attending one of these sessions in 1820, in describing the court, mentions the eminent personages who were present. He says: "Chief Justice Speneer presided, with Judges VanNess, Piatt, Yates and Woolworth 230 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 231 as associates. Among the eminent counsel present were Aaron Burr, Thomas J. Oakley, Martin Van Buren and Elisha "Williams." By statute, provision for a court house was made to be built in Rome, to be located within one mile of the fort — Stanwix — and in 1800 Dominick Lynch donated a site for the court house and jail. The buildings were constructed on the site donated, and their location has never been changed. Hugh White do- nated the site for the same county buildings at Whitesboro in the year 1801. The jail at Whitesboro was completed before that at Rome, and also before the court house at Whitesboro, and the first session of the court of common pleas was held in a schoolhouse at Whitesboro in May, 1802. When the jail at Whites- boro was completed the court ordered all Oneida county prisoners confined in the Herkimer jail transferred to Whitesboro. The Whitesboro court house is still standing, and is used as a town and village hall. The first court house built at Rome was burned in 1847, but was immediately rebuilt, and was enlarged in 1897, and again in 1902-3. In 1806 an act was passed authorizing courts to be held alternately in Rome and Whitesboro. This arrangement continued until Utica had so far outstripped Whitesboro in population that it was more con- venient for litigants to come to Utica than to Whitesboro, and provision was made for the holding of courts in Utica instead of Whitesboro. In 1813 the regents of the university granted a charter for an academy in Utica, and it was proposed by certain residents of Utica to erect a building for the purposes of an academy, a court house and a public hall. A portion of the money for the building was raised by subscription, and John R. Bleecker and Charles E. Dudley gave "two village lots valued at five hundred dollars for the site." The building was erected on the site donated on the westerly side of Chancellor square. In 1851 a new court house was built on John street directly in the rear of the old one, and a new academy was built by the city on the lot formerly occupied by the old academy and court house. The John street court house was rebuilt about 1868, and was used by the county until a public demand was made for better accommodations. The increase of population and of in- dustries caused a large increase of business in all the county offices; moreover, the county clerk's office was located on Genesee street, a long distance from the court house, was totally inadequate to the wants of the county, and was not a fireproof building, and it was realized that the valuable records of the county were liable to be destroyed should a fire occur in the building. This subject was taken up by the Utica chamber of commerce, and a resolution was adopted providing for the appointment of a committee to present the subject to the board of supervisors. The committee consisted of Henry J. Cookinham, Josiah Perry and Smith M. Lindsley. The committee performed its duty, and the board of supervisors, in the winter of 1901, took steps looking to the building of a new court house, and a resolution was passed appointing a committee to pro- ceed with the work. Just at this time, and principally through the influence of Hon. John C. Davies, then attorney general of the state, a special act of the legislature was passed creating a board of commissioners for the erection of a new court house in Utica. This commission consisted of seven Republicans and seven Democrats, seven commissioners being lawyers, and seven being business men. Their names were Henry J. Cookinham, W. Stuart Walcott, Edwin H. 232 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY Risley, Josiah Perry, VanRensselaer Weaver, Frederick T. Proctor, Alfred H. Munson, Albert R. Kessinger, James P. Ohiey, Henry "W. Bentley, Byron A. Curtis, Leslie W. Kernan, Smith M. Lindsley and George E. Norton. Mr. Walcott declined to serve, and William G. Mayer was elected in his place ; Leslie W. Kernan died, and Thomas S. Jones was elected in his place ; Henry W. Bent- ley, who had acted as chairman of the commission up to the time of his death, also died, and Henry B. BeUmap was elected a commissioner in his place, and Henry J. Cookinham was elected chairman. Sylvester Bering was the efficient clerk of the Commission. The board of supervisors, which, by general statute had the power to erect a court house, opposed the commission and refused to issue bonds of the county to furnish money for the building as the special act required. The Court of Appeals sustained the commission in a proceeding to compel the supervisors to issue the bonds, and, after a bitter legal fight, the work proceeded and the building was completed in 1909. The court house is located between Mary, Charlotte and Elizabeth streets, and with the lot and the fur- nishings cost nearly a million dollars. The plan was procured in the following manner. The commission selected fourteen different architects to prepare plans to be submitted to the board under fictitious names. These plans were first to be submitted to Prof. Ware, who was at the head of the department of architect- ure in Columbia University. He was to examine them and give his opinion as to their respective merits, and then the commission was to make the selection. After a most careful examination, lasting about three weeks, the commission voted unanimously in favor of No. 9. When the small envelope which contained the true name of the architect was opened, the name was found to be " Cutter, Turner & Ward" of Boston. The building was constructed according to the general plan submitted, but some changes were made, regretfully, by the com- mission, because they had not sufficient money to carry out every detail as planned. It is one of the most convenient and beautiful court houses in the entire country. The first session of the Supreme Court was opened in this building by Justice Irving R. Devendorf on the 21st day of September, 1908, before the building was entirely completed. For several years prior to 1875 an effort had been made by the lawyers of the county to induce the legislature to establish a Supreme Court library in Utica, but the effort had not resulted in success. In 1875 Richard U. Sherman was the member of assembly from the first district, and was also a member of the committee of ways and means. In that position he was able to have inserted in the supply bill an appropriation of $2,000 for the purpose of establishing a law library in Oneida county, on condition that the board of supervisors of the county would appropriate a like sum for the same purpose, or that the members of the bar of the county would raise a like sum. The supervisors refused to do anything in that direction, and the required amount was raised by subscription among the lawyers of the county. The Utica law library association was incor- porated December 19, 1876, and is still in existence ; it has charge of the purchas- ing of books for the library, which, at the present time, contains between 16,000 and 17,000 volumes. The officers of this association since its organization have been as follows : COURTHOUSE AT ROME AFTER IT WAS REBUILT COURTHOUSE AT ROME BEFORE IT WAS REBUILT HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 233 PRESIDENTS Henry J. Cookinham 1876-79 Charles D. Adams 1879-80 William Kernan 1880-83 George M. Weaver 1883-85 E. A. Graham 1885-89 P. C. J. DeAngelis 1889-08 William E. Maekie 1908-11 SECRETARIES Alfred C. Coxe 1876-79 Smith M. Lindsley 1879-80 P. C. J. DeAngelis 1880-84 John G. Gibson 1884-89 Robert 0. Jones 1889-91 Charles A. Taleott 1891-95 Julius A. T. Doolittle 1895-1900 T. Harvey Ferris 1900-06 James H. Merwin 1906-11 On January 26, 1872, a special act of the legislature was passed organizing "The Association of the Bar of Oneida County." The charter members were the leaders of the bar, Horatio Seymour, Roseoe Conkling, Francis Kernan, Charles H. Doolittle, Arthur M. Beardsley and others. A meeting of the char- ter members was held soon after the organization and a constitution was adopted, and, so far as any record shows, that was the last meeting ever held. Why the organization died so untimely a death cannot be ascertained at this time. The Oneida County Bar Association was organized and called its first meet- ing February 17, 1906. This association has done something to elevate the stand- ard of members of the bar, and each year it has held an annual banquet, at which eminent judges and lawyers have responded to appropriate toasts, and these social gatherings have been most enjoyable to members of the association. The officers from the time of its organization down to 1912 have been as follows : PRESIDENTS Milton H. Merwin, from February 17, 1906, to December, 1907. William Kernan, from December, 1907, to December, 1908. Smith M. Lindsley, from 1908 to the time of his death which occurred May 17, 1909. Thomas S. Jones, for the remainder of the term of Mr. Lindsley, and also from December 1909 to 1911. William K. Harvey has been secretary of the association from its organization to date. TREASURERS John S. Baker, from February, 1906, to December, 1909. Ward J. Cagwin, from December, 1909 to date. There are 126 members of the association at this time. 234 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY To give an account of the many interesting and important trials, both civil and criminal, which have occurred within the county, would extend this paper beyond reasonable bounds. A few of these trials would furnish material for a book, and it is difficult to select any of the civil cases that are of such paramount importance above others as to warrant even a short account of them. There have been, however, criminal cases of such character as to be of interest to the public. The first capital case tried in Oneida county was that of Sylvia "Wood. She was indicted for the murder of her husband, was convicted and sentenced to be hanged, but committed suicide the night before the day set for her execution. The first execution for murder in the county was that of John Tuhi, an Indian, who was convicted of the murder of his cousin, Joseph Tuhi. This execution occurred July 25, 1817. In 1824, the court of oyer and terminer was held in the building in Utica used for a court house and academy, and the first important criminal trial which took place was that of a boy, Irad Morse. He was indicted for murder, having shot his companion while hunting. Samuel R. Betts, circuit judge, pre- sided, and Samuel Beardsley was district attorney. The boy was convicted, but the sentence was commuted to imprisonment for life. One of the most, if not the most important criminal trial which ever occurred in the United States was that of Alexander- McLeod. He was indicted for the murder of Amos Durfree, who was killed by a pistol shot December 30, 1837, the night of the burning of the steamer Caroline, and sending her over Niagara Palls. The trial of McLeod took place at Utica in October, 1841 . Judge Philo Gridley presided, and Willis Hall, attorney general of the state, assisted John L. Wood, district attorney of Erie county, and Timothy Jenkins, district attor- ney of Oneida county, in prosecuting the criminal. The prisoner was defended by Gardner & Bradley, with Joshua A. Spencer as counsel. McLeod was a British subject, and, after his indictment, the British government demanded his release. Our government, Daniel Webster being then secretary of state, was favorable to granting the request, but William H. Seward, governor of New York, refused to deliver up the prisoner. A serious international controversy arose and war was threatened. The federal government, in reality, took charge of the defense of McLeod, backed by Great Britain, that government having appropriated twenty thousand pounds for his defense. On motion of the de- fendant's counsel the place of trial was changed from Erie to Oneida county. The excitement was intense in this country and in England, for it was believed that if the prisoner was convicted and the state of New York undertook to execute him, war would be declared by England. Mr. Spencer, then the fore- most advocate in the entire country, tried the case with matchless ability, and summed it up with great power. The original manuscript of his minutes, taken upon the trial, are now in the possession of the Oneida historical society at Utica. Judge Gridley, in his charge, called attention to the great importance of the case, and told the jury that if, in their judgment, the evidence warranted a verdict of guilty, to convict the prisoner, though it should "light up the land with the flame of war." McLeod was acquitted, and further international compli- cations in regard to the subject were averted. The writer was informed by HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 235 Richard H. Morehouse, who, at the time, was a clerk in Mr. Spencer's office, that some months after the trial, the British government sent Mr. Spencer for his services in the case ten thousand dollars, which, at that time, was considered a very large counsel fee. In 1850 a series of fires occurred in Utica, which were believed to be incen- diary. At this time intense rivalry existed between the volunteer fire compan- ies, and each company, in order to demonstrate its superiority, was anxious that there should be frequent fires, and they always occurred when desired. It was generally believed throughout the city that some one connected with the fire department was iustrumental in bringing about the desired result. For a long time no discovery could be made of the perpetrators of the offenses. At length the First Presbyterian church, at that time one of the finest churches in the state, was burned. This so aroused the people that an extraordinary effort was made, and the culprits were finally apprehended. The principal offender was one Conkling. It was believed that he was a tool of those higher up in the social scale, and who, after his arrest, fled the country. Conkling was tried, convicted and hung, and another offender was sentenced to state's prison for life. Passing over the numerous civil and criminal cases which have been had in the county in years gone by, and coming down to the present time, reference is made to a case of unusual character Early one morning in the fall of 1909, two little children were found in a secluded spot in Utica murdered, and a third one seriously wounded. The living child, a girl of about six years of age, had been shot, and had Ikin. on the ground all night. She could give very little in- formation in regard to the crime. For some time afterward no clue could be obtained concerning the prepetrator of the terrible murder. After a few days, however, little by little, the authorities secured bits of evidence, and, putting them together, were convinced that an Italian named Rizzo was the criminal. He was arrested, and, although it was difficult to establish any motive for the crime, he was tried, convicted and electrocuted. In 1907, it was common report throughout the county that gross frauds had been perpetrated by members of the board of supervisors in dealing with public affairs. It was claimed that false accounts had been lodged against the county, and that certain supervisors had shared in the spoil. The district at- torney made an investigation, and the result was that indictments were found against John W. Potter, Democrat, of Marcy, who had been chairman of the board; Frederick E. Swancott, Republican, of the third ward of Utica, who had also been chairman of the board; Robert MeCreary, supervisor from the first ward of Utica; Albert H. Vandawalker, of Camden, who had been clerk of the board ; Samuel Jones, sheriff of the county ; Leonard Drake, under sheriff. John Collins, merchant of Utica, who had sold furniture which had been paid for by the county, but which furniture had been delivered to the house of Super- visor Potter, was also indicted for fraudulent practice with the board of super- visors, pleaded guilty, and was fined $1,000. Leonard Drake, under-sheriff, was fined and imprisoned ; Potter, Swancott and Jones were convicted, and sentenced to state's prison, while MeCreary and Vandawalker pleaded guilty and were fined. 236 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY The story of the county, so far as the trial of law suits is concerned, both civil and criminal, is like that of any other large county in the state, and to record contests of this character, for life, liberty and property, would be the work of a lifetime. The county, however, is rich in material for biographical sketches, and the most difficult task in preparing them is to distinguish between the many worthy men who have honored the county by their eminent services. In selecting the following subjects for life sketches it is not intended to infer that there are no others who are equally worthy, but as a line must be drawn it has been done arbitrarily, and the only excuse is that life sketches of all th^ prominent lawyers who have lived in the county would extend this chapter beyond the limits prescribed for the work proposed. "William J. Bacon was born in Williamstown, Massachusetts, February 18, 1803, and graduated from Hamilton College at nineteen years of age. For a year he edited the VUca Daily Gazette, then commenced the study of law in the office of Joseph Kirkland. He was admitted to the bar in 1828, and at this bar, which numbered some of the foremost lawyers in the state, few surpassed him in attractiveness and acquirements. During this same year he married Eliza, daughter of Mr. Kirkland. He was a second time married, after the death of his first wife, to Mrs. Susan S. Gillette. In 1850 he served as member of assembly, and was re-elected the following year. He served in the state legislature with great distinction, and so commended himself to the public and the bar that in 1853 he was elected justice of the Supreme Court, and was re-elected in 1862. As the term of this office at that time was eight years. Judge Bacon served upon the bench for sixteen years. On his retirement a meeting of the bar of the county was held in Utica to express its appreciation of the ability, integrity and fairness which had characterized him in his high office for so long a time. Virtually without opposition in his own party, he was the candidate for representative in Congress in 1876, and served one term in the house of representatives. His standing as a lawyer and as a man was such that the opinion of no one in the central part of the state had greater weight than his. He was a director in many of the most important business enter- prises; was a trustee of Hamilton College, a director and the president of the Savings bank of Utica. He always responded to the call of the public, and did his share in good works for the city, the county, for charitable institutions and the churches in his native city. Judge Bacon, as a lawyer at the bar, was near the front rank. He brought to the office of justice of the Supreme Court a ripe scholarship, broad culture, honest intentions, and, after serving two terms in that high office, he retired from the bench having the respect and con- fidence of the entire judicial district. His opinions in the appellate courts are models of English and, although they lack the strength of some others, none surpass them in elegance of diction and refinement. As a judge and citizen he left an enviable reputation. Bloomfield J. Beach was born in Taberg, Lewis county, June 27, 1820. He was educated in the common school, Rome select school, and entered Hamilton College as a sophomore in 1835. He remained there for two years, and then JOHN C. DAA'IS Attorney General WILLIAM J. BACON Justice Supreme Court CHARLES H. DOOLITTLE Justice Supreme Court HENUY J. COGGESHALL State Senator for seventeen years HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 237 went to Princeton, from which institution he graduated in 1838. He first took ap the profession of civil engineer, and for two years was employed on the Brie canal. In 1840 Mr. Beach studied law in Rome with Calvin B. Gay, and was admitted to the bar in 1843, and was a partner with Mr. Gay until 1846 ; then he became a partner in the firm of Stryker, Comstock & Beach. The next year Mr. Stryker retired from the firm, and it remained Comstock & Beach until 1855, when Mr. Beach retired, and formed a partnership with the late Alexander H. Bailey under the firm name of Beach & Bailey, and this firm existed until the death of Mr. Bailey in 1874. Then Mr. Beach formed a partnership with Daniel E. Wager, which firm continued up to Mr. Beach's death. In 1847 he was elected to the assembly, and was a prominent member of that body, serv- ing on important committees, and holding a prominent place among his fellow members. Mr. Beach was prominently connected with most of the industries and business institutions of Rome; was trustee of the Savings bank and of the Water Works company ; president of the Central New York institute for deaf mutes; trustee of the Rome Iron Works, Merchants Iron Mills, and the Rome Copper Company; director of Fort Stanwix National bank and The First Na- tional bank of Rome, and of the Rome & Clinton Railroad. He was president of the village of Rome in 1853-54 and 1863. He married Fannie Whittemore of Nassau, N. Y., and after her death and in 1874 he married Miss C. Elizabeth Bacon of Sing Sing. As a lawyer Mr. Beach ranked very high, as he had a thorough knowledge of the general principles of law. He tried few eases, but no man in the county was better counsel than he upon questions of law and business. He was ever honorable in his relations with men, and stood in the front rank of lawyers in the county for integrity. Samuel Beabdsley was born in Hoosick, Rensselaer county, N. Y., Feb- ruary 6, 1790. His parents removed from there to Otsego county. Mr. Beards- ley received a common school education, and for a time was engaged in teach- ing school. He read law with Joshua Hathaway of Rome, N. Y., was admitted to the bar in 1815, and located in Watertown ; he removed from there to Rome, and from Rome to Utica. In February, 1821, he was appointed district at- torney of Oneida county, and served four years. In 1823 he was appointed United States attorney for the northern district of New York. In 1830 he was elected to Congress, and was three times re-elected. He was appointed judge of the circuit court in January, 1834, but declined the appointment. In 1836 he was appointed attorney general of the State of New York, and in 1844 he was appointed justice of the Supreme Court, and was made chief judge in 1847. After retiring from the bench he resumed his practice in Utica, and tor a time also had an office in New York City. He was one of the foremost judges of the state. He died in Utica May 6, 1860. Arthur M. Beabdsley, son of Judge Samuel Beardsley, was bom in Rome, June 22, 1822. He prepared for college and entered Hobart, but left in his junior year. He then studied law with his father, was admitted to the bar, but did not commence practice at once. He purchased a half interest in the Utica Observer, at that time a weekly paper, and he and John F. Kittle started a 238 HISTOEY OF ONEIDA COUNTY Democratic daily paper under the name of the Utiea Observer and Gazette. Soon he was classed as a hard shell in the Democratic ranks, and was a bitter opponent to what was known as the Softs and to the Free Soil Democrats. His writings were vigorous, strong, clear, but occasionally bitter. Mr. Beardsley's tastes were more in the line of his profession than as a newspaper man, and h&, therefore, sold his interest, and a new firm, known as Lyon & Grove, assumed control of the Observer, and Mr. Beardsley returned to practice his profession with his illustrious father. After the death of Samuel Beardsley the son practiced his profession alone until 1867, when he admitted as a partner Henry J. Cookin- ham. This partnership continued until 1874, when Francis M. Burdick, who is now a professor in Columbia College, N. Y., was admitted as a partner. In 1880 this firm was dissolved, and the firm of Beardsley, Burdick & Beardsley was formed, the junior member being the son, Samuel A. Beardsley. As a lawyer Mr. Beardsley ranked among the very highest in the county, was an honest and upright man, wrote a powerful brief, and stood very high at the bar. He died November 1, 1905, at Utica. Henry W. Bentlet of Boonville studied law with his father, and com- menced practice at Boonville in the year 1861. He took a prominent place at the bar very soon after his admission, and had as partner at times Leander Fiske and Thomas S. Jones. He was appointed surrogate of Oneida county upon the death of William H. Bright, and was nominated by the Democrats for the same position, but did not succeed at the election. He was nominated for repre- sentative in Congress in 1900 against James S. Sherman, and was elected be- cause of a division in the Republican party over the appointment of postmasters by Mr. Sherman. He was again nominated against Mr. Sherman in 1902, but was defeated. He was a member of the board of commissioners for the erection of a new court house in the city of Utica, and was chairman from the organization of the commission down to the time of his death, which occurred at Boonville, January 27, 1907. His death was quite a tragedy. A reception had been given the evening before by Thomas R. Proctor to Judge DeAngelis, who had just been elected, and a large reception also occurred at the Fort Schuyler club in Utiea. Mr. Bentley attended, was in fine spirits, left the club about midnight, went to Bagg's hotel in company with a friend, remained there all night, and took an early train for Boonville. This was a very cold morning. He walked from the station to his residence, a distance of perhaps half a mile, sat down to the breakfast table, and was almost instantly dead. Mr. Bentley served in many cases as referee and commissioner, and had the reputation of being a man of high character and excellent ability. Greene C. Bronson was born in Simsbury, Connecticut, in November, 1789. He had only a common school education, but by great industry and study he be- came a man of unusual acquirements. For a time he taught school and studied law. He removed to Utica in 1824, was appointed surrogate, and served two years^ He was elected to the state assembly, and was appointed attorney gen- eral February 27, 1829. March 5, 1845, he was appointed chief justice of the HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 239 Supreme Court. On the adoption of the new constitution he was made one of the judges of the Court of Appeals. This office he resigned in 1851, and removed to New York City, where he practiced his profession. President Pierce appointed him collector of the port in 1853, but he held the office only a short time. He was nominated for governor in 1854, but was defeated. In December, 1859, Judge Bronson was made corporation counsel for the City of New York, and served until 1863. He died at Saratoga, September 3, 1863. The opinions of Judge Bronson while on the bench were clear, concise and strong, and placed him in the front rank among the judges of the court of last resort in the state, Alexander Cobuen died in Utica, N. Y., November 25, 1894. He was born August 18, 1807, at Woodstock, Wainman county, Conn., on a farm, and lived with his father, who was a farmer, until he was fourteen years of age. He then went to Bradford, Penn., and remained there with an uncle until he was seven- teen years of age. In summer he worked on farms, and taught school in the winter, until he was twenty-five years of age. He then came to New York state and attended the Stockbridge academy at Munnsville. There he prepared for college, and entered Hamilton College in the class of 1833. He left, however, and taught one term at Stockport, Columbia county, and did not graduate until 1837. In the fall of that year he commenced studying law with Joseph Benedict, late of Utica, and who at that time was a lawyer at Sherburne, N. Y. In 1838 Mr. Coburn came to Utica, and was connected with Oliver M. Benedict, who was then practicing law in Utica. He was admitted to the bar in 1840, and for a time was a partner with Mr. Benedict. Afterwards he was a part- ner with the late Samuel B. Garvin, but Mr. Garvin removed to New York, and Mr. Coburn 's health was so poor that he was not able to practice law. He was, however, in 1845, made city attorney, and in 1850 he was justice of the peace, and held that office for some time, but in 1854 he resigned in eon- sequence of ill health. In 1867 his health had so improved that he was able to practice his profession again, and he entered the office of Senator Roscoe Conk- ling as managing clerk, and remained there until 1870, when he entered the office of Spriggs & Matthews in the same capacity. After a short time he formed a partnership with 0. Arthur White, and practiced law under the name of Coburn & White for about a year, when this partnership was dissolved, and he entered the office of Spriggs & Matthews as managing clerk, and held this posi- tion to 1886, when he virtually retired from business. Mr. Coburn was a man of excellent acquirements, and as a lawyer he stood in the front rank for ability, learning and integrity. His almost morbid diffidence prevented his attaining the position in the public mind that he was entitled to, although lawyers who knew him recognized his unusual acquirements. Perhaps no one in the county was consulted privately by other attorneys more than he. He was always ready to advise younger attorneys gratuitously in regard to legal matters, and his opinion was highly valued by all who came in contact with him. During the time he acted as managing clerk for the different attorneys he held a very high place in the office. Although he did not take part in the trial of cases at the circuit, he very frequently argued cases in the general term of the Supreme Court and in the Court of Appeals. He was a fair antagonist, but one to be 2^ HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY feared unless the opposing counsel had mastered his ease. No law point escaped Mr. Coburn, and his briefs were masterpieces of work. He had a very retentive and accurate memory. He knew the text books, and was ready to turn immedi- ately to controlling cases upon almost any point called in question. I well remember the last time I ever saw him. It was a short time before he died, and after his eyesight had become so impaired that he could not read. He called at my office to ascertain whether or not he had remembered some statute law correctly. He stated what he thought the law was, and asked me to look it up and see whether or not he was correct. It was a pleasant duty to perform for Mr. Coburn, as I had frequently consulted him in his palmy days upon questions of law. When I turned to statutes which he inquired about, I found that he had remembered them absolutely and stated the law correctly. Mr. Coburn married Cordelia L. Wood, daughter of John K. Wood of Madison county in January, 1841. He had no children, and upon his death the family became extinct, at least in this part of the country. Mr. Coburn was, as a man and lawyer, highly respected ; he was a modest gentleman of the old school and of character above reproach. RoscoE CoNKLiNG. Although it is as lawyers only, that this chapter treats its subjects, yet, with some trepidation, it presents for consideration, one. of the most interesting characters that has ever appeared in this county. On October 30, 1829, at Albany, New York, Roscoe Conkling was born. His father was Alfred Conkling, a man of acquirements, a lawyer of eminence, and, at one time judge of the United States district court for the northern district of New York. His mother was Eliza Cockburn. When thirteen years of age the young man was placed in the Washington Collegiate Institute in New York, and re- mained there for one year. He attended the academy at Auburn, New York, for three years, beginning in 1843, to which city his father had removed from Albany. Impatient of study in the schools and not electing a college course, but rather desiring to be ia active life, he commenced his law studies in the office of Spencer & Keman in Utica in 1846, and was admitted to the bar in 1850, about six months before he became twenty-one years of age. He was exceedingly fortunate in being on friendly terms with the influential men in his political party, and on April 22, 1850, was appointed district attorney of this county. It is probable that he was the youngest man who ever held that office in the state of New York. The duties of this office are such that he obtained at once a varied experience. He was immediately called upon to try important criminal cases, and from the first he showed the metal in his com- position. Under the firm name of Walker & Conkling he practiced law for several years. In 1858 he was married to Julia, daughter of Henry Seymour, and sister of ex-governor and John P. Seymour of Utica. During that year he was elected mayor of Utica, and in the fall was nominated by the Republican party for the office of representative in Congress. This was brought about by a political conference held at the residence of General R. U. Sherman, in the house that stood upon the corner of Eagle and Kemble streets. (Several years since the house was removed from the lot and the lot has remained vacant since.) The conference was called to agree upon a candidate for representative ROSCOE CONKLIXG United States Senator HISTOEY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 241 in Congress in opposition to Orsamus B. Matteson, who had served for several years in Congress, and was the political leader, and for years had held undis- puted sway in the county, but by reason of serious complications in his official life had provoked intense feeling and opposition. There were present at the conference Mr. Conkling, "Ward Hunt, Richard U. Sherman, Joseph A. Shear- man, Palmer V. Kellogg, "William Ferry, A. D. Barber, and some others. After considerable controversy Mr. Conkling was selected as the candidate to oppose the Matteson element in the party. Charles H. Doolittle was the opposing can- didate, and a bitter fight for the nomination followed. Mr. Conkling was nom- inated in the convention, and elected over P. Sheldon Root, the Democratic can- didate. Before the termination of his term of office the question of war between the states filled the minds of the people, and, in the exciting election of 1860, which made Abraham Lincoln president of the United States, Mr. Conkling was re-elected to Congress by an increased majority. In 1862 he was defeated by Francis Kernan, and in 1864 he defeated Mr. Kernan for the same office. Di- vision in the Republican party in 1866 threatened to defeat him, but within a few days before election the tide turned in his favor. Palmer "V. Kellogg, who had been one of his staunchest supporters, had been nominated by a body of men calling themselves Independent Republicans, and he was adopted as the candidate of the Democratic party. Mr. Conkling, however, received a hand- some majority after one of the most remarkable campaigns ever experienced in the county. It has been said many times by the friends of Mr. Conkling, that the most effective speech of his life was delivered during this campaign in Old Concert Hall, which stood upon the lot now occupied by the post-office. This was a meeting of the workingmen's party, a vast majority of whom, up to that time, were supporting Mr. Kellogg. Mr. Conkling 's address at this meeting was so convincing that he changed the sentiment of the audience, which was adverse to him in the beginning, to an overwhelming sentiment in his favor. In the winter of 1867 he was elected to the United States senate, and re-elected in 1873 and 1879. Soon after his election to the senate in 1873, he was tendered by President Grant the nomination of chief justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. Still later in 1882, he was appointed by President Arthur and confirmed by the senate to the position of associate justice of the Supreme Court, but he declined both offices. It seems almost incredible that a lawyer who filled such important positions as Mr. Conkling had, and who had never slighted the duties demanded, should have any time to devote to the practice of his profession. "With ordinary men such would have been the case, but Mr. Conkling is not to be classed with or- dinary men. In his case, as in that of all others who have attained in the world, the story was ever the same, work, work, work. It would be a safe estimate to make that out of the twenty-four hours of the day, he worked eighteen. Up to the time of his election to the United States senate he made it a practice to at- tend every circuit court held in the county, and he was invariably retained in every important trial. His adversary was almost invariably Francis Kernan. The reason for this is apparent. The plaintiff on bringing an important suit, naturally retained one of the ablest attorneys in the county, and this forced the defendant to retain the other. "When such a case was on trial the court house 242 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY was invariably crowded with spectators, not because of the interest in the case, but in the counsel at the bar. It was an event never to be forgotten by a lawyer, to attend court presided over by Foster or Doolittle, and hear Conkling and Kernan conduct a trial. The practice of Mr. Conkling was largely confined to the trial of civil actions, although occasionally he defended a criminal charged with some high crime, and in a very few instances he assisted district attorneys in prosecuting a criminal who was charged with a serious offense. He argued few cases on appeal. The Court of Appeals reports show that he never appeared in that court more than four or five times, and the same is true as to the gen- eral term of the Supreme Court. He occasionally, but not frequently, appeared in trials in the United States circuit court, and on some occasions he argued cases in the Supreme Court of the United States. After the dissolution of the firm of Walker & Conkling, Mr. Conkling was as- sociated with Montgomery Throop. This firm existed from 1855 to 1862. After- wards he formed a partnership under the name of Conkling, Holmes & Coxe. and on its dissolution the firm of Conkling, Lord & Coxe was formed; Seott, Lord and Honorable Alfred C. Coxe being the partners. After Mr. Conkling re- tired from the senate, and in November, 1881, he opened a law office in the city of New York. Among those who sought his services almost immediately were Jay Gould, Thomas A. Edison and C. P. Huntington. The cases in which he was retained were of great interest and involved unusual and difficult questions of law. There were invariably arrayed against him in these litigations some of the leaders of the New York bar, and seldom, if ever, was he over-matched. Among other eases of importance which he argued in the Supreme Court of the United States were The County of San Mateo vs. The Southern Pacific Railroad Company, Cook County National Bank vs. The United States, and Marie vs. Garrison. After his death there were many expressions of opinion in regard to Mr. Conkling as a lawyer, by prominent judges and lawyers who had known him during his career in New York city. Perhaps Judge Shipman, of the United States circuit court, has given the truest estimate of his standing in the metropolis. He said: "I thought him a great and profound lawyer, and that he would have been in the front rank of his profession at any time or place. He did not have the accurate learning of Judge B. R. Curtis, or the great wealth of legal knowledge of Mr. O'Connor, but I was exceedingly surprised to see how much he had retained after his long congressional . career. His affluence of language and of illustration was great ; but he had a wonderful power of state- ment, and he was an inventor in the art of decorating his statement so as to make it attractive. ' ' Mr. Conkling was, however, essentially an advocate. When at times he took part in important trials on the same side with Mr. Kernan, Mr. Doolittle, or with any other eminent counsel, in every instance he made the argument to the jury. This clearly shows that all associated counsel recognized him as their superior in that particular branch of the practice. Early in life Mr. Conkling com- menced making the most thorough preparation for the trial in every case. It was his custom to take very full notes of the evidence on the trial. In this he was very proficient, as he wrote a very excellent hand, and very rapidly. As nearly all the trials in which he took part required several days, and some- HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 243 times weeks, he occupied his time at night in preparing to sum up the case. He wrote out from time to time during the trial portions of his argument. This enabled him to be ready at the close of the evidence to present the ease to the jury from his written argument, which he held in his hand much of the time while speaking. He once said that he would rather stand up before a jury and look the twelve men in the eye, than to do any other thing in the world. Many times during the trial of a case he would startle those upon his own side by the audacious way in which he would conduct the trial. This might occur in re- gard to the examination of a witness or in his method of presenting the case to the jury. Many trials, civil and criminal, might be mentioned to show Mr. Conkling's peculiar ability and tact before a jury. Perhaps in no case ever tried by him was this shown to better advantage than in Northrup against Richardson. The action had been brought on the following facts: A woman, riding in a carriage, was approaching Utica from Marcy. On reaching the bridge over the Mohawk river the carriage was struck by a milk wagon, over- turned, and the woman precipitated down an embankment. She claimed to be seriously injured. The milk wagon was owned by a farmer and was driven by his son. The woman lay upon a bed for two years after the accident. Her hus- band iinaUy brought suit against the father of the boy for damages. The trial was had in Utica; Mr. Kernan and Mr. Spriggs for the plaintiff, and Mr. Conk- ling for the defendant, and it lasted about two weeks. The woman was brought into court upon a bed, and for two days gave her testimony. The scene was pathetic in the extreme. Mr. ConkUng treated her with great kindness, but cross examined her carefully. When the evidence was closed the sentiment of the court, of the audience, and undoubtedly of the jury was very strong in the woman's favor. He took the startling ground that the woman was absolutely well ; that she could leave the bed and walk out of the court house ; that she was honest in the belief that she could not walk, but that she was mistaken. Against the strong argument made by Mr. Kernan on the other side, and a charge fa- vorable to the woman by Judge Bacon, the jury rendered a verdict in Mr. Conk- ling's favor. Now comes the sequel. Angered by the fact that she had lost the case, the woman arose from her bed that very day and walked the streets of Utica. Could even modern Christian Science have wrought a more complete cure? Mr. Conkling's method in presenting a case to a jury and also in arguing questions of law to the court, has been inordinately praised and severely criti- cised. Both his admirers and critics have at times been right. His speeches were always very elaborate, very ornate, and contained all manner of figures of speech. Some very good, and some very defective. Take for instance these: In the case of The People of the State of New York vs. Dennison, argued be- fore the Court of Appeals, he characterized the case as "a halcyon and vociferous proceeding." It might be asked what that phrase means? In summing up the case of Smith vs. The New York Central Railroad, referring to a prominent wit- ness and official of the road, who wore a diamond pin on his shirt front, he said, "The time will come, gentlemen of the jury, when the diamonds which sparkle on Major Priest's bosom will buy less salvation than the merest pebble at the bottom of the spring of the poorest beggar." In another instance he referred 244 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY to a witness who was addicted to drink, as follows: "His mouth spread over his face, a fountain of falsehood and a sepulchre for rum." Although as an advocate, Mr. Conkling ranked among the foremost in the state, his success was not due so much to what he said, as the way he said it. The effect upon the jury was produced by him much in the same way as George Whitfield affected his audiences, of whom it was said that he could pronounce the word "Mesopatamia" so as to bring his audience to tears. Mr. Conkling 's splendid physique, graceful manner, round, full, melodious voice, and the power of his personal magnetism, was almost resistless. He did not persuade the jury ; he overpowered them, and made his will theirs. Give him the last speech to a jury, and if the case was anywhere nearly balanced on the evidence he would win a verdict. Although he was always listened to with close attention by the appellate courts, he was not so effective here as at the trial. Had he devoted his entire life to the study and practice of law, he would have ranked as a lawyer among the foremost that the country has ever produced, but no man can be so great that he can gain the very front rank at the bar without devoting sub- stantially his lifetime to the profession. For a knowledge of law and the abil- ity to apply it to given facts, perhaps Hunt was his equal, and Foster and Ker- nan his superiors, yet, for all in all, had he an equal among us ? What one of all the lawyers who has lived in the entire country during the last twenty-eight years, except Roscoe Conkling, would have refused a seat on the bench of the Supreme Court of the United States, or to be its Chief Justice ? Alfred C. Coxe was born at Auburn, N. Y., in 1845. His father. Rev. Han- son Coxe, moved to Utica while his son was a boy. Young Coxe prepared for college at the Utica Free academy, entered Hamilton College with the class of 1868, but left during his junior year and commenced studying law with his uncle, United States Senator Roscoe Conkling; was admitted to the bar and commenced practice as a partner with his uncle. In 1882 he was appointed judge of the district court of the United States for the northern district of New York, and in 1903 he was promoted to circuit judge for the second circuit. On the creation of the United States court of customs he was appointed by Presi- dent Taft its first presiding judge, but he declined to accept the ofRce. For several years past he has been a member of the Circuit Court of Appeals for the second circuit. Hiram Denio was born in Rome, N. Y., May 21, 1799. His education was obtained at the Fairfield academy, Herkimer county, and he studied law with Judge Hathaway of Rome and Storrs & White of Whitesboro. He commenced practicing in Rome in 1821, was appointed district attorney in October, 1825, and served for nine years. In 1826 he removed to Utica. In 1834 he was ap- pointed circuit judge, and served for about four years. June 23, 1853, he was appointed to fill a vacancy in the Court of Appeals, and twice afterwards was elected to the same office, and served as one of the judges of that court until 1866. He died in Utica on the 17th day of October, 1868. Judge Denio ranked very high as a judge, and perhaps no one who ever sat in the court of last resort in the state served the public better than he. His opinions rank with the best that were ever written in any court in the entire country. SAMUEL BEARDSLEY Chief Judge of Supreuie Court of Judicatory HIRAJI DEXIO Judge of the Court of Appeals ALEXANDER S. JOHNSON Judge of the United States Circuit Court, Second Circuit HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 245 Chaeles M. Dennison was born in Floyd, April 3, 1822, and died at Whites- boro, November 5, 1900. He was the son of Samuel Dennison, and was educated at Whitestown seminary, Clinton Liberal institute, and at the Holland Patent academy. He studied law with Alanson Bennett at Rome, and was admitted to the bar in 1847. He practiced law alone in Rome until 1852, when he took as a partner George Harrison Lynch, and this partnership continued until 1870. At that time Mr. Dennison removed from Rome to Utica, where he resided for about one year and practiced law in Utica. He then took up his residence in "Whitesboro. In Utica he formed a partnership with John H. Knox, and after- wards also took as a partner Charles J. Everett. This firm existed only for a short time, when Mr. Knox retired. The firm continued under the name of Dennison & Everett until 1881, when Mr. Everett retired, and Mr. Dennison look as his partner his son, George E. Dennison. In 1862 Mr. Dennison was appointed assistant assessor of internal revenue at Rome, and he held that posi- tion as long as the office existed. After Congress enacted the law for the super- vision of elections Mr. Dennison was appointed chief supervisor of election for the northern district of New York, and he held this position down to the time of his death. Mr. Dennison was a prominent candidate for judge of the United States district court, and had a strong backing, but the president appointed William J. Wallace of Syracuse instead of Mr. Dennison to that position. In 1874 Mr. Dennison was supported for the nomination of justice of the Supreme Court by many Republicans, but he did not secure the nomination. He married Cornelia Pond March 4, 1851. He was prominent at the bar during his entire career, although he rarely took part in the trial of cases. His time was given more to the settlement of estates, and he had also a large practice in bankruptcy under the act of 1867. His ability was such that had he devoted himself to the trial of cases he would have been eminently successful. Charles H. Doolittle was born in Herkimer, N. Y., February 19, 1816, pre- pared for college at Fairfield academy, and graduated from Amherst in 1836. He commenced his legal studies in Little Falls, but soon after came to Utica and studied with Denio & Hunt. He was admitted to the bar in 1839, and soon attained a position in the front rank at the bar. His acquirements were unusual, and his industry was almost unparalleled. No matter how trivial the case might be, he made the most thorough investigation and did everything possible to prepare his case for trial. He was very quick of perception, a pro- found lawyer, and a courteous gentleman. He was a member of the city council in 1839-44-45, and was mayor of Utica in 1853. In 1869 he was elected justice of the Supreme Court, and served until his death. He was one of the few men who have occupied a seat upon the bench of the Supreme Court in this state of whom it could be said he was really a great judge. Becoming absolutely worn out by overwork, he was advised by his physician to take a trip abroad. He sailed from New York in May, 1874, and was lost overboard. No account was ever given of his disappearance, whether by accident or otherwise. The date of his death is given as May 21, 1874. Henry A. Foster. One of the most prominent lawyers of Utica said recently that as "a clean cut lawyer" Henry A. Foster was the equal of any man any- 246 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY where. This remarkable man was born at Hartford, Connecticut, May 7, 1800, and died at Rome on the 11th day of May, 1889. His legal education was acquired in the office of David B. Johnson of Caze- novia, B. Davis Noxon of Onondaga HiU, Onondaga county, Beach & Popple of Oswego, and James Sherman of Rome. He commenced trying cases in the justice court before he was admitted to the bar; and it was then said of him that when Foster was in a ease "it meant business." In 1822 he was admitted to the bar; and, he had acquired such a reputation for the trial of the cases in the justice' court that on the same day he was admitted he was assigned to defend a criminal against the famous Samuel Beardsley, who was at that time district attorney. The case presented some new and intricate questions of law which Ifoster argued with marked ability and procured an acquittal. In 1826 Mr. Foster was nominated for member of assembly, but failed of election. The next year, when he was only twenty-six years of age, he was appointed surrogate of. the county, and held this office until 1831, when he relinquished it to become state senator, to which office he had been elected. He was during three years, beginning in 1826, trustee for the village of Rome, and supervisor of the town for five years. In August, 1835, he was again appointed surrogate, and resigned the position in 1837 to take his seat in the United States house of representatives. In 1840 he was again elected state senator. Before his term expired he resigned to accept the appointment of United States senator. His failure of re-election to the United States senate, and the .disappointments attending it, gave color to all his after life. From that time forth he was irascible and impatient. These characteristics frequently worked to his disadvantage. President Pierce ap- pointed him in 1853 United States district attorney for the northern district of New York, but he declined the office. Until the agitation over the slavery question assumed such proportions as to threaten the nation's life, Mr. Foster had been a Democrat, but soon after the formation of the Republican party he became a Republican. In 1863 he was nominated by his party for the office of justice of the Supreme Court, and elected. On his election he removed from Rome to Oswego, and resided there until his term of office expired, when he returned to his former home at Rome, and there he lived and practiced his pro- fession until a short time before his death. It is questionable whether there was ever an abler justice of the Supreme Court in this state than Foster. His knowledge of law was so great, his memory so remarkable, his perception so quick that he seemed a very prodigy when upon the bench. As an illustration of his marvelous memory it is related by an eminent lawyer that he met Judge Foster, long after his term of office had expired, and spoke of a case that he had tried before him many years before. He found that the judge remembered it to the minutest detail, and he then said to him, "Judge Foster, I am astonished to know that you remember this case." The judge replied, "I remember every case that was ever tried before me. ' ' At a court held by him in Utica an important case was tried by Roscoe Conkling on one side, Francis Kernan and J. Thomas Spriggs on the other. He had many difficult questions of law to decide on the spur of the moment, and he showed great ability in his rulings. The evidence was completed; the case was summed up by Mr. Conkling on one side, and Mr. Kernan on the other. j ■ '■■■ ■<■>.' . ■-, -^^ .■■■■-It ■'V ■■• ^ 1 73 ; X,^./ * - 1 m k x'" ^-^ WARD HUNT Justice of the Supreme Court of the Uuited States HENRY A. FOSTER United States Senator HISTORY OP ONEIDA COUNTY 247 Then the judge gave one of his masterly charges to the jury. Mr. Conkling, after hearing the charge, turned to a friend and said, "Judge Foster knows every- thing." It was not alone in the field of law that his unusual acquirements appeared. He had an unusual knowledge of science, literature, mathematics, philosophy, geography, almost everything. Not long before his death he ap- peared as counsel in an important ease at a special term in this county. The judge who held the court and who has since died, after hearing Foster's argu- ment said, "He is the noblest Roman of them all." As a judge Foster was sometimes very impatient. This was always the case if a lawyer, addressing the court, failed to make his point clear, or if he wandered from the point at issue or repeated an argument. He could not tolerate a repetition. He con- sidered it a reflection on his own comprehension. He would say sharply to counsel, "You have said that once, sir." On one occasion, when an attorney appeared before him and asked for an unusual and improper order, he said to him, in the hearing of the entire bar at court, "It is evident, sir, that you are a very poor lawyer. ' ' On another occasion, it is reported that an attorney, who had made a motion and saw tEat he was to be beaten, interrupted the court when it was rendering its decision by saying, "If your honor please, the first of Barber is dead against you." To which the judge replied, "The first of Foster holds, sir, that you sit down." It will readily be seen that Foster's court was an unpleasant place for a poor lawyer. It was also no place for a case which had no merit. His quick perception would soon distinguish the true from the false, and his endeavor was to so shape the trial that the right would prevail. He was sometimes, for this reason, perhaps, justly criticised for undertaking to control the verdict of the jury. His ability, however, was so great, that if he chose he could charge a jury in such a way as to almost invariably procure the verdict that he desired. Judge Foster was utterly free from anything like pretense or assumption. He was always elegant and digni- fied in his bearing, but his impatience and irascibility made him dreaded as an adversary at the bar, and feared when upon the bench. Yet his high char- acter, great ability, and unusual acquirements placed him very near, if not at the very top of the legal ladder in this county. Philo GrEiDLEY was born at Paris, Oneida county, N. Y., September 16, 1796. He graduated from Hamilton College in 1816, and for a time was a teacher in a classical school, studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1820, and com- menced practicing law at Waterville. From there he removed to Hamilton, Madison county, was district attorney of that county, and in 1838 was appointed circuit judge for the fifth judicial district and removed to Utica, where he afterward resided. Under the constitution of 1846, fixing the number of judges of the Supreme Court at 32, Judge Gridley was elected as one of the number. He also served in the Court of Appeals. He presided at the trial of Alexander McLeod, the most important criminal trial that ever occurred in Oneida county. He died August 16, i864, in the city of his residence. Ward Hunt. In March, 1886, there appeared in a prominent newspaper the following: "Utica has other sons adopted and resident here, and it has 248 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY sent into other parts of the union those who have earned civil and judicial decoration. Of its sons, born and raised, and always making their homes here, it is not too much to say that the most distinguished, he who has won the rarest honors and occupied the most of the attention of his profession, lies now in the coffin of Ward Hunt." Passing through many judicial positions he finally attained the highest, save one, under the government. This prominence was not reached without unusual industry and character, most enviable. On January 14, 1810, in this city Ward Hunt first saw the light of day. His father was Montgomery Hunt, cashier of the Bank of Utica, and his mother the daughter of Captain Joseph Stringham of New York. He prepared for college at the Oxford and Geneva academies; entered Hamilton College, but went from there to Union to be under President Nott, and graduated in 1828. In after years he received from his alma mater and also from Rutgers College the degree of LL. D. His law studies were pursued at Litchfield, Conn., and at the office of Hiram Denio of this city. After admission to the bar in 1831 he became a partner with his former instructor under the firm name of Denio & Hunt. Within a short time after admission he commenced the trial of cases in all the courts, and soon gained a prominent posi- tion among the trial lawyers of the county. He was also known throughout Central New York as a safe counselor. In 1838 Mr. Hunt was elected to the assembly, but only served one term. In 1844 he was elected mayor of Utica over Frederick HoUister. In the practice of his profession he so commended himself to his party and the public that in 1853 he was nominated by the Democratic party for justice of the Supreme Court, his opponent being William J. Bacon. As there was a division in the Democratic party in the district Mr. Hunt was defeated. Soon after this the controversy over slavery which preceded the Civil War arose, and many Democrats, including Mr. Hunt, gave their support to the new party in its fight against the extension of slavery and the claims of the South. Mr. Hunt never sacrificed or neglected his professional engagements for pleasure or for polities, but devoted his best energies first and always to his profession. His experience in varied and important litigations well fitted him for high judicial office, and so commended him that he was nominated by the Republican party for judge of the Court of Appeals in 1865. It is noteworthy that he was elected, and took the seat on the bench vacated by his former part- ner. Judge Denio. By the resignation of one judge and the death of another in this court he became the chief judge of the Court of Appeals. By an amend- ment to the state constitution this court was re-organized, and the old court was continued under the name of the commission of appeals. Judge Hunt served in this commission until January 7, 1873, when he resigned to accept the position of justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, to which position he had been appointed by President Grant. For ten years he filled this high office with marked ability and unquestioned integrity, then on account of failing health, in 1882 he resigned. His health did not improve, and on March 24, 1886, he died in Washington, D. C. His body rests in Forest Hill cemetery in Utica. Through his long career as attorney and judge he received the respect of the public. With every instinct of a gentleman, with a broad culture obtained by study. HISTORY OP ONEIDA COUNTY 249 thought, and association with the best of the land, with a uniform courtesy and honesty of purpose, together with a dignity ever the same whether in his own office, on the street, in the trial of causes, or in the high offices to which he was elevated, Ward Hunt commanded the respect and admiration of every member of the bar who ever came into his presence. Timothy Jenkins was born January 29, 1799, at Barre, Massachusetts. He went from there to Washington county, N. Y., receiving an academic education, and afterward removed to Utica and studied law. He was admitted to the bar in 1825. In 1832 he removed to Vernon. He was appointed district attor- ney in 1840, and held that position for five years. In 1844 he was elected a representative in Congress, and was re-elected in 1846 and also in 1850. He died December 24, 1859. Mr. Jenkins has always been counted one of the ablest lawyers that Oneida county ever produced. He was a Democrat in politics, until the question of slavery became the paramount question before the people. He then left the Democratic party and supported Fremont for the presidency, and was ever afterward a member of the Republican party. Alexander Smith Johnson was born in Utica, July 30, 1817. His father was Alexander B. Johnson, and his mother Abigail L. S. Adams. He prepared for college at a private school in Utica, and entered Yale College in 1835. His room-mate was the late John F. Seymour of Utica. Mr. Johnson studied law with Judge Samuel Beardsley, and was admitted to the bar at the age of twenty- one. In 1839 he removed to New York city, and became a partner with Elisha P. Hurlburt, and afterwards with Charles F. Southmayd and Charles E. Butler. In 1851 he was elected judge of the Court of Appeals. It will be observed that he was at this time only thirty-four years of age, and it is worthy of remark that he was the youngest man who ever sat upon the bench of this court. In 1852 he married, at St. Catherines, Canada, Catherine Maria Cryster. On retir- ing from the bench in 1860 he returned to Utica and resumed his law practice. In 1864 he was elected one of the regents of the university of the state of New York, and in the same year was appointed by President Lincoln one of the United States commissioners to settle the claims of the Hudson Bay company and Puget Sound company. In 1873 on the elevation of Judge Ward Hunt, who was serving in the commission of appeals, to the Supreme Court bench of the United States, Judge Johnson was appointed by the governor to succeed Judge Hunt in the commission of appeals. The next year, on the death of Judge Rufas Peckham, of the Court of Appeals, Judge Johnson was transferred from the commission to the court. He was nominated by the Republican party for the full term of a judge of this court, but, as the state went Democratic, he was defeated. In 1875 Governor Tilden named Mr. Johnson as one of the commis- sioners to revise the statutes of the state. In October of the same year he was appointed judge of the United States Circuit Court for the second circuit In 1877 he became ill, and for relief went to the Bahama Islands. Here he found no relief, and he died January 26, 1878, and was buried in Forest Hill ceme- tery at Utica. Judge Johnson was a man of broad culture, thoroughly versed in the principles of law ; conscientious, painstaking and faithful in all his duties. 250 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY and during his judicial career he stood in the front rank among judges, state and federal. D. M. K. Johnson. For many years one of the foremost lawyers of Rome was D. M. K. Johnson. He was born at Cazenovia, Novem.ber 7, 1815 ; prepared for college at the Cazenovia seminary, and entered the sophomore class of Hamilton College in 1832. In consequence of ill health he was obliged to give up his college course. He studied law in the office of his father, David B. John- son, and was admitted as a counselor in 1840. In 1844 he removed to Rome, and commenced his law practice there. In the same year he married Frances Matteson of Rome. In 1859 he received the honorary degree of A. M., from Hamilton College. He was for a time a member of the law firm of Foster, Stry- ker, Johnson & Lynch. After the dissolution of this firm Mr. Johnson formed a partnership with D. L. Boardman. Afterwards the firm became Foster, John- son, Boardman & Lynch, and later Mr. Johnson did business under the firm name of Johnson & Boardman, and later still under the firm name of Johnson & Prescott, the junior partner being the Honorable Cyrus D. Prescott. Mr. Johnson was careful in the preparation of his cases, was retained in many of the heavy litigations in the county, and for many years was counsel for the New York Central Railroad company. He was a very positive man, and could scarcely tolerate the fact that men differed with him. He was intense, and entered into his side of the case with more than usual interest, making his client's cause his own. It could be fairly said of him that his talent was greater than his tact, but for all in all he was a man of excellent standing at the bar, was a fair antagonist in the trial of cases, if somewhat arbitrary, but his high standing was never questioned, and he left an honorable name to his posterity. Francis Kernan. Born of Irish parents on a farm in Tyrone, Schuyler county, N. Y., January 14, 1816, and trained in early life in the open air, the best school for giving perfect health and habits, Francis Kernan at the age of seventeen entered Georgetown College, District of Columbia, and in 1836 grad- uated and commenced the study of law with his brother-in-law, Edward Quinn, at Watkins, New York. In 1839 he removed to Utica, and entered the office of the famous advocate, Joshua A. Spencer, to complete his law studies. He was admitted to the bar in 1840, and had determined to remove to the West when Mr. Spencer offered him a partnership. This offer he accepted, and the firm of Spencer & Kernan was formed, which was the foundation of the Kernan law office, that for more than fifty years has held one of the foremost positions in the county. Mr. Kernan was married to Hannah Devereux, daughter of Nich- olas Devereux, May 23, 1843. It is said that in order to have the general prin- ciples of law fresh in his mind he read Kent's Commentaries through every year during his early life. His ambition was to excel, and he knew that the road to success lay through the old beaten track of hard work. In 1853 the firm of Spencer & Kernan was dissolved, and that of Kernan & Quinn formed. In 1857 Mr. William Kernan was admitted to the partnership, which was then known as Kernan, Quinn & Kernan. Still later, and after the death of Mr. Quinn, Mr. Kernan 's sons, respectively John D. and Nicholas E., were admitted FRANCIS KERN AN United States Senator HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 251 to the firm. From 1854 to 1857 Mr. Kernan was the reporter of the Court of Appeals, and the five volumes of New York reports, commencing with the 11th and ending with the 14th, are his work. The Democratic party made him its candidate for member of assembly in 1860, and he was elected over General James McQuade. In 1862 he defeated Roscoe Conkling for member of Con- gress, but two years thereafter was defeated by Mr. Conkling for the same office. He served as a delegate in the constitutional convention of 1867-8, and in 1870 was elected to the board of regents of the university of New York. The state Democratic convention of 1872 nominated him for governor, but the popularity of General Grant, who was the candidate of the Republican party for the presidency, was such, that New York remained in the Republican column, and General Dix was elected governor over Mr. Kernan. In the election of 1874 the Democrats obtained control of the state legislature, and the logical candidate for United States senator was Mr. Kernan. He was elected without serious opposition to fill the office for six years from March 4, 1875. The county then enjoyed the unusual distinction of having both United States senators from the Empire state. Mr. Kernan was ever an enthusiastic advocate of free schools, and beginning in 1843 he served for twenty years upon the school board of this city. As eminent and successful as he was in other walks of life, yet it was as a lawyer that he was most conspicuous. His experience at the bar was second to no one who ever lived in this county. Long after he had reached the front he would try cases in the lower courts. One day he might appear in the county court in a case involving a few hundred dollars; the next day in the Court of Appeals to argue some momentous question involving large sums of money, grave constitutional questions, or important corporate rights. He manifested the same singleness of purpose and devotion to the interest of his client in one case as in the other. Any case entrusted to his care received his best endeavor. He was always serious in the conduct of a trial. The in- terests of his client were not to be trified with. His position was clearly stated by himself to a friend to be this : ' ' When I commenced practice I worried over the results of my cases, but I soon decided to do the very best I could in every case, and let the consequences take care of themselves." In eliciting evidence from a witness Mr. Kernan manifested great shrewd- ness, and in addressing a jury he showed the same characteristic. It was this more than eloquence or persuasiveness that won him verdicts. His voice was somewhat harsh, and he never indulged in flights of eloquence or figures of speech when addressing a jury. He resorted to no claptrap ; he relied on con- vincing the jury through their reason rather than influencing them by exciting their prejudices or sympathies. As an illustration of his shrewdness one in- stance may be cited. He was defending a man for murder. The defendant had killed a man by hitting him with a stone not much larger than a hen's egg. The district attorney had shown that at the time the defendant threw the stone he said with an oath he would kill his victim. This was relied upon to show premeditation and malice. In addressing the jury Mr. Kernan in a con- versational tone of voice called attention to the circumstances, stated the case clearly, presenting all the strong points which the district attorney could make, and then picking up the stone from the table he showed it to the jury, and 252 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY still speaking in a conversational tone said: "Now, gentlemen, do you believe that defendant really intended to murder his friend when he threw that little stone and said he would kill him? Did he not use the expression in the same sense as any of us might use it, and without any idea of committing murder?" The jury evidently took this view of the case, as the conviction was for man- slaughter in the third degree instead of murder. As effective as Mr. Kernan was in a jury trial, he was yet more so in his legal arguments m the higher courts A search through the reports will show that he was frequently before the appellate courts upon some of the most important questions ever presented to the courts of the state. His briefs were masterly; never unnecessarily long, and never contained citations of cases which did not apply to the facts. He first mastered the case so far as the facts were concerned, and made a most concise and clear statement; then he applied the law to the facts. He cited few cases, but they were always on the question at issue, and were decisive of the point which he claimed for them. Every appellate court listened to his arguments with the closest attention, for it obtained from him great help in coming to a correct conclusion in the case. It is almost useless to say that for more than twenty years he was the leader of the Utica bar, and one of the most eminent lawyers in the entire country. Francis Kernan died at Utica September 8, 1892, and his body rests in St. Agnes cemetery in the city where he passed all the years of his manhood, and we bring our tribute to him in the words of Fitz Greene Halleck over his friend J. Rodman Drake, "None knew him but to love him. None named him but to praise. ' ' Smith M. Lindsley held a high position at the bar of Oneida county. He was born at Monticello, Sullivan county, N. Y., April 11, 1847 ; studied law at Wilkesbarre, Pa., and in the office of Kernan & Kernan in Utica, and after his admission formed partnership with Hon. Watson T. Dunmore. This partner- ship did not last for many years, when Mr. Lindsley commenced practicing alone, but a short time before his death he had taken into partnership William S. Mackie. Mr. Lindsley was twice city attorney of Utica, was a police and fire commissioner, and was nominated as an independent candidate for mayor, but declined the honor. He was retained in many important suits, and tried his cases well, but his propensity to fight many times led him to say unneces- sarily harsh things against an opponent, and also of opposing counsel. He was a statutory member of the board of commissioners for the erection of the new court house in Utica, and did efficient service upon the commission. He was president of the bar association at the time of his death, which occurred May 17, 1909. Obsamus B. Matteson was born in a log house August 28, 1805, in the town of Verona, in this county, and died in Utica December 22, 1889. His father was Silas Matteson, and his mother was Hannah Cogswell. When he was nine- teen years of age he entered the office of Greene C. Bronson and Samuel Beards- ley as a law student. He was admitted to the bar in 1830. One of his first clients was the late Alexander B. Johnson of Utica, who at the time was per- HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 253 haps the foremost business man of the city. Mr. Matteson was elected city attorney in 1830. He became a partner with William J. Bacon, and afterwards with P. Sheldon Root and the late Charles H. Doolittle, and afterwards with J. Wyman Jones; also 6. H. Congor and Joseph Benedict. He was a Supreme Court commissioner early in life. His ability was such, as a business man, that he always had, while he gave his time to law practice, a very large and lucrative business. In 1846 he was first nominated for representative in Congress, but was defeated by Honorable Timothy Jenkins. He again was a candidate for the same office against Mr. Jenkins in 1848, and was elected, but was defeated in 1850. He was again elected and re-elected in 1852, '54 and '56. While in Congress he held a very prominent position. His influence was second to no man in the house of representatives. He was an intimate friend of Benjamin Wade of Ohio, John P. Hale of New Hampshire, Joshua R. Giddings of Ohio, and Thaddeus Stevens of Pennsylvania. He took a prominent part in the agita- tion against slavery. In this his very life seemed to be enlisted. His hatred of slavery was so great that it over-ruled him completely in his political actions. He seemed to have one great thought, and that was to do all in his power to eliminate this curse from the land. Actuated by revenge certain persons undertook his political destruction. He had written a letter to William C. Johnson of Utica, which it was claimed com- promised him to such an extent that charges were preferred against him in the house of representatives. This occurred on July 15, 1856. The substance of the letter was that a money consideration was necessary to carry a certain meas- ure through Congress. He also intimated that there were a sufficient number of congressmen that could be influenced by money to carry the measure. This letter it was claimed was stolen from the office of Mr. Johnson. An investigation in Congress was ordered, and on February 22, 1857, a committee reported in favor of his expulsion. This report was accompanied by three resolutions. The first charged that he had favored the use of money to influence legislation ; the second that he had charged that there were members who had associated to- gether and agreed not to vote for certain legislation except thej' were paid for it; the third resolution recommended expulsion. This investigation was made substantially without giving Mr. Matteson a fair hearing, and he saw that it was useless to defend himself against a prejudiced committee and a house in the state of mind that it was then in, because of his intimation that many of them were corrupt. He therefore, resigned his seat in Congress. The first two resolu- tions were adopted by the house, but the third was never voted upon. Mr. Matteson, after his retirement from Congress, gave much time to politics, and was for many years a potent factor in the Whig and Republican parties. It was he who led the fight against the first nomination of Roscoe ConkUng to the position of representative in Congress, and it is notable that about this time he wrote a circular letter upon Mr. Conkling, in which he prophesied that Mr. Conkling would disrupt the Republican party. Strange to say this prophecy was fulfilled in that the influence of Mr. Conkling was the means of the defeat of James G. Blaine to the presidency in 1874. Mr. Matteson was tendered the nomination of mayor of the city of Utica in 1865, but he declined. This is the only time that he was nominated or tendered the nomination for any political 254 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY position after his resignation from the house of representatives. He married Augusta Hurlburt, daughter of Kellogg Hurlburt, May 17, 1830. Although he had a brilliant son, the late Henry C. Matteson, Mr. Matteson left no descend- ants except two granddaughters, and the name of his branch of the family by his death became extinct. Mr. Matteson was, for all in all, the ablest business man who ever appeared at the bar of this county. At one time he had accumu- lated a large fortune, but he became involved by the endorsement of his friends' paper, and lost it. He died, virtually dependent upon the bounty of his friends. William H. Maynaed was born in Conway, Massachusetts. Soon after his graduation from college he removed to New Hartford, Oneida county, N. Y., and commenced studying law with General Joseph Kirkland. He also obtained an interest in the Vtica Patriot and contributed to its columns until 1824. For a time he was a partner with Samuel A. Talcott. He was not admitted to prac- tice in the Supreme Court until 1818. In 1828 he was elected state senator, and" continued until 1832. In 1828 he became a partner with Joshua A. Spencer. Among the members of the bar contemporary with Mr. Maynard he was counted their equal if not their superior in knowledge of the law. Charles Mason, although not a native of Oneida county, and notwithstand- ing he made Utica his home late in life, became identified with the Oneida bar, and was welcomed by it to one of the most important positions in the county. He had served as district attorney of Madison county, and for more than twenty years as justice of the Supreme Court, having been first elected in 1847. He had been a judge of the Court of Appeals, to which position he was appointed by Governor Fenton in 1868. Judge Mason was born in Plattsburg, New York J studied law in Watertown with "William Ruger, and for a time practiced there as a partner with Mr. Ruger under the firm name of Ruger & Mason. From Watertown he removed to Hamilton in 1838, where he passed most of his life, as he did not move to Utica until 1869. He died in Utica May 31, 1879. Immediately on his taking up his residence in Utica the advice of Judge Mason was sought in many important cases, and perhaps no one who ever commenced practice in Utica in so short a time gained so prominent a position at our bar as he. His advice was highly valued among laymen, and also by the profession ; and, as referee, in which position he frequently served, he was almost ideal. Addison C. Miller was born in LowviUe, N. Y., November 12, 1831, and died in Utica December 18, 1894. He was the son of Dr. Sylvester Miller. He received a fair education, and when he was twenty years of age he came to UtiCa for the purpose of studying law. He entered the office of Mann & Edmunds, the senior member of which firm was Charles A. Mann, an uncle of Mr. Miller. Not long after Mr. Miller was admitted to the bar Mr. Mann retired from the firm, and Mr. Edmunds took Mr. Miller as a partner, and the firm became Edmunds & Miller. Later James F. Mann, the son of Charles A. Mann, was admitted to the firm. This firm did not exist for many years, and on its dis- solution Mr. Miller carried on business alone until 1877, when he took as a HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 255 partner Frederick 6. Fincke. On November 1, 1887, the firm became Miller, Fincke & Brandegee. In 1892 Mr. Miller retired from the firm, and virtually from active practice. From that time on until his death he gave attention to his own affairs and to the advising of large corporations in and about Utica. He was trustee and vice president of the Utica Savings bank, general counsel for the Globe Woolen mills, a director of the Utica Steam Cotton mills and the WiUowvale Bleaching company, and was interested in many other of the large business enterprises of Central New York. He was a member of the Fort Schuyler club, but gave little attention to club life or to social affairs outside of his own home. He very seldom took upon himself the trial of cases at the circuit, and never as leading counsel, although he sometimes tried eases at special term and before a referee. His ability, however, was shown in a busi- ness way rather than as a technical lawyer, and he excelled in his grasp of business propositions, and was a very able adviser in all such matters. He married Cynthia J. Brayton, daughter of Harvey Brayton, in 1863. In 1875 after the death of Judge Charles H. Doolittle it was learned from Governor Dix that he would appoint to the position of Supreme Court judge in the fifth judicial district any member of the bar of Oneida county that the Republican lawyers would agree upon. Several meetings of the Republican members of the bar were held for the purpose of agreeing upon a candidate. These meet- ings were held in the office of ex-Judge William J. Bacon, but after repeated efforts no candidate could be selected. The position was offered to Mr. Miller by substantially a unanimous voice of the Republican members of the Utica bar, but he declined, giving as reasons that he distrusted his own ability to fill the position to his own satisfaction, and also that it would be a large financial sacrifice to him. It is perhaps enough to say in regard to Mr. Miller's capacity and standing at the bar that he would have been almost the unanimous choice of the Republican members of the bar in the county for justice of the Supreme Court, had he been disposed to accept the position. Jonas Platt was born at Poughkeepsie, N. Y., June 30, 1769, studied law in New York, and was admitted to the bar in 1790. The following year he settled in Whitesboro, and in 1791 was appointed clerk of Herkimer county, which position he held to the organization of Oneida county, and then became the first clerk of Oneida county. In 1796 he was elected to the assembly, and in 1799 he was elected a representative in Congress. From 1810 to 1813 he was state senator, and in 1810 was the Federal party's candidate for governor, but was defeated by Daniel D. Tompkins. In the senate he and DeWitt C. Clinton were instrumental in procuring the necessary legislation which established the Erie Canal. Mr. Piatt was afterwards appointed one of the judges of the Supreme Court, and was legislated out of office by the constitution of 1821. This constitution was framed by a convention of which Mr. Piatt was a mem- ber. He returned to the practice of his profession in Utica, and eventually went to New York, where he held a prominent place at the bar. On February 22, 1834, he died at Peru, Clinton county. New York. Daniel C. Pomeeoy was born in Franklin, Delaware county, N. Y., April 1, 1813. He commenced life as a stage driver, and accumulated some means 256 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY with which to educate himself and to prepare himself for his profession. He studied law with a Mr. Gorham at Burlington, Otsego county ; was admitted to the bar in 1843, and practiced law for a time at Edmeston, Otsego county. In 1883 he came to Rome and became a partner of John R. Elwood. After the dissolution of this partnership he formed another with Henry 0. Southworth under the firm name of Pomeroy & Southworth. This partnership continued for sixteen years, and it enjoyed one of the best general law practices of any firm in Oneida county. The name of Pomeroy & Southworth for many years appeared upon the court calendars in more cases than the name of any other firm in the county. Mr. Pomeroy was a trial lawyer, and upon questions of fact he was one of the strongest men in the county. In 1876 he moved from Rome to Utica, and was a partner with his son for about one year, but his health was shattered and he virtually retired from business in 1877, and died October 13, 1878. Cyrus D. Peescott was born August 14, 1836, in New Hartford, N. Y. He received his education in that town and in the Utica Free academy, and studied law in the office of 0. G. Kellogg of New Hartford and Hurd & Brown of Utica. He was two years employed in the Oneida county clerk's office, after- ward in the office of Johnson & Boardman of Rome. He was admitted to the bar in 1859, and became a partner with Mr. Green, under the name of Green & Prescott. In 1867 he entered the employ of a mercantile house in New York as financial clerk, but returned to Rome in 1868 and formed a partnership with D. M. K. Johnson, which firm existed until the death of Mr. Johnson in 1886. For some years thereafter he did business alone, then with Mr. Titus until 1895, when Mr. Titus removed from Rome to Utica, and Mr. Prescott took his son into partnership with him. In 1867 he married Eliza F. Cady of Madison county. i John Savage was bom at Salem, Washington county, N. Y., February 22, 1779. He graduated from Union College in 1799, was admitted to the bar, and commenced the practice of his profession in Washington county. Soon after Ee was appointed district attorney for the northern district of New York. This position he resigned on account of ill health, but was re-appointed afterward. In 1812 he was elected to the assembly, and later served two terms in Congress, 1814-18. He was then appointed comptroller of the state, and occupied that position until 1822, when he was appointed chief justice of the Supreme Court. This office he held from 1823 to 1836. He resigned this position and practiced law for a short time at Utica, and also filled the position of clerk of the Supreme Court. He had returned to Utica after an absence at his old home in Salem. He died at Utica October 19, 1863. John F. Seymour. One of the most attractive men who has ever appeared at our bar was John F. Seymour. He was born at Pompey Hill, Onondaga county, N. Y., September 21, 1814; was the son of Henry, and a brother of ex-Governor Horatio Seymour. In 1820 his father removed to Utica, and the young man attended a private school in that city until he was prepared for JAMES S. SHERMAN Vice President of the United States HISTORY OP ONEIDA COUNTY 257 college. He entered Yale College in the class of 1835, and graduated with his class. After this he became a law student with Judge William J. Bacon, and was admitted to the bar in 1839. During the same year he was married to Frances Tappan of New Haven. He spent some time in connection with busi- ness enterprises. At one time he was interested with Erastus Corning in the Sault St. Marie Ship Canal, was a director of the New York Central Railroad company, president of the Fox & Wisconsin Improvement company, which had for its object the connecting of the great lakes with the Mississippi River. This company also did the work of connecting the waters of Green Bay, Lake Michi- gan with Lake Winnebago. In 1862 he became private secretary to his brother, who was then governor of the state. He received the appointment as state agent for the care of wounded soldiers during the war, and served until 1865. He was present at some of the great battles, and was instrumental in alleviating the sufEerings of soldiers on these memorable occasions. In 1860 Mr. Seymour's wife died, and in 1865 he married Helen L. Ledyard, who died in 1880. In 1881 he was appointed one of the tax commissioners of the state, and in 1883 one of the commissioners to inquire into the condition of the Onondaga Indians. Mr. Seymour was one of the charity conunissioners of Utica from 1873 to '77, and it was during this time the city hospital was built. Mr. Seymour gave much of his time to this enterprise, and to him is due, more perhaps than to any other man, the advance made in Utica for the care of the sick and indigent, in a building erected for that purpose. He was much interested in the sub- ject of perpetuating historic landmarks, and took active interest in commemo- rating the revolutionary events which occurred in this locality. No one did more than he to carry out the great celebration to commemorate the centennial anniversary of the battle of Oriskany, and it was largely through his endeavor that the splendid monument now stands upon this historic ground. In 1888 his health failed, and he died in Utica on the 22d day of February, 1890. Mr. Seymour's time was so largely taken up with other affairs that he never devoted himself entirely to the practice of his profession. Yet he always enjoyed a fair amount of desirable law business. His cultured mind led him to investigate carefully all cases entrusted to his care, and no one was more conscientious than he in an endeavor to determine the right and to pursue it. For many years he was a partner with George M. Weaver, of Utica, under the firm name of Seymour & Weaver. He was recognized as an able, conscientious and honor- able member of the profession. Would that all who practice at the bar pos- sessed the courtesy, fairness and honesty of purpose possessed by Mr. Seymour. It was always gratifying to claim Mr. Seymour as a friend, and all who knew him can but remember him as an unselfish, genial companion, and a friend of mankind. James S. Sherman was born in Utica October 24, 1850 ; prepared for college at Whitestown seminary, and graduated from Hamilton College in 1878. He studied law in Utica in the office of Beardsley, Cookinham & Burdick ; was ad- mitted to the bar in 1880, and formed a partnership with Henry J. Cookinham and John G. Gibson under the firm name of Cookinham, Gibson & Sherman, but the partnership lasted but one year, Mr. Gibson retiring from the firm, which then became Cookinham & Sherman, afterwards Cookinham, Sherman & Vol. 1—17 258 HISTORY OP ONEIDA COUNTY Martin, and later Cookinham, Sherman & Cookinhain. He was mayor of Utica in 1884 ; was elected representative in Congress in 1886, and was continually in Congress from that time until 1908, with the exception of one term, when he was defeated by Henry W. Bentley. In 1908 he was the nominee of the Repub- lican party for vice president of the United States, was elected, and took the office the 4th day of March, 1909. Mr. Sherman has devoted his time to politics and financial affairs rather than the law, and in both he has been eminently successful. On the organization of the Utica Trust & Deposit company he was made president, and has ever since held the position. Had he devoted his time and talents to the practice of his profession he certainly would have been eminently successful. During Mr. Sherman's service in the house of representatives he has been in the first rank among his fellow members. During the discussion on important biUs when party feeling ran high, he was generally called to preside, because of his extraordinary ability as a presiding officer. He was an element to be counted with upon the shaping of the policy of the government and of the party to which he belongs. Since his elevation to the vice presidency he has been, perhaps, the most influential of the vice presidents in party councils. So satis- factorily has he presided over the senate that he has won the admiration, not only of every member of his own party, but of his opponents also. On January 26, 1881, he was married at East Orange, New Jersey, to Miss Carrie Babcoek, daughter of Lewis H. Babcock, a prominent lawyer of Utica. They have three children, Sherrill B., born in 1883; Richard U., born in 1884; and Thomas N., born in 1886. Mr. Sherman is a member of a large number of social clubs, among which are the Union League, the Republican and the Trans- portation clubs of New York city, many of the golf clubs, and he is also a trustee of Hamilton College and many other societies and corporations. Joshua A. Spencee, perhaps the foremost advocate who ever lived in the United States, was born at Great Barrington, Massachusetts, May 13, 1790; removed to Lenox, Madison county, and from there to Utica. Justice Ward Hunt said of him, "He is like Saul among his brethren; head and shoulders above us all." He started life as a clerk in a country store. He enlisted in the war of 1812, and remained at Sackett's harbor until his term of enlistment had expired. Upon his admission to the bar he commenced practicing law in Madison county. In 1829 he formed a partnership with William H. Maynard and removed to Utica. William H. Seward once said to the son of Mr. Spencer —"Your father is as tall as a giant, has the eye of a hawk, a voice like a lion, and he seizes hold upon the witness and tears him in pieces." In 1841 he was appointed United States district attorney for the northern district of New York. The next year he was elected state senator. In 1848 he was elected mayor of Utica, and about this time he said to his son on returning from a circuit, "I have now tried cases in every county in the state." Mr. Spencer was selected to defend Alexander McLeod in his famous trial at Utica. The case was too easy for the defense to bring out Spencer's best powers, for he was always great- est m a hard case. As an illustration of the interest taken in England in this trial of McLeod, it will be remembered that parliament voted twenty thousand HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 259 pounds for Ms defense. No other lawyer ever lived in central New York who had so great an influence as Mr. Spencer. It was said of him that when he! entered the courtroom aU business was suspended and all eyes were fixed upon him until he had taken his seat. Judge Bacon says of him: "We shall not soon, if ever, see his equal before that tribunal which . . . it is said it is the object of all government to secure, 'twelve honest men in the jury box.' " He died at Utica April 25, 1857. Horatio Seymour was born at Pompey, Onondaga county, N. Y., May 21, 1810. Soon after his father removed to Utica, where young Seymour attended school until he entered what is now Hobart College. He remained in this in- stitution only two years. He then studied law in Utica with Greene C. Bronson and Samuel Beardsley, and was admitted to the bar in 1832. He did not devote himself to the practice of the law, but very soon became prominent in Democratic polities. In 1841 he was elected to the assembly. He was elected mayor of Utica in 1842, and in 1843-44 he was again elected to the assembly, and was speaker during his last year's service. In 1850 he was the candidate of his party for governor, but was defeated. He was renominated in 1852 and elected. He was offered the nomination for governor in 1854, but declined. He was again elected Governor in 1862, and was the candidate of his party in 1864, but failed of election. In 1868 he was the Democratic candidate for president of the United States, but was defeated by General Grant. Governor Seymour was very highly esteemed, and although personally extremely popular, as a candidate for public office he never succeeded in getting the full support of his own party ia the community in which he resided. He died February 12, 1886. It was as a politician and not as a lawyer that he won celebrity. John Thomas Spriggs was born in Northamptonshire, England, May 5, 1820, He came to this. country with his father in 1836, and settled in Whitesboro. The young man desired a college course, and he prepared for and entered Hamilton College, where he remained for two years. He then left, and for a time studied law at Holland Patent, but he decided to complete his college course, and went to Union, and graduated with the class of 1848. He then studied law in Utica, and after being admitted formed a partnership with Thomas Flandrau. At that time Rome was relatively much more important in the county than Utica, and Mr. Spriggs decided to remove, to that town, which he did and formed a partnership with Thomas G. Frost. This business arrangement lasted until 1859, when the partnership was dissolved, and Mr. Spriggs returned to Utica. In 1862 he formed a partnership with Richard Mclncrow, and this partnership contiaued until 1870, when it was dissolved, and Mr. Spriggs took as a partner E. D. Matthews. This partnership lasted for several years, but as the son of Mr. Spriggs had become a lawyer the partnership was dissolved, and a new firm formed of J. T. and F. B. Spriggs; this firm continued down to the death of Mr. Spriggs, which occurred in Utica December 23, 1888. Mr. Spriggs, aside from his law practice, gave a good deal of attention to politics, and was from the time he commenced active business life a potent factor in the Demo- cratic party of Oneida county. He was appointed district attorney in 1853 260 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY to fill a vacancy. In 1854 he was elected county treasurer, and in 1868 he was elected mayor of Utica, and in the same year he was the Democratic candidate for representative in Congress, but was defeated by Alexander H. Bailey of Rome. In 1878 he was the Democratic candidate for representative in Con- gress, and he was again defeated by Cyrus D. Prescott of Rome. In 1882 he was again a candidate by the same party for the same position, and was elected over Samuel H. Pox, a glass manufacturer of Durhamville, N. Y. This election of Mr. Spriggs was owing to a division in the Republican party into the fac- tions known as the "Stalwarts" and "Half Breeds." The division arose in consequence of the opposition of Roscoe Conkling, then a United States senator, to President Garfield, over the desire on Conkling 's part to control the Federal patronage in the state of New York. In 1884 Mr. Spriggs was again renomi- nated for the same position, and was elected over Henry J. Cookinham by reason of a split in the Republican party. James G. Blaine had been nominated for the presidency, and was opposed by Roscoe Conkling because of an old quarrel between them. Oneida county was Mr. Conkling 's residence; the congressional district consisted of Oneida and Lewis counties at this time. Grover Cleveland was the candidate of the Democratic party for the presidency, and the friends of Mr. Conkling in Oneida county supported the Democratic ticket in that county. This resulted in Mr. Cleveland receiving a majority in Oneida county, whereas it should have given a Republican majority of from two to three thou- sand and Mr. Spriggs was supported by the same persons who supported Mr. Cleveland. In 1886 Mr. Spriggs was again the candidate for representative in Congress, but was defeated by James S. Sherman. Mr. Spriggs, although promi- nent in Democratic politics, never was what could be termed a leader. He was a manipulator of caucuses and conventions, possessed a good deal of shrewdness, but in his political discussions and speeches he never entered into argument of principles to any extent. Although he manifested shrewdness and ability in the trial of cases, yet he at times resorted to methods, in order to win verdicts, that would not be approved in a court of ethics. Alvin Stewabt was born at South Granville, Washington county, N. Y., September 1, 1790. After his graduation from Vermont University he went to Canada, and taught school there for a time. Mr. Stewart was in his early life what might be called a "rover," going from place to place, teaching school or doing anything to obtain a livelihood, but finally he settled down to the practice of law. He was in Canada at the time of the breaking out of the war in 1812, and, as he could not remain there, came back to the states and found himself at Middleboro, N. Y., where he was arrested as a spy. At the time a regiment of soldiers was located there, and Stewart thought his arrest a joke played on him by the soldiers; he, however, soon ascertained that it was a very serious matter. A drumhead court martial was convened to try him, and it was a very solemn court until Stewart was permitted to speak for himself. He said after- wards that he would give almost anything he had if he could reproduce the speech that he made to this court. He remembered beginning in the following manner : I think myself happy, president of this court martial, because I shall an- swer for myself this day before thee, touching all things whereof I am accused HORATIO SEYMOUR HISTOEY OP ONEIDA COUNTY 261 of these soldiers." He then proceeded to speak for an hour or more, and so amused the court that it broke up in hilarious manner, and the result was not only his acquittal, but he was the hero of the occasion. He finally settled in Utica, and at once took front rank at the bar. He was not only a great lawyer, but a great orator. His sense of humor was remarkable, and he used it to the very best advantage. He was an intense anti-slavery man, and his services were demanded wherever a legal question arose touching the subject. Perhaps the greatest legal argument he ever made was before the Supreme Court of New Jersey in the case of the State against John A. Post. In this case the constitu- tionality of an act of the state of New Jersey tQuching slavery was involved. Luther E. Marsh, speaking of the humor of Mr. Stewart, says: "I have seen the Supreme Court room, with Nelson, Bronson & Cowen on the bench, in an uproar at his manner of reading a dry affidavit, and the judges themselves un- able to maintain their gravity. ' ' In the great excitement over the slavery ques- tion in Utica, Stewart was foremost in the advocacy of human rights. He presided at the Anti-Slavery convention that was held October, 21, 1835, and which was broken up by mob violence led on by some of the foremost citizens, because men dared to speak in favor of human freedom. The delegates to the convention were obliged to flee the town, Mr. Stewart's house was barricaded and armed men protected it from the mob. The services which he rendered to the cause of freedom cannot be well overestimated. He died May 1, 1849. Heney E. Stores was born at Middletown, Connecticut, September 3, 1787. He graduated from Yale College in 1804, and was admitted to the bar in 1807. He practiced law first in Champion, afterwards at Whitesboro, and later at Utica, N. Y. He was judge of the court of common pleas for five years, and one year was chief judge. He was elected a representative in Congress in 1819, and also served in the same capacity from 1823 to 1831. During his entire congressional career he ranked with the ablest men in either house of Congress. He was one of the best debaters in the house of representatives, and was classed among the foremost lawyers in the country. On the expiration of his last term in Congress he removed from Utica to New York, and practiced law in that city, where he occupied a very prominent place at the bar. He died July 29, 1873, at New Haven, Connecticut. Samuel A. Talcott was born at Hartford, Connecticut, December 31, 1789. He graduated from Williams College in 1809, at the age of nineteen, and studied law with Thomas E. Gold of Whitesboro, this county. After his admission to the bar he removed to Lowville, N. Y., and in 1816 he removed to Utica, and from there to New Hartford. In February, 1821, he was appointed attorney general. After the expiration of his term as attorney general he removed to New York city, where he practiced law until his death in 1836. Mr. Talcott was, unquestionably, one of the greatest lawyers who has ever lived in this country. Chief justice Marshall said of him: "His argument before the Supreme Court of the United States in the Sailors Snug Harbor case has not been equalled in that court since the days of William Pinekney." 262 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY Daniel B. Wageb was born in Jefferson county, N. Y., on the 8th day of June, 1823. He was educated in the common schools and Jefferson county institute at Watertown. He then read law with Joshua Moore at Watertown, and afterwards with William and Charles Tracy at Utica, and later stiU in the office of Comstock & Beach in Rome. He was admitted to the bar in 1850, and formed a partnership with H. T. Utley at Rome. This firm existed for some years, when Mr. Utley removed to Waterville. In 1852 he was elected special county judge on the Democratic ticket. In 1854 he was one of the editors of the Borne Sentinel, and in 1855 became one of its proprietors. In 1857 Mr. Wager was made postmaster of Rome, and held the office for four years. In 1860 he returned to the practice of his profession. In 1872 he became a partner with Mr. Beach and Bailey. Later Mr. Wager was a partner with Mr. Beach alone, and this firm existed down to the death of Mr. Beach. Mr. Wager was elected special county judge in 1880. He was in every sense an estimable lawyer, with a thorough knowledge of the fundamental principles of law ; with good judgement and honesty of purpose he devoted himself to the practice of his profession. He was modest and retiring, and therefore did not attain such public position as his talents and acquirements entitled him to, but he performed the duties entrusted to him with such ability and devotion to the ends of justice that all who knew him had the utmost confidence, both in his ability and in his judgement. He gave much attention to matters of local history, and was one of the best informed men in the county pertaining to the history of men and institutions in and about the county of Oneida. His name will ever be held in high esteem among the bar of this county. He edited a history of Oneida county, and also a history of Rome. Nathan Williams was born in Williamstown, Massachusetts, December 19, 1773. He removed to Utica about 1797, and was the first lawyer to settle perma- nently in Utica. He was district attorney for the sixth district of the state from 1801 to 1803. He also served in the same capacity for Oneida county from 1818 to 1821. He was elected a representative in Congress in 1805, and was an assemblyman in 1816-18-19; was a delegate to the constitutional convention in 1821, and was appointed judge of the circuit court in April, 1823, but resigned that position some years afterward, and removed to Geneva, N. Y. While re- siding there he was appointed clerk of the Supreme Court. He died September 25, 1835. Othniel S. Williams was the son of Othniel Williams, and was born at Killingworth, Conn., November 22, 1813. He removed with his father to Water- ville, N. Y., in 1814, and to Clinton in 1820. In his fourteenth year he entered the sophomore class of Hamilton College, and graduated in 1831. For two years he was a tutor in the family of Mr. Gibson in Virginia. In the fall of 1836 he returned from Virginia, and was admitted as an attorney in 1837, and as a counselor in 1840. On September 6, 1843, he married Delia, the daughter of Professor Charles Avery of Hamilton College. For a time he was an instructor in modern languages in the college, and showed great proficiency in French, Spanish and Italian. Mr. Williams was appointed judge of the court of common HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 263 pleas in 1846, and in 1847 lie was made a trustee of Hamilton College. After the new constitution of the state was adopted in 1848 he was elected surrogate of Oneida county, and re-elected in 1852. In 1850 he was made the treasurer of Hamilton College, and retained this position until his death. In 1871 he received the degree of LL.D. During many years of his life he was identified with many public charities, business corporations and enterprises for the ad- vancement of his town and county. He was a promoter of the Utica, Clinton & Binghamton Railroad, one of its directors, its vice president, and for many years, and up to his death, he was its president. He took great interest in college affairs, and was one of the founders of the Alpha Delta Phi society. At a meeting of the Oneida county bar held after the death of Mr. "Williams, Pro- fessor Theodore W. Dwight said of him, "He was not only honest, able and patriotic, but a good lawyer." Mr. Williams was a careful and painstaking lawyer, well versed in the principles of law, conscientious and fair in his prac- tice, and when called upon to render decisions as judge, surrogate or referee he did it intelligently, fairly, and was seldom reversed upon appeal. He died having the respect of the entire bar of Central New York. John C. Davies was bom in Utica, January 19, 1858. He was educated in public schools and seminaries, and graduated from Hamilton College Law school. He was admitted to the bar, and opened a law ofSce in Camden in 1879, where he has since resided. In 1885 he was elected to the New York Assembly. In 1894 he was appointed Deputy Attorney General by Theodore E. Hancock, Attorney General of the State; he held this position for five years. In 1898 he was elected Attorney General of the State and reelected two years thereafter. During his services as Attorney General many im- portant questions came up to be eared for in his department of the state. He was in close touch with Governor Roosevelt and Governor Odell, with whom he was associated as a state ofBcer. He was nominated for justice of the Supreme Court in 1902, but was defeated in consequence of a division in the Republican party. In 1894 Mr. Davies was elected a delegate to the State Constitutional Convention, and served on important committees in that dis- tinguished body. In 1905 he was appointed a member of the State Gas and Electric Commission. Mr. Davies married Elma B. Dorrance, daughter of John G. Dorrance, of Camden, September 8, 1890, and they have five chil- dren: Margery Ellen, born September 26, 1891; Gladys Esther, bom Jan- uary 16, 1893; John Dorrance, bom October 1, 1896; Russell Johnson, bom March 30, 1902; and Theodore Roosevelt, May 29, 1903. WiLLUM E. SoEiPTUEE, One of the justices of the Supreme court of the fifth judicial district, was bom November 2, 1843, in Westmoreland, Oneida county, N. Y., and was a son of Parker A. Scripture and Harriet Staudish Snow. He was educated at Whitestown seminary and Hamilton college, studied law at the Albany Law school, and was admitted to the bar in 1867. He then entered the ofSce of Beach & Bailey in Rome as managing clerk. In 1868 he opened an office in Canastota in partnership with a Mr. Hutehins, but in the fall of that year he returned to Rome and commenced practice in that city. He afterward had as a partner Homer T. Fowler, and for a time he had as partners George 264 HISTOEY OF ONEIDA COUNTY H. "Weaver, E. M. Pavey, and Oswald P. Backus. He at once acquired a large law practice, and was extremely successful in tke trial of cases at the circuit. Any lawyer who had occasion to try a case against him found very soon he had an antagonist worthy of the steel of almost any person at the bar. His ability to grasp the facts and to present the salient ones to a jury was remarkable. His memory was excellent, and, without making copious notes of the evidence, he was able to recall every important fact in a case, even though it might take days or even weeks to adduce the evidence. He was appointed postmaster of Rome by President Harrison, and served until he was nominated for Supreme court in 1895. He was elected and served fourteen years, was renominated, but defeated through the influence of the corporations of the district. Since he ceased to be judge he has practiced his profession in Rome. He was married to Emma C. Goodwin in August, 1867, and has had seven children, May Stan- dish, Mina E., Ella G., Emma C, Ruth, Parker P., and "William B., Jr., two of whom, Emma C. and Ruth are now dead. Pascal C. J. DeAngelis was bom in Holland Patent, January 27, 1850. He was the son of "William "W. and Elizabeth Burlingame DeAngelis, and grand- son of Pascal C. J. DeAngelis, one of the earliest settlers in the town of Tren- ton. His grandfather took part in the naval service of the Revolutionary war, was captured by the British and confined in Dartmoor prison. Young De- Angelis was prepared for college at Gary seminary, Oakfield, and entered Ho- bart in the class of 1871. He left Hobart and entered Cornell university in the same class, and graduated from that institution in 1871 with the degree of A. B. He then read law at Towanda, Pa., and was admitted to the bar in 1873. He was admitted in New York state in 1875, and commenced practice in XJtica. He was for a time a law partner with "William A. Matteson, under the firm name of Matteson & DeAngelis. He acquired a good practice, was counsel for some large institutions, and so commended himself to the public that in 1896 he was nominated and elected justice of the Supreme court. Judge De- Angelis was manager of the State Lunatic asylum, now the State hospital, for seven years, from 1886 to 1893; was one of the school commissioners of the city of Utica for two terms, 1900-1906. He married Annie, daughter of "Wil- liam B. Jackson of Utica, and has four children : Pascal C. J. ; Charles, Mar-. shall and Annena. In a class with these men who filled high official positions are many others who, perhaps, by reason of natural gifts, acquirements and conscientiousness were their equals, but who never sought, or, if they sought, never obtained high judicial office. Such were John G. Crocker, John H. Edmunds of Utica; 6. Harrison Lynch of Rome, and others. There was also a large class of lawyers who may be called all-round prac- titioners. They were well equipped in most branches of the law, and having a general practice they had no time, and perhaps no inclination to devote energy enough to any particular branch to excel in it and thereby gain fame. They chose to cover a large field and stand well in many branches of the practice. In this class of honorable men are : George "W. Adams, Daniel Ball, Joseph E. Swan, Peter Davies, Alexander T. Goodwin, Richard Mclnerow, Eaton J. Rich- HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 265 ardson, Joel Willard, N. Curtis White, Robert 0. Jones and Leslie W. Kernan of Utica; K. Carroll, Edward L. Stevens, Henry 0. Southworth, Charles N. White of Rome ; Walter Ballon and Leander W. Fisk of Boonville ; George K. Carroll and Stephen Cromwell of Camden ; Joseph S. Avery and James Mc- Cabe of Clinton ; Sylas L. Snyder of Taberg ; and Edwin Lamb of WaterviUe. After entering the profession most men soon discover that some certain branch of the law suits them better than others, and they seek its pursuit. This has in the past, and will in the future, cause a large number to devote them- selves to what may be called the commercial side of the profession. These at- torneys never devote themselves to study sufficiently to become very learned in the law. They, instead, give their time to business transactions, becoming ac- quainted with men, and looking up law business, and in these pursuits they are very effective. Their advice is sought as to the expediency of purchasing prop- erty, making investments, entering into contracts, undertaking business enter- prises, but not often upon difficult questions of law. Foremost in this class was Orsamus B. Matteson, who, in his prime, was one of the most efficient business men that the city of Utica has ever known. It is probable that the largest com- mercial law business ever done by any firm in the county was by Matteson & Doolittle, of which partnership Charles H. Doolittle was the junior member. It was a popular saying of the day that "Matteson knew how to get the business, and Doolittle knew how to do it." Then there were Edward Brayton, James W. Bond, George Clarence Church- ill, Charles M. Dennison, Henry A. Doolittle, Edmond A. Graham, Hiram Hurl- burt. Burton D. Hurlburt, Arthur B. Johnson, Nicholas E. Kernan, James F. Mann, Addison C. Miller and Andrew J. Mcintosh. Among this number are some of the most esteemed citizens of the community. Some of them, by their capacity in grasping business propositions, accumulated fortunes in a legitimate way, and not by blind pools, illegal combinations of corporate interests, or ac- cidental success in speculation. Who would ask for better advisors in ordinary business transactions than Addison C. Miller or Nicholas E. Kernan? So might I ask in regard to others of the number who acted well their parts as business men. In passing over the list, names suggest to us faces of those we once saw on our streets, but which no longer appear. They lived, as most men do, with- out accomplishing any great result, but some of them led conscientious and pure lives and are entitled to our lasting respect. There were William R. Anthony, Rufus C. Baker, Charles L. DeGeorgia, John D. Griffith, James F. Hurley, Mor- vin M. Jones, William J. Kernan, Rutger B. Miller, Jr., Eugene Stearns, Rich- ard Schroeppel, Elakin J. Stoddard, Isaac J. Tripp and J. Frank Rogers of Utica; James Parks, Stephen VanDresar, Joseph Porter and Delos M. White of Rome, and James W. Cummings of Clinton. There has been during the last quarter century a class of lawyers among us which may be called sui generis. Among these were 0. Arthur White, Patrick F. Bulger, Charles J. Everett, Thomas E. Kinney and David C. Wolcott. We have had also another class of attorneys which may be called only trial lawyers. They were always at the circuit, and their business consisted largely 266 HISTORY OP ONEIDA COUNTY of the trial of ordinary cases and of criminal practice. No circuit or trial term of a criminal court was held during their respective lives except that conspicu- ous among the members of the bar in attendance were Dexter E. Pomeroy, J. Thomas Spriggs of Utica ; Milton D. Barnett, Daniel C. Pomeroy and Joseph I. Sayles of Rome. Of these, in ordinary trials, particularly for the defense, Mr. Spriggs easily outclassed the others. Possessed of a genial disposition, great shrewdness, and having a fair equipment of general acquirements, but little knowledge of the law, he was always a dangerous adversary before a jury. He possessed the power to discern quickly the weak points of his antagonist upon questions of fact, and used them to the very best advantage. For the plaintiflE, or for the defense in a criminal case where the crime was murder or some other of great magnitude, Daniel C. Pomeroy ranked high in the class. He made no pretense of having a thorough knowledge of the law; he trusted this part of the practice to others, but in arousing the sympathies or prejudices of a jury he was ever effective. In presenting his case to the jury he was always inter- esting, and at times his speech rose to real eloquence. From the fact that during the last thirty-six years four men have prac- ticed at the Oneida bar, who attained greater reputation than any others, we are constrained to class them by themselves. Three were United States senators, and the fourth a justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, Francis Keman, Ward Hunt, Henry A. Foster and Roscoe Conkling. A marked change has occurred in regard to the practice of the law within the last quarter of a century. Many questions which gave rise to litigation have been settled, and business men have become wiser in the present day than they were in the past in regard to litigation. Lawyers of the first class advise settlement wherever it is possible, and this has had a marked effect upon the number of cases litigated. Many years ago assault and battery and other like cases were tried at almost every term of the court. Now they are substantially unknown, and litigation over such matters has almost ceased. There has, however, been a large increase of litigation in a direction that was not fre- quent until recent times, i. e., damage suits against railroad companies and other large corporations. Many of these suits have little merit, and are fre- quently tried by lawyers who do not stand well at the bar. A new term has been invented to designate these lawyers, and they are known to the profes- sion as "ambulance chasers." As an illustration of the methods pursued by this class of lawyers one wiU suffice. A short time since a man was killed near Utica on the New York Central Railroad. He was a resident of Utica, and before his body was buried twelve lawyers called at the house and tendered their valuable (?) services to the widow in her great distress. The lawyers came from as far west as Buffalo, and as far east as Albany. This was so an- noying that it was found necessary to deny admittance to the house any man unless he was known to the family of the deceased. The presiding judge of the appellate division of the Supreme Court invariably, before a class is sworn in after examination for admission to the bar, warns them against this kind of law practice. It can be said of the bar of Oneida county that it can con- gratulate itself upon the fact that few of its members can be placed in this class. It can also be safely said of the bar of Oneida county that at the prea- PHILO GRIDLEY Justice Supreme Court MILTOX H. MERWIX Justice Supreme Court ALFRED C. COXE Judge of the United States Cir cuit Court, Second Circuit WILLIAM E. SCRIPTURE Justice Supreme Court PASCAL C. J. DE ANGELIS Justice Supreme Court HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 267 ent time, as well as in the past, it ranks among the foremost of the state hoth OS to ability and moral worth. The members of this noble profession within our favored county have faithfully protected the rights of the plaintiff and de- fendant, and have endeavored, to the best of their ability, to have justice meted out to parties litigant. At the close of this year, there are within the county 207 practicing attorneys, who are located as follows: Boonville, 6; Cam- den, 6; Clinton, 1; Holland Patent, 2; Lee Center, 1; Remsen, 1; Rome, 40; TJtica, 144; Vernon, 1; Waterville, 5. Henet J. CoGGESHALL was born April 28, 1845, at Waterville ; was educated in the Waterville seminary; studied law in that village, was admitted to the bar and commenced practicing there. He very early entered politics, and gave very little attention after that to his profession. He was at first assistant dis- trict attorney; was elected to the legislature in 1872; to the office of county clerk in 1879, and in 1883 was elected to the state senate, in which capacity he served for about twenty years, having been a member of the legislature longer than any other person who ever resided in Oneida county. He was a Republi- can, and was elected by that party except on one occasion. He was defeated for the nomination for senator in the Republican convention; bolted the con- vention; was nominated by the bolters; adopted by the Democratic party, and elected against Frederick G. Weaver, the regular Republican candidate. He was very successful in procuring the passage of bills concerning local affairs. He was personally friendly with his political opponents as well as with Repub- licans, and would do anything he consistently could for a resident of his dis- trict, whether friend or foe. He was one of the best platform speakers in the state, and his services were in great demand in every political canvass. He was eloquent and persuasive rather than argumentative, and had a view of humor that enabled him, if he so elected, to keep an audience in roars of laughter dur- ing an entire evening. He had not accumulated money, and died, virtually without means. Following is a list of all the judicial officers from Oneida county from its organization to 1912 : CHIEF JUSTICES SUPREME COURT OF JUDICATURE John Savage, January 29, 1823. Greene C. Bronson, March 5, 1845. Samuel Beardsley, June 29, 1847. He served as puisne justice from Febru- ary 20, 1844. JUDGES OF THE CIRCUIT COURT Nathan Williams, April 21, 1823. Samuel Beardsley, April 12, 1834. Hiram Denio, May 7, 1834. Philo Gridley, July 17, 1838. 268 HISTOEY OF ONEIDA COUNTY JUDGES OF COMMON PLEAS AND COUNTY COURTS 1798, March 22 — Jedediah Sanger of Whitestown, first judge; Hugh "White and David Ostram of Whitestown, James Dean of Westmoreland, and George Huntington of Rome, judges. 1801, January 28 — Silas Stone of Lowville, judge. 1801, August 21 — Messrs. Sanger, White, Dean, Ostram and Huntington, re-appointed, with Thomas Hart additional. 1802, March 13— Nathan Sage and Henry Coffeen of Redfield. 1803, March 31— Needham Maynard. 1804, April 3— Chauncey Gridley. 1804, July 3 — Messrs. Sanger, Dean, Ostram, Huntington, Sage, Coffeen, Maynard and Gridley, re-appointed. 1805, February 15 — Messrs. Sanger, Dean, Sage, Maynard, Ostram, Coffeen and Gridley, re-appointed ; March 25, Samuel Dill ; April 8, ApoUos Cooper, ad- ditional. 1808, March 22 — Messrs. Sanger, Dean, Gridley, Sage, Dill, Cooper, re-ap- pointed, and Joseph Jennings and Jarvis Pike additional. 1810, March 5 — ^Morris S. Miller, first judge; Jedediah Sanger, Henry Mc- Niel of Paris, Abram Camp of Whitestown, and Timothy W. Wood. 1813, February 23 — ^Morris S. Miller, James Dean, David Ostram, Henry McNiel, George Brayton, Richard Sanger, Jesse Curtiss, Gerrit G. Lansing, Benjamin Wright, John Storrs and Peter Pratt. 1814, April 5 — Messrs. Miller, Dean, Ostram, McNiel, Curtiss, Lansing, Wright, Storrs and Pratt re-appointed ; and Levi Carpenter, Jr., and Frederick Stanley, additional. 1815, April 15 — ^Morris S. Miller, Joseph Jennings, Solomon Wolcott, Prosper Rudd, Daniel Ashley, Peter Pratt, James S. Kip, Sherman Barnes, Thomas H. Hamilton, Asahel Curtiss, Charles Wylie and Joseph Grant. 1818, April 24— Messrs. Miller, Wylie, Grant and Hamilton, with Ezekiel Bacon additional. 1821, March 21 — Messrs. Miller, Grant and Hamilton, with Truman Bnos and Joshua Hathaway additional. 1823, February 3— Messrs. Miller, Enos, Hathaway and Grant, with Samuel Jones additional. 1824, November 22— Samuel Beardsley, first judge, in place of Morris S. Miller, deceased. 1825, March 9— Henry R. Storrs, in place of Samuel Beardsley, who de- clined the appointment. 1826, April 5— James Dean (son of former Judge Dean) in place of Tru- man Enos, who resigned upon his election to the state senate. 1828, February 5— Messrs. Hathaway, Grant and Jones, re-appointed. 1830, January 15— Chester Hayden, first judge, and Israel Stoddard. 1831, April 8 — Reuben Tower of Sangerfield, in place of James Dean, whose term had expired. 1832, February 10— Nathan Kimball of Augusta, in place of Reuben Tower, resigned. HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 269 1833, February 6— John P. Sherwood of Vernon, and Arnon Comstoek of Western, in place of Messrs. Jones and Hathaway, whose terms had expired. 1835, January 23— Chester Hayden of Utiea, first judge, and Israel Stod- dard, re-appointed. 1837, February 21— Nathan Kimball, re-appointed. 1838, February 2— Pomroy Jones of Westmoreland, in place of J. P. Sher- wood, resigned; and March 9, Arnon Comstoek, re-appointed. 1840, February 2— Fortune C. White of Whitestown, first judge, vice Hay- den; and April 14, Seth B. Roberts of Rome, vice Stoddard. 1843, February 10 — Chester Hayden and Amos Woodworth of Florence, vice Messrs. Kimball and Comstoek, whose terms had expired, and Pomroy Jones, re-appointed. 1845, February 21— P. Sheldon Root of Utiea, first judge, vice White ; and April 14, Ebenezer Robbins of Lee, vice Roberts. 1846, May 12— Othniel S. Williams of Kirkland, vice Hayden. JUSTICE OP THE SUPBEMB COUET OF THE UNITED STATES Ward Hunt, September, 1872. JUDGES OF CIRCUIT COURTS OP THE UNITED STATES Alexander S. Johnson, October, 1875. Alfred C. Coxe, 1903. JUDGE OF DISTRICT COURT OP UNITED STATES Alfred C. Coxe, May 4, 1882. Clerks of the Circuit court of the United States for the Northern district. of New York, and District court of the same district, resident in Oneida county. By an act dividing the Northern district the clerk of the United States Cir- cuit court was also made the clerk of the District court. Augustus C. Boyce, from June 14, 1849 to August 1, 1870. Charles Mason, from August 1, 1870 to his death. William H. Bright, from June 30, 1879 to July 1, 1883. William S. Doolittle, from July 1, 1883 to date. UNITED STATES DISTRICT ATTORNEY FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OP NEW YORK Samuel Beardsley, 1823. Henry A. Foster, 1853. UNITED STATES MARSHAL FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OP NEW YORK VanRensselaer Weaver, 1910. JUDGES OF COURT OF APPEALS Alexander S. Johnson, appointed November 4, 1851. Hiram Denio, appointed June 23, 1853. Hiram Denio, elected November, 1857. Ward Hunt, elected November 7, 1865. 270 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY COMMISSIONER OF APPEALS Ward Hunt, July 5, 1870. Alexander S. Johnson, January 7, 1873. JUSTICES OF SUPREME COURT Philo Gridley, 1847. William J. Bacon, 1853 and 1861. Henry A. Foster, 1863. Charles H. Doolittle, 1869. Milton H. Merwin, 1874 and 1888. William E. Scripture, 1895. Pascal C. J. DeAngelis, 1907. ATTORNEY GENERAL Samuel A. Talcott, July 8, 1819. Greene C. Bronson, February 27, 1829. Samuel Beardsley, January 12, 1836. John C. Davies, November, 1898 and 1900. DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL Charles J. Everett, 1880. John D. MeMahon, 1892. John E. Mason, 1899. Louis M. Martin, 1900. Everett E. Risley, 1909. August Merrill, 1911. COUNTY JUDGES Jedediah Sanger, appointed 1798. Morris S. Miller, appointed 1810. Samuel Beardsley, appointed 1824. Henry R. Storrs, appointed 1825. Chester Hayden, appointed 1830. Fortune C. White, appointed 1840. P. Sheldon Root, appointed 1845. P. Sheldon Root, elected 1847. George W. Smith, elected 1859. Joel Willard, elected 1867. Alexander H. Bailey, elected 1871. William B. Bliss, elected 1874. William B. Sutton, elected 1880. Isaac J. Evans, elected 1886. Watson T. Dunmore, elected 1892. George E. Pritchard, elected 1904. Frederick H. Hazard, elected 1910. HISTORY OP ONEIDA COUNTY 271 SPECIAL COUNTY JUDGES In 1846 the constitution authorized special county judges. David E. Wager, elected 1852. George Harrison, elected 1855. Kiron Carroll, elected 1861. George H. Lynch, elected 1867. William B. Bliss, elected 1870-1873. Robert 0. Jones, appointed to fill vacancy, 1874. Robert 0. Jones, elected 1875. WiUiam H. Bright, elected 1878. Daniel B. Wager, elected 1880. Isaac J. Evans, elected 1883. Watson T. Dunmore, elected 1886, 1889. Rudolphus C. Briggs, elected 1892-95. George T. Davis, elected 1898-1901. Willis W. Byam, elected 1904-1907. Walter G. Shankenbury, elected 1910. SUEEOGATES Arthur Breese, March 19, 1798. Joshua Hathaway, March 23, 1808. Erastus Clark, February 23, 1813. Greene C. Bronson, April 13, 1819. Joshua Hathaway, February 19, 1821. Henry A. Foster, March 31, 1827. Alanson Bennett, January 12, 1831. Henry A. Foster, January 27, 1835. John Stryker, August 22, 1839. Othniel S. WiUiams, June, 1847. Henry M. Burchard, November, 1855. Joseph S. Avery, November, 1863-1869. Stephen H. VanDresar, November, 1877. William B. Bliss, November, 1883. William H. Bright, November, 1889. Henry W. Bentley, appointed 1894. Frederick M. Calder, November, 1894-1900. Michael H. Sexton, November, 1906. SPECIAL SUEEOGATE Ralph Mcintosh, elected 1852. Nelson B. Stevens, elected 1855. Ralph Mcintosh, elected 1858. David T. Jenkins, elected 1861. Eugene Stearns, elected 1867. Theodore Avery, elected 1870. 272 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY Henry J. Cookmham, elected 1873. Marcus D. Raymond, elected 1874. Elliott S. Williams, elected 1877. Emmett J. Ball, elected 1878, 1881. John D. F. Stone, elected 1884. H. C. Sholes, elected 1887. James P. Obiey, elected 1890. Elliot 0. Worden, elected 1893, 1896. Willis W. Byam, elected 1899, 1902. Elijah T. Garlick, elected 1905. Edward L. O'Donnell, elected 1908. DISTRICT ATTORNEYS Thomas R. Gold, appointed from February 26, 1797 to August 20, 1801. Nathan Williams, appointed 1801. Joseph Kirkland, appointed 1813. Thomas H. Hubbard, appointed 1816. Nathan Williams, appointed 1818. Samuel Beardsley, appointed 1821. Hiram Denio, appointed 1825. Ichabod C. Baker, appointed 1834. Timothy Jenkins, appointed 1840. Calvert Comstock, appointed 1845. Calvert Comstock, elected 1847. Roscoe Conkling, elected 1850. Samuel B. Garvin, elected 1850. J. Thomas Spriggs, elected 1853. Henry T. Utley, elected 1853. Jairus H. Hunger, elected 1856. Hiram T. Jenkins, elected 1859, 1862, 1865. Daniel Ball, elected 1868. Daniel C. Stoddard, elected 1871. Milton D. Bamett, elected 1874-1877. William A. Matteson, elected 1880-1883. Thomas S. Jones, elected 1886-1889. George S. Klock, elected 1892-1895. Timothy Curtin, elected 1898-1901. Emerson M. Willis, elected 1904-1907. Bradley Fuller, elected 1910. CHAPTEE XXII FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS In the first settlement in Oneida county as elsewhere barter was the rule of trade. The farmer sold his products to the storekeeper for supplies for the family, and the like exchange was made by the retail dealer with the whole- sale merchant. Very little cash was in circulation, and this was in silver of either English or Spanish mintage. The more thrifty keepers of stores and a few farmers were able to lend in a small way to the needy to tide them over until harvest. They would receive deposits from any who had savings hoarded. Activities grew beyond reliance on such aids or on loans from Albany or New York. The Manhattan Company, for which Aaron Burr had secured a char- ter to supply water from New York but was from the outset a bank, saw here an inviting field, and in 1809 sent Montgomery Hunt to establish a branch in Utica, the first bank in the county. June 1, 1812, a charter was secured for the Bank of Utica, which opened with a capital of $500,000 out of $1,000,000 au- thorized, and was( practically the successor of the Manhattan branch bank. Mr. Hunt was cashier and the chief ofScer, with James S. Kip, president, and a board of directors of leading citizens. Henry Huntington of Rome was elected president at the close of the first year, and up to his death in 1845 drove from his residence regularly to meet with the directors. Then Thomas Walker was elected president, followed in 1863 by Benjamin N. Huntington. In 1876 Publius V. Rogers, who had, as cashier since 1853 by his ability and command of the confidence of the business community, earned the promotion, was ad- vanced to the presidency. Until his death in 1895 he set a standard as a faith- ful, expert financier not surpassed in this part of the state, and built up the institution to the forefront of national banks of the interior. Charles B. Rogers has since served as president. Until 1865 the bank conducted its affairs under the laws of New York, but in that year took advantage of the national statutes under the style of the First National Bank of Utica. John A. Groodale was cashier after P. V. Rogers. Henry R. Williams is now a vice president and the cashier. Alexander B. Johnson, in 1814, was appointed a state director in the Bank of Utica, but was not in full accord with Cashier Hunt. He devised a rival institution, but it was not easy to secure a charter from the legislature, as was then necessary. For that reason Mr. Johnson projected the Utica Insurance company with capital of $500,000, and framed the law passed in 1816 so as to cover the right to carry on banking. That business was entered upon with Mr. Johnson as secretary and treasurer and real manager, with prominent men in the direction. The subterfuge aroused bitter opposition; the legislature 273 274 HISTOKY OF ONEIDA COUNTY amended the statutes so that the insurance company could not be a bank. It had put out notes for $100,000, some for fractions of a dollar, and its loans were $300,000. August 3, 1818, after re-insuring its policies and providing for the payment of its obligations the company closed its affairs. Meanwhile in 1815 the Ontario Bank of Canandaigua had opened a branch in Utica, with Col. Benjamin "Walker president, and next Arthur Breese. The capital was $300,000, later $500,000. In 1819 Alexander B. Johnson was chosen to the presidency and was supported by some of the most eminent Uti- cans, and so continued, until Edmund A. Wetmore was made receiver in 1857. On the end of the charter of tEe parent bank in 1855 the Utica branch became the Ontario bank. Mr. Johnson was the most literary of the bankers of the county, an author of wide repute on philosophical as well as financial subjects. Mr. Hunt and he were the pioneers in local banking, rivals while both lived, and men of mark in their profession. The Bank of "Whitestown was organized in 1839 with $100,000 capital un- der S. N. Dexter as president, who was succeeded by P. B. Henderson. After a generation its business was closed out on the expiration of the charter. Israel J. Gray was the last cashier. The Bank of Rome started in 1832 with a capital of $100,000, had for its first president John Stryker, and was fully liquidated when its charter expired in 1863. The application to the legislature for a charter for the Oneida Bank was strenuously opposed, but the act was passed May 13, 1836. A commission to distribute the stock among the subscribers was headed by A. G. Dauby, but the result did not please everybody, and the amount of capital, $450,000, was not equal to the demands. A robbery of $108,000 of its cash from its vaults before opening for business caused a shock, and only a part of the money was ever recovered. But the board of directors was composed of citizens who com- manded confidence, and the bank starting with A. G. Dauby as president for three months, and then securing the services of Alfred Munson in that office, made firm its place in local finance. Until his decease in 1854 he was the con- trolling force in the institution. Charles A. Mann was selected to fill the va- cancy, and on his death in 1860 the position was conferred on James Sayre, who served 17 years, dying in 1877. A. J. Williams followed, and died in 1888, when Robert S. Williams, who had received training and experience as cashier, was called to the presidency, and filled the position until he died, in 1899. W. S. Walcott and L. H. Lawrence held the office for a couple of years each. George L. Bradford was promoted from the cashiership January 10, 1905, and still (1911) serves as president. Entering the national system in 1865; the name was changed to the Oneida National Bank. George A. Niles is the present cashier. John C. Devereux and his brother Nicholas had received deposits of sav- ings from their neighbors, but desired to give more than personal duration to the business, and enlisted some of the strongest capitalists to join them in founding the Utica Savings Bank, which was chartered July 26, 1839. John C. Devereux was chosen president and served for ten years. On his decease in 1849 Thomas Walker was chosen, and in 1863 Hiram Denio succeeded, and was EDWARD HUNTINGTON Capitalist SAMUEL WARI)\VEI>L Banlcer ■Mp ^' -'JatfS^-f: ^H ^ jj 1 1 ^ LS u U i^felvU sH ^,:-- '^ '^^^H ia ^hH BLOOMFIELD J. BEACH Lawyer and banker ALFRED ETHRIDGE Mercliant HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 275 followed by Edmund A. Wetmore, William J. Bacon, Ephraim Chamberlain, William BlaiMe, and in 1910 by Charles A. Miller, the incumbent. The first secretary and treasurer was Stulham Williams, who was for some time also teller and bookkeeper. In 1840 the amount due depositors was $27,607, and the net proceeds were $65.82, which were paid to the treasurer for his services. The institution had the benefit of the care and experience of Mr. Williams for thirty-four years. As his health failed and after his death jn 1873, the assistant performed the tasks of treasurer, Thomas Buchanan from 1860 to 1866, and John E. Spofford from that date to 1879. Addison C. Miller was elected treas- ui'er in 1878, serving up to the time of his death. Then Rufus P. Birdseye, who had been assistant siuce 1879, was in 1894 promoted to be treasurer, and is now serving his seventeenth year. The Utica Savings Bank has suffered three runs by its depositors. The first begun in December, 1872, and 827 accoimts were closed and $468,405 with- drawn, but the vaults held nearly $500,000 in cash when quiet was restored. The result was to restrict accounts to those of strictly savings character. Again in May, 1886, signs of a run appeared, but it continued only a week and the withdrawals were about $21,000. But at the close of July, 1893, more uneasi- ness was displayed, and on successive days sums of $30,000 and $26,000 were drawn out. The trustees deemed it wise to enforce the rule to require notice of sixty days for withdrawal of cash. The deposits fell nearly $400,000. But the institution has grown and broadened its resources and stands iu the fore^ front of its class. By its report January, 1911, it shows 34,425 open accounts averaging $440.20, while its assets are $16,382,620, of which the surplus is $1,187,269. The Bank of Central New York was organized in 1838 with a capital of $100,000 and Anson Thomas served as president until his death in 1856, and Spencer Kellogg was chosen in his stead. A savings department was main- tained. The institution went into the hands of Joseph Benedict as receiver in 1859. Waterville founded its own bank in 1838 with a capital of $130,000; Julius Candee was president. It accepted the national system in 1865. Daniel B. Goodwin served as president until 1888, when William B. Goodwin and next Samuel J. Goodwin followed him. George I. Hovey is now president and W. J. Butler cashier. In 1839, John J. Knox established the Bank of Vernon, of which he be- came president, and the capital was $81,700. He was succeeded by Josiah Case in 1862. There followed Warren G. Strong, A. Pierson Case, W. G. Strong again until 1908, when Fletcher A. Gary was chosen to the position. D. B. Case is now the cashier. The Bank of Camden started in 1847 with $100,000 capital under the presi- dency of H. J. Miner, who was succeeded by Lyman Curtiss, and gave way to private banks. The First National Bank of Camden with $50,000 capital be- gan business in January, 1880, and Daniel G. Dorrance was president until he died in 1896. With him was associated John G. Dorrance as cashier, who was promoted to the presidency and still serves in that office. D. J. Dorrance is the present cashier. 276 HISTOEY OP ONEIDA COUNTY In 1847 in Rome the Fort Stanwix Bank was organized under state laws and changed to the national system in 1865. The capital was $110,000, and David Utley was president. Under the cashiership of George Barnard it failed by his acts, and its affairs went to the courts in 1896. In 1846 the Bank of Kirkland was opened in Clinton by 0. Gridley as president with $50,000 capital, and he was succeeded by A. G. Gridley. The institution for some years had a successful career. The Utica City Bank began business September 1, 1848 ; with a capital of $125,000 and as president Hiram Denio. The capital was made $200,000 in 1849, and $400,000 in 1888. It became a national bank in 1865. The presi- dents following Judge Denio have been Jared E. Warner, Isaac Maynard and the present incumbent, Charles S. Symonds, who had earned the position by faithful service as cashier. Success led to the increase of capital by steps up to $1,000,000. The misconduct of a trusted clerk exposed in 1910 involved a considerable defalcation, but did not shake the strength of the institution. Putting itself under federal laws in 1865, it took the name of the Utica City National Bank. The present cashier is Melville C. Brown. About the middle of the century a fever for the organization of fire insur- ance companies fell upon the county. In 1849 the Utica Insurance was established with $150,000 capital and Henry R. Hart president; the Aetna with $125,000 capital, John E. Hinman president, and the Farmers, capital $100,000, John D. Leland president. In 1851 followed the Globe with $150,000 capital, C. B. Coventry president. The life of all these corporations was brief, and the loss to the stockholders, many of them active professional and business men, caused serious inconvenience. The American Union Health Association, capital $50,000 and Edward Eames president, survived not long from its birth in 1851. The Central City Savings Institution was established in 1851 in connection with the Ontario Branch bank, and managed by its cashier, James S. Lynch, until such relation between savings and commercial banks was prohibited. Then the institution failed and was closed in 1873. The Rome Savings Bank has met a public need with success since it was founded in 1851 with Hervey Brayton as president and B. J. Beach secretary. Successive presidents were Edward Huntington, Gordon N. Bissell, Henry D. Spencer, "W. R. Huntington, while Samuel H. Beach is the present incum- bent. Up to 1896 the books of this savings bank were kept with the Fort Stan- wix National Bank, but since the failure of the latter the savings institution has been distinct and separate. After the decease of B. J. Beach in 1894, Charles F. Barnard served as secretary and treasurer until he died in 1905, and James T. Stone followed; in 1910 Mr. Stone was designated as treasurer, while Fred M. Shelley was made secretary. According to its report this bank had Janu- ary 1, 1911, assets of $3,272,171, of which $304,241 was surplus above liabilities, showing great strength. The Rome Savings Bank is now the oldest bank in that city. In 1851 the Rome Exchange Bank was founded with R. B. Doxtater presi- dent and F. H. Thomas cashier. It passed from the state to the national sys- tem in 1865 under the style of the First National Bank of Rome, with $100,000 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 277 capital. J. G. Bissell served as president for many years after 1889. The present officers are Thomas H. Stryker, president, and F. M. Shelley, cashier. Under state laws the Oneida County Bank with a capital of $125,000 in 1853 began the career which lasted for half a century. The presidents were Ira B. Carey for two years, Charles H. Doolittle who died in 1874, Francis Kernan until 1887, J. M. Butler until his death in 1899, and Charles A. Butler until the institution was taken over in 1900 by the older and stronger First National bank. Frank A. Bosworth acted as cashier from 1887. In 1854 the Oneida Central Bank began business in Rome as a state institu- tion, became the Central National Bank in 1865, but failed in 1894. Its busi- ness was closed by Jim Stevens as receiver. The Second National Bank of Utica was incorporated December 10, 1863, opening for business the next February with a capital of $300,000. The first president was William J. Bacon, who gave place in a few months to Theodore S. Faxton. When the latter died in 1881 Edward S. Brayton was elected to the office. On his death in 1887, William M. White became president, serving until he died in 1896. Since then Thomas R. Proctor has been the head of the institution. George R. Thomas was the first cashier and filled the position for twenty-four years, dying in 1887. Frank R. Winant is the present cashier. The National Savings Bank of Utica was established in 1865 and was man- aged by Thomas Buchanan treasurer. In 1868 it was merged with the People's Safe Deposit and Savings Institution, and later Levi Blakeslee was executive officer. In 1872 receivers took charge of its affairs. Rome added to its financial institutions the Oneida County Savings Bank, May 1, 1869. Samuel B. Stevens was president until 1884, and has been suc- ceeded by Alfred Ethridge, John D. Ely, Harrison Hannahs, Lebbeus E. El- mer, Owen E. Owens, John R. Edwards and Charles W. Lee. The treasurers have been G. Harrison Lynch, Charles S. GrifBn, Cyrus D. Prescott, John R. Edwards, Albert W. Tremain and A. Edward Wetherbee. The bank had Janu- ary 1, 1911, 7,457 open accounts, with assets of $2,873,912, and a surplus of $124,960. In 1875 the title of the Bank of Rome was revived in a new state institu- tion with $100,000 capital and W. J. P. Kingsley president. January 14, 1879, it passed into the national system as the Farmers National Bank. Mr. Kings- ley has been the only president, while Samuel Wardwell, the original cashier, was succeeded in 1904 by G. G. Clarabut, who now fills the position. In Oc- tober, 1911, the capital was increased to $250,000, its surplus now being $100,000. The needs of Boonville for banking facilities were served first two genera- tions ago by the Valley Bank of Ela N. Merriam. The Bank of Boonville fol- lowed in 1866, and its stockholders organized the First National Bank of Boon- ville, January 4, 1876, with $75,000 capital. The presidents have been Joseph R. Tharratt, Eugene C. Dodge, and the incumbent, B. C. Tharratt. Clark Dodge was cashier in 1876, succeeded by E. C. Dodge, and since 1896 by James P. Pitcher. From 1872 to 1906, S. C. Thompson & Company conducted a banking business in the village. Utica was selected as the headquarters of the Commercial Travelers' Asso- 278 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY elation incorporated March 19, 1883. Henry D. Pixley has been president from the outset; Edward Trevett was the first secretary and treasurer; since his death in 1903, George S. Dana has filled that position. The association has gained a leading position in its class. Its members, January 1, 1911, were 66,- 388. It has a surplus of $618,456, and a cash reserve of $32,203. Its income from members in 1910 was $584,591, while the claims paid amounted to $426,960. Edward Curran was the first president of the Homestead Aid Association of Utica, founded February, 1884. When he died after a service of ten years George D. Dimon became his successor. Since January, 1896, the presidency has been filled by Watson T. Dunmore. The secretary is Sherwood S. Curran and the treasurer Charles B. Rogers. Its receipts for 1910 were $1,213,277, with $44,885 cash on hand at the close of its fiscal year, and total assets amount- ing to $2,598,315. The members number 5,290, and the reserve fund, is $54,716; Springing out of the private banking house of A. D. Mather & Co., in busi- ness in Utica since 1886, a state bank was established in Utica in 1890, with a capital of $200,000. The officers were Joshua Mather, president, and on his death Charles W. Mather, with Edward Bushinger cashier. On the death of C. W. Mather in 1899 Mr. Bushinger was made executive officer. January 15, 1900, Jacob Agne was chosen president. August 3, 1903, the bank was trans- formed into the Citizens Trust Company with the same officers. When Mr. Bushinger died in 1906, F. H. Doolittle was chosen secretary, and July 11, 1906, William I. Taber succeeded Mr. Agne in the presidency, which he still fills. The capital was increased to $300,000 in 1910 to meet the exigencies of increasing business. For the southeastern part of Utica the Corn Hill Building and Loan Associ- ation was organized in February, 1891, with about a hundred members. Homer C. Townsend was president, William Howarth secretary, and Edward Bush- inger treasurer. On the decease of Mr. Townsend George W. Booth was chosen to the presidency, but resigned in May, 1902. J. Lewis Jones succeeded to the position and is still serving. In 1910, Mr. Howarth died, and Owen F. Luker became secretary, as on the death of the first treasurer in 1906 Charles W. Bushinger became his successor. The present members are 680, who hold 9,428 shares. The dividends have been six to seven per cent. The loans are $300,340. The assets are the same, and the reserve fund $6,702. The Utica Trust and Deposit company has had one president, James S. Sherman, and one secretary and treasurer, J. Francis Day, (now also a vice president) since it was incorporated August 19, 1899. Its capital at the start was $300,000, but was increased in 1910 to $400,000. The company has grown to be among the strongest institutions of its class. Holland Patent had a state bank organized in 1895, which April 14, 1900, was converted into the First National Bank with $30,000 capital, George G. Chassell president and H. W. Dunlap cashier. This organization was that of the original Bank of Holland Patent and it remains unchanged. The First National Bank of Remsen dates from November 5, 1902. Its cap- ital is $25,000, and its president George E. Pritchard, with H. W. Dunlap cashier. The National Exchange Bank of Boonville was organized January 1, 1906, J. MILTON BUTLER Banker STALHAM WILLIAMS Banker P. V. ROGERS Banker HENRY HUNTINGTON Banker StONTGOMEET HUNT Banker ROBERT S. WILLIAMS Banker HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 279 with $25,000 capital. Eugene N. Hayes is president and Herbert R. Tubbs cashier. The Utica Fire Insurance Company, a mutual organization, has been in business since 1903, has paid $22,875 in losses, and has $12,693 assets. The first president was William Howarth, secretary, A. A. Linck, and Jacob Agne treasurer. Their successors are George J. Whiffen president, H. A. Ackroyd secretary and Frederick W. Owens treasurer. The opinion that Rome can afford more than two commercial banks, with its growing population, led in March, 1911, to the formation of the Rome Trust Company, with Albert W. Tremain as treasurer. The capital is made $100,000 with $50,000 surplus. The banking department refused to authorize this com- pany to transact business. In both cities and the larger villages private bankers have offered facilities to depositors and borrowers. Some of them have been long in business with considerable capital, and have served their customers acceptably. They are not, however, incorporated institutions. Commercial banks and trust companies reported according to their respec- tive charters to the State department February 28, 1911, and to the comptroller of the currency March 7, 1911, showing these results-. Capital Surplus Resources First National Utica $1,000,000 $1,406,084 $7,086,681 Oneida National Utica 600,000 761,764 3,461,734 First National Waterville 150,000 79,447 554,903 First National Vernon 100,000 44,458 396,745 Utica City National 1,000,000 234,973 3,636,267 Farmers National Rome 100,000 156,412 1,226,397 First National Rome 100,000 127,665 1,108,198 Second National Utica 300,000 342,833 2,192,398 First National Camden 50,000 57,884 444,432 First National Boonville 75,000 16,304 861,773 Utica Trust & Deposit. 400,000 515,734 8,079,742 Citizens Trust Utica 300,000 263,556 4,108,375 Exchange National Boonville 25,000 22,028 390,926 First National Holland Patent . . . 30,000 20,346 319,241 First National Remsen 25,000 9,715 275,770 CHAPTER XXIII PEESS AND PUBLICATIONS Five years before Oneida caunty was cut off from Herkimer county and organized, the first newspaper published west of Albany was issued in New Hartford. Its name was the Whitestown Gazette, and its proprietors were leading citizens, Jedediah Sanger, Samuel Wells and Elijah Risley, with Richard Vosburg printer. The first number bore date July 11, 1793, but it lapsed the next winter, and was resumed in May, 1796, by Samuel Wells, with William McLean as printer, who soon after became proprietor, and removed the ofiSce to Utica in July, 1798, and added to its title, making the name Ga- zettean Cato's Patrol. January, 1794, a second paper was started by James Swordg of New York — the Western Sentinel — printed by E. P. Eton in Whitesboro; it survived about six years and was discontinued. A copy of the initial edition of the Ga- zette hangs framed in the museum of the Oneida Historical Society, and in its archives are scattered numbers of the succeeding papers. The beginning can thus be traced of the stream of issues from the press, which have developed such enterprise and infiuenee. From 1804 to 1816, John H. Lathrop, a graduate of Yale, was editor and proprietor of the Gazette, with Merrell and Seward, printers, and he changed the name to the Utica Patriot. January 1, 1815, Asabel Seward, William H. Maynard and William Williams started the Patrol, which the next year was united with the earlier paper, and the Patriot and Patrol was published by them for a year as a semi-weekly, then as a weekly. In 1821, by reason of political changes, this paper gave way to the Utica Sentinel, with William Wil- liams as editor and proprietor. Meanwhile August 17, 1799, Thomas Walker and Ebenezer Eton began in Rome the publication of the Columbian Patriotic Gazette and March 21, 1803, the paper was removed to Utica. The next change was the sale of the Sentinel to Samuel D. Dakin and William J. Bacon, who merged it May 6, 1825, with Mr. Walker's weekly under the style of the Utica Sentinel and Gazette. After three years Mr. Bacon retired, and in 1829, Mr. Dakin sold to Northway & Por- ter, the printers, but remained as editor until 1831. Next followed a series of newspapers, living for brief periods to be merged into a common center. In 1830 the American Citizen, of which George S. Wil- son was the head in its brief career, led the way to the Sentinel and Gazette. William Tracy in 1832 made like transfer of the Intelligencer, six years old. The Elucidator followed these examples in 1834; it was begun in 1829 by Beriah B. Hotehkin for the Anti-Masons, passed in 1830 to William Williams, 280 HISTORY OP ONEIDA COUNTY 281 and then with the others to Rufus Northway. All these represented the sev- eral elements of the Whig party, and naturally the consolidation was christened Oneida Whig, May 20, 1834. For a few months in 1831 the Co-operator by Quastus Graves preached co-operation. The Democrats were not without an organ after January 27, 1817, when the first number of the Uticd Observer appeared as a weekly. In a couple of years as the Oneida Observer it was printed in Rome, but after a few months came back to its first home and title. Eliasaph Dorchester was editor and proprietor, and was rewarded for his services by appointment as county clerk. He showed skill as an editor, and as a school teacher has a place in the local annals. Augus- tine G. Dauby, in 1823, a printer in the office, became publisher and editor, under the auspices of the partisan leaders, and he won high credit as a writer. About September 18, 1834, a daily issue was put out from the Observer office, for campaign purposes. Eli Maynard became his partner in 1826, and after a time became proprietor of the paper, while Mr. Dauby was made postmaster by President Jackson and served from May, 1829, until May, 1849. After Mr. Maynard followed John P. Bush and John P. Kittle, and then Arthur M. Beardsley became the editor, whose memory is among the leading writers. Copies in the public library prove that in the second year after its first charter the infant city had three rival daily papers. The first number of the Daily Observer was followed by the Oneida Whig, a sprout of the weekly of the same name, which came from the press September 25. It was called out in the keen canvass for governor between William H. Seward and William L. Marcy, and was like the Observer, a sheet of 18% by 24 inches, with four pages divided into four columns each. On September 30 of the same year Robert B. Shepard brought out the Morning Post, half the size of the other dailies, and offered it for $3 a year or a cent a copy, while the Whig and Observer sold for $5 a year each, or two cents a copy. The Post devoted itself to literature and news, leaving politics to the Whig. An early death was the fate of all these ambitious aspirants for daily existence. In 1833 the Oneida Standard was begun in Waterville and changed its of- fice to Utica, where its style was the Standard and Democrat. In 1835 it aroused anger by taking part with the abolitionists and favoring the anti-slavery state convention held here, so that its office at Liberty and Seneca streets was mobbed. John G. Ployd, noted as representative in Congress, brought out the Utica Democrat in 183.6, which passed through the hands of several publishers to DeWitt C. Grove, who, in 1852, merged it into the Observer, and in 1853 John B. Miller took the editorial chair. Mr. Grove was head of the concern until 1883, taking in as a partner in 1867 B. Prentiss Bailey, as the firm of Grove & Bailey, and later the corporation of E. P. Bailey & Company took control, and Thomas P. Clarke became part owner. Mr. Bailey succeeded Mr. Grove as editor with a series of assistants and reporters, of whom in 1911, W. W. Canfield is chief, with Lansing and Prentiss Bailey, sons of the senior. After the experiments of Thomas Walker and B. Dorchester, Rome waited for a newspaper until 1825, when Lorin Dewey set up the Rome Republican, to which a rival Republican and a Telegraph were added after a while, and in 1838 the title Democratic Sentinel was adopted by R. Walby, with Calvert Com- 282 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY stock as editor. la 1845, after changes of managers, the style was simplified to Rome Sentinel. Calvert Comstock and Elon Comstock became interested with A. J. Rowley in 1847, but three years later Mr. Rowley became sole proprietor. The first number of the Daily Sentinel was issued July 15, 1852, by Calvert and Elon Comstock. In 1854 Daniel E. Wager and D. C. Rowley bought half of the establishment. From 1861 to 1863 Wood & Larwill were the publishers, who were succeeded by Warren & Beers. From June, 1864, the present owners, Franklin B. Beers and Augustus C. Kesstnger, date their long and successful career. In 1893 they formed a corporation with Mr. Kessinger as president, Mr. Beers as secretary and treasurer, and Albert R. Kessinger as vice president, who for fifteen years has been managing editor. Vernon in 1835 started a paper, the Vernon Courier, which in 1840 was re- moved to Rome, and from it arose the Roman Citizen as a Whig paper, then Republican, with C. B. Gay as editor and H. N. Bill as proprietor. Of seven who in course shared in control before Alfred Sandford became owner in Oc- tober, 1854, J. P. Fitch, A. D. Griswold and G. H. Lynch may be mentioned. Prom 1866 to February, 1884, E. E. Carr was associated with Mr. Sandford, who then gave way to Ernest F. Byam, and in 1887 Clark Briggs took the place of Mr. Carr, when the firm became Byam & Briggs until January 1, 1896, and then Mr. Byam retired and Mr. Briggs became sole proprietor. In July, 1899, he sold out to A. C. Ross, but in February, 1903, Mr. Briggs was compelled to take the paper back. Finding that it was no longer profitable he discontinued the publication in April of that year. Rome was presented with a third weekly in 1881 by J. J. Guernsey under the title of Rome Republican. This was issued tri-weekly in 1895 and since. Mr. Guernsey has become (1911) the dean of publishers in his city. Besides the regular weeklies, keen contests at elections gave birth to docu- ments of various sorts and to campaign papers. The most notable marked the year 1840, when Richard U. Sherman and William Allen in the Democratic Rasp printed by R. W. Roberts advocated the claims of Harrison and Tyler, while the Sledge Hammer struck its blows in behalf of Martin VanBuren. The latter was issued from the Observer office, and Luther R. Marsh and Jarvis M. Hatch were supposed to be the writers, although no editors were announced. These papers were types of the full developments of the partisan controversy of the period spiced with personalities. Religious publications from an early day had their full share of the field. The Christian Monitor and Sunday Morning Repast, issued in Waterville in 1814, head the list, merged in the Civil and Religious Intelligencer by Joseph Tenny, and moved to Utica in 1833. The Christian Magazine was conducted by Congregational and Presbyterian ministers in 1814 and 1815. In 1822 the Christian Repository came from the press of William Williams under like in- fluences. Then was the Western Recorder, which began its career with Thomas Hastings as editor. After nine years in that post he was called to New York, where he won note as a leader and author in church music. Revs. E. F. Wiley and Elon Galusha in 1824 set on foot the Baptist Regis- ter, of which Alexander M. Beebe took editorial charge in 1825 and served until his death. Dolphus Bennett and Bennett, Backus & Hawley were publishers HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 283 for quite a period, and Edward Bright acquired an interest, who in 1855 trans- ferred the publication to New York City. In 1826 and the next two years the Western Sunday School Visitant appeared. The Universalists in 1827 were represented by the Evangelical Magazine, conducted by Rev. Dolphus Skinner, and later by Rev. A. B. Grogh ; the Gospel Advocate, brought hither from Buf- falo, was joined to it in 1830. The Gospel Messenger, official organ of the Episco- palians, which was started in Auburn in 1827, and removed to Utica in 1839 under Rev. John C. Rudd. On his death Rev. W. A. Matson conducted its col- umns from 1848 to 1860, and he was succeeded by Rev. W. T. Gibson until 1872, when the publication was transferred to Syracuse by Bishop Hunting- ton. Dr. Gibson in 1873 brought out the Church Eclectic, a monthly. Besides periodicals the earliest issues from the local press noted are a fourtH of July oration by Thomas Moore, published at Whitestown in 1797 by Lewis & Webb, and next in June, 1803, by Thomas Walker at Utica, a Vindication of the Administration of President Jefferson written by Gideon Granger under the pen name of Algernon Sidney, and a treatise on Infant Baptism also ap- peared in that year. The same year Merrell & Seward began a series of al- manacs, and added a spelling book and selections for reading by Noah Webster, with three or four religious works, and the Gamut, a book of music. Seward & Williams published The Farmer's Calendar for 1808 and following years, and issued also several sermons, Divine Songs by Isaac Watts, an edition of Livy, Murray's English Reader, a collection of church music entitled Musica Sacra, Thayer's Geography, the New England Primer and A Wanderer in Switzer- land, and the list might be prolonged. William Williams became the sole imprint first on the Utica Directory of 1817. As a boy of 12 years he worked on the first newspaper in the county under his brother-in-law McLean. He was connected as editor or publisher with three of the branches grafted into that tree, and as partner he had been active in setting forward an active book publishing business. He engraved illustra- tions first in this part of the country which appeared in 1810 in the New Eng- land Primer. Circulating notes issued by the village of Utica in 1815 were adorned by his cuts. He was chief of the pioneers of the press not only in Oneida county but in all this region, and by far the most prolific publisher outside the largest cities, and deserves comparison with the foremost of them anywhere. Measured by the scantiness of the neighboring population and the meager means of distribu- tion the products of his press were marvelous in number, variety and import- ance. Between 1817 and 1821 they counted no less than 51 books and pamphlets, and included the Greek Testament, Morse's Geography and a spelling book in the Iroquois language. From the latter date to 1838, when he retired from busi- ness, he issued as many as 130 publications. Among them were a quarto Bible, a Welsh hymn book, four tracts in Chotaw, a Hawaiian grammar, and the Douay version of the New Testament, printed at the instance of Nicholas Dev- ereux, a prominent Catholic of Utica. Light on Masonry, an octavo of 582 pages, was a cause as well as an effect of the anti-masonic excitement of 1829. An edition of the Edinburgh Encyclopedia, begun in 1814 in connection with a Philadelphia house and running on for twenty years, brought heavy loss, and was a large factor in the reverses which clouded his closing years. 281 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY Other publishers were busy in this period. Ira MerreU put out a volume of sermons by Benjamin Bell in 1813. The name of Asabel Seward is im- printed as early as 1811 and in following years. An Astronomy by M. R. Bart- lett was issued by Colwell & Wilson in 1825. Hastings & MerreU and Gardner Tracy published books. 0. Hutchinson in 1840 and following years, in the ia- terest of the Universalists, published several volumes, among them A Voice to Youth in 1841. Dolphus Bennett and Bennett & Hawley in the same year pub- lished an Arithmetic by Professor George R. Perkins and an Algelra by the same author followed in 1845. R. W. Roberts in 1848 brought out an English Grammar by Solomon Barrett and Sermons by Seth Williston. The Oneida Whig had for editor for some years Theodore S. Gold, And Feb- ruary 4, 1842, a daily was issued from its ofEce, the Vtica Daily Gazette, edited at first by Richard U. Sherman, then for two months by Ezekiel Bacon. Alexander Seward became a partner with Mr. Northway May 1, 1843, assum- ing the editorial chair; with him Dr. H. C. Potter became associated in 1847, and later was sole editor, after Mr. Seward was called to conduct the Albany Register. The establishment was sold October 12, 1853, to Lyon & Arthur, who made both daily and weekly democratic organs of the compromise school under the editorship of Joseph M. Lyon. In July, 1856, N. D. Jewell became pro- prietor with C. J. Radford as editor, and the political leanings were diverted to the Native American party. On January 29, 1867, the subscription list was bought by Ellis H. Roberts, and the Daily and Weekly Gazette were absorbed by the Vtica Herald. The Oneida Morning Herald was projected to maintain the growing anti- slavery sentiment, and appeared November 1, 1847, under Roberts & Sherman, with whom Edwin R. Colston was a partner for a few months. Robert W. Rob- erts was trained as a printer in the office of William Williams, and succeeded that veteran in job printing. Richard U. Sherman had edited the Gazette and was active in politics. In 1850 he was elected clerk of the New York Assembly, and his vacant chair on the paper fell to Ellis H. Roberts, who, when Mr. Sher- man withdrew the next year, became proprietor, and soon localized the name to Vtica Herald. With an interval of two or three months owing to factional strife in 1854, Mr. Roberts was head of the concern, and the paper led in advocacy of the Republican party; in April, 1889, he was appointed by President McKinley Assistant Treasurer of the United States in New York. He gathered a strong staff about him, and the paper gave voice to the intense popular loyalty in the period of the war for the Union. In 1872 he formed a corporation and ad- mitted as stockholders with himself George L. Roberts and S. N. D. North, under the style of Ellis H. Roberts & Co. In October, 1890, the Vtica Herald Publish- ing Company acquired possession with Joseph R. Swan as president, F. H. Winke business manager, John H. Cunningham editor, and William E. Weed and W. H. DeShon among his assistants. The company next chose Titus Sheard as president, and a receiver took control in a few months. The Vtica Morning News preceded the Gazette as a daily, but was published for only about three months in 1842 by Lyon & Arthur with C. Edward Lester as editorial writer. HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 285 The Morning Herald from 1847 forward appealed to the constituency of the early day in all of Central New York. The Observer began its daily issue April 27, 1848, as an afternoon paper. In 1849 Thomas L. James, afterwards postmaster general, promoted the Central City Cadet by Lewis & James, as a temperance advocate. The Evening Telegraph was conducted from May 1, 1851, to 1863, by T. E. McQuade & Co., with James Mclver as the first editor. F. A. Crandall and D. F. Ritchie were successive managers until the publication ceased in 1875. The first number of the Genhadwr Americana, idd., an octavo monthly, was issued January, 1840, from the office of Robert W. Roberts, by Rev. Robert Everett, a Congregational minister. Mr. Everett was the best educated of the Welsh preachers who up to that time had migrated to this region, and wielded a wider influence with his pen than in the pulpit. He had already in 1839 published a collection of Welsh hymns for church use printed by Mr. Roberts. After two or three years Dr. Everett transferred his magazine to Steuben, where he resided, and published there editions of his hymn book and other religious works. He kept his press busy there until his death in 1875, and it was con- tinued by his son Lewis and his daughter Miss Mary for six years. The Gen- hadwr was bought in 1881 by Rev. Edward Davis, who after awhile took it to Waterville. On account of his failing health Hugh Hughes became practically the manager, and the magazine was discontinued in 1902. The Gyfaill, another Welsh monthly, was begun under the auspices of the Calvanistic Methodists in Utica in 1857. Rev. William Rowlands was the editor for many years, succeeded by Rev. William Roberts, and later for a long period by T. Solomon Griffiths. In 1811, the editorial mantle passed to Rev. Joseph Roberts of New York. The Welsh Baptists for two decades gave support from January, 1876, to Y Wawr, also a monthly, conducted by Rev. Owen GrifiSths, and discontinued August, 1896. The physicians of the Utica State Hospital started in 1844 the American Journal of Insanity, an octavo quarterly, in which contributions by Dr. Amaziah Brigham, Dr. John P. Gray and other alienist experts have for two generations commanded the attention of the profession. The Opal was also issued from the same institution for the patients from 1852 to 1857. Y Drych, Welsh weekly, is the consolidation of four papers from several quarters. Started under that name in New York in 1851 by J. M. Jones, from 1854 it was conducted by J. W. Jones, and was brought to Utica in 1860, where it was soon bought by J. Mather Jones. In 1860 John C. Roberts was charged with the management, and in 1874 by purchase Thomas J. Griffiths assumed the responsibilities of proprietor. In the meanwhile Y Gwyliedydd, edited by Lewis Jones for a company headed by WiUiam M. Owen and printed by R. W. Roberts ran its career at the middle of the century and gave up the field. Mr. Griffiths in 1877 brought hither the Baner America from Scranton ; in 1890 Y Wasg from Pittsburg, and in 1894 the Golumhia from Chicago. The circulation of Y Drych extends to many states, and now (1911) continues with Thomas J. Griffiths as proprietor and John C. Roberts as editor. Mr. 286 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY Griffiths also publishes since 1886 the Cambrian, which was started in Cincin- nati in 1880 in English, but appealing to the Welsh people. October 22, 1877, to promote the partisan interests of Roscoe Conkling, Lewis Lawrence promoted the Republican, a daily paper, with Dennis T. Kelly as publisher. Of its editors John F. Mines was the best known. The last number appeared February 4, 1879. In 1846 Clinton had its first paper, the Signal, of which the initial number was dated July 10. L. W. Payne was publisher. After two years the title was changed to the Badiator, and the publication stopped in 1852. The Oneida Chief soon took its place under L. W. Payne and Ira D. Brown. In 1856 Fran- cis E. Merritt became proprietor, who the next year sold out to Glen H. Osborne, who named it Chief and Courier, and in 1859 M. D. Raymond became proprie- tor, and so continued until 1875, when J. B. Sykes bought the property, styled the paper Clinton Courier, and J. B. and H. B. Sykes have been publishers for a quarter of a century. In 1899 the Clinton Advertiser entered the field in charge of H. Piatt Osborne, and it was merged with the Courier in March, 1911. J. B. Sykes has retired, and H. B. Sykes is now the publisher. The genesis of Boonville's papers dates from March, 1852, when James H. Norton started the Boonville Ledger and soon sold it to E. Kent. L. C. Childs & Company bought the office in 1855, and rechristened the paper Black River Herald. In 1862 H. P. Willard assumed control as editor and publisher. On his death his sons took up the work, and since 1891 Garry A. "Willard has con- ducted the paper, localized as the Boonville Herald, and advocating the Repub- lican cause. As a Democratic weekly in 1892 C. J. Donnelly brought out the Boonville Record, which in 1895 he transferred to H. H. Griffith and I. G. Sawyer, who continue the publication. The record of papers in Camden is extensive for a village of its size. The Camden Gazette by E. C. Hatton appeared in 1842, who passed it over to E. M. Higbie, under whom it died. Ira D. Brown in 1852 kindled the Northern Light, and after half a year passed it on to Merritt & Stone. The Camden Courier by E. O'FarreU followed in 1853, which after a short life left the field to the Camden Freeman by "Wesley Henderson, which suspended in 1863. The Journal under Jairus H. Munger from 1864 to 1878 was a notable publication. In 1885 "W. C. Stone, who had founded the Advance in 1873, merged the Jour- nal with its rival under the title of the Advance JourncA, and it continues, a credit to the town and the publisher. Besides the earliest publications which, as has been mentioned in this chap- ter, were transplanted to other soil, "Waterville had the Advertiser in 1851, the Journal started in 1855 and stopped the next year, and in 1857 McKibbin & Wilkinson established the Waterville Times. J. H. Yale followed them in 1860, and R. S. Ballard in 1866. James J. Guernsey was proprietor from 1870 to 1881, and Frank J. Cutter, for a year as partner of W. L. Histed and then alone, conducted the paper until 1887. W. S. Hawkins in that year added the Reflex, which had been run three years by Loftus and Barnum, and has given the Times character and influence up to this day. He also issues a poultry paper. HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 287 After the Vernon Courier was transformed into the Roman Citizen, the next paper in the former village was the Central New York Journal, projected in 1851 by John R. Howlett, who gave it the name of the Vernon Transcript in 1855. Forty years later Rev. H. A. Howard brought out in December, 1895, a monthly called the Search Light, and a dozen numbers were printed. In May, 1896, Curry & Murphy started the Vernon Times, which appeared for some years. Oriskany Palls has had a local weekly, the News, for forty-two years, since May, 1869. W. E. Phillips is editor and publisher. Notable publications in Utica before 1850 were the Friend of Man, by Wil- liam GoodeU, radical abolitionist, and the Liberty Press, by Wesley Bailey, which gave way to the Teetotaler. For awhile about the same time the Uti- carian by Squires & Soliss attracted local notice. In the same era 0. B. Pierce issued the Rome Vigilant, and N. D. Jewell the American Courier in Utica. About 1855 appeared the New York Farmer in Rome by Wager & Rowley, and the Northern Farmer in Utica by T. B. Miner, and the Rural American in Clinton also by T. B. Miner, which in 1887 he took away to New Brunswick, N. J. Hamilton College during all its history has allied itself closely to the print- ing press. The anniversary addresses and reports of notable occasions have been presented in pamphlets often of many pages and of especial value. Pro- fessor Henry MandeviUe's book on Reading and Oratory, half a century ago when it came from the press of Rufus Northway, made a deep impression and has inspired all the classes to excellence in elocution. The German speaking population in 1853 felt the need of a- paper using their own language, and a stock company was organized to print the Central New York Democrat, with Dr. Soden as editor. Two years later Paul Keiser became proprietor, and rechristened it the Oneida Democrat. John C. Schreiber took editorial charge in 1860, and became proprietor in 1865, adding Utica Deutche Zeitung to the title. In 1891 the control passed to a stock company with John C. Fulmer treasurer and Mr. Schreiber president, who remained editor until his death in 1910. He was followed in that capacity by Otto Poepel. The president of the company is Jacob Ague. After two decades of labor in that capacity Mr. Fulmer resigned as treasurer in March, 1911, and Richard Metzler was chosen his successor. The Vtica Volkshlatt was conducted as a Republican German weekly by Henry Kruempel from 1887 for about ten years. Bare mention can be made of issues about 1847, of the Central Washingtonian News by Baker & Sanford in Utica; the Christian Contributor by Rev. C. P. Grosvenor, and the Gomerian Sun by Evan E. Roberts. To this list may be added about 1857 the Central Independent by G. W. Bungay and Ansel K. Bailey, which Mr. Bungay removed to Ilion. The paper was later merged with the Utica Weekly Herald. In 1868 the Temperance Patriot was started by William M. Ireland; somewhat earlier was the Model Worker by Samuel W. Green. Later the Women's Christian Association produced the Christian Worker. In 1870 Thomas F. Baker and Benjamin L. Douglas found the field of daily 288 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY newspapers in Utica tempting and added to it the Utica Bee, an afternoon issue. Their experience did not satisfy them, and they passed it over to Seth Wilbur Paine the next year and he dropped it. Another short lived daily was the Utica Union, of which the first number came out October 12, 1895, started by a company of printers and sold for one cent. Andrew Keiner was president and then C. N. Gaffney, with E. L. Mainwaring manager. The Sunday Tribune owes its origin to Thomas F. Baker and Dennis T. Kelly, who founded it in May, 1877; they transferred it to H. E. Devendorf in 1883. He was followed by Patrick E. Kelly, who sold the establishment in December, 1895, to Jacob Ague and John C. Pulmer. They acted for the Utica Sunday Tribune company, which was incorporated January 31, 1896, and Jacob Ague was chosen president and John C. Fulmer secretary and treasurer, who both continue to serve as such. The Sunday Journal entered into competition in October, 1894, and was bought and absorbed by the Tribune company March 4, 1907. The same corporation established the Evening Dispatch December 22, 1898, and bought the Morning Herald property March 6, 1890. The latter paper was printed until March 28, but from March 16 the morning and evening editions were styled Utica Herald-Dispatch. From the Herald a number of men were recruited, including William E. Weed managing editor, William H. DeShon leading assistant, and F. H. Wienke secretary. As an evening journal the con- solidated paper has gained a wide circulation and notable prosperity, as the lineal descendant of the original newspaper in the county. William T. and Thomas P. Baker founded the Saturday Globe May 11, 1881, and have conducted it with pictures as a marked feature, with conspicuous success. Thomas F. Baker has been from the first editor-in-chief with A. M. Dickinson as managing editor and a corps of assistants. The Globe made for itself a special field and for thirty years has filled it acceptably to its very large clientage. The Utica Daily Press was issued March 13, 1882, by a combination of striking printers, who gave way the next year to a new corporation. F. A. Eastman was editor for about two years. In February, 1885, George E. Dun- ham was made president and Otto A. Meyer secretary and treasurer, with F. W. Bensberg at the head of the printing rooms. Mr. Bensberg retired after a service of two decades, and Mr. Meyer in February, 1911, when the officers were George E. Dunham, president and editor, and William V. Jones secretary, with Hugh Hughes as managing editor. The Press fills well its sphere as the only morning journal in the county. Many trade journals go forth from our cities and villages. Several churches have regular bulletins printed, while school and business catalogs are numerous. The publications of the Oneida Historical society have permanent value. Since ^ J 1894, with several changes of managers, the Advocate in Utica has stood every V week for organized labor. The intelligence and aspirations of the Italian community has found ex- pression in well conducted weekUes within the last decade, while the Spiritual Hammer since 1910 addresses our Polish residents. La Luce among the Italians survives competitors. The Polish Eagle has folded its wings. HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 289 In Remsen the News, as a weekly, records the events of that busy village. From the press of the Morning Herald several books were published; a Welsh Concordance by Rev. T. T. Evans and Presbyterianism in Central New York by Rev. P. H. Fowler were among the earliest. Curtis & Childs had their imprint on a Genealogy of the Childs Family, Dr. Bagg's Pioneers of Utiea and other books. Their successors, L. C. Childs & Son, also belong to the guild of publishers. Thomas J. Griffiths has published many volumes, while George W. Browning of Clinton deserves mention among local publish- ers. Perhaps other names in Rome and the villages belong in this record. Lack of space alone prevents the recital of a score or more of papers of various classes which have strown the way in all the years, of which since 1887 a score or more have fallen from sight leaving hardly a sign. The joy of opening the local mine was taken by Pomroy Jones, whose Annals of Oneida County issued in 1851, shows the rich ore. The Pioneers of Utica by Dr. M. M. Bagg published in 1877 and in an enlarged edition in 1892 is a careful, scholarly tribute of local pride. An illustrated quarto His- tory of Oneida County edited by Samuel W. Durant bears the date of 1878. In 1896 Daniel E. Wager presented the result of long and painstaking research in Our County and Its People, a royal octavo with portraits. The newspapers of the county have always represented the best thoughts and activities of the people and have enlisted some of the most able and best educated of its citizens. In every period the weeklies and the dailies have ranked with the most enterprising and influential in the country. In tha printed word not only, but in public service the editors of Oneida county have proved their title to rank with the leaders of men. They have put worthy effort into their current work and the managers have used the shrewdest devices in production and distribution. In the early days they extended mail routes and employed their own postriders for daily delivery. They helped to organize the Associated Press. From the local staff managers and writers have been recruited for journals elsewhere. From the ease and the editorial rooms have been summoned chiefs in national departments, representatives in the legis- lature and in Congress, presidents of banks, administrative officers, mayors of cities, postmasters, members of commissions and professors in colleges. Authors of books are numbered among the publishers, and the productions of the press are not the least honorable or beneficial of the contributions of Oneida county to the state and the nation. Ellis H. Robeets was born in Utica, N. Y., September 30, 1827. His parents were natives of north Wales and came to the United States, the father in 1816, and the mother in 1817, and they located in Utiea. The father died when the son was four years old. The lad was trained as a printer. After attending Whitestown seminary for three terms he entered Yale CoUege as a sophomore, working at his trade during vacations. In college he took prizes for English composition, was elected by his classmates first editor of the Tale Literary Magazine, and was accorded the second highest honor of the class when he was graduated in 1850, after winning the Bristed scholarship. He was for 290 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY awhile principal of the Utica Free academy, and a teacher of Latin in the Utica Female seminary. In 1851 he devoted himself to newspaper work, becoming editor of the Utiea Morning Herald, and, except for a brief period in 1854, continued his relation to that paper as editor and chief proprietor until 1899. The paper during the Civil War period attracted much attention. Mr. Roberts was elected as a Republican to the New York assembly from the Second Oneida district in 1866, and was assigned to the committee of ways and means, as well as to others. In 1870 he was elected to the national house of representatives from the Oneida district, and re-elected in 1872, but was carried down by the Demo- cratic tidal wave in 1874. In Congress, Speaker Blaine accorded to him a distinction rare to a new member, — of a position on the ways and means committee. He gave mueJi attention to financial measures, advocating the policy of the resumption of specie payment, the funding of the national debt by interest continually de- creasing, the redemption of bonds, and the reduction of war taxes, emphasizing his advocacy of protection to American industries. Among his addresses in the house of representatives were those on "Pro- tection to the Citizen," "Assaults on the National Credit," "The Revenue and American Labor," "Colorado as a State," "The Treasury and the Taxes," and "The Revenue and the Sinking Fund." During his service Mr. Roberts was a member of a sub-committee of ways and means which investigated certain matters in the treasury department, and led to the change of the secretary and an assistant secretary. He introduced the bill for the repeal of the moiety laws, and was chairman of a sub-commit- tee of the ways and means to report it. The moiety system had prevailed since the foundation of the government, and gave large profits to many officials, and they and their friends naturally clung to the policy. The bill became a law June 22, 1874. In 1864 and in 1868 Mr. Roberts was a delegate to the Republican national convention. The degree of doctor of laws was conferred upon him by Hamilton College in 1869, and by Yale College in 1884. President Harrison appointed Mr. Roberts assistant treasurer of the United States at New York on April 1, 1889. At their own request, twenty prominent citizens of Utica became his sureties, qualifying for $800,000. He served in that position during the administration of President Harrison, and upon his retirement Secretary Carlisle wrote to him : "The department appreciates fully and commends the admirable manner in which the affairs of the office have been conducted during your incumbency." In 1893, Mr. Roberts became president of the Franklin National bank of New York, and continued to serve in that capacity until he was appointed treasurer of the United States by President McKinley in 1897. In 1868 and again in 1873 Mr. Roberts traveled extensively in Europe, and gave the results of his observations in a series of letters to his newspaper which were entitled, "To Greece and Beyond." HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 291 On the nomination of the trustees of Cornell University in February of 1^, Mr. Roberts delivered a series of ten lectures before the two upper classes in that university upon the protective policy and the logical grounds upon which it rests. A part of the same course, on the invitation of the authorities of Hamil- ton College, was repeated there. The lectures delivered at Cornell University and Hamilton College were the basis of a volume published by Houghton, Mifflin & Company in 1884, entitled "Government Revenue, Especially the American System." He delivered addresses at Union College on "The Tariff Justified by Po- litical Economy, ' ' and at Syracuse University on ' ' The Currency Problem. ' ' He has also addressed the Bankers' associations of Maryland, Virginia, the Dis- trict of Columbia, Georgia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Indiana on various financial topics; also on the invitation of the American Bankers' association, he has delivered addresses before that body at its annual session in Richmond, San Francisco and New York. In the American Commonwealth series Houghton, Mifflin & Company have published two volumes written by him, and entitled "The Planting and Growth of the Empire State." Included in addresses published by the state of New York on Centennial celebrations, are an address on the Battle of Oriskany, and on the Sullivan campaign in the interior and southern part of New York state. He served as treasurer of the United State under Presidents McKinley and Roosevelt until July 1, 1905, when he resigned. He has since devoted him- self to study and literary work, has delivered addresses before the Oneida His- torical society, the Herkimer County Historical society, the Utica Free academy, the Men's clubs of various churches, and before different associations and chapters, and his pen has been busy for magazines and journals and other- wise. His home is in his native town. Mr. Roberts has served as president of the Fort Schuyler club, the Oneida Historical society at Utica, of the Patria club, the St. David's society, and the Phi Beta Kappa Alumni association. New York; as president of the Yale Alumni association of Washington, and of the Washington Economic society, and the Men's society of the Church of the Covenant. He is a member of the Cosmos club and the University club of Washington, the Archaelogical society of that city, and of the National Geographical society. In January, 1905, he was appointed by the president a meniber of the commission for the annual ex- amination of the mint. He was married June 21, 1851, to Elizabeth Morris of Utica, New York, who died July 20, 1903. The potential influence of Ellis H. Roberts, editor of the Utica Herald, a paper of large circulation in northern and central New York, proved of great assistance to Conkling. Roberts was of Welsh origin, a scholar in politics, strong with the pen, and conspicuously prominent in the discussion of economic issues. When in Congress (1871-75) he served upon the ways and means committee. In 1867 his friends sent him to the assembly especially to promote the election of Utica 's favorite son, and in his sincere, earnest efforts he very nearly con- solidated the Republican press of the state in Conkling 's behalf. During the week's fierce contest at Albany he marshalled his forces with rare skill, not for- getting that vigilance brings victory. 292 HISTOEY OF ONEIDA COUNTY After the elevation of Roseoe Conkling to the United States senate, Mr. Roberts became a candidate for the ofSce of representative in Congress. The opposing candidate was Alexander H. Bailey of Eome. Mr. Conkling desired the election of Roberts, but as Bailey was also a friend of Conkling, the senator refused to use his power to elect Mr. Roberts, and Mr. Bailey was nominated and elected. This offended Mr. Roberts, but afterward the differences of the two were somewhat ameliorated, and Mr. Roberts succeeded Bailey in Congress. In 1874 the candidate against Mr. Roberts was Scott Lord, the partner of Mr. Conkling. At this time Conkling and Roberts were at swords points politically, because of jealousies and offenses which each charged against the other Conk- ling and his friends supported Lord, and Mr. Roberts was defeated. The dif- ferences of these two prominent men was a great detriment to the state, and particularly to Oneida county, and it has always seemed to their friends that these differences should have been adjusted, that the public might have reaped the benefit of their valuable services. RiCHAED U. Sherman was born in Vernon, Oneida county, N. Y., in 1819. He was the son of Willit H. Sherman and Catherine Schoolcraft, who was a daughter of Lawrence Schoolcraft. He was educated at the common school, and graduated from the Utica Free academy in his fourteenth year. He was trained for a merchant, but he had a taste for politics, and soon became in- terested' in the famous campaign between Harrison and Van Buren. He con- ducted a paper in Utica during that campaign, and was editor of the Utica Gazette. In 1844 he conducted the Herkimer Journal, and in 1846 was editor of the Oswego Daily Times. In 1847, in company with Erastus Clark, he es- tablished the Daily Evening Gazette at Rochester. This was the only daily paper in the state of New York that supported General Zachary Taylor for president. In the fall of the same year he returned to Utica, and in connection with Robert W. Roberts he established the Utica Morning Herald, and was editor of that paper. In 1851 he was elected clerk of the assembly, which posi- tion he held until 1857, except for one year, when his party was in a minority in the house. He was member of assembly in 1857. He was the author of the Clerk's Manual, which has ever since been an authority in the legislature at Albany. In 1856, when the assembly was about evenlj'' divided between Republicans, Democrats and Americans, there were several weeks' contest over the speakership, and it fell to Mr. Sher- man's lot to preside during that time, and in a bitter fight of this description his remarkable ability as a presiding officer was made evident to every one. He had presided so satisfactorily that he was elected clerk, although his party had less than one-third of the votes in the house. In 1860 he was made assistant clerk in the house of representatives, and for ten years held that position at Washington, but resigned in 1870 to take charge of large estates as executor, administrator or trustee. He had a political controversy with Senator Roseoe Conkling, and they became estranged. He was a great admirer and friend of Horace Greeley, editor of the New York Tribune, followed Greeley into the Liberal-Republican movement, was nominated for representative in Congress in 1872, but was defeated by Ellis H. Roberts, the Republican candidate. In 1874 he was elected to the assembly. He was candidate for speaker of the as- RICHARD XJ. SHERMAN Editor E. PRENTISS BAILEY Editor 55* I^HI- *^ K -ki^^fll ^^^^^^V .^^H V^m '^'i^^l ELLIS H. ROBERTS Editor DEWITT C. GROVE Editor HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 293 sembly, and would have been elected except for the fact that Francis Kernan was candidate for United States senator, and it was thought unwise to press him for speaker as against Mr. Kernan 's chances for United States senator, and he, therefore, withdrew from the contest. He was re-elected to the assembly in 1875, and was the unanimous choice of his party, which was in the minority, for speaker. He served on important committees, and was the leader upon the Democratic side. He was appointed state fish commissioner to succeed Governor Horatio Seymour in 1879, and served until 1890. In this capacity he rendered the state great service in restocking the lakes of the Adirondack region with desirable fish, and protecting the forests from depredations by un- scrupulous lumber dealers and others. He was president of the New Hartford Canning Company, Ltd., and director in several other important industries; was trustee and president of the board of directors of the Butler Memorial hall in the village of New Hartford, several times president of the village, a promi- nent mason, and a member of several clubs and social organizations. He rep- resented the fourth ward of Utiea in the board of supervisors for several years, and was chairman of that body in 1854. While he filled the editorial chair of the Utica Herald his editorials ranked among those of the best writers in the entire country. As a sample of his editorial work we will quote from the first editorial he wrote, which appeared in the Utiea Morning Herald November 1, 1847, while he was yet a very young man : "To the public : We shall be the engine of no clique — the organ of no faction. Our aim is to promote the unity of the Whig party, to maintain its integrity, to .disseminate and extend its principles, and contribute to the extent of our humble means towards its success, and the perpetuation of its policy of government. * * * Upon all questions which are foreign to the objects had in view in the establishment of this sheet, and which may threaten to distract and divide the Whig party and prevent its harmonious and vigorous action the Herald will, as in duty bound, avoid participation. To agitate and embitter the public mind with injudicious excitement and recrimination is not our pur- pose. We shall, therefore, endeavor to abstain from acts which are liable to produce such consequences. We believe that differences in sentiment, habits and employments, can be more easily harmonized or tolerated, where parties differing entertain mutual kindness, than where uncompromising hatred is the rule of action. With this exposition of our intentions, we submit ourselves to the favor of the public, from whom we have already shared liberally, and a pledge of our individual and associated effort in promoting the welfare of our fellow citizens." Mr. Sherman died February 21, 1895, at New Hartford. January 13, 1845, he married Mary F. Sherman, a very distant relative, and they have had six chil- dren: Eichard W., a civil engineer and twice mayor of the city of Utica; Stal- ham W., who died in 1894 ; Mary Louise, wife of Henry J. Cookinham of Utiea ; James S., vice president of the United States ; Sanf ord F., president of the New Hartford Canning Company; Willet H., who died at New Hartford in 1868, aged about six years. Dewitt Clinton Geove was born in Utica, December 16, 1825. He was of English descent, and his father was a soldier in the war of the Revolution. On 294 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY his mother's side he was German. Mr. Grove received a limited education, and left school at the age of ten years. He was, however, a student, and became quite proficient in Latin, Greek and Hebrew. In recognition of his acquirements Madison University (now Colgate University) in 1861 conferred upon him the degree of master of arts. At the age of 13 he became a printer, and, except for a few months in 1844 when he studied law, he followed the business of a printer and publisher all his life. In February, 1846, he became one of the proprietors and editors of the Utiea Democrat, the organ of the branch of the Democratic party known as the "Barnburners," or the radical faction of that party. He became quite prominent in politics before he was a voter. In 1852 Franklin Pierce was elected president, and the two wings of the Democratic party became harmonious in central New York. The two Democratic papers in Utica were consolidated in 1853, Mr. Grove becoming the chief proprietor of the Daily Ob- server, then the leading Democratic paper in central New York. In January, 1867, he formed a partnership with E. Prentiss Bailey, who had long been his associate on the paper. In 1873 the partnership was changed to a corporation, the members of the corporation being Mr. Grove, Mr. Bailey, and Theodore P. Cook. From 1857 to 1860 Mr. Grove was alderman; in 1860 was nominated and elected mayor, and was re-elected twice afterward. In the fall of 1860 he was the Democratic candidate for representative in Congress against Roscoe Conkling, but the district was republican and Mr. Conkling was elected. It is related of Mr. Grove that while he was mayor the Abolitionists appointed a convention to be held in Utica, and that a mob had threatened to break it up. Although Mr. Grove was a Democrat and opposed to the Abolitionists, yet he notified them that they would be protected in their meeting, and personally conducted the speakers to a place of safety to save them from a hostile demon- stration. He took ground with the Union on the breaking out of the Civil War, and presided at the first large patriotic meeting in Utica, at which such great statesmen as Roscoe Conkling, Francis Kernan and Hiram Denio took a prom- inent part. About 1883 his health failed, and he retired from the active man- agement of the newspaper, going to New York to be with his son and daughter. His health did not improve, and on March 17, 1884, he died in New York City. His funeral occurred in Utica, and he was buried in Forest HiU cemetery. Mr. Grove married Caroline L. Pratt and had two children, Edwin B. and Mrs. Frank M. Gregory, both of whom are dead, and there remains no one who bears the name at the present time. Elijah Peentiss Bailey was born in the. town of Manlius, near Fayette- ville, Onondaga county, N. Y., August 15, 1834, the eldest son of the Rev. Wes- ley and Eunice (Kinne) Bailey. He inherited an inclination toward news- paper work, for his father, although a Methodist minister, devoted the greater part of his life to newspaper work. In 1842 the Rev. Mr. Bailey removed with his family to Utica, where, at the request and with the support of Alvan Stewart and other prominent Abolitionists, he founded an Abolition paper known as the Liberty Press. E. Prentiss Bailey's early education was received in a private school and in Hyde's Academy in Fayetteville ; and after the family removed to Utica he attended the Advanced School and Barret's Latin Grammar School. At the HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 295 age of 12 he left school and entered his father's office, there to learn the trade of printer. He remained in the office of the Liberty Press until 1853, when DeWitt C. Grove, then the publisher of the Utica Daily Observer, offered him an opportunity in that office. At that time John B. Miller was editor of the paper. Mr. Bailey was reporter, telegraph editor and all 'round journalist in this office until in 1857 Mr. Miller was appointed by President Buchanan, United States consul at Hamburg. Mr. Bailey then assumed the duties that Mr. Miller had relinquished ; and, a singular comparison between the newspaper of that day and the publication of to-day is offered in the fact that for a term of years he was practically the only man doing any of the strictly journalistic work on The Observer. In 1867 he purchased an interest in the paper, and the firm of Grove & Bailey was formed — a relationship that continued for thirty years, lacking three months. In that same year he became the managing editor of the paper; and since 1883 has been the editor-in-chief. In 1883 the corporate name of the firm was changed to B. P. Bailey & Co., as it still remains. Since that day in 1846 when he entered his father's office to learn the print- er's trade to the present time Mr. Bailey's interests and activities have been centered in the newspaper business; and he is to-day regarded as the dean of the profession. It is not probable that there is any other man in the country who has had so long a connection with one newspaper as Mr. Bailey has con- tinued with The Observer. Under his guidance it has come to be a recognized power among the Independent Democratic papers not only of the state, but of the country, and to his personality this is chiefly due. On the 9th of October, 1903, the employes of The Observer signalized the arrival of Mr. Bailey's fiftieth anniversary in the office by the presentation of a loving cup, the presentation speech being made by Isaac Ryals, pressman, whose term of service in the office somewhat exceeded that of Mr. Bailey himself. It is a point not impertinent to the subject of this sketch, as a commentary on the manner in which he, as editor and chief owner, has conducted the constantly growing business of the concern, that there is probably to be found nowhere in the city an office or factory where there are to-day so large a proportion of employes who can point back to ten, twenty, thirty, forty or fifty years of service as may be found in The Observer office. To the credit of Mr. Bailey's management it can be said that he has not bowed to any demand for cheap, corrupt or questionable pub- lications. His constant endeavor is to hold full high the standard of clean journalism, and to present to the public a newspaper worthy to be read around any fireside. As an editorial writer, in certain lines, Mr. Bailey has few equals in the country, and, perhaps, no superiors. Mr. Bailey was twice elected school commissioner of Utica; and in 1887 President Cleveland, long his warm personal friend, appointed him postmaster of Utica. He served is this capacity four years, about half of the term being under President Harrison and Postmaster General "Wanamaker. When Gov- ernor Roswell P. Flower reorganized the State Civil Service Commission he appointed Mr. Bailey a member. He was president of the board until his res- ignation, December 31, 1895. In March of 1896 he was again appointed post- master by President Cleveland. 296 HISTOEY OP ONEIDA COUNTY He was early identified with that great news-gathering organization, the Associated Press, and was the president of the New York Associated Press from 1887 to 1891; and for many years was a member of its executive committee. About the year 1860 he became a member of the Utica Mechanics' Association, and was for seven years its president. He has been a member of the Masonic fraternity for about 45 years, is a charter member of Paxton Lodge P. & A. M., and is also a member of Yah-nun-dah-sis Lodge, A. & A. S. Kite. He was one of the incorporators and original managers of the Utica Homeopathic Hos- pital. Mr. Bailey has been twice married. On September 28, 1857, he married Miss Julia S. Wetherby of DeWitt, Onondaga county, who died July 9, 1860, leaving one daughter, now Mrs. Edward Hyde Wells of Albany. He married, second. Miss Hannah Chapman of Utica, June 24, 1868, who died July 17, 1907. Of this marriage there were born four children — ^Lansing Chapman, August 12, 1869; Clinton Grove, July 24, 1871, (died July 21, 1872) ; Prentiss, October 19, 1873, and Bessie Carlton, December 20, 1875. PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. NEW HARTFORD CHAPTEE XXIV. RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS. Congregational — The first religious society to establish a church was the Congregationalists. In 1791 steps were taken to form a society in the town of Whitestown, in the locality which is now the village of New Hartford. The first proceedings in regard to the organization of this society are not of record, but the record of the Presbyterian church of New Hartford has the following : "At a Societies' meeting, warned according to Law, held at the Bam of Jedediah Sanger Esqr in Whitestown the sixth day of June 1791 Joseph Higbey Moderator ; Voted 1st That the subscribers to the Covenants which circulated in the New Hartford and middle Settlements so called in sd Whitestown for the purpose of promoting a Religious Society and to Build a Meeting house and Settle the Gospel — ^Will abide the Judgment of Ephraim Blaekmer Esqr James Dean and Capt Isaac Jones Respecting the place where the said meeting house shall be Built on Lot No 2 in the 7th Division in Cockes Patent so called — 2d That Jedediah Sanger Esqr Mr. Jesse Kellogg Capt Oliver Collins Mr. Thomas Gaylord and Capt Nathl Seward be a Committee to wait on the above Com- mittee — 3d that the meeting be adjourned to Monday the 20th Instant. "A true eoppey from the minutes. "Attest pr AsHBELL Beach, "Societies Clerk." And later another entry in the same record is as follows: "Monday 20th June 1791 met according to Adjournment and Unanimously agreed that a Stake standing in a Stump a few Rods South of Mr. Ezekiel Will- iam's present Dwelling house shall be the spot for erecting a Meeting house for said Society." The church proper was organized by Reverend Dr. Jonathan Edwards. He was usually styled the "younger" Edwards, to distinguish him from his very distinguished grandfather, the president of Princeton College. The most com- modious building at that time in the locality was the famous barn of Jedediah Sanger. The building is still standing, of which an excellent illustration is given in connection with this history. It was in this bam that on Saturday, August 27, 1791, the church was organized. Subsequent to this time the meetings were held at different houses until the church building was completed. On Septem- ber 5, 1791, a meeting was held, at which Judge Sanger presided, and it was voted that the people should prepare the necessary materials for the building of a meeting house "this present fall and the ensuing winter." A committee was appointed to carry the resolution into effect. A singular entry is contained in the minutes of the church in regard to the raising of the building, as follows : 297 298 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY "The Society to be at the Expense of Raising sd House in every respect Except the liquor and Master workman. ' ' There is no further entry upon the minutes until the year 1793, when it appears that the building was completed and the Society convened in the meeting house. This building is still standing and is in an excellent state of preservation. Although the church was organized under the auspices of the Congregationalists, November 23, 1801, the minutes read as follows : "Moved to try the minds whether the Society will put themselves under the care and direction of the Presbytery or not, and after reading the Articles of their Constitution and remarking on the same, the minds were taken and passed in the affirmative with only one dissenting voice." From that time forward the church has been under the control of the Presbyterian church. It is rather a singular circumstance that this oldest church in Oneida county has had, during its entire existence, of permanent and tem- porary pastors but eleven. At the centennial celebration of the church held August 27, 1891, all the then living pastors except one were present, and their pictures appear in an illustration connected with this work. The names of these pastors and the dates of their election are as follows: Rev. Dan Bradley 1791 Rev. Joshua Johnson Aug. 8, 1795 Rev. Samuel Snowden March 10, 1802 Rev. Noah Coe June, 1814 Rev. Moses C. Searle 1835 Rev. Eliot H. Payson Oct. 14, 1845 Rev. Samuel R. Sherrill and Rev. Charles C. Kimball temporarily supplied the pulpit between 1861 and 1864. Rev. Edward B. Furbish 1864 Rev. G. R. Alden 1873 Rev. Israel N. Terry October, 1876 Rev. Oliver A. Kingsbury June, 1891 Immediately after the organization of the church at New Hartford the Rev- erend Jonathan Edwards organized a church also at Paris HiU and one at Clinton. Although these churches were organized as Congregational churches, they soon ceased to be Congregational and became Presbyterian, and have re- mained so to the present day. Paris Congregational Church — An interesting incident in the history of the county is that of the organization of the Congregational church in the town of Paris. This was accomplished through the instrumentality of Dr. Jonathan Edwards, who had come to this part of the country and organized first, the church at New Hartford, second, the church at Paris Hill, and third, the church at Clinton. At the centennial celebration of the Paris Hill church a paper was read by Mrs. Russell 11. Wicks of Utica, which is so interesting that we quote at length from it : "August 29, 1791, Dr. Edwards came up the narrow trail through the for- est, from another little settlement— now the village of Clinton— and made him- GROUP OF MINISTEES OF THE FIRST CHURCH ORGANIZED IN ONEIDA COUNTY WITH OTHERS AT CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION, 1891 Rev. E. H. Snowdon, Rev. Elliot H. Payson, Rev. Charles C. Kimball, Rev. Edward B. Furbish, Rev. Gustavus R. Alden, Rev. Oliver A. Kingsbury HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 299 self known to Timothy Tuttle and his good wife, Mahetabel, who with Reuben Fowler, -Solomon Wright and Sibil his wife, were awaiting him in Mr. Tattle's log cabin, situated on the lot now occupied by the house of D. C. Addington. The record tells us that after examining the letters brought with them from their home churches. Dr. Edwards 'drew up a Confession of Faith, Church Covenant and Rules of Admission to said church, which with unanimous consent was styled The Second Church of Christ in Whitestown. ' This paper was then signed by the five persons present, and the little church was established whose 100th birthday we to-day celebrate. "Solomon Wright and his wife remained in the church till their death, 17 years later; the other three removed to other places. The colony grew rapidly. When they met June 14, 1792, for the purpose of uniting all the colony in the support of the gospel, none of the log cabins were large enough to accommodate the people, and the meeting was therefore held in the new frame bam belonging to Col. Tuttle. The necessary papers were made out and signed by 119 per- sons. Each agreed to help support ministers of the gospel and obey the rules agreed upon by the majority. The name decided upon was the 'Paris Religious Society, ' and the church afterward informally adopted the same name. In 1874 it adopted its present name, 'Paris Congregational church.' The name Paris was given to the society and afterward to the town, in honor of a Mr. Paris, who, in time of great scarcity, sent a large donation of breadstuffs to the new set- tlement. A few years since his body was removed from the place of its original burial, and with appropriate ceremonies was placed in the Episcopal cemetery here. "The money for the expenses of the Society was to be raised by 'taxation upon a man's real and personal estate.' A poll-tax of 10 shillings was ordered, and three of the trustees of the church were appointed assessors to levy the en- tire tax. Distance was to be reckoned also, for we find the following clause re- corded: 'Members living remote from the center of this Society shaU be con- sidered in taxation according to the distance'! Afterward an attempt was made to establish this 'center' in some other spot than our present village, but the final vote decided that 'the center shall forever remain where it was formerly pitched, a small distance south of Col. Tuttle 's now dwelling place.' Of the struggles of the little church to obtain a foothold we have little record for the four years following its organization, but we easily imagine the services held each Sabbath from house to house, led by the faithful Col. Tuttle as moderator ; the prayer meetings, where the few earnest hearts pleaded the promise, 'Where two or three are gathered together in My name ; ' and the attempts to keep all interested so that a pastor could be called. "Record of calls given to four ministers we find, but none were accepted. The first call was to one Rev. Asahel Norton to preach six Sabbaths on proba- tion. If then he should remain, his salary was to be £100 per year. This muni- ficent sum of $250 was to be paid ' one-half in cash, the rest in beef, wheat and pork at cash price, and 25 cords of firewood.' The next call, to a Mr. Porter, was a trifie more generous, as he was to have £133 6s. 8d., besides 25 cords of wood. With no church building, a log cabin to live in, and about $75 per year ready money with which to support his family, it does not seem strange to us 300 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY that these cultured men, graduates of Harvard College, hesitated to accept the position of pastor. In NoYember, 1793, they voted to erect a house of worship. It was to be of logs, and 45 x 50 feet in size. The committee appointed from the trustees to assess the property of the members was, at the same time, to 'carry round the subscription paper.' But it was hard work to raise money. There was no market nearer than Albany, 90 miles away, and each man needed every dollar he could obtain; so in the spring of 1794, we find them rescinding the former vote and substituting a building 26x30 feet. The site was also decided upon. 'The aforesaid house shall be set at the north side of the road leading from Brothertown, where it intercepts the road running by Col. Tuttle's.' This intersection would be nearly in the center of the green, and not on the lot now occupied by the Episcopal church, as some authorities have stated. But this plan seemed as unsuccessful as the others. The log house was given up, and a frame building erected, which was finished in 1796. It stood in the center of the green. Each man was to build his pew and own it in consideration of the money subscribed toward the building. It had 'square pews with banisters,' and no means of warming it in the severest weather. I have heard my grand- father tell how difficult it was in winter to hear the preacher, on account of the incessant stamping of feet necessary to keep them from freezing! Think of a people possessed of a piety so strong that they endured rides of six to ten miles through pitiless snowstorms, often shoveling their way through deep drifts, and then sitting through two services two hours long without a fire! But to them it was a 'Meeting House.' Why have we given up the good old name J You remember it in the old Jewish days, literally 'a house of meeting.' Not merely the meeting of the people, but a divinely appointed place where Gfod and his people met according to His promise, 'At the door of the House of Meeting will I meet you, and there wiU I speak unto you.' Let us not drop the name so utterly out of our vocabulary. Before the meeting house was finished the people called the Rev. Eliphalet Steele, who had just resigned his charge in Massachusetts, and the call was accepted. His salary was the same as that previously offered to Mr. Norton. He plainly told them in his letter of ac- ceptance that he did not approve of the proposal that half the salary should be paid in produce, 'as,' he writes, 'some men are tight and hard to deal with, and always think their minister so.' We can imagine the rejoicing of the little church, now grown to nineteen members, when, July 15, 1795, Mr. Steele was in- stalled. He was a man eminently fitted for the place. A little over fitfty years of age, a graduate of Yale College, with twenty-five years' experience as pastor in Massachusetts. His good sense and warm heart specially qualified him for the work of training the infant church, while his strong wiU was aU called into action in the management of the different elements then existing in the congre- gation. Everything prospered under his care, and the church was ten years old before its strength was impaired by a removal, an ex-communication, or even a death. That he was a systematic man is shown on page after page of these old records, where for almost twenty-two years every entry is made in his own handwriting. He kept a complete list of all baptisms, marriages, deaths, and all items of interest occuring during his long pastorate. Among the baptisms we find the names of infants, whom a few here to-day remember as white-haired HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 301 men and women ;• we trace long family histories through the list of marriages, while among the deaths are many curious entries, the death of one Jane Baxter being recorded wrong side up, because she committed suicide with a kuife. He also kept a record of churches which this church assisted in forming — nine in all. Given in the order of their organization they are as follows: Litchfield, Hamilton, Sangerfield, Steuben, Paris, Hanover Society, Bridgewater, Norwich, Second Church of Litchfield, and a church organized out of our own church, and 'consisting of eight members about to remove to Fish Creek, in the town- ship of Mexico.' This is now the fiourishing Union Congi-egational church of -Camden, in this county, with a membership of 260. From nineteen members the church grew steadily, and in some of the revivals as many as fifty-eight persons united with it at one time. He baptized 390 ; married 120 couples, and attended 427 funerals among his own people. The last recorded deaths were twin chil- dren of Daniel Handy and his wife Loisa, July, 1817. Two months later a strange hand takes the pen, and we read: 'Oct. 7. Departed this life in strong faith and with the greatest composure. Rev. Eliphalet Steele. ' And those of us who from earliest childhood have wandered with careful footsteps through the old cemetery yonder, remember well the awe with which we used to stop beside the long, flat tablet, in the center of the yard, and read this tribute to his mem- ory: 'This monument is erected to the memory of Rev. Eliphalet Steele, M. A., by his affectionate church, in testimony of their respect for his talents, and gratitude for his faithful labors. In the pastor's ofl&ce he was watchful and diligent, an impartial inquirer after truth, an able defender of the Christian faith, and an example to the flock. He was born at Hartford, Ct., June 26, 1842. Graduated at Yale College 1764; was ordained to the work of the gospel min- istry at Egremont, Mass, 1770. Dismissed from his pastoral charge in that place, 1794. Installed at Paris, July, 1795. Dies October 7, 1817, se. 75. The church in Paris, of which he was the first pastor, was founded Aug. 29, 1791. When Mr. Steele was installed it consisted of nineteen members ; 273 were added during his ministry, and at the time of his decease there were 193 members.' Not often does any minister leave a nobler record than that. "When Mr. Steele's health began to fail Rev. Dwight was employed to assist him, but five months before his death the pastoral connection was severed by his own request, and Rev. John Waters was installed, though Mr. Steele's half salary was continued until his death. We have no description of Mr. Waters, but we know that his children were so numerous that one was not easily missed, by the following incident: The parsonage was conveniently located near the church, being the farm south of the one where Lysander Head now resides. His family moved here in the winter, and all went well till the first meal time came. Then one of the children was missing. After long search he was found fast asleep in the straw in the bottom of the sleigh, where he had fallen during the journey. Mr. Waters was a Presbyterian and an earnest preacher. For some time many members had been in favor of changing from the Congregational to the Presbyterian form of government. In less than a year after Mr. Steele's death, the church withdrew from the Oneida Associa- tion and united with the Presbytery. From this time the long peace of the church was broken by dissensions of all sorts. Sectarianism ran rife, and 302 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY from discussions over the different doctrines the natural results followed. Brotherly love changed to fault-finding, and for many years these old pages are filled with the story of complaints brought before the Session and carried up to Presbytery. Though Presbyterian, there seemed always a strong spirit of Congregationalism in their doings, and we cannot but admire the pluck of the little church, when, after a lengthy case, in which even Presbytery decided against them, they record in the minutes that, 'While we have not altered our views, and do not mean to abandon the rights which we have heretofore asserted, yet as we have consented to be amenable to Presbytery, in this case we think it our duty to yield. ' Remembering how, one hundred years later, our descend- ants will smile over the things which to-day seem most sacred to us, it is with very reverent hands that I turn these old pages and give you glimpses of some of their curious ways. Those who are inclined to pessimism, and look back from our glorious to-day with sighs for the 'good old times' which lie always in the golden haze of beautiful memories, may see that after all 'the world moves,' and every day we are learning more the meaning of the command, 'Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.' For years there was hardly a re- corded meeting of the church, that there was not a case of discipline brought before it. They were disciplined for speaking disrespectfully of the minister; for not attending church every Sabbath; for hinting darkly of some other brother's character. One brother wajs disciplined for declaring that Christmas was an institution of the devil, and though he publicly retracts this, and says perhaps he ought not to have said it, he still asks that it be distinctly under- stood that he does not consider it an institution of the Lord. According to Matt, xviii: 15, 16, 17, it was deemed proper that each erring member should have what was termed 'three steps of labor.' He was first visited by the per- son who considered him in error; then by a committee of two or three; and if still unrepentant, the case was then laid before the church. The patience of the few who usually constituted the court of the church, seems simply marvel- ous. Some cases lasted for months; these brethren giving patiently one whole day every week to the hearing of evidence. If found guilty, letters of admoni- tion were sent, and if, after given time, there were no signs of repentance, resolutions of excommunication were read from the desk. The ways of avoid- ing discipline shows much of our present human nature. One we find plead- ing illegality of proceedings, claiming that instead of the two preliminary steps of labor, the conversations with him had been all on the same day, and con- sequently formed only 'one labor,' so he was entitled to another labor before being brought before the church. Another, disciplined for beating his wife with a rod, admitted that it was an unchristian act, but insisted that 'she well deserved it,' and consequently would not receive any letters of admonition, though they were repeatedly left on his doorstep. Later, we find him on trial again, and again pleading excuse. He claims that instead of throwing a butter plate at his wife, he simply intended to throw the butter in her face! The plate was a mistake, and therefore he refused to receive notice of his excommunication, and for years after, rose regularly at every communion service in answer to the question whether any communicant had been omitted. We find them also ex- ceedingly cautious about giving letters of recommendation to other churches. HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 303 One woman's application for a letter was discussed througli many sessions, and at last was dropped without action, as 'no person now living has knowledge- where she resides.' "It was during Mr. Waters 's stay that the first Sunday school was opened. It was then an experiment, and to us, with our hundreds of thousands of children gathered in our Sunday schools, it seems strange indeed to read their arguments against it, many asserting it to be a profanation of the Sabbath. After three years Mr. Waters resigned, and Rev. William R. Weeks was called as stated supply. He was employed for seven years, but was never made a settled pastor. It was during his stay that the dissensions of the church as to which form of government should have precedence rose to so furious a storm that only his strong hand and wise head kept the church from being utterly destroyed. In December, 1820, three months after he was called, the two factions attempted a compromise, by which it was agreed to transact church business in a full meeting of the church, at which every member of the church might speak and vote. Like most compromises, designed to please everybody, this pleased no- body, and six months after, twenty-one members requested to be formed into a new church, called the Second Presbyterian church of Paris. Presbytery met here to consider the request, and the members of the church were called upon to decide which form of government they would have. Twenty declared for Presbyterianism, thirteen for Congregationalism. Whereupon Presbytery released the Congregationalists, and at a recess they organized themselves into a Congregational church, still to remain under care of Presbytery. Imagine what a situation for a minister! Here were two churches, one purely Pres- byterian, the other purely Congregational. The same minister was Moderator of each church; they worshipped in the same building; came to the same com- munion table, and were served by a deacon from each church! Wise indeed must have been the head which could maintain such a position and excite no jealousy from either side! After a year the two churches united under the name of the Congregational Presbyterian church of Paris. It was about this time that a member asks for a letter of dismission because 'for fifteen months our minister has dwelt principally upon knotty questions and dark and difficult doctrines, which he has discussed in an unedifying and unprofitable manner; and that moreover he has been improperly pointed and personal in his preach- ing.' But the majority sustained Mr. Weeks, and the letter was not granted. "In 1825, after eight years of stormy discussions. Rev. Dr. Norton of Clin- ton proposed the revival of the Oneida Association, which had, for some years, been abandoned, and tired of their old relations, with only four dissenting votes they voted to be released from the Presbytery and join the association. The next vote was unanimous, the last vestige of Presbyterianism was destroyed, and the church has never since swerved from its Congregational principles. Dr. Weeks was greatly interested in benevolent objects, and the very year when the church was weakest, because of its division, there was over $700 given for different benevolent purposes. After Mr. Weeks 's resignation several ministers filled the pulpit. Rev. Daniel A. Clark, Rev. William B. Tompkins, Rev. Seth Willitson, Rev. E. Allen, Rev. L. P. Blodget, Rev. J. G. Cordell. Through all these changes we are now reminded of the troublesome times in the world 304 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY outside, and note how the little church kept steadily up with the great questions of the day. Under Mr. Allen, strong resolutions were adopted on the subject of intemperance, then growing into notice as a gigantic enemy. With Mr. Blodget as chairman, resolutions were passed disapproving of slavery and condemn- ing as unchristian the 'investment of monies in any steamboat, railroad, stage or canal company which does common business on the Sabbath day.' While Mr. Clark was here — 1832 — a new church was begun. It was voted that the trustees, Horace Bartlett and Tillinghast Simmons, be directed to purchase of Jesse Thomson, a lot adjoining the land of Shubal Smith, for the sum of $200. This is the present site of our church. The old meeting house was sold to help defray the expenses of the new one, which was to be 'similar to the Madi- son meeting house with a circular gaUery and one seat all around.' It was at this meeting that resolutions were passed appropriating $2.00 towards repairs in the burying ground, and directing the trustees to forbid any person from 'pasturing in it horses, cattle or hogs,' instructing them that hereafter it was to be rented only for pasturing sheep ! After Mr. Steele's death the number of members steadily decreased. From 193 there were only 80 when Rev. S. W. Brace was called in 1848. His work seemed greatly blessed and the membership increased to 135. "Our congregation today consists largely of two generations. The eldest of the first generation still remember the close of Mr. Brace's labors — five names being yet on the church roll which were there then. Upon his resignation the trustees, Ralsamon Seymour and Harvey Head, were instructed to secure the services of Rev. S. M. Campbell, then a licentiate of Ithaca Presbytery. He accepted the call in June, 1850, and in December of the same year was ordained and installed pastor of the church — the first settled pastor for thirty years. He was a young man of only 27, but possessed of brilliant talent, and brought to the work the zeal and enthusiasm born of the consecration of youth to the work of the Master. The church was perfectly united and felt the impulse of a pastor really its own, and many still look back to the time of his ministry with thajikful hearts for the good accomplished. He remained for seven years, and when he accepted a call to Westminster church, Utica, he left many warm friends. The last year of his stay $457 was given to benevolent objects, besides paying his salary of $700. On one Thanksgiving day he preached a historical sermon, concluding with these words, 'When some future and perhaps unborn chronicler shall tell the story of our times to the new congrega- tion which then shall worship in this temple, may he be able to say of us as I say to-day of our fathers, "Well done, good and faithful servants." The pres- ent 'chronicler' lay a wee baby two miles away when he spoke these words, but to-day, after the lapse of years sufficient to bear witness to the lasting good then done, he does not hesitate to speak the 'Well done' for both Mr. Campbell and the faithful men and women who that day were his co-laborers. For 34 years since he left us, Mr. Campbell has preached constantly and with increas- ing success, and to-day in Minneapolis he still lives to tell the story of the risen Chirst. Thirty-four brief years, and still of all those whose names he speaks so tenderly in the letter you heard read this morning, only eight remain to-day on our church roll. While he was here 40 members were added to the church ; SAMUEL ^A". FISHER. D. D. REV. WILLIAM GIBSON REV. WILLIAM E. KXOX, D. D., ROME REV. ALOTSIUS MURPHY ROME DANIEL G. COREY, D. D. REV. H. H. PEABODY ROME REV. WILLIAM BEECHAM PHILOMAN H. FOWLER, D. D. ROME II. S. X. CLARKE, D. D. HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 305 the parsonage — now occupied by Mr. Hannon — ^was bought, and the basement of the church was made into a session room. This basement brought on a sad calamity. A lamp was hung too near the plastering overhead, and October 5, 1856, just after an evening service, the church was burned to the ground, nothing being saved but the large Bible and Hymn book from the pulpit. The Episcopal church was kindly offered in which to hold services Sunday p. m., and the offer was very gratefully accepted. The Sunday school and prayer meetings were held in the schoolhouse. We almost wonder that the courage of the church did not utterly fail. But the old Puritan blood was as true as ever. In the councils we find the names of men we have honored from our childhood — Horace Bartlett, Bzekiel Pierce, Harvey Head, Carlos Simmons, Joshua Tompkins, Val Pierce, John Bailey, Samuel Bishop, Forbes Head, Mil- ton Simmons, George Bartlett, Thomas Bosworth, John Brooks, Russell Kil- bourne — who of us can wonder that in one year and two months after the fire, this new church building in which we to-day gather was finished and formally dedicated December 23, 1857. Old friends absent but still interested, assisted in the furnishing. Chairs were given by Wm. Bartlett of Clinton; chandelier by 0. S. Head, Kenosha; lamps by Dr. David Bishop, Lockport; sofa by Oren and Daniel Head; communion service by F. A. Scofield, Wisconsin, and a Sun- day school library by Mrs. S. M. Huntley, Oakland, Cal. "Rev. Geo. Bronson was called after Mr. Campbell's resignation, and many speak yet of his genial presence and that of his gentle voiced little wife. He remained three years, and was followed by Rev. W. W. Warner, Mr. Fine, Archibald Crawford and Mr. Ward, each of whom remained but a short time. Mr. Warner will be well remembered by many as a man of eminent piety, a most peaceable disposition, and one who might fitly contest with Moses the claim to the title 'the meekest man.' He was with us when the war broke out. Every one's patriotism was at the highest, and suppressed excitement was noticeable in the congregation as it gathered for the usual Sunday service. Great was the surprise of all present, when Mr. Warner in his prayer for the nation, asked that the Lord would 'make our generals as wise as serpents and as harmless as doves!' "September 15, 1865, Rev. H. F. Dudley accepted a call. Impulsive and warm-hearted, he won the hearts at once of old and young. Frank to a fault, perhaps, he feared nothing he believed it his duty to preach. By his intense interest in the amusements and affairs of the young people, he drew them into such near relations with himself as made it easy to lead them to trust in the Divine Friend who was so strongly exemplified in his own life. Many of us remember the 'Children's Prayer Meeting' he instituted, and his words of counsel and earnest sympathy turned many childish feet into paths of future usefulness. Universal was the sorrow, when a call to a wider field took him from us after two years, and very sincere was our grief when a few years since we received news of his death, in the very prime of life. "Rev. M. P. Wilder next filled the desk for one year, and was succeeded by Rev. E. S. Brooks, December, 1868. For four years Mr. Brooks remained, growing each year into the affections of his people. Quiet and unobtrusive in his ways, his sermons were always helpful and full of Christian counsel, and Vol. 1—20. 306 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY under his care the church grew steadily in numbers and in Christian love. The old parsonage needing many repairs, it was sold, and the house owned by Mr. Haswell, on the east side of the green, directly opposite the church, waa bought, thoroughly repaired, and Mr. Brooks and his family comfortably estab lished in it. The benevolent contributions nearly doubled. In the fall of 1872, while spending his vacation in Elgin, 111., there came suddenly the news of his death. The intelligence fell with crushing effect upon the entire church. In all the 81 years of its history, never before had an acting pastor been re- moved by death. So wholly had the people come to depend on his wise guidance that none seemed ready to assume the dropped responsibility. Those who had formerly carried the burdens had grown old in the service and felt no longer like assuming leadership. The parsonage was sold and the money put out at interest. For a year everything seemed paralyzed. Then Rev. B. F. Willoughby, at the time pastor of the Sauquoit Presbyterian church, was engaged to preach on Sunday afternoons and for eight and one-half years faithfully came up the hills in sunshine or storm. With his time fully occupied in his own parish, there was little time to spare for this one through the week, and the church at last woke to the great need which could only be supplied by a pastor of its own. Rev. F. A. Valentine was called, and after five months the association convened here and ordained him to the Gospel ministry, but at the end of the year he was dismissed. "The long-tried courage of the church now well nigh failed. "Without a minister, greatly reduced in numbers, it seemed a question whether its work was not finished. But God, whose watchful care has been evident through all the dark hours in this history, answered the question in His own way. He had already prepared the man who was to lead His people, and November 1, 1882, Rev. Wallace E. Mather accepted a call, and with his family settled in the new parsonage. This parsonage was bought during that year; the house and lot at the south end of the green, between the Bridgewater and Waterville roads. His work lies too close about us for criticism. The results of his life among you are easily seen in the prosperity, both temporal and spiritual, and these results will stand out more clearly when another century has rolled away, and a new people look back from that far away 1991 to these records of to-day. With little physical strength, his intense spiritual nature prevaded all his work and made itself felt through every one with whom he came in contact. Quietly he went among his people and they were stimulated to new life. His courage and faith in the work the church had yet to do never faltered, and each member gradually woke to find this same faith strong in himself. There could be but one result. Though no great revival followed the congregation steadily increased, and the spiritual life of the church grew with every year. The work done in the last decade which rounds out this one hundred years shows the power which lies always in earnest, continuous, self-denying labor. A literary club was formed, and its meetings proved beneficial in many ways, uniting pastor and people and bringing many bright and helpful spots into the routine of country life. "Much good was done in Sunday school work. One school was opened in the 'Porter District,' one in the 'Beckwith District,' and another at Bethany; HISTOKY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 307 all of which with the home school were cared for by the young people, under Mr. Mather's supervision, Mr. Amos H. Towne remaining superintendent of the home school. This work required much self-sacrifice, but time and money were given cheerfully, and who can estimate the far-reaching influences which begun with the 'word fitly spoken' in those Sunday school classes? Benevolent objects outside the church had their full share of prayerful interest. Systematic contributions were made each alternate month for some one of the existing boards, and 'Freely ye have received, freely give' became the text of many hearts. The envelope system was suggested, and so successfully established that despite 'hard times' the Pastor's salary was never in arrears. When Mr. Mather came the church had only fifty members — the smallest number ever recorded — ^and though many families moved away and an unusual number of deaths occurred, still the little church not only held its own, but the roll to- day numbers eighty-four, and the good work still goes on. At his suggestion a brief and simple confession of faith was adopted, the covenant and rules of the church were changed and new ones formulated, better adapted to the needs of the 19th century. The Young People's Society, which he organized, is a tower of strength which the church has not had for many years. With faith in your pastor and an unwavering trust in the God of your fathers, you have built in this community a memorial which shall be an inspiration to aU coming generations." Clinton Chuech — The third church of any denomination organized within the county was at Clinton. This church was originally organized with the Con- gregational form of government in the month of August, 1791. Religious meet- ings had been maintained on the Sabbath and other times from the first settle- ment of the town in March, 1787. Occasional preaching services were held by Kev. Samuel Kirkland, Rev. John Sergeant, Jr., and Rev. Samuel Oecum, missionaries among the neighboring tribes of Indians. These services were sometimes held in the log houses of the inhabitants, and often ia their more spacious barns. In the summer of 1791, by the advice of Rev. Dan Bradley, of New Hartford, Rev. Dr. Jonathan Edwards of New Haven, Ct., was invited to visit Clinton for the purpose of organizing a church in this place. A few weeks afterward (September 1, 1791), a religious society was formed, called "The Society of Clinton," of which Moses Foote, Eli Bristol, Ebenezer Butler, Jr., Hannaniah EUinwood, Ebenezer Selye and Samuel Tuttle were elected the trustees. For some time after the organization of the church and society. Rev. Mr. Tracy was employed as the stated preacher of the congregation. In the summer of 1793, Rev. Asahel S. Norton of Chatham, Ct., was invited to be- come the minister of this people. He was ordained, and installed pastor of the church September 18, 1793. The services were held in the open air on the village green, near the site of the present fountain. His salary was fixed at "one hundred pounds, lawful money," or 333 and 1-3 dollars. This con- tinued to be the amount of his salary for twenty years, when it was increased to $600, and there it remained during the rest of his ministry. A log building of moderate" size having been erected on the village common in 1792, furnished a place for holding religious worship on the Sabbath. Meet- 308 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY ings for prayer and conference were also maintained here and at other places during the week. During the summer of 1796 this building was removed, and the frame of a larger church edifice put up on the same site and enclosed. It was not finished until the spring of 1801, but was used as a place of worship as soon as the floor was laid and temporary seats were provided. In the year 1833 this building was taken down, and a stone church soon after erected. In November, 1833, Rev. Dr. Norton resigned his pastoral charge. Rev. Moses Chase was installed pastor July 22, 1835. February 26, 1840, Rev. Wayne Gridley was installed pastor. His health failing, he was dismissed Septem- ber 26, 1845. Rev. Robert G. Vermilye, D. D., was installed over this parish June 10, 1846. During his ministry the church edifice was remodeled and the parsonage erected. In October, 1857, Dr. Vermilye was invited to the Pro- fessorship of Theology in the seminary at East Windsor, Ct., which invitation he accepted, and in November following resigned his pastorate in Clinton. In March, 1858, Rev. Edward Y. Swift of South Hadley, Mass., was installed pastor of the church, and continued in that relation until June, 1862. In December, 1863, a call was given to Rev. Albert Erdman to become pastor of the church, and on March 23, 1864, he was duly installed. During Mr. Erdman 's ministry the church became Presbyterian in its form of government, and, hav- ing been dismissed from the Oneida Association, was received under the care of the Presbytery of Utica, May 11, 1864. Having accepted a call to Morris- town, N. J., Mr. Erdman resigned his charge, and the pastoral relation was dissolved by the Presbytery February 22, 1869. In July, 1869, a call was extended to Rev. Thomas B. Hudson of North East, Pa. In October follow- ing Mr. Hudson entered upon his labors, and on the 12th of January, 1870, was duly installed pastor of the church. On July 10, 1876, the church was burned. A new one was immediately erected, which was dedicated February 14, 1878. Rev. W. Cortland Robinson became pastor in 1892 and served until 1896. He was followed by Rev. Robert C. Hallock, D. D., who served from 1896 to 1906. The church then called Rev. Henry White, who is a native of Holland Patent, in this county, was educated at Hamilton College, and who accepted the pastorate in 1906, and still fills the pulpit. It is extremely difficult to get authentic information in regard to the organi- zation and dissolving of the Congregational churches of the county. There have been in the county of Oneida Congregational churches organized in many places, but they have in nearly all instances changed to Presbyterian or be- come extinct. A Congregational church was organized in Annsville in 1820, but ceased to exist about 1878. Churches were also organized at Bridgewater in 1798; Camden in the same year; West Camden in 1851; Florence Hill, Camroden, (Welsh) ; Kirkland, Lee Center, and elsewhere in the town of Lee; Marcy; Hanover Green, in the town of Marshall; Deansboro; Remsen, (Welsh) ; Sangerfield Center; Waterville, (Welsh) ; Steuben, (Welsh) ; Holland Patent; Trenton, two, both Welsh; Prospect, (Welsh) ; changed to an English Congregational church within the past few years; and is in a very prosperous condition; Vernon Center; two in Verona; Westmoreland; Lowell; New York Mills, (Welsh) ; Bethesda church, Utica, (Welsh) ; The First Religious Society First Methodist Episcopal Churcli First Presbyterian Church, The first church organized in TJtica Christ Reformed Church > B^to ill . fi ^~— ■ p [bi BHIfei^sife-^^ ^^» Church of the Redeemer Church of Reconciliation (Lutheran) (Universalist) GROUP OF TJTICA CHURCHES HISTORY OP ONEIDA COUNTY 309 of Rome was organized as a Congregational church, but changed to Presby- terian in 1819; a Welsh Congregational church was organized in Rome about 1863; in 1883 a Congregational church was organized in Utica, known as Ply- mouth Congregational church, and is at the present time in a prosperous con- dition. Peesbttebian — Although the first organized church was at New Hartford, Protestant religious services were held in Whitesboro prior to any in that portion of the town of Whitestown which afterward became the village of New Hartford. As early as 1786 the Rev. James Carr, a Presbyterian minister, commenced public worship at Whitesboro. In 1794 a church was organized under the name of United Congregation of Whitestown, and August 22, the Rev. Bethuel Dodd was installed its pastor, it being stipulated that he should officiate two-thirds of the time in Whitesboro and one-third in Utica, each place to contribute to the support of the minister in proportion to the amount of services received. Within a short time this arrangement was given up, and Mr. Dodd remained at Whitesboro. The congregation in Utica was incorporated as a different society November 15, 1805, and the communicants of the two organi- zations were separated, one being located at Whitesboro and the other in Utica. The Rev. James Carnahan, D. D. LL. D., was settled over the one church but two societies, and preached alternately in Whitesboro and in Utica. In October, 1812, he resigned, having been elected president of Princeton College, and he remained at the head of that institution until his death. The services in Utica were held in a schoolhouse on Main street until 1803, at which time the frame of Trinity church was erected, and the Presbyterian congregation met alter- nately with the Episcopalians in that building for some time. In 1807 a build- ing was erected at the corner of Liberty and Washington streets; an addition was made in 1815, and in 1827 a very fine brick church was completed on the old site. This building had a spire 215 feet high. On January 13, 1851, it was entirely destroyed by an incendiary fire. A still more commodious build' ing was erected in 1852 on the corner of Columbia and Washington streets. This building still stands, and is the most commodious Protestant church in the county. The Rev. Samuel Aikin was called as pastor of the church, and filled the pulpit very acceptably for several years, when he received a call to Cleve- land, Ohio, which he accepted, and served the Cleveland church up to the time of his death. The pastors of this church who attained the greatest celebrity were Rev. Philemon H. Fowler, D. D., and Rev. Samuel D. Sprecher, D. D. The former occupied the pulpit for more than twenty years with great accep- tability, and in 1872 the Rev. Samuel D. Sprecher was called as co-pastor with Dr. Fowler. Dr. Fowler, during the time of his pastorate, held a very high position in the Presbyterian church ; was moderator of the New School Presby- terian general assembly when the two branches of the Presbyterian church were united at Pittsburg, Pa. He was a ripe scholar, excellent pastor, and a preacher of good ability. Dr. Sprecher was called from the Lutheran church in Albany, was at the time about 32 years of age, and occupied the pulpit until 1880. He was one of the great preachers of the Presbyterian church. At the time of his pastorate the Spiritualists had become very strong in the county. They- 310 HISTOEY OP ONEIDA COUNTY had very large religious assemblies, and published the largest newspaper issued in the city of Utiea. Dr. Sprecher announced that he would preach a series of sermons against spiritualism, which he did on alternate Sunday evenings, and these services were attended by great numbers of people. After the series of sermons was ended spiritualism was dead in the city of Utiea, and it has never raised its head there since. Dr. Sprecher in 1880 accepted a call to the Presbyterian church of Oakland, California, and from there to the Presbyterian church in San Francisco. A few years afterwards he was called to the Euclid Avenue Presbyterian church of Cleveland, Ohio. After accepting that call he was asked to take the pulpit of Henry Ward Beecher's Plymouth church in Brooklyn temporarily, and as a candidate for the position formerly occupied by Mr. Beecher. This request he declined, for, having accepted the call at Cleveland, he did not consider it as honorable to consider any position other than that which he had accepted. He died in Cleveland in 1910. Dr. Sprecher was succeeded by Robert L. Bachman, who filled the pulpit for about seven- teen years, when he resigned to accept a call to Knoxville, Tennessee. He was suc- ceeded by Rev. Ralph W. Brokaw, D. D. Westminster Presbyterian Church — This church was organized in Utiea July 23, 1844, and Rev. Joshua H. Mcllvaine was the first pastor. The church purchased the Universalist church building on Devereux street, and services were held in that church until it was totally destroyed by fire, when services were held in the court house. The second minister was Rev. Hugh S. Dickson, who was installed October 31, 1848. In 1855 the church building now occupied by the society was completed at a cost of about $35,000. In 1858 Rev. Samuel M. Campbell was installed as pastor of the church, but resigned the pastorate and accepted a call to the Central church of Rochester, and Rev. Samuel H. Fisher, D. D., president of Hamilton College, was installed pastor November 15, 1866. Dr. Fisher held one of the foremost places among the ministers of the Presbyterian church in the United States. He had been moderator of the general assembly, and was counted as one of the ablest, if not the most able preacher in the entire Presbyterian church in the country. His capacity for work was prodigous, and in connection with his duties as pastor delivered lectures and addresses to public assemblies throughout the country, which over- taxed his powers, and he was stricken in the pulpit while delivering one of his powerful sermons, never entirely recovering from the stroke, although he lived for several years thereafter. Dr. Fisher was stricken May 11, 1870. Rev. Thomas J. Brown, D. D., was installed as pastor October 11, 1871. He was a most successful pastor, and "died in the harness." He was followed in the pastorate by Rev. Israel N. Terry, D. D., who died suddenly in 1910, and was greatly lamented, not only by the members of his own church, but by the entire city of Utiea. He was followed in 1910 by Rev. J. Howard Hobbs, who is the present pastor. The Memorial Presbyterian Church of Utica (so called since 1888) was organized as the West Utica Presbyterian church February 10, 1868. It was the outgrowth of a Mission Sunday school which had been conducted in the HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 311 western part of the city for twenty years, namely, from February 13, 1848. For this school a building was finally erected on Court street, and this opened the way for church organization. The church mentioned used this chapel as its home until 1884. The thirty charter members were dismissed by action of the First Presbyterian church of Utica from their membership, with hearty approval of the session and of the pastor. Rev. Philemon H. Fowler, D. D., on January 25, 1884. This church, with name changed, entered into possession of a spacious, beautiful house of worship, built of stone on lots adjoining the chapel, corner of Court street and Sunset avenue, erected by Theodore S. Sayre, a member of the church, as a memorial to his parents and as an ex- pression of his interest in the work done by the church and the school. The building is an ornament to the city. The church has continued in growth and in influence for truth and righteousness. Its pastors have been: Rev. John W. Whitfield, 1868-1874; Rev. Albert F. Lyle, 1874-1876; and Rev. Dana W. Bigelow, D. D., 1877 to the present date. First Pbesbtteeian Church, Rome — This church was organized as a Con- gregational church September 28, 1800, which was effected at the house of Ebenezer Wright in Wright settlement, about three miles from Rome. The first meetings in Rome proper were held in a barn, ball room, store room and schoolhouse until 1807, when the first church was erected. Rev. Moses Gillette was the first pastor, and was installed October 14, 1807. A revival occurred in 1826 under the auspices of the famous Rev. Charles Gr. Finney. The church was formally treinsferred to the Presbytery in 1819. Then followed as pastors Rev. Moses D. Carey, Rev. B. W. Dwight, Rev. 0. E. Dunning and Rev. Selden Haines. A second church was organized in January, 1831, but was consolidated with the first church June 12, 1847. The present commodious church building was erected in 1852 and dedicated January 19, 1853, Rev. William B. Knox, D. D., being pastor at the time. He received a call to the First Presbyterian church of Elmira in 1865, and resigned the Rome pulpit. Then followed Rev. Howard Kingsbury and Rev. Peter Stryker, D. D., who was installed Novem- ber 16, 1870. He was succeeded by Rev. James H. Taylor, D. D., whose pas- torate extended from 1876 to 1899. Then came Rev. Charles G. Sewall in 1900, who was pastor until 1907, when he was succeeded by Rev. Philip H. Cole, D. D., the present pastor. In 1901 a chapel was built at a cost of $17,000, which is used for Sunday school purposes and by the several organizations of the church. In 1911 Presbyterian churches in the county belonging to the Presbytery of TJtica and the number of communicants are as follows: Boonville, 165; Clin- ton, Hamilton College, 57; Clinton, Stone church, 311; Camden, 196; Forest- port, 82; New York Mills, Walcott Memorial, 218; Holland Patent, 200; Oneida Castle, Cochrane Memorial, 166; Oriskany, Waterbury Memorial, 150; Rome, 551; Utica, Sayre Memorial, 290; Utica, First, 902; Utica, Westminster, 861; Utica, Bethany, 392; Utica, Olivet, 442; Sauquoit, 100; Vernon Center, 63; Vernon, 93; Verona, 142; Waterville, 236; Westemville, 89; Whitesboro, 191; Knoxboro, 89; West Camden, 52. Protestant Episcopal Church— The first Protestant Episcopal church in the state west of Johnstown was organized at Paris Hill in 1797 and called 312 HISTOEY OP ONEIDA COUNTY St. Paul's Episcopal cliurcli. A meeting was held February 13, 1797, and officers of the church were then elected. At its Centennial celebration held in 1897, the Rev. J. B. Wicks, rector of the church, read a historical address, from which the following is an abstract : The large boulder stone now located on the cemetery lot of I. L. Addington, bearing his name and marking his resting place, was first used as the corner- stone of the little church. When the new church was erected it did duty for a time as a horse block, and in 1872 it was placed where it now rests, a fitting monument to a man who delighted to honor St. Paul's with all his heart. The first Bible and prayer book used in the public service of the church were gifts to the parish in 1798. Gideon Seymour was sent as delegate to the diocesan convention in New York City. While there he called upon the gov- ernor of the state, Mr. Jay. To him he stated the facts touching the founding of the new parish far away in the western wilderness. The governor was much interested, proffering his sympathy and help. Taking down the unbound sheets of a large Bible, he said: "Here is just what you need for the reading desk. I will get Livingston (who was then lieutenant governor) to bind them and you will be nicely fixed. The sheets of the Bible were put into the hands of the lieutenant governor, who was a bookbinder, and were soon ready for use. Some one (name not known) gave the old prayer book which, with the Bible, were in use for nearly fifty years. The Bible appears now at the end of the hundred years to be in as good order as when brought to the parish in 1798. The first church building stood on the ground where the present church is built. It was a house about thirty feet in length and twenty wide. There was a large fireplace at one end. The seats were rude affairs and movable, as they were in all the early public buildings. This house was moved to an adjoining lot when the present church was built, where it was burned about 1835. Fol- lowing are the members of the parish who have become clergymen of the church. Dr. Hitehkis, J. B. Wicks, E. B. Doolittle, J. B. Ramsdel. Mr. Doo- little is a lineal descendant of Capt. Uri Doolittle, one of the founders of the parish. He is of the fifth generation. St. Paul's parish, Paris Hill, N. Y., was organized on the 13th of February, 1797. The following is a true copy of the record: "Paris, February 13, A. D., 1797. At a meeting of a number of the members of the Protestant Episcopal order legally warned and met at the dwelling house of Selah Seymour and Proceeded according to an act for the relief of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the state of New York as follows: Firstly, chose Gideon Seymour, chairman; sec- ondly, chose Selah Seymour, clerk of meeting ; thirdly, chose Eli Blakeslee senior warden; fourthly, chose Gideon Seymour, junior warden; fifthly, chose eight vestrymen as they stand: Uri Doolittle, Selah Seymour, Benjamin Graves, Thomas Stebens, Peter Selleck, George Harden, Epos. Bligh, Noah Hummaston, Silas Judd. Same time voted that the Monday after Easter shall be held as a day of election to choose wardens and vestrymen. Voted that the name of this church shall be stiled and called St. Paul's Church in Herkimer county. Voted to dissolve the meeting the 13th February, 1797." It will be noticed that in the above record there are nine vestrymen, though the minutes say "eight as they stand." Mr. Judd, the last named, was the BI.EECKER STREET BAPTIST CHURCH GRACE PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH. UTICA TRINITY CHURCH, UTICA First Protestant Episcopal churcb organized in Utica HOLY TRINITY ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH (Polisli) FIRST MORAVIAN CHURCH, UTICA HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 313 youngest on the list and outlived all the others many years. He stated in the writer's hearing that when the first meeting was held he had just come into the place. Hearing of the gathering he went in and made himself known to the little company. They had just finished the election. Eli Blakeslee, the senior warden, remarked, "The law says there must be eight vestrymen, but does not limit the number in the other direction. I propose that inasmuch as we are all in office but Mr. Judd, that his name be added to the list." When the writer saw Mr. Judd in 1860, he was 84 years of age, and quite justly proud of being the only survivor of the pioneer band, and the oldest churchman in the Diocese of Western New York. Two months later the Easter election takes place and Messrs. Judd, Bly, Hummaston and Selah Seymour disappear, and Thomas Dakins, Jonathan Thorn and Abram Bailey take their places. The interior of the church as it was first finished was in the old time style. The general form was as now with the exception of the added chancel and vestry room, the pulpit above all, but the roof and gallery, a three-decker, surely. The reading desk was directly in front of the pulpit, used both as lecture and prayer desk. The communion table was under the reading desk — a plain table standing now in the vestry room. Tradition says that it was brought from Connecticut on one of the many loads of furniture moved by ox sleds. The pulpit was reached by winding stairs ascending from the chanceL The chancel was a square enclosure directly in front of the pulpit, extending into the church some twelve or fourteen feet, flanked on each side by what were known as the long pews. The pews were the old-fashioned straight back enclosures with doors that fastened with a small button. There were two box-stoves — one near the entrance and one in front of the chancel. The pipe from the stove in the body of the church rose straight above the stove to a height of some eight feet, then with a slight ascent it extended over what were known as the body pews, and entered a larger pipe supported by a wooden post. The pipe from the stove near the door also joined hands with the larger one, which rose perpendic- ularly to the ceiling and just above it entered the chimney. The vestry room was at the right of the vestibule, under the gallery. The gallery had its present form — ^the only change there, being the removal of the awkward seats which originally encumbered this elevated enclosure. Some 30 years after the church was built the first changes were made. The high pulpit was removed and the reading desk substituted in its place. A new lectern and communion table were introduced, and the entire interior painted and whitewashed. No change appears after this until 1868. Then the chancel and vestry room were added. The old pews were removed and the entire interior refitted. The material of the old pews was used in the new ones, and the doors and front paneling of the seats form the wainscoting of chancel and vestry room. The old pulpit with some slight changes is the present altar. The windows were all changed — five being put in as memorial and one by the Sunday school. G. W. Head of Utica gave the chandelier. The window used in the vestry room is the central window of the old church chancel. The two windows in front remain the same as when the church was built. The next change was in 1895 and '96, The walls were repapered, new carpets obtained and new cushions put in. 314 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY In 1897 the building was repainted and the windows repaired — ^the whole being put in perfect order for the centennial. Tradition says that at the raising of the Congregational church in 1795, some one remarked: "I have given two pounds for the erection of this church, and now I should be glad to give the same amount for the building of an Episcopal church." This was Peter Selleck, afterward a member of the vestry. In September the same year on general training day, seven or eight men gathered for conference in the rear of the tavern. Finding an ox cart in the yard, they made it serve as the first meeting place in the interests of our church in aU this western country. From this association with the rude vehicle the parish bore the name of "ox-cart parish" for several years. In 1796, December 18, the first service was held. Gideon Seymour, Eli Blakeslee, Benjamin Jarvis, Peter Selleck and Uri Doolittle met at this time with their families, including about 12 adults, and celebrated divine service. The house in which this service was held was that of Gideon Seymour, standing near the present church. This is the first public service in the Episcopal church of which we have any record west of Johnstown. Each Sunday thereafter these men and their conteihporaries and successors provided that there should be no break in the line. It may not be a matter of large moment that the Sunday services of a parish foUow each other without the loss of one for 100 years; but the fact itself is valuable as an index of the kind of character which gives truth to the fact. Men were in the deed strong and abiding. They made the service sure, out of themselves sure, and this not only shaped the general character of the parish, but it provided that it should never be without one or more thor- oughly equipped lay readers. There were periods in the first 25 years of the parish's history when the lay reader conducted the service for a year at a time without once seeing the face of a clergyman. The first visit of a clergy- man noted on the record is that of Rev. Robert Griffith "Wetmore in 1797. Mr. Wetmore certifies that Nov. 14, 1797, he baptized seven children of Peter Sel- leck and one of Capt. Uri Doolittle. After him came at irregular intervals Rev. Philander Chase afterward Bishop of Ohio, Father Nash, Rev. John Urqu- hart. Rev. Davenport Phelps, Rev. Mr. Stebbins, Rev. Mr. Judd, Rev. A. G. Bald- win, Rev. Mr. Thatcher and Rev. Nathaniel Huse. Of all these men Father Nash and Mr. Huse had more to do with the building and cementing of the growing parish life than all the others. Father Nash came in 1801 and stayed till 1827. He was especially faithful in influencing and reaching the children. Rev. Nathaniel Huse was in many ways first among the pioneer teachers. It was his stirring words in a sermon preached October 2, 1817, that decided the question of the new church building. He was so interested that he even paid some of the more doubtful subscriptions. The building of the church was the great event in all the early history of the parish. Immediately following the sermon above referred to, 43 persons, farmers, merchants and laborers, sub- scribed $2,978 in sums ranging from $10 to $200. Most of them are the old familiar names of the parish of which Doolittle, Wicks and Addington are all that remain. Most of the subscribers were residents of the parish proper, though the name of Judge Jedediah Sanger of New Hartford appears as one of the signers with a gift of $100. The carpenters of the village were the architects, HISTOEY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 315 I judge, as well as the builders. Uri Doolittle, John "Wicks and Seabury Seo- ville were the committee in charge of the work. The men employed to do the work were Val Pierce, Ezekiel Pierce and David Lake, Jr. The building was "built upon honor," of the best timber and in the se- curest manner possible. Four score years it has stood the searching of our rigorous climate and apparently stands as securely as it did on the day of its completion. The original house possessed some ornamentation that a little later disappeared. The open green was to the front, then entirely bare of trees and all later improvements. Along the old Oxford turnpike, directly under the eaves of the church, went the traffic of this part of the country down to Albany, then the business center of all this region. For fifty years and more the old time order of services obtained in the church. The congregation gathered at 10:30, and after full morning service and sermon came the noon intermission. A few of the faithful looked after the Sunday school, always small in this rural parish; others visited the little cemetery or dropped in at a neighbor's or sat in the large shady verandah of the cosy inn near by. If the clergyman was from away, then the wardens escorted him to the pleasant sitting room of the old hotel, where all were duly refreshed with the best creature comforts that the place afforded. At 1 o'clock the scattered groups came to- gether again and the afternoon service was held, lasting usually an hour, it being the full evening service, with a sermon. When Rev. Nathaniel Huse was rector, he held "reading schools" in the several schoolhouses. He would as- semble all who came, and for an hour would drill them in reading the service. Thus he brought the whole congregation to the point where the volume of sound in the responses fairly filled the church. Another marked trait was the regular attendance of the old time members. Mr. Bligh, of North Bridgewater, walked here every Sunday, the distance being seven miles. William Osborn and family, who lived six miles distant, were also very regular. Another characteristic of the parish from the very first has been its love for a simple, plain service. The public worship of the church is conducted today in form practically as il was at the first service 100 years ago. There has never been the least ripple of controversy over the manner of holding the services. Rev. Oeramus Smith seems to have been the first settled rector after Mr. Huse. Rev. Algeron HoUister was missionary at Paris and parts adjacent in 1824. Rev. 0. H. Smith was settled here July 20, 1828, and on his coming the permanent register of the clergyman's official acts begins. There is no break in it from this time to the present date. Rev. Henry Peak succeeded Mr. Smith in 1837 and remained six years. He was succeeded by Rev. Isaac Swartt, who came and went in 1844. He had a public discussion with Rev. Mr. Blodgett, the Congrega- tional minister, in the large room over G. W. Head's store. Both of the parties were annihilated. Rev. John Hughes had charge of the parish in 1845. The new rectory was built in 1846. Rev. William Baker became rector in 1847 and remained five years. He excelled as a parish visitor. He did some outside mis- sionary work and held services in Clayville. Rev. William Atwill was the next rector and had charge nearly four years. He was very absent minded. Rev. William J. Alger succeeded Mr. Atwill, and with his advent the parish suc- ceeded to a new and richer life. His was the first prolonged and entirely satis- 318 HISTORY OP ONEIDA COUNTY factory rectorship. With a knowledge of human nature that was almost intuitive, he combined these twin requisites with a well balanced mind and a warm loving heart. The congregations increased, the income grew, and the spirit and tone of the entire people were quickened and greatly enriched. For nearly ten years Mr. Alger continued in charge, and the judgment of the people was "an al- most ideal rectorship." Part of the time Bridgewater and Clayville were under his charge. In 1868 Mr. Alger accepted a call to Saco, Me., and your present rector, then a lay reader in the parish, took charge. Ordained in November of that year, he continued in the rectorship for thirteen years and six months, the longest period in the history of the parish. During this time the church was repaired and refitted at an expense of nearly $2,000. In 1872 the old rectory was sold, and the new one built as it now stands at an expense over the selling price of the old rectory of $2,500. In 1895-6 the church and rectory were repaired and refitted at an expense of several hundred dollars. At the present time the entire property of the parish is in the best order it has ever been. In 1878 the rector took four young Indian men to reside with him as mem- bers of his family for three years and to receive an education. Two were Chey- ennes, one a Kiowa and one a Comanche. They were baptized and confirmed, and at the end of the three years two of them were ordained deacons by Bishop Huntington. In June, 1881, they journeyed with their rector to Indian Ter- ritory, their old home, and engaged in missionary work there. In 1883 the parish called Rev. Joel Davis to the rectorship. He had charge about three years. In 1887 Rev. B. B. Whipple was called and continued for eight years. In May, 1895, Rev. J. B. Wicks returned to the parish after an absence of 14 years and resumed the work he had laid down in June, 1881. The list of the wardens and the length of time they have served is as fol- lows: Eli Blakeslee, 9 years, first senior warden; Gideon Seymour, 4 years, first junior warden; Uri Doolittle, 2; Benjamin Graves, 1; Silas Judd, 2. These five were among the founders : John Wicks, 8 ; Leverett Baldwin, 9 ; John Hubbard, 5 ; Darius Scoville, 3 ; Charles Blakeslee, 32 ; Amos Howe, 1 ; WiUiam Osborne, 9; Adonijah Hitchkiss, 4; David Stiler, 17; Isaac Scoville, 7; Levi Blakeslee, 11 ; Charles Wicks, 15 ; Enos Potter, 20 ; J. V. H. Scoville 1 ; John. Osborn, 16, living in California ; D. C. Addington, 12 ; H. M. Rouse, 5, present warden; Edward Doolittle, 5, present warden; I. L. Addington was clerk of the vestry from 1851 to 1892, a period of 41 years. Lay readers — Eli Blakeslee, Gideon Seymour, Thomas DaMn, Ithniel Brain- ard, John Wicks, Silas Judd, Leverett Baldwin, John L. Wicks, Charles Os- borne, Samuel Hammond, Isaac Selleck, Isaac Smith, Charles Blakeslee, Levi Blakeslee, Charles Wicks, Leroy Scoville, John Osborn, David Addington, I. L. Addington, J. V. H. Scoville, J. B. Wicks, H. Rouse, C. H. Addington— 23. The missionaries have been — Rev. Robert Griffith Wetmore, Philander Chase, William Urquhart, Davenport Phelps, Mr. Stebbins, Mr. Judd, A. G. Baldwin, Mr. Thatcher, Mr. Nash, Mr. Ellison, William B. Lacy, William A. Clark, Mr. Gear. The present communion service was presented by the ladies in 1852. Three ordinations have occurred in the parish. They were : November, 1868, . HISTORY OP ONEIDA COUNTY 317 John B. Wicks and William A. Ely, as deacons by Bishop Coxe. November, 3872, Rev. John B. Wicks, as presbyter, by Bishop Huntington. With the exception of about nine months Rev. John B. Wicks has been rec- tor of the church since 1895. In 1910 he tendered his resignation on the ground of ill health. The vestry regretfully accepted the resignation, being entirely conscious at the time that Mr. Wicks was not able to perform the services re- quired, and resolutions of high appreciation were unanimously adopted. In re- sponse to the wishes of the church and community, as expressed by the action of the vestry, he continued to live in the rectory, and services were conducted each Sunday by lay readers. After a period of beneficial rest he yielded to the call of the vestry, and April 1, 1911, again resumed his work as rector. The present wardens are Charles H. Addington and John L. Wicks, the former be- ing a grandson of one of the founders of the church, Peter Selleck, and the lat- ter being a grandson of one of the pioneers of the town who settled in Paris in 1800— Captain John Wicks. Triotty Church, Utica — The first church of this denomination in Utica was Trinity, organized in 1798 by the Rev. Philander Chase, afterward Bishop of Illinois. For a period of five years services were imperfectly maintained by lay-reading, and it was not until the year 1803 that measures were taken toward the building of a church edifice. In that year John R. Bleecker, of Albany, gave a lot on the corner of Broad and First streets 100 feet front and 127 feet deep, in fulfilment of a promise that such a gift would be made to that religious society which should first undertake the erection of a church edifice. On the basis of a subscription of a little more than $2,000 the building was commenced, but it was not until the year 1806 that it was so far completed that Bishop Moore was induced to consecrate it. In December, 1810, it was finished, having cost $7,140. Of this sum $2,000 was contributed by Trinity church. New York. The building, an unpretentious yet tasteful structure, was designed by Philip Hooker, of Albany, an architect who did some good work in his day, as witness in his own city old St. Peter's church, the old State capitol, and the academy. The first chosen ofScers of the church were Abraham Walton and Nathaniel Williams, wardens ; William Inman, Charles Walton, John Smith, Benjamin Walker, Sam- uel Hooker, Aylmer Johnson, James Hopper and Edward Smith, vestrymen. The first minister in charge was the Rev. Jonathan Judd, who oflBciated from 1804 to 1806 alternately here and at Paris Hill, though not continuously in either place. The first rector was the Rev. Amos G. Baldwin, who held that position from 1806 to 1818. He constructed with Ms own hands the first organ in the church, hav- ing a manual or key-board. This organ did good service for many years in Christ church, Sherburne, and can now be seen, with some enlargements and improvements, in the Presbyterian church at New York Mills. Mr. Baldwin died at Auburn in 1844. Through the influence of Col. Benjamin Walker, who may be regarded as the lay founder of Trinity church, the Countess of Bath (England) was in- duced in 1808 to give to the church 265 acres of land in the town of Baton, Madison county. This gift was of no great benefit to the church. The income from it was small and hard to collect, and finally, in the year 1815, the land was 318 HISTORY OP ONEIDA COUNTY sold for a sum of money barely nominal. Nearly contemporaneous with the donation from the Countess of Bath was one from the corporation of Trinity church, New York, of three lots in Reade street and one in Clark street in that city. Two of the Reade street lots and the one in Clark street are still the prop- erty of the church in Utica. The income from the whole property, though com- paratively small, has been of essential service. In the year 1819 Mr. Baldwin was succeeded in the rectorship by the Rev. Henry M. Shaw, who remained about two years. Rev. Henry Anthon was rec- tor from 1821 to 1829, in which year he accepted a call to St. Stephen's church in New York, afterward becoming assistant minister in Trinity church, and finally spending the last twenty years of his life as rector of St. Mark's in the Bowery. Rev. Mr. Anthon 's pastorate was most gratifying and successful. His sermons were marked by purity, beauty and finish of style, and in both them and his conversation there was a racy flavor of strength that betokened ability of a high order. He was an attentive and indefatigable pastor and a genial and faithful friend. It was during Mr. Anthon 's pastorate that the first rectory was built in the rear of the church. The next rector was the Rev. Ben- jamin Dorr, whose ministry extended from 1829 to 1831, when he resigned the charge. He was afterward rector of Christ church, Philadelphia. Dr. Dorr was succeeded in 1836 by the Rev. Pierre Alexis Proal, who came from St. George's church, Schenectady. His pastorate was much longer than that of either of liis predecessors, terminating with his death in 1857. He was one of the most scholarly and oratorical of the preachers of the city. For a long period he was annually elected secretary of the Diocesan Convention of Central New York. He was a trustee of Hamilton College, and was frequently called upon to fill other posts of educational and religious importance. He was succeeded by the Rev. Samuel Hanson Coxe, brother of Bishop Alfred Coxe, and son of the renowned Presbyterian clergyman, Alfred C. Coxe, whose ministry continued to November, 1877. He was followed in February, 1878, by the Rev. Charles H. Gardner, who resigned in October, 1886, and was followed by Harding. There is a mission at Deerfield in connection with this church known as St. Paul's. It was established by Rev. Mr. Gardner, and has services once each month. The members are considered a part of Trinity church. Grace Church, Utica, (Episcopal) was originally a portion of Trinity parish. At the time an effort was made to organize Trinity church Rev. John C. Rudd, D. D., was principal of a school in Utica. He was also the originator of the Gospel Messenger. He took charge of the new church until a regular rector was secured, and their first service was in April, 1838. The church was duly organized May 21, 1838, under the name of Grace Church of Utica. The first rector was Rev. Albert Clark Patterson, chosen in the spring of 1839. A church was erected on the corner of Broadway and Columbia streets in 1839, and the first service in the new building was held in August of that year. The liev. John J. Brandegee came to the parish in 1854, and during his rectorship a new church edifice was built upon the corner of Genesee and Elizabeth streets, and was opened for service in 1860. This is the largest and finest church of the HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 319 denomination within the county. Rectors of the church have been, after the first, Rev. George Leeds, Rev. John J. Brandegee, Rev. Edwin M. VanDeusen, Rev. Charles T. Olmsted, (now bishop). Rev. W. W. Bellinger, D. D., and Rev. Octavius Applegate. Mr. Brandegee was a man of unusual ability and great culture, and to him was due very much of the credit of the magnificent church, over which he presided so ably. It is said of him that in the spring of 1864, "when the rector, on Easter Day, even then sick unto death, presented on the altar the last offerings which freed the church from debt, and within two weeks his own funeral obsequies were celebrated in the same sanctuary before the same altar, it may truly be said that his real offering was himself, and that the church is his enduring memorial." It is not extravagant to say that Dr. Van- Deusen was one of the foremost preachers in the county; that during his pas torate the church was very successful, and has ever since, under the able rectors who have occupied the pulpit, been in the front rank in its good works. Rt. Rev. Charles Tyler Olmsted, D. D., D. C. L., LL. D., bishop of the diocese of central New York, was born April 28, 1842, at Cohoes, Albany county, N. Y. His father, Charles A. Olmsted, was a civil engineer, and descended from Col. David Olmsted and Col. Comfort Tyler, pioneers of Onondaga county, N. Y. His mother was Ardelia Wilkinson, of Rhode Island, a descendant of Roger Williams. He graduated at Trinity College, Hartford, Ct., in 1865, and was for three years a teacher at St. Stephen's College, Annandale, N. Y. Was or- dained Deacon at Annandale in 1867, and in November, 1868, was called to Trin- ity Chapel, New York, as one of the assistant ministers of Trinity parish in that city. In December, 1868, he was ordained priest there, and continued in that work until the spring of 1884, when he was called to the rectorship of Grace church, Utica. His service at Grace church continued until April, 1899, when he returned to Trinity parish. New York, as vicar of St. Agnes 's chapel on West 92d street. June 11, 1902, he was elected coadjutor bishop of central New York to assist Bishop Huntington, and was consecrated to that office on October 2 of the same year. Bishop Huntington died July 11, 1904, and the coadjutor bishop at once succeeded him as bishop of the diocese. Hobart College gave him the degree "D. D." in 1893; Syracuse University "D. C. L." in 1903, and Hamilton "LL. D." in 1909. He was married to Miss Catharine Lawrence, of New York, April 25, 1876, in Trinity Chapel, New York City, and they reside at the present time in the bishop's house in Utica. It was most certainly a great compliment to be called to the diocese of central New York, as it is one of the most intelligent sections of the entire country, and the distinguished services which Bishop Olmsted has rendered to the diocese are appreciated, not only by those of his own denomination, but by the entire religious element in the community. Calvaet Church, (Utica) originated in 1850, and the first services were conducted by Rev. Beardsley Northrup in a schoolhouse on the corner of Eagle and West streets. The parish was legally incorporated December 15, 1850, and a lot was presented to the corporation by what was known as the Bleecker and Tibbits estates, which was obtained through the instrumentality of Mr. L. M. 320 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY Taylor of Utiea. The first church was finished in 1851, and was consecrated by Bishop DeLancy in November of that year. In 1868 it was determined to build a new church, and its foundation was laid June 14, 1869, the cornerstone laid June 22, 1870, by Rt. Rev. Bishop F. D. Huntington, D. D., and the first service was held in the church December 10, 1872. The new church, free from encumbrances, was consecrated by the bishop of the diocese January 18, 1884, the sermon being preached by the Rt. Rev. Henry A. Neely, D. D., bishop of Maine, once rector of the parish. The longest service of any rector of this church was that of Rev. A. B. Goodrich, D. D., who served for thirty-seven years, was very highly respected, and his death, which occurred December 16, 1896, was mourned by the entire community. Rev. E. H. Coley became rector of the church April 18, 1897, and still holds that position. St. George's Church, (TJtica), was completed in 1862, and consecrated by Bishop De Lancy, June 7, 1864. The first minister was Rev. W. T. Gibson, D. D. Then followed Rev. S. F. Jarvis, E. W. Hager and W. B. Coleman, Jr. The present rector is Rev. Jesse Higgins. The most prominent of these clergymen was Dr. Gibson. He was born September 8, 1822. He attended the Ovid Acad- emy and graduated from Hobart College, in 1842. For a time he taught school and studied law in the office of Judge Whiting. He was admitted to the bar in 1845. In 1850 he gave up the profession, resolved to enter the ministry, and was ordained December 18, 1853. He became an assistant to Dr. Brandegee at Grace church in Utica. There had been a parish in Utica called St. Paul's, and to Dr. Gibson was assigned the task of reviving it. He did so, and organized from it St. George's church February 19, 1862. The cornerstone of St. George's church was laid in October, 1862, and Dr. Gibson was in charge as rector up to 1883. He was chaplain of the Utica State Hospital in 1865. He conducted services there, also at Oriskany, and frequently in his old church up to within a very short time of his death. He contributed largely to church periodicals, and was known as one of the foremost writers of the denomination. He was a member of the board of trus- tees of the General Theological Seminary at New York from 1870 to 1892. In 1885 he served as chairman of a committee of the church appointed by the di- ocesan convention on prayer revision, and the report of that committee, which was drawn by Dr. Gibson, was laid before the general convention in Chicago in 1886. He was editor of the Gospel Messenger. In 1873 he started a new church publication called the Church Eclectic. Among other of Dr. Gibson's publica- tions were "Notes of Clerical and Editorial Life," and "Adulescentiae Folia, or Reminiscences of a Schoolboy's Development." Dr. Gibson died in Utiea November 23, 1896. ZiON Church, Rome, (Episcopal)— "Several of the inhabitants of Rome, anxious to have in their midst the church of the living God, agreeably to the ordinances of the Protestant Episcopal church, met at the court house of the said town on the 15th day of August, 1825." Rev. Algeron S. HoUister was made chairman, and Hiram Denio, Esq., secretary. An act of incorporation was drawn up and a society organized by the name and title "Zion Church, Rome." HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 321 Jay Hatheway and Henry Hayden were chosen wardens, and Numa Leonard, Hiram Denio, Horatio N. Carr, James B. Read, James A. Canfield, Richard But- ler and Peter White, vestrymen. Rev. A. S. Hollister, missionary, took pastoral charge, preached in the court house, and continued his services for the ensuing year. The original communicants numbered three, viz: Mr. Butler, Mr. Can- field and Miss A. L. Hatheway. The lower story of the Masonic Hall, corner of Liberty and "Washington streets, was soon engaged for the use of the church for eight years. Three hundred dollars were raised, and the room was fur- nished in a plain manner. At the opening of this chapel, on a Sunday early in 1826, Rev. Marcus A. Perry preached, and the next day Right Rev. John Henry Hobart, bishop of the diocese, which then included the whole state of New York, preached in the chapel, confirmed fourteen persons, and baptized two children. Mr. Perry took charge of the congregation August 1, 1826, and preached one year alternately with Holland Patent. Zion church Sunday school was organized June 3, 1827, with Rev. M. A. Perry in charge. Thirty-five scholars were in attendance, and the teachers were Jay Hatheway, M. Rowley and L. Hatheway for boys, and A. L. Hatheway, R. Judd, A. Gates and M. Healy for girls. It seems that although Rev. Mr. Perry was at first engaged for only one year, his services were continued here until some time in 1832, when he re- signed, and was succeeded by Rev. George Fiske. In 1833, the Rome Lodge, the lower story of which had been used as a chapel, was purchased, the build- ing enlarged and fitted up for a church, and opened for divine services on Sun- day, July 25, 1833, with a sermon by the Rev. Parker Adams, of New Hartford, The church was consecrated the 15th of the following August by Bishop Ben- jamin T. Onderdonk, successor to Bishop Hobart. The rectors at this time preached under a missionary stipend, and in September, 1834, Rev. William W. Niles was accepted by the society to share the stipend with Mr. Fiske, and al- ternate with him in holding services at Rome and Oriskany. Mr. Fiske resigned in the following December, and Mr. Niles assumed sole charge. The rectors since have been the Rev. Nathan B. Burgess, from November, 1836, to Novem- ber, 1889 ; Rev. Hobart WilHams, deacon ; Rev. Henry Lockwood, from Novem- ber, 1840, to May 10, 1842; Rev. Stephen Battin, June, 1842, and ordained priest Dee. 19, 1843 ; Rev. Seth Davis, April 1, 1845, resigned Oct. 4, 1845, to establish a school at Buffalo ; succeeded by Rev. Almon Gregory, who remained until November, 1849; Rev. Henry B. Whipple, Dec. 2, 1849, to 1857; he was a portion of the time in Florida on account of ill health, and during his absence his place was supplied by Rev. Gordon M. Bradley. Mr. Whipple resigned March 10, 1857, to accept a call from Chicago. He was succeeded by Rev. N. Barrows, who resigned March 5, 1864. The next pastor was Rev. Hugh L. M. Clarke, who assumed charge May 1, 1864, and continued until his death. He was succeeded by Rev. John H. Egar, D. D., on February 1, 1881, who continued until the pastorate was assumed by Rev. Douglas Matthews in 1903. Mr. Mat- thews resigned the pastorate in October, 1911, and his successor has not yet been named. During the rectorship of Mr. Whipple the lot on the corner of Liberty and Washington streets was purchased, and the cornerstone of the present stone Vol, 1—21 322 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY church laid September 5, 1850. The new edifice was opened for service on Sunday, August 16, 1851, and consecrated by Bishop De Lancey September 25, of the same year. During the summer of 1867 the church was enlarged to its present dimensions, at a cost of nearly $10,000. In 1885 a beautiful memorial hall was erected of stone at a cost including site of $11,000, in memory of Rev. Mr. Clarke. In 1892 a beautiful memorial pulpit was built, in memory of the late John Stryker and his wife, Elizabeth. A new organ was placed in the church in 1893. In 1911 plans are under way for the enlargement of Clarke Memorial Hall and the erection of a cloister, to cost about $10,000. Henrt Benjamin Whipple, D. D., LL. D., bishop, born at Adams, Jefferson county, N. Y., February 15, 1822, prepared for college, but owing to ill health, went into business; in 1847 became a candidate for holy orders, and pursued theological studies privately; was ordained deacon 1849, in Trinity church, Geneva, N. Y., by Bishop De Lancey; took charge of Zion church, Rome, N. Y., December 1, 1849; was ordained priest July 16, 1850, in Sackett's Harbor by Bishop De Lancey; became rector of the Church of the Holy Communion, Chi- cago, Easter, 1857 ; was chosen Bishop of Minnesota June 30, 1859 ; and was con- secrated in St. James's church, Richmond, Va., October 13, 1859. In 1860 Bishop Whipple, with others, organized the Bishop Seabury Mission, out of which has grown the Cathedral of Our Merciful Saviour, the Seabury Divinity School, Shattuck School, and St. Mary's Hall, which have made Fairbault one of the educational centers of the northwest. The Bishop was known as the "Apostle" of the North American Indians, among whom he planted successful missions. In 1888, as the senior bishop present of the American church at the third Lam- beth Conference, he received from the University of Cambridge the degree of LL. D. He published a number of occasional sermons and addresses, and sev- eral of his discourses have appeared in volume form. He died in Fairbault, Minn., September 16, 1901. St. Joseph's Chuech at Rome was organized by a group of schismatics from St. Mary's German Roman Catholic parish located on South James street, in the early '40 's. Disaffection over the location of a new and much needed church building caused about one-third of the members of St. Mary's church to with- draw and form an independent parish. This organization was effected on April 24, 1871, and the present church property was purchased forthwith, and build- ing preparations begun. July 27, 1871, the cornerstone was laid by Rev. Ber- nard Werner, an aged Roman Catholic priest, who had left Germany to join a sister living near Cohoes, because of the promulgation of the dogma of in- fallibility the year before. Without a priest or pastor this peculiar congregation demonstrated its co- hesiveness by clinging together for five years, with only spasmodic administrations from deposed priests of the Roman Catholic church. Two classes of children were admitted to their first communion by such unfrocked ecclesiastics. One of them who thus served was a deposed Franciscan Father by the name of Fleming. By reason of being unable to obtain recognition from the Roman Catholic bishop the congregation turned its attention to the Episcopal church. Early HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 323 in 1876 they began negotiations with the Rev. H. L. M. Clarke, rector of Zion Episcopal church in Rome, with a view of allying itself with the Anglican church, and the late Rt. Rev. F. D. Huntington, bishop of the diocese, there- upon sent the Rev. Dr. Sigmund, at that time Latin professor at Hobart Col- lege, to prepare the congregation for admission. December 27, 1876, (the Feast of St. John the Divine) the people were formally received into the Episcopal church by the bishop, assisted by a large number of clergy. For fourteen years Bishop Huntington gave this peculiar flock his fostering care, and besides Dr. Sigmund supplied the following pastors : Rev. Martin Albert, 1876-7 ; Rev. Julius Unger, 1878-83; Rev. G. E. Purucker, 1884-88; Rev. William T. Tierkeral, 1888-90. During this time scarcely anything was accomplished except to ad- minister to the people of the congregation, training the young and preparing them for confirmation and first communion. In 1890 it was impossible for Bishop Huntington to get a clergyman of the Episcopal church who could speak German, and he, therefore, appointed the Rev. J. M. Hayman to take the charge, who was at the time a student for holy orders. It was a critical period for the work, but Mr. Hayman contributed largely to the successful transition period of changing it to an English-speaking church and congregation. He remained until 1893. D. A. Paree, a student and lay reader was in charge during the early part of 1894. June 1, 1894, the bishop appointed Rev. A. L. Byron-Cur- tiss to take charge, who found about thirty-five of the original Germans in the church and the same number of young people, making about seventy people in the congregation. Being a fluent German speaker, Mr. Byron-Curtiss was able to administer to the remaining members who could not speak English, and during the early part of his ministry conducted many funerals in German. There was a large indebtedness upon the church at the time Mr. Byron-Curtiss assumed charge, which he succeeded in raising, and the church building was consecrated November 2, 1898. This event was extremely gratifying to the ven- erable Bishop Huntington, who pontificated, for, as he had told Mr. Byron- Curtiss, when being told that the indebtedness was paid and the church ready for consecration, "I never expected to live to see that auspicious day." When the congregation was received by the Bishop in 1876 it loyally surrendered its corporation, and not until December, 1903, was a new ecclesiastical corporation formed and wardens and vestrymen elected, the work, meanwhile, being a mis- sion of the diocese. On the above date, under the successful work of the Rev. A. L. Byron-Curtiss the congregation had so progressed and increased that a new corporation was effected and the parish admitted to union with the con- vention at the diocesean convention in June, 1904. From the journal of the 43d annual convention of the diocese of central New York, it appears that the Protestant Episcopal churches in Oneida county and the number of communicants are as follows: Augusta, St. Andrew's, 14; Boon- ville, Trinity, 72; Bridgewater, Christ church, 9; Camden, Trinity, 80; Chad- wicks, St. George's, 84; Clark's MiUs, St. Marks, 126; Clayville, St. John's, 6; Clinton, St. James, 159; Deerfield, St. Paul's, 25; Durhamville, St. Andrew's, 71; Forestport, Christ church, 57; Holland Patent, St. Paul's, 57; New Hart- ford, St. Stephen's 168; New York Mills, St. James, 33; Oriskany, St. Peter's, 65; Oriskany Falls, Good Shepherd, 69; Paris Hill, St. Paul's, 48; Rome, Zion, 324 HISTORY OP ONEIDA COUNTY 473; Rome, St. Joseph's, 260; Trenton, St. Andrew's, 20; Utiea, Calvary, 619; Utica, Grace, 611; Utica Holy Cross, 313; Utiea, St. Andrew's, 242; Utica, St. George's, 178; Utica, St. Luke's, 205; Utica, Trinity, 300; "Waterville, Grace, 253 ; Westmoreland, Gethsemane, 29; Whitesboro, St. John's, 195. Total, 4,841. Methodist Episcopal Church — Mr. "Wager, in "Our County and its People" says "The first Methodist class formed in Rome was in 1799 on the Turin road three miles north of the Yillage. The first preacher here was Rev. Jonathan Newman, who came about 1791. In 1803 the class moved over to the Ridge and joined with the Methodists there in worship." This would indicate that the Methodists were holding services at Ridge Mills prior to this time. Whether or not a church organization existed at the Ridge (Ridge Mills) at this time is impossible to determine. In the History of Oneida County, published in 1878 by Everts and Fariss, Philadelphia, it is said, ' ' The first Methodist preach- ers who labored in the Mohawk valley were: Revs. Jonathan Newman and Philip Wager, the former having preached in the town as early at 1791; he was recollected by Judge Hathaway as being an energetic and able minister." (P. 398). There were circuit preachers who traveled in this region from 1790 forward. In Rome village a class existed as early as 1820, and in 1824 a church building was begun near the court house, which building was completed in 1829. Mr. Wager says the present commodious brick edifice, situated on the corner of West Embargo and North George streets, was completed in Sep- tember, 1869, at a cost of $45,000. It is probable that this was the first perma- nent location for the Methodist Episcopal society in the county of Oneida. Statistics are not at hand to give a more detailed account of this first church. The pastors who have served this church are as follows : 1803, Matthew Van- duzen; 1804, Eber Cowles and John Deakens; 1805, Edward Larkins and John P. Weaver; 1806, Husselkus and John P. Weaver; 1807, Ebenezer White and Charles Giles; 1808, same as 1807; 1809, James Kelsey, John Crawford; Craw- ford did not serve, Benjamin G. Paddock taking his place; 1810, Luther Bishop, W. B. Lacy, John P. Weaver; 1811, W. B. Lacy, Asa Cummins, Jonathan Huestis; 1812, Asa Cummins, Abner Chase; 1813, Abner Chase, Thomas Thorp; 1814, James Kelsey, Truman GiUet, Peter Baker; 1815, 1816, Chandley Lambert; 1817, Seth Mattison, Ira Fairbank; 1818, Seth Mattison, Joseph Willis; 1819, Dan Barnes, Joseph Willis; 1820, Dan Barnes, Henry Peck; 1821, Ralph Lan- ning. At the end of this year there were 99 members. 1822, Zenas Jones, Joseph Baker; 1823, Zenas Jones, Isaac Stone; 1824, Zachariah Paddock, Charles Northrup; 1825, George Harmon, Joseph Baker; 1826, George Harmon, Elias Bowen, Eli W. R. Allen; 1827, Jonathan Worthing, Ira Fairbank; 1828, Zenas Jones, Jonathan Worthing; 1829, Andrew Peck. At this point Rome is made a circuit by itself. 1830, Charles Giles; 1831, 1832, Isaac Stone; 1833, Calvin Danforth; 1834, Albert D. Peck; 1835, Nathaniel Salsbury; 1836 Vincent M. Coryell; 1837, 1838, Eli W. R. Allen; 1839, Aaron Adams; 1840, Isaac L. Hunt; 1841, Wm. Ward Ninde; 1842, Wm. Ward Ninde; 1843, John Alley; 1844-45, Hiram Mattison; 1846, George Sawyer; 1847, Freeman H. Stanton; 1848, Free- man H. Stanton; 1849-50, James Irwin; 1851-52, Lorenzo D. Stebbins; 1853, Burroughs Holmes; 1854-55, James P. Jennings; 1856-57, Isaac S. Bingham; HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 825 1858, Benjamin S. Wright; 1859-60, William X. Ninde; 1861-62, John B. Foot; 1863, Wesley Mason; 1864-66, Spencer R. Fuller; 1867-69, Melvin D. Kinney; 1870-72, William Searls; 1873-74, William F. Hemmenway; 1875-77, Fred Wid- mer; 1878-80, WiUiam H. Reese; 1881, George M. Mead; 1882-84, Charles W. Parsons; 1885-87, Thomas B. Shepherd; 1888-91, Melville R. Webster, D. D.; 1891-92, Samuel H. Adams, D. D. ; 1892-97, David F. Pierce, D. D. ; 1897-1904, Samuel J. Greenfield; 1904-12, Edward B. Topping. In March, 1906, a beau- tiful and commodious parsonage on George street was completed at an ex- pense of $6,000. In March, 1911, a beautiful new chapel was dedicated. This large addition, with every facility for modern Sunday school work, etc., cost $32,000. A number of Methodist churches were organized within the county, but we cannot determine the date of their organization, though historians say they were organized "very early." Notwithstanding the fact that this denomination en- tered the field much later than others, it has made great progress, and at the present time its communicants are more numerous than those of any other denomination. Special interest attaches to the organization of the First Methodist Epis- copal church in Utica. The Methodists worshiped in 1809 in a schoolhouse on Genesee street, also in a little house near the dividing line between the town of New Hartford and the city of Utica on Genesee street, but a church build- ing was erected on Main street, and dedicated August 16, 1816, which was occupied for many years. A humorous description by Dr. Bagg concerning services in this building is here given, as an illustration of how common it is that the most sacred relations may be disturbed by mirth on a slight pretext: "The solemn scenes which this old chapel must from time to time have wit- nessed, the fervid discourses, the earnest prayers uttered there, time has swept from the remembrance of the living; while their record is preserved on high, the substance of this record is gone from human inspection. As of men when they die, the good is apt to perish with them and the evil to live afterward, so with societies and commingled endeavors, as they pass down the current of time, the graver and weightier elements subside and are lost from view, while the scum alone is left floating on the surface. Thus are we constituted, we forget the momentous while the trivial is retained. Nay, it sometimes happens that on occasions of special seriousness, and when we are awakened to matters of the highest interest, the trifling or the ludicrous will force itself upon us and take full possession of our thoughts. So it was with one of the early preach- ers of this church, a man of seilsitive and risible make, and attuned as well to fun as to soberness, in accordance as the responsive note was struck. He was lodging with one of the officers of the society, and his terra of service at an end, he was about to preach his farewell sermon. While silently reading it over on Sunday morning in the presence of his friend, he suddenly broke into a laugh. The latter, surprised that such an exercise could be a source of merri- ment, asked him why he laughed. 'You know,' said he, 'that Mr. A. sits di- rectly in front of the pulpit; he comes to church tired, and soon after the ser- mon begins, he closes his eyes and seems to be asleep, except that now and then he breaks out most unexpectedly with a very loud "Amen." Now as I was 326 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY reviewing my sermon and came toward the conclusion, in whicli I had introduced from St. James the passage, "Finally, my brethren, fareweU," I bethought my- self of Mr. A., and seemed to hear him blurt out his vigorous "Amen." The explanation was satisfactory. After amusing themselves over it together, the conversation turned, and not long after the two took their way to the chapel. The sermon was delivered with becoming unction, and, drawing to an end, was closed with the words, 'Finally, my brethren, farewell.' At once there fol- lowed an echoing 'Amen.' The preacher dropped to his seat, covered his face with his hands and bowed it behind the desk. The audience were touched by this proof of tenderness from their retiring minister, and some were moved to tears of sympathy. For some time they waited in suspense for him to rise and continue the service, which as he delayed to do, they were more and more overcome. The embarrassment was getting painful, when the minister's host, who alone divined the true state of affairs, rose and moved toward the door, at the same time beckoning to the audience to do the same. The hint was taken, and all sorrowfully retired but the stricken pastor. He, perchance, would have sooner recovered himself but for the incident of the morning, the anticipation he had related and its exact fulfillment. It was the assurance, as he afterward said, of meeting the eye of his host, and thus renewing the cause of his mirth, which kept him chained to his seat. ' ' It is said that the work of the Methodist church in Utica began as early as 1792, by Rev. Freeborn Garretson of Rhinebeck. In 1799 the minutes of the Methodist church show that Oneida was added to the list of circuits, with 26 members. "William McLenahan was presiding elder. At first the member- ship that was resident in Utica were attached to a class that met on the New Hartford road, as has been before stated. In 1802 Rev. William Colbert was appointed presiding elder on the Albany district, and Oneida and Mohawk cir- cuits were included in this district. In 1804 a new arrangement of conferences and districts gave this district the name of Genesee, and included it in the Philadelphia conference. In 1808 the territory was transferred to the New York conference, and Peter VanNess was appointed its presiding elder. The name of the district was then changed to Cayuga. In this year Solomon Bron- son, a man of means and an influential citizen in the community was con- verted, and, being zealous and earnest, came to Utica frequently and held meetings in the schoolhouse on Genesee street, just above the junction of Genesee and Broad streets. In 1812 the name of "Utica" appears on the minutes, and was probably the name of a new circuit. Seth Mattison was preacher in charge. The next year Jabez Treadwell joined him as preacher, and in 1814 Abner Chase and Zenas Jones were preachers in this vicinity. In 1815 Utica was made a station, and Benjamin G. Paddock was appointed preacher in charge. The old church was then sold to L. Thomas for 70,000 brick, and with these and additional brick bought, a new house was built. This church was dedicated August 16, 1816, and is the same as is referred to above as the first Methodist society located in Utica. During the year 1816 and the following year George Garey was preacher ; in 1818 William Barlow was preacher ; 1819, Elias Brown ; 1820, Elijah King; 1821, B. G. Paddock; 1822-23, George Peck; 1824, George Harmon ; in 1825 Paris and Utica were united in one charge, with Z. PaddocE HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 327 and Ephraim Hall as preachers. In 1816 Z. Paddock was returned and the Bleecker Street church was built, and dedicated in the early spring of 1827; in that year Fitch Reed was pastor, and in 1829, Elias Brown; 1830, George Peck. In 1832, a class having existed in West Utiea for some time previous, steps were taken to build a church. The class had been considered as a part of the Bleecker Street society, and, although a house was built, it was after- ward sold. In 1847 a new society was formed in West Utica by members of the Bleecker Street society, and this became the State Street Methodist church. February 3, 1867, this church was burned, and at that time the Bleecker street building was very much out of repair and was not well located. It was, there- fore decided to combine the two elements, and form the First Methodist Episcopal church of Utiea. A building was erected on the corner of Court and Cornelia streets, and, as the outgrowth of this church, several others have originated and started upon their prosperous careers in and about Utica. The pastors of this church have been: William Reddy; R. C. Houghton; Eli C. Bruce; L. D. White; T. Kelley; J. H. Humphrey; Samuel Call; J. D. Phelps; F. H. Beck ; Gordon Moore ; Addis Albro ; M. T. Bovard ; William Marsh ; C. E. Miller; A. H. Zimmerman and Edgar H. Brown. South Street Methodist Church, (Utica) was organized in September, 1852, with 82 members, the most prominent of whom were S. A. Alden, T. J. Francis, W. R. Denison, Francis D. Fish, W. R. Frederick, C. B. Manning, George R. Potter and William Goodenow. This church was perfected in the spring of 1853, and at that time Rev. John Inskip was in charge. The pastors of the church have been: E. Hoag, 1854-56; J. L. Wells, 1856-58; W. H. Olin, 1858-60; S. P. Gray, 1860-62; Thomas Harroun, 1862-64; E. C. Curtis, 1864-66; L. Hart- sough, 1866-68; Theron Cooper, 1867-71; W. F. Markham, 1871-74; A. J. Cowles, 1874-77; W. D. Chase, 1877-80; W. F. Hemenway, 1880-81; A. Bramley, 1881-84; W. E. Reynolds, 1884-85; H. W. Bennet, 1885-88; H. E. Waugh, 1888-92; W. F. Brown, 1892-94; A. P. Palmer, 1894-99; J. B. Hammond, 1899-02; S. W. Brown, 1902-09; W. J. Hart, 1909-12. Dryer Memorial Church (Utica) was built and dedicated almost imme- diately after the burning of the State street church, being at that time a chapel. In 1887 steps were taken to organize a church, and Rev. F. W. Merrick was assigned as pastor. The name was selected in honor of Rev. H. N. Dryer, prom- inent Methodist minister, who for many years was steward at the State Hospital, and had a high standing in the community. This church has been served by F. W. Merrick, 1887-8; F. D. Leete, 1888-91; F. D. Torrey, 1891-94; A. F. Pennock, 1894-96; J. W. Simpson, 1896-1900; S. Call, 1900-02; R. H. Ferguson, 1902-08 3 C. H. Walton 1908 to the present time. Centenary Methodist Church (Utiea) originated in 1880, and services were held in 1882 in a hall on the corner of Albany and South streets. In 1884 the church was organized with Rev. L. D. White as pastor. Since that time other pastors have been: Samuel Call, J. G. Benson, G. W. Adams, J. V. Ferguson, W. G. Wilmshurst, W. Dempster Chase and T. F. Alexander. 328 HISTORY OP ONEIDA COUNTY Grace Methodist Church in the city of Utica, within the last month ceased to exist, because of the lack of financial support, and the members have been dismissed to other churches. There are a few churches in the county, notably one at Prospect, where a portion of the communicants reside out of the county, but this is about offset by those places within the county where communicants attend church located in another county. An instance of this kind is at Hinckley, in the town of Russia, Herkimer county, where a large portion of the communicants of the church live in Oneida county just across the West Canada Creek, which is the dividing line between the two counties. The Methodist people have for many years held annually what is called a "Camp Meeting." In former years it was held at different places, but more than twenty years since an organization was effected. Camp Meeting Grounds, about a mile south of Trenton Palls in the town of Trenton, were purchased, and permanent buildings erected. Annually they hold an immense Camp Meeting for something more than a week, which is conducted with great de- corum; the whole surroundings are most orderly and free from that which, in former years, had sometimes given rise to criticism. In 1911 Methodist churches in the county of Oneida and the number of communicants are as follows : Ava and West Leyden, 80 ; Boonville, 324 ; Cam- den, 412; Clayville, 73; Florence, 45; Floyd and Stittville, 120; Porestport, 64; Knoxboro, 104; Lee Center, 151; Lowell, 75; McConnellsviUe, 100; New Hart- ford, 270; New London, 88; North Bay, 57; North Western, 144; New York Mills, 244 ; Oriskany Palls, 130 ; Prospect, 87 ; Remsen, 140 ; Rome, First, 859 ; Rome, Liberty street, 292; Sauquoit, 131; Steuben, 145; Taberg, 117; Trenton, 103 ; Utica, Centenary, 304 ; Utica, Coke Memorial, 62 ; Utica, Dryer Memorial, 275; Utica, First and Italian Mission, 400; Utica, Grace, 128; Utica, South street, 378; Vernon, 103; Vernon Center, 100; Verona, 97; Waterville, 109; Westdale, 43; Westmoreland, 160; Whitesboro and Maynard, 177. The total number of communicants is 7,024. Methodist Protestant — There was organized in the county a Methodist Protestant church at Hawkinsville about 1860. Also Wesleyan Methodist at Camden and Remsen, in which services were conducted in the Welsh language. Also Calvinistic Methodist churches at Remsen, Trenton, Utica and Rome. Also churches that were denominated Methodist organized at Augusta Center, Floyd Corners, Marcy, Holland Patent, South Trenton, Verona, New London, Big Brook, Utica and Rome. Some of these were known as Free Methodist churches. One of the churches at Marcy was Welsh, one German, and both in the town of Trenton were Welsh. There was also a German Methodist church in Utica in 1851, and a Free Methodist church in Camden in 1887. Baptist— The first Baptist church organized within the county was the Welsh Baptist church of Utica. This was formed in 1801, and it claims to have been the first church organized in that portion of the county which is now the city of Utica. So far as its church organization is concerned this is correct, but it was preceded, so far as religious services were concerned, by that which be- HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 329 came the First Presbyterian churcli. On the 12th of September, 1801, twenty- two persons of this people, who were Baptists, met at the log house of John Williams, upon the road opposite the State Hospital, and formed a church. Some of them lived probably without the village, or if resident in it were so for a short time only. The church they formed is the first, exclusively of Utica, whose organization has been continuous and services unbroken to the present time. It is known as the First (Welsh) Baptist and is the parent of the Broad Street (now Tabernacle) church. This congregation erected in 1806 a church edifice near where the canal now intersects Hotel street. It was moved when the canal was opened to the site of the present church on Broadway a little north of Liberty. Among the twenty-two who united in its organization were Elder John Stevens and Elder James Harris, who officiated as ministers. Elder Abraham Williams, Joseph Harris, David Reed, Simon Johns, Nathaniel Davis, Samuel George, James Phillips, Daniel Richards, David Thomas. The first dea- cons were Joseph Haines and David Reed. Elder John W. Stevens was the first minister. He preached alternately in English and in Welsh. In five or six years he removed to New York, but re- turned about 1814, and a second time became the head of the church. Elder Abraham Williams was their second pastor. He afterward removed to Rome and died October 25, 1839. On the 23d of September, 1819, seventeen members were dismissed from the Welsh church to form the Broad street (English) church, now the Tabernacle. On June 23, 1806, the first trustees were elected; they were Daniel James and John Adams. Four men acted as pastors alter- nately and for irregular periods until 1837. They were Rev. Richard Roberts, Elders D. Griffiths, Richards and Stephens. Rev. William H. Thomas became pastor July 1, 1837. The membership was then 135. Rev. William F. Phillips succeeded Mr. Thomas in the fall of 1840. David J. Phillips succeeded to the pastorate in 1846. Rev. David Jenkins became pastor in 1851 and Rev. Morris J. Williams followed him in 1854. During this period the church was at the height of its prosperity. The church records show a membership of 283. Rev. John Edred Jones became pastor in 1858. Rev. Joshua T. Morgans succeeded him in January, 1869. Eight years later Rev. Owen Griffiths became pastor for one year. In 1878, Rev. John Edred Jones again assumed the charge. Rev. WiUiam M. Evans became pastor in 1883, and was succeeded by Rev. John D. Roberts in 1885. Rev. Thomas Morris became pastor in 1887 and continued as such until April 1, 1890. Since that time the pulpit has been supplied by licentiates. The church has decreased in membership because the American born Welsh cannot understand the Welsh language, in which the sermons are preached, and Welsh emigration to Utica has practically ceased. Paek Baptist Church — Perhaps the Baptist church which had the greatest influence was that over which Dr. Daniel G. Corey presided for fifty years. This was known as the Bleecker Street Baptist church, the building being situ- ated upon the southwest corner of Bleecker and Charlotte streets, Utica. This building was sold, and a new church was erected upon the corner of Rutger and West streets, the name being changed to the Park Baptist in the year 1888. The Bleecker street church was the largest audience room in the city for sev- 330 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY eral years, and was utilized frequently for large public assemblies. It was in this church that the world famed Jenny Lind sang in 1851. On that occasion tickets were sold for five dollars each, which was considered an enormous price, and the church was totally inadequate to admit those who desired to hear the famous singer. The streets were filled with people, and buildings were covered with those, who, from the open windows of the church could hear her marvelous voice. Following is the programme of the Jenny Lind concert. It bears date May 12, 1851, but as a matter of fact the concert occurred on July 14, 1851, and it is evident that the programme was the same as had been used in former con- certs, and the date had not been changed: "Peogeam of M'lle Jenny Lind's Conceet. Monday, May 12, 1851 PABT I Overture — 'La chasse du Jenne Henri' Mehul Durt — 'Se inclinassi a preuder moglie' Rossini Signori Salvi and Belletti Cavatina — 'Una voce poca fa' (U Barbiere) Rossini M'lle Jenny Lind Romanza — 'Ciel che feci' (Uberto) Verdi Signer Salvi Aria — ^Madamina (Don Giovanni) Mozart Signor Belletti Scena — Ah non credea Aria — Ah non giunge (La Sanambula) Bellini M'lle Jenny Lind PART n Overture (Jubilee) Weber Trio — Ti parli I'amore (Othello) Rossini M'lle Jenny Lind Signori Salvi and BeUetti Fantasia on the Violin Arlet Herr Griepel Ballad — ' Take the Lute' Benedict M'lle Jenny Lind Cavatina — 'Vi ravisso' (La Sonambula) Bellini Signor Belletti Irish Ballad— 'The Last Rose of Summer' M'lle Jenny Lind The Herdsman Song, commonly called the Echo Song M'lle Jenny Lind The Wedding March (Midsummers Night's Dream) Mendelssohn Conductor, M. Benedict." HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 331 Dr. Corey, the renowned preacher, filled a unique place in the Baptist church. He was of humble origin, born in Greenwich, Washington county, N. Y., August 21, 1814, had a common school education, and also attended the academy which is now Colgate University, where he studied the higher branches and theology ; but he was a man of marvelous power, six feet and two or three inches in height, angular and not graceful in his manner. He did not persuade — ^he overwhelmed his audience. Perhaps no minister of the Baptist church in the country had a greater reputation for pulpit oratory than Dr. Corey. It was his custom to preach an annual sermon to young people, and these services were attended by a great number of the young people of the city, his influence on the young being wonderful. After serving the church for fifty years he ten- dered his resignation, which was regretfully accepted, with the feeling among his parishioners that his place could never be fiUed in the church. He died in Utica, February 20, 1890. A second Universalist church was organized in Utica and a building was constructed on the southerly side of Bleecker street, where services were held for some time; but it did not receive sufficient support, and the building was sold to the Baptists, a church known as the East Utica Baptist being organized, which has occupied the building since. The First Baptist church of Rome was organized at "Wright Settlement in October, 1817, Elder Dyer Starks being the first pastor. The first church was built in 1826. The present church building on the corner of George and Em- bargo streets was built in 1872. Some pastors of this church have been Rev. John Gibbs, Rev. Emerson Andrews, Rev. H. C. Vogell, Rev. J. M. Harris, and Rev. H. H. Peabody, D.D. Dr. Peabody was succeeded by Rev. Alfred B. Al- ton, who resigned in 1911 to accept a professorship in Colgate University, and Rev. Royal N. Jessup has recently accepted a call to the pulpit. The most eminent of the pastors of this church is Dr. Peabody. He was bom in Melrose, Mass., September 16, 1842 ; graduated from Colgate University in 1865, and from Hamilton Theological Seminary two years later. He was pastor in Brattle- boro, Vt., for little more than a year, and then for the same length of time sup- plied the pulpit of the "Washington Street Baptist church of Buffalo, N. Y. In March of 1870 he was called to the pastorate of the First Baptist church of Rome, N. Y., and April 1st of that year began his work with this church. His resignation was given April 28, 1905, from a pastorate that covered a period of thirty-four years. The present church edifice was begun during the second year of his term of service. He was early recognized as one of the foremost preachers in the denomination, and has frequently been called upon to deliver addresses on unusual occasions. These addresses were models of English, and were received everywhere with great favor. Since his retirement he continues to reside in Rome, and is pastor emeritus of the church. Baptist churches have been organized throughout the coimty, some of which have ceased to exist, but the denomination is still thoroughly alive, and has some of the most effective churches within the county. In 1850 a church was organized at Taberg. In Augusta a church was organized in the early history of the county, but disbanded within a few years. In 1910 Baptist churches within the county and the number of communicants were as follows : Bartlett, 332 HISTOEY OP ONEIDA COUNTY 111; Berean (Marcy), 38; Boonville, 214; Camden, 49; Cassville, 114; Clinton 98 ; Durhamville, 67 ; Maple Flats, 37 ; New Hartford, 180 ; North Bay, none given; Eemsen, First, 66; Second, 24; Rome, 409; Taberg, 102; Trenton, First, 77 ; South, 34 ; Utica, Calvary, 107 ; Utica, East, 102 ; Utica, Immanuel, 164 ; Utiea, Park, 414; Utica, Tabernacle, 935; Vernon, 66; Walesville, 50; WaterviUe, 91; Whiteshoro, 228. From the minutes of the nineteenth anniversary of the Oneida Baptist Association held in October, 1910, it appears that there are at present 3,793 communicants of the Baptist church in Oneida county. Free Will Baptists — A Free Will Baptist church was organized at Pros- pect in 1857. In connection with a church at Grant, in Herkimer county, a pas- tor was engaged, who officiated alternately at Prospect and Grant, and this ar- rangement still continues. A church of the same denomination was organized at Washington Mills in 1860, and a church existed in connection with Whitestown Seminary, but which ceased to exist when the seminary was dissolved by action of the attorney gen- eral of the state. The denomination is making little progress in the county, and it is prob- able that there are less communicants now than in the first years of the or- ganization of the churches within the county. The regular Baptist church at Prospect ceased to exist, and most of the adherents of that faith joined the Free Will Baptists. Seventh Day Baptists — At one time there were churches of this denomina- tion within the county, but at present, so far as statistics at hand show, there is but one remaining in existence, and that is at Rome. Old School Baptist — ^A church of this denomination was organized in Westmoreland in 1836, and at one time there was one in Utica, but they have ceased to exist. Unitarian — The United Protestant Religious Society was formed September 19, 1803, at Oldenbarneveld. The organizers of this society were men of prom- inence, among whom were Francis van der Kemp, A. G. Mappa, Luther Guiteau, John Mappa, J. J. van der Kemp and others. The organizers were not all of the same religious belief, and it has been claimed that of the first trustees elected two were Presbyterians and one a Unitarian. Whatever may have been the pre- vailing religious opinion of the organizers, the fact remains that the church be- came Unitarian. The first pastor was Rev. John Sherman, who was a notable character, the grandson of Roger Sherman, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. He was a graduate of Yale College in the class of 1792, and had been pastor of the First Church in Mansfield, Ct., until his religious views were not acceptable to that church, and for that reason he severed his connection with that society. Mr. Sherman remained in charge for five years, and was followed, after an interregnum, by Rev. I. B. Peirce. The church was more or less in con- troversy for many years over its form of worship, its doctrine, and during what was known as the Finney Revival a bitter religious controversy occurred between HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 333 what was known as the Orthodox or Trinitarians and the Unitarians. It is claimed by the Unitarians that Mr. Finney and his adherents were very abusive in their treatment of the Unitarians. Ephraim Perkins published two pamphlets against the Trinitarians, who were not slow in making reply to the assaults upon them. Mr. Peirce tendered his resignation April 14, 1842, which was accepted, and soon after Rev. Edward Buckingham became pastor of the church. Services were held alternately at Trenton village and Holland Patent. Mr. Buckingham left the church in August, 1852, and was succeeded by Rev. Thomas "W. Brown. Then followed several ministers, who remained only a short time. In 1865 a statement of the belief of the church was put into formal shape and unanimously adopted : but it does not appear that the requirements of membership were such as that a person was obliged to subscribe even to the form of belief that the church had adopted. They held that each person had the right to his own belief, and that liberty of conscience should be preserved inviolate. Every member should be maintained in his right of free inquiry into the doctrines of the scripture, in publishing what he believes the scriptures to contain. Rev. William Silsbee was called to the pastorate in 1867, and he remained pastor for twenty years. During his pastorate the church was reincorporated, because of the fact that as it was originally incorporated it was called "United Protestant Religious Society," while the church formed within the society was called "The Reformed Christian Church. ' ' Pastors who have since filled the pulpit have only remained for a short time. Under the pastorate of Mr. Beers, in 1899, a meeting of the church was held for the purpose of adopting a declaration of union, which was as follows : "In the love of truth and in the spirit of Jesus, we unite for the worship of God and the service of man. ' ' Our doctrinal beliefs we hold always open to restatement as growing thought and purer life reveal new truth. "We welcome to our fellowship any who, though differing from us in belief, are in sympathy with our practical aims and desire to promote truth, righteous- ness, and love in the world. We who here subscribe our names do by this act enter into a convenant of love and service and right endeavor with each other." The Reformed (Dutch) Chuech — The Reformed church in Utica was the outcome of domestic missions. In 1826 Rev. Mr. Labagh, representing the domes- tic board, visited this section. The result of his labors, supplemented by those of the Rev. John F. Schermerhorn, was the erection of the first edifice on the southeast corner of Broad and John streets. Five months after the completion of the structure the congregation was able to dispense with aid from the board, and on the 26th of October, 1830, the local church was organized with 39 mem- bers. The last services in the old church occurred October 14, 1866, and the new church on the corner of Genesee and Cornelia streets was opened May 3, 1868. This beautiful structure was destroyed by fire February 6, 1881, and the pres- ent church was located upon the same lot and was first occupied December 31, 1882. The first pastor of this church was Rev. George Washington Bethuue, D. D., divine and poet ; born in the city of New York March 18, 1805 ; graduated at Dickinson College in 1823, and studied at the Princeton Theological Seminary 334 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY in 1823-25. In 1827 he became pastor of a Dutch Reformed church in Rhine- beck, N. Y. He was afterwards settled in Utica, and still later in Philadelphia. In 1851 he removed to Brooklyn, N. Y., and 1859 to New York as associate pastor of the Twenty-first street church. He was a distinguished orator and most lov- able man, a poet and a wit. He published an edition of Walton's Complete Angler (N. Y., 1846) ; A Commentary on the 130th Psalm (1847) ; and Lays of Love and Faith (1847). Several of his hymns are widely used. In 1861 he went to Europe for the benefit of his health, but died at Florence, April 27, 1862. The second pastor was Rev. Henry Mandeville, who was pastor of the church from 1834 to 1841, when he became the professor of belles-lettres in Hamilton College. He was author of the Mandeville system of elocution, which placed Hamilton College in the front rank among colleges for its excellence in public speaking. Dr. Mandeville was also a brilliant orator, and ranked high as a preacher. Other pastors of the church were all notable men, and were Rev. John P. Knox, D. D., (1841-1844) ; Rev. Charles Wiley, D. D., (1845-1854) ; Rev. George H. Fisher, D. D., (1855-1860) ; Rev. Charles E. Knox, D. D.; (1860- 1862) ; Rev. Ashbel G. Vermilye, D. D., May, 1863 ; Rev. Isaac S. Hartley, D. D., who was called in 1871. Rev. Oren Root, D. D., succeeded Dr. Hartley in 1889 ; Rev. Peter Crispell succeeded Dr. Root June 7, 1894, and Rev. Louis H. Holden Ph. D., was installed October 6, 1904. This is the only Reformed church within the county, and it has 168 communicants. Univeralist — The Universalists of Utica and neighborhood were requested to meet at the court house on Monday evening, November 21, 1825, for the pur- pose of organizing a society. Accordingly "a number of persons believing in the doctrine of God's impartial and universal love" met at the time and place ap- pointed and organized the "First Universalist Society of Utica." The follow- ing persons were appointed trustees : Andrew S. Pond, Daniel James, John R. Ludlow, John H. Hickox, Roswell Woodruff; and the following were appointed deacons : Ezra S. Barnum and William Stevens. Forty-two persons signed the constitution. Rev. John S. Thompson, the chairman of the meeting, remained only a short time as the pastor, and the society was supplied with occasional preach- ers among whom was the father of the late T. Starr King. A church was erected in 1828-30 on Devereux street, and in the latter year Rev. Dolphas Skinner, D. D., became the first settled pastor. The church became involved in financial dif- ficulties and was subsequently sold. In 1848 services were recommenced in Mechanics Hall, and a new society was orgajiized under the name of the Central Universalist Society, commonly known as the Church of the Reconciliation. A brick church was erected on Seneca street near Genesee and completed in 1851. It cost $12,500 and had a seating capacity of 480. Rev. Mr. Francis was the first pastor. He resigned his charge in 1853, and was succeeded in October by Rev. Theophilus Fisk. Rev. C. C. Gordon became pastor in 1857, and resigned his charge in August, 1859. Rev. T. D. Cook, who had been one of the earlier pas- tors of the old church, began a new pastorate in I860, and spent four years in the work here. He was succeeded by Rev. D. Ballou in October, 1864, who re- mained five years. In August, 1870, Rev. A. J. Canfield was called and con- tinued his labors until May, 1873. In December of that year Rev. Charles P. ADOLPHUS SKINNER, D. D. JAMES CARNAHAX, D. D. GEORGE W. BETHUNE, D. D. BISHOP W. X. NINDE RT. REV. CHARLES T. OLMSTED JAMES H. TAYLOR, D. D. Protestant Episcopal Bishop of the Diocese of Ceutral New York EDWARD M. VAN DEUSEN, D. D. ANDREW WI5TZEL, D. D. SAMUEL P. SPRECHER, D. D. HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 335 Lee became pastor and continued until January 1, 1879. Rev. Marion Crosley was the next pastor, officiating from January, 1880, to July, 1882. He was succeeded by. Rev. 0. A. Rounds, who came in the following September, and continued as pastor until September, 1887. Rev. Clarence E. Rice came to the work December 1, 1887, in which year the church was extensively repaired and a new chapel was built. The church building near the corner of Genesee and Columbia streets, but fronting upon Seneca street was sold and became the Citi- zens Trust Company in 1909 and a new church building was erected on the corner of Genesee and Tracy streets. There was also a church of this denomina- tion organized in 1834 at Bridgewater, but services were discontinued about 1878. In 1821 a church was organized at Clinton; also at Lee Center in the early his- tory of the county, and this was reorganized later as an " Ecclesiastical church, ' ' later as a "Union Society," and later still it was used by the Universalists. The church of this denomination at Forge Hollow ceased to exist about 1878. A Universalist church was organized in 1805 at New Hartford, and the building stood on the corner of Genesee street, or the New Hartford road, and what is known as the Capron road, but about 1880 it fell into decay, was torn down, the lot has since been vacant, and the church, as a society, ceased to exist. The first Universalist church in Rome was organized in 1836, and is still in existence. A second Universalist church was organized in Utica, and the building was located on the southerly side of Bleecker street, but it did not receive sufficient support to be successful, and the building was finally sold and became the East Utica Baptist church. The active parishes in the county at present and the member- ship are as follows : Bridgewater, 32 ; Rome, 35 ; Trenton Falls, 30 ; Utica, 142. Lutheran — ^A Lutheran church was organized by the Germans in Utica in 1842, called the Zion Evangelical Lutheran church, at its place of meeting — ^the "Old Bethel," on Fayette street in "West Utica. There were fifty-six charter members, aU natives of Germany, in which language the services have always been conducted. The first elders of the church were Charles A. Wolf, Sr., and Michael Breitenstein. The first house of worship was erected upon the south side of Columbia street near St. Patrick's church at a cost of about $2,000, and was dedicated September 28, 1844. It was destroyed by fire February 28, 1851. The site was then sold to the Catholics, and the present church building was erected on the corner of Cooper and Fay streets at a cost of $4,000 ; its seating capacity is 550. In 1868 the edifice was lengthened by an addition of twenty feet. The first pastor of the church was Rev. Andrew "Wetzel, the pioneer clergy- man of the Lutheran church in Oneida, Lewis and Jefferson counties, who was born in Weilimdorf, Germany, January 27, 1808. His parents were Andrew and Augusta Agatha "Wetzel. To them were bom four sons and one daughter. The daughter died in infancy. Andrew was the oldest of the four sons. "While he was still a lad his mother died. Under the tutorship of the clergyman of the parish he began the study of Latin, Greek and other branches, until at the age of twelve he entered the "Latin school" at Esslingere, then an important town in "Wurtemberg. Here he remained for two and one half years, continuing the study of Latin, Greek and Hebrew. Then he became a student in the "Gym- nasium" at Stuttgart. After a three years' course of studies here he was ma- 336 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY triculated in the University of Turbingen as a student of philosophy and the- ology, graduating three years later with high honor. When, with the consent of his father, he left home to visit America, his intention was to proceed at once to Ohio and there engage in teaching Latin, Greek and Hebrew for two or three years, and then to return to his native land and enter the University. He reached Philadelphia, Pa., in the autumn of the year 1831, after a long and tedious journey. There, he met Rev. F. Meyer, D. D., with whom he discussed his proposed journey to Ohio, and his intention of teaching for a few years be- fore again returning to Germany. The reverend doctor, however, did not coin- cide with him in this plan. He pointed out to him the fact that there were lo- cated in central and northern New York a goodly number of German settle- ments where the gospel of Christ must be preached, and that it was his duty, as a young minister of the gospel, to abandon the plan of going to Ohio, and, in- stead, to go to New York state and preach the gospel there. "When it was shown that duty called him to New York state and not to Ohio, it is easily compre- hended that the Rev. Meyer had no great difficulty in persuading him to abandon his original plan; since during his long and busy ministry he never failed to obey the summons of duty. Accordingly he went from Philadelphia to Albany, N. Y., and from there continued his journey to Lewis county, mostly on foot. Here he began his work among the Germans in this part of the state at once, preaching the gospel in the several settlements of the counties of Lewis, Jefferson and Oneida, wherever there were any number of his countrymen. The services were held in the home of one of their number in each settlement. He prosecuted this work with great zeal and fidelity, traveling from place to place on foot. There soon sprang up such an attachment between his little congregations and himself that he was easily persuaded to remain with them and abandon the idea of returning to his home in Germany to enter the ministry there. In 1832 he was married to Elizabeth Maurer, a daughter of one of his parishioners in West Leyden, N. Y. After their marriage the young couple made their home in Verona, where he had organized a German Lutheran church. He served this congregation as their pastor, at the same time preaching regularly at six other stations, viz: Utica, Rome, Boonville, Constableville, West Leyden and Con- rad's Settlement. Each of these places he visited at least once every four weeks, holding services in the home of one of the members of each little flock. The compensation he received for his services was indeed very meager, yet, with the help of his good, thrifty wife, and what assistance came to him from his father in Germany, he maintained a comfortable little home, and was finally enabled to purchase a horse and saddle. This made it much easier to get about among his parishioners and to visit the several stations more regularly and oftener. In 1845 the congregation in Utica, as well as the city itself, had steadily increased in numbers. Both on this account and on account of better school ad- vantages for his children he moved his home from Verona to Utica, which then had a population of about 12,000. Though many of the German inhabitants were immigrants, who remained only long enough to accumulate sufficient money to enable them to continue their journey to the then "far West," the congrega- tion built a small church and he, in addition to his other duties, opened and maintained there a day school in which the children were taught both German HISTORY OP ONEIDA COUNTY 337 and English and also received religious instruction. This school was continued for many years under his personal supervision. Supplementing the small salary which he received from his congregation hy teaching, he was able to support and educate his family. Many of the Americans studied German with him, and Germans were taught English. He was professor of German in Miss Kelley's Ladies' Seminary, at that time one of the most prominent schools for girls in the country. Later, while one of the school com- missioners of the city, through his effort and influence, the study of German was added to the curriculum of the Utiea Free Academy, and he was made the first teacher of that language there. In that position he continued until about three years before his death. His work, in the way of teaching, was all done in addition to his duties as pastor. For sixteen years he was a member of the board of school commissioners, and was also for years a trustee of Hartwick's Seminary in Otsego county, at that time a prominent institution of learning of the Lutheran church. Pastor Wetzel was an indefatigable worker, and no mat- ter how arduous, and at times irksome, his duties were, they were always faith- fully performed. Twice every Sunday, morning and evening, he preached in his own church, and, after the mission in the southern part of the city (now St. Paul's Lutheran church) was undertaken, he preached there also every Sunday afternoon. These three services were held every Sunday for a number of years until the mission grew in size and sufficient in strength to maintain a pastor of its own. It was in his church, the first Lutheran church in Utica, and under his own care and supervision that the first Christmas tree at a Sunday School Christmas celebration was lighted in Utica, and for many years the Christmas tree, lighted at the Christmas celebration of the Sunday school, was the only one in the city that brought happiness and delight to the children, and parents, as well, on that greatest of anniversaries. In 1851 the little church, which the congregation had built, was destroyed by fire. It was located on Columbia street near Huntington street, now the site of the parochial residence of St. Patrick's church. The fire which destroyed it, together with Water's Tavern, on the corner of Columbia and Huntington streets, was of incendiary origin, and was one of many which occurred at that time, when incendiarism ran riot for awhile in the city. This was a terrible blow to the pastor and congregation. Staggered, as they were, by this catas- trophe, they decided, however, to build a new church. For the purpose of ob- taining financial assistance for the project. Pastor Wetzel visited the Lutheran churches of this state and also those in Philadelphia, Pa., and with the aid thus obtained the building of a new church was undertaken. The site on Columbia street was disposed of, and a new one on the corner of Fay and Cooper streets was secured. Here the new church was erected at a cost of about $5,000. It was a perfectly plain brick building, which left much to be desired. During the Civil war, many of the Germans from this city serving in the Union army, irrespective of religion or creed showed their confidence in Pastor Wetzel by sending him their pay to be handed to their families or deposited for them in the Savings Bank of Utica. Before there existed a Board of Vital Sta- tistics it was the methodical record of his official acts that helped many a poor widow to procure the pension due her from the government, and in many eases Vol. 1—22 338 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY served as evidence in suits at law. His records date back as far as 1835, and give accurate account of his official acts. On August 16, 1880, Rev. Andrew Wetzel died, and was laid to rest in beau- tiful Forest Hill Cemetery. Of him truly can be said, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant!" He was succeeded by Rev. John P. Lichtenberg, who labored in the pastor- ate until May, 1889, when Rev. A. Oscar Gallenkamp came to the charge. A day school building was erected in 1870 on Columbia street near Varick at a cost of $8,000. EVANGELICAN LuTHEEAN ChURCH OF THE REDEEMER In the month of June, 1877, seven members of the Evangelican Lutheran Zion church started a movement which resulted in a meeting at the dwelling of John C. Hie- ber, corner of Cottage and Hart streets, July 10, and the forming of an organization that should be known as the "English Lutheran Church As- sociation of Utica," the object being to establish a church of that faith. A method of systematic giving for church expenses was inaugurated October 16, 1878, a call was extended to Rev. Theodore B. Roth, of Philadelphia, and he began his labors November 24. The M. E. chapel, corner of Court and Stark streets, was rented for one year and services were held regularly, morning and evening. The following Sunday a Sabbath school was organized. December 27, 1878, a church organization was effected under the name of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Redeemer. March 30, 1879, the constitution was adopted and the following deacons elected: Henry Martin, John C. Hieber, Louis F. Leo, Adam Martin, John Reichart, John 6. Hoerlein, Anton Dougne and John R. Bucher. During the summer of 1881 a building lot known as the "old malt-house," fronting 119 feet on Columbia street, was purchased for $6,- 850, and thereon a stone chapel was erected; it was occupied on December 25, 1883, and the church proper on May 17, 1885, the buildings having cost up- wards of $30,000. This church called Rev. G. A. Bierdemann to mission work in the city, and through his efforts the Church of the Holy Communion was or- ganized. Rev. Mr. Roth had repeated calls to other fields, and finally accepted the call to the presidency of Thiel College, Pennsylvania. Lutheran churches have since been organized in BoonviUe, Hawkinsville, New London and Rome. At present there are five in Utica, two in Rome, and no records are at hand to show whether there are any others in the county or not. Moravian— The Moravians organized a church in Utica in 1856, and it is still in existence and in a prosperous condition. The church edifice is located on the comer of Cooper and Cornelia streets, and it has 283 communicants. It also sustains a mission at the intersection of Leeds and South streets. The pres- ent pastor is Rev. Allen E. Abel, with Rev. George E. Runner as assistant pas- tor. This is the only Moravian church within the county of Oneida. Quaker— At one time there were several churches among the Quakers in different parts of the county, but, so far as the writer knows, there are none in existence at the present time. HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 339 .Christian Science — Christian Science was introduced into the county about twenty-one years ago by Miss Marie M. Adams, C. S. D. These letters indicate a degree given to the students of Mary Baker G. Eddy, the founder of Chris- tian Science. The churches of this character are but sub-organizations of the Mother Church founded by Mrs. Eddy. There are no pastors in the sense that other churches have pastors. The pastor of the Christian Science church is the book published by Mrs. Eddy and called Science and Health, and the Bible. No sermon is preached at the services, but there are readings instead. These are conducted by what are known as First and Second Readers, the First Reader reading from Science and Health, and the Second Reader from the Bible, which is done alternately, but without comment. There are Christian Science churches in Utica, Rome, Clinton, Boonville and Deansboro. Hebrews — There are within the county two synagogues among the He- brews, both located in the city of Utica. One, known as the House of Israel, is located on the corner of Washington and Whitesboro streets; the other, known as the House of Jacob, is now located at 11 Seneca street. The writer has not been able to procure any statistics in regard to the number of worshipers of this faith within the county. Roman Catholic — The facts concerning the history of the Catholic church in Oneida county are taken principally from the history of the diocese of Syracuse, edited by "William P. H. Hewitt and published in 1909. St. John's Church, Utica, claims the distinction of being the oldest church in the diocese of Syracuse, and the fourth Catholic church erected in the state of New York. Of course this does not include the churches built by the French missionaries among the Indians, more than a century previous. There is no record of where the first mass was said in Utica, but it was very probably in the home of John C. Devereux who lived in those days at the comer of Broad and Second streets. Rev. Paul M. McQuade was the pastor of St. Mary's church, Albany, from 1813 to 1815. Utica at that time was a mission attended from time to time from Albany. John C. Devereux was a member of the board of trustees of St. Mary's church, Albany. In the traditions of the parish it has been handed down that Father Mc- Quade said mass frequetly in Mr. Devereux 's house and there is little doubt that the very first mass was said by the same priest and in the same place. Rev. Michael 'Gorman became pastor of St. Mary's church, Albany, in 1817, and attended Utica regularly until 1819. He founded St. John's church, Janu- ary 25, 1819, where at a meeting, held under his direction, of all the Catholics of Utica and vicinity, it was decided to erect a church for Central and Western New York. As there were but few Catholics at that time between Albany and Buffalo, it was determined to build one church to supply the needs of all, and Utica was selected as the place of its erection. A corporation was duly formed, under the name of the "Trustees of the First Catholic Church in the Western District of New York." The first trustees of the church were John C. Devereux and Nicholas Devereux of Utica, John O'Connor of Auburn, Morris Hogan of 340 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY New Hartford, Oliver Weston of Johnstown, Thomas McCarthy of Syracuse, John McGuire of Rochester, and Charles CarroU of Genesee River. Judge Mor- ris S. MiUer, one of the pioneers of Utica, donated the site. The original deed dated May 13, 1819, is still in the archives of the church. Rev. John Farnan was appointed the first resident pastor of St. John's church. He said mass in Utica for the first time Sunday, March 21, 1819, in the Academy. Father Farnan went to work with great earnestness to erect the new house of worship. After two years the little church was enclosed and fit for use, although it was two more years before it was entirely finished. It was a pretty Gothic structure, 45 by 60 feet, surmounted by a low spire, and painted white. It was dedicated by Bishop Connolly August 19, 1821. This event was something remarkable in those days, as it was the first time that a Catholic bishop had been seen in this part of the world. Father Farnan was succeeded by Rev. Richard Bulger, who was pastor from February 1, 1823, until July 6, 1824. Rev. Charles Brennan was pastor from December 1, 1824, till August 31, 1825. Rev. John Shanahan was by far the most distinguished pastor of the earlier days. His pastorate dating from August 31, 1825, marks a new epoch in the history of the parish. Father Shanahan opened the first baptismal and mar- riage register, August 31, 1825, and the old book is still in a splendid state of preservation. Father Shanahan enjoyed the unique distinction of being the only priest ever attached to the parish who lived long enough to be able to see the first, second and third churches erected on the same site. Rev.- Luke Berry was pastor from November 1, 1827, to December 19, 1828. A strange accident happened during his pastorate which made it necessary to postpone the beautiful ceremony of confirmation, which was about to take place for the first time in Utica. Good Bishop Dubois had forgotten to bring the Sacred Chrism, and the sacrament could not be administered. Rev. Hatton Walsh was pastor from December 19, 1828, till November 24, 1829. During his pastorate the sacrament of confirmation was administered for the first time iu Central and Western New York. The class consisted of about a dozen boys and a dozen girls. The ceremony took place in the summer of 1829. Rev. Phillip J. M. 'Reilly of the Dominican Order was pastor from August 14, 1829, till November 30, 1830. It was during the pastorate of Father O'ReiUy that the first Catholic cemetery was laid out in Utica, which was located in Elm Grove between Elm and Steuben streets, and consisted of a little less than an acre. Rev. Michael Cummins was pastor from December 1, 1830, till March 25, 1832. Rev. James MeCahill was pastor from May 8, 1831 till May 11, 1833. It was during the pastorate of Father McCahiU that Utica was visited by the Asiatic cholera, which swept over the country in 1832. Father MeCahill 's la- bors during that fearful scourge, attending the unfortunate victims day and night, in the improvised hospitals in the court house opposite the church, have been handed down in the traditions of the parish. There is preserved in the archives of the church in his own hand writing a list containing the names of fourteen of his little flock who died within three weeks during that dreadful TABLET IX ST. JOHN'S CHURCH. LTICA HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 341 epidemic, which carried off about seventy of the inhabitants of Utica. Rev. Francis O'Donogue assisted Father McCahill from July 1 to August 15, 1832. Father McCahill never recovered from the fatigues incident to the cholera visi- tation. He returned to Ireland in May, 1833, where he died before the end of the year. Rev. Walter J. Quarter closes the roll of pastors of the first church. He brought to Utica the Sisters of Charity, through the munificent generosity of John C. Devereux and his brother Nicholas, each of whom contributed $5,000 for their maintenance. They arrived in Utica from Emmitsburg, May 1, 1834. They opened simultaneously an Orphan asylum and a Girls' school, and they have ever since continued this twofold work in the parish. Rev. Patrick Brad- ley was assistant priest to Father Quarter for a time in the first church, his term extending from February 1, 1835, till May 4, 1836. The little old church which had served its purpose for upwards of fifteen years was removed across the street in the summer of 1835. It is still standing, though somewhat altered in appearance, on the northwest corner of Bleecker and John streets. It has ever since been devoted to commercial purposes. The cornerstone of the second church was laid by Bishop Dubois of New York, January 14, 1836. It was a plain brick edifice with a gable in front and a simple wooden cross. There was no tower or steeple, and the windows were of the plainest kind, and no attempt was made at decoration. It was consider- ably smaller than the present church, beginning a little back from the sidewalk and extending only as far as the rear colunms of the present edifice. The church was probably dedicated by Bishop Dubois on his visitation in the summer of 1837, although there is no record of the fact. Rev. Francis Ferrall became pas- tor October 25, 1839. Father John Loughlin, who afterwards became the first bishop of Brooklyn, assisted Father Ferrall from November 1, 1840, to Janu- ary 3, 1841. Upon the death of Father Ferrall, Rev. Thomas Martin, O. P., was transferred from Newport and Schuyler and became pastor of St. John's church, January 10, 1841. He organized the first temperance society in Utica, and was noted for his zealous efforts in suppressing the frightful evils of drunk- enness. Rev. Joseph Stokes became pastor May 11, 1845. Rev. Francis P. McFarland had the longest and one of the most important pastorates in the history of the parish. He was the first product of our own soil — ^the first American pastor of St. John's church. He came to the parish May 1, 1851. In 1858 he was made bishop of Hartford, Connecticut. It was during Father McFarland 's pastorate that the Christian Brothers came to Utica It was their first foundation outside of New York City. The beautiful school building on the corner of John and Elizabeth streets, which belongs to the church, was built during his pastorate. Assumption Academy for boys was opened Sep- tember 1, 1854, and today its long line of graduates are found among the citi- zens of Utica and elsewhere in every walk and profession in life. The jubilee of this institution, which was celebrated May 15, 1904, with so much enthusiasm, was a striking proof of what it had accomplished in the last century. Father Thomas Daly became pastor April 25, 1858. The society of the Chil- dren of Mary was organized by him and placed under the direction of the Sisters of Charity. The society was organized December 8, 1858, and is still in existence 342 HISTORY OP ONEIDA COUNTY and in a most flourishing condition. His next care was to provide a home for orphan boys, and under his direction the Christian brothers opened an orphan asylum for boys in a portion of the school building March 25, 1862. Mass was said in the second church for the last time on Sunday, June 8, 1868. On the following day the work of tearing down was commenced. The cornerstone of the present St. John's church was laid by Father Daly June 27, 1868. The sermon on the occasion was preached by Rev. Dr. Keating, pastor of Newport, N. Y. The papers and coins which had been placed in the cornerstone of the second church were found to be in a good state of preserva- tion, and were deposited, with the other articles, in the cornerstone of the pres- ent church. For a few years the congregation was compelled to make use of the court house and the sisters ' school building as places of worship. The work was pushed as rapidly as possible, and, although not entirely finished, the new church was opened on Christmas, 1869, by Father Daly. The old Barrows house, which had served as a rectory for nearly twenty years, was also torn down during the year 1869, and the present elegant and spacious residence for the clergy was constructed. It became necessary in the summer of 1869 to make provision for the orphan boys in another place, the school building being found to be totally inadequate, and a large and commodious building was erected on the corner of Rutger street and Taylor avenue. The Assumption Academy build- ing was henceforward devoted exclusively to educational purposes, and the or- phan boys were transferred to the new asylum, now known as St. Vincent's In- dustrial school. In 1871 the narrow strip of land running along the gulf from South to Pleasant streets, and known as "the Farm" was purchased, as a permanent rest- ing place for the departed members of the parish. About this time St. A^es' Cemetery Association was formed and Father Daly was one of the original trus- tees. The five acres of land belonging to the church which had been purchased for burial purposes in 1844, and the additional lots purchased by Father Mc- Farland, were conveyed to this new corporation, and that portion of the farm bounded by South, Third, Arthur streets and the gulf, was sold by the church to the trustees of St. Agnes' Cemetery Association. The remainder came into possession of the Christian Brothers in 1866, when they purchased the asylum property from Bishop McNeirny. St. John's new church was dedicated October 2, 1872, by Rt. Rev. John J. Conroy, Bishop of Albany, assisted by Coadjutor Bishop, Rt. Rev. Francis Mc- Neirny. Rt. Rev. Francis P. McFarland, Bishop of Hartford, the light of the second church, came back to preach the dedication sermon of the third. Among the bishops present at the dedication was Rt. Rev. John Loughlin, Bishop of Brooklyn, one of the former assistant priests of the second church. In 1880, in consequence of ill health. Father Daly was succeeded by Rev. James M. Ludden. Rev. J. S. M. Lynch, pastor of Warrensburgh, N. Y. was transferred to Utica and took up his duties as acting pastor February 18, 1882. As Father Lynch was an entire stranger in the parish and as the people were tired of the dis- tracted condition of the church peace and order were soon re-established. Father Lynch took up the subject of schools for the Catholic children and after a while succeeded in establishing free schools for these children. It was soon announced HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 343 that Catholic children would be expected to attend these parochial schools unless some legitimate hinderanee prevented. This produced a large increase in the attendance at these schools. Early in life Father Lynch had been a teacher and his experience in that vocation enabled him to solve the question pertaining to the schools and to put them on a proper basis. When Rev. Patrick A. Ludden became Bishop of the Diocese of Syracuse he selected Father Lynch as his Vicar-General and this required him in 1887 to sever his connection with St. John's Church. Rev. James J. Moriarty, LL. D., served as pastor from May 18, 1887, till December 4, 1887. The labors of Father Moriarty in this church were of short duration, for he died December 4, 1887, at his residence corner Broad and Second streets, where he had taken up temporary quarters since coming to Utica. Rev. Thomas F. CuUen was pastor from January 9, 1888, till May 9, 1891. Father Cullen was the first pastor who was born within the limits of the present diocese of Syracuse. It was during his pastorate that St. John's church was designated by the bishop as one of the very few in the diocese whose pastor would be henceforth, what is called, in the language of the church, an irremov- able rector. As the parish was now in a condition to merit this marked distinc- tion, Father Cullen was selected the first in the long line of pastors of the church to enjoy this high honor. After presiding over the parish a little more than three years he was stricken down, and after a brief illness expired in the rec- tory — ^the first priest to die in the parochial residence since the formation of the parish, nearly seventy-five years before. Rt. Rev. Monsignor James S. M. Lynch, D. D., LL. D., was appointed pastor July 2, 1891. One of his first acts was to unite Assumption Academy with the Sisters' Academy for Girls, and to have the joint institution incorporated 1)y the regents of the University of the State of New York, under the name of the Utica Catholic Academy. The charter is dated December 9, 1891. The union of the two schools was effected without disturbing the autonomy of either, and pro- vision was made for the holding of regents' examinations in both academies. The church had now been built over twenty years but had never been entirely completed. Father Lynch now set to work to construct the twin towers, and to completely remodel and renovate the whole interior, taking away the unsightly galleries and erecting the present side chapels. A chime of ten bells was donated by various members of the congregation. A marble memorial tablet containing the names of all the deceased bishops and priests of the church, an illustration of which is given in this volume, was unveiled November 25, 1893. According to a law passed by the legislature of 1895 the state superintendent of public instruction was authorized to prescribe a special four years' course of study which would hereafter have to be taken by all candidates for admission to any training school for teachers in the state. In order to gain a stiU further recognition of the parish schools from the state, a uniform course of study that would fully meet the requirements of this new legislation was prepared, and it received the formal approval of Superintendent Charles R. Skinner, in a letter addressed to the principal of the Utica Catholic Academy, Father Lynch, June 17, 1896. 344 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY An elaborate celebration of the diamond jubilee of the organization of the parish and of the silver jubilee of the dedication of the church took place October 3, 1897. January 14, 1900, the church was honored by the N-isit of His Eminence James Cardinal Gibbons, Archbishop of Baltimore. The solemn consecration of the church took place in December, 1900, when the Most Rev. Sebastian Mar- tinelli, D. D., apostolic delegate for the United States, visited the parish and was the celebrant of the solemn pontifical mass. Previous to 1830 there was no Catholic cemetery in Utica, and Catholics were for the most part buried in secular burying grounds. At that time Nicholas E. Devereux donated to St. John's church for the purposes of a cemetery about an acre of woods in Elm Grove, lying between Elm and Steuben streets, with a drive- way leading to Steuben street. Burials took place in this cemetery until the purchase of St. Agnes' cemetery in 1843, after which it was gradually abandoned. The growth of the city demanding, the common council in March, 1896, ordered a street laid out running directly through this abandoned cemetery and leading from Elm to Steuben streets. The bodies buried in the way of this new street were removed by order of the common council and reinterred in St. Agnes' cemetery. The remaining bodies on the north and south sides of this new street, called Addington place, were removed in the summer of 1903 at the expense of St. John's church. It was estimated that there were in aU about six hundred bodies removed from the old cemetery and reinterred in St. Agnes* cemetery. Monsignor Lynch, S. T. D. M. R., was born September 20, 1846, in Albany. His studies for the priesthood were made at St. Joseph 's Seminary, Troy, where he was ordained June 11, 1870. His first appointment was to St. John the Evangelist church, Syracuse, where he served as assistant from June 15, 1870, till December 25 of the same year, when he was given charge of the new parish of St. Patrick's, which, as assistant at St. John's, he had helped to organize. He left St. Patrick's September 1, 1871, to become director of St. Joseph's Seminary at Troy. He was with the Jesuits in Canada from December 8, 1872, till June 1, 1873. He was pastor of Baldwinsville from May 1, 1874, till March 1, 1875, when he became acting pastor of Amsterdam and North Albany. After seven months he again became director of St. Joseph's Seminary and remained in that capacity for five years, or until July 1, 1880, when he became acting pastor of St. Agnes 's church, Cohoes. February 1, 1881, till October of the same year, were spent with the Jesuits at Rochampton, England, and Frederick, Maryland. Then came the pastorate at Warrensburg, October 1, 1881-February 18, 1882; St. John's, Utica, February 18, 1882-May 15, 1887; vicar-general and rector of St. John's cathedral, Syracuse, May 15, 1887-Jaly 2, 1891. On the latter date Father Lynch began his second pastorate at St. John's, and shortly afterward he was made a member of the papal household, the first priest of the diocese to be so honored. St. Joseph's (Geeman)— The parish of St. Joseph's (Utica) dates back to 1842, and the history of the trials, the struggles and the triumphs of this, the second Catholic congregation of Utica, is of more than passing interest. St. Joseph's was organized at the, beginning of the year 1842, and at the time was the only German Catholic church between Albany and Buffalo. On June 14, ASSUMPTION ACADEMY, UTICA (ROMAN CATHOLIC) THE NEW UTICA FREE ACADEMY HISTORY OP ONEIDA COUNTY 345 1843, St. Joseph was chosen patron of the church. The Rev. Joseph Prost was the first pastor. Father Prost had many difficulties to overcome, for during the first years there were many dissensions in the parish, of which not a few were caused by the actions of the trustees. The parish was administered by secular clergymen until March, 1859, when the Franciscan Fathers (Minor Conventuals) assumed charge. The present church edifice (the third since the founding of the parish) was built in the years 1871-73 and is one hundred and eighty feet in length and ninety feet in width. It is of brick, with stone trimmings, carrying two large' towers. In the sanctuary there is an altar of white Italian marble and Mexican onyx. The interior of the church has recently been remodeled and decorated, and new stained glass windows were placed in position. A beautiful communion rail of white marble with brass gates and a pulpit of marble, onyx and brass were also added. The aisles are laid with interlocking rubber tiling. For upwards of half a century St. Joseph's (German) church has had its own school. This school, built in 1855, was entirely inadequate, as the parish grew, to meet the demands made upon it, and the result is the present beauti- ful school building, which covers a space of fifty by one hundred feet, is three stories high, with eight large class rooms on the first two fioors and a large hall in the upper story. The school is attended by 450 children, who are taught by the Sisters of St. Francis. The sisters occupy a large brick convent in the rear of the church. The old school has been converted into a meeting hall for the various societies connected with the church. An important improvement was the building of a new priests' convent (be- gun in June, 1905, and completed in April, 1906), which adjoins the church, and is a handsome, three-story, pressed-brick structure. St. Joseph's has a large and finely equipped church property, occupying the block between Columbia and Lafayette streets, and having a frontage of sev- eral hundred feet on each street. The buildings are the church and parochial house connected with it, the large school building on Varick street, the convent of the sisters, the assembly hall and the old parochial residence at the corner of Varick and Columbia streets, occupied since 1876 as the residence of the or- ganist and choir master. St. Patrick's Church is situated at the comer of Columbia and Huntington streets. Late in 1849 a movement was on foot to have a church in "West Utica, and it resulted in the organization of this church. The first pastor was Rev. Patrick Carahar. For over thirty years St. Patrick's parish flourished. Many societies were organized and supported, its choir held first rank among the choirs of the city, and pastor and church shared widespread popularity. The parish debt had been reduced prior to building the rectory to $15,000, but the cost of the rectory having been added, it was never reduced very much after- wards. Later on, owing to the pastor's failing health and the falling off of the revenues of the church, the debt and embarrassments of the parish increased. In April, 1887, the property was sold at auction on mortgage foreclosure, bid in by Father Carahar, and the church was closed. On the night of November 346 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 8 1889, the unoccupied church with all its furnishings, untouched since the day it was closed, was consumed by a fire of unknown origin. After the death of Father Carahar the parish recovered possession of the rectory and the site of the ruined church, and built a new church in 1894 which was dedicated in 1895. The new church is somewhat larger than the old one, and is built of pressed brick with base and trimmings of brown sandstone, the roof of slate, and the spire, which rises 167 feet to the base of the cross, is of the same material. The parish retains St. Patrick's hall, the building formerly used for a church. In this building there are two large halls for use of Sunday school, societies and business purposes. It is also used as a gymnasium by the Patrician Athletic Club, and is equipped with toilet, bath, locker and dressing rooms. In October, 1908, the parish purchased two pieces of property on Cooper and Huntington streets, adjoining the church property. One of the houses is to be remodeled for a Sisters' convent, and the other has been torn down to make way for a Parochial school building. Among the pastors of this church after Rev. Father Carahar are Rev. John J. McDonald and Rev. Nicholas James Quinn. St. Mart's (German) — In the spring of 1870, families who attended St. Joseph's church, appealed to Bishop Conroy of Albany and obtained permis- sion to form a new congregation. In the same year the new congregation was incorporated under the title of "St. Mary's of the Immaculate Conception." Two lots on the corner of South and Taylor streets were bought from the But- ter field estate in 1870, and to these lots the old St. Paul's Lutheran church, a frame building, was moved. The first resident priest of St. Mary's church was the Rev. George Veit, a Bavarian. The first service was on Christmas morning, 1870. Under the pastorate of Father Veit the land forming the cemetery be- longing to St. Mary's congregation was bought of John Adrian and laid out. It is situated on Webster avenue, and was incorporated with the church prop- erty of St. Mary's in 1871. Father Veit commenced the day parochial school connected with the church. Its first teacher was John Veit, a brother of Father Veit. The auditorium of the church was used as a class-room during school time. The school had about forty scholars in regular attendance. In the year 1872, towards Easter, Father Veit was replaced by the Rev. George Eis. During his pastorate the trustees bought from the John Slricher estate a lot adjoining the original church lots on the north. After twelve months, in 1873, Father Eis resigned, and was succeeded by Rev. Henry Pehling, a former Redemptorist. He built the present rectory and increased the church property by buying a lot on South street. The year 1883 saw commenced and finished the present St. Mary's church. Father Fehling died January 3, 1888. The school, under him, was directed and taught by Bappas and later by Nicholas Heinriche, they acting as organ- ists at the same time. The Rev. Andreas Lindenfeld, a former Redemptorist, succeeded Father Fehling. Under Father Lindenfeld a new school building of brick was erected in 1892. The lay teachers were replaced in 1900 by the Sis- ters of St. Francis from Syracuse, who are teaching the children of St. Mary's at the present time. The Rev. Bernard W. Goossens was acting pastor during HISTORY OP ONEIDA COUNTY 347 eight months of 1895. Father Lindenfeld resigned his charge in 1901, being succeeded at once by the Rev. Joseph Leehner. St. Feancis de Sales — In the spring of 1877 a new parish was organized, and Rev. Luke G. O'Reilly was appointed pastor. He obtained permission from the Common Council to use the abandoned Steuben street schoolhouse and celebrated mass there May 7, 1877. Shortly afterwards the schoolhouse was purchased from the city, remodeled arid dedicated as a church under the patronage of St. Francis de Sales, November 4, 1877. The church was incor- porated May 20, 1882. Two days later Father O'Reilly conveyed the Eagle street property to the church, and a movement was at once inaugurated to erect a new and spacious edifice. The cornerstone was laid in 1887, and the building was completed and dedicated the following year. The church is Romanesque in style and is constructed of brick with brownstone trimmings. The parochial house adjoining the church was built in 1889. There is a parish house in charge of the Sisters of St. Joseph connected with the church. Father 'Reilly died December 22, 1902, and the present pastor. Rev. Daniel Doody, was sent to take charge of the parish. Ht. Agnes' — Early in 1887 steps were taken to organize a church in East Utica, and when the articles of incorporation were ready to file in the Clerk's office the name selected for the new parish was St. Agnes. The site on which the option had previously been secured by the special committee was purchased, and an architect secured to prepare plans for the new parish church. So rapidly did the work proceed that on September 18 the laying of the corner- stone was solemnized by Rt. Rev. Bishop Ludden. The first mass in the new basement was celebrated by Rev. Father Toomey on Christmas morning. On June 13, 1891, Rev. Father Toomey, the warm-hearted pastor of St. Agnes' parish died, and was succeeded by Rev. Myles O'Reilly. On October 28, 1894, the church was dedicated by Bishop Ludden. Rev. William A. Ryan was ap- pointed to St. Agnes' on December 12, 1895. He completed the rectory, which had been commenced by Father 'Reilly, put in new altars and stations of the cross, a new pipe organ, and purchased and paid for a plot of ground on the easterly side of Kossuth avenue, directly opposite the parish residence, which is amply large in ground area for a parish hall or school. The members of St. Agnes' are composed principally of people of Irish birth or their descendants. Holy Trinity (Polish) — The Polish people of Utica were gathered together for the first time as a Catholic congregation on Christmas day, 1896. The Rev. Simon Pniak was celebrant of the mass, and he was assisted by the Rt. Rev. Mgr. J. S. M. Lynch and the Revs. James M. Murphy and Michael Mara of St. John's. Eight hundred Poles were present. Prior to this time the spiritual wants of these people had been attended to by the Franciscans of St. Joseph's, Utica, and by the Polish priests of Syracuse and Schenectady, who visited them on stated occasions. Holy Trinity parish was formally organized this Christmas day, and thereafter mass was said in the parish house on Lincoln avenue until the church — work on which was almost immediately begun — was finished. Two 348 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY hundred families are members of the parish at the present time. The years which have passed have seen many changes in the parish. A parochial residence and a cemetery have been purchased, and some years ago a parish school was started in the basement of the church. In 1906 work was commenced on a new church, which is one of the finest in the diocese. It was built entirely of granite. The old church is used as a sehoolhouse. Father Pniak, first pastor, remained in charge until June, 1909, when the Rev. T. Suck was appointed in his place. St. Maey's of Mt. Cabmel (Italun) — Italian Catholics came in large num- bers to Utiea in 1883, when the construction work on the West Shore Railroad had reached the Mohawk Valley. Many of those who came with the work to the city have remained to become permanent citizens, and these have been joined by so many others in recent years that the Italian population of the city is now estimated at about 20,000. A parish was organized, and placed in charge of Father Griffin, who was succeeded by Father Doyle, a Franciscan, then stationed - at St. Joseph 's, Utica. He, in turn, was succeeded by the Rev. A. Castelli, who had come to Utica to be chaplain at St. Vincent's Industrial School. St. Mary's of Mt. Carmel parish was founded in St. John's church and Father Castelli, be- coming attached to St. John's, attended to the spiritual wants of his own peo- ple. For a while he held services in an old school building on Catherine street, the property of St. John's, and in 1901 he purchased a plot of ground some dis- tance away and erected thereon the little church which has been used up to the present. Father Castelli died October 24, 1903, and the Rev. Joseph Formia was appointed his successor. Before coming to Utica he was assistant in the Italian churches at Boston, Mass. In 1904 Father Formia built a parochial school and placed it in charge of the Sisters of St. Francis of Syracuse. Three hundred children now attend the school, and plans are under way for the erection of a larger building. A convent for the sisters was built in 1907. St. Vincent's Chapel — St. Vincent's Industrial School is the only institu- tion in the diocese which has a resident chaplain. The Christian Brothers came to Utica in 1862 at the request of the faculty of St. John's church to establish a home for wayward boys. The institution was housed at first in one of the build- ings now used as a part of Assumption Academy. The Brothers are still in charge of the institution, and there are about 250 boys in the institution ; among them are included the wayward, the truant and juvenile criminals under court sen- tence. They occupy handsome modern buildings, located on a farm, well out- side the city limits. The Rev. A. Castelli was chaplain for some years, resigning to become first resident pastor of St. Mary's of Mt. Carmel church, Utica. He was succeeded by Rev. Bernard A. Smith. St. Peter's (Rome)— The Rev. William Beeeham was appointed first pastor of St. Peter's church, Rome, in the spring of 1837, by Bishop Dubois of New York. At that time the city, then a small village, was called Lynchville. Father Beeeham was born in Queens county, Ireland, in 1805. At the time of his birth his parents belonged to the English Protestant church, but when young Beeeham was about sixteen years of age the whole family embraced the Catholic faith. St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church Zion Episcopal Church Baptist Church \ '^MW~ M/y'-; / - Wl f ■J ¥iM J ^ r ■ -^;^ ^^m^ \ ■■ . ■''' t,- ■ J. ^ i^^mm B'w-' f! -ii '^■Mi Lloffiffi jUji ^Pl n^ HI p m BBBSB =!^"*il Presbyterian Church GROUP OF ROME CHURCHES HISTORY OP ONEIDA COUNTY 349 Having finished, with marked distinction, a course of philosophy and theology in Carlow College, he started out, like many of his young countrymen, for the broad fields of the western world. He was ordained priest by Bishop Dubois in 1836, in the old St. Patrick's Cathedral of New York. Soon after his ordina- tion the young priest was sent out to central New York to pursue his missionary labors. He selected Rome for his permanent residence. From this center, for many years, he attended to the spiritual wants of the Catholic people, at that time sparsely scattered over Lewis, Jefferson, Lawrence, Madison and parts of Onondaga and Chenango counties. To the ordinary man the obstacles to be encountered and the sacrifices to be undergone would seem almost insuperable, but Father Beecham was a man of indomitable courage and perseverance, who would allow no difficulties to stand in the way of his duties. He was much be- loved and respected by the early settlers of all denominations, who esteemed it a great honor to have him in their midst. About 1840 Father Beecham pro- cured a site on the corner of Floyd and St. Peter's avenues, on which he erected a handsome brick church, which he had dedicated under the patronage of St. Peter, and which was dedicated by Bishop Hughes in 184.5. The church would seat about five hundred people, and was thought by some too large, but Father Beecham lived to see it overflowing with devout worshipers. After forty years of most zealous labor Father Beecham died on the 10th of March, 1876, being then in his seventy-first year. His obsequies will long be remembered in Rome. The whole city turned out that day to do honor to the memory of him whom all had learned to love and esteem. St. Peter's first pastor was succeeded by the Rev. Aloysius Murphy, M. R. It may be stated here, as worthy of note, that in seventy years St. Peter's church of Rome had but two pastors. The newly appointed pastor soon came to the con- clusion that the old St. Peter's was too small to accommodate his people, and at once set about enlarging and renovating it. This was begun in 1878 and was completed the following year. In 1881 the present parochial residence, which is considered one of the finest in the diocese, was built. In 1893 it was decided that more and better school accommodations were needed. To meet this re- quirement the pastor and his people determined on building a new church, that, in all future time, would fully meet the wants of the constantly increasing con- gregation, and fit up the old church for school purposes. A lot was secured on the corner of E!ast Park and North James streets, one of the most desirable loca- tions in the city. Work was begun in the summer of 1893, and the building completed in the fall of 1897. On the 24th of October the same year, the church, being entirely free of debt, was consecrated by the Rt. Rev. P. A. Ludden, Bishop of Syracuse. The Most Rev. Archbishop Martinelli, Papal Delegate, now Cardinal, pontificated, the Rt. Rev. Monsignor Conaty, rector of the Catholic University at Washington, now Bishop of Monterey and Los Angeles, preached in the morning, and the late Rt. Rev. Bernard J. McQuaid, Bishop of Rochester, preached at the vesper service. St. Peter's, so far as we can learn was the first parochial church in America consecrated immediately on being completed. The church is built of Medina brown stone, will seat 1,200 people, and cost $175,000. Father Murphy died at Rome April 6, 1906. He had been assistant pastor of St. John's church in Utica, but he came to Rome direct from a mis- 850 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY sion in the Catskill mountains. During the fall of 1876 and winter of 1877 he thoroughly organized his congregation and got them working well together. In the spring of 1877 he secured a leave of absence and visited his mother and brothers in Ireland, also visiting Italy and other foreign countries. Father Mur- phy was always an ardent supporter and advocate of the schools connected with the church, and after awhile it was determined to build a new schooLhouse near the center of the city. For this purpose a collection was taken up on the first Sunday of each month to create a fund, and it accumulated very fast. As the time approached to think of commencing work on the new schoolhouse, numerous members of his congregation began to suggest to him the idea of a new church, allowing the school to be taken care of afterward. A meeting of the congregation was called and the church was crowded. Views were exchanged, and when the question was put as to which it should be it was unanimously de- cided in favor of the church. The pastor said: "You have decided your course, I am heart and soul with you. It is your work, but I will shoulder my share. ' ' On the 21st day of May, 1895, the cornerstone was laid. Father Lynch of St. John's church, Utica, was the speaker of the occasion. The ceremony was eon- ducted by Very Rev. J. J. Kennedy of Syracuse, vicar general and administrator of the diocese in the absence of the bishop. Father Murphy acted as his own inspector on the work, and his entire time during the construction of the church was devoted to this. In all his work he had the welfare and interest of his people at heart. It was for them he was laboring, day and night, ever and al- ways. He always had implicit confidence in his people and they in him. Noth- ing was done without consultation with his congregation, who always realized that he was working for their interest, and consequently every undertaking brought success. In this respect the many friends of Father Murphy and his congregation both Catholic and non-Catholic were not forgotten. Many of them aided nobly, and received the most sincere thanks of pastor and people. After Father Murphy's death Rev. James J. Carson, who had been assistant at St. Peter's since 1896, was appointed permanent rector. During Father Carson's administration the parish has acquired a valuable property in the business section of the city, which has been so remodeled that the upper floors are used for meeting rooms and a club for the church societies. Catholic schools were established in connection with St. Peter's parish in 1850. At first lay teachers were employed, but about 1855 Franciscan Sisters took charge, and they were replaced in 1865 by the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary, who have since taught most successfully. Some 350 children are in attendance. The grades run from the first to the twelfth, inclusive. St. Joseph's church, Lee, Oneida county, is attended from St. Peter's. St. Maet's of the Assumption (German)— The records of the church show that missionary priests visited the German Catholics in Rome from the year 1845. During the year 1847 the first steps were taken to have a house of worship of their own, and in 1848 a humble wooden structure on the corner of James and Depey- ster streets was ready for divine service. A resident priest was appointed in the person of Rev. Florian Schwenninger. Twenty-two priests succeeded him until, on September 15, 1870, the Rev. P. J. Schmitt was assigned the charge of this HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 351 congregation. The church was in a dilapidated condition, and in 1871 a new church was built on West Liberty street. September 22, 1872, the new church was dedicated by the late Rt. Rev. Francis McNeimy of Albany. In 1893 a new brick schoolhouse was auspiciously opened. The parochial school has been in charge of the Sisters of Christian Charity since 1876. At present about 275 children, divided in seven grades, attend this school. In 1895 the Rev. P. J. Schmitt resigned, and in 1896 was succeeded by the Rev. Michael Rieger, who successfully continued the work of his predecessor. The congregation em- braces nearly 300 families. The church property includes a beautiful brick church, a convenient schoolhouse, a parsonage and Sisters' Convent. St. John the Baptist (Italian) — The Italian Catholic parish of Rome was organized at a meeting of sixty representative men of that nationality held at Duly Hall on Saturday, July 26, 1909, and was incorporated August 5, under the title of St. John the Baptist (Italian) church. Deerfield — ^A Catholic mission was conducted in Deerfield from 1808 till 1847, and a church was built on Deerfield Hill, but was abandoned in 1867 or 1868. At the beginning of 1872 some of the German and Irish Catholics decided to have a church near Deerfield-Four-Comers. Services were held in the new church on November 1, 1872, although the building was not then finished. The church now owns a brick dwelling for the priest and a frame church, with small sacristy. Florence — The Catholics held services at Florence about 1838, and after a while a church was organized, an edifice was built in 1855, and the society in- corporated. The decrease of population in the town has rendered it difficult to keep the church up to the standard that it held in years past, but during 1902 substantial improvements were made upon the building. Two marble side altars -were erected, the sanctuary enlarged, and later new stations of the cross and several handsome statues were placed. The population of this town has de- creased from 1860, when it was 2,802, to 936. Annsville — A Catholic church known as St. Ann's was organized at Anns- viUe about 1848, although services had been conducted there for several years prior to that time. Rev. Robert Kelliher was the first pastor. Afterward a ques- tion arose as to the location of a new church, and it was decided that the new church should be built at Taberg. The site, therefore, was changed, the first services being held in the new church in the year 1876. Clinton — Catholic services were held in Clinton as early as 1851 and a lot was purchased for a church the next year. The church was built in 1852-4, and was dedicated on the 25th day of October, 1854. It was known as St. Mary's church. A new church was erected in 1911, which is far more commodious and an ornament to the beautiful village of Clinton. Waterville — ^Prior to 1846 services were held in Waterville, and were con- ducted for some time by Rev. Patrick Carahar, assistant at St. John's church in 352 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY Utica. He undertook the building of a church at Waterville, which was fin- ished in 1853. At that time Rev. William C. Coghlan was pastor. It was dedi- cated October 26, 1854, as St. Bernard's church, is still in a flourishing condi- tion, and Paris Hill is attended from this church. Campen — In August, 1852, a mission was organized at Camden, and in 1876 it was erected into a parish with the outlying missions of Williamstown, Sand Bank, Pulaski and Sandy Creek. The first pastor was Rev. Patrick H. Beecham. A fire occurred in the church in 1889, and it was then decided to build a new church, which was completed in February, 1890, as St. John 's church. In 1897 a parish rectory was purchased, and in July, 1902, at a golden jubilee, the church was presented with a set of chimes by Judge L. J. Conlan of New York City, also with a pipe organ by Alfred Costello, son of Hon. P. H. Costello, formerly of Camden. DuRHAMViLLE — St. Francis' church was built at Durhamville in 1859-60, although services had been held there prior to that time. A school was also established there, which was conducted until 1890, when, by order of the bishop, it was discontinued. In 1899 the church was improved, but in consequence of discontinuing the manufacturing of glass at Durhamville the congregation be- came materially reduced, and this church was attended as a mission from Oneida, but in 1908 it was established as a parish church. Clayville — St. Patrick's church was organized in 1863. A church building was erected in 1864, and was made an independent parish in 1874, Rev. Edward F. 'Connor being appointed as a resident pastor. The abandoning of the large manufactories in Clayville reduced the population materially, and this affected the attendance of the church, as many of the Catholic residents of Clayville were obliged to move to other parts to find employment. "WiLLOWVALE — A church was built at Willowvale in 1908, known as St. An- thony of Padua, and the cornerstone was laid July 19, 1908, by Bishop Ludden. Obiskant Falls— St. Joseph's church was erected in 1873, and Rev. Simon J. Cannane was its first pastor. Vebnon Centee — Rev. Father Cannane first held services in St. Agnes' church April 13, 1884. This is a small church, and services are held about once every three weeks. BooNviLLE — This place was occupied as a mission for several years before any attempt was made to establish a church there. In 1878 the cornerstone of St. Joseph's was laid, and the following year it was completed. This was ac- complished by Rev. Thomas Harty, who won the respect of the citizens of Boon- ville, and it is said of him "he was kind-hearted, brilliant and true, and is still piously remembered in the parish." HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 353 FoKESTPOET — Some time before 1850 a church was built on the road between Plawkinsville and Forestport, but this was given up in consequence of the clos- ing of the large tanneries at Hawkinsville, and in 1882 the locality was changed, and St. Patrick's was established in the village of Forestport. Hawkinsville — Before the erection of St. John Chrysostom's church in Hawkinsville, the Catholics in this locality attended the church at Irish Settle- ment. This mission was attended originally from Constableville, and since 1875 from Boonville. Whitesboeo — The first services of the Catholic church in Whitesboro were held in the Town Hall April 22, 1882. In 1885 the cornerstone of St. Paul's was laid, and the church was dedicated October 12, 1886. Rev. John F. MuUany was the first pastor. In 1893 the rectory was burned, but a new one was imme- diately built. Whitesboro has two missions, St. Leo's, Holland Patent, and St. Ann's, Hinckley, and besides these the villages of Floyd, Stittville, Trenton Falls, New York Mills, Yorkville and Oriskany are included in the parish proper. New Hartford — On Sunday, October 21, 1883, the cornerstone of St. John the Evangelist's church was laid, and the church was dedicated May 21, 1885. The first resident pastor was Rev. William H. Grif&n. The rectory of this church was formerly the residence of Vice President James S. Sherman. North Bay — The Church of SS. Peter and Paul was erected in 1843, in what was then the diocese of New York. The first service in this church was conducted by Father Beecham, who was succeeded by several others until 1873, when Father Birmingham was pastor. He took up his residence at Black Creek (Cleveland), with North Bay as his charge. Sylvan Beach — It is claimed that St. Mary's of the Lake was erected on the identical spot where Father Jogues, who was murdered by the Indians, had conducted services between 1654 and 1684. September 11, 1899, the comer- stone of the church was laid, and it was dedicated Sunday, July 1, 1900. A mission exists at Vienna, which is attended from the other Catholic churches in the vicinity. The scope of this work does not permit giving the history of each individual church in the county, but to give an account of the establishing of each de- nomination within the county, and then, in a general way, the progress of the denomination. This rule has been adhered to in the preparation of the history, so far as the religious denominations of the county are concerned. It must be said, also that it is difficult to obtain authentic information in regard to many churches which were formed, flourished, and became extinct. Tel. 1— «• CHAPTER XXV. KDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS. The first educational work ever done in the Mohawk Valley was by the Jesuit Fathers, but in consequence of persecution even unto death this work was given up by them, and not until Rev. Samuel Kirkland took up missionary and educational work among the Oneidas in 1776, did educational work in the territory which is now Oneida county become permanent. The work of Mr. Kirkland finally took form in the establishment of an institution which after- wards became Hamilton College. Hamilton CoUege was chartered May 26, 1812, and opened its doors to stu- dents October 22 of the same year. But Hamilton was not founded upon wholly new ground, untouched by experiment or tradition. Back of the charter of Hamilton lies fruitful years of preparation which furnished the college a leg- acy of men, stanch friends, reputation and educational perspective. If the custom established by some of our American colleges were followed, Hamilton would have celebrated her centennial nearly a score of years ago. Hamilton- Oneida Academy was the foundation on which Hamilton College built, and its short but eventful history was incorporated into the institution that has now reached the threshold of its first century. Hamilton's predecessor, Hamilton-Oneida Academy, had come into being as a missionary school, planned to educate and Christianize the Oneida Indians in particular and the Six Nations in general. Savage and civilized men were here to meet on a common ground, and learn the lessons of one common hu- manity's law. Here the territory of the white man and the redskin joined at the Property Line of 1768, which separated primitive America from the vast west- ern lands. Clinton had been founded in 1786, and the Indians had long had their village of wigwams at Oneida Castle. The region was known as Whites- town, and the county was Herkimer. A fusion of the races was here thought possible, and a school for both seemed the natural element in which the miracle should be performed. Rev. Samuel Kirkland, while a student in Dr. Wheelock's school in New England, had met some of the Indian students of the Six Nations in that institu- tion, and mastered some of the difficulties of their language. His mind was early turned to the evangelization of the Iroquois, and, nearly thirty years be- fore he founded his school, he had penetrated into the deep forests as far as Oneida Castle, and there spent his years mastering the Indian dialect, winning the confidence and securing the loyal support of the Indian leader. Kirkland 's efforts were rewarded. He received from the Iroquois a large grant of land just west of the Property Line, including land where Hamilton College now stands. The state of New York was not a silent witness to gifts that exhibited the grat- 354 SAMUEL KirtKLAND, D. D. HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 355 itude of the whites for the loyalty of Kirkland's Indian friends during the trying times of our early history. Indian and American recognized the potency of Kirkland's services, and his reputation in the land was the chief asset in the educational project that offered opportunity to the Indian and challenged the deepest liberality of the white man. Kirkland's Indian- White school, Hamilton-Oneida Academy, was chartered by the Board of Regents of the University of the State of New York at a meet- ing held in the senate chamber in the city of New York on the 28th of Janu- ary, 1793, application for charter having been made November 12, 1792. The Journal of the Board of Regents for this date runs: "The respective applications of Samuel Kirkland and of seven other per- sons praying that Alexander Hamilton and fifteen others for that purpose nom- inated, may be incorporated by the name and stile of the Trustees of Hamilton- Oneida Academy at Whitestown in the County of Herkimer; and of several others, were severally read and Committed to the Vice- Chancellor General Clarkson and Mr. Verplank. "The Viee-Chancellor from the Committee to which the above applications were referred reported that it appeared to the said Committee by due proof on oath that the subscribers to the said applications are contributors and benefactors for more than half in value of the real and personal estate collected or appro- priated for the use and benefit of the said Academies respectively and that the said Committee are of opinion that the said Academies should be severally in- corporated, the first by the Stile of 'The Trustees of Hamilton-Oneida Acad- emy. ' . . . The Board resolved itself into a Committee of the "Whole to take the above report into consideration and after some time spent thereon The Chan- cellor reassumed the chair and General Schuyler from the said Committee re- ported that they had agreed to the report of the Sub-Committee. "Whereupon, Resolved, that the Board agree to the said report. Ordered that the Secretary prepare instruments in the usual form for incorporating the said Alexander Hamilton and the fifteen other persons for the purpose named . . . and that the Chancellor affix the seal of the University to the said Instruments." The collecting of funds and the building of suitable quarters for this school for and among the Indians tested the full strength of the founders and the loy- alty and charity of the citizens of the community. Several years elapsed before the Academy building was entirely finished. The critical and pessimistic some- times referred to the Academy as "Kirkland's Folly." But time has proven that Kirkland's vision was clear and his purpose too intelligent to fail. He understood the situation and adapted himself to it. Kirkland was a natural leader of men. The Indians believed in him, and he never betrayed their con- fidence. He likewise appealed irresistibly to his white brethren, and enlarged the circle of his friends till he had the great and influential of his time allied with him in the great cause he had espoused. Not only "Washington, but Alex- ander Hamilton responded to his call for moral and financial support, and made possible the great educational institution that then began its career within the limits of the future County of Oneida. Skenandoah, the greatest of Indian leaders and the Christian chief, pinned his faith to Kirkland, and in death would not be separated from his beloved spiritual father. Such supporters as these are- 356 HISTORY OP ONEIDA COUNTY testimonials to the ability, the wisdom and sterling character of the founder of the first important educational experiment that was to test the adapability of the New England ideals and methods in the primitive forests of America. Kirkland gave liberally of his own substance to the support and endowment of the new institution. The land where the academy was erected, and which forms part of the campus of Hamilton College, was given by Kirkland with the provision that it should be inalienable. The deed of twelve acres of land states in its preamble the motives that induced him to make the gift. "A serious consideration of the importance of education, and an early improvement and cultivation of the human mind, together with the situation of the frontier settle- ment of the part of the state, though extensive and flourishing, yet destitute of any well regulated seminary of learning, has induced and determined me to eon- tribute of the ability wherewith my Heavenly Benefactor hath blessed me, to- wards laying the foundation and support of a school, or academy, in the town of Whitestown, County of Herkimer, contiguous to the Oneida nation of In- dians, for the mutual benefit of the young and flourishing settlement in said county, and the various tribes of confederated Indians, earnestly wishing the Institution may grow and flourish, that the advantages of it may be extensive and lasting, and that under the smiles of the God of wisdom and goodness, it may prove an eminent means of diffusing useful knowledge, enlarging the bounds of human happiness, aiding the reign of virtue and the kingdom of the blessed Redeemer. ' ' Samuel Kirkland died February 28, 1808, and was buried near his own home in Clinton. On the 31st of October, 1856, the remains of Mr. Kirkland and those of the Indian chief, Skenandoah, were removed from their first resting place and interred in the college cemetery. The school founded and endowed by Kirkland flourished tiU it merged into a college. Names noted for broad scholarship and high character were connected with the faculty of the academy, and its reputation grew rapidly and attracted a large number of students from far and near. Fairfield, in Herkimer county, had an institution that was in a flourishing condition also, and entertained some positive ideas about becoming a college. The old Franklin Institute, sit- uated at Prattsburg, Steuben county, had disturbing ambitions in the same di- rection. These became sharp competitors for a charter that would make them each a college. Hamilton-Oneida Academy was in the race, and exhibited su- perior political intelligence and knowledge of procedure in such cases, thus se- curing the charter that made it a college May 26, 1812, and it opened its doors to students October 22, adopting a course of study of classic mold formulated by John Sturm and perpetuated by the educators of New England. Hamilton started its career as a coUege with $100,000 endowment — a very large sum for those days of moderate wealth. The Academy buildings, grounds and other property were valued at $15,000. To this sum was added subscriptions and parcels of land amounting in all to $50,000. The New York State Legis- lature granted $50,000 more to the new institution, and in later years appro- priated $3,000 annually for the support of the coUege, but this was withdrawn in 1850. The latest report of the flnancial status of the coUege shows assets in buildings, lands, investments, etc., an amount over $1,600,000, with an annual HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 357 expenditure of about $70,000. Endownments have increased rapidly within the last few years, and the finances of the institution are in a very prosperous condition. Hamilton College has had nine presidents. Dr. Azel Backus, the first presi- dent, was bom at Franklin, Connecticut, October 13, 1765, and died December 28, 1816. President Backus opened the college October 22, 1812, and was in- augurated December 3. In his inaugural address Dr. Backus took a decided position in regard to moral education : "Mere science, without moral and religious habits, is a curse, and not a blessing to a community. Better for youth, and for civil society, that he had lived in ignorance, than that he should issue from a col- lege with irreligious and immoral principles. Such as contract vicious habits in an academic course are more dangerous than madmen armed with instruments of death, and let loose among the defenseless inhabitants of a village. Let it never be imagined then that the sole object of an education is to make youth acquainted with languages, sciences and arts. The governors and instructors of a literary institution owe to God and society the sacred duty of guarding the morals of the youth committed to their care. An attention to order, and the early formation of habits of industry and investigation, I venture to assert, are of more importance than mere knowledge. ' ' Dr. Henry Davis, the second president, was born in East Hampton, Long Island, N. Y., September 15, 1770, graduated from Yale College 1796, a tutor in WiUiams College 1796-98, a tutor in Yale College 1798-1803, professor of Greek in Union College 1803-10, president of Middlebury College 1810-17, elected president of Hamilton College January 21, 1817, and of Yale College February 11, 1817. Dr. Davis declined both of these calls on account of cer- tain conditions at Middlebury College, of which he was then president. On July 21, 1817, the corporation of Hamilton College re-elected Dr. Davis president of the institution, and he began his labors iu the college at the end of October in that year. The college had been without a president since the death of Dr. Backus on December 28 of the previous year. President Davis resigned his office August 22, 1832, but upon urgent request of the trustees of the college, he con- tinued to act as president until April 17, 1833, having given fifteen years, five and a half months' service. He died March 7, 1852. Dr. Sereno Edwards Dwight, the third president, son of President Timothy Dwight of Yale College, and grandson of President Jonathan Edwards, was born at Greenfield, Connecticut, May 18, 1786, graduated from Yale College 1803, tutor in Yale College 1806-10, pastor of Park street church, Boston, 1817-26, and elected president of Hamilton College, beginning his services in the fall of 1833 and serving two years. President Dwight had been a lawyer, practiced his profession successfully, and was a business man. He attempted to secure a substantial endowment for the college, and presented the needs of the college to the citizens of Utiea, who subscribed somewhat liberally, but with the under- standing that Hamilton College should move to Utica. President Dmght was in favor of this movement on the ground that Utica was a center of business and geographically right for the growth and financial success of a college. But the trustees vetoed the plan of President Dwight and he resigned. Dr. Dwight died November 30, 1850. 358 HISTORY OP ONEIDA COUNTY Rev. Albert Barnes, class of 1820, was elected president of Hamilton College in 1835 to succeed President Dwight, but Rev. Mr. Barnes, who would not accept the degree of "Doctor of Divinity" from any institution on the general ground of unworthiness of any man for such a title, declined the offer. Rev. Joseph Penney, the fourth president, was born in Ireland August 12, 1793, graduated from Trinity College, Dublin, 1813, and came to America in 1819. Dr. Penney preached in Rochester, and in Northampton, Massachusetts. In 1835 he was called to the presidency of Hamilton College, and resigned the office in the spring of 1839. It was during the presidency of Dr. Penney that the state of New York began to contribute an annual sum of $3,000 to the college. His death occurred in Rochester, N. Y., March 22, 1860. Dr. Simeon North, the fifth president, was born in Berlin, Connecticut, Sep- tember 7, 1802, graduated from Yale College in 1825, tutor in Yale College 1827-29, professor of languages in Hamilton College 1829-39; inaugurated pres- ident of Hamilton College May 8, 1839. President North resigned his office July 16, 1857, to take effect the 1st of September of that year, after eighteen and one-third years of service as president, and ten years as professor of lan- guages. He died February 9, 1884. President North was a man of genuine classical learning himself, and by example as well as word he defended the classical and disciplinary foundations of scholarship. "A college is not a com- mercial agency." "In dealing with students President North was unwearied in vigilance, patience, courtesy and paternal kindness. He was never known to lose his self-control. His unfailing faith, hope and charity formed a triple cord that bound to his own heart the hearts of his pupils." Dr. Samuel "Ware Fisher, the sixth president, was born in Morristown, N. J., April 5, 1814, graduated from Yale College in 1835, pastor of the Fourth Presby- terian Church in Albany, N. Y., 1843-47, pastor of the Second Presbyterian Church in Cincinnati 1847-58, elected president of Hamilton College July 6, 3858. He resigned the presidency of Hamilton College July, 1866, and died in Cincinnati, Ohio, January 18, 1874. President Fisher believed thoroughly in the necessity of collegiate training as preparation for life. ' ' We will teach the mathematician how to master languages ; we will chasten the poetic imagination by the drill of abstract science ; we will assist the man of verbal memory to go through difficult processes of reasoning; we will endeavor to cultivate in all the power of profound reflection and just discrimination, so that when they go forth into life, it will not be with a partial — a distorted — a one-sided intellect — a mind that has ability only in one line, and is prevented by its very training from advancing in any other. A system of collegiate discipline thus seeks to give breadth, solidity, proportion to all the powers. It seeks to prepare a man to enter upon the special training that belongs to each profession, with a mind so exercised and informed as to be effective, according to its original endowments, in that or any other direction. It does not contemplate making this man a Grecian, that one a mathematician, another one a rhetorician, a surveyor or astronomer. It leaves these special attainments for after-study — individual choice. It supposes that the Grecian, the mathematician and the rhetorician will be vastly more accomplished, as scholars, and not at all less accomplished in the 1 HAMILTON ACADEMY Foundecl in 1793 by Samuel Kirkland now Hamilton College HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 359 specialties they have chosen, by having thoroughly mastered the entire circle of college studies." Dr. Samuel Gillman Brown, the seventh president, was born in North Yar- mouth, Maine, January 4, 1813, graduated from Dartmouth College 1831, pro- fessor of oratory in Dartmouth College 1840-63, professor of intellectual phil- osophy 1863-67. Dr. Brown was elected to the presidency of Hamilton College November 7, 1866; he began services in the college April, 1867, and was in- augurated July 17, 1867. President Brown resigned the presidency June 30, 1881, but occupied the chair of intellectual philosophy in the college from Jan- uary to April, 1882, then became provisional professor of mental and moral philosophy in Bowdoin College from September, 1883 to June, 1885. Dr. Brown died November 4, 1885. He was an uncompromising advocate and defender of classical studies as the foundation of exact scholarship. "What an endless amount of comparison, and reasoning, of balancing, of probabilities, and forming of in- dependent judgments and expressing them in the best forms, the student has gone through with in the careful reading of a single classical author. Hence every student of the higher professions, especially of law and theology, feels the special advantage which he derives from this kind of training. There is no study which calls into play at the same moment so many of the mental facul- ties and those of quite diverse character, as the languages ; not only do we ex- ercise the powers of judgment, discrimination and reasoning, but our sympathies, our taste, our sense of the fitting and the beautiful." Dr. Henry Darling, the eighth president, was born in Reading, Pa., Decem- ber 27, 1823, graduated from Amhurst College 1842, from Auburn Theological Seminary 1845, pastor of Presbyterian church in Hudson, N. Y., 1846, pastor of Clinton Street Presbyterian church, Philadelphia, Pa., 1853, pastor of Fourth Presbyterian church, Albany, N. Y., 1864-81, elected president of Hamilton Col- lege April 12, 1881, and he died on College Hill April 20, 1891. President Darl- ing's conception of education was expressed in his inaugural address: " ... in the intellectual culture of the college religion should have the first place. I am here to serve God in the catise of Christian education." It was during President Darling's administration that an attempt was made to unite Hamilton College with the Presbyterian church. The plan failed, and Hamilton College remained on her old foundations, a little richer, but no worse for the temporary convulsions through which she passed. Dr. M. Woolsey Stryker, the ninth president, was born at Vernon, N. Y., January 7, 1851, graduated from Hamilton College 1872, graduated from Au- burn Theological Seminary, Auburn, N. Y., 1876, pastor of Calvary Presbytery church. Auburn, 1876-78, pastor at Ithaca, N. Y., of the Presbyterian church 1878-83, pastor of the Presbyterian church at Holyoke, Mass., 1883-85, pastor of the Fourth Presbyterian church, Chicago, 111., 1885-92, elected president of Hamilton College August 25, 1892, entering on his work as president November 10 of the same year. Dr. Stryker is one of the most persistent, patient and out- spoken advocates of classical studies within the sphere of education to-day. He holds that the college has a distinctive place in the true education of a man- its function is primarily discipline. In his inaugural address President Stryker spoke thus: "Hamilton is willing to ask confidence strictly as a college, and 360 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY does not aspire to become a university. "We are not unwilling to be larger, but a college we remain. The time arrives when the distinctive calling and elec- tion of the college as such comes to appreciation. If its work is introductory it is also indispensable, for there are three obvious stages of study — correlated and distinct — the elementary, the disciplinary and the specializing. There are col- leges that fail because they are willing to be no less than universities. The steadfast, self-respecting, actual college stands between. It neither quarrels nor imitates. It perceives that its pre-eminent task is disciplinary. Its investiga- tions are primarily for the development of the investigator. It is forging men. Its chief work should be upon the mind itself, as the agent and implement. It dwells upon the tactics of thought. It summons to self-knowledge. Its course is a mental athletic." The presidents of Hamilton College have been quite unanimous in their views of the function of a college. There has been opposition to their seriously clas- sical views by alumni at times and by officers of the college ; but there has been stout resistance to any progressive views that would have Hamilton revert to high school standards or assume university aims and methods. Periodically dur- ing her history Hamilton College has passed through times of stormy discus- sion about numbers of students registered and the influence of the curriculum upon the growth of the institution. But the college has kept its standards of admission normal, and administered its courses of study with fidelity to principle. At this date Hamilton has about 200 students, about 1,600 living graduates, hag had about 3,000 graduates in all, and some 1,100 students who have not been graduated, and 239 graduates in law from 1855 to 1889. During the one hun- dred years of her history Hamilton has had 130 professors on the faculty. Hamilton points with just pride to the list of her noble men who were ready in time of the nation's need to offer themselves for the Union. This honor roll is made up of 227 brave and loyal sons, who gave good account of them- selves and shed glory on their alma mater on the field of battle. The list by classes and by positions filled is here offered as a splendid page in Oneida county history — a page that can be read by present and future Oneida county boys with pride and inspiration. Hamilton College has been a powerful factor in the culture, education, civic ideals and morals of the entire county. The citizens of this region have supported the college with their money, some of the noblest and wisest of the county have served faithfully as trustees of the institu- tion, and the young men of the community have received their preparation for useful lives. Oneida county has no equal in the United States — it stands alone with its noted jurists, lawyers, statesmen. Some of the foremost men of the nation to-day are its citizens. The county and the college are bound together by historic ties that cannot be broken. Hamilton's contribution to the war of 1861 to 1865 is Oneida county's leg- acy, and the names and deeds are written here : 1824— Hon. Morgan Lewis Martin, Paymaster, from Wisconsin. Frederick William Curtenius, Col. 6th Mich. Vols. 1827— Hon. William Matthew Fenton, Col. 8th Mich. Vols. 1828— William Lewis Mather, Chaplain 3d Wisconsin. 1831— Hon. John Cochrane, Brigadier General, U. S. Vols. HISTORY OP ONEIDA COUNTY 361 1834 — Ebenezer Wicks Robinson, Chaplain. 1836— Marvin Melville Marsh, Surgeon. 1837— Henry Hovey Cozens, 1st Lt. 21st. N. Y. Lt. Art. Charles Dudley Miller, Col. 129th N. Y. Inft. 1838 — Samuel Andrew Law, Paymaster, U. S. Vols. Lansing Porter, Capt. 75th N. Y. Inft. Levi Ward Smith, Chaplain. 1839 — Gold Tompkins Curtis, Capt. 5th Minn. Vols. Horace Winslow, Chap- lain 5th Conn. Inft. 1840— Linus Merrill Miller, Chaplain 106th N. Y. Vols. 1842 — Edwin Lorenzo Buttrick, Col. 39th Wisconsin Vols. Addison Kellogg Strong, Chaplain 7th Mich. Inft. Moses Eaton Wilson, Chaplain. 1843— Ward Wesley Hunt, Chaplain 98th N. Y. Vols. Robert M. Richardson, Col. 15th N. Y. Cav. 1844— Ezekiel Brown Elliott. 1845 — ^Henry D. Barto, Col. N. Y. Vol. Inft. Louis Homri Loss Crane, Lt. Col. 3d Wisconsin Vols. Killed at Cedar Mountain, Va., August 8, 1862. Chester Smith Percival, Chaplain 12th N. Y. Vols. 1846 — Levi Parsons Coman, Capt. 76th Ohio Inft. Joshua Cook, Captain 8th N. Y. Artillery. Zacharial Darwin Paddock, Lieut. 48th N. Y. Vols. James C. Rhodes, Priv. 7th Minn. Art. ; Surg. 1st Minn. Mounted Rangers. 1847 — Emmons Clark, Colonel 7th Regiment N. G. S. N. Y. Hon. Joseph Ros- well Hawley, Brigadier General, Conn. Vols. Henry Tweed Spencer, Surgeon Doubleday's Heavy Art. On Monitor Manhattan, foundered off Hatteras, Dee. 1862. 1848 — Harmon Jonathan Cowden, Capt. 9th N. Y. Vol. Cav. Charles Boyd Curtis, Capt. 57th N. Y. Inft. John Curtis Miller. Hazard H. Sheldon, Captain 8th N. Y. Art. 1849 — John Jay Knox, Assistant Paymaster. James Andrew Robinson, Chap- lain, 32d N. Y. Vols. 1850— Guy Kimball Cleveland, Paymaster, Lt. Col. 10th Minn. Vols. Daniel Watrous Gillett, Col. and Asst. Quartermaster-Gen. N. Y. Henry Clay Lester, Col. 1st. Minn. Vols. James 0. Noyes. William B. Schermerhorn, Surgeon. Benjamin Bradford Snow, Provost Marshal. 1851 — Benjamin R. Catlin, Chaplain 115th U. S. Vols. Thomas Evans, Sur- geon. Thomas Boyd Hudson, Chaplain N. Y. Vols. Uriah Smith Lowe, Major and Quartermaster 145th N. Y. Vols. Thomas Franklin Spencer, U. S. Navy. 1852 — Frederick Humphrey, Chaplain 12th Iowa. James Edwards Abell, detached service under Gen. Thomas. John Henry Dodge, 1st Lt. Wisconsin Art. Hiram Potter, Quartermaster and Paymaster at New Berne, N. C. 1853 — Charles Duncan GilfiUan, Major and Paymaster Vols. Myron Haw- ley Beach, Lieut. 44th Iowa. William Wirt Howe, Lt. 7th Kansas Cav., Adj. Staff Gen. A. L. Lee. William Hopkins Lathrop, Maj. 39th Ohio Inft., Col. 111th U. S. Vols. Killed at Sulphur Branch, Tenn., Sept. 25, 1864. Albert Lindley Lee, Major 7th Kan. Cav., Major General. 1854 — Cornelius Evarts Bellington, Asst. Surgeon U. S. Vols. Charles Smith Bundy, Lieut. 5th Wisconsin Inft. Elijah Cone, Sergeant 4th Wisconsin Cav. 362 HISTORY OP ONEIDA COUNTY Arthur Fenner Dexter, Captain 2d Rhode Island Vols. Charles Linderman, Lieut. 8th, Iowa Cav. Westel Willoughby, Major 137th N. Y. Vol. Inft. 1855— William Hart, Chaplain 19th N. Y. Inft. Milton Tyler Hills, 130th N. Y. Inft. Sergeant 19th N. Y. Cav. Joel Merwin Mainwairing, 12th N. Y. Cav. Solon Walter Stocking, Capt., Major and Br. Lt. Col. 1st. N. Y. Art. 1856— VanBuren Dutton, Captain 7th Regiment N. Y. Vols. Wm. Jacob Erd- man, Private and Chaplain 2d N. Y. Cav. (Harris Lt.) Jay Elon Lee, Captair 24th N. Y. Battery, 3d N. Y. Art. Seth B. Walworth, Lieut. 15th N. Y. Cav. 1857— James Shaw Baker, Private 13th N. Y, Vols. Roderick Baldwin, Cap- tain 8th N. Y. Art. Asahel Norton Brockway, Asst. Surgeon, U. S. V. George Seymour Hastings, 1st Lt. Col. 20th N. Y. Ind. Bat. Leigh Richmond Janes Chaplain N. Y. Vols. John C. Lathrop, 117th N. Y. S. V. and Signal Corps. Galen H. Ostrom. Port Royal November, 1864. William Mason Robinson, Lt. Col. 26th Mo. Inft. Joseph T. Tompkins, Captain 6th N. Y. Heavy Art. Angus tus Coe VanDuyn, Surgeon U. S. Vols. Augustus Sherrill Seymour. 1858 — Edward Payson Adams, Lt. in U. S. Signal Corps. Seymour Penton Adams, Capt. 5th N. Y. Art., and Staff Adjutant, Henry Newell Avery, Captain N. Y. Ironsides. Lemuel Newton Bates, Asst. Surgeon U. S. N. Temple Em- mett, 88th N. Y. and Lt. Staff of Brig. Gen. T. P. Meagher. Nathaniel P. Bos- well. Albert Erdman, Chaplain 53d N. Y. Vols. Carrington McParlane, Sur- geon N. Y. Vols. John Norman Root, 15th Michigan Inft. Prederiek Scoville, Capt. 8th N. Y. Cavalry. Joseph Sim Smith. Wallace Walter Thorpe, Chap- lain 3d N. Y. Inft. Oliver Morris Wilson, Captain 4th Indiana Inft. 1859 — William Cowper Gibson, Parragut's Mississippi Pleet, U. S. N. Sam- uel D. Hubbard, Captain 27th Wis. Inft. George Willis Kellogg, Lt. 3d N. Y. Ind Battery. Harlan Page Lloyd, Brevet Major 22d N. Y. Cav. Dugald Cameron Morrison, Lieut. Michigan Vols. Hubert Prancis Peebles, Capt. 32d Iowa Vols, Killed at Pleasant Hill, La., April 25, 1864. Leicester Jotham Sawyer, 6th Conn, Vols. John Knox Williams, Lieut. N. Y. S. Vols. Killed at Chapin's Farm, Va., Sept. 29, 1864. I860 — ^William Harrison Beach, Adjutant 1st N. Y. Lincoln Cavalry Arba Brookins, Lieut, 24th N. Y. Cavalry. Samuel Miller, 1st Lt. 117th N Y. Vols. Milton Harlow Northrup, Asst. Adjutant General. Isaac Piatt Powell Major 146th N. Y. Vols. Prancis Edward Hale, 1st Lt. 1st Mich. Art. Battery A William Henry Knapp, Major. John Loveys Paine, 2d Lt. 50th Engineers. 1861 — Albert Lucas Childs. Joseph Harvey Durkee, Captain 146th N. Y Vols. James Sandford Greeves, Asst. Paymaster U. S. A. and in Cavalry. Johi Davis Jones, Chaplain 117th N. Y. Vols. William Henry Harrison Miller, Lt 84th Ohio Vols. George Jay North, Major 47th Iowa Vols. Charles Henry Roys Brevet Major 117th N. Y. S. Vols. George Hills Starr, Captain and Brevet Col N. Y. Vols. Prancis Asbury Torrey, Captain Excelsior Brigade, 170th N. Y Isaac Newton Wilcoxen, Lt. 3d N. Y. Art. Prank Babbitt Willard, Private 42( Ohio Inft. Arthur Curtis Danforth, Sergeant 7th Ohio Inft. Killed April 26 1862. Aaron McCraken WoodhuU, Regimental Quartermaster. Norman Malcon McQueen, Lt. Bates' Ind. Emp. Battery. Gilbert S. Putman, Sergeant 4th Wis Cavalry. George Washington Reynolds, Col. N. Y. Vols. Rooney G. Kimball Col. N. Y. Vols. o z Q O r r w HISTORY OP ONEIDA COUNTY 363 1862— Augustus Underbill Bradbury, Lt. 128th N. Y. Vols. New Orleans, Feb. 25, 1863. Cbarles Levi BucMngbam, Lt. 146tb N. Y. Vols. Killed at Weldon Road, Va., Sept. 2, 1864. George Prudden Hart, Major Battery A., 1st N. Y. Lt. Art. Rush Palmer Cady, Lieut. 97th N. Y. Vols. Wounded at Gettysburg, July 1, 1863 ; died July 24. Charles Wadsworth Cole, Asst. Provost Marshal. Henry Hastings Curran, Lt. Col. 146tb N. Y. Vols. Killed in the Wilderness, May 6, 1864. Charles Melville Fay, Captain N. Y. Vols. John Quiney Adams HoUis- ter, Captain 112tb N. Y. Vols. Benjamin Franklin Miller, A. A. G., U. S. A. James Johnson Pease. Amos Madden Thayer, Major U. S. Signal Corps. John Robert Moore, 44tb N. Y. S. Vols. Henry Ward, Jr., Major 126tb N. Y. Vols. Edward Bartlett Wicks, Lt. 101st N. Y. Vols. 1863 — Myron Adams, Jr., Lieut. U. S. Signal Corps. Edward Woodbridge Avery, Asst. Surgeon, U. S. N. William Kirkland Bacon, Adjutant 20th N. Y. Vols. Killed at Fredericksburg, Va., Dec. 13, 1862. Charles Abbott Butts, Captain 121st N. Y. Vols. Killed at Spottsylvania, Va., May 10, 1864. Henry Porter Cook, Sergeant Major 12th U. S. Vols. Killed at Gettysburg, July 3, 1863. Rees Davis, Pennsylvania Vol. Inft. Charles King Dutton, Private 126th N. Y. and Major 24th N. Y. Cav. Frank BisseU, Paymaster, U. S. N. Abram Hartwell Hamblin, Lieut. 3d N. Y. Art. Nathaniel Barnes Hinckley, Sergeant 117th N. Y. Vols. Died at Norfolk, Va., July 10, 1863. Charles Myron Hol- ton, Lieut. 7th Michigan Cav. Stephen Grosvenor Hopkins, Sergeant 160th N. Y. Vols. George Malton Loomis, Lieut. 3d N. Y. Cav. William Noble Page, Lieut. 11th N. Y. Vols. George Wright Sheldon, Captain 126th N. Y. Vols. Killed at Chapin's Farm, Sept. 29, 1864. Robert Turner, Private Rocket Battalion. Killed at Goldsboro, N. C, Dec. 16, 1862. Horace Webster Fowler, Lieut. Col. 16th N. Y. Heavy Art. Edward Herbert Wardwell, Rocket Battalion N. Y. Vols. 1864^Thomas Williams Barton, Private 117th N. Y. Vols. Morris Brown, Jr., Captain 126th N. Y. Vols. Killed at Petersburg, Va., June, 1864. Sherman Dwight Canfield, Lieut. 145th N. Y. Vols. Phillip Clinton Curran, Sergeant 146th N. Y. Vols. Milton Oscar Daji;on, Sergeant 1st N. Y. Art. William Dudley Far- lin, N. Y. Vols. Amos Hammond Dean, Sergeant 3d N. Y. Light Art. Austin V. Eastman, Lieut. 1st N. Y. Vols. John Henry Howell, Captain 3d N. Y. Art. (1866), 2d Lieut, of Artillery, Regular Army. Herman Duthil Jenkins, Private N. Y. Vols. James Edgar Jenkins, Captain 146th N. Y. Vols. Edward Pay- son Johnson, Lieut. 121st N. Y. Vols. Killed at Spottsylvania, Va., May, 1864. Edgar Martin Marble, Adjutant 3d Mich. Inft. James Seeley MeVey, Lieut. 121st N. Y. Art. Alfred Ayre Morse, Private N. Y. Vols. Died in Winchester, Va., November 24, 1864. Frank Place, Lieut. Col. 157th N. Y. Vols. Benjamin F. Pope, Surgeon Regular Army. Seth James Porter. Kendrick S. Putnam, Com- missary Clerk, 2d Corps. John Henry Roe, Captain 104th U. S. Black Troops. Darius Carter Sackett, 126th N. Y. Vols. Mason Colburn Smith, Corporal 24th Ind. N. Y. Battery. Died at Andersonville, May 10, 1864. Justin Smith, Jr., 1st Lieut. 1st N. Y. Dragoons. George Galitzin Truair, Captain 149th N. Y. Vols. William Sbepard Walton, Captain 34th N. Y. Vols. George Abel Watson, 1st Sergeant 112th N. Y. Vols. Killed at the Blackwater, May, 1863. George Henry West, Lieut. 139th N. Y. Vols. Wilderness, 1864. Ezra Barton Wood, Sergeant 3d. N. Y. Artillery. 364 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 1865— George Henry Allen, Sergeant 145tli N. Y. Vols. Killed at the Wild- erness, May, 1864. William James Cosnett, 33d N. Y. Vols. Killed at Chancellors- ville. May, 1868. Morris Powell Brewer, 5tli N. Y. Art. Frank Bradley Hart, Lieut. 126th N. Y. Vols. James Peleg Kimball, Surgeon U. S. Vols. Howard Elliott Mitchell, Lieut. 128th N. Y. S. Vols. Morris Fletcher Shepard, Captain 16th N. Y. Art. Eugene Baxter StuU, Captain 151st N. Y. S. Vols. James Nor- ton Taft, 9th N. Y. Art. 1866— John Hamilton Caston. Hiram Huntington Kellogg, Jr., 86th Illinois Vols. John Milton Holley, U. S. Navy. Henry Loomis, Captain 146th N. Y. Vols. Charles Sterling Millard, Lieut. Col. 117th N. Y. S. Vols. 1867— Isaac Oliver Best, Private 121st N. Y. Vols. Edward Amenso Davis. Charles B. Rice, Private N. Y. Vols. 1868— Henry Nelson Payne, Lieut. Col. 37th U. S. Negro Inft. Charles Ham- ilton Sedgwick, U. S. Navy. Eben Winslow Judson, Lieut. 142d N. Y. Vols. 1869— Charles Anderson, Private Company I, 174th N. Y. Vols. Eugene Cheeseman, Private Company C, 90th N. Y. Vols. Jerre Meacham Chrysler, 10th N. Y. Heavy Art. Lewis Ray Foote, Private 161st N. Y. Vols. Roswell Miller, Brevet Captain 3d N. Y. Heavy Art. Charles Henry Searle, 1st Lieut. 187th N. Y. Vols. Selden Haines Talcott, Company I, 15th N. Y. Engineers. Charles Augustus Wetmore, 90th N. Y. Vols. 1870— Francis Herbert Bagley, Captain 75th U. S. Inft. Dept. Gulf. Charles Goddard Baldwin, Sergeant N. Y. Vols. Homer Wellington Searle, Capt. and Brevet Maj. 114th N. Y. Vols. 1872— Seward M. Dodge, Corp. 143d 111. Vol. Inft. Edward Gridley Love, Wisconsin Vol. John H. Shepherd, 1st N. Y. Lincoln Cav. (at age of 14) . Mor- ton Trippe, Wayne Co., N. Y. Reg. Lewis R. Weber, Sergeant 5th N. Y. Heavy Art. 1873 — Charles Taylor Burnley, Sergeant and Quartermaster 18th N. Y. Cav. 1876— William E. Kimball, Corporal 15th N. Y. Cav. Robert McLean, Cor- poral 14th N. Y. Heavy Art. Hamilton College has one of the finest and best equipped educational plants in the country. Its Campus is unrivalled for situation and beauty ; its eminence and outlook are magnificent ; and a more healthful and inspiring place would be difficult to find anyvrhere. Under President Stryker the buildings have been multiplied, always constructed with the view of harmony in artistic design, and no money or pains has been spared to make every structure complete in con- veniences and arangements. The New Hamilton is the product of twenty years of uninterrupted labor and devotion on the part of President Stryker, the trustees and financial friends of the college, and it is now one of the most charm- ing spots in the county. PUBLIC COMMON SCHOOLS It is probable that the first attempt to establish public common schools was at Whitesboro, but soon afterward they were started both in Westmoreland and also in Rome, probably before 1800. Dr. Bagg says the first school in Utica was kept "in a building on the south side of Main street about midway between First and Second streets, and the teacher in 1797 was Joseph Dana. ' ' The early HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 365 schoolhouses were ordinarily built of logs and warmed by fire-places, into which large logs could be placed. Sometimes these fire-places were five or six feet in length, and would thoroughly heat the room in the coldest of weather. The desks were arranged upon three sides of the room against the waU, leaving at one end an opening for the outside door. The teacher sat at the opposite end of the room, generally upon a slightly elevated platform. The seats consisted of a board running around the room in front of the desks, and the scholars sat, when at study, with their backs to the teacher and their faces towards the wall. Chil- dren came from long distances to school, generally bringing their dinners in their tin dinner pails, which in winter would always be frozen, and at the noon hour they would gather around the fire-place, and later the large box stove, thaw out and eat their dinners. The instruction was most thorough in the fund- amental branches. Contests in spelling were very common, not only in each school, but "spelling schools" were frequent, in which a large number of schools competed. These were important events in early history, and the student who could "spell down" all of the contestants on these occasions was hailed as a hero or heroine. It may well be asked whether or not the method adopted in modern days of educating young children has improved in the slightest degree over that which prevailed in our very earliest history. It is scarcely necessary to enter upon a history of the common schools in the county, as it has been a work of gradual development, until it has reached its present state. At the present time the county is divided into four school commissioner districts, and there are 388 school districts. The first district contains 54 school districts ; the second, 94; the third, 83; the fourth, 126. There are 20 academies and high schools in the county. In the first district, 5 ; second, 9 ; third, 2 ; fourth, 4. There are union, high and graded schools in the following places in the county : New Hartford, Clinton, Oriskany Falls, Knoxboro, Camden, Clayville, Sauquoit, Rome, Waterville, Oneida Castle, Verona, New London, Durham- ville, Westemville, Whitesboro, Oriskany, Holland Patent, Boonville and Utica. WHITESTOWN SEMINARY Next to Hamilton College the school of importance of a private nature was Whitestown Seminary. This institution was founded at Whitestown in 1827, and was first called the Oneida Academy, afterwards the Oneida Institute. It was first a Presbyterian school, and was intended to educate young men for the ministry. Manual labor on a farm and in a workshop connected with the in- stitution was performed by the students for certain hours each day, and in this way a student without means was enabled to procure an education. Some of the most eminent men of the county were trustees of the institution, among whom were ApoUos Cooper, Asahel Seward, Abraham Varick, Moses Bagg, Thomas Walker, Rev. Samuel C. Aiken, William Walcott and Isaac Williams. This in- stitution was fortunate in having among its instructors some men of unusual ability, among whom were George W. Gale, who was instrumental in the found- ing of Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois ; also Rev. W. J. Beecher, and the Rev. Beriah Green, a man of unusual ability, who, after serving as the head of the Oneida Institute became the famous abolitionist and worked with great effect for 366 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY the freedom of the slaves. In 1841 the Free Will Baptists founded a school at Clinton, afterwards removing to the Oneida Institute at Whitesboro, and, under a new charter, reorganized the institution under the name of Whitestown Semin- ary. This denomination controlled the institution until about 1878, when it again became virtually a Presbyterian institution. Among the notable principals of the institution during the period the Free Will Baptists controlled it were Daniel S. Heffron, Samuel Farnham and James S. Gardner. All these were men of unusual ability and acquirements, the last named being one of the most ex- traordinary disciplinarians and teachers who has ever filled any position in Oneida county. The influence of Prof. Gardner over all who were under his charge was something very wonderful, and he has ever been regarded by the thoughtful students as the ideal teacher and head of an institution. The school flourished until the establishment of graded schools and academies for academic scholars had made it much cheaper for students to attend these schools than to attend the seminary, where a substantial tuition fee was required. Failing health induced Prof. Gardner to give up the institution, and it was afterward cared for by the Rev. Moses M. Dunham, but finally ceased to exist. It became nec- essary, to meet indebtedness, to dissolve the corporation, and the property was sold, converted into a knitting mill, and is still used for that purpose. The course of instruction included a thorough preparation for college, also instruc- tion on scientific subjects, literature, modern languages and music. During the civil war and for some years subsequent a military company existed among the students, and military instruction and drill was a part of the curriculum. CLINTON LIBERAL INSTITUTE Another school which, for a time, ranked high as an educational institution was Clinton Liberal Institute for Young Men, which was organized by the Uni- versalists about 1831, and later a female department was organized, but this department was carried on in a separate building. In 1832 a new building was completed, and the institution was removed from its temporary buildings to this new building, which stood upon Utica street in the village of Clinton. Later, a substantial stone building was erected, to which the young men's department was removed, the department for young women still being carried on in a sep- arate building. This institution had somewhat of a checkered career, and finally, in 1879, was removed to Fort Plain. Among the teachers at this institution who were renowned were Rev. C. Thunnel and George R. Perkins, who pub- lished a series of mathematical works for use in public schools that were used generally throughout the state of New York and elsewhere. YOUNG ladies' DOMESTIC SEMINARY Rev. Hiram H. Kellogg established a seminary for young ladies at Clinton in 1832, and the school was opened in 1833 as the Young Ladies' Domestic Sem- inary. In this institution students were permitted to perform manual labor to pay their expenses, which did not exceed $120 a year. It is a notable fact that the renowned teacher, Mary. Lyon, came to Clinton and examined this school. HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 367 returning to Massachusetts determined to found a seminary upon the same plan, and the fruit of this visit was Mount Holyoke Seminary at South Hadley. In 1841 Mr. Kellogg was elected president of Knox College, and the seminary passed into the hands of the Free Will Baptists. After conducting the institution for three years it was given up and became a private seminary under the control of Mr. Rawson, but, in consequence of failing health, he was obliged to abandon the work, and Mr. Kellogg returned to Clinton and attempted to resuscitate the school, but finally it was abandoned in 1850. HOUGHTON SEMINABY Another school that for a time did good work at Clinton was Houghton Sem- inary. This was established by Louisa M. Barker as "Home Cottage Seminary" in 1854. The institution was sold in 1861 to Dr. J. C. Gallup, who changed its name to Houghton Seminary, placed the institution under the care of the regents of the university, and it was successfully conducted as a ladies' semin- ary. In 1880 Dr. Gallup sold the school to A. G. Benedict, a graduate of Hamil- ton College, who conducted it for several years, but it could not be carried on successfully in competition with the high schools and academies supported by the state, and it, therefore, was given up some ten years since. COTTAGE SEMINARY Still another private school was established at Clinton in 1861, when Miss Baker, having severed her connection with the Home Cottage Seminary, estab- lished Cottage Seminary. At her death the institution passed under the care of Miss Annie Chipman, who was a teacher of more than ordinary ability and tact, and her school was most successful, but was confined to a few selected students. The course of training was so thorough that the young ladies educated here were received into substantially all colleges without examination. Rev. Chester W. Hawley succeeded Miss Chipman in the management of this institution. PROSPECT ACADEMY About 1850 an academy was established at Prospect, in the town of Trenton. This was organized under the board of regents, was controlled by a board of trustees, and was very successful for some years, but it was not sufficiently sup- ported to enable the trustees to carry it on without calling upon the public for donations, and the building was finally taken over by the town as a public school building, and the academy part was given up. Soon after, the building together with its furnishings and library were destroyed by fire, and a new school build- ing for that district was erected upon its site. SAUQUOIT ACADEMY For many years in different parts of the county academies have been suc- cessfully conducted where pupils were prepared for college and were given an ex- 368 HISTORY OP ONEIDA COUNTY cellent business education, but they have substantially ceased to exist, and the union free schools have taken their places generally throughout the county. One of the most important of these schools was known as the Sauquoit Academy. This institution was organized in 1844, and in 1845-6 it had about two hundred pupils. Some of the instructors of this school became afterward prominent men, among whom were Rev. Moses E. Dunham, and later, for a time. Rev. Anson J. Upson. The last principal who was comparatively successful was Thomas H. Roberts. The competition of the public schools, however, was so great, that in 1895 the institution was merged with the Union Free School at Sauquoit, and from that time Sauquoit Academy has ceased to exist. VEENON ACADEMY A like fate attended the Academy at Vernon. This institution had been suc- cessfully conducted until it was no longer possible to compete with the public schools, and in 1876 it was merged with the Union Free School at Vernon. UTICA FEMALE ACADEMY The people of Utica about 1833 felt the need of a place for the training of their daughters which should be as good as the academy had been for their sons, which would obviate the necessity of sending their daughters away to be edu- cated as many had been, and would at a more moderate cost offer advantages for instruction, not only to residents of the city, but to those of the country around. Men of influence were enlisted in the accomplishment of the object. By them the public were aroused to its importance, a stock company was formed, without expectation, however, of pecuniary gain, and the means were secured. This institution was chartered April 28, 1837. The first trustees named in the charter were John H. Ostrom, Nicholas Devereux, Horatio Seymour, C. A. Mann, Joshua A. Spencer, S. D. Childs, T. S. Faxton, John C. Devereux, Alriek Hub- bell, T. E. Clark, T. H. Hubbard, Theodore Pomeroy, A. Munson, B. F. Cooper, Chester Griswold, John Williams, Horace Butler, Charles P. Kirkland, S. P. Lyman, Holmes Hutchinson and Henry White. The same year four lots lying between Washington street and Broadway, with the buildings upon them, were purchased at a cost of $6,300. The school was first opened in the building known as the United States Hotel, corner of Genesee and Pearl streets, where it was continued until the new building was finished. The number of students in December, 1838, was 168. In 1838-39 an academy building of brick, three stories, 50 by 150 feet in dimensions, was erected, the cornerstone having been laid with proper ceremonies June 20, 1838. The first principal was Miss Urania E. Sheldon, who continued until August, 1842, when Rev. James Nichols and wife succeeded her and remained until June, 1844, when they retired and were succeeded by Miss Jane E. Kelly, who continued to fill the position until 1865. The fitness of Miss Sheldon to conduct a seminary had been shown as the head of the one in Schenectady. To this of Utica she at once gave a great success. In the household department she was aided by her sister Cynthia, and in that of instruction, besides others, by two pupils she brought with her, who became HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 369 afterward her earliest successors. She was herself drawn away from teaching by her marriage to Rev. Dr. Eliphalett Nott, president of Union College. Her first brief successor has been known to her credit in similar service in Rochester. On the more lasting and meritorious work of Miss Kelly it seems needless to en- large. Her capacity as a moral as well as intellectual mentor, her skill and tact in the management of this numerously attended institution, the able corps of teachers she from time to time collected to her assistance, are familiar not solely to this community, but are lauded by her scattered pupils the whole country over. After her retirement she continued to live in the city until her death. The building was burned on the 27th of March, 1865, and an elegant and sub- stantial building, 60 by 150 feet in dimensions, three stories and basement, con- structed of brick with roof laid in variegated slates, was erected on the same ground about 1869-70. It is one of the finest structures in the city, and justly a source of pride to the citizens of Utica, even among the many noble educational and charitable institutions which ornament the city. More ground has since been added on the north and on the south of its rear. The school was interrupted from 1865 to 1871, in which latter year Mrs. E. F. Hammill, of Brooklyn, leased the building for three years and opened school. At the end of three years she leased it again for one year, and continued to the summer of 1875, when she was succeeded by Mrs. J. Gr. C. Piatt. The successors to Mrs. Piatt were Miss Hull and Miss Brownell, who conducted the institution for several years under the name of the "Baliol School," but it was not financially successful, although it had a high reputation and was very satisfactory to its patrons. After the Baliol school was discontinued for a time no school was conducted in the build- ing, and it was finally decided by the trustees to dispose of it and to locate else- where. A short time before this the Young Men's Christian Association build- ing, on the comer of Bleeeker and Charlotte streets in Utica, had been de- stroyed by fire, and they were contemplating the subject of rebuilding on that site or locating elsewhere, and it was most fortunate for them that they were able to procure the academy property on such reasonable terms as those upon which it was obtained — about $40,000. The Academy Association located on the corner of Mandeville and Cornelia streets, having purchased a private resi- dence and converted it into a school building. In 1909, under the name of the New School it was reopened by Miss Brownell and Miss Howland. Under this management the school continued until the spring of 1911, when arrangements were made with Miss Alice Knox to take it, and it was opened in September, 1911, under her auspices, and called Miss Knox's School for Girls. CECILY BAKEe's SCHOOL Among the private schools in Utica was one founded by Cecily Baker, known as Cecily Baker's school. Miss Baker had been a teacher in the Advanced school in Utica, resigning her position and establishing a private school on Court street for boys and girls from the age of five years upward until pre- pared for the academy in about the year 1881. The school from its beginning was very successful, and since the death of Miss Baker it has been carried on by Miss Frances E. Newland, and it has not lost any of its reputation under 370 HISTORY OP ONEIDA COUNTY her efficient management. There are in attendance from eighty to one hundred scholars, and the training which they receive is thorough and most satisfactory to parents. MBS. ANNA DEECKE'S SCHOOL Another private school is that of Mrs. Anna Deecke. This is a kinder- garten of high renown, and has been successfully carried on by Mrs. Deecke since the death of her husband, who was a physician and professional chemist. Instruction is also given in other studies than kindergarten work, and the physical as well as the mental training of the pupils is given careful attention. PROF. WBLLIAM S. Rix's SCHOOL For some years Prof. William S. Rix conducted a college preparatory school with success, but having been elected to a professorship in a school at Dallas, Texas, he gave up his private school in 1911. There have been and are still several private schools in Utica that are worthy of mention did space permit, and there have been excellent educators connected with both public and private institutions of this character. It is, however, not extravagant to say that among them Daniel S. Heffron and Andrew McMillan were among the most prominent. They had both been successful teachers, and their ability and devotion to tiieir work as such, and as superintendents of the public schools in Utica, did much for the advancement of education and culture not only in the city, but throughout the entire county and central New York. UTICA FBEE ACADEMY In the year 1814 steps were taken to organize an academy in the village of Utica. This was prior to Utica being constituted as a town. The regents granted a charter, and in 1818 the first academy building was constructed. This is the same building that was used as a court house and public haU. This building finally gave way to a better building used for academy purposes only, the court house having been built upon John street upon another portion of the academy lot. This building was sufficient for the purposes for which it was intended until May 13, 1865, when it was destroyed by fire. Steps were immediately taken to build a larger academy on the same lot, during the build- ing of which the school was carried on in the court house. It was not long after this before the increase of pupils was such that a larger building was demanded, and a site was purchased between Elm and Kemble streets, where a commo- dious academy, costing some $250,000, was constructed. Just as it was com- pleted it was destroyed by fire. It was again rebuilt, was occupied for a short time, when it was a second time seriously injured by fire, but not entirely destroyed. It was rebuilt, and in 1910 was occupied. At this date there are about 1,150 pupils, and it is scarcely large enough for the requirements. Among the teachers of this school have been such men as Hon. Ellis H. Roberts, George R. Perkins and George C. Sawyer. ANDREW McMILLAX Superintendent of schools of Ftica HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 371 In Utica there are 25 elementary schools and one academy. The number of children between 5 and 18 years of age attending these schools at the time of the last report (1908) were 14,769. Rome Free Academy — On the 21st of December, 1847, a meeting was held in the American hotel in the village of Rome for the purpose of naming trustees for a proposed Rome Academy.. Edward Huntington was chairman of this meeting and Calvert Comstock secretary. On motion of John Stryker the following persons were unanimously named as trustees: Henry A. Foster, Calvert Comstock, John Stryker, Edward Huntington, Harold A. Pope, Seth B. Roberts, Alva Mudge, Jesse Armstrong, Benjamin Huntington, Roland S. Doty, Nehemiah IngersoU, Gordon N. Bissell, Sanford Adams, Richard Peggs, Enoch Armstrong, Lynden Abel, William L. Howland and Henry Brayton. The next day these trustees held a meeting for the purpose of organization. Harold Pope was elected president; Edward Huntington vice president, and Calvert Comstock, clerk. A building committee was appointed, consisting of R. S. Doty, G. N. Bissell, Enoch B. Armstrong and the president. It was further directed that S. B. Roberts be designated to receive from the trustees of the estate of Dominick Lynch the title to a site for an academy building. The president and secretary were instructed to prepare, on behalf of the board, a memorial to the legislature seeking an act of incorporation. A committee was then appointed to solicit subscriptions to the academy fund. On January 28, 1848, the legislature passed the act to incorporate the Rome Academy, reviving an act passed April 28, 1835. At a meeting held March 20, 1848, the president and secretary were requested to close a contract with D. B. Prince for the erection of an academy building, in accordance with certain proposed terms. A special building committee, con- sisting of the president and trustees Armstrong, Bissell, Huntington and Doty was appointed to superintend the erection of the building. It is later shown in the records that this building was to be of brick, 70' x 44'. It was two stories high, with lecture room, laboratory, three rooms for janitor and furnace room in the basement. The upper rooms were arranged for separate study rooms for boys and girls. At the rear of the building was a woodshed and out houses. The entire cost was $6,208.92. In July, 1848, efforts were made to secure a "proper principal." On Sep- tember 1, 1848, one David Prentice, LL. D., was tendered the position at a salary of $800, and such further sum, not exceeding $1,000, as the net income of the academy might warrant. Dr. Prentice would not accept the position, and it was offered to George Spencer, who also declined it. November 9, 1848, the Rev. S. B. Brown was elected principal at a salary of $1,000. Mr. Brown was a graduate of Yale, with 16 years experience in teaching. The board then proceeded to formulate by-laws and regulations. The rate of tuition was fixed at $5 for first year, $6 for second year, and $8 for third year. French was $6 additional, while an extra charge was also made for in- struction in music. At the next election of officers Mr. Pope's resignation as trustee was presented. George R. Thomas was elected trustee in his place, and Edward Huntington president. At the next meeting in March, 1849, the board prepared a petition to the regents of the University of the State of 372 HISTORY OP ONEIDA COUNTY New York to become subject to visitation from the University, which meant a participation in the distribution of the University funds. This petition was favorably received. The faculty for the first year consisted of Rev. S. B. Brown, principal; Julius S. Townsend, a graduate of Wesleyan University, whose salary was $400 ; D. Dwight Hitchcock, a graduate of Amherst, salary $390 ; Miss Fabina Jennings, a garduate of Mt. Holyoke, salary $400; Miss H. 0. Caldwell, Miss Juliana Aldrich and Miss Sarah G. Sill, each receiving a salary of $200. It was specified in the annual report to the regents that each of the above women professed an intention to make teaching a permanent profession. The instruc- tion was divided into three departments, the male, female and primary. A well arranged course of study was outlined. During the first year 300 students were registered, 107 of whom attended for at least four months. The second principal was F. Moore, a graduate of Union, who had been assistant. He resigned in 1862, and was succeeded by Oren Root, Jr., of Hamilton College, who served until the close of the school in 1865. E. 0. Hovey was the next principal, and served three years, resigning in July, 1868. K. S. Putnam was next elected, and served from the transfer of the academy to the public school system. In 1850 the Liberty Street School building was erected under the super- vision of Edward Comstock, R. G. Savery and E. Seymour, as trustees. In the winter of 1851-2 an attempt was made by the trustees to classify the school, seating boys and girls in the same apartment. This action met with decided disapproval. A special meeting of citizens was held, and the following resolu- tion adopted: "Resolved, that the classification of this school by the trustees in placing the males and females in the same apartment was inexpedient for the school." The trustees resigned. Three new trustees were elected, who speedily restored the school to its previous condition, and for many years the distinction of sex was rigidly observed. In the meantime, about the beginning of 1861, there became manifest a strong sentiment in favor of free public schools with an academic department. At the annual school meeting in 1861 a free school system was advocated, but nothing definite was done. In June, 1869, there appears to have been a renewed demand for a change in the school system, and a special meeting of citizens was called to consider the "expediency of establishing a union free school with an academic department within the limits of District No. 5 of the town of Rome." A large and enthusiastic meeting convened at the court house July 3, 1869, and K. Carroll offered the following resolution: "Resolved, That a Union Free school be established within the bounds of school district No. 5 in the town of Rome, pursuant to the provisions of chapter 555 of the laws of 1864, and the amendments thereto." This resolution was adopted by the decisive vote of 310 to 49. The following resolution was then offered by A. H. Bailey, and adopted without serious opposition: "Resolved, That the Board of Educa- tion of this Union Free School district be and they are hereby authorized to adopt the academy located in said district as the academy department of said district, with the consent of the trustees of said academy, pursuant to section 24 of title 9 of chapter 555 of the laws of 1864." A board of six members NEW ACADEMY OR HIGH SCHOOL, ROME OLD ACADEMY. ROME HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 373 ■was then instituted, consisting of Stephen VanDresar, John Reifert, Zaceheus Hill, Edward Huntington, R. E. Sutton and H. 0. Southworth. Stephen Van- Dresar was elected president and R. E. Sutton clerk. A meeting of the trustees was called April 30, 1869, to consider turning over the academy and "all appurtenances thereof" to the trustees of the public schools. The matter was favorably considered, and a committee was appointed to ascertain the powers of the board relative to such a movement and also to re- port on a suitable maimer for perfecting such a union. Ten days later the board reported that a transfer would be legal, and that steps had been taken to initiate the proceedings. The formalities of transfer were consummated July 16, 1869, by the trustees signing a quitclaim deed of the academy property, and then passing a resolution to the efiEect that their offices were declared vacant. "Atque in ventos vita recessit." The academy opened under the new condi- tions in the fall of 1870, with an enrollment of 97, which by 1877 had increased to 200. The first principal was George H. Barton, A. B., and the first precep- tress was Miss Sarah C. Fisher, who, during the year became Mrs. Barton. Mrs. A. Bours and Miss Alice Armstrong were assistants in this school, where arith- metic, algebra, geometry, geology, astronomy, history, all the higher English branches, as well as French, German, Latin and Greek were taught. In July, 1871, Oliver Christie Harrington, a young lawyer of Elmira, N. Y., was em- ployed by the board of education to organize and develop the graded system in the Union Free schools of Rome. These schools were held in the academy, a brick building on Liberty street, another on South James street, and two small rooms, accommodating about 25 pupils each, one in Bast and one in West Rome. A new building on Thomas street was first occupied in the autumn of 1871. In 1872 the academy was thoroughly repaired and reseated. In 1874 the brick building on Third street was erected, and a dwelling house was purchased and remodeled for a primary department on South James street. In 1876 the school building in West Rome was repaired and enlarged to accommodate 80 pupils. In 1879 the brick building on North Jay street was erected and occu- pied. The first published report of the board of education was issued for the years 1875 and 1876, and according to this report 29 teachers were employed in seven different school buildings, and 2,103 pupils enrolled. The school prop- erty at that time was valued at $82,000. The schools were under the very efficient direction of Prof. Oliver Christie Harrington until 1881. Prof. Har- rington was bom in Middlesex, Yates county, N. Y., March 28, 1847. He was the son of Colonel Oliver Harrington, a life long resident of that locality. He was closely related to Theophilus Harrington, justice of the Supreme Court of Vermont from 1803 to 1813, who, when a slaveholder from New York state came before him with proof of his ownership of a runaway slave gave the famous de- cision that nothing short of "A bill of sale from God Almighty" could prove a valid title. Prof. Harrington possessed in a marked degree the clearness of perception and independence in action that characterized this decision of his ancestor. He received a thorough schooling with the intention of entering the legal profession, but before undertaking the study of law he taught two years at Nyack on the Hudson, and filled the position of principal of the Utica Ad- vanced school for two years in place of his brother, James Pratt Harrington. 374 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY He studied law with his uncle, James A. Christie, of Horseheads, N. Y., at the age of 23 was admitted to the bar, and began the practice of his profession in Elmira. His ability as an instructor and organizer had attracted the attention of educators, and in July, 1871, soon after the incorporation of the city of Rome, he was called to organize and develop the graded system of instruction in the schools of that city. He planned and evolved an admirable system that gave to Rome schools a place in the very front rank with those of larger cities and better equipment. During the ten years of his service as superintendent the schools of Rome were justly his greatest pride, and their superior standing was recognized by educators throughout the state, and by the state authorities in schools matters. In 1882, at the death of his brother, who had occupied the position of principal of Utica Advanced school, he was again called to that posi- tion, which he filled four years. In 1890 he was married to Olive Pamelia Hannahs, of Rome, and in his home in that city he enjoyed needed rest and leisure for the gratification of his taste for art and literature, which he well merited. The degree of Master of Arts was conferred upon him in 1877 by Hamilton CoUege. He died at his home in Rome, February 16, 1896. Prof. Harrington was succeeded as superintendent by Allen Barringer, who officiated for one year. Superintendents who have served since that time are Myron J. Michael, WiUiam D. Manro, Harrison T. Marrow, "Walter D. Hood, Lewis N. Crane, and the present very efficient superintendent. Prof. Daniel J. Kelly, who is doing most excellent work in the Rome schools. In September, 1899, the new academy building was opened. This was erected at a cost of approximately $100,000, and occupies the site of the old building. At present the academy has a faculty of 15 teachers and an enroll- ment of nearly 400 pupils. In Rome in 1911 there are 3,300 pupils of school age, 2,500 of whom attend the public schools. Academy op the Holt Names (Rome) — At the invitation of Rev. William Beecham, pastor of St. Peter's church, Rome, N. Y., the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary from Hochelaga, Montreal, came in August, 1865, to take charge of the parochial school and continue the work of the Franciscan Sisters; they were four in number. In the summer of 1873, with the hearty approval of Right Rev. Francis Mc- Neirny, D. D., bishop of Albany, N. Y., the Sisters of the Holy Names opened an academy for boarding and day pupils, with a staff of five new members, and their undertaking has certainly been blessed and prospered. The academy is pleasantly and healthfully situated on the banks of the historical Mohawk, and has always been singularly attractive to young ladies, who find in this delightful spot the comforts of an ideal home. The grounds are spacious, and laid out in terraces and courts for out-door exercise. The object of the Academy of the Holy Names is to educate young girls thor- oughly and practically. Every student is prepared for the station in life to which she may aspire or may be called. She is taught to cultivate the Christian virtues, and to acquire the womanly accomplishments indispensable to the true mistress of the home. To Christian doctrine is given the prominence due it as the foundation soil of those virtuous habits which give fragrance to life and HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 375 title to heavenly happiness. The system of education is so arranged as best to reach and cultivate the heart, develop the mind, train the hand, mould and re- fine the character. The academy has been accredited to the University of the State of New York since 1895. The courses of study, therefore, include pre-academic, complete academic and high school courses of four years or more, conducted along such lines as will secure admission to college, normal or training schools, as the stu- dents may desire. A business course has been organized according to the most approved modern methods. There is also a strong department of music, affiliated to the Grand Conservatory of New York City, and courses of study in this art are offered to special students. In 1898, the old convent was abandoned for a new one, a fine four-story brick building, which, since then, has received new additions, comprising a spacious and elegant music hall, a vast gymnasium, etc. The Alumnse Association has been increased to the number of 120 members. The present year has registered to November, 150 boarders and 90 day scholars. The actual number of sisters at this time is twenty-three, seven of whom are engaged in teaching at the parochial school, which the sisters have always kept in connection with the Academy of the Holy Names; it is situated next to the convent. The much lamented Eev. Father Murphy, M. E., had worked hard to make his school one of the best in the diocese of Syracuse, and his wishes have been fulfilled. A regent's charter was secured from the state of New York in 1902, and in 1903 the first graduates stepped forth from an academy which, since then, has had a remarkable growth, the present number being nearly fifty. The attendance of boys and girls is now 350. The name of this academy was changed from that of St. Peter's school to St. Aloysius' Academy, out of respect to the memory of the beloved pastor. Rev. Aloysius Murphy. GENERAL STATISTICS OF SCHOOLS The most trustworthy information upon the subject of the public schools of the county is found in the report of the commissioner of education for the year 1910. A compilation of the statistics from that report is as follows : Number of school buildings 388 Number of academic departments 22 Elementary Academic Total Total property $1,178,736 $310,873 $1,489,609 Total library 51,542 18,936 70,478 Total teachers 780 . 96 876 Number of pupils between 5 and 18 years of age — Boys 11,794 831 12,625 Girls 11,190 1,033 12,223 Total 22,984 1,864 24,848 Number of pupils over 18 years of age — Boys 22 126 148 Girls 15 154 169 Total 37 280 317 376 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY Aggregate days attendance pupils between 5 and 18 years — Boys 1,552,393 126,822 1,679,215 Girls 1,465,951 161,296 1,627,247 Total 3,018,344 288,118 3,306,462 Aggregate days attendance pupils over 18 years — Boys 2,123 18,397 20,520 Girls 1,224 24,167 25,391 Total 3,347 42,564 45,911 Average attendance pupils between 5 and 18 years — Boys 8,514 670 9,184 Girls 8,030 856 8,886 Total 16,544 1,526 18,070 Average attendance pupils over 18 years — Boys 12 97 109 Girls 8 128 136 Total 20 225 245 Total payments $663,064.81 $142,121.10 $805,185.91 CHAPTER XXVI. MBEABIES. Baeneveld — In 1874 Dr. and Mrs. Luther Guiteau, Rev. and Mrs. William Silsbee, Rev. Thomas Thomas, Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Wieks, Griffith Pritchard and others met for the purpose of founding a library in the village of Barne- veld. A subscription paper was circulated, and a sufficient amount of money was raised to insure the establishment of a library association. In November the association was organized, and in January, 1875, books had been purchased and a circulating library was doing good service in the village and surrounding country. The library was located in the Wieks block, but in March, 1875, the building was destroyed by fire, and all the books were burned except about forty volumes, which were in circulation and not in the library at the time. Soon after additional books were purchased, and before the year ended there were twelve hundred weU selected volumes in the library. On June 12, 1875, the Bameveld Library Association was incorporated. July 27, 1877, the corner- stone of the library building was laid, and the building was completed in the autumn of that year. At the present time there are 3,200 volumes in the library, and room for many additional books, as the exigencies of the case will demand. The library at present is under the efficient management of Miss Alice Burnette Jones, as librarian. BooNViiiLB — The handsome Erwin Library building at Boonville was con- structed by an association with funds left by will by Cornelius B. Erwin, of New Britain, Ct. Mr. Erwin had formerly been a resident of Boonville, but removed to New Britain many years before his death, and accumulated a for- tune. He gave $10,000 to an association to be formed for a public library building, $2,500 for library and $18,000 as a maintenance fund. In 1886 the library association was organized with John M. Whipple, Robert H. Roberts, Prank A. WiUard, Leander W. Fisk and William Bamber as directors and trustees of the fund. There are at the present time about 5,000 volumes in the library. Camden — In 1890 citizens of the village of Camden took steps to establish a public library. At first books were contributed to the library, the first being given by Mrs. Emma Frisbie, and in August, 1891, the library contained 218 volumes. A room was then procured, other books were loaned to the association, and the nucleus of a library was established in the building of B. A. Curtis. At the end of the year there were 549 volumes. In 1894 a permanent librarian was employed, and the library was removed to the Opera House building, where it remained until 1896, when it was moved into the new Town Hall building, and then placed under the Board of Regents. Various means were employed 377 37d HISTORY OP ONEIDA COUNTY to obtain money necessary for carrying on the work. Concerts, lecture courses, suppers, rummage sales and dramatic entertainments helped to swell the funds, which continued steadily to grow. In 1905 the town made an appropriation of $500, and since 1906 the town has each year appropriated $500 for the purposes of the library, and the state now gives $100 yearly for the purchase of books, with the provision that a like sum be added to it from the town appropriation. On July 1, 1911, the library contained 5,324 volumes. The officers for 1911 are, president, Mrs. E. H. Conant; vice president, Mrs. E. T. Pike; second vice president, Mrs. T. A. Parnsworth ; secretary, Mrs. D. G. Dorrance ; treasurer, Mrs. Susan B. Cromwell ; the library is in charge of Miss Annie More, who has held the position since 1897. Clinton — Notwithstanding the very large library at Hamilton College on the hill near Clinton village, the ladies deemed it expedient to establish a cir- culating library for the inhabitants of the village. Several of the prominent ladies of Clinton held a meeting and organized an association September 9, 1901. In 1902 a charter was granted by the Regents of the University to the Kirkland Town Library Association, which was the name selected by the organ- izers of the institution. Por many years prior to this the Sigma Phi fraternity of Hamilton College had a commodious building in the village, but this fraternity had erected a much more expensive building upon the college grounds to which they had removed, and offered their former building for sale. The library as- sociation purchased this building in 1902, and have since occupied it. The num- ber of volumes in the library at the present time is 4,573. The librarian is Miss Sara Morris. A portion of the building is also used as a depository for his- torical relics, and another portion by the Daughters of the American Revolu- tion. Remsen— Didymus Thomas Library was incorporated under the Regents of the University of the State of New York, December 21, 1899, with the following board of trustees: George B. Pritchard, president; John G. Lewis, vice presi- dent; Edward E. Samuel, secretary; Edward C. Evans, treasurer; John C. Thomas, Evan G. Williams and Charles M. WilUams, trustees. Mrs. Marion L. Francis, the widow of Wallace Francis and daughter of Didymus Thomas was the promoter, as a memorial to her father. She proposed to give two dollars for every one dollar raised by the people of Remsen. The sum of $700 was raised, and she paid $1,400, making a total capital at the start of $2,100. The library was located for several years in the second story of Dr. E G Williams' drug store, then owned by Dr. D. H. Reed. At that time Mrs. Francis promised to leave $5,000 m her will towards putting up a building, and from time to tune promised to enlarge this sum. She died in 1905, and her wiU bequeathed the library $10,000, and made it one of four residuary legatees whereby it re- ceived $58,000 net, making a total of $68,000. The trustees then purchased for V*ooon ""^"'f ""^^ °* *^e late Joseph Roberts, on Main street, at the net price ot $2,290 and erected thereon a pressed brick, Gouverneur marble trimmed building, fifty-six feet front and forty-four feet deep. The inside is finished in oaK. It is hghted with gasoline gas and heated with steam. The cost of the THE OI.D UTICA FREE ACADEMY HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 379 building, including heating and lighting, was $26,300, and for furnishing, im- provements to the grounds, etc., $1,500, making a total of about $30,000. The library now has about 2,000 volumes. The balance of the fund is invested in long-time, high-class securities, of the par value of $36,500, and the market value of about $40,000, producing an annual income of about $1,700. Rome — John Bloomfield Jervis, who died in 1885, bequeathed to the Board of Education of the city of Rome his private library of over 2,000 volumes and three-tenths of his estate, amounting to about $44,400, for the establishment of a free public library. The estate was not settled until 1894, and in Decem- ber of that year the Board of Education became incorporated as the Jervis Library Association, later including in its membership the presidents of the banks of discount, the superintendent of schools, Benjamin P. Jervis of Ithaca, N. Y., and Robert B. Vail of Rahway, N. J. Therefore, the Jervis Library As- sociation when incorporated consisted of the following persons: T. M. Plan- drau, M. D., Edward Comstock, W. H. VanWagenen, W. R. Huntington, Je- rome Graves, A. H. GoUey, W. D. Manro, W. J. P. Kingsley, M. D., A. W. Orton, J. G. Bissell, H. G. Utley, B. P. Jervis and R. B. Vail. At its first meet- ing Hon. Edward Comstock was chosen president and Miss M. Elizabeth Beach librarian. Mr. Jervis' late residence, a spacious, three-story brick structure sur- rounded by ample lawns, was taken for the library building, and with a few alterations proved well adapted to the purpose. The private library bequeathed by Mr. Jervis contained 2,509 volumes. New books were bought to the number of 2,266, the Rome Free Academy Library of 1,401 volumes was transferred to the association, and the Rome Book Club pre- sented 240 volumes, making a total of 6,634 volumes on the shelves when the library opened. In addition to these the library of the late Hon. Bloomfield J. Beach, containing 2,681 volumes, was loaned to the association for five years, so that 9,315 volumes were ready for the use of the public. On July 15, 1895, appropriate exercises were held at the library, and the following day the books were made accessible to the people of the city of Rome. At first the doors were closed during a part of the morning, afternoon and even- ing, but now they are open each week day continuously from 10 a. m., until 8 :30 p. m. Each year the association has added to the library by purchase three or four hundred volumes, and many donations have been received. Conspicuous among the latter was the gift of the late Arthur W. Soper of 300 volumes of works on scientific subjects and useful arts, purchased at a cost of about $800; the gift of $100 worth of juvenile books by the Hon. Edward Comstock; 480 volumes donated by the heirs of the Beach Library with the loan was withdrawn; 100 volumes of bound magazines presented by the late Alfred Sanford; complete files of the Rome Sentinel from 1864, given by the Rome Sentinel Company; several hundred volumes of medical books donated by the heirs of Dr. M. C. West, Dr. T. M. Plandrau, Dr. R. E. Sutton and Dr. H. C. Sutton, and a very valuable copy of Audubon's Birds of America, presented by Mrs. W. J. P. Kingsley. In 1896 a public spirited citizen gave $50 for the purchase of juve- nile books. In 1899 a few interested friends of the library contributed $1,200 for adult literature, and the proceeds of an entertainment by local talent added 380 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY $500 to the fund. Many other gifts of books have been received, and the total number of volumes owned by the association July 1, 1911, was 15,652, a gain of 9,000 volumes since the opening of the library. In 1898 the city appropriated $1,000 toward the support of the. library, which sum was contributed yearly until 1901, when it was increased to $1,500. Also in 1898, by the bequest of Thomas Jones the library association received $2,500, and in 1911 there became available $2,900, bequeathed by John D. Hig- gins. A number of pictures, casts and curios have been presented from time to time, so that the library now owns some valuable relics and works of art. In 1896, the ladies of the Wednesday Morning Club (a literary club in the city of Rome), who had been granted the privilege of using a room on the sec- ond floor of the library building, converted the whole side of that floor into one large assembly room, furnished it and opened it for the benefit of the public. Historical and literary clubs make use of it, and several art exhibitions have been held there. During the year ending July 1, 1911, the librarian and her two assistants have given out 45,553 volumes. No record has been kept of the reference work, but daily the librarians furnish information on a great variety of subjects to inquiring individuals, besides assisting study clubs, debating societies, and the little children in their school work. The juvenile section is largely patronized. For several years books suited to the different grades were placed in the schools, but it has proved advisable to keep all the books in the library, arranging them on the shelves for convenience in grade work. The room which Mr. Jervis occupied as a library, and which still holds his books in their original eases, is now used as a reading room, and the public has access to forty-two periodicals and 1,750 bound volumes of magazines. Mr. Comstock continued his services as president of the association until October, 1900, when his term as a member of the board of education expired, and he declined a renomination. Dr. W. J. P. Kingsley, the vice president, was appointed his successor, and still holds office. To Dr. Kingsley 's generosity the library owes, from its beginning to the present day, many improvements in . the buildings and grounds. Only two treasurers have held office. The first was William R. Huntington, who faithfully and with deep interest administered the funds until October, 1900, when he also declined renomination as a member of the board of education. He was succeeded by Eugene L. Hinckley, who is stiU laboring for the financial interests of the library. In July, 1901, Miss Beach, the very competent librarian, on account of ill health resigned her position, and Miss Eugenie Stevens, the assistant librarian, was appointed her successor. The position is still held by Miss Stevens, who is carrying on the work in a most efficient manner. TT,.^'''°^.~To^ ^""^^ authentic mention of the existence of a public library for Utica IS in 1825. Prom time to time name, location, administration and char- acter changed, until finally the Utica City Library, under the management of the school board, supplied the city's demands from 1842 until 1893. At that time tor various reasons a reorganization seemed necessary. To meet this need a new JERVIS LIBRARY, ROME ER^yIN LIBRARY, BOONVILLE DIDYMOUS THOMAS LIBRARY AT REMSEN UTICA CITY LIBRARY BARNEVELD LIBRARY, TREXTOX INTERIOR VIEW OF THE WATERVILLE LIBRARY HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 381 corporation was formed and a charter from the regents of the University of the State of New York was granted to the Utiea Public Library June 21, 1893. The library has been supported by annual appropriation made by the common council from the city's funds, increased from time to time as the demands upon the library's resources grew. One by one new features of the work have been de- veloped, until to-day the library holds a merited high position among those of the state. Figures are oftentimes inadequate, but a few may aid in telling the library's story. At the time of reorganization in 1893 about 10,000 volumes were on the shelves ; in eighteen years the total number has become 62,894. The cir- culation has increased during the same period from about 55,122 to 180,093 for the year just closed. The number of readers within the building has also in- creased year by year, though it is impossible to give exact figures of this increase, and no count is kept of the hundreds of adults and children who come day by day to make use of the reference books and current magazines provided for their use. The yearly appropriations have been increased gradually from $7,500 in 1893 to $26,000 for the current year, the eighth ia our present building. Work with the school children was introduced in 1896 and developed rapidly, until over 6,000 children now make constant use of the rooms devoted to them, taking home over 55,000 books in 1911. The reference work was encouraged and has grown from 3,627 readers in 1895 to 44,218 in 1911. Current magazines are supplied for reading, for reference work and for circulation. The library is open on Sunday afternoons from November to May from two until six o'clock for the use of those who care for a quiet reading place on that day. Since the reorganization it has been the policy of the library to grant free access to the books in all departments. It is a privilege most fully appreciated by the readers and facilitates economy and ease of administration on the part of the library. Readers like to browse among the shelves, and the possibility of making new book friends and discovering forgotten ones lends an element of pleasure for which a public library should stand. Year by year as the work increased and demands of study clubs and students became more numerous the limitations of the old building became apparent. Lack of ventilation, inadequate light, no room for children, too little space for those who came to read, with no administrative facilities, together with a crowded condition of the shelves, detracted from the good work possible, although in spite of these obstacles the work developed rapidly. The need of a new building became very evident to those familiar with the library and its possibilities. In April, 1899, Mr. William Pierrepont White sent a check for $1,000 to the board of trustees with a letter of commendation for the work being done, asking that the sum be made the nucleus of a new building fund. In May of the same year the site upon which the present building stands was purchased and deeded to the trustees of the library by Mr. and Mrs. T. R. Proctor and Mr. and Mrs. F. T. Proctor. There have been many expressions of appreciation of this generous gift, and at the election in November, 1900, the citizens of Utica emphasized this appreciation by voting to bond the city for $165,000 to erect a suitable building for the permanent home of their public library. Later the city issued bonds for an additional $55,000 for the completion of this building. The additional ap- propriation was made necessary by the unexpected advance in wages and ma- 382 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY terials. Meanwhile, the trustees were making plans of procedure, at their own expense visiting other libraries and studying the problem before them in all details. Professor William R. Ware of Columbia University was selected as consulting architect, and to him much credit is due. In April, 1901, regulations for competing architects were issued. The fol- lowing July the plans of Mr. Arthur C. Jackson, associated with Carrere & Hast- ings of New York City, were accepted. Prom that date much time and thought were expended in perfecting plans for the building, letting contracts and other preliminary work, until ground was broken August 14, 1902. On May 4, 1903, with simple ceremonies the cornerstone of the new building was laid. The work progressed slowly but steadily and early in December, 1904, the transfer of the books from the old building was begun. For several days this work went on with little inconvenience to the users of the library, the files of magazines, news- papers, public documents and reference books being removed gradually. On Saturday, December 8, 1904, the last book was charged at the old building, which had served so well as the home for the library for almost thirty years. For four days only was the library closed to the public, — ^in that time the 25,000 volumes were packed, transferred and put in place on the shelves; the card catalogs, charging systems and all administrative facilities installed, furniture placed and all pictures hung, ready for the opening. At 3 o'clock on December twelfth the doors were unlocked, and soon the rooms were filled with friends of the library. The building committee handed over the key to the board of trustees, while Mayor Talcott reviewed briefly the work of the library, making appreciative mention of those whose careful thought had placed it in the creditable position it occupied. Thousands of Uticans came to see the library they had builded for themselves, and many were the words of ad- miration and satisfaction. The use made of the building and all it affords as the years go on will determine its real need and appreciation by the people. Much of the success of the library is due to the untiring devotion of Mr. John E. Brandegee, for twelve years its most active trustee and chairman of its library committee. To him. Miss Cutler, and the present most efficient Librarian, Miss Caroline M. Underbill, Utica owes her library as it is. In the death of Mr. Brandegee the library sustained its greatest loss, how great only those closely associated with him can know. Miss Louisa S. Cutler was ap- pointed librarian at the reorganization of the library and assumed her duties in November, 1893. Under her direction the reorganization of the library was begun, and until her death in August, 1895, she gave to the library her entire time and devotion. Miss Caroline Mi Underbill, the present librarian, joined the staff in September, 1894, and after the death of Miss Cutler was appointed to the position of librarian. In planning for the work in the new building allowance was made for a normal growth, and the rooms were arranged so that depart- mental lines naturally have been developed. Reference Department — This department, perhaps more than any other, per- forms the work most truly belonging to a library. Its purpose is to furnish to every one information desired on any topic. Its activities may be separated into two divisions, those with the general public and those with clubs, teachers and HISTORY OP ONEIDA COUNTY 383 classes. Many questions of a wide range come from the general reader, from the query as to who is the author of a certain poem, to the best way to care for a circular saw, and much time and careful research is often required in finding this desired information. Several hundred volumes have been arranged by sub- ject on shelves in the reference room, where they may be consulted by all. Many valuable books have been added to the collection, among which we may mention the Encyclopaedia Biblica and the Catholic Encyclopaedia, the Grand Diction- naire Universel by Larousse, the Konversations Lexikon by Brockhaus, and the new edition of the Encyclopaedia Britannica. Many sets of bound magazines have been completed and shelved in the room, making with their indexes a most helpful addition for the work of this department. Among the best magazines covering music, art, drama, literature, stories, etc., one hundred and eighty- seven are available. A special table is given to the collection of trade magazines, where technical, industrial and practical subjects are represented by their jour- nals. The use of these increases from month to month, and this feature of the work should grow into something of real service to the men of Utica — something of service in the way of dollars and cents. When a man finds the article he wants and adds to his thanks the information "that article has saved me forty dollars," then do we indeed know that the work of the department is worth while. A small but growing collection of genealogical books is also shelved in the reference room. Many of these volumes are the gift of Mr. Seymour Morris, and have added to the value of the collection very greatly. An important aid to this phase of the reference work is the collection of town and county histories found in the general library. Another very valuable adjunct in the work of the reference room is the collection of public documents, both national and state. The Utica Public Library has for many years been a "depository library," re- ceiving from the United States government practically a complete file of its publications. AH these, with the books for general circulation, make a well- rounded selection of books for consultation on many topics. The diversity of requests for information has gained steadily in the last four years, coming fre- quently by telephone and mail as well as by direct question, indicating that the library is taking its rightful place in the community. A bulletin board marks the events of birth and death of famous persons by pictures and portraits ; lists of the works of authors are posted and also the books on special holidays are placed on the reference desk for the more convenient use of readers. Many of the clubs of the city send their programs to have material looked up for each topic. Not only in the number of topics looked up but in other ways the evi- dence is strong that the library is becoming more and more a center of useful- ness to which club workers turn. Teachers are using the reference room gen- erally, and there is now scarcely a week during the school year when books are not reserved on special shelves for the use of teachers and their classes. Students also come more and more for material on debates, essays, etc. The increased at- tendance shows somewhat the value of the reference department, but most of all, the words of appreciation frequently expressed by patrons using the room in- dicate that the money and thought expended in adding to its resources are well merited and bring results often incalculable. 384 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY Loan Department — The work in this department represents the library's greatest activity and has shown a normal and steady growth. Where pre- viously one assistant could give sufficient service, now six are needed, and often during the busy hours extra assistants have to be summoned. In 1904 there were circulated for home use 135,802 volumes, while in 1911 the number has in- creased to 180,093 volumes. The department endeavors not merely to bring a good book to every reader, but the best book in the best way. As the number of readers has been increasing, even greater vigilance has to be exercised in the selection of books. An effort has been made to meet the demand for fiction by large duplication of the best more recent novels. On shelves in the delivery, hall are works of varied interest, which are changed frequently, so that an attractive book may always be found, even though they may not be the volumes just from the press. The restrictions in the number of volumes which may be taken on a card have been withdrawn by degrees, until now any reasonable number may be taken out at one time. This privilege is granted freely to all, just so far as the number of books on the desired subject will warrant. During the summer months "vacation privileges" are extended, whereby several books may be drawn on one card and retained through the summer without renewal. Privi- leges have also been extended to teachers, so that they now have the use of a special card in addition to their own personal card. On this teacher's card several books may be drawn at one time for professional use only. The use of tables in the resir of the stacks has increased so greatly that during the busy hours one assistant is always there ready to answer questions and to help find books for any one who may be in doubt as to what he wishes. In addition to the regular book stack, book cases have been placed near the tables on which are found books of particular interest at the moment. Annotated lists of books on various subjects, historical fiction, and books for home reading have been printed. Sometime before the holidays has been held an exhibit of books suitable for Christmas gifts for adults as well as for younger readers. This collection con- tains many of the best standard books in inexpensive as well as in the best edi- tions, and also many of the season's new books. Lists which might be helpful are placed on the shelves. The exhibits have been suggestive to many, and in- terest in them has grown each year. Potter Branch— With the growth of the city came the need of branch libraries, particularly in the eastern and western sections. By the courtesy of the school board the lower floor of the Whitesboro school was secured and in November, 1910, the first branch library was opened— by name the Potter branch, because it occupies a place on the land once belonging to the Potter family. The library is situated in a thickly settled Jewish district, and immediately at- tracted a large number of readers, especially among the children. The circula- tion during the first ten months reached a total of over 18,700. Industrial Library- Soon after the occupancy of the present building it became evident to those interested that the need of practical and technical books was far greater than the funds available could supply. The realization of this tact resulted m the formation by a number of citizens of the Industrial Library HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 385 League for the express purpose of collecting a fund for the extension of this work. In 1906 a check for $880.17 was sent by the league to the trustees with the request that the money be expended for books on industrial subjects, pref- erably those represented by local industries. Among the members of the league were representatives of many of the manufacturing interests of the city. Later, additional checks amounting to $250 were donated for the same purpose, making possible a library of 307 volumes, in addition to those provided from the regu- lar funds. This library is on the second stack, conveniently arranged, with well- lighted tables for study. Almost every evening finds workers engaged in solv- ing some practical question. Perhaps the most important books are those pub- lished by the International Correspondence School at Scranton, and the Amer- ican School of Correspondence at Chicago. Of these there are full sets, pri- marily for use at the library, but sometimes allowed to circulate for special work. Besides the books there are many trade journals received regularly as issued. These are to be found in the reference room. Utica Mechanics Association Fund — In April, 1908, the trustees of the Utiea Public Library received from the Mechanics Association, being dissolved, the sum of $3,960. The income of this amount is spent for books of a practical and technical nature. Music Coujection — In the spring of 1911 the B Sharp Musical Club pre- sented to the library for circulation a valuable collection of music scores, con- sisting of over two hundred pieces representing the best arrangement for piano, organ, violin, harp, etc. Catalogue Department — As the value of a book is increased by a good index, so the use of a library is far greater if its index, the card catalogue, is a good one. This library has from the first realized the need of such a cata- logue. Shortly after the reorganization of the library a friend gave anonymously $5,000 to be expended on the making of a catalogue. With this foundation the catalogue has been developed, and has become one in which the library takes pride and which proves its usefulness each day. The increase in gifts of books and in purchases has increased the work of keeping the catalogue up to date, until there are now three assistants who give most of their time to it. Children's Department — Children became constant patrons of the library as soon as the rules allowed them, the use of juvenile books since 1894 being from 31-47 per cent of the entire circulation. Beyond placing their books on separate shelves, however, comparatively little could be done for them until the new building gave ample quarters to a children's department. Here, first, the work was organized, three sunny rooms on the south side of the main floor given to the children, and a trained librarian for children placed in charge. The low shelves to which they have free access are filled with books suited to their use; a selection of reference books helps to answer their frequent demands for information, and a convenient door into the main book stack makes available the entire resources of the library, whenever necessary, to supplement the work ggg HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY of the department. The range of this department extends from the littlest child who can walk to the library and be happy with a picture-book while his sister is choosing a "thin book with big letters," to the boy who wants the history of the Constitution of the United States. It requires a ready knowledge of both children and books, together with a quick judgment and unlimited sympathy, to give each child who comes the right book. And the right book to the right child at the right time opens to him not only the road to unlimited knowledge, but what may be of far more worth to him, the road to unlimited delight in good reading. With children the question of good and bad reading may be largely controlled by the selection of books placed on the shelves. While it is true that in a public library provision must be made for all grades of mental capacities and interests, the best can be chosen for each class without including- any harmful or merely useless books. A taste for good and vigorous reading may thus be developed naturally and unconsciously and the child strengthened for an appreciation of the best books. For this reason the first thought of the department is given to a careful selection of its books. The aim has been to sup- ply so many of the best books that children may read them when they want to without waiting too long for "a turn;" but more and more to restrict the num- ber of titles to the books that are reaUy worth their reading. Children have so few years in which to read purely juvenile books, and the range of books, if not too inclusive, is so good that there is not the occasion with them, as with grown people, to demand the "latest books." Naturally the problem of suggesting books to one who has been reading but three years is different from that of supplying books to one who has been reading many years. Attractive illustrated book-lists and bulletins on authors or subjects of interest are posted from time to time to suggest various lines of reading. Fairy tales and easy books for little children are on special shelves, and all the shelves are labeled plainly with name of author or subject. Assistants are ready at all times to help individual chil- dren select books. In addition to the linen picture-books on the tables in the little children's corner is a shelf of fine picture-books, to use which the children must show clean hands. Since 1905 a story-hour for little children has been held on Saturday morn- ings from October to May. The stories are told in a room adjoining the chil- dren's room, and the attendance averages from thirty to fifty. Stories for older children have been occasional and of another character. A series of King Arthur stories was told ; twice some one who knew Lincoln gave some personal reminiscences of him to the boys; twice a friend who had been to Japan told the girls about her trip; once it was a study of Webster for a class of boys in American history; once a reading of heroic poetry for boys; once a reading from Wordsworth for girls. On the night of Lincoln's Centennary, the story of the sinking of the Albemarle in the Civil War was told by one who had heard it personally from Lieut. Cushing, prefacing the story with an account of the one occasion on which he himself saw Lincoln. The audience of ninety boys was hmited only by the capacity of the room. The attendance at these stories, some- times m the afternoon and sometimes in the evening, has ranged from forty to ninety. The use of the room on the part of older boys and girls in the evening is HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 387 worthy of notice. School children are not allowed to draw books after six o'clock, nor are children expected to come in the evening unless with adults. Boys and girls who are working after school and Saturdays have their cards marked to show permission for evening use of the room. This includes all who have left school and gone to work too early for transfer to the main department. A check-list of these special permits shows an interesting variety of "occupa- tions." From fifty to seventy-five, sometimes over a hundred, come every even- ing. Many who come in this way rarely take books home, but prefer to read in the library, depending for their choice on the books which happen to be on the shelves when they come in. The teacher's class room, opening into the children's room and having a separate entrance from the main corridor, has had various uses. A reference collection of the books recommended in the State Syllabus for elementary schools was placed there and is used constantly. Teachers have come with classes for the use of books or illustrative material for exhibits, or simply to make the library known to their pupils. On such occasions as the last the children's librarian has given a brief talk on the use of the library. The de- partment has a file of over 5,000 mounted pictures which are circulated for school and club use. The foundation of the file was a set of Perry pictures, but their number has been multiplied several times by the addition of pictures clipped from magazines, circulars, and other material. The largest use of the pictures has been by the schools, and the file is specially strong in travel and history. In October, 1906, the library published, jointly with the public schools, a third edition of a graded and annotated list of Books for Home Reading. Sin- gle grade leaves from this list are supplied the children by the schools. Copies are also available for use in the room, for parents or for any interested in chil- dren's reading. For some time the library has been collecting and preserving maps, pictures, surveys, manuscripts, books and pamphlets published in Utica, or about Utica, or written by Uticans, in fact all printed or written material of local interest. The collection has already grown so that a room on the second floor has been set apart for it. Som£ of the early maps have been hung in this room. A collection of Utica imprints has been begun, and over one hundred volumes and as many pamphlets have been gathered. Perhaps the most valu- able is a complete set of Utica directories, the first published in 1817. Among the earliest publications is Webster's American Selections in Reading and Speak- ing, printed in 1808 by Seward & Williams. Exhibitions — An art gallery on the second floor has made possible the holding of free exhibitions of pictures. Many have thus been enabled to see originals of Corot, Dupre, Diaz, Ridgeway Knight, Millet, H. D. Murphy, Pen- nell, Whistler, as well as many other modern artists. Since 1904 there have been held twenty-seven exhibitions with a total attendance of 43,606 persons. Utica Art Association Fund — The Utica Art Association was formed in 1865 ' ' to promote and encourage the culture of the fine arts, and to elevate and refine a proper taste therefor by the public exhibition of paintings, statuary, and other works of art." After many years of such work it was suggested that 388 HISTORY OP ONEIDA COUNTY the library should take up the work of the association and receive its funds. Legal steps towards that object were entered upon in 1906, and in July, 1910, the sum of $6,576.68 was paid to the library as a permanent fund to continue the work of the Utica Art Association. G-iPTS — Besides many gifts of magazines, books and pictures from generous friends, all of which add constantly to the working strength of the library, there have been others deserving notice. At the opening of the new building Mr. Thomas E. Proctor sent a complete and valuable set of autograph letters of the presidents of the United States. These are handsomely mounted, to- gether with a steel engraving and brief sketch of each president, in a substan- tial oak standard. The collection, one of the best in existence, is one of the library's most important possessions, and a source of constant interest to our visitors. In 1905 the late Mrs. Robert S. Williams presented to the library some rare and valuable manuscripts. First to be mentioned, because it is the oldest, is a copy of the four gospels written in 1223 in ancient Armenian. It is a small 16mo and was written with a pen on vellum in a very neat and regular hand. The covers are leather over wood. In spite of its great age, it is in a remarkably good state of preservation. The second manuscript is what is known among book lovers as the "Williams Manuscript," or the Syriac Antilegomema. This was obtained in 1870 by the late Rev. William Frederic Williams, then a mis- sionary at Mardin, by whom it was sent to his brother, the late Robert S. Wil- liams. It contains (1) tables to find Easter and other movable feasts, (2) tables of ecclesiastical lessons, (3) the Acts and Catholic epistles, (4) the Pauline epistles, ending with Hebrews, and (5) a poem of 128 Unes. The date of the completion of the manuscript is given in the colophon as July 4, 1471. Careful examination of the manuscript was made by Dr. Isaac H. Hall of the Metro- politan Museum of New York City, who pronounced it genuine. A bronze tab- let made by the Gorham Company for the Lincoln Centennary is a much-valued gift. On this tablet is a bas-relief of Lincoln by Victor D. Brenner, and a copy of Lincoln's famous Gettysburg speech. In 1893 the stafE consisted of the librarian and four assistants, while in 1911 the number has increased to twenty-three. Wateeville— The Waterville Public Library was incorporated by the regents of the state university February 15, 1895, and a charter was issued to W. G. Mayer, H. J. Coggeshall and H. P. Bigelow, its trustees. W. G. Mayer was elected the first president. The board of education granted the use of a room on the third floor of the school building, and transferred to the trustees the school library of about 500 volumes as a nucleus, also an endowment of $1,000 known as the Palmer Memorial Fund, which has been devised by Col. W. Palmer as a memorial to his deceased daughter. The board of education also included in its annual estimate the sum of $75 for the purposes of the new library, so that it began its work under fairly favorable auspices. Miss Mary Smith was appointed first librarian at a salary of $30 per year, the library to be open but one after- noon each week. The board of education having been authorized, by a vote of the taxpayers, to purchase a residence adjoining the school buildings, the use of HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 389 the first floor of this house was granted the library trustees, and, after fitting them up for the purpose, possession was taken in November, 1899. This was a decided improvement, not only because of the additional room, made imperative by the growth of the library, but because of its accessibility. The wisdom of obtaining this location was fully shown by the rapid increase in the number of its patrons. Books were added from time to time, until in 1908 the need for still larger quarters became a matter of grave concern to the trustees. Mrs. I. D. Brainard had given a building on Main street, in the very heart of the village, to the Y. M. C. A., and when it ceased to be used by this association the title, under the conditions of the deed of gift, reverted to the donor. It was suggested to Mrs. Brainard that the building would be an ideal one for the public library, and she, with characteristic generosity, at once decided to convey it to the trus- tees as a memorial to her two deceased sons. The building was fitted for its new use by the board of trustees and was occupied on May 22, 1908. It is exception- ally well adapted for this purpose, the former gymnasium making an ideal stack room. There are also two reading rooms, an issuing room and a librarian's room, while the second story contains meeting rooms for the village board of trustees, the board of education, the health board and the water board, thus making it the seat of the village government. The library now contains 4,000 volumes, and has steadily increased in its usefulness to the community. The trustees are Lieut. W. G. Mayer, who has been president of the board since its incorporation, L. P. Fuess and C. Gr. Brainard. Miss L. J. West is the efficient librarian, with Miss Cornelia Parker as assistant. Oneida Histoeical Society (Utica) — ^was incorporated in 1876. The per- sons who effected the organization were Horatio Seymour, CharlesW. Hutchin- son, Alexander Seward, Edwin Huntington, S. N. D. North, Mbrven M. Jones, Robert S. WiUiams, William J. Bacon, John F. Seymour, Daniel Batchelor, Richard U. Sherman, Simon G. Visscher, Roscoe Conkling, Pomroy Jones, Luther Guiteau, Philo White, Daniel B. Goodwin, Charlemange Tower, John Stryker, Ward Hunt, Ellis H. Roberts, DeWitt C. Grove, Francis Kernan, John H. Edmonds, Michael Moore, Alexander S. Johnson, Edward North, Othniel S. Williams, William D. Walcott, Daniel E. Wager, John P. Gray, John G. Crocker and Theodore S. Faxton, and to them are due great credit for an organization which, all things considered, may be counted one of the best in Oneida county. It was through its instrumentality that the splendid monument was erected on the Oriskany battle field, and to Mr. John F. Seymour was due the principal credit of that enterprise. Mrs. James Watson Williams, by her will, left $50,000 for the erection of a memorial building, to be known as the Munson- Williams Memorial Building. It is unfortunate that the building was located at the junc- tion of John and Elizabeth streets and Park avenue. The location was not well selected, and it cannot be said that the expensive building is well arranged for the purposes intended. The accumulation of valuable treasures has been so rapid, that the time will soon arrive when a much more commodious building must be provided. It is hoped that a better location will be selected, and that the future will demonstrate the wisdom of the enterprising citizens of 1876, who 390 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY organized this splendid association. The officers of the association from the time of its incorporation to this date are as follows : Presidents— Horatio Seymour, 1876-86; Ellis H. Roberts, 1887-90; Charles W. Hutchinson, 1891-96 ; George D. Dimon, 1897 ; Thomas R. Proctor, 1898-99 ; Alfred C. Coxe, 1900-01 ; Charles S. Symonds, 1902-03 ; E. Prentiss Bailey, 1904- 05; Mlton H. Merwin, 1906-07; Wm. Carey Sanger, 1908-09; Charles Tyler Olmsted, 1910 to date. First Vice Presidents — Alexander Seward, 1876-77 ; Charles "W. Hutchinson, 1878-83; Ellis H. Roberts, 1884-86; Isaac S. Hartley, 1887-89; Charles W. Hutchinson, 1890; Henry Hurlburt, 1891-93; William M. White, 1894-95; George D. Dimon, 1896 ; Thomas R. Proctor, 1897 ; Alfred C. Coxe, 1898-99 ; . Frederick T. Proctor, 1900; Edward Comstock, 1901-03; Milton H. Merwin, 1904-05; John L. Earll, 1906-07; Charles T. Olmsted, 1908-09; Herbert J. Pease, 1910; E. Huntington Coley, 1911. Second Vice Presidents — Charles W. Hutchinson, 1876-77; Alexander Se- ward, 1878-81 ; William J. Bacon, 1882-83 ; Isaac S. Hartley, 1884-86 ; Daniel E. Wager, 1887-89 ; Henry Hurlburt, 1890 ; George D. Dimon, 1891-95 ; Thomas R. Proctor, 1896; Cyrus D. Preseott, 1897-1900; George M. Weaver, 1901-02; Milton H. Mterwin, 1903 ; John L. EarU, 1904-05 ; Ralph W. Brokaw, 1906-07 ; Herbert J. Pease, 1908-09 ; Thomas R. Proctor, 1910-11. Third Vice Presidents — Edward Huntington, 1876-81; Daniel E. Wager, 1882-86 ; John F. Seymour, 1887-89 ; Daniel E. Wager, 1890-96 ; Alfred C. Coxe, 189^7 ; N. Curtis White, 1898-99 ; Warren C. Rowley, 1900 ; Joseph V. Haberer, 1901-02 ; John L. Earll, 1903 ; Ralph W. Brokaw, 1904-05 ; Willis E. Ford, 1906- 07 ; Thomas R. Proctor, 1908-09 ; E. Huntington Coley, 1910 ; Herbert J. Pease, 1911. Recording Secretaries— Moses M. Bagg, 1876-77 ; S. N. Dexter North, 1878-82 ; Moses M. Bagg, 1883-88; Rees G. Williams, 1889-92; Wm. Pierrepont White, 1893-97 ; Donald Mclntyre, 1898-1911. Corresponding Secretaries — Morven M. Jones, 1876-83 ; Charles W. Darling, 1884-1905; Horatio Seymour, Jr., 1906-07; Wm. M. Storrs, 1908-11. Librarians— Morven M. Jones, 1876-86 ; Fred C. Ingalls, 1887-88 ; Moses M. Bagg, 1889-1900; Dana W. Bigelow, 1901-11. Treasurers— Robert S. Williams, 1876-86 ; Warren C. Rowley, 1887-98 ; Syl- vester Dering, 1899-1900; Frank R. Winant, 1910-11. Dr. Matthew Brown, Jr., of Rome Dr. Lutlier Guitean. Sr.. of Olcleiiliarnavelcl PIONEER PHYSICIANS OF ONEIDA COTNTY CHAPTER XXVII. MEDICAL PROFESSION AND INSTITUTIONS. As far as can be ascertained from the old records it would seem that prior to the year 1790 the portion of the western wilderness now known as Oneida county could boast of no physician in residence, and what the few earliest set* tiers at Fort Stanwix, at Whitestown and at Deerfield did when in need of medical aid is largely a matter of conjecture. The native Indian had his medi- cine man, who, though more of a religious leader than a physician had, never- theless, some knowledge of herbs. Then, too, many years before any white settlers penetrated to the head waters of the Mohawk, the Jesuit missionaries from Canada had made friends with the members of the Six Nations, and were hospitably received in their "castles." As every member of that wonderful order was a man of wide learning and no small medical training, and as one reads in Parkman's histories of these advance agents of civilization caring for the sick Indian in his tepee, tending the wounded in battle, and teaching the elemental principles of hygiene, these religious enthusiasts may properly be considered as probably the first to have introduced European medical knowledge into Oneida county. With the building and garrisoning of Port Stanwix at what is now Rome, it is probable that at least from time to time military surgeons were quartered there with the troops, and may on. occasion have given help to the friendly In- dian and the few settlers and travelers in the neighborhood. But if so, no proof thereof remains, and our first definite records of physicians in Oneida county appear in the accounts of the battle of Oriskany when we read that Dr. Petrie, himself wounded, dressed General Herkimer's leg on the field; and that Dr. Younglove was captured by the enemy, robbed, stripped of his clothing, and barely escaped the tomahawk, but survived many hardships to immortalize his experiences in a poem. Dr. Petrie was a resident of German Flats — ^the region extending from east of Little Falls to Frankfort — and as that neighborhood had been inhabited by the family of General Herkimer and other pioneers since 1725, it is possible that the local doctor's professional duties carried him far enough up the river so that he may have been considered as practicing also in Oneida county. Though little further than these poor facts is known of physicians actually practicing in this county in Revolutionary days, the remains of two surgeons, eminent in that war, found their final resting places within the borders of our county. The first of these. Dr. John Cochran, of Albany, was appointed on the recommendation of General Washington, surgeon general of the middle depart- ment of the army of the United States April 11, 1777, chief physician and sur- 391 392 HISTOEY OF ONEIDA COUNTY geon of the army October 6, 1780, and director general of the army hospitals January 17, 1781. He was mustered out at the close of the war, and died at Palatine in 1807. A few years later his remains were brought to Utica by his son. Major James Cochran, and were buried in the old Water street cemetery. On the centennial of the battle of Bunker Hill they were again removed, with military pomp, to Forest Hill cemetery. The other Revolutionary veteran was Dr. Augustus Burgoyne, surgeon gen- eral to the army under his uncle. General Sir John Burgoyne. After the bat- tle of Saratoga Dr. Burgoyne was taken prisoner and carried into Vermont, where he afterwards married, settled down and practiced medicine. In his old age he lived at the home of his daughter, the wife of Zenas Bird of Augusta, where he died in 1824 at the age of 87 years, and is buried near Knoxboro. During the barren paralyzed years following the close of hostilities, Oneida county was practically untenanted by the white man, and was, therefore, without a physician. The tremendous wave of immigration westward, however, which marked the reaction from the war, and steadily increased during the last dec- ade of the eighteenth century, causing hamlets and villages to crop up like mushrooms in every corner of the county, swept with it probably as many as a score of physicians. Coming up the Mohawk by bateau, canoe, or on horseback, these sturdy, strong, venturesome young medical men, as a rule, landed at Old Fort Schuyler, and then struck off in search of hamlet or settlement which seemed to give promise of supporting a physician. The earliest of these medical pioneers to settle in our county and to achieve sufficient prominence to leave their names behind them were Dr. Norton Porter of Westmoreland, who settled in that town in 1791 ; Dr. Francis Guiteau, Jr., of Deerfield ; Dr. Sewal Hopkins of Clinton, of whom mention is found in 1792 ; Dr. Matthew Brown, Jr., of Rome, 1793 ; and Dr. Samuel Carrington of Utica, 1794. Dr. Norton Porter was probably the first, and was certainly one of the first two physicians to settle in Oneida county. Born in Abington, Mass., in 1771, he emigrated in 1791 to the town of Westmoreland, just five years after the first settler, James Deane, located in that neighborhool. During those five years, however, Westmoreland had become a flourishing village, with many sur- rounding hamlets, and the services of a physician were much in demand. For forty years Dr. Porter practiced all over the countryside, and after a long and honored life finally passed away in New York Mills, November 18, 1852, at the home of his son. Dr. H. N. Porter. Dr. Francis Guiteau, Jr., a descendant of Huguenot refugees and a son of Dr. Francis Guiteau of Pittsfield, Mass., settled in Deerfield in 1792, and began the practice of medicine. The prestige which Dr. Guiteau attained as the first physician in the neighborhood of the newly settled hamlet of Fort Schuyler he maintained for many years by his natural ability, and was long accepted as the leading surgeon of this part of the state. After practicing for nine years in Deerfield he moved to Utica, and in 1803 formed a partnership with Dr. Solo- mon Woleott, as physician and druggist. In 1814 he moved to Whitesboro, DR. ALEXANDER COVENTRY President, 1823-1825 DR. CHARLES B. COVENTRY President, 1854 DR. JOHN McCALL President, 184G DR. DANIEL P. BISSELL Vice President, 1862 ; President, 1863 DR. JOHN P. GRAY President, 1867 DR. GEORGE SEYMOUR Vice President, 1900 OFFICERS OF THE MEDICAL SOCIETY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK HISTOEY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 393 where he died in 1824. In 1809 Dr. Guiteau was elected vice president of the Oneida County Medical Society, and in 1813-14 was made president. Dr. Sewal Hopkins weis born in Great Barrington, Mass., and studied medi- cine at Stoekbridge. The exact date of his coming to Clinton is not known, but that it was at least as early as 1792 is shown by the fact that his name appears in that year as one of the founders of the Hamilton-Oneida Academy, the par- ent of Hamilton College. Dr. Hopkins was the first vice president and the sec- ond president of the county society. He died in 1846 at the age of 76 years. Dr. Matthew Brown, Jr., was born in Brookfield, Mass., in 1766. He had a good liberal education, and studied medicine in the private hospital and school of Dr. Willard of Worcester. Coming west to Rome on horseback in 1793, he settled near the ruins of the old fort. Though Dr. Brown was for many years the leading physician of Rome and had a large, strenuous and active practice, carrying him even to the northern boundaries of the county to the bedside of Baron Steuben, he had many other interests. He was quickly joined by his brothers, with whom he opened a store, in which not only drugs but general merchandise were offered for sale. In 1798 Dr. Brown was made the first post- master, and held that position for ten years. In 1803 his cousin, Dr. Arba Blair, came from Worcester and went into partnership with him. The older man, from that time, devoted less and less time to medicine and more and more to business, becoming one of the leading manufacturers in the town. In 1818 he moved to Rochester, where he was again prominent in business affairs, but did not again practice. He died in Rochester in 1851. The picture of Dr. Brown, which is reproduced in this volume is a photograph of a portrait by Daniel Huntington belonging to Dr. Brown's great-grandson, Mr. Ralph W. Howell of Washington. One of Dr. Brown's last medical acts was to preside at the organization meeting of the Oneida County Medical Society in 1806. Dr. Samuel Carrington appiears to have been the first physician to settle in what is now Utica. He is known to have been in the town as early as 1794 ; was postmaster in 1799, and had a store for the sale of drugs, paints, dye stuffs, books, etc., in 1800. After a few years of practice Dr. Carrington returned to the east, married, and the next morning left his bride and never was heard of again. These first arrivals having picked out the choicest sites, many of those coming up the river during the second half of the decade were obliged to go farther afield to find room for their talents. Thus, we find that in 1795 Dr. Stephen Preston settled in Sangerfield; in 1796 Dr. Amos G. Hull came to Augusta; Dr. Samuel Snow to Boonville; Dr. Caleb Sampson to Paris Hill, and Dr. Alexander Coventry to Utica. In 1797 Dr. Zenas Hutchinson began practice at Elmer Hill; Dr. Seth Hastings, Sr., at Paris Hill; Dr. Johnson at Augusta, and Dr. Stephen White at Rome. Somewhere about this time Dr. Elizur Moseley came to Whitesboro, and Dr. Sherman Bartholomew to Water- ville. Dr. Stephen Preston journeyed up the Mohawk vaUey on horseback, bring- ing with him his wife and a four-year old son. He settled in Sangerfield, where 394 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY he practiced for thirty years, covering a territory extending from Oneida Castle to Vernon. He died in 1835. The four year old son, on attaining manhood, followed in his father's footsteps, succeeded to his practice, and in 1844 we find that Dr. Medina Preston was president of the county society. He was in turn followed by his son. Dr. IM^edina Preston, Jr., who is still living. Thus for one hundred and fifteen years a member of the Preston family has practiced medi- cine in Sangerfield or "Waterville. Dr. Amos Gould Hull deserves special mention, as he was the first president of the Oneida County Medical Society. Dr. Hull came to this county in about 1796, and settled in Augusta. In 1804 he moved to New Hartford, where he practiced until 1811^ at one period of this time having as a partner Dr. Charles Babcock, who was president of the county society in 1834. In 1811 Dr. Hull moved to Utica, where he practiced until his death in 1833. During his later years he devoted much time to the manufacture and sale of a hernial truss of his own invention. This appliance received the approval of his professional breth- ren so completely that in 1818 he was awarded certificates of commendation from the Fairfield Medical College and the Oneida County Medical Society. That his advertising and selling of these patented trusses did not interfere with his pro- fessional standing is proven by his re-election to the presidency of the county society in 1817, 1818 and 1820. De. Alexander CovsNTRY^There is no name associated with the early his- tory of medicine in Oneida county more deserving of respect than that of the sturdy Scotch pioneer. Dr. Alexander Coventry. Born in Hamilton, Scotland, in 1766, the son of an army officer, he received his education in the Universities of Glasgow and Edinburgh, institutions which stood then, as now, in the very first rank of the world's medical schools. In 1785 he sailed for America, settled in Hudson, then in Romulus, on Seneca Lake, and in 1796 came to Old Port Schuyler. Dr. Coventry's superior education, studious tastes, strong character and natural ability soon placed him at the head of the medical profession of Central New York. His reputation as a consultant and as an obstetrician grew and spread until his labors extended over several counties, and his reputation far wider still. He was elected president of the county society in 1822, and re- elected in 1823, 1824 and 1827, and of the Medical Society of the State of New York in 1823 and 1824. He was also a trustee of the Fairfield Medical College, a member of the Albany Lyceum and the Linnean Society of Paris. In about 1804 Dr. Coventry moved to Deerfield, though retaining his office in Utica, bought a farm, and for the remainder of his life divided his time between medi- cine, agriculture, especially fruit growing, and literature. His journal, which, fortunately, is preserved by his descendants, is a veritable mine of information concerning the early days of Utica. In 1804 he took as partner Dr. David Has- brouck; in 1817 Dr. John McCall, and in 1828 was succeeded by his son. Dr. Charles B. Coventry. The prominence which these three junior partners at- tained in their profession speaks well for the stimulus and training given to them by this truly remarkable man. The instruments shown in the accompany- ing picture belonged to Dr. Coventry, and were probably used to cure the ail- HISTORY OP ONEIDA COUNTY 395 ments of many of the ancestors of our county's citizens. They are the property of Dr. A. L. Holden, of Utica, who kindly loaned them for photographing. Dr. Seth Hastings, Sr., came to Paris Hill from Litchfield, Conn., in 1797, and practiced his profession in that prosperous village until his death in 1830. A stiff, stern, strict Puritan, he served his neighbors faithfully for years, but is per- haps most worthy of fame as the father of Dr. Seth Hastings, Jr., who began practice in Clinton in 1802, was the first treasurer of the county society in 1806 ; its secretary from 1810 to 1814; its vice president in 1817, and its president in 1828 and 1829. He practiced his profession in Clinton until 1851, when a stroke of paralysis caused his retirement, and ten years later his death. Dr. Sherman Bartholomew, who moved to what was then known as Sanger- field Huddle during the last year of the century, is especially remembered be- ■eause he probably first suggested the name of "WaterviUe" for that village and because he lost his life in the service of his country. His tombstone at Water- viUe reads in part : "To the memory of Dr. Sherman Bartholomew, who died at Brownsville the 29th of November, 1814, in the zealous discharge of his duties as surgeon in the Army of the U. S., . . . in the 34th year of his age." The beginning of the new century brought with it a rapid development of the newly founded towns, and hamlets, which five years before had no physician, or at best one medical advisor, rapidly found themselves the possessors of sev- eral. Six physicians, at least, settled in Utica during the first five years of the nineteenth century, of whom three deserve passing mention: Dr. David Hasbrouck, because he was a partner of Dr. Coventry and the first secretary of the county society. Dr. Solomon Wolcott, for his association with Dr. Francis Guiteau; and Dr. Marcus Hitchcock, as, for many years he was not only physician and druggist, but was postmaster from 1803 to 1827, and his shop was during that period the chief place for gathering and discussion in the town. In this way Dr. Hitchcock was probably as powerful as any other one citizen in influencing the growth of the community. At the same time many new doctors were appearing throughout the county, too many to make it possible even to give them mention. Six of them, however, have left their names written too plainly on the scroll of history to allow of their being passed over without at least a few words. Dr. Alexander "Whalet was born in Connecticut in 1780, and after com- pleting his medical studies, at the age of 21 years started out for the "Black River region" to seek a home. An accident to his horse at Verona detained him, and, before he could again start on his way, he was persuaded to remain, teach the district school and practice his profession. Here Dr. Whaley's wanderings ended, and for seventy long years he served his fellowmen of Verona and vicin- ity. His activity, even at the end of his life, is shown by the fact that he made his appearance at the meeting of the Oneida County Medical Society in Rome 396 HISTOEY OF ONEIDA COUNTY in the year 1871, when 91 years of age. From this visit, however, the old phy- sician never returned, as he died shortly after the meeting at the home of his son. Dr. James S. Whaley of Rome, the last survivor of the original founders of the county society. Db. Area Blaik, the partner of and successor to Dr. Matthew Brown, Jr., of Rome, also lived to an advanced age, and presided at the semi-centennial meeting of the county society in 1856. He was elected vice president of the county society in 1820, and president in 1836 and again in 1859. He died in 1863. Dk. John Fitch, of Franklin, an arrival of 1802, deserves notice as a man of independence and originality, for when, shortly after his arrival, a severe epidemic of typhus fever prevailed in his neighborhood, having seen the terrible mortality following the accepted treatment of whiskey and quinine, he broke away from custom, and pinning his faith "vis medicatrix naturae" he practiced the expectant mode of treatment and attained great renown, for the reason that his patients showed an astounding tendency to recovery. De. Laurens Hull was a native of "Woodbury, Conn., where he was bom in 1779. In 1802, having studied medicine in the east, he moved to "the West" and continued his studies with his cousin Amos, then practicing in Augusta. In 1804 he opened an office for himself in Bridgewater. A founder of the county society he served as its president from 1831 to 1833. His interest in public life is shown by his service as member of the assembly in 1813 and 1825, and the year of his leaving the county — 1836 — for Angelica, Allegany county, as state senator. He was president of the State Mjedical Society in 1839 and 1840, and his ad- dress on "Quackery" was considered one of the finest papers ever delivered before that body. Dr. Hull was, both in the medical societies and in the legis- lative bodies a constant and strenuous worker for the advance and purity of the medical profession. Turning our thoughts to the northern section of the county we find that the year 1802 brought to that district two men, who, for many years, were to carry on their shoulders the bulk of the medical work north of Utica and Rome— Dr. Luther Guiteau, Sr., and Dr. Earl Bill. Dr. Luther Guiteau, Sb., of Trenton, was born in Lanesboro, Mass., in 1778. Having received his liberal education in Clinton and his medical knowl- edge under Dr. Buell of Sheffield, Mass., Dr. Guiteau came to the region in which his brother, Francis, had already achieved a reputation as a surgeon, and settled in Trenton, or Oldenbarneveld, in 1802. Thus began a professional ca- reer, which, for local pre-eminence, was probably rivaled by that of Alexander Coventry alone. For forty-eight years Dr. Guiteau stood in the first ranks of the medical profession of his day, was beloved by his neighbors, and looked up to by his professional brethren. His reputation was not confined to his own locality, but extended over many counties, where his services were in demand as a consultant. A deep student and enthusiast. Dr. Guiteau was a prominent DR. EARL BILL, of REMSEN IXSTRUMENTS BELONGING TO DR. ALEXANDER COVENTRY, WHO DIED IN 1S2S HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 397 figure in the meetings of the county society, of which he served as president in 1825 and 1826. He was postmaster of Oldenbarneveld in 1802, and a member of the legislature in 1819. Though deeply interested in politics these were the only public positions he would ever accept. Before his death in 1850 his son, Dr. Luther Guiteau, Jr., had already become a power in the county, and, as the older man slipped out of harness, the younger one took his place, and, rmtil his death in 1885, ably sustained the prestige already acquired by his talented fam- ily. Dr. Luther, Jr., like his father, was many times elected to the highest ofi&ce to which his professional neighbors could elevate him, having been president of the county society in 1843, 1863 and 1867. De. Eabl Bill — The other pioneer from "up the county," Dr. Earl Bill, though he never attained the widespread reputation of the Guiteaus, was never- theless, a prominent figure in local medicine. Born in Lebanon, Conn., in 1770, he graduated from the Berkshire Medical College and then struck out for "the West." In 1804 he settled near Starr Hill in Steuben, where he prac- ticed until his removal to Remsen in 1814. Dwelling in the wildest part of the county. Dr. Bill held with a firm grip a professional clientele extending over the towns of Remsen, Steuben and BoonviUe. He was a splendid example of the rugged, honest, conscientious, pioneer physician, who never sought personal advancements or benefits, but devoted a long life calmly and unselfishly to the hard wearing life of the country doctor. The accompanying portrait is a copy of an ambrotype loaned by Dr. Bill's grandson, Mr. Earl B. Putnam of Water- ville. To the physician of the twentieth century, with his railroads, telegraph, telephones and superb state roads, on which he can travel in his motor car from end to end of the county in hours, almost in minutes, it is not easy to call up a picture of his predecessors in the county at the end of the eighteenth century. In those days the doctor visited his patients on foot, horse back or snow shoes, his circuit covering many miles of almost untrodden wilderness, where he often had to find his way by the moss on the trees or over blazed trails. Where roads existed they were, during the greater part of the year, so nearly impassable, that it "took half a day to travel on horse back from Utica to New Hartford." A story is told of a man having his leg crushed in Sangerfield. A friend rode all night to Whitesboro, and from there to Deerfield, before a physician was found. After many hours of toil Dr. Guiteau reached the patient, found an amputation to be necessary, and was forced to send another messenger to Her- kimer to get Dr. Petrie to help in the operation. All this took days to accom- plish, and, when preparations were at last complete, such a thing as an anaesthetic was, of course, unknown. Small wonder that the few pictures we have of these early physicians show grim determination in every feature! Then, again, the inhabitants of the various hamlets were few in number, and were practically aU of them in young, vigorous manhood, for the aged and the invalids did not venture into the western wilds. It would, indeed, have been difficult for the physician to earn a living under such conditions, and very few of them were able to live on their practice alone, so that we find nearly every early doctor with some outside means of earning his daily bread. The positions of post- 398 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY master and tavern keeper were frequently held by the village doctor; many kept drug stores, and often added toys, paints, dyes and merchandise of all kinds • while such a prominent man as Dr. Amos Hull advertised mineral waters, for sale, and even the erudite and brilliant Dr. Coventry, a graduate of Edin- burgh and Glasgow, was for a short time, according to some authorities, a mer- chant, and to others, a tailor. As to the qualifications necessary to practice medicine a stock of drugs, a pair of saddle bags, a lancet, and perhaps a few leeches were all that were required, for of laws there were none. Here and there was found a Coventry, a Guiteau, a Brown or a Bill, with a regular medical training and a university degree, but the vast majority of the pioneer physi- cians had had but a few months apprenticeship in the office of some country doctor in New England, and many more, it is to be feared, were at best poorly trained druggists or arrant charletans. Oneida County Medical Society — The prevalence of untrained physicians, however, throughout New York state, became such a menace to the people, that in 1806 a law was passed by the legislature intended for the regulation of the practice of medicine, in the form for a bill calling for the formation of county medical societies. In pursuance of this law twenty-nine physicians of Oneida county met in Rome July 1, 1806. The meeting was presided over by Dr. Mat- thew Brown, Jr., of Rome, and the Medical Society of the County of Oneida came into being. Those present and the offices to which they were elected were : Dr. Amos G. Hull, president; Dr. Sewal Hopkins, vice president; Dr. Seth Hastings, Jr., treasurer; Dr. David Hasbrouck, secretary; Dr. Caleb Sampson, delegate; Dr. Francis Guiteau, Jr., Dr. Matthew Brown, Jr., Dr. Welcome Sayles of Vernon, Dr. Judd of Paris Hill, and Dr. Sherman Bartholomew, cen- sors; Dr. Marcus Hitchcock, Dr. Isaac "Weston of Sauquoit, Dr. Thomas Hart- well of Rome, Dr. Laurens Hull, Dr. Zenas Hutchinson, Dr. Alexander Whaley, Dr. Morris Shannon, Dr. Paul Hutchinson, Jr., of Elmer HiU, Dr. Bliphaz Bissell of Vernon, Dr. Seth Capron of Whitesboro, Dr. Daniel Avery of Bridge- water, Dr. John Fitch, Dr. Enoch Alden of Rome, Dr. Stephen Preston, Dr. Arba Blair, Dr. Norton Porter, Dr. Seth Hastings, Sr., and Dr. Samuel Fris- bie of Vernon. The purposes of this society were manifold. Besides the stimulation of so- cial intercourse and the dissemination of professional knowledge, the county society had the immediate charge of the regulation of the practice' of medicine in the county. Its powers then were far greater than they are to-day, as, besides the investigation of illegal practitioners, the censors of each county society had in their hands the licensing of all physicians. According to the law of 1806, a man wishing to practice medicine was obliged to apprentice himself to a prac- ticing physician, study under him for three years, and then present himself before the board of censors of the county society for examination. If the can- didate satisfied his inquisitors of his ability to practice, a license was forthwith issued to him. An act of 1818 stated that after 1821 the period of apprentice- ship should be four years, one year, however, to be deducted, if the candidate had pursued literary studies after the age of sixteen, or had attended a full course o± studies m a medical school. The degree of Doctor of Medicine, issued by the HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 399 regents of the University of New York, constituted in itself a license to practice. The privilege of the censors of the county societies to license practitioners was a bitter bone of contention for many years between the local societies and the state authorities, and though during the last few years it was but rarely exer- cised, the power of examination and licensing was not legally withdrawn from the county societies until the year 1880. The last license issued by the Medical Society of the County of Oneida, after examination by the censors, was dated 1878. After holding seven meetings and adopting by-laws and a fee bill, the en- thusiasm not being sufficient to overcome the physical hardships necessary for attendance, the meetings of the society were temporarily suspended in 1810, and were not resumed until 1813, when a new lease of life was given, which has never died. Little else of interest to posterity, however, is found in the minutes of the first quarter century, except the foundation of a medical library and the registering of several men destined to attain prominence in later life. Those most worthy of mention are Drs. John McCall, Theodore Pomeroy, Samuel Tut- tle and Robert C. Wood of Utica, and Harold H. Pope of Rome De. John McCall, who was born at Hebron, Washington county, N. Y., in 1787, after graduating from the medical department of Columbia College and serving with distinction as an army surgeon through the War of 1812, set- tled in Utica in 1818, and became a partner of Dr. Alexander Coventry, and, after the latter 's death, of his son. Dr. Charles Coventry. Of great intellect and strong opinions, Dr. McCall soon became a power in the community and in the state. In 1828-29 he served as vice president, and in 1830 as president of the Oneida County Medical Society, and in 1846 was elected to the presidency of the Medical Society of the State of New York. Dr. McCall was a man of exceptional ability as a physician, and was in many ways years ahead of his time. Though not a therapeutic nihilist, he was a great believer in nature, in fresh air, and was strongly averse to the then too prevalent use of alcohol and of bleeding. A man of much manner and great self esteem, he was absolutely frank and honest in his dealings with his patients, and for this and his un- questioned ability he was honored by his fellowmen. He died in 1867. De. Theodoee Pomeeot, a graduate of Yale, also came to Utica in 1818, rapidly built up a good practice, was vice president of the county society in 1836, and president in 1837. After a number of years' practice he withdrew from active medical work and devoted his time to manufacturing. De. Samuel Tuttle, who came to Utica in 1819, met an unfortunate fate. His daring, skill and enthusiasm soon built him up an active surgical practice, but proved his undoing, for, in his desire to improve himself in anatomy, he robbed the grave of the body of a negro boy. The robbery was discovered. Dr. Tuttle 's house was attacked by an infuriated mob, and the body was found buried in the cellar. The over-zealous surgeon was forced to leave the town. He moved first to Rochester, then to California, and finally settled in Michigan. 400 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY Dr. Robert C. Wood became a member of the county society in 1824, but the next year began a long and honorable career as an army surgeon. His record in the surgeon-general's office is as follows: Assistant surgeon, May 28, 1825; major, July 4, 1836 ; colonel and assistant surgeon general, June 14, 1862. Mus- tered out, October 31, 1865. Died in New York City March 28, 1869. Dr. Harold H. Pope was born in Rutland, Vt., in 1801, and graduated from the Fairfield Medical CoUege and the University of Vermont. Immediately after graduation he began practice in Rome, and remained in that city until his death in 1869. Dr. Pope was for many years the leading physician and one of the leading citizens of Rome. He was at one time president of the village. The second quarter of the century is noted for several events of some im- portance to the medical profession of the county. In 1828 an effort was made to found a medical school in Utica, as a department of Hamilton College, and in 1829 a local medical journal was proposed, but both propositions were abandoned. Asiatic Cholera — The black year of 1832 was a sad one for the city of Utica, for July 12, the terrible scourge, which was devastating the country that year, reached the city, and the first inhabitant died of Asiatic cholera. Panic at once reigned, and at least one-third of the city's 9,000 inhabitants fled the city. An- ticipating the approach of the epidemic, preventive measures had been taken in the organization on June 20 of a board of health, consisting of Drs. Goodsell, Peckham, Coventry and McCraith and Messrs. Kirkland, Mann and Ostrom, and the appointing of Dr. McCall as health officer. Quarantine had been established on the canal, chloride of lime procured, and for some days it had been considered that the city was safe. When, however, the disease once got a foothold, it spread with terrible rapidity. Ignorant both of the cause of the disease and its mode of contagion, the most strenuous efforts on the part of the physicians failed to hold it in check. A pall hung over the city, for it was in very truth a city of the dead, where the only occupation was the care of the sick and the disposal of the dead. By the time of the abatement of the epidemic, in the middle of Sep- tember, there had been 206 cases of the disease and 65 deaths. During the height of the epidemic several temporary hospitals were opened, the last one in the academy being closed again on September 10. Dr. Erastus Humphrey— Another event of this period worthy of mention was the brief residence in Utica of Dr. Erastus Humphrey. In 1840, this gentle- man, then nearly sixty years of age, while serving as a surgeon in the Auburn penitentiary, had suddenly become converted to the teachings of Hahnemann and immediately, armed with a book and a supply of pellets, started a migratory career. In 1842 he went to Syracuse, in 1843 he came to Utica, and in 1847 he moved on to New York. Dr. Humphrey's stay in Utica was in itself too short to have been of great influence, and his presence would be passed over without comment, if it were not that his arrival marks the first introduction of the new school of the homeopathist into Oneida county. The event which, in importance, outclassed all others of the second quarter w ^^^"^^ ^H ^^^^^KS^^'\^'^ ^^1 ^^^^^^^^K^l ^H r^^^^B Dr. Luthei- Gulteau, Jr., Trenton Dr. Nichol II. Dering, L'tica Dr. Harold H. Pope, Rome Dr. Alonzo CUurcliill. l'tica Dr. Moses M. Bagg, Utlca Dr. Isaac H. Douglass, Utica PROMIXENT ONEIDA COUNTY PHYSICIANS HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 401 century, as far as the medical profession is concerned, was the founding of the New York State Lunatic Asylum, or as it is now called, the Utica State Hospital. Utica State Hospitaju — ^During the first decades of the nineteenth century the condition of the insane poor of New York state was lamentable, indeed. The only institution in the state for the care of the insane was the Bloomingdale Asylum in New York City — a branch of the New York Hospital. This institu- tion, though useful in its own sphere, was a private organization, and took in chiefly those who were able to pay for their care. The pauper insane and, from the nature of the disease, the great majority of insane individuals, if left to themselves, soon become destitute, were incarcerated in the jails and the poor- houses, locked in dungeons and strong rooms, manacled and chained to the floor, often tied hand and foot in the filthiest places, covered with vermin and a prey to rats. In other places they were kept in steel cages, in full view of the popu- lace, the objects of ridicule and of jest. The first step towards remedying this state of affairs was taken in 1830, when Governor Throop, in his message, stated that there were over six hundred insane paupers in the state, either in jail or at large. The subject was taken up in the assembly and referred to a committee consisting of Messrs. A. C. Paige, Bli Savage and Peter Gansevoort. For several years this committee offered reports, but no legislation followed. In 1836 Dr. Charles B. Coventry of Utica presented to the legislature a petition from the Medical Society of the County of Oneida, and the same year Dr. John McCall, also of Utica, presented a memorial from the Medical Society of the State of New York requesting the immediate estab- lishment of an asylum, the result of which was the passage on March 30, 1836, of "An act to authorize the establishment of the New York State Lunatic Asylum. ' ' A commission was appointed, with the authority to expend $10,000 on site, and to contract for the erection of the asylum at a cost of not more than $50,000. In 1837 the present site, including 130 acres, at the western boundaries of Utica was purchased for $16,300, the $6,300 not provided for by the state having been raised by the citizens of Utica. The erection of the buildings was put into the hands of Captain William Clark, Elam Lynds and Francis E. Spin- ner. The original plans called for four large buildings, each 550 feet long, ar- ranged at right angles to each other, with their ends connected by lattice work, the whole surrounding an octagonal area of 13 acres. By the end of 1838 $46,000 of the $50,000 had been expended upon the foundations of these four buildings. It was then decided that such an enormous institution was greater than the im- mediate needs demanded, and $75,000 was appropriated to continue the work on the northerly of the four, the foundations of the other three to be roofed over for protection. Work progressed steadily, and on January 6, 1842, the com- mittee reported the building nearly ready for occupancy. The total cost had been $285,000 up to this time. In 1841 Messrs. David Russell, W. H. Shear- man, Nicholas Devereux, Theodore S. Faxton and Dr. Charles B. Coventry were appointed trustees, and on April 7, 1842, Messrs. Devereux, Jacob Sutherland, Charles A. Mann, Alfred Munson, Abraham V. Williams, Thomas H. Hubbard, David Buel and Drs. Coventry and T. Romeyn Beck were made managers. 402 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY Among their first acts were the appointments of Edmund A. Wetmore, treasurer, and Dr. Amariah Brigham, physician and superintendent. Dr. Amariah Brigham was born in New Marlboro, Mass., December 26, 1798, the son of a farmer. The father having died when Amariah was still a child, the latter was taken into the home of an uncle, a physician of Schoharie, N. Y., to be educated as a doctor. The uncle, however, died the next year, and left the lad destitute. After many hardships he took up the study of medicine in the offices of Dr. E. C. Peet of New Marlboro, Mass., and Dr. Plumb of New Canaan, Conn., and began practice in the town of Enfield, Mass. After two years he moved to Greenfield, where he practiced for seven years. At the end of that period he sold out his practice, and in 1828 sailed for Europe, where he spent a year in travel. On his return he again opened an office in Greenfield, but in 1831, looking for a broader field, he went to Hartford, Conn. In 1837 he accepted the position of professor of anatomy and surgery in the College of Physicians and Surgeons of New York, but after a year and a half tired of New York and returned to Hartford. In 1840 he was appointed physician and superintendent of the Retreat for the Insane in Hartford, where he was so eminently success- ful, and his ideas on the care of the insane were so original, that in 1842 he was called to Utica to organize the new state asylum. On January 16, 1843, the asylum, though still hardly completed, was thrown open for the admission of patients, and during the year 276 were received. In 1844 it oecame evident that enlargements were necessary, and, the original plan for four separate buildings being abandoned, two wings, each 240 by 38 feet in size, were built, projecting back of the main building at right angles thereto. In 1847 these wings were completed, bringing the total cost of the asylum up to $448,980. During his incumbency as superintendent, Dr. Brigham had all the labor of organization upon his shoulders. That he was not content with simply building an institution for the incarceration of the lunatic, but wished to have it really a hospital for cure of the insane, is shown by his frequent re-iteration of the fact that insanity is really a disease, and that the patient required treat- ment as much as any other invalid. A great believer in the therapeutic value of labor, Dr. Brigham set the patients at work on the grounds and farm, and caused to be constructed carpenter, shoemaker, cabinet maker, tailor, blacksmith and "whittling" shops. A printing office was established, and in 1844 the American Journal of Insanity, the first journal devoted to the subject of insanity in the world, was published with Dr. Brigham as editor. "The Opal" also was begun at this time, edited and published by the patients. The tremendous strain un- der which he had labored soon began to tell upon Dr. Brigham 's strength, and in 1849 his health gave out. On September 8, 1849, he breathed his last within the walls of the institution which his energy, foresight, wisdom and ability had converted from an empty shell to a flourishing home for the insane, and a seat of scientific research which was already attracting the attention of the medical world. On November 3, 1849, Dr. Nathan D. Benedict of Blockley Hospital, Phila- delphia, was appointed superintendent. He held the position for four and a half years, when failing health necessitated his resignation. The most im- portant events of this period were the installation of a heating and ventilating HISTORY OP ONEIDA COUNTY 403 system in 1851, features which had been sadly neglected by the original build- ers; grading of the lawns and roadways; setting out of trees on the grounds, and the abandoning of the strong rooms. The work on the grounds, which was begun during Dr. Benedict's time, was carried on under the direction of Mr. Charles A. Downing, of Newburgh, and to his eiforts and artistic taste are due the superb trees which to-day make the grounds one of the beauty spots of the city. Most of the planting was done in the years 1853-55. The abandoning of the strong rooms, though occurring during Dr. Benedict's jurisdiction, was really the idea of his assistant. Dr. John P. Gray. Prior to this time strong rooms, padded cells, and all manner of mechanical restraints were considered necessary for the care of the insane. In 1852, however. Dr. Gray, with his superior officer's consent, tried the experiment in the most disturbed men's ward of taking all the patients out of their confinement and allowing them to come to a common dining table. Such good order prevailed and the patients, as as a result of the kindness, were so much quieter, that very soon the strong rooms were unlocked, and, as rapidly as possible, remodeled into ordinary rooms. Since then the strong rooms have never been used, and seclusion is only an ex- ceptional practice instead of a rule. On July 19, 1854, Dr. John P. Gray was appointed to succeed Dr. Benedict. Dr. John Perdue Gray was born in Half Moon, Pa., in 1825. He received the degree of M. D., from the University of Pennsylvania in 1848, and was at once appointed to the Philadelphia Hospital. In 1850 he was made assistant in the Utica Asylum, and the rest of his life was spent in Utica. In 1854 he was appointed superintendent. Innovations which were instituted in the asylum immediately attracted the attention of psychiatrists to the young superintend- ent. His broad knowledge, keen judgment and legal mind caused Dr. Gray to be received as a man whose opinion was of weight, and before his death he was accepted as one of the first authorities in America on the subject of insanity. He was elected president of the Oneida County Medical Society in 1874 ; of the New York State Medical Society in 1867 ; of the New York State Medical Asso- ciation in 1884 ; of the Association of the. Superintendents of American Institu- tions for the Insane, and of the Association of Medical Editors. He was an honorary member of the Psychological Association of Great Britain; the So- ciete de Preniatrica of Italy, and the Medico-Psychologique of Paris. He was also president of the Psychological Section of the Ninth International Medical Congress in Washington in 1887, a duty, however, which he did not live to ful- fill. Dr. Gray may well be said to have been the most noted physician who ever lived and worked in Central New York. He died November 29, 1886. On July 14, 1857, fire gutted the main building of the institution and al- though fortunately the patients were all removed safely, Dr. Lauren P. Rose and one fireman lost their lives. Two years later the damage had been entirely repaired, many improvements having been made in the process. After the re^ pairs had been completed the average daily number of patients rapidly in- creased, and in the year 1860 the number reached 516. During the next decade the overcrowding became extreme, and the facilities for proper care of the patients much diminished in consequence, a condition, however, which was re- 404 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY lieved by the opening of the new Willard Asylum for the chronic cases in 1869, and the Hudson Eiver Hospital in 1872. In 1878, after many years of effort, a small hospital for the care of physi- cally ill and pregnant women was built, and fulfilled a long felt want. In 1879 day rooms were added for the women patients. In 1880 the shops were much enlarged, and in 1885 new additions were put on for the care of disturbed pa- tients. The same year cracks appeared in the walls at the northwest end of the main building and steadily widened, causing great anxiety as to its safety. Investigation showed that this end of the building was built on quicksand, the foundation of the inner walls being only three feet deep, resting on sand and gravel. The entire end of the building was propped on steel girders, the sand and gravel excavated, and new foundation walls built upon hardpan. In 1886 work on the Assembly Hall was commenced. Dr. Gray's administration may well be characterized as the period of the introduction of scientific research. In 1861 the work of the institution was or- ganized and systematic recording of the patient's case inaugurated. In 1868 Dr. E. R. Hun was appointed special pathologist, and in 1873 he was suc- ceeded by Mr. Theodore Deeke. Prom the appointment of Dr. Hun systematic post mortem examinations were made and recorded in the superintendent's an- nual reports. Photography and photomicrography were extensively made use of. In 1869 Dr. Henry D. Noyes of New York made extensive ophthalmoscopic examinations, and instructed the staff in the use of the opthalmoscope. Thor- ough studies of the blood and excreta of patients were made, and in every possible way scientific studies of the physical aspect of insanity were conducted, the reports, appearing in the American Journal of Insanity, attracting wide attention among European psychiatrists. After the death of Dr. Gray, Dr. G. Alder Blumer, the first assistant, was appointed superintendent on December 14, 1886. "With Dr. Blumer 's appoint- ment further changes made their appearance in rapid succession. His first act was to remove from the wards every instrument of mechanical restraint, the last "Utica crib" being removed January 18, 1887. This device, which was introduced by Dr. Gray, consisted of an ordinary bed with slatted sides and top, and was used to restrain patients whose physical condition demanded rest, but who, owing to their mental state, refused to remain in bed. Much odium is attached to the name of the "Utica crib," but the wildest stretch of the imagination cannot make of it an instrument of torture. Since 1887, how- ever, no patient has been restrained mechanically in the Utica institution, ex- cept for surgical reason. Dr. Blumer 's second reform was that of changing the institution from an asylum to a hospital. In 1887 the bare wards were carpeted and curtained, the attendants were put into uniforms similar to those of the hospital nurses, and the admission of visitors was interdicted except by card from the managers. In 1888 female nurses were placed upon the male wards, and Dr. Blumer sug- gested that the name be changed to the Utica State Hospital, thus eliminating the unpleasant terms "asylum" and "insane." This latter suggestion was carried out by act of legislature in 1890, since which time the "New York State Lunatic Asylum at Utica" has been known as the "Utica State Hospital." XEW YORK STATE LUNATIC ASYLT'M AS IT WAS ORIGINALLY BUILT (^■0^V CALLED STATE HOSPITAL) APPROACH TO THE XEW YORK STATE HOSPITAL AS IT XOW APPEARS HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 405 The third change which took place at this time was the systematic intro- duction of amusements, especially out-door games for the patients. On the opening of the Assembly Hall in 1887 weekly dances for the patients were in- augurated, and were greatly enjoyed by all who were able to attend. The first athletic field day was held on April 29, 1887, and was at once established as an annual event. In 1888 base baU games were held, a pleasure steamboat was procured for trips on the Erie canal, fire works were provided for Independ- ence Day, and a tree at Christmas. All of these proved such sources of pleas- ure and interest that they have become regular parts of the regime. In 1891 a large sleigh was purchased, and since then sleigh rides are almost daily events during the winter months. The years 1889 and 1890 are marked by two events of prime importance — the establishment of the State Commission of Lunacy and the passage of the State Care Act. The former took most of the power from the hands of the local managers and gave it to a state commission, and the latter provided that all the insane paupers in the state be removed from the jails and poorhouses and be sent to the state hospitals. The result of these two innovations was an era of rigid economy and supervision of the institutions, and at the same time the extreme overcrowding of the hospitals. In 1892 the overcrowding in the local hospital was in part relieved by the opening of the infirmary building for the care of 200 of the helpless and bed-ridden. This enlargement enabled the average population to be increased in 1892 to 811, but the relief was only tem- porary, and in 1895 an average of 1,004 patients were crowded into the hos- pital each day. In 1897 another great innovation was adopted in the leasing of 160 acres of land south of the institutional grounds and the opening of the "farm colony" or "Gray croft." In this twenty male patients were quartered as in an ordinary farm house, and kept working on the farm. The next year "Dixhurst" (named for Dorothea Dix, the reformer to whose labors, more than to those of any other one person is due the improvement in the methods of car- ing for the insane the world over), a similar house for twenty women, waa opened, and the Graycroft colony was increased to thirty-seven. Graycroft haa continued to the present and proved most successful. Dixhurst, however, waa abandoned in 1901, owing to the inability to purchase the land. With the pur- chase of Graycroft and other property in 1900, 230 acres were added to the original estate. On September 14, 1899, Dr. Blumer resigned to accept the position of super- intendent of the Butler Hospital in Providence, R. I. During his incumbency many changes had occurred. To those already mentioned may be added the increase in capacity of the institution from 600 in 1885 to over 1,100 in 1899, and the increase in percentage of patients employed in useful and pleasant occu- pations from 35 to over 60 per cent. Dr. Harold L. Palmer succeeded Dr. Blumer, having received his appoint- ment in November, 1899. During his term of office the policies of Dr. Blumer have been continued and extended, and the institution has been greatly enlarged and improved. In 1903 a new kitchen was built, and in 1904 a contagious pa- vilion for 34 patients was opened. In 1905 separate houses for the superintendent and the medical staff were completed, and the next year alterations in the old 406 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY staff quarters allowed space for 76 extra patients. The completion of the nurse's home in 1908 for 200 attendants increased the capacity by 100 more, while in January, 1909, the much needed acute hospital was opened, supplying proper means of caring for acute cases of insanity by all the modern hydro- therapeutic methods, and also giving the hospital a thoroughly up to date operat- ing room. The average daily number of patients for the year 1911 was 1,491. During the year 1911 the growth of the city has made it necessary to en- croach upon the grounds of the Utica State Hospital by extending Hickory street through its grounds. The bill allowing this passed the legislature early in July, and culminated a fight between the city and state which had its incep- tion in 1890. Such objection was raised to this division of the property that it has been deemed wise to move the hospital outside of the city, and on July 24, 1911, a bill passed the legislature authorizing the lunacy commission to pro- cure a site of 1,000 acres near the city of Utica, on which a new state hospital may be built. The managers of the Utica State Hospital for the year 1911 are Mr. George E. Dunham, president; Rev. Edward H. Coley, secretary; Mr. Thomas F. Baker, Miss Mary Isabel Doolittle, Mrs. Lizzie B. Constable, Mr. John D. Kernan and Lieut. WiUiam G. Mayer. The resident officers since the founding of the institution have been: Drs. Amariah Brigham, 1842-1849; H. A. Buttolph, 1843-47; D. T. Brown, 1846-47; J. B. Lee, 1847^48; C. H. Nichols, 1847-49; G. Cook, 1848-52; N. D. Benedict, 1849-54; M. G. Porter, 1849-51; John P. Gray, 1850-86; W. S. Headley, 1852- 54; E. H. VanDeusen, 1853-58; H. S. Swift, 1854-54; J. B. Chapin, 1854-57; L. A. TourteUot, 1855-62 and 1867-68; J. M. Cleaveland, 1857-67; F. Nash, 1856-59; P. M. Wright, 1859-62; A. 0. KeUogg, 1862^71; W. N. Whiteside, 1863-63; S. E. Shantz 1863-66; J. A. Emmerton, 1866-67; J. B. Andrews, 1867- 80; W. Kempster, 1868-73; D. H. Kitchen, 1871-74; W. S. Whitwell, 1873-73; W. B. Ford, 1873-79; A. T. Livingston, 1873-78; E. B. Smith, 1874-76; T. 6. Kendrick, 1876^79; E. N. Brush, 1876-85; W. Hailes, 1879-80; S. A. Russell, 1879-82; E. E. Josselyn, 1880-84; G. Alder Blumer, 1880-99; C. W. Pilgrim, 1882-90; 0. Backus, 1884-87; C. G. Wagner, 1885-92; W. Mabon, 1887-95; C. B. Atwood, 1888-92; R. R. Daly, 1890-93 ; Clara Smith, 1891- ; Harold L. Palmer, 1892- ; W. Steele, 1892-94; W. C. Gibson, 1894-99; J. N. Teeter, 1894-97; E. C. Gibney, 1895-97; F. H. Cook, 1896-96; G. H. Torney, 1896- ; H. L. K. Shaw, 1897-98 ; B. 6. Stout, 1898- ; W. Moflfatt, 1898-99 ; F. E. Van der Veer, 1900-1900; J. E. Haight, 1900- ; C. J. Slocum, 1900-02; T. I. Townsend, 1902-06; W. H. Montgomery, 1902^03; A. M. Phillips, 1903-04; A. C. Matthews, 1904-05; A. L. Smith, 1905-08; R. McC. Chapman, 1906-07; H. D. L. Spencer, 1908-09; T. J. Collison, 1909-09; S. W. Hamilton, 1909- ; W. Leavitt, 1909- ; C. Fletcher, 1910- 10;R. E. Clogher, 1910-. The AMEBiCim Journal op Insanity— In 1844, one year subsequent to the opening of the New York State Lunatic Asylum, Dr. Brigham, the superintend- ent, announced in a private letter to a friend that he was about to start the American Journal of Insanity to be published quarterly in octavo form. It was to be edited by the officers of the asylum, and its contents were intended for the general reader as well as for the medical profession. Dr. Brigham possessed HISTORY OP ONEIDA COUNTY 407 considerable literary ability and was a facile writer, who had already written several works of a semi-medical character. His purpose in starting the Journal was to popularize the study of insanity, and to interest physicians, lawyers and laymen in the idea of insanity as a disease of the brain, to be prevented and gen- erally cured by early treatment. The Journal was the first periodical in any language upon the subject of insanity, and deserves recognition as the pioneer in the field. Dr. Brigham lived to conduct the journal at great pecuniary sac- rifice and much arduous labor until his death in 1849. The contents, while under his charge, were an interesting combination of historical, literary and clinical studies, varying from description of buildings, rules of administration and methods of treatment of his own institution, to clinical notes, medico legal cases, statistical tables of all the institutions for the insane in America, and even in- cluded an article on insanity as presented in the writings of Cowper, Byron, Samuel Johnson, Shakespeare, Scott and others. The benefits which came from the journal in this early period can hardly be estimated. On the death of Dr. Brigham the managers of the a^lum assumed the finan- cial responsibility of the Journal, and prevailed upon Dr. T. Rbmeyn Beck, of Albany, an author and scholar of recognized ability, to become editor. In 1855 he was succeeded by Dr. John P. Gray. During his thirty years as editor Dr. Gray, assisted by such able psychiatrists as Drs. E. H. VanDeusen, J. B. Chapin, J. M. Cleaveland, N. O. Kellogg, J. B. Andrews, D. H. Kitchen, E. M. Brush and G. A. Blumer, pushed the design of its founder with characteristic energy and greatly enlarged and enriched the literature of the subject. During this time especial stress was laid upon medico-legal cases and methods of treatment. Upon Dr. Gray's death in 1886, Dr. G. Alder Blumer assumed the charge, and under his excellent editorship the scope of the Journal was much enlarged and connections were established with specialists in other countries. In 1895, the managers of the Utica State Hospital, fearful lest the change in their powers, in consequence of the appointment of the Lunacy Commission, might destroy the independence and character of the Journal, sold it to theAmeri- can Medico-Psychological Association. The office of the Journal was established in Chicago, and for three years it was edited by Dr. Richard Dewey. Owing, however, to a great pressure of private duties, he was compelled to resign the editorship, to the regret of all. The office was removed to Baltimore in 1898, and its publication put in the hands of the Johns Hopkins Press, with the follow- ing board of editors: Drs. G. Alder Blumer of Providence, E. N. Brush of Baltimore, Charles K. Clarke of Toronto, J. Montgomery Mosher of Toronto, and Henry M. Hurd of Baltimore. It is to the kindness of the last named gen- tleman that the facts concerning the history of this journal were obtained,— facts worthy of preservation in a history of Oneida county, as the Journal, for over half a century, was edited and published within the confines of the county, and went from here to all parts of the world to be the mouth-piece of the leaders of the scientific study of insanity. The Journal is now in its sixty- seventh volume. Dr. Charles Broadhead Coventry — Among the many physicians who be- gan practice in the county during the second quarter of the nineteenth century, 408 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY none is more worthy of notice than Dr. Charles Broadhead Coventry. Born in Deerfield in 1801, he studied medicine in the offices of his father, Dr. Alex- ander Coventry and Dr. John McCall, and graduated from the Fairfield Med- ical School in 1825. After serving as lecturer on materia medica in the Berk- shire Medical College for three years he went to New York, but on the death of his father returned to his native home and formed a partnership with Dr. McCall. For forty years Dr. Coventry was one of the leading physicians of this part of the state. In 1839 he was made professor of materia medica and obstetrics in the newly formed Geneva Medical College, and in 1846 he be- came professor of physiology and jurisprudence in the Buffalo Medical College. The first one to advocate the organization of an asylum for the insane, he was appointed a manager of the State Asylum. He was president of St. Luke's Hospital. His interest in the work of the medical societies was unceasing. For many years he was treasurer and librarian of the Oneida County Medical Society, and was the president in 1841, 1842 and 1864, while in 1854 he was elected president of the Medical Society of the State of New York. Though never robust, and occasionally subject to pulmonary hemorrhages. Dr. Coven- try lived to practice just fifty years, and died a most highly honored man in 1875. In 1832 Dr. Coventry was sent by the city of Utica to several of the large eastern cities to study the methods of preventing cholera, which was then becoming epidemic; and again in 1848, while in Europe for his health, he made a deep study of this much dreaded disease. His son, Dr. Walter B. Coventry, after practicing in Utica for a few years, during which he acted as librarian, secretary and vice president of the Oneida County Medical Society, died in 1865, his health having been shattered during his service as surgeon in the Union army. De. Theodoee Dimon was born at Fairfield, Conn., September 19, 1816. He graduated from Yale College in 1835, and received the degree of M. D., from the University of Pennsylvania in 1838. After one year's practice in Stockbridge, Mass., he came to Utica in 1839. A few years later he moved to Auburn, and in 1849 went to California, where he became the first presi- dent of the first medical society organized in that state. In 1862 he became surgeon of the 19th New York Regiment, afterwards converted into the 3d N. Y. Artillery. He served for two years, and was later appointed agent by Governor Seymour to care for the sick and wounded New York soldiers. While serving in this capacity at Gettysburg he first suggested using the battlefield as a cemetery. Returning to Auburn in 1865, he was appointed surgeon to the State's Prison, and later superintendent of the State Asylum for Insane Crimi- nals. He died in Auburn, July 22, 1889, and was buried at Utica. Dr. Moses M. Bagg was born in Utica in 1816. After attending Hamilton College and graduating from Yale, he studied medicine with Dr. Charles B. Coventry, and received his degree from the Geneva Medical CoUege. After extensive study in Europe he opened an office in Utica in 1845, and for many years was one of the city's leading physicians. At various times he held the position of president, vice president, secretary and librarian of the County Dr. Samuel Wolcott, Utica Di". Robert Frazier, Camden Dr. R. E. Sutton, Rome Dr. S. O. Scudder, Rome Dr- Claude Wilson, Watervllle PROMINENT PHYSICIANS OF THE COINTY HISTOEY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 409 Society. Prominent as Dr. Bagg was as a physician, he will be known to posterity more as a literary man and historian than as a doctor. Dr. Bagg had a passion for historical research, and his three chief works, ' ' The Pioneers of Utica," 1877, "The Memorial History of Utica," 1892, and "The Founders of the Oneida County Medical Society" are monuments to his painstaking study and collaboration. Dr. Bagg died in Utica, May 3, 1900. The facts concerning the pioneer physician of this county presented in this history have been drawn largely from Dr. Bagg's writings, to which the author makes grateful acknow- ledgement. De. Daniel P. Bissell was prominent in Utica both professionally and polit- ically. He was a graduate of the Yale Medical School in 1826. After prac- ticing for some years in Livingstone county he came to Utica, where he was so highly respected that in 1852 he was elected president of the County Society, and in 1862 and 1863 vice president, and president of the State Medical Society. De. Geoege "W. Cleveland of Waterville was born in Westmoreland in 1808, graduated from the Fairfield Medical School in 1831, and began practice in "Waterville in 1836. He continued as a prominent figure in his section of the county until his death, December 4, 1884. In 1870 he was made vice presi- dent, and in 1879, president of the County Medical Society. De. Nicholl Havens Deeing was bom in Shelter Island, January 1, 1794, a member of a family which held a position of eminence in Colonial America. He graduated from Yale College in 1813, studied medicine under Dr. John Osborn of New York City, and received his doctorate from the College of Physi- cians and Surgeons in 1817. Almost immediately Dr. Dering stepped into a prominent position among the medical men of New York City. In 1818 Gov- ernor Clinton appointed him Health Commissioner of the port of New York, and ex officio member of the Board of Health of the city of New York, posi- tions which he held for two years. From 1823 to 1825 he was secretary of the Medical Society of the County of New York, and in 1827 he was elected to the responsible position of Registrar of the College of Physicians and Surgeons ; at about the same time he was made a trustee of the same institution, and in 1844 received the title of Fellow. His arduous labors, however, undermined Dr. Dering 's health, and in 1842 he was forced to resign his position in New York and moved to Rome. In 1847 he removed to Utica, where he remained until his death December 19, 1867. Dr. Dering 's cultivation, dignity, knowl- edge and innate refinement quickly won for him recognition in his new home, and during his twenty-five years in Oneida county he held the highest position as physician, scholar and gentleman. In 1856 his ability was officially recog- nized by his election to the presidency of the Medical Society of the County of Oneida. De. Daniel G. Thomas was a native of Dutchess county and was of Quaker origin. He was born in the year 1806. He received his education at Fairfield and Philadelphia, and after graduation practiced successively in Norwich, New 410 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY Hartford and Whitestown. In 1848 he removed to Utica, and became a part- ner of Dr. Charles Coventry. After many years of successful practice he died in Utica, March 26, 1880. He was elected secretary of the Oneida County Medi- cal Society in 1839, president in 1850, and treasurer from 1852 to 1865. De. William Russell was born in Glasgow, Scotland, June 5, 1821, and came to Oneida county with his father in 1832. He graduated from the Berk- shire Medical College in 1848, and, after taking a post graduate course in New York began practice in Utica in 1849, where he remained until his death, June 27, 1890. Dr. Russell was for ten years secretary, in 1869 vice president, and in 1871 president of the Oneida County Medical Society. His son, Dr. Charles P. Russell, was also a successful practitioner in Utica for many years. Dr. Robeet Feazdee of Camden, was born in Bethlehem, Albany county, February 17, 1817. He was a graduate of the Albany Medical College in 1838. He immediately began practice in McConneUsville, where he remained until 1859, when he moved into Camden, where he practiced until his death in 1891. Always interested in public affairs, Dr. Frazier was a member of the state legislature and of the board of supervisors. He was postmaster of Camden, and for many years chairman of the board of education. Of literary tastes, he was the organizer of a literary society. As president of the board of water commissioners he was very influential in procuring a system of waterworks for Camden. In 1866 he was elected vice president and, in 1872, president of the Oneida County Medical Society. The three events of most importance during the fifties were the semi-cen- tennial of the Oneida County Medical Society, the opening of the Utica City Hospital in 1856, and the organization of the Oneida County Homeopathic Medical Society in 1857. The first officers of the latter society were Dr. E. H. Munger, of Waterville, president ; Dr. William B. Stebbins, of Little Falls, vice president ; and Dr. Thomas F. Pomeroy, of Utica, secretary and treasurer. The other charter members were Drs. John A. Paine, L. B. Wells, J. C. Raymond, W. H. Watson and H. E. Dykeman of Utica, and H. M. Paine of Clinton. This society has led a successful existence to the present day, and two of its members still living, but retired from practice, Dr. William H. Watson and Dr. M. 0. Terry, have risen to the position of Surgeon General of the State of New York. Utica General Hospitai^Iu the year 1856 the city of Utica built, at a cost of $12,000, a three story brick building on South street to be used as a workhouse. Two years later, through the efforts of Dr. Ira D. Hopkins, however, this edifice was adopted to hospital purposes, and became known as the Utica City Hospital. It was used as an abode for the sick, as a repository for drunkards, and for various other purposes. A caretaker, called a keeper, and his wife were put in charge, and an attending physician was appointed. The first attendant was Dr. Ira D. Hopkins, and he was followed by Drs. J. B. Jones, T. M. Bergen, Moses Bagg, Alonzo Churchill, J. H. Glass, J. G. Kil- bourn, J. F. Douglass, J. R. Broom and H. E. Brown. In 1873, on the forma- tion of the Charity Commission, the City Hospital went under its control, but HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 411 no great change was made in its regime. Prior to 1886 the operating in the hospital was done in the wards or in vacant cells or rooms. In 1886, however, one of the retention cells was converted into a permanent surgery, and, though the appliances were somewhat primitive, the institution was kept in a clean condition, the diet was good and nutritious, and a large amount of good med- ical and surgical work was carried on. As the building grew older and the plumbing became defective, the City Hospital gradually became less and less what a hospital should be, and in 1902 it was decided entirely to reorganize the institution. During the next two years the building was completely renovated, an operating room, patholog- ical laboratory, porches, new flooring and plumbing, and many other improve- ments were installed, in the effort to make the institution agree with the modern idea of a first class hospital. On July 15, 1903, the renovated institution was put in charge of a medical staff, consisting of members of the regular and homeopathic school, each physician serving three to six months out of the year. The name was changed to "Utica General Hospital." With the increased facilities the number of patients to receive treatment has increased rapidly. Whereas, in 1901, but 345 patients received treatment, in 1905 there were 419, in 1906 there were 653, and in 1910, 812 patients. In 1904 a pavilion for contagious diseases was opened, 150 by 30 feet in size, and in 1905 a nurse's training school was started. The present capacity of the main building is 50, and of the contagious pavilion 25. The following physicians have been on the visiting staff since the reorgani- zation in 1903, the names in italics still serving: Drs. J. H. Glass, E. M. Hyland, J. G. Kilboum, M. 0. Terry, W. C. Gibson, H. 8. Quinn, C. E. Chase, C. G. Capron, W. B. Ford, J. D. Jones, F. H. Peck, A. B. Grant, C. P. Russell, G. M. Fisher, 8. C. Maxson, T. H. Farrell, L. W. Dean, W. B. Boemer, S. W. Rice, T. J. Bergen, F. J. Douglass, S. J. Fairbanks, W. S. Nelson, R. L. Baker, E. B. Guile, D. B. Kinloch, M. J. Davies, C. E. AlUaume, L B. Amsbry, H. H. 8haw, W. J. Schuyler, F. W. 8mith, F. B. Ford, W. H. Beattie, F. T. Owens, C. H. Baldwin. CIVIL WAS SURGEONS Many Oneida county physicians served their country as surgeons during the Civil war. Those whose records have been obtainable from the office of the Surgeon General in Washington are as follows: Dr. Alonzo Churchill (Utica), assistant surgeon 14th N. Y. Infantry, May 17, 1861 ; mustered out May 24, 1863. Surgeon 8th N. Y. Heavy Artillery, Nov. 10, 1863 ; mustered out June 3, 1865. ' Died at Utica, N. Y., December 28, 1896. Dr. Walter B. Coventry (Utica), surgeon 26th N. Y. Infantry, May 21, 1861 ; mustered out May 28, 1863 ; died Marquette, September 2, 1865. Dr. Edvtin Hutchinson (Utica), medical cadet, U. S. A., September 24, 1861; discharged September 1, 1862. Assistant surgeon 3d Maryland In- 412 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY fantry, September 2, 1862 ; resigned September 16, 1863. Surgeon 137th N. Y. Infantry, September 17, 1863; mustered out June 1, 1865. Died Utica, N. Y., October 18, 1887. De. Thomas Macomb Plandeau (Rome), surgeon 146th N. Y. Infantry, October 10, 1862; mustered out July 16, 1865; died Rome, N. Y., August 8, 1898. De. David Albeet Baknum (Cassville), assistant surgeon 16th N. Y. Heavy Artillery, March 1, 1865 ; mustered out August 21, 1865. Died Cassville, N. Y., January 1, 1905. De. C. Judson Hill (Utica), assistant surgeon 91st N. Y. Infantry, De- cember, 1861; discharged November 22, 1864. Died Utica, N. Y., February 18, 1891. De. Samuel Gaednee Woloott (Utica), contract surgeon. May 8, 1864; annuUed August 30, 1864. Died Utica, N. Y., June 3, 1883. De. William Henet Nelson (Taberg), contract surgeon, March 7, 1862; annuUed April 10, 1862. Died Taberg, N. Y., July 22, 1899. De. Albeet M. Somees (Deansboro), assistant surgeon 146 N Y. Infantry, October 18, 1862; discharged December 7, 1862. Died Deansboro, N. Y., No- vember 10, 1904. De. Joseph B. "West (Utica), assistant surgeon 14th N. Y. Infantry. Sur- geon 28th N. Y. Infantry. Died Utica, N. Y., March 6, 1897. De. Geoege Setmoue (Utica), contract surgeon. Died October, 1909, at Utica, N. Y. De. Richaed E. Sutton (Rome), surgeon 115 N. Y. Infantry. Contract surgeon. Died at Rome, November 10, 1897. De. Matthias Cook (Utica), contract surgeon. Assistant surgeon 2d Ohio Cavalry. Died at Utica, N. Y., March 7, 1910. De. Samuel Ingeaham (Verona), assistant surgeon 14th N. Y. Infantry. Assistant surgeon 117th N. Y. Infantry. Died Glen Echo, N. Y., August 2, 1893. De. Edwaed Loomis (Westmoreland), surgeon 117th N. Y. Infantry. Died Oneida, N. Y., July 7, 1895. De. Henet W. Caepenteb (Trenton), assistant surgeon 117th N. Y. In- fantry; surgeon 117th N. Y. Infantry. Died Oneida, N. Y., May 19, 1897. XD > O HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 413 Dr. William H. H. Moeris (Utica), assistant surgeon 146th N. Y. In- fantry. Died Brooklyn, N. Y., May 3, 1907. De. Wakren E. Day ("West Schuyler), assistant surgeon 117th N. Y. In- fantry; contract surgeon. For some years after the war Dr. Day practiced in Utica, but later moved to Prescott, Arizona. The period immediately following the close of the Civil War marks the be- ginning of the organization of private hospitals in the county, and from that date to the present the history of the medical profession centers largely around the activities of the various hospitals. These institutions, in the order of their organization, were: St. Elizabeth's Hospital, 1867; St. Luke's Home, 1869; The Utica City Dispensary, 1870 ; Faxton Hospital, 1875 ; Rome Hospital, 1884 ; and the Utica Homeopathic Hospital, 1895. Saint Elizabeth 's Hospital and Home — In the year 1866 Mother Bemardina of the Order of St. Francis, who, for seven years had been teaching school and visiting the homes of the sick in West Utica, found an old woman who needed better care than could be given her in her hovel. A tenement house on Col- umbia street at that time being vacant, the Mother engaged it, cleaned it up, and removed her one patient to that shelter. Thus was founded St. Eliza- beth's -Hospital, the first private hospital in Oneida county. By hard work, with fairs, bazaars, balls and theatricals, the Catholic ladies of Utica raised money to support and increase the hospital. Dr. Edwin Hutchinson was given medical charge, and had practically complete control from the foundation until his death in 1887. Many other physicians, however, availed themselves of the privileges of the hospital, where all were welcome, and a few, among them Drs. Joseph E. West, George Seymour and Frank D. Crim, held staff appoint- ments. It soon being evident that the small tenement was neither large enough nor sufficiently fireproof to house the sick, efforts were for years made to raise the necessary money to erect a suitable building. In these efforts Dr. Hutchinson was especially active. Finally a way was seen clear to commence construction, and in 1887 the new hospital was opened. The opening, how- ever, was not the occasion for joy which had been anticipated, for the first patient to be admitted was the brilliant surgeon in charge, who had for so many years worked to achieve this end. Dr. Hutchinson saw the completion of his long years of effort, but saw it with the eyes of a dying man. After Dr. Hutchinson's death it was decided to have a larger attending staff, and Dr. Hamilton Quinn was appointed surgeon in charge. In 1895 Dr. Quinn resigned and was succeeded by Dr. E. M. Hyland, who holds the position at the present day. In the fall of the same year the new surgery was opened. The hospital at present has accommodations for 42 patients, 16 in private rooms and 26 in wards. In the year 1910, 712 patients were cared for. In 1910, thirteen acres of land, comprising the Joseph Parker property on Genesee street just south of the home of the late William Blaikie was purchased by the hospital, and it is expected that in the spring of 1912 ground will be broken for a new large modern hospital on that site. 414 HISTORY OP ONEIDA COUNTY Besides the surgeons in charge the following have held appointments on the stafe of the hospital, those in italics being present members: Drs. J. H. Glass, J. G. Kilbourn, W. B. Palmer, H. R. Simmons, E. D. FuUer, William Gibson, C. P. Russell, H. G. Jones, J. D. Jones, W. A. Burgess, W. E. Wetmore, L. F. Pattengill, D. C. Dye, L. H. Jones, E. E. Brown, C. G. Ward, J. F. Wingen- bach, 8. G. Maxson, C. R. Weed, W. 8. Morris, F. M. Miller, A. M. Johnston, H. H. Lenahan, H. E. 8haw, W. D. Peckham, H. J. Brayton, G. M. Fisher, M. D. Graham, F. E. Church, E. P. Cutter, W. V. Quin, L. W. Lock, and F. J. Owens. Saint Luke's Home and Hospitalt— In 1867 the rector of Grace Church, Dr. VanDeusen, appealed in a sermon to his parishioners for the foundation of a Home for Aged Women, the result of which was the donation by Mr. Tru- man K. Butler of an unfinished house on Columbia street for this purpose, and in the fall of 1869 St. Luke's Home was opened. For three years the duties of the institution were confined to the aged, but in 1872 the adjoining building was added and a hospital department was opened. An appeal was made to the medical profession, and the following fourteen physicians offered their services to the hospital: Drs. Bagg, Spear, Uhlein, Russell, Churchill, Hopkins, Chamberlayne, Rathbun, Hastings, Wells, Watson, HiU, Raymond and Gardner. The first year the hospital had four patients. For the next few years the history of the institution is somewhat hazy. In 1878 the Board of Almoners of the Home and the managers of the Hospital Department were united, and the usefulness of the hospital was thereby increased, in that year twenty-two patients having been cared for. In 1881 a change was made, in that two visiting physicians were appointed, Dr. George Seymour, representing the regular school, and Dr. Charles E. Chase, the homeopathic. In this year seventy- nine patients received care, and a free dispensary was opened. The year 1882 marks a turning point in the history of the institution, as the "one man system" was adopted, by which a single medical director was given complete authority in the hospital, all other members of the staff being his associates. Dr. Willis E. Ford was appointed to the position, and has held it ever since. Drs. James H. Glass and William H. Booth were made visiting surgeons. From that date the hospital has grown steadily in size and useful- ness. In 1887 the old building had become so overcrowded with its 214 patients, that a new building, containing twenty private rooms, two wards, an operating room and an electrical plant was built. During the year 1888 a great ad- vance was made by the organization of the St. Luke's Training School for Nurses, said to be the first training school off the Atlantic coast. The results of this innovation are too well known to require comment. In 1892 the hospital had again outgrown its quarters, and a large addition was built, doubling the capacity, and including a children's ward. In 1894 the need was felt for a summer hospital for infants suffering from cholera infantum, and one was started on the New Hartford road. For three years this was well filled, but the sanitary reforms inaugurated in the city at the time caused such a marked decrease in this class of patients, that the hospital was cleared in .1900. In 1896 the family of the late P. V. Rogers presented to CITY HOSPITAL. UTICA ST. LUKE'S HOSPITAL, UTILA HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 415 the hospital a well equipped surgery, to be known as the Rogers Memorial Operating Room. For the next nine years but few changes were made, except those necessitated by the rapid increase in the number of patients treated, which had grown in 1904 to 594. For several years it had been evident that the overcrowded con- dition of the hospital demanded a radical increase in capacity. As the need became pressing it was met by the generosity of Mr. and Mrs. Frederick T. Procter, who built and furnished completely the imposing new institution near the western boundaries of the city, which was opened October 17, 1905, thus again doubling the usefulness of the hospital, in which, during the year 1910, 1,052 patients were treated. In 1906 the Als leh Khan Society presented a fund for the support of a visiting nurse, and in 1908 the donors of the new hospital added a well equipped isolation pavilion. The physicians who have been members of the visiting staff since its re- organization in 1882, with the dates of their appointment are as follows, those at present serving being ia italics : 1882, Drs. Willis E. Ford, James H. Glass and Wilbur H. Booth ; 1885, Drs. William M. Gibson and James O. Kilhourn; 1887, Drs. E. D. Fuller and J. Sands Maxson ; 1888, Drs. M. M. Bagg, Chas. P. Russell and George Seymour ; 1889, Drs. J. D. Jones and H. G. Jones; 1890, Dr. A. J. Brown; 1891, Dr. A. R. Simmons; 1892, Dr. William J. Schuyler; 1894, Dr. F. H. Peck; 1896, Dr. Angeline Martine; 1898, Drs. J. N. Teeter, P. J. Campbell and Wm. Stump ; 1901, Drs. Walter C. Gibson and G. M. Fisher; 1902, Dr. R. O. Lees; 1903, Dr. W. B. Boemer; 1905, Drs. Andrew Sloan and Lewis Amsbry; 1906, Drs. W. H. Beattie and H. N. Squier; 1907, Drs. C. A. Frost and F. R. Ford; 1909, Dr. D. R. Einloch. The Utica City Dispensabt — On September 24, 1870, the Utiea City Dis- pensary was incorporated "to supply medicines and medical and surgical aid to the sick poor of the city of Utica." The incorporators were Mr. Charles W. Hutchinson, James F. Mann, William Kernan, Ellis H. Roberts and John P. Seymour. The first board of managers was composed of Drs. Wales Buel, C. B. Tefft, Hugh Sloan, J. E. West, Ira D. Hopkins, Wm. L. Baldwin, Edwin Hutchinson, and Messrs. Henry Martin, John M. Crouse, James Watson Wil- liams, Thomas Burke and Parker W. Tefft. The original ofScers were : Presi- dent, Mr. Williams ; vice president, Dr. Buel ; secretary. Dr. Baldwin ; treasurer. Dr. Tefft. Money for the support of the Dispensary was raised by popular subscription, a house was rented on Elizabeth street opposite Grace Church, and the physicians of the board of managers acted as attending physicians. In 1872 Mrs. James Watson Williams donated the house at 26 Elizabeth street, which for many years was the home of the Dispensary, which, with certain brief lapses, has been open since that date. In 1879 Mr. Edward Curran was elected president, and a thorough reorganization was effected. On Jan- uary 13, 1903, the property of the Dispensary having been condenmed to make room for the new court house, and the proceeds of its sale having been utilized for the purchase of the house at 124 Mary street, the institution was removed to that address. In June, 1908, the present organization was adopted and special tuberculosis and throat clinics established. The present officers are: 416 HISTOEY OF ONEIDA COUNTY Dr. James H. Glass, president; Mr. Edward Brandegee, vice president; Dr. William Gibson, secretary, and Dr. Ira D. Hopkins, treasurer. The staff for the year 1911 consists of Drs. C. H. Baldwin, chief of staff; Lewis Amsbry, Flor- ence I. Staunton, F. H. Owens and J. W. "W. Dimon. Faxton Hospital was erected during the years 1874 and 1875 by Hon. Theodore S. Faxton. The original charter required that the institution be opened to physicians of all schools, and in 1889 an amendment was adopted that two physicians in charge be appointed, one representing the Medical So- ciety of the County of Oneida, and the other the Homeopathic Medical Society of the County of Oneida. Dr. Alonzo Churchill was the first surgeon in chief. In 1879 Drs. Booth and Terry held these positions, and the visiting staff con- sisted of Drs. Churchill, Isaac Douglass, Chamberlayne, WeUs, Moore, William H. Watson, Gardner, William RusseU, James Hiint, Bagg, W. E. Ford, W. Clarke and C. E. Chase. It was early found that the demand for a hospital was not great enough to fill the available space, and in 1878 the two upper floors were converted into a home for aged men, the building serving this double function for several years. During the next ten years the growth of the hospital was slow, in the year 1889 only fifty-two patients having been treated within its walls. In 1891 the entire institution was renovated. In the year 1892 Dr. James H. Glass was made a member of the visiting staff, and in 1893 was appointed surgeon in charge of the regular staff. In 1892, under the efficient direction of Miss Katherine Newman, the training school was founded. The year 1895 is noted for two facts — ^the withdrawal of the homeopathic staff, thus placing the entire service under Dr. Glass as surgeon in charge, and the appointment of a resident physician. Dr. J. Fred Douglass being the first incumbent. Since this change was made the progress of the hospital has been continuous. In 1897 the Florence Nightingale Home for Nurses was opened and an X-ray plant installed. The Fox-Hayward Memorial, the gift of Mrs. Helen Hayward in memory of her father and husband, was completed in 1899, and supplied the hospital with a thoroughly up to date surgical plant. The rapid increase in the work of the hospital, from 52 patients in 1888, to 340 in 1895, and 684 in 1900, to 939 in 1905, made further increase necessary, and in November, 1907, the Nicholas F. Vedder Memorial was built from funds bequeathed by Mr. Vedder. This new wing contained a second complete surg- ical suite, a number of private rooms, a dormitory for private nurses, and a well equipped pathological laboratory, the gift of Mrs. Edwin Thorn. In 1903 Mrs. Eobert Williams endowed a district nurse, and the next year built the Williams Memorial building for use as an isolation ward. In 1910 this was changed into an obstetrical pavilion. The increased facilities of the hos- pital have caused its increased usefulness, and during the year 1910 its private rooms and ward beds have been occupied by 1,231 patients. The following physicians have been members of its visiting staff since its reorganization in 1894, the names in italics being still on the staff: Drs. James H. Glass, S. R. Simmons, J. G. Kilbourn, F. F. Ellenwood, H. C. Palmer, L. F. PattengiU, W. B. Palmer, LeRoy Jones, J. M. Ross, H. E. Shumway, F. H. Brewer, C. G. FAXTON HOSPITAL, UTICA HOMEOPATHIC HOSPITAL. UTICA HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 417 Ward, C. B. Tefft, M. J. Davies, W. H. Brownell, Wm. Powell, Chas. W. Crumb, Chas. P. Russell, Theodore Deecke, Jas. G. Hunt, D. E. Bobetts and David Eynon; 1895, Wm. Stump; 1896, Drs. C. V. J. Doolittle and D. R. Kinloeh; 1897, Drs. F. J. Douglass and T. E. Farrell; 1899, Drs. F. D. Grim and Wm. Moffatt; 1900, Dr. H. H. Wilson; 1901, Dr. F. W. Smith; 1902, Drs. S. W. Rice, B: L. Baker, P. S. Delong and John Groman; 1904, Dr. Wm. S. Nelson; 1905, Dr. A. T. Davis; 1906, Dr. G. Eune Baldwin; 1907, Dr. J. T. Gage; 1908, Drs. T. G. Gifford, Florence J. Staunton, and J. W. Bayhill; 1910, Drs. E. D. L. Spence, J. W. W. Dimon, F. Boiertaccio, J. W. Flemming, J. Bossi and T. Wood Glarke. Rome Hospital — In January of the year 1883, as the result of a fire in the city of Rome, in which two men were fatally injured and were cared for in a vacant store, and of a railroad accident, the victims of which had to be tended in the private residence of Dr. T. M. Flandrau, this gentleman and his wife began work to arouse public sentiment as to the need of a hospital for the care of such cases. To the indefatigable work of these two public-spirited citi- zens is due the Rome Hospital. In the words of Mrs. Wheeler Armstrong, in a presidential address in 1899, "Dr. and Mrs. Flandrau were in reality the founders, and to them we owe our hospital." On May 31, 1883, the Bureau of Employment and Relief, a society of philan- thropic ladies, urged thereto by Mrs. Flandrau 's appeals, appointed a committee consisting of Mary L. Huntington, Adalyn E. Hay den and Phebe H. Stryker, to "write an appeal for help from the city to start a Cottage Hospital." The response from the Common Council was prompt, the rectory of St. Joseph's Church on Ridge street being rented for three years at $300 a year. By means of a charity ball, fairs and concerts sufficient funds were raised, on March 7, 1884, articles of incorporation were issued, and on April 3, 1884, the Rome Hospital received its first patient. The first president of the Board of Trustees was Mrs. F. A. Ethridge, and the original medical stafiE consisted of Drs. T. M. Flandrau, chairman; W. J. P. Kingsley, T. G. Nock, Jr., H. C. Palmer, R. E. Sutton, H. C. Sutton and S. 0. Scudder. The first year thirteen patients were cared for. It soon became evident that the house selected was not suited to the purposes of a hospital, and in 1887 the trustees decided to build their own hospital. Money was raised by subscription, a lot on Garden street 275 by 200 feet in size was purchased for $1,130, the cornerstone was laid by Dr. Flan- drau on September 27, 1887, and on June 28, 1888 the present hospital was formally opened, the total cost of grounds and construction approximating $13,000. The expenses of maintenance were met by an annual appropriation from the city of $500, from a long list of "life members" who subscribed $25 each, from balls, fairs and kermisses. In 1892 the medical staff appealed for an operating room, but it was not until 1895 that this was obtained. The same year a trained nurse, Miss Rose Ellis, was made head nurse. In 1898, on the death of Dr. Flandrau, Dr. H. C. Sutton was elected chief of staff. During that year the number of patients admitted first passed the one hundred mark, and the city authorities, recognizing the increased scope of the work, raised their appropriation to $1,000. In 1901 the training school for nurses was organized ■Vol. I— M 4ig HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY and the surgery improved. During the years 1905-06 extensive alterations were made. A new annex was built with money given by Dr. C. C. Reid, Mr. Jonathan S. Haselton and others, the lower floor of which contained a thor- ough surgical plant, and the upper floor was used as a nurses' home. The second floor of the main building, formerly used for employes, was converted into patient's rooms, and the men's ward was enlarged. The result of the enlargement was that during the year 1906, the number of patients admitted increased to 290. In 1906 the training school adopted the curriculum required by the State Board of Regents, and in 1909 the degree of "R. N." was awarded to the graduates. In 1906, Miss Katherine Newman, who had been so active in the reorganization of Faxton Hospital in Utica, was made superintendent, and again the hospital underwent a thorough overhauling. The third floor was converted into a maternity ward, the surgical department was more com- pletely isolated, and in various ways the hospital was brought thoroughly up to date. On the resignation of Dr. Sutton, due to ill health, in 1907, Dr. W. B. Reid was appointed surgeon in charge by the trustees. After a few months* service, however, the medical staff elected Dr. A. A. Gillette, then the chief of the medical service, to the position of president of the medical staff in com- plete charge of all the work of the institution, and shortly afterwards Dr. Reid's connection with the Rome Hospital was severed. In 1908 an X-ray plant was installed and a first class pathological laboratory equipped. The growth of the institution during the past few years has been very rapid, both as to the num- ber of patients and the increased facilities for scientific medical and surgical work. During the year ending 1911 the thirty beds in the hospital had con- tained 412 patients. The president of the medical staff at present is Dr. H. D. White. The members of the medical staff since the organization of the hos- pital are as follows, the names in italics being at present on the staff: Drs. T. M. Flandrau, W. J. P. Kingsley, T. G. Nock, Jr., H. C. Palmer, R. E. Sutton, H. C. Sutton, S. 0. Scudder, Eliza Ellinwood, Edwin Evans, James S. Whaley, A. Gifford, M. C. West, A. A. Gillette, E. J. Lawton, Julia Marehand, C. C. Reid, A. B. Southwick, R. F. Tousley, W. L. Kingsley, Wm. Kuhn, N. C. Scudder, J. Middleditch, A. E. Dietrick, J. R. Post, T. P. Scully, C. B. West, W. B. Reid, H. D. White, S. B. Kingsley, G. N. Lehr, C. B. Mahady, H. P. Bartlett, E. F. Eubbard, H. J. Teller, C. A. Frost, J. 0. Stranahan, A. J. Brown, D. C. Broga, K. E. Williams, J. L. Golly and J. T. Wingate. Utica Homeopathic Hospital— At the time of the withdrawal of the homeo- pathic staff of visiting physicians from Faxton Hospital in 1895, the members of that school of medicine in Utica, requiring a hospital in which to carry on their work, raised a sum of money and the residence at 684 Genesee street was purchased for that purpose from the estate of the late Theodore F. Butter- field. The building was renovated and altered to make it suitable for the care of the ^ sick, and on September 23, 1895, the Utica Homeopathic Hospital was opened to the public. Dr. William H. Watson was the first president of the board of trustees, and the original visiting staff consisted of Dr. F. F. Laird, medical director; Dr. M. 0. Terry, surgeon in charges; Dr. W. H. Watson, HISTOEY OP ONEIDA COUNTY 419 resident consulting surgeon; Drs. C. G. Capron, B. B. Guile, J. DeV. Moore, Sue A. "White, C. E. Chase and M. E. Hennessey. Though handicapped by a heavy debt, the hospital has maintained a useful existence since its foundation, and many patients have been cared for within its walls, not only by homeopathic physicians, but by various members of the "old school," who are always cordially welcomed when they bring patients to the hospital. The staff remained practically unchanged until Dr. Laird's fail- ing health in 1900 necessitated his removal to California, when Dr. Terry, already surgeon in charge, assumed the duties of medical director as well, thus obtaining complete control of the hospital. Dr. Terry remained in charge until his sudden resignation from the staff and removal from the city in December, 1905, left the institution temporarily without a head. In January, 1906, how- ever, the old order of dual authority was again adopted. Dr. C. G. Capron was appointed medical director, and Dr. A. E. Grant surgeon in charge. The success of the hospital under the present administration may be judged from the fact that in 1910, 275 patients were admitted, and in 1911 the hospital paid off its entire indebtedness. The visiting staff in 1911 consists of Dr. C. G. Capron, medical director; Dr. A. E. Grant, surgeon in charge; Drs. C. E. Alliaume, E. C. Babeock, C. E. Chase, L. W. Dean, L. J. Fairbanks, E. A. Gaydgj C. B. Guile, C. T. Haines, H. A. Harrison, M. W. Johns and Abbie H Lewis. Dr. Thomas Macomb Flandrau was bom in New York in 1826, of Huguenot stock. After graduating from the National Medical College in Washington in 1848, and practicing a short time in Georgetown, he came to Whitesboro. In 1853 he moved to Home and became a partner of Dr. Arba Blair. In 1862 he was commissioned a surgeon in the Union army, being assigned to the 146th N. Y. Infantry. He served with distinction through the war, finally being made surgeon in chief of the 2d Division Fifth Army Corps. After returning to Eome Dr. Flandrau rapidly became prominent in medical circles. He was attending physician to the Central New York Institute for Deaf Mutes, a mem- ber of the Board of Health and Board of Education, the organizer and first medical director of the Rome Hospital, and in 1869 was elected president of the Oneida County Medical Society. For many years Dr. Flandrau was the leading surgeon in Eome. He died August 8, 1898. De. M. Calvin West was bom in Eome in 1843. In 1857 he entered the office of an uncle in Hagarstown, Indiana, and in 1860 received his degree from the University of Michigan. In 1863, after practicing for a brief period in Indiana and at Floyd, Dr. West opened an office in Eome, and for many years had probably the largest practice of any physician in that city. He was an attending physician to the Eome Hospital, and in 1865 and again in 1868 was elected vice president of the Oneida County Medical Society. Dr. Samuel G. Wolcott, a graduate of Trinity College in 1847 and of the Harvard Medical School in 1850, came to Utica in the fall of that year. Quickly devoting his attention largely to surgery he soon specialized in that branch of his profession, and was thus the first man in the county to become a true surgical 420 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY specialist. He was elected president of the Oneida County Medical Society in 1854. He died in 1883. Db. Isaac H. Douglas, after graduating from the Fairfield Medical College, practiced in the West for many years, but returned to his boyhood home — New Hartford — ^in 1857, and shortly afterwards moved to Utica, where he practiced for nearly thirty years, until his death March 13, 1884, and was one of the organizers of Faxton Hospital. A man of deep sjonpathy and marked artistic appreciation, he was held in high esteem by all who knew him. His grandson, De. Stanley Douglas Cueran, was a graduate of the Bellevue Hospital Med- ical College in New York in the class of 1896. Instead of returning to his home Dr. Curran remained in New York City, where at the time of his death on Feb- ruary 4, 1911, he had attained an enviable reputation among the younger physi- cians of the metropolis, where he had held positions of honor and trust in the clinics of Dr. Theodore Janeway and Dr. Beverly Robinson. The following resolution, published after his death, does but scant justice to the esteem in which Dr. Curran was held by his associates and seniors : " At a meeting of the faculty of the University and Bellevue Hospital Medical College, the following minute was adopted: The faculty desire to express their appreciation of the services of Dr. Stanley Douglas Curran. Dr. Curran became connected with the college as assistant attending physician to the class of internal medicine in the college clinic in 1902. In 1903 he was made full attending physi- cian and continued in this position until his death. He was a most faithful and conscientious attendant. His sympathy with and careful examination of the poor who came to the clinic soon won their confidence, and his class became one of the largest in the clinic. In 1904, he was made instructor in physical diagnosis and continued as such until his death. He was a teacher of marked ability and was always enthusiastic in his work. In the death of Dr. Curran the college has lost a loyal member of its teaching staff, and the poor of the city one who devoted the best part of his strength and life to their welfare. ' ' De. Walter Booth was a graduate of Fairfield in 1831. For over twenty years he practiced in Russia, Herkimer County, and was twice elected president of the Herkimer County Medical Society. In 1857 he moved to Boonville, where the remainder of his life was spent. In 1865 he was elected president of the Oneida County Medical Society. De. Alonzo Chuechill was born in Richfield in 1810. After studying med- icine at the Fairfield Medical College he was licensed by the Otsego County Med- ical Society, later, however, being awarded the degree of M. D. by the regents of the University of the State of New York and by the Albany Medical College. During the Civil War Dr. Churchill served with distinction, and before being mustered out had risen to the rank of colonel. During many months of imprison- ment in Andersonville prison he worked heroically to relieve the terrible suffer- ings of his feUow prisoners. Returning to Utica after the war he rapidly rose to a prominent position in his profession. He was active in the organization of Fax- DR. HARRY SL'TTOX, ROME DR. M. C". WEST, ROME ROME CITY HOSPITAL HISTORY OP ONEIDA COUNTY 421 ton Hospital, and was appointed the first senior surgeon. For thirteea years Dr. Churchill was librarian of the Oneida County Medical Society, and in 1868 was elected president of that organization. He died December 28, 1896, in the eighty- seventh year of his life, having been in active practice to a short time before his death, when failing sight forced him to retire. His grandson, De. Chables Churchill Carmalt, who, though never a resident of Oneida county spent much of his youth in Utica, graduated from Harvard University in 1887, the College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York in 1890. Devoting himself to surgery and anatomy, he served for many years as a member of the anatomical department in "P. & S." and at the time of his sudden death was considering an offer of the chair of anatomy at Harvard University, for many years held by Dr. Oliver Wendell Holmes. In Dr. Carmalt 's premature death the medical profession lost one of its most promising young scientists. Dr. Joseph E. "West was bom in Shepton Mallet, Somersetshire, England, in 1827. He spent his boyhood in Oriskany, and attended the Whitestown Seminary. After graduating from the College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York he spent a year in Europe. On his return he opened an ofSce in Oriskany, but soon moved to Utica. At the outbreak of the war Dr. West joined the 14th Regimeiit as assistant surgeon, and was promoted to surgeon of the 28th Regiment in 1862. He was health officer of Utica from 1864 to 1872, alderman in 1870, and police and fire commissioner in 1875. Dr. West was closely associated with Dr. Hutch- inson in the organization of St. Elizabeth's Hospital. In 1867 and 1879 he served as vice president, and in 1880 as president of the Oneida County Medical So- ciety. Dr. West was passionately fond of music, and was a prominent member of many musical organizations. He died March 6, 1897. Dr. Edwin Hutchinson was born in Utica in 1840. After receiving the de- gree of Ph. B., from Yale College he began the study of medicine at the Col- lege of Physicians and Surgeons in New York. The war having broken out be- fore he had completed his studies, he enlisted as a medical cadet. He showed such ability, however, that though not yet a doctor of medicine he was promoted rapidly, and at the close of the war held the commission of surgeon. After being mustered out he returned to the medical school, and in 1866 was given the degree of M. D. He immediately began practice in Utica. During the war Dr. Hutch- inson had obtained a reputation for his knowledge of hospital construction and sanitation, as a result of which, on the organization of St. Elizabeth's Hospital, he was at once given complete medical charge. Quickly specializing in surgery, ' and later turning his attention especially to diseases of the eye, he was one of the earliest specialists in Central New York, and attracted patients from a wide area. In 1869 he was made secretary, in 1875 vice president, and in 1878 president of the Oneida County Medical Society. His death, at the age of 47, which occurred in 1887, was a great loss to the medical profession of Oneida county. Dr. George Seymour was born in DeRuyter, Madison county, in 1839. Against heavy odds, of which not the least was ill health, he obtained a medical 422 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY education, receiving his degree from New York University in 1865. Promptly- enlisting in the Union Army, he served as assistant surgeon during the last few months of the war. After three years practice at Pulaski and six more at Manns- ville, Jefferson county, and a year and a half of post graduate study in New York, Dr. Seymour came to Utica in 1877. During his thirty-four years of practice in Utica he has been on the visiting staff of St. Elizabeth's, Faxton and St. Luke's Hospitals, and of the last named he was secretary for a quarter of a century. He was elected vice president of the County Society in 1887, and president in 1893, and in 1900 became vice president of the Medical Society of the State of New York. For many years Dr. Seymour was a member of the board of health. He died in October, 1909, one of the most beloved citizens of his city. ^' ■ Dr. William Leveeett Baldwin was born in Jacksonville, Florida, Marcli 18, 1840. In the early sixties, on graduating from the Polytechnic Institute at Troy, he was offered a position in Russia as a civil engineer, but refused the offer and entered the Albany Medical College. On graduation Dr. Baldwin was taken into partnership by Dr. Dix of Geneva, with whom he remained until 1866. In 1867, after six months spent at Jacksonville, Dr. Baldwin entered into part- nership with his father-in-law. Dr. Charles B. Coventry of Utica. While in Utica Dr. Baldwin was on the staff of St. Luke's Hospital and the Utica Orphan Asylum, and was much interested in the organization of the Utica Dispensary. In 1880, after a severe attack of pneumonia, he returned to Jacksonville at the request of his father. Dr. A. S. Baldwin of that city, the elder man being desirous of retiring from practice. In 1888 Dr. William Baldwin took charge of St. Luke's Hospital in Jacksonville during an epidemic of yellow fever, and, after heroic work for the sick, contracted the disease himself, and on September 3, 1888, died, a martyr to his profession. During Dr. Baldwin's residence in Utica he was an active worker for the Medical Society of the County of Oneida, and was its treasurer from 1870 to 1873. Dr. Richard Eskridge Sutton, the son of Dr. James D. Sutton of Great Mills, Md., was bom in that town September 15, 1831. After graduating from the University of Maryland in 1851, and practicing for a few years at Great Mills, Md., Russia, Herkimer county, N. Y., and St. Johnsville, he became sur- geon of the 115th N. Y. Infantry. After being taken prisoner and contracting typhoid fever he resigned from the army, but later in the war again volunteered as a contract surgeon. In 1866 he moved to Rome, N. Y., where he remained until his death, November 10, 1897. During his thirty-one years of practice in Rome Dr. Sutton Ijecame a man of prominence, not only in his profession, but in the civil and political life as well. He was one of the first staff of physicians to the Rome Hospital, a position which he retained until his death. For many years he was a school trustee, and for twenty years, from 1870 to 1891, he held the position of city chamberlain and city physician. For ten years he was health officer of Rome and for five years was a manager of the Utica State Hos- pital. In 1880 he was the democratic nominee for Congress, and in 1888 for DR. AMARIAH BRIGHAM First superintendent of New York State Lunatic Asylum DR. THOMAS M. FLANDRAN Founder of Rome Hospital DR. JAMES H. GLASS First surgeon in charge Faxton Hospital DR. WILLIS E. FORD First medical director St. Luke's Hospital DR. EDWIX HUTCHINSON Founder of St. Elizabeth's Hospital DR. FRANK F. LxVIRD First medical director Utica Homeopathic Hospital ORGANIZERS OF ONEIDA COUNTY HOSPITALS HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 423 sheriff. During his later years Dr. Sutton had associated with him in practice his son, Dr. H. C. Sutton. Dr. Heney Carroll Sutton, son of Dr. R. E. Sutton, was born in Fairfield, Md., August 6, 1856, and came to Rome with his father when ten years of age. After graduating from the University of Maryland in 1880, the third in descent to receive the M. D. degree from that institution, "Dr. Harry" returned to Rome and became associated with his father in the practice of medicine. In 1881 he was appointed health officer of Rome, proving himself a worthy suc- cessor of his father in that office. For three years he was coroner of Oneida county. Dr. Sutton, like his father, was one of the organizers of the Rome Hos- pital, and on the death of his father-in-law, Dr. T. M. Flandrau, succeeded the latter as chief of staff, a position which he held until failing health forced him to resign in January, 1907. He died in Jacksonville, Florida, March 5, 1907. Samuel O. Scudder, M. D., was born in Roxbury, Delaware county, N. Y., March 31, 1818, and died at Rome, N. Y., March 2, 1895. He was educated at the district school, and learned first the trade of tinsmith, then hatter and fur- rier. During all of this time he was giving attention to study. After this he was a clerk in a general store at Hudson, N. Y., for four years. He then went to Palmyra, N. Y., where he entered the office of Dr. Durfee Chase, and in 1846-7 was a student in the medical department of the University of New York. He graduated from the Homeopathic Medical College of Pennsylvania in March, 1849. After practicing medicine for a short time in Waterloo, N. Y., he re- moved to Rome, where he remained until his death. He joined the Oneida County Homeopathic Medical Society in 1859, and became its president October 17, 1865. He was one of the founders of the New York State Homeopathic Society. He was an excellent business man, as well as physician, and accumu- lated a large fortune for his day. He left one son by his first wife, Dr. Nelson C. Scudder, of Rome, and a daughter, the wife of the late Dr. A. B. Southwick, also of Rome. Dr. Wilbur H. Booth was born in Huntington, Fairfield county. Conn., December 11, 1852. He received the degree of M. D., from Yale in 1874, being the valedictorian of his class. After a service as house surgeon in Charity Hos- pital, New York, he came to Utica in 1876. Dr. Booth rapidly attained a prominent position in the city, being on the staff of St. Elizabeth's and St. Luke's Hospitals, and consulting surgeon to Faxton Hospital. After devoting his attention to general surgery for some years. Dr. Booth became especially in- terested in the diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat, and for several years was the leading specialist in these subjects in central New York.. He died September 28, 1897. Dr. Frank Foster Laird was born near Floyd, N. Y., in 1856. After study- ing at the Whitestown Seminary he entered Hamilton College, from which he graduated with honors in 1877, having received many prizes, and having won the Intercollegiate Oratorical Contest in New York in 1876. After graduating 424 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY from the Hahnemann Medical College of Philadelphia in 1880, he began prac- ticing in Ogdensburg, N. Y., then went to Augusta, Maine, but in 1881 finally settled in Utica, where he practiced until failing health necessitated his retire- ment. He was president of the Oneida County Homeopathic Medical Society; ■vice president of the Homeopathic Medical Society of the State of New York in 1889; medical director of the Commercial Travelers' Mutual Accident Associa- tion of America, and the first medical director of the Utica Homeopathic Hospital. De. Claude "Wilson was born in Palmer, Mass., January 6, 1850. He grad- uated from Amherst College in the class of 1871, and from the College of Phy- sicians and Surgeons in New York in 1876. Soon after graduation he settled in Waterville, where he rapidly attained a position of prominence in the social and professional life of the town. He was a director of the National Bank of Waterville, a member of the board of education, and in 1888 was elected presi- dent of the Medical Society of the County of Oneida. He died April 22, 1896. Civic Hygiene — The last few years of the nineteenth century and the first five years of the twentieth century were remarkable the world over for the sud- den, rapid and numerous advances made in civic hygiene, as the result of new medical discoveries and their practical application by sanitarians. In this ad- vance Oneida county took its part, and in certain important reforms this county led the world by the rapid strides taken in sanitation measures in Utica. In 1896 a steam disinfectant plant was installed in Utica. The next year the newly appointed health officer of Utica, Dr. "Wallace Clarke, not being satisfied Avith the method for city disinfection, visited certain of the sanitarians of the large cities who were doing experimental work with the new drug, formaldehyde. This work, though purely experimental and still confined to the laboratory, so impressed the Utica sanitarian that he immediately procured a generator and began the use of formaldehyde in the disinfection of houses and public buildings in his city. Since then practically every large city in the civilized world has adopted the new disinfectant, but to Utica belongs the credit of being the first city in the world to use formaldehyde as a civic disinfectant. The other great step in advance taken at that time was the inauguration of the crusade against the house fly as a cause of disease. Here, again, Utica de- serves the credit of being the pioneer city of the world in a sanitary advance. In an editorial in the Medical Eecord dated July 3, 1909, entitled "The Cam- paign against the House Fly," appears the following: "In 1897, in Utica, "Wallace Clarke, the newly appointed health officer, began what was probably the first systematic sanitary crusade against the fly. Noting that sixty per cent of the cases of contagious diseases in this city occurred in one ward, a ward es- pecially open and sparsely populated, and investigating the reason for this, he found that the refuse of the city was dumped on a farm in the outskirts of this ward. That there the ground was covered not only with garbage, but with the output of the privy vaults ; that it swarmed with flies, and that with the pre- vailing summer winds these were driven in hordes into the city and settled in this particular ward. Against severe political opposition a garbage and night HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 425 soil reduction plant was obtained, the dumping ground was abandoned, and the number of contagious disease cases in the infected ward dropped to the normal ratio." In the abandoning of the Hatfield farm and the sanitary improvement of the eighth ward, Utica took the first important step in the crusade against the house fly as a cause of disease, and deserves the credit of being the pioneer of a movement which has since become recognized as one of the greatest sanitary advances of the generation. With the abolition of the middens, the cleaning of the streets, and latterly the removal of manure piles due to the replacing of stables by garages, the number of flies in the city have decreased markedly, and the prevalence of contagious diseases has fallen proportionately. A brilliant illustration of the effect of this sanitary crusade is the short life of the summer hospital for cholera infantum, opened in the New Hartford Eoad. For two or three years this hospital was filled with sick infants. Following this sanitary reform, however, which included careful milk inspection, as well as city clean- ing, the number of cases of cholera infantum in the city decreased so rapidly that the special hospital for this disease, which had been a crying necessity in 1895, became a superfluous luxury in 1900, and the building was converted into a kindergarten. A more striking example of the benefits which followed the sanitary reform of 1897-1900 could not be desired. Spanish- American War — During the Spanish-American war at least three physicians and six nurses from Oneida county served their country. The phy- scians were Dr. W. A. Burgess, of Utica, who served in the 203d Regiment ; Dr. James M. Sweeney, also of Utica, who was surgeon to the military hospital at Santiago ; Dr. George Torney, who was acting assistant surgeon U. S. army, serv- ing on the hospital ship "Relief." The nurses who saw service were: Mrs. Emma Keith Booth, who served ia the hospitals at Atlanta and Montauk Point ; Miss Florence "Wright and Miss Justina Clemensson, Leiter Hospital, Chicka- mauga; Miss Josephine Shue, Chattanooga, Tenn. ; Mrs. A. Hannahs and Miss Mary E. Hannahs, Camp Goodrich, New Jersey. Centennial Oneida County Medical Society — On July 10, 1906, the cen- tennial of the Medical Society of the County of Oneida was held at the Audi- torium in Utica, the list of speakers at the banquet including Drs. "W. E. Ford, George Seymour and Frank D. Crim, and Messrs. James S. Sherman and P. C. J. DeAngelis. A history of the society was read by Dr. Smith Baker. Tuberculosis — ^During the past five years the energies of the medical pro- fession of Oneida county have been directed largely towards the crusade against tuberculosis. The movement was inaugurated by an anti-tuberculosis exhibi- tion and lectures held in Utica beginning November 25, 1907. The exhibition was in charge of Drs. Charles Crispell, John H. Vogt and Herbert Pease, who were assisted by several Utica physicians. At that time a sub-committee on tuberculosis of the State Charities Aid Association was organized, of which Dr. William Gibson was the first president, and Dr. Florence I. Staunton the secretary. Dr. Gibson was very soon succeeded by Dr. W. S. Nelson. In June 426 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY of that year the tuberculosis clinic of the Utica Dispensary was opened. In 1909 a visiting nurse was engaged, a movement was started to raise money for a tuberculosis summer camp, and a committee consisting of Dr. Staunton, Mr. Applegate and several philanthropic ladies organized the sale of Red Cross Seals in the stores at Christmas time. By this and other means the sum of $4,000 was raised. The need for an appropriate site for the camp was met by the generosity of Mr. Marklove Lowery, who loaned to the committee the Plan- tadendron property on Higby Lane, adjoining Roscoe Conkling Park. Ten shacks were donated by private individuals, and these, together with the nu- merous barns and sheds already on the property, were soon prepared for the care of the sick, and in the month of June, 1910, "Camp Healthmore" was opened, in charge of a special committee. In the summer of 1911 three new shacks were built and an open air school held. During the season of 1910 the camp cared for 27 patients, and during 1911, 41. The officers at present are Dr. Florence I. Staunton, president; Mr. Thomas R. Proctor, vice president; Miss Natalie Gilbert, secretary; Miss Attossa Whittemore, treasurer. The medical staff at Camp Healthmore consists of Drs. William M. Gibson and James H. Glass, consultants; Drs. Gifford, Crim, Staunton and Amsbry, executive board; and Drs. H. C. Baldwin, J. W. W. Dimon, F. R. Ford, Owens, Amsbry and Beattie, visiting physicians. City Tuberculosis Pavilion — Numerous efforts have been made during the past four years to obtain a city tuberculosis pavilion for advanced cases, but until the summer of 1911, the various committees appointed to wait upon the city fathers have done so only to be met with polite but firm refusals. On Octo- ber 6, 1911, however, the common council authorized a committee to procure a suitable edifice, and at a special meeting held October 16, 1911, it ordered that a piece of property known as Beech Grove be purchased. A storm of disap- proval, led by one of the newspapers, frightened the council, however, and on October 20, 1911, the motion was rescinded. On October 29, 1911, at a joint meeting of the Charities Aid Association and the medical profession, a com- mittee was appointed to act in conjunction with the committee of the common council. The members of the committee are Drs. Crim and Capron, and Messrs. J. D. Lynch and E. D. Ibbotson. RoME^ Tuberculosis Dispensary— After the tuberculosis exhibition closed in Utica it was moved to Rome, and opened in that city on December 16, 1907. A sub-committee of the Charities Aid Association was formed with Dr. A. A. Gillette as chairman, who was later succeeded by Dr. Charles Bernstein. The sentiment aroused resulted in the establishment by the Board of Health of a tuberculosis dispensary, to which various physicians of Rome offered their services gratuitously and the hiring of a visiting nurse. Last year, by means of a tag day under the auspices of the Trades Assembly and the sale of Red Cross Seals, money was raised by means of which an unoccupied building was pro- cured for a pavilion for advanced eases. This has as yet not been opened, but the Board of Health, Board of Charities, and committees of the Charities Aid DR. W. H. WATSON Utica Sergeant General of New York DR. M. O. TERRY Utica Sergeant General of New York HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 427 Association and the Trades Assembly are working in unison to procure suf- ficient funds to open this much needed institution. The Peesidents of the Oneida County Medical Society have been as fol- lows: 1806-7, 1817-18, 1820-21, Dr. Amos G. Hull of New Hartford and Utica; 1808-10, Dr. Sewal Hopkins of Clinton; 1813-14, Dr. Francis Guiteau of Deer- field; 1815-16, Dr. Elnathan Judd of Paris Hill; 1819, Dr. Thomas Goodsell of Whitestown; 1822-23, 1827, Dr. Alexander Coventry of Utica; 1824-25, Dr. Luther Guiteau of Trenton; 1828-29, Dr. Seth Hastings, Jr., of Clinton; 1830, Dr. John McCall of Utica; 1831-33, Dr. Laurens Hull of Bridgewater; 1834, Dr. Charles Babcock of New Hartford; 1835, Dr. J. B. Batchelder of Utica; 1836, 1859, Dr. Arba Blair of Rome; 1837, Dr. T. Pomeroy of Utica; 1838, Dr. U. H. Kellogg of New Hartford; 1839, Dr. J. F. Trowbridge of Bridgewater; 1840, Dr. P. B. Peekham of Utica; 1841, 1842, 1864, Dr. C. B. Coventry of Utica; 1843, 1863, 1867, Dr. L. Guiteau, Jr., of Trenton; 1844, Dr. M. Preston of Sangerfield; 1845, 1851, Dr. F. M. Barrows of Clinton; 1846, Dr. G. H. Pope of Rome; 1847, Dr. J. Knight of Camden; 1848, Dr. P. M. Hastings of Clinton; 1849, Dr. M. M. Bagg of Utica; 1850, 1866, Dr. D. G. Thomas of Utica; 1852, Dr. D. P. Bissell of Utica; 1853, Dr. J. H. Champion; 1854, Dr. S. G. Wolcott of Utica; 1855, Dr. J. V. Cobb of Rome; 1856, Dr. N. H. Dering of Utica; 1857, Dr. J. S. Whaley of Rome ; 1858, Dr. J. M. Sturdevant of Rome ; 1860, Dr. W. Smith; 1861, Dr. D. Larrabee of Paris Hill; 1862, Dr. C. L. Hogeboom of Utica; 1865, Dr. W. Booth of Boonville; 1868, Dr. Alonzo Churchill of Utica; 1869, Dr. T. M. Flandrau of Rome; 1870, Dr. H. N. Porter of New York Mills; 1871, Dr. William Russell of Utica; 1872, Dr. Robert Prazier of Camden; 1873, Dr. W. R. Griswold of New Hartford; 1874, Dr. John P. Gray of Utica; 1875, Dr. H. G. Dubois of Camden; 1876, Dr. L. A. Tourtellot of Utica; 1877, Dr. N. Wol- cott of Holland Patent ; 1878, Dr. Ed. Hutchinson of Utica ; 1879, Dr. G. V. Cleveland of Waterville; 1880, Dr. J. E. West of Utica; 1881, Dr. Edwin Evans of Rome; 1882, Dr. Jacob Hunt of Utica; 1883, Dr. A. R. Simmons of Utica; 1884, Dr. J. K. Chamberlayne of Utica; 1885, Dr. Smith Baker of Utica; 1886, Dr. W. E. Ford of Utica; 1887, Dr. L. Swartwout of Prospect; 1888, Dr. C. Wilson of Waterville; 1889, Dr. J. H. Glass of Utica; 1890, Dr. G. A. Blumer of Utica ; 1891, Dr. A. W. Marsh of Oriskany Falls ; 1892, Dr. W. M. Gibson of Utica; 1893, Dr. G. Seymour of Utica; 1894, Dr. H. Quinn of Utica; 1895, Dr. C. E. Smith of Whitesboro ; 1896, Dr. D. C. Dye of Utica; 1897, Dr. J. G. Hunt of Utica; 1898, Dr. F. S. Gorton of Waterville; 1899, Dr. M. W. Hunt of Hol- land Patent; 1900, Dr. J. G. Kilbourn of Utica; 1901, Dr. T. P. Scully of Rome, 1902, Dr. A. J. Brown of Utica; 1903, Dr. C. Bernstein of Rome; 1904, Dr. L. F. Pattengill of Utica; 1905-06, Dr. H. G. Jones of Utica; 1907, Dr. C. A. Frost of Utica; 1908, Dr. E. D. Fuller of Utica; 1909, Dr. G. M. Fisher of Utica; 1910, Dr. F. D. Crim of Utica; 1911, Dr. F. H. Peck of Utica. Officers in State Medical Society — Oneida county physicians who have held office, in the Medical Society of the State of New York are as follows: President, Dr. Alexander Coventry, 1823-24; Dr. Laurens Hull, 1838 and 1839; Dr. John McCaU, 1846; Dr. Charles B. Coventry, 1854; Dr. D. P. Bissell, 1863 ; Dr. John P. Gray, 1867. Vice president. Dr. Laurens Hull, 1827 and 1828 ; Dr. D. P. Bissell, 1862 ; Dr. George Seymour, 1900 ; Dr. James H. Glass, 1909. CHAPTER XXVIII BLEEMOSYNABY AND CHABITABLE INSTITUTIONS Utica Orphan Asylum — In 1826 a society was formed among the influential ladies in Utica known as the Female Society of Industry, the object being to procure funds for the establishment of an orphan asylum. A charter was granted January 7, 1830, and in the same year a building was procured on the northeast corner of John and Catharine streets. Later the establishment, was removed to the southeast corner of Chancellor Square. In 1842 a citizens' meeting was held in the interest of the institution, and it was decided to apply for an amendment to the charter by which children, who had one parent, might be accepted at the asylum. In 1845 the asylum was on Broadway, and in 1846 the lot was purchased at 312 Genesee street, upon which a building was con- structed and the institution was located there until 1861. Benjamin P. Jewett donated three acres of land on the corner of Genesee and Pleasant streets and a new building was constructed on this lot in 1861 and upon this lot the building now stands. The institution has received from time to time gifts by will and otherwise, until it has a substantial endowment. The last gift of importance was that of Mrs. Lydia Francis, which was received by the institution through the will of Mrs. Francis, and amounted to about $65,000. With a portion of this fund a hospital separate from the other building was erected, and was completed and occupied about a year since. The last report of the institution, which is for the year 1911, shows that 17 of the older boys are in attendance at the public schools; it also shows that the children of the institution are instructed in kindergarten work, in Sunday school, physical ex- ercises, and at times the older boys have received military drill. The girls are instructed in cooking and sewing. The balance sheet shows that the receipts during the last year were $29,069.67, and the disbursements slightly over $600 less than the receipts. St. John's Orphan Asylum (Utica) was established in 1843. Its object then was, as it is to-day, the care and maintenance of parentless, neglected or destitute girls from Oneida and adjoining counties. In May, 1834, three Sisters of Charity were selected by the Superioress of the Community of Sisters of Charity of Emmitsburg, Maryland, for the new mission petitioned for by the residents of Utica. The following letter, written a few months after the arrival of the Sisters, cannot fail to be of historic interest to the readers of this sketch: "To the Rev. Walter Quarter, Utica, N. Y. Dear Sir: We beg leave to call your attention and that of the congregation of St. John's Church to the es- tablishment of the Sisters of Charity, located on John street, Utica, and will 428 HOUSE OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD ADMINISTEATIOX BUILDING STATE CUSTODIAI^ ASYLUM, ROME HOME FOR THE HOMELESS, UTICA UTIC'A ORPHAN ASYLUM ^^M MJJP MWi ST. JOHN'S ORPHAN ASYLUM (ROMAN CATHOLIC) ODD FELLOWS TEMPLE HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 429 observe the many advantages growing out of the institution. Introducing them as a religious community, their utility is universally acknowledged by non- Catholics as well as Catholics. Abandoning what the world considers its com- forts and conveniences, and devoting themselves exclusively to acts of piety, the education of the young, attending the deathbed of sickness in times of general distress, and in fact communicating the divine principles of Jesus, and looking to the joys of another world as a remuneration for all their privations in this. Surely the destitute little children, intended by Providence to bring into action the consummation of religion and virtue, will not want support. (Signed) J. C. Devereux." Minutes of the first recorded meeting: At a meeting of the trustees of St. John's church, in the city of Utica, held on the 24th day of September, 1838, John C. Devereux was elected president. There were present John C. Devereux, Nicholas Devereux, Owen O'Neil, James Barry, Michael Doyle and Michael McQuade. The following resolution was adopted : Resolved : That independent of the amount of two hundred dollars, to be contributed by John C. and Nicholas Devereux, equally, we pledge ourselves, as trustees, to contribute four hundred doUars a year toward the support of Saint John's Asylum. The asylum was incorporated March 28, 1849, pursuant to chapter 319 of the laws of 1848 of the state of New York. Between 1849 and 1863 the follow- ing acted as president : Rev. Joseph Stokes and Francis Kernan. Since 1863 the institution has been under a board of directors, the Superioress being the president. The institution is under the charge of the Sisters of Charity. It receives girls of every race and creed; educates them; instructs them in religion and morals, and gives them the technical training necessary to fit them for self- support. The age of the present building will make any thinking mind con- scious of the fact that its shortcomings are so serious that only a new structure will remedy the defects. The building is 78 years old ; its unfitness and dilapida- tion are evident, and it has long been over-crowded. The asylum has been for- tunate in receiving from Matthew A. Carton the gift of an ideal site of 22 acres on upper Genesee street, in the locality where many of Utica 's leading charities are situated. For the proper and safe housing of so many children a fire-proof building is indispensable. Now a new home is imperative, and to build it $150,000 is needed. Of this amount $17,000 has been secured in the last three years. This home will ac- commodate 300 inmates, and the projected plans comprise an orphan asylum and a techincal school. The latter is a need surely felt in central New York. Its scope is to fit the orphans, after they have been discharged from county main- tenance, which is generally at fourteen or fifteen (the critical age at which a girl is so ill-qualified to cope with the difSculties of life), to earn a respectable livelihood. The technical school is a self-supporting institution where the girls are instructed in dressmaking, millinery, cooking and trained service, thus mak- ing of them self reliant members of society, a charity which all will concede to be most deserving. 430 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY St. Joseph's Infant Home (Utica) — The first record of St. Joseph's Infant Home shows that it commenced its good work in caring for sick children, and that the infants were kept by different women, evidently in charge of the in- stitution when the home was under lay management. It is said to have been first located on Cottage street, next on Eutger, and finally at the present site. The certificate of incorporation was obtained December 26, 1893, the first mem- bers being Rt. Rev. J. S. M. Lynch, N. J. Quinn, Miles 'Reilly, William Keman and James J. Dwyer. In March, 1894, a new house east of the viaduct on Rutger street was leased for forty dollars per month to be used by the managers for the purposes of the institution. February 20, 1895, three Sisters of Charity from Emmitsburg, Maryland, took charge of the children, who were still under lay management. February 1, 1897, the property on Green street was leased, and it was later purchased by the institution. The Sisters carried on the work under the board of managers until January 23, 1899. Having the approval of the Rt. Rev. Bishop and consent and support of the officers of the commimity of Emmitsburg, a transfer of the property was made, in consideration of the paying of all the debts, liabilities and obligations of the corporation. At this time the property was mortgaged and the institution heavily in debt. There were then about 40 little children in the institution. The Sisters experienced many inconveniences, but, with the support of numerous friends and good people of the vicinity, and by the holding of fairs and benefits they succeeded. Finally in 1905 they undertook the construction of the present building, as it was im- peratively demanded. The institution is having its fair measure of success, and children from one day to seven years of age of all creeds and color are received. During the existence of the home it has cared for more than 1,400 children of a very tender age. During the past year it sheltered and eared for 258, and at this date there are in the institution 148. To care for these are seven Sisters of Charity, three of whom are children's nurses. There are also kindergarten teachers, and a number of other helpers sufficient to carry on the work in a proper manner. The present accommodations are of modern construction, bright and airy. There is also a beautiful chapel where services are held for the in- mates, which are attended by the priests of St. Patrick's parish. OXEIDA COUNTY JAIL AT UTICA CHAPTER XXIX EEPORMATOET AND PENAL INSTITUTIONS Penal Institutions — Jails — In 1798 provision was made for the erection of a jail at Fort Stanwix and also at WMtesboro. It would seem that the jail at Whitesboro was first completed, as prisoners were ordered transferred there from the jail at Herkimer. This institution existed until about 1852, when prisoners were removed to Utica, and from that time up to date there have been two jails in the county, one at Rome and one at Utica. The jail at Utica for many years was located on Albany street. It was rather a poor affair, and about twenty years since it was abandoned, and a new jail was built upon Bleecker street. This was inadequate at the time it was built, and was a stroke of economy on the part of the board of supervisors in not building it of ample proportions and with sufficient modern facilities for caring for prisoners. This jail has been severely condemned within the last year by the state authorities, and action has been suggested in the board of supervisors, although no positive act has yet occurred in that direction, for the construction of a modern jail adequate to the wants of the county. The jail at Rome was completed before 1800, and was entirely destroyed by fire August 19, 1817, which was set by the prisoners con- fined in the jail. The idea was to fire the jail, and, in the excitement that would occur, escape. The flames, however, made such headway before the fire was discovered, that the prisoners were nearly suffocated before they could be res- cued. One of the prisoners, Blisha Green, was suffocated, or was killed in the struggle to obtain liberty, after the jail was filled with smoke to such an ex- tent that the prisoners were on the point of suffocation. Five of the prisoners who were implicated in firing the jail were indicted, and were tried at Whites- town in 1817. Their names were John Harris, John Denny, James O'Brien, David Linus and Roswell T. Pratt. Denny and Linus were Oneida Indians. All of the prisoners were convicted, although they were defended by Thomas R. Gold and F. C. White, and they were all sentenced to be hung, as the penalty for arson at that time in New York state was death. They were to be hung on Friday, February 2, 1818. ApoUos Cooper was sheriff, and preparations were made for the executions, the gallows constructed, cofSns prepared, and great crowds of people came to Rome to witness the executions. But, unfortunately for their morbid curiosity. Governor DeWitt Clinton commuted the sentence to imprisonment for life, and the crowd, not to be deprived of some show of a hanging, procured dummies and hung the five prisoners in effigy. The jail was rebuilt, from time to time has been improved, is now located in connection with the court house at Rome, and is in a fair state of preservation and repair. From time to time prisoners have been used to do manual labor outside of the 431 432 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY jails, and during the past year a movement has been instituted to use them in the breaking of stone and other work upon the highways. Just how successful this may be remains to be seen. St. Vincent's Industeial School — The only other important penal institu- tion within the county is now known as St. Vincent's Industrial School, located in Utica. This was first organized as a Catholic Asylum March 25, 1862, by Rev. Thomas Daly of St. John's church, and was called St. Vincent's Male Or- phan Asylum. It was incorporated April 21, 1862. For a time it was mainly supported by St. Vincent's De Paul Society and the congregation of St. John's church. Its affairs were directed by the Brothers of the Christian Schools, and its finances were controlled by a board of managers. The Brothers resigned April 12, 1876, and the board then assumed entire charge of the school. It was at this period that the institution was incorporated under the title of St. Vin- cent's Protectorate and Reformatory for destitute children in Oneida and ad- jacent counties. At the end of the year the property was sold at public auction. Bishop McNierny purchased it, and recalled the Christian Brothers January 19, 1877. The school was continued by the Brothers until 1885, when Bishop McNierny sold the property to Manhattan College of New York City, who in turn sold it to the newly formed corporation of St. Vincent's Industrial School. Their charter was obtained September 29, 1886. From the start of this good work to November, 1911, nearly 4,000 children have been cared for. CHAPTEE XXX INDUSTRIES AND COMMERCE Glass — The first manufacturing of any considerable extent which occurred in Oneida county was undertaken by certain gentlemen, who deemed it expe- dient to establish a glass factory. Lawrence Schoolcraft, an experienced glass manufacturer, was also interested in establishing the factory. Mr. Schoolcraft had been a soldier in the war of the Revolution, was in Port Stanwix when it was besieged by St. Leger, remained in the army during the war, and was finally commissioned a lieutenant colonel. He was a man of experience in the world, and his services were sought because of his business capacity and his experience as a glass manufacturer. The company was organized in 1809 with a capital of $100,000, and was known as the Oneida Glass Factory Company. The factory was opened in Verona and the making of glass was commenced there, was conducted with some success until about 1836, when the company dis- posed of its real estate and closed up its business. The Utica Glass Factory Company was organized the following year to manufacture crown glass, which it intended to be of superior quality and equal to anything imported. It was incorporated by special act of the legislature, with a nominal capital of $250,- 000, and its plant was located about three and one-half miles north of Utica, on the road bearing to the west from that which leads from Utica to Trenton. Suitable buildings were erected, and the concern started off to do business with a great flourish of trumpets, but it did not succeed, and finally the busi- ness was given up, as it had proved a substantial failure. Before the company ceased to exist it had leased its plant to the Oneida Company, which had done business at Vernon. Later, a glass factory was organized at Durhamville, which was conducted for many years by Stevens & Fox, afterward Samuel J. Fox, and Samuel J. Fox & Son. This business had been very profitable, and for a time the partnership known as Fox & Son was financially very strong, but about 1876 the company became embarrassed, and finally an assignment was made and the property sold and bid in by the wife of Mr. Fox. Again it was managed by the same men, but not successfully, and it was taken over by Mar- tin B. DeLong, who had loaned a large amount of money to the owners of the factory. A corporation was organized, known as the DeLong Glass Company, and the business was carried on until a combination was made of all of the glass factories in the state, with several from Pennsylvania, Ohio and Illi- nois, under the name of the United Glass Company. This included, also, the factory carried on at Dunbarton by Monroe & Hess. The United Glass Com- pany controlled about twenty factories, was successful for several years, and then, in consequence of a different method and of the discovery of natural gas Vol. 1—28 433 ^34 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY and applying it to the manufacturing of glass in the Pittsburg district, it was found that glass could not be successfully manufactured from pots. From time immemorial pots had been used in which to melt the glass. These pots had been increased in size from one which held a few hundred pounds to one that would hold about half a ton. In order to manufacture the glass it required about four- teen hours of the application of heat to what was known as the "batch;" then the blowing occupied ten hours out of the twenty-four. About this time the system of making glass was changed, by the invention of what was known as the "tank system." Tanks were constructed of fire clay and built in substan- tially parallelogram form, ranging from ten feet by fifty to those many times • that size. The application of natural gas, or of gas manufactured from gas coal, enabled blowing to be carried on continuously through the twenty-four hours. Natural gas was cheaper than coal, therefore, the manufacturers in the natural gas territory could sell glass for less than it cost the manufacturers by pots to make it. This induced the United Glass Company to construct on the line of Oneida and Oswego counties a tank at Cleveland, which was success- fully operated. In 1895 a proposition was made by the American Window Glass Company of Pittsburg, Pa., to purchase all of the stock of the United Glass Company. This was consummated, and when the American Glass Company, which was in the nature of a trust, got control of all the factories in New York state, they were all closed, and, except in a spasmodic way, by men organizing co-operative companies, no window glass has been manufactured since in Oneida county. Cotton — The first cotton mill in the state of New York, as well as the first woolen mill, so far as known, was in the town of Whitestown in the present limits of Oneida county. The earliest mill was located on what is now the Lower Mill of the New York Mills, near the canal in Yorkville. Dr. Seth Capron was one of the earliest manufacturers and the prime mover in the first cotton mill. This was in 1808. Benjamin S. Walcott also entered into the manufacturing in this county at an early date with Mr. Capron. They began spinning cotton yarn in 1809. Mr. Walcott, however, did not remain in the county long, but Benjamin S. Walcott, Jr., became superintendent of the mill, and the company was incorporated as the Oneida Manufacturing Society on March 10, 1810. The power loom for weaving cotton was introduced into the county in 1812. It had been first used at Waltham, Massachusetts, where it had been kept a secret as long as possible, but it was finally discovered, and was put into operation in Whites- town in 1817. Several different organizations have existed in the town of Whites- town, but located at New York Mils, among which was the Whitestown Cotton & Woolen Manufacturing Society, which was organized January 13, 1813. It was known as Walcott 's factory, also as Buhr-stone Factory, from the fact that the French Buhr millstones were used in it. The mill took the place of a grist mill, which had been built in 1796. The character of goods made in this mill was changed, and corduroy was manufactured there for several years, but a large amount of money was lost, and the manufacturing of this kind of goods was suspended. Benjamin Walcott was the first to successfully carry on the manufacturing of cotton goods. In 1824 he, acting for Benjamin Marshall of WILLIAM D. WALCOTT Manufacturer, New York Mills, Town of Whitestown SAMUEL CAMPBELL Manufacturer, New York Mills, Town of Whitestown HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 435 New York, erected a large five story mill in what is now New York MiUs, for the manufacture of fine sheeting. This was the first attempt in this country to manufacture fine yams for this purpose. The name "New York Mills" was taken in 1840, and in 1856 the firm of Walcott & Campbell was established, the partners being William D. Walcott, a son o f_Samuel S^ Walcott. and Samuel Campbell. Samuel Campbell was a Scotchman, and had received an experience in manufacturing in the old countries prior to his coming to New York Mills. He was a man of great physical power, of tremendous energy, and entered into his business with a determination to make it successful, and the firm of Wal- cott & Campbell put on to the market goods the equal of anything made in the world. They were very successful in selling their goods as American goods, while other manufacturers had given goods manufactured in this country a for- eign label in order to sell them. Walcott & Campbell determined to sell their goods as American products or to fail, and they were eminently successful, both of them accumulating large fortunes. The concern was finally, in 1884, incor- porated under the name of New York Mills Company, with one million dollars capital. Afterward the stock was increased by the issuance of $400,000 of pre- ferred stock. After the death of Messrs. Walcott and Campbell the company was conducted by the son of Mr. Campbell, Samuel R. Campbell, and the son of Mr. Walcott, W. Stuart Walcott. For a time it was successful, but about 1906 the common stock of the company was all sold to Juliard & Company of New York City, and about the same time W. Stuart Walcott died; within two years Samuel R. Campbell has died, and the two families, which, for almost a century, had been in control of this large manufacturing establishment, ceased to have anything to do with the concern, except that some of the young men have been employed in minor positions. On March 30, 1810, the New Hartford Manufacturing Society was incor- porated by special act to make cotton and woolen cloths, but apparently only cotton goods were made. The property was afterward purchased by New Hart- ford Cotton Manufacturing Company, which was organized in 1870, and it man- ufactured cotton cloth up to 1910, when it commenced the manufacturing of surgical bandages and supplies. At the present time the company does not manufacture cloth, but purchases the cloth and converts it into gauze, and manu- factures absorbent cotton. The Capron Cotton Manufacturing Company was incorporated April 5, 1814, and conducted business for many years at Capron, in the town of New Hart- ford, but afterward the name was changed to Utica Cotton Manufacturing Com- pany. It still conducts business at Capron, and also in the city of Utica. The Utica Steam Cotton Mills were organized in 1848. This was the out- come of an effort to apply steam to manufacturing purposes in this vicinity. Several of the most prominent business men in Utica united in this effort, among them being Theodore S. Faxton, Silas D. Childs, Alfred Munson, Charles A. Mann, Edmund A. Graham, Andrew S. Pond and Horatio Seymour. An in- vestigation of the subject was made by a committee appointed by a citizens' meeting, and the report of that committee is so interesting that we give it entire : 436 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY "report on motive power. "At a meeting of a number of the citizens of Utica, at the National Hotel, some time in July last, for the purpose of inquiring into the expediency of tak- ing some measures in relation to future operations connected with manufactur- ing in this city, it was there deemed expedient to appoint a committee, who should take the charge of this subject, and find some one or more individuals who would be willing to visit the eastern states, and investigate the relative dif- ference between water and steam power and obtain such other information, connected with their mission, as should be thought advisable in furtherance of this object. "By this committee, Spencer Kellogg, Andrew S. Pond, and Edmund A. Graham were requested to perform this duty : and, in compliance with this re- quest, they proceeded to New York, obtained letters of introduction to various individuals connected with the manufacturing interests at the east. "The first place they visited was Newport, in the state of Rhode Island, where, through the kindness of ex-Governor Gibbs, they were introduced to a Mr. Westcott, who was the principal agent of the Perry Mill. At this place there are two cotton mills, operated by steam power: they have been in exist- ence about nine years. Both of these mills have heretofore been under the gen- eral supervision of a Mr. Gardner, a very active and enterprising man, who lost his life in the burning of the Ocean Hotel. Mr. "Westcott, however, was per- fectly acquainted with all the details of both water and steam power as ap- plicable to the manufacturing of cotton goods. Having been engaged in mills with water power for twenty years, and for the last nine years with the Perry Steam Mill. From him we obtained the following particulars : ' ' The size of this mill is 200 feet long by 50 wide, and contains 7,727 spind- les, 227 looms, 42 carding machines, 24 inches wide. They employ 200 opera- tives. Their capital is $102,000. The expense of engine, boilers, etc., about $5,000 ; they consume about 4,200 pounds of coal per day. He says the present improved machinery would consume much less. They pay their engineer $450 per annum; their firemen 83 cents per day; foreman in each room, $1.67 per day. In this establishment they made fine printing cloths altogether, which brings them li^ cents per yard. They use the old fashioned mule spindles which cost $2.25 each. Mr. "Westcott says that a factory got up upon the most improved plan would cost, exclusive of the buildings, about $7,000 per one thousand spindles. "In answer to the inquiry about the relative advantages of water over steam power, he said that he would not take water power, five miJes from navigable waters, as a gift; in fine, he considered steam the best motive power in the world for manufacturing fine cotton goods, — for other kinds of goods he had had no experience; and the reasons he assigned for this were — first, that fine cotton goods were better to be manuf acured in a humid atmosphere ; secondly, you always had a sufficient power; thirdly, the expense of keeping it in run- ning order was not near as much ; and fourthly and lastly, you could build your mills in cities, where you were not under the necessity of erecting a village for the accommodation of your mills, but where boarding houses were already built HISTORY OP ONEIDA COUNTY 437 to your hand ; and also, you could build on navigable waters ; and another ad- vantage, you could always get help and keep them in a city easier, and, he be- lieved, cheaper, than in the country, at least, this had been his experience. "In answer to the question — 'Has the investment been a profitable one to the stockholders r — ^he said it had; the mill, he said, had been in operation eight years and a half, and it had paid to the stockholders large dividends. But that there should not be an undue impression made by these remarks, they would state in connection that this mill, as heretofore stated, is and has been making printing cloths, which are now, and have been for the last year or two, bearing a better profit than any other cotton fabric within the knowledge of your com- mittee. There is, perhaps, no mill that has been employed in the same business, either by water or steam power, that has not made large profits ; therefore, your committee do not wish to be understood as connecting this profit with steam power exclusively. "They next visited the Pokanoket Mill, at Bristol, a little village fifteen miles from Newport, on the road to Providence. This mill is conducted by John Norris, Esq., who is also a large stockholder. He has not been engaged in the business but about three years, and never in a water mill, consequently could not give them the information which they sought; but says he knows enough about the business to satisfy himself in relation to water and steam power; and is confident that it would be better to build a steam mill on navigable waters than to have a water privilege given and build five miles from navigation. This mill is making fine bleached sheetings, and is profitable to the stockholders and also to the village in the rise of property. This mill runs about 6,000 spindles. Mr. Norris and Mr. "Westcott both unite in saying that a mill of large capacity, operated by steam, would be altogether more profitable than a smaller, and this opinion was confirmed by every individual with whom they conversed on the subject ; it was the opinion of aU that a steam mill should not be built with less than fifteen thousand spindles for the following reasons: first, the increase of the capacity of the mill does not increase the consumption of coal in like ratio — for instance, if you double your mill, that is to say, advance it from five thou- sand spindles to ten thousand, it takes less than fifty per cent more coal to pro- pel the ten thousand than it did the five thousand; or, if you increase the mill to fifteen thousand, it will not take more than double the quantity to run a mill of that capacity than it does to run a mill of five thousand spindles ; hence, when you have trebled your mill you have only doubled the consumption of the fuel. The second reason : — it costs no more for an engineer to attend to the duties of his department in a mill of fifteen thousand than one of five ; the same of the fire- men ; the same of the general overseer in each room ; and the same may be said of the individual who has the supervision of the whole. The reasons here given will be duly appreciated by every business man in this community. If further proof is wanted we have a practical illustration (at least, of the belief) of some of the most prominent manufacturers in New England: James Reed, Esq., of Boston, and Gen. James of Newburyport, almost the first projectors of steam cotton mills in this country, are now erecting a steam mill at Salem, with twen- ty-seven thousand spindles, — a mill of far greater capacity than any other in the United States, — at least, greater than any other known to your committee. 438 ' HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY "The next place the committee visited was the Providence Steam Company Mill, at Providence, Rhode Island, under the agency of a Mr. Fisher, a gentle- man of intelligence and practical experience ; and here, as in every other place they visited, every facility was given to further the object of their mission. This mill contains 10,028 spindles, 240 looms, 67 cards, a part of which are 18 inches and a part 24 inches; and they contemplate adding to this mill, in the month of September, four thousand spindles more. The capital stock of this company is $200,000 ; this includes the mill and an extensive machine shop em- ploying about sixty hands. The amount of coal consumed per day to run this mill and the machine shop is about two and one-third tons. The number of operatives employed in the mill is about 220. The wages of the engineer is $1.50 per day; the fireman receives $1.25 per day. The engine in this mill is from sixty to eighty horse power. The average number of yards of cloth manu- factured per day is 3,820 of fine cambric, worth when bleached 11^^ cents per yard ; and the agent believes that the same goods of like material manufactured in a water mill will not bring as much per yard in market from an eighth to a fourth of a cent, and he is intimately acquainted with the application of the motive power of both in the making of cotton goods. Females that attend the carding department work by the day, and receive 34 cents — spare weavers which are employed to take the place of any that may be taken sick, receive $3.50 per week; spare trimmers, also, are kept to supply places, and they receive $2.34 per week. The residue of the weavers and all the spinners work by the job, and the average amount of their earnings is $4.51 per week. These statistics are all taken from the books of the company. It is due to all from whom the committee sought information to say that there appeared nothing that they de- sired to withhold from your committee ; even the profits of the several concerns which (in most cases) were not small, were freely communicated. "The committee next called on the Hon. Mr. Sprague, who is largely con- cerned in manufacturing. He has a number of factories, and among them very extensive print works; all his mills, except his print works, are operated by water power. With regard to machinery he says he prefers the Ring spindle for spinning warp, and the self-operating mule for filling. And in relation to motive power, he prefers water to steam, although it should be located at some considerable distance from navigable waters. He also admits that he has no experimental knowledge of the application of steam power to machinery, for the manufacturing of cotton goods, other than that employed in his printing department. "They next called on a Mr. Kelly, who is largely concerned in several mills at Lonsdale about six miles from Providence, and has also the general super- vision of the whole. He informed them that for some time he had made the operation of steam power upon cotton machinery a study, and he was so well satisfied of its utility and advantages, that if he could dispose of his water mills, he should invest the avails in steam mills in the city of Providence; and the reasons he assigned were simply location, and the certainty of a sufficient mo- tive power at all times to keep the machinery in operation. "Your committee proceeded from Providence to Newburyport, at which place there are four cotton mills, all driven by the power of steam, viz— The HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 439 James Mill, the Bartlett Mills, Nos. 1 and 2, and the Essex Mill ; and they are at this time erecting two more spacious mills at the same place. This is the residence of Gen. Charles T. James, a gentleman theoretically and practically acquainted with the operation of steam power upon machinery. With this gen- tleman your committee had an interview, and although it may be said, as a gen- eral rule, that any man who has devoted several years to the study of one par- ticular object would naturally be prejudiced in favor of that object, nor do your committee suppose that Mr. James is an exception to the general rule; but from the very short acquaintance the committee had with Mr. James they were favorably impressed with his manner, his disinterestedness, and his en- tire frankness; he appeared to be entirely familiar with his business, and seemed unwilling to suppress any information that would in the least degree contribute to render their mission serviceable to the citizens of Utica. He pre- sented his views of the advantages of steam over water power in a clear and comprehensive manner, and gave it as his opinion that steam power, all things considered, was as cheap or cheaper than water power. In coming to this con- clusion he took into the account the various subjects alluded to in this report. Your committee did not however obtain from him all the information which they sought; it was from the first, their desire to understand the relative dif- ference between water and steam, as a motive power, to drive machinery. This the committee supposed would solve the problem, and enable them to present the subject before you, practically demonstrated; and before closing this report they think they shall be able to convince this community that they obtained to the fullest extent, the object of their mission. "It is unnecessary to go into detail in relation to the capacity of these sev- eral mills or their interior arrangements; suffice it to say that the James Mill is one of the finest they ever saw. It may be well to say that the investment in these mills thus far has been profitable to the stockholders. The committee have said that they think it unnecessary to go into detail in relation to these mills, but as the James mill, in capacity is about equal to such a one as all have recommended for the citizens of Utica to build, if they should conclude to pros- ecute the enterprise. Therefore they will briefly give the dimensions. The building is 312 feet by 50, containing 16,000 spindles, 350 looms, 96 carding machines, cards 25 inches. Mr. James says the cards should be from 30 to 48 inches. There are 350 operatives. Consume 3% tons of coal per day, fine fab- ric, worth in market the %> 12 cents, the 4-4, 13% cents per yard. "The committee, after obtaining what information they thought desirable at this place, proceeded to Taunton, in order to visit the machine shop, and get such information in relation to the price of machinery at might be service- able in case this branch of enterprise should hereafter be prosecuted. The prices of machinery at this establishment are as follows: Self -operating mules, from $2.75 to $3.00 per spindle ; Ring spindles, from $4.75 to $5.00 per spindle ; looms, from $40 to $75 each ; 30 inch carding machines, best quality $145.00. "The committee had thus obtained all the information sought, but the solu- tion of the relative expense of motive power; a principle that formed the basis of the superstructure of this report; for unless it could be clearly shown that the advantages connected with steam power did not equal that of water, then 440 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY the conclusion is inevitable, that steam power cannot successfully compete with water power. It becomes an important question with this community whether they can engage in this enterprise with a fair prospect of success. So far as relates to the cost of motive power, both by water and steam, the committee will give the result, that all may be able to judge for themselves. "The Bartlett Mill, No. 1, at Newburyport, has 11,000 spindles; the motive power to drive this mill costs per month $644.29 on an average; this includes the cost of fuel, the wages of the engineer and fireman. They manufacture per month 167,843 yards of cloth, which makes the cost of motive power per yard, about 3I/2 mills. If you add to this the interest on the machinery which cost about $5,000, it would make an additional expense per month of $25. This, however, was thought to be improper in making the calculation as the machin- ery connected with water power would cost to keep it in repair per month more than the interest on the engine. A water privilege at Lowell, for the same num- ber of spindles costs $44,000.00 Race Way, Ploom Wheel, & Extra Geering 6,000.00 Making $50,000.00 The interest on $50,000 for one month, at 6 per cent is $250.00 The average cost of fuel to warm the mill per month 171.20 $421.20 Making a difference in the cost of the motive power in favor of the water mill, of $223.09 per month, or $2,677.08 per year. Now, if the cloth manufactured in the steam mill is worth 1^4 of a cent per yard more than that of the water mill, then it makes a difference on the sale of cloth manufactured in one month of $419.60, which, subtracting the difference in the cost of motive power, it gives a balance in favor of steam power of $216.51 per month, or $2,598.02 per year. " It is admitted that steam power will enable the mill to make quite as much cloth as water power. If the water mill spoken of above makes the same num- ber of yards, the motive power will cost 21/2 mills per yard. In this calculation it will be seen that the committee do not charge the water mill with the outlay for building boarding houses, nor the expense of transportation to and from navigable waters, which should all be taken into the account if we would form a just estimate of the advantages that one possesses over the other. Nor have they taken into account the want of water in a drought, nor the impediments occasioned frequently by ice, which should all be charged to the account of water mills, particularly in this vicinity. "An article in one of the Boston papers, in reference to the Essex Mill at Newburyport, uses the following language: 'This mill, during the last two years, has been under the management of James Reed, Esq., of Boston, and Mr. Ben- jamin Saunders of Newburyport; and to their thorough knowledge of the busi- ness and prudent management is its great success owing. One thing it would seem safe to assume, that they have demonstrated beyond all cavil, and that is the equality if not the superiority of steam over water power. Their operatives make good wages— more than they could realize even in the present prosperous HISTORY OP ONEIDA COUNTY 441 times, in any other department of labor, and yet their cloth is made as well, and as cheaply as at any water mill in the country.' "It will be seen by the foregoing statement, that if the cloth manufactured by steam power commands in market 14 of a cent per yard above that manufac- tured by water power, the advantage is decidedly on the side of steam. But there are other and still greater advantages connected with steam as a motive power. If you manufacture by water, you must take the people to the power, but if by steam, you take the power to the people ; or in other words, you place your machinery upon navigable waters, and thereby save the expense of trans- porting to and from the location of water power. "The object which the committee had in charge more especially, was to as- certain the relative difference of the cost between water and steam, as a motive power to drive machinery. This they have ascertained in their investigations of cotton mills, and they have also ascertained to their entire satisfaction, the adaptation of steam power to the manufacture of cotton fabrics. This question being settled, another of equal moment suggests itself to every reflecting mind. Are equal advantages to be derived from steam in the manufacturing of woolen goods? It is conceded by all with whom your committee conversed on the sub- ject, who have had any practical experience in the manufacturing of woolen goods by steam power, that the advantages are as great, if not greater, than that of cotton, particularly in scouring and finishing the goods, and many be- lieve that the same quality of goods manufactured in a steam mill, will com- mand at least 5 per cent more in market ; if this opinion is predicted upon fact, then it follows as a matter of course, that steam has a decided advantage over water power in the manufacture of woolen goods; for the amount of goods made in a mill of 8 sets of machinery would not be less than $250,000 per annum. If this amount of cloth brings 5 per cent in market, more than the same quality of goods manufactured by water power, the result would be a net gain of $12,500 per year. "It may be expected that the committee will say something in relation to the profits derived from the various steam mills which they visited, so far as any dividends have been made public; although apparently extravagant, they feel authorized to reiterate; for instance, the Essex Mill at Newburyport has de- clared and paid a large dividend on the capital stock of the company the past year. There is also another steam mill which they visited, that has declared a large dividend; but with regard to the two mills above named, the mills have manufactured an article which for the last year has been very much in demand ; they refer to printing cloths — an article, the supply of which has not been equal to the demand, and consequently in this, as in every other case, where the de- mand is greater than the supply, the article thus sought for will advance in proportion as the demand is above the supply. "In relation to other mills, the committee can only speak in general terms, that they have all, without a single exception, been doing a prosperous business, and have made handsome dividends. It is an admitted fact that labor is the basis of prosperity, or in other words, that the advantageous employment of labor in any given location, contributes largely to the prosperity and advancement of all the varied interests of such location. It is in such places, and under such 442 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY circumstances, that capitalists seek an investment of their surplus funds. The committee will instance the town of Newburyport, which but a few years since, prior to the erection of steam mills in that place, was in a state of dilapidation, but since those mills have gone into operation, business has assumed altogether a different character, freehold estate has been rapidly advancing, and capital- ists in other places have there sought investments. It must strike every one from this region of country with perfect astonishment, to behold the advancement and general prosperity of the eastern cities and villages, in a country of complete sterility compared with the county of Oneida, and all this prosperity may be at- tributed mainly to the power of machinery, put into operation by the enter- prise of the people ; and this, too, in a country where the materials for building are at least 30 per cent higher than in Oneida county; not only are materials for building higher, but provisions and labor are much higher, and the fuel for steam mills, if coal is used, is equally high, and wood a hundred per cent higher. Under all these disadvantages, they cannot successfully compete with the same degree of enterprise, directed to the same objects in a more favored community. And what is here said of Newburyport may be justly said of every other place your committee visited. "The committee have now fulfilled the duties assigned them, and in their investigation they have endeavored to elicit nothing but facts, and those facts are submitted, so far as they have been able to do so, in a plain and simple manner. There are some questions of moment that require the candid consid- eration of this community. "1- — Does the present condition of this city call for the development of its resources in new springs of action? If so, ought the citizens of Utica to engage in this new enterprise? ' ' 2. — Is it of sufficient importance to this city to justify the outlay ? "3. — Is there a strong probability that the investment will be a safe and a profitable one? "Your committee believe, with the information they have derived from their investigation, that all the above questions may be safely and judiciously answered in the affirmative. "All of which is respectfully submitted, "Spencer Kellogg, A. S. Pond, E. A. Graham, Committee." The company was organized, and, although it had a serious financial struggle, it finally was successful, and those who have been fortunate enough to have stock in the company have reaped a rich reward. In 1880 a company was organized known as the Mohawk Valley Cotton Mills, and its factory was constructed in the easterly part of the city, but this corpora- tion and the Utica Steam Cotton Mills were consolidated under the name of the Utica Steam & Mohawk VaUey Cotton Mills. Since the consolidation the new company has been eminently successful, and is one of the largest industries within the county. In 1882 the Skenandoa Cotton Company was incorporated, principally for the manufacturing of cotton yarn. It is still carrying on a most successful busi- ness in Utica. At Chadwicks, in the town of New Hartford, a cotton factory was established HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 443 in 1809, called Eagle Cotton Factory. The control of the business fell finally to George "W. Chadwick, and it was known as Chadwick's Mills. Mr. Chadwick conducted the business successfully, amassed a large fortune, and after his death a company was organized known as Chadwick's Mills Cotton Company, but it was not eminently successful, and the manufacturing of cotton goods ceased there some time since. In 1880 there was organized the Willowvale Bleachery Company, the object of which was the bleaching of cotton cloths. A large factory was built at "Wil- lowvale, and the bleaching is done for many different manufactories of cotton cloth. The company has been eminently successful, and its reputation is very high. The officers are Daniel N. Crouse, president, and Charles B. Rogers, sec- retary and treasurer. The first manufacturing of knit goods in Oneida county was done by S. S. Lowery and James S. Lowery in 1863. Their factory was located on Pine street, Utica, and business was carried on until about 1867 under different managements. In 1867 a firm consisting of S. S. Lowery and J. L. "Williams was formed. The factory on Pine street having been destroyed by fire, the business was removed to the corner of Franklin and Fulton streets in Utica. In 1886 this company closed out its business, and the plant was for a time idle, but in 1889 a new stock company was formed, which operated the factory for about a year and a half. This company was not successful, and in May, 1896, a new firm was or- ganized, took possession of the property, and is now known as Utica Knitting Company, which has increased its facilities enormously, and to-day is said to do the largest business of any knitting company in the world. The writer was in- formed by the general manager that this company produces every twenty-four hours 34,000 garments of underwear, and it has a large domestic and export trade. Among the other knitting companies within the county are Fisher Knitting Machine Company, Fisher Bros. Mfg. Company, Artistic Knit Goods Company, Augusta Knitting Company, Capron Knitting Company, Clayville Knitting Company, Fort Schuyler Knitting Company, Fisher & Stanfield Knitting Com- pany, Kendall Knitting Company, LaTosca Knitting Company, Lynch Knitting Company, New Hartford Knitting Company, Oneita Knitting Mills Company, Progressive Knit Goods Company, Richelieu Knitting Company, Supreme Un- derwear Mills Company, United Knitwear Company, Ritesize Underwear Com- pany, Regal Textile Company, Brothers Manufacturing Company, Fort Stanwix Knitting Company, Rome Textile Company, Columbia Knitting Mills and Rome Knitting Company, Hathaway & Reynolds and James Cunningham & Son, Stitt- ville Knitting Company and Camden Knitting Company. The products of the knitting factories of Oneida county amount to more than $20,000,000 a year, and Utica manufactures more knit goods than any other city in the world. Scotch Caps — Several manufacturers of Scotch caps have done business within the county, among them being D. "W. Northrup and also The D. "W. Nor- thrup Company. This business was carried on by Mr. Northrup on Liberty 444 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY street, Utica, and for many years was very successful, but financial complications intervened, and the business ceased to be profitable. The manufacturing of Scotch caps was also begun in a small way by Thomas Hanford in New Hartford in 1868. He had as-partner John E. McLoughlin, and the business was finally removed to the lower end of Park avenue in Utica, apd Hiram E. Brewster was admitted into the company. The name was changed to the Mohawk Valley Cap Factory Company. This business was successful, has increased its capacity and taken on other lines of business, until it is a very large establishment and is successfully conducted at the present day. Scotch caps were also made by the Empire Scotch Cap Factory, which was organized in 1887, and by the Lynch Scotch Cap Factory, in 1885, and the Lennox Fac- tory, which commenced business in 1888. Woolen — The Oriskany Manufacturing Society was incorporated February 16, 1811, and soon began making woolen goods on Oriskany Creek, obtaining the wool largely from a flock of sheep kept in Deerfield by Dr. Capron. For a time the wool industry was very profitable, particularly during the war with England, but when importations were resumed the price fell, and great losses were entailed upon the manufactures in this country. H. Waterbury & Sons Company of Oriskany are now engaged in the manu- facture of felt for use in paper mills. The Utica Steam Woolen Mills were incorporated February 27, 1846. A building was erected on Columbia street on Nail Creek, which is still standing. The company was successful for some time under the management of Peter Clogher, but sold its goods through the great house of A. T. Stewart in New York City, who made advances upon the goods. This proved very disastrous to the manufacturer, for at a time when the company could not pay it was called upon to settle its accounts with Stewart, and as it could not do so suit was brought, and a judgment of more than $200,000 was taken against the company, the property sold and purchased by Stewart. No business was ever done by Mr. Stewart in the factory, and it fell into decay. At the present time it is used as a knitting mill. In 1847 the Utica Globe Mill was organized, and the business men interested were some of the foremost of the county, among whom were Theodore S. Faxton, Judge William J. Bacon and Horatio Seymour. This company did not succeed, and the property was sold. A new company was organized known as Utica Woolen Mills, which started business in 1855, and after the panic of 1857 the mill was successfully operated. An experienced Englishman by the name of Robert Middleton took charge as agent, and his unusual business capacity en- abled the mill to manufacture goods that were the equal of any woolen goods of the class imported. In 1868 the name was changed to The Globe Woolen Mills. In September, 1891, the entire building, with all of its machinery and contents, was destroyed by fire. Soon after a much better mill was constructed upon the site, and the business was increased by the manufacturing of worsted goods. After the death of Mr. Middleton the business was carried on by his son, Walter D. Middleton, until the last few years, when he sold out his interest to Frederick HISTOEY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 445 Maynard and others, and Mr. Maynard became and has since been the head of the institution, which has been successful and profitable to the investors. For a time woolen goods were manufactured at different places in the county than Utica, but all of these mills have ceased operations, and at this date no woolen cloths or worsteds are manufactured within the county except by The Globe Woolen Mills in Utica. It is not the purpose of this work to give a detailed history of every manu- facturing company in the county, for the number of manufactories is so great that we cannot even mention them all. Clothing — ^Among the first manufacturers of clothing in the city of Utica were R. V. Yates, Henry J. "Wood, Charles A. Yates and Thomas L. Kingsley. AH these men accumulated fortunes in the clothing business, and left to their successors either a successful business or estates of substantial magnitude. The house established by Mr. Wood was continued under the name of Rockwell & White. Some time afterward Mr. Rockwell withdrew, and the concern was known as White & Company, but it was not successful, and finally became in- solvent. The house which had been successfully conducted by Charles A. Yatea was sold to Griffith, Roberts & Butler. The members of this house separated, and a company was formed known as Grouse & Brandegee, now known as Brande- gee, Kincaid & Company, which is very successful, doing an immense manufac- turing and wholesale business. After the death of Mr. Griffith the house became Roberts, Wicks & Company, and it is stiU conducting a very large business under that name. Thomas L. Kingsley conducted a successful business for some years, and af- t'er his death the business was carried on by his son, Charles C. Kingsley, but he made a financial failure, and the business was taken by his son, Thomas L., who conducted it for several years, but finally it was closed out and the house ceased to exist. One of the most successful clothing manufacturers in Utica was Palmer V. Kellogg, under the firm name of P. V. Kellogg & Company, who manufactured clothing for a number of years in Utica, and during the Civil War made uniforms for the soldiers. A branch store was started in Chicago, the goods being manu- factured in Utica and sent to Chicago for sale, but the Chicago end finally be- came the larger of the two, and the business was closed out in Utica, Mr. Kellogg removing to Chicago, where he died some years afterward. Another concern which carried on a large business in the manufacture and sale of clothing was Owen, Pixley & Company, consisting of John Owen, Philip Owen and Henry D. Pixley. The partnership was dissolved, and the Owen Brothers, after several years, closed out the business, but Mr. Pixley formed a partnership with his son, and has since carried on a successful business in this line. Another successful house is that of H. H. Cooper & Company, which has for many years and is still doing a successful business, both as manufacturers, whole- sale and retail dealers of a high class of goods. Several other firms have existed for a short time and then ceased business, but among those doing a good business at present are Mitchell & Thomas, Bird, Jones & Kenyon and Utica Clothing Company. 446 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY Boots and Shoes — One of the large industries in Utica at one time was that of manufacturing boots and shoes. One of the first business men to enter this field was James M. Wiswell, and with him was eissociated James W. Thomp- son. The manufacturing of these articles was begun on a small scale in 1862 or 1863, and it was about this time that Gordon McKay invented the machine for sewing the sole of a boot or shoe to the upper. Prior to this time aU sewed shoes or boots were made by hand, and it was a laborious task to aflSx the sole of a shoe to the upper. The remarkable invention of Mr. McKay enabled shoes to be sewed at the rate of a pair every two minutes. It may be well here to remark that the machine was never sold by McKay, but rented to a manufac- turer, although the first rental value that was required to be paid in advance was probably very much more than the value of the machine; the rental also consisted of two cents per pair for every pair of boots or shoes sewed upon the machine. The income from this source made Mr. McKay a multi-millionaire. This machine was used in Utica at this early date, and revolutionized the mak- ing of boots and shoes. The firm of Wiswell & Thompson was dissolved, and Newton Cloyes became a partner with Mr. Thompson. For a time the business was carried on successfully, as was other manufactories of the same articles in Utica, among whom were R. S., William H. and George Reynolds. These three brothers commenced the making of shoes on a small scale in 1865. They were successful, and soon increased their capacity very largely. On the death of William H. the firm became R. S. & George A. Reynolds. Some time after that R. S. retired, and the business was conducted by George A. The factory was located on the comer of John and Catharine streets in Utica, and the business was that of manufacturing ladies' fine shoes, at one time 1,500 pairs being made daily. While the business was carried on as a partnership it was ex- tremely successful, but after it was conducted by George A. complications arose between the manufacturer and the workmen, and it has been claimed by Mr. Reynolds that the conditions imposed by the trades unions on the manu- facturer had succeeded in driving every manufacturer of shoes from Oneida county. Another firm which was successful for a time was Holbrook & Ludlow. This concern manufactured a fine grade of shoes, but finally gave up the business, as all others, who had undertaken the manufacture of shoes in the city, were obliged for some reason to do. At present boots and shoes are not manufactured in the county, but the wholesale trade is carried on in the city of Utica success- fully by at least one house, that of D. C. Hurd & Company. Soap and Candles — At one time the industry of making soap and candles was an important one in the city of Utica, but it has ceased to exist. Before the discovery of kerosene oil and the general use of gas the candle industry was a substantial and important one, but after the use of kerosene oil the use of tal- low candles ahnost entirely ceased. This was reason enough for discontinuing the manufacturing of candles, and the soap industry has been in late years monopolized by the great corporations, largely in connection with packing houses, such as Armour & Company. As a separate industry the making of soap and candles was begun in Utica in 1812. Later, John and Stephen Thorne HISTORY OP ONEIDA COUNTY 447 bought out the concern which had been started by Boyd & Chamberlain, and in 1835 Isaac Maynard was admitted to the partnership, and the firm became Thorne & Maynard. This firm was very successful, and the business was very profitable, finally establishing a house in Chicago, and conducting business there as well as in Utica. Later they sold the business to WiUiam Heath and Joshua Tavender, which was carried on by that firm for some years, and then under the name of J. Tavender & Son. At one time B. T. Babbitt & Company manufactured soap at Whitesboro, but that has been discontinued, and the property where the business was con- ducted has been utilized for other purposes. In 1886 a company was formed in Rome for the manufacturing of Fuller's earth into soap. This material was foimd on the farm of Chauncy Brodock, in the town of Vienna, and the business was carried on profitably for some time. It is claimed that the mine from which the Fuller's earth was taken was the largest in the United States. Although this business had been profitable they discontinued it some years since, but finally the plant was utilized by Rome Soap Manufacturing Company, and at the present time this company is carry- ing on a very extensive business, and has constructed a new building in which to conduct its successful and growing business. Oil Cloth — The manufacturing of oil cloth was started in Utica about 1832, and for many years it was manufactured with success and profit to the in- ventor. The original manufacturer was J. D. Edwards, but his interests finally passed to Theodore Pomeroy and Thomas R. Walker. An invention of machin- ery changed very much the method of manufacturing the goods, and lessened the expense of producing the articles manufactured at this plant. Theodore Pomeroy succeeded to the management of the company, and after some years took his son, George G. Pomeroy, in partnership, the concern being known as Pomeroy & Son. The factory was located on the corner of Cornelia and Colum- bia streets, consisting of an enormous wooden building, but, as the business ceased to be profitable it was discontinued, the building torn down, and the site is now occupied by an automobile garage. Tobacco — The manufacturing of tobacco into cigars and for other uses was begun in Utica about 1835. The first person to undertake this business was a Mr. Tomlinson. His business was sold to Leslie A. Warnick and John Bryan in 1839. This firm commenced the manufacture of cigars and smoking tobacco. In 1845 they were located at 112 Genesee street, Utica, later removed to 86 Genesee street, and in 1852 Mr. Bryan was succeeded by John G. Brown, this firm continuing until the death of Mr. Warnick, when the firm became John G. Brown & Son. After the death of Mr. Brown the business was conducted by his son, Leslie W. Brown. This is one of the oldest business establishments in Utica, as it originated in 1835 and is still in existence, doing a large, successful and profitable business. For many years the manufacturing of cigars was successfully carried on by many different establishments. At one time F. M. Kendrick did an enormous business in Utica, but difSculties arose between the employer and the workmen 448 HISTOEY OF ONEIDA COUNTY which could not be reconciled, and the effect of this was to drive all of the manufacturers out of business. For a number of years no large concerns have manufactured cigars in Utica, although there are many cigars manufactured, but generally by co-operative organizations or private individuals, who manu- facture in their own houses, or in comparatively small establishments. The condition in Rome is very much the same as in Utica, there being no large estab- lishments manufacturing tobacco into cigars or other kinds of products for the retail trade. Pipe Organs — The manufacturing of pipe organs was begun in Utica in 1852 by Mr. Andrews, who afterwards took his son into partnership, and the business was carried on in a factory on Seymour avenue. In 1854, J. G. Mjarklove, an Englishman, became one of the firm. On the retirement of Mr. Andrews Mr. Marklove engaged in business on his own account, and Mr. Andrews also con- ducted the manufacture of organs at the same time. After the death of Mr. Andrews no one succeeded to his business, but C. F. Marklove manufactured or- gans in the factory of his father, then located at 60 John street. Subsequently Albert L. Barnes, who was one of the most accomplished performers upon the organ that Utica has ever had, took charge of the manufacturing of organs in the establishment formerly belonging to Mr. Marklove. The business did not prove a financial success, as contracts had been made for the construction of or- gans, notably one large one to be placed in one of the Utica churches, at a price far less than it could be produced for, and Mr. Barnes, becoming discouraged with the situation, in a fit of melancholia took his own life in the factory. His untimely death was a great loss to the music loving people of the county, as he was one of the most accomplished musicians who has ever claimed Oneida county for his home. Since his death no attempt to build organs has been made in Oneida county. Lumber — As Oneida county was originally a heavily wooded country, and as it still borders upon the Adirondack region, the lumber business has always been an important one in the county. Small establishments for the cutting of lumber have existed in nearly all parts of the county, and still exists in many towns. The most extensive establishment is that located at Hinckley, partially in the town of Trenton, partially in the town of Remsen, and partially in Herkimer county. A mill of great magnitude was established at this place early in the '50s by Hinckley & Blue. Logs were cut in the Adirondack region, floated down the AVest Canada Creek, and cut into lumber by the waterpower of this power- ful stream. The product was sawed and planed spruce and pine lumber, and at one time broom handles were extensively manufactured there. After the death of Messrs. Hinckley and Blue the business was discontinued for some time. The plant was finally sold to business men from Michigan, was reconstructed on a very much enlarged scale, but was confined almost exclusively to the product of sawed lumber. For a few years the business was carried on, but it was not successful, the concern making a disastrous failure, going into the hands of a receiver, and the creditors lost substantially the entire indebtedness of something like a million dollars. Afterward the Hinckley Fibre Company was organized, HISTOEY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 449 the manufacturing of pulp was started there and is still carried on on an im- mense scale. The process of making pulp is what is known as the sulphate pro- cess, and the number of logs consumed each year runs into the hundreds of thou- sands. The wood is received from the Adirondack region by floating down the West Canada Creek, and it is also brought in upon the railroad from the north- em part of the state. Among the early dealers exclusively in lumber in the city of Utica were Dr. Jonas Fay, Joshua N. Church and Charles Downer. It is said that at one time Charles Downer owned or controlled every lumber yard in Utica. In 1844 he had a yard on Lafayette street, and during that year Charles C. KeUogg became his partner. This firm was afterwards dissolved, and each of the partners car- ried on a separate business, Mr. Downer taking as his partner his son, E. F. Downer, who succeeded to the business about 1877. After the dissolution of the partnership of Downer & Kellogg Mr. Kellogg took as his partner Frederick Wardwell, but Mr. Wardwell lived but a short time thereafter, and later Mr. Kellogg took as his partners his sons, a corporation being formed known as Charles C. Kellogg & Sons Company. The business of this company has largely increased, and it is at the present time the largest concern of the kind in central New York. It carries on the wholesale and retail business of lumber, and the manufacturing of all kinds of lumber for building purposes. It sus- tains the reputation of being one of the best concerns of the kind in the entire state, and manufactures all kinds of finishings for houses and public buildings, Of late they have created a large lumber yard at the station of the "West Shore railroad in Utica, and a portion of their plant on Seneca street has been sold to the Utica Hotel Company as a part of the site for Hotel Utica, which is just being completed. G. P. Gibson & Son also carry on an extensive lumber business, doing a gen- eral wholesale and retail business in aU kinds of lumber, sash, doors, blinds, etc., and is counted a house of first class standing. Another large concern is that of Nellis, Amos & Swift, in the same line of business, and this house has also a high standing in the trade. One of the successful business enterprises connected with the lumber trade is that of F. H. Conant & Sons of Camden. Mr. Conant established a manu- factory of chairs, which was eminently successful, and the business has been in- creased from time to time until the work turned out by the establishment is known throughout the entire country. The product consists of expensive chairs of all kinds. The business has been most successful, and is still in a very pros- perous condition. In the city of Rome the important lumber dealers are Edward Comstock, Beach Lumber Company, Rome Box & Lumber Company and Rousseau Box & Shook Company. The lumber business is general throughout the county, and in almost every village and hamlet there is usually some one who deals in this article for the accommodation of the immediate vicinity. It would be beyond the scope of this work to give any description of all of those who are engaged in the business. VoL 1—29 450 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY Beds and Bedding— In 1871 Segar & Company commenced the manufactur- ing of spring beds in Utica. This firm was changed and became Segar & Foster, and then Poster Brothers. The concern manufactured spring beds and mattresses. This also included what is known as the bedstead, made of metal or wood. The business was successful, but, unfortunately, a few years since the establishment located on Broad street was entirely consumed by fire. It has, however, been restored on improved lines, the business successfully continued, and the goods produced are first class and meet a ready sale. From time to time there have been other manufacturers of spring beds in the city of Utica, but they have not continued in the business for any great length of time. In the city of Rome the Rome Metallic Bedstead Company is doing a successful business m the manufacture of metallic bedsteads. lEON and Other Metals— In 1820 Seth Peckham came to Utica from Troy and started the making of plows and other agricultural implements. He located on Catharine street, and afterwards took as a partner Amos Peckham, and still later a nephew, John S. Peckham. The business continued to 1835, when the concern, then consisting of J. S. and Merritt Peckham, began to make stoves of all kinds, and the Peckham stove was famous throughout the country, great numbers of them being manufactured and sent out in all directions. The mem- bers of the firm accumulated fortunes, and at their deaths handed over to their sons a successful business, which was carried on after the death of J. S. by Merritt and Townsend Peckham, the son of J. S., and still had a large trade. After the death of Merritt and Townsend the business was carried on by the descendants of the Peckhams, but for some unknown reason it was not success- ful, and finally was sold out and fell into the hands of Giblin & Company, who do business somewhat along the same line as the Peckhams, and have a pros- perous and profitable trade. In 1822 Ephraim Hart established a foundry in Utica, and had as partner at one time Andrew S. Pond, and afterwards his son, Henry R. Hart, and John Bagwell. This concern manufactured stoves, furnaces and castings of various kinds for the trade generally. About 1823 Alfred Munson commenced the man- ufacturing of lubricators, Martin Hart became associated with him in 1830, and the firm name was Munson & Hart. This partnership continued for several years, when the firm dissolved, and Alexander B. Hart, a son of Martin, and Edmund Munson, a nephew of Alfred, became associated under the name of Hart & Munson. This firm did an extensive business, but it was dissolved in 1868, and a new one formed under the title of Munson Brothers. The business is conducted under this name at the present time, although Edmund Munson died about a year since. The product is turbine water wheels, milling supplies, portable grain mills, rolling mills, and all kinds of flour and corn machinery. About 1832 a company was formed known as the Vulcan "Works, which was first conducted by Philo Curtis, and later by his son, Philo Curtis. The elder Curtis made the first steam engine that was ever made in Utica. The business was from time to time enlarged, and the manufacturing of boilers and en- gines of the most approved patterns was carried on for many years. On the death of Philo Curtis, the younger, the business was sold, and was incorporated HISTOEY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 451 under the name of Utiea Steam Engine & Boiler "Works, and it has been success- fully continued since. The Utica Pipe Foundry Company was organized in 1889, the first presi- dent being Charles Millar, and the business of making iron pipe for the use of water works and other purposes was started that year. After the death of Mr. MiUar his son, Henry W. Millar, was president of the company, the works were . enlarged, and a very large business has been established. The production is all kinds of cast iron pipe, the house of Charles Millar & Sons acting as the selling agent for the manufacturing company. Lead pipe has also been manufactured by Charles Millar & Sons, and they also carry on an extensive business in plumbers' supplies and agricultural implements. This establishment, including the pipe foundry, is probably the largest dealer in metal products in central New York. The manufacturing of merchandise from metal was started in Rome at an early date, and it has been successfully conducted there for many years. As a general proposition manufacturing of this character is more desirable to any community than the manufacturing of cotton or woolen goods. The reason for this is, women are employed generally in cotton, woolen and knitting factories whereas men are employed in establishments that handle metal. This has the tendency of fixing in such localities an equality between the sexes, or, perhaps the number of men is greater than the number of women in such locations, whereas, in a location where the industries are those of cotton and wool, there is invariably a preponderance of women. The earning capacity of man is greater than that of woman, and enables him to have a home and support his family in a proper way, while in a locality where the number of women is greater than the men, they necessarily are obliged to live in boarding houses, and many of the girls thus employed are without the benefit of a home, which is not to their advantage, as is very plainly to be seen. The people of Rome, therefore, were wise in selecting as their industries those that pertain to the working of metal. There are at Rome a number of corporations and partnerships which have been successful in this line of business, notable among which are Rome Brass & Copper Company, Rome Metal Company, Rome Tube Company, Rome Manufacturing Company, Rome-Turney Radiator Company, Rome Hol- low Wire & Tube Company, Rome Merchants Iron Mill, Rome Locomotive & Machine Works, The Rome "Wire Company, The James A. Spargo "Wire Com- pany, Spargo "Wire Cloth Company, Roux Wire Die Company, Rome Electrical Company, Rome Bronze Company, Union Can Company. For many years a large business in the manufacturing of plows, hoes and shovels was carried on by David J. and Sterling Millard at Clayville, but the business ceased to be profitable, and many years since it was given up. A manufactory was established at Washington Mills some years since for making hoes and forks. It passed through several changes, and was carried on successfully until about 1889, when the business ceased to be profitable, and an attempt was made to organize a company to take over all the plants of this character within the United States, but this failed, because of the fact that the manufacturers who employed state's prison labor to produce their goods re- fused to join the others in this endeavor. These manufacturers could produce 452 HISTOEY OP ONEIDA COUNTY the articles for considerable less than the outside manufacturer, and, therefore, refused to join the others in the enterprise. The Utica Deop Poege & Tool Company, located at 800 Whitesboro street, Utica, is a large establishment. Some time since it was entirely destroyed by fire, but was well insured, and upon obtaining the insurance the plant was re- built, enlarged, and is doing a very prosperous business. The goods produced are of the highest grade, and consist of plyers, pincers, and products of a like character. Charles W. Graham, manager of the Utica Industrial Company located at Rome, invented, patented and put into operation can-making machinery of extraordinary capacity. This machinery was operated at Rome by the Union Can Company, and one set of the machinery was capable of producing 120 cans every minute. The machinery was so complete that the cans were not only made but tested, and could be loaded into a car or wagon, or delivered to any part of the storehouse without being touched by hand. This machinery has been sold to different can manufacturers in the United States, but in 1910 the plant was sold out to the American Can Company and passed into that trust. It is problematical as to what will be the future of these two companies. Hot Air Furnaces — In 1842 Joel C. Bailey bought out Chester Dexter 's stove and machine foundry. Mr. Bailey took as his partner Russell Wheeler, his son-in-law. The new firm continued the business which had been conducted by the former proprietors of the establishment, and extended it materially. Mr. Bailey retired from this firm, and the business was conducted by Russell Wheeler, and finally he took as a partner his son, Prank Wheeler, and the con- cern continued to manufacture goods which were received by the public with great favor. The establishment was finally merged into the International Heater Company, and ceased to exist as a separate institution. John Carton began the manufacturing of hot air furnaces in 1847. This was a new enterprise, and the furnace which Mr. Carton invented and put upon the market proved to be one of the best that has been produced by any one, even to the present day. After Mr. Carton's death a company was organized known as the Carton Purnace Company, which was conducted by his sons. On the formation of the International Heater Company this company, as weU as many others, was merged into that corporation. Another furnace company that has been eminently successful is that of Hart & Crouse. This company manufactures hot air furnaces, and the facilities for heating buildings by either hot air, steam or hot water. It has for many years done a prosperous business, is still in a flourishing condition, and sends its goods to remote parts of the country, where they are received with favor. Still another company manufacturing heating apparatus is known as the Utica Heater Company, which manufactures the same class of goods as Hart & Crouse, and does an extensive business. The Mohawk Valley Heating Company also deals in goods of the same character. HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 453 Canning Industry — One of the industries of Oneida county, and which, in some respects, originated in the county, is the preserving of fruits, vegetables and cereals in cans. At this time more goods of this character are preserved in this county than in any other county in the state. The companies now doing business and the character of goods preserved by each are as follows : Clinton Canning Company, with office at Rome, the factory being located at Clinton, cans peas, corn, pumpkin and succotash. Curtice Brothers Company, home office Rochester, N. Y., factory located at Vernon, cans peas and com. Empire State Canning Company, office at Rome, factory at Stacy's Basin, cans tomatoes, peas, corn and squash. Port Stanwix Canning Company, located at Rome, cans tomatoes, peas, corn, pumpkin, squash, beets, spinach, succotash, refugee beans, golden wax beans, Lima beans, red kidney beans, pork and beans, sweet potatoes, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, cherries and Bartlett pears. This company also has factories at Fulton, N. Y., Glassboro, N. J., Hampton, Maine, and leases some other factories. L. P. Haviland, factory located at Camden, cans corn. Kirkland Canning Company, located at Waterville, also at Kirkland and Ta- berg, cans tomatoes, peas, corn, squash, beans, succotash, sauerkraut and fruits. Lee Canning Company, with office at Rome and factory at Lee, cans corn, peas and succotash. Mohawk Valley Canning Company, located at Westernville, cans peas, corn, pumpkin and beans. New Hartford Canning Company, with principal office located at New Hart- ford and one factory located there, one at Newport, Herkimer county, one at Knoxboro, one at Syracuse and one at Williamstown, Oswego county, cans to- matoes, peas, corn, pumpkin, beans, succotash and fruits. Olney & Floyd, office at Westernville, one factory located at Westernville and one at Lee Center (formerly at Delta), cans peas, corn, pumpkin, squash, suc- cotash and other vegetables and fruits. Oneida County Canning Company, located at Verona, cans com. Pennellville Canning Company, office at Camden and factory at Pennellville, cans peas, com, beans, succotash and fruits. Sauquoit Canning Company, office at Utica, factory located at Sauquoit, cans peas, corn, beans, succotash and fruits. Stittville Canning Company, factory located at Stittville, cans peas, com and beans. W. I. Stoddard, factory located at Camden, cans corn and beans. Turin Canning and Packing Company, located at Boonville, cans peas, com, pumpkin, beans, succotash and pickles. Tuttle & Company, factory located at McConnellsville, cans com, pumpkin and succotash. U. S. Canning Company, office at Fredonia, factory at Rome, cans vegetables and fruits. Utica Canning Company at Utica, cans tomatoes, peas, corn, pumpkin, beans, succotash and fruits. 454 HISTORY OP ONEIDA COUNTY I. J. White, factory located at Blossvale, cans peas and corn. Whitesboro Canning Company at Whitesboro, cans corn. Wilson Canning Company, located at Taberg, with office at Mexico village, cans corn. An approximate amount of the annual business of this character in the county at this time is $1,210,000. Until 1848 there was but little business carried on by corporations, but the desire to avoid personal responsibility has induced the formation of great numbers of corporations within the county, many of which have ceased to exist. There have been many thousands of corporations organized, which have started upon their business career, but great numbers were unsuccessful, and after a few years they were either legally dissolved or were allowed to die out without any proceedings to cause their legal extinguishment. It does, however, appear from the books of the county treasurer that in the year 1911 there were 474 business corporations within the county which paid corporate tax, showing that at least there were that number having a legal existence, and of this number 43 were incorporated in the year 1911. Utica Water Works Company — This company was incorporated March 31, 1848, the object being to provide water for the citizens of Utica for domestic and fire purposes from the hills southerly of the city. These works were in- creased from time to time until opposition arose because of the fact of what was claimed were exorbitant charges for the water. The West Canada Water Works Company was incorporated May 5, 1898, the object being to bring water from the West Canada creek near Prospect to Utica for public use. This com- pany, however, did not succeed in building the works, but finally sold out its rights, as did the Utica Water Works Company, to the Consolidated Water Company of Utica. This company was organized November 13, 1899, and took over the rights of all the other water companies of the city. It constructed a reservoir in the town of Deerfield, for the purpose of taking water from the Deerfield Ravine, but this water did not prove satisfactory, and it, therefore, laid water pipes from the reservoir in Deerfield to the West Canada creek, about half a mile above the bridge across the stream at Hinckley, and about five years ago commenced taking water from the middle of that stream through a wooden pipe to the shore, and then through an iron pipe into the reservoir at Deer- field. This source of supply is sufficient for Utica for all time. The water of the West Canada creek is comparatively soft, but it is not of such a character as to be used for domestic purposes without question, and the company has at times been severely criticized for not furnishing better water to the city. Telegraph— The first telegraph company formed in Oneida county was on July 16, 1845, which was called the Springfield, Albany & Buffalo Telegraph Company. The interested parties were John Butterfield, Hiram Greenman, Henry Wells and Crawford Livingstone. The first telegraph line in the state was built from Albany to Utica, and was finished January 31, 1846. The line that connects Utica with the west was soon after completed. These several HISTORY OP ONEIDA COUNTY 455 lines were afterwards absorbed by the Western Union Telegraph Company, and became virtually one organization. This condition existed for many years, al- though some attempts were made at competition by other companies, but none were entirely successful until the Postal Telegraph Company came into the field as a substantial rival for the Western Union. Home Telephone Company — For some years prior to 1901 the Bell Tele- phone Company had possessed a monopoly of the telephone business in central New York. December 12 of that year the Home Telephone Company was or- ganized, with a view of competing with the Bell. It obtained a franchise to erect its poles and wires in Utica January 7, 1902, and April 18, 1902, obtained the right to put its wires under ground. The company conducted its business with great energy, and became at once a rival of the Bell system. For several years past negotiations have been pending for the consolidation of the two com- panies, and during the last year a substantial consolidation has been completed. The officers of the Home Company who made it a success, were Edgar B. Odell, president; Henry W. Millar, vice president; Edward Bushinger, treasurer; and Charles H. Poole, secretary and general manager. The Central New York Telephone & Telegraph Company was organized in December, 1882, and purchased the property of the following telephone com- panies which were sublicensees of the American Bell Telephone Company. All of these companies were operating under a short term contract : American District Telephone Company of Utica, Mohawk Valley Telephone Company of Rome, Herkimer Telephone Company of Little Falls, Ogdensburg Telephone Company of Ogdensburg, Watertown Telephone Company of Watertown. The terri- tory assigned by the American Bell Telephone Company to the Central New York Telephone Company was the counties of Hamilton, St. Lawrence, Jeffer- son, Lewis, Oneida, Madison, Chanango, Otsego, Herkimer and Delaware. Its original directors were Robert S. Williams, Francis G. Wood, Lewis H. Lawrence, Charles A. Nicholson all of Utica; and, Henry L. Storke, James Seymour, Jr., and Dexter A. Smith of Auburn. Its authorized capital stock was $1,000,000. This consolidation of telephone interests in Central New York, started business with a list of about one thousand subscribers, of which nearly half were in the city of Utica. The property of the newly organized company con- sisted of isolated telephone exchanges, and its first business was to connect these exchanges by building trunk lines from one central office to another throughout its territory. The toll revenue of the new company at the time of consolidation, was only about $11,000 per year, and was derived from short lines located within its territory and leading out from various exchange centers to nearby villages. The toU revenue now derived from this territory originally set off to the Central New York Telephone & Telegraph Company is about $250,000 per year. Each of the companies mentioned above had obtained franchise rights to construct a telephone system in and for cities in its territory. The first exhange system for Utica was constructed under a license granted 456 HISTORY OP ONEIDA COUNTY to the American District Telegraph Company "to carry its wires over the several streets of the city of Utica" on June 1, 1877. The Central New York Telephone & Telegraph Company on assuming con- trol in Utica, extended telephone lines in and for the city under this right, this new construction heing ratified and confirmed to it by the Common Council on May 23, 1890. The right to place its wires under ground in and for the city of Utica, was granted by the Common Council on April 5, 1905. The county of Onondaga, including the city of Syracuse, was added to the territory of the Central New York Telephone & Telegraph Company on January 28, 1887. Recently the New York Telephone Company has acquired control of the whole system, Utica Electric Company — In September, 1899, work was commenced at Trenton Falls to utilize the power of the West Canada creek for developing electricity. The dam was commenced in the spring of 1900, and was completed in November of that year. The dam is placed across the gorge slightly above the upper fall at Trenton Falls, and raises the water about 52 feet. There has been developed at the present time 8,000 horse power. The gates were opened, power developed and delivered at Utica at 6:34 o'clock p. m., April 17, 1901. The power has been utilized for motor power on street cars, and for manu- facturing and lighting purposes. OLD HORSE CAR OF UTICA CHAPTER XXXI TRANSPORTATION — ROUTES OF TRAVEL Indian Trails — The main artery of travel through the central part of what is now New York state were the Indian trails along the streams, the main thor- oughfare being along the Mohawk river through what is now Oneida county. The river also furnished means, both to the Indian and white man, of trans- portation, much easier than upon horse back or upon the ox cart of the early settler. For this reason settlements occurred near the waterways earlier than elsewhere, and attention was given to improving the waterways before anything was done in the way of highway improvement. Western Inland Lock Navigation Company — In 1796 the Western Inland Lock Navigation Company was incorporated for the purpose of constructing a canal and locks around the falls at Little Falls on the Mohawk, and to construct a canal across the Carrying Place at Rome from the Mohawk river to Wood creek. This canal must have been completed about the year 1800, as it is shown on the maps printed in 1802 of that location. It is claimed that Cad- wallader Colden, then surveyor general of New York, proposed a system of in- land navigation as early as 1724. If this is so, he must have been the pioneer of this laudable enterprise, but nothing seems to have been accomplished until about 1800 in that direction. Passenger Boats — Soon after 1800 a line of boats was established upon the Mohawk river, and ran weekly between Schenectady and Cayuga. By 1812 boats ran twice a week between Utiea and Schenectady, and the time occupied in making a trip was about twenty-four hours. Genesee Turnpike — A highway was improved from Utiea westerly to the Genesee river about 1794, which was called the Genesee Turnpike, and led through Utiea, Whitestown, Oriskany, Fort Stanwix and Verona. About the same year a road was improved from Albany to Utiea. Seneca Turnpike — In 1800 the charter of the Seneca Turnpike Company was granted to build a road through New Hartford, Kirkland, Vernon, Oneida Castle, and on westward. Mail and Stage Routes — In 1792 Congress provided for a post road be- tween Albany and Whitesboro. The mail was carried by Jason Parker, who had established a line of stages about that time. Parker and Levi Stephens 457 458 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY had received an exclusive right for seven years to run a line of stages twice each week over the route from Albany to Onondaga, and the charge was to be not exceeding five cents per passenger per mile. Three quite extraordinary men joined Mr. Parker in this enterprise. They were Theodore S. Faxton, Silas B. Childs and John Butterfield. Jason Pabkee settled in New Hartford in 1794. He was a native of Wil- braham, Mass. He cleared up two farms, and displayed great energy in mak- ing improvements upon his property, but his health failed and he was obliged to give up farming and take up some other line of business. He first employed post riders between Canajoharie and Whitestown. The contract from the govern- ment for the transportation of the mails, which had been given the year previous to one Simeon Pool, soon passed into his hands. It is related by Dr. Bagg that on one occasion, when Mr. Parker arrived with the great western mail from Albany, it was discovered that it contained six letters for the inhabitants of old Fort Schuyler. This remarkable fact was heralded from one end of the settle- ment to the other, and some were incredulous until assured of its truth by the postmaster, John Post. In 1810 Mr. Parker had established a daily line of stages between Albany and Utica, and in September, 1811, another line three times a week was added to the daily one. Mr. Parker was eminently success- ful. He died in Utica in 1830, and was succeeded in the business of transpor- tation largely by Theodore S. Faxton, Silas D. Childs and John Butterfield. These gentlemen from time to time extended the stage routes from Utica, until they reached out in every direction, as far east as Albany, south to the Unadilla country, west to the westerly part of the state, and north to the St. Lawrence river. Theodore S. Faxton came to Utica about 1812, obtained a position as stage driver, and continued in that employment for about four years. Afterward he became one of the proprietors of the establishment, but even then, on occa- sions he would mount the box and show how he could handle the dashing four or six horses. It is related of him that in the winter of 1822-3, he drove a team of six horses from Utica to Albany and return in eighteen hours, and had as guests on that occasion the eminent gentlemen, James Piatt, Richard R. Lansing, John H. Ostrom, Charles P. KirMand, Joseph S. Porter and "Wil- liam Williams. They left Utica at midnight, reached Albany before the opening of the morning session of the legislature, and, after an hour's rest, started out on their return. After they reached Utica they were not content until they had eked out the one hundred mUes by a ride to New Hartford and return. Mr. Faxton accumulated a large fortune, and, as he had no children, he gave liber- ally of his large means to charities. Among other institutions, he founded or endowed the Faxton Hospital, Home for the Homeless, and the Old Couples' Home, aU in Utica. He also gave liberally to other charities, and left a name most enviable in the annals of the city of Utica. Silas D. Childs, also a partner with Mr. Parker in the transportation busi- ness, came to Utica from Conway, Mass. He was a man of great energy, JOHN BUTTERFIELD HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 459 accumulated a large fortune, and at his death left a substantial sum to charities and benevolent objects, among which was Hamilton College. . He left a large portion of his property to his wife during her life, and at her death the beneficiaries under his will reaped further benefit. Mr. Childs left no descendants, and his large estate went to collateral relatives and to charities, for which the citizens of Oneida county have ever been grateful. John Butteefield came to Utica and entered the employ of Jason Parker as a stage driver. He was a man of very limited education, but of remarkable business capacity. Soon after locating in Utica he started a livery business. This was conducted during his entire life, and his establishment was famed throughout the entire state. He was a dealer in horses, buying them in large numbers, and selling them to dealers in all directions. It is reported of him that he transported the first live animal that was ever freighted upon the steam cars. As the report goes, he sold a team to Erastus Corning of Albany, and agreed to have them in that city the following morning. When asked how he expected to do it, he said he would send them by railroad. He took a plat- form car, arranged it so that the horses would be safe upon it, placed them on it, and the next morning they were in Albany. He was also instrumental in building the Utica & Schenectady railroad ; the Utica & Black River railroad, and the Utica & Chenango Valley railroad; was one of the organizers of the American Express Company ; and was the organizer of the Overland Mail Route to California, a stage line of 2,800 miles. His capacity for organization was very great, and his judgment as to what should be done commanded the respect of his friends, so that he was able to command money for any enterprise he would undertake. It is related of him that when he was thought to be on his death bed, he purchased iron for the Utica & Chenango Valley railroad, he, at the time, being president of that company, and that the directors refused to acquiesce in his purchase. He then said to them, "Very well, I will take the iron." This was at the approach of the Civil war, and there was an almost immediate advance in the price of railroad iron. Soon after the directors of the company went to him and said that they had changed their minds and would take the iron. He answered, "The iron is mine, and you can have it at the market price," which gave him a substantial profit. He died in Utica in 1889, leaving a large fortune and an estate which inventoried nearly a million dollars, but he made no charitable bequests. Eeie Canal — The Erie Canal was started in Rome, July 4, 1817. This great waterway was finished October 20, 1825, and an immense celebration occurred in Utica, at which Governor Clinton and many notables were present. It may well be said here that the foremost engineer connected with the canal was John B. Jervis of Rome. The Chenango Canal, running southward from Utica, was begun in 1834, and was completed in 1836. It was 97 miles long, and its object was to bring coal into central New York. After the completion of the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western railroad, and the Utica, Clinton & Binghamton railroad, this canal 4gQ HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY was abandoned. This was accomplished through the influence of the railroad companies. It was a catastrophe to the public that the canal was abandoned, and it seems incomprehensible that it could have been accomplished. From that time until the present day the railroads have had absolute control of the coal fields and coal markets. If the canal had remained open, it is probable that coal would have been purchased much cheaper in central New York than at the present time. Black Rivee Canal was built largely as a feeder for the Erie Canal. Its construction was authorized in 1836, and it was opened in 1851 between Rome and Port Leyd^n. It has ceased to be of great practical use to the state, and but very little business has been done over it until it was utilized for the pur- poses of the work upon the Barge Canal, and particularly at Delta, where the material for the construction of the great dam there came over this canal. Just what this canal will amount to after the construction of the Barge Canal is impossible to say at this time. The great feeders for the Barge Canal, being constructed at Delta and Hinckley, would seem to be sufficient to supply water without use of that which formerly passed through the Black River Canal. Plank Roads— In 1847 a Plank Road Company was organized to plank the roads through low, wet and rough places. One road extended from Deer- field to Remsen; one was afterwards built from Utica to Rome and on west- ward; one to Schuyler and Frankfort; and one to New Hartford, Clinton, Waterville and Burlington. "While the hemlock lumber, which was generally used for plank roads, was plentiful, the roads could be kept planked without an enormous expense ; but as the lumber became scarce it was so expensive to plank the roads that finally they fell into dilapidation, and then they were worse than if they had never been planked. They became at times in the spring and fall almost impassable. Finally the planks were all removed, and nothing of importance was done for many years in regard to the construction of proper highways. The state, however, having voted to spend $50,000,000 under certain conditions upon the highways, the counties and towns have taken up the subject, and within the last ten years great advance has been made in the construction of suitable highways.. The number of miles of first class macadam roads which have been constructed within the county to date is 105. The incentive to good roads was first caused by the invention of the bicycle. The bicycle riders desired good roads, an organization was perfected in the state, and a systematic campaign was carried on for years in favor of better high- ways. This was accentuated when the automobile became a practically assured fact, and at the present time there is no other thought in the public mind except to perfect our highways as rapidly as they can be economically con- structed upon approved engineering principles. The Utica & Schenectady Railroad Company was incorporated in 1833. A railroad had been constructed from Albany to Schenectady in 1832, and the proposed line from Utica to Schenectady was to connect with that. The road THEODORE S. FAXTON SILAS D. CHILDS LEWIS LAWRENCE Jlerchaut and President of the Utica & Susquehanna Valley Railroad SAMUEL FARWELL President of the Flint & Pere Marquette Railroad ISAAC MAYNARD Merchant and Treasurer of the Utica & Blaclv River Railroad - JOHN THORN Merchant and President of the Utica & Black River Railroad PROMINENT FACTORS IN TRANSPORTATION HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 461 was to be upon the north side of the Erie Canal, with its terminus in the city of Utica. In 1836 a road was built between Utica and Syracuse. Cars were run then through from Albany to Syracuse, a'nd within a short time the road was con- tinued to Buffalo, which made a continuous line, although consisting of dif- ferent railroads, from New York through to Buffalo. New York Central & Hudson Rivee Railroad Company — In 1853 the legislature passed a bill consolidating all the railroads between Albany and Buffalo, which gave birth to the great corporation known as the New York Central Railroad Company, which was afterwards consolidated with the Hudson River Railroad Coinpany, making the great combination now called the New York Central & Hudson River Railroad Company. Utica & Black River Railroad Company — In 1853 a railroad was organ- ized in Utica called the Black River & Utica Railroad Company, the object being to build a road northward from Utica. This road was constructed as far as Boonville about 1855. The expense of the road was so great that it was a financial failure, a receiver was appointed, the property sold, and a reorgani- zation was effected in May, 1861, under the name of the Utica & Black River Railroad Company. This line has been extended to "Watertown and the St. Lawrence river, and was for many years conducted as a separate line, but was finally leased to the Rome, Watertown & Ogdensburg line, and that line was afterwards leased to the New York Central & Hudson River Railroad Company, so that both the Rome, Watertown & Ogdensburg Railroad Company and the Utica & Black River Railroad Company became a part of the New York Central & Hudson River Railroad system. Utica, Chenango & Susquehanna Valley Railroad Company — Lewis Law- rence and other prominent Utica capitalists organized this road in 1866. The object was to build a line of railroads southerly from Utica into the Chenango valley. This was completed in 1870, and was leased to the Delaware, Lacka- wanna & Western Railroad Company, which has ever since had control of it. This railroad is the principal source of the coal supply to Utica and vicinity. Utica, Clinton & Binghamton Railroad Company — In 1862 John Butter- field and other of the business men of Utica organized a railroad company known as the Utica, Clinton & Binghamton Railroad Company, the object be- ing to construct a horse or steam railroad to connect Clinton with New Hart- ford, Utica and Whitesboro. In 1863 the railroad was built within the city of Utica, and as far south as New Hartford. Horse cars were used in the city, and as far as New Hartford. From New Hartford to Clinton a dummy engine was used to draw the cars back and forth. In 1867 the road was extended to Smith's Valley. In 1870 a steam road was built from Utica to New Hartford, but not on the line of the street railroad, as the street railroad had passed up Genesee street, the principal resident street in Utica, and the steam road was built up the westerly outskirts of the city. This line of railroad was first 462 HISTORY OP ONEIDA COUNTY leased to the New York, Ontario & Western Railroad Company, and after- wards to the Delaware & Hudson Canal Company. As soon as electricity be- came a practical means of propelling street cars, the system in Utica was changed, and electricity was used to propel all of the street ears over this line of railroad, both through the city and to the suburban villages. New Yoek, West Shore & Buffalo Railroad Company — In 1884 it was proposed to build a railroad from New York to the west, known as the New York, West Shore & Buffalo Raih-oad. This line passed through Oneida county, and the road was substantially completed by the persons who had organized it, but soon after they got into financial difSeulties, a receiver was appointed, the property sold, and fell into the hands of the New York Central & Hudson River Railroad Company. This railroad had endeavored to compete with the New York Central by carrying passengers at one cent per mile and freight at a ruinous rate. It was short lived, and the New York Central reaped the benefit of the visionary financiering of the managers of the insolvent corporation. Mohawk & Malone Railroad Company — A railroad was organized in 1893 to run from Herkimer, northward into the Adirondacks. It was constructed by the Vanderbilt money, and soon after was leased to the New York Central & Hudson River Railroad Company. As the New York Central had also con- trol of the Utica & Black River Railroad, it changed the system of running trains on the Mohawk & Malone Railroad, and, instead of having them pass through Herkimer over the new railroad to Remsen and on into the Adirondacks, their principal trains run through Utica and over the Utica & Black River Railroad to Remsen and on into the Adirondacks, thus making Utica the real terminal of the Mohawk & Malone Railroad. This is the last steam railroad that has been perfected in this county. The Rome & Clinton Railroad Company, whose line extends between Rome and Clinton, was constructed in 1871. It was intended as a coal road, and soon after its completion was leased to the Delaware & Hudson Canal Company, and has ever since been controlled by that organization. Rome, Watertown & Ogdensburg Railroad Company — In 1848 the Rome, Watertown & Ogdensburg Railroad was commenced, and was opened as far as Pierrepont Manor in May, 1851. The year afterward it was extended north- ward to Watertown. This road had financial difficulties, and, after the build- ing of the Utica & Black River Railroad through to Watertown, the competition became so sharp that both roads suffered in consequence. In 1886 the Utica & Black River Railroad was leased by the Rome, Watertown & Ogdensburg Rail- road, and afterward both roads were leased to the New York Central & Hud- son River. Railroad Company, and all competition faded away. The Utica Belt Line Company was organized in 1886, its object being to get control of all the street railroads in Utica, which was accomplished that same year. Electricity was substituted for horse cars, and great development O o O K a o IS o fti o o fa rji O ►1» O a. HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 463 was made in the local street railroad system. In 1897 the line was extended to Oriskany and Summit Park. The Bleecker Street Railroad was also acquired by the Belt Line Company, the Oneida Railroad procured rights in the streets of Utica, and finally a majority of the stock of aU of these local companies was acquired by the New York Central & Hudson River Railroad Company, a line was constructed to Rome, the West Shore Railroad was electrified between Utica and Syracuse, an electric line constructed as far south as Little Falls, and, although there are several different corporations, the dominating one is the New York Central & Hudson River Railroad Company. Babge Canal — One of the greatest industrial elements in Oneida county is the Barge Canal, which is at this time in process of construction. The county, indeed, plays a very important part in this great waterway, as the two large reservoirs, which are to furnish the water for the great level through the central part of the state, are to be located within its boundaries — one at Delta, and the other at Hinckley. The dam at Delta at this writing is nearly completed and the one at Hinckley has only been in process of construction since the spring of 1911. The dam at Delta submerges several square miles of territory, and has necessitated the removal of Delta village. The dam at Hinck- ley crosses the West Canada creek a short distance above the residence of the late Albert Hinckley. It is more than 4,400 feet long, and the effect will be to destroy the upper part of the village of Hinckley, and the villages of North- wood and Grant, Herkimer county. At the present writing the work upon the canal through Oneida county has not progressed sufSciently so that an accurate description can be given of the situation. For several years a con- troversy existed between the city of Utica and the state of New York in regard to whether the canal should pass along the new channel of the Mohawk river or whether it should be placed further northward, and the state finally decided to adopt the northerly course, which is about 1,800 feet northward from the old river channel of the Mohawk. This old channel has, during the last year, been entirely filled up at the foot of Genesee street, and the his- torical river and the famous ford has ceased to exist. CHAPTER XXXII FRATERNAL ORDERS— SOCIETIES— CLUBS FREE MASONRY Within the territory of what is now the county of Oneida, at least forty- two lodges of Free and Accepted Masons have been instituted, all having derived their authority either by dispensation or warrant from the Grand Lodge of the state. Many of these have, for various reasons, been compelled to relinquish their charters and thereby cease to exist. There are, however, at this date, twenty lodges in existence, having a total membership of 3,703 Master Masons. EARLY LODGES NOW EXTINCT Amicable Lodge No. 23 (revised No. 22, revised No. 11), New Hartford — The first lodge to be instituted in Oneida (then Herkimer) county, received its warrant from the Grand Lodge dated April 7, 1792, designating John J. Morgan as Worshipful Master; John Post as Senior Warden, and Michael Myers as Junior Warden. The records show that Judge Jedediah Sanger, General Oliver Collins and Hon. Richard Sanger each, subsequently, were Masters of this lodge. Meetings were held in the house of Judge Sanger in New Hartford in a room especially fitted by him for the purpose. The warrant of this lodge was sur- rendered in 1842. Steuben Lodge, No. 54, Town op Steuben — The warrant, dated December 29, 1796, named David Starr as Worshipful Master; Benjamin Pike as Senior Warden, and Samuel Sizer as Junior Warden. The warrant was surrendered about 1817. Roman Lodge, No. 82 (revised No. 79), Rome— The warrant, dated Feb- ruary 13, 1799, named Joshua Hathaway as Worshipful Master; Stephen White as Senior Warden, and Chester Gould as Junior Warden. The warrant was for- feited to the Grand Lodge in 1835, but was subsequently returned to Rome, and was in possession of W. W. Wardwell of that city. Federal Lodge No. 83 (revised No. 80), Town op Paris "at or near Josiah Whitney's."— The warrant, dated November 23, 1799, named Nathan Whitney as Worshipful Master ; Jonathan Barker as Senior Warden, and William Norton as Junior Warden. The warrant was surrendered in 1831. 464 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 465 Mount Veenon Lodge No. 97, Vernon — ^Warrant issued January 21, 1803. The names of first officers and date of surrender of charter are not available, but the lodge was known to exist as late as 1824, in which year Simon Brigham, as Master, recommended a petition for a new lodge to be located in the town of Vernon "near the Castle" and to be designated as Oneida Lodge. Oneida Lodge, No. 123, Village of Utica — ^Warrant issued June 5, 1805, designated John Post as Worshipful Master ; Benajah Merrell as Senior Warden and Henry Trowbridge as Junior Warden. The last meeting was held June 8, 1812, and the warrant was surrendered in 1815. The warrant, records and jewels of this lodge are now in possession of Faxton Lodge, No. 697, Utica. Sanger Lodge No. 176, Town op Sangeepield — ^Warrant issued December 7, 1808, designated Stephen Preston as Worshipful Master; Isaac Terry, Jr., as Senior Warden, and Oliver Rood as Junior Warden. The warrant was sur- rendered in 1830. Philantheopic Lodge No. 188, Camden — Dispensation granted 1809. War- rant issued 1816. As records are missing, the names of the first officers are not obtainable. September 19, 1816 under the charter the first officers were Olney Hines, Worshipful Master; Asa T. Smith, Senior Warden; Joshua Ransom, Junior Warden; Warrant delivered and forfeited June 4, 1835. Rising Sun Lodge No. 228, Teenton — Dispensation issued June 9, 1809. Warrant issued November 26, 1813. The first officers of this lodge were Amasa Trowbridge, Worshipful Master ; David Bronson, Senior Warden ; Canfield Coe, Junior Warden. By permission of the Grand Lodge dated March 29, 1821, Rising Sun Lodge was removed to Remsen, but retained its original name. There is no evidence of its existence later than the year 1823. Hampton Lodge No. 198, Hampton — ^Warrant issued December 5, 1811, designated Truman Enos as Worshipful Master; Eli Peck as Senior Warden, and Alfred Willey as Junior Warden. This lodge was in existence certainly as late as 1827, in which year it petitioned and received permission of the Grand Lodge to hold its meeting "in any part of the town of Westmoreland." The warrant is now in possession of Hampton Lodge No. 347. Faembes' Lodge No. 214, Town op Venoea — ^Warrant issued May 8, 1813, designated Philip Robinson as Worshipful Master ; Stephen Benedict as Senior Warden, and Daniel Bosworth as Junior Warden. There are no records of this lodge later than 1828. Augusta Lodge No. 233, Town op Augusta — ^Warrant issued June 2, 1814, named William St. John as Worshipful Master ; Nathaniel Rose as Senior War- den, and Isaac Watrous as Junior Warden. There are no records later than 1827. Vol. 1—30 466 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY Clinton Lodge No. 228 (revised No. 258), Town of Schuyler (Herkimer County) — "At the house of John P. Webb." Dispensation granted April 25, 1815. Warrant issued March 15, 1816, named John P. Webb as Worshipful Master ; Benjamin Taber as Senior Warden, and Philip Knapp as Junior War- den. By permission of the Grand Lodge this lodge was removed in 1825 to the house of Henry Weaver in the town of Deerfield, Oneida county. The last meeting was held April 17, 1826, and the warrant was surrendered in 1826. Whitesboeo Lodge No. 315 (revised No. 52), Whitesboeo — ^Warrant issued October 16, 1818, named Isaac Bronson as Worshipful Master; John B. Pease as Senior Warden; Loring Webb as Junior Warden. Last meeting was held December 18, 1839, and warrant was surrendered in 1842. Pabis Lodge No. 348, Town of Paeis — ^Warrant issued June 10, 1822, named Amasa Millard as Worshipful Master; Asahel Curtiss as Senior Warden, and Spaulding Pierce as Junior Warden. The warrant was demanded by Grand Lodge in 1835, though not delivered until 1843. The records and jewels were retained, and are now treasured by the present Sauquoit Lodge No. 150. CoBiNTHiAN Lodge No. 445, Town of Veenon — Petition was received in Grand Lodge November 16, 1824, and dispensation issued November 20, 1824, which named David McElfresh, Worshipful Master ; Solomon Davis, Senior War- den; Charles Dix, Jimior Warden. This lodge was variously designated as "Corinthian Lodge," "Oneida Lodge near the Castle," and "Oneida Castle Lodge," but in every instance as "No. 445." It was certainly in existence as late as 1827, but the records are very meager and designations confusing. Morning Stab Lodge No. 374, Annsville— Warrant issued June 5, 1824, named Archibald F. Frink as Worshipful Master; Israel S. Parker as Senior Warden, and John Simons as Junior Warden. There is no evidence that this lodge existed later than 1829. BooNviLLE Lodge No. 414, Boonville— Warrant dated June 7, 1825, named David Porter as Worshipful Master; John Rogers as Senior Warden, and Aaron F. Bates as Junior Warden. The latest evidence of the existence of this lodge is the year 1831. Vienna Lodge No. 418, Town of Vienna— Warrant dated June 8, 1825, named Jonathan Tremain as Worshipful Master; Silas Cornish as Senior War- den, and Abiraim Parker as Junior Warden. Last mention of this lodge is May, 1828. Farmers' Friendship Lodge No. 420, Tovra of Floyd— Warrant dated June 24, 1825, named Isaac Bronson as Worshipful Master ; Nathan Townsend as Senior Warden, and Ira Kingsbury as Junior Warden. The last recorded HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 467 meetiDg of this lodge was held April 21, 1831. Isaac Bronson held the office of Master during its entire existence. Baeon Steuben Lodge No. 485, Western — ^Warrant issued June 10, 1825, named Shelden P. MiUs as Worshipful Master; George Riggs as Senior War- den, and Amasa Ives as Junior Warden. There are no further records regard- ing this lodge. LODGES EXISTING AT THIS DAT Western Star Lodge No. 15 (original No. 59; revised No. 56), Bridgewater — Charter issued January 18, 1797, named James Kinney as Worshipful Mas- ter; Thomas Brown as Senior Warden; Daniel Perkins as Junior Warden. The present officers are Grant E. Pughe, W. M. ; Arthur S. Hoxie, S. W. ; Wil- liam H. Chase, J. W. ; Jay B. Rogers, Sec. Utica Lodge No. 47 (original No. 270), Utica — Charter issued November 20, 1816, named Montgomery Hunt as Worshipful Master; Bphraim Hart as Senior Warden; Thomas Walker as Junior Warden. The present officers are Fred E. Lewis, W. M. ; Herman F. Stephens, S. W. ; Frank B. Weeks, J. W. ; E. A. Gayde, Sec. Sanger Lodge No. 129, Wateeville — Charter issued May 8, 1848, named Oliver Harris as Worshipful Master; Job Potter as Senior Warden; Silas Hanehet as Junior Warden. The present officers are W. Frank Suters, W. M. ; H. Clay York, S. W. ; A. Osbom Mayer, J. W., and N. S. Clarke, Sec. Sauquoit Lodge No. 150, Sauquoit — Charter issued June 21, 1849, named Naaman W. Moore as Worshipful Master ; William Knight as Senior Warden ; Calvin E. Macomber, Junior Warden. The present officers are Edward F. Savage, W. M. ; John R. Jones, S. W. ; WiUiam E. Kimball, J. W. ; Leonard W. Gardner, Sec. Philanthropic Lodge No. 164, Camden — Charter issued June 8, 1850, named Artemus Trowbridge as Worshipful Master ; George W. Wood as Senior Warden; Truman Spencer as Junior Warden. The present officers are John C. Davies, W. M.; Albert T. Wilkinson, S. W.; Calvin R. Stewart, J. W.; Rosell A. Magee, Sec. BooNViLLE Lodge No. 165, Boonvillb — Charter issued June 8, 1850, named Henry Graves as Worshipful Master; Caleb Goodrich, Senior Warden; John Taylor, Junior Warden. The present officers are I. Gilbert Sawyer, W. M. ; Clark M. Wheeler, S. W. ; William H. Vivian, J. W. ; Charles N. Jenks, Sec. Clinton Lodge No. 169, Clinton — Dispensation issued 1849. Charter issued June 17, 1850, named Thomas J. Sawyer as Worshipful Master, William H. Hubbard as Senior Warden; Jesse Willard as Junior Warden. The present 468 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY officers are Percy L. Wight, W. M. ; Henry R. Barrows, S. W. ; Leslie H. Allen, J. W. ; E. M. Tourney, Sec. Rome Lodge No. 223, Rome — Charter issued June 15, 1851, named Selden A. Emerson as Worshipful Master; Samuel B. Stevens, Senior Warden; Solomon Purdy as Junior Warden. The present officers are C. J. Spriggs, W. M. ; William B. Eames, S. W. ; Herman A. Cook, J. W. ; George H. Kingsley, Sec. Orientai, Lodge No. 224, Utica — Charter issued June 7, 1851, named Phile- mon Lyon as Worshipful Master-, Edward Evans as Senior Warden; Erastus J. Perkins as Junior Warden. The present officers are Charles H. BaUou, W. M.; James T. Somers, S. W.; Lewis N. White, J. W., and Clarence Stetson, Sec. Bakon Stexjben Lodge No. 264, Lee Center — Originally designated as "Westernville Lodge, Westernville. " In 1856 had permission to change to "Baron Steuben Lodge." Subsequently removed to Delta, and again in 1911 to Lee Center. Charter issued June 18, 1852, named John Swan as Worshipful Master; Ebenezer Robbins, Senior Warden; Moses T. White, Junior Warden. The present officers are C. B. Clark, W. M. ; J. H. Cook, S. W. ; I. D. Coleman, J. W. ; Harmon VanArnam, Sec. Hampton Lodge No. 347, Westmoreland — Charter issued July 13, 1854, named James H. Pratt Worshipful Master; George A. Pearsall as Senior War- den; William Wiley as Junior Warden. The present officers are Nathan F. Graves, W. M. ; Edward M. Jenkins, S. W. ; Frank S. Halsey, J. W. ; G. M. Flower, Sec. New London Lodge No. 420, New London — Charter issued June 17, 1857, named Lucius D. Smith as Worshipful Master ; John D. Oxner as Senior War- den; George C. Harper, Junior Warden. The present officers are John H. Lauther, W. M.; Irving J. Edel, S. W.; Volsey T. Drummond, J. W., and George M. Edel, Sec. Vienna Lodge No. 440, Vienna— Charter issued June 16, 1858, named David Tremain as Worshipful Master; Abraham L. Woods as Senior Warden; Stephen A. Covel as Junior Warden. The present officers are Charles E. Raut, W. M. ; B. D. Hillock, S. W. ; E. L. Montross, J. W. ; J. H. Meays, Sec. Amicable Lodge No. 664, Washington Mills — Dispensation granted 1867. Charter issued June 8, 1868, named John T. Perkins, Worshipful Master; Henry N. Adams as Senior Warden, Albert Owens as Junior Warden. The present officers are Emil Scharer, W. M. ; A. P. Clark, S. W. ; E. K. Moak, J. W. ; W. H. Davis, Sec. HISTOKY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 469 Remsen Lodge No. 677, Barneveld — First located in Remsen. Removed to Barneveld in 1883, but retained its original name. Charter issued June 23, 1868, named Eugene L. Hinckley as "Worshipful Master; James Mitchell as Senior Warden; James Roberts as Junior Warden. Present officers are Wil- liam R. Pritchard, W. M.; Edward N. Sparks, S. W.; F. Guiteau PoweU, J. W. ; Charles B. Watkins, Sec. Faxton Lodge No. 697, Utica — Charter issued June 10, 1870, naming Wil. liam C. Scranton as Worshipful Master; Judson B. Andrews as Senior Warden; Henry H. Cooper as Junior Warden. The present officers are William A. Semple, W. M. ; Sidney G. Merriman, S. W. ; Arthur J. Lowery, J. W. ; J. E. Peters, Sec. Oriskaistt Lodge No. 799, Obiskant — Charter issued June 4, 1891, named Richard W. Reese, Worshipful Master ; John K. Rice, Senior Warden ; William S. Reeder, Junior Warden. The present officers are Edward H. Salisbury, W. M. ; William C. Seeley, S. W. ; Frank R. Lawrence, J. W. ; A. E. Gifford, Sec. Uriel Lodge No. 809, Forestport — Charter issued June 7, 1894, named D. M. Marshall as Worshipful Master; Alonzo Denton, Senior Warden; H. W. Boyce, Junior Warden. Present officers are H. W. Boyce, W. M. ; Elmer Nichols, S. W. ; Wm. Horton, J. W. ; J. H. Nejer, Sec. Sconondoa Lodge No. 814, Vernon — Charter issued June 6, 1895, named James H. Faulkner, Worshipful Master; Charles H. Phister, Senior Warden; Walter J. Hills, Junior Warden. Present officers are Thomas Bromley, W. M. ; Addison D. Gardinier, S. W. ; E. Clarence Ingersol, J. W. ; G. Lynn Marriott, Sec. Hathavstay Lodge No. 869, Rome — Charter issued May 6, 1909, named George T. Davis as Worshipful Master; William E. Allison, Senior Warden; H. H. Cummings, Jr., Junior Warden. Present officers are E. Stuart Williams, W. M. ; Alexander McGregor, S. W. ; John E. Mason, J. W. ; Robert M. Eraser, See. ROYAL ARCH MASONS Several Chapters of Royal Arch Masons, each deriving its authority from the Grand Chapter of the State, have existed in the county. Four of these Chapters are at this date in existence. HoBEB Chapter, New Hartford — This Chapter was organized in 1797, with Jedediah Sanger as High Priest. It flourished for several years, but finally relinquished its charter. No records of a definite nature are in existence. Warren Chapter No. 22, Waterville — This Chapter was originally located at Bridgewater, but about ten years later removed to Waterville. The charter 470 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY is dated February 3, 1808, and names Edward Spicer as High Priest ; Oliver Stevens as King; Nathan Cook as Scribe. The present officers are Edwin A. Wheeler, High Priest; Hermon Clarke, King; C. H. Bennett, Scribe; Henry N. Bissell, Sefe. Oneida Chapter No. 57, UTiCA-Charter dated February 7, 1817, named Thomas Walker, High Priest; Asahel Seward, King; Walter Fleming, Scnbe. The present officers are Henry Hartlieb, High Priest; Charles W. Wheeler, King; Francis K. Chadwick, Scribe; Henry Chatfield, Sec. Rome Chapter No. 102, Rome— Charter issued February 21, 1825, naming B. P. Johnson as High Priest; Daniel Green, King; Benjamin Rudd, Scribe. This Chapter was discontinued about the year 1830. Darius Chapter No. 144, Camden— Charter issued February 3, 1853, nam- ing Artemus Trowbridge, High Priest; Abram T. Wood, King; WilUam B. Storm, Scribe. The present officers are Rosell A. Magee, High Priest; Albert T. Wilkinson, King; George L. Traffran, Scribe. Fort Stanwix Chapter No. 153, Rome — Charter issued February 6, 1856, named Robinson E. Smiley as High Priest; Justin L. Grant, King; Sanford Adams, Scribe. The present officers are Tyler S. Griffin, High Priest; Seymour E. Spinning, King; Hugh J. Davis, Scribe, William H. Prince, See. Black River Chapter No. 145, Boonville, and another at Vernon are said to have enjoyed a brief existence. The absence of records renders it impossible to give anything definite regarding the history of these two bodies. commanderies of knights templar TJtica Commandert No. 3, Utioa — This Commandery was originally known as Utica Encampment No. 7, and was held in pursuance of a charter issued by the Grand Encampment of the State, which bears date February 8, 1823. Since 1858, when the Templar order was organized, it has been designated as Utica Commandery No. 3. The officers named in the charter are Richard Sanger, Eminent Commander ; Elijah F. Willey, Generalissimo ; Thomas Lattimore, Cap- tain General. The present officers are R. H. Canfield, Em. Com.; Richard George, Gen.; Francis C. Chadwick, Capt. Gen.; Charles T. Evans, Recorder. Rome Commandery No. 22, Rome — Charter issued October 6, 1869, nam- ing Henry W. Pell, Em. Com. ; Harvey S. Bedell, Gen. ; George J. Leach, Capt. Gen. The present officers are Everett H. McKee, Em. Com.; Albert Krebs, Gen.; Tyler S. Griffin, Capt. Gen.; Harry J. Douglass, Recorder. ancient accepted SCOTTISH RITE NORTHERN JURISDICTION, U. S. A. Yah-Nun-Dah-Sis Lodge op Perfection, Utica — ^Under dispensation April HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 471 18, 1872. Charter granted February 13, 1878. Confers the degrees from fourth to fourteenth inclusive of each. Yah-Nun-Dah-Sis Council, Princes of Jeeusalem, confers the fifteenth and sixteenth degrees. Yah-Nun-Dah-Sis Chapter Rose Croix, confers seventeenth and eighteenth degrees. ancient ARABIC ORDER OP NOBLES OP THE MYSTIC SHRINE This order originated at Mecca, A. D. 656; was introduced in America in 1875, when the Imperial Council of the United States was formed. The order of Nobles is an organization devoted to the exercise of charity and an ally of the Fraternity of Free Masonry. ZiYAEA Temple, N. M. S. Oasis op Utica — Charter issued October 30, 1877. The present officers are Fred 0. Jones, 111. Potentate; G. M. Fisher, Chief Raban ; Charles T. Evans, Asst. Raban ; E. Searl Jones, Recorder. NEW YORK STATE MASONIC HOME IN THE CITY OP UTICA A history of Free Masonry for Oneida county would seem to be incomplete in the absence of a brief reference to the State Masonic Home. The project of a Home for worthy indigent Masons, their wives, widows and orphans, was one which for many years had been seriously considered, but it was not until the year 1888 that initial action was taken looking to the establishment of such an institution. After patient and exhaustive labor on the part of the trustees of the Grand Lodge, the city of Utica was believed to afford the most desirable location. Accordingly a plot of 160 acres was secured in the eastern part of the city at a cost of $75,000, and this was augmented later by an additional purchase of 38 acres at a cost of $9,300. The location selected is an ideal one, comprising a broad open plateau rising above the Mohawk river, and commanding a wide range of view of the picturesque Mohawk valley and the hills beyond to the east, west and north. Active operations for building were immediately commenced for the erec- tion of the main building, and a contract was let for $134,500. The corner- stone was laid with Masonic ceremonies May 21, 1891, and the building was completed and dedicated October 5, 1892. Since the erection of the main building, or, as it is known, the Adminis- tration building, nine additional buildings have been erected. The first one, the cornerstone of which was laid in 1898, was to the east of the Administra- tion building and used for a hospital. This was found inadequate, and four years ago a special hospital was built, containing one hundred beds. A few years after the Administration building was erected, a dining room was built on the rear, with two floors above containing rooms for inmates. Since that time 472 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY an additional dining room has been attached, so that qow the dining room proper is 270 feet in length. On June 29, 1896, the cornerstone of the children's building was laid. "Within five years it was found necessary to enlarge it to about twice its orig- inal size. On April 16, 1910, the cornerstone of the chapel was laid, and on June 26, 1911, it was dedicated. The chapel is about 200 feet from the main building, but attached by a pergola from the hospital. It has a seating capacity of 850. A large laundry, which was placed in the rear of the buildings and not con- nected in any way, was erected last year. Prior to its erection the laundry was in the center of the administration building in the basement. A large coal bunker of brick was also erected last year, with a capacity of 3,000 tons. During the summer of 1911, a large concrete and steel barn, with capacity for 100 cattle, was erected at a cost of $20,000. It has been estimated that the entire cost of the buildings and plant as it is in 1911 is over $1,000,000. At this date, November, 1911, there are 430 inmates in the home, men, women and children, of which number 123 are children ranging from two to seventeen years of age. The home is maintained by a per capita tax of fifty cents upon each mem- ber and the grand lodge pays its proportion from new membership fees. The cost of maintaining the home averages about $100,000 per year. Jesse B. Anthony, Past Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of the State of New York, was appointed as superintendent, which position he held for thir- teen years. He died at the home May 26, 1905, and was succeeded by Eight Worshipful Dow Beekman, president of the board of trustees, who held the posi- tion about two years. He was succeeded by Right Worshipful William J. Wiley, under whose efficient management the home is now being conducted. ODD FELLOWS Oneida, the mother lodge of Odd Fellows in central New York and the old- est lodge but one west of Albany, was instituted May 24, 1842, with Charles W. Rogers, Enoch Blackwell, Joseph Seymour, Zalmon Benedict and George Dell as charter members, all of whom are dead. There have been 1,169 members of this lodge, and at present the membership is 236. George J. Gardner, one of the members of this lodge, was Grand Master in 1867-8, and he is now Past Grand Master. Shenandoah Lodge No. 95— This lodge was instituted October 23, 1843. The petitioners for its formation, all of whom were initiates of Oneida Lodge, were DeWitt C. Grove, A. M. Bennett, J. J. Matteson, Aaron B. Grash, Stephen Harris, Hypolite de Franait, Albert Thompson, E. C. Saunderson, Milo Pratt, Benjamin J. Prime, William G. Cole and David Owens. The meetings were held in Knickerbocker Hall on Catharine street, except the first, which was held in the Exchange Building, and the tallow candles, placed on meeting nights in the lodge room windows to remind the members that it was lodge night, excited no little interest and curiosity among outsiders. Since its formation 1,124 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 473 members have signed the constitution, including some of Utica's foremost citi- zens. Past Grand Master, George H. Lewis, of this lodge, has been a member for over half a century, and believes himself to be the third oldest member of the order in the state. The lodge was incorporated in 1869, and has 518 mem- bers at the present time. ScHUTiiEB Lodge No. 147 — Early in the year 1845 Benjamin Arnott, T. L. Kingsley, R. W. Loucks, S. Collins, Jr., H. B. Alexander, Mark Perkins, N. H. Farwell, John Arthur, J. P. Newland and I. J. Knapp, petitioned the Grand Lodge, of which W. A. Tyler was Grand Master, N. V. G. Headwelly, Grand Secretary, and Dexter Gilmore, D. D. G. M., for a charter, which was granted and this lodge was instituted March 27, 1845. The lodge prospered and grew rapidly, and at the end of the year 1848 there were twelve Past Grand Masters and 109 third degree members on its roll, many of whom were closely identified at that time with the history of Utica. The lodge enjoyed continued prosperity until the breaking out of the war in 1861. During that long and bitter struggle this lodge, in common with all others, suffered severely, and the period of de- pression lasted for years. Happily, it has now passed, and under the able counsel of such members as A. M. Fraser, Joseph Ackroyd, Wm. Praser, Smith M. Lindsley, W. S. Mackie, T. "W. Brown, R. A. Jones, T. T. Evans, James Swan, A. P. Howes, E. A. Hammond and others, the lodge is again active and in pros- perous condition. It has received a total of 836 members. Among its present members is Past Deputy Grand Master Erwin A. Hammond, who is believed to be the second oldest Odd Fellow in the state, as his membership has been con- tinuous for more than 66 years. While the lodge points with pride to its roll of many honorable names among its members, it has a source of particular pride in the fact that one of its members. Past Grand Chief Patriarch, William Fraser, has acceptably served in the highest office of the state encampment branch of the order; and another, Hon. Joseph Ackroyd, as Grand Master of the State in 1903-4, and his administration of that high office was most acceptable to the entire order in the state of New York. There are 222 members of this lodge at the present time. Central City Lodge, No. 68, was instituted May 15, 1846. The charter members were: H. M. Benedict, Nathan E. Piatt, Edward Price, Benjamin Owens, Robert J. Evans, Thomas Senior, Chauncey Palmer, Charles L. Wilson, T. J. Newland, Benjamin P; Wheeler, James Halstead, Lyman L. Curtiss, F M. Norton, Stephen Comstock, Henry Pomeroy, John Dagwell, J. S. Fuller, G. Sanger and A. Highmass. On the day of institution ten candidates were in- itiated. The first officers of the lodge were : Benjamin Owens, N. G. ; N. E. Piatt, V. G. ; Thomas Senior, Sec. ; T. J. Newland, Rec. Sec. ; Edward Pricey Treas. At this date the lodge has 220 members. Sauquoit Lodge was instituted about 1848. In 1849 a division of the order in the state occurred, and there were organized what was known as the North- ern and Southern Districts. At that time there were in the state 43,000 Odd Fellows. Soon afterward there was a rapid decline in the membership, and in 474 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 1866 the number in the state was only 15,000. In 1867 the two districts were united, and since that time the order has enjoyed a fair degree of prosperity. Allbmania Lodge, No. 186 was instituted August 23, 1860, under the name of Steuben Lodge No. 496. The charter members were John M. Hahn, Henry Q. Spitz, John "Wolf, Frank Lang, George Therolf, Frank Herbrand, Joseph Joer- rissen, Jacob Agne, Daniel Stiegler and Adolph Bremer. Of the above charter members John Wolf, Frank Lang and Adolph Bremer are still living. In the year 1867 the Northern and Southern Grand Lodges of this state consolidated, and there being a Steuben Lodge in each Grand Lodge, and this being the younger, the name was changed to AUemania Lodge. The business and workings of this lodge were transacted in the German language until June 30, 1894, when the English language was substituted for German. At the present time there are 194 members of this lodge. As near as can be ascertained there are in Oneida county in November, 1911, 2,577 Odd Fellows. Tei-Mount Encampment No. 24, I. 0. 0. F., was instituted September 25, 1845, with the following petitioners : Dexter Gilmore, Theodore Dimon, Thomas B. Raymond, Mark Perkins, George Ralph, Sr., George Mills, Alex. L. Johnson, William England, Simon V. Vedder, Isaac Tapping, not one of whom is now living, and only one of whom, William England, attained Grand Patriarch of New York, in 1870-1 ; William P. Carpenter of No. 24 was Grand Patriarch of in 1863-4, William Eraser in 1892-3, all of whom served with credit to Tri- Mount Encampment. William B. Munroe became Grand High Priest, but his health failed, and John Medole finished his term — 1880-1. Steuben Encampment No. 57, was instituted April 17, 1871, by Grand Patriarch William England, assisted by D. D. G. P. Isaac Tapping. The char- ter members were George Edinger, Henry G. Spitz, Fred Brandes, Henry Sonneman, F. W. Michel, G. C. Ulrich, Henry Timm, Samuel Hanauer, August Linke and Louis Brunett. The encampment used the German language until July 1, 1884, when the English language was substituted. Utica Rebekah Lodge No. 157, was instituted October 2, 1893, with sev- eral of its charter members from Good Samaritan Rebekah Lodge No. 6, I. 0. 0. F., instituted February 19, 1870. It now has the oldest Rebekah brother in the state, E. A. Hammond. Since its institution it has initiated 700 members, and the present membership is 236. Canton Utica No. 23 was mustered from Uniform Degree Camp No. 9 De- cember 20, 1886. The charter members were: Alex. M. Eraser, Edwin H. De- vme, John S. Capron, D. J. Owens, E. Q. Jones, James E. Ryan, R. J. Lloyd, Louis Ruden, Joseph Ackroyd, P. M. Comstock, C. S. Davis, R. D. Snyder, Ira C. Potter, J. Wagner, J. T. Eaton, A. I. Symmonds, Wm. Eraser, George J. Davison, Charles H. Carr, W. W. Wickham, William S. Mackie, Edward M. ±51ackman, James Swan, James Kearns, H. J. Williams and A. E Curtiss HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 475 Canton Fort Schuyler No. 30, P. M. I. 0. 0. F., was mustered into the services of the P. M. army June 25, 1889, by General J. C. Woodward of Albany, N. Y., as Canton Edward F. Jones, and the following were chosen charter mem- bers: J. George Swertfager, Louis Ruden, D. A. Peek, Hon. H. J. Coggeshall, Noble F. Martin, Thos. Cheetham, George Dennis, Jacob Groat, William P. Hughes, S. Mitchell, Charles H. Tracy, John Taylor, Levi Lyons, A. Hill, W. C. Harrer, F. A. Swertfager, F. L. Blenis, J. M. Mendelson, J. J. Walker, J. Ehrsman, A. Miller, J. H. Kaiser, William Herbrand. After a period of two years the name of "Edward F. Jones" was disapproved by the Grand Encamp- ment of New York. The following lodges once existed within the county, but have all become extinct : North Bay Lodge No. 60 ; Stanwix Lodge No. 104 ; VanEpp Lodge No. 125; Camden Lodge No. 154; Teondatha Lodge No. 159; Wyandot Lodge No. 195; Farmers Lodge No. 200; Unca Lodge No. 201; Oriskany Lodge No. 217; Gansevoort Lodge No. 242 ; DeKalb Lodge No. 255 ; Delta Lodge No. 357 ; Hamp- ton Lodge No. 385; Vernon Lodge No. 175; Augusta Lodge No. 399; Taberg Lodge No. 133 ; Remsen Lodge No. 422 ; Florence Lodge No. 438 ; Lee Center Lodge, No. 332; Eureka Lodge No. 281; Memento Lodge, No. 376; Empire Lodge No. 412; Kirkland Lodge No. 141; Vienna Lodge No. 88; Knoxboro Lodge No. 853 ; Stittsville Lodge No. 864. Golden Star Rebekah Lodge No. 243, I. 0. 0. F., was instituted by Sister Dell A. Robertson October 19, 1900, with 22 charter members. Sister Dell A. Robertson was at the time president of the Rebekah State Assembly of New York. There are the following other lodges in Oneida county: Queen Esther No. 71, Rome; Helping Hand No. 137, Durhamville; Utica No. 157, Utica; Golden Star No. 243; Northern Star No. 309, Trenton; Crystal Star, No. 325, Water- ville. THE ROYAL ARCANUM, a fraternal and beneficiary order, with just enough secret machinery to make it interesting, was organized at Boston, Mass., June 23, 1877, with nine mem- bers. It pays a death benefit not exceeding $3,000 upon the death of a member. Its first death benefit was paid in full, and all succeeding ones have been paid with promptness and fidelity. Up to October 31, 1911, a total of $144,392,798.90 has been paid to the beneficiaries of deceased members. In Oneida county there are seven councils of the order, viz : Imperial No. 70 and Fort Schuyler No. 404, at Utica; Rome, No. 150 and J. B. Jervis No. 1442, at Rome; Mount Per- nassus No. 1180, at Camden; Samuel Campbell No. 1090, at New York Mills; and Waterville No. 398, at Waterville. Oneida county members have always taken a keen interest in the order. Imperial Council No. 70, organized April 1, 1878, less than a year after the foundation of the order, was the second council organized in the state. The county has also furnished three Grand Regents: The late Smith M. Lindsley and Frank D. Westcott of Imperial Council No. 70 ; and Howard C. Wiggins of Rome Council No. 150. Smith M. Lindsley and Howard C. Wiggins were each promoted to the position of Supreme Regent, the highest office in the order, 476 HISTORY OP ONEIDA COUNTY and each re-elected and served two full terms. Upon the retirement of Mr. Lindsley from the office of Supreme Regent he continued his deep interest in the order, always taking an active part in the management of its affairs, serving upon important committees and performing much legal service. After the re- tirement of Mr. Wiggins from the office of Supreme Regent he was made chair- man of the committee on laws, thus making him the chief law officer of the order, a position which he now holds. Shortly after the retirement of Mr. West- cott from the office of Grand Regent he was elected Grand Treasurer of the order in this state, and he has held this position continuously since. On September 30, 1911, the approximate membership of the Royal Arca- num in Oneida county was 1,425 ; in the state of New York 65,251 ; in the order at large, 243,513, and the excess of resources over known liabilities was $6,731,- 169.74. ELKS Utica Lodge No. 33, Benevolent and Protective Order op Elks of the United States of America, the only lodge of the order in Oneida county, was organized May 17, 1885. The lodge was instituted in Pythian Hall by Grand Exalted Ruler Harry Sanderson, Syracuse Lodge assisting in the ceremony. John J. Flanagan was the first Exalted Ruler. The lodge met for some time in Pythian Hall, and then removed to Oneida National Bank Building, later occu- pying a building erected especially for its use in Blandina street. In 1891 the club house was given up, and meetings were held in various places. In 1897 the lodge met for a time in Arcanum Temple, and early in 1898 moved back into Pythian Hall, where it was instituted. In 1900 the lodge took quarters in Elks Hall in the Pfluke Building in Franklin Square, and that hall was its meeting place until three years ago, when the present quarters on the fourth floor of the Shubert Theater Building were taken. A club is maintained in connection with the lodge. Utica Lodge has prospered. Its membership now includes about 700 of the prominent business and professional men of Utica and vicinity. No other fraternal organization in Utica is in a more flourishing condition, and the coming years promise even better things. Within two years it is antici- pated the lodge will have a handsome new club house. arcanum club The Arcanum Club of Utica was organized July 3, 1888, and its flrst meet- ing place was Chubbuck Hall, Hotel street. On January 1, 1896, it moved to Devereux street and remained there until March, 1911, when it moved to its new quarters corner Genesee and Pearl streets. The first officers of the organization were: president, Frank D. Westcott; vice president, G. E. Cooper; secretary, George M. Booth; and treasurer, T. L. German. There are at present four hundred resident members and about forty non- resident members. The present officers are president, Thomas F. McKeough; vice president, J. Linn Hughes; secretary, Thomas 0. Cole; and treasurer, George E. Ormsbee. The club was successful from the first, has had a steady growth until it has arrived at its present most satisfactory and prosperous con- dition. HISTOEY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 477 COMMBECIAL TRAVELERS' MUTUAL ACCIDENT ASSOCIATION OP AMERICA This asso'ciation was incorporated March 20, 1883, and one of the prime movers was Edward Trevett. It was probably not within the mind of the organizers that their company would attain to such tremendous proportions as has been the real fact. The primary object of the association was to furnish members with accident insurance at actual cost, to include a death benefit to be paid to the family when death resulted from accident, and weekly indemnity for accidental injuries. At first the amount was limited to $5,000, but this has been increased to $10,000, provided loss of life occurs and that death results while the mem- ber is riding on a passenger car propelled by steam. The average cost per year for each member is $7.78, and the company has paid out since its organization more than four million dollars for indemnities. The present membership is something over 72,000, and it is claimed, with what seems to be satisfactory evidence, that it is the largest insurance company of its kind in the world. KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS Utica Council No. 189, Knights of Columbus, was instituted September 6th, 1896, twelve years after the founding of the order in Connecticut. At the time the order was almost unknown outside of a few of the New England states and there were but four councils in the state of New York with the exception of Greater New York. Utica Council has done much to spread the order in Cen- tral and Northern New York and is well and favorably known as one of the pioneer councils of the order. At its institution it contained fifty members and during the fifteen years of its existence it has steadily increased until at present its membership is nearly 800. In 1907 the council purchased a beautiful home at 309 Genesee street. The house has been remodeled and furnished at an expense of nearly $15,000 the entire purchase price and the additional $15,000 being entirely contributed by the members which attests their generosity in the spread of Columbianism. Plans are being considered for the erection of an auditorium and gymnasium in connection with the home and when completed Utica council will have one of the finest club houses in the state and it will be a welcome addition to the advantages and improvements of the city. Since its institution the council has given many lectures and literary entertainments many of which have been open to the public gratis. Its social functions have been looked forward to with pleasant anticipations which have always been realized. Since its institution the following Grand Knights have presided: 1896-1897-1898— P. J. O'Eeilly. 1899— George H. Stack. 1900-1901-1902— John E. Carberry. 1903— Thomas C. McDermott. 1904— A. V. Lynch. 1905-1906— William J. McSorley. 1907-1908— R. E. McCreary. 1909-1910— M. F. Kelly. 1911— R. E. McCreary. 478 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY Utica Chambee op Commerce — On a Friday evening in May, 1896, to be exact, the 15th, a party of Uticans, individually representative of the industrial and commercial acumen of the city, was gathered in the parlors of the Y. M. C. A. The caU bringing them together stated that the city needed a live or- ganization of business men. Joseph B. Sherwood was chairman of the meeting, and before adjournment The Utica Business Men 's Exchange was organized. A constitution was adopted which gave as the object of the Exchange — ' ' To foster the present business institutions of the city, induce new ones to locate here, and, in general, to promote the welfare of the city." This movement created an interest in the internal workings of our city which was reflected in the news columns of the day. Industrial statistics and convention city notes were com- mon. At the June meeting of the Exchange its name was changed to "The Utica Chamber of Commerce." Following is a list of the directors with their principal business connections : George E. Dunham, editor Utica Daily Press; John C. Hoxie, of GriiBn & Hoxie; Charles W. Wicks, of Wicks & Greenman ; Joseph B. Sherwood ; Henry W. Mil- lar, of Charles Millar & Son; Correl Humphrey, secretary of the Chamber of Commerce; Herman I. Johnson, of Johnson & Murray; Spencer Kellogg, of C. C. Kellogg & Sons; Quentin McAdam, of the Utica Knitting Company; G. Edward Cooper, architect ; Nicholas E. Devereux, of the Oneida Knitting Com- pany; Frank E. Wheeler, of the International Heater Company; Albert C. Salisbury, of the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad; Oscar S. Foster, of Poster Bros. Manufacturing Company ; Charles B. Rogers, of the First Na- tional Bank ; Henry A. Davis, lawyer ; John L. Mahar, of Mahar Brothers ; and Edward L. Wells, of J. B. Wells & Son. Of these, George E. Dunham was presi- dent; Joseph B. Sherwood, first vice president; Henry W. Millar, second vice president ; Quentin McAdam, treasurer, and Correl Humphrey, secretary. Later, in 1902-3, John L. Mahar was president; in 1898, John C. Hoxie, and in 1903-4, Oscar S. Foster. Others who have since served as presidents are George S. Dana, Frank M. Kendrick, George W. Oatley, Frederick H. Gouge, George A. Frisbie, William I. Tabor and Benjamin T. Gilbert. Since its incorporation the Chamber has had three secretaries: Correll Humphrey, J. Soley Cole and Denis F. Howe. At the annual banquet held in April of each year, the Chamber of Com- merce has entertained and been entertained by speakers famous in their differ- ent spheres. Among them have been Vice President James Schoolcraft Sher- man; Admiral Winfield Scott Schley; Lieutenant Robert A. Peary, discoverer of the North Pole; Count von Bernsdorff, the German Ambassador; Secretary of the Treasury Shaw; Secretary of the Navy Victor B. Metcalf ; Mayor William J. Gaynor, of New York; Governors David B. Hill, Frank Black and Charles S. Hughes of New York; Gen. Adna R. Chaffee, of Santiago and Pekin fame; United States Senators Carter of Montana and Heyburn of Idaho; Congress- men Landis of Indiana, Cushing of Washington, and Bede of Minnesota ; Presi- dent W. C. Brown, of the New York Central; President Stryker, of Hamilton College; President Schurman of Cornell; John Barrett, Director General of the Pan American Union ; Col. Waring and S. N. D. North ; George H. Daniels of HISTORY OP ONEIDA COUNTY 479 the New York Central ; Martin S. Knapp, of the Interstate Commerce Commis- sion, and Job Hedges. Since its inception the Chamber of Commerce has, with officers and mem- bership composed of representative citizens, always been abreast of the times. Through its initial efforts in 1896 two industries were given to the city — ^the Mott Wheel Works and the Savage Arms Company which have distributed since that time many thousands of dollars in pay rolls. The fashion of the day was to offer bonuses of land or buildings to outside industries to locate here, and committees of the Chamber have since then spent time and money in their en- deavors to establish new industries on that basis. In many eases these indus- tries have failed, causing financial loss to loyal Uticans who helped promote them, but, where buildings were erected to accommodate such industries, others and more successful ones eventually occupied them, making the result a net gain to Utica. The spirit of association has been a factor in getting together Utica capital for investment in Utica industries, and the healthy growth and present prosperous condition is the result of that policy. To stimulate industrial activity the Chamber has devoted its effort toward the development of sections of the city and securing conveniences for others where the wheels of industry already spin. Through its efforts in 1901, Broad street, with its mile of factories, was provided with industrial switches and the old basin bridge brought to grade. It was also largely responsible for the adop- tion of our present building code. It contributed its share towards the opening of Hickory street through the State Hospital grounds, and, on its urgent re- quest, the Board of Supervisors took over the old Deerfield Toll Road, where traffic is now free. The Chamber has struggled for fifteen years in the interest of satisfactory mail and passenger schedules. For the benefit of Utica trade it has fought yearly with the northern roads, the southern roads, and, up to the time of its electric equipment, with the West Shore road, that their patrons might have seasonable shopping hours in Utica. In the years before our growing trade made extra hotel accommodations impossible many important conventions were brought to Utica, committees having traveled far and wide in this interest. The Chamber has made strenuous efforts to promote Utica 's interest in assess- ments, taxation and insurance. It has taken a lively interest in the laws that pertain to our election methods, endorsing the policy of direct primaries and working for its adoption. Perhaps no movement, having for its aim a public improvement, ever called for more strenuous and sustained effort than the fight for the present Oneida county court house. This handsome public building was first held in prospect at a meeting of the Chamber of Commerce February 20, 1900, when Henry J. Cookinham addressed the Chamber on the totally inadequate conditions of the court house and county clerk's office in Utica. A resolution was offered by him elaborating these conditions and providing for a committee of five to inquire into the advisability of repairing the old building or erecting a new one. The resolution was adopted, and President Hoxie appointed the following commit- tee : Henry J. Cookinham, M. W. VanAuken, Walter N. Kernan, Smith M. Lind- sley and Russell H. Wicks. The committee found that the old buildings were 480 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY wholly inadequate to the demands of the county, and the public records of the county totally unprotected against fire. The committee was authorized by the Chamber to present the facts to the board of supervisors. They did so on April 17, and on April 27, a committee from the board of supervisors, after going over the ground with the gentlemen from the Chamber of Commerce, reported to the board that a new county building was imperatively demanded. The supervisor's committee recommended that such a building be erected at a cost of not to exceed $150,000. This report was signed by four supervisors — J. W. Potter, Robert McCreary, F. B. Swancott and E. J. Fletcher. The board adopted the recommendation, and approved a resolution which provided for a committee of five, including the chairman, J. W. Potter, to be vested with the full power of the board and have charge of the construction of a new county building. The same resolution requested that the Chamber of Commerce act in an advisory capacity. The committee proceeded with its duties. The first point to be taken up by it — ^the matter of site — aroused suspicion. On January 4, 1901, the committees of the Chamber and the supervisors met and discussed the matter of location, as well as other details. It was their last joint meet- ing, as by this time suspicion had crystallized into an opinion that all was not right. On February 8 a meeting was held in Mr. Cookinham's office at which, be- sides several Uticans, were present Senator Willard and John C. Davies. At the meeting it was decided to draft a law providing for a commission to erect the new county building. Four days later this bill was introduced into the senate. It carried an appropriation of $350,000, and named the following commission to carry on its work: Henry J. Cookinham, Frederick T. Proctor, A. H. Munson, Leslie W. Kernan, Josiah Perry, E. H. Risley, Smith M. Lindsley, of Utica; James P. Olney, A. R. Kessinger, of Rome; H. W. Bent- ley of Boonville ; George M. Norton of Kirkland ; Van R. Weaver of Deerfield ; Byron A. Curtiss of Camden, and W. Stuart Wolcott of New York Mills. Mr. Woleott declined to serve, and Lieut. W. G. Mayer of Waterville was selected to fill his place. This bill was endorsed by the Chamber of Commerce and the Oneida County Bar Association, and signed by Governor Odell March 13. The commission organized by electing Henry W. Bentley, chairman, and William H. Gifford, secretary. Mr. Gifford died shortly after, and was succeeded by Gen. Sylvester Bering. The selection of a site was immediately considered. Above or below the canal was argued strenuously by the adherents of each section. The committee on sites reported on several, but the controversy soon narrowed down to three: On Pearl street south to Bethesda church; on John street between Park avenue and Elizabeth street; and on Charlotte street be- tween Elizabeth and Mary streets, which latter site was finally adopted. The board of supervisors, having fought the bill energetically, now refused to issue bonds on request of the commission and as required by statute. They de- manded that the question be submitted to the people. On December 18, Judge Andrews in the Supreme Court ordered a peremptory writ of mandamus to com- pel the issue. An appeal was taken to the Court of Appeals, and the commission sustained. In the meantime the commission, having thoroughly examined other buildings of like nature, concluded to ask the legislature for an additional $530,- HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 481 000. The whole question was immediately thrown into a bitter political fight, geographical, mostly, which had on one side Utica and surrounding towns, and on the other the board of supervisors and the rest of the county. Pilgrimages to Albany rapidly succeeded, each larger than its predecessor, until the climax was reached. An attempt was made to foster a referendum clause to the addi- tional appropriation bill, but it was killed, and on April 4 the bill was signed by Governor Higgins, after a hearing given by him to two train loads of Oneida county citizens, during which the controversy was waged by each side with much acrimony. Still later a bill was passed granting $55,000 additional for furnish- ing the building. Friday, May 19, the commission awarded the contract to Con- nor Brothers of Lowell, Mass., the price being $730,000, not including the site or furnishings. Shortly afterward the work was commenced. The construction was carefully watched by the commission and by representatives of the archi- tect. Cutler, of Boston. To the members of the commission, who gave gener- ously of their time and energy, may be attributed the fact that the building was erected practically within the contract price. The Chamber has always been in touch with public improvements. Many of its members, busy in their private fields, have given time to committee work in the interest of beautifying Utica, its streets and parks. The report of the committee on improving and beautifying Utica, 1908, containing the Olmsted plan, many of whose suggestions have been adopted, is still in demand by libraries and civic associations throughout the country. At a membership meeting of the Chamber in May, 1906, Dr. Matthew D. Mann, of Buffalo, delivered an address on civic improvement. Following this address Mr. Merwin K. Hart offered a resolution which requested the appoint- ment of a special committee to consider means of improving and beautifying the city. President Kendrick appointed the following committee: Merwin K. Hart, chairman; Charles Rogers, P. C. J. DeAngelis, Spencer Kellogg, Otto A. Meyer, C. K. Corbin, Clifford Lewis, Jr., C. Loomis Allen and Frederick H. Gouge. The committee, appreciating that the scope of its work required pro- fessional assistance, engaged the services of Frederick Law Olmsted, the noted landscape architect, of Brookline, Mass. After an exhaustive examination of local conditions his attention was centered on two points, parks and grade crossing on the New York Central railroad. At his suggestion the park law, in force at present, was drafted and enacted in May, 1907. In treating of parks Mr. Olmsted's report called for a general system along the southern front of the city connected by a parkway. It made as much use as possible of the park ideas in the State Hospital grounds, the hill cemeteries, the reservoirs, and the Masonic Home. Mr. Thomas R. Proctor on June 17, 1902, had addressed the Chamber of Commerce on Utica and its parks. He had evidently given the subject much earnest consideration, for inside of a couple of years he began acquiring suit- able park sites in the southern part of the city. Mr. Olmsted, above men- tioned, was engaged by Mr. Proctor to develop the land along park lines, par- ticularly the Steele's Hill site. Roads and bridges were laid out in the high- est style of landscape art; seats, fountains and flag poles were provided, until the plans were completed. June 22, 1907, Mr. Proctor conducted a party, con- Vol. 1—81. 482 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY sisting of Mayor Richard W. Sherman, other city officials, and some four score of Utica's foremost citizens on a tour of these parks. This occasion was taken to formally name them. The names selected were those of men famous in the history of the city— Horatio Seymour, Addison C. Miller, J. Thomas Spriggs, Roscoe Conkling, Thomas R. Proctor and Truman K. Butler. The Thomas R. Proctor and Roscoe Conkling Parks were turned over to the city July 3, 1909. The J Thomas Spriggs, Horatio Seymour and Addison C. MiUer Parks had al- ready heen given to the city by Thomas R. Proctor and wife February 21, 1908. Frederick T. Proctor and wife, on the same date, presented the Truman K. Butler Park to the city. July 3, 1909, was a gala day in Utica. On that day in the presence of the city officials, the national guard of surrounding territory, thousands of visitors, and in the presence of the Proctor family, Mr. Thomas R. Proctor, with a few simple remarks, formally presented to the city Roscoe Conkling Park. Mayor Thomas Wheeler gracefully accepted for the city, and Governor Charles S. Hughes, the guest of honor, delivered an address fitting for the occasion. The Olmsted report to the Chamber included these plans so successfully carried out by Mr. Proctor, and connected the separate parks with a parkway built around parallel macadam roads, generally along the lines of Pleasant street to the eastern city limit, and westerly from Genesee street continuing by viaduct over the southern railroads. The city, through the Park Board, is carrying out the first part of the program at present. Three miles of the roadway are now completed, and the surrounding land graded preparatory to planting. By grace of Mr. Proctor, and through the efforts of the city itself, Utica will shortly have a park system second to none. In taking up the railroad improvement in the northern end of the city, the Olmsted plans ran along the lines over which the Chamber of Commerce had worked for some years. Up to the beginning of the present century the city and its principal railroad artery, the New York Central, were badly handicapped by the congested conditions around the foot of Genesee street, caused by the natural channel of the Mohawk river, which, at this point, swung in a bend up to within a short distance of the Central depot. Through the length of the city all land along the railroad was subject to flood conditions in the spring and fall, and when the summer droughts arrived sewage discharge into the river was a menace to public health. In 1891 a law was enacted which authorized the mayor to appoint a com- mision to investigate the matter of straightening the Mohawk river, and in 1893 another enactment provided the method, subject to a two-thirds vote of the common council in approval. Part of Deerfield, enough to bring all land south of the suggested new channel into the city limits, had already been annexed. James F. Mann was chairman of the commission, and was one of the original advocates of moving the Mohawk river channel. With him were associated on the commission: Thomas R. Thomas, Charles H. Childs, John B. McMillan of Utica; Alfred C. Shaw and William Rien of Deerfield. Afterwards James Coupe, John R. Baxter and George S. Dana were appointed to succeed James F. Mann, Thomas R. Thomas and John B. McMillan. During the '90s a preliminary survey of the proposed channel was made by HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 483 James Constable. Outside of that nothing else was done at the time, althou^ the subject was buffeted about more or less in politics and surrounded with general misunderstandings, the newspapers, from time to time, keeping the pro- ject alive. The whole proposition was forcibly brought before the public again at a meeting of the Chamber of Commerce in June, 1900. The sense of this meeting called for a committee to investigate the whole question. On the com- mittee were George E. Dunham, John C. Hoxie, Thomas R. Proctor, "William B. Lewis and John F. Hughes. They reported to a special meeting that the improvement was highly desirous. Their report went into details, describing the objectionable condition that existed in that vicinity in the spring and sum- mer. They called attention to the obvious benefits to the city in removing the channel half a mile north, thereby opening up desirable land for industrial growth of the city. The report was unanimously accepted, and the meeting called for action on the part of the common council. The council appropriated $2,000 for a survey, and in January Stephen E. Babcock, who, throughout the work, was the engineer in charge, submitted a report based on a thorough sur- vey, which estimated the cost to be within the $150,000 allowed by the law of 1893. The. commission called for bids, and that of T. E. Riddle Construction Company was provisionally accepted. Pressure was immediately brought to bear on the Common Council to approve. The topic filled the newspapers and dominated, the conversations of the time. The Council hesitated, for it felt that the responsibility for this act should not be placed upon its shoulders. It was entirely logical in its stand, and suggested that the whole question be re- ferred to the people. But the public clamor would not be denied. The Council finally passed a resolution asking the legislature to authorize a referendum. Mayor Sherman vetoed it. The Chamber of Commerce, the newspapers and citizens generally kept up their pressure. On December 9 a new provisional contract was let by the commission to Harries & Lettenay of Boston at $119,- 979, and submitted, in effect, to the Common Council for approval. Monday, December 29, was the day set aside for its consideration. On the Saturday morning previous an enthusiastic meeting of citizens was held in the Chamber of Commerce. Many prominent citizens were present, and after a succession of rousing speeches it was decided to attend the Council meeting in a body. The meeting on Monday evening was perhaps the most enthusiastic and mem- orable in the city's history. Men representing every variety of interest in the city were present. The business before the meeting was thoroughly dis- cussed. The pressure could not be resisted. The Council gracefully ac- cepted the contract between the city and the New York Central railroad by a vote of thirteen to two. No Common Council ever performed a more useful service to the city. The old channel of the Mohawk river was doomed to move. In the spring the work was started. The construction dragged at times, but, after much agitation was completed, and finally accepted by the state July 28, 1909. The final cost was about $250,000. Through all these movements the grade crossings of the New York Central railroad were not lost sight of. By agreement, that road was to have possession of the old river bed. This made possible plans for the new freight and passen- ger depots. The elimination of the Genesee street crossing was vitally neces- 484 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY sary It was unofficially contemplated in all the river-straightening agitation. When this improvement was brought before the people there developed two opinions of the methods to be used in bringing it about. One element favored the elevation of the tracks through the city, while another favored an elevated roadway Tlie Common Council, after investigating the experiences of other cities committed itself to the viaduct scheme. The whole question was threshed out at various meetings of the Chamber of Commerce. The Olmsted report considered all these schemes. At a meeting of the Chamber each was discussed thoroughly by its particular advocates. The final action of the Chamber pledged it to the scheme afterwards adopted, and the over-crossing as it stands today is the result. The structure was designed by the New York Central, accepted by the city, and its construction was started in the spring of 1910. It was com- pleted in the spring of 1911. Its cost was divided— the state paying one quar- ter, the city one quarter, and the New York Central Railroad Company the bal- ance. On completion of the over-crossing the Park avenue crossing was closed by consent of the city. The third link in this important chain of improvements was the Barge canal. The state having determined to construct this important work, the Chamber of Commerce enlisted its efforts in the interest of Utica. The original survey in- dicated that the barge canal would pass through Utica in the vicinity of the new river channel. The Chamber of Commerce was immediately active. ^ Why not utilize the channel of the Mohawk, saving the cost of construction to the city? It .was discovered by accident in November, 1907, that the line of the Barge canal would run 1,200 feet north of the new channel, notwithstanding the ad- visory board had practically accepted the new channel for that purpose. The Chamber of Commerce arranged for a hearing in Utica by State Engineer Fred- erick Skene on canal matters. He gave this hearing in December, and it was attended by citizens generally. The subject was thoroughly discussed. State Engineer Skene came to the Chamber again in April, 1908, saying his plan was revised, and that the new channel would be adopted. After leaving Utica Mr. Skene again changed his plans, adopting the present line for the canal. Ac- cepting these conditions, the Chamber turned its energies toward suitable har- bors. With the canal located in Deerfleld, it presented a minimum advantage to Utica shippers. To justify the vote given by Utica for the construction of a barge canal, it was expected that the city should have some advantEige from it. The Chamber of Commerce decided to ask for such advantage. It arranged for a public hearing in the Majestic Theatre, which was held December 15, 1909. The meeting was addressed by Deputy State Engineer W. B. Landreth. At the conclusion of his remarks the public were invited by the presiding officer, Mr. Frank M. Kendrick, chairman of the Public Improvements Committee, to discuss the various plans. It was desired to know what the people of Utica wanted. Many men interested in public affairs took part in this discussion, particularly manufacturers. Every phase of the question was considered. Fi- nally the sense of the meeting was expressed by a resolution offered by William Pierrepont White. This resolution called for the retention of the Erie canal, literally the industrial backbone of Utica, and the building of a harbor in the west arm of the old channel of the Mohawk river, which swings south to Lee HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 485 street. This sentiment was approved unanimously. Three days later the Barge Canal Terminal Commission gave a hearing in the Common Council rooms on this same subject. That the work of the Chamber was thoroughly done was proven when the Barge Canal Terminal Commission embodied in its report to the legislature in January, 1910, the plans as advocated at these meetings. Through the request of the Chamber of Commerce the new channel, so igno- miniously turned down by State Engineer Skene, is incorporated as part of the Utiea harbor scheme in the plans of the state, and will be voted on at the com- ing election by the voters of the state of New York as part of the Terminals law. These improvements, far reaching in their effect, were promoted by citizens who were able to look ahead. In these days of progressive cities their value is apparent. All through the fight the Chamber of Commerce was active as a body and as individuals, and the result fully justified itsi efforts. UTICA BOARD OF TRADE "With the introduction and gradual extension of the factory system of mak- ing cheese in Oneida County, it became necessary to resort to some other method of selling and buying dairy products than that of dicker between individual producers and storekeepers, which had been previously the custom. Conse- quently, in 1868, leading cheese men of the county organized the Utica Dairy- men's Board of Trade, to promote and provide for the convenient transaction of the business of dealing in dairy and farm products, to establish just and equitable relations for the transaction of such business with its members, to disseminate valuable information among tEem, to reform abuses in the dairy business, and to settle differences between members should such arise. The officers of the Board are a President, Vice President, Secretary and Treas- urer and twelve directors. They are elected at the beginning of each season. It has been the custom to reelect the secretary so long as he chooses to serve, but the other officers are usually changed from year to year. The President for the season of 1911 was Fred H. Merry of Verona. The first Secretary of the Board was T. D. Curtis, agricultural editor of the Utica Morning Herald. He was succeeded by Edward J. Wickson, also on the Herald staff, who subsequently became a leading agricultural authority in California. The third Secretary was Horace Kennedy, but he served only one season. He was succeeded by B. D. Gilbert, who was Secretary for twenty- eight years, during which time he brought the Board up to a high state of efficiency. He resigned in 1906 because of ill health. He was succeeded by W. H. DeShon, the present Secretary. The Utica Board for a long time enjoyed the distinction of being the only body of its kind in the State. There was early a contemporaneous market at Little Falls, but it was without organization, its transactions being confined largely to street barter between individuals. The membership of the Utica Board was once very large, cheese factories and creameries in Oneida and many surrounding counties being represented. With the establishment of markets in the northern part of the state, especially at Watertown, the attendance at Utica has decreased considerably. But Utica is still an important butter and 486 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY cheese center. The Board here was incorporated on May 18, 1893, and it has the distinction of being the only corporate body of the kind in the state. Be- cause of this, the fact that its transactions have to do only with full cream cheese, and that as high prices are realized for the product as elsewhere, the quotations of this board are generally accepted as fairly indicating the trend of the market from week to week during the producing season— May to Na- vember— and these quotations are in demand from all parts of the country. The total value of the cheese sold on the Utica Board of Trade during the sea- son of 1911 was $641,604. Add to this the transactions in butter, and that of transactions in cheese based on the Board Sales, and the grand total was fully $1,000,000. The Eomohawks is an organization devoted to exploiting the industrial advantages and promoting the welfare of the growing and progressive city of Rome. Early in the year 1909 a number of the prominent business men of the city met for the purpose of formulating a plan for holding a carnival in Rome during the week of the Oneida County Fair in September, to better advertise the fair and at the same time interest the visitors in Rome, its industries, its business and professional life, and its advantages as a home city. The name "Romohawks" was chosen from a number suggested as the name of the organi- zation, it being devised from "Rome" and "Mohawk," the city being located on the banks of the Mohawk river. The Romohawks further adopted as their slogan, "Rome, a City of Industries and a Place that is Good to Live In." The committee on plan and scope of the proposed carnival reported a scheme for entertainment, consisting of evening parades typical of historical events connected with Port Stanwix, the site of which lies in the center of the city, and over which the Stars and Stripes were first flung to the breeze in battle in Au- gust, 1777; the parades also to consist of fraternal and other organizations, visiting firemen, industrial floats, decorated automobiles, etc.; band concerts, illuminations and pyrotechnic displays to continue throughout the carnival. The above plan was approved and the work of preparation began, which re- sulted in the first carnival of The Romohawks being held in connection with the Oneida County Fair September 7, 8, 9, 1909. The large crowds of visitors and the enthusiasm within the city, the magnificent parades under command of Hon. E. Stuart Williams, grand marshal, and his eflScient aides, resulted in a complete success of the enterprise. Governor Charles E. Hughes was an hon- ored guest of the city and reviewed the pageant. Through the interest aroused by the success of the Romohawks' 1909 carni- val and the demand of the citizens of Rome for a continuance of the boosting campaign, it was decided to increase the membership and further the effective- ness of the organization. A constitution and by-laws were adopted, and a ritual for initiation prepared. The growth of the organization was so rapid the need of a permanent secretary was felt, and in April, 1910, Farnham M. Gregory was appointed to this position and headquarters established in the city hall. Mayor Kessinger generously offering the use of his rooms for this purpose. April 15, 1910, a banquet was held in conjunction with the Merchants' As- sociation, which was largely attended, and addresses were made by prominent HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 487 speakers on commercial and civic progressiveness. April 29, 1910, a delega- tion of about 150 members of the Mystique Krewe of Kanoo-oo of Syracuse, N. Y., a similar organization, conducted the first initiation ceremonial, and the membership increased to 408. The ritual of The Romohawks was devised as an allegorical rite of the ancient Iroquois Indians, who once occupied this part of the country. By this ceremonial the members of The Romohawks became ^'good Indians," and were divided into tribes. The following chiefs were chosen: J. A. Ott, Oneida Tribe; A. J. O'Connor, Onondaga Tribe; Alexander MacGregor, Seneca Tribe; L. V. Jones, Cayuga Tribe; James H. Hooke, Mo- hawk Tribe. Two other initiation ceremonials were held in 1910, and the mem- bership increased to 594. A costume for the members was adopted and visits made to Oneida and Syracuse, where The Romohawks participated in carnivals held in these cities, and also in the carnival held in Rome. The second carnival of The Romohawks held in September, 1910, was even more successful than that of the previous year, the parades being under com- mand of Charles E. Wardwell, as grand marshal. The third annual carnival was held in September, 1911, which proved to be the usual success. George A. Clyde, as grand marshal, was in charge of the parades. The idea of these yearly carnivals seems to have met the approval of the citizens of Rome, as pledges have already been received for an amount suf- ficient to finance a carnival in 1912. The work of the members and board of directors of The Romohawks, out- side of the carnivals, has been very effective as a boosting organization for the city. Many needed improvements have been made, matters of interest to the commercial and civic welfare of the city have been promoted, and a successful advertising campaign conducted. A continuance of the efPort is sure to result in the growing progressiveness of Rome, "A City of Industries and a Place that is Good to Live In." The officers have been: Presidents— Samuel H. Beach, 1909 ; E. Stuart Williams, 1910 ; F. M. Shel- ley, 1911 ; A. R. Kessinger, 1912. Vice Presidents— A. R. Kessinger, H. G. Lake, 1909; F. M. Shelley, 1910; H. W. Barnard, 1911; R. A. Field, 1912. Secretaries — Leon V. Jones, 1909-10 ; Famham M. Gregory, 1910-12. Treasurers— F. M. Shelley, 1909; D. A. Lawton, 1910-11; C. R. Edwards, 1912, and a board of directors each year. Oneida County Agbicultxieaii Society was organized in 1841 by Pomroy Jones of Lairdsville, Benjamin P. Johnson, Benjamin N. Huntington and George I. Wheeler of Rome, Calvin Bishop of Verona, Pliment Mattoon of Vienna, John Butterfield and Theodore S. Faxton of Utica, T. D. Penfield of Camden, Ira Hitchcock of Vernon, and Henry Rhodes of South Trenton. Its first exhibition was held in the village of Hampton (now Westmoreland) on the village green. In order to keep people away from the exhibit until their ad- mission fee had been paid, and to obtain money with which to pay premiums on articles entered (which articles could be entered at any time up to the time of judging), the highways were blocked at a distance of about fifty rods from the green by ropes which were stretched across them. No one was allowed to pass 488 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY these ropes until the admission fee had been paid, which was 12^^ cents for each person. Premiums were paid at the close of the fair, which was held one day, by the president and secretary, who sat on the church steps. Much amusement was created by the order in which the premiums were listed, the president at that time Pomroy Jones, calling the name of the owner of a prize bull, and im- mediately following it with first premium on a shaker bonnet. The following year the exhibition was held in Rome, on the lot now occupied by the Rome Academy and First Presbyterian Church. During the first years of its existence the fair was a movable exhibition, a vote being taken at the close of each fair as to where it should be held the following year. Fairs were held in the several towns of Oneida county until about 1858, when permanent grounds were purchased in Rome on the Floyd road from the Fish farm, now Riverside Park, where fairs have been held annually since. Many of the farmers and citi- zens took a deep interest in the success and management of the society, and the fairs were progressive until about 1888. At that time the society was entirely out of debt, with money in the treasury. It was thought advisable by some of the members to erect a hotel building upon the property which was done in 1888. From that time until 1899 the affairs of the society were prosperous, but from 1899 to about 1906 the fairs were not as successful as in former years. In 1906 the society was incorporated, and a new impetus was given to its affairs by the election of an entirely new board of managers and officers. Since that time the financial affairs of the society have been steadily gaining, and the indications are that within a very few years the society will again be on a paying basis. Within the last few years new cattle sheds have been built at a cost of about $3,500 the buildings repaired and newly painted, the grand-stand moved, and the old one mile race track cut down to one of the best one-half mile race tracks in central New York. The society is now paying annually in the neighborhood of $3,000 per year in premiums, and the amount of money handled by it each year is about $12,000. Of the original organizers of the society the only one living at the present time is Mr. George I. Wheeler, who resides in Rome. Mr. Wheeler has been one of the most active members from the time of its organization to the present date, and has never failed in attendance at any of the annual fairs. The presidents have been: 1841-42, Pomroy Jones; 1843-44, Benj. P. Johnson ; 1845, Elon Corn- stock; 1846, Dolphus Skinner; 1847-8, Ira S. Hitchcock; 1849, Henry Rhodes; 1850, Benj. N. Huntington; 1851, Pliment Mattoon; 1852, A. S. Newberry; 1853, Roland S. Doty; 1854, Levi T. Marshall; 1855, H. H. Eastman; 1856, Lorenzo Rouse; 1857, Calvin Bishop; 1858, J. Wyman Jones; 1859, A. VanPatten; 1860, N. S. Wright; 1861, B. B. Armstrong; 1862, Edward Huntington; 1863, George Benedict; 1864, Samuel Campbell; 1865, R. G. Savery; 1866, Morgan Butler; 1867, B. W. Williams; 1868, 0. B. Gridley; 1869, John H. Wilcox; 1870, John L. Dean ; 1871, John Butterfield ; 1872, T. D. Penfield ; 1873, J. B. Cushman ; 1874, Mark Cheney; 1875, H. N. Gleason; 1876, John M. Phillips; 1877, Luke Coan; 1878, William Townsend; 1879, R. A. Jones; 1880, H. L. Adams; 1881, John Warcup; 1882, T. D. Roberts; 1883, George Hammill; 1884, H. M. Rouse; 1885, L. S. Wilcox; 1886, Charles Seymour; 1887, Azer Chandler; 1888, George L Wheeler; 1889, Chester Wolcott; 1890, C. C. Bartholomew; 1891, R. H. Jones; HISTORY OP ONEIDA COUNTY 489 1892, 6. W. Cooley; 1893, B. D. Stone; 1894, WiUiara Hinman; 1895, I. D. Thompson; 1896, James A. Bailey; 1897, J. N. Jacobs; 1898, C. A. Pratt; 1899, John W. Potter; 1900, M. Thalman; 1901, L. Mittenmaier, Jr.; 1902, Grif- fith W. Jones; 1903, George H. BeH; 1904, A. P. Bronson; 1905, H. Barnard, Jr.; 1906, 0. E. Jones; 1907, J. B. Dodge; 1908, A. S. White; 1909-10, Dr. James H. Whaley. The officers for 1911 are: President, Dr. James H. Whaley; vice presidents, Stanley W. Warcup, Merrick Wood ; treasurer, J. A. Ott ; secretary, Frank S. Baker. Pakmees' Club — The first meeting of the Parmers' Club was held at Bagg's Hotel, Utica, January 21, 1870, and it was fully organized on Pebruary 4 follow- ing. Samuel Campbell was elected president; Horatio Seymour, vice presi- dent ; T. D. Curtiss, recording secretary ; W. H. Comstock, corresponding secre- tary; L. L. Wight, treasurer. The other persons instrumental in forming the club were John Butterfield, Henry Rhoads, Morgan Butler, M. Quimby, Harris Lewis, S. T. Miller. Provisions were made for a board of directors, consisting of eight persons. The club has held frequent meetings from the date of its organization to the present time, and each year has a public banquet, at which eminent speakers entertain the banqueters. The principal officers of the club since its organiza- tion, besides those already given, have been Pred C. Batchelor, J. H. Marvin, Joseph E. Graham, J. V. H. Scoville, John W. Wood, George 6. Chassel, Loren R. Scott and William M. Osborne. The officers at the present time are Joseph E. Graham, president ; J. M. Seymour, vice president ; Herbert Tyler, secretary. There are 85 active members, and the oldest charter member living is J. V. H. Scoville. Utica Citizens' Corps — ^No organization in the city can show a continuous record of service and work comparable with the Utica Citizens' Corps. It was organized in 1837, when the city contained a little over 10,000 souls. The Utica Observer of December 26, 1837, contained the following and the first notice about the corps: "Utica Citizens' Corps — Our citizens were gratified to see this new military company out on Saturday last, (23d) . Their appearance was most creditable. Those engaged in getting up and sustaining it deserve the highest commendation. We have long needed a military company of that char- acter, and now that we have one, let us spare no pains in keeping it in existence. It is an honor and ornament to our city." We can easily imagine the personnel of that gallant band. It represented the active spirit of the community, the flower of its youth, the beaus of the city. The original muster contained many names famous after in the commercial, po- litical and social annals of the city. Here it is: Captain, E. K. Barnum; Lieuts. W. K. Backus, Alvin White and Henry K. Hart; Ensign, Elisha K. Rogers; the "men:" James Halstead, George Harrison, Daniel J. Prancis, Richard San- ger, Morgan W. Brown, Daniel B. Johnson, Theodore Carman, Stephen Abbey, Joy Ladd, Stephen Comstock, Alexander C. Hart, Stephen M. Perrine, Prancis Vedder, Stephen O. Byington, Hugh Roberts, Edward Broadwell, Stephen O. Barnum, B. S. Rogers, Henry Ladd, George Westcott, Thomas J. Newland, 490 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY Henry W. Rockwell, George W. Hart, William N. Weaver, William Gray, Al- bert Spencer, F. W. Guiteau, Grove Penny, William B. Dickinson, James S. Beardsley, William C. Johnson, and Richard U. Owens. The first parade was headed by the Utica band, famous itself through the following half century. On July 4, 1841, the first stand of colors was presented to the corps by its former captain, E. K. Bamum, through John F. Sejonour. W. W. Backus was then captain. He was succeeded in the same year by Henry R. Hart, and the company occupied its first armory in the old Miller building, northwest corner of Whitesboro and Genesee streets. In 1843 the company took part in the opening of the Syracuse and Utica Railroad, and acted as guard at the famous McLeod trial, one of the first of its many useful services. It was this trial that threatened to involve the country in war with England. In 1846 the first "camp" was held in Richfield Springs, and the first of the long series of Wash- ington's birthday balls was given on February 22. By this time the corps was in full swing as a social factor, and was famous afterwards throughout the state in this line, and hardly a city at some time did not entertain it. Captain Alvin White succeeded Captain Hart, and served until 1852. During his command in 1851, the annual shoot was held on the site now occupied by the Tabernacle Baptist Church. About this time the Armory was moved to Washington Hall, comer of Broad and John streets, which building still stands. In 1852 Henry R. Hart was again elected captain, and James McQuade was one of the lieutenants. This year the corps paraded before and was addressed by General Winfield Scott in Bagg's Square. In 1853 Edward Broadwell was captain, and the corps took part in the opening of the Black River Railroad, and in the laying of the cornerstone of the city hall. The Armory was then moved to Military Hall, corner of John and Cath- arine streets. James McQuade was elected captain in 1853. He infused the mar- tial spirit into the command, bringing it up to date in tactics. His genial qual- ities had great effect on the personnel of the corps, and it made corresponding progress. In 1857, the celebrated encampment at Saratoga was held, and named after Captain McQuade. A painting of the corps at this camp hangs in the state armory at present. It was made by Artist Kunkelly, a member, and the portraits are excellent. It includes many of the leading spirits of Utica at that period, and their presence was a guarantee that Saratoga was lively in August, 1857. It was in this year that the corps performed guard duty at the burning of the State Lunatic Asylum. The corps was, at this time, the recipient of many invitations to functions held by independent military companies in the cities of the country, for every city then had its crack company, its guards, its grays, etc. Many of the invitations were accepted, and the corps' fame ex- tended accordingly. In 1858 they again held forth at Saratoga at Camp John- son, named after the captain. At Camp Johnson, the beautiful white banner, so often afterwards borne with pride by the corps, was presented by Madam Jumel. It hangs at present at the officers' quarters of Company B, 1st Regiment, in the State Armory. When the call of '61 was sounded the corps volunteered at a meeting, which had its counterpart in most cities of the country. The doings of these stirring days are now history in Utica. They include the patriotic appeal of Captain STATE ARMORY, UTICA HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 491 McQuade to the corps, its volunteering with a hurrah, and later, on April 23, its march down Genesee street en route to its cantonment at Albany, where it was the first company to report for duty. It was a beautiful spring day, and all Utica was out to see the boys off. On many battlefields of the Civil War the men of the corps distinguished themselves. From its ranks were furnished 59 com- missioned officers. Among the number were six major generals and three briga- dier generals. When the war was over, those of the corps who had been to the front settled down to reorganizing their home affairs. At a meeting held in Tiger Hose House on John street in 1867, the company was reorganized, Col. Thomas M. Davis being elected captain, and in the following year it inaugurated the custom kept up for many years of celebrating the anniversaries of its de- parture for the Civil War. In 1868 it took part in the doings that surrounded the opening of the Chenango and Susquehanna Railroad. The Armory was about this time, in Chubbuck's Hall. General Grant was in Utica in 1869, and the corps escorted him from Bagg's Hotel to the residence of Roscoe Conkling. It paraded in 1870, at the funeral of General George H. Thomas in Troy. James Miller was its captain in 1871. The corps was again busy during the succeeding years in social and military affairs. It never missed the Washington birthday parade, the annual ball, the annual target practice, nor the anniversary of '61. In 1872 it held its annual shoot at Watertown. As a sample of these affairs it is re- corded that W. A. Fish won first prize, Sergeant Wetzel second, and John J. Flannigan the third. In the evening the old Utica Band gave a concert in the public square, and the citizens of Watertown tendered an impromptu hop to the Uticans at the Woodruff House. During the next few years the corps visited the Thousand Islands, Ottawa, as the guests of the Governor General of Canada's Footguards; Albany, where, with the Burgess and the Old Guard of New York, they formed a red, white and blue battalion. John H. Douglass was then captain. In 1881 the corps participated in the inauguration of President Garfield at Washington On this trip it was royally entertained in Albany and New York. Major D. T. Everetts was at that time in command. Evacuation Day, 1883, saw the corps in New York, the guest of the Old Guard ; it was a red-letter day in the history of the organization. March, 1884, Egbert Bagg was elected captain. In the same month the corps buried its most eminent member and war time captain, Gen- eral James McQuade. He was in command at the age of 21, and throughout hia long association with the corps was ever one of its leading spirits. Edmund L. Munson was captain in 1885, William M. Storrs in 1886, and Major Everetts in 1887. The fiftieth anniversary of the corps was celebrated in this year. A parade was held in the morning, and the buildings along the line of march were gaily decorated. The city was in holiday temper. Open house was kept all day in the armory. Reminiscences were in order, and in the evening a banquet was held in the drill hall. Among the out of town guests were many military men, who had come in contact with the corps in its travels. The flower of the city's citizenship were also present. Among the speakers were Dr. James G. Hunt, the corps' president; Lieut. Eugene Stearns, who gave the corps' history; Channing M. Huntington, who read the anniversary poem; Myron W. VanAuken, who spoke on reminiscences, and Col. P. F. Bulger, who made a memorial address. 492 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY J. C. P. Kincaid led in the chorus singing, and afterward several gentlemen in- dulged in impromptu remarks. Of its original members Grove Penny was pres- ent, and F. W. Guiteau, William W. Backus, S. C. Barnum, George Westcott and "William C. Johnson sent their regrets. Besides being the fiftieth anni- versary of the organization of the corps, this celebration inaugurated its join- ing the National Guard of the State of New York. "With its entrance into the National Guard the entire character of the corps changed. Lewis E. Goodier soon succeeded Major Everetts in command, and served until his promotion to major, 4th Battalion, in the spring of 1899. Under his command the corps took part in many national events. It was in the Colum- bian parade in New York City in 1892 ; at the dedication of the Grant monument in the same city in 1896, and at the centennial celebration of the evacuation of Oswego by the British army. It performed its whole duty at the switchmen's strike in Buffalo in the summer of 1891. On April 21, 1899, the veteran asso- ciation of the corps gave a dinner at the Butterfield House, and many of the active members were present. The Spanish war was at that time imminent. At this dinner many of the speakers referred to the gallant record of the old corps and the distinguished services of its members in 1861. Notwithstanding the fact that a war was then at hand, the minds of all present were on the old days, few, if any present dreaming that inside of eleven days the corps would again volunteer its service to defend its country's flag. Yet so it happened. When President McKinley called for volunteers at the outbreak of the war with Spain, the corps, now being the 44th Separate Company, N. G. N. Y., volunteered, was one of the twelve companies selected from the Third Brigade, and with Lewis B. Goodier, captain, Arthur W. Pickard and Franklin T. Wood, lieuten- ants, left Utica at 5 a. m., May 2, 1899, for Camp Black, Long Island. On May 20, 1899, it was mustered into the U. S. "Volunteer Army as Company B, 1st N. Y. Volunteer Infantry, to serve for two years wherever the interests of the country demanded. On June 11 it was made part of the garrison at Fort Hamilton, one of the defenses of New York harbor. On July 7, with Arthur W. Pickard in command. Captain Goodier having been promoted Major of the 203d Infantry, N. Y. "Volunteers, it left New York for San Francisco, under orders for the fourth expedition to the Philippines. At San Francisco these orders were can- celled, and the First New York Volunteers was assigned as a garrison of the Hawaiian Islands, and was on duty at Camp McKinley, Oahu, from August 17 to December 7, 1899. The war with Spain having been ended, the First New York was ordered to sail December 7, 1899, for San Francisco and arrived in Utica on Christmas night, 1899. As in 1863 it was received by the whole city with joy, in fact, in a frenzy of patriotism only equalled by the Godspeed of- fered when it left home on May 2. In June, 1900, Henry J. Cookinham, Jr., was elected captain, and the com- pany partially reorganized, many of its members having been honorably dis- charged at their own request. During Captain Cookinham 's command the com- pany was detailed by headquarters to participate in the Dewey parade, in honor of the hero of Manila at his home-coming. It was also detailed as part of the escort to Governor Odell at the dedication of the St. Louis Exposition in 1903. Major Cookinham, in 1905 having been promoted to the command of the 4th HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 493 Battalion, was succeeded by Arthur W. Pickard, who, in turn, was succeeded by Captain William L. Foley December 31, 1907, who was succeeded by Cap- tain Thomas M. Sherman July 25, 1911, who is at present in command. Under the policies of the general and state governments the character of our military organizations is steadily changing. Since the Spanish war more at- tention is being paid to the education of our citizens' soldiery in the science of war, and, with the limited time at hand, the social side is gradually taking the background. Throughout its history the corps has taken part in many events that have been parts of our country's history, and always to the credit of its ofiScers and men. Its roster has always held men who have been leaders in the activities of the day. On the date of its organization it adopted as its motto the sentiment "We Lead" and from 1837 to 1911 it has never had cause to re- gret it. The Twenty-Eighth Separate Company (Company A, First Infantry, Na- tional Guard, New York) was the successor of the Utica Fire Zouaves, which was commanded by Captain John P. KeUey. March 10, 1873, a number of the members of the Fire Zouaves organized Company C of the 26th Battalion and Joseph H. Eemmer was chosen captain. The company was mustered into the state service June 23, 1873. Company A of the 26th Battalion was recruited from the Veteran Zouaves; Company B was known as the Fire Zouaves; Com- pany C as the Utica Dering Guards, in compliment to General Sylvester Dering, who at that time commanded the Sixth Brigade of the New York National Guard ; Company D of the 26th Battalion was designated as the ConMing Corps by the members of that company, as a tribute to their fellow townsman. Senator Roscoe Conkling. In 1882 the state authorities reduced the strength of the National Guard ma^ terially, and the 26th Battalion was among the organizations to be disbanded. Company C was retained in service, however, and mustered into the New York National Guard as the Twenty-eighth Separate Company. From this time forward the growth of the company in efficiency and numbers has been most substantial. In 1898 the Twenty-eighth Separate Company, the Forty-fourth Separate Company, also of Utica, and the companies in Mohawk, Watertown, Ogdensburg and Malone were organized into the 16th Battalion, commanded by Major Joseph H. Remmer of Utica. In 1899, the 16th Battalion, in which the Twenty-eighth Separate Company had been Company A, was reorganized into the Fourth Battalion commanded by Major James S. Boyer of Watertown, the Twenty-eighth Company retaining its designation of Company A. In 1905 the Fourth Battalion became a part of the First Regiment commanded by Col- onel Charles H. Hitchcock of Binghamton, and the Twenty-eighth Separate Company became Company A of that organization. In 1889 the company par- ticipated in the Washington centennial celebration in New York City. In 1892 the company was summoned for service at Buffalo during the switchmen's strike, and performed two weeks of duty in that city. During the same year it took part in the Columbian celebration in New York. It accepted an invitation in 1896 to take part in the celebration of the evacuation of Oswego by the British, 494 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY and in 1897 it took part in the ceremonies at the dedication of Grant's Tomb in New York. In July, 1898, the nucleus of Company G, 203d Regiment, New York State Volunteers, was recruited from the Twenty-eighth Separate Company for serv- ice in the war with Spain. Captain Charles S. Horsburgh, commanding officer of the Twenty-eighth Separate Company, was commissioned captain of Com- pany G of the 203d Regiment of Volunteers ; William M. Remmer was commis- sioned first lieutenant, and George J. Winslow second lieutenant. This com- pany, which was mustered in at Syracuse July 1, 1898, saw no active service. It was encamped with its regiment at Camp Black on Long Island, N. Y. ; Camp Meade, near Harrisburg, Pa.; Conewago, Pa; and Camp Wetherill at Greenville, S. C. The 203d Regiment was mustered out of service in March, 1899. In 1899 the company participated in the reception of Dewey in New York City. The record of the Twenty-eighth Separate Company has, throughout its career, been one of achievement and progress. Its ranks are generally recruited to the maximum allowed by law, and it is regarded by the state military author- ities as a most eflcient organization, and commands the confidence of the public at all times. Since its inception in 1873 to 1911, it has had but three captains. The following comprise the list of of&cers who have served in the Twenty-eighth Separate Company: CAPTAINS Joseph H. Remmer, private, Company B, 26th Regiment, September 2, 1868 ; sergeant, September 2, 1868; transferred to Company C March 10, 1873; Cap- tain Company C, 26th Battalion (28th Sep. Company), June 3, 1873; major, 16th Battalion, April 1, 1898 ; captain, 203d Regiment N. Y. Volunteers, July 18, 1898, to April 15, 1899. Charles S. Horsburgh, private Company C, 26th Battalion (28th Sep. Com- pany), August 24, 1880; sergeant, June 28, 1884; honorably discharged. May 28, 1886 ; private, August 30, 1886 ; quartermaster sergeant, November 17, 1886 ; honorably discharged January 21, 1889 ; private, quartermaster sergeant, Febru- ary 11, 1889; second lieutenant, April 20, 1889; first lieutenant, Sept. 21, 1894; captain, April 28, 1898 ; captain, 203d Regiment N. Y. Volunteers, July 5, 1898, to March 25, 1899. Breveted major 1906. Henry L. Salladin, private Twenty-eighth Separate Company, June 8, 1885 ; sergeant, December 5, 1886 ; first sergeant, December 10, 1887 ; honorably dis- charged January 28, 1891 ; private, first sergeant, January 29, 1891 ; honorably discharged, April 28, 1892 ; private, first sergeant, May 12, 1892 ; second lieu- tenant, November 9, 1894; first lieutenant and adjutant, 16th Battalion, April 19, 1898; supernumerary, March 15, 1899; assigned to duty as inspector of small arms practice. Fourth Battalion, March 27, 1900; relieved, December 6, 1900 ; assigned to duty with Twenty-eighth Separate Company, August 31, 1906, to November 1, 1906; captain, Twenty-eighth Separate Company, March 7, 1907. FIRST LIEUTENANTS Heney C. Scheader, private. Company B, 26th Regiment, September 2, 1868 ; transferred to Company C, March 10, 1873 ; first lieutenant, Company C, 26th Battalion, June 3, 1873. HISTOEY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 495 Charles F. Clark, private, Company C, 26tli Battalion, June 3, 1873 ; sergeant, January, 1874 ; second lieutenant, February 8, 1875 ; first lieutenant. May 29, 1875. George J. Winslow, private. Twenty-eighth Separate Company, February 11, 1895 ; musician, February 1, 1896 ; first lieutenant, July 5, 1898 ; enrolled, July 16, 1898 ; mustered in as second lieutenant, 203d Regiment N. Y. Volunteers, July 19, 1898 ; discharged, November 12, 1898. SECOND LIEUTENANTS Henry Bellinger, private. Company B, 26th Regiment, November 12, 1869; transferred to Company C, March 10, 1873; second Lieutenant, Company C, 26th Battalion, June 3, 1873. William H. Jones, private, Company C, 26th Battalion, June 3, 1873 ; second lieutenant, June 8, 1876. Alfred T. Ryeraft, private, Twenty-eighth Separate Company, April 2, 1883 ; second lieutenant, July 28, 1884. John F. Wade, private Twenty-eighth Separate Company, September 29, 1891 ; corporal, June 1, 1896; second lieutenant, June 7, 1898. Edward K. Miller, private. Twenty-eighth Separate Company, February 12, 1894; corporal, June 2, 1898; honorably discharged, February 13, 1900; re- enlisted, February 19, 1900, warrant renewed ; sergeant, .March 9, 1903 ; honor- ably discharged, June 14, 1906 ; re-enlisted, same date, warrant renewed ; second lieutenant. Twenty-eighth Separate Company, July 30, 1907. ASSISTANT StniGEONS James H. Glass, January 18, 1888. WUliam A. Burgess, first lieutenant and assistant surgeon, Twenty-eighth Separate Company, October 23, 1890; captain and assistant surgeon, 16th Bat- talion, June 11, 1898 ; first lieutenant and assistant surgeon, 203d Regiment, N. Y. Volunteers, June 30, 1898 ; to March 29, 1899 ; supernumerary, March 15, 1899; assigned to duty with Twenty-eighth Separate Company, December 30, 1899. Patrick J. Barrett, private, Twenty-eighth Separate Company, June 10, 1895 ; first lieutenant and assistant surgeon, July 8, 1898. Julius F. Wingenbach, private Twenty-eighth Separate Company, Novem- ber 23, 1896 ; assistant surgeon. Twenty-eighth Separate Company, of the grade of first lieutenant, February 16, 1903 ; supernumerary and re-assigned to duty, January 21, 1908; assistant surgeon of the grade of first lieutenant, February 6, 1908, with rank from February 16, 1903; captain, medical corps. May 17, 1909, with rank from May 17, 1909; accepted, June 17, 1909. YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION The first Young Men's Christian Association in Oneida county was organ- ized in Utica, February 10, 1858, in the lecture room of the Westminster Pres- byterian church, ajid the following oflcers were elected: President, Edward Curran; vice president, Edward R. Bates; corresponding secretary, Robert S. Williams; recording secretary, G. Clarence Churchill; treasurer, Edwin L. ^gg HISTORY OP ONEIDA COUNTY Swarwout. On Monday, March 1, 1858, morning, meetings were begun in the lecture room of the Bleecker Street Baptist church. The next week the meet- ings were transferred to the main audience room of the church, which for some weeks was well filled. Meetings were also held at noon at the Dutch Reformed church, and in the evening in the State Street Methodist church, under the auspices of the association. In May, of the same year, the association found its first real home in rooms on the third floor of the Tibbits block. These rooms comprised a weU furnished sitting room, with something of a Ubrary m a large book case, a large room which was used as a reading room and hall for meetings, and a store room. These rooms were occupied and the association work carried on with great interest until the war broke out. During the war and for a time after, conditions were necessarily unsettled, and the work of the association was carried on with lessened interest. After the close of the war the work was again undertaken with new zeal, and carried on with varying interest until 1883, when the reins fell into the hands of very competent and resolute men, who, in December of that year, selected G. K. Shurtless as general secretary. Under his leadership funds were secured for the erection of an association building. On October 8, 1883, the cornerstone of one of the first Y. M. C. A. buildings erected in this country was laid in Utica. It was located on the site of the Bleecker Street Baptist church at the corner of Bleecker and Charlotte streets, and was completed and opened for the use of the men and boys of Utica in 1888. It cost $71,000. Splendid work was done in this building under the leadership of General Secretaries F. B. Leete, J. K. Doan and Irving L. Street. This building was completely destroyed by fire March 1, 1907. Six months before the fire occurred Thomas R. Jordan had been called as general secretary, and it fell to his lot after the fire to secure funds to purchase or erect a new building. From May 1 to June 1, 1907, a campaign was conducted to secure funds, and about $75,000 was subscribed. After considerable negotiation the asso- ciation purchased the Utica Female Academy property, located at 120 Wash- ington street. The deed was secured April 9, 1908. These buildings were extensively remodeled, and have been adapted to the association's needs in a remarkable manner. The Utica association is now fully recovered from the disastrous fire, and has taken its place among the leading associations of the state. It has a corps of twenty-two employed officers and has passed the 1,000 mark in membership. It operates six departments, as follows: Educational, Physical, Boys, Dormitory, Religious Work and Social. It offers the men and boys of Utica educational classes, lectures, gymnasium classes, hand ball court, four bowling alleys, swimming pool, shower and spray baths, rifle range, billiard room, lunch and private dining room, men's meetings, Bible classes, shop meetings, games for recreation, and body building of every nature. It helps to make better men and boys physicially, mentally and morally. YOUNG women's CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION "A Young Woman's Class and Reading Room" was opened at No. 34 Charlotte street in May, 1884, with a board of directors as follows : President, rOrXG MENS CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION BIILDING, ROME rOL'NG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION BUILDING, WHICH WAS DESTROYED BY FIRE Y'OTNG MENS CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION BUILDING. UTICA HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 497 Miss Amelia H. Sheffield; Mrs. "Wallace Clarke, Mrs. John M. Grouse, Miss Julia F. Grosvenor, Mrs. T. M. Harvard, Mrs. Wm. McLaughlin, Miss Cor- nelia Meeker, Mrs. George Seymour, Mrs. James H. WiUiams. An advisory board consisting of Mrs. John P. Gray, Miss Sarah Gilbert and Mrs. S. W. Crittenden was appointed. In 1887 the work outgrew its first quarters and moved to larger rooms at No. 25 Devereux street, and in 1892 again moved to better rooms at No. 19 Court street. Later this growing organization adopted the name of "The Working Girls' Club," and as such, continued to exist until October 8, 1898, when the name was changed to "The Young Women's Chris- tian Association." The work grew to such proportions that a whole building was needed and in 1904 a house was rented at No. 16 Hopper street. In 1905 the association was incorporated under the name of "The Young Woman's Christian Asso- ciation of Utica, N. Y." After four additional years of growth more room was needed, and in May, 1908, the house No. 264 Genesee street was purchased, and in February, 1911, the mortgage on this property was entirely paid. The presidents during this period of twenty-seven years have been: Mrs. A. H. Sheffield, Mrs. Correl Humphrey, Miss Julia F. Grosvenor. Miss Jennie A. Brown was for eighteen years secretary of the board, and Miss Cornelia Meeker, treasurer for a period of sixteen years. Mrs. Theodore G. Ward is now acting president, and the directors are: Mrs. C. H. Baldwin, Miss Ella M. Harvey, Mrs. Henry Beebe, Mrs. Correl Humphrey, Mrs. S. J. Creswell, Miss Mary Kellogg, Mrs. Wm. R. Davenport, Mrs. E. F. Keever, Miss Gertrude Curran, Mrs. Irving W. Maurer, Mrs. Anna P. Eynon, Mrs. Wm. Moffatt, Miss Belle Fraser, Miss Sarah McGueken, Miss Natalie Gilbert, Mrs. John M. Ross, Miss Ella Gage, Mrs. Walter Roberts, Miss Julia P. Grosvenor, Mrs. Geo. H. Torney, Miss Mabel A. Wheeler. The members of the present advisory board are : Miss Sarah Gilbert, Mrs. Chas. T. Olmsted, Mrs. F. W. H. Sheffield, Mrs. Chas. Shaver, Mr. 0. A. Meyer, Mr. J. C. Hoxie, Mr. H. Gilbert Hart, Mr. Spencer Kellogg. No one connected with the institution contributed as much to the success of the enterprise as the first president, Miss Amelia H. Sheffield, who was in fact the originator of this most excellent work among the young women of the county. THE women's christian ASSOCIATION It was in the winter of 1869-70, that a few charitably disposed women of Utica undertook to effect an organization to aid their sisters who were not in so fortunate a condition as themselves. Some informal meetings were held, but nothing definite was done until the following May. There had been Wo- men's Christian Associations in existence for some years in different cities of the country and it seemed to those interested in Utica, that such an organi- zation as that in Utica would accomplish the object desired. A meeting was called and a committee appointed to draft a constitution. This committee re- ported at a general meeting held in Westminster church, May 26, 1870, and a constitution was presented which, after some revision, was adopted June 11th, following. Vol. 1-32. 498 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY The ladies of the organization soon found that they needed something in the shape of a home where women could have aU reasonable comforts at prices in proportion to their scanty means, and where they would have protection such as they would not find in the ordinary boarding house. The association was about to hire a house to be used as a home when, by a coincidence they could hardly regard as accidental, they learned that the Rockwell property on Court street was for sale. The price asked was something over twelve thousand dollars, which was more than the association thought it could afford to pay but, relying upon the support of good men, the association bought the property. The last thirteen hundred dollars of the purchase price was paid on the day the cornerstone of the Georgia Porter Memorial building was laid. The home has been successfully carried on for forty-one years, not with a view of receiv- ing from it a revenue, but only for the purpose of providing a place where women of moderate means may have a Christian home. Through the work of the association, among the sick and the poor, the ladies were early convinced of the urgent need of some system of organized charity. They then began a systematic visitation among those requiring help. This has been the means of ministering to many worthy needy ones, and supplying them with food, comforts and Christian sympathy. In May, 1892, the building, No. 19 Court street, was presented to the society by Mrs. Pike in memory of her deceased daughter, Georgia Porter, and was called "Georgia Porter Memorial," and it is used by the women who reside at the home. The association has a small endowment fund, but depends mainly on charitably disposed citizens for means to carry on its good work. The ladies of the association are able to say that they have never yet during the forty-one years of the society's existence, turned away unaided, a worthy case for want of funds to supply any needed help. The officers of the association have been: Presidents, Mrs. Jeannette H. Fowler, 1870-72; Mrs. Mary W. Bussey, 1872-1903; vacancy, 1903-5; Mrs. D. D. Griffith, 1905-7; Mrs. Fanny White, 1907-9; Mrs. Wm. Schachte), 1909-11. Secretaries: Mrs. J. A. Becker, 1870-2; Mrs. S. W. Crittenden, 1872-1882; Mrs. Mary S. Shaver, 1882-95; Mrs. James H. Glass, 1895-6; Mrs. Mary B. Schachtel, 1896-9; Mrs. E. F. Harvey, 1909-11. Treasurers: Mrs. E. S. Button, Mrs. J. E. Roberts, Mrs. George Thomas, Miss Clara Head, Miss M. E. Abbott. The present officers are: President, Mrs. WiUiam Schachtel; vice presidents, Mrs. C. C. Shaver, Mrs. John Goebel, Mrs. Helen B. Ferguson, Mrs. W. Jerome Green, Miss Mary McLoughlin; recording secretary, Mrs. E. 6. Harvey; assist- ant recording secretary, Mrs. M. J. Horn; corresponding secretary, Mrs. M. H. Griffith ; treasurer, Miss M. E. Abbott ; assistant treasurer, Mrs. J. W. Rayhill ; ad- visory committee, Mr. Frank G. "Wood, Mr. George L. Curran, Mr. Thomas R. Proctor, Mr. J. T. A. Doolittle, Mr. Frank A. Bosworth. ROME YOUNG MEn's CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION An association was organized in Rome in April, 1868, which was carried on with comparative success until it had grown to such proportions that it was necessary to erect a substantial building for its work. This was FORT SCHUYLER CLUB, UTICA NEW CENTURY CLUB, UTICA HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 499 done in 1906-7, the building being located on West Liberty street and costing $56,000. The building contains a gymnasium, swimming pool, bowling alley, reading room and games for the amusement of the members. Daily papers and many periodicals are supplied. An entertainment course is furnished during the winter months. The present membership is between 300 and 400. New Century Club of Utica was incorporated December 13, 1893, by the ladies of the city for social, literary and artistic purposes. It purchased the property on the corner of Genesee and Hopper streets, which had been the residence of Dr. Henry C. Palmer, and built a good sized audience room known as the "Auditorium," which is used largely* for public entertainments of high order, when its use can be procured. It is in great demand for exhibitions, concerts and other entertainments. The officers have been: Presidents — ^Mrs. John A. Goodale, 1893-99; Miss Lucy Carlile Watson, 1899-1903; Mrs. Smith M. Lindsley, 1903-6; Mrs. George F. Ralph, 1906-8; Mrs. Judson G. Kilboum, 1908-9; Mrs. Watson T. Dunmore, 1909-11; Mrs. John F. Calder, elected in 1911. Recording Secretaries — Miss Ida J. Butcher, 1893-99; Mrs. R. L. Fairbank, 1899-1900; Miss Ida J. Butcher, 1900 to the present time. Corresponding Secretaries — Mrs. Frances W. Roberts, 1893-95; Mrs. C. G. Mitchell, 1895-8 ; Mrs. Judson G. Kilboum, 1898-9 ; Miss Ida J. Butcher, 1899- 1900; Mrs. C. C. Shaver, 1900-1; Miss Elizabeth G. Brown, 1901-2; Miss Frances B. Newland, 1902-4; Mrs. C. C. Shaver, 1904-5; Miss Lucy Carlile Wat- son, 1905-6; Mrs. C. C. Covert, 1906-7; Mrs. C. C. Shaver, 1907-8; Miss Sara E. McGucken, 1908 to the present time. Treasurers — ^Mrs. Frank A. Bosworth, 1893-4 ; Mrs. Cornelia R. Grant, 1895- 8; Mrs. Quentin McAdam, 1898-1910; Mrs. C. T. Guillaume, 1910 to the present time. Fort Schuyler Club of Utica was organized about 1871. Its origin grew out of the fact that the Utica Club, which has been the social club of the city for some years, had become unsatisfactory to the better' element among the young men of Utica. It was not, however, incorporated until April 9, 1883. It purchased the property on the corner of Genesee and Court streets, which had been the residence of John C. Hoyt, and rebuilt it for the purposes of a club. The club has had a very successful existence, and among its members are some of the most prominent citizens, and its officers have been some of the most emi- nent men of the city. Its officers have been: Presidents — Horatio Seymour, 1883-6 ; Francis Kernan, 1886 ; Ellis H. Rob- erts, 1887; Publius V. Rogers, 1888-95; Joseph R. Swan, 1896-8; Thomas R. Proctor, 1899-1911. Vice Presidents^John C. Devereux, 1883; Ellis H. Roberts, 1884-6 ; Alexander T. Goodwin, 1887 ; James F. Mann, 1888-9 ; Joseph R. Swan, 1890-5; Thomas R. Proctor, 1896-8; Nicholas B. Devereux, 1899-1900; Fred- erick Gilbert, 1901; Daniel N. Crouse, 1902-8; Charles S. Symonds, 1903-6; Edward J. Millspaugh, 1909-11. Secretaries— William Townsend, 1883-92; D. Clinton Murray, 1893-4 ; Patrick J. McQuade, 1895 ; Wm. Pierrepont White, 1896 ; Clifford F. Marklove, 1897 ; Julius T. A. Doolittle, 1898-9 ; J. DePeyster 500 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY Lynch, 1900-3; John J. Town, 1904-5; Charles P. Clark, 1906-9; CromweU Woodard 1910-11. Treasurers Charles S. Symonds, 1883-4; George D. Dimon, 1885-6; C. Lansing Sayer, 1887; Loton S. Hunt, 1888-90; David A. Avery, 1891-8; George L. Bradford, 1899-1902; J. Francis Day, 1903-11. Rome Ci.ub was organized in 1880 by about twenty-five of the citizens of Rome. Rooms were rented, and for some time the club had less than fifty members; but from time to time advance was made in the social element con- nected with the club, better rooms were provided, and May 2, 1882, the club was incorporated. The number of members increased until there were about 125, when it was deemed advisable to locate permanently, and the residence of the late Alva Mudge, on East Dominick street, was purchased in 1898 and fitted up for a club house. The club was extremely fortunate in the purchase of the property, as it is located on an historic spot, and the club house stands upon a portion of the land which was covered by Fort Stanwix, the most his- toric spot in Oneida county. There are at present about 150 members, and no words of praise are too strong to use in regard to the character of the members of that club. It is the meeting place of business men, has a prominent place in social affairs, and commands the respect of the best people in Rome. The first trustees of the club were : Edward B. Nelson, Jonas W. Armstrong, E. Stuart Williams, Charles E. Wardwell, J. G. Merriman, C. E. Williams, John S. Wardwell, M. D. Barnett. The officers have been: Presidents— Edward B. Nelson, 1882; Milton D. Barnett, 1883-4; Edward L. Stevens, 1885-6 ; Edward Comstock, 1887-8 ; William W. Wardwell, 1889-94 Thomas H. Stryker, 1895; Augustus C. Kessinger, 1896-7; John S. Wardwell 1898-99; William R. Huntington, 1900-1; George G. McAdam, 1902; S. H Beach, 1903; E. Stuart Williams, 1904; S. H. Beach, 1905; S. M. Stevens, 1906; M. J. Larkin, 1907; H. C. Wiggins, 1908-10; J. Lowell Williams, 1911 Vice Presidents — Jonas W. Armstrong, 1882; James G. Merriman, 1883 Henry M. Lawton, 1884 ; Isaac J. Evans, 1885-86 ; Charles D. Rousseau, 1887- 88; Clarence E. Williams, 1889-91; Thomas S. Stryker, 1892-4; August C. Kessinger, 1895 ; John S. Wardwell, 1896-7 ; William R. Huntington, 1898-99 ; George G. McAdams, 1900-1; W. L. Kingsley, 1902-3; S. H. Beach, 1904; W. B. Johnson, 1905; C. R. Edwards, 1906-8; H. Monkhouse, 1909; J. L. Williams, Jr., 1910 ; J. D. McMahon, 1911. Secretaries— E. Stuart Williams, 1882-3 ; Rudolphus C. Briggs, 1884 ; Albert W. Orton, 1885-6; Charles Carmichael, 1887-8; John H. Williams, 1889; Kendrick S. Putnam, 1890 ; Kendrick S. Putnam, William R. Huntington, 1891 ; William R. Huntington, 1892-4 ; Arthur J. Wylie, 1895-6 ; Charles C. Hopkins, 1897 ; J. Lowell Williams, Jr., 1898 ; E. W. Cummings, 1899 ; Delos M. White, 1900; Arthur F. Carpenter, Howard J. Rowland, 1901; Howard J. Rowland, 1902-3 ; M. J. Larkin, 1904-5 ; C. W. Lee, 1906 ; H. C. Wiggins, 1907 ; George H. Brown, 1908; M. J. Larkin, 1909; Harry W. Barnard, 1910; Newton H. Jones, 1911. Treasurers— Charles E. Wardwell, 1882; E. B. Nelson, 1883-7; John S. Wardwell, 1888 ; Charles Carmichael, 1889-93 ; Howard E. Ketcham, 1894 ; John HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 501 H. Wilson, 1895 ; William L. Tomlinson, 1896-1908 ; B. D. Besley, 1909 ; Norman C. Gaylord, 1910-11. Yahnxtndahsis Goup Club — This club was organized January 19, 1897, and incorporated January 28, 1898. Its object was to promote social intercourse among its members; to promote lawful games and sports; especially to pro- mote the playing of golf; and to provide grounds and conveniences therefor. For several years the grounds of this club were located on the New Hartford road near what was known as Halleck's ravine, the property being rented from year to year from the John Butterfield estate. In 1906 the club purchased the farm of Louis Sherrill in the town of New Hartford, constructed commodious club buildings, and its beautiful grounds and well arranged buildings have been a source of great enjoyment to the members and their guests. Sadaquada Golf Club — This club was organized in October, 1895, incor- porated April 3, 1902; constructed its building and fitted up its grounds in the town of Whitestown, about a mile southwesterly of New York Mills. Al- though these grounds are not as accessible as those of the Yahnundasis, the club is in a most prosperous condition, and its members entertain their many friends in a most hospitable manner. TuE-GE-GA Country Club (Rome) was incorporated under the Membership Corporation Law of the State of New York, November 25, 1899. This is a golf and social club, owning about 44 acres of land on the northerly side of the city of Rome, on the banks of the Mohawk river, about a mile and a half from the court house in that city. The club has excellent buildings and facilities for golf, tennis, bowling and other games, and furnishes athletic sport and social pleasures of a high order during the entire summer season, and, to some extent, during the cold weather. The membership was originally placed at 80, but in August, 1901, was enlarged to 90, and again in July, 1902, to 100. Officers of the club since the date of incorporation have been as follows: Presidents— Franklin A. Ethridge, 1900-01; Jonathan S. Haselton, 1902; Thomas H. Stryker, 1903-4; Benjamin H. Beach, 1905; James M. Ethridge, 1906; Walter B. Johnson, 1907; E. A. Smith, 1908; Arthur F. Carpenter, 1909- Norman C. Gaylord, 1910 ; Franklin A. Ethridge, 1911. Vice Presidents — Theodore J. Mowrey, 1900-1; John F. Fitzgerald, 1902- Charles W. Lee, 1903-4; Percy C. Thomas, 1905; Walter B. Johnson,' 1906; E. A. Smith, 1907; H. J. Rowland, 1908-9; Stoddard M. Stevens, 1910; Percy C. Thomas, 1911. Secretaries— Arthur F. Carpenter, 1900-1; Percy C. Thomas, 1902-4; Arthur J. Wylie, 1905 ; Rudolphus C. Briggs, 1906 ; E. H. Comstock, 1907 ; Frank W. Kirkland, 1908 ; Clarence R. Keeney, 1909-11. Treasurers— Herbert T. Dyett, 1900-1; Benjamin H. Beach, 1902-4; Harry W. Barnard, 1905-6; George G. Clarabut, 1907; A. T. Whyte, 1908; Newell S. Thomas, 1909-10; Walter B. Johnson, 1911. Rome Countet Club was incorporated September 11, 1901, by A. D. White Dr. Charles Bernstein, E. D. Besley, W. H. Westwood, 0. J. Story, N. k! 502 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY Graves, A. W. Tremain, F. L. Roth and G. G. McAdam. This is a golf and social club, with beautiful grounds and fine club house at Stanwix, on the trolley line between Rome and Utica. Officers have been : Presidents— A. D. White, 1901; Dr. C. Bernstein, 1902; H. C. Wiggins, 1903; N. K. Graves, 1904; C. R. Edwards, 1905; F. M. Shelley, 1906; C. R. Edwards, 1907; John E. Mason, 1908; A. W. Tremain, 1909; F. L. Roth, 1910; W. A. Russ, 1911. Vice Presidents— Dr. C. Bernstein, 1901 ; H. C. Wiggins, 1902 ; F. Barnard, 1903;' G. G. McAdam, 1904; F. R. Smith, 1905; L. V. Jones, 1906; John E. Mason, 1907; E. D. Besley, 1908; D. A. Lawton, 1909; C. H. Chrestien, 1910; J. F. Atkinson, 1911. Secretaries— E. D. Besley, 1901-2; H. D. Wolfe, 1903-5: Dr. C. Bernstein, A. D. White, 1907; C. E. Rosenberg, 1908-9; A. D. White, 1910-11. Treasurers— W. H. Westwood, 1901-2 ; N. C. Gaylord, 1903-5 ; A. W. Tremain, 1906 ; A. D. White, 1907 ; C. E. Rosenberg, 1908-9 ; A. D. White, 1910-11. Utica Mechanics' Association — This organization was effected May 5, 1831, at a meeting of mechanics, and at the time the intention was to form an asso- ciation of mechanics and manufacturers only, but later it was broadened, and any citizen was eligible to membership. The first officers were Thomas Walker, president; Kellogg Hurlburt, vice president; J. D. Edwards, secretary; Zenas Wright, treasurer ; and the first board of directors was Simon V. Oley, WiUiam Francis, James McGregor, W. C. Rogers, A. B. Williams, D. D. Porter and Augustus Hurlburt. The association was incorporated March 30, 1833. The plan of the association was at first to hold an annual fair of manufactured products of all kinds, and also to provide for a course of lectures each winter. The fairs were finally given up, but the course of lectures continued until about 1880. In this way the people of Utica and vicinity were permitted to hear the foremost public speakers of the entire country. The lectures were delivered every two weeks during the winter, and the audiences were very large, as the reputation, of the speakers commanded the attention of the entire community. Henry Ward Beecher, John B. Gough, Edwin H. Chapin, Wendell Phillips, George William Curtis and others of the foremost literary men of the country gen- erally, paid annual visits to the city on these occasions. The association got into financial difficulties by building a large opera house, and finally financiers procured the bonded indebtedness covering the property of the association, bought out the interested parties, and then sold the property owned by the Mechanics' association to a company which conr verted it into what is now the Majestic Theater and the property connected witK it, and the Mechanics' association passed out of existence. Utica Art Association — To the present generation the name of the Utica Art Association conveys little idea of the importance of that organization to the citizens of Utica from 1860 to 1880. The association started as an adjunct of the Utica Mechanics' Fair in January, 1862. The credit of its incipency belongs to Thomas H. Wood, a man of rare artistic taste, who, through his desire to promote the appreciation of art in this community, with the help THOMAS WOOD CHANCELLOR SQI'ARB, UTICA EUTGBE, ONE OF THE HANDSOME STREETS OF UTICA HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 503 of a committee who were members of the Mechanics' association, induced many owners of works of art to loan them for the first exhibition. This first at- tempt brought together a strange lot of things, good, bad and indifferent. Hang- ing on the walls side by side, were a few original pictures of merit, some copies from the old masters, six large historical pieces in worsted cross stitch, and many attempts by amateurs, among them "three or four landscapes in color by Eugene Denguers, a twelve-year-old inmate of the Utica Orphan Asylum." This first attempt at a public exhibition demonstrated that artistic feeling in Utica was at a very low ebb, but the people were interested, and the next year Mr. "Wood, representing the committee, visited artists in New York and solicited contributions of a different character. Although he was armed with good introductions, artists of reputation were rather chary of sending valuable paints ings or statuary to Utica, a little up-state town. Mr. Wood, however, suc- ceeded in procuring enough for an excellent exhibit, the pictures selling remark- ably well, and the Utica Art Exhibition was a marked success. For four years it had its home in the rooms of the Young Men's Christian Association in Mechanics' Hall, on the corner of Liberty and Hotel streets, an inconvenient place, and the rooms were not well lighted. In 1866, the year in which the Utica Art Association was incorporated, the connection with the Mechanics' Fair was severed, and Association Hall on Hotel street was rented by the association to be used chiefly as a picture gal- lery. It was appropriately fitted up for that purpose, and for six or eight weeks in each winter the cheerful, brilliantly lighted rooms were the center of the social life of the city, the gathering place of many of the best people in Utica and the surrounding towns. The refining infiuence of the_ many hourg spent in close contact with the best art which America at that time afforded, cannot well be over estimated. With years the gallery grew in importance, and artists from the various art centers were eager to place their work upon the walls of the association. Indeed, outside of New York there were few public exhibitions in the country which equalled it, and Utica became known as an art market of consideration. The incomes of contributing artists were materially increased through it. Remittances to them amounted in 1866 to $5,201, and probably an equal sum on other occasions. Among the prominent artists who exhibited were George W. Smillie, William Sartin, William and James Hart, E. Moran, S. R. Gifford, W. L. Sontag, Eastman Johnson, W. H. Beard, Arthur Parton, W. T. Richards, M. F. H. de Haas, F. E. Church, J. G. Brown, D. Huntington, Jarvis McEntee, J. W. Casilear and many others. Until 1871 the Art Association held yearly exhibits, but the illness of Mr. Wood, his absence in Europe, and subsequent death in Paris, in 1874, left no one who had the disposition and leisure to assume the burden of the work, although many men of prominence were deeply interested in and justly proud of what had been done for art in Utica. The exhibitions were discontinued from 1871 to 1878. In this latter year and the following one, very excellent exhibitions were held in Carton Hall; and, again, in 1882, one was held in Library Hall, which proved to be the last. From that date the members of the association held meetings from time to time, and various propositions were made for the disposal of the accrued funds, viz: to purchase pictures as a 504 HISTOKY OF ONEIDA COUNTY nucleus for a permanent Art Gallery; to purchase pictures to be given to the Public Library ; to divide the money among the members, pro rata, etc. On February 28, 1910, a special meeting of the members of the association was held to arrange for the dissolution of the association, and for the trans- fer to the Utica Public Library of their entire property. The amount of cash on hand was $6,576.68, which was ordered paid over to the Utica Public Library Association. The Supreme Court sanctioned the transfer, and on July 1, 1910, the Public Library came into possession of that sum, with which it is expected ia some way to continue the work of the Utica Art Association. The trustees of the association at the time of its organization were : George W. Adams, Francis G. Wood, John S. Peckham, WiUiam Calverly, G. Clarence Churchill, Thomas H. "Wood, Charles C. Kingsley, Theodore S. Sayre, Ellis H. Roberts, John H. Prentiss, D. N. Crouse and WiUiam F. Potter. The officers from 1866 to 1910 were as follows: Presidents — George W. Adams, Thomas H. Wood, Charles W. Hutchiason, Robert S. Williams, Frank E. Wheeler. Vice Presidents— John H. Prentiss, George W. Adams, Robert S. Williams, Frank E. Wheeler, William S. Doolittle. Secretaries— John H. Prentiss, Edward B. Graham, G. C. ChurchiU, Charles A. Doolittle, E. Z. Wright. Treasurers— G. C. Churchill, Theodore S. Sayre, R. S. Williams, D. N. Crouse, John M. Crouse. *•' *■ •■*■ V- *'^-:j'»'*<^^^:^i;':<'ir .^L*^^* ii- «i »)*-** ■«^**,^ ,--,. . "-' •^^ o'. * £ a; E 1^ O tj ^ ^ c fa o CHAPTER XXXIII HISTORIC PLACES AND BUILDINGS It is not extravagant to say that the locality in and about the city of Rome is one of the most historic in the entire country. From a map made from an actual survey in November, 1758, and which map appears on page 524 of volume 4 of the Documentary History of the State of New York, it appears that there were four military fortifications in this locality at that early day. They are designated on the map as A, B, C and D. Fort Craven — ^A, designates Fort Craven, which was built by General Webb, and was located on the westerly side of the Mohawk river, about midway of the bend in the river from a southerly to an easterly direction. As near as can now be ascertained this fort stood about where the building of the Rome- Turney Radiator Company is now located, and it is reported that even in the present year, while excavating for an addition to this business establishment, munitions of war were found comparatively deep in the ground. This was a stockade, and was of little consequence except as a defense against attacks of Indians and for shelter. Fort "Williams — B, on the map was Fort Williams, which was a stock- ade, and was located on the westerly side of and close to the Mohawk river, a short distance southward of Fort Craven, being something like it in con- struction. Fort Newport — The fortification known as D, on the map referred to, was located on Wood creek and was called Fort Newport. It was a stockade near the landing place, was surrounded by a ditch, and was for defense against attacks of Indians, for shelter and storage purposes. Fort Bull — The fortification known as Fort Bull, was not shown upon the map of 1758, but a description of this fort has been given in another chapter of this work. Fort Stanwix — C, on the map referred to, designates Fort Stanwix — be- yond all question the most historic spot in Oneida county. This fortification had been planned according to the most approved engineering skill, but was never constructed as planned. Its cost was £60,000, and when it is realized that $300,000 in that day was an enormous sum of money, it will be seen that this fortification was one of the most expensive of any within the entire country. Through the instrumentality of Mr. Thomas H. Stryker, of Rome, an accurate 505 506 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY description of this fort has been obtained, and it is given in this work, as we think, for the first time. The description was obtained by an experienced engineer, who visited Albany and examined all of the records pertaining to the actual construction of the fort, and drew a plan of the fort as it actually existed, not as it was planned. The map will be found on another page. It was in this fort that, in 1768, was held the most important council which ever occurred between the white men and the Indians, as it was here on No- vember 5, that the treaty was signed between the representatives of the gov- ernment and of the several states and about 3,600 Indians, by which the white race obtained the vast territory described as follows: Beginning at the mouth of the Tennessee river; thence up the Ohio river to Fort Pitt (Pittsburg); thence up the Allegheny river to Fort Kittaning; thence nearly east over the Alleghany mountains to Bald Eagle creek; thence northeast to the east branch of the Susquehanna river; thence northeast to the mouth of the east branch of the Delaware river; thence up the west or Mohawk branch of the Dela- ware; thence up the Unadilla river to its head; thence by a direct line to the east branch of Fish creek in Oneida county; thence north to the mouth of French creek, the present site of the village of Clayton, on the St. Lawrence river. This fort was also the meeting place of the representatives of the govern- ment and the Indians in 1784, when another cession was made by the Indians to the white men, consisting of the land "west of a line from Lake Ontario, four miles east of the Niagara river, to Buffalo creek; thence south to Penn- sylvania; thence west to the end of Pennslyvania ; thence south along the west bounds of that state to the Ohio river." In 1788, still another council was held between the white men and the Indians at Fort Stanwix, at which the Indians parted with substantially all that remained of their lands in Oneida county. The Oneidas retained some small reservations, but from time to time parted with them, until they have ceased to be an element in our community. Stabs and Strifes — One incident which occurred at Fort Stanwix is suffi- cient of itself to render it one of the most historic places within the entire country, arid that is, the American Flag— the Stars and Stripes— first floated in battle from the ramparts of this fortification at the time of the besieging of the fort by St. Leger. It will be noted, therefore, that aside from military importance. Fort Stan- wix is one of the most historic spots in the country. Fort Stanwix went ^adually into disuse and decay after the Revolutionary War, and was entirely demolished soon after 1820. About 1900 the site was carefully surveyed, and in November of that year was marked by cannon, placed near the four bastions by the Gansevoort-Willett Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution. In June, 1901, bronze tablets, commemorating "the fort that never surrendered," were placed on the gun carriages by Fort Stanwix Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution. The Cahbying Place— It is probable that one of the very earliest historical places within the county was "The Carrying Place" at Rome, for this existed THE ONEIDA HISTORICAL BUILDING, UTICA HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 507 long before the white men had stepped foot within the county. The exact loca- tion of this route is not definable at the present time, but our early historians locate it nearly upon the line of Dominiek street in the city of Rome. This was the route of the Indian tribes for ages before Columbus set sail for the American continent, in all probability, for history makes no mention of the time when they did not occupy this part of the country, and the convenience of passing from the navigable water of the Mohawk river to that of Fish creek was so great at this point, that it unquestionably was early discovered by the Indians, and, with their practical sense in such matters, they were not slow to utilize it. June 30, 1905, Fort Stanwix Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolu- tion, placed a bronze tablet on the postofSice building, marking this historic route. Old Fort Schuyler was erected at what is now Utica, during the French and Indian war. It was a stockade surrounded by a ditch, but was never a substantial fortification. The purpose of it was largely to protect the fording place in the Mohawk river. There has been much speculation within the last year as to the location of this fording place. The reason for this at the present time is that it is proposed to mark the route of General Herkimer on his way from Herkimer to the battle of Oriskany, and the general impression is that the crossing was immediately at the foot of Genesee street, but it is evident that such was not the case. The water of the Mohawk river was always deep at the foot of Genesee street, and a mill dam existed there for many years, but the early citizens of Utica report that the water was shallow in the river about midway between the foot of Genesee street and the location of Fort Schuyler. It is, therefore, evident that this was the crossing place. An addi- tional reason may also be assigned for this view of the case, because of the fact that the immediate foot of Genesee street would be too far from the loca- tion of the fort to be defended, whereas the shoals, midway between these two points, would be within range of the guns used at the time the fort was con- structed. This historic spot had remained unmarked except by some small cannon until the summer of 1910, when it was appropriately marked by the historical and patriotic societies of Utica. This ceremony occurred on October 12, 1910, and the monument bears the following inscription on the north side: "The Site of Old Fort Schuyler, 1758." On the south side, "The Historical and Patriotic Societies of Utica Place This Stone to Mark the Site of One of a Chain of Forts Built to Protect the Northern Frontier from the French and Their Indian Allies, and to Guard the Great Ford Across the Mohawk River. Utica Historical Society; Daughters of the American Revolution; Sons of the Revolution; Children of the American Revolution. Utica, October 12, 1910." The unveiling was by a descendant of the Schuyler for whom the fort was named, and a lineal descendant of the Schuyler for whom the new Fort Schuyler at Rome was named, hauled up the flag on the flag pole provided by the Park board of Utica. 508 HISTORY OP ONEIDA COUNTY Deerpield was settled in 1773 by George J. Weaver (or Weaber), Captain Mark Damoth and Christian Reall, who built themselves log houses and com- menced clearing away the forest. They were, however, driven out by the Revolutionary War, but returned after the war was over, bringing with them friends, and about 1784 the settlement became permanent. It is a notable fact that from that time until to-day the descendants of these families have been among the most prominent and respected citizens of Oneida county. KmKLAND was settled as early as 1787 by Moses Foot, James Bronson, Luther Foot, Barnabas Pond, Ludim Blodgett and Levi Sherman. New Haktford — ^An historic building stands in the town of New Hartford, which has received but little notice, although it was the residence of General Oliver Collins, who commanded the American forces of Sackett's Harbor dur- ing the war of 1812. This building was occupied by General Collins as a farm residence, has ever been used as such and is now. Paris was settled as early as 1789 by Colonel Rice. This town was for many years the most populous part of Oneida county, yet, aside from its historic churches on Paris Hill, it has no places of particular historic interest. Steuben became the residence of Baron Steuben immediately after the Rev- olution, and his summer residence is given as an illustration in this work on another page. Trenton — ^A place of historic interest in this town is the house of Colonal Mappa, who was the agent of the Holland Company, and, at the time he resided in the town he was one of the most eminent citizens of the State of New York, a man of great culture and high character. The house is now known as the "Wicks Residence" in the village of Barneveld. Western has the honor of possessing the residence of General William Floyd, a member of the Continental Congress and one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. His residence is still in an excellent state of preservation, and has been the home of a man not less famous in the person of Admiral Montgom- ery Sieard. An illustration is given elsewhere. The remains of these two eminent men rest in the little cemetery connected with the Presbyterian church in the village of Westernville. This hamlet also has the honor of being the birthplace of Major General Henry W. Halleek, who at one time during the Civil War commanded the armies of the United States. Westmoreland — One of the most eminent early settlers in this town was James Dean, who settled there in 1774. He was a graduate of Dartmouth Col- lege, and came among the Indians at the direction of Congress to aid in influ- encing them in favor of the colonies. In treating of the cities of Utica and Rome we have given so many facts in regard to their early history that we forbear to go into detail in regard to the RESIDENCE OP UNITED STATES SENATOR ROSCOE CONKLING RESIDENCE OF GOVERNOR HORATIO SEYMOUR. THE GOVERNOR STANDING BY A TREE AND HIS WIFE SITTING IN A CHAIR HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 509 early business interests of these particular localities while they were compara- tively unimportant. It is not our purpose in this work to enter into a detailed statement of the early settlement of each town, as oftentimes the events surrounding the settle- ment of a town are of little general interest. It is, however, true that certain locations were settled by men of such character and standing, that it is but fair to give a comparatively full account of their early becoming residents of this part of the country. HISTORIC RESIDENCES The Sanger House, in New Hartford, has long since ceased to exist, but it was the residence of Judge Jedediah Sanger, who was an important element in that town for many years. The house stood in the village of New Hartford in the forks of the road formed by the highway leading from New Hartford to Clinton and from New Hartford to Paris Hill. It was at one time the residence of David V. W. Golden, the Utica merchant, but, after passing through several hands, it was removed to make way for the very handsome new Union Free schoolhouse, and that landmark, with many others, passed away. One of the historic residences in the county, which has received much at- tention in the past, is that of Horatio Seymour, located in the town of Deerfield. Although Mr. Seymour lived for many years on Whitesboro street in the city of Utica, he was more at home upon his farm than anywhere else, and was a most charming host to any one who paid him a visit. He was interested in agriculture, and was a constant attendant upon the meetings of the farmers in this community. The residence of Roscoe Conkling is located in what is known as Eutger Place in the city of Utiea. It was purchased by him of Thomas R. Walker, re- modeled, and he made it his home from about 1866 to the time of his death, al- though late in life he spent most of his time in New York City, where he practiced his profession. The residence of Francis Kernan was located on Elizabeth street for about twenty years prior to his death, but before that time his residence was on the easterly side of Chancellor Square, and it was there that he brought up his family. He was one of the most delightful of hosts, and his home was accessible at all times to men of high or low estate. The residence of James S. Sherman is located on the easterly side of Gen- esee street in Utiea, which was purchased by him about ten years since, was re- built, and during the time that he is not obliged to be in Washington his house is the center of attraction of a large number of friends, and his wife is one of the most charming of hostesses. HOTELS There are, in many different localities in the county, boteis that have more or less interesting history connected with them. The first hotel of prominence ever built in the county was located on Whitesboro street in Utica and was built in 1797. It was known as "The Hotel," was a brick structure three stories 510 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY high, and made a very imposing appearance in connection with the small wooden houses around about it. It created great excitement at the time, as being a build- ing of magnificent proportions. Aside from the hotel proper it contained rooms for the meetings of the Masons, and was a famous place of resort. Bagg's Hotel — This was surpassed, however, by Bagg's Hotel, the first building being erected about 1798, but the southern portion of the present hotel was erected in 1812. This hotel has been the scene of very stirring events during its entire existence, and has been the headquarters of great conventions and other meetings of national importance. BuTTERFiELD HouSE — ^Ncxt to Bagg's Hotcl the Butterfield House possessed more interesting history than any other within the city of Utica. This hotel was erected by John Butterfield upon the lot upon which the store of John A. Roberts & Company now stands. At the time of its erection it was supposed to be a very elegant hotel, and for some years took the lead of Bagg's, because of its being more modern in its appointments. This hotel was the headquarters of Governor Horatio Seymour when he was the Democratic candidate for pres- ident in 1868, and was the scene of many stirring events during that famous campaign. The Central Hotel, Franklin Hotel and American Hotel — ^Prior to the time that transportation was by railroad a great number of stage coaches ran in and out of Utica. These made their headquarters at the Central Hotel, which was located on the comer of Genesee and Elizabeth streets, where now stands Parker's store, and at the American Hotel, which stood on the comer of Genesee street and the tracks of the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad, and where now stands the railroad station of that road and the New York, Ontario & West- ern Rilroad station. Also the Franklin Hotel, which stood upon a portion of the ground where now stands the Arcade. AU of these hotels had interesting histories of their kind. "The Coffee House" (Rome)— Henry Tibbits, grandfather of Jim Stevens, of Rome, in 1830 kept a small tavern which went by the name of "The Coflfee House," located on the southerly side of West Dominick street, a short distance from James, and which has long ceased to exist. Putnam's Hotel (Rome)— In 1847 Putnam's Hotel, kept by Bela Putnam who was known throughout the country as Prop. Putnam, "Prop." meaning proprietor, was one of the foremost hotels of its time. It was a wooden build- ing, with large steps on two sides, located on the southeast comer of Dominick and James streets. It passed out of existence many years ago. American Hotel (Rome)— A wooden building, known as the American Hotel and located on the northwest corner of Dominick and James streets, was burned about 1850, together with several stores, the burned section reaching about half way to Washington street. Soon after the fire a new American Hotel was built ^gj^m 1 a_ ■ ''J HL ^ ""C* MOKE. 1 l«tt,M,„„.) 4 GENESEE STREET, UTICA. LOOKING SOUTHWESTERLY r I M «- iiaitinK --ii**1ttJa-- ': ":^ ^Hj f^i^ lllg ■Si R^ ^8 BAGG'S HOTEL, UTICA First hotel built in Oneida county, 1813 BUTTERFIELD HOUSE, UTICA Headquai'ters of Governor Seymour when he was democr-atlc candidate for the Ijresidency in 1868 HISTORY OP ONEIDA COUNTY 511 at the same location, and for many years bore an enviable reputation. This is the present American Block, which has long been used as an office building, and the hotel has passed into obscurity. Seymour House (now Mansion) in Eome, was named for Governor Horatio Seymour, and it is reported that it was named after he had been nominated for the office of governor, but it was one of his unfortunate campaigns, and he was defeated. The day was fixed for the opening of the hotel, Mr. Seymour having been invited to be present and address his fellow citizens, which he did, and it is reported that he said his friends had tried him for a "race," but, finding him of no account in that direction, they now proposed to try him for a "stand." Stahtwix Hall (Eome) has been a famous hotel for many years, and has been a meeting place of politicians to fix up the many slates that have been ar- ranged the night prior to the conventions of both parties for more than fifty years. Some years ago this hotel was extensively remodeled, and is now one of the finest hotels in the county. There were also in many places throughout the county notable hotels for the accommodation of stages and the traveling public, but these have substantially all passed away, as the means of transportation have done away almost entirely with the utility of the ordinary country hotel. The Huelbubt House (BoonviUe) is one of the hotels that stands out rather prominently in the county. This hotel was originally built by J. Owen ; rebuilt and enlarged by Richard Hurlburt, from whom it takes its name, one of the early settlers in BoonviUe, a man of unusual ability and very high standing in the community. There are many other hotels worthy of consideration, but lack of space for- bids the describing of them in detail PABKS Although, technically speaking, the subject of parks may not fill the desig- nation generally of historic places, yet they are here classified as such, for the reason that some of the small parks in Utica are historic grounds. Chancellor Square, consisting of 3.55 acres, was set apart from the Bleecker estate prior 'to 1810, and it has been the place of many notable meetings. For- merly it was surrounded by a very high picket fence, and was virtually inac- cessible to the public, but through the instrumentality of Daniel Batchelor, who was put in charge of the parks, this was all changed, the fence was removed, a fountain erected, and there has never been any trouble from depredations by the public, which has been allowed to wander at will through it. Steuben Park, consisting of one acre, was set apart from the John Post purchase prior to 1810, and this was, also, for many years surrounded by a high fence. Through the instrumentality of Daniel Batchelor this fence was 512 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY removed and the park changed in very much the same way that Chancellor Square was changed. Johnson Park, consisting of .85 of an acre, was donated to the city by Alex- ander B. Johnson and wife October 27, 1845. Brinckerhofp Park consists of .018 of an acre. McIncrow Park consists of .083 of an acre. Kernan Park, consisting of .49 of an acre, was donated to the city by John D. Kernan and wife October 4, 1895. Watson Williams Park, consisting of 6.57 acres, was donated to the city October 30, 1897, by Mrs. Thomas R. and Mrs. Frederick T. Proctor. For some time prior to 1908, Mr. Thomas R. Proctor and wife, keeping their own councils, had purchased quite extensive tracts of land lying in the out- skirts of Utica, and had spent a large amount of money in beautifying these grounds, without making it known exactly what was to be done with them. To the great satisfaction of the citizens of Utica on February 21, 1908, these bene- factors of the public donated to the city Horatio Seymour Park, consisting of 14.66 acres; Addison C. Miller Park, consisting of 15.28 acres; Truman K. Butler Park, consisting of .80 acres; J. Thomas Spriggs Park, consisting of .83 acres ; and on July 3, 1909, they made the magnificent gift to the city of the Thomas R. Proctor Park, consisting of 100.40 acres, and the Roscoe Conk- ling Park, of 385.53 acres. Parkway — ^In July, 1909, the city of Utica purchased 13.25 acres along Pleasant street, and in August, 1910, 1.78 acres, and proceeded to convert this property into a parkway. At the present time there are in the parks and along the parkway about 12 miles of expensive roadways. There are some other open spaces in the city of Utica designated by the ap- pellation of parks, known as the public bath and certain play grounds. OROYEIJ CLEVELAND CHAPTER XXXIV EMINENT MEN AND WOMEN If one should visit the rooms of the Court of Appeals at Albany he would discover that there are upon the walls of those rooms the portraits of seventy- one eminent judges and lawyers, and investigation would inform him that of that number eleven were residents of Oneida county. It, therefore, appears that so far as the judges of the highest court of the state and lawyers who have state reputations are concerned, the proportion of those in Oneida county, as compared with the same population elsewhere, is more than ten to one. Not only is the number far beyond the proportion of what it might be claimed Oneida county was entitled to, but the character of the men, whose portraits are shown upon those walls and who were bom in Oneida county, or who occupied very high offlce while residents of Oneida county, was so high it may be said of them that they were not surpassed by any who have occupied high positions upon the bench with them before or since. The names of these illustrious men have ap- peared before in this volume, but we give them again in this connection for the purpose of calling attention to their eminence in the Empire State of New York. They are: Philo Gridley, Samuel Beardsley, Greene C. Bronson, Ward Hunt, Hiram Denio, John Savage, William Curtis Noyes, George F. Comstock, Alexander S. Johnson, William C. Euger and Charles F. Andrews. It may be safely said that Oneida county men, in any vocation of life into which they have entered, have been as equally successful as those who selected the bar for their life work. Geover Cleveland — ^Undoubtedly one of the most eminent men who has ever been a resident of this county was Grover Cleveland, the 22d president of the United States. Mr. Cleveland was born at Caldwell, N. J., March 18, 1837. While still a small child his father, a Presbyterian minister, received a call to FayetteviUe, near Syracuse, N. Y. From there he removed to Clinton, where the father was the pastor of the Presbyterian church. The family afterwards re- moved to Holland Patent. The son received a fair education in the schools at Clinton and Holland Patent, and in 1853 became a teacher in an institution for the blind in New York City, but soon decided to cast his lot in the West. He stopped at Buffalo in 1855, and there entered the law office of Rogers, Bowen & Rogers ; was admitted to the bar in 1859, and commenced practice in that city. In 1870 he was elected sheriff of the county, and in 1881 he was nominated and elected mayor of Buffalo. In 1882 he was nominated for governor at the Dem- ocratic convention in Syracuse, and was elected against Judge Charles J. Folger, who had been nominated by the Republicans, by the unprecedented majority of 192,000. This was not in consequence of any opposition to Judge Folger per- VO..X-33 ^^3 514 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY sonally, but it was caused by a division in the Republican party. The same con- dition existed in 1884, when Mr. Cleveland wae nominated for the presidency and elected over James G. Blaine. He was renominated for the presidency in 1888, but defeated by General Benjamin Harrison: was renominated- in 1892, and elected over President Harrison. After his term of office expired he settled at Princeton, N. J., and died there. Elihu Root was born in Clinton, N. Y., February 15, 1845 ; was the son of Prof. Oren Root of Hamilton College. He was prepared for college when he was thirteen years of age, but was not permitted to enter at that age. He graduated, however, in 1864, studied law at Hamilton College and in the University of New York, was admitted to the bar and commenced practicing in the city of New York in 1867. His unusual ability put him, while he was yet a young man, in the front rank among the lawyers in the metropolis. He was engaged in some of the heaviest litigations ever before the courts, and had remarkable success. He was U. S. attorney for the Southern District of New York from 1883 to 1885 ; was prominent in Republican politics, and opposed to what was known as the "machine;" was a delegate at large in the Constitutional Convention of the state in 1894 ; was chairman of the judiciary committee in that convention, and the writer is able to speak from personal experience, as he served upon that committee with Mr. Root, that no member of the convention rendered the state a service so valuable as that rendered by Mr. Root, not only in connection with the work of the judiciary committee, but in regard to the entire convention. He was appointed Secretary of War by President McKinley August 1, 1899, and re-appointed May 5, 1901. He resigned this position and was appointed Secre- tary of State July 1, 1905 by President Roosevelt. He was a member of the commission to settle the boundary questions in Alaska, was elected to the U. S. senate from the state of New York in 1909. He was given the degree of LL. D., by many of the foremost American colleges, and also by many in foreign coun- tries. His administration of public office is so able that no one denies to him first class ability, and some eminent statesmen have said of him, ' ' He is the fore- most constructive statesman of the world." Thomas L. James was born in Utica, March 29, 1831, and was educated in the public schools of that city. He learned the trade of a painter, but was naturally a student, and early manifested a desire to become connected with a newspaper. He therefore, went to Hamilton, Madison county, and became interested in the Madison County Journal. He was successful in the management of that paper, and so commended himself to the public at an early date that he was appointed canal collector in 1854. Desiring a wider field of operation, in 1861 he removed to New York City, became an inspector in the custom house, later a weigher of teas and other commodities, and finally was made the deputy collector. He so satisfactorily administered every office held by him that in 1873 he was ap- pointed postmaster of the city of New York. He was afterward offered the New York collectorship by President Hayes, but declined. In 1880 he was of- fered the position of postmaster general, but declined. He was also offered the nomination for mayor of New York by the Republican party, but declined. In Copyright by Harris & Ewing ELIHU ROOT United States Senator HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 515 1881 he was appointed postmaster general by President Garfield. After the assassination of Garfield and the ascession of Chester A. Arthur to the presi- dency, Mr. James resigned his position and returned to New York City, where he became president of the Lincoln National Bank and the Lincoln Trust Com- pany, holding these positions up to the time of his death. He received the de- gree of LL. D., from Hamilton College, Colgate University and Pordham Col- lege. Mr. James was for many years high up in the counsels of the Republican party, his judgment received great consideration, and his advice was sought by the highest officers of the nation and of the state. Lyman J. Gage, secretary of the treasury of the United States under Pres- ident McKinley, was once a resident of Rome and was educated at the Rome Academy. At an early age he removed from Rome to Chicago, where he pro- cured a position in a bank, and, being a young man of unusual ability and en- ergy, he made rapid advances, and in 1868 was made cashier of the First Na- tional Bank of Chicago — ^the most important bank in that great city — becoming its president in 1882. He had become prominent in financial circles, and was chairman of the finance committee of the World's Fair held in Chicago; was also president of its board of directors. For three years he was president of the American Bankers' Association, and was connected with many great financial affairs in that part of the country. It was largely through his financial ability that the government had so little trouble in raising money during the Spanish war, as he commanded the confidence of all monied men in the country. He also opposed what was known as the "Greenback" craze in the west, and all other wildcat financiering. He retired from business, and is still living with the re- spect of the entire nation. ViCTOE H. Metcalf was born in Utica, October 10, 1853. He was educated at the Utica Free Academy; Russell's Military Academy at New Hartford, Ct. ; was graduated at Yale Law School in 1876; was admitted to the bar in Con- necticut the same year, and admitted to the bar in New York state in 1877. He practiced law for two years in Utica, and then removed to Oakland, California, where he practiced law successfully and became prominent in politics. He was elected as representative in the 56th, 57th and 58th Congresses, but resigned from that body during the last term to accept the position of Commissioner of Commerce and Labor in the cabinet of President Roosevelt. He was afterward promoted to Secretaryship of the Navy, and served in that capacity under Pres- ident Roosevelt until failing health induced him to resign and return to Oakland, where he still resides. Wilson S. Bissbll was bom in New London, Oneida county, December 31, 1847. While he was young his father removed to Buffalo, and he received his preliminary education in the schools of that city, and took a course in Yale Col- lege. He studied law in Buffalo, and became a partner of Grover Cleveland, afterward President of the United States. Mr. Bissell soon attained prominence at the Erie county bar, and when Mr. Cleveland became president the second time in 1893 he selected Mr. Bissell as postmaster general. He served in that 516 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY capacity with great acceptability to the administration and to the public. Yale University conferred upon him LL. D., in 1893. He died in Buffalo about three years since. William H. H. Millke was born in Augusta, Oneida county, September 6, 1840; he prepared for college at Whitestown Seminary, and graduated from Hamilton. For a time he taught school, and then entered the Union army, and served in the war of the rebellion. He went to Toledo and studied law in the office of Chief Justice Waite. He was afterwards superintendent of the public schools of Peru, Indiana ; later he practiced law at Peru and at Fort Wayne, In- diana. About 1870 he went to Indianapolis and formed a partnership with Benjamin Harrison. Mr. Miller was recognized at the time Harrison became president as one of the foremost lawyers in the state of Indiana, and he became the attorney general of the United States in Harrison's cabinet. It was during his incumbency of that office that considerable excitement arose in California concerning the decisions of Judge Field, one of the justices of the Supreme Court of the United States. One David S. Terry, an attorney had threatened Judge Field with personal violence, and Mr. Miller ordered the U. S. Marshal to pro- tect the judge. The marshal shot Terry just as he was about to make a murder- ous assault upon Judge Field. Questions arose as to the responsibility for the act, and Mr. Miller took the entire responsibility, claiming that the act was done by his direction, and that he was justified on the ground that the government must at all hazards protect its officers of the law. This decision seems to have been acquiesced in by the whole country, as nothing was ever done in regard to the very deplorable incident. William J. Gatnoe was born on a farm in the town of Whitestown, N. Y., in 1851. He attended Whitestown Seminary and also a school in Boston, but remained there only a short time, when he returned to Utica and studied law in the office of Judge Ward Hunt, being admitted to the bar in Rochester. After a short period of newspaper work he commenced practicing his profession in Brooklyn, and soon acquired a lucrative law business. He was appointed judge advocate on the staff of General McLeer, 2d Brigade of Militia. For a number of years gross election frauds had been committed in and about the metropolis, and Mr. Gaynor devoted his energies to breaking up these abuses. He was par- ticularly instrumental in procuring the arrest and conviction of John Y. McKane in 1893. McKane was the Democratic boss and chief of police at Gravesend. This so commended Mr. Gaynor to the public that in 1893 he was elected justice of the Supreme Court by the Republicans and Independent Democrats. After serving fourteen years with credit he was re-elected to the same position in 1907 without opposition. For a time he served as one of the judges of the Appellate Division of Supreme Court in the second department. In 1908 he was elected mayor of Greater New York. He at once showed himself to be the real mayor of the city, instead of merely a figurehead to do other men's bidding. In the summer of 1910 he contemplated a trip abroad for needed rest, and was attended to the steamer in New York harbor by a number of his friends on the 9th day of August ; and, just after reaching the deck of the vessel, he was shot WILLIAM J. GAXXOR Mayor of Greater New York HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 517 through the neck by a would-be assassin. Fortunately the shot was not fatal, although very serious and painful. After months of suffering he regained his health, and is still attending to the duties of his high office. Mr. Gaynor, during his career, has declined many nominations for public of- fice, among which are those for mayor of Brooklyn and governor of New York state. He has devoted much time and thought to reform in judicial and munic- ipal affairs, and has so commended himself to the notice of the entire nation that he has been for several presidential elections seriously considered as an avail- able candidate for the office of president of the United States. Charles F. Andrews, LL. D., was born at Whitesboro, May 27, 1827 ; studied law in Syracuse, N. Y. ; was admitted to the bar in 1849. He was in partner- ship with Charles E. Sedgwick from 1851 until he was elected, May 17, 1870, as- sociate judge of New York Court of Appeals. He was district attorney of Onon- daga county, N. Y., 1853-56 ; mayor of Syracuse in 1861, 1862 and 1868 ; was a delegate-at-large to the Constitutional Convention of 1867-68, and was elected chief judge of New York Court of Appeals in 1881. Edwaed Gayer Andrews, D. D., LL. D. ; preacher and bishop of Methodist Episcopal church; born in New Hartford, N. Y., August 7, 1825; graduated at the Wesleyan University, Connecticut, in 1847 ; entered the ministry in 1848 ; became teacher in the Oneida Conference Seminary, Cazenovia, N. Y., in 1854 ; was elected its president in 1855 ; resumed the pastorate in New York East Con- ference in 1864 ; and was elected bishop in 1872. After 1888 he resided in New York City. George F. Comstock came to Utica as a teacher of classics in one of the schools, and remained there for some years. During the time he was pursuing his studies he also studied law, but finally left Utica and entered a law office in Syracuse, where he completed his studies, practiced law, became eminent at the bar, was made Solicitor of the Treasury of the United States, judge of the Court of Appeals, and from 1855 to 1857 was the Chief Judge of that high court. William C. Ruger was born January 30, 1824, in Bridgewater; was edu- cated and admitted to the bar while a resident of that town, and practiced law there with his father for a short time. He then removed to Syracuse, where he took a high stand at the bar almost immediately. He was twice the Democratic candidate for Congress in that district, but, as the Republicans were in a ma- jority, he was defeated. He was, however, nominated and elected Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals in 1882, and filled that high position until, by limit of age, he was retired in 1894. He died while still a resident of Syracuse. John Savage was bom in Washington county; graduated at Union College in 1799; was appointed U. S. District Attorney for the Northern District of New York; was a member of assembly from Washington county; served two terms as representative in Congress; was comptroller of the state of New York ; was Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Judicature from 1823 to 1836. 518 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY He moved to Utica in 1851, residing there until his death, and his family re- mained there until the last survivor died within the last five years. His home was on the easterly side of Genesee street, a short distance above Hopper. William Curtiss Noyes was born in Rensselaer county, but came to Oneida county to practice his profession after he was admitted to the bar, opening an ofiSee at Whitestown in 1827. He rose rapidly in his profession, and had gained such a local reputation that he ventured to locate in the city of New York in 1838, where he at once took front rank at the bar. He has ever been considered one of the foremost lawyers who ever practiced in the New York courts. He was retained in many of the most important cases that ever came before the courts of last resort in the state and in the nation. He was a member of the commis- sion to codify the laws of the state of New York and was a member of the peace commission in 1861, to arrange terms of settlement of the trouble between the North and the South. He was first a Whig and then a Republican in politics. He bequeathed his large law library to Hamilton College. William Teacy (1805-1881), and Chaeles Teacy (1810-1885), were natives of Whitesboro and lawyers of high reputation, whose early professional years were largely spent in Utica. Both were zealous students of early local history, and pioneers in its introduction. Samuel Garvin practiced law in Utica; was U. S. district attorney for the northern district of New York; removed from Utica to New York, and was dis- trict attorney for the county of New York. He was in the first rank among the lawyers of the metropolis, and particularly strong in the trial of criminal cases. Montgomery Hunt Throop was born in 1827 and died in 1892. He resided in Utica between 1851 and 1864, and from Utica removed to New York. While in Utica he was a partner of U. S. Senator Roscoe Conkling for a time. He was appointed by the state authorities to prepare the code of civil procedure of the state of New York, serving on that commission for many years, and is the real author of the present code of civil procedure used in all the courts of the state of New York. He was also the author of some other legal works: Justices' Manuel ; Digest of the Reports of Massachusetts, and also some other works of minor importance. Gideon Granger, before taking up a residence at Whitesboro, had been postmaster general of the United States. He resided in Whitesboro for a time, and his son, Francis Granger, studied law there, and soon after the family moved to Canandaigua. Francis Granger was in his day one of the foremost men of the state; was twice the Whig candidate for governor, and it was he who gave the name of "Silver Grays" to a division of the Whig party. He was a man of un- usual ability, a splendid writer, and was prominent enough in the Whig party to be considered an available candidate for president of the United States. HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 519 William Connor was born in Holland Patent; educated at Whitestown Seminary; studied law in the office of Judge Charles H. Doolittle at Utica, and, after being admitted to the bar, removed to Des Moines, Iowa, in 1869. He there was successful, and so commended himself to that intelligent com- munity that he was elected judge of the circuit court, but, as the salary was meager for the services required, and as his practice was worth many times the salary, he resigned the position after two or three years and took up the practice of his profession. He was classed as one of the foremost lawyers of the state. He died some ten years since in the city of Des Moines. Theodore W. Dwight, LL. D., was bom in Catskill, N. Y., July 18, 1822. He was educated at Hamilton College, and in 1846 was elected professor of law in that institution, where he established a law department. Later he was made professor of municipal law in Columbia CoUege, N. Y. He published a number of works upon legal subjects, contributed many articles to reviews and ency- clopedias, and for a time was associate editor of the American Law Reporter; delivered lectures at Cornell University and Amherst College; was a member of the New York Constitutional Convention in 1867, elected from Oneida county; was president of the State Commission of Public Charities; president of the New York Prison Association, and held many other prominent positions. He was appointed by the governor, judge of the Commission of Appeals, which court had the same jurisdiction as the Court of Appeals, for the time being. He died in Clinton, June 28, 1892. Dennis Fltnn was a resident of Rome in his childhood, but on arriving at manhood he went to the West, and finally took up his residence in Oklahoma City, then in Indian Territory. He there practiced law, became prominent in Re- publican politics, and was elected a delegate to Congress from the territory before the state organization was effected. He is still one of the leaders of the Repub- lican party in that state, one of the foremost lawyers, counsel for several of the railroads passing through the state, and was prominent enough to be avail- able for United States Senator when the territory became a state. Joseph M. Deuel was born in Deerfield, April 23, 1846; was educated in the public schools and at Whitestown Seminary; studied law in the office of Senator Roscoe Conkling, and was admitted to the bar in 1868. He removed to Virginia, and during the years 1869-71, he was commonwealth attorney of Hampton county, Virginia ; 1871-74 he was private secretary of Senator Roscoe Conkling; in 1874-76 he was assistant United States' attorney for the southern district of New York, and in 1876-78 he was deputy clerk of the United States Circuit Court of that district, and clerk for the years 1876-82 ; was police justice of New York in 1894; city magistrate 1898-1903 and justice of the court of special sessions from 1904 to the present time. Charles H. Truax was born at Durhamville, October 31, 1846. He entered the class of 1867, Hamilton CoUege, but did not graduate ; taught district school and the Union school at Camden in 1866-8. He then went to New York City, 520 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY studied law and was admitted to the bar. He affiliated with Tammany Hall, and was nominated and elected judge of the superior court of that city in 1880. In 1894 he was a member of the State Constitutional Convention. That convention amended the constitution, abolished the superior court, and provided that all of the judges of that court should be justices of the Supreme Court for the remainder of their respective terms. Judge Truax became a justice of the Supreme Court, and when his time expired was renominated and elected. He died about three years since. Sidney Bhebse (1800-1878), bom at Whitesboro; Union, 1818. He lived in Utica in his youth, but attained distinction in another state. He was United States Senator from Illinois 1843-9 ; Speaker of Illinois Legislature, and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of that state. Luther R. Mabsh was bom in Onondaga county, but came to Utica to study law in the office of Judge Samuel Beardsley. He was admitted to the bar in Utica in 1836, in a short time went to the city of New York, and com- menced to practice there, but soon returned to Utica. He rose very rapidly at the Oneida coimty bar, and in 1841, returned to take up his residence perma- nently in New York City. He was a close student and a very eloquent advo- cate. He had given much attention to the study of English, and his writings and speeches were models of composition. Mr. Marsh was much interested in public parks of New York, and to him, more than to any other person, is due the splendid system of parks which New York City now possesses. He was one of the commissioners for assessing damages for taking property for parks in New York City, and also Niagara Park at Niagara Falls. His business was so successful that he acquired a large fortune and retired from practice. He died Bome fourteen years since. Edmund Wetmoee was born in Utica, prepared for college at the Utica Free Academy, graduated from Harvard, studied law in the office of Charles P. Kirkland, and was admitted to the bar in New York City. He immediately gave attention to patent law, and soon attained a high position as a patent lawyer ; in fact, at the present day he is considered to be very near if not at the head of the American bar in that branch of the law. Mr. Wetmore was one of the charter members of the Republican Club of New York City; was one of the organizers of the Association of the Bar of New York City; has been for several years State Regent of the Sons of the Revolution; and is a member of a large number of other clubs and scientific and literary societies. EARLY settlers Hugh White — The first to command attention are the men of Whitestown, as they were first in time in this vicinity. It must be borne in mind that the settlement of Whitestown was not only the settlement of this county as it now exists, but of all that portion of the state westerly from the line extending north and south across the state at about the present Herkimer-Oneida line. It GENERAL WILLIAM FLOYD Signer of the Declaration of Independence •inr *s "*'"':;!?■- » -^"^x^JIBl^H p 1^ ■ ' MP: to--' ^^^■WKmi':^-.'''" ''MHfl ... >-•■ , ■ h II i#i ^'^i^^m^^^^^^^^H'''' ' MONUMENT OF GENERAL WILLIAM FLOYD, SIGNER OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE, IN CEMETERY AT WESTERNVILLE HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 521 was into this vast, but wild domain, that Hugh White came from his Connecti- cut home in June, 1784. In the life sketches of the members of this truly important family, this history is given, and, therefore, it is not repeated here. Hugh White and those who soon followed him, struck out on proper lines to advance civilization in tbis richly favored country. The character and energy of these early settlers foretold the progress which would follow their efforts in every walk of life. The scope of this work does not permit a record of what was done by all the leading men of affairs who built up this good county, but only to give a record of the acts of a few, as samples of the many. There were hundreds of men who lived and died in the town of Whitestown, an account of whose lives would be interesting, yet only one or two can be men- tioned as samples. Perhaps William D. Walcott and Samuel Campbell were as successful as any in acquiring wealth and position in this community. Mr. Walcott was the son of ^gte wart Walcott, who was, practically, the founder of New York Mills. William was bom in that hamlet, and in early life became part owner in the cotton mills located there. In 1856 he became a half owner in that large property, and when it was transformed into a corporation in 1884, the property was owned, one-half by Mr. Walcott and the other half by Samuel Campbell. The stock of the corporation was i$l,000,000, and five thousand shares were issued to each of these two owners. The businesss had been carried on so successfully by them that they had accumulated a fortune. As an illus- tration of their success it may be stated that during the Civil War citizens who received a net income exceeding a certain amount were obliged to report the same to the proper government officers for taxation, and those reports were published in the newspapers. During this period Mr. Walcott reported an annual income of $100,000 each year. This was the largest income reported by any person in central New York, and at that time was considered enormous. At their deaths each of these men left about $1,000,000. Mr. , Walcott in his lifetime had been a liberal giver to religious and charitable institutions. Mr. Campbell devoted much time to public affairs. He served two terms as state senator, and held other public offices. Both of these prominent business men left to posterity examples of living worthy of emulation. James Dean (1748-1823), Dartmouth, 1773. Dedicated in childhood as a missionary to the Indians, and sent to live among them for several years under the care of a missionary; adopted by a squaw as her son; licensed to preach, but never ordained. In 1775 he was appointed Indian agent with the rank of major, and rendered invaluable services. He was stationed chiefly at Oneida Castle and Port Stanwix. After the war the Oneidas gave him a tract of land in Westmoreland, confirmed to him later by the state, where he lived until his death. He was Judge of County Court by successive appointments 1791-1813, and twice member of the legislature. He wrote a journal of one of his expedi- tions, and an essay on Indian Mythology, both of which are now lost. Petee Smith (1768-1837). A trader who came about 1789 to Old Fort Schuyler and was trusted equally by Indians and whites. The latter made him 522 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY sheriff and judge. From the Indians he acquired by purchase nearly one mil- lion acres, and thus became the largest landholder in the state. Colonel Adam Geraed Mappa (1752-1829), agent of the Holland Land Com- pany at Trenton, then Olden-Barneveldt, and Francis Adrian Van Dee Kemp (1752-1829), who joined Colonel Mappa at Trenton about 1797, were two pictur- esque Hollanders of this period. Van Der Kemp had taken refuge in this coun- try ten years earlier from political troubles in Holland. He was received with honor by Washington, and gained the friendship of John Adams, DeWitt Clin- ton and Thomas Jefferson. Harvard College made him LL. D. George F. "W. A. Scriba, another Dutch pioneer, (1752-1836), purchased a half million acres of land in the northwest part of the county, now the town of Camden. Jedediah Sanger (1751-1829), founder of New Hartford, had a great estate in the southern part of the county, and has left his name in Sangerfield. SOLDIERS OP THE REVOLUTION General William Floyd was born in Brookhaven, Suffolk county, L. I., De- cember 17, 1734; was in the Continental Congress 1774-83, and signed the Dec- laration of Independence; was again in Congress 1789-91; was a presidential elector 1800, 1804, 1820, and was a prominent state legislator. He served ac- tively in the Revolutionary War 1775-83, in which he lost much property. At the close of the war he was appointed major-general of militia. In 1803 he re- moved to Westernville, this county, where he died August 4, 1821, and is buried in the little cemetery in connection with the Presbyterian church in that village. Benjamin Walker (1753-1818) came to Old Fort Schuyler in 1797. He was of English birth and a "Blue Coat Boy." He came as agent of the great landed estate of the Earl of Bath. In war and in peace he served his adopted country diligently and brilliantly. He was the right hand of the Baron-General von Steuben, and Washington's aide-de-camp and trusted friend. After the close of the Revolutionary War he declined political honors and became an untitled, public-spirited citizen of Old Fort Schuyler. In June, 1875, a plot in Forest Hill Cemetery was consecrated to the Rev- olutionary Fathers, at which time the bodies of Benjamin and Mrs. Walker, and of Dr. John Cochran, director-general of the military hospitals of the United States in the Revolutionary War, and of his wife, Gertrude Schuyler, were re- moved from the old village burying ground on Water street, and solemnly re-interred in the new cemetery. General Nicholas Herkimer — Very little has ever been ascertained in re- gard to the early life of General Herkimer. He is. known to history as a mature man, the second in importance in the Mohawk Valley, as no one surpassed him in influence except Sir William Johnson. It is evident that he was a man of GEN. NICHOLAS HERKIMER HISTORY OP ONEIDA COUNTY 523 considerable property, for his house was of such a character as to show that he lived far beyond the people of the valley. It is a commodious brick house, beautifully located on the southerly side of the Mohawk three miles below Little Falls. It is supposed that he was born about 1720; he was a militia lieutenant in 1758, and commanded at Fort Herkimer on the Mohawk dur- ing the French and Indian attack. He became colonel of the Tryon county militia in 1775 ; was appointed a brigadier general by the state convention in 1776, was chairman of the Tryon County Committee, and as such was the representative in reality of the colonies in the Mohawk Valley. In the spring of 1777, with about 300 men, he went to Unadilla to have an interview with Joseph Brant, who was to meet him there by appointment, Herkimer going at the suggestion of Congress. This meeting has always been somewhat of a mystery, as history does not reveal its purpose. It has been suggested, how- ever, that it was to negotiate in regard to property destroyed by the In- dians, and also to induce Brant to side with the colonies instead of with the crown, but there is no record that either one of these subjects was broached at the conference. The conference broke up without any result, Brant returning toward Canada, and Herkimer to the Mohawk Valley. In August of that year, as is recorded elsewhere in this volume, Herkimer was wounded at the Battle of Oriskany, and died in consequence of an unskillful amputation of his leg August 17, 1777, at his home. Congress voted to erect a monument to his memory at his grave, but nothing was ever done with regard to it until, through the efforts of the Oneida His- torical Society, an imposing granite shaft was erected, with proper impressive ceremonies. It has been proposed for some years that the state should purchase the homestead and constitute it a memorial to the renowned hero. The bill has been several times passed by the legislature, but vetoed by the governors. In September, 1911, a patriotic demonstration was made upon the grounds by the societies of Central New York, and an effort is at the present time being put forth by these societies to induce the government to purchase the property, and place it under the care of the state, as a perpetual memorial to General Nicholas Herkimer. Colonel Lawrence Schoolceapt was a son of James Schoolcraft, of Eng- lish descent, was born in Albany county in 1760. He entered the American army when only seventeen years of age, and was present at Ticonderoga when the Declaration of Independence was read to the army there. He led a com- pany of soldiers from Albany up the Mohawk Valley in 1777 to Fort Stanwix, and was in that fort when it was beseiged by St. Leger. During the battle of Oriskany, when Colonel Willett called for volunteers within the fort to make a sally and strike the British in the rear, Schoolcraft was the first man to step forward, and was among those who captured St. Leger 's camp. He served with great credit in the Revolutionary War, and attained the rank of adjutant. He was also a soldier in the war of 1812, reached the rank of lieutenant colonel, and had command of the First Regiment of Volunteers. He settled in Vernon, Oneida county, becoming a glass manufacturer and farmer. He died there in 1840 aged 84 years, and is buried in the cemetery in Vernon village. 524 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY Among the Revolutionary soldiers who made Utica their home were : Captain Stephen Potter (1739-1810), of the regiment called "Congress' Own, ' ' of which Nathan Hale was a brother officer of the same rank ; Talcott Camp (1762-1832), who became the first president of the viUage of Utica ; Colonel John Bellinger (died in 1815), who had stood by the side of Her- kimer at the battle of Oriskany ; Thomas "Williams (1754-1817), who took part in the Boston "Tea Party," a resident of New Hartford from 1790 to 1812. Mr. "Williams died in Utica ; Daniel Eels, who had helped to build the earthworks on Bunker Hill, settled in New Hartford in 1797 and lived there for 54 years. SOLDIERS OF THE WAR OF 1812, FLORIDA (1836-8), MEXICAN (1846-7), AND CIVIL (1861-5), VFAES Morris S. Miller was born in Utica in 1814, was appointed to "West Point, and graduated with the class of 1834. He served in the Seminole (Florida) "War, and also was an officer in the Mexican "War. He served through the war of the Rebellion, and was promoted until he reached the rank of brevet brigadier general. He was a department quarter-master general in the regular army. He died in 1870, and was buried in Forest HiU Cemetery in Utica. General Henry "Wageb Halleck, LL D., was born at "Westernville, Oneida county, N. Y., January 16, 1815, and graduated at West Point Military Academy July 1, 1839. He entered the army as second lieutenant of engineers; first lieutenant 1845; captain 1853. He was retained at "West Point as Assistant Professor of Engineering until June, 1840, and for a year subsequently was assistant to a board of engineers at Washington, D. C, during which time he prepared a work on Bitumen, its Varieties, Properties and Uses. From Washington he was transferred as assistant in charge of the construction of fortifications in New York Harbor, where he remained until 1846, except while absent in 1845 on a tour of examination of public works in Europe. On his return he delivered a course of twelve lectures on the Science of War before the Lowell Institute at Boston, which were published in 1846, under the title of Military Art and Science, a second edition of which, with large additions, including notes on the Mexican and Crimean wars, was issued in 1858, and largely used as a manual during the Civil War. In 1850 he became director- general of the New Almaden quicksilver mines. In August, 1854, he left the army by resignation, and devoted himself to the practice of law. August 19, 1861, at the solicitation of Lieut. General Scott, he was appointed major-general of the regular army, and assigned to the command of the department of the Missouri, embracing the states of Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illi- nois, Arkansas and Western Kentucky. After the battle of Shiloh, Halleck 's MAJOR GENERAL IIEXRY W. HALLECK HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 525 forces moved on Corinth by slow and regular approaches, and it was not until May 27 that his army appeared before that fortified city, to which strong- hold the army of General Beauregard had fallen back. Active preparations were made by Halleck on the 28th and 29th for an attack, but on the morning of the 30th it was found that Beauregard had evacuated during the previous night, and Corinth was occupied without resistance. After the campaign of Corinth Halleck was called to Washington as general-in-chief, and exercised that command until the grade of lieutenant-general was revived. He then continued under assignment as chief of staff of the army until transferred to command the military division of the James in 1865. Upon the termination of the war HaUeek was ordered to the military division of the Pacific, assuming command in August, 1865, and in March, 1869, was transferred to that of the South, which he retained until his death, which occurred at Louisville, Ky., January 9, 1872. Union College, New York, conferred upon him the degrees of A. M. and LL.D Among the more important of General Halleck 's pub- lished works may be mentioned his treatise on International Law, or Rules Regulating the intercourse of States in Peace and War (1861), and a trans- lation of Jomini's Vie Politique et Militaire de Napoleon. He also served in the Seminole (Florida) and Mexican wars. Colonel Chaeles Wheelock was bom in the town of Claremont, Sullivan county, N. H., December 14, 1812. He removed to Boonville, Oneida county, where he was engaged in business up to the breaking out of the Civil War. He was a farmer and a dealer in produce; had been for ten years a member of the state militia, and held a Captain's commission at the time of the break- ing out of the Rebellion. In September, 1861, he undertook the organization of a regiment of volunteers for the war. The regiment was stationed at Boon- ville during the winter of 1861-62, and, as it was difficult to procure means to take care of them from the public treasury, Colonel Wheelock paid most of the expenses of the men during the winter from his own private purse. The ladies of Boonville held a fair for the purpose of securing means to purchase a stand of colors for the regiment. The standard was presented to the regiment by Hon. Richard Hurlburt, and the command left for the seat of war on the 12th of March, 1862. It took part in many of the great battles, and is ranked among the first in service of all the regiments that served during the entire war. Colonel Wheelock was in command of the regiment continuously, and was in the front rank wherever danger called; was taken prisoner at Gettys- burg, but escaped from Lee's army at night in the mountains of Pennsylvania during Lee's retreat, and, after being without food for two or three days, he gained the Union lines, where he was welcomed with great enthusiam by the regiment. He was taken sick with typhoid fever, and died January 21, 1865, his funeral occurring at Boonville, January 27, 1865. He was breveted brigadier general for meritorious service, and left a most enviable reputation among his fellow citizens. The Albany Journal said of him at the time, "Entirely without military experience and with but very limited general education, he became one of the best volunteer officers in the service, and so signally distin- 526 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY guished himself that he was breveted brigadier general for bravery and good soldiership." General Daniel Butterpield was born in Utica, October 31, 1831, and was the son of John Butterfield, one of the foremost business men of Oneida county. He was prepared for coUege at the Utica Academy, and graduated from Union College at Schenectady at the age of 18. He then read law, but never practiced the profession. In early life he traveled quite extensively through the United States, and was for a time superintendent of the Eastern Division of the Ameri- can Express Company. His military life began in the Utica Citizens' Corps, but early in life he located in New York and joined the 71st regiment as a cap- tain on staff duty. Soon afterwards he was elected major, and promoted to lieutenant colonel. Without solicitation in December, 1859, he was elected colonel of the 12th militia regiment, and when the Civil War broke out he tendered his own and the services of the regiment to the governor ; and, at the request of the general government, they were accepted. The regiment left for Washing- ton, April 21, 1861, and Colonel Butterfield was made lieutenant colonel in the regular army in September, 1861. In August, 1861, he obtained a furlough of a month in consequence of the death of his only son. On the expiration of the furlough he was appointed brigadier general of volunteers, and was connected with McClellan's army. He took part in many of the early battles of the war, was wounded at Gains Mills, and was made a major general of volun- teers. In his brigade in this battle there was a federal loss of 602. When General Hooker was made commander of the Army of the Potomac General Butterfield was made his chief of staff, and he held this position until Hooker was relieved June 28, 1863. General Hooker was relieved of the command of the Army of the Potomac while it was on its way to head off the advance of Lee's army into Pennsylvania, the dispatch coming at midnight, and Major General George G. Meade was placed in command. Butterfield remained as chief of staff to General Meade. It will be noted that he was in a position to know more about the advance of the army than any other man after the relief of Hooker, and his services to Meade were of inestimable value in the great bat- tle of the war which was about to occur. General Meade afterward in a letter dated July 14, 1863, wrote General Butterfield, among other things, as follows : "I shall never cease to remember, and to bear testimony to the efficient assist- ance you so heartily rendered me, and without which I hardly know how I should have gotten through with the new and arduous duties imposed upon me." General Butterfield was wounded at Gettysburg by a piece of a spent shell, which struck him just below the heart. Years afterward a number of his army comrades sent him this relic beautifully mounted and ornamented in silver, and decorated with cannon and other military emblems. In one of Butterfield 's letters he described the consultation of the leading generals after the first day's fight at Gettysburg — ^what was done and said by the leading generals — the re- sult of the conference being, ' ' Stay and fight it out. ' ' He also did service with the Army of the Cumberland, and took part in many of the severe engagements while he remained with the army, one of which was the battle of Resaca, Georgia, but he left the army before Sherman had reached Atlanta. He commanded the JIA.TOn-CiK.XERAL DANIEL BUTTERFIELD HISTORY OP ONEIDA COUNTY 527 Third Division 20th Army Corps. At the close of the war he was requested by the president to remain in the army, but he resigned, and became assistant sec- retary of the United States in New York. He devoted himself to travel and to literary pursuits, delivering many addresses before literary societies, colleges, and public celebrations of important historic events. He founded a course of lectures at Union College, and spent of his large means much money each year for benevolent objects. He was an elegant and strong writer, and it is to be regretted that he did not write more fully of his experiences in the War of the Rebellion, as few men, who occupied important military offices during the war had better facilities for knowing the history of the great Civil War than Gen- eral Butterfield. He died July 17, 1901, at Cold Springs, N. Y. His funeral took place at St. Mary's church at Cold Springs three days thereafter, and he was buried at West Point with the military rights of a major general. A mag- nificent white marble monument has been erected to his memory. HiEAM Ceonk — The last survivor of the War of 1812 was Hiram Cronk. It is a notable fact that this last survivor of the second war of the Revolution should have resided in Oneida county. Mr. Cronk was born at Frankfort, Her- kimer county, N. Y., April 19, 1800. He enlisted at North Western, Oneida comity, August 2, 1814, in the company commanded by Captain Edmund Puller, and served until the close of the war, when he received his honorable discharge. He then returned to his father 's home in North Western, and remained with him until he was married, which occurred when he was 25 years of age. His wife's name was Mary Thornton, who also resided at North Western. He had six children who lived to mature age, as follows: The eldest. Philander, is still liv- ing at Ava, and is in his 88th year ; Hiram, who died at the age of 21 ; Van- Rensselaer, who was killed at the battle of Pittsburgh Landing; Sarah, widow of Jeremiah Rowley, who is still living in Rome at the age of 79, and the person from whom the writer obtained the information in regard to Mr. Cronk; Will- iam, who is still living at Rome at the age of 77 ; John, who died April 6, 1911, at Rome, at the age of 70 ; Wayne, who died at Lee, aged 34 ; and George, who now resides in Oklahoma, and is 60 years of age. Mr. Cronk was a farmer, and lived upon his farm in the town of Ava from the time of his marriage up to the time of his death. Much attention was paid to him after it became well established that he was the last survivor of the War of 1812, and his funeral was made a display of great military pomp, the body having been taken to Brooklyn, after a large funeral had occurred at his residence. His body lay in state at the city hall in New York City for twenty-four hours, and he was buried in Cypress Hill Cemetery, Brooklyn, with great military display. General James McQuade was born in Utica; the son of Michael McQuade, a prominent citizen; was educated in the public schools, but gave early atten- tion to military affairs, and when the war of the Rebellion broke out he imme- diately undertook to raise a regiment, and was one of the first in the field, as the number of his regiment was 14. He served in many of the great battles of the war, notably at Malvern Hill, where although he was in the thickest of the fight, he was the only regimental commander who was not killed, in Griffin's 528 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY Brigade. He took part, also, in many other battles of the Rebellion and won an enviable reputation. At the close of the war he returned to Utica, was prom- inent in politics, made mayor of the city, and was highly esteemed by all who knew him. General Rupus Daggett entered the army as captain of Company B of the 117th Regiment in August, 1862, but was immediately promoted to the posi- tion of major. He served with that regiment throughout the entire war, and returned with it after Lee's surrender. He was at Alexandria, Va., Suffolk, Charleston Harbor, on the James in the Army of the Potomac ; took part and commanded the regiment at the battle of Drury's Bluff, after Colonel White had been wounded; was at the battle of Cold Harbor; was with the Butler Ex- cursion in its attack upon Fort Fisher, and also in the second attack, which re- sulted in the capture of that stronghold. He was promoted to lieutenant colonel May 1, 1864, and for gallant service in the field was made a brevet brigadier general. He returned to Utica, became interested in the hardware busiuess, was appointed postmaster by President McKinley, and served two terms ac- ceptably in that capacity. NAVAL OFFICERS Commodore U. S. N. Melancthon Taylor Woolsey (1782-1838) — ^In 1808 he was sent to the lakes to superintend the construction of our armaments on those inland seas. Commanded the only large vessel, the brig "Oneida." After his retirement he lived in Utica, and died there, his remains now resting in Forest Hill Cemetery. Three of his sons served in the war for the union. Two of them rest in Forest Hill— Commodore M. B. Woolsey, U. S. N. (1818-1874), and J. T. Woolsey (1821-1894), bom in Whitesboro. William Mervin (1790-1868), Rear Admiral, U. S. N. At the beginning of the Civil War, although seventy years of age, he reported promptly for duty and did good service during the first year of the war. Ill health compelled his retirement in November, 1861. His home was in Utica. His son, Catharinus B. Mervin, died in the volunteer military service in 1864. Samuel Lrv^iNGSTON Breese (1794-1870), Rear Admiral, U. S. N., served in the War of 1812 and the Mexican War. He was elder brother of Judge Sidney Breese. Their early lives were spent in Whitesboro and Utica, and the admiral's body rests in Forest Hill Cemetery. Commodore William Inman (1797-1874), bom in Utica, Commodore U. S. N. Saw constant service on the Great Lakes during the War of 1812, and afterward on the African coast, where, in 1859-61, he recaptured and landed 3,600 slaves. In early youth he was a student of law at Whitesboro. Rear Admiral Montgomery Sicard was born in the city of New York Sep- tember 30, 1836. He was the son of Stephen Sicard of New York and his wife, Lydia E. Hunt, daughter of Montgomery Hunt, of Utica, N. Y., originally of Hunt's Point on Long Island Sound. After his father's death his mother re- HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 529 turned with her children to Utiea, and when he was of sufficient age he was appointed to the U. S. Naval Academy, entering October 1, 1851, and graduat- ing June, 1855. He then served as a midshipman on board of the frigates Potomac and Wabash until the spring of 1857, when he passed the required ex- aminations for promotion, and served again on the steam frigate Wabash as acting master on the Mediterranean station until early in 1859. His next duty was in the steamer Dacotah on the Bast India station, where he remained until the breaking out of the Civil War caused the squadron in those seas to be or- dered home. Meanwhile, May 31, 1860, he had been commissioned lieutenant. On arriving home he was attached to the U. S. S. Oneida, as executive officer. The vessel joined the squadron under Admiral Farragut at the mouth of the Mississippi Eiver, and took an active part in the bombardments and final pas- sage of forts Jackson and St. Phillip ; the destruction of the confederate flotilla and gunboats under the protection of the forts, the engagement with and cap- ture of the batteries at Chalmette, La., and the capture of the city of New Or- leans. During the summer of 1862 the Oneida took part in two bombardments of Vicksburg and one of Grand Gulf, and at Millikins Bend took part in the engagement with the confederate ironclad Arkansas. When operations on the Mississippi closed for that year the Oneida was assigned to the blockade of Mo- bile. In the meantime, Lieut. Sicard had been commissioned lieutenant com- mander, July 16, 1862. Subsequently he was transferred to the steam frigate Susquehanna as executive officer, in which vessel he continued serving on the Mobile blockade until May, 1865, when the Susquehanna returned to New York and went out of commission. He was then on temporary duty at the navy yard, Portsmouth, N. H., but was soon attached to the U. S. S. Ticonderoga, as execu- tive officer, the ship being mostly engaged in the pursuit of the confederate cruisers that were then committing depredations on our commerce. Early in the winter of 1864-5 he was given command of the U. S. S. Seneca, attached to the fleet of Rear Admiral D. D. Porter, then about to proceed to the attack of Port Fisher, N. -C. In this vessel he took part in all the bombardments of the famous stronghold, and commanded the left wing of the second naval division in the land assault upon the fort January 15, 1865 After the fall of Fort Fisher the Seneca, with some of the lighter vessels of the fleet, entered the Cape Fear River, where she took part in the bombardment of Fort Anderson, and was subsequently at the occupation of Wilmington, N. C. At the conclusion of the active naval campaign Lieut. Commander Sicard was detached from command of the Seneca and ordered to the Naval Academy, where he remained until the summer of 1868. At first he served as an instructor in ordnance and gunnery, and afterwards as a "Head of Department" and member of the "Academic Board." He then served on the North Pacific sta- tion until the spring of 1870, at first as executive officer of the U. S. Flagship Pensacola, and afterwards in command of the U. S. S. Saginaw. He was com- missioned commander March 2, 1870. Subsequently he was employed on ord- nance duty at the navy yard. New York, and in the spring of 1872 was ordered as inspector of ordnance at the navy yard, Washington, D. C. In this important position he served over four years, and designed and constructed the first steel- rifled breech loading guns for the navy, the general type of breech closing sys- 530 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY tern used having been selected by Commodore W. N. Jeflfers, then chief of the bureau of ordnance. Commander Sicard also designed and constructed the carriages for these guns, as well as for the long Gatling gun, which had been recently introduced. After a year spent subsequently as assistant in the bureau of naval ordnance, he served at sea (1876-7) in command of the U. S. S. Swatara. In 1878 he re-wrote and compiled the text for a new edition of the "Ordnance Instructions for the Navy," and afterwards was ordered to duty as inspector of ordnance at the navy yard, Boston, where his principal service was the design and construction of some heavy gun carriages for naval use. In the summer of 1880 Commander Sicard was appointed by the president "Chief of the Bureau of Ordnance in the Department of the Navy" with the relative rank of commodore ; being promoted to the lineal rank of captain Au- gust 7, 1884. He held the office of chief of the bureau of ordnance for over eight years, covering that most important period during which our new navy Was commenced and far advanced in development, and he took a prominent part in many of the most vital measures connected with this great work. His most conspicuous service, however, was the reconstruction of our navel ord- nance on the basis of modern requirements, and the introduction upon our new ships of the system of high power cannon that still prevails in the navy. This most important work was entirely committed to his hands, and his success is evidenced by the fact that none of our guns have failed in service. He directed the entire design and manufacture of our naval cannon, the procurement of the steel therefor, and the manufacture or purchase of all the modern ordnance equipments for our new ships. He introduced the first rapid fire guns into the service, directed and supervised the design of carriages for them, caused the first torpedo search lights to be manufactured in this country, and made many efforts to introduce automobile torpedoes of the "Whitehead" type, but this latter result could not be accomplished until some years later. He was also much interested in the directive qualities of the Howell torpedo, and had a few built by the navy under the supervision of the inventor. He purchased the first modem armor-piercing forged and tempered steel shell for the navy, and caused many experiments to be made, with a view to their manufacture on a practical basis in the U. S. He introduced the manufacture of cast steel common shell and shrapnel, and it was by his direction, also, that brown pusmatic powder for high power guns was first successfully manufactured in this country and furnished to our ships. Under his supervision and direction our first designs for working heavy naval guns by hydraulic power were made, and he alscJ placed on shipboard our first apparatus for training guns by electrical power. He earnestly advised the use of steel armor on our new ships, and one of the most important services he rendered concerned the introduction of the manu- facture of steel armor into this country. It was under his direction and imme- diate supervision that was drawn up the first book of specifications for the in- spection, trials and tests of steel armor, and the forged and tempered armor- piercing steel shell was therein, for the first time, prescribed for use in the ballistic acceptance tests of armor, a requirement which was more severe than any adopted in Europe up to that time; also, during his incumbency, the fine shops at the navy yard, Washington, for the manufacture of ordnance were REAR ADMIRAL MONTGOMERY SICARD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH AND CEMETERY AT WESTERNVILLE Where General William Floyd and Rear Admiral Sicard are buried HISTOKY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 531 built and put in operation. The armament and armor of all the ships of our new navy then in existence were provided by Captain Sieard, and he was also a member of the Construction Board of the Navy Department. In the original discussions concerning the kind of material that should be used in the con- struction of the hulls of the new ships, he was an urgent advocate of the use of steel as against wrought iron, which latter had at that time some influential advocates — ^being used in the construction of the English ships of war. On the expiration of his second term of service as chief of the bureau of ordnance, Captain Sieard was appointed president of the Steel Inspection Board, which had supervision of the manufacture, inspection and tests of aU the steel made for naval construction purposes. He held this ofSce for about two years, after which he was ordered to command the U. S. double turreted monitor Mian- tonomoh, at that time the only armored vessel with a modem battery possessed by the United States. He served on this vessel two years, and in January, 1894, became commander of the U. S. navy yard and station at Portsmouth, N. H., which position he held rather less than a year; in the meantime, having been commissioned a commodore July 10, 1894. Shortly afterwards he was made commandant of the navy yard and station at New York, the most important naval shore station in the country. He was promoted to the grade of rear ad- miral April 6, 1897, and made commander in chief of the U. S. naval force on the North Atlantic station May 1, 1897. This command, which included our only squadron of powerful armored ships, was, in effect, largely a squadron of practice and evolution. During the winter of 1897-8 his health gradually failed, and finally became so bad that the secretary of the navy considered it neces- sary to order him before a board of medical survey, which pronounced him to be unfit for service, by reason of disease incurred in the line of duty, and rec- ommended that he be detached from duty and placed on sick leave of absence. The navy department accordingly detached him from command. After remaining for a time in Florida on sick leave, he went north, and at Washington, his health being somewhat improved, he was ordered to duty in the office of the secretary of the navy, and was shortly made president of the Naval "War Board, which very important position he occupied until the con- clusion of the active war with Spain, when the board ceased to exist. He was subsequently appointed president of a board for making recommendations re- garding the promotion of officers of the navy, and, on the formal proclamation of peace with Spain, he was detached from all duty, having served over forty- seven years. His name had previously been placed on the list of officers retired by reason of age — September 30, 1898. He married in 1863 Elizabeth Floyd, daughter of William Floyd, and great grand-daughter of General William Floyd, a conspicuous patriot of the Eevo- lution, member of every Continental Congress, and a signer of the Declaration of Independence. He died at Westemville, N. Y., September 14, 1900, and is buried in the cemetery connected with the Presbyterian church in that village. ABCHAEOLOGISTS AND PHILOLOGISTS Henry Howe Schoolcbapt (1793-1864). Chemist, philologist and traveler, and was in his youth a resident of Utica. For a time the family home was at 532 HISTORY OP ONEIDA COUNTY Verona. He spent many years among the Indians of the Northwest Territory, and discovered the source of the Mississippi river in Lake Itasca. In 1823 he married Miss Johnston, the granddaughter of a noted Ojibway chief, an ac- complished woman who had received her education in Europe. Mr. School- craft's ethnological writings, says E. G. Griswold, "are among the most impor- tant contributions that have been made to the literature of this country. ' ' Ar- chives of Aboriginal Knowledge; Notes on the Iroquois; Algic Researches; Thirty Years with the Indians ; The Myth of Hiawatha. Edward Robinson (1794-1863), Hamilton, '16, Philologist and Archaeolo- gist; Tutor of Greek and Mathematics, Hamilton College, 1817-18; married Eliza, daughter of Dr. Samuel Kirkland, and sister of President Kirkland of Harvard; Instructor Andover Theological Seminary, 1821; studied at Halle and Berlin, 1826-30 ; married the distinguished author, Therese von Jacob ("Tal- vi"), 1828; Prof. Bib. Lit. Union Theological Seminary, from 1837; Member Geog'l, Oriental and Ethnol. Socs. ; his library of 1,200 books and maps were purchased for Hamilton College in 1863; his great work, Biblical Researches in Palestine, Mt. Sinai and Arabia Petraea, received the gold medal of the Royal Geog'l Society of London as the most learned production of the century, and still possesses great interest ; published also an edition of Six Books of the Iliad; a Harmony of the Gospels in Greek; a Greek and English Lexicon; Greek and Chaldee Grammars of the Old and New Testaments. Samuel Wells Williams (1812-1884) ; born in Utica. Went to China as a missionary printer, 1833; when the U. S. government sent an expedition to negotiate for the opening of Japan to free commercial intercourse, 1852, the commander, Commodore Perry, secured his services as interpreter; was the first U. S. Sec. of Legation in Japan (1854), and the first at the capitol of China (1862) ; returning to the U. S. finally in 1875, was appointed lecturer on Chinese at Yale College. His works are : Easy Lessons in Chinese ; Tonic Diet, of the Chinese Language, the great work of his life ; The Middle Kingdom. MEN OF SCIENCE Asa Gray (1810-1888), born in Paris. Taught the natural sciences in Utica Gymnasium, 1832-4; for thirty years Prof, of Botany at Harvard University, to which he presented his herbarium of 200,000 specimens, and a library of over 2,200 Botanical Works ; Pres. A. A. A. S., '72 ; Pres. Am. Acad. Arts and Sciences, 1863-73. His researches and publications embraced the flora of North America, which he, with Dr. John Torrey, first arranged upon the basis of affinity; he had "equal ability in communicating elementary knowledge, and in elucidating recondite theories." Flora of N. A.; Structural and Systematic Botany; Manual of Botany; Field, Forest and Garden Botany; also A Free Examination of Darwin's Treatise; Natural Science and Religion; Government Reports and separate monographs under 200 titles. James Dwight Dana (1813-1895), born in Utica; Yale, '33; Ed. Am. Jour, of Science; Pres. A. A. A. S., '54; Honorary Ph.D., Munich, '72; his service HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 533 at Yale College covered more than 40 years ; his books are standard treatises on Zoophytes, Corals and Crustacea. Manual of Geology; System of Mineralogy; Reports of Wilkes' Exploring Expedition; Manual of Mineralogy; and text books frequently revised and enlarged. Samuel Finley Beeese Morse (1791-1872). Yale, '10. Made frequent and prolonged visits in Utica while pursuing his early profession of artist; as di- rector of the Telegraph Company that was formed in Utica to put in practice his newly invented magnetic telegraph; he is mentioned in the directories of 1848-9 and 1849-50 ; he had many relatives in Utica, and his second wife was a Utican. Samuel W. Chubbuck (1799-1875), manufactured in Utica the first tele- graph instruments ever made for Prof. Morse. Amariah Brigham, M. D. (1798-1849). Came to Utica from Massachusetts in 1842 to become the first superintendent of the State Lunatic Asylum ; founded in 1844 at his private expense the Journal of Insanity, the first journal in the English language devoted to mental medicine ; his other works are : Mental Cul- tivation and Excitement; Influence of Mental Cultivation on the Health; In- fluence of Religion on the Health and Physical Welfare of Mankind ; also, Asy- lum Souvenir, a small volume of maxims for the use of those who had been under his care. Christlin Henry Frederick Peters (1813-1890). Univ. Berlin, '36. En- gaged on geodetic survey of Mount Etna, 1838-43 ; artillery officer under Gari- baldi, 1849-50; came to America, 1852; Director of Hamilton College Observa- tory, 1858; Litchfield Prof. Astronomy, 1867; under the Regents of the Uni- versity he determined the exact longitude of various cities of N. Y., and the western boundary of the state; discovered 47 asteroids; published two celestial charts in 1882. The king of Sweden conferred upon him a gold medal for his discoveries connected with the sun; the French government, in similar recogni- tion, bestowed the Cross of the Legion of Honor in 1887. He was buried in the College Cemetery July 21, 1890. Joseph Albert Litner (1822-98). Manufacturer at Utica, 1860-7; assistant Zoologist in the N. Y. State Museum at Albany, 1868 ; served twelve years ; de- voted himself to research into the relations of entomology to agriculture and horticulture; appointed State Entomologist, 1880. His publications are em- bodied in many Annual Reports. George Huntington Williams (1856-94). Born in Utica; Amherst, '78; Heidelberg University, '82; Inorganic Geology at Johns Hopkins, 1892; con- tributed 68 articles (1884-90), to German Am. Rev. of Mineralogy, Geol. and Paleon., and several monographs in the J. H. series; Modern Petrography and Elements of Crystallography; member of many scientific societies. 534 HISTORY OP ONEIDA COUNTY Among early mierosoopists, William C. Johnson and Dr. A. R. Copeman, both then residents of Utica, did original and valuable work (1860-70), the re- sults of which were noted in the London and Edinburgh Microscopical Jour- nals; Mr. Johnson's mounts and drawings of the Greville-Barbadoes deposits aroused great scientific interest. Henry P. Startwell, M. D. (about 1791-1867), who lived at New Hartford in his youth, and later distinguished himself as a botanist, left an herbarium of 8,000 specimens, now owned by Hamilton College. Peter D. Knieskern, M. D. (1798-1871), while living at Oriskany compiled a catalog of the plants of Oneida county, published in 1842. George Vaset, M. D. (1822-?). Spent portions of his life at Oriskany and Verona, and was intimately associated with Dr. Knieskern ; Botanist of the Dept. of Agriculture, Washington, from 1872. Edwin Hunt (1837-1880). Amherst, '58. Professor of Natural Sciences in tlie Utica Academy for many years from 1865 ; collected an herbarium of about 4,000 plants, which was bought by the Asa Gray Botanical Club, 1887. Rev. John A. Paine, Jr., compiled a catalog of plants found in Oneida county and vicinity which was published in the Report of the Regents of the University for 1865. It embraces the whole of the central part of the state. William C. Walker was born in 1847, and since early boyhood has been a resident of Utica ; microscopist ; specialty. Diatoms ; discoverer of nearly twenty species; member of the London Micros. Soc. (F. R. M. S.), honorary and cor- responding member of many Continental Scientific Societies. Catalog of Dia- toms of Central New York, and papers for Microscopical Journals. George C. Hodges has done original work in Chemical Analysis. Dr. William Ralph is quoted by Bendire in Life Histories of N. A. Birds, as authority in ornithology and oology; his gift to the Smithsonian Institution of a collection of eggs and nests, the work of over twenty years, is important and valuable. In collaboration with Egbert Bagg he has published an Anno- tated List of Birds of Oneida County. On butterflies. Dr. Mathias Cook was an expert ; on ferns, both native and foreign, Benjamin D. Gilbert, of Utica and Clayville, was an authority; and Dr. Joseph V. Haberee, of Utica, is a specialist in Cryptogams, and author of a pamphlet on Flora of Utica and Vicinity for May and June. Rev. J. W. Whitfield, known in local circles for his interest in microscopy, photography and electricity, was also a skilled maker of lenses and of shell cameos. JOHN B. JERVIS Civil Engineer HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 535 Robert Parr Whitfield was born in New Hartford in 1828. In employ of Samuel Chubbuck, 1848-56; Assistant in Paleon., and N. Y. State Nat. Hist., 1856-76; U. S. Geol. Survey; Curator Geol. Dept. Am. Mus. Nat. Hist., Central Park, N. Y., since 1877 ; original Fellow A. A. A. S. ; Fellow Geol. Soc. of Amer- ica; Writer on Geology. Rev. Edwaed Payson Powell was born in Hamilton in 1853. A scientific agriculturist, and writer and lecturer upon economic and educational subjects; long resident in Clinton ; Our Heredity from God ; Liberty and Life ; historical and political pamphlets and addresses; Nullification and Secession in the U. S. Albert Huntington Chester was born in 1843. Columbia School of Mines, '68 ; Prof. Chemistry, Mineralogy and Metallurgy, Hamilton College, 1870-91 ; Prof. Chem. and Mineral., Rutgers College, since 1892 ; since '82 connected with the N. Y. State Board of Health. Deposits of the Vermilion District, Minn. ; Catalog of Minerals, with Chemical Composition and Synonyms. Charles Doolittle Walcott was born in New York Mills in 1850. Assist- ant Geologist U. S. Geol. Survey, '79 ; now Director U. S. Geol. Survey, a bureau of the Department of the Interior. The Trilobite ; Paleontology of the Eureka District; Cambrian Fauna of North America; Utica Slate and Related Forma- tions. He is now at the head of Smithsonian Institute, Washington. Albert P. Beigham was born in 1855. Colgate, '79. Geologist of the Mo- hawk and Sauquoit Valleys and Finger Lakes ; Pastor Tabernacle church, Utica, 1885-91. Now Prof. Geol., Colgate University. Fellow Geol. Soc. of America. Many articles in scientific periodicals on the geology and physical geography of N. Y., especially in connection with the glacial period. Alexander Wilder was born in Vernon May 13, 1823; was self educated; taught school; was for a time engaged in newspaper work, and edited in New York City the New York Teacher in 1855 ; he also wrote for literary works and periodicals, and at the same time studied medicine. He practiced as an eclec- tic physician in the city of New York, and served for a time as president of the Eclectic Medical Society of that city; was also president of the Bclectical Col- lege, and was connected with several other medical and scientific organizations. He published a number of literary and scientific works, among which were an English Grammar; Secret of Immortality Revealed; The Worship of the Ser- pent ; A Protest against Vaccination, and a large number of other works. John B. Jervis — Owing to the fact that the subject of this sketch lived to the advanced age of 89 years, the last eighteen of which were passed in com- parative quiet at his home in Rome, N. Y., it is difficult for the present genera- tion to realize that there lived and died in Oneida county in the person of John B. Jervis a truly great man. That his services to the world were of unmistak- able value is known by almost aU civil engineers and well informed railroad men. 536 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY A man's real place in history is often slow in being defined; but the artist, who conceived and painted the mural decorations on the frieze of the lobby of the Manhattan Hotel in New York City, showed an appreciation of great labors well performed when he selected John B. Jervis as one of the subjects of a life size group consisting of Franklin, with his kite and key, Morse, with his tele- graph instrument, Fulton, with his steamboat, and John B. Jervis on bended knee presenting High Bridge to Father Knickerbocker. Young Jervis started work in life at the age of fifteen years with but a common school education, and for the next seven years assisted his father in work upon the farm. At the age of twenty-two he was engaged as axman on the Brie canal work at Eome, N. Y., under Chief Engineer Benjamin "Wright, and the record of his actual achievements during the fifty following years shows that he had not only a master mind but also energy, perseverance, versatility, and an almost unlimited capacity for hard work. Later in this sketch will be found a brief record of his life work in chronological order, but his two great accom- plishments deserve more than a passing mention. The first was his invention of the bogie truck in 1831, when chief engineer of the Mohawk & Hudson Railway. This invention consisted of utilizing the truck, which in itself was not new, as a steadier under the forward part of a locomotive, carrying only a small part of the weight, but acting as a pilot and holding to the rails the heavy traction wheels in the rear, when going at high speed. \ Up to the time of this invention most of the locomotives in use in this coun- try had been manufactured in England ; and, when the English manufacturers were informed of the plan they scoffed at the idea and called the invention a bogie or scare-crow. Although "bogie" is the name which this great invention has ever since borne, that it was no scare-crow, but a device of inestimable value, is evidenced by the fact that it is an essential part of the equipment <>f practi- cally every passenger and high speed locomotive used in the United States to-day. In so high estimation did the Hudson River Railroad Company hold the services of Mr. Jervis, that when he retired from its service as chief engineer he was presented with a testimonial, which consisted of a pass engraved upon a gold medal, which entitled him to free transportation over the road for life. Five years after his invention of the bogie truck Mr. Jervis ceased active railroad work for a time, to accept the important position of chief engineer of the Croton "Water System for New York City, and, while occupying this posi- tion, he planned and carried to completion the building of High Bridge, which served for many years as the only aqueduct across the Harlem river for the en- tire water supply of New York City. The building of this structure was re- garded, in its day, as the greatest engineering feat the world had yet seen, and it brought immediate fame and renown to its designer. In connection with this work Mr. Jervis also planned and supervised the building of the reservoir in Central Park; also the reservoir which stood for over half a century at the corner of Fifth avenue and Forty-second street, New York City, and which was but recently razed to give place to the magnificent library building which now stands upon its site. HISTORY OP ONEIDA COUNTY 537 The energy and versatility of Mr. Jervis and how completely he mastered every department of engineering are best shown by his achievements, of which the following is a record: Born at Huntington, Long Island, in 1795. Moved to Rome, N. Y., with his parents in 1798. In 1810 left school and worked seven years on his father's farm. In 1817 was axman on Erie canal work; in 1818 rodman; in 1819 resi- dent engineer over a 17-mile section; in 1823 superintendent of canal con- struction for a 50-mile section ; in 1825 resigned his Erie canal position to plan the route for the Delaware and Hudson canal and superintend its construction from its inception until the first barge of coal traversed its length in 1829 ; in 1830 resigned to become chief engineer of the Mohawk & Hudson Railway ; in 1831 invented bogie truck and was made chief engineer of Schenectady & Sara- toga Railroad ; in 1833 was engaged by the canal commissioners of New York as chief engineer for the Chenango canal ; in 1836 became chief engineer of the' Croton Aqueduct; in 1845 made plans for and acted as engineer during con- struction of Cochituate water supply for city of Boston; in 1847 was made chief engineer of Hudson River Railway; in 1850 resigned to take a five months' trip to Europe, and immediately upon his return commenced the construction of the Michigan Southern and Northern Indiana Railways; in 1851 was made president of the Chicago & Rock Island Railway ; in 1861 was appointed general superintendent of Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne & Chicago Railway, which position he held until 1866, when at the age of 71 years he severed his railroad connec- tions and returned to his home in Rome, N. Y., where the last eighteen years of his life were passed. During these final years, preferring as he sa;id to "wear out rather than rust out," he gave particular attention to the business of the Rome Merchant Iron Mill, of which he was secretary and the practical head, found time to write a book on "Railroad Property," another on "Labor and Capital," and, at the age of 83, wrote a lecture on ' ' Industrial Economy. ' ' In 1878 Hamilton College conferred on Mr. Jervis the degree of LL. D. Upon his death in 1885 Mr. Jervis left a portion of his estate to the city of Rome for a public library, an account of which appears elsewhere in this volume. LITERARY MEN AND WOMEN Alexander Bryan Johnson (1786-1867). Hamilton, '32. Admitted to the bar, but never practiced. Philosophy of Human Knowledge, a treatise on Lan- guage; Physiology of the Senses; Religion in its Relation to the Present Life; Treatise on Banking ; Guide to the Right Understanding of our American Union. The following, while known as authors, were especially noted as Abolition- ists: Gekrit Smith (1797-1874), born in Utica; son of the pioneer, Peter Smith; Hamilton, '18. About 1803 his father removed to Whitesboro, and in 1806 to Peterboro, Madison county, giving the new home his own name. Probably no more disinterested philanthropist than Gerrit Smith ever lived. Refined, intel- 538 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY lectual, fastidious, he received into the intimacy of family life and welcomed to his table despised Abolitionist and runaway slave. He exposed his health in hiding slaves from their pursuers, and braved the sneers of his class for con- sorting with "fanatics." Of lands inherited from his father he distributed 200,000 acres to poor settlers, black and white. He served a term in Congress in 1852. He published The Religion of Reason; The Theologies; Nature the Basis of a Free Theology; Sermons and Speeches; Speeches in Congress. Beriah Geeen (1795-1874) ; Middlebury, '19. Prof. Sacred Lit., Western Res. Coll. ; Anti-Slavery and Temperance Agitator ; Pres. Oneida Inst., a Manual Labor School; pastor at Whitesboro, 1833-74. A History of the Quakers; Ser- mons and Discourses, with a few Essays and Addresses. Theodore Dwight Weld (1803-18 — ) ; studied at Hamilton; also at Oberlin and Lane Seminary; left the latter institution on the suppression of the Anti- Slavery Society of the Seminary, by the trustees. A resident of Oneida county for a few years before 1830; licentiate of Oneida Presbytery; a strong anti- slavery agitator ; married the South Carolinian, Angelina Grimke, also an ar- dent anti-slavery public speaker, who had emancipated a large number of slaves inherited from her father ; in 1830 became agent of the Society to promote Manual Labor in Schools and Colleges. The Bible against Slavery; American Slavery as it is; Slavery and the Internal Slave Trade. Several clergymen are known also as authors: Henry Mandeville (1804-1858), Union '26; pastor Dutch Reformed church, Utica, 1834^41 ; Prof. Moral Phil, and Rhet., Hamilton College, 1841-69 ; author of a series of Readers and of Elements of Reading and Oratory, which is still used as a text book in colleges. George Washington Bethune (1805-1862), Columbia and Dickinson, '22; Princeton Theological Seminary ; pastor Dutch Reformed Church, Utica, 1830- 34. The Fruit of the Spirit; Hist, of a Penitent; Early Lost, Early Saved; Memoirs of Mrs. Joanna Bethune ; Lays of Love and Faith. Samuel Ware Fisher (1814-1874), Yale, '35; Union Theological Seminary; President Hamilton College, 1858-66 ; pastor Westminster church, Utica, 1867- 71. Three Great Temptations; Sermons on the Life of Christ; Occasional Ser- mons and Addresses. Philemon Halstead Fowler (1814-1879), Hobart, '32; Princeton Theo- logical Seminary; pastor First Presbyterian church, Utica, 1851-72; Presby- terianism in Central New York; Relations of Labor and Capital; Memoir of Major William Fowler. Samuel Oilman Brown (1813-1885) ; Dartmouth, '31; Andover Theological- Seminary; Prof. Oratory and BeUes Lettres, Intel. Phil, and Polit. Econ., Dartmouth College, 1840-67; Pres. Hamilton College, 1867-81. Life of Rufus MRS. JAMES S. SHERMAN HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY . 539 Choate ; Biography of Self -Taught Men, and many addresses and magazine arti- cles on literature, art and history. Resident of Utica for a few years before his death. William Thomas Gibson (1822-1896), Hobart, '42. A man of varied learn- ing ; assistant rector of Grace church, Utica, 1858-83 ; also of other churches in the county; chaplain State Hospital; editor Gospel Messenger, 1860-72; editor and proprietor Church Eclectic, 1873-95. Isaac S. Hartley (1831-1899), University of New York, '52; pastor Dutch Reformed church, Utica, 1870-1890 ; of the Episcopal church. Great Barrington, Mass., 1892. Prayer and its Relation to Modern Thought and Criticism; His- tory of the Reformed Church; Memorial of Rev. P. H. Fowler; Old Fort Schuy- ler in History ; The Twelve Gates ; Verses from Various Authors. Leicester Ambrose Sawyer (1807-1898), Hamilton, '28; Princeton Theo- logical Seminary; Pres. Central College, 0. (Since absorbed by Wooster University) ; 30 years resident in Whitesboro. Elements of Biblical Interpreta- tion; Organic Christianity; The American Bible; A New Translation of the New Testament and Vol. 1 of the Old Testament; Reconstruction of Bible The- ories. Thomas Jefferson Sawyer (1804-1899), Middlebury, '29; Prin. Clinton Liberal Institute, 1845-52; one of the founders of Tufts College, Mass.; from 1869 Prof. Theol. and Dean of the College. Doctrine of Eternal Salvation; Who is God, the Son or the Father? Endless Punishment. Edward Bright (1808-1894). For many years editor New York Examiner and Chronicle, the organ of the Baptist church, lived in Utica in his youth, and until about 1841; from 1833 or 1834, with Dolphus Bennett, printed and published in Utica the New York Baptist Register, founded 1824; A. M. Bee- bee, editor, Pastor Bleecker street Baptist church, 1840-1841. Melancthon Woolsey Stryker was born in Vernon in 1851; Hamilton, '72; grandson of Com. Woolsey; President Hamilton College since 1892. Mir- iam and Other Verse; Hamilton, Lincoln, and other Addresses; The Letter of James the Just; Lattermath. Charles Frederick Goss (bom 1852), Hamilton, '73; pastor Bethany church, Utica, 1881-5. The Optimist; Hits and Misses; The Philopolist; The Loom of Life. Residence, Cincinnati. George Hodges was born in Rome in 1852. Hamilton, '77 ; Dean Episcopal Theological School, Cambridge, Mass., since 1894. Christianity between Sun- days; In the Present World; The Battles of Peace. Moses Mears Bagg, M. D., born in Utica, 1816 ; Yale, '37 ; Medical CoUege, Geneva, N. Y., '41; studied afterward in Paris; established at Utica since 1846; Pioneers of Utica, 1877 ; Memorial History of Utica, N. Y., 1892. 540 HISTORY OP ONEIDA COUNTY Albert Baknes (1798-1870), born in Rome; Hamilton, '20; Commentator on the Scriptures ; well known on both sides of the Atlantic. Notes on the New Testament, 11 vols., said to have reached a circulation of over a million. Com- mentaries on Isaiah, Job, Daniel, Psalms ; The Church and Slavery ; The Atone- ment in its Relations to Law and Moral Government; Life at Three Score and Ten. Samuel Kirkland Lothrop (1804-1886); born ia Whitesboro; Harvard, '25. Grandson of Samuel Kirkland ; for 42 years pastor Brattle Square church, Boston. The Life of Samuel Kirkland, Missionary to the Indians, in Sparks 's Am. Biog. The History of the Church in Brattle Square. James Eells (1822-1886) ; born in Westmoreland; Hamilton, '44. Memoir of Samuel Eells. PoMROY Jones (1789-1884), Annals and Recollections of Oneida County, 1851. Samuel W. Durant, History of Oneida County. Daniel E. Wager, of Rome (1823-96), Our County and its People; a descriptive work on Oneida County, 1896 ; and various historical addresses. Rev. A. D. Gridley, of Clinton (1819-1876), History of the Town of Paris and the Valley of the Sauquoit, 1881. Marc Cook (1854-1882), and Channing M. Huntington (1861-1894), were known as writers of verses, the former under the name of Vandyke Brown ; he also wrote The Wilderness Cure. Harold Frederic (1856-1898), born in Utica, died in London, England. Proofreader on the Utica Herald ; chief editorial writer for the Utica Observer, 1880; editor Albany Evening Journal, 1882; on New York Times, 1884; then went to England ; married a granddaughter of Beriah Green. His stories were written in England; their scenes laid in America, and usually in New York state. Seth's Brother's Wife; The Lawton Girl; In the Valley; The Copper- head; The Damnation of Theron Ware (English title, Illumination) ; left com- pleted Mss. of two novels, Gloria Mundi and The Market Place. Clinton Scollard born in Clinton, 1860. Hamilton, '81; Prof. Eng. Lit., Hamilton College, 1891-1911. Residence, Clinton. Pictures in Song ; With Reed and Lyre; Old and New World Lyrics; Songs of Sunrise Lands; Skenandoa Hills of Song; also descriptive prose and prose romance; A Man at Arms. Mrs. Caroline Stansbury Kirkland (1808-1864). A resident of Clinton in her youth, and wife of Prof. William Kirkland of Hamilton College; wrote stories and descriptions of pioneer life ; also other works. A New Home, Who'll Follow?; Western Clearings; Essay on the Life and Writings of Spenser; Per- sonal Memoirs of Washington; Garden Walks with the Poets. Mrs. Frances Miriam Berry Whitcher (1812-1852) ; bom in Whitesboro. A popular humorist; wife of an Episcopal clergyman, settled at Elmira and later at Whitesboro. Widow Bedott Papers; Widow Spriggins; and an un- HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 541 finished story, Mary Elmer, edited and completed with biographical sketch of the author, by Mks. Martha L. Whitchee, author of Stray Leaves in the His- tory of Whitesboro. Mrs. Caroline M. Fisher Sawyer (1812-1864). Wife of Thomas Jeffer- son Sawyer; lived seven years at Clinton; author of translations of Hebrew poetry and German Philosophy ; in 1861 Ed. Rose of Sharon, a monthly maga- zine in the French language ; and Ladies Repository. Poetry of Hebrew Tradi- tion. Mrs. Emily Chubbuck Judson, "Fanny Forester," (1817-1854). While a teacher at Miss Sheldon's Utica Female Academy, wrote Alderbrook and other tales and verses; married Rev. Adroniram Judson, and went with him as missionary to Burmah. The sisters, Frances and Metta Fuller, lived at Rome, and afterwards in Whitestown; their earliest work, a poem written in conjunction; both wrote novels and verses, and Frances became a large contributor to Bancroft's History of the Pacific States. Born in the thirties, Metta died in '85 ; Frances in '98. They married brothers. All Over Oregon; The New Penelope; Two Mormon Wives; The Senator's Son. Mrs. Elizabeth Jestjp Eames. Lived in New Hartford from 1837. Poems : The Crowning of Petrach ; Cleopatra ; Sonnets to Milton, Addison, Dryden, and Mrs. Mary Clemmer Ames (1830-1884) ; born in Utica. Poems of Life and Nature; Ten Years in Washington; Memorials of Alice and Phoebe Cary. Mrs. Theodosia Foster, "Paye Huntington," bom 1838. An educator of Verona, N. Y. ; has written extensively for young people. In Earnest; A Baker's Dozen; A Modern Exodus. Mrs. Isabella MacDonald Alden, "Pansy," born 1841. Lived in New Hartford, where her husband was pastor of the Presbyterian church, 1873-6; began there the series of "Pansy Stories," embracing about 75 titles, and edited S. S. Magazine; Lesson Helps, for primary S. S. work. Esther Reid; A King's Daughter; Four Girls at Chautauqua, etc. Residence, Philadelphia. Rose Elizabeth Cleveland (born 1846). Lives at Holland Patent; George Eliot's Poetry and Other Studies; The Long Run, a Novel. Mrs. Florence Morse Kingsley was the oldest child of Jonathan Bradley and Eleanor Ecob Morse. She was a very delicate but precocious child, and had thoughts far beyond her years. At the age of three she would lean against her mother's knee and say, "I want to talk an essay." It has been a source of regret that some of the quaint utterances of this child thinker were not pre- 542 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY served. She was taught at home until her eleventh year, and thus had a solid elementary education. She could read fluently at the age of five, and at the age of seven took first prize for the perfect recitation of a long chapter from the Bible. The Bible was her daily study, and every verse was explained care- fully and accurately. Her wonderful knowledge of the Bible was due to this training. She studied at Wellesley College for two and a half years, and was for a time greatly interested in painting, teaching it for ten years. She married Rev. Charles B. Kingsley, president of Milwaukee College, and was the mother of five children before she began seriously to write. Before that time, poems, essays, papers on scientific and historical subjects, had comprised her literary work. In 1894, David Cook, of a publishing house of Chicago, offered a prize of $1,000 for a Life of Christ. It was to be clear, simple, ab- solutely historical, and no words but the words of Christ were to be attributed to him. Mrs. Kingsley wrote for this prize a book, entitled Titus, a Comrade of the Cross, and against 375 competitors won the prize. This book at once gave her name and fame. It has been published all over the world, and been translated into nineteen languages. One eminent critic pronounced it equal to Pilgrim's Progress, in purity of English. Over two million copies of this book have been sold in this country, and the sale abroad is unknown. The one other book which has gone through many editions and has attained na- tional distinction is The Transfiguration of Miss Philura. There are twelve Miss Philura Clubs on the Pacific Coast, and many in other places. Other publications are : Stephen, a Soldier of the Cross ; Paul, a Herald of the Cross ; The Cross Triumphant; Prisoners of the Sea; Under the Star; An Unrecorded Miracle; Lead Kindly Light; The Needle's Eye; Wings and Fetters; The Sing- ular Miss Smith ; The Intellectual Miss Lamb ; Gar, a Street Boy of Jerusalem ; Truthful Jane; The Princess and the Plowman; Bahn in Gilead; Those Queer Browns; The Resurrection of Miss Cynthia; The Glass House; And So They Were Married; Those Brewster Children; The Star of Love; To the Highest Bidder; Francesca; The Return of Caroline. Of this number seven are small books of not more than 20,000 words. The Star of Love is the life of Queen Esther. Mrs. Kingsley is now, after repeated requests, engaged upon another Life of Christ, which is expected to be entirely unlike Titus. No one disturbs Mrs. Kingsley in the forenoon, which is the time she is at her desk. The rest of the day she devotes to her family and friends, and much out door life. She is also an efficient helper in the church of which her husband is pastor. EDUCATORS Thomas Hastings, Doctor of Music, was born in Washington, Ct., October 15, 1784, and came to Clinton in 1797, removing from there to Utica soon after- ward. He taught and wrote music. He published the Musica Sacra, a book of sacred music, which was used extensively in churches. While a resident of Utica he led the music for a time in Trinity, and later in the First Presbyterian church, and during this period he composed some of his most popular hymns for special occasions in that church. In 1832 he removed to New York, and JOSErtl SEIBOTH (Musician. Composer and Organist) E. D. BROWX, ARTIST (Painter) JONATHAN B. MORSE, ARTIST (Landscape Painter) HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 543 died there in 1872. While in Utiea he wrote such hymns as Rock of Ages, Zion, On the Mountain Top Appearing, Ortonville, Retreat and Prom Every Stormy Wind that Blows. The latter hymn was composed while he was attend- ing a religious meeting at Auburn. The words were sung to a tune which he disliked, and he said to a friend that he could not endure it, and would write satisfactory music for the words. He sat down and immediately produced the tune, to which the familiar words are so frequently sung. George Washington Gale (1789-1862) ; Union, '14; founded Manual Labor School at Whitesboro, 1835 ; at the head of a colonizing party of his old neigh- bors, founded the town and college of Galesburg, 111. George Robert Perkins (1812-1876); Hamilton, '52; Teacher in Liberal Institute, Clinton ; Prin. Utica Academy, 1838-44 ; Prof, and Prin. State Normal School, Albany; Director Dudley Observatory, 1852; Regent of the University, 1862; resident of Utica continuously for more than twenty years before his death; author of a series of mathematical text books. William Henry Carpenter (born Utica, 1853) ; Cornell, Leipzig, and Frei- burg; Lecturer on N. European Lit., Cornell, 1883; Lecturer and Ass't Prof. Columbia, 1881-90; succeeded Prof. H. H. Boyesen as head of the Dept. Ger- man Languages, 1875; Grundriss der Neuislandischen Grammatik; Translation of an Icelandic poem, date A. D. 1400. Edward North (born 1820) ; Hamilton, '41 ; Prof. Greek and Latin at Ham- ilton, 1843-62 ; of Greek Lang, and Lit., from 1862 ; in constant service of fifty years has instructed 2,000 students; Necrologist since 1855. Anson Judd Upson (born 1823); Hamilton, '43; active as educator; held chairs of Logic, Rhetoric and Elocution at Hamilton, 1849-70 ; Sacred Rhetoric and Pastoral Theol. at Auburn Theological Seminary, 1880-7 ; Regent of the University from 1874; Chancellor from 1892 to time of his death. Hermann Carl George Brandt (born 1850); Hamilton, '72; Assoc. Prof. German, Johns Hopkins, 1876-82; German Grammar for Schools and Colleges; German Reader; also (with Prof. H. C. G. Jagemann), German-English and English-German Dictionary. ARTISTS Henry Inman (1801-1846) ; born in Utica. Brother of Commodore In- man; student under the artist Jarvis; excelled in portraits, but was also dis- tinguished for landscapes and miniatures. Most of his works are in England ; portraits of Wordsworth, Dr. Chalmers and Maucauley ; others are in this coun- try. In the Capitol at Washington is his portrait of Chief Justice Marshall. Erastus Dow Palmer, born 1817. Came to Utica a lad in 1826, and is mentioned as a resident in the directories for 1844-50; at first carpenter and 544 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY pattern maker; afterward executed portrait busts and bas reliefs, and later ideal pieces. The Indian Girl ; The White Captive ; The Sleeping Peri, etc. The great gilded sheep that for thirty years adorned the Utica Steam Woolen Mill was one of Palmer's youthful creations; specimens of his finer work are also to be found in Utica. His home was for many years in Albany. De. Henry Hogeboom worked in clay and marble in Utica, between 1850 and 1870; excelled in portraiture in intaglio. Jonathan Bradley Morse was born in Montpelier, Vt., in 1834. His parents were of that heoric band, who, leaving all the comforts and assured ease ot the East, sought a new home in the then wilderness of Ohio. They settled in Medina county, and their first homes were built of trees, felled to make a clear- ing for their crops. The Morse family came of a thinking, sturdy race. In their ranks were found farmers, soldiers, clergymen, inventors and artists. Samuel Breese Morse was the son of a brother of the great grandfather of Mr. Morse. Dr. Asa Bradley was his great grandfather on his mother's side, and was one of the most noted physicians and surgeons in Connecticut. Asa Brad- ley, Jr., fitted for college in the same class with Daniel Webster. Inheriting thus a taste for study, it naturally followed that Mr. Morse became a student himself. He graduated from Oberlin College and afterward from Auburn Theological Seminary. He was extremely versatile, being equally fine in both language and mathematics. He was invited to fill the Chair of Greek in one institution and of Mathematics in another, but declined both, disliking the monotony of teaching. During his ministry of eighteen years his health was very delicate; was a man of positive convictions and ardent temperament; was successful wherever he preached, building up the churches he served, but the soul outwore the body, and he was finally compelled to leave the ministry. He was, from boyhood, always an artist, and his physicians hoped that the outdoor work of an artist might restore his health; for a number of years he was so much improved in health that it seemed as if he might entirely recover. It was not to be, however, and his health gradually failed until 1898, when he died in Utica. He was a successful artist, and his pictures adorn some of the finest homes in America. The sea allured him, and he painted the coast from Massachusetts to Nova Scotia. He was equally successful with landscape, and here his versatile nature was most conspicuous. His skies were always true in color and drawing, and the subtle atmospheric efiEects of mist and rain, snow and frost, sunshine and shadow he gave to his canvases. Quiet fields, with groups of sheep or cattle, the brown glint of the trout stream, the translucent greens and shadowy depths of the forest he loved to paint. He never eared for human life in his pictures. "Nature alone," he said. One of his finest pictures was a large water color marine, which was pronounced by critics to be one of the best marine views of the year by any artist. It was the "Grand Cross" of Grand Menan at the mouth of the Bay of Fundy. It is owned by a gentleman in Boston. Another was "The Old Maid's Paradise" in oil. A picture of the little cott&ge on the Downs of Glouscester, East Point. The place was loneliness itself — so lonely that even Elizabeth Stuart Phelps left it after HISTORY OP ONEIDA COUNTY 545 a year. The picture was a low twilight, with a sky suppressed with color brooding over the rolling Downs, with rich russets and greens, and the sea shimmeriug out to the far horizon. This picture is owned in Cleveland. These are only typical of the many he painted, for he was a very rapid worker. Every picture, however, was first thought out, to the least detail, before brush was put to the canvas, and when he began to paint he knew exactly what he was aiming at. Mes. Eleanor Ecob Moese was born in Buffalo, N. Y., in 1837. If she has always loved nature it is due to the fact that her father was the most ardent nature lover, and from her earliest childhood, nature and religion were her twin teachers. Mrs. Morse studied at Oberlin College, and there met her future husband, to whom she was married in 1858. Through all her busy life she managed to get some time each day to devote to art, and after a time found herself at the head of enthusiastic art classes. Her pictures began to find a ready sale, and when her husband's health failed she was able to add materially to the family income. The art of Mrs. Morse did not conflict with that of her husband; she looked at the foreground, he at the distance. Her works were in flowers, fruit, birds and still life. Lilacs were one of her specialties. A large picture of roses and still life, owned by a gentleman in Pittsburg, was good in drawing and color. Little chickens were one of her favorite studies, and so many broods of chickens were brought up in her studio, she used laughingly to declare she was a very successful hen. Mrs. Morse was identified with church work during aU her life in Utiea, and her regret in leaving was the breaking of many ties formed while there. Lemuel Maynaed "Wiles (bom 1826). Taught drawing in Utica PubUe Schools for a number of years before 1864. Director College of Fine Arts, Ingham Univ., Leroy, N. Y. ; Director Art. Dept. University of Tennessee, Nash- ville. Residence, New York. Irving Ramsey "Wiles (born Utica, 1861). Son of L. M. "Wiles. Studied at Art Students' League in New York, and in Paris with Boulanger, Lefebre and Carolus Duran; portrait and figure painter, and illustrator for leading magazines. Residence, New York. Arthur B. Davies (bom Utica, 1862), of Welsh parentage. His earliest work was illustrating for The Century and St. Nicholas magazines. In his works landscape broadly treated is subsidary to the human and poetical con- ception. Residence, New York. ACTORS James Henry Hackett (1800-1871). Comedian and manager; merchant in Utica, 1820-1825; made his first essay as actor in the part of "Dromio" in New York, 1826. Later made a great success in London and New York as "Palstaff," a part in which he was said to be without a rival. Vol 1—35 546 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY John A. Ellsleb (born 1822). Actor and manager. For two seasons from 1852 or 1853, associated in the management of the Utica Museum, where is now the store of Buckingham and Moak. Maggie Mitchell was in his com- pany. His wife, Fanny, took the principal woman's parts. His daughter, Bffie, has won a reputation in "Hazel Kirke." "William H. Crane a native of Massachusetts. Came to Utica about 1864; was engaged by the Holman Opera Company, composed chiefly of the young members of the Holman family, with headquarters at Utica, — ^their programs opera bouffe ; remained with them for two seasons ; married in Utica. M. Edyth Walkee, the youngest child of a family of six, was born at Hope- well, a town near Canandaigua, N. Y. At an early age she removed with her parents. Marquis L. and Mary Purdy Walker, to Geneva, N. Y., remaining there until she was about 12 years of age, when the family came to Rome, N. Y., to live. Edy^h entered the public schools at once, and graduated from the Rome Free Academy with honor in 1884. She immediately took a posi- tion in one of the Rome schools as teacher, but did not continue long at that work, for her musical talents, which had been pronounced from early childhood, called for a wider field of activity. After taking a short musical course in Boston, she accepted a position as instructor in music in the Public schools of Syracuse, at the same time singing in the Westminster Church Choir of Utica, but retaining her residence in Rome. By critics she was pronounced the finest contralto singer of her day who had ever appeared in the churches of Utica. In July, 1889, occurred the death of her mother, and the July follow- ing, she sailed for Europe to pursue her musical studies, locating at Dresden. There she took a four years' course in the Dresden Conservatory of Music. Notwithstanding the impediments she encountered, her ambition induced her to persevere until she reached the zenith of her profession. Before she returned to her native country she sang in most of the great capitols of Europe and before many of the crowned heads, and was received everywhere with the greatest favor. During the seasons of 1904-5-6, she sang in America, and was a member of the Metropolitan Opera Company of New York Cily. During her season at the Metropolitan the company was one of the strongest ever pre- sented to a New York audience, and as an illustration of the standing of Miss Walker, it is well to quote what one of the most prominent critics in one of ihe great New York papers said of her last entertainment: "She seemed to surpass herself last night, and there is no other person for her to surpass." The last year of her engagement in this country, she crossed the United States, singing in the principal cities, and reached San Francisco just at the time of the great earthquake. She immediately returned to New York and sailed for Europe. Up to this time Miss Walker had sung contralto parts in the great operas, but for the first time she undertook in London the great change of becoming a soprano. On this first occasion the audience consisted largely of prominent Americans then visiting in London. Her performance was a pro- nounced success, and she received an ovation from her fellow countrymen. She has since been singing the soprano roles of the leading operas in European MRS. MAIiY lUSSY MISS JANE KELLY Preceptress of Utica Female Academy ROSE ELIZABETH CLEVELAND I'^lueator and Authoress (Sister of Grover Cleveland) <^PH| r y^ ^ r** p.- » MHS. G. It. ALDBN (Writer under the name of MISS EDYTH WALKER HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 547 cities. During the Coronation celebration of King George, she had an engage- ment in London. Since then she has sung in Berlin, Dresden, Munich, and at present is connected with the Hamburg (Germany) Opera Company. Haeeiette Keyes was born in Skaneateles, N. Y., and when quite young removed to Rome with her father, Clarence E. Keyes, who was at the time proprietor of Stanwix Hall in that city. Miss Keyes attended the public schools in Rome, and at an early age showed signs of musical talent, which were developed by Mrs. Marion E. Davison of Rome. Miss Keyes has been emi- nently successful in her musical career, having been connected with several opera companies, and at the present time, November, 1911, is leader of the famous Girl's Quartette, which has as one of its members Miss Allie Thomas, another Rome singer of marked ability. This quartette is enthusiastically received wherever it appears. Michael Solomon Whallen was born in Rome, a son of Michael C. Whal- len. Early in life he commenced a most successful stage career as singer and monologist. His ability to entertain is unique, and his funny stories and songs have caused him to be styled "The American Harry Lauder." His success has not been confined to his native country alone, as he has attained great prominence abroad. Giles Stuaet Beodock was born in Vienna, Oneida county. "While a young child his parents, Chauncey Brodoek and Mary E. Perrin Brodock removed to Rome. Giles received his early education at the public schools of Rome, and in 1881 entered a Dramatic School in New York City, from which he graduated in 1883, and since that time has followed his profession. It is as a dramatic instructor of amateurs he chiefly excels, being possessed of that rare gift, the faculty of imparting his knowledge to others. At one time he conducted a dramatic school in Pittsburg. He is thought one of the best stage directors in the country, and for some time has been engaged in conducting plays in different cities in the United States. Some of the above sketches have been taken from a valuable little book prepared by the New Century Club of Utica, entitled "Outline History of Utica and Vicinity." BANKEES Stalham Williams was connected with a Utica bank longer than any other person who has ever lived iS the city. He took charge of money that was deposited with John C. and Nicholas Devereux. They received deposits as individuals, and Mr. "Williams had charge of these funds. "When these deposits had amounted to a considerable sum of money a savings bank was organized known as the Savings Bank of Utica, and Mr. "Williams became its secretary and treasurer. This was in 1839, and he retained this position up to the time of his death in 1873, when he had arrived at the age of 99 years and six months. "When he reached the age of 70 years, he tendered his resignation, but the trustees refused to accept it, and he was daily at the bank until he was more 548 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY than 90 years of age. He was a man of Puritanic habits, of high character, and took a lively interest in religious matters. PxjBLius V. Rogers was born in Antwerp, N. Y., December 30, 1824. He prepared for college in the schools of Jefferson county, entered Hamilton College in 1843 and graduated in 1846. He commenced studying law at Adams, N. Y., and also was employed as bookkeeper in the Hungerford Bank of that village. He also studied law for a short time in Watertown, and for a time was employed as engineer on the Rome, "Watertown & Ogdensbur^ railroad. He became cashier of the Watertown Bank and Loan Company in 1849. In 1850 he was made cashier of the Fort Stanwix Bank in Rome. September 1, 1853, he became cashier of the Bank of Utica, and was made president of that institution in 1876. He was a most successful banker, and it is no disparagement to others to say that no man has ever been connected with the banks of Utica who stood higher as a financier than Mr. Rogers. He was connected with many of the large business enterprises of Utica, was trustee of Hamilton College, and for a time its treasurer ; was a manager of the Utica State Hospital ; was a member of Fort Schuyler and other clubs, and had conducted his affairs in such a manner as to accumulate a fortune. At the time of his death he was a large owner of stock in the First National Bank of Utica, the successor to the Bank of Utica, and this placed his son, Charles B. Rogers, at the head of the institution, and he still holds that position. RoBEET S. "Williams was born in Utica, September 10, 1828. He was first employed in Auburn in the establishment of a bookbinder, with an understand- ing that he should have certain hours for study, but he in after years com- plained that those hours of study grew less and less until they amounted to nothing. His health failed, and he spent two years on a farm in New Hartford. In 1844 he attended school in Brooklyn, but returned to Auburn and entered the employment of Mr. Ivison, the bookbinder, in whose employ he had served before. He also attended the academy at Homer for a time, but for want of funds was obliged to give up a college course. He returned to Utica, and for a time was employed as mail agent upon the railroad between Albany and Buffalo. In 1852 he became bookkeeper in the city bank of Utica, and in 1884, entered the Oneida Bank, where, after passing through the different grades of employment, he became its president. He managed the bank with great ability, and the institution, having been changed from a state to a national bank, took high rank among the financial institutions of the city, in fact, was considered during the entire time that it was under the management of Mr. Williams one of the strongest institutions in the city. Mr. Williams was interested in many of the industries of the city, was prominent in educational and church affairs, was a man of excellent literary tastes, and spent much of his time in the magnificent library that he had devoted his life in acquiring. It is probable that he had the finest private library of any person in the county. He died, leaving a large fortune to his wife and two surviving children. J. Milton Butler was born at Sauquoit, July 9, 1827. He was prepared for college very early in life, and entered Hamilton College in 1844, graduating HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 549 in 1848. His first business enterprise was in the establishment of S. A. Millard & Company, manufacturers of farming implements in Clayville, but he only remained there a short time, and then entered the Oneida County Bank at Utiea, as a bookkeeper. In 1854 he was made teller, and in the succeeding year was made cashier, which position he held until 1887, when he was made president. He was a most careful banker, and had methods peculiarly his own to guard the interests of his bank. It is said that he never allowed a cus- tomer to overdraw his account, but if a check of a customer, who was finan- cially responsible, was presented, which would overdraw that customer's ac- count, Mr. Butler deposited his own check to the credit of the customer, so as to make the cheek good, and then notified the customer what he had done, thus putting the customer under such obligations to Mr. Butler that it was incumbent upon him to make the check good at the earliest possible moment. The capital of the Oneida County Bank was $125,000, but under Mr. Butler's excellent management the surplus was two or three times the amount of its capital. He ruled the bank as he pleased, and it was referred to generally as "Butler's Bank." Mr. Butler never married, and the large fortune which he had accumulated at his death went to collaterals. BUSINESS MEN John C. Deveeeux — Among the business men of the county who assisted in shaping its destines was John C. Devereux, who settled in Utiea as early as 1802, where he became a merchant, soon taking as a partner his brother, Nicholas. Mr. Devereux was public-spirited, did much for charity, was recog- nized as one of the foremost citizens of the community, and left an enviable reputation to posterity. Nicholas Devereux, the brother of John C. Devereux, came to Utiea in 1806, and first entered the store of his brother as a clerk, but afterwards be- came a partner. Mr. Devereux afterward dissolved partnership with his brother, and formed a partnership with George L. Truesdale, the firm being known as Nicholas Devereux & Company. Mr. Devereux became largely interested in the Holland Land Company, and gave much of his time to the development of and dealing in real estate. He was also interested in several banks in Utiea, was a director of the Utiea Steam Woolen Mills, and a manager of the New York State Asylum. He died at his residence on Chancellor Square, December 29, 1855. Spencee Kellogg — ^Another man who held a prominent position in the city of Utiea was Spencer Kellogg. He was born in Massachusetts, but came to Utiea to live in 1824, and conducted a dry goods store in that city. He was prominent in business, and at one time was mayor of the city. He was an early advocate of the freedom of slaves. He was a deacon of the First Presby- terian church, and a courageous and indefatigable worker for that which he deemed for the good of humanity. At the breaking out of the cholera in 1832, he braved any danger to care for those who required attention. Two of Mr. 550 HISTORY OP ONEIDA COUNTY Kellogg 's sons became prominent business men in Utiea. Palmer V. Kellogg was a manufacturer of clothing, and his business was located on Franklin Square in Utica. He conducted a very large factory, but finally transferred his business to Chicago, and died while a resident of that city. Charles C. Kellogg became a dealer in lumber, and with Charles Downer, built up a large lumber business. The same establishment is still carried on by worthy successors, the sons of Mr. Kellogg, and is known as the Charles C. Kellogg & Sons Company. Alexander B. Johnson was one of the principal business men and finan- ciers of Utica for haK a century. He was an Englishman by birth. It is said of him that he drew a charter for an insurance company in Utica which was so adroit that it permitted the carrying on of a bank as well as an insurance com- pany. He was really the controlling element in the Utica Insurance Com- pany, which caused so much litigation and furnished precedents for many legal conflicts in insurance law that have been since followed in the courts. Mr. Johnson was president of the Ontario Branch Bank; had large interests in manufactories and other kinds of business. He manifested great financial ability in his affairs, was exact in business, shrewd and careful, but was ready in granting to others their rights. Samuel Farwell was born May 19, 1795, in Herkimer county. He had learned the trade of a mason, but early in life became a contractor and followed that most of his life. He was a builder of railroads and other public works. Under contract he supplied ties and timber to several railroads in the state of New York, among them the Syracuse & Auburn, Mohawk-Hudson, and Hudson & Berkshires. He had contracts in connection with many other works, but the one which identified him most closely with the county of Oneida was his contract for the construction of the Utica & Black River railroad, which was built between 1854 and 1856. He also assisted in building the Flint & Pere Marquette railroad in Michigan, and was its president at one time. Un- fortunately Mr. Farwell had guaranteed a large issue of bonds of this road, and in a financial depression these bonds became due and the railroad could not pay them. This caused Mr. Farwell great financial loss. After his death, however, the condition of the railroad improved to such an extent, that had he lived but a few years he would have been, in all probability, a very wealthy man. David V. "W. Golden and J. B. Wells — ^Among the retail merchants who stood out in the past as the most prominent were David V. W. Golden and John B. Wells. Mr. Golden was first a clerk, and then became interested with Eugene Swartwout in the dry goods business. He was a man of great energy, and kept an excellent class of goods. After the dissolution of the partnership he conducted a store at 83 Genesee street for many years, which was con- sidered one of the very best of its kind in the city. Mr. Golden was a fancier of fine horses, and frequently would be seen driving spirited horses in the 1)A\"IL) v. \\'. (IdLUlOX Jlei'cluuit GEORGE WILEY Jliiiiutaeturei' jHHgj k ■1 ^-^•^ i ^ ,^ 1 =^ I-1 ^^^^&B*'-dfl| i^ ^^^^^Hi (■iiai;]j:s millar Mercliant EPIIRAIM CHAMBERLAIN Manufacturer ROBERT .MIIHiLETd.X Manufacturer SOME PROMINENT BUSINESS MEN OF UTICA HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 551 streets; he also took great pleasure in driving them upon the tracks for his own amusement. He resided in the old Sanger house in the village of New Hartford, and it was his custom to drive back and forth twice a day to the store. It was often his boast that he could pass from his house to his store in twelve minutes. On one occasion, while driving one of his favorite horses upon the track to exhibit him to a friend who was riding with him, the horse became unmanageable, and the occupants were -thrown from the carriage. Mr. Golden 's leg was broken, and the bone was shattered so badly that it pro- truded through the flesh. He was taken home, blood posoning set in, and he died much lamented by his feUow merchants. John B. WeU;S came to Utica in 1839, and entered the dry goods store of A. L. & H. Wells. Soon after he formed a partnership with Lewis Bailey, and commenced business for himself. This partnership existed until 1846, when he commenced business for himself. The writer has heard Mr. Wells say that when he had been in business six years no man had ever presented a bin to him; that he made it a rule to pay for everything he bought at the time he purchased it. The followiag incident is related of Mr. Wells. At one time he was in New York at a wholesale establishment, and purchased a very large biU of goods. His method of doing business was so rapid that he astonished the young man who was waiting upon him, and when he had completed his purchase the young man said to him, "Mr. WeUs, you have purchased a very large bill, and it will be necessary for you to go to the ofiflce to see about credit. ' ' Mr. WeUs replied, ' ' Young man, who has said anything about credit ? The money is in my pocket to pay the bill." The place of business of Mr. Wells was at 78 Genesee street. While he was yet in the prime of life he took as partners his son and John S. Capron. The store was extended until the establishment occupied four stores on Genesee street, from 77 to 81 inclusive. Mr. Wells died November 17, 1891, leaving a good fortune to each one of his children, and a most enviable name as a merchant and as a man. In his life- time he was a liberal contributor to religious and charitable purposes, but he generally observed the proverb that "his left hand should not know what his right hand did." Under a corporation the former business establishment of Mr. WeUs has been continued by his son, Mr. Capron and Edgar B. OdeU, and the establishment is among the oldest of any kind in the city of Utica. Abijah J. Williams, one of the foremost manufacturers and business men of Utica, was bom in Oriskany, July 13, 1806; he came to Utica about 1845, and commenced manufacturing cotton mill findings. His unusual ability and industry built up a substantial business within a short time. He was also connected with the banks of Utica, the Empire Woolen Mills at Clayville, the Skenandoa Cotton Mills and the Utica Steam Cotton Mill. In his business affairs he was so successful that he acquired a large fortune, and at his death, August 5, 1886, he left not only a fortune to each of his children, but sub- stantial sums to many distant and needy relatives and to charities. Geoege H. Wiley was for many years connected with manufactories in Utica, and has ever been considered one of the most substantial and able manu- 552 HISTOKY OP ONEIDA COUNTY facturers that tlie city has produced. He was )3orn in Massaclmsetts and edu- cated in the east, obtaining a knowledge of manufacturing there, and in 1852 was engaged as superintendent of the Utica Steam Cotton Mills. His ability in conducting a mill was such that its business was rapidly increased, until it became one of the largest establishments of the kind in the state. Mr. Wiley was also connected with the Mohawk Valley Mills, as that was substantially under the same management as the other mills. He was interested in the "Wil- lowvale Bleachery, and his knowledge of manufacturing of cotton in its vari- ous forms was of great benefit tciie management of all these institutions. It may be said of Mr. Wiley that his capacity and judgment were so good, that anything in the line of manufacturing which he advocated was sure to be successful. He died in Utica, leaving a large circle of friends who sincerely mourned his death. Robert Middleton, a Scotchman by birth, came to Utica in 1857, to take charge of the Utica Woolen Mills, which, up to that time, had not been suc- cessful. With such a man at the head of the financial department as Theodore S. Faxton, and Mr. Middleton as the practical manufacturing head of the concern, it is not surprising that the mill was soon made a success. The char- acter of the goods was such that they would compete with any imported goods of the same kind. As an illustration of the confidence of the public in the management of Mr. Faxton and Mr. Middleton, we give the following: On September 6, 1871, the entire plant, including a great quantity of manufactured goods, and goods in process of manufacture, was destroyed by fire, and even then the stock of the corporation could not be bought at par. Mr. Middleton succeeded Mr. Faxton as president of the company, and after his death his son, Walter D. Middleton, succeeded to the presidency, but finally the business was sold to others, and the present head of the concern is J. Fred Maynard. Bphkaim Chamberlain was born at Burlington, Otsego county, January 2, 1825. He removed to Utica in 1845, and became a bookkeeper in a cotton factory about 1849 ; in 1854 was made treasurer of the company, and a few years later became secretary as well as treasurer ; in 1889 he became vice presi- dent, and in 1890 president. Mr. Chamberlain illustrates the saying that a man who learns self denial and devotes himself to duty goes to the front in his vocation, where his competitors, who have not learned that lesson, have failed. Mr. Chamberlain was interested in many of the large industries in Utica ; was a director and vice president of the Oneida National Bank ; a trustee of the Savings Bank of Utica, and was connected with many other associations and clubs of the city. He died in Utica, leaving a substantial fortune and an enviable reputation. Thomas Hopper was born in Utica, January 31, 1807. He was educated in Utica schools, and for a time was a merchant, but finally devoted himself largely to real estate. He lived in New York for about ten years. He was one of the originators of the water works system of the city of Utica, and was president of that organization for many years. He was also an organizer of JdllX ('. HKVEItEUX JOIIX r.. WELLS Merchant SPENCER KELLOGG Manufacturer ALEXANDER B. .TOlIXSoX Capitalist ADDISC^X C. MILLER La^Yye^■ aud baiilier THOMAS HOPPER President of the Utica Water Works Company SOME PROMIXEXT BUSINESS MEN OF UTICA HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 553 the Utiea Cemetery Association. Mr. Hopper had invested largely in the stock of the Utiea Water Works Company, and it became very valuable after his death. The success of the water company as a financial enterprise was largely due to the ability and good judgment of Mr. Hopper. He was a care- ful, fair business man, and an excellent citizen and neighbor. Charles Millae, another of the foremost business men of Utiea, gave his time to railroading, manufacturing, and dealing in dairy and farming sup- plies and other metals. Mr. Millar was for about six years superintendent of the Utiea & Black River Railroad, and as such proved a most efficient officer. He established the house of Charles Millar & Son, now a corporation, which has continued to increase its business since Mr. Millar's death, and is now one of the foremost establishments in the city of Utiea. John Thorn and Isaac Matnard were brothers-in-law, and acted in con- nection with each other in business affairs for many years in Utiea, being suc- cessful in everything they undertook. They were Englishmen by birth. John Thorn was born in England, December 6, 1811, and worked in that country as an apprentice for a manufacturer of soap and candles. He came to Utiea in October, 1832, and engaged to work for Boyd & Chamberlain as a soap and candlemaker. He then bought an interest in the business. He afterward took as a partner Isaac Maynard. The firm of Thorn & Maynard carried on busi- ness of several different kinds in Utiea during their entire lives. They also became interested in business in Chicago. They were interested in the Utiea & Black River railroad, Mr. Thorn being its president and Mr. Maynard its treasurer. They also were directors in the Utiea City National Bank. Mr. Thorn was a director of the Globe Woolen Mills, and was interested in other large industries in Utiea. He had no children. He left a large estate, some of which went to charities, and the balance to collateral relatives. Mr. Maynard was connected with John Thorn in substantially all his enterprises; was a director of a number of the corporations of Utiea and vicinity, accumulated a large fortune, and left a family able and worthy to care for it. Lewis Lawrence was bom in Otsego county, December 21, 1806, and came to Utiea to reside in 1848. He commenced business in Utiea as a builder, succeeding from the start, although he had no means at the beginning. In 1834 he became a dealer in lumber, and continued this business for over twenty- five years. He became interested in building a railroad south from Utiea, and in 1865 became its president. The road was called the Utiea, Chenango & Sus- quehanna Valley railroad, and was afterwards leased by the Delaware, Lacka- wanna & Western railroad. Mr. Lawrence was interested in many other enter- prises, and was a liberal giver for religious and charitable purposes. In 1886 his health failed, and he died at the cottage of his son on Fourth Lake, Sep- tember 8, of the same year. George Luther Dickinson — Among the other successful business men of Utiea, but in a different line, was George Luther Dickinson, who was born in 554 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY New Hartford, February 27, 1816. He came to Utica at the age of 14, and entered the drug store of Alfred Hitchcock. He afterwards formed a part- nership with George D. Foster, under the firm name of Dickinson & Foster, but after a while Mr. Foster retired, and Mr. Dickinson took as partners E. D. and Miles C. Comstock, the firm being known as Dickinson, Comstock & Com- pany. Mr. Dickinson died February 28, 1868, having been in business at 117 Genesee street for 38 years. The Comstocks continued the business under the name of Comstock Brothers for a number of years, but on their death the business was closed out. The establishment was that of wholesale groceries and drugs. DoMiNicK Lynch — One of the earliest of the prominent business men of Eome was Dominick Lynch. In 1786 he acquired by public auction sale a large amount of real estate, which is now the business portion of Rome. He laid out a town and called it Lynchville. In 1800 he conveyed to the county the two parks on North James street, and also the lot upon which the court- house and jail now stand. For a time the hamlet was called Lynchville, in honor of Mr. Lynch, but the inhabitants did not relish this name, and it soon passed away. Mr. Lynch, it is claimed, opposed some advances that were pro- posed by other residents of Rome which prevented their locating there, and drove them to Utica. He was for many years one of the foremost citizens of Rome and of the county, and he left his impress upon the community. His descendants were a son, known as Dominick Lynch, No. 2 ; a grandson, G. Har- rison Lynch, for many years a prominent lawyer of Rome, and a great grand- son, G. Harrison Lynch, who resided at Rome until recently, when he took up his residence in Utica. This is one of the old respected families of Oneida county. Henry Huntington was one of the men of Rome who early made his im- press upon the county. He was one of the directors of the first bank organ- ized in Utica, and in 1812 became its president, which position he held until 1845, when he was succeeded by Benjamin N. Huntington, who, except for one year, held the position until 1876. Edward Huntington was also a citizen of whom Rome may justly be proud. He was born in the village of Rome in 1817, and was educated as a civil engineer, being employed on the Utica and Schenectady railroad and also upon the Erie canal. On the death of his father he gave up his professional career, and took charge of the large estate left by his father, which required his almost un- divided attention. Mr. Huntington gave much time to public affairs, was in- terested in schools, charitable work and churches; was president of the Rome Savings Bank and the Rome Exchange Bank. In polities he was a Whig, then a Republican. He served in the State Constitutional Convention of 1846, and held several other political offices. He died at Rome, April 17, 1881. Gordon N. Bissell settled in Rome in 1837, coming from Onondaga county to carry out a contract which he had for the construction of the Black River DOMINICK LYNCH One of the first residents of Rome and for whom it was named Lynchville. Picture from an oil painting by Gilbert Stewart MR8. DOMINICK LYNCH From an oil painting by Gilbert Stewart HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 555 canal. He went to North Western and opened a dry goods store there. In 1843 he returned to Rome, and became a partner with Benjamin M. Leonard in the drug business. After the death of his partner he gave his son an in- terest in the business, and it was carried on under the name of G. N. Bissell & Son. In 1883 Mr. Bissell retired from business. He was a man of good standing in the community, had carried on a successful business, and is well remembered by all his fellow-citizens. Among the other successful business men of Rome who left honored names were the Sopers, John Stryker, Alfred Ethridge, Enoch B. Armstrong, Cal- vert Comstock, Samuel B. Stevens, Samuel Wardwell, James S. Dyett, and many others. It is well to bear in mind the fact that the business men above referred to are mostly presented as residents of the two cities, Utica and Rome, but it is noteworthy that the vast majority of them were bom in the country, and had there acquired the habits of self denial, application and perseverance, which led them to leave the country for wider fields of operation. It does not follow, however, that men of ability, energy and perseverance do not reside in the coun- try towns in the same proportion to the population as in the cities. No better men are found anywhere than in the rural districts of Oneida county. These can- not all be named, but a few may be referred to as examples of the class of excel- lent, upright, prosperous business men, some of whom are and always have been found in every town within the county. Such men, for instance, as Amos 0. Osborne of Sangerfield. He was the son of Amos Osborne, who settled in that town in 1802. He was born December 12, 1811, at Hamilton, prepared for college, and was in the class of 1836 in Yale. He was admitted to the bar in 1837, and practiced his profession in Westerfield, N. Y. ; was supervisor of the town of Sangerfield in 1845-6; justice of the peace for thirteen years, while his party was in the minority, and a member of assembly in 1853. He was a director of the bank of Waterville for fifteen years, an original incorporator of Grace church in that village, and senior warden of the church for fifty- three years. He was president of the cemetery association there from its be- ginning until his death. In 1855-6 he circumnavigated the globe. He was a student of literature and science, and a member of many scientific societies. He was especially interested in geology, and was an authority on the geological formations in this county. He wrote the chapter devoted to the town of Sanger- field in Jones' Annals of Oneida County. He died September 27, 1896. Other worthy citizens of this town were Squibe Utlet, Samuel Goodwin and many others who might be mentioned. - There have been men all through the county, from the day it became Oneida county, who are worthy of mention did space not forbid. Such men as N. N. PiEECB and Herbert Sholes of Bridgewater; Joseph R. Tharratt and Ed- ward C. Thompson of BoonviUe; P. C. and P. H. Costello and George F. CoNANT of Camden ; Charles McLean, George "W. Chadwtck and James Arm- strong of New Hartford; David J. and Sterling A. Millard of ClayviUe; the Heads, Addingtons and Osbornes of Paris Hill ; in Augusta, the Knoxes and others ; in Vernon, D. G. Dorrance, the Shermans and Roots; in Verona, Samuel H. Fox and George Benedict ; in Trenton there were such names as Guiteau, 556 HISTORY OP ONEIDA COUNTY Moore, DeAngelis, Stores, French, "Watkins, Dodge and Farley. These are given simply as examples of what might be said of hundreds of citizens all over the county. WOMEN Many women of prominence could be mentioned who have shed luster upon the county of Oneida, and we have selected but few of these because of the great prominence of their husbands, which brought them before the public in a different way than others. Mrs. Horatio Seymour was the youngest daughter of John R. Bleecker of Albany. She was known as Mary Bleecker, and as a young lady was promi- nent in Albany society, her father being one of the foremost citizens of that county, and largely interested in real estate in Utica. She was married to Mr. Seymour May 31, 1835, and came to live in Utica. She was a woman of gentle disposition, of unusual culture and of domestic tastes. Although she was, from the position of her husband, frequently in the whirl of social life, yet her tastes led her to hold her home uppermost in her mind. She was regarded with the greatest respect by all who knew her, and her death, which occurred in 1886, was lamented by aU, for every one who knew Mrs. Seymour was her friend. She left no descendants. Mrs. Francis Kernan — ^Miss Hannah Devereux was the wife of U. S. Senator Francis Kernan. She was the daughter of Nicholas Devereux, one of the promi- nent early merchants of Utica. She was married in 1843. For many years Mr. and Mrs. Kernan lived on the easterly side of Chancellor Square, and it was in this home that Mrs. Kernan reared her ten children. No one who was ever entertained by Mrs. Kernan could forget her cordiality and ability to entertain her guests. No social obligation, however, engrossed her attention to the sacrifice of a proper care for her home. She died at Utica, lamented by a large circle of relatives and hosts of friends. Mrs. Henry A. Foster, the wife of Judge Henry A. Foster, was Martha Ann Eliza Sherman. She was the eldest daughter of James and Sophie Day Sherman, and was born in Rome, July 29, 1807. She died in that city. May 31, 1881. She was a direct descendant of Robert Day, one of the first settlers of Hartford, Ct., and the granddaughter of Daniel Day, a soldier of the Revolu- tion, who was in the battle of Bennington, and was one of the guards around the church where the Hessians were held as prisoners. Mrs. Foster was in "Washington with her husband when he was in the U. S. Senate. She was very popular at the White House during the administration of President Van Buren, and on one occasion was asked to preside at the president's table at a public function. She was an especial favorite in the capitol, and a particularly attractive woman. Mrs. Roscob Conkling before her marriage was Miss Julia Seymour, daugh- ter of Henry Seymour, and sister of Governor Horatio Seymour. She was MKS. UOSCOK COXKI.IXi; Jilts. HoltATIO SEYMOli; MItS. FRANCIS KERXAN MRS. HENltY A. FOSTER HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY 557 married to Roseoe Conkling in 1858. As Mr. Conkling was elected to Con- gress the same year of his marriage, and much of his time was spent in the national capital, the Conklings never really had a permanent home in Utica, until about 1866. During the Civil war congress was almost constantly in ses- sion, and Mrs. Conkling was with her husband in Washington during those stirring times. In 1866 Mr. Conkling purchased the Rutger B. Miller house in Rutger Place, Utica, and from that time until the death of Mr. and Mrs. Conkling it was their homestead. Mr. Conkling resigned from the senate in 1881, and opened an office for the practice of law in New York city. From that time down to the time of his death in 1888 he spent very little time in Utica. As they had no children at home, Mrs. Conkling was much of the time alone, except when she entertained her friends, which she did most hospitably, if not frequently. She was a woman of great culture, lovely disposition, very gentle in her manner, but a strong character. Mrs. James S. Sheeman, the wife of Vice President James S. Sherman, is Carrie Babcock, the daughter of Lewis H. Babcock, one of the most brilliant of Utica 's lawyers of forty years ago. She is, also, on her mother's side, the granddaughter of Colonel Eliakim Sherrill, who was killed leading the 126th N. Y. Regiment in the bloodiest part of the battle of Gettysburg. During her husband's long service as a member of Congress she has spent much of her time with him in Washington, and long before her husband became vice presi- dent, she was an important factor in Washington society, as she had been long before in the society of Utica. During the last three years, since Mr. Sherman became vice president, the home of Mrs. Sherman in Washington has been the very center of social affairs, and the grace and hospitality of her entertain- ments are the delight of the participants at the national capital. Mrs. Sher- man has three sons, all of whom are married, and she is a most devoted mother and grandmother. Mbs. Maby W. Busset — It was said by a prominent man who came to reside in the city of Utica, that soon after he took up his residence in that city he asked a leading citizen who were the most prominent people there, and the reply was, "Governor Seymour and Mrs. Bussey." It is not extravagant to say that perhaps no other woman ever lived in the city of Utica who had the influence for many years possessed by Mrs. Bussey. Her maiden name was Sippell, and she was born in Boonville, October 3, 1815. She died at the residence of her son in Mt. Vernon, N. Y., January 18, 1904. She was edu- cated at the Boonville Academy, and was married to George 0. Bussey, a civil engineer, and with her husband removed to Utica, but after a short time they removed to Lowell, Mass., and resided for about two years in that city, where Mr. Bussey died in 1846, and the widow returned with two children to make her home in Utica. She was not entirely without means, but took up the pro- fession of a music teacher, as she was competent in that direction. She identi- fied herself very early with church work, became a member of the First Presby- terian church, and very soon became prominent in all charitable work of the city. In the year 1873 she became president of the Woman's Christian Association, and at this time she was able to devote substantially all of her 558 HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY time to church emd charitable work. She possessed the confidence of the people to such an extent, that anything undertaken by her in the line of caring for the poor or helpless in any direction was assurred of success, for she would frequently say that she had never known the time when she required funds to accomplish any purpose, she did not know the very person to whom she could go and was sure of receiving them. This was because of the confidence in not only her desire to do what was proper, but in her excellent judgment. Her health failed early in 1904, and she was compelled to give up active work, but she was unanimously elected honorary president for life of the Woman's Christian Association and also of the Sunday school connected with the First Presbyterian church of Utica. It will be many years before any woman will so impress herself upon the citizens of Utica or the county of Oneida as Mrs. Bussey impressed her individuality upon the women of this community. It is with no small degree of satisfaction that the present inhabitants of Oneida county can contemplate the achievements of those who have preceded them in the various walks of life in this favored country. Among those who have in the past or do now live within the bounds of the county was one who was twice president of the United States; one who is vice president; one who was the candidate of one of the great politieal parties for the highest office in the gift of the people; one most ably filled the office of secretary of state, and also that of secretary of war; four times has the office of postmaster gen- eral been filled by one who has been a resident of the county; a favored son has occupied the office of secretary of commerce and labor, and also that of secretary of the navy; four of the citizens of Oneida won fame as representa- tives of the Empire state in the senate of the United States ; in the midst of the Civil war there was at the head of the Union army a son of Oneida, and when the Spanish war was thrust upon this peace loving nation, the ranking officer of the United States navy was one who claimed this county as his home; the chief judicial office of the nation was tendered to one of our citizens and declined, while another occupied a seat upon the bench of the Supreme Court of the United States, and two others have served as judges of the Circuit and one as judge of the District Court of the United States; six times has one of the great parties selected its candidate for governor from those who have resided in the county, and twice has one of such candidates succeeded in the election; five times has the highest judicial position of the state been filled by one of our fellow-citizens, and there are many, many more, who have made their homes in this central county of the state, who have gone forth into the world and so wrought in their spheres of life as to shed luster upon themselves, their native county, their state, and the nation to which they belong. In speaking of Oneida county did that cultured gentleman and able states- man, Horatio Seymour, in his address at the Trenton Falls Fair in 1863, paint the picture in too high colors ? He said, ' ' I have been north to the frozen regions, east to the Atlantic, south to the Gulf of Mexico, and west as far as civiliza- tion extends, and in all my travels I have seen no place preferable to Oneida county. Why, my friends, you live in the paradise of the world." Is there not as much of truth as of poetry in this glowing tribute by one who possessed the respect and confidence of his fellow citizens to a degree almost unparalleled y INDEX Academy of the Holy Name, Rome, 376. Adams, Charles D., 81; 151; 233. Adirondack, 43; 43; 45; 59; 60. Advance, Camden, 286. Aetna Insurance Company, 276. Albany County, 40. Alden, Mrs. Isabella McDonald, 541. Allen, Benjamin, 117; 139. American Journal of Insanity, 406. American Party, 113; State Convention 1855, 113. American Union Health Association, 276. Ames, Mrs. Mary Clemmer, 541. Amherst, 24. Andrews, Charles F., 513; 517. Andrews, Edward Gayer, 517. Animals, 59. Anti -Administration Party County Conven- tion, 1863, 122. Anti-Masonic State Convention, 1828, 97. Anti-Masonic Convention 1832, 99. Anti-Slavery Meeting 1835, 101. Arcanum Club, 476. Arnold, 38. Armstrong, Enoch B., 136. Asiatic Cholera, 400. Avery, Eevs. Peter and Henry, 9. B Bacon, Ezekiel, 83; 84; 85. Bacon, William J., 109; 111; 112; 138; 236. Bagg, Dr. Moses M., 408; 534; 539. Bagg, Egbert, 61. Bailey, Elijah Prentiss, 294. Bailey, Alexander H., 120; 122; 123; 131; 132. Baldwin, Dr. Wm. Leverett, 422. Bank of Boonville, 277. Camden, 275. Central New York, 275. Holland Patent, 278. Kirkland, 276. Kome, 274; 277. Utica, 273. Vernon, 275. Waterville, First, 275. Whitestown, 274. Bar Associations, 233; first trial for murder, 234. Bartholomew, Dr. Sherman, 395. Barnes, Albert, 540. Barge Canal, 463. Barnburners, 108; County Convention 1846, 107. Beach, Bloomfield J., 236. Bean, Dr. Tarleton H., 63. Beardsley, Arthur M., 237. Beardsley, Samuel, 81; 84; 86; 99; 100; 101; 103; 105; 234; 237; 513. Beds and Bedding, 450. Beecham, Eev. William, 348. Bellinger, Col. John, 81; 524. Bentle'y, Henry W., 149; 150; 238. Benton, James, 217. Bellomont, Earl of, 11. Bennington, 28. Benedict, Dr. Nathan D., 402. Bethune, D. D., Eev. George Washington, 333; 538. Bigelow, D. D., Dana W., 9. Bill, Dr. Earl, 397. Bird, Lieut., 39. Birds, 61. Bissell, Wilson, 515. Bissell, Dr. Daniel P., 409. Bissell, Gordon N., 554. Black River Canal, 460. Blair, Dr. Arba, 396. Blaine, James G., 144; 145. Bloodgood, Francis A., 75. Blumer, Dr. G. Alder, 404. Board of Supervisors, Corruption in, 235. Booth, Dr. Wilbur H., 423. Booth, Dr. Walter, 420. 559 560 INDEX Boonville Herald, 286. Boots and Shoes, 446. Borst, C. A., 48. Botany, 49. Brandt, Herman Carl George, 543. Brant, Joseph (Thayendanegea), education, 9; 11; ancestry, 13; humanity, 13; 14; letter on happiness, 14; 26; 27; 28; 29; 70. Bradstreet, Col., 22; 23. Breese, Samuel Sydney, 85. Breese, Samuel Livingston, 528. Breese, Sydney, 520. Bread, Daniel, 19. Bright, Edward, 539. Brigham, Albert P., 535. Brigham, Dr. Amariah 402; 533. Broadhead, Charles C, 78. Brown, Samuel Oilman, 538. Brown, Jr., Dr. Matthew, 393. Brown, John, 117. Brodock, Giles Stuart, 547. Bronson, Greene C, 84; 85; 86; 96; 118; 238; 513. Bryan, William J., 156; 161. Buchanan, James, 114. Bucktail Party, 84. Bull, Fort, 21; 22. Burdick, Francis M., 217. Burgoyne, Gen., 27. Burr, Aaron, 73; 74. Bussey, Mrs. Mary W., 557. Butler, Col., 86; 29. Butler, Walter, 26; 39. Butler, J. Milton, 548. Butterfield, Gen. Daniel, 526. Butterfield, John, 127; 459. Butterfield, Theodore F., 317. Calhoun, John C, 80. Camp Healthmore, 426. Campaign of 1840, 104. Campbell, Samuel R., 124; 187; 131. Campbell, Samuel, 581. Camp, Talcott, 584. Canning Industry, 453. Carrington, Dr. Samuel, 393. Carmalt, Dr. Charles Churchill, 421. Carpenter, William Henry, 543. Carrying Place, 22; 23; 506. Cayugas, 18; 19. Cecely Baker's School, 369. Central City Savings Institution, 276. Census, First, 71. Chamberlain, Rev. Theophilus, 9. Chamberlain, Ephraim, 552. Chenango Canal, 459. Cherry Valley Massacre, 14. Chester, Albert Huntington, 535. Childs, Silas D., 458. Christian, Col. William H., 127. Chubbuck, Samuel W., 533. Church of England, 11; Missionaries, 11. Churches — Baptist, 328. Christian Science, 339. Congregational, 297. Free Will Baptist, 338. Hebrews, 339. Lutheran, 335. Methodist Episcopal, 384, Methodist Protestant, 328. Moravian, 338. Old School Baptist, 332. Presbyterian, 309. Protestant Episcopal, 311. Quaker, 338. Reformed Dutch, 333. Roman Catholic, 339. Seventh Day Baptist, 332. Unitarian, 332. Universalist, 334. Churchill, Dr. Alonzo, 420. City Tuberculosis Pavilion, 486. Citizens Trust Company, Utica, 278. Citizens Meeting in Utica 1808, 76. Citizens Meeting at Whitestown 1809, 78. Civic Hygiene, 484. Civil War Surgeons, 411. Cl&rk, Erastus, 78. aay, Henry, 106; 111. Clay Compromise, 109. Claus, Col., 39. Cleveland, Dr. Geo. W., 409. Cleveland, Grover, Nominated for Governor, 144; Elected President, 145; in Utica, 147; 148; 150; 513. Cleveland, Rose Elizabeth, 541. Clinton Courier, 286. Clintonian Meeting in Utica, 88. Clinton, DeWitt, 83; 84; 87; 96; 97. Clinton, Sir Henry, 87. Clinton, George, 70; 73. Clothing, 445. Cobum, Alexander, 839. Co^eshall, Henry J., 139; 144; 146; 148; 149; 151; 152; elected Senator 1898, 154; elected Senator 1904, 158; 267. Collins, Gen. Oliver, 81; 82. Cold Summer 1816, 83. Common Schools, 364. Commercial Travelers' Mutual Accident Asso- ciation of America, 377; 477. INDEX 561 Ctomstook, George P., 513; 617. Conkling, Eoscoe, 110; 111; 115; 116; nomi- nated for Congress 1860; 118; 119; 120; 128; 129; elected to Ckingress, 131; elected to Senate, 131; 137; 139; 141; 145; death of, 147; life sketch, 340. Conkling, Mrs. Roscoe, 556. Connor, William, 519. Constitutional Convention 1801, 73; 1821, 85. Constitution of 1846, 107. Conatantia, Town of, 40. Congressional Districts, 168. Congressional District, Change in, 152. Congressional District Conventions (1844), 144. Conscription, 81. Conventions, County (1806), 75; (1811), 79; (1816), 83; (1821), 85; (1822), 85; (1823), 86; (1824), 87; (1826), 96; (1827), 97; (1830), 98; (1843), 105. Convention, State 1824, 87. Cook, Marc, 540. Cook, Dr. Mathiaa, 534. Cookinham, Henry J., Life Sketch, page xiii; elected to Assembly, 139; 140; delegate to State Convention 1882, 143; nominated for Congress, 145 ; elected delegate to Constitu- tional Convention, 151; chairman of Spe- cial Committee in Constitutional Conven- tion, 151; 231; 232; 233; 238. Cookinham, Jr., Henry J., 492. Cooper, Apollos, 80. Copperhead, 121. Copeman, Dr. A. R., 534. Corey, D. D., Daniel G., 331. Cornplanter, 70. Corn Hill Building and Loan Assocation, 278. Coroners, 179. Cosby, Gov., 70. Cotton, 434. Council, Great, with Indians 1768, 70. County Clerks, 178. Courts, Bench and Bar, 230. Court, First in the County, 230. Coventry, Dr. Alexander, 394. Coventry, Dr. Charles Broadhead, 407. Coxe, Alfred C, 333; 244. Curran, Dr. Stanley Douglas, 420. Curtis, Jesse, 80. Creasy, E. S., 28. Crane, Wm. H., 546. Cronk, Hiram, 627. 146; elected delegate to Constitutional Con- vention, 151; nominated for Justice of the Supreme Court, 158; 162; 231; 263. Davies, Arthur B., 545. Davenport, Frederick M., 161. Dayton, Col., 26. DeAngelis, Pascal C. J., 159j 233; 264. Dean, James, 73; 76; 80; 330; 521. DeBellestre, M., 23. Deeke's School, Mrs. Anna, 370. Deerfield, 508. Delegates to Constitutional Convention, 178. DeLery, 32. Depew, Chauncey M., 121; 122; 136. Democratic Congressional District Conven- tion 1888, 147. Democratic Party, 100; division of, 105. Democrats, 73. Democratic Mass Meeting in Utica and Home 1860, 119. Democratic Meeting in Utica, 1880, 141. Democratic League 1910, 162. Democratic County Conventions and Tickets (1851), 110; (1852), 111; (1855), 113 (1860), 118; (1866), 129; (1867), 131 (1868), 133; (1870), 134; (1871), 134 (1873), 136; (1875), 137; (1876), 138 (1877), 138; (1879), 139; (1880), 141 (1881), 143; (1883), 144; (1884), 145 (1885), 146; (1886), 146; (1888), 148 (1891), 149; (1893), 151; (1895), 152 (1896), 153; (1897), (1898), (1899), 154 (1900), 156; (1901), 157j (1903), 157 (1905), 159; (1907), 160; (1908), 161 (1909), 163; (1910), 164; (1911), 165. Denio, Hiram, 101; 115; 131; 344; 513. Dennison, Charles M., 345. Damuth, Mark, 71. Dering, Dr. NichoU Havens, 409. Deuel, Joseph M., 519. Devereux, John C, 101, 316, 549. Devereux, Xicholas, 549. Dexter, S. Newton, 98. Dickinson, George Luther, 553. Dickinson, Daniel S., 119. Dimon^ Dr. Theodore, 408. Dix, Gen. John A., 135; 136; 137. Dix, John A., 108; 130; 161; 164. Doolittle, Charles H., 116; 131; 137; 245. Douglas, Dr. Isaac H., 420. Douglas, Stephen A.j 114; 118; 119. Durant, Samuel, 540. Dwight, LL. D., Theodore W., 519. Daggett, Gen. Rufus, 154; 528. Dana, James Dwight, 533. Davies, John C, nominated for Assembly, E Eames, Mrs. Elizabeth Jessup, 541. Eaton, E. Howard, 61. 562 INDEX Educational Institutions, 354. Eells, James, 540. Eels, Daniel, 524. Election Law, 86; 87; 94. Election Keturns, vote for President, 182; vote for Governor, 188. Elections, 72; (1803), 73; (1804), 73. Bllsler, John A., 546. Eleemosynary and Charitable Institutions, 428. Elks, 476. Embargo Act, 76. Erie Canal, 62; 83; Completion of, 814; 459. Evening Telegraph, 285. F Farmers Insurance Company, 276. Farmers National Bank, 377. Farmers Club, 489. Farwell, Samuel, 550. Faxton Hospital, 416. Faxton, Theo. S., 114; 458. Federal Banquet at Whitestown 1809, 79. Federal Officers, 167. Federalists, 72; 78. Fillmore, Millard, 106; 107; 108; 109; 114. Financial Institutions, 273. First National Bank of Boonville, 277. First National Bank of Camden, 275. First National Bank of Holland Patent, 278. First National Bank of Remsen, 278. First National Bank of Rome, 276. First National Bank of Utica, 273. Fish, 62. Fish, Bezaleel, 73. Fish, Hamilton, 108. Fisher, Samuel Ware, 538. Fitch, Dr. John, 396. Flandrau, Dr. Thomas Macomb, 419. Flag, American, 39. Floyd, Gen. William, 522. Floyd, John G., 104. Flynn, Dennis, 519. Forestry, 54. Fort Bull, 505. Fort Craven, 505. Fort Newport, .505. Fort Stanwix, 505. Fort Williams, 505. Fort Schuyler Club of Utica, 499. Fort Stanwix Bank, Rome, 276. Foster, Mrs. Theodosia, 541. Foster, Henry A., 99; 101; 102; 105; 108; nominated Judge of Supreme Court, 122; 123 ; life sketch, 245. Foster, Mrs. Henry A., 556. Fowler, Philemon Halstead, 538. Frazier, Dr. Robert, 410. Fraternal Orders — Societies — Clubs, 464. Frederic, Harold, 540. Free Masonry, 98; 464. Free Democracy Party State Convention 1855, 113. Fremont, John C, 114; 115; 122. French — English— Indian War, 21. French, Surrender of, 24. Fuller, Frances and Metta, 541. Gage, Lyman J., 515. Gale, George Washington, 543. Gansevoort, Col. Peter, 28; 29. Garvin, Samuel, 518. Garrard, Kenner, 127. Garfield, James A., 141. Gates, Gen., 28. ' Gaynor, William J., 516. Genesee Road, 71. Geology, 42. Gibson, D. D., William Thomas, 320; 539. Gibson, John G., 147. Gilbert, Benjamin D., 49; 534. Glass, Manufactories, 433. Globe Insurance Company 276. Golden, David V. W., 550. Gold, Thomas R., 76; 78; 79; 82. Goodwin, Alexander T., 139. Goss, Charles Frederick, 539. Gray, Dr. John Perdue, 403. Gray, Prof. Asa, 49; 532. Granger, Gideon, 83; 518. Granger, Francis; 97; 98; 99; 103; 110; 518. Grant, Gen. U. S., 123; reception in Utica, 128; 132; 135; 141; death of, 146; memo- rial service in Utica, 146. Gregg, Capt., 29. Greeley, Horace, 103; 104; 118; 135. Green, Beriah, 106; 538. Gridley, Philo, 234; 247; 513. Gridley, Rev. A. D., 540. Grindlay, James, 127. Grove, DeWitt Clinton, 118; 293. Guiteau, Dr. Francis, 392. Guiteau, Sr., Dr. Luther, 396. Guiteau, Jr., Dr. Luther, 397. Haberer, Dr. Joseph V., 49; 51; 52; 534. Hackett, James Henry, 545. Halleck, LL. D., Maj. Gen. Henry Wager, 524. Halfbreeds, 142. INDEX 563 Hamilton-Oneida Academy, 10. Hamilton College, 354. Hamilton, Alexander, 72; 73. Hampton, 7& Handsome Lake, 15. Hannibal, Town of, 40. Harrison, William Henry, 102; 104; 105. Harrison, Benjamin, 147; 148; 150. Hart, Merwin K., 161; 163. Hartley, Isaac S., 539. Hastings, Dr. Seth, 395. Hastings, Jr., Dr. Seth, 395. Hastings, Thomas, 542. Hasbrouck, Dr. David, 395. Hathaway, Joshua, 75; 81. Haviland, Col., 24. Hayes, Rutherford B., 138. Herkimer, Gen. Nicholas, 26; 28; 30; 38; 522. Herkimer, Warren, 38. Herkimer, Capt. Charles, 38. Herkimer, County of, 40; 71. Hill, David B., 146; 148; 149. Hinman, John B., 86; 98; 112. Historic Places and Buildings, SOS. Historic Residences, 509. Histories of Oneida County by Jones, Durant, Wager, 289. Hitchcock, Dr. Marcus, 395. Hodges, George C, 534; 539. Hogeboom, Dr. Henry, 544. Homestead Aid Association, 278. Hone-yost, 18. Hopkins, Dr. Sewal, 393. Hopper, Thomas, 552. Hotels, 509. Hot Air Furnaces, 452. House, Homer D., 49; 51. Hughes; Charles E., 159; 161. Hull, Dr. Amos Gould, 394. Hull, Dr. Laurens, 396. Humphrey, Dr. Erastus, 400. Huntington, Henry, 73; 83; 85; 86; 97; 554. Huntington, Benj. N., 110; 113; 127; 128; 131. Huntington, Edward, 554. Huntington, Channing, 540. Hunt, Edwin, 534. Hunt, Ward, 103; 115; 116; 121; 123; 127; life sketch, 247; 513. Hunkers, 107; 108. Hurlburt, Kellogs, 98; 99; 101. Hutchinson, Dr. Edwin, 421. Indiana, 1. Independent Republican Nominations 1866, 129. ' " i""^" Industries and Commerce, 433. Inman, Henry, 543. Inman, Commodore William, 528. Irish Citizens' Meeting 1834, 100. Iron, 44; 47. Iron and Other Metals (manufactories), 450. Iroquois, 2; territory, 5; mode of life, 5; rec- reations, 6; crimes, 7; villages, 7; missions, 8; 12; lands, 19; 21; 27. James, Thos. L., 514. Jay, John, 72. Jefferson, Thomas, 72; 76; 77. Jefferson County, 40; 72. Jenkins, David T., 127. Jenkins, Timothy, 106; 110; 116; 234; Ufa sketch, 249. Jervis, John B., 83; 535. Jesuit Missionaries, 391. Johnson, Andrew, in Utica 1866, 128. Johnson, Alexander Smith, 249; 513. Johnson, D. M. K., 250. Johnson, Alexander Bryan, 537; 550. Johnson, William C, 534. Johnson, Russell, 162. Johnson, Sir John, 9; 13; 26; 27; 29. Johnson, Col. Guy, 9; 26. Johnson, Sir William, 22; 23; 24; 26. Jones, Pomroy, 23; 71; 100; 540. Journal, Camden, 286. Judson, Mrs. Emily Chubbuck, 541. Judicial Officers from Oneida County, 267. Kellogg, Spencer, 102; 216; 549. Kellogg, Palmer V., 106; 107; 115; 129. Kellogg, Charles C, 550. Kernan, Francis, 119 ; 121; 123; 124; delegate to Constitutional Convention 1867, 131; 137; 141; 146; death of, 150; life sketch, 250. Kernan, Mrs. Francis, 556. Keyes, Harriette, 547. Kinney, Thomas E., 150; 217; 218. Kingsley, Dr. W. J. P., 227. Kingsley, Mrs. Florence Morse, 541. Kirkland, Rev. Samuel, 9; 10; 18; 26; 354. Kirkland, 508. Kirkland, Gen. Joseph, 81; 82; 88; 84; 85; 88; 96; 101; 216. Kirkland, Mrs. Caroline Stansbury, 540. Kirkland, Charles P., 97; 99; 103; 107; 216. Knights Templar, Commanderies of, 470. Knights of Columbus, 477. 564 INDEX Knieskern, M. D., Peter D., 49; 534. Knox, John J., 99; 103; 104; 109. Know Nothings, 113; 117. LaFayette, 96; visit of, 214. Laird, Dr. Frank Foster, 423. Lake Iroquois, 46. Lawrence, Lewis, 553. Lewis County, 40; 72. Lewis, Morgan, 73; 74. Liberty Party State Convention, Utica 1855, 113. Liberal Republican Party, 135. Liberal Republican Ticket, 135. Libraries, 377. Barneveld, 377. Boonville, 377. Camden, 377. Clinton, 378. Remsen, 378. Rome, 379. Utica, 380. Waterville, 388. Lindsley, Smith M., 253. Lincoln, A., 114; 118; 122; 123; assassination of, 124; 125; news of death received in Utica, 125; memorial service in Utica, 125. Little Giants, 119. Litner, Joseph Albert, 583. Loan Commissioners, 182. Lord, Scott, 137; 138. Lothrop, Samuel Kirkland, 540. Lowery, Samuel S., 133; 150. Lumber, 448. Lynch, Dominick, 231; 554. Lynch, James, 80. Lynch, D. D. LL. D., Rev. James, Sylvester Mary 342. M MacKinnon Robert, 156. Madison, Corporal, 89. Mandeville, Henry, 538. Mappa, Col. Adam Gerard, 80; 523. Mann, Charles A., 110. Marcy, William L., 100. Martin, Henry, 156. Marsh, Luther R., 520. Maynard, Isaac, 553. Maynard, William H., 88; 98; 854. Mayors of Utica, Vote for, 219. Matteson, Orsamus, 109; 110; 111; 113; 114; 115; 116; 129; life sketch, 252. McClellan, Gen. George B., 123. McCall, Dr. John, 399. McKinley, William, Assasination of, 156, 157. McLeod, Alexander, Trial of, 234. McMahon, John D., 148. McNeil, Gen. Henry, 81; 84. McQuade, Gen. James, 117; 118; 125; 127; 527. Medical Profession and Institutions, 391. Mellon, Lieut. Col., 89. Members of Assembly, 173. Mervin, William, 528. Merwin, Milton H., 136. Metcalf, Victor H., 515. Mexico, Town of, 40. Middleton, Robert, 553. Millar, Charles, 553. Miller, Addison C, 254. Miller, Morris S., 78; 80; 524. Miller, Rutger B., 99. Miller, William H. H., 516. Mineralogy, 47. Missions, Moravian, 11; Methodist, 12. Mohawks, 12; 19. Mohawk and Malone Railroad Company, 462. Montcalm, Gen., 23. Montgomery County, 40; 71. Morse, Jonathan Bradley, 544. Morse, Mrs. Eleanor Ecob, 545. Morse, Samuel Rnley Breese, 533. Morton, Levi P., 147. Moseley, Rev. Eleazer, 9. Moulton, David, 99; 104; 110. Municipal Corporations and Statistics, 208. Murray, Gen., 24. N National Savings Bank of Utica, 277. National Exchange Bank of Boonville, 278. New Hartford, 40; 71; 508. New York Tribune, 135. New York Central and Hudson River Kail- road Company, 461. New Century Club of Utica, 499. New York West Shore and Buffalo Railroad Company, 462. Nock, Thomas G., 227. North, Edward, 543. Noyes, William Curtis, 513; 518. Cecum, Rev. Samuel, 9. O'Connor, James K., 160. Odd Fellows, 473. Odell, Jr., Benjamin B., 157 Oilcloth, 447. INDEX 565 Old Fort Schuyler, 507. Oneidas, 12; 19; 28; 39. Oneida Bank, 274. Oneida Central Bank, 277. Oneida County, organization, 40; bounds of, 41; water courses, 41; towns of, 40, 41; villages of, 229. Oneida County Bank, 277. Oneida County Agricultural Society, 487. Oneida County Savings Bank, 277. Oneida County Medical Society, 398; presi- dents of, 427; centennial, 423. Oneida Conglomerate, 44. Oneida Historical Society, 389. Oneida National Bank, 274. Oneida Whig, 281; 284. Onondagas, 12; 19. Onondaga County, 40. Ontario Bank, 274; 276. Oriskany Sandstone, 45. Oriskany, Battle of, 28; 30; 39. Osborn, Amos O., 555. Oswego County, 40. Paine, Jr., Rev. John A., 49; S34. Palmer, Dr. Harold L., 405. Palmer, Erastus Dow, 543. Parks, 511. Parker, Jason, 458. Paris, 508. Peabody, D. D., H. H., 331. Perkins, George Robert, 543. Peters, Christian Henry Frederick, 533. Peoples Safe Deposit and Sayings Institution, 277. Pipe Organs, 448. Pierce, Franklin, 111; 114. Plank Roads, 460. Piatt, Jonas, 72; 78; 79; 83; 85; 103; life sketch, 255. Political History, 70. Political Campaign of 1864, 123. Pomeroy, Daniel C, 255. Pomeroy, Dr. Theodore, 399. Potter, Capt. Stephen, 534. Porter, Dr. Norton, 392. Population, 200. Pope, Dr. Harold H., 400. Powell, Rev. Edward Payson, 535. Press and Publications, 280. Prescott, Cyrus D., 139; 141; 256. Presidential Electors, 169. Preston, Dr. Stephen, 393. Preston, Di-. Medina, 393. Preston, Jr., Dr. Medina, 394. Proctor, Thomas R., 512. Proctor Frederick T., 512. Prohibition Ticket (1875), 137; (1884), 145. PubUo Officials and Statistics, 167. R Ralph, M. D., William L., 61; 64; 534. Reall, Christian, 71. Red Jacket, 70. Redfield, Town of, 40. Regiments of Oneida County, 127. Republican Party, 72; (1854), 112. Republican State Convention, Utica (1826), 96; 97; (1872), 135; (1874), 136; (1884), 144. Republican Club 1910, 162. Representatives in Congress, 169. Republican Meeting in Utica (1880), 141; (1906), 160. Republican Congressional District Convention 1888, 147. Republican Mass Meeting in Utica 1860, 119. Republican CJounty Conventions and Tickets (1803), 73; (1805), 74; (1855), 113 (1858), 115; (1860), 118; (1863), 122 (1864), 133; (1866), 128; (1867), 131 (1868), 133; (1870), 134; (1871), 134 (1873), 136; (1875), 137; (1877), 138 (1878), 139; (1880), 141; (1881), 143 (1883), 144; (1884), 145; (1885), 146 (1886), 146; (1887), 146; (1888), 148 (1889), 148; (1891), 149; (1893), 151 (1895), 152; (1897), 154; (1898), 154 (1899), 154; (1900), 156; (1901), 157 (1902), 157; (1905), 159; (1907), 160 (1908), 161; (1909), 162; (1910), 164 (1911), 165. Reptiles, 62. Reformatory and Penal Institutions, 431. Religious Institutions, 297. Religious Publications, 282. Reunion of the Army of the Cumberland, 137. Revolution, Causes of, 35. Richmond, Town of, 40. Robinson, Edward, 532. Roberts, Ellis H., 133; 138; 131; 134; elected to Congress, 134; 136; 137; 146; 151; 389. Rock, Clinton formation, 44. Rogers, Publius V., 548. Rome, 224; Trustees of, 225; City Charter, 226; vote for Mayors of, 327; Court House, 331; 232. Rome Club, 500. Rome Country Club, 503. Rome Sentinel, 284. Rome Republican, 281; 383. 566 INDEX Rome Citizen, 283. Borne Savings Bank, 276. Rome Trust Company, 279. Rome Young Men's Christian Association, 499. Rome, Watertown and Ogdensburg Railroad Company, 462. Rome and Clinton Railroad Company, 462. Rome Free Academy, 371. Rome Hospital, 417. Rome Tuberculosis Dispensary, 426. Romohawks, 486. Roosevelt, Theodore, 144; 154; 156; 1904 nominated for President, 158; 163. Root, Elihu, 160; 514. Root, P. Sheldon, 115. Royal Arcanum, 475. Ruger, William C, 513; 517. Russell, Dr. William, 410. S Sacred Stone of the Oneidas, 7. Sadaquada Golf Club, 501. Sanger, Jedediah, 78; 230; 522. Sanger, William Carey, elected to Assembly, 152; 153; 162. Saratoga, Battle of, 28. Saturday Globe, 288. Savage, John, 256; 513; 517. Sawyer, Thomas Jefferson, 539. Sawyer, Leicester Ambrose, 539. Sawyer, Mrs. Caroline M. Fisher, 541. Sayre, Theodore S., 137. Schuyler, General, 19; 28. Schuyler, Philip, 26. Schuyler, Fort, building of, 24. Schoolcraft, Col. Lawrence, 523. Schoolcraft, Henry Rowe, 532. ScoUard, Clinton, 540. Scott, Gen. Winlield, 111. Scriba, Geo. F., 63. Scriba, George F. W. A., 522. Sicriba, Town of, 40. Scripture, William E., 227; 263. Scudder, Dr. Samuel 0., 423. Senecas, 12; 19. Senators, United States, 167. Senators, State, 171. Settlements, Early, 71. Seward, William H., 100; 101; 103; 104; 118; 234. Seymour, Henry, 101; 216. Seymour, Horatio, 39; 105; 106; 108; nomi- nated for Governor, 110; nominated and elected Governor 1862, 111; nominated for Governor 1854, 112; 113; 114; 120; vetoes bill to allow soldiers to vote in the field, 121; oration in New l^ork, July 4, 1863, 121; 122; 123; nominated for President, 132; 137; declined nomination for Gov- ernor, 138; 146; life sketch, 259. Seymour, Mrs. Horatio, 556. Seymour, John F., 120; 256. Seymour, Dr. George, 421. Sherman, Richard W., 150. Sherman, James S., elected to Congress 1886, 146; elected to Congress 1888, 147; nomi- nated for Congress 1890, 149; elected to Congress 1892, 150; elected to Congress 1894, 152; elected to Congress 1896, 153; elected to Congress 1898, 154; elected to Congress 1900, 156; elected to Congress 1902, 157; elected to Congress 1904, 158; elected to Congress 1906, 159; elected vice- president of U. S., 161; delegate to State Convention, 163; elected Mayor, 217; life sketch, 257. Sherman, Mrs. James S., 557. Sherman, Richard U., 114; 115; 116; 131; 135; 136; nominated for Assembly, 136; 137; 139; 232; 292. Sherman, Ebenezer B., 98. Shearman, Joseph A., 116. Sheriffs, 178. Sicard, Rear Admiral Montgomery, 528. Silver Gray Whig, 110. Silver Gray Convention, Utica 1850, 110. Skillin, Charles, 127. Skenandoah, 9; 10. Smith, Gerrit, 87; 96; 102; 103; 106; 537. Smith, Peter, 522. Smith, George W., 117; 122; 123. Smith, Rev. C. J., 9; 13. Soap and Candles, 446. Socialist Local Ticket, 165. Soldiers of Oneida Comity, 127. So-se-ha-wa, 16. Spanish-American War, 425. Spencer, Joshua A., 101; 107; 109; 112; 234; life sketch, 258. Spriggs, J. Thomas, 123; 132; 139; 144; 145; 146; 259. Squires, William H., 159. Stalwarts, 142. Stanwix, Gen., 23. Stanwix, Fort, 23; 24; 26; 28; 29; invest- ment of, 29; siege of, 30; 39; 70; 71. State Masonic Home, 471. Stars and Stripes, 506. Startwell, M. D., Henry P., 534. State Officers, 170. State Medical Society; Officers frsm Oneida County, 427. INDEX 567 Steuben, Baron, 10. Steuben, 508. Stewart, Alvin, 260. Stewart, Rev. John, 11. St. Elizabeth's Hospital and Home, 413. St. John's Orphan Asylum, Utica, 428. St. Joseph's Infant Home, Utica, 430. St. Luke's Home and Hospital, 414. St. Lawrence County, 40; 72. St. Leger, Col. Barry, 38; 29; 30; 38. Stone, Col., 30. Storrs, Henry R., 83; 85; 86; 88; 96; 97; 98; 261. Stryker, John, 103; 131; 237. Stryker, Melancthon Woolaey, 539. Sullivan, Gen., 70. Sunday Tribune, 288. Supervisors, Board of, 208; Chairmen of, 209; Clerks of, 209. Superintendents of Common Schools, 181. Superintendents of Poor, 178. Sutton, Dr. Richard Eskridge, 432. Sutton, Dr. Henry Carroll, 423. Taft, William Howard, 160. Talcott, Charles A., 164. Taleott, Samuel A., 261. Talmadge, James, 87. Taylor, Gen. Zachary, 108. Taylor, Wm. B., 130; 122. Telegraph, 454. Telephone and Telegraph Company, Central New York, 455. Telephone Company, Home, 455. Thomas, Dr. Daniel G., 409. Thorn, John, 553. Throop, Enos T., 97; 99; 103. Throop, Montgomery Hunt, 518. Tilden, Samuel J., 136; 138. Tobacco, 447. Tory, 70; 73; 79. Tompkins, Daniel D., 72; 84. Transportation, Routes of Travel, 457. Tracy, Charles, 518. Tracy, William, 518. Tracy, William G., 78. Trenton, 508. Trenton Falls, 43; 46. Trenton Limestone, 43. Truax, Charles H., 519. ■ Tryon, Gov., 26; 40. Tryon County, 40. Twenty-Eighth Separate Company, 493. Tuberculosis, 425. Teu-ge-ga Country Club, Rome, 501. TuBCaroras, 12; 19. Tuttle, Dr. Samuel, 399. U Unadilla, 26. Upson, Anson Judd, 543. Utica, 70; 210; second charter, 212; created a town, 213; city charter, 215; vote for mayors of, 219; first court house and acad- emy, 231; new court house in, 231; Law Library Association, 232; fires in 1850,235. Utica Art Association, 502. Utica and Schenectady Railroad Company, 460. Utica Belt Line Company, 462. Utica and Black River Railroad Company, 461. Utica Board of Trade, 485. Utica Catholic Academy, 343. Utica Chamber of Commerce, 478. Utica, Chenango and Susquehanna Valley Railroad Company, 461. Utica Citizens' Corps, 489. Utica City Dispensary, 415. Utica City National Bank, 276. Utica, Clinton and Binghamptga^ Railroad Company, 461. Utica Daily Gazette, 284. Utica Daily Press, 388. Utica Democrat, 281. Utica Deutche Zeitung, 287. Utica Drop Forge and Tool Company, 453. Utica Electric Company, 456. Utica Female Academy, 368. Utica Fire Insurance Company, 279. Utica Free Academy, 370. Utica General Hospital, 410. Utica Herald, 284. Utica Herald Dispatch, 288. Utica Homeopathic Hospital, 418. Utica Insurance Company, 176; 273. Utica Mechanics' Association, 503. Utica Observer, 281. Utica Orphan Asylum, 428. Utica Pipe Foundry Company, 451. Utica Savings Bank, 275. TTtica Shale Rock, 44. Utica State Hospital, 401; 402; resident of- ficers of, 406. Utica Trust and Deposit Company, 278. Utica Waterworks Company, 454. Van Buren, Martin, 87; 97; 98; 102; 106. Van Dam, Rip, 70. 568 INDEX Valley Bank, Boonville, 277. Vaaey, Dr. George, 49; 534. Vaudreuil, 24. Volney, Town of, 40. Vote for Presidential Electors, 182. W Wadsworth, James S., 120. Wager, Daniel B., 262; 540. Walcott, C. D., 44; 46. Walcott, Charles Doolittle, 535. Walcott, William D., 521. Walker, M. Edyth, 546. Walker, Benjamin, 76; 78; 79; 213; 622. Walker, William C, 534. War of 1812, 80; 81. Washington, 19; 26; 27; 70; 73. Waterville Times, 286. Weaver, Abram B., 120; 121; 122; 124; 134; 146. Weaver, George J., 71. Webb, Col., 22. Weed, Thurlow, 103; 115. Weld, Theodore Dwight, 538. Wells, J. B., 550; 551. West Canada Creek, 42; 43. West, Dr. Joseph E., 421. West, Dr. M. Calvin, 419. Westcott, Col., 81. Western, 508. Westmoreland, 508. Wetmore, Edmund, 520. Wetzel, Rev. Andrew, 335. Whaley, Dr. Alexander, 395. Whallen, Michael Solomon, 547. Wheeler, Thomas, 147; 163; 218. Wheelock, Col. Charles, 127; 525. Whig, 70; 72; 78; 100. Whig County Conventions: (1844), 106; (1845), 106; (1846), 107; (1848), 109; (1851), 110; (1852), 111. Whig Party, 105. Whig State Conventions: (1826), 96; 97; (1840), 104; (1846), 107; (1848), 108. Whipple, D. D., IX. D., Henry Benjamin, 322. Whiteher, Mrs. Frances Miriam Berry, S40. Whitcher Mrs. Martha L. 541. White, Fortune C, 88; 98; 99; 103; 106. White, Hugh, 71; 230; 231; 520. Whitesboro, Court House at, 231. Whitestown, 40. Whitestown Gazette, 280. Whitestown Seminary, 365. Whitfield, Robert Parr, 535. Whitfield, Rev. J. W., 535. Wide Awakes, 119. Wilder, Alexander, 535. Wiles, Lemuel Maynard, 545. Wiles, Irving Ramsey, 545. Wiley, George H., 551. Willett, Lieut. Col. Marinus, 28. Willard, Garry A., 152; 156. Williams, Abijah J., 551. Williams, E. Stuart, 226. Williams, Rev. Eleazer, 11; Dauphin of France, 11. Williams, George Huntington, 533. Williams, James Watson, 107. Williams, Nathan, 82; 85; 262. Williams, Othniel S., 115; 262. Williams, Robert S., 548. Williams, Stalham, 90; 547. Williams, Samuel Wells, 532. Williams, Thomas, 524. Williamstown, Town of, 40. Wilson, Dr. Claude, 424. Winslow, Gen. John, 21. Wisner, Col., 14. Wolcott, Dr. Samuel G., 419. Woleott, Dr. Solomon, 395. Wolfe, Gen., 24. Women's Christian Association, 497. Woolen, 444. Woolsey, Commodore Melancthon Taylor, 528. Wood, Dr. Robert C, 400. Workingmen's Political Meeting, 129. Yahnundahsis Golf Club, 501. Y Drych, 285. Young Men's Christian Association, 495. Young, Samuel, 87. Young Women's Christian Association, 497.