\^^mi>^. <^°^. ^•^^ <5> ^'^.I^ji:^', - ■. : A^-^. c^^^n aV-^. ■J* I !<*f , ■• ,■ - • ■ • -^0 ^^s^ -Va^' ^^^^ ""^^^^ ■■^. /^ ^^ n HISTORY ^.y liERKi/ncR County NEW YORK ILLUSTRATED WITH PORTKAFTS OF MANY OF ITS "IZ^ V.s GEORGE A. HARDIN ASSISTKU HV FRANK H. WILLARD SYRACUSE, N. Y.: D. MASON & CO., Publishers. 1893. fl \K A 70 '}') To the Citizens of Herkimer County When the publishers, in 1892, declared their intention to publish another history of Herkimer County, they made inquiry as to the unbound volumes of the history prepared by Judge Benton, and issued in 1856. Such information as they desired was furnished them on that subject, and then they asked if consent would be given to aid and assist in supervising their proposed publication. As a century had passed since the organization of the County, and thirty- six years had elapsed since the publication of " Benton's His- tory," it was believed that many events not noticed in that work could be collected, and that, with the multitude of events transpiring since that time, the proposed work would be welcomed. Therefore consent was given to aid in gathering material; in advising as to events known; in suggesting sources from which facts could be obtained worthy of being recorded. After such consent was given, it was found necessary to have an immediate assistant to look after details, and to prepare descriptions and outlines of events worthy of notice. For such puipose Mr. Frank H. Willard was mentioned and engaged by the publishers, and he has with fidelity performed the work assigned to him. It was known that the late Samuel Earl had collected much valuable information concerning early events and written many articles record- ing them. An application was suggested and made to his son, Robert Earl 2d, and to his brother. Judge Earl, who promptly and cheerfully gave access to all the articles written and information gathered by Mr. S. Earl, and the same have been valuable aids in preparing the following pages. 12 PREFACE. Valuable information has also been furnished by W. T. Loomis, Esq.; by Mr. William G. Milligan and manj' others, to whom grateful ac- knowledgments are due, and therefore given. The County bears a patriot's name, and it is hoped that the reader may find in these pages evidences that its citizens have in times past and passing, honored tlie hero of the battle of Oriskany. The bench and bar, as well as many distinguished members of the legal and other professions who have had their origin in this Count}', have been given extended notice. The manufacturing industries developed in the County have received, as tliey justlv merit, considerable attention. The portraits found in the work, with biographical sketches accom- panying them, serve to illustrate the character of citizens who have had their homes within the bounds of the County, and it is believed they will furnish interesting features of the work. The publishers have given painstaking attention to every detail in the mechanical preparation of this volume. The engravings have been carefully executed by artists of well-known ability, and the letter-press, binding and gilding are in excellent style. Vigilant eftbrts have been made to trace authoritatively the events narrated, and give reliable information as to the scenes and deeds which have given the County a worthy position in the Empire State. To its citizens the work is submitted, in the hope that it will meet with their approbation. Respectfully, George A. Hardin. Little Falls, N. Y., May, 1893. CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. DESCRIPTIVE OF THE COUNTY, 17 CHAPTER H. EARLY SETTLEMENTS 27 CHAPTER in. THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR, 40 CHAPTER IV. THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD, 47 CHAPTER V. GROWTH AND PROGRESS 86 CHAPTER VI. THE CIVIL WAR PERIOD, 94 CHAPTER VH. HISTORY OF CHEESE DAIRYING IN HERKIMER COUNTY, 110 CHAPTER Vni. TEE COURTS, THE BENCH AND THE BAR OF HERKIMER COUNTY 131 14 CONTENTS. CHAPTER IX. THE r^ERKTMER COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY, 155 CHAPTER X. THE TOWN OK G ERMA N FLATS, 175 CHAPTER XI. THE TOWN OF HERKIMER, 213 CHAPTER XII. THE TOWN OF LITTLE FALLS, 242 CHAPTER XIII. THE TOWN OF FAIRFIELD, 301 CHAPTER XIV. THE TOWN OF SALISBURY, ........315 CHAPTER XV. >) THE TOWN OF MANHELM 328 CHAPTER XVI. THE TOWN OF DANUBE 343 CHAPTER XVII. THE TOWN OF STARK, 348 CHAPTER XVIII. THE TOWN OP WARREN 354 CONTENTS. 15 CHAPTER XIX. THE TOWN OF COLUMBIA 361 CHAPTER XX. THE TOWN OF WINFIELD 368 CHAPTER XXI. THE TOWN OF LITCHFIELD 382 CHAPTER XXII. THE TOWN OF FRANKFORT 387 CHAPTER XXIII. THE TOWN OF SCHUVLER 397 CHAPTER XXIV. THE TOWN OF NEWPORT 405 CHAPTER XXV. THE TOWN OF NORWAY .412 CHAPTER XXVI. THE TOWN OF RUSSIA 434 CHAPTER XXVII. THE TOWN OF OHIO CHAPTER XXVIII. THE TOWN OF WILMURT 16 CONTENTS. CHAPTER XXIX. BIOGRAPHICAL 453 PART II, FA M I LY SKETCH ES 1 INDEX 251 INDEX TO FAMILY SKETCHES 267 HISTORY HERKIMER COUNTY. CHAPTER I. DESCRIPTIVE OF THE COUNTY. NEARLY three-quarters of a century had passed after the first ad- vent of permanent white settlers into the valley of the upper Mo- hawk river — a period made historically memorable by the occurrence of many important events and the enactment of deeds of valor and heroism — before Herkimer county existed as a subdivision of the State of New York. The original ten counties of the colony were created November i, 1683, and named Albany, New York, Dutchess, Kings, Orange, Queens, Richmond, Suffolk, Ulster, and Westchester On March 11, 1772, Montgomery county was created, under the name of Tryon (changed in 1784), and embraced nearly the whole of the cen- tral and western part of the State. Herkimer county was erected from Montgomery February 16, 1791, and received its name in honor of the distinguished general, Nicholas Herkimer. As first formed the county embraced a vast extent of territory, extending from its eastern boundary westward to the eastern boundary of Ontario county, exclusive of the territory of Otsego and Tioga counties, which were erected at the same date with Herkimer. The boundaries of the county as originally given were as follows ; All the territory bounded north by Lake Ontario, the 18 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. river St. Lawrence, and tlie north bounds of the State ; easterly by the counties of Clinton, Washington and Saratoga, as they then were ; south eriy by the counties of Montgomery, Otsego and Tioga. From this large tract of country Onondaga county was set ofif in 1794 ; Oneida in 1798 ; Chenango, from Herkimer and Tioga, in 1798 ; and these counties have been variously subdivided at later dates. In 18 16 parts of the towns of Richfield and Flainfield, in Otsego county, were taken, with a part of Litchfield, Herkimer county, to form the present town of Winfield. (See chapter 5 of the Laws of 1817, and chapter 228 of Lawsof 1816.) In 1817 the towns of Salisbury and Manheim, and all that part of Min- den (Montgomery county) now comprised in Danube and Stark, were annexed to Herkimer county. (See chapter 184 of Laws of 18 17.) This county as it now exists covers an area of 1,370 square miles, and is bounded on the north by St. Lawrence county ; on the east by Ham- ilton, Fulton and Montgomery counties; on the south by Otsego coun- ty ; and on the west by Oneida and Lewis counties. The present county comprises within its limits the following tracts and parts of tracts of land granted by tlie crown before the Revolution, and by the State since the treaty of 1783 : NAMES OF PATENTS OR TRACTS. Adgate's Tract, '-.. Bayard's Patent,'.. Brown's (John) Tract,*- Cosby's Manor, ' ._ Colden's (A. ' Patent Frank (Conrad) & Go's Patent,. Fall-Hill Patent. -- Glen's Purchase Hommedieu's (I/) Patent, Henderson's Patent," Hasenclever's Patent, Johnson's (Guy) Patent, Jersey field Patent," Kass's Patent, Lindsay's Patent, Livingston's Patent,' Lispenard's Patent,' Lansinjr's Patent,' .,. McComb's Purchase.' McNeil's Patent, Match in's Patent,' _. Nobleborough Tract,'. _ Moose River Tract," NAMES OF ORIGINAL PATENTEES. Petrie's Purchase,.- i 1740 Royal Grant | 43,907 j Mathew Adgate. 50,000 ; William Bayard, Alexander Ellis, and fifty-three j others. I A part of i,Q2o,ooo acres granted to Alexander Ma- I comb. g,4Do Johan Joost Petri, and ninety-three others. 3,000 Cadwallader Colden, the younger, and Coenradt I Ryghtmeyer. 22,000 Joseph WoiTell, William Cosby, and nine others. 4,000 Alexander Colden. and three others. 5,000 Coenradt Frank, and five others. 2,324 I Johan Joost and Hendrik Herchkeimer. 25,076 4,000 I Kzra L'Hommedieu and Nathaniel Piatt. 6,000 James Henderson, and two others 18.000 I Peter Hasenclever, and seventeen others. 2,000 Guy Johnson. Forfeited by attainder of G. J. 94,000 Henry Glen, Alexander Ellis, and ninety-two others 1,100 Johan J[urgh Kass. and his children. 3,000 I John Lindsay and Philip Livingston. 20,000 I Philip Livingston, and nineteen others. 9,200 ■ Leonard Lispenard, and thirteen others. 6,000 Jacob and Abraham Lansing, and Jacob GleD. j Alexander Macomb. 4,000 I John McNeil, and three others. 1,600 Thomas Matchin. 40,960 ! Arthur Noble. i Owned by the State, except 13,080 gfranted ini847 to j Anson Blake. 6,000 John Tost Petrie, and two others. ! Sir William Johnson. DESCRIPTIVE OF THE COUNTY. t 2 o3 NAMES OF PATENTS OR TRACTS. 08 NAMES OF ORIGINAL PATENTEES. Henry Remsen and three others. Snell and Timmerman'sPatent-. 3,600 Jacob Timbernian and Johan Joost Schnell. 1755 34,000 Nicholas Herchkeimer, and fifteen others. Schuyler's Patent .. Abraham Lynsen, and twenty-one others. Totten and Crossfield Patent •-. Vrooraan's Patent,* 9,760 Isaac Vrooman. do --- T7R6 Isaac \ rooman. 1790 «3 Isaac Vrooman Van Driesen, Peter,. . _ Petrus Van Driessen. Van Driesen, John ,. .. 1786 428 Johan Van Driessen. Van Home's Patent,'.. 8,000 Abraham \ an Home, and three others. Vaughn's Patent 1770 8,000 John Vaughn, and seven others. Watson's James Tract,* . A part of Macomb's purchase. Winne's Patent, 2 000 Peter Winne. Walton's Patent, -. ,7fiR 12 000 William Walton, jr., and eleven others. Young's Patent,* 1752 14,000 Theobald Young, and ten others. This mark (') denotes that the lands indicated are partly in Herkimer, and partly in other counties. The foregoing table indicates that the title to most of the lands in the county was granted by the crown before the beginning of the Revolution, and those grants were recognized as valid by the constitution of 1777; but at the same time the State was left free to protect itself against treason or hostility by any person holding under the grants, as hereafter shown. In explanation of the table the following details are of interest : The original evidence of ownership of the Burnetffield lots were certificates given the grantees in the winter and spring of 1723. The next transaction in land in the county was the purchase of the Kast patent in 1724 by the family of that name, who were among the Burnetsfield patentees. John Jurgh Kast and his son of the same name had each received a thirty-acre lowland and a seventy-acre upland lot, and the family now bought a tract of 1,100 acres on the river in Schuyler, half way between East and West Schuyler villages. Next came Lindsey's purchase, covermg 3,000 acres in oblong form, beginning on the south bank of the Mohawk, a mile and a half below Little Falls, taken by John Lindsey and Philip Livingston in 1730 ; then Van Home's, made in the following year by Abraham Van Home and three others, the tract consisting of 8,000 acres about the Canajoharie castle. The next tract taken up was the famous Cosby 's Manor, granted in 1734. The part of this tract within Herkimer county formed a block about seven miles square, beginning just west of Frankfort village (about two-thirds lying south of. the river), and surround- ing East's patent. The chief patentee was Governor William Cosby. The property passed into the hands of Lady Grace Cosby, and was the subject of a correspondence between herself, her agent, Sir William Johnson, and Oliver De Lancey, the latter of whom in the summer of 1762 bought the tract for himself and Janie.^ Jauncey, Peter Remsen and Goldsbrow Banyar, paying £6,000 currency. Next to Cosby 's Manor in date of granting was the tract of 1,000 acres on the north bank of the river, just east of Little Falls, purchased by Rev. Peter Van Driesen 20 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. in 1737. Ill the next year Cadwallader Golden took 3,000 acres in a strip a mile and a quarter wide running south from Van Home's patent to Otsquago Creek. One of the most important of the earliest patents was Glen's purchase, so called from Jacob Glen, the patentee. The tract of land involved consisted of 25,076 acres, occupy- ing, in general terms, the eastern part of the town of Herkimer, the southern half of Fairfield, Little Falls north of the river, and the western part of Manheim. The Indian title was extinguished in 1734. In 1738 five of the lots were granted to Patrick McClaughry and Andrew McDowell, and eight to James De Lancey, John Lindsay, and Abraham Glen. In 1739 three were granted to Lendert Helmer, two to Jacob Glen, three to Archibald Kennedy, three to John Schuyler, jr., three to Arent Brant, and three to Philip Schuyler. In 1761 three were granted to Samuel Auchunity, three to William Mitchell, and three to William Ogilvie. Henderson's patent of 6,000 acres was granted to James Henderson, his son of the same name, and John Kelly, 1739. Most of it is embraced in the town of Warren. In 1741 Peter Wiime bought 2,000 acres on both sides of West Canada Creek; except where bounded by the Burnetsfield patent on the south, this tract was surrounded by the Hasenclever patent. The southern part of the town of Warren is embraced in Young's patent, granted in 1752 to Theobald, Adam, Frederick, and Andries Young, and seven others. In the same year Joban Joo.st and Hendrick Herkemer bought 2,324 acres on the south bank of the river, extending from Lindsay's purchase to the eastern- most Burnetsfield lots. Lansingh's patent was granted in the following year to Jacob and Abraham Lansingh and Jacob Glen. The part of it in Herkimer county lay in the south of Danube and the northwestern part of Stark. A strip along the southeastern side of Winfield was part of a tract of 43,000 acres granted in 1755 to Daniel Schuyler and twenty-one others and called Schuyler's patent. Snell and Timmerman's tract, 3,000 acres, in the southern part of Manheim, was granted in the same year. In 1755 were also granted Staley's first and second tracts, so called, containing 34,000 acres. The patentees were Rudolph Staley, Johan Joost Herkimer, jr., Nicholas Herkimer and fifteen others. The first tract, together with the river, sur- rounded all the Burnetsfield lots south of the Mohawk, except the easternmost five, and extended south far enough to take in most of the present towq of German Flats. The second tract included almost all of the town of Columbia. Between the two, in narrow form, lay Staley's third tract, also called Frank's patent, from Conrad and Frederick Frank, who were interested in it. In 17C1 John McNeil and three others bought wliat has been called McNeil's patent, in the southern part of Stark. In this year, too, Alexander Colden, William Willett, Stephen De Lancey and Christopher Blundell procured the patent called by the name of the first of these gentlemen. It consisted of 4,000 acres, mostly on the north side of the river, filling the space between Burnetsfield and Cosby's Manor ; eight small lots south of the river embraced the site of Frankfort village. Livingston's patent, part of which occupied the southeastern corner of Stark, was granted in 1702. In 1765 Guy Johnson bought 2,000 acres, now about equally divided between the southeastern corner of German Flats and the adjoining portion of Little DESCRIPTIVE OF THE COUNTY. 21 Falls. Walton's patent ran along the western county line from Cosby's Manor to Wes-t Canada Creek, with a breadth of two and a half miles ; it was granted in 1768. In the following year Peter Hasenclever and seventeen others bought what has since been called Hasenclever's patent. It consisted of 18,000 acres, all but a small portion of which was bounded by Cosby's Manor, Walton's and Alexander Colden patents and West Canada Creek. The Royal Grant (so called) comprised a large tract of land lying between the Can- ada Creeks which was acquired by Sir William Johnson from his Indian friends in 1760, and for which he received a patent from the government in 1769. The tiact embraced about 66,000 acres and lay back of the lands previously granted. In 1770 8,000 acres, comprising most of Little Falls south of the river and the west- ern corner of Danube, were granted to John Vaughn and seven others, forming the Vaughn patent. In the same year the Jersey field patent was made to ninety-four per- sons, 1,000 acres to each, bounded by the Royal Grant, West Canada Creek, the line which forms the northern boundary of Salisbury, and the eastern county line. Bayard's patent, purchased by two brothers of that name and fifty-three others in 1774, embraced most of the towns of Litchfield and Winfield. In 178G Isaac Vrooman bought 4,000 acres, and in 1790, 10,193 acres in a narrow strip extending across Danube and parts of Manheim and Stark. The other 428 acres of Manheim were taken in 1786 by John Van Driesen. In the same year Thomas Matchin bought 1,600 acres on the north side of West Canada Creek in the town of Russia. The Totten and Crossfield purchase was made in that year, and included 25,200 acres, part of which was in the northeast- ern corner of the county. In the same year Ezra L'Hommedieu and Nathaniel Piatt bought the 4,000 acres remaining in the northwest part of Stark and the southern part of Little Falls. In 1787 theNobleborough tract was patented to Arthur Noble and comprised 41,000 acres, lying at the angle in the southeastern line of Wilmurt ; and in the same year 48,000 acres southwest of the above, bounded on the south by West Canada Creek, were purchased by Henry Remsen and three others. In 1792 the State granted to Alexander Macomb an immense tract of land in the great northern wilder- ness at a nominal price, of which the John Brown and the Watson tracts are parts. The Guy Johnson tract was conveyed by Jeremiah Van Rensselaer, Jacob G. Klock, and Henry Oathoudt, commissioners of forfeitures of the western district of New York to Benjamin Tallmadge, major in the array of the United States, June 7, 1784, and by Tallmadge to Caleb Brewster, July 9, 1794. Matthew Adgate in 1798 patented 4.3,907 acres now in the southern part of Wilmurt. The latest patent in the county was for 13,080 acres of the Moose River tract granted to Anson Blake in 1847. The titles of the Indians to lands in the Mohawk valley, as well as those of the white settlers who adhered to the crown in the Revolution, were destroyed by that event, through the Attainder Act of 1770. The Attainder Act of 1779 embraced fifty-nine persons, three of whom were married females, and they were also declared convicted and at- tainted with their husbands of offenses against the act. This manner of procedure was warranted by the fact that many women were in posses- DESCRIPTIVE OF THE COUNTY. 23 sionin their own right of large tracts of land. The Legislature passed an act on the I2th of May, 1784, directing the prompt sale of confiscated and forfeited estates, requiring the proceeds to be applied to the sinking and discharging of public securities created for prosecuting the war. This was the first step taken to dispose of these estates, and the functions of the commissioners ceased in 1788. The act of 1784 designated the kind of money and certificates or bills of credit issued by the State, which might be received in payment for lands sold. In the course of the trans- actions thus effected there ensued a heavy depreciation of public securi- ties, which was severely felt by the people who were forced to accept them from the government. The purchasers of the public domain, how- ever, were in no respect losers by their operations. Having purchased these securities at the current specie market price, or at the sum fixed by the continental scale of depreciation, they exchanged them in most in- stances for some of the best lands in the State, at a price per acre a little more than nominal, and thus accumulated large fortunes for themselves and their descendants. The titles were, moreover, guaranteed in all re- spects by the State. The commissioners of forfeiture of the western district of the State sold and deeded between September, 1784, and September, 1788, ninety- three lots in the first allotment of the Royal Grant; ninety-one in the second allotment; 130 in the third allotment; and 137 in the fourth allotment. This proceeding on the part of the State was founded on the attainder of Sir John Johnson, by the act of 1779. The map made by Lawrence Vrooman in 1797, and reproduced here- with, shows that Sir William Johnson gave by his will to six of his natural children by Molly Brant (or Brandt), 15,000 acres of this grant as follows: To Margaret, 2,000 acres; George, 3,000; Mary, 2,000; Susan, 3,000; Ann, 3,000; Brandt, 1,000; and to William 1,000. The portion of this tract thus devised adjoins the East Canada Creek, and is in the present towns of Manheim and Salisbury. The lots as numbered on the map are: 166 in the first allotment ; 102 in the second ; 136 in the third; and 143 in the fourth. These are the highest numbers, but in several instances intervening numbers below are not found. ^ ' The late Samuel Earl left among his historical memoranda the following : " As Mary Brant and her eight children, Peter, Elizabeth, Magdalene, Margaret. George, Mary, Susanna, and Anne, and young Brant Kaghnectayo of Canajoharie, and William Tagawinente of C^najoharie, were inca- 24 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. A specific half of eighteen lots in Jerseyfield patent was also sold and deeded by the commissioners of forfeitures, within the periods above mentioned. The original patentees of this large tract were mostly of the Dutch extraction, not German, and residents in Albany, Schenecta- dy and the lower Mohawk valley. None of these names appears in the Attainder Act of 1 779. Some party, known to be obnoxious to the pen- alties of the act, must have been proceeded against by indictment for treason against the State, and the lands declared forfeited on inquisition found. The whole of five lots and a specified half of four others in Liv- ingston's patent were also sold and conveyed by the commissioners. Peter De Bois, who was attainted by the act of October 22, 1779, was one of the patentees of this grant, and the sales probably covered his interest, or what remained of it, in the whole patent. A part of Glen's purchase seems to have been owned by some one ob- noxious to the law of attainder. James De Lancey was one of the three joint patentees of several lots in this purchase. He was attainted by the act of 1779. (See chapter 25, of the Laws of 1779). Six small lots in that tract were sold and deeded for ;^i,095. New York currency, on the 27th of August, 1788, to replenish an exhausted treasury. James Caldwell purchased five of the lots and Michael Myers one of them. Johan Jurgh Kast's little patent of 1,100 acres in Schuyler contributed $500 to pay war expenses. One lot in that patent seems to have been sold to make compensation for treason against the State. " Surely none of the de- scendants of that sturdy old Palatine could have been recreant to his country and a traitor to humanity." ^ A portion of the Bayard patent is held under title from the commission- ers of forfeitures, two of the Bayards having been attainted by the act of of 1779. In regard to the Johan Joost Herkimer property, Judge Ben- ton wrote as follows: Diligent search and examination has been made in the proper quarter to find some evidence of grants under the authority of the State, of the Johan Joost Herkimer prop- pable of taking' and holding lands by reason of their being Indians, the several devises in the will of Sir William Johnson lo them were inoperative and void, and the lands and estate devised to them respectively upon the death of Sir William, descended to and became vested in Sir John Johnson as heir at law, and by his attainder became vested in the State as a portion of his inherit- ance. No tribunal competent to determine the law as it was at the death of Sir William or the attainder of Sir John has decided anything contrary to or in conflict with the foregoing prop- osition." 2 Benton's " History of Herkimer County." DESCRIPTIVE OF THE COUNTY. 25 erty, but without success. Some part of the Herkimer property came into the hands of Alexander Ellice, soon after the Revolution. The preci.se time has not been ascer- tained by the writer, nor has he been able to lay his hand upon any papers showing the title to have come from the State. This, however, must be so, for Mr. Ellice, be- ing a British subject, would not have been allowed to hold forfeited lands except by a grant from the State.' In respect to that part of the Royal Grant, devised by Sir William to his Indian children, the sale by the commissioners could not be sustained, and consequently was abandoned in regard to some of them, who had not committed any overt act of treason or offense against the statute. One of these children, however, did bear arms against the colonies, and may have been proceeded against under the Attainder Act, by indict- ment. The present titles of a portion of the grant are therefore derived from Sir \\ illiam's will, through his Indian children, but all the remainder, which passed to Sir John John- son, as heirs at law, is held under the State by virtue of his attainder. Natural Characteristics. — Tlie surface of Herkimer county may be called a hilly upland, with a series of ridges extending in a generally north and south direction. The beautiful Mohawk River flows easterly across the southerly part of the county, through a valley that is broad from its westerly end to near Little Falls at the easterly side of the county, where the stream breaks through a mountainous ridge, the naked rocks rising on either side from 500 to 600 feet. From this point to the eastern boundary of the county the river flows through a valley bordered by high and precipitous hills. The East Canada Creek rises in Hamilton county, flows southward and empties into the Mohawk; it forms the eastern boundary of the county from the Mohawk to the northeast cor- ner of the Royal Grant. The West Canada Creek rises in the northern part of the county and in Hamilton county, flows southwesterly and discharges into the Mohawk near the village of Herkimer ; part of it forms the boundary between Herkimer and Oneida counties. The Moose, Black and Beaver Rivers, which flow northward to Lake Onta- rio, have their sources in the northerly part of the county, where numer- ous lakes and ponds of pure water are found, many of them still in the forest fastnesses of a large region that has been left almost wholly in its native state, the surface and soil rendering it of little value for culti- vation. The geological features of the county are of considerable interest. The portion of the territory lying north of a line extending west from ' For further reference to titled and leases from Ellice. see subsequent history and maps ot Little Falls. 26 UISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. Brockett's Bridge (now Dolgeville) is covered with primary rocks — granite, gneiss, feldspar, and hornblende. The same formation out- crops also at Little F"alls. Rising successively above the primary are the Trenton limestone, appearing in Norway and Russia, the Utica slate, appearing upon the summit of all the hills immediately north of the Mohawk ; the Frankfort slate appearing immediately south of the river; the Oneida conglomerate and Clinton group, extending in a belt through near the center of the south half of the county; the Onondaga salt group, waterlime, Onondaga and corniferous limestones, appearing in thin layers next south ; and the Marcellus shales and limestones of the Helderberg range, covering the summits of the southern hills. These rocks yield an abundance of lime, waterlime, and building material, and are extensively quarried. Useful minerals are few in number, among them being beautiful crystals of quartz. The soil of the county is diversified, comprising sandy and argillaceous loams, based on limestone, sandstone and primitive granite gneiss; calcareous loam, sandy and clay loam. Rich alluvial flats are found in the Mohawk valley, that are as productive, perhaps, as any lands in the State. The soil north of the Royal Grant is light and sandy, better adapted to grazing than to tillage. In the early history of the count)' the lands were tilled and the pro- ductions comprised wheat, corn, rye, barley, peas, bea'ns, oats, hay and potatoes. Wheat and barley constituted the chief articles of export to the Albany market. With the opening of the Erie canal in 1825, the heavy grain producing section in the western part of the State became a rival against which the Mohawk valley could not successfully contend. Between 1820 and 1830 the prospects of the Herkimer county agricul- turist were not encouraging. Insects destroyed the wheat year after year, and it has been stated that in 1820, " if all the personal or mova- ble property in the county had been sold at a fair appraisal, it would not have produced sufficient means to pay the domestic debt of the county, and probably not more than half of it. After the opening of the canal, the attention of the community was gradually turned toward grazing and the dairy, and for many years past the latter interest has given the county a national reputation. The dairy products of the county will be further alluded to in subsequent town histories. The lumber interest of the county was extensive in former years, and is still carried on with success in its northern parts. EARLY SETTLEMENT. 27 CHAPTER II. EARLY SETTLEMENT. ONE hundred and seventy years ago, when the sturdy German emi- grants, fleeing from their native country on the Rhine to escape a cruel vassalage, planted themselves in the wilderness within and around the territory of which this volume treats, they found it occupied by one of the Six Nations of Iroquois Indians — the Mohawks. These nations (exclusive of the Tuscaroras, who were practically amalgamated with the Oneidas) were established across the territory of the State of New York, beginning with the Mohawks on the east, with the Oneidas, On- ondagas, Cayugas and Senecas next in the order named. Their central council fire was with the Onondagas. But limited as was this country wherein these nations had their permanent abiding place, their unexam- pled and reckless bravery in war; their statesmanship as demonstrated in the system of government devised by them ; their indomitable per- severance and unyielding persistence in extending their power, gave them practical domination over the greater part of the continent and earned for them from one of their admirers the title of " The Romans of the New World." The records of the deeds of the Iroquois Indians are found upon thousands of pages in words from gifted pens, while their personal characteristics and civil and domestic history have no less faithful chroniclers. This fact renders it wholly unnecessary to attempt in these pages more than a simple statement of their occupancy of the soil, to be followed with the history of their relations with the white settlers of the county. Through the settlement of the French in what is now Canada early in the sixteenth century; the nearly simultaneous establishment of the Dutch in the vicinity of the Hudson river, and the subsequent domina- tion of the English, a long series of bloody wars was inaugurated, which did not cease until the final extinction of French power in 1763. There was strife from the beginning to gain the fealty of the Indians. They 28 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. were not onl\' extremely useful as fighters in the service of either power, but their friendship was equally desirable for purposes of trade. Of course they were regularly swindled by either party toward which they leaned. As far as the Mohawks were concerned they were always on terms of amity with the Knglish. The influence of Sir William John- son over them was boundless, and at his death the)' transferred their affections to his family, a fact which was the cause of untold woe to the colonists in after years.^ King Hendrick, as he was called, was a celebrated Mohawk chief who was at the height of his power when the Mohawk valley was opened for settlement. He was an intimate friend of Sir William Johnson ; adopted and wore the English costume, and never faltered in his allegiance to that nation. He resided much of the time at the upper Mohawk castle in what is now the town of Danube. He was killed at Lake George, September 8, 1755. To the religious wars that swept over Europe early in the seventeenth century may be directly attributed the emigration from Germany which ultimately led to the first permanent settlement of the upper Mo- hawk valley by white people. Germany was a battlefield of religious war for nearly a hundred years. The peasantry generally embraced the doctrines of the Reformation, in which they received the sj-mpathy of Protestant Englishmen. The affinity existing between the sovereigns of England and the German Palatinate, led to the application bj' the suffering Germans to Queen Anne, in 1708, to send the Palatines to her then colony of New York. To escape from what they would not ' ^' . -. ,■ twenty-three was sent to the M"- -le. who was a British admiral. Tht ssful in their cnltivation. sale. sto' r .^^Ti-!, : r; ,-,: hc became connected with tv riir ' permanently in the Mohawk vallej'. and applip him .Mininjr the friendship and confidence of the fu iliai It I '.1111 Ml. St. me mansion which he called Fort Johnson, and wh' W.1S entrusted with the sole management of the Indian mill v.'ellerit service. He was appointed a colonel in the British ■ •"" colonial troops and the Indian warriors, the nm devastation by the French and their allies. ct. Joseph Brant, which gave him additional : —'-.- under appointment as major-g-eneral, he led the :tnd was rewarded by a baronetcy and 5,000 pounds from ' 'nccat Fort Johnson in the eastern part of Montprom- '■ -moved to Johnstown, where he built his stately ^:e nth of July, 7774- His remains were buried ''torred while repairs to a church were being .. ,.w i.i. ■■■■'• "■"■ 'tincf place. EARLY SETTLEMENT. 29 endure in their own country, they fled to another where their religious faith might be cultivated and enjoyed free from persecution. On the loth of May, 1708, Joshua Kockerthal, a minister, with forty others from the Lower Palatinate in Germany, reached England. They were in a condition of destitution. The English Lords of Trade vouched for their good character and " humbly proposed " that they " be sent to settle upon Hudson's River, in the province of New York, where they may be useful to this kingdom, particularly in the produc- tion of naval stores, and as a frontier against the French and their In- dians." On the lOth of August following the provincial governor was directed to provide subsistence for Joshua Kockerthal and forty- two German Protestants, and " to grant him 500 acres of land for a glebe with liberty to sell a suitable portion thereof for his better maintenance till he shall be able to live by the produce of the remainder." These Palatines probably arrived in New York about the close of the year 1708, and an order was made in the Provincial Council at New York May 26, 1709, to continue the relief promised by the queen until the expiration of twelve months from the date of their arrival; this re- lief included clothing, mechanical tools and materials to work with. It is known that this company, or the greater part of it, settled permanent- ly in what is now Ulster county; and, as has often happened in similar cases, the emigrants met with much difficulty in securing the promised aid from England. The tools were, however, supplied them, as agreed. ^ The second immigration of Palatines, and by far the larger in num- bers, arrived at New York shortly before June 14, 1 7 10. In the Coun- cil, the president (Mr. Beekman) " informed the Board that the ship Lyon is arrived in this port, having brought a considerable number of Palatines for whom her Majesty has commanded him to Provide Lodg- ing and Provisions and desired the Gentlemen of the Councill to give their opinions what measures are proper to be taken with them." More than 3,000 emigrants came over at this time, and there being con - 1 The following lists of tools and names of their recipients are interesting : Joshua Kockerthal— I Barrel of Lime. 3 Gouches, 2 formers, i Grindingstone, i square, i Rule, i Compass, and several pieces more- Hermanns Schuneman— 2 Handsaws, 1 Great Saw, 3 Gouches. 2 Agors. besides several pieces more. Michael Wiegand—i, great file, i smaller dito, 1 mortising chisel, i Joynter, i Agor, besides several pieces more. Andreas Volk— i Cross Cut Saw, i Smooding plain, i wiping saw, an- other set of gouches, besides severall pieces more. Peter Rose — i Glupott. i Whimplingpitts, i hatchet, i little hamer, 2 Agors, i Joynter, besides severall pieces more. These lists are continued in Doc. Hist. New York, vol. HI, pp. 550-51. 30 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. tagious disease among them, they were quarantined at Nutten Island (now Governor's) where they were maintained in liuts at pubhc ex- pense.i Many died on the passage over. This body of Palatines came over under the special charge of Governor Hunter, who had particular directions where to settle them, with the view of their aiding in protection against the French and Indians. For this purpose the commissioners designated " a tract of land lying on the Mohaques river, containing about fifty miles in length, and four miles in breadth, and a tract of land lying upon a creek [evidently the Scho- harie] which runs into said river, containing between twenty-four and thirty miles in length. This last mentioned land is claimed by the Mo- haques, but that claim may be satisfied on easy terms." ^ Reference is made by the commissioners to the obstruction in the river at Cohoes, but they thought that should be but little hindrance. In the spring of 1710 Hunter ordered the survey of lands on the " Mohaks " river, and particularly in the " Skohare to which the Indians had no pretence." But owing to the remoteness of the Schoharie lands, and their supposed unfitness for agriculture, with the scarcity of pine timber. Hunter finally purchased " a tract of land on Hudson's river from Mr. [Robert] Liv- ingston, consisting of 6,000 acres, for ;^400 of this country money, for planting of the greatest division of the Palatines." He also informed the Board of Trade that he had found an ungranted tract near by on the west side of the river where he had planted the remainder of the Pala- tines, or intended to do so soon. On the i6th of June, 1710, in prob- able anticipation of what would naturally occur, the Board expressed the opinion " that a Proclamation doe Issue to prevent Exactions and Extortions in the price of Bread & other Provisions whereby the Pala- tines may be the better and easier Provided therewith." The sequel justified this measure, for the contractor who supplied flour, etc., cheated the poor immigrants in weight ; and they complained bitterly to the home government that the conditions under which they came to New York were not fulfilled. The number of Palatines on Livingston's man- ' " It is the opinion of this Hoard thereupon that Nutten Island is the properest place to put the Palatines on and that Huts should be made for them." The huts were built by two of the Palatine carpenters, Johannes Hebon and Peter Williamse. 2 The board also designated lands on the " Hudson's river, where are great numbers of Pines, fit for Production of Turpentine and Tarr, out of which Rozinand Pitch are made." EARLY SETTLEMENT. 31 or and on the opposite side of the Hudson river in 171 1 numbered about 1,800. Many Palatine children, some of whom were orphans, were taken un- der direction of the governor and bound out as apprentices to the inhab- itants of the colony. 1 Some of these afterwards became conspicuous in the history of the State. About eighty children were thus apprenticed. Among the volunteers who accompanied Colonel Nicholson on his expedition to Canada in 1711, are found the names of several that afterwards became familiar in the Mohawk valley, as follows : Hen. Hoffman, Warner Dirchest, Fred. Bellinger, Hen. Wederwachs, Frantz Finck, Martin Dillenback, Jacob Webber, William Nellis, George Dacbstader, Christian Bauch, Mich. Ittick, Melch. Folts, Niclaus Loiix, Hartman Windecker, Hans Hen. Zeller, Jno. Wm. Finck, Jno. Hen. Arendorff, Johan Schneider, Henry Feling, Job. Jost Petry and Lud. W. Schmit. Steps were taken at an early day for the inauguration of simple gov- ernment among the Palatines, as indicated from the following: In Council, 17th June 1710. Mr. Cheife Justice Reported to his Excellency that himselfe Mr. Barberie and Mr. Bickley have met on the Reference made to them yesterday to consider of a Scheme for the good Governing the Palatines, and haveing Considered the same, Proposed that Commissions of the peace and other Commissions be Granted to some persons among them for that End and that an Ordinace Issue Im- powering to heare and determine Small Causes, all of which his Excellency Referred to Mr. Cheife Justice and Mr. Bickley to prepare such Commissions and Ordinaces. Dissatisfaction and discontent arose among the Palatines on the Hud- son River. It is more than probable that much of this feeling was chargeable to Robert Livingston, who had a contract for providing them with flour, etc., and was also intimately associated with them in other directions, in all of which he made the most of his situation for his personal gain. In a letter written in March, 171 1, by a meinber of the British government to one of his colleagues, the writer says: I think it unhappy that Colo. Hunter at his first arrival in his government fell into ill hands, for this Livingston has been known many years in that province for a very ill 1 In Cotincil, June 20, 1710 : There haveing beene severall Proposalls made for the takeing many of the Palatine Children for a terme of Yeares and there being many Orphans who are unable to take care of themselves to work, and many who by sickness are rendered incapable of doeing any service for some time and in that condition would be a great expence ^nd there being noe Prospect of Settleing them this sumer by reason its soe much advanced His Excellency does appoint Doctor Staats and Mr. Van Dam or either of them to take such Proposalls for Placeing out the Orphans and other Children whose Parents have a numerous ffamily Entring into an Instrument in Write- ing to Cloath Victuall and use them well and to deliver them to the government when called for.— Doc. Hist. New York, vol. Ill, p. 553. 32 HISTORY OF HERKIMER CODNTY. man, he formerly victualled the forces at Albany, in which he was guilty of most noto- rious frauds by which he greatly improved his estate; he has a mill and a brew-house upon his land, and if he can get the victualling of those Palatines who are conveniently posted for his purpose, he will make a very good addition to his estate, and I am per- suaded the hopes he had of such a subsistance to be allowed, were the chief, if not the only inducements that prevailed with him to propose to Colo. Hunter to settle them upon his land. The charitable view of Hunter's conduct is that he was a dupe of Livingston. On the 30th of May, 171 1, the colonial secretary informed the Board of Trade that the Palatines would not work at tar and turpentine- making on the Hudson River lands where they had been seated, but were deter- mined to remove to the Schoharie lands where the queen had ordered them. We may be sure that there was very good reason for this action on their part. They were not people who would have become discon- tented if they had been honorably treated. That they were poorly fed, clothed and housed, cheated in trade, and forced into kinds of work which were distasteful to them, is well known. In reply to a question as to the behavior of his people, Mr. Kockerthal said : " They are all at work and busy, but manifestly with repugnance and merely tempo- rarily ; that the tract intended for them [the Schoharie and Mohawk lands] is in their minds a land of Canaan. • » * They will not listen to tar-making." In the autumn of 17*1 Governor Hunter warned the Palatines to " take measures to subsist themselves " during the following winter. Thereupon immediate action was begun for removal to the Schoharie lands. Their own account says : " All hands fell to work and in 2 weeks time clear'd a way thro' the woods of 15 miles long with the utmost toyle and labour, tho' almost starved and without bread." Fifty families reached the Schoharie district, only to learn that the lands had been granted to people in Albany, and to be warned not to settle thereon by the governor. The governor, however, " prevailed with the proprietors of these lands to make an offer of the lands free from all rent or acknowl- edgment for ten years, and ever after at a very moderate quit rent." Governor Burnet succeeded Governor Hunter in 1720. Among his instructions from the home government were express directions to re- move such of the Palatines as might desire, from their first settlements v-^ ^ / EARLY SETTLEMENT. 33 to lands more suitable for them. This action was doubtless precipitated by a strong memorial from the commissioners of the Palatines at Scho- harie, which was taken to England in 1718, and the instructions above noted were issued within the next sixteen days. In October, 1722, a third company of Palatines arrived in New York from Holland, having touched at England on the passage. In the fol- lowing year a large exodus of the Schoharie Palatines took place to Penn- sj'lvania and other localities, in consequence of the Albany ownership of Schoharie lands, above alluded to. The arrival of the third company from Holland in 1722, and this exodus in 1723, will enable us, as nearly as may be, to fix the date of the first settlement of the Palatines at Ger- man Flats. On this important point we shall quote from the late Judge Benton's work, wherein he shows the result of careful and exhaustive research : On the 21st of November, 1722, Governor Burnet informeJ the Board of Trade, elc, that he had expected when he was at Albany, to have fixed the Palatines in their new settlement which he had obtained of the Indians for them at a very easy purchase, but in consequence of the divisions among them, and their complaints about the quaHty of the lands in the new purchase, he concluded not to show any earnestness in pressing them logo on to the lands. But he says there tvere about sixty families who desired to have a distinct tract by themselves, and being those who had all along been most hearty for the government, he had given them leave to purchase lands from the Indians between the English settlements near Fort Hunter and part of Canada, on a creek called Canada Creek, where they will be more immediately a barrier against the sudden incursions of the French, who made this their road when they last attacked and burned the frontier town called " Schonectady ." The Indian deed for the lands at and west of Little Falls, covered in part by the so called Burnetsfield patent, is dated July 9, 1722, anterior to the arrival of the third company of Palatine immigrants, and this fact forces the conclusion that the grantees of the patent were composed chiefly, if not entirely of those Palatines who arrived in 1710, and were first .'eated on the Hudson River; and this view seems to be strengthened by Governor Burnet's remarks to the Board of Trade. It is quite certain that but few, if any, of the Schoharie people were among the first settlers of the German b^lats, unless they straggled from below. But there is no such name as Erghemar, Herkemer or Herkimer in the lists of those who came over in the two first companies of immigrants, nor apparently any name from which Herki- mer could be derived or coined without violating all known rules of etymology. The Erghemar family were not among the Palatines on Hudson River in 1711, nor of those who remained in New York. They probably arrived with the third company of im- migrants in 1722, from Holland, where they had sojourned many years. At what time these people actually settled upon the lands patented to them by the crown, in the spring of 1725, is perhaps problematical, and rests in tradition. They 5 34 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. were very urgent to remove to a part of the country vehere they could pursue their vocations and indulge in their own peculiar customs, unmolested by strangers and un- controlled by colonial task masters; where the lands they tilled were secured to them (}y all the sanctions of a public grant emanating from the king. They had long felt and known that " patience and hope make fools of tliose who fill their hands with them." They and their ancestors for three-quarters of a century nearly, had been afflicted with all the worldly evils and miseries that an intolerant and tyrannical hierarchy, .supported by absolute despotic governments, could bring upon them ; and they had looked to the future with patient and hopeful emotions for a day of deliverance. After twelve years of trial and privation incident to a new climate and a wilderness country, during which time they saw that strangers, and not their families after them, were to be benefited by their labors (no lands had yet been set out to them, by grant from the crown), well might they exclaim that those who endure patiently present wrongs and take no means of relief only to hope for it, were unwise and improvident. The Dutch recaptured New York in 1673, but it was restored to the English by treaty in 1674. At this time and to the close of the seventeenth century, a very great ma- jority of the people of the province were Low Dutch or Hollanders, and the French of Canada exerted much interest with all the Iroquois Indians, through the agency of the Jesuits and the control of the fur trade, except the Maquae-s, Mohocks or Mohawks. The whole country from Albany north to Lake Cbamplain, and from Schenectady west to Lakes Ontario and Erie was an unbroken wilderness, and it was therefore important that England should strengthen her colony of New York in both directions by planting .settlements as barriers against hostile approaches, but she had no people to spare; the <;ontinental wars in which she had been long engaged and was then involved, more than liecimated her population, and she eagerly embraced the opportunity of sending over the Palatines at the public expense. Governor Burnet, whose talents, learning and kindness commended him to the well disposed colonists, seconded this policy of his Ljovernment with zeal and success. Little did the governor or the home government then believe they were planting a barrier of stout hearts and sinewy arms on this frontier, which was soon to aid in obstructing the designs of the mother country in one of her most deliberate and best planned campaigns of the Revolution. Nor could these then houieless exiles put aside the curtain of futurity and behold the terrific and tragic scenes which were so effectively and relentlessly enacted upon the soil they had chosen for their homes, and by the power through whose agency they had obtained their promised land. The precise time when the Palatines made their first lodgment in the county is not ascertained. It was not later than 1725. Some who have speculated upon the subject suppose they came up the Mohawk valley as far as the Little Falls and to the Stone Ridge as early as the year 1720. Their agents, sent to spy out the lands, may have traversed the valley to the western bounds of the territory claimed by the Mohawk Indians as early as 1720, and perhaps before that period ; but Governor Burnet had not fixed them in the new settlement he had obtained for them of the Indians, at a very easy purchase, as late as November, 1722, and he that year permitted some of them to purchase lands of the Indians " on a creek called Canada Creek." They secured the carrying place at the lesser falls as well as a long extent of wilderness country above, EARLY SETTLEMENT. 3& by their Indian deed; and the license of the colonial governraent to make the purchase may have been considered by both parties an authorization tor them to remove before the patent was made out, as it no doubt was a solemn, irrevocable public pledge that the lands would be granted by the crown as soon as they should be surveyed. On this hypothesis it may be conjectured that settlements were made at or near the present site of the Stone Church in the town of German Flats, and at Herkimer village as early as the years 1723-24, if not before. Owning the lands at the carrying place, it is not likely that point was long neglected or unimproved. Burnetsfield patent, so called in popular parlance, is a curious document, and well worthy of some special notice. It was granted on the 30th of April, 1725. It recites that " whereas our loving subjects, John Joost Petri and Coenradt Rickert, in behalf of themselves and other distressed Palatines, by their humble petition presented the 17th day of January, 1722, toour trusty and well beloved William Burnet, Esq., Captain General and Governor-in-chief of the province of New York, in council have set forth that in " accordance with the governor's license they had purchased " of the native Indians in the Mohawks country" the tract of land on both sides of the "Mohawks river" commencing at the "first carrying place [Little Falls], being the eastermost bounds called by the natives Astourogon, running along on both sides of the said river westerly unto a place called Ganondagaraon, or the upper end of it," being " about twenty-four English miles along on both sides of the said river. ' The Indian deed is dated July 9, 1722. That the council advised the governor to "grant to each of the said persons, man, woman and child, as are desirous to settle within the limits of the said tract of land the quantity of 100 acres." The grantees were to hold the lands of the crown " in free and common socage, that being the usual tenure named in the colonial grants at this time, as of the manor of East Greenwich, in the county of Kent, in Great Britain, subject to an annual quit-rent of two shillings and sixpence per hundred acres, and on condition that the grantees, their heirs and a.ssigns, should within three years from the date, plant, settle and effectually cultivate at least three acres of land of every fifty acres " granted to them. This patent also contains the usual reservation of gold and silver mines.Jtimber fit for the royal navy, and the right to enter upon the lands and take and carry away the same. Of the ninety-two persons named in the patent to whom lands were granted, twenty- two appear to be females, by the description, married, single or widowed. The paper does not disclose the number of families or the heads of families represented by males who settled on the tract, or how many one hundred acre lots went to any one family, husband, wife and children. There are several Pellingers, Starings, Wevers, Smiths, Edicks, Beermans, to whom grants were made. Jurgh Erghemar, Johan Jost, Mada- lana and Catharina Erghemar are separately named, but Nicholas Herkimer, afterwards the General, was not a patentee. The following table gives the names of the original patentees, the number of the lots taken by each, and their location. Many of the names will be familiar as still belonging to their descendants in the county, while many of them have been so changed in their orthography as to be scarcely recognizable : 36 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. NAMES OF PATENTEES ARRANGED. r- Beerman, Mary, a. Beerman, Johannes/-- - 3- Same 4. Bowman, Jacob,.. 5. Bowman, Johan Adam,. Same, D. 6. Dacksteder, Anna, wife of Jurgh Dacksteder,. 7. Dacksteder, Jurgli,_ Same, 8. Edich, Elizabeth, 9. Edigh, Johan Michael,. 10. Edich, Jacob, 11. Editch, Michael, 12. Er^hemar, Jurgh, 13. Erghemar, John Jost,.. 14. Erghemar, Madalana,.. 15. Erghemar, Catharina.-. 16. Feller Nicholas, Same, 17. Feller, Mary, wife of Nicholas Feller,- 18. Felmore, Coenradt,__. ig. Felmore, Chri.stiana, 20. Fols. Jacob, 21. Fols. Melgert, Same, 22. Fox. Christopher, H. Heger, Henry. Helmer, Elizabeth, wife ofLendert Helmer,, Helmer, Philip. Helmer, Johan Adam, Same, _ .__ Helmer, Frederick, Helmer, Anna Margaret. i Herter, Apolone, Herter. Lowrens, _. Hess. Augustines, Hoss, Johannes, _. ife of John Adam Helmer K. ^4. Keslaer, Johannes, _. 35. Keslaer, Nicholas, ^6. Kast. Johan Jurgh, jr., Same, 37. Kast, Johan Jurgh, Same, "iS. Koons, Mary Catharine, widow, Same _ 3(). Korsing, Rudolph, 40. Korsing, Belia, wife of Rudolph Korsing.. 41. Koues, Lodowick, 43. Mayor, Hendrik,.. Same. 44. Mayor, Anna, 45. Miller, Johannes.. North South North South South North I South At the Little Falls. All the 30 acre lots were set on what were call- ed the Great Flats, in and near the present village of Herkimer. The 70 acre lots are described in the patent as wood land. Mohawk Village. And large island in Mohawk Valley. At the Little Falls Near Rankin's Lock. I South Opposite Great Flats. * l\vo lots of same number to Johannes Beerman. EARLY SETTLEMENT. 37 S'AMES OF PATENTEES ARRANGED. 48. Pears, Catharine, 4g, Pears, Lodowick, ;__ _ 50. Pell, Frederick, 51. Pell, Anna Mary, 52. PelUnger, Johannes, Same, ,. 53. Pellinger, Peter, Same, 54. Pellinger, Margaret, wife of Johannes Pellinger,. 55. Pellinger, Frederick, 56. Pellinger, Margaret, wife of Johannes Pellinger,., 57. Petri, Johan Joost, Same, __ 58. Petri, Gurtruydt, wife of Johan Joost Petri, Sg. Petri, Mark. _._ 60. Pouradt, Johannes 61. Poenradt, Gurtruydt, wife of Johannes Poenradt,. R. 62. Reelle, Godfrey, Same, 63. Reele, Godfrey, jr.,*. 64. Reele, Godfrey, 65. Rickert, Lodowick.. Same, 66. Rickert, Catharine,-. ■67. Rickert. Conradt, 68. Rickert, Mark . Shoemaker, Rudolph, . Shoemaker, Thomas,- Same, . Smith, Adam Michael, Same, __. . Smith, Johan Jurgh, Same, . Smith, Ephraim, . Smith, Marte, . Speis, Peter,-- _. , Speis. Elizabeth, wife of PeterSpeis, , Spoon, Hendrik _ , Spo .n, Hendrik, jr., --- , Staring, Mary Eva, wife of John Adam Staring,. . Staring, John Adam, Staring, Frederick, _ Same, __. . Staring, Johannes Velden, , Staring, Nicholas, Staring. Joseph, Staring, John Velde, jr., 86. Temouth, John Jost,. 87. Temouth, Fredrigh,.. Same, - 88. Veldelent, John,- Same, -_ -_ 8g. Veldelent, Anna, 90. Wever, Jacob, Same. QT. Wever, Nicholas, Same. 92. Wever, Andries, 93. Wever, Jacob, jr., 94. Welleven, Nicholas, - South North Opposite Great Flats. And )^ of an island. On east side of West Can- Same, [ada Creek. Near Mohawk Village. Stone Ridge, Herkimer Village. Nori:h Capt. Peter Klock. Nori;h South North South Ilion Village. Ilion Village. At the Little Falls. And X of an island. At Little Falls. Ft. Herkimer, Stone Ch. Same lot to Godfrey Reele and Godfrey Reele, jr 38 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. In the Burnetsfield patent there were forty-six lots on each side of the river. Those embracing the villages of Ilion and Mohawk and the inter- vening ground were of uni- form shape and size. Lots 24 south and 27 and 28 north of the Mohawk, were partly composed of islands in the stream. The broad river bot- toms about the site of Herki- mer were naturally a coveted portion of the patent ; and to give as many as possible of the grantees a share in this choice land, it was not appor- tioned among a few in 100- acre lots, but was divided as a rule into lots of thirty acres each, and the recipients of these completed their allot- ments by taking 70-acre lots (of the same number) of the higher wooded ground back of the river. The 30-acre lots covered the site of Herkimer (except one 86- acre piece) and all the vicinity in the an- gle of the river and West Canada Creek, back to a line passing from the river to the creek a little northwest of the village ; while from this line the corresponding 70-acie lots stretched away in a block EARLY SETTLEMENT. 39 northwestwardly for about two miles and a quarter. These large lots ran the whole length of this block, while they were only sixteen rods in width, the object being to give each of them an end toward the flats and as close communication as possible with the low lot belonging to the same proprietor. (The accompanying plan shows the divisions of these lots). The act of confirmation, January 17, 1723, required that the names and number of all the persons to be concerned in the grant should be certified to the surveyor-general before the survey was made, and as appears by the patent issued, there were only thirty- nine families and ninety-four persons reported. The Burnetsfield patent was dated April 30, 1725, about two years after the first Palatine settlements in this vicinity. The Burnetsfield grantees held their land subject to a quit- rent of two shillings and six- pence per hundred acres, and were bound to cultivate within three years at least three acres of every fifty given them. " For a long time after the Palatines came to this valley," said Samuel Earl in a historical address, " the heart of their settlement was where the old stone church stands [Fort Herkimer]. Here came the Schoharie Palatines, to the number of thirty families and upwards, in the spring of 1723, and then began the first settlement in this county." While the impartial reader of this day will readily accord the pre- sumption that the offer by the queen of a haven to the persecuted Ger- mans was a boon of the highest importance, we cannot shut our eyes to the selfishness and injustice of the government and its unprincipled agents who, at the same time, sought to profit through the necessities of the immigrants and to set them up on the frontier as probable targets for the French insurgents. It was not until 1724, long after Governor Burnet's arrival, that the 6,000 acres purchased of Mr. Livingston fourteen years earlier was se- cured to the Palatines by patent. This gave each of the families a liberal domain; each of the sixty-three heads of families took what he had held and improved, while the remainder of the tract was left in common. At one time Governor Burnet contemplated removing the whole of the German population then under his government to the center of the 40 HISTORT OF HERKIMER COUNTV. State, as indicated in his letter of October i6, 1721, to the Lords of Trade, wherein he says : " I did intend to settle the Palatines as far as I could in the middle of our Indians, but finding they could not be brought to that, I have granted their own request which was to have a license to purchase of the nearest Indians, which are on the Mohocks, which I have granted them with this condition, that they be not nearer than 2. fall in the Mohocks River, which is forty miles from Fort Hunter, and four score from Albany, by which the frontier will be so much ex- tended, and those people seem very well pleased and satisfied with what I have done." In his letter of November 21, 1722, he says: "As about sixty families desired to be in a distinct tract from the rest," he gave them leave to purchase from the Indians on the Canada Creek, where they would be more immediately a barrier against the sudden incursions of the French. CHAPTER HI. THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR. THE time came soon enough when the peaceful German settlers of the upper Mohawk valley were called upon to " stand as a frontier against the French and their Indians." After about thirty-five years of prosperous peace, during which their farms had been cleared, buildings erected, stock and crops raised and defenses established, the shock of the French and Indian war, as it is known, came upon them in Novem- ber, 1757. The English fort at Oswego and the small fortifications on Wood Creek and the upper Mohawk had been captured in the previous year; and on the 12th of November, 1757, a force of about three hun- dred marines, Canadians and Indians, under command of M. De Belletre, traversed the wilderness by way of Black River, and attacked and destroyed the Palatine settlements on the north side of the Mohawk at or near the present village of Herkimer. The attack was a surprise and resulted in a cold-blooded massacre, which is described as follows in the bombastic style of the French narrator : THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR. 41 "On the 11th of November, at three o'clock in the forenoon, M. de Belletre, pre- ceded as was his custom by scouts, crossed the river Corlaer [Mohawk] with his de- tachment, partly swimming, partly in water up to the neck. He encamped at night- fall in the woods a league and a half from the Hrst of the five forts that covered the Palatine settlements. "The l'2th, at three o'clock in the morning, he gave his detachment the order of march and attack so as to surround the said five forts and the entire Palatine village, consisting of sixty houses. " Though M. de Belletre knew that the English got notice the day preceding, yet that the courage of the Indians may not receive the least check, and to show them that he would not rashly expose them, he liberated an Indian of the Five Nations, whom he had until then detained under suspicion. But this savage could not injure M. de Belletre, because he commenced at the same time to attack the five forts and the Pala- tines' houses. " At sight of the first fort he decided to take it by assault. The enemj' kept up a most active fire of musketry, but the intrepidity with which M. de Belletre, and all the officers and Canadians of his detachment advanced, coupled with the war whoop of the Indians, terrified the English to the degree that the mayor of the village of the Pala- tines, who commanded the said fort, opened the doors and asked for quarters. " M. de Belletre lost no time in repairing to the second, the third, the fourth and fifth, which were not less intimidated than the first, by his intrepidity and the cries of the Indians. They all surrendered at discretion and were entirely burnt. " During this time a party of Canadians and Indians ravaged and burnt the said sixty houses of the Palatines, their barns and other out buildings, as well as the water mill. " In all these expeditions about forty English perished — killed or drowned. The number of prisoners is nearly one hundred and fifty men, women and children, among whom is the mayor of the village, the surgeon and some militia officers. We had not a man killed ; but M. de Lorimer, officer, was wounded in the right side by a ball, and three or four savages slightly. '' The damage inflicted on the enemy is estimated according to the representations of the English themselves, to wit: •' In grain, of all sorts, a much larger quantity than the island of Montreal has pro- duced in years of abundance. The same of hogs; 3,000 horned cattle; 3,000 sheep. All these articles were to be sent in a few days to Corlaer [Schenectady] ; 1 ,500 horses, 300 of which were taken by the Indians, and the greater number consumed for the support of the detachment. " The property in furniture, wearing apparel, merchandise and liquor might form a capital of 1,500,000 livres [$277,500]. The mayor of the village alone has lost 400, 000 [$74,000]. The French and Indians have acquired as rich a booty as they could carry off. They have in specie more than 100,000 livres [$18,500]. One Indian alone has as much at 30,000 [$6,550]. There was likewise plundered a quantity of wampum, silver bracelets, &c., scarlet cloth and other merchandise, which would form a capital of 80,000 more. All this damage could not be done short of forty-eight hours. M. de Belletre made provision to be always able to resist the enemy, who as has been ob- 42 HISTORY OF HERKIMKR COUNTY. served were to the numlier of 350 men in the said Fort Koiiari |HerkinieiJ, jdioul a quarter of a league from the field of battle." Although this account is greatly exaggerated, as was proved subse- quently by the narrative of Mr. Daine which was sent to the French minister, ' especially in regard to destruction of property, it still tells a tale of barbarity most revolting in all its details. The responsibility for this disastrous event is in dispute. William L. Stone, the biographer of Sir Wilham Johnson, exonerates the baronet from blame, while the late Judge Benton throws doubt upon Stone's proofs. It seems almost incredible that Sir William Johnson could have connived for this wan- ton attack, and no less incredible that he would endeavor to hide his duplicity under proofs deliberately manufactured. Sir William had long before the assault urged the stationing of a force of rangers at the German Flats for scouting purposes. He had characterized the garri- sons among the Palatines as being " not only very arrogant and self- sufficient," but " of no use in protecting the Germans." His interest for the welfare of the Germans seems to have continued down almost to the date of the attack. He wrote to the Lords of Trade September 28, 1757, as follows : The Tiiscaroras and Oneidas have not yet made any e.xpress declaration to me ; they have promised soon to do it. The latter are divided among themselves, and the greater part under the influence of those of their nation whom the French have drawn ofT to live at Sweegachie on St. Lawrence river, and at whose scalping parties, which molest the German Flats, they do at least connive. The evidence of Sir William's honor in the matter rests chiefly upon the following : Having been informed that the Indians had not notified the Palatines of the enemy's approach until the morning of the attack, he sent his dsputy to make inquiry of several Oneida and Tuscarora Indians who had assembled at the German Flats why they had not given the settlers timely warning. The deputy agent, George Crogin, did not arrive at the scene of desolation until the Indians had left for home; but at his request they returned. His narrative of what then took place states : > Governor DeLancy, in mentioning the tlestruction of " a valuable settlement on the north side of the Molia\vk*s rivtr, opposite to Fort Hareniger, called the Gerinan Flats," says, " the loss is estimated at twenty thousand pounds this money," a large discrepancy from that given by the valorous Frenchman.— Hcnton's Herkimer County. THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR. 45 The aforesaid Indians returned, and on the 30th of ISl ovember [1757], at Fort Harke- man, Conaghquieson, the chief Oneida sachem, made the following speech to Mr. Cro- ghan, having first called in one Rudolph Shumaker, Hanjost Harkeman and several other Germans, who understood the Indian language, and de.'^ired them to sit down and hear what he was going to say. Conaghquieson then said : " Brother, I can't help telling you that we were very much surprised to hear that our "brethren, the English, suspect and charge us with not giving them timely notice of tiie designs of the French, as it is well known we have not neglected to give tliem every piece of intelHgence that came to our knowledge. " Brother : About fifteen days before the afiFair happened, we sent the Germans word that some Swegatchi Indians told us the French were determined to destroy the Ger- man Flats, and desired them to be on their guard. About six days after that we had a further account from the Swegatchi, that the French were preparing to mai-cli. " I then oame down to the German Flats, and in a meeting with the German.s, told what we had heard, and desired them to collect themselves together in a body at their fort, and secure their women, cliildren and efifects, and make the best defense they could ; and at the same time told th^i to write what I had said to onr brother War- raghiyagey [Meaning Sir William Johiison. The Palatines never sent this intelligence]. But they paid not the least regard to what I told them, and laughed at me, saying they did not value the enemy. Upon this I returned home and sent one of our people to the lake [meaning the Oneida lake] to find out whether the enemy were coming or not; and after he had stayed there two days, the enemy arrived at the carrying place, and sent word to the castle at the lake, that they were there, and told them what they were going to do ; but charged them not to let us at the upper castle know anything of their design. As soon as the man I seut there heard this, he came on to us with the account that night, and as soon as we received it we sent a belt of wampum to confirm the truth thereof, to the Flats, which came here the day before the enemy made their attack ; but the people would not give credit to the account even then, or they might have saved their lives. This is the truth and those Germans here present know it to be so." The aforesaid Germans did acknowledge it to he so, and that they had such intelli- gence. Gkorgk Croguan. The authenticity of this document is doubted by Judge Benton, while Mr. Stone gave it credence and at the same time claims to have other evidence that the Palatines were promptly and properly warned of the impendi inspection of, and consigned to, the committee, to be given out to such shopkeepers as they should approve and concluding : " In a word, gentle- men, it is our fixed resolve to support and carry into execution every- thing recommended by the Continental Congress, and to be free or die." That expression bears the true ring of patriotism and shows clearly the attitude of the majority of the inhabitants of the valley. In Campbell's " Annals of Tryon County " the date of the first united meeting of the county committee is given as June 2, 1775, with the following as the names of the committee : From the Palatine district : Cliri.stopher P. Yates, John Frey, Andrew Fink, Andrew Reiber, Peter Waggoner, Daniel McDougal, Jacob Klock, George Ecker, Jun., Harma- nus Van Slyck, Christopher W. Fox, Anthony Van Veghten ; 11. From the Cana)oharie district : Nicholas Herkimer, Ebenezer Cox, William Seeber, John Moore, Samuel Campbell, Samuel Clyde, Thomas Henry, John Pickard ; 8. From the Kingsland and German Flats districts: Edward Wall, William Petry, John Petry, Augustine Hess, Frederick Orendorf, George Wentz, Michael Ittig, Frederick Fox, George He.-kimer, Duncan McDougal, Frederick Helmer, and John Frink; 12. From the Mohawk district: John iVlorlett, John Bliven, Abraham Van Home, Adam Fonda, Frederick Fisher, Sampson Simmons, William Schuyler, Volkert Veeder, James McMaster and Daniel Lane; 10. In all, 41. Previous to the above named meeting the Mohawk delegates had been influenced by the Johnsons against attending the committee gatherings. Such was the case on the 24th of May, when all the committees met, excepting Mohawk, and unanimously approved of the previous action of the Palatine committee, and voted that Daniel McDougall, for Pala- tine district, David Cox for Canajoharie, and Edward Wall and Duncan McDougall for German Flats and Kingsland, be sent to Sclienectady and Albany to confer with the committees of those places upon the sit- uation, and to procure ammunition, etc. Meanwhile Guy Johnson was secretly active in inciting the Indians to keep alive their memory of Sir William and to hold themselves ready to protect himself and his property. He undoubtedly early saw his impending doom. At the meeting of June 2, above mentioned, a long letter, written in a spirit of patriotic and dignified protest against his disloyal acts and maintaining the position of the committees, was prepared and forwarded to Johnson. This drew from him a reply in which he mildly deprecated the unconstitutional means taken by the colonists to redress their wrongs ; excusing the 50 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. fortification of his house by his fears of actual danger to himself; deny- ing that he had stopped any travelers, and closing with the assurance that he should always be glad to promote their true interests. But his acts belied his words. He went first to Fort Stanwix and thence to Ontario and Oswego, where he held councils with the Indians and further secured their promised devotion to the king through gifts and rewards. He finally repaired to Montreal where he remained through the war, continuing the discharge of his duties as Indian agent and de- voting himself indirectly to the destruction of the people of whom lie had written that he " should always be glad to promote their true iii- erests." In their alarming situation, especially as regarded the attitude of the Six Nations, the colonists made earnest efforts to dissuade them from joining in the approaching struggle. These efforts were successful only with a large part of the Oneidas and the Tuscaroras. The last council held before the war was convened at Albany August 23-3 1, 1775, and although some assurance was then obtained from the Indians that they would remain neutral, it was not many months before the great body of the Mohawks, Onondagas, Cayugas and Senecas evinced their attachment to the royal cause. Following the flight of Guy John- son, the colonists found it necessary to keep a close watch upon the movements of Sir John. He was surrounded by a large body of tories and Indians and left no means untried to harass and annoy the settlers. As a last resort the Tryon county committee resolved to make him speak out his intentions and hold him responsible for his utterances. They accordingly addressed a letter to him, over the signature of Nicholas Herkimer, which contained the following paragraph : We want to know whether you will allow that the inhabitants of Johnstown and Kingsboi'oiigh may form themselves into companies according to the regulations of our Continental Congress, for the defense of our country's cause ; and whether your honor would be ready himself to give his personal assistance to the same purpose. Sir John's reply left no doubt resting upon his sentiments, at least. It was thus reported to the committee by the messengers who conveyed their inquiries : In regard of embodying his tenants into companies, he never did forbid them, neither should do it, as they may use their pleasure ; but we might save ourselves the trouble, he being sure they would not. THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD. 51 Concerning himself, he said that before he would sign any association, or would lift his hand up against his king, he would rather suffer that his head shall be cut off. Sir John continued hi.s military preparations about Johnson Hall, and succeeded in keeping the inhabitants of the county in continual alarm. The activity and growing boldness of the tories led to the issuance of an order by Congress to General Sciiuyler in January, 1776, directing him to take steps to captur- the materials of war reported as stored at Johns- town and disarm the tories. With about 700 men General Schuyler proceeded toward Johnstown. At Guy Park, some miles east of Johns- town, Sir John and a party of his followers were encountered. The baronet was at first disposed to assume a belligerent attitude, but he was soon convinced of a better course and asked for twenty-four hours for consideration. This was granted and he returned to the Hall. From Caughnawaga, whither General Schuyler had marched, and where he had met General Herkimer and the militia, an ultimatum was sent to Sir John. He was permitted to retain some family arms and allowed certain liberty in prescribed limits in the eastern part of the State. To this he agreed, but his continued violation of the compact and renewed evidences of his hostility to the cause led General Schuyler to the con- clusion that the only proper and safe course was to place him under arrest. An expedition was sent out in May for this purpose and to quell all disaffection about Johnstown. Sir John received information of this movement and he fled with his retainers to Canada, where he accepted a commission as colonel in tlie British arm\' and formed two battalions of " Royal Greens" from the tories who had accompanied him. They became the bitterest enemies with whom the patriots had to contend. After the departure of Sir John and his band, who were subsequently followed by other parties of tories, this class of persons made no further hostile demonstrations in the county. Returning to the subject of military affairs in the county in 1775, the committee of safety organized the militia of the county into four battal- ions and on the 26th of August transmitted the return, through Nicho- las Herkimer, the chairman, to the general committee of safety, then in session in New York, by whom it was approved on the 6th of Septem- ber. Following is a list of field officers of the four battalions who were nominated in each district : 52 HISTORY Q¥ HERKIMER COUNTY. First battalion Canajoharie district. — Nicholas Herkheimer, colonel; Ebenezer Cox, lieutenant-colonel ; Robert Wells, major ; Samuel Clyde, adjutant. Second battalion, Palatine district. — Jacob Clock, colonel; Peter Waggoner, lieuten- ant-colonel; Harmanus Van Slyck, major; V. Vechten, adjutant. Third battalion, Mohawk district. — Frederick Fisher, colonel; Adam Fonda, lieuten- ant-colonel ; John Bliven, major ; Robert Yates, adjutant. Fourth battalion, German Flats and Kingsland. — Hanyoost Herkheimer, colonel ; Peter Bellinger, lieutenant-colonel ; Hanyoost Shoemaker, major ; John Demooth, ad- jutant. The following are the names of the other officers of the fourth bat- talion : 1st company. — John Eisenlord, captain; John Keyser, 1st lieutenant ; Adam Bellin- ger, 2d lieutenant; John Smith, er.sign. 2d company.— John Petry, captain; Hanyoost Mx. Petry, 1st lieutenant; Hanyoo.«t H. Petry, 2d lieutenant ; William Empie, ensign. 3d company. — Daniel Petry, captain ; Peter Volts, 1st lieutenant ; Marx Raspach, 2d lieutenant ; George Helmer, ensign. 4th company.— Frederick Bellinger, captain; Henry Herter, 1st lieutenant; John Demooth, 2d lieutenant; Peter Ja. Weaver, ensign. 5th company. — Peter Bellinger, captain ; Jacob Baschawn, 1st lieutenant ; Nicholas Staring, 2d lieutenant; John P. Bellinger, ensign. 6th company. — Hanyoost Herkheimer, captain ; Frederick Ahrendorf, 1st lieutenant; Tinus Clapsaddle, 2d lieutenant. 7th company. — Rudolph Shoemaker, captain ; Deiterick Stale, 1st lieutenant ; Freder ick Shoemaker, 2d lieutenant. 8th company. — George Herkheimer, captain; Frederick Fox, 1st lieutenant; Archi bald Armstrong, 2d lieutenant; Hanyoost Tygert, ensign. 9th company. — William Tygert, captain; Jacob Volts, 1st lieutenant ; George Wenis, 2d lieutenant; Frederick Frank, ensign. By a vote of the committee, Nicholas Herkimer was appointed "Chief Colonel, Commander for the County of Tryon." The year 1777 produced a series of events of remarkable historical importance to the people of the Mohawk valley. In the spring an in- vasion was threatened by a large force of Indians under the famous Brant. He was met at Unadilla by General Herkimer, with whom he had been on friendly terms. The interview was beset with danger and a conflict was narrowly escaped ; but it closed without practical results, and Brant returned down the Susquehanna. THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD. 53 On the 3d of August ( 1777) Fort Schuyler was invested by Colonel St. Leger, with a force of 1,700 men. The approach of this attack was communicated to Colonel Gansevoort and the authorities of Tryon coun- ty by the friendly Oneida Indians. The American force at the fort was seven hundred and fifty men, and the supply of ammunition was deficient. The first news of the proposed siege of Fort Schuyler seems to have thrown the inhabitants of the valley into needless alarm which became almost a panic — a condition justified only by their unprotected situation and the probability that they could receive little assistance beyond their own efforts. On the 17th of July General Herkimer issued a proclama- tion announcing that 2,000 " Christians and savages " had assembled at Oswego for a descent upon the Mohawk valley, and warning the people to be ready at a moment's notice to take the field against the enemy, the men from sixteen to sixty for active service, and the aged and infirm to defend the women and children. Of the immediate subsequent opera- tions Judge Benton wrote as follows : " As soon as the approach of St. Leger to Fort Schuyler was known in Tryon county, General Herkimer ordered the militia of his brigade to rendezvous at Fort Dayton ( theh called German Flats ). This defense was erected in the western part of Herkimer village, and the general soon found himself at the head of about nine hundred men, composed of the three militia regiments conv manded by Colonels Klock, Cox, Vischer and some others, with volun- teers of officers and men from various parts of the country. The pub- lished accounts of the forces collected under General Herkimer on this occasion do not designate the localities from which the several regiments were drawn ; enough is known, however, to warrant the assertion that the militia of the German Flats and Kingsiand district were attached to the regiment commanded by Colonel Peter Bellinger, whose lieutenant- colonel was Frederick Bellinger ; major, Enos Klepsattle. The militia of these districts participated in the battle of Oriskany. The alacrity and zeal evinced on this occasion should have entirely eradicated all impressions unfavorable to the patriotic devotion of the inhabitants of the valley, growing out of the expression of despondency in the early part of the year. Surely after this no one could complain of German disloyalty to the cause of the colonists. General Herkimer left Fort Dayton on the 4th of August, and encamped near the Oriskany on the 54 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. 5th, crossing the Mohawk river at old Fort Schuyler ( now Utica ) on the march up. At this point the general expressed his doubts of the ex- pediency of a forward movement, until reinforcements should arrive, or the prearranged signal should be given by Colonel Gansevoort from the fort. An express, Adam Helmer and two other men, had been dis- patched to the fort, informing the commandant of the general's approach, and to arrange matters of co-operation. The messengers did not reach the fort until ten or eleven o'clock in the morning of the 6th. Three successive discharges of heavy ordnance was the signal agreed on, an- nouncing the arrival of the express ; the reports of which, it was assumed, could be heard at Herkimer's encampment, eight miles distant from the fort. Recriminatory and insubordinate language was used on the occa- sion, and the general was denounced to his face as a tory and coward ; who replied, that their safety was in his hands, and he desired to avoid all difficulties that could not be surmounted by bravery and good con- duct. On this occasion the general told some of his subordinates, who had been noisy and liberal in their accusations of his fidelity and cour- age, that they would be the first to run on the approacli of the enemy ; which was soon verified to the very letter. " All previous accounts had fixed St. Leger's forces at 2,ooo strong, nearly half of which were Indians led by Brant, a brave, active and artful Mohawk sachem. Herkimer knew this, and he no doubt believed, as well he might, that a force superior to his own could be sent against him, which would select its own battlefield, without in any way inter- fering with the investment of the fort. But noisy insubordination pre- vailed, and precipitated the little band of patriots into the jaws of death. Smarting under the repeated accusations heaped upon him, and irritated no doubt, the general gave orders to take up the line of march, which was received with cheers by the men, who proceeded rapidly on their way, two deep, having thrown out the usual advanced and flanking parties. "At lo o'clock on the 6th the main body of troops passed over a causeway on a marshy ravine, the advance having commenced an ascent of the westerly slope, when a well directed fire from the enemy, in front and on both flanks, accompanied with the dismal Indian war-whoop, unfolded to the .American fjeneral that his division had become involved THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD. • 55 in an almost inextricable ambuscade. Retreat was impossible, for the causeway over the marsh was already blocked up with teams; and the rear guard, just commencing the descent of the eastern declivity, com- manded by one of the officers who in the morning had taunted his gen- eral with cowardice, turned and fled on the first fire of the enemy. But flight did not save them from the fate that awaited their comrades on the west side of the ravine; the enemy, knowing well the ground, had gained the rear, and shot down the fugitives as they ran away from their com- panions. As might well be expected, the suddenness of the attack and the intensity of the enemy's fire, not only produced great disorder among the provincials, but annihilation seemed almost inevitable for a time. " In this disorder the conflict raged about half an hour, when the Americans formed themselves into circular squads, the more effectually to repel the attacks of the enemy, who were steadily approaching on all sides; and, from this moment, resistance became more effective. The enemy then charged with bayonet, but they were met by brave hearts and strong arms, and thus the battle raged, until the parties were com- pelled to desist by a heavy shower of rain, which raged with great fury more than an hour. The enemy sought the best shelter they could find, at a good distance from the provincials, when the latter, under the directions of their general, occupied a favorable piece of ground, and then so formed themselves as to be able to repel an attack from any quarter. The fight was renewed, but the Indians, suffering severely by the deadly fire of the militia, began to give ground, when a detach- ment of Johnson's Greens, composed chiefly of loyalists who had fled from Tryon county, were brought into action face to face with many of their former neighbors. Then mutual hate and revenge raged with un- speakable intensity between the combatants, and the conflict now be- came, if possible, more a death struggle than ever. " In the mean time, while the battle was the most fierce, a firing was heard in the direction of the fort; no unwelcome sound, as may well be supposed, to the handful of surviving provincials, nor very gratifying to the enemy. During the conflict at the Oriskany, a well conducted sortie from the fort, under the command of Colonel Willett, was made upon the forces under St. Leger, for the purpose of drawing the enemy's 56 HISTORY OF HERKIMER CODNTT. attention to the preservation of their camp in that direction. This was well understood by the provincials, and in it they saw great hope of de- liverance. This was not a fight suited to the taste of savages, who found their numbers fast diminishing, nor could such a contest be long main- tained with much hope of survivorship by either party, ' Oouah,' the retreating cry of the Indians, was heard in the distance, and their flight commenced with a salute of shouts and bullets from the surviving pro- vincials. The Greens and Rangers soon followed the example of their illustrious allies by a precipitate retreat, abandoning their dead and wounded, and the deeply crimsoned battlefield in the undisputed pos- session of the Tryon county militia. Was this a victory, or a defeat of the provincials? By all the laws of war, they are victors who remain masters of the battle-ground. The American report gave the number of provincial militia killed, two hundred, besides the wounded and pris- oners. The British accounts state the killed at four hundred, and two hundred prisoners, making in all six hundred, besides the wounded. Now in modern warfare, and in the severest battles, the wounded are more than two to one of the killed, say nothing about prisoners. The British accounts do not claim there was over one thousand militia on the march at this time to raise the siege of Fort Schuyler. Surely four hundred killed, eight hundred wounded and two hundred prisoners, out of one thousand, is making sad havoc in the fighting line. But this is not so ; and St. Leger, when he gave this statement of killed and prisoners to General Burgoyne, was indulging not a little in the M. de Belletre vein. "The battle was a severe one. The severest, perhaps, for the num- ber engaged, that took place during the whole Revolutionary War. And from the character of the combatants, the surprise, and the disad- vantages under which the provincials labored during the whole six hours' conflict, the proportion of the killed to the wounded must have been greatly beyond what ordinarily occurs in the hardest actions, where firearms are used as the principal weapon of assault and defense. "^ In his account of the battle of Oriskany published in 1877, William L. Stone gives the following list of officers of the Tryon county militia who were killed or wounded in the engagement: 1 For sketch of General Herkimer, see later pages. THE REVOLUTIONARy PERIOD. 57 In Colonel Visscher's regiment, Captains John Davis and Samuel Pettingill, killed ; Major Blauvelt and Lieutenant Groat, taken prisoners and never afterwards heard of; Captain Jacob Gardinier and Lieutenant Samuel Gardinier, wounded. In Colonel Ja- cob Klock's regiment, Major John Eisenlord and Major Van Slyck (Palatine district) and Captain Andrew Dillenback (Palatine district), killed; Captain Christopher Fox and John Breadbeg ( Palatine district), wounded; Brigade Major John Frey (Palatine district), wounded and prisoner. In Colonel Peter Bellinger's regiment. Major Enos Klapsattle, Captain Frederick Helmer, and Lieutenant Petrie ( all of German Flats), killed; Lieutenant-colonel Frederick Bellinger and Henry Walradt (German Flats), prisoners. In Colonel Ebenezer Cox's regiment, Colonel Cox and Lieutenant-colonel Hunt (Canajoharie district), killed; Capl.nins Henry Dievendorff, Robert Grouse and Jacob Bowman ( all of Canajoharie district), killed ; Captain Jacob Seeber and Lieu- tenant William Seeber ( both of Canajoharie district), mortally wounded. The sur- geon, Moses Younglove, was taken prisoner. Among the volunteers not belonging to the militia, who were killed, were Isaac Paris (Palatine district), Samuel Billington (Palatine district ), John Dygert and Jacob Snell (Manheim). Colonel Gansevoort refused to surrender Fort Schuyler on any terms offered by St. Leger, and the latter undoubtedly feared the consequences of prolonged delay after the battle of Oriskany. An effort was there- fore made by Sir John Johnson and Colonels Claus and John Butler, who were among the besiegers, to detach the inhabitants of the valley from the patriot cause by sending emissaries among them with incen- diary proclamations. Knowledge of a secret meeting of tories to be held at the house of a Mr. Shoemaker reached Colonel Weston at Fort Day- ton, who immediately sent a party and surprised and captured Lieuten- ant Walter N. Butler, of St. Leger's army, with twenty eight soldiers and Indians, who had come to German Flats on a mission from Sir John Johnson. Butler was tried as a spy and sentenced to death, but was reprieved and sent to Albany as a prisoner. He finally made his escape and became one of the most dastardly and bloodthirsty tories of his time. His final fate is noticed a little further on. The American General Arnbld arrived at Fort Dayton about the mid- dle of August, at which point troops were gathering with the purpose of relieving Fort Schuyler. Arnold issued a proclamation to counter- act the efforts of Johnson and Claus on the 20th of August, and on the 23d left Fort Dayton with his soldiers, determined to risk a battle with the superior numbers of the enemy at Fort Schuyler. After half a day's march he met a courier from Colonel Gansevoort with the news that the siege was raised. This happy result was accomplished through 5S HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. a ruse devised by General Arnold, in which an ignorant and half-witted person named Han Yost Schuyler who leaned towards the tory element and was captured with the others at Shoemaker's house, was the active instrument. He had been sentenced to death, but upon intercession by his mother and brother, it was stipulated that liis life would be spared if he would proceed to St. Leger's headquarters in company with a friendly Oneida Indian, and find some way to so alarm the enemy that they would retreat. Han Yost gladly accepted the mission and left his brother Nicholas as a hostage. Schuyler's wits were sharpened by his danger, and he cunningly fired numerous holes in his garments to in- dicate that he had fled for his life, and started with the Indian for St. Leger's camp. He went by one road and the Indian by a different one, it being arranged that they should not recognize each other when they met. Being well known as a loyalist, the ignorant German found will- ing listeners in the British officers, and he soon impressed them with the danger of continuing the siege. The Indian corroborated the story, and the effect was all that could have been desired ; the army retreated, accompanied as far as Wood Creek by Han Yost, who then left them and returned to Fort Schuyler the same evening. The commander of the fort was then able for the first time to understand the sudden de- parture of the enemy. '^ The remainder of the year 1777 was not marked by any important occurrence that deserves notice here. Tiie inhabitants of the county proceeded with the spring work on their farms in 1778, in the liope of reaping a harvest in the autumn. They were doomed to disappoint- ment. On the 25th of June the following appointments were made by the governor and council to the regiment of militia in the German Flats and Kingsland districts : Field Ollioers and Regimental Stall'. — Peter Bellingfr, colonel; Frederick Bellinger, lieuten.int-colonel ; George Demoth, adjutant ; Rudolph Steel, quartei master. Michael Ittig, captain; Jacob Baulcom, first lieutenant ; Frederick Frank, second lieutenant ; Patrick Campbell, ensign. 1 Although this stratagem is generally credited to [General Arnold, Judge Benton doubts the statement, and we are inclined to agree with him. The principal ground for the doubt lies in the extreme probability that nothing would better have pleased the rash American General Arnold at that time than an opportunity to flog the " banditti of robbers, murderers and traitors," as he had characterized the forces under St. Leger ; and that he would not, therefore, have adopted a plan to frighten them beyond his reach. THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD. 59 Henry Harter, captain ; John Demotb, first lieutenant; Peter .Ta. Weaver, second lieutenant; John F. Bellinger, ensign. Jacob Small, captain ; George F. Helmer, second lieutenant; Jacob D. Petrie, ensign. Henry Staring, captain ; Theobald Baker, first lieutenant ; George Weaver, second lieutenant. Soverenus Cassleman, captain; Henry Uuber, first lieutenant; Jacob G. Klock, sec- ond lieutenant. Frederick Getman, captain ; Jacob Meyer, second lieutenant; John Meyer, ensign. Henrv Eckler, captain ; Conrad Orendorff, first lieutenant; Timothy Frank, second lieutenant; Adam A. Staring, ensign. The nine companies formed in 1775 were thus reduced to seven by the casualties of the war. The names of Herkimer and Shoemaker had disappeared from the rohs, and only one of the Petries was left. Plan and Profile of Retrenched Work round Harkemeis house at y" German Flats, 1756 The first hostility in the county in 1778 occurred in what is now the town of Warren, when Brant and a few of his followers attacked and burned a settlement called Andrustown, killed five persons and cap- 60 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. tured the remainder of the seven famihes living there. This event occurred in July, and in the following month and the first days of Sep- tember, the Palatine settlements were destined to suffer at the hands of the enemy. At this time, as the reader has already learned, there were two fortifications for the protection of the upper valley : Fort Herkimer, near the south bank of the Mohawk river, containing the stone church and the stone mansion of the Herkimer family, with some other buildings, and surrounded by a ditch ; and Fort Dayton, on a slight elevation in the westerly part of Herkimer village, a few rods from the site of the present court-house. These forts, while they would appear as insignificant defenses from the standpoint of modern warfare, were then quite effective protection against the arms of that period. There were then about seventy dwellings on both sides of the river in the neighborhood of the two forts, besides barns, other out- buildings and mills, with a large population in proportion to the num- ber of houses. Brant had remained quiet at Unadilla for a long time, a fact that aroused the suspicions of the inhabitants of the valley, and they finally sent four men as scouts to learn the Indian's intentions. The scouts fell in with the moving enemy and three were killed, while the fourth, John Helmer, escaped by flight, returned to the fort and reported the approach of Brant and a large body of Indians and tories. The terror-stricken people fled into the forts, carrying with them their most valuable possessions. The Indian chief at the head of three hundred tories and about half as many savages approached the senlement just at nightfall, but as the weather was stormy they remained near the dwelling of Shoemaker, the tory sympathizer, until morning, when the torch was applied to every building in the settlement and to the stacks of hay and grain, while the stock of the farmers was jtfterward driven away. Only two persons lost their lives, thanks to the escape and return of John Hel- mer with the news of the intended attack. It is recorded that sixty- three dwellings, fifty-seven barns, three grist-mills and two saw- mills were burned ; and 235 horses, 229 cattle, 269 sheep and 93 oxen were driven away. About 400 militia followed in pursuit of the enemy as far as Unadilla, but the chase was fruitless. It seems sadly unfort- unate that there could not have been a force of soldiers from the THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD. 6l general army provided at one of these forts, sufficient to have left the defenses and attacked such a body of marauders at such a time ; but by the student of tlie records of the great struggle it is known that the numbers of the army were inadequate to the protection of an extended frontier, and at the same time prosecute the war at many vastly more important points. This destructive raid seems to have satisfied the tories and Indians that they had accomplished all the damage possible for a considerable period. The lower valley and other localities received the incursions of the enemy, while the German Flats and what is now the territory of Herkimer county was exempt from attack. On the 3d of April, 1780, about sixty tories and Indians descended upon the settlements of Rheimensynder's Bush, a few miles north of Little Falls, and burned a grist-mill. A tory named Cassleman was with the party. They took John Garter and his son John prisoners at the mill, and captured three men in the road, one of whom was Joseph Newman ; at the same time, John Windecker, Henry Shaver, George Adle, Cobus Van Slyke and one Youker (or Uker), with several others, were taken at Win- decker's father's house some distance north of the mill. All of these returned at the close of the war excepting John Garter, who died in Canada from punishment received for an attempt at escape, and George Adle, who escaped and returned earlier. Others of the inhabitants of Rheimensynder's Bush secured refuge in the block-house in the settlement. After this visit of the Indians, the people of that part of the county left their farms and retired to the lower part of the valley. In the month of May, 1781, Fort Schuyler was so far destroyed by flood and fire as to lead to its abandonment and the withdrawal of the garrison to the German Flats; but this was not a severe affliction, nor did it greatly weaken the situation of the settlers in Tryon county. On the 8th of May, of this year, Solomon Woodworth, a brave lieutenant in Colonel John Harper's New York regiment, was appointed first lieu- tenant in Colonel Fisher's regiment of Tryon county militia. With a company of forty rangers he was stationed at Fort Dayton, for the pur- pose of scouting the country north of the F'lats. Lieutenant Woodworth and his company left the fort to reconnoiter the Royal Grant. After a few hours' march they came upon an Indian, fired on him, and found 62 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. themselves in an ambuscade and completely surrounded by savages. A bloody conflict followed, and the hand-to-hand fight left only fifteen of the Americans to return with the news of the fate of their comrades. Among the killed was Woodworth. This encounter " took place about three miles north of Herkimer village, on the east side of the West Canada Creek, in a deep ravine, where now may be seen the mound of earth, under which rest the remains of the gallant W'oodworth and iiis brave companions." ^ One of the most notable incidents in tiiis section, though partaking of a personal character, occurred on the 6th of August, 1781, when the small settlement of Shell's Bush, about three miles north of Fort Day- ton, was visited by a party of about sixty Indians and tories, under com- mand of Donald McDonald, a notorious Scotch refugee from Johns- town. A large portion of the inhabitants of the Bush probably received notice of the visit and sought siielter in Fort Dayton ; but John Chris- tian Shell was made of sterner stuff, and he, with his resolute wife and six sons, resolved to enter his block-house, which he had built upon his farm, and fight it out. Two of the boys, however, were twins only eight years old, and being out in the field were unable to reach the shelter, nor could the others reach them without sacrificing themselves, and the little fellows were carried away to Canada. Shell's block-house was built of logs and in the lower story were a heavy door and loop holes, while the second story projected over the first and the floor of the pro- jection vvas pierced with holes down through which the inmates could fire upon an attacking party, however close to the walls they might be Shell's wife made herself of the utmost usefulness in loading the guns for her husband and four sons to fire, and under the perpetual shower of well- aimed bullets the enemy was several times forced to retire. At- tempts were made to fire the block- house, but without success, and McDonald himself made an effort to force the door with a crow bar, but was wounded in the leg and dragged into the block-house by Shell. This capture protected Shell from being burned out by the enemy and also gave him a supply of ammunition. At one time in the assault, just after a short respite, the enemy came up for a vigorous attack and thrust the muzzles of their guns through the loop holes. This was Mrs. ' Benton's Herkimer County, THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD. 63 Shell's opportunity, and she disabled five of the guns with a blow from an axe. Just at dark Shell practiced ,a little stratagem which led the party to believe that relief was coming from the fort, and they fled to the woods. McDonald was taken to the fort the next day and hi.s leg amputated. Eleven of the enemy were killed and six wounded and left. Tlie little boys reported on their return after the war, that of twelve wounded which the party started away witii, nine died before reaching Canada. In the following year Shell was dangerously wounded by a bullet while at work in his field. Two of his sons were with him, and one was killed before relief came from the fort. John Christian Shell did not long survive his wounds, and died a good Christian. Judge Benton wrote as follows : "The Shellbush settlement is on what is usually called Gens Pur- chase, embracing perliaps some portion of the Royal Grant, and it will be observed that the name of Shell, Schel or Shaul does not occur among the patentees of Burnetsfield, nor is the name found in the list of Palatines remaining in New York, or taken to Livingston Manor, of the first two companies that emigrated. Enough is still known of him to authorize the conclusion that he was a German Lutheran, and he or his ancestors may have come over with the third body of immigrants in 1/22, or at a later period." On the 24th of October of this year (1781) an expedition under Major Ross and Walter N. Butler made an incursion into the lower valley and repeated the bloody and barbarous deeds before enacted by these in- famous tories in other localities. After burning and destroying every- thing in their course, they retreated in a northerly direction through Jerseyfield. Colonel Wiliett learned of the raid, destroyed their ba- teaux left on Oneida Lake, and reached German Flats by forced marches to intercept their retreat on West Canada Creek. They encamped the first night in a thick forest on the Royal Grant, and there the colonel learned from his scouts the position and force of the enemy. The next morning he started in pursuit, but Ross was equally alert and began his retreat at break of day. Wiliett came up with the enemy in the afternoon, and a skirmish followed with the rear of the party, in which several of them were killed and some taken prisoners, among the latter being Lieutenant John Rykeman. The Americans overtook the main 64 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. body of the enemy soon afterward, and a running fight was kept up until they crossed the creek late in the day. Butler rallied his men and made a stand on the west bank, and a brisk action took place, the par- ties being on opposite sides of the creek. About twenty of them were killed and among them Rutler himself.' With his death his men fled in confusion and were pursued by Willett until darkness fell. The enemy continued in retreat all night and marched thirty miles before a halt was made. The British had 670 men in this expedition, and it closed the active operations of the enemy in this vicinity for the year. At the close of Willett's pursuit of the British on the expedition above described, he returned to Fort Dayton, having lost only one man. The next event of importance to the people of Herkimer county took place in June, 1782, when a party of Indians and tories appeared at the Little Falls, apparently for the sole purpose of destrojing a grist-mill. This mill was of great usefulness to the settlers in the valley, especially after the destruction of those at the German Flats by Brant more than a year earlier. When the enemy reached the mill it was occupied by Peter Wolleaver, Christian Edick, Frederick Getman, Marks Rasbach,_ John Rasbach, Thomas Shoemaker, Lawrence Hatter, Jacob Petri, Dan- iel Petri (who was killed), Peter Orendorff; Gershom Skinner and F. Cox, millers; and a sergeant and six men from Captain McGregor's company. Hardly a shot was fired by the Americans. Two of the soldiers escaped and five were taken prisoners. Cox and Skinner hid themselves in the raceway under the water-wheel and escaped; two others, P2dick and Getman, jumped into the raceway and endeavored to conceal themselves, but the burning mill disclcsed their hiding place and they were taken prisoners. This was the last serious incursion into the Mohav\k valley during the Revolution. Towards the close of the j-ear the British commander iii- chief directed that no more Indian expeditions should be sent out at the ' The manner of Butler's death has been differently related by participants in the battle, and others, some insistiniaj that he was killed outright ; others that he was wounded and afterwards murdered while supplicating for mercy, and still others that he reached the opposite bank of the creek where he stepped upon a fallen tree and deiied his pursuers, whereupon he was shot by two persons at the same time. There is no good reason for doubting Colonel Willett's official state- ment that Hutlerwas instantly killed in the course of the firing across the creek : in any event the question has been given much more importance than it ever deserved. iu^i '2'^if,lrr~ THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD. 65 . north, and those already out were recalled. The dawn of peace was at hand. In February, 1783, the forces under Colonel Willett were concen- trated at Fort Herkimer, with the purpose of surprising and capturing the fortress at Oswego ; but the expedition failed on account of the small number of troops engaged and lack of proper armament to besiege the works. Colonel Willett returned to Albany in time to share in thejoys caused by the declaration of peace. On the 7th of March, 1788, the boundaries of several counties in the State were more definitely described, among them being Montgomery. Two of the towns established at this time, German Flats and Herkimer, contained most of the territory of the present Herkimer county, with much besides. The western boundary of both of these towns was a north and south line which crossed the Mohawk, " near and on the east side of the house of William Cunningham." This house stood near the foot of Genesee street, Utica. The original town of Herkimer extended north to the St. Lawrence and was bounded on the east by a line run- ning north from Little Falls. German Flats was bounded on the north by the Mohawk ; on the east by the line now forming the eastern bounds of Little Falls and Warren, and included all of the present towns of Herkimer county west of the latter line, excepting a part of Winfield. The town of Palatine adjoined Herkimer on the east, and Canajoharie lay next to German Flats. A part of Palatine was annexed to Herki- mer town in 1791 ; Warren was taken from German Flats in 1796, and Litchfield from the same town at the same time ; and in 1797 Salisbury was set off from Palatine. In the following year Norway and Schuyler were taken ofT from Herkimer, Newport was taken off in 1806, and a few other territorial changes were made in the town. After the close of the Revolution a New England element was rapidly introduced into the Mohawk valley, bringing with it the characteristic thrift and enterprise and push of that people. It was mainly through their influence that the separation of Herkimer from Montgomery county was effected on the 1 6th of February, 1791. The petition in opposition to the measure was dated December 29, 1790, and was drawn by Dr. William Petry. Among the 400 signatures are found nearly all the old Palatine names. The first reduction of the originally vast territory of Herkimer county occurred in the formation of Onondaga from it, March 5, 1794. Ham- 66 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. ilton was taken off March 31, 1797. The formation of Chenango and Oneida, March 15, 1798 (the hitter including Lewis), conpiinicd most of the original territory of Herkimer county till then remaining outside of its present limits, and gave the county its present western boundary. Its north line was established by the creation of St. Lawrence, March 3, 1802; and the present outline of Herkimer county was completed by moving the original eastern line eastward to its present position, April 7, 18 1 7. The county is the longest in the State, the northernmost point of Wilmurt being a little over ninety miles from the southern- most point of Warren. The court-house and jail for Montgomery county were located at Whitesboro, now in Oneida county, and thus remained until the erec- tion of Herkimer county. Smarting under the inflictions ot the enemy in the Revolutionary war the colonists took prompt steps after the close of the war to organize their militia for protection against future aggression, which proved to be a wise course. In 1786 the local militia of the German Flats and Kingsland districts was reorganized and officered as follow s : Fielil ami Regimental Stafl" — Henry Staring, lieutenant-colonel; Peter Weaver, major 1st battalion ; Patrick Campbell, major 2d battalion; John Frank, adjutant ; Mek-liert Foils, payma.ster; William Petry, surgeon. l.st company — Jacob Petrie, captain ; Dederick Petrie, lieutenant ; William Feeter,' ensign. 2d company -John Meyer, captain ; William Clapsaddle, lieutenant ; Henrj' Frank, ensign. 3d company — Adam Staring, captain; Lndwick Campbell, lieutenant; Lawrence Harter, ensign. 4tli company — Peter P. Bellinger, cajitain ; Jost Herkimer, lieutenant; Peter Fox, ensign. 5th company — Michael Meyer, captain; Peter F. Bellinger, lieutenant; George Weaver, ensign. 6th company — William Colbreath, captain ; Daniel C. White, lieutenant ; George J. Weaver, ensign. Besides the above a company of cavalry was organized, under com- mand of Captain Hudson, of what is now the town of Danube, and after- ' This William Ketler was aiterwaids, in Marcli. 1791. appointed captain in the militia, being commissioned in two companies, and in April. 17^6, was commissioned second major in Jacob Pe- trie's regiment. In; the following year he was commissioned first major, and in 1798 was commis- sioned lieutenant-colonel, all these offices being in the Herkimer county militia. He died at Little Falls in 1844. THE REVOLUTIONAKV PERIOD. 67 wards under command of Peter Young, of Fort Plain, who was suc- ceeded by Captain Wemple, and he by Jacob Eacker, of Palatine. On the loth of April, 1812, Congress authorized the drafting of one hun- dred thousand men from the militia of the country, 13,500 being the New York quota. A few days later the State militia was formed into two divisions and eight brigades. The Fourth Brigade comprised the Tenth, Eleventh, Twelfth and Thirteenth Regiments in the Mohawk valley, and was under command of General Richard Dodge, of Johns- town. The causes that led to the outbreak of the war need not be cata- logued here. To abolish the repeated violations of the Embargo Act on the Canadian frontier, a regiment of the militia under Colonel Christo- pher Bellinger was stationed, in May, 1812, at Sackett's Harbor and other northern points. Upon the declaration of war in the following month, this body of troops was reinforced from the militia not yet called into service. During the war the militia and volunteers from the Mo- hawk valley were on duty along the frontier, the regiments and com- panies, when their terms of service expired, being replaced by others. Records are not accessible from which to obtain a list of those who served in this struggle from Herkimer county, but previous to 1859 records in the adjutant-general's office at Albany show that about 230 men from the county had presented claims to the State for various equipments furnished by themselves. With the close of the war the militia returned to their homes and the peaceful arts were taken up. The militia then comprised all able-bodied citizens between the ages of eighteen and forty- five years with certain exemptions. This organization, with minor changes, was substantial!}- continued down to near the outbreak of the Civil War, 186 1—5. With the development of the valley and especially of the rich territory farther west, the necessity of better and more rapid means of transpor- tation of freight and passengers became paramount, and soon led to the construction of the Erie Canal. This great undertaking had been dis- cussed since 1807, and in the following year a preliminary survey was made by James Geddes, of Onondaga. His report was favorable for a canal on substantially the line which it finally followed, and the Legisla- ture thereupon appropriated $3,000 for additional explorations and sur- 68 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. veys, wliich were carried out in 1810. The war with Great Britain de- layed the beginning of the work, but it was revived as soon as peace was declared, and in 18 17 De Witt Clinton, who was a staunch friend to the enterprise, procured the passage of an act creating a commission to take up the work, and construction was actually begun in the spring of that year. It was more then two years before any part of the canal was ready for use. On the 22d of October, 1819, the first boat, called the Chief Engineer, was launched at Rome, to run between that place and Utica. On the 21st of July, 1820, tolls were first levied. In tlie previous autumn the canal was filled with water from the west to with- in two miles of Frankfort, where a dam was constructed to retain the water while the excavation was progressing eastward. The canal was used between Utica and Little Falls in the fall of 1821, the contractor at the latter point availing himself of the works of the Inland Lock Navigation Company, and that portion east to the Hudson was under contract. In the spring of 1S23 the canal was open throughout from Spraker's to the western part of the State, and on the 26th of October, 1825, the great waterway was open from Black Rock at Lake Erie to the Hudson River. On the morning of that day a flotilla of boats started from Lake Erie for New York, in celebration of the event, car- rying the governor, commissioners and others. Cannon had been sta- tioned at intervals along the canal, to be fired when the boats passed, thus notifying the next station that all was going well. One of the guns was planted at Little Falls, one at Herkimer lock, and one on the hill in the present Frankfort cemetery. The flotilla proceeded to Albany, after a passage marked with public demonstrations of cntlnisiasni along the whole line. The completion of the canal revolutionized travel and traffic through the Mohawk valley, as it did throughout the State. The Mohawk River and the Navigation Company's canals were abandoned, and an active competition between the old-time stages and the new thor- oughfare sprang up. Travel greatly increased and the eastern mar- kets were made easily and cheaply accessible for the agricultural products of the State, thus aiding in the development of the country. As an evidence of the rapidity with which the canal was brought into use, particularly as regards freight, it may be stated that the num- THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD. 69 ber of canal boats which arrived in Albany during the season of 1823, was 1,329; during that of 1824, 2,687; during that of 1825 it was 3,336, and in 1826 it was about 7,000. The rate of transportation on the turnpike in 1826 was one and one-half cents per mile ; the rate by the canal was five mills. But it must not, therefore, be inferred that all passengers deserted the stage coaches for the packet boats. The canal passage was still tedious compared with that by land and was chosen by those who desired to lessen the fatigue of a journey ; it was avoided where time was of special account. Merchants, bank- ers and tradesmen, bound to and from the metropolis, lawyers in their journeys to courts, and all who were fulfilling engagements or intent only on business, made use of the stages until after railroads were built. But a spirit of enterprise was abroad. If the canal had proved itself of such immense importance, still more rapid and extensive transpor- tation facilities would, the progressive people argued, give the rich fields of the Mohawk valley precedence over any other part of the State. When tlie canal was opened to the public there was not a railroad in America. That was only sixty-five years ago. But the steam locomo- tive was already attracting attention on both sides of the Atlantic. In April, 1826, when the canal was just coming into full operation, a char- ter was granted to the "Mohawk and Hudson River Railroad Compa- ny," to construct a railroad between Albany and Schenectady. It was more than four years before the work was begun under this charter, and in the mean time railroads in other States had been completed, and the Auburn and Syracuse Railroad, chartered in May, 1834, was opened and first operated by steam in 1839. In August, 1830, work was begun on the Albany and Schenectady road, and it was so energetically ad- vanced that in October, 1 83 1, it was finished and carrying about four hundred passengers daily on the average. The road, although crude in its construction, and running so slow that the packet canal boats were strong rivals, was successful, and in 1833 a charter was granted for the Utica and Schenectady Railroad. The line was to run on the north bank of the Mohawk River and the road to be finished within ten years from the date of the charter. Work was begun in the fall of 1834, and in the summer of 1836 the road was completed, and regular traffic was 70 II1ST0R7 OF HERKIMER COUNTY. begun on the 2d of August of that year. The event was celebrated by public demonstrations all along the line These railroad lines, with tiiose running west from Utica, were consolidated into the New York Central in 1853. While all these added transportation facilities were of great benefit to the State antl country at large, it cannot be said that the Mohawk valley shared in it for a number of years aftei their construction. The lumber interest, perhaps, was extended directly by the canal and rail- roads until a large portion of the county was cleared of valuable timber ; even in recent years the northern parts of the county have found in this industry their greatest source of wealth. But the opening to eastern markets of the rich fields of the so-called " Genesee country " in com- petition with the products of Herkimer and adjoining counties, worked seriously to the disadvantage of the latter, imposing conditions that con- tinued to be felt until the later wonderful growth of the dairy industry. Meanwhile the county rapidly advanced in all the various institu- tions that constitute the progressive American community. Further town divisions were made, as necessity seemed to demand, Manheim be- ing formed from Palatine in 1817 ; Winfield from Litchfield, Richfield (Otsego county) and Plainfield (Otsego county) in 1816; Ohio from Norway in 1823 ; Stark from Danube in 1828; Little Falls from Fair- field, Herkimer and German Flats in 1829; and Wilmurt from Russia and Ohio in 1836. Schools were established, newspapers published (the first in 1802, followed by three or four others by 1810), churches multiplied, all of which will receive proper treatment in the later town histories. A reorganization of the Herkimer County Agricultural Society was effected under the act of May 6, 1841. The original society dated back to 1819, and was established under the act of that year which pro- vided among other things the distribution of an appropriation among the counties of the State for the promotion of agriculture through county societies. As far as Herkimer county was concerned, the society was short-lived. Under the reorganization, however, new life was infused into the society; annual fairs were held, and have continued to the present time, and the interest felt is general and the benefits freely acknowledged. During the early years of the society the grounds used THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD. 71 were situated on the north side of the road between Mohawk and Her- kimer, on the premises of A. M. Gray ; but in 1874 grounds that were more commodious and convenient were leased from Philip Harter, on the south side of the road and nearer to Herkimer. In estimating the services of the settlers in the Mohawk valley in the War of the Revolution, it is no more than just to give them, as a whole, a high degree of commendation. Beset on the one hand by emissaries to induce them to give their allegiance to the king, and on the other knowing that almost certainly their homes would be ravaged and their lives endangered if they were true to their adopted country, it is not a marvel that some of their numbers were found among the tories ; it is even a wonder that so few embraced the royal cause It is believed by the best authority that not more than one in twenty deserted the colonists in the struggle. After the close of the war a large portion of the territory of the pres- ent Herkimer county was forfeited and confiscated, as before related, largely on account of the fact that the Royal Grant and other lands were in possession of the Johnson family. Most of this grant was thus forfeited and vested in the State. The tract of 2,000 acres, also, granted to Guy Johnson in 1765, situated in the present towns of Ger- man Flats and Little Falls, was forfeited. The Herkimer estates for- feited lay in the present limits of German Flats and Herkimer. These various confiscations of lands have been characterized and complained of as wanton, unnecessary and cruel ; but the general concensus of opinion upholds the proceeding as fully justified by the extreme prov- ocation given by those against whom the act was operative. PERSONAL NOTES OF PALATINE FAMILIES.^ Descendants of a considerable number of the Palatine families are still resident in Herkimer county, as will be seen in these notes. Among such may be mentioned the following : Bowman, Dacksteder (now Dockstader), Felmore (now P''ulnier), Herter, Lant (now Landt), Mayor (now Moyer), Orendros and Orendorf (now Ohrendorff), Pears (now Barse), Pell (now Bell), Reckert and Spohn. The families 'These brief notes are condensed from sketches prepared by the late Judge Benton, and are given space in these pages that they may be preserved to future generations. 72 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTT. who became extinct before the Revolution, their lands passing into other hands, were the Beermans, Fellers, Hosses, Korsings, Pouradts, Spies and Veldelents. Frederick and Anna .\fary Pell {Bell) each took one hundred acres of land on the north side of the river in the Burnetsfield grant, near the site of Herkimer village. The family was never very numerous in the county. One member with his son was killed by Brant and his Indians in July, 1778. George Henry Bell married General Herkimer's sister Catherine, and was a man of considerable note during the Revo- lution, commanded a company in the battle ofOriskany and was placed on the pension roll. He had two sons, Joseph and Nicholas, in that battle, the former of whom was killed. Nicholas escaped and was subsequently killed and scalped about a mile from his father's house on the road over Fall Hill. Captain Bell had charge of the escort which carried the wounded General Herkimer from the battlefield and more than thirty miles on a litter. Captain Bell lived on Fall Hill within the limits of the patent granted to his wife's father. He was commis- sioned justice of the peace of Tryon county February 2, 1778, and again in Montgomery county July 8, 1784, and reappointed March 27, 1790. He had two sons and two daughters. One of the daughters married Henry I. Walrad and the other Peter Waggoner. The late Col. Joost Bell was a son of Nicholas. 77/1? Bellinger {or Pellinger) Family. — There were five persons of this name who were grantees under the Burnetsfield patent, two of whom were married women. The name is found among those who volunteered under Colonel Nicholson in the expedition against Montreal in 171 1, and down to the close of the first quarter of the present cent- ury the name was a conspicuous one for numbers in the county, as well as the high regard in which some of them were held. In the Revolu- tion they were unyielding in their adherence to the patriot cause. Col. Peter Bellinger, whose regiment was composed of the militia of Ger- man Flats and Kingsland districts, and Lieut.-Col. Frederick Bellinger, of the same regiment, participated in the bloody battle of Oriskany, and the latter was taken prisoner and carried to Canada. Col. John Bellinger was also in the battle as a private. Gen. Christopher P. Rellinsrer was horn in the town of German Flats, and became an exten- THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD. 73 sive farmer. His homestead was set off into the town of Little Falls when it was erected in 1828. He was many times chosen for the office of supervisor and justice of the peace; was four times elected member of Assembly within fourteen years. In 1821 he was again a candidate for the Assembly and received the certificate of election, but was un- seated soon after the organization of the house upon a technical con- struction of the returns. In the fall of 1823 he was elected to tlie Assembly, and it devolved upon that body to choose the electors of president and vice-president of the United States, or provide by law for some other method of appointment. General Bellinger was appointed on the committee of nine to which was referred the subject of altering the law prescribing the mode of choosing electors. The resulting bill to that end was, as is well known, defeated in the Senate. This was the last time General Bellinger represented the county in the Legislature. When the war of iSi2-i5was inaugurated the general had attained the rank of colonel in one of the county militia regiments, and he was detached by Governor Tomokins to take command of one of the regiments for the defense of the northern frontier and repaired with his command to Sackett's Harbor in May, 18 12, where he rendered efficient service. The term of service was three months and at its expiration the regiment was discharged. In the campaign of 1 8 14, Colonel Bellinger made a military tour on the frontier with the patriotic militia of the county. While he had no opportunity of especially distinguishing himself, he was noted as a diligent and prudent officer. Some years after the close of the war he was promoted to the rank of brigadier- general. He died at Little Falls, without male descendants, and leaving four daughters. Major Frederick Bellinger was a native of the county. He repre- sented the county in the Assembly in 1836, and was otherwise shown the confidence of the community. He died at Mohawk, leaving de- scendants. The Bellinger family suffered severely during the raids in the valley in the Revolution. The Keslaer or Casler Family. — This family was, and perhaps now is, one of the most numerous of the Palatine families in the town of Little Falls. The name is derived from the two original patentees, Johannes and Nicholas Keslaer, who each drew one hundred acres ; no 74 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. other lands were drawn by persons of that name. Richard Casler, who died at a venerable age, was with Colonel Willett's party when Walter N. Butler was killed. Before his death he told Judge Benton that he remembered his grandfather, Johannes, the patentee. His father, Jacob, and his uncle, John, were both in the Oriskany battle. A small grist-mill was built on the Casler Creek before the war, which, being stockaded, protected it from being destroyed by the enemy. The Petri and Casler families were connected by marriage. Johan Marks Petri owned lot No, 12, at Little Falls, before the Revolution, and built a small grist-mill in the first place on Furnace Creek. The mill that was burned by the enemy, a relation of which has been given in another place, was on the river, and supplied with water from it. Frederick Casler, a descendant of one of the patentees, died in Octo- ber, 1849, ^fid his father, Jacob, died in 1822 ; John Jacob, the grand- father of Frederick, died in January, 181 1. Jacob and George Keslaer were two of the seventeen patentees of Staley's first and second tracts, granted in 1755. Richard Casler, before mentioned, died on the i8th of September, 1855, at the great age of ninety-five years. The Editch Family. — This name is variously written and printed as Edigh, Edich, Itigh, Ittigh and Ittich. Michael Ittich was one of the volunteers in Colonel Nicholson's expedition in 171 1. There were four persons of the name among the patentees, but it is not known which one was the head of the family or how they were related. Michael Itigh was one of the patentees of Cornradt Frank's patent, granted in 1765, and Hans Michael Ittig, jr., and Jacob Ittigh were patentees of Staley's first and second tracts, granted in 1755. The name is still extant in the county. The Fols (or Folts) Family. — Jacob Fols, a patentee, took lot 3 on the south side of the river and a short distance east of Frankfort village, and Melgert (now Melchert) took lots 2, high and low land, on the north side. Their descendants still live near the original seat. Two of this name (spelled Volts) were first lieutenants in the fourth battalion of the county militia in 1775. Mich. Folts's name is on the roll of vol- unteers with Colonel Nicholson. Warner F"olts was a descendant of Jacob F'ols, the patentee ; was a member of Assembly in 1824, and a worthy citizen and farmer. Melchert Folts, a son of one of the patent- THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD. 75 ees, was paymaster of the militia regiment commanded by Col. Henri Staring, 1786; was elected the first town clerk of Herkimer in March, 1789; was also a justice of the peace. He was born May 5, 1746, and died May 2, 1829 The Fox FiDuily. — Christopher I'^ox was a patentee who took a lot in the vicinity of the stone church, German Flats, and his descendants still live in the county. Frederick was a son of Christopher ; wasafijst lieutenant in Captain George Herkheimer's company, Fourth battalion of county militia. In 1786 Peter Fox was commissioned ensign in Cap- tain Peter P. Belhnger's company of Colonel Staring's regiment. The Hclmcr Family. — The name of Helmer is still found in Herki- mer and adjoining counties. Of the six patentees of the name in the grant of 1725, two were married women whose husbands were then liv- ing. Philip and Frederick were probably children of the other grantees. Lendert Helmer, one of the original patentees of Burnetsfield, was also grantee of lots 13, 21 and 38, in the grant of 1739, called Glen's pur- chase. John Adam Helmer, with two others, was sent to Fort Schuy- ler on the day before the Oriskany battle to warn Colonel Gansevoort of General Herkimer's approach. Captain Frederick Helmer, of Col- onel Peter Bellinger's regiment, was killed at Oriskany. John Helmer has already been mentioned as one of the four men sent out to' watch Brant's movements at Unadilla, and was the only one of the four tore- turn, the others having been killed. The family of Burnetsfield patent- ees were Palatine immigrants, but whether of the party of 17 10 or of 171 1, is not known. The Erghemar (or Herkimer) Family. — This family early exhibited evidence of wealth and thrift far ahead of any other of the Palatine set- tlers in the erection of fine stone dwellings and the possession of broad domains purchased after the Burnet grant. Jurgh, Johan Jost, Mada- lana and Catharine Erghemar were each patentees under the Burnets- field grant. One hundred acres on the south side of the Mohawk was allotted to each of them. Judge Benton could obtain no reliable in- formation as to Jurgh, or George, Herkimer, and moreover asks the question : " Was the Catharina named in the patent and who drew lot No. 5, on or near which the former county poor-house was erected, the wife of Johan Jost?" adding, " If Jurgh and Johan Jost were not ?6 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. brothers, the conclusion seems to be that Johan Jost, subsequently known as Hanyost Herkimer, the eider, was the son of Jurgh. If Johan Jost was married in 1725, the date of the patent, he probably had no children to whom lands could be granted according to its terms. The fact is well known that lands were granted to children whose fathers and mothers are named as patentees. Madalana and Catharina are not described as married women, and may have been sisters of Hanyost the elder ; if this be the true solution of this matter, they probably died unmarried, or sold their interest in the lands allotted to them, for we find some of the same lands in the possession of Hanyost the elder, in April, 1 77 I. This Hanyost left a grandson, born in October, 175 i, who was the issue of his second son, Henry." This name, like many others of the Palatines, has undergone numer- ous changes in spelling. In 1775 the family was numerous and influ- ential and generally friendly to the popular cause ; all, excepting the general, were residents of the German Flats district. The patentee, Jurgh (or George), left no descendants, unless Johan Jost and one or both of the females named were his children, or they left this part of the country before the Revolution. There is no information left of any persons of that name except those who trace their descent from Hanyost Herkimer, the elder. General Nicholas Herkimer was the eldest son of Johan Jost Herkimer, who was one of the Burnetsfield patentees and drew lot No. 36, and also one of the patentees of the Fall Hill tract granted in 1752 to Johan Jost llerchkeimer and Hendrick Herchkeirher. Nicholas Herkimer was commissioned lieutenant in Capt. William Wormwood's company of the Schenectady battalion on the 5th of January, 1758. He commanded at Fort Herkimer in 1758, when the French and Indians attacked the settlement on the south side of the river. On the 5th of September, 1776, he was commissioned a brigadier- general. At the commence- ment of the Revolution he lived in the Canajoharie district and repre- sented that district in the county committee of safety. He acted as chairman pro tern, of the Tryon county committee of safety in July and August, 1775. In 1760, while he resided in the Canajoharie district, his father convej'ed to him 500 acres of land, portions of the Lindsay, Liv- ingston and Fall Hill patents, with a small island in the river. There THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD. W the family mansion was erected, substantially as it stands to-day. He was an early advocate of the rights of the colonists, with the others of his family, excepting his brother Hanyost, who was attainted under the act of 1779. General Herkimer's part in the military operations of the Revolution have already been described in a general way, and it only remains for us to allude to the charges of cowardice or inefficiency that were made against him on account of the battle of Oriskany. When General Herkimer was hastening by forced marches and with a small body of undisciplined militia, to the relief of Fort Schuyler, he sent a messenger to Colonel Gansevoort in the fort to arrange for co-opera- tion in the expected battle, a sally from the fort to be made upon a pre- concerted signal. The messenger failed to reach the fort in time. Gen- eral Herkimer's force was not sufficient to warrant him in bringing on a battle without support and aid ; but on the morning of August 6, while awaiting the signal of the sortie from the fort, several of the general's officers and some of the committee of safety urged an immediate advance. In deference to their continued entreaties he finally held a council of his principal officers, whom he warned of the folly of bringing on a battle with the force at their command. The officers would not listen and some of them went so far as to charge him with cowardice or toryism. Insulted beyond forbearance, General Herkimer told them that he was entrusted with the care of his soldiers as well as with their leadership, and that he could not place them in a position in which his judgment told him they would be uselessly slaughtered ; he also intimated that those who were now taunting him, would be the first to fly in action — a prophecy which was fulfilled. To end the clamor he at last gave the order to march. The consequences are well known and have been re- corded on the pages of every history of Revolutionary battles. The general was grievously wounded early in the engagement, but continued to command his men until the end, when he was carried from the field. His conduct after he received his wound was such as should, and it does, surround his name with a halo of honor and renown. General Herkimer died from hemorrhage following the amputation of his leg in his own home. When he became convinced that his hours on earth were numbered he called for his Bible and read to those around him the 38th Psalm. His loss was deeply deplored by the inhabitants of Tryon county. In October following his death the Continental Congress passed a reso- 78 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. lution appropriating $500 for the erection of a monument to his mem- ory, and in conniuinicaling this action to the governor of New York the Congress said : " Every mark of distinction shown to the memory of such illustrious men as offer up their hves for the liberty and happi- ness of this country, reflects real honor on those who pay the grateful tribute ; and by holding up to others the prospect of fame and immor- tality, will animate them to tread in the same path." The resolution passed by Congress has never been carried into effect. The Oneida Historical Society, of Utica, however, is making an effort to secure the passage of a bill by the Stale Legislature for an appropriation to im- prove the ground and erect a monument to mark the place where the body of General Merkimer is buried This is a matter which concerns every patriotic person, for General Herkimer won the pivotal battle of the Revolution. His body now lies in a pasture in the town of Danube, midway between Little Falls and Indian Castle. The surroundings are unfit, and the stone which marks the grave is not such as should grace the resting place of the hero of Oriskany. On yonder well-remembered hill, Scarred and neglected, old and grey. Rises the house, recalling still The story of that bloody day. Deep, clear and beautifully bright. Through fields of waving grass and grain. Like silver flashing in the light. The Mohawk flows across the plain. Hail, Mohawk winding through the dale ! Hail, fairest stream in lovely York ! The farms and homes in thy sweet vale Ring with the harvest song ! hush I mark Yon close of hallowed ground ! there lies The hero Herkimer who gave His blood for liberty ; there rise The mound, the stone above his grave. Into a deep and dark ravine, By the Oriskany, he led His band. Sudden from out the green Wood all about uprose the dread, Painted, red-Indian, ^-ell on yell. And in the deadly ambuscade. Like the mown grass, his cohorts fell Bleeding beneath the reeking blade. Lo ! lowering in the sullen sky. Black storm-clouds gathered, thick and fast. And Hghtning flashes from on high Foretold the fury of the blast. It broke ; the thunder, peal on peal, Roared high above the horrid din Of cannon and the clash of steel. Loud echoing through the blood-stained glen Then thrice from out the dark morass, Above that fearful roar, the cheer Uprose; but Herkimer, alas! Fell foremost fighting. He did hear That shout of victory where he lay Stretched death-white on the gory ground. His life's blood ebbing fast away. And, dying, knew what meant that sound. On many another blood-red field, For truth and liberty, our brave Fathers did fight and never yield : They struck for freedom or the grave. And freedom gained: Columbia 's free ; Her flag floats o'er her mountain heights. And on the land, and on the sea. Guards well a nation's dear-bought rights. Frank H. Willarp ' During the battle of Oriskany, when the utter annihilation of General Herkimer's troops seemed almost inevitable, a furious storm arose. The enemy fled for shelter, while the Americans, occupying a strong position, formed themselves so as to be able to hold victorious possession of the field. THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD. 79 General Herkimer was twice married.' Hi.s will was proved Octo- ber 4, 1783, with George Herkimer as administrator. The "home place " was devised to his younger brother George, and he was consti- tuted his residuary legatee. The latter lived until 17S6, and left seven children. Various members of the families descended from the Herki- mers live in different parts of the country, but not one of the name is now resident in Herkimer county. John Herkimer, son of George, inherited, with his brothers and sisters, the estate devised by General Herkimer and occupied the family mansion until about 1814. He was an active politician; repre- sented Montgomery county in the State Assembly and after the town of Danube was annexed to Herkimer county, was appointed one of the county judges. He was major in a regiment of volunteers in the last war with England and served at Sackett's Harbor. He was elected to Congress in 1822 and was an efficient member of that body. He died at his residence in Danube at the age of seventy-three years, leaving no male descendants. The Her ter Family. — The lands allotted to Apolone and Lawrence Herter were on the south side of the river, but some of the family re- moved to the north side in early years Some of the family were at the Great Flats at the time of the French expedition in 1757, where one of the Herters was taken prisoner with his wife and children and carried to Canada, where they were kept about a year. A daughter born to Mrs. Herter while crossing the St. Lawrence river in a birch-bark canoe, afterwards became the wife of Michael Myers. Henry Herter was appointed first lieutenant in Capt. Frederick Bellinger's company of militia in 1775. Nicholas and Philip Herter settled in Deerfield, Oneida county, after the Revolution. Numerous descendants of this family are still residents of Herkimer county. The Hess Family. — Augustine Hess was the patentee of lot No. 10 at Little Falls. Previous to and during the Revolutionary period the name was quite numerous in the Mohawk valley. Augustine Hess, a son of the patentee, was a member of the Tryon county committee of safety from the Kingsland and German Flats districts. The elder Au- ' The late Samuel Earl wrote of the general as follows ; "The general was a kind hearted and benevolent man and a good Christian neighbor. He was iust such a character as would make him beloved by those who knew him. He was without guile or deceit, generous, brave and honest." 80 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. gustine was a patentee, also, of Staley's first and second tracts ; he was killed in July, 1782, by the Indians near Fort Herkimer, while on his way to the fort with his family. The Kast Family — Johan Jurgh Kast and his son of the same name were patentees and each drew a small lot on the Great Flats and seventy acre lots on the uplands, in the Burnetsfield tract. In 1724 a grant of r,ioo acres was made to the wife and children of the elder Kast, situ- ated in Schuyler and surrounded by Cosby's manor ; descendants of the family lived there many years. Besides Johan Jurgh, the elder Kast had a son Lodovvick. Johan Jurgh, the younger, had two sons, Conrad and Frederick. The former was taken prisoner in 1757, carried to England, and after his exchange and return to New York, enlisted in the British army and never returned to the Mohawk vallej'. Descend- ants of Frederick still live in Herkimer county. The Petrie Family. — Johan Jost Petrie was one of the Burnetsfield patentees and lands were allotted to him, to his wife, Gertrude, and to his son Mark (or Marks). The name occurs among those who volun- teered for Colonel Nicholson's expedition. The patentee came over with the second company of Palatines in 1710 and came to German Flats from Livingston's manor. He and Coenradt Rickert were the prominent and leading men of the little colony which first settled here. He was named first in the license given by Governor Burnet to purchase the Indian title to the lands afterwards granted, and also the first named in the patent. The eighty-six acre lot, long known as the Stone Ridge, was allotted to his wife. The present village of Herkimer is large- ly situated on this lot. Surrounded by rich flat lands subject to in- undations, settlers expressed their dissatisfaction when they learned that safe building lots could be had only on this ridge, and Mr. Petrie therefore generously divided the large lot into smaller parcels and gave them to the owners of the adjoining low lands. When the French and Indians destroyed the settlements on the north side of the river, November 11, 1757, all his property save the land was taken and destroyed and he and his family carried into captivity. He was the person named in the French account of that raid as "the mayor of the villatje of the Palatines." Mr. Petrie remained some time in captivity. He was one of the co-patentees with Philip Livingston and John De THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD. 81 Peysterof a grant of 6,ooo acres of land made in 1740, comprising six lots in a tract called Henderson's or Petrie's purchase, lying in the pres- ent towns of Columbia and Warren. He died before the beginning of the Revolutionary War, leaving a large number of descendants, and nearly all of the people of this name in the county trace their lineage to him. John Petrie, a son of the patentee, was a member of the Tryon county committee from the German Flats and Kingsland districts which met in June, 1775. He was also appointed by the Tryon county committee August 16, 1779, one of the delegates from the county to a State convention called to consider measures " for appre- ciating the currency, restraining e.Ktortion, regulating prices, and other similar purposes." A commission is in existence issued to Ded'k Marcus Petrie, gentleman, dated October 13, 1768, by which Mr. Petrie was appointed " to be Ensign of a company of Militia Foot in a regi- ment in Albany county, of which company George Henry Bell esq. is captain." Mr. Petrie held this commission until the country changed rulers, when he was appointed a lieutenant in the Tryon county militia. He was killed in the battle of Oriskany while serving in Col. Peter Bell- inger's regiment. John M. Petrie, assemblyman in 1808-9, was a nephew of Lieutenant Petrie, the son of the patentee, Mark Petrie, and consequently grandson of the original settler, Johan Jost. John M. occupied for some time the Burnetsfield lot No. 46, and afterwards changed his residence to a farm on Glen's purchase a few miles north of Little Falls, where he died respected by the community. There were two brothers, sons of Ded'k Marcus Petrie, named Jost D. and John D., who were prosperous farmers and land owners and left their estates to their children. Daniel Petrie, a member of this family, was killed at the destruction of the Little Falls mill, in 1782, as before described. Many descendants of the Petrie family still reside in this county. (See history of the town of Herkimer.) The Reek (or Reall) Family. — Lot No. 15, lowland (thirty acres), and lot No, 15, woodland (seventy acres) at the German Flats were granted to Godfrey Reele, jr. Christian Reall settled near Deerfield Corners, Oneida county, with several other Germans, before the Revolu- tion. In the second year of the war the settlement was destroyed, but the inhabitants escaped to a stockade near by. After the war Mr. Reall 82 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COT'NTY. returned to Deerfield. Not long afterward most or all of the survivors of the family removed to what is now Onondaga county. One member of the family afterward returned and lived in Little Falls. The name was never numerous in the county. The Shoemakers — Ludolph (afterwards called Rudolph) and Thomas Shoemaker were patentees, and both of them were young and unmar- ried when they came to German Fiats. Rudolph had several sons, one of whom, Johan Jost, married the daughter of an Englishman n;imed Smith, the fame of whose eccentricities and devotion to the British crown still occupies considerable space in the unwritten history of the valley. Johan Jost had been one of his majesty's justices of the peace in Tryon county and was not friendly to the colonists ; but he was not molested in person or property, leading to the conclusion that he was a passive, rather than an active adherent to royalty. Judge Benton said : " With the exception of one member of the Herkimer family, I do not find any other name of note belonging to the Palatine emigrants or their descendants who faltered in their duty to their country and the cause of humanity." Rudolph L. Shoemaker, member of Assembly from this county in 1812-13, was a son of Johan Jost. He was a farmer and lived and died in the present town of German Flats, not far from the site of the village of Mohawk. He was a warm supporter of the War of 1812. Robert Shoemaker, a younger brother of Rudolph L., was ap- pointed sheriff of the county in 18 17 and held the office several years; he was a prompt and efficient officer. He also represented the county in the Assembly in 1822. Late in life he removed with his family to Illinois and died there. Thomas Shoemaker, the patentee, had a nu- merous family, among whom was a son of the same name, who partici- pated in the battle of Oriskany, and afterwards his wife and one of his children (Christopher) and a son of John Shoemaker, then quite young, were taken prisoners and carried to Canada. There are now many descendants of the Shoemaker families in Herkimer county. The Smith Family. — The Schmidts were among the cmigiants of i/ioandfora time remained at the camps on Livingston's manor. Four of the name came to the Great t'lats, two of wiioin settled on the north side and two on the south side of the river. Adam Michael Schmidt was one of the volunteers with Colonel Nicholson in 1711. THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD. 83 Descendants of the patentees were for many years quite numerous in the county, but many removed to otht^ localities. Colonel Nicholas Smith, a prominent resident of Utica in recent years, lost his parents at the hands of Indians and tories during the Revolution. In common with the other patentees of Burnetsfield, the family felt its share of suffering during that struggle. The Starings. — There were six males and one married female of this name among the Burnetsfield patentees. The name was once numer- ous in the county. Hendrick Staring (who often wrote his name Henri) was a man of some note in the Revolution and substquently. A native of the county, he lived and died within the limits of the present town of Schuyler. He was one of the few survivors of the Oriskany battle and from that time held prominent office in the militia of the dis- trict, soon attainingthe rank of colonel. Late in the fall of 1781 he was so unfortunate as to be surrounded and captured near Fort Herkimer, with Abraham Wollever, by a party of Indians. Believing it was the intention of his captors to put him to death by torture, the colonel managed to effect his escape during the first night after he was taken and returned to the fort after an absence of two days and nights. He lived near the small stream known as Staring's Creek, in Schuyler, on which there was a grist-mill which, it will be remembered, was burned by the French and Indians in 1757, was rebuilt and again destroyed dur- ing the Revolution. Though of limited education. Colonel Staring was a man of thrift, became owner of large landed estates, and was conspic- uous for his general intelligence and good judgment. After the estab- lishment of peace, he was a member of the convention from Montgom- ery county, called in 1788, to consider the United States constitution, which had been submitted to the several States for ratification. He was an ardent friend of Governor Clinton, who, with a large majority of the convention when elected, were opposed to the ratification of the con- stitution, and it is supposed that he voted that way. Upon the organ- ization of Herkimer county in 179 1 Colonel Staring was appointed first judge of the court of Common Pleas, and held the office many years. Many curious and amusing stories have been told of the methods of administering justice followed by Judge Staring ; but he was an honest, straightforward man and filled his position for the good of the com- S4 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. munity, if not always according to the acknowledged proprieties of the bench. The judge died in the town of Schuyler, leaving male and female descendants. His wife was a daughter of Johan Jurgh Kast, and through her he obtained title to about 600 acres of the Kast patent, which he left to his children. The Temojttli Family. — This name appears in the Palatine records as Demot and Demouth, and others not accustomed to the German method of spelling often wrote the name Damewood. John Jost parted with the lot of land granted him at Little Falls before the Revolution, and probably before 1757, as no trace of the family is found near that place. During the Revolution, the Demouths were in the vicinity of Herkimer. Captain Demouth was with John Adam Helmer in the dangerous service of carrying a message to Colonel Gansevoort during t!ie siege of Fort Schuyler, as before related. After the close of the war some of the Demouths migrated to Onondaga county with the Realls. There are very few of the name now resident in this county. The Welleven {or Wol/eaver) Family. — This name is written VVoll- eben and Wohleben in the list of heads of Palatine families on the west side of the Hudson in 1710. Nicholas W. was a patentee in Burnets- field and also in Staley's first and second tracts, and died in 1773, leaving six sons, Henry, Peter, Richard, John, Abraham and Jacob ; and six daughters, Catharine, wife of Frederick Shoemaker ; Mary Sophia, wife of Peter Flagg ; Elizabeth, wife of Frederick Schute ; Lany, wife of Frederick Bellinger; and Hannah, wife of John Emgie, or Empie, who was a tory and went witli his family to Canada. Richard, John, Peter, and Abraham were in the battle at Oriskany ; the two former were killed, the others returning, Peter with a .slight wound. Peter was one of the party in the Little Falls mill when it was burned, and made his escape. Peter Wolleaver lived on the farm in Manheim afterward known as the Christy place, which he hired of Joseph Brant, the Mohawk chief When the chief sent word to him in 1777 that he would come and tomahawk him if he did not immediately leave the farm, Wolleaver removed to Fort Herkimer with his family in the fall of that year, and remained there until the close of the war. He had three sons who reached manhood, Nicholas, John and Henry. His daughters were Elizabeth, wife of Frederick Shoemaker ; Cath- THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD. 85 arine, wife of Garret Van Slyke ; Susan, wife of Jacob Edick ; Han- nah, who married a Mr. Furman ; Mary, wife of Mr. White, and Eva who married Stanton Fox. Abraham Wolleaver, one of the patentee's sons, was taken prisoner in October, 178 1, with Henry Staring near Fort Herkimer ; was knocked down soon afterward, tomahawked and scalped by his captors and left, while they went on with their other prisoner towards Oneida. Abraham survived his terrible injuries; was out two nights, his feet being frozen, and near sunset of the third day was brought to the fort. He lived a number of years afterward. The Wever {or Weaver) Family. — This name appears on the Living- ston's manor lists as Weber and Webber. Jacob and Nicholas were among the volunteers in the Montreal expedition of 171 1. Peter J. Weaver was an ensign in 1775 in the Fourth battalion of militia of the county. Some of the family settled in Deerfield, Oneida county, in 1773. George L. Weaver was taken prisoner during the Revolution and held in captivity about two years, suffering much inhuman treat- ment. Four hundred acres of land were assigned to this family, two hundred on the north and two hundred on the south side of the river. Descendants of the family still reside in the county. This chapter may be fittingly concluded with the words of the late Chancellor Haven in speaking of the men who fought the battle of Oriskany: " Tlie men who fought this battle were good specimens of a peculiar people. They had been sifted out of Europe by a process of natural and gracious selection. They came across the ocean — or their fathers and mothers did — not for money, but for liberty and religion. They lived in log houses, but they went to log churches and their children to log school-houses. They ate from wooden dishes and were clad in homespun, but they read the Bible and gov- erned themselves. They had wooden plows and used sickles instead of reaping machines, and their only sewing machines were their mothers and wives and sweethearts ; but these could put a music into their rural life far better than the noise of the modern machine. There was not a pauper nor an ignoramus among them. They were the hap- piest and the best people on earth. Such a people fought the battle of Oriskany — nay, the battle of freedom for all mankind." 86 niSTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. CHAPTER V. GROWTH AND PROGRESS. WITH the dawn of peace and the return of prisoners and refugees, industry and resultant prosperity and contentment settled down upon the Mohawk valley. The same spirit of patriotic determination which had impelled the settlers to risk their lives and endure suffering and loss for the permanent establishment of homes in a free country, now enabled them to take up with renewed energy the tilling of their farms, the building of mills, the construction of roads and other labors for the development of their chosen valley. In early times, before the Revolution, the road through the valley came into what is now Herkimer county from the west, on the south side of the Mohawk, and continued on to Canajoharie. At a distance of fifteen miles from Fort Herkimer a road crossed the river and continued on eastward on the north bank. The river served for many years as a waterway for the transportation of freight and passengers in large fiat boats, called bateaux. But this mode of travel was greatly interfered with by the rapids at Little Falls, a fact that led in 1792 to the incor- poration of the Western Inland Lock Navigation Company. After the full organization of this company, about thirty directors pushed ahead the contemplated work, and four years later the canal around the falls was finished, another across the portage at Rome, with various improve- ments in Wood Creek and the Oneida, Seneca and Oswego Rivers. The engraving, " Little Falls in 1892" printed in the history of that town in later pages, shows the course of the canal and the location of the locks at Little Falls. Much of the masonry built at that point a hundred years ago is still in good preservation. This improvement was of immense benefit in opening up the country and it was esti- mated about the year 1812 that three hundred boats with 1,500 tons of meicliandiSc pa scil through the canal at the Rome portage in a single year. After the enlargement of the locks the boats carried 88 niSTORT OF HERKIMER COUNTY. twenty tons or more in high water, and half as much at other times. Tliese craft were known as Durham boats, were low and open, with a walking board along the gunwale. They were propelled by means of long poles thrust into the river bottom and pushed with the shoul- ders of men who walked from end to end of the boat. A Schenec- tady paper of 1803 in describing one of the boats said: "She is sixty-three feet keel, eleven feet wide, and two feet three inches deep. When loaded she draws two feet of water and will carry twenty - four tons. She now brought down 250 bushels of wheat and will next trip bring 800." Previous to the Revolution, and perhaps after that event, many roads were not fenced and had gates across them at the crossing of farm lines. The late Samuel Earl said that there was such a road in earlj' times on the south side of the river where the public road now is, and one across the flats between l""orts Herkimer and Dayton, called the King's road ; this extended west over " Oak Hill " and thence to Oswego. Regarding this road an interesting letter has been found among the papers of the late Mr Earl, from which it appears that Sir William Johnson wrote John Jost Herkimer, John Jost Petrie, and John Conrad Frank, on the 22d of July, 1756, in regard to their aiding in opening the road. A reply fiom Herkimer and Frank is as follows : Hon. Sir. We have the honour of yours of the 22d ulli'o about laying out a road from here to Oswego, throu' the Si.v Nations, and as for my part, Han Yost Petri, I am old, and lame in one of my hips, jmd it is not in my power to undertake any such fatigue, and tor me, Jost Herkimer, I dare not leave my house upon account of the military for they terrorize over me as they think proper, wether the commander or tlie common sol- diers, in short they take a prerogative power in their own hands — not only in infesting mv hou.se and taking up niy rooms at pleasure, but take what they think necessary of my effects for their own use without asking. And if such doings is allowed to go on, not only I and my family must suffer, but also all my neighbors. And as for my part, Coniad I'Vank, it is not possible for me to undertake it upon ac- count of soldiers * * for my house is full either of one sort or another, and within this short lime have suffered considerable by the soldiers of Capt. Harris command, for they not only use my house as they thought proper, but likewise tocik whatever of my live cattle they thought proper fir their use, without either asking liherly or paying me for tlieir value, and .supposing I .should undertake such a thing and U^ave my house, I must I imagine never see eitiier my wife or children again ; and notwithstanding all the en- deavors we and all of us have made we could not find anyone that would undertake GROAVTH AND PROGRESS. 89 such a piece of work. Aud although we and all of us would be ready and willing to do anything that would tend to his majesties honor or the good of our country, yet as matters stand we must be excused. We remain with due regard Hon. Sir, Your Hum. and obedient serv'ts, John Jost Herkimer. John Conrad Frank. In April, 1790, the State appropriated ;^iOO "for the ptirpose of erecting a bridge across the East Canada Creek, not exceeding tliree miles from the mouth thereof, upon the road from the Mohawk River to the Royal Grant." Three years later the Legislature provided for the erection of a bridge over East Canada Creek, " nearly opposite the Canajoharie Castle, on the public road leading from Tribes Hill to the Little Falls ; " and another over the West Canada Creek " on the public road or highway leading from the Little Falls to Fort Stanwix." A still more important improvement was made through the charter of a com- pany in April, 1800, for the construction of the Mohawk turnpike along the north bank of the river from Schenectadj' to Utica. The work was done within the next few years, under the direction of Seth Wetmore, a surveyor, who died in Canajoharie in 1836. This road became a part of the great east and west highway from Albany to Buffalo. These means of transportation sufficed for the inhabitants until the construc- tion of the Erie canal in 1825. Other highways that passed through parts of this county and were of considerable importance to the inhabitants, were the State road, so called because it was constructed by the State through the medium of a lottery, authorized in 1803, to raise $41,500. This road ran from Johnstown through the Black River country to Sackett's Harbor, pass- ing through parts of Manheim, Salisbury, and the towns of Norway and Russia. The road was much used in the early years of the present century. In 1804 the Fall Hill Turnpike and Bridge Company was incorpo- rated and authorized to build a toll bridge over the Mohawk River at Little Falls, and construct a road from the house of Ira Crane in Minden, Montgomery county, to the Mohawk River, thence along the river 'o Henry A. Vrooman's in German Flats, and thence to Samuel Abbott's house and Kassler's Mills. The principal object of this road 12 90 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. was to avoid climbing the steeps at Fall Hill. The bridge was erected and used many years, but the road was not constructed. In the year iSo6 coinmissioncrs were appointed to lay out and straighten the road on the south side of the Mohawk River from Sche- nectady to Utica, wherever it seemed expedient. The towns through which this highway passed were required to work it and keep it in order. The Great Western Turnpike passed through the southeast corner of the town of Warren, a distance of a few miles, but did not touch the Mohawk valley. The Minden and Utica Turnpike Company was incorporated in 1809, the line designated to pass through the present towns of Stark, Warren, Columbia, Litchfield and the southwest corner of Frankfort. Parts of this turnpike were finished and one or more gates erected for collection of tolls, but it was abandoned many years ago. In 1834 Colonel Jeremiah Drake projected a railroad to connect with the Utica and Schenectady line about two miles east of Little Falls, and running northerly a distance of about fifteen miles in this county. The incorporation act was passed, surveys made, etc., the route to pass through Manheim Center, Wintonville and Salisbury Center to Dever- eaux. Failing to interest capitalists in the project, Colonel Drake was forced to abandon it. (See account of Little Falls and Dolgeville Rail- road.) It was over these early higliways that the great stage business of that period was conducted ; and even after the later construction of the canal and railroad, it was several years before those more modern and rapid methods of travel could displace the four horse coaches to which the people had become accustomed. One of the earliest as well as most successful of the old stage managers was Jason Parker, of Utica, with his later partners. He began running a stage between Albany and old Fort Schuyler in August, 1795, and thus announced his undertaking: "The mail leaves Whitestown every Monday and Thursday at 2 o'clock p. m., and proceeds to Old Fort Schuyler the same evening; next morning starts at 4 o'clock and arrives in Canajoharie in the evening, exchanges passengers with the Albany and Cooperstown stages, and the next day returns to Old Fort Schuyler. Fare for passengers, $2.00; GROWTH AND PROGRESS. Ol way passengers, four cents a mile, fourteen pounds of baggage gratis. Seats may be had by applying at the post-office, Whitestown, at the house of the subscriber, Old Fort Schuylei, or at Captain Root's, Cana- joharie " Parker's early experience was not profitable and he had to apply to the Legislature in 1797 for aid. By September, 1810, greater expedition was attained on this route and a daily line of stages passed over the road. In 1810-11 Joshua Ostroni and his partners, also of Utica, came into competition with Parker and announced that a new line of steamboat stages would leave Albany Monday and Friday, and Utica Monday and Thursday. These trips were made more often a little later and the competition between the lines became exceedingly active. Parker & Powell announced in 1811 : " Eight changes of horses. The mail stage now leaves Bagg's, Utica, every morning at 4 o'clock. Passengers will breakfast at Maynard's, Herkimer, dine at Josiah Shep- ard's. Palatine, and sup (on oysters) at Thomas Powell's Tontine Coffee House, Schenectady. The ladies and gentlemen who will favor this line with their patronage may be assured of having good horses, attent- ive drivers, warm carriages, and that there shall not be any running or racing of horses on the line." Then the rivals, unencumbered by mails, announced themselves ready to " go through in one day, unless the extreme badness of the traveling rendered it utterly impossible." Moreover passengers were to "have the liberty of breakfasting, dining and supping where, when and on what they please. No more than eight passengers unless by unanimous consent." The year 1825 saw the establishment of the county poor-house in Herkimer. The board of supervisors met on the 5th of May at Her- kimer and appointed Abijah Beckwith, of Columbia, Robert Shoe- maker, of German Flats, and William Griswold, of Fairfield, a com- mittee to examine into the subject. This committee reported before the end of that month, and the supervisors thereupon resolved to purchase for the sum of $2,000 a house and land in the German Flats, near the line of the canal. Samuel Etheridge and Gideon Johnson were appointed to negotiate the purchase, and Rudolph J. Shoemaker, Alfred Putnam, Lauren P'ord, John B. Dygert, and Caleb Budlong, superintendents. The clerk was notified that as soon as the proper 92 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTV. officers had taken possession of the house, to publish the fact in the Herkimer paper. On the i6th of November, 1827, the supervisors resolved to aboh'sh the distinction between the town and the county poor Up to that time each town had supported its own poor at the county house; but tlie plan was not a successful one. On the i6th of December, 1827, tlie supervisors resolved to ask the Legislature for authority to sell the poor-house property and purchase a more suitable piece of land and erect buildings thereon for the future reception of paupers. The required law was passed, but no immediate action was taken under it. Although a little out of its chronological order, the later history of the poor-house may as well be given here. In 1837 the matter of disposing of the poor-house was again agitated, although at the annual meeting of that year the superintendents were author- ized to purchase a part of the Steele farm for the use of the county, which was subsequently effected. The discussion of sale and change of location continued through 1839 and 1840, and further laws on the subject were passed by the Legislature. In 1842 the superin- tendents authorized the supervisors to sell the house and land adjoining for $500, and in 1844 the Legislature vested in the board of supervisors full power to Fell out the old establishment, purchase a new site and erect suitable buildings. It is clear that it was high time such action was taken. Yet for nearly three years the subject was actively dis- cussed before a majority of the supervisors made a final disposition of it. The difficulty was to reconcile the different factions in the board to a new location, some wanting it on the south side of the river, while others wished it taken from the vicinity of the canal. In January, 1846, the board fixed upon a new site (the present one) by a vote of 10 to 9; on the 17th of March 1846, the board sanctioned the con- tract for the new buildings made by the commissioners and George W. Alton, George Rurch and Cornelius E. T. Van Home superintended the erection of the new buildings. They are located in the town of Herkimer, about two miles south of Middleville, on the west side of the West Canada Creek, and arc commodious and convenient for their purpose. The Asiatic cholera visited this country in 1832-34 and in many localities was the cause of great fatality, anxiety and actual panic. (JROWTH AND PROGRESS. 93 Although the disease found its way westward from New York and Albany, following to some extent the line of the Erie canal, Herkimer county almost entirely escaped its ravages. This fortunate circumstance is doubtless due to there being no large city in the county, the general healthfulness of the locality and the favorable sanitary conditions then existing. The disease gained a foothold in Utica and Syracuse, as well as at other prominent centers ; but the smaller places and country districts almost wholly escaped. During the period between 1830 and i860, the development of the dairy industry in this country was especially marked. Farmers learned the value of choice stock and the importance of giving their herds the best possible care Shippers opened the English market about 1832, and extended the distribution of the product to many of the largest cities of this country, laying the foundation of the later important in- dustry. The progress of dairying in the county is further treated in another chapter. The Herkimer County Education Society and Teachers' Association was organized at Little Falls March 15, 1837, with David Chassell as president ; N. S. Benton, John B. Dygert, Thomas Hawks, John Del- amater and Henry Ellison, vice-presidents ; James Henry, correspond- ing secretary ; E. A. Munson, recording secretary. The organization was effected at a meeting of the county convention of the friends of education. It was arranged that annual meetings should be held, at which addresses should be made and plans laid for the general advance- ment of education in the county. The organization was not very long-lived. The State of New York, with many others, had its period of what may be termed the plank road mania, beginning in 1847 and continu- ing several years. These roads, built at a time when most country highways were even much worse than the}' are at the present time, and extending into localities where railroads were not likely to go, were of considerable benefit, especially to farmers A few of them paid reas- onable profits, but more were losing projects and soon were abandoned. The first plank road in Herkimer county extended from Mohawk vil- lage through Herkimer and Middleville to Newport, along the valley of the West Canada Creek. Others were the Little Falls and Middle- 94 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. ville road, connecting those two places; the Manheim and Salisbury, connecting Little Falls with Salisbury Four Corners, and afterwards ex- tended to Graysville in the northern part of Norway; the Little Falls and Salisbury, connecting the former place with Devereaux ; the road from Utica passing through Frankfort, Litchfield and West Winfield to Unadilla ; the Mohawk and Ilion, connecting those villages ; the Frank- fort and Utica, extending from Frankfort village to the west line of the county along the line of the canal ; the Ilion and Cedarville, connect- ing those two points. And the plank road trom Fort Plain to Coopers- town passed through Starkville and Van Hornesville, in the town of Stark; the North Gage and Russia road connected Russia with North Gage in Oneida county. These once useful highways were, however, short-lived, and have now all disappeared. CHAPTER VI. THE CIVIL WAR PERIOD. THE long reign of prosperous peace in America was rudely closed when citizens of Southern States fired the first hostile gun upon Fort Sumter in 1861. Almost before the sound of that cannonade had died away a tide of patriotic enthusiasm and indignation swept over the entire North, and the call to arms found an echo in every loyal heart, while thousands sprang forward to offer their services and their lives at the altar of their country. The history of the civil war has been written and rewritten, and al- most every intelligent citizen, young and old, is familiar with the details of the great contest. ' Were this not a fact it would still be manifestly impossible in a work of this character to follow the course of the various campaigns in which Herkimer county soldiers took part, or to trace the careers of those brave officers and privates who fell on the field of bat- tle. Such historical work must be left to the general historian who has unlimited space at his command for the one topic ; and already, as we have said, the pages of history are eloquent with records of the battles THE CIVIL WAR PERIOD. 95 in which Herkimer county men honorably shared, which all may read ; while the thousands of volumes that have been published by the State and placed in every county clerk's office and elsewhere, contain the ros- ters of all New York State organizations that went out to battle for the right. It therefore remains for us to give such statistics and informa- tion in this connection as bear a local interest, as far as the space at command will permit. Before the actual outbreak of the rebellion the president issued a proclamation calling forth " the militia of the several States of the Union, to the aggregate number of 75,000, in order to suppress combinations, and to cause the laws to be duly executed." The principal villages of Herkimer county became at once centers of military activity. One of the first steps taken was to place a guard upon the great armory of the Remingtons at llion, which was soon filled with a large force of work- men employed day and night. On Monday, April 15, 1861, the State Legislature passed a bill ap- propriating $3,000,000 and providing for the enrollment of 30,000 men to aid the government. The volunteers were to enlist into the State service for two years, and to be subject at any time to transfer into the Federal service. This measure caused intense excitement and the various villages of the county were soon ablaze with military enthusiasm. On the 20th of April a great union meeting was held at Little Falls, over which Major Z. C. Priest presided. Patriotic speeches were made by Hon. A. Loomis, Rev. B. F. McLoughlin, Rev. J. D. Adams, Hon. A. H. Laflin, Hon. George A. Hardin, and Arnold Petrie. Resolutions were adopted expressive of the patriotism of the people and the deter- mination to maintain the government against its enemies, and denounc- ing rebellion. Provision was made to raise $5,000 for the relief of families of those who might enlist This meeting was followed by a similar one at Mohawk, at which large delegations were present from Herkimer, llion and elsewhere. Dean Burgess, of Herkimer, presided and stirring speeches were made by Hon. J. H. Wooster, of Newport, Judge Ezra Graves, of Herkimer, General Prescott, of Mohawk, and others. An overflow meeting was held outside of the church, for the benefit of those who could not gain admittance, which was addressed by Hon. George A. Hardin, and Hon. A. H. Laflin, of Herkimer. 96 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. Resolutions similar to those mentioned were adopted and $1,500 were subscribed at once for the relief fund. Military enthusiasm and action extended, also, into other parts of the county, and while the last named meeting was being held, about fifty persons had already enlisted in the towns of Ohio, Norway and Russia; and by the 24th of April seventy men had enlisted in Herkimer and more than thirty in Mohawk. On the evening of IMay 24 a meeting was held in the court-house to formulate a plan for the relief of the families of those who had enlisted. It was decided to raise $2,000 on a note payable in one year, to receive the signatures of those who were disposed to secure it. A large num- ber signed the note and the money was advanced by the Mohawk Val- ley Bank. Dean Burgess was made treasurer of the fund, and Ezra Graves and H. G. Crouch, with the treasurer, were made an executive committee to distribute the money. Similar action was taken at other points and together afforded the necessary relief By the 8th day of May, 1861, there were six companies of Herkimer county men in rendezvous at Albany. These, with one company from Essex county, two from Steuben, one from Clinton, and one from Albany county, were organized into the Thirty-fourth Regiment of in- fantry, afterwards familiarly known as the " Herkimer County Regi- ment." Of these companies. Company B was raised in Little Falls, Company C at Graysville, Companies F and Gat Herkimer, and Company K at Brockett's Bridge (now Dolgeville). The regimental officers were : Colonel, William Ladue ; lieutenant-colonel, James Suiter ; major, Byron Laflin ; quartermaster, Natlian Easterbrook, jr. ; chaplain, J. B. Van Petten ; paymaster, W. H. Wombaugh. The Herkimer county companies were officered as follows : Company B. — Captain, Wells Sponable ; Ist lieutenant, John Fralick; ensign, Irving Delos Clark ; 1st sergeant, Lewis M. Clark ; sergeants, William Orrin Beach, Chauncey Petrie and Wallace Zaper ; corporals, Warren Van Allen, Atielbert Perry, Dennis Canaan and Edward Redner; musicians, John Apple and John Scheraierhorn. Company C. — Captain, Thomas Corcoran; lieutenant, Samuel P. Butler; ensign, William S. Burt; 1st sergeant, William Wallace; sergeants, Jacob Ashley, S. S. Walter and Charles B. Barton ; corporals, Simon Loyd, Richard Manning, Hanison L. Banks and Joshua Sherwood ; musicians, William H. Corp and John H. Guy. Company F. — Captain, Charles Riley ; lieutenant, Joseph R. Shoemaker; sergeant.<, William R. Van Valkenbuig, Christian Way man and James B. Crist; corporals, Charles B. Taylor, John T. Booth, Thomas White anrf Charles Pierce; musicians, David M. Heath and Edward White. THE CIVIL WAR PERIOD. 97 Company G. — Captain, Charles L. Brown ; 1st lieutenant, Warren Mack, jr. ; ensign, Michael ShafFner ; 1st sergeant, Joy E. Johnson; 2d sergeant, Albert Arnold; 3d ser- geant, James H. Cory ; 4th sergeant, Richard D. Mosher ; 1st corporal, Jeremiah Far- rell ; corporals, A. S. Rounds, William Manning and John H. Raynor ; musicians, Ezra Dockstater and Nelson Meacham. Company K. — Captain, John Beverly ; lieutenant, Henry B. Chamberlin ; ensign, Emerson S. Northrup; 1st sergeant, William S. Walton; sergeants, Charles Lasure, Benjamin J. Loucks and Romeyn Roof; corporals, William Burns, Henry Traver, John Johnson and John Williams ; musicians, Hiram Burk and Eugene Kibbie. On account of ill health, Colonel Ladue resigned March 20, 1862, and Lieutenant- Colonel Suiter was promoted to the office. He resigned January 26, 1863, and was honorably discharged. Lieutenant- Colonel Byron Laflin was his successor. The last three companies of Herkimer county men left for Albany on the 6th of May. A large gathering of people assembled at Herkimer and listened to the patriotic and affect- ing words of Judge Graves to the departing soldiers. In the final organ- ization at Albany the six Herkimer companies were reduced to five, which, with the others named, made ten. On the 25th of May the reg- iment was accepted, and June 15 it was mustered into service. On the 25th of that month a stand of colors was presented to the regiment by the ladies of Little Falls, through Horace Burch. On the 2d of July the regiment left Albany for Washington on the steamboat Western World and two barges ; they arrived at Washington on the 5th, and went into camp on Kalorama Heights. On the 28th of July the regiment was assigned to picket duty at Seneca Mills, Md., on the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal. After doing duty at various stations for short periods, among them being Poolesville, Harper's Ferry, Bolivar Heights, Charles- town, Berryville and Winchester (arriving just after the close of the bat- tle), the regiment reached Yorktown on the 5th of April, 1862. On the 4th of May they embarked for West Point and on the 6th were engaged in the battle at that place, with slight loss. Continuing up the penin- sula they went into camp on the Tyler farm and were detailed to bridge the Chickahominy. In the succeeding battle of Fair Oaks the regiment acted nobly and lost thirty- four killed and sixty-four wounded. On the 30th of June they were engaged at Glendale in a part of the "Seven Days Fight" and lost thirteen killed and wounded. On the 1st of July the regiment reached Malvern Hill and in the battle fought there lost thirty-four in killed, wounded and missing, among the killed being 13 98 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. Major Charles L. Brown. After other operations in that vicinity the regiment found itself in its old camp at Harrison's Landing, where tliey remained until August 15, removing thence to Newport News, where they arrived on the 21st. The movements of the regiment from that time until the battle at Antietam were to Alexandria; thence to a point near Fort Ethan Allen ; thence to Frederick City, South Mountain and Antietam. In that memorable battle the regiment was forced to the front, where it narrowly escaped destruction, and lost thirty- two killed, 109 wounded, and nine missing. From Antietam the regiment went to Harper's Ferry, and on the I ith of November was reviewed by Gen- eral McClellan for the last time. Next they marched to Falmouth, and on December 1 1 reached a point opposite Fredericksburg. Here in the engagement that followed they lost thirty- three killed and wounded. The regiment went into winter quarters near Falmouth January 26, 1863. Its term of service expired on the 8th of June and on that day they left for home. They were tendered a reception at Herkimer before being mustered out and were given a royal welcome on the 27th of June. The men were mustered out on the 30th of June, numbering only 400, as against 786 when the organization left for the front. Passing by several organizations in which Herkimer county men en- listed, as noted further on, we come to the Ninty-seventh Regiment of infantry, in which a large part of five companies were from this county, the remainder being largely Oneida county men. The formation of this regiment was begun on the i6th of October, 1861, and was of- ficered as follows: Colonel, Charles Wheelock ; lieutenant-colonel, J. P. Spofiford, of Brockett's Bridge, Herkimer county, promoted to colonel in February, 1865; major, Charles Northrup ; adjutant, Charles Buck; quartermaster, Joel T. Comstock ; surgeon, N. D. Ferguson; assistant surgeon, Aaron Cornish; chaplain, James V. Ferguson. Colonel Whee- lock was one of the bravest and most efficient officers that left the State. He was captured by the enemy in one of the early engagements of the regiment, but made a daring escape. The hardships of army life were too severe for his physical frame, and he died at Washington January 2 1 . 1 865. His remains were brought home to his native town of Boon- villc where they received burial with military honors. THE CIVIL WAR PERIOD. 99 The Ninety-seventh was mustered into service at Boonville on the 19th of P'ebruary, 1862, and on the I 2th day of March left for Wash- ington with a strength of 928 men. Companies C, D, E, F, and I were each about half made up of Herkimer county men, and officered as fol- lows by Herkimer county : Company C — First lieutenant, Francis Murphy ; second lieutenant, John T. Norton ; first sergeant, John G. C. Sproule ; sergeants, James McGurren, Henry P. Fitzpatrick; corporal, Charles McGurren, all of Herkimer village ; musician, Dennis T. Hall, Graves- ville; wagoner, Horace Rice, Herkimer. Company D.— Captain, Rouse P. Egleston. Brockett's Bridge ; first lieutenant, Dwight S. Faville, Brockett's Bridge ; first sergeant, James H. Stiles, Salisbury ; second sergeant, Frank Reed, Brockett's Bridge; fourth sergeant, William Dresher, Salisbury ; fifth ser- geant, David Beverly, jr., Brockett's Bridge ; corporals, H. Alonzo Cool and Charles Doxtater, Brockett's Bridge ; Abner K. Huntly, Frederick Munson, and Conrad Metz, Salisbury Center, and Morgan Hughs, Manheim ; fifer, Ezra M. Huntly, Salisbury; wagoner, John Kirchen, Salisbury Center. Campany E. — Corporal, John Williams, Russia; musician, Jolin F. Moreliouse, Graves- ville. Company F. — Captain, Stephen G. Hutchinson; first lieutenant, E. Gary Spencer, Brockett's Bridge; first sergeant, William Ransom; second sergeant, DelosD. Hall; third sergeant, Hiram Hildreth, and fourth sergeant, John Darling, Salisbury ; corporals, Augustus Johnson, William B. Judd, Brockett's Bridge, and George Terry, Salisbury. Company H, commanded by Captain Anton Brendle, included musicians Addy and William Thompson, and three privates, from Herkimer village. Company I. — Captain, James P. Leslie; first lieutenant, Romeyn Roof; second lieu- tenant, Lewis H. Carpenter ; first sergeant, George Chase, and sergeant, Henry A. Way, all of Little Falls; sergeant, Joseph W. Harrison, Tan Hornesville ; sergeant, Hartley Youker, Little Falls ; corporals, John Campbell, George J. Keller, Ansel L. Snow, Will- iam H. Gray, and Michael Tighe, Little Falls; Clinton Ackerman, Newville ; James Kenna, and Roswell Clark, jr.. Little Falls ; musicians, Charles A. Barrett and Fred- erick V. Laurent, Little Falls. Following is a list of the battles in which this regiment bore a con- spicuous part: Cedar Mountain, Rappahannock Station, Thoroughfare Gap, Second Bull Run, Chantilly, South Mountain, Antietam, Freder- icksburg (two engagements), Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Mine Run, Raccoon Ford, Wilderness, Laurel Hill, Spottsylvania Court House, North Anna, Tolopotomoy, Bethesda Church, White Oak Swamp, Petersburg, Weldon Railroad, Hicks Ford, Hatcher's Run, Quaker Road, White Oak Road, Five Forks, Appomattox. It is no more than L.oFC. 100 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. justice to this splendid organization to give it credit for being one of the bravest and hardest fought regiments in the army, as the following sta- tistics will show : Of the color bearers two were killed and three wounded, as follows: Sergeant James Brown, killed July 1, 1863, at Gettysburg; Sergeant Sylvester Riley, killed May 5, 18G4, at the battle of the Wilderness. Sergeant John King, wounded severely May 18, near Spottsylvania Court-house; John D. Conlon, wounded May 5, 18G4, near Spottsylvania Court-house; Joseph Curtis, wounded February G, 1862. Of the original officers only three returned with the regiment, viz., Colonel J. P. SpofTord, Lieutenant-Colonel Rouse P. Egleston, and Captain Isaac Hall. The commissioned officers who were killed, or died of wounds received in action, were: Captain Richard Jones, August 30, 1862 ; First Lieutenant Dwight S. Faville, August 30, 1862; Second Lieutenant Louis Dallarini, September" 17, 1862; First Lieu- tenant Rush P. Cady, July 1, 1863 ; Second Lieutenant James H. Stiles, July 1, 1863 ; Second Lieutenant William J. Morrin, July 1. 1863; Fu'st Lieutenant Frank T. Bren- iian. May 6, 18G-1 ; Second Lieutenant William (i. Dresher, May 6, 1864; Second Lieu- tenant John Kocli, June 3, 1863 ; Second Lieutenant Henry P. Fitzpatnck, August 4, 1864; Captain WilHam B. Judd, February 6, 1864. Thiity-two commissioned officers and 836 enlisted men were wounded. The total number of commis.sioned officers ever belonging to the regiment was ninety-four. Of the enlisted men in the regiment there were killed or mortally wounded, 203; died of disease, 122; discharged, 690; transferred, 534; mustered out — present — 322; mus- tered out — absent — 205; total, 2,081. There were twenly-two hundred names on the muster roll of the regiment during its service; when mustered out there were just 25 officers and 322 men left. Company D mustered out but twenty-six men. The regiment wasm Duryea's Brigade and Rickett's Division of the First Corps at the battle of Antietam, where it sufiered more severely than in any other battle. Here more than one-half of the regiment was killed and woundod in less than an hour after the engagement commenced ; yet it is said men never displayed more coolness and de- termination. Not a man was captured, and when relieved, though under a galling fire, they retired in good order. At Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, and all sulisequent battles — more than twenty in number — the Ninety- seventh sustained the reputation it had gloriously acquired at liard-fought Antietara. At Gettysburg the loss of the regiment was great, particularly in officers — eleven of whom (out of twenty-four) were killed or wounded. The regi- ment went into this battle with only 236 rifles ; and after being engaged several hours and losing heavily it made a successful charge upon the Twentieth North Carolina regiment, capturing 382 men and their colors. Colonel Spoffbrd (then lieutenant- coloneH led this charge, and in it nearly one-half of his hat was carried away by apiece of shell. His horse was shot in the head, and Colonel Spofford subsequentlj taken prisoner, and he was afterwards nearly a year and a half in Southern prisons. On the 7th of June, 1864, the Eiglity-third New York volunteers (Ninth militia) were consolidated with the Ninety-seventh. Prior to this consolidation the Twenty- THE CIVIL WAR PERIOD. 101 sixth New York had been joined to tlie Eighty-third, and the Ninety-seventh there- fore received the remnants of two regiments when the consohdation took place. The One Hundred and Tzuenty -first Regiment. — This was the next organization which contained a large proportion of Herkimtr county men, most of the remainder being from Otsego county, and was raised in response to the president's call for 300,000 volunteers in August, 1862. The camp of the regiment was situated on the grounds of H. J, Schuyler, in the town of German Flats, about a mile and a half from Herkimer, and was called Camp Schuyler. A list of the Herkimer county men in the regiment was published in the Herkimer Democrat of August 27, 1862, and shows that coinpanies A, B, C, D, and H were almost wholly from this county, the figures being respectively in the order named, 98, 102, 10 1, 102, and 66. These companies were officered as follows : Company A. — Captain, H. M. Galpin, Little Falls; hrst lieutenant, J. Biirrill, Salis- bury; second lieutenant, George W. Davis, Little Falls; sergeants — Joseph H. Heath, Little Falls; Lester Baum, Danube; David T. King, Salisbury; George Hewittson, Danube ; and Frank Burt, Little Falls; corporals — George H. Snell, Little Falls; John Wormouth, Danube ; Albert H. Clark, Little Falls; Henry Timmerman, Little Falls; Isaac Darling, Salisbury; Hallet Mattison, Salisbury; James Hendrix, Danube; and Peter Fletcher, Little Falls; musician, Murton Timmerman, Little Falls. Company B. — Captain, Irving Holcomb, Litchfield ; first lieutenant, H. C. Keith, German Flats ; second lieutenant, George A.May, German Flats; sergeants — ^Levi S. Jones, Winfield; Dennis A. Dewey, Plainfield; Samuel Miller, Litchfield; Gilbert T. Broadway, German Flats ; Reuben C. Holmes, Little Falls; corporals— F. McCarron, Litchfield ; A. C. Potter, Winfield ; G. W. Warren, Litchfield ; William H. Widrick, German Flats; Joseph B. Rounds, Winfield ; Dewitt Beckwith, Geiman Flats; Asahel Davis, Winfield ; William Thornton, Columbia ; musicians, J. M. Underwood, Litch- field ; Resell Jackson, Columbia. Company C. — Captain, Clinton A. Moon, Herkimer; first lieutenant, Thomas S. Arnold, Herkimer; second lieutenant, Angus Cameron, Fairfield; sergeants — E. P. Joiinson, Russia; D. W. Greene, A. Clark Rice and F. B. Ford, Fairfield ; G. W. Col- lins, Russia; corporals — W. Ward Rice, Fairfield; Joshua W. Storr, Russia; Calvin G. Carpenter, Fairfield; Crosby J. Graves, I. N. Bassett and Julius A. Jones, Russia; Wilbur F. Lamberson and Leander Swartout, Fairfield. Company D. — Captain, John D. Fish, Frankfort ; first lieutenant. Deles M. Kenyon, Frankfort; second lieutenant, Charles E. Staring, Schuyler; sergeants— James W. Bascom, Willard H. Howard, James Johnson, MellviUe D. Merry, Frankfort; Roselle Warren, Warren; corporals — Darius Brown, James H. Smith, Frankfort; Nathan B. Faville, Manheim; Nathaniel Warren, Amos Lepper, Frankfort; Aaron D. Miller, Schuyler ; Francis N. Piper, Ralph T. Pierson, Frankfort. 102 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. Company H.— Captain, John Ramsay, Little Falls; first lieutenant, Double- day, Otsego county ; second lieutenant. M. R. Casler, Little Falls; sergeants — W. D. Turner, Little Falls; S. Wolverton, Thomas M. Kenna, Little Falls; R. C. Firman, Otsego county ; Levi Sherry, Little Falls; corporals, M. I. Gage, Little Falls; James Reddy, Little Falls; J. A. Burgess, Otsego county ; William H. Hayes, Little Falls; H. C. Winslow, Little Falls. The regimental officers were as follows: Colonel, Richaid Franchot ; litutenant-col- onel, C. H. Clark; Major, Egbert Olcott; adjutant, Alonzo Ferguson; surgeon, D. W. Bassett; assistant surgeons, S. B Valentine, D. M.Holt; quartermaster, Albert Story ; chaplain, J. R. Sage. This regiment left its camp on the 31st of August, marciied to the Herkimer station, where a large crowd witnessed the aflecting depait- ure. After a short stay in camp at Wasliington, the regiment went on picli HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. September 5- October 3. November 7. 7,768 7.700 6.60s 6.7og 7.-78 35.960 5«04 26,888 5.035 6,770 6.9^5 7.301 5.987 32.088 5.172 RULING. AVERAGE. 603 .,670 28 I 6.136 21.844 Total I 182,785 7.086 7.049 7.781 '9.635 S,8i2 7.350 7.278 7.983 6.547 34.970 5,089 6.397 5,522 23.534 206,058 9% 9H Total number of boxes Number of pounds per box. Number of pounds sold,. Average price per pound. Value of season's cheese. _. Add value of dairy cheese. ()76 '780 .0915 Total value.- -J _. $1,918,662.88 Comparing this result with thai of the two previous years, the fol- lowing differences will appear : Number of boxes sold, including dairy 345*059 Highest price.-- - .-_ loc.^. Lowest price - _ 6c'i. Average high for year ___ .0873 Average low for year -0793 General average _ 0836 Value of cheese in 1890 - - Value of cheese in 1891 Value of cheese in 1892 - -- ._. Difference in favor of 1892 __ - ,_. 1891 230,249 7?ic. .0914 •0845 ,181,836.65 202,738.70 218,662.88 ■5.924.1? THE COURTS. 131 CHAPTER VIII. THE COURTS, THE BENCH AND BAR OF HERKIMER COUNTY. ALTHOUGH as a distinct county our records are comparatively re- cent, the early history of the Bench and Bar of Herkimer county takes us back to judicial systems very different from those with which ue are now familiar and very similar to those of England. For the British governors after the peace of Westminster introduced such of the courts of the mother country from time to time as seemed adapted to the new colonies; and although our constitution of 1777 abolished such as were hostile to the democratic sentiments of the new era, it preserved with considerable entirety the legal fictions and the judicial systems of its inheritance. It was thus that the new county of Herkimer found in existence such courts as the Common Pleas, Chancery, Court of Pro- bate, Court for the Trial of Impeachments and the Correction of Errors, and others long since abolished or merged in those of the present day. The old Assizes had already passed away and the Federal constitution had taken from the State the Court of Admiralty ; but most of those mentioned above still attested our early relations with the complex system of England. During the exciting times succeeding the administration of the tyrannical Governor Andros, and just after the execution of Leisler and the arrival of Governor Slaughter, and while the charter of liberties was agitating our colony, the Court for the Correction of Errors and hearing of appeals was established. It consisted of the Governor and Council, its powers resembling those of our present court of final resort. The Revolution necessitated a change which gave rise to the Court for the Trial of Impeachments and the Correction of Errors. The consti- tution of 1846 which made so many changes in our judicial system, entirely remodeled this court. It divided it, in fact, creating the Court of Appeals in place of the Court for the Correction of Errors, and leaving the Court for Trial of Impeachments still composed of the 132 IIISTOHV Ob' HKKKIMER COUNTY. Senate and its president, togetlier with the judges of the new court. The convention of 1867—68 reorganized the Court of Appeals, and in 1869 the people ratified the change, which resulted in the present court of final resort. On account of the great mass of accumulated business, a Commission of Appeals was created in 1870, continuing until 1875, possessing sub- stantially the powers of its sister court, , and designed to relieve the latter. In 1888 the Legislature passed a concurrent resolution that section 6 of article 6 of the constitution be amended so that upon the certificate of the Court of Appeals to the governor of such an accumu- lation of causes on the calendar ot the Court of Appeals that the public interest required a more speedy disposition thereof, the governor may designate seven justices of the Supreme Court to act as associate judges for the time being of the Court of Appeals, and to form a second division of that court, and to be dissolved by the governor when the said causes are substantially disposed of This amendment was sub- mitted to the people of the State at the general election of that year and was ratified, and in accordance therewith the governor selected seven Supreme Court justices, who were constituted the second division of the Court of Appeals. The Supreme Court's jurisdiction as it now exists is a combination of very diverse elements. The powers and jurisdictions of the Court of Chancery, the Court of Exchequer, the Court of Common Pleas, the Court of Oyer and Terminer, Probate Court, the Circuit Court and the Supreme Court proper, have all been combined to make up this im- portant branch of the judicial system. But during our early county history several of these courts existed independently of each other, some of the early lawyers of Herkimer county being among their mem- bers. The Court of Chancery, which had been organized when the Court of Assizes was abolished, in 1683, was the beginning of the equity branch of the present Supreme Court. It was reorganized shortly after the Revolution and, with some slight modifications by the constitution of 1821, and by subsequent enactments, it continued until 1846, when it was merged into the new Supreme Court. Equity jurisdiction and powers are now exercised by the Supreme Court, its judges having powers that were formerly possessed by the chancellor. THE COURTS, 1^3 The Court of Exchequer, having been erected in 1685, was made a branch of the old Supreme Court just after the Revolution, and so con- tinued until finally abolished in 1830. In our earliest colonial history there had been a Court of Oyer and Terminer, but it was discontinued during the time of King William, its name, however, surviving to designate the criminal part held with the circuit. This brings us to the old Supreme and Circuit Court, with which the Court of Chancery united under the constitution of 1846, to complete the principal branch of our present system. In the early part of the century the Supreme Court of the State consisted of five justices. It had been the practice to hold four terms a year, two in Albany and two in New York ; but previous to that time and in the closing years of the last century, the circuit system was established somewhat on the plan of that of Eng- land. It was enacted that the judges should, during their vacations, hold courts in the various counties of the State, and return the pro- ceedings to the Supreme Court when it convened again, when they should be recorded and judgments rendered. A few years later the system was simplified by the division of the State into four judicial districts. To each of these districts was assigned a judge whose duty it was to hold circuits in each of the counties therein at least once in each year. It had already been enacted that the Courts of Oyer and Terminer (the criminal part, presided over by a Justice of the Supreme Court) should be held at the same time and place with the circuit, and should consist of the circuit judge, assisted by two or more of the judges of the Court of Common Pleas of the county. The circuit system was very similar to the present, excepting that our Special Terms are substituted for the Court of Chancery. After the constitution of 1821, the State was divided as at present into eight judicial districts, each being provided with a circuit judge, in whom were vested certain equity powers, subject to appeal to the Chancery Court; while the Supreme Court proper held much the same position as the present General Term. In 1846 the new constitution abolished the Court of Chancery, giving the powers theretofore held by it to the Supreme Court, which it reorganized substantially as it exists to-day. Such is the history in brief of the higher courts of this county and State. 134 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. The system of local judicature was also changed to correspond with that of the State at large. The Court of Common Pleas, organized contemporaneously with the colonial Court for the Correction of Errors and Appeals, has given way to the County Court; while the offices of county judge and surrogate have been combined where the county pop- ulation does not exceed forty thousand During the eighteenth century the Court of Common Pleas consisted of a first judge assisted by two or more associates, all of whom were appointed by the governor. Its powers were very similar to those of the present County Court, the associate justices corresponding to the justices of sessions on the present criminal bench. The constitution of 1846 abolished the Court of Com- mon Pleas and created the County Court and Court of Sessions as they exist to-day. The Surrogate's Court has undergone less changes than any of those we have described. In early times and before the Dutch supremacy was overcome by the English, there had been a short-lived Orphan's Court. Then the English government introduced the Prerogative Court, which in turn was superseded by the Court of Probates after the Rev- olution. Surrogates were then appointed in each county, having much the same powers as at present. This was the system down to 1823, when the Court of Chancery took the place of the Court of Probates in hearing appeals from the decisions of surrogates ; but the office of sur- rogate remained as before. Our Justices' Courts and Courts of Special Sessions have remained substantially unchanged since the colonial period. The office of dis- trict attorney has undergone much change. Early in the century this State was divided into seven districts for each of which there was an assistant attorney-general. The present office, as distinct from the at- torney-generalship, was created in 1801. Since 18 18 each county has had its own district attorney. Previous to the erection of Herkimer county in 1 791, the judicial afifairs of the people where conducted at Whitestown in what is now Oneida county, and there the court-house and jail were situated. Upon the division of the county the records were kept by Oneida county. The proceedings of the Board of Supervisors for 1795 contain a record of the steps taken for the erection of the public buildings at Whitestown. COUNTY BUILDINGS. 135 The committee having the work in charge made a report which con- tained the following : The committee proceeded to make the apportionment, as follows, for the respective towns to pay, viz.: Herkimer, 140; German Flats, 185; Norway, 95; Steuben, PO; Whites (Whitestown) 150; Schuyler, 90; Brookfielil, 23 ; Oazenovia, 30 ; Sauferfield, 20; Hamilton, 22; Sherburn, 15; Westmoreland, 60 ; Paris, 120. The buildings at Whitestown were erected in 1793-4 and were used until Oneida county was taken from Herkimer in 1798. The first court house for the use of the present Herkimer county stood on the site of the one now located at Herkimer village, and was a plain two-story wooden building. It stood until January 25, 1S34, when it was burned with other property near it. It was a fortunate fire, for the building was a discredit to the community and of very little actual value. The jail, which was on the ground floor, would not con- fine a prisoner, unless he was a paralytic, and no one mourned its loss. On the 31st of March, 1834, the Legislature authorized the super- visors to borrow from the common school fund, on the credit of the county, $4,600 with which to build a new court-house, and directed that a tax of $500 a year be levied on the county to pay the loan. Francis E. Spinner, Arphaxed Loomis, and Prentice Yeomans were named in the act as commissioners to superintend the erection of the building. The building was of brick and sufficed for the needs of the county for about forty years. When the erection of this building was contemplated an effort was made by citizens of Little Falls and vicinity to have the county seat removed to that place; but the effort was un- availing. In the year 1873 the present court-house was built on the site of the old one, which was taken down. The new structure was designed to accommodate the increasing business of the county, and it is admirably adapted for the purpose. It contains offices for the judges and surro- gate, rooms for the supervisors, etc., and cost $45,000. The jail, on the opposite corner from the court-house, was erected after the burning of the old court-house and finished in 1835, at a cost of $10,300. It is a substantial building and convenient for its purpose. Edmund Varney, Cornelius T. E. Van Horn, Isaac S. Ford, Jacob F. Christman, Warner Folts, Frederick P. Bellinger and Charles Gray were the building commissioners. , 136 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. The county clerk's office stands in the same grounds with the court- house, and is a substantial fire-proof structure. It was erected in 1847 by Aaron Hall. Among the members of the bar of Herkimer county have been and now are many men of eminence in their profession. It is peculiarly appropriate that those whose attainments and public life are worthy of remembrance should receive recognition in a history of this county. Among the very early judges in the courts of the county were some who have already been properly mentioned in these pages, notably Judge Henri Staring, of Schuyler. Another, who was for many years a justice of the peace, was Sherman Wooster, of Newport. He was also appointed one of the judges of the Court of Common Pleas in April, 1828, held the office one term and declined a reappointment. In 1822 he was elected to the State Senate, and made for himself an ex- cellent record during a very stormy session. In 1832 he was elected to the Assembly. In these various offices Mr. Wooster exhibited ster- ling qualities and more than average ability. He died in Newport in 1833- Evans Wharry filled a prominent place in the early history of the county at the close of the war in 1783. He was a native of Orange county, N. Y., and took an active part in the Revolution. He settled in this county in 1785-6, and purchased a tract of land, which em- braced the home where he died, near Little Falls. This home is now known as the X. A. Willard farm and is still occupied by his descendants. He was a practical surveyor and was much engaged in that occupation. He was appointed one of the judges of the Court of Common Pleas and a justice of the peace in 1798, and held those offices until 1805, when he was commissioned first judge, on the resignation of John Meyer. Under this appointment Judge Wharry held the office until he was sixty years old, the then constitutional limit. He was elected to the Assembly in 1800, and was one of the delegates from this county to the convention called by the Legislature in 1801. He was again elected to the Assembly in 1803 and 1804. He was an active and suc- cessful politician, and during the Revolution was a personal acquaintance of Washington, Hamilton, Burr, and other distinguished leaders. He served his country well and faithfully, and died in 1831, at his home in the town of Little Falls. £!.^/d Cc3_ BBN-CH AND BAR. 137 Edmund Varney came to the town of Russia in 1809, when it was a wilderness and became a successful farmer. He was born in Dutchess county in 1778. In 1812 he was appointed a justice of the peace, which office he held twenty- five successive years ; was clerk of the town many years, and five years one of the judges of the Court of Common Pleas, after 1823. He was also supervisor five years, master in chancery, etc. In 1825 he was elected to the Assembly, and in 1841 to the State Sen- ate from the fourth district. Elevated in principle, and urbane in manner, he secured the respect and confidence of his associates and of the community. He died in Russia December 2, 1847. In our history of Fairfield may be found some account of Nathan Smith, a pioneer of that town in 1790. He was a merchant, in con- nection with his brothers William and Samuel, and became a suc- cessful and prominent politician. In 1798 he was in the Legislature, and again in 1801 and 1802, He was appointed a judge of the Court of Common Pleas and justice of the peace in March, 1805, and in 1808 and 181 1. He was chosen a senator in 1805 and held the office two full terms, by a re-election. In 1808 he was chosen as one of the council of appointment. During his incumbency in the Senate impor- tant legislation relating to the banks, as well as other matters, was en- acted, and Judge Smith demonstrated therein his fitness and ability as a legislator. After the close of his senatorial term he was appointed, in 1 8 14, first judge of the Court of Common Pleas, and resigned in 1 821. He died at Fairfield October 7, 1836, aged sixty- seven years. George Rosecrantz was a son of Rev. Abraham Rosecrantz, the noted early German preacher. He was born on Fall Hill March 15, 1764, and died December 21, 1838, at the place of his birth. At the age of thirty-five he was chosen to the State convention with Evans Wharry and Matthias B. Tallmadge (1801) and in 1805 was appointed judge of the Court of Common Pleas, which office he held until 1821. In 1812 he was appointed by the Legislature one of the electors, and voted for De Witt Clinton. He was member of Assembly from the county in 1817 and 18 1 8, and was chosen State senator in the spring of 181 8. He possessed sound sense and discriminating judgment, and was indus- trious and diligent in his official duties. Jacob Marke!!, of Manheim, born in Schenectady May 8, 1770, oc- cupied a position on the county bench. While Manheim was still a 138 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. part of Montgomery county he was made judge of the Court of Com- mon Pleas and was elected to Congress during the war of i8l2. He was elected to the Assembly from Herkimer county in 1819. He " was very methodical in all his business affairs, and with other qualities possessed a shrewd and intelligent mind which, from long practice, had become considerably imbued witii legal principles." He died in Man- heim November 26, 1852. Sanders Lansing was born in Albany June 17, 1766, and was the youngest of four brothers. Educated to the legal profession, he re- moved to this county with his family in 1820 and settled at Little Falls He was chosen delegate to the convention of 1821 with Sher- man Wooster and Richard Van Horn, and was appointed a judge of the Court of Common Pleas in March, 1821 ; reappointed in 1823 and held the office until 1828. He also was master in chancery and a com- missioner to perform' certain duties of a justice of the Supreme Court at Chambers. Judge Lansing was most scrupulous in his faithful attend- ance upon his official duties, was pure in character, and enjoyed the es- teem of his fellows. He died in Manheim, where he lived a few years, September 19, 1850. Michael Hoffman was born October 11, 1787, in Saratoga county. He began the study of medicine early in life, and obtained a diploma in 1807 ; began studying law in the following year and was admitted an attorney in 1815. In 1816 he was associated with Aaron Hackley at Herkimer, where Mr. Hackley had established himself in 1807. Mr. Hoffman, by assiduous attention to his profession and his native qualifi- cations, early placed himself in the foremost rank of attorneys. As early as 1 8 19 he began active participation in politics and about the same time removed to Seneca county, but returned in a few years and resumed practice in Herkimer; was appointed district attorney in 1823, and again in 1836, resigning in the following September. In 1S24 he was elected to Congress, in which body he occupied a distinguished position during four terms on committees and in debate. On his re- tirement from Congress he was appointed canal commissioner, in 1835, but held the office only a short time. He was appointed first judge of the county in June, 1830, and held the office until 1833 ; represented the county in Assembly in 1841-42, and again in 1844. He was a BENCH AND BAR. 139 member of the Constitutional Convention of 1846, and one of the most useful of that body of men. He had at that time gone to reside in New York city, and died there (or in Brooklyn), September 27, 1848. David Holt was a practical printer and came into Herkimer county in 1805, from the city of Hudson, to begin the publication of a news- paper. This he was soon afterwards forced to abandon for want of patronage. About the year 181 1 he was editor of a paper in Herkimer and was postmaster at that place many years, and collector of internal revenue. He was appointed one of the judges of the Court of Com- mon Pleas in February, 18 1 7, and first judge in 1821 ; he held the office until 1825. Adhering to the fortunes of De Witt Clinton he lost political preferment with the decline of that statesman, and resumed his trade of printing. For a brief period he published the Repitblicait Fanner s Free Press in Herkimer, and then removed to Little Falls and conducted the Mohawk Courier, while it was published by Charles S. Benton & Company. Thence he went to Albany where he worked at his trade about ten years, and removed to Wisconsin. Judge Holt en- joyed for years the confidence of the community and met his reverses with fortitude and resignation. Gaylord Griswold was a native of Connecticut and came westward with Theodore Gold, who became eminent in the legal profession of Oneida county. Mr. Griswold settled at Herkimer and became a con- spicuous politician ; was elected to the Assembly in 1797-98, and mem- ber of Congress in 1803-04, where he was a useful and able legislator. He died at Herkimer March i, 1809, at the age of forty- one. Simeon Ford came into Herkimer count}' previous to 1797, and was afterwards associated with Gaylord Griswold in law practice, in which he became prominent. He was appointed district attorney early in 1 8 19 and held the office until 1823, performing its duties with fideli- ty and ability. He was often a candidate for office when his chance of election was not good, but his frequent nominations evinced the strong hold he possessed upon the party. At the annual elections of 1820 and 1821 he was chosen to the Assembly. In 1825 he was appointed by Governor Clinton to an office at the salt springs in Syracuse. Previous to this he had become pecuniarily embarrassed through the purchase of lands on the Hasenclever patent. After a few years he resigned his post 140 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. in Syracuse, removed to Rochester and five years later returned to Herkimer and resumed his profession in 1832. Not securing a satis- factory chentage, he removed to Cleveland, Ohio, about 1836. There he met with success. He died in Cleveland in 1839. David W. Golden, a native of Dutchess count)', settled in Columbia in 1798, where he was a merchant. He was appointed judge of the Common Pleas in March, 18 10, and commissioned first judge in 181 i. He held the office until his death, in February, 1814. He was regarded for his honorable character and was a conscientious and discriminating official. John Frank was a son of a Palatine emigrant, Conrad Frank. He was appointed a justice of the peace for Montgomery county in March, 1790, and afterwards commissioned as one of the justices of Herkimer county (1791) and in March, 1794, was appointed one of the judges of the Common Pleas; he held the office until about 1799. Judge Frank was an activeand zealous participant in the Revolution on the patriot side and was present and took part in repelling the attack of Brant and his warriors in July, 1778, in their attack on Andrustown. Judge Frank lived near the south bank of the Mohawk, in German Flats, nearly oppo- site the village of Herkimer, and there he closed his life. '■' John A. Rasbach was formerly a prominent attorney of Ilion. He was a great-grandson of a Palatine settler, Johannes Rasbach, who located about a mile east of Fort Dayton in 1726. John A. Rasbach was born May 9, 1805 ; worked on a farm, taught school, and was a merchant in Herkimer, and was postmaster and justice of the peace about twelve years. During this time he read law and was admitted in 1841. In 1852 he bought a farm near Ilion and removed thither, where he became an active factor in the progress of that section, particularly in railroad operations. He died at his home in Ilion. Aaron Hackley, jr., was the eldest son of Aaron Hackley, sr., who came with his family and settled in Salisbury near the close of the last century. It is believed that he was a graduate of Union College and that he studied law in the office of Gay lord Griswold. He entered upon the practice of law in Herkimer in the year 1807. In person he was above the medium stature, erect, well formed, dark comple.xioned, with irregular features. In temperament and manner he was affable, as he 6L^\ BENCH AND BAR 141 was kind in feeling, with good address, and always a gentleman. He attached himself to the Democratic party (then known as the Republi- can as opposed to the Federal party). In 1814 and again in 181 5 he was a member of Assembly from Herkimer. In 18 12 and again in 1815 he was elected to the office of clerk of Herkimer county. In 18 19 to 1823 he was representative in Congress, and afterward was appointed United States collector of the port of Ogdensburg, and he took up his residence there. Several years later he returned to his old home in Herkimer, and in 1828 was appointed to the office of district attorney for this county for the term of three years. In this, as in every other public office which he ever held, the duties were discharged with fidelity and credit to himself and satisfaction to the public. As a lawyer, Mr. Hack- ley was highly respectable in standing and ability, but not remarkable for any special or distinguishing power as an advocate or speaker. Later in life he went to New York and lived until his death with his son, who was a distinguished professor in Columbia College Ezra Graves was born in the town of Russia in 1803. He began the study of law with S & L Ford in 1832, and three years later was ad- mitted to practice in all the State courts. In 1845 he was appointed a judge of the County Court, and in 1847, after the change in the con- stitution, was elected by the people ; held the office about eight years and was again elected in 1859. In 1872 he was elected inspector of State prisons by the Republicans. He was a son of John Graves, one of the enterprising pioneers of the town of Russia. He was a faithful officer and highly respected for his integrity. He was father of Gen. John C. Graves, of Buffalo, and of Dr. George Graves and Margaret G. Mayton, of Herkimer. Hiram Nolton was educated at Fairfield Academy and spent his early life in that town. He studied law in the office of William D. Ford, and was admitted in 1814, opening an office in Little Falls. He shortly afterward removed to Fairfield, where he remained until 1836. He then returned to Little Falls and continued in the profession until his death, September 10, 1863. In 1825 he was appointed first judge of the county and held the office three years. In 1837 he was chosen district attorney and held that office six years. In Little Falls he was a partner of Arphaxed Loomis for about ten years. He was a partner 142 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTt. of Jarvis N. Lake, 1847 to 1855, and a partner of George A. Hardin from 1855 to i860. Judge Nolton is remembered as a man who per- haps had not an enemy, and merited and received the respect and es- teem of his fellow-citizens for both his integrity and professional ability. He left him surviving Mrs. Helen M. Ashley, now a resident of Mont- clair, N. J. He died in October, 1863. Sandford Clark was one of the earliest lawyers in this county, but very little is known of his life. He was in practice in Herkimer as early as 1792, and it is believed that he preceded Gaylord Griswold as a law- yer there. He was certainly a contemporary of Griswold, and was the opposing attorney in the first suit in which Griswold was retained. He built the main building of the old Waverly Hotel in Herkimer before 1800. It has been said that his affairs became broken up through do- mestic difficulties, and that he disappeared from the field. Oran Gray Otis was graduated at Union College, studied law in the office of Simeon and Lauren F"ord, and was admitted to the bar in 1819. He opened an office at Little Falls. He was fairly accomplished in his profession, was a fluent and forcible speaker, and commanded a pros- perous business Early in 1825 he removed to Ballston, where he practiced until his death in middle age. He was elected to the Assem- bly in 1831 and re-elected the next year. Dudley Burwell was born in Norway, Herkimer county, in 1801. (See history of Norway herein.) He attended Fairfield Academy a few terms, and about 1824 entered the law office of Feeter & Benton at Little P'alls, and soon acquired a good practice and high reputation. He was one of the first attorneys employed by the village of Little Falls. In 1834 he married a daughter of Col. Samuel Young, of Ball- ston ; she died within a year afterwards and he never again married. He was elected to the Legislature in the fall of 1832 and was prom- inent in that body. In 1836 he was appointed district attorney of this county and made an able official. Mr. Burwell was a man of large brain and sound judgment, with clear perception and application of le- gal principles and a very good lawyer. He removed to Albany and opened an office about 1838. In politics he was a strong Democrat, and for many years was influential in his party. In 1858 he returned to his old home in Little Falls. Here he purchased several adjacent par- BENCH AND BAR. 143 eels of land on the hillside east of the village, built a residence at the foot of the hill, hired a housekeeper and became a farmer on a small scale, still keeping a lively interest in public affairs. In his later years he was regarded by many as a recluse, if not as a misanthrope. He was, however, really kind-hearted and charitable, of strict integrity and good morals. He died April i8, 1876, leaving a generous legacy of about forty- five acres of land lying in the eastern part of the village, to be known as Burwell Park, to the village of Little Falls, to become the property of the corporation at the death of William G. Milligan. Be- fore his death he caused to be excavated a tomb in the rock on the hillside of the land, in which he was buried. Abijah Mann, jr., was born at Fairfield September 24, 1793, and re- ceived education only in the common schools. He taught school for a short time in Oneida county, and was married January 18, 18 14. The same year he settled in Seneca Falls, where he was postmaster, mer- chant, and built a block of buildings. The pressure of financial affairs in 1815 closed his mercantile career, and in 18 19 he returned to Fair- field and entered the law office of Hiram Nolton. In 1822 he was a successful competitor of Mr. Nolton for the office of justice of the peace. In the fall of 1827 he was elected to the Assembly and re- elected the next year. He here became conspicuous as a public man and politician. His career in Congress — 1832 to 1836 — was marked by the same aggressive and rude strength in debate that he had exhibited in the Legislature, and secured for him a large measure of influence. He had the confidence of the Democrats, among whom were Martin Van Buren, Silas Wright, Azariah C. Flagg, Michael Hoffman and others. In 1836 Mr. Mann took up his residence in Frankfort and re- mained there until 1842, when he removed to Brooklyn and opened an office with his son-in-law, John H. Rodman. He had been appointed receiver of the Washington County and other banks, from which he re- ceived large fees. He subsequently left the Democratic party, and was nominated by its opponents for attorney general in 1855, but was de- feated ; he ran again on the same side for senator and was again de- feated. He then returned to the party of his old affections. His health finally failed and he was an invalid some years. He died in Buffalo, while on a visit, on the 8th of September, 1868, aged seventy- five years. He was reported to be worth more than a million dollars. 144 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. Charles Gray was born in the town of Palatine in 1796. He was ed- ucated at Fairfield Academy and began his law studies with Henry Markell. In 18 19 he went to Herkimer and entered the office of Sim- eon and Lauren Ford. He was admitted to the bar in 1S22, settled in Herkimer, and was for the first year or two of his practice a partner of James McAuley. After that he practiced alone until his death in 1871. He was a lawyer of fair ability and was better qualified for office busi- ness than for trial cases before the court or jury. His business was chiefly conveyancing, office counsel, and other unlitigated matters. He was a good business man and good citizen, and for a long time was in- fluential and prominent in the politics of the county. In 1835 he represented the county in the Legislature, and in 1838 to 1841 was one of the judges of the Court of Common Pleas, and for several years held the office of master in chancery in the county. At the first elec- tion of judges of the Supreme Court, under the new constitution of 1846, he was nominated by his party and was elected. He drew the shortest term, two years, of which one was in the Court of Appeals ; the reports of the latter court contain a few of his opinions. Judge Gray was fond of military duties and for many years he held the office of brigadier general, commissioned by Governor Marcy. Arphaxed Loomis was a native of Connecticut, where he was born April 9, 1798. He was a son of Thaddeus Loomis, who settled in Salis- bury in 1803. He was admitted to the bar in 1822 and first prac- ticed with Justin Butterfield, at Sackett's Harbor until 1824; in 1825 he established himself at Little Falls; was appointed surrogate of Her- kimer county in 1828, and held the office about eight years; was first judge of Herkimer county five years, 1835-40; representative in Con- gress 1837-39; member of Assembly 1841-42 and 1853; member of the Constitutional Convention of 1846, etc. Later in life he was asso- ciated with his sons Watts T. and Sidney Loomis in the practice of law in Little Falls, and died there, September 16, 1886. Mr. Loomis occu- pied a foremost position at the bar of the county, and as a citizen of Little Falls was always conspicuous in every movement for the ad- vancement of the village. He early became a large real estate owner, which property he developed and improved. He held several village offices and in their administration evinced an active public spirit. Jn BENCH AND BAR. 145 his judicial and legislative career he gained the confidence and appro- bation of the public for his ability and efficiency. Sidney Loomis, son of Arphaxed, was born in Little Falls December 19, 1846, and died in September, 1879 He was a graduate of the Al- bany Law School and of Union College, and practiced with his father and brother until his death. He was a man of high intelligence, well read in his profession, and one who drew around him a large circle of sincere friends. Nathaniel S. Benton, to whom the editors and publishers of this vol- ume are so greatly indebted for valuable information preserved in a local history issued by him more than thirty years ago, was a native of New Hampshire, and resided in that State until he came to Little Falls, about 1816. He was born February 19, 1792. At the battle of Platts- burg, September, 1814, Mr. Benton served as a warrant officer of vol- unteers and received a commission in recognition of his good conduct on that occasion. At Little Falls he studied law in the office of George H. Feeter, and was admitted to practice in 18 17. He served as justice of the peace at Little Falls several years, by appointment of the gov- ernor. About 1820, or 1 82 1, he made an extended tour through the Western States in quest of a future home for the practice of his pro- fession, but failed to be suited and returned to Little Falls. After this he became a member of the law firm of Feeter & Benton, in which he continued several years, doing a respectable business. From 1821 to 1828 he held the office of surrogate of the county, and from 1833 to 1835 he was first judge of the county. In 1836 he was nominated by the Democratic party and elected State senator for a term of four years. Shortly before the expiration of the term he was appointed United States district attorney for the northern district of New York, and took part in the memorable McLeod trial. In 1846 he was appointed secre- tary of state, which office he held for two years. In 1856 he was ap- pointed to the office of canal auditor and held the position until 1868, when he retired from public life with impaired health and died June 19, 1869, aged seventy-seven years. At the time of his death he was senior warden of Emanuel Episcopal church. In all the various public stations held by him the duties were discharged with fidelity and with satisfaction to the public. These duties were so continuous that he was allowed 146 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. little time to devote to his profession. Indeed, he was better adapted to discharge the duties which devolved upon him in his executive and official life than for the successful practice of law. He was not gifted with the qualities of a public speaker or of a popular advocate at the bar. While he was secretary of state he availed himself of the public records on file in the office to collect some of the materials for his his- tory of Herkimer county, which he published in 1856 His work is still very valuable for reference. Mr. Benton was a man of fine personal appearance, a good citizen and well esteemed wherever known. His wife was a daughter of Eben Rritton, an early settler of Little Falls. George H. Feeter was born in Herkimer county. His father was Col. William Feeter of revolutionary memory. He was educated at Fairfield Academy, studied law with Simeon Ford at Herkimer and settled in Little Falls for the practice of his profession in the year 181 i, continuing in business there for over forty years and until his death, February 18, 1852. He had several successive law partners, among whom was Nathaniel S. Benton. Mr. Feeter was fairly versed in the law, and active in temperament, better adapted to the trial of issues before a jury, then to law issues before the court. He held the office of district attorney from 1825 to 1828 and discharged its duties in a creditable manner. Mr. Feeter was the local land agent for Mr. Ellice, the chief proprietor of large tracts of lands in and about Little Falls, and also acted for John Delancy, another non-resident proprietor of lands in this county. These agencies gave him business and influence, but were not a means of personal popularity. He was of social dispo- sition and hospitable in his home. In his early days he exercised a large influence in the municipal affairs of the village. Later, when the laying out and improvement of streets at the expense of owners of lots fronting on them became a part of the village policy, which had the effect, if it was not the design, to induce the non resident owners to sell out, his agency interests became hostile to those of the village authorities. When Mr. Feeter first settled in the practice of law at Little Falls the village was small. He grew up with the village, and his house with its hospitable associations, was a marked object of at- tention by both citizens and visitors of the place. Lauren Ford was a nephew of Simeon Ford and several years his junior. He was a graduate of Union College, studied law in the office BENCH AND J3AR. 147 of his uncle at Herkimer and upon his admission to the bar in 1812, became his law partner, under the name of S. & L. Ford. This firm for quite a number of years stood foremost in the profession in this county. Lauren Ford was a man of good address and manner, cheerful and agreeable in conversation and social intercourse. He was well grounded in the principles of the common law and the law pertaining to real estate, and ready in their application. He was a fluent and ready speaker with but little action, emotional in temperament to a degree that he was not unfrequently moved to tears in addressing ajury. No man in the county was better known or more popular, and he was himself remarkable for his knowledge of the individual men of the county and of their family descent and affinities, and also for his acquaintance with the land titles and the patents under which they were held. He moved to Little Falls about 1840 and continued there in practice with fair suc- cess for many years. He was the candidate of his party at different times for State senator and representative in Congress, but was defeated for the reason that his political party (the Federal and later the Whig) was in the minority in the district. At a later period (1857) when his party gained the ascendency he was elected district attorney, which office he held to 1858, when he resigned, and George A. Hardin was appointed by Governor King to fill the vacancy, Mr. Ford removing to Brooklyn, where he died. Mr Ford held the office of surrogate by appointment from 1841 to 1845. He was moderate in his charges for professional services and made no attempt to make money by invest- ments for prospective rise in value. William D. Ford was born in Herkimer county or came here early. He was educated at Fairfield Academy, studied law at Herkimer with Gaylord Griswold and Simeon Ford, and came to the bar in 1809. He established himself at Fairfield in the practice of his profession, where he remained until he removed to Watertown nine or ten years later. He was fairly well read as a lawyer and of good mental ability, but was not distinguished as an advocate before either court or jury, although equable and respectable. In politics he was a Democrat and was the recipient of a fair share of political honors from his party. He was a member of Assembly in the years 1816-17-18 from Herkimer county, during the last of which years he moved to Jefferson county and was in 148 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. the next year elected to Congress. At Watertovvn he became law partner of David W. Bucklin and the firm carried on a successful prac- tice for some years, until Mr. Ford's death. Elisha Powell Hurlbut was born in the town of Salisbury October !5, 1807. He was admitted to practice June 3, 1828, and had an office at Little Falls on the site where the chambers of Judge Hardin are now located. He removed to the city of New York in the year 1835 and practiced until 1847 when he was elected a judge of the Su- preme Court. In 1850 he was ex officio]\idge. of the Court of Appeals, and several of his opinions delivered in that court appear in Vols. 3 and 4 of the New York Reports (3 and 4 Comstock), and tiiey were written in a clear, terse style. He resigned the office by reason of impaired health and took up his residence in the town of Newport. In i860 he removed to Bethlehem near Albany where he resided until his death, which occurred August, 1890. He was a descendant of Thomas Hurl- but who came from Scotland in 1635 and settled in the town of Weth- ersfield, Connecticut. Gansevoort Hurlbut, a son of Judge Hurlbut, is practicing law in Albany, and Catharine M. Ingham, the wife of Schuy- ler R. Ingham, is a niece of Judge Hurlbut, residing at Little Falls. He was an able lawyer and a useful judge. In 1856 he delivered several addresses in Little Falls with great clearness in his style and energy in his delivery, at times becoming sarcastic and eloquent. Alexander Hamilton Waterman was born in the town of Newport, November 6, 1825. After completing his legal studies and being ad- mitted to the bar, he opened an office in Little Falls where he continued practice until his death, which occurred October 8, 1856. He was married to Janette Ingham, the daughter of the late William Ingham, and left him surviving his son, George D. Waterman, secretary of the Henry Cheney Hammer Company and his daughter, Mrs. Irving E. Waters, now of Bufifalo. He was studious and energetic in his profes- sion, and in 1855 was the attorney for the plaintifif in the memorable slander case of Snell vs. Snell, tried at the Herkimer Circuit, Hon. Ros- coe Conkling being associated with him as counsel. In this case a recovery was obtained of $ 1, 000. The writer of this paragraph fre- quently measured swords with him in legal contests, and thereby learned to appreciate his ability, skill and great promise of a brilliant career, which was cut off" by sickness and death. BENCH AND BAR. 149 E. S. Capron was a native of Onondaga county, N. Y., and became prominent in the bar of Herkimer county. From the year 1832 to 1847 he was a partner of Jarvis N. Lake, and the firm was among the fore- most legal practitioners of Little Falls. After the dissolution of this firm he was associated with Henry Link. In 1854 he made a trip to California where he gathered materials for a historical work on that State. Returning east he located and practiced in New York city and was subsequently appointed county judge by Gov. Myron H. Clark. At the expiration of the term he resumed practice and died about 1883 at the home of his son-in-law, Spencer S Coe, in Stamford, Conn. Jarvis N. Lake was a somewhat conspicuous attorney of Little Falls, and an active public-spirited citizen; he came here from Ames, Mont- gomery county. He was a partner with E. S. Capon from 1834 to 1847, 3-nd later a partner with his uncle, Delos Lake, until the latter re- moved to California. He then associated himself with Judge Hiram Nolton until 1854, when he removed to New York. Mr. Lake was prominent in politics as a Whig and held the position of clerk of the Assembly in 1838; was trustee of the village and president in 1854. Delos Lake, uncle of Jarvis N , practiced a few years in Little Falls, and removed to California in 1848, where he was elected judge. He died in that State. Clinton A. Moon was born in Russia in 1827. Educated first at Fairfield, he graduated front Union College in 1853. For two years he was in the faculty of Fairfield Seminary and then studied law with John H. Wooster at Newport and was admitted in 1857. In i860 he re- moved to Herkimer and in the following year was elected district attor- ney. In 1864 he removed to Ilion and formed a partnership with Thomas Richardson. In 1866 he returned to Russia and mingled legal business with farming until 1875. In 1876 he removed to Newport and practiced there until his death. He was supervisor of the town of Russia in 1870-72. He was a worthy member of the profession and is remembered as a man of high principles and integrity. Charles A. Burton was born in the town of Newport, his father being Darius Burton. He acquired more than an ordinary academic educa- tion and pursued the profession of civil engineer, joining a corps engaged in the construction of the Illinois Central Railroad. After loO HISTOMY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. completing his duties there he returned to the county, read law with Judge Graves of Herkimer and was admitted to practice on the 1 6th day of February, 1845. He had a bright, analytic mind and became very proficient in the knowledge of principles and case law ; ob- tained a good practice; was frequently chosen as a referee. He mar- ried a daughter of the late Col. Standish Barry. He was of a cheerful, companionable, social disposition, readily making and retaining friends. He continued to practice and reside at Herkimer until the time of his death, which occurred about the year 1858, while in the North Woods upon a fishing excursion. Volney Owen practiced his profession at the village of Mohawk for many years, and in the memorable contest between the late Amos H. Prescott and John H. Wooster for the Republican nomination for the office of county judge and surrogate he had three delegates from the town of Herkimer. After it was demonstrated that neither of the prominent candidates had votes enough to nominate, the Wooster dele- gates joined the three delegates of Herkimer and nominated Mr. Owen. He was elected and served for the term of four years as surro- gate and county judge, his term commencing in 1863. Subsequently he removed to one of the Western States where he died. James B. Hunt was a practicing lawyer in this county from 1824 to 1836, and resided in the village of Herkimer. He was a son of Dr. Joseph Hunt and born in the West Indies. He came to Fairfield to finish his education, and after leaving the academy entered the office of Simeon and Lauren Ford, in due time was admitted to the bar and at once formed a copartnership with Michael HoiTman. Mr. Hunt was an active and industrious lawyer, was well versed in the law and was a respectable advocate, leaving a favorable impression as to his ability. He was in every sense a pure and upright man, just in his intercourse with his fellow citizens, generous, genial and friendly. He filled with credit the office of district attorney for this county from 1833 to 1836. He subsequently became enfeebled in health and, in hope of improving it, removed to Michigan and settled in Pontiac, where he enjoyed for some time a good practice. In a few years after his location in Michi- gan he was elected to Congress and served one term. He did not afterwards return to active practice, but held several offices, among BENCH AND BAR. 151 them that of land agent for the government at Lake Superior. His last days were spent in Washington in some subordinate position in a government department. He was an active Democrat in politics. He died in Washington about i860. Henry Link was born in the^town of Danube in tlie'year 181 1. He was educated in the common schools and jthe Canajoharie Academy and read law in the office of Judge Lacia. After two years of practice in Fort Plain he removed to Little Falls in 1840. In 1848 he formed a copartnership with the late Judge Capron which continued until 1854, and at a later date he was a partner with Judge R. H. Smith Hon. P H. McEvoy, and others. He was twice elected president of the village of Little Falls, and in 1871 ran on the Democratic ticket for county judc^e but was defeated by Judge Amos H. Prescott. He was familiar with the German language which fact drew to him many German clients. He was a fair and honorable practitioner and enjoyed the confidence of the profession and the public. He died at his residence in Little Falls July, 1 89 1, at the age of eighty years, having remained in practice up to a few weeks of his death. James Hart was born in Johnstown, Fulton county November 7, 1 824. He completed his education at Fairfield Academy and taught school in the towns of Salisbury and Little Falls. In 1851 he commenced the study of the law in the office of Loomis & Griswold, and in 1854 was admitted. He was deputy collector of internal revenue under J. R. Stebbins, United States collector. He held several minor offices, and was a trusted and worthy citizen. He died suddenly on the 4th of March, 1888, at his residence, leaving his sons, James B. Hart and Ed- ward S. Hart, and his daughter, Nellie Hart, him surviving. Hamilton Ward was born in the town of Salisbury on the 3d day of July, 1829. He was a son of Peter Hamilton Ward and his mother's maiden name was Eliza Cleveland, a daughter of Daniel Cleveland, a wagon maker in Salisbury. When the subject of this notice was four years old his parents removed to Green Springs on the James River in Virginia, and when he was eight years old they removed to Chemung county in this State, where he worked on his father's farm, attending dis- trict school. He was admitted to the bar at Cooperstown in July, 185 i, and in August of that year he removed to Belmont, Allegany county, 152 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. where he still resides. He was elected district attorney of Allegany county in 1856; re-elected in 1862 and in 1864 he was elected to Con- gress, and again in 1866 and in 1868. In 1879 he was elected attorney- general of the State; and in May, 1891, Governor Hill appointed him judge of the Supreme Court to fill a vacancy caused by the death of Thomas Corlett. In the fall of that year he was elected by the people and is now discharging the duties of that office ; being one of the three justices of the Supreme Court now in service who were born in the county of Herkimer; to wit: Judge Ward, born in Salisbury; Judge Celora E. Martin, born in Newport, and Judge George A. Hardin, born in the town of Winfield. Thomas Dasey was a native of Ireland, where he was born in 1851, and brought to America in the following year. He worked while young in. the factories, and later attended the academy where he acquired a good education. In 1874 he entered the office of Link & McEvoy and was admitted to the bar in 1878. After about four years of practice he was elected in 1882 police justice and re-elected in 1886. He was an active Democrat in politics and exerted considerable influence in the party. Genial and warm-hearted, and a good debater and effective speaker, he made himself popular with the commimity. In his administration of the office of justice he left an excellent record for his ability to deal effect- ively with the criminal classes. He died February 9, 1 888. George F. Crumby was born in the town of Newport in September, 1855. He was graduated from Hamilton College in 1879, and from the law department of the same institution a few years later. He com- menced practice in New York city where, however, he remained only about a year. Removing to Little P"alls in 1881, he formed a copart- nership with Hon. R. H. Smith. In 1882 he became associated with Hadley W. Jones under the firm name of Crumby & Jones, and this partnership continued until his death, which occurred July 25, 1887. Mr. Crumby was elected school commissioner of the first district of this county in 1881 and in 1887 he was chosen president of the village of Little Falls. John I. Prendergast, long a resident of the town of Winfield, died March 24, 1869, in Brooklyn where he then lived. He was State.sena- tor in 1814, member of the Council of Appointment in 1827, and for '^*^' (^^ BENCH AND BAR. 153 four years was judge of the Court of Common Pleas for Herkimer county. He was greatly respected and esteemed for his high attainments, integ- rity, and uprightness. Sewell S. Morgan, of the town of Winfield, was early a leading lawyer in the county. He married Julia A. Fairchild, of West Winfield, daugh- ter of Anson P. Fairchild. one of the first settlers of that town. He was elected district attorney in 1864. Sketches of Samuel Earl, Robert Earl, Geo. A. Hardin, A. M. Mill, W. F. Lansing, Amos H. Prescott, A. B. Steele, C. W. Prescott, James B. Rafter, Ezra Graves and others will be found in the biographical de- partment of this volume. Following is a list of the present members of the bar of Herkimer county. Dolgeville, Edward A. Brown ; Danube, A. C. Dingman ; Frankfort, Jos. J. Dudleston, jr., Frank B. Parkhurst, E. Lagrange Smith, Harry G. Folts; Herkimer, Robert Earl, George W. Smith, Josiah A. Steele, Abram B Steele, J. Dryden Henderson, William C. Prescott, E. B. Mitch- ell, I. R. Devendorf, Adam J. Smith, Charles Bell, William Wither- stine, Charles E. Snyder, George H. Bunce, Robert E. Steele; Ilion, Thomas Richardson, George O. Rasbach, James Conklin, Fred H. Ben- nett, A. D. Richardson, Lincoln C. Ackler ; Little Falls, George A. Hardin, H. Clay Hall, Albert M. Mills, Charles J. Palmer, Rollin H. Smith, Watts T. Loomis, E. E. Sheldon, Edward Simms, Edward J. Coffin, P. H. McEvoy, Fred I. Small, William F. Lansing, D. A. Cham- pion, Myron G. Bronner, John D. Beck with, Charles L. Petree, Frank H. Willard, J. W. Fitzgerald, Hadley Jones, A. H. Bellinger, H. A. De Coster, P. H. Murphy, Richard Hurley,.Nelson R. Gilbert; Mohawk, James B. Rafter ; Newport, George M. Wirt, Charles L. Fellows ; Cul- len, J. Howard Green ; Poland, Milton Howe ; West Winfield, C. D. Thomas. First Judges of the Court of Common Pleas (appointed by the governor) — Henry y Staring, February 17, 1791; Jedediah Sanger, March 8, 1797; John Meyer, October 80, 1800; Evans Wharry. March 18, 1805; DfroTV: W. Golding, March 27, 1810; Nathan Smith, April 7, 1814; David Holt, January 10, 1821; Henry Brown, Feb- 3, 1823; Hiram Nolton, March 23, 1825; Michael Hoffman, March 21, 1830; Na- thaniel S. Benton, Aprils, 1833; Arphaxed Loomis, March 23, 1835; Arunah C. H. Smith, January 24, 1840 ; Ezra Graves, January 24, 1845. 20 154 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. County Judges. — Ezra Graves, June, 1847, and November, 1859 ; Robert Earl, 1855 ; Volney Owen, 1863 ; Amos H. Prescott, 1867; Amos H. Prescott, 1878-1883; Rollin H. Smitli, 1884-1889 : Eugene E. Sheldon, 1890. Surrogates (appointed by the governor under the Second Constitution). — Moses De Witt, February 17, 1791; Sanford Clark, March 19, 1798; Dan Chapman, March 23, 1803; Philo M. Hackley, March 28, 1807 ; Abijah Tombliog, November 6, 1816; Na- thaniel S. Benton, March 29, 1821 ; Arphaxed Loomis, January 10, 1828; Charles S. Benton, July 10, 1837; Lauren Ford, April 2, 1841; Ezra Graves, April 2, 184:"). Under the present constitution of the State the office of surrogate in Herkimer, and a number of other counties which had each less than 40,000 population when the consti- tution was adopted, has been consolidated with that of county judge. Justices of Sessions — 1878, Orrin A. Ford, John F. Rogers; 1879, C. P. Miller, Har- vey R. Kibbe ; 1880, J. E. S. Wilkmson, William Helmer ; 1881-1882, Elon G. Bur- ■ rows, Henry Sherman; 1883, C. P. Miller, Frank Faville ; 1884, Frank L. Brace, Thomas C. Murray; 1885, Elon G. Burrows, James Sharp; 1880, E. H. Doolittle, Alexander Fox; 1887, B. H. Doolittle, I. E. Jackson; 1888, V. S. Farrington, I. E. Jackson ; 1889, V. S. Farrington, William S. Burt ; 1890, Levi Sliaul, E. T. Lester ; 1891, C. W. Prescott, Munson Bunnell,'; 1892, C. W. Prescott, Albert S. Coe. District Attorneys — Under the Second Constitution, which was adopted in 1822 and in force until the end of 1840, district attorneys were appointed by the Court of Gen- eral Sessions ; for the last forty-seven years they have been chosen by popular vote at the November elections. The list for Herkimer county is as follows : Thomas R. Gold, February 26, 1797; Nathan Williams, August 20, 1801; Joseph Kirkland, February 23, 1813; Thomas H. Hubbard, February 26, 1816; Simeon Ford, June 11, 1818, and September, 1836; Michael Hoffman, May, 1823, and March, 1836; George H. Feeter, 1825; Aaron Hackley, 1828; James B. Hunt, 1833; Dudley Burwell, 1836; Hiram Nolton, 1837; George B. Judd, 1847; Volney Owen, 1850; Lauren Ford, 1856 ; George A. Hardin, January 28, 1858, and elected in the following November ; Clinton A. Moon, 1861; Sewel S. Morgan, 1864; Charles G. Burrows, 1867; Albert M. Mills, 1870; .Joseph J. Dudle.ston, jr., 1876; Abram B. Steele, 1880; Eugene E. Sheldon, 1886; Irving R. Devendorf, 1889. SAen/s.— William Colbraith, February 17, 1791, and February 9, 1796; Peter Smith, February 18, 1795; Chauncey Woodruff, March 19, 1798; William H. Cook, March 17, 1802, and March 5, 1807; Ephraim Snow, March 6, 1806; John Mahon, February 22, 1808, March 4, 1811, and March 2, 1815; Philo M. Hackley, February 28, 1810; Henry Hopkins, February 23, 1813; Robert Shoemaker, February 13, 1817; Stephen Hallett, February 13, 1821, '"and November, 1822; John Dypert, 1825; John Graves, 1828; Frederick P.Bellinger, 1831; Francis E. Spinner, 1834; Stephen W. Brown, 1837; William C. Grain, 1840 ; Jeremiah Corey, 1843; William I. Skinner, 1846; Daniel Hawn, 1849; Lorenzo Carryl, 1852; Peter Countryman, 1855; James J. Cook, 1857 ; Seth M. Richmond, 1861 ; George M. Cleland, 1864; James H. Weatherwax, 1867; Alexander Smith, 1870; Volney Eaton, 1873; James H. Ives, 1876; De Witt C. Paine, 1880; Valentine Brown, 1883; Delevan L. CooV, 1886; Newell Morey, 1889 ; Sylvester Wilson, 1892. COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY. 155 CHAPTER IX. THE HERKIMER COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY. THIS venerable society was organized on the 5th day of August^ 1806, at a general meeting of the physicians of the county, held at the court house, pursuant to an act of the Legislature of the State, regulating the practice of physic and surgery, passed April 4, 1806. Dr. George Rogers was chosen chairman, and Dr. Westel Willough- by, jr., secretary, for the day. On canvassing the votes for officers of the society, Dr. Westel Willoughby, jr., was elected president ; George Rogers, vice-president ; Andrew Farreil, secretary ; and Amos Haile, treasurer. Drs. Amos Haile, Andrew Farreil, Jonathan Sherwood, Rufus Grain and Isaac Sears, were chosen censors. The names of the physicians present at this meeting were : Westel Willoughby, jr., George Rogers, Andrew Farreil, Amos Haile, Abijah Tombling, David Perry, Jonathan Sherwood, John Eastman and Samuel Redfield. The first Tuesday in January in each year was assigned as the anni- versary of the society. At the annual meeting, held at the court- house in January, 1807, the society resolved, that to entitle a physician to become a member of tlie society, he must either produce a diploma from some medical society in the United States, agreeable to the law of this State, or a voucher that he is a reputable physician. Westel Willoughby, jr., M. D., was appointed a delegate from the society to meet the delegates from the other counties in the State, on the first Tuesday in February, 1807, to form a State medical society. Drs. Benjamin Hazen, Nathan Harwood, James Hadley, Isaac Sears, Jacob Abrams and William Traver were admitted members of the society. A committee was appointed to form a code of by-laws, who reported the same at an adjourned meeting, on the 5th of May fol- lowing, which was adopted, and ordered to be printed. Dr. Wil- loughby was requested to deliver a dissertation before the society, at 156 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. the adjourned meeting in May, 1807. In 1808, at the quarterly meet- ing in May, a seal was ordered to be procured for the use of the incor- poration ; and at the anniversary meeting in January, 1809, the meet- ings of the society were reduced from four to two annually, and a fine of one dollar imposed for non-attendance. Dr. Willoughby was continued president of the society, until January, 18 16, when Rufus Grain was elected, who held one year, and was succeeded by James Hadley, who also held the office one year, and was succeeded by Westel Willoughby, M. D., in 18 18. This year the society passed an order, that the county censors of any incorporated medical society should not proceed to examine a student for a license to practice physic and surgery, unless he produce a certificate of having attended at least one session at one of the medical colleges in the United States or in Europe, after the first day of January, 18 18. Dr. Willoughby held the office of president of the society until January, 1837, when he delivered a farewell address, for which, and for his constant and unwearied exertions for the interest and welfare of the society, a vote of thanks was tendered to him. The society, also, by resolution, requested a copy of the address, and also a copy of a com- munication that day made by him, to be deposited in the archives of the society. In 18 18, a vote was taken to apply the funds of the society to increase the library of the medical college at Fairfield, on condition that its members could have the benefit of the library during the recess of the lectures at the college. In January, 18 19, a resolution was passed, that every medical practitioner in the county who was not then a mem- ber, be notified by the secretary to attend at the next regular meet- ing of the society, and connect himself therewith, pursuant to the act passed in 181 8. In January, 1823, an order was passed to apply the funds of the so- ciety, in the hands of the treasurer, to the benefit of the college library, in accordance with a previous resolution. The funds afterwards re- ceived were also appropriated to the same object. In 1825 the society asked the trustees of the college to pass a resolution, that all the books purchased by its funds should be delivered to the society, when the college should be located in some other place than Fairfield. In 1828 the society adopted resolutions of condolence with the families of Drs. COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY. 157 Bryan, Willard and Todd, who died the preceding year, and requested biographical sketclies of their lives to be deposited in the archives of the society. The society had not met with a more severe loss in one year. These gentlemen were of high professional repute, and of great personal worth. The society in 1830 had its attention called to the evils of intemperance, and resolved unanimously to discountenance the use of ardent spirits ; and the annual meetings were changed to the first Tuesday in June, in each year. In 183 I measures were taken to procure a medical topographical sur- vey of the county, in accordance with a circular from the State Medical Society. There is no record that the several committees, appointed under the resolution, to procure the survey, ever made any reports. Dr. Calvin W. Smith was design^ated as the candidate to the State Medical Society, for the honorary degree of doctor of medicine. The society this year, 1832, took measures to petition the Legislature, to restore that part of the revised statutes, regulating the practice of physic and surgery, repealed by the act of 1830; and appointed a com- mittee to circulate memorials for that object. In 1837 the society adopted a regulation requiring the physician em- ployed at the county poor house to make an annual report of his cases of practice ; that the library committee should make an investigation into the state of the society's library, count the number of books on hand, and compare the treasurer's reports, and the augmentation of the library for the preceding five years. Also, that each member of the society be requested to keep a record of all the deaths which might oc- cur in his practice, the age of the patients, the diseases of which they died, and how far said deaths were caused by intemperate habits of life, and report thereon to the society. Dr. Harvey W. Doolittle was chosen president of the society in June, 1837, was succeeded by Dr. Calvin W. Smith for one year in June, 1838, and was again chosen in 1839, and held the office by annual elec- tion until June, 1842. In January, 1839, the society adopted the following : " Whereas, by the dispensation of Divine Providence, since our last meeting, this society has been deprived of one of its most valuable members, and the community of one of its brightest ornaments, in the death of Dr. John Holmes : 158 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. Resolved, That the members of this society shall wear the usual badge of mourning for thirty days, as a testimony of their high respect for their deceased friend ; and that the secretary be a committee to present the condolence of this society to the relations of the deceased." At the semi-annual meeting in January, 1 840, the society adopted a like resolution on the announcement of the death of Dr. Calvin VV. Smith, and appointed a committee to write a biographical sketch of the lives of Drs. Smith and Holmes. The professors of the Medical College at Fairfield, having resigned, and the trustees of that institution having failed to procure the appoint- ment of others to continue the lectures, the society, in 1843, took eft'ect- ual measures to reclaim, secure and preserve the society library, which had been deposited in the college under the care of the trustees and professors of that institution, as before noticed. In June, 1842, Dr. Lester Green was elected president of the society, and a resolution was adopted pledging the influence of the members to forward any feasible plan for resuscitating the Medical College at Fair- field, and tendering the use of the society's library to the trustees of the college when the professorships should be filled and the lectures re- sumed. At the annual meeting in 1843, ^^- Green was re-elected president. The whole number of volumes on the catalogue of the society's library was 590, of which 475 were brought from Fairfield, fifty- four were charged to members and sixty-three were lost or missing. The society adopted a set of by-laws, regulating the safe keeping and the use of the library. Dr. Alfred E. Varney was chosen [)resident at the annual meeting in 1844, and the delegate to the State society was requested to lay before that body the opinion entertained by this society, " that it is the duty of the medical faculty generally, to memorialize the Legis- lature of this State to procure the passage of a law to prohibit the sale or use of any secret compound as a medicine," and to ask the State so- ciety to adopt measures to lay this subject before the Legislature at the next session. These proceedings were rescinded at a subsequent meet- ing. Some doubts having been entertained, growing out of the legislation of the State in respect to medical societies, in regard to the legal exist- ence of the society, a resolution was adopted in January, 1845, to con- COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY. 159 tinue the association as an organized body, and the unanimous opinion of the society to that effect was declared. Dr. Abram Snyder was chosen president in June, 1845. -^ resolu- tion was passed to appoint a committee to present the condolence of the society to the family of Dr. Westel Willoughby, deceased, and request a biography of his life, and also that the society should wear the usual badge of mourning. At the annual meeting in 1846, Dr. Caleb Budlong was elected pres- ident ; Dr. Walter Booth in 1848, and Dr. Abram Snyder, again in 1849. Drs. J. R. Brown, Wheeler, Griffith and Snyder were elected delegates to the National Medical Association. Drs. Brown and Wheeler were ap- pointed a committee to prepare and present to the society a biographical sketch of the life of Dr. Lester Green. The transactions of the society at its annual meeting in June, 1 847, do not appear to have been recorded, nor is the death of Dr. Lester Green noticed except as above mentioned. Dr. Harvey W. Doolittle was elected president of the society in 1850 and 185 I. Drs. Booth, Brown, A. F. Doolittle and D. Belknap were appointed delegates to the National Medical Association in 1850. In June, 1852, Dr. A. Green was chosen president, and Drs. A. F. Doo- little, C. A. Griffith, A. Hawn, and W. Booth were appointed delegates to the National Medical Association. The society, at its annual meeting in June, 1853, elected Dr. Walter Booth president, and appointed Drs. Budlong, Griffith, Hawn and Parkhurst delegates to the National Medical Association. The proceedings of the semi-annual meeting of the society in Janu- ary, 1852, are deeply, nay more, solemnly interesting. Dr. C. A. Griffith presented the following resolutions, which were unanimously adopted : Whereas, It has pleased the allwise disposer of events to remove from this life our late friend and brother, Harvey W. Doolittle, one of tlie oldest, most eminent and highly respected physicians of this county, and vf ho Vf as for many years president of this society ; Be it therefore, Resolved, That we deeply deplore the loss sustained by his bereaved family, by the medical society, of which he was long an active member, and by the public al large, in the death of that excellent man and physician. Dr. Earvey W. Doolittle, whose profes- sional attainments, not less than his own personal qualities, contributed to render him a most useful and estimable member of the community : 160 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. Tliat we know and cherish his qualities as a man and a citizen ; that we admire his sound judgment, his scientific knowledge and philanthropic spirit, which gave him a desirable eminence in his profession : That we love and lament him as a friend, and we doubt not his translation to a higher and happier sphere, where the pains and cares of this transient life give place to unbroken rest and unspeakable felicity. Following is a list of the successive presidents of the Medical Society from its organization to the present time : Westel Willoughby, Jr., 1806 to 1814, inclusive; Rufus Grain, 1816; James Hadley, 1817; W. Willoughby, 1818 to 1836, inclusive; H. W. Doolittle, 1837; Calvin W. Smith, 1838; H. W. Doolittle, 1839-40-41; Lester Green, 1842-43; Alfred B. Var- ney, 1844; Abram Snyder, 1845; Caleb Budlong, 1846; W. Booth, 1847; Abram Snyder, 1849; H. W. DooUttle, 1860-51; Abel Green, 1852; Walter Booth, 1853; W. 11. Parkhurst, 1854; Abram Hawn, 1855; Griffin Sweet, 1856; A. F. Doolittle, 1857; F. B. Etheredge, 1858-59; Hemstreet, 1800-61; (records mi.ssing to 1871); A. G. Barney, 1871; James M. Rose, 1872; Griffin Sweet, 1873; Benjamin E. Bush- nell, 1874 ; George Graves, 1875; H. A. France, 1876; Stephen Ingham, 1877; Charles W. Hamlin, 1878; James B.Casey, 1879; A.James Browne, 1880; Charles J. Hall, 1881 ; John P. Sharer, 1882 ; James F. Huntley, 1883 ; W. W. Budlong, 1884 ; D.N.Walker, 1885; E. N. Draper, 1886; Eli Fo.x, 1887; P. A. Skiff, 1888; M. A. Southworth, 1889; W. D. Garlock, 1890: I. S. Edsall, 1891; K. A. Bushnell, 1892. The following have been secretaries of the society : Andrew Farwell, 1806 to 1809, inclusive; Jacob Abrams, 1810; W. H. Doolittle, 1811 to 1814, inclusive; Jacob L.Sherwood, 1816 to 1818, inclusive; M.L.Bryan, 1819 to 1822, inclusive; H. W. Doolittle, 1823; M. L. Bryan, 1824-25; Muses John- son, 1826 to 1836, inclusive; A. F. Doolittle, 1838 to 1840, inclusive; F. B Etheredge, 1841; C. L. Easton, 1842-43; Griffin Sweet, 1844-45; C. A. Griffeth, 1846 to 1851, inclusive; Adam Miller, 1852-53; S. R. Millington, 1854;' C. A. Griffeth, 1855 ; J. E. Casey, 1856; J. B. Casey, 1857; C. A. Griffeth, 1858; H. H.Green, 1860-61; C. W. Hamlin, 1871 ; A. Walter Suiter, 1872 to 1892, inclusive. Of the proceedings and character of the Herkimer County Medical Society in the later years of its existence it may be said that it has always been found in the front rank on all matters of State and National polity as connected with the practice of medicine. At a meeting held in 1882, a very animated discussion was held on questions of ethics, and a resolution was passed declaring the allegiance of the society to the Code of 1847, and against the one that had been adopted by the State Society in 1881. Many able papers have been prepared and read before the society during its existence, showing that the ability of its membership as a whole has been of a high order. REGISTER OF PHYSICIANS. IGI On account of its value for reference by present and future members of the profession, we give tlie following list of all physicians who have registered in the clerk's office of this county since I 880, under the law governing that matter : Vaugn C. Potter, Van Hornesville, born in Salisbury, Herkimer county ; Geneva College of Physic and Surgery, January 24, 18G0. Registered July, 1880. Augustus Walter Suiter, born in Herkimer; College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia College, March, 1871. Registered July, 1880. Lyman C. Dexter, born in Newport, Herkimer county, residence Newport ; Uni- versity of Michigan, June 26, 1879. Registered July, 1880. Delevan N. Walker, residence at Ilion, Herkimer county, born in Root, Montgomery county ; Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia. March 9, 1858. Registered July 16, 1880. Robert W. Warnei, born at Baltimore, Md., residence Ilion'; Albany Medical Col- lege, March 5, 1880. Registered July 21, 1880. Frederick F. Comstock, born in Western, Oneida county, residence Ilion ; Bellevue Hospital Medical College, February 27, 1873. Registered July 22, 1880. Robert J. La Fonzo, born at Galveston, Texas, re.sidence Brooklyn; Indiana Central Medical College and Asbury University, March 1, 1867. Registered July 24, 1880. Abram Guiwits, born in Stark, Herkimer county, residence Salisbury Centre; Cas- tleton Medical College, Vt., 18.^,0. Registered July 26, 1880. Alfred A. Moors, born in Plainfield, Otsego county, residence West Winfield. Her- kimer county, Memphis Medical College, Tenn., March 1, 1854. Registered July 2G, 1880. James I. Rasback, born at Ilion, residence Ilion ; Bellevue Hospital Medical College, February 26, 1876. Registered July 6, 1880. C. J. Hall, born in Queens county, residence Norway, Herkimer county ; University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, March 31, 1870. Registered July 27, 1880. H. B. Mabin, born in Halcott, Greene county, N. Y., residence Ilion; Albany Medical College, December 22, 1867. Registered July 27, 1880. Adam Miller, born in Columbia, Herkimer county, residence Jordanville; Geneva Medical College, January, 1844. Registered August 7, 1880. W. W. Budlong, born at Frankfort. Herkimer county, residence Frankfort; Buffalo Medical College, June 3, 1848. Registered August 10, 1880. William H. Stebbins, born in Manheira, Herkimer county, residence Little Falls; College of Physicians and Surgeons western district of New York, February, 1834. Registered August 12, 1880. Alfred Beach, born at New York city, residence Ilion, N. Y. ; Homeopathic Medical College, March 1, 1875. Registered August 13, 1880. Eli Fox, born in Columbia, Herkimer county, residence Mohawk; New York Uni- versity, March 25, 1855. Registered August 16, 1880. Wm. H. Harter, born at Herkimer, re.sidence Herkimer ; College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, March 4, 1852. Registered August 17, 1880. 162 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. Silas Ingham, born in Nassau, Rensselaer county, residence Little Falls ; College of Physicians and Surgeons, Fairfield, February, 1839. Registered August 17, 1880. Stephen A. Ingham, born at Ingham's Mills, Herkimer county, residence Little Falls ; Albany Medical College, December 26, 1871. Registered September 9, 1880. Albert J. Browne, born in Warren, Herkimer county, residence Newport, Herkimer county ; Berkshire Medical College, Pittsfield, Mass., 1865. Registered August 20, 1880. Charles W. Hamlin, born at Holland Patent, residence Middleville; Bellevue Hos- pital Medical College, March, 1866. Registered August 26, 1880. Benjamin E. Bushnell, born in Fairfield, residence Little Falls; Albany Medical Col- lege, January, 1844. Registered August 2C, 1880. Kenyon A. Bushnell, born at Albany, residence Little Falls; Albany Medical College, January 29. 1878. Registered August 26, 1880. Harvey J. Christman, born at Herkimer, residence Columbia; Albany Medical Col- lege, December 27, 1864. Registered August 28, 1880. Peter Pryne, born at Frankfort, Herkimer county, residence Herkimer; Geneva Medical College, January 27, 1846. Registered August 31, 1880. Isaac N. Willard. born in Fairfield, residence Fairfield ; Bellevue Hospital Medical College, February 23, 1875. Registered August 28, 1880. Adelbert J. Douglass, born in Leyden, Lewis county, residence Ilion ; Long Island College Hospital, June 26, 1873. Registered August 31, 1880. George Graves, born at Herkimer, residence Herkimer ; Buftalo Medical College, Feb- ruary 22, 1870. Registered September 1, 1880. Lucius L. Brainard, born in Exeter, Otsego county, N. Y., residence. Little Falls; New York Homeopathic Medical College, March 5, 1874. Registered September 1, 1880. John D. Young, born at Springfield, Otsego county, residence Starkville ; '' Academiaj Medioinje Kentuckiensis,'' 1865 Registered September 2, 1880. John P. Sharer, born in Little Falls, residence Little Falls; College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, March 1, 1848. Registered September 1, 1885. Cyrus Kay, jr., born at Frankfort, residence Herkimer ; College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, March 12, 1880. Registered September 1, 1880. William H. H. Parkhurst, born in Winfield, Herkimer county, residence Frankfort ; College of Physicians and Surgeons, Fairfield, January 23, 1840. Registered Septem- ber 7, 1880. James Hemstreet, born in Ohio. Herkimer county, residence Poland ; Oneida County Medical Society, Utica, October 14, 1874. Registered September 8, 1880. AlmanzoG. Barney, born in Newport, Herkimer county, residence Brockelt's Bridge ; Albany Medical College, December 24, 1860. Registered September 7, 1880. Henry A. France, born in Herkimer, residence Poland ; Albany Medical College, December 25, 1864. Registered September 10, 1880. Nelson Isham, born in Connecticut, re.sidence Little Falls ; Yale Medical College, March 4, 1828. Registered September 11, 1880. G. T. Hyland, born in Madison county, residence Little Falls; Bellevue Medical Col- lege, March 1, 1879. Registered September 11, 1880. REGISTER OF PHYSICIANS. 163 William Landt, born in Danube, Herkimer county, residence Mohawk ; New York Medical College, March 2, 1858. Registered September 11, 1880. P. A. Skiff, born in Schuyler, Herkimer county, residence Frankfort; Albany Medi- cal College, January 21, 1851. Registered September 13, 1880. George P. Rasbach, born in Herkimer, residence Mohawk; Bellevue Hospital Med- ical College, February 26, 1876. Registered September 14, 1880. Moritz R. Richter, born in Germany, residence Middleville; University of Leipsic, Saxony, October, 1860. Registered September 14, 1880. E. M. Draper, born in Broome county, residence Ilion ; Albany Medical College, Jan- uary 20, 1874. Registered September 14, 1880. William H. Brown, born in Litchfield, Herkimer county, residence Cedarville; Al- bany Medical College, December 26, 1866. Registered September 16, 1880. William Tibbetts, born at Ballston, Saratoga county, residence Newville ; Bellevue Hospital Medical College, March, 1867. Registered September 16, 1880. Charles Isham, born at Mohawk, residence Little Falls ; Bellevue Hospital Medical College, March 1, 1866. Registered September 16, 1880. Malek A. Southworth, born m New York State, residence Little Falls; College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, February 5, 1846. Registered September 17, 1880. Peter F. Bellinger, born in Herkimer, residence Herkimer; Bellevue Hospital Med- ical College, March 1, 1879. Registered September 17, 1880. Peter Yost, born in Johnstown, residence Little Falls ; Medical College of Castleton, Tt., 1847. Registered September 18, 1880. Leslie R. Quackenbush, born in Herkimer, residence Brockett's Bridge; University Medical College, New York, March 13. 1880. Registered September 17, 1880. Theodore J. Ashley, born in Whitestown, Oneida county, residence Ohio; State Eclectic Medical Society, Pennsylvania, 1863. Registered August 10, 1880. Z. R. May, born in Bridgeport, Conn., residence Schuyler; Eclectic Medical College, Philadelphia, 1861. Registered September 21, 1880. A. D. Coffin, born in Deerfleld, Oneida county, residence Frankfort; University of the City of New York, March 1 , 1880. Registered September 21, 1880. J. B. Ellis, born in Whitestown, Oneida county, residence Little Falls ; Bellevue Medical College, March 1, 1871. Registered September 21, 1880. Daniel Lord, born in New York city, residence Warren, Herkimer county ; the med- ical department of ihe Northwestern University, Chicago, March 13, 1873. Registered September 23, 1880. James E. Casey, born in Schenectady county, residence Mohawk; Albany Medical College, 1852. Registered September 24, 1880. James M. Rose, born in Herkimer county, residence West Winfield ; College of Physicians and Surgeons, Fairfield, January, 1837. Registered September 24, 1880. James F. Huntley, jr., born in Williamstown, Oswego county, residence West Win- field ; Medical Department University of City of New York, February 20, 1877. Reg- istered September 24, 1880. Henry H. Green, born in Paine's Hollow, Herkimer county, residence Paine's Hol- low ; Geneva Medical College, 1859. Registered September 22, 1880. 164 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTT. David M. Diefendorf, born in German Flats, residence Herkimer ; College of Physi- cians and Surgeons, New York, March, 1861. Registered Septeff.ber 27, 1880. J. B. Holcomb, born in Yermont, residence Newport; Albany Medical College, De- cember 24, 1855. Registered September 28, 1880. Sydney S. Carter, born in Madison, Conn., residence Newport; Eclectic Medical So- ciety, October 18, 1876, and National Ecleotical Society of Detroit, Mich., June 19, 1878. Registered September 28, 1880. Henry Lewis, jr., born in Little Falls, residence Little Falls ; Albany Medical College, January 29, 1879. Registered September 29, 1880. J. Dayton Munn, born in Litchfield, Herkimer county, residence Stark ; Albany Med- ical College, June 17, 1844. Registered September 27, 1880. H. J. Spencer, born in West Winfield, residence West Winfield ; Homeopathic Med- ical College. New York, February, 1870. Registered September 29, 1880. Allison 0. Douglass, born in Ava, N. Y., residence Little Falls; Long Island College Hospital June 26, 1876. Registered September 30, 1880. William H. Craig, born at Ottawa, Canada, residence West Schuyler; University of the City of New York, July 14, 1874. Registered September 30, 1880. Loomis Warner, residence West Winfield ; College of Physicians and Surgeons, Fairfield, January 26, 1826. Registered October 29, 1880. Miles Longshore, born at Depeyster, St. Lawrence county, residence Cold Brook ; University of Vermont, June 26, 1879. Registered October 1, 1880. Lemuel Fitch Pattengill, born in Otsego county, residence West Winfield ; Medical Department University of City of New York, February 17, 1880. Registered April 1 1881. Frank D. Crim, born at Mohawk, residence Mohawk ; College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, November 9, 1880. Registered June 9. 1881. Charles Harvey Glidden, born in Clarendon, New York, residence Little Falls ; Col- lege of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, May 13, 1881. Registered August 25, 1881. William D. Garlock, born in Manheim, residence Little Falls; College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, October 11, 1881. Registered October 28, 1881. John M. Mangan, born in County Kerry, Ireland, residence Little Falls; Medical Department University of Pennsylvania, March 14, 1857. Registered December 23, 1881. Edgar C. Swift, born at Paine's Hollow, residence Jordanville ; Syracuse University College of Medicine, June 9, 1881. Registered January 25, 1882. Elmer G. Kern, born in Madison county, N. Y., residence Herkimer; Hahnemann Medical College, Philadelphia, March 10, 1881. Registered February 21, 1882. David F. Blanchard, born at Cooperstown, N. Y., residence Boston ; Royal College of Surgeons, London, Eng., March 22, 1852, and Medical Department of Vermont University, November 10, 1849. Registered February 22, 1882. Charles P. Beaman, born at Philadelphia, Pa., residence Stamford, Conn. ; New York Homeopatiiic College, March 16, 1882. Registered March 30, 1882. William H. Dewing, born in Litchfield, residence Utica ; Hahnemann Homeopathic Medical College, Philadelphia, March 14, 1882. Registered April 6, 1882. REGISTER OF PHYSICIANS. 165 Willard Gillett, born in Cherry Valley, residence Starl..v. o,.o james Campbell. The store on the post-office corner was built in 1836 by Elias and Humphrey G. Root. The whole block from the Kirley block to the post- '• ■ "--^ r : -ning back nearly to the canal, was purchased in th ias Ran- ■Jallfor $175. The Steele block, ci'iv utsego streets, was Liuilt by John A. Steele in 1852, ai ick, opposite corner of Main and Otsego streets, was ei F. E. Spinner. The opening of the canal witnessed th - rai warehouses, for storage and forwarding, among t; Iding now occupied by J. W. Devendorf; this was thf n 1826, and others were built by H. G. Root & ' Campbell, Isaac Woodwoi i and Merry & Devendorf. The first brick house erectt c one in which Mrs. Stillwelllived, and here si: _ biiilt by Josiah O'^- good and rebuilt by Eli; The first resident ph} ^" »n, who came here m 1828. The first postm:' d the first mail car- rier was a Mr. Luke, who n '■ - > i: on n^rs' u.ici: between Utica and Schenectady. The mail was delivered once each week, if the weather and roads would permit. The land on which the villape stands was owned by Rufus who, after disposinr 'le remainder to Frederick Bellinger, who had , The village was incorpo- rated by act of Legislature passed .rv^.ni io, 1844, and the first election for village officers was held n.t the house of John Golden May 4,. 1844, wlien the following office ''^resident, Frederick Bi ,. idEzekiel r ; treasurer, Elias Root ; clerk, Daniel S. Clark ; collector, Mar "'i ■ constable, Marks ll '.mnfs The proceedings of the fii... ion were signed arling, as chairman, and board of trustees held May 9, 1 844, the foil' ing nanieu persoi:- i ted each a tavern licens: for it ^5 : Town of German flats. 19o Newman Smith, Olendorf & Lawyer, Charles Bronson and George L. Van Slyke; and grocery licenses were granted on the same terms to L. L. Merry and Cornelius Devendorf. The Mohawk Valley Bank was organized February 9, 1839, by the election of the following officers : Directors, David Devendorf, Fred- erick Bellinger, Alanson Maxon, Elias Root, Ira Randall, Jacob F. Cristman, Ebenezer Morgan, Stephen Jones, William Burgess, E. A. Munson, Charles Wightman, Peter H. Warren, H. S. Orendorf, J. I. Cristman, R. G. Starkweather, Rodney Sanford, L. Stienburgh, Ephraim Tisdale, Jacob Marshall, and Jesse C. Dann. "Ebenezer Morgan was chosen president, and in May, 1839, J. C. Dann was chosen cashier, and in June, Eiias Root was elected vice-president. The successive presi- dents of the bank have been as follows: After Mr. Morgan, Charles Wightman, elected February 9, 1841 ; Benjamin Carver, July 2, 1849; Peter H. Warren, July 2, 1855 ; John J. Cristman, July, 1857 ; F. E. Spinner, July 5, 1858; Peter H. Warren, July, 1861 ; Dean Burgess, July, 1864; Eli Fox, January, 1882; Jacob Devendorf, January, 1 891. On the 3d of April, 1865, the bank was reorganized and its name changed to the National Mohawk Valley Bank, and the officers re- mained as before until September 3, 1867, when H. D. Alexander was elected cashier and has filled the office until the present time. The present officers of the bank are as follows: President, Jacob Deven- dorf; directors, the president, H. D. Alexander, Allen Bloomfield, B. A. Weatherby, Thomas D. Warren, R. M. Devendorf, B. A. Stone, John Giblin, H. A. Deimel, O. W. Bronson, and De Witt E. Allen. The capital of the bank is $150,000; surplus and undivided profits, $40,000; deposits about $220,000. In 1892 the institution erected a handsome and convenient bank building on Main street at a cost ol $10,000. The Mohawk Gaslight Company was organized October 3, i860, with a capital of $10,000. President, Chauncey Johnson ; secretary, Eli Fox; treasurer, R. H. Pomeroy. At a later date the company was consolidated with the works at llion, a new company formed called the llion and Mohawk Gaslight Company, and the capital stock in- creased to $30,000. After the consolidation the works were located about half a mile east of llion and both villages supplied with gas. Mohawk is now lighted with electricity by the same company. 196 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTS. Public School. — Very little is known of the schools of Mohawk in early years. The destruction of the records of German Flats in 1843 renders it impossible to learn details previous to that year, excepting through the memory of old residents. It is known that early in the present century there was a school-house on the east side of wliat is now Columbia street, near the site of the residence of H. G. Root, and the contract for the erection of the building is still in existence. The building was put up by Russel Brown, " at or near Timothy Campbell's house in German Flats." The building cost $260. The contract was signed on the part of the authorities by Russel Brown, Abrani Randal, Rufus Randal, jr., James L. Campbell, and Rudolph Devendorf This old school-house was abandoned after the erection of the present school building about 1853, and finally passed to the Methodist society. It is still standing and used for a carpenter shop. When the present building was erected a graded school was established and it so con- tinues. W. E. Stearns is the present principal, and under him six teachers are employed. A new school building is to be erected during 1892-3, at a cost of $17,000. Fire Department. — The fire department of Mohawk was organized September 9, 1844, by the village trustees who appointed Humphrey G, Root as chief engineer ; Gordon Farmer, assistant, with twenty-four members. The company was named Mohawk Engine Company No. I. The engine used was made at Waterford, and it was kept in a house on the corner of Main and North Washington streets. In May, 1861, the trustees purchased a more powerful engine at Seneca Falls, and in June of that year a new company named Colonel Ellsworth Engine Company No. 2, was organized. In 1869 this company was disbanded and from that date until 1878 the engine was in charge of citizens, un- der direction of the trustees. In March, 1878, a company was formed for the hand engine, composed of forty- eight men, and this organization is still kept up. A special election was held June 7, 1875, at which it was voted that the village should purchase a steam fire engine. This was done and the name Mohawk Chief given to the new engine. At the same time Alexander Hose Company No. I was organized with the following officers: President, A. C. Devendorf; vice-president, A. G. Myers; TOWN OF GERMAN FLATS. 197 secretary, W. H. Schall ; treasurer, John McChesney ; foreman, E. L. Prince. This organization is still in existence. The fire department as at present organized and equipped, is one of the best in the county. There is at present only one newspaper in Mohawk, which was started by Rich & Tucker in 1874, as the Mo/iawk Independent. It was subsequently sold to A. A. Miller, who was succeeded as owner by W. E. Churchill, and by C. A. White, who sold the establishment to Miss Clara E. Morgan in January, 1892. The name of the paper was then changed to The Eagle. The paper is ably edited by Miss Morgan and is liberally supported. The Reformed Church. — This society was organized December 11, 1838, when Christopher Bellinger, and Samuel Meeker were elected elders, and Samuel Barringer and Henry Harter, deacons. Shortly afterwards the lot on which the church stands was donated to the so- ciety by Frederick Bellinger. Through the influence and substantial aid of Elias Root and H. G. Root, the church building was soon erected. The pulpit was first occupied by Rev. James Murphy, of Herkimer, as supply. February i, 1844, Rev. Jedediah L. Stark was called to the church, and he was installed May 3, 1844; he continued for ten years, since which time the following pastors have served the society : Rev. Elbert Slingerland, 1854; Rev. John M. Hammond, 1856; Rev. Charles D. Nott, 1859; Rev. E. Slingerland, 1865, one year; Rev. G. D. Consaul, 1867; Rev. F. F. Wilson, 1870; Rev. F. M. Bogardus, 1872 ; Rev. J. G. Lansing, 1876; Rev. John Brandow, and Rev. A. D. Minor, who was succeeded in May, 1892, by Rev. Ira Van Allen. The church membership is about 115, and the following are the officers: Elders, Byron A. Stone, Thomas Cunningham, Robert Myers ; deacons, Jasper Morgan, Truman Snell, Dr. Rasbach. The Baptist Church. — The first Baptist society of Mohawk was or- ganized February 9, 1841, and the church was erected in 1845 and ded- icated January i, 1846. For a number of years the church was fairly prosperous, but later it has greatly declined. Among the pastors have been Revs. J. Benedict, the first, N. Loring, J. W. Crumb, L. Casler, O. Adams, Lamar W. Hayhurst, G. W. Harvey, and Rev, Mr. Broddie, who remained until 1861. There is now no settled pastor over the church and no regular services. l&d HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. The Methodist Chiurh. — The date of the formation of the first Metho- dist class in Mohawk is not known, but it was very early, and it was for some years connected with the class at Herkimer. In 185 1 Rev. I. Hunt was permitted by the Reformed church society to occupy their church Sabbath afternoons, and he was followed by Rev. Mr. Barnard. Later Rev. Joseph Lamb preached in the Baptist church which was leased for the purpose. The old school-house on Columbia street was finally purchased, its use donated to the society, and it was fitted for services. This was afterwards sold and the society again used the Baptist church. After years of alternate periods of success and de- spondency, a revival held here in the winter of 1867—8 by the praying band connected with the Ilion church quickened the feeble society, and in the spring of 1869 Rev. Olin Wightman became the pastor, and the Methodist Episcopal church of Mohawk was organized. After using the Baptist and Universalist churches for a time, the present handsome church was erected, chiefly through the liberality of Philo and Elizabeth Remington. The membership is about lOO and Rev. Mr. Fitch is pastor. The Universalist Church. — This society was organized in 1850, and the brick church was erected and dedicated in February, 1852. The means to this end were contributed largely by subscription. The first pastor was Rev. B. B. Hallock, who was succeeded in 1857 by Rev. Dolphus Skinner. Others who have served the church are Revs. L. C. Brown, J. R. Sage, L. L. Briggs, A. A. Thayer, F. S. Brown, and D. Ballou. For the past several years there has been no regular preach- ing in the church. Rev. T. C. Fisher, of Herkimer, preaches afternoons at the present time. Grace Episcopal Church. — This society was organized in 1854, and the church erected at the same time. Previous to that time services had been held for several years in the public hall. The church was erected with funds subscribed and was paid for in full. The first rector was Rev. William Bogart Walker, who was followed by Rev. E. C. Ed- munds. Rev. S. M. Griswold then preached for a time, coming from Ilion, and was succeeded by Rev. Charles E. Freeman and Rev. M. O. Smith. Rev. Alfred Taylor preached in 1890. The church is now without a rector. TOWN OF GERMAN FLATS. 199 The present postmaster of Mohawk is Thomas Cunningham, who took the office in November, 1889, succeeding D. D. Morgan. An- other post-office in the town is Edick, in the southwest part, with John Shoemaker as postmaster, he having held the office about four years and since it was estabhshed. The present officers of Mohawk village are : President, Charles Tucker ; trustees, Jeremiah Warner, Charles Young, F. H. Sales, A. H. Day ; clerk, Charles Young ; chief engineer, C. J. Thrall. VILLAGE OF ILION. There was nothing meriting the name of a village on the site of Ilion until after the completion of the Erie Canal, yet there was a store there as early as 18 16, and perhaps earlier, a fact which is attested by shin- plasters of Thomas Gillespie & Son of that date. In early years the. western part of the present corporation was called " London." After the construction of the canal the locality was known as Morgan's Land- ing, while on the canal list it was called Steele's Creek. The following interesting and comprehensive account of the place was written by William Hibbard Page in 1874: On the 1st day of January, in the year 1828, Eliphalet Remington purchased one hundred acres of land of John A. Clapsaddle, in part the site of the present village of Ilion, being that portion bounded on the west by Otsego street. The canal had been in operation about three years, but the settlement could only boast of seven dwellings, two storehouses and a school-house. The river road (Main street) came down from Frankfort as it does now, but near the residence of Mr. Albert Baker it crossed the canal on a bridge, which was torn away when the canal was enlarged; passing down on the north side, it recrossed to the south side of the canal a .short distance below the gas works. One of the principal dwellings was the old Clapsaddle farm house, which stood on the premises now occupied by the bank block and the adjacent armory build- ings. Here Mr. Clapsaddle had lived many years, and we are reliably informed that he was born and brought up in this vicinity. Where Small's Hotel now is there stood a building, in the front part of which was the "corner grocery," kept by a man named Gary. Here all the business of the Corners was transacted, temporally and spiritually. Groceries, dry goods, etc., and intoxicating liquors made up the stock in trade. Daniel Dygert, father of our townsman, J. M. Dygert, occupied a portion of the same build- ing as a dwelling. Just west of this, and where the last named gentleman now lives, was the residence of his uncle, Dennis Dygert. This gentleman owned a storehouse, which stood where Hotahng's block now is. On the site of Long's Hotel (now occu- pied by the Coleman carriage and wagon factory) was the farm house of Selden Mor- 200 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. gan, who also owned a storehouse near where the steam mill now stands. Still farther west and near the creek, was the residence of Adam Steele. The school-house was lo- cated on the site of Long's barn, near the old feeder, but was afterward moved to about lialf way between Dennis Dygert's storehouse and the bridge first mentioned. Opposite this bridge, and close to the towpath, was the "'Seth Curtis House," occupied by Mr. Lawrence Helmer, which is still standing, and is distinguished as the old brown tenement, third building east of the Agricultural Works ; farther to the east was the residence of Esquire Helmer. This property was afterwards bought of Mr. Barter by William Jinks, inventor of the Jinks carbine, who erected a new dwelling in the place of the old one ; and later it passed into the hands of Esquire Rasbach, by whose family it is now occupied. Such was Ilion in 1831 ; and these eight families consisted of less than forty persons. From 1830 to 1843 the settlement was called Remington's Cor- ners by the residents, and generally known as such by the inhabitants of the surround- ing country. On the canal list, however, it was designated as Steele's Creek, probably after the stream of water which now flows through the center of the village, and which took its name from the fact that Mr. Steele had lived for many years where the creek passes under the canal. During all this time there was no post-office at this point, and the villagers received their mail through the office at Mohawk and others in the im- mediate vicinity. This was a source of great annoyance to them, as it was very incon- venient to go or send from two to ten miles to get letters and papers which might be brought almost to their very doors. In 1843 the place had materially increased in size and population, and had become a point of considerable interest. The manufacture of fire-arms was then in its infancy ; indeed, Mr. Remington's principal business was the manufacture of gun barrels, which were sold to gunsmiths and to large manufacturing houses in distant cities. At this time the necessity for a post-office had correspond- ingly increased with the prosperity of the Corners, and became the principal topic of conversation in the stores, shops, and firesides as well. But to get an office there must be a name by which to call it. As many as thirty different names were proposed. This was at a time when villages were being named after the most prominent states- men of the nation, and as there cannot be two post-offices of the same name in any single State, nearly all the propositions were dropped and the people of the Corners settled upon two names, Vulcan and Fountain, under one of which they resolved an office should be established. Finally a general meeting of the citizens was called to express their views, and to decide by vote which of the two it should be. This meet- ing was held in one of the stores. The result of the vote as announced was that the friends of Fountain outnumbered the Vulcanites nine to one. These were the days of " Tippecanoe and Tyler too ! " On the death of William Henry Harrison, John Tyler succeeded to the presidency, and under his administration A. G. Wicliffe was post- master-general. From 1840 to 1844 Hon. L. L. Merry was postmaster at Mohawk, and he used to send the mail to the Corners tied up in a handkerchief ; frequently there being no more of it than he could hold in one hand. Mr. Benton, of Mohawk, familiarly known as Charley Benton, was member of Congress from this district, and the petition for the new office was placed in his hands. Another petition, from Mr. Merry and the postmasters at Herkimer and Frankfort, was also handed to Mr. Ben. Ou/iAt^te^ ^/Ve-f^t--ni^i^o-'f^. 1 I TOWN OF GERMAN FLATS. 201 ton, but was not presented to the department, as Mr. Wicliffe readily granted the office on the petition of the citizens. The friends of Fountain were not entirely satisfied with their choice, although they consented to adopt the name for the want of something better. It had been suggested that the place be named after Mr. Remington, but that gentleman modestly declined the honor. Mr. Benton, however, was so much in favor of the suggestion that after consulting with General Spinner, then cashier of the Mo- hawk Valley Bank, and Humphrey G. Root, by their advice he concluded to change the name, on presenting the petition, which he did accordingly. So this village was called Remington by authority of the government, and one of its most highly esteemed citizens, David D. Devoe, was appointed to be postmaster. As might be supposed, the people were greatly surprised when the papers were received informing them of the change, but they were apparently satisfied. Mr. Remington was displeased. In due time the department sent on a contract for a weekly mail from Mohawk at twelve dol- lars a year ; a mail but once a week was hardly better than under the old system, and a contract at twelve dollars a year nobody would take. For the sake of form, how- ever, and to comply with the requirements of the department, David Harrington was induced to accept it, and the contract was accordingly returned to Washington. This arrangement not being satisfactory to the postmaster or the citizens, Mr. Devoe made a private contract with a Mr. Roarbach to let his (Roarbach's) boy get a daily mail from Mohawk ; and it was agreed that in time of unpleasant and stormy weather the official should go after the mail himself. The price of the contract was fifty -six dollars. This sum was the amount allowed by the department, less forty-four dollars, which Mr. Devoe paid out of his own pocket. The office was opened in the store where 0. B. Rudd's jewelry store is now located, and it was fitted up with a case of boxes and other fixtures necessary to make it convenient by Mr. Devoe. These cir- cumstances are mentioned simplj' to show how much interest was felt by our first post- master in the success of his administration, as well as personal expenses incurred by him in supplying Remington with a daily mail, facts not generally known to our citi- zens. So great was Mr. Remington's displeasure at the name of the new post-office that he refused to date his letters at Remington, but dated them at German Flats; con- sequently answers to his correspondence were sent to German Flats post-office, nine miles away up in Paine's Hollow. As a further inconvenience, letters addressed to this place would be sent to Bennington, Vt., Perrinton, N. J., Bennington, N. Y., and another place of similar name in Pennsylvania; so also would letters intended for those places reach this office, occasioned, of course, by illegible superscription. These cir- cumstances finally became a source of such great annoyance that the people murmured. About a year after the establishment of the office Messrs. Remington and Devoe be- came satisfied that a change was very much needed. Considerable time was spent by them in searching for an Indian name for some point in close proximity to Remington, but without effect. Failing to find a name which he would be willing to forward on his own responsibility to the department for confirmation, Mr. Remington asked his friend to suggest one, and Mr. Devoe named Ilion, which he had proposed at the be- ginning. At that time there was one other office of this name in the United States, located in Tipton county, Tenn., but it has since been discontinued. On that account, 36 202 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. but chiefly because he had been favorably impressed with it in reading Homer's Iliad, did Postmaster Devoe urge the name of Ilion. Mr. Remington was pleased with it, but there was one objection ; he thought that there was somewhat of vanity in taking the name of so important a city as ancient Troy to bestow on such a small and unpre- tending place as was proposed. Concluding that none could be found that would give better ."sati-sfaction, these gentlemen sent their petition to Washington, and the name of Ilion was substituted for Remington, without consulting the citizens, which would doubtless have caused delay, and perhaps defeated the object in view. So the stone which the builders refused is become the headstone of the corner. The village was incorporated in 1852, and the first officers were as follow: Trustees, John A. Rasbach, John Harrington, Conrad Folts, Piiineas Gates, and Samuel Underwood ; assessors, Jacob Getman, Lawrence Helmer, William J. Lewis; clerk, Eliphalet Remington, jr. ; treasurer, William O. Barnes ; collector, William Breadon ; pound- master, Abraham Fish. In 1866 by legislative act the charter was changed in important matters, making the term of office of the trustees five years, and providing for the election of one only each year. In 1870 the population had reached 2,876, and in 1875 it was a little more than 4,000 ; it is now nearly 5,000. The fire department was organized in 1863. R. R. Bennet was the first chief engineer, and Alfred E. Brooks and William Kitzmiller, first and second assistants. The present chief engineer is M. M. Kane. The Armory Hose Company was organized in 1863 and was composed wholly of employees in the Remington factories, and chiefly for the protection of those works, the water being taken from pumps. This organization continued until 1870, when the corporation purchased for it a hand engine. The company was then divided, a part retaining the former name and the others assuming the name of Excelsior Fire Com- pany No. 2, and persons outside of the Remington works were admitted to membership. A. H. Sumner was the first foreman of Excelsior Company, and John Irlam and Smith C. Harter, first and second as- sistants. Ilion Steamer and Hose No. i was organized in 1863, soon after the formation of the Armory Hose Company. It consisted of fifty men, and the first foreman was D. J. Randall. The steamer purchased at about this time and for this company, cost $4,500 ; it was a Siisby rotary. In the spring of 1876 the village purchased two new steamers TOWN OF GERMAN FLATS. 203 of the Silsby make, at a cost of $4,000 "each. The village has always been fortunate in escaping disastrous fires, and the department is now thoroughly equipped after modern ideas. In 1852 the Ilion Bank began operations under the State banking laws, with a capital of $100,000. The first directors were Eliphalet Remington, Benjamin Carver, Benjamin P. Markham, John P. Sill, George Tuckerman, Vose Palmer, John Ingersoll, Alonzo Wood, Henry L. Green, Peter H. Warren, and John A. Rasbach. Eliphalet Remington was elected the first president; John Ingersoll, vice-presi- dent; Robert H. Pomeroy, cashier. Mr. Remington held the office of president until his death, and was succeeded by George Tuckerman. The successive cashiers were Frank Carver succeeding Mr. Pomeroy, Le Roy Tuttle, John A. Rasbach, H. H. Devendorf, and Floyd C. Shepard. The bank suspended business in 1866, paying all of its lia- bilities in full. The Ilion National bank was organized March 14, 1867, with a cap- ital of $100,000. The first president was Jacob J. Folts, and the first cashier, Charles Harter, who was succeeded in the office by F. C. Shepard, and he by David Lewis, the present cashier. The first board of directors was as follows : Varnum S. Kenyon, Alfred E. Varney, William Getman, George Tuckerman, Floyd C. Shepard, Jacob J. Folts, John Hoefler, Henry L Green, Peter Countryman. Philo Rem- ington succeeded Mr. Folts as president of the bank, and Charles Harter, the present president, succeeded Mr. Remington. The excel- lent management of this institution is shown in its condition. Its de- posits now amount to $355,582.62, while it has surplus and profits of over $40,000. The first attempt to secure for Ilion better educational facilities than were supplied by the common and free schools, was the formation of an association about 1881— 2, comprising twenty progressive citizens, who pledged themselves to the payment of $200 each for the establish- ment of an academy. The institution was started, but it did not meet with expected success, and in 1864 it was given up and a graded school established. In addition to the district school- house then in existence, a com- modious brick building was erected in 1865, at a cost of $23,000. It i04 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. has since been enlarged by an extension of the stone building in the rear, which is used for a primary department. The bounds of the dis- trict coincide with those of the village. This school has been under the care of the Regents of the University for about fifteen years, and the academic class sent out its first graduates in 1873. There are about 1,200 children of school age in the district, and twenty-two teachers are employed, with Judson I. Wood as principal. Through the inauguration in Ilion of large manufactories, noticed a little further on, the village has grown rapidly and is now a thriving business center. Extensive water works are about to be constructed, for which bonds have been issued and sold to tiie amount of $95,000. Connection is conveniently made with Mohawk by the street railroad, already described, and with Frankfort by another line which was opened in 1 87 1 ; and a station on the Central road at a distance of half a mile and one on the West Shore still nearer, give the place additional im- portance. The writer who attempts to make a history of Ilion mus-t give very much of his attention to the founding and growth of the great Reming- ton arms works, which have in recent years passed to other hands. The farm which Eliphalet Remington (senior) purchased in 18 16 lay upon the banks of a small stream (Steele's Creek) in the then wilds of Herkimer county, the waters of which have now almost disappeared. Young Remington early showed remarkable mechanical genius, and tradition tells of how he constructed a gun for his own use before he reached manhood, an appeal for one to his father having resulted in refusal. The gunsmith at Utica, to whom the boy's gun barrel was taken for rifling, saw that it was made in an unusually excellent manner and greatly encouraged its maker by his praise. It should be stated that there was a forge of some kind on the Remington farm, which served the boy's purpose in making the gun barrel. When the fame of that first production began to spread, as it soon did, young Reming- ton was called on at first by a few and soon by many others to make guns for them. At first he made only the barrels, but gradually ex- tended his operations to the finishing of the complete guns. Down to about 1 83 1 the work was prosecuted at the home place, and the demand for the Remington barrels and guns far exceeded the capacity of the insignificant works. TOWK OF GERMAN FLATS. 205 In 1828 the canal had recently been opened and Mr. Remington in searching for a proper and convenient site for the extension of his works, saw with prophetic eye the possibilities offered at Ilion. He accordingly purchased a large tract of land here and erected his first shop, a low one-story building. Here he carried on his business, which showed a healthy growth. In 1835 he purchased of Ames & Co of Springfield, Mass , their plant of gun-finishing machinery, with a part of an unfinished contract with the United States for some thou- sands of carbines. The works were increased, and before the comple- tion of this contract, the rising establishment was given another for 5,000 Harper's Ferry Rifles; and still another followed in quick suc- cession. About the year 1840, while the capacity of the works was still insignificant compared to their later magnitude, Mr Remington's sons, Samuel, Philo and Eliphalet, reached manhood and took an active part in the growing business, with the best of results. In 1847 the firm began making pistols, and so simply and efficiently were they constructed that a large market was opened for them at once. This branch of the business grew to enormous proportions be- fore they took up the manufacture of their well-known army and navy revolver, which was afterwards adopted by the United States govern- ment. For some time previous to 1865 the firm had perfected systems particularly designed for the conversion of muzzle loaders to breech loaders, in rifles. A carbine embodying the results of their prior ex- periments in this direction was tested among about sixty others by a board of government ofificers at Springfield in 1865, and attracted con- siderable attention. During the succeeding year valuable improve- ments were made in the system, after which for many years the Rem- ington was the leading breech-loading arm of the world. Many governments in the old world adopted it, while large contracts were filled for the United States, and the gross number manufactured reached much more than half a million. In all of the severe tests made by expert boards for the several governments, including our own, this arm maintained its foremost reputation. So great was the capacity of the new works that in 1870-71, during a period of about seven months, the enormous number of 155,000 rifles was shipped to the French govern- ment — a result altogether unprecedented in the history of similar enterprises. 206 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. In January, 1865, the Remington works were incorporated, with Philo Remington as president; Samuel Remington, vice-president; Eliphalet Remington, secretary. In 187 1 Col. W. C. Squire was elected secretary ; he was a member of the Remington family by mar- riage, and is now United States Senator for the State of Washington. The nominal capital was $1,000,000, while the value of the plant was then placed at $1,500,000. This latter estimate was subsequently in- creased to about $3,000,000. In 1856 the manufacture of agricultural implements was begun at the armory, commencing with a cultivator tooth, which soon found a large and profitable market. To this was afterwards added plows, mowing machines, wheel rakes, horse hoes, and a large variety of smaller tools. For this department three large buildings were erected, and they em- ployed at one time about 400 men. In 1870 the firm added to their line of products the manufacture of sewing machines, a branch of the business that soon became as suc- cessful as those preceding it. This step was taken partly because of the fluctuation in the manufacture of arms, much of the machinery be- ing necessarily idle at times. An excellent sewing machine was turned out and it found such favor that the sale reached about 35,000 in a single year. In 1874 still another important industry was added to these works in the manufacture of tj'pewriters, which have since become almost a household necessity. While this branch of the business was being de- veloped and improved, the firm became embarrassed through causes which we need not enter into here. In 1878, to relieve the financial embarrassment of the corporation, its bonds for over $500,000 having five years to run, were issued to its creditors. In 1882, in order to pro- vide relief and get quicker returns for a part of the vast product of the factories, an arrangement was made whereby the sewing machine out- put was disposed of bj" the Remington Sewing Machine Agency, a company formed for the purpose of marketing all the machines made at the works. In August of the same year further arrangements to this end were made by which the typewriters were sold direct to the firm of Wyckoff, Seamans & Benedict, who continued to handle the product of that department until March, 1886, at which time they pur- TOWN OF GERMAN FLATS. 207 chased the business and machinery and have ever since handled with great success both manufacture and sale of these machines, giving em- ployment at the factory to about 400 men. In 1883 a further arrange- ment was made with Lamberson, Furman & Co., of New York, to handle all the sporting arms. All this served as a relief for a period ; but unfortunately it was not permanent. In March, 1886, the entire typrewriter interest was sold, as above stated, and a part of the works leased in which to continue manufacture. This action preceded the failure of the company only a few weeks, and in April A. N. Russell and Addison Brill, both prominent business men of Ilion, were appoint- ed receivers of the company. They immediately assumed charge of the works and took an inventory as soon as practicable. Their re- port was ready in June. Under order of the court they operated the works until 1888. In October, 1887, they were given an order to sell the works at auction, and the first sale was made in February, 1888, the gun department being sold to Hartley & Graham, of New York, for $152,000. This sale included the armory plant and all the goods in process of completion. The sale was not approved by the court, and a second took place in March, 1888, under which the same firm paid $200,000 for the same property. This firm organized the Rem- ington Arms Company, with Marcellus Hartley as president; Thomas G. Bennett, vice-president; W.W.Reynolds, secretary; Wilfred Hart- ley, treasurer. About 500 hands are now employed in these works, and new lines of manufacture have been added which have greatly in- creased the magnitude of the establishment, particularly the Reming- ton bicycle, which is now occupying a prominent place among the vari- ous styles of popular wheels. The agricultural works were formerly a co-partnership carried on by Philo and Eliphalet Remington. Charles Harter was made assignee of this establishment and it was sold at auction in the summer of 1887, passing afterwards by lease to the typewriter firm, which has recently become incorporated and purchased the property, while one depart- ment of the original agricultural works is now carried on by A. M. Ross & Co., who make a variety of implements and employ about 80 hands. In the typewriter works about 600 hands are employed and nearly 20,000 machines are made annually. These large industries are of great benefit to the village. 208 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. The Ilion Manufacturing Company was organized in 1886, for the manufacture of knit goods. The building and machinery have recently been leased to the Ilion Knitting Company. About 80 hands are employed, and the product comprises ladies' and men's underwear. The business now conducted by A. N. Russell & Sons was established by Brill & Russell in 1 871, on the site of the present plant. S. T. Rus- sell joined the firm in 1880, the style being changed to Brill, Russell & Co. In 1882 George Russell became a member of the firm and the name was changed to A. N. Russell & Sons. A very large lumber trade is carried on, and also the manufacture of sash, doors, blinds, gen- eral interior finishing and boxes. About 40 hands are employed. Frederick Coleman has been connected with carriage manufacturing in Ilion since 1875, when he began in a small way. In 1889 the Cole- man Carriage and Wagon Company was organized as a corporation, since which time large factories have been built. Carriages and sleighs of high grade are made, and 75 hands employed. Thomas Richard- son, president; Charles Harter, vice-president; A. N. Russell, secre- tary; Frederick Coleman, treasurer and general manager. The first newspaper in Ilion was the Ilion Indepe7ide7it, which was es- tablished by George W. Bungay in 1855. The proprietor, who in later years acquired considerable reputation as a poet and a lecturer, and died in 1892, was induced to come to the village and start a paper by the Remingtons. Poets are not necessarily good editors and managers, and the Independent was not very successful. In 1858 it was removed to Utica, its title changed to the Central Independent, and subsequently it was merged in the Utica Herald. In the year last named, and after the departure of the Independent, the Remingtons again took steps to secure for the place the publication of a newspaper, and S. B. Loomis became the editor and nominal proprietor. The paper was Republican in character and was called the Loyal Citizen. It probably did not pay financially, at least for a period, but received the necessary support from the Remingtons, who employed various persons to take the active man- agement of the establishment. Subsequently the name of the paper was changed to the Ilion Citizen, which it has since borne. In 1878 Rev. Albert E. Corse was editor of the journal, and C. D Rose busi- ness manager. TOWN OF GERMAN FLATS. 209 In 1884 the establishment was in possession of Weaver & Mead, and on the 1st of January, 1885, C. S. Munger purchased a half interest in tlie estabhshment and the firm style became Weaver & Munger. At the same time the Herkimer Citizen was founded by the firm and has continued to the present time. (See history of Herkimer village.) In the conduct of the two journals, George W. Weaver was in immediate charge of the Ilion branch, while Mr. Munger gave his attention to the Herkimer sheet. On the ist of January, 1889, Mr. Weaver retired and his interest was purchased jointly by A. T. Smith and F. E. Easton, who with Mr. Munger form the Citizen Publishing Company. The Citizen is at the present time a progressive, ably edited paper, and makes its influence felt throughout the county. The Ilion News was started March 21, 1889, by C. A. White. He sold out in 1891 to C. D. Munsel, the present publisher, under whose management the paper is gaining in reputation and circulation. Churches of Ilion. — Methodism in Ilion dates back to 1832, when Rev. John Ercanback, a preacher in charge of the Litchfield circuit, or- ganized the first class, consisting of John Hunt and wife, Mrs. Bolles, Mrs. Nathan Morgan, W. Norton, R. Hunt, and probably one or two others. John Hunt was the first class leader and at his house the first preaching was held. After that the school-house was used for services. In 1840 Ilion, together with Frankfort and Mohawk, was made a part of the Herkimer circuit ; Rev. C. H. Austin was the preacher in charge. In 1842 Rev. B. I. Diefendorf and Rev. J. Thomas were sent to Herki- mer circuit and in that year a union church was built by the Methodists and Universalists ; this was afterwards sold to the Baptists and still be- longs to them. In 1856 Frankfort and Ilion were made a separate cir- cuit, with Rev. A. M. Smith in charge; he was followed for two years by Rev. J. B. Ferguson, and one year by Rev. O. Squire. In i860 Ilion became a preaching station, having some sixty mem- bers and paying $400 preacher's salary. In 1862 the parsonage was built, Rev. J. F. Dayan, pastor. In 1 866 was built the First Metho- dist Church ; Rev. E. Horr (then a probationer in the Conference), pastor. In 1890 Mrs. Caroline Remington, in remembrance of her husband lately deceased, built and presented to the church the Reming- ton Memorial Chapel ; Rev. D. F. Pierce, pastor. The church has now 210 . HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. 465 members and thirty probationers and owns a church and parson- age property worth $35,000. The pastors of the church have been : 1860-61, D. B. White; 1862-63, J. F. Dayan ; 1864-66, E. Horr, jr.; 1867-6!). F. F. Jewel; 1870-72, M. S. Hard; 1873-74, T. B. Sliepherd; 1875-77, H. W. Bennett; 1878-80, G. M. Mead; 1881-83, W. H. Reese; 1884-80, S. O. Barnes; 1887-90, D. F. Pierce; 1891-92, R. E. King. Superintendent of Sunday-school, L. B. Walrath. The Baptist church (tinder title of the First Baptist Church of Ilion) was organized in April, 1865, but had been recognized by a council which met in the Union church in February preceding, and consisted of fifteen members. Rev. R. O. Broady was the first pastor. In 1869 the Union church building was purchased by the society and extensively remodeled, enlarged and refitted; it was dedicated on the 13th of May, 1869. Among the pastors who have served the church since the first are Revs. W. W. Jones, Judson Davis, James H. Andrews, L. Golden, Mr. Maxfield, Mr. Reeder, Mr. Merwin, A. B. Sears, who came in 1887, and Rev. A. M. Beggs, who came in 1890. The membership is about 250. Superintendent of Sunday-school, Frederick Coleman. First Presbyterian Church of Ilion. — At a meeting of the Presbytery of Utica, held at Little Falls January 16, 1871, Aaron Brown and A. H. Sumner appeared in behalf of residents of Ilion and asked to be or- ganized into a Presbyterian church. The request was granted and the following persons became members : Aaron Brown, A. H. Sumner, Mrs. Mandana A. Sumner, Rebecca Churchill, A. P. Redway, Mrs. Fannie Redway, Sarah A. Southworth," Helen Southworth, Eliza R. Hanson, George Newth, Mrs. Charlotte Newth, John Wake, Mrs. Mariette Wake, Thomas G. Hutchinson, H. Harper Benedict, Mrs. Marie Benedict, Sarah Robinfon, and E. Robinson. In the following November Rev. D. M. Rankin became pastor and continued until 1878. In October of that year Rev. A. F. Lyle was called ; he was succeeded in 1882 by Rev. M. E. Dunham, and he bj' Rev. W. C. Taylor, the present pastor, whose services began in October, 1888. In the spring of 1874 a lot was purchased on the corner of Morgan and Second streets for $4,500, and there the present handsome brick church was erected ; the entire property is worth about $40,000. The first elders of the church were Aaron Brown and A. H. Sumner. The deacons were George W. Newth and James Truax. The first TOWN OF GERMAN FLATS. 'ill trustees were A. M. Osgood, S. W. Skinner and Russel Perkins. The present trustees are F. O. Harter, J. K. Harris, A. H. Sumner, N. J- Newth, C. W. Carpenter, H. A. House, J. C. Truax. Elders, A. H. Sumner, N. J. Newth, J. K. Harris, F. O. Harter, Robert Watson. The church membership is 143. Church of the Annunciation. — In 1845 Rev. Father John McMenomy, a Roman CathoHc priest, established a mission at this place in connec- tion with missions at Mohawk, Frankfort and Herkimer. He was stationed at Little Falls and attended this mission from that place, con- tinuing to do so until 1856, when Rev. Father William Howard took charge of this missionary field. He lived in Mohawk the first year and preached in Varley Hall, in that village. In August, 1857, Father Howard purchased of Mr. J. P. Pelton, of Ilion, the house and lot, con- taining two and a half acres of land, upon which the church and par- sonage now stands, paying therefor $4,500. In April, 1868, he in- augurated measures for building a church edifice, and in August of the same year the present church was dedicated by J. J. Conroy, bishop of Albany, assisted by twelve priests. The buildings cost $14,000, and the property is at the present time worth $30,000 and is clear from debt. The membership comprises about 200 families. The station is now and has for many years been in charge of Rev. Father J. F. Hyland. The Catholic Parish of the Annunciation, including the villages and surrounding country of Herkimer, Mohawk, Ilion and Frankfort, was organized into a mission in 1867, by Rt. Rev. J. J. Conroy, with Rev. William Howard as first resident pastor. His assistants at different times were Revs. A. P. Ludden, J. F. Mullany and W. J. Smith. Owing to his zealous faith and untiring energy Father Howard was very successful in securing a suitable church, rectory and cemetery, and for the most part paying for them. His continued illness, and local business depression, induced him to retire to Herkimer in 1878. He was succeeded by Rev. J. F. Hyland. During his incumbency of four- teen years the church, cemetery and rectory have been enlarged and greatly improved. The debt also has been paid and there are a few thousand dollars in the treasury. Though Herkimer was severed from the mission in 1878, and Frank- fort in 1886, the church attendance has not decreased. '2l2 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. Rev. J. F. Hyland was the second child of a large family in the town of Hamilton, Madison county, N. Y. He graduated successively from the public schools there, Eastman's Commercial Business College, Poughkeepsie ; Niagara University, Suspension Bridge, and St. Joseph's Theological Seminary, Troy, where he was ordained in 1874. He was assistant pastor of St. John the Baptist's church, Syracuse, and St. Mary's, Amsterdam, and became pastor of the Church of the Annunciation, Ilion, in 1878. St. Augustine's Protestant Episcopal Church was incorporated on the 9th of August, 1869, with the following officers: Wardens, Floyd C. Shepard and John W. Newhouse; vestrymen. S. Bosworth Johnson, William Onyans, William R. Russell, David W. Vanderburgh, Richard Hard and George Rix. In August, 1869, Rev. Charles H. Lancaster was chosen rector, and was succeeded November i, 1871, by Rev. George H. Hepburn. Succeeding rectors have been Revs. C. F. A. Bielby, Edward M. Pecke, J. B. Hubbs, Edwin Armstrong, J. Dolby Skeene, S. M. Griswold, and the present rector. Rev. William Mason Cook, who came in 1888 There are 173 communicants in the church, and following are the wardens : F. C. Shepard, R. L. Winegar ; vestry- men, George P. Rix, T. J. Behan, George H. Barlow, George H. Dyett, Alfred Williamson, N. A. Hanchett, Walter C. Rix and Walter S. Baker. The present officers of the village of Ilion are as follows : President, Dr. A. J. Douglass; trustees, Seward Hakes, Harrington P. Whitney, M. L. Burke, John Van Gumster ; clerk, Z. E. Cooper; chief engineer of the fire department, M. M. Kane; chief of police, Daniel Foley. S. G. Heacock is postmaster. TOWN OF HERKIMER. CHAPTER XI. THE TOWN OF HERKIMER. WHEN the town of Herkimer was organized in 1788, it contained all that part of the county of Montgomery bounded northerly by the north bounds of the State; easterly by Palatine (then extending to the west bounds of the present town of Manheim) ; southerly by the Mohawk Riv- er, and westerly by a north and south line running across the Mohawk River at the fording place " near the house of William Cunningham, leaving the same house to the west of said line." This fixed the west line of the town on the present western limits of the county, north of the Mohawk, and covered the area now embraced in the towns of Fairfield, Little Falls, Newport, Norway, Ohio, Russia, Schuyler, and Wilmurt, besides a considerable portion of the northern part of the State outside of the present county line. These limits also embrace all that portion of the German Flats and Kingsland districts north of the Mohawk and east of the present westerly bounds of the county. The town as at present constituted is bounded on the north by New- port and Fairfield ; east by West Canada Creek and Little Falls ; south- erly by the Mohawk River, and westerly by Schuyler. The whole of Winne's and portions of Burnetsfield, Hasenclever's, Colden's and Wil- lett's patents, and some lots of the Royal Grant and Glen's purchase are in this town. The settlement of the territory included in this town has been alluded to in the early pages of this work. It will be remembered that the In- dian deed of Herkimer county lands was under date of 1721, and the land was afterwards secured to the settlers by the colonial patent under date of April 25, 1725. At that date the lands had been surveyed, num- bered and assigned to persons by name. One hundred acres were as- signed to each of the ninety-two persons named in the patent, on the north side of the river. In order to make an equal division of the flats surrounding the present village of Herkimer, thirty acres were as- signed to each person who did not secure intervale lands elsewhere on the 214 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. river. The thirty acres were designated as lowland, and to those who had the thirty acres each, were also assigned seventy acres of upland, called woodland in the patent; the thirty-acre lots and seventy- acre lots were designated by the same numbers, and in order to bring each of the seventy-acre lots near to its corresponding thirty-acre lot, the former were made about sixteen rods wide on the river, and almost two and one-half miles long. (See map, page 38.) The names of the Palatines who were to settle on the lots were certified to the surveyor- general and certificates issued to the settlers in the winter and spring of 1723. The certificate of the lot embracing the site of the village of Herkimer bears date March 28, 1723. This lot was assigned to Gertrude Petri, wife of Johan Jost Petri, and contained eighty- six acres. At the election of town officers in March, 1809, the following persons were chosen : For supervisor, Hen i-y Staring; town clerk, Melger Fols; assessors, Melger Fols, George Smith, Melger Tlmm ; collector, George Fols ; constables, George FoU, Adam Bauman; commissioners of highways, Peter F. Bellinger, John Demiitli, Jacob N. Weber; overseers of the poor, Henrv Staring, George Weber, jr., Michael Myers; overseers of highways, Marx Demuth, Philip Helmer, Adam Hartman, Hannes De- muth, Peter Weber, Philip Herter, Hannes H.\\ts. jr., Hannes Eiseman; pound- raasters, George AVeber, jr., Peter Barky, Hannes Demuth, Nicholas Hilts, Hannes Schell. From 1725 to the close of the Revolution the foregoing county his- tory comprises very little of general moment that did not take place in this town and German Flats. Fort Dayton was a small stockaded fort erected on the site of the village of Herkimer ^ and within its limits was included the land on which the Reformed church and the court-house now stand. ' Regarding the name o£ " Herkimer " as applied to this town, Gen. F. E. Spinner wrote in 1878 as follows : " The present nomenclature came about by a most singular misunderstanding between Hon. Simeon De Witt, then surveyor-general of the State, and Dr. William Petry, the maternal grandfather ot Judge Earl, of Herkimer. The doctor was one of the most intelligent of the set- tlers of the upper Mohawk valley, and having previously for several years been a member of the State Legislature, was sent to Poughkeepsie, where the Legislature then sat, in regard to the erection of new towns in the then county of Montgomery. This was in 1788. The names ot Ger- man Flats and Herkimer had been agreed upon, but the location of the two was not understood by the surveyor-general. That officer had his survey maps by patents before him. He asked the doctor as to the situation of each. Viewing the ground from his standpoint, below the mouth of the Mohawk, looking up that river, he answered that Herkimer was on the if/i and German Flats on the ri^/tt. The surveyor-general supposed that the doctor meant the right and left banks of the Mohawk as the river flowed ; so wrote the names on his map, and so the error was enacted into a TOWN OF HERKIMER. 215 Previous to the Revolution the German settlers looked upon the site of Herkimer village as desirable for a business center, as it rose grace- fully above the surrounding lands, and was early known as " the Stone Ridge." This site was embraced in lot 17, assigned, as we have said, to Gertrude Petri. On account of its desirable features for compact building, the settlers complained to some extent that it had been granted to one person. In consequence, Mrs. Petri, or members of her family, executed a deed dated July i, 1765, to forty-six of the Burnets- field lot owners, and the deed ran to those persons whether they were then dead or living, and conveyed sixty-two and three fourths acres lying southwardly from an east and west line running just north of the present Palmer House. Mrs. Petri retained the part of her lot lying north of this line, and there the court-house, the Reformed church, and other buildings now stand Little was done until after the Revolution towards making this site a center of close settlement. In 1793 steps were taken for the divi- sion of the tract into small lots, and Evans Wharry, Isaac Brayton, and Phineas Gates were the commissioners for the task. The strange proceeding was then witnessed of granting lots principally to dead persons and seventy years after the lots in the original patent had been assigned to them. The sixty-two and three-fourths acres were divided into two sections, the present Main street being the dividing line, and a street was run through each section parallel with Main street. They then laid out the land into half acre lots, bounding the same on the three streets that are now known as Main, Prospect and Washington streets, and making forty-six lots in each division. A map was made showing the numbers and positions of the lots, and the forty-six names were written on slips of paper and placed in a hat to be drawn out, the first drawing being written on lot No. i, and so on through the whole list. Each person, dead or alive, whose name was read in the proceed- ings, was assigned two lots of the same number, one in each division. Nicholas Feller, who received lots No. 4, was dead before the deed was executed by which the sixty-two and three- fourths acres were granted. law, and the reversal of the names was not known until too late, and so they have remained ever since. The old and true German Flats, which are situate in the angle formed by the confluence of the Mohawk with the West Canada Creek, were by thisj mistake placed on the opposite side of the Mohawk, and Fort Herkimer was oarrried by force of law to the German Flats." 216 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. John Jost Herkimer was assigned lots 45, and he, too, was dead long before the division was made; and the same might be said of most of the others. It is under this partition that titles to the village lots have since been held. The title to the portion of the Stone Ridge retained by Mrs. Petri, with the exception of the acre belonging to the Reformed churcl), passed into the hands of Gen. Michael Myers soon after the Revolutionary War, and from him the title to all that part of the village site is held, including the title to the land on which the county build- ings stand. The original map made by the commissioners contains the following names of those who received lots, given with the original spelling : Mary Catharine Coen, Lodwick Richet, Jurgh Dox.stater, John Adam Staring, Michael Edick, Johonas Pownrad, Adam Michael Smith, Nicholas Woolver, John Vanderline, Wendriclv Myer, John Jurfrh Smith, John Casler, Johona.s Bellinger, Law- rence Harder, Nicholas Staring, Lendert Helmer, Lodwick 'Pears, Godfrey Reele, Jacob Weaver, Dedrick Tamouth, Christian Felmer, John Jost Herkimer, Hendrick Orendorf, Nicholas Wever, Johonas Miller, Frederick Bellinger, John Jurgh Kast, jr., Peter Bellinger, Rodolph Korsing, Jurgh Herkheimer, John Michael Edigh, Widow M. Folts, Hendrick Spoon, John Jost Petrie, Peter Spier, Johonas Boar- man, Thomas Shoemaker, Philip Helmer, Conradt Richet, John Adam Helmer, Frederick Staring, Anna Catharine Land, Nicholas Feller, John Adam Bowman, .Johan Jurgh Kast, Johanas Hess. It need hardly be stated that numerous descendants of these families are still living in the town of Herkimer and in other parts of the county. Here and on the opposite side of the river on the flats the settlers had, before the outbreak of the French and Indian war, made for them- selves comfortable homes, built mills and churches, and were living in contented peace. The building of the stone church and a mill south of the river is described in the preceding history of the town of German Flats ; these were the first in the present limits of the county. Then followed the erection of the church on the site of the Reformed church in Herkimer village, described a little further on. A grist- mill that was burned in the invasion of November, 1757, was situated about half a mile north of the turnpike, near the residence of George W. Pine, on lands of the late Hon. I'rederick P. Bellinger. This mill was built shortly after the year 1733 by Jacob Weber, to whom was assigned lot No. 10 in the TOWN OF HERKIMER. 217 patent on the north side of the river. He bought, July 2, 1733, an acre of land in lot No. 11, adjoining his lot, to make with his lot a con- venient mill site. In 1769 Dr. William Petry, then a prominent and leading German in the valley, took a bond from Jacob Weber and his son, George Jacob Weber, for a deed of this mill site. The condition in that bond shows that it was the site of a former mill, and is as fol- lows : The condition of this obligation is such that if the above bounden George Jacob Weber and Jacob Weber, Senior, their heirs, executors, administrators, or any of them, do will and truly deliver for the first of Jacob Weber, Senior, one acre of land in the clove of Christnian's mill Kill, and in Frederick Reegle's House place, where the oldmill was, and then together out of their own House place near by above this acre the land lying on the same Kill from one hill to the opposite one when he finds necessary for the use of a mill unto said William Petry, etc.l This extract shows that there was a mill on this site before the burning of 1757. It was one of the grist-mills mentioned in the ac- count of that disastrous event. There is a tradition that John Christ- man had a mill, probably a saw- mill, on this creek. On the site men- tioned in the bond above referred to, Dr. William Petry erected a grist- mill, a potashery, dwelling house and other buildings. These were all burned at the time of Brant's invasion in 1778. The following petition throws light upon the history of Fort Dayton (Herkimer), after the Revolution, and indicates that the Legislature gave some needed relief to poor widows whose husbands were killed in the war: To the Honorable the Legislature of the State of New Fork our humble petition sheweth : We the subscribers humbly beg to take in consideration our poor circumstances, it has been pleased to grant ten of the poor widows occasioned by the enemy, the Legis- lature by the session of last spring, some provision where Peter Tygert, Esq., should have the charge of, we never have got anything yet until this moment, and have spended the chief parts of our clothes and effects for the maintenance of our farailys. We therefore humbly beg to order this provision to be issued to us by Peter Tygert, Esq., to be forwarded so that we may in our distress be supported. Then further, since the petition of us has been grant four other families have shared the same fate with us and Catharine Demood, Anna Colsh, Catharine Reigel and Anna Lents, where two of their husbands had been killed and two taken prisoners. 1 Samuel Earl's papers. 28 218 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. So we humbly beg to grant us some support wberefore we shall ever pray and call ourselCs your honours' most obedient humble servants. Fort Dayton, March .'id, 1787. Elizabeth Ayres, Catharine Rinhill, Catharine Demood, Stbilla Dinis, Eva Keller, Anna Colsh, Ijertrand Steinway, Margareth Olementz, Catharine Reigel, Maria Skikk, Susan Otd, Anna Lentz, Maroareth Brown, Magdalein Snek.' Nicholas Feller, who has already been mentioned as receiving a lot in the division under Gertrude Petry's deed, and who also had posses- sion of a tract in German Flats, was assigned lot No. 7, lowland and up- land, on the north side of the river. The upland lot was, according to the late Samuel Earl, " the house place and is the next lot cast of the paper-mill in the village of Herkimer. There he lived and died. He made his will in 1734, one of the witnesses to which was John Jost Petri, his nearest neighbor, then living on the adjoining lot No. 8, whereon stands the paper-mill of Messrs. Miller & Churchill. In his will he gives his lot to his daughter, Maria Elizabeth, wife of George Hilts. The lot was afterwards owned by George Hilts's son, Nicholas Hilts, and he was succeeded by his son, George Hilts, who died in 1857." This is one of the few lots that remained in possession of descendants of the original holder until very recent years. Another lot that may be men- tioned as remaining in the family during a number of succeeding gener- ations was that of the Doxtaders, about a mile west of the court-house on the turnpike, lot No. 20. On this lot John Doxtader, father of Frede- rick, was wounded by the Indians in August, 17S0, while at work with his brothers on the lowlands near the river. Frederick Doxtader lived to a great age, and the lot passed to his daughter, wife of Alexander M. Gray, who occupied it. Before the War of the Revolution Dr. William Petry- purchased lot No. 1 1, lowland and upland. On the southerly end of the upland stands the Samuel Earl homestead, which is still in possession of the family. William Smith, also, still occupies the home of his ancestors. Members of the Smith and Shell families occupied until recent years the farms on ' Samuel Earl's papers. ' For sketch of Dr. Petry see Chapter on the Medical Profession, TOWN OF HERKIMER. 219 the east side of the West Canada Creek where their ancestors lived and died. The original Jacob Wever drew lot No. lo in the Burnetsfield assign- ment ; the upland lot, upon which he settled and lived, is at the head of Main street, in the village. After his death it passed to his sons, Peter and George Jacob, the latter getting the western half This land remained with members of the family until recent years. The emigration into the county after the Revolution took place chiefly between 1785 and 1800, and consisted largely of shrewd New Eng- landers. Between this Yankee element and the German settlers there was considerable rivalry and antagonism for some years, but ultimately the former became dominant, and the Germans gradually relinquished the conduct of affairs and supremacy in manufacturing and commercial matters. Brief sketches of a few of the settlers follow : Henry Ellison came into Herkimer soon after the county was created and settled on the West Canada Creek, some miles north of the village, where he engaged in farming and tanning. He was an intelligent, pro- gressive man and occupied several positions of trust ; was presidential elector in 1836, and held minor offices. He died at his home leaving an ample estate to his posterity. Dan Chapman was a native of Connecticut and came into the county at an early period, settling at the Stone Ridge in the village, where he engaged in mercantile pursuits and afterwards adopted the legal pro- fession He was admitted to the bar previous to 1804, was appointed surrogate in 1803, re-appointed in 1808, and held the office until 1816. He removed to Oneida county about 1820. Joab Griswold settled at Herkimer village, coming from Connecticut, his native State, early in the history of this county. He was an active politician and for his services in the Federal party was given the office of county clerk in March, 1798, which he held six years. Although a lawyer by profession, Mr. Griswold followed farming while he lived at Herkimer. Some of his descendants lived in Herkimer many years after the death of their ancestor. Elihu Griswold was a member of the medical profession, but did not follow it after he settled in Herkimer before the beginning of the pres- ent century. He was appointed county clerk in April, 1804, and held 220 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. the office six years; was superseded, but reappointed in i8ll and held the office until his death in i8i2. He was succeeded by hisson-in law, Aaron Hackley, jr. Mr. Griswold was born in Herkimer August 17, 1756, and Idied here January 12, 1812. He was educated and accom- plished ; a man of energy of character, courteous, generous and social. Philo M. Hackley was a native of Connecticut, and came with his father, Aaron Hackley, to the town of Salisbury in 1795. Philo re- moved within a few years to Herkimer village and engaged in mercan- tile operations, which he continued nearly twenty years. He was an honorable and high-minded man ; was a Federalist in politics and be- longed to that energetic and " talented body of men who early estab- lished themselves at the county seat, and during several years exerted a potent influence in the county." ^ He was appointed surrogate of the county in 1807, but a political revolution displaced him in the following year; was appointed sheriff in 1810, but another change re- moved him from that office. At the spring election of 18 19 he was chosen member of Assembly, with James Orton and Jacob Markel!, " three old fashioned and highly respected Federalists." Mr. Hackley lived several years in Little Falls and died in Michigan, whither he had removed. Henry Hopkins was one of the early merchants of Herkimer. He came hither at an early day; was appointed sheriff in 18 13, held the office two years, and in 1815 was elected to the Assembly; was a can- didate in 1816, but was defeated. He died at Herkimer in 1827. Michael Myers has been mentioned in connection with the history of this town. He was a native of New Jersey, and of German descent. He was not of the original Palatine emigrants, but his ancestors may have been among those who came here in 1722. He was wounded at Johnstown in 1781, and was then about twenty-eight years of age. Upon the organization of the county courts he was appointed one of the judges and a justice of the peace in February, 1791, and was sev- eral times reappointed ; was elected the first member of Assembly after the erection of the county and re- elected the following year. He was elected to the Senate in 1795 and served four years, and was for many years a prominent and influential politician in Herkimer county. ' Judge Benton's writings. TOWN OF HERKIMER. 221 He was a man of great energy and acquired a large fortune. He died at Herkimer February 17, 18 14, at the age of sixty-one years, leaving numerous descendants. Peter M. Myers, appointed county clerk in 1 8 10, was a son, and he also left descendants in the county. Ephraim Snow lived and died at Herkimer village. He came from Connecticut some time before 1800 ; was appointed sheriff in 1806 and held the office only one year. He was a respected citizen. Chauncey Woodruff was a Herkimer merchant for many years. He was appointed sheriff of the county after its erection, under date of March 19, 1798, and held the office by reappointment until 1802. He died in Herkimer in 1810. Sketches of many other residents of the town will be found in cliap- ters relating to the legal and medical professions. For a few years succeeding the opening of the Erie Canal the out- look for growth in the village and town of Herkimer was not very promising ; but a few years later, when the Utica and Schenectady Railroad passed directly through the village, and the construction of the hydraulic canal was consummated, Herkimer seemed destined to take its proper place as one of the leading towns of Central New York. The farming community promptly and energetically entered upon the dairy industry and soon placed the town well up among the foremost in the manufacture of cheese and butter. The opening of the Herkimer and Poland Narrow Gauge Railroad in 1 88 1 brought down to the village a considerable volume of northern trade, adding its strength to the welfare of the village ; and this road, now just transformed into a first class railroad, extending directly across the northern part of the State, is surely destined to add greatly to the wealth and growth of this town and village. Following is a list of supervisors of Herkimer, with date of their incumbency : Henry Staring, 1789, '90; John Porteous, 1791-95; Chauncey Woodrufi, 1796, '97; Jacob Griswold, 1798; John Meyer, 1799, 1800 ; Matthias B. Talmadge, 1801 ; Evans Wharry, 1802, '03 ; Ellihu Griswold, 1804, '05 ; Jost D. Petrie, 1806-09, 1816 ; Eben Britton, 1810; John McCombs, 1811-13 ; Winsor Manard, 1814, '15; Philo M. Hack- ley, 1817-19; Jacob Small, 1820-25; Jacob N. Petrie, 1826, '27; Frederick P. Bell- inger, 1828-32, 1835, 1848; James B. Hunt, 1833, '34; Aaron Hackley, 1836, '37; Nicholas Smith, 1838; Frederick Dockstader, 1839; Ezra Graves, 1840, '41 ; Alex- 222 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. anderM. Gray, 1842, '43, 1862-66; Peter C. Helmer. 1844; Robert Ethridge, 1845, '40; E. H. Williams, 1847; Robert Earl, 1849, 1861 ; Frederick A. Helmer, 1850, '51; Peter Countryman, 1852 ; John D. Spinner, 1853 ; Charles Spmner, 1854-58 ; Marcus W. Rasbach, 18G9, 1881-83, 1891 ; James A. Suiter, 1860, 1872; William Smith, 1867, '68; C. C. Witherstine, 1869-71, 1878; Erwin A. Munson, 1873; George P. Folts, 1874; Clinton Beckwith, 1875; George W. Smith, 1876; Joab Small, 1877; Henry AlDeimel, 1879, '80, 1885; J. Horatio Huyck, 1884; Lewis B. Jones, 1886, '87; Adam J.Smith, 1888, '89: WiUiam B. Howell, 1890; William Horrocks, 1892. THE VILLAGE OF HERKIMER. The village of Herkimer is the oldest in the county, and was incor- porated April 6, 1807, Geneva, Cooperstown and Utica then being the only villages west of Herkimer, and the two former antedated Herki- mer by only a few days. The population at the date of incorporation was probably about 300. In 1820 it was 547 ; in 1872, 2,000, and at the present time about 4,000. The village records as they exist at present begin at the year 1841, since which time the following presidents have been chosen : 1841-44, C. Kathern; 1845, Ezra Graves; 1846, Peter F. Bellinger; 1847, Christian F. Spinner; 1848-50, C. A. Burton; 1851, '52, A. H. Laflin ; 1853, Charles Spinner; 1854, J. D. Spinner; 1855, A. M. Gray; 1856-8. George W. Pine ; 1859, Samuel Earl ; 1860, George W. Pine ; 1861. Byron Laflin ; 1862, '63, Wm. H. Barter ; 1864, B. Laflin ; 1865, Robert Earl; 1866, William Smith; 1867, Jeremiah L. Haner; 1868, D. J. Curtiss: 1869, George W. Pine; 1870, J. G. Bellinger; 1871, George P. Folts; 1872, J. D. Spinner; 1873, William Smith ; 1874, D. M. Devendorf ; 1875, A. T. Freeman ; 1876, J. D. Henderson ; 1877, Clinton Beckwith ; 1878, 79, H. M. P. Uhlee ; 1880, C. R. Snell; 1881, Clinton Beckwith; 1882, J. H. Huyck; 1883, J. D. Henderson; 1884, '89, Harvey Huyck; 1886, John D. Moore; 1887, Wm. B. Howell ; 1888, Charles G. Grosve- nor; 1889, L. B. Jones; 1890, '91, A. B. Steele; 1892, William Witherstine. In the year 1841 the village was small and few improvements had been made. There were no sidewalks, or almost none, except gravel, and the streets were mere graded roads. In that year $1 1.50 was paid for rental of the lot on which the engine-house stood. But the village had a brass band in those days, and a subscription paper is on record in 1842, showing that more than $150 was subscribed for the purchase of instruments. From about 1850 onward improvements in streets and sidewalks and the opening of new streets progressed rapidly. The usual provisions were made in early years for protection from fire, in which all citizens were required to share ; but it was not until TOWN OF HERKIMER. 223 one or two destructive fires occurred that thorough effort was made for the organization and eqiupment of a company. Those fires were the one of 1834, which destroyed the old Reformed church, the court- house and other structures, and that in 1838, which burned nearly all of the north half of the block where now stands the Waverly Hotel and the opera-house. In early years all owners of buildings were re- quired to keep a certain number of buckets on their premises, the num- ber based upon the size and height of the buildings. It is not now known just when the first engine was provided ; but a new one was purchased on June i, 1841, and among those who soon afterward were made firemen were the following: James Trumbly, Henry Clark, David Weber, Asa G. Kelsey, William Howell, jr., Michael SchafFner, jr., Gideon Dodge. Albert Webb, James A. Suiter, David P. Crosby, Philander A. Ford, Jeremiah Petrie and Charles W. Swift. A few months later the following were constituted Fire Company No. i: George Lake, Harvey Huyck, Gaylord Griswold, Philander A. Ford, Charles H. Hopkins, Gideon Dodge, Thomas Fetterly, Henry Clark, James Trumbly, Christian F. Spinner, Asa G. Kelsey, John P. De GraflT, Warren Caswell, jr., Benjamin Harter, Jeremiah Petrie, William Look, David Weber, William F. Hayes, Franklin Draper, Charles W. Swift, William Howell, jr., Alonzo B. Benedict, William F. Smith and Humphrey Williams, jr. At the next meeting of the trustees the following persons were ap- pointed firemen to Engine Company No. 2, viz. : Alexander M. Gray, Charles Spinner, James Hoffman, Peter L Lepper, Hubbard H. Morgan, Smith Colyer, Grant Davis, Albert S. Howell, Alonzo Hall, Henry Shaw, James Dolan, Hiram Campbell, George M. Harter, Charles Smith, David Bowers, John Bowers, Samuel Earl, Harvey H. Lewis, William Weber, Late in the same year a hook and ladder company was formed, of which the first members were : Nathan Esterbrooks, Joseph Bowers, Kellogg Hubbard, Willard A. Gray, Alfred P. Peck, Frederick A. Helmer, William A. Caswell, Peter F. Bellinger, John Vincent, Mark Batchelder, and William B. Houghton. There was a reorganization of the department in 1866, and $300 were raised " for equipping the late reorganized fire department." Under the stimulus of a destructive fire in 1S75, the department was again re- organized and steps taken to purchase a steam fire engine. Previous 224 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. to this time and for many j-ears, the "Conqueror" engine and com- pany had served the village and was the only company^here. After the great fire this company was reorganized with the other changes, and it continued in active service until a few years since, when the completion of the public waterworks rendered it comparatively useless, and the company was disbanded. The steamer purchased in 1876 was of the Button make and has proved in the eflficient hands of the company one of the most powerful machines ever built. It is called Fort Dayton Steamer No. 2. The first officers of the company were : Isaac Mason, foreman; Joseph Palmer, first assistant foreman; W. H. Wilson, sec- ond assistant foreman; L. A. Lawton, secretary; H. A. Marckres, treasurer; H. M Qnackenbush, engineer. This steamer has for three years past held the state championship. The present officers of the company are as follow : Byron D. Small, foreman ; Charles P. Warburton, first assistant foreman ; Jacob Ackler, second assistant foreman; Edward Small, president; Thomas H. Allen, vice- president ; Albert Putnam, .secretary ; Albert Ertman, treasurer. Active Hook and Ladder company (now Excelsior) was first organ- ized July 28, 1874, with the following charter members: W. C. Stewart, J. V. Mallery, Charles A. Paul, William W. Barse, John H. Dresher, M. M. Draper, Howard C. Harter, James A. Clark, and John D. Moore. The officers were: Charles A. Paul, foreman; John H. Dresher, first assistant; Howard C. Harter, second assistant; W. C. Stewart, secretary; John D.Moore, treasurer. After organization the company removed to the old Conqueror (now Fort Dayton) engine-house and took charge of the old hand engine, continuing in that capacity until 1875, when they dropped the name of Active Engine Company No. 2, and took the name of Active Hose Company. In June, 1877, a hook and ladder truck was purchased and placed in their charge. The present officers of the company are : President, William Witherstine ; vice-president, William H. Whitmore; foreman, John D. Moore ; first assistant foreman, George W. Nellis, jr. ; second assistant fore- man, John Bowman; secretary, Thomas A. Byrnes; financial secretary, Irving Lynch; treasurer, William G. Smith. Fort Dayton Hose Company No. 2 was organized September 22, 1875, when the steamer was purchased, and was incorporated Decem- ber 7, 1875. The first officers were : TOWN OF HERKIMER. 225 Foreman, George Susholz; first assistant, E. A. Brown; second assistant, A. B. Steele; secretary, W. C. Prescott; treasurer, W. C. Stewart. Tlie company now consists of twenty-eight members, and has the following officers : Thomas W. Grosvenor, foreman ; W. H. Bencliley, first assistant; M. A. Deimel, second assistant ; Cliarles W. Prescott, secretary ; Glen P. Munson, treasurer. The public supply of water to the village is owned and controlled by the village authorities and consists (1892) of fifty- two driven wells, from which pure and wholesome water is pumped and supplied in pipes by the Holly system. The supply was installed in 1888, at a cost of over $60,000. The money was raised on bonds of the village. For a considerable period after the close of the late war Herkimer village was especially progressive. New streets were rapidly opened, sidewalks multiplied, the fire department, as before explained, was in- creased, and general extension and prosperity prevailed. In 1875 the village adopted the act of 1870 for the incorporation of villages, giving the authorities broader powers. The police force as at present consti- tuted was organized in 1887, with Sylvester Wilson as chief He was succeeded by the present official, John T. Manion. There are two uni- formed patrolmen. The receipts from the various funds for the year ending March i, 1892, were as follows: Ordinary fund, $8,013.73; highway fund, $6,(59.42 ; electric light (on hand February 18), $1,885 H ! police and fire, $5,721.78 — a total of $21,780.04. The village has no debt, ex- cepting the bonds for water and lights. Following are the village officers for 1892 : President, William Witherstine ; trustees, J. D. Moore, Lewis Turnier, Jacob G. Bellinger, James H. Walrad, Robert Barl 2d, C. D. West. Police Justice, E. B. Mitchell. Marshal Rice, chief of fire department. Police and Fire Commissioners, Charles Bell, Dr. Cyrus Kay, W. P. Munson, C. R. Snell. C. C. Spinner is secretary, and W. I. Taber, treasurer of the Light and Water Commis- sion. THE CHURCHES OF HERKIMER. It is not known precisely when the first church was built on the north side of the river in the limits of this county ; but it was previous to 1757. The stone church on the south side was already erected, as 29 226 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. appears in the history of tlie town of German Flats. "Although at that time the inhabitants in this valley were few and could not have ex- ceeded eight or ten hundred on both sides of the river, yet there were good reasons for having two church edifices. At times, and especially in the spring of the year, it was impossible for the people to go from one side of the river to the other, on account of the floods, and as the people were a church- going people, there was a necessity for a place of worship on both sides, so that at such times as they could not all meet at one place, they could meet in separate places for worship. And in the absence of their clergyman, some one of the congregation would read service. Dr. William Petry was often called upon to do this, and so was John Christian Shell, the hero of Shell's Bush and the Chevalier Bayard among the people. In the absence of the clergyman it is said that Dr. Petry published his own bans. He was married in 1766."' The ample evidence of the existence of the church on the north side of the river, and where the present Reformed church now stands, on Main street, exists in the following old German document (translated by the late John P. Spinner) which reads as follows : " Germanflats, August 20, 1770. I, on the end undersigned, testify hereby that I have given an acre of land for a High Dutch Reformed church on the stone ridge ; but whereas, the church, with all its writings, in the devastation of this place by the Indians anno 1757, in an unfortunate manner has been burned away; and whereas, I have this land wherein this acre lies transferred to my son, Dietrich, and the same likewise did precede me to eternity, I John Jost Petrie, testify that the oldest son of the deceased Dietrich must give other writings as soon as the same comes to his years, and a new church, with my consent, on the same acre of land build again. Such do I attest with my own hand and seal. his John Jost x Petkie. [l. s.] In presence mark Marcus Pptrie. This first church in the village was burned in 1757 and another built on the same site. 2 The latter was burned in 1834, and the present brick edifice erected on the site. ■ Samuel Earl's writings, 1876. '^ The great difference between the social habits of that early period and those of the present are shown in the toUowing account rendered by a committee appointed by the church to go to Albany and transact some business in lyg; : TOWN OF HERKIMER. 227 Important clianges took place in this church during the ministry of Rev. John P. Spinner (1801-1841), owing largely to the gradual acces- sions to the Yankee element in the population. "The New England influence was asserting itself, and presently a style of doctrine and a form of worship were required that should be more in accord with New England, or perhaps we should say, with American ideas. To the descendants of the Puritans and to those in general who came of English stock, and who were beginning now to settle here and else- where throughout the county in considerable numbers, the German service and the prevailing customs and usages of the German people were not at all congenial. Besides, the English language was coming more and more into general use, so that some change in the manage- ment or at least in the mode of conducting ecclesiastical affairs, was rendered necessary by the changed condition of the church and of the community. Add to this the fact of Mr. Spinner's opposition to new men and measures and the feeling of estrangement which had sprung up to some extent from other causes, even among his old German parishioners, and the result may be easily accounted for In 1827 the old pastor was led through stress of circumstances to abandon his pul- pit for a time and maintain himself in some other way than by the ministrations of the gospel." ^ Mr. Spinner's absence at length attracted the attention of the classis, and he was cited before that body, where he was exonerated from blame in the matter. The resolutions of the classis were accompanied by wholesome advice to both pastor and people, and the church work was soon resumed. But strange to say it was soon afterwards resolved by the consistory that a subscription paper be cir- 1797- Feb'y 7— To liquors at different places, £><^ 4 o 8 Paid John Fonday for 3 sup., 3 quarts cider, 3 lodgings & ^ gill gin o lo 6 9 Paid Johnson, Schenectady, i grog, i lodging, i supper, i glass bitters, 7 I 6 and stage to Albany S I o 15 o To and in Albany, 2 dinners, I glass punch - o g o To cash paid Barber the printer 3 .^ o To cash paid Myers for getting the papers from New York 080 From loth to 16th included, to sundries in liquors 080 To 7X day's boarding and liquors at Crane's, in Albany, as per receipt.. 5 11 o To bread and cheese for on the way home, 2 I. Liquors to Schenectady 046 At Alsober's, .Schenectady, for liquors and lodgings 030 To expenses in liquors from Schenectady to home 070 J History of the Reformed church at Herkimer, by Rev. H. M. Co.x. ^28 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COtJNTlf. f culated for the support, not only of Rev. Mr. Spinner, but also of tlie Rev. Henrj M. Snyder. (Mr. Snyder had preached in the pulpit dur- ing part of the absence of Mr. Spinner, and was not in favor with the latter.) In other words, an effort was to be made to unite the German and the English speaking elements in one congregation. This action was taken in 1830. Prior to that, however, a second Reformed church had been organized, with the view of meeting the needs of that portion of the community that could not understand the German tongue. It was incorpo- rated August 21, 1824, un- der the title of " Tlie Uni- ted Dutch Church of Herki- mer and German Flats." This society existed until 1833, and was served during that period by Revs. Sam- uel Center, Isaac S. Ketch- um, J. Boyd, J. Morris and J H. Pitcher. After the burning of the church in 1834 the congre- gation worshiped about a year in the village school- house, while the present building was in course of erection. The first sale of ^ I pews in the new church oc- . curred on February 5, 1835 ; _ . . j, I'.vRNKD Jan. 25, 1S34. ■' -" -'-' ' but the church soon found itself in straitened circumstances, while the old controversies w^hich had led to the organization of the second church continued to come to the surface. This led to a kind of reorganization and active efforts to re- lieve and preserve the church. Many members of the disbanded society ,£EfcEir TOWN OF HERKIMER. 229 pledged their co-operation to the new movement, which included a provision for employing a second minister to preach in the English language. The result was the engagement of Rev. James Murphy, then of Manheim, who remained as colleague of Mr. Spinner from 1837 to 1842. During his pastorate, which continued alone after 1842 until 1849, the church was furnished, a bell purchased, and other improve- ments made. In 1838 the church officers resolved to erect a consist- ory house to cost $250. This amount proving insufficient, $400 were expended for the purpose and the building was erected. After four years of experience with the two pastors it was seen that the expense was more than the members could bear, and steps were taken to make a change. This was opposed by Mr. Spinner. At the same time negotiations were opened for a dissolution of the relations which had so long existed between the churches at Herkimer and German Flats, which was accomplished on the 26th of April, 1841. After that date Mr. Spinner confined his attention almost wholly to the church at Fort Herkimer. " In 1875 the interior of the church building was remodeled at an ex- pense of about $7,000, and we owe it mainly to the enterprise and liberality of Mr. Consaul that the money for that purpose was obtained and the work accomplished which has ever since afforded so much com- fort and satisfaction to those who worship within these courts."^ The Reformed church is now in a prosperous condition, with a thriving Sunday school. Following is a list of its pastors with the dates showing their terms of service : Rev. Abraham Rosekrants, 1765-9G; Rev. D. Christian A. Pick, 1798-1800; Rev. John Peter Spinner, 1801-41 ; Rev. James Murphey, D. D., 1837-42 as colleague of Mr. Spinner, and 1843-49; Rev. Cornelius S. Mead, 1849-59; Rev. Hugh Brodie Gard- ner, 1860-64 ; Rev. Jeremiah Petrie, 1864-68, as stated supply ; Rev. Gansevoort D. W. Consaul, 1869-77 ; Rev. Ralph Watson Brokaw, 1877-82 ; Rev. Henry Miller Cox, 1882-91; Rev. John G. Gebhard, November, 1891. Following are the officers of the church : Elders. Henry Churchill, Clarence L. Avery, Abram S. Brush, Edwin B. Mitchell ; deacons, Clinton M. Batchelder, George Hessler, John Gettley, Charles H. Burrell, Charles B. Morris, George Henderson. ' Rev. Mr. Cox's history of the church. 230 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. Methodist Episcopal Church. — Methodism in Herkimer dates back to 1827, when the first class was formed by Revs. John Ercanback and Calvin Hawley, who were then preaching in the Herkimer circuit. In September, 1832, a legal organization was effected by the election of Abijah Osborne (one of the first members), Warren Caswell and W. Usher, as trustees. The name was " The Methodist Episcopal Church in the Village of Herkimer." This name was changed in 1865 to "The First Methodist Episcopal Church in the Village of Herkimer." The first permanent church edifice was built in 1839, at a cost of $1,300, and served its purpose until 1872, when a larger church be- came a necessity. The old house, corner of Washington and Green streets, was sold to the Catholics, and a building committee was ap- pointed consisting of Hon. Warner Miller, chairman ; Zenas Green, secretary ; George P. Folts, Charles Barse, lilisha Washburne, Berth- waite Patrick, Aaron Snell, Spellman Falk, and Joseph Folts. Under their direction and through the generous liberality of the people the present beautiful brick church was erected at a cost of $39,000. The corner-stone was laid in June, 1873, and the church was dedicated April 23, 1874. The following pastors have served the church : Joliii Ercanback and Calvin Hawley, 1827 and 1828; Jonathan Worthing and D. H. Kingsley, 1829; Jonathan Worthing and Earl Fuller, 1830; Henry Halslead, 1831: Allen H. Tilton and Darius Simons, 1832; J. Puffer, H. Chapin and B. Mason, 1833; H. Chapin, 1834; E. Wheeler, 1835 and 1836; E. Whipple, 1837 ; Charles H. Austin. 1838 and 1839; Franklin Hawkins and Stephen H. Fenton, 1840; Eleazer Whipjile and A. Blackman, 1841 ; George C. Woodruff, 1842 ; David Chidester and John Thomas, 1843; John Slee and R . Lewis, 1844 j John Slee, 1845; Jesse Penfield, 1S46 and 1847; James E. Downing, 1848 and 1849; EUjah Smith, 1850; Ward I. Hunt, 1851; D. Barnard. 1852; J. H. Lamb, 1853 and 1854 ; J. Billings, 1855; C. H. Austin, 1856 and 1857; James Wells, 1858 and 1859; B. L Diefendorf, 1860; Daniel Fulford, 1801 and 1862; S. E. Brown, 1863 and 1864; Charles Baldwin, 1865 and 1866 ; William Jones, 1867-69; Charles T. Moss, 1870 and 1871 ; W. R. Cobb, 1872 and 1873; W. F. Mark- ham, 1874-70; S. 0. Barnes, 1877 and 1878-9; W. Dempster Chase, 1880-82 ; Horace M. Danforth, 1882-85; Isaac S. Bingham, 1886-91; and Wm. C. Davidson, the present pastor. The church membership is nearly 500. In connection with this may be properly mentioned the " George P. Folts Training School, for home and foreign mission work," which is to some extent an outgrowth of this church. Through a generous gift of George P. Folts this school is founded at a cost of $45,000, and a hand- TOWN OF HERKIMER. 231 some building erected in 1892, for the accommodation of about forty students, a matron, servants, etc., with conveniences for boarding all the inmates. Tlie board of trustees is chosen by the Northern New York Conference, and the school is held by them in trust for the church. Tuition is free and members of any sect are admitted. Protestant Episcopal Church. — On the 26th of January, 1833, a meet- ing was held in the school-house and articles of incorporation signed for the organization of an Episcopal church in Herkimer. Andrew A. Bartow and Frederick Bellinger were chosen wardens, and John Brown, Robert Shoemaker, Elias Root, Ira Backus, Flavel Clark, James B. Hunt, Simeon Ford and James Ferman, vestrymen. The name of" St. Luke's Church, German Flats," was adopted. A futile attempt was made to erect a church at the Flats, between the two villages, and the society finally united with others in building a union church at Mohawk, which was subsequently transferred to the Presbyterians. Services were then begun in Herkimer and a new organization was substituted for the old one. On the 23d of March, 1839, a meeting was held, articles of incorporation were signed and the following officers chosen : Andrew A. Bartow and Matthew Myers, wardens ; Charles Kathern, Erwin A. Mun- son, Bloomfield Usher, Theodore A. Griswold, Benjamin Barter, Homer Caswell, An- son Hall and Robert Ethridge, vestrymen. The name adopted was " Christ's Church, Herkimer." Services were held for several years in the court-house, in the Methodist church and elsewhere. Land was secured and a beginning made to erect a church on the site of the Catholic church; but this was given up and a lot taken on the corner of Mary and Prospect streets. Here a corner- stone was laid by Bishop Onderdonk and a building partly erected ; but embarrassments again stopped the work. A new organization was effected February 20, 1854, at a meeting presided over by Rev. Owen P. Thackara. Byron Laflin and Samuel Earl were chosen wardens, and Hubbard H. Morgan, William Howell, jr., Benjamin F.Brooks, Beek- man Johnson, George \V. Thompson, Jacob Spooner, Charles Kathern, and Elkanah T. Cleland, vestrymen. The former title was retained and ground was purchased for a building on July 10, 1854, corner of Main and German streets. A contract was made with Alexander Underwood for the building of a chapel. The building was consecrated on the 4th 232 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. of October, 1855, by Rt. Rev. Horatio Potter, bishop of the diocese of New York, During this period the parish was under charge of Rev. O. P. Thaclora, a missionary for the section which embraced this locality. During the latter part of his charge he stationed Rev. I. N. Fairbanks over this parisli. Mr. Thackara established a large boarding and day school, with several teachers. In October, 1857, he resigned his charge of this district and shortly afterwards Mr. Fairbanks withdrew. The Rev. Marcus N. Perry was then engaged as minister and remained un- til October 10, 1858. There were then only thirteen communicants. On the 29th of November, 1858, the Rev. J. M. Hedges was called to the rectorship and remained until 1861, when he was succeeded on the 17th of March by Rev. Edward Pidsley. He resigned in the latter part of 1862, and Rev. Mr. Hedges, who then lived in Herkimer, offici- ated once in two weeks. In September, 1864, Rev. H. G. Wood became the rector and during his term of service a school- house and a rectory were built adjoining the church. March 8, 1871, Rev. J. D. Morrison was called to the church, and was succeeded in August, 1875, by Rev. William Bogert Walker, who remained until October, 1S84. The pres- ent rector. Rev. Charles C. Edwards, assumed charge of the parish January i, 1885. Soon after Mr. Edwards's installation a movement was started for the building of a new church. On the 1st of July, 1886, the lot on the corner of Main and Mary streets was purchased for $5,500. Active measures for raising funds were adopted and in August, 1888, the vestry ordered the erection of the present edifice after plans by R. W. Gibson, of New York. The corner-stone was laid October 1st, 1888, and the church was consecrated November 7, 1889. The rectory is a part of the church building. This is one of the finest small churches in Central New York and cost about $35,000, all of which has been paid. Its memorial windows are not surpassed anywhere, two of them costing about $2,500, while the interior arrangement of the building is a model of harmony and beauty. St. Francis de Sales Church. — In October, 1874, tlie Roman Catho- lic families of the town, numbering about thirty, joined in the purchase of the churcli building on Washington street, formerly occupied by the Methodists. It was dedicated on the 9th of June, 1875, ^y Rev. Francis TOWN OF HERKIMER. 233 McNierney, bishop of Albany, and given its present name. An addi- tion was made of forty-two feet in the rear in 1888, for the accommo- dation of the growing membership, which is now about 140 families. The parsonage was purchased in 1890. The founder of the church was Rev. William Howard, then of Ilion, who remained and faithfully worked for the upbuilding of his church until 1885, when he was suc- ceeded by the present pastor, Rev. J. H. Halpin. Under his effective administration the church is flourishing. First Baptist Church. — While for a great many years the Baptist sect was not numerous in Herkimer, yet there were representatives in the town who attended, as a rule, the church at Mohawk. In recent years the church at that village declined, which led to the organization of a society in Herkimer. This took place on the 17th of February, 1888, the persons organizing being Dr. E. G. Kern, Alonzo Rust, William Goodall, Edgar L. Jackson, and their wives, and Mrs. Mary Robinson and her daughter Electa. The first preaching was by George B. Lawson, as a supply, while he studied at Hamilton College. Nor- man Burd was ordained here and preached as the first regular pastor one year. The next pastor was Charles B. Alden, who preached one year, while continuing his college studies. The present pastor. Rev. W. D. Lukens, came to the church on the 1st of January, 1892. Pre- vious to the erection of the church the services were held in the court- house and the Y. M. C. A. rooms. The church was erected and dedi- cated on the 17th of February, 1890 Its value is about $5,000. The present deacons are A. Rust, William Goodall. Superintendent of the Sunday-school, E. G. Kern. The membership of the church is seventy- three. Free Methodist Church. — This society was organized in 1881, the first pastor being Rev. George Storer. Pastors who have since supplied the church have been the Revs. L. H. Robinson, D. J. Santmyre, Mr. Carpenter, L. H. Robinson, Mr. Warren, M. S. Babcock, G. S. Coons and T. C. Givens. The church is situated on Liberty street, and was erected in 1885. The church membership is fifty-two. Schools of Herkimer. — Little is known at the present time of the very early schools ; but intelligent readers are familiar with the general common school system of the State in early times, and the disad- iO 234 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. vantages surrounding tliose who attempted to secure even a simple English education. The first school in the village of Herkimer is said to have been taught by a man named Robinson. In the year 1836 the meager school accommodations became insufficient, and to meet the difficulty a brick school-house was erected on Washington street on the site of the present commodious and beautiful Union school building. This building served its purpose until 1878, when the present building was erected, at a cost, with its appurtenances, of $17,500. Previous to 1865 the schools were common district schools, but in that year the union free school system came into operation. In 1878, when the new building was first occupied, a graded school was established. Benjamin F. Miller was employed as principal, and the trustees were Zenas Green, Ward P. Munson, and Hienry Churchill. Seward D. Allen was principal from January, 1880, until H. R. Jolley assumed the position in 1882. He was succeeded by Erastus Crosby in 1884, and the present principal, A. G. Miller, came in 1887. In 1888 a new brick school building was erected in the south di- vision, corner of Smith and South Washington streets, at a cost of about $16,000. The first school was held there in September of that year. Two rooms are also leased in outside buildings for school purposes. The present board of trustees are, Ward P. Munson, president ; William Witherstine, and E B. Mitchell. Following are the names of the teachers for 1892 : High School, A. G. Miller, principal; Jean Du Bois, first assistant; Jessie A. Beach, second assistant. Grammar School, Margaret Lynch, Finette Bigelow. Intermediate Schools — North Division, Alice Baldwin, Clorinda Otis; South Division, Madge Tiiger. Primary Schools — North Division, Nellie Enos, Mary E. L3'nch, Nellie S. Kent ; South Division, Madge Burns, Emma Lansing, Lina 0. Holmes. Sadie Littlejohn and Frances Wilson are also primary teachers employed by the board. MANUFACTURES. We have already alluded to some of the early mills, asheries, etc., of Herkimer. Besides the usual shops of the blacksmith, the wagonmaker, the shoemaker, and the tinner, who were for many years to be found in most hamlets, there was very little manufacturing in the county for a long time after its settlement, if we exclude the saw-mills and grist- 'town of HERKIMER. 235 mills. The West Canada Creek supplies excellent water power at Her- kimer village, and its current was utilized for mills at a comparatively early day. Soon after the War of 1812 a man named Price built a mill within the corporation limits, which was used exclusively for flouring purposes. It was afterwards burned and rebuilt, and for a time was operated by a Mr Van Home. In the year 181 1 a grist-mill with three runs of stone was built on the West Canada Creek about where the Cen- tral Railroad crosses it by Windsor Maynard and Simeon Ford ; con- nected with the mill was a distillery and saw-mill. This mill subse- quently passed to the possession of the Manhattan Company of New York, on a mortgage, and that company sold it to the Hydraulic and Manufacturing Co. It was subsequently abandoned, and in 1836, after the hydraulic canal was built, the mill now operated by E. Washburne and G. M. Helmer was erected by F. P. Bellinger. Mr. Washburne purchased this mill in 1866 and has continued to operate it ever since. It is used now principally for grinding corn. A spirit of manufacturing enterprise was developed in Herkimer in i8j3, which culminated in the organization of the Herkimer Manufact- uring and Hydraulic Company, and its incorporation with a capital of $100,000. The principal object of this company was the construction of a dam across the West Canada Creek for the production of available water power; they intended also to manufacture cotton and woolen goods, machinery, sell surplus power, etc. About $40,000 was ex- pended in this undertaking, and nearly the whole volume of the creek turned into a side canal at a point about two miles up the stream, thus gaining a head of thirty- seven feet of water. It was calculated by the engineer that this canal would produce power equivalent to what would be required to run 138 runs of fifty-four inch mill-stones. While it can scarcely be said that this project has met the expectations of its more sanguine projectors, yet it has been of great importance to the village, and within the past ten years has been still more extensively utilized in supplying power to the numerous manufacturing enterprises that have been started, to the great benefit of the community. On the site of the paper-mill J. B. Morse once carried on the manu- facture of hats; but the property was transferred to A. H. Laflin, who changed it into a paper-mill. In 1865 the property passed into the 236 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COtNTY. possession of Warner Miller 8: Co., the company being Henry Churchill, sen., and Charles Hutchinson. The establishment afterwards (1875) became the Herkimer Paper Company, limited, with Warner Miller as president, and Henry Churchill, secretary. The original building owned by Mr. Laflin was burned in 1867, and a part of the present mill erected. In 1868 Mr. Miller bought the interest of both his associates, and on the ist of January, 1869, took in Henry Churchill, jr., the name of the company remaining the same. Within the past five years the capacity of the mill has been quadrupled and the buildings correspond- ingly enlarged. The product is almost wholly newspaper, and about sixty hands are employed. The Mark Maimfactiiring Company. — This is the largest industry in Herkimer and manufactures all kinds of knit goods. The original building on the canal near the railroad was erected as a hoop skirt factory in 1870. About two years later the manufacture of knit goods was begun on a very small scale by Mark & Elias. The business grew rapidly and in 1878 additions were made to the buildings. In 1883 Mr. Mark bought his partner's interest, paying for it a price that indi- cated the great value of the industry. He carried on the business alone until 1889, when a stock company was formed with Morris Mark, president; Robert Earl, vice president; A. K. Marsh, secretary. In December, 1891, Mr. Mark purchased Marsh's interest, and James G. Johnson became secretary and treasurer. Judge Earl still remaining vice president. About 300 hands are now employed in this factoiy, and it is a source of great benefit to the place. On the site of the Standard Ftirniture Company was formerly the sash and blind factory of E. C. Munson. It had still earlier been a broomhandle factory and a cheese- box factory. The Standard Com- pany began business here in 1886 for the manufacture of typewriter cabinets for the Remington people, and roller-top desks. The business has grown enormously, with the increase of sales in the tj-jjewriter works, while at the same time the desk business has been pushed with energy and success. The buildings have been greatly enlarged. The members of the company are William Horrocks, president ; M. Foley, vice-president ; F. T. Lathrop, treasurer. Water and steam power are used and 150 men employed, with 155 in a branch in Kentucky. TOWN OF HERKIMER. 23? The Gem Knitting Company v/as, formed and began business in 1888, using water power, by H. A. Deimel, C. R. Snell, M. A. Deimel, and J. H. Evans. The product of the factory is ladies' underwear of cotton and wool and 150 hands are employed. The Herkimer Manufacturing Company, also situated on the canal, was an offshoot of the Bedell Manufacturing Company, in 1881, and was started by Deimel & Snell, George E. Bedell, and M A. Deimel. Four years later M. A. Deimel and C. R. Snell took its control. Sub- sequently the interest of Mr. Bedell and H. A. Deimel was purchased by the other members of the company. Spring beds, mattresses, fancy chairs, etc., are made, and about forty hands employed. The prominent woodworking establishments of the town are the sash, door and blind factories of Deimel & Snell, and W. D. Lyons. In the spring of 1871 H. M. Quackenbush began the manufacture on Prospect street, in a small frame building, of toy air pistols under his own patents. The demand for his goods was prompt and large, and in the fall of that year he removed into a larger building and put in steam power. In the summer of 1874 he was forced to make another enlarge- ment, and a building was erected on the opposite side of the street. The first articles manufactured were followed by the Eureka .scroll saw and in 1876 by the improved air rifle, both of which have an enormous sale. In 1877 he erected a two- story brick building and put in a thirty-horse engine In 1890 he built his present factory, which is one of the most complete and convenient industrial buildings to be found anywhere. Eighty men are employed and a seventy-five horse Corliss engine supplies the power. The safety cartridge rifle and an amateur lathe have been added, among other articles, to the output. It is one of the most thriving industries in Central New York. Charles A. Lee began making chairs under his own patents in 1889, in a small way, employing three men. His patents cover valuable im- provements in reclining and platform rockers. In 1891 he removed to his present factory and now employs twenty hands. His chairs are shipped throughout the country. Banks. — Herkimer has suffered from several bank failures ; but they were not due to any financial stress of a general character. The county and the village being largely dependent upon agriculture as a 238 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. source of wealth, the failures incident to mercantile and manufacturing operations have not been numerous ; while the communities have passed through the great periods of financial panic which caused wide- spread ruin in large commercial centers, almost unscathed. The first bank in Herkimer was called the Agricultural Bank, and began business in 1839, just after the panic of 1837-8, with Harvey Doolittle as presi- dent, and Gen. P. F. Bellinger cashier. In 1845 ^^^- Bellinger left the bank and Benjamin Carver was made president ; C. T. E. Van Horn, vice-president; Harvey Doolittle, cashier. This bank failed in 1857, through causes that need not be explained here; but some of the losses were grevious ones and resulted in prolonged litigation. The Bellinger Bank carried on business a few years after the failure of the Agricultural. Peter F. Bellinger was president and H. Bellin- ger cashier. It closed its affairs in 1866. Then followed the Messinger Bank, which was one of several started by Hiram J. Messinger, then of New York ; it was organized in the fall of 1867, «*nd went down in the general crash of all of Messinger's institutions in May, 1868. Herkimer Bank. — This institution was established many years ago as a private bank, but was organized under a charter under the State banking laws in 1885. The present executive officers (1892) are as follow : President, William Smitli; vice-president, J. AV. Vrooman ; cashier, W. I. Taber ; and Robert Earl 2d, assistant cashier. The board of directors consists of Messrs. William Smith, H. M. Quackenbush, C. W. Palmer. Hon. Robert Earl, W. W. Mosher, B. Washburn, Morris Mark, J. W. Vrooman, E. S. W. Thomson, C. E. Snyder, E. M. Burns, L. T. Du Bois, P. B. Myers. The following summary giving an idea of the business is taken from the statement of March 19, 1892: Capital, $75,000; surp»lus, $10,000; deposits, $223,860.20; loans and discounts, $256,636.86, and total resources, $325,104.10. The management has been character- ized by a conservative regard for the interest of its customers, which fact has gained for the bank a well founded faith in the financial strength and influence of its recognized vocation for usefulness. First National Bank. — This bank was organized by H. G. Munger, Henry Churchill, P. M. Wood and others, in 1884. Among the stockholders are many of the leading business men and capitalists of this county. The capital stock is $50,000. Henry Churchill was chosen TOWN OF HERKIMER. 239 president of the bank upon its organization and has discharged the duties of the office to the entire satisfaction of the stockholders ever since. The same may be said of A. W. Haslehurst, who has been cashier of the bank from the beginning. The statement of the bank dated May 17, 1892, shows surplus and undivided profits of more than $20,000, and individual deposits of $224,21 1.29. The board of directors, 1892, is as follows: Henry Churchill, H. G. Munger, C. R. Snell, George P. Folts, R H. Smith, G. H. Watson, A. W. Haslehurst. The bank was placed in its present handsome and convenient quarters on Main street in July, 1891. The Herkimer Press. — The character of the press of any community is an indication of its intelligence and enterprise. The progressive vil- lage or city always gives its newspapers liberal support, and as a result, the papers are made, as a rule, worthy of such support. The first news- paper in Herkimer county was published at Herkimer village very early in the present century, and was called the Telescope ; its proprietor was Benjamin Cory, and it supported the Federal party. Mr. Cory sold out in 1805 to David Holt and J. R. Robins, who changed the name of the paper, or started a new one under the title of the Farmer's Monitor, which was discontinued in 1807. Mr. Cory started another paper in the interest of the Federal party, which he published until 18 10. In January, 18 10, J. H. and H. Prentiss started the Herkimer Ameri- can, which was published by them several years, and until 183 i by other persons, William L. Stone being at one time a partner. In December, 1813, Thurlow Weed obtained employment in the office of this paper, being a "jealous Republican." (See page 2)1,, Life of Thurlow Weed, Vol. 1.) Edward P. Seymour was its last publisher. A paper called the Bitnker Hi/l was commenced some time in 1810, with G. G. Phinney at its helm. Mr. Phinney also published a paper called the T/ie Honest American about the year 18 12. Both of these journals died before 1821. In 1828 the Herkimer Herald made its appearance under direction of John Carpenter, and was devoted to the interest of General Jackson and his policy. Then followed the Republican Farmer s Free Press, an anti- Masonic paper, printed by David Holt and edited by B. B. Hotchkin. Its life was not much longer than its name. 240 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. The Herkimer County Journal wa^s started in December, 1837, ^s a Whig organ. It was owned by a company, and at first was edited at Herkimer by J. C. Underwood and printed by Edward P. Seymour. About a year later O. A. Bowe took charge of the paper and pubHshed it six years. During various periods it was edited by R. U. Sherman G. W. Smith, and A. H. Prescott. In 1849 Orlando Squires took charge of the paper and removed it to Little F"alls. In the fall of 1842, J. M. Lyon and W. B. Holmes started \.he Frnnk- fort Democrat, at Frankfort, which was afterwards removed to Herkimer village. In 1848 Judge Earl became the sole proprietor and editor of the paper. In 1850 C. C. Witherstine acquired an interest in the estab- lishment, and in March, 1854, became its sole proprietor. In Septem- ber of the same year Jacob Hayes was associated with Mr. Witherstine. and the firm was Witherstine & Hayes until the death of the latter in 1856. In June, 1859, the paper passed from possession of IMr. Wither- stine to Henry G. Crouch, who continued to publish it until 1864, Mr. Witherstine in the interim being engaged in the West. In the year last named Mr. Witherstine returned and again became the owner of the establishment. In May, 1856, the Z////^/^a//.y Crt^^//^ was merged with the Democrat and the name changed to the Herkimer Democrat and Little Falls Gacette, un\.\\ the fall of 1876, when the clumsy title was changed back as before to the Herkimer Democrat. In October, 1875, H. P. Witherstine was given an interest in the establishment and in 1880 the firm name was changed to H. P. Witherstine & Co., the same per- sons constituting the firm. Januarj' 4, 1892, C. C. Witherstine sold his interest to John M. Comings, who, with H. P. Witherstine, still publishes the paper. With the exception noted, C. C. Witherstine was connected with this journal for fifty years and is one of the oldest journalists, in point of continuous service, in Central New York. His son has devel- oped a peculiar aptitude for the publishing business, while his partner has already acquired valuable experience in the same direction as editor of the Petin Van Democrat. Under their management the Democrat wields a large influence among the intelligent people of this and ad- joining counties. The Herkimer Citizen was started September 30, 1884, by George W. Weaver and Charles S. Munger. This continued until January 1, a//M TOWN OF HERKIMER. 241 1889, when A. T. Smith and F. E. Easton purchased Mr. Weaver's interest in the Ilion Citisen and Herkiinej- Citizen, and they, with C. S. Hunger, formed the Citizen Publishing Company. The papers are both printed at Ilion, with a job printing office at Herkimer. The paper is Republican in politics and is an excellent journal. Mr. Hunger had e.xperience in the office of the Camden Journal, where he succeeded his father. Messrs. Easton and Smith left the county clerk's office after many years' service, to take up the publishing business. (See history of Ilion.) The Herkimer County Record \s a new paper started in 1888, by its present publisher, George W. Nellis, jr. The Record is an enterprising paper, independent in politics, and has attained a good circulation. Hotels. — In the old staging days hotels in country villages, and along the turnpikes, possessed a degree of importance to traveling men that can hardly be accorded them at the present time. In these days, if every hotel in half a dozen villages on the line of a railroad were simul- taneously burned, the traveler could still stay another hour in the train and reach a farther station where he would find accommodations. Such a calamity happening when the stage or the canal was the best mode of travel, would have caused great inconvenience. One of the important houses on the old Mohawk turnpike is still re- membered as the Talcott House in Herkimer, which at first was built of logs, and stood near the site of the present paper-mill. Good au- thority credits this with being the first public hotel in Herkimer county. When the original house became too small to accommodate the in- creasing number of guests, the proprietor built a more commodious structure at a point where the bridge crosses the canal below the paper- mill. When this site eventually became inconvenient, the proprietor built another house on Main street, which now constitutes the south end of the Mansion House (long known as the Popper House). The Hansion House is now kept by F. W. Eckle. The Waverly House on Main street, now kept by H. Edick, for- merly of the Edick House, near the Central Railroad station, stands on the site of an old tavern. What was long known as the Tower House, stands across from the railroad station, and received its name from J. C. Tower who long kept it. It was afterwards called the Edick House 31 242 HISTORY OF HERKTMER COUNTY. and was bought in 1892 by John Nelson, who has greatly improved it. A short distance east of this hotel stands the Allman House, of brick, kept by Theodore Allman. Mr. Allman built this house in 1875. It stands also on the site of a former hotel. In 1 891 the Palmer House was erected by C. W. Palmer. It is not only one of the handsomest structures in the village of Herkimer, but is admirably designed on modern ideas for a first-class hotel. It is kept by George A. May, and is thoroughly well managed. Herkimer Post-office. — John A. Rasbach was one of the early post- masters at Herkimer, and was succeeded by Harvey Doolittle in 1840. Mr. Rasbach had the office another term and was succeeded by James A. Suiter, who served under General Taylor's administration. Mr. Suiter was succeeded by H. H. Morgan, who held the office eight years, and was succeeded in 1861 by Warren Caswell. He held the office un- til the appointment of F. A. Gray, who for two years preceded the present incumbent, S. W. Stimson, who assumed the office July i, 1889. CHAPTER XII. THE TOWN OF LITTLE FALLS. THP2 town of Little Falls was set off from the towns of Herkimer, Fairfield, and German Flats in pursuance to an act of the Legislature, passed February 16, 1829. On account of its comparatively recent formation, therefore, the history of the town organization must neces- sarily be brief and relatively unimportant. The town embraces parts of Glen's purchase, Staley's first tract, Guy Johnson's tract, Vaughn's and Fall Hill patents, six lots in Burnetsfield, and small triangular pieces of L'Hommedieu's and Lindsay's patents. The town was sur- veyed by William De Wolf, of the town of Columbia, and the follow- ing described boundaries given to it : " Beginning on the middle or base line of Glen's purchase, at a point where the line between lots numbers five and six in said purchase unites with said base or middle line, and running thence south along said line to its southern termina- ".-■ "fyF-GiC!min,N-Y TOWN OF LITTLE FALLS. 243 tion ; thence on the same course continued to the south bounds of the town of German Flats ; thence along the south bounds of said town to the southeast corner thereof; thence along the eastern bounds of the towns of German Flats and Herkimer to the southeast corner of the town of Fairfield ; and from thence by a straight Hne to the place of beginning." In common with other portions of the Mohawk valley in Herkimer county, this town was first settled by Germans long previous to the Revolution. Mr. Benton says: "There were German inhabitants in nearly every direction around the present village [of Little Falls] be- fore the Revolution, but only one habitable dwelling and a grist-mill within the present corporation limits." (See map.) The dwelling men- tioned stood on the west side of Furnace street and near Elizabeth street, north of the old canal. It was occupied in early years by John Porteous, the Scotch pioneer. It was removed by the late William I. Skinner and converted into an ice-house. Most of these early Ger- man settlers have been sufficiently noticed in the preceding general history, and in the histories of the towns from which Little Falls was formed ; and others will be mentioned a little further on in the history of the village. The first town meeting was held at the house of Robert Hinchman, on the site of the present Hardin & Wheeler block, on the south side of Main street, in 1829, and the following officers were elected : George Petrie, supervisor; Richard N. Casler, town clerk; G-ardeus Deyor, Jolin Klocls, Leonard Eaton and Richard M. Casler, assessors; James T. Rankins, Jacob Petrie and Parley Eaton, commissioners of highways; Thomas Smith, overseer of poor; Calvm G. Carpenter, Solomon Petrie and Bernard L Wager, commissioners of common schools ; Walter H. Ward, Calvin W. Smith and Jacob Guywitts, inspectors of common schools; John McMitchell, collector; Richard Winsor, John Phillips, John MoMitchell, Daniel Dygert, Joseph Eysaman, John Eaton, Peter Van Vost, Shired Vincent and Jacob Osburn, constables ; Martin Easterbrook, Adam Petrie, Bernard I, Wager, William Sponenburg, and John I. Bellinger, poundkeepers. The commissioners of highways appointed the following overseers of highways : John Casler, John C. Bellinger, Jeremiah Pulver, Cornelius Skinkle, Nathan Russ, Melchert Rankins, John Christman, John I. Bellinger, Thomas Rankins, Samuel S. Boyce, Jacob Bellinger, John Bort, Robert Johns, Morgan E. Case, Charles Smith, An- drew G. Weatherwa.x, Benjamin P. Churchill, John Tucker, William Bucklin, Benja- min C. Weatherwax and George Harter. 244 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. These lists contain the names of aiany of the early families of the town. On the 5th day of May, 1829, the following persons made applica- tion for license to keep public houses in this town, nearlj' or quite all of them being in the village: Thomas S. Willard, Peter Walrath, Robert Hincliman, Isaac Churchill, Leonard Eaton, and William Sponenburg. The commissioners of excise were George Petrie, C. P. Bellinger, and William Brooks. The principal occupation of the farming community, particularly during the past fifty years, has been dairying, which finally resulted in the establishment of the celebrated market at Little Falls village, now one of the most important interior markets for the sale of dairy products in the world. As a cheese producing district Little Falls ranks among the best in the country, and the fact that this industry found its local center here was largely due to a resident of this town, the late X. A. Willard, whose writings on the subject have a national reputation. Sketches of many of the leading farmers and others of the town are given in a later department of this volume. The surface of this town is broken upland, divided by the deep, nar- row gorge of the Mohawk River. A range of hills extends north and south from the village, rocky and precipitous near the river, but less rugged on the north and south borders. The soil is a sandy and grav- elly loam, is well watered, and quite well adapted to grazing. In connection with the agricultural interests of this town, the Little Falls Grange, Patrons of Hasbandry, should receive due credit. It was organized in December, 1889, with thirty- five charter members, and is now the largest grange in the county, numbering about two hundred members. Its object is the general advancement of agriculture in all its branches ; the social, fraternal and educational uplifting of its mem- bers, and the uniting and harmonizing of the agricultural classes. The officers of the grange are : Philo W. Casler, master ; Richard L. Ran- kins, overseer ; Joseph Rice, lecturer ; George H. Bradford, secretary. Following is the list of supervisors of Little Falls from the organiza- tion of the town to the present time : George Petrie, 1S29, '30 ; Solomon Petrie, 183], '32; Peter B. Casler, 1833, '34; George H. Feeler, 1835, '36 ; Abraham G. Rosecrantz, 1837, '38; Jacob Petrie, 1839, Town of little palls. 245 '40 ; William L Skinner, 1841, '42 ; Charles Belong, 1843, '44 ; Richard N. Casler, 1845, '46; Jorara Petrie, 1847; James Moyer, 1848; Harvey D. Colvin, 1849-54; Henry Thompson, 1855; Edmund G. Chapman, 1856; Sylvenus J. Waters, 1857-59; Leonard Boy. r. 1860-62; Zenas C. Priest, 1863-06; George Keller, 1867-69; Peter A. Star- ing, 1870-72; Albert Story, 1873; John P. Sharer, 1874-81; Rugene Walrath, 1882- 88; Hadley Jones. 1889; Joseph W. Baker, 1890, '91 ; Benton I. Cooper, 1892. THE VILLAGE OF LITTLE FALLS. The lands on the south side of the Mohawk River on the site of Lit- tle Falls village are a part of the patent granted in 1752 to Jchan Joost Herchkeinier (as spelled in the records) and one other person, and known as the Fall Hill patent. The lands on the north side of the river are embraced in Burnetsfield patent granted in 1725 to Johan Joost Petrie and other Palatines, while those lands farther back in the town are cov- ered by the patents before mentioned. The site of the village was evidently not adapted by nature for the purpose to which it has been devoted by man, unless we consider it solely from an esthetic standpoinL The Mohawk River breaking through 246 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. wh;it was once a mountainous barrier of rock, has created a deep gorge with precipitous sides, at the bottom of which the clear waters of the historic stream rush and tumble over rapids, the power of which has been utilized to turn scores of wheels and which have really led to the founding of the village in such a romantic spot. As a consequence of this unfavorable natural condition, the village has been forced to expend a vast amount of money and energy in the creation of streets, bridges, and other public improvements ; but these obstacles have been boldly met by the inhabitants, and through their well-directed efforts the village has grown into one of large proportions and picturesque beauty not often found. Of the first days of the village Mr. Benton wrote as follows: " The grist-mill destroyed during the Revolution was located on the river near the bed of the old canal, and was fed by Furnace Creek and the river. The dwelling house (mentioned below) was occupied by John Porteous, proprietor of the mill, and his assistants, and probably afterward by persons occupied at the carrying-place. Tlie road or path used for taking boats and their cargoes by the river falls was located very nearly on the site of the old canal. The red grist-mill, to supply the place of the one destroyed, was erected in 1789, and the old yellow house west of Furnace Creek and near the north bank of the old canal, was built a short time before that period. John Porteous came to this place in 1790 and established himself in mercantile business. He occupied the yellow house, then the only dwelling within the present village limits." The old octagon church, a description of which is given a little further on, was erected in 1796. The destruction of the little settlement at Little Falls in June, 1782, was caused by a party of Indians and tories, and was of the same wanton and fiendish character which marked many other similar out- rages committed in the valley. The mill was of great importance, not only to the immediate vicinity, but to the garrisons at Forts Herkimer and Dayton. The enemy fell upon the mill in the night and found in the building Peter WoUeaver, Christian Edick, Frederick Getnian, Marks Rasbach, Thomas Shoemaker, Lawrence Hatter, Jacob Petri, Daniel Petri (wlio was killed), and Peter Orendorff; Gershom Skinner and F. Cox, who were millers ; and a sergeant and six men from Cap- tain McGregor's company. Two of the soldiers escaped and five were taken prisoners. There does not seem to have been much resistance ^2 t^ t •5 iff XD'Z ■ji niH z §5 [c ■ a "^ •rl°Q'^^S?f :i^ 3 ^SL'^' ^^ r-n |sis?-8 r ^ ^- a c: S "f !" -. §1 la ■id cr nn Z r- "H % tJJ" ° csr ■" » r 248 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. oflered to tlie assault. In the few shots fired, Daniel Petri was killed. When the Indians entered the mill the occupants made their best efforts to escape. Cox and Skinner secreted themselves in the raceway, under the water wheel, and thus escaped captivity and probably death. Christian Edick and Frederick Getman jumped into the raceway, but the light from the burning mill disclosed their hiding place and they were captured. Among the persons who settled at Little Falls between 1790 and 1 8 10 and remained permanently were, John Porteous, William Alex- ander, Richard Phillips, Thomas Smith, Joel Lankton, Richard Winsor, William Carr, William Moralee, Washington Britton, Alpheus Park- hurst, John Drunimond, Eben Britton, and Josiah Skinner. In this connection the accompanying map and explanation are of deep interest. The map is the property of Watts T. Loomis, and the references were furnished by him after much research. The accompanying map, left among the papers of John Porteous, the pioneer of Little Falls (now in possession of William G. Milligan), shows the lands acquired by Mr, Porteous, and other interesting feat- ures. Other documents left by him show that he came from Perth, Scotland, in 1761. He passed about ten years in the Indian trade in the vicinity of Detroit, and later was in business in New York until 1783. He then went to Nova Scotia, where he had acquired land, and in 1784 returned to Scotland. A \'ear later he came again to New York, went again to Nova Scotia and soon after became connected with Alexander EUice and settled at Little Falls about 1790. Here he built the red mill on the site of the first mill, and other structures, was active in the construction of the first canal and in making early roads and bridges. He was supervisor of the town of Herkimer in 1791-96 and conspicuous in all affairs of that period. He was grandfather of Mrs. William G. Milligan. Mr. Milligan placed in the hands of the late Dudley Burwell some years ago a mass of the papers of Mr. Porteous, for his investigation. In 1873 Mr. Burwell reported to Mr. Milligan what he had found of interest. He said among other things: "I think he [Mr. Porteous] was somewhat musical, as he had a violin. He seemed to have read many books and to have profited by them. From the letters addressed to him, one judges that he was very amiable. He £!>t^ .'^byV- i^JCi r Ul. ■i^ /^^ vC9-l 9-20-21 and 115. Bromner. IIC Garden, M. Myers. 122 Garden. J, II. Webb. 27 Garden, John Dygert. 13-14-15 Garden, Burwell & Alexander. Mr Benton wrote: " The paralyzing policy of the proprietor, who was an alien, in limiting his alienations to leases in fee, requiring an annual rent, and refusing to make only a few grants of that description, to whicli he affixed the most stringent conditions and restrictions in the exercise of trade and the improvement of the water power, kept the place nearly stationary until 1831, excepting that part of the present village on the south side of the river, not subject to the dead weight of non-alienation. Upon the opening of the Erie Canal in 1825, the only erections in that part of the village were a bridge, and a toll house at the south end of the bridge; the Bellinger grist-mill and a small dwell- ing, for the miller's residence, and the Vrooman house." As bearing upon the condition of the village just before the completion of the canal, we quote as follows from the People s Friend, one of the early news- papers of the village, under date of June 19, 1822 : •'This [inland navigation] has become a pleasant subject. The general liveline ■ which has prevailed on our streets since the commencement of the regular trips of ti packets between tlii.'i and Utica is really cheering. But the interest of the thing is 1 no means confined to these: an unaccountable number of other boats of various fern and dimen-sions continue to crowd both the river and Erie Canal. On the IGlh, we a; told, thirty boats were together on the river at the landing place half a mile aboM' Little Falls, while a number more lay in the canal close by." In 1 83 I, as before noted, Edward Ellice sold out his real estate here, and within a few years it came into possession of Richard R. Ward and James Munroe, of New York, but not as joint owners. No sale of the water power in separate lots or privileges was made before Mr. Ward became the sole owner of all that portion of the original purchase of Mr. Ellice. When these were brought into market, General Bellinger, the principal owner of the water power on the south side of the river, also placed his property in market and numerous mills, factories and other industries were soon established, as shown further on. In 1830 the population of the town was 2,539, about 1,700 of which were with- in the village limits. TOWN OF LITTLE FALLS. 255 Meanwhile, in 1811, a village charter was granted; but there seem to be no records of public business under that charter, the existing records beginning with the year 1827, when a new, or amended charter was adopted. Under this the corporation was authorized to open streets which had been dedicated to public use, as laid down on a map made by the proprietor in 181 1. Mr. Benton says : The power given was executed in the first instance, by opening Albany, Garden and Second streets, at the expense of the owners of the adjoining lots. This touched the proprietor's purse, and he consented to sell in fee the lots on those streets. This, how- ever, did not reach the water power, which was not improved, neither would the pro- prietors on either side of the river consent to sell lots and water rights, but the alien owner adopted the plan of making short leases, by which he anticipated a rich harvest on the falUng in of the reversions. The people of the village were not slow to per- ceive the fatal effects of this policy, and applied to the Legislature for the passage of an act to prohibit the alien proprietor from making any grants or leases, except in fee. These were the conditions on which he was authorized to take, hold and convey lands in this State. The act passed the Senate at the session of 1831, and was sent to the Assembly for concurrence. The agents offered to sell the whole proprietary interest in the village for $50,C00, and active negotiations were set on foot by several parties to make the purchase. The bill was finally acted upon in the House, and rejected. Al- most simultaneous with that rejection, the sale was effected to several members of that body and other parties, and the purchasers in a short time realizad a net $50,000 on their purchase, or very nearly that sum. Whether there was any connection between the defeat of tne bill, and the sale, I never sought to know. The sale accomplished all that the village desired, because we believed the purchasers had bought with the in- tention of selling out, as fast as they could ; but the proprietor, Mr. EUice, had a large interest at stake ; he was the owner of other considerable tracts of land, not only in this county, but in different parts of the State ; it was important to him, therefore, to get rid of the restrictive provisions of the bill in respect to his other lands. His agents in this country were well satisfied that the applicants for coercive but just measures would not rest quietly under one defeat, and that his interest would be damaged in pro- portion to the duration of the controversy. The new proprietors made immediate arrangements to bring the property into market, and effected large sales by auction and private sale, in the year 1831, and in the course of a few years, what remained of the original purchase, with other lands of Mr. Ellice on the north side of the river, came into the hands of Richard R. Ward and Col. James Munroe, of New York. Going back to the little village in 1816, we learn that it then con- sisted of only two streets. These were the turnpike, now known as Main street, and Western avenue, which then extended on the present line no farther than to cross Furnace Creek, where it turned down east TOWN OF LITTLE FALLS. Ihl of the yellow house, thence over the old canal, and along between the old lock canal and the river, to the head of the falls. The other road was what is now called German, Bridge, Ann and Church streets, cross- ing the river from the south and leading to Eatonville.( These roads can be readily followed by reference to the maps.) There were not more than forty dwellings in the village; the octagon church had not been finished; there were the stone school house,' two taverns, two black- smith shops, five or six stores and groceries and the mills. The open- ing of the canal of the Western Inland Lock Navigation Company in 1795-96 gave something of an impetus to the growth of the village ; but the resulting growth was not very marked, and the village remained in nearly the condition above described until about 1828. Under the charter of 1827 the amount authorized to be raised by tax for all purposes could not exceed $300 annually. The highway tax was left to the jurisdiction of the town authorities. The first election held under that charter for village oflficers resulted as follows : President, Nathaniel S. Benton; trustees, Christopher P. Bellinger, William Girvan, Sanders Lansing, James Sanders, Gould Wilson, and John McMichael ; fire wardens, Robert Stewart, Jacob Osborn, and John Phillips ; treasurer, Henry P. Alexander ; collector, Jeremiah Eaton. Newspaper files, those invaluable records upon which the historian must so largely depend, are very incomplete in this town in early years. The People's Friend, from which we have already quoted, was in ex- istence for a few years after 1820, but there are only a few numbers of it now accessible. In 1824 it was published by Edward M. Griffing, who doubtless found it difficult to sustain his enterprise. There are a few advertisements in the paper. Gould Wilson was a cabinetmaker. William Brooks sold groceries, hardware, paints, crockery, etc., on Catherine street, two doors west of the store of A. Fuller (now Geo. H. Failing's block). He appears to have been getting desperate, for he announced that he was " determined to discontinue this long-winded credit business," and called for 40,000 bushels of ashes. Charles At- kinson had lost his Newfoundland dog. William Talcott was the hat- ' The old school-house is still standing on the west side o£ Church street and used as a dwelling. The bell of the old house is now in use on the engine-house on Ann street, at rear of the Milligan & Wheeler block. 258 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. ter of the place one door west of Hinchman's Inn (W. A. Pepper & Co.), and the " Green Store " (southwest corner Third and Main streets) was kept by Burritt & Tonilinson, on First street. D. Petrie and J. Petrie had a general store (southeast corner Main and Ann streets) and Mather & Waldo were tinners and sold stoves. D. & E. Sprague oper- ated the paper-mill and also carried on a store Chauncey Marshall sold dry -goods and J. McComb had a tobacco factory (Amos Keller's block). Wendell & Jenkins were merchants and E. Hathaway & Co. carried on the Little Falls bakery, corner of Second and Garden streets. Smith & Hamilton had a drug store and Martin Bettinger was a saddler. The Union Library had been in existence, but it does not appear to have been very thriving, as the books, etc., were offered for sale at auction by David Benseley and David Petrie, treasurer and librarian. The " Aquatic Bookstore" passed through the place on the canal, a unique evidence of enterprise by some Yankee, and in December there was a call in the paper for a local bank. These notes give a glimpse of the business interests of the village at quite an early day ; and we have no files to which to refer after that year until 1836, when the Mohawk Courier was in existence. From that paper we learn that the Utica and Schenectady Railroad was in process of construction. It will be remembered that this was the beginning of one of the various periods of financial stringency from which the country has suffered. On the 30th of June the editor wrote : " Notwithstanding the severity of the times our village is enhvened as usual by the traffic and industry of our enterprising citizens. From recent changes in proprietorship of real estate we have reason 'to believe that the natural and artificial advantages of this locality will be improved, as our people have long and patiently hoped." The editorial then alludes to the unexcelled water power, the canal, the railroad, and the market facilities of the village. On the 25th of July the paper records that " a locomotive and two beautiful carriages in train passed over the whole line of the road from Schenectady to Utica and returned the same day." The latter trip, we are informed, was made in four hours and fourteen minutes. In August of this year (1836) the paper notes that the water lots and real estate on the north side of the Mohawk, bounded north by Canal street and Western avenue, and extending from the head of the falls to fOWl'I OF LITTLE FALLS. 259 the foot of the basin, were purchased in the previous week by A. Loomis of Richard R. Ward for $50,000. A flour- mill was then in process of construction by " Mr. Durky " (Rodney Durkee), and a woolen factory was soon to be started by S. P. Fuller. These are evi- dences of the increasing thrift and enterprise which were beginning to develop in the village. Before his death Hon Arphaxed Loomis wrote the following account of how the aqueduct and basin at Little Falls came to be built : " In 1 82 1, when the Erie canal was in progress of construction on the south side of the river, no part of the village proper existed on the south side of the river, and no streets were on that side except the road leading from the river bridge to German Flats, but it was a rocky waste covered with shrubbery. The local agent of Mr. Ellice, Mr. George H. Feeter, and the citizens of the village, were alarmed and feared that the business of the village would be seriously impaired for want of im- mediate connection with the canal. A feeder at Little Falls to be taken from the south side was the plan then in contemplation. The canal commissioner was requested by Mr. Feeter and other citizens to take the feeder from the old canal on the north side of the river which the State had purchased from the Inland Lock Navigation Company, and connect it by an aqueduct across the river with the Erie Canal. This project of feeding would be more expensive than that in contem- plation by the canal commissioners. A negotiation was had, and finally an arrangement was made by which it was agreed between Henry Seymour, the commissioner on the part of the State, and the agents of Mr. Ellice and the citizens of the village, that the State would adopt the aqueduct plan, provided the stone requisite for the work should be furnished and delivered free of expense to the State and the work of construction should be done by the State. The Bleeckers, the principal agents of Mr. Ellice at Albany, were seen, and it was agreed that the interests of the proprietor were so seriously involved that by their direction Mr. Feeter entered into a contract with Henry Heath to deliver the stone required for forty- five cents a perch. The contract was performed by Mr. Heath, and a disagreement as to the quantity and payment having arisen, a lawsuit ensued, in which the history of the whole transaction was placed in evidence, and thus the history of 2G0 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. the building of the aqueduct at the joint expense of the State and of the owners of the land and citizens on the north side, and of the con- struction of the basin on Mr. Ellice's land at his own expense, was pre- served. The basin itself was the private enterprise of Mr. Ellice and the citizens. A subscription of about $2,000 was raised by the citizens, beside a contribution of Mr. Ellice, to effect what was then deemed an improvement of great importance to the interests of the village. Since that time long ago the village has extended across the river and the canal, the aqueduct is now in the midst of it, and the storehouses and business connected with it are now its borders," As a further indication of the growth of the place between 1824 and 183S, the following facts from advertisements are taken from the Cou- rier : M. Richardson was a surgeon dentist and jeweler on Catharine street, opposite Hinchman's Hotel. William H. Grant announced that the Railroad Exchange " near .the depot of the railroad is now open for company." The Herkimer County Mutual Insurance Company was in existence, with James M. Gray as agent, and William Chase advertised village lots for sale. Franklin Adams was a bookseller and book- binder (and is still vigorously prosecuting his business), and Benjamin A. Feeter had just opened a saddle, trunk and harness shop one door south of William Girvan's grocery; while Benjamin Snell carried on the same business in the shop formerly occupied by John Beardslee, corner of Catharine and Ann streets. Sylvanus J. Waters had just taken the old stand one door east of the Little Falls Hotel for the sale of groceries and liquors. The " Little Falls Cash Store " was situated at No. i Phoenix Row; this was the building, a part of which is now (1892) occupied by Aldridge & Co., corner of Main and Second streets, the middle part standing as it did at that time, and now occupied by L. R. Klock. James Wilcox carried on the " Cash Store." A " new wholesale stove establishment" was advertised by D. & J. Petrie & Co., the firm being David and Joram Petrie and Horace H. Johnson ; the store had pre- viously been occupied by Brown & Bradley, corner of Catharine and Ann streets. J. H. Prentiss was a jeweler, and Dr. D. Belknap was a dentist, as well as a physician. Ezekiel Morris said : " I have com- menced the axe-making business at the west end of the village near the ^^^^»^<-L ^/^ TOWN OP LITTLE FALLS. 261 Mohawk furnace." T. & H. M. Burch sold stoves, and the Rockton flour-mill was run by Durkee & Eaton. Peter Boyer sold stone lime, and L. R. French had begun making the " patent screw bedstead " on the south side of the river. H. & S. Parnialee had a general store on the south side, and O W. Couch kept the Little Falls Hotel. The Little Falls Temperance Society was in operation, and J. C. Dann, P. Staring, and R. N. Casler, who were the town committee, advertised a Republican meeting at " the house of Leigh & Dygert " A meeting was called for February 19, 1838, to "re-establish the village library." " Previous to the disastrous fire of January, 1836," said the notice, " a successful effort had been made to organize a Library Association here." The first library was burned. In September, 1839, President Van Buren visited the village and the event was properly celebrated. An address was delivered by Arphaxed Loomis, and Col. A. G. Rosecrantz was chief marshal of the parade. The assemblage gathered at the Little Falls Hotel at 8 A. M, and proceeded thence to Herkimer as an escort for the distinguished guest. The president reached Little Falls on the 1 2th; a hundred guns were fired, and in the parade he was es- corted in a barouche and four white horses, in company with N. S. Benton, George H. Feeter, and Solomon Petrie. In the same year a correspondent wrote of the visible improvements in the place; that the population was exactly 3,000; that there were the academy, a paper- mill, one church, one furnace, one woolen factory and seven stores, which had been added during the year 1839. New streets had been opened, and there were also in operation two saw- mills, two flour- mills, one custom grist-mill, three paper mills, one plaster- mill, one carding- mill, two furnaces, one sash and blind factory, one machine shop, one distillery, one brewery, two malt houses, two bakeries, one trip ham- mer, two tin shops, one tannery, and another woolen- mill, a paper-mill, and a furnace in process of construction. There were twenty mercantile establishments and one bank, A Mechanics' Association was organ- ized in December, which continued in existence several years. A glance at the village records for the period of which the foregoing treats, down to the year 1840, shows that public improvements had kept pace with private enterprise. As early as 1829 a committee was appointed from the trustees to locate two fire cisterns; Garden and 262 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. Manheim streets were opened, and the committee on fire department was authorized to " fix on a suitable location as nearly central as may be, pursuant to the permission of the Ellices," for the fire engine house. In 1830 Albany and William streets were improved; and also, Second, Mary, Third, Fourth, Fifth, and Church streets, were further opened and improved, while suitable extensions were made to the village side- walks. In 1 83 I Barent and John R. Bleecker (agents of the Ellice in- terest) offered to file a bond for $1,000 and to make and complete First street according to the ordinances. The offer was accepted. Fifteen dollars was fixed as the price of licenses, and R. N. Casler, James F. West, J. P. Casler, Margaret McDonald, Thompson Parkhurst, Orin Searl, Jacob Osburn, John Dygert, Elisha Bateman, Richard S.Thomp- son, Andrew A. Oliver, Edward Dann, Nicholas Harder, Mrs. Milligan, Franklin Barnes and James Plack, took out licenses — sixteen in all. As D. Burwell had already offered a resolution that $60 be raised for corporation purposes, it would seem that the license fund of $240 would have left a considerable profit. A special meeting was held in December to consider the extermination of prevailing small pox, and Drs. Lester Green, Hosea flamiltoii, and Calvin W. Smith were ap- pointed a board of health. During the period from 1830 to 1835 extensive improvements were made in the village streets, including First (now Main), Albany, Mary, Catharine (now Main), Canal, John, Ann, Second, Mohawk and Bridge streets ; and German, Jefferson, Bellinger and Mohawk, on the south side, were declared public highways. The cholera raged throughout this country in 1832-33, and attention was called to the matter in the board of trustees, by ordering thorough cleaning of premises and abatement of all nuisances; but there was very little of the disease in this village, as far as shown by the records. A census was ordered in 1832, which showed that there were 246 families in the village, with a population of 811 males and 791 females, 436 of whom were on the south side. In 1834 a fire company was organized for the south side, an engine house was built at a cost of $192, and a hook and ladder company was attached to engine company No. i. In 1835 Martin W. Priest and J. C. Dann were authorized by the trustees to purchase two new engines and a hose, and to dispose of the apparatus on hand. It is of interest to pre- SS^'C^.i^i TOWN OF LITTLE FALLS. 263 serve the names of tlie early fire companies about this period on both sides of the river, for it will be seen that many of the leading citizens were members They were as follow : Fire company o£ May, 1830: Amos Parkhurst, James Sanders, Robert Stewart, Andrew Oliver, Elijah Case, jr., William Taloott, diaries Ellis, James Smith, Charles Smith, Moses Drake, Washington Van Driesen, Thompson Parkhurst, Gordon Steven- son, Samuel Alexander, Richard S. Thompson, Hoiace Johnson, Henry Meloy, Josiah Lockwood, John Beardslee, Henry P. Alexander, Jesse Styles, Truman Fox, Harman G-. Ten Eyok, Orange Angell, John Phillips. Fire company on South side in 1834 : Henry Thompson, William L Skinner, John J. Taylor, Amon J.French, Henry Hastings, Martin W. Priest, William Page, Samuel Miller, Martin L. Basterbrooks, Charles Ellis, Henry Secknor, Barney H. Ellis, Leander Britton, J. S. Hayes, Simon Marcomb. H. H. Petrie, Eli Holden, David Labau, S. W. Shepard, Wra. Walradt, Robert Casler, Henry C Loucks, Joseph Lee, Gaylord Heath. Hook and ladder company, 1834: Ezra C. Southworth, James 0. De Grush, Samuel P. Fuller, Ferdinand P. St. John, Charles B. Eddy. Jeremiah Gurney, Charles A. Gir- van, Norman Tryon. During the period from 1S40 to the breaking out of the civil war advancement in the village was rapid and of a permanent character. The grievous lease system had been wiped out and a greater degree of confidence was felt by investors and tradesmen. New streets were opened and many new industries established. The village ran in debt, of course; that seems to be the natural result in all corporations of a municipal character. By 1847 the debt had reached about $6,000 and a charter amendment meeting was called at the stone school-house for April 12, to consider means for the extinguishment of the indebted- ness The result was the raising of the amount of annual tax in 1850 to $800, $500 of which was to be applied annually to debt-paying pur- poses. While this action sufficed for that time, it did not prevent the after accumulation of another burden of a similar character. On the 9th of June, 1848, a special election was held to vote on the question of raising and appropriating $950 to pay for piping water from the cistern in the public square to near the intersection of Catharine (now Main) and Ann streets for fire extinguishing purposes ; the measure was carried. In the following year (1849), the inhabitants were affected by the prevailing cholera scare, but the village and its vicinity were not destined to suffer severe affliction from that disease. In 185 1 $300 were appropriated for improvement of the fire engine 2G4 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. houses, and a like sum for an addition to the cemetery. In 1852 a watch-house was ordered built on the north side of Main street, about opposite Fifth street. The committee were Asa Wilcox, Joseph K. Chapman, arid Thomas Dale. It was built by the late Col. Leonard Boyer for $186, and the materials of the old watch-house. Gas was introduced in the village in 1853 and A. G. Story was given the ex- clusive privilege of laying pipes in the streets for that purpose. In the same year $1,000 were raised for improvement of the fire department. By this time the general village fund had reached nearly $3,000 an- nually, and it stood near tliat for a number of years. The charter was again amended in 1857, making the trustees the assessors and commis- sioners of highways, fixing compensation of the clerk and street com- missioner, etc. Among the prominent residents of Little Falls, many of whose names have been mentioned, it is proper at the first to give a brief account of the careers of Zenas C. Priest, Harry Burrell, and William I. Skin- ner. Gen. Zenas C. Priest was born in the town of Fairiield, April 18, 1806. When seventeen years of age he began business on his own ac- count, remaining in his native town until 1824, when he removed to the village of Little Falls and became a clerk, and acted as such until he acquired an independent business as owner and manager of several bakeries in the valley. In 1835 he was deputy sheriff, and in that and the following year aided in acquiring the right of way in this vicinity for the Utica and Syracuse Railway Company, and in July, 1836, he became one of its three conductors, acting also as trackmaster between Little Falls and Utica part of the time. From 1840 to 1847 he had charge of the western department of the road, and upon the consolida- tion of the several roads into the New York Central in 1853, he was made superintendent of the Syracuse and Utica division; in 1867 his division was extended to Albany. Thereafter his division included the Troy and Athens branch. He enjoyed the confidence of President Erastus Corning, Commodore Vanderbilt, President William H. Van- derbilt and his son, Cornelius Vanderbilt, and other executive officers of the road down to and including Hon. Chauncey M. Depew. Com- modore Vanderbilt and his son and grandson so highly appreciated the TOWN OF LITTLE FALLS. 265 general's services that they contributed $500 every six months extra compensation in each year down to and including the year of his death; the last $500 being handed over to the executors of the general's es- tate, in token of their appreciation of his faithful, earnest and effectual services to the road. In 1835 1^^ was appointed major in a Herkimer county militia regiment, and in i860 he was promoted to the rank of brigadier general. When the war broke out he became a very energetic war Democrat, and by voice and purse and numerous efforts aided the Union cause like the consistent patriot that he was during the whole struggle. He was for many years vice- president of the National Herki- mer County Bank, and subsequently became its president, which office he held at the time of his death, which occurred December 4, 1887, when in his eighty-first year, having been ill only a week. Having been in the service of the railroad for more than fifty years, he was familiar with all its needs, and was distinguished by being pre-eminently a good railroad man. He was a kind, liberal man, using his best judgment to protect the interests of the employees of the road. He was at one time president of the village, and several years represented his town in the board of supervisors ; was a presidential elector, and well deserved and received the confidence of the community in which he was so long an active and valuable citizen. For many years he was a conspicuous Mason, Knight Templar, and his funeral was conducted by that order and attended by President Depew, the directors and superintendents of the New York Central Railroad, and a large concourse of j>eople, the services being conducted in the Baptist church, to which he was many years attached and to which he was a very liberal contributor. The late Harry Burreli was so long and so conspicuously connected with the farming and dairy interests of the county, that a proper defer- ence to those industries demands a record of his life and business career. He was born in Sheffield, Mass., November 28, 1797, and was a son of Jonathan and Lucinda Burreli. His parents moved into the town of Salisbury in the year 1804. Upon the death of his father he succeeded to the possession of the old homestead known as the Hackley farm. About that period the business of dairying began to attract the attention of the farmers of Herkimer county, and when he was about twenty years of age, at the solicitation of his neighbors, 31 266 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. he took charge of their dairy products, which were drawn to Albany on wagons and thence transported to New York in sloops. He early com- menced the purchase of cheese and other dairy products for the New York market, and soon after engaging in that enterprise became the largest buyer in the country. As his business increased he established a house in New York city under the firm name of H. Burrell & Co. His son, Seymour Burrell, was at one time connected with him, and sub- sequently his son, David H., became a purchaser for the house. At the suggestion of Erastus Corning and others he commenced the busi- ness of exporting cheese, having formed reliable connections with for- eign houses, and he was probably the first shipper of dairy products from this country to foreign markets ; he continued a buyer on a large scale and shipper until near the close of his life. Mr. Burrell acquired a high reputation for integrity and sagacity and met with exceptional success. At the time of his death he was the owner of several farms in Salisbury and other towns, which passed by virtue of his will to his children, who still continue to own the same. In 1854 he removed to Little Fails where he built a handsome residence at the corner of William and Main streets, which he occupied until the time of his death, and the same now remains in the possession of his widow, and son Edward J. Burrell. His sons, David H. Burrell and Ed- ward J. Burrell, acquired from him a knowledge of the business of handling dairy products, which to a greater or less extent they have continued to carry forward until this time; Edward J. Burrell giving especial attention to that branch of the numerous kinds of business carried on by the firm of D. H, Burrell & Co. Harry Bur- rell was a member of the Presbyterian Church from the early years of his life until the time of his death, and contributed largely to its success in Salisbury and Little Falls ; he was for many years presi- dent of its board of trustees, and was several years a trustee of the Lit- tle Falls Academy. He died at Little Falls March 5, 1879. William L Skinner was born in 'the town of Little Falls on the 24th of October, 181 2, and was the son of Josiah H. Skinner, who came from the State of Connecticut some years prior thereto. Mr. Skinner was elected sheriff of the county in 1848, having prior thereto served several times as a deputy. In 1859 he was elected canal commissioner TOWN OF LITTLE FALLS. 267 and served until 1866, acquitting himself creditably in the office, as he had practical knowledge of the affairs of the canal, had many years been a contractor, and was able to deal with many of the practical ques- tions arising in respect to the canals which came under the review of the canal commissioners. He was president of the village, on sev- eral occasions was elected one of its trustees, and at one time cliief of the fire department. He was a member of the memorable committee of twelve citizens who investigated the facts relating to and recommended the construction of the present system of water works. He was by an act of the Legislature named as one of the Board of Water Commissioners, was elected president of the board, and his practical judgment and industrious attention to the afifairs of the system were valuable in securing the proper construction of the works. In 1869 he erected the Skinner Opera House at the corner of Main and Second streets. At the time of his death he was a director of the National Herkimer County Bank. In all the relations of life he exhib- ited strong common sense and good practical judgment; he formed correct opinions of men and measures, and during his seventy-nine years residence in Little Falls contributed largely to its prosperity. He died February 13, 1891, leaving three sons and two daughters sur- viving him. Turning again to the newspapers of the period from 1840 to the war we learn of other events and changes which deserve mention. The winter of 1842 witnessed a great temperance agitation in this section and fifteen hundred signed the pledge in Little Falls. Early in Febru- ary of this year (1842) occurred a very destructive freshet which on the first day swept away a dwelling below the " Railroad Hotel," and on the following day carried off the new paper-mill of A. Loomis, and the saw-mill, axe factory, grist-mill and flouring-mill were greatly dam- aged. On the south side the barn of S. W. Shepard was carried away and the stalls for hogs at the distillery were inundated. Colonel Leigh's mills and the iron works of Shepard, Babbitt & Co. were badly dam- aged. William Paige's large paper-mill was wrecked in the lower story. The damage amounted to about $8,000 ; and in June of the same year this disaster was followed by another of similar nature in which the creek through the village caused damage to the amount of $15,000. These losses caused much depression among the inhabitants. 2Gg HISTORY OF HERKIMER COtJNTt. In 1845 we again find the editor expressing congratulations as fol lows : " The constant, rapid, yet sound growth of our village must be a subject of high gratification to its citizens. Our prosperity is based upon the sure foundation of capital, labor and rational enterprise. Fancy stocks have never been in demand here." He wrote further of this being the commercial center of a very large district on both sides of the Mohawk, with great thoroughfares running cast and west ; its extensive water power, etc., and concluded by designating Little Falls as "The Lowell of the Empire State" — which we must admit was de- cidedly bright. By the year 1850 the debt before mentioned had become a decided bugbear to many citizens, and its payment, with other charter changes was demanded. The newspaper commented freely upon the folly and burden of such a state of affairs, spoke of the former small debt incurred mainly for the fire department, and deplored the fact that the corpo- ration credit had become depreciated to about ninety cents on the dollar. These conditions led to prompt and radical changes. An entire new charter was adopted, providing for raising $5,300 on village bonds, in- creasing the annual tax to $800 and paying off the debt at the rate of $500 annually (as before described). The new charter was a great im- provement on the former ones, and most of its important provisions are in force to-day. It being on record in numerous places, we need not quote from it here. Another important change was made, which in some respects seems at this day to have been the result of thoughtless folly, although many good citizens advocated it at the time. This was the changing of the name of the village to " Rockton." The most im- portant reason advanced for the change was, that the village had become of sufficient importance to have a name of its own, and not longer exist under the title of the whole town. The name was changed ; but much to the dissatisfaction of many of the older citizens, and in less than a year their influence was such, and the general defer- ence to their wishes so pronounced, that the old name was restored. In July of 1850 a terrible flood occurred which exceeded that of 1842. Buildings were inundated by the overflowing of Furnace Creek; John Miller's house and barn were swept away, with the dwelling of Joseph lioyer, and many others were damaged. The loss was about $15,000. f^c cc /i A *^y*-t^-^ z^ tOWN OP LITTLE FALLS. 26^ Meanwhile, as we have intimated, the business interests of the place increased in the most satisfactory manner. Plank roads had been built in several directions from the village between 1847 and 1851, during which period almost the entire State was covered with a network of those useful, but short lived highways. While they were in use, at a time when ordinary roads were worse, if possible, than now, they gave the farming community means for getting their produce to market and were certainly instrumental in building up commercial centers like Little Falls. A Hst of the principal business houses in the place in 1850-51 will be of value as indicating the growth of the village. The list is made up from the advertising in the newspapers, and probably embraces most of the principal establishments : S. N. Foote, dry goods ; H. M. Heath, furnace and plows ; Mrs. S. A. Fox, and Miss A. J. Swift, milliners ; Jones & Hinds, agents for rub- ber goods ; J. C. Kellogg, dentist ; Herkimer County Insurance Com- pany; Reddy & Cunningham, furnace; Gordon Stevenson, cabinet maker; B. W. Franklin, dentist; Henry W. Fox, tailor and ready- made clothing; C. P. Hunt, Little Falls drugstore; A. W. Golden, cabinet maker in the green store ; Harris & Houghton, sash and blind factory ; F. Adams, bookseller ; Usher & Caswell, flour, etc. ; Cook & Petrie, hatters; Pratt & Company, boots and shoes; Jones & Hine, tailors; T. Burch & Company, stoves and general merchants; William Taylor, clothing and tailor ; J. C. Clarke, meat market ; J. W. Helmer, crockery, etc. ; John St. John, tailor ; G. B. Young, furniture ; W. H. Cressy, stoves and hardware ; Ford & Waterman, John H. Wooster, Nolton & Lake, Loomis & Griswold, and William Brooks, lawyers. In 1852 the editor of the local paper said : " There are few villages in the country whose streets exhibit a busier or more cheering aspect than this," and followed with encouraging comments on the schools of the place, its churches, etc. The fact is, the village enjoyed a good de- gree of growth and general prosperity between 1855 and the breaking out of the war; streets were opened and improved; miles of sidewalks were laid; parks were improved; the academy, incorporated in 1844, was in full and successful operation ; and all municipal affairs were prosperous. In i860 a local paper said that in no time in a number of years had there been so much building, repairing and general activity. 270 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. All this was, of course, changed by the opening of the great struggle for the preservation of the Union. This event paralyzed action in re- gard to public improvements throughout the country and turned uni- versal attention to war and its hundreds of related activities. The chief occurrences in connection with the war, as far as this county is con- cerned, are sufficiently noted in the earlier pages of general history. It is sufificient for the present purpose to say that Little Falls was the cen- ter of military activity for the county during tiie momentous contest, and that her leading citizens gave freely of their time and means and energy for the success of the struggle. The major portion of the history of the village since the war is em- bodied in the immediately following pages devoted to the various insti- tutions and industries of the place ; and it only remains to sketch briefly the more important acts of the village authorities. Business activity was renewed at the close of the rebellion ; money was plenty and the guarantees of peace inspired all men with hopefulness for the future. A somewhat disastrous fire occurred in July, 1866, burning the Hinchman House and the stores of seven merchants, and other buildings ; the loss was about $45,000. On the following Sunday what was known as the Valley House was burned. These fires led to an earlj- reconstruction and improvement of the fire department. The general fund of the vil- lage had now reached about $6,000, and the population of the town was nearl)' 6,000. In February, 1871, a movement was made to organize the State Dairymen's Association and Board of Trade; the organiza- tion was effected on the 27tli ; Judge George A. Hardin presided at and addressed the meeting held for the purpose. A steam fire engine had been recently purchased, and in August a meeting was held and measures adopted for the purchase of a second one, which was accom- plished. The Union Free School system was adopted in the fall of this year (1873), and street improvements were numerous about this period. In 1 88 1 the fire alarm was introduced, and in the following year a be- ginning was made upon the present complete sewer system. At the same time the stone crusher was purchased, to be followed in 1892 by one of the first-class steam road rollers, and under the present policy the streets are being rapidly and effectively improved. The village debt at the present time is about $330,000, and the annual general tax reaches TOWN OF LITTLE FALLS. 271 the sum of about $40,000. To the progressive citizens of the vil lage these figures are not at all appalling, for they realize that owing to its peculiar physical situation, Little Falls improvements are necessarily costly. They also realize that in order to keep in the front rank in the march of human progress, money as well as energy must be expended. Following are the trustees of the village from the year 1828 to the present time : 1828, Sanders Lansing, James Sanders, John McMichael. 1829, Thomas Smith, A. Loomis, Gould Wilson, Moses Drake, N. S. Benton, Alanson Ingham. 1830, Thomas Smith, N. S. Benton, Gould Wilson, A. Loomis, John McKenster, Richard N. Casler. 1831, N. S. Benton, Moses Drake, William I. Pardee, Wm. Brooks, Lester Green. Hosea Hani'lton. 1832, Parley Eaton, Je.sse 0. Dann, Elisha P. Ilurlbut, Daniel Mcintosh, Wm. J. Par- dee, Christopher Smith. 1833, Christopher P. Bellinger, E. P. Hurlbut, Parley Eaton, Henry Heath, Joram Petrie, George Petrie. 1834:, Gould Wilson, C. P. Bellinger, Martin W. Priest, Tliomas Burch, John Bartow, John Beardslee. 1835, \M. W. Priest, Jesse C. Dann, Thomas Barob, John Beardslee, Parley Eaton, Richard N. Casler. 183G, M. W. Priest, J. C. Dann, Albert G. Story, James T. Smith, Flavins J. Little- john, Robert Casler. 1837, M. W. Priest, James T. Smith, Christopher Smith, Henry Heath, Frederick Lansing, Jarvis N. Lake. 1838, Jarvis N. Lake, James T. Smith, Noah Stark, George B. Young, James N. Baker, Nicholas Moyer. 1839, M. W. Priest, James N. Baker, Horace M. Burch, Lauren Ford, Frederick Lansing, Amos A. Beardslee. 1840, R. N. Casler, W. Van Driesen, George H. Feeter, Nelson Rust, Henry W. Fox, James N. Baker. 1841, Hiram Nolton, Nelson Rust, George G. Hall, Frederick Lansing. Moses Drake, Henry Heath. 1842, Henry Heath, M. W. Priest, George B. Young, James Sanders, George Heath, William Paige. 1843, M. W. Priest, R. N. Casler, Zenas A. Hall, William I. Skinner, Edmund G. Chapin, James T. Smith. 1844, William Usher, William Ingham, J. N. Baker, Peter P. Bellmger, Jamas Feeter, H. Nolton. 1845, John Beardslee, William Brooks, jr., Rodney Durkee, Wm. Ingham, William Page, jr., Peter P. E. Bellinger. 272 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. 184'i, William P. Hall, Joseph Boyer, Wra. Brooks, jr., James N. Baker, Michael Reddy, Henry Thompson. 1847, R. N. easier, Seth M. Richmond, Nelson Rust, Henry Link, Wm. B. Poughton, Henry W. Fox. 1848, Seth M. Richmond, A. G. Rosecrantz, J. N. Lake, Henry Thomp.ion, Robert Stewart, Nelson Rust. 1849, A. G. Rosecrantz, Samuel S. Whitman, Michael Moyer, Deles Lake, G. S. Young, Wm. B. Houghton. 1850, Re-incorporation of the village under name of Rockton : President, George H. Feeter ; trustees, Morris E. Fuller, Peter B. Gilder.sleeve, Henry Link, Leonard Boyer, A. G. Rosecrantz, Alvan Richmond, John Bielby, Henry M. Heath. 1851, Joram Petrie J. N. Lake, Philo Reed, John Feeter, Michael Boothroyd, Michael Reddy, James N. Baker, Thomas Dale. 1852, Asa Wilcox, J. 0. Cunningham, Lorenzo D. Waite, Shadrach Sherman, AVm. Fowler, Levi Casler, Joseph K. Chapman, Thomas Dale. 1853, Henry Link, Thomas Scott, Aaron Carver, H. Thompson, Henry Heath, Ben- jamin R. Jones, Robert M. McChesney, Leonard Boyer. 1854, W. B. Houghton, J. N. Barber, Joseph H. Hinds, S. M. Richmond, Nicholas Moyer, A. Rathbun, Samuel F. Bennett, Thaddeus R. Brooks. 1855, George Heath, John Satterly, Henry Burwell, Eben B. Waite, Ezekiel Heath, Wm. M. Dorr, J. W. Helraer, Alvan Richmond. 1856, George H. Carver, Elijah Wilds, B. R. Jone.s, Enoch R. Nelson, Shadrach Sher- man (to fill vacancy). From this date only four trustees were elected annnallj', four of the former board holding over. 1857, Wells Sponable, George Heath, John Satterly, John W. Belhnger. 1858, James Bellinger, jr., George H. Feeter, Mason S. Van Slyke, Harry Burrell. 1859, George Ashley, John W. Bellinger, J. N. Baker, Gideon Tillinghast. 1860, Henry T. Holmes, Sylvester Levee, Wm. S. Tucker, S. T. Smith. 1861, Robert Casler, Philander G. Potter, J. N. Casler, James Boyer. 1862, Wm. M. Briggs, Thomas Dale, Warren C. Southworth, Nicholas Moyer. 1863, Sylvester Levee, Philander G. Potter, C. B. Leigh, Darwin B. Chase. 1864, Thomas Dale, Thomas W. Dundas, Peter A. Conyne, Wra Briggs. 1865, Henry Root, George F. Angel, Sylvester Levee, R. D. Casler. 18G6, Thomas Dale, John W. Bellinger, Wm. H. Weeks, Nathan Basterbrook. 1867, Henry M. P. Uhlee. P. G. Potter, Charles Benedict, T. A. Burnham. 1868, Levi Bellinger, Esick Buchanan, Amos Rankin, Patrick Nolan. 1869, Wm. M. Briggs, Henry M. P. Uhlee, Robert Casler, jr., RoUin H. Smith. 1870, Frederick H. Phillips, Wm. Nelson, Timothy Comboy, Jonah May. 1871, Wm. M. Brigg.s, S. B. Casler, James W. Cronkhite, Wm. Clark. 1872, Albert Story, Thomas Dale, C. B. Leigh, James T. Smith. 1873, Peter A. Conyne, John P. Harvey, John A. Woolever, Charles Benedict, 1874, Victor Adams, 1. B. Richmond, Amos Keller, Thomas Sheridan. 1875, Daniel W. Ladue, Peter A. Staring, Wm. M. Briggs, Charles W. Nellis. 1876, Alonzo 0. Casler, Edward S. Middlebrook, Andrew Foley, Jacob Stacy. 1877, John F. Leahy, D. W. Ladue, James Wiswell, Amos Rankins. TOWN OF LITTLE FALLS. 273 1878, Irving E. "Waters, Henry Link, George Keller, Thomas Sheridan. 1879, Amos Rankins, Silas W. Boyer, D. W, Lailue, John McCauley. 1880, Joseph W. Baker, Henry E. Piper, Richard Levee, Jacob Stacy. 1881, John Canaman, James McDonald, John Chester, R. Walrath. 1882, Victor Adams, Albert Story, John L. Palmer, \V. R. Chappie. r883, Irving E. Waters, Amos Keller, Peter E. Rankins, John 0. Leahy. 1884, Chas. J. Palmer, W. Shall, W. R. Chappie, Charles Bailey, Asa Bowen. 1885, Charles Benedict, D. J. Mesick, Peter A. Staring, Lyman Timmerman. 1886, Thomas Bf^iley, K Gr. Lower, Thomas McDermott. L. R. Klock. ] 1887, Eraorj' J. Diefendorf, Warner Edick, Fred M. Kenyon, L. Timmerman. 1888, Thomas McDermott, Fred H. Gowen, John H. Kane, George H. Goetchiiis. 1889, Charles N. Le Bart, David P. Broaghton, Frank W. Smith, Halsey W. Warren. 1890, H. G. Babcock, N. 0. Casler, John H. Kane, Hiram Sharp. 1891, Richard Levee, J. S. Newell, Halsey W. Warren, Herbert B. demons. 1892, William Dale, Squire Bailey, Kenyon A. Bushnell, Sylvanns J. Waters, jr. Following is a list of the presidents of the village of Little Falls from 1828 to the present time: N. S. Benton, 1828; John Dygert, 1829-30; Arphaxed Looniis, 1831, 1833-36; Henry P. Alexander, 1834-3,5; Jesse C. Dann, 183,"; Martin W. Priest, 1838-41, 1844,1847,1862-60,1872-73; Robert Stewart, 1842; George B. Young, 1843 ; Fred- erick Lansing, 1845-46; Richard N. Casler (appointed to fill vacancy), 1847 ; Hiram Nolton, 1848; George H. Feeter, 1849-50; Nelson Rust, 1851; William Brooks, jr., 1852; Zenas C. Priest, 1853 ; Henry Link (appointed to fill vacancy), 1854; Jarvis N. Lake, 1854; James N. Barber (appointed to fill vacancy), 1854-56; Thomas Burch, 1855; J. W. Helmer (appointed to fill vacancy), 1855; James Feeter, 1857; Seth M. Richmond, 1858-61 ; Mount M. Abel, 1867 ; John P. Sharer, 1868-71 ; W. A. Staf- ford, 1874; Watts T. Loomis (appointed to fill vacancy), 1874; S. Stewart Lansing, 1875-76; Jonah May, 1877; Isaac B. Richmond, 1878-79; Henry Link, 1880; Isaac B. Richmond, 1881, 1883; Kendrick E. Morgan, 1882; J. J. Gilbert, 1384-85; Joseph W. Baker, 1886 ; George F. Crumby 1887 ; Isaac B. Richmond, 1888, 1890; Charles L. Petree, 1889; Judson J. Gilbert, 1891 ; 1892, Albert Story. The officers of the village for 1892 are as follow: President, Albert Story ; treasurer, Frank B. Wilcox ; collector, Calvin Van Alstine ; trustees, "William H. Dale, Squire Bailey, Sylvanus J. Waters, jr., Ken- yon A. Bushnell ; clerk, Wilbur D. Newell ; attorney, H. A. De Coster ; street commissioner, James M. Smith ; board of health, John R. Taylor, Milton Tryon, Frank W. Smith. THE CHURCHES AND SCHOOLS OF LITTLE FALLS. Tlie Octagon Church. — This historic building was erected, says Mr. Benton's history, about the year 1796, and " attracted the admiring 276 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COtJNTlT. were Abraham Neeley and wife, Daniel Talcott and wife, Mrs. Henry Rartlett and Mrs. James Kennedy. The first elders of the church, chosen May i6, 1813, were Abraham Neeley and Thomas Smith. In the early part of 18 1 3 the church entered into ecclesiastical connection with the Presbytery of Oneida, and so remained until 1842, when it transferred its connection to the Presbytery of Albany. In the re- construction of synods and presbyteries in 1870, after the reunion, this church was included within the bounds of the synod of Central New York by act of the General Assembly, and by act of synod was attached to the Presbytery of Utica, with which it has since been connected. The congregation originallj' worshiped in the old Octagon church be- fore described, which was erected about 1796. In 1832 a brick church was erected on the corner of Ann and Albany streets (now occupied by D. H. Burrell & Co.). This building served the congregation for nearly fifty years, and was several times remodeled and enlarged. In 1879 the present beautiful and and costly stone edifice was completed. It is one of the finest church structures in Central New York and cost more than $40,000. Tlie Sabbath-school was probably organized soon after the church organization, and Rev. H. N. Woodruff was the first superintendent, with the following teachers: Hon. N. S. Benton, Ephraim Garter, Josiah Pierson. Mrs. H. N. Woodruff, Maria John.son, Sarah Lockwood, and Elizabeth Carpenter. The following per.^ons have served as su- perintendents of the school: Rev. H. N. Woodrufl", William Hammill, Hosea Hamil- ton, John Dygert, Rev. T. B. Jervis, Thomas Burch, William Rossiter, Jarvis X. Lake, J. S. Aldridge, D. H. Burrell, Amos King, Charles King, L. Timmerman, and E. J. Burrell. The following have served either as pastors or stated supplies of the church : Rev. James Joyce, 1812-1813 ; Rev. Hezekiah N. Woodrufl; 1813-1822; Rev. Stephen W. Burritt, 1822-1827; Rev. Jacob Helffenstein, 1827-1828; Rev. David M. Smith, 1828-1829; Rev. J. Barton, 1830-1831; Rev. J. H. Martyn, 1831-1832; Rev. James F. Warren, 1832-1833; Rev. James I. Ostrom, 1833-1835; Rev. Arthur Burtis, 1836- 1837 ; Rev. L. P. Blodgett, 1837-1839 ; Rev. A. L. Bloodgood, 1840-1841 ; Rev. J. H. Mcllvaine. 1841-1843; Rev. A. G. Vermilye, 1845-1849; Rev. H. W. Morris, 1850- 1860; Rev. M. L. P. Hill, 1860-1868; Rev. W. B. Parraalee, 1869-1872; Rev. Walter Condit. 1873-1875 ; Rev. Arthur Potts, 1875-1881 ; Rev. F. A. M. Brown, D. D., 1882- 1887 ; Rev. C. S. Richardson, 1888. The elders of the church are: Town of little falls. 277 J. S. Aldridge, E. D. Evans, Andrew Van Valkenburgh, D. H. Burrell. The trustees are W. G. Milligan, president; E. J. Burrell, C. L. Petree, L. Carryl, F. L Small, J. H. Ives, A. W. Shepherd, W. T. Loomis, George G. Stebbins. Methodist Episcopal Church. — Methodism in the M3hawk valley dates from a very early period, certainly previous to the beginning of the present century; and while details of the early history are extremely meager, we know that Freeborn Garretson and some of his colaborers were in Schenectady in 1789, and probably preached as far west as Utica. Starkville in this county had a class between 1790 and 1795, and Brockett's Bridge (Dolgeville) had one about 1800. Little Falls was, of course, visited by those early preachers. William Morrallee came to this country from England in 1801 and preached here, and Bishop Asbury visited Little Falls in 1807, and baptized Mrs. Phoebe Lewis, a daughter of Mr. Morrallee. A legal church organization was not, however, effected until November 19, 1832. At the meeting held for that purpose in the old stone school- house, Henry Heath presided and E. S. Edgerton was secretary. The following persons were elected the first trustees : Edmund L. Shepherd, Gilbert Robinson, George Warcup, E. S. Edgerton, and Henry Heath. Rev. Darius Simmons was then one of the circuit preachers, and eight days later he was ap- pointed to visit Troy, Albany and New York and solicit funds with which to build a church. He probably failed in his purpose, as only $400 were pledged and the project was abandoned until 1837. Again, after considerable effort, it was given up on account of the financial stress of that time. Finally, in 1838, through the efforts of Rev. Charles L. Dunning, a powerful preacher and a man of indomitable will and energy, a building was erected, which was dedicated September 28, 1839. Bishop Hedding preached the dedicatory sermon. The mem- bership at that time was fifty- three. Since Mr. Dunning's pastorate the following have served the church: Revs. C. W. Leet, Charles L. Dunning, S. Orvis, B. L Diefendorf, 0. C. Cole, C. L. Dunning, R. B. Stratton, W. L. Tisdale, M. G. Bullock, J. V. Ferguson, Aaron Adams, I. L Hunt, Benjamin Phillips, D. Simons, D. M. Rogers, John Loveys, J. D. Adams, J. L. Humphrey, W. Jones, J. L. Humphrey, M. R. Webster, James Coote, Samuel Call, J. B. Hammond, who came in the spring of 1888. The church membership is now about 500. The trustees are S. Newell, Titus Sheard, William Dale, C. T. Pooler, S. Cross, William 280 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. Revs. J. H. Harter, T.J. Whitcomb, engaged in Septeml)er. 1851 ; J. H. Hobbs, Sep- tember, 18.33; George W. Skinner, November, 1854; B. B. Halleck, June, 1857; J. R. Sage, May, 1859; 0. Cone, 1863; A Tibets, December, 1865; Lucius Holmes, Octo- ber, 1867; George P. Hibbard, June, 1871 ; H. D. L. Webster. May, 1873 ; H. A. Han- aford, April, 1875; E. F. Pember, December, 1877; Selden S. Gilbert, closed Septem- ber, 1884; R. E. Sykes, the present pastor, came in April, 1885. The membership is about 100. Following are the present trustees: Charles Benedict, George S. Ransom, Nelson E. Ransom, John P. Harvey, Addison Eaton, Oscar Taylor. Si. Mary's Roman Catholic Church. — Previous to the building of the Utica and Schenectady Railroad and the enlargement of the Erie Canal, Little Falls was visited by various Catholic clergymen, but during the improvements mentioned Rev. Father Burke was appointed pastor in this place. He was succeeded by Rev. Father Shanahan. They oc- cupied the old Octagon church. For some time after the completion of the railroad and the consequent removal of many Catholic families, the village was without a resident pastor. During the pastorate of Rev. Father Stokes over St. John's church in Utica, his assistant, Rev. John Menomy, a young clergyman, was appointed by the bishop as pastor of Herkimer, Montgomery, Fulton, Otsego, and Schoharie counties. He purchased a lot on John street and erected the first Catholic church of Little Falls. It was a comfortable- frame building and was finished in 1847 and dedicated the same year under the name of St. Mary's church. About the year 1S52 he was succeeded by Rev. B. F. Mc- Loughlin, who built the brick parsonage. During his administration the church was burned. The pastor was succeeded in June, 1867, by Rev. F"rancis Von Campenhoudt. He erected the brick church on the corner of Alexander and Petrie streets, which was dedicated in 1869 by Bishop Lynch, of Charleston, S. C. He was succeeded in 1872 by Rev. James Ludden, who remained more than ten years and was succeeded by Rev. A. P. Ludden, the present pastor. During the first Father Ludden's pastorate the church building was condemned as unsafe, and in 1874 the new stone church corner of John street and Eastern avenue was begun and completed in 1878. In 1889 the sub- stantial stone school building was erected, and in 1892 the stone deanery was built. The property is now very valuable. German Evangelical Church. — In the year 1849 Rev. P. Herlan began labor here for the establishment of a church of this faith, which TOWN OF LITTLE FALLS. 281 he continued about two years. The place was then included in a cir- cuit extending from Albany to Syracuse. In 1852 Rev. E Greuzebach and a Mr. Scharfe came to the charge, and in 1855 Rev. L. Herman came, and during his ministrations the church was built on Gansevoort street. The society was incorporated January 29, 1857. The list of pastors cannot be given complete, in the absence of records. Schools. — In foregoing pages the stone school -house has often been mentioned. It is said that Elijah Case taught the first school in that historic structure, and for many years it was the only educational in- stitution in the village. Mr. Case called his scholars to study by blow- ing a long tin horn. There was little advancement in the schools at Little Falls until the incorporation of the academy by the Regents of the University of this State October 17, 1844. The trustees named in the charter were : Nathaniel S. Benton, Frederick Lansing, William 0. Grain, Henry Heath, Harry Burrell, Albert G. Story. Thomas Burch, Solomon Petrie, Henry Bysaman, Arphaxed Loomis, George H. Feeter, David Petrie, Martm W. Priest, Richard N. Casler, Zenas C. Priest, Nathan Brown, Stephen W. Brown, William Ingham. The citizens of the village contributed liberally to a fund for the erection of a necessary building and the result was the substantial stone structure which has so long served its purpose. In December, 1845, the reported value of the academic property entire was $14,849.38. The school was opened by Merritt G. McKoon, A. M., as principal. He was succeeded by the following : Daniel Washburne, 1845; Josiah A. Priest, 1848; James H. Maguffin, 1849; Philo S. Casler, 1850 ; Avery Briggs, 1851 ; Lawrence Mercerreaux, 1854 ; W. H. W^alker, 1858; Alonzo Phelps, 1860; John Bell, 1861 ; Levi D. Miller, 1863; Hannibal Smitli, 1867; D. P. Blackstone, 1869; Eugene E. Sheldon, 1870; W. F. Bridge, 1871. This academy subsequently became a part of the free school system of the village. A resolution was adopted on the 14th of October, 1873 "That a union free school, with an academical department, be established in this school district," the Board of Education to consist of six trustees, two of whom were to be elected annually. The existing Little Falls Academy was adopted as the academical department. The first Board of Education, elected October 15, 1873, was: Arphaxed Loomis, Jonah 282 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. May, Seth M. Richmond, Charles G. Burke, James Hart, James W. Magill. Arphaxed Loomis was chosen president, and James Hart sec- retary of this first Board of Education. The school was divided into primary, intermediate, preparatory and academic departments. On the 2d of September, 1879, the graded school system was adopted, and under the law of that year W. S. Hall was appointed the first superintendent of schools. The schools were then divided into the Eastern, Western, and Southern Divisions, the academical department being continued in the academy building in the Eastern Division. The schools are under the supervision of the Regents of the University of the State, and the course of study conforms to the requirements of that body. Pupils are not admitted to the academical department upon examinations by the teachers, but upon the fact of the applicant hold- ing a regent's preliminary certificate, obtained upon a regent's exam- ination. On completion of the course of study and satisfactory exam- ination a graduating diploma is awarded. In 1884 a new brick school-house was erected for the Southern Di- vision, on the south side of the Mohawk, at a cost of $12,000, and in 1889 a new brick school building was built on the site of the old struct- ure, corner of Prospect and Church streets, at a cost of $22,000. This latter building is a model one in its heating and ventilating sys- tem and interior arrangement. The present Board of Education is composed of the following per- sons: Rollin""J-I. Smith, president ; Alonzo H. Green, secretary ; William R. Chappie, Horace A. Tozer, John Chester, Ivan T. Burney ; superintendent of schools, Thomas A. Caswell. Academical Department. Marcelhis Oakey, principal ; Miss Mary L. Mills, precep- tress; Miss Mary E. Vaughn, as,sistant. Eastern Division, Miss Adelaide A. Appley, Miss Ennly A. Oyston, Miss Minnie Evans, Miss Maggie D. Ferguson, Miss Mildred B. VanAlstine, Miss Anna P. Hutchins. Western Division, J. K. Abrams, principal ; Miss Helena J. Ballard, Miss Julia S. Beach, Miss Mary E. Van Deusen, Miss Bertha I. Hagedorn, Miss Ella M. Lewi.s, Miss B la R. Groom, Miss Cora M. Sharp, Miss Maggie E. Walcott. Southern Division, J. F. Steward, principal; Miss Gertrude Brown, Miss Lucy H. Clancy, Miss Lora Houpt. The Press of Little Falls. — The first newspaper in Little Falls was called the People's Friend, a Democratic paper, started by Edward M. TOWN OF LITTLE PALLS. 283 Griffing in September, 1821. After about ten years of existence sev- eral leading Democrats of the village purchased the establishment to prevent a forced sale and discontinuance of the paper. Its name was then changed to the Mohatvk Courier', and its publication continued by Charles S. Benton & Co.; from them it passed to Josiah A. Noonan, who sold it to Horatio N. Johnson. He transferred it to Elias G. Palmer, but subsequently bought it back, and associated with himself Allen W. Eaton. In 1856 Mr Eaton purchased his partner's interest in the establishment, and the paper became the county organ of the then young Republican party, Mr. Eaton acting as editor. In March, 1861, Mr. Eaton sold the paper to William Ayer and T. S. Brigham, who conducted it until January i, 1864, when it was purchased by Jean R. Stebbins, then proprietor of the Journal, and the two papers were consolidated under the name of the Journal and Courier. The history of the Journal down to its consolidation with the Courier begins in 1849, when the Herkimer County Journal was removed to Little Falls from Herkimer by Orlando Squires. In 1858 X. A. Willard assumed editorial control of the paper, as far as its political and literary features were concerned, and Daniel Ayer conducted the local columns and the business management. Mr. Willard continued as editor about two years. Mr. Ayer injured his health by arduous labor and died January i, 1861. On the i8th of the same month the establish- ment was purchased of Mr. Ayer's widow by Jean R. Stebbins, who continued as its proprietor until the consolidation above described. In September, 1866, George G Stebbins purchased an interest in the Journal and Courier, 2Lnd from that time until May, 1883, the paper was conducted and edited under the firm name of J. R. & Gr G. Steb- bins. On the date last named Ivan T. Burney was admitted to the firm and the business continued under the firm name of Stebbins & Co. until November i, 1886, when J. R Stebbins sold his interest to his partners, after a continuous connection with the paper of more than twenty-five years. Mr. Stebbins was a forcible and vigorous writer, especially on political subjects, and in the broad field of Republican politics his journal exerted a wide and powerful influence. Its circula- tion was extended and its character and prosperity built up under his able administration. Soon after the disposing of his interest to his 284 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. partners, Mr. Stebbins removed to Watertown, N. Y., to assume the du- ties of president of the Agricultural Insurance Company of that city. The Journal and Courier since then has been ably couducted by Steb- bins & Burney. The Herkimer County Neius was started in Mohawk as an independ- ent paper in 1868 by Williams & Perkins. In the fall of 1 870, at the solicitation of many Democrats in Little Falls, the News was removed to this village. In the spring of 1871 it was transferred to L. W. Flagg, and in August of the same year was purchased by T; M Chap- man, of Canandaigua, N. Y., and W. R. Chappie, of Cleveland, O., under the firm name of Chapman & Chappie. The establishment was enlarged and the paper given a new impetus. In September, 1874, Mr. Chapman sold his interest to H. A. Tozer (Chaf«»afi & Tozer). In De- cember, 1877, failing health impelled Mr. Tozer to retire, and since that time the paper has been ably conducted on Democratic lines by Mr. Chappie. The Little Falls Evening Times is the only daily newspaper pub- lished in Herkimer county. It was founded May 10, 1876, by the Co- operative Printing Company, composed of Robert Currie, Thomas and G. H. Highland, J. R. McGuire, and Henry Langdon. The type and other materials were purchased of C. A. Tucker, who had previously published the Mohaivk Independent. John F. Devlin was the first editor of the new daily. In November, 1886, the establishment was sold to a syndicate and E W. Pavey was appointed editor. Mr. Pavey continued in the editorial chair about one year, and was succeeded by John M. Lee as editor and manager. Mr. Lee held the position until August, 1889, when Jay E. Klock, of Albany, purchased an interest in the paper and became editor and manager. Mr. Klock retired June 15, 1 89 1, to become editor of the Kingston (N. Y.) Freeman. He was succeeded on the Times by John Crowley, jr. Mr. Crowley purchased the interest of his partners in July, 1892, and is now editor and sole proprietor. The Times is independent in politics, and a bright and ably conducted paper. The death-roll of newspapers in Herkimer county is a long one, as it is in all other districts where numerous journals have been started by ambitious publishers and editors. The brief careers of many of these wrecks are noted in the history of other towns in this volume. TOWN OF LITTLE FALLS. 28o The Republican Farmer's Free Press was removed to Little Falls from Herkimer (see history of Herkimer) and its name changed to the Her- kimer County Whig. It was published by Larned W. Smith, and died young. In 1839 Edward M. Griffing established The Enterprise and con- tinued its publication about two years. He then started the Mohazvk Mirror, a semi-monthly paper, which expired in 1844 The Herkimer Freeman was started in Little Falls by O. A. Bowe, about 1844, after he had left the Herkimer County Journal, at Herki- mer. The Freeman was an abolition organ and lived about six years. The Catholic Telegraph was first issued at Little Falls June 8, 1878. It was edited by Rev. James M. Ludden and M. J. Ludden. In Janu- ary, 1 88 1, the paper was removed to Albany and was discontinued a few years later. T\\& Dairyman s Record, & semi-monthly, was started February 15, 1859, by A. W. Eaton. In May, i860, its name was changed to the Dairy Farmer and issued monthly. In April, 1861, Mr. Eaton sold the paper to Ayer & Brigham, and it was discontinued about a year later. Water Works. — Little Falls had little water supply in which it could reasonably feel pride until very recent years. With pipes in some of the streets and indifferent sources to rely upon, the village for many years seriouslj' felt the need of a better supply of water for domestic and fire extinguishing purposes. The reason given for this state of affairs was chiefly the apparently insurmountable engineering difficulties to be encountered in the construction of new works, with the.attendant expense. For several years previous to 1885 the subject of a better water supply had been agitated, and finally on tlie 2ist of May, 18S5, the trustees appointed a committee of twelve prominent citizens to act with them in investigating the subject. The members of the com- mittee were Hon. George A. Hardin, chairman ; Michael Reddy, Titus Sheard, J. D. Feeter, R. Walrath, D. H. Burrell, S. M. Richmond, Lorenzo Carryl, Watts T. Loomis, Z. C. Priest, William I. Skinner, and J. R. Stebbins. This committee visited and inspected all the practi- cable sources of supply and procured analyses of the waters. The result of these investigations was the selection of Beaver Brook as the best 286 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. and most available source. The committee reported unanimously in favor of the corporation owning the works and on the source selected. On the 3d of July, 1885, the Board of Trustees organized themselves into a Board of Water Commissioners as follows : J. J. Gilbert, presi- dent ; C. J. Palmer, secretary; Lyman Timmerman, treasurer; Victor Adams, W. R. Chappie, Charles Benedict, George W. Shall, Charles Bailey, D. J. Mesick, commissioners. This board was temporary and to be succeeded by a permanent one when the necessarj' legislation should have been procured. An election was ordered for August 20, 1885, to decide whether the village was in favor of adopting the plans of the committee, at which 429 tax payers voted in favor and iio against the plans; and 864 electors voted in favor and 141 against. Upon the announcement of this result a popular jubilee was held at which the inhabitants gener- ally expressed their satisfaction after the customary American pro- gramme. October 6, 188.5, the commissioners secured the services of Stephen E. Babcock, civil engineer, of Troy, N. Y., and a contract was made with him to superintend the construction of the proposed works at a salary of $3,000 per annum. Mr. Babcock and his assistants com- pleted the surveys of the entire system by December 25, 1885. An act was then prepared to transfer the duties of the water commissioners of the village to a Board of Water Commissioners, whicli became a law on the 1 1 th of February, 1886. Under this act the following commis- sioners were chosen : Watts T. Loomis, five years ; William I. Skin- ner, four years; Charles J. Palmer, three years; David H. Burrell, two years ; all dating from January i, 1886. An act to authorize the issue of $250,000 in bonds was passed March 8, 1886. Sealed proposals were received up to May, 1886, for constructing the Beaver Creek conduit, eight miles long, dam and inlet chamber ; for the construc- tion of a distribution reservoir and about one mile of open canals; for trenches and laying the system of distribution complete, about sixteen miles ; and for the valves and hydrants complete. All of these contracts were successfully let to responsible persons. The reservoir and conduit were brought into use July 15, 1887; the distribution reservoir was not fully completed until October, 1888; but the pipe lines were so arranged temporarily that water was delivered after I TOWN OF LITTLE FALLS. 287 October 28, 1886. An additional feed pipe line was subsequently constructed to connect at William street at a cost of $15,000, in order to prevent the possibility of ever being without water for a day or two through the breakage of the original line. For the completion of the great work an act was passed April 18, 1887, authorizing the raising of a further sum of $25,000. This sum was still found inadequate, and on the 8th of May, 1888, an act was passed authorizing the issue of bonds to the further amount of $30,000, making in all $305,000. The cost of the works averaged $11,115 P^"" rnile, which was lower than the average cost of water works in cities and villages throughout the country. The commissioners and the citizens' committee estimated that the sum of $21,500 per annum would have to be realized for the maintenance of the works and meeting the assumed obligations, as follows: Fixed charges of interest, $10,000; cost of maintenance, $5,500; for sinking fund, $6,000. A system of rates was established in accordance with this estimate, charging $5 each for ordinary stores and dwellings. No public improvement can be conceived that would confer a greater benefit upon Little Falls than has this system of water works, and while it has created a considerable debt, the burden is generally cheerfully assumed. The present commissioners are : Chas. J. Palmer, president ; Hadley Jones, secretary; Rollin H. Smith, Rugene Walrath. The Fire Department. — The early action of the village toward pro- viding for the extinguishment of fires has been noticed. The first company " No. I " was organized in 1808 by Captain Solomon Lock- wood, and in 181 1 the following persons were members of this company: Solomon Lockwood, captain ; Rufiis Sawyer, Amos Parkhurst. Josiah Hazen, Isaac Stevenson, Felix Dutoher, Josiah Perry, Thomas Battle, Benjamin Carr, Thomas Gould, Henry Frey, Benjamin Bowen, John O. Mclntyre, Matthias B. Bellows, Thomas Smith, William Girvan, Brayton Buckland, John Protheroe, John Phillips, Washington Brit- ton, George W. Angel, Charles Hinkley, Wiliiam T. Dodge, Henry Holmes, James Beattie, George Plato. The engine liouse then stood a little west of the Girvan Hou-se site. The organization of Protection Fire Company No. 2 took place June 19. 1835, and its headquarters were on the north side of German street. The first engine was a " goose-neck " hand machine, and later a Button steamer. Cascade Fire Company No. i was organized October 11, 288 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. 1853, and reorganized November 29, 1873. The original members were as follows : Henry P. Alexander, Horace M. Burch, James Feeter, William Usher, James R Fisher, Stephen Farnhain, Hiram McChesney, William T. Wheeler, William Beattit-, Henry Wiegand, James Strossman, William Ellison, William H. Anable, George Ash- ley, John Shaunberg, James Roe, S. J. Galpin, Nelson Rust, John Feeter, A. Rathbun, M. E. Fuller, William H. Cressey, Joseph Boyer, jr, James G. Reals, James Churchill, James Levee, William Ingham, William Genett and S. Sherman. General Herkimer Company No. 3 was organized Jul}' 3, 1857, with the following officers : J. Satterlee, foreman ; J. B. Eysaman, first assistant ; J. Yosburgh, second assistant : H. Fralick, secretary; P. G. Potts, treasurer. The fire department, as it exists at the present time, was organized under special act of the Legislature May i, 1886, which authorized a commission to take control of both the fire and the police departments. The property of the fire department consisted of three steam fire engines, one hook and ladder truck and appurtenances, and one chemical engine. These continued in use until 1888, when the construction of the present water works rendered the engines almost wholly unnecessary. The companies which had been connected with the steamers were reorgan- ized into hose companies, while the hook and ladder and chemical com- panies remained as they were. Previous to the construction of the water works each company con- sisted of a maximum of sixty men. This number is still retained in the hook and ladder and the chemical companies, while the maximum of the hose companies was reduced to thirty men each. There is a chief engineer and first and second assistant engineers, all subject to the con- trol of the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners. The first board was composed as follows : S. M. Van Alstine, chairman : S. W. Petrie, M. G. Bronner, J. P. Sharer ; W. S. Shepard, clerk. The present board is: M. G. Bronner, chairman; D. F. Herlehey, F. Senior, J. S Barnet. The cost to the village of the fire department is $4,000 annually. An electric fire alarm is in use, comprising twenty alarm boxes placed at as many proper points. The alarm is sounded by a steam whistle in the electric light works, opposite the New York Central depot. "TOWN OF LITTLE FALLS. . 289 Police Department. — Prior to the organization of the Board of Police and Fire Commissioners, as above described, the poHce department was controlled by the village trustees, and changed with almost every change of administration. The creation of the Board of Commissioners corrected this evil and gave to the department much greater efificiency. The police force now consists of six officers including the chief and as- sistant cliief. The present chief of police is Earl W. Harris, with Daniel O'Brien assistant chief The cost of the department is $4,000 annually. Streets and Sewers. — The control of the streets and sewers of the village is vested in the Board of Trustees, through a street commis- sioner. Marked improvements have been inuagurated in this de- partment in recent years. In 1882 a steam stone crusher was purchased and broken stone was thenceforth used to a considerable extent in im- proving the roadways. In June, 1892, a Springfield steam roller was secured, and a beginning has been made upon a system of macadamiz- ing which it is intended shall cover all the streets of the village. The natural drainage of Little Falls is exceptionally good and sewer construction was not begun until 1882. Since that date about fifteen miles of sewerage have been constructed in the principal streets. Street Lighting. — The first gas for illumination made in Little Falls was by the Little Falls Woolen Company and the Saxony Woolen Company, who built a plant and made gas from rosin with which to light their own factories. This gas plant was purchased by John W. and S. B. Stitt and A. G. Story, and in 1853 pipes were laid by them in the principal streets of the village and the gas supplied to consumers. In 1863 the works were enlarged and the manufacture of coal gas was begun. In 1869 the Little Falls Gaslight Company was formed under the general State law with a capital of $25,000. The directors were G. A. Hardin, S. M. Richmond, W. G. Milligan, W. M. Dorr, Lorenzo Carry), J. J. Gilbert, James Feeter, W. T. Wheeler, and J. R. Stebbius. In 1886 a new Board of Directors consisting of William Henry White, V. S. Watrous and M. J. Leyden, was elected ; William Henry White, president. The capital stock was increased to $50,000. A modern system of retorts with a capacity of 20,000,000 cubic feet annually, a large telescopic holder, and some five miles of new street 37 290 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. mains were added to the plant ; public lamps were placed on all the thoroughfares of the village. In the same year electricity was also sup- plied for lighting purposes. The present price of gas is based upon a sliding scale regulated by the volume used, so that the net rates range from $1.75 to $2.25 per thousand cubic feet. Little Falls Electric Light and Pozver Co. — This company was or- ganized February 29, 1892, with the following officers : Watts T. Loorais, president ; Elijah Reed, vice-president; William F. Lansing, sec- retary, treasurer, and manager; directors, Watts T. Loomis, William F. Lansing, Nel- son R. Gilbert, Elijah Reed, James H. Ives. The capital stock is $30,000, which is paid up. The Thompson- Houston direct current system and the alternating incandescent system are in use. The steam power employed is* 350 horse power, and more than lOO two-thousand-candle power arcs and about 500 sixteen-candle power incandescent lights are in use, and the number is rapidly increasing. Herkimer County Batik (now National Herkimer County Bank). — This is the first regularly organized banking institution in Little Falls, though the oldest citizens remember what was called the Aqueduct Association which was in existence in 1806, and issued scrip for the accommodation of the business operations of that period. The Herki- mer County Bank as a safety fund bank was incorporated on the 14th of March, 1833, with a capital stock of $200,000 and began business in August of the same year, with the following named directors : N. S. Benton, Standish Barry, S. W. Brown, Dudley Burwell, A. Loomis, F. Lansing, P. F. Bellinger, F. B. Spinner, Benjamin Carver, David Petrie, H. P. Alexander, John Stillwell, and Abijah Mann, jr., with Standish Barry as president and Watts Sherman as cashier. At the expiration of its charter in 1863, the institution was reorgan- ized as an associate bank under the law of 1838, with the same amount of capital. Tlie directors were H. P. Alexander, V. S. Kenyon, A. Loomis, Hiram Nolion, Wm. Ingham, G. N. Willard, Z. C. Priest, James Feeter, and A. G. Story, with H. P. Alex- ander as president, and A. G. Story, cashier. In 1865 the bank was converted into the Herkimer County National Bank of Little Falls, with the same amount of capital as before. ■2011 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. mains were added to the plant ; pub: re placed on -;ik!: b\- tllr \ froii Der thousa Li:.:. ;-u.7. QZ\\\7.fd. Febrii , \\ rct-H: son R. GiUjerL, KlijaU lU The capital stock _ Houston direct current system are in use. t'''- and more than lOO sixteen-candle power rapidly increasing. Herkimer County Haitic (nc This is the first regularly organ- though the oldest citizens ren Association which was in exi-!! accommodation of the bn^' mer County Bank as a sai- of March, 1833, with a capital in AutriHi of t!ie same \-car, v.' •J rciccr Cf.— ibis cunipany 'A the following}; officers : ; William F. Lansii. ■i, William K. Lansinj )aid up. The Thomns 'ernating incanci'- > ,.d is" 350 horse y- power arcs and aboiM ■ use, and the numuci County Ben: " u in Littl- called the Aq: ■i issued scrip 1 iod. The iiated on ti o and began bi. : ;nied directors Ki)llu'ell, and Abijah Mann, jr., cBiiiier. At the expiration of its charter in ized as an associate bank i-'' - *' — of capital. istitution was reorgan :;ul:on. \Vf. H. p. Alt- I, Bank of Little Falls, with ilie -. ity Nation^ fore. ^^■,yr^K...r.frf Town of little falls. 291 Its directors were H. P. Alexander, V. S. Kenyon. Wm. Ingham, G. N. Willard, James Feeter, Z. 0. Priest, W. Starr, George A. Hardin, and A. G. Story, with the same president and cashier as above mentioned. On the 31st of October, 1878, a circular was issued by the bank an- nouncing its going into liquidation, and its immediate organization on the following day as the National Herkimer County Bank, with the same officers and management, and $250,000 capital. The bank con- ducted its business in the old Beattie building until the completion of its own structure, corner of Albany and Ann streets in 1833, when it removed thereto. The present directors are Wm. G. Milligan, A. G. Story, Lorenzo Carryl, Sclmyler R. Ingham, Geo. A. Hardin, David H. Bnrrell, Titus Sheard, Alex W. Shepard, Jacob Zoller. Following are the names of the successive presidents and cashiers of the bank : Presidents, Standish Barry, N. S. Benton, H. P. Alexander, A. G. Story, Z. C. Priest, Wm. G. Milligan. Cashiers, Watts Sherman, A. G. Story, William G. Milligan, Albert Story. The present vice-president is David H. Burrell ; S. J. Waters, jr., tel- ler ; George D. Smith, Gilbert Lyon, E. B. Waite, jr., bookkeepers. This is now the largest banking institution in Herkimer county, and has adopted a liberal policy toward the business interests of the community. Its deposits amount to more than $1,000,000, and it has not failed to make regular dividends in the sixty years of its existence. Litiie Falls National Bank. — This bank was organized in December, 1878, and business was begun early in the year 1879 in the block on the corner of Main and Ann streets, with the following officers: President, Seth M. Richmond; vice-president, E.C.Rice; cashier, Amos A. Bradley ; teller and assistant cashier, W. S. Feeter ; directors, S. M. Richmond, James Feeter, Isaac Small, B. C. Rice, J. H. Ives, R. H. Smith, A. L. Eaton, William Beattie, George Nelson. The capital of the bank is $100,000 and it now has surplus and prof- its of $42,000. This has been a prosperous institution since its organ- ization. The chief officers of the bank remain as at first, with the exception of cashier, in which J. D. Feeter succeeded W. S. Feeter, who had succeeded Amos A. Bradley. L. O. Bucklin is the present assistant cashier, and the following are the directors: 292 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. S. M. Richmond, Isaac Small, James H. Ives, E. C. Rice, J. D. Feeter, J. H. Bucklin, A. L. Eaton, George Nelson, R. H. Smith. MANUFACTURES. The Stotie Mill. — It is known that a grist mill and saw-mill were in operation at Little F"alls durin^^ the Revolutionary War and were de- stroyed by the tories and Indians. The old stone mill was erected early in the present century, the exact date being now unknown. It passed through the hands of many proprietors, and was often repaired and improved. It stands on the north bank of the Mohawk River, about fift\- rods below the head of the falls. Among the more recent proprietors wa.s George A. Feeter. It was for a while in use as a manufactory of wooden packing-boxes for knit goods. In November, 1892, VV. Staf- ford & Co. leased the building and equipped it with machinery for building the Snyder & Fisher rib knitting machine, which they are now- manufacturing. Another ancient manufactory was the paper-mill, the site of which was sold by General Bellinger in 1828 to Sprague & Dann. It stood just below the grist-mill on the south side of tlie river, was built of wood and the power was supplied by water from the same dam used for the grist and saw- mills adjoining it. Among those who at various peri- ods occupied the mill were Ezra Sprague, David Paige, M. VV. Priest, John Satterly, and Philo and Elijah Reed ; the latter continued the manufacture of paper until about 1862, when the building was pur- chased by the owners of the cotton factory and converted into dwellings. The Henry Cheney Hammer Company. — Occupies 'the site of the Will- iam Ingham Fulling and Carding Mill, the first mill site sold in Little Falls. In the spring of 1856 Henry Cheney came to Little Falls from Otsego county and began the manufacture of hammers, the factory be- ing situated on Mill street. About the year 1874 he began the manu- facture of axes also, and carried on an extensive business. After Mr. Cheney's death in 1879 hammers only were made. In July, i88i,a stock company was organized under the above name, which bought the property and business from the Cheney estate, largely increased the facilities, and added late and improved rnachinery. The capacity of the factory is about sixty dozen hammers per day. The officers of TOWN OP LITTLE FALLS. 293 the company are : S. R. Ingham, president; George D. Waterman, secretary and treasurer. Rockton Knitting- Mills. — A few rods below the head of the falls, on the south side of the river, General Christopher P. Bellinger erected, about 1810, a small grist-mill, and some years later a saw-mill. These two mills were operated until 1844. In 1837 a distillery was connected with the grist-mill by Moses Drake, and they were in operation until they were demolished to make room for a large stone cotton manufactory, four stories in height. It was erected by a company of citizen stock- holders, incorporated under the State laws, and was named the " As- torogan Cotton Mills." After several years the company failed, and the property passed into possession of non-resident proprietors. Gar- ner & Co., of New York, were the last to operate it as a cotton factory. They manufactured about 1,500,000 yards of print cloths annually. On the death of Mr. Garner the mill was idle for a while. W. W. Whit- man purchased the property in 1885, and since that time has success- fully operated it as a knitting- mill for manufacturing knit underwear for men, women and children. Mr. Whitman was formerly of the mer- cantile firm of Burrell & Whitman. January i, 1891, R. S. Whitman became a member of the firm. From 150 to 175 hands are employed. The saw-mill now run by Benton I. Cooper, who leased the property of D. W. Ladue in 1892, stands on a small island near the north shore, a few rods above the grist-mill, and has, like the grist-mill, had a succes sion of proprietors and tenants. The business carried on by Mr. Cooper at present consists in the running of a saw- mill, cheese box factory and a cider-mill. Mr. Ladue had worked in Ingham's cheese-box factory until he had obtained a knowledge of the business, when he bought out Mr. Ingham in 1855, and in 1867 he purchased the saw-mill of William I. Skinner. Thus the business was combined and has been successfully carried on since. In the year 1875 he commenced manufacturing cider. In December, 1868, Harvey Schuyler was admitted to partnership, and the firm was known as Ladue & Schuyler. Mr. Schuyler subsequently retired, and Mr. Ladue continued the business until 1892, when he leased to Mr. Cooper, as above mentioned. Dettinger & Draper's box factory is the successor of the Little Falls box factory, which was purchased in 1890. Wooden boxes for knit 294 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. goods are largely made, and planing, matching and general carpenter work done. Sask and Blind Factory. — In the fall of 1846 A. G. Harris, of Little Falls, and Clark Houghton, of Eatonville, erected a building and put in machinery for the manufacture of sash and blinds. In the ensuing win- ter they failed and in the spring of 1847 the building was rented by W. B. Houghton, who afterwards purchased it. He and his brother, J. G. Houghton, conducted the business until about 1855, when Byron K. Houghton was admitted to the firm, the style becoming Houghton & Son, which it continued until 1863. Between 1863 and 1868, Guilford N. Houghton had an interest in the business. In 1885 Newell & Little rented the property from the estate of B. K. Houghton and conducted the business until 1892, when Mr. Newell retired. Valley Flouring Mills. — These mills were built in the year 1836, by Rodney Durkee, the machinerj' being from Utica, where it was manu- factured. They have always been operated as flour and feed mills, have passed through various hands, and have been idle part of the time. In 1886 they were purchased by William A. Ingham, and in recent years have been greatly improved. They are operated by water, contain three runs of stone and all the machinery requisite for a first-class mill. The capacity is 1,000 bushels per day. The extensive Mohawk Mills, for the manufacture of woolen goods, were once an industry of considerable importance. The buildings are on Mill street. The plant began by the erection of buildings by the Little Falls Woolen Company in 1842; they were succeeded by the Wool Growers' Manufacturing Company, whose business was closed in 1852. J. W. Stitt & Co., of Philadelphia, purchased the factory and operated it twelve or fifteen years and more than doubled the ex- tent of the plant. It finally passed into possession of A. T. Stewart & Co., the celebrated New York merchants, and is now owned by Albert B. Hilton. The buildings have been unoccupied for some time. Little Falls Box Factory. — In the year 1872 Victor Adams began the manufacture of paper boxes with one assistant, at the corner of Main and Ann streets. The present factory on East Mill street was built in 1879, and comprises a four-story brick building and a two-story build- ing, equipped with all requisite machinerj' for the manufacture of paper I{^c-/y^ Wat/XL TOWN OF LITTLE FALLS. 295 and wooden boxes. A forty five horse power engine and one hundred horse power water wheel furnish the power. Over lOO operatives are employed. Saxony Woolen-Mills. — This establishment is situated on East Mill street a little below the bridge. The buildings were erected about 1850 by TiumbuU, French & Co , the firm being composed of Earl Trum- bull, Joseph French, Washington Van Driesen, J. N. Lake, Dexter Al- den, and J. S. Aldridge. They first began the manufacture of ingrain carpet, which they continued for some years. The property came into possession of Seth M. Richmond and Amos and Charles King in 1882, and the manufactured product now consists of high grade woolen underwear ; about 225 hands are employed. The immediate manage- ment is in the hands of Charles King, son in law of Mr. Richmond. The MacKinno7i Knitting- Mill. — In February, 1881, Robert Mac- Kinnon came from Cohoes, and in company with Robert Ablett and Walter Hume, purchased the knit goods business of Greene & Girvan and began business under the style of Ablett, MacKinnon & Co., in the Loomis building on Mill street. The business grew rapidly, and in 1887 Mr. MacKinnon withdrew from the firm and purchased the site he now occupies, then including wooden buildings, wherein he began the manufacture of knit goods. His success was remarkable, and the de- velopment of his business was such that in September, 1889, he began the erection of his present large brick mill on the same site. The building is four stories and a basement and 129x62 feet in area. This mill was started in the spring of 1891, and the business under Mr. MacKinnon's energetic and sagacious management has continued in ex- ceptional prosperity. The mill is one of the most thoroughly equipped in the State, lighted by electricity, furnished with automatic sprinklers, speaking tubes, etc About 1,000 dozen garments are manufactured daily, and the product has an annual value of about $800,000. On the pay-roll are 550 names. (See biography of Mr. MacKinnon in later pages of this work.) Riverside Ktiitting-Mills. — In the year 1881 Robert Ablett came to Little Falls and began the manufacture of knit underwear, as a member of the firm of Ablett, MacKinnon & Co. This firm was reorganized in 1884 as Ablett & MacKinnon, and in 1886 Mr. MacKinnon with- 296 HISTORY OP HERKIMER COUNTY. drew. Mr. Ablett continued alone for a time, after which, until 1891, the mill remained idle. In that year Rugene Walrath fitted the mill with new machinery and began manufacturing men's fine Balbriggan underwear, with success. About 100 hands are employed and 125 dozen garments are made daily. Pork Packing, Etc. — One of the extensive industries of the village is that of Jacob Zoller, on East Mill street, who is engaged in packing pork and dealing in cheese, butter, eggs, etc. He began in i860, and has since steadily increased his business. In 1883 he erected his pres- ent extensive building, of stone, three stories high, which is fully equipped with all necessary facilities for cold storage and packing. J. S. Barnet & Bro. — A tannery has been in existence on the site now occupied by this firm for many years, and was built and carried on by Nelson Rust. He was followed by Van Vechten & Weeks, and later by Gilbert & Weeks, who sold to the present proprietors in 1885. In 1887 the capacity of the tannery was doubled, and the product is now about i ,000 wax calf skins per day. The firm has a salesroom at 27 Spruce street, New York, and another in Boston. They also operate a large tannery at Gloversville and one at Canisteo. (See biography of J. S. Barnet in later pages of this volume.) The Little Falls Paper Cotnpatiy — In 1857 the firm of S. M. & A. Richmond, associated with E. B. Waite, built a paper-mill on the lower falls, which they operated until 1888, when it was sold out to the Little Falls Paper Company. The members of this company are chiefly non- residents. Titus Sheard Company. — On the site and in the building once occu- pied by D. & J. Petrie's foundry, corner of Furnace and Main streets, is now situated the prosperous knit goods manufactory of the Titus Sheard Company. In 1880 Mr. Sheard, who was then manufacturing woolen yarns on Loomis Island, across the river, converted the old foundry into a knitting mill and began the manufacture of knit goods. The business increaseil and in 1881 he built a new mill. In 18S4 George White and Frank Senior were admitted to partnership, the firm name being Titus Sheard & Co. In 1886 a large store- house was built oppo- site the mill, on John and Main streets. In January, 1888, a stock com- pany was organized, known as the Titus Sheard Company, with the fol- y/U^^^^^r:^^ ^^^^: £'v;V-^5-'^-"-"=''^ ^^,^^:^^£ ^^^^^^^>^^^ TOWN OF LITTLE FALLS. 297 lowing officers : Titus Sheard, president ; George Wliite, superintendent ; Frank Senior, treasurer ; Wallace Hose, secretary. The company man- ufactures knit shirts and drawers, and the mill has a capacity of 60,000 dozen annually, of an approximate value of $500,000. About 300 hands are employed. The annual pay roll is $1 10,000, and the mijjl consumes about 750,000 pounds of clean wool per year. The produ(it is sold directly to the wholesale trade. / The Little Falls Knittitig Company — Was organized in October, 1872, with Titus Sheard as president, D. H. Burrell, vice-president, and J. J. Gilbert, secretary. The original capital stock was $60,000. They purchased their building of Mitchell & Bailey, who erected it in 1872, and began the manufacture of knit underwear in March, 1873. The company now operates twelve sets of cards and employs 250 hands. The factory is situated on the north side of the river, at the head of the old canal of the Western Inland Lock Navigation Company. The officers are Charles Bailey, president; J. J. Gilbert, vice-president; Eli- jah Reed, secretary and treasurer; Squire Bailey, superintendent. The Pike Knittiftg- Machine Co^npany — Is located on Elizabeth street. This business was begun with the late Michael Reddy as a partner in the fall of 1886. Mr. Reddy died, and in the spring of 1888 Mr. Pike purchased his interest. The business is prosperous and an industry of growing importance. Chris. Hansen's Laboratory. — This is a branch of the main house in Copenhagen, Denmark, which has a world-wide reputation. The branch was first established in New York in 1878, but in 1881 was re- moved to Little Falls, the center of a great dairying industry. The products of the laboratory are Hansen's Butter Color, Danish Rennet Extract, Cheese Color, Rennet Tablets, etc. The establishment was located opposite the New York Central Railroad depot until 1891, when Lock Island, in the Mohawk in the eastern part of the village, was pur- chased of the Benton estate and its name changed to Hansen's Island. A heavy retaining wall was constructed to protect the western side of the island against high water, and a commodious stone building erected. The factory is reached by the iron bridge which was built by the town in 1892, at a cost of $15,000. This branch was founded by and is un- der the management of J. D. Fredericksen, a native of Denmark. The 298 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. products are shipped to all parts of this country, to New Zealand, Aus- tralia and many parts of Europe. On Southern avenue is situated the planing- mill, saw- mill and furni- ture factory of P. W. Casler, which was established in 1884. A large business is carried on and from fifteen to twenty- five hands are employed. Superior Furnace Company. — This company was organized in 1889 with a capital stock of $40,000, and the following officers: Watts T. Loomis, president ; Walter W. Whitman, vice- president ; William G. Milligan, treasurer ; William H. Switzer, secretary and manager. The works and office are on Mohawk street, occupying a large portion of the foundry and machine shop of M. Redd}', to which large additions have been made. Three styles of heating furnaces are made — for hot air, a combination of hot air and steam, and hot water. Reddys Machine Shop and Foundry. — A paper-mill was erected in Little Falls in 1 830 by William J. Pardee, and after operation for some time was conducted by M. W. Priest and William Paige, and was burned in 1839. It was rebuilt by S- M. & A. Richmond of wood. It was again burned July 13, 1853, and was rebuilt in brick in the same year. The Richmonds sold it to Butcher, Lamb & Senior, who used the building as a shoddy mill. It was next owned by Owens & Petrie, who manufactured starch there. Mr. Petrie sold it to J. J. Gilbert, and he transferred it to Michael Reddy. Early in the history of the village General Bellinger sold to Alanson Ingham a site for a felting and cloth- ing works.. Mr. Ingham erected a wooden building and carried on the business several years. The building was then converted into a ma- chine shop, and a foundry was established in connection. After pass- ing through several hands^it was purchased in 1839 by Michael Reddy. This site and the paper-mill property above described, purchased in 1886 by Mr. Reddy, has been converted by rebuilding and additions into the present extensive works. Upon the death of Mr. Reddy the property passed to his sons, Robert, James, and P-dward Reddy. Cast gearings and other foundry work are now produced, and thirt\- hands employed. Yarn-Mill. — The old yarn factory on Loomis island, near the Reddy foundry, was built by Earl Trumbull between 1845 and 1848, on the site of Heath & Barber's foundry, which was one of the very early TOWN OF LITTLE FALLS. 299 manufacturing establishments of the place. It was erected originally by Henry Heath and James N. Barber, who had leased the site and power from General Bellinger. Trumbull's lease was from A. Loomis, who succeeded General Bellinger. The plant was destroyed by fire in 1853, and Mr. Loomis rebuilt it the same year. From 1851 to 1868 the mill was operated by Gay & Barber. It was then sold to John C. Cunningham, who sold it at the end of a year, and in 1870 it came into the possession of Titus Sheard. He successfully operated the factory for a number of years. It is now used as a store-house by the Superior Furnace Company. Rock Island Paper Mill — This mill is situated on Mohawk street, south side of the river. It was erected by Arphaxed Loomis on the site of a woolen- mill which was built by Erastus Hovey in 1845. It was also used as a flax-dressing mill, and finally as a woolen mill. In 1877 William Kingston & Co. leased the mill of Mr. Loomis and began the manufacture of paper, which was continued until i88i. From that year until 1883 the mill was idle, and in the latter year it was burned. Mr. Loomis erected a new building on the site, and Mr. Kingston equipped it with new machinery and again began manufacturing paper. The product is now building paper, and the capacity of the mill three and one-half tons per day. A few rods below the paper-mill on Loomis Island, above men- tioned, was in early times a small machine shop which was carried on by James Tillinghast and was destroyed by the flood of 1865. On the site was erected a last factory which was operated by Kingston & Co. It has been unoccupied for several years. The Warrior Mower Cojnpany. — This is one of the once prosperous industries of Little Falls that has gone out of existence. The company was incorporated in 1868 for the manufacture of mowing machines under patents to Frank Bramer. A large manufacturing plant was erected and business at once begun. The machines were successful and for many years found a market in all parts of the world. Three thou- sand or more were made annually. The business was given up in 1891 and the buildings are now used for storage. Astoroiiga Knitting- Mills. — In 1858 J. J. Gilbert built a stone fac- tory on Seeley Island, south bank of the Mohawk, in the eastern part of 300 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTT. the village and began manufacturing starch. Connected with the fac- tory was an elevator on the canal about twenty rods distant, which re- ceived grain from boats and conducted it to the factory. The business was continued until 1884, Mr. Gilbert in the mean time having died. In 1885 the building was remodeled by the estate, and, with the Wood- bridge ])aper-mi!l, converted into a knitting mill ; it was operated b\- (lilbert & Walrath until 1891 when the copartnership expired by limit- ation, Mr. Walrath retired, and the business was continued by J. J. Gilbert, a son of the founder of the original factory. He manufactures a variety of knitted underwear. The elevator alluded to above is now in use for elevating and storing grain. Shoddy and Wool Extract. — This business was established by Smith & Bushnell in 1882, on a small scale, the works being situated on Loomis Island. In 1887 the business had so much increased that a new mill was built on Moss Island, and at present fifty-five hands are employed, and the product is sold throughout the country. Hotels. — In early times, on the then famous Mohawk turnpike, where the old building now occupied by Ransom & Wilcox still stands, on Main street, one Morgan kept a stage-house, and was succeeded by John McKinster. A handsome gilt buck's head and horns projected from the lintel. Here the four-horse post coaches halted to change teams and for meals and other refreshment. After the Erie Canal was com- pleted these coaches gradually disappeared from the turnpike road, as travelers went mostly by canal. The taverns, which were quite numer- ous in the village at that period, were, one by one, discontinued, the buildings being converted into dwelling houses or stores. A few of the best public houses, however, remained, some of which have been kept as such up to the present. The Girvan House, corner of Main and Ann streets, is one of the landmarks of the village, and was originally erected for a dwelling by Eben Britton, father-in-law of Nathaniel S. Benton. Subsequently Mr. Benton raised the building one story and added to it on the eastern and western ends. It has been kept by various proprietors, and is now under the management of James ZoUer. A hotel long known as the Hinchman House stood on the ground where is now situated the Hardin & Wheeler block on Main street. TOWN OF FAIRFIELD. 301 This was burned in March, 1S77, and George W. Shall, who was popu- lar as a landlord, converted two stores in the Hinchman property into a hotel, and successfully conducted it until 1 891, when Messrs. Lasher & Weatherwax leased the property of Mr. Shall, and changed the name to Hotel Rockton. On the i6th of March, 1892, Mr. Lasher retired from the firm and A. G. Weatherwax became sole proprietor. The Metropolitan Hotel, corner of Main and Mary streets, now kept by Joseph MuUin, stands on a site that has long been used for hotel purposes. In 1882 Mr. Mullin purchased the property, then known as the Bradford House, of Mr. N. A. Bradford, and rebuilt it into a hand- some structure of four stories. The Grand Central Hotel was erected in 1875 on the site formerly occupied by the dwelling of the late George H. Feeter, which was owned and occupied by Peter J. Casler in 1866. Mr. Casler kept the house several years, but it is now used for other purposes. There are several other less important public houses in the village which do not call for special mention. CHAPTER XHL THE TOWN OF FAIRFIELD. THIS town is situated near the center of Herkimer county, as far as relates to the thickly settled southern part, and is bounded on the north by Norway ; on the east by Salisbury and Manheim ; on the south by Little Falls and Herkimer, and on the west by Newport and Herkimer. It was set off from Norway February 10, 1796, and from it a part of Newport was taken in 1806, and a part of Little Falls in 1829. The surface of the town is a hilly upland, the center rising into a ridge nearly one thousand feet above the West Canada Creek. The soil on the up- lands is mostly clay and in the valleys it is gravelly. It is quite well watered with small streams, and West Canada Creek flows along the southwest border. The town comprises the nortii half of Glen's pur- chase and the first allotment of the Royal Grant. 502 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. Fairfield was first settled in 1770 by three German families named Maltanner, Goodbrodt, and Shaver, who located on the Royal Grant, about half a mile northeast of the site of F'airfield village and near to- gether. From the first- named family Maltanner Creek received its name. Quoting from Judge Benton : These people were sent there by Sir William Johnson, to make an opening in his Royal Grant. They had never been suspected by the Americans of being friendly to their cause; nor could they be charged with disloyalty to the king. In 17^9 a party of Indians came to this little settlement, but one of their number being sick, they kept shy, as an Indian can, about ten days, to allow their comrade to recover, when, with a yell and a whoop, and brandishing their tomahawk.'!, they fell upon Sir John Johnson's tenants!, captured two of the Maltanners, father and son, killed a little girl sixteen years old. of the Shaver family, and then burned up all Sir John's houses and buildings in the settlement. The Goodbrodt and Shaver families and some of the Maltanners es- caped to tell the sad story of their bereavement and los.ses to their rebel neighbors. The Maltanners were taken to St. Regis by the Indians, where they remained three years, and returned in 1782. His majesty's officials in Canada might well suppose the two captives, if allowed to return, would not be very hearty and zealous in the royal cause, after such treatment; and therefore concluded to detain them. The elder Mal- tanner, when he came back, said he met Sir John in Canada, and told him what had happened, whereat the gallant knight was exceedingly wrathful, and fulminated big words and strong language against the d — d savages, for their conduct in killing, tak- ing captive and dispersing his tenants, and burning his houses. He had other tenants on the grant, loyal and true, who might be treated m the same way. Sir John no doubt felt hurt, not because any tender feeling towards his fellow man had been touched, or any law of humanity outraged ; but because tlie same rule of warfare he had applied to others, had been, and might again be, visited upon himself. There was a German settlement in the town before the Revolution near the Manheim line, about four miles north of Little Falls, where the Keller, Windecker, Fickert, and other families, who were not of the Burnetsfield patentees, settled under the patronage of some of the own- ers of the Glen's purchase. Cornelius Chatfield came into Fairfield on the 24th of March, 1785, and settled near the site of the village. He is believed to have been the first New Englander to arrive after the close of the war. Abijah Mann, father of Abijah Mann, jr., came in the following May and settled a little west of the village site. These were followed by Josiah, David and Lester Johnson, who came from Connecticut in 1786; John Bucklin and Benjamin Bowen, from Rhode Island; John Eaton, Nathaniel and William Brown, from Massachusetts, TOWN OF FAIRFIELD. 303 and Samuel Low in 1787; David Benseley, from Rhode Island, and Elisha Wyman and Comfort Eaton, from Massachusetts in 1788 ; Jere- miah Ballard from Massachusetts in 1789 ; William Bucklin, the Arnold families, Daniel Fenner, Nathan Smith, and Amos and James Haile, mostly from Massachusetts, in 1790; Peter and Bela Ward, from Con- necticut, in 1791. A large part of these settled southwesterly from Fairfield village ; while the Eatons, Browns, Hailes, Arnolds, Bucklins and Wards located at what became known as Eatonsville. Jeremiah Ballard settled about two miles northeast of Fairfield village. Moses Mather, father of Dr. William and Jairus Mather, settled on Bartow Hill, but removed to Poland in 1806, where he remained nine years, and then returned to this town Jairus Mather is still an influential resident of Fairfield. John and Edward Griswold came into the town soon after Mr. Chatfield and purchased land on the west of the village site. Joseph Teall came in 1788 and bought land of Mr. Chatfield, which extended into what is now the village. Robert Nolton, father of Judge Hiram Nolton, settled just west of the village. John B. Fenner came into the town in 1806. Samuel Green was one of the early settlers and probably erected the first grist and saw- mill. Many of these pioneers have descendants living in the town, as will appear. On Maltanner's Brook there is a picturesque water-fall. In that vicinity Daniel Marvin was an early settler and had a small grist-mill the'-e at a very early date. Richard Bushnell succeeded Marvin. Mer- rell Hudleston came into possession of the farm on which the water- fall is situated and improved the grounds about the falls for a picnic resort. He gave the place the name of " Cupid's Retreat," which has ever since clung to it. Daniel and Amasa Bushnell were prominent citizens and had at one time a fulling-mill just west of where the cheese factory is located. The first town meeting was held April 6, 1796, when the following officers were chosen : Supervisor, John Comins; town clerk, Stephen Carpenter; commissioners of high- ways, Henry Neely, Abijah Mann, Joseph Willard ; assessors, Roger Kinne, Isaiah Johnson, Amos Graves ; overseers of the poor, Abijah Mann, John Eaton ; school com- missioner.'!, Nathan Smith, Wilham Lapham, Joseph Mason; constables, Luther Britton, John McMichael ; poundmasters, David Brown, Roswell Buell ; fence viewers, David Brown, Cornelius Chatfield, Joseph Teall ; collector of rates, Moses Mather. 304 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTr. At the same meeting the town was divided into twenty-eight road districts, and the simple government of the community was established. During a considerable period after the first settlement of this town the population was greater in number than at the present time. The farms were smaller, and grain raising for market at Albany was the chief agricultural occupation. Butter and cheese were made for home use, but not much more. If grain crops failed, or if, as often happened after the canal was opened, prices were very low, money was scarce, and the farmers suffered. But the time came to this town, as to many others in Herkimer county, when farmers awoke to the importance of dairying as a means of bettering their condition. They are among the most enterprising to be found anywhere, and embraced the comparative- ly new occupation with energy. The result is, that no town in the county now excels Fairfield as a dairy center, and years ago it had ac- quired the reputation of being the best in the world. Joseph Teall has already been mentioned as the first settler on the site of Fairfield village. He purchased his land of Abijah Mann, and built his dwelling in rear of the old chapel of the academy. The first merchants in the village were Nahum Daniels and William Smith, who had a store in 1796 ; they were succeeded by Norman Butler, who kept a store thirty years or more. Butler also built a saw-mill, and owned a grist mill and a distillery, in which Gilbert Dean had preceded him. Major Jonathan and Stephen Hallett were early merchants ; Stephen ac- quired Jonathan's interest about 1 820, and carried on an extensive business both in Fairfield and Norway. He was appointed sheriff of the county by the Council of Appointment in 1821, reappointed in 1822, and in November of the latter year elected to that office, which he held until 1826. He died at Fairfield November 19, 1827, aged forty years, leaving a wife and two daughters, only one of whom, Mrs. X. A. Willard, of Little Falls, survives. Mr. Hallett was succeeded by Alexander JI. liuell, who, at the death of the former, assumed the sole proprietorship of the business at Fairfield. In connection with differ- ent persons, Mr. Buell extended his mercantile business into the neigh- boring towns and villages of the county, and his commercial operations extended to various parts of the country. He was elected to the As- sembly in 1845, and to the Thirty- second Congress from the seven- TOWN OF FAIRFIELD. 305 teenth congressional district, composed of Herkimer and Montgomery counties, in 1850. He died at Washington, D. C, January 31, 1853, aged fifty-two years. F. A. Morey and M. A. Barnes are at present merchants in the village. The first frame building in the place was the one in which Daniels & Smith had their store. The first tavern was kept by Cornelius Chatfield, the pioneer, who was succeeded by John D. Waterman; and Israel Jones had a public house which John E. Drake now keeps. The first lawyer in the town was William Lapham, a native of Ireland, who was here in 1796 ; he became prominent in the affairs of the town and combined farming with his legal labors. William D. Ford was an early lawyer and became member of Congress ; and Hiram Nolton practiced here at an early day, and afterwards rose to the bench. A. sketch of his career will be found in the chapter on the Bench and Bar. Arunah C. Smith was an early attorney and first judge of the county in 1840. Col. Charles Willard came with his father from Saybrook, Conn., in 1793, and settled in that part of the town of Fairfield known as the Platform, where he spent the greater part of his life. In the War of 1 812 he held a commission, and was on duty at Sackett's Harbor when peace was declared. Active, energetic and public- spirited, he was widely known and identified with movements for the improvement and well-being of the town. He died at Newport, July 14, 1862, leaving a large family of children. His son, George N. Willard, about sixty years ago, was a prominent merchant of Herkimer county. He was associated in business with the late Hon. Alexander H. Buell at Fair- field and Norway for several years. In 1848 he removed to Newport, and subsequently to Utica and Oriskany Falls, continuing in mercantile trade at each place. He died at Newport, November 26, 1888. His son, Charles P. Willard, is a prominent manufacturer of Chicago. Drs. Eastman, Taft and Sherwood practiced medicine here in early years, and were followed by Dr. Moses Johnson, Dr. William Mather, Dr. Griffin Sweet, Dr. I. N. Willard, and Dr. C. W. Nichols, who is now in practice. The present postmaster is W. Lamberson. The village of Fairfield has a national reputation as the site of the oldest medical college in the United States, and of the oldest academy, histories of both of which are found herein. 39 306 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. Fairfield Seminary. — In the autumn of 1801 Rev. Caleb Alexander, a Presbyterian minister residing at Mendon, Mass., came into what was then called Western New York, to visit the churches and Indians as a missionary. He visited and preached at Norway, Salisbury and Fair- field, and during his stay, suggested to the people of the latter place the idea of establishing a school of academic grade. The people were favorably impressed with the proposition and immediately set about raising the necessary funds. Mr. Alexander removed his family from Mendon to Fairfield in the spring of 1802, and in connection with Captain Moses Mather, became actively engaged in circulating the subscription. Sufficient funds were soon procured and on the Fourth of July, 1802, the academy building was raised, and in the spring of 1803 was ready for occupancy. The school was chartered by the Re- gents of the University March 15, 1803. The first meeting of the Board of Trustees was held April 6, and the school organized April 13, with Mr. Alexander as principal. He was an accomp'ished scholar, a man of commanding presence and possessed of great tenacity and perseverance, and consequently the school was successful and popular from the start. The Alexandrian Society, an association of students for mutual im- provement and practice in extemporaneous speaking, was organized in 1806, and at the same time the foundation of a library was laid. In order to increase the usefulness, and extend the sphere of the institution, a building called the " Wooden Laboratory " was erected in 1808, and Dr. Josiah Noyes employed to give lectures on chemistry and the theory and practice of medicine. This course of lectures was so largely attended that the building was found too small. It was then thought best to erect a larger building and establish a medical and anatomical school, so in 1809-10 the stone laboratory was built. The new department so increased the number of students in at- tendance that another building was required for their accommodation, and in 181 1 a stock company was organized which erected the " North Building." This building was rented for many years by the trustees of the academy and finally purchased by them. In January, 18 1 2, Mr. Alexander resigned as principal of the academy and Rev. Bethel Judd was elected in his place. During this f ' i' TOWN OF FAIRFIELD. 307 year the Alexandrian Society was reorganized and tlie name changed to Calliopean Society. About this time an arrangement was made with Trinity Church, N. Y., by which the academy was to receive the sum of $750 annually, on con- dition that the principal employed should be an Episcopal clergyman, and that four divinity students should be instructed free. From this fact the school was sometimes referred to as a " Divinity School." In 18 1 3 the laboratory was transferred to the Medical College, which had been lately chartered. In 1 8 14 Rev. Virgil H. Barber was made principal. After about two years it was ascertained that this gentleman had changed his re- ligious opinions and had become a Catholic. To retain him as prin- cipal being therefore in violation of the agreement with the vestry of Trinity Church, he was dismissed by the trustees. This Mr. Barber was a portly man of fine presence and affable manners, and a classical scholar of great acquirements. He had several children, and the Latin language was the common medium of conversation in his family. The next principal was Rev. Daniel McDonald, under whose ad- ministration the school was attended by an unusual number of stu- dents who afterwards became eminent in their several professions. In 1820 the school received a grant of $5,000 from the State, and with this money the stock of the North Building was purchased, the scrip being bought up at the rate of seventy cents on the dollar. Dr. Mc- Donald left in 1 82 1 to become principal of Geneva Academy, and the branch Theological School at F"airfic]d was transferred to Geneva. He is said to have been a remarkable man ; was prominent in the organ- ization of Hobart College, and for several years its acting principal. With Dr. McDonald's departure, the connection of F"airfield Academy with Trinity Church was ended. Previous to this time frequent efforts had been made to obtain a charter for a college at Fairfield, and, in 1816, the Regents granted the charter on condition that $50,000 should be raised ; but with the most strenuous efforts only about one-half of that amount could be obtained, and no college was established. A short time before Dr. McDonald's resignation Bishop Hobart was earnestly requested to locate at Fairfield a college and theological school 308 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. which he had in contemplation, and, as an inducement, the whole academic property was offered free. The bishop did not, however, consider the location sufficiently far west, and the proposition was not accepted. The academy had now been in operation eighteen years, and, as an educational institution, had acquired a reputation unrivaled by that of any similar school in the country ; but its financial affairs had not been managed in accordance with strict business principles, the ac counts had been carelessly kept and many bills remained uncollected, so that the Board of Trustees resolved to try a new method of con- ducting the school. In the spring of 1821 Rev. David Chassell took charge of the school on the following terms, viz. : He was to receive all money arising from tuition and all received from the Regents, ex- cept what was necessary to keep the buildings in repair. He, virtually, had the whole management of the school, having the use of the build- ings free of rent. After remaining three years Mr. Chassell left, and Charles Avery took the school on similar terms. At the end of three years he retired to accept the professorship of mathematics in Hamilton College, when Dr. Chassell again took the school and retained the sole management until 1840. During all this period of twenty years, since the retirement of Dr. McDonald, the school had kept the even tenor of its way, main- taining its reputation as one of the very best secondary schools in the State. Mr. Chassell was an accomplished scholar, an enthusiastic teacher and a rigid disciplinarian ; he inspired his pupils with a love of correct and thorough scholarship, encouraged them in their ambitious hopes and a.spirations, and aided them in every way consistent with his ability. He was something of a terror to the idle and mischievous boys, but was always regarded with respect and reverence by the energetic and industrious students. Mr. Chassell left the school in the spring of 184O and the Board of Trustees, assuming control, employed Rev. Henry Banister as principal During this year the " Waterman Building," known afterward as the " Wood Building," was hired and fitted up, and in the fall term a female department was organized, with Miss Julia A. Baldwin as preceptress. In the summer of 1844, the trustees of the Medical College granted the use of the college buildings to the academy, and the "South College" TOWN OK FAIRFIELD. 309 was occupied as a Female Seminary at the beginning of the fall term. From this time the academy continued its usual course without the occurrence of any important events to mark its history until 1852. During its whole existence no boarding department had been connected with it ; the teachers obtained board where they could, the principal resid- ing with his family in the village. The students obtained board at private houses, formed clubs or brought food from home, cooking it in their rooms. These rooms were unfurnished and at the beginning of the year often untidy, presenting a cheerless and forbidding appearance to the newcomer. In 1852 the " Laboratory Building" was remodeled and the first floor converted into a dining hall and parlors, with kitchen in the rear; the two floors above being made into two large recitation rooms. In 1854, inspired by the enthusiastic talk of Rev. L. D. Stebbins, the Board of Trustees resolved to erect a new building on. the academy grounds, provide facilities for boarding a large number of students and advertise the school as a boarding-school, under the name of "Fairfield Classical Academy and Female Collegiate Institute," and also make several changes in the methods of conducting its affairs. By extensive advertising and a thorough canvass of a large portion of the State, many students were secured, and on November 8, what is known as the " Big School " opened. The buildings were filled to overflowing and the ex- pectations of Mr. Stebbins fully realized, but the low prices that had been fixed for board and tuition were insufficient to pay expenses, so the rates were necessarily raised, which caused a decrease in the number of students, yet it was still large. On account of the large school, the students found the opportunities for society work too limited, and during the fall term of 1854 a debating club was organized, which, after a few weeks, developed into the Philo- rhetorean Society. Mr. Stebbins soon resigned on account of ill health, and Rev. J. B. Van Petten became principal. Under him the school continued large and prosperous until the beginning of the Civil War, when several of the teachers, and many of the students enlisted. From this time the academy, though the numbers were less, continued its usual course for many years, and until the high school departments of the union schools so reduced the number of students that its prosperity began to decline. 310 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. In 1882 it was decided to obtain money on subscription, pay up all debts, repair the buildings and entirely reorganize the school. A stock- company was formed, about $5,000 were raised and expended and a new charter obtained, in which the name " Fairfield Seminary " was substituted for that of "Fairfield Academy." The institution was first rented to Gen. Van Petten and afterwards to others at a nominal rent, but for various reasons the school was not a success. In 1885 the present proprietors, D. D. & F. L. Warne, obtained pos- session of the school, and by the application of untiring energy and business ability, have restored it to its former standing and popularity. Every means has been employed to keep the school in line with modern methods of education and render it as efficient and useful as of old. In 1 89 1 the War Department detailed an officer to Fairfield for the purpose of military drill ; a fine new armor}' was built and a military department organized, which promises to add to the success and pros- perity of the school. Many persons have been educated here, who subsequently became prominent; among them are exjudge Addi- son Gardner, ex -Judge Denio, Prof Foster, of Union College, ex- Senator A. M. Mills, and Jean R, Stebbins. Churches. — Fairfield Central Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church was organized P'ebruary i, 1836, with Amos Sherwood, Thomas A. Rice, Lina E. Ford, John Green and William Lamberson as trustees. Rev. E. W. A. Allen was the pastor. The present house of worship was dedicated in July, 1837, and about the same time F"airfield was set off from Herkimer circuit, and made a station. Rev. George Gary was presiding elder, and Rev. Aaron Adams was pastor at that time, and the same persons that composed the board of trustees were also elected a board of stewards. The following named clergymen have served as pastors of Fairfield station and in the order named : Rev. Messrs. Aaron Adams, Isaac L. Hunt, Albert D. Peek, John Loveys, A. W. Cummings, F. H. Stanton, L. D. Stebbins, Aaron Adams, J. F. Dayan, Isaac Turney, J. C. Vandercook, George G. Hapgood, W. I. Hunt, C. H. Austin, B. E. Whipple, J. F. Dayan, Lewis Meredith, Pomeroy Wright, W. H. Anable, Harlow Skeele, W. F. Tooke, C. W. Parsons, T. H. McClenthan, J. C. Stewart, Mr. Babcock, M. G. Wads- worth, L. B. Gray, J. L. Short, and H. M. Church. The present trustees are : E. C. Rice, Milton Ford, Morgan A. Reese, James W. Ford, E. B. Fairchild, D. C. Reese, and M. A. Barnes. ,'^-xn TOWN OF FAIRFIELD. 311 A meeting of a number of Episcopalians of Fairfield was held on the 5th of January, 1807, and the following persons were chosen as officers of a society : Wardens, Andrew A. Bartow and Jonathan Hallett ; vestrymen, Stodard Squires, Charles Ward, Elijah Blanchard, William Walf ^ is the southe? unty and, with one • being March i s parts of Hendc, Man's, Colden's, Liv- L-l its name from re taken from ... 1869 300 acres soil is a clay loam, of grain. :;ial natural features. L'Oyc tlie i\lo- This great fall many mills of 1 near Smith's Lnt springs in art of the val- I of this spr; will ignite an.; near the ham- ited with iron .^ situated near . aters of which b n^ 11) the southwest direction into the ! resque gorge. t a mile below ^tics, although 'Airtyi TOWN OF STARK. 349 One of the old Indian trails passed through the town from the Mo- hawk, following nearly the line of the Utica and Minden turnpike, un- til it reached Van Hornesville, when it bore southward until it reached the " Chyle," where it intersected another trail. The first settlement of this town was made near the headwaters of the Otsquago Creek prior to the Revolution. Another settlement was made on or near the line of this town and Springfield at about the same time ; but it was probably just outside of Herkimer county. The settlers on the creek were the Shaul, the Rronner (or Broner), Jacob and Frederick, John Feterly (or Fetherly) and George Feterly, and the Johannes Smith families. Richard Shaul owned the farm settled by Jacob Bronner and married one of Bronner's descendants. Hiram Ward married a descendant of Frederick Bronner and lived on the farm lo- cated by Mr. Bronner. George and John Fetherly settled near Van Hornesville, and Matthew, Sebastian, and John Shaul settled on the farm recently owned by D. H. Springer in the western part of the town. John was a Revolutionary soldier, and late in the fall of 1778 the three brothers were captured by a party of sixteen Indians under Brant. Reaching the foot of Schuyler Lake the party divided and five of the Indians took the Shaul boys to Newton (now Elmira), where they remained until the arrival of the Sullivan expedition, when they were taken to Canada. They were recaptured after an attempted escape and were about to be killed, when a British officer secured their release by paying $25 each for them, and they returned to Stark. David Shaul, great-grandson of John, now owns the old homestead, and Minard Shaul owns the homestead of Matthew. In the fall of 1781 the little settlement in Stark was destroyed by Brant and his Indians and tories. Jacob Bronner, his son Christian and daughter Sophronia, were among the prisoners taken. The father and son were soon liberated, but the daughter was kept twelve years. Her whereabouts was made known by Jacob Eckler after his release, and she was finally returned to her relatives. The Elwood family are of English descent and settled here early. Richard, with his wife and two children, came to the Mohawk valley near St. Johnsville in 1748, where he built a stone dwelling which is still standing. A few years later he died, leaving four sons, Richard, 350 IIISTOUY OF HERKIMER COUNTr. Isaac, Benjamin, and Peter, all of whom were conspicuous in the early history of the valley. Senator A R. Elwood, late of Richfield Springs, was a descendant of Richard Elwood. Col. Henry Elwood, who lived for many years in the town of Danube, was a son of Peter Elwood. Peter Elwood, the youngest son, died on his farm in 183 i, at the age of seventy seven years. David Elwood, son of Peter, settled in Danube about the year 1813, and remained until his death in 1859 He was a prominent citizen and left four sons, Daniel, Henry, Moses, and David B. Richard Van Home, from whom the village of Van Hornesville is named, was a native of New Jersey, and came to the site of the village in 1 79 1. There he, with his brother Daniel, began mercantile trade, and soon built mills and engaged in the flouring business on what was then a large scale ; their flour was taken to Fort Plain, whence the West- ^ vi ern Inland Lock and Navigation Company took it down the Mohawk to • CQ market. This business increased and for many years the Van Home .^• lu by- gone years — now aged men And matrons gray — in sweet converse Recall their childhood hours again." The success of the celebration was largely due to the efforts of Fred. Smith, who, January i, 1887, commenced the publication of a small monthly newspaper, Norway Tidings, that awakened a great interest in TOWN OF NORWAY. 427 the centennial. The Httle paper was continued for four j ears, was lib- erally patronized and gathered up a large amount of local history that otherwise would have been lost. Religious Meetings and Societies. — The first religious meetings were held by Rev. Mr. Robertson in 1792, upon the authority of the " State Gazetteer;" but by what denomination, I am unable to tell. A ma- jority of the early settlers from Connecticut and Massachusetts were Presbyterian in sentiment, while those from Rhode Island were Baptist. The first definite information concerning religious matters in town is obtained from the journal of Rev. Caleb Alexander, who made a mission- ary tour in the Mohawk valley in 1801. Mr. Alexander reached Nor- way November 10, 1801, and remained until the 23d of the month, visiting and preaching in this and the adjoining towns of Fairfield and Salisbury. In the closing portion of his journal Mr. Ale.vander asserts : "In the whole county of Herkimer there is neither a Presbyterian nor Congregationalist minister. The people seem in general to be growing up in ignorance and wickedness." The next year another Massachusetts missionary, of like religious faith, the Rev. John Taylor, visited the Mohawk and Black River coun- try. He reached Norway July 28, 1802, and from his journal we take the following : Norway, * * * A young gent by the name of Johnson has preached in this town for several Sabbaths, and the people have hired him for three or four Sabbaths to come. There is a considerable congregation of Presbyterians. But it is in this town as in all those parts. Tiiere is a mixture of Baptists, of Methodists, Universalists and Deists. In the various parts of the town there is preaching by sectarians of almost all kinds every Sabbath. There is one Methodist church, numerous ; two Baptist churches and part of a third ; no meeting-houses. A religious association styled the ' ' Calvary Society " was early formed ; its members were composed of different denominations, as well as those not church members. One of its objects was to procure preaching, and raise money to defray the expense. Its book of records dates back to 1803. April 5, 1803, the association " voted to make choice of the Rev. Caleb Alexander for their minister, to preach in said society one- third part of the time, and that they give him $100 a year for his services." At a meeting held at Josiah Smith's, December 6, 1806, " it was found that the funds of said society were reduced to $66.50, in consequence 428 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTV*. of deaths and removals from town. Voted that the trustees make a statement of the funds to the Rev. C. Alexander, and know if he will continue to preach in said society for that amount." " An assessment of eighty-six and a half cents on each dollar then collectable " was voted in order to make a settlement with Mr. Alexander. In October, 1813, "at a meeting of the trustees it was resolved to build a meeting-house on Dudley Smith's lot." The building of the first church in the village of Norway was an event that awakened unusual interest. Subscriptions to the amout of $1,640.75 were made. The Presbyterian church, organized in 1798, was the leading church in the town for over thirty years. Among the clergymen who preached for this church were : Revs. William Williams, Mr. Harrower, Phinias Robinson, Samuel Sweezy, Charles Bowie.'!, David Chassell, Seth Burt, Mr. Camp, Isaac Foster, Mr. Duncan, Mr. Cargon, Mr. Pratt, and Richard Knight. The church began to wane in members and prosperity after 1830, and disbanded soon after 1850. Among the prominent Presbyterians of early days were Seth Smith, Sylvanus Ferris, Zadock, Amos and Zenas Bronson, Abram Cole, Josiah Smith and Galen Barstow. Both the old Union and Baptist churches were adorned with high steeples, but during a severe thunder shower, June 4, 1856, both were blown off and have never been replaced. On the nth of April, 1871, the old church was again visited by the elements ; a stroke of lightning shattered it, but did not set fire to it; it was repaired the same season, but is now unfit for use. It was last used for a festival in March, 1891. The early history of the Methodist church in this town is shrouded in mystery. Probably a Methodist society was formed previous to 1800, as missionary Taylor reports a " numerous " Methodist church in 1802. Comfort Barnes, and his sons Luther, Lewis and Cavit, with their families, and some of their neigbors, were Methodists. The Jer- seyfield road was a stronghold of Methodism. The first church build- ing erected in the town, and probably the first Methodist church in the county, was built on the road directly east from Norway village in 1809. It was used as a church until 1839, when it was sold, removed and converted into a barn. Revs. Joseph Willis and Asa Cummins were appointed to labor on the Herkimer circuit in 1808, and are said TOWN OF NORWAY. 429 to have been the first circuit preachers in the town. Rev. W. Brown was associated with Willis in 1809. Herkimer circuit then extended from St. Johnsville on the east to Trenton on the west. Rev. Messrs. Dunham, Lippitt, Chandley Lambert, David Shepard, John Ercan- back, Calvin Hawley, and Jolin Wallis were among the early preachers. The prominent members, besides those already mentioned, of this early church were Uriah Tompkins, William Comstock and wife, Stephen Comstock and. his wife, Eunice Comstock, Thomas Rathbun, John Kennedy, Asahel Burlingame, Moses Gage and his wife, William and David Haskins, and Selah Griswold, About the time the old church was abandoned two new Methodist societies were organized. The members living in the central part of the town met at Norway village March 20, 1837, chose the Rev. John Roper and Jeremiah Smith pre- siding officers, and Charles H. Austin, secretary ; resolved that their church title should be "The First M. E. Church of the Town of Nor- way," and that Jeremiah Smith, Johnson Smith, Joel Du Bois, Stephen Gage and Ackland Salisbury be trustees of said society. The members living in the north part of the town met at the Barnes district school- house May 29, 1837, designated their society as "The Second M. E. Church of Norway," and elected Benjamin Austin, Joseph Western, Hiram Getman, Stephen Case and Seymour Bullock trustees. A small but neat and commodious church was built at Norway village in 1837, at a cost of about $1,000, and a similar church at Black Creek soon after. Rev. George Gary preached the dedicatory sermon of the church at Norway village. The Sth of September, 1870, another Methodist society was formed at Gray, designated' " The First M. E. Church of Gray;" James V. Du Bois, W. W. Bullock, J. M. Brown, V. R. Tompkins and S. B. Legg were elected trustees. A fine church was built here in 1871, at a cost of nearly $5,000. The membership of the three societies, including probationers, numbers about one hundred. The church property is in good condition. A few of the early residents of Norway were Baptists, and became members of the Newport Baptist church. On the 25th of December, 1823, the members of that church then residents of this town held a meeting at Dudley Smith's and petitioned the " rr, other church" to 430 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. form a separate church organization. The petition was granted May 24, 1830, and on the 28th of September the same year the church was, after a council, admitted into fellowship with its sister churches. The names of the twenty-three persons first composing the church are as follow : Osee Brunson, Dudley Smith, Isaac Crosby, Samuel Western, Westel Brunson, Phineas Hemingway, Jeiferson Tillinghast, Wilbur Tillinghast, Rebekah Brunson, Ara- bella English, Temple Ross, Anna Brunson, I.ydia Tillinghast, Mary Crosby, Priscilla Tillinghast, Mary Crandall, Abigail Nichols, Mary Hemingway, Sarali Western, Polly Underbill, Susanna Smith, Lavina Buck and Sarah Tillinghast. The ne.Kt year, 1831, the church erected a large and commodious house of worship, which was dedicated in the spring of 1832, the Rev. Elon Galusha preaching the dedi- cation sermon. The first regular pastor of the church was the Rev. R. T. Smith, who commenced his labors in January, 1831. He was succeeded by the Rev. William B. Curtis, Charles B. Brown, L. 0. Lovel, N. Gr. Collins, N. Furgerson, E. D. Towner, Francis Prescott, S. A. Douglass, Charles E. Brown (again), H. Steelman, L. B. Barker, J. W. Starkweather, R. D. Pierce, David Beecher, S. D. Ross and the Rev. George Fisher, who is the present pastor. For a period ©f twenty years after 1835 this church was strong in membership and influence, and its preachers were among the ablest in the denomination. Afterward deaths, removals and internal dissen- sions reduced its membership. For some years past it has been grad- ually growing, and in 187S numbered fifty-eight members. Twice since the meeting-house was erected it has been thoroughly repaired, the last time in 1878, which left the church property in good condition. A Freewill Baptist church existed for a time. Job Bly, Timothy SiTiith, David Humphreville and members of their families were some of the leading members. They had stated preaching for some years at the old Union church, but the church ceased to exist more than twenty years since. Quite a number of persons residing in the Hurricane district are members of the Poland Freewill Baptist churcli and sustain preaching in their locality. The Protestant Episcopal church in Norway was organized July 26, 18 19, when it was voted that the title should be " Grace Church," and that Henry Lumm and Jared Smith be the first wardens, and Frederick Mason, Levi Brainard, Charles Bradley, Shibnah Nichols, William Forsyth, Danford Doty, James Giles, jr., and Ira Coe the first vestry- men. The first rector was Rev. Daniel McDonald, then principal of TOWN OF NORWAY. 431 Fairfield Academy, who commenced his labors about this date. The first organization was not kept up in conformity to law, and a reorgan- ization was effected the 8th day of May, 1837, at which David Du Bois and Joseph C. Crane were elected wardens, and Frederick Mason, Addi- son Manly, J. C. Crane, D. Du Bois, Daniel C. Henderson, Isaac Corp, Morgan Norton and Ira Coe vestrymen. Rev. William Baker preached for this church many ^ years and is favorably remembered. Other well known rectors were Rev. Messrs. Northrup, William Johnson and E. N. Goddard. The church member- ship in 1878 numbered about twenty. The Rev. Mr. Morris was then rector of the church, being partly supported by the missionary fund of this denomination. No Episcopal service has been held for several years and the church organization is discontinued. Pliysicians. — The earliest physician in Norway was Dr. Westel Willoughby, who came, probably, in 1792. An extended sketch of this faithful physician will be found in the chapter on the Medical So- ciety. Members of the profession who practiced in the town at later periods were Drs. Abijah Tombling, Lazarus Tousey, Roland Sears, Bryant Burwell, William Frame, Moses Johnson, David Bingham, Shadrack N. Vincent, Simon Goodell, Stephen R. Millington, William M. Hayes, Thomas Hayes, H. A. France and Charks J. Hall. Dr. Henry J. Vrooman is now in practice. Cemeteries. — An acre of land lying on the northerly bounds of Nor- way village was deeded by Dudley Smith in 1803 for cemetery pur- poses. It had been used for a burying- ground at least ten Vears pre- viously. The first person buried here is said to have been a blacksmith, but the date of his death and his name are unknown. In 1889 a sub- stantial lime- stone wall was erected along the road front — a fine im- provement. Burying-grounds were located at an early day near the southeast and southwest corners of the town, and also in the Hurricane district, and all are still used and in good repair. The Barnes Street Cemetery was not opened until about 1808. Mrs. James Jackson, of Black Creek, in that neighborhood, died during a remarkable snow storm, in the spring of 1807, and the funeral proces- sion was two days in going to the Norway village cemetery and return- ing, a distance of four miles. This snow storm is noticed in an old 432 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. memorandum made by Jared Smith, an old settler, as follows: "Nor- way, March the 30th, 1S07. — Snowed till April the 4th, and fell three feet; with the old snow, five feet deep the 6th day of April." Quite a number of private and family burying places were located in various parts of the town by the early settlers. Among ll>e prominent families in this town is that of Smith. Jared Smith, sr., a Revolutionary soldier, and Dorcas Beecher were both born in the town of Huntington, Conn. They were married August 20, 1761, and soon after removed to Southbury, Conn., where their oldest child, Jared, jr., was born April 11, 1766. Dorcas Johnson was born in the same town June 23, 1766, and was married to Jared Smith, jr., January 14, 1787. Soon after marriage they removed to Freehold, Greene county, N. Y., where they resided about nine years. In 1796 Mr. Smith made quite an extended tour through Central New York, which resulted in his purchasing one hundred acres of land a mile east of where Norway village is now located ; his choice probably being in- fluenced by several Southbury families who had previously settled in the town. Johnson Smith, their only son, was born in this town Octo- tober 30, 1798. Daniel Salisbury lived for a time and died at Swansea, Mass. One of his sons, Richard, was born in that town and married Elizabeth Easterbrooks, of Warren, R. I. One of their sons, Nathaniel, was born in Swansea, Mass., March 24, 1772. He married Joanna Wilson, of Thompson, Conn., January 27, 1796, and immediately settled in p'air- field, Herkimer county, where one of their daughters, Sarah, was born September 6, 1798. Johnson Smith and Sarah Salisbury were married January 25, 1825. Frederick Smith, their oldest son, was born in Norway January 9, 1826, and married, November 20, 1851, Miss Maria E. Service, of the same town. His occupation has been farming and clerking mainly. The official positions he has held in the town are noted else- where. In June, 187 1, he was appointed deputy county clerk, and held that office about five years. At present he is engaged in mercantile pursuits at Norway village. The Norton Family. — Thomas Norton came from England in 1639, with his son John. John died in 1704 ; his son John (2d) was born in TOWN OF NORWAY. 433 1668 and died in 1711. John 3d was born in 1699 and died in 1798 ; his son John (4th) was born in 1734, died in 1804, and was buried on Guilford Green, Connecticut. He married Lucy Lee in 1758. They had eight children. James Norton, their seventh child, was born July 14, 1774. Huldah Chittenden was born October 10, 1777. James Norton and Huldah Chittenden were married at Guilford; Connecticut, in 1794. Mr. Norton came into this county in 1794 and located upon land purchased by his father in the town of Salisbury, but not being pleased with the location, he came to Norway and purchased the place upon which he lived until his death, in 1850. In May, 1796, he brought his wife and infant daughter (who afterwards became Mrs. Ira Coe) from Guilford. By dint of unflagging industry and much self denial, Mr. Norton cleared up his farm. A growing family made more room necessary, and in 1804 or 1805 he erected a frame dwelling on the site of the present Norton homestead, which a few years later served as a wing to a more pretentious " upright " two-story dwelling, which is now owned and occupied by Mrs. R. C. Norton, the widow of Morgan Norton. Morgan Norton was born in Norway, March 28, 1809. Elizabeth Tillinghast was born in Norway, March 28, 1808. They were married in October, 1836. Mrs. Elizabeth Tillinghast Norton died June 11, 1842. Rhoda C. Di.x was born at White Creek, Wash- ington county, N. Y., November 10, 1817. Morgan Norton and Miss Dix were married in October, 1846. Mr. Norton held various positions in the town, and was elected supervisor in 1855. In 1856 he was seriously hurt by falling from a tree, injuring his spine and incapaci- tating him for active business. He died July 15, 1872. David Du Bpis was born June 1 1, 1797, and is now the oldest resident of Norway. The family 'descended from the Huguenots, Louis Du Bois being a representative of that persecuted sect who immigrated to this country in 1660, and settled in Ulster county. His third child, Jacob, settled in Norway in 1795. David Du Bois married Sarah Tillinghast, December 29, 1829. The only offspring of this union now living are Luke Du Bois and Mrs. J. D. Henderson, of Herkimer. Mr. Du Bois has been a prominent man in business and politics, and for many years has been senior warden of the Episcopal church. 434 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. CHAPTER XXVI. THE TOWN OF RUSSIA. RUSSIA is one of the large towns of Herkimer county and situated on the northwestern border. It is bounded on the nortli by Wihiiurt and Oneida county; on the east by Ohio and Norway; on the south by Newport, and on the west by Oneida county. Russia was formed from Norway, as " Union," April 7, 1806. Its name was changed April 6, 1808, and a part of Wilmurt was taken off in 1836, when the latter town was formed. The surface of the town is rolling and moderately hilly, descending quite abruptly on the west to the valley of the West Canada Creek which flows for a long distance on its western boundary. Black Creek flows across the northern part. Cold Brook flows across the southwestern part and affords excellent water power. Trenton Falls, on the West Canada Creek, are on the western border of the town ; and about two miles above the junction of Black Creek and West Canada Creek is believed to be the spot where Walter N. Butler was killed by Col. Willett's troops, as related on an earlier page. Russia contains a part of the third allotment of the Royal Grant, por- tions of Jerseyfield, Remsenburgh and Matchin's patents, and the whole of Lush's, Marvin's and Jacob's patents, nearlj' 37,000 acres. The town was not settled previous to the Revolution. In 1792 Stoddard Squire came from Connecticut and settled in the town, bringing with him John G. Squire, his son, then a boy seven years old. Dr. Truman Squire, a grandson of Stoddard Squire, was born in Russia and became prominent in his profession. He practiced for many years at Elmira, N. Y., where he died. He made important contributions to medical science, for which he received honors both in this country and Europe. The Millington family from Vermont, and the Smith family, came in and took up land within a few years after Squire's settlement. Farley Fuller, George Taylor, and Roscum Slocum moved into the town probably in 1794, and between that year and 1 800 quite a number of other TOWN OF RUSSIA 435 families made settlements here. Among these were a man named Austin, with his son ; VVilham Buck, Jeremiah Smith, Jonathan Carpenter, father of Jotham Carpenter, and a family named Coon who settled on the State road. Farley Smith and Minerva Smith were the first persons married in the town (1794), and a son of a Mr. Allen and soon afterward Waite Robinson, were those who first died in the town. The first school was taught at Graves' Hollow (now Gravesville), the teacher's name being Morehouse. The first tavern in the town was kept by Stephen Smith 2d, on the State road opposite the William Buck homestead, and the first store was kept at Gravesville, where Lankton's old store stands. Benja- min Hinman built the first saw-mill in 1797, and in the same year he built a grist-mill on the site of the later mill at Gravesville. Dr. William Frame was the first physician in the town, and was succeeded by Dr. Sears. Other early comers are mentioned in the sketches of the vil- lages of the town. Outside of lumbering the principal occupation of the inhabitants of Russia is farming, in late years cheese and buttermaking receiving the most attention. The Utica and Black River Railroad approaches very near to the western border of the town. It was opened in 1855-6 and gave convenient access to a good market at Utica, which aided in the development of the agricultural industries of Russia. Poland Village — Is beautifully situated in the extreme southwest part of the town, and contains very many handsome residences. Consider- able business is carried on, but very little manufacturing. The settle- ment in this vicinity was not made until iSooor a little later; but after that date it rapidly filled up. Among the pioneers of the locality were Nathan Burwell, Samuel Wright, Daniel Swezey, Ebenezer Newman, Michael De Grofif, Jesse Brayton, George Arnold, Uriah and Cornelius Schermerhorn, Silas Beebe, Samuel Giles, Moses Mather, Amos Beebe, James King, William Truman, Samuel Newberry, Jenks Benchley, Na- hum Daniels, Daniel Jones, James Trask, John Gorton, James M. Dex- ter, and the Terry family. Many of these located in the vicinity of Cold Brook, whither they were attracted by the valuable water power, and many of their descendants still live in the town. The first school-house at Poland was erected in 1798, of logs, and stood on what is now Newport street, a few rods from the site of the 436 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. present school-house; the second one was about half way between Poland and Swezey Hill, a mile northeast of the other one. A third school- house was built on Cold Brook street near where Arthur Sprague now lives. A frame house was built later nearly on the site of this last mentioned log house. The fiftii school-house was also on Cold Brook street. The sixth was built in 1868, on the site of the present commodious house. The old building was at first used as a part of the new one and a primary department was kept in a part of it in 1874. In 1877 the whole of the old building was taken for the primary depart- ment, and the new house remodeled and greatly improved. The first grist-mill in Poland was built by Moses Mather, father of Dr. William and Jairus Mather, of Fairfield, in 1 807. A valuable manuscript left by the late Dr. William Mather says that soon after 1803 his father purchased a tract of land of Nathan Burwell, the pioneer, located at what was then called " Russia Flats," now Poland, which em- braced many valuable mill privileges. He removed his family thither in 1806 and immediately began improving the mill privileges on Cold Brook. He built the first grist-mill on that stream, became the owner of two saw- mills, besides building other mills for turning wood and forg- ing iron by water power. About the year 1809-10, when the secret of distilling intoxicating liquor from grain began to be known, he engaged in that business as one of the first in this section. The first year the price of whisky was high and the outlook favorable. He therefore largely extended his business in the second year; "but one thing he did not take into consideration, and that was that everybody else who could, would do the same thing." The consequence was an over- production and decline in prices. In the prime of life and after devoting several years to hard work, mostly in endeavoring to build up a village in his locality, Mr. Mather became pecuniarily embarrassed, sold out all his property at Poland, and purchased a house and lot at Fairfield, to which place he removed his family in 1816. After he left Poland business at that place declined ; but the building of the narrow gauge railroad con- necting Poland and Herkimer, and the value of the local water power gave it a new impetus and its growth was rapid. The mill and distillery formerly owned by Mr. Mather were afterward converted into a factory for the manufactory of cotton batting, etc., by Col. George Arnold, TOWN OF RUSSIA. 43f father of Thomas Arnold. Noble Gunn and Joshua Bennett were early millers at Poland, and Horace Kellogg and Russell Vincent were dis- tillers. The Putnam grist and saw-mills were built by Isaac, brother of Almond Brayton. While he owned the property the grist mill was burned, and he rebuilt it and sold the property to Edward Clieever, by whom it was transferred to John G. Webster, father of Robert and Frederick Webster. The property finally passed from the possession of Frederick Webster, who had greatly improved it, to John M. Putnam in 1874. The mill is now operated by Fitch & Howe. Michael De Grofif built a saw mill at Poland about 1802, which passed to the possession of Moses Mather. Mr. Mather also bought of Stephen Smith a piece of land and another saw mill which stood near the site'of the saw-handle factory at Cold Brook. The saw-handle factory is now operated by Thomas T. Rhodes. The De Groff saw-mill was on the site of the planing-mill at Cold Brook. Mr. Mather sold it to Philip A. Fenner, who changed it to a factory for the manufacture of cotton yarn, candle wicking, etc. Later the proprietor began the manufacture of rubber boots and shoes in the building, Mr. Fenner having taken as a partner Col. George Arnold. They carried on the business a few years and sold out to Jenks Benchley and Abraham Coffin, who sold to Sey- mour Bullock and Rev. Abram Fish, who began the manufacture of cheese boxes. The next owners were Samuel Arnold (brother of Thomas) and George Potter, who again took up the manufacture of cotton products. The business was not profitable and they began piak- ing wagons, and still later Rider & Brown manufactured fanning mills here. George Potter and Richard Sprague then began the manufac- ture of sash, doors and blinds in a small way. George Potter eventu- ally became owner of the works, which had been considerably enlarged, and upon his death in 1875, the property passed to his sons, Henry and Herbert, who have since continued a flourishing business. The first tannery in Poland was established by Jenks Benchley in 1 8 1 7 ; it stood on the south side of Cold Brook a little east of the stone bridge. Some years later he removed it to the opposite side of the brook and west of the bridge. The site of the vats was where the Union store is situated. In after years when Colonel Arnold's cotton factory sus- pended operations, Jenks Benchley and Ambrose Nicholson bought the 438 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTV. buildings and the water right of Arnold and converted the building into a tannery, which they continued to operate together many years. They finally sold out to Nicholas Rider, who was succeeded by Peter Coun- tryman, who continued it until 1878, when the business was suspended. The property is now owned by Levi Schermerhorn. Nathan Burwell, before mentioned, was the first blacksmith in Poland, and a man of high character. He had six children, three of whom were sons named Bryant, Dudley and Charles. Nathan Burwell's blacksmith shop was of logs and in later years he lived in the stone house owned by Robert Webster. He also carried on farming and became owner of considerable land in the neighborhood. Dudley Burwell became a prominent citizen of Herkimer county, and a brief sketch of his career will be found in another chapter devoted to the legal profession. Daniel Jones was a skillful mechanic who was attracted to Poland by the water power in Cold Brook. He built a dam and a ditch for the diverted water, and erected a large shop, in which he placed a trip- hammer, the first one in the northern part of the county. Mr. Mather wrote: " I well remember the interest manifested by the inhabitants when, for the first time, they witnessed iron and steel hammered and moulded by water power." Jones was succeeded by James Trask, father of Isaac Trask, and two partners, John Gorton and James M. Dexter. For many years they manufactured sc}-thes. James Trask and his son Isaac subsequently built the brick shop still standing a half mile above on the same stream, where a trip-hammer was put in and the manufacture of axes carried on. The building is now unused. William and George Harrison established an iron foundry on the south side of Cold Brook and southeast of the Countryman tannery. They cast mill- gearings, small box stoves, hollow- w'are, etc. Daniel A. Sprague established the manufacture of wagons many years ago and was succeeded by his sons Arnold and Charles, who oc- cupy the "cobble-stone" building. Uriah Schermerhorn and his brother Cornelius were early boot and shoemakers and became, event- ually, wealthy farmers. Nearly all the manufactures of Poland have gone down, while various interests have sprung up in Cold Brook, nearby. There is a manufact- ory of veneers in Poland, carried on by the Perkins Manufacturing Company. The Poland cheese factory was established in 1863. TOWN OF RUSSIA. 439 The first store in Poland was built and kept by Samuel Wright. The building was afterwards occupied as a cabinet shop by William Wright, and still later by Samuel Giles as a store. In 1861 it was converted into a dwelling and removed to Cold Brook street. Other merchants who succeeded Mr. Wright were Nalium Daniels, Samuel Giles, N. But- ler, J. Douglass, C. A. Brown, William Benchley, Abel Morse, H. Ba- ker, William Durant, Randall Rice, Samuel Arnold, and others. In order to provide for a well kept permanent store, the Union Store was established in 1853, which was successfully operated till 1857, when the present large building was completed. Its affairs are conducted through a board of officers who are elected annually by ballot. By the pay- ment of $20 any person may become a stockholder, entitled to receive goods at a certain rate of discount below those granted to outsiders. The store has always been remarkably successful, and draws patrons from many surrounding towns. Robbins Reed started a store in 1872, and soon afterward took his brother George into partnership. They are still in business. The Bank of Poland was organized October 5, 1872, by S. R. Mill- ington, Peter Countryman, M. A. Blue, William Buck, John Hemstreet, Isaac Beecher, and C. S. Millington. William Buck was elected presi- dent and Charles S. Millington, cashier. The bank was at first located in Dr. Millington's office, which was fitted up for that purpose. In 1876 it was removed to the new Kellogg block, where a vault was built for it. In 1885 the institution was reorganized as a national bank. The present officers are Warren Brayton, president, and Charles Millington, cashier. Dr. S R. Millington is a son of Richard Millington, and was born in Russia in 1826. After studying in Geneva Medical College he practiced in Norway thirteen years and came to Poland in i860. In 1872 he retired from his profession to engage in banking. The post- office at Poland was established in 1838, with Joseph ]?ench- ley as postmaster, and the office was kept in his public house. The present postmaster is Robbins Reed. Nathan Burwell kept the first public tavern in Poland, occupying for several years the large two-story house erected several years earlier by Samuel Wright. Mr. Burwell kept the house only a few years, and re- turned to blacksmithing and farming. Nahum Daniels soon purchased 440 HISTORY OF HERKIMER C0UNT7. the house and a large farm with it and occupied it for many years. He was a prominent citizen, and the place was known as " Danielsville " for years. This name caused confusion with Dansville, N. Y., and Joseph Benchley's influence changed the name to Poland, from the fact that Poland in Europe is in the southwest part of Russia. Dr. Milling- ton purchased the Wright House in i860, and removed it to make room for his present handsome residence. The old house is now the home of Mrs. John I. Countryman, on Cold Brook street. After Mr. Burwell gave up his tavern, Samuel Giles kept a public house in the stone building now occupied by Thomas Arnold. This was continued only a few years and the building became the residence of George Arnold. The first really permanent hotel in the place was erected and kept by Joseph Benchley, about 1828. He subsequently left Poland and con- ducted a hotel in Ilion ; he died in Newport. The Benchley tavern af- terwards became the wing of the main building erected by Albert Hen- dricks, now, after numerous changes chiefly made by Van Zant Wil- loughby, called the Ellis House, kept by Frank Ellis. The Webster House, now kept by Eugene Lovett, is also an old building on a site where a hotel has long been located. It passed to the possession of Van Zant Willougliby, by whom it was greatly changed. He sold it to Mrs. Rouse, who leases it to the present proprietor. Previous to 1840 religious services were held at Poland in school- houses, private houses and elsewhere, and many families attended ser- vices in neighboring towns. On the lOth of April, 1840, a meeting was held at a school-house in Newport, to organize a "branch of the Free Baptist Church of Norway." The result was that a number of persons and families were constituted a church in Poland. In March, 1842, a subscription paper was circulated to raise money for a church building for the use of the " Newport and Poland Free Church." The connec- tion with Newport was for the benefit of a few families who lived ""over the line in that town. The sum of $825 was raised and a plain building erected ; through other subscriptions the land was paid for. The first pastor of the church was Rev. Daniel McKoon. On the i6th of January, 1841, at a quarterly meeting held at Norway, a vote was taken on the proposition to constitute the Newport and Poland branch TOWN OF RUSSIA. 441 of the Norway Free Baptist Church a distinct church by itself, and the meeting voted in its favor. The word " Newport " was subsequently omitted as inappropriate. The new church edifice of the Poland Free Baptist Society was begun June 6, 1872, and was dedicated December 18 of that year. Its costs was $5,000. The present pastor is Rev. Isaac Hyatt. Deacons, A. W. Brayton, M. Root. Trustees, Henry Burwell, T. J. VVaful, S. R. Millington, Milton Howe, Peter Newman, Marshall Root, A. W. Brayton. The Methodist Society at Poland was organized in 1869, and services were held in the Baptist church, in Countryman's hall and elsewhere. In 1875 the church building was erected and dedicated on the 27th of June, 1876. It is one of the most attractive church buildings in the county, although its cost was only $4,000. The first pastor was Rev. P. Wright. Cold Brook. — This thriving little village is situated about two miles northeast of Poland where the State road crosses Cold Brook. Settlement began in this vicinity as early as 18 10. Seth Fenner was here as early as that, and in 181 r built the first grist-mill for Judge Bowen, about twenty rods north of the site of the present mill. Mr. Fenner also built for himself a saw-mill about the same time. A distillery was built in 1818 where the Fenner blacksmith shop stands. Waterman Fenner and Morgan Fenner are sons of Seth. Stephen Smith settled early nearly opposite where Waterman Fenner now lives. Nich- olas and Caleb Vincent were here before Fenner, and the latter bought land of Nicholas. Jonathan and Nathan Millington settled about three miles west of Cold Brook, where Alva Pullman lives. Peter and Eb- enezer Newman settled a little south of Cold Brook, where their descend- ants still live. In 1825 Lemuel Carpenter built a distillery where is now the sash and door factory of Charles and Roselle Rhodes, and in 1830 Carpenter & Vincent built another where Charles Rhodes now lives. All these have gone to decay. A saw-set factory was established in 1835, but the business was given up and the building is now used by Stillman & Co. as a wagon factory. The first store in the place was kept by Daniel Terry in 1830, where A. P. Coonradt's house now stands. Allen Baker kept a store on the op- posite corner in 1835, and another was kept a little southeast of the 00 442 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. village on the State road in a building erected in 1838 by Peter Fake; it was burned. The first cheese box factory was established by Jeffer- son Moon in the old building where the Rhode shop now stands. Ben- jamin Hull, well known as " Governor," was the early blacksmith of the place, and had his shop on the State road southeast of the creek where Fred Payne now lives. The first tavern was kept by Stpphen and Arthur Smith. The present Uelevan House was built in 1832 by Ben- jamin Hurd and was called until recently the Mansion House. It is now kept by Michael Spellman. James L. Heffernan and David Walrath were early tailors, and Amos Carpenter was the first shoemaker. Luther Joles had a flax-mill in 1835 where the Davis cheese-box factory now stands. Stephen Smith 2d was the first postmaster here and was also a justice and surveyor ; the present postmaster is Franklin Forrest. A saw-handle factory has been in operation here a number of years and is now conducted by Thomas Rhodes, who also has the saw- mill; Heman Payne has anotlier mill. The grist-mill was built by Ira Torre)'. A button mould factory has been in operation here more than fifteen years. The village constitutes one school district, and the present commo- dious school building was erected in 1880. There is only one church in Cold Brook, the Methodist, which Was organized in 1835, with Rev. L. C. Rogers as pastor, and the following trustees: Amos H. Beebe, Joshua Overton, Jeremiah Smith, Asa Shaw, Aaron F. Bates, Roswell P. Smith. Rev. H. Casler is the present pastor, and following are the trustees: John M. Allen, Howard Newman, H. Payne, Jacob Rum- mel. Grant is the name of a small village situated on Black Creek, near the center of the town. It was originally known as "Potter's Bush." Isaac Woodin was the first settler here in 18 16, and in 1S20 John Post came and through his influence a post-office was obtained named " Postville." Alexander Booth settled near Woodin about as early, and in honor of his son the name of the place was subsequently changed to " Booth ;" but after the assassination*of President Lipcoln, the pres- ent name was given in honor of the great general, U. S. Grant. A tavern was established here in 1820 by Walter Howard, on the south side of the creek, a little east of the tannery, and in the same TOWN OF RUSSIA. , 443 year Enoch Arnold kept a small store near-by. The tavern is now kept by A. H. Legg, who succeeded George Garlock six years ago. Stephen Smith built the first grist-mill in the place in 1821, on the site of the present mill. The mill has been often damaged and destroyed by floods, but was finally rebuilt by Adelbert Emery in its present form ; it is now owned by John Wood and run by Seth Fenner. The tannery was built in 1 82 1 byZina and Almond Beecher ; after several changes it came into the possession of Clark Dodge in 1877. ^'^ 1885 W. C. Benedict bought it and has since operated it Between 16,000 and 18,000 sides of leather are turned out annually. The building was twice burned, and rebuilt once by Griffith O. Jones and once by Mr. Dodge. Owen Kelly kept an early store where Miss Cramer now lives, and John Post, already mentioned, was a still earlier merchant. The present merchants are David Jones and James Carpenter. The postmaster is George Garlock. The first saw-mill was built by the Booths and Mr. Woodin, and the next by the Beechers, where the dam now is. This was carried off by a flood. On the stream below the village Loren Pardee built a steam mill about 1 850, which is now owned by the Abell estate. Mr. Pardee also built a mill at what is called " Pardeeville," about a mile from Grant. Alva Pardee, brother of Loren, built a tannery at that point, which was burned. Philip Young was the first blacksmith at Grant, and Elisha Hall was an early tailor. The Free Will Baptist church at Grant was organized July 19, 1856, with eleven members. It was called the " Free Will Baptist Society of Russia Center." Isaac Woodin was the first deacon. Rev. R. H. Ketchum was the first pastor. The church was built in 1856 and dedi- cated June 12. The society is very feeble and the last pastor was Elder Whittemore. The Methodist society at Grant was organized as early as i860, but the precise date is not known, and there was preaching long before that by itinerants. In the summer of i860 the present church was built. The society has nearly lost its identity and there is no regular preaching. The village of Gravesville takes its name from William Graves, who settled there in 1800. Previous to that time and about 1796, a Major Geer located there and began tanning hides in a small way. Mr. ■)44 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. Graves was from Vermont and was a man of energy and character. lie traded his horse and equipments with Geer for the tannery and went into business in the wilderness. In 1806 John Burr built a saw mill near the site of the late grist-mill. The first grist mill was built by the father of Col. J. E. Hinman, of Utica, on the site of the late mill. It was burned on the 4th of February, 1826, and on the loth of the next February Mr. Graves had the present mill running. In 181 3 William and Hobart Graves built the carding- mill, and the same year saw the building of a trip hammer shop by Reuben Sacket. The post-office was established in 1848, with Elijah Seavey as postmaster. The cloth- dressing mill, grist-mill, cheese- box factory and a machine shop have all been abandoned. A store is kept here by Frank Lankton, who is postmaster, and another by Sherman Holliday, who began business in 1890 in the old store building, which had been occupied by Abner Moon as a dwelling. The carding- mill and a scale-board factory are owned and occupied by George Jinks. There has been a Methodist Episcopal society here for many years, but it is difficult to secure any connected history of the church. The present pastor is Rev. Harvey Casler. A Universalist society formerly existed here, having been organized in 1845, and erected a church in the same year, but the members are at present without a pastor. What is known as Russia village is a small hamlet in the southern part of the town, on the old State road, and was first settled by Samuel Wright, who owned the site of the village and sold it to Nathaniel Nor- ton. He built a store and tavern in 1803, and kept both, where Charles White now lives. Moses Prindle was the first blacksmith in 1804. Dr. William Frame was the first resident physician. William Smith kept the first store, after Norton, in 1804, on the site of the present store kept by L. F. Carpenter, who is also postmaster. Nathaniel Waters settled here in 1805, and was a carpenter. The brick house now occu- pied by Giles Reed was the first one of brick in the place, and was built by a Mr. Bishop. Isaac Norton, Elijah Ayers, and Stephen Smith lived here in 1804, and all of them were surveyors. Jeremiah Smith, an early settler, was the first mail carrier, going along the State road from Johnstown, in Fulton county, through Norwaj' and Russia to Trenton, Oneida county. A cheese factory was carried on here several years, TOWN OF OHIO. 445 but was discontinued in i8S8. There is no manufactory in the village at present. A Baptist church was organized here in July, 1799, under the free will form. It remained thus until May 23, 1850, when it was merged into the close communion form. Elder Benajah Corp was the first preacher. Rev. J. F. Stilwell is the present pastor of the church. A Union church was built here a number of years ago, and is now used by the Methodist Society, with Rev. Harvey Casler as the pastor. Following is a list of supervisors of the town of Russia from its or- ganization to the present time : Amos Reed, 1807-10, 1812; Truman Walker, 1811, 1813; Nathan Millington, 1814- IG, 1821; John Graves, 1817-20, 1822-26, 1828, 1834, 1835; Roland Sears, 1827; Edmund Varney, 1829-33; Selah Lockwood, 1836-38, 1843-44, 1846, 1848, 1852; Walter Booth, 1839-40, 1842, 1850, 1853 ; Orson Moore, 1841, 1854, 1859-60; Palmer Root, 1845 ; Ambrose Nicholson, 1847 ; Timothy A. Ferris, 1849 ; William Robbins, 1851; Isaac Beecher, 1855-56, 1861; Solomon Graves, 1857-58, 1863-65; P. A. Goonradt, 1862; James M. Walters, 1866-68; Clinton A. Moon, 1870-72; Ephraim Wheeler, 1873; Peter Smith, 1874; Wallace W. Moon, 1875-79; Milo Moore, 1880, 1881, 1892; Henry A. France, 1882, 1883; James 0. Carpenter, 1884, 1887-1891 ; E. Robbins Reed, 1885, 1886, 1888, 1889 ; W. C. Benedict, 1890. CHAPTER XXVH. THE TOWN OF OHIO. OHIO is one of the comparatively recently formed towns of Herki- mer county, and was taken from Norway on the iith of April, 1823, when it was given the name of West Brunswick. It retained this name until May 3, 1836, when it was changed to its present title. In the same year a portion of the town was taken off and annexed to Wilmurt. The town is all within the Jerseyfield patent, excepting the triangular portion lying northwest of the West Canada Creek, which is in the Remsenburg patent. The surface of the town is elevated from 700 to 900 feet above the Mohawk River, and is moderately hilly. In the eastern and southern portions the soil is loam and gravelly, and 446 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTt. good for tillage, while the remainder is sandy and light. The principal streams are West Canada Creek, flowing across the northwest part; Mount's Creek, crossing near the center of the town in a southwesterly direction ; Black Creek in the southern part, which flows into West Canada Creek five miles above Trenton Falls ; Fox Creek in the western part, and other smaller streams. There are several small lakes in the town, among them Mount's, Curtis, Crooked and Round Lakes. A small part of the northeast and northwest sections is still heavily wooded. This town was settled previous to the Revolution, when it formed a part of the Kingsland district, and was the theater of one of the cold blooded atrocities that marked that period. The first settler was named Mount, but his first name is not now known. He located on pleasantly- situated land on the east side of the stream that has always borne his name, near the center of the town ; the property is now owned by George R. Turner. There he had erected comfortable buildings, a saw- mill, fences, etc , gathered stock and planted an orchard. The dwellers in this pleasant home were doomed to suffering at the hands of a re- lentless foe. The father and mother went one day to Little Falls, twenty miles distant, with grain to be ground, returned home and found their two sons dead in the barn, their scalps taken, and a little negro boy, who lived with them, alive and ajixiously waiting his master's re- turn. " Mr. Mount came from New Jersey. His secluded position rendered it quite certain, being about twenty miles from the German settlements on the river, that neither he nor his sons participated in the conflict going on between the crown and the colonies, by any aggressive acts against the former, and if he had at any time previously been visited by any of the strolling actors in the bloody drama then being performed, he did not indulge in offensive language, as he seems not to have been molested." ^ Mount's buildings were not destroyed at the time his boys were killed, but later they were burned by some one. A mill, however, that was situated on Mill Creek, a few miles north of Grayville, was burned at that time.^ ' Benton's History of Herkimer County, p. 455. ' Another version has been tfiven me of this Indian murder by a gentleman who was em- ployed as a surveyor on the tract in 1808, and had gathered his information from persons then living near the Mount farm. From this relation the family consisted of Mr. Mount, his wife. TOWN OF OHIO. 447 It is quite certain, but not now susceptible of proof, that other set- tlers were located in this town previous to the Revolution. The Mount tragedy is supposed to have occurred in the summer of 1782.- David Thorp moved upon the Mount farm soon after the Revolution and lived there many years ; he was father of David, jr., who was member of Assembly in 1832. In 1790 John Miller settled in this town, and was soon followed by a Mr. Warner, Aaron Thorp, Harmanus Van Epps, and others. The first tavern in the town was kept on the Mount farm by David Thorp. What is now known as Grayville (or Gray) was first settled on the north bank of the creek in this town by Philo McDonald in 1818. He built a saw- mill on the site of the present mill owned by C. B. Gray. He owned the land on that side of the creek, and in 1820 Latham Gray purchased 300 acres on the south side and began improvements. From him the settlement took its name. In 1828 he brought his family to the place and under his energetic labors and the efforts of others who were attracted thither, the hamlet became an active center of business. In 1837 Mr. Gray made for Perry & Swezey, who were then engaged in business at Newport, the first boxes in which cheese was ever sent to the New York market. Mr. Gray opened the first store in the place, where Ira Williams is now doing business. He also gave S. Bullock a lot on which was erected the first blacksmith shop in the vil- lage. W. W. Bullock still carries on business there. The first tavern in the village was built by George Benchley in 1844, on the site of the present hotel kept by Charles Wallace. In 1843 Jeremiah Petrie opened a boot and shoe shop, and in 1853 the present tannery was built by Oliver Harvey and William Ladue. Douglas Bennett was employed in this tannery for a time. The tannery was closed up a few years ago. The first postmaster was William L. Gray, and the present one is Dr. E. Kelly. The mail, which is now received daily, formerly came once a week. daughter, two sons and a negro boy. Two Indians had been lurking about the place several days, but had not made any hostile demonstrations, as the young men had taken their loaded rifles with them when they left the house, but on the day they were killed and scalped in the barn, they had neglected this precaution. When the report of firearms was heard in the house, the rest of the family fled to the woods and made their way to Little Falls as fast as they could. Mr. Mount did not see his wife and daughter, after leaving the house, until they met at Little Falls. The Indians, my informant says, burned Mount's buildings when they found that the family had left the place. — Benton's Herkimer County, pp. 455-6. 448 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. Many other mills have been built in the town at various times. Will- iam Hemstreet, father of John and Samuel Hemstrect, built a saw- mill that is still running between Ohio City and Grayville, on Mount's Creek. Just beyond that is the mill known as the Jacob A. Radley mill, now owned and operated by William Summers ; and between these is the steam mill of Augustus Christman & Son. Their father was John Christman, an early settler in that vicinity. Another saw- mill was built by John Dagenkolb, a mile and a half west of Ohio some fifteen years ago. The saw- mill at Grayville is now run by C. B. Gray. Ohio City is a hamlet a little west of the center of the town. There is no manufacturing carried on here. Albert Abeel came early to this section and kept a store at Ohio many years ; he died recently and is succeeded by his son J. W. Abeel. Gilbert J Johnson has kept a pub- lic house in a building erected by Albert Abeel in 1840. Abeel was a bright man and an active Republican politician. The father of Gil- bert J. Johnson was Henry I. Johnson, who came here in 1850 and settled two miles east of Ohio, adjoining Cornelius Turner, who was an early settler in that neighborhood. Michael Sweetman was also an early settler in the Turner neighborhood, and died in 1829, leaving de- scendants. Other settlers who should be mentioned are the father of tiie late Samuel Gibson, who located near the Hemstreet mill ; Asa Vickery ; William CoppernoU , whose father, G. A. Coppernoll, was an early farmer of the town ; the Willoughby family and others, sketches of whom appear a little further on. At the present time John Sullivan and Ira Williams are merchants at Graysville, and S. A. Nellis has a grocery at Ohio City. The present postmaster at the latter place is Gilbert J. Johnson. There are now eight school districts in the town. There was form- erly a German Lutheran church in which services were held a number of years, but they have been discontinued. The Methodist church at Ohio City was organized in 1 847, in which movement Jeremiah E. Phillips was prominent. The first trustees were James M. Coppernoll, Reuben H. Wood, Jeremiah Phillips, Rowland Emery, Gilbert Allen. It was then known as the Union Presbyterian and Methodist church. The Presbyterians do not have services now, although their society is still in existence. Richard Knight was the first Presbyterian pastor, and Al- TOWN OF WILMURT. 449 vin Robbins the first Methodist, in 1843. The present trustees of the church are George Turner, John Cumniings, Lewis Wagner. Rev. H. L. Hastings is the present pastor. Considerable lumber business is still carried on in the town, mostly in the northern parts. But the chief industry is dairying, one factory being situated near Ohio City, and one just over the line in Norway ; the latter receives patronage from this town. Following is a list of supervisors of the town of Ohio from its organ- ization to the present time : J. D. Hemstreet, 1824-26, 1832, 1834; W. S. Fox, jr., 1826; David Thorp, jr., 1827- 30, 1833; John Paull. 1831; Samuel Reese, 1835; Asa Vickery, 1836, 1839, 1840, 1844; PhiloF. McDonald, 1837-38; Henry S. Conklin, 1841-42; William Coppernoll^ 1843, 1845, 1850, 1853-54, 1859; Albert Abeel, 1846-49, 1851-52, 1855-58; R. H. Wood, 1860-61, 1865 ; M. L. Wood, 1862 ; Samuel Gibson, 1863-64. 1871-73 ; John Emery, 1866-67 ; William S. Burt, 1868-70 ; H. 0. Willoughby, 1874-75 ; John H. Fisher, 1876-77; James M. Brown, 1878-1880; Lewis Lawton, 1881-1884; ThorneE. Curtis, 1885; Christopher Wallace, 1886; James Abeel, 1887-1889; Firman Ouder- kirk, 1890-1892. CHAPTER XXVni. THE TOWN OF WILMURT. THIS is the largest town in the State of New York and includes the whole north part of Herkimer county. It extends a distance of nearly fifty miles in length north and south, and about sixteen in width. Its boundaries are as follow : Beginning at the southwest cor- ner of the town of Morehouse (Hamilton county), and running westerly on the north line of the Jerseyfield patent until it strikes the West Can- ada Creek ; thence continuing the same course of the Jerseyfield line until it strikes the west line of Herkimer county ; thence northerly on said line until it strikes the north boundary line ; thence easterly along the north bounds of the county until it strikes the northwest corner of the town of Morehouse ; thence southerly on said line to the place of beginning. Within these boundaries are all those parts of Remsenburgh and Vrooman's patents, Adgate's Brown's, Nobleborough, Moose River, 450 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. and Watson's tracts, and Totten and Crossfield purchase which lie in Herkimer county. The surface of Wilmurt is rocky and mountainous and a large part of it is unfit for cultivation. In the deep valleys among the mountains are numerous beautiful and picturesque lakes, often connected by streams of pure cold water. The soil is a sandy loam. Numbers one to four of the Fulton chain of lakes are in the town and sources of the Moose River; while Transparent, Woodhull, Bisby and other lakes flow into Black River. These lakes, streams and forests are favorite resorts for the fisherman and huntsman. Trout abound in the pure waters, and deer are numerous in the remote wilderness of the northern parts. Wilmurt was formed from Russia and West Brunswick (now Ohio) May 3, 1836, when William Baker was chosen supervisor; he was suc- ceeded in 1839 by David Thorp. There has been only a little public improvement in the town, confined chiefly to the opening of necessary roads and the construction of bridges. In the year 1790 Arthur Noble, of Scotland, settled on the Noble- borough tract of 40,960 acres in the southeast part of Wilmurt. There he built a saw- mill, and attempted to colonize his land ; but he failed. In 1792 Alexander Macomb, of New York, purchased of the State 1,920,000 acres of land, at nine pence per acre, in the northern part of the State, and in the same year John Brown, of Rhode Island, acquired the title to about 200,000 acres of that purchase, which tract was divided into eight townships, numbered from one to eight. This has always been known as Brown's tract, and it extended into the northern part of Herki- mer county. Mr. Brown visited his lands near the close of the last centu- ry, made some limited improvements by opening roads, building houses and mills, in the hope of finding sale for them. He died before realiz- ing his expectations. A few years after Mr. Brown's death, his son-in- law, Charles F. Herreshofif, visited the tract and made a determined effort to settle and improve it. He cleared about 2,000 acres, repaired the mill formerly built by Brown, erected new mills, including an iron forge, and finally gathered about him thirty or forty families. These improvements were chiefly situated near what has ever since been known as "The Old Forge " in the town of Wilmurt. A little iron was actual- ly manufactured ; but Herreshoff's means became exhausted and his courage failed. He therefore " resorted to the experiment of drawing on his friends in Providence for the needful means to consummate his TOWN OF WILMURT. 451 dearly cherished project. The draft was returned to him protested ; he felt dishonor keenly, and deliberately shot himself through the head." It is probable that HerreshofF was visionary and had poor judgment of business matters. The town as a whole was at that time, and is still to a considerable extent, a rugged wilderness, into which he should have seen the difficulty of building roads, upon which must have depended his success. Nothing but the most ambitious dreams could have kept him at his fruitless and herculean task so long. After Herreshoff's death the people he had brought to his settlement gradually dispersed, and all the buildings and improvements that had been made went to decay. A large portion of the tract eventually passed to the State for unpaid taxes. A second attempt was made to settle and improve the Nobleborough tract in 1793, but this also failed. Mr. Benton wrote of this as follows : " The remains of a grist and saw- mill were seen at this settlement about the year 181 1 by William Bensley, of Newport. Mr. Noble must have been influenced by a monomania like that of John Brown when he caused a carriage road to be cut and cleared to his lands, over which he passed in his coach. Mr. Noble sojourned for a time at Little Falls while his experiments in the woods were going on, but finally returned to Scotland." Great hopes have at various times been inspired by the large iron deposits existing in the northern part of this town ; but it is now gen- erally admitted that the ore, situated as it is and with a character such as it possesses, will not pay for working. Almost the entire town was formerly a dense wilderness of valuable timber, and much of it still re- mains. The practicability of turning this to valuable account in lumber business long ago attracted the attention of men of means In order that the West Canada Creek might be used for floating logs successfully, the State Legislature appropriated $5,000 many years ago to remove obstructions from its channel, and a heavy lumber business was founded, Gardner Hinckley being foremost in the work. Through this work a large tract of territory in the eastern and southern parts of the town has been cleared of the forest and considerable farming is carried on. There is a post-office at what is called East Wilmurt, at which J. Edward Spencer Wilkinson is postmaster, and keeps a store. A large mill is operated on the West Canada Creek by the Richard Brothers, and there is a steam mill on the Twin Lake stream. 452 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. There are a number of popular summer resorts within the limits of the town. Mr. Wilkinson, before mentioned, has kept a public house for many years, which is well known over a wide field, and there are others on the lakes in the far northern part of the town. The opening of the Adirondack and St. Lawrence Railroad through Wilmurt in 1892 will doubtless lead to the more active development of this town. Gang Mills post-office is in the southwestern part of the town and takes its name from the large mills built there many )'ears ago by Hinckley & Ballou (the latter, Theodore P. Ballou, a prominent business man of Utica). The business part of Gang Mills is in the town of Wil- murt, and the remainder in Oneida county. Robert Hall is postmaster there and keeps a store. The opening of the branch of the Adirondack and St. Lawrence Railroad to this point was effected in 1892. The ex- tensive mills are now owned by the Trenton Falls Lumber Company, and are operated for the company by Edward C. Hargraves. The company also keep a store on the east side of the creek. The Metho- dist church here was dedicated in 1873. Gardner Hinckley came into town early and became conspicuous in the lumber business and was associated with Theodore P. Ballou, of Utica, in the establishment of large saw-mills. (See biography in later pages of this work.) Francis Wilkinson was supervisor of the town in 1852, and father of J. E. S Wilkinson, now postmaster and merchant at East Wilmurt. The elder Wilkinson settled in Wilmurt in 1824, on the Noble tract. Edward Fallen settled in the town in 1840 and be- came a prominent lumberman and mill owner, where the Richards Brothers' mill now is. John C. Richards was father of the Richards Brothers (John and William), and settled in Wilmurt in 1865 ; he was a farmer and lumberman, and now lives in Herkimer. Following is a list of supervisors of the town of Wilmurt from its organization to the present time : William Baker, 1836-38; David Tliorp. 1839; Caleb Walkins, 1840-42-43; Richard Fisk, 1841 ; Gardner Hinckley, 1844-47, 1849-51, 1853; William Becker, 1848; Fran- cis Wilkinson, 1852; John M. Lane, 1854-57; Charles Crippen, 1858; George W. Dawson, 1859-.61, 1867; Robert Bill&boro. 1862-63; J. E. S. Wilkinson, 1864-66, 1870-72, 1877; Andrew J. Fonda, 1868-69; John C. Richards, 1873, 1879-80; Grif- fith Evans, 1874, 1881, 1885; Jerry Flansburg, 1875; J. Francis Flansburg, 1878-82- 1891; John M. Richards, 1883-84, 1886-89, 1892; Peter Clancy, 1888; George S. Watkins, 1889; Henry Conklin, 1890. BIOGRAPHICAL. 453 CHAPTER XXIX. BIOGRAPHICAL. HON. EZRA GRAVES Was of early New England ancestry. He was born at Russia in this county December 1, 1803, and was the son of Hon. John Giave.s, who came to that town in 1795, clear- ing a farm in the " wild woods " and encountering all the hardships of frontier life, till he rose in position to be member of Assembly and then Sheriff, and living to tne age of seventy-six. His son Ezra at an early age worked at the trade of tanner and currier, having been employed as such by Abel Munson and Colonel Amos Griswold in Salis- bury, and by other residents of that and the neighboring towns. At twenty- three years of age he was married at Newport to Miss Maria Card. In the year 1827 he with others founded the village of Florence; but soon afterwards he determined to commence the study of the law. He pursued his studies in the law office of General Charles Gray from 1832 to 1835, when he was admitted to the bar and immediately be- gan practice. His first office was that of under sheriff, while his father was sheriff; his second was that of commissioner of deeds; his third that of supervisor of Herki- mer, to which position he was elected in 1840 and re-elected in 1841. He was then thirty-eight years of age; but so earnest and determined that he soon won a proud position, and in 1845 he was appointed first judge and surrogate. Two years later he was elected to the position, and was repeatedly re-elected until 1856, when Robert Earl was chosen for one term. In 1859 Judge Graves was again elected and served till the expiration of his term, January 1, 1864. In 1866 he was elected member of the Constitutional Convention of this State. In 1872 he was elected on the Republican State ticket as inspector of state prisons. Judge Graves took consid- erable interest in military affairs, and held the office of captain in the Sixty-eighth Reg- iment of Light Infantry in 1827 under Governor De Witt Clinton. In 1843 he was commissioned judge advocate in the Fourth Brigade of Riflemen by Governor Silas Wright, and two years later received a Commission for the same office in the Fourth Division of Rifles from Governor William C. Bouck. As a lawyer he was a good speaker, a conscientious adviser and an upright practitioner. During all the years of his judicial life he was honored alike for his abdity, his fairness and his good judgment. As a member of the Constitutional Convention he was useful, industrious and devoted to needed reformatory measures. His term as inspector of prisons was filled with in- defatigable efforts for the improvement of discipline, for the reformation of prisoners and for the prevention of abuses ; and among the proudest mementoes of his official life 58 454 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. were the resolutions adopted by the convicts of one of the prisons tTianking him for the efforts he had made for their improvement and reform while in confinement. Judge Graves was a strong man and a good man — strong in his determined will to achieve wliat he eet out to do — good in all that goes to make up true manhood. He had the courage of his convictions and he dared to act what he believed. When in early life he recognized the evils of intemperance he stopped absolutely and forever the use of liquors in any form. When in later life he realized the injurious effect of tobacco, he renounced the weed absolutely and forever. We allude to these circum- stances only as illustrative of his great self-control and determination. He believed in these reforms, and always afterwards impressed his sincerity upon his associates. His heart beat for humanity. He w^as the friend of the oppressed, of the besotted, of the criminal, of his brethren everywhere. In his home he was loved as only such a man can be. In the village where his man- hood was spent he was public-spirited, generous, abounding in all neighborly kind- nesses, and in all sympathy for sickness and distress. For many years he was a trustee of Fairfield Academy and of Clinton Liberal Insti- tute. He early united with the TJniversali.st church and became one of its pillars and strongest promoters. He was a member of the building committee of the new church of that denomination in Herkimer and was greatly interested in the success of the en- terprise. His early education was mainly obtained fet Fairfield Seminary, and he al- ways referred to his school days with great pleasure. He was a prominent Ma.son, being one of the charter members of Herkimer Lodge, No. 423, F. & A. M., and one of its first masters. He died at Herkimer on the 8th day of January, 1883, in his eight- ieth year. His widow, Maria Graves, died on the 23d day of August, 1884. Of his father's family there is but one survivor, Hon. Solomon Graves, of Russia. Of his own famil}' there remain his sons, General John Card Graves, of Buffalo, and Dr. George Graves, of Herkimer, and his daughter, Mrs. William H. Mayton, who was of late years a member of her father's household. JUDGE ROBERT EARL Is a native of Herkimer, in Herkimer county, where he was born September 10, 1824. He was educated in the Herkimer Academy and Union College, graduating in 1845. He read law in the office of Hon. Charles Gray, and also in the office of his brother, the late Samuel Earl, and was admitted to the bar in 1848. In 1846 he was elected school superintendent, and in 1849 supervisor of his town. In 1860 he was again elected supervisor, and he has been president and trustee of the village of Herkimer. In 1855 he was elected county judge of the county, and served as county judge and surrogate for one term of four years. In 1869 he was elected judge of the Court of Appeals, and served as chief judge until July 1, 1870, when the new Court of Appeals by an amendment to the constitution came into existence, and he then became a com- missioner of appeals, and he served as such until July, 1875, In November, 1875, he BTOGRAPHICAL. 455 Was appointed by Governor Tilden judge of the Court of Appeals to fill tlie vacanny caused by the death of Judge Grover, and he served under that appointment until Jan- uary, 1877. In the fall of 1876 he was elected judge of the Court of Appeals for a full term of fourteen years from the first day of January following. In the fall of 1890, having received the nomination of both the Democratic and Republican parties, he was again elected judge of the Court of Appeals for a full term, of which he can serve only four years on account of the constitutional limitation of age. By appoint- ment of Governor Flower he served as chief judge during the year 1892, filling the va- cancy caused by the death of Chief Judge Ruger. He received the degree of LL.D. from Union College in 1874, and from Columbia College in 1889. He was married Oc- tober 12, 1852, to Juliet Z. Wilkerson, of Richfield Springs. SAMUEL EARL. Samuel Earl was born August 9, 1822. His father was John Earl, a lineal descend- ant of Ralph Earl, who came to this country in 1638 and settled at Portsmouth, R. I. His mother was Margaret Retry, a daughter of Dr. William Retry of Revolutionary fame. (An account of the life of Dr. Retry occurs in the earlier pages of this work.) Samuel Earl had one sister, Margaret Earl, now deceased, and one brother, Robert Earl, who for the last twenty years has been a judge of the Court of Appeals of the State of New York. The education of Samuel Earl was acquired at common schools and at Fairfield Sem- inary, where he graduated. His early life was spent upon the farm of his uncle.Heniy Retry, near the head of Main street in Herkimer village, which for over one hundred years has been the home of the Petrys and the Earls. The present Earl residence, where Mr. Earl resided during his entire life, was originally built by Dr. Petry, near the close of the Revolutionary War, and is still in excellent preservation, and is now the home of his children. His early work upon the farm of his uncle gave him a practical knowledge of farm life and farm management ; and throughout his life he was largely interested in agriculture. At the age of twenty he began the study of law. Teaching school during the winter season, he studied his profession during the rest of the time. He began his studies in the oflBce of Hon. Michael Hoflman at Herkimer, N. Y. He also studied with Peckham and Colt at Albany, N. Y. He was admitted to the bar in 1847. Upon his admission to practice he opened an oflice in the village of Herkimer, N. Y. His brother subsequently studied with him ; and later the two brothers formed a part- nership under the firm name of S. & R. Earl. This partnership continued until Robert was elected judge of the Court of Appeals. Upon the elevation of Robert to the Ap- peals bench, Samuel was for a number of years associated in the practice of law with Hon. George W. Smith, formerly Oneida county judge, and Mr. E. A. Brown, under the firm name of Earl, Smith and Brown. Subsequently Mr. Earl became tlie senior partner and counsel in the firm of Earl and Prescott, Mr. William C. Prescott being as- sociated with him. Later, after practicing a few years alone, he formed with C. E. Snyder a partnership that continued until his death. 45G HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. Mr. Earl occupied a conspicuous position at tlie bar of Herkimer county and met with a large degree of success. He was earlj' associated with his brother and others as a copartner in the banking business under the firm name and style of The Herkimer Bank ; and upon the dissolu- tion of that firm and its formation as a corportion in 1885 he was elected a director of the new organization and a member of its executive conmiittee. which positions he held until the time of his death. He was one of the original incorporators of the Herkimer, Newport and Poland Narrow Gauge Railway Compan}', a business venture that has contributed very mate- rially to tlie prosperity of Herkimer village ; and in the development of that enterprise he was an energetic worker and spent considerable time and money. At the time of his death he was the senior attorney of the new Adirondack and St. Lawrence line from Herkimer to Montreal, the successor of the old Herkimer, Newport and Poland Narrow Gauge Road. He was an ardent Democrat in politics and an active and efiBcient worker in his party. He twice received the nominaton for county judge and although of conceded ability was not able to overcome the large Republican majority in the county. For a long time he was a member of the Democratic County Committee and repeatedly rep- resented the party in State conventions. In political campaigns, by his able contribu- tions to the Democratic pre.s.s, Mr. Earl rendered valuable service. Upon all matters pertaining to the history of Herkimer county he was well informed and was a recognized authority. He was always interested in the collection of ancient documents and records pertaining to local history ; and many interesting and important papers together with original research have been been furnished by him for preserva- tion to the Oneida Historical Society, of which he was a member. Valuable historical material left by him has been used in the compilation of this volume, and his writings and addresses relative to the valley of the upper Mohawk and the Palatines are author- itative contributions to local history. In character Mr. Earl was always plain and outspoken. It was written of him at the time of his death that " he always had the courage of his convictions. Frankness and outspokenness were his cardinal virtues. Sincerity characterized his friendships. He never shirked what he believed to be his duty no matter how great the evil or how high or elevated the position of the transgressor. In him the friends of good and honest government had a most efiicient aid." He was one of the organizers of Christ church, Herkimer, and held the position of vestryman until his death. He was twice married. His first wife was Isabella J. Putnam, of Herkimer, N. Y., and his second wife Frances Lansing, of Manheim, N. Y. He died, leaving four children, October 10, 1891. THE FEETER FAMILY. As will be seen from the sketch which follows of the Feeter family, James Feeter, whose portrait appears in this volume, is descended from the first families of the Pali- tinate who settled in the Mohawk valley. HIS' • liaitner in the li. ti. mai ,. „ .„^„ and a J ilie Palatines are author- itative c In cliar.i > It was written of hiii! the time ot ' ■^onvictionp Frap'' and outspok ■ He never shii liigli or elevati- lionest governm He was one of \ 'e was Isabel .1 Pu if Manheiin, ^ i He Q,c. As will be seen from the ily, James Feeter, whose portrait appears in this i. 'irst lamilieB of the Paii- tinate who settled in the Mohi; ,i^^^ /^^'^^^-^ Biographical. 457 Among the oldest and in some respects the most historical families of the Moha-uk valley are those descended from Lucas and Annis Feeter, who came to this country from Wittenberg, Germany, and settled iu the Stone Arabia district, on lands now in- cluded in Fulton county. Lucas Feeter was .father of Col. William Feeter, who was born on the 2d of February, 1756. He subsequently became one of the most noted and conspicuous pioneers of the valley of the Mohawk, and married Elizabeth Bellin- ger, daughter of Adam Bellinger and Mary Elizabeth Petrie. The reader of the pre- ceding pages of this volume has learned of the prominence of the Bellinger and Petrie families in the history of this part of the State. Elizabeth Bellinger, wife of William Feeter, was born March 22, 1765, and their marriage took place m ri82. In the early years of his life the name of William Feeter was written " Veeder," and "Vedder," and in 1786. when he was commissioned ensign in the militia, it was written " Father."' In 1791 he was appointed a justice of the peace under the name of '' Veeder." Settled as the family were near to the neighborhood of Sir William Johnson's resi- dence at Johnstown, it is not surprising that they fell much under his influence, and to such an extent that all of the family, excepting William, followed the fortunes of Sir John Johnson and went with him to Canada. Such a course would have been impos- sible to young William Feeter, for his native patriotism and love of justice prompted him to adhere to the cause of the colonists, and to aid them to the best of his powers. On every occasion when the beautiful Mohawk valley was invaded by ruthless savages and no less blood-thirsty tories, he was among the foremost volunteers to repel the en- emy. One incident of this character is thus related by Mr. Benton in his history of Herkimer county. " A party of Indians and tories made a descent upon a settlement in the Palatine district for the purpose of plunder and murder, and the subject of this sketch took an active part in punishing the lawless intruders. It appeared that the object of the en- emy was to plunder and murder a family related to one of the tory invaders, which was not quite agreeable to him : he therefore gave himself up, and disclosed the nefari- ous intentions of the enemy, who, finding themselves betrayed, made a rapid fl'ght to the woods. Col. Willett did not feel disposed to let them oft" without a severe chas- tisement; he therefore ordered Lieutenant Sainmous, with twenty-five volunteers, among whom was William Feeter, to go in pursuit,and they moved so rapidly that they came upon the enemy's burning camp fires early the next morning. Feeter and six other men were directed to keep the trail, and after a rapid pursuit of two miles in the woods a party of Indians was discovered lying flat on the ground. The latter, when they saw Feeter approach, instantly arose and fired ; but one of the enemy be- ing greviously wounded by the return fire of the Americans, the whole gang of Indians and tories fled precipitately, leaving their knapsacks, provisions and some of their arms. The result of this afl^air was, that three of the enemy were wounded in the running fight kept up by Feeter and his party, and died on their way to Canada : one surren- dered himself a prisoner, and the wounded Indian was summarily dispatched by his former tory comrade, who had joined in the pursuit." Wilham Feeter found little sympathy in the neighborhood of his father's home, and took up his residence for a time with a Mr. Yauney's family. The latter was a firm patriot and he presented to young Feeter the musket which he carried through the war, and which is still preserved in the family. Soon after the close- of the Revolu- tion, during which Colonel Feeter rose to the rank which gave him his title, and per- 458 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTt. formed service whicli entitles him to the patriotic remembrance of the country, he settled on a large farm within the present limits of Little Falls, and cultivated it for more than fifty years. In the year 1797, noting the discomforts of the people through the depri- vation of mail facilities, he conceived the idea of establishing a mail route on his private account. His son, Adam, was then sixteen years old, and his father fitted him out with a good horse and saddle-bags and started him in the new undertaking. The boy's duty was to solicit subscribers to newspapers and to carry all letters entrusted to him between Albany and Little Falls on both sides of the river, and to Johnstown and vicinity through the Royal Grant, north of Little Falls, and to German Flats and on nearly'to Utica, which was then the border of civilization. This unique mail service was continued three years and was thoroughly successful in its various features of pro- curing subscribers, doing business for Mr. Porteous, the only merchant then in Little Falls, and for a Mr. Kane, who had a store a little east of the village of Canajoharie, besides the delivering of a large number of letters. The hardships of Adam Feeter on these trips, summer and winter, in which he had often to cross the river by fording when it was swollen with floods, would furnish materials for a most romantic narra- tive. Colonel William Feeter reared a family of twelve children, and died at his home- stead on the otli of May, 1844, aged eighty-eight years. He was a member of the Lutheran church and of the Fairfield lodge of Masons. His wife died August 30, 183L Following is a list of commissions held by Colonel Feeter during his life: William Father, by commission dated the second day of October, 1786, signed by Geo. Clinton, governor, &c., was appointed ensign of Captain Jacob Petry's company in regiment of militia in Montgomery county, whereof Henry Staring is lieutenant- colonel commanding. William Veeder, by commission dated the 11th of February, 1789, was appointed en- sign of a company of light infantry in the regiment of militia in the county of Mont- gomery, whereof Henry Staring is lieutenant-colonel commanding. William S'eeder, by commission dated the 8th of March, 1791, was appointed cap- tain in the regiment of mditia in Herkimer county, whereof Henry Staring is heuten- ant-colonel commandant. William Feetor, by commission dated the 9th of October, 1793, was appointed cap- tain of a company of light infantry in a regiment of militia in the county of Herkimer, whereof Jacob Pelrie is lieutenant-colonel commandant. The above commissions are all signed by Geo. Clinton, governor. William Feeter, by commission dated the 11th day of April, 1796, signed by John Jay, governor, &c., at our city of New York, was appointed second major of the regi- ment of militia in the county of Herkimer, whereof Jacob Petrie is lieutenant-colonel commandant. William Feeter, by comnii.ssiou dated the 27th day of March, 1797, signed by John Jay, governor, &c., at our city of Albany, was appointed first major of the regiment of militia in Herkimer county, whereof Richard Petri is lieutenant-colonel commandant. William Feeter, by commission dated the 29th of March, 1798, signed by John Jay, governor, at Albany, was appointed lieutenant-colonel commandant of a regiment of riTilitia at Herkimer. Adam Feeter, son of Colonel William Feeter, was born in the tovv-n of Little Falls, October 27, 1782. The successful conduct of the mail route established by his father BIOGRAPHICAL. 459 has been mentioned. This business gave him a very wide acquaintance throuo-h the Mohawk valley, and also among oiEcials at Albany, by whom he was often entrusted with the carriage of important State papers. It was his pride to relate that in his three years as mail carrier he never missed a trip, or lost a letter or paper. In the year 1800 a government mail route was established which was tendered to him ■ but he declined it, preferring a more quiet domestic life. After his marriage to Mara Keyser, February 10, 180.5, he settled at Ingham's Mills, where he carried on a milling business a few years, but as it did not agree with his health, he purchased a farm in the town of Mauheim and there spent the remainder of his life. He died April 15, 1865 at the age of eighty-three years, in the enjoyment of the respect of the whole community. Among the eight children- of Adam Feeter was James Feeter, whose portrait is found in this work. He was born at Ingham's Mills, Herkimer county, N. Y., on the 14th of January, 1806, and inherited the hardy German characteristics which gave himself and his ancestors long lives of activity. After securing a fair practical educa- tion while living at his home in Mauheim, Mr. Feeter settled permanently in Little Falls in 1831 and three years later engaged in the grocery business with the late Orrin Searles. He had previously on the 24th of September, 1829, married Cynthia Small daughter of Jacob and Hannah Small, of the town of Herkimer. After two years' business connection with Mr. Searles, Mr. Feeter purchased his interest and from that time on until his death he continued in the same line of trade, in which he was thoroughly successful. At a time when Little Falls was a small village, Mr. Feeter erected a busi- ness block, which until this day is an evidence of his belief in the pro.sperity of the " village. His business career in Little Falls covered a period of nearly si.\ty years, and during all that time it received his undivided attention and supervision. Naturally prudent and economical, he accumulated a large fortune, although he lost heavily by the freshet of 1842, and a fire in 1848, when his store and contents were wholly de- stroyed. Mr. Feeter's acquaintance with the older citizens of Little Falls and the immediate surrounding country was extensive, and among them his character and business ability was held in the highest respect. His sagacity and foresight as applied to his own transactions were remarkable, while his business habits were founded upon unimpeachable mtegrity. He was in business affairs uncompromising, but privately he was a charitable citizen. An ardent lover of his home and its associations, he sought little for personal pleasure in society, but found contentment and enjoyment in the companionship of his contemporary fellow citizens, and the attachments of his home. Forbearing and kind to all and upon all occasions, he still was firm in his convictions and outspoken in expressing them. He built and owned the Feeter block and improved other real estate in the village, and was always ready to lend his aid as far as judicious in the advancement of the interests of the place. He was long a member and vestry- man in Emanuel Episcopal church and a believer in the teachings of religion. In politics Mr. Feeter was an ardent Republican after the formation of that party, and in early years took a very active interest in its success. In 1847 he was elected to the Assembly, and held the office of president of the village several terms. It should be remembered that his election as assemblyman was on the Whig ticket, in a district strongly Democratic. In his political work he made the acquaintance and friendship 460 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. of Gov. John Young, Millard Fillmore and other prominent men, and was a lifelong friend of Roscoe Conklin? (and his allegiance to him could never be shaken) and Thur- low Weed. His election as a Whig in a district so strongly Democratic, gave him considerable local prominence and led to his subsequent activity in the counsels of his party. .\s a recognition of his political services he was chosen a member of the State committee and presidential elector from his district. Mr. Feeter was one of the prin- cipal organizers of the Little Falls ^National Bank and one of its directors until his death. A resolution adopted by the board after his death said : " In the death of Mr. Feeter we are deprived of an associate whom aii acute faculty of observation and long business experience made a safe adviser in all fiscal matters, and the loss of whose sound counsel and ever ready assistance is deeply felt by our board ; the stockholders of this bank have lost an officer whose efforts have largely contributed to its prosperity and who de.servedly possessed their entire confidence." Mr. Feeter's death occurred January 23, 1892. Mr. Feeter left him surviving, only one son, James D. Feeter, at the present time cashier of the Little Falls National Bank and one of its principal stockholders. ALBERT G. STORY — ALBERT STORY. The immediate ancestry of the family of this name was from New England. Will- iam Story removed from Connecticut to Cherry Valley in the early days of that his- toric ground, and long was proprietor of a stage route on the old Albany turnpike. He died in Cherry Valley. His wife was Eunice Cary, and his children were Albert G., John, Fred T., Charles, George, Julia, Eunice. Albert G. Story, son of William, was born in Cherry Valley October 19, 1812. He was given opportunity to secure an ample education, finishing with a course in Union College. Leaving hi." studies he entered the Central Bank of Cherry Valley as a clerk, where he continued until 1833, when he removed to Little Falls as a candidate for the cashiership of the Herkimer County Bank; in 1833 he was chosen teller, which posi- tion he held only six months, when he was promoted to cashier. This responsi- ble office he held many years and until the death of Col. William H. Alexander (which occurred February 22, 1867), then president of the bank, when Mr. Story was placed in that position until 1886, and has continued to be connected with its alTairs until the present time. During his long business career in Little Fall.s, Mr. Story has risen to a foremost position in financial circles and in the esteem and confidence of his fellow citizens. With unassuming integrity of purpo.se and singular devotion to duly, Mr. Story has guided the Herkimer County Bank to an honorable place among banks in the State, and has passed a far longer life than that commonly allotted to man in the active service of that institution. Mr. Story was formerly and down to the war period, a Democrat in politics; but when the country was placed in peril his sympathies and his patriotism carried him over into the Republican fold, and there he has since remained ; but he has taken no active part in politics. In local public spirit he has not BIOGRAPHICAL. 461 been lacking, especially in the work of educational advancement. He was largely- re- sponsible for the organization and establishment o£ the Little Falls Academy and held the office of treasurer many years. In the introduction of gas-lighting in the village also he took a very prominent part, laying the foundation of the enterprise himself. Mr. Story married Sarah Morse, of Cherry Valley, who is deceased. Their children were five, as follows: James, Mary, both of whom died young; Sarah, married S. B. Neff, of Philadelphia ; and Emily, married B. P. Janes, of New York. Albert Story, son of A. G. Story, was born in Little Falls August 1, 1841. His education was obtained in the schools of his native village, at Stockbridge, Mass., and one year at Clinton, finishing when eighteen years of age. After leaving school and for a short tmie he was in the bank with his father, which he left in July, 1862 to take the post of quartermaster of the One Hundred and Twenty-first Regiment New York Volunteers. At the end of a year ill health forced him to resign his commission, and he returned to Little Falls and accepted a clerkship in the Herkimer County Bank, where his father was then cashier. In 1867 he was promoted to the position of teller, which place he filled until 1888, when he was made cashier, and still occupies this responsible position. An active Republican in politics, Mr. Story has received evidence from his constituents that they placed confidence in his ability and faithfulness. He was elected village trustee in 1872, supervisor February 4, 1873, being then the first Republican supervisor elected in the town in twenty years ; was elected county treasurer in 1878 and held the office two terms; and in March, 1892, was chosen president of the village. In these various positions of trust and responsibility Mr. Story has served with the utmost acceptance to his friends and demonstrated his possession of administrative qualifications of a high order. His long career in the bank has added to public con- fidence in its stability and in. his capability as a financier. Mr. Story is a member of Emanuel Episcopal church, and is vestryman and treasurer. He was married June 21, 1876, to Mary Josephine Arnold, of Little Falls. WILLIAM G. MILLIGAN. The subject of this sketch is of Scotch ancestry. His father was William Kerr Mill- igan, a native of Glasgow, who came to this country about the year 1812. He served as clerk for Wihiam Alexander, the Little Falls pioneer and merchant, and son-in-law of John Porteous. (See preceding history of Little Falls.) He died in Little Falls in January, 1828, at the early age of thirty-four years, a few months after his return from a visit to his native land. He was a man of excellent business qualifications and character and principles above reproach. His wife was Mary Fergus, of Glasgow, a woman of marked characteristics, who died in Little Falls at the age of eighty-six years. William Kerr and Mary Mdligan had seven children, as follows: William G., Mary, Andrew, John, James, Henry, and David. Of these William G. is the only survivor. He was born at Little Falls January 30, 1817. He attended tlie district schools of his 59 462 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COTJNTT. native village after reaching a proper age, until he was six years old, when he was taken by his father to Scotland, to remain four years. While there he attended a high school in Glasgow, and after his return was in school in Little Falls until about fifteen years old. It was his father's request that he should become a practical mechanic, and he accordingly spent four years in learning the cabinet-maker's trade. As a journey- man workman he then traveled quite extensively in the south and west, working at various places on the way. With the natural thoroughness of his habits he had made himself an excellent workman, and was never without a place when he desired employ- ment. Finally returning to Little Falls he married the daughter of William Girvan, Elizabeth Ann, and settled in the grocery trade, which he continued about eight years, his store being on Mam street. After a year of idleness, Mr. Milligan made all prep- arations to join the grand concourse of gold-seekers to California. But at just that time the late Amos A. Bradley left the Herkimer County Bank, in which he had acted as teller, creating a vacancy, and Mr. Milligan abandoned his plans of going to Califor- nia and entered the bank as bookkeeper. He filled this position four years, when he was promoted to the office of teller. In 1867 he was chosen cashier and filled that place until 1888, when he was elected president of the bank. This responsible oflice he still holds. In all these positions Mr. Milligan has not only given the highest satisfaction to patrons and stockholders of the bank, but has demonstrated his possession of business qualifications of a high order. Prudence, sagacity, sound judgment, and unwavering integrity — these are the marked characteristics which have distinguished his adminis- tration of the affairs of the bank ; and at the present time, although far advanced in years, Mr. Milligan is active in body and mind, and gives the same cfevoted and con- stant attention to his duties that has been his custom during so many past years. No man in Little Falls has to a greater extent won the confidence and esteem of the com- munity, while his geniality and courteous demeanor on all occasions have given him a wide circle of sincere and devoted friends. Mr. Milligan's business capacity and integrity have conspired to throw into his care numerous estates, of which he acts as a careful custodian. He was treasurer of the Warrior Mower Company for many years, until its affairs were recently wound up; was treasurer of the Little Falls Knitting-Mill for a period, and is now treasurer of the Superior Furnace Company. He is one of the directors of the recently completed Little Falls and Dolgeville Railroad. A Republican in politics, Mr. Milligan has found little time to devote to that field of activity. He held the oftice of town clerk, and has received the nomination for supervisor, but in a Democratic community was defeated. In all the relations of life Mr. Milligan has exemplified an honorable citizenship. Mrs. Milligan died in 1855, leaving no children. JOSIAH SHULL Was born in the town of Danube, county of Herkimer, N. Y., January 5, 1820. His father was Jacob Sholl, son of Johan Jost Schol', who came from the Palatinate, Ger- many, with his parents when sevenlieen yeais of age and settled at Fort Herkimer in BIOGRAPHICAL. 463 1769. He was subsequently a farmer, miller and merchant at Ephratali, N. T., and in 1810 he removed to the town of Danube. Mr. ShuU's mother was Anna Klock, daughter of George I. Klock and granddaugh- ter of Jacob G. Klock, who was colonel in command of the Second Battalion at the battle of Oriskany. Colonel Klock was judge of the Court of Common Pleas, mem- ber of Assembly in 1777 and State senator for the eight ensuing years. Johan Jost Scholl was also in the battle of Oriskany, ranking as ensign in Colonel Klock's com- mand. Mr. ShuU was educated in the common schools of his native town and at the Herki- mer and Fairfield Academies. He devoted himself to a course of mathematical studie.^ purposing to become an engineer and surveyor, which profession he subsequently practiced, in connection with other occupations, for forty-five years. He married Sally Maria Staflxird, daughter of Thomas Stafford, of Danube, January 26, 1843. Two children w*re born of their union, a daughter. Augusta, who married Peter H. Steele in 186.3, and died in March, 1865; and a son, Winfield, who in 1866 married Libbie Benedict, daughter of Jasper M. Benedict and granddaughter of Thomas R. Benedict, of Bphratah, Fulton county. Winfield died in December, 1871 and his wife died in 1885. They left a daughter, Mabel, who in 1888 married Lincoln C. Ackler, of Ilion. Mr. Shull has been variously occupied as a farmer, teacher and surveyor. In 1852 he removed to the village of Mohawk, and in 1867 purchased a farm on the westerlv border of the village of Ilion. After the death of his son he retired from active farm- ing and built a house on West Main street, Ilion, where he now resides. Mrs. Shull died December 21, 1891. He was superintendent of common schools in the town of Danube, 1846-50; deputy clerk of the Assembly, 1860 ; member of Assembly, 1861, and deputy clerk of the Senate, 1864-5. In February, 1871, he was chosen corresponding secretary of the New York State Dairymen's Association and Little Falls Board of Trade, which posi- tion he held until 1877, when he was chosen secretary of the New York State Dairy- men's Association, and continued to hold said office until 1891, when he was chosen president of the Association, which office he held for one year. For the past twenty-five years Mr. Shull has been closely identified "with many movements which had for their object the promotion of the agricultural interests of the State. In this connection he has been frequently called upon to deliver addresses upon agricultural topics before farmers' clubs, farmers' institute?, dairymen's associations and agricultural societies. In 1887 he organized the first dairy conference held on this continent. At the Centennial Exposition of 1876 he was a member of the Committee of Man- agers for the exhibition of dairy products. He has taken an active part in arrang- ing the details of the dairy exhibit at the World's Columbian Exposition to be held at Chicago in 1893. In October, 1892, he was appointed manager and director in charge of the New York State Dairy Exhibit at the World's Fair, which position he now oc- cupies. He also is president of the Central New York Farmers' Club. Mr. Shull is a Free Mason, a Unitarian in religious belief, and in politics a Piepubh- can. In temperament and demeanor he is one of the most genial of men, and meets 4G4 niSTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. the humblest and the highest with the same innate affability and courteoupness. With a mind of judicial character, he has sought to enlarge his views upon all topics of importance in public affairs, and to form just and elevated ideas upon the problems of life by intelligent and extensive reading and observation. His career and habits of life have been founded upon principles of integrity and honorable intercourse with his fellow men, which constitute good citizenship. FRANCIS E. SPINNER. Francis Elias Spinner was born January 21, 1802, in the town of German Flats, at the parsonage (which was burned when he was but a week old) that stood near the center of the pre.sent village of Mohawk. His father, the Kqv. John Peter Spinner, of Werbach, in the grand duchy of Baden, a highly educated Roman Catholic priest, at the age of thirty-three years became a Protestant, and married Maria Magdalena Fidelis Brument, of Lohr, in the kingdom of Bavaria, but whose ancestors were im- migrants from Normandy, in France. He was an early pastor of the Herkimer and Fort Herkimer Reformed churches, as elsewhere recorded. The subject of this notice was the oldest of nine children — six sons and three daugh- ters — who all arrived at the age of majority. Francis chose to become a merchant, and for a whole year or more was employed as a clerk in the store of Maj. Michael M. Myers, a heavy dealer, who made his purchases himself in Europe. Major Myers, in 1817, failed. Thereupon the boy, at the age of sixteen, was bound out to Mr. Benne, a manufacturer and wholesale dealer in confectionery, in the city of Albany. His father, two years after, on ascertaining that the son was employed as a salesman and bookkeeper, had the indentures broken and put the young man to the trade of a saddle and harness-maker, with Mr. Francis Choate, of Amsterdam, N. Y. Here for a short time, and before he was of age, he, in partnership with Mr. David De Forest, carried on that business. Up to his going to Albany the only instruction ho received was from his father in the languages, and in reading, writing, arithmetic, and English grammar at the com- mon schools in Herkimer. At Albany he had the good fortune to become acquainted with many men of culture, who took a great interest in his welfare, and had access to Col. Peter Gansevoort's library. While at Amsterdam he became a shareholder in the circulating library of that village, and while learning his trade he read through every book contained in the library. In 1824 he removed back to his native county, and, in copartnership with Maj. Alexander W. Hackley, a merchant, again started business at Herkimer. In 1829 he was appointed deputy sheriff, and had the sole charge of the sheriff's office and of the 'county prison during the shrievalties of the Hon. John Graves and of Col. Frederick P. Bellinger, after which, in 1834, he was himself elected sheriff" of the county of Herkimer, thus having charge of that office for nine consecu- tive years. In the mean time^he raised the "La Fayette Guards," and helped to or- ganize the Twenty-sixth Regiment New York State artillery. He commenced as lieu- BIOGRAPHICAL. 405 tenant in 1825, and was elected to, and held, all the intermediate grades up to the rank of major-general of the third division of artillery, which latter office he resigned at the beginning of the year 1835, when he assumed the duties of the office of sheriff. At the end of his term of the shrievalty he was appointed commissioner for build- ing the State Lunatic Asylum at Utica. In the summer of 1839 he was invited by the directors of the Mohawk Valley Bank, an institution then being organized, to take the cashiership. He accepted this invitation and removed to the village of Mohawk, the place of his birth. Subsequently he was elected president of that institution. In 1845 he was invited by the Hon. Michael Hoffman, then the naval officer of the port of New York, to serve under him as his deputy and auditor. This invitation he accepted, and held these offices for over four years, without severing his official connection with the bank at Mohawk. Up to this time he had held various minor offices, as State inspector of turopikep, commissioner of schools, supervisor, etc. In 1854 he was elected to represent the seventh district of New York, composed of the counties of Herkimer and St. Lawrence, in the Congress of the United States. During this Congress he was a member of the Committee on Elections that had the famous contested seat from Kansas committed to its charge. He served on various special committees, among which were the one to investigate the outrage on Senator Sumner, and that famous committee of conference that agreed to disagree on the army appropriation bill. On this committee, Messr.s. Orr and Campbell, of the House, and Messrs. Douglas, Sew- ard, and Tombs, of the Senate, were his associates. During the session of this Con- gress the Republican party was formed. To the next, the Thirty-fifth Congress, he was elected as a Republican by over nine thousand majority, and to the Thirty-sixth by a like majority. In the Thirty-fifth Congress he was placed on the Committee on Ac- counts. The Speaker, in a confidential interview, asked him to keep a strict watch over the actions of his Committee on Accounts, and also over the accounts of the dis- bursing officers of the House. Subsequent events proved that his fears were well grounded. In the Thirty-sixth Congress General Spinner was placed chairman of the Committee on Accounts. At the close of the last session of this Congress, in March, 1861, he was invited by Governor Chase, the then newly-appointed Secretary of the Treasury, to take the office of treasurer of the United States. His nomination to this place by President Lincoln was confirmed by the helping votes of loyal Democratic senators, among whom were Andrew Johnson, Stephen A. Douglas, and James W. Nesmith. Mr. Spinner entered upon his duties as United States treasurer March 22, 18G1, and was thenceforward found constantly at his post, keeping a strict eye upon the people's money. At the close of his service his praise was upon the lips of all the people, and they regretted to lose his services in this most responsible place. It seemed, too, Hke parting with an old friend ; for, though his face may not be so familiar, no signature is as well known to the American people — not even that of John Han- cock- as F. E. Spinner, written in those curious, bold letters, constituting the most unique feature of every greenback issued by the Government during his. treasurer- ship. Of course an office like that of United States treasurer might open many ■^venues to gain, entirely apart from what are usually known as pickings, and which 466 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. most would reparc] as neither dishonorable or dishonest. But, avoiding the very ap- pearance of evil, Mr. Spinner availed himself of none of these, and retired from his place with only a modest competence. Ills death took place Decendjer 31, 1890. CHARLES BAILEY. This well known citizen of Little Falls was born in Hanging Heaton, Yorkshire, England, in 1830. His father was a respectable maker of boots and shoes, and never came to America. The son was favored with very little opportunity to secure an education, and like many other boys of his class, was put at work in factories at the age of nine years. It was'a woolen mill, and there he learned in three years to operate a power loom. He was faithful and industrious, and finally learned hand-loom weav- ing, and eventually had partial charge of a small cloth and woolen factory, where he remained until his twentj'-seventh year. At that period he resolved to better his pros- pects in America, and accordingly immigrated. landing here in 1857. He had in the mean time married Ellen Senior and one child was born. Squire Bailey. Mr. Uailey went to Little Falls and there found employment in setting Jacquard looms, for which work his long experience thoroughly fitted him. Afterwards he was employed as spinner in the Saxony Mills, then operated by S. B. Stitt. In 1862 he formed a copartnership with his brother-in-law, Jeremiah Mitchell, and they began a small business together in Little Falls. A year later they engaged in the manufacture of stocking yarn and knit goods in Oriskany, which they carried on until 1865, when then- factory was burned. Returning to Little Falls the partners began the manufac- ture of shoddy, in which they continued until the organization of the Little Falls Knitting Comjjany in 1872-3.> This company originally comprised Titus Sheard, W. H. Robinson, Charles Bailey, Jeremiah Mitchell, J. J. Gilbert, Rodney Whitman, W. W. Whitman, W. M. Dorr, Edward McHenry, and Rugene Wahath. The incorporation of the company was efTected with a capital stock of $60,000 with the following officers: President, Titus Sheard; vice-presidefl't, Charles A. Girvan ; treasurer, J.J. Gilbert; secre- tary, D. H. Burrell; manager, Charles Bailey. With this organization Mr. Bailey has been identified since that time, and it is no disparagement to his a.ssociates to say that much of its success, especially in the practical part of the business, is due to his efTorts. The pre.sent oflicers of the company are : Charles Bailey, president; J. J. Gilbert, vice- president ; Elijah Reid, secretary and treasurer ; Squire Bailey, superintendent ; Thomas Bailey, salesman. While Mr. Bailey is possessed of ample public spirit and always takes an active in- terest in public aflairs, as far as they relate to the welfare of the community, he has not sought preferment through political or other influences. He is recognized as a man of sturdy common sense and sound judgment in all practical matters, but devoted to the business for the growth of which he is largely responsible. He is a director in the Superior Furnace Company, belongs to the Masonic Order, etc. His son. Squire Bailey, who was born in England, is a member of the Board of Village Trustees, '"'^ ^yFGKsr-rum.l^y mf BIOGRAPHICAL. 4G7 and his son Thomas, born in Little Falls, is now county treasurer. These two sons, with Susie, Charles and Emma, who are deceased, were children of Mr. Bailey's first wife, who died in IStJO. He married second, Ann C. Brooks, of Otsego county, by whom five children have been born, two of whom are deceased ; the others are daughters, Jennie, Emma and Nellie. HENRY DWIGHT ALEXANDER. Among the early settlers in Herkimer county was Henry Augustus Alexander, the father of the subject of this sketch, who came from Connecticut, and after locating for a short time at Paris, Oneida county, removed to Winfield, in this county, where he cleared and improved a farm and reared his family. His ancestors were originally from Scotland. His wife was Elizabeth Gallup, of Connecticut, whose grandfather was set- tled in that State in 1710, and her father, Nathaniel Gallup, was a Revolutionary sol- dier. Henry Augustus died in 1856, and his wife, Mrs. Alexander, died in 1842. They had four children : Martha, who married Welcome Scott, of Bridgewater, and is de- ceased ; Rachel, who married Dean Burgess, of Richfield, and afterwards of Winfield and Herkimer, and is deceased ; Giles M., who married Eva Clapsaddle, of the town of Columbia, and is deceased ; and the subject of this sketch, who was born in Winfield, Herkimer county, October I'.i, 1830. He was given an excellent education, considering his circumstances, his period in the district schools being supplemented by a course in the Clinton Liberal Institute, from which he graduated in 1849, wlien nineteen years old. After teaching school one winter, Mr. Alexander entered a country store, that preparatory school of so many of our excellent business men at Winfield, where he served faithfully as a clerk for two years. In 1852 he went to Hion and began a period of three years' service as teller in the Hion Bank, and was then called to the same po- sition in the Oneida County Bank at Utica, where he remained continuously for twelve years. In 1857 he was married to Martha Kirkland, of Hion, N. Y. While at Utica his reputation as a careful, faithful employee, and as one who.se experience amply qual- ified him for the most responsible position as a banker had become somewhat widely known, and especially so in Central New York. The National Mchawk Valley Bank was at that time in need of a careful and prudent business manager, and Mr. Alex- ander was called to fill the office of ca.shier. The bank had no surplus and it became necessary to pass several dividends; but from the time when he accepted the chief executive office of the institution its affairs began to prosper, and it finally became a profitable and trusted bank, and has now a surplus of about $40,000. For a quarter of a century Mr. Alexander has given almost constant attention to the affairs of this in- stitution, watching its every detail with zealous care, winning for himself the confi- dence and esteem of his associates, and sharing in the satisfaction resulting from the merited success of the bank. The first bank building, erected in 1849, was displaced in 1891 by the present handsome and substantial edifice, costing about .«;10,000. which is devoted solely to the banking business It was erected largely under direction of Mr. Alexander, and is a model of convenience and beauty. 468 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. The confidence of the community in Mr. Alexander found expression in 1873 by his selection for the office of secretary for the Mohawk and Ilion Street Railway, and in 1887 he was chosen president of the Mohawk and Herkimer Street Railroad. He was one of the original promoters of the knit goods industry in Mohawk, and is president and treasurer of the Mohawk Valley Knitting-Mills, Limited, of Mohawk, and treas- urer of the Knitting Company of Mohawk, Limited. Outside of business relations, he held the office of treasurer of the village of Mohawk, and was its president three years. He was aLso president of the Board of Education six years. It is, perhaps, superfluous to add that in these several honorable and responsible positions, he has demonstrated his possession of the sterling qualities of sound judgment, sagacity, pru- dence and public spirit that must be the attributes of the progressive and respected citizen. Mr. Alexander is a Democrat in politics, but would never accept candidacy for any public office. He is a member and vestryman of the Episcopal Church of Mohawk, the organization and .support of which are largely due to his efforts. He has no children. ALEXANDER H. BUELL. Roswell Buell, a native of Killingwortli, Conn., came to Herkimer county at an early day and located on the site of Fairfield village. In 1795 he married Sarah Griswold, a daughter of Daniel Griswold, also a native of Killingworth, who settled at Fairfield about the year 1790. About the year 1800 Roswell Buell opened a store in Fairfield and continued mercantile business tor some years. He was distinguished for his en- terprise and benevolence. He donated an acre of land to the trustees of the Fairfield Academy in 1802. on which the first academic edifice was erected. In the midst of an active and useful life he fell a victim to the prevailing epidemic in the winter of 1812- 13, at the age of forty years. His aflairs were somewhat involved by this sudden event, and after the settlement of his estate was eflected, only a small patrimony was left to the surviving members of his family. The subject of this sketch was a son of Roswell Buell and was born on the 14th of July. 1801. The following brief biography is taken from Mr. Benton's History of Herkimer County and was from his personal pen : The loss so early m life of the counsel and sustaining aid of a father, when both were so much needed, was no doubt viewed by young Buell as a severe calamity. He soon seemed to appreciate the circumstances which surrounded him, and was fully impre.ssed with the idea that he must be the artificer of his own fame and fortune; that success could only be looked for through his own exertions. The position in which he was placed had great influence in nioulditig his character and developing those traits which led to his subsequent success in life as a merchant. His opportunities for an accom- plished academic education were somewhat limited by his engagements as a clerk in the store of Mr. Stephen Hallett, then one of the principal business "men at Fairfield. His time at school was however well employed, and he sought to make up by diligence BIOGRAPHICAL.' 469 and studious application during his leisure hours, what he lost while engaged in the store of his employer. A marked feature of young Buell's character is developed in the following facts : During the first three years of his employment with Mr. Hallett, and he commenced at the age of fourteen, he was diligent and attentive as a clerk in the store, supporting himself by his own exertion.', and at the same time superintending the affairs of his widowed mother with all the efficiency of a man of matured years, and with a kindness and solicitude that carried with it a sweet and soothing solace. Nor was this all • his sisters, orphaned like himself, were not unfrequent recipients of presents from the sur- plus of his earnings. He had become so accomplished in busine.«s, several years before he reached his majority, that he was repeatedly sent by his employer to the city of New York to purchase goods to replenish his store. Mr, Buell, at the age of twenty-one, became a partner in business with his former employer, and at Mr Hallett's death, assumed the sole proprietorship of the business at Fairfield. He subsequently, in connection with different individuals, extended his mercantile business into the neighboring towns and villages in the county ; afterwards, giving scope to a clear and comprehensive mind, and the exertion of an excellent busi- ness talent, his commercial operations were extended to counties in this State remote from his native home ; and he did not finally stop until he reached the distant shores of the Pacific Ocean ; even California was not neglected by the accomplished and success- ful Fairfield merchant. I am not aware that Mr. Buell ever thought of removing to New York, where fortunes are so rapidly made and marred in commercial pursuits. He was several time gratified and honored by the confidence of his townsmen, in elect- ing him to local offices of trust and confidence. He was a member of the Assembly from this county in 1845. This, I believe was his first appearance at Albany as a leg- islator. He was placed at the head of the important committee on banks and insur- ance companies, in a house in no respect destitute of men of talents. Although it is not usual to select the chairman of the leading committee from new members, the appointment in this instance was judicious, and the compliment well deserved. In this new and untried position, Mr. Buell sustained himself in every respect to the sat- isfaction of the house and his friends. An ardent politician of the Herkimer school, and I use this term because our neighbors in other counties charge us with being " of the strictest sect," it was his duty and his pleasure to square his official conduct to suit the feelings and opinions of his constituents. Mr. Buell was chosen member of the Thirty-second Congress from the Seventeenth Congressional District, composed of Herkimer and Montgomery counties, at the No vember election, 1850. His competitor was a personal friend, and then the member from the district, Henry P. Alexander. The canvass was briskly conducted and adroitly managed by the contestants and their friends. The district was one in which there could not be much doubt when the whole vote was polled and party lines strictly drawn as " in olden time." He was married to Miss Harriet E. Gruman, of Clinton, Oneida county, November 9, 1840. Before taking his seat in the Congress, to which he had been elected, Mr. Buell closed his connection with most of the mercan- tile establishments in which he had been interested, over which he could not well ex- GO 470 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. ercise a personal supervision. He won and enjoyed the confidence and regard not only of the business community, but of his political friends and associates. By his industry, application and unwearied exertions he accumulated a fortune, enough to satisfy the reasonable desires of an ambitious man a little removed from the commer- cial and financial emporiums of our State, where a few men are counted rich who are rated under a million of dollars, where comparLsons serve only to stimulate to haz- ardous experiments and even wild and imaginary speculations. He must, of cour.se, have been punctual in all his pecuniary engagements and prompt in all his other business relations. His surviving townsmen have cause to remember him for his public spirit, and the worthy recipients of charity never solicited his aid in vain. Mr. Buell died at Washington city on the 3ist of January, 1853, after a brief and painful illness, in the fifty-second year of his age. The House of Representatives passed the usual resolution of condolence ; and while a monument in the Congres- sional burying ground commemorates his official connection with that eminent body of American statesmen and his death, his mortal remains, distinguished by a suitable memorial, have found a final resting place in the grounds of Trinity church, Fairfield. His wife and three children survived him. WILLIAM F. LANSING. It was not long after the Pilgrims planted their resolute colony at Plymouth, and before the little settlement of Holland Dutch had made much progress near the head- waters of the Hudson river, that the first immigrant ancestor of William F. Lansing, who was a Hollander, came over and settled at Albany. His name was Gerrit Lan- sing, and the year of his arrival in America was 1630. The line of descent from him to the father of William F., is as follows: Gerrit ], Gerrit 2, Jacob 3, Gerrit Jacob 4, Sanders 5, Abraham Ten Eyck fi, Samuel Stewart 7, who was the father of the subject. Sanders Lansing, the great-grandfather of William F., was the first of the family to settle in what is now Herkimer county. He was born June 17, 1766, and his father's family became a distinguished one. His brother John was chief justice of the Supreme Court, chancellor, etc. Sanders Lansing married a daughter of Abraham Ten Eyck. He was a distinguished lawyer and was appointed register in chancery upon the pro- motion of his brother. He came to Little Falls in 1820, and had charge of .several land agencies and in 1821 was appointed judge, which office he held until after 1828, the date of his last appointment. He was a man of lofty character and exceptional ability. His death occurred in the town of Manheim September 19, 1850. Abraham Ten Eyck Lansing, son of Sanders and grandfather of William F., was a prosperous merchant of Albany previous to his removal to Herkimer county. The family homestead was made a few miles below Little Falls, in the town of Manheim, where the settlement was made in 1827, and where Abraham Ten Eyck Lansing died. His children were Samuel Stewart Lansing (father of the subject), Dr. Edward San- ^Ay^ju^o^^^^SA^ ^^^^y^ BIOGRAPHICAL. 471 ders Lansing, now of New Jersey, Congressman Frederick Lansing, of Watertown, N. T. Samuel Stewart Lansing was born at Waterford, N. T, at the residence of his grandfather. Gen. Samuel Stewart, December 12, 1823, and was brought to Herki- mer county when three years old, to live with his grandfather. On the 2Gth of Octo- ber, 1854, he was married to Catharine Fox, a daughter of Capt. Jacob Backer Fox, of the town of Danube. Her grandmother was a daughter of Judge Jacob Backer, of Revolutionary fame. It was Capt. George J. Backer, a son of Judge Jacob, who fought a duel with Philip Hamilton, son of Alexander Hamilton, and slew him, on account of an insult relating to a Fourth of July oration delivered by Backer, upon the invi- tation of the mayor and common council of the city of New York. Samuel Stewart Lansing died in the ancestral brick residence in Little Falls, built by Sanders Lansing, on the 17th of July, 1891. This building is among the oldest in Little Falls, has always been in possession of the family, and is still occupied by the widow of Samauel Stewart Lansing and her son, the subject of this sketch. The children of Samuel Stewart and Catharine (Fox) Lansing were Jacob Fox Lansing, who died at eleven years of age; Edward Ten Byck Lansing, now a resident of Little Falls, and William F. The latter was born in the town of Manheim, Herkimer county, N. T., on the 29th of July, 1856. After attendance in the district school until he was twelve years old, he studied four years in the Little Falls Academy and followed this with two years in a prepara- tory school connected with Union College in Schenectady and graduated from the lat- ter with the degree of A. B. in 1878. During his senior year he studied law and after graduation pursued the same study with Hon. Austin A. Yates, of Schenectady. In 1879 he entered the law office of Judge Rollin H. Smith, of Little Falls. In the spring of 1880 he was the recipient of the degree of LL.B. from Hamilton College and in 1881 of the degree of A. M. from Union College. He was admitted to the bar at general terra in the spring of 1880. In the fall of the same year he went to New York city and for two years was associated with Treadwell Cleveland, of the firm of Evarts, Southmayd & Choate, of 52 Wall street. In the year 1883 his somewhat adventurous temperament led him to Colorado where he spent two years in stock raising. Return- ing to Little Falls he opened a law oflfice and practiced two years to the spring of 1886, when he joined with Edwin J Nelson in the knit goods industry at Middleville, Her- kimer county. The cares of the estate of his grandfather and father now devolved upon him and demanded his return to Little Falls and the devotion of a large share of his time. The partnership at Middleville was accordingly dissolved on the 1st of Oc- tober, 1890. In 1891 he organized the Little Falls Electric Light and Power Company and has since that time filled the position of secretary, treasurer and manager. Such is a concise record of the professional and business career of Mr. Lansing. It is proper to state that in its various connections and relations he has maintained the reputation for intelligence, industry and integrity which constitutes useful and honor- able citizenship. Still a young man, he occupies a station of importance in the busi- ness and social life of Little Falls. He has always taken an active interest in pubhc affairs, not from selfish ambition, for he has always declined profiered preferment in the political field, though active in the success of the Democratic party, of which he is a member. He has evinced a deep interest in military matters and believes that tlie 472 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. regular soldiery of the State and nation should in some degree represent their great- ness and honor. From January 1st to September 12, 1888, he acted as colonel and aid on the staff of Gov. David B. Hill, and was promoted from that post to brigadier-gen- eral and quartermaster-general of the State; he retired from this honorable office on the lat of January, 1892. Mr. Lansing is prominently connected with social life in the metropolis of the State and is a member of the Elks, the Reform club, and of the United Service Club of New York city. A position in which he feels a natural pride is his membership in the Sons of the American Revolution of the State and of the United States, for which he was able to qualify through the long line of ancestors above described, as well as through eight other male ancestors in the direct Imes, who were prominent in the great struggle for American Independence. A man of unusually pleasing address, alive to all of the important projects and events of the day, and pos- sessed of broad and intelligent information upon public aflairs of interest, General Lansing enjoys the esteem and friendship of the community in which he lives. ISAAC SMALL. Among the early immigrants to this country from Germany, who settled in the central part of the State of New York, was Jacob Small. He located in the town of Herkimer and bore a conspicuous part in the early trials of the settlers in the Mohawk valley through the savage warfare of the Indians and the perfidy of the tories. Mr. Small joined the Revolutionary array, rose to the rank of captain, and finally met a sad death a few days after the declaration of peace, and after his return to his home. Parties of prowling Indians lingered in the valley and committed depredations after the war was officially closed, and one of these came upon Mr. Small near his home and de- liberately shot him. The tragic incident is one of the saddest recorded and constitutes a memorable part of the long struggle for freedom in America, as it was related to this vicinity. Among the children of Jacob Small was a son who was also named Jacob, who was born in Herkimer. He married Hannah Potter, daughter of William Potter. He was a farmer and died in that town at an advanced age. Mr. Small was the father of eight children, as follows: Jacob, William, John, Isaac, Eli, Cynthia, Daniel and Darius. Of these all are dead excepting Darius, and Isaac, the subject of this sketch. Isaac Small was born in the town of Herkimer on the 11th of November, 1805. After attending the district school and working on his father's farm, he began clerking for James Byers, who was one of the early merchants of Herkimer village. He re- mained in that store one year and then began business for himself as a country mer- chant. For fourteen years he successfully conducted a store, when he formed a part- nership with his brother William and Esek H. Williams and invested his accumulated capital with them in the wholesale grocery trade at 52 Front street, New York city. The firm was a strong one and in its successful conduct the excellent business habits and knowledge of Isaac Small were a powerful factor. Especially was this true of BIOGRAPHICAL. 4?3 the management of the finances of the firm and in that sagacity which enabled him to foresee the proper course to follow in large transactions. The business was continued with increasing and gratifying success for six years, when the firm was dissolved and Mr. Small returned to Little Falls and purchased a dry goods store ; but wisely con- cluding that the competency already acquired by him was sufficient for the future, he retired from active business (1850) after one year, and has since that time given such attention as he has been able to the management of his private affairs and the direc- tion of some speculations in which he was engaged. A painful rheumatic disease has for many years kept him confined to his home a large share of the time ; but he bears this deprivation with that cheerful philosophy which is a part of his nature. In Little Falls Mr. Small is held in high esteem by his fellow citizens. He was the chief organizer of the Little Falls National Bank and has since been one of its directors. A Democrat in politics, he has never accepted office other than to serve as trustee of the village. G-enial and courteous in his intercourse with others, possessed of a kind heart and sympathetic nature, Mr. Small passses his declining years in the secure en- joyment of the friendship of a large circle and the respect of the whole community. He is a member of the Presbyterian church and active in promoting its welfare. He was married in 1828 to Susan Knapp, of Utica. She died in March, 1873. They have had six children — Hannah, married Luke Usher, president of the National Bank of Potsdam, N. Y. ; George, deceased young; Ella, died young; Evalyn, married Capt. L. A. Beardsley, of the U. S. Navy, and living in South Carolina; and Frederick I. Small, a successful attorney of Little Falls; Louise, died in 1876. PHILO REMINGTON. The story of the inception and development of the great industries founded in Ilion by Eliphalet Remington and perpetuated by his sons, Philo, Samuel, and Eliphalet, jr., has been told in detail in the preceding history of the village of Ilion. On that ac- count this sketch of Philo Remington may be principally confined to his personal life. He was born on the 31st of October, 1816, and died on the 4th of April, 1889, at Silver Springs, Florida, whither he had gone in quest of "better health. Philo Remington's business career was intimately associated with the manufacture of fire arms, sewing machines and agricultural implements by the famous firm of which he was a moving spirit and in many respects the head. Founded by his father on his home farm a few miles south of the site of the village, the industry grew apace be- tween the years 1817 and 1830, when it was removed to Ilion where the elder Rem- ington had purchased a large tract of land of John A. Clapsaddle. The settlement then comprised only seven dwellings, two storehouses and a school-house. The little hamlet took the name of '' Remington's Corners," which was afterwards changed, as related in the history of Ilion village in this work. The business grew in its new loca- tion and in ISGl, Eliphalet Remington died leaving as a heritage a good name and a well-established industry. From that time until 1865 few great industries in this 474 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. country were more prosperous or attracted more extended attention than that of the Remingtons in Ilion. In the year last mentioned the works were incorporated, with Philo Remington as president ; Samuel Remington, vice-president, and Eliphalet Rem- ington, secretary and treasurer. The business was marvellously succeft-ful for many year.s, and embraced the establishment of the manufacture of agricultural implements, sewing machines and finally of typewriters, all of which industries are still in existence and a great source of growth and prosperity in Ilion, but all in other hands than those of the men who built them up. It was in the year 1866 that the combmation of cir- cumstances and conditions which has been explained, brought down the great house in financial disaster. During all of this varied career — in the development and final height of prosperity, as well as in the days of adversity which followed, — Philo Remington remained the same unostentatious, gentle-mannered, unselfish, honorable Christian man that he had always been. For nearly fifty years he was a conspicuous figure in Ilion through his connection with the great industry, but in all that time he never acted or spoke in any manner to aggrandize himself, or to gain fame or authority, or wealth. His modesty was proverbial, and equaled only by his unselfishness. His thoughts while the great factories were being built and equipped were given fully as much to the benefits likely to be conferred upon thousands of needy workmen, as to what would possibly accrue therefrom to himself and his brothers. While his business sagacity was unquestioned and his prudence and wisdom remarkable, these attributes were so tempered by kindli- ness, gentleness and unselfishness, that his character was made a remarkable one thereby. In politics Mr. Remington was a Republican, but he had a decided distaste for active partisan methods and never sought or accepted public oflSce. If it can be said that a man of his temperament had a hobby, it was the advancement of the temperance cause. It was his most earnest desire that the village of Ilion should be practically free from the vice of intemperance, and that the cause at large should be promoted. To this end he gave much time and liberal means. And so gentle and forbearing was his nature that he could throw his influence strongly against such an evil and make less of enmity than most reformers. He was emphatically the friend of humanity and ever in full sympathy with the oppressed and suffering. A memorial service was held in the opera house at Ilion a few days after his death, which was largely attended, a part of the exercises consisting of the preparation and reading of a series of resolutions eulogistic of the deceased, as follows: Whereas, by the death of our esteemed citizen, Philo Remington, the village of Ilion has lost a wise counselor and a life-long friend ; therefore, be it Resolved, that we, the citizens of this place, by these resolutions bear a fitting testi- mony to the high and noble character of the deceased. Resolved, that his consistent and exemplary Christian deportment and philanthropic nature ; his generous, humane and democratic spirit towards the people with whom he lived as a citizen ; that the marked desire for justice which controlled his actions in the distinguished and responsible duties he was called upon, by circumstances and by the expressions of his fellow citizens, to perform ; and that his manly qualities have endeared him to the people of this place, and be it further, BIOGRAPHICAL. 475 Resolved, that we recognize his eminent and sincere services as a leader in the in- dustry and prosperity of this village, for to him more than others is its thrift due. Mr. Remington was an active and honored member of the Methodist church, and the official board met and adopted a series of resolutions expressing their estimate of Mr. Remington's character and their appreciation of his Christian work. From these resolutions it is fitting to make the following extract : " That while we make record of our sense of personal loss in the death of our brother, and would fain mingle our tears and our sorrows with those of his immediate family and friends, we yet counsel for ourselves an humble recognition of the Divine Father who thus with severe stroke and in love and for wise purposes adds another to the countless hosts composing the church triumphant above. That we do but voice the general sentiment of the membership of our large society in making recognition of Brother Remington as one of the earliest adherents of the Ilion church ; one who aided in its planting and cultivated it in its growth; who, as president of the board of trustees for many years, and in other relations as well, not only devised broad plans and gave wise counsel for the help of his associates year by year, but who in seasons of emergency was ever ready to assume the heaviest burdens of personal labor and to make the largest contributions to the general good. That, while in memory we shall henceforth think of Brother Remington as a central figure among us for many years, passing and repassing before our eyes with quiet step and modest demeanor ; as a man of kindly, sympathetic and generous nature; a man who long commanded the defer- ence of a leader in every line of educational, moral and religious improvement, by rea- son of the quiet forces of his own nature, rather than by an aggressive, ostentatious exercise of power; a man not without faults, but whose virtues shone more brightly because multiplied and strengthened and illumined by Christian faith, and hope and love ; while in retrospect we shall revere his memory for these things, we shall yet turn our eyes with chastened gaze and see in him a good man gone to his rest, a faithful Chris- tian pilgrim at the end of his toilsome journey, a redeemed soul at the gates of the eternal city listening to the rapturous welcome, ''enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." In the year 1841 Mr. Remington married Caroline A. Lathrop, of Syracuse. Their children are Ida R., now wife of W. C. Squire ; and Ella, wife of H. C. Furman, of New York city. ELIPHALET REMINGTON (Who has been mentioned as a son of the elder Eliphalet Remington), was born in the town of Litchfield November 1'2, 1828. After receiving a moderate education he early became interested in the new work established by his father. In the up-build- ing of that great industry he was an important factor, as above recounted, the growth of which is fully described in the history of the village of Ilion in earlier pages of this work. Mr. Remington was connected with the works founded by his father until 1886, and is still a resident of Ilion. In 1854 Mr. Remington was married to Miss Catherine M. Stevens ; they have had three children, as follows: Philo, now a resident of Ilion ; 47C HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. Mrs. W. J. Calder, of Harrisburg, Pa. ; and Mrs. T. E. Patterson, of Philadelphia. In personal character Mr. Remington is a man of the purest principles in the broadest sense of the term. His integrity lias never been questioned, while his innate kindness of heart and his broad and unostentatious charity are acknowledged by all who have the pleasure of his friendship. WILLIAM K. JENNE Was born in Lenox, Mass., on the 14th of January, 1837. He is a son of Siloam S. Jenne, who was a native of Grantham, N. H., where he w-as born July 26, 1809. Tracing the ancestors of this family farther back we find that the father of Siloam S. Jenne was Thomas Jenne, who was born in New Bedford, Mass., January 11, 1773, that his father was James, who was also born in New Bedford on tlie 14th of August, 1744, and that his father was Isaac, who was of Welsh parentage and came to this country from England or Wales somewhere about 1720. Siloam S. Jenne died in Pittsfield, Mass., March 1, 1892. His wife was Amelia P. Root, and their marriage took place November 26, 1829. She died at Lenox, Mass., January 27, 1892. They had four children, as follows: A daughter, who died in infancy; Mary A., mar- ried Albert Rideout, of Lee, Mass., and now living in Holyoke, Mass. ; William K., and Frances, who died unmarried. Siloam S. Jenne was an ingenious and versatil mechanic. He spent a few of his early years as a school teacher, and afterwards worked at various times as a carpenter and builder, millwright, a wagonmaker and ir. the manufacture of special machinery. In the latter capacity he assisted Prof. Lyman in making a sixteen-foot telescope ; he also built a set of machinery for a bookbinding establishment which contained special devices of his own invention, among them being one of the earliest machines for cutting out and making envelopes. As a wagonmaker he also used several labor-saving machines of his own invention and manufacture. William K. Jenne secured his education in the common schools, after which he spent a year or two on a farm ; but he was born with a strong predilection for mechanics and entered a machine shop for the purpose of learning that trade, where he continued three years ; this was in Lee, Mass. He advanced rapidly and laid the foundation of the rare mechanical skill which became of so much importance to him in after years. He continued for a time working at his trade in Massachusetts, finally in the employ- ment of Plaisted & Whitehouse, of Holyoke. In 1861 that firm secured a large contract with the Remingtons, for the manufacture of certain parts of fire arms, and Mr. Jenne was sent on to Ilion as a skilled mechanic for the manufacture of the fine and accurate tools necessary in the business. He remained with that firm until they fulfilled their contract, when Mr. Jenne was promoted virtually to the position before occupied by them, and was given a contract for the manufacture of the Eliot pistol. Long before this time he had become known in the great works as a mechanic of un- usual skill and possessed of inventive talent of a high order. Before the time when the sale of the Eliot pistol declined, Thomas Halligan brought to the Remmgtonshis inven- tion of a sewing machine for heavy work on leather and using a waxed thread. The '/ V / -£^-^9id physical operations being thus gratified to an unusual degree, while his ingenuity in creating novel mechanical devices, puzzles, sports, games and pastimes made him a leader among the youths of his ac- quaintance. Being dependent upon his own earnings for the gratification of the somewhat ex- pensive habits of book-buying and original experimenting, he turned each of his ac- complishments to .service, and we find liim later, at nearly one and the same time, or in turn, a carpenter, plumber and gasfitter, electroplater, electrical instrument maker, telegrapher, photographer, express delivery agent, collector for the local gas company and bank clerk, and deriving a combined income -from these diverse occupations!. In addition, most of tlie tools and appliances of the mechanical or scientific arts practiced by him were of his own construction. Thus as a boy he made a turning lathe for metal, with which in turn he made other mechanical tools and contrivances, including the gasfitter's outfit; and in the line of electricity the galvanic batteries for electro- metallurgy and machinery for producing insulated wires for magnetic apparatus. On the 5th day of July, 1861, he entered the service of the Mohawk Valley Bank. His initiatory salary was the customary one of "nothing for the first year," but he was afterwards presented with $100 for extra service and attention to duties. In July, 1863, at the solicitation of the bank officers, he opened in a corner of the counting room (where he was then book-keeper) the first telegraph office in Mohawk. Within one week after receiving permission from the superintendent of the telegraph company (which contributed the line wire and insulators for the connecting loop, and nothing else,) he had put these up, built the necessary machinery, consisting of telegraphic key, relay, sounder and local batteries, and in six evenings had taught himself the alphabet by tappmg with a lead pencil, and at the beginning of the following week was a full- fledged telegraph operator, sending and receiving all messages, perhaps the most ma-ked instance known in rapidly obtaining practical success in this art. Thenceforward he received one-half of the entire receipts of the office during three years, when the gradual increase of his duties as operator, book-keeper and bank teller forced him to remove the telegraph office to the post-office, in the charge of another learner, Austm Schall, who pre.sently became one of the most expert operators of the Western Union Company and the special attendant of its superintendent. During Mr. Myers's connection with the bank he removed his laboratory to the rooins of Dr. James Lewis, the eminent conchologist. Dr. Lewis was a fine machinist, and in connection with him Mr, Myers brought out several valuable inventions, including a '^'!^ i^Sk' Cj^plr^ BIOGRAPHICAL. 503 lamp damper, which forms Uie basis of economy and perfect combustion in all kerosine lamps of the present day.; an improved telegraphic switch for making by one move- ment any number or variety of electrical connections, and a self-registering mercurial barometer, self-compensated for temperature, which was the first known instrument of this class. One of these has been in Mr. Myers's possession in use for over thirty years, and has the barometrical record of this entire period reading to the one-thou- sandth part of an inch, atmospheric pressure. As a banker young Myers became immediately interested in the detection of coun- terfeit notes, studying the methods of construction of the genuine and variations in the spurious. He acquired an immense collection of samples of the various counterfeit bills, which, pasted in a scrap book for comparison with another book in which he pinned the genuine notes in each case, attracted great attention and became the basis of much of the present system of counterfeit bank note detection. The great multi- plicity of plates and designs in use during the old State banking system gave great scope to counterfeiters, and the country was flooded with their productions. Young Myers became so expert in instantly detecting such at first sight that while yet a sub- ordinate clerk all notes received by the bank were passed through his hands, he agree- ing to charge himself with all losses sustained by the bank through counterfeits, and during his entire service neither he nor the bank lost a dollar from this cause. As a youth Myers had been exceedingly diSident, bashfully modest to the extent of timidity, and unable to express himself with fluency for want of words. To remedy his lack of words he undertook and accomplished the task of copying word for word all the ma- terial of the bank dictionary. Later, wlien overwork warned him of possible loss of sight, he forced himself to abstain from reading any printed matter not connected with his banking duties for an entire year, and had his reward for what he then considered the hardest task of his life by such renewal of sight that during all the succeeding years there has been no apparent impairment of vision under the severest tests. As au out-door recreation he made many of the earlier •' wet plate " photo- graphic views, and later, with a portable outfit, constructed by himself, he made the first-known series of stereoscopic views of the Adirondack Wilderness region, beginning with the Old John Brown Tract, or Arnold House, the Forge, Fulton Chain of Lakes, the Raquette, Eagle and Blue Mountain Lake, and the northern wilderness, in com- pany with a party of roving young people, without guides, whose funnj' wanderings were aftervcards published under the title of '' The Modern Babes in the Woods," by H. Perry Smith, in connection with "A Guide to the Adirondack Wdderness," by Ed. R. Wallace, of Syracuse, who has annually republished the guide, with additions, mak- ing it the best-known authority in this region. In July, 1867, after six years uninterrupted service, Mr. Myers resigned his position as teller and acting cashier of the National Mohawk Valley Bank, and within a month went to look up some landed interests in Steuben county, N. T., where, as a convenient point for attention to the same, he soon after bought a photograph gallery in the rapidly growing village of Hornellsville, then a place of about 5,000 inhabitants. Here he re- mained till 1875, while the town became a city with doubled population, and he had acquired all the photograph business in it, concentrated later into a single establishment 504 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. widely-known along the lines of the Erie railway as a particularly notable place of re- sort, full of novel attractions and features of interest to which all visitors to the city were brought as one of the sights of the town. As a photographer, Mr. Myers con- tributed numberless improvements in the art — valuable apparatus and systems of lighting. In November, 1871, at Kornellsville, Mr. Myers married Miss Mary Breed Hawley of that place, a handsome and highly intellectual young lady, whose Revolutionary an- cestors were the Hawleys, of Connecticut, and the Breeds, of Breeds' Hill, near Bos ton, on which Bunker Hill Monument is erected. Miss Hawley, as a wife, proved an influential and able helpmeet. Later, as " Car- lotta," the aeronaut, she has won reputation as the most able air navigator in the world, irrespective of sex, and has been seen by more people, singly and collectively, than any other living person of modern times, in any walk ot lite. She is also the author of a work relating her serial adventures, entitled '' Skylarking in Cloudland." It is as a professor of seronautic art that Mr. Myers has attracted most notice, and outranked all others in this country. His interest in this art dates from his return to his former home at Mohawk in 1875. Previous to his active practice of this profession he spent about two years in study and effort to produce a new and more successful sys- tem of operating hydrogen gas balloons. Hydrogen ballooning had been practically abandoned before thi.s because exceedingly uncertain, and very expensive. He suc- ceeded in reducing the expense of producing and inflating such balloons more than one- half, and rendered the operation so certain that up to the present time he has never made a failure of a'hydrogen gas inflation. Another difficulty never before surmounted was the assumed impossibility of permanently retaining the subtle hydrogen in any en- velope of thin material. Tiiis he succeeded in accomplishing perfectly by applying to thin cotton cloth, by machinery, a series of exceedingly thin varnish coatings, layer upon layer, so that each succeeding coat overlaid or plugged up the microscopic pores in the underlying varnish film, thus producing a thin, light weight, hydrogen-proof fab- ric ready for cutting out and forming immediately into balloons, completely revolu- tionizing the art of balloon construction, formerly conducted entirely by hand in an inefficient manner. To obtain space needed for further development he removed in May, 1889, to Frankfort, N. Y., and founded the aeronautical institution, since widely known as the ''Balloon Farm," where, instead of agricultural produce, all kinds of sky crafts are raised. This unique establishment comprises five acres of ground, including flat and sloping lawns, a sheltered, cosy glen, or natural amphitheatre for balloon experiments or harbor for air craft, and a handsome, elaborate, three story mansion, having a front- age of ninety feet and a depth of fifty-five feet, replete with every facility and appoint- ment to be found in an expensive city house. Visible for miles around, as a landmark, it overlooks from a plateau the near villages of the Mohawk Valley, and while pecul- iarly situated amidst country surroundings, it is yet in the village of Frankfort, and is reached by omnibus from the New York Central and the West Shore railway stations in five or ten minutes. The first and second stories of the mansion are devoted to liv- ing or entertainment of guests, while the entire third story and spacious attic above BIOGRAPHICAL. 505 are occupied by balloons and air-ships and apparatus for construction and experiment, the rear half of the third story forming one large hall, while adjacent rooms iii- olade a chemical laboratory, a machine shop or lathe room, carpenter's shop, print- ing press, and a great variety of useful tools and adjuncts. An alooved library on the first floor contains every accessible feature or item of information relative to teronautics since the beginning of the art, including its old and rare books, and an elaborate and extensive scrap book system, numbering many volumes containing re- ports of serial operations all over the world. The cellar has water power, gas works and an extensive steam and hot air plant, and here, as well as outside, are stored many sets of portable hydrogen gas generators, so that it is possible to operate upon the premises any kind of aeronautical experiment with ease, advantage of which has been taken to introduce the novel entertainment of '' balloon lawn parties," includ- ing free ascensions and captive balloon observations, in which even the children participate. The latest conspicuous work by the professor has been in connection with the United States government rain-fall operations, the initial experiments of which were first con- ducted by him at the balloon farm, and next at Washington, D. C, and at Midland, Texas. In addition to the gas apparatus, seventy-four hydrogen balloons, of various sizes for meteorological observations and for explosions, were supplied during the sea- sons of 1891-2, a single order of ten having in emergency been completed within five days, while to build a single one by any other system formerly required a month. Of late years Prof. Myers has devoted much time to air-ships, or flying machine ex- periments, with the result that he lias operated during several seasons past a vessel or machine, the '' Skycycle,'' which is the first to appear repeatedly in public and make successful voyages. During many years a contributor to several pron.inent newspapers and various scien- tific and other periodicals, he has also, since 1885, published a four-page illustrated newspaper, The Balloon Bulletin, the only periodical in this country devoted to seronautics. As a gas balloonist he has operated repeatedly in thirty-six counties of New York State, and throughout nineteen States of the Union and the Canadas. His various balloon experiences would make a large and interesting book. Singularly enough he does not consider air sailing as especially dangerous, except with the hot-air balloon and the now prohibited parachute, both of which he condemns as always unsafe. He believes hydrogen gas ballooning to be the most attractive of pastimes and practically safe at all times, with good apparatus, which is confirmed by over twelve hundred as- cents occurring under his personal charge without loss of life, limb or property. As a pioneer he was the first to ascend by the use of natural gas from the earth, Septem- ber 8, 1886, for which the gas, starting from the well at a pressure of seven hundred pounds to the square inch, was brought thirty miles to the balloon. A second ascent, by " Carlotta," followed, made memorable by the highest elevation ever attained by any one in this country, over four miles, and a speed of ninety miles in ninety minutes. Prof. Myers's latest ascension with natural gas, and the only one made thus far with this medium in New York State, was at Sandy Creek, where the balloon filled directly 506 niSTORT OF HERKIMER COUNTY. from the well to ascertain its power of delivery. This amounted to 10,000 cubic feet in one hour, and as a result of this test the work of development of that gas field has continued, with increasing success. Prof. Myers has only one child, Bessie J5ria!, a bright girl of twelve and a perfect compound of the studious habits of the father and the somewhat more daring charac- teristics of the mother. As a child, Bessie jErial made her first balloon ascension, in company with her mother, from Congress Spring Park, Saratoga, N. Y., in 1884, when only three years old, and again accompanied her mother, when seven years old, from Syracuse, N. Y., in a balloon race against another of Prof. Myers's ajronauts. This was her last ascent, e.Ncept with captive balloons, in company with other children on the occasions of the balloon lawn parties at the " farm." Prof. Myers's latest ascension occurred at Woodstock, Va., October, 1892, with a hydrogen gas balloon, and on the following day he exhibited there the first air-ship ever floated over Southern soil. As the conclusion derived from unusually extensive information on the subject, and from his own personal efl"orts, he believes the problems of air navigation are being surely solved by many independent workers, and that before the year 1900 we shall achieve astonishing developments in jcronautic. The most valuable application of the balloon at the present day he believes to be meteorological observations of the up- per air, as an essential aid to prognostications by the United States Weather Bureau, or a certain key to the causes of weather changes. In the near future it is more than probable that the observations made from the balloon farm will form the basis of a new system of foretelling approaching changes by the Weather Bureau. DR. WILLIAM MATHER.i Dr. William Mather was born on Barto Hill, one mile from the village of Fairfield, April 28, 1802. He was a direct descendant, in the eighth generation, of John and Ellen Mather, who lived at Lowton, Lancashire county, England, near Liverpool. Richanl Mather, the grandson of John and the son of Thomas Mather, preached at Toxteth Chapel, in Liverpool, and came to Boston in 163.^. From this origin nearly all of the Mather name in this country have come. He was married to Miss Mary A. Buell, May 24, 1836, whom he survived sixteen year.s. He is survived by three children, William A. Mather, of Fairfield, Mrs. Albert B. Watkins, of Albany, and Alonzo C. Mather, of Chicago, and five grandchildren. As a boy Dr. Mather was of thoughtful, studious disposition, and early developed a marked taste for scientific pursuits. lie entered Fairfield Academy at the age of four- teen, and continued a member of the school during several years. Even at this age he had done much original work, and early gave promise of the scientific attainments which, in after years, were to make him a valued educator in his special field of work. He afterwards took a full course of study in the College of Physicians and Surgeons of the Western District, distingui.shing himself especially in the study of chemistry, and ' Prepared for and taken from the " Mather Genealogy." ^>^, JvXcvrk, BIOGRAPHICAL. 507 graduated in 1826. He never, however, practiced tlie profession of medicine, giving as a reason that he could not bear to witness pain and suffering. He preferred in his modest way, the more quiet life of student and teacher, both noble callings, and for both of which nature had well fitted him. In 1827, at the suggestion of Dr. John A. Kinnecut, of Buffalo, who, during the preceding year, as a resident graduate, had taught a class in chemistry. Dr. Mather formed a class for private examination in the Medical College, and for many years continued his connection with the Medical College. In 1828 he was invited to give a course of lectures to the academic and theological students at Hamilton, and continued to visit Hamilton for this purpose each year until 1838, when he was appointed Professor of Chemistry in Madison University, now Colgate. From a letter written October 13, 1851, by Stephen W. Taylor, we learn the conditions of the contract. Dr. Mather consented to give instruction to the students of the university for an indefinite term of years, provide and keep in repair his own chemical apparatus, and remove his cabinet of minerals, fossils, and geological specimens from Fairfield to Madison University, in consideration for which he was to receive S-SSO per year if he remained five years and eventually donated his cabinet to the university ; otherwise he was to receive $300 per year from the beginning. His chemical apparatus at this time was valued at $1,000, and his cabinet at $500. To Dr. Mather the Colgate University owes much of its well-appointed laboratory, and still more to the interest which he aroused and successfully maintained in its scientific departments. This posi- tion he filled with success, adding to his lectures on chemistry, instruction in geology, until 1867. In 1841 he received an invitation to accept the professorship of chemistry and Pharmacy in the Medical College at Castleton, Vt., where he gave courses of lec- tures for several successive years. The study of natural sciences, especially chemistry, was in its infancy during these years, and instruction was given very rarely except in large schools and the more pro- gressive colleges. The system of lecturing upon scientific subjects throughout the State, in the diff^-rent places where an interest in them had begun to arise, was entered upon with great zeal by a few pioneers in this branch of learning. Prominent among these pioneer lecturers, including such men as Prof. John W. Hatch, Dr. Austin Flint, Dr. J. M. Wieting, Prof. Mandeville. Prof. Silliman (the older), Dr. Hitchcock, and a few others, we find Dr. Mather, whose subject and specialty was chemistry. From 1828 to 1860, during such parts of the yeaj as he could spare from his regular duties at Hamilton, he gave courses of lectures in nearly all the towns of the State, notably Buffalo, Albany, Rochester, Oxford, Auburn, Ithaca, Geneseo, Avon, Syracuse, Whitesboro, Galway, Saratoga Springs, Lansingburg, Lyons, Rome, Amsterdam, Her- kimer, Troy, Waterford, Utica, Little Falls, Cooperstown, Fort Plain, Schoharie, Hud- son, Kingston, Newport, Oswego, Binghamton, Bath, Elmira, Penn Yan, Palmyra, Seneca Falls, Waterloo, Norwich, Fulton, Pulaski, Oswego, Waterville, Clinton, Peeks- kill, Adams, Oneida, and many other places, including also courses of lectures at the Albany State Normal School, and the Young Men's Association of Albany, and the Berkshire Medical College, at Pittsfield, Massachusetts. He was a learned and instructive lecturer. As his lectures were illustrated with an ample apparatus, and he was a skillful manipulator, his experiments were invariably 508 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. successful. To show tlie very high value placed upon Dr. Mather as a scientific lecturer, we quote ver}' briefly a few extracts from press notices of years ago: We congratulate the lovers of science among us on the prospects of a course of lect- ures on chemistry by the intelligent and experienced lecturer Dr. William Mather. — Peekskill Rej>ublican, February 25, 1851. Extracts from a copy of resolutions presented to Dr. Wm. Mather : Resolved, That in the lectures just closed, Mr. M. has shown himself an eminently successful experimenter and thorough master of the principles and details of the science which he teaches. Resolved, That we feel confident in saying to schools and colleges, and the public generally, wherever Dr. M. may lecture, that they will receive an ample equivalent in the solid, interesting and useful instruction which he imparts. Dr. Mather displays no badges of the empyric. He is a plain, interesting and instructive lecturer. He has devoted years of arduous labor to the science of chemistry, and shows a perfect famil- iarity with his subject. He blends with illustrations that simplicity peculiar to elemen- tary demonstration, \vhile he leads along the mind to comprehend the complicated results of the chemical combuiations of elementary principles. — Fulton Patriot, Septem- ber Ifi, 1847. As an author he wrote no extended work, but his pen had been active in various directions for many years, and his contributions to local and scientific periodicals were numerous and valuable. Perhaps no other man was so well versed in the early history of this section, especially with reference to its pioneers, and the rise and progress of its educational institutions. His memory was remarkably vivid, enabling him to recall with great accuracy and fullness the incidents which came to his personal knowledge from his earliest years as a resident of the town. His assistance to ilr. Benton, in the preparation of the Histo y of Herkimer county, was invaluable; and many pages of that work were written entirely by Dr. Mather, and for which he did not receive the credit which justly belonged to him. His series of articles on the origin of Fairfield Seminary, and, later on, a similar series on the histo y, work and influence of the Medical College, were extensively read and widely copied. Only recently, a paper prepared by him on the Fairfield Medical Col- lege, was read before the Utica Historical Society, by a prominent physician of that city, and received high praise. Kor months previous to his death he was engaged in collecting material and preparing manuscript for the forthcoming History of Fairfield Seminary. His memory was remarkable, especially with reference to events which happened in his youth or early manhood. He took much interest in the genealogy of the early settlers of Fairfield and vicinity, and spent much time in tracing out lines of descent in answer to questions sent to him from people now widely scaUered. He gave valuable assistance in the preparation of biographies of Dr. Asa Gray, Dr Hadley, and many others whom he knew, either as fellow students or with whom he labored, in after life, as an educator. His penmanship, in the style of half a century ago, was remarkable for its neatness and clearness, resembling copper plate, and the notes which he took, only the Monday before his death, as secretary of the Medical College Board, which annually meets at Little Falls, are an exact counterpart in style BIOGRAPHICAL. 509 and penmanship to those taken by him in the same capacity when he was first elected secretary in 1840. No man among the hundreds of distinguished alumni of " Old Fairfield" took greater interest in his alma mater than Dr. Mather. From his early youth he had an intimate acquaintance with all its inner and outer workings. He took special pains to become acquainted with all its teachers, and was ever ready with his kind encouragement and offers of advice and assistance. When anew teacher was about to commence his duties in the department of physical science, it was his custom to aid him in his first use of the apparatus, and frequently to assist him in his experiments, and the writer of this article will ever hold him in grateful remembrance for much information and help in that department. So solicitous was he for the pro.sperity of the school, that he always endeavored to keep in his mind the exact number of students present, and often, at the beginning of each term would watch the number of lights in the building during the first few even- ings, in order that he might judge of the prospects of a successful term, anxiously commenting to tho.se whom he met upon the favorable or unfavorable indications. While he was president of the Board of Trustees, he took great interest in the Regents' examinations. He would perform the tiresome duties of a committeeman, and look over the answer papers, and was always regarded by the students as a very pleasant and efficient guardian of the Regents' interests. In prosperity and adversity the school has found him the same unvarying champion, always ready to work, to contribute funds, and speak for its interests. The teachers have found him a friend and co-worker in the cause of education, and the students a man abounding in knowledge which he was willing to impart. He had been a trustee of the school since 1853, president of the board for about twenty years, and was a prompt and regular attendant at all the meetings, and an active participant in all discussions relating to its financial and educational matters. When, a few years ago, the indications were that the seminary was about to close, when many people feared that " Old Fairfield " had done its work and must hencefor- ward be counted among the institutions of the past, Dr. Mather, with earnest solicitude and zeal, labored to bring about the change in management which promised, and has resulted in, the successful and permanent establishment of the school; and he Hved to rejoice in the well filled rooms and numerous lights that gleamed from the windows oppo-site his residence. He was also an earnest worker in the Protestant Episcopal church, of which he was for many years a vestryman. He was always attentive to every duty, taking, as he did in every good work, an" active interest in all church affairs; and it was often re- marked by those who knew him best that few men ever lived a more genuine, practical, Christian life than Dr. Mather. He was a man of perfect honesty, remarkable in his habits of punctuality in all duties, of strict accuracy and system in the execution and record of all business transactions, and of marked kindness of heart. He was ever careful and considerate of the feelings and circumstances of all around him, and the universal testimony of his neighbors and those with whom he came into the most constant personal contact, shows him to Lave 65 510 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. been a man of unusually broad views and benevolent character. In his latter years he was somewhat afflicted with deafness, but did not lose his deep interest in all current afFairs. He read constantly and carefully, and kept well informed on public questions of the day. He was public spirited, and contributed freely of his time and means in support of local projects. He retained to the end of his life the mental faculties of a remarkably well balanced and even brilliant mind. He passed away June 26, 1890, in the fullness of years, esteemed and lamented by the entire community. PROFESSOR XERXES ADDISON WILLARD.i Professor X. A. Willard was born in Herkimer county, N. Y., in 1820. His family trace their ancestry to the time of William the Conqueror, A. D. 1085, through Colonel Simon Willard, one of the Puritans from England who settled at Boston in 1634. His father, Dr. N. S. Willard, a prominent physician, died in 1S27. After preparatory studies at Fairfield and Cazenovia, X. A. Willard entered Hamilton College in 1841. He was graduated in 1845 and at once began the study of law in the office of Loomis and Nolton at Little Falls. In 1848 he was married to Miss Harriet L. Hallett of Fairfield, and engaged in farm- ing, buying the farm which his maternal grandfather. Judge Evans Wharry, cleared from the wilderness in 1785, and on which he lived and died. Professor Willard gave his attention principally to dairy farming, making experi- ments with milk which have proved^highly useful. In 1855-6 he organized the Farm- ers' Club of Little Falls. From 1858 to 1861 he was the editor of the Herkimer County Journal. In 1869 he published the first of his works — " Essays on Agriculture " — began contributing articles on agriculture to periodicals, and wrote for the New York State Agricultural Society a pamphlet on " Cheese Daii-ying in Herkimer County." From 1860 to 1862 he was canal collector at Little Falls. In 1861 he wrote another pamphlet on dairying for the State Agricultural Society, and in 1862 his work on the '" Asso- ciated Dairies of New York " was issued by the society, being the first published ac- count of the new dairy system now so generally adopted over the continent. In 1864 Professor Willard became one of the editors of the Uika Morning Herald, and for five years conducted an agricultural department in that paper. He was one of the leading workers in organizing the American Dairymen's Asscciation, and the published reports of that body contain many of his addresses at its conventions. 1 The portrait of Professor Willard, which appears elsewhere in this work is taken from a paint- ingin oil madein 1879 by the late Alonzo Pease of .Utica, N. Y., and which for some time hung in the Academy of Design, New York City. It is now in the possession of Frank H. Willard of Lit- tle Falls, and is considered a faithful likeness. In person Professor Willard was slightly above the averajje height, of rather full habil and light complexion. Maj. Henry E. Alvordof Maryland, writing to the Country CenlUmiin soon after Professor Willard's death, said : " As a writer and speaker Professor Willard was fluent, entertaining, practical, and both timely and instructive. He was a man of attractive presence, genial manners and interesting conversation, and had hosts of warm friends." (Qy/\ '/^/m/r^ '^^rMV'^vV^^ BIOGRAPHICAL. 511 In 1866 Professor Willard, in the interest of the American Dair} men's Association, traveled extensively over England, Scotland, Ireland, Fiante and Switzerland, observ- ing European methods in dairying. A report of bis investigatioES was published by the Agi-if^ultural Department at Washington and caused great improvement in the man- ufacture of American cheese. In 1869 he was employed by the Royal Agricultural Society of England to write works on dairying, and he furnished the society with one on " American Butter Facto- ries " and one on " Condensed Milk Manufacture." In January, 1869, Professor Willard became dairy editor of the Rural New- Yorlcer, and held that position for many years. In 1871 he published " Practical Dairy Hus- bandry," an octavo volume of nearly 600 pages, which has been recognized at home and abroad as a standard authority on this subject. In 1875 he brought out his " Practical Butter Book," which has long been a standard work on butter making. Professor Willard was the first to inaugurate the system of "dairy boards of trade." He organized in 1870-71 the New York State Dairymen's Association, of which he was for several years president. Professor Willard, during his lifetime, delivered a great number of addresses on ag- ricultural topics, speaking at the fairs in nearly every county in the State and fre- quently in other States, besides delivering courses of lectures at Cornell University and the Maine Agricultural College. He traveled extensively in America as well as in Eu- rope, having crossed the continent in 1870 and 1875, and made a tour of Texas and Colorado in 1873. Professor Wiilard's reputation as a writer and speaker on dairy topics was well earned, both at home and abroad, and will endure for all time. The London (England) Milk Journal pronounced " Practical Dairy Husbandry ' the most complete, exhaus- tive and valuable work on the subject ever published.' " The late Dr. Edward Smith, F. R. S., the English author, said, in the London Standard, that his work on " Condensed Milk Manufacture " was incomparable '' in clearness, detail and correctness." Professor Willard died suddenly of heart disease in his study, on his farm near Little Falls, on the morning of October 26, 1882. The night previous he was engaged until a late hour in writing an article on the dairy for the " Encyclopedia Britanuica," and this was his last work. His widow survives him, living at the family residence, near Little Falls. Of his five children, Frank H. lives at Little Falls; Addison X. and Harriet C. live at the family homestead ; Stephen S. resides at Earlville, 111., where he practices dentistry, and Mary Viola (wife of Hon. Charles F. A. Bielby) at Deland, Fla. Frank Hallett Willard. The oldest son of Professor X. A. Willard, was born on Hillside farm, near Little Falls, August 4, 1852. He attended the Little Falls Acad- emy and later entered Fairfield Seminary, where he was graduated with honors in 1876. In 1877 he commenced the study of law in the office of Mills and Palmer at Little Falls, soon afterward entering the law department of Hamilton College, from which he was graduated in 1878 and in the same year admitted to the bar. From 1884 to 1886 Mr. Willard was assistant editor of the Country Gentleman, residing at Albany, N. Y. In 1885 he was married to Miss Minnie H. Staples, daughter of Rev. M. W. Staples, of Catskill, N. Y. 512 . HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. In 1887 he removed to Madison, Wis., where, with Col. Walter W. Wharry, he purchased the Western Farmer. Col. Wharry soon afterward retired from the firm, and William H. Morri.son, Superintendent of Farmers' Institutes, and Hon. Henry C. Adams, of Madison, were admitted to partnership. Mr. Willard was editor- in-chief and manager of tliat journal until October, 1890. Under his charge the paper became one of the best of its class published in the Northwest. It was the recognized exponent of the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Wisconsin Farmers' Insti- tutes ; its circulation was large, and it exerted a wide-spread and well-deserved influence in its chosen field — the advancement of agriculture. In the autumn of 1890 Mr. Willard disposed of his interest in the paper and returned to his native town, where he is engaged in writing for periodicals and in other literary pursuits. Mr. Willard has traveled quite extensively. In 1882 he made a trip to Europe, spending some time in England and Germany studying their agriculture and agricul- tural experiment stations; he contributed his observations to the Country Gentleman and other journals. The following year he traveled m the Southern States. Mr. Wil- lard resides at the village of Little Fall?. He has one son — Staples Xerxes Willard. ALONZO WOOD. The ancestry of Alonzo Wood may be readily traced back to the hardy New Eng- landers who first peopled the shores of Massachusetts and Connecticut. His great-grand- father, Ebenezer Wood, died in Somers, Conn., in 1792, at the great age of ninety-three years; the date of his settlement in that State is cot known, but it was, of course, very early. Among his chddren was Stephen Wood, grandfather of Alonzo, who was born in 1730, and died in Monson, Mass., at the age of ninety- six years. He left a record for bravery and heroism in the French and Indian war and performed his part in the peaceful arts that established civilization in the new country. His family of children consisted of Stephen, David, Jonathan, Joseph, Levi, Beulah, Hannah, Lovisa. David was the father of Alonzo, and was born on the 5th of February, 1765, at Monson. He was a farmer by occupation, held the post of captain in the militia, and was a sturdy representative of the New England pioneers. In the year 1792, when he was twenty- seven years old, he came into what is now the town of Winfield, Herkimer coimty, his path being shown only by marked trees for much of the distance, and settled on the homestead which has ever since been in possession of the family, and is now occupied by Alonzo Wood. The immediate locality became known in early years as " Wood's Corners," two roads crossing near the homestead and a school-house and shops being located near there. David Wood was a man of marked character and became con- spicuous and respected in the early community. Before his removal to this county he married Persis Cliapin, of Munson. She died in 1801, and he married in the following year Abigail Keep, also of Munson. She died on the 6th of October, 1857, and he died September 7, 1851. Their children were Orrin and Austin (twins), born May 31, 1790: Pamelia, borii August 20, 1792; Alfred, bom June 30, 1795; David, born August 9, BIOGRAPHICAL. 513 17i}8 ; Amasa, born January 15, 1801; the foregoing were all born by the first wife By his second wife the children were Persis, born May 26, 1805; Hiram, born August 12, 1807 ; Leander, born December 29, 1810; Alonzo (the subject), born May 11, 1813; Jackson, born November 19, 1815 ; Abigail, born July 22, 1818 ; Simeon, born Feb- ruary 2. 1821. The last four are living, Alonzo being tlie oldest, and now (1892) in his eightieth year. Alonzo Wood has passed a life of active labor, most of which has been devoted to the tilling of the homestead farm, which he still occupies, and where he has erected a hand- some residence across the road from the old dwelling where his father so long lived. He has always taken an intelligent interest in public affairs, but has never sought pub- lic office. When the subject of organizing a bank in West Winfield came up for discus- sion he acted in its favor and was chosen for the position of cashierfor theyears 1856-7. A few years later he was chosen vice-president, and when Col. D. R. Carrier died, Mr. Wood was chosen president of the bank, which office he still occupies. Although now far advanced in years, he makes daily journeys from his residence to the bank. A man of extended information, inborn integrity, and courteous and sociable under all circum- stances, Mr. Wood enjoys in his decHning days the unwavering friendship and respect of all who know him. Mr. Wood was twice married, and of a family of seven children two daughters and a son are living. JAMES B. RAFTER. John Rafter, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Ireland. He was married to Winifred Connolly, and soon after emigrated to America. Of that marriage six children are now living, four of whom are sons, as follows: the subject of this sketch; Judge B. E. Rafter, the present mayor of the city of HoMon, Kansas; Dr. J. A. Rafter, of the same place, and Giles S. Rafter, an attorney and counselor at law, for the past ten years employed in one of the departments at Washington. James B. Rafter was born at Schenectady, N. Y., June 12, 1842. When he was one j'ear of age his parents removed (o the town of Winfield, Herkimer county, N. Y. He received his education at the West Winfield Academy, and after leaving school was engaged for a time in teaching. He was the principal of the union school at West Winfield, and was also the principal of the high school at Conners' Mills, Missouri. Returning from the South, he engaged, for a few years in farmmg, and served as a justice of the peace in the town of Bridgewater, Oneida county, for one year, when he resigned the office, and commenced the study of law in the office of S. S. Morgan, at West Winfield, in November, 1867, and so assiduously pursued his studies that he passed his examination and was admitted to the bar in October, 1868. He was sub- sequently admitted to practice in the United States courts. In 1871 he established an oflice at Mohawk, N. Y., where he is still in active practice, and has been engaged in much of the important litigation of bis vicinity. 514 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. In November, 1871, he was married to Miss Georgie B. Palmer, of Spottsylvania county, Va. In his profession he has reached a position wholly to his credit, and is recognized a> a well-read and painstaking lawyer, devoted to the interests of his clients, and gives to every case his careful and personal preparation. In politics he is an earnest and active Democrat, and has given his party his services as an orator in every presidential campaign since his majority, but has never sought political office. He has served as the president of the village of Mohawk, and as presi- dent of the Board of Education. Since early manhood Mr. Rafter has been a staunch friend of the cause of temperance, and has delivered many lectures in Central New York and in the West for its promotion. He has also lectured quite extensively upon educational and kindred subjects. He is a trustee of Fairfield Seminary and Military Academy, and is assigned as one of the lecturers in the law department of that flourish- ing institution of learning. In a business way he is wholly a self-made man, never having received aid from any source. He is at present the president of the Mohawk and Ilion Street Railroad Company, and the president of the Mohawk Valley Hotel Company. He was prominently instru- mental in organizing the Mohawk Valley Knitting Mills, and the Knitting Company of Mohawk, and is the secretary of both of those successful business corporations, and is a director in the board of each. He is a prominent Mason, arid has been the master of his lodge, and is a Knight Templar. He is one of the vestrymen of Grace church. Mr. and Mrs. Rafter have three children, as follows: J. Ernest Rafter, now twenty years of age, a graduate of Fairfield Seminary, and now a student in the University of the City of New York, preparing for the profession of the law ; Clara W., and Leora May, both living at home with their parents. ROBERT MACKINNON Was born in Cohoes, Nov. 1, 1853. He is of Scotch ancestry, his father, Alexander MacKinnon, being a native of Hawick, Scotland. His father married Catherine Morton, of Hawick, and not long afterwards came to America. He was a rib knitter by trade, and settled in Cohoes, where the manufacture of knit goods was largely carried on. He died in Cohoes in 1858, when the subject of this sketch was only five years old, leaving a family of three children, Robert, the subject of this sketch ; Sarah, the wife of John Smith, a member of the firm of the Little Falls Wool Extract Co., and Miss Belle MacKinnon, who is assisting Mr. MacKinnon in the management of his business. Mr. MacKinnon received what is termed a common school education; and at an early age began working in the mills of Cohoes. Until he was twenty-one years of age he continued to work in the factory, at which time his ambition prompted him to enter another field, and he began to study law. Into this he plunged with all his natural ardor, but circumstances induced him to take charge of a department in one of the large knitting mills. He remained in this position two years. In 1881, the end of this BIOaRAPHICAL. 515 period, he united with Eobt. Ablett and Walter Hume, both of Cohoes, and formed the firm of Ablett, MacKinnon & Co., and came to Little Falls, where they began the manufacture of knit goods in the mill where Eugene Walrath is now, 1 893, manufacturing. In 1887 Mr. MacKinnon retired from the firm and began business in the same line in the building formerly occupied by W. H. Waters as a lumber yard. He soon developed furtlier the admirable business qualifications which had already been demonstrated, and under his untiring energy and enterprise, success followed in a most satisfactory degree. His trade extended very rapidly, and in the year 1890 a new mill was finished, which is now running to its full capacity, and ranks as the largest in the world on his line of goods. From a list of employees reaching about seventy-five in 1887, he now employs six hundred. The character of his product occupies a high position in the market. The pay roll amounts to over $8,000 every two weeks. He manufactures all grades of cotton, wool and camel's-hair underwear for children. Mr. MacKinnon is a Republican in politics, but his exacting business duties, as well as his natural tastes, have prevented him from taking an active position in that field. He is at the present time a member of the school board of the village. He is a member of the Baptist church, and the superintendent of the Sunday-school. Mr. MacKinnon is a public spirited citizen, and has been constant in his efforts to advance the best interests of Little Falls. His immediate family consists of his wife, formerly Ella Severson, of Cohoes, and three children, Mollie, Isabel and Marguerite. RUGENE WALRATH Was born in the town of St. Johnsville, Montgomery county, on the 13th of February, 1845. He comes of German ancestry, who were the early settlers of the valley. His father was Martin Walrath, who was a native of St. Johnsville and a respectable farmer, and died in that town in 1885. His mother was Julia Flanders, of Fulton county, and she died in 1892. They had twel\ie children, as follows: James, now living on the homestead farm; Harlan, deceased; Martha, deceased; Martin, now living in St. Johnsville; Rugene, the subject (the two latter were twins) ; Charles, deceased ; Mary, married Romeyn Youran, of St. Johnsville, and living ; Adam, a physician, living at Lassellsville, Fulton county ; Joseph, living in St. Johnsville ; Alvin, in business with Rugene at Little Falls ; George, living at St. Johnsville, and Edwin, who died in in- fancy. Rugene Walrath received his education in the district schools, supplemented with three months in a commercial school, which he left at eighteen years of age. He had previous to that time served as a clerk for a period in a store in St. Johnsville, and had de- termined that he would follow mercantile business. After leaving the commercial school he clerked a few years at St. Johnsville, and then entered the employ of Burch settled in Greenwich, R. I. One of his sons, Nicholas, married his stepsister, Elizabeth Reynolds, whose father, Robert Reynolds (second husband of William Vincent's widow), was ''one of tlie judges on the bench at the condemna- tion of Charles the First, and who, on the death of Oliver Cromwell, came to America with a number of the other judges and settled North Kingston, now called Exeter, R. I." One of the ten children of Nicholas and Elizabeth Vincent was Mary, who mar- ried Samuel Hinckley (5th), the father of Elijah Hinckley, and another was Dr. William Vincent, sr., of Westerly, R. I., who was the father of Sally, who married Elijah Hinckley. Elilah and Sally, his wife, settled in what is now the town of Russia in 179G or 1797. They soon built a good frame house and acquired a comfortable estate. They had several children, of whom two only, Samuel (7th), born 1801, and Gardner (2d), born October 2, 1808, survived their infancy. Sally Hinckley died in De- cember, 1808, and for his second wife Elijah Hinckley married Zeruiah Sarviah Vin- cent, his sister-in-law. She had no children. He was an invalid for many years and lived quietly on his farm, much respected for his integrity. He died March 29, 1822. Mrs. Hinckley died at the homestead June 8, 1847. Samuel Hinckley (7th) married Mary S. Atwood, born at Saratoga, N. Y., daughter of Esek and Margaret Sackrider Atwood, in January, 1840. They had one son, Elijah Gardner, who was born in 1842, and who died in 1870. Elijah G. married Martha Johnson, of Williston, Vt. They had two children, Anson Johnson, who died, aged fourteen years, and Mary Agnes, now living. In big early manhood Samuel Hinckley was a superintendent of railroad building, associated with his friend, Mr. Charles Case, but losing his health, he bought the home farm in Russia of his brother and lived there until his death in 1873. Ilis wife died there in 1875. Gardner Hinckley (2d) inherited a delicate constitution. He lived at home on the farm until the death of his father, when, being in his fourteenth year, he chose William Graves, of Gravesville, for his guardian, and spent some of his time with him, going to school. At the age of sixteen he bought his brother's share in the home farm and went in business for himself. His opportunities for education in his boyhood were limited, but he had a love of reading and study which continued all through his life, and in his busiest years he spent many hours with his books. In September, 1829. he married Elizabeth Atwood, born August 7, 1810, daughter of Esek and Margaret Sackrider At- wood. Esek Atwood was born not far from Burlington, Vt. He was well educated, and was for many years a teacher. His first wife, mother of Elizabeth Hinckley, was born of Quaker parentage in Upper Canada. In 1843 'Esquire Atwood moved to the town of Wilmurt and lived there many years and held various town offices. He was supervisor, justice many times, etc. He died at the home of his son Thomas, in New Rochelle, N. Y., about 1862. Gardner and Elizabeth Hinckley had six children, two of whom died in infancy. The survivors are Samuel Gardner, Caroline Dyer (Mrs. John W. Stanton), Mary Elizabeth and Sarah Helen, all livins' in Hinckley, N. Y. Samuel G. married Sarah Fern, of Montgomery county. Tliey have five children liv- ing, Emma Josephine, Elijah Gardner, Edward Fern, Samuel, and Theodore Ballou. BIOaRAPHICAL. 523 About 1837 Gardner Hinckley (2d) left the farm and became agent and business manager for A. K. Morehouse, who owned large tracts of forest land in the counties of Herkimer and Hamilton, and from 1838 to 1840 he lived for about a year at Piseco Lake, in Hamilton county. For the pure air, pure water and charming scenery of the Adirondack region he had an enthusiastic fondness, and he was confident that the time would come when its esthetic and sanitary advantages would be appreciated. In 1840 he moved to Wilmurt and built a saw-mill and planing-mill on the West Canada Creek near " Hinckley " bridge. Much of the lumber made there was carted to Utica or to Herkimer, over thirty miles. He lived in Wilmurt until 1854, when he moved to the place now called Hinckley. He was supervisor of Wilmurt for several terms and he held other town offices. He was was a member of the State Legislature in 1853-1854. About 1848, in partnership with Theodore P. Ballon, of Utica, he built a gang saw- mill, planing-mill, etc, running by water power, on the West Canada Creek, in what is now the village of Hinckley (so named in 1891 in his memory), and he continued in the lumber busine.ss until his death. This mill, which was known through all the re- gion as the Gang Mill, had at the time when it was built the largest capacity of any water power mill in that part of the State, being able to saw about five million feet of spruce lumber in a year without running nights. At that time — 1848 — there was no railroad nearer than Utica, eighteen miles distant. Mr. Hinckley was a Methodist and a temperance man, inheriting the conscientiousness of his ancestors. He was a Dem- ocrat until the formation of the Republican party, and from that time a Republican. He was a man of medium stature, agreeable address, genial temperament, strict integ- rity, and amiable disposition, kind and generous in every relation of life. He was unaf- fected and sincere in manner, and dignified, but not austere. He was deliberate in judg- ment, although his mental processes were rapid, and he expressed his thoughts with clearness and force. During the fifty years that he was in active business he never had a law-suit that came to trial. He was greatly beloved by his friends and respected by all in his social and business relations. His council was often sought and cheerfully given. He was the sympathizing friend of young people, in whose happiness, educa- tion and advancement he was cordially interested. While his own will was strong and his ideals high, he was tolerant in his judgment of those who were easily tempted, and tender and helpful toward the erring and unfortunate. He died March 15, 1875. Mrs. Hinckley died September 12, 1874. JOHN W. STANTON Was born August 31, 1814, in Belchertown, Mass. He was a son of Randal Stanton a Baptist minister whose father was Robert Stanton of Revolutionary fame. Robert Stanton was a Baptist minister and a prominent man in Stonington, Conn., where he erected a church. The family is of English descent, and they trace their ancestry to the coming of Thomas Stanton to America in 1635. Thomas Stanton was interpreter general of the New England colonies. At Stonington, Conn., he built a trading post. J. W. Stanton was reared on a farm, but early in life he learned the blacksmith's trade, which 524 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. he followed until thirty years of age. He had the largest blacksmithing estaVjlishnient in Norwich, Conn., at that time, and it was reputed to be the largest in the State, doing much government work. He married Betsey, daughter of William and Esther (Gray) Kimball. She died in 1844. They had one son, William H., who for a number of years was mer- chant and book-keeper for the firm of Hinckley &Ballou at Hinckley, N. Y. In 1844 Mr. J. W. Stanton came t(>8alisbury, N. Y., and engaged in lumbering at Jerseyfield Lake, and built two saw-mills and a planing-mill tliere. He remained there until the fall of 1848, whfen, sharing in the first gold excitement, he went to California, sailing in January, 1849. He went by way of Vera Cruz, through Mexico, the journey taking about five months. He returned to Herkimer county in the next year and resumed his lumbering business and continued it until 1856, when he went to Gray, N. Y., and be- came one of the firm of Ladue, Stanton & Company, leather manufacturers. He re- mained at Gray five years. He thence came to Hinckley, and has resided at the Hinck- ley homestead in that village. He engaged in lumbering for the firm of Hinckley & Ballou in 1861, and remained in that business until 1885, when he retired. He was a Whig until the formation of the Republican party, and since that time he has been a Republican. January 22, 1857, he married Caroline D., a daughter of Gardner Hinck- ley, of Hinckley. Mr. Stanton is a Presbyterian. ALBERT M. MILLS. The ancestry of the subject of this sketch were of Scotch and English origin. His grandfather was from Connecticut, of Enghsh descent, and an early settler in New Hartford, Oneida county, N. Y., being a contemporary of Hugh White, the father of Whitestown. Hi.s father was Dan C. Mills, a native of New Hartford and a respect- able farmer. He died at New Hartford in 1883, at the age of eighty- five years. His mother was Jane Campbell, whose father, John Campbell, was also from Connecticut, and of Scotch descent, and settled in New Hartford at about the same time with Mr. Mills. He lived to a great age, two records giving it respectively as 99 and 101 years. The sturdy charactertistics of this ancestry are transmitted to the son and are sufficient to account for his mental strength and his great capacity for work. Albert M. Mills was born in New Hartford, Oneida county, N. Y., September 10, 1841. He was given excellent opportunities to secure an education, which he improved to the utmost, with the exception of an intermission to answer the call of his country in the late war. After the customary period in the district school and a short term in the Sauquoit Academy, he prepared for college at Fairfield Seminary and entered Am- herst College. In the second (Sophomore) year and soon after tho breaking out of the war (August, 1861) he enlisted as a private in the Eighth New York Cavalry, wliich was attached to the Army of the Potomac until the establishmet of peace in 186,5. Mr. Mills remained with the command through its whole period of service, which he left with an honorable discharge and the rank of lieutenant. This is not the place to enter upon the details of so long a period of active service in the :iniiv, Tliose who are fa- ^Wj::ZA^ .fW BrOGRAPHICAL. 525 miliar with the work of the cavahy arm of the great Eastern brancli of the armies of the Union will not need to be informed what it meant to pass through four years of active service therein. Mr. Mills endured the hardships of the soldier with the forti- tude born of great physical strength and personal bravery. He was twice wounded — once by a saber cut across his hand in a personal encounter, and once by a shot in the leg, while on more than one occasion he escaped bullets that left their marks in his clothing. He was taken prisoner, with 130 others, by the notorious Mosby, but the oncoming of the battle of Opequan enabled them to escape after twenty-four hours' confinement. Returning from the army in August, 1865, he contemplated finishing his collegiate course, but the long interruption in his studies and an ardent desire to enter act- ively upon the profession which he has since followed, led him to abandon that plan and he entered the Michigan University Law School in 1865 and graduated therefrom in June, 1867. In the fall of the same year he was admitted to the bar in this State, having in the meantime become a student in the office of Hon. George A. Hardin at Little Falls. He began practice in 1868 in Newport, Herkimer county, N. Y., where he remained until 1875. From the very outset of his career Mr. Mills felt a deep interest in politics and his natural and acquired qualifications equipped him thoroughly for active work in that field. He is a ready-and forcible speaker, has al- ways kept abreast of the times and conversant with all^matters of public interest, and it is not, therefore, remarkable that he has attained success in politics. He has always been a steadfast Republican, and in every campaign since 18G8 he has been a prom- inent and aggressive factor and his influence, particularly in his own Con- gressional district, has been powerful for the advancement of the principles of Republicanism and the success of candidates of that party. In the fall^of 1870, m recognition of his ability as a lawyer, his considerable experience in dealing with the cases of criminals, and his earnest efforts in the political field, Mr. Mills was elected dis- trict attorney of Herkimer county, beginning his term of service January 1, 1871. This office he held two terms of three years each, and it is sufficient and no disparage- ment to other officials, to state that never for a like period were the criminal cases of Herkimer county more efficiently conducted. At least three important capital cases came into his hands, and convictions were secured in all. He retired from the office still more firmly established in the confidence of his fellow-citizens and with his legal reputation greatlv enhanced. In the fall of 1879 Mr. Mills secured the nomination and was elected to the State Senate, where he remained one term. In that body he was a member of the judiciary committee, vvhich, among other matters, performed very important work on the new Code of Civil Procedure, which was adopted during that time. Judge William H. Robertson, of Westchester county, was chairman of the committee. Mr. Mills was also chairman of the committee on corporations, before which came important legislation. In the great contest over the election of United States Senator, after the resignation of Mr. Conkling and the resulting election of Senator Warner Miller, Mr. Mills was an active and efficient participant. 67 52G HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. Retiring from the Senate, Mr. Mills gave liis undivided attention to liis large and in- creasing law practice, except as he was called into the service of his party in the various campaigns. In the fall of 1892 he barely escaped the nomination for Congress, and, while it is not the province of the biographer to write prophecy, it cannot be out of place to hazard the prediction that in the near future Mr. Mills will receive further honors from his party if he will accept them. From the time when he began practice in Little Falls (1875) Mr. Mills was a partner with Mr. Charles J. Palmer and Mr. Kendrick E. Morgan, of the firm of Mills, Palmer & Morgan. This firm was dissolved in 1885, and he subsequently practiced alone until January 1, 1893, when he became a member of the prominent law firm of Kennedy, Tracy, Mills & Ayling, of Syracuse, N. Y. He stills retains his residence and an office in Little Falls. Mr. Mills's most prominent characteristics are indomitable energy and perseverance, large mental capacity and inborn uprightness and integrity. While easy and courteous with those who approach him, his quickness of thought and ready apprehension of what is said to him give him at times a manner of brusqueness. - But his persistence in the study and preparation of his cases and the natural intuition that enables him to see both their weak and their strong features, are well known among his brethren at the bar and his clients. Mr. Mills was married in 1872 to Mary Barrj', of Newport, Herkimer county. She is a daughter of the late Standish Barry, who was assistant United States treasurer under Francis B. Spinner during the war period. ALPHONZO DELOS MARSHALL Was born in the town of Trenton, Oneida county, N. Y., Jannary 8, 1819. His father was Romeo Marshall, a respected farmer, and his mother was Miss Hariet Van Ant- werp. As a boy A. D. Marshall was brought up on his father's farm, and formed those habits of industry and practical labor to which he adhered through life. When he reached his majority he engaged in business in Frankfort village with the late John Stillwell, and in 1845 the firm removed to Mohawk. They carried on a successful mer- cantile business together for eighteen years, until 1867, when Mr, Stilwell retired, and Reuben Walker became a member of the firm. Not long afterward Mr. Marshall sold his interest in the business to Mr. Walker and retired from mercantile pursuits. In his business career Mr. Marshall followed the strict rules of integrity which underlie all honorable success, and by his uprightness, fairness and liberality won the good will of all with whom he had business relations. His natural business qualifications and the confidence felt in him by the community brought him a large measure of success. Mr. Marshall was a man of unusual public spirit, and his substantial aid and generous support were always freely given to any measure of public improvement which re- ceived his sanction. His interest in public affairs led him to considerable activity in politics, though not in any sense as a mere partisan. A Republican of the stauuchest character, he found ample favor from that party, and in 1872 was called as a candidate filOaRAPHICAL. 627 for the office of county treasurer and elected. So satisfactory was his administration of the duties of the responsible trust that he was recalled and served the second term. Other political preferment was tendered him, and he filled acceptably the several vil- lage offices which he was asked to fill. The confidence of the business community in Mr. Marshall was shown in his selection as president of the Mohawk Valley Hotel Company, treasurer of tlie Mohawk and Ilion Railroad Company and director of the National Mohawk Valley Bank. In these several stations he exhibited those prudent and sagacious business qualifications which had contributed so much to his previous personal success, and by his genial, warm-hearted temperament won a place in the hearts of his associates that was equally gratifying to them and to himself. At a meet- ing of the board of directors of the National Mohawk Valley Bank soon after his death, a series of resolutions was adopted in eulogy of the deceased, in which appeared the following expression : " That in his decease the National Mohawk Valley Bank has lost a wise and discreet member of its board of directors, the social circle in which he moved has lost a contributor to its enjoyment, and society at large has lost a mem- ber whose excellence of heart, rare gifts of goodness, unostentatious charity and lib- eral benefactions render his loss a public calamity. As a man he was honorable and enthusiastic ; as a citizen he was large-hearted and hberal ; as a friend he was true, loyal, genial and consistent ; as a business man he was honest, and hated fraud and artifice with an undisguised detestation ; in his family circle he was indulgent, affec- tionate and lovable." Similar expressions were also made by the Masonic lodge, of which he was an honored member. The traits of Mr. Marshall's character which were most con.spicuouswere his abound- ing kindheartedness and his sympathy with those in trouble and consequent readi- ness to alleviate sorrow wherever he found it. These traits gave him a remarkably large circle of sincere friends. A local new.spaper in a notice printed after his death spoke as follows of his personality : " He had won his way into the confidence, re- spect and sincere friendship of our entire county, and there was none with whom he associated who will not ever gratefully recall the memory of his genial disposition, his free, open manners, his warm, generous heart, and his unbounded hospitality. To his own community his death is indeed a heavy loss. He was public-spirited, tender- hearted, full of kindly impulses and abounding in deeds of love and charity to those around him. In business he was honest, truthful and successful; in his social relations he was kind, courteous and popular ; in official position he was trustworthy, vigilant and upright." Mr. Marshall was married in September, 1877, to Helen M. Curtiss, who survives him and resides in Mohawk. Mr. Marshall's death took place June 28, 1881. ROLLIN HURLBUT SMITH, Of Little Falls, was born at that place January 3, 1838. He is a son of Christopher Smith and grandson of Richard Smith, who came from Rhode Island and settled in Fairfield shortly after the close of the Revolutionary War. His mother, Nancy Hurl- 628 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. but, was a daughter of Uriah Hurlbut, of Fairfield, a descendant of Thomas Hurlbiit, one of the eleven men sent from England by Lords Say and Seal and Brooke, under Lion Gardiner, and who built the fort near the mouth of the Connecticut River atSay- brooke in 1G35. Thomas Hurlbut received a grant from the Colony of 150 acres of land tor services in the Pequot war. The Smiths in the early days of Rhode Island were Quakers, and the Friends' Record speaks of Christopher Smith, the first of the family to come to this country, about 1640, as "an ancient friend of Providence." Christopher Smith, the father of Judge Smith, removed to Little Falls from Fairfield about the year 1829, and was for many years extentively engaged in mercantile and storage and forwarding business on the Erie Canal. Rollin H. Smith, the subject of this sketch, is the )'oungest of four children, two of whom died in, infancy, and the eldest, Sarah H,. in 1854, at the age of twenty-three years. He attended the common school, and afterwards the academy at Little Falls until sixteen years of age, when he obtained employment as a clerk in a store, and re- mained so employed several years. He then entered the law office of Judge George A. Hardin as a student, and afterwards studied with Judge Hiram Nolton, from whose office he was admitted to practice in 1803. He immediately opened an office m his na- tive village and has resided there ever since. Judge Smith's law practice has consisted mostly of cases in equity, many of which have involved large interests, and in which he has been very successful. One of these was the defense of the will of Daniel Klock, of Manheim, in which litigation seven actions were instituted against his client, and which resulted in securing for her about $4,500, devised to her by the will of her husband. He is now engaged in defending a suit in equity brought by William Seward Webb against Morrison & Richardson, in- volving large interests in the Adirondack wilderness, and which has excited much pub- lic interest. He has also had the care, as attorney, of several large estates, always with satisfactory results. In the preparation of legal arguments, and in presenting them to the court, he spares no pains to make them exhaustive in every liglit in which the case can be fairly presented. This characteristic, together with his recognized integrity as a lawyer and citizen, has brought him clients of a substantial class having important in- terests to be cared for. In politics Judge Smith has always been a firm believer in Jeffersonian Democracy, and although his party in the county has been since 1856 in an almost hopeless minority and a nomination for office an empty honor, he was brought forward in 1883 by his friends and induced to accept the Democratic nomination for the office of county judge and surrogate. He was elected, being the first and only Democratic county judge since 1856. In this office his characteristic fairness, positive integrity and knowledge of the law were prominently set forth. In the administration of the criminal law he displayed in his rulings such knowledge of all its branches that but one of the cases tried before him was reversed during his term of six years. As judge and surrogate, Judge Smith was also known for his uniform courtesy to all who appeared before him, and all official business received his careful and intelligent attention. In 1887 he was married to Miss Nellie Bramer, the accomplished daughter of Frank Bramer, of Little Falls. ^m^. C2/ y/Uee/€4. BIOGRAPHICAL. 529 From early manhood Judge Smith has taken much interest in puhlic affairs, par- ticularly those connected with the material development and progress of his native village. He was one of the organizers and one of the first directors of the Little Falls National Bank; one of the orignial stock-holders of the Superior Furnace Company, and is at present one of the village water commissioners. He has been repeatedly called to fill village offices, such as corporation attorney, etc. In 1877 he was placed on the Board of Education, and for sixteen years has been its president. During this period great advancement has been made in curriculum, a graded system has been established, and a superintendent employed, by which changes the pubUc schools of Little Falls have been placed in line with the latest and most approved school systems. WILLIAM T. WHEELER Was born near Cooperstown, Otsego county, December 14, 1817, and he took up his residence in Little Falls in 1841, and carrried on the business of hardware and tinsmith from that time until his death, which occurred at his residence on Lansing street Jan- uary 3, 1885. He married Sarah A. Higby, who died October 31, 18G9. Their only child is Charles V. Wheeler, who succeeded to his father's business, and now carries on the same in the block owned by deceased and Mr. W. G. Milligan at the corner of Ann and Main streets. He was several years president of the Little Falls Gas Light Com- pany and subsequently of the Henry Cheney Hammer Company, having aided in its organization in 1882. He was Past Eminent Commander, having been many years a member of the Knights Templar Commandery No. 26, Litlle Falls. He was also senior warden of Emanuel church, which position he held many years with great fidelity. He was half owner of, and supervised the construction of the Hardin and Wheeler block on the south side of Main street. He was a gentleman of great modesty and retiring in his habits; of unquestioned integrity in business; a warm friend and a valuable citizen, enjoying at the time of his death the highest respect of his neighbors. JONAS S. BARNET. No citizen of Little Falls is better known or more highly esteemed than Jonas S. Barnet. He has attained a very high position in the business life of the village, and is one of the foremost, not only in his private aflfairs, but in those which concern the pub- lic as well. He also carries on stores in New York city and Boston for the sale of the products of his tanneries. Mr. Barnet was born in Bavaria, Germany, March 19, 1849, and is a son of Solomon Gotz Barnet. He passed his youth in his native land, and re- ceived a good business education during that time. In July, 1870, Mr. Barnet came to the United States of America, as many other young men have done. He became en- gaged in the leather industry, as.sociating with him his brother, Morris S. Barnet, in 1877. In 1883 the firm built the tannery at Little Falls, and in 1887 they equipped a o30 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. new plant at the same location. They have since acquired large business interests in tliis line and are one of the most successful tanning firms in the country. J. S. Barnet & Bro. have at present, in aise of brother Andrew Ryner's family, who is also taken captive. In the social life of the metropolis, as well as in Albany, Mr. Vrooman has long oc- cupied an enviable position. He is a trustee of the Holland Society and of the New York State Volunteer Firemen's Home. He is a member of the Republican Club of New York, the Lotos Club, the American Yacht Club, and the Farragut Naval Veteran Association, all of New York city, and of Aaron Helmer Post, G. A. R., of Herkimer. A1.S0 an honorary member of the Montauk Club of the city of Brooklyn. These honors have been bestowed upon him, not through persi.stent effort of himself or friends, but as a tribute to his geniality, knowledge of affairs, and the universal courtesy which has won him so much popularity. Mr. Vrooman has for many years been an earnest, active and consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. For several years he was one of the directors of the Y. M. C. A. of Herkimer, and for fifteen years was superintendent of the Sunday school of his church in that place. While never offensively aggressive in the expression of his views of Christianity, he has always shown himself ready to uphold the princi- ples he professes on all proper occasions, and is frequently called upon to address Sun- day schools, Young People's Christian Associations, and other societies of young peo- ple, for whom he always feels the deepest interest. After twenty-five years of public life, during which he was constantly forming new acquaintatjces and making new friends, Mr. Vrooman now finds himself standing h'gh in the estimation of all, and one of the widest known and most popular men of this State. He possesses that rare quahfication which enables him to never forget a face or a name, and he seldom makes an acquaintance who does not become also his friend. BIOGRAPHICAL. „:;;, GEORGE ANSON HARDIN Was born August 17, 1832, in the town oi Winfiekl, ;i mile and lialf north of West Winfield village. Col. Joseph Hardin, his father, was liorn in East Hampton, Connect- icut, in 1804, and was a son of Nathan Hardin and Philena Sears Clark, who resided in Connecticut until 181G, when the_y removed to this State. They were descendants o£ the Pilgrims, the Clarks tracing their genealogy to the Reverend Mr. Mayhew, a minister who landed at Plymouth. The Clarks were also active in the defence of their country during the Revolution. Col. Josepli Hardin married Amanda Backus, a daughter of Deacon Anson Backus, who removed from Massachusetts, and was one of the earliest settlers in the upper part of the town. April 1, 1839, Col. Joseph Hardin removed with his family to the farm on the west side of the village of West Winfield, and remained there until his death, which occurred in 1870, having received injuries by the overturning of a wagon. He was an active business man; a trustee of West Winfield Academy; a director of the bank, and for many years colonel of a militia regiment. George A. Hardin, the subject of this sketch, attended the common schools until he was sixteen years of age, when, at Whitestown Seminary and Cazenovia Seminary, he prepared for college, teaching three winters to aid in bearing the exnerse of his educa- tion, which was finished at Union College in 1852, while Dr. Nott was president of that institution. He then began immediately to read law, and removed to Little Falls May 30, 1853, en- tering the law office of Messrs. Nolton & Lake. March 30, 1854, he was appointed village clerk, and July 4, 1854, at Watertown, was admitted to the bar. A portion of the sum- mer of that year he spent at Monmouth, 111.; returning in the fall, he formed a co- partnership with Judge Nolton, which existed until 1860, wlien the firm of Hardin & Burrows was formed and continued until January 1, 1872. In 1858 Lauren Ford resigned as district attorney and Gov. John A. King appointed Mr. Hardin to that office, and in November he was elected by the people and served until the close of 1861. In the fall of that year be was nominated for senator for the Herkimer and Otsego district by the Republican party and by the People's party, being elected by about 3,500 majority. In the Senate his voice and vote supported en- thusiastically all the Union war measures. At the close of his senatorial term he resumed the practice of his profession. In 1871 the Republicans chose delegates in five of the six counties of the Fifth Judicial District favorable to him as a candidate for a justice of the Supreme Court, and in September the Republican convention placed him in nomination. The Democratic party also nominated him and he was elected, having received the support of both political parties. The duties of a trial judge were discharged from the time of taking the office until 1879, when, on account of the impaired health of Judge Mullin, he was asked to serve, in exchange, m the General Term as an associate justice in the Fourth Judicial Depart- ment. In November, 1881, Governor Cornell assigned him to the General Term, Judge Mullin's term closing with the year. 536 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. In 1884, a reorganization of tlie department was effected, and Governor Grover Cleveland designated him as presiding justice of the new Fourth Department. In 1885 he was again nominated by the Republicans and also placed upon the Dem- ocratic ticket. He was unanimously elected a justice of the Supreme Court, and December 6, 1885, Governor David B. Hill designated him presiding ju.stice of the Fourth Judicial Department, which designation holds good " during h's official term as a Justice of the Supreme Court." (Code Section 220). In June, 1S7G, Hamilton College conferred upon him the degree of LL. D. The manner in which the duties of a trial judge were discharged is known to the people and the bar of the district in which he held his own terms, and several extra terms, during the impaired health of Judges MuUin and Doolittle. The record of his opinions as tiial and appellate judge is found in the last five vol- umes of " Barbour's Reports," in the last fifty volumes of "Hun's Reports,'' in the " New York State Reporter " and in other law reports. In his twenty-two years of service upon the bench, he has attended every term as- signed to him except one, having had good health and vigor for the performance of the exacting duties of the position. In July, 1868, he was married to Miss Annette Augusta Arnold, in Emanuel church, of which he has been a vestryman for twenty-five years. In 1885 he acted as chairman of the Citizens' Committee that matured the plans for the water works system, so valuable to the village. For the last thirty years he has been an active director in the National Herkimer County Bank, and in that capacity has acquired an extensive knowledge of the business affairs of the community, evinced a sympathy in its progress and an interest in its prosperity. In 1892 he was solicited by the publishers to supervise and assist in the publication ' of the History of Herkimer County, and has contributed articles and materials to such an extent as to challenge the gratitude of the publishers. Having been a life-long resident of the county, and for twenty-nine years a public official therein, its citizens must form their own estimate of his industry, ability and character without any words of commendation in the pages of this work. JOSHUA JUDSON GILBERT. In the first decade of the century, when the present city of Utica was a growing vil- lage, John Gilbert, an Englishman, settled in Oneida county and erected a starch factory just outside the western boundary of the city limits. Here shortly afterwards, in the year 1807, he was joined by his brother, Edward Gilbert, the father of the subject of this biography. The family was already identified with the industry which the brothers carried on at Utica, an elder brother having some time previouslj' commenced the busi- ness of starch-making at Jersey City, N. J. Edward Gilbert, who was born in Lon- don, England, in April, 1787, came to this country in 1794, and resided with his brother's family in New Jersey up to the time that he joined his brother John in Utica. BIOGRAPHICAL. 537 His wife was Anne Maddock, the daughter of Roger Worthington Maddock and Sarah Harwood, his wife, of Birches, England, at, which place Mrs. Gilbert was born in the same year and month as her husband. On the I5thof September, 1866, Edward Gilbert, who was then residing at Lewis- burg, Pa., with his daughter, Mrs. Justin Loomis, died, survived by five children, John M. and Colgate Gilbert, of Buffalo, N. Y., Joshua J., Mrs. Andrew Tembroek, of Ann Arbor, Mich., and Mrs. Loomis, above referred to. Joshua Judson Gilbert was born at Utica on the 4th day of September, 1821. His education was received at the Utica Academy, a well-known educational institution of those days, and soon after his graduation he went to Buffalo, where, with his brothers, he was engaged for four years in the manufacture of soap. Returning to Utica, he re- mained with his father until 1854, when he decided upon Little Falls as an excellent point for the erection of works for the manufacture of starch, and coming to Little Falls in that year, he remained a resident until his death, which occurred on February 5, 1881. The great value of the water power was an important factor in Mr. Gilbert's de- cision to make Little Falls his home. Soon after his arrival he erected the stone build- ing which is now used by his son as the Astoronga Knitting Mills, together with the el- evator adjoining for the storage of grain used in the factory. Thoroughly acquainted from his previous experience in his father's factory with the processes employed in starch-making at that date, Mr. Gilbert was keenly alive to the attendant disadvantages of the method, and in the early portion of his residence in Little Falls he entered upon a series of experiments by which he sought to produce a better quality of starch than was then obtainable. As a result of these experiments he made certain discoveries which have led to a revolution in the whole process of starch-making. Mr. Gilbert patented his invention!,, but the principles of his patent having become known to other manufacturers of starch, he was forced into litigation to prevent in- fringement, which, after dragging on for years, was only finally adjudicated some years after his death, and in favor of a syndicate to whom he had sold his rights. During the latter part of his life Elijah Reed was his partner in this business. Mr. Gilbert was al- ways deeply interested in the welfare and development of the village, and believed most firmly that the right policy, energetically pursued by the citizens, would result in Little Falls becoming an industrial town of considerable magnitude. This belief he was always ready to confirm by act, not hesitatimr to invest his capital in projected in- dustries, and giving his aid efficiently and willingly in all ways which presented them- selves for the upbuilding' of the institutions of the town. He was one of the most active promoters of the Little Falls Knitting Mill Company when that corporation was formed in 1872, and acted as its treasurer until his death. Much of his time during the latter years of his life was occupied with the management of the tannery now owned by J. S. Barnett & Brothers, which he and Mr. W. H. Weeks bought of Nelson Rust in 1874, and which they considerably enlarged. He was also conspicuous in the estab- lishment of the Warrior Mower Company, and was one of its directors, and at the time of his death he was also one of the directors of the National Herkimer County Bank. 538 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. In poUtics Mr. Gilbert waa a Republican ; but although earnest in his advocacy o£ the principles of this party and zealous for their success, he never himself sought pub- lic office, and the only position of an elective nature for which he ever allowed himself to be presented was that of member of the village Board of Education, and in that ca- pacity he served for several years, displaying the same interest, energy and judgment in the cause of education which distinguished him m the other relations of life. The salient points in his character were his clear judgments of men and affairs, his integrity and his unwavering decision when persuaded that he was right. His friendship was steadfast and earnest ; his acts of charity and benevolence were many and generous. Mr. Gilbert was married in April, 1857, to Elizabeth Rust, of Little Falls, daughter of Nelson Rust. (Vide biography of Nelson Rust herein.) He was survived by Mrs. Gilbert and three children, one son. Nelson Rust, having died in infancy, J. Jud.son and Nelson Rust Gilbert and Mrs. D. E. Knowlton. NELSON RUST. Nelson Rust was born at Kent, Litchfield county. Conn., on the 17th of March, 1801, and died at Little Falls, N. Y., on the 14th of August, 1876. He was descended from New England stock, the first of the family to settle in this country having been Henry Rust, who, in company with a number of families from Hingham, Norfolk county, England, came to the then infant colony of Massachusetts in 1C35, and founded the town of Hingham, near Boston. After a residence of a few years at Hingham, Henry Rust removed to Boston, of which place he was a resident until his death in 1684. His descendants spread through the New England colonies as this territory was developed and settled, and at the outbreak of the Revolution, Levi Rust, a descendant in the fifth generation from Henry, was a citizen of Connecticut, and served as lieutenant in one of the regiments raised in his State. His son, Roswell Rust, born in 1774, was a farmer at Kent, Connecticut, where he married Eleanor Booth, in 1709. The second son' of this marriage was Nelson Rust, who, by the death of his father in 1816, followed shortly by that of his mother in 1819, was left an orphan at eighteen and thrown largely upon his own resources for his support. In addition to his farm, his father had owned a small tannery at Kent, and, ac- quainted with this business, Mr. Rust determined to follow it as a means of livelihood. In order to perfect himself in the details, he spent several months at Quebec and at New Haven, studying the processes of tanning as carried on at those places. Early in the 20's he determined to settle in Troy, N. Y., and there he formed a partnership in the grocery and hardware business with Paul Wetherbee, whose daughter Eluthera he married on the 25th of September, 1827. Growing dissatisfied with his business in Troy, he decided to resume his trade of tanning, and coming to Herkimer county, he spent some time in investigating the best location for a tannery, residing for some months in Herkimer, and in Stratford, in which latter town he subsequently established a branch of his business. Eventually he determined upon Little Falls as the most favorable site, and soon after his arrival there BIOGRAPHICAL. 539 in 1831, he established himself on North Ann street, near Main, where he cariied on his business for about three years, when finding his building too small for the develop- ment of his business, he removed his plant to East Mill street, at the point where the establishment of J. S. Barnett & Brother now stands. Here he continued the manu- facture of leather until shortly before his death, the sale of his tannery and leather store on Second street to Gilbert & Weeks occurring forty years to a day from the time he commenced business on that site. For some years, during his location on Mill street, Stephen Brown was associated witli him as a partner, a relation which was terminated by Mr. Brown's death. In politics Mr. Rust was an ardent member of the Whig party, and later a no less ardent believer in the doctrines of its successor, the Republican party. Caring little for political preferment, the only office he ever held was that of president of the village during the year 1851. At the time of his death Mr. Rust was a member of the Presbyterian church, and had been closely connected with and a trustee of that society for several years before he became a member. The personal characteristics of Mr. Rust were well stated at the time of his death as follows: "'Mr. Rust was one of our best known, most highly esteemed, and most influential citizens. His faithfulness as a friend has almost passed into a proverb, his ready kindness to the poor and suffering was ever a marked characteristic of his daily life. His sympathies were largely enlisted toward any good work of whose merits he became convinced. He was a thoroughly honest and a very successful business man. No one dare question his word or impugn his motives; his judgment was remarkably reliable, and his busine.ss intercourse during forty years was marked by very many pleasant friendships, and characterized b)' a stern devotion to truth and uprightness which commanded the respect of even those who were never privileged to share his intimate acquaintance." Mr. Rust was the father of seven children, four of whom survived him : Mrs. Eliza- beth Gilbert, Mrs. Barry Van Vechten, Miss Helen Rust, and Mrs. Charles Lynds Petree, all of Little Falls. DWIGHT D. WARNE, Senior member of the firm of D. D. and F. L. Warne, owners and managers of Fairfield Seminary and Military Academy. The remarkable prosperity that Old Fairfield Sem- inary enjoys naturally calls the attention of not only every alumnus and friend of the school, but every citizen of the country interested in the education of the rising gener- ation, to the men whose untiring efforts have revived interest in, secured support, and established this old institution of learning upon a permanent basis. Prof. D. D. Warne, whose portrait we present, was born at East Varick, Seneca county, N. Y., November 26, 1855. His mother was a Parker, the name of a Quaker family prominent in the early history of Cayuga county, and before her marriage had achieved remarkable success as a teacher in her own and adjoining counties. From his 540 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. mother he inherited that necessary quaUfication in a teacher which we call tact, love for the profession of teaching, and intense enthusiasm, all of which are among his marked characteristics. The Warnes were among the first settlers of Monmouth county. New Jersey. Later members of the family, particularly the grandfather of the present sketch, moved to Seneca county, this State, and nearly all the members of the family have been successful wagon manufacturers, Professors D. D. and F. L. being the only members who have not followed this business, and even they were required by their father to learn the business during vacations while pursuing their preparatory studies. From his father he learned his habits of tireless industry and practical methods of busi- ness. His mother was his principal teacher until he entered the public school of his native place. Later on he was for a long time a private pupil of Prof. Warren Mann, now of Potsdam Normal School. Many other prominent educators instructed him in various lines of educational work. Having early decided to follow the profession of teaching, he entered the Normal School at Albany, and graduated first in a class of thirty-six. In the fall of '76 he was called to the principalship of the new union school at Williamson, N. Y., where he re- mained four years. Dr. A. G. Austin, then president of the Board of Education, and late lecturer in St. Louis Medical College, writes that Prof. Warne brought the school to a high degree of prosperity, and that his methods of instruction were superior to those of any other principal in that section. At the beginning of his second year at Williamson he married Miss Vida E. Brown, of Ontario, N. Y., his first assistant teacher in the school. Receiving a call from the president of the Board of Education at Richville, St. Law- rence county, he accepted. The school was sadly demoralized when he went there, but during the two years of his administration he nobly worked in school and out, brought the school to a high standard, and made himself well known as a popular in- structor throughout the entire assembly district. Hermon, in an adjoining town, having erected a very fine new school building, persuaded him, through the efforts of Senator D. S. Lynde, to become principal of its school. Here he remained three years, and became known throughout a large portion of the State as one of the most successful school organizers, canvassers and managers in the State. His salary, at $1,200 a year, was more than paid by the non-residents in his room alone. During his stay in St. Lawrence county he put into successful operation plans which he had been maturing for a long time for the organization and successful operation of Town Teachers' Associ- ations. He visited nearly every portion of the county in order to awaken interest among the district school teachers and make those meetings which were held every month a success. In this connection Hon. A. X. Parker, John A. Haig and G. A. Lewis, the last two school commissioners, speak of him as an educator of character, integrity, and capacity, and one who labors with untiring zeal m the cause of education. In the class room he is without a superior. Thoroughly and practically educated, pos- sessed of tact m discipline in management, a ready and easy conversationalist, with years of experience in instructing large classes, he imbues his students with his own industry, energy and ambition. His .specialty is the preparation of students for the profession of teaching. More than fifteen hundred teachers in this State have received BIOGRAPHICAL. 541 instruction in methods from him. Commendations, which are before us as we write, and written by some of our best known educators, speak of him as one of the best posted and most successful instructors of teachers' classes in the State. Outside of his profession he is a genial, clever and interesting companion, a fluent talker, with pleasing address, and a man of considerable magnitude and attractiveness. He readily wins the confidence of those around him, and is a very proper and desirable person to instruct the youth of the present day. He is a member of Pultneyville Lodge, No. 159, F. & A. M., and for a long time was secretary. He was one of the charter members of Williamson Lodge, No. 270, A. 0. U. W , and was the first ilaster Workman of that lodge. When in Western New York he gave much time and attention to lodge work, and at one time was one of the dis- trict deputies of the A. 0. U. W. To close this sketch without giving to our readers a brief announcement of what Prof. Warne has done and is doing to place " Old Fairfield " back in line — topmost among the best academies and preparatory schools in the State, would be not only a great injustice to him, but to the thousands who once received mental training at this in- stitution, and who still retain pleasant memories of their youthful days spent there, and who read with untold delight of its prosperity and successful prospects for the future. Over ninety years ago, in the spring of 1803, was established Fairfield Academy, and for twenty years it flourished without competition, and for many years there were few institutions of like character in the State. At the close of the Civil War and about ten years thereafter the attendance from abroad commenced and continued to wane, and the residents of Fairfield saw failure sucoi'ed failure until it was thought impossible to maintain the institution much longer. The buildings gradually became dilapidated, and the beauty and attractiveness of those once loved halls were transformed into bar- ren, desolate and unsightly pictures. This is what Prof. Warne found in 1885 when he took hold of the work of reviving interest in and securing support for Fairfield Seminary. Before he had accepted the principalship of Fairfield Seminary he and his brother, F L. Warne, had visited several localities in this and other States in search of a desir- able school thalt could be rented or bought. He found several desirable pieces of property with the one exception that the villages in which the property was situated were either unhealthy or contained places of daraoralizing resort. They selected Fair- beld for the following ^reasons : Because it contains no such places of resort. The situation of the school is one of the most beautiful in the State, being entirely rural, in a very small, quiet village. The grounds are ample and the buildings cover the most ground of any seminary buildings in the State. If is conceded that Fairfield Seminary for more than eighty years has occupied a place of usefulness second to none among educational institutions of like grade in this country. Its literary societies, incorpo- rated under the laws of the State, have for years ranked with those of the colleges of the State. Every alumnus of the school is loyal to its interests. These were the prin- cipal reasons why they selected Fairfield. How well they have succeeded is plainly told in the unsurpassed equipments and remarkable prosperity of the institution con- ducted to-day both as a seminary and a military academy. 69 542 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. WARNER MILLER. It is impossible to ^rive within the limits of this article a complete and satisfactory sketch of the life and public services of a distinguished citizen of Herkimer, whos. private and public life has been alike creditable to himself and to the county of li- adoption. Fully told, with appropri.-ite quotations from his public utterances on great vital questions, it would fill this volume. Warner Miller is a descendant in the fifth generation of John Miller, who came to this country from Germany about 1680, and located in Westchester county. He left four sons and four daughters. The land was divided among the sons, who were James, Abram, Elijah and Anthony. Warner Miller's descent is from the last two sons, Martha, the second daughter of Elijah, marrying William, the eldest son of Anthony — and their seventh son was Hiram, who was Warner Miller's father. Elijah Miller was a lieutenant in the Continental Army, and was killed early in the Revolutionary War together with two of his sons. His widow, Ann Fisher ^filler, was left in charge of five children. Her farm house stood a little north of the village of White Plains, and became Washington's headquarters while he w.is operating in that locality. Her farm buildings were used for hospital purposes, and her farm was cov- ered with tents. A chronicler has said: ''In the life of Mrs. Ann Fisher Miller, American Liberty and White Plains Methodism are closely allied. In her house Washington laid his plans for the success of the American arms, and also here Method- ism was first preached in White Plains." The younger children of William and Martha Miller were born after their removal to Rensselaer county, a mile from Johnsonville, where Millertown, now known as North Pittstown, was named for the family. Hiram Miller, the father of Warner, was born here, where he remained until some time after his marriage \n 1832, then removing to Oswego. One of Warner Miller's granduncles, Abraham, a Ircensed ex- horter of the Methodist church, was for twelve years a representative of Westchester county in the New York Legislature. Loyal to the faith of his forefathers, Mr. Miller remains a strong figure in the Methodist church, and was a notable participant as a lay delegate at the World's General Conference in New York in May, 1888. Hiram Miller's wife was Mary Ann Warner, of Salisbury, Conn., from one of the sturdy Revolutionary families of that State. In her youth she came to Millertown, and there found her future husband, with whom she enjoyed a happy union for forty-eight years. In 1837 they removed to H,\nniba', Oswego county, where they took a large farm. Here their son Warner was born August 12, 1838. The following year they returned to their former home at Millertown, where they remained for a few years, afterwards locating on a farm near NorthviUe, Fulton county. Here Warner Miller grew to manhood, working on the farm in the summer, and attending school in the winter. In their declining years ihey came, by his invitation, to Herkimer to pass the remainder of their lives. The father was struck by a railroad train in Herkimer and killed in January, 1882. The mother died in 1880. Warner Miller's parents gave their only stirviving child better advantages for learning than the children of most farmers of that day. He attended a select school a few miles from home until he had a fair knowledge of arithmetic, physiology and book-keeping, BIOGRAPHICAL. 543 and at fourteen his father sent him to an academy at Charlotteville, whose principal was the late Rev. Mr. Flack. Then he determined to goto college, and for this he was obliged to earn most of the money himself. It is said to have been the desire and purpose of his parents to educate their son for the ministry, but the plan was not approved by him, whose tastes seemed to point to other fields of usefulness and honor. At sixteen his father gave him fourteen dollars and a silver watch, with which he set out to " seek his fortune." Ee left his farm home in New York, and in a little frame school house near New Brunswick, New Jersey, taught his first school at a salary of thirty-seven dollars a month, which was his first independent venture in life. He fol- lowed the profession of teaching for a few years, studying meanwhile to prepare him- self for college. He entered Union College in 1856, worked his own way through that institution, graduating with honor in 1860. After graduation, he taught Latin and Greek in Fort Edward Institute for a year, but the times were not such as to tempt men of his temperament to scholastic pursuits. The Civil War was on, and in October, 1861, he joined Company I of the Fifth New York Cavalry as a private soldier. He was soon made sergeant-major of his regiment, and as a drill-master showed his fitness by learning the three books of United States Cavalry Tactics by heart. His regiment went with General Banks into the Shenandoah valley, and it was at Winchester, after Stonewall Jackson's victory, that he was captured by the rebels, while lying in the hospital suffering with an attack of typhoid fever. He was paroled. The United States government at that time refused to exchange prisoners, and he was compelled to take his discharge on June 7, 1862. Six months later he made an unsuccessful attempt to re-enter the army. No option being left him, he returned to the vocations of peace. Mr. Miller's personal interest in the welfare of the common soldier, strengthened by knowledge of the hardships endured on the field and in the hospital, has kept him in active association with old comrades, and he is a member of the Aaron Helmer Post of the G. A. R., of Herkimer. It also made him, when in Congress, a successful advocate of bi'ls to increase the pensions of soldiers and to otherwise promote their interests. ' Shut out from military service, he gave little further thought to Greek roots and Latin syniax, but started out to make his fortune. He secured a position in a paper mill at Fort Edward, soon mastered the method of manufacture, and worked his way to the foreman.ship. From the first he saw how crude were the processes, and he dreamed of the possibilities. He was sent by his employers, as an expert, to Belgium to supervise the oonstruction and operation of a paper mill to manufacture straw paper by a new process. While engaged in this enterprise his attention wan attracted to the use of wood as an ingredient m paper. He imiuediateiy grasped the fact that this was the discovery destined to revolutionize paper-making. He returned home to develop the idea. Having no means of his own, he interested friends to join him in the organ- ization of a company for the experiment of pulp-making. There were innumerable obstacles in the way. He has often spoken of those days when he stood on the brink of his great success, as the darkest in his whole career. Paper makers did not take kindly to the new discovery. Their first experiments with it were crude and unsatis- factory. They were sure that wood pulp would never make paper ; they refused to 544 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. use it, and the company saw its product thrown back into its storeliouses, an unmarldaga county, and they have two children, Welden and Arthur Cramer. The subjects of this sketch have 240 acres of land in the home farm in Stark, 200 acres lying on Oak Flat, in Stark, 145 acres lying in Danube, eighty-five acres in Minden, Montgomery county, a house and lot at Brookman's Cor- ners, in the latter county, 180 acres in Garoga. Fulton county, forty acres in Constan- tia, Oswego county, and 158 acres in Lysander, Onondaga county. They also have two lots in Utica, Oneida county. Tilyon, Abram, Stark, was born November 25, 1838, two miles east of Van Hornes- ville, a son of Joseph and Rebecca (Kinter) Tilyon. The grandfather, Joseph, was a Frenchman and a pioneer of Van Hornesville. He died in Stark, aged over ninety. His wife was Elizabeth Druse, who died a year earlier. They had these children : Elizabeth, Charlotte, Joseph, Stephen, Carlisle, Mary. Charles, Catharine and Alexan- der. Joseph was born in Stark September 19, 1807. He learned the cooper's trade, but was a farmer, owning 180 acres. He died March 25, 1882, and his wife in March, 1868. She was born April 13, 1807, and had eight children : Jonas, Catharine L., Abram, Edwin, Rensselaer, Leander, Daniel S. and Ellen C. Joseph married second Phebe Herkimer. Subject was raised on a farm, and at twenty-one began for himself 136 History of herkimer counts. buying and shipping stock. In the spring of 1864 he bought his first farm of 176 acres. In 187G he bought the homestead of his maternal grandfather of 180 acres. ,He also owned aiiotlier of 112 acres, which he sold. He was elected justice at twenty- three, but refused to serve. He is an active Mason at Springfield Center. February 19, 1868, he married Hannah M. Turner, born in Warren, daughter of Appolas and Mary (Yule) Turner, natives of Grandvilla, Vt., and Warren, N. Y. When a young man he came to Warren and engaged in farming until his death, January 27, 1892, aged eighty-six. He was a Democrat. His wife survives him, aged eighty-one. They had three children: Sylvester, of Minnesota; Nicholas, of Branch, Mich., and Han- nah M. Subject and wife have had two children : Willard J., of New Jersey, and Zula, who died, aged six years. Mr. and Mrs. Tilyon are Universalists. Fikes, Willard, Stark, is a son of Adam H. and Amanda (Shimel) Fikes. His grand- father, Henry, was a son of Adam Fikes, who came to Stark aud bought the farm where subject resides. His wife was a Miss Walts, and they had four children ; Chris- tina, Adam H., Menzo and Harvey. Menzo died young. Adam Fikes was born in 1883, and resided here all his life, except three years, when he hved in Fort Plain. He died January 1, 1881, leaving a wife and three children, Luella, deceased, Willard and Arthur. The wife of Adam was born in Stark, a daughter of Jacob and Katie (Fort) Shimel. The former was born in Jefferson county, and died at Richfield in June, 1890, aged ninety-two, and his wife died, aged seventy. They had ten children, nine sur- vived: Lena, Ephraim, Loui.sa, Eli, Levi, who died young; Almira, Amanda, Sylves- ter, Lucy and Amelia C. Willard Fikes was born where he now resides May 28, 1861. He was educated at district schools, and after his father's death took charge of the farm, the fourth generation in possession of same. Arthur Fikes was born November 30, 1862, and married Carrie, daughter of William and Jennie (Fikes) Armstrong. They have one child, Howard J. Cook, Chauncey, Manheim, was born in Salisbury August 16, 1822. He received his schooling in the town of Manheim, into which township his father moved in the spring of 1832. Chauncey Cook's grandfather and father came into this State from Connecticut about 1800 and settled in Salisbury. Mr. Cook owns 173 acres of dairy land an the Salisbury Road, upon which he keeps a tenant. He has about forty head of milch cows, besides other stock. He married Miss Jane Getman, of Fulton county, and has a family of two sons. One son, Charles Cook, is engaged in farming, and the other son, Malvin B., is in business in Little Falls. Hadcock, Dr. E. P., Newport, was born in the town of Newport March 26, 1831, a son of Adam and Barbara Ann (Vanslyke) Hadcock, of Middleville. Dr. Hadcock's early education was obtained in the latter town. At the age of eighteen he went to Utica and studied dentistry with G. N. Foster and William Blakesly, and after perfect- ing himself in the profession located in Newport in 1852, where he has since remained, and is regarded by the profession as one of the skilled dental surgeons in this locality. He has been connected with many of the improvements of the village. He has served as president of the village and was on the school board for nine years, president all this time, and is at present the only original member living of New'port Lodge No 455 F. FAMILY SKETCHES. 137 & A. M. He has been for thirty years a member of Oneida Chapter 57. October 7, 18^0, he married Henrietta I. Fonda, a native of Troy and a descendant of Genera! Fonda. Their five children are as follows: Charles E., M. D., a graduate of Harvard College, where he still resides and practices; Henry L., a druggist of Boston, and a graduate of the Boston Pharmacy ; Annie, wife of George D. Hawkins of Newport ; Helen P., and Mabel H. One son, Freddie B., died in 18G8, aged two years and six months. Fikes, Jacob A., Stark, was born in Steuben county January 1, 1838, son of Adam and Catherine (Conderman) Fikes. The grandfather, Jacob, was born in Stark, and his father was born in Germany, and settled in Stark before the Revolutionary War. Jacob was in the War of 1812, and was born in Stark. He was over seventy years old when he died. His wife was Elizabeth Miller, and they raised eleven children : Michael, Peter, Adam, John, Jacob, James, Abrani, who died young, Katie, Betsey, Clarinda, Mary A. and Margaret. Adam was raised in Stark where he lived all his life except three years in Steuben county. He died in Stark in 1866, aged fifty-three years. He served in various town offices, and was a Republican. He had three children and raised two: Jacob A. and Franklin. His wife still lives, aged eighty-two. She was born in Warren, a daughter of Adam and Catherine (Conderman) Bronner. Subject has always resided in Stark. After his marriage he began for himself, and after his father's death he bought the homestead farm of 150 acres, to which he has since added fifty acres. He owns another of 135 acres and one of 120 acres. He was elected in 1871 supervisor and served two terms, was elected justice of the peace m 1880, in 1885 commissioner of highways, and is now justice of the peace. He married, December 25, 1862, Mary L., daughter of Nelson and Maria (Frost) Phillips of Stark. Mr. and Mrs. Fikes have one child, Nelson A., who married Lillie M., daughter of David Ecker. They are Uni- versalists. Belshaw, Thoma.s, Warren, came from Ireland about 1755 with four children, and settled in Connecticut. In 1793 he settled near Fort Herkimer, and soon after he and others took 1,000 acres at Jordanville, where he died in 1827, in his ninety- second year. His wife, Elizabeth, bore him eight children : David, Thomas, John, Elizabeth, Betsey, Lydia, Sallie and Fannie, and died in 1808. His son David was born in Connecticut, near Hartford, June 26, 1777, and came to Herkimer county with his father. He died November 6, 1868. He was twice married, first in February, 1801, to Lydia Isham, born in Connecticut, a daughter of Zebulum and Rose (Ellis) Isham, who were early settlers of Warren. His first wife raised seven children : Rose E., Erastus, William, Flavilla, Lydia, Orilla and Sally. His wife died March 26, 1831. His second wife was Betsey Bennett. She died in 1872, aged eighty-one. William T. Belshaw was born October 19, 1804, where he now reside.s. He has filled minor town oflices; and has twice married, first to Mary Rhodes of Brookfield, Madison county, who bore him two children: M. W. of San Francisco, Cal., and-Rosett a McLaughlin of Chagrin Falls, Ohio, who died in 1884, aged fifty-two. His wife died January 30, 1833, and he married, second, Huldah Durfee, born at Hamilton, Madison county, a daughter of Wing Dur- fee. She bore him four children : John T. of Antioch, Cal. ; Mary C. Dye who died in 138 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. Minnesota in 1887, aged fifty ; Lucy J., wife of Ira Starkwetlier, died October 2, 1892, aged fifty, and Violetta H., wife of James Purcliase. His second wife died April 17, 1887, she was a Baptist, as were all the children. Mr. Belshawhe been an active Whig and Republican. Beckwith, Clinton. Herkimer, was born in Herkimer, where be has always lived. His business has been contracting, and he is one of the heaviest operators in this part of the State, having completed many notable pieces of work. He is also prominent in the Democratic party, which has nominated him several times for local and State positions. Mr. Beckwith is full of enterprise, and is possessed of much ability. Riley, James H., Little Falls, was born in Syracuse, N. Y., April 10, 1844. He received a good common school education and when eighteen years of age became iden- tified with the carrying trade on the Erie canal, and after working for some years be- came the owner of boats, continuing in this business for twenty-eight years. In 1861 he enlisted in the 11th New York Cavalry, which was General Scott's body-guard, and afterwards President Abraham Lincoln's. After the war Riley returned and engaged in the rolling-mill business. About seven years ago he assumed control of the Mohawk Valley Hotel, which he has conducted successfully ever since. He is a member of Galpin Post No. 19, G. A. R. He married Nancy M. France, and they have two children. Bullion, Clark L., Warren, was born in Warren September 21, 18G5, a son of James and Phoebe (Cole) Bullion. The grandfather, Andrew, was a son of William, and married Isabella Marshall, both of Scotland, they had five children : James, Andrew, Alexander, Janette and Margaret. The last two named died in Scotland ; the rest all came to the United States about 1800, and settled in Warren. Andrew Bullion loca'ed on 256 acres west of CuUen, and died in Richfield Springs. His first wife was Geneth Puller, and their children were : John, William, James, Isabel, Anna, Libbie and Mary. James Bullion was born west of CuUen, where he resided until his death in 1877, aged sixty-five. He was twice married, first, to a Miss McCready, by whom he had three children; Monroe of Nebraska, Nettie and Laura Ames. His second wife bore him two children : Jennie, deceased, wife of Curt. Palmer, and Clark L. She died April 16, 1892, aged fifty-nine years. Clark L. received a district and seminary education, and since fourteen years of age has made his own living. He served in town oifices as a Republican, and was collector. He owns 100 acres of the homestead, and lias added twenty acres since. He married in November, 1884, Ida Bellinger, born at Jackson- burgh, a daughter of Norman and Anna (Baxter) Bellinger. They have one child, Harry J. Subject and wife are Universalists. Buck, George W., Russia, was born in Russia, 1835, a son of William and Susan Buck. He was educated in the common schools, supplemented by .several terms in the Fairfield Seminary, in which he was a member of the Calliop Society. February 14, 1871, he married Georgiana Ashley, a native of Cliatham, Columbia county, N. Y., who was a daughter of Russel D. Ashley, a son of Abram, whose father was Abram Ash- ley, a native of England and an early settler at Ashley's Hill, Columbia county, N. Y. FAMILY SKETCHES. 139 Here he lived and died. Abram Ashley, jr., married a Miss Beebe, by whom he had seven sons and four daughters. He died about 1876. Russell D. Ashley, born in 1810, was a native of Columbia county, was reared on a farm, and early became a painter. In 1831 he married Sarah Gale, a native of New Lebanon, Columbia county, N. T., bom in 1812. To Mr. Ashley and wife were born two sons and two daughters. He was justice of the peace in Columbia county for sixteen years and died June 16, 1889, while residing with his daughter, Mr.». George Buck, of Polacd. His wife died August 26, 1839. Mr. Buck and wife have one daughter. Flora M., born November 17, 1871. Mr. Buck is a farmer by occupation, and he and his brother own the old homestead. He also owns another farm of 270 acres. Wainman, John, Warren, was born in Gargrave, Torkshire, England, June 26, 1842, a son of Thomas and Sarah (Shepard) Wainman, who had seven sons and three daugh- ters; Thomas, died in 1891 at Mohawk; Frank, died in 1884 at Richfield Springs; William, Alfred, Edward, Henry, John, Christiana, Sarah and Adelaide. The grand- father, Thomas, was born at Leeds, Torkshire, a man well educated and informed. His wife was Chri.stiana Yates, who bore him two sons, Alfred J. and Thomas. He died in England about 183.5, and his widow came to the United States, with his son Thomas, and died in New Hartford, Oneida county, before the war. Alfred J. was the first to come to the United States, about 1843, and settled in Utica. He was a close friend of Roscoe Conkling, and was in the tanner and currier business at New Hartf'^rd. He is now in the custom house in New York. Thomas Wainman was born in Leeds, York- shire, received a college education at Leeds and Cambridge, where he became a teacher. In July, 1847, he came to this country, and located in Utica, where he followed his trade; he also ran a hotel. In 1851 be moved to Newport and engaged in the shoe business. Four year.- later he went to Salisbury, and in 1870 came to Jordanville, and followed his trade until his death in April, 1888. He was a Democrat and was a prom- inent Forester in England. His wife survives him. She was born in Kendal], West- moreland county, England, daughter of Thomas Shepard, a farmer, who had ten children, three of whom came to the United States. John Wainman received a district school education, and at fifteen began to work on a farm by the month. In the spring of 1870 he located where he now resides, on 180 acres on the Robinson estate. He is an ac- tive Democrat, but has never married. Freeman, David, Stark, was born in German Flats, near Fox Hollow, June 18, 1836, son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Osterhout) Freeman. The grandfather, David, was born and died in Connecticut, and raised six children : Samuel, David, Henry, Seth, Mary and Phoebe, all of whom came to Herkimer county. Samuel came in 1820 to German Flats, where he died January 2, 1880, and his wife died November 20, 1885. They had nine children and raised seven : Henry, Louisa, Caroline, David, Anson, Joseph and Resell. Subject's mother was born in Columbia, daughter of Jacob and Ann Osterhout, of Holland Dutch descent. David was raised in German Flats, received a district school education, and at nine left home and began earning his own living. He lived with Dan Wilson until he was twenty-one, but the latter died, and at sixteen he worked by the month wherever he could. At twenty he began the carpenter's trade, at which he 140 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. worked for seven years, then he worked by the month on a farm until the war broke out. August 29, 1864, he enlisted on the gun-boat Dragons, and saw service in Chesa- peake bay. He was discharged March 29, 1865, at Washingfton navy yard, and re- turned to his home, where he engaged in cheese making at Wicks' Corners, in Stark. He spent one year in Springfield, but las resided most of his life in Stark. He owns six acres, and has served as inspector, excise commissioner, collector, justice and is now deputy sheriff. In politics he is a Democrat. July 3, 1856, he married Lucinda, daugh- ter of Christian F. Bronner, a farmer of vStark. Mr. and Mrs. Freeman had three chil- dren : Rozeltha B., wife of Lewis H. Backus; Cynthia A., wife of Franklin House, and Floyd V. Subject and wife are active members of long standing in Freewill Baptist church. Bennett, William, Norway, was born in Newport, July 23, 1834. His father was Hiram Bennett, a son of Joshua Bennett, who came from New England at an early date and settled in Ohio, where he died. Hiram Bennett came with his father to Ohio and here his life was spent. He married Almira Churchill, of Deerfield. She bore him six children. By his second wife, Lydia Cavenaugh, he had five. The death of Mr. Ben- nett occurred in 1861 and that of his wife in 1891. William Bennett married Emily I. Warner, a native of Connecticut, by whom he has had six children, two of whom are living, Gary and Olie. Mr. Bennett enlisted in the Eighty-first N. Y. S. V. regiment, Co. C, in November, 1861, for three years; was taken prisoner at the battle of Drurj-'s Bluff, May 16, 1864, taken to Andersonville prison and was paroled February 28, 18G4, receiving his honorable discharge at Annapolis, May 16, 1865. Mr. Bennett is a car- penter by trade and runs a saw-mill. He has spent most of his life in Ohio, but during the last eight years has resided in Norway. In 1884 he purchased the Black Creek Western mill. He is a Republican and has been clerk of Ohio three years. He and his wife are Methodists. Hodge, Ira, Norway, was born in Winfield, Herkimer county, in 1840. He is a son of David Hodge, a son of Roberi Hodge, one of the first settlers of Ohio, where he spent his life in agricultural pursuits. The wife of Robert Hodge was Rosa Pell, who bore him twelve children, five of whom are living. David Hodge was a farmer. His wife was Patience Hall, who bore him eleven children. Mr. Hodge spent most of his life in Ohio, where he and his wife died. The subject was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools. He married Mary F. Warner, of New York, and they had the following children : Nellie I., Jessie W., David 0., Florence E., Benjamin F., Polly M. and Nora 0., all of whom are living except Nora O., who died in infancy. Mr. Hodge is a farmer and shingle maker. He, perhaps, has made more shingles than any other man in Herkimer county. In 1861 he enlisted in comnany C, Thirty-fourth N. Y. Vol- unteers, and at the end of two months was sent home tor disability. In 1865 he was drafted and on account of disability was rejected. He did not receive his discharge un- til 1892. Weeks, James N., Warren, was born in Greene county, August 22, 1819, a son of Townsend and Hannah (Nelson) Weeks. His grandfather, Solomon, came from Rhode Island, to Greene county, where he died. He raised a large family. Townsend FAMILY SKETCHES. 141 was born in Greene county in 1796, and moved to Canada on Lalie Ontario, where he resided until his death. He had four children : James N., Rob, George and Rachel A. Subject's mother was born in Greene county, a daughter of James and Berzilla (LaValley) Nelson. He served in the war of 1812, and earlier in the British army. He left a widow and two children : Hannah and Betsey. Subject's mother married for second husband John Lawton, by whom she had one child, Robert. Our subject went with his parents to Canada where he remained two and a half years, then came to Albany county. Since the age of twelve he has supported himself. He had a district school education, and at the age of eighteen began the blacksmith's trade in Greene county, and worked at Albany and other places until 1840, when he came to Warren and followed his trade at Little Lakes. In 1861 he bought and located on 212 acres where he resides, and carried on farming. He now ownes 196 acres, has served as justice n'ne years, and assessor many terms, as a Democrat. He married July 28, 1841, Martha, daughter of Joseph and Julia (Tunnicliff) McChesney, by whom he has seven children : Hannah, Conkline, John of Michiean, Nelson who enlisted in the Ninety-second New York Regiment and was killed at Petersburg, Ira of Iowa, James, George, Ida wife of W. Vibber, and Charles. Subject's wife died September 28, 1891, aged seventy- three years. Crumby, John A., Fairfield, is a native of Newport, and was born June 6, 1827. He was a carpenter by trade and followed it up twenty-five years ago, when he took up farm gardening, which he hassince followed very successfully. His father was Minor Crumby. He served in the army in 1812 at Sackett's Harbor. In 1851 John A. Crumby married Mary Benckley and they have two children, a daughter and a son, Elizabeth and Frederick. Mr. Crumby is a Democrat and has belonged to several so- cieties. He is one of the old residents of this part and one of the best known men in the locality. Burt, Delos M., Little Falls, farmer, is a native and life-long resident of this town. He is forty-seven years of age and has been collector of the town, and com- missioner of highways. He is a Democrat in polities and is much esteemed by that party. He occupies his father's farm of 127 acres of land, which is devoted to dairy- ing and largely to the raising of grass. His wife was Mary E. Brown and they have two children, John S. and Katie Belle. The family are adherents of the Universalist church. Mr. B'lrtis a member of the Royal Arcanum and the Grange and is a leading farmer of Little Falls. Dietz, Charles, Salisbury, was born in Germany, February 19, 1824. He came to this country in 1851. He has operated a tannery at Salisbury Center for the past nineteen years. Mr. Dietz married Christiana Pickett, a daughter of John Pickett, and they have three children, one son and two daughters. Mr. Dietz is a thorough and competent tanner and a reputable citizen. He gives employment to a number ot assistants at different times. Fish, Charles P., Litchfield, a farmer, was born in that town August 20, 1855, and married Belle Coolidge by whom he has four children : Lois C, Bertha B., Mary P. 142 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTT. and Warren L. Charles P. Fish was a son of Samuel, a native of this town and a son of Ilias W., who came here with his father, Nathaniel, one of the first settlers. Mrs. Belle Fish is a daughter of Warren Coolidge, a native of Frankfort and a son of Hor- ace Coolidge, also a resident of Frankfort. Easton, Hon. Henry L., Stark, came from Connecticut and settled in Cedarville. He was an extensive farmer and manufacturer and represented his district in the Assembly in 1837. His wife was Elizabeth Deivendorf, by whom he had five children : Mnhlon, Ellen, Charlon, Hannah and Frank. He died from an accident in the saw-mill aged seventy-five. His son, Charlon, was born in Cedarville. He resides at Richfield Springs, being a contractor and builder by trade. He is a Mason and a member of the Royal Arcanum. He married Mary, daughter of John and Hannah (Cronkite) Coapman of Hallsville, by whom he had two children : Fred E. and Maude M. Fred E. Easton was born December 18, 18G1, in Cedarville, receiving a common and high school education. He taught school for three years. At fifteen he began the study of medicine. At eighteen he entered an office at Moravia, Cayuga county. In the winter of 1881-82 he took a course in the Albany Medical College, and was a student of Dr. A. Vandeveer. He graduated in 1884 from Long Island College Hospital, at Brooklyn. In 1885 he located at Richfield Springs, and in July, 1890, removed to Van Hornesville. He was health oflicer at Richfield Springs three years, was four years clerk of Board of Education, and is health oflicer where he now resides. He is an active member of the County Medical Society and the Royal Arcanum. He is a Republican. He married, October 5, 1886, Celestia Edna, daughter of Barton and Melvina (Wood) Richardson, of Cayuga county. They are Universal- ists. Helmer, Henry J., Warren, was born where he now resides July 9, 1838, a son of Henry A. and Fanny (Rasbach) Helmer. His grandfather was Adam F., a son of Frederick A., who was a son of Lendert, who came from Palatinate, Germany, in 1710, and located first on the Hudson, and later came to Canajoharie. In the winter and spring of 1723 he located in Herkimer county, and received a deed of 100 acres in 1825, where he lived and died. Frederick A. Helmer was born m Herkimer August 16, 1725, and died March 5, 1804. His wife was Barbara Elizabeth Homan, born in Holland, and came to America in 1754. They had three children, Conrad, Margaret and Adam F. Adam F. Helmer was born at Herkimer July 7, 1770, and located on 100 acres, where our subject resides, in Warren, which he cleared and improved. His wife was Anna Margaret Harter. born near Fort Herkimer January 28, 1773, a daughter of Captain Henry and Catharine (Piper) Harter, both born in Herkimer county. Captain Harter was born February 17, 1730, and served as captain in the French and Indian War. In 1757 he and his wife were taken prisoners to Canada for one year. Their first child was born while in captivity. Adam F. Helmer raised eight children: Han- nah, Henry A., Barbara E., Laurence, Catharine, Frederick A,, Peter H. and Anna M. Adam F. Helmer died December 30, 1854. His wife died December 1, 1859, where subject resides. Henry A. Helmer was born September 7, 1797, on the farm (where subject resides) in the town of Warren, and where he died September 2, 1868. He FAMILY SKETCHES. 143 owned 220 acres. He -was a Democrat until 1856, when he and his brothers all became Republicans. They had eight children and raised seven : Adam H., Elizabeth, John R., James H. (died at six), Mary C, Anna M., Henry J. and Harriet P., all married ex- cept the oldest sister. Subject's mother was a daughter of John and Nancy (Moak) Rasbaoh, born February 19, 1800, in the town of Herkimer, and died November 2, 1872, in Warren. Our subject received a district and seminary education and spent four winters in teaching. After his father's death he took charge of the homestead, served as justice and was an active Republican. He married September 29, 1868, Jjucy, daughter of Otis and Mary (Palmer) Ames, of Richfield, Otsego county. He was born October 15, 1843, in Richfield, Otsego county. Subject had two children, Fred A. and Ross D. Subject is a Mason and his wife is a member of the M. E. church. Suits, Hiram, was born in Minden, Montgomery county, November 14, 1830, son of Thomas and Laura E. (Hurlbert) Suits. His grandfather, Henry, was born near Stone Arabia. His father was a pioneer of Palatine, Montgomery county. Henry Suits came to Minden about 1828 or 1830, where he died at an advanced age. He served m the war of 1812. Subject and wife had these children : John, Thomas, David, James, Henry, Betsey, Margaret, Jane and Ann, Subject's father located in Minden about 1825, where he resided until 1841, when he located in Starkville as a blacksmith, later at Cramer's Corners. In the fall of 1856 he moved to Boone county, Illinois, where he died in 1871. His wife died in Lincoln county, Nebraska. He raised six children: Sara Flint, widow, living in Nebraska ; Helen Miller, a widow living in Illinois ; Hiram, Mary Peck, of Illinois ; Henry, of Texas, who served in the secret service during the war, and went from Missouri under General Millroy. John died in Boone county, Illinois, about 1873, Hiram received a district school education, and at twenty began for himself at the carpenter's trade, which he followed ten years, when he leased the farm where he lives of sixty-three acres, which he now owns. He has another farm of 126 acres. He served as justice and is an active Republican. He married July 4, 1854, Margaret, daughter of James D. and Margaret (Cramer) Weldon, by whom he has one child, James, born April 25, 1860, in Stark, who married November 5, 1884, Libbie M., daughter of Hiram and Marinda (Bronner) Ward. They have one child, Clark. Carrier, Colonel David R., Winfield, was the first president of the First National Bank of West Winfield, and held that position until his death. He was the first post- master of West Winfield, and also a merchant there. He married first Betsey Tomp- kins, who died May 5, 1860. His second wife is Hannah, daughter of Simeon Buck- len, one of the first settlers of this town. Mr. and Mrs. Carrier had two children, the eldest, Bessie A., who married H. T. Anthony, of Leonardsville, Madison county, and they have one son, Rae C. ; the son, David R. Carrier, is in business in Chicago, 111. Colonel David R. Carrier was born December 27, 1795, and died April 7, 1880. Brace, Frank L., Winfield, was born at North Winfield June 6, 1852, and educated at West Winfield Academy and Whitestown Seminary, graduating from the latter in 1872. He engaged in farming and fruit-growing until 1892, when he began the pub- 144 HISTORY OP HERKIMER COUNTY. lication of a weekly newspaper in West Winfield entitled Tlte West Winfield Star. Mr. Brace has always been a staunch Republican and active in political work. He was justice of the peace for two terms, supervisor in 1891, and re-elected in 1892 by a ma- jority of 105. lie has served as a member of the Republican county committee for two years past. He is also a member of the First Congregational church here, and has been for many years the superintendent of its Sunday-school. He married in 1876. Martha J. McDonald, of Vernon Center. Frank L. is a son of Lucius F. Brace, and he was a son of Asahel Brace, a native of Litchfield county, Connecticut, and one of the first settlers of Winfield. He was a captain in the war of 1812, stationed at Sackett's Harbor. Cooper, B. I., Little Falls, is a native of this place, and has followed farming princi- pally all his life. He owns two fine farms and a herd of eighty cows. In 189! he came to this village, and February 2, 1892, began the manufacture of cheese-boxes, selling to the factories in this vicinity. In 1868 he married Josephine Alexander, and they have five children, four daughters and a son. Mr. Cooper is also interested in the Eatonville cheese factory. He is a Democrat in politics. Smith. George L., Little Falls, the subject of this .sketch, is a son of the head of the firm of Smith & Bushnell. He is a native of Little Falls and was born in 1864. At the age of nineteen he entered the mill with his father, and in 1887 they built their own fine stone mill, in which they manufacture shoddy and wool extracts. Mr. George L. Smith is manager of the mill, while his father looks after the outs'de business. He is popular in society and is a member of several organizations of this town. Graves, Solomon, Russia, was born February 24, 1819, in Russia, N. Y., a son of John, who was a son of Russell. John Graves was born December 22, 1778, and came from Stephentown, Rensselaer county, to Newport, N. Y., at the age of sixteen, with his only property, an axe, on his shoulder, jobbing it in clearing land until he bought land of his own, which he cleared up and paid for by his own efTorts. He first purchased 106 acres of land, on which subject now lives, afterwards adding 144 acres, making 250 in all. September 30, 1800, he married Abigail Munn, born December 27, 1780, by whom he had three sons: Crosby, Ezra and John R. She died December 27, 1816, and in 1818 he married Esther Smith, a native of Rhode Island, born December 19, 1784, by whom he had two sons and a daughter. Mr. Graves was sheriff of Herkimer county one term, justice of the peace, school commissioner, supervisor, and was twice elected member of tlie Assembly. He died in 1865 and his wife in 1860. Solomon Graves was educated in the common schools of Russia, in Clinton Liberal Institute and Union College, graduating from the latter in 1842. April 27, 1842, he married Margaret Smith, a native of Williamsville, Erie county, born February 27, 1821, a daughter of Oziel Smith, of Clarendon, Kutland county, Vt., born April 14, 1784, and Phoebe Norton, born October 22, 1789, in Berkshire, Richmond county, Mass. Mr. and Mrs. Smith had four daughters and one son. He died January 3, 1836, and his wife, March 13, 1890, at the age of 100 years. . To Mr. Graves and wife were born five children : Edward 0., Crosby J., Charles A., William H. and Jessie, the latter two Family sketches. 145 deceased. Mr. Graves taught school a short time, then engaged in farming on the old homestead, until 1850. He next purchased property in Geneva and resided there a short time, but soon returned to the old home, where he remained until 1873 when he sold out, and in 1876 went to Washington, D. C, and engaged in the manufacture of ornamental and architectural terra cotta work and sewer pipe for four years. In 1889 he bought back the old homestead, on which he has since resided. He was an early and earnest Republican and has been school commissioner a number of years and supervisor five years. In 1859 he represented the First district of Herkimer county in the Assembly. He is a member of Newport Lodge, No. 455. F. & A. M. Weeks, Levi, Stark, was born at Ford's Bush, Montgomery county, September 9, 1799. In 1820 he was married to Jane Hollenbeck. When twenty-one years old he began farming at Amsterdam, In 1833 he located where his son Willard now lives. He died February 3, 1890, and his wife about five years earlier, aged eighty-five years. He served as supervisor several terms, and as justice several terms. He was a Demo- crat. In 1856 he became a Republican. He raised thiiteen children : David H., Dr. Benedict A., Hiram, John, Solomon, Willard and Albert, who served in the First N. y. Light Artillery, and died, aged nineteen, about three weeks after being mustered out of service; Louisa, Jane, Anna, Marion, Laura and Maria, the three latter living. Willard Weeks was born where he now lives, December 11, 1842. He received a common school education and owns his father's homestead of 120 acres, also another farm adjoining of 110 acres. He served as supervisor two terms and justice one term. He is a Republican. He married, August 29, 1882, Samantha Whited, who was born in West Troy, daughter of George W. and Eleanor (Lyon) Whited. They have two children living : George L. and Clara A. They are members of the M. B, churcli. Fit'/gerald. John W., Little Falls, was born- June 24, 1857, in the town of Fairfield. In March, 1874, he entered FairfieJ,d Seminary, and graduated with honors in 1879, taking a three years' classical course. December 15, 1880, he commenced the study of law in the office of Hon. Arphaxed Loomis and "Watts T. Loomis, and was admitted to the bar in April, 1882, and has continued his connection with that office ever since. In 1884 he commenced the business of insurance in connection with law. In 1891 he bought out the interests of the late Philo Reed, in connection with W. S. Reed, uniting these two agencies under the firm name of Fitzgerald & Reed. The agency now represents the largest insurance companies doing bu.siness, and more actual assets than any other agency in New York State. The interest of Mr. Reed in the agency was purchased by Mr. Fitzgerald, January 1, 1893. Geywits, Adam, Warren, wa.s born near Van Hornesville, town of Stark, Decem- ber 18, 1846, was a son of Isaac and Lana (Springer) Geywits. The grandfather, John, was born in Stark. His fatlier came from Germany in colonial days, and settled about a mile north of Van Hornesville, where he died. He owned 580 acres in Stark. He died in 1813. His wife was Elizabeth Fish, by whom he had these chil- dren : John, Adam, Isaac, Susan, Irena and Margaret. Isaac was born in Stark, December 19, 1813. a carpenter and builder by trade. He and C. T. B. Van Home built the saw-mill at Van Hornesville in 1859. He died there May 27, 1887. He was a 146 niSTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. Whig and Republican, and was twice married. His first wife bore liim nine children, four of whom survive: Adam, George, who died, aged twenty-one; David and Eliza- beth Miller. His wife died in 1861. His second wife was Elizabeth (Chappel) Fort. Subject's mother was born in Stark, a daughter of Loadwick Springer, whose wife was a Miss Coon. Adam was raised in Van Hornesville, and received a common school education, and at eighteen he began for himself, working for 0. A. Shipman & Son. At twenty-one he engaged in the cheese box business, with D. S. Tilyon, one year. He rented the saw-mill of his father for four years; then, in 1875, he engaged in furniture manufacture at Van Hornesville, continuing some ten years, the first and only factory of its kind in the village. In 1885 he located on 112 acres, where he now resides?. He is a Republican. On December 30, 1878, he married Angeline, daughter of Cornelius J. and Rachel (Druse) Connine, natives of Springfield. Mr Connine was a son of Cor- nelius Connine, who early came to Springfield, and whose father came from Holland. Subject has three children : George C, Charles W. and Calista E. Walrath, Levi, Stark, was born where he resides, September 19, 1827, a son of Adol- phus H. and Sophia (Moyer) Walrath. The grandfather was a pioneer of Minden, Montgomery county, and raised two sons : Adolphus and Peter. Subject's father was born in Minden, and finally settled in Stark, where he owned 400 acres before his death. He died in November, 1863, aged eighty years. His wife died February 20, 1864, aged seventy -.seven years ; they had ten children: John A., Jerry, Charity, Mary, Nancy, Sally, Joanna, Moses, Levi and Betsey, three now living- Levi Walrath owns 350 acres of land. He cared for his parents until their death. He runs a large dairy and has served in various town offices, being an active Republican. He married March 16, 1862, Elizabeth, daughter of Jacob and Pamelia (Hann) ZoUer, and she died Septem- ber 16, 1862. He married second, March 25, 1865, Anna, a sister of h's first wife, by whom he had two children : John A. and Levi. Mr. and Mrs. Walrath are members of the Lutheran church. * McMillan, J. L., German Flats, was born in Cambridge, Washington county, April 8, 1859. He taught a year in the Putnam Institute, then was clerk for a time and sub- sequently engaged in manufacturing. He is the inventor of the type-setting machine and is manager of a company manufacturing them in Ilion. He has also invented a type- distributer. In 1889 Mr. McMillan married Miss Martha E. Weaver and they have one daughter. Mr. McMillan has been nine years in Ilion. Walrath, Marvin, Danube, was born in Danube, April 9, 1845, and comes of old Rev- olutionary stock. A gran'father of Marvin was a captain in the patriot army, and was killed at Herkimer. Henry 1., father of the subject, was a native of Minden, and fol- lowed his trade of merchant tailoring, combined with agricultural pursuits, until his death. Marvin owns a farm of 137 acres in Danube, is engaged in the wholesale bot- tling business, putting up cider, lager and cider vinegar, for a trade which extends throughout Herkimer county, St. Johnsville, etc. Mr. Walrath married Cordelia Inger- soll, and they have five children, four sons and a daughter. He has served his district nine years as trustee, etc., and is identified with the Masonic fraternity, Royal Ar- canum, etc. FAMILY SKETCHES. I47 Helligas, E. B., Fairfield, a native of St. Johnsville, Montgomery county, name to Fairfield at the age of seven. He owns a fine dairy farm of fifty-three acres, and raises thoroughbred Jersey cattle, the only farmer in the town making a specialty of this breed. In 1873 he married Ada V. Willard, a descendant of one of the first settlers of the town. They now occupy a portion of the farm cleared by her ancestors, and have four children : Mary T., Ward W., Charles J. and Clara A. The mother of Mr. Helli- gas was a native of Manheim, and his father was born in Jefferson county. Way, William H., Schuyler, was born in Amsterdam, Montgomery county, August 20, 1827. He moved to West Schuyler when a small boy, where he has resided over fifty years. In 1855 he married Margaret A. McGraw, who died in 1868. They had five children : Hiram A., William C, Herbert C, Frank A. and Cora A., who died July 8, 1871. June 21, 1870, he married Mrs. Julia E. Way, of llion. He is commissioner of highways and has been school trustee, and is one of the representative men of Schuyler. Flansburg, John V., Ohio, was born in Ohio, May 16, 1838. His father was Barthol- omew, a son of Richard Flansburg, of Revolutionary fame, who was a boatman from Albany to Fort Stanwix. Joseph Flansburg was a re.sident of Mayfield, Fulton county and at an early day came to Russia, and afterwards went to Hasenclever Hills, Herki- mer county, and spent the remainder of his days. He was in the war of 1812. Bar- tholomew Flansburg was born in Mayfield in 1809. He married Angeline Stephens of Russia, by whom he had six sons and four daughter.?. In 1824 Mr. Flansbur" came to Ohio and purchased a farm, where he lived and died May 3, 1882. He was a Whio- and later a Republican. He and his wife were Methodists. The latter is now living with her son, Francis, in Wilmurt, at the age of eighty-two. John V. Flansburg was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools of Ohio, where he has always lived. In 1861 he enlisted in Company E, Ninety-seventh regiment, N.Y. Volunteers, and was in service eighteen months. He was in the battles of Cedar Mountain, Rappahannock Station, Thoroughfare Gap and the Second Bull Run. At the latter battle he was wounded and held prisoner on the field eight days, when he made his escape andjoined the hospital corps, where "he remained from September 9, 1862, to January 30, 1863, being then discharged. At the close of the war he returned to his home in Ohio, and has since followed farming. October 17, 1868, he married Sarah E. Conklin, daughter of Henry S. and Annie (Edick) Conklin, of Columbia county. Mr. Conklin and wife were early settlers of Ohio, where both died. Subject and wife have one child. Dean R. August 6, 1871, Mrs. Flansburg died, and February 19, 1874, he married second, Ann Gumming She died September 29, 1877, and in 1878 he married Jane Boyce, of Saratoga, daughter of David and Elizabeth Boyce. By his third marriage he has four children : Earl G., Edna A., Edith M. and Fred. Mr. Flansburg is a Republican. Beals, Rev. Oliver B., Litchfield, was born on the farm where he now lives July 25, 1832, and is an ordained minister of the Unitarian church. He was school commis- sioner of the second district of Herkimer county, which position he held nine years. He was associated with Judge Graves, of Herkimer, and they were delegates to the New York Constitutional Con\'eatioa from this district. Mr. Beals was on the com- 148 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTT. mittee on ediication, he being the only school commissioner in the convention. His theory in relation to the enlargement of the canals was adopted by the finance com- mittee and by the convention. He married Emma Champion, and they have four children : Mrs. I. K. Fish, Oliver W. and John D., who are lawyers in New York city, and Morell B., who is a practicing physician in New York city. Myers, J. H., German Flats, was born in German Flats April 16, 1831, and has been a farmer all his life, though he has also been engaged in other pursuits. He was in the brick business with T. E. Coe for some time, and for seven or eight years was a cheese seller. He ha.< a dairy of about forty cows. In 1865 Mr. Myers married Anna E. Shull, an'! they have a son, John H. Myers, jr., and a daughter, Florence A. Mr. Myers's father was John H. and his grandfather Henry J., a native of Herkimer. His mother was Maria Bellinger. Alexander, Mrs. James, Fairfield, widow of James Alexander, is a native of Sali.s- bury. Her father was Rodolphus Gillette In 1847 .«he married James Alexander, who died May 24, 1889. She has three children living: Mrs. B. I. Cooper, Mrs. James B. Hart and Miss Jennie Alexander. Mrs. Alexander owns 140 acres of land, which she rents out. She is a member of the Episcopal church and is a most estimable lady. Andrews, George F., carriage manufacturer. Little Falls, is a native of Cooperstown, Otsego county, and was born in 1851. He has been in the carriage business all his life, but commenced his pres_ent enterprise February 1, 1882. His business life extends over twenty-three years and has been successful. He is highly esteemed in this town, and at present holds the ofSce of exciseman. He is a member of the Masonic frater- nity, the Royal Arcanum and other social organizations. Alvord, John M., Frankfort, was born in Frankfort October 11, 1835, he being one of three children of Joseph M. and Desire (Hakes) Alvord, of Frankfort. His grand- father, Medad Alvord, was born in Connecticut, and came to New York State when quite a young man. Desire Hakes, the mother, was a daughter of John and Catherine Hakes, of Little Falls. He married Eliza Elmer, of Sauquoit, by whom he had three children : Mary L. (Mrs. David F. Davis), Rosa D (Mrs. Edward Brigham), and Ha riet C. (Mrs. Robert Salisbury), their mother dying when they were young. He subsequently married Angeline Woodbridge, of Gulph, Frankfort. He has always lived in Frankfort, running his farm as a dairy. He has been postmaster of Gulph post- ort'ice since the office was first established six years ago. Avery, Sanford, Litchfield, was born in this town April 20, 1825. His father, John S., was one of the first settlers of this town. Sanford Avery married Clara Davis, who died, leaving two children, Ella M. and Albert F. He married second Harriet E. True. Mr. Avery has a dairy and fruit farm, and ships berries to different markets and to New York. Allen, W. D., Frankfort, one of six children of James K. and Nancy E. (Sherwood) Allen, was born in the town of Norwich, N. Y., November 25, 1857. Isaac Allen, the grandfather, was born in New York city ; Nancy E. Sherwood, the mother, was born i FAMILY SKETCHES. »9 at Guilford, N. T., her father, William Sherwood, having been born in Connecticut. William D. Allen left his native town when twenty-five years of age, going into the railroad business, first with the New York, Ontario and Western Railroad, coming from there to the West Shore Railroad shops office at Frankfort. He advanced to the posi- tion of chief clerk of motive power and rolling stock, and has occupied that position to the present time. Avery, William W. Litchfield, was born on the farm where he now lives November 9, 1818, a son of John S., who came from Preston, Conn., and was one of the first settlers of this town. He married Apphia P. Remington. John S. Avery died De- cember 28, 1878, aged eighty-seven years. He left eight children, of whom seven are living. William W. married Bmeline Hopson, and they have ten children living : Apphia J., Elva F., Frances E., Erford H., William M., Edward H., Annette L., John S., Nellie M. and Dollie N. John S. married Cora B. Doremus, and they reside on the old homestead. Abeel, J. W., Ohio, was born December 7, 1855, in Ohio, N. Y. His father was Al- bert, a son of David Abeel, a native of Greene county, born in 1795. The wife of David Abeel was Gertrude Myers, and they had four sons and two daughters. Mr. Abeel came to Ohio, where he died in 1844, and his wife in 1867 at the age of sixty- five years. Albert Abeel was born in Greene county in 1812 and came to Ohio with his parents. September 16, 1841, he married Mary Snyder, a native of Greene county, born in 1820. She was a daughter of Jonas and Rhoda Snyder. To Albert and wife were born two sons and two daughters. He was a farmer and hotel proprietor, and for many years he also carried on the mercantile business. He was a Republican in politics, supervisor sixteen years, justice of peace twelve years and assessor a number of years. He died December 18, 1891, and his wife resides with J. W. The latter was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools and in Utica Business Col- lege. In 1890 he married Viola, daughter of Robert and Catherine Richards, of Ohio. Mr. Abeel is a farmer and continues his father's mercantile business. He is a Repub- lican and was supervisor three years in succession. He is a member of Ohio Grange, No. 686, and is a supporter of the Methodist church. Jonas Snyder came to Ohio and resided a short time, then went to Greene county, where his wife died. He then went to live with his daughter, and there died. They had one son and two daughters. Mr. Snyder was in the war of 1812. Ackler, John A., Litchfield, was born in Columbia July 29, 1853, and settled on the farm where he now lives m 1867. He married Belle, daughter of Elijah Manning, of Columbia. John A. is a son of Jacob Ackler, a native of Columbia, and he was a son of Jacob, who came to Columbia from Danube with his father, Leonard Ackler, who was a soldier of the Revolution, entering the army »t the age of sixteen. His parents were German and were among the first settlers of Danube. Jacob Ackler, grandfather of John A., had seven children: Jacob jr., David, Deborah, Dorathy, Mary, Phillip and Emily Ackler. All are living in this county. Angell, M. D., German Flats, was born in Otsego county Stptcmber 7, 1848, and spent the first twelve years of his life on the farm. He came to Ilion, and after fol- 150 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. lowing various pursuits established himself in the undertaking business in 1888. He was chief of police in Ilion for one year and is a Republ'can in politics. His father was F. C. Angell, an artist, and his grandfather came from Connecticut. Blatchley, James W., Warren, was born where he now lives May 20, 1842, and is a son of Seeley and Anna (Webb^ Blatchley. His grandfather was James and his great- grandfather Seele)' Blatchley, who came from Connecticut. The subject's grandfather was born in Saratoga county and came to Warren with his parents. He evened six or seven hundred acres of land. His wife was Elizabeth Keeler, who bore him six children. The subject's father was born in Warren in 1808, where he died in July, 1889; his widow survives. She was born March 16, 1816, and bore him three children: James W., Ceylon E. and Francis M. He left a farm of 300 acres. James W. Blatchley re- ceived an academic education, and has carried on dairying and hop raising as a special feature. He has also been engaged for ten years in the agricultural implement busines.x. He is a Republican and has been .supervisor and justice in a Democratic town. He married, February 25, 1876, Ella, daughter of John and Polly (Shaul) Wickoff, who bore him one child, Ella, who died at fourteen. Mrs. Blatchley died March IG, 1877. She was a Baptist. Bloorafield, Charles W., Warren, was born where he now resides December 25, 1851, a son of Allen and Rosalinda (Bell") Bloomfield. His grandfather was Joseph and his great-grandfather Jonathan, who came from Connecticut and settled on the farm where our subject now lives, and which has been in the possession of the family since. Joseph Bloomfield was born July 10, 1790, married Hannah Abbott, and died July 26, 1862 ; she died December 17, 1887. Allen Bloomfield was born April 24, 1821, and received an academic education. He followed farming until 1872, when he moved to Richfield Springs, where he has been prominently engaged in important business enterprises. He was twice married. Charles W. Bloorafield received an academic education and in 1876 settled upon the homestead. He is a Republican and has held town offices. He married, October 12, 1876, Libbie, daughter of John and Caroline (Filkins) McReady of Stark. They have two children : Allen J. and Russell W. Mrs. Bloomfield is a Universal ist. Bennett, William, Norway, was born in Newport July 23, 1834. His father was Hiram Bennett, a son of Joshua Bennett, who came from New England at an early date and settled in Ohio where he died. Hiram Bennett came with his father to Ohio and here his life was spent. He married Almira Churchill of Deerfield. She bore him six children. By his second wife, Lydia Cavenaugh he had five. The death of Mr. Bennett occurred in 1861, and that of his wife in 1891. Wm. Bennett married Emily I. Warner, a native of Connecticut, by whom he had six children, two of whom are living, Gary and Olie. Mr. Bennett is a carpenter by trade and runs a saw-mill. He has spent most of his life in Ohio, but during the last eight years has resided in Norway. In 1884 he purchased the Black Creek Western Mill. He is a Republican and has been clerk of Ohio three years. He and wife are Methodists. Brooks, Fred, Ohio, a native of England, was born April 10, 1845. His father, Charles Brook-i, was a manufacturer of woolen goods, and his wife was Ann Pugson, by Family sketches. i5i whom he had six sons and seven daughters. In 1849 Mr. Broolf - ,-j ->.-'■., / Ford, Daniel, German Flats, was born in Mohawk, December 28, 1831. He fol- lowed boating until thirty years of age on the Erie canal, and then began the contract- ing busmess on State and railroad work, which he has followed ever since. Mr. Ford is a prominent Mason, a member of the Memphis Shrine, the thirty-second degree, Scottish Rite. In 1852 he married Miss Ann E. Van Alstine, and they have two daugh- ters, both married, Mrs. Dr. Rasbach and Mrs. Isaac Small, of Topeka, Kansas, Ford, C. T., mason and contractor of Middleville, was born in Fairfield May 28, 1829. He began his trade at the age of fifteen with his father, and has followed it continu- ously and successfully all his life. He has erected a good many important buildings be.sides doing all kinds of contract work throughout this part of the county, in fact about all of it and has a high reputation as a business man and a reliable contractor. In 1863 Mr. Ford married Mi«s Margaret Davis. Mr. Ford is a Republican in politics and his father served at Sackett's Harbor in the War of 1812. -' Ferguson, Thomas D., Little Falls, was born in Little Falls February 2, 1866. He received his education in the common schools and Little Foils Academy, after which he clerked for about six years. In 1888 he bought out the grocery and meat market of M. Craske & Company, which he has since most successfully conducted. He employs about four clerks and delivers about Little Falls and vicinity. Mr. Ferguson was nom- inated for corporation treasurer upon the Republican ticket, and ran far ahead of his ticket, but this being a strong Democratic town he was not elected. He married Laura B. Staley, of Michigan. They have no children. Foley, Daniel, German Flats, chief of police of Ilion, was born in Ireland but has been in America since 1849. He settled in Little Falls. In 1862 he enlisted in Com- pany H, 121st N. Y. Regiment and was in some of the most important battles. He was wounded at Spottsylvania and was honorably discharged March 28, 1865. He took up blacksmithing after the war and has followed it ever since. He came to Ilion in 1875 and was appointed chief in 1892. Chief Foley married Miss Catherine Mul- queen and they have five children. He is a Republican in politics. Fallis, Theodore, Little Falls, was born in Fultonville, Montgomery county, August 22 1855. He received an excellent education in the schools of Johnstown, after which he learned the trade of cigar-making. Mr. Fallis then traveled extensively throughout this country, working at his trade. In 1876 he decided to settle in Little Falls, N. Y.i starting a business for himself, which proved a success, and which he still conducts. He manufactures cigars for wholesale and retail trade and also deals in tobacco and smokers' goods. He employs a corps of skilled as.sistants. Mr. Fallis is a member of the I. O. R. M., Elks, etc., and has served as treasurer of the poor fund, collector, etc. He is a staunch Democrat. He married Mary Pierce, by whom he has five children. Foster, Aaron Stiles, Dolgesville, a nephew of Matt Foster, of sharpshooting fame, was born in Salisbury April 1, 1822. He received a common school education in the fAMILY SKETCHES. 177 schools of this vicinity and assisted his father until his seventeenth year. After this he worked at the carpentry trade until 1847, when he became engaged in the lumber traffic until 1879. He then moved to Dolgeville to build the wool factory of Alfred Dolge. Mr. Foster married Hannah, daughter of Peter Getman, and they have two sons and two daughters living, having lost a son and a daughter. A. S. Foster was him- self in his youth a noted dead shot, being able to bring down game with his rifle when on the wing. He has served in Fulton county as highway commissioner and justice of the peace. His ancestors participated in the War of the Revolution and the War of 1812. On his mother's side he is a descendant of the Talcotts. Fenner, A. G., Fairfield, was born in Fairfield December 24, 1823, and has been a farmer all his life. His grandfather, Daniel Fenner, settled here from Massachusetts, and his father, George Fenner, was also a native of the place. The farm consists of 100 acres (old survey) and a dairy of twenty-six cows. Mr. Fenner married M. A Wetherwax in 1848, and they have five children living. Mr. Fenner is an independent in politics, and a member of the grange. Fenner, Calvin, Fairfield, was born on the farm where he now lives August 4, 1804, and has been a farmer all his life. His father came from Massachusetts in 1792. In 1829 Mr. Fenner married Rhoda Ann Harvey, and they had five children, three of whom survive. Mrs. Fenner died in 1882. Mr. Fenner is the oldest living resident of Fairfield, and has voted at every presidential election since 1825. His brother, Joseph FennerJ^ was a soldier at Saclcett's Harbor, and in the War of 1812. Our subject is the owner of a farm of 200 acres and a herd of forty-five cows. Fields, John, supervisor of Fairfield, is a native of Westmoreland, Oneida county, and has been a farmer all his hfe. He has resided on his present place for nine years. In 1873 he married Adeline Todd. His father and mother both came from England. Mr. Fields is an active and influential Democrat, and was elected supervisor of Fairfield in the spring of 1892. He was assessor when living in Newport, and is a member of the grange and Royal Arcanum. Fowler, D. R., Dolgeville, was born in East Springfield, Otsego county, N. T. He received a good education in the schools and academy of this vicinity, and afterwards clerked for a few years. In 1887 he came to Dolgeville and established his present general mercantile concern. Mr. Fowler's family is of New England descent (Connect- icut), and his father and mother are both living at the old home in East Springfield. D, R. Fowler married Miss Ella Vandusen. They have one child, a girl. He is a suc- cessful and enterprising business man, and a reliable and progressive citizen. French, Morris F., Warren, was born in Warren, September 22, 1850, a son of Luther L. and Isabel (Culver) French. He was educated in the district, select and higher schools, also attended the Winfield academy. He taught school six terms. At twenty-one years of age he began for himself, working with his father six years. He then purchased thirty-five acres of his grandfather's homestead in Warren, and in March, 1881, bought and located on 170 acres, where he now resides. He now owns 205 acres, and in politics is a Republican. September .18, 1878, he married Mary E. 178 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. Ingalls, born in Haitwick, Otsego county, a daughter of Allen and Hulda ("Windsor) Ingalls, now residing in Middlefield. Subject had three children : Harry D., Leonard I. and Robert L. Luther L French was born in Plymouth, Litch6eld county. Conn., August 23, 1810, a son of Ebenezer W. and Lucy (Darrow) French, both of Connecti- cut. In 181-1 E. W. French moved to Galway, Saratoga county, then to Oneida county, and in 1830 located on the farm where our subject now resides, where he died July 1, 1865. He was a Whig and a Republican, and a deacon in the Presbyterian church. He was three times married. His first wife was Sarah Bassett, by whom he had four children : Prosper, George Roxanna and Sarah. His wife was born May 30, 1774, and died October 26, 1804. His second wife was Lucy Darrow, born March 12, 1781, who died June 16, 1842, leaving seven children : Lucy, Marj', Luther L., Amond J., Elizabeth J., David W. and Julia A. His third wife was Mariah Bairdsley. She died November 18, 1882, and was born February 8, 1794, in New York. Luther L. French received a district school education, and being the oldest son had to help his father. At the age of twenty he hired out for $12.50 per month, which was consid- ered extra wages. In the spring of 1840 he bought fifty acres, where he resided until 1890, when he let the farm to his son, Eseck W., and moved on his father's old liome- stead. February 27, 1839, he married Isabel! Culver, born in Westfield, Chautauqua county, July 15, 1817, a daughter of Harmon and Elizabeth (Campbell) Culver of Eng- lish and Scotch origin. Subject and wife have had eight children, three of whom died in childhood, Orton G., Lucelia J. and Edward 0. The other five are as follows: Samuel D., Mary E., Morris F., Louisa C, wife^of Fenmore R. Stratton, and Eseck W. Luther L. and wife have been life members of the Presbyterian church. Mr. French is a strong Republican. Samuel D French enlisted in Company F, 121st regiment, in 1861, serving through the war. Six months after enlistment he was transferred to signal corps, in which he was a lieutenant. He resides in Iowa. Green, William J., Winfield, a farmer and feed merchant, was born on the farm where he now lives, April 2, 1847, a son of Jared J., who was born in Winfield, Sep- tember 17, 1804, and died May 20, 1878. He was a son of William Green, who came from Connecticut, and settled in Winfield at an early day. The mother of William J. Green was Lucy P. (Randall) Green, who was born April 17, 1809, and died October 27, 1891. William J. married Florence L. Jones, January 2, 1878. She was a daugh- ter of Daniel Jones, of Brookfield, Madison county. They have one son, Fred J. The farm first settled by William Green is in the northeastern part of the town and is now owned by two of his grandchildren, William J. Green and Nettie L. Brown. Goodier, Henry W., Litchfield, owns a grain and dairy farm of 120 acres, and has been one of the assessors of this town for five years past. He is a member of Sauquoit Lodge, No. 150, F. & A. M. ; Oneida Chapter, No. 57, R. A. M. ; and Fort Schuyler Council, No, 404 Royal Arcanum, also a member of the Litchfield Grange, No. 664. He was born in the same house in which he now lives, July 18, 1854, and married September 18, 1881, Xena V. Prior. They have two sons, L. Raymond, born Sep- tember 7, 1887, and Harold Prior, born November 15, 1892. Henry W. was a son of Henry Goodier, who was born on the farm north of this, which was settled by his FAMILY SKETCHES. 179 father, Aaron Goodier, the first settler on that farm and one of the first of the town. Xena V. Goodier was born in Paris, Oneida county, September 25, 1864. She is a daughter of Philo Prior, who died at Cedar Lake, December 31, 1892, aged fifty-three years. Gird, Emma L., Litchfield, a native of this town, born on the farm where she now I'ves, is a daughter of John Gird, who was a native of Trenton. He came here about 1812, with his mother, from New York city. He was a son of Henry Gird, who was publisher of a newspaper in New York city, who came from Wesford, Ireland, and was a colonel in the English army. He settled in Warrington, and bought a place of George Washington, which is still in the family and occupied by his granddaughter, Mrs. Frankland. The mother of John Gird, was Mary, daughter of Richard Smith, who settled at Cedar Lake farm, now owned by the Sewell Morgan estate. The mother of Emma L. Gird was Laura, daughter of Sylvanius Eing, a native of Monson, Massachusetts. He was a descendant of William King, who came over in the Mayflower. William King, one of that family, was the first Governor of the State of Maine. There are now living seven children of John and Laura Gird : Henry S., Mary H., Richard, Mrs. H. P. Martin, L. John, William K., and Emma L. Gird, the last of whom occupies and conducts the farm for the estate. Garline, Charles, Warren, was born in Verona. Oneida county, December 5, 1850, a son of Nicholas and Mary A. Garline, natives of Germany. The former came to the United States about 1843, and located in Oneida county, where he resided until his death, in the spring of 1883, aged seventy-three years. He is of Catholic faith, and a Republican in politics. He was twice married and had three children: Seaman, Charles and Mary. The latter died at nine years of age. His wife died in 1854. She was born in Germany and her father was a Mr. Miller, who came to the United States about 1835. Nicholas Garline married for his second wife Margaret Shoemaker, who came from Germany. Charles Garline received a common school education and has made his own way in life since fifteen years of age. At twenty he began for himself on the canal, which he followed for two years. In 1873 he came to Warren, and in 1874 began as cheese maker, which 'he continued four years. In the spring of 1879 he bought the Cullen cheese factory, which he has operated since, making on an average 100,000 pounds a year. He is now assessor, and has also served as collector and constable. He is an active Democrat, and a member of the Royal Arcanum and the Grange. He married in 1876, Alice C. Ball, who was born in Lilchficld. daughter of Horatio and Roxie (Manning) Ball, natives of Herkimer county. Sub- ject has three children : William S., Leon F. and Charleg H. Green, Nelson L., Warren, was born in Danube, January 14, 1853, a son of Herki- mer and Emily T. (Wolcott) Green. The grandfather. Dr. Felix Green was a son of Ambrose, and was born in Rhode Island, a pioneer of Danube, where he lived nearly all his life. He married Elma Lester, and had seven children : John, William, Felix, Anna, Polly, Elizabeth and Ruth. He held various town offices. Fehx lived on the Hudson river near Albany, and early came to Danube. He was an active Whig and Republican and served in nearly all the town offices. He was a Free Mason, and died 180 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTT. July 18, 1857, ageJ eightj'-one. His wife died in 1859. She was Lana Herkimer? and was born in Danube, a daughter of George Herkimer, who was a brother of Gen- eral Nicholas Herkimer, whose wife w-as a daughter of General Schuyler. Of thirteen children Felix reared ten : Alida, o'ane, Mary, Helen, James, George, Charles, Herki- mer, Augustus, John. Herkimer Green was born in Danube, November 20, 1811. In 1870 he moved to Cayuga county, and in 1882 removed to his present home in western Warren, on a farm of 248 acre. He has reared two children : John H., who was born in Danube in August, 1846, married Nellie Wartraan. Subject's mother was born in Shoreham, Vermont, daughter of Seamon and Huldah (Kellogg) Wolcott. Nelson K. Green was reared on a farm and received a common school education supplemented by a co'ir.se in the Academy at Little Falls. He has followed farming, is an active Republican, and married Mary 0., daughter of John N. and Rebecca (Soule) Smith. They had three children : George II., Elma R., and Emily E. John H. Green received his education at Little Falls academy, and then at Hamilton college, graduating in the class of '74. He has taught school, and was admitted to the bar of Cayuga county. He has served in town offices as a Republican, and is now a farmer in Warren. He has the old lock of the door of General Herkim^j-'s house, also a chair of his, and other pieces of furniture which belonged to the general. George Green, brother of Herkimer, is a physician at St. Johnsville, and John Green is a prominent physician at Sharon Springs. Goodier, James G., Frankfort, one of eleven children of Aaron and Abigail (Kendall) Goodier. both of Litchfield. The grandfather. Rev. Aaron Goodier, clergyman, was born in England and educated for the ministry, preaching there for several years. He came to this country when thirty-five years of age and was during his active life a minister of the Gospel, living in the town of Litchfield, where he was a large land owner. Abigail Kendall, the mother, was a daughter of Amrai Kendall, contractor, a native of Ma.ssa- chusetts. James G. was married May 1, 1872, to Mary A. Slaughter of Litchfield. Until 1888 he lived in Litchfield when he moved to the village of Frankfort where he now lives. He is justice of the peace and does a real estate and collecting business. Goodale, G. A., German Flats, was born in Mohawk, May 26, 1846. He first started in the grocery business in Richfield and was afterwards assistant shipper in the agricultu- ral works in Ilion for fifteen years. He spent five years in the painting trade and conducted a meat market for four years. He has been in his present grocery and confectionery business in Mohawk about a year. In 1868 he married Anna M. Dodge. Mr. Goodale is a member of the I. O. O. F., and in politics a Prohibition- ist. Guiney, John & Company, Little Falls. This firm consists of John Guiney and Benja- min O. Sullivan, and was established in 1859, for the purpo.se of retailing liquors in Little Falls. Both members of the firm were born in Ireland and have, since es- tablishing business here, made a host of friends and built up a large and lucrative trade. They are influential members of the A. 0. U. W. Golden, D. N., German Flats, was born in Columbia, April 14, 1830. His father, Benjamin, was a trunk maker. Mr. Golden was connected with variout hotels FAMILY SKETCHES. 181 during the many years of his life and had government contracts on the canal, of which he was at one time section superintendent. He has of late acted a<" travel- ing salesman. His marriage occurred in 1858, and he has three children: Cora E. Hilts, Harvey M. Golden, assistant cashier in the Mohawk bank, and Frank M., who resides in Chicago, 111. Greene, Willis, Danube, was born on the old farm in Danube, September 17, 1846. He received a liberal education in Fairfield Seminary and at Fort Edward, Mr. Greene owns fifty-four acres of land on the river road, Danute, and follows the occupation of market gardening, in which he has been very successful. His wife was Margaret Le Row, and they have one child, a son. This branch of the Greene family descent is traced from General Greene of Revolutionary fame. Gardinier, Albert, Danube, was born on the old farm upon which he still lives and owns, April 19, 1834. This land was bought by his grandfather who lived and died upon it and is buried in the old burying ground on the farm. His father, John Gardin- ier, also lived, died and is buried here. Albert Gardinier received a good education in the schools of this vicinity and has served the town of Danube as assessor several terms. He married Fanny Burrell of Herkimer county and they have three sons and three daughters. He is a successful farmer and has about two hundred acres of fine dairy land and keeps on an average fifty head of cattle besides other stock. Griswold, G. W., Fairfield, was born in Fairfield, August 3, 1806, and has been a farmer all his life. His ancestors came from Saybrook, Conn., in 1780, and have resided in these parts ever since. His grandfather was in the Revolutionary war. In 1835 Mr. Griswold went to Newport, and fifteen years ago settled in Middleville. He has taken great interest in public and educational affairs all his life, and is a very intelli- gent and highly esteemed citizen. He is one of the oldest men in Herkimer county. Getman, Sanford, German Flats, was born in German Flats, March 23, 1833, a son of Jacob Getman, a farmer. At the age of ten years Mr. Getman entered the Armory, at the old shop, and five years later he started the first bus line here. This he sold at the opening of the war and went into the flour and feed business. In 1860 he married Julia B. Lyman. He has always been an ardent Democrat, and has served as super- visor and assessor nine years. Gerhart, Louis, Dolgeville, was born in Germany, June 28, 1852. He received a good education in the schools of Germany, and in 1870 came to this country. After working on a farm for some time, Mr. Gerhart learned the mason trade, and worked in this industry for seventeen years, after which he purchased a very desirable property in Dolgeville, opposite the Cottage Hotel, and established his present liquor business, which he has since most successfully conducted. Mr. Gerhart married Miss Wagner. Tliey have two children, a boy and a girl. Gibson, Burr, Ohio, was born in Ohio, September 1, 1865. He is a son of Samuel and Susan Gibson, whom we have mentioned elsewhere in this work. He was reared on a farm and educated in the public schools. In 1867 he married Addie Case, a native of Ohio, and a daughter of George and Mary Case, of Ohio. To Mr. Gibson and wife 182 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. two children have been born, Willie and Nora, both living. Mr. Gibson ia a farmer and Democrat. Guenther, George, Dolgeville, was born in Germany, November 18, 1848. After securing a good education in the schools there he learned the machinist trade in Saxony, at which trade he worked for some years. In 1877 he came to America and entered the employ of Alfred Dolge as superintendent of the machinist department, which posi- tion he sti'l holds. Mr. Guenther married Miss Annie Dolge, a sister of Alfred Dolge. They have one child, a boy. Mr. Guenther is a member of the school board, aid society, Royal Arcanum, Building and Loan Association, Odd Fellows, etc. Gray, C. B., Ohio, was born in Norway, March 29, 1845, a son of Lathan, who was a son of Lathan Gray, of Connecticut. The latter married Amy Brown in 1791 and had seven daughters and two sons. Lathan, jr., was born in Lebanon, Conn., April 21, 1800. His wife was Julia A. Pendleton, by whom he had two sons. Id 1828 he went to Norway, where he spent the remainder of his life. He was a manufacturer of lumber and furniture. In 1831 Mrs. Gray died and in 1836 he married Catherine, daughter of Benjamin and Sarah Bensley, early settlers of Newport. Mr. Gray and wife had two sons and one daughter. Mr. Gray's second wife died in 1855, and he married third, Mary A., daughter of Asa Vickery, of Russia. Mr. Gray was a Demo- crat and a Free Mason, and was supervisor. The village of Gray was named in his honor. He died in 1884 and his last wife died in 1890. Subject received a common school education. In October, 1890, he married Melissa E. Figert. daughter of William and Jane (Elsie) Burberry, natives of England, who had eight children. In 1854 Mr. Burberry and wife came to America and settled in Ohio, N. Y., where Mrs. Burberry died on May 9, 1887. Mr. Burberry was a manufacturer of brick and tile, and died in Norway in 1870. The first husband of Mrs. Gray was Charles Figert, a native of Ohio, by whom she had one child, Charlotta. Mr. Figert died November 10, 1887. In 1890 Mrs. Figert graduated from the Cortland Normal school. Mr. Gray is a Demo- crat and has been supervisor three years. He is a member of Newport Lodge, No. 458, F. and A. M., of Little Falls, Commandery No. 26, Ilion Chapter, No. 236. Harter, Aaron, Herkimer, was born in New Herkimer, October 29, 1816. His father, Nicholas Harter, settled here m 1812. Mr. Harter owns 255 acres of farm land, be- sides a large amount of other property. He ha« fifty-five head of stock and conducts a dairy farm. Mr. Harter has been a very successful farmer. He has served as jus- tice of the peace and is a staunch Democrat. His wife, who is seventy»>four years of age, is an energetic and most careful lady and has aided him most materially in his successful transactions in life. They live on the old farm on the Steuben road. Helmer, Samuel, Dolgeville, was born in the town of Manheim, February 8, 1820, and has always lived on the farm which he purchased from his father. It contains 150 acres of fine dairy land and upon it he keeps about twenty-five head of cattle besides other stock. Mr. Helmer has four children living, two boys, Hannibel and Dwight, and two girls, Mrs. Annie Bracket, and Mrs. Eugene Snell. Helmer's ancestry is of German descent. His grandfather was in the war of the Revolution, and his father in that of 1812 at Sackett's Harbor. His son, Dwight Helmer, assists him on the farm. Family sketches. m and his other son, Eannibel Helmer, is engaged in the meat business in Dolgeville. Both sons have received an academic education. Hyer, Otis H., Little Falls, is a native of Rensselaer, N. Y. He has been in the woolen manufacturing line for thirteen years and is an expert. He was five years in Pittsfield, Mass., and after three years' absence returned to the same firm. He was two years in Woonsocket and four years in Providence, R. I., then with the Rhode Island Knitting Company in Berwick three years. After a short stay in Fonda, N. Y., he returned to Little Falls and is one of the superintendents of MacKinnon's Mill. Mr. Hyer served his country in the war of the Rebellion in Company K, Thirty-fourth Massachusetts Regiment and participated in the battles of Petersburg, Lynchburg and Piedmont, in the last of which he was wounded and taken prisoner and passed eleven months in Andersonville prison. He was under fifteen years old when he enlisted. He is a Re- publican. Hall, Dr. Horace, Little Falls, is a native of Princeton, Ind. His father was chief justice of the Supreme Court of Indiana and also Lieutenant-Governor of the State. Horace enlisted as private in the Fifty-eighth Indiana Volunteers, Company K., and after the close of the war was mustered out as captain of the company. Dr. Hall has been actively engaged in the practice of his profession of dental surgery since his grad- uation about twenty years ago. He married Miss Hattie E. Scutt of Almena, but has no family. His office is located at No. 596 East Main street. The doctor enjoys a lead- ing patronage with the first families of Little Falls and Herkimer county. Hose, Wallace, Little Falls, was born in St. Johnsville, Montgomery county, N. Y., receiving an excellent education in the schools of this county and the Cazenovia Semi- nary. His earlier business experience was in mercantile transactions, he having been engaged in this line in St. Johusville for two year.s, and at Fort Plain ; after which he entered the employ of H. M. Burch, with whom he remained seven years. He then accepted a position with Titus Sheard as bookkeeper, eventually being admitted a member of the concern in which he now holds the position of secretary of the company. Mr. Hose is a member of various local, social and benevolent institutions. He married Edith I. Sheard and they have one child. Hunt, T. E., of the township of Little Falls, owns one of the best farms near the village and is a prosperous and progressive farmer. He is also a veteran of the late war, having enlisted in the Tenth Missouri Infantry, but was subsequently transferred to the Fifteenth and then to the Seventeenth New York Regiments, and served with the Army of the Potomac. He is a prominent Grand Army man, and a member of the Grange. Mrs. Hunt was the first white child born in De Kalb county, Illinois. Plarrid, George, Danube, was born in England, February 16, 1839: he has lived in this country about thirty-eight years and has owned his farm of forty acres of land, lying on the Odesa Creek, for nearly twenty-seven years. He married Mary Finale and they have four children, two sons and two daughters. He is an excellent farmer and a thorough and honorable man. 184 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. House, Squire, Little Falls, was born in this county and received a common school education in the Jordanville district school. In 1861 he enhsted in the Thirty-fourth New York Volunteers and served two years in the Rebellion, participating in manv of the leading battles and engagements which occurred during this period. He was en- gaged for two years after the war in cutting marble, and in 1865 he established a gen- eral merchandise store upon the canal. Mr. House gives employment to from ten t'> twenty hands cutting wood. He has cleared over three hundred acres of wood in this vicinity. He is of Mohawk Dutch descent and of Revolutionary antecedents. His wife was Cornelia Orendorf of Fort Herkimer, by whom he had two children, a son and a daughter. His wife died October 28, 1892. Hailing, Theodore C, Little Falls, was born in Little Falls, February 7, 1862. His father was born in Germany and came to this country in his youth. He was for many years a leading tailor and draper in this village before his death. Theodore C. was educated at Little Falls Academy, and was for many years manager of a clothing store in Ithaca, N. Y. He married Rose Lampman, and they have one child. Mr. Hailing is now conducting a tobacco, cigar and confectionery establishment opposite the Met- ropolitan Hotel, Little Falls. Helmer, Philip, Dolgeville, was born in the town of Manheim, Augu?t 9, 1823. He received a good education in the schools of his native town, and has up to the time of his retirement been a successful farmer. He married a sister of Brig.-Gen. Spoffard, Bmeline SpoiFard. Mr. Helmer's grandfather participated in the Revolutionary war, and his father, Leonard Helmer, in the war of 1812. Mr. Helmer sold his farm of 200 acres to Alfred Dolge, who has located the new depot of the Little Falls and Dolgeville railroad thereon. Mr. Helmer still retains the old homestead, which is one of the most picturesque and pleasantly located homes of Dolgeville. They have one adopted daughter. Hoke, Charles D., Danube, was born in Danube in 1854. He was reared on a farm, and before his death his father purchased a farm of about fifty acres, which he pre- sented to Charles, and upon which the latter now lives. This place is adjacent to Newville. Chas. Hoke married Catharine Matice. They have no children. Hawthorne, Wilson, Schuyler, was born in Oneida County, in the town of Deerfield, -Vpril 22, 1825, and has been a farmer all his life. His father, William Hawthorne, came from Ireland in 1812, coming up the Mohawk valley on a flat-boat. In 1856 Mr. Hawthorne married ilary Ann Conlin, of Deerfield, and they have six children : Wilson, Jane, Charles, James, William, and Minnie. Wilson married Ruth Ladd, daughter of S. P. Ladd. Mr. Hawthorne has been poormaster, and has held other positions in the town. Hofifman, George, Danube, was born at East Creek, Herkimer county, April 8, 1851. He married Lizzie Killingback, and their family consists of five children: two sons and three daughters. Mr. Hoffman's grandfather, Isaac Wheeler, was with Gen. Herkimer at Oriskany. Our subject resides on the old homestead, known as the Herkimer Farm, which consists of 163 acres, and is located in Danube, near the Mohawk river. Mr. Hoffman is a member of the A. 0. TJ. W., etc. FAMILY SKETCHES. ■ 185 Houghton, "William L., Ingham Mills, was born in Fulton county, March 14, 1825. When twenty- one years of age he came to Ingham Mills, a d was for nine years en- gaged in saw- mill business for the Inghams, after which he established himself in the blacksmithing industry, which he has carried on for thirty-seven years here in Ingham , Mills. Mr. Houghton has lately retired from business, and is succeeded by his son, Geo. M. Houghton. Mr. Houghton has served as overseer of the poor for two terms, justice of the peace, etc., and is much respected by all who know him. He married Miss L. La Due, and has only one child living. Mr. Houghton's father, Richard Hough- ton, was in the war of 1812, and his grandfather in the Revolution. Harter, P. P., Herkimer, is a native of Herkimer, and was born August 28. 1826. He has been a farmer all of his life, and has resided nearly all that time on his present farm. His father and grandfather before him lived on this farm. He married Miss May Kest, and they have two sons, Edwin and Frank. Mr. Harter has sixty-four acres of dairy farm and fourteen cows. He has never belonged to any organization, but his son Frank is a member of the Grange. They are all Democrats. Holmes, Brainerd 0., Wmfield, was born on the farm where he now lives, April 26, 1847. He is a son of Orange Holmes, born on the same farm, of which this is a part, December 25, 1803, and died December 13, 1864. He married Henrietta Brainerd, January 15, 1829, who died March 28, 1891. Orange was a son of Elijah Holmes, who settled on this farm at an early date. The house is one of the oldest in WinBeld. Brainerd 0. Holmes married Mary J. Hadley, September 21, 1869, and they have two children: Mabel M., and Harold B. Mrs. Mary J. Holmes was a daughter Harry and Mary Hadley, residents and natives of Litchfield. Orange Holmes had six children: Pamela A., Leonidas B., Sarah R., Caroline E., Ellen C, and Brainerd O. Deacon Ehjah Holmes came from Connecticut and settled in Winfield about 1794. He was the first shoemaker, and tanned his own leather, grinding the bark by horse power, and the ruins of his tannery are still to be seen at North Winfield. Hull, Henry W., farmer and carpenter of Litchfield, was born in Watertown, Jefferson county. May 10, 1836, and settled in Litchfield in 1878. He married Eliza M. Jones, of this town, by whom he had two children: Herbert H., and Walter A. The former married Kittle, daughter of Benjamin and Jane Richards, of Litchfield. Henry Hull is a son of Shubel Hull, a native of Watertown, who married Sophronia Pierce, of Lorraine, Jeff'erson county, N. Y. Mrs. Ella M. Hull is a daughter of William and Elsie Jones, of this town. Shubel Hull was a son of John Hull, a mason con- tractor and builder, who was a native of Connecticut, and settled early in Jefferson county. Huntley, Jackson M., Litchfield, was born November 9, 1834. at Exeter, Otsego county, and he married Almira Gitchell. by whom he has four children : Lester G., Lucy G., Carlson Le Grange, and Loren Grant. Mrs. Huntley was the only daughter of Benjamin and Palmyra (Hadley) Gitchell, natives of Winfield. Lester G. Huntley married Essie ilcKentry ; Lucy G. married Gusta Carlson, and they have one son named Harold G. Carlson. 186 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. Harwick, Joseph, Stark, came from Rensselaer county and feltled where our sul ject resides about 1790. He died about 1815. He was twice married, raised one son, Con- rad Harwick, who was born October 10, 1774, and came with his father to Stark, where he died in October, 1862. He served in the war of 1812 at Sackett's Harbor. His wife was Sarah, daughter of Garett and Anna M. Brower. Subject's mollier died in . 1848. She had five children, three survived: Christiana Snel!, John P. and Anna M. Gaungs. John P. Haiwick was born June 15, 1813, and has always resided here, own- ing 107 acres He has been a Whig and Republican. He married in February, 1847, Julia A., daughter of David and Luvina (Brower) Kingsley, and they had one child, James K., born December 26, 1847, who lived with his parents and ran the farm. He married March 11, 1891, Effie, daughter of Berry and Lucy (Ward) Eckler. They have one child, John H. Hall, John, Stark, was born in Stark June 13, 1838, a son of Alexander and Jane (Mount) Hall. The grandfather, Thomas, was born in Ireland, and came to the United State.s after the Revolution and settled in Stark with a brother, Robert. Later he moved to Onondaga county, and thence to California in 1859, where he died, over eighty years of age. He served as justice many years and was a Ma,son. His wife was Louise Sprague. They raised four children : Alexander, John G., Naiicy and Martha. His wife died in Onondaga county. Alexander was born in Springfield, Otsego county. About 1830 he moved to Stark and engaged in mercantile business with his brother. In 1839 he moved where his son now resides and bought and operated a grist and saw- mill, also growing hops largely. He served as supervisor and died in the fall of 1885, aged seventy-eight. His wife survives him. They had three children: Martha, John and Elizabeth. She was a daughter of John Mount, who came from New Jersey, and was an aid and captain under General Washington. At twenty-one John began farming where he now resides, also engaging in hop busiress until 1890. He is a Dem- ocrat and a leader of Fort Plain and Utica Commandery. He married August 7, 1861, Mariette Springer, born in Columbia, daughter of Martin L. and Charlotte (Kinter) Springer, of Stark. Martin L Springer was in the 142d N. Y. Vols., lieutenant. He was twice married. His first wife had two children, Martha and Mariette. Martin L. was a son of Ludwick, who came from Rensselaer county. Subject has had four children, two living: Oliver and Jennie L. Cora died, aged thirteen, and one died in infancy. They attend the Universalist church. Houghton, Clark, farmer, of EatonviUe, is a native of Vermont and was born in 1818. At the age of seventeen he came to the town of Little Falls, where he has lived ever since. He was a carpenter for seventeen years prior to beginning his farm life. He owns 126 acres of land and has a herd of thirty cows. His father was also a native of Vermont and his grandfather was an Englishman. His father went to Canada with the American troops in 1812. Clark Houghton married Eliza Arnold, and they have one daughter, Mrs. Alexander Martin. Mr. Houghton is a Repubhcan, and has voted for every president except Scott since the election of the first Harrison in 1841. Hoke, Solomon, Warren, was born in Minden July 1, 1827, and is a son of Peter and Margaret (Countryman) Hoke. Peter served in the war of 1812. He was a Lulh- FAMILY SKETCHES. 187 eran and a Democrat and died in 1844. They had four sons and eight daughters. Sol- omon Hoke, the youngest son, at the age of seventeen began the carpenter's trade, which he followed ten years, when he began farming in JeiFerson county. In 1856 he sold out and settled in Danube, and in 1869 moved to Warren, where he now owns 124 acres of land. In 1854 he married Catherine (Springer) Walter, and they had five children: Rosa, wife of Alpha Ball; Walter, died at thirteen ;' Carrie, died at two; Orville J. and Emma, wife of David Mixter. Hoover, John P., Fairfield, was born in Manheim in 1828 and has followed farming all his hfe. His great-grandfather came from Switzerland. His grandfather was Jacob Hoover and his father WiUiam Hoover. In 1861 Mr. Hoover married Catherine Ryan, a daughter of Joseph Ryan, and they have a family of eleven children, five sons and six daughters. Mr. Hoover is a Democrat. His father was at Sackett's Harbor in 1812 and was given a grant of government land. Mr. Hoover has 132 acres of land and a herd of twenty-four cows. Hosford, William, Warren, and wife, Theresa (Jepson), came from North Adams, Mass., to Cedarville, Oneida county, where he followed the occupation of shoemaker. They had five children : Lorenzo, Matthew, William, Lot and Clarissa. He died in September, 1853, aged sixty-eight, and his wife July 4, 1861, aged seventy-five. Lo- renzo Hosford was born in Bridgewater, Oneida county. May 22, 1812. He married Julia A., daughter of Henry and Christina Devendorf, who bore him four children : Seward, Alanson B., Israel and Frank. He died April 20, 1891, and his wife Septem- ber 29, 1889. Frank D. Hosford was born at Cedarville October 13, 1852. He received an academic education, and at twenty-two left home and began clerking at Hemlock Lake, where he passed three years, then one year at Cedarville, where he began cheese- making at the latter place. He married March 18, 1885, Clara L., daughter of David and Mary (Schooley) Evans, of Litchfield, and located where he how lives and manu- factures cheese. They have one child, Mary E. Humphrey, B., German Flats, was born in Holland Patent in 1854. He was a farmer's son. His father was Griffith Humphrey, who died in 1890. Mr. Humphrey has been in the saloon busine.«s for several years. He formerly worked in the armory. He is a member of the Masonic order, the Red Men and the Odd Fellows, of the Mount Encampment and was chief of police for four years. In 1879 he married Miss Ehza Mahanna, and they have one daughter. Alberta. Harrison, Horace L., Litchfield, who has been justice of the peace for twenty years in succession, has also been postmaster of Norwich Corners for twelve years. He has been president of the Norwich Corners Cemetery Association for about ten years, since its organization. He was supervisor of this town for five years in succession. He taught school in this and adjoining towns twenty-four terms and holds a State certifi- cate. He is now a farmer, owning about 125 acres. He was born May 3, 1823, on the farm where he now lives. His father. Captain Josiah Harrison, came from North Brantford, Conn., about 1809. He was a captain of militia in the war of 1812 and was stationed at Sackett's Harbor. He died September 14, 18G4, aged seventy-eight. Horace L. Harrison married Mary N., daughter of James Groves, of New Hartford, 188 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. Oneida county, and they have four children : Jennie F., Hattie A., Henry E. and Gertie M. Lavina Harrison died October 20, 1870, aged eighty-seven years. Johnson, Horace M., Little Falls, was born in Schuyler. He received his education in the schools of this counly, and early commenced actively the life of a farmer. His father was engaged in teaching school in Little Falls for a number of years, afterwards becoming engaged in agricultural pursuits. The Johnson family are of New England descent, members of the family having served in the Revolutionary War, the great- grandfather of Horace M. having been at Sackett's Harbor. His father was born and reared at Eaton's Bush. The family now own considerable land at Schuyler, where nearly all of them are located. Mr. Jo'^nson's wife was Margaret Garry, and they have one daughter, who is the wife of Frank Robinson. Jackson, W. R., German Flats, is a native of Charlestown, Va., and was born November 26, 1858. He came to Ilion in 1868 and attended the school here five years. He was for some lime a successful professional ball player and has been in the apiarist's busi- ness for several years. In 1882 he married Miss Helen E. Denel. He is a Republican. His father was John B. Jackson. Jones, Dennison S., Winfield, one of the representative farmers of Winfield, owns a dairy and hop farm of 212 acres. He was born in Litchfield March 8, 1832, and settled on this farm where he now lives in 1861. He is a son of William Jones, one of the first settlers in Litchfield, and his father was from Nova Scotia. Dennison S. Jones married, December 8, 1858, Alvira, daughter of Sewell Slade of Columbia, and after- wards Litchfield. Dennison S. and Alvira Jones have two children : Julius C, and Jessie E. • Jones. Henry D., Winfield, was the first manager of the milk station called Cedsr- ville, and started the business in 1889. They make both butter and cheese. The milk is bought here of the farmers and shipped to the proprietor in New York city. Henry D. Jones married Lillie C, daughter of Mrs. Eliza Hayes of Unadilla Forks. Henry Jones makes both butter and cheese. Jones, Hiram, Wnifield, was born on the farm where he now lives October 31, 1830, a son of Richard R. Jones, who was born in Danube, and died December 2, 1888, aged eighty-five years. His father was one of the first settlers of the town of Danube. Hiram Jones married, March 16, 1854, daughter of Conrad Folts of Frankfort. They have five children living: George C, Oliver R., Wallace H., Elva J. and Cora A. They have lost four children : James F., who died in infancy, October 7, 1857; Eva May^ died October 9, 1864, aged about two years; Edith E., died September 9, 1875, aged about three years, and Mary E., October 17, 1879, aged about twenty-four years. Mr. Jones has served as assessor of Winfield. Jones, William E., Schuyler, one of the leading farmers of Schuyler, was born on the farm he now owns July 18, 1845. His father was Richard Jones, a native of Wales. Mr. Jones has a large farm of 225 acres, under dairy and timber. He is a Re- publican in politics, and was commissioner of highways for six years. He is now serv- FAMILY SKETCHES. 189 ing his seventh year as assessor of the town. He has also been inspector of elections. Mr. Jones has two sisters living, Jennie Jones and Mrs. J. S. Davis. Joslin, Aaron V., Franlifort, was born in Franljfort March 11, 1836. He was one ot nine children of Lewis F. and Harriet C. (Vinton) Joslin, both natives of this town. The grandfather was Christopher Jos'in, was born in Rhode Island, as was also his wife, Abigail (Hall) Joslin. They were among the early settlers of Frankfort. Aaron Joslin married, March 20, 1859, Rachel, daughter of William and Maria (Pruyn) Bridenbecker of Schuyler. She died March 13, 1874, leaving two children, Nellie, wife of R. C. Strachan, and Lindley A. Mr. Joslin married second, September 16, 1875, Sarah Adams, of Frankfort. In 1858 he started in business as a merchant, keeping a general store, under the name of L. F. Joslin & Son. Since 1884 he has kept a dry goods and wall paper store. Stephens, Frank E., supervisor of Columbia and postmaster of Cedarville, is also dealer in general merchandise. He was born at Frankfort Hill April 5, 1862. He married Mamie E., daughter of Jeremiah Myers. His father was Stewart Stephens, a son of Roswell, a native of Stonington, Conn., who married Sophie Connable about 1809 and came to Frankfort. He died in 1854. He served in the War of 1812, was wounded at Lundy's Lane July 12, 1814, and was discharged that year. Sibel, George F., blacksmith at Cedarville, was born in Mohawk in 1848, and settled here in 1871, where he has been in business since. He married Carrie Shafrock, and they have three children : Maude A., George L. and Charlie E., all living at hon e. George P. is a son of Charles Sibel, a native of Germany. He settled in Mohawk about 1847. Mrs. Carrie Sibel is a daughter of Robert Sharrock, who was a native of England, and settled in Cooperstown. Charles Sibel married Katie Countryman, a native of Minden, Montgomery county. She was a daughter of George Countryman, a descendant of one of the first settlers of that county. Wheeler, Clarence J., lives on the farm first settled by Daniel Devendorf, being a dairy and stock farm. He was born in Cedarville, April 20, 1849, and settled on this farm in 1868. He married Jane L. Smith, and they have two children, Clara M., and MaryL. Clarence J. is the only son of Moses H. Wheeler, born May 31, 1823, who was a son of Lewis Wheeler, whose children were : Marcus L., Moses H., Whitney, Gaylord, Phoebe, Cornelia, Maria and Eliza. Lewis was born in Massachusetts, a son of Moses Wheeler, one of the first settlers. He came from Massachusetts and had six children : Moses, Lewis, Humphrey, Prentis, Artemus and James. Mrs. Jane L. Wheeler was born in Winfield in December, 1845, a daughter of Ansel, son of Levi Smith. Levi Smith came from Connecticut and early settled in Winfield. He died April 5, 1855, aged eighty-nine years. His children were : Henry, William, Ansel, Levi, jr., Laura, Sally, Chloe, Deliverance and Anna. Ansel Smith married Araminta Burdick, and they have four children : Levi C, Ansel A., Jane L. and Sarah. Levi Smith, jr., was born in Winfield and settled on this farm, 1834, and lived here until his death, May 27. 1881, aged 91 years. He married Miss Elizabeth Howard of Winfield. 190 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. Ingersoll, Fred T., German Flats, was born in Ilion, June 2, 1860. His father was John D. Ingersoll and his grandfather John Ingersoll, who came from Brookline, Conn. Fred T. married Jennie Houghton, daughter of Richard Allen Houghton, in 1885, and they have a son. Palmer. Mr. Ingersoll is a prominent Mason, a member of the Chapter and Commandery, and is an active Republican. Jones. Hadley, Little Falls, was born in Danube, N. Y., and was educated in the Little Falls academy and the Albany Law school, from which latter institution he was graduated in the class of 1850, and at .once entered into active practice at Herkimer. He remained there until 1882, then removed to Little Falls and formed a co partner- ship with the late George F. Crumby, which firm was dissolved by the death of Mr. Crumby, in 1887. Mr. Jones holds high rank at tlie bar, is a Mason of high degree and is identified with leading social and political organizations. He married Henrietta Wilkinson, a niece of Judge Robert Earl of Herkimer, chief judge of the Court of Ap- peals of New York. Mr. Jones was elected supervisor in the spring of 18S9. He has been solicited to accept other and more important offices of public trust, but has so far declined. Johnson, Gilbert J., Ohio, was born in Watervliet, Albany county, September 23, 1837, a son of Henry J., who was a son of Peter F. Johnson, a native of Long Island. The father of Peter F. came from Holland and settled on Long Island. Peter F. mar- ried Hannah Ball, a native of Long Island, by whom he had five sons and four daugh- ters. He was in the Revolutionary war. Early in life he moved to Kno.x, Albany county. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson died at Knox. Henry I. Johnson was born in Knox, April 17, 1804. In 1834 he married Eliza Ferguson, a native of Watervliet, born March, 1811. They had seven sons and three daughters. April 2, 1850, Mr. Johnson went to Ohio and purchased a farm, where he remained until 1855. He then went to Ashtabula, Ohio. Here he resided until 1882, when he moved to Muncie, Ind , and died December 23, 1884. His wife is still living in Muncie, at the age of eighty. Gil- bert J. Johnson was educated in the common and select schools and at the age of nineteen went to California and remained thirty- eight years, when he returned to Ashtabula, Ohio. In 1868 he went to Ohio, N. Y., and took a contract mail route, which he followed twenty-four years. He owned the grist-mill and store at Grant four years. November 1, 1865, he married Emily, a daughter of Albert Abeel, of Ohio, and they have two children : Fred P. and Hattie M. Mr. Johnson is a Repub- lican, has been deputy sheriff nine years and was postmaster at Grant four years. He has been postmaster of Ohio City since January, 1892. He was assessor three years and notary public six years. He and his wife are Methodists. He is a member of Ohio Grange, No. 686. James, Philip, Russia, was born in South Wales, December 12, 1832, a son of Levi James, a native of Wales, born in 1802. The wife of Levi was Mary Evans, born in Wales in 1804, and by whom he had nine sons and four daughters. In 1840 Mr. James came to Russia and settled at Prospect. He resided in Oneida county until his death, September 28, 1884. Philip was eight years old when his parents came to Oaeida county. For fourteen years he was engaged in the mer- FAMILY SKETCHES. 191 cantile business at Grant. In 1859 he married Harriet Flan.eburg, a native of Ohio, N. Y., by whom he had two daughters, Minnie and Harriet. Mrs. James died September 28, 1865, and Mr. James married in 1881 Cynthia M. (Rust) Stone. Her first husband was George Stone, a native of Oneida county. He enlisted in the H7th N. Y. In- fantry, Company H. and was killed at the battle before Richmond, September 29, 18G4. Mr. Stone and wife had two children : Clarence, who is a farmer in Russia, and Jessie who resides on her farm in Russia. Mrs. James was a daughter of Hiram Ru.st, whose father, Abel Rust, was born in 1759, in Connecticut. He had eight children. Mr. Rust served seven years in the Revolutionary war. Abel Rust came to Russia in 1818 and settled on the farm now owned by Jessie Stone. He died in 1842, at the age of ninety-three. Hiram Rust was born July 4, 1794, in Kent, Conn. October 11, 1822, he married Mary Taylor, by whom he had four sons and four daughters. Hiram Rust was a farmer and geologist. He died February 3, 1886. He married Mary, daughter of Samuel and Cynthia Taylor, early settlers in Russia. Mrs. Rust died October 11, 1888. William P. Rust, the son of Hiram, was born in 1827 and was a brother-in-law of Charles Wolcott, of the IT. S. Geological department at Washington. He was also a geologist himself, having procured several of the best individual cabinets in Central New York. He sold a fine collection of fossils to the State and has sent a great many specimens to Washington. In politics he was a Republican. He was identified with all movements for the church and was a liberal and earnest Christian. Mr. Rust never married, but his niece. Miss Jessie Stone, has been mistress of his home for several years. Jackson, James 0., Little Falls, was born in this county. He was liberally educated in the Little Falls academy and the Academy at Fairfield, after which he engaged in farming in Fairfield and Manheim for several years, until the age of thirty-two years, when he sold his farm property and moved to Little Falls. After dealing in cattle for some time, he finally purchased the Grand Central Hotel property on Main street, which he conducted until 1887, when he disposed of it to Daniel Leahy and others. After this he purchased the Jackson House, which he has since conducted, on Albany street. Mr. Jackson married Emma Timmerman, and they have one son and two daughters. Mr. Jackson also conducts a livery and sale stable in connection with bis hotel. Elwood, David B. (deceased) was born May 3, 1831, a mile south of Starkville, son of David and Nancy (Baum) Elwood. He received a district school education, and was twice married, first, September 22, 1852, to Sarah, daughter of John and Eliza (Hall) Smith, who died October 1, 1855. November 11, 1857, he married, second, Martha Springer, of Stark, born March 4, 1836, a daughter of Jacob L. and Mary (Dater) Springer. The grandfather was Loadwick Springer. Jacob L. was born in Stark. In early days he was a colonel of militia, and an active Whig and Republican. He died in 1843. They had eight children : Louis H., Philip, Catharine, Hannah, Eliza- beth, Martha and Caroline. Mrs. Springer was born in Brunswick, a daughter of Henry and Christina (Fake) Dater. She died in 1884 in her eighty-sixth year. Subject's second wife bore him seven children : Edwin, who died, aged four : Sarah (Mrs. Hale l92 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. A. Mixer;, Willie E,, died, aged two; Ellis D., Mary E. (Mrs. Willis Davis), John S. and Carrie D. Subject and his wife were members of the Lutheran church. David B. lived and died where his widow now resides on 225 acres. His widow and son retain the homestead. Bellinger, P. E., is one of the old residents of Little Falls, and was born July 2, 1837. In 1860 he married Lana Catharine Uhle and has a family of six chil- dren, three sons and three daughters. He owns 223 acres of land utilized for dairying, hay and grain, and has a herd of thirty-six milch cows. In politics he is a liberal- minded Democrat; his sons sharing the same political faith. His youngest son, Peter A. ; his daughter, Mamie M., and youngest daughter, Ada G., are at home. His oldest daughter, Melissa A., and the two oldest sons, James H. and Frank E., are married. Tallman, W. Akins, is a native of Schuyler. His father, Ebenezer Tallman, came from Schenectady, and was drafted in the war of 1812. He hired a substitute and sent in his place. In 1871 W. A. Tallman married Esther Willis, and they have five chil- dren, four daughters and a son. Mr. Tallman is a Republican in politics, and is a repre- sentative citizen. He has been poormaster of the town two years. Lewis, David, Ilion, was born in Albany, July 5, 1835. He came to Herkimer county in 1853, and in August, 1856, he entered the Frankfort Bank as teller, and April 6, 1868, was elected cashier and held the two positions twelve years in all ; and when that bank was closed the directors gave him a very flattering testimonial : Resolved, That said David Lewis, esq., the cashier of this bank, has, by his strict integrity and his careful and skillful management of the affairs of the bank for the past ten years.won the respect and esteem of the members of this board ; and they think it proper and fit- ting that at this, their last meeting, *hey should in this manner express their sentiments and feelings toward him, and tender him their best wishes for his future happiness and welfare. In 1872 Mr. Lewis became cashier of the Ilion National Bank and has held the position ever since. Miller, Alonzo P., Winfield, was born in Frankfort, January 21, 1837. He owns a grain and dairy farm of 183 acres. He enlisted in the late war in Company E, 1.52d N. y. Volunteers, September 11, 1862, was appointed corporal, September 21, 1862, and served as .such until he became sergeant, December 2, 1864; he also served in the regiment band about one year. He was discharged July 13, 1865, near Washington, D. C. His father was Riley Miller, who was born in Chatham, Columbia county, and early settled in this town. He was born May 6, 1805, and died October 6, 1874. He was a son of Nathaniel Miller, born July 8, 1775, and died July 24, 1856. Alonzo P. Miller married October 6, 1868, Hester A. Slade, and they have two children: Minnie E., who married James K. Armling, and Carrie L., a teacher at North Winfield. Hester A. Miller was a daughter of Samuel and Eliza Slade, of Litchfield. Salisbury, John E., Litchfield, was born in Wales, October 20, 1855, and settled in Frankfoit. He came to this town about 1870, and in 1883 settled on the Marshall farm of 123 acres. He commenced the manufacturing of lime here in 1886. The limestone is quarried on the farm, and the kiln now in use he built that year. He also carries on J i FAMILY SKETCHES. 193 farming. He married Mary B., daughter of Henry Goodier, who was a son of Rev. Aaron Goodier. Mr. and Mrs. Salisbury have four children : Ethel M., Harry G., Elma M. and Grace E. John E. is a son of Robert and Mary Salisbury. The latter died January 1, 1892, aged sixty-nine years. Harris, William H., Middleville, was born m Fairfield, October 17, 1SI3, and learned the blacksmith's trade. His forefathers were prominent in the settlement of Rhode Island, with Roeer Williams. The subject has m his possession the first charter given by Charles II. to Roger Williams and others. The father of William H. Harris came on foot and alone from Rhode Island to Fairfield in 1780, at the age of sixteen ; at the age of thirty-two he married Rebecca Kimball, who bore him two sons and three daughters, as follows: John Harris, died in Newport in 18G2, aged forty; Olive, mar- ried Lewis Hall, of Newport ; Lydia, married B. J. Chassels, of Holland Patent ; Sarah who married Rev. G. O. Phelps, of Potsdam ; and William H., the subject, who married Miss M. E. Kellar. They have five children living. Mr. Harris owns 175 acres of dairy farm, stocked with thirty-seven cows. He is a Republican. Kenyon, Samuel P. (deceased), was born in Ira, Cayuga county, September 1, 1846, a son of H. B. and Betsey (Brown) Kenyon. Rev. H. B. Kenyon was a Baptist min- ister, and lived and died in Ira, Cayuga county. He raised a family of eleven children. Samuel P. received a district school education and began life as a clerk. He ran a store at Oriskany Falls, and traveled for Comstock Brothers, of Utica for two years. For one year he was with Fonda & Bagley, of Albany. In 1873 he came to Warren, where he engaged at farming until his death, June 14, 1884. He was an active Mason, and was serving as justice on his second term at his death. He was an active Repub- lican. In 1861 he enlisted in the Eighty-seventh Ohio Regiment and served four months. In 1863 he enlisted in Company B, Twenty-fourth N. Y. Cavaliy, as first sergeant, was wounded in the leg before Petersburg, and carried the ball to his o-rave. He was sent to Harwood Hospital, Washington, D. C. For a time after his recovery he acted as clerk in the quartermaster's department. He received a medal of honor voted by Congress, for bravery displayed on the field of battle, and was discharged with the regiment at the close of the war. He married January 2, 1873, Rebecca Marshall, born in Warren, where she resides, September 9, 1852, a daughter of Daniel and Lucy (Green) Marshall. Mr. Marshall was born April 11, 1784, in Connecticut, and died February 22, 1862. He came to Warren prior to the war of 1812, and followed farming all his life. He had three children : Jeremiah, who died in childhood ; Webster, who was killed at twenty while coasting, and Rebecca. Mr. Marshall was a member of the Masonic fraternity. Subject and wife had four children : Darwin B., Florence, Marshall and Floyd. Mrs. Kenyon owns the homestead. She received her education in the district school and Richfield select school._ Kay, Artemas J., Litchfield, is one of the prominent farmers of Litchfield. He mar- ried Julia, daughter of Barnum Ball, who is a .son of Blias B. Ball, one of the leading farmers of this town. Mr. and Mrs. Kay have four sons: Francis R., Bertram J., Si- mon R. and Unie C. Kay. Artemas J. is a son of John Kay, a native of England, who came with his parents when ten years of age, and settled in Frankfort. He married 194 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. Elmira L. Matteson, of this town, and they had five children, two of whom survive : Laurence E. and Artemas J. Mrs. Emira L. Kay was a daughter of Stephen A. Matte- son, who came with his father, Jesse Matteson, from Rhode Island, and settled early in this town. John Kay, died March 28, 1863, aged forty-nine years. Klipple, George, Litchfield, operates a saw and grist-mill and conducts a farm. He was born in Germany March 19, 1845, came to America in 1855 and to Litchfield in 1857. He came to his present place on the Gulf road in 1870. He bought the mill of William Jones, who had had it since about 1850. It was built here at a very early day by David Seals, one of the first settlers of this town. George Klipple married Alice Ring, born November 18, 1837, in Germany; she died June 9, 1883, leaving five children: Henry, Augustus, David, Frederick and John. For his second wife he married Clara Meadel, by whom he had the.se children : Katie, Clara, Elma George, jr., and Gustus. George Klipple is a son of George and Susanna Klipple, both deceased. George Klip pie, sr., died November 1, 1882, aged seventy-six years and Susanna Klipple died August 13, 1881, aged seventy-four years. Kenyon, V. S., Fairfield, is a native of Brooklyn, N. Y. When an infant his parents moved to Middleville. After filling various positions of trust and responsibility, Mr Kenyon was appointed general agent of tickets, freight and express in Middleville. In 1883 he married Jennie Hancock, and they have one son. His grandfather was born in 1800 and his father in 1823, they being both of the same name, T. S. Kenyon, which is also the name of Mr. Kenyon's son. Krick, John, baggage-master on the New York Central Railroad at Frankfort, is a native of Germany and came to America in 1861. In 1862 he enlisted in Company D, 121st N. Y. Regt., and participated in many notable battles, among them the Wilder- ness, Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville, and he was wounded and taken prisoner. He was honorably discharged in July, 1865, and then took his present position, which he has held ever since. He is a charter member of Frank Mann Post, and has been commander for two years. He married Mary Molk, and they have three sons and four daughters, one of the sons and all of the daughters being married. Klock, Reuben, Danube, wag born in Danube August 11, 1818. His grandfather, George Klock, settled in this county early in the seventeenth century, and his father was John B. Klock, who lived to a good old age, reared a family and died in Danube. Reuben Klock married Barbara A. Bellinger, and has a family of nine children living, four sons and five daughters. Mr. Klock has given his children much land, and still owns about 607 acres. His children are as follows: Byron, Irving, Elinor, Emmett, Walter, lanthy, Maggie, Mary and Alice. Mr. Klock is a"member of the TIniversalist church and is a staunch Democrat. Knapp,' Wheeler, Dolgeville, was born in Greenfield, Saratoga county, January 25, 1835. He was engaged in the lumber business in Stratford for thirty years, after which he was for two years in the same line in Lewis county. In 1883 he came to Dolgeville, where he established his present saw and planing-mills. He does contract- ing, building, etc., and owns the cheese factory, besides dealing in real estate. He I FAMILY SKETCHES. 195 married Miss H. E. Crane, by whom he had five children. Some years after her death he married Marion E. Bliss, by whom he had three children. Mr. Knapp has served as assessor, commissioner of highway.?, in.«pector of election, and served on the board of supervisors five terms. Since coming to Dolgeville he has served as inspector of elec- tions twice. Mr. Kuapp is a high degree Mason, an Odd Fellow, a Knight Tem- plar, etc. Kirby, William, Herkimer, was born in the town of Herkimer and received his edu- cation in the schools of this vicinity. He has always followed farming. His farm con- sists of 200 acres of dairy land, upon which he keeps sixty head of stock, besides his own facilities for making cheese. He married Miss Rosalia Hall, of Herkimer, and has seven children. His farm is located on the Steuben road, near Herkimer village. Of Mr. Kirby's children, George, Richard and John are married, and one daughter. His mother, Mrs. Richard Kirby, is still living and makes her home with him. The family originally came from England in about 1835. Kingsley Brothers, Little Falls. John S. Kingsley was born at Cranberry Creek, Fulton county, September 31. 1858. He learned the business of shoe-peg working from his father, S. W. Kii i gsley , wha conducted this brauch of industry here for forty years prior to the Kingsley Brothers assuming charge about four years ago. John S. Kings- ley married Fanny Bloodaugh, and they have one son. E. B. Kingsley was born at Cranberry Creek, Fulton county, November 8, 1861, and also learned the business with his father, John S. E. B. Kingsley was born at Cranberry Creek, Fulton county, No- vember 8, 1861. He also learned the business with his father, and has been associated with his brother, John S., for the past four years. He married Carrie Brown, and thev have one daughter. The Kingsley Biothers turn out from 100 to 200 bu.shels of shoe pegs per day and give employment to thirteen hands. f Keller, Amos, Little Falls, was born in the town of Little Falls. He received his early education in the schools of the district, and afterwards attended the Little Falls Academy, from which institution he was graduated. He taught school for four sea- sons, and for the six years following he was engaged in dairy farming. In February, 1858, he moved to the village of Little Falls and established a mercantile house and en- gaged in the sale of groceries and general provisions. This he conducted until 1883, when he retired from active business operations. Mr. Keller married Miss M. C. Goodell, of Fairfield, by whom he has two children, two daughters, one of whom mar- ried Mr. Gage, a prominent merchant of his village, and one is the wife of Glen P. Mun- son, of Herkim<»r, a merchant of that village. Mr. Keller has served four terms upon the board of trustees of the village and is an extensive real estate owner here. Leon, John, Little Falls, was born in the village of Little Falls December 19, 1861. He received an academic education, and at an early age entered the employ of Jacob Zoller, the well-known produce dealer. Here his services were soon appreciated, and he was advanced to more important departments, and soon developed characteristics which made his services very valuable to Mr. Zoller. Mr. Leon is now Mr. Zoller's right hand man and confidential clerk, and virtually manages the business. Mr. Leon married Sarah H. Cornell, and they have four children, three sons and a daughter: John, Harry, Irving and Sarah. 196 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. Legg, A. H., Russia, was born in Chenango county February 28, 1841, a son of Adna who was a son of Dewitt Legg, a native of MassaoViusetts, and a soldier in the Revo- hitionary War. Adna Legg was a native of Mendon, Mass. In 1828 he went to Chenango county and there spent the remainder of his life His wife was Catherine Vosbourgh, a native of Spraker's Basin Montgomery county, by whom he had three sons. He was a mason and cooper by trade. The father of Catherine Legg was Isaac Vosbourgh, one of the first settlers of Spraker's Basin. He and wife afterward moved to Chenango county where they died. They had eight daughters and two sons. A. H. Legg was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools. ' September 29, 1867, he married Josephine M. Brainard, a native of Norway, Herkimer county, by whom he had three children : Annie C, Charles D. and Edna. Annie E. is now Mrs. Jerome Wilt of Gray. She has one son and two daughters. Mr. Legg manufactured cheese for ten years and also followed farming a short time. In 1886 he went to Grant and purchased the Garlock House, of which he has since been proprietor. He is a Re- publican and has been deputy sheriff of county three years. He was also deputy sheriff of Chenango county. He is a member of Newport Lodge 577 I. 0. 0. F. He and wife are members of the Equitable Aid Union 327. In 1862, August 4, Mr. Legg enlisted in the 114th N. Y. Infantry Co. and served three years. He was at Fort Bisland, Franklin, Opelousas and the forty-one days fight at Port Hudson on the Mississippi, and his regiment was the first that weni into the works. April 7, 18G4, at Sabine Cross Roads Mr. Legg became a prisoner and was taken to Mansfield and held until July 28, when he was exchanged. March 7, 1865, he received his discharge. The parents of Mrs. Legg were Alanson and Maria Brainard, who had seven children, one of whom David L., was one of the six survivors of the Greeley Expedition. He was a native of Norway, N. Y., and she a native of Massachusetts. Alanson was a son of Joshua Brainard, a native of Connecticut, who was a son of Samuel Brainard, an early settler of Norway. ' Lyon, Elisha E., Russia, was born July 17, 182G, and is a son of Dr. Benjamin Lyon, who early settled in Oppenheim. About 1812 he came to Russia, where he practiced his profession and superintended a saw-mill. His wife died in Oppenheim and he married, second, Rosina, daughter of Elisha Hall, a native of Connecticut, and a Revo- lutionary soldier. He came to Russia and settled on ihe farm the subject now owns. He and two sons, Elisha and John, owned 500 acres of land. He had two sons and three daughters. The sons always resided with their parents. One daughter at present resides at Russia Corners. Dr. Lyon and wife had two sons and two daughters. He was a Whig and died in 1826, and his wife died in 1866. Elislia E. was reared on a farm and received a common school education. In 1857 he married Helen, daughter of Nicholas A. and Nancy Hills, farmers of Herkimer, N. Y., and later of Connecticut. Subject and wife have has four children : John, Emma, Cain and Bert, all of whom are living. Mr. Lyon has always been a farmer and now owns 900 acres of land. He is a Republican, a member of the Sons of Temperance, of Russia Grange 680. He and wife are members of the Regular Baptist Church of Russia. Livingston, J. C, Little Falls, a leading lumber dealer of Herkimer county, is a native of Columbia county, N. Y. He was formerly located in New York city, but eight FAMILY SKETCHES. I97 years ago came to Little Falls to reside, and built a mill at Stratford back in the timber region of the county. Here he gives employment to a force of men ranging from forty to one hundred in number according to the season. He comes of an old and honorable American family, some of his ancestors participating in the Revolutionary War, while Senator John Livingston, embassador to France under President Taylor, was his grand- uncle. His ancestors had a large grant of land on the Hudson and one of them was a signer of the Declaration of Independence. He lives on Garden street in the old resi- dence of Judge Benton. Lally, Patrick, Little Falls, was born in Ireland March 10, 1837. He came to this country in May, 1855, and located at the Brockett's Bridge, now Dolgeville. After remaining here three years, Mr. Lally made a few changes and eventually located in Salisbury upon 280 acres of dairy land which he purchased. This farm he kept for five years, then sold. He continued to engage in farming in Salisbury and Manheim for several years. About four years ago he moved into Little Falls. In February, 1892, he was elected commissioner of highways upon the Democrat ticket. Mr. Lally married Mary Lally, and they have five children, as follows; John, James, Edward, Daniel and William. Ludden, Rev. A. P., Little Falls, was born in Ireland May 16, 1842, and studied at Castle Bar and St. Jarlath's College. In 1868 he was ordained priest for foreign missions, and was adopted by Cardinal McCloskey. His first church work was acting as assistant pastor in Little Falls for seven months. He then took charge of Mohawk, Herkimer, Ilion and Frankfort for a time, when he was sent to Hamilton where he re- mained eleven years and three months and built two churches and a parochial school and a fine cemetery. He came to Little Falls twelve years ago and has accomplished wonders for the Catholic cause there. He has paid off a debt of $51,000 with interest of $15,000 and has built a school costing $15,000 and a deanery that will cost $18,000 when completed. Leahy, Dan M., Little Falls, is a native of Manheim, and is a moulder by trade, but has not followed this occupation for several years. He worked at it for ten years. He went into the saloon business and is still interested in the business conducted by his brother, John Leahy. He also is interested in real estate and has been for the past ten years. He has been prominently connected with the Hancock street property in Little Falls. Mr. Leahy was appointed port warden by Governor Flower July 20, 1892. He is a prominent and active Democrat in this county and is a charter member of the Elks, the Erena Chemical Co., etc. Long.shore, Miles, M. D., Russia, born in Depeyster, St. Lawrence county, N. T., September 3, 1847. He is a son of David Longshore, a native of Canajoharie, Mont- gomery county, N. Y. His father was Solomon Longshore, who came from Germany and settled in Buckland county, Pa., and later in life moved to Canajoharie, Mont- gomery county, N. Y., where he lived and died. He was a blacksmith by trade. In 1823 he married Margaret House, a native of Canajoharie, N. Y. She was born June 6, 1804, and bore him seven sons and five daughters. In later life Mr. Longshore became 198 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. a farmer, and in 1837 he went to Depeyster, St. Lawrence county, N. Y., and settled on a farm, where he lived until 1864, when he went to Canton, of the same county, where he spent the remainder of his days. He was a justice of the peace, and super- visor of the town. He was a Free Mason and one of the oldest in St. Lawrence county. He died June 2.5, 1886, and his wife February 22, 1892. Dr. Longshore was reared on a farm, was educated in the common schools, and in Canton Academy, from which he graduated. He afterwards spent one year in St. Lawrence University. He studied medicine in the Albany Medical College, and afterwards in the Burlington University, from which he graduated in 1879. The same year he came to Cold Brook, where he has eince been very successful in the practice of his profession. June 24, 1879, he married Mary B. Lovell, a native of Canton, N. Y. Her parents were Joseph and Samantha Lovell, natives of Utica. The father of Joseph Lovell was Horatio Lovell, a very early settler of Canton, N. Y. His wife was Fannie Makensie, by whom he had five children. The doctor and wife have one daughter, Florence, born March 31, 1880. Luther, Ira, Norway, was born in Norway, October 5, 1858. His father is Almond Luther, son of Simeon Luther. The latter was a native of Salisbury, and there lived and died. Almond Luther is a native of Salisbury, born in 1815. His wife was Catharine Tompkins, of Norway, and to them were born four sons and four daughters, six of whom are living. Mr. Luther is a farmer, and has spent most of his life in Nor- way. He attends and supports the M. E. Church. The subject was reared on a farm, and educated in the common schools. He is a farmer and a Democrat. Lansing, Edward Ten Eyck, Little Falls, was born in Manheim. He received h's rudimentary education at the Little Falls Academy, and graduated from Union College with the degree of B. A. in 1881. He took a scientific course, and has followed civil engineering and surveying since his graduation. He has been engaged upon very im- portant work, such as the Mohawk & Richfield Springs Railroad, Little Falls & Dolge- ville Railroad, and many others. He is municipal engineer here also. Mr. Lansing is justice of the peace, having been elected to the office in 1882. He is identified with various local social and benevolent institutions. He is a member of the New England Water Works Association and Sigma Phi. Loomis, B. G., German Flats, is a native of Paine's Hollow, and clerked for some years before embarking in his present grocery enterprise in 1890. He is a young man, belongs to the Mason.s, Knights of Birmingham, and the A. 0. U. W. He is also treasurer of the village of Ilion. His father, Chester Loomis, is a farmer. Lotridge, Marlet, Little Falls is one of the substantial young farmers of Little Falls. His father was William L. Lotridge, and was a succes.sful and wealthy man. He died July 2, 1892. They own 212 acres of land, used for dairy purposes. His sister is Mrs. H. M. P. Uhlee, of Herkimer. His mother died in 18G2. The family is an old and historic one, his grandfather on his mother's side having participated in the Revolution and his father's father having been a soldier in the war of 1812. Mr. Lotridge is an adherent of the Universalist Church, a member of the Masonic fraternity, and a Demo- crat. He has also been commissioner of highways. I FAMILY SKETCHES. 199 Leary, Patrick, Little Falls, was born in Ireland in 1853. He came to this country when a youth, and six years ago, in February, established a liquor business in Little Falls, which has been a financial success. He married Mary Marion, and they have two children living. Mr. Leary is identified with the Hibernians, etc. Lints, W. E., Schuyler, is one of the young, enterprising and successful farmers in Schuyler. He was born January 11, 1861. His father, William H. Lints, was born in Schuyler, December 25, 1832. Mr. Lints owns 138 acres of land, used for dairying, raising also grass and grain. In 1863 Mi-. Lints married Dora Robbins, and they have one daughter, Gertie May Lints. Mr. Lints's grandfather was Peter Lints, one of the early settlers of this section. Lints, Simon, Schuyler, was born in Schuyler, April 19, 1832. He conducts a butter and dairy farm. His father was Jacob Lints, and his grandfather Peter Lints, who took part in the Revolutionary war. The family is descended from the old Mohawk Dutch. June 20, 1855, he married Mary Youngs. Mr. Lints is a Democrat, and a representative of one of the oldest and most honorable names in the county. Ladd, J. B., was born on the farm where he now resides in Schuyler, August 13, 1821. He owns 150 acres of fine farm land. In 1846 he married Hariiet Richardson, and they have four sons and two daughters. Two of his sons are teachers, one in Iowa and one in Schuyler. One of his daughters, Mrs. Emma Buchannan, is also a teacher. Mr. Ladd has been school superintendent, town clerk, and was also supervisor of the town for the years 1858, 1871-2. His father was Elisha Ladd, who came from Rhode Island. Leach, Adelbert Aaron, Winfield, was born on the old homestead, on part of which he now lives, May 10, 1849. He has a grain and dairy farm of about 135 acres, which is one of the representative farms of the town. He was the third son of Jacob Leach, who was born on the same farm and in the same house, and he was a son of D. Jacob Leach, who came from Massachusetts and settled very early. Aaron Adelbert Leach married Ellen H. Brace September 28, 1875, and they have two children : Seward A. and Lena A., both living at home and attending the West Winfield Union School and Academy. Mrs. Ellen H. Leach is a daughter of Deacon Henry L. and Pamelia (Holmes) Brace. Her father was a son of Captain Asahel Brace, who was a son of Deacon Abel Brace, who came here in 1793. Lathrop, Charles M., Stark, was born in Plainfield, N. Y., December 22, 1840, a son of Anderson and Marinda (Keller) Lathrop. The grandfather, Ariel, was a son of Jedediah, who was a pioneer of Stark and settled on the farm where Charles M. resides. He had two children, Arial and Dyer. Arial came to Stark with his father, and resided on the farm until his death. He raised six children : James, Daniel, Addison, Maheta- ble, Almira and Mariah. Addison was born in Stark and died in 1883, aged seventy- two ; his widow survives him aged eighty. They had two children: Charles M. and Stanton D., deceased. Charles M. received a good education and resides at home with his parents. He married, January 31, 1862, Valence Potter, born in Herkimer county, daughter of Brastus and Jane Potter. They have three children : Anderson B., Hattie 20() HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. E. and Mabel A. His wife is a TJniversalist. Mr. Lathrop is an active Democrat, and his mother is the cousin of the wife of Senator Stanford of Cahfornia. Moray, George C, M. D., Russia, was born in Eaton, Madison county, July 18, 1843. His father was Dexter A., a son of George Morey, a native of Connecticut and of Scotch descent, who married Electa Morey, by whom he had nine children. Mr. Morey and family came to Madison county and here he and his wife lived and died. Dexter A. was born May 7, 1818. He married Annie Meyer, a native of Steuben, Oneida county, by whom he had a son and a daughter. In 1846 Mr. Morey went to Steuben and there lived and died. He was a Whig and voted for William Henry Harrison and a'so for his grandson, Benjamin Harrison. He died May i), 1892, and his wife is still living in Oneida county. George C. was reared on a farm and received a common school education, supplemented by several terms in an academy at Rome, N. Y. At the age of eighteen he began studying medicine with Dr. Alfred Gillette of Steuben. One year previous he taught school and fol- lowed that during winter for several years. August, 1862, he enlisted in Company B, One Hundred and Seventeenth New York Volunteer Infantry and was discharged in 1863. He then returned to the study of medicine, graduating from Vermont Medical College in 1865. He began practice in Grant and has since been very successful. In 1885 he married Lelia Vincent, a native of Cold Brook, a daughter of William and Jane Vincent. By a previous marriage Dr. Morey had two sons and one daughter. He is a Republican, a member of E. A. U., No. 327, of Grant, and G. A. R. Post Thomas, No. 39. Mullen, Joseph, Little Falls, was born in Utica, N. Y. He commenced business in Little Falls, on Bridge street, in the old Iron Clad Clothing Store, in August, 1868. In 1883 he opened a store on Main street and built the Metropolitan Hotel and stores. In 1888 he built the Metropolitan Hotel in Utica, and since then has had branch stores in Albany, Troy, Syracuse, Watertown and all the principal cities of the State, having as high as eighteen stores running at a time. Mr. Mullen has al.so large interests in Jersey City, and New York. He is emphatically a self-made man, the architect of his own fortune and a man of great perception and executive abilities!. Moon, Clinton Abner, Newport, was born in the town of Russia, November 8, 1827, the oldest son of Abner and Emily (Millington; Moon, the latter a native of Russia, and a daughter of Jonathan and Susannah Millingtoii, who were members and active workers in the Methodist church. Our subject attended school and prepared for col- lege at Fairfield. He graduated from Union College at Schenectady, class of 1853. He then taught several terms and studied law in Newport with John A. Wooster. He married Frances M., daughter of Christopher Hawkins. Their two children are Jessie, wife of Frederick Holton, and Annie. Mrs. Moon died May 28, 1800, and he married second Harriet F. Gray of Rome, N. Y., a daughter of Col. Timothy Harvey Ferris and Eliza (Salisbury) Ferri.s, who were residents of Prospect, Oneida county, N. Y. Mr. Moon died May 11, 1892. He was a Universalist, and a Republican in politics. During the late war he enlisted in the One Hundred and Twenty-first Regiment, Com- pany C, and was captain of his company, but received an honorable discharge on ac- I t"AMILY SKETCHES. 20l count of poor health. He held numerous offices in his town, including that of district attorney and supervisor. Moon, Erastus. Russia, is a native of Russia, born Fehrunry 14, 1835, a son of Jeffer- son and Martha Moon, mention' d elsewhere in this work. He was reared in Cold Brook, and educated in the public schools. In 1861 he married Catharine Hilton, a native of Ephratah, N. Y., and a daughter of Joseph and Betsey (Allen) Hilton, of Luzerne, N. Y., where Mr. Hilton was born. Mrs. Hilton was born in Rochester, N. Y. Mr. Hilton was an early settler of Fulton county, where he lived for many years. They had two sons and eleven daughters. Mrs. Hilton died in Ephratah, and for the last thirty years Mr. Hilton has resided with his daughter at Cold Brook. Two sons have been born to Mr. Moon and wife, William J. and Samuel E. , who during the last three years have been engaged in the grocery business at Cold Brook, the firm being known as Moon Bros. Mr. Moon has always been a Republican. Mark, Morris, Herkimer, was born in Germany and came to this country before the late war. After clerking for about a year in New York city he joined the French Regiment as private, which was organized in the city then and was sent immediately to the seat of war. This regiment was cut to pieces and the few survivors were trans-- ferred to the United States Regular Army, Light Battery Division (or Flying Artillery). During his service here he participated in forty-two actual battles. After the war he went to Amsterdam, N. Y. He engaged in mercantile pursuits and estabhshed a small hoop-skirt factory. In 1872 he moved to Herkimer on account of water power and in connection with the hoop-.«kirt factory started a small knitting mill. Business has grown to large proportions and now employs 327 hands and supplies the whole.sale trade through jobbers. The business is now a jomt stock concern, of which Mr. Marks is president. He married Miss Annie Sannet of Saratoga and has four children. Mabbett, John J., Herkimer, was born in Oneida county, September 8, 1838, He was educated in the schools of this vicinitv and Winfield Academy. After this he went to New York city and established a commission business on Forty-fourth street and Eighth avenue. After conducting this for nine years he moved to Mohawk, N. Y., and purchased the Mohawk House, which he conducted for twenty-th>-ee years. In 1884 he purchased the brick yards of Edward Hale, which he still conducts, giving employment to twenty men and several teams. Mr. Mabbett's ancestry located at Mabbettsville, Dutchess county, early in the seventeenth century, which locality re- ceived its name from his grandfather, who was chief justice of the Supreme Court of New York State. Mr. Mabbett's father was a prominent merchant of this county. J. J. Mabbett married Miss Elizabeth McChesney, by whom he has five children liv- ing, three boys and two girls. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, etc., and a staunch Republican in politics. McDougal, Richard, Dolgeville, was born in Montgomery county, now Fulton county, July 3, 1829. He was brought up on a farm and worked thereon until in his eight- eenth year, when he was apprenticed to the cabinet trade. After completing this trade and working at it for a few years, he commenced to do stove pattern-making, at 202 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTlf. which he remained successfully for twenty-five years. About two years ago he started his present furniture and undertaking establishment in Dolgevil'e. Mr. Mc- Dougal is of Scotch descent, his great-grandfather settled in Fulton county early in the seventeenth century. His father also lived and died here, and. is buried in Strat- ford. His ancestors participated in the war of 1812. Mr. McDougal is identified with local social and benevolent institutions. Maeyer, Father I. H. W., Salisbury, is a native of Holland. He was educated in that country under the Jesuit Fathers, in Latin, Greek, and French. After spending seven years with the.se branches, he studied philosophy three years and theology six years. He then came to America and was ordained in 1853 by Bishop McCIoskey, at Albany, N. Y. He was stationed at St. Mary's, Troy, N. Y., for two years, after which he was at TJtica four years. Then under Bishop McFarland at Catskill for some time. Father Maeyer's health becoming much impaired, he returned to Holland, where he remained until 1870. He then returned to this country, and has been stationed at Salisbury Corners since that period. McWenie, William, Little Falls, was born in Whitesboro, Oneida county, in 1857. He received a good education in the schools of this place and about five years ago look charge of the Beattie House at Little Falls, which he has since conducted with success. Mr. McWenie married Emma Fenner, and has three children, two sons and a daughter. He is a member of the K. of H., Red Men, etc. He is identified with the local social, political and benevolent organizations of the town. In politics he is a Democrat. McLean, Simpson, Salisbury, was born in Ireland, March 1, 1845. His father, John C. McLean, came to this country when Simpson was a child. They settled first in Philadelphia, where the elder McLean followed the occupation of weaving. After three years they moved into Fairfield and took up land. Our subject was educated in the schools of the vicinity, and afterwards traveled for fifteen years for a well-known patent medicine house. About ten years ago he started a general store in Devereaux, which he has since successfully conducted. In 1861 Mr. McLean enlisted in the Twenty-ninth Ohio Volunteers and served three years, participating in nineteen bat- tles. He was discharged at Atlanta, Ga. He was severely wounded three times. Mr. McLean married EHzabeth Smith, by whom he had one son, Nathan, now an engineer. Some time after his first wife's death our subject married Fanny Case, and they have had three children. Mr. McLean is a member of the G. A. R. Post at Salisbury Center. He owns the town hall, his store, and meat market, besides dwellings and lots in Devereaux. Murphy, James A., Newport, was born in Fairfield, May 10, 1857. He is a son of Cornelius, who was a .son of Cornelius and Margaret Murphy, natives of Ireland, who came to America in 1852. Cornelius, jr., was married in Fairfield, N. Y., to Mary Foran, a native of Ireland, by whom he had six children. Mr. Murphy purchased the Coe farm in Norway, and there resided twenty-six years Mrs. Murphy died in 1865, and Mr. Murphy's second wife, Mary Butler, died in 1890. He is a Democrat, FAMILY SKETCHES. 203 has been highway commissioner and insnector of elections. He now resides with his son, James A. The latter was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools. He is a farmer by occupation. In 1884 he married Mary Maxwell, a native of New- port, who was born September 25, 1867, a daughter of James and Mary Maxwell, na- tives of Ireland, who came to America about 1862. Mr. Murphy is a Democrat and has held the offices of commissioner of highways and inspector of elections. He and wife are Catholics. Merry, Seward, German Flats, was born in Mohawk, January 7, 1846, and from 1860 to 1864 was a clerk in the post-office. He was subsequently American Express asent for twenty-three years. He went into the grocery business with his father when twenty-eight years of age, a business which he still continues. He was president of the Republican Club of Tlion for some time and is a Knight Templar in the Masonic order. In 1872 he married Miss Mary C. Myers, and they have three children, Flora R., Margaret L., and Lawrence L. Morey, L. A., Newport, was born in Fairfield, N. Y., November 14, 1845, a son of William B., who was one of twelve children of David and Annie (Parkhurst) Morey. natives respectively of Stephentown and Fairfield, N. Y. In 1793 Mr. Morey settled on a farm in Fairfield, and became an extensive land-owner. He died in 1860. William E. Morey was born in Fairfield, N. Y., May 4, 1817. He married Eliza, daughter of Low Carpenter, of Norway. The children of William E. Morey are: L. A., and Emogene F. The latter married C. G-. Verney, who resides in Norway. In 1852 Mr. Morey purchased the farm where his son now resides, and here spent the remainder of his days. He was a Republican, and was assessor and excise commissioner. He was a member of Newport Lodge No. 455, F. & A. M., and died January 20, 1892, His wife resides with her daughter. L. A. Morey was educated in the Fairfield Semin- ary, and in Eastman's Business College, graduating from the latter in 1867. In 1868 he married Maria H., daughter of Henry D. and Clarissa A. Parkhurst, the former of Fairfield, and the latter of Norway. Mrs. Morey was born March 21, 1849, a native of Fairfield. Their children are: Fannie B., Will H., Anna B., and Clara E. Mr. Morey is a Republican, and a member of Newport Lodge No. 455, F. & A. M. Morey, Milo, Newport, was born in Fairfield, N. Y., August 7, 1847, a son of David H., who was a son of David Morey. David H. Morey was born in Fairfield, October 27 1812, and on September 8, 1813, he married Elsie Buchanan, born October 10, 1813, a native of Little Falls. She is a daughter of Thomas and Mary (Churchill) Buchanan, who reared eleven children. Thomas Buchanan was a native of Little Britain, N. Y., and when six years of age came to Little Falls with his parents. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Morey are. Newel, Mary, Ui\o, and Annie Mr. Morey was a farmer. In 1859 he came to Newport, but died the same year on December 10th. He was a Whig, afterwards a Republican, and held minor offices in the town. Milo Morey was educated in the common schools, in Fairfield Academy, and in the Clinton Liberal Institute. He is a farmer, and for the past thirty years has resided on the farm which he now owns. On the 21st of May, 1873, he married Kittie Averill, a native of Potsdam, St. Lawrence county, born March 28, 1856. She is a daughter of Theodore 204 HISTORY OF HERKIMER CODNTT. and Catherine Davis. Mr. and Mr.^. Milo Morey have had two children, Grove and Belle. He is a Republican, and has been assessor five years, and a member of the school board eleven years. He is a member of the Patrons of Husbandry, of Newport, No. 596. Mang, Geo. L., Dolgeville, was born in Herkimer, January 22, 18Gr>. He received a good education in the schools of Dolgeville and Salisbury, and on October C, 1886, established his present grocery and drug establishment. Geo. L. Mang is one of a family of twelve children. His father is a man of sterling worth, and one of his brothers is engaged in business next door to Geo. L.'s establishment. His wife was Bertha Delamater, a daughter of Jerome Delamater. Mr. Mang is a member of the Masonic brotherhood, R. A., etc. Morey, Newell, Newport, was born in Fairfield, October 5, 1836, a son of David H. and Elsie A. (Buchanan) Morey. David was a son of David and Mary (Parkhurst) Morey, who came originally from Rhode Island. David H. was born in Fairfield, and his wife's father was a soldier in the war of 1812. The family are of the Universalist faith. The subject of this sketch started in at farming and cattle raising at the age of twenty-one years, which business he has followed since. He built the first chee.ie factory in the town, called the Babcock Factory. He is also interested in the firm of Morey & Kimball (meat market and merchandise). He was elected sheriff of Herkimer county from January I, 1889, to January 1, 1892, and during that time resided in Herkimer. He owns a farm of 280 acres. He married, March 11, 1857, Mary H., daughter of George K. and Delia (KnifTen) Hawkins, of the town of Newport. More, Miles, Russia, was born in Russia, August 8, 1839, a son of Orson and Thirza More. He was educated in the common schools, supplemented by several terms in the Fairfield and Fulton Academies. He married, in 1864, Sarah Beecher, a native of Russia, and the only daughter of Isaac Beecher. Mr. Beecher was born in Russia, in 1810, a son of Almond and Elizabeth Beecher, who were among the first settlers of the town. Thev came from Connecticut about 1805, and had three sons and one daughter. Mr. Beecher ivas a Whig, and for many years he was overseer of the poor. February 22, 1835, he married Orlina, daughter of Elislia Smith, of Russia. She died October 12, 1878, and Mr. Beecher is still living on the old homestead. For some time Mr. More studied music in Rome, N. T., under Prof. A. N. Johnson, of Boston, and for sixteen years he taught music in Herkimer county. He afterwards engaged in farming and in the manufacture of cheese, and for a number of years has bought and sold cheese. He is a Republican, and he and family are members of the Regular Baptist Church- of Russia. Moyer, Peter, Stark, was born where he now resides, in Stark, September 4, 1816, a son of Jacob S. and Elizabeth (Moyer) Moyer. The grandfather, Solomon Moyer, settled in Minden, Montgomery county, prior to the Revolution, where he died during that war. He had four children: Andrew, Solomon S, Jacob S., and Nancy, all of whom raised families, and lived to old age. Jacob S. was born December 18, 1781. in Minden, Montgomery county, and served in the war of 1812. He was also at Sackett's FAMILY SKETCHES. 205 Harbor. He served in various town offices as a Democrat. He was a leading Mason. He married in 1805, and immediately afterwards settled on 170 acres in the town of Stark. He died June 30, 1871, aged eighty-eight years ; and his wife, (born December 23, 1782), June 30, 1861, aged seventy-seven. They had ten children, raising eight : Nancy. Katie, David I., So'omon W. (a twin), Betsy, Peter, Ann Eliza, and Lucinda. Peter Moy*r received a common school education, and at the age of twenty-eight leased the homestead, which he worked until his father's death. He bought the home- stead and paid off the heirs. He has since boue-ht three other farms, two in Stark and one in Little Falls, conjprising 368 acres. He has served two terms as supervisor on the Democratic ticket, is a Granger, and a member of the Universalist Church. Morse, Alex L., Dolgeville, was born in Jefferson county, N. Y., October 12, 1832. After receiving a good education he learned the trade of saddlery and harness making before his twentieth year, after which he worked as a furrier for a number of years, finally establishing an enterprise in Boston, which he conducted for fifteen years, and where he married Miss Ruth McClean. In the spring of 1865 he went to the oil country ar.d established himself in his line, but eventually branched out into the oil business, in which he was signally successful, amassing a fortune of over $65,000, but which, unfortunately, through misfortune in the business, he lost. After again suc- ceeding in a limited degree through contracting, he again dropped his savings in oil, and four years ago came to Dolgeville and inaugurated a business in his old line of harness and horse supplies. Mr. Morse has two children, both girls. Mang. Frank S.. Dolgeville, was born in Herkimer county, N. Y , August 4, 1863. He started to learn the butcher and meat business when seventeen years of age, and when twenty-two years of age, started for himself in this business, and now has the finest establishment engaged in this business in Dolgeville. Mr. Mang enjoys a large and lucrative trade, and is a popular and upright citizen. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and of other associations. Mnrphy, James B., Salisbury Corners, was born in Salisbury in 1865, July 27. His father, Patrick Murphy, is engaged in agricultural pursuits in this township, owning a fine farm here. James B. is one of eight children. He married Miss Mary Starrs, and they have no children. In July, 1890, he purchased the hotel at Salisbury Corners, which he has since most successfully conducted. Minott, W. v., Schuyler, is a native of Schuyler, where he lived until recently, and where he still owns his farm. He was born November 25, 1845. His father was Thomas Minott, and his grandfather, A. Wood Minott, was one of the early settlers of this locality, coming from New England. In 1865 Mr. Minott married Sarah M. Lewis, and they have two daughters. November 26, 1863, Mr. Minott enlisted in Company L, Second N. Y. Heavy Artillery, and served to the close of the war, par- ticipating in many battles, and being wounded at Petersburg. He was supervisor of Schuyler in 1884 and 1885, and has filled many other important offices. McGraw, H., Schuyler, is a native of Schuyler, and was born March 13, 1843. He has been a farmer all his life. His father, Hiram McGraw, was also a native of this 206 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. town. Mr. McGraw owns fifty-nine acres of land and follows general farming. In 1864 he married Evaline Durst. He is a Democrat in politics, and has lived twenty- seven years on this farm. Montgomery, E. D., was born in Winfield, Herkimer county, N. Y., and received a good education in the ,=!chools of that vicinity. In 1890 he took charge of the Park house, between Mohawk and Herkimer, where he does a regular hotel traffic. He is a pushing and thorough hotel proprietor and is very popular with the travelins; public and his house is largely patronized by a large class of the residents of Mohawk and Herkimer, as well as by the general public. Mann, Daniel, Winfield, has a custom grist-mill and also a saw-mill. He was born in Frey's Bush, Monteomery county, and has worked in a gristmill since seventeen years of age. He came to West Winfield in 1878, and worked in the grist-mill there, went to Milliner's mills in October, 1885. He came to Chepachet in April, 1891, and bought these mills, which he now operates. He enlisted in the late war. Company M., Second N. Y. Heavy Artillery, under Captain Halstead, but was under Captain Hulser. He enlisted December 26, 1861, at Utica. He was in all engagements of his company until the battle of Cold Harbor, when he was taken sick. His last battle was the charge of Hatcher's Run, December 9, 1864, and he was discharged December 29, 1864. Mr. Mann has never married. Metzger, Jacob H., Litchfield, was born in Winfield, January 23, 1860, and settled in this town February 6, 1867. He is one of the best farmers of Litchfield. He mar- ried Clara Fix, who died April 12, 1891. She was a daughter of Frederick W. and Rate Fix, of Syracuse. Jacob H. Metzger is a son of David and Charlotte Metzger, who have four children: Jacob H., Susan C, Mate and David G. jr., also a half brother, Leonard Kimm. The father, David Metzger, is a native of Wurtemberg, Germany, who came to this country about 1857. Mathews, Chauncey, Litchfield, was born here January 12, 1837. He resigned the office of loan commissioner to accept that of supervisor of Litchfield, which he held for six years. He served as chairman of the hoard of supervisors during his firs* term. While acting as supervisor he was nominated for member of Assembly for the Herki- mer district and was defeated by Myron A. McKee. He was a son of Samuel Mathews, born in this town October 31, 1802. He died on the same farm where he was born which was settled by his father, Samuel, a native of North Brookfield, Mass., who settled about 1795 in Cedarville. Moors, Joseph, Winfield, was born October 13, 1761, and was the first justice of the peace in West Winfield. His father was a soldier in the French War and was at the capture of Louisburg. He was a captain of militia in the Revolution. The news of the Declaration of Independence was received at Fort Washington while Captain Moors was there. Isaac L. Moors was born in Winfield, Herkimer county, October 22, 1805, a son of Joseph, who settled in Winfield about 1800, one of the first settlers of that town. Isaac L. married in 1830 Mary Simms, and they have two children living. Dr. Alfred A. and Mrs. M. Delaue Walker, widow of Dwight Walker. He lost one daugh- Family sketches. 20? ter, Ruth, born September 1, 1830, wife of Charles J. Hester, of Memphis, Tenn., who died March 29, 1853. Morgan, Charles E., Winfield, son of Sewell, was born in West Winfield May 27, 1854, and was educated at West Winfield Academy. He married May 5, 1880, Julia E., daughter of Dr. Nathan and Sophronia Spencer, and they have three children : Clara E., George A. and Mary Adelle. They lost one son, Herbert S.. who died March 13, 1892, aged nine years. Mr. Morgan has been in the omnibus freight and express busi- ness for the last ten years. He is a member of the Royal Arcanum, and has been high- way commi.ssioner of this town for five years. Sewell S. Morgan, who was an attor- ney, died January 19, 1885, aged fifty-seven. He was born in Litchfield December 12, 1827, and moved with his parents to Winfield, at the age of two years. He received his education at the common and select schools of West Winfield. His mother died when he was eight years old, and he then commenced life for himself. He began teaching school at the old Hemlock School House at North Winfield when fourteen years old. At the age of twelve he began reading law, borrowing books from Hamilton Burdick. He commenced the practice of law in the justice's court at fifteen years of age and at eighteen in the county court before Judge Ezra Graves He was admitted to the bar of this State at the age of twenty-one and in the United States Court at twenty-eight. Mr. Morgan married Julia A., daughter of Anson P. Fair- child, one of the first settlers of this town. Mr. Morgan had five children, three of whom survive : Mina M. Palmer, Charles E. Morgan and Lina E.Jones. Two have died: George A. and Fred J., both attorneys at law. Mr. Morgan was a radical tem- perance man, and during 1878 he spoke 117 times for the cause. He was postmaster of West Wmfleld eight years, supervisor seven years and district attorney three years. He was president of the board of education of West Winfield for many years, and was a prominent Mason and member of Winfield Lodge, F. & A. M., No. 581, in which he was past master. Mason, Amos T., Warren, was born in Warren May 27, 1870, a son of Joseph W. and Harriet (Tiadale) Mason. Amos T. received a district and academic education at Ilion and ilohawk. He married May 21, 1889, Florence E., daughter of William and Lydia (McDonald) Hardy, and they had two children, Maria L. and Josie. Mr. Mason is a Democrat in politics. He lived a year in Richfield Springs, running a livery, and was also a dealer in stock. After farming for a year in Mohawk he located where he now resides in the spring of 1891. His farm is composed of 130 acres, and he also owns one of eighty-six acres. McCredy, David W., Warren, was born where he resides April 14, 1823. son of David and Welthy (Merry) MoCredy. The grandfather was a son of Robert, who came from Scotland to America prior to the Revolution on the Hudson, where he died. Subject's grandfather was born in Scotland, and died December 18, 1842, aged seventy-seven, and was twice married. His first wife bore him one son ; his second wife, Mariani Earl, bore him one son and ten girl.s. Subject's father was born in Warren January 20, 1799, and died January 30, 1890. He served as deputy sherifif, lived in Stark six years, wlien he returned in 1843. He owned 150 acres, his father's homestead. He was a Demo- 268 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. crat. His wife died in June, 1881. Subject and wife had these children: David W., Mary V., Thurlow W., Charles W. and George S. Subject was born where he lives, and has resided here all his life, except twelve years. He received a limited education, and lived and cared for his parents on the old homestead. Newth, Walter S., Litchfi'»ld, owns a grain, dairy and fruit farm of 100 acres, and is one of the representative farmers of the town. lie was born on his present farm June 13, 1848, and married Clara P., daughter of Roderick H. Smith, a native of Frankfort, and a son of Asel Smith, who came from Connecticut. Walter S. is a son of John Newth, a native of England, who settled on this farm irL.1837. lie died September 8, 1881. Walter S. and Clara P. Newth have one son, Fred H., who Uvea at home. Neely, Reuben, Fairfield, is one of the oldest residents of Fairfield. He was born December 22, 1825, and has lived in this county ever since. He owns 107 acres of land and a herd of thirty cows. His father settled in this place on a farm, which is now the present homestead. Captain Abram Neely of Revolutionary fame was an ancestor of his. In 1864 Mr. Neely married Mary R. E. Thompson, and they have two daugh- ters, both married. Mr. Neely is a Mason and liberal in politics, and has been com- missioner of highways and assessor. He is also a member of the Episcopal church. Nellis, James K., Ohio, was born in Yonker's Bush, Oppenheim, Fulton county, N. Y., May 29, 1848. His father was Christopher Nellis, a native of Palatine township, Montgomery county, N. Y., born 1807. He was reared as a tanner, which was his principal occupation in life. He married Margaret Myres, a native of Stone Arabia, N. Y., a daughter of John Mj'res, a native of Holland, who, with his parents in an early day, came to America and settled in Montgomery county, N. Y. The mother of John Myres was Elizabeth Myres, who lived to the -remarkable age of ninety-three years. Her husband was in the Revolutionary War. Christopher Nellis and wife had thirteen children. He was a Democrat and justice of the peace a number of years. He moved to Salisbury, Herkimer county, in 1852. He died in 18G3, His wife is now livmg at the age of eighty-six years in Little Falls. The subject of this sketch was educated in the common schools and early in life was a teamster for his father and afterwards worked in the tannery for Story & La Due, of Salisbury Center, N. Y. For three years he traveled and was a rider of running horses. In 1869 he married Sarah A. Moon, a daughter of Dr. Moon, of Dolgeville, N. Y. Mr. Nellis and wife have four children : James P., John E., Maria and Mattie E. In 1882 Mr. Nellis came to Ohio, where he has since been successful in the mercantile business. He carries boots and shoes, dry good.s, groceries and drugs. He is a Democrat and has been constable in Ohio three years, and was postmaster under Cleveland four years. Mr. Nellis attends and supports the M. E. church. Odit, Augustus, Russia, was born in Switzerland, March 29, 1846, a son of Augustus, who was a son of Franklin Odit, a native of Switzerland, who had two sons and four daughters. He died in Switzerland. Augustus Odit was born in Switzerland in 1812. He married Josephine, a daughter of Nicholas and Marj' I. Floray, of Switzerland, and they had two sons and three daughters. In 1854 Mr. Floray and wife and Mr. Odit 1 FAMILY SKETCHES. ' 209 and family came to America. Mr. Floray died in 1871 and his wife in 1889. Augus- tus Odit was eight years old when he came with his parents to the United States. He has always followed lumbering. In 1877 he married Nellie B. Bullock, a native of Norway, born 1854, and a daughter of Ira Bullock, born in 1813, who had seven children. During the last six years Mr. Odit has been engaged in the general mer- cantile business at Northwood, N. Y. He is a Democrat and has been postmaster for the last six years. Owen, B. J., Frankfort, one of three children of Hugh and Winnie (Charles) Owen of Frankfort, was born in Newport October 16, 1868. Hugh, the father, was born in Wales. He came to this country in early life and settled in Frankfort about 1874. He was a butcher and shipper of cattle for several years, when he bought the fine farm where his family now lives and developed it into a fine dairy farm. He died July 27, 1892, and his son, B. J. Owen is developing the enterprise. They have a herd of from eighty to one hundred cows and are engaged in butter-making and supplying several milk routes. Mr. Owen employs seven men the year round. The buildings are exten- sive and suppHed with modern improvements, among which are ten silos which have an average capacity of 100 tons each, and steam power for handling the contents. Oyer, 0. W., Schuyler, is one of the enterprising and progressive young farmers of Schuyler. He was born December 28, 18.^9. His father was Daniel Oyer, who died April 28, 1883. In 1882 Mr. Oyer married Annie Weldon, and they have a son and a daughter. Mr. Oyer owns a farm of 158 acres, a ''heese-factory and a saw-mill. Ostrander, Smith, Herkimer, was born in Danube December 5, 1851. He was edu- cated in the Little Falls Academy and Fort Plain Seminary, after which he taught school for two years. After this he was engaged with B. Butterick & Company of New York city, and also upon the Herkimer St. R. R. as conductor. His health fail- ing he was compelled to return to the farm. After a few years he engaged with Morris Mark, and in 1887 formed a joint stock company for the manufacture of knit goods. This corporation is the Mohawk Valley Knitting Company, which since that period has grown to large proportions. Later another stock company was formed, another management offered him. In both these concerns he is a large stock holder and super- intendent. He now devotes half his time to each corporat'on and has made both a decided success. Mr. Ostrander is a .son of John Ostrander, of Ostrander's Corners. He married Miss Emma C. Dayger of Herkimer, in 1878. They have no family. Palmer, Nathan, Warren, was born April 22, 1838, in Richfield, Otsego county, a son of Nathan and Mary (Ames) Palmer. The grandfather, Benjamin E., came from Con- necticut in colonial days and settled in Richfield. His wife was a Miss Layton, by whom he had nine children : Nathan, Esquire, Layton, Alonzo, Harriet, Mary, Esther, Lucy and Emily. Nathan was born in Richfield in 1798, and married Mary, daughter of Abner Ames. He was in the war of 1812 as a sutler. He served as supervisor for many years, was a Whig and died in 1854. His wife died in 1878, aged eighty-one. They had eleven sons, and raised seven : Benjamin, George, Qtis, Alonzo, Menzo, Nathan and Delos. Nathan Palmer received a common school education and at nine- 216 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTS. teen began for himself. At twenty he bought 162 acres in Richfield, where he lived five years, then sold and lived three years on another farm. In 1859 he bought 162 acres in Columbia, which he sold three years later, and located on another farm. He was one year in Richfield Springs in the grocery business. In 1874 he bought and located on seventy-five acres, where he now resides, in Warren. He has served as justice and is an active Democrat. Mr. Palmer married, December 25, 1856, Margaret Stern- berg, born one mile east of Richfield Spring.^, a daughter of James and Eve (Shaver) Sternberg. The grandfather. Marquis Sternberg, came from Dutchess county to Warren. He was a public-spirited citizen and gave the land where the present M. E. church stands in Richfield. His wife was Nancy Maby, who bore him these children : David, Lambert, James D., Sarah, Catherine, Christina, Polly and Betsey. James Sternberg was born and lived in Warren, and died, December 29, 1887, aged eighty- three, in Schoharie. His wife died January 26, 1887, aged eighty. They had four children : Marcus, Sarah A. Browman, Margaret and Alonzo W.. who enlisted and served in the navy during the war, and died at Pensacola, Fla. Nathan Palmer and wife have one child, Curtis B., a farmer. The family are Universalists. Palmer, Luther M., Winfield, was born on the farm where he now lives, July 26, 1853. He married Ida A., daughter of Julius A. Morgan, of Winfield. They have five children : Willie E., George W., Bertha E., Mary C, Harry L. Luther M. Palmer is a son of Walter, a son of Vose Palmer, who came from Connecticut, and settled here in an early day. Prior, Louis R., Litchfield, lives on what is known as the Crosby farm, 125 acres of dairy and grain land. He was born in the brick house on the farm adjoining this, No- vember 14, 1867, and married Minnie C. Fish, August 27, 1890. They have one daughter, Veta Estelle. Mrs. Prior was born October 1, 1866, and is a daughter of Samuel Fish, of Frankfort, where he now lives, and he was a son of Elias Fish, one of the first settlers in the Gulf, which was named after him and called Fish's Gulf. Philo Prior owns a farm of 147 acres, devoted to dairying and grain. It is very productive and has excellent buildings. The house was built by Samuel Rider, one of the first settlers of the town. Philo Prior married Caroline E., daughter of Wakeman Rider, and he was a son of Samuel Rider, the first settler on this farm, and one of the first of the town. Philo Prior was born in Oneida county, November 26, 1839, a son of Lyman, who was a son of Daniel Prior, one of the first settlers of Oneida county. Philo and Caroline E. Prior have two children : Xenia V. Goodier and Louis R., both residents of this town. When Daniel Prior came from Connecticut there was but one house in what is now Utica. Putman, John, Litchfield, is a farmer owing a farm of about 200 acres, which was settled by his father Jacob Putman, in 1837. The latter was a native of this county, and he came from a farm near Cedarville, where he was one of the first settlers. He was a son of Isaac Putman, one of the first settlers at Mohawk. John Putman was born on the farm where he now lives, June 24, 1837. His father, Jacob Putman, was drafted into the army in the war of 1812, stationed at Sackett's Harbor, and he was one of the soldiers who drew IGO acres. John Putman married Ada J., a daughter of FAMILY SKETCHES. 211 Daniel Wilcox, of this town. She had eight children : Samuel, Milla, Alida, Lncy, Anna B., Kate J., John J. and Philena, all living. Palmer, Nathaniel Budlong, Litchfield, is a farmer and cheese manufacturer, and owns the Cold Springs cheese faetory ; the same building in which he commenced making cheese, was built for and used as a chair factory. It was used as a cheese factory by Chester Northrup, who was succeeded by a stoclc company of the farmers, They sold out to James Ashpole, and he sold to the present owner, N. B. Palmer, who has owned it up to the present time. He owns a dairy and grain farm of ninety-five acres, formerly owned and occupied by Erastus Miller. It is a very productive and well managed farm. N. B. Palmer was born May 30, 1843, in this town. He married Harriet Smith, and they have two children : Lena M. and Earl N. They have lost one son, Benjamin R., who died October 27, 1876, aged two years and six months. N. B. Palmer is a son of Solon L. He was a son of Leonard Palmer, all of this town. Phillips, V. 0., Fairfield, is a native of Fairfield. His father was Vernon Phillips and liis grandfather Roland P. Phillips, both of this town. Roland P. came from Rhode Island. ' V. 0. Phillips owns a large farm of 210 acres and a smaller one of eighteen acres, on which he lives. He is one of the large dairy farmers of Fairfield. In 1865 he married Amy R. Harris. He is a Republican and a leading man in his party. He is fifty- four years of age, and is a member of the Grange at Middleville. His mother is still living at the age of ninety years. Perrine, A., Little Falls, is a native of Little Falls, and one of the most enterprising men of the village. He first learned the carpenter's trade, at which he worked for twelve years. He then took up painting and has been twenty years in this line of busi- ness. He does the major part of the painting in the village and employs about ten men. He is a member of the A. 0. U. W., the Iron Hall and the People's Benefit Association. In politics he is a Republican, and is an adherent of the Presbyterian church. He mar- ried Nettie A. Schuyler, December 22, 1869, and they have three children, two daugh- ters and one son. The latter is a book-keeper in the MacKinnon Mills. Mr. Perrine was one of the prime movers in the projection of the Dolgeville railroad, and is in- terested in the development of the fine ore beds in this county, owning a large farm besides these beds. Pike J. W., proprietor of the Pike Knitting Machine Company, Little Falls, is a na- tive of Vermont. After a preliminary education and a course in a polytechnic school, he traveled on the road as salesman in the canned goods line for some time. Abandon- in" this he went to Philadelphia and engaged in the manufacture of machinery for knit goods etc. This was about eleven years ago. In 1887 he came to Little Falls and established his present enterprise, which is the manufacture of Pike's patent latch needle, knitting machines, hosiery winders and general mill machinery. Mr. Pike is an expert in his business, and goes out and .sets up his own machines. He is a member of the Royal Arcanum, the Elks, the Commercial Travelers' Association, etc. His father also was a manufacture and had works at Chelmsford, Mass. The Pike Knitting Ma- chine Company employs thirty-eight hands, and turns out standard machines in every case. 212 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTr. Pfhals, Chris. J , Frankfort, was born in Utica, February 15, 1850. He was a son of Chri.'itian and Louisa (Hornung) Pfbals, of Utica. He learned the trade of carpenter when young, working at his trade in Iljon for several years and at the Reiriington Agricultural Works two year.s. He came to Frankfort in 1881 and worked at his trade and ran livery business until 1885, when he became owner of the bus route to the West Shore and Central depots, also express delivery and mail carrying, which he still continues. He married, in 1881, Marion M. Watson, one of six children of Oliver W. and Lucinda (Ca.sler) Watson, b^th of Frankfort. Robert Watson, the grandfather, was a native of Massachusetts, and came to Frankfort in the winter of 1777. Prescott, C. W., Herkimer, is a native of Mohawk and was educated in the Clinton Liberal Institute, now Fort Plain. He then entered his father's office to study law, but never sought for admission to the bar. His father, Amos H. Prescott, was a leading man, and county judge for sixteen years Mr. C. W. Prescott has, for many years, done considerable newspaper work and still keeps up his connection in that way. He is a prominent justice of the peace in Herkimer and much of his time is de- voted to the duties of his office. He is a member of the Fort Dayton Hose Company, the Fort Dayton Council of United Friends, the Knights of Pythias and the Odd Fel- lows. He is a Republican. Pelton, Justin B., German Flats, was born in Litch6eld, September 12, 1836, and re- mained on his father's farm till twenty- four years of age. He then came to Ilion and started in the hardware business, which he has since conducted with great success. Mr. Pelton married Julia E., daughter of Julius C. Warren, in 1861, and they have a family of four children : Gilbert Brace, May L., Sarah L. and Jessie L. Mr. J. C. War- ren was, for many years, ju.stice of the peace in Litchfield, and Mr. Pelton has held that office in Ilion for eight years. He has a'so been trustee of the village, and was super- visor of the town in 1872. He is a Mason and one of the most highly esteemed citizens in Ilion. His father was Brace Pelton and his grandfather, Seth Pelton. He came from Connecticut, and was one of the early settlers of Litchfield. Pelton, G. B., German Flats, was born in Ilion, March 11, 1864, and was educated in the Ilion Academy and Cornell University. He has been in business for four years with his father, and is one of the leading young men of the town. In addition to col- lege clubs, he is a member of the Knights of Pythias, and outside of the hardware line does an insurance business. He is president of the Republican League in Ilion. Mr. Pelton has taken an active interest in the new library building project and is one of the literary committee. Powers, John F., German Flats, is a nalive of Utica and has been in Ilion since 1882. He was a carriagemaker by trade, but has been in the wet goods business for several years. He is quite active in politics, is a member of the town committee and has been delegate to Democratic conventions several times. He is an Elk and a member of the Knights of Honor. Petrie, Jacob H., of Herkimer, farmer, was born in this township in 1823, and has been identified with this part of the country ever since. He has been a farmer all his FAMILY SKETCHES. 213 life, and has been twenty-five years on his present place. He owns 275 acres, and milks thirty-two cows. His father was a son of Dr. Wm. Petrie, of Revolutionary fame. In 1852 Mr. Petrie married Miss Jemima Woliver, and they have two sons, Oliver and Henry. Oliver married Miss Lillie Grill. Mr. Petrie is a member of the Grange, and has been assessor three years. Dr. Wm. Petrie was in the Prussian army under Frederick the Great. Paine, Seth, Warren, a descendant of a Paine who landed at Plymouth Rock in 1620, was born in Connecticut about 1750, and settled in Paine's Hollow, on about 1,000 acres, where he died. His wife was a Swift, who bore him five sons, Thomas, William, James, Seth and Chester, and five daughters. Seth Paine, jr., was born and lived and died in Paine's Hollow. His wife was a Miss Filer, who bore him two children, Seth J. and Jane. After Mr. Paine's death, his widow married John Sage, and died in Buffalo in 1858. Seth B. Paine was born in Paine's Hollow in 1805. He was a cabi- net maker. He married Loretta Averill, who bore him two children, Charles and Byron. He went to Ohio to look up a location, and died there. Mrs. Paine returned to her parents. Dr. Jonathan and Anna (Watkins) Averill, where Byron Paine now lives, and where Mr. Averill died in 1833. Byron Paine was born in Bridgewater, Oneida county, December 26, 1830, and after his father's death came to where he now resides. He learned the carpenter trade, and also carried on wagon making. He and his brother own two farm=. He has held several town offices, and is an active Repub- hcan. He is unmarried. Chas. Paine was horn in Warren ; is a wagon maker and farmer. He married Calferna, daughter of John and Hannah (Yule) De Voe, who has borne him two children, John and Frank. Byron Paine is a leading and influential Mason. Perry, William H., Little Falls, was born in Little Falls. January 3, 1844. He re- ceived a good common school education, after which he worked in a spinning mill, and attended locks for about four years. For the next eighteen years he clerked for Chris Lee, and upon the death of the latter, opened up business for himself at Lock 37 on the Erie canal. In 1861 he was the leader in the movement to organize a company to participate in the civil war. They desired to elect him captain, which office he refused on account of his age, being only eighteen at that time, but he enlisted in the Thirty- Fourth New York Volunteers, under Col. William La Due, and participated in every battle from the beginning of the war to the battle of Antietam. In 1864 he married Jane Ann Flansbnrg, and of their nine children, six are now living. Mr. Perry is a prominent member of the " G. A. R.," and has held several local public offices. Putnam, John M., Russia, was born in Newport, March 17, 1837, a son of George Putnam, whose father lived and died in Canajoharie. George was born in Canajoharie in 1813. He married Margaret Yerdon, of Montgomery county, by whom he had three sons and two daughters. Mrs. Putnam died in 1845, and he married second, Elsie Smith, by whom he has five sons. Mr. Putnam served a short time in the late war. He is a member of the M. E. church. John M. Putnam at the age of fourteen started in life for himself, at first working on a farm, but later learning the painter's trade. At the age of eighteen he enlisted in the regular army, Second United States Cavalry, and 214 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. served five years. When the war broke out he went to Washington and served until its close as a sutler. In 1865 Mr. Putnam married Emma Vincent, of Norway, wlio was born 1844, a daughter of Samuel R. and Hulda (Aller) Vincent, of Norway, and they have two children : Kingson B., who is engaged with Warner Bros., corset manu- facturer.s of New York city ; and Allie G. At the close of the war Mr. Putnam engaged in farming at Norway. In 1872 he came to Poland, bought a grist-mill, and has since engaged in the manufacture of flour. He is a Democrat, and is a member of Newport Lodge No. 455, F. & A. M. Prass Brothers, Manheim, grocers, are located within the corpora'e limits of Little Falls, but are in the town of Manheim. The firm is composed of J. M. and J. F. Prass, sons of G. A. Prass. Both members of the firm were educated in the schools of Fair- field, and prior to establishing their business in Manheim were located on Main street. Little Falls. They have only occupied their present new store a few months. They are thoroughly representative business men, doing a large trade, and are identified with local social and benevolent institutions. Rice, Albert M., Winfield, cattle dealer and farmer, was born in Pompey, Onondaga county, September 10, 1863, and settled in Winfield in 1856. He was in the store in West Winfield, with Russell Huntley, four year.s. He then came to East Winfield, and engaged in farming and cattle dealing, which he continues. He is a son of Isaiah H. and Almira Rice, the latter a native of Onondaga county, and the former of Massa- chusetts. Albert M. Rice married Luna A., daughter of Theron T. Morgan, who was born in this town, a son of John Morgan. Her mother was Harriet M. Rice, daughter of Matthew Keith. Albert M. Rice has three children : Harriet A., Franklin A., and George M. Rising, James G., Litchfield, a farmer, was born in this town, and married Emma Gallup. They have one daughter, Julia, who married Frank Woodbury, and have a daughter, Nina. James G. is a son of Moses and Polly Hewett Rising. There are five of the children now living, all farmers: Lovina, Mary, William, James G., and Milo M. Moses was a son of Abner Rising, a native of Massachu.setts, one of the first settlers of Litchfield. He married Abigail Devotion, they had seven children : Abner, jr., Oliver, Moses, Harry, Desire, Rowena and Abigail. Mrs. Emma Rising is a daughter of Dan- iel and Amy Gallup. Rider, Emerson D., Litchfield, one of the prominent farmers of Litchfield, was a son of Harlow D. Rider, a native of this town, who was the youngest son of Ezra Rider, who died November 10, 1870, aged eighty-six years. Harlow D. died February 20, 1879, aged 65 years. He married Emeransa Wilcox, March 22, 1879. They had two children: Emerson D. and Lillie A. Emerson D. married, February 4, 1885, Amelia Vosburg, and they have two children living: Erwin H. and Will H. They have lost one son, Earnest, who died September 6, 1886, aged six months. Lillie Rider married, March 22, 1884, Zetto Brewer, a son of Jacob Brewer. Emeransa Wilcox was a daughter of Daniel Wilcox, a native of Litchfield. Amelia Vosburg is a daughter of Henry Vosburg, who was a native of Germantown, Chenango county, and his father, FAMILY SKETCHES. 215 Peter Vosburg, is a native of this county. The following is a copy of the oldest fam- ily record found in the town of Litchfield, of a family who came to this town in 1787 : "Christopher Rider, born Sept. 8, 1761; married April 3, 1783, to Miss Johanna Baughton, who was born Dec. 21, 1762. She died Dec. 21, 1845. He died May 23, 1839. Ezra Rider, died : Nov. 10, 1870, aged 86 years. Lewis Rider, died : Feb. 22, 1829, aged 43 years. Justus Rider died : Sept. 18, 1859, aged 70 years. William Rider, died: May 15, 1821, aged 31 years. John P. Rider, died: Oct. 6, 1825. aged 30 years. Mathew C, died : March 10, 1885, aged 85 years." Rank Lewis, Ohio, was born in Ohio township, March 22, 1861. His father was Adam Rank, a native of Germany, born October 23, 180- . Adam Rank was married in Ger- many to Barbara (Herl) Rank, and to them twelve children were born, nine of whom are living. In 1854 Mr. Rank and family came to America and settled in Ohio township. There Mr. Rank's death occurred in 1871. His wife survives him. Mr. Rank was a Democrat in politics. He and wife were members of the Lutheran church. Subject was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools. He was ten years old when his father died and at the age of thirteen started in life for himself, working by the month. In 1885 he married Alice R. Gibson, born May, 1861. She is a daughter of Samuel and Susan Gibson, whom we have men- tioned elsewhere. Subject and wife have one daughter, Marcia. Mr. Rank is a Re- puljlican. His brother, John, served three years in the late war. Richards, La Fayette, Schuyler, was born July 6, 1831, and has always been a farmer. December 26, 1855, he married Sarah H. Haskill, and they have two children, Dr. Sey- mour S. Richards of Frankfort, and Frank J. Richards who has been mail clerk in Frankfort for the past ten years. Mr. Richards's father was John Richards, a native of Wales, who came to America in 1801. The family have resided in Schuyler since 1870. Rees, M. A., is a native of Fairfield and was born on the farm on which he resides. He was educated at Fairfield in the early days of the academy. He owns a fine farm of 200 acres and a herd of forty cows. Mr. Rees's great-grandfather came from Germany. He was a clergyman and physician and settled in Palatine and ofilci- ated in New Jersey for many years. Some of the grandfather's brothers took part in the war of 1812. Mr. Rees married Miss Sarah Johnson of Salisbury in 1858. Their only son, C. H., died in 1890. Mr. Rees is a Mason and a member of the Grange and other societies. Reese, Frank, German Flats, was born in Richfield, July 17, 1834. His father Matthew Reese, was a farmer, and the early years of his son were spent amid rural surroundings. Fifty years ago he came to Ilion, and his first business undertaking was on the canal, where he spent about nine seasons. He then em- barked in the trucking business and soon started a livery also. For twelve years he was engaged in the carting business in partnership with Sanford Getman. He has been in the bus business here since 1857, except for five or six years, and has carried the United States mail nearly all of these years. In 1861 Mr. Reese mar- il6 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTt. ried Elmira Piper, daughter of Nicholas Piper. Mr. Reese is one of the scions of the oldest and most honorable families of this section, and he has himself, by a long, honorable and successful business career won the highest respect and esteem of all classes. He is a staunch Democrat. Rankin, Horace, dealer in groceries and provisions, crockery, meals, etc., Ann street, Little Falls, is a native of this place and began his business career in his father's store, where he remained until the age of twenty-one. His father was a native of Scotland, emigrating to this country, where he died December 14, 1889. Horace Rankin estab- lished his present business in 1884, and has conducted it with marked success ever since, while he is still interested to some extent in farming. In 1869 he married Alice Dagert and they have one son, Harvey Rankin. Mr. Rankin is a Democrat in politics and was tai? collector of Little Falls in 1869. Rasback, Marcus, Herkimer, was born in 1832, on February 24, and has been a farm- er all his life. He owns 231 acres of land, raises annually 100 tons of hay, and keeps forty milch cows. His grandfather, John Rasback, took part in the Revolutionary War, and his father, Marcus Rasback, lived in this county all his life. In 1856 Mr. Rasback married Miss Mary N. Snell, and they have three children, all living at home. Mr. Rasback is one of the prominent farmers of the county and has been supervisor of the town for four terms. He has also been justice of the peace and is a member of the Grange, and is a prominent Mason, having passed to the Knight Templars. Rice, Ai, Herkimer, was born in Salisbury January 20, 1826. The family originally came from Connecticut and settled in Sahsbury in 1802, where they have since lived until Mr. Rice bought his present dairy farm of 218J acres in Herkimer on the Steuben road. Ai Rice married Miss Sarah Spencer of Herkimer, and has three sons and one daughter. He keeps sixty-five head of stock besides ten or twelve horses. His children are Fred A., Chauncey A. and Frank, and his daughter is Viola J. Mr. Rice is one of the successful farmers of this vicinity. Rhodes, W. H., Russia, was born in Chesterfield, Mass., May 4, 1852, a son of Ben- jamin F., a son of Jacob. Benjamin F. was born in Chesterfield, Mass., in 1825, and in 1852 Mr. Rhodes went to Williamsburg, Mass., and there for five years he was tool- maker in the planing shops. He then became superintendent in the Button Mold Factory of 0. G. Spellman. In 1874 he began work for Woodard & Lyman and con- tinued two years. He then went to Russia and engaged in the manufacture of button molds until his death in 1879. His wife was Dolly F. White, a native of W^illiamsburg, Mass., born 1830, and daughter of John and Polly (Curtis) White. Mr. Rhodes had three sons and two daughters. W. H. Rhodes was reared in Williamsburg, educated in the common schools and Eastman's Business College, from which he graduated in 1870. In 1875 he married Annie E. V. Tower, born in 1852, a daughter of Lorin and Sophronia (Bates) Tower of Chesterfield and Westford, respectively. They had one son and six daughters. He was representative of Hampden county, Massachusetts, and was selectman twenty years. His father, Luther F., was in the War of 1812. Mr. Rhodes worked in the silk-mills of Shimerville, Williamsburg, and then became superintendent FAMILY SKETCHES. 217 of the Winstead Silk-mills until 1877. He then worked in the silk-mills of Mount Carmel, Conn., and Hillsborough, N. H., until 1881, when he went to New York city and took charge of the New York office for one year. He then came to Cold Brook and engaged in the manufacture of button molds, which he now follows. Since 1884, Mr. Rhodes has been a Democrat. He is a member of the Hampshire Lodge F. & A. M. of Massachusetts, and the Iroquois Chapter of Ilion 236, also a member of Little Falls Commandery 26. In New Hampshire he was a member of the Valley Lodge 43, I. O. 0. F. He is a member of the Khorassan Grotto 2, M. 0. V. P. E. R. at Ilion, N. Y., and also belongs to the K. of P. at the same place. Robinson, Joseph, Warren, was born at Northamptonshire, England, and came to the United States in 1836 and settled in Richfield. He married Maria, daughter of Asa and Lucy Brown, and had four children : George W., Albert D., John G. and Lucy M. John G. Robinson was born in Richfield November 26, 1846. At the age of fourteen he began for himself buying cattle; at twenty-one he bought the first farm and now owns 502 acres and handles 500 to 600 head of cattle every year. He is a Republican and a member of the Baptist church. He married, September 20, 1871, Alice, daughter of Richard and Martha (Preston) Schooley, who has borne him nine children : Anna B., Carrie A., Josie M., Mabel M., George G., Irwin D., William S., Alice A. and Baby. Rank, Henry, Ohio, was born in Germany July 5, 1842. He is a son of Adam and Barbara (Herl) Rank, mentioned elsewhere in this work. He was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools. In 1865 he married Henrietta Herpy, a native of Ohio township, born in 1847. Her parents were John and Christina (Stork) Herpy, natives of Germany, who had five children. In 1844 Mr. Herpy came to Ohio town- ship, and there lived until his death in 1882. Mrs. Herpy is still living at the age of seventy-five years. Mr. Rank is a farmer and a Republican. His wife is a member of the Lutheran church. Smith, William H., was born on the farm where he now lives in Litchfield August 9, 1816. He was justice of this town eight years, town clerk two years, and has held other minor oflSces. He manied in April, 1874, Janette M. Wheelock of this town. He was a son of Richard Smith, second, who came from New Jersey and settled here about 1798. He was born September 25, 1774, and married, April 3, 1794. He died January 25, 1840. He was one of the first settlers of this town, and traveled to mill at Herkimer by marked trees. He was justice of Litchfield for about twenty years, and received his first appointment from governor of New York State. He was a member of Assembly m 1825 from Herkimer county. He was a son of Abner Smith of New Jersey. Spencer, Herbert J., was born in Winfield February 15, 1847. a son of Dr. Nathan and Saphronia (Bailey) Spencer. Herbert J. was educated in the West Winfield Academy and Seminary at Fulton. He read with his father, Nathan Spencer, and graduated from the Homeopathic Medical College of New York city. He commenced practice in Winfield in 1870. In 1883 he went to Newton, Kan., where he practiced 218 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. until 1886, then went to Greene, Chenango county, and in 1892 returned to West Win- field. He married in 1872, Nelhe, daughter of Seymour and Amelia (Beach) Bailey. They have three children : Mary B., Ruth A. and Ralph H. Stephens, John H., M. D.. was born in Frankfort October 28, 1859, a son of Stewart and Margaret (Taylor) Stephens. He was educated at the Whitestown Seminary, read medicine with Dr. William H. Brown of Cedarville, N. Y., graduated at the Albany Medical College in 1883, and remained wilh Dr. William H. Brown of Cedarville, N.Y., his preceptor, two years, then practiced by him.oelf in Cedarville two years. He came to West Winfield in 1889, and is still in practice there. He married May L., daughter of Clayton T., and Sarah (Kershaw) Wheelock. They have one daughter, Edna J. Stephens. Shaul, Samuel, was born on the farm where he now resides, in Stark, March 7, 1819, a son of Daniel and Rachael (Smith) Shaul. His grandfather, John, was born in Her- kimer county, and his father was one of the pioneers of Stark. John was taken pris- oner by the Indians during the Revolution, remaining seven years. Two brothers, Bastian and Matthia.s, were taken with him. The latter being tender hearted was home sick, and owing to his constant crying they sent him home and the two others were kept. John married a Miss Bonner, and had seven children : Christian, John, Bastian, Jacob, Daniel, George and Betsey. He and wife died in Stark at an advanced age. Daniel was born in Stark, and served in the war of 1812. He held several town offices and wai? a Whig. He had nine children : John D., who enlisted in the war from Cherry Valley, and was made colonel of his regiment. He died about 1887 ; Garshau of Bridgewater, Daniel, deceased, who left four children ; Cornelius of Richfield Springs, Samuel, Clark, who died aged seven, Laura M., Rachael, Betsey A., who died young. Samuel Shaul has served in various town offices. He was a Democrat up to the war, but changed and became a Republican. He married Lucinda Yule, born in Warren, a daughter of Nicholas and Hannah (Hayes) Yule, and they had seven chil- dren : Willard, who died young ; Daniel, aged ten ; John E., Charles F., Ellen J., and Mariah, wife of Nelson Wolfe of Springfield. Samuel owns the homestead of 250 acres, and they attend the M. E. church. Smith, George M., was born in Herkimer November 28, 1825, and is one of the old residents and a scion of one of the old historic families of the county. His ancestors on both sides took part in the Revolutionary war and his grandmother was scalped, yet lived forty years afterwards. ' A bloody massacre took place on this farm, and the old house in which his grandparents lived forms a part of his abode. He married in 1847, and has two children : Charles S. and Mary Ann. Charles S. is married to Miss Libby Bacon. Mr. Smith has ninety-six acres of fine dairy land. Sheridan, Thomas, Little Falls, was born in Little Falls September 5, 1842. He re- ceived a good education in the village schools, and learned the trade of a moulder in the Reddy foundry, which trade he followed for thirty years, in diflTerent parts of the country. About seven years ago he took charge of the Smith hotel, which he has since successfully conducted. Mr. Sheridan married Mirah McCormick, and they have four FAMILY SKETCHES. 219 children living. Mrs. Sheridan died January 2, 1891. Thomas Sheridan has served as trusteee of Little Palls for two terms, or four years, and is identified with local, social and benevolent affairs. His mother is still living. Seversen, C. W., superintendent of the MacKennon Mills, Little Falls, is a native of Deerfield, and at the age of fourteen began to work in a mill as a needle boy, with the Troy Manufacturing Company of Cohoes. He soon went to New Hartford,' and for a time also worked in a mill at Kingston, Canada. He then worked for J. C. Miller four and a half years at Baldwinsville, N. T. In December, 1890, he came to his present position. He had previously, on two occasions, worked for a short time with Mr. MacKennon, and his abilities and zeal were well known. He is thoroughly expert in every department of the manufacture of woolen good.". His family has long resided in New York State, and his father was formerly a brick manufacturer of Cohoes. Snell, Irving, Little Falls, was born in the town of Manheim. He received bis edu- cation in the common schools here and in the Little Falls Academy. After the com- pletion of his studies he taught school for two terms, and in 1857 inaugurated his present jewelry and musical merchandise business, which he has successfully conducted since that period. Mr. Snell's ancestors located upon a tract of land (3,000 acres) granted them by King George, near Little Falls, which is known as Snell's Bush, and upon w^ich five generations have since hved. During the Revolution nine members of the Snell family participated in the battle of Oriskany, seven of whom were slain. Irving Snell's grandfather was in the war of 1812. Mr. Snell married Cloa Richmond, a daughter of Alvan Richmond. They have one daughter, Annie. Selcer, John, Little Falls, succeeded his father, John Selcer, sr., who had conducted the leading merchant tailoring establishment at Little Falls for many years. The Selcers are of German de.scent, having settled in this country early in this present cent- ury. John Selcer, sr., married Agnes M. Lowrie of New York State, and they reared a family of seven children. John Selcer; jr., has successfully conducted the merchant tailoring establishment since his father's death, being now the accredited leader in this line of industry in this village, and town. He married Josephine Boyer. Mr. Selcer is identified with local social institutions, such as the Masonic Fraternity, Royal Arcanum, American Mechanics, etc. Schuyler, John E., Little Falls, was born in Danube. His father, Lester Schuyler, is a prominent farmer of that town. After leaving home, John E. was employed on the railroad for about three years, after which for one year he was with the Warren Mower Company of Little Falls. About eight years ago he established his liquor business, which has been a success since its inception. Mr. Schuyler married Rose Fogarty. They have one child, a boy, Charles E. Schuyler. Sellman, J., Little Falls, was born in Little Falls in 1861. He received bis education in the schools of this village, and has been conducting his present liquor establishment for the past six years. His residence is 57 Loomis street. Mr. Sellman is a thorough- going business man and enjoys the respect and esteem of his fellow citizens in a marked degree. He has two brothers : Emil and John Sellman, who are engaged in the grocery business upon Main street, conducting a prosperous establishment. 220 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. Seeley, Horatio E., Little Falls, was born in Stratford, March 3, 1857. He received an excellent education in the schools of that vicinity, and came to Little Falls about 1881. Here he at first engaged in the saloon busine.'^s for a few years, disposing of this he entered the employ of the Baileys as a master machinist, where he continued for four years and seven months. Then in September, 1891, he established his present business, which is one of the largest and best livery concerns in the village. Mr. Seeley married Catharine Shall, and they have one daughter. His ancestors partici- pated in the Revolutionary war and also that of 1812. Mr. Seeley is identified with various local social and benevolent institutions, such as the Odd Fellows, etc. Shant, B. J., of Little Falls, is a native of this town and has lived here all his life. He was a farmer's son. Thirteen years ago he and his brother, William H., began business together and the partnership lasted eight years. Five years ago they dissolved and each has conducted a business of his own since. He is a Republican in politics and is a prominent Mason belonging to the Commandery. His family have lived in this part for several generations and his great-grandfather took part in the Revolution. In 1890 he married Ida Uhle and both are adherents of the Universalist church. Spence & Armstrong, Little Falls, established their meat and provision business near the Garvin house, September 26, 1892. Prior to this time Mr. W. E. Armstrong was for several years connected with the fast mail service. J, G. Spence is a native of Scotland. He was engaged in the hotel business there, which he disposed of to .settle in this country, a few weeks since. This firm undoubtedly has a very bright future ahead, as both members are thoroughly upright, popular and energetic business men, who will make a success of any legitimate undertaking. Spellman, M., Russia, was born August 11, 1858. in Beloit, Wis. Hjs father was Patrick Spellman, a native of Ireland, who came to America about 1852 and settled in Herkimer county, N. Y. After a short time he went to Wisconsin and remained there several years. He afterwards returned east and now resides in Newport township. He reared eight children. His mother died when siibject was eleven years of age, and at the age of tvi'elve he started in life for himself, working on a farm by the month for thirteen years, and for himself three years. He has since been in the hotel business. October 6, 1883 he married Carrie, daughter of William and Lorina (Stillman) Harri.s, natives of Newport. To Mr. Spellman and wife have been horn two children: Ray- mond H., born April 5, 1887, in Cold Brook, and Glenn N., deceased, born September 16, 1891, in Dolgeville. In 1886 Mr. Spellman became proprietor of the hotel in Cold Brook and remained there three years. Then went to Dolgeville and was proprietor of the Cottage hotel at that place until 1892, then returning to Cold Brook, where he has since been proprietor of the Cold Brook hotel. Shoemaker, Nicholas N., was born where he now lives ni Warren, January 1, 1821, and IS a son of Nicholas and Lana (Passage) Shoemaker. His grandfather was Thomas Shoemaker, a native of Germany, who settled at Fort Herkimer ; his wife was a Miss Harter, who bore him five children. The subject's father was born at Fort Herkimer, August 18, 1779. In 1799 he settled where the subject now lives. He was an active FAMILY SKETCHES. 221 and influential man in town and church affairs. His first wife died in March, 1839, and he married Rebecca Barrenger By his first wife he had five children : Elizabeth, Margaret, John, Thomas and Nicholas N. The latter at nineteen took charge of the homestead and has carried it on since. He has been engaged in stock dealing and shipping ; is a Republican and has held town offices. He married in September, 1854, Angeline Ayres, of South Columbia, and they had three children : Orville, Carrie, wife of Clifton Miller, and Emma, wife of George Davis. Mrs. Shoemaker died June 30, 1889 ; she was a member of the Reformed church. Swift, Timothy C, Warren, was born in Warren, March 25, 1845, and is a son of John and Eliza (Green) Swift. His grandfather, William Swift, came from Massa- chusetts and died in Warren. John Swift was born in Massachusetts; his wife was born in Warren and is a daughter of William and Mary (Biggs) Green. They had three children, two survive: Thomas A and Timothy C. The latter was raised on a farm and at the age of twelve began working for himself by the day and month. In 1871 he began cheese making at Grain's Corners, where he has since lived, carrying on both cheese-making and farming. He also operates two other factories and owns a half interest in 190 acres of land, besides seven acres where he lives. He is a Republican and a Mason. He married in January, 1867, Catherine, daughter of John Wagner, of Danube. They have one child, Eugene C. Smith, A. J., attorney at law, Herkimer, is a native of this village and studied law with Brown and Mitchell until his admission to the bar in June, 1881. In November of the same year he entered into partnership with Mr. I. R. Devendorf, which still subsists. He is an able counselor and good pleader, and was elected supervisor of the town of Herkimer twice, in 1888 and 1889. He was chairman of the Democratic county committee in 1885, and is a thorough exponent of Democracy. Mr. Smith comes of an old and honored family, his great-grandfather having been born in this State and the family being old Mohawk settlers on both father's and mother's sides. Smith, C. Cutler, L. D. S., German Flats, was born in Otsego county, October 9, 1847, and studied dentistry in Brooklyn after a literary course in Madison University. In 1869 he opened his office in Ilion. Dr. Smith has been president of the village and both president and vice-president of the Fifth District Dental Society of New York State. His father was Alonzo Smith. In 1878 Dr. Smith married Miss Maude E. Stern, a daughter of Lawrence Stern. The mother's father was D .vid Cutler, a Bap- tist minister of Vermont. Smith, Dr. Fletcher N., Little Falls, who is associated in the practice of dentistry with Dr.' J. V. Hemstreet, is a native of Oswego, N. Y., and began the study of his profession there with his father, who is one of the oldest practicing dentists in the State, having had an office in that place for the past thirty years. After leaving his father's office Dr. F. W. Smith was connected with J. L. Curtis, of Syracuse, for three years. He then came to Little Falls seven years ago and associated himself with Dr. Hemstreet, and their offices are the leading ones in this place. Dr. Smith is very pop- 222 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. ular socially, and is a member of the Elks and the Royal Arcanum. He comes of an old and honorable family, his ancestors having lived in this State for many generations. Stannard, Peter, was born in Colchester, Conn., and came to Springfield, Otsego county, about 1800. His wife was a Miss Corter, who bore him five children, namely : Peter, Ezra, Gilbert, Charles and Betsy. Charles, named above, came with his parents from Connecticut, and was a carpenter and cabinetmaker. He married Esther Bige- low, who bore him two children, Lorinda and Elisha W. He died in December, 1820. Elisha W. Stannard was born in his grandfather Bigelow's house, October 27, 1819. He received a good education and learned the carpenter trade, at which he has worked more or less. He owns 212 acres of land. He is a Republican and ha.'; been super- visor four terms and justice of the peace sixteen years. He married Julia, daughter of Jabez and Ann (Burnham) Percival, who has borne him five children : Anna V., Charles P., William E., Carrie J., and Albert L. Subject and wife are prominent members of the Presbyterian church. She is a graduate of the Albany Normal school. Spellman, Joseph, Newport, was born in Ireland in 1824, a son of Edward and Anna (Rourk) Spellman, who had a family of three sons and a daughter. Mrs. Spellman died in Ireland, and in 1860 Mr. Spellman came to America, where he lived until his death in 1882. Joseph was reared on a farm, and when a young man left his native land and came to America. He married Anna O'Conner, a native of Ireland, by whom he has had the following children : Aurora, Edward, Dennis, Minnie, James and Annie. Mr. Spellman is a farmer and owns 135 acres of land in Newport. In politics he is a Democrat, and in religion he and family are Catholics. Stauring, E., Little Falls, was born in Little Falls, January 11, 1857. Receiving an excellent education in the schools of his native town, he was then associated with his father in the grocery business for several years. In 1880 he established his present liquor business, which he has since conducted most successfully. Mr. Stauring married Mary Cronkhite, and they have one daughter. Mr. Stauring is identified with local social and benevolent institutions, including the Elks, Odd Fellows, etc. Schmidt, John, German Flats, was born in Germany and came to America in 1854 and to Ilion in 1861. He has been a contractor for the Remington Gun Works for thirty-one years. Mr. Schmidt is a Mason and a liberal contributor to church societies. He was president of the village for two years and a trustee for eight years. In 1860 he married Miss Catherine Seibert, and they have eight children. Spoffard, C. J., Dolgeville, was born in Dolgeville, and received a good education in the schools of this village. At the outbreak of the late war he served in the Ninety- seventh New York Volunteers under his father, Brigadier-General Spoffard. After being mustered out he took up the study of dentistry under Dr. Chatfield, of Herkimer, and has now been practicing this profession for the past fifteen years. He married Nellie Faville. Dr. Spoffard is a high degree Mason, and is organizing a G. A. R. post in this village, which will be named Spoffard Post, in honor of his father, who com- manded the regiment from this vicinity. Sharp, James, a leading farmer of Little Falls, is a native of this town. He was born in August, 1822, and has lived an honorable and successful life. He owns 207 acres of E-AMILY SKETCSES. 223 land and raises on an aTerage of 80 to 100 tons of hay, and has a herd of forty-six milch cows. His father purchased the farm on which Mr. Sharp lives. He has reared a family of eight children, of whom seven are still living. One of his sons, Jacob E. Sharp, is a farmer on the River road to Little Falls. Mr. Sharp has given no attention to public affairs, although he always votes the Democratic ticket. Small, Matthew, is one of the leading farmers between .Little Falls and Herkimer. He was born in the town of German Flats and came to his present farm in 1847, his fathT having purchased the place. In 1859 he married Jesse Klock and they have one son, Matthew. Mr. Small has spent most of his life farming, but was in the hotel busi- ness for a short time. His grandfather, Jacob Small, was a German and one of the early settlers along the Mohawk. Mr. Small has an attractive farm, and is one of the substantial men of the town. Snell, Seffrenus Clarence, was born in Sneli's Bush, May 17, 1853. He received a liberal education in the Little Falls Academy, Fairfield Academy and Clinton Liberal Institute, after which he attended the Adams Hungerford Military College. Upon the completion of his studies, Mr. Snell assumed the active management of his extensive dairy farm of 162 acres. Mr. Snell is assessor of the town of Alanheim, has been trus- tee two terms and collector of the town two years. He is a member of the R. A. and Grange. His wife was Miss Eugene Helmer, a daughter of Samuel Helmer. They have three children. Mr. Sneli's ancestors participated in the Revolution, and also the war of 1812. Spinner, J. W., German Flats, was born in Herkimer, October 27, 1808, and is a brother of F. E. Spinner, once Secretary of the Treasury of the United States. Mr. J. W. Spinner was a painter and a blacksmith by trade and never sought political prefer- ment. In 1876 he married Miss Mary Johnson and they live quietly in Mohawk. Shedd, Orlando B., Dolgeville, was born in Salisbury, Herkimer county, N. Y., Feb- ruary 8, 1860. He received a sood education in the common schools, after which he attended the Fairfield Academy, and eventually graduated from the Philadelphia Den- tal College in 1877, immediately thereafter settling in Dolgeville and commencing the practice of his profession. Prior to commencing the study of dentistry, Mr. Shedd taught school for a few years. His wife was Miss Agnes Colhns, of Middleville. They have no children. Dr. Shedd is identified with local social and benevolent institutions, and has his dental parlors in the Faville block, Dolgeville, N. Y. Spencer, Howard, Dolgeville. Nathaniel Spencer, grandfather of Howard Spencer, moved from Vermont into Herkimer county and settled at Brockett's Bridge, now Dolgeville, in 1790. He purchased land and followed farming until his death and was succeeded by his son, Thomas Spencer, who was the father of the subject of this brief sketch, who lived an honorable and respected life, was engaged in agricultural pursuits, died and is buried here. Howard Spencer was born on the old farm. New Dolgeville, on the 4th of December, 1847. He received an academic education, and has always followed farming. He married Miss Emma Salisbury, of Norway, and has two chil- dren, both girls. Howard Spencer has lately disposed of part of the old farm for 224 HISTORt OF HERKIMER COUNTt. building lots, but retained the old homestead, which is probably the oldest building standing in Manheim. Mr. Spencer is a thoroughly representative citizen and much respected. Snell, Milton, Manheim, was born at Snell's Bush, January 17, 1839. When four years of age his fathec, Simeon Snell, moved on his present farm of 233 acres, which Milton Snell now owns. His ancestors participated in the Revolutionary War, and also the war of 1812. Nine of the family were at Oriskany with General Herkimer, seven of whom were slain. Milton Snell married Miss M. A. A'edder, and they have two daughters. His farm is located a mile from Ingham's Mills, and is one of the finest dairy farms in Manheim. He keeps sixty-five head of stock. Stewart, John H., Herkimer, was born in Johnstown, July 6, 1816. He learned his trade of wagon-maker in this town and has worked at bis trade since. He during the war was employed at the arsenal at Troy. Mr. Stewart came to Herkimer in 1849, and formed a co-partnership with Geo. Lake, which continued for eight years, until at the death of Mr. Lake, Mr. Stewart assumed complete charge, and has since conducted the business on his own account, ilr. Stewart has been married twice, and has three children living. Mr. Stewart has served as assessor, postmaster, etc., and is one of Herkimer's most reputable and representative citizens. Slade, Samuel, Litchfield, is a farmer, and was born on the same farm where he now lives. He is a son of Anthony Slade, one of the first settlers here, who married first Mary Bufiington, who died in July, 1811, leaving three children: Phoebe, Sewell, and Samuel. The latter married Elsie Alford, by whom he has two children living: Esther Ann, and George S. Esther Ann married Alonzo P. Miller, and they have two chil- dren: Minnie E. and Carrie L. George S. Slade married Mary E. Wilcox. They have one son, Clyde W. Anthony Slade was born in Massachusetts, October 18, 1779, and died February 19, 1853. Shaul, Andrew G., Stark, was born November 16, 1859, in Springfield, Otsego county; a son of Harvey and Paulina (Frost) Shaul. The grandfather, Andrew, was born in Stark, June 26, 1800, and died in Springfield, July 18, 1862. His wife >vas Martha Harns, who still survives. They had three children : Sally, William H., and Harvey. He was a Whig and a Republican. His father, Henry, came from Germany in colonial days, and settled in Stark. He was a soldier in Revolution. His wife was Catharine Bronner, who came from Germany. They raised five boys and two girls : Jacob, Sabastian, Peter, David, Andrew, Catharine and Mary. Harvey Shaul was born wheie his son resides in Stark. He was at one time assessor. Andrew was the only child, and was raised on the farm, received a district school education, and at nineteen began life on his father's farm, on shares, making hops and dairying specialties. He is a Re- publican, and an active member of V. M. C, and the Good Templars, being chief in the latter order. He married, August 28, 1876, Lillie Edick, born in Stark, daughter of Henry and Martha (Givets) Edick, hotel proprietors. Mr. Edick served in the One Hundred and Twenty-Second New York Infantry in the war. Mr. and Mrs. Edick have two children : Myron H. and Mirel, and are Universalists. FAMILY SKETCHES. 225 Spencer, D. D., I!ion, is a native of Illinois, and spent many years in the banking business in Chicago. About twelve years ago he went to Europe, and resided in difiFerent countries until recently, when he settled in Mohawk, and has started a large and flourishing stock farm. The house in which Mr. Spencer lives contains some rooms of much historic interest, for in them Washington passed some time over a century ago. The old house has been preserved as part of the new structure for this reason. Springer, Oliver H., was born where he now resides in Stark, September IG, 1840, a son of George and Christina (Eckles) Springer. The grandfather, Loadwick Springer, was born October 12, 1774, in Brunswick, N. Y., married Mariah Coons, and about 1803 located in Stark; reared six sons and four daughters. He died in his eighty-fifth year. His wife died in 1820. Loadwick was ason of Jacob, who came from Germany, and had eight children : Henry, Loadwick, Fanny, Jacob, George, Mary, Martin and Katie. Subject's grandfather was one of the pioneers of Stark, and had four sons and four daughters. George Springer was born in Stark, in February, 1803. He located on 250 acres, where his son, 0. H., now resides. He died in Starkville in 1882, and was twice married. His first wife bore him two children: Martha Vedder and Oliver H. She died in September, 1865, aged fifty-six. His second wife was Juliet Gross. George was a Whig and a Republican, aod served as supervisor nine terms. In 1861 he represented the company, and was very active in raising troops and money. Oliver H. was raised on a farm; was educated at a district school and the seminary. In 1863 he took charge of homestead in addition to his own farm. He is a breeder of Holstem cattle, and is a hop grower; served four terms as supervisor, and is active in politics. He is a leadmg Mason, and a member of Utica Commandery. He married, October 22, 1861, Elizabeth, daughter of Aleck and Jane (Mount) Hall. Springer, Frank, Warren, was born January 26, 1844, in Stark, a son of David H. and Sally (Acker) Springer. The grandfather, Loadwick, was born in Rensselaer county, and was a pioneer of Stark. He was captain of militia and took an active interest in politics, being a W^hig. His children were as follows : Nicholas, Jacob L , Martin L., David H., Polly, Betsey, Lana and Katie. David H. was born and always resided in Stark. His wife was Sally, daughter of William Acker of Stark, and they had four children : Loadwick, Franklin, George and Daniel. He is a Republican and an active and liberal supporter of the church. His son Frank received a district school education and at twenty-seven bought and located on 105 acres in Warren, where be now resides, owning at the present 240 acres. He has served as assessor and town auditor on the Republican ticket. December 15, 1869, he married Amelia Shaul, born in Stark, a daughter of Richard and Mary (Fetterly) Shaul of Stark, who raised six children: Diantha, vs-ho died leaving one daughter; Amelia, George, who died aged twenty-one; Ella and Marcella. Mr. and Mrs. Springer have three children : Lena M., Victor G. and David R. Smith, Gersham, Stark, son of Peter G. and Catherine (Kinter) Smith, came from New Jersey as a blacksmith and settled on 260 acres in Stark. He married Margaret (Reese), by whom he had these children : Samuel, John, Dan, William, Peter, Ann, Rachael and Margaret. Subject's father was born in Stark, and died at Richfield Springs 226 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTt. about 1880. He was twice married, his first wife bore him five children: Elija, Mar- garet, Viola, John and Gersham. The latter was born where he now lives, June 20, 1864, and married in February, 1875, Ella Shaul, a daughter of Richard and Mary (Fetterly) Shaul, and they have three children : Arthur G., Olin R., and Mabel E. Mr. Smith has served as supervisor two terms, is a Republican and a Mason. Springer, Loadwick Stark, was born in Stark September 17, 1842, a son of David H. and Sally W. (Eckler) Springer. The grandfather, Loadwick, was born in Rensselaer county, and of Holland parents. His father, Jacob, was taken prisoner by the Indians during the Revolution and was a prisoner seven years. Loadwick died in June, 1857, aged over eighty, a captain of militia and a Republican. His wife died in 1820. They had a large family : Betsey, Polly, Jacob, George, David, Martin, Nicholas, Philip and Daniel. David H. was born in Stark where he always lived. His wife survives him, and is of the Lutheran faith. They had four children : Loadwick, Franklin, George and Daniel, all living. Loadwick was raised on a farm, received a district school edu- cation, and lived with his father until after the war. He enlisted in August, 1864, in the navy and served on the Texas Coast. He was discharged at Brooklyn in June, 1865. He lived with his father for a couple of years, where he and his brother Frank bought 104 acres in Warren. Later he came to Stark and bought eighty acres. He finally located where he now resides, on 187 acres, also owning another farm of 205 arces in Stark. He has made his own way through life, has served in town offices and is a Republican. He married January 1, 1867, Diantha, daughter of Richard and Mary A. (Fetterly) Shaul of Stark, who had six children : Rose, Eltha, Ella, Amelia, Sallie, and George, who died at twenty. Subject and wife have three children: Ella, wife of Frank Harris : Carrie and Myrtia. They are of the Universalist faith. Shall, George W., Little Falls, was born in Danube, Herkimer county. He received his education in the schools of this vicinity, and worked upon his father's farm until twenty-four years of age. Then, after working at the carpenter's trade for two years, he started a restaurant in Little Falls in 1875, and in 1877 he went into the Hotel Rock- ton, which lie purchased and ran for eight years, and which property he still owns. While in the hotel Mr. Shall inaugurated a mercantile establishment here, devoted to sale of wagons, argicultural implements, hay, etc., at No. 536 Albany street. This proving a success he eventually rented the hotel property and devoted his time to the management of this enterprise. Mr. Shall's family are of Revolutionary antecedents and were also in the War of 1812. He married Mary C. Fox, and has one son. Mr. Shall lias been trustee of the village (1880-81), is an Odd Fellow, Elk, K. of P., etc. In politics he is a Democrat. Staring, Gilbert, Stark, was born in Danube April 10, 1848, son of John A. and Elizabeth (Cristman) Staring. The grandfather, John, was a pioneer of Manheim, served in the War of 1812, and died aged eighty-eight. He was twice married and had children by both wives. John A. was born in Manheim and lived there until about fifteen, when he came to Stark, and then married and moved to Danube. In 1855 he returned to Deck, where he died November 16, 1887. He served in Company A, 152d N. Y, Volunteers three years, participating in twenty-six battles. He was wounded FAMILY SKETCHES. 227 in left arm in the battle of the Wilderness, and had a sixty days' furlough, which was the only time he was off duty. He and his wife had eleven children : Lucinda Vedder of Nebraska ; Menzo, who enlisted in Company F, 121st N. Y. Infantry, and was killed in the battle of the Wilderness ; Gilbert, Mary Christman of Herkimer; Amanda Cas- ler of Frankfort ; Minerva Brown of Mohawk; Dan, of Huntington, Quebec; Henry, died aged four; John, died aged two; Ellen Wells of Leipsic, and Ervin E. Gilbert was raised on a farm and received a dictrict school education, and at fourteen began for himself, working on a farm at $4.00 per month. At twenty-one be began cheese man- ufacture in Stark, and was for thirteen years in Richfield. In 1890 he located on 150 acres of land where he now lives. He is a Democrat. September 15, 1875, he married Hattie, daughter of John and Margaret (Mowers) France, and they have one child : Lela. Snider, John R., Stark, was born June 12, 1854, in Stark, a son of Moges and Anna Maria (Kinter) Snider. He was raised on a farm, received a district school education and academic, and at twenty-one began life for himself on the farm, working by the month. In the spring of 1879 he bought and located on 160 acres where he now lives. He also owns a store and residence. He is a Democrat in politics, and has lived in Stark all his life. He married, February 12, 1878, Rosa E. Shaul, born in Columbia, a daugh- ter of David and Amanda (Bronner) Shaul of Stark. They have one child, Maud. Snyder, Lewis, Ohio, was born in Germany August 10, 1827. His father was George L. Snyder, born October 10, 1799. The latter was educated in Germany and was a police officer therefor many years. He afterward became a civil engineer. He married Mary Stephens, and had five sons and three daughters. Mrs. Snyder died in 1857, and in 1861 George L. came to America and lived with his son Lewis. He then went to California where he resided with his daughter until his death in 1881. Lewis Snyder was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools. He was twenty one years old when he came to America and settled in Ohio, where he has since lived with the exception of two years in Rus.sla. He was a poor boy and has made his own property. He now owns 503 acres of land and keeps a large dairy. In 1853 he married Mary A. Sickles, a daughter of Philip and Magdeline Sickles, who came from Germany when their daughter was eight years old. To subject and wife one child was born, Olin L. He resides near his father on a farm. His wife is Annie E., daughter of Patrick Wal- lace. They have three children : Bertha L., Charles O. and Perry L. He is now sales- man for No. 35 State Brand Cheese-factory of Ohio, which position he has held many years. He is a member of the North Star Grange No. 686, and with his wife attends the M. E. Church of Ohio. Snyder, John, Salisbury, was born in Germany October 28, 1831. He came to this country in 1858, and has been engaged in Salisbury Corners in blacksmithing ever since. He married Rachel Grisnol, and they have one daughter. Mr. Snyder owns a wagon shop, blacksmith shop, residence and ten acres of land. He employs help in his busi- ness, and is a thorough and reliable mechanic and citizen. Snyder, Moses, Stark, was born in Stark January 26, 1825, a son of Daniel and Catha- rine (Backus) Snyder. The grandfather, John, was a pioneer of Minden, Montgomery 228 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. county, served in the War of the Revolution and was in the battle of Oriskany. He died in Minden. His wife was Catharine Countryman, by whom he had five sons: Abram, Benjamin, Jacob, Daniel and John, and several daughters. Daniel Snyder was born in Minden and located near Starkville on GOO acres, which he cleared. He died \n Stark before the war, aged eighty-three. He served in minor town offices as a Demo- crat. He had thirteen children : William, Daniel, Moses, Joseph, Catharine, Lana, Mar- garet, Susan, Lucinda, Elizabeth and Mary A. ; two sons, John and Solomon, died in childhood. Moses received a common school education, and at twenty-five years of age began for himself, working a farm on shares. He bought 100 acres of .land, which he has improved with substantial buildings, and owns another farm of 120 acres. He is a Democrat and has served as assessor. He married January 1, 1850, Anna M., daughter of John and Anna M. (Warren) Kinter, of Stark. Her father served in the war of 1812, and her grandfather, Richard Kinter, was a pioneer of Stark, and served in the Revolution. He married first, Elizabeth Barringer, who bore him three children, and second, to Rachael Cooper, who bore him nine children. Mr. and Mrs. Snyder have had four children: Ellen E., died, aged four; John R., , wife of George W. Fikes, and Eugene. Turner, E. M., Mohawk, was born in Exeter, Otsego county, N. Y., January 19, 1851. He received an academic education, after which he engaged in farming for a few years. Then for four years ran a grocery in Moharwk, after this he was manager of a flour and feed establishment in Utica for a time, and also identified with the Getman Manufac- turing Company of Ilion for three years. In September, 1892, Mr. Turner established a wholesale and retail bakery concern in Mohawk. He is doing a good business. Mr. Turner is identified with the board of education, etc. Taylor, Joseph, German Flats, was born in Dutchess county, August 18, 1838, and learned the trade of wagonmaker. He enlisted in November, 1861, in the Thirteenth Connecticut Volunteer?, and served under General Butler until 1866. In 1867 he came to Ilion and has been a contractor in the armory up to the present time. He is a Mason, having passed up to the command of a member of the G. A. R. In 1884 he married Amelia F. Myers. His father was Warren Taylor, a native of Middletown, Conn. Timmerman, Ira, Manheim, was born in the town of Manheim, April 26, 1828. He received a good education in the schools here and has always followed farming, although in connection with his farm he has been engaged in other lines. He now owns a fine dairy farm of 120 acres. Mr. Timmerman erected a hotel at the "Corners," opposite his residence, which he and his son conducted for some time. He has been largely identified with the material progress of this community. His children are as follows: Ella, George H., William, Jeremiah, Izora, Melvin, Ida, Lester and Kittle, all living. Mr. Timmerman's ancestry for four generations have lived here, looatmgin Snell's Bush about 1709. Mr. Timmerman has served as assessor and held other offices, and is a representative farmer. Taber, Frederick Frank, Newport, was a son of Walter M. and Elizabeth (Frank) Taber. His father was a son of Peleg Taber, a native of Herkimer county, who had FAMILY SKETCHES. 229 five children : Adelaide, Frederick Frank, Louise, wife of Charles White ; George R. and Charles W. The mother, Elizabeth, was a daughter of Frederick Frank, who was a resident of Fort Herkimer. Frederick Frank was born in the town of Herkimer, December 22, 1837. At the age of twenty-two he began for himself, following farm- ing and teaming for sever^ years, then began the manufacture of chairs, and in 1887 he purchased the hotel which he now keeps. He married Harriet C, daughter of Wal- ter P. and Harriet W. Griswold, and they have two children : Linda, wife of Charles Parkhurst, and Walter G. Turner, George R., Ohio, was born in Ohio, September 23, 1834. His father was Cornelius Turner, son of John Turner. The latter was a native of Massachusetts, and early in Hfe went to Greenbush, Westchester county. He afterwards went to Ohioi where he died. Cornelius Turner was a native of Greenbush, born January 17, 1794. He was reared a blacksmith and followed his trade fifty years. His wife was Deborah Ames, a native of St. Lawrence county, born November 18, 1798. They had four sons and three daughters. In November, 1819, Mr. Turner and family came to Ohio and settled on the farm now owned by George R. and there lived until his death, Novem- ber 5, 1875. His wife died September 2, 1879. They were members of the M. E. church. George R. Turner was reared on a farm and educated in the common school. March 7, 1857, he married Eliza E. Paul, born July 22, 1841, a daughter of Franklin and Rachael (Vinton) Paul. Mr. Paul died in 1841 and Mrs. Paul resides in Illinois at the age of seventy-three years. Mr. Turner and wife had six children : Louisa, Deborah, Franklin B., Millard F., and George and Ada, deceased. Mr. Turner is a farmer, a Democrat and has been town collector two terms, assessor two terms and overseer of the poor two terms. He is a member of North Star Lodge, No. 686, of Ohio, and he and his wife are Methodists. Tunniclift, George E., Warren, was born on the farm adjoining the one on which he now lives, July 11, 1858, and is a son of Horatio N. and Augusta L. (Rathbun) Tunni- clift. His grandfather, George, was born in 1790 and came to Warren when he was three years old, and there lived until he died at the age of seventy-three. His wife was Marinda Tilden, whose father was a cousin of Samuel J. Tilden. They had four children : Horatio N., Oran N., Mary B. and Damon G. Horatio N. Tunniclift was born October 11, 1820, and died November 5, ■*«»-; his wife is still living. They had x /SZq four children : Mary M. (deceased), Augusta L., George E., and Nelson H. George E. was educated at Richfield Springs Seminary and taught school one term. He operates his mother's farm of fifty-two acres and is a breeder of Hambletonian horses. He is a Republican. Farber, Christopher, Ohio, was born in Germany, March 2, 1850, a son of John Farber, who married Annie Fisher, a native of Germany, and to them were born five children. In 1874, Mr. Farber came to Ohio, N. Y., where he lived until his death in 1885. His wife died in 1881. The father of John was Albert Farber, a native of Germany. Chris- topher Farber was reared on a farm in Germany and was seventeen years old when he and his brother John came to America. John settled in Russia where he still resides and Christopher .settled in Ohio, where he has since made his home. Subject was a 230 HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY. poor boy when he came to America and worked on a farm by the month for six years. He then purchased the farm where he now resides. In 1875 he married Rachel Hoff- man, a native of Ohio, born in 1851. Her parents were Peter and Sophia (Hafer) Hoffman, who reared eleven children. Mr. Hoffman and family reside at Washington Mills, N. Y. To Mr. Farber and wife have been born four children : Albert E., Amelia A., Mary E., and Edward all of whom are living. Mr. Farber is a Democrat. Thomas. George H., is a native of Middleville and was educated in the private schools of Connecticut. He first began business as a clerk in the employ of the State at Albany and was next in the employ of the United States. He subsequently came home and took charge of this bu.siness, which he has owned since his father's death m 18G5. This tannery business is one of the oldest in the country, having been started by Mr. Thomas's grandfather in 1814. Mr. Thomas now employs seventy hands in the produc- tion of calf-skin leather. He is president of the National Bank at Newport and has been since 1874. In 1867 he married Miss Mary Kenyon and they have one child. Mr. Edward M. Burns is a partner of Mr. Thomas. Thompson, James W., Fairfield, is one of the bright young men of Herkimer county. He is a native of Salisbury and his father, W. J. Thompson, was one of the substantial farmers of that township. Mr. Thompson owns 165 acres of land and a dairy of forty- five cows. His father died in 1885 and his mother in 1891, the former at the time of his death being the owner of seven farms. Tibbetts, William, M. D., Danube, was born in Saratoga county, N. Y., October 4, 1837. He received an academic education and eventually graduated in medicine from Bellevue Hospital Col'ege, New York, in 18G7. He immediately thereafter located at Newville, Danube township, where he has since been actively engaged in the practice of his profession. Dr. Tibbetts married Elizabeth Houpt ; they have two children liv- ing, both of whom are sons. The doctor has served Danube as supervisor for the past two terms. He is a member of the County Medical Society and in a very skilled and thorough medical practitioner. Van Slyke, William, is a native of Fairfield, and one of the oldest residents of the place. He was born in 1822 and has been a farmer all his life, though of late years he has retired from active work, and his son manages the farm, which consists of eighty- six acres of dairy land. Mr. Van Slyke married in 1847, and has a family of two children, a son and a daughter. He is a Democrat in politics, as is also his son. His grandfathers on both sides took part in the war of the Revolution. Uhle, Jerome, Little Falls, was born in 1828, near the village of Little Falls and has been a farmer all his life. He has been successful and now owns 105 acres of land, having inherited twenty-five acres from bis father. Mr. Uhle's grandfather came from Germany and his grandmother was a relative of General Herkimer. Mr. Uhle uses his farm entirely for dairy purposes, and has a herd of forty-eight milch cows. Mr. Uhle has one daughter, the wife of B. J. Shaut of Little Falls. In politics he has always been a Democrat, and has held the office of commissioner of highways. FAMILY SKETCHES. 231 Van Slyke, D. C, is a native of Little FaDs, and has teen a resident farmer all his life. His father, James Van Slyke, is still living and resides with him. The family is descended from the old Mohawk Dutch, and they were among the earliest settler m that part of the State. D. C. Van Slyke is a prominent and successful Prohibition worker, and is county deputy of the Good Templars. He also belongs to the Royal Arcanum, the People's Benefit Society and the Grange. He married Anna A. Border. He works 176 acres of land and has forty cows. He formerly dealt extensively in hay and supplied the Seventh and Eighth Avenue Railway Company of New York for seven years. He brought to the town the first hay press used this side of Albany. Van Alstyne, Calvin, Little Falls, was born March 9, 1829, in the town of Danube- He received a good education in the schools of this vicinity, and was an assistant in his father's grocery store until twenty-one years of age, when he was admitted to a part- nership at the same time the business was removed from Shall's Lot to Jacksonburg, Two years later he married Miss C. E. Eysaman, dissolving partnership with his father in the grocery establishment and entering the employ of J. J. Gilbert of Little Falls, with whom he has been for the past twenty years. He was elected tax collector last charter election, which office he now holds most acceptably to the public. Mr. Van Alstyne has a family of four sons living. He is a staunch Republican in politics. Uebler, Conrad, Schuyler, is one of the successful men of Herkimer county, is a German by birth, but came to America in 1870. He was born September 15, 183G. He has been on his present farm of 180 acres for eleven years, and has put up five buildings and started a charcoal enterprise and a hop plantation. In 1872 he married Josephine Sohn, and they have four children, three sons and a daughter. Van Vechten, William P., Norway, was born October 27, 1843. He is a son of Hamlen and Roxy H. Van Vechten, mentioned in Charles Van A^echten's sketch. William P. was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools. He married Annie Stratton of Utica, a daughter of George and Hannah Stratton. Their children are George, Anna and Ada, deceased. Mr. Van Vechten owns 170 acres of land and keeps a large dairy. He is a Democrat and has been supervisor three years, assessor several years, and inspector of elections. Van Dewalker, Nicholas, Warren, was born in Sharon September 14, 1857, and is a son of Jacob and Lavinia Van Dewalker. His grandfather, Peter, was a pioneer of Schoharie county, and owned about 1.000 acres of land. Jacob Van Dewalker was born in Schoharie county, and died about 1880, aged sixty years. His wife, who was the mother of three children and a member of the Methodist church, died earlier. Nicholas Van Dewalker was educated in the common schools, and at eighteen began business for himself by working on a farm. In the spring of 1890 he bought and set- tled on 300 acres east of Little Lakes. He is a Democrat. He married in May, 1883^ Fannie, daughter of Albert and Fatima (Flint; Clyde of Montgomery county. They have one child, Ina E. Van Allen, Edward G., Little Falls, was born in Little Falls June 24, 1853. He re- ceived a good common school education, after which for years he was engaged on a 232 HISTORY OF HERKIMEK COUNTY. farm. During the next three years he was brakeman on the Central Railroad, after which he was promoted to the position of conductor. This he held for eleven years. When the great strike occurred, about two years ago, he with others, lost his position, since which time he has been engaged in the grocery and bottling businef <. ' . . ' ' . \f>c,'' ^^^^ ^j^S^ ^JV^ -^^^ ^^^^^,' ^^^\. ■^>^'V''v' ^^^ ^^it^.' /^"^ V . . -*- '^ > . -'- rr ■ ■■ -'■ ■■■■--^ ■■: ■ -1 O^ . -J- - . >.^. .-.-' .,■ ■ < O. f\ ■S" -^^ "> \ ■ C, vP N^ 0^ 'yfr0^:^ <^, <^^ <•> :>:r^ J'C' »».'♦ ,0^ i *^**.,-f?)I«- K WjCT .>'