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CIpacneU MttinctHitJLffiihcarg 
 
 3tl;aca, S^em {ack 
 
 BOUGHT WITH THE INCOME OF THE 
 
 JACOB H. SCHIFF - 
 
 ENDOWMENT FOR THE PROMOTION 
 
 OF STUDIES IN 
 
 HUMAN CIVILIZATIQN 
 
 1916 
 
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HISTORY 
 
 OF 
 
 Fulton County 
 
 EMBRACING 
 
 EARLY DISCOVERIES; THE ADVANCE OF CIVILIZATION; THE LABORS 
 AND TRIUMPHS OF SIR WILLIAM JOHNSON; THE INCEP- 
 TION AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE GLOVE INDUS- 
 TRY ; WITH TOWN AND LOCAL RECORDS; 
 ALSO MILITARY ACHIEVEMENTS OF 
 FULTON COUNTY PATRIOTS. 
 
 REVISED AND EDITED 
 
 By Washington Frothingham 
 
 Experience is by industry achieved, 
 
 And perfected by the swift course of time, 
 
 —Shakespeare. 
 
 SYRACUSE, N. Y.: 
 
 D. MASON & CO., Printers and Publishers. 
 
 1892. 
 
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PREFACE. 
 
 COUNTIES are the chief divisions of all the states in the Union 
 except South Carolina, where they are called " districts," and also 
 Louisiana, where they are called "parishes." In England the same 
 divisions are sometimes called " shires," and hence the term " shire 
 town " is often applied to the seat of the county buildings. It need 
 hardly be questioned whether Fulton county has not just claim to a 
 printed record of that history of which all its citizens may be proud. 
 It was with the desire of doing this act of justice that the editor 
 assumed the task which he has accomplished laboriously, and he hopes 
 successfully. 
 
 The publishers detailed a staff of faithful literateurs to each town, 
 and their reports are based on personal inspection, in order to insure 
 accuracy. These reports have been thoroughly revised by the editor, 
 who has made every effort to render this work authoritj^ in all matters 
 within its scope, and especially in reference to the manufacturing in- 
 terest. 
 
 While engaged in this task he has become deeply interested in the 
 town histories, which portray the labors of the pioneers, and also in the 
 personal and family sketches which give variety to the work, and he has 
 no doubt that this will prove an attractive as well as a useful volume. 
 
 The lover of history will see that the record includes the earliest 
 discoveries and all that subsequent detail of events which gradually led 
 to our present greatness, and the justice done Sir William Johnson in 
 these pages is not the least point in the importance of the work. 
 
 While the editor acknowledges the faithful service done by his 
 assistants, he has to a great degree recast their work in order to give 
 
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4 PREFACE. 
 
 the volume a uniformity of style in which their individuality is merged. 
 His object has been to present a simple narrative and let the facts thus 
 recorded speak for themselves. 
 
 One of the most thrilling features in the work is its military his- 
 tory, which shows that the patriotism of the revolution was inherited 
 by the heroes of the Union army and reminds us that 
 
 Freedom's battles, once begun ; 
 Bequeathed from bleeding sire to son, 
 Though baffled oft, are ever won. 
 
 In preparing the individual record it was decided to omit all titles. 
 " Hon." has become so cheap and vulgar that it is almost disrespectful, 
 and in this omission the editor only follows the example of William C. 
 Bryant, who never permitted it to appear in the columns of the Even- 
 ing Post. Other titles share the same fate, because we respect char- 
 acter too highly to add decorations. Horace E. Smith, for instance, is 
 as a jurist, far above the LL.D. which Dartmouth College conferred, 
 and Willard J. Heacock needs no " Hon." added to the public estimate 
 of his character. 
 
 Those who know anything of bookmaking will readily see that the 
 cost of such a work must be very great. The publishers have spared 
 no expense, and it may be reasonably claimed that they have fulfilled 
 in the highest degree the duty they assumed. Hence both editor and 
 publisher now unite in the expectation that this history will give full 
 satisfaction to the citizens of Fulton county and all other careful and 
 intelligent^readers. 
 
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ROBERT FULTON. 
 
 Our theme being the history of a county named after the steamboat inventor, it 
 seems proper to add a brief sketcli of t is great benefactor of our race. Robert Fulton 
 was born in 1765 in the interior of Pennsylvania and had but few early advantages. 
 He developed, however, a variety of gifts which required a wider field, and in his 
 twentieth year he opened a studio in Philadelphia as a miniature painter. 
 
 Later on he went to London to study his art, but soon began to display that inven- 
 tive genius which eventually gave him fame. He invented a machine for sawing mar- 
 ble and another for excavating and dredging rivers. He also devised improvements in 
 canal navigation and became an expert civil engineer. He had not, however, reached 
 his true destiny, and his mental activity led him to visit France, where he invented the 
 submarine torpedo, which he offered to both the French and British governments, but 
 in vain, for the future held for him a higher end. Having given up art, his attention 
 had been attracted to steam navigation, even while in England, and though John Fitch's 
 project had proved a failure, Fulton returned to America in his forti th year to renew 
 the efifort and to begin what proved to be his life work. This was the Clermont, the 
 first boat ever successfully propelled by steam, the engine being imported from Eng- 
 land. It was built in New York and was at first generally called " Fulton's folly" 
 
 One of his friends has left on record his extreme anxiety during the work, but as 
 soon as the Clermont got into motion her success was assured. 
 
 The legislature had granted him a patent on condition that he should build a boat 
 of twenty tons which should make five miles an hour, and this was the Clermont's 
 speed, though her size was much larger. She made the first trip up the Hudson on the 
 7th of September, 1807, with two dozen passengers (fare $7), Fulton himself being on 
 board, and in thirty-five hours they reached Albany, which then was marvelous speed. 
 Fulton soon built a larger boat, called the Car of Neptune, and thenceforth devoted his 
 genius to the extension of his grand invention. 
 
 Like most of the sons of genius, however, he was doomed to incessant difficulties, 
 which indeed only terminated with his life. His patents were invaded, occasioning 
 vexatious litigation, and it was one of these difficulties which indirectly led to his death. 
 He had been required in Trenton to attend to the steamboat interest, and on his return 
 to New York was delayed while crossing the Hudson, and was subjected to a keen 
 winter blast during the trip, which occupied an hour. He caught a severe cold and 
 died in less than six weeks. The interment was in the Livingston vault in Trinity 
 church-yard, but no monument or even slab bears his name. 
 
 His best monument, however, is the benefit he conferred on America and the world. 
 At the time the Clermont was launched the'-e was not another steamboat in existence. 
 Now however, they ply not only on the ocean, but on our canals and far away moun- 
 tain lakes. 
 
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6 ROBERT FULTON. 
 
 In person Fulton was tall and of impressive appearance, with eyes of deep intensity. 
 He died at fifty, hardly eight years after the launching of the Clermont, and now 
 towns, banks and counties bear his name. None of the latter, however, are so distin- 
 guished as Fulton county, and it was but a fitting expression of gratitude that led its 
 projectors to thus honor the man that gave the steamboat to the world. 
 
 PERSONAL FACTS. 
 
 Dr. John W. Francis, of New York, who knew Fulton well, wrote the following 
 personal sketch ; 
 
 " Among a thousand men you might readily point out Robert Fulton. He was con- 
 spicuous from his height, which was over six feet, and his slender but energetic form 
 and gentlemanly deportment. His hair was full and curly and dark brown ; his com- 
 plexion was fair; his forehead high; his ej'es large, dark and penetrative; his brow 
 evinced strength and determination, and his mouth and lips gave the impress of elo- 
 quent utterances, but in his thoughtful moments his features assumed a tinge of melan- 
 choly. I have often seen him on the wharf regardless of the inclement weather, giving 
 directions in an anxious manner, indifferent to all surroundings. 
 
 " Few of those recorded on the roll of fame had a life of more severe trials. The 
 incredulity as to the success of his project in the bosoms of some of his warmest friends 
 was not concealed, and I have heard the cry of ' Crazy Fulton ' from soma pretending 
 to science. Even when his boat was launched there were those who called it the 
 'Marine Smoke Jack' and 'Fulton's Folly,' but he stood unruffled and endured all. 
 During his numerous years of unremitting toil he had solved too many difficult prob- 
 lems to be dismayed by the barking of vulgar ignorance. He was working for a 
 nation, not for himself, and the magnitude of the object absorbed all other thoughts. 
 
 "I shall never forget that night of February 24, 1815, on which he died. Dr. 
 Hosack, who saw him in the last hour of his illness, returning from his visit, exclaimed : 
 ' Fulton is dying ; his severe cold in crossing the river amid the ice has brought it on. 
 He extended to me his hand, grasping mine closely, but he could no longer speak.' 
 Fulton's death indeed created a deep and painful sensation throughout the nation, but 
 his invention lived and thus has rendered his name immortal." 
 
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FEMALE NAMES. 
 
 One of the pe'culiar features which has attracted the editor's attention while review- 
 ing the family histories found in this volume is the fanciful female names which occur- 
 He adds some of them, so that if any of our readers should be required to name a child 
 a choice of unique character could easily be made. 
 
 Arwillma, 
 
 Betelia, 
 
 Emiletta, 
 
 Ladora, 
 
 Marinda, 
 
 Romea, 
 
 Atlanta, 
 
 Byancy, 
 
 Elda, 
 
 Lovisa, 
 
 Mardulla, 
 
 Rosella, 
 
 Andalusia, 
 
 Birdella, 
 
 Emanna, 
 
 Luraine, 
 
 Mony, 
 
 Rexie, 
 
 Alzetta, 
 
 Bethiah, 
 
 Brvina, 
 
 Luemma, 
 
 Maxa, 
 
 Roby, 
 
 Alvia, 
 
 Bella, 
 
 Elba, 
 
 Lavenna, 
 
 Maruva, 
 
 Selma, 
 
 Alpha, 
 
 Oimberline, 
 
 Forba, 
 
 Launette, 
 
 Metella, 
 
 Submit, 
 
 Althena, 
 
 Caddie, 
 
 Florella, 
 
 Ladenna, 
 
 Myrta, 
 
 Sabia, 
 
 Almena, 
 
 Gelestia, 
 
 Francana, 
 
 La Pearl 
 
 Mabyn, 
 
 Sena, 
 
 Alfraetta, 
 
 Calista, 
 
 Fidelia, 
 
 Lula, 
 
 Masia, 
 
 Samarie, 
 
 Arvelma, 
 
 Catha, 
 
 Gerta, 
 
 Lory, 
 
 Meeta, 
 
 Smira, 
 
 Abbalonia, 
 
 Carriebel, 
 
 Greta, 
 
 Lura, 
 
 Nina, 
 
 Suzette, 
 
 Artimetta, 
 
 Crete, 
 
 Georgena, 
 
 Luetta, 
 
 Orva, 
 
 Thankful, 
 
 Andella, 
 
 Dena, 
 
 Georgia, 
 
 Luthera, 
 
 Oltana, 
 
 Toinette, 
 
 Alwilda, 
 
 Delia, 
 
 Geta, 
 
 Lasera, 
 
 Grind a. 
 
 Tonica, 
 
 Arvilla, 
 
 Deloia, 
 
 Harma, 
 
 Lodusky, 
 
 Orvia, 
 
 Tinetta, 
 
 Azuba, 
 
 Doretha, 
 
 Heppie, 
 
 Lisa, 
 
 Orvetta, 
 
 Virgie, 
 
 Annice, 
 
 Delotta, 
 
 Hearty, 
 
 Leona, 
 
 Philura, 
 
 Viva, 
 
 Aurella, 
 
 Deeny, 
 
 Hazel, 
 
 Lorena, 
 
 Philinda, 
 
 Villa, 
 
 Armeina, 
 
 Dilla, 
 
 lone. 
 
 Lelah, 
 
 Per'ina, 
 
 Valira, 
 
 Aptuma, 
 
 Delora, 
 
 •Idela. 
 
 Lenetta, 
 
 Puah, 
 
 Violetta, 
 
 Anhina, 
 
 Demetra, 
 
 loma. 
 
 Lucina, 
 
 Prudy, 
 
 Viletta, 
 
 Adell, 
 
 Delight, 
 
 Ivy, 
 
 Loli, 
 
 Rulianna, 
 
 Vanella, 
 
 Arvillura, 
 
 Elva, 
 
 Isora, 
 
 Marilla, 
 
 Rocklin, 
 
 Zarneh, 
 
 Bertelle, 
 
 Evanna, 
 
 Jasena, 
 
 Mina, 
 
 Regnia, 
 
 Zelphia. 
 
 Beta, 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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CONTENTS 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 Prefatory Remarks — Kreotion o£ Fulton County — Description and Natural Char- 
 acteristics — Geography and Topography — Location of Principal Water 
 Courses — t'ertile Lands in the South, but less Productive in the Northern 
 Portions — Interesting Geological Facts 17 
 
 CHAPTER n. 
 
 European Discoveries and Explorations — The French in Canada — The Puritans 
 in New England — The Dutch in New York — Advance in Civilization tow- 
 ard the Central Mohawk Valley — Champlain Invades the Territory of the 
 Mohawks — The First Battle — Dutch Troubles with the Indians — Grant of 
 the Province of New York — Conquest and Overthrow of the Dutch in New 
 Netherlands 22 
 
 CHAPTER HI. 
 
 The Indian Occupation — The Iroquois Confederacy — The Five and Six Nations 
 of Indians — Location and Names — Character and Power of the League — 
 Social and Domestic Habits — The Mohawks — Treatment of Jesuit Mission- 
 aries — Discouraging Efiforts at Civilization — Names of Prominent Mission- 
 aries — Alliance with the English and Downfall of the Confederacy 11 
 
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10 CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 The French and Indian Wars — Causes Leading to them — English and French 
 Jealousies- -Failure of Loid de Courcelle's Expedition Against the Mohawks 
 
 — Corlear Saves the French from Destruction — Iroquois Seek a Peace — 
 French Treachery — The Peace of Breda — War Renewed — Iroquois Ask 
 English Protection — Invasion of Canada — Schenectady Destroyed — The 
 Mohawks Show Friendship — English Colonies Aroused to Action — Services 
 of John and Peter Schuyler — Frontenac Invades the Mohawk Country — The 
 Castles Captured — Treaty of Ryswick — Peace Again Restored 32 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 Rivalry Between the British and the French — Relative Justice of their Claims — 
 How Defined by Sir William Johnson — Both Nations Make Treaties with the 
 Iroquois — Provisions of the Treaty of Ryswick — French Encroachments be- 
 yond the Treaty Line — War Declared in 1744 — French Outrages in the Mo- 
 hawk Country — Treaty of Peace at Aix-la-Chapelle — The Situation 
 
 — The Albany Convention — King Hendrick's Speech — Preparation 
 for War — Expeditions of 1755 — Services of Q-eneral Johnson — Shirley's 
 Conduct — Battle at Lake George — Death of Hendrick — Distinction of Sir 
 William Johnson 38 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 French and English War Continued — Results of the Campaign of 1756 — French 
 Successes in that and Succeeding Years — The Iroquois Divided — Johnson's 
 Effort to Unite them — Webb's Disgraceful Conduct — The Mohawk Valley 
 Invaded — Palatine Village Destroyed — Aberbcrombie's Neglect and Ineffi- 
 ciency — Campaigns of 1757-58 — English Successes — French Reverses — 
 Johnson's Achievements — Extinction of the French Power in America 47 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 Early Settlement of the Mohawk Valley— Van Corlear's Patent— Settlement at 
 Schenectady— German Palatinates at Schoharie Creek ; at Canajoharie and 
 Palatine Village— Their Character and Customs— Located there as a Defense 
 against the French Invasion— The Plan not Fully Successful— Sir William 
 Johnson Forms the Germans into Mihtary Companies— French and Indian 
 Land Grants— Charters of New York and Pennsylvania Compared— The For- 
 mer a Royal Province— Patents Issued Including Lands of Fulton County— 
 The Stringer Patent Granted under State Authority 54 
 
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CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 SIR WILLIAM JOHNSON, BARONET— A CONDENSED HISTORY OF 
 THE LIFE OF THE FOUNDER OF JOHNSTOWN 61 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 Situation of Tryon County from the Close of the French War to the Revolution 
 — British Oppression Causes Discontent — The Stamp Act — Duties Levied on 
 Other Commodities —The Boston Tea Party — First Congress at Philadelphia 
 — New York Opposes the Action of Congress — Districts of Tryon County — 
 Guy Johnson Disperses the Meeting at Caughnavcaga — Attack upon Jacob 
 Sammons — Action of Loyalists — Guy Park Fortified — General Meeting of the 
 Tryon County Committee — Its Objects — Guy Johnson Departs for Canada — 
 Conduct of Sir John — He Fortifies the Hall and Arms the Highlanders — His 
 Arrest, Parole and FHght to Canada — The Estate Confiscated — Character and 
 Duties of the Committees of Safety 74 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 Beginning of the Revolution — The British Influence the Iroquois — Oneidas Re- 
 main Neutral^Organization of Militia in Tryon County — St. Leger Invades 
 the Mohawk Valley — The Battle of Oriskany and Fort Schuyler — The British 
 Defeated — The First Pension — Indian Depredations in 1778 — Campaigns of 
 Sullivan and Clinton in 1779 — Sir John Johnson Invades the Valley in 1780 
 --Visits Johnstown and Secures his Plate — Details of his Raid— Thrilling 
 Narrative of the Capture and Escape of Jacob Sammons 85 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 Additional Depredations in the Mohawk Valley — Sir John Johnson again Invades 
 the Region — The Battle of Stone Arabia — Van Rensselaer's Cowardly Con- 
 duct — Condition of the Inhabitants after the Raid — Governor Clinton Sends 
 Colonel Willett to Protect the Valley — Invasion by Brant and Butler — Defeat 
 of the Latter by Willett's Troops — Battle at Johnstown — The Enemy Routed 
 —Death of Walter Butler— End of Hostilities in the Mohawk Valley 103 
 
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12 CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 Condition of the Mohawk Valley at the End of the Revolution — Mohawk Indians 
 Forfeit their Lands to the State — Return of Tories — Their Treatment by the 
 Mohawk Committee — Settlement of the Region by New Englanders — Tryon 
 County Changed to Montgomery — First County Officers — County Buildings 
 ^Counties Formed from Montgomery — Old Tryon County Districts Formed 
 into Towns — Origin of Towns in Fulton County — Caughnawaga Divided — 
 County Officers of Tryon County — Also of Montgomery County prior to Re- 
 moval of the County Seat to Fonda -liS- 1° 1 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 Situation in the Mohawk Valley prior to the War of 1812 — Its Peace and Pros- 
 perity — Events Preceding the War — Causes Leading to It — British Aggres- 
 sions — American Retaliations — Declaration of War — Militia Called into Ser- 
 vice — Regiments formed in the Valley — Their Services — The Return of Peace. 117 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 County Organizations — Tryon and Montgomery Counties Briefly Reviewed— The 
 Montgomery County Seat Moved to Fonda — Dissatisfaction in the Northern 
 Towns — Fulton County Created — Its County Seat and Buildings — County 
 Civil List — Presidential Electors — Representatives in Congress — Justices of 
 the Supreme Court — Members of Assembly — County Judges — Surrogates — 
 Sheriflfs — County Clerks — Treasurers — School Commissioners — Growth and 
 Population of Montgomery County 121 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 
 FULTON COUNTY IN THE REBELLION 127 
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 
 THE GLOVE INDUSTRY 154 
 
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C0N7ENTS. 13 
 
 CHAPTER XVII. 
 RAILROAD ENTERPRISE 171 
 
 CHAPTER XVIII. 
 THE LEGAL PROFESSION IN FULTON COUNTY 178 
 
 CHAPTER XIX. 
 THE MEDICAL PROFESSION OF FULTON COUNTY 208 
 
 CHAPTER XX. 
 
 TOWN OF JOHNSTOWN 222 
 
 CHAPTER XXI. 
 HISTORY OF KINGSBORO AND GLOVERSVILLE 319 
 
 CHAPTER XXII. 
 TOWN OF NORTHAMPTON 451 
 
 CHAPTER XXIII. 
 TOWN OF BROADALBIN 483 
 
 CHAPTER XXIV. 
 TOWN OF MAYFIELD 507 
 
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14 CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER XXV. 
 TOWN OF EPHRATAH 526 
 
 CHAPTER XXVI. 
 TOWN OF OPPENHEIM 541 
 
 CHAPTER XXVn . 
 TOWN OF PERTH 548 
 
 CHAPTER XXVni. 
 TOWN OF STRATFORD 556 
 
 CHAPTER XXIX. 
 TOWN OF BLEEGKER 560 
 
 CHAPTER XXX. 
 TOWN OF CAROGA 566 
 
 CHAPTER XXXI. 
 BIOGRAPHICAL 569 
 
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CONTENTS. 15 
 
 PART II. 
 
 FAMILY SKETCHES 1 
 
 INDEX 164 
 
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HISTORY 
 
 OF 
 
 FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 Prefatory Remarks — Erection of Pulton County — Description and Natural Char- 
 acterististics — Geography and Topography — Location of Principal Water Courses — 
 Fertile Lands in the South, but Less Productive in the TSTorthern Portions — Interest- 
 ing Geological Facts. 
 
 rULTON COUNTY, named after the illustrious inventor of the 
 steamboat, was created by the legislative act of April i8, 1838, 
 in obedience to a general public sentiment. The removal of the county- 
 buildings from Johnstown to Fonda rendered the population of the 
 northern part of Montgomery county so indignant that the erection of 
 the new county was but an act of justice. Fulton county originally con- 
 tained nine towns, including Perth, whose organization was contempo- 
 rary with that of the county itself. Caroga, however, was added April 
 1 1, 1842, having been created out of Stratford, Bleecker and Johnstown. 
 Having thus briefly mentioned the creation of the county and its procur- 
 ing cause, it may be well to refer to its geographical, topographical and 
 geological features, which have changed but little during the past half 
 century. Viewed geographically Fulton county occupies what may be 
 called an eastern central position. Its northern boundary is Hamilton 
 county; its eastern, Saratoga; its southern, the mother county (Mont- 
 3 
 
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1 8 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 gomery), while Herkimer county bounds it on the west. The 43d 
 parallel of latitude crosses near its south boundary, while in Jon- 
 gitude it is situated between the 74th and 75th degrees. Its surface is 
 a rolling and hilly upland, rising into a mountainous region on the north 
 border. The highlands consist of three general ridges, the first occu- 
 pying the southeast corner, and including circular drift hills of moder- 
 ate elevation, bounded by gradual slopes, the highest summits being 
 about four hundred feet above the level of the Mohawk. The second 
 ridge extends through and near the center of the county, and occupies 
 a wide space along the north border. The acclivities in the north are 
 usually steep and rocky, and the highest summits are from eight hun- 
 dred to one thousand feet above the Mohawk. The third ridge, which 
 much resembles the second, extends through the west part of the county 
 and its highest elevations are about twelve hundred feet above the same 
 river. 
 
 The principal water course of the county is the Sacandaga river, which 
 flows southeast through the town of Northampton. It receives from 
 the west the waters of the Vlaie, which has for its tributaries Mayficid, 
 Kennyetto and Cranberry creeks. The Chuctenunda flows through the 
 southeast part of the county. The Cayadutta courses southwest near 
 the center, its valley separating the central and eastern ranges of hills. 
 Stony creek, a tributary of the Sacandaga, flows northeast in the north- 
 erly continuation of the Garoga valley, and winds through the central 
 ranges of hills. Garoga creek, which flows south, is a little west of the 
 center of the county, its valley separating the eastern and central ranges. 
 East Canada creek forms the greater part of the western boundary, its 
 tributaries being North, Fish, and Little Sprite creeks. The other 
 streams of the county are branches of those previously mentioned or 
 smaller tributaries of the Mohawk. Nearly all are rapid, frequently in- 
 terrupted by falls and affording an ample supply of water power. 
 Among the hills in the north part of the county are many small lakes, 
 possessing those picturesque features which characterize the wilderness 
 region of northern New York. Along the Sacandagp, near the mouth 
 of the Mayfield creek, and occupying portions of Northampton, Broad- 
 albin and Mayfield, is an extensive swamp or vlaie, containing about 
 twelve thousand acres. It has been said, and with great probability, 
 
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GEOLOGY. 19 
 
 that at no very remote period the present swamp must have been a 
 lake of considerable size, and a proof of this theory is found in the fact 
 that Bleecker, Caroga and Stratford contain a number of small lakes 
 
 The soil in the north part of the county, especially along the valleys, 
 is chiefly a gravelly and clayey loam derived from the drift deposits. 
 It is well adapted to general culture, and, in favored localities, is ex- 
 ceedingly rich and fertile. In the northern portion, however, the sur- 
 face is too rough and broken for profitable cultivation. The general 
 dividing line between the rich and the less productive agricultural dis- 
 tricts of the county passes about midway between Johnstown and Glov- 
 ersville, and extends nearly east and west, crossing even Herkimer and 
 Saratoga conuties. 
 
 Geology of Fulton County} — The geological record of Fulton county 
 carries us back to the very earliest ages of the physical history of the 
 world. The rocks of the northern half are Azoic, belonging to the 
 original backbone of America, a part of which (the Adirondack moun- 
 tains), trends southward from the Laurentian highlands of Canada, form- 
 ing a peninsula whose extreme tip is seen at Little Falls ; while those 
 of the southern half are Silurian, being a part of the earliest work of the 
 ancient ocean which built our continent, building in successive sea- 
 beaches along the Azoic land. The division line between the two 
 above mentioned formations forces itself upon the attention of even the 
 casual observer, who may notice the sudden rise from the lower lands 
 to the sharply marked- heights of the Klipp hill and the Mayfield 
 mountain. 
 
 To the Azoic continent belong the rocks of Stratford, Garoga; 
 Bleecker, also parts' of -Johnstown, Mayfield and Northampton. They 
 present a succession of rounded heights and ridges, the remnant of 
 much larger masses, worn down into their present shape by the. tritu- 
 ration of the glacial icecap. Their sides, are strown with irregular 
 blocks of all sizes, and .their hollows are often filled with the glacial 
 ponds which are so marked a characteristic of northern New York. 
 The rocks of this section are crystalline (principally granite and gneiss); 
 with massive quartzite at the summit of the Mayfield mountain and 
 elsewhere. Traces of ironare frfequent, although the ore has not been 
 
 1 By Isaac O. Rankin, Peekskill,l,N. Y. 
 
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20 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTS. 
 
 found in mass. The granite contains large crystals of feldspar, and the 
 gneiss is highly garnetiferous. A fine quality of building stone (schis- 
 tose gneiss) from inexhaustible quarries in the town of Johnstown is 
 the principal contribution which the Azoic rocks have thus far made to 
 the wealth of the county, although thousands of dollars have been vainly 
 spent in the search for gold. Auriferous ore has been worked upon 
 the evidence of promising assays, and a mill for its reduction was built 
 at Jackson's Summit, but without ultimate success. 
 
 In the southern section of the county (on the Klipp hill), traces of 
 Potsdam sandstone have been discovered, while calciferous sand rock 
 crops out" abundantly in Mayfield. Trenton and birdseye limestone 
 are also found in different localities, and Utica shale is the common 
 surface rock of the whole southern border, the formation thus covering 
 the larger part of the lower Silurian period. 
 
 Of these the calciferous sand- rock is of chief commercial importance, 
 its limestone beds being quarried for building stone, and also burned 
 into excellent building lime in Mayfield, and to some extent in North- 
 ampton. Near Johnstown oil wells have been drilled, penetrating the 
 friable shale into the underlying formations in the hope of tapping un- 
 derground reservoirs of petroleum, but hitherto without remunerative 
 result. 
 
 The geological student will find a full exposure of the fossils peculiar 
 to the calciferous sand-rock at the Mayfield quarries, and also on the 
 exposed ledges at the foot of the mountain ; while the characteristic 
 quartz crystals, some of them of great beauty, occur in association with 
 calcite and anthracite at Diamond hill in Mayfield. They are also 
 found in Herkimer county. The Utica shale is exposed in the railroad 
 cuttings of Johnstown and in the ravines of the Cayadutta and Garoga 
 creeks. 
 
 The whole territory of Fulton county reveals the effects of the gla- 
 cial ice in scratched rocks, scattered boulders and moraines of till, and 
 the surface formations of the lower land show the effect of water, both 
 in streams and lakes. 
 
 The most peculiar and interesting features of the county (from a stu- 
 dent's point of view), is the Vlaie, a tract of several thousand acres of 
 drowned lands. It is formed by the junction of three streams whose 
 
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GEOLOGY. 21 
 
 united channel flows into the Sacandaga just above the great bend 
 which turns that river from the southeast to the northeast. This enters 
 territory which was no doubt once the bottom of a lake which has been 
 drained by a deeper cutting of the channel of the river in its course to 
 the Hudson at Luzerne. High water in the Sacandaga dams the above 
 mentioned streams and floods the old lake bed, until the river discharges 
 its surplus and thus drains the sunken meadows. The processes of land- 
 building, which are shown so perfectly in the glacial lakes and bogs of 
 the higher parts of the county, are here held in partial check by the pe- 
 culiar relations of level in the streams. 
 
 Having thus described the various topographical and geological feat- 
 ures of the county, we now proceed to other interesting points in its 
 history ; and though its organization occurred in April, 1838, we must 
 premise that we do not and cannot limit its record to so recent a date. 
 To do this, indeed, were to omit many of the most important and in- 
 teresting historical events which took place within the state of New 
 York. Justice to Fulton county requires us to say that around its 
 county seat there clusters a wealth of historic recollections older than 
 even the mother county of Montgomery, and even ancient Tryon county 
 itself Hence, in reviewing even in a brief manner the events of local 
 history, it is necessary to recall the past for at least a century before 
 the organization of the county, and also to refer to even more distant 
 events. 
 
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22 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTS. 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 European Discoveries and Explorations — The French in Canada — The Puritans in 
 New England — The Dutch in New York — Advance in Civilization toward the Cen- 
 tral ilohawk Valley — Champlain Invades the Territory of the Mohawks — The First 
 Battle — Dutch Troubles with the Indians — Grant of the Province of New York — 
 Conquest and Overthrow of the Dutch in New Netherlands. 
 
 ] UST four hundred years ago the first Spanish adventurers landed on 
 Qj the shores of the American continent. Sailing under the patronage 
 of Spain, Christopher Columbus, the daring Genoese, in 1492, made his 
 wonderful discoveries. This event has generally been designated as 
 the discovery of America, but it is evident the first Europeans to visit 
 the western hemisphere were Scandinavians, who colonized Iceland in 
 A. D. 87s, Greenland in 983, and about the year rooo had cruised 
 southward as far as the Massachusetts coast. During the ages that pre- 
 ceded these events, no grander country in every point of view ever 
 awaited the approach of civilization. With climate and soil diversified 
 between the most remote extremes ; with thousands of miles of ocean 
 shore, indented by magnificent harbors to welcome the world's com- 
 merce ; with many of the largest rivers of the globe draining its terri- 
 tory and forming natural highways for commerce ; with a system of 
 lakes so immense in area as to entitle them to the name of inland seas ; 
 with mountains, hills and valleys laden with the richest minerals and 
 almost exhaustless fuel; and with scenery unsurpassed for grandeur, it 
 needed only the Caucasian to transform a wilderness inhabited by sav- 
 ages into the free, enlightened republic which is to-day the wonder and 
 glory of the civilized world. 
 
 Following closely upon the discoveries of Columbus and other early 
 explorers, various foreign powers fitted out fleets and commissioned 
 navigators to establish colonies in the vast but unknown continent. It 
 is not within the scope of the present work to detail the results accom- 
 plished by these bold navigators, and yet they naturally led to others 
 of greater importance, eventually rendering the Mohawk valley the 
 
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EARLIER EXPLORATIONS. 23 
 
 battlefield of various contending powers, each striving for the suprem- 
 acy over a territory of which Fulton county is an integral part. These 
 events, however, will be but briefly mentioned, and only those will be 
 detailed which had a direct bearing upon our subject. 
 
 In 1508 Aubert discovered the St. Lawrence; and in 1524, Francis 
 I, king of France, sent Jean Verrazzani on a voyage of exploration to 
 the new world. He entered a harbor, supposed to have been that of New 
 York, where he remained fifteen days ; and it is believed that his crew 
 were the first Europeans to land on the soil of what is now the state of 
 New York. This Gallic explorer cruised along the coast in his frail 
 vessels to the extent of about 2,100 miles, sailing as far north as Lab- 
 rador, and giving to the whole region the name of " New France " — a 
 name by which the French possessions in America were ever known 
 during the dominion of that power. In 1534 the same king sent 
 Jacques Cartier to the new country. He made two voyages and 
 ascended the St. Lawrence as far as Montreal. The next year he 
 again visited the same region with a fleet which brought a number of 
 French nobility, all of whom were filled with high hopes, and bearing 
 the blessings of the church. This party was determined upon the 
 colonization of the country, but, after passing a winter at the Isle of 
 Orleans, and suffering much from the rigors of the climate, they aban- 
 doned their scheme and returned to France. As a beginning of the 
 long list of needless and shameful betrayals, treacheries and other 
 abuses to which the too confiding natives were subjected by the various 
 European nations, Cartier inveigled into his vessel the Indian chief, 
 Donnegana, who had been his generous host, and bore him with several 
 others into hopeless captivity and final death. 
 
 The failure of their scheme delayed for several years further action in 
 the same direction, but in 1540 Cartier re- visited the scene of his ex- 
 plorations, accompanied by Jean Francis de Roberval, the latter holding 
 a knight's commission as lieutenant-general over the " new countries of 
 Canada, Hochelaga and Saguenay." This commission, according to 
 Watson, conferred authority over a vast territory with the plenary pow- 
 ers of vice-royalty. The results of their voyage, however, were no more 
 profitable than its predecessor, and the effect was to discourage further 
 attempts until about 1598, when New France (particularly its Canadian 
 
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24 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTS. 
 
 portion) was made a place of banishment for French convicts. But even 
 this plan failed, and it remained for private enterprise, stimulated by 
 the hope of gain, to make the first successful effort toward the perma- 
 nent occupation of the country. 
 
 The real discoverer and the founder of a permanent colony in New 
 France was Samuel de Champlain, a man born with that uncontrollable 
 instinct of investigation and desire for knowledge of distant regions 
 which has always so strongly characterized all great explorers. His 
 earlier adventures in this country have no connection with this work, 
 and it is therefore sufficient to merely mention that in 1608, having 
 counseled his patrons that the banks of the St. Lawrence was the most 
 favorable site for a new empire, he was sent to the country and founded 
 Quebec. To satisfy his love for exploration, Champlain united with the 
 Canadian Indians and marched forth into the unknown country which 
 the latter had described to him. The result was the discovery of the 
 lake which bears his name ; the invasion of the lands of the Mohawks 
 in the country of the Iroquois ; a conflict between the Algonquins 
 (aided by Champlain) and a portion of the Iroquois confederacy, in 
 which the latter were defeated, with the loss of two of their chiefs, who 
 fell by the hands of Champlain himself 
 
 - Thus was signalized the first hostile meeting between the white man 
 and the Indian. Low as the latter was found in the scale of intelligence 
 and humanity, and terrible as were many of the subsequent deeds of 
 the Iroquois, it cannot be denied that their early treatment by Euro- 
 peans could foster in a savage breast no other feeling than bitterest 
 hostility. It seems like a pathetic page of romance to read Champlain's 
 statement that " The Iroquois are greatly astonished, seeing two men 
 killed so instantaneously," one of whom was their chief; while the in- 
 genuous acknowledgment of the Frenchman, " I had put four balls.into 
 my arquebus," is a vivid testimony of how little mercy the Iroquois 
 nations were thenceforth to expect from their northern enemies and the 
 pale-faced race which was eventually to drive them from their domain. 
 It was an age, however, in which might was appealed to as right more 
 frequently than in later years, and the planting of the lowly banner of 
 the Cross was frequently preceded by bloody conquest. It is in the 
 light of the prevaiHng customs in the old world in Champlain's time that 
 
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COL ONIZA TION. 2 5 
 
 wc must view his ready hostility to his Indian enemies.. And now let 
 us turn briefly to other events which have had an important bearing on 
 the settlement of this part of the country. A few weeks after the battle 
 between Champlain and the Indians, Henry Hudson, a navigator, in the 
 service of the Dutch East India Company, anchored his ship (the Half- 
 Mooti) at the mouth of the river which now bears his name. This took 
 place September 3, 1 609. He met the savages and was hospitably re- 
 ceived by them ; but before his departure he subjected them to an ex- 
 perimental knowledge of the effects of intoxicating liquor — an experi- 
 ence perhaps more baneful in its results than that conferred by Cham- 
 plain with his new and murderous weapon. Hudson ascended the 
 river to a point within less than a hundred miles of that reached by 
 Champlain, then returned to Europe and through information he had 
 gained, he soon after established a Dutch colony for which a charter 
 was granted in 1614, naming the region " New Netherland.'" The 
 same year they built a fort on Manhattan Island, and the next year 
 another, called Fort Orange on the site of Albany. In 1621 the Dutch 
 West India Company was formed, and took possession of " New Am- 
 sterdam " and the New Netherlands; and in 1626 the territory was 
 made a province or county of Holland. For fifteen years the Dutch 
 settlers remained at peace with the Indians, but the harsh and unwise 
 administration of the provisional governor, William Kieft, provoked the 
 latter to hostilities which continued with but little interruption during 
 the remainder of the Dutch dominion. 
 
 Meanwhile, in 1607, the English had made their first permanent set- 
 tlement at Jamestown, Virginia, and in 1620 planted their historic 
 colony at Plymouth Rock. These two colonies became the successful 
 rivals of all others, of whatever nationality, in that strife which finally 
 left them masters of the country. 
 
 On the discoveries and colonization efforts thus briefly noted, three 
 great European powers based claims to a part of the territory embraced 
 in the state of New York. First, England, by reason of the discovery 
 of John Cabot, who sailed under commission from Henry VII, and on 
 the 24th of June, 1497, reached the sterile coast of Labrador, also that 
 made in the following year by his son Sebastian, who explored the 
 same coast from New Foundland to Florida, claiming a territory eleven 
 
 4 
 
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26 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 degrees in width and indefinitely extending westward. Second, France, 
 which, from the discoveries o^" Verrazzani, claimed a portion of the 
 Atlantic coast, and also, under the title of New France, an almost 
 boundless region westward. Third, Holland which based on Hudson's 
 discoveries a claim to the entire country from Cape Cod to the south- 
 ern shore of Delaware bay. 
 
 The Dutch however became the temporary possessors of the region 
 under consideration ; but their domination was of brief duration. Indian 
 hostilities were provoked through the ill- conceived action of 
 Governor Kieft, whose official career continued for about ten years, 
 being superseded by Peter Stuyvesant in May, 1647. Stuyvesant was 
 the last of the Dutch governors, and his firm and equitable policy had 
 the effect of harmonizing the discontent existing among the Indians. 
 On the I2th of March, 1664, however, Charles II of England granted 
 by letters patent to his brother James the Duke of York^ all the country 
 from the river St. Croix to the Kennebec in Maine ; together with all 
 the land from the Connecticut river to the east side of Delaware bay. 
 The Duke sent ah English squadron to secure the gift, and on the 8th 
 of September following. Governor Stuyvesant capitulated, being con- 
 strained to that course by the Dutch colonists, who preferred peace, 
 with the same privileges and liberties accorded to the English colonists, 
 to a prolonged and perhaps fruitless contest. The English changed the 
 name of New Amsterdam to New York, and thus ended the Dutch 
 dominion in America. 
 
 The Dutch during their period of peace with the Iroquois had become 
 thrifty by trading guns and rum to the Indians for furs, thus supplying 
 them with doubly destructive weapons. The peaceful relations exist- 
 ing between the Dutch and the Indians at the time of the English ac- 
 cession were maintained by the latter, but the strife and jealousy 
 between English and French continued, the former steadily gaining 
 ground, both through their success in forming and maintaining an alli- 
 ance with the Iroquois and also the more permanent character of their 
 settlements. It may be added that the final surrender of the Dutch to 
 the English power did not lead to a withdrawal of the former from the 
 territory. It made no great difference to the settlers from Holland 
 whether they were under their own or English jurisdiction, but had 
 
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IROQUOIS CONFEDERACY. 27 
 
 their preferences been consulted they would of course have preferred 
 their mother country. Their settlements extended from New Amster- 
 dam (New York) on the south, to Albany on the north, mainly along 
 the Hudson river, but there are well-defined evidences of their early 
 occupation of what is now western Vermont and also part of Massachu- 
 setts ; and at the same time the}' also advanced their outposts along the 
 Mohawk valley toward the region of old Tryon county. 
 
 CHAPTER ni. 
 
 The Indian Occupation — The Iroquois Confederacy — The Five and Six Nations of 
 Indians — Location and Names — Character and Power of the League — Social and 
 Domestic Habits — The Mohawks — Treatment of the Jesuit Missionaries — Discour- 
 aging Efiforts at Civilization — Names of Prominent Missionaries — Alliance with the 
 English and Downfall of the Confederacy. 
 
 AFTER the establishment of the Dutch in the New Netherlands the 
 region now embraced within the state of New York was held by three 
 powers — one native and two foreign. The main colonies of the French 
 (one of the powers referred to), were in the Canadas, but through the 
 zeal of the Jesuit missionaries their line of possessions had been ex- 
 tended south and west of the St. Lawrence river, and some attempts 
 at colonization had been made, but as yet with only partial success. In 
 the southern and eastern portion of the province granted to the Duke 
 of York were the English, who with steady yet sure advances were 
 pressing settlement and civilization westward, and gradually nearing 
 the French possessions. The French and English were at this time 
 and also for many years afterward conflicting powers, each struggling 
 for the mastery on both sides of the Atlantic; and with each succeed- 
 ing outbreak of war in the mother countries there were renewed hos- 
 tilities between their American colonies. Directly between the posses- 
 sions of the French and the English lay the lands of the famous Iro- 
 quois confederacy, then more commonlly known as the Five Nations ot 
 Indians. By the French they were called the " Iroquois" ; but to the 
 
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28 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTy. 
 
 Dutch they were known as the " Maquas ", while the English called 
 them " Mingoes", but however variously they may have been designa- 
 ted, they were a race of savages whose peculiar organization, prowess 
 on the field of battle, loyalty to friends as well as barbarous revenge 
 upon enemies, together with eloquent speech and stoical endurance of 
 torture have surprised all who are conversant with their history. 
 
 When, during the latter part of the fifteenth and early part of the six- 
 teenth century, the foreign navigators visited the American continent 
 they found it in possession of two formidable races of savages, between 
 whom there was no unity ; and yet while open hostility was suppressed, 
 they were nevertheless in a constant state of disquiet, each being jeal- 
 ous of the other and at the same time doubtful of its own strength and 
 fearful of the results of a general war. One of these nations occupied 
 the region of the larger rivers of Pennsylvania and also that on the south 
 and west. They were known as Delawares to the Europeans, but styled 
 themselves " Lenni Lenapes," meaning " original people." The other 
 nations occupied, principally, the territory which afterwards formed the 
 state of New York, and is known in history as the " Iroquois Confeder- 
 acy," or the Five, and subsequently, the Six Nations. 
 
 This confederacy originally comprised five nations, which were located 
 from east to west across the territory which now forms our state, begin- 
 ning with the Mohawks on the extreme east, the Oneidas next, and the 
 Onondagas, Cayugas and Senecas following in the above named order. 
 Each of these nations was divided into five tribes, and all were united 
 in common league. Parkman says, " Both reason and tradition point 
 to the conclusion that the Iroquois originally formed one undivided peo- 
 ple. Sundered, like countless other tribes, by dissensions, caprice, or 
 the necessities of a hunter's life, they separated into five distinct na- 
 tions " The central council fire of the confederacy was with the Onon- 
 dagas, while to the Mohawks, according to Clark, was always accorded 
 " the high consideration of furnishing the war captain (chief), or ' Tcka- 
 rahogea', which distinguishing title was retained as late as 1814." 
 
 The government of this remarkable confederacy was exercised 
 through councils in which each nation was represented by deputies or 
 sachems. In their peculiar blending of the individual, the tribal and 
 the national interests lay the secret of the immense power which for 
 
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THE IROQUOIS. 29 
 
 more than a century resisted the hostile efforts of the French, which 
 caused them for nearly a century to be alike courted and feared by the 
 contending French and English colonies, and which enabled them to 
 subdue the neigboring Indian tribes, until they became really the dic- 
 tators of the continent, gaining indeed the title of " The Romans of 
 the New World." Dewitt Clinton speaking on this subject said : " They 
 reduced war to a science, and all their movements were directed by 
 system and policy. They never attacked a hostile country till they had 
 sent out spies to explore and designate its vulnerable points, and when 
 they encamped they observed the greatest circumspection to guard 
 against surprise. Whatever superiority of force they might have, they 
 never nelected the use of stratagem, employing all the crafty wiles of 
 the Carthaginians." There is, however, a difference in the opinion of 
 authors as to the true military status of the Iroquois. In the forest 
 they were a terrible foe, while in an open country they could not suc- 
 cessfully contend with disciplined soldiery ; but they made up for this 
 deficiency, to a large degree, by their self-confidence, vindictiveness 
 and insatiable desire for ascendancy and triumph. 
 
 While the Iroquois were undoubtedly superior in mental capacity and 
 more provident than their Canadian enemies and other tribes, there is 
 little indication that they were ever inclined to improve the conditions in 
 which they were found by the Europeans. They were closely attached 
 to their warrior and hunter life, and devoted their energies to the lower, 
 if not the lowest, forms of enjoyment and gratification. Their dwell- 
 ings, even among the more stationary tribes, were rude, their food coarse 
 and poor and their domestic habits and surroundings unclean and bar- 
 barous. Their dress was ordinarily the skins of animals until the ad- 
 vent of the whites, and was primitive in character. Their women were 
 degraded into mere beasts of burden, and while they believed in a su- 
 preme being, they were powerfully swayed by superstition, by incanta- 
 tions by " medicine men," dreams and visions, and their feasts were ex- 
 hibitions of debauchery and gluttony. 
 
 Such, according to our sincere belief, are some of the more prominent 
 characteristics of the race encountered by Champlain when he came into 
 the Iroquois country nearly three centuries ago, and welcomed them 
 with the first volley of bullets, a policy that was pursued by all his civ- 
 
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30 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTS. 
 
 ilized successors. It is not denied that the Indians possessed a few re- 
 deeming characteristics, but they were so strongly dominated by 
 their barbarous manner of hfe and their savage traits, that years of 
 faithful missionary labor by the Jesuits and others was productive of but 
 little real benefit. It may be added that whatever is true of any one of 
 the Five Nations, or, as they became in 17 12, the Six Nations, is equally 
 true of all the others. The Mohawks occupied the region of eastern and 
 northern New York, and it is with them that we have particularly to 
 deal in this narrative. They were, perhaps, as peaceful and domestic as 
 any of the confederacy, yet all the early efforts for their civilization and 
 conversion to Christianity were uncertain and discouraging. No strong, 
 controlling influence for good was ever obtained among them prior to 
 the time of Sir William Johnson, and even then it is doubtful whether 
 they wire not moved more by the power of purchase than by love of 
 rectitude. 
 
 When Champlain opened the way for French dominion in America, 
 the task of planting Christianity among the Indians was assigned to the 
 Jesuits, a name derived from the Society of Jesus founded by Ignatius 
 Loyola in 1539 ; but while their primary object was to spread the gos- 
 pel, their secondary and scarcely less important purpose was to extend 
 the French dominion. In 1736 Canada was restored to France, and 
 within three years from that date there were fifteen Jesuits in the prov- 
 ince. They rapidly increased and extended their influence to a large 
 number of the Indian nations in the far west, but particularly to the 
 Mohawks on the east and the Senecas, whose lands lay on the west of 
 the "long house" of the Iroquois. As early as 1654, during a tempo- 
 rary peace between the French and the Five Nations, Father Bablon 
 founded a mission and built a chapel in the Mohawk valley, but when 
 war was resumed the Jesuits were forced to flee from the region. Be- 
 tween 1657 ^"d 176) twenty- four missionaries labored among the Iro- 
 quois Indians, but we are directly interested only in those who sought 
 converts among the Mohawks. Isaac Jogues was one of these, whose 
 career in the Indian country forms one of the most thrilling chapters of 
 history. He was held by the Mohawks as a prisoner from August, 1642, 
 to the same month of the next year, and labored as a missionary with 
 the same nation in 1646, in October of which year he was killed. Si- 
 
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MISSIONARIES. 3 1 
 
 mon le Moyne labored with the Mohawks about two months in 1655, and 
 again in 1656, and also the third time in 1657, to May, 1658. Francis 
 Joseph Bressani was imprisoned by the Mohawks about six months in 
 1644. Juhen Garnier was sent to them in May, 1668, and passed on to 
 the Onondagas and Senecas. Jacques Bruyas came from the Ononda- 
 gas to the Mohawks in July, 1667. He left for the Oneidas in Septem- 
 ber and returned in 1672, continuing in service several years. Jacques 
 Fremin came in July, 1667, and remained about a year. Jean Perron 
 was sent in the same year and he also remained about a year. Francis 
 Boniface labored with the Mohawks from 1668 to 1673, when he was 
 succeeded by Francis VaiUant de Gueslis. These faithful missionaries 
 were followed in later years by such noble workers as Henry Barclay, 
 John Ogilvie, Spencer, Timothy Woodbridge, Gideon Haw- 
 ley, Eleazer Wheelock, Samuel Kirkland, Bishop Hobart, Eleazer Wil- 
 liams, Dan Barnes (Methodist) and others of less distinction, all of whom 
 labored faithfully but with varied perseverance for the conversion of the 
 Iroquois, AH, however, were forced to admit that their efforts as a 
 whole were unsatisfactory and discouraging. Even subsequent efforts 
 to establish education and Christianity among the Indians, while yield- 
 ing perhaps sufficient results to justify their prosecution, have constantly 
 met with discouraging obstacles. 
 
 The advent of the European nations was the forerunner of the down- 
 fall of the Iroquois confederacy, and doubtless will lead to the ultimate 
 extinction of the Indian race. The French invasion of 1693, together 
 with that of three years later, cost the confederacy half its warriors. 
 Their allegiance to the British (with the exception of the Oneidas) in the 
 revolutionary war, proved to be a dependence on a falling power, and 
 this in connection with the relentless vengeance of the American colon- 
 ists, broke up the once powerful league and either scattered its mem- 
 bers to a large extent upon the friendly soil of Canada, or left them at 
 the mercy of the state and general government, which consigned them 
 to reservations with very imperfect provision for their amelioration. 
 
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32 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTS. 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 The French and Indian Wars — Causes Leading to them — English and French 
 Jealousies — Failure of Lord de Courcelle's Expedition Against the Mohawks — Cor- 
 lear Saves the French from Destruction — Iroquois Seek a Peace — French Treachery 
 — The Peace of Breda — War Renewed — Iroquois Ask English Protection — In- 
 vasion of Canada — Schenectady Destroyed — The Mohawks Show Friendship — En- 
 glish Colonies Aroused to Action — Services of John and Peter Schuyler — Frontenac 
 Invades the Mohawk Country — The Castles Captured — Treaty of Eyswick — Peace 
 Again Eestored. 
 
 rROM the death of Champlain until the end of the French dominion 
 in America, the friendship established by that great explorer between 
 his own people and the northern Indians was unbroken, while at the 
 same time it led to the unyielding hostility of the Iroquois, and espe- 
 cially of the Mohawks, for the latter were the first to suffer a fearful ex- 
 perience of the destructive power of European firearms. If truces and 
 formal treaties were made between these antagonistic elements, they 
 were brief in duration and of little general effect. The Jesuit fathers 
 labored zealously, but they made no permanent progress in winning the 
 affections of any of the Five Nations. Accepting the English view of 
 their influence they unsettled the savage mind and led to such compli- 
 cations as to require from the provincial authorities of New York, in 
 1700, an unjustifiable law inflicting the death penalty on every Romish 
 priest that should come voluntarily into the province, but even this 
 severe measure did not entirely terminate their work. After the acces- 
 sion of the English, the peaceful relations held with the Iroquois by the 
 Dutch were continued, but strife and jealousy incessantly embroiled the 
 English and the French, and ultimately led to a terrible war which 
 lasted until 1763 (with brief intervals of peace), and delayed for many 
 years the settlement of the Mohawk Valley. 
 
 The causes which led to the protracted contentions between the 
 French and the Iroquois Indians are clear and distinct. They began 
 with the unwarranted invasion by Champlain, and his allied savages, of 
 
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THE FRENCH AND IROQUOIS. ^ 
 
 the Mohawk region, which engendered an hostility that eventually co3t 
 hundreds of lives in battle, together with the ruthless slaughter of an 
 equal or greater number who were innocent of war- like intent. The 
 real struggle of the period known as the French and Indian war began 
 soon after the conquest of the New Netherlands by the English, and 
 ended only with the extinction of the French power in America, but it 
 is only of the series of conflicts called in history by that title, that the 
 present chapter is designed to treat. 
 
 In the hope of avenging past injuries, and to put an end to future in- 
 vasions, the people of New France resolved, in 1665, to send against 
 the Mohawks a force that should not return until their enemies should 
 be swept from the face of the earth, but it was not until the month of 
 January, 1666, that Lord de Courcelles, with a force of less than six 
 hundred men, started on this expedition. It was his purpose to de- 
 stroy the Mohawk nation, and therefore the route of travel was through 
 the valley of Lake Champlain, but the severity of the winter was so 
 great that the invading force, being reduced to distress, was obliged to 
 abandon the enterprise. The Mohawks and Oneidas, becoming aware 
 of the projected invasion of their territory, and of the straits in which 
 the invaders were placed, determined upon vengeance, and were only 
 restrained through the potent influence of Arent Van Corlear, one of 
 the settlers at Schenectady, whose urgent intercessions turned the aven- 
 gers from their purpose and saved'the dei^nceless Frenchmen from de- 
 struction. 
 
 The magnitude of De Courcelles's expedition, although it resulted in 
 no disaster to the Mohawks, prompted the Iroquois to sue for peace, 
 and a treaty with the French powers was concluded in May, June and 
 July, 1666, by the Mohawks, Oneidas and Senecas. During the treaty 
 negotiations, however, the Mohawks committed an outrage on the Fort 
 St. Anne garrison, and this led the governor of Canada (M. de Tracy) 
 to chastise the offending tribe. In the following September he invaded 
 the Mohawk country, the villages and crops were destroyed, and the 
 natives only found refuge in flight. In July, 1667, however, the peace 
 of Breda, between Holland, England and France was signed, and this 
 defined the boundaries of possessions of each power in America, and 
 for a time maintained a peace with the Iroquois, but it was of short du- 
 
 5 
 
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34 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 ration, for in 1669 we find the French and the Iroquois again at war. 
 In April, 1672, a change in the administration in Canada was made, fol- 
 lowed by another peace, concluded in 1673, which was maintained for 
 about eleven years, but in 1684 another rupture took place. At this 
 time M. de la Barre was governor of Canada and New France, and 
 Colonel Dongan governor of New York. The former led an ineffectual 
 expedition against the Senecas, but was soon superseded by Marquis 
 Denonville, the latter bearing special instructions from his sovereign to 
 preserve peace with the Indians. This he found impossible, and he 
 therefore planned a powerful expedition into the Iroquois country, in 
 1687, destroying numerous villages and all the growing crops, while the 
 Indians fled before the approaching enemy and sought protection of the 
 governor of New York. This was promised, with advice that no peace 
 be again concluded with the French Denonville, however, called a 
 council of the Iroquois chiefs, with a view to peace, but treachery on 
 the part of the French commander so enraged the whole confederacy 
 that in July, 1689, they made a descent upon Montreal, burned and de- 
 stroyed property, massacred men, women and children, and returned 
 with twenty-six prisoners, most of whom were burned at the stake. 
 
 The French colony was now in a pitiable condition, but an unex- 
 pected and welcome change was at hand. The divided counsels of the 
 English colonies, growing out of the revolution in the mother country, 
 by which William Prince of Orange was placed on the throne, gave a 
 new aspect to affairs. The Count de Frontenac was again appointed 
 governor of New France, May 21, 1689, and arrived in October. He 
 made an earnest effort to negotiate a peace with the Iroquois, but fail- 
 ing, determined to terrify them into neutrality. For this purpose he 
 fitted out three expedition.^;, one against New York, one against Con- 
 necticut, and a third against other parts of New England. The first 
 and principal one was directed against Schenectady, which was sacked 
 and burned on the night of February 8 and 9, 1690. A band of 
 French and Indians, after a marcli of twenty-two days along the course 
 of the West Canada creek, fell upon the doomed and unprotected vil- 
 lage. But two houses were spared, also fifty or sixty old men, women 
 and children, and about twenty Mohawks. This was done, as it was 
 said "in order to show them " (the Mohawks) "that it was the English 
 
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ENGLISH RETALIATION. 35 
 
 and not they against whom the grudge was entertained." The French 
 made a rapid but disastrous retreat, suffering from the winter severity 
 and also from the harassing pursuit of their maddened enemies. This 
 and other assaults at e.xposed points so disheartened the people at 
 Albany that they resolved to retire to New York; and their course was 
 altered only by a delegation of the Mohawks' which reproached them 
 for their torpidity, urging them to a courageous defense of their homes. 
 This heroic conduct of the Mohawks awakens admiration. Notwith- 
 standing French intrigues and Jesuitical influence, combined with the 
 exasperating apathy of the English, who appeared willing to sacrifice 
 their savage yet in this instance noble allies, they adhered to their early 
 allegiance. 
 
 Repeated invasions by the French and Indians at last awakened the 
 English colonists to the conviction that they must more thoroughly 
 unite in their efforts against the enemies. A convention was accord- 
 ingly held in New York in 1690, constituted of delegates from Massa- 
 chusetts, Connecticut and New York, at which it was resolved to com- 
 bine their strength for the subjugation of Canada. The first named 
 province engaged to equip a fleet and attack the French possessions by 
 water, while the other two should combine their forces and assault 
 Montreal and the forts upon the Sorel river. Through lack of efficient 
 organization and the failure of expected supplies, the expedition was 
 abandoned. During the same year, however, John Schuyler, grand- 
 father of Philip Schuyler of revolutionary fame, having organized a band 
 of about one hundred and twenty 'Christians and Indians," made an 
 incursion into the French possessions and destroyed much property as 
 well as routing and killing the inhabitants of the villages, and in the 
 summer of 1691, Major Peter Schuyler led an expedition into the same 
 region, among his forces being eighty Mohawk warriors. 
 
 The Iroquois continued their incursions against the French and were, 
 perhaps, more dreaded by the latter than were the English. The people 
 of New France were prevented from properly tilling their lands, and 
 when crops were grown they were frequently destroyed bj' the invaders. 
 
 ' Annals of Tryon County, Appendix, Note A. 
 
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36 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 The fur trade,' in which the French were actively engaged, was also 
 nearly ruined by the Iroquois, who took possession of the pass between 
 them and their western allies, and cut off the traders. 
 
 These forays exasperated Count de Frontenac to such a degree that 
 he determined, if possible, to bring them to a final close. He therefore 
 planned an expedition against the Mohawks to be executed in the mid- 
 winter of 1693, and he made his preparation with the greatest secrecy. 
 Having collected a force of nearly seven hundred French and Indians, 
 he cautiously though rapidly passed Lake Champlain on the ice, de- 
 scended into the Mohawk country, surprised and captured three of their 
 castles; 2 meeting with resistance only at the last, and retreated with 
 about three hundred prisoners. Major Peter Schuyler, ever the firm 
 friend of the Mohawks, hastily gathered a party of Albany militia and 
 Indians (five hundred in number), and started in pursuit with such ac- 
 tivity that the fugitives in their haste suffered greatly for food, being 
 compelled, as it is said, " to eat the leather of their shoes." They 
 escaped, however, with a loss of eighty killed and thirty- three wounded. 
 In 1695 another strong force of French and Indians invaded the Onon- 
 daga territory, and although by far the most formidable invasion the 
 Iroquois had thus far suffered, it was almost fruitless in other results 
 than the destruction of villages and crops. 
 
 The treaty of Ryswick was concluded in September, 1697, but while 
 it established a peace between the French and English, it practically 
 
 ' It is interesting in this connection to note the prices which ruled in the Indian trade at Fort 
 Orange (Albany) and Montreal in i68g ; 
 
 The Indian pays for At Fort Orange, Montreal. 
 
 Eight pounds of powder One Beaver Four Beavers 
 
 A gun__ Two " Three 
 
 Forty pounds of lead One *' Four 
 
 Blanket of red cloth One " Two 
 
 Four shirts One " Two 
 
 Six pairs of stockings.-- --- One " -_Two 
 
 Six quarts of rum One " Six 
 
 It is a rather amusing indication of the prevalent mode of dealing with the foolish natives, that 
 while a gun could be purchased tor three beavers, it required six to buy a gallon and a half of 
 rum. 
 
 ''■ The three Mohawk castles, so called, captured by the French, were situated on the south side 
 of the Mohawk river; the lower or eastern being at Icanderago, afterwards called hort Hunter, 
 near the junction of the Mohawk and Schoharie rivers \ while the central or Canajoharie castle (as 
 then called), stood on the hill at the east end of the village of Fort Plain (called by the Indians Ta- 
 ragli-ja-res, signifying hill of health) , and the third or western castle was in what is now the town of 
 Danube. — Schoharie Co. Hist., page 26. 
 
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7^^2Ge 
 
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TREATIES OF PEACE. 37 
 
 left unsettled the status of the Iroquois. Tlie French insisted on the 
 protection of their own Indian allies, but were unwilling to include the 
 Iroquois, and even made preparations to attack them with their whole 
 force. The English on the other hand as strenuously claimed the same 
 terms for their allies, and Earl Bellamont informed Count de Frontenac 
 that he would resist any attack on the Iroquois with the entire force of 
 his government. This terminated the threats of the enemy. 
 
 Peace being thus established (although the old rivalries continued to 
 smoulder) the English left nothing undone to strengthen and render 
 enduring the friendship between themselves and the Iroquois. Liberal 
 presents were distributed among the chiefs, and five of them were taken 
 by Peter Schuyler to London, that they might become impressed with 
 the greatness and strength of the government to which they were allied. 
 All this, however, did not prevent the Iroquois from making peace with 
 the French in September, 1 700, and notwithstanding the additional fact 
 they had, less than a month previously, ceded to Great Britain their 
 hunting-grounds in which they had (to quote the conveyance) "sub- 
 dued the old inhabitants, a thousand miles west of Niagara, all around 
 the lakes." 
 
 On the accession of Anne to the British throne, as successor of King 
 William, in March, 1702, what has been known as Queen Anne's war 
 was soon begun, in which Marlboro won great fame. It continued un- 
 til the treaty of Utrecht,' April 1 1, 17 13, but though felt in the colonies 
 New York fortunately escaped its bloody consequences. 
 
 • This treaty " secured the Protestant succession to the British throne, also the separation of 
 the French and Spanish crowns, the destruction of Dunkirk, the enlargement o£ the British colo- 
 nies in America, and a full satisfaction from France of the claims of the allied kingdoms Britain, 
 Holland and Germany." Fortunately the Five Nations had made a treaty of neutrality (August 
 4, 1701,) with the French in Canada, and thus became an impassable barrier against the savages 
 from the St. Lawrence.— Lossing. 
 
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38 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTS. 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 Rivalry between the British and the French — Eelative Justice of their Claims — How 
 Defined by Sir William Johnson — Both Nations Make Treaties with the Iroquois — Pro- 
 visions of the Treaty of Ryswick — French Encroachments beyond the Treaty Line — 
 War Declared in 1744 — French Outrages in the Mohawk Country — Treaty of Peace at 
 Aix-la-Chapelle — The Situation — The Albany Convention — Kmg Hendrick's Speech — 
 Preparation for War — Expeditions of 1755 — Services of General Johnson — Shirley's 
 Conduct — Battle at Lake George — Death of Hendrick — Distinction of Sir William 
 Johnson. 
 
 DURING the peace that followed the treaty of Utrecht, what 
 may be termed the permanent occupation of the upper 
 Mohawk Valley was begun by a number of Palatinates, who in 
 171 1 dissatisfied with their condition on the Hudson, made their way 
 to the Schoharie to occupy lands promised by Queen Anne. To be 
 strictly accurate, however, it should be stated that the Mohawk Valley 
 in the neighborhood of Schenectady at least was settled as early as 1661, 
 under the direction and patronage of Arent Van Corlear, who acquired 
 title from the Mohawks, and whose purchase was confirmed, in 1684, 
 by Governor Dongan. The destruction of this settlement by the French 
 and Canadian Indians on the night of the 8th and 9th of February, 
 1690, has been described in the preceding chapter and hence we only 
 make a brief and passing reference while speaking of the rival claims of 
 the English and French to the Mohawk territory. It is evident that 
 the claims of England were based upon a much broader foundation of 
 justice than those of France, and both should have been, in some degree, 
 subject to the rights of the Iroquois as the " original proprietors." 
 These rights were subsequently defined by Sir William Johnson in the 
 following language : " The hereditary domains of the Mohawks extend 
 from near Albany to the Little Falls (Oneida boundary), and all the 
 country from thence eastward, etc., north to Rejiohne in Lake Cham- 
 plain." While the French were in possession of New France their 
 influence over all the Indians within its limits was paramount and they 
 
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TERMS OF THE TREATY OF RYSWICK. 39 
 
 even disputed with the English the alliance of the latter with the 
 Iroquois, but whatever may have been the foundation of French claims 
 to the territory of Canada, or even to a portion of the present territory 
 of New York, they could hardly be recognized as holding any part of 
 the Mohawk region. Even admitting that four of the Iroquois nations, in 
 1665, concluded a treaty with De Tracy, by which they placed them- 
 selves under the protection of the French king, it is evident that the 
 Mohawks were not a party to that treaty and it is also evident that 
 continued though occasional and always unsuccessful hostilities on the 
 part of the French against the Iroquois followed for years. On the 
 other hand, although England in the cession of New Netlierlands 
 acquired only the territory previously held by the Dutch, yet she 
 secured the firm and lasting allegiance of the Mohawks, a friendship 
 more closely cemented by the influence of Sir William Johnson. In 
 addition to the foregoing the original charter of Virginia ^ carried the 
 English possessions to the forty- fifth parallel, and later grants extended 
 her sovereignty to the St. Lawrence river. 
 
 The treaty of Ryswick (1697) declared that the belligerents should 
 return to their possessions, as each occupied them at the beginning of 
 the hostilities, and England put forth the unconditional claim that, 
 at the period referred to in the treaty, their Iroquois allies were in 
 the occupation by conquest of Montreal and the shores of the St. 
 Lawrence. The French government at that time seems to have acknowl- 
 edged that the Iroquois were embraced in the treaty. Thus the two 
 European powers wrangled over the country of the Mohawks which 
 was but a little time previously the undisputed dominion of the Iroquois. 
 When France disputed the claims, of England and appealed to the 
 council at Onondaga, a stern, savage orator exclaimed : " We have 
 ceded our lands to no one ; we hold them of heaven alone" 1. 
 
 Whether so much importance should attach to the treaties in which 
 these untutored savages were pitted against the intelligent Europeans, 
 either French or English, as has often been ascribed to them, is ques- 
 tionable ; especially when we consider the methods often adopted in later 
 years to induce the Indians to sign away their domain. Be this as it 
 may, it is now generally believed that the intrusion of France upon the 
 
 1 Bancroft. 
 
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40 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 possessions of the Mohawks in the valley of Lake Champlain, "at the 
 sacrifice of so much blood and treasure, justice and the restraints and 
 faith of the treaties, were subordinated to the lust of power and expe- 
 diency " ' . 
 
 The encroachment by the French upon the territory of the English 
 and their allies, the Iroquois, was one of the chief causes of the French 
 and Indian war. As early as the year 173 1, the surveyor- general of the 
 Canadas made a complete survey of the entire Champlain valley, includ- 
 ing both the New York and Vermont shores, and also Ticonderoga, and 
 not content with this geographical aggression, he extended his work so 
 as to include both sides of the St. Lawrence river nearly to Lake 
 Ontario. The territory thus surveyed was divided into vast tracts and 
 granted as " seigniories " to various proprietors, either for rewards for 
 service to the French crown, or for other considerations. Acting under 
 the assumed authority of ownership a small number of the grantees 
 attempted to actually occupy their lands, but the Canadian government, 
 apparently observing that war between France and England would 
 soon take place, prepared for such an event by possessing themselves 
 of the strongest points in the Champlain valley, and erecting suitable 
 fortifications. The acknowledged key of the country was at Fort St. 
 Frederick, now Crown Point, which the French occupied in 173 1. 
 Ticonderoga was near and to the southward, and here also a fortress 
 was constructed. In the western part of the province of New York 
 other defences were also established, this being done with the consent 
 of the Senecas, whose confidence the wily Frenchmen and their 
 Jesuit associates had fully gained. In the interior of the Mohawk 
 country, however, there no preparation for war was made other than 
 accomplished through the influence of Sir William Johnson, whose 
 advent to the Mohawk Valley antedated the beginning of hostilities by 
 only ten years. 
 
 In March, 1744, war was declared between Great Britain and France, 
 and the former power at once prosecuted measures for the conquest of 
 the French possessions. The colonies of New York and New England 
 united in an expedition to co-operate with the fleet under Commodore 
 Warren in an attack on the fortress of Louisburg, which capitulated in 
 
 J Watson. 
 
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FRENCH AND INDIAN FORAYS. 41 
 
 June, 1745. This suppressed all danger from that direction, but the 
 country north of Albany was continually harassed by incursions from 
 the Indians and French starting from Crown Point and other hostile 
 strongholds. Saratoga was attacked in the fall of 1745, and utterly 
 devastated. This was followed by the descent upon Hoosick village, 
 the garrison of which was forced to surrender, leaving the settlement 
 all the way to Albany open to the enemy. More than twenty other 
 minor expeditions were fitted out by the French from Fort St. Frederick, 
 to fall upon the frontier English settlements and burn, pillage and 
 slaughter. It is little wonder, therefore, that the inhabitants of New 
 York viewed this fortress as a standing and constant menace and the 
 following statements will give an idea of the character of some of the 
 marauding parties and their bloody success. 
 
 "May 24th 1746. A party of eight Abenakis has been fitted out, 
 who have been in the direction of Corlear (Schenectady) and have 
 returned with some prisoners and scalps." 
 
 " May 28th. A party of eight Abenakis struck a blow near Albany 
 and Corlear, and returned with some scalps." 
 
 " August lOth. Chevalier de Repentigny arrived at Quebec and 
 reported that he had made an attack near Corlear and took eleven 
 prisoners and twenty- five scalps " 
 
 We forbear further addition to this terrible recital. Who indeed can 
 imagine the horrors of a season filled with such scenes ? The colonists 
 seemed almost powerless against the enemy — wily, rapid, blood-thirsty, 
 and with a knowledge of every trail and point of vantage. Colonel 
 Johnson sent out two parties against the F"rench and their allies on the 
 4th of August, who made an attack on Chambly, but after a successful 
 beginning they were drawn into an ambush and most of them killed or 
 captured. 
 
 The international contest from 1744 to 1748 had an important 
 object in the possession of the Mississippi valley, which the English 
 claimed as an extension of their coast discoveries and settlements, and 
 the French by right of occupancy, their forts already extending from 
 Canada to Louisiana, and forming " a bow, of which the English col- 
 onies were the string." At the last mentioned date the English colonies 
 contained more than a million inhabitants, while the French had only 
 6 
 
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42 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 sixty thousand. The Iroquois would not engage in this strife until 
 1746, when they were disappointed at its sudden termination, having 
 compromised themselves with their old enemies (the allies of the F"rench), 
 now more numerous and dangerous than formerly. The old question 
 of Iroquois supremacy was, therefore, renewed in a more intensified 
 manner. 
 
 In April, 1748, was concluded the ineffective, if not actually shame- 
 ful, treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle, and while it was a virtual renewal of the 
 treaties of Ryswick and Utrecht, it left unsettled the questions above al- 
 luded to, with others of equal importance to the colonies, and the fort- 
 resses of Louisburg and Crown Point were returned to the French with- 
 out a protest. 
 
 Opposed and embarrassed by political factions, Governor Clinton re- 
 signed his office in October, 1753, and was succeeded by Sir Danvers 
 Osborne. The same distractions and aggravated by the loss of his wife 
 threw the latter into a state of melancholia which ended in suicide. He 
 was succeeded by Lieutenant-Governor James DeLancy, who, in his 
 message to the assembly in the spring of 1754, called attention to recent 
 French encroachments, and to a request from Virginia for aid to resist 
 them. The -assembly voted one thousand pounds to bear its share in 
 erecting forts along the frontier. The French by reason of victories in 
 Pennsylvania in 1754, were left in undisputed possession of the entire 
 region west of the AUeghanies. The necessity for united action by the 
 English colonies was now too apparent to be overlooked ; but the old 
 sectional differences tended to prevent harmony in sentiment or action. 
 The Iroquois were also to some extent becoming alienated from the Eng- 
 lish, whose apathy and failures they did not relish. Under the advice 
 of the British ministry a convention of delegates from all the colonial 
 assembUes was held at Albany in June, 1754. The object of this meet- 
 ing was to secure a continued alliance with the Six Nations. Governor 
 De Lancey presided, and opened the proceedings with a speech to the 
 Indian chiefs and sachems who were present. A treaty was renewed, 
 and the Indians left apparently satisfied. 
 
 Colonel, afterward Sir William, Johnson was present at this conven- 
 tion and made many valuable suggestions to the delegates. He had by 
 this time become well acquainted with the Indian character; had in- 
 
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KING HENDRICK. 43 
 
 gratiated himself in their affections, not only among the Mohawks but 
 as well among the Iroquois. He was made by the former one of their 
 sachems, having authority in their councils ; and likewise he was created 
 war chief, and as such frequently assumed the costume and habits of the 
 Indians. 
 
 After the Albany convention had been concluded, but before the 
 treaty was finally settled. King Hendrick, ^ then highest in authority 
 among the Mohawks, addressed the delegates and Indians upon the sub- 
 ject of the meeting. His final speech closed as follows : " Brethren, we 
 put you in mind, from our former speech, of the defenceless state of your 
 frontiers, particularly of this city' and of Schenectady, and of the coun- 
 try of the Five Nations. You told us yesterday that you were consult- 
 ing about securing both. We beg that you will resolve upon something 
 speedily. You are not safe from danger one day. The French have 
 their hatchets in their hands both at Ohio and at two places in New 
 England. We don't know but this very night they may attack us. Since 
 Colonel Johnson has been in this city there has been a French Indian 
 at his house (Fort Johnson), who took measure of the wall around it, 
 and made very narrow observations on everything thereabouts. We 
 think Colonel Johnson in very great danger, because the French will 
 take more than ordinary pains to kill him or take him prisoner, both on 
 account of his great interest among us and because he is one of our 
 sachems. Brethren, there is an affair about which our hearts tremble 
 and our minds are deeply concerned. We refer to the selling of rum 
 in our castles. It destroys many, both of our old and young people. 
 We are in great fear about this rum. It may cause murder on both 
 sides. We, the Mohawks of both castles, request that the people who 
 are settled around about us may not be suffered to sell our people rum. 
 It keeps them all poor and makes them idle and wicked. If they have 
 
 ' Kins Hendrick was born about the year j68o, and generally dwelt at the upper castle of the Mo- 
 hawk nation, although he resided for a time near the present (1845) residence of Nicholas Yost, on 
 the north side of the Mohawk, near the Nose. He was one of the most active and sagacious sachems 
 of his time. He stood high in the confidence of Sir William Johnson, with whom he was engaged 
 in many perilious enterprises against the Canadian French ; and under whose command he fell in 
 the battle of Lake George, September 8, 1755, covered with glory. — Schoharie County and Border 
 Wars. 
 
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44 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 any money or goods they lay all out in rum. It destroys virtue and 
 the progress of religion among us." ' 
 
 " It was on this occasion," also remarks a cotemporary writer of the 
 period, " that the venerable Hendrick, the great Mohawk chieftain, pro- 
 nounced one of those thrilling and eloquent speeches that marked the 
 nobler times of the Iroquois. It excited the wonder and admiration of 
 those who listened, and commanded the highest encomiums wherever 
 it was read. In burning words he contrasted the supineness and im- 
 becility of the English with the energies of the French policy. His 
 hoary head and majestic bearing attached dignity and force to his utter- 
 ances. 'We,' he exclaimed, ' would have gone and taken Crown Point, 
 but you hindered us.' He closed his philippic with the overwhelming 
 rebuke : ' Look at the French ; they are men. They are fortifying 
 everywhere. But you, and we are ashamed to say it, you are like 
 women — bare and open without any fortifications ! ' " 
 
 Meanwhile, at the suggestion of the Massachusetts delegates to the 
 convention, a plan for the union of the colonies was taken into consid- 
 eration. The suggestion was favorably received and a committee of one 
 from each colony was appointed to draw plans for the purpose, the fer- 
 tile mind of Benjamin Franklin having already suggested a plan which 
 was adopted. It was the forerunner of our federal constitution ; but the 
 colonial assemblies rejected it, deeming that it enroached on their lib- 
 erties, while the home government rejected it, claiming that it granted 
 too much power to the people. 
 
 Though England and France were nominally at peace, the frontier 
 was still distressingly harassed by hordes of Indians let loose by the 
 French, and the colonies continued their appeal to the ministry. While 
 the latter were hesitating, the Duke of Cumberland, then captain- gen- 
 eral of the British armies, sent over early in 1755 General Edward Brad- 
 dock, with a detachment from the army in Ireland. He soon after met 
 the colonial governors at Alexandria ^ and measures were devised for the 
 protection of the colonies. 
 
 ' The governor promised satisfaction to this pathetic appeal, of course ; gave the Indians thirty 
 ■wagon-loads of presents, and the civilized inhabitants went on selling their gallons of mm for 
 beaver skins, and the Indians have often been cursed for their intemperance. 
 
 * By special request of Braddock, Colonel William Johnson was present at this meeting. He was 
 then appointed superintendent of Indian affairs, " with full power to treat with the confederate na- 
 tions, and secure them and their allies to the British interest." Braddock also advanced Johnson 
 2000 pounds for the furtherance of the latter object. — Stomas Life of Sir Wtliiam yohnson. 
 
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BRADDOCK AND JOHNSON. 45 
 
 For this purpose four expeditions were planned by General Braddock 
 (1755) — tlie first to effect the reduction of Nova Scotia; the second to 
 recover the Ohio valley ; the third to expel the French from Fort Ni- 
 agara and then form a junction with the Ohio expedition, and the fourth 
 to capture Crown Point. The first of these expeditions was entirely 
 successful ; the second, under command of Braddock himself, was (chiefly 
 through his folly) disastrous in the extreme. He neglected to send out 
 scouts, as repeatedly counseled by Washington, and when within a few 
 miles of Fort Du Quesne, the army was surprised by the concealed enemy 
 and only saved from destruction by Washington, who, upon the fall of 
 Braddock, assumed command and conducted the retreat. The expedi- 
 tion against Fort Niagara commanded by General Shirley, governor of 
 Massachusetts, was also unsuccessful, and many of his force left him, 
 after hearing of Braddock's defeat. 
 
 The army gathered for the capture of Crown Point was assembled at 
 Albany, and its command entrusted to Colonel William Johnson, who, 
 for the purpose of the expedition, had been elevated to the rank of ma- 
 jor-general. His force comprised the militia and volunteers from New 
 York and the New England provinces, added to which was a strong 
 body of his faithful Mohawk warriors, headed by their famous chief, 
 King Hendrick. Johnson proceeded northward and occupied positions 
 at Fort Edward and Lake George ' . expecting reinforcements from the 
 western nations of the Iroquois ; but in this he was disappointed. Gen- 
 eral Shirley 2, in marching against Fort Niagara, had spread dissensions 
 among the confederates, telling them that Johnson was his subordinate 
 and subject to his orders ; that his office of superintendent of Indian af- 
 
 > The former name of this lake, applied by Champlain, was "Lac St. Sacrament" in honor of the 
 day of his first visit to its shores. General Johnson, on the occasion of camping at the lake with 
 his troops, changed the name to "Lake George", in honor of George III., then the British sovereign. 
 
 2 The peculiar action of Governor Shirley on this occasion is best explained by General Johnson 
 in the report sent by him to the Board of Trade, and written from the camp at Lake George. The 
 report is as follows : "Governor Shirley, soon after his arrival at Albany, on his way to Oswego, 
 grew dissatisfied with my proceedings, and employed one Lydius, of that place — a man whom he 
 knew and I told him, was extremely obnoxious to me, and the very man whom the Indians had in 
 their public meetings so warmly complained of, to oppose my interest and management with them. 
 Under this man, several others were employed. These persons went to the Indian castles, and by 
 bribes, keeping them constantly feasting and drunk ; calumniating my character ; depreciating my 
 commission, authority and management ; in short, by the most licentious and abandoned proceed- 
 ings, raised such a confusion among the Indians, particularly the two Mohawk castles, that their 
 sachems were under the utmost consternation," etc. 
 
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46 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 fairs was but nominal, and that the warriors would best serve their own 
 interests by joining his army. These things were related to Johnson by 
 chief Hendrick in explanation of the absence of the promised aid of the 
 western Indians. Their assistance had been assured at a council of the 
 chiefs and sachems held with the Onondagas prior to the organization 
 of the expedition. The total Indian force which accompanied this ex- 
 pedition amounted to two hundred and fifty men, all of whom were 
 under the especial charge of General Johnson, who was known among 
 them as " Warraghiyaghey." The militia and volunteers were under 
 command of General Lyman, and amounted, when all assembled in the 
 field, to about 4,000 men. 
 
 A detail of the events of the battle that followed cannot be considered 
 an essential part of this narrative, although it took place within the Mo- 
 hawk country. At the beginning of the conflict King Hendrick was 
 slain, and Johnson severely wounded. He retired from the field after 
 having turned the command over to General Lyman. As a matter of 
 fact it should be stated that General Johnson held supreme command 
 during this expedition, while General Lyman was his faithful aid ; but 
 the Indians of the army required careful and discreet attention to make 
 their service available, and as Johnson was their friend, he gave them 
 his special attention throughout the engagement, while the immediate 
 command of the troops devolved upon General Lyman and the other 
 officers of rank. General Johnson, however, directed the various ma- 
 neuvers through which success was finally attained. 
 
 The French regulars, commanded by Dieskau, fought with great 
 heroism, but the Canadian Indians were of but little assistance, as they 
 were dispersed by a few shots thrown in their midst. The Senecas, who 
 had been induced to join the French standard, on seeing themselves op- 
 posed by their old brethren the Mohawks, discharged their weapons in 
 the air and abandoned the conflict. Dieskau, the French general, was 
 wounded and disabled, but refused to be carried from the field, and or- 
 dered his subordinate, Montrueil, to assume command and make the best 
 retreat possible. The French were put to flight in such confusion that 
 all their baggage and ammunition was left behind for the victors. Their 
 loss amounted to about four hundred and fifty, while that of the Eng- 
 lish and Mohawks was nearly one hundred less. 
 
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ENGLISH FAILURES. 47 
 
 The French were partially paralyzed by this defeat, but Johnson was 
 charged with neglect of the opportunity opened before him. He might 
 (it was said) have taken Fort St. Frederick and Ticonderoga, while on 
 the other hand he spent the summer in erecting Fort William Henry, at 
 the head of Lake George. The Mohawks, fearing an invasion of their 
 villages by the Canada Indians, were permitted to return to their homes. 
 The services of General Johnson on this occasion were rewarded with a 
 baronetcy, his office of superintendent of Indian affairs was confirmed, 
 and he was granted the sum of five thousand pounds. From this event 
 was acquired the title by which he was ever afterward known — " Sir 
 William Johnson." 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 French and English War Continued — Results of the Campaign 1756 — French Suc- 
 cesses in that and Succeeding Years — • The Iroquois Divided — Johnson's Efforts to 
 unite Them — Webb's Disgraceful Conduct — The Mohawk Valley Invaded — Pala- 
 tine Village Destroyed — Aberbcrombie's Neglect and Inefficiency — Campaigns of 
 1T67-58 — English Successes — French Reverses — Johnson's Achievements — Extinc 
 tion of the French Power in America. 
 
 STRANGE as it may appear, after the hostilities described in the 
 preceding chapter, it was not until the following summer that war 
 was formally declared between Great Britain and France. Three prin- 
 cipal campaigns were organized in 1756; one against Fort Niagara with 
 six thousand men ; the second against Fort Du Quesne with three thou- 
 sand men, and the third, by far the largest army yet assembled in the 
 country, a force of ten thousand troops designed for the reduction of 
 Crown Point, the occupation of the Champlain valley, and, if necessary, 
 the invasion of Canada. General John Winslow was in command of the 
 latter, but was joined by General Abercrombie with reinforcements 
 from Lord Loudon, governor of Virginia. Abercrombie at once re- 
 moved the provincial officers, placing in their stead men from the regu- 
 lar army, who, though versed in tactics, were wholly destitute of a 
 
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48 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTS. 
 
 knowledge of the methods of conducting military operations in such a 
 region. Through the inactivity of the commanding officers nothing 
 was accomplished in the way of taking the French strongholds, while 
 at other points the results were equally unsatisfactory and the cam- 
 paigns ended with much greater advantage to the French than to the 
 English. 
 
 The campaign for 1757 was arranged by the English in proportions 
 equal to its predecessor, while the French army under Montcalm was by 
 no means inactive. The latter had by this time not only gained the friend- 
 ship of many of the western Iroquois, but had succeeded in enlisting 
 them under the French standard. The league of the Iroquois was now 
 so weakened as to have lost much of its ancient power of union, and 
 the brethren were no longer averse to warring with each other. In 
 fact at this time a large number of the Iroquois had become settled in 
 Canada, chiefly on account of French successes in previous years and 
 the constant apathy of the English, and even the strong influence of 
 Sir William was no longer effectual in enlisting them in the cause which 
 he represented. The greater part of the Mohawk nation, however, re- 
 mained true to Sir William, their adopted chief, and were, with a frag- 
 ment of other nations, factors in this campaign and that of the following 
 year, but instead of being aggressors, the English officers appeared to 
 prefer a mere defense. Their strong points in this province were at 
 Fort William Henry and Fort Edward; the former garrisoned by Col- 
 onel Munro with 500 men, and supported by 1,700 troops in an en- 
 trenched camp. General Webb was at Fort Edward, only fifteen miles 
 away, with 4,000 effective men. Munro therefore felt strong in his po- 
 sition, but when "Montcalm laid siege to the fort and assistance became 
 necessary, and was solicited, the cowardly 1 Webb withheld it, and even 
 suggested that Munro should make terms of surrender with the French. 
 Sir William Johnson with his Mohawk warriors and militia started to 
 
 ' Another evidence of the consummate cowardice of General Webb was made apparent in his 
 conduct at the German Flats, in the Mohawk valley. Two days before the surrender at Oswego, 
 Webb had been sent to the relief of that position. On the 20th day of August, following. Sir Will- 
 iam Jonhson with two battalions of militia and 300 Indians, was sent to support Webb. At the 
 Oneida carrying place news was received of the fall of Oswego, whereupon the terrified Webb 
 " fancying he already beheld his own scalp dangling from the waist of some brawny savage," 
 caused trees to be immediately felled across Wood creek, and fled with his troops to the German 
 Plats. 
 
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HUMILIATION OF THE ENGLISH' 49 
 
 relieve the besieged garrison, but the commander in charge ordered his 
 return. The natural and only result was the surrender of the position 
 at Fort William Henry, followed by the indiscriminate slaughter of a 
 number of the prisoners, although, in justice to Montcalm, it must be 
 said that he did all in his power to prevent it. 
 
 Fort William Henry was totally destroyed and its stores and muni- 
 tions captured ; and this with a loss to the French of only fifty- three 
 men. Webb at once prepared to retreat to the Hudson. Mont- 
 calm had intended an invasion of the Hudson river region and 
 the capture of Albany, but from the fact that his Canadian soldiers 
 were needed at their homes to harvest their fields, in order to avert a 
 threatened famine, he retired satisfied with his success and glory. 
 Meanwhile Loudon had taken a position on Long Island, the English 
 hajd been driven from the Ohio ; Montcalm had restored the St. Law- 
 rence valley to France, and Great Britain and her colonies were not 
 only humiliated but were naturally fearful of the future. 
 
 During the year 1757 there was made another disastrous invasion of 
 the beautiful Mohawk valley by the French and Indians. At that time 
 there were scattered settlements all through the vicinity of the river, 
 the pioneers being chiefly Germans, or Palatines. They had become 
 thrifty and were possessed of dwellings and well tilled fields. They 
 had been sufficiently apprised of the intended invasion, and had they 
 heeded the warnings given by the Oneida Indians they might have es- 
 caped at least a part of the vengeance that fell so fearfully upon them. 
 General Abercrombie, too, was negligent in giving protection to the 
 settlers and to the friendly Indians, although frequent requests therefor 
 had been made to him. Before daylight on the morning of November 
 12 the dwellers of the Palatine village were aroused by the terrific 
 war-whoop, and immediately three hundred Canadians and Indians, 
 under Bellettre, attacked each block-house. Some show of resistance 
 was made, but without avail. The people asked for quarter, but no 
 mercy was shown. The dwellings were burned and their occupants 
 ruthlessly tomahawked while they vainly endeavored to escape. Forty 
 Germans in all were massacred and one hundred and fifty others car- 
 ried away captives. In addition to these bloody horrors the invaders 
 captured large quantities of grain, three thousand cattle and as many 
 7 
 
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50 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 sheep. This invasion so alarmed the settlers of the whole region that 
 the inhabitants living elsewhere in the valley sought safety in flight to 
 the settlements at Schenectady and Albany, and the villages of Stone 
 Arabia and Cherry Valley became almost depopulated. 
 
 At the time this massacre took place Sir William Johnson was con- 
 fined to his room by sickness, but through his secretaryhe at once sent 
 word to the Oneidas and Tuscaroras, enquiring of them why they had 
 not warned the Germans of their danger. The Indians, however, were 
 not at fault, as their warning had been duly given. Abercrombie was also 
 addressed from the same source, and a correspondence of some warmth 
 was conducted in relation to that officer's neglect of duty. Lord Lou- 
 don, who was in Albany about that time, was inclined to place the 
 blame upon the Iroquois in general, and exhibited a strong desire to 
 make war upon them ; but, fortunately, the influence of Sir William 
 Johnson prevailed, thereby averting the misery which would certainly 
 have followed. 
 
 Although the campaign of the previous year had been one of disaster 
 to the English, that very fact seemed to infuse a little spirit into the 
 ministry, which found public expression chiefly through the gifted 
 statesman, William Pitt. A million and a half of people inhabited the 
 British colonies, and an army of some 5,000 men was soon subject to 
 the command of Abercrombie. Commercial intercourse with the 
 mother country was almost untrammeled, arid there seems no sufficient 
 reason why the French power should not have been extinguished by one 
 grand movement. This predominance of the English, however, was 
 considerably impaired by the fact that the French had gained stronger 
 influence over the Indians, and then the Canadian population was more 
 concentrated, while above all, the French cause was under command 
 of by far the most brilliant and able men. In the language of a cotem- 
 porary, " Britain had sent to her colonies effete generals, bankrupt no- 
 bles and debauched parasites of the court. France selected her func- 
 tionaries from the wisest, noblest and best of her people, and, therefore, 
 her colonial interests were usually directed with sagacity." 
 
 English hostilities began in 1758 with brilliant achievements by the 
 rangers under Rogers and Putnam, which did not, however, seriously 
 influence the general campaign. As in the preceding year, three for- 
 
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SUPINENESS OF ABERCROMBIE. sr 
 
 midable expeditions were planned, the varied points being Louisburg, 
 Fort Du Quesne and Ticonderoga. Louisburg was besieged, and after 
 some weeks of vigorous defence, surrendered to the English. The army- 
 sent against Fort Du Quesne was commanded by Gen. John Forbes, 
 through whose dilatory movement it came very near failure ; but at 
 last the decisive action of Washington restored victory to the English 
 arms, and the 24th of November the French set fire to the defences and 
 fled down the Ohio river. 
 
 The capture of Ticonderoga however and the descent on Montreal was 
 the most important of these campaigns, being indeed the vital point in the 
 war. A force of about 7,000 regulars, nearly 9,000 provincials, and a 
 heavy train of artillery, was assembled at the head of Lake George by 
 the beginning of July. Unfortunately, however, the command of this 
 fine army was given to General James Abercrombie. Judging well 
 of his incapacity, Pitt sought to avert the probability of failure by the 
 selection of Lord Howe, to whom was given the rank of brigadier-gen- 
 eral and he was made the controlling spirit of the expedition. 
 
 Early on the morning of July 5 this splendid army embarked upon 
 Lake George, and two days later made a landing on Lake Champlain 
 at the point that now bears Lord Howe's name. In the first engage- 
 ment that took place he fell mortally wounded, and his death destroyed 
 all hope of a successful campaign. On the morning of the 8th Sir Will- 
 iam Johnson arrived, accompaned by nearly four hundred Mohawks 
 and other Indian warriors,^ but at the same time the French army was 
 re-enforced by the arrival of De Levis and his four hundred veterans. 
 He designed another invasion of the Mohawk valley, but had been or- 
 dered back to join the main body under Montcalm. During the en- 
 
 ' To give the readfer something of an idea of the difHculties that attended the gathering of this 
 body of Indians, attention is directed to the following extracts from a letter addressed by Sir Will- 
 iam Johnson to General Abercrombie: " Camp in the woods within ten miles of Fort Edward, 
 Tuly 5 1758, 6 in the morning. Sir :— I arrived here last night with near two hundred Indians of 
 the Five Nations and others. Mr. Crogan and some of the Indian ofHcers are within a day's march 
 of nie with about one hundred men, as I hear from letters from him." " I set off from my house 
 last Tuesday with as many as I could there get sober to move with me, which were but a few, for 
 liquor was as filenty with them as ditch-water, being brought up from Schenectady by their and 
 other squaws as well as whites, and sold to them at night in spite of all I could do. These have 
 since joined me by small parties. I assure your excellency, no man ever had more trouble than I 
 have had to get them away from the liquor ; and if the fate of the whole country depended upon 
 my moving a day sooner, I could not do it without leaving them behind, and disgusting all the na- 
 tions," etc. 
 
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52 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 gagement which followed, and in which the British were seriously de- 
 feated, Johnson and his Indians were posted on Mount Defiance, then 
 known as Sugar Loaf Hill, and from their position were prevented from 
 taking an active part in the battle. 
 
 The details of this sanguinary conflict need not here be narrated ; 
 they are emblazoned on the pages of many a history. The assault was 
 hopeless from the beginning, and while its bloody scenes were being en- 
 acted, under the watchful eye of the brilliant Montcalm, Abercrombie 
 looked after the welfare of his own noble person amid the security of 
 the saw-mills, two miles from the battle-field ; and before early dawn of 
 the morning of the lOth, he had placed the length of Lake George be- 
 tween himself and his conquerers. The total loss to the British was 
 more than two thousand men ; of the French about five hundred men. 
 This terrible and probably unnecessary catastrophe was partially offset by 
 the successful siege of Fort Frontenac, which capitulated to Bradstreet 
 on the 26th of August. While Abercrombie thus dallied in contempt- 
 ible indecision, Montcalm, re-enforced with 3,000 Canadians and 600 In- 
 dians, was vigilant and persistent, striking wherever he could detect a 
 vulnerable point. 
 
 The events thus far recorded seem to indicate an early approaching 
 triumph of the French cause in America, but really a dark reverse was 
 imminent. Canada was suffering the horrors of famine and was almost 
 depopulated of men, who had been required to fill the military ranks. 
 Montcalm was persistently appealing to the crown for aid, but the gov- 
 ernment could only furnish provisions and ammunition. On the other 
 hand the English now appeared to have been stirred to renewed action 
 through the zeal of William Pitt, and the year 1759 opened with far 
 better prospects of success for the British arms. Changes had been 
 made in military affairs ; Abercrombie was superseded by General Am- 
 herst, and when the latter appealed to the colonists for militia rein- 
 forcements they willingly complied with the request, although they were 
 heavily burdened with debt on account of previous expenditures. 
 
 The proposed campaign of the year comprised in addition to the con- 
 quest of Ticonderoga also the capture of Fort Niagara and the siege of 
 Quebec. On the 7th of July General Prideaux was joined by Sir Will- 
 iam Johnson, between whom there existed warm friendship, quite the 
 
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AWAKENING OF THE ENGLISH. 53 
 
 reverse of the relations between the latter and Abercrombie. It was 
 agreed by both officers that Oswego and Fort Niagara were important 
 positions, and ought to be taken during the campaign. For this pur- 
 pose Johnson was to assemble as man)' as possible of the Iroquois 
 and join the expedition under Prideaux. As early as January 18 John- 
 son held a conference with Mohawk and Seneca chiefs at Canajoharie 
 castle, his purpose being to call a general council of as many of the 
 Iroquois as could be induced to attend, and if possible unite them all 
 under his standard. The result was that in April following, another 
 council was held at Canajoharie and assurances given by the savages 
 of willingness to join Johnson in the expedition. When he arrived at 
 Prideaux's camp, Johnson had in his command no less than seven hun- 
 dred dusky warriors, as well as a strong force of provincial troops. 
 After the surrender of the fort at Niagara, Johnson and his forces re- 
 mained in the neighborhood, and also at Oswego, until the 14th of Oc- 
 tober, when he departed for Mount Johnson. 
 
 In the Champlain region the En'glish armies were also successful. 
 Montcalm had taken a position at Quebec, to defend the stronghold 
 against the attacks of General Wolfe ; and there both of these brave offi- 
 cers found their graves. General Amherst laid siege to Ticonderoga, 
 which was defended by a garrison of four hundred men under Boula- 
 marque. The fort was evacuated on July 26, and this was soon fol- 
 lowed by the withdrawal of the French from Crown Point. The dom- 
 ination of France was ended by the fall of Quebec September 18, 1759, 
 thus leaving the English masters of all America, for the surrender of 
 Vaudreul on the 8th of the next September was an inevitable result. 
 
 The Senecas were by this time distrustful of the French and wavered 
 between uncertain possibilities. They also desired to be with the vic- 
 tors, and the general result of the previous year had not brought to the 
 French arms the success the commanders had promised. Moreover, 
 the Indian faith in the French had been considerably shaken by treach- 
 ■eries, and many of the savages were anxious to return to their old alle- 
 giance.i 
 
 1 Although hostilities between the two nations had now ceased, a formal peace was not estab- 
 lished until 1763, when, on the lothof February, the treaty of Paris was sis:ned, by which France 
 ceded to Great Britain all her possessions in Canada. On the 30th of July, 1760, Governor De Lan- 
 cey, o£ New York, suddenly died, and the government passed into the hands of Cadwallader Col- 
 den, who was commissioned lieutenant-governor in August, 1761. In October of that year Gen- 
 eral Robert Monkton was appointed governor of the province of New York. 
 
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54 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 Early Settlement of the Mohawk Valley — Van Corlear's Patent -^ Settlement at 
 Schenectady — German Palatinates at Schoharie Creek; at Canajoharie and Palatine 
 Village — Their Character and Customs — Located there as a Defense against the French 
 Invasion — The Plan not Fully Successful — Sir William Johnson Forms the Germans 
 into Militia Companies — French and Indian Land Grants — Charters of New York and 
 Pennsylvania Compared — The Former a Royal Province — Patents Issued Including 
 Lands of Fulton County — The Stringer Patent Granted under State Authority. 
 
 AS has been briefly mentioned in one of the preceding chapters, 
 civilized settlement began in the Mohawk valley in i66l, when 
 Arent Van Corlear purchased from the Indian proprietors a large tract of 
 land in the vicinity of Fort Orange, and another covering the present site 
 of Schenectady. In 1684, nearly twenty years after the conquest of the 
 Dutch by the English, the purchases made by Corlear were confirmed 
 by Governor Dongan. During the period of the early wars between 
 the French and the Indians, there was but little attempt at settlement 
 in any of the frontiers, such efforts being attended with many hardships 
 and great danger. Even Schenectady, protected as it may have been, 
 was (as has been narrated) surprised and destroyed by the French and 
 Canadian savages in February, 1690. Notwithstanding that fearful 
 tragedy, before the lapse of little more than a score of years another at- 
 tempt was made at the colonization of the valley, and this too in a region 
 farther west, being within the territory afterward formed into old Mont- 
 gomery county. 
 
 During the early years of the seventeenth century Europe was sub- 
 jected to a series of religious wars, in which the Romanists were opposed 
 to Protestantism, their determination being to crush the latter out of 
 existence. One of the localities seriously affected by this conflict was 
 the Lower Palatinate, in Germany; a province peopled by a hardy, 
 though obstinate and ignorant race. To escape persecution this people 
 fled from their native country and found temporary refuge in England, 
 In 1702 Queen Anne succeeded King William, and the way was soon 
 
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THE PALATINATES. 55 
 
 provided by which the German refugees were given a home in the new 
 world. The first of the Palatinates (as they were called) arrived in 
 New York in 1707, followed in 1710 by a larger number, estimated at 
 three thousand. The projectors of the colonization scheme intended 
 that the Palatinates should settle in the Mohawk valley, but on examin- 
 ation of that region with reference to its adaptability the scheme was found 
 to be impracticable, and the emigrants were located in the Hudson 
 river country. A portion of the original number however remained 
 in New York, while many went to Pennsylvania and became permanent 
 residents. There were many causes which wrought dissatisfaction 
 among the Palatinates in the Hudson river district, chief among which 
 was the fact that they were obliged to serve under government agents 
 who were often both tyrannical and dishonest. 
 
 From this and other causes the poor Germans became discontented 
 with their abode and determined to seek homes eleswhere, particularly 
 in the region which (as they claimed) Queen Anne had promised them. 
 In fact they were so bent in this purpose that- the authorities were 
 obliged to use force to hold them to their contract. At last the officers 
 in charge became discouraged in their endeavors to improve such re- 
 fractory settlers, and therefore permitted them to gratify their desires — 
 hoping that the removal might aflford protection against the incursions 
 of the French and their Indian allies. In 17 12, by permission of the 
 Mohawks, a number of these families located on Schoharie creek, but later 
 on they had annoyance in disputes concerning their land titles. In 
 1723 colonies of Palatinates moved farther up the Mohawk and settled 
 at Canajoharie and Palatine. In 1722 a number of them purchased 
 lands in the vicinity of Fort Hunter, while others settled on West Can- 
 ada creek. On the 19th of October, 1723, Stone Arabia patent was 
 granted to twenty-seven Palatinate families whose members numbered 
 one hundred and twenty- seven. Their lands included 12,700 acres, 
 which was divided into twenty- seven equal parts, and laid out in lots 
 to assist in this division. 
 
 The provincial authorities erred in their estimate of the value of the 
 German settlers as a means of protection against invasion. On the 
 contrary the very character and customs of this people seemed to almost 
 invite a hostile attack, and it was not until several years after the arrival 
 
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56 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 of Colonel William Johnson that they held any semblance of military 
 organization. They were careless of their own interests and reckless of 
 their safety, either personal or of property. This was clearly shown 
 when in November, 1757, the inhabitants of Palatine village received 
 timely warning of an imminent French and Indian attack, but they dis- 
 regarded the friendly caution and their hamlet was destroyed and many 
 of its people killed or carried into captivity. Notwithstanding the above 
 mentioned defeat, the Palatines were prosperous, and contributed much 
 to the early development and welfare of the Mohawk valley region. 
 They increased rapidly in numbers, each succeeding generation being 
 an improvement ; and in the valley to-day are many of the descendants 
 of the original settlers who have reached wealth and distinction. Sir 
 William Johnson afterward organized many of these Palatines into 
 militia companies — nine of them all told, and he called them together 
 whenever there appeared any reason to expect an invasion. In this 
 way the Germans were beneficial in protecting the region, for the mere 
 knowledge of a regiment of armed militia, together with nearly two hun- 
 dred thoroughly trained Mohawk warriors, and all under command of 
 an officer so skillful as Sir William Johnson, had a subduing effect upon 
 the ardor of the French and their savage Canadian allies. 
 
 During the period of French and English rivalry in America, both 
 powers derived a revenue by the sales, and also the more extensive 
 " grants," of the lands in their domain. Each, however, required as a 
 condition precedent to the full occupation and enjoyment of the territory 
 that the Indian title .should first be extinguished by purchase or release. 
 The French grants covered such tracts (mainly in the northern portion 
 of New York) as were not included in English land charters, but with 
 the final overthrow of French power in America the greater number of 
 these were annulled, and the lands were afterward sold to British sub- 
 jects, though a few of the original seigniories were confirmed to their 
 proprietors through royal grace and clemency. 
 
 The British power in the colony of New York had no real existence 
 until after the conquest of the Dutch. In fact the grant to the Duke of 
 York was not until 1664, a year only before the occupation of the New 
 Netherlands. The introduction of this subject naturally leads to an ex- 
 amination of the peculiar character of the grant of the province of New 
 
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CHARTERS OF NEW YORK AND PENNSYLVANIA. 57 
 
 York, and those points in which it differs from almost all others on this 
 continent, although they emanated chiefly from the same source. No 
 better illustration of this difference can be made than by comparing the 
 charters of Pennsylvania and New York. 
 
 The former was granted to William Penn, in payment of a debt due 
 his father, Admiral William Penn, from the British government. By 
 that charter the fee in the province passed to the grantee, subject only 
 to the Indian title, which Penn was determined to extinguish at his own 
 cost. This having been done, the patentee was the absolute owner of 
 the lands thus granted, and all emoluments were his own. Of similar 
 character also was the charter by which in 1664 Charles II granted to 
 his brother James, Duke of York and Albany, the vast territory which 
 included all that is now the state of New York. The Duke of York, by 
 that grant (and others of later date), became proprietor of the land, with 
 the same rights and powers, and subject to the same conditions regard- 
 ing Indian titles as William Penn, and the patents which were made to 
 various sub- proprietors, either to favorites or for consideration, between 
 1664 and 1685, by the duke, were made from the same relative position 
 as Penn occupied during his proprietorship. In 1685, however, the 
 Duke of York himself became king of Great Britain and as his charter 
 naturally merged in the crown, the government of his possessions 
 changed from a proprietary one to a " royal province." Instead of 
 being governor of the colony, the king held the power of appointing 
 that functionary, and then indirectly controlling its affairs, but still re- 
 ceiving specified revenues from its land sales. 
 
 Little was done in the way of granting lands in the province of New 
 York earlier than the first quarter of the seventeenth century, although 
 under t}ie duke's title some grants were made even before he became 
 king. But after the year 1734, and particularly after the English and 
 French were really contending for supremacy in America, the govern- 
 ment disposed of much of the available territory of the province, and 
 it is a noticeable fact that by far the greater part of the early land 
 grants included portions of old Tryon county, though as yet the land 
 of the Mohawks. An explanation of this is found in the fact that this 
 region was under the special control of Sir William Johnson. His in- 
 fluence among the Mohawk Indians is surprising to all who do not con- 
 
 8 
 
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58 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTS. 
 
 sider the relations that existed between himself and the red men, and 
 the great value of the presents he made them. We know, indeed, that 
 during the last score of years of Sir William's life the Mohawks were 
 greatly dependent upon his bounty for their support, and under such 
 circumstances we are not surprised to learn that for a merely nominal 
 consideration he could induce them to part with such of their domain 
 as he or his favorites desired to possess. It has been asserted that the 
 baronet secured the Indian title to the immense tract known as the 
 "Royal Grant" from King Hendrick as the result of a dream, but while 
 many doubt this story its mere narration suggests the extraordinary in- 
 fluence of Sir William over the Mohawk nation. According to the 
 records the " Royal Grant," embracing ninety- three thousand acres of 
 land lying between East and West Canada creeks and north of the Mo- 
 hawk river, was patented to Sir Wilham Johnson by letters issued April 
 1 6, 1765. King Hendrick was killed in September, 1755, ten years 
 previously, and yet it may be true that the old chief released the Indian 
 title long before his death, and the purchase thus made was confirmed 
 by the king ten years afterward. 
 
 The titles of many of the old land grants are still preserved and are 
 occasionally referred to in modern conveyances. The reader will of 
 course understand that all these grants were made prior to the rev- 
 olution ; but though issued during the British dominion, many were 
 afterward confirmed by the state authorities, while the other portion 
 was confiscated and sold as the property of enemies. These persons 
 were called tories, and though they did not in all cases bear arms against 
 American independence, their conduct was sufficiently inimical to jus- 
 tify confiscation. The most important instance of this kind was found 
 in the vast manor of Johnson Hall, which was sold by the state, and was 
 finally purchased by the ancestor of the present Wells family in whose 
 possession it still remains. 
 
 Beginning with the year 1735, and thence throughout the years 
 down to the outbreak of the revolutionary war, there was granted to 
 various individuals and companies an aggregate of more than three hun- 
 dred square miles in what is now Fulton county and vicinity, and 
 while of no special connection with the county's history it is still proper 
 to briefly mention the various patents, since they arc important features 
 
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LAND PATENTS. 59 
 
 in early progress. This task, however, is difficult, owing to the confused 
 condition of the records, but an effort will be made to locate the tracts 
 by town or county boundaries. 
 
 The Kayaderosseras Patent ' was granted to Naning Heermanse and 
 twelve others, November 2, 1708. Its extent was originally about 
 700,000 acres, and included lands now in the towns of Amsterdam and 
 Perth. This was the first royal patent that embraced lands in what is 
 now Fulton county. 
 
 The celebrated Stone Arabia Patent, granted to John Christian Gar- 
 lack and twenty-six associates, October 19, 1723, and in extent 12,700 
 acres, was situated in what afterward became Johnstown. 
 
 Butler's Patent was granted to Walter Butler and three other pro- 
 prietors, December 31, 173S, embracing 4,000 acres of land, situated 
 in what are now the towns of Johnstown and Mohawk. 
 
 The Mase Patent was issued to Jacob Mase and two Bleeckers, Oc- 
 tober 17, 1 74 1, granting 6,000 acres of land in what is now the town of 
 Northampton; a part of the so-called " Northampton Patent." 
 
 The Sacandaga Patent was granted to Landert Gansevoort and oth- 
 ers, December 2, 1741, including 28,000 acres of land situated in the 
 towns of Johnstown, Perth, Mayfield and Broadalbin. This patent cov- 
 ered the southeast portion of Johnstown and Mayfield, the southern 
 part of Broadalbin, and the western and the northern portion of Perth. 
 It was one of the largest patents of land in Fulton county. 
 
 The Holland Patent was granted to Henry Holland, July 16, 1742, 
 and included 1,250 acres of land in the eastern part of the present town 
 of Northampton. 
 
 The Schuyler Patent was granted to Cornelius Schuyler, July 16, 
 1742, covering 1,300 acres of land in Northampton ; a part of the 
 so-called Northampton Patent. 
 
 The Stephens Patent, bearing the same date with the last mentioned^ 
 was granted to Arent Stephens and included 1,200 acres of land in 
 Northampton. 
 
 The Collins Tract was patented to Edward Collins, July 16, 1742,. 
 and covered 1,250 acres in Northampton. 
 
 ' A later chapter will refer to a disturbance among the Indians, growing out o£ frauds practiced, 
 in obtaining their title to the lands of this patent. 
 
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6o HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 The four last mentioned patents — Holland, Schuyler, Stephens and 
 Collins — were granted at the same time. They covered lands of the 
 so-called Northampton Patent, and embraced 4,900 acres in the ag- 
 gregate. 
 
 The Kingsborough Patent was one of the most important, from a 
 historical point of view, of all the patents in Fulton county, and its his- 
 tory will be found in one of the later chapters of this work. It was 
 granted to Arent Stephens (or Stevens), June 23, 1753, and included 
 20,000 acres in the towns of Ephratah, Johnstown and Mayfield. 
 
 The Klock Patent was issued to George Klock and fourteen others, 
 December 21, 1754, and included i6,000 acres of land in the towns of 
 Oppenheim and Ephratah ; the southern portion of each town. 
 
 The Livingston Patent for lands in Fulton and Saratoga counties to 
 Philip Livingston and nineteen associates, was issued November 8, 
 
 1760, and included lands to the extent of 4,000 acres. 
 
 The Lott Patent was granted to Abraham Lott and nineteen asso- 
 ciates, September 16, 1761, and embraced 20,000 acres of land in the 
 town's of Oppenheim, Ephratah and Stratford. 
 
 Magin's Patent was issued to Sarah Magin and others, March 31, 
 
 1 761, and included 26,000 acres of land in Oppenheim and Ephratah, 
 being located about the center of the towns, and joining on the south 
 the Lott patent or purchase. 
 
 The Claus Patent was granted to Daniel Claus, son-in law of Sir 
 William Johnson, September 29, 1770, and embraced within its bounds 
 3,000 acres of land in the present town of Mayfield. 
 
 The Glen Patents (and there were a number of them) were the prop- 
 erty of John Glen, jr. They are supposed to have been granted August 
 24, 1770, and embraced Fulton county lands in the towns of Stratford, 
 Caroga, Bleecker and Broadalbin, while they also extended into what 
 is now Saratoga county, being in the aggregate nearly 50,000 acres. 
 
 McLeod's Patent, granted to Norman McLeod September 29, 1770, 
 included 3,000 acres in the eastern part of Mayfield and the southwest 
 part of Northampton. 
 
 The Mayfield Patent was granted to Francis Beard and thirteen asso- 
 ciates June 27. 1770, and included 14,000 acres in the present towns of 
 Caroga, Bleecker and Mayfield. 
 
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Sm WILLIAM JOHNSON.. 6i 
 
 The Robert's Patent, of which Benjamin Roberts was proprietor, was 
 granted September 20, 1770, and included 2,000 acres in Mayfield and 
 Northampton adjoining on the east the McLeod tract. 
 
 The Van Rensselaer Patent, granted to Jeremiah Van Rensselaer Oc- 
 tober 4, 1744, embraced 28,964 acres of land, most of which is sup- 
 posed to have been situated in Northampton. 
 
 Besides the specific and definite grants mentioned, there were numer- 
 ous others of varied extent, which cannot be defined with accuracy. 
 Among these may be mentioned the Bergen purchase, comprising thir- 
 teen lots in Fulton and Hamilton counties; the Haring Patent, in the 
 central part of Broadalbin, but there appears no record of their extent 
 or date of record; the Stringer Patent or purchase, covering 1,350 
 acres in the town of Broadalbin, was granted November 26, 1785, to 
 Samuel Stringer, under the authority of the state of New York. In 
 this respect the Stringer Patent differed from all others named in this 
 •chapter, as each of the number was granted during the British dominion. 
 The Stringer Patent therefore has the distinction of being the first 
 granted by the sovereign state of New York. 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 SIR WILLIAM JOHNSON, BARONET — A CONDENSED HISTORY OF THE 
 LIFE OF THE FOUNDER OF JOHNSTOWN. 
 
 HAVING made frequent reference to that remarkable man known 
 first as William Johnson, land agent ; then as Colonel Johnson ; 
 later as General Johnson, and finally as Sir William, we now propose a 
 brief review of the leading events of his life, though we shall hardly ex- 
 pect to do justice to the most eminent character in the civil and mili- 
 tary record of the province of New York. Sir William will also come 
 under our notice when treating of the history of Johnstown, and hence 
 we shall here be limited to a mere outline of his illustrious career, our 
 information being drawn from the most reliable authority. 
 
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62 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 William Johnson, the son of Christopher and Anne (Warren) John- 
 son, was born in County Down, Ireland, in the year 1715. His uncle. 
 Sir Peter Warren, had married an American woman, and became pos- 
 sessed of an extensive tract of land in the Mohawk valley. It contained 
 14,000 acres (originally granted in 1735 to Charles Williams), and 
 located between the Mohawk and Schoharie rivers, in what is now the 
 town of Florida, Montgomery county. In 1738 William Johnson came 
 hither to serve as superintendent of this estate, whose development was 
 of great importance to its proprietor, since the purchase was a specula- 
 tion from which he had great hope of financial profit. With this view 
 young Johnson, under the direction of his uncle, cleared part of the 
 land, putting it under cultivation, and also surveyed the entire tract, 
 dividing it in a manner that would attract settlers of limited means. An 
 important feature in this work was the erection of a mill. He also 
 established himself in trade, a store being necessary to public conven- 
 ience, and thus extended every inducement that could assist the new 
 settlement. Later on, in view of the hostility between the British and 
 French, and as well between the Iroquois Indians and their savage 
 enemies in Canada, he erected a fortress which was called " Fort John- 
 son," on whose site Fort Hunter was afterward built. This was his 
 home for several years, and from this point all his business operations 
 were extended ; but while doing full justice to his patron he omitted no 
 opportunity to advance his personal interests, and early won that repu- 
 tation for fair dealing which was always so prominent a feature in his 
 character. 
 
 Such a life could not but render the young land agent familiar with 
 the Indians. He adapted himself to their habits and language, and had 
 their confidence and enduring friendship. His intercourse with the Mo- 
 hawks rendered him popular with the entire Six Nations, who thence- 
 forth regarded him as their friend and protector. As a result he had no 
 difficulty in acquiring Indian titles to such land as he desired, and he 
 was also serviceable to his friends in procuring similar favors. To such 
 a degree was this acquisition extended that at the time of his death he 
 was the owner of various tracts in the country of the Mohawks, and also 
 in other western nations of the confederacy, to the enormous extent of 
 more than 173,000 acres. 
 
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S/Ji WILLIAM JOHNSON. 67, 
 
 The young land agent, like most adventurers, was unmarried, but he 
 soon employed a housekeeper, a comely German girl, named Catherine 
 Wisenberg, whom he afterward married.^ She became the mother of 
 three children, one son (John) and two daughters, one of whom became 
 the wife of his nephew, Col. Guy Johnson, and the other the wife of 
 Col. Daniel Claus. After the death of his wife, the precise date of 
 which is unknown, Johnson, who had then become colonel, took as 
 housekeeper Molly Brant, sister of Joseph Brant, the famous Mohawk 
 chief She bore him eight children, each of whom was abundantly pro- 
 vided for in the baronet's will ; but as his entire estate was afterward 
 confiscated and sold, none of his heirs ever possessed their inheritance. 
 
 It was not until George Clinton ^ became the governor of the province 
 of New York that this " Mr. Johnson " became at all prominent in pub- 
 lic affairs. He had been previously occupied with the details of busi- 
 ness, but with Governor Clinton he seems to have formed an intimate 
 friendship. About this time (1742) he moved from the Warren tract 
 to the north side of the Mohawk river, locating at a place named by 
 him " Mount Johnson," where he erected a substantial stone mansion, 
 now owned and occupied by Ethan Akin. In 1745 Johnson was ap- 
 pointed one of the justices of the peace of Albany county, an appoint- 
 ment which was the recognition of services among the Indians, holding 
 the latter firm in their allegiance, and thus counteracting their prefer- 
 ence of the French standard, a natural result of the Jesuit influence. 
 
 So highly appreciated, indeed, were these services that in 1746 he 
 was appointed superintendent of Indian affairs in the entire province, a 
 duty which extended through a vast territory. He had, however, be- 
 come so well known to all the Iroquois that he had their confidence 
 and was really the object of their admiration, a natural result of his 
 uniform honesty as well as decision of character. Such indeed was his 
 popularity that the Mohawks adopted him into their nation, making 
 him a chief with the title Warre-haha. Four years later (1750) opposi- 
 tion was created against Colonel Johnson. He was falsely accused of 
 
 ' This marriage ceremony was performed by Mr. Barkley, the Episcopal minister residing at Port 
 Hunter, where he officiated in the stone church built by direction of Queen Anne for the Mohawk 
 Indians— Ka/M. 
 
 2 This Governor Clinton was not the George Clinton who becrme our Governor during the revo- 
 lution, and the similarity of name therefore requires explanation. 
 
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64 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNT'S. 
 
 using his influence for selfish ends, and while this charge was never 
 sustained, it so embarrassed him that he resigned the superintendency 
 of Indian affairs ; nor would he again accept the office when subse- 
 quently requested to resume its duties, until he yielded to Braddock's 
 solicitation. 
 
 The title of " Colonel Johnson "^ first appears in 1746 in the corres- 
 pondence which he held with Governor Clinton, and soon afterward he 
 was ordered to organize the militia for frontier defense. In obedience 
 to this commission he formed the Germans and other settlers into 
 militia companies; and thus the former land agent, now known as 
 " Colonel Johnson," having this force under his command, together 
 with his Indian allies, established a formidable barrier against the so 
 dreaded French invasions. 
 
 In 1750 Colonel Johnson received a still higher honor, being appointed 
 a member of the governor's council, a body whose decisions controlled 
 the highest public interests. His opinions in its deliberations had a 
 peculiar value because of his familiarity with Indian affairs, and here he 
 proved eminently useful. As an acknowledgment of the services, and 
 also as a compensation for advances and expenditures made for the 
 public benefit among the Indians, Colonel Johnson was voted by the 
 council a belt of land two miles in width surrounding Onondaga lake, 
 and including, of course, the site of Syracuse, whose salt springs had 
 even then attracted attention. 
 
 We now reach that interval of almost peaceful nature which preceded 
 the last struggle between the French and the British, and Colonel 
 Johnson improved this opportunity to advance the welfare of his estates, 
 which were rapidly increasing in extent as well as value ; but he also 
 found time to elevate the condition of those around him, and especially 
 to promote the civilization and education of his Indian dependencies. 
 He became a patron of the mission schools and placed Joseph Brant, 
 then one of the most promising Mohawk youth, at the Indian school in 
 Lebanon, Conn. His prominence in public affairs, however, continued, 
 for he, like all others of prophetic ken, foresaw the approaching crisis. 
 
 Jealousy is the inevitable penalty of public service, and the commis- 
 sioners of Indian affairs were envious of his influence among the Iro- 
 
 ' Johnson's Indian name is differently given in a preceding chapter. 
 
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SIR WILLIAM JOHNSON. 65 
 
 quois. The Indians, too, became discontented and inclined to rebel 
 against the power that restrained them ; they called loudly for the re- 
 instatement of their old superintendent, and King Hendrick and his 
 brother Abraham were clamorous in this respect. In obedience to this 
 request Johnson about this time submitted a report to the governor on 
 the government of the Six Nations, with suggestions for observance. 
 He also placed the militia of the province in condition for active ser- 
 vice. 
 
 In 1755 the final conflict for supremacy in America was begun be- 
 tween England and France ; and immediately we find Colonel Johnson 
 foremost in every military expedition. How signally he distinguished 
 himself when disaster came to the British arms in every other quarter, 
 is brilliantly recorded on the page of history. On the earnest invita- 
 tion of General Braddock, he attended the military conference at Alex- 
 andria, where he received command both of the provincial militia and 
 the warriors of the Six Nations in the expedition against Crown Point, 
 his rank being major-general. Braddock also induced Johnson to serve 
 as superintendent of Indian affairs, with sole power and commissioning 
 hrm to treat with the confederate nations in order to unite them in sup- 
 port of British interests. This investment of authority was followed by a 
 grand council at Mount Johnson, and the long sought alliance was accom- 
 plished ; but when General Johnson marched for Lake George the jeal- 
 ousy of Governor Shirley prompted him to use every means to discredit 
 Johnson, and even to attempt to win from him the friendship of the 
 Mohawks in order to rally them under his own standard. 
 
 Having previously described the expedition against Crown Point, it 
 is sufficient here to state that it was only through the timely arrival 
 and persistent efforts of General Johnson that victory was secured. 
 Early in the battle which decided the fate of war, he was wounded' 
 and was obliged to retire from the field, but while succeeded by Gen- 
 eral Lyman, he still in part directed the action — and yet notwithstand- 
 ing its grand success, he incurred censure for neglecting to attack the 
 the French fort at Crown Point, which some thought might have been 
 captured easily, as the enemy was too severely beaten to make a suc- 
 
 ' General Johnson was wounded in the hips, from which he was ever afterward a constant suf- 
 ferer, and no doubt the injuries received in this campaign did much to shorten his life. 
 
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66 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 cessful defence. Instead of doing this Johnson erected Fort William 
 Henry at the head of Lake George, but whatever may have been the 
 truth of the above mentioned censure, it is evident that the public was 
 in approval of Johnson's conduct, and congratulations were freely be- 
 stowed both by the province and the crown. The former tendered him 
 an ovation and public reception in New York city, while the latter made 
 him a baronet, and he was thenceforth known as " Sir William." 
 
 Parliament also voted him thanks for his victory, and a more substan- 
 tial reward was added in the handsome gift of five thousand pounds. 
 These gratuities were followed by a commission as "Colonial Agent, and 
 sole Superintendent of all the affairs of the Six Nations and other 
 Northern Indians." 
 
 The last mentioned appointment was the source of much gratification 
 to all the Indians and especially to the Mohawks. About this time, 
 1756, the Pennsylvania Indians became hostile to the colonists, and the 
 superintendent was called upon to prevent violence. Several confer- 
 ences were held, and though serious trouble was threatened, it was 
 averted by this timely intervention. 
 
 Sir William now sufTered much from his wound, and this increased 
 the burden of public affairs, but when he was called upon to support 
 Webb at German Flats he responded promptly and witnessed the dis- 
 tress of that cowardly officer on learning of the fall of Oswego. The 
 next year he joined the army under Abercrombie, having in his com- 
 mand the organized militia of the Mohawk valley, and also his faithful 
 Indian allies, but the inefficiency of the commander-in-chief prevented 
 his engaging the enemy — a service which he had earnestly requested. 
 Disaster at this time attended public affairs, and in addition to those 
 which befell the army in the Champlain valley,. came the destruction of 
 Palatine village, occurring at a time when Sir William was confined to his 
 bed by sickness. As soon, however, as returning health permitted he 
 reorganized his militia for active service and marched to the scene of 
 conflict. 
 
 An army was sent against Fort Niagara in 1759, under command of 
 Prideaux, but as he was slain at an early time in the siege, Sir William 
 succeeded him, and having defeated the attempt to relieve the beleagured 
 garrison, he eventually secured a signal victory. This campaign being 
 
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S/J? WILLIAM yOHNSON. 67 
 
 ended he returned to Fort Johnson , and it may be added that the vic- 
 tories which marked this year really brought the French dominion in 
 America to a close, though three years elapsed before tlie terms of peace 
 were specified by treaty. This pacific interval enabled Sir William to 
 attend to his personal affairs, which had suffered much for want of care. 
 As has been mentioned, he had acquired large landed estates, having 
 purchased from the original patentees many desirable tracts, among 
 which was included what afterward became the township of Johnstown. 
 Impressed with its eligibility, he founded a settlement on this spot, 
 though a year or more elapsed before marked progress was made in 
 colonization. This work was also retarded by the campaign of 1760, 
 when he with his Mohawk warriors was summoned to the aid of General 
 Amherst in his movement against the now weakened French positions 
 in the Champlain valley. Serious Indian troubles also occurred next 
 year in the northwest, and his presence as superintendent was required 
 to pacify the savages and to secure an amicable settlement of difficulties. 
 This duty required a journey to far distant Detroit, which Sir William, 
 notwithstanding his infirmities, undertook and accomplished, being 
 accompanied by his son John, and his nephew, Guy Johnson. On the 
 return journey the baronet was again prostrated by illness and was 
 obliged to remain several days at Niagara before he could resume his 
 homeward route. 
 
 Peace being now proclaimed, and the Indian troubles practically settled. 
 Sir William once more devoted himself to his personal interests In 
 1762 he induced one hundred families to move into his settlement where 
 now stands the village of Johnstown; and, as an additional bounty, he 
 gave the Lutherans and Presbyterians each fifty acres of land as a glebe 
 for pastoral support. Previously to this he had erected a summer resi- 
 dence on the northwestern border of the great vlaie, in the present 
 town of Broadalbin, to which he gave the dignified name of Castle Cum- 
 berland. He also built a lodge on the south bank of the Sacandaga, in 
 what is now the town of Northampton, where he was accustomed to re- 
 sort during the fishing season ; and the spot even to the present retains 
 its early name, the " Fish House." Agriculture and stock raising also 
 shared his attention, and to improve the breed of domestic animals he 
 brought blooded sheep and horses into his settlement. 
 
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68 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 Public affairs, however, soon again required his attention, this being 
 occasioned by a disaffection among the Indians in Pennsylvania, and 
 grievances inflicted on the Mohawks, who justly complained that their 
 lands had been withheld or invaded by the settlers. Such complaints 
 were familiar to Sir William, who readily brought the troubles to a satis- 
 factory close, and the Indians again learned that they had no wiser and 
 firmer friend than the baronet. The treaty at Easton was made and 
 confirmed, and Sir William returned to Mount Johnson, where soon 
 afterward (1762) his daughter Nancy was married to Col. Daniel Claus, 
 The remainder of the year was occupied by the baronet in preparing his 
 timber and other material to be used in the construction of Johnson 
 Hall, an elegant baronial mansion, completed in 1763, and thenceforth 
 his dwelling until the close of his life. This building still stands within 
 the limits of the village of Johnstown, and will be more particularly de- 
 scribed in the history of that place. It may, however, be added inci- 
 dentally that the settlers brought to this spot were chiefly Germans, 
 while nearly four miles east he likewise settled a colony of Scotch High- 
 landers, who were also his dependents and faithful followers. They 
 occupied the region until the revolutionary war, and then, by reason of 
 their allegiance to Sir John Johnson, many of them fled to their pro- 
 tector and found refuge in Canada. 
 
 But even within the quiet and retirement of Johnson Hall, surrounded 
 by faithful friends and devoted servants. Sir William Johnson found no 
 permanent peace from the cares of public life and service, for no sooner 
 had he arranged for his own comfort than there came mutterings of an- 
 other outbreak, followed soon afterward by open warfare against the 
 rapidly advancing settlements of the English and American pioneers. 
 Pontiac's war threatened not only the safety of the frontiers, but as well 
 the interior settlements whose destruction was planned. The wrath of 
 many western Indian tribes had become aroused and their emissaries 
 visited the Six Nations, hoping that they also would be persuaded to 
 take up the hatchet. The situation at once became alarming, and prompt 
 and decisive action was required. Public peril thus called the baronet 
 from his comfortable home. His energies were directed to the confed- 
 erate nations, and as the result of his negotiations all the tribes promised 
 friendship with the exception of the Senecas, who, after much persuasion. 
 
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SIR WILLIAM JOHNSON. 69 
 
 agreed to neutrality. By this treaty, which was a renewed proof of the 
 wonderful influence of the baronet, the frontier and also the colonies of 
 New York and New England were well protected, inasmuch as be- 
 tween them and the exasperated savages lay the country of the Iro- 
 quois — a secure barrier which no foe dare pass. Other measures for 
 defence were also prosecuted, for Sir William did not depend upon the 
 red man's promise, unsupported by his own efforts. The militia were 
 stationed at convenient points, ready for action if required. Pontiac's In- 
 dians required vigilant watching since they bore a special hatred against 
 Sir William, chiefly because of his influence over the Iroquois, and hence 
 they determined upon his destruction. The baronet, however, became 
 aware of their murderous purpose and therefore armed his tenantry and 
 surrounded Johnson Hall with a strong stockade. His greatest safety, 
 however, lay in the protection freely offered by his faithful Mohawk 
 warriors, and fortunately, during Pontiac's war, the New York settle- 
 ments were unmolested. 
 
 For two years next preceding the close of the year 1765 there was 
 continual commotion among the Indians of the western frontier, and 
 the baronet found his whole energies required in either fitting out ex- 
 peditions to repel invasions and punish outrages or in negotiating peace 
 treaties. In 1764 he held a grand council at Niagara, whose most im- 
 portant result was the Senecas ceding to the British government a tract 
 four miles wide on each side of the Niagara River, and extending from 
 Lake Ontario to Lake Erie. They additionally granted to the baronet 
 all the islands in the same river, which he, in turn, ceded to the crown. 
 At the same time Sir William was greatly disturbed by events other 
 than those relating to Indian affairs. The patentees who had purchased 
 lands of the crown on the promise to satisfy the Indian titles had been 
 guilty of many unjust dealings, and had succeeded in trapping the un- 
 tutored natives into land conveyances without adequate compensation. 
 The owners sought to occupy and settle under these patents, and their 
 dishonesty became known to the Mohawks, who, finding themselves 
 thus defrauded, became deeply indignant. A similar animosity spread 
 throughout the Six Nations, and renewed disaster was threatened. 
 
 The chief cause of this wide spread discontent was created by the 
 granting of the patent of Kayaderosseras, an act permitted by the crown 
 
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7° 
 
 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 and sanctioned by the provincial government. Its proprietors repre- 
 sented to the Indians that the land sought to be obtained by them would 
 include in extent only enough to make a small farm, and they released 
 for a nominal consideration ; in fact the patent included the great amount 
 of about 700,000 acres, and the fraud was not discovered until the deed 
 of cession had been made. Parts of Montgomery and Fulton counties 
 were included by the patent, as will be seen by reference to the previous 
 chapter. Through the efforts of Sir William the Mohawks were restored 
 to a part of their lands, and so far as possible he rectified the great 
 wrong which they had suffered ; but in this attempt he was opposed by 
 powerful political influences exerted by the proprietors, and no small 
 amount of both time and effort was required to accomplish the much 
 desired result. 
 
 The adverse influences which constantly beset the baronet in the prov- 
 ince operated in other modes of injury. He had earnestly espoused the 
 cause of the Indians, being indeed their official protector, therefore re- 
 ports of his impending removal were circulated. The unscrupulous pro- 
 prietors justly considered him an obstacle in the way of their nefarious 
 designs. That hoped for removal, however, was never accomplished ; 
 on the contrary Sir William's influence increased, and he was soon grati- 
 fied by the news that his son John, who was then in England, had been 
 knighted by the king. This was conclusive proof of the royal confidence 
 in the baronet's ability and integrity. During the same year (1766) Sir 
 William built a grist-mill for the benefit of his tenants; gave personal 
 attention to the erection of an Episcopal church at Schenectady; fitted 
 up at his own expense a Masonic lodge room at Johnson Hall, and built 
 commodious stone dwellings for his sons-in-law, Guy Johnson and Daniel 
 Claus, to each of which he added the gift of a square mile of land. The 
 mansion and estate of Guy Johnson is now included in the suburbs of 
 Amsterdam, and has long been known as "Guy Park" ; that of Colonel 
 Claus was located about midway from Mount Johnson to the Park. 
 Sir John, who at first lived with his father, soon left Johnson Hall and 
 having married Miss Mary Watts, of New York city, on June 29, 1773, 
 they began housekeeping at Mount Johnson. 
 
 The restoration of peace again enabled the baronet to give attention 
 to his much neglected business affairs. He devoted himself to the de- 
 
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SIR WILLIAM JOHNSON. 71 
 
 velopmcnt of the estate at the Hall, and also to the improvement of his 
 tenantry, while the educational and spiritual welfare of his Mohawk de- 
 pendents had a full share in his efforts. Some indeed of those once 
 savage warriors had become thrifty and successful farmers, and Sir Will- 
 iam gave them every possible encouragement. He also built a church 
 at Canajoharic for their use and supplied their school with a teacher. 
 It was at this time of usefulness that the king, in recognition of his emi- 
 nent service, granted to him the immense tract called the " Royal Grant," 
 lying between East and West Canada creeks. Its extent was 69,000 acres, 
 and it included the site of Little Falls and part of the village of Her- 
 kimer. 
 
 In 1 77 1 Johnstown had become a thriving and prosperous business 
 center, and all through the Mohawk valley settlements were increasing 
 with marked improvement in agriculture. Johnstown soon required 
 new streets, for during the year 1770, eighty families had come there to 
 live. Lumber for building was supplied from the baronet's mill, and 
 other necessaries were furnished through his bounty. In March, 1771, 
 he built St. John's church, commonly called the " Stone Church," and 
 in the same month advertised in the New York papers for a teacher for 
 the free school which he had established. 
 
 Notwithstanding, however, the apparent peace and prosperity that 
 prevailed on every hand, the baronet was seriously troubled both in 
 body and mind. He was afflicted by a serious malady and every 
 remedy failed to restore health. In addition to personal ailment was that 
 ■dark cloud which he saw gathering in the political horizon. He well 
 knew its cause, and evidently forecast the inevitable result. The mother 
 country had burdened the colonies with oppressive measures which 
 taxed both their means and patience beyond endurance. Long years 
 of experience in public life had made Sir William conversant with the 
 needs as well as the capacity of the country, and also with the temper- 
 ament of the people. He beheld the public grievances, yet was power- 
 less to remove the burden. A servant of the crown, as well as its bene- 
 ficiary, he was a sad and silent observer of all that occurred, and his 
 unerring judgment told him at once that a rupture with Great Britain 
 was inevitable. He did not, however, live to participate in the conflict 
 that followed these premonitory signs and which ended in national inde- 
 pendence and the creation of the republic of the United States. 
 
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72 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 Previous to this important event, Sir William became an active factor 
 in the organization of two new counties, being in this movement the 
 counselor of Governor Tryon, then chief executive of the province. The 
 plan and petition for dividing Albany county was first suggested in 
 1769, but the bill for that purpose was opposed and defeated. In 1772 
 another petition was sent to the legislature by Sir William, and after a 
 brief delay he was gratified to learn that the bill had become a law. 
 This subject will be more fully discussed in one of the later chapters of 
 this work, and yet a brief allusion to it at the present time is appro- 
 priate. 
 
 The original county of Albany was created in 1683 and was con- 
 firmed in 1691, but its jurisdiction then included the entire province of 
 New York, together with that disputed territory then called the " New 
 Hampshire Grants," but now part of Vermont. The bill which was 
 passed in 1772 divided Albany county and created three counties — 
 Albany, Tryon and Charlotte. Tryon included all that part of the 
 province west of the Delaware river, and a line extending thence north 
 through what is now Schoharie county, and along the east line of Mont- 
 gomery, Fulton and Hamilton counties, and continuing in a straight 
 line to Canada. Charlotte county included the New Hampshire grants 
 north of the north lines of the towns of Arlington and Sunderland in 
 Vermont, and a continuation of that line west to the Tryon county line. 
 The remainder of New York, with part of Vermont, constituted Albany 
 county. 
 
 Sir William lived to see this organization completed. In fact he was 
 not only one of its originators but designated its temporary officers, 
 nominated those who were elected by the people and controlled its af- 
 fairs during his lifetime. Johnstown was designated the county seat. 
 The court-house and jail were built the same year, the first term of 
 court being held in September. The baronet also, at the suggestion of 
 the governor, divided the new county into provisional districts, or 
 townships as they would now be called. 
 
 During 1772 Governor Tryon, accompanied by his wife, visited Sir 
 William's palatial home, the ostensible object being to hold a council 
 with the Mohawks, but in reality it was to learn what might be the most 
 desirable lands in that region, for the worthy governor had a desire to 
 
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SIJi WILLIAM JOHNSON. 73 
 
 speculate. During his stay, however, he reviewed the various regi- 
 ments of troops under Sir William's command — three in number, one 
 being composed of residents of Johnstown and its vicinity. In recog- 
 nition of Sir William's services in organizing so eft'ective a body of mi- 
 litia, Governor Tryon soon honored him with a commission as major- 
 general of the northern department, a position he held during the 
 remainder of his life. 
 
 From this time until 1774 we have a quiet interval, but in the last 
 mentioned year Indian troubles again demanded the attention of the 
 superintendent, arising from a revolt in Pennsylvania, which seriously 
 threatened the peace of the Six Nations. Johnson, although unfitted 
 for such duty by reason of illness, consented to hold a council at the 
 Hall. Six hundred of the confederates were present, and the baronet 
 addressed the chiefs and sachems for two hours, all the time being ex- 
 posed to the burning heat of a July sun. The exertion required by 
 such an effort produced a fit, from which he died the next day — July 
 II, 1774. "His funeral," says a reliable authority, "was the most 
 solemn demonstration the colonies up to that time had ever witnessed. 
 The clergyman in attendance was Rev. Mr. Stewart, missionary at Fort 
 Hunter, and the funeral procession numbered more than two thousand, 
 including colonial dignitaries and Indians, who were bereaved of a life- 
 loner friend. He was buried in a vault erected beneath the floor of St. 
 John's church for the family, but he was the only one of the number 
 who ever occupied it " 
 
 Sir William, six months before his death, had prepared a will dis- 
 posing of his property and estate, by which he made abundant provis- 
 ions for the children born to him by Catharine Wisenberg and Molly 
 Brant, and also to other beneficiaries, but his principal devisee was his 
 son. Sir John, who inherited the estate at Johnstown with other vast 
 tracts of land, and to whom also descended the influence and power 
 exercised by the baronet over the Six Nations One especial injunction 
 in Sir William's will clearly indicated the true character of the testator ; 
 it really revealed his heart : " I do earnestly recommend to my son to 
 show lenity to such of the tenants as are poor ; an upright conduct with 
 all mankind, which will on reflection afford more satisfaction to a noble 
 and generous mind than the greatest opulence." But the will of the 
 10 
 
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74 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 baronet, although elaborately prepared and legally signed and witnessed, 
 was never executed. 
 
 Had Sir William lived it is confidently believed he would have es- 
 poused the cause of the colonies against the mother country, in which 
 event one of the most magnificent estates in the country would have 
 been confirmed to him ; but his successors, and particularly his son. 
 Sir John, allied themselves to the British, and as a result the estate was 
 confiscated and sold for the public benefit. 
 
 While Sir John Johnson succeeded to the baronial estate of his father, 
 and also as far as possible to his influence among the Indians, the office 
 of superintendent of Indian affairs was committed to Col. Guy Johnson, 
 assisted by Col. Daniel Claus, the latter having previously been deputy 
 superintendent. 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 Situation in Tryon County from the Close of tlie French War to the Revolution — 
 British Oppression Causes Discontent — The Stamp Act — Duties Levied on other Com- 
 modities — The Boston Tea Party — First Congress at Philadelphia — Nevs^ York Opposes 
 the Action of Congress — Districts of Tryon County — Gruy Johnson Disperses the 
 Meeting at Caughnav^aga — Attack upon Jacob Sammons-- Action of Loyalists — 
 G-uy Park Fortified — General Meeting of the Tryon County Committee — Its Object — 
 Guy Johnson Departs for Canada — Conduct of Sir John — He Fortifies the Hall and 
 Arms the Highlanders — His Arrest, Parole and Flight to Canada— The Estate Confiscat- 
 ed — Character and Duties of the Committees of Safety. 
 
 r^'HE years immediately preceding the revolution were filled with 
 important events connected with the history of old Tryon county, 
 in no part of which was there a greater diversity of sentiment than in 
 that which afterwards became Fulton county, for which reason the 
 present chapter must be general rather than local in its character. 
 
 The political situation in Tryon county during the revolution and for 
 some years previous was at once novel and interesting, since it included 
 influences politically antagonistic, while socially there was no Jinimosity 
 among the pioneers, and good will and friendship prevailed on every hand. 
 
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ENGLISH OPPRESSION OF THE COLONIES. 75 
 
 The settlements founded by the direct influence of Sir William in the 
 Mohawk valley, and even extending northward to the spurs of the 
 Adirondacks, were entirely under his control durmg his life and their 
 militia was under his orders ; his death, however, and the succession 
 of his son (so far as it was possible for the latter to succeed him) caused 
 a marked change in political events, one indeed which created not only 
 a division of sentiment but in many instances the rupture of friendship. 
 Had Sir William lived a few years longer his love of America might 
 have led him to espouse her cause, and many think his policy indicated 
 such a purpose, but Sir John and his brothers-in-law, Guy Johnson 
 and Daniel Claus, were creatures of the king, having no sentiment in 
 common with the people. 
 
 Continuing this inquiry into the condition of public matters we are led 
 to examine the prevailing causes of the above mentioned division, both 
 in sentiment and action, and it also occasions a review of those events 
 which precipitated the war. A careful examination of the Mohawk 
 valley at the time referred to leads to the conviction that the patriots 
 were strongly in the majority. The taxation to which the colonies were 
 subjected by the mother country really began almost as far back as the 
 time of the overthrow of the- Dutch power in America, for it seems to 
 have been the king's determination to make them self- supporting, 
 which was more than their due share toward national greatness. The 
 burden of debt was then very heavy on Great Britian, but it was 
 chiefly created by the wars in which she engaged on her own side of the 
 Atlantic. Thatportion, however, incurred by the wars on this continent 
 she proposed to be paid by the colonies, notwithstanding the great 
 increase of her domain through those wars. The time, however, arrived 
 when tame submission to such measures could no longer be endured. 
 The colonists themselves were heavily burdened with the expenses of 
 the late French war, which resulted so favorably to England, yet almost 
 before the smoke of the battles had cleared away, the ministry began 
 devising plans to tax them without asking their consent. In 1764 a 
 proposition was submitted to the House of Commons for raising revenue 
 in the colonies by the sale of stamps, and a bill to that effect was passed 
 in March, 1765. It was bitterly denounced by the colonies, especially 
 in New York, and the " Sons of Liberty " were organized in opposition 
 
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7 6 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 to the obnoxious law. This organization was closely watched by Sir 
 William, who, as he could not but be conscious of the rectitude of their 
 motives, made no public opposition. 
 
 So great, indeed, was the popular indignation that parliament finally 
 repealed the act, but this was done more to satisfy English tradesmen 
 than to relieve a distressed people ; and in its place were enacted other 
 oppressive laws, one of which required the province to pay for support- 
 ing the British soldiery in New York city. The colonial assembly 
 refused to comply with the demand, and parliament in retaliation 
 annulled its legislative powers. 
 
 In 1767 a bill was passed by parliament imposing a duty on tea, glass, 
 lead, paper and painters' colors imported by the colonies This re- 
 newed the oppositions, and in the following year the Massachusetts 
 assembly addressed a circular letter to the sister colonies soliciting their 
 assistance in defending the common liberties; more retaliation followed, 
 for the ministry was so wrathful that a letter was sent to each of the 
 colonial governors forbidding the assemblies to correspond with Massa- 
 chusetts. This mandate, however, was ignored and the New York 
 assembly accompanied its disobedience with declarations of inherent 
 rights, together with denunciations of parliament, and the people sus- 
 tained their representatives and returned most of them to the new 
 assembly of 1769. 
 
 In 1770 Lord Dunmore succeeded Colden as governor and brought 
 with him royal approval of the act authorizing the issue of colonial bills 
 of credit. The duties had, meanwhile, been removed from all articles 
 except tea, and colonial affairs for a time moved more smoothly, but on 
 July 18, 1771, William Tryon became governor, and soon afterward 
 the old difficulties were again renewed. The East India Company, 
 conscious of the injustice in placing a duty on tea, tried to have the 
 latter removed, but in vain, for the ministry still adhered to its boasted 
 right to tax the colonies. This was soon followed by the destruction of 
 a cargo of tea sent to Boston, a thrilling event which has ever been 
 known in history as the " Boston Tea Party." The ministry, whose 
 rage was still more excited by this bold defiance, again retaliated by 
 closing the port of Boston against all commerce — an outrage which 
 awoke national indignation. Public meetings were held for the consid- 
 
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SIR yoHN yoHNSOJsrs schemes. 77 
 
 eration of common grievances, and among the plans suggested for 
 mutual protection was the assembhng of a colonial congress. 
 
 The " Continental Congress " (as it has ever been termed) was held at 
 Philadelphia in September, 1774, and having adopted a declaration of 
 rights, it added a petition to the king and an appeal to the people of 
 Great Britain and Canada. The New York assembly was the only one 
 that did not sanction these proceedings; instead of which it addressed 
 a remonstrance to parliament, which was, of course, treated with dis- 
 dain.i 
 
 Let us now return to the county of Tryon and mark how these 
 measures affected the people, and how they co operated for the com- 
 mon weal. Let us also remember that Tryon county was then a new 
 <;reation, named in honor of the governor, but young as it was it dis- 
 played a full degree of power. The enormous extent of the county led 
 to its division into five districts, the first, beginning at the east, was the 
 Mohawk district, and embraced Fort Hunter, Caughnawaga, Johnstown 
 and Kingsboro ; next was Canajoharie district, embracing the present 
 town of that name, with all the country south, including Cherry Valley 
 and Harpersfield ; third was Palatine district, north of the river, and in- 
 cluding the settlement known by the same name, together with Stone 
 Arabia, and its immediate precinct ; fourth was German Flats and 
 Kingsland with other western settlements. 
 
 It will be seen from this settlement that the Mohawk district included 
 the territory of the present Fulton county. A large portion of the 
 people were zealous and earnest in the cause of the colonists, and were 
 open in their approval of the proceedings of the continental congress, 
 but on the other hand, this district contained Sir John Johnson, who, 
 having succeeded to his father's military title (though never to his 
 popularity and influence), warmly supported the British side of the con- 
 troversy. In carrying out this policy Sir John was seconded by Guy 
 Johnson and Daniel Claus, whose efforts were directed to the complete 
 alienation of the Indians from the Whig colonists, and also to awing into 
 submission all of the settlers that might yield to their influence. This 
 
 ' On the 12th of January, 1775, at a cabinet council, it was declared that there was nothing in the 
 proceedings of Congress that afforded any basis for an honorable reconciliation. It was therefore 
 resolved to break off all commerce with the Americans ; to protect the loyalists in the colonies 
 and to declare all others to be traitors and Tebs\%.—Lossmg. 
 
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78 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTS. 
 
 attempt, however, did not succeed to any considerable extent, though 
 the immediate dependents and tenants on the Johnson estate were kept 
 in subjection. The Mohawks of course were friendly to the crown, for 
 they loved too well the father to oppose his son. Prominent among 
 them were the notorious leaders, John and Walter Butler, and also the 
 chief, Joseph Brant, all of whom became infamous from their bloody 
 deeds during the revolution, and yet their pillage and slaughter was 
 generally ascribed to the instigation of the Johnsons. 
 
 Sir John and his fellow loyalists did not limit their schemes to Tryon 
 county ; they sent emissaries to the Six Nations and all other Indians 
 within their reach, the object being to induce them to take up the hatchet 
 against the Americans. In this effort they were too successful, for all 
 except the Oneidas and a few other friendly Indians joined the British. 
 The tory sentiment, however, that was so general in the Mohawk district 
 did not prevail throughout the county, and this was especially true of 
 the Germans in the Palatine district, whose patriotic zeal corresponded 
 with the worth of the cause, and whose example had an inspiring in- 
 fluence throughout the entire region. They were proof against the 
 machinations of the Johnsons and the still more seductive influence of 
 British gold. 
 
 One of the first mass-meetings of the Whigs in Tryon county was 
 held at Caughnawaga, soon after the opening of congress, its purpose 
 being to express public approval of the policy pursued by the colonies 
 and to adopt such measures as might be required by the common weal. 
 On this occasion the animosity of Sir John and his associates was fully 
 manifested, for no sooner had the proceedings begun, than he appeared 
 on the ground with Guy Johnson, Colonel Claus, Butler and a crowd of 
 retainers, armed with swords and firearms. Guy Johnson acted as 
 speaker for the tories. Mounting a high stoop, he addressed the throng 
 (which included about 300 patriots) setting forth the power of the crown 
 and the weakness of the colonies. In the course of his speech he so 
 incensed Jacob Sammons, son of the pioneer Sampson Sammons, that 
 the latter retorted with epithets of "liar and villain." Enraged at this 
 response the tory colonel leaped down and struck the offender a blow 
 which felled him to the ground. Recovering consciousness, young 
 Sammons found one of Johnson's servants sitting astride his body, but 
 
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MUTTERINGS OF HOSTILITY. 79 
 
 the latter was quickly thrown off and the quarrel renewed. Jacob re- 
 ceived further injuries, pistols were pointed at his breast, he was again 
 knocked down, and finally was compelled to retire and departed for his 
 father's house, the place being long known as Sammonsville. 
 
 The foregoing incident correctly illustrates the feelings entertained by 
 Sir John Johnson toward the people of the valley who differed with his 
 opinions and interests ; and while his retainers in the Mohawk district 
 numbered more than a thousand persons (including settlers and Indians), 
 his influence never extended beyond them, nor were his views respected 
 in such parts of the county as were less subject to his power. 
 
 The proceedings of the Continental Congress held in Philadelphia in 
 the spring of 1775 naturally surprised and even alarmed this boastful 
 tory, and he determined to counteract their influence so far as possible, 
 and at the same time to convince the crown of his unshaken allegiance. 
 Accordingly, at a court held in Johnstown in the spring, " a declara- 
 tion was drawn up and circulated by the loyalists of Tryon county, in 
 which they avowed their opposition to the measures adopted by con- 
 gress." Some debate and warm discussion followed this refractory 
 measure, but the document was signed by most of the grand jury and 
 nearly all the magistrates ; a very natural thing indeed, for the power 
 of the county was fully controlled by the Johnson interest. 
 
 The influence of the Johnsons, as has been mentioned, was chiefly 
 limited to the Mohawk district; and no sooner had their conduct be- 
 come known throughout the country than meetings were held in other 
 localities, notably in the Palatine and Canajoharie districts, upon which 
 occasions the recent outrages were condemned, and the people were 
 urged to firmness in the cause of liberty The most alarming feature in 
 the public situation was the fortification of Guy Park, whose proprietor 
 had placed swivel guns on each side, and had furnished arms to the 
 tenants and also to the neighboring Indians. More than this, he had 
 stopped and searched two New Englanders, being suspicious that they 
 were emissaries from Massachusetts to the Six Nations, whose purpose 
 was to make them allies to the American cause. 
 
 At this time the Johnson party was alarmed by the suspicion that a 
 body of New Englanders was coming to effect their arrest, but however 
 well founded their suspicion may have been, there was no such intention 
 
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8o HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTS. 
 
 at that time on the part of the colonial authorities, and Guy Johnson's 
 defence is believed to have been due to the fear that he might be at- 
 tacked by the indignant people of the valley on account of his enmity 
 against colonial liberty. It should be said, however, in justice to John- 
 son, that he avowed that he was not so much in fear of the settlers in 
 the valley as of assault from the New Englanders. This may be seen 
 by an extract from one of his letters : " You have been misinformed as 
 to the origin of the reports which obliged me to fortify my house, and 
 stand on my defence. I had it from undoubted authority from Albany, 
 and since confirmed by letters from one of the committee at Philadel- 
 phia, that a large body of men were to make me a prisoner." 
 
 On June 2, 1775, there was held a general meeting of the commit- 
 tees of safety for the several districts of Tryon county, at which were 
 present for the first time the Mohawk committee, they having heretofore 
 restrained from taking part in such proceedings through fear of the 
 Johnsons. The representatives present on this occasion were as fol- 
 lows : From Palatine district — Christopher P. Yates, John Frey, An- 
 drew Fink, Andrew Reeber, Peter Waggoner, Daniel McDougall, Jacob 
 Clock, George Ecker, jr., Harmanus Van Slyck, Christopher W. Fox, 
 Anthony Van Veghten ; Canajoharie district — Nicholas Herkimer, 
 Ebenezer Fox, William Seeber, John Moore, Samuel Campbell, Samuel 
 Clyde, Thomas Henry, John Pickard ; Kingsland and German Flats 
 district — Edward Wall, William Petry, John Petry, Augustin Hess, 
 Frederick Ovendorf, George Wentz, Michael Ittig, Frederick Fox 
 George Herkimer, Duncan McDougall, Frederick Helmer, John Frick; 
 Mohawk district — ^John Morlett, John Bliven, Abraham Van Home, 
 Adam Fonda, Frederick Fisher, Sampson Sammons, William Schuyler, 
 Volkert Veeder, James McMaster, Daniel Lane. 
 
 The principal object of this gathering was to cement more strongly 
 the friendship of the settlers, and to discuss the best means to be 
 adopted for the general welfare. At the same time a committee was 
 chosen to prepare and send to Col. Guy Johnson a letter, setting forth 
 the sentiment of the people as declared, by the representatives, and re- 
 questing that he, as superintendent of Indian affairs, should use his best 
 efforts to dissuade the Indians from taking up arms against the settlers 
 rumors being then in circulation that Johnson's retainers had been in- 
 
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ACTIVITY OF Sm JOHN JOHNSON. 8i 
 
 stigating them to attack. In reply to this letter Colonel Johnson most 
 emphatically denied the charge, and expressed a desire to promote 
 peace between the Indians and the inhabitants. He also called a sec- 
 ond council of the Indians in the western part of the county, and under 
 pretense of then meeting them, moved his family from the " Park " to 
 Crosby Manor, a little above German Flats. After remaining for a 
 time in the upper part of the valley, he and his followers moved west- 
 ward as far as Ontario, thence to Oswego, and eventually to Montreal, 
 where he remained during the war, still acting as agent and superin- 
 tendent, and whence, using British gold as a stimulating influence, he 
 sent out parties of Indians to fall upon the settlements in their usual 
 bloody and merciless manner. The people of the valley being aware 
 of his departure, were both surprised and alarmed by the movement, 
 but were powerless to prevent it, for they were comparatively unorgan- 
 ized and were destitute of either arms or ammunition. 
 
 In the party which accompanied Guy Johnson were John and Walter 
 Butler and Joseph Brant, but the larger part of the loyalists remained 
 behind, placing themselves under the protection of Sir John, whose 
 house and surroundings became their principal place of rendezvous. 
 Between this party and the committees of safety there occurred inces- 
 sant contentions. Among the loyalists was Alexander White, sheriff of 
 Tryon county, who had made himself peculiarly obnoxious to the com- 
 mittees, and who was bitterly hated because of his prominence in the 
 assault upon Jacob Sammons and in breaking up the meeting at Caugh- 
 nawaga. The committee refused to recognize the authority of White 
 as sheriff, and procured the election of John Frey in his stead. White 
 left the county and went to Canada, but returning the next summer, he 
 was arrested, though afterward released on parole. 
 
 Between Col. Guy Johnson and Sir John, after the former had reached 
 Canada, there was a continual correspondence, their letters being 
 carried secretly by the Indians. Sir John was no less inimical than his 
 brother-in-law, but to draw out clearly his sentiments and test his loy- 
 alty, the general committee addressed him a letter requesting to know 
 whether he would allow the inhabitants of "Johnstown and Kingsboro 
 to form themselves into companies, according to the regulations of the 
 Continental Congress, for the defense of our country's cause; and 
 II 
 
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82 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 whether your honor would be ready to give personal assistance to the 
 same purpose ; also whether you pretend a prerogative to our county 
 court-house and jail, and would hinder or interrupt the committee mak- 
 ing use of the same to our want and service in the common cause." 
 
 To this letter Sir John replied : "That as to embodying his tenants, 
 he never did or should forbid them; but they (the committee) might 
 save themselves further trouble, as he knew his tenants would never 
 consent." Concerning his own intentions, he said that " sooner than lift 
 his hand against the king, or sign any association articles, he would suf- 
 fer his head to be cut off." 
 
 From the tenor of this reply there could be no mistaking the senti- 
 ments of the baronet. He claimed the ownership of the court-house 
 and the jail until he should be reimbursed the sum of ;^700, and said 
 that he would not deny the use of the latter for the purpose for which it 
 was intended. In regard to Sir John's asserted ownership of the county 
 buildings it may be stated that the commiittee of congress had informa- 
 tion that Sir William soon after their erection conveyed the same to 
 two persons in trust for the county. The committee advised, however, 
 that in view of the bad consequenc.es that might follow if the buildings 
 should be attempted to be used for confinement of the tories, the local 
 committee should engage some other building for their purposes. Ac- 
 cordingly a private house was secured in which several tories were con- 
 fined, while others were sent to Albany and Hartford. 
 
 During the winter of 1775-6, the people of the county were alarmed 
 by the news that Sir John was making preparations to fortify Johnson 
 Hall, and to arm his tenantry and concentrate his entire force in the 
 vicinity ; and also that he was to garrison his forts with 300 well armed 
 Indians. There was much truth in this rumor, as the baronet did con- 
 struct two forts both of stone, for the defense of the hall. One of these 
 is still standing, while the other one has been removed as it impaired 
 the beauty and convenience of the mansion, which still stands, and as 
 securely and substantially as when built, in 1763. A more complete 
 description of the Hall and its surroundings will be found in the history 
 of Johnstown. 
 
 The conduct of Sir John in prosecuting warlike measures, together 
 with his often repeated treasonable utterances, at last attracted the at- 
 
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FLIGH7 OF JOHNSON. 83 
 
 tention of the provincial authorities, and they decided to bring them to 
 a close. For this purpose, in January, 1776, General Schuyler, accom- 
 panied by General Ten Broeck and Colonel Varick, marched a military 
 force into Tryon county, and at the same time General Herkimer called 
 out the militia, and a combined demonstration was made, their rendez- 
 vous being Major Fonda's, where Fonda now stands. Negotiations 
 were held with Sir John, and continued two or three days, and the re- 
 sult was that he disarmed his tenants and surrendered himself a prisoner. 
 He was taken to Fishkill, but soon after released on parole. This pledge 
 of honor, however, he violated, for in the following May he and his 
 tenants left the Hall, proceeded stealthily by way of Sacandaga, and took 
 up his abode in Montreal, whither Col. Guy Johnson had preceded 
 him. During the war that followed, Sir John commanded a troop of 
 his faithful servants and tenants, which was known as "Johnson's 
 
 GM 
 reens. 
 
 The flight of the last of the Johnson family removed from Tryon 
 county the most dangerous element against which the struggling colo- 
 nists had to contend. Thenceforth, so far as local government was con- 
 cerned, there was no dispute in old Tryon, for the whole people were 
 united in the common cause; and if toryism occasionally manifested it- 
 self it was quickly subdued and even followed by arrest. Sir John's 
 servant concealed much of his plate and treasure, but afterward recov- 
 ered it. The vast Johnson estates, however, were confiscated and sold, 
 and the county thus relieved of the possibility of a "manorial tenure." 
 
 Before concluding the present chapter it may be well to explain the 
 necessity of appointing committees and also the method by which they 
 were formed and the powers and the duties entrusted to them. Gover- 
 nor Tryon, in whose honor the county was named, was not at all in 
 sympathy with the feelings and actions of the American colonies, and 
 this is the reason' why the New England colonies were so much more 
 incensed at the conduct of the Johnsons than the New York authorities. 
 In fact between the executive of this province and the Johnsons there 
 was the greatest harmony of thought and sentiment ; both were the 
 creations and the|]_creatures of the king, and their policy was in sub- 
 servience to the royal command. It could not indeed be otherwise than 
 that Tryon'should remain faithful to his sovereign, for his office was the 
 
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84 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTS. 
 
 direct gift of the crown, and all that the Johnsons possessed came from 
 the same source. 
 
 This allegiance to the king on the part of the governor and nearly all 
 others in high office and influence in this province operated materially 
 against the patriots, and forced them into such a position that thej' were 
 compelled to act through a specially created and self-constituted body 
 called the General Committee of Safety, which in turn reported to and 
 received instructions from the continental congress. In each of the 
 counties of this province the chief body was the Council of Safety, while 
 in the several districts (towns or townships as now known) were more 
 local organizations called the Committee of Safety. The principal duty 
 of the latter was to learn the condition of the district ; to ascertain who 
 were friendly to the crown, and to watch their movements ; also to learn 
 whether the tory element was making any preparations for either aggres- 
 sive or defensive operations, and the nature of such proceedings. In 
 short the district committee was supposed to know whatever was tak- 
 ing place in its territory, and to report the facts to the council of safety. 
 Each of the districts had one of these committees. It was the meeting 
 held at Caughnawaga under the direction of the Mohawk district com- 
 mittee which was attacked and dispersed by the forces of Guy Johnson, 
 of which mention has already been made in this chapter. 
 
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BEGINNING OF THE REVOLUTION. 85 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 Beginning of the Revolution — The British Influence the Iroquois — Oneidas Remain 
 Neutral — Organization of Militia in Tryon County — Sl Leger Invades the Mohawk 
 Valley — The Battle of Oriskany aijd Fort Schuyler — The British Defeated — The 
 First Pension — Indian Depredations in 1778- — Campaigns of Sullivan and Clmton in 
 1779 — Sir John Johnson Invades the Valley in 1780 — Visits Johnstown and Secures 
 his Plate — Details of his Raid — Thrilling Narrative of ihe Capture and Escape of 
 Jacob Sammons. 
 
 THE flight of the last of the Johnsons from Tryon county restored 
 partial tranquillity among its inhabitants, for while a few tories 
 still remained, they were awed into silence by the determined action of 
 the committees of safety. To such a class the loss of property was a 
 far greater sacrifice than the surrender of their principles. 
 
 In 1776 the war had become national instead of colonial, and on the 
 4th day of July independence was formally declared. The long period 
 of seven years of hardship, suffering and conflict which had begun in 
 the battle of Lexington in April, 1775, was closely followed by the dar- 
 ing exploits of Allen and Arnold both at Ticonderoga and on Lake 
 Champlain, but it was some time before old Tryon county was made 
 the scene of war. All through the Mohawk valley the greatest fear of 
 the people arose from the probability of an Indian invasion, instigated by 
 the Johnsons, and hence all possible preparations were proposed, both to 
 prevent a surprise and resist an attack. The policy of the Americans 
 had been to secure simply the neutrality of the Indians, but their suc- 
 cess was limited to the Oneidas, while the British made undisguised ef- 
 forts to unite them in close alliance with the royal cause. One of their 
 officers exclaimed : " We must let loose the savages upon the frontier 
 of these scoundrels to inspire 'terror and make them submit." In the 
 spring of 1777 Governor Tryon wrote to Germain that he was perfectly 
 agreed as to the employment of Indians in the war. Brant, the great 
 Mohawk chief, who had been taken to England (1775-76), was shown 
 marked favor by the government, and was empowered to lead all who 
 
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86 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTS. 
 
 would follow him against the colonists. Lord Chatham, however, 
 hurled his bitterest invective against this inhumanity, and when, in 
 ITTT, it was advocated in parliament in words like these, " It is perfectly 
 justifiable to use all the means that God and nature have put in our 
 hands," he indignantly exclaimed, " I know not what idea that lord may 
 entertain of God and nature, but I know that such abominable princi- 
 ples are equally abhorrent to religion and humanity!" Chatham ap- 
 pealed, however, in vain, and the secretary of war (Germain) gave 
 special instructions " to employ Indians in fighting republicans." A 
 council had already been held in Montreal by the chiefs and warriors of 
 the Iroquois, the Johnsons, Butlers and Brant taking part. Here the 
 savages swore fealty to the king, the first act in the long catalogue of 
 slaughter and devastation that followed. 
 
 For the emergency of war, during the early part of the summer of 
 1776, a company of rangers was formed among the people living in the 
 Mohawk valley, and the command given to Capt. Robert McKean ; but 
 as this force was ordered to another field, it became necessary to organ- 
 ize another company, which was stationed in the valley under Captain 
 Winn. In August Captain Getman's company of rangers was formed 
 and officered as follows : Captain, Christian Getman ; lieutenants, Ja- 
 cob Sammons and James Billington ; corporals, William Kind, John 
 Hulsor, Leonhart Kratzer ; sergeants, John Smith, Nehemiah Williams, 
 Richard Coppernall. 
 
 The Tryon county committee had charge of the organization of its 
 militia, which was divided into four battalions, and placed under the 
 command of Gen. Nicholas Herkimer. The third battalion was organ- 
 ized from the Mohawk district, and the following oflScers were elected : 
 Frederick Fisher, colonel; Adam Fonda, Heutenant- colonel; John 
 Bliven, major ; Robert Yates, adjutant. 
 
 The organization of this military force was effected none too soon, 
 and they were early called into service. Brant had appeared on the 
 upper waters of the Susquehanna, and General Schuyler dispatched 
 General Herkimer to communicate with him in order to learn his inten- 
 tions, and if possible secure his promise of neutrality. In July General 
 Herkimer with 380 of his militia began their march, but the conference 
 yielded no substantial result, and as the season advanced the inhabi- 
 
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BATTLE OF ORISKANY. 87 
 
 tants of the Mohawk valley were thrown into a state of wild excitement 
 by the news that a strong British force of regulars, tories and Indians 
 was assembled at Oswego with purpose to attack Fort Schuyler, after 
 whose capture they werelo march through the valley and co-operate 
 with Burgoyne and his army, which was then overpowering everything 
 in the Chaniplain valley. Unfortunately, however, the people of 
 Tryon county were so disconcerted by this alarm that no united 
 action was taken. Preparation for defense was neglected, and even 
 General Herkimer and the committee of safety did not escape the cen- 
 sure of the higher military authorities. 
 
 The British force at Oswego comprised 400 regulars, 600 tories and 
 700 Indians, all commanded by General St. Leger with Sir John Johnson 
 and Joseph Brant as allies, while the Americans under Herkimer num- 
 bered about 800. The latter were assembled at the German Flats. 
 Fort Schuyler, the object of British attack, was garrisoned by 750 men 
 under Colonel Gansevoort, well supplied with ammunition except car- 
 tridges for the artillery. The advance guard of the British reached the 
 outskirts of the fort on August 2, and made immediate preparation for 
 an attack. On the 4th General Herkimer advanced from German Flats 
 and on the Sth encamped near Oriskany. From this point he sent for- 
 ward Adam Helmer and two others to inform Colonel Gansevoort of 
 his approach, it being understood that the arrival of these messengers 
 was to be announced by the firing of three cannon in quick succession. 
 In the mean time, however, St. Leger was apprised of the advance of 
 Herkimer's miHtia, and on the morning of the 6th he dispatched Brant 
 with a large body of Indians, also Major Watti with a detachment of 
 Johnson's Greens, and Butler's rangers, to intercept them and thus pre- 
 vent the relief of the garrison. General Herkimer waited long and pa- 
 tiently for the expected signal, but unfortunately his subordinates in- 
 terpreted his delay as evidence of cowardice, and even openly charged 
 it upon him, until goaded on by the foul accusation, he ordered his im- 
 patient men to advance. The enemy, practicing their favorite mode of 
 warfare, lured the patriot force into ambush and opened a murderous 
 fire, but Herkimer's men, though shockingly surprised, went into action 
 with all the nerve that could have been expected of the Tryon county 
 soldiery, and such bravery against fearful odds was seldom witnessed on 
 
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88 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 any battlefield during the revolution. The militia indeed were now for 
 the first time brought face to face with their most hated enemies (John- 
 son and the tories) and they knew that they must conquer or shamefully 
 perish, leaving their families the victims of outrage and death. The bat- 
 tle of Oriskany finally ended in the dearly bought defeat of the British, 
 while at Fort Schuyler St. Leger's force fared no better ; but the details of 
 that action, however interesting, are not necessary to this work (as it was 
 fought beyond the limits of the county of which we write) and are there- 
 fore omitted. It may be added, however, that General Herkimer was 
 seriously wounded, and yet bravely refused to leave the field. He sup- 
 ported himself against a tree, seated on his saddle, and directed the action 
 of his men until victory was secured. He was then carried to his dwell- 
 ing where he died ten days afterward, death being the result of an unskill- 
 ful amputation. 
 
 The most important result of the victory at Oriskany was the fact 
 that it prevented a union of St. Leger with Burgoyne. The British 
 plan was that their three armies should fight their way to Albany — 
 Burgoyne taking the Lake Champlain route in expectation that 
 Lord Howe would come from New York (by the Hudson river) 
 and thus co-operate ; St. Leger, on the other hand, was to devas- 
 tate the Mohawk valley and then join his commander in the same 
 manner. It was a grand military scheme, but like many others 
 proved a failure, the first decisive blow being the defeat at Oris- 
 kany, thus saving Fort Schuyler. Next in importance was General 
 Stark's great victory over Colonel Baum and his Hessians at Benning- 
 ton, on the i6th day of August. Each of these victories led to the final 
 triumph, and the last scene in the bloody episode was Burgoyne's sur- 
 render to General Gates at Stillwater on the 17th of the next October. 
 
 The patriot force in the battle of Oriskany, as has been stated, 
 was from Tryon county, but, unfortunately, no perfect roster of their 
 names is in existence. They came frdm the various districts of the 
 county, and the slaughter filled old Tryon with such grief that history 
 was neglected in the general horror. A partial record, however, was 
 preserved of the gallant band that fought in that fearful conflict, and we 
 now add a copy in the hope that some of the citizens of Fulton county 
 may here discover an ancestor or kinsman. They were patriotic heroes 
 
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Enc,'h),r G K'ir-non.'Ky 
 
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ROSTER OF THE ORISKANY FORCES. 89 
 
 of the highest rank and their names should be perpetuated in history. 
 And this leads us again to express our regret at the loss of the roster. 
 The following list, which is the best that can be given, contains the 
 names of a large number of the force, also the place of residence, and 
 also gives the killed, the wounded and those taken prisoners. The resi- 
 dences are given in many instances in towns erected since that day but 
 now used for convenience : 
 
 The killed were as follows: — Brig.-General Nicholas Herkimer, 
 Danube; Col. Ebenezer Cox, Minden ; PVederick Ayer, Schuyler; 
 Nicholas Bell, Fall Hill; Joseph Bell, Fall Hill; Jacob Bowman, Cana- 
 joharie; Maj. John Blevin, Florida; Samuel Billington, Palatine; Lieut- 
 Col. Samuel Campbell, Cherry Valley ; Robert Crouse, Minden ; An- 
 drew Cunningham, Amsterdam ; Lieut. Robert Campbell, Cherry Val- 
 ley; Capt. Henry Dievendorf, Minden; Capt. Andrew Dillenbeck, 
 Palatine ; Capt. John Davis, Mohawk ; Martines Davis, Mohawk ; Ben- 
 jamin Davis, Mohawk; Capt. Thomas Davy, Springfield; John Dy- 
 gert, Palatine; Maj. John Eisenlord, Palatine; Jacob Failing, Cana- 
 joharie ; Lieut. Petrus Grant, Amsterdam ; Nicholas Gray, Palatine ; 
 Capt. Frederick Helmer, German Flats; Lieut. Abel Hunt, Florida; 
 
 Conrad Hawn, Herkimer; Hillcr, Fairfield; Jacob Klepsaddle, 
 
 German Flats; Jacob Mover, Fairfield; Jacob Markell, Springfield; 
 William Merckley, Palatine ; Isaac Paris, Palatine ; Peter Paris (son of 
 
 Isaac), Palatine; Lieut. Dederick Petry, German Flats; Pet- 
 
 tingall, Mohawk ; Martines Putman, Johnstown ; Cornelius Phillips,- 
 Florida; John Petry, Herkimer; Lieut. Han Jost Petry, Herkimer; 
 
 George Raysnor, Minden; Christian Sharrar, Herkimer; Shar- 
 
 rar, Snyder's Bush ; Maj. William Seeber, Minden ; Capt. Jacob Seeber, 
 Minden ; Adolph Seeber, Minden ; Henry Spencer, Joseph Snell, Jacob 
 Snell, Frederick Snell, Sufferenus Snell, of Shell's Bush ; John Snell, 
 John Snell, jr., Jacob Snell, of Stone Arabia; Maj. Harmanus Van 
 Slyke, Palatine ; Peter Westerman, Minden ; John Wohlever, Lawrence 
 Wrenkle, Fort Herkimer. 
 
 Wounded : — Capt. John Bigbread, Palatine ; John Cook, Palatine ;. 
 Peter Conover; Maj. John P. Frey, Palatine; Capt. Christopher W. 
 Fox ; Conrad Folts, Herkimer ; Henry Failing, Canajoharie ; Capt. 
 Jacob Gardner, Fultonville ; Samuel Gardner, Fultonville ; Philip -Nel- 
 
 (2 
 
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go HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 lis, Palatine ; Adam Price, Canajoharie ; Joseph Petry, Herkimer ; Capt. 
 Nicholas Rechtor, Ephratah ; Jacob Radnour, Minden ; William Shafer ; 
 
 Col. Frederick Visscher, Mohawk; Van Antwerp, supposed 
 
 Glen; George Wagner ; George Walter, Palatine ; Henry Zimmerman, 
 St. Johnsville. 
 
 Taken Prisoners: — Lieut- Col. Frederick Bellinger, German Flats; 
 Maj. Blauvelt, Mohawk; Peter Ehle; Francis Lighthall, P^phratah ; 
 Garrit Walrath, Minden; Lieut. Henry Walrath, Herkimer; Henry 
 Walrath, Herkimer; Surgeon Moses Younglove, Stone Arabia; Jacob 
 Youker, Oppenheim. 
 
 Engaged in the battle : — Abram Arnot, Minden ; Jacob Alter, Min- 
 den ; Col. Peter Bellinger, German Flats; Capt. George H. Bell, Fall 
 Hill ; Melchcrt Bauder, Palatine ; John R. Boyer, Snyder's Bush ; 
 
 Adam Bellinger; John Bellinger; Billington, Palatine; Peter 
 
 Bargy, Frankfort ; Adjt. Samuel Clyde, Cherry Valley ; Capt. Abram 
 Copeman, Canajoharie; Isaac Conover; Jacob, John and Adam Cas- 
 ler, Minden ; Richard Coppernoll, Schuyler ; William Cox, Minden ; 
 George Crouse, Minden; Jacob Clemens, Schuyler; Jacob Collier, 
 Florida; John Dievendorf, Minden; Peter Dygert, Palatine; Hans 
 Peter Dunckel, Han Garrit Dunckel, Han Nicholas Dunckel, Minden; 
 John Doxtader, German Flats; Capt. William Dygert, German Flats; 
 Mcirx De Muth, Deerfield ; Capt. Immanuel De Grafif, Amsterdam ; 
 Peter S. and George Dygert, German Flats ; Peter Dorn, Johnstown ; 
 Jacob Empie, Palatine ; William Ehle, Palatine ; John Eysler, Snyder's 
 Bush ; Capt. Christopher P. Fox, Peter Fox, Charles Fox, William Fox 
 and Christopher Fox, Palatine ; Henry N. Failing, Canajoharie ; Valen- 
 tine Fralick, Palatine ; Lieut. Col. Adam Fonda, Fonda ; Peter Goert- 
 ner, Minden; Lieut. Samuel Gray, Herkimer; Capt. Graves, Capt. 
 Lawrence Gros, Minden; Cyrus Gray, Florida; John Adam Helmer, 
 German Flats ; Lieut. John Joseph House, Minden ; Christian Hufif- 
 nail ; John Huyck, Palatine ; Marcus Hand, Florida ; William Hall, 
 Glen; Maj. Enos Klepsaddle, German Flats ; Conrad and Peter Kilts, 
 Palatine ; Andrew, Jacob and Solomon Keller ; Palatine ; Col. Jacob 
 Klock, Palatine; Lieut. Peter Loucks, Palatine; George Lintner, Minden; 
 
 Lighthall, Palatine ; Solomon Longshore, Canajoharie ; Henry 
 
 Louns, Canajoharie; Col. Louis, a St. Regis Indian with Oneidas, he 
 
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ROSIER OF THE ORISKANY FORCES. 9. 
 
 held a Lieutenant's commission, and was usually called Colonel ; Adam 
 Miller, Glen; Jelles, John P. and Henry Miller, Minden ; David Mur- 
 ray, Florida; Lieut. David McMastcr, Florida; Jacob Myers, German 
 
 Flats; Joseph Myers, Herkimer: Conrad Moyers, Danube; 
 
 Moyers, Moyers, (brothers); Christian and John D. Nellis, Pal- 
 atine ; Peter Nestell, Palatine ; John and Garret Newkirk, Florida ; Dr. 
 William Petry, German Flats; John Marks Petry, German Flats; En- 
 sign Richard Putman, Johnstown ; Nicholas Pickard, Canajoharie ; 
 Lieut. Abram D. Quackenbush, Glen; John Rother, Minden; Johannes 
 
 Roof, Fort Stanwix ; John Roof; Marx Rasbach, Kingsland ; 
 
 Ritter, Fairfield ; Ensign John Jost Scholl, Ephratah ; Peter Sitts, Pal- 
 aline; Henry Staring, Schuyler; Thomas Shoemaker, Herkimer; 
 Rudolph Siebert ; George Shults, Stone Arabia ; Henry Shaull, Her- 
 kimer ; Shimmel, Herkimer; Henry Sanders, Minden; Suf- 
 
 ferenus, James and John Seeber; Christian Schell, Schell's Bush; 
 George Smith, Palatine ; Smith, father of Nicholas ; Lieut. Jer- 
 emiah Swarts, Mohawk ; John G. Sillenbeck ; John Shults, Palatine; 
 Peter Sommers ; Philip G. P. Stowits, Root ; Peter and George Snell, 
 Stone Arabia; Adam Thum, St. Johnsville; Henry Thompson, Glen; 
 Conrad Timmerman, St. Johnsville ; Nicholas Van Slyke, a fifer. Pala- 
 tine ; Cornelius and Henry Van Home, Florida ; Van Slyke, 
 
 Canajoharie; Lieut. -Col. Peter Wagner, Palatine ; Lieut. Peter Wag- 
 ner, John Wagner, sons of Col. ; Jacob Wagner, Minden; John Wag- 
 ner, Canajoharie ; Richard, Peter and Abram Wohlever ; Jacob Weaver, 
 German Flats; Peter James Weaver, German Flats; Michael Widrick, 
 Schuyler ; Jacob Walrath, Palatine ; Robert Yates, Root ; Nicholas Yer- 
 don, Minden. 
 
 Of the representatives of the Snell family who took part in the battle 
 of Oriskany, Jeptha R. Simms in his Schoharie and Border Wars, says i 
 " It has been said for many years that nine Snells went into the battle 
 and that seven of that number remained there." 
 
 Henry Staring was the ancestor of John H. Starin, whose magnificent 
 summer residence and grand estate adorns the beautiful elevation just 
 outside the limits of Fultonville. 
 
 Lieut.-Col. Adam Fonda was ancestor of Henry Fonda, of Milton, 
 Pa. Lack of space, however, forbids that extended family research 
 which is connected with this famous battle. 
 
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92 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 By reference to the above roll it will be seen that Isaac Paris, of Pal- 
 atine, and his son, were killed in the battle. On the 14th day of Feb- 
 ruary, 1793, Catharine Paris, widow of Isaac, was voted a pension by a 
 special act of the state legislature. This is believed to have been the 
 first pension ever granted, either by state or federal authority. Cath- 
 arine Paris passed her last days in Johnstown, being cherished by her 
 son, Daniel Paris, a prominent lawyer, who was at one time a member 
 of the state senate. He married Catharine Irving, sister of Washington 
 Irving, and among his descendants is Mrs. S. V. R. Cruger, the author, 
 of New York. Mrs. Paris was buried in the old Johnstown cemetery, 
 where her grave is still to be seen. 
 
 The pension act just mentioned is an interesting feature in Tryon 
 county history and may therefore be included in our record as follows : 
 " Whereas it has been represented to the legislature that Isaac Paris, 
 one of the militia of this state, was slain at the battle of Oriskany, by 
 the enemy of the United States ; and that Catharine Paris, the widow 
 of said Isaac, hath not intermarried with any other person since the de- 
 cease of her said husband, and is now in indigent circumstances ; In 
 consideration whereof, be it enacted by the people of the State of New 
 York, represented in the Senate and Assembly, that the treasurer of this 
 state shall, on or before the first day of May next, pay to the said Cath- 
 arine Paris, or her order, the sum of thirty pounds; and on the first 
 Tuesday in May, in every year afterward during her widowhood, the 
 like sum of thirty pounds." 
 
 During the year 1778, although there were no historic battles in the 
 Mohawk valley, the whole region was constantly alarmed by the Indian 
 depredations. These petty invasions led congress to hold a general 
 conference with the Six Nations at Johnstown for the purpose of bring- 
 ing them to neutrality, such as would prevent further devastation. For 
 this purpose a council was called at Johnstown between the 15th and 
 20th of February, but the Indians were so slow in attendance that it 
 was not until March 9th that the proceedings began. General Schuy- 
 ler and Volkert Douw associated with James Duane (as special com- 
 missioner) conducted the council. The entire Six Nations, except the 
 Senecas, were represented by the chiefs and sachems, the Indian attend- 
 ance being in all about seven hundred. The commissioners opened the 
 
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INDIAN MARAUDINGS. 93 
 
 council, and one of the chiefs of each nation replied. The Oneidas and 
 Tuscaroras expressed friendship, but while some others assumed a simi- 
 lar position their words were both deceitful and hypocritical, and in fact, 
 during the course of the council, there was concealed within convenient 
 distance a number of British spies. The results of the council quieted 
 for a time the public fears", but it was thought wise to adopt the sug- 
 gestion of General La Fayette (who also was present), and build forts 
 at various places along the frontier. 
 
 The Indians at this time were smarting under the chastisement they 
 received at Oriskany and Fort Schuyler; hence the cautious leaders of 
 the Americans were not willing to trust them implicitly, notwithstanding 
 their promises. It was well known that the Johnsons were desirous 
 and even determined to reoccupy the Mohawk valley and their deserted 
 estates, and were only awaiting a favorable opportunity for an invasion. 
 In the south part of Tryon county Brant was perpetrating his cruel and 
 cowardly outrages, robbing, burning and slaughtering in the smaller 
 frontier settlements. A much bolder movement which occurred about 
 the same time, was the reappearance of a body of tories, estimated at 
 one hundred, who came into the Mohawk valley, took their movable 
 property and families, and escaped without molestation. They left 
 Fort Hunter, proceeded to Fonda, and thence journeyed northward to 
 the Fish House, in Northampton. Here they took eleven prisoners, 
 among whom were Solomon Woodworth, Godfrey Shew and his three 
 sons. They burned the buildings, among them the lodge built by Sir 
 William Johnson in 1760, then took boats and rowed down the Sacan- 
 daga and up the Hudson ; thence crossed to Lake George and returned 
 to Canada by the Charhplain valley. 
 
 On the 2d ^f July of the same year a strong party of Indians made a 
 descent upon the settlement at Cobleskill, and two days later occurred 
 the terrible massacre at Wyoming. In the same month also the settle- 
 ment at Andrustown, six miles from German Flats, was plundered by 
 Brant and his savage warriors. During the same fall. General Haldi- 
 mand, governor- general of Canada, at the suggestion of Sir John John- 
 son, sent a party of forty or fifty men to recover certain valuable papers 
 which were concealed near the former residence. In this party was one 
 Helmer, who was injured and obliged for a time to remain in his father's 
 
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94 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTS. 
 
 house. He was discovered and arrested, tried, convicted and sentenced 
 to death at Johnstown. The others of the party, although they com- 
 mitted no depredations (at least there are none on record), escaped in 
 safety to Canada, having come and returned by the short but unfre- 
 quented route of the Sacandaga, Lake George and Champlain valley. 
 Another fearful outrage occurred in November of the same year when 
 Brant and Butler, with two hundred tories and five hundred Indians, 
 fell upon the little settlement at Cherry Valley and ruthlessly slaughtered 
 its inhabitants and plundered their dwellings. 
 
 The Indian depredations of 1778 were really the most important 
 features of warfare during that year, but it was also noted for the alliance 
 with France, which gave renewed confidence to the colonies and really 
 ensured the final victory. In November a large British force advanced 
 from Canada to Ticonderoga, and completed the devastation that had 
 been begun on both sides of the lake — a foray which, if justified by the 
 laws of war, wrought but little benefit to the British while it caused 
 much unnecessary suffering. 
 
 The early part of 1779 brought to the inhabitants of Tryon county a 
 repetition of the events of the preceding year. The Mohawk valley 
 once more became the scene of scalping and plundering, and among the 
 settlements first to suffer from Indian ravages and cruelty were Stone 
 Arabia and a small hamlet south of the Mohawk. In both instances 
 men were either killed or carried into captivity. At the same time a 
 band of Senecas made an attack upon Schoharie, with the scalping knife 
 and torch, and compelled the settlers to flee for their lives. The Pala- 
 tine committee of safety at last was compelled to ask protection from 
 General Clinton, and the latter responded with a detachment of troops 
 which swept the savages from the valley and inflicted severe punishment 
 wherever they were found. The Onondagas were among those upon 
 whom Clinton's forces had visited summary justice, and in revenge they 
 attacked Cobleskill, killed a number of its people and plundered the 
 settlement. In the mean time Brant extended his predatory warfare 
 into the Hudson river country, and massacred, plundered and burned 
 wherever an opportunity offered. 
 
 These atrocities at last became so numerous that the authorities were 
 thoroughly aroused and determined to draw upon the troops in service 
 
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SIR JOHN JOHNSON'S RAID. 95 
 
 for a general expedition against the Indians. The plan of the cam- 
 paign called for two forces, one under General Sullivan to march through 
 the Susquehanna and Chemung valleys, and thence down Seneca lake 
 to destroy the Seneca Indian villages ; while the other |force, under 
 General Clinton, was to sweep through the Mohawk valley, and thence 
 westward and punish all the hostile tribes. Both of these movements 
 were entirely successful, and the result was that the Indians, especially 
 the fierce Senecas, were driven to the protection of the British post at 
 Fort Niagara. Their villages and growing crops were destroyed, and 
 thereafter they were obliged to rely on the generosity of the British for 
 their support. 
 
 We now approach that most horrible episode in Tryon county history 
 known as " Sir John Johnson's raid." In the spring of 1780 (May 2ist) 
 Sir John came up from Canada by Lake Champlain to Crown Point, at 
 the head of a force of five hundred British troops, a detachment of his 
 own Royal Greens, and about two hundred Indians and tories. From 
 Crown Point he made his way through the forest to Sacandaga river, 
 and at midnight entered the north part of Johnstown so stealthily as to 
 take the slumbering inhabitants unawares. He divided his force into 
 two bodies in order that they might cover more territory, and then he 
 enacted a series of atrocities from whose record history almost recoils. 
 Families were aroused from slumber by the terrific war-whoop, and men 
 women and children were brutally slaughtered, their dwellings burned 
 and their property destroyed. Even the lapse of a century has hardly 
 abated the horror which accompanied the memories of Sir John's in- 
 fernal purpose and the Mohawk valley was fearfully ravaged by his 
 barbarous horde. An important object in this cowardly invasion was 
 the recovery of some valuable plate which had been buried at the time 
 of Sir John's flight in 1776. Since that time it had been faithfully 
 guarded by one of his former slaves who, with the aid of the soldiers, 
 disinterred the silver and laid it at his master's feet and it was divided 
 among forty soldiers for transportation to Montreal. Such we say 
 was a leading object in Sir John's invasion, but only a man of his 
 malignity could have added to the horrors which he wrought merely to 
 gratify brutal revenge. Having secured the plate they passed on 
 through the village unobserved by the garrison that occupied the stock- 
 
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c|6 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTS. 
 
 ade around the jail and resumed their hellish task. The first family to 
 feel their malice was that of Sampson Sammons, who with his three 
 sons, Jacob, Frederick, and Thomas were made prisoners. No doubt 
 they were worth more alive than dead. The dwelling was plundered, 
 after which the invaders joined the eastern division at the mouth of the 
 Cayadutta. j 
 
 The other force, led as it was believed by two notorious tory brothers 
 named Brown, passed at once through Johnstown to the vicinity of 
 Tribes Hill, and thence all through the river country, both east and 
 west of Caughnawaga, they wreaked vengeance on the unprotected 
 inhabitants. Lodowick Putnam and his son were first butchered, their 
 property stolen or destroyed, but the females of the family escaped. 
 Amasa Stevens, son-in-law of Putnam, was also killed, but his wife also 
 escaped. Garret Putnam was an intended victim, but had recently 
 moved away after renting his house to two tories. The house of Henry 
 Hanson was likewise plundered and its owner murdered. In fact the 
 property of every patriot in the locality was robbed or destroyed, and 
 only that belonging to the tories was spared. The church and parson- 
 age at Caughnawaga were also unmolested, being permanent features 
 in the estate of Sir William Johnson. At the latter place Douw Fonda 
 was killed and scalped ; and it is said that he was one of nine aged men, 
 four of whom were more than eighty years old, who were killed during 
 Sir John's raid. His descendants are still permanent citizens of the 
 valley and tradition preserves the spot where he was so cruelly mas- 
 sacred. 
 
 Returning from the Mohawk valley the raiders again visited the 
 Sammons place and took away seven horses. The Hall was also re- 
 visited. Sir John remaining there several hours and regaining possession 
 of about twenty of his former slaves who had remained behind at the 
 time of his flight, and who now accompanied him to Canada. Among^ 
 these was the trusted and faithful WilUam, who had concealed the plate. 
 He had previously been in the service of Jacob Sammons (who had 
 rented the Hall and estate from the commissioners), but he never would 
 disclose the place of concealment. 
 
 At thetime of this bloody invasion Governor Clinton was at Kingston. 
 He hastened to Albany, collected such militia as were within his 
 
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ESCAPE OF JACOB SAMMONS. 97 
 
 command and marched to Lake George to intercept Sir John. Colonel 
 Van Schaick, also with seven hundred men (part being of the Mohawk 
 valley militia), followed, the invaders by the way of Johnstown to cutoff 
 their retreat by the Oswego route. The governor descended Lake 
 George to Ticonderoga, where he was joined by a body of militia, but 
 all these efforts to cut off Sir John's retreat were ineffectual and the 
 monster escaped with his horde, taking their boats, probably at Crown 
 Point, whence they proceeded down the lake to St. Johns. Their 
 captives (including the brothers Jacob and Frederick Sammons) were 
 thence transferred to the fort at Chambly. These two of the forty 
 prisoners resolved to escape, and the thrilling story of their attempt is 
 of such interest, and so closely related to the history of Fulton county, 
 that we give it a place in our pages — the extract being from Stone's 
 Life of Brant : 
 
 " On the day after their arrival Jacob Sammons, having taken an 
 accurate survey of the garrison and the facilities of escape, conceived 
 the project of inducing his fellow prisoners to rise upon the guards and 
 obtain their freedom. The garrison was weak in number and the 
 sentinels less vigilant than is usual among good soldiers. The prison 
 doors were opened once a day, when the prisoners were visited by the 
 proper officer with four or five soldiers. Sammons had observed where 
 the arms of the guard were stacked in the yard, and his plan was that 
 some of the prisoners should arrest and disarm the visiting guard on 
 the opening of the door, while the residue were to rush forth, seize the 
 arms, and fight their way out. The proposition was acceded to by his 
 brother Frederick, and the other man named Van Sluyck, but was 
 considered too daring by the great body of the prisoners to be under- 
 taken. It was therefore abandoned, and the brothers sought afterward 
 only for a chance for escaping by themselves. Within three days the 
 desired opportunity occurred, viz. : on the 13th of June. The prisoners 
 were supplied with an allowance of spruce beer, for which two of their 
 number were detached daily to bring the cask from the brew- house, 
 under a guard of five men with fixed bayonets. Having reason to sup- 
 pose that tlie arms of the guards though charged were not primed, the 
 brothers so contrived matters as to be taken together to the brewery on 
 the day mentioned, with an understanding at a given point they were to 
 
 13 
 
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gS HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 dart from the guard and run for their lives, beHeving that the confusion 
 of the moment and the delay of priming their muskets by the guards, 
 would enable them to escape beyond the ordinary range of musket shot. 
 The project was boldly executed At the concerted moment the 
 soldiers sprang from their conductors and stretched across the plain with 
 great fleetness. The alarm was given and the whole garrison was soon 
 after them in hot pursuit. Unfortunately for Jacob he fell into a ditch 
 and sprained his ankle. Perceiving the accident, Frederick turned to 
 his assistance ; but the other generously admonished him to secure his 
 own flight, if possible, and leave him to the chances of war. Recovering 
 from his fall, and regardless of the accident, Jacob sprang forward again 
 with as much expedition as possible, but finding that his lameness 
 impeded his progress, he plunged into a thick clump of shrubs and trees, 
 and was fortunate enough to hide himself between two logs before the 
 pursuers came up. Twenty or thirty shots had previously been fired 
 upon them, but without effect. In consequence of the smoke of their 
 fire, the guards had not observed Jacob when he threw himself into the 
 thicket, and supposing that, like his brother, he had passed around it, 
 they follow on, until they were fairly distanced by Frederick, of whom 
 they lost sight and trace. They returned in about half an hour, halting 
 by the bushes in which the other fugitive was sheltered, and so near 
 that he could distinctly hear their conversation. The officer in com- 
 mand was Captain Steele. On calling his men together some were 
 swearing, and others laughing at the race, and the speed of the long- 
 legged Dutchmen, as they called the flying prisoners. The pursuit 
 being abandoned, the guards returned to the fort. 
 
 " The brothers had agreed in case of separation, to meet at a certain 
 spot at lO o'clock at night. Of course Jacob lay ensconced in the bushes 
 until night had dropped her sable curtains, and until he supposed the 
 hour had arrived, when he sallied forth according to the antecedent 
 understanding. But time did not move as rapidly on that evening as 
 he supposed. He waited upon the spot designated, and called aloud 
 for Frederick, until he despaired of meeting him, and prudence forbade 
 his remaining any longer. It subsequently appeared that he was too 
 early on the ground, and that Frederick made good his appointment. 
 
 Following the bank of the Sorel, Jacob passed Fort St. Johns soon 
 after daybreak on the morning of the 14th. His purpose was to swim 
 
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ESCAPE OF JACOB SAMMONS. 99 
 
 the river at that place, and pursue his course homeward through the 
 wilderness on the eastern shore of Lake Champlain ; but just as he was 
 preparing to enter the water he descried a boat approaching from 
 below, filled with officers and soldiers of the enemy. They were already 
 within twenty rods. Concealing himself again in the woods, he re- 
 sumed hisjourney after their departure.buthad notproceeded more than 
 two or three miles before he came upon a party of several hundred men 
 engaged in getting out timber for the public works at the fort. To 
 avoid them he was obliged to describe a wide circuit, in the course of 
 which, at about 12 o'clock, he came to a small clearing. Within the 
 enclosure was a house, and in the field were a man and a boy engaged 
 hoeing potatoes. They were at that moment called to dinner, and 
 supposing them to be French, who, he had heard, were rather friendly 
 to the American cause than otherwise — incited, also, by hunger and 
 fatigue — lie made bold to present himself, trusting that he might be 
 invited to partake of their hospitality. But instead of a friend, he found 
 an enemy. On making known his character, he was roughly received. 
 
 " ' It is by such villains as you are,' replied the forrester, ' that I was 
 obhged to fly from Lake Champlain.' The rebels, he added, had 
 robbed him of all he possessed, and he would now deliver his self-invited 
 guest to the guard, which, he said, was not more than a quarter of a 
 mile distant. Sammons promptly answered that ' that was more than 
 he could do.' The refugee then said he would go for the guard him- 
 self; to which Sammons replied that he might act as he. pleased, but 
 that all the men in Canada should not make him again a prisoner. The. 
 man thereupon returned to the potato field and resumed his work, while 
 his more compassionate wife gave Sammons a bowl of bread and milk, 
 which he ate sitting on the threshold of the door to guard agayist sur- 
 prise. 
 
 "While in the house he saw a musket, powder horn and bullet-pouch 
 hanging against the wall, of which he determined, if possible, to possess 
 himself, that he might be able to procure food during the long and sol- 
 itary march before him. On retiring, therefore, he traveled only far 
 enough into the woods for concealment, returning to the woodsman's 
 house in the evening for the purpose of obtaining the musket and 
 ammunition. But he was again beset by imminent peril. Very soon 
 
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loo HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 after he entered the house the sound of approaching voices was heard 
 and he took to the rude chamber for security, where he lay flat upon 
 the irregular floor, and looking through the interstices, saw eleven sol- 
 diers enter, who, it soon appeared, came for milk. His situation was 
 now exceedingly critical. The churlish proprietor might inform against 
 him, or in a single movement betray him. But neither circumstance 
 occurred. The unwelcome visitors departed in due time and the family 
 all retired to bed except the wife, who, as Jacob descended from the 
 chamber, refreshed him with another bowl of milk. The good woman 
 earnestly entreated her guest to surrender himself and join the ranks of 
 the king, assuring him that his majesty must certainly conquer in the 
 end, in which the rebels would lose all their property and many of them 
 be hanged into the bargain. But to such a proposition he of course 
 would not listen. Finding all her efforts to convert a whig into a tory 
 fruitless, she then told him if he would secrete himself two days longer 
 in the woods she would furnish him with provisions, for a supply of 
 which her husband was going to the fort the next day, and she would 
 likewise endeavor to provide him with a pair of shoes. 
 
 "Disinclined to linger so long in the country of the enemy and in the 
 neighborhood of a British post, he took his departure forthwith. But 
 such had been the kindness of the good woman that he had it not in 
 his heart to seize upon her husband's arms, and he left this wild scene 
 of rustic hospitality without supplies and without the means of procur- 
 ing them. Arriving once more at the water's edge at the lower end of 
 Lake Champlain, he came upon a hut, within which, on cautiously ap- 
 proaching it for reconnoissance, he discovered a party of soldiers, all 
 soundly asleep. Their canoe was moored by the shore, into which he 
 sprang and paddled himself up the lake under the most encouraging 
 prospect of a speedy and comparatively easy voyage to its head, whence 
 his return home would be unattended with either difficulty or danger. 
 But his pleasing anticipations were extinguished on the night following 
 as he approached the Isle aux Noix, where he descried a fortification 
 and the glitter of the bayonets bristling in the air as the moonbeams 
 played upon the burnished arms of the sentinels who were pacing their 
 tedious rounds. The lake being very narrow at this point, and perceiv- 
 ing that both sides were fortified, he thought the attempt to shoot his 
 
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ESCAPE OF JACOB SAMMONS. loi 
 
 canoe through between them rather too hazardous an experiment. Nor 
 on landing was his case in any respect enviable. Without shoes, with- 
 out food, and without the means of obtaining either — a long journey 
 before him through a deep and trackless wilderness — it may well be 
 imagined that his mind was not cheered by the most agreeable antici- 
 pations. But without pausing to indulge unnecessarily his ' thick- 
 coming fancies,' he commenced his solitary journey, directing his course 
 along the eastern lake-shore toward Albany. During the first four 
 days of his progress he subsisted entirely upon the bark of birch — chew- 
 ing the twigs as he went. On the fourth day, while resting by a brook, 
 he heard a rippling of the water caused by fish as they were stemming 
 the current. He succeeded in catching a few of these, but having no 
 means of striking a fire, after devouring one of them raw the others 
 were thrown away. 
 
 " His feet were by this time cruelly cut, bruised and torn by thorns, 
 briars and stones ; and while he could scarcely proceed by reason of 
 their soreness, hunger and fatigue united to retard his cheerless march. 
 On the fifth day his miseries were augmented by hungry swarms of 
 mosquitoes, which settled upon him in clouds while traversing a swamp. 
 On the same day he fell upon the nest of a black duck — the duck sitting 
 quietly upon her eggs until he came up and caught her. The bird was 
 no sooner deprived of life and feathers than he devoured the whole, 
 including the head and feet. The eggs were nine in number, which 
 Sammons took with him, but on opening one he found a little half-made 
 •duckling, already alive. Against such food his stomach revolted and 
 he was obliged to throw the eggs away. 
 
 "On the tenth day he came to a small lake. His feet were in such a 
 horrible state that he could scarcely crawl along. Finding a mitigation 
 of pain by bathing them in water, he plunged his feet into the lake and 
 lay down upon its margin. For a time it seemed as though he could 
 never rise up on his feet again. Worn down by himger and fatigue — 
 bruised in body and wounded in spirit — in a lone wilderness, with no 
 eye to pity and no human arm to protect, he felt as though he must re- 
 main in that spot until it should please God in his goodness to quench 
 the dim spark of life that remained. Still, he was comforted in some 
 measure by the thought that he was in the hands of a being without 
 whose knowledge not a sparrow falls to the ground. 
 
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I02 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTl. 
 
 " Refreshed at length, though to a trifling degree, he resumed his 
 weary way, when, on raising his right leg over the trunk of a fallen 
 tree, he was bitten in the calf by a rattlesnake. Quick as a flash, with 
 his pocket-knife, he made an incision in his leg, removing the wounded 
 flesh to a greater depth than the fangs of the serpent had penetrated. 
 His next business was to kill the venomous reptile and dress it for eat- 
 ing; thus appropriating the enemy that had sought to take his life to 
 its prolongation. His first meal was made from the heart and fat of 
 the serpent. Feeling somewhat strengthened by the repast, and find- 
 ing, moreover, that he could not travel further in his present condition, 
 he determined to remain where he was for a few days, and by repose 
 and feeding upon the body of the snake, recruit his strength. Discov- 
 ering also a dry fungus upon the trunk of a maple he succeeded in strik- 
 ing a fire, by which his comforts were essentially increased. Still he 
 was obliged to creep upon his hands and knees to gather fuel, and on 
 the third day he was yet in such a state of exhaustion as to be utterly un- 
 able to proceed. Supposing that death was inevitable and very near, 
 he crawled to the foot of a tree, upon the bark of which he commenced 
 inscribing his name, in the expectation that he should leave his bones 
 there, and in the hope that in some way by the aid of the inscription 
 his family might ultimately be apprised of his fate. While engaged in 
 this sad work a cloud of painful thoughts crowded upon his mind, the 
 tears involuntarily stole down his cheeks, and before he had completed 
 the melancholy task he fell asleep. 
 
 " On the fourth day of his residence at this place he began to gain 
 strength, and as a part of the serpent yet remained he determined upon 
 another effort to resume his journey. But he could not do so without 
 devising some substitute for shoes. For this purpose he cut up his hat 
 and waistcoat, binding them upon his feet, and thus he hobbled along. 
 On the following night, while lying in the woods he became strongly 
 impressed with the belief that he was not far distant from a human hab- 
 itation. He had seen no indication of proximity to the abode of man, 
 but he was, nevertheless, so confident of the fact that he wept for joy. 
 Buoyed up and strengthened by this impression he resumed his jour- 
 ney on the following morning ; and in the afternoon, it being the 28th 
 of June, he reached a house in the town of Pittsford, in the New Hamp- 
 
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CARLETON'S HAW. 103 
 
 shire grants, now forming the state of Vermont. He remained there 
 several days, both to recruit his health and if possible to gain intelli- 
 gence of his brother. But no tidings came ; and, as he knew Frederick 
 to be a capital woodsman, he of course concluded that sickness, death, 
 or recapture must have interrupted his journey. Procuring a convey- 
 ance at Pittsford Jacob traveled to Albany and thence to Schenectady, 
 where he had the happiness of finding his wife and family." 
 
 The adventures of the brother were scarcely less thrilling, but this 
 one must suffice as an example of many similar ones happening on the 
 frontier. 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 Additional Depredations in the Mohawk Valley — Sir John Johnson again Invades 
 *he Region — The Battle at Stone Arabia — Van Rensselaer's Cowardly Conduct — 
 Condition of the Inhabitants after the Raid — Governor Clinton sends Colonel Willett to 
 Protect the Valley — Invasion by Brant and Butler — Defeat of the Latter by Willett's 
 Troops — Battle at Johastown — The Enemy Routed — Death of Walter Butler — End 
 of Hostilities in the Mohawk Valley. 
 
 ""F^HE devastation and bloodshed that had thus far marked the track of 
 I war throughout the states was now approaching an end, but in the 
 autumn of 1780, and simultaneous with the movements of Sir John John- 
 son in the Mohawk country, the enemy actively engaged against the 
 settlements north of Albany, and also upon the upper Connecticut river. 
 In order to create a diversion in favor of Sir John, Major Carleton came 
 up the lake with a large fleet, and more than a thousand men. This in- 
 vasion was secretly conducted and reached Fort Anne and Fort George 
 undiscovered, both posts being captured with one hundred and twenty 
 prisoners. Stories of cruelty were told against Carleton's troops, but 
 were positively denied by that officer. It is certain, however, that de- 
 struction and outrage followed the invadets as far as the country offered 
 anything that would gratify their purpose, except on the eastern shores 
 of the lake. There the inhabitants were fortunately exempted from at- 
 tack through the remarkable statesmanship of Generals Ethan and Ira 
 
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I04 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTS. " 
 
 Allen and Governor Chittenden. More than that, by their efforts there 
 was kept inactive in Canada a British army of nearly ten thousand ef- 
 fective men. The intercommunications which occurred were called the 
 Haldimand correspondence, or Negotiations with Canada, and although 
 conducted in entire good faith on the part of the astute Vermonters, the 
 latter were nevertheless charged by the authorities of New York with 
 treasonable intent ; but without regard to public opinion on that point, 
 the patriotism of the men connected with it can never be doubted nor 
 can the value of their services be diminished. 
 
 Returning to the history of oldTryon, it may be said that while other 
 portions of the country were now comparatively free from the horrors 
 of war, the Mohawk valley was destined to be the scene of British out- 
 rages for many months to come. In the latter part of 1780 Sir John 
 Johnson made a second invasion of the valley, with the evident deter- 
 mination to destroy every vestige of property, and even the lives of the 
 inhabitants. After his first raid Governer Clinton ordered Colonel 
 Gansevoort to Fort Plain with the militia of the county in order to pro- 
 tect the locality and also to guard the supplies in store at Fort Schuyler. 
 At the same time Brant with his blood-thirsty savages was hovering 
 in the region, ready to fall upon any unprotected settlement and thus 
 increase that long record of murder, which bore testimony in the court 
 of heaven against him and his instigators. Being informed by the tories 
 of the valley that a patriot force was about to defend Fort Plain, Brant 
 made a sudden descent upon Canajoharie and the fort itself, burning 
 buildings and destroying property without the restraints of mercy. 
 Gansevoort was so sluggish in his movements that no hand was raised 
 to defend either life or property from the Indian invaders. 
 
 Soon after this Sir John again repeated his vengeance upon the al- 
 ready distressed people of the county. In his command were the now 
 notorious Greens, the German Yagers, Butler's two hundred rangers, a 
 company of British regulars, and a body of Indians under Brant and the 
 still more dreaded Seneca chief, Cornplanter. During the early part of 
 this foray, Sir John was no where opposed by any considerable force, 
 and was thus at full liberty to pillage, burn and destroy every thing ex- 
 cept the property of the tories. This naturally led to retaliation, and 
 after he had passed up the Mohawk the ruined patriots revenged them- 
 
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RETALIATION UPON THE TORIES. 105 
 
 selves by destroying in turn tlie buildings and harvested crops of the 
 British sympathizers. On the i8th of October Sir John camped at the 
 " Nose," but the next morning sent a detachment against Stone Arabia 
 (then called Fort Paris), following soon afterward with his main force. 
 General Van Rensselaer was sent to oppose the invaders, having- in his 
 command the Albany militia, and reached Caughnawaga on the i8th. 
 Learning that Fort Plain was to be attacked, Colonel Brown was sent 
 to engage the enemy in front, while Van Rensselaer himself was to 
 make a diversion and attack them from another quarter, but whether 
 from cowardice, or sympathy for the British, he changed his course and 
 left Brown without support. The result was the defeat and death of the 
 gallant colonel, while the enemy was still further allowed to ravage the 
 country. Van Rensselaer displayed even greater cowardice, for later 
 on, having been reinforced by Captain McKean's company, and about 
 eighty Oneida braves, so that his troops outnumbered the enemy, he 
 again refrained from attack. At last he was openly charged with toryism 
 by an Oneida chief, which, with the importunities of his subordinate of- 
 ficers, forced him to prepare for battle ; and after a severe engagement 
 the British were routed, but the cowardly American commander refused 
 to follow up his victory, notwithstanding the entreaties of his men. He 
 fell back and encamped, while some of the volunteers and Oneidas pur- 
 sued the British and captured a cannon and a number of prisoners, but 
 by the next morning the enemy had retreated beyond successful pur- 
 suit. 
 
 The outrages committed by the British and their savage allies in the 
 Mohawk valley during the several years ending with the close of 1780, 
 had left the inhabitants in a most deplorable condition. Their homes 
 and" other buildings were now burned to the ground, their crops had 
 been completely destroyed, and they were obliged to look for shelter 
 and support to the people less unfortunate than themselves who occu- 
 pied the larger and more protected settlements in the eastern part of the 
 valley. On the 20th of December, 1780, the supervisors ofTryon county- 
 reported to the legislature the condition in which their people were left 
 at that time. From this sad report it appeared that seven hundred 
 buildings had been burned ; six hundred and thirteen persons had gone 
 over to the enemy ; three hundred and fifty-four families had abandoned 
 14 
 
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io6 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 their homes and property ; one hundred and ninety-seven lives had 
 been lost; one hundred and twenty-one persons had been carried into 
 captivity, while one thousand farms in the county were without care or 
 cultivation. 
 
 Such a lamentable state of affairs could not but move the authorities 
 to some action in behalf of a distressed people, but even then Brant 
 was skulking in the vicinity, only awaiting an opportunity to attack 
 some defenseless settlement, and the only remedy lay in levying a 
 sufficient armed force to guarantee safety to the people so that they 
 might return to their homes. The militia was greatly reduced in num- 
 bers and efficiency, and the partial destruction of Fort Schuyler by fire 
 and flood left the whole valley open to the enemy. In his extremity 
 Governor Clinton determined to detach a part of his own army for the 
 defense of the western frontier, and accordingly Colonel Willett was 
 sent with a body of troops to protect the region from invasion. Willett 
 collected about one hundred militiamen, added to these his state troops, 
 and stationed his force at Fort Plain, but was soon called into action, 
 being, on July 9th, summoned to repel an invasion at Currytown, about 
 three miles from Sprakers. The marauders were a party of tories and 
 Indians led by one Doxtader, who attacked the settlement, destroyed 
 much property, and made off with nine prisoners. Willett at once 
 marched to the scene of danger, and, unlike his timid predecessor, de- 
 ployed his men so as to draw the British into an ambuscade, and as a 
 result the latter were terribly beaten and routed. In this sharp fight 
 the efforts of Colonel Willett were materially aided by the zeal and 
 bravery of Lieutenant Jacob Sammons and Captain McKean. 
 
 The vigilance of Willett and his men put a check upon the ravages 
 of the tories and the Indians, but did not entirely end them, as marauding 
 parties still continued petty depredations. The tories, however, were, as 
 Willett found, more dreaded than the Indians, for they moved more 
 covertly and with such well-planned and united action as to render 
 them dangerous in the extreme. During the latter part of October a 
 party of these tories, together with a few Indians under Ross and But- 
 ler, again entered the valley and ravaged the country from Currytown 
 to Warrensbush and Fort Hunter. They then changed their course 
 towards Johnstown, having increased their force to about five hundred, 
 
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COL. WILLEITS J0HNS20WN FIG HI. 107 
 
 composed of British regulars as well as tories and Indians. Willett 
 pursued with only about four hundred and sixteen men, but he deter- 
 mined to give them a battle regardless of the disparity of numbers. To 
 do this successfully the intrepid commander divided his force into two 
 parts, and with his main body under his own command he attacked the 
 enemy in front, while about sixty men under Colonel Rowley (a Massa- 
 chusetts officer) made a detour in order to attack in the rear. On the 
 level land opposite Johnson Hall, where the orchard now stands, the 
 contending forces first met. Willett's men fought with determination, 
 but being overpowered by the superior number of the enemy, he was 
 compelled to fall back to the village. This was a dangerous movement, 
 but he was saved from what might have been a rout by Rowley's little 
 troop, which fell unexpectedly upon the British rear with such valor as to 
 create a diversion. The British were obliged to turn and act on the de- 
 fensive, upon which Willett rallied his men and renewed the battle. 
 Although assailed both in front and rear the invaders kept up the fight 
 until night, when, weary and suffering severely in losses, they wavered 
 and finally broke into precipitate flight to the woods. This was the 
 last battle fought in Tryon county, and really was the last in the en- 
 tire record of the revolution, and in this final conflict the Tryon county 
 militia had the satisfaction of inflicting satisfactory chastisement on 
 their old tory enemies. In the battle of Johnstown the loss in killed 
 was about forty on each side, but the Americans made prisoners of fifty 
 of the enemy, and those who escaped did not halt until they had put a 
 long distance between themselves and their conquerers 
 
 Early on the morning of the 26th (the day following the Johnstown 
 battle) Colonel Willett started in pursuit of the foe. He marched as. 
 rapidly as possible to Stone Arabia, and believing the fugitives had: 
 gone toward Oneida Lake, sent thither a detachment to destroy their 
 boats, while he halted expecting a possible attack ; but as it did not 
 take place he renewed his march. Butler's men instead of taking the lake 
 route turned northward to Canada Creek, where Willett overtook them. 
 He fell upon their rear and punished them severely, taking many pris- 
 oners and killing others. Butler crossed the creek and made an at- 
 tempt to rally his men, but in doing so was discovered by an Oneida 
 chief, who shot him. The fall of their leader so dismayed the British 
 
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io8 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 and Indians that they fled in confusion and sought shelter wherever it 
 offered. The Oneidas now crossed the creek and dispatched the infa- 
 mous Butler as he lay prostrate upon the ground. Colonel Willett 
 having now delivered the valley from terror, returned in triumph to 
 Fort Dayton, having lost only one of his men since the Johnstown bat- 
 tle. 
 
 Although the close of the year 178 1 found the heavy operations of 
 war practically at an end, as yet the peace of the people living in the 
 Mohawk valley was not fully assured. An occasional marauding band 
 of Indians would unexpectedly appear, commit some outrage and then 
 quickly depart to a safe refuge. One of these invasions took place dur- 
 ing the summer of 1782, when a body of seven savages appeared near 
 Johnstown and killed Henry Stoner a noted settler, and also made pris- 
 oners of his nephew, Michael Reed, and a man nanied Palmatier. The 
 Indians also burned the Stoner buildings. This act of outrage was af- 
 terwards fearfully avenged by the noted Nicholas Stoner, son of the 
 murdered pioneer. Andrew Bowman, a tory living near Johnstown, 
 bore a part in the above mentioned outrage, for which he suffered suita- 
 ble punishment from the indignant patriots of that town. 
 
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AFTER THE WAR. 
 
 109 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 Condition of the Mohawk Valley at the Close of the Revolution — Mohawk Indians 
 Torfeit their Lands to the State — Return of Tories — Their Treatment by the Mohawk 
 Committee — Settlement of the Region by New Englanders — Tryon County changed to 
 Montgomery — First County Officers — County Buildings — Counties Formed from 
 Montgomery — Old Tryon County Districts formed into Towns — Origin of Towns in 
 Fulton County — Caughnawaga Divided — County Officers of Tryon County — Also of 
 Montgomery County prior to Removal of the County Seat to Fonda. 
 
 THE close of the revolutionary war and the return of peace marked 
 a new era in the history of the Mohawk valley. Returning to their 
 deserted lands and property, the patriot settlers found little else than 
 ruin and desolation ; their buildings had been burned and the harvested 
 and growing crops almost wholly destroyed. Their cattle, too, had 
 been driven off by the recent invaders, and they were obliged to begin 
 life anew. They had, however, this consolation, that they no longer 
 feared the wily Indian, nor the malignant tory, for the fortune of war had 
 driven them from the country. 
 
 The Mohawk Indians by their alliance to the British, shared the ill 
 fortunes of a fallen power, and forfeited whatever claim they may have 
 had to the lands which they formerly occupied, and while, as a rule, the 
 Six Nations were kindly treated by both the general and state govern- 
 ments, the hostility of the Mohawks had been such as to cancel their 
 claims to the territory pf the valley. There is not indeed any reliable 
 proof that the Mohawks ever made a demand for these lands, and the 
 shattered remnant of their once powerful nation accepted the offer made 
 by Great Britain of a home in Canada With the tories who had cast 
 in their lot with the British, the case appears to have been quite different, 
 for almost immediately after the restoration of peace they returned to 
 their former homes and proclaimed ownership, insisting on legal title. 
 Fortunately, however, and justly, also, they were not successful, for the 
 property of the defeated foe by the rules of war became forfeit to the 
 conquerors. 
 
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no fflSTORi OF FULTON COUNTS. 
 
 We cannot but notice that the effrontery of the tory in peace was 
 only equaled by his barbarity in war, and hence, as has been stated, 
 after the struggle was ended he loudly asserted his right to' his former 
 estate. So annoying indeed did this false but persistent assertion of 
 right become that the people of the Mohawk district were under the 
 necessity of taking public action in the matter, and therefore held a 
 meeting on May 9, 1783, on which' occasion they expressed them- 
 selves in this manner : 
 
 " Resolved, unanimously, that all those who have gone off to the 
 enemy or have been banished by any law of this state, or those 
 who we shall find, tarried as spies or tools of the enemy, and encour- 
 aged and harbored those who went away, shall not live in this dis- 
 trict on any pretense whatever; and as for those who have washed 
 their faces from Indian paint and their hands from innocent blood 
 of our dear ones, and have returned, either openly or covertly, we 
 hereby warn them to leave the district before the twentieth of June 
 next, or they may expect to feel the just resentment of an injured and 
 determined people. 
 
 " We likewise unanimously desire our brethren in the other districts 
 in this county to join with us to instruct our representatives not to con- 
 sent to the repealing any laws made for the safety of the state against 
 treason, or confiscation of traitor's estates, or to passing any new acts 
 for the return or restitution of tories. 
 
 " By order of the meeting, 
 
 " JosiAH Throop, Chairman." 
 
 In and about the county seat of Tryon county was perhaps a greater 
 number of tories than in any single locality of the region. Johnstown 
 was founded, built up and virtually owned by Sir Willian Johnson, and 
 through his efforts the local population was mainly acquired. Upon 
 his death, the property and estate descended to his son, Sir John, whose 
 conduct during the war was of such a character as to justify a far more 
 detestable expression than merely tory. He was an avowed and a 
 relentless enemy, combining the worst elements of toryism with the 
 inhuman methods of war only resorted to by savages. He never came 
 back to Johnstown to claim his vast and valuable estate, which was con- 
 fiscated and sold by the state. Sir John himself remained in Canada 
 
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THE HATED NAME OF TRYON. iii 
 
 and received from the crown an appointment as superintendent and 
 inspector of Indian affairs in British North America. He died in 
 Montreal January 4, 1830. 
 
 Among the dependents of Sir John Johnson were the tenants settled 
 on his lands in and about the village of Johnstown, and the Scotch 
 Highlanders who dwelt upon the Kingsboro tract in the north part of 
 the town, then a part of the Mohawk district ; also a part of the old 
 township called Caughnawaga. The tenantry and the Scotchmen were 
 provided with firearms by the proprietor, and of course departed with 
 their master to Canada, thenceforth forming a part of the " Royal 
 Greens " regiment. Whatever claim to the lands of the Mohawk 
 region they may have acquired was likewise forfeited, and they never 
 afterward returned. 
 
 Of the German settlers in the valley, however, it must in justice be 
 said that they were generally loyal and true to the colonies, and al- 
 though a few — and onl)' a few — may have been misled by the influence 
 of the arbitrary baronet and his associates in authority, this was the ex- 
 ception, not the rule. 
 
 During the course of the war, this portion of the state became known 
 to a class of people who had no former means of judging of its beauty 
 and fertility. The continual passage of New England troops through 
 the valley of the Mohawk made them acquainted with its desirability as 
 a place of abode, and, when peace was restored, they were not slow to 
 avail themselves of the opportunity of possessing the lands. - They came 
 and made miscellaneous settlements, as tracts were offered for sale, and 
 thus the territory came under the control of Yankees, determined, ener- 
 getic and upright men, with wives and mothers of corresponding char- 
 acter ; and it was to this class of people that Montgomery and Fulton 
 counties owed much of their later development and improvement. 
 
 There was one name, however, in this beautiful region that was the 
 occasion of much annoyance to the progressive inhabitants, being indeed 
 in the .highest degree offensive, and that was the name by which this 
 county was then called. Governor William Tryon first became executive 
 of the province of New York by appointment July 9, 1771, and was 
 reappointed June 28, 1775 ; and it was in his honor that Tryon county 
 received its name. The toryism of this public dfficer was as pronounced 
 
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112 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 and offensive as that of any British subject in the land. His official 
 power was wholly devoted to the crown, and he was even implicated in 
 a plot to seize General Washington and deliver him to the British offi- 
 cers. It was not therefore in the least surprising that the settlers of the 
 Mohawk valley should desire to remove so odious a name. 
 
 Tryon county was created from the original county of Albany by act 
 of the provincial assembly, March I2, 1772, and Johnstown designated 
 as its capital. The first officers were as follows : Guy Johnson, first 
 judge ; John Butler and Peter Conyne, judges ; Sir John Johnson, Daniel 
 Claus, Jellis Fonda and John Wells, assistant judges. The first county 
 court was organized September 8, 1772. The court-house and jail of 
 Tryon county was erected in 1772 by Sir William Johnson, on his own 
 land. Both of these buildings are still in use, and having been occa- 
 sionally repaired are in good condition and may last another century. 
 The former, which fully retains its original appearance, stands on the 
 northwest corner of William and Main streets. The bricks used in this 
 structure were imported into this country from Holland.' The jail, a 
 substantial stone structure, stands in the southeast part of the village, 
 on the highest part of South Perry street. 
 
 At the outbreak of the war these buildings were claimed by Sir John 
 Johnson as part of his estate ; and, having thus asserted ownership, he 
 refused the county committee of safety permission to use them for the 
 confinement of those who were considered inimical to the American 
 cause. This claim however was denied by the Provincial Congress, which 
 held that Sir William (to complete his purpose) conveyed the land 
 and buildings " to two gentlemen, in trust," for the use of the county. 
 The committee did not at that time press the demand ; but after the de- 
 parture of Sir John and his retainers the local authorities seized all the 
 property and used it according to their needs. The jail was fortified 
 and thus became a place of defence in addition to the purpose for which 
 it was originally intended. 
 
 On the 2d of April, 1784, at the request of the inhabitants, the legis- 
 lature passed an act changing the name from Tryon to Montgomery 
 county, adopting the latter in honor of General Richard Montgomery, 
 
 ' This statement has been doubted, and whatever be the tradition, it is highly possible and 
 some think highly probable that the brick were made near the court-house. 
 
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BOUNDARIES. 113 
 
 who was killed at the storming of Quebec, December 31, 1776. The 
 statement has been made in one of our earlier chapters (and its accuracy- 
 has never been doubted) that Tryon county comprised all that part of 
 the province of New York west of the Delaware river and also west of a 
 line extending north through Schoharie (as well as along the east lines 
 of the present counties of Montgomery, Fulton and Hamilton) and con- 
 tinuing in a straight line to Canada. On the 7th of March, 1788, the 
 legislature passed an act by which the boundary lines of the several 
 counties of the state were described more accurately and in detail ; and 
 this act declared Montgomery county to contain all that part of the state 
 west of the counties of Ulster, Albany, Washington and Clinton, as they 
 were then constituted. On the other hand the " Civil List of the State 
 of New York," published in 1886 says: "Tryon county was erected in 
 1772, and comprised the country west of a north and south line extend- 
 ing from St. Regis to the west bounds of the township of Schenectady ; 
 thence running irregularly southwest to the head of the Mohawk branch 
 of the Delaware, and along the same to the southeast bounds of the 
 pre.scnt county of Broome ; thence in northwesterly direction to Fort 
 Bull, on Wood creek, near the present city of Rome ; all west of the 
 last mentioned line being Indian territory." This statement, if correct, 
 limits Tryon county to a comparatively small area ; but the question 
 which statement is correct, is not one for the writer to decide. The 
 weight of authority, however, strongly inclines us to the conviction 
 that Tryon (succeeded by Montgomery county), included all that part 
 of the state west of the east line above mentioned ; while all authorities 
 substantially agree upon its east boundary. 
 
 It is interesting in the present connection to note the several counties 
 of the state which have been in whole or in part formed from the terri- 
 tory originally of old Tryon or Montgomery county. The list, with- 
 date of erection of each, being as follows : Ontario,' January 27, 1789; 
 Herkimer, February 16, 1791 5 Otsego, February 16, 1791 ; Tioga, 
 
 ' The creation o£ Ontario, which was the first division o£ Montgomery county, included all the 
 lands of the state lying west of Seneca lake. This territory was ceded hy New York to Massachu- 
 setts subject to right of sovereignty and jurisdiction. The two states were long in dispute con- 
 cerning this territory and Massachusetts accepted a tract of 2,300,000 acres in settlement. The re- 
 gion, was afterward known as the Massachusetts Pre-emption Lands ; being also designated the 
 Phelps and Gorham Purchase. 
 16 
 
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114 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 February i6, 1791 ; Onondaga, March 5, 1794; Schoharie (one half), 
 April 6, 179s ; Steuben, March 18, 1796; Delaware (part only), March 
 10, 1797; Chenango, March 15, 1798; Oneida, March 15, 1798; Cay- 
 uga, March 8, 1799 ; St. Lawrence (part only), March 3, 1802 ; Genesee, 
 March 30, 1802; Seneca, March 24, 1804; Jefferson, March 28.'i8o5; 
 Lewis, March 28,1 805; Madison, March 21,1 806 ; Broome, March 28,1 808; 
 Alleghany, April 7, 1806; Cattaraugus, March 11, 1808; Chautauqua, 
 March 11, 1808; Niagara, March 11, 1808; Cortland, April 8, 1808; 
 Oswego, March i, 1816; Hamilton, April 12, 1816; Tompkins, April 
 7, 1817; Livingston, February 23, 1821 ; Monroe, February 23, 1821 ; 
 Erie, April 2, 1821 ; Yates, February 5, 1823 ; Wayne, April II, 1823 ; 
 Orleans, November 12, 1824; Chemung, March 29, 1836; Fulton, 
 April 18, 1838; Wyoming, May 14, 1841 ; Schuyler, April 17, 1854. 
 
 After the passage of the act of 1788, the former system of provisional 
 or jurisdictional townships, then called districts, was discontinued, 
 towns being created in their stead. The greater part of what is now 
 Fulton county was a portion of the Mohawk district, while the Palatine 
 district included the western part of the' county. The districts were 
 created soon after the formation of Tryon county, and were continued 
 as has been stated until superseded by the town. In the redivision 
 made pursuant to the act of 1788, that part of the Mohawk district 
 which lay north of the river was formed into the town of Caughnawaga, 
 whose vast area included the original towns of Johnstown, Mayfield and 
 Broadalbin ; therefore contained the greater part of Fulton county. 
 The Palatine district was first formed in 1772, and was then known as 
 "Stone Arabia," but was changed to Palatine in 1773. By the act 
 referred to this district was named "town of Palatine," and included 
 (with other territory within its boundaries) the present towns of Strat- 
 ford, Oppenheim, Ephratah and part of Caroga. 
 
 On the 1 2th of March, 1793, the town of Caughnawaga was divided 
 into three new towns, and named respectively, Johnstown, Mayfield 
 and Broadalbin. "Hie first was- by far the largest and most important, 
 as it included within its boundaries the towns of Bleecker and Mohawk 
 (the latter now in Montgomery county), with a part of Caroga and was, 
 (as has been stated) the capital of old Tryon county. It held this 
 distinction from 1772 to 1784; and then was the capital of Montgom- 
 
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CIVIL OFFICERS.' 115 
 
 ery county from 1784 to 1836, and also of Fulton county from 1838 to 
 tlie present time. Bleecker was set off from Johnstown April 4, 1831 ; 
 Mohawk, April 4, 1837, and the part of Caroga above referred to 
 April 1 1, 1842. 
 
 The town of Mayfield was formed from Caughnawaga March 12, 
 1793, and its organization perfected in April, 1794. It released part 
 of its original territory to Perth on February 17, 1842. 
 
 Broadalbin was formed with Johnstown* and Mayfield out of old 
 Caughnawaga, March 12, 1793, and on two occasions it has released 
 part of its territory to other towns ; first in 1799, when Northampton 
 was set off, and again in 1842, to enlarge the town of Perth. 
 
 While thus referring to the towns in Fulton county we may properly 
 mention the dates of their organization which are as follows : Northamp- 
 ton was formed from Broadalbin, February i, 1799; Stratford from 
 Palatine April 10, 1805 ; Oppenheim too was set off from Palatine 
 March 18, 1808, and Ephratah also from Palatine March 27, 1827; 
 Bleecker was formed from Johnstown April 4, 183 1, and Perth from 
 Amsterdam, April 18, 1838; Caroga was taken from Stratford, Bleeck- 
 er and Johnstown, April 11, 1842. 
 
 This reference to town organizations will be suflficient for our present 
 purpose in as much as detailed histories of the several towns that com- 
 prise Fulton county will be found elsewhere in this volume. It may, 
 however, be proper at this time to furnish a list of the civil officers of 
 Tryon county and also those of Montgomery count}', since they form 
 an important feature in local history and also because Fulton county is 
 a part of the same territory. Its civil list naturally belongs to another 
 chapter. 
 
 County Judges,' Guy Johnson, May 26, 1772; Jacob Klock, Febru- 
 ary 2, 1778; Jellis Fonda, March 22, 1784; Frederick Fisher, March 
 
 27, 1787; Abraham Arndt, January 24, 1801 ; Simon Veeder, January 
 
 28, 1802; John McCarthy, March 2, 1809; Alexander Sheldon, March 
 3, 1815 ; Aaron Having February 9, 1819; Abraham Merrill, Febru- 
 ary 28, 1833. 
 
 Surrogates, Christopher P. Yates, March 23, 1778 ; Isaac Paris, March 
 13. ^7^T> Josiah Crane, April 6, 1790; Charles Walon, February 18, 
 
 1 The date following each name indicates time of appointment or election to office. 
 
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ii6 HISTOkY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 1800; James Lansing, August 13, 1801 ; Tobias A. Stoughtenburg, 
 February 12. 1821. The last named held office until 1838. 
 
 District Attorneys,' (Fifth District), Abraham Van Vechten, Febru- 
 ary 16, 1796; George Metcalf, February 16, 1797; George Metcalf, 
 1801 ; Daniel L. Van Antwerp, March 16, 181 1 ; Daniel Cady, Febru- 
 ary 28, 1813 ; Samuel S. Lusk, April 6, 1813 ; Richard M. Livingston, 
 February 16, 1815 ; Alfred Conklin, June 11, 1818; William I. Dodge, 
 February 12, 1821; Charles McVean, 1836. 
 
 Sheriffs.^ Alexander White, March 16, 1772; John Frey, September, 
 177s (elected by the people); Anthony Van Veghten, appointed by 
 provincial committee May 8,-1777 ; Anthony Van Veghten, February 
 2, 1778 ; Abraham Van Home, March 27, 1781 ; Samuel Clyde, March 
 28, 1785 ; John Winn, February 28, 1789; John Little, February n, 
 1793 ; Josiah Crane, February 18, 1795 ; James Hildreth, January 25, 
 1798; Benjamin Van Vleck, March 9, 1799; James Hildreth, August 
 10, 1 801 ; James Mclntyre, January 29, 1806; Jacob Snell, February 
 9, 1 8 10; John Eisenlord, February 9, 181 1 ; Jacob Snell, February 23, 
 1813; John Eisenlord, February 16, 1815 ; John Holland, August 28, 
 1817; Seth Wetmore, February 12, 1821 ; Seth Wetmore, 1822; 
 Charles Easton, 1825; John French, r828; Isaac Jackson, 1831 ; 
 Malachi Kettle, 1834; William T. Sammons, 1838. 
 
 County Clerks, Christopher P.Yates, September >24, 1777 ; Daniel 
 Paris, January 25, 1800; Henry Frey Yates, January 6, 1802; John 
 McCarthy, March 3, 1815 ; Peter H. Bostwick, February i, 1821 ; 
 Henry Frey Yates, February 2, 1822 ; Henry Frey Yates, November 
 1822; George D. Ferguson, 1825 ; Alex. J. Comrie, 1828 ; George D. 
 Ferguson, 1831; Alexander J. Comrie, 1837. 
 
 1 The original of this office was " Assistant Attorney-General." The districts embraced several 
 counties, and were seven in number at first, but afterwards increased. (Act Feb. iz, 1796.) The 
 office of district attorney was created April 4, 1801. Each county was made a separate district in 
 April 1818. 
 
 « During the Colonal period SherifEs were appointed annually ; but since the Constitution of 
 1821, the office has been elevated, the incumbents being ineligible for the next succeeding term. 
 
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GROWTH AND PROSPERITY. 117 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 Situation in the Mohawk Valley Prior to the War of 1812 — Its Peace and Prosperity — 
 Events Preceding the War — Causes Leading to It — British Aggressions — American 
 Retaliations — Declaration of War — Militia Called into Service — Regiments formed in 
 the Valley — Their Services — The Return of Peace. 
 
 rOR more than a quarter of a century following the close of the 
 revolution nothing occurred to interrupt or retard the progress of 
 settlement and development in the Mohawk valley. During this period 
 indeed the latter was favored in an unusual degree. The New England 
 pioneers were a hardy and patriotic class, and under their energetic 
 efforts lands were cleared, and the forests gave place to farms of rare 
 fertility, thus developing the agricultural resources, while at an early 
 day attempts were also made to introduce manufactures, at least to an 
 extent which supplied domestic requirements. 
 
 While speaking of the New Englanders, however, we are not to be 
 understood as giving this class undue prominence. They bore their 
 share in general improvement but only extended the settlements of the 
 original pioneers. The sturdy Dutch and the equally sturdy Germans 
 were here long irt advance of the Yankees, but they found homes near 
 the Mohawk, while in the territory now included in Fulton county, the 
 New England colonistB made their successful efforts. Here too, how- 
 ever, soon appeared the German element, the descendants of the Pala- 
 tines, and others of the same nation imbued with the same spirit of 
 enterprise and progress. During the period referred to this region 
 acquired its greatest comparative growth in population, and with this 
 came power to sustain the nation during peril. Hence, when the first 
 murmurings of another war with Great Britain was heard this part of 
 the state was well prepared to endure its hardships and its taxation ; 
 and the part it bore in the great conflict must be made the subject of 
 special mention. In one respect at least the people of this locality were 
 favored during the course of the war of i8t2-is, inasmuch they had 
 
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ii8 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTS. 
 
 not to defend their homes against hostile Indians ; and in the warlike 
 preparations which were made in Montgomery county there was not 
 required any force to protect the rapidly increasing settlements ; but 
 let us now briefly refer to the causes which led to the war, after which 
 we shall mention the service which the soldiers of this country 
 endured. 
 
 During the five years immediately preceding the war of 1812 the 
 whole country was in a state of nominal peace, but still there was gath- 
 ering in the political horizon a dark cloud which increased until it boded 
 another foreign war. During the revolution America contended for 
 independence and won that -precious boon; in 1 8 12 she engaged in 
 another war with the mother country to maintain that independence 
 on which British aggression had insolently trespassed. 
 
 The United States had always honorably observed the provisions of 
 the treaty made with Great Britain at the close of the revolution. There 
 had been maintained, too, a strict neutrality during the progress of the 
 Napoleonic war, when, perhaps, every consideration of gratitude should 
 have induced an alliance against the mother country. For several years 
 the aggressive acts of the British had been a subject of anxiety and 
 regret to Americans, and indeed had created bitter indignation. The 
 embargo laid by Congress upon the shipping in American ports (as a 
 means of safety) was found so injurious to commercial interests that it 
 was repealed, and the non-intercourse act was passed in its stead. In 
 April, 1809, the British ambassador in Washington opened negotiations 
 for the adjustment of existing difificulties, and consented to a with- 
 drawal of the obnoxious English " orders in council," so far as they 
 aflfected the United States, on condition that the non-intercourse act be 
 repealed. This was agreed upon, and the President issued a proclama- 
 tion announcing that, on the loth of June, trade with Great Britain 
 might be resumed. The British government, however, refused to ratify 
 the proceedings and the minister was recalled, whereupon the president 
 revoked his proclamation, and the non-intercourse act went into opera- 
 tion. 
 
 The most odious of all British aggressions was the claim made of 
 " right of search," in pursuance of which British cruisers stopped 
 American vessels, on the ocean and seized such of their crews as they 
 
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THE WAR OF 1812. 119 
 
 suspected to be subjects of the king, forcing them into their own serv- 
 ice. This claim led to outrages to which no American could submit, 
 and the only choice left to the nation was war or disgraceful humiliation. 
 
 On the 1 2th of June, 1812, President Madison sent a confidential 
 message to Congress, in which he recapitulated the long list of British 
 aggressions, and declared it the duty of Congress to consider whether 
 the American people should longer passively submit, but at the same 
 time he cautioned the house to avoid entanglements with other powers 
 that then were hostile to Britain. 
 
 The result of the message and the deliberations of Congress was a 
 formal declaration of war on the 19th of June, 1812; but the measure 
 was not unanimously sustained and approved in all parts of the Middle 
 and New England states. The opposing element held that the country 
 was not prepared for war and asked for further negotiations. They 
 also met the denunciations of the ruling party against the British with 
 bitter attacks upon Napoleon, whom they accused the war party with 
 favoring. The war party was led by Henry Clay and the opposition 
 by John Randolph, both men of great ability and, in fact, the two giants 
 of Congress. 
 
 A detail of the events of the war that followed need have no place in 
 these pages. The results of the struggle against renewed oppression 
 are written in the conflicts on Lake Erie, the repulse of the invaders on 
 the Delaware, the painful and humiliating scenes of the Chesapeake, the 
 invasion of New York and the attempt to control the Hudson river and 
 Lake Champlain. The story is further told in the battle at Plattsburg, 
 the capture of Niagara and OsWego, the battles at Black Rock, Lundy's 
 Lane, Sackett's Harbor, and closing with the brilliant defence of New 
 Orleans. Above all, however, were the splendid exploits of our navy 
 whose victories over the British cruisers gave the enemy the most seri- 
 ous view of American prowess. Peace, however, came at last, and the 
 treaty was ratified February 15, 1815. 
 
 The outbreak of the war of 181 2 awoke a martial spirit throughout 
 this region of country, for many of the settlers had seen service in the 
 revolution, and their sons were now enrolled in the militia. That mar- 
 tial spirit which came with the pioneers was manifested in later years 
 only on the old fashioned " general training," when the farmer, the 
 
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I20 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 mechanic and the professional man hied to the annual " muster " for a 
 season of jollification, to eat Yankee ginger-bread, drink new cider, and 
 boast of the American eagle. 
 
 In February, i8i2, apprehetisive of approaching war. Congress passed 
 a law to organize an army of twenty-five thousand men, and shortly 
 afterward Daniel D. Tompkins, governor of the state, addressed the leg- 
 islature, advising full preparation for the contest. In April following 
 one hundred thousand of the nation's enrolled militia were called upon 
 to organize for service, the quota of New York being thirteen thousand 
 five hundred men. These were organized in two divisions and eight 
 brigades. The fourth brigade comprised the loth, nth, I2th and 13th 
 regiments, the members of which were from the Mohawk valley. This 
 brigade was under command of General Richard Dodge, then a resident 
 of Johnstown. 
 
 The services of the militia from this locality were important in char- 
 acter, though not specially severe. One of the brigades was stationed 
 at Sackett's Harbor where its duty was to guard the supplies stored 
 there, and as well defend that post. General Dodge made this his 
 headquarters September 21, 1812. The post was afterward. May 24, 
 18 1 3, attacked by the British, but they were repulsed. Nevertheless, 
 in the fear that the supplies might fall into the hands of the enemy, 
 they were destroyed before the repulse was effected. The Thirteenth 
 regiment was in the battle at Queenstown Heights, but the principal 
 service performed by it was guarding the frontier, not only against the 
 possibiHty of invasion, but as well to prevent the smuggling of goods 
 from Canada into the states. 
 
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TRYON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTIES. 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 County Organizations — Tryon and Montgomery Counties Briefly Reviewed — The 
 Montgomery County Seat Moved to Fonda — Dissatisfaction in the Northern Towns 
 
 — Pulton County Created — Its County Seat and Buildings — County Civil List — 
 Presidential Electors — Representatives in Congress — Justices of the Supreme Court 
 
 — Members of Assembly — County Judges — Surrogates — Sheriffs — County Clerks 
 
 — Treasurers — School Commissioners — Growth and Population of Fulton County. 
 
 AS has been stated in preceding chapters of this volume, Tryon 
 county was created from the original county of Albany in 1772, 
 and the seat of justice of the new county was immediately located at 
 Johnstown. The public buildings, which have been sufficiently described 
 in an earlier chapter, were erected under the direction and at the per- 
 sonal expense of Sir William Johnson, the founder of the village, and in 
 fact the founder of Tryon county. After his death, and during the 
 early years of the revolution, Sir John Johnson claimed ownership of 
 these properties as heir of his father, and denied the use* of the court 
 house and jail for the confinement of tories, this use being demanded 
 by the patriotic committees. The government on the other hand 
 claimed that Sir William had conveyed the property to two persons in 
 trust for the people of Tryon county. This question, however, was 
 finally settled by the flight of Sir John, who, as has been previously 
 mentioned, took up his abode in Montreal. His entire estate was then 
 confiscated and sold, the county buildings being thenceforth public 
 property. 
 
 Tryon county, as has been mentioned, received its name in honor of 
 William Tryon, the governor of the province, and a base tool in the 
 royal service. He was wholly devoted to the British interests, and did 
 every thing in his power to defeat the cause of liberty. Hence it was 
 only natural that his name should be offensive to the victorious Ameri- 
 cans, and when, in 1784, the affairs of the state of New York were re- 
 arranged no voice was raised against the proposal to change Tryon to 
 Montgomery; thus substituting in place of a detested tory the name of 
 a patriotic martyr. 
 
 16 
 
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122 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 Montgomery county included the territory of Fulton county from 
 1784 to 1838, a period of fifty- four years. During that period the 
 population of its towns increased to a manifold degree, and in no region 
 was that increase more rapid than in the Mohawk valley. Amsterdam, 
 Fultonville, Canajoharie, Fort Plain and other former hamlets had by 
 1836 become villages of importance, and tJieir inhabitants (particularly 
 the legal profession) were clamorous for a change in the location of the 
 county seat from old historic Johnstown to some place more convenient 
 of access. The arguments for the change, indeed, were well founded, 
 Johnstown being several miles distant from the Mohawk river, and 
 separated by a hilly and ill-kept road, whose only public conveyance 
 was the stage. Hence when a strong petition of the river residents was 
 presented to the state legislature at the session of 1836, that body could 
 not justly refuse the prayer, and Fonda was designated the county seat, 
 the name being derived from that old and historic family whose descend- 
 ants still dwell in the same vicinity. 
 
 The removal of the public buildings from Johnstown to Fonda, while 
 it wrought a great benefit to the majority, naturally created deep indig- 
 nation in the northern towns, whose inhabitants resisted the removal in 
 the most intense manner, and only submitted with the hope of relief in 
 the formation of a new county. The removal indeed led them to peti- 
 tion for a division of old Montgomery ; and a new county became a 
 necessity to the northern inhabitants. The legislature, in harmony 
 with this movement, passed an act on April 18, 1838, creating Fulton 
 county, Johnstown being naturally designated as the capital, and the 
 old public buildings were again brought into service, 
 
 Fulton county, as thus created, has an area of five hundred and forty- 
 four square miles, which when reduced to acres gives us the area of 
 three hundred and forty-eight thousand one hundred and sixty, and as 
 it has been sufficiently described in our opening chapter we will not de- 
 lay by a repetition. In our history of Johnstown the pubHc buildings 
 are also fully described, and hence no extended reference is here re- 
 quired. 
 
 FULTON COUNTY CIVIL LIST. 
 
 Presidential Electors. Matthias B. Hildreth, 1804; Alexander J. 
 Coffin, 1824; Archibald Mclntyre, 1828; John Fay, 1844; Clark S. 
 
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CIVIL LIST. ,23 
 
 Grinnell, 1852; Daniel Cady, I'8s6 ; Henry Churchill, i860; Allen C. 
 Churchill, 1864; Daniel B. Judson, 1876. 
 
 Representatives in Congress. Thomas Sammons, Eighth Congress, 
 October 7, 1803, to March 27, 1804, and November 5, 1804, to March 
 3, 1805 ; Thomas Sammons, Ninth Congress, December 2, 1805, to 
 April II, 1806, and December i, 1806, to March 3' 1807; Thomas 
 Sammons, Eleventh Congress, May 22 to June 28, 1809; November 
 27, 1809, to May I, 1810, and December 3, 1810, to March 3, 1811 ; 
 Thomas Sammons, Twelfth Congress, November 4, 181 1, to July 6, 
 1812, and November 2, l8i2,to March 3, 1813 ; Daniel Cady, Four- 
 teenth Congress, December 4, 181 5, to April 30, 1 8 16, and December i, 
 18 16, to March 3, 1817 ; John Fay, Sixteenth Congress, December 6, 
 1819, to May 15, 1820, and November 13, 1820, to March 3, 1821 ; Al- 
 fred Conkling, Seventeenth Congress, December 3, 1821, to May 8, 
 1822, and December 2, 1822, to March 3, 1823; John W. Cady, 
 Eighteenth Congress, December i, 1823, to May 26, 1824, and De- 
 cember 6, 1824, to March 3, 1825; Charles McVean, Twenty-third 
 Congress, December 2, 1833, to June 30, 1834, and December i, 
 1834, to March 3, 1835; John Edwards, Twenty-fifth Congress, Sept- 
 ember 4 to October 16, 1837, December 4, 1837, to July 9, 1838, 
 and December 3, 1838, to March 3, 1839; John Wells, Thirty-second 
 Congress, December i, 1851, to August 31, 1852, and December 6, 
 1852, to March 2, 1853 ; John M. Carroll, Forty-second Congress, March 
 4 to April 20, 1871. December 4, 1871, to June u, 1872, and De- 
 cember 2, 1872, to March 3, 1873. 
 
 Justices of the Supreme Court. Daniel Cady, June 7, 1847; No- 
 vember 6, 1849. 
 
 Councillor. Sir William Johnson, 1651-74. 
 
 Members of Assembly. Upon the creation of the county in 1838, 
 Fulton and Hamilton counties formed one assembly district, the repre- 
 sentatives of which, with the year of their service, are recorded as fol- 
 lows : James. Yauney, 1839; Langdon I Marvin, 1840; Jennison G. 
 Ward, 1 841 ; John Patterson, 1842; John L. Hutchinson, 1843 ; James 
 Harris, 1844; Garrett A. Newkirk, 1845; Clark S. Grinnell, 1846; 
 Darius Moore, 1847; Isaac Benedict, 1848; John Culb^rt, 1849; Cy- 
 rus H. Brownell, 1850; John Stewart, 1851 ; Alfred N. Haner, 1852; 
 
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124 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 William A. Smith, 1853; Wesley Gleason, 1854; Wesley Gleason, 
 185s; Isaac Lefevre, 1856; Patrick McFarlan, 1857; John C. Holmes, 
 1858; Henry W. Spencer, 1859; James Kennedy, i860; James How- 
 ard Burr, 1 861 ; James Howard Burr, 1862 ; Willard J. Heacock, 1863 ; 
 William A. Smith, 1864; Walter M. Clark, 1865 ; Joseph Covell, 
 1866, 1867; Samuel W. Buell, 1868; William F. Barker, 1869; John 
 F. Empie, 1870; Mortimer Wade, 1871 ; Samuel W. Buell, 1872; Wil- 
 lard J. Heacock, 1873 ; John Sunderlin, 1874 ; George W. Fay, 1875 ; 
 John J. Hanson, 1876; George W. Fay, 1877 ; John W. Peck, 1878, 
 1879; David A. Wells, 1880, 1881 ; James W. Green, 1882; Richard 
 Murray, 1883; Linn L. Boyce, 1884; Alden W. Berry, 1885, 1886, 
 1887; Lewis Brownell, 1888, 1889; John Christie, 1890, 1891 ; Hor- 
 ace S. Judson, 1892. 
 
 County Judges. Donald Mclntyre, January 17, 1840; Marcellus 
 Weston, January 17, 1845 I John Wells, June, 1847 ! Nathan J. John- 
 son, December 10, 1850; John Stewart, November, 1855 ; -Mclntyre 
 Fraser, November, 1871 ; Ashley D. L. Baker, November, 1877 ; Jere- 
 miah Keck, November, 1883 i re elected November, 1889. 
 
 Surrogates. Archibald McFarlan, July 17, 1838 ; served until June, 
 1848, when the office of surrogate merged into that of county judge. 
 
 District Attorneys.' John W. Cady, January 20, 1840; Clark S. 
 Grinnell, April 10, 1840; Thomas L.Wakefield, June, 1.847; Alex. H. 
 Ayers, July 20, 1849; William Wait, November, 1849; John H. H. 
 Frisbie, November, 1853; James W.Dudley, May 3, 1853; John S. 
 Enos, November, 1853, November, 1856; John M. Carroll, November, 
 1859; Richard H.Rosa, Novembe.r, 1862, '65, '68, '71 ; Jerry Keck, 
 November, 1874, 'tT, Clayton M. Parke, November, 1880, '83; Will- 
 iam Green, 1886, '89. 
 
 Sherififs.i David J. McMartin, 1838 ; Knapthalie Cline, 1841 ; Mi- 
 chael Thompson, 1844; Daniel Potter, 1847; Amasa Shipple, 1850; 
 Elisha Bentley, 1853; Bradford T.Simmons, 1856; Austin Kasson, 
 1859; Jacob P. Miller, 1862; James Pierson, 1865; William P. Bray- 
 ton, 1868 ; Oliver Getman, 1871 ; John Dunn, 1874; Hiram Praim, 
 1877; Robert Humphrey, jr., 1880; John E Leavitt, 1883 ; Daniel E. 
 Sutliff, 1886; John E. Leavitt, 1889. 
 
 ' Date of appointment or election to office. 
 
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POPULATION. 125 
 
 County Clerks.' Tobias Stoutenburgh, 1838; Stephen Wait, 1841, 
 '44, '47; Peter W. Plantz, 1850; Archibald Anderson, 1853; Morti- 
 mer Wade, 1854, '57, '60, '63, '66, '69, '72, '75; William S. McKie, 
 1877, '80; Robert Humphrey, jr., 1883; John T. Selmser, 1886, '89. 
 
 County Treasurers.' Daniel Stewart, 1845 \ Burnett H. Dewey, 
 1846; Rodney H. Johnson, 1847; Archibald Anderson, 1848, '51; 
 Daniel Edwards, 1854; Eugene Bertrand, 1857; David Wells, i860; 
 Burnett H. Dewey, 1863, '66, '69; James P. Argersinger, 1872, '75; 
 James M. Dougall, 1878, '8i ; Henry W. Potter, 1885, '87; John F. 
 Cahill, 1890. 
 
 School Commissioners.' The first election under the act creating the 
 office of school commissioner was held in November, 1859; prior to 
 that time, and by an act passed April 17, 1843, the boards of super- 
 visors were to appoint " County Superintendents of Common Schools." 
 This office was abolished March 13, 1847. The County Superintend- 
 ents of Common Schools in Fulton County were Flavel B. Sprague and 
 Abner Ripley, in succession. The School Commissioners, with date of 
 election, have been as follows: William Wait, 1855 ; Elisha B. Towner, 
 1857; Ira H. Van Ness, i860; Lucius F. Burr, 1863, '66 ; Cyrus 
 Stewart, 1 869 ; John M. Dougall, 1872; James H. Foote, 1875 ; Dan- 
 iel D. Crouse, 1878, '81 ; Joseph B. Thyne, 1884, '87; William B. 
 Crouse, 1890. 
 
 Population of Fulton County. As this county had no separate ex- 
 istence before the year 1838, it cannot be said to have had any popu- 
 lation except as its towns formed a part of Montgomery county ; in re- 
 cording the population of that portion of Montgomery county which in 
 1838 was formed into Fulton, the facts must be furnished without re- 
 gard to countj'^ organization. 
 
 In 1790, the yejir of the first federal census, Montgomery county had 
 a population of 18,261, but by the creation of other counties out of its 
 territory the enumeration of 1800 gave it a population of only 13,015, 
 In 1 8 10 it had increased to 23,007, but notwithstanding constant and 
 rapid growth, other county formations out of its territory again reduced 
 the total, for tiie census of i820,gave Montgomery only 21,846 inhab- 
 itants. In i'630 the number of inhabitants was 23,264. Ib 1838 Ful- 
 
 ' Date of appointment oj election to office. 
 
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126 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTi. 
 
 ton was organized and took from the mother county about i8,000 per- 
 sons, the total population of the towns thus set off being 18,049. 
 
 At the time of the first census enumeration (1790), none of the pres- 
 ent towns of Fulton county had any organization, at least, under their 
 modern names. In 1793, Broadalbin, Johnstown and Mayfield were 
 created from the old town of Caughnawaga, and the first enumeration 
 of their inhabitants was made in 1800. Northampton was likewise cre- 
 ated from Broadalbin in 1799 and was enumerated first in 1800. The 
 following table is designed to show the population of the Fulton county 
 towns which were in existence prior to the erection of the county in 
 1838. In explanatibn, however, it maybe stated that the federal cen- 
 sus of 1 8 10 was returned to the state autherities of New York by coun- 
 ties and not by towns ; in view of which the growth in population from 
 1800 to 1 8 14 is shown by the state enumeration made in the year last 
 
 mentioned. 
 
 1800. 
 
 Broadalbin 1,133 
 
 Johnstown 3,832 
 
 Mayfield 876 
 
 Northampton 990 
 
 Oppenheim 
 
 Stratford - 
 
 Total 6,831 14,491 15,723 18,576 
 
 The following statement shows the population of the towns of Ful- 
 ton county between the years 1840 and 1890, as given in the federal 
 census taken at the end of each decade. 
 
 Towns. 1840. 
 
 Bleecker 346 
 
 Broadalbin 2,738 
 
 Caroga 
 
 Bphratah 2.000 
 
 Gloversville, 1st Ward 
 
 " 2d Ward 
 
 " 3d Ward 
 
 4th Ward 
 
 " 5th Ward 
 
 6th Ward 
 
 Johnstown 5,409 
 
 Mayfield 2,615 
 
 Northampton 1,526 
 
 Sppenheim 2,169 
 
 Perth 737 
 
 Stratford 500 
 
 I8I4. 
 
 1820, 
 
 1830. 
 
 2,369 
 
 2,428 
 
 2,657 
 
 6,373 
 
 6,527 
 
 7,700 
 
 1,704 
 
 2,026 
 
 2.614 
 
 1,346 
 
 1,291 
 
 1,392 
 
 2,380 
 
 3,045 
 
 3,660 
 
 319 
 
 407 
 
 522 
 
 iSso. 
 
 i860. 
 
 I«7o. 
 
 1880, 
 
 1890. 
 
 510 
 
 1,062 
 
 970 
 
 1,046 
 
 816 
 
 2,476 
 
 2,534 
 
 2,912 
 
 2,175 
 
 2,021 
 
 689 
 
 629 
 
 828 
 
 855 
 
 624 
 
 2,079 
 
 2,202 
 
 2,207 
 
 2,157 
 
 1.864 
 2,717 
 1,876 
 2,354 
 2,909 
 1,487 
 2,621 
 10,959 
 
 6,131 
 
 8,811 
 
 12,273 
 
 16,626 
 
 2,429 
 
 2,367 
 
 2,241 
 
 2,231 
 
 2,181 
 
 1,701 
 
 1,937 
 
 1,927 
 
 2,069 
 
 1,992 
 
 2,315 
 
 2,363 
 
 1,950 
 
 1,845 
 
 1,663 
 
 1,140 
 
 1,085 
 
 1,013 
 
 915 
 
 769 
 
 801 
 
 1,172 
 
 1,163 
 
 1,066 
 
 998 
 
 Total 18,049 20,170 24,162 27,064 30,985 37,650 
 
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FULTON COUNIY'S ENLISTMENTS. 127 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 FULTON COUNTY IN THE REBELLION. 
 
 f^'HE record of the volunteers of Fulton county from the firing on 
 Fort Sumter until secession was buried at Appomattox by Lee's 
 surrender, forms one of the most brilliant chapters of the history of the 
 -county. To do justice to their services it would be necessary to record 
 the various regiments in which they served. We, however, have only 
 space to refer briefly to the subject and this is probably all that will be 
 required since the history of nearly every regiment has been written in 
 detail, a copy of which is in the hands of almost every comrade. All 
 these records combine to f jrm an unbroken chain of testimony to 
 demonstrate the patriotic heroism of the men of Fulton county. 
 
 While avoiding all that may tend to sectional animosity the historian 
 cannot but review with pride the achievements of our patriot host. 
 Would the Athenians omit Marathon or the Romans forget how Ho- 
 ratius kept the bridge ? It was the memory of Marathon which fixed 
 the home of civilization in Europe instead of Asia. Thus with the sur- 
 render at Appomattox. It is the memory of the bloody fields that pre- 
 ceded it which now cements our nation in perpetual union. The value 
 of freedom is in proportion to its cost, and the total overthrow of the 
 slave power in America required a national sacrifice which never should 
 be forgotten. Hence as later generations read the record of America's 
 citizen soldiery from i86r to 1865 it may inspire them anew with the 
 patriotic sentiment of " The country first, the citizen afterward." 
 
 Glancing over the records of the New York volunteers it is found that 
 Fulton county men were in no less than eighteen regiments, in some of 
 which, however, there was but a small representation. In the Seventy- 
 seventh regiment the county supplied the greater part of two companies 
 and a lesser portion of two others. Companies £ and K of the One 
 Hundred and Fifteenth regiment were enlisted almost wholly in the 
 county. Of the One Hundred and Fifty- third regiment. Companies A 
 
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128 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTS. 
 
 and D were recruited at Johnstown, while Company F was composed 
 mainly of men from the northwest part of the county. Company I of 
 the Tenth cavalry, better known as Captain David Getman's company, 
 was raised by its commanding officer in Mayfield and Broadalbin. 
 Among the other regiments to which the county contributed any con- 
 siderable number may be mentioned the Ninety-seventh, together with 
 the Thirteenth, Fourteenth and Sixteenth regiments of artillery also 
 the Second and Third cavalry, and the Seventy- seventh and the Ninety- 
 third Infantry. The principal commands, however, that is, those which 
 contained the greatest number of Fulton county volunteers, were the 
 One Hundred and Fifteenth and the One Hundred and Fifty-third 
 regiments, which for this reason are entitled to more extended mention, 
 but full justice will be done to all who enlisted from Fulton county, 
 with both the company and the regiment in which they did service. 
 
 THE SEVENTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT. 
 
 Tliis regiment was mustered into service November 23, 1861, at Be- 
 mis Heights. James B. McKean was elected colonel ; Joseph A. 
 Henderson, lieutenant-colonel ; and Selden Hetzel, major. Seven men 
 of Company D were enlisted in Northampton ; three of Company E at 
 Fonda's Bush (in Broadalbin) ; eleven of Company F in Bleecker, and 
 Company K at Gloversville, although a portion of its men were from 
 adjoining towns, as will appear from the appended roll. 
 
 Immediately after being organized the Seventy- seventh started for 
 the field of active service, reaching Washington in December, 1861, 
 went into camp on Meridian Hill. The regiment was incorporated with 
 the Army of the Potomac on its first organization, and thus continued 
 until its disbandment. It bore a full part in all the sufferings of that 
 war-worn army from the beginning of McClellan's campaign to the close 
 of the great conflict. That its services were severe is attested by the 
 records of thirty battles, and that they were gallantly performed is evi- 
 dent from the losses on those bloody fields which so rapidly diminished- 
 its ranks. One or two instances will illustrate the character and endur- 
 ance of this noble regiment. In the battle of White Oak Swamp the 
 division in which the Seventy- seventh belonged was suddenly assailed 
 
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':y:'.jf,j^'_^^.i,-.--:. 
 
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SEVENTY- SEVENTH REGIMENT. 129 
 
 by a superior force of the enemy. The regiment was stationed some 
 distance from its brigade, and could not be immediately reinforced 
 owing to the severity of the confederate fire. " Not proposing to move 
 without orders," as one of the members said, it heroically maintained its 
 position, but in so doing barely escaped capture before the arrival of 
 relief 
 
 At the battle of Spottsylvania, May 10, 1864, the Seventy- seventh 
 was selected with several other regiments to form an assaulting column 
 to charge the enemy's lines. The attack continued scarcely more than 
 fifteen minutes, but was of the fiercest and bloodiest character, and when 
 it terminated the regiment left on the field twenty of its number, being 
 about one-fourth of its strength engaged in that bloody action. 
 
 The regiment also bore an important part in McClellan's campaign 
 in the peninsula. At Mechanicsville it captured a guidon belonging to 
 a Georgia regiment and also did good service at Gaines' Mills and at 
 Savage's Station, and in all the movement toward Richmond, which 
 terminated at Malvern Hill. It was also engaged at Second Bull Run, 
 atCramptonPass and at Antietam, closing a year of conflictby the fight 
 at Fredericksburg on December 13th. In January, 1863, it encountered 
 the horrors of the "Mud Campaign." At Marye's Heights, on May 3, the 
 regiment captured the flag of the Eighteenth Mississippi; it also fought 
 at Rappahannock Station, Robinson's Tavern and at Gettysburg. In the 
 campaign of 1864 it was in Grant's campaign through the Wilderness, 
 and fought at Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor and Fort Stevens. Trans- 
 ferred to the Shenandoah Valley, it engaged in the other decisive battles 
 of the campaign of which Fisher's Hill and Cedar Creek were the most 
 important. 
 
 In November, 1864, at the expiration of its term of enlistment, the 
 regiment was mustered out of service ; but it left in the field a battalion 
 chiefly composed of veterans who re- enlisted, with the addition of new 
 recruits and which was designated the Seventy- seventh Battalion New 
 York State Volunteers. This battalion did good service at the final 
 siege of Petersburg, and in the assault on April 2, its flags and guidons 
 were the first colors on the enemy's works. It was mustered out June 
 27, 1865. 
 
 17 
 
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,3o HISTORY OF FUL20N COUNTY. 
 
 The regiment had 1,463 men on its rolls, of whom seventy-five were 
 killed in battle, forty died of wounds, and 148 of disease. 
 
 Company D — Enrolled at Northampton. 
 
 Erskin B. Branch, Charles E. Denel, William N. French, Lewis 
 Mackay, Amasa N. Morgan, Jonathan Morgan, Henry Royce. 
 
 Company E — Enrolled at Fonda's Bush. 
 Lyman Cole, James Cole, James E. Hines. 
 
 Company F- — Enrolled at Bleecker. 
 
 Cornelius Van Slyke, fifth corporal ; Jonathan Dean, jr., Henry Franc, 
 Nicholas Geltylahter, George Hess, John L. Kenitly, Cornelius Quinn, 
 John A. Rerchler, Earnest Smidt, Frederick Strancher, Joseph Swartz. 
 
 Company K — Enrolled at Gloversville. 
 
 Captain, Nathan S. Babcock. 
 
 First lieutenant, John W. McGregor. 
 
 Second lieutenant. Philander A. Cobb. 
 
 Sergeants, Ansil Dennison, Edgar W. Dennison, William Stewder, 
 Henry Allen, Arthur Scott. 
 
 Corporals, Calvin B. Allen, Stephen Redshaw, John Dance, John A. 
 Walrath, John Lee, George Glass, William H. Wright, Hiram M. 
 Bissell. 
 
 Privates, John Allen, Lewis Burk, Peter Birdsall, Edwin Bissell, John 
 Barne, Edward N. Bailey, James W. Cherry, Samuel Clark, Sanford E. 
 Campbell, Charles E. Cheedell, Daniel H. Cole, Charles S. Cole, Elias 
 Coon, Andrew P. Denel, Michael Fancher, James A. Farthing, Charles 
 R. Fisher, Robert Gingill, John W. Hines, William Hawley, William 
 Johnson, Charles Johnson, Peter Kehoe, Oscar Martin, James Mcintosh, 
 Charles P. Mcintosh, William H. Miller, John Northrop, James O'Bryan, 
 Monroe Place, Dyer Peck, Taylor Peck, Yale A. Pool, Charles Phelps, 
 Charles E. Place, Francis Reid, Edward Sutlifif, Oliver SutlifiF, Richard 
 N. Shaff, Erastus Sharp, Elias W. Smith, George D. Scott, Andrew 
 Spring, Harlan A. Thomas, Bradley Vanderburg, Seneca Van Ness, 
 Peter E. V^n Natta, Krimer Wilcox, Charles E. Wetherbee, Joseph 
 
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NINETY-THIRD REGIMENT. 131 
 
 Welch, from Gloversville ; James F. Austin, Hiram B. Gififord, from 
 Broadalbin ; Jacob Fung, Lorenzo Phillips, from Bleecker. 
 
 THE NINETY-THIRD REGIMENT INFANTRY. 
 
 This regiment was organized at Albany, N. Y., by the consolidation 
 of several companies, including Major Butler's battalion of sharpshoot- 
 ers, which had been raised originally to form apart of the Seventy-sixth 
 New York Regiment. The Ninety third was mustered into service be- 
 tween October, 1861, and January, 1862 ; and when fully organized 
 and in the field was known by several names, viz. : the Washington 
 County Regiment, Morgan Rifles, Northern Sharpshooters, and New 
 York Riflemen. The regiment left for the front March 7, 1862 ; it 
 served first in Palmer's Brigade, Casey's Division, Fourth Corps, Arm)' 
 of the Potomac, beginning in March, 1862. Companies B, C, D, E, G, 
 and I were at the White House serving as provost guard from May 19, 
 1862, until July following. Then the regiment was reunited, and as 
 such was attached to the Second Brigade, Third Division, Second Corps 
 of the Army of the Potomac, and served with honor until mustered out 
 June 29, 1865. 
 
 In this regiment the Fulton county contingent numbered about fifty 
 men, who formed a part of Company D. The list of battles in which 
 the Ninety- third took part is as follows : (1862) Siege of Yorktown, 
 April 17, May 4; Lee's Mill, April 28 ; Williamsburg, May 5 ; Seven 
 Days' Battle, June 25-July 2 ; Malvern Hill, July i ; Antietam, Sep- 
 tember 17; Fredericksburg, December 11-.15. (1863) — Chancellors- 
 ville, May 1-3 ; Gettysburg, July 1-3 ; Mine Run Camp, November 
 26, December 2. (1864) — Wilderness, May 5-7 ; Spottsylvania, May 
 8-21; Corbin's Bridge, May 8 ; Po Piver, May 9-10; Laurel Hill, 
 10; Salient, May 12 ; Harris House, May 19; North Anna, May 22- 
 26; Tolopotomoy, May 27-31; Cold Harbor, June 1-12; before 
 Petersburg, June 15 and April 2, '65 : assault on Petersburg, June 15- 
 19; Weldon Railroad, June 21-23; Deep Bottom, July 27-29 ; Straw- 
 berry Plains, August 14-18 ; Poplar Spring Church, October 2 ; Boy- 
 den Plank Road, October 27-28; Hicksford Raid, December 6-11. 
 (1865) — Hatcher's Run, February 5-7; Petersburg works, March 25 ; 
 
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132 BISIORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 Appamattox campaign, March 28, April 9 ; White Oak Ridge, March 
 29-31 ; Fall of Petersburg, April 2 ; Deatonsville Road, April 6; High 
 Bridge, April 7, Appomattox Court House, April 9. 
 
 Muster Roll, Company D. 
 
 Captain, George M. Voorhees. 
 
 First Lieutenant, Henry P. Smith. 
 
 Second Lieutenant, Philemon B. Marvin. 
 
 Sergeants, A. Burr Beecher ; William W. Clark ; Edward Van 
 Slyke. 
 
 Corporals, Major Colory ; William EUithorp ; Alexander Case ; Em- 
 mett Brown ; Abel J. Potter ; Gordon J. Colson ; George L. Schemer- 
 horn. 
 
 Privates, Charles Armstrong, Desman Bowman, John Bentley, Clark 
 A. Bentley. jr., Cordenio Bass, John Burns, Urial C. Buck, Andrew J. 
 Cook, John Costello, Waldron G. Evans, William J. Evans, Joseph 
 Fontier, John H. Flynn, John Gardiner, Royal A. Harris, Franklin 
 Holden, Michael Harrigan, John Hodson, Noah L. Johnson, Charles 
 Jaggs, Joseph Morrison, Elias P. Newton, (Broadalbin) Joseph A Olm- 
 stead, Thomas Peercell, Justin Poscoe, George Royce, William H. 
 Rhodes, Henry A. Rice, Edward Rickerson, Jefferson Sleezer, Clinton 
 Schemerhorn, Eleazer Slocum, Benjamin Sweet, Hayden Shew, Fran- 
 cis E. Soule, Orlin Van Beeren, William P. Wells. 
 
 THE NINETY-SEVENTH REGIMENT. 
 
 The Fulton county contribution of men for this regiment was mainly 
 enlisted in Company F, although other companies, D, K and I had some 
 recruits from the county. The regiment was mustered into service 
 February 18, 1862, with field and staff officers as follows: Charles 
 Wheelock, colonel; J. P. Spofford, lieutenant- colonel ; Charles North- 
 rup, major ; Charles Buck, adjutant ; Joel T. Comstock, quartermaster. 
 
 In May, 1862, the Ninty- seventh was assigned to General Duryea's 
 Brigade, General Rickett's Division, and was under General McDowell 
 during the campaign in the Shenandoah Valley. In December, 1863, 
 the regiment was assigned to the Second Brigade, Second Division and 
 
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NINETY-SEVENTH REGIMENT. 133 
 
 First Army Corps. The battles in which it participated were as fol- 
 lows : Cedar Mountain, August 9, 1862 ; Rappahannock Station, Au- 
 gust 23, 1862 ; Thoroughfare Gap, August 28, 1862 ; Second Bull Run, 
 August 30, 1862; Chantilly, September i, 1862; South Mountain, 
 Md., September 14, 1862; Antietam, September 17, 1862; Freder- 
 icksburg, December 13, 1862; Chancellorsville, May i, 1863; Gettys- 
 burg, July 1-3, 1863. 
 
 Roster Company F. 
 
 Captain, Stephen G. Hutchinson, Lassellsville ; discharged Septem- 
 ber 22, 1862. 
 
 First Lieutenant, E. Gray Spencer, Brocket's Bridge ; wounded at 
 Antietam; discharged December 29, 1862. 
 
 Corporal, Olaf Peterson, Lassellsville ; transferred to Co. D. 
 
 Corporal, Augustus Johnson, Brocket's Bridge ; from First Sergeant 
 October, 1862 ; veteran. 
 
 Corporal Wallace McLaughlin, Lassellsville ; died of disease, Sep- 
 tember 26, 1 86 1. 
 
 Corporal Henry Fical, Lassellsville; wounded at Bull Run; dis- 
 charged December 21, 1862. 
 
 Corporal William B. Judd, Brocket's Bridge ; promoted to commis- 
 sary sergeant ; to second lieutenant ; to adjutant, December 29, 1863. 
 
 Musician, Henry F. Butler, Lassellsville ; discharged September 26, 
 1862. 
 
 Musician, George F. Dempster, Lassellsville ; died of disease Sep- 
 tember 26, 1862. 
 
 Privates. 
 
 James Adsit, Lassellsville ; wounded at Antietam; died October 18, 
 1862. 
 
 Melvin C. Austin, Stratford; discharged March 21, 1863. 
 
 Albert Argersinger, Lassellsville ; wounded at Antietam ; died July 
 29, 1863. 
 
 Lambert Bellinger, Brocket's Bridge, discharged November i, 1862. 
 
 Casper Brock, Lassellsville; discharged February 10, 1863. 
 
 Daniel Bleekman, Stratford; discharged February 14, 1862. 
 
 James A. Bolster, Lassellsville ; wounded at Gettysburg. 
 
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134 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 William Campbell, Lassellsville ; wounded at Fredericksburg; dis- 
 charged July 28, 1863. 
 
 John S. Dalryruple, Stratford; discharged November 28, 1862. 
 
 Rufus Doxtader, Brocket's Bridge; discharged June 12, 1862. 
 
 William H. Edwards, Lassellsville; appointed corporal November i, 
 1863. 
 
 Nathan Fical, Lassellsville ; killed at Gettysburg. 
 
 George Kring, Lassellsville; wounded at Antietam; promoted to 
 sergeant, October i, 1862. 
 
 Asa C. Lamphere, Stratford ; prisoner at Bull Run ; discharged 
 Octobers, 1862. 
 
 John Luther, Brocket's Bridge ; wounded by accident ; discharged 
 August I, 1862. 
 
 August Manga, Brocket's Bridge; discharged June 14, 1862. 
 
 Abner Millard, Stratford ; wounded at Antietam ; died October 6, 
 1862. 
 
 Vernon B. Mosher, Oppenheim. 
 
 Christian Rosseter, Ephratah ; killed at South Mountain. 
 
 Daniel Strobec, Lassellsville; discharged March 14, 1863. 
 
 Samuel Stall, Brocket's Bridge ; wounded at Antietam and dis- 
 charged. 
 
 Gilbert Satterly, Stratford; discharged January 3, 1863. 
 
 George Sipperly, Caroga ; killed at Antietam. 
 
 Alexander Snell, Lassellsville. 
 
 Sylvester Stall, Lassellsville ; discharged August 25, 1862. 
 
 Emanuel Smith, Lassellsville ; discharged September 26, 1862. 
 
 Theodore Thompson, Stratford. 
 
 Harvey S. Valentine, Brocket's Bridge. 
 
 David H. Walrath, Lassellsville ; wounded at Bull Run. 
 
 Lyman Zimmerman, Lassellsville. 
 
 Company D. — Richard Bullock, third corporal ; A. J. Avery, W. 
 Bullock, H. N. Bullock, W. Colwell, E. Edwards, H. Doxtader, E. Dun- 
 ning, A. B. Farrell, W. McGowan, J. J. Newell, H. S. Perkins, all of 
 Stratford. 
 
 Company G. — Willard Avery, Stratford. 
 
 Company I. — George Weaver, Lassellsville. 
 
 Company K. — ^J. P. Spofford, Brocket's Bridge. 
 
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ONE HUNDRED FIETEENTH REGIMENT. 135 
 
 THE ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTEENTH REGIMENT. 
 
 The One Hundred and Fifteenth Regiment of Infantry was raised 
 during the months of July and August, 1862, at a time when the gov- 
 ernment was sorely in need of troops. In many respects this was one 
 of the most important commands to which Fulton county contributed 
 its men during the whole war, but there may not have been as many 
 local volunteers in this regiment as in some others sent out from the 
 district. The four counties Fulton, Hamilton, Montgomery and Sara- 
 toga furnished the troops for the One Hundred and Fifteenth Regiment, 
 the Fulton county men being in Companies E and K, a roll of which is 
 appended to this sketch. 
 
 The regiment was completed and organized about the middle of 
 August, 1862, and mustered into service at Fonda on the 26th by Cap- 
 tain Edgerton, an officer of the regular army. The field and staff offi- 
 cers, chosen upon the organization of the regiment, were as follows : 
 Colonel, Simeon Sammons; lieutenant-colonel, George S. Batcheller ; 
 major, Patrick H. Cowan ; adjutant, Thomas R. Horton ; quartermas- 
 ter, Martin McMartin ; surgeon, Richard H. Sutton ; assistant surgeon, 
 William H. Ingersoll ; chaplain, Sylvester W. Clemens. 
 
 On the 29th of August the One Hundred and Fifteenth broke camp 
 at Fonda and proceeded under orders to Charlestown, Va., where its 
 first service was to guard the Shenandoah Valley railroad, but it soon 
 after moved to Harper's Ferry and camped at Bolivar Heights. On 
 September 1 3th the troops went into theij- first fight at Maryland Heights, 
 but two days later witnessed the cowardly surrender of General Miles at 
 Bolivar Heights. The regiment was then ordered to Annapolis, but al- 
 most immediately was sent to Chicago on guard and provost duty, where 
 it remained until the 20th of November, and then returned to Washing- 
 ton ; but instead of encamping for the winter at the national capital, as 
 was expected, the men were kept under constant motion, and suddenly, 
 in January, 1863, the command was transferred to the Department of 
 the South, with headquarters at Hilton Head, S. C, at which place it 
 arrived on January 26. Here the regiment was divided into detach- 
 ments and kept on guard duty until the latter part of May, and then re- 
 united. 
 
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136 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 While 1863 was uneventful so far as the One Hundred and Fifteenth 
 was concerned, the succeeding year brought intense excitement for the 
 regiment, which was ordered into perilous service and bore part in some 
 of the most sanguinary battles of the war. Beginning with the engage- 
 ment at Jacksonville, Fla., on February 7, and ending with Fort Fisher, 
 on December 25, the One Hundred and Fifteenth fought in twenty-two 
 battles, but no where were the losses so severe as in the fight at Olustee, 
 Fla., on the 20th of February, where it lost more than one half of its 
 members engaged. Even a casual glance at the roster of the Fulton 
 county companies will show how terribly the regiment suffered in this 
 battle. Although neither of the opposing armies could claim a victory, 
 the regiment of which we write won marked distinction, and was pub- 
 licly complimented by General Seymour, who named it the " Iron- 
 hearted Regiment," in honor of its bravery on that trying occasion. 
 After remaining some time in the south, the regiment, on April 18, 
 was ordered to Gloucester Point, Va., and was there incorporated into 
 the Tenth corps, under the command of General Butler. The official 
 record shows what a prominent part was borne by the One Hundred 
 and Fifteenth during the year it was attached to Butler's command. 
 That its services must have been severe is attested by the fact that in the 
 latter part of August the effective strength of the regiment was reduced 
 to less than one hundred and twenty men. 
 
 On the isth of January, 1865, the One Hundred and Fifteenth took 
 part in the second engagement at Fort Fisher, N. C., followed by three 
 battles in February (Fort Anderson, Sugar Loaf Battery, and Wilming- 
 ton), after which its service consisted mainly of guard duty. On the 
 17th of June it was mustered out, and on the i8th left Raleigh, N. C. 
 for Albany, N. Y., where the men were paid off and finally discharged. 
 The One Hundred and Fifteenth Regiment left Fonda in the fall of 1862 
 with a full complement of ten hundred and forty officers and men • in 
 June, 1865, at the final muster-out, its numerical strength was less than 
 two hundred of its original numbers. 
 
 Engagements of the One Hundred and Fifteenth : Maryland Heights, 
 September 13, 1862; Bolivar Heights, Va., September 15, 1862; West 
 Point, Va„ January 8, 1863; Jacksonville, Fla., February 7, 1864; 
 Camp Finnegan, Fla., February 8, 1864; Baldwin, Fla., February 9, 
 
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ONE HUNDRED FIFTEENTH REGIMENT. 137 
 
 1864 ; Sanderson, Fla., February 1 1, 1864; Callahan Station, Fla , Feb- 
 ruary 14, 1864; Olustee, Fla., February 20, 1864; Palatka, Fla, March 
 10, 1864; Bermuda Hundred, Va., May 5, 1864; Chesterfield Heights, 
 Va., May 7, 1864; Old Church, Va., May 9, 1864; Weir Bottom 
 Church, May 12, 1864; Drury's Bluff, May 14, 1864; Proctor's Creek 
 and Port Walthall, Va., May 16, 1864; Cold Harbor, June i, 1864; 
 Chickahominy, June — , 1864; Petersburg, June 23, 1864; Burnside 
 Mine, July 30, 1864; Deep Bottom, August 16-18, 1864; Fort Gilner, 
 September 29, 1864; Darbytown, October 27, 1864; Fort Fisher, N. 
 C, December 25, 1864; Fort Fisher, N. C, January 15, 1865; Fort 
 Anderson, N. C; February 19, 1865 ; Sugar Loaf Battle, February 20, 
 
 1865 ; Wilmington, February 22, 1865. 
 
 Company E, One Hundred and Fifteenth Regiment. 
 
 Captain, William H. Shaw, Mayfield. 
 
 First Lieutenant, Frank Abbott, Johnstown; resigned October 15, 
 1862. 
 
 Second Lieutenant, Aaron C. Slocum. 
 
 First Sergeant, Jacob L. Haines, Mayfield, promoted first lieutenant 
 1863. 
 
 Second Sergeant, Charles L. Clark, Johnstown ; promoted second 
 lieutenant, 1865. 
 
 Third Sergeant, Robert Stewart, Johnstown. 
 
 Fourth Sergeant, Henry Wright, Johnstown. 
 
 Fifth Sergeant, Melville B. Foote, Northampton. 
 
 First Corporal, Mathew Van Steinburgh, Johnstown ; killed at Olus- 
 tee, Fla, February 20, 1864. 
 
 Second Corporal, Henry C. Christie, Mayfield ; died at Hilton Head. 
 
 Third Corporal, George Van Rensselaer, Bleecker. 
 
 Fourth Corporal, Isaac Coloney, Oppenheim. 
 
 Fifth Corporal, Webster Shafer, Ephratah ; wounded at Olustee. 
 
 Sixth Corporal, James H. Taylor, Johnstown ; wounded at Olustee. 
 
 Seventh Corporal, Peter J. Keck, Oppenheim. 
 
 Eighth Corporal, Frederick Meyer, Ephratah. 
 
 Musicians, James A. Benson, Northampton; John H. Hale, May- 
 field. 
 
 18 
 
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138 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 Privates from Johnstown, Alfred Allen, James H. Austin, Peter 
 Burns, Henry Barclay, Franklin H. Barker, wounded at Olustee ; Orin 
 Cross, Herman Cool, died at Fort Moore January 3, 1865 ; Dan B. 
 Doxtader, died at Beaufort, S. C, March 14, 1864, of wounds; Nelson 
 Fairchilds, George C. Graves, William R. Holliday, James F. Hallet, 
 Albert Hilabrandt, John Hall, John Hilton, Aaron Johnson, Joshua 
 Lake, Hugh McLaughlin, Archibald McLaughlin, wounded at Cold 
 Harbor, Chester Heights and Olustee ; David L. Mann, Philip Plank, 
 Steward Putnam, wounded at Olustee ; Abram Rathmire, killed at 
 Olustee, February 20, 1864; John Scott, died in Virginia; Matthew 
 H. Snyder, James C. Tompkins, died at Chicago, November 4, 1864; 
 James Van Auken, died at Yorktown, Virginia, June 30, 1863 ; Reuben 
 S. Wright, died at Hilton Head. 
 
 From Ephratah, Henry I Bellington, Joshua Getman, James H. Get- 
 man, James R. Jacoby, Sanders Johnson, wounded at Deep Bottom, 
 died August 26, 1864; William H. Loucks, Eli D. M. Lee, Jeremiah 
 Stenburgh, died at Fortress Monroe, August 26, 1864; Joseph Wood, 
 died at Hilton Head, August 7, 1863 ; Moses Loucks. 
 
 From Oppenheim, George W. Buel, wounded and taken prisoner at 
 Olustee, died in prison, August 15, 1864; James Bolster, died at Beau- 
 fort, July 26, 1863; H. J. Cool, died at Fortress Monroe; Samuel 
 Clemens, died of wounds, May 14, 1864; August C. Caufield, wounded 
 at Olustee ; William Montayne, died in Virginia ; Levi Philip, wounded 
 at Olustee ; John A. Smith, John N. Ward. 
 
 From Mayfield, John L. Bratt, Darius Baker, Charles J. Bishop, The- 
 ron Bowman, died at Beaufort of fever, June 26, 1863 ; Benjamin A. 
 Baker, died at Washington, D. C, of small-pox, January 11, 1863; 
 Benjamin Ferguson, Cornelius V. Hall, wounded at Olustee ; Stephen 
 A. Johnson, died of wounds. May i, 1864; Stephen Kirkland, Cornell 
 McAllister, Thomas D. Perry, Sanford W. Shaw, wounded at Olustee, 
 died November 10, 1864. 
 
 From Northampton, James B. Brooks, died of injuries, January 7, 
 1865 ; Edmund Burhess, Eli Brooks, James H. Eldred, Albon Hanner, 
 George B. Harrison, John F. James, George H. Luck, James H. Piatt, 
 died at Beaufort, July 27, 1863 ; Charles Rhodes, died at Petersburg, 
 June 26, 1864; John A. Rhodes, Hiram Riiodes, William H. Siiit% 
 Smith Travis. 
 
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ONE HUNDRED FIFTEENTH REGIMENT. 
 
 '39 
 
 From Stratford, Philander Doxtader, Charles R. Dibble, wounded at 
 Olustee ; David H. Dalrymple, wounded at Olustee ; Charles Dyer, 
 wounded at Olustee; Simon P. Little, Stephen Mowers, William H. 
 Scorsby. 
 
 Miscellaneous, Joseph Bowman, James Burns, wounded at Olustee ; 
 Thomas Craig, wounded at Olustee ; Thomas Dooley, died at Ander- 
 sonville ; P. Herman, wounded at Olustee ; S. D. Mosher, died at Beau- 
 fort, N. C; Frederick Multer, wounded at Olustee ; Charles Rood, died 
 at Petersburg, Va.; Peter P. Shuler, died at Philadelphia of fever, Feb- 
 ruary 7, 1863 ; Andrew Sykes, died in North Carolina; J. Stearnocks 
 died at Fortress Monroe ; James Welch, died at Olustee, Fla. 
 
 Roster of Company K, One Hundred and Fifteenth Regiment. 
 
 Captain, William Smith, Amsterdam, wounded at Maryland Heights. 
 
 First lieutenant, Ralph Sexton, Caroga ; discharged May 25, 1863. 
 
 First sergeant, Henry P. McMaster, Caroga. 
 
 Second sergeant, James M. Hill, Broadalbin; promoted second lieu- 
 tenant ; to first lieutenant in 1863 ; transferred to Forty- seventh, N. Y. 
 
 Third sergeant, James O. Fox, Broadalbin ; died at Petersburg, Va. 
 
 Fourth sergeant, Archibald Buchanan, Broadalbin. 
 
 Fifth sergeant, Caleb Olmstead, Broadalbin. 
 
 First corporal, James A. Swan, Caroga. 
 
 Second corporal, Lorenzo E. Bradt, Caroga. 
 
 Fourth corporal, John Park, Broadalbin ; died at Beaufort, S. C. 
 
 Sixth corporal, Samuel Burr, Broadalbin ; promoted sergeant. 
 
 Seventh corporal, Eli Smith, Caroga. 
 
 Eighth corporal, Henry Luly, Broadalbin. 
 
 Musicians, Samuel Hurd, Caroga ; Joshua W. Ripley and Melville 
 W. Cole, Broadalbin. 
 
 Wagoner, James Carmichael, Johnstown. 
 
 Privates from Broadalbin, David Anderson, Marcus Banta, burned to 
 death at Amsterdam, August 29, 1862; John R. Clark, died in Peters- 
 burg, Va.; Joseph Carpenter, Peter Dingman, Edgar D. Demarest, 
 promoted sergeant, 1865 ; William H. Dingman, Peter Fry, William 
 M. Fox, discharged for disability ; Daniel Fosmire, William A. Honey- 
 well, A. P. Hart, G. G. Honeywell, wounded at Drury's Bluff and Win- 
 
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14 o HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 Chester; Benjamin Hammond, promoted corporal, 1863 ; Thomas Kel- 
 ley, Henry Luloy, died at Hilton Head; Norman W. Liford, wounded 
 at Chesterfield Heights, died May 7, 1864; Charles M. Marcellus, pro- 
 moted sergeant; Isaac Manchester, wounded at Chesterfield; Alexan- 
 der Monroe, died at Hilton Head, October 10, 1863 ; Levi Pettit, killed 
 at Olustee, February 20, 1864 ; William H. Peck, wounded at Olustee ; 
 William A. Peck, Elizur A. Rose, William D. Wright, William Row- 
 ley, discharged for disability, 1864; Henry Seeley, died June 19, 1863 ; 
 Obediah H. Sprung, died of wounds in rebel hospital, May 1 1, 1865 ; 
 Albert Solomon, Richard A. Thorp, wounded at Olustee ; Stephen S. 
 Treper, wounded at Olustee ; Aaron Ward. 
 
 From Johnstown, George H. Ackley, Charles H. Bradt, promoted 
 sergeant, killed at Olustee, February 20, 1864; Francis Cole, died at 
 Chicago, October 31, 1862; Groat Honeywell, Charles W. Johnson, 
 wounded at Olustee ; Andrew J. Van Skiver, James Young. 
 
 From Caroga, Peter Bradt, died after discharged ; John Cole, 
 wounded at Olustee ; Michael A. Dorn, wounded at Olustee; Philip 
 Erkenbrack, wounded at Olustee ; Ebenezer Failing, Martin Frederick, 
 David Failing, wounded at Olustee ; James R. Gaige, Peter Hanahan, 
 William Hillie, died June, 1865; Frank Limer, Charles Lamb, died of 
 wounds, January 16, 1865; Abram Massey, Charles Moak, died of 
 measles, January 2, 1863; Cyrus Near, William Pedrick, wounded at 
 Olustee ; Warren J. Sexton, Adam Stearns, Joseph Van Derpool, 
 wounded at Olustee, died in rebel prison, March 10, 1864; George W. 
 Wait, James H. Williams, wounded at Olustee. 
 
 From Oppenheim, Norman M. Cool. 
 
 From Mayfield, John H. Day. 
 
 From Palatine, Abram Backmore, died at Fort Monroe ; Edward 
 Bratt, James De Graff, Nathan Layton, Abram Rockmeyer. 
 
 From Mohawk, Milligham Bump, William L. Frederick, George S. 
 Jones. 
 
 From Amsterdam, John Demore, William S. Young, Joseph Younger. 
 
 From Glen, Francis Kirsch, Michael Miller. 
 
 From Ephratah, Melvin Miller, died at Johnstown, March 5, 1865 ; 
 Barney Naughton. 
 
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ONE HUNDRED FIFTY-THIRD REGIMENT. 141 
 
 Miscellaneous. J. M. Amstead, died at Deep Bottom, Va. ; A. Har- 
 dcll, died at Raleigh, N. C. ; James Hunter, wounded at Olustee ; 
 Charles W. Johnson, wounded at Olustee ; Joseph Wistar, died at Staten 
 Island. 
 
 THE ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY-THIRD REGIMENT. 
 
 The One Hundred and Fifty-third regiment was raised in the north- 
 ern counties of the state, seven of its companies being from Fulton and 
 Montgomery counties, and three from Essex, Warren and Clinton. The 
 Fulton county men were chiefly in companies A and D, while companies 
 F and K were represented by local volunteers. The companies first 
 mentioned were enlisted at Johnstown, and the others derived their 
 membership from the same place and also from other towns of the 
 county. The greater part, indeed, of F and K companies was from 
 Fulton county. 
 
 The regiment was mustered into service at Fonda, October 14, 1862. 
 Immediately after its organization it was ordered to Alexandria, and 
 subsequently served at Washington during that year and also the fol- 
 lowing year in provost duty. In February, 1864, it was transferred to 
 Louisiana and attached to the Nineteenth army corps, being assigned 
 to the first brigade, first division, commanded by General Franklin. 
 The corps sailed from New Orleans on the 3d of July, under sealed or- 
 ders ; but its destination proved to be the Chesapeake. The One Hun- 
 dred and Fifty-third, together with four companies belonging to other 
 regiments, being the advance of the corps, were on their arrival at Fort- 
 ress Monroe instantly ordered, without disembarking, to the defense of 
 Washington, then menaced by General Early's invasion. The troops 
 were hurried through the city, amid deep public excitement and gen- 
 eral alarm, to a position at Fort Stevens where they went into imme- 
 diate action. After the repulse of the enemy, the One Hundred and 
 Fifty-third joined in the pursuit across the Potomac, penetrating into 
 the Shenandoah Valley, but was suddenly recalled to the vicinity of the 
 capital to oppose another threatened advance of the enemy. 
 
 The One Hundred and Fifty- third soon afterward engaged in the 
 battle of Winchester, in which the Fulton county companies again did 
 
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142 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 good service. It also participated in the engagement at Fisher's Hill, 
 and in the pursuit of the defeated confederates. The Nineteenth corps, 
 to which the One Hundred and Fifty-third still belonged, was also en- 
 gaged in the battle of Cedar Creek, and suffered heavy losses incident 
 to the surprise and early catastrophes of that bloody field. 
 
 The regiment also formed a part of the picket line which surrounded 
 Washington after the assassination of President Lincoln, and performed 
 guard duty at the military court which tried the assassins. In June, 
 1865, the regiment was ordered to Savannah, where it did provost duty 
 until its discharge from service, October 2, 1865. 
 
 Field and Staff Officers. 
 
 Colonel, Duncan McMartin ; resigned April 25, 1863. 
 
 Colonel, Edwin P. Davis ; mustered out with regiment, October 2, 
 1865. 
 
 Lieutenant-colonel, Thos. A. Armstrong ; resigned February 18, 1863, 
 
 Lieutenant-colonel, W. H. Printup ; resigned November 17, 1863. 
 
 Lieutenant- colonel, Alexander Strain ; discharged January 4, 1865, 
 
 Major, E. P. Davis; promoted lieutenant-colonel, December i, 1863. 
 
 Major, Stephen Sammons; resigned August 27, 1864. 
 
 Major, George H. McLaughlin ; promoted lieutenant-colonel, Janu- 
 ary 26, 1865. 
 
 Major, C. F. Putnam ; died at Savannah, Ga., September 9, 1865. 
 
 Adjutant, Stephen Sammons; promoted major December 2, 1863. 
 
 Adjutant, Abram V. Davis; mustered out with regiment, October 
 2, 1865. 
 
 Quartermaster, D. C. Livingston; resigned August 22, 1863. 
 
 Quartermaster, John B. Blanchard ; mustered out with the regiment. 
 
 Surgeon, H. S. Hendee ; resigned February 18, 1864. 
 
 Assistant-surgeon, J. L. Alexander; resigned August 19, 1863. 
 
 Assistant- surgeon, S. L. Snow; promoted surgeon April 14, 1864. 
 
 Assistant- surgeon, J. Sweeney; mustered out with the regiment. 
 
 Chaplain, J. Henry Enders ; mustered out with regiment. 
 
 Comyany A — Enrolled at Johnstown. 
 
 Captain, David Spaulding. 
 First lieutenant, James Barr. 
 Second lieutenant, John D. Brownell. 
 
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ONE HUNDRED FIFTY- THIRD REGIMENT. 143 
 
 Sergeants. — First sergeant, James A. Veeder ; second sergeant, Jame 
 Lasher; third sergeant, Alfred Earl ; fourth sergeant, Lee M. Wooster; 
 fifth sergeant, William C. Peake. 
 
 Corporals. — James C. Kelley, George C. Potter, William J. Griffis, 
 Robert B. Hyman, James R. Wright, Weston W. Peake, Charles M. 
 Ballantine, Frederick A. Harman. 
 
 Musicians. — Rufus B. Mcintosh, Jacob Wilde. 
 
 Teamster. — David P. Mills. 
 
 Privates. — Frederick Ackernecht, John Ancock, John Busick, Abijah 
 Bruce, John C. Billingham, Edwin A. Bissell, Oliver Birdsall, William 
 E. Christie, John Cosselman, Timothy Cosselman, William Cosselman, 
 Leslie Kinsman, Archibald Kelley, Cassius M. C. Lloyd, John E. Lough- 
 ewry, Eleazer Morgan, Stephen Millgate, George R. Miller, William 
 H. Pulser, Charles H. Powell, Harman H. Putman, John S. Paddock, 
 Benjamin Cossleman, Stephen Cadman, Patrick Dorn, Aaron P. Day, 
 John K. Dye, George Duell, Elihu F. Enos, George D. Fuller, John E. 
 Ferguson, Lawrence P. Frederick, Wilbur Farthing, Josiah Farthing, 
 Dudley S. Gorton, William Goodenough, William Gulic, Childs Graff, 
 William Green, David Haggart, Mathias Hurtz, Joseph Haynor, Daniel 
 A. Hand, William G. Hulett, William A. House, David Hatmaker, John 
 Johnson, Elisha Judson, jr., Hugo Knoff, Horace B. Potter, George 
 Reymor, Victor Rufin, James F. Redshaw, George E. Radford, James 
 Radford, Joseph Reynolds, Philip Snyder, Eliphas Stearns, John Stoner, 
 John Tuttle, Solomon Tuttle, Charles Tiedman, James Van Vliet, Con- 
 rad Van Sickler, John Van Sickler, Andrew J. Van Atter, Henry Van 
 Wormer, Abram Van Nostrand, Joshua Van Atter, Daniel Van Done, 
 Henry C. Welmuth, Alexander Wenchal, David Wiggins, Joseph Wells, 
 John H. Welden. 
 
 Company D. 
 
 Captain, D. H. Cuyler, resigned from ill health 1863; first lieuten- 
 ant, J. J. Buchanan, promoted captain September 14, 1863. 
 
 First lieutenant, B. H. Burns ; enlisted as sergeant ; promoted first 
 lieutenant October 27, 1863. 
 
 Second lieutenant, Abram V. Davis. 
 
 Sergeants. — First sergeant, William S. Norton ; second sergeant, 
 Barney H. Burns ; promoted first heutenant, Co. I.; fifth sergeant .Sam- 
 uel J. Bell ; died in New Orleans. 
 
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144 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 Corporals. — William G. Butler, Mayfield, died in Washington ; John 
 Fulton, Johnstown; Richard Burns, Johnstown; Charles Bell, Johns- 
 town; John G. Richardson, Johnstown ; Daniel Gustin, Johnstown, died 
 in Virginia; Charles H. Peake, Johnstown ; Thaddeus M. Scouten, died 
 in Virginia ; Thomas Farrell, wounded and discharged ; Yost Grebe, 
 wounded and discharged. 
 
 Musicians. — ^James German, Johnstown, died in Virginia ; Abram 
 Wilsey, Perth. 
 
 Wagoner, Daniel McCall, Johnstown. 
 
 Privates — From Johnstown: John F. Arms, Lucius C. Allen, wounded 
 and discharged; Willard Allen, died in Virginia; Joseph H. Allen, 
 promoted fourth sergeant ; Nelson Argersinger, wounded and dis- 
 charged ; John H. Argersinger, James F. Arms, John Bedingham, 
 James H. Carlisle, died in New Orleans; Henry M. J. Coe, died in Lou- 
 isiana; Lucius Daniels, Abram Davis, transierred to Co. B, died ; John H. 
 Dewey, promoted first sergeant ; John K. Elliot, wounded at Cedar 
 Creek, Va.; Thomas Earl, John Frank, promoted corporal, wounded and 
 discharged ; John Friedel, died in Maryland ; James M. Gilchrist, pro- 
 moted third corporal ; John Gluehner, Yost Greber, William Hale, 
 promoted fifth sergeant ; Michael Hart, John C. Hastings, Henry B. 
 Hewey, promoted sixth corporal ; Peter Hio, John Hio, Luther Holman, 
 died in Va.; David Hallenbeck, Marcus King, Gotlibb Kebow, died in 
 New Orleans ; William Kirk, John Lippert, Frederick Lippert, died in 
 Virginia ; Richard Lary, Alexander Martin, died in Virginia ; Gaudus 
 Lipper, died in Virginia ; Harvey Martin, Philip McGraw, James H. 
 McCall, promoted corporal ; John M. Miller died in Washington ; 
 William McMiller, Mathias Molty, Charles H. Moore, promoted first 
 corporal; John Myers, John Murphy, promoted fourth corporal ; Hi- 
 ram Nash, James H. Nickloy, William Nickloy, wounded and dis- 
 charged ; Peter Noonan, William S. Norton, promoted second lieu- 
 tenant, Co. I.; Lott Osborne, promoted third sergeant; Henry Paris, 
 promoted fifth corporal ; Oliver H. Perry, transferred to Reserve 
 Corps; Samuel Perry, Joseph H. Pierson, Nathan Reed, promoted 
 second corporal ; Edmund Ricketts, Mathew Richardson, died in New 
 Orleans ; John H. Riley, John G. Richardson, transferred to Reserve 
 Corps ; Peter Reinhart, Nicholas Reinhart, David Robertson, died 
 
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ONE HUNDRED EIFTY-THIRD REGIMENT. 145 
 
 in Pennsylvania ; Henry Roil, John E. Stearns, died in Virginia ; Ed- 
 ward A. Slocum, promoted second sergeant ; William StoUer, Nich- 
 olas Shoupe died in New Orleans ; Richard C. Suits, Robert Turner, 
 died in Pennsylvania ; Peter Van Buren died in Virginia ; William Van 
 Dusen, Job Warren, Marcus H. Wiley, Abram Williams. 
 
 Miscellaneous Members, William H. Adams, Mayfield, died at Wash- 
 ington; Hiram Buchanan, Florida; W. C. Baker, Mohawk, missing; 
 John Fulton, promoted quartermaster ; Giles Frederick, Root ; Wil- 
 liam M. Hanis, promoted seventh corporal ; Alfred Smith, Perth. 
 
 Company F. 
 
 Captain, Isaac S. Van Woerts, Fonda. 
 
 First lieutenant, Frank W. C. Fox, Fonda. 
 
 Second lieutenant, John H. Lassel, Fonda. 
 
 Sergeants, John P. Jennings, George Mathewson, Harmon Rulifson, 
 Ephratah ; John G. Porter, Nathan McFee, Canajoharie. 
 
 Corporals, William Benchley, Ephratah ; Robert R. Abling, Joseph 
 Stone, Canajoharie ; James Donley, Sephus La Dew, Sylvanus Stowell, 
 Henry Eberhardt, Oppenheim ; James Ettig, Lassellsville. 
 
 Musicians, Andrew F Johnson, Mohawk ; William H. Roberts, Cana- 
 j oharie. 
 
 Teamster, John Strough, jr., Oppenheim. 
 
 Privates, William R. Briggs, Harvey Brownell, Anthony Connolly, 
 Benedict Deatsh, James K. Fiscal, Horatio Gilbert, hospital steward, 
 Levi Gray, Oscar Getman, John N. Hanes, Oliver La Dew, John Mar- 
 cellus, Solomon Mosher, William Nudick, Levi Steanburgh, Stephen 
 Schram, Henry Wanger, from Ephratah ; Martin Brown, John Brown, 
 Jerome Claus, John Clemens, John Denure, Helam Denure, Felix Don- 
 nelly, Henry Doxtader, John W. Guile, Samuel E. Hoxie, Daniel Hase, 
 Albert La Dew, William W. Mosher, William Mosher, Daniel Merrit, 
 Philo Monk, Charles F. Stell, Lorenzo D. Snell, William Shearer, John 
 Ward, jr., Daniel Weare, from Oppenheim; Andrew F. Hart, Daniel 
 Mersey, George Mosher, from Lassellsville. 
 
 Company K. 
 
 Privates, Oscar Martin, James Mcintosh, Charles P. Mcintosh, Wil- 
 liam H. Miller, John Northrop, James Obrayn, Monroe Place, Dyer 
 
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,46 HIi>TOKy OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 Peck, Taylor Peck, Yale A. Pool, Charles Phelps, Charles E. Place, 
 Francis Reid, Edward Sutliff, Oliver Sutliff, Richard H. Shaffer, Erastus 
 Sharp, Elias G. Smith, George A. Scott, of Gloversville ; Joseph W. 
 Kested, John T. Sawyer, of Mills Corners ; Jacob Pung, Lorenzo Phillips, 
 of Bleecker ; David Mosher, of Middle Grove. 
 
 THE TENTH CAVALRY — VETERAN. 
 
 On the 3d of August, 1861, the war department granted full authority 
 to Col. John C. Lemon to recruit a cavalry regiment in the state of 
 New York, to be an organization of the United States, but in Septem- 
 ber the command (so far as then progressed), was turned over to the 
 state authorities, by whom the regiment was completed. The organiza- 
 tion was finished at Elmira, a number of the recruits coming from Mor- 
 gan's cavalry which had been disbanded in order that they might be- 
 come members of the Tenth. The regiment received its numerical des- 
 ignation December 12, 1861, and was mustered for three years' service. 
 Companies 1, K and L joined the Tenth on December 5, 1862, and 
 Company M in February, 1 863, which completed the regimental strength. 
 Company I of the Tenth was recruited by its captain (David Getman, 
 jr.), the towns of Johnstown, Mayfield, Perth and Northampton contrib- 
 uting to its membership. The command left the state December 24, 
 1861, the later formed companies joining the regiment at the front. It 
 was stationed at or near Gettysburg, Pa., until March, 1862, and then 
 attached to the middle department. Eighth army corps, guarding rail- 
 roads. From August until October, 1862, the regiment was in the de- 
 fense of Washington, and then served with Gregg's cavalry brigade, 
 Army of the Potomac, as all mounted men ; in the First brigade. Third 
 division, Cavalry corps. Army of the Potomac, from February, 1863 ; 
 in the Third brigade. Second division, Cavalry corps, A. of P., from June 
 14, 1863, serving however, from June 22 to 27 with the Twelfth corps. 
 It was a part of the Second brigade, Second division from August, 1863 ; 
 and from May 7, 1864, was in the F"irst brigade. Second division of the 
 Cavalry corps. On the loth of July, 1865, the Tenth, then commanded 
 by Colonel Matthew H. Avery, was consolidated, company with com- 
 pany, correspondingly, with the Twenty-fourth New York volunteer 
 
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TENTH CAVALRY. ,47 
 
 cavalry, and the new formation was designated " First Provisional Regi- 
 ment New York Volunteer Cavalry." 
 
 The Tenth, throughout the whole period of its service, was numbered 
 among the hardest fighting regiments in the Union army ; its record 
 indeed includes active participation in more than one hundred engage- 
 ments. This service however, will be best understood if the reader will 
 contemplate the following list of its battles : 
 
 (1862) Chesapeake Bay, near Black River, Md., April 4 ; near Sulphur 
 Springs, August 27 ; near Frying Pan, August 30 ; Germanton, August 
 31; near Antrioille, September 3 ; Leesburg, September 17; Rappa- 
 hannock Station, November i; United States Ford, November 16; 
 Fredericksburg, December 11; (1863) Rappahannock Station, April 
 14; Kelly's Ford, April 30 ; Louisa Court-house, May 2; South Anna 
 Branch, May 3 ; Ashland Church, May 4; Thompson's Cross-roads, 
 May 5 ; Brandy Station, June 9; Aldie, June 17; Middleburg, June 
 18, 19, 20; Upperville, June2i ; Aldie, June 22; Gettysburg, July 2- 
 3; Boonsboro, July 11-12; near Harper's Ferry, July 14; Halltown, 
 July IS; Shepardstown, July 15-16; Annissville, August i; Little 
 Washington, August 4 ; Sulphur Springs, October 12; Auburn and 
 Bristoe, October, 14; Catletts Station, October 15-16; Rappahannock 
 Station, October 24; Philomont, November i ; Mine g.un Camp, No- 
 vember 26 and December 2 ; New Hope Church, November 27 ; 
 Parker's Store, November, 29; Ely's Ford, December i. (1864) 
 Morrisville, April 17; Ely's Ford, May 4 ; Wilderness, May 5-7; 
 Spotsylvania Court-house, May 8 ; Sheridan's raid to James river. May 
 9-24; Ground Squirrel Ridge, May 10; Glen Allen, May 11 ; Fortifi- 
 cations of Richmond, May 12 ; White Oak Swamp, May 13 ; Haxall's 
 Landing, May 18; White House Landing, May 19; Tolopotomoy, 
 May 27-30 ; Hanoverton, May 27 ; Haw's Shop, May 28 ; Cold Har- 
 bor, May 31, June i and 6; Suener's Upper Bridge, June 2 ; Bottom's 
 Bridge, June 3 ; Sherdian's Trevilian raid, June 7-24 ; Trevilian Station, 
 June 11-12; Kings and Queens Court-house, June 18-20; White 
 House Landing, June 21 ; St. Mary's Church, June 24 ; before Peters- 
 burg, June 26 and April 2, '65 ; Ream's Station, June 30; Light House 
 Point, July i ; Gaines' Hill, July 2 ; Prince George Court-house, July 
 10; Lee's Station, July 12 ; Prince George Court-house, July 16 ; Deep 
 
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148 HISTORY OF FUL70N COUNTY. 
 
 Bottom, July 27-29; Lee's Mills, July 30; Strawberry Plains, August 
 14 and 18; Weldon Railroad, August 18-21 ; Ream's Station, August 
 23-25; Arthur's Swamp, August 28-30; Yellow Tavern, September 
 2 ; Stony Creek Station, September 6 and 16 ; Balclier's Mills, Septem- 
 ber 17; Poplar Spring Church, September 30 and October 2; Mt. 
 Termain Church, October 17; Boydon Plank Road, October 27-28; 
 near Prince George Court-house, November 2 ; Stony Creek, Novem- 
 ber 7; Blackwater Creek, November 18; Stony Creek, December i ; 
 Hicksford raid, December 6-1 1 ; Three Creeks, December 9 ; Jarrett's 
 Station, December 10 ; Halifax Road, December 10. 1865, Rowanty 
 Creek, February 5 and 8 ; Appomattox Campaign, March 29-April 9 ; 
 Dinwiddie Court-house, March 30-31 ; Five Forks, April i ; Fall of 
 Petersburg, April 2 ; Paynis Cross Roads, April 4-5 ; Amelia Springs, 
 April 5 ; Sailors Creek, April 6 ; Deatonsville Road, April 6 ; Farm- 
 ville, April 7 ; Pamplin Station, April 8 ; Appomattox Court-house, 
 April 9. 
 
 A more remarkable military record is not to be found in American 
 history. 
 
 Muster Roll, Company I, Tenth Cavalry. 
 
 Captain, David Getman, jr. Mayfield. 
 
 First lieutenant, Stephen Dennie. 
 
 Second lieutenant, Charles H. Hill. 
 
 First sergeant, H. H. Boyd, Broadalbin ; killed. 
 
 Quartermaster sergeant, Asa Capron," Broadalbin. 
 
 Sergeants, John W. Abernathy, Mayfield ; killed. Nichilas D. Care, 
 Mayfield; died in hospital December 16, 1863. David N. Haines, 
 Mayfield; transferred to navy April 10, 1864. Darwin W. Close, 
 Mayfield. Jacob C. Care, Mayfield; discharged May 12, 1864. 
 
 Corporals, Chester L. Berry, Mayfield. Henry Betts, Broadalbin. 
 Augustus M. Brown, Mayfield. Hosea Davis, jr., Broadalbin; trans- 
 ferred to Vet. Res. Corps May 2, 1864. Darius S. Orton, Broadalbin. 
 A. H. Van Dyke, Mayfield ; discharged April 5, 1863. Peter Phillips, 
 Broadalbin ; killed. Harvey Decker, Mayfield ; discharged February 
 24, 1863. Henry Piper, Mayfield. Daniel Satterlee, Broadalbin. 
 
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TENTH CAVALRY. 149 
 
 Farriers, Charles Thayer, Broadalbin ; discharged November 8, 1862. 
 Henry A. Lane, Broadalbin. 
 
 Saddler, George Riddle, Northampton. 
 
 Wagoner, James L. Mercer, Broadalbin. 
 
 Privates, Charles S. Bartlett, killed while on a scout, November 18, 
 1864. Philip Canning, killed by guerillas near Benton Station, May 
 22, 1863. Thomas Canning, discharged January 9, 1864. George W. 
 Close, Asa Dye, discharged October 28, 1863. James Earle died of 
 typhoid fever September 20, 1863. Daniel C. Forbes, killed ; Francis 
 Forbes, killed ; Miner Fox, HoUis Fox, Joseph Honeywell, William 
 Foster, killed ; John Hammond, William H. Jones, died in Andersonville 
 Prison, August 14, 1864; Thomas Lee, Lorenzo Philips, died at Aquia 
 Creek, February 6, 1863. George Peck, discharged ; Rawson Stoddard, 
 discharged January 8, 1864. James H. Sanford, promoted captain 
 January, 1864. George E. Sanford, died of disease May 28, 1865 ; 
 George W. Schermerhorn, died November 6, 1863. Abram Satterlee, 
 George H. Smith, discharged. Zadock Satterlee, Thomas B. Tatlock, 
 William Wands, from Broadalbin. Elias Blowers, William Brower, 
 Abram H. Blowers, killed. William H. Blowers, James H. Brown, dis- 
 charged. Nathaniel W. Brown, Christopher Brower, John W. Clute, killed 
 George Davis, killed. Julius B. Day, R. Norman Fox, Seneca Fox, 
 transferred to Vet. Res. Corps, October 31, 1863. Alva Freeman, died 
 March 14, 1863, George D. Ferguson, died July 2, 1863. William A. 
 Goodemote, John Hall, discharged November 17, 1863; John Handy, 
 discharged June 11, 1863; James Hall, discharged May 8, 1864; Al- 
 bert Hall, James A. Laird, discharged at Albany, N. Y. Barney Mc- 
 Cabe, died in hospital at Phila., July 14. John Marlet, John McCormick, 
 Hiram McCleary, William O'Bryan, discharged November 17, 1862. 
 Edward Patterson, killed inaction June 9, 1863. Marcus Richardson, 
 John Reynolds, Jesse Reynolds, William P. Rhodes, discharged May 
 29, 1865. Daniel Richardson, John H.Richardson, killed. Joseph A. 
 J. F. Sanborn, George Stewart, John Shaw, Daniel W. Schemerhorn, 
 Andrew J. Terrell, died December 15, 1863 ; James H. Waite, Martilon 
 Warner, James W. Wells, died. Francis R. Whitney, discharged De- 
 cember 31, 1863, from Mayfield; WilHam H. Briggs, of Johnstown. 
 Jacob Lepper, of Perth. Ephraim D. Mosher, discharged March 4, 
 
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ISO HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 1863; Alexander Wescott, of Northampton. John T. Bohanna, Thomas 
 T. Crouch, died February i, 1863; William D. Hagar, Peter R. Mur- 
 dock, of Fonda ; John Blowers, killed. 
 
 THE SECOND REGIMENT, CAVALRY. 
 
 On the 25th of July, 1861, the War Department authorized Col. J. 
 Mansfield Davis to recruit a cavalry regiment in the state of New 
 York ; aud the result was the organization of the " Harris Light Cav- 
 alry," which was mustered into service between August 9 and October 
 8, 1 86 1, and designated the " Seventh Regiment of Cavalry in the ser- 
 vice of the United States." The regiment, however, was turned over 
 to the state in which it was recruited, and thereafter called the " Seventh 
 Regiment of New York Volunteer Cavalry." More popularly this com- 
 mand became known as the " Harris Light Cavalry." 
 
 In such reports as arc published of the state's soldiery, there appears 
 to be no credit to Fulton county in furnishing men for this regiment, 
 but it is well understood that a part of Company F, one man of Com- 
 pany C, Fourth Corporal C. L. Clark, and one, William Harris, of 
 Company H, were recruited by Capt. W. H. Shaw, of Mayfield. The 
 number of Fulton county men in this regiment was less than thirty, 
 and though their service is worthy of honorable mention, we have 
 hardly a sufficient detail, and regret the loss of material for this pur- 
 pose. The regiment was mustered out of service at Alexandria, Va., 
 June 23, 1865. 
 
 Muster Roll, Company F. 
 
 Captain, William H. Shaw, Mayfield. 
 
 First lieutenant, David Getman, Mayfield. 
 
 Sergeants, J. L. Haines, J. W. Abernethy, N. D. Case, Mayfield. 
 
 Corporals, G. M. Van Ransellaer, Gloversville ; J. W. Case, D. N. 
 Haines, L. Fay, Mayfield. 
 
 Bugler, A. J. Lansing, Mayfield. 
 
 Wagoner, R. Johnson, Mayfield. 
 
 Privates, A. O. Brown, C. L. Berry, W. R. Berry, A. Brower, W. 
 Bronson, A. M. Brown, J. Bixby, A. Eddy, C. V. Hall, D. Howland, 
 
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THIRTEENTH HEAVY ARTILLERY. 
 
 »5i 
 
 W. H. Fring, J. Wells, E. G. Waite, M ay field ; M. Bowers, J. Jintzy, 
 Gloversville; A. Brower, A. Culbert, M. Fox, Broadalbin. 
 Company H, William Harris, Johnstown. 
 
 THIRD CAVALRY. 
 
 Company D, J. H. Harris, George W. Peck, Johnstown. 
 
 THIRTEENTH REGIMENT, HEAVY ARTILLERY. 
 
 To this regiment the towns of Ephratah, Johnstown, Oppenheim, 
 Broadalbin, Mayfield and Perth contributed volunteers. The men were 
 assigned to Companies E, F and G, the greatest number being in the 
 company first named. The county's contribution amounted in all to 
 about fifty men. 
 
 Col. William A. Howard was authorized by the War Department, 
 May II, 1863, to organize this regiment in New York city. The men 
 then already recruited by Maj. H. B. Williams for the Eleventh New 
 York volunteer artillery, and not assigned to companies, were trans- 
 ferred to this command ; and on October 14, the men enlisted for the 
 proposed Twenty ninth New York veteran volunteer infantry, and for 
 the Thirty-sixth independent battery of New York artlillery were also 
 assigned to this regiment. The new men were mustered into service 
 for three years, but the regiment contained some one- year enlistments. 
 The command in fact included men from all parts of the state. The 
 regiment was mustered in by companies during the latter part of 1863 
 and the early part of 1864; and its service in the field was of such a 
 detatched and separate character that no regular narrative of its history 
 can be given, other than may be disclosed by its list of engagements. 
 When the short term men were mustered out the remainder were con- 
 solidated, so that some of the companies lost their former identity. 
 
 The battles of the Thirteenth were as follows : Operations against 
 Petersburg and Richmond, May 5 and 31, 1864; before Petersburg, 
 June 15, 1864 and April 2, 1865 ; assault on Petersburg, June 15 and 
 17, 1864; Swift Creek, October 7, 1864; Day's Point, Va., November 
 
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152 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 14 and 19, 1864; Fort Fisher, N. C, December 25, 1864, and January 
 IS, 1865 ; fall of Petersburg, April 2, 1865. 
 
 Muster Roll, Thirteenth Regiment. 
 Company E. 
 
 From Ephratah C. Cook, second lieutenant ; S. H. Andriance, W. H. 
 Brate, D. W. Brate, J. S. Brate, L. Clement, P. H. Cool, J. F. Cooley. 
 J. Dempsey, J. J. Fraley, G. W. Hardy, J. H. Kinnicutt, W. H. Palm- 
 ateer, J. Rivenburg, D. Smith, G. H. Smith, J. Smith, L. Sponable, C. 
 Whitlock, D. Whitlock, P. S. Whitlock, M. Palmater. 
 
 From Johnstown. — W. Avery, L. Copely, E. Ditrick, T. Doras, 
 Charles Fields, D. Rooney, C. Rooney, W. Sullivan, J. Swartz, P. 
 Tierney, L. T. Weaver, L. Weaver. 
 
 From Oppenheim. — J. A. Brown, A. Cook, T. S. Finch, H. C. Jud- 
 son, N. Ladue, N. H. Murray, J. D. Maxaw, C. D. Righter. 
 
 From Perth.— S. H. PuUen. 
 
 Company F. 
 
 From Broadalbin. — Nicholas Barrett, A. Bates, M. Cornell, John 
 Dingman, D. B. Hall, Henry Hall, M. H. Phelps. 
 From Johnstown. — J. H. Houghtailing, B. H. Hulin. 
 
 Company G. 
 
 From Johnstown. — George Harvey, W. H. Lawrence, E. Underwood, 
 David Yost. 
 
 From Mayfield. — N. J. Schemerhorn. 
 
 FOURTEENTH REGIMENT, HEAVY ARTILLERY. 
 
 The Fulton county men in this regiment numbered but ten in the 
 aggregate, and all were in Battery M. The regiment was organized in 
 1863, under authority granted to Colonel Elisha G. Marshall. It was 
 made up of recruits from all parts of the state, and the regimental organ- 
 ization was perfected at Rochester. The men were mustered in for 
 three years. 
 
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FOURTEENTH HEAVY ARTILLERY. 153 
 
 The Fourteenth served as heavy artillery and infantry in the Depart- 
 ment of the East until April, 1864, when it was attached to the Provis- 
 ional brig.ide of the Ninth corps. On May 12th it was in the First 
 division, Third brigade, same corps, Army of the Potomac. June i8th, 
 1864, it was transferred to the Second brigade; September, 1864, to 
 the Third brigade, and in June, 1865, formed a part of the First brigade, 
 Hardin's division, Twenty-second corps. 
 
 List of Battles. — Wilderness, May 5-7, 1864; Spotsylvania Court- 
 House, May 8 and 21, 1864; Ny River, May 10, 1864; North Anna, 
 May 22 and 26, 1864; Totopotomy, May 27 and 31, 1864; Cold Har- 
 bor, June I and 12, 1864; Beulah Church, June 2, 1864; before Peters- 
 burg, June 16, 1864, and April 2,1865; assault* on Petersburg, June 
 16-19, 1864; Mine Explosion, July 30, 1864; Weldon R. R., August 
 18-21, 1864; Poplar Grove Church, September 30 and October 2, 
 1864; Hatcher's Run, October 27-28, 1864; Fort Stedman, March 25, 
 1865 ; Fall of Petersburg, April 2, 1865. 
 
 Muster Roll — Company M. 
 
 H. Ballou, J. Perry, Caroga ; F. D. Brown, W. Cole, G. N. Evans, S. 
 McDougall, J. Snyder, J. N. Van Natter, Johnstown ; F. Hudson, 
 Mayfield ; Ira H. Vosburg, Perth. 
 
 Sixteenth Regiment — A rtillery. 
 
 In Company H of this regiment were men from Oppenheim, Fulton 
 county, as follows : Lyman Billings, Joseph D. Brown, Daniel Clemens, 
 Daniel Cunningham, Jacob Keck, Michael Smith, Ernest Silbyney, 
 John Strobuck. 
 20 
 
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,54 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 THE GLOVE INDUSTRY. 
 
 ^"'HE art of making gloves has long been a prominent feature in the 
 prosperity of Fulton county, yielding a comfortable support to 
 all thus engaged, while many have reached wealth. It has flourished 
 in this region, indeed, for three-quarters of a century, but, before pre- 
 senting its local details, the reader may be interested in its previous 
 history. The use of gloves can be traced to the earliest times, and not 
 only the ancient Asiatics had them in use but also they have been 
 found on Egyptian monuments, as a tribute to the dead; the Persians 
 also wore gloves of valuable furs, and Homer mentions that the shep- 
 herds and farm laborers of ancient Laertes used greaves and rough 
 gloves made of bull's hide in order to protect themselves against thorns. 
 Gloves were also in use among the Greeks, being at first considered a 
 sign of effeminacy, but later on finger stalls were used by them at 
 meals. The latter were subsequently introduced from Greece to the 
 the Romans, who were also unacquainted with the use of forks, and 
 therefore substituted their fingers. The Romans also wore gloves for 
 finery ; their noble ladies attached to their tunics long sleeves, which 
 reached over the hands, and we learn from Virgil that the peasants wore 
 similar garments during the winter. Military gloves were also worn by 
 the Roman soldiers, from which the scale covered gauntlet was devel- 
 oped in the days of chivalry. The ancient Scandinavians, the German 
 tribes, the Franks, and other early European nations used gloves, both 
 in their daily intercourse, and while traveling or hunting, the style 
 and material differing according to the occasion. Coming down to a 
 iater period ladies began to wear gloves in the thirteenth century, the 
 first style being made of linen and reaching to the elbow. Linen gloves 
 were followed by knitted ones, and subsequently leather gloves were 
 introduced, which became highly popular in the court ot Louis XIV of 
 France. In the early part of the seventeenth century the manufacture 
 
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THE GLOVE INDUSTRY. 
 
 155 
 
 of gloves reached Germany, being brought there by French refugees 
 from Grenoble who introduced their art to Erlangen, Haberstadt, and 
 Magdeburg. In England, during the reign of Queen Elizabeth, great 
 display was shown in gloves, some of which cost several thousand 
 marks. Glove making is also one of the oldest of the civilized arts of 
 Scotland. Much has been printed on the subject both in Europe and 
 America and local writers have carefully investigated the origin of glove 
 making in Fulton county ; some of their statements are at variance in 
 certain details, but it is evident that the material whence all early 
 gloves or mittens were made was the skin of the deer, which was 
 abundant in the vicinity, and which suggested to the settlers the im- 
 portance of making it available in a profitable manner. 
 
 OTHER DETAILS. 
 
 The primitive buckskin mittens and breeches piade by the early set- 
 tlers were due to the necessity occasioned by the rough, laborious work 
 of the farmers and wood- choppers, leather being also cheaper than the 
 product of the loom. It is not probable that any gloves or mittens 
 were manufactured in what is now Fulton county and offered as articles 
 of merchandise prior to 1 809, but from that date, it may safely be said,, 
 the manufacture became a recognized industry. It began in a small- 
 way among the New England settlers in the vicinity of Kingsboro. 
 They were a shrewd and industrious race, more accustomed to trade 
 and commerce than their Dutch neighbors, who were chiefly farmers. 
 Many of those Kingsboro settlers were skilled tin workers and their 
 ware found sale abroad. Among those who were thus engaged were 
 the Wards of Kingsboro, John Monroe and the Leonards of WestBush^ 
 also Chester Phelps of North Kingsboro, whose success no doubt led 
 others to embark in the same business. It was their custom to make a 
 stock of useful articles, pack it upon the back of a horse and then lead 
 the animal up the Mohawk, and " Chenango country " (as it was then 
 called), and exchange the ware for wheat, peltry, and any other articles 
 of domestic or commercial value. In this way they accumulated 
 quantities of deer skins, one of which was usually taken in exchange for 
 a tin basin. At first these skins were used for jackets and breeches^ 
 the latter being especially serviceable because of their durability. 
 
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156 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 The Indian process of tanning was then exclusively practiced, the 
 operation consisting chiefly in the use of the brains of a deer, which 
 rendered a soft, phable and durable leather. Later on che brains of 
 hogs were substituted, but with less satisfactory results, as the deer's 
 brains possessed certain properties similar to the soda ash (" fat liquor ") 
 in use at the present day. Indian tanned leather is still used to some 
 extent in the manufacture of gloves and mittens, but the greater share 
 of it is made by Indians in the western states. The vast improvement 
 that has since then' been made in the manufacture of glove leather has 
 really thrown all the early methods out of use. 
 
 Ezekiel Case came to Kingsboro from Cincinnati in 1803 with a 
 certain knowledge of the Indian tan process and he with others made a 
 few mittens, but the first practical leather dresser in the community 
 was Talmadge Edwards, who moved to Johnstown from Massachusetts 
 about 1809. He was formerly a leather dresser in England and under- 
 stood the manufacture of gloves and mittens. He soon made the ac- 
 quaintance of James Burr and William C. Mills, who hired him to come 
 to Kingsboro and reach them the art. In 1809 Mr. Burr made a few 
 pairs of mittens, and took them up the Mohawk, selling them at en- 
 couraging prices wherever opportunity offered. The following year he 
 increased his output and sold a part of it by the dozen, this being the 
 first transaction of the kind in the county. Later on he introduced 
 several practical improvements in the process of tanning, among them 
 "the bucktail," for which he secured a patent. This invention was 
 replaced by the emery wheel, first introduced by Daniel Hays about 
 1874. James Burr built and operated a leather mill in what is now 
 Forest street, in Gloversville, the property afterwards coming into the 
 hands of Aaron Simmons. His son, James H. Burr, and his grandson, 
 Harvey W. Burr, still carry on the glove business within a short dis- 
 tance of the site of the old mill, and their establishment is a continuation 
 of the oldest glove and mitten factory in the county. 
 
 William C. Mills continued to be an extensive manufacturer for many 
 years subsequent to 1809. He began making annual trips to the Hol- 
 land Purchase in 1805, and bought there wheat for flouring purposes, 
 and also deer skins for manufacture. It is said that 400 to 500 skins 
 constituted his annual purchases. He died in 1833, but his children 
 
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THE GLOVE INDUSTRY. .57 
 
 and grandchildren have been, and are to day, prominently identified 
 with the industry. 
 
 John Ward, of Kingsboro, engaged in the business about 18 10 and 
 made annual trips to Pennsylvania, where he also purchased skins. He 
 became a manufacturer of considernble importance and carried on an 
 extensive business for those times. He was known as a man of untiring 
 energy and strength of character, but died in 181 5, at a time when his 
 prospects seemed the brightest. 
 
 Philander Heacock, father of W. J. Heacock, began making gloves 
 in 18 rp in the old Haggard house, that stood until recently near the 
 Daniel Hays mill in Gloversville. It was in this old house that his son, 
 the late Joseph Heacock, was born. Philander had learned the trade of 
 bark tanning in the old McLaren mill in Johnstown, the site of which is 
 now occupied by a mill owned by Simon Schriver. He afterwards moved 
 from the Haggard house to a farm west of the present site of Glovers- 
 ville, and continued to dress leather and also make gloves and mittens. 
 He was thus engaged more or less until the time of his death, June 22, 
 1837. His sons, Joseph S. and Willard J., were both subsequently 
 engaged in the manufacture of gloves on an extensive scale. Lemuel 
 Heacock, a brother of Philander, was also a manufacturer. As an evi- 
 dence of the extent of the industry in 1825, it may be said that Elisha 
 Judson, father of Daniel B. Judson, went to Boston that year with a 
 load of gloves in a lumber wagon, making the trip in six weeks, and 
 bringing back to his employers. Philander and Lemuel Heacock, $600 
 in silver. This was the first trip of the kind ever made, and it is hardly 
 necessary to add that its results afforded the highest gratification. 
 
 The Judson family has ever since been prominently connected with 
 the glove industry. Alanson Judson, a younger brother of Elisha, jr., 
 reaped a handsome fortune from its profits, and his son, Charles W. 
 Judson, now living in Gloversville, has also been a successful manufac- 
 turer. Daniel B. Judson, son of Elisha, jr., and grandson of Elisha, sr., 
 is still engaged in the business at Kingsboro, being one of the largest 
 manufacturers in the United States. 
 
 Josiah, Daniel and Abner Leonard embarked in the business at an 
 early date, probably about 1820. 
 
 Willard Rose was also an early manufacturer, and began making 
 
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ijS HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 mittens at Bennett's Corners about 1830. He had an extensive farm 
 and in connection carried on the glove business for nearly forty years. 
 A. S. Van Voast, of Johnstown, was engaged in the business in 1833, 
 being then a young man. At the time of his retirement from active 
 business he was one of the oldest manufacturers in the country. 
 
 Humphrey Smith began manufacturing in 1834 and his brother, D. 
 W. Smith, in 1837. The latter is now living in Gloversville. They 
 were at that time located at Smith's Corners, about one and one-half 
 miles northwest of Gloversville. D. W. Smith was actively engaged in 
 the business for a period of about fifty years, being associated with 
 James O. Parsons from 1870 until 1889, at which time Mr. Smith re- 
 tired permanently. During his early career as a manufacturer he was 
 associated with his younger brother, James H., the firm of D. W. & J. 
 H. Smith continuing until i860. 
 
 U. M. Place engaged in the business in Gloversville, then a mere 
 hamlet, in 1832, and was an active manufacturer for thirty-nine years. 
 He was also greatly interested in promoting the construction of the 
 railroad from Fonda to Gloversville, and was so enthusiastic over this 
 project that at times he even neglected his personal interests to insure 
 its success. 
 
 Rufus Washburn, lately deceased, was engaged in the glove business 
 as early as 1836 or 1837. 
 
 John McNab began making buckskin gloves at his father's homestead 
 in 1836, before he had reached his majority. Later on he built a house 
 near his present residence and continued to manufacture gloves for 
 more than half a century, retiring from active business in the fall of 
 1887. He has been a successful manufacturer and has won wealth and 
 influence and, what is far more, public respect. As his name has been 
 prominently connected with the old West mill property at the extreme 
 west end of Fulton street, in the city of Gloversville, it may be proper 
 to add a brief sketch of that* historic mill. When John McNab, sr. 
 settled on the old homestead in 1803, there was a grist-mill standing on 
 the premises now known as the West mill property. This was pur- 
 chased by Jacob Clute about 1823 or 1824, and occupied by John D. 
 Clute, his brother, who built and conducted a small store which con- 
 tained the usual miscellaneous assortment for country traffic. The grist- 
 
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THE GLOVE INDUSTRY. 159 
 
 mill was afterward discontinued and the water power used to drive a 
 double set of stocks with a flutter wheel. A small dam was subse- 
 quently constructed below this mill and the power was used to propel 
 the machinery in a carding and fulling-mill, which was operated by 
 John Howe and James and Timothy Wrigley. John McNab, sr., also 
 constructed a primitive skin-mill, consisting of one set of double stocks, 
 propelled by a pitch- back water wheel. The entire West mill property 
 passed into the hands of Daniel Leonard, who built a mill and put in 
 four double stocks which were run by an overshot wheel. He con- 
 tinued to operate this mill until November 23, 1843, when it was pur- 
 chased by John McNab, jr., who increased the power and rebuilt a 
 portion of the mill. It was operated for a number af years by Lewis 
 Johnson, but the title of the property remained in the hands of Mr. 
 McNab until February i, 1887, when, with the full concurrence of 
 Johnson, it was sold to its present owners, the West Mill Company, at 
 that time consisting of T. C. Foster, Lawton Caten and W. D. West. 
 
 About 1845 John McNab constructed a trunk or water-way from the 
 small dam on his father's property, for a distance of 100 rods in an east- 
 erly direction and built a mill, and a large overshot wheel, with six 
 double sets of stocks, bucktails, etc., on the site of the mill now owned 
 by Daniel Hays on West Fulton street. The water that had thus been 
 brought to the mill by artificial means was utilized to propel the stocks 
 and machinery. This mill was afterwards sold by Mr. McNab to James 
 Christie and George Mills, who conducted it for a time and then sold it 
 to its present owner, Daniel Hays. 
 
 Jonathan Ricketts has long been one of Fulton county's prominent 
 glove and leather men. He came to America in 1837, from Yoevil, 
 England, and located in Johnstown in 1839. He began business as a 
 leather dresser in the winter of 1840-41, doing nearly all the work him- 
 self. This was in the old McLaren mill near the cemetery in Johnstown. 
 He introduced the dressing of sheep-skin in 1841 and reaped a rich re- 
 ward from that business for many years. He began dressing South 
 American sheep skins about 1848 and in 1855 he used nearly 40,000 of 
 them. The first mill which he built is still standing, just east of the 
 Cayadutta creek, on West Main street in Johnstown. It was erected in 
 1856 and occupied by Mr. Ricketts nearly twenty- five years. He began 
 
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i6o HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 making sheep-skin gloves in 1841 and carried on both tanning and 
 glove making, relinquishing the former business about five years ago, and 
 the latter two years later, having acquired a competency by a life of 
 active toil and perseverance. He received the silver medal at the New 
 York State Agricultural Society's Fair, held at Albany in 1850, for gen- 
 tlemen's kid gloves. He was contemporaneous with the Bertrands, who 
 came from France in 1844, bringing with them the art of manufacturing 
 fine kid gloves, which up to that time was unknown in Fulton county, 
 but it was not carried on to an important extent until after the late 
 civil war. 
 
 Marcellus Gilbert was one of the early glove manufacturers, and sub- 
 sequently established the firm of Gilbert & Wells, of Johnstown, which 
 was eminently successful. Among other manufacturers who were en- 
 gaged in the business in and about Johnstown prior to 1840 were James 
 McMartin, D. H. Cuyler, Samuel Hill and Howard Hill. 
 
 John Filmer was one of the early leather dressers He came to Ful- 
 ton county from Brooklyn in 1832 and was engaged in dressing leather 
 in Gloversville for such well remembered manufacturers as the McNabs,. 
 Leonards and Evans. 
 
 Isaac V. Place began manufacturing in 1840, his shop being a few 
 miles north of Kingsboro. He afterwards carried on the leather busi- 
 ness together with the manufacture of gloves and continued thus untif 
 within a few years of his death, which occurred in December, 1891. 
 
 Many others might be mentioned who have been connected directly 
 or indirectly with the glove industry in the county, as the assertion has. 
 been truthfully made that three- fourths of the inhabitants are engaged 
 in some of its various branches. The reader will find brief notices of 
 those manufacturers who have embarked in the business since the mid- 
 dle of the century, in the succeeding chapters of this work. 
 
 The early process of making gloves differed greatly from that prac- 
 ticed at the present time. There are many persons now living who 
 can remember the time when gloves were cut from the skins with com- 
 mon shears. The patterns were made of pasteboard or shingles and 
 were laid upon the leather and traced with sharp pointed pieces of lead,, 
 commonly called " plummets," which were often made by pouring 
 melted lead into a crack in the kitchen floor. Many hundred thousand 
 
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THE GLOVE INDUSTRY. i6i 
 
 dozens of gloves and mittens have been cut from skins marked in this 
 way. The goods made during the early days, although rough and 
 primitive in style and workmanship, were eagerly sought after by those 
 who performed heavy labor, and hence the tin peddlers disposed of many 
 dozens of them during a season. Later on, when the manufacture of 
 gloves superseded that of tin- ware, and the industry gave evidence of 
 a prosperous future, many men, women and children in all parts of the 
 county became engaged in it. The men and children usually cut the 
 gloves and the wives and daughters did the stitching, usually placing 
 one mitten on the seat beneath them and sitting upon it while plying 
 the needle on its mate. This method partially served the purpose of 
 the modern "laying off" table, straightening the mitten out, and hav- 
 ing a tendency to make it soft and flexible. 
 
 In the course of time, when the sewing machine was introduced into 
 the business, these same wives and daughters readily became familiar 
 with its use and to-day a, majority of the farm houses in Fulton County 
 each contains one or more of these machines. 
 
 THE SEWING MACHINE. 
 
 The introduction and development of the sewing machine in glove 
 making presents an important feature in the history of the industry. In 
 the early days, when all gloves were made in family circles, and when 
 no manufacturer thought of having his goods stitched inside his shop, 
 the gloves after being cut, were matched with fourchettes and thumb 
 pieces, and then were tied up with a buckskin string in lots of a dozen 
 pairs, with thread, needles and silk, and a handful of scraps to be used 
 for weltings. The country people for miles in the vicinity, came after 
 these packages which they placed in bags and thus carried home. The 
 gloves were mostly made by women, who would thread the square 
 pointed needle with the heavy linen thread doubled, tie a knot in the 
 end, wax it, place a strip of buckskin between the edges for a welt, and 
 then stitch the seam. The lighter gloves were made without a welt, 
 backstitched, and an expert needle woman could thus make a neat, close 
 fitting glove, while the welted gloves and mittens, if well sewn, would 
 give excellent service. This work was laborious, however, and when in 
 21 
 
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i62 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 1852, it became known that machines were being made that would ac- 
 tually sewa. seam, and that Churchill & Company, of Gloversville, had a 
 machine which they were testing on glove work, manufacturers through- 
 out the country became interested and much discussion arose concern- 
 ing its merits. Some of the manufacturers were quick to see the great 
 advantage that would arise both to themselves and to their employees 
 if the sewing machine could be successfully operated in glove making, 
 while others were incredulous and declared that gloves sewed together 
 with such a machine would never give satisfaction. These first ma- 
 chines were " Singers" and were large and cumbersome, both needle- 
 bar and shuttle being driven by cog-wheels. They were noisy, and 
 their " clatter" often distressed the nerves, but they certainly would sew 
 a seam, and a few manufacturers cautiously gave them trial. They 
 were at first used to stitch the thin binding on the top of gloves and 
 mittens, but as the invention was very imperfect they needed constant re- 
 pairs, and eventually Abner Allen, an employee of the Singer Company 
 at Gloversville, began to repair and perfect these machines, and was the 
 first man thus engaged. The next sewing machine was the Grover & 
 Baker, introduced by David Spaulding in 1854. They were framed 
 also of cast iron, standing about ten inches high, with a circular needle 
 underneath, and leaving a chain stitch on the underside of the leather. 
 This machine was largely used in stitching the laps and binding of buck 
 mittens, as it was claimed that the stitch was elastic and would not break 
 so readily as the lock stitch. In that branch of the business the sewing 
 machine completely superseded hand work. Up to that time but few 
 gloves were made entirely on machines, and not until 1856, when Niles 
 Fairbanks, of Gloversville, introduced the Howe machine, which was 
 small and light running, were there any grades of gloves made solely 
 upon them. This machine was at once used to make some grades of 
 light goods throughout. In 1857 the financial crash was felt severely 
 in the glove trade, but the outbreak of the rebellion in 1861 brought 
 great demand for gloves for army use. Many new machines were in- 
 troduced into Fulton county, and a large majority of the product was 
 made entirely in this manner. Then the enthusiasm over the machine 
 was felt in every family, and the desire to have one in the hou.se almost 
 bordered on a mania. Many manufacturers became agents, and sold 
 
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The glove industry. 163 
 
 machines, taking pay in work, which introduced them very fast. In 1858 
 the wax thread machine was first used here, but it did not come into 
 general use until aftet the war, when it was greatly improved. Mr. 
 Polmateer is entitled to much credit for the introduction of the over- 
 stitch machine, which was the next great advance in glove mechanism. 
 
 His machine is now used more particularly on heavy work. In those 
 districts in France where fine gloves are made the overstitch machine 
 has been brought to the greatest perfection, and this machine is mostly 
 preferred by American fine glove manufacturers. The pique and prick- 
 seam machines, though not in general use, will undoubtedly receive 
 more attention each succeeding year. The introduction of steam power 
 as a means of propelling the sewing machines was accpmplished in 1875, 
 and as the operatives could do much more work, many were induced to 
 go into factories who previously would only work at home. The sew- 
 ing machine has thus assisted modern progress in a manner that has 
 been repeated in nearly every labor saving device. A machine that at 
 first seemed to rob the hard working women of their well earned sewing 
 money, has only proved to be the means by which they can earn a 
 much larger amount, and not only in a shorter space of time, but also 
 earn it easier. The Singer machine has been constantly improved until 
 no feature of the original remains, while very few, if any, of the Grover 
 & Baker are being made. The Howe machine has received little im- 
 provement, but does good work on fine gloves, if not run at too high a 
 speed. The Wheeler & Wilson Company sell many machines for the 
 medium grades of glove making, and some new machines are being in- 
 troduced. A well known glove manufacturer writing on this subject 
 in 1884 said : "There is room for many improvements, and I confi- 
 dently expect that the next ten years will develop a machine that for 
 fine glove making will supersede all inseaming machines now in use- 
 
 . . . Probably all will agree with me that in the proud position 
 the glove manufacturer has reached with us, much credit must be given 
 to the sewing machines." 
 
 Niles Fairbanks, now living at Gloversville at an advanced age, holds 
 the distinction of making the first cutting dies for gloves and mittens, 
 but as in many similar instances, the profit arising from his invention 
 has been gathered by others. E. P. Newton started in 1859 the first 
 
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i64 HISTORY OP FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 general machine works in this county in which glove and mitten cut- 
 ting machines were manufactured. 
 
 Much activity was given to the glove trade by the war of the re- 
 bellion, and the price of both gloves and skins advanced materially. 
 Since the close of the war there has been a general tendency on the 
 part of manufacturers to make a higher grade of goods, and while the 
 early makers devoted themselves entirely to the production of heavy 
 buckskin gloves and mittens, the majority of those now engaged in 
 the business make as fine a quality of kid gloves as can be produced in 
 any part of the world. This great advance has been accomplished 
 chiefly during the past five or ten years. The improved facilities for 
 tanning, coloring and finishing, and the knowledge brought to this 
 country by great numbers of expert leather-dressers and glove -makers 
 from England, Germany and France, has placed the industry in Fulton 
 county on an equal footing with all competing nations The business 
 indeed has reached so great an extent that not less than from twenty 
 thousand to twenty five thousand people are engaged in glove making 
 and its allied industries in Fulton county, while from six million to 
 seven million dollars are invested in the business. 
 
 The reader will also be interested to learn the varieties of skins used 
 in this vast manufacture and also to note the localities in the world 
 whence they come. First of all is the deer skin, which opened the way 
 for the subsequent development of the industry, but in addition we find 
 that at present the manufacturer is using domestic and imported lamb 
 and sheep skins, calf, elk, horse, hog, goat, dog, and antelope skins, all 
 of which are divided into many grades and classes. The deer skins are 
 supplied by all parts of the United States (where they may be found), 
 together with Mexico, and Central and South America. The latter 
 country sends the celebrated Para deer skin, a large number of which 
 commonly called " Jatks " come from the mouth of the Amazon. 
 Skins are also designated by terms signifying their origin, for instance, 
 "domestic deer skins," are in this manner distinguished from im- 
 ported stock, and are divided into " Wisconsins," " Michigans," " Mis- 
 souris," thus indicating the locality whence they come. These are also 
 subdivided into classes according to the time of year they are killed, 
 which has an important bearing on their value. Thus there are 
 
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THE GLOVE II\IDUSTRY. 165 
 
 western " reds " and " grays," the former being skins taken in sum- 
 mer, generally thick and covered with short red hair, whereas, the 
 latter, coming from animals killed in winter, are usually thin with an 
 abundance of long thick hair. It is a fact well known to the experi- 
 enced leather merchant, that the most valuable skins come from the 
 warm and even the tropical regions, where the animals have thick skins 
 and thin hair, and value is therefore estimated according to the climate. 
 
 It is for this reason that the South American importations are so highly 
 prized. Skins are shipped to New York from nearly every port be- 
 tween Texas and the Amazon, and are invariably named from the place 
 of export. For instance the " mosquitos " (as they are called,) 
 come from that part of Central America known as the " Mosquito 
 coast," these skins when dressed often present a spotted appearance, very 
 similar to the marks left on those who have had small- pox, and these 
 " pits," while they do not impair the serviceable quality of the leather, 
 detract much from its beauty. It may be added that while deer skins 
 are chiefly used in the manufacture of gloves, some of them are wrought 
 into other channels of trade, among which is the manufacture of piano 
 leather ; this leather is used on the little hammers which form a part of 
 the piano movement, and George H. Taylor of Gloversville is its largest 
 manufacturer in Fulton county. 
 
 Sheep and lamb skins, both domestic and imported, enter into the 
 manufacture of gloves and mittens in greater quantities at the present 
 time than any others. Through the various modes of tanning and 
 coloring, these skins can be made into so many different grades and 
 qualities of leather, that they reach high importance to the manu- 
 facturer. They are brought from almost every portion of the world, 
 many of the domestics being shipped to Fulton county from distribut- 
 ing points in the west, such as Chicago, Cincinnati, and St. Louis. The 
 imported skins on the other hand come under the name of " fleshers," 
 which means skins that have been split. The flesh side, after the grain 
 has been removed, being used for bindings. These " fleshers " are 
 chiefly imported from England, Ireland and France. The assertion is 
 made that the best leather from sheep-skins is produced from the 
 coarse- wooled animal, as they possess the finest grain. Here again, 
 the same rule applies as in the case of deer-skins, " the coarser the 
 
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i66 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 hair the finer the grain." We frequently find Cahfornia, Mexican and 
 sometimes Australian sheep -skins in the market, but their quality is 
 not deemed first class. Cape of Good Hope sheep -skins were once 
 quite extensively used, but only a limited number find their way here 
 at present The mocho sheep, which abounds in Arabia, Abyssinia and 
 the head waters of the Nile, finds its way to Fulton county from Port 
 Said, and is becoming a favorite with fine glove manufacturers. A des- 
 cription of the process employed to change this skin into leather suita- 
 ble for gloves will be found in another portion of this work. The 
 largest manufacturers of mocho skins in this country at the present 
 time is the Northrup Glove Manufacturing company of Johnstown. 
 There are also a number of leather dressers in Fulton county who are 
 making a clever imitation of mocho leather from domestic lamb and 
 sheep-skins. 
 
 The antelope skin also holds high importance, and at one time the an- 
 nual production of " domestic antelope " hides was about 80,000 pounds. 
 This, however, has greatly diminished and only a fractional part of the 
 quantity once used is now brought hither, and yet they afford an excel- 
 lent leather, in many respects equal to buckskin, for they are small and 
 light, also very soft and tenacious, resembling indeed the celebrated 
 chamois. The skin of the African antelope is also valuable, and it was 
 from this variety that the first "dongola" shoe leather was made; but 
 it is too tight and unyielding for gloves. 
 
 The South American water hog skin is extensively used. A familiar 
 variety of this skin is known as the " carpincho," and was first dressed 
 by Jonathan Ricketts, of Johnstown, who virtually controlled the market 
 for two or three years. He succeeded in tanning them so as to render a 
 leather equal to buckskin. Mr. Ricketts introduced these skins to Ful- 
 ton county manufacturers, who at once saw their value and they were 
 subsequently imported and tanned with great success. Daniel Hays, of 
 Gloversville, was among the first to take them up and still continues to 
 manufacture them. The domestic hog-skin, however, is of no value for 
 gloves, as it produces a hard, brittle and unyielding leather, which one 
 well-known manufacturer neatly said, is " fit for nothing but shingles." 
 It is a singular fact that the skin of those animals with the uncloven 
 hoof or claw foot (with the exception of the horse and South American 
 
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THE GLOVE INDUSTRY. 167 
 
 water hog) is unsuited for gloves, while the skin of animals with the 
 split -hoof, such as the deer, sheep, antelope and calf make excellent 
 glove leather. 
 
 The Russian colt-skin is used for ladies' gloves, while dog-skins are 
 extensively used in the manufacture of driving gloves. 
 
 Large quantities of Jersey cloth and knit goods enter into the manu- 
 facture of the cheaper grades of gloves and mittens and this feature of 
 the industry is constantly increasing. 
 
 Dressing and Tanning the Skins. — Radical changes have taken place 
 in many features of the tanning process during the past fifteen or twenty 
 years. Many of the earlier glove makers dressed and tanned their own 
 leather, and a number of the leading manufacturers still continue this 
 custom, as it insures a uniform quality for their goods and also saves 
 them the tanner's profit. Among these may be mentioned Daniel 
 Hays, Littauer Brothers, and John C. Allen, of Gloversville, and the 
 Northrup Glove Manufacturing Company, of Johnstown. Tanning and 
 dressing skins, however, has become a distinct and separate feature of 
 the industry and there are at present more than thirty- five leather 
 manufacturers in Fulton county, who have thus invested each from 
 five to forty thousand dollars. 
 
 A large share of the buck and sheep skins dressed in Fulton county 
 is shipped to other parts of the country to be used by shoe and saddlery 
 manufacturers and also to makers of piano leather. Millions of dollars 
 worth of shoe leather is also manufactured from sheep, calf, cow and 
 kangaroo skins at Gloversville and Johnstown, all of which finds a mar- 
 ket in the large shoe manufacturing centres. Much of this leather goes 
 to Boston and Eastern Massachusetts, while in two or three cases the 
 Eastern dealers and commission merchants have their leather manufac- 
 tured in Gloversville by contract 
 
 Such remarkable progress has been made in the manufacture of sheep 
 and lamb-skins that the great majority of the gloves made from these 
 skins are termed " kid gloves," In fact the term " domestic or imported 
 kid " is taken literally by the trade as meaning sheep or lamb skins 
 treated with the kid dressing. Until recently the imported " kid skins " 
 have been considered superior to those manufactured in this country, as 
 they come largely from Germany, where a greater amount of time is con- 
 
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,68 BIS TORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 sumed in dressing and tanning, but within the past few years rapid 
 strides have been made by the Fulton county manufacturers in dress- 
 ing "kid leather" from sheep and lamb skins, and many experts now 
 claim that the leather made here is in every respect equal to that from 
 abroad. One obstacle in the way has been the fact that the foreign 
 manufacturers have controlled the market on the sheep skins and have 
 thus drawn to England, Germany and France the choicest skins in the 
 world. Competition and an increased local demand will undoubtedly 
 create a new market for these skins and American manufacturers may 
 hope to be placed upon an equal footing with those in Europe. 
 
 The sheep and lamb-skins come to Fulton county in what is known 
 as a " salt picklg," applied after the wool has been removed. As al- 
 ready stated the greater share of " domestics'' are brought here from 
 the West, where they are shorn of their wool, and folded together in 
 bundles. When received at the mill they are first thoroughly 
 " drenched," or washed in water to remove the salt and extract the 
 " pickle" as effectually as possible. It is then customary to place them 
 in an alum bath for about twelve hours, after which they are staked. 
 This consists of stretching or drawing the skin over a thin, round-faced 
 iron attached to a stationary, upright piece of wood about the height 
 of a man's knee. The skins are drawn over this, partly by the hand 
 and partly by the knee of the workman, and the operation is generally 
 termed " knee staking." "Arm staking " is a similar process often re- 
 peated in the dressing of leather, particularly in the glove factories. 
 
 In this operation the workman has a similar piece of iron, but it is at- 
 tached to a section of hard wood that fits into the arm pit, and thus af- 
 fords a pressure direct from the shoulder. The skins are taken from 
 the staking-rooms and dried. This is accomplished either in the open 
 air, or in artificially heated rooms according to the nature of the skin 
 and the time necessary to dry it. They are then washed again, staked 
 and dried with much care. It is customary at this stage of the process 
 to sort the skins with regard to size and quality and then place them 
 in the egg bath. This is composed of the yolks of eggs, prepared by 
 mixing ten parts of salt with ninety parts of egg yolk. Many thou- 
 sand dozens of eggs are thus used annually — one Johnstown firm alone, 
 consuming two car-loads, or about 15,000 dozen in one season. The 
 
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THE GLOVE INDUSTRY. 169 
 
 skins are revolved in a drum until the egg yolk is thoroughly worked 
 into every pore, which makes them soft and pliable. They are tlien 
 ready to color and are placed with the flesh side down on zinc or lead 
 tables, and the dye spread over them with brushes. The coloring is 
 made of various pigments, among them redwood, lignum -vitae, wood- 
 citron, Brazil bark and many other coloring materials, according to the 
 shade desired. A mordant, consisting of alum, copperas and blue vit- 
 riol is then washed over them to set the color. They are then thor- 
 oughly dried, afterwards dampened again, and rolled up in parcels, with 
 the flesh side out, and stored away to season, which has the effect of 
 rendering every portion of them equally flexible and soft. They are 
 then ready for " mooning" process, sometimes called " shaving." This 
 consists in taking the superfluous particles of flesh and skin from the 
 leather, which renders it uniform in thickness and suitable for the glove 
 cutter. It is accomplished with a thin, round, sharp steel knife, set at 
 a slight angle, having a hole in the centre to which a movable handle 
 is attached. The workman, who must be an expert, then grasps the 
 skin, the upper end of which is fastened to horizontal bars arranged for 
 the purpose, and draws his sharp knife deftly over the flesh side, leav- 
 ing it smooth and soft. The skins are usually run over a swiftly revolv- 
 ing padded wheel, which polishes and softens the leather. Some of the 
 poorer skins are not colored, but allowed to remain in the white and 
 used as welts. 
 
 Jonathan Ricketts dressed sheep-skins in 1841 and was probably the 
 first in the county to engage in that branch of the business to any ex- 
 tent. It is claimed by some, however, that Christian G. Bach, who 
 came from Germany in 1836, milled the first sheep-skins in the county. 
 
 In milling oil -dressed sheep and buckskin the process is somewhat 
 different. The skins are first put into the stocks after coming from the 
 beam- house, and having been oiled, dressed and milled, they are returned 
 to be " scud." This consists in taking off any grain that may have been 
 left on them when the skins were first frized. The next step in the proc- 
 ess is to return the skins to the mill where they are scoured. This 
 includes placing the skins in vats filled with a hquor made of soda-ash, 
 where they remain until the grease is removed, when they are again 
 placed in the stocks where the remaining grease is worked out with 
 22 
 
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,70 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 water. They are dried and scoured several times until all possibility of 
 grease remaining in them is removed. They are then staked and fin- 
 ished, put through the splitting machine and are ready for the glove 
 cutter. From two to five months is required to dress buckskin, and 
 from four to six weeks for pil-dressed sheep-skin. In dressing grained 
 leather the hides are received in the raw state, and include calf, horse, 
 cow, hog, goat and sheep-skins. They are first limed and placed in 
 the vats where they remain about four weeks. At the end of that time 
 they are sufficiently limed to enable the beam men to remove the hair 
 or wool. The flesh adhering to the skins is usually removed in the 
 large mills by a Hemingway fleshing machine. The skins then go to 
 the drenches, where the lime is removed. They are then tanned in salt, 
 alum and gambler. A portion of the stock is egged, and after being 
 dried is " broken out " on a breaker or power stake, after which the 
 skins are drummed and are then ready for the market Another por- 
 tion of the skins pass through a fat liquor process, and after being dried 
 are treated in a similar manner to those that are egg tanned. Fish, lard 
 and neats foot oil enter largely into this process. Deer-skins are some- 
 times rubbed with dry ochre or smoked, as may be desired. Aaron 
 Simmons, who has been connected with the leather business since 1845, 
 is said to have introduced the smoking of skins. It is accomblished by 
 placing several hundred of them on racks in a smoke house, and allow- 
 ing the smoke from a slow fire to settle upon them. The skins are 
 hung out in the air seven or eight times during the process and they re- 
 quire much attention and frequent handling. It has been truthfully 
 said it requires years of experience to make one familiar with the many 
 interesting and important features of the leather business. 
 
 In the foregoing review of the origin, progress and development of 
 the county's industry an attempt has only been made to give the reader 
 a general idea of its character and scope. Were it indeed necessary to 
 treat each feature of the industry in minute detail, our whole volume 
 would be required for the task. 
 
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kAltkOAD ENTERFRTSE. 17 i 
 
 CHAPTER XVII. 
 RAILROAD ENTERPRISE. 
 
 THIRTY-FOUR years prior to the final completion of a railroad 
 into Fulton county, the people of Johnstown were agitated with 
 the prospect of rail connection with the outer world, and a puplic move- 
 ment for its accomplishment took definite form in the old court-house, 
 where a series of meetings was held with a great display of local elo- 
 quence. After protracted discussion, the organization of the Johnstown 
 and Utica and Syracuse Railroad Company, with a capital stock of 
 $75,000, was efifected on the 13th of May, 1836. So great was the re- 
 joicing when this news became generally known that an artillery salute 
 was fired at Johnstown, with other joyful demonstrations. They were 
 of brief duration, however, for the cold fact that a railroad were hope- 
 lessly impracticable at that time soon confronted every man of thought. 
 Long after this the project of a canal from Fonda to Johnstown was 
 contemplated, but this was still more impracticable, and thus public 
 sentiment concerning rail or water communication with the Mohawk 
 valley gradually relapsed into the former state of indifference. 
 
 At the time referred to there was indeed but little need of a railroad 
 farther north than Johnstown, as Gloversville contained only a few 
 houses, and even Kingsboro was but a hamlet. Twenty years, how- 
 ever, rolled by, and now, reader, let us note the change. The little 
 settlement formerly known as " Stump City," and later on as Glovers- 
 ville had become a place of equal importance with Johnstown, and in- 
 deed very rapidly outstripping it in population. Voices were heard 
 from the north pleading for a railroad, and the business interests of Ful- 
 ton county had become so large that the people were indignant at their 
 isolation from the rest of the world, and they demanded some means of 
 transportation more rapid and convenient than even the plank road. 
 
 In 1865 several prominent men in the county interested themselves 
 in a project to build a railroad from Fonda, through Johnstown and 
 
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1^2 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 Gloversville to Garoga, terminating at a point near Canada Lake. An 
 organization was effected, and Mr. Willard J. Heacock, who had been 
 the leader in the movement, was elected president, and John Wells, 
 treasurer. A survey way made of a portion of the distance, and some 
 stock subscribed. In those days the New York Central burned great 
 quanties of wood in their engines, and the projectors of the Canada Lake 
 route cherished the expectation of reaching the timber district of the 
 north and transporting to market a sufficient amount of lumber and fire 
 wood to support the railroad. Before the matter had taken any definite 
 form, however, it became apparent that coal would soon supersede 
 wood as fuel for locomotives and in that case the sparsely settled coun- 
 try in the northern part of the county would not furnish sufficient traffic 
 to warrant the construction of a railroad. The want of sufficient means 
 was also an important factor in the failure of the project. A second 
 organization was made in 1866 and a limited amount of stock was sub- 
 scribed ; but not enough to justify the company in proceeding with the 
 construction, and thus the enterprise again dropped into inaction, and 
 the hopes of the people were again disappointed. There were several 
 men, however, who did not despair. Chief among this number was the 
 plucky Willard J. Heacock, who continued to press the scheme upon 
 popular confidence. He admitted no failure in an effort which was so 
 necessary to the common weal, and therefore, with renewed resolution 
 prosecuted the purpose, which now became a part of his very existence. 
 
 He was not, however, to struggle alone, for he had the confidence and 
 earnest support of such men as John McNab, U. M. Place, Alanson Jud- 
 son, John E. Wells, David A. Wells, Marcellus Gilbert, Lewis Veghte, 
 George F. Mills and T. W. Miller, some of whom had been equally in- 
 terested in the former projects. In order to comply with the law in 
 obtaining the consent of a majority of the property holders in the town 
 to issue the required bonds, Mr. Heacock traveled for days and weeks, 
 visiting the homes of the people in different parts of the town, and in 
 the presence of a justice of the peace, taking a sworn affidavit of their 
 support — a labor which required that patience and perseverance which 
 was such a well known characteristic. 
 
 Several public meetings where held in the court-house at Johnstown 
 in the autumn of 1866 to arouse public interest. Mr, Heacock made a 
 
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CL^^£:^2yO 
 
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RAILROAt) ENTERPRISE. 173 
 
 careful estimate of the amount of business that the road would be likely 
 to receive from all available points, and presented his figures at one of 
 the meetings. An organization was finally perfected on the i6th day 
 of June, 1867, and articles of incorportaion of the Fonda, Johnstown & 
 Gloversville Railroad Company, with a capital stock of $300,000, were 
 filed in the office of the Secretary of State on the following day. The 
 officers of company as organized were : President, Willard J. Heacock ; 
 vice-president, David A. Wells ; treasurer, John McLaren, jr. ; secre- 
 tary, Timothy W. Miller; directors, W. J. Heacock, John McLaren, 
 John E. Wells, Byron G. Shults, D. B. Judson, John McNab, D. A. 
 Wells, Alanson Judson, Lewis Veghte, George F. Mills, U. M. Place, 
 John Peck and Timothy W. Miller. 
 
 On September 30, 1867, a contract was made with Aaron Swartz for 
 constructing the road and the work was soon begun, but after pursuing 
 it for a time Swartz found the undertaking was a greater one than he had 
 contemplated when he made the bargain, and he finally turned over 
 the work to Shipman & Middaugh, who resumed operations and con- 
 tinued the grading and leveling until November 21, 1868, when they 
 too, found the undertaking too great for their capacity and abandoned 
 it. The firm of Pratt & McLean also took contracts but accomplished 
 little or nothing. 
 
 In the mean time the town of Johnstown, had been bonded to the 
 amount of $275,600, pursuant to an act of the Legislatnre passed Feb- 
 ruary I, 1867. Recognizing the fact that little progress was being made 
 in the construction of the road, the railroad company offered to turn 
 over to the town the right of Way and grading as far as it had been ac- 
 complished, providing the town would complete, equip and operate the 
 road when finished. This offer was not acted upon by the town and 
 upon petition, the legislature passed an act in 1870 authorizing the 
 town of Johnstown to sell its mortgage bonds to the company for $100,- 
 000. This transaction was finally consummated and the remainder of 
 the work was done under the direction of the company. 
 
 At this time a man came upon the scene whose name is prominently 
 identified with the completion and success of the railroad. This was 
 Lawton Caten, the present superintendent, who became connected with 
 it in May, 1869; a time when his supervision was of the highest value. 
 
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tl4 HIS70RV OF PULTON COUNTY. 
 
 Thus far, endless toil and deep anxiety had been devoted to the enter- 
 prise by the few determined men whose minds were set upon its ulti- 
 mate success ; but they were richly rewarded by seeing the road finally 
 completed to Gloversville and trains actually running on the 29th of 
 November, 1870. The first equipment consisted of one locomotive, two 
 passenger cars, one baggage car, two box cars, four platform cars; and 
 the company was in debt some $6o,ooo for accrued interest. The first 
 depot at Johnstown was a wooden structure, in which both passenger 
 and freight business were transacted. The first station in Gloversville 
 was also a wooden building and stood on West Fulton street on the 
 site now occupied by the Gloversville Foundry & Machine Company's 
 works. It was afterward removed and is now occupied as a creamery. 
 
 The Gloversville and Northville Railroad Company was organized June 
 26, 1872, and its articles of incorporation were filed with the secretary 
 of state the same day. The officers of the company were : President, W. 
 J. Heacock ; treasurer, John McNab; secretary, David A. Wells; engi- 
 neer, Lawton Caten ; directors, W. J. Heacock, John McNab, U. M. 
 Place, Alanson Judson, of Gloversville ; David A. Wells, Mortimer 
 Wade, Lewis Veghte, of Johnstown; W. F. Barker, H. J. Resseguie, P. 
 Van Vleck, Michael W. Newton, S. B. Benton, of Northville ; R. C. Os- 
 trander, of Hope Falls ; and William Jackson, of Mayfield. The road 
 was bonded for $200,000 and the town of Northampton issued bonds to 
 the amount of $20,000. The town of Hope, Hamilton county, also gave 
 bonds for $8,000, but by an unforeseen technicality they were repudiated 
 and never paid. 
 
 The contract for clearing, grading and building fences was let to Res- 
 seguie & Newton, September 19, 1872, and work was begun at once. 
 The laying of the ties and iron and the equipment of the road was done 
 by the company. The road was completed and began operations No- 
 vember 29, 1875. 
 
 By reason of failure to pay interest, the mortgage bonds of the road 
 amounting to $200,000 were foreclosed, and pursuant to an act of the 
 legislature passed April 15, 1880, were purchased by the Fenda, Johns- 
 town and Gloversville Railroad Company, since which time the road 
 has been owned and operated by that company. This purchase took 
 place January 31, 188 1. The new road joined the old one at a point 
 
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RAILROAD ENTERPRISE. 
 
 '75 
 
 near the present engine-house in Gloversville, the distance to Nprth- 
 ville being a fraction more than 16 miles. 
 
 The first mortgage bonds of the Fonda, Johnstown and Gloversville 
 Railroad Company, for $300,000, were issued July i, 1870, and expire 
 in 1900. The only other bonds are for $200,000, and were issued April 
 I, 1 88 1. The second privilege was made for $500,000, but only $200,- 
 000 of this amount was issued. 
 
 The old depots at Johnstown and Gloversville were moved away and 
 replaced by the present handsome structures in 1888. The two new 
 depots are beautiful specimens of modern railway architecture and cost 
 about $25,000 each. 
 
 One of the notable enterprises of the company is the improvement 
 of thirty-five acres of land situated a short distance south of Northville, 
 seventeen seres of which was purchased in 1875. This ground is cov- 
 ered with a beautiful grove of pine and hemlock trees and has been ap- 
 propriately named Sacandaga Park. The company erected a summer 
 hotel on the grounds in 1891 and this is surrounded by at least a hundred 
 and twenty- five cottages The hotel is large and commodious, and to- 
 gether with furnishings cost $20,000. The Park bids fair to become fa- 
 mous as a summer resort. 
 
 A fully equipped machine works, equal to any of its size in the 
 country was erected by the company in 1887 on the site of the old depot 
 in Gloversville. This is now leased to the Gloversville Foundry and 
 Machine Company, who are at present operating it. A car repairing 
 shop adjoining this plant, was also built by the company in 1889. 
 
 The directors of the road when operations began in 1870 were W. J. 
 Heacock, John McNab, Alanson Judson, U. M. Place, Lawton Caten, 
 A. D. L. Baker, and Andrew Simmons, of Gloversville ; Lewis Veghte, 
 David A. Wells, Mortimer Wade and John E. Wells, of Johnstown ; 
 George F. Mills, of Fonda; and W. R. Fosdick, of New York. 
 
 Mr. Heacock has remained president of the road since its organiza- 
 tion, and David A. Weils has always been vice president. John Mc- 
 Laren was succeeded as treasurer by John McNab in 1870. Timothy 
 W. Miller was succeeded in the office of secretary by Mortimer Wade, 
 May 5, 1870. Mr. Wade retained the position until September 20, 
 1874, when Lawton Caten assumed its duties in which he continued 
 iinf-n thf iarp<;pnt vear. when he was succeeded bv Charles W. fudson. 
 
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176 HISTORY OF FULTON COUATY. 
 
 The present officers and directors are : President, W. J. Heacock ; 
 vice-president, David A. Wells; treasurer, John McNab; superintend- 
 ent, Lawten Caten; secretary, Charles W. Judson ; general counsel, A. 
 D. L. Baker. The board of directors is composed of the above named 
 officers, together with Lewis Veghte, Mortimer Wade, Henry Veghte, 
 D. B. Judson, George F. Mills, W. A. Heacock, and William Littauer. 
 The general offices are located in the second story of the passenger 
 station at Gloversville. 
 
 Fulton County Agricultural Society. — In another part of this volume 
 mention has been made of the fairs held at Johnstown in Sir William 
 Johnson's day, where undoubtedly the earhest premiums were ever 
 awarded for superiority in production or manufacture, in the Mohawk 
 valley. These fairs, however, instead of being public efforts were under 
 the patronage of one man — the baronet alone furnishing the premiums, 
 in order to incite the tenant farmers to increased efforts to produce im- 
 proved and varied crops. The early agriculturists of old Montgomery 
 county were mostly Germans, and their principal crop was wheat, of 
 which great quantities were raised; indeed they were entirely depend- 
 ent upon their own production, as transportation in those days was ex- 
 pensive, and instead of railways and canals, their avenues of commerce 
 consisted of foot paths and Indian trails through the woods. The great 
 interest manifested by Sir William in behalf of these agriculturists and 
 his desire to see them include in their culture some other crops than 
 wheat (which at that time was often unsalable), is shown by the follow- 
 ing extract from one of his letters to the English Society for the Pro- 
 motion of Arts, dated February 27, 1765. "Before I set the example, 
 no farmer on the Mohawk River ever raised so much as a single Load 
 of Hay, at present some raise above one Hundred. The like was the 
 case in regard to sheep, to which they were entire strangers until I in- 
 troduced them and I have the satisfaction to see them at present pos- 
 sess many other articles, the result of my former Labors for promoting 
 their welfare and interests." 
 
 It is not known at what date the fairs at Johnstown were discon- 
 tinued, but this must have taken place soon after Sir William's death, 
 which occurred in 1774. > 
 
 A record is found of an agricultural fair at Johnstown, October 12, 
 1 819. It was held by a society organized that year, of which Henry F- 
 
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AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 177 
 
 Cox, was president and James Mclntyre secretary. Premiums of money 
 were awarded, accompanied in each case by finely executed diplomas. 
 Fairs have been held nearly every year since that time, the Fulton 
 County Society coming into existence in 1837, just prior to the division 
 of the county. 
 
 In 1867 this society purchased from David D. Miller and others 
 eighteen acres of land, which now form their present fair grounds. 
 The purchase was made by Henry R. Snyder in behalf of the society 
 and more than $2,000 was at once expended upon the property for 
 fences and buildings, and in 1877 an exhibit hall was erected at a cost 
 of $1,000. Other buildings have been added from time to time, the 
 grounds and race track having been raised and improved in 1890 at an 
 expense of $1,100. What a contrast this affords to the early fairs 
 which were held in the court-house! The fairvof 1892 will be the 
 fifty fifth under the auspices of the Fulton County Society. A report 
 of the treasurer in 1848 shows the receipts to have been $170.55. In 
 1891 they were $9,007. The presidents of the society since 1867 have 
 been as follows : Henry R. Snyder, 1867-68 ; Jocob Boshart, 1869-70 ; 
 Isaiah Yauney, 1871-72; Richard Fancher, 1873; Charles Prindle, 
 1874-75-76; Nicholas H. Decker, 1877-78-79-80; Jacob Boshart, 
 1881 ; William S. Northrup, 1882-83-84; James I. Younglove, 1885- 
 86; Charles Prindle, 1887-88; William S. Northrup, 1889-90; Oliver 
 Getman 1891-92. 
 
 The present officers are : President, Oliver Getman ; first vice- 
 President, James I. Younglove ; second vice-president, George W. 
 Hildreth ; third vice-president, M. B. Northrup; treasurer, William 
 T. Briggs; secretary, Eugene Moore ; directors, William Potter, James 
 H. Roberts, Jacob P. Miller, John Dewey, James P. Argersinger, 
 Charles Prindle. 
 
 23 
 
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ij8 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 CHAPTER XVIII. 
 THE LEGAL PROFESSION IN FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 THE sentiment is commonly expressed that the judicial system of 
 the State of New York is largely copied or derived from the com- 
 mon law of England. This is true in many respects, and resemblances 
 may be traced therein, but a close study of the history of the laws and 
 judicial practice of this state will reveal the fact that they are an original 
 growth, and differ radically from the old systems of Europe. This dif- 
 ference is strikingly manifested in the simple matter of entitling a crimi- 
 nal process. In this state it is the People versus the Criminal ; in Eng- 
 land it is Rex versus the Criminal. In the one the requirement is an 
 independent judiciary responsible directly to the people only ; in the 
 other it is a court subservient to a king. 
 
 This great idea of the sovereignty of the people, even over our laws, 
 has had a slow, conservative, yet progressive and systematic unfolding 
 of the germ into organism. In the early history of the state the gov- 
 ernor was in effect the maker, interpreter and enforcer of the laws. He 
 was the chief judge of the Court of Final Resort, while his councilors 
 were generally his obedient followers. The execution of the English 
 and colonial statutes rested with him, as did also the exercise of royal 
 authority in the province; and it was not until the adoption of the first 
 constitution, in 1777, that he ceased to contend for these prerogatives 
 and to act as though the only functions of the court and councilors were 
 to do his bidding as servants and helpers, while the legislature should 
 adopt only such laws as the executive should suggest and approve. By 
 the first constitution the governor was entirely stripped of the judicial 
 power which he possessed under the colonial rule, and such power was 
 vested in the lieutenant-governor and the senate, the chancellor and 
 the justices of the Supreme Court; the former to be elected by the 
 people, and the latter to be appointed by the council. Under this con- 
 stitution there was the first radical separation of the judicial and legis- 
 
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DEVELOPMENT OF THE COURTS. 179 
 
 lative powers, and the advancement of the judiciary to the position of 
 a CO -ordinate department of the government, and subject to the limita- 
 tion consequent upon the appointment of its members by the council. 
 
 But even this restriction was soon felt to be incompatible, though it 
 was not until the adoption of the constitution of 1846 that the last con- 
 nection between the purely political and judicial parts of the state gov- 
 ernment was abolished ; and with it disappeared the last remaining 
 relic of the colonial period. From this time on the judiciary became 
 more directly representative of the people, in the election by them of 
 its members. The development of the idea of the responsibility of the 
 courts to the people, from the time when all its members were at the 
 beck and nod of one well nigh irresponsible master, to the time when 
 all judges, even of the court of last resort, are voted for by the people, 
 has been remarkable. Yet, through all this change there has prevailed 
 the idea of one ultimate tribunal from whose decision there can be no 
 appeal. 
 
 Let us look briefly at the present arrangement and powers of the 
 courts of the state, and then at the elements from which they have 
 grown. The whole scheme is involved in the idea of first a trial before 
 a magistrate and jury — arbiters, respectively, of law and fact — and then 
 a review by a higher tribunal of the facts and law, and ultimately of 
 the law by a court of the last resort. To accomplish the purposes of 
 this scheme there has been devised and established, first, the present 
 Court of Appeals, the ultiinate tribunal of the State, perfected in its 
 present form by the conventions of 1867 and 1868, and ratified by a 
 vote of the people in 1869 ; and taking the place of the old " Court for 
 the Trial of Impeachments and Correction of Errors" to the extent of 
 correcting errors of law. As first organized under the constitution of 
 1846, the Court of Appeals was composed of eight judges, four of 
 whom were elected by the people and the remainder chosen from the 
 justices of the Supreme Court having the shortest time to serve. As 
 organized in 1869, and now existing, the court consists of chief judge 
 and six associate judges, who hold office for a term of fourteen years 
 from and including the first day of January after their election. This 
 court is continually in session at the capital in Albany, except as it 
 takes a recess from time to time on its own motion. It has full power 
 
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i8o HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 to correct or reverse the decisions of ail inferior courts when properly 
 before it for review. Five judges constitute a quorum, and four must 
 concur to render judgment. If four do not agree the case must be re- 
 argued ; but no more than two rehearings can be had, and if then four 
 judges do not concur, the judgment of the court below stands affirmed. 
 The legislature has provided by statute how and when proceedings 
 and decisions of inferior tribunals may be reviewed in the Court of Ap 
 peals, and may, in its discretion, alter or amend the same. Upon the 
 reorganization of the court in 1869 'ts work was far in arrears, and the 
 law commonly known as the Judiciary Act provided for a Commission of 
 Appeals to aid the Court of Appeals. And still more recently there 
 has been organized the Second Division of the Court of Appeals to as- 
 sist in the disposition of the business of the general court caused by an 
 over- crowded calendar. 
 
 Second to the Court of Appeals in rank and jurisdiction stands the 
 Supreme Court, which, as it now exists, is made up of many and 
 widely different elements. It was originally created by act of the 
 colonial legislature, May 6, 1691, and finally by ordinance of the gov- 
 ernor and council, May 15, 1699, and empowered to try all issues to 
 the same extent as the English Courts of King's Bench, Common Pleas 
 and Exchequer, except in the exercise of equity powers. It had 
 jurisdiction in actions involving one hundred dollars and over, and to re- 
 vise and correct the decisions of inferior courts. An appeal lay from 
 it to the governor and council. The judges — at first there were five 
 of them — annually made a circuit of the counties, under a commission 
 naming them, issued by the governor, and giving them nisi prius, oyer 
 and terminer, and jail delivery powers. Under the first constitution 
 the court was reorganized, the judges being then named by the council 
 of appointment. All proceedings were directed to be entitled in the 
 name of the people, instead of that of the king. 
 
 By the constitution of 1821 many and important changes were made 
 in the character and methods of the court. The judges were reduced to 
 three, and appointed by the governor, with the consent of the senate, 
 to hold office during good behavior, or until sixty years of age. They 
 were removable by the legislature, when two- thirds of the assembly 
 and a majority of the senate so voted. Four times a year the full court 
 
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DEVELOPMENT OF THE COURTS. i8i 
 
 sat in review of their decisions upon questions of law. By the consti- 
 tution of 1846 the Supreme Court as it then existed was abolished, and 
 a new court of the same name, and having general jurisdiction in law 
 and equity, was established in its place. This court was divided into 
 General Terms, Circuits, Special Terms, and Oyer and Terminer. Its 
 members were composed of thirty-three justices, to be elected by the 
 people, and to reside, five in the first, and four in each of the other 
 seven judicial districts into which the state was divided. By the judi - 
 ciary act of 1847 General Terms were to be held at least once in each 
 year in counties having more than 40,000 inhabitants, and in other 
 counties at least once in two years ; and at least two Special Terms and 
 two Circuit Courts were to be held yearly in each county, except Ham- 
 ilton. By this act the court was authorized to name the times and 
 places of holding its terms, and those of Oyer and Terminer ; the latter 
 being a part of the Circuit Court and held by the justice, the county 
 judge and two justices of sessions. Since 1882 the Oyer and Terminer 
 consists of a single justice of the Supreme Court. 
 
 The Court of Chancery of the State of New York was an heirloom of 
 the colonial period, and had its origin in the Court of Assizes, the latter 
 being invested with equity powers under the duke's laws. The court 
 was established in 1683, and the governor, or such person as he 
 should appoint, assisted by the council, was designated as its chan- 
 cellor. In 1698 the court went out of existence by limitation; was re- 
 vived by ordinance in 1701 ; suspended in 1703 and re-established the 
 next year. At first the Court of Chancery was unpopular in the 
 province, the assembly and the colonists opposing it with the argu- 
 ment that the crown had no authority to establish an equity court in the 
 colony, and doubtful of the propriety of constituting the governor and 
 council such a court. Under the constitution of 1777 the court was 
 recognized, but its chancellor was thereby prohibited from holding 
 any other office except delegate to congress on special occasions. Upon 
 the reorganization of the court in 1778, by convention of representa- 
 tives, masters and examiners in chancery were provided to be ap- 
 pointed by the council of appointment ; registers and clerks by the 
 chancellor. The latter licensed all solicitors and counselors of the 
 court. Under the constitution of 1 821 the chancellor was appointed 
 
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,82 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 by the governor, and held office during good behavior, or until sixty 
 years of age. Appeals lay from the Chancery court to the courts for 
 Correction of Errors. 
 
 Under the second constitution equity powers were vested in the 
 circuit judges, and their decisions were reviewable on appeal to the 
 chancellor. But this equity character was soon taken from the circuit 
 judges, and thereafter the duties devolved upon the chancellor; while 
 the judges referred to acted as vice chancellors in their respective cir- 
 cuits. But, by the radical changes made by the constitution of 1S46, 
 the Court of Chancery was abolished, and its powers, duties and juris- 
 diction vested in the Supreme Court. 
 
 By an act of the legislature adopted in 1848, and entitled the Code 
 of Procedure, all distinctions between actions at law and suits in equity 
 were abolished, so far as the manner of commencing and conducting 
 the same was concerned, and one uniform method of practice in all 
 actions was provided. Under this act appeals lay to the General Term 
 of the Supreme Court from judgments rendered in justice, mayor's or 
 recorder's and county courts, and from all orders and decisions of a 
 justice at Special Term of the Supreme Court. 
 
 Thejudiciary article of the constitution of 1846 was amended in 1869, 
 by which amendment the legislature was authorized, not more often than 
 once in five years, to provide for the organization of General Term con- 
 sisting of a presiding justice and not more than three associates. But by 
 chapter 408 of the laws of 1870 the then organization of the General 
 Term was abrogated, and the state divided into four departments and 
 provision made for holding General Terms in each. By the same act 
 the governor was directed to designate from among the justices of the 
 Supreme Court a presiding justice and two associates to constitute a 
 General Term in each department. Under the authority of the consti- 
 tutional amendment adopted in 1882, the legislature in 1883 divided 
 the state into five judicial departments, and provided for the election of 
 twelve additional justices to hold office from the first Monday in June, 
 1884. 
 
 In June, 1877, the legislature enacted the Code of Civil Procedure 
 to take the place of the Code of 1848. By this many minor changes 
 in the practice of the court were made, among them a provision that 
 
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DEVELOPMENT OF THE COURTS. 183 
 
 every two years the justices of the General Terms, and the chief judges 
 of the Superior City Courts, should meet and revise and establish gen- 
 eral rules of practice for all the courts of record in the state, except the 
 Court of Appeals. 
 
 These are in brief the changes through which the Supreme Court of 
 the state of New York has passed in its growth from the prerogative of 
 an irresponsible governor to one of the most independent and en- 
 lightened instrumentalities for the protection and attainment of the 
 rights of citizens, of which any state or nation, ancient or modern, can 
 rightfully boast. So well is this fact understood by the people that by 
 far the greater amount of business which might be done in inferior 
 courts at less expense, is actually taken to this court for settlement. 
 
 Daniel Cady, recognized as one of the leading lawyers of the State, 
 was the only member of the Fulton county bar ever honored with a 
 position on the bench of the Supreme Court. He was first elected June 
 7., 1847, under the constitution of 1846, and again on November 6, 
 1849. 
 
 Next in inferiority to the Supreme Court is the County Court, held 
 in and for each county for the state, at such times and places as its 
 judges may direct. This court has its origin in the English Court of 
 Sessions, and, like it, at first had crimimal jurisdiction only. By an act 
 passed in 1683, a Court of Sessions, having power to try both civil and 
 criminal causes by jury, was directed to be held by three justices of the 
 peace, in each of the counties of the province twice a year, with an 
 additional term in Albany and two in New York. By the act of 1691, 
 and the decree of 1699, all civil jurisdiction was taken from this court 
 and conferred on the Common Pleas. By the sweeping changes made 
 by the constitution of 1846, provision was made for a County Court in 
 each county of the state, except New York, to-be held by an officer to 
 be designated the county judge, and to have, such jurisdiction as the 
 legislature might prescribe. Under the authority of this constitution, 
 the County Courts have been given, from time to time, juiisdiction in 
 various classes of actions not necessary to be enumerated here ; and 
 have also been invested with certain equity powers in the foreclosure 
 of mortgages; to sell infants' real estate; to partition lands; to ad- 
 measure dower and care for the persons and estates of lunatics and 
 habitual drunkards. 
 
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i84 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 The judiciary act of 1869 continued the existing jurisdiction of 
 County Courts, and conferred upon them original jurisdiction in all 
 actions in which the defendant lived within the county, and the dam- 
 ages claimed did not exceed one thousand dollars. Like the Supreme 
 Court, the County Court now has its civil and criminal side. In crimi- 
 nal matters the county judge is assisted by two justices of sessions, 
 elected by the people from among the justices of the peace in the 
 county. It is in the criminal branch of this court, known as the Ses- 
 sions, that all the minor criminal offences are now disposed of All 
 indictments of the grand jtft-y, except for murder or some very serious 
 felony, are sent to it for trial from the Oyer and Terminer. By the 
 codes of 1848 and 1877 the methods and procedure and practice were 
 made to conform as nearly as possible to the practice in the Supreme 
 Court. This was done with the evident design of attracting litigation 
 into these courts, and thus relieving the Supreme Court. But in this 
 purpose there has been a failure, litigants much preferring the shield 
 and assistance of the broader powers of the Supreme Court. By the 
 judiciary act "the term of office of county judges was extended from four 
 to six years. Under the codes the judges can perform some of the 
 duties of a justice of the Supreme Court at Chambers. The County 
 Court has appellate jurisdiction over actions arising in Justice Courts 
 and Courts of Special Sessions ; appeals lay from the County Court 
 direct to the General Term. 
 
 The village of Johnstown has been the seat of justice of three sepa- 
 rately named counties, Tryon, Montgomery and Fulton. The first 
 named county was created in 1772, and on the 26th of May of that year 
 Guy Johnson was appointed its judge. He abandoned the county, 
 therefore his office, in 1775, and it was not until 1778 that his successor 
 was appointed. This was Jacob Klock, commissioned February 6 of 
 that year, and who served until succeeded by Jellis Fonda, March 22, 
 1784. In the year last named Tryon county was changed to Mont- 
 gomery county, and so continued, Johnstown being the county seat, 
 until 1836. The county judges of Montgomery county, while the seat 
 of justice remained in what is now Fulton county, were as follows : 
 Jellis Fonda, appointed March 22, 1784; Frederick Fisher, March 27, 
 1787; Abraham Arndt, January 24, 1801 ; Simon Vedder, January 28, 
 
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DEVELOPMENT OF THE COURTS. iSj 
 
 1802 ; John McCarthy, March 2, 1809; Alexander Sheldon, March 3, 
 1815; Aaron Haring, February 9, 1819; Abraham Morrell, February 
 28, 1833, and serving in the office at the time of the division of Mont- 
 gomery county and the creation of Fulton county. Since the organiza- 
 tion of Fulton county its county judges, with date of election, have been 
 as follows: Donald Mclntyre, January 17, 1840; Marcellus Weston, 
 January 17, 1845; John Wells, June, 1840; Nathan Johnson, ^ Decem- 
 ber 10, 1850; John Stewart, November, 1855; Mclntyre Frazer, No- 
 vember, 1871; Ashley D. L. Baker, November, 1877; Jcry Keck, 
 November, 1883, and re elected in November, 1889. 
 
 Surrogates Courts, one of which exists in each county of the state, 
 are now courts of record, having a seal ; and their especial jurisdiction 
 is the settlement and care of estates of persons who have died either 
 with or without a will, and of infants. The derivation of the powers 
 and practice of the Surrogate Courts in this state is from the Ecclesiasti- 
 cal Court of England, through a part of the colonial council, which ex- 
 isted during the rule of the Dutch, and exercised its authority in accord- 
 ance with the Dutch Roman law, the custom of Amsterdam and the 
 law of Aasdom ; the Court of Burgomasters and Schepens, the Court 
 of Orphan Masters, the Mayor's Court, the Prerogative Court and the 
 Court of Pi'obates. The settlement of estates and the guardianship of 
 orphans which was at first vested in the Director General and Council 
 of New Netherland was transferred to the Burgomasters in 1653, and 
 soon after to the Orphan Masters. Under the colony the Prerogative 
 Court controlled all matters in relation to the probate of wills and set- 
 tlement of estates. This power continued until 1692, when by act of 
 legislation all probates and granting of letters of administration were to 
 be under the hand of the governor or his delegate ; and two freeholders 
 were appointed in each town to take charge of the estates of persons 
 dying without a will. Under the duke's laws this duty had been per- 
 formed by the constables, overseers and justices of each town. In 1778 
 the governor was divested of all this power except the appointment of 
 surrogates, and it was conferred upon the judges of the Court of Pro- 
 bates. Under the first constitution surrogates were appointed by the 
 council of appointment ; under the second constitution by the gov- 
 
 24 
 
 I Appointed ; elected at the next general election. 
 
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i86 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 ernor with the approval of the senate. The constitution of 1 846 abro- 
 gated the office of surrogate in all counties having less than forty thou- 
 sand population, and conferred its powers and duties upon the county 
 judge. Bythe Code of Civil Procedure surrogates were invested with all 
 the necessary powers to carry out the equitable and incidental require- 
 ments of their office. In its present form, and sitting in Fulton county 
 both at Johnstown and Gloversville each week, this court affijrds a cheap 
 and expeditious medium for the care and settlement of estates and the 
 guardianship of infants. The incumbents of the office of Surrogate in 
 Tryon, Montgomery and Fulton counties, during the time in which 
 Johnstown was the county seat, have been as follows : Christopher P. 
 Yates, appointed March 23, 1788 ; Isaac Paris, March 13, 1787 ; Josiah 
 Cram, April 6, 1790; Charles Walton, February 18, 1800; James Lan- 
 sing, August 13, 1 80 1 ; Tobias A. Stoutenburgh, February 12, 1S21 ; 
 Richard H Cushney, July 17, 1838. 
 
 Archibald McFarlan was commissioned surrogate of Fulton county 
 July 17, 1838, and held office to June 1847, at which time the provis- 
 ion of the constitution of 1846 became operative; and by which the 
 office and duties of surrogate devolved upon the county judge. 
 
 The only remaining courts which are common to the whole state are 
 the Special Sessions, held by a justice of the peace for the trial of minor 
 crimirfal offenses, and Justice Courts with a limited civil jurisdiction. 
 Previous to the constitution of 1821, modified in 1826, justices of the 
 peace were appointed ; since that they have been elected. The office 
 and its duties are descended from the English office of the same name, 
 but are much less important, and under the laws of this state purely the 
 creature of the statute. The office is now of very little importance in 
 the administration of law, and with the loss of much of its old time 
 power has lost all of its former dignity. 
 
 This brief survey of the courts of New York, which omits only those 
 which are local in character, gives some idea of the machinery provided 
 for the use of the members of the bench and bar at the time of the for- 
 mation of Tryon County in 1772; Montgomery County in 1784, and 
 Fulton County in 1838. An act of the legislature, passed May 8, 1847, 
 divided the state into eight judicial districts ; and Fulton county with 
 Warren, Saratoga, Washington, Essex, Franklin, St. Lawrence, Clin- 
 
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THE FORMER BAR. 187 
 
 ton, Montgomery, Hamilton, and Schenectady counties, comprised the 
 Fourth district. By chapter 329 of the laws of 1883, the Third and 
 Fourth districts were included in the Fourth Judicial Department of 
 the state. 
 
 The organization of the courts in Fulton county was accomplished 
 with little difficulty and no unnecessary formality. At that time the 
 machinery of the law was so well understood that there could be no 
 confusion either in opinion or action, for the constitution of 182 1 had 
 made clear all the ambiguities of its predecessors, and all that was re- 
 quired was that the judges of the several courts should interpret the 
 law according to precedents already established, while the attorneys 
 were only required to present to the court and jury the interests of their 
 respective clients according to their best judgment and ability. 
 
 The Bar of Fulton county has ever been noted for its strength. On 
 the bench, and as well as pleading in her courts, have been men of the 
 highest professional character and of great moral worth. Among the 
 leading legal minds of this state, Fulton county has furnished a liberal 
 proportion, many of which have attained distinction, and some, emi- 
 nence. They are recognized as men of strict integrity and acknowledged 
 ability, qualities which have given them a high standard in the legisla- 
 tive halls both of the state and the nation. 
 
 Daniel Paris and Matthias B. Hildreth were prominent Johnstown 
 lawyers during the early part of the present century. The former was 
 a son of Isaac Paris, who was slain at Oriskany. He served a term in 
 the state senate, and wielded great influence while member of the 
 Council of Appointment. Later on he removed to Troy, where he is 
 buried. Matthias B. Hildreth became attorney-general, and his duties 
 led him to the state capital, but he died in Johnstown and his grave is 
 to be seen in the old cemetery. 
 
 Aaron Haring came from New Jersey, and was for many years a 
 prominent member of the bar, being at one time chief judge of Common 
 Pleas. His office stood for a half century on the Court House plot, 
 and as he reached extreme age he is remembered by many of the 
 older citizens. Abraham Morrell was also a noted lawyer at the .same 
 time, and held the office of chief judge of Common Pleas for many 
 years. He was a zealous politician, and was the first to raise a hickory 
 pole in Johnstown, in which he was aided by his party adherents. 
 
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i88 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 Peter Brooks came from Herkimer, and was brother-in-law of Capt. 
 George L. Eacker, who fought a duel with Philip Hamilton. Mr. 
 Brooks passed a large part of his life in Johnstown, where he built an 
 elegant house, which is now occupied by Dr. Lefler. 
 
 Benjamin Chamberlain was prominent among the Johnstown lawyers 
 for many years. He erected, in 1816, the finest brick house in the 
 county, which is still standing (corner of Market and Clinton streets), 
 and though no longer used as a dwelling still retains its ancient dignity. 
 Mr. Chamberlain was an able counselor, and Donald Mclntyre, who 
 became the first judge of Fulton county, was one of his students. Later 
 on Mr. Mclntyre moved to Ann Arbor but afterwards returned to 
 Johnstown and engaged in banking. His last days, however, were 
 passed in Ann Arbor. 
 
 William I. Dodge, who was for many years noted both in the legal 
 and political world, was a native of Johnstown. He was at one time 
 district attorney, and he was also elected to the state senate. Later on 
 he removed to Syracuse, where he died. 
 
 Charles McVean, who was born and bred in Johnstown, studied law 
 with William L. Dodge and became a successful practitioner. He w£is 
 for one term district attorney, and was also elected to congress. Later 
 on he removed to New York, where he held the office of surrogate, dy- 
 ing before the expiration of his term. 
 
 Edward Bayard, a member of the historic family of that name, mar- 
 ried a daughter of Daniel Cady and became a member of the Mont- 
 gomery County Bar. Later on, however, he exchanged law for medi- 
 cine, and having removed to New York, attained high rank in his 
 profession. He died September 28, 1889. 
 
 Henry Cunningham — The career of this brilliant young man was 
 terminated so early that he never fulfilled the promise of his youth, but 
 had his life been sufficiently prolonged he would have made his mark 
 upon the age. As it is, however, it may be said that his impromptu 
 speech in the assembly created a greater sensation throughout the state 
 than any other effort of the kind prior to the rebellion. Cunningham 
 had, as a lawyer, attracted much notice, and he was elected to the 
 assembly in 1823 (taking his seat January i, 1824), and the close of the 
 session wa?? marked by a contemptible party cabal, whose object was 
 
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THE FORMER BAR. 189 
 
 the removal of De Witt Clinton from the office of canal commissioner. 
 Clinton, while governor, had begun the canal, and on the close of his 
 office he was made canal commissioner, but the ruling party found him 
 an obstacle to its schemes and his removal became its secret but de- 
 termined purpose. The last day of the session was chosen for its 
 accomplishment, and it was suddenly sprung upon the house, thus cre- 
 ating an intense excitement. Cunningham, though politically opposed 
 to Clinton, was so indignant at this outrage that he rose from his seat 
 with a face glowing with indignation and gave utterance to his emotions 
 in the following bold and manly outburst : " Mr. Speaker," he ex- 
 claimed, " it is with no ordinary feelings of astonishment that I hear the 
 resolution for the removal of Mr. Clinton. It is calculated to arouse 
 every honorable man. It is marked by black ingratitude and base de- 
 sign. For what purpose has it been sent here at the very last moment 
 in the session ! We have spent three months in our legislative duty, 
 and not one word has been uttered intimating a design to expel the 
 honorable gentleman from the Board of Canal Commissioners. Sir, he 
 was called to that place because of his transcendent fitness. His labor 
 for years had been arduous and unceasing for the public good. He had 
 endured slander and persecution, but he pursued his course with firm 
 and steady step until he was crowned by success, and the most flagrant 
 of his opponents sat in sullen silence. When the contemptible party 
 strifes of the present day shall have passed by and the present poHtical 
 jugglers shall be forgotten ; when the gentle breeze shall wave over the 
 tomb of that great man, breathing that just tribute which is now with- 
 held, the pen of the historian will do him justice and will erect a proud 
 monument of fame. For what did Mr. Clinton endure all this ? Was 
 it for a salary ? No, sir ! it was from patriotic motives, for which he 
 asked nothing and received nothing, nor did he expect anything but 
 the good of his country. Now, sir, I put the question to this honorable 
 house on their oaths, whether they are ready to commit this act of in- 
 gratitude ? I hope it is a redeeming feature of this house that we shall 
 not be guilty of so great an outrage. What, let me. ask, shall we an- 
 swer when we return to our constituents ? What can we charge against 
 Mr. Clinton ? Of what has he been guilty that he should now be singled 
 out as an object of persecution ? Sir, I challenge inquiry. This reso- 
 
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I go HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 lution may pass, but if it does we are disgraced in the judgment of an 
 injured, but an intelligent community." 
 
 This appeal thrilled not only the house, but the state. It was not 
 sufficient, however, to change the purpose of the cabal. Clinton was 
 removed, but so great was the popular indignation that at the next 
 election he was made governor, an office which he retained until his 
 death. Cunningham's tremenduous speech at once gave him distinction, 
 but his career was terminated by death before he had passed thirty-six, 
 and his grave is still to be seen in the old Johnstown Cemetery. 
 
 John W. Cady came from Florida, and studied law with Daniel 
 Cadj', with whom he was in partnership for several years. He prac- 
 ticed law during a long professional career in Johnstown, only varied by 
 his service in congress and in the state legislature. He was the father 
 of;he philanthropic financier, David Cady, of Amsterdam. He died in 
 Johnstown in 1854. 
 
 John Frothingham came from Hudson and passed his professional 
 life in Johnstown, where he died in 1868. 
 
 Among the many prominent legists at the bar of the courts in 
 Johnstown, Daniel Cady held highest professional rank and hence was 
 elevated to the bench of the Supreme Court in 1847, ^"^ elected to a 
 full term in 1849. Daniel Cady was a native of Columbia county, N. Y., 
 born in April, 1773. He read law with John Wentworth, at Albany, 
 and in 1795 was admitted to the state courts. He began practice at 
 Florida, Montgomery county, but soon afterward moved to Johnstown 
 which then was a frontier village. Among his immediate contemporaries 
 at the bar in the state at that time, or during the early years of Mr. 
 Cady's practice, were such legal lights as W. W. Van Ness, afterward 
 judge of the Supreme Court ; Matthias B. Hildreth, twice attorney 
 general of the state, Thomas Addis Emmett, Caldwallader D. Colden, 
 T. R. Gould and John Griffin. Mr. Cady also at different times 
 measured talent with such distinguished lawyers as Alexa,nder Ham- 
 ilton, Aaron Burr, Edward Livingston, Brokholst Livingston, Samuel 
 Jones, also the Harrisons, Hoffinans, Troops, and Pendletons ; men of 
 national reputation both in the profession and also as statesmen. It is 
 no fulsome compliment to say of Daniel Cady that he was the equal of 
 any of those who have been named. 
 
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The PokMEk bar. 191 
 
 "Though constitutionally modest, and bashful in the extreme, Mr. 
 Cady early worked his way towards the front rank of the profession. In 
 those days a lawyer could not argue a cause in the Supreme Court till 
 he had practiced three years as an attorney. Mr. Cady argued his 
 first cause before the court in bank in 1798, as soon as the rules would 
 permit. The first reported case in which he was counsel was Jackson 
 ex dem Lord Southampton C. Sample, It involved the title to a large 
 tract of land in Montgomery county. Abi'aham Van Vechten was 
 counsel for the plaintiff, and Daniel Cady and Aaron Burr for the de- 
 fendant." 
 
 Mr. Cady saw great changes in the constitutional, judicial and 
 statutory systems of the state. He practiced under four different con- 
 stitutions, beginning with the first adopted in 1777 ; and he was one of 
 the interpreters of the law under the Code of Procedure adopted in 
 1848. The code was the outgrowth of the constitution of 1846, and 
 their combined power swept away all " old landmarks, crushing law and 
 equity into one mass, and providing for an elective judiciary." These 
 changes carried Mr. Cady upon the bench, where, says his biographer, 
 " he should have been thirty years before." To keep pace with all these 
 changes in constitutions, statutes and judiciary required the closest 
 study, while to master them required gigantic intellectual power, but 
 Judge Cady comprehended them fully, and expounded them with sin- 
 gular clearness and great logical power. 
 
 Judge Cady was first elected judge of the Supreme Court June 7, 1847, 
 and again on November 6. 1849, and on this latter occasion it was cer- 
 tainly wonderful to see a man of seventy-seven a candidate for such an 
 office. His service upon the bench covered a period of seven and a 
 half years, and he resigned January i, 1855, on account of bodily in- 
 firmities, being then nearly eighty-two, and yet his mental faculties 
 seemed to hold their full power. The General Term of the Supreme 
 court was appointed on that day at Sandy Hill, Washington county, 
 but it was adjourned in consequence of his resignation and suitable 
 resolutions of respect were adopted. 
 
 In politics Daniel Cady styled himself " an old-fashioned federalist." 
 In 1808 he was elected to the Assembly, and re-elected in 1809, 181 1, 
 1 8 12 and 18 13. He was elected to congress in 18 14. His rival in the 
 
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tgi HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 canvass for the office of judge of the Supreme Court, both in 1847 ^^^ 
 1849, was Judge Fine, a lawyer of fine abilities and much popularity in 
 the county, but Judge Cady's great strength gave but little chance to 
 any opposition. Judge Cady had two sons who died early in life. He 
 also had six daughters, all of whom were characterized by more than 
 usual intellectual endowment, and one -of the number (Mrs. E. C. Stan- 
 ton) has reached prominence in the discussion of some of the leading 
 questions of the day. It may be added that a short time before Judge 
 Cady's death, Horace E. Smith called on him and found that though he 
 was blind with age his faculties seemed bright and active. On this oc- 
 casion the conversation included reminiscences of Hamilton and Burr, 
 which Mr. Smith mentions as highly interesting. Judge Cady was in- 
 deed a practicing lawyer when the famous duel took place between 
 these distinguished men, and as he was fourteen at Washington's first 
 inauguration he was a connecting link between the founding of our 
 republic and modern times. He died October 30, 1859, being then in 
 his eighty- sixth year. 
 
 John Wells held prominence among a younger class of lawyers, being 
 indeed a connecting link between the old lawyers and the present bar. 
 He was a son of Nathan P. Wells, sr., who gave him fine opportunities, 
 and after a college education he prepared for the bar and was elected to 
 the. office of county judge, in addition to which he was sent to congress. 
 Judge Wells was a profound lawyer, but his love of literature was a 
 controlling power and he never solicited professional engagements. He 
 was one of the clearest thinkers of his day and was also an able writer 
 on public questions. He died suddenly a few years ago, while in the 
 fullness of his powers. 
 
 James M. Dudley was born in the town of Peru, Bennington county, 
 Vt, July 19, 1813. His father was a farmer, and James passed his 
 youth in farm work, attending school in its season, and laboring during 
 the summer until he was about seventeen, when he was sent to the 
 academy at Chester, Vt. He completed his elementary education at 
 the Burr Collegiate Seminary, at Manchester, and then read law under 
 the direction of Judge Washborne and Peter T. Washborne, both at 
 Ludlow, Vt. About the year 1840 Mr. Dudley came to this state, 
 locating at Broadalbin, and there continued his law study, but afterward 
 
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THE FORMER BAR. 193 
 
 moved to Oppenheim. In July, 1845, he was admitted in the state 
 courts, and in 1854 he made a permanent location at Johnstown, and 
 opened an office. Three years later Mr. Dudley became professionally 
 associated with Judge John Wells, forming a legal firm which ranked 
 among the first in Fulton county, and which continued until about the 
 time of Judge Wells' death Jeremiah Keck, however, who had studied 
 law in the office of Wells & Dudley, was admitted in 1869, and soon 
 afterward became a member of the firm, under the style of Wells, Dud- 
 ley & Keck. This partnership was dissolved in 1877, and was succeeded 
 by Dudley, Dennison & Dudley, James M. being senior member, and 
 his associates being his son-in-law and son. In 1882 Mr. Dennison left 
 the firm to take the appointment of deputy attorney-general, and Mr. 
 Dudley and his son Harwood continued in partnership until the death 
 of the former, April 9, 1892. 
 
 James M. Dudley is remembered as one of the leaders of the Fulton 
 county bar. In many respects he was a strong lawyer, but in every 
 transaction, whether professional or in private business, he was honor- 
 able and just. He loved the practice of the law, not because he loved 
 litigation itself, but because it was a profession in which men of his 
 legal attainments and honorable purposes had full scope for their powers, 
 and at the same time could aid in the administration of justice. His 
 clients knew that he would not betray their confidence, his professional 
 associates also knew that he was incapable of chicanery, and the bench, 
 was convinced that candor and honesty were his characteristics. Mr. 
 Dudley wielded influence in Fulton county politics, but was in no sense 
 an office seeker. He was appointed district attorney by Horatio Sey- 
 mour, and in 1866 was chairman of the Board of Supervisors. In 1871 
 he was the Republican candidate for the office of county judge, but 
 was defeated by Judge Fraser. In 1872 and 1873 he served as one of 
 the committee to revise the State Constitution. He held for many 
 years prior to his death the office of United States Commissioner. 
 
 Turning from the living to the honored dead, mention is due to Mar- 
 tin and John McMartin, twin brothers and natives of Johnstown, both of 
 whom became successful lawyers. John died early and in the midst of 
 great promise. Martin on the other hand continued in practice until 
 the rebellion, when he became quartermaster of the i isth regiment, 
 
 25 
 
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,94 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTi. 
 
 He afterward resumed his profession, in which he continued until his 
 death. 
 
 James L. Veeder was born at Fonda, where his parents lived for 
 many years and reared a large and reputable family. He was educated 
 at Union College, and after graduating pursued legal study with Austin 
 Yates. He was admitted and began the practice of his profession at 
 Fonda, but removed to Johnstown, where his prospects were highly 
 favorable. His career, however, was brought to an untimely close by 
 typhoid fever, of which he died in March, 1889, deeply regretted by 
 all who knew him. 
 
 Tke Present Bar. — In both personal character and professional ability 
 the bench and bar of Fulton county have (as has been mentioned), al- 
 ways held distinction, and did our space permit the subject would be 
 entitled to more extended notice. Under such a limitation, however, 
 ■our record will only include brief personal facts. 
 
 In Fulton county there is a great variety of business interests, and 
 lience there is a fair prospect of success on the part of any energetic 
 lawyer ; but the legal business of the county naturally centers either at 
 the county seat or in Gloversville, and hence the greatest amount of 
 general business is transacted at those places which, as a matter of 
 course, contain the majority of the population. Later on, however, 
 Northville and Broadalbin have become villages of importance, and the 
 lawyer is a necessary part of their population, while with the small pop- 
 ulation of Mayfield and Oppenheim, each place seems content with the 
 presence of but one resident attorney. The following sketches are ar- 
 ranged by towns (for convenience), Johnstown having the preference ; 
 and the brief notices given the members of the bar are arranged in the 
 order of seniority of admission to practice. 
 
 Mclntyre Fraser was born in Johnstown, March 30, 1822, and is, 
 therefore, the oldest native lawyer in the county. He was brought up 
 on a farm, and acquired his early education in the common schools, 
 supplemented by about two years "at the old Johnstown Academy, un- 
 der Peter Burke, principal. In 1845 Mr. Fraser began the study of law 
 in the office of John Wells, previous to which he was for a time clerk in 
 a store and was also engaged in trade, his partner being the late Jacob 
 Burton. After two years of law study he was admitted at the Dutchess 
 
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THE PRESENT BAR. 195 
 
 county General Term in September, 1847. In the same class of appli- 
 cants for admission were Judge William H. Robertson, a prominent man 
 in New York state politics, for many years in the legislature, and at one 
 time collector of the port of New York, and also Judge Nortlirup, after- 
 ward of the Court of Claims. 
 
 Mr. Fraser began his law. practice as partner with Martin McMartin, 
 then a prominent Johnstown lawyer, but after two years the latter was 
 succeeded in the firm by Judge John Stewart. Four years later Judge 
 Stewart retired from the firm (having been elected county judge), after 
 which Mr. Fraser practiced without a partner for several years, when he 
 became associated with his cousin, Daniel Cameron. In 1869 John M. 
 Carroll came into the firm, which was styled Carroll & Fraser. This 
 firm has been in existence, with the exception of two years, since its 
 formation in 1869 with the addition in 1890 of John C. Mason as junior 
 partner under the style of Carroll, Fraser & Mason. 
 
 Originally Judge Fraser was a Whig in politics, but with the disso- 
 lution of that party and the formation of the Republican, he, unlike the 
 majority of Whigs, united with the Democratic party, and has ever been 
 one of its warmest advocates. As a Democrat, in 1871, he was elected 
 county judge, defeating James M. Dudley. At the end of his first term 
 Judge Fraser was a candidate for re-election, but was defeated by Ash- 
 ley D. L. Baker, by about two hundred votes. Judge Fraser was at 
 one time president of the village of Johnstown, and his term of office 
 was marked by important local improvements under the new charter. 
 
 The practice of the firm of Carroll & Fraser and also of Carroll, Fra- 
 ser & Mason, has been for many years very large, extending into the 
 adjoining counties of Montgomery, Schenectady and Saratoga. In 1869 
 Carroll & Fraser opened an office in Albany, where one of its members 
 was in daily attendance. The business at Albany was abundantly suc- 
 cessful, but the election of Mr. Carroll to Congress, and of Judge Fraser 
 to the County Court bench, required its discontinuance. Judge Fraser 
 has been admitted to practice in the United States District and Circuit 
 Courts, also in the Supreme Court of the United States. 
 
 Borden D. Smith was born in Boston, Mass., July 19, 1847. His ele- 
 mentary education was acquired at Johnstown Academy, and his legal 
 education in the office of his father, Horace E. Smith. In 1868, at the 
 
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196 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 age of twenty- one years, Mr. Smith was admitted at Canton, St. Law- 
 rence county. He first practiced in partnership with his father, but in 
 1875 the firm of Smith & Nellis was formed, and has since continued. 
 Mr. Smith is a Republican in politics, but is not an active partisan. 
 
 Jeremiah Keck, the present county judge of Fulton county, was born 
 in Johnstown, November 9, 1845. His early education was acquired in 
 the common schools, the Clinton Liberal Institute, and the Whitestown 
 Seminary, of which he is a graduate. He read law under the direction 
 of Wells & Dudley, of Johnstown, and was admitted April 7, 1869, at 
 the Schuyler county General Term. After admission he became junior 
 member of the law firm of Wells, Dudley & Keck, which continued 
 until 1877. He then formed one of the firm of J. & P. Keck, until Jan- 
 uary I, 1884, when, having been elected county judge, he retired from 
 active practice to take his seat on the bench. In 1889 Judge Keck 
 was re-elected, having previously served in that office six years. 
 
 Robert P. Anibal, familiarly known throughout the county as Judge 
 Anibal, was born in Benson, Hamilton county, February 22, 1845. ^^ 
 •was graduated from Fort Edward Collegiate Institute in 1866, and also 
 attended Cooperstown Seminary, purposing to enter the sophomore 
 class of Union College, but was prevented by ill health. He taught 
 school and studied law alternately, being for two years principal of 
 North ville High School. He read law with Judge Waite, of Fort Ed- 
 ward, with Lyons & Brown, of Cooperstown, and with Carroll & Fraser, 
 of Johnstown, and was admitted at Albany in February, 1871. In No- 
 vember of the same year he was elected county judge of Hamilton 
 •county, and kept his residence within its bounds until January i, 1878, 
 when he moved to Northville and opened an office. In December, 
 1885, he removed to the county seat, and then formed the partnership 
 of Anibal & Murray. Judge Anibal is now recognized as one of the 
 ablest members of the Fulton county bar, having a special forte in the 
 defense of criminal cases. He is known, too, as one of the leading 
 Democrats of the county. He was the nomineee of his party for dis- 
 trict attorney in 1880, but was defeated by the Republican candidate, 
 Clayton M. Parke, of Gloversville. Mr. Anibal has recently acted as 
 counsel to the Forest Commissioners, and has spent the last winter in 
 Albany. In the investigation before the commission he was awarded 
 the closing speech. 
 
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THE PRESENT BAR. 197 
 
 Edwin Baylies, although a Fulton county lawyer, has gained more 
 prominence as a law writer than as a practicing attorney. He is a 
 native of Clinton, Oneida county, born August 23, 1 840. He was three 
 years in Hamilton College, but left that institution before graduation 
 and went to California. Returning in seven years he was graduated 
 from the law department of Hamilton College in 1 871, and then prac- 
 ticed in Johnstown for five years. During this time he engaged with 
 William Wait on his " Supreme Court Practice," and on several other 
 law works. He revised and put in form the fifth edition of " Wait's 
 Law and Practice," and edited " Baylies' Questions and Answers," a 
 valuable book designed to assist law students before examination. Mr. 
 Baylies also edited "Trial Practice," " New Trials and Appeals," "Code 
 Pleadings," " Sureties and Guarantors," and a supplemental volume to 
 "Wait's Law and Practice." 
 
 This reference to " Wait's Law and Practice " leads to the remark 
 that William Wait was a remarkable writer of law books. He began 
 his profession in Fonda's Bush, and thence moved to Johnstown, where 
 he reached wealth ?nd distinction. 
 
 Donald McMartin, the son of Martin McMaitin, was born in Johns- 
 town, February 6, 1852. He read law with his father and was admit- 
 ted at Albany in June, 1873. He has always practiced at Johnstown. 
 In politics Counselor McMartin is an Independent Democrat. 
 
 Philip Keck was born in Johnstown, October 26, 1848. He was 
 educated at Johnstown Academy and also at the Whitestown Seminary, 
 and entered Hamilton College in 1871, remaining there two years. He 
 was graduated from the law department of Union College in 1875, and 
 was admitted an attorney and counselor of the state courts. His 
 practice began at Johnstown in partnership with his brother, under the 
 firm name of J. & P. Keck, which continued till January i, 1884, 
 when the senior partner became the county judge. On January I, 
 1890, Clarence W. Smith became his partner, the firm being Keck & 
 Smith. 
 
 Andrew J. Nelliswas born in Palatine, July 22, 1852, and was edu- 
 cated in the common schools and also at Fairfield Seminary. He read 
 law with Judge John D. Wendell, of Fort Plain, and attended the 
 Albany Law School nine months, graduating in May, 1875, after which 
 
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198 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 he was for one year principal of the Macedon Academy. His law 
 practice began in Johnstown in 1875, as partner with Horace E. Smith, 
 a connection that continued until 1879. when Mr. Smith retired. This 
 firm was followed by the existing parternership, comprising Mr. Nellis 
 and Borden D. Smith, the firm being Smith & Nellis. 
 
 Harwood Dudley, the only remaining member in Johnstown of the old 
 firm of Dudley, Dennison& Dudley, was born in Oppenheim, September 
 1 1, 1852. He entered the sophomore class at Union College in 1872 and 
 was graduated in 1875. He read law during the college vacations, and 
 after graduation entered Albany Law School, graduating in 1876. On 
 January i, 1877, he became one of the firm of Wells, Dudley & Keck, 
 which was followed by that of Dudley, Dennison & Dudley. In 1882 
 upon the withdrawal of Major Dennison, the firm changed to J. M. & 
 H. Dudley, and so remained until the death of James M. Dudley, April 
 9, 1892. 
 
 The old firm of Dudley, Dennison & Dudley gained a reputation as 
 law writers as well as practitioners. In 1880 they adapted the sixth 
 edition of Cowen's Treatise to the provisions of the code. In 1883 the 
 seventh edition was revised by Harwood Dudley, and the decisions 
 brought down to that time. In 1881 the firm rearranged (really re- 
 wrote) " Edwards on Bills and Notes ;" also, about the same time, they 
 revised "Addison on Torts " — both works of acknowledged value. 
 
 De Witt C. Moore is the son of Frederick C. Moore and was born in 
 Johnstown March 14, 1851. He was educated at the Johnstown 
 Academy and also at Union College, where he graduated in 1877, hav- 
 ing been editor of the College Spectator, also one of the editors of the col- 
 lege magazine. He won the first prize in the junior contest for prize 
 speaking and was the orator of his class at class-day, June, 1877. He 
 then studied law and was admitted in 1879, after which he was ap- 
 pointed clerk of the Fulton county Surrogate's Court and held that office 
 till 1885. He also had at the same time an editorial connection with 
 the Fulton County Republican and later on became editor of the Even- 
 ing News. He has also held the office of police justice, and was ap- 
 pointed by the supervisors their attorney in the appeal of the city of 
 Gloversville from the assessment. He is now editorially connected 
 with the Johnstown Republican, but also continues law practice, and has 
 recently been appointed United States commissioner. 
 
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THE PRESENT BAR. 199 
 
 Clarence W. Smith was born in Jay, Essex county, October 19, 1855. 
 After several terms at the Elizabethtown Academy he entered the law 
 department of the University of Michigan, from which he graduated in 
 1877. He also read law with T. D. Trumbull, of Jay, and was admitted 
 in September, 1883. He began practice in Hamilton county soon 
 after his admission, and in the fall of the same year, 1883, was elected 
 county judge. On the expiration of his term of office (December 3 i, 
 1889), Judge Smith came to Johnstown and became partner with Philip 
 Keck. 
 
 Michael D. Murray was born in Ephratah, July 26, 1848. His early 
 education was acquired in the common schools and also in the Johns- 
 town Academy, together with a preparatory course under Professor 
 Kellogg. He entered Union College as a third term sophomore, and 
 remained during his junior year, but was not graduated. His legal edu- 
 cation was gained in the offices of Carroll & F"razer and also with Edwin 
 Baylies, and Richard H. Rosa, after which he became a lawyer by ad- 
 mission at Hamilton College. He began to practice at Johnstown in 
 1883, and in 1886 became one of the well known firm of Anibal & 
 Murray. Mr. Murray is a Democrat and his partisan fidelity was re- 
 warded by the appointment of postmaster at Johnstown, March 10, 1887. 
 
 Henry W. Thorne was born in Yeovil, England, December 3, 1859, 
 and came to Johnstown in 1867. He was apprenticed to learn the 
 trade of glovemaking, but abandoned it and learned stenography. In 
 1880 he was appointed reporter for the county court, and was admitted 
 to practice in 1884, after having read law in the office of Dudley, Den- 
 nison & Dudley. 
 
 Fayette E. Moyer was born at Canajoharie, October 21, 1865, and 
 received his early education in the public schools and also at Johnstown 
 Academy. He began the study of law in the office of Smith & Nellis, 
 in the fall of 1883, and was admitted at Albany in November, 1886, 
 after which he at once opened an office at Johnstown. In 1888 he was 
 elected justice of the peace to fill a vacancy, and on its close was re- 
 elected for a full term. He was appointed police justice of Johnstown 
 village in 1 890, and was reappointed in 1892. In politics Mr Moyer 
 is a Republican. He was chairman of the Fulton and Hamilton coun- 
 ties delegation to the Republican state convention of 1892, and is now 
 senatorial committeeman for his assembly district. 
 
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200 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 John C. Mason, son of James Fraser Mason, and junior member of 
 the law firm of Carroll, Fraser & Mason, was born in Johnstown on the 
 25th day of October, 1862. He received his early education at the 
 " Old Johnstown Academy," under Prof William S. Snyder. Tn the 
 autumn of 1880 he entered " Delaware Literary Institute," where he 
 spent two years in preparation for college, and was graduated with high 
 honors and as president of his class, being awarded the " Benham 
 Prize," founded by Thomas L. Benham, of Utica, for declamation. In 
 September, 1882, he entered Hamilton College, where he pursued a 
 four years' classical course, under the presidency of the late Rev. Henry 
 Darling. He was graduated on the 2d day of July, 1886, with high 
 honors, having been awarded the " McKinney Prize " for superiority in 
 oratory. Returning home in the fall of 1886, he entered the law office 
 of Carroll & Fraser, where he pursued his legal studies until 1887, 
 when he entered the Albany Law School, under the tuition of Horace 
 E. Smith as dean. He was admitted at Saratoga Springs, and on Jan- 
 uary I, 1890, became junior member of the present firm of Carroll, 
 Fraser & Mason, of Johnstown. Having achieved a reputation as a 
 public speaker, he was secured by McMartin Post, G. A. R., to deliver 
 the Memorial Day address at Johnstown, May 30, 1888. During the 
 presidential campaign of 1888 he was president of the Harrison and 
 Morton Campaign Club of Johnstown, and took the stump throughout 
 the county in the interest <3l the Republican party. In January, 1889, 
 he was elected and became a member of the Lotus Club. At the time 
 of its incorporation, May 17, 1889, he became a stockholder of "The 
 Opera House Company of Johnstown." In 1892 he was again elected 
 president of the " Johnstown Republican Club." He has also been an 
 occasional contributor to local papers. 
 
 Frank L. Anderson was born in Saratoga county, December 18, 1864. 
 He read law with Anibal & Murray, and was admitted February, 1 890, 
 at Albany. In March, 1889, he was elected police justice of Johns- 
 town, and was re-elected in 1891. 
 
 The Gloversville Bar. — Among the early lawyers of Gloversville was 
 John S. Enos, a man of some prominence in the profession and local 
 politics. He served one term as district attorney of the county, and 
 when again a candidate for the same office was defeated by John M. 
 Carroll, the latter being the nominee of the Democracy. 
 
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THE PRESENT BAR. 201 
 
 L. H. Copeland was also one of the older practitioners in the village, 
 and the period of his practice began about 1850. He afterward re- 
 moved to Illinois. 
 
 John H. H. Frisbie was in practice about the same time with Mr. 
 Copeland, and, like him, also emigrated to Illinois. 
 
 William R. Davidson prepared for professional life at the Albany 
 Law School. He came to Gloversville about 1859, and practiced three 
 or four years. 
 
 Alonzo Chace came to practice in Gloversville about i860, and re- 
 mained not more than two or three years. 
 
 N. J. Randall also came to the then village about i860, practiced a 
 few years and abandoned the profession to enter the ministry. 
 
 James W. Johnson was for twenty years or more a justice of the 
 peace at Kingsboro, and deserves notice for such protracted service in 
 an important office. 
 
 The Gloversville Bar Association. — On the 5th of March, i89i,a 
 preliminary meeting was held by the lawyers of Gloversville, at which 
 time there was formed the " Bar Association of the City of Glovers- 
 ville, N. Y.," the first organization of its kind in the county. Its object, 
 as set forth in the constitution, was " to promote a spirit of brotherly 
 and social feeling among its members ; to elevate the standard of integ- 
 rity, honor and courtesy in the legal profession ; to fix and maintain 
 just and equitable rates of compensation, and to cultivate the science of 
 jurisprudence." 
 
 The first elected officers of the association were Clayton M. Parke, 
 president; Frank Burton, vice-president; Horton D. Wright, secretary 
 and treasurer ; William Green, Edgar A. Spencer and Jerome Eggles- 
 ton, executive committee. The present officers are: Ashley D. L. 
 Baker, president; William C. Mills, vice-president; Frank Talbot, 
 secretary and treasurer ; William Green, Edgar A. Spencer and Jerome 
 Eggleston, executive committee. 
 
 Present membership: Ashley D. L. Baker, Frank Burton, Clayton 
 M. Parke, Edgar A. Spencer, Nicholas M. Banker, Nelson H. Anibal, 
 William C. Mills, William Green, Jerome Eggleston, Clark L. Jordan, 
 Henry H. Parker, Frank Talbot, Edwin P. Bellows, E. H. Winans, 
 Horton D. Wright, James H. Drury, Hallock C. Alvord. 
 
 26 
 
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202 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 William Green was born in Johnstown, February 7, 1839, 3"^^ ^^- 
 ceived his early education at the once famous Kingsboro Academy, 
 then under the direction of Horace Sprague. In 1854 he entered 
 Union College, but was not graduated until i860 because of absence. 
 He read law with Abram Becker, an Otsego county lawyer, and was 
 admitted at Albany in 1862. For a few months Mr. Green practiced 
 law in Mayfield, when, in 1863, he recruited about fifty men to fill up 
 Company B, Second New York Heavy Artillery, and in recognition was 
 commissioned second lieutenant of the company. His service in the 
 army continued to January, 1865, when he was discharged on account 
 of sickness. After the war he taught school at Newburg, W. Va , and 
 in the spring of 1866 went west, where he taught school and engaged 
 in business until 1868, when he returned to the east. He practiced law 
 in New York until September, 1869, and then came to Gloversville, 
 where he has since been engaged in his profession. In 1886 Mr. Green 
 was elected district attorney, and was re-elected in 1889, being on each 
 occasion the candidate of the Republican party. 
 
 Ashley D. L. Baker was born at West Monroe, Oswego county, July 
 28, 1843. He was given an academic education, and studied law under 
 the direction of his brothers, William H Baker, of Constantia, Oswego 
 county, and S. Park Baker, of Youngstown, Niagara county. He at- 
 tended one term at the Albany Law School, and was admitted at the 
 Albany County General Term in the fall of 1866. In the spring of the 
 next year he opened an office in Gloversville, and has ever been 
 regarded as one of the leading practitioners, not only of that city, but 
 also of the county. After a few months he formed a partnership with 
 H. S. Parkhurst, now of Chicago, which continued until 1884. In 1886 
 Frank Burton became his partner, under the firm of Baker & Burton, 
 which is now flourishing. 
 
 Judge Baker (as he is commonly known) has been and is among the 
 leading Republicans of the county, and stands high in the councils of 
 the party. In the fall of 1877 he was elected county judge and served 
 the full term of six years. In the spring of 1890 he was elected the 
 first mayor of the new city of Gloversville. 
 
 Clayton M. Parke, without question one of the most industrious and 
 painstaking lawyers of Fulton county, was born at Clifton Park, De- 
 
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THE PRESENT BAR. 203 
 
 cember 2, 1847. He was educated in the common and academic 
 schools, supplemented by a full classical course at Madison University, 
 where he graduated in 1868. He read law with Gale & Alden, at 
 Troy, and also with Bullard & Davenport at Albany, and was admitted 
 in 1869. After admission Mr. Parke was two years in Albany, assist- 
 ing William Wait on the code, and in 1871 he located in Gloversville. 
 The only partner with whom he has been associated was Henry C. Mc- 
 Carthy. On the 6th of December, 1878, Mr. Parke, on motion of 
 Francis Kernan, was admitted to the Supreme Court of the United 
 States. Although a Republican of strong convictions, Mr. Parke has 
 rarely held office. He was, however, village clerk for two or three 
 years, and was elected district attorney in 1 880 and also in 1883. 
 
 Edgar A. Spencer was born at Cherry Valley, November 23, 1847, 
 and acquired his early education in the academy of his native place and 
 in the Cooperstown Seminary. He read law with De Witt C. Bates, of 
 Cherry Valley, and also with Parkhurst & Baker, of Gloversville, and 
 was admitted January, 1875. One month later he began practice. The 
 firm of Spencer & Banker was formed in 1887. During the years 1876- 
 JT, Mr. Spencer was village clerk ; he was also village attorney in 
 
 1889, and drew the city charter. He was also elected city attorney in 
 
 1890, an office which he still retains. 
 
 Nelson H. Anibal was born July 20, 1854, in Benson, Hamilton 
 county, and was educated at common and select schools. He entered 
 Fort Edward Collegiate Institute for full course, and was graduated 
 June 24, 1876. He read law with Clayton M. Parke, and in 1879 
 (September) was admitted. In 1880 began practice in Gloversville. 
 
 Jerome Eggleston was born in Northampton January 4, 1854. His 
 early education was in the common schools and also by applying him- 
 self to study when not at work. He read law with E. A. Spencer, 
 being three years in the office, and was admitted at Saratoga Septem- 
 ber 10, 1880. In the spring of 1881 he began practice, with his brother, 
 Frank Eggleston, for two or three years, but has been alone since the 
 latter retired from the profession. Mr. Eggleston is an ardent Repub- 
 lican. He made a canvass for the district attorneyship in 1889, but 
 failed to receive the nomination, William Green being the successful can- 
 didate. In April, 1 890, he was elected recorder of the city of Glov- 
 ersville, an office which he still holds. 
 
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204 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 Edwin P. Bellows was born at Kingsboro, March 24, 185 1, and was 
 educated at the old academy at that place. Later he attended Row's 
 Institute at Tarrytown, and also a business college at New Haven, 
 and the Albany Law School, from the latter of which he graduated in 
 1880. Ke practiced law eight years in Albany; was two years in spe- 
 cial practice in New York, and located permanently in Gloversville in 
 May, 1891. 
 
 Clark L. Jordan, the present mayor of Gloversville, was born at Rock- 
 wood, January 2, 1 86 1. He attended school at Lassellsville, Kings- 
 boro, Gloversville and Cazenovia, and read law with Welch & Francis, 
 of Carthage, and also with C. M. Parke, of Gloversville, and was admit- 
 ted at Saratoga in 1882. He practiced about five years in Tryon City, 
 Polk County, N. C, whither he had gone to regain his health, and in 
 1888 returned to Gloversville. In local politics Mr. Jordan has en- 
 gaged actively in Democratic interests. In North Carolina he held the 
 position of United States Commissioner, and in Gloversville lie has been 
 superintendent of the water works, and also clerk of the board of 
 trustees. In March, 1892, he was elected mayor of the city. 
 
 Frank Burton was born at Gloversville, January 16, 1861. He was 
 educated at the Gloversville union schools and also at Union College, 
 graduating from the latter in 1883. He read law with Judge Baker, 
 was admitted in 1888, and became the judge's partner April i, 1886. 
 Mr. Burton is not only prominent in his profession, but as well in local 
 Republican politics. His office holdings, however, have been limited to 
 trustee of the village, and alderman of the fourth ward of the city. 
 
 Henry H. Parker was born in Concord, N. H., February 26, i860. 
 His early education was acquired at St. Johnsburg, Vt., Academy, also 
 at Phillips Andover Academy, and Dartmouth College, from each of 
 which he was a graduate ; and he was also graduated from Albany 
 Law School in 1886. After admission he read law one year at Albany, 
 and in 1887 located for practice at Broadalbin, but came to Glovers- 
 ville in July, 1888. His practice is general in its character but he makes 
 a special work of pension cases. 
 
 Horton D. Wright was born in Rensselaer county, December 7 
 1862; entered Cornell University in 1880. but left at the end of two 
 years. He read law with Charles I. Baker, of Troy, and with George 
 
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THE PRESENT BAR. 205 
 
 E. Green, of Hoosick Falls, and was admitted September, 1886. The 
 same year he located for practice at Gloversville. 
 
 William C. Mills was born in Gloversville, March 28, 1861. He at- 
 tended the public schools of the village ; entered Union College in 1 88 1 , 
 and graduated in 1885. He read law with C. M Parke, and was ad- 
 mitted in September, 1887. 
 
 Nicholas M. Banker was born in Cherry Valley, January 10, 1864. 
 He graduated from Clinton Liberal Institute in 1882; read law with 
 E. A. Spencer, and was admitted in October, 1887. 
 
 Frank Talbot was born in Otsego county, August 10, 1864. He 
 graduated from the State Normal School at Albany, in June, 1886; 
 read law with L. S. Henry, at Schuyler's Lake, and also with J. B. 
 Rafter, of Mohawk, and was admitted in September, 1890. He came 
 to Gloversville in October, 1890. 
 
 David E. Stewart was born in Mayfield, October 22, 1862, and was 
 educated at Gloversville High School and the Normal School at Gene- 
 seo. He read law with E. A. Spencer and Clark L. Jordan, and was 
 admitted in May, 1891. 
 
 James H. Drury was born in Mayfield, May 18, 1865, and gained his 
 early education in the Broadalbin schools and State Normal School at 
 Albany. He entered Union College in 1887, remaining two years, 
 then read law with C. M. Parke, and was admitted at Albany, Decem- 
 ber, 1 89 1. He came to Gloversville in 1892. Mr. Drury is in law partner- 
 ship with his brother, J. M. Drury, the firm having offices at Broadal- 
 bin and Gloversville. 
 
 Hallock C. Alvord was born at Marcellus, Onondaga county, April 
 30, 1863, and was educated at Gloversville High School and at Colgate 
 Academy, and graduated from Yale College in 1888. He read law with 
 Smith & Nellis, of Johnstown, and with Jerome Eggleston, of Glovers- 
 ville, and was admitted at Albany, February, 1892. 
 
 Lawyers of Northville. — John McKnight was born in the town of He- 
 bron, Washington county, April I, 1817. He was educated in the com- 
 mon and high schools of his native town, aud was admitted in 1858. 
 He practiced in Warren county until 1871, then removed to Northville, 
 where he has since resided. Mr. McKnight has been a firm Democrat 
 since 1850, but before that time was a Clay Whig. He has never 
 
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2o6 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 sought office, but held the position of justice both before and after ad- 
 mission to the bar. In 1864 he was the Democratic candidate for dis 
 trict attorney, and in 1866 was candidate for county clerk of Warren 
 county, but was defeated. In Fulton county Mr. McKnight was twice 
 the Democratic nominee for the district attorneyship. In all these po- 
 litical contests he was nominated without his request, and twice without 
 his knowledge. 
 
 John Patterson was born in Northampton, July 1 1, 1842, and was 
 educated in the schools of the county. He read law with Richard H. 
 Rosa, and was admitted in 1870. Twice Mr. Patterson has been a can- 
 didate for district attorney, once on the Democratic ticket and once as a 
 Prohibitionist. In 1891 he was the candidate of the Prohibition party 
 for the state senate. He is now justice of the peace for the town of 
 Northampton. 
 
 Linn L. Boyce was born at New Berlin, Chenango county. May 16, 
 1851. His early life was spent on a farm, but he acquired a good com- 
 mon school and academic education, and taught several winter terms. 
 He read law in the office of C. L. Teffl:, at Norwich, and was admitted 
 at Albany, November, 1875. After two years of practice at Norwich, 
 Mr. Boyce moved to Northampton and became the law partner of John 
 McKnight, a connection which continued to January i, 1890, since 
 which time he has practiced alone. Mr. Boyce has been a member and 
 secretary of the Northville board of education since October 1887. He 
 was elected member of assembly for that district in 1883, and while in 
 the legislature served on the judiciary, public lands and civil service 
 committees, being chairman of the latter. 
 
 Lee S. Anibal was born in Benson, Hamilton county, April 20, 1855. 
 He was educated at Northville, at Buffalo and at the Fort Plain Acad- 
 emy. He studied law with Robert P. Anibal at Johnstown, and was 
 admitted in 1879. 
 
 James Van Ness was born in Northampton, November, 5, 1861. He 
 was educated in the common schools, and attended Cornell University 
 two years ; then taught school two years ; the entered Union College 
 and graduated in 1883. He read law with Lee S. Anibal, and began 
 practice at Northville in June, 1886. For six years Mr. Van Ness has 
 been village clerk of Northville, and for two years clerk of the board of 
 water commissioners. 
 
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THE PRESENT BAR. 207 
 
 Fitzhugh Littlejohn was born in Broadalbin, April 29, 1850, and was 
 educated at the Brooklyn Polytechnic Institute. ^ He taught school two 
 years, and was a civil engineer for four years, and then passed three 
 years in the insurance business. He read law in Broadalbin, and was 
 admitted in 1887. 
 
 Lawyers of Broadalbin. — John M. Drury was born at Vail's Mills, 
 Fulton county, January 16, 1862. He was educated at his native place 
 and also at Broadalbin, and after teaching two years, won a free schol- 
 arship at Cornell University, where he was graduated in 1884. He 
 then taught school at Samnionsville, and later on was principal of St. 
 Mary's Catholic Institute at Amsterdam. In 1887 he began reading 
 law with Nelson H. Anibal, of Gloversville, and was admitted at Albany 
 November, 1889. 
 
 Among the lawyers practicing at Broadalbin may also be mentioned 
 the name of Emmet Blair, but this modest legal practitioner furnishes 
 no data for a personal sketch. 
 
 M. E. Barker, the only lawyer in Oppenheim, is a native of the town. 
 May 25, 1850; was educated in the common schools and also at Fair- 
 field Seminary. He read law in the office of Horace E. Smith, at 
 Johnstown, and in 1874 graduated from the law department of Union 
 University at Albany. He was admitted at Albany, May 5, 1874, and 
 began law practice in Oppenheim in 1876, and has held the office of 
 town clerk and justice of the peace. 
 
 S. A. Brown is an attorney- at- law, having a residence and office in 
 the town of Mayfield. 
 
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2o8 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 CHAPTER XIX. 
 
 THE MEDICAL PROFESSION OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 ''r"'HE medical profession in Fulton county has preserved but little 
 \ of its history, and while there are a few meagre records by which 
 we may learn the proceedings and membership of the medical societies 
 that have been formed (one of them dating back to the time when Ful- 
 ton county was a part of Montgomery), there are no data upon which 
 can be based a history of the local growth and development of medical 
 science. The great advance in all branches of arts and science during 
 the last century has indeed been marvelous, but in none has there been 
 greater progress than in medicine and surgery. 
 
 This science which now does so much to ameliorate suffering began 
 with Hippocrates nearly twenty-three hundred years ago, and he first 
 treated of medicine with the simplest remedies, relying chiefly on the 
 healing powers of nature. He wrote extensively, and some of his works 
 have been a foundation for the succeeding literature of the profession. 
 The greatest advances in medical science, however, have been made dur- 
 ing the last one hundred years and most of them during the last half 
 century. Physiologists no longer believe (as did the practitioners of 
 the sixteenth century) that the planets have a direct and controlling 
 action on the body, or that the sun operates on the heart, and the moon 
 upon the brain ; nor do they now believe that the vital spirits are pre- 
 pared in the brain by distillation. On the contrary, modern physiology 
 teaches that the phenomena of the living body are the results of phys- 
 ical and chemical changes; the temperature of the blood is now ascer- 
 tained by the thermometer, and the different fluids and gases of the 
 body are analyzed by the chemist, giving to each its own properties 
 and function. 
 
 Botanists now are acquainted with one hundred and fifty thousand 
 plants, of which a large proportion is being constantly added to the al- 
 ready appalling list of new remedies. Many of the latter possess little, 
 
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EARLY MEDICAL SCIENCE. 209 
 
 if any, virtue, yet by liberal advertising they hold a place in nearly 
 every druij store. One of these dealers (wholesale) recently issued a 
 circular, in which he advertised 32 syrups, 42 elixirs, 93 solid extracts, 
 150 varieties of sugar-coated pills, 236 tinctures, 245 roots, barks, me- 
 dicinal seeds and flowers, 322 fluid extracts, and 348 general drugs and 
 chemicals. What an array of remedies " for the ills that flesh is 
 heir to ! " 
 
 The ancients were not so well supplied with drugs, and hence they 
 resorted to other methods. For instance, it is said that the Babylonians 
 exposed their sick to the view of passers by, in order to learn of them 
 whether they had been afflicted with a like distemper, and by what 
 remedies they had been cured. It was also a custom of those days for 
 all persons who had been sick, to put up (on their recovery) a tablet in 
 the temple of Esculapius, whereon they gave an account of the reme- 
 dies that had restored them. Prior to Hippocrates all medicines were 
 administered by the priests, and were associated with numerous super- 
 stitions, such as charms, amulets, and incantations. Sympathetic oint- 
 ments were applied to the weapon with which a wound had been made ; 
 human or horse flesh was used for the cure of epilepsy, and convulsions 
 were treated with human brains. It may be added that the credulous 
 superstition of early ages has not been fully eradicated even by the ad- 
 vanced education of the present day. One of the latest appeals to the 
 credulity of the masses is the so called "Christian Science" and also 
 "Faith Cure;" but so long as filth brings fever, prayer will be of no 
 avail, and those who advocate such a method of cure are either self- 
 deceived or are basely deceiving others. 
 
 It is not our purpose, however, to treat of ancient or even modern 
 medical history, and though a review of the progress in this science 
 from the time of the Egyptian medical deities, or the Greek or Roman 
 medical mythology, would be very interesting, as well as instructive, it 
 is not pertinent to the medical history of Fulton county. Our intro- 
 ductory observations indeed are merely to suggest to the reader the 
 difference between the ancient and modern means of healing the sick. 
 " When we take a retrospective glance at the condition of medicine in 
 former times, and reflect upon the amount of ignorance, credulity, and 
 superstition that prevailed, we cannot fail to be struck with the immense 
 
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210 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 improvement that has taken place in comparatively modern periods, and 
 must be encouraged in the hope, that as the physical and moral sciences 
 pursue their onward progress, and as the means and observation and 
 experiment are augmented and facilitated, our own noble science may 
 attain a pitch of perfection, of which at the present time we can form no 
 adequate conception, shedding light where all is now obscurity, and tend- 
 ing to dispel doubt and difficulty wherever existent." ^ 
 
 The settlement of the region now included in Fulton county began 
 soon after the year 1760, but progressed slowly for the first half century. 
 The country was then an almost unbroken wilderness, except as im- 
 provements had been made by the tenants of Sir William and Sir John 
 Johnson in the vicinity of Johnstown and Kingsboro. Among the 
 settlers brought hither by the influence of Sir William was Dr. William 
 Adams, but we have no record of the duration of his residence or of the 
 extent and character of his practice. Being an adherent of the John- 
 sons, this pioneer physician left Johnstown with the followers of Sir 
 John, and spent his last days in Albany.^ 
 
 At that time, and indeed at any time for a half century afterward, the 
 facilities for obtaining a medical education were very limited. The State 
 of New York (unlike New England and Pennsylvania) had done very 
 little to encourage science, and there was no school of medicine worthy 
 of the name nearer than Boston or Philadelphia. Few young men could 
 then afford to go so far to qualify themselves for a profession which 
 offered but little pecuniary inducement. Hence the prevailing custom 
 was for the young medical aspirant to enter the office of some neighbor- 
 ing physician and read for two or three years, at the same time accom- 
 panying his tutor in his professional visits and thus learn his methods 
 of practice. At the end of this term the young doctor would seek some 
 promising vacancy and begin his professional career. 
 
 The legislation then governing the admission and practice of physi- 
 cians was so worthless as to be of no effect, but in 1806 the Legislature 
 passed an act by which former laws regulating the profession were 
 repealed, and at the same time authorized a general State Medical 
 Society and County societies. In pursuance of this act, on the first 
 
 ' Dungflinson. 
 
 2 William Adams was brother of Robert Adams, the first merchant in Johnstown. 
 
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MEDICAL SOCIETY LAW. 211 
 
 Tuesday in July, 1806, the Montgomery County Medical Society was 
 organized, the first meeting being held at the county seat — Johnstown — 
 at which the following physicians were present: Alexander Sheldon, 
 Oliver Lathrop, Stephen Reynolds, William H. Devoe, William Reed, 
 Benjamin Tucker, Horace Barnum and Abraham Sternbergh. The 
 officers chosen were Alexander Sheldon, president ; William Reed, vice- 
 president ; Stephen Reynolds, secretary ; and Oliver Lathrop, treasurer. 
 At this meeting Alexander Sheldon, Stephen Reynolds and Benjamin 
 Tucker were appointed a committee to prepare a code of by-laws for 
 the government of the society ; also, " to procure a seal with such device 
 as they may think proper." This committee reported to the society at 
 a meeting held October 15, 1806, and the organization of the society was 
 then completed. At the same time other practitioners of the county were 
 admitted to membership, and all signed their names to the constitution 
 and by-laws. The new members were Jonathan Eights, Benjamin 
 Lyon, Joshua Webster, Daniel Cuck, Jonas Far, Elijah Cheadle, Thomas 
 Conklin and Christian Lissure. 
 
 The above mentioned act clothed county medical societies with what 
 now seem extraordinary powers. Societies formed under that act had 
 full authority and control over the admission of applicants to member- 
 ship ; could themselves fix the standard to be attained as a condition of 
 admission, and could receive or exclude members at the pleasure of a 
 majority. This power was vested in a committee of the society, called 
 censors. They were particularly directed to " make diligent enquiry 
 into the legal qualifications of all persons practicing physic or surgery 
 within this county." In case any person was found practicing without 
 the necessary qualifications, it was the duty of the censors to publish 
 the name of the delinquent in the papers of the State. At this time 
 there was but one established school of medicine, being that now styled 
 by the profession as " regular," and by opposing schools as "allopathy." 
 It then would have been impossible for a homoeopath, an eclectic, or a 
 " root and herb " doctor to obtain admission at that time, while the 
 disciples of Christian Science and the Faith Cure might have been 
 exorcised for witchcraft had they applied for license. It is due, how- 
 ever, to the county medical societies formed in obedience to the new 
 law to say that they were productive of great benefit, for they led 
 
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212 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 to unanimity of action and sentiment in the state society, which drew 
 its membership from the county organizations. Hence there was much 
 less quackery than at the present day, which prevails, notwithstanding 
 the high character and standing of our present medical colleges, and the 
 stringency of the laws for the protection of the public as well as that of 
 legitimate practitioners. 
 
 Under the old system the members of the county society were re- 
 quired " to keep an accurate history of all important and singular cases " 
 which came under their treatment, and to report the same, with method 
 of treatment, at the next meeting. Candidates for admission to prac- 
 tice were required to subscribe the following declaration: "I do sol- 
 emnly declare that I will honestly, virtuously and chastely conduct 
 myself in the practice of physic and surgery, with the privileges of 
 practicing which profession I am now to be invested, and that I will 
 with fidelity and honor, do everything in my power for the benefit of 
 the sick committed to my charge." 
 
 The Montgomery Countj' Medical Society, prior to the creation of 
 Fulton county, held its annual meetings at Johnstown, but the division 
 of Montgomery made a separation necessary and this led to the forma- 
 tion of the Fulton County Medical Society. The proceedings on this 
 occasion are as follows. At a meeting of the Montgomery County So- 
 ciety held at Fonda, June 13, 1838, the chief subject of discussion was 
 the situation in which the society was placed by reason of the division 
 of the county, the result was the withdrawal of those members who 
 lived in the towns recently set off, and the formation by them of a new 
 society, but at what exact date is not known, for the minutes of the 
 early meetings were not preserved. The old record, however, kept by 
 the treasurer of the society furnishes us the names of members down to 
 
 the year 1849, as follows: Francis Burdick, James Berry, Black, 
 
 J. F. Blake, William Chambers, C. C. Joslin, William H. Johnson, James 
 W. Miller, L. J. Marvin, Samuel Maxwell, W. C. Peake, Daniel Smith, 
 J. W. Sleight, Robert Weaver. 
 
 From October, 1849, until January, 1867, the society held no meet- 
 ings and therefore became virtually extinct, from the lack of interest dis- 
 played by its members. In the last mentioned year, however, a re- 
 organization was accomplished and at a meeting of physicians held at the 
 
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EARLY PHYSICIANS. 213 
 
 office of Dr. Burdick, on January 16, officers were elected as follows : 
 President, William H. Johnson ; vice-president, P. R. Sawyer; treasurer, 
 Jehiel Lefler ; recording secretary, W. L. Johnson ; corresponding sec- 
 letary, Francis Burdick; delegate to state society, Francis Burdick. 
 Present members : E. Beach, J. E. Burdick, D. W. Barker, J. F. Blake, 
 F. Beebe, E. H. Coon, M. Helen Cullings, I. de Zouche, W. Davis, M. 
 F. Drury, J. Edwards, P. R. Furbeck, H. C. Finch, J. A. Hagar, W. L. 
 Johnson, A. L. Johnson, J. W. Joslin, C. M. Lefler, D. L. Orton, J. L. 
 Phillips, F. W. Shapper, D. V. Still, C. F. Sherman, C. A. Sternberg, T. 
 K. Thome, W. C. Wood, T. K. Young. 
 
 SKETCHES OF EARLY PHYSICIANS. 
 
 Dr. Samuel Maxwell. This veteran physician had a stronger hold 
 on public confidence than any other practitioner of his day, at least in 
 his native county. He was of Scotch descent, and was born in North- 
 hampton, and was brought up to hard work. He intended indeed to 
 become a stone mason, but while building a bridge he fell and was 
 lamed for life. This misfortune led him to begin to study medicine, 
 and by teaching during winter he was enabled to complete his course. 
 He practiced in Johnstown nearly a half century, and was noted for his 
 philanthropy, as well as professional success. One of his sons (Dr. Wil- 
 liam H. Maxwell) reached eminence in New York. Dr. Samuel Max- 
 well died in 1862, and his memory is still dearly cherished by all who 
 knew him. 
 
 Dr. James W. Miller was also a prominent physician of the same time, 
 and a few years earlier we meet the name of Dr. Volkert Douw, whose 
 widow (the late Mrs. Maria Douw) for so many years kept a store in 
 Johnstown. Dr. Reid was another prominent physician of the olden 
 time, whose descendants are still living in Johnstown. 
 
 The four Dr. Johnsons. Oran Johnson was engaged in medical prac- 
 tice for many years in Johnstown. His son, William Henry Johnson, 
 studied with Dr. Maxwell, becoming indeed his partner, the firm being 
 Maxwell & Johnson. This co-partnership continued for many years 
 and was very successful in the great work of relieving suffering. Dr. 
 Johnson survived Dr. Maxwell and continued in practice, his residence 
 
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214 
 
 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 and office being still in possession of the family. He died a few years 
 ago and is remembered by a large circle as a genial friend and a pro- 
 moter of social improvement as well as a highly valued physician. Two 
 of his sons followed their father's profession. One of the number is Dr. 
 Samuel M. Johnson, who is now practicing in New York, and the other 
 is Dr. William H. Johnson, who is mentioned in the county record. 
 
 John B. Day was born in Williamstown, Mass., September 17, 1784; 
 graduated from Williams College in 1804; was licensed to practice in 
 1808 by the Albany County Medical Society, and by the Montgomery 
 County Society in October, 18 19. He settled in Mayfield, and prac- 
 ticed there until his death, Jannary 22, 1842. His first wife, whose 
 maiden name was Phila Wells, was born January 10, 1792. They were 
 married October 20, 1808, and had ten children. Dr. Day also had 
 three children by his second wife, whose maiden name was Bartlett. 
 
 James Berry was born in Mayfield, December 25, 1 809. He read 
 medicine with Dr. Mitchell of Northville, and later was a student at the 
 College of Physicians and Surgeons at Fairfield, and also at the Medical 
 Institute of Albany, but he finished his course at the Castleton Medical 
 College (Vermont), from which he graduated in 1835. The next year 
 Dr. Berry began practice at Gloversville, but later years found him a 
 resident of Mayfield and then of Broadalbin. Later on, in compliance 
 with requests from friends he returned to Gloversville where he remained 
 until his death, March 8, 1870. 
 
 William C. Peake was born at Delhi (Delaware county), in 1797, and 
 acquired a medical education there under the instruction of Dr! Steele. 
 In 1834 he came to Kingsboro where he practiced medicine more than 
 twenty years, establishing as it was said of him, "a fair reputation for 
 skill as a physician, and a character of great moral worth." The last 
 year of his life was passed in Johnstown, where he died, September, 
 1856. 
 
 Elijah Cheedle is remembered as one of the early physicians of Kings- 
 boro, where he located prior to 1800. He was a native of Norwalk, 
 Conn., and was born in 1762. He was one of the most prominent phy- 
 sicians in Kingsboro and vicinity during the period of his practice. 
 
 Marcus T. Peake was born in Delaware county, N. Y., January 25, 
 1825, and read medicine with his elder brother, William C. Peake. 
 
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EARLY PHYSICIANS. 215 
 
 His early practice was in his native county, but he came to Gloversville 
 in 1855, and died there October 13, 1865. 
 
 Francis Burdick was born in the town of Johnstown, N. Y., on the 
 i6th of April, 1818, and was the fourth son of Daniel Burdick, and 
 Lydia (Dowler) Burdick. He had a fair common school education, 
 and commenced the study of medicine under the tuition of Dr. James 
 W. Miller. He attended lectures at the Medical School of Fairfield where 
 he graduated. He then began practice in Johnstown but was called to 
 long distances in the surrounding country. He was an able physician, 
 but was chiefly noted for his skill in surgery. 
 
 Robert Weaver was born July 4, 1785, in Rhode Island, whither his 
 ancestors had emigrated from England at an early period. His father. 
 Captain Langford Weaver, joined the revolutionary forces in 1775, and 
 served his country faithfully during the war of independence. Robert's 
 early life was one of struggle, like many others in those troublesome 
 times which marked the early years of the Republic. The resources of 
 the family were very limited, his father having spent his best years in 
 the Continental army, for which he received very inadequate compen- 
 sation. Robert struggled to secure a preparatory education under 
 difficulties, but succeeded. In 1807 he began the study of medicine in 
 his native state, where in due time he commenced practice. In 18 12 
 he removed to Berlin, Rensselaer county, and practiced there for nine 
 years. In 1821 he again removed, seeking a new field in Ephratah, 
 where he continued to reside and to practice until his death, March 25, 
 1855. He was a charter member of the Fulton County Medical Society. 
 
 William Chambers was born in Galway, Saratoga county, in 1798, and 
 died at his residence in Broadalbin, August 26, 1874. His paternal 
 ancestors were Scotch, but on the maternal side he was descended from 
 old English stock, long settled in Rhode Island. He began his educa- 
 tion at a district school, but completed it at a private academy kept by 
 Rev. Robert Proudlit, pastor of the Scotch Presbyterian Church in 
 Perth. Pastor Proudlit, was ordained and installed over that congrega- 
 tion October i, 1804, and remained in service until October 18, 1818, 
 when he resigned in order to accept the professorship of Latin and 
 Greek in Union College. At this latter date William Chambers though 
 only twenty years of age, had not only made commendable progress 
 
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2i6 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 in technical studies, but had acquired a taste for general literature. H 
 early chose medicine as a profession, and completed his professional 
 studies in Boston in 1819. He then opened an office in Broadalbin, 
 and continued to practice there until liis death, a period of nearly fifty- 
 five years. His services covered an extensive territory, as he was es- 
 pecially popular with his own nationality (the Scotch), who formed a 
 leading element in the population. His genial social nature secured 
 him friends wherever he was known, and no friends were truer to him 
 than his patients, whose mental and moral maladies were included in 
 his treatment. He was an honored member of the county medical 
 society, holding the office of president for several successive years 
 until his death in 1874. ^ 
 
 The legislature has done much to advance the interests of the medi- 
 cal profession, having passed laws regulating practice, and also protect- 
 ing regularly qualified physicians, and at the same time placing restric- 
 tions upon those who (whatever may be their pretensions) are not 
 graduates from recognized medical colleges. This legislation naturally 
 called forth some adverse comment, but its benefits, not only to the 
 profession but to suffering humanity, were soon apparent. In 1872 a 
 law was passed specifying the means by which applicants might be ad- 
 mitted to practice " physic and surgery," either by examination before 
 a medical society or by having sufficiently attended some recognized 
 medical institution. In 1880 the "Registration law" was passed, re- 
 quiring all physicians to personally register with the county clerk, 
 stating name, place of birth, proposed residence in the county, the in- 
 stitution or society by which they were licensed, and the date of such 
 license or diploma. A refusal to comply with the requirements of the 
 law was deemed a misdemeanor, and with liability to penalty. 
 
 Under this law the physicians of the county, with a few exceptions, 
 caused their names to be properly registered, and hence those who failed 
 to comply cannot be regarded as qualified practitioners, whatever may 
 have been their medical education. By reference to the record 
 in the office of the county clerk we find a list of the profession 
 since the law has been in effect, and we now add in brief the name, place 
 of residence at time of registration, place of birth, date of diploma or 
 license, and name of college or society by which the license was granted. 
 
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REGISTERED PHYSICIANS. 217 
 
 William L. Johnson, of Johnstown ; born in Johnstown ; diploma 
 granted December 26, 1865, from Albany Medical College. 
 
 John E. Burdick, Rockwood ; born in Johnstown ; diploma granted 
 May 28, 1863, from Albany Medical College. 
 
 Richard H. Cameron, Johnstown ; born in Perth ; diploma granted 
 May 22, 1870, from Albany Medical College. Dr. Cameron died a few 
 years ago in the midst of a successful practice. 
 
 C. B. Walrad, Johnstown ; born at Sharon Springs ; diploma granted 
 March 10, 1871, from Hahnneman Medical College, Philadelphia. 
 
 John Edwards, Gloversville ; born in Ephratah ; diploma granted 
 March i, 1869, from College of Physicians and Surgeons of New York. 
 
 William S. Young, Johnstown ; born at Berne, Albany County ; li- 
 censed September 3, 1841, from Albany County Medical Society. 
 
 Jehiel Lefler, Johnstown.; born at Tribes Hill ; diploma granted De- 
 cember 24, 1864, from Albany Medical College. 
 
 Horatio Craig, West Galway ; born at Greenfield, Saratoga County ; 
 diploma granted February i, 1878, from Albany Medical College. 
 
 Darius Stone Orton, Northampton ; born at Fair Haven, Vt, di- 
 ploma granted December 24, 1866, from Albany Medical College. 
 
 Edward Hartley Eisenbrey, Gloversville ; born at Montgomery, Pa.; 
 diploma granted March 10, 1869, from Hahnneman Medical College, 
 Philadelphia. 
 
 Eugene Beach, Gloversville ; born at Greenville, N. Y. ; diploma 
 granted June 28, 1866, from Long Island College Hospital, Brooklyn. 
 
 Peter R. Furbeck, Gloversville ; born at Guilderland, Albany County; 
 diploma granted June 25, 1865, from Long Island College Hospital, 
 Brooklyn, N. Y. 
 
 Lauren M. Allen, Oppenheim ; born Westport, Conn. ; diploma 
 granted March 12, 1880, from College of Physicans and Surgeons, New 
 York, 
 
 John S. Drake, Mayfield ; born Albany county ; diploma December 
 10, i860, from Eclectic Medical College, Philadelphia. 
 
 David N. Barker, Broadalbin ; born Edinburgh, Saratoga county ; 
 diploma June 14, 1848, from Castleton Medical College, Vt. 
 
 John K. Thorne, Broadalbin ; born New York ; diploma December 
 26, 1 87 1, from Albany Medical College. 
 
 28 
 
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2i8 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 John Yauney, Ephratah ; born in Fulton county ; diploma June 9, 
 1857, from Albany Medical College. 
 
 Isaac de Zouche, Gloversville ; born Dublin, Ireland ; diploma De- 
 cember 22, 1869, from Albany Medical College. 
 
 Walter Hayes, Oppenheim ; born in Oppenheim ; diploma January 
 18, 1872, from Eclectic Medical College of Pennsylvania. 
 
 Charles M. Lefler, Gloversville ; born at Fayette, Seneca county ; di- 
 ploma December 22, 1870, from Albany Medical College. 
 
 Chauncey C. Joslin, Johnstown ; birth-place not given ; license 
 granted 1 840 from Schenectady Medical Society. 
 
 Franklin N. Wright, Northville ; born at Adrian, Mich. ; diploma 
 December 28, 1875, from Eclectic Medical College of New York. 
 
 David V. Still, Johnstown ; born at Fultonville; diploma March i, 
 1876, from Bellevue Hospital Medical College, New York. 
 
 Levi Wood, Ephratah; born in Ephratah; diploma January 7, 1865, 
 from Albany Medical College. 
 
 James F. Murray, Gloversville ; born in Ephratah ; diploma Decem- 
 ber 26, 1866, from Albany Medical College. 
 
 Thomas Delap Smith, Broadalbin ; born Machias, Maine ; diploma 
 August IS, 1867, from Medical School of State of Maine. 
 
 Friend W. Shafer, born Seward, Schoharie county ; diploma June 
 25, 1850, from Castleton Medical College, Vt. 
 
 Jerome A. Avery, Northville ; born Norway, Herkimer county ; di- 
 ploina October, 1867, from Berkshire Medical College, Mass. 
 
 John F. Blake, Northville; born Greenwich, N. Y. ; license May 23, 
 1846, from Fulton County Medical Society. 
 
 William S. Garnsey, Gloversville ; born Saratoga county ; diploma 
 March 5, 1880, from Homoeopathic Medical College, New York. 
 
 Ira H. Van Ness, Osborn's Bridge ; born Northampton ; license July 
 17, 1876, from Fulton County Medical Society. 
 
 Adam Walrath, Lassellsville ; born at St. Johnsville ; diploma Feb- 
 ruary I, 1849, from Albany Medical College. 
 
 William J. Wilcox, Gloversville ; born New York ; diploma Decem- 
 ber 22, 1874, from Albany Medical College. 
 
 Nelson Everest, Garoga ; born Garoga; diploma March 2, 1881, from 
 Albany Medical College. 
 
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REGISTERED PHYSICIANS. 219 
 
 Frank Beebe, Johnstown; born at Fonda; diploma March 2, 1881, 
 from Albany Medical College. 
 
 James K. Young, Johnstown ; born Berne, N. Y. ; diploma Decem- 
 ber 22, 1874, from Albany Medical College. 
 
 Charles Nellis, Johnstown; born at Palatine; diploma March 10 
 1 88 1, from Bellevue Hospital Medical College, New York. 
 
 William Clark Wood, Gloversville ; born Lyons, N. Y. ; diploma 
 March 3, 1880, from Albany Medical College, and license by Wayne 
 County. Medical Society, dated August 28, 1879. 
 
 Henry Clement Finch, Broadalbin ; born Northampton ; license 
 March i, 1882, from Albany Medical Society. 
 
 Caroline Parker Chamberlain, Gloversville ; born New York ; diploma 
 April 9, 1877, from "The Woman's Homoeopathic Medical College" ; 
 New York. 
 
 Sanford V. Kline, Johnstown ; born at Amsterdam ; diploma March 
 I, 1882, from the Michigan College of Medicine. 
 
 Otis K. Chamberlain, Gloversville ; born at Chocomet, Pa. ; license 
 November 19, 1874, from the Eclectic Medical Society of New York. 
 
 William Davis, Gloversville ; ?<orn Charleston ; diploma March 7, 
 1883, from Albany Medical College. 
 
 Theodore E. Taber, Gloversville; born at Utica ; diploma July 25, 
 
 1883, from Medical Department, University of Vermont. 
 
 Charles J. Rattrey, Gloversville ; born Cornwell, Canada ; diploma 
 March 31, 1871, from McGill Medical College, Montreal. 
 
 George Rowe, Gloversville ; born at Schoharie ; diploma December 
 25, 1865, from Albany Medical College. 
 
 Arthur A. Jones, Gloversville ; born at Cooperstown ; diploma March 
 5, 1884, from Albany Medical College. 
 
 Charles R. Blake, Northville ; born Northampton ; diploma June 23, 
 
 1884, from University of Vermont. 
 
 Gilbert Ingalls, Kingsboro ; born Cranberry Creek ; diploma May 26, 
 1872, from Long Island College Hospital, Brooklyn. 
 
 Daniel C. Dye, Johnstown; born Rockwood; diploma June 25, 1885, 
 from Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Michigan. 
 
 Eugene H. Coons, Mayfield ; born Shultzville, Dutchess county ; di- 
 ploma March 4, 1886, from Albany Medical College. 
 
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220 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 Robert Palmer, Gloversville ; diploma March i6, 1887, from Albany 
 Medical College. 
 
 Austin S. Moak, Kingsboro ; born Sharon; diploma June 9, 1886, 
 from Bellevue Hospital Medical College, New York. 
 
 Arthur E. Tuck, Gloversville ; born Woburn, Mass. ; diploma March 
 8, 1877, from Boston University. 
 
 Charles F. Clowe, Kingsboro ; born Gloversville, Schenectady county ; 
 diploma March 15, 1888, from Albany Medical College. 
 
 Alexander L. Johnson, Gloversville ; born Schenectady ; diploma 
 March 4, 1885, from Albany Medical College. 
 
 Joseph Raymond, Johnstown ; born England ; diploma May 10, 1888, 
 from College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York. 
 
 John S. Phillips, Gloversville ; born Fonda; diploma March 16,1887, 
 from Albany Medical College. 
 
 D. D. Drake, Johnstown ; born New Haven ; diploma December 27, 
 1864, from Albany Medical College. 
 
 Dennis M. Smith, Johnstown ; born in England ; diploma March 23, 
 1888, from Albany Medical College. 
 
 Daniel A. Bissell, Gloversville ; born Peru, Clinton county ; diploma 
 February 22, 1883, from Hahnemann Medical College, Chicago. 
 
 William Burbrand Gott, Gloversville ; born East Worcester, N. Y. ; 
 diploma March 3, 1884, from Eclectic College of New York. 
 
 Charles G. Briggs, Gloversville ; born Malta, Saratoga county ; di- 
 ploma March 21, 1889, from Albany Medical College. 
 
 M. Francis Drury, Broadalbin ; born Mayfield ; diploma March 16, 
 1887, from Albany Medical College. 
 
 Amos W. Jennings, Gloversville; born Chautauqua county; diploma 
 May 20, 1885, from American Medical College of Cincinnati. 
 
 M. Helen Cullings, Gloversville ; born Duanesburgh ; diploma July 
 I, 1886, from Medical Department of University of Michigan. 
 
 Rufus W. Terwilliger, Johnstown ; born Albany ; diploma March, 
 1 88 1, from Albany Medical College. 
 
 John W. Parrish, Johnstown; born Albany; diploma May 12, 1887, 
 from College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York. 
 
 A. Walker Tryon, Johnstown ; born Durham, N. Y. ; diploma 1862, 
 from Medical Department of Columbia College. 
 
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REGISTERED PHYSICIANS. 221 
 
 Benjamin F. French, Gloversville; born in Ohio; diploma March 6, 
 1880, from Hahnemann Medical College, Philadelphia. 
 
 Lafayette Balcom, Gloversville ; born Niagara county ; diploma Feb- 
 ruary 16, 1864, from Buffalo Medical University. 
 
 John Quinlan, Johnstown ; born Petersburg, N. Y. ; diploma March 
 16, 1888, from Albany Medical College. 
 
 John A. Hagar, Gloversville ; born town of Mohawk; diploma March 
 19, 1890, from Albany Medical College. 
 
 Charles F. Sherman, Gloversville; born Corinth; diploma July 12, 
 
 1890, from University of Vermont. 
 
 Merritt F. Lee, born Rochester, N. Y. ; diploma March i, 1883, from 
 Eclectic Medical College, New York. 
 
 Sherman S. Kathan, Johnstown ; born Conklingville, Saratoga county ; 
 diploma April i, 1891, from Albany Medical College. 
 
 Edward L. Johnson, Gloversville ; born at Richmondville ; diploma 
 April I, 1 89 1, from Albany Medical College. 
 
 William G Sprague, Gloversville ; born in Canada ; diploma April 7, 
 
 1 89 1, from Trinity University, Toronto, Canada 
 
 George H. Peters, Bleecker ; born in Bleecker ; diploma April 14, 
 1 89 1, from Baltimore College of Physicians and Surgeons. 
 
 John W. Joslin, Johnstown ; born at Hoosick, N. Y. ; diploma April i, 
 1 89 1, from Albany Medical College. 
 
 B. Rush Jackson, Johnstown ; born at Berwick, Pa. ; diploma October 
 23, 1886, from Philadelphia Eclectic College. 
 
 Andris Simmons, Gloversville ; born in Schoharie county ; diploma 
 January 24, 1868, from Pennsylvania University at Philadelphia. 
 
 Frederick A. Mead, Gloversville; born in Gloversville; diploma April 
 27, 1892, from Albany Medical College. 
 
 Arthur E. Hagedorn, Gloversville ; born at Hagedorn's Mills ; diplotna 
 April 27, 1892, from Albany Medical College. 
 
 Lawrence J. Dailey, Gloversville ; born Plattsburgh ; diploma March 
 9, 1892, from Medical Department of University of New York. 
 
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222 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 CHAPTER XX. 
 TOWN OF JOHNSTOWN. 
 
 A WEALTH of historic lore opens before us as we review the events 
 which mark the settlement and development of this ancient town. 
 The surrounding region has indeed witnessed the early efforts of a people 
 of varied origin, and of widely different customs which they brought from 
 their homes in the old world. All the sturdy pioneers who settled the 
 country north of the Mohawk have long since passed away, and with 
 them has gone the record of many thrilling scenes, which, could they 
 be related to the modern reader, would awaken intense interest, and 
 would also recall many of the stories with which their parents and 
 grandparents often delighted a circle of young but eager listeners. The 
 descendants of these intrepid pioneers, some of them now living on the 
 original homestead of their ancestors, cannot but feel a patriotic pride 
 when these tales of hardship and bravery are revived. What a scene, 
 indeed, was presented to those venturesome pioneers whose duty called 
 them to enter a vast wilderness and to create homes in a forest which 
 had no path but the Indian trail, whence so often the terrific war-whoop 
 broke their midnight slumbers ! Personal mention of many of these 
 earlier settlers will be found in another portion of this work and there- 
 fore we proceed to the more general facts in the historic record. 
 
 All the territory embraced within the town as it was originally 
 erected, formed a part of the old town of Caughnawaga. This latter 
 town was set apart in compliance with the legislative act passed March 7, 
 1788, requiring the division of Montgomery county into towns, in which 
 act Caughnawaga was thus described : " All that part of the county of 
 Montgomery bounded northerly by the north boundary of this state; 
 easterly by the counties of Clinton, Washington and Albany ; southerly 
 by the Mohawk river; westerly by a line running from the hill called 
 ' Anthony's nose,' north to the north bounds of the state, be and here- 
 by is erected into a town by the name of Caughnawaga." It will thus 
 
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TOPOGRAPHY. 
 
 223 
 
 be seen that a vast area of country was included within the ancient 
 town, out of which several counties have since then been formed. On 
 March 12, 1793, five years after the above date, another subdivision 
 was made by which the towns of Amsterdam, Johnstown, Mayfield and 
 Broadalbin were erected, but the east and west lines of Johnstown re- 
 mained undisturbed. Its western boundary, indeed, was also the west- 
 ern boundary of Caughnawaga, being a line running directly north 
 from Anthony's Nose, the same boundary now separating the towns of 
 Mohawk and Palatine in Montgomery county. The south and north 
 boundaries of Johnstown, however, have both been changed at different 
 times, the former to create the town of Mohawk, April 4, 1837; the 
 latter to create the town of Bleecker, April 4, 1831, and again to form 
 a portion of the town of Caroga, April 11, 1842. The northern limits 
 of the old town of Caughnawaga were shortened February 16, 1791, 
 when upon the erection of Herkimer county, the present northern 
 boundary of Fulton county (then Montgomery) was formed. 
 
 The present boundaries of the town are formed by Caroga and 
 Bleecker on the north ; Mayfield and Perth on the east ; Mohawk (in 
 Montgomery county) on the south ; and Ephratah on the west. It 
 contains 45,208^ acres, with an assessed valuation of $3,158,462. 
 
 The surface of the town is variable, affording many landscapes of pic- 
 turesque beauty. In the northern part a high range of hills extends 
 in a southwesterly direction, and also through the western portion of 
 the town. These hills form the central of three high ridges extending 
 northeast and southwest through Fulton county, and rising in the north- 
 ern part to a height of 800 to 1,200 feet above the Mohawk. The 
 principal stream is Cayadutta Creek, which runs in a southwesterly di- 
 rection and empties into the Mohawk river at Fonda. This stream 
 has a very rapid current, thus affording valuable water power for the 
 numerous leather mills located in close vicinity along its course. 
 
 The soil in the northern part is composed largely of sand and sand- 
 loam, while south of a line extending nearly east and west, halfway be- 
 tween Johnstown village and Gloversville, the sand gives place to clay 
 and clayey loam. Hence farming is less profitable in the northern por- 
 tion, while the southernpart of the town contains many excellent farms, 
 and a portion of the land, indeed, is highly productive. - 
 
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2 24 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 The town of Johnstown as at present constituted is composed of parts 
 of four great patents of land, all famous in the annals of early New York 
 history. The first of these was the Stone Arabia Patent, 12,700 acres, 
 granted to John Christian Garlock and twenty-six others, October 19, 
 1723. The land embraced within this grant extends into what is now 
 the southwestern portion of the town. The three other properties were 
 Butler's Patent of 4,000 acres, granted to Walter Butler and three 
 others, December 31, 173S ; the Sacandaga Patent, 28,000 acres, 
 granted to Lendert Gansevoort and others, December 2, 1741 ; and the 
 Kingsborough Patent, which consisted of 20,000 acres, covering the 
 larger part of the present town, and granted to Arent Stevens and 
 others, June 23, 1753. 
 
 From the holders of these grants Sir William Johnson secured large 
 tracts of land both prior and subsequent to 1760; thus preparing for 
 the settlement of the region in and about Johnstown which took place 
 about that date. The fertile lands in the south part of the present town 
 offered an inviting prospect to the German and the Scotch emigrants 
 v/ho settled there on Sir William's invitation Their occupation of the 
 territory must have been as early as 1760, as it is practically conceded 
 that there were numerous settlers in the neighborhood of Johnson Hall 
 a year or two before that structure was built. It has been said that two 
 hundred families of the Scotch Highlanders professing the Roman Cath- 
 olic faith were residents of Johnstown at the beginning of the revolu- 
 tion. Another element forming an important part of the settlement of 
 this region were the Germans and Dutch, many of whom came up from 
 the valley of the Mohawk, where large numbers settled as early as 
 1 740 To these were added within a short time, and notably soon af- 
 ter the close of the revolution, a great number of New England fami- 
 lies ; these latter constituting an important factor in the ancestry of 
 many of the old families of Fulton county at the present time. The 
 Indians, under the guidance and general supervision of Sir William, who 
 was ever their patron and counselor, formed no small portion of the 
 population of Johnstown in those early days. Sir William followed the 
 British custom of leasing the manorial lands and among his early ten- 
 ants were Dr. William Adams, Gilbert Tice, inn-keeper; Peter Young, 
 miller; WiUiam Phillips, wagon-maker; James Davis, hatter; Peter 
 
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EARLY SETTLERS. 225 
 
 Yost, tanner; Adrian Van Sickle, Major John Little and Zephaniah 
 Bachelor. At the time Sir William moved to the hall in 1761 or 1762, 
 there were about one hundred tenants on the adjacent farms. The set- 
 tlement of a part of the Kingsboro Patent was made several years later 
 by a number of Scotch families, who went thither at the request of Sir 
 William, and remaining loyal to the British crown, were compelled to 
 leave the country during the revolution. The first permanent settle- 
 ment on the site of Kingsboro village (now a part of the city of Glov- 
 ersville), was made about 1786, though a few New Englanders had lo- 
 cated in the immediate vicinity prior to that date. Among the number 
 Nathaniel Burr, grandfather of James H. Burr, of Gloversville, who 
 came from Connecticut to Kingsboro about 1784 and reared a family, 
 many of whose descendants are now living in the same vicinity and are 
 mentioned in various parts of this work. Among other prominent 
 names which appear in the records previous to the present century are 
 Judson, Mills, Steele, Hosmer, Parsons, Potter, Smith, Case, Green, 
 Gillett, Heacock, Leonard, Livingston, and Cheedle and others which 
 equally indicate their New England origin. 
 
 The early settlers of the village of Johnstown are mentioned in an- 
 other portion of this work, but notice may be here made of the eccentric 
 Elias Dawley, who came at an early day (about 1790), from Connecticut. 
 He lived between Johnstown and Bennet's corners for many years, and 
 is said to have gone unshaved and unwashed and even bareheaded dur- 
 ing the war of 1812, as a result of some vow or determination occa- 
 sioned by intense political excitement. Charles Rose was another pio- 
 neer, who came from Rensselaer county and located on a farm, more 
 recently owned by his grandson, S. S. Rose. Barney Vosburg was also 
 one of the earliest settlers, locating in the vicinity of Albany Bush, and 
 some of his descendants are still living in Johnstown. 
 
 Among the hamlets and smaller villages in various parts of the town 
 may be mentioned McEwen's Corners, formally called " Scotch Bush," 
 about two miles distant in a westerly direction from Gloversville. 
 Nicholas Stoner, whose name is familiar to every reader of early New 
 York border tales, was for many years a resident of this place, to which 
 he moved from the vicinity of Johnson Hall, where he lived for two 
 years after the revolution. After his removal to Scotch Bush, he en- 
 29 
 
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2 26 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 gaged in hunting and trapping through a wide region, penetrating far 
 into the wilderness, which then extended over the greater portion of the 
 town. The following anecdote of Major Stoner's experience with a bear, 
 while living near Johnson Hall, will illustrate at least the unsettled con- 
 dition of that day. The bear having made damaging incursions into 
 Stoner's fields of ripening corn and wheat, had been sought with loaded 
 rifle for several nights with no other result than a shot, which only inflicted 
 a slight wound, not serious enough to prevent bruin from returning on 
 the following day to resume his depredations in a neighboring orchard. 
 The major at once repaired to the spot with his rifle and dog, but his 
 first shot failed to cripple the bear, which was about to seek a place of 
 refuge by climbing a tree. The dog, however, pulled him down as 
 he made the attempt. At which he became so infuriated that he turned 
 upon the dog, catching one of the latter's paws between his teeth. In 
 the mean time Stoner had been prevented from taking a second .shot by 
 accidentally breaking off" the stopper of his powder horn, but finally suc- 
 ceeded in reloading just in time to thrust the muzzle of his rifle into the 
 bear's throat and the shot that followed was fatal, thus releasing his 
 faithful dog, who by this time was suffering excruciating pain. 
 
 McEwen Corners received its present name from the father of J. D. 
 and Daniel McEwen, who built a grist-mill there as early as 1816. 
 The sons built a skin- mill there in 1847 which is still operated by 
 Daniel McEwen. 
 
 Sammonsville. — This village, which is but a short distance from the 
 railroad station of the same name on the line of the Fonda, Johnstown 
 and Gloversville railroad, is situated near the southern border of Johns- 
 town. Its settlement is dated 18 19, in which year Myndert Starin en- 
 gaged in business there, and built at different times a hotel, a potash 
 factory, a distillery, a flour -mill, also blacksmith and machine shops, and 
 gave the place a decidedly business aspect. Starin remained at Sam- 
 monsville until 1826, when he removed to what is now Fultonville. His 
 industries in Sammonsville were followed in later years by the manu- 
 facture of strawboard, vinegar, cider, lumber and cheese boxes. G. H. 
 Sholtus, who began business there in 1842, was postmaster for a num- 
 ber of years. Among the old family names of the place are those of 
 Hillabrandt, Wemple and Martin. The village was named for the Sam- 
 
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EARLY ROADS. 227 
 
 mons family, who were among the pioneers of Montgomery county, as 
 well as among its revolutionary patriots. 
 
 Keek's Centre, a hamlet four and a half miles west of Johnstown vil- 
 lage, was made the nucleus of some little business in 1849, when Joseph 
 Keck opened a store there, and in 1869 added a strawboard-mill with 
 a capacity of one hundred tons per year. He was a grandson of George 
 Keck, a soldier of the revolution. 
 
 One of the first grist-mills in the town, after that built at Johnstown 
 by Sir William, was the one known as " Hale's Mill," located about two 
 miles east of Johnstown. It was built about the year 1795, and its 
 proprietor for many years has been James Hale, from whom the mill and 
 the adjacent cluster of houses are called " Hale's Mills." 
 
 Perhaps the very first road laid out within the present limits of the 
 town was one leading from Johnstown southward, connecting at some 
 point on the Mohawk with the highway which skirts that river. Whether 
 this road led to Tribes Hill, or whether it was the one now known as 
 the " Old Road," a continuation of South William street (Johnstown) is 
 not known. There were several very early roads, among them being 
 one described in the records (in the county clerk's office) as connecting 
 Johnson Hall and Stone Arabia, another led from the house of Gilbert 
 Tice, in the village of Johnstown, to the highway which traversed the 
 Caughnawaga patent to East Canada creek. The former bears the 
 date of August, 1768, and the latter April 2, 1770. In 1772 Sir Will- 
 iam Johnson laid out a carriage road fourteen miles in length, leading 
 from the hall to Summes House Point,^ where he built a house which 
 he called Castle Cumberland. In 1786 the only road between Johns- 
 town and Kingsboro was a foot path through the woods, and blazed 
 trees served for guide- boards. How strange to think that the forefathers 
 of many of Johnstown and Gloversville's present leading citizens were 
 limited to this rude method of visiting neighbors or reaching places of 
 traffic, and what a change has been wrought by the opening of what is 
 now Kingsboro avenue (in the city of Gloversville), which lies directly 
 north and south, so that the traveler approaching Kingsboro from the 
 south can, on a clear night, see the north star directly in front. Much 
 
 ' See chapter XXIII (town of Broadalbin.) 
 
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2 28 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 of the land on each side of this avenue was owned at an early day by 
 the Potter family of Kingsboro. 
 
 During the days of highways and post routes Johnstown was an 
 important point on the east and west line, and far the greatest share of 
 both traffic and passage was done over the " State Road," which passes 
 through the center of the village and forms Main street. Concerning 
 this road N. S. Benton, in his history of Herkimer county, says : 
 
 " March 26, 1803, an act was passed authorizing certain great roads 
 in this state to be opened and improved, and for that purpose $41,500 
 was directed to be raised by lottery. The state road, so called, from 
 Johnstown to the Black river country, passing through parts of Man- 
 heim and Salisbury, and the towns of Norway and Russia, in this 
 county, was laid out and surveyed, and probably opened, by commis- 
 sioners appointed by the governor, pursuant to the authority conferred 
 by the above act. This road was used a good deal in the early part of 
 the present century, when the eastern emigration was flowing towards 
 the present counties of Lewis and Jefferson, the western portion of St. 
 Lawrence, and the northern parts of Oneida and Herkimer. 
 An opinion prevailed at an early day that the northern travel would 
 leave the Mohawk Valley at East creek or Little Falls, and turn towards 
 the Black river country, but the project of opening and improving a 
 road from Little Falls in that direction was never carried into effect. 
 The people of Johnstown, Utica, Whitestown and Rome were too much 
 alive to their own interests to allow such a project to get the start of 
 them. The route from Johnstown through the northern parts of Mont- 
 gomery and Herkimer, crossing the East Canada creek at Brockett's 
 Bridge, and the West Canada creek at Boon's Bridge near Prospect, 
 Oneida county, was much the shortest and the best adapted to emigrant 
 travel." 
 
 This road was a very general artery for heavy traffic until the con- 
 struction of the Erie canal, which of course afforded easier and cheaper 
 transportation, and the state road lost its importance which never will 
 return. 
 
 The first stage route was established by Heathcote Johnson in 181 5, 
 and was conducted between Johnstown and Fonda's Bush, now Broad- 
 albin. A mail route was also in operation about the same time between 
 
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TOWN OFFICERS. 229 
 
 Johnstown and the " Fish House," on the Sacandaga. This was con- 
 ducted by a man named Le Roy. About the years 183 1 or 1832 a 
 familiar figure was that of Asa Tiffany, who carried the mail between 
 Johnstown and Benton's Corners on an old white horse, and made the 
 trip twice a week. In 1839 stage lines had become more general, one 
 of which connected Johnstown with Broadalbin on the east, and St. 
 Johnsville on the west. Ten years later, in 1849, the plank road lead- 
 ing from Johnstown to Gloversville was constructed, the company 
 obtaining the charter for thirty years, and at the same time another 
 company built a similar road from Johnstown to Fultonville. Both 
 roads are still profitably operated, probably being one of a few instances 
 where this almost extinct method of road building is maintained at a 
 profit. 
 
 The early town records reveal but few events of an interesting char- 
 acter, for the population was small and its early movements required no 
 historic pen. The town was organized in 1793, and yet no regular book 
 of record seems to liave been in service until 1 809, since which time 
 minutes of the annual town meetings, together with surveys of certain 
 roads and school districts, have been preserved and are in the possession 
 of the town clerk. The following list of supervisors and town clerks of 
 Johnstown since 1809 has been carefully copied from the above men- 
 tioned records. 
 
 Supervisors. — Daniel Cady, 1809-10; Abraham B. Vosburgh, i8ii ; 
 John Holland, 1812-13 ; Abraham B. Vosburgh, 1814; Aaron Haring, 
 1815; Daniel Paris, 18 16; Aaron Haring, 18 17; John W. Cady, 
 1818-22 ; William I. Dodge, 1823 ; Oran Johnson, 1824-25 ; John W. 
 Cady, 1826-29; Charles Easton, 1830-32; John Frothingham, 1833- 
 34; William T. Sammons, 1835-36; Joseph Cuyler, 1837-38; Duncan 
 Robertson, 1839 ; James Mclntyre, 1840 ; Elijah W. Prindle, 1841 ; 
 Chester Gilbert, 1842; John Hillabrandt, 1843-44; Elihu Enos, 1845; 
 John Frothingham, 1846; William H. Johnson, 1847; Lucius F. Pot- 
 ter, 1848; William Rood, 1849; Allen C. Churchill, 1850-52; Pifer 
 W. Case, 1853-55; T. W. Miller, 1856; James I. McMartin, 1857; 
 Burnet H. Dewey, 1858-60; Thomas R. Briggs, 1861 ; Allen C. 
 Churchill, 1862-65; James M. Dudley, 1866-67; Seymour Sexton, 
 1868-69; Eli J. Dorn, 1870-71; Seymour Sexton, 1872-73; Burnet 
 
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230 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 H. Dewey, 1874-75; Frederick M. Young, 1876; James S. Hosmer, 
 1877-78; David S. Baird, 1877; Andrew J. Thompson, 1880; George 
 C. Potter, 1881; John Ferguson, 1882-83; Alden W. Berry, 1884; 
 Oscar L. Everest. 1885 ; Martin L. Schaffer, 1886; James M. Thomp- 
 son, 1887; William S. McKie, 1888; James S. Thompson, 1889 and 
 part of 1890; Oliver Getman, 1890-91. 
 
 Town Clerks. — Caleb Johnson, 1809-10; William Middleton, 1811 ; 
 Aaron Haring. 1812-13 ; John W. Cady, 1814; Abraham Morrell, 
 1815; John W. Cady, 1816-17; Tobias A. Stoutenburgh, 1818-20; 
 Oran Johnson, 1821-23 ; Volkert C. Douw, 1824-26 ; George Johnson, 
 1827-29; Robert Campbell, 1830-32; John McCarthy, 1833-35 ; Rod- 
 ney H. Johnson, 1836-37 ; Harvey Young, 1838 ; George Yost, 1839; 
 Hiram Yauney, 1840; Daniel C. Holden, 1841 ; David H. Cuyler, 1842; 
 Marvin R. Maxwell, 1843 ; Seymour Sexton, 1844; George Henry, 
 1845; George M. Haring, 1846; Harvey Young, 1847; Ambrose S. 
 Haring, 1848; Charles W. Johnson, 1849; Eleazer C. Ely, 1850; 
 Baltus Heagle, 1851 ; Charles W. Johnson, 1852 ; Eraser Mason, 1853 ; 
 P. P. Argersinger, 1854; John J. Young, 1855 ; Amos M. Clark, 1856; 
 John Kibbe, 1857; J.ohn P. Miller, 1858-59; Michael Hollenbeck, 
 i86o; Edward J. Hickey, 1861; George D. Henry, 1862; John J. 
 Young, 1863; John D. Houghtailing, 1864; William Burns, 1865; 
 William S McKie, 1866-67; William C. Leaton, 1868; George D. 
 Henry, 1869; George W. Marby, 1870; George D. Henry, 1871 ; 
 William Argersinger, jr., 1872; James Heagle, 1873-74; Janies Y. 
 Fulton, 1875-76; Frederick Benton, 1877-78; Lot Ostrom, 1879; 
 William Muddle, 1880-83; Thomas Parker, 1884-85 ; Charles S. Por- 
 ter, 1887-88; George H. Plantz, 1889-90; F. J. Moore, jr., 1891-92. 
 
 The present officers of the town are as follows : Supervisor, Henry 
 W Potter; town clerk, F. J. Moore, jr. ; justices of the peace, Fayette 
 E. Moyer, Richard Murray, Daniel R. Stewart and George H. Sholtus ; 
 assessors, Daniel Stewart and Tallmadge L. Parsons ; collector, Ralph 
 R. Chant. 
 
 THE VILLAGE OF JOHNSTOWN. 
 
 The first name to be mentioned in connection with the history of 
 Johnstown is that of Sir William Johnson, founder of the village and its 
 
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k^ STTu 
 
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JOHNSON HALL. 231 
 
 benefactor during the last fourteen years of his life. While eleven of 
 these fourteen years were passing by, 1763 to 1774, Sir William was 
 living at Johnson Hall, which was built during the years 1761 and '62, 
 .and is still standing in the northwest corner of the village. The old 
 mansion has been remarkably well preserved, and the deep historic in- 
 terest with which it is invested seems to increase with each succeeding 
 year. There is no doubt that the baronet's prime motive in locating at 
 the hall was not only to gratify the desire of his eldest son, Sir John, 
 who wished his father to establish a baronial estate of corresponding 
 importance with the dignity and rank of his title; but to have a general 
 and personal supervision over the settlement of his rich and extensive 
 lands, which comprised the country surrounding the present site of the 
 village. 
 
 He had been living for twenty years at Mount Johnson (now Fort 
 Johnson) and his removal to Johnson Hall cannot be attributed entirely 
 to motives of personal aggrandizement as his subsequent deeds of public 
 benevolence, and also his untiring efforts for educating and improving 
 the condition of his tenants (as well as the inhabitants of the village) 
 plainly indicate. 
 
 Located on the farms adjacent to the hall, many of which consisted 
 chiefly of dense forest growths, were lOO tenants, including not only 
 farmers, but also artisans, such as millers, hatters, tanners, wagon mak- 
 ers and also a physician. The names of a few of these have been noted 
 on a preceding page, but it is not probable that Johnstown of that day 
 bore any resemblance to a village until the erection of the old stone 
 church, which was built in the grave- yard at the corner of what is now 
 Market and Green streets. Possibly there were not enough houses in 
 the place to deserve even the name of a " hamlet " until the erection of 
 the court-house in 1772. 
 
 The chief center of information for the entire community in those 
 days was Johnson Hall, where the baronet entertained his guests, and 
 where his Indian allies were often a conspicuous feature. It was there 
 that important councils were often held, and there also Sir William en- 
 joyed the sports and games in which the Indians bore part. This led to 
 an annual tournament of their native games, together with what were 
 widely known as "sport days" at the hall. On these occasions the 
 
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232 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 yeomanry of the adjoining farms engaged in various amusements of an 
 atbletic nature, the contests being stimulated by the offer of prizes, and 
 among the comic features were foot races, in which the contestants ran 
 with their feet in bags, and also liorse races, in which the riders were 
 placed upon the animals with faces reversed. A source of great merri- 
 ment was the chase after a well fatted pig, whose exterior was greased, 
 and another was the climbing of a greased pole, upon the top of which 
 a prize had been fixed. A similar rivalry brought a prize to the per- 
 son who could make the ugliest face and could sing the worst song in 
 point of melody. 
 
 It will thus be seen that for a number of years the hall was con- 
 stantly the scene of Hfe and activity. The building itself, though of wood, 
 was of unusual strength, and its size sixty by forty feet in area, and two 
 stories high, rendered it unusually spacious. Superior judgment was 
 exhibited in selecting a southern exposure, sufficiently near to the 
 Cayadutta for supplies from the grist-mill, which Sir William had al- 
 ready constructed, and also sufficiently remote from the village to insure 
 the dignity of a manorial residence. Occupying a space fifteen feet 
 wide through the center of the building was the grand hall, from which 
 on each floor opened large and commodious rooms, wainscoted with 
 panels and heavy carved work. At each end of the building stood a 
 square stone structure, intended for defence, the one on the southeast 
 end, however, was chiefly used as the business office of the estate, and 
 the other as Sir William's study. These buildings formed a part of the 
 fortifications, to which was added, in 1763, a stockade surrounding the 
 hall, an attack of the western tribes under Pontiac being then expected. 
 
 The great care exercised by the baronet to increase the beauty and 
 comfort of the hall, and its surroundings, shows more conclusively than 
 his public deeds, that culture and refinement which formed so large a part 
 of his character. His constant desire was for the improvement, not only 
 of his own farm, which was worked by ten or fifteen slaves, under an 
 overseer named Flood, but of the entire settlement, whose agriculture 
 was thus advanced. This led him to obtain superior oats from Con- 
 necticut; scions for grafting from Philadelphia; fruit trees from New 
 London, and choice seeds from England. His love for horticulture led 
 to the formation of a nursery, which, with the garden, occupied a space 
 
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THE COURT-HOUSE. 233 
 
 south of the Hall, and the latter furnished the baronet's table with the 
 best vegetables of that day. Speaking of this famous mansion, ex- 
 Governor Seymour once said : " It was from this spot that the agents 
 went forth to treat with the Indians of the west, and keep the chain of 
 friendship bright. Here came the scout from the forests and lakes of 
 the north to tell of any dangerous movement of the enemy. Here were 
 written reports to the crown which were to shape the policy of nations ; 
 and to this place were sent the orders that called upon the settlers and 
 savages to go out upon the war-path." 
 
 Of those who were counted among the guests of Johnson Hall and 
 shared its hospitality contemporaneously with members of the Iroquois 
 confederacy may be mentioned Lady O'Brien, daughter of the earl of 
 Ilchester; Lord Gordon, whom Sir William's son John accompanied to 
 England, where the latter was knighted ; also Sir Henry Moore, gov- 
 ernor of New York ; Governor Franklin, of New Jersey, and many other 
 dignitaries of colonial fame. 
 
 It was customary to hold fairs at Johnstown in those days, under the 
 supervision of Sir William, who furnished the premiums from his private 
 purse. He was the first to introduce sheep, and also blooded horses 
 into the Mohawk valley. Among his staff of assistants and employees 
 was a secretary named Lefferty, who was well read in law, arid served 
 as surrogate of the county; also, a family physician named Daly, who, 
 in addition to his professional duty, was valued as a social companion, 
 and often accompanied the baronet on his pleasure excursions. Added 
 to these were a butler, a gardener, a tailor, and a blacksmith, the .last 
 two having shops across the road from the hall, in order to be of service 
 to the public. 
 
 The removal of Sir William from Mount Johnson to the baronial hall 
 which he had built at Johnstown, was connected with the organization 
 of a new county, which it preceded by ten years, and which was named 
 after Sir William Tryon, governor of the colony. It was only natural 
 that Johnstown should be selected as the capital or shire town of the 
 new county, and accordingly in May, 1772, work was begun on the 
 court-house, the sum of ;^i,ooo having been authorized (by the act 
 creating the county) to be expended for that purpose, and also for build- 
 ing a jail. The bricks for the court-house were imported from Eng- 
 30 
 
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234 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 land,' and reached Albany by boat, being there transferred to wagons, in 
 which they were brought to Johnstown. At the time of its construction, 
 and for years after, it was the first and only court-house between Albany 
 and the Pacific coast. In the tower surmounting the steep roof was 
 placed a great iron bar, bent into a triangle, and this odd contrivance has 
 served the purpose of a bell for one hundred and twenty years. The 
 first court in this ancient structure was held September 8, 1772, with 
 Sir Guy Johnson on the bench. This old court-house has been the 
 scene of some very thrilling trials, in one of which Aaron Burr and 
 Thomas Addis Emmet were both retained. Could the walls of this seat 
 of justice only repeat what they have heard, a strange history indeed 
 would they unfold. 
 
 An interesting relic still preserved in the court-house is the old Mont- 
 gomery county gallows, which is the most ancient thing of its kind in 
 existence, and has seen nearly four-score years. Among the executions 
 at which it served, was that of Becker, who was hung for murdering his 
 wife, and the colored boy "Will," who was hung for arson. The last 
 execution in which the old gallows served was that of Moses Lyons, 
 who murdered his housekeeper, December 18, 1829. The gallows was 
 then placed in the garret of the court house, whence it never has bqf n 
 removed. It is built of heavy timber, painted dark yellow with black 
 stripes, and worked with a drop after the old fashion, but it always did 
 sure work. 
 
 One of the first trials for murder — perhaps the first — was that in 
 which John Adam Hartman, a Mohawk valley veteran of the revolu- 
 tion, was charged with the killing of an Indian, in 1783, in what is now 
 the town and county of Herkimer. Hartman and the Indian had met 
 at a tavern, where the latter had boasted of murders and scalpings per- 
 formed by him during the war, and exhibited, as alleged by Hartman, 
 a tobacco pouch made from the skin of the hand and part of the arm of 
 a white child, with the finger nails remaining attached. These revela- 
 tions incensed the feelings of Hartman, who concealed his excitement 
 for the moment and the two left the tavern to traverse the forest to- 
 gether. The red man, however, never returned, and his body, rifle and 
 
 1 This statement has been denied and may perhaps be incorrect. 
 
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NOTABLE TRIALS. 235 
 
 some baggage he had carried when at the tavern, were found in the 
 woods a year later. Hartman was acquitted for lack of legal evidence. 
 Another celebrated trial took place here in 1828. An action for 
 trespass was brought by Henry Garlock against Henry J. Failing to re- 
 cover the value of a negro slave, Jack, whom it was alleged the de- 
 fendant had wrongfully and maliciously killed. Garlock possessed a 
 deed of the negro in which a consideration of three hundred and fifty 
 dollars was expressed, and Failing admitted the killing of the slave, but 
 declared it had been done by mistake. The circumstances as brought 
 out by the trial indicated that on the night of the alleged crime several 
 negroes had engaged in a promiscuous gathering near the river below 
 Dutchtown, and when the gathering broke up, which was at a late hour, 
 many of them were intoxicated. The slave. Jack, started home with 
 one of his companions and passed Failing's house on the way. The 
 same night a colored man called at defendant's house saying that he had 
 seen a bear a short distance away. Failing took his rifle and accompan- 
 ied by his dog, started in pursuit. He discovered the animal silting 
 on his haunches about ten rods distant and could see his eyes in' the 
 dim starlight, but the dog refused to advance towards it. Failing took 
 good aim between the eyes and fired. The result was a terrible groan, 
 a struggle and then the figure was perfectly still. An investigation 
 with a lighted lamp disclosed the dead body of the unfortunate Jack. 
 The negro had taken a keg from a trough where it had been placed to 
 soak, and had seated himself upon it in the middle of the road with his 
 back toward Failing, and the bright buttons in the rear of his coat had 
 been readily mistaken for the eyes of the bear. Both parties retained 
 brilliant counsel, and verdict was found for the plaintiff of two hundred 
 and fifty dollars. 
 
 A murder case that attracted much attention at the time, was that of 
 the People against Frederick Smith, charged with the murder of Ed- 
 ward Yost, who conducted a meat market adjoining the bank of Hays & 
 Wells, and slept in a bedroom occupying a corner of the bank building. 
 On the morning of March 6, 1875, firewas discovered in the bank, and 
 the horrible discovery made by a number of the men who forced an en- 
 trance to extinguish the flames, was the corpse of Yost, disfigured and 
 burned almost beyond recognition, lying on the floor of the bedroom 
 
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236 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 through which the fire had penetrated. Two bullet wounds were found 
 in the murdered man's head, each of which might have caused his death. 
 His gold watch valued at one hundred and ninety dollars, a diamond 
 pin, and several hundred dollars, known to have been on his person, 
 were stolen and circumstances indicated that the perpetrator of the deed 
 had set fire to the building in hope of destroying the evidence of his 
 crime. Smith had formerly been a partner of Yost, but this connection 
 had been dissolved. During their partnership Smith and Yost had 
 slept together and even afterwards Smith had occasionally occupied the 
 room with his former partner, once, indeed, only two weeks before the 
 murder. He was therefore familiar with the premises and suspicion nat- 
 urally rested upon him. Smith being called to account admitted hav- 
 ing been about the village until one or two o'clock in the morning of 
 the crime, but declared his ignorance of the deed. He was placed un- 
 der arrest and remained in jail nearly a year before his trial, at which 
 through the efforts of able counsel he was acquitted and subsequently 
 went to California. Rewards for the perpetrator of the crime amount- 
 ing to $6,000 were offered by the sheriff of the county, and the friends 
 of the murdered man and Governor Tilden, but no conviction took 
 place and the murder of Edward Yost remains among the mysteries of 
 crime. 
 
 In closing this review of Johnstown's ancient court-house, it seems 
 proper to add a briet extract from the speech delivered by Horatio Sey- 
 mour June 26, 1872, at the centennial of the laying of the corner-stone. 
 A platform was built in the court-house yard, a portrait of Sir Will- 
 iam was hung outside the front wall over which was suspended the 
 British flag with this inscription : " One hundred years ago," while on 
 the railing near the entrance was a massive iron casting of the British 
 coat of arms, imported by Sir William. 
 
 " The edifice and its objects were in strange contrast with the aspect 
 of the country. It was pushing the forms and rules of English juris- 
 prudence far into the territories of the Indian tribes, and it was one of 
 the first steps taken in that march of civilization which has now forced 
 its way across the continent. There is a historic interest attached to 
 all the classes of men who met at that time. There was the German 
 from the Palatinate, who had been driven from his home by the invasion 
 
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THE JAIL. 237 
 
 of the French, and who had been sent to this country by the ministry 
 of Queen Anne ; the Hollander, who could look with pride upon the 
 struggles of his country against the powers of Spain and in defence of 
 civil and religious liberty ; the stern Iroquois warriors, the conquerors 
 of one-half the original territories of our Union, who looked upon the 
 ceremonies in their quiet, watchful way. There was also a band of 
 Catholic Scotch Highlanders, who had been driven away from their 
 native hills by the harsh policy of the British government, which sought 
 by such rigor to force the rule of law upon the wild clansmen. There 
 were to be seen Brant and Butler, and others whose names to this day 
 recall in this valley scenes of cruelty, rapine and bloodshed. The pres- 
 ence of Sir William Johnson, with an attendance of Britisli officers and 
 soldiers, gave brilliancy to the event, while over all the group, asserting 
 the power of the Crown, waved the broad folds of the British flag. The 
 aspects of those who then met at this place not only made a clear 
 picture of the state of the country, but it came at a point of time in our 
 history of intense interest. . . . All in that mingled crowd of sol- 
 diers, settlers and savages felt that the future was dark and dangerous. 
 They had fought side by side in the deep forests against the French 
 and their Indian allies ; now they did not know how soon they would 
 meet as foes in deadly conflict." 
 
 The jail was begun in 1772 at the same time with the court-house, 
 and was constructed of stone in order to serve as a fort in case of attack. 
 Good judgment is shown in the size of its massive walls, and also in 
 the selection of the: highest point of' ground for a site, which afforded a 
 full view of approaching danger. When finished it was the best build- 
 ing in America for defense against all weapons but artillery. Neither 
 the jail nor court-house was completed at once, a^d in 1774 the legis- 
 lature appropriated ;^i,6oo for this purpose. One year later, October 
 26, 177s, theTryon county revolutionary committee inquired of Sir John 
 Johnson whether he pretended to a prerogative to the court-house and 
 jail, " and would hinder or interrupt the committee to make use of the 
 same public houses to our want and service in the common cause." 
 Replying, Sir John made claim to both buildings as his property until 
 the sum of ^^^700, which Sir William had advanced toward their con- 
 struction, should be refunded. The committee respected this claim at 
 
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238 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 the time, and fitted up a private house as a prison, sending convicts to 
 Albany and Hartford. Information was given to Congress, later on, 
 that the building had been conveyed to the county by Sir William, and 
 that the jail had been used as a fort by the patriots during the revolution, 
 being fortified with palisades and block houses. Their respective uses 
 were then resumed, and with the exception of slight repairs to the court- 
 house and the replacing of the wood-work in the jail, which was de- 
 stroyed by fire, both buildings have remained in tact ever since. Until 
 1 81 5 the county clerk's office was located in a little building on Market 
 street near the Academy. The next one stood for many years at the 
 corner of William and Main streets, and was also a small building. The 
 present clerk's office was built in 1867. 
 
 Among other steps taken by Sir William for the improvement of the 
 village and the comfort of its inhabitants was the erection of a stone 
 church larger than the first, details of which are given elsewhere in 
 this narrative. Sir William gave evidence of his loyalty in the con- 
 struction of this church, by providing a pew for the king at the right 
 hand of the pulpit, over which was an elaborate canopy, and the pew 
 was kept closed, awaiting the use of the royal dignitary, its vacancy 
 being a silent witness for the royal power. On the opposite side of the 
 pulpit was another pew for Sir William's use and his successors in the 
 manor. Thus were the royal and manorial powers appropriately hon- 
 ored in St. John's church. 
 
 Sir William also laid out the village in squares, four streets running 
 north and south and four east and west, but did not give them names. 
 In the spring of 1760 he was busily engaged in establishing the settle- 
 ment, and not long after his removal to Johnson Hall he built six houses 
 near the court-house. These dwellings were about thirty feet in front 
 by eighteen or twenty deep, one story and a half high, and contained 
 two square rooms on a floor. They were painted yellow. 
 
 In 1766 Sir William went to Albany and becamea Mason, together with 
 Guy Johnson and Colonel Claus, and during the same year established 
 in his own mansion a Masonic lodge, whose history is included in these 
 pages. Very soon afterward he established a free school, which stood 
 on what is now the southeast corner of Main and William streets, and 
 had the distinction of being the first free school in the state. The year 
 
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DEATH OF SIR WILLIAM JOHNSON. 239 
 
 1 77 1 and the one following were years of marked progress in every 
 respect, and Johnstown may be said to have assumed the appearance 
 of a village. Sir William indeed says in one of his letters, " settlers 
 now flocked in, bought lots and built houses," and another writer states 
 that "several new streets were laid out, and gaily painted signs were to 
 be seen swinging from the doors of the different tradesmen." About 
 eighty families were added to the village during 1771, and the name of 
 Johnstown, which is a contraction of Johnson-town, was given to the 
 settlement in honor of the baronet. 
 
 During this prosperity a sudden and deeply felt sorrow was cast over 
 the village by the death, on the nth day of July, 1774, of Sir William. 
 He had long been a sufferer from an aggravated dysentery which at 
 times almost caused suffocation. In seeking a cure for this disease he 
 had visited Saratoga, where he drank of the now famous High Rock 
 spring, a knowledge of its medicinal virtues having been imparted to 
 him by the Indians, a band of whom accompanied him to the spot, 
 showing their great regard for the baronet by bearing him through the 
 wilderness on a litter. Sir William's disease, however, was too compli- 
 cated to be susceptible of cure, and hence the benefit received at the 
 spring was only temporary. It served, however, as the foundation for 
 the wonderful and growing popularity which Saratoga has enjoyed as 
 a health resort for many years. On the day of his death the baronet 
 had addressed for two hours in a hot sun a party of Iroquois Indians, 
 who came from the west with complaints of ill treatment at the hands 
 of the Ohio frontiersmen. Various writers have adduced the theory 
 that Sir William took his own life, giving as an argument the sudden- 
 ness of his death and the prophecy made by himself that he would never 
 Uve to see the already threatened war between the colonies and the 
 crown. Sir William's correspondence with one of his physicians, how- 
 ever, disproves the theory of suicide, and there is certainly very little 
 ground for it. 
 
 The funeral which took place on the Wednesday following Sir Wil- 
 iam's death, was the most solemn demonstration the colonics had up to 
 that time ever witnessed. The clergyman in attendance was Rev. Mr. 
 Stewart, missionary at Fort Hunter, and the funeral procession num- 
 bered more than 2,000, including colonial dignitaries and 600 Indians, 
 
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240 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 who were bereaved of a lifelong friend. The pall bearers included Gov. 
 Franklin of New Jersey and the judges of the New York Supreme Court. 
 
 The burial took place in a vault erected beneath the floor of St. John's 
 church for the family, but Sir William was the only one of the number 
 who ever occupied it. On the following day the Indians were granted 
 the privilege of performing their own peculiar rites, which they did with 
 much solemnity and emotions. The old church was destroyed by fire 
 in 1836 and when rebuilt its position was altered so as to leave the vault 
 containing the baronet's remains outside the church wall. Prior to 1862 
 there had been rumors circulated about Johnstown that either Sir Wil- 
 liam's body had never been interred there or that it had been taken up 
 and carried to Canada. This led to investigation, and the tomb being 
 reopened, all that was left of the body was disinterred and afterward 
 buried with honor. A portion of the vault roof had caved in and most 
 of the coffin had disappeared. A section of the scull was found, how- 
 ,ever, with some of the larger bones and a plain gold ring bearing the 
 date " June 1739, 16," and supposed to have been Lady Johnson's wed- 
 ding ring, worn by the baronet after her death. The bullet which he 
 received at the battle of Lake George and which had never been ex- 
 tracted, was also found in the vault. Arthur D. Bedford, now living 
 in Gloversville, was present at the opening of the vault, and although 
 quite a young boy at the time", distinctly remembers having found a 
 small piece of the coffin lid, around the edge of which were several 
 ancient nails. The tomb was repaired and remodeled and the remains, 
 after being sealed in a block of granite, were returned to their resting 
 place June 7, 1862, the services being conducted by the Right Rev. 
 Bishop Potter of New York. It will be of interest to note that there is 
 at present in Johnstown a recently organized society, the purpose of 
 which is to raise a fund for the purpose of erecting a suitable monument 
 to the baronet. 
 
 Hardly had the confusion resulting from the death of Sir William 
 passed away, when the war clouds of the revolution began to darken 
 the political horizon, increasing day by day, until at last they burst upon 
 the struggling colonists with all the horror of that long and fearful 
 conflict. 
 
 After Sir William's death. Sir John occupied the Hall, with the inten- 
 tion of retaining the family dignity, but (as has already been related in 
 
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AT THE CLOSE OF THE REVOLUTION. 241 
 
 these pages) the hostility he bore against the colonists made it neces- 
 sary for him to flee to Canada, whence he returned, wreaking hellish 
 vengeance on the brave patriots of the Mowhawk Valley, in that raid 
 whose memory will forever stamp his name with infamy. The con- 
 fiscation of the Johnson estate followed his flight, and thus forever passed 
 away the power of that lordly family, leaving only the memory of for- 
 mer grandeur. 
 
 The commissioners of confiscation placed Sampson Sammons in charge 
 of. the Hall, but the greater part of the furniture was taken to Albany 
 and sold at auction. Sir William's papers were likewise taken to Albany 
 and came into the possession of the Cooper family, which subsequently 
 placed them in the care of the^ state library, where they received careful 
 attention, and were printed in the documentary history. 
 
 When the war began Johnstown contained a number of men of local 
 prominence including Daniel Claus, John Butler, Gilbert Tice, Robert 
 Adams, Hugh Fraser, Bryan Lefferty, Hugh McMonts and William 
 Crowley. The first two were well known tories and adherents of Sir 
 John ; the last two fought in the battle near the Hall and were killed. 
 The population of the village decreased during the revolution, partly by 
 the withdrawal of the friends and followers of Sir John, and partly by 
 the loss of life caused by war, but when peace was renewed Johnstown 
 took on new life and its population was greatly increased by settlers 
 from New England. It then included among its inhabitants Zephaniah 
 Bachelor, Amaziah Rust, John Little, Thomas Read, Johh B. Wemple, 
 John McCarthy, Garret Stadts and John Egan. It was the only place 
 of prominence west of Albany, ranking even Schenectady, which was 
 due to its frontier position. The names of the streets were given by the 
 state commissioners appointed to sell the confiscated lands. In 1787 
 the Marquis de Lafayette visited Johnstown, and wrote from there a 
 letter to Col. Gansevoort, urging him to take every possible measure 
 for the capture of Col. Carleton, who was supposed to be acting the part 
 of a spy in the neighborhood. 
 
 In 1784, when the name of Tryon county was changed to Montgom- 
 ery, Johnstown acquired additional importance as a promising place for 
 enterprise. Thus it was that such men were attracted to the village as 
 Richard Dodge, George Henry and his brother, Henry Brevoort Henry, 
 
 31 
 
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242 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 all of whom came from New York. Dr. Thomas Reed, and Judge Har- 
 ing, came from New Jersey ; Daniel Cady and John W. Cady, from 
 Florida. An aristocratic foreign element was formed by the families of 
 Sadliers, McCarthys, Egans, Philpots, and Rev. Hosack. 
 
 An interesting idea of the appearance of the village in 1790 can be 
 gleaned from the following letter written in 1872 by the venerable ex- 
 Gov. Enos T. Throop, who was at one time a student in Johnstown 
 Academy, and whose boyhood was passed in Kingsboro : 
 
 "The year 1772 was but twelve years before my birth. At six years 
 of age I had a perfect knowledge of the town and the people, and my 
 memory retains it, with the incidents of that day. Johnstown at that 
 day, besides what was then considered the palatial edifice erected by 
 Sir William Johnson as his residence, consisted of the Adams house, the 
 Reed house, the Rawlins [Rollins ?] house (the tavern), the court-house, 
 the jail, the stone church, and a few small dwellings which it is was un- 
 derstood were erected by Sir William Johnson, and a few additions to 
 them to accommodate the business and domestic comforts of the resi- 
 dents who had pitched their tents there." 
 
 Within a short time Rowland Fish came to Johnstown, from Hudson, 
 and Daniel Paris, from Herkimer, thus adding to the political and legal 
 power of the village. Johnstown was at that time the great center of 
 the fur trade of a vast frontier area, and the transactions in this com- 
 modity, which included the purchases of John Jacob Astor, were of great 
 magnitude. The village was also on the main traveled highway from 
 east to west and became celebrated for its unusual number of hotels. 
 One of them occupied a position next to the court house and was kept 
 in later years by Heathcote Johnson. Another stood where the Dr. 
 Francis Burdick dwelling is now located. Another was on the plat oc- 
 cupied in recent years by the Dewey residence and one stood on the site 
 of the John C. Ferres hardware store. The Jackson House should also 
 be mentioned. It stood on the present location of the Fancher block. 
 There was also the " Old Yellow Tavern," corner of Main and Market 
 streets, and the Union Hall in the eastern part of town. Two other 
 taverns occupied opposite corners on Main and Perry streets. These 
 hotels caught much of the patronage of travelers en route to the " Black 
 River Country," over the state road. 
 
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EARLY MUNICIPAL ACTS. 243 
 
 Thus Johnstown increased in size and importance and on the first day 
 of April, 1808, became an incoporated village. On the sixth day of the 
 following December, the first trustees were elected ; five in number, as 
 follows : Daniel Cady, Daniel Paris, Daniel Holden, Caleb Johnson, and 
 Caleb Grinnell. Joseph Cuyler was appointed clerk and the sum of $150 
 was voted for purposes contemplated by the act of incorporation. A 
 tax list for the year 1808 shows the assessed valuation of real estate in 
 the village to have been $80,000, the tax collected upon which being 
 $157 50. Not as much as is paid by many individuals at the present 
 day. In 1809 taxable property had increased in valuation to $93,140 ; 
 in 1810 it was $103,740; in 1812, $112,720; in 1813, $121,600; in 
 1814, $134,550; in 1815, $137,040; and in 18 16, $145,970, showing a 
 net gain each year. 
 
 In May, 18 10, it was voted that Caleb J. Grinnell be allowed $2.75 
 for finishing the public well, and during the same year the subject of 
 supplying the village with water was agitated, and the legislature passed 
 an act incorporating a company which laid pump logs in the streets, but 
 the enterprise was doomed to failure, and was not successfully revived 
 until 1877. 
 
 In 18 1 5 an ordinance was passed directing the sidewalks on certain 
 streets in the village to be raised, leveled and paved, thus giving evi- 
 dence to the present generation of the interest the forefathers had in 
 beautifying their habitations. A general plan of planting shade trees 
 at frequent intervals along all of the principal streets was adopted and 
 has always been maintained. William street at a point in front of the 
 Sir William Johnson Hotel was paved in 18 15, and the short thorough- 
 fare connecting William and Market streets known as Church street, 
 was laid out and the adjoining land which had formerly belonged to St. 
 John's church was divided into building lots. 
 
 Precaution against fire was active in Johnstown as early as 1808, and 
 the following names, which include some of those who became mem- 
 bers of the fire company on December 7 (of that year), are even now 
 remembered by the older citizens. They deserve remembrance indeed, 
 having been representative men in their day : Daniel Cady, Nathaniel 
 R. Packard, Nicholas Philpot, Caleb J. Grinnell, John G. Murray, Joseph 
 Leach, Daniel Holden, Caleb Johnson, Stephen Owen, John Marsh, 
 
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244 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 David D. Bedford, Tristram Dunham, William Van Voast, Henry 
 Conklin, Peter Vosburgh, Elisha Coffin, John Dodge, John Pool, John 
 Brower, John Howland, Abraham Morrell, Joseph Cuyler, Rufus Mason, 
 David Rust, and a number of others. Among the firemen of Johns- 
 town between the years l8iO and 1819 the following names may be 
 mentioned : John McLaren, John W. Cady, William I. Dodge, Howland 
 Fish, James Lobdell, John McArthur, jr., Peter McKie, Henry Cun- 
 ningham, Duncan McLaren, James Campbell, jr., George Wells, Guy 
 T. Wells, and Asahel Whitney. A hand engine was procured in 1809. 
 
 In July, 1 8 10, it was voted that a penalty of " five dollars be collected 
 from Benjamin Hyde for his room chimney blazing out of the top in 
 the night time." 
 
 The ordinances on the subject of fire and precautions against it were 
 strict and to the point, as may be seen from the following instances : 
 
 At a meeting of the trustees of the village, held September 15, 1809, 
 present, John Yost, Caleb Johnson, Daniel Holden, the following reso- 
 lution was adopted : 
 
 " Resolved, That each of the members of this board, in case of fire, 
 and when at the place where the fire is, shall wear a white scarf over the 
 right shoulder to the left hip as a badge of distinction. By order, 
 
 " J. Cuyler, Clerk." 
 
 It was also ordained in that early day that it should be the duty of 
 the freeholders and inhabitants of the village, in case of fire, and when 
 at the place where the fire is, to conform themselves to the directions 
 of the trustees, in forming themselves into ranks, to convey water to the 
 engine. And in no case to do damage to any building or buildings 
 but by direction of some one of the trustees, unless none of them should 
 be present, under the penalty of two dollars and fifty cents. 
 
 Another ordinance was that it be the duty of all housekeepers in said 
 village, in case of fire breaking out in the night, at the cry of fire to 
 place lights at the front windows of their respective dwelling-houses. 
 Any person neglecting to do the same being fined in the sum of fifty 
 cents. It was provided that every owner of a dwelling-house in the 
 village should furnish their respective dwelling-houses with good and 
 sufficient leather fire buckets containing ten quarts each of water, to be 
 
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FIRE DEPARTMENT. 
 
 245 
 
 used in case of fire, the number of buckets being regulated by the num- 
 ber of fire-places in the house. 
 
 It was probably due to the strict measures taken against fire that 
 Johnstown escaped any serious conflagration for many years, the first 
 really great fire occurring in July, 1834. It was discovered in an old 
 building on the south side of Main street near what was afterward 
 Potter's meat market, and extending west, did much damage to prop- 
 erty, upon which there was little or no insurance. A later fire swept 
 away the remaining buildings on the same side of the street, including 
 what is now the Selmser block. In 1836 a fire occurred on the north 
 side of Main street, working its way to St. John's Church, which was 
 destroyed. The fire apparatus in those days consisted of a hand en- 
 gine, a small amount of hose, together with a long sucker to insert into 
 wells, for the purpose of filling the water box. Town pumps were 
 located, one at the corner of Main and William, the other at the corner 
 of Main and Market, and constituted the chief water supply in the 
 emergency of fire. Both sides of Main street, between Market and 
 William, were destroyed by fire prior to 1840, with the single excep- 
 tion of the brick building at the corner of Main and William, owned 
 and occupied by Charles O. Cross, which recently shared a similar fate 
 and has been replaced by an elegant four-story brick structure. 
 
 The fire department of more recent years has been larger, in accord- 
 ance with the growth of the village, and at present consists of three 
 hose companies and a hook and ladder company, steam fire engines 
 being unnecessary owing to the great pressure attained by the water 
 from the village reservoir located at Cold Brook. The fire company's 
 apparatus is well protected, part of it being kept in the Decker Hose 
 house, on North Perry street, and also part in the corporation building, 
 a handsome and commodious brick structure on South William street. 
 The following names represent the chiefs of the department since 1878 : 
 James D. Scott, A. J. Thompson, Alonzo Philes, William A. Ely, 
 Clark Robertson, R. F. Van Nostrand, W. G. Miller, William Board, 
 A. J. Thompson (elected several times), and the present chief, Charles 
 H. Ball. 
 
 The first merchant in Johnstown was Robert Adams, a man of high 
 character, and who, like Sir William, was a native of Ireland. His store 
 
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246 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 was a large frame building and stood in William street next to the site 
 now occupied by the Sir William Johnson hotel. It was burned many 
 years ago and among the ruins was a cast iron fire back bearing the 
 arms of Great Britain and the figures " 59." It was probably cast in 
 1759 and is a very interesting memorial of the past. The property be- 
 longed to the late Daniel Edwards and the memorial came into the pos- 
 session of his family. John Van Voast, of Schenectady, married Mary 
 Letitia, daughter of Robert Adams, and their son, William Johnson Van 
 Voast became the leading builder in Johnstown. He erected the acad- 
 emy and assisted in building the Presbyterian church. His son, A. 
 S. Van Voast, is now one of the oldest residents of the place. In his 
 possession are many historical relics, including Sir William's prayer 
 book, elegantly illustrated with copper plate engravings, and bearing 
 date "London, published by A. Wilde, 1762," indicating that Sir Will- 
 iam ordered it for use in the new church which was built soon after- 
 ward. Mrs. Abbott, wife of Dr. Abbott, of New York, also has a num- 
 ber of relics ofSir William which have descended as heirlooms from her 
 ancestors who were among the old families of Johnstown. 
 
 Among the interesting old buildings may be mentioned the one at 
 18 and 20 South William street. It was erected by Matthias B. Hild- 
 reth, who held the office of attorney-general for two terms, beginning 
 in [808, which is no doubt the date of the building. The brick dwell- 
 ing in the same street now owned by Dr. Lefler was built by Peter 
 Brooks, who also was a member of the bar. He married the sister of 
 Capt. George I. Eacker, who shot Alexander Hamilton's eldest son 
 (Philip) in a duel in 1802. Eacker was challenged and was really 
 driven into the unfortunate affair. The block corner of Main and Will- 
 iam, built by Dr. Thomas Reed in 18 1 2 and recently burned, was the 
 earliest brick structure erected in the village after the court-house. 
 The picturesque Younglove place at the northeast corner of William and 
 Montgomery streets, was built early in the century and originally was 
 used as a tavern. The oldest house in Johnstown, however, stands next 
 to the old burial ground and is owned by the heirs of P. Z. Drumm. It 
 was built during Sir William's time and was occupied by a school- 
 teacher, who was the first man to exercise that office in the village. A 
 structure around which centers much interest is " Union Hall," which 
 
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A SEHIES OF DISCOURAGEMENTS. 247 
 
 was built before the opening of the present' century by Vauman Fon- 
 claire, who was probably one of the French army that assisted in the 
 war of independence. Fonclaire kept tavern there, but the building is 
 now used as a dwelling. 
 
 Johnstown enjoyed a general prosperity until about the year 1825, at 
 which time the opening of the Erie Canal offered a new channel to 
 traffic, and the village in consequence suffered a decline. This trying 
 period lasted nearly twenty years, during which Johnstown experienced 
 " hard times" in their most striking sense. Real estate depreciated in 
 value and became almost unsalable ; the lot on the corner of Market and 
 Clinton streets extending to Perry street, containing an acre of ground 
 being sold to Joseph Farmer in 1835, for three hundred dollars. The 
 same property to-day would readily sell for ten thousand dollars. 
 Land in other portions of the village was depressed in a corresponding 
 degree. Laborers received seventy-five cents per day for toiling from 
 sun to sun and mechanics were seldom paid more than one dollar. 
 Life, then, indeed, was dull and monotonous as compared with our 
 modern ways of living. Ordinary people were compelled to live on the 
 plainest food and children went barefooted until frost, often continuing 
 this practice until arrived at an advanced youth. 
 
 During this unfortunate period Johnstown received a severe blow in 
 the removal from its limits in 1836 of the county offices, depriving it 
 of the benefit and distinction of a county seat, a privilege the place had 
 enjoyed for sixty-four years. No public matter (except war) has ever 
 thrilled the hearts of the people of Johnstown with equal intensity, 
 prompting them to a hard, relentless, but unsucessful struggle of more 
 than a year. The old records and the seat of justice were finally re- 
 moved to Fonda, as already mentioned in a preceding chapter, but in 
 1838, upon the division of Montgomery county, and the formation of 
 Fulton, Johnstown again became the shire town, and the historic court- 
 house was again opened for judicial proceedings. 
 
 The development of the glove industry was the remedy for Johns- 
 town's decay, and a most effectual remedy it has proved. Its growth and 
 advancement from an insignificant beginning to its present magnitude 
 has been fully described in a separate chapter, and it need only be added 
 that since the middle of the present century the village has been steadily 
 
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248 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 on the gain, each year having brought some unmistakable proof of per- 
 manent prosperity. The detailed history of its many public, social, 
 religious and also its secret organizations, together with sketches of its 
 principal manufacturing concerns will be found on subsequent pages. 
 
 The post office in Johnstown was established about the first- of Jan- 
 uary, 1795, and Richard Dodge was appointed the first postmaster. 
 His successors in the office, with the dates of their appointment are as 
 follows: Nathan Brewster, February 9, 1801 ; Rowland Fish, January 
 24, 1815; Tobias A. Stoutenburgh, November 22, 1817; Henry B. 
 Mathews, October 17, 1838; Charles S. Lobdell, June 14, 1841 ; Henry 
 B Mathews, May 28, 1843; Daniel B. Cady, April 9, 1849; Peter J. 
 McKinlay, November 5, 1852; James Dunn, June 15, 1853; William 
 B. Comrie, May 3, 1861 ; Bradford T. Simmons, November 17, 1868 ; 
 Mortimer Wade, November 15, 1883; Michael D. Murray, June 19, 
 1888; Andrew J. Thompson, February 14, 1890. 
 
 Schools. — One of Sir William's first steps towards establishing a 
 school in Johnstown was an effort on his part to secure the removal to 
 the village of the Moor Charity School from Lebanon, Conn., in 1767. 
 Four years later he inserted an advertisement in the newspapers of 
 New York and Philadelphia for a person "proficient in reading, writing 
 and arithmetic," to teach a free school about to be opened by him in 
 Johnstown, This resulted in securing a teacher named Wall, who was 
 an Irishman and a strict disciplinarian. He " spared not the rod and 
 kept the old rule," with the exception of three of the baronet's children 
 (by Molly Brant) who, on account of the high position of their distin- 
 guished father, «^ere greatly favored and indulged. This school, which 
 was an oblong wooden building, painted yellow, stood on the southeast 
 corner of Main and William streets. In front of it were the public 
 stocks and whipping post. Among the scholars were the children of 
 Godfrey Shew, who lived for some time a mile west of the hall, and 
 afterwards moved to the vicinity of the Fish house. 
 
 A " list of the scholars at the free school, Johnstown," is given with- 
 out date, in the fourth volume of the documentary history of the state 
 of New York. It consists of the following names : 
 
 " Richard Young, Peter Young, Hendrick Young, Richard Cotter, 
 Hendrick Rynnion, James Mordon, Daniel Cammel, Samuel Davis, 
 
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THE SCHOOLS. 249 
 
 Reneir Vansiclan, Jacob Veder, Randal McDonald, John Foilyard, Peter 
 Rynnion, Peter Potman, Jacob Doran, David Doran, Jeremy Doran, 
 Adam McDonald, Abraham Boice, Caleb McCarty, Hendrick Colinger, 
 Jacob Servos, John Jervos, John Miller, James McGregar, George Bind- 
 er, Christian Rider, Bernard Rider, Simeon Scouten, Francis Bradthau, 
 John Everot, Sarah Connor, Leny Rynnion, Betsey Garlick, Baby 
 Garlick, Rebecca Vansiclan, Caty Cammel, Caty Garlick, Mary Mcln- 
 tyre, Peggy Potman, Eve Waldrofif, Leny Waldroff, Margaret Servos,. 
 Catherine Servos." — 45. 
 
 The baronet's school soon became inadequate and an academy was 
 required, a project which took definite form in January, 1794, when the 
 regents of the university gave it full consideration in compliance with, 
 an application signed by the following trustees: Amaziah Rust, Simon 
 Hosack, Dederick C. R. Peck, Cruts, Frederick Fisher, Silas Tal- 
 bot, Thomas Read, Richard Dodge, Daniel Miles, Daniel Mclntyre, 
 George Metcalfe, Lewis Dubois^ David Cady, H. Beach, John C. Vaa 
 Epps, John 'McCarthy and Matthew Faifchilds. 
 
 In 179s the legislature granted the land on which the building stands, 
 and in the following year it was completed by William Johnson Van 
 Voast, builder. Within a short time there was placed in the belfry 
 the bell of Queen Anne's chapel, at Fort Hunter, which had been pre- 
 sented by that sovereign to call the Mohawks to worship. The acad- 
 emy attracted large numbers of students from various parts of the state,. 
 and its records, indeed, include many names which afterward attained 
 distinction. It held a high position until 1869, when the trustees de- 
 clared their office vacant and the institution was adopted as the academic 
 department of the union school. William H. Bannister, now the presi- 
 dent of Rockland Lake Institute, was one of the principals of this old 
 school. 
 
 Under the district school system the village was first divided into 
 two districts, one on each side of Market street, that on the west side 
 being No. 4, and that on the east. No. 23. The schools were organized 
 under the general act of 1869. The school on West Main street was 
 built in 1 856 at a cost of $2,500.^ [Among the early teachers there were 
 J. Ripley and William S. Snyder, the latter of whom came to Johns- 
 town in i860, and is still connected with the schools, having become 
 
 32 
 
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2 so HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 superintendent in 1870, at which time the village schools were graded 
 and put under one head. The Montgomery Street school, which 
 stands directly west of the new Union school, was built in i860, at a 
 cost of $3,000. It was succeeded in use by a beautiful structure which 
 occupied the site of the present Montgomery Street school, and togeth- 
 er with a valuable library, containing several thousand volumes, was 
 totally destroyed by fire, February i, 1889. It has since been replaced 
 by a handsome three story brick school, and a large brick school -house 
 has also been erected on North Perry street. 
 
 Mr. Snyder has ably conducted the different departments of the vil- 
 lage schools for many years, and his long connection with educational 
 matters in Johnstown makes his services almost indispensable. 
 
 St. John's Episcopal Church. — It is generally believed that Episcopal 
 services have been held in Johnstown since Sir William Johnson founded 
 the settlement in the spring of 1760. No definite statement in any 
 record now in existence can be cited to prove this fact, however, and 
 the exact date of the holding of the first Episcopal service must there- 
 fore remain unknown. It is probable that the first church edifice was 
 built during the summer or fall of 1760. It is learned from a record 
 taken from the archives of Trinity Church, New York, that Queen Anne's 
 chapel, at Fort Hunter, was built in 171 1 on land given by the queen, 
 and that the first St. John's church of Johnstown was erected in 1768, 
 but other records lead to the supposition that it was at an earlier date. 
 
 There was certainly a house of worship built prior to 1 771, for in 1769 
 George Crogan recommended to Sir William, that William Andrews be 
 appointed for the mission at Johnstown and also for the church at 
 Schenectady. In 1770 Sir William Johnston offered a large tract of 
 land to the church at Johnstown, providing they could obtain the king's 
 grant, and the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign 
 Parts granted to St. John's church the sum of £7.^^ for the support of a 
 clergyman. Referring to the first church building, which stood on the 
 lot occupied by the old cemetery, near the spot now occupied by Messrs. 
 Drumm's glove shop, Sir William writes to Rev. Mr. Barton, of New 
 York, on the 28th of February, 1771, as follows: "The church being 
 small and very ill built," he was " preparing stone and materials for 
 erecting one much stronger and larger, that would accommodate near 
 
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Or.^^/^''^ * 
 
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ST. JOHN'S CHURCH. 251 
 
 1,000 souls.'' Tlie old church was built of stone, so as to be used as a 
 fort in case of danger, and, no doubt, the cellar was intended to render 
 it still more available for this purpose. Later on when it was demol- 
 ished, the stone was used in building the wall which protected the bury- 
 ing-ground. The second church, which was constructed with the ba- 
 ronet's "stone and materials," in 1771, stood on the site of the present 
 St. John's, but instead of having its entrance at the east, as does the 
 present church, it stood with its side to the street and fronted north- 
 ward. It is very evident that Sir William intended St. John's church 
 yard should extend to Green street, and for this purpose the porch 
 fronted north and thus became conspicuous from a great distance.. 
 
 Rev. John Taylor, in the journal of his missionary tour refers to this 
 house of worship as " an elegant stone church with organ." The or- 
 gan in question must have been the very earliest in the state west of 
 Albany. It has been said of this instrument : " It was imposing in size; 
 the case of handsome mahogany had by time become beautifully dark 
 and rich in color, and its clusters of finely gilt front pipes added the 
 beauty of contrast, and the harmony of color. It had but one manuale, 
 with perhaps ten registers, but its full sweet, solemn tones, its mellow 
 waves of harmony, its jubilant swell of flute like notes, made all the air 
 tremulous and vocal with solemn praise." It is known that the organ, 
 had a reputation extending far beyond its location. 
 
 To the extensive plat of ground in front of the church. Sir William? 
 added a glebe of forty acres in the southeastern part of the village, 
 but as no conveyance was made, the whole property became liable to 
 confiscation, and St. John's church-yard was cut off by what is now 
 Church street. 
 
 In a letter dated May 18, 1772, John Collgrave wrote to Sir William, 
 suggesting that several improvements should be made in the affairs of 
 the village, as became its importance as a county seat, from which we 
 extract as follows : " The first of which is for the immediate finishing of 
 the church; for as the church now remains, your Honour and family 
 can not have the satisfaction which you otherwise would have, if the 
 church was finished, the children, for instance, mix with the aged, for 
 the want of a Gallary; — and for the want of seats, many of the Grown 
 people are very troublesome — The next thing I consider of the utmost 
 
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252 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 impdrtance to the General welfare of this Patent, is the Clothing of the 
 Poor Children, with something low priced for a suitable uniform, to be 
 worn at no other Time but on the Sabbath — This would encourage and 
 Command the Childrens attendance, and engage their parents : and 
 when Care is taken of the Childrens Cloathes, the expense of Clothing 
 them will be inconsiderable, what a pity is it therefore, to see so great, 
 and so good a thing as this is not to take place ; when a Boy, to ride 
 post from the Hall (who perhaps like too many others live in idleness) 
 would more than pay the sum which the before recommended Charity 
 will require." The writer closes his letter with an offer of ;^io for 
 clothes. 
 
 During the latter part of 1771, and twice afterwards. Rev. William 
 Andrews, who had served as rector of the church at Schenectady, either 
 because the parish here was more to his liking, or because things were 
 not progressing very smoothly among the Dutch people of Schenectady, 
 made earnest appeals to Sir William to be allowed to settle in Johns- 
 town as rector. It is evident, however, that Sir William was at that 
 time expecting a missionary and therefore refused his proposal. In 
 1772 Rev. Richard Mosely, having had a hard time with the Puritans 
 of New England, was called to the new church at Johnstown as rector. 
 
 He came from Litchfield, Conn., where he had been fined ;£'20 for 
 marrying a couple, when he had no other license to act as a clergyman 
 " than what he had received from the Bishop of London, whose au- 
 thority the court determined did not extend to Connecticut, which was 
 a chartered government." Thirty families of dissenters emigrated at 
 the same time with Mr. Mosely and settled within fifteen miles of him. 
 Upon the arrival of Mosely, Sir William wrote a letter in which he says : 
 " Upon this occasion I ought to observe that the missions established at 
 40 pounds Ster. p Ann., are found by Experience inadequate to the 
 present age. Some of these in the old Settlements, near the Sea, where 
 the Circumstances and Inclinations of the People are more favorable, 
 may enable a Missionary to live tolerably well, but here where the 
 People who are not of the Low Dutch Communion are New Settlers, & 
 poor, the contributions are as trifling as they are uncertain ; This has 
 occasioned the Revd. Mr. Andrews at Schenectady, to have recourse to 
 keeping a school, with which addition to his income, as he writes me he 
 
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ST. y-OHN'S CHURCH. 253 
 
 is not able to take care of his Family. . . It is aa Extensive and 
 
 most valuable Tract in which the majority of the Settlements and the 
 Church of England are in their Infancy, but such an Infancy as affords 
 the most flattering hopes If properly nourished and improved for a little 
 time." Mr. Mosely was not a strong man physically, and our northern 
 climate was too severe for him. In the early part of 1774 he resigned 
 the parish, on account of his failing health, and went to England the 
 following spring. Writing from New York, April 11, 1774, he ex- 
 pressed the warmest gratitude to Sir William, for his " unbounded 
 goodness to him " while at Johnstown, and " particularly at his de- 
 parture." He was undoubtedly the first clergyman regularly settled at 
 Johnstown as rector of St. John's church. The parish at this time 
 owned a rectory, in which Mr. Mosely lived. It was built by Sir 
 William on the glebe which he had given to the church and was situ- 
 ated just west of the site where now stands St. Patrick's church on 
 Clinton street. Rev. John Stuart, of Fort Hunter, succeeded Mr. 
 Mosely. He was a great friend of Sir William and took charge of the 
 services of the church until the war of the revolution. He was quite 
 a remarkable man. Born of Presbyterian parentage in Pennsylvania, 
 he was educated in Philadelphia and afterward ordained in the church 
 and appointed missionary at Fort Hunter. He prepared, with the 
 assistance of Brant, a prayer-book in the language of the Mohawks. At 
 the breaking out of the revolution he was unjustly accused of disloyalty 
 to the American cause, and held a prisoner for two years at Schenectady. 
 As soon as he could be exchanged he made his way to Canada, and 
 there spent the rest of his days. It is probable that the services held in 
 St. John's church by Mr. Stuart in 1776, were the last held in the village 
 for many years. It is proper here to observe the great interest taken in 
 all things of a religious or educational nature by Sir William. He seems 
 to have given special attention to the missionary work of the church in 
 the valley of the Mohawk. After he became a baronet, it is believed 
 that no work was undertaken by the society for the propagation of the 
 gospel, without first consulting and relying upon his judgment and 
 liberal assistance. " Busy as his life was in public affairs of greatest 
 moment, his correspondence with the society for the propagation of the 
 gospel in England and with the clergy here, shows him to have been 
 almost equally busy and interested in the concerns of the church." 
 
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254 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 The glebe of forty acres southeast of the village was surveyed and set 
 apart by Sir William some years previous to his death for the support 
 of a rector. The church, of course, was a private establishment and 
 not a corporation to hold property, and as has been stated, never re- 
 ceived a title to this land. Upon the sudden death of Sir William in 
 1774 it reverted to his son. Sir John. In the confusion of the revolu- 
 tionary period, after the confiscation of the Johnson estate, including 
 this property, the Presbyterians occupied both the church and the glebe. 
 With the exodus of Sir John Johnson to Canada in 1777, it is evident 
 that nearly all the prominent church people went also, and it was not 
 until some time after the war that the abandoned church was reopened 
 and used by the Presbyterians and Lutherans. In 1793 the legislature 
 of the state passed an act which granted the stone church and glebe,, 
 during the pleasure of the legislature, to the trustees of the Presbyterian 
 congregation, reserving, however, the use of the church for eight Sun- 
 days in the year to the Episcopalians and Lutherans, if required by any 
 number of them not less than ten. In 1796 there was a sufficient num- 
 ber of church people to form an incorporated body, and in that year the 
 parish of St. John's was duly incorporated according to the laws of 1784. 
 
 Finally, on March 28, 1797, the vexed 'matter of the property was 
 settled by a compromise act of the legislature, which granted the glebe of 
 forty acres to the Presbyterians, and the church with the acre of ground 
 upon which it stood to the rector, wardens and vestry of St. John's 
 church, giving, however, to the Lutherans of the village the use of the 
 church edifice four Sundays in each year, and also reserving to the 
 Presbyterian congregation the alternate use of the church, together with 
 the congregation of the Episcopal society, for and during the term of 
 three years. The people of St. John's were never satisfied, however, 
 with this adjustment, as it seemed to them unfair to take from them the 
 glebe of forty acres, giving no equivalent for it. In 1818 an earnest 
 petition was drawn and sent to the legislature, a committee consisting of 
 Daniel Paris, Aaron Haring and Abraham Morrell being appointed to 
 wait upon the legislature pending its action. April 10, 18 18, the hearts 
 of the petitioners were made glad by the passage of an act which 
 granted them $2,400, with interest, for the glebe, which sum was paid by 
 the treasurer of the state to Daniel Paris in 1821. Although it was in- 
 
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ST. yOHN'S CHURCH. 255 
 
 tended that this money should be funded so as never to be impaired or 
 diminished, yet in 1863 it had dwindled down to $1,200 and in 1871 
 the remainder was used in making repairs upon the church. The society 
 had an interest in a tract of land at Fort Hunter, which was conveyed 
 by the Mohawks to Dr. Barclay ; but, like the real estate at Johnstown, 
 it seems to have been captured by other parties for a time, and was onl)' 
 recovered in 1797 and 1799 by the aid of Trinity Church, which ten 
 years later advanced $400 for repairs to St. John's. The business 
 transactions of the church related chiefly to this Fort Hunter land for 
 many years, and in 18 19 they asked permission of Trinity to petition 
 the legislature to grant them power to sell the farms. The petition was 
 granted March 24, 1820, and the farms sold during 1823 and 1824 for 
 $4,357.50. Later on the sum was divided between St. Anne's Church 
 at Amsterdam and St. John's at Johnstown. 
 
 The church was burned in 1836, the flames catching from an adjacent 
 building. Among the relics lost in this fire was the lid of Sir William's 
 coffin, which was of dark red cherry and bore the letters marked by 
 brass tacks, W. J., and also the date of the death. The question has 
 arisen, how could the coffin have been despoiled of its lid ? And it has 
 been suggested in reply that perhaps when the interment took place at 
 the church the lid was kept as a memorial and another substituted. 
 This seems plausible, since the original lid did not leave the church and 
 still reminded all who saw it that Sir William rested within the sacred 
 enclosure. St. John's was rebuilt with the insurance funds together with 
 money collected in the parish and in New York, and the porch was erected 
 facing the east. This left the Johnson vault outside the church walls. St. 
 John's was built of stone, and for this reason the same material was used 
 in its reconstruction, thus retaining its original distinction as "The 
 Stone church." The new edifice was consecrated by Bishop Onder- 
 donk, October 15, 1837, and remains an endeared landmark to every 
 old resident of Johnstown. 
 
 There is a doubt as to what clergyman served as rector of St. John's 
 during the closing years of the last century, or indeed if any one held 
 that position. Even in 1802 when John Urquahart was rector of the 
 parish the congregation was very small. The following list contains the 
 names of the different rectors with the dates of their service: 1772-1774, 
 
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2s6 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 Richard Moseley; 1774-1776, John Stuart; 1 798- 1806, John Urquahart; 
 1806-1815, Jonathan Judd ; 1815-1819, Eli Wheeler; 1819-1821, 
 Alexander Proal; 1821-1829, Parker Adams; 1 829-1 832, A. C. Tread - 
 way; 1832-1835, U. K. Wheeler ; 1 836- 1 839, Joseph Ransom ; 1839- 
 1844, Salmon Wheaton; 1 844-1 850, Charles Jones ; 1851-1853, George 
 Sleight; 1853-1857, Lewis P. Clover ; 1858-1861, W. H. Williams; 
 1861-1864, Charles H. Kellogg; 1 866-1 870, James B. Murray; 1872- 
 1875, James W. Stewart; 1875-1884, Charles C. Edmunds; 1884— 
 1890, J. Brewster Hubbs ; 1891 to date, John N. Marvin. 
 
 The officers of the church for 1891 are: Rector, John N. Marvin; 
 vestrymen, Jonathan Ricketts, James M. Dudley (deceased), Charles 
 Prindle, Isaiah Yauney, Jphn W. Uhlinger, John M. Carroll, James I. 
 Younglove, and R. J. Evans; wardens, A. S. Van Voast, Thomas E. 
 Ricketts; clerk, James I. Younglove; organist, Mrs. Joseph Thyne;. 
 sexton, M. N. Carpenter. 
 
 Presbyterian Church of Johnstown. — There is sufficient fragmentary 
 evidence existing to show that there were some persons of the Presby- 
 terian faith living in Johnstown within a short time after its first settle- 
 ment. There is no definite means of knowing whether these were ad- 
 herents of the Church of Scotland or the Presbyterian church of the 
 colonies, as the organization of a society, which probably took place 
 several years subsequent to 1762, was brought about principally by 
 missionaries sent out by the synod of New York. The first notice of 
 this church in any ecclesiastical record dates from a period subsequent 
 to its incorporation. 
 
 As an additional motive to induce settlers to take up land in the vi- 
 cinity, Sir William Johnson gave the Lutherans and Calvinists fifty acres- 
 of land on which to erect a parsonage if they so desired. As the Pres- 
 byterians have always been known as the " Calvinists," it is reasonable 
 that this was the denomination designated by the baronet. His per- 
 sistent endeavors to Christianize the Indians was a marked characteris- 
 tic of his life, and his interest in establishing churches throughout the 
 valley of the Mohawk was unceasing. From correspondence between 
 Rev. Mr. Chamberlain, a Presbyterian clergyman sent out by the Scots- 
 society. Rev. Mr. Brown, an Episcopalian, and Sir William Johnson,, 
 dated 1 766, we learn that other clergymen, besides those episcopally- 
 
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THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 257 
 
 ordained, had preached the gospel and administered the sacrament at 
 Johnstown. The population at that time was of a very mixed char- 
 acter and the Episcopal element is spoken of as being small, but 
 Sir William is said to have entertained a hope that the whole 
 community would eventually become attached to the service of 
 the Episcopal church. From 1775 to 1784 this region was con- 
 stantly exposed to the incursions of the British loyalists and their allies, 
 and little is known of the progress (if any) made in religious affairs. 
 The cessation of hostilities, however, and the prospect of peace brought 
 a favorable change, and church matters, which had been in a state of 
 disorganization during the war, began to assume signs of activity. 
 
 The Presbyterian church of Johnstown was formally organized in 
 1785, under an act of incorporation passed by the state legislature the 
 previous year. The instrument reads as follows : 
 
 " We, John McArthur, deacon of the Presbyterian congregation of 
 •Johnstown, in the county of Montgomery, and Nathan Brewster, elected 
 by virtue of the latter part of the 2nd section concerning officers and 
 judges of the qualification of the electors, at a meeting of a number of 
 male persons who have statedly worshiped with the same Presbyter- 
 ian congregation, holden in the meeting house in said Johnstown, on 
 the 2ist day of November, 1785, for the purpose of choosing trustees. 
 to take care of the temporalities of said congregation, do hereby certi- 
 fy, that at the meeting aforesaid, the following persons were elected to- 
 serve as trustees for the said congregation by a plurality of voices : 
 Zephaniah Bachelor, Robert Adams, Thomas Reed, James McKill, 
 Daniel McGregor, Nathan Brewster, Benjamin Grosset, William Grant, 
 and John Vechtie; and that the style or name by which the said trus- 
 tees and their successors in office are hereafter to be called and known 
 is, ' Tlie Presbyterian congregation of Johnstown.' 
 
 " In witness whereof, the returning officers have hereunto set their 
 hands and seals at Johnstown, the 21st day of November, 1785. 
 " Witnesses, JOHN McArthur, 
 
 " A. CoMRiE, Nathan Brewster. 
 
 "Patrick Forbes. 
 
 "Acknowledged before Zephaniah Bachelor, one of the judges of the 
 Inferior Court of Common Pleas, Nov. 22nd, 1785." 
 33 
 
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258 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 The church has in its possession a baptismal register bearing the 
 title, "Church Record belonging to the Presbyterian church of Johns- 
 town." It opens with the date 1785, and the inscriptions upon its 
 pages are continued in the same handwriting until the year 1 790, when 
 a call was extended to the Rev. Simon Hosack, who came and assumed 
 the duties of pastor. It is not known what clergyman administered 
 the rite of baptism during the five preceding years, as several are men- 
 tioned in the records as having been appointed to supply vacancies 
 west of Albany. 
 
 Until the year 1799 the congregation had no church edifice of their 
 own; "the meeting house " in which they had worshiped was not the 
 property of Presbyterians or Lutherans, who at that day used it, but 
 together with the glebe of forty acres was undoubtedly intended by Sir 
 William Johnson for the Episcopal church. In 1778, by authority of 
 the provincial congress, the entire estate, including the church and 
 property, became vested in the state of New York. In 1784, however, 
 the legislature passed an act for the speedy sale of confiscated lands, 
 excepting " the parsonage and glebe lands in Johnstown, in the county 
 of Montgomery, or any land heretofore belonging to Sir John Johnson, 
 in said county, on which any chureh or place of worship is now erected, 
 not reserving more than two acres adjoining to such church or place of 
 worship." The several religious denominations continued to use the 
 church, not, however, without some discord, and in 1793 the legisla- 
 ture passed an act that disposed of the question temporarily, by giving 
 the property during the pleasure of that body to the Presbyterians, re- 
 serving the church edifice, however, on certain Sabbaths during the 
 year for the use of the Lutherans and Episcopalians. The act reads as 
 follows, and plainly indicates that the legislature recognized the fact 
 that the property belonged to the state : 
 
 " Beit enacted by the people of the state of New York, represented 
 in the senate and assembly, that all the estate, right, title, interest, 
 claim and demand of the people of the state of New York, in and to 
 the stone church in the village of Johnstown" (here the location and 
 boundaries of the lot are given), " and also in and to all that certain 
 tract of land, containing about forty acres, heretofore set apart by the 
 late Sir William Johnson for a glebe to the church aforesaid, shall be 
 
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THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 259 
 
 and hereby are granted and vested in tlie trustees of the Presbyterian 
 congregation in the village of Johnstown, and their successors, for and 
 during the pleasure of the legislature, reserving, nevertheless, to the 
 Lutherans, in the said town, the use of said church for four Sundays in 
 each and every year, that is to say : The first Sunday after Easter 
 Sunday, the first after Whitsunday, the last in October, and the last in 
 December; and with the like reservation to the Episcopalians in said 
 town, or Sundays respectively succeeding those herein mentioned, if re- 
 quired by any number of the last named persuasion not less than 
 ten." 
 
 Again in 1797 the legislature passed another act, differing somewhat 
 in its provisions for the disposal of the property, but still holding that 
 the title to the whole belonged to the state. It provided that the stone 
 church should be used by the Episcopalians, reserving the right of the 
 Lutherans to hold services therein four Sundays in each year, and the 
 Presbyterians alternately with the Episcopalians. The glebe of forty- 
 acres was granted to the trustees of the Presbyterian congregation. In 
 18 1 8, in response to a petition from members of St. John's church, a 
 final act act was passed authorizing the comptroller to pay to the vestry 
 and wardens of St. John's Episcopal church the sum of $4,200, with in- 
 terest, which at that time was considered a fair equivalent for the glebe, 
 but long before this the Presbyterians had erected a house of worship, 
 for themselves. From this point the history of the two churches sepa- 
 rates and follows different and distinct paths. 
 
 Mr. Hosack, who came to the church in 1790, was a young man just 
 licensed to preach, and he found a wide field in which to labor, extend- 
 ing as it did many miles in every direction. In 1795 a parsonage was 
 built for him by the congregation, in which he lived until the time of 
 his death. In 1799 the society was strong enough to erect a house of 
 worship, which was noticed by Rev. John Taylor rn his journal written 
 in 1802, wherein he says of Johnstown, " It contains a Scotch Presby- 
 terian congregation which has an elegant meeting-house." When the 
 church was completed the membership nuwibered 180, and the names 
 of the following elders appear upon the record : William Grant, Jere- 
 miah Mason, Daniel McVean, John McArthur, and Daniel Walker ; 
 the deacons were John Stewart, Duncan McMartin, James Mitchell and 
 
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26o HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 Alexander Russell. The custom then prevailed and continued many 
 years in this church, of using " tokens," which were carefully distrib- 
 uted to the members previous to the communion Sabbath, and collected 
 by an elder after they were seated at the table of the Lord. The church 
 was very largely composed of Scotch people who brought with them 
 many of the customs of their own church. 
 
 During the forty-three years of Pastor Hosack's connection with the 
 church, he baptized 1,125 persons, an average of nearly thirty each 
 year, and the records show that he baptized as many as sixty persons 
 some years. He continued to be sole pastor of the church until his 
 death, which occurred in 1833, but his increasing age made itli'ec^sary 
 that he have assistance during the latter years of his life, and in 1826, 
 Rev. Gilbert Morgan, then a j'oung man, was called as a collegiate 
 pastor, and his installation took place in February of that year. He 
 remained with the church until October, 1828 During this period 
 difficulties arose among some of the members of the congregation on 
 account of a change in the manner of conducting the singing, which 
 was considered an innovation. These troubles culminated in 1827, 
 when a number of the members, who had absented themselves some 
 time from the services, seceded from the church and with others formed 
 a society which became connected with the Associate Presbyterian 
 church. Later on this was consolidated with the Associate Reformed 
 church, and now constitutes the United Presbyterian church of Johns- 
 own. 
 
 Pastor Hosack was assisted in 1829 by Rev. Mr. Hinman. In Janu- 
 ary, 183 1, Rev. Hugh Mair, who had recently arrived in this country 
 from Scotland, was called to act as a colleague of the pastor. He came 
 and remained as such until 1833, when upon the occasion of the death of 
 the venerable Hosack, he became sole pastor of the church. After this 
 event Mr. Mair remained with the congregation ten years, and then 
 leaving Johnstown for another field, he returned on a visit to his former 
 flock and died in the bosom of a hospitable family. Rev. M. N. Mc- 
 Laren was the next preacher, but he was never installed. He supplied 
 the pulpit for a period of fifteen months. Rev. James Otterson was in- 
 stalled in October, 1845, and remained until the year 1852. His suc- 
 cessor was Rev. James P. Fisher, who came in July, 1853, and contin- 
 
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 f TIfE LUTHERAN CHURCH. 261 
 
 ued as pastor of the church until June, i860 Rev. Daniel Stewart 
 came as stated supply, April 7, 1861, and continued in this relation 
 until April 4, 1869. He was followed in July of the last named year by 
 Rev. Charles H. Baldwin, who remained until April, 1873. Rev. M. 
 E. Dunham was installed in August, 1873, and was followed April 10, 
 1881, by the present pastor. Rev. D. McLane Reeves. 
 
 The congregation continued to worship in the old church edifice until 
 the 19th of November, 1865, on which day the last public service was 
 held in it. As early as 1862 steps had been taken towards the erection 
 of a more commodious house of worship, and the present beautiful brick 
 structure on South Market street is the result of these efforts. The 
 church was finished in 1865 at a cost of $33,000. 
 
 As the records of the church are incomplete it is impossible to give 
 a full list of the past elders. Among them were Peter Mclntyre, in 
 1817; Henry Pawling, 1819; Archibald McLaren, James Fraser, Mal- 
 colm Carmichael, and John D. McArthur, in 1830; David Miller, Peter 
 McEwen, Robert Kennedy, and Peter Mix, in 1833 ; James Younglove 
 and Jacob Burton, in 1844; Vistus Balch, Belden Case, Philip Yauney, 
 and Duncan McGregor, in 1853, and Archibald McFarlan, James D. 
 Parker, David D. Selmser, and Horace E. Smith, in 1867. The pres- 
 ent elders are: Charles O. Cross, Lucius L. Streeter, William D. Stew- 
 art, James Newton, John P. McEwen, H. D. McConkey, Horace E. 
 Smith, and Sidney Bedford. The deacons are : Sidney Argersinger, 
 James McMartin, Peter McKie Wells, and Henry J. Barrett. The 
 trustees are ; Martin Kennedy, Mortimer Wade, John H. Decker, John 
 W. Cline, P. P. Argersinger, M. B. Northrup, Richard Evans, and 
 William Wooster. 
 
 St. Paul's Lutheran Church. — Among the early settlers of Johns- 
 town was a goodly number of Lutherans, or|Evangelical Christians, 
 who received the Augsburg Confession as the standard of their faith. 
 A few of these may have come hither directly from the land of Luther, 
 but the majority were from Schoharie and the settlements along the 
 Hudson river. Sir William Johnson, with wise liberality, shortly after 
 their settlement, gave his Lutheran neighbors fifty acres of land for 
 church purposes, which was known as the " glebe lot." Upon this lot 
 a church edifice and school-house were built, both of which were 
 
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262 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 removed after a few years to other localities. An ancient burial- 
 ground which was contiguous to the church alone remains, a reminder 
 to the present generation of the spot where their fathers once wor- 
 shiped. In 1857 this lot was sold to Mr. John N. Gross, and from 
 his hands passed into those of Henry Gross, who devised it upon his 
 decease to his son John, the present owner. Prior to the revolution 
 religious services were occasionally held by Lutheran clergymen in the 
 private homes of their people, upon which occasions they would, in ad- 
 dition to preaching the word, administer baptism and the holy com- 
 munion. Although a church organization seems to have been effected at 
 an earlier date, yet the first instrument of incorporation recorded bears- 
 the date of February 4, 1801. The title of the church was at this time 
 " The Reformed Protestant German Lutheran Church of the Western 
 Allotment of Kingsboro." Jacob Hillabrandt, Adam Plank and Charles 
 Roth were chosen trustees. The congregation was then without a pas- 
 tor. Since the above named date this church has been thrice reincor- 
 porated. First, December 16, 18 10, when its name was changed to 
 the " German Lutheran Church of Johnstown." Michael Moore, Peter 
 Plantz and Christian Wert were at this date elected trustees. The Rev. 
 Peter Wilhelm Domier, a learned divine, was then pastor of this con- 
 gregation, which he served in connection with others at Minden, Pala- 
 tine, and Stone Arabia. The Lutherans, having no church edifice of 
 their own, were granted the privilege of using St. John's church four 
 Sundays in a year, of which privilege they availed themselves until they 
 erected their first sanctuary in the village during the year 1815-16.- 
 The narrative of the building of this first church and of the business 
 affairs of the congregation has the smack of primitive times. On the 
 2ist of October, 1815, Michael Moore, Michael Swobe, Christian Wert,. 
 David Algyre, and Adam Plank, trustees, entered into a contract with 
 Peter Fowler, Charles Laughery, and William McDonald, builders, to 
 erect a church edifice on the corner of Perry and Green streets. The 
 building was to be of wood, fifty feet long by forty wide, and the build- 
 ers among other things were to copy the Presbyterian church in the 
 item of " Venetian windows," and the Episcopal church as to a steeple. 
 They were to receive $3,000 in payment for the building, which was to 
 be completed sometime during the year 1816. After its completioa 
 
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THE LUTHERAN CHURCH. 263 
 
 services were held therein once a month. At this time the members of 
 the congregation lived principally in two settlements — the one west of 
 town, caHed Johnson's Bush, and the other east of town, called Albany 
 Bush Each settlement had its particular part of the church in which 
 to worship, the people entering through the western or eastern door, 
 according to the bush in which they lived. Equally particular 
 were they in apportioning the expenses of the church, the Albany 
 Bush people, being the more numerous, paid three-fifths, and those of 
 Johnson's Bush two-fifths. 
 
 On Christmas Day, 1821, the society was again reincorpocateJ under 
 the title of " The Dutch Lutheran Church of Johnstown." The trustees 
 at this time were Michael Moore, David Algyre, and Christian Wert. 
 
 The third reincorporation, at which time its present name was given, 
 viz.: "St. Paul's Church, Johnstown, N. Y.," occurred December 11, 
 1826. Rev. John Peter Goertner was then pastor, and the following 
 officers were chosen : Frederick Plank, Michael Hollenbeck, and Michael 
 B. Heagle, trustees ; Michael Moore, Frederick Plank, David Algyre, 
 and Michael Swobe, elders ; Baltus Hollenbeck, F"rederick M. Moore, 
 John Argersinger, and Abram Neifer, deacons. At a congregational 
 meeting held May 10, 1827, a committee previously appointed reported 
 a constitution, which was adopted, and by which the church v-fas gov- 
 erned for half a century. At this meeting the pastor. Rev. Goertner, 
 because of failing health, tendered his resignation, to the great regret 
 of a devoted people. He was the first pastor who conducted the wor- 
 ship of the sanctuary in the English language, and although his pastor- 
 ate was short, yet it was fruitful of great and lasting good. 
 
 Rev. Thomas Lape succeeded the lamented Goertner, and after a 
 faithful service of six years resigned and was followed by Rev. David 
 Eyster, who remained in charge twenty-one years. During the early 
 part of his ministry, which began in the year 1834, St. Matthew's 
 Church of West Amsterdam was organized from families belonging to 
 this church. For several years after the organization of this latter 
 church he continued its pastor, giving it an afternoon service. 
 
 Upon the retirement of Rev. Mr. Eyster the church was without a 
 pastor for about a year, when the Rev. J. Z. Senderling assumed the 
 ■duties of that office, entering thereupon May i, 1856. Shortly after 
 
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264 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 his settlement the Sunday-school was first organized, with a member- 
 ship of twenty-one. The present membership of the school is nearly 
 five hundred. John Plantz was its first superintendent, Andrew J. 
 Nellis now serving in that capacity. Pastor Senderling remained in 
 charge eleven years when he resigned, and Rev. Marcus Kling became 
 his successor, whose pastorate was a little less than three years. He 
 was succeeded by the present incumbent, Rev. P. Felts, who entered 
 upon the duties of his office June i, 1 870. Two years later a fine brick 
 church, 56 by 96 feet in area, with a spire 146 feet high, containing 
 sittings for nearly 700, and costing $33,000, was consecrated.. It con- 
 tains an organ that cost in its present improved condition $4,000, and 
 which for eighteen years was skillfully played by W. H. Raymond. 
 Upon his decease the congregation was fortunate in securing the serv- 
 ices of B. M. Grant, an accomplished musician. The present commu- 
 nicant membership of the church is about four hundred. Five worthy 
 men have gone forth from this congregation as preachers of the gospel,, 
 viz. : David Swobe, John Seimser, James Lefler, and Nicholas and 
 Joseph Wirt, of whom all except Nicholas Wirt have gone to their rest 
 and reward. 
 
 The present officers of the church are : Trustees, Jacob Molz, Fred 
 P. Coughnet, and J. T. Seimser ; treasurer, F. Hanson ; deacons, C. E. 
 Schoenfeldt, F. J. Moore, jr., M. L. Hambridge, and John H. Putnam. 
 
 The Methodist Episcopal Church — The exact date of the organiza- 
 tion of the first Methodist society in Johnstown will probably never be 
 known. Those who participated in the early rehgious worship have 
 long since passed away, leaving no names or dates for the guidance of 
 the historian. It is evident that a society existed in 1 791, as Freeborn 
 Garrettson preached here in June of that year, and in writing from Al- 
 bany soon after, he mentioned his " little flock in Johnstown." D.uring 
 this visit he secured a lot and engaged men to build a house of worship,, 
 which was completed early in the following autumn. It is stated that 
 this building stood on the north side of Main street, a few doors east of 
 the site of Judge Cady's residence, or what is now the People's Bank, 
 and was subsequently sold and the society disbanded. It is learned 
 from Spicer's autobiography that Johnstown belonged to a regular cir- 
 cuit of the New York Conference in 1814, the territory embracing some 
 
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THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 265 
 
 fourteen towns lying between the Mohawk and Sacandaga rivers. In 
 1827 Johnstown formed a part of Montgomery circuit, which had for its 
 preachers, John D. Moriarty, J. W. Denison, and John Alley. In 1828 
 Pastor Moriarty was stationed at Johnstown and the following year, with 
 Merritt Bates, junior preacher, was appointed to the "Johnstown Cir- 
 cuit." The present Methodist Episcopal society of Johnstown was or- 
 ganized August 31, 1829, at a meeting held in the court-house, and the 
 following trustees elected : Abraham Lake, Benj. Burritt, Caleb Wins- 
 low, John Bell, Stephen Kilburn. At this meeting Nicholas Garlock and 
 Russell Prentice presided and Pastor Bates was chosen secretary. The 
 Sunday-school of the church was formed July 13 of the same year, with 
 Pastor John D. Moriarty as president, Nicholas Garlock, treasurer, and 
 John Bell, Philip Plantz, George Horning, Russell Prentice, Henry 
 Brown, Stephen Kilburn and Zebulon Phillips, managers. A church 
 edifice was erected the same year, and stood on the site of the present 
 parsonage for nearly fifty- nine years. The dedicatory services performed 
 at the completion of this building were conducted by Rev. John B. Strat- 
 ton, presiding elder. The edifice underwent repairs in 1838, 1852, 1871 
 and 1872. Substantial increase of the membership was made during; 
 the pastorate of L. S. Walker, 1874—77, and at the end of his term 27O' 
 names were on the church roll. It soon became apparent that better 
 and larger accommodations were needed, and during the pastorate ot 
 William H. Washburne, in 1881, the lot upon which the present church 
 edifice stands was purchased at a cost of $4,000. Efforts were made 
 upon two occasions to secure by subscription a sufficient sum to build a 
 new house of worship; but the petitioners were not rewarded with suc- 
 cess until eight months after the third subscription list (started July 5,. 
 1886) had been in circulation. At the end of that time $12,000 had 
 been pledged. The plans for the new building were made by architect 
 Charles C. Nichols, of Albany, and the contract for construction was let 
 to Jonah Hess, of Johnstown. The corner-stone was laid July 16, 1887, 
 with appropriate services by the presiding elder. Rev. Samuel Meredith, 
 addresses being made by Rev. J. H. Coleman, of Gloversville, and Rev. 
 W. H. Hughs, of Schenectady. The dedication of the ne\y church took 
 place on Wednesday, June 20, 1888, Rev. J. W. Hamilton, of the New 
 England Conference, preaching in the morning, and Bishop William 
 
 34 
 
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266 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 Taylor, of Africa, in the evening. The total cost of the structure, with 
 the lot upon which it stands, and the organ, furniture and other ex- 
 penditures incident to its construction, was $38,619.51. The Troy 
 Annual Conference held its fifty- ninth session in this church, commenc- 
 ing April 22, 1891. The present membership is 576. 
 
 The following list comprises the pastors of the church from the begin- 
 ning of its present organization : 
 
 Old Johnstown Circuit. — John D. Moriarty and Merritt Bates, 1829— 
 30; J. B. Houghtaling and Merritt Bates, 1830-1 ; J. B. Houghtaling 
 and Samuel Covel, 183 1-2; Samuel Covel and William D. Stead, 1832- 
 3; James QuinJan and John Haslem, 1833—4; Elias Crawford and 
 Albert Champlin, 1834—5 > Elias Crawford and Henry L. Starks, 1835- 
 6; Dillon Stevens and Peter H. Smith, 1836—7; Dillon Stevens and 
 Leonard H. Radley, 1837-8; James H. Taylor and Leonard L. Brad- 
 Icy, 1838-9. 
 
 Johnstown and Gloversville Circuit. — James H. Taylor, Thomas B. 
 Pii;rson and Wm. Griflfin, 1839—40; Wm. Griffin, Thos. B. Pierson and 
 R. T. Wade, 1 840-1 ; Stephen Parks, Albert R. Speer and Myron 
 White, 1841-2. 
 
 Johnstown and N. Amsterdam. — Albert R. 'Speer, 1842-3 ; Peter M. 
 Hitchcock, 1843-4. 
 
 Johnstown Station. — P. M. Hitchcock, 1844-5; Benj. Pomeroy, 1845— 
 7; Hiram Chase, 1847-8; James Quinlan, 1848-9; William F. Hurd, 
 [849-51 ; William R. Brown, 1851-2; Robert R. Thompson, 1852-4; 
 H. C. H. Dudley (part year), 1854; Tobias Spicer and Wm. Tisdale 
 (each part year), 1855; Merritt B. Mead, 1856-8; Henry T. Johns, 
 £858-9; Robert Patterson, 1859-60; William H. Meeker, 1860-2 ; 
 Lorenzo Marshall, 1862-4; N. G. Spaulding and J. G. Perkins (each 
 part of year). 1864-5; Isaac C. Fenton, 1865-7; Henry L. Starks, 
 1867-70; Aaron D. Heaxt, 1 870-2 ; William Clark, 1872-4; Leonard 
 S.Walker, 1 874-7 ; Thomas C. Potter, 1877-80; W. H. Washburne, 
 1880-3; Lorenzo Marshall, 1883-6; James H. Brown, 1886-91; W. 
 H. Washburne, 1891. 
 
 The present officers of the church are: Rev. H. Graham, presiding 
 elder; W. H. Washburne, pastor; Fred G. Baker, C. S. Wemple, F. 
 -Meyer, D. H. Van Heusen, and M. Argersinger, trustees ; Fred. G. 
 
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2HE BAPTIST CHURCH. 
 
 267 
 
 Baker, recording steward ; W. Dawes, P. Farmer, S. Beekman, C. Hodg- 
 son, J. K. Young, J. C. Richards, W. S. Argersinger, W. E. Werner, 
 G. R. Smithj John Jackson, H. M. Sutliff, and S. L. Peters, stewards ; 
 Robert R. Sands, Sunday-school superintendent. 
 
 The Baptist Church of Johnstown. — Little is known of the early Bap- 
 tists in Johnstown. There were a few of that denomination living in 
 or near the village as early as 1795, and some of them held prayer 
 meetings at the house of a Mr. Hardy, an Englishman, who lived on 
 Williams street, and also at the house of a member of the Methodist 
 church named Brewster, opposite the Dutch Reformed meeting-house. 
 Beginning about 1803, Elders Finch, Throop and Lathrop preached at 
 Johnstown in the Methodist church, but later on most of the Baptists 
 in the vicinity moved north to Kingsboro, and it is said that in 1819 
 Mrs. Lydia Wells was the only Baptist in the village. From that time 
 forward, however, their number began to increase, occasional services 
 were held and several attempts made to establish a church. Amoncr 
 those who preached at these early meetings were Elders Isaac West- 
 cott, J. I. Whitman and David Corwin, but it appears that their efforts 
 to organize a society were unsuccessful. 
 
 In September, 1842, Rev. Lewis Raymond, of Cooperstown, began 
 a series of meetings in Johnstown, the result of which was the organiz- 
 ation of a church society on the 3d of November, following. On that 
 day a council consisting of delegates from the Baptist churches in Am- 
 sterdam, Gloversville, Pleasant Valley and Broadalbin, met in tlie 
 court-house in Johnstown and formally organized a Baptist church. 
 The chairman of this meeting was Elder David Corwin and the clerk 
 Elder L. O. Lovell. The church was organized with about sixty mem- 
 bers, eleven others being baptized and received two days later. J. H. 
 Murray and Abel S. Leaton were chosen church clerk and treasurer 
 respectively, and on the second succeeding Sabbath a Sunday-school 
 was organized. During the last two months of the year 1842 the con- 
 gregation was under the spiritual charge of Rev. Mr. Joslyn. The 
 church was regularly received into the Saratoga Baptist Association at 
 its annual meeting held in Gloversville, January 4th, 1843. On Janu- 
 ary 2Sth, of the same year, Rev. John Duncan began his pastorate 
 with the church, and on the 2 1st of the following February the first 
 
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268 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 deacons were elected — Williams, Potter, Hedden, and Lcaton. Eldei 
 Duncan terminated his services with the society in June, 1843, and al- 
 though meetings were held, and different pastors occupied the pulpit 
 for a few weeks at a time, an unfortunate dissension took place in the 
 society, which resulted in its disbanding in February, 1854, and the 
 church building, purchased in 1851, was placed in the hands of the 
 Saratoga Association. Ten years elapsed before another successful at- 
 tempt was made to bring the Baptists of Johnstown together in har- 
 monious organization. This was finally accomplished by Rev. Mr. 
 Fisher, who went to Johnstown in October, 1864, and held meetings 
 which drew together moderately large congregations. The church was 
 reorganized in June, 1865, Mr. Fisher continuing as its pastor, and as a 
 result of his zealous labors the society received an impetus that was 
 substantially felt for many years. When Mr. Fisher closed his pastor- 
 ate in March, 1869, the church had a membership of 109. His suc- 
 cessor was Rev. W. H. Hawley, who began his services in June, 1869, 
 and remained with the congregation until June 13, 1873, during 
 which time eighty persons were baptized and the society greatly 
 strengthened. Rev. A, J. Allen came to the pastorate January 2d, 
 1874, and continued his labors until the spring of 1876. On the 15th 
 of the following October, Rev. Roland D. Grant became pastor and re- 
 mained until November, 1878. Some slight dissensions arose during 
 his pastorate, but otherwise it was very successful. He was followed 
 by Rev. T. Simpkins, who began his labors with the church April i, 
 1889, and during a period of nearly eight years served the congrega- 
 tion acceptably. During this time a substantial organization was ef- 
 fected and many improvements introduced into the manner of conduct- 
 ing the various affairs of the church. A new brick edifice was built on 
 Main street and the membership was considerably increased. Mr. 
 Simpkins resigned his pastorate January i, 1886. 
 
 The present minister. Rev. Cyrus H. Merrill, began his work April 
 I, 1886, and is consequently in the seventh year of his pastorate. 
 During this time 225 persons have united with the church and 151 
 have been baptized. The total membership is now 330 and the Sun- 
 day-school has 350 scholars. 
 
 An evidence of the present prosperous condition of the society is the 
 fact that they have in process of erection a handsome brick church at 
 
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THE UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 269 
 
 the corner of Green and Williams street, which, when finished, will ac- 
 commodate about 900 persons. 
 
 The present officers are: Deacons, Abel R. Vibbard, Charles M. Put- 
 man and Herbert Allen ; trustees, E. Bradt, John W. Hagadorn, L. B. 
 Hawley, Frank Torrey, Byron Chase and C. M. Putman ; superinten- 
 dent of Sunday-school, W. H. Alexander; assistant, Fenton I. Grilly; 
 secretary, William R, Snyder ; librarian and treasurer, A. R. Kinne. 
 
 The United Presbyterian Church of Johnstown. — The original mem- 
 of this society were from Scotland, or of Scotch descent. The church 
 was organized in March, 1828, in connection with the denomination 
 known at that time as the Associate Church of North America. In 
 1858 this body united with the Associate Reformed Church, and thus 
 established the present United Presbyterian Church. 
 
 The original members were Daniel Walker, John McNab, John D. 
 Walker, Gilbert Walker, John Walker, Duncan Campbell, Peter McKie, 
 Peter Stewart, David Walker, Robert Kirkpatrick, Elizabeth Walker, 
 Margaret McNab, Catherine Walker, Jane Walker, Margaret Walker, 
 Catherine Campbell, Girsel McKie, Jane Stewart, Isabel Walker, and 
 Catherine McNab. 
 
 The first elders were, John McNab and John D. Walker. The suc- 
 cessive pastors have been: Rev. J. G. Smart, 1 830- 1837; Rev. A. 
 Gordon, 1 844-1 845 ; Rev. A. Thomas, 1858-1863; Rev. J. A. Will- 
 iamson, 1864 to the present time. 
 
 The first church edifice was a frame building built in 1830, on South 
 Market street. It was afterwards sold and remodeled into a glove fac- 
 tory. The present handsome brick structure on North Market street 
 was erected in 1869, and is one of Johnstown's most imposing church 
 edifices. 
 
 The present officers are : Pastor, Rev. J. A. Williamson ; elders, John 
 McNab, D. B. Calderwood, and Alexander Walker; trustees, John Mc- 
 Nab, Alexander Walker, Leonard Argersinger, W. F. Young, and L. 
 A. Van Antwerp ; superintendent of Sunday-school, J. M. Dougall. 
 
 St. Patrick's Parish, Johnstown. — In the year 1773, a number of Ro- 
 man Catholic Scotch Highlanders, 200 of whom were of an age to bear 
 arms, settled at Johnstown at the request of Sir William Johnson. 
 They were spiritually attended by the Rev. John McKenna, an Irish 
 
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270 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 priest educated at Lorain University. He was the first resident Roman 
 Catholic priest in this state after the Jesuit missionaries among the Mo- 
 hawks nearly a century before. 
 
 Comparatively strangers in the country, and only speaking the Gae- 
 lic language, these Highlanders knew little of the points on which the 
 colonists l^'ased their complaints against the English government. At 
 the beginning of the revolution they found themselves denounced as 
 papists and tories. Though ready to draw their claymores once more 
 against their traditional enemy and avenge the defeat of Culloden, they 
 were disarmed by General Schuyler and began to abandon their new 
 homes. Before the spring of 1776 the priest, more obnoxious than his 
 flock, withdrew with a company o( 300 to Glengarry, Ontario, Canada.. 
 
 In 1790 the Rev. Charles Whelan came to Johnstown. He had been 
 chaplain in the French navy on De Grasse's fleet until the end of the 
 revolution, and subsequently established the first Roman Catholic 
 church in New York city. During the first half of the present century 
 the few Roman Catholics in and about Johnstown were visited at in- 
 tervals by priests from Utica, Albany, and New York and more rarely 
 by the bishop of New York. 
 
 In 1850 Johnstown became an established mission and was attended 
 successively by Rev. James O'Sullivan, Jonathan Furlong, J. P. Fitz- 
 patrick, Eugene Carroll, M. E. Clarke and Philip Keveny. 1869 the 
 mission was made a separate parish and Rev. B. McManus appointed 
 pastor. In the same year the present church edifice, located on the 
 glebe, was built. Rev. J. F. Lowery was apppointed pastor in 1876;. 
 Rev. P. B. McNulty in 1878, and the present pastor, Rev. P. H. Mc- 
 Dermott, in 1884. 
 
 There are at present in the parish more than 200 families. The lay 
 trustees of the church are John Doran, treasurer, and John Manion, sec- 
 retary. 
 
 The original parish has been divided, and there are now in Fulton 
 county five Roman Catholic churches, located at Johnstown, Glovers- 
 ville, Broadalbin, Middlesprite and Bleecker, respectively. 
 
 The Old Burying- Ground. — One of the most interesting, and yet 
 most solemn, places of historical interest in and about Johnstown is the 
 ancient burial-ground at the corner of Green and Market streets. In. 
 
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THE CEMETERY ASSOCIATION. 271 
 
 this enclosure stood the first church ever erected within the present 
 bounds of Fulton county, and in the church-yard which surrounded it 
 were buried the dead for more than a century. Before the village had 
 extended toward the westward to its present limits this burying-ground 
 commanded a magnificent view stretching for a mile or more in the di- 
 rection of Johnson Hall, and the old church that stood near its western 
 end must have been conspicuous from a great distance. When this 
 church was demolished it is probable that the stone was used to con- 
 struct a fence around the cemetery. No burials have been made there 
 in many years, and the towering elms which skirt the sacred enclosure 
 bear silent witness to the antiquity of the spot. Inscribed upon the 
 time and weather-worn monuments can be seen the names of many 
 who have figured in the past history of Johnstown and its vicinity, and 
 whose posterity still hold dear to memory. 
 
 The Johnstown Cemetery Association. — The rapidity with which the 
 old burying-ground was being filled made it necessary in 1849 for the 
 people of the village to take steps toward providing a new and larger 
 cemetery. For this purpose a meeting was held October 4, 1849, at 
 which were present among others John Frothingham, William H. John- 
 son, Daniel Stewart, George Henry, Elijah W. Prindle, Peter McKie, 
 John H. Gross, William Dorn, William Rood, John McLaren, jr., Ed- 
 ward Wells, and John Wells. As a result of this meeting the Johns- 
 town Cemetery Association was organized, with the following trustees 
 and officers : President, Elijah W. Prindle ; vice-president, Peter McKie ; 
 secretary, John McLaren, jr. ; treasurer, John Wells ; trustees, the men 
 above mentioned with the addition of John H. Gross, Marcellus Gilbert, 
 and John Frothingham, On November 26, 1849, the association pur- 
 chased fifteen acres of land from Duncan McLaren and Elias Prindle, 
 for which $1,220 was paid, and in 1852 more land was added, being- 
 purchased from Eleazer Wells for $200. On June 30, i860, between 
 six and ten acres were purchased from E. W. Prindle at the rate of $150 
 per acre, and on July i, 1875, another addition was purchased from 
 him, the price paid being $3,500. A more picturesque location for a 
 cemetery can scarcely be imagined. Gracefully winding around its 
 western and northern boundaries is the Cayadutta creek, crossed at the 
 main entrance on Perry street by a handsome bridge. The ground 
 
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i-jz HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 from the creek rises gradually toward the east, and its natural features 
 have been tastefully improved by the landscape gardener's art. 
 
 The first burial in the cemetery was that of Peter McKie, its first vice- 
 president, and was made November 28, 1849. The several presidents 
 of the association and the dates of their election to that office have been 
 as follows: Elijah W. Prindle, October 4, 1849; Marcellus Gilbert,^ 
 December i, 1855 ; Daniel Edwards, October 7, 1857 ; E. W. Prindle, 
 October i, 1861 ; Burnett H. Dewey, September 16, 1875 ; James 
 Younglove, February 2, 1886. The present officers are: President, 
 James Younglove ; vice-president, Martin Kennedy ; treasurer, William 
 S. McKie; secretary, Charles O. Gross; trustees, James Younglove, 
 Martin Kennedy, William S. McKie, Charles O. Gross, WiUiam S. 
 Northrup, John W. Cline, and James P. Argersinger. 
 
 Johnstown Historical Society. — Probably no village in New York 
 state affords a more promising field for historical research than Johns- 
 town. The ground upon which the village is built and the surrounding 
 territory for a score of miles or more is rich in historic lore and was the 
 scene of memorable events long before other more populous communities 
 of the present day had an existence. The organization of a historical 
 society in Johnstown is therefore to be commended, and the names of 
 those connected with the effort are a guaranty that nothing will be left 
 undone that can bring to light those early and important events, many 
 of which have fallen into comparative obscurity through the lapse of 
 time and the frailty of human memory. The Historical Society was 
 organized May 30, 1892, a day on which the whole country is called 
 once a year to honor the memory of the heroes who fought and died for 
 the cause of union and liberty. The officers of the society are as fol- 
 lows: President, Horace E. Smith; vice-presidents, James I. Young- 
 love, Capt. Edgar S. Dudley, and S. Elmore Burton ; treasurer, Donald 
 Eraser ; corresponding secretary, Fred L. Carroll ; recording secretary, 
 Philip Keck ; librarian. Rev. John N. Marvin ; trustees, A. S. Van 
 Voast, Rev. Peter Felts, Andrew J. Nellis, John G. Ferres, Fenton I. 
 Gidley, John T. Selmser, and William A. Livingston. Temporary- 
 rooms have been engaged and fitted up on the third floor of the Rick- 
 etts building. 
 
 The Johnstown Water Works. — The introduction of a system of pure 
 and wholesome water into Johnstown, was brought about, as has been 
 
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THE WATER WORKS. 273 
 
 the case in many other instances, by the occurrence of a number of dis- 
 astrous fires, against which the village had no adequate means of pro- 
 tection. The destruction wrought by these conflagrations induced the 
 board of trustees, early in the summer of 1877, ^'^ make some provision 
 against a recurrence of the evil. To this end public meetings were 
 held, at which the citizens freely expressed their views on the subject 
 of water supply, and it soon became apparent that a large majority of 
 those who favored an expenditure to obtain water for fire purposes, 
 also favored the introduction of pure water for sanitary and domestic 
 uses. 
 
 Pursuant to that conclusion a board of water commissioners was or- 
 ganized on July 6, 1877, under the provisions of the law of 1875, com- 
 monly known as "The Water Act." This board was composed of the 
 following men : James L. Northrup, Levi Stephenson, James F. Mason, 
 Jonah Hess, and Jacob P. Miller. Mr. Northrup was made president of 
 the board ; Mr. Mason, secretary ; Mr. Miller, treasurer ; and James H. 
 Pike appointed superintendent. Preliminary surveys and estimate of 
 the cost of the water works were made, upon the plan of a gravity sys- 
 tem, having Cold brook, a stream about four miles distant from the vil- 
 lage, and having an elevation above it of four hundred feet, for its source- 
 of supply. It was estimated that an expenditure of $61,000 would be 
 necessary, which amount was $400 in excess of that authorized by the 
 water act to be raised for the purpose. The board, however, believing 
 that the work could be let within the amount available, decided to ask 
 for the authority to bond the village according to the provisions of the 
 act. That authority was finally conferred by a vote of the citizens and. 
 tax payers of the village, taken at a meeting held for the purpose on the 
 18th day of October, 1877. 
 
 The contract for building the work was awarded to Messrs. Donald- 
 son & Geer, for $50,518, being the price settled upon after making 
 changes in the specifications. Bonds were issued upon the credit of the 
 village, to the amount of $60,500, bearing interest at the rate of six per 
 cent, per annum, payable annually on the first day of Ju^y, running 
 twenty, twenty- five and thirty years — interest and principal payable at 
 the Metropolitan National Bank, in the city of New York. These bonds 
 were placed in the city of Boston, at a premium of one-half per cent, or 
 35 
 
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374 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 an aggregate premium of $302.50. The bonds were held by the com- 
 missioners and deHvered in installments, as the proceeds were needed, 
 giving them the additional amount in accrued interest of $496.61, or an 
 aggregate from $60,500 in bonds of $61,299.1 1. 
 
 The work was begun in March, 1878, and was completed and condi- 
 tionally accepted on the 5th of October, of the same year. The princi- 
 pal source of supply was taken from Cold brook, which flows from 
 nearly the center of a series of timbered sand hills, which serve as a stor- 
 age reservoir for the annual rain falls, and through which the water is 
 filtered to the stream, trickling in at its sides with remarkable uniform- 
 ity throughout the year, and in limpid, crystal purity. The water dur- 
 ing the heat of midsummer maintains a temperature of fifty- two degrees 
 Fahrenheit, and never falls below forty degrees in the coldest winter 
 weather. 
 
 A timber dam was thrown across Cold brook about 1 500 feet below 
 the point where the stream first appears in the ravine. An eight inch 
 iron conduit was constructed from this dam 3,600 feet to the brow of 
 the Clift's hill, where it was reduced to a six inch pipe running 700 feet 
 down the hill to a distributing reservoir, under a head of 151 feet. The 
 latter reservoir was constructed- by throwing a dam or embankment 
 across the base of an oval or egg-shaped ravine, giving a storage capac- 
 ity of 12,000,000 gallons. At the upper end of this distributing reser- 
 voir the Warren brook supply of upwards of 350,000 gallons daily, was 
 connected by a twelve inch cast iron conduit, running from the Warren 
 brook, 515 feet on a level to the reservoir. 
 
 A gate- house of corrugated iron was built directly above an inlet 
 chamber of masonry, resting upon a timber foundation, and was sup- 
 plied with screen, valves, and stand pipe. Through this inlet the water 
 from the distributing reservoir passes into the main conduit of ten inch 
 cast iron piping which runs from the tower 19,377.5 f^et to and through 
 the village. When constructed the water was distributed in the village 
 through 6,809.8 feet of eight inch pipe ; 12,816.2 feet of six inch pipe, 
 -ind 4,554.7 feet of four inch pipe. Since that time the street mains 
 have been extended many thousand feet, a description of which will be 
 given later on. 
 
 The elevation of Cold brook at the dam, is 433 feet above the 
 
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THE WATER WORKS. 275 
 
 lowest point of distribution in the village. The flow line of the dis- 
 tributing reservoir is 15 i feet below Cold brook at the dam. 
 
 The first application for water was dated October 7, 1878. Up to 
 and including December 31, the mains had been tapped and water in- 
 troduced upon seventy- eight applications. No charge was made for 
 the use of water until January i, 1879, when, with the view of mak- 
 ing the annual collections from water rents close concurrently with the 
 fiscal year, the first water rent was made to cover the period of four 
 months, ending with the 30th of April, 1879. From this collection, be- 
 ing for one-third of a year,, the amount received was $229.12 ; making 
 the annual average receipt from the first seventy-eight applications, a 
 fraction over $11.50 each. The actual cost of the works up to April 
 30, 1879, was $59,806.11, and the total disbursements up to that date, 
 outside of the cost of the work was $7,620.88 making the aggregate 
 disbursement from the treasury, $68,426.99. Owing to the fact that 
 the village did not purchase the land surrounding the Cold brook, at 
 the time of constructing the reservoir, they placed themselves liable to 
 action for damages from the parties owning the lands adjoining the 
 stream. Such an action was brought against the village during the 
 year 1881, by James H. Coughnet, who petitioned for an injunction re- 
 straining the village from the diversion or further use of the water of 
 Cold brook. After full investigation and consideration by the water 
 commissioners it was decided to make an effort to adjust the damages 
 due the several persons interested, but in consequence of the exorbi- 
 tant demands of these parties, no satisfactory agreement could be 
 reached. The water commissioners thereupon petitioned the court for 
 a commission to appraise the damage the village should pay for such 
 diversion and use of the water of Cold brook and also for the value of 
 the land adjoining. This was believed to be the wisest action that 
 could be taken to protect the interests of the village. The court ap- 
 pointed a commission, which organized in December, 1880, and after 
 making an examination of the premises and hearing the evidence from 
 the parties interested, made, in April, 1881, the award of damage;-, 
 which was duly approved by the court. The total amount of this dam- 
 age to land and water was placed at $5,08469, which was paid with 
 interest by the village in 1882. 
 
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276 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 Extensions of street mains have been made from year to year, as fol- 
 lows, the dates given indicating the end of each fiscal year: 1883, seven 
 hundred and thirty feet; 1884, on Cady street, from Glebe to Fon 
 Claire; on Glebe street, from Montgomery to Prospect; on Hoosic 
 street, from Montgomery to Fon Claire and on Market, from Washing- 
 ton to Fulton ; 1885, six thousand seven hundred and twenty-nine feet; 
 1886, three thousand four hundred and seventy-seven feet; 1887, two 
 thousand five hundred and thirty feet; 1888, three thousand five hun- 
 dred and twenty feet; 1889, three thousand four hundred and fifty 
 feet ; 1890, seven thousand five hundred and twenty-one feet; 1891, six 
 thousand seven hundred and thirty-seven feet; 1892, one thousand six 
 hundred and fifty feet. 
 
 In August, 1883, the village employed S. E. Babcock, a hydraulic 
 engineer, to make surveys and examinations of the old conduit and dam 
 at Cold brook, which resulted in the discovery that a large quantity of 
 ■of water was leaking around and under the dam and running down the 
 old channel of the stream, instead of flowing through the cast iron con- 
 duit Hne to the distributing reservoir. To remedy this defect Mr. Bab- 
 cock proposed the building of a new stone dam a short below the tim- 
 ber one, and replacing the iron conduit with twelve inch vitrified salt 
 glazed pipe capable of discharging over i,ooo,000 gallons per diem, and 
 laid to grades all below a hydraulic grade line. He also submitted an 
 engineer's estimate of the cost of the work, the amount being $7,067. 
 This was accepted by the water commissioners, September 7, 1883, 
 and Mr. Babcock at once organized a force and began the work within 
 five days after entering into the contract, completing the entire under- 
 taking on the first day of November, 1883. The new conduit, by ac- 
 tual measurement, was found to discharge 550,000 gallons per diem, at 
 a very dry time, soon after its completion, and when the waters of Cold 
 brook were not above their low water stage. Thus the village of Johns- 
 town, at an expenditure of a little more than seven thousand dollars, 
 doubled its water supply and saved from going to waste nearly 225,000 
 gallons of pure water per day. 
 
 The successive presidents of the board of water commissioners since 
 its organization have been as follows : James L. Northrup, 1877-78; 
 John G. Ferres, 1879-80; George A. Streeter, 1881-82; Jonah Hess, 
 
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THE HORSE RAILROAD. 
 
 *77 
 
 1883-85; Daniel W. Campbell, 1886-88; John M. Dougall, 1889; 
 Oliver Getman, 1890-92. 
 
 James H. Pike was the first superintendent of the works and held the 
 position two years, being succeeded by G. D. Henry, who also remained 
 in the position two years. The present superintendent, J. J. Buchanan, 
 assumed the duties of that office in 1884. 
 
 The present board of water commissioners consists of Oliver Getman, 
 Archibald McMartin, C. M. Rowell and Marvin Bronk. Mr. Bronk is 
 secretary and Mr. Rowell treasurer. 
 
 The Johnstown, Gloversville and Kingsboro Horse Railroad Company 
 was organized in the fall of 1873, and numbered among its early 
 directors the following named persons : Daniel B. Judson, H. L. Burr, 
 Jonathan Wooster, Ira Lee, C. G. Alvord, Richard Fancher, C. E. Ar- 
 gersinger, J. Mc Laren, Isaac V. Place, F. M. Young, John V. King, N. 
 H. Decker, William Argersinger, James Younglove, D. C. Livingston, 
 J. J. Hanson, A. D. Simmons, and others. A number of these handed 
 in their resignation shortly after the company was organized, among 
 them H. L. Burr, who had served as vice-president, and who was suc- 
 ceeded in that office by Jonathan Wooster. Daniel B. Judson was 
 elected president, and J. McLaren, secretary and treasurer. A line of 
 horse railroad had been constructed from Gloversville to Kingsboro, 
 and proved an unsuccessful enterprise, and subsequently an attempt was 
 made by the Johnstown, Gloversville, and Kingsboro Company to pur- 
 chase the track and equipment of the former road, but without success. 
 The tracks between Fulton street and Kingsboro, were afterwards aban- 
 doned or removed, as the road did but little business. That portion of 
 the road extending north on Main street from Pine to Fulton, however, 
 was leased by the J., G. and K. company, whose road from Johnstown to 
 Gloversville was completed in the latter part of 1874. On April i, 
 1875, the road was leased to N. H. Decker, of Johnstown, for a term of 
 five years. This lease was canceled March 13, 1878, and the road was 
 again delivered into the hands of the company. July i, 1878, the lease 
 was renewed for five years, with the privilege of five years more. This 
 contract continued until November 5, 1885, when the road was again 
 restored to the company, by Mrs. M. E. Decker, into whose possession 
 it had come upon the death of her husband, N. H. Decker. On Decem- 
 
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278 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 1 
 
 ber 15, 1885, it was leased to StoUer & Van Sickler, who operated it 
 five years. On December 15, 1890, a sale of considerable of the stock 
 was made to stockholders of the Fonda, Johnstown and Gloversville 
 Railroad, which gave them a controlling interest, and since that time 
 the road has been operated under, their direction. The following com- 
 prises a list of the officers: President, W. S. Northrup ; vice-president, 
 Lewis Veghte ; treasurer, H. W. Potter ; superintendent and secretary,. 
 Lawton Caten ; directors, David A. Wells, Lewis Veghte, W. S. North- 
 rup, Jonathan Ricketts, Martin Kennedy, Henry W. Potter, James 
 Younglove, John McNab, Charles W. Judson, Lawton Caten, W. J. 
 Heacock, Frank Burton, William Littauer. The tracks are now being 
 taken up and replaced with new ones with the view of making electric- 
 ity the motive power. 
 
 The Johnstown Electric Light and Power Company was organized 
 March 14, 1887, and incorporated the following day with a capital of 
 $20,000. The first officers were: President, Jacob P. Miller; secretary, 
 John G. Ferres ; treasurer, James H. Cross. A contract was obtained 
 for lighting the streets of Gloversville, and the work of stringing wires 
 was immediately begun. The dynamos were placed for a few months 
 in the mill of John Q. Adams, where the power of his engine was util- 
 ized. 
 
 On October 18, 1887, the capital stock was increased to $100,000, 
 and the company at once began tie construction of a permanent plant. 
 It is located at Cayadutta Fall.«fi^out two miles southwest of the vil- 
 lage, where a fall of seventy-five feet is obtained, furnishing motive 
 power to four pair of brass turbine wheels, twelve inches in diameter,, 
 with horizontal shafts. These wheels have a combined capacity equal 
 to 520 horse power. They are the invention of Mr. Lesner, of Sam- 
 monsville, and were manufactured by William B. Wemple's Sons, of 
 Fultonville, N. Y. Their motion is governed and kept at any desired 
 speed by an electric water wheel governor, invented by F. E. Pritchard,. 
 and made at Cedar Falls, Iowa. In addition to these, the company has 
 a 200 horse power Corliss engine and two boilers of I GO horse power 
 each, which are held in reserve. 
 
 In the plant are located seven Thompson & Houston constant current 
 dynamos, with a capacity of 305 arc lamps ; two Westinghouse alter- 
 
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THE PEOPLE'S BANK. 
 
 279 
 
 nating current dynamos with a capacity of 1,000 sixteen candle power 
 lamps, and the company has in use at present 222 miles of wire. The 
 volume of business done at Johnstown and Gioversville is nearly the 
 same. The present officers are: President, Andrew J. Nellis; treasurer, 
 Richard Evans ; secretary and superintendent, James H. Cross ; direc- 
 tors, James P. Argersinger, Jacob P. Miller, Robert J. Evans, John G. 
 Ferres, Richard Evans, Jason A. Miller, James I. Younglove, Andrew 
 J. Nellis, and James H. Cross. The company's offices are located at 
 No. 3 Church street, Johnstown. 
 
 The People's Bank of Johnstown is virtually the continuation, through 
 a succession of well remembered financial firms, of the old Montgomery 
 County Bank. There are but few men living in Fulton county to-day 
 who can distinctly remember the inception of Johnstown's first bank, 
 which was established in 1831, Daniel Potter, of Kingsboro, who had 
 become rich by merchandise, being its first president. Nathan P. Wells 
 another successful business man, was made cashier, and his son, Edward 
 teller. This bank gave Johnstown high financial distinction and was 
 the monetary nucleus for a large share of the surrounding country. 
 On the death of N. P. Wells, Edward became cashier, and eventually 
 his son, Nathan P., conducted the banking business in the same build- 
 ing. It will be of interest to note that Edward Wells, the present 
 cashier of the People's Bank, is a great-grandson of the first cashier 
 of the old bank — a remarkable succession in financial service. 
 The Montgomery County Bank was succeeded by N. P. Wells & 
 Company, and they in turn by Hayes & Wells. The latter firm was 
 subsequently followed by David Hayes alone, and he by the First 
 National Bank, which was incorporated April 15, 1879, with a capital 
 of $100,000 and the following officers: President, John Stewart; vice- 
 president, John S. Ireland ; cashier, Howland Fish ; teller, Edward Wells, 
 This bank continued to do business until January 16, 1889. On the 
 following day the People's Bank opened its doors, having been organ- 
 ized in December preceding. The bank was incorporated with a capi- 
 tal of $125,000 and the following officers: President, Jacob P. Miller; 
 vice-president, John S. Ireland; cashier, Edward Wells; assistant cash- 
 ier, Elisha B. Knox ; directors, J. P. Argersinger, John S. Ireland, 
 Arch. McMartin, James I. Younglove, Robert J. Evans, Chas. O. 
 
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28o HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 Cross, Jacob P. Miller, J. C. Northrup, Oliver Getman, Martin Kennedy, 
 Jonathan Ricketts, John F. Cahill, John H. Decker, Lewis Veghte, 
 Levi Yauney. 
 
 The bank occupies an imposing brick structure at the corner of Main 
 and Market streets and has been exceptionally a successful institution. 
 The present officers are as follows : President, Jacob P. Miller ; vice- 
 president, James P. Argersinger; cashier, Edward Wells; teller, William 
 H. Young ; directors, James P. Argersinger, David A. Wells, Archibald 
 McMartin, James L Younglove, Robert J. Evans, Charles O. Cross, 
 Jacob P. Miller, M. B. Northrup, Oliver Getman, Martin Kennedy, 
 Jonathan Ricketts, John F. Cahill, John H. Decker, Lewis Veghte, and 
 William E. Wooster. 
 
 The condition of the bank in December, 1891, is shown by the fol- 
 lowing quarterly report : 
 
 RESOURCES. 
 
 Loans and Discounts, less due from Directors $508,582 69 
 
 Due from Directors . 46,255 08 $554,837 77 
 
 Overdrafts as per schedule 4 36 
 
 Due from Trust Companies, State and National Banks, as per schedule. . 158,640 01 
 
 Banking House and Lot, as per schedule 31,904 09 
 
 Stocks and Bonds, as per schedule 5,650 00 
 
 Specie 4,034 20 
 
 U. S. Legal Tender Notes and Circulating Notes of National Banks. . . . 21,602 CO 
 
 Cash Items, viz : Bills and Checks for the next day's exchanges 1,331 83 
 
 Loss and expenses, viz ■ 
 
 Current Expenses $60 01 
 
 Interest Account 398 78 458 79 
 
 Furniture and Fixtures 3 306 74 
 
 $781,769. 79 
 LIABILITIES. 
 
 Capital Stock, paid in, in cash $125,000 QO 
 
 Surplus fund 25,000 00 
 
 Undivided Profits, viz.: 
 
 Discount $5,048 43 
 
 Exchange 161 19 
 
 Interest 537 86 
 
 Other Profits 6,150 14 11,907 62 
 
 Due Depositors as follows, viz: 
 
 Deposits subject to Ch'k $352,391 62 
 
 Demand Certificates of Deposit 266,617 45 619,009 07 
 
 Due Trust Companies, State and National Banks, as per schedule 818 10 
 
 Unpaid Dividends 38 00- 
 
 $781,769 79- 
 
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THE JOHNSTOWN BANK. 281 
 
 The Johnstown Bank. — This institution succeeded to the bankin<r 
 firm of Mclntyre & McLaren, which was composed of Donald Mclntyre 
 and John McLaren, who began business in the fall of 187 1, and con- 
 tinued the same until 18/9. On April 30 of the last named year 
 the Johnstown bank was organized with a capital of $50,000 and the 
 following officers : President, Donald Mclntyre; vice-president, John 
 W. Cline ; cashier, John McLaren ; assistant cashier and teller, A. B. 
 Pomeroy ; directors, Donald Mclntyre, John McLaren, George A. 
 Streeter, Webster Wagner, John W. Cline, C. E. Argersinger, Burnet 
 H. Dewey, William S. Northrup, John C. Hutchinson, Eli Pierson, Eii 
 J. Dorn. The capital was increased from the surplus, March 3, 1888, 
 to $100,000 and has since remained unchanged. 
 
 Donald Mclntyre retained the position of president of this bank until 
 August 2, 1881, at which time he tendered his resignation and re- 
 moved to Michigan. John W. Cline was immediately elected in his 
 place and has since held the presidency. The bank does a general 
 American and foreign exchange business and makes a specialty of col- 
 lections for banks and individuals, also issuing interest bearing certifi- 
 cates. Special deposit books are issued on sums of one dollar and 
 upwards, on which a liberal rate of interest is avowed. The institution 
 has a clear record and its standing has never suffered during financial 
 panics. 
 
 The present officers are: President, John W. Cline; vice-president,. 
 W. S. Northrup; cashier, William McKie ; directors, John W. Cline, 
 W. S. Northrup, John G. Ferres, W. L. Johnson, William B. Van Vliet, 
 Borden D. Smith, George A. Streeter, Eli J. Dorn, Zalmon Gilbert, 
 D. H. Van Heusen, M. F. Pierson, Isaac Morris, and M. L. Hambridge. 
 
 The following statetnent, issued March 18, 1892, will show the con- 
 dition of the bank at that time : 
 
 RESOURCES. 
 
 Loans $569,551 56- 
 
 Stocks and Bonds .- 1,500 Oa 
 
 Cash 17,907 14 
 
 Due from Banks 24,345 02 
 
 Real Estate and Fixtures 11,700 00' 
 
 Exchanges 58 47 
 
 §625,062 IS' 
 36 
 
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282 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 LIABILITIES. 
 
 Capital, '. $100,000 00 
 
 Profits 67,458 45 
 
 Deposits 457,378 74 
 
 Dividends Unpaid 225 00 
 
 $625,062 19 
 
 The Fulton County Savings Bank, of Johnstown, was organized in 
 February, 1892, with the following officers, all of which still continue 
 in their respective positions : President, David A, Wells ; first vice-pres- 
 ident, John H. Decker ; second vice-president, David H. Van Heusen ; 
 secretary and treasurer, Edward Wells ; trustees, Martin Kennedy, 
 James McMartin, James I. Younglove, Philetus P. Argersinger, Cor- 
 nelius M. Rowell, William S. Snyder, Matthias Grewen, George H. 
 Keck, Thomas E. Ricketts, Henry W. Thorne, John H. Decker, David 
 A. Wells, Patrick H. McDermott, David H. Van Heusen, Oliver Get- 
 man, William T. Briggs, and Edward Wells. 
 
 The office and repository are located in the People's Bank building. 
 
 The Fulton County Democrat is the outcome of three previous publi- 
 cations, the first of which was the Northern Banner, a paper which 
 made its first appearance at Union Mills, a village in the town of Broad- 
 albin. It was published by John Clark, but was removed to Johns- 
 town after a few months, and the name was altered to the Northern 
 Banner and Mo7itgomery Democrat. In 1837 this name was changed 
 to The Montgomery Republican, and soon after the entire plant was 
 sold to William S. Hawley, who, in 1842, named the paper The Fulton 
 County Democrat, a title that has been retained to the present day. For 
 a time it was in the possession of A. T. Norton ; but in 1842, it passed 
 into the hands of Walter N. Clark, who conducted it until his death in 
 October, 1877, when his son, Walter N., became proprietor. In 1878 
 the paper was sold by Mr. Clark to Walter B. Mathewson, who con- 
 ducted it until December 23, 1883, when it passed into the hands of 
 George F. Beakley, who still remains its editor and publisher. The 
 Democrat has now reached its fiftieth year, having been established in 
 1842, and in rounding out the half century its publishers are awaken- 
 ing new interest among those who look for reminiscences of early days 
 in Fulton county. On March i, 1890, Mr. Beakley began the publi- 
 cation of The Daily Democrat, which with the weekly has grown to be 
 a strong factor in the politics of the state. 
 
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NEWSPAPERS. 283 
 
 On June 13, 1892, Fay Shaul, the proprietor of \h& Evening News 
 entered into a copartnership with the proprietor of The Democrat and 
 both establishments have been consolidated. Mr. Beakley is a native of 
 Schoharie county, and a graduate of Union College. He was admitted 
 to the bar in 1878, but has preferred theifluties of an editor to those of 
 a lawyer. * 
 
 The Johnstown Daily Republican is a representative four page, eight 
 column paper, published and edited by Albert E. Blunck. It is the 
 official paper of Fulton county and of the village of Johnstown. The 
 daily edition was begun July i, 1890, by the present proprietor and 
 publisher, who has been connected with the paper as owner, first in 
 part and then entirely, since 188 1. The Fulton County Republican, Sl. 
 weekly newspaper, is issued from the same office. It was considered a 
 hazardous undertaking to establish a daily paper in Johnstown, espe- 
 cially at the low price of one cent, and Mr. Blunck was counseled by 
 many experienced newspaper men not to attempt such an enterprise, 
 but having strong faith in his own convictions the trial was made and 
 the result has far exceeded his most sanguine expectations. The daily 
 at the present time indeed has a circulation which renders its suecess. 
 absolutely certain. 
 
 The Fulton County Republican was originally published at Johnstown^ 
 in 1838 by Darius Wells. In 1840 Alexander U. Wells became pro- 
 prietor, and in 1842 he sold it to George Henry, who was a Henry Clay 
 Whig, and who conducted it as an organ of that party, afterwards join- 
 ing the Republican ranks. His son, George D. Henry, who took 
 charge of it in 185 i, continued the publication until about 1864 when it 
 was discontinued. The paper was revived in 1870 by George M. 
 Thompson, who continued it, in connection with The Gloversville In- 
 telligencer, a paper purchased by him in 1868. He subsequently sold 
 the plant to Capron & Ward. In April, 1881, Mr. Blunck, the present 
 proprietor, purchased a half interest in the two papers and they were 
 published by the firm of Ward & Blunck until about August, 1 881, when 
 William E. Leaning, of Cooperstown, purchased the interest of H. L. 
 Ward. The firm of Blunck & Leaning continued the two publications 
 until October, 1887, when the firm dissolved, Mr. Blunck continuing Tlie- 
 Republican and Mr. Leaning The Intelligencer. Bot^i the daily and 
 
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284 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 weekly editions are Republican in politics, and vigorously advocate the 
 principles of that party, wielding an acknowledged influence in Fulton 
 and adjoining counties. Mr. Blunck is a native of the town of Otsego, 
 Otsego county, N. Y., and received an academic education at Coopers- 
 town, after which he pursueS journalism, connecting himself with sev- 
 eral prominent newspapers, in*which capacity he attained his present 
 thorough knowledge of the business. 
 
 The Evening News was the pioneer daily newspaper in Johnstown, 
 and proved a successful venture. Its founder and publisher, L. Fay 
 Shaul, was a practical newspaper man and profited by the experience 
 he had obtained in other efforts of the same kind. His first venture 
 was in Amsterdam, where in 1885 he established . 714^ Good Templar, 
 which was in 1886 adopted as the official organ of the Knights of Labor 
 in this section and its name changed to The Workman. 
 
 In 1887 Mr. Shaul disposed of the Amsterdam plant to James Bart- 
 ley, of that city, and in August of the same year established the Glov- 
 ersville Daily Leader, a paper that soon became well known and re- 
 ceived liberal patronage. In March, 1888, he disposed of a half interest 
 in The Leader to William B. Collins, of Albany, and in November, 1889, 
 sold the remaining half to his partner and then came to Johnstown, where 
 he established The Evening News, December 31, 1889. This sheet was 
 first published as an independent paper, and desjjite the fact that in a 
 short time it had two competitors in the field, its business was such as 
 to amply repay the publisher for his enterprise. Early in 1892 The 
 Evening News espoused the principles of Democracy and was an able 
 exponent of the Jeffersonian doctrines. 
 
 Proposals with a view to consolidation were then mutually considered 
 by Mr. Shaul, and George F. Beakley, of the Fulton County Democrat 
 and The Daily Democrat. The result was a union of the two journals 
 on June 1 1, 1892, under the name of The Daily Democrat, a title which 
 was chosen because of its long connection with the oldest paper in the 
 county. Mr. Shaul is a native of South Columbia, N. Y., and received 
 his education in Amsterdam, whence he removed to Fulton county. 
 
 Grand Opera House. — The building of the Opera House at Johns- 
 town was an event awaited with much interest, and when the beautiful 
 structure for publfc entertainment was finished its capacity was tested 
 
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THE OPERA HOUSE. 285 
 
 to the utmost by appreciative audiences. The Opera House Company 
 was incorporated in May, 1889, with a capital of $20,000, and the fol- 
 lowing officers : David A. Wells, president ; Thomas R. Baker, vice- 
 president ; Charles H. Ball, secretary ; James I. Younglove, treasurer; 
 James P. Argersinger, M. B. Northrup, Sydney E. Trumbull, James L. 
 Northrup, John T. Selmser, C. M. Rowell, James I. Younglove, Thomas 
 B. Baker, Thomas E. Ricketts, Philip Keck, John Leavitt, D. A. Wells, 
 and David Ireland, directors. Soon after the organization work was 
 begun on the building itself, the land upon which it was built being pur- 
 chased from Thomas B. Baker. The house was designed and built by 
 Leon H. Lempert, of Rochester, N. Y., and opened October 24, 1889, 
 by the Conreid Opera Company in "The Kings Fool." Its total cost 
 was about $30,000. The stage is forty feet deep, sixty-four feet wide, 
 forty-two feet to the gridiron, and has adjustable grooves, eighteen to 
 twenty-one feet. It is fitted with twenty complete sets of scenery, be- 
 sides set pieces and other parapharnalia usually found in a first class 
 theatre. The proscenium has an opening of forty feet. In connection 
 with the stage are nine large dressing-rooms, carpeted, heated by steam, 
 and with running water in each room. The house is fitted with call 
 bells and speaking tubes to the dressing-rooms and manager's office. 
 It is lighted by gas with automatic electric spark lighters. It has a seat- 
 ing capacity of 1,000; six boxes, and folding opera chairs throughout. 
 The auditorium is also arranged with an adjustable floor that rests upon 
 jack-screws. This can be lowered and a ball room floor placed over 
 the orchestra chairs. Under the lobby is a dining-room and kitchen, 
 to be used on occasions of parties and balls. The Opera House is un- 
 der the sole management of C. H. Ball, and has always booked and 
 played excellent attractions. 
 
 Masonic and other Societies. — Highly favorable views of the value 
 and benefits of Masonry were entertained by Sir William Johnson and 
 his contemporaries, as is shown by the fact that he had scarcely lived at 
 the Hall more than three years, when he took active steps towards the 
 establishment of a lodge, being himself its master. Before giving an ac- 
 count of the progress of St. Patrick's lodge, it seems fitting to relate a 
 few facts to show where and when Sir William himself became a Mason. 
 An old Masonic manuscript, some time since in the possession of Rob- 
 
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286 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 ert H. Brown, of Albion, contains an account of moneys received for 
 the charity fund of Union Lodge No. i of Albany. In this ancient 
 document, under date of April lo, 1766, the following item appears : 
 
 Bro. Sir William Johnson on raising £ 16 
 
 Bro, G-uy Johnson on raising 16 
 
 Bro. Claus at entering 3 4 
 
 Bro. Butler at entering 3 4 
 
 Bro. Moffat at entering 3 4 
 
 Rochat on signing by-laws 8 
 
 Bro. Johnson on signing by-laws 8 
 
 Bro. Byrne on entering 3 4 
 
 Bro. Trewin on entering 3 4 
 
 From the above it is apparent that Sir William Johnson was "raised" 
 in Union Lodge No. i, at Albany, on the lOth of April, 1766, as was 
 also his son-in-law, Guy Johnson. Daniel Claus paid his entrance fee 
 at the same time. It is also clear that on the same night that Sir Wil- 
 liam and Guy Johnson were "raised," Brothers Butler, Moffat, Byrne 
 and Trewin paid their entrance fees of ;^3 4s. each, and that Brother 
 Rochat signed the by-laws. It is also of interest .to note the cost and 
 charges for being " made a Mason " over one hundred years ago in this 
 state. The antiquated Masonic document, from which the above infor- 
 mation is gleaned, came into the possession of Mr, Brown from his 
 father, Rufus Brown, of Albany, who was for many years master of 
 Masten Lodge, then No, 2, of that city. It is quite probable that S"ir 
 William went to Albany and became a Mason for the purpose of estab- 
 lishing a lodge at the Hall and that Guy Johnson, Col. Claus and John 
 Butler also became Masons to insure the success of the project. These 
 men all held important positions in St. Patrick's Lodge upon its organ- 
 ization. It is now known" as St. Patrick's Lodge No. 4, Free and Ac- 
 cepted Masons, but the original number of the lodge was 8. The war- 
 rant constituting -this venerable body of Masons was dated May 23, 
 1766, and granted by the provincial grand master of New York, to Sir 
 William Johnson, Bart., master; Guy Johnson, esq., senior warden; 
 and Daniel Claus, esq., junior warden, of Johnstown, N. Y. The or- 
 ganization took place at Johnson Hall August 23, 1766, and the lodge 
 worked under the supervision of Sir William Johnson, as master, until 
 December 6, 1770, when, having been elected master of" the ineffable 
 
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MASONIC. 287 
 
 lodge" at Albany, Ancient Accepted Scottish rite, Sir William was suc- 
 ceeded by Col. Guy Johnson, who held the office until May 5, 1774, 
 when the hostilities preceding the revolution began. From May 5, 
 1774, until July 31, 1785, a period of seven years, no meetings of the 
 lodge took place. • Up to this time all meetings had been held at the 
 Hall, the first initiation being that of Hendrick Fry, September i, 1766. 
 On the 7th of the following March Jelles Fonda was made a Mason, and 
 it was in his honor that the town of Fonda in Montgomery county was 
 named. Aside from Guy Johnson, master, Daniel Claus, senior war 
 den, and John Butler, secretary, who were colonels in the British army, 
 many members of the lodge were engaged in the military service either 
 tory or patriot, both as officers and privates. Among the officers were 
 General Nicholas Herkimer, killed at the battle of Oriskany, August 
 6, 1777 ; Lieutenants Benjamin Roberts, George Phyn, Turbott Fran- 
 cis, Hugh Frazer and Augustine Prevost, and Majors Peter Ten Broeck 
 and Jelles Fonda. The effects of the war were so much felt by the 
 lodge that of the forty-three who were members when the war com- 
 menced only three remained after its close to assist in its reorganization. 
 Some fell on the battlefield, but by far the greater number of them, 
 having taken sides with the royalists, under the lead of Sir John John- 
 son, lost their property by confiscation, and at the close of the revo- 
 lution left the country. After the establishment of peace, the lodge 
 reorganized by warrant of the Grand Lodge of the State of New York, 
 dated July 20, 1784, granted to Zephaniah Bachellor, master; Robert 
 Adams, senior warden ; Christopher P. Yates, junior warden. The 
 meetings were held at a private house for several years, and in 1792 
 the lodge purchased of Michael Rawlins the property so long known as 
 " the lodge," now owned by Mortimer Wade. The lodge soon ac- 
 quired a large membetship, but later on, owing to a general decline, 
 and the troubles arising out of a division of its memb'erSj who had di- 
 verging opinions on the subjects involving the Grand Lodge during the 
 anti- Masonic excitement, the lodge relinquished its charter in 1849. It 
 will be noticed that from December 2, 1820, until December 7, J 843, 
 no new master was elected, meetings simply being held once a year, in 
 order to retain the charter. The warrant under which the lodge now 
 works was granted June 6, 1850, to Samuel Maxwell, master; Asahel 
 
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288 ff /STORY OF FULTOAT COUNTY. 
 
 Whitney, senior warden; and Marcellus Gilbert, junior warden. As 
 has been stated, St. Patrick's lodge was first known as No. 8, which 
 number it held until July 20, 1784, when it was changed to 9. On 
 June 4, 1819, it was again changed to 11, and on June 4, 1828, to 4, 
 which number it still holds. In 1867 plans were made and work begun 
 <in the lodge building on Main street, and the structure was completed 
 and occupied in 1868. It was at that time and is to-day, one of Johns- 
 town's most imposing buildings, and has been a great source of profit to 
 the lodge. The lodge room is spacious and elegant and its walls are 
 adorned with portraits of Sir William and other deceased members of 
 note. The archives of the lodge in Sir William's time are still pre- 
 served and contain many points of antiquarian interest. More impor- 
 tant, however, than all other historic appointments are the silver em- 
 blems which were presented by Sir William and which arc among the 
 most valued curiosities of the order. The original charter and the old 
 jewels were carried away by Sir John Johnson when he fled to Canada, 
 and for a half century were lost. The following appears in the records 
 June 3, 183 1 : " Sir John Johnson gave directions to have the old 
 provincial warrant and jewels of the lodge returned, and the worship- 
 ful master has received the same by direction of Sir John Johnson." 
 The most interesting private memorial of St. Patrick's lodge is the sil- 
 ver badge formerly belonging to Frederick Fisher, colonel in the fa- 
 mous Tryon county regiment, and who fought under Herkimer at Oris- 
 kany. As Colonel Fisher was made a Mason some years before the 
 revolution, this is probably the oldest relic of its kind in existence. It 
 is now in the possession of his great-grandson, Alfred De Graff, of 
 Danoscura place. The records of the lodge are complete from its or- 
 ganization in 1766 to the present time. Its centennial anniversary was 
 celebrated at Johnson Hall, May 23, 1866, and the occasion was one of 
 deep interest to the public as well as to the members of the order. M. 
 W. John L. Lewis, P. G. M., delivered the oration. The lodge is now 
 one of the most prosperous and wealthy Masonic orgaiiizations in the 
 country. Its reserve fund enables it to pay a considerable sum to the 
 survivors of deceased members. Following is a list of the masters of 
 St. Patrick's lodge from its organization to the present time : 1766, 
 Sir William Johnson, Bart; 1770, Col. Guy Johnson ; 1784, Zephaniah 
 
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MASONIC. 289 
 
 Batchellor; 1792, John McCarthy; 1797, John Morgan; 1802, Abijah 
 Lobdell ; 1805, Richard Dodge ; 1806, Stephen Owen ; 1807, Henry F. 
 Yates; 1808, Nicholas Philpot ; 1810, Caleb Johnson; 1811, Peter 
 Brooks, jr.; 1812, Benjamin Chamberlain ; 1814, Joseph Cuyler ; 1816, 
 John W. Cady ; 1818, Nicholas Yost; 1820, John L. Lobdell; 1843, 
 Samuel Maxwell; 1850, John Frothingham ; 1852, Nathan J. Johnson; 
 1855, Daniel Cameron ; 1856, George Perkin ; 1857, J. J. Whitehouse ; 
 1858, Samuel Hopgood ; i860, Joseph J. Riton ; 1861, Francis Bur- 
 dick; 1866, James M. Dudley; 1868, John G. Ferres ; 1869, P. P. 
 Argersinger ; 1876, Marcus F. Pierson ; 1877, John W. Uhlinger ; 1882, 
 A J. Nellis; 1885, M. S. Northrup ; 1887, James Stewart; 1888, Sid- 
 ney E. Trumbull; 1889, Philip Keck; 1891, Frank Miller, the present 
 master. The lodge at present has a membership of 160 master Masons. 
 
 The present officers of St. Patrick's lodge are : Frank Miller, W. M ; 
 John J. Buchanan, S. W. ; John A. Karg, J. W. ; John W. Uhlinger, 
 treasurer; Eugene Moore, secretary; George C. Potter, S. D. ; William 
 H. Young, J. D. ; Thomas C. Grimes, S. M. C. ; George S. J. Chant, J. 
 M. C. ; Mortimer Wade, jr., marshal; Rev. D. M. Reeves, chaplain; 
 George R. Smith, organist; Douw H. Heagle, tyler; Samuel Hopgood,, 
 James P. Argersinger, John G. Ferres, trustees. 
 
 Johnstown Chapter, No. 78, Royal Arch Masons, was organized'. 
 February 13, 1823. The first officers were Benjamin Chamberlain, M. 
 E. H. P. ; Joseph Cuyler, K. ; Henry Cunningham, scribe ; Samuel R. 
 Dudley, secretary; Asa Child, treasurer; Charles Easton, C. of H. ; 
 David Mosher, P. S. ; Aaron Fletcher, R. A. C. ; Nicholas Philpot, M. 
 3d V. ; Howland Greenhill, M. 2d V. ; Seth Whitmore, M. 1st V. ; 
 Amos Rood, sentinel. 
 
 The record of this venerable chapter has been one of unusual success 
 and its members have ever been men of the highest integrity and hon- 
 orable character. The following is a list of the high priests of this 
 chapter since its organization: 1823. to 1825, Benjamin Chamberlain ; 
 1825 to 1837, Joseph Cuyler; 1839 to 1859, N. J. Johnson; 1859, 
 Junot J. Whitehouse; i860 to 1863, Daniel Cameron; 1863 to 1866 
 Samuel Hopgood; 1867 to 1870, James Byron Murray; 1870 to 1877, 
 Samuel Hopgood ; 1877 to 1880, James H. Pike ; 1880 to 1882, Samuel 
 Hopgood ; 1882 to 1887, Philip Keck ; 1887, Samuel Hopgood ; 1888, 
 
 37 
 
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290 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 A. J. Nellis; 1889 to 1892, John G. Ferres. The chapter has 186 
 members. The present officers are : John G. Ferres, M. E. H. P. ; 
 Thomas E. Ricketts, E. K. ; Sidney E. Trumbull, E. S. ; John W. 
 Uhlinger, treasurer ; Eugene Moore, secretary ; Frank Hanson, C. of 
 H ; John T. Selmser, P. S. : John J. Buchanan, R. A. C. ; Harwood 
 Dudley, M. 3d V. ; John A. Karg, M. 2d V. ; Mortimer Wade, jr., M. 
 1st V. ; Rev. Peter Felts, chaplain; George R. Smith, organist; Douw 
 H. Heagle, tyler. 
 
 Johnstown Council, No. 72, R. & S. M., was organized October 3, 
 1 89 1. With the purpose in view of establishing a council at Johnstown, 
 a number of the members of St. Patrick's lodge went to Albany and 
 took degrees and became members of Dewitt Clinton Council, No. 22. 
 As soon as they received the dispensation from the Grand Council of the 
 State of New York the organization of the Johnstown council took 
 place. There are at present seventy eight members. The first officers 
 have held their respective positions up to the present time, and are as 
 follows : Philip Keck, T. I. M. ; Frank Hanson, D. I. M. ; John A. 
 Karg, I. P. C. of the W. ; Eugene Moore, recorder ; John G. Ferres, 
 treasurer; John J. Buchanan, C. of the G. ; John T. Selmser, C. of the 
 C. ; Rev. Peter Felts, chaplain ; A. E. Blunck, marshal ; A. B. Wassung, 
 steward ; Douw H. Heagle, sentinel ; George R. Smith, organist. 
 
 Glove Manufacturers. — The glove and mitten factory ot P. P. Arger- 
 singer & Company is located in the brick buildings Nos. 2 to 8 North 
 William street and No. 2 Church street. The business was established 
 by P. P. Argersinger in the year 1862. He began making gloves on a 
 very small scale compared with the present extensive establishment. 
 In 1864 his brothel', J. P. Argersinger, returned to Johnstown from 
 California and became a partner, the glove'firm being known thence- 
 forth as P. P. Argersinger & Company. The history of this firm is 
 similar to that of the other large glove manufacturers of Johnstown and 
 Gloversville, inasmuch, the magnitude of its present business being due 
 to untiring perseverance and industry. The first of the brick buildings 
 now occupied was erected in 1873, and together with two subsequent 
 additions, the first built in 1881 and the second in 1889, constitute a 
 block of about one hundred feet square, three stories high, with a base- 
 ment. The firm manufactures a general line of gloves, from the cheap- 
 
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GLOVE MANUFACTURERS. 291 
 
 est to the finest qualities, in all styles, including deer, goat, elk, horse- 
 hide, hogskin and sheepskin for heavy goods, and kid, dog, mocha, 
 lambskin and coltskin in fine goods. The latter skin is an importation 
 from Russia. There were manufactured by Messrs. Argersinger in 1891 
 between 45,000 and 50,000 dozen pairs. At present they are turning 
 out about 200 dozen pairs per day. They employ, inside and outside 
 the factory, from four to five hundred people. 
 
 The Northrup Glove Manufacturing Company is located at 27 and 
 29 South Market street. The business of this firm was originally estab- 
 lished January, 1869, by M. S. Northrup, who was succeeded in 1872 
 by W. S. & M. S. Northrup, and in 1875 by W. S. & M. S. Northrup ^ 
 Company. The present company was capitalized in 1883, the members 
 at that time consisting of W. S., M. S., M. B., J. C, and J. L. North- 
 rup. These members constitute the company at present, with the ex- 
 ception of J. C. Northrup, who died in 1889. The factory is a large, 
 three-story, brick building, 50 x lOO feet in area, fitted with the latest 
 machinery known to the glove manufacturing trade. The enterprise 
 furnishes employment to 400 operatives, and the capacity of the factory 
 is 40,000 dozen of gloves per annum. The product includes fine doe- 
 skin, castor, kid, dog-skin and the celebrated mocha gloves, which are, 
 well known wherever gloves are used. The company operate in con- 
 junction with their glove factory an extensive skin and leather mill, 
 situated on the west side of Mill street. The tanning and dressing of 
 mocha skins is the chief industry at this mill, and as the process is par- 
 ticularly interesting, a brief description of it may not be out of place in 
 these pages. The mocha is a haired sheep, being in fact the same kind 
 of animal as was tended by shepherds as described in the Bible. It is- 
 found in great numbers in Arabia and Africa, and the skins are import- 
 ed to America from Aden. There are two kinds of mocha, known as 
 whiteheads and blackheads, respectively. The former come mostly 
 from Arabia, and the latter from Abyssinia and the headwaters of the 
 Nile. In Messrs. Northrup's storehouse, a building 50 x 80 feet in 
 area, two stories high, are stored more than 60,000 of these skins, the 
 firm controlling three-fifths of the entire importation to this country. 
 On the upper floor of this building are stored a number of antelope 
 skins, of which the company still handle from 15,000 to 20,000 per 
 
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292 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 year, although the supply is rapidly decreasing. The skins are first 
 received into the ground floor of the mill, which is used as a beamhouse, 
 where twenty vats are located. This floor is laid in one solid piece of 
 concrete, so graded and intersected with gulleys or sluiceways as to 
 carry to a common center every drop of water or moisture, and pre- 
 serving a dry, hard surface for the feet of the workmen. The skins are 
 first put in to soak, then run in the stocks to soften them, and sub- 
 sequently thrown in the lime vats, where they remain twenty- four 
 hours. They are then pulled, each skin being separately put back in 
 fresh lime liquor. After the skins are sufficiently limed they are put 
 through the unhairing machine, with which one man can accomplish as 
 much in a day as eight could by the old process. They then go to the 
 fleshing machine, which removes all the superfluous pieces of flesh from 
 them and stretches them out considerably. In August, 1 89 1, a frizing 
 machine was put into the mill, which removes the grain from the skins, 
 and does it much more perfectly than a man could do it by hand. 
 About 450 skins are put through this machine per day. The next step 
 in the process is known as the scudding, which removes the inner 
 grain, and is done by hand, over a beam, on which a heavy buckskin is 
 placed as a bolster. After the skins are scud and drenched they are 
 placed in a revolving drum, ten feet in diameter, with a dressing com- 
 posed of salt, alum, and flour, in dilution. One thousand skins are 
 placed in this drum at one time and allowed to remain about two hours. 
 After this they are allowed to drain for several hours, and then put 
 upon trays and hoisted to the top floor, where they are hung on tenter 
 hooks in rooms heated by steam, and dried They then undergo the 
 process known to the trade as " making," which consists of placing the 
 skins in piles and permitting them to remain untouched for from four to 
 six weeks. Their next trip is to the floor below, where they are spread 
 out in long wooden bins and covered with damp sawdust, which softens 
 and mellows them. They are then knee staked, arm staked, and put on 
 the finishing wheel. This wheel is made oi papier mac he, wilh an emery 
 covering. The skins are then carried to the ground floor and placed in 
 a slowly revolving drum, where egg yolk is thoroughly worked into 
 them for softening. It is in this part of the process that so many thou- 
 sand dozens of eggs are used by leather dressers. When thoroughly 
 
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GLOVE MANUFACl URERS. 
 
 293 
 
 egged the skins are again hoisted to the upper floor and dried, after 
 which they are once more dampened in the sawdust, knee and arm 
 staked, and then assorted for coloring, with regard to those which are 
 suitable for ladies' and men's wear. In the dyeing-room two processes 
 are used. One, called the " dipsie," consists of placing the skins in a 
 drum partly filled with warm water, where the dye is slowly worked 
 into them. In the other process the skins are placed upon a lead- 
 covered table and nicely smoothed out. The operator then gives them 
 a preparatory coat of mordaunt, afterwards going over them with a 
 " slicker," which removes the superfluous liquid. They are then treated 
 to four brushes of dye, " slicked " again, and subjected to the action of 
 a chemical known as a " striker," which sets the dye. As fast as two 
 or three dozen skins are dyed they are hung in an adjoining room to 
 dry. Another process of dyeing, where umber and clay colors are 
 used, is done on the second floor. In this no mordaunt or striker is 
 used. After being colored and dried the skins go for the third time 
 into the sawdust, and also receive another knee and arm staking. They 
 are then put on a fine emery wheel, which gives them their finishing 
 touches. Final polish is given to the skins by placing them on a 
 revolving wheel covered with plush, which aside from imparting an ex- 
 cellent finish removes all the dust. This wheel is the invention of a 
 Johnstown leather worker, and when the skins have passed over it they 
 are ready for the glove cutter. One hundred workmen are employed 
 in the mill, and 225,000 castor skins are turned out annually. 
 
 J. H. Decker, Son & Company, glove manufacturers, occupy the 
 three story building Number 29 North Market street. The firm's 
 business was established in Johnstown by J. H. Decker in 1875. He 
 was one of the pioneer glove manufacturers of Gloversville, having been 
 associated there with J. C. Leonard under the firm name of Leonard & 
 Decker for many years. Mr. Decker carried on business alone until 
 1880, when his son, E. C. Decker, and in 1882, Sidney Argersinger 
 were received into the firm, which has since been known as J. H. Decker, 
 Son & Company. The factory buildings cover an area of 50 x 200 
 feet, including a recent addition of 80 feet, and are all three stories in 
 height. The firm manufactures all classes of heavy and medium weight 
 goods, the product in 1891 amounting to upward of 50,000 dozen pairs. 
 
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294 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 Employment is given to a large number of operatives, the greater part 
 of the work being done outside of the factory. 
 
 Mason, Campbell & Company, glove manufacturers, are located at 
 lO and 12 North Perry street. The firm comprises as its members, 
 James F. Mason, D. W. Campbell, J. F. Mason, jr., and D. Campbell 
 Mason. The foundation for the present business was laid in the year 
 1869, by James F. Mason and D. W. Campbell, formerly grocerymen 
 of Johnstown, who began making gloves on North Ferry street. The 
 junior members entered the firm in 1883. They manufacture all kinds 
 of gents' and ladies' gloves, including a full line of mochas. The pro- 
 duct of this firm during the year 1891 was about 20,000 dozen pairs. 
 The enterprise furnishes employment to about one hundred workers. 
 
 R. J. & R. Evans, glove manufacturers, 11 West State street. The 
 business of this firm was established by R. J. Evans in 1867. Richard 
 Evans, a brother, was received as partner January i, 1874, since which 
 time the style of the firm has been unchanged. Messrs. Evans have 
 always manufactured a line of heavy goods, consisting of buckskins, 
 horsehide, calf and sheep-skins. They occupy a brick building, 54 x 86 
 feet in area, three stories in height, with an attic and basement. Ex- 
 tensive improvements were made to the building in 1879 and again in 
 1891. The establishment furnishes employment to seventy-five workers 
 in the factory and about one hundred outside. There were manufactured 
 during 1891 about 25,000 dozen pairs of gloves. 
 
 Ireland Brothers are located at 23 and 25 West State street and 
 manufacture fine gloves, consisting mostly of kid, colt, mochas, and 
 dog skins. They also make some lines of buckskins and heavy goods. 
 The business was established on Green street in 1875, by John S.,. 
 James and David Ireland, who came to Johnstown from the west. 
 They remained on Green street until 1879, removing to their present 
 quarters in September of that year. The dimensions of their factory 
 are 35x75 feet, the building being four stories in height. They em- 
 ploy altogether 150 operatives and manufactured 22,000 dozen pairs 
 of gloves in 1891. John S. Ireland, the senior member of the firm, died 
 October 26, 1 89 1, the remaining brothers (James and David) have 
 since then conducted the business. 
 
 P. Z. Drumm's Sons manufacture a general line of heavy gloves, con- 
 sisting of buck, calf, goat, hog, and horse-skins, in their factory on State- 
 
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GLOVE MANUFACTURERS. 295 
 
 street at the foot of William. The business was establifhed in 1862, by 
 P. Z. Drumm, who began making gloves and mittens in a small way in 
 the rear of his residence, corner of Green and State streets, at the foot 
 of William. This dwelling-house is known as the oldest one in the vil- 
 lage, having been built in the days of Sir William Johnson. Mr. Drumm 
 carried on the business alone until 1878, when he received as a partner 
 his son, Clifford H. Drumm, the firm taking the title of P. Z. Drumm 
 & Son. The father died April 28, 1885, and the present firm was 
 formed January i, 1886, when another son, Edwin H. Drumm, was 
 admitted, and the firm name of P. Z. Drumm's Sons established. This 
 firm manufactured about 8,000 dozen pairs during the year 1891. 
 
 The glove factory of Thomas E. Ricketts is located at 7 North Mel- 
 cher street. This business was established by Mr. Ricketts himself in 
 1868. The following year he took Charles Hodgscn as a partner and 
 the firm style was changed to Ricketts & Hodgson, continuing thus 
 until October, 1876, when the building occupied by the firm, which was 
 located on the site of the present factory, was entirely destroyed by fire. 
 The firm was then dissolved, both members resuming the manufacture of 
 gloves independently. The building now occupied by Mr. Ricketts 
 was built in 1877-78 and has been used by him as a factory ever since. 
 It is 36 X 105 feet in area, built of brick, three stories high. Mr. Hodgson 
 remained a manufacturer in Johnstown about six years, when he relin- 
 quished his business to become a foreman for M. Beeber & Company, 
 Gloversvillc, a position he still holds. Mr. Ricketts employs about 
 forty workers in the factory, but a large portion of the the product is made 
 outside. There were manufactured at this establishment in 1891 about 
 15,000 dozen pairs of gloves. 
 
 Shults & Company, 26 and 28 South William street, are manufac- 
 turers of ladies' and gents' fine kid and castor gloves. The business was 
 established on its present site in 1867 by Byron G. Shults, senior member 
 of the present firm. At that time very few fine gloves were made in 
 Fulton county, and possibly not a single overstitched glove had been 
 made in Johnstown. The building occupied is 40 by 80 feet in area, 
 three stories high, and the firm employs ei,ther in or out of the building 
 150 operatives. They manufactured 10,000 dozen pairs during the 
 year 1891. The present members of the firm are Byron G. Shults and 
 
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296 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 his son Edward W. Shults, the junior member having entered the part- 
 nership in 1885. 
 
 J. C. Hutchinson, 33 South Market street, is engaged in the manu- 
 facture of fine kid and dog-skin driving gloves, both lined and unlined. 
 Mr. Hutchinson started as a dealer in 1862 and began manufacturing 
 in the year 1865 in the old yellow building opposite the county clerk's 
 office on West Main street. He remained there until 1871, when, to- 
 gether with James Northrup, he purchased the old United Presbyterian 
 church building on South Market street The structure was repaired, 
 enlarged and remodeled and the south half was used as a glove factory 
 by Mr. Hutchinson and the north half by Mr. Northrup. Mr. Hutch- 
 inson now employs on an average about sixty workers, and manufactured 
 upwards of 6,000 dozen pairs of gloves in 1891. The dimensions of 
 his factory are 40 by 80 feet with two " L's " of thirty feet each in the 
 rear. The building is two stories high. 
 
 Weare & Chant manufacture fine gloves exclusively, in the brick 
 building at the southeast corner of State and Melcher streets. The 
 business was established by Thomas Busby in 1871 on South Perry 
 street. The firm of Busby & Weare was formed in 1874 and contin- 
 ued a year or two when, upon the withdrawal of Mr. Busby, Mr. Weare 
 carried on the business alone until 1884, when ht became the junior 
 member of the firm of J. C. Hutchinson & Company. This connection 
 lasted three years. In January, 1887, Mr. Weare associated himself 
 with Ralph R. Chant, forming the present firm of Weare & Chant. 
 They employ altogether about twenty- five or thirty workers and made 
 3,000 dozen pairs in 1891. Their line includes mochas, fine kid and 
 genuine dog-skin gloves. 
 
 C. W. Rowles manufactures light grades of gloves, making a special- 
 ty of craven tan and cape driving gloves, at 29 East Main street. Mr. 
 Rowles succeeded to the business of his father, W. H. Rowles, who, with 
 William Mister, began making gloves in 1858 on the corner of Wash- 
 ington and Market streets, afterwards removing to a building on West 
 Main street. They subsequently purchased the old Presbyterian church 
 and converted it into a glove factory. Later on the building was pur- 
 chased and greatly enlarged by its present occupants, J. H. Decker, 
 Son & Company. The firm of Rowles & Mister continued until 1870,. 
 
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GLOVE MANUFACTURERS. 297 
 
 when the junior member retired and removed to Virginia. In 1875 
 Mr. Rowles moved his factory to the present location on East Main 
 street. He died Marcii 29, 1889, and the business has since been con- 
 ducted by his son. There were manufactured at this factory during 
 1891 about 4,000 dozen pairs. 
 
 C. M. Rowell, 33 and 35 North Market street, manufactures gloves 
 and mittens, making a specialty of Indian tan buckskin gloves and mit- 
 tens, and woolen mittens faced or palmed with leather. In the latter 
 line Mr. Rowell has been the largest manufacturer in the county for 
 several years, making from 12,000 to 15,000 dozen pairs a year of 
 these goods. The business was established by Mr. Rowell in 1874 on 
 South Market street. The building he now occupies is 33 by 70 feet 
 in area and three stories high. He employs from twenty to thirty work- 
 ers and manufactured about 10,000 dozen pairs in 1891. He is also con- 
 nected with the Rowell Glove Company whose offices are at Waterloo,, 
 Iowa, which city is made a distributing point of the company. 
 
 M. B. Vosburgh, 100 South Market street, corner Clinton avenue, 
 manufactures a general line of kid, sheep-skin, mocha and buckskin 
 gloves. Mr. Vosburgh began the manufacture of gloves in 1874 on 
 South Melcher street, removing afterward to a location on Clinton 
 street, whence he moved to his present quarters in April, 189b. The 
 building he now occupies is the old Frothingham homestead, one of 
 the oldest buildings in the village, having been built in the year 
 1 8 16 by Benjamin Chamberlain. Seven cutters are employed in Mr. 
 Vosburgh's shop, but the gloves are all sewed outside. About 12,000- 
 dozen pairs were made by him in 1891. 
 
 Bernard Putnam, 24 South Melcher street, manufactures medium 
 and heavy weight gloves for laboring men, including kid and patent 
 dressed stocks. Mr. Putnam began making gloves in 1876 and has 
 carried on his business in its present location from the start. Henry 
 W. Potter was associated with him as partner during 1876 and W. S. 
 Pierson during the year 1879. Mr. Putnam made 3,000 dozen pairs in, 
 1891. 
 
 William Windsor & Son, manufacturers of fine kid gloves and mit- 
 tens, are located at 322^ West Main street. The business was be- 
 gun by William Windsor in 1873 at 123 Main street. He received as- 
 38 
 
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298 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 a partner his son, Arthur A. Windsor, in 1892, and the firm of William 
 Windsor & Son was thus established. They manufacture about 1,500 
 dozen pairs during the year. 
 
 George R. Smith occupies the ground floor of the building at 13 
 West Green street. He manufactures a ladies' fine kid glove which is 
 intended to take the place of Perrin's imported goods. Mr. Smith be- 
 gan business on Main street in 1879 where he remained until 1881, 
 when the firm of Smith & Penny was formed, the junior member being 
 Albert Penny. They moved their business to the brick block on 
 Melcher street now occupied by Stewart & Briggs. In December, 1887, 
 Mr. Smith purchased the interest of Mr. Penny and has since conducted 
 the business alone. He has occupied his present location since January 
 I, 1889. He manufactured about 1,800 dozen pairs in 1891. 
 
 Hall & Van Sickler manufacture kid gloves and mittens at 4 West 
 Green street. The business was established by them in 1875 at 14 
 West Green. They have occupied their present location since early in 
 1886. The firm is composed of George Hall and C. H. Van Sickler. 
 
 The glove factory of Emenzo Bradt is located at No. i Gilbert street. 
 The business was established in 1877 by Nelson Vrooman and Emenzo 
 Bradt on East State street. The firm was known as Vrooman & Bradt, 
 and continued under that style for seven years. The partnership was 
 dissolved in January, 1884, and Mr. Bradt erected a factory at the rear 
 of his residence on Gilbert street. He has since made two additions to 
 the original building, one in 1889 and another in 1891. Eight workers 
 are employed in the shop, but all gloves are made outside. 
 
 Nelson Vrooman, glove manufacturer, is located at 108 and 1 10 South 
 Market street. Mr. Vrooman has been connected with the glove in- 
 dustry in its various branches for a period of forty years, having begun 
 to make buckskin gloves by hand when scarcely six years of age. He 
 first engaged as a manufacturer in the fall of 1876, being then located 
 at what is now No. 3 South Melcher street and having Emenzo Bradt 
 as partner. The firm of Vrooman & Bradt continued seven years, the 
 business being removed in 1877 to a factory on Church street, and in 
 1878 to No. 2 West State street where they remained four years. In 
 the fall of 1883 Mr. Vrooman purchased his partner's entire interest and 
 established himself alone, removing to what is now the rear of 121 South 
 
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GLOVE MANUFACTURERS. 299 
 
 Melcher street, where he was located one year. He then hired a shop 
 that stood on Melcher street, directly opposite Gilbert street, removing 
 to what was known as Northrup's red siiop on South Market street in 
 the rear of the Dutch Reformed church. In the fall of 1886 he pur- 
 chased the old Academy property on Market street and remodeled it 
 into a glove factory and has occupied it as such ever since. Mr. Vroo- 
 man employs in the factory about twenty operatives, nine being 
 glove cutters. His goods are all made outside the factory by farmers' 
 wives amd daughters to the number of seventy-five or one hundred per- 
 sons. He manufactures a style of glove known as fleshers, kid and 
 yellow grained leather, made up into seventy or eighty different styles. 
 Mr. Vrooman began by making about 3,500 dozen pairs per annum at 
 a value of $15,000 and has gradually increased his capacity until, in 
 1891, his output has reached 15,000 dozen at a value of $60,000. 
 
 Thomas Davies, glove manufacturer, occupies the west half of the 
 building at 3 and 5 Church street. Mr. Davies established himself as 
 a manufacturer in 1875 in the building now occupied by the Johns- 
 town Republican office, remaining there for nearly fifteen years. In 
 October, 1889, he purchased the Jacob Miller property on Church 
 street, which he repaired and remodeled and has occupied the building 
 together with the Johnstown Electric Light and Power Company since- 
 early in 1890. Mr. Davies chiefly manufactures driving gloves and 
 employs twenty workers. He made about 2,200 dozen pairs in. 1891. 
 
 James D. Pierson, manufactures gloves at 10 West Green street. 
 The business was established about i860, by the late James Dunn, who 
 was at different times associated with John Plantz, Matthew Bearcroft, 
 and later on Abram V. Pierson. The firm of Dunn & Pierson contin- 
 ued until 1880, when Mr. Pierson withdrew and the establishment was 
 carried on by Mr. Dunn until his death, which occurred in July, 1889. 
 James D. Pierson has conducted the factory since that time. He man- 
 ufactures domestic kid gloves of all grades, and made 500 dozen pairs in 
 1 89 1. 
 
 Edward H. Smith manufactures fine gloves and mittens at 31 South 
 Perry street. He engaged in the manufacture of gloves March i,. 
 1876, and at that time was located on West Clinton street, where he 
 remained about one year. He purchased the property he now occu- 
 
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300 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 pies in the fall of 1882. Mr. Smith makes a specialty of fine table cut 
 goods and turned out 800 dozen pairs in 1891. 
 
 Mark L. Hambridge & Company occupy the building at 39 South 
 Perry street. This business was established in 1876, by M. L. Ham- 
 bridge and G. H. Wheadon, on West Main street. The firm of Ham- 
 bridge & Wheadon continued about nine years. In January 1885, the 
 present firm was formed and has carried on the business to this date. 
 The firm manufacture an excellent line of fine castor gloves, lined and 
 unlined, and employ about thirty workers. 
 
 James H. Pierson, glove manufacturer, is located at 4 McMartin 
 street. He began the manufacture of gloves in 1879, on South Mar- 
 "ket street, where he remained about five years, removing to his present 
 location April i, 1884. He manufactures mens' and boys' T. B. gloves 
 and mittens, and a Plymouth band top glove. He made about 1,500 
 dozen pairs in 1891. 
 
 William H. Streeter, glove manufacturer, is located in the new build- 
 ing at 307 State street. Mr. Streeter began business in February, 1 89 1, 
 at 14 Cayadutta street. In November of the same year he erected the 
 factory in the rear of his residence, and has occupied the building since 
 the latter part of December. He manufactures a general line of fine 
 kid gloves and mittens and also mocha castors. He made about 2,200 
 dozen pairs in 1891. 
 
 Arthur T. Hallock, glove manufacturer, occupies the lower floor of 
 the Streeter mill at the corner of Mill and State streets. Mr. Hallock 
 began the manufacture of gloves in the rear of 4 McMartin street, No- 
 vember 26, 1890, at the age of eighteen years. His chief capital was 
 perseverance and integrity, and in less than six months felt the neces- 
 sity of more commodious quarters. He therefore, in July, 1891, re- 
 moved his business to the premises he now occupies and the capacity 
 of his shop has increased from the limited number of pairs which he 
 himself could cut, to the product of eight cutters, whom he now em- 
 ploys. He manufactures sheep-skin gloves and mittens exclusively and 
 made about 5.000 dozen pairs in 1891. 
 
 Stewart & Briggs, glove manufacturers, ^re located at 5 North Mel- 
 cher street. The firm is composed of James Stewart and William T. 
 Briggs, the former having been the junior partner of the firm of Ray- 
 
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GLOVE MANUFACTURERS. 301 
 
 mond & Stewart. Upon the death of William H. Raymond in 1890, 
 the present firm was established, its existence dating from January i, 
 of that year. Both members of the firm are descendants from pioneer 
 families of Montgomery and Fulton counties, and have built up an en- 
 viable standard of quality for their goods. The building they occupy 
 is a brick structure 40 X 100 feet in area, three floors and basement. 
 They make a general line of light and heavy goods for ladies' and 
 gents' wear, catering especially to the retail trade. They employ 
 eighty to a hundred workers, of whom one half are employed in the fac- 
 tory. The firm does a business of from $100,000 to $150,0000 annu- 
 ally. 
 
 George B. Wayne manufactures gloves at 18 South William street. 
 He first engaged in this business on South Market street in 1881, at 
 the age of twenty- two years, and has occupied his present location 
 since January, 1883. He manufactures a line of heavy goods, well 
 known to the trade, consisting mostly of deer, calf, goat, hog skins and 
 Saranac and Spanish sheep. He made about 3,000 dozen pairs in 
 1891. His first deposit was $50.00 in the First National Bank in 1880, 
 giving his note for the purchase of the stock of Captain Thomas Wayne, 
 his uncle, who first started the business in 1866. Mr. Wayne has been 
 successful, although meeting with many losses, but having the spirit of 
 General Anthony Wayne, with firm determination he has overcome 
 many financial difficulties. 
 
 Peckham, Powell & Co., 31 South Market street, are glove manufact- 
 urers. The business was established in 1880 by S. C. Peckham and 
 W. E. Powell, and that partnership continued until January, 1892, when 
 F. D. Oliver was received as a member of the firm. They confine 
 themselves to a line of heavy and medium weight gloves and mittens, 
 and sell their goods direct to the retailers. The firm handle about 
 12,000 dozen pairs per annum. 
 
 J. P. Miller & Co., glove manufacturers, are located at 32 South 
 Melcher street. The business was established in 1864 by John Stewart 
 and J. P. Miller, the firm of Stewart & Miller continuing until 1875, at 
 which time Mr. Stewart retired and Mr. Miller conducted the business 
 alone until 1889. Charles A. Miller (a son), and William P. Miller (a 
 nephew), were then received into the firm as partners, but no change 
 
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302 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 has been made since. The firm manufactures a general line of both 
 light and heavy gloves, and the average annual output is about 20,000 
 dozen pairs. Employment is furnished to sixty workers inside and be- 
 tween fifteen and twenty outside. 
 
 M. Wade & Son, 12 West Montgomery street, are manufacturers of 
 gloves and mittens. This business was established in Ephratah in 1857 
 and removed to Johnstown in 1861. Frank B. Wade was received as 
 a partner in 1889. The firm has confined itself more particularly to 
 the manufacture of leather harvest mittens and gloves, and their output 
 averages about 6,000 dozen per year. 
 
 S. E. Trumbull manufactures all kinds of light and heavy gloves at 
 21 South Market street. This business was established by Peter R. 
 Simmons, who began making gloves in Rockwood, and moved his 
 establishment to Johnstown about ten years ago. Mr. Simmons died 
 in 1881, and Mr. Trumbull purchased the business in September, 1881, 
 and conducted it at Rockwood until January i, 1883, when he removed 
 it to Johnstown. In 189 1 he also purchased the stock and tools of 
 Banta & Quibert, who had been engaged in glove making in the same 
 building about two years, although prior to that they had been in busi- 
 ness in Johnstown for several years. Mr. Trumbull also manufactures 
 paper boxes in the same factory. He was for a time associated in this 
 branch of the business with Nelson Vrooman, but during the past six- 
 teen years has conducted the establishment alone. There are employed, 
 in the factory sixty operatives. About 10,000 dozens of gloves and 
 mittens were made at this shop in 1891. 
 
 E. J. Lucas, 19 West State street, manufactures fine gloves exclu- 
 sively. Mr. Lucas learned his trade in England and came to Johns- 
 town and began business for himself in the latter part of 1890. He 
 has had the benefit of experience with some of the best manufacturers. 
 
 Riton Brothers, glove manufacturers, are located at 1 1 1 North Perry 
 street. The firm is composed of Charles J. and Eugene Riton, and a 
 specialty of fine overstitched goods is made. They began business on 
 Melcher street in 1887, and have occupied their present location since 
 January i, 1891. 
 
 William J. Larcombe, manufacturers fine gloves at 118 East Main, 
 street. He began on East Main stree.t near the old co-operative shop- 
 
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GLOVE MANUFACTURERS. 303 
 
 in 1885 and the following year was in partnership with Stephen E. 
 Walrath for about eight months. He makes a specialty of ladies' real 
 kid foster lacing and gauntlet gloves, and turned out 500 dozen pairs 
 in 1 89 1. 
 
 George Geary, glove manufacturer, occupies the brick building No. 
 27 South William street. He began manufacturing on West Clinton 
 street in 1876. In 1885 he formed a partnership with Louis Jennison 
 which lasted two years. He has occupied his present factory since 
 January, 1887. Mr. Geary makes a specialty of fine goods, and turned 
 out 3,000 dozen pairs in 1891. 
 
 J. I. McMartin's Sons, glove manufacturer.";, are located at 3 East 
 Clinton avenue. This business was established by James I. McMartin, 
 prior to 1843, ^e continuing in the business during the remainder of his 
 life. The firm of J. I. McMartin & Sons was established in January, 
 1 88 1, at that time Daniel, Eli P., and Archibald McMartin were received 
 into partnership. The following year, James Martin (the youngest son) 
 was also made a partner, and in January, 1883, Daniel McMartin, the 
 eldest son, withdrew his interest and the business was conducted by the 
 father and three remaining sons until the death of the former, which 
 occurred January 2, 1888. It was at that time the present firm name 
 was adopted. Eli P. McMartin died May 17, 1891. The firm man- 
 ufacture a general line but make aspecialty of medium weight and heavy 
 buckskin goods. Their product has been long and favorably known 
 to the trade and they have recently (1892) registered as their trade mark 
 the initial M enclosed in a diamond, which they have used for several 
 years past as a distinctive brand for their goods. 
 
 Chapman Brothers manufacture California leather, Saranac and buck- 
 skin gloves at 37 East Main street. The firm is composed of George 
 H. and William F. Chapman. George Chapman succeeded to the 
 business of Northrup, Richards & Company, which firm has been in 
 operation in Broadalbin for nearly thirty years. He removed to Johns- 
 town in 1890 and William F. Chapman became a partner the following 
 year. They made 2,000 dozen pairs in 1891. 
 
 Andrews & Johns, glove manufacturers, occupy the rear premises of 
 Nos. 7 and 9 McMartin street. The firm consists of G. S. Andrews 
 and J. Johns, who started the present business January r, 1892. They 
 
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304 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 make a medium grade of gloves, including specialties in jersey cloth 
 goods. 
 
 William D. Foote, manufacturer of all kinds of fur gloves, began 
 business in 1868 as a manufacturer of buckskin goods He lias been 
 located in his present quarters since 1875 and made about 600 dozen 
 pairs during 1891. 
 
 F. J. Raymond & Son, manufacturers of fine kid gloves and mittens. 
 No. 9 Green street and 7 Smith street. The enterprising and prosper- 
 ous firm of F. J. Raymond & Son, manufacturers of fine kid gloves and 
 mittens, whose products have secured an enduring hold on popular 
 favor all over the United States, owing to the uniformly high standard 
 of excellence at which they are maintained, was established in 1886. 
 The success that has attended the enterprise from its inception fully 
 attests the superiority of the articles manufactured as well as the energy 
 and ability displayed in the management of the same. 
 
 The factory which, is located on Green and Smith streets, is a large 
 and commodious two story building one hundred feet in length, fitted 
 up with electric motor power and thoroughly equipped with new and 
 improved machinery, furnishing steady employment to a number of 
 skilled operators in the various departments. 
 
 John D. Lefler, manufacturer of a general lineof light and heavy gloves, 
 30 North Market street, began business January I, 1888. He now em- 
 ploys about fifty workers and made 5,000 dozen pairs in 1891. 
 
 Among others who are engaged in the manufacture of gloves in Johns- 
 town may be mentioned Hewitt & Hillock, 113 North Perry street, 
 whose business was established in January 1889; John M. Dougall, 
 100 West Green street, began business with Albert Penny in 1889, and 
 has been a leather manufacturer since 1878 ; James H. Foote, 211 South 
 Perry street, first engaged as a manufacturer in 1888. A few other 
 names might be added but lack of space prevents detailed mention. 
 
 Leather Manufacturers. — ^J. Q. Adams, manufacturer of glove leather, 
 is located at 9, 11, 13 Adams avenue. He first engaged in this busi- 
 ness in 1864, doing beam work and Indian dressing only. He was at 
 that time located in a shop on West Fulton street where he remained 
 about four years, removing thence to the rear of 5 Green street, where 
 he had a small shop in which he did Indian dressing and also dealt in. 
 
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LEATHER MANUFACTURERS. 305 
 
 skins. In 1875 he erected a leather mill on the property and operated 
 it for fourteen years. It was burned in March, 1891, some years after 
 Mr. Adams had vacated it. In August, 1866, he purchased the prop- 
 erty known as the " Webber Mill " and this, with several large additions, 
 constitutes his present plant. The main structure is 120 feet in length, 
 50 feet in width and three and a half stories high. A beam shop 
 built in 1888, 30 by 50 feet, contains sixteen vats. During the winter 
 of 1891 an addition 30 by 76 was built on the south and is used as a 
 wareroom, for storing the skins in the raw state. On the west side of 
 the mill is another storehouse 25 by 70 in area, for the storing of oil 
 and unfinished skins. There is also a beam shop with eighteen vats 
 located at 29 Beaver street which also furnishes skins for this mill. The 
 latter is fully equipped with stocks, drums, paddles, etc., for tanning and 
 coloring ; also breaking, staking and finishing machines for the more 
 advanced stages of the process, and the large dry rooms on the third 
 floor are fitted with 1,800 feet of steam pipe. It is operated by a one 
 hundred horse-power steam engine and a fifty horse-power water- 
 wheel. About 400 barrels of oil are used at this mill annually. Em- 
 ployment is furnished to forty-five men and the plant has a capacity of 
 250,000 to 300,000 skins per annum. The product includes hog, East 
 India elk. Rocky Mountain elk, all kinds of deer skins; sheep, horse- 
 hide, cow-hide, and the various kinds of goat skins used in the leather 
 trade. Mr. Adams was the first man to dress hog- skins with the 
 grain on in Johnstown and has been remarkably successful with this 
 grade of skins. 
 
 J. V. & C. King, manufacturers of all kinds of glove leather, have an 
 extensive plant at the foot of Miller street. This business was begun 
 by J. V. King in January, 1867. He began tanning leather in what 
 was known as the " Old Swamp Mill " near Gioversville. He remained 
 there three years, removing then to the T. W. & I. Miller mill. He 
 occupied the latter eleven years and in 1876 received his son, Charles 
 King, into partnership. On August 3, 1891, the firm purchased of 
 David D. Miller the property they now occupy. The first mill on this 
 property burned July 30, 1883, but another was immediately erected to 
 fill its place. Disastrous fire again visited the King property Decem- 
 ber 28, 1886, destroying the new mill, but the present buildings were 
 39 
 
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3o6 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 erected at once and were in operation in six weeks Tlie main building 
 is 40 by 176 in area and three and one-half stories in height, and con- 
 nected with it are beam houses and other ntcessarj' buildings. The 
 forty-six lime vats have a capacity of 25,000 skins and the whole mill 
 is fitted with the most approved machinery for the successful production 
 of glove leather. About fifty barrels of egg yolk and four hundrtd 
 barrels of oil are used at this mill annually. The plant has a total ca- 
 pacity of 300,000 skins per annum. Between forty and sixty workers 
 are employed. 
 
 Maylander Bros., dealers in and dressers of glove leather of every 
 description, are located on Maple avenue. The firm at present consists 
 of L. K. Maylander and William H. Maylander. The business was es- 
 tablished by Max Maylander, in 1868. The original mill, built in 1868, 
 was 26 by 40 feet in area and two stories high. An addition was built 
 in 1877, 20 by 26, and another in 1887, 26 by 40. In 1891 the busi- 
 ness had so increased that still another addition, 24 by 40, was necessary, 
 and in 1892 still another addition, 26 by 90, four stories. The mill 
 contains several large drums and wringing machines, besides other ex- 
 pensive and improved machinery used in the manufacture of finer 
 grades of kid leather for gloves. Twenty- eight workers are employed 
 and the capacity is about 12,000 dozen skins per annum. The product 
 includes the various kinds of kid dressed sheep and lamb-skins, and the 
 firm make a specialty of the craven tan. Until recently it was supposed 
 that this leather could only be made in Europe, but the American 
 product is now judged by some manufacturers to be superior to the im- 
 ported article. 
 
 Henry D. McConkey, manufacturer of glove and shoe leather, is 
 located on Park Place, and receives excellent water power from Caya- 
 dutta creek. Mr. McConkey purchased this property in 1889. It 
 was known as the "Anderson Mill." He at once began the erection of 
 the present mill, which is a frame building 50 by 150 feet in area, with 
 an " L," both structures being four stories high with basement The 
 mill throughout is fitted with stocks, paddles, drums, breaking, staking 
 and finishing machinery of the most improved pattern. The entire 
 third floor is devoted to drying the skins and is equipped with the 
 Blakeman system, which consists of a 43 -inch exhaust fan and two 
 
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LEATHER MANUFACTURERS. 307 
 
 banks of steam pipes. The product of Mr. McConkey's mill includes 
 buckskin, mocha castors, chamois, yellow and kid leather for gloves, 
 and dongola leather for shoes, and its total capacity is about 1,000 
 skins per day. 
 
 The Mills Leather Company occupy the "Old Red Mill ". at 
 the corner of Washington and Mill streets. This company is com- 
 posed of the Mills Brothers, of Gloversville, who began business here as. 
 manufacturers of glove leather exclusively, January i, 1892. This mill 
 is one of the old landmarks of Johnstown and has a capacity of 300,000 
 skins per year. It is fitted with two overshot water wheels which have 
 a combined capacity equal to one hundred horse power. 
 
 William Topp, leather and glove manufacturer, is located at the cor- 
 ner of North Perry and Miller streets. Mr. Topp began the manufact- 
 ure of gloves and the tanning of leather on a very small scale in the 
 year 1877, on the site of his present factory. His first specialty was an 
 Indian tan, one finger harvest mitten, which was the first time this par- 
 ticular leather was ever manufactured into this style. Mr. Topp en- 
 larged from time to time his capacity for tanning different grades of 
 leather, until his output included shoe kid, dongola goat, kangaroo, calf 
 and sheep, calf kid, glove kid, yellow and Indian tan, sheep, lamb and 
 calf-skins His first steam leather mill was erected in 1882, and was- 
 destroyed by fire September 20, 1887. A new mill was immediately 
 built, which shared a similar fate, in August, 1888. The present mill is 
 larger then either of its predecessors and was built on the same site. 
 It is 40x75 feet in area, two stories high with basement, the tanning 
 of the leather taking place in this latter apartment. The drying and 
 finishing is accomplished on the upper floors where special machinery- 
 is used. The glove factory is a two story building located directly 
 west of the leather mill. Thirty workers, including ten cutters, are em- 
 ployed in the former, and about fifteen in the latter. Mr. Topp manu- 
 factures heavy and light gloves, making a specialty of one finger mit- 
 tens, as well as Brazilian beaver fur gloves. In leather he makes the 
 yellow and Indian tan, kid, craven tan in both sheep and lamb, and 
 white and yellow calf. For the shoe trade he makes among other 
 leathers, kid, dongola goat, kangaroo, calf and sheep kid in dongola fin- 
 ish. His capacity for tanning sheep stock is 1,200 dozen skins per 
 
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3o8 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 month. Mr. Topp manufactured about 14,000 dozen pairs of gloves 
 and mittens in 1891. 
 
 Guibert & Lauret, leather dressers and colorers, until recently occu- 
 pied the Simon Schriver mill at 22 East Green street. This building 
 wag burned April 8, 1892. The firm is composed of Eugene A. Gui- 
 bert and Louis Lauret, who established the business in 1890. They 
 make mocha castors, kid and chamois leather of a superior quality and 
 have a capacity of 2,000 skins per week. Thirty- five workers are em- 
 ployed in the factory. Prior to embarking in the leather business Mr. 
 Guibert had been engaged in the manufacture of gloves with James A. 
 Banta in Johnstown for several years, and was conversant with the 
 various kinds of glove leather. Mr. Lauret is an experienced leather 
 manufacturer, who came to Johnstown from Millau, France, as did also 
 Mr. Guibert. The firm are building. a factory larger than the one 
 above mentioned, in the city of Gloversville, and they now reside in 
 that place. 
 
 Roucoules & Limousin, leather dressers and colorers, occupy a mill 
 on Bridge street. The business was established by Emile Roucoules in 
 1883. He confined himself at that time to coloring leather and was 
 located on East Main street, afterwards removing to a shop on Melcher 
 street. In the spring of 1889 the firm erected the mill they now oc- 
 cupy. The main building is a frame structure, thirty-two by ninety 
 feet in area, three stories high. The tanning, beam work and coloring 
 are all done on the ground floor, as is also the finishing of undressed 
 kid suede. The upper floors are used for knee staking, finishing and 
 drying. They are at present (1892) erecting a three -story 85 x 26 ad- 
 dition to their main building, for a coloring shop, which will be com- 
 pleted by the middle of June or thereabouts, and will utilize the main 
 building for beam work and tanning. Will employ a force of 125 to 
 150 hands and will turn out double the work they have been doing. 
 The firm manufactures leather for fine gloves almost exclusively, mak- 
 ing a specialty of mocha castor. They have recently begun the manu- 
 facture of a domestic sheep and lamb-skin, dressed in a castor, which 
 they call American castor. Both members of the firm learned their 
 trade in France. They employ from fifty- five to sixty operatives and 
 turn out about 700 skins per day. 
 
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LEATHER MANUFACTURERS. 309 
 
 Styir & Behlen, leatlier manufacturers, are located at the rear of 27 
 West State street. The members of the firm are John Styer and 
 Frederick Hehlen, who established the business in 1884. Their mill is 
 a three-storj' frame building^, twenty-two by eighty feet in area. The 
 tannin<j is done on the ground floor and fifteen men are employed in 
 tile establishment. For the past three years the firm have turned out 
 15,000 doztn skins per annum. They dress all kinds of domestic glove 
 leather, making a specialty of yellow tan leather and kid. 
 
 Thompson, Lord & Company, leather manufacturers, occupy a square 
 bounded by Fulton street. Mill street, the F. J. & G., railway tracks 
 and Cayadutta creek. The firm is composed of A. W. Thompson 
 and Thomas Lord, both residents of Boston, and their salesroom and 
 offices are located at 38 and 40 High street in that city. The firm 
 established itself in Johnstown in January, 1890. The dimensions of 
 the main building are 30 x 125 feet, three and a half stories high, with a 
 tower, brick boiler and engine house and drying sheds. There are six- 
 teen vats in the beam house and when completed there will be in opera- 
 tion twelve paddles, three drums, and one set of stocks. The second 
 floor is devoted to finishing. In this part of the process the staking, 
 glazing, breaking and finishing is done, all being accomplished on special 
 machinery. The third floor is used exclusively for drying and is fitted 
 with a Sturtevant heater and blower. By this S3'stem the temperature 
 in the drying room is kept at one hundred degrees Fahrenheit. The 
 building is lighted by electricity, and when the new addition and 
 machinery are completed and in operation, the plant will have cost 
 $20,000. Seventy-five men are employed, and the mill is turning out 
 one hundred dozen skins per day. The product consists entirely of shoe 
 leather and includes kangaroo calf, seal goat, dull dongola, and glazed 
 kid, made from various species of skins. 
 
 E. Ackerknecht, manufacturer of kid leather, is located at 121 Wash- 
 ington and 124 Fulton street. This business was established by Ferdi- 
 nand Ackerknecht, father of the present proprietor, in 1858. He was 
 first located at the corner of Water and Mill streets. His son became 
 associated with him about fifteen years ago, and since 1883 he has con- 
 ducted the establishment alone. The mill he now occupies was built in 
 March, 1891, taking the place of an old mill which was torn down to 
 
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3IO HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 make room for its successor. The main building is 40 x 60 feet in area^ 
 four stories high with garret. The tanning is done on the ground floor 
 of the main building, the drying, knee-staking and the finishing is done 
 on the second floor, and the arm-staking and fleshing on the third floor ; 
 while the fourth is used as a drying and stock room. Twenty workers 
 are employed and about 140 dozen skins are manufactured per week. 
 The product consists chiefly of domestic lamb and sheep-skins, suitable 
 for fine gloves. Mr. Ackerknecht also deals in egg yolk. 
 
 Eli Cool, manufacturer of kid and yellow glove leather, is located at 
 41 Cayadutta street. This business was established by Cool & Adams 
 in 1872 and continued by them until 1883 when the partnership was 
 dissolved and Mr. Cool began on his own account. The mill building 
 is 22 feet by 50 with an " L" 55 feet in width, all built of wood and 
 three and one half stories in height. Employment is furnished to 
 thirteen men and about 5,000 dozen skins were turned out last year. 
 
 Isaac Morris, importer of Ellstatter's glove leather, 16 and 18 More 
 block. East Main street, about three years ago established his present 
 importing business. He gives his entire attention to imported leather, 
 and handles no domestic stock whatever. His specialties include dipped 
 leather, colt skins, suedes, and all classes and grades of lamb-skins used 
 for ladies' and gentlemen's fine gloves. The leather is commonly known 
 among manufacturers as " Ellstatter's " leather, named after the founder 
 of the factory, which is located at Muhlburg, Baden, Germany. It is 
 now designated as the "Glace Leder Fabrik" and is used by the first 
 manufacturers of Europe and America, being noted for its softness, 
 mellowness, as well as its beautiful shades of color. Mr. Morris is the 
 largest importer of glove leather in America. 
 
 Joseph Vorel, leather dresser, is located at 337 West Main street- 
 This business was begun by Joseph Vorel & Company in 1883, and 
 continued by them until 1885, when Mr. Vorel left Johnstown about 
 five years, acting in the mean time as foreman for different factories in 
 various places. He returned, however, in 1889, ^nd re-established the 
 leather dressing business under the firtn name of Vorel & Company, 
 having as partners his father, Joseph Vorel, and brother-in-law Frank 
 Schos. This firm conducted the enterprise two years, when Charles 
 Miller was received as a partner, and the firm of Vorel & Miller thus- 
 
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LEATHER MANUFACTURERS. 311 
 
 formed. This arrangement continued only six months when Mr. Vorel 
 purchased his partner's interest and carried on the business alone ever 
 since. Mr. Vorel is at present engaged in dressing mocha kid, mocha 
 castor, craven tan, domestic kid, fleshers, and imitation of buckskin 
 leather. The mill has a capacity of thirty-five dozen per day, and em- 
 ployment is furnished to about twelve men. 
 
 John W. Hagadorn, leather manufacturer, operates a mill on Town- 
 send avenue. The business was established in 1874 by N. T. Web- 
 ber and John W. Hagadorn, in a mill at the foot of Montgomery street. 
 This firm continued until 1881, when the partnership was dissolved and 
 Mr. Hagadorn has since conducted the business alone. In 1884 he 
 rented his present mill of Townsend & Yale, of New York, and in 1889 
 purchased the mill and nine acres of ground adjoining. He makes a 
 specialty of buckskin leather and turns out between 100,000 and 150,- 
 000 deer skins a year, furnishing employment to about twenty- two 
 laborers. 
 
 S. E. Walrath, leather dresser, is located at No. 1 1 3 and 1 1 5 Wash- 
 ington avenue. He first engaged in the manufacture of leather in 1887, 
 having been in the glove business three years prior to that day. In the 
 spring of 1889 he erected a frame mill 25 x 50 feet, four stories. To 
 accommodate his growing business he built in December, 1891, an ad- 
 dition to his mill, and incorporated numerous additional facilities. His 
 ground floor is devoted to wringing, tanning and coloring. On the 
 second floor is the office, stock and finishing room, and also accommo- 
 dations for the knee and arm stakers. The third and fourth floors are 
 given up to drying rooms. Employment is given to about sixteen 
 workers, and the mill has a capacity of several hundred dozens of skins 
 per month. "The product consists of domestic sheep and lamb-skins, 
 tanned and colored in all shades. 
 
 John De Garmo, leather manufacturer, is located in the northern part 
 of the village between Grove and Mill streets. Mr. De Garmo first en- 
 gaged in the leather business in 1890, after having been a prominent 
 retail grocer of Johnstown for six years. He occupies two mill build- 
 ings ; the engine room, and the wringing and tanning department are 
 located on the ground floor of the main building, and on the second 
 floor of which the white leather is dried and also the knee and arm 
 
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3t2 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 staking is done. The cold drying rooms are on the upper floor. The 
 hot air drying is effected by circulating steam pipes and an e.vliaust fan. 
 The establishment furnishes employment to thirty- five workers, and the 
 mill is turning out from 700 to 900 dozen of choice kid skins per 
 month. 
 
 The factory of Lebenheim & Company, manufacturers of glove and 
 shoe leather, is situated on the west side of Factory street near the foot 
 of Montgomery. The business was established in 1881, by E. Nollain' 
 & Company, in the mill now occupied by Thompson, Lord & Com- 
 pany. In 1885 the firm moved to the old factory building just north 
 of their present mill, where they remained about six years. In 1886 
 the firm name was changed to Lebenheim & Company, and the build- 
 ing they now occupy was erected in 1891. The tanning is done in the 
 basement which contains fourteen vats. On the first floor, eleven pad- 
 dles and six drums are in operation, with two double sets of stocks. 
 The finishing and drying take place on the upper floors of the building. 
 Between thirty and forty workers are employed and one hundred dozen' 
 skins are manufactured each day. The shoe leather made at this mill 
 consists of dry stock and calf, and the glove leather is known as the 
 "California tan." 
 
 Matthew Lynaugh, leather dresser, occupies the mill at 325 West 
 Montgomery street. This business was begun in 1891, under the firm 
 name of Sutliff & Lynaugh. On January i, 1892, Mr. Lynaugh pur- 
 chased the interest of W. M. Sutliff and has since then conducted the 
 mill alone. It is a two story frame building, 40x70 feet in area, on 
 the first floor of which are located seven double sets of stocks for mil- 
 ling oil and Indian dressed leather. The upper floor is used for a fin- 
 ishing room and coloring shop. The capacity of the mili'is about 80,- 
 000 skins per year, which consists principally of buckskin, sheep, and. 
 antelope tanned in both oil and fat liquor dressing. 
 
 A. M. Adams & Son, manufacturers of kid leather, are located at 
 the rear of I2 East Green street. The business of this firm was estab- 
 lished by A. M. Adams, on Water street in 1862, dressing milled, 
 leather. He remained there one year when he i "moved to a location 
 on West Fulton street, where he received as a partner C. N. Allsworth,, 
 the firm being styled Allsworth & Adams. They confined themselves- 
 
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LEATHER MANUFACTURERS. 315 
 
 entirely to beam work for two years, taking up the manufacture of kid 
 the third year. Mr. Adams then moved to Rockwood, where he was 
 in the milling business for two years, returning to Johnstown in Feb- 
 ruary, 1868. In 1869 he hired a part of the Stewart mill and dressed 
 milled leather there for one year. The firm of Cool & Adams was 
 then established, the junior partner being Eli Cool, of Johnstown. This 
 firm was engaged in buying, dressing and selling kid leather for thirteen 
 years. Mr. Cool withdrew in 1883 and Mr. Adams continued the 
 business alone until 1 890, when he received as a partner, his son, Frank 
 Adams. Father and son are experienced leather workers and to this 
 fact is due the gratifying success of their enterprise. The present mill 
 was built in 1873, several additions having since been made. Twelve 
 workers are employed and thirty to forty dozen of domestic kid are 
 manufactured each day. 
 
 John Carncross, manufacturer of oil dressed, Indian tan and yellow 
 leather, occupies the Stewart mill at the foot of West Montgomery 
 street. This business was established by George Miller and John Carn- 
 cross in 1878 on the opposite side of the creek. The firm of Miller & 
 Carncross carried on the business until 1880, when C. S. Wemple took 
 the interest of Mr. Miller and the firm of Carncross & Wemple was 
 formed, and continued until March, 1890, since which time the present 
 proprietor has conducted the business alone. This mill was built by 
 George Stewart and is fully equipped with' modern tanning machinery 
 and appliances and has the advantage of a never failing water-power.. 
 Mr. Carncross turned out 150,000 skins during 1891. 
 
 Delos Brower, leather manufacturer, is located at no North Market 
 street. He came to Johnstown in 1879 and began business in 1887, in 
 John Q. Adams' mill on Green street. Later on he moved to the- 
 Schriver mill on the same street, and to his present location in 1891. 
 The mill he now occupies was built by Barter & Whitmore in 1887 and 
 subsequently passed into the hands of George Maylander, who disposed 
 of it to Stone, Timlow & Company. Mr. Brower purchased it in No- 
 vember, 1890, and has since made several extensive additions. Reem- 
 ploys twenty-six workers and turns out forty-five dozen skins per day. 
 
 Stokes & Getman, dressers of glove leather, are located at 100 Wash- 
 ington street. The firm is composed of Oscar Stokes ^nd William. 
 
 40 
 
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314 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 Getman, who succeeded to the business of John Luther in August, 1891. 
 The firm manufactures glove leather from domestic sheep and lamb- 
 skins and turn out twenty dozens per day. 
 
 Mark M. Hall, leather dresser, 114 North Perry street, began busi- 
 ness in the fall of 1879, iii the " old yellow mill " recently purchased by 
 Miller, Argersinger & Company. At present he employs ten or twelve 
 men, and manufactured about 60,000 skins during 1891. 
 
 Miller, Argersinger & Company, manufacturers of glove leather, are 
 located at the corner of Mill and Water streets. This firm is composed 
 of Warren Miller, Leonard Argersinger and C. M. Putnam. The busi- 
 ness was originally established by Eli Argersinger and Warren Miller 
 in 1874 and was carried on by that firm until 1882. The present firm 
 is a consolidation of Miller & Putnam and Leonard Argersinger. They 
 occupied the " old red mill," belonging to David A. Wells, for seven 
 years, and purchased their present property of John E. Wells in 1887. 
 They have since made several additions and improvements and the 
 mill is fully equipped with modern machinery. The product in- 
 cludes the different classes of skins used in the manufacture of 
 gloves and the mill has a capacity for turning out a large amount 
 of leather. 
 
 Miscellaneous Manufactures. — Charles B. Knox, manufacturer of gel- 
 atine, is located on the line of the F. J. & G. railroad near the foot of 
 West Montgomery street. The factory building is 45 by 100, four 
 stories high, and was completed in December, 1890, at which time oper- 
 ations were begun in the chemical department. The raw material from 
 which gelatine is made comes from nearly all the leather mills in the 
 county, but the most desirable part of it consists of the skin of calves' 
 heads, and a few other portions of the animal which contain gelatine to 
 a large degree. It is first washed in clear spring water for twenty-four 
 hours, and then placed in a chemical bath which raises the grease to the 
 surface, after which it is treated with a solution of lime and soda for 
 eight weeks, to remove all impurities. It is then again placed in drums, 
 and washed thoroughly in spring water forty. eight hours, which makes 
 it as white and clear as a piece of paper. It then goes to the first floor 
 where the cooking is done. This process is accomplished in three 
 kettles, each having a capacity of one ton of gelatine. It is then drawn 
 
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MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURES. 315 
 
 off in the form of a liquid and pumped to the cooling room of the third 
 floor where, after having gone through four filters, the liquid is drawn 
 into metal-lined cooling boxes and is kept at a temperature of fifty de- 
 grees. It soon solidifies into jelly and is then taken to the cutting 
 room on the same floor where it is cut into sheets about 1-4 inch in 
 thickness and then spread by girls on cotton nets to dry. It is then 
 placed in the drying room, where with revolving fans and artificial heat 
 all moisture is evaporated. This room is kept at a temperature of sev- 
 enty degrees in one end and fifty degrees in the other, the sheets being 
 moved gradually toward the highest temperature. Then in the form 
 of oblong sheets of transparent gelatine, it goes to the fourth floor 
 where all perfect pieces are shredded and packed into small boxes for 
 table use. Any pieces that are imperfect in color and clearness are 
 ground in a large mill and sold as confectioner's gelatine and also for 
 decorator's use. The establishment furnishes employment to thirty- five 
 workers and the capacity averages one ton of product per day. Mr. 
 Knox's gelatine received the medal of superiority over all brands at the 
 American Institute fair in New York, held in October, 1891 ; also the 
 pure food exposition in Boston in 1891, and the same at Philadelphia 
 exposition last year. This is the only gelatine made in this country 
 which is positively free from all odor and taste. 
 
 The Brower Glue Manufacturing Company, whose works are located 
 on Maple avenue opposite the Maylander mill, succeeded to the busi- 
 ness of A. Brower & Son, who had been engaged in the manufacture of 
 glue for the past twenty-five years. The company operate two factor- 
 ies, one in Johnstown and the other in Gloversville. The manufacture 
 of glue in the locality of these two glove manufacturing centers depends 
 directly on the glove industry itself. The raw skms that are imported 
 to the leather dressers are divested at the beam shops of clippings from 
 their fleshy side, in order to make them uniform. These clippings con- 
 stitute the glue stock, known to the local trade as "pates." The process 
 used in making glue consists chiefly of thoroughly washing and boiling 
 the stock, but the fine quality of the product is almost wholly due to 
 patented processes and also years of experience. This company, as 
 organized in 1888, consists of A. Brower, A. D. Brower, W. W. Brower 
 and H. M. Brower. The output of Johnstown factory is about 7,000 
 pounds per week. 
 
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3i6 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 James I. Younglove is proprietor of a planing-mill and lumber yard 
 at No. 112-116 North Market street. It is the oldest established 
 planing-mill in the county and was built at a time when there were but 
 few houses in Johnstown as far north as the mill. The business was 
 begun by Spalding & Voorhees in 1856. At that time theWoodworth 
 rotary planer was about the only machine of its kind in use, and John 
 Gibson, of Albany, controlled the rights for certain territory in this 
 state. Spalding & Voorhees were compelled to pay him a royalty of 
 twenty-five per cent, of the gross earnings of the machine on all lumber 
 planed by it. In 1857 Andrew Spalding withdrew from the firm and 
 the Ijusiness was conducted by John H. Voorhees until i860, when the 
 firm became Voorhees & Younglove, James Younglove taking part in- 
 terest in the concern. Thus it continued until 1870, when Mr. Voor- 
 hees withdrew and went to Brooklyn. In 1873 James I. Younglove, a 
 son, was received as a partner, and the following year the firm style be- 
 came Younglove, Son & Co., by the addition of Amos Hess. In Janu- 
 ary, 1884, the present proprietor purchased his partners' interests and 
 ' has since conducted the enterprise alone. He manufactures sash, blinds 
 and doors, and for the past two years has been the only one doing this 
 class of work in the county. In connection with the mill he also con- 
 ducts a fully equipped lumber yard, and handles lime, cement, and 
 sewer-pipe. The mill has a capacity of 25,000 feet per day, and the 
 establishment has never been shut down on a working day since it was 
 first opened. 
 
 John E. Seaman & Co., 27, 29, 31 and 33 Chestnut street, are con- 
 tractors and builders, and deal in all kmds of building material. They 
 also operate in connection with their establishment a steam planing- 
 mill, in which are manufactured all kinds of mouldings, ceilings, floor- 
 ings, doors, sash and blinds, and adjoining the whole is a well- stocked 
 lumber yard. The business was established in 1856 by John E. Sea- 
 man, the present senior member of the firm. He was located for many 
 years at the corner of Smith and Market streets, and moved to his 
 present location in 1888. Philemon M. Simmons became a partner in 
 1872, after which the firm was known as John E. Seaman & Co., and 
 in 1888 James T. Seaman, a son of the senior member, was also received 
 into the firm. Messrs. Seaman & Co. have built a great share of 
 
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MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURERS. 3.7 
 
 Johnstown's finest residences and business buildings, including the 
 greater part of the brick blocks on Main street, and many of the hand- 
 some dwellings on South William and other prominent thoroughfares. 
 Within the past few years the firm has furnished many towns in various 
 parts of the state with folding booths for voting purposes, as required 
 by the new election law. Notable among these contracts were all the 
 booths used in Fulton and Hamilton counties. 
 
 L. Stephenson, general retail lumber dealer, conducts extensive yards 
 at the corner of State, Mill and Washington streets. The business was 
 established by Mr. Stephenson in 1867, and the venture was fully war- 
 ranted by the fact that he had been connected with the lumber business 
 in Johnstown since 1855. He has occupied his present location for the 
 past ten or twelve years. Aside from a general jobbing trade in all 
 kinds of lumber building material, Mr. Stephenson conducts a fully 
 equipped planing-mill, which furnishes employment to eight workers and 
 is fitted with modern machinery for planing, moulding, scroll sawing 
 and turning. Sash, doors and blinds are also manufactured, and con- 
 tractors are supplied on short notice. 
 
 Jonah Hess, contractor and builder, 404 West Main street, began 
 business in the year 1874 under the firm name of Moyer & Hess. This 
 partnership continued three years, when Mr. Hess purchased his part- 
 ner's interest, and has since then conducted the business alone. He 
 has built many of Johnstown's best residences and public buildings, in- 
 cluding the Methodist, Episcopal and Baptist churches, the latter now 
 in process of erection. He conducts a well equipped shop, which has 
 been enlarged from time to time, and at present contains seven wood- 
 working machines, operated by a ten horse electric motor, and furnishes 
 employment to six or eight men. The shop has a capacity for turning 
 out doors, mouldings, counters and store fixtures, together with other 
 general wood-working material. In his building operations Mr. Hess 
 furnishes employment to about twenty carpenters. His office and 
 warerooms are located at 2 2 Cayadutta street. 
 
 The Royal Knitting Company, 9 and 1 1 South Melcher street, suc- 
 ceeded the firm of Potter Brothers in 1891. This business was estab- 
 lished in 1884 by E. L. and J. L. Potter, who began making glove sup- 
 plies at 23 South William street. After moving to their present quarters 
 
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3i8 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 in 1889 they at once began the manufacture of yarn mittens. The 
 present company was incorporated June i, 1891, with a capital stock 
 of $5,000 and the following officers: C. M. Putnam, president; C. H. 
 Merrill, vice-president ; E. Bradt, secretary, who with E. L. and J. L. 
 Potter, form the board of directors. On June 15, 1891, the company 
 began making knit gloves and at present they are turning out about 
 twenty-five dozen per day and are furnishing employment to thirty- 
 eight hands. 
 
 S. Boehnlein conducts a naptha process mill on Maple avenue, about 
 I -4 of a mile north of the Maylander mill. The business was established 
 by the Maylanders in September, 1891, who sold it to Mr. Boehnlein in 
 January, 1892. The process consists principally of taking the grease 
 from skins by chemical preparations. 
 
 The Johnstown Metallic Binding Company was incorporated in 1 890 
 with a capital stock of 5,000 and the following officers: Philip Keck, 
 president ; Warren Miller, vice-president ; C. M. Putnam, secretary 
 and treasurer. They are engaged in the manufacture of metal binding 
 for oil cloths with patent adjustable corners. 
 
 Robert R. Sands, jobber in glove colors, occupies a portion of the 
 second story of the " old red mill," corner of Mill and Washington 
 streets. He began business in 1888 in partnership with Louis Arger- 
 singer and that firm continued one year. Mr. Sands employs on an av- 
 erage six men and has a capacity for coloring 10,000 skins per month. 
 
 Connelly & Shubert, Factory street, foot of West Montgomery, 
 operate a beam shop where skins are frized and scud. They began 
 business in 1885 and turn out 30,000 skins per annum. 
 
 Peter Getman has a saw- mill and wood yard at the foot of West Clin- 
 ton avenue. He began business in 1884. The saw- mill is operated by 
 water power and is the property of the Mclntyre estate. 
 
 Bert Wessel began manufacturing knit wrists for gloves in January, 
 1890, and is located at 106 North Market street. 
 
 R. Bfirke & Company, manufacturers of skin mats and rugs, occupy 
 part of the Schriver property on North Perry street. The firm is com- 
 posed of R. Burke and John Burke who began business in January 1891. 
 They turn out 500 rags per week. 
 
 Burke & MuUins, leather dressers, are located on the Schriver prop- 
 erty. North Perry street. They began business January i, 1892. 
 
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AN EXPONENT OF CIVILIZATION. 319 
 
 CHAPTER XXI. 
 
 HISTORY OF KINGSBORO AND GLOVERSVILLE.' 
 
 THE history of any prosperous American city, could it be fully writ- 
 ten, would be an interesting contribution to the record of man's 
 slow conquest of an unwilling world. 
 
 Modern scientific philosophers have much to tell about environment. 
 Even man, they say, is shaped by his surroundings ; he is what he is 
 because he is where he is, and he thus bears the stamp and seal of his 
 locality. If, however, the average man of even a century ago and a 
 citizen of Gloversville to-day should meet at the corner of Main and 
 Fulton streets, they would behold much to modify that opinion. They 
 would find themselves alike in many points ; but the environment of 
 the former would be changed beyond all recognition. The race would 
 be improved in many ways, but the whole locality is revolutionized. 
 
 The comparison becomes still more impressive if we take humanity of 
 a century earlier. The Indian of the Cayadutta and of the Mohawk 
 was the warrior whose desire was to make himself dreaded from the 
 Atlantic to the far west. In the arts of peace, however, he appears to 
 less advantage. He only utilized the products of the earth as they 
 grew, but went no further. Even with the white man's counsel and ex- 
 ample, he learned the arts of peace with difficulty. He always bore the 
 stamp of his environment, and was therefore in that condition which is 
 properly termed savage. 
 
 Civilized man, however, takes possession of the land: utilizes its nat- 
 ural advantages and capabilities to the utmost, and supplements its de- 
 ficiencies. 
 
 Judged by this standard, Gloversville and the men who made it take 
 the highest rank as exponents of civilization. The physical advantages 
 of the neighborhood are comparatively few. It has no harbor upon 
 lake or sea. No commerce-bearing river flows by its warehouses, or 
 
 1 By Rev. Isaac O. Rankin, of Peekskill, former pastor of the Kingsboro Presbyterian Church. 
 
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320 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 furnishes power to its mills. No fertile fields yield corn to its store- 
 houses. No mines of coal and iron, silver and gold, supply its industry 
 with raw material. On the south, a ridge of sand sloping away in hills 
 and hollows, clad with yellow pine; on the north, a space of stronger 
 land bearing a heavier forest growth and reaching to the foot wall of 
 the Adirondack wilderness; in the midst a stream flowing through a 
 boggy valley. It is out of such elements that man has wrought his tri- 
 umphs, thus creating the city of cheerful homes and busy industries. 
 There was tough fibre in the character of the men who wrought this 
 miracle of transformation. The strong keen air and pure water of the 
 mountain gave them vigor, the biting winters toughened the frame and 
 wrought energy and endurance ; but the men and women had an inborn 
 force which enabled them to profit by such lessons. The town is their 
 creation, under God, who gave them strength and opportunity. Had 
 they been less self-reliant and industrious, such a work could never have 
 been done ; and some other city would have handled glove leather, and 
 perhaps have achieved wealth and distinction for this manufacture. 
 
 To tell this story of the men of Gloversville and their successful con- 
 flicts is the purpose of the succeeding chapters of this history, and its 
 chief interest will be found in the triumph of civilized man over such a 
 discouraging environment. A stalwart and unconquerable race has 
 created for itself a city rich both in private comforts and in common 
 wealth of interests, on a spot where an earlier people, brave but unin- 
 ventive, hunted in the forests and fished in the streams. 
 
 When Arent Stevens and his nine partners purchased the land of the 
 Mohawks, and when the Indian trader, William Johnson (not yet con- 
 queror at Lake George or Niagara, or a baronet) bought the land of 
 this ten, neither they nor he would have selected the site of Glovers- 
 ville as the future seat of busy life and power. Johnson indeed made a 
 very different choice and laid out his town on the richer lands four miles 
 to the south. 
 
 He began a second settlement, however, on the watershed between 
 the tributaries of the Mohawk and the Sacandaga, partly within the 
 present city limits ; but this had its natural extension eastward, and in 
 its connection with the outer world avoided the site of the future city. 
 To this lesser settlement, intended to be an outpost toward the wilder- 
 
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STAGES OF HISTORY. 321 
 
 ness, was given the name of Kingsborough, which had previously been 
 applied to the whole patent of twenty thousand acres. Its origin, which 
 has given rise to numerous conjectures and not a few myths, was prob- 
 ably an expression of honor to the king, just as a neighboring and 
 earlier patent to the eastward was called Queensborough, and as John- 
 son himself more than ten years later called the royal grant " Kings- 
 land." As an Irishman, the peculiar form of the word (borough) would 
 be familiar from the title of an Irish nobleman, the Earl of Kingsbor- 
 ough, and this perhaps determined his choice. 
 
 The tenants who settled on Sir William's Kingsborough farms, were 
 therefore the first white men living upon the site of the present city. 
 With them the name of Kingsborough become localized, no longer the 
 designation of a wide tract of wilderness, but of cultivated farms. These 
 tenant farmers, however, were not the fathers of the present municipal- 
 ity. Like their Indian predecessors, they were eventually removed and 
 expatriated by war, and their children live far away and under another 
 flag. A third and mingled race, from New England, and also Scotch, 
 German, and Dutch, came on the great wave of immigration which be- 
 gan to flow after the revolution, and were the true fathers of the city. 
 Their names are not only household words, but are suggestive of busi- 
 ness power, in the city streets today. Their influence is still felt in the 
 throbbing life about us, and their history is our inheritance. It was a 
 cosmopolitan stock in the best sense of the word ; mingled blood and 
 mingled traits of character helping to fashion the men of Gloversville. 
 Others came in, and have proved themselves worthy to be sharers both 
 of their work and their reward, but these alone are the fathers of the 
 city. 
 
 There are four stages of history since man first knew these hills and 
 valleys, and we may appropriately call them the Indian, the Feudal, the 
 Agricultural, and the Manufacturing periods. The " Oldest Inhabitant" 
 can tell us of the third, which he easily remembers, the fourth is still 
 in process of development, but the first and second go back beyond 
 memory, and hence are not without their inevitable accompaniment of 
 myth and legend. 
 
 The story of this immediate locality in the Indian age is almost a 
 blank. It was a part of the wide hunting grounds of the Mohawks and 
 
 41 
 
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322 HISTORV of FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 nothing more. It was not even on the track of the ordinary war par- 
 ties, although now and then a band of warriors crossed it on some ex- 
 pedition, where for special secrecy an unusual route had been taken. 
 Its only memorials are the stone arrow-heads, few in number, which 
 have been picked up near this obliterated and almost forgotten track. 
 
 While the central village of the tribe was still at Caughnawauga, near 
 the mouth of the Cayadutta, the Indian hunters must have often fol- 
 lowed the stream to its head waters. When the efforts of the French 
 missionaries were at last successful, and many of the tribe were induced 
 to settle in the new Caughnawauga, or La Prairie, at the foot of the 
 La Chine rapids of the St. Lawrence, the neighborhood, for a time, be- 
 came less frequented. 
 
 Then it was penetrated by a new race. The Indians themselves di- 
 minished and degenerated. The settler and the land speculator tres- 
 passed more and more upon the hunting grounds, and, gradually, in- 
 duced the remnant of the tribe to part with their title The Dutch, 
 after more than a century of occupation, were growing strong in the 
 lower Mohawk country, while the Germans had found a refuge from 
 war and ravage at Stone Arabia and German Flats, and also in Scho- 
 harie. 
 
 Speaking of the settlement of the Highland Scotch in Kingsborough, to 
 which we shall soon refer, it must be remembered that all the settlers 
 in the Mohawk country brought with them the memory of conflicts in 
 the land which they had exchanged for the wilderness. It was no 
 chance which brought them hither, no mere hope of gain, or purpose 
 to " grow up with the country;" but they either came with a high 
 purpose, or they were precipitated on this new dwelling-place by tem- 
 pests at home. 
 
 The Dutch, whose blood flows in the veins of so many of our people, 
 were no inferior stock. It was at the very pinnacle of its greatness that 
 the republic of the Netherlands founded its colony in the new world. 
 The sons of one of the greatest powers of Europe built Fort Orange 
 and New Amsterdam. The victory over Spanish tyranny was at that 
 time not only complete, but was recognized as such by even arrogant 
 Spain. A few years later Van Tromp was sailing through the English 
 channel with a broom at his masthead, showing that, by victories over 
 
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NATIONALITY OF FIRST SETTLERS. 323 
 
 both Spaniard and Englishman, he had swept it clean. The Dutch re- 
 public at this time was an aristocratic commonwealth, and had given its 
 colony of Fort Orange (afterward Albany) as a feudal possession to the 
 Van Rensselaers. Hence Arent Van Curler and his friends pushed on, 
 in 1662, to the Mohawk country, purchasing lands in the " Great Flat " 
 of the river and laying the foundations of Schenectady, "the place out- 
 side the door," as the Indians called it. Theirs was a movement for 
 liberty, and deserves our honor, and this together with all those noble 
 elements in the Dutch character which awaken our admiration are the 
 inheritance of Gloversville, so far as Dutch blood flows in the veins of 
 its citizens. 
 
 So also the Germans, who nearly a century later settled on the 
 banks of the Mohawk. Theirs was the land' of the grape on the banks 
 of the Rhine, until they became the victims of the lust of war and love 
 of cruelty, which characterized Louis the Fourteenth of France, falsely 
 called the " Grande Monarque." He was engaged in war with England 
 and Germany, and, in one of his campaigns, his armies ravaged the 
 Rhenish Palatinate with fire and sword. The land was a desert behind 
 them, and thousands were homeless and in destitution. Then Queen 
 Anne and her people were moved with pity, and the most needy and 
 helpless were transported from the banks of the Rhine to those of the 
 Hudson. They founded a colony near Kingston, but did not prosper. 
 A separation took place ; one portion settling in Pennsylvania, where 
 they are widely known for their peculiar language as the " Pennsylvania 
 Dutch," while the other made its way to the Mohawk and the Scho- 
 harie valleys, and though less tenacious of the German tongue, is hardly 
 less prosperous and respected. Its hero is General Herkimer, and its 
 sufferings and victories in the land of its adoption are also the inherit- 
 ance of all who partake of German blood. 
 
 At this point we meet for the first time with one of the most remark- 
 able characters which America has ever developed. The history of the 
 Mohawk country cannot be told without constant reference to the 
 career of Sir William Johnson. Born in Ireland, near Dublin, about 
 the time that the Palatines on the Hudson were separating for their 
 second flight, he was trained as a merchant's clerk, and came to 
 America because of a love disappointment. His uncle, Peter Warren, 
 
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324 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 an officer in the navy, had married Miss Delancey, of New Yorlc, whose 
 dowry included wild lands on the Mohawk ; and Johnson came hither 
 as his agent. The possibilities of the situation dawned at once upon 
 the young man; he took naturally and easily to the untrammeled life 
 of the frontier; became fur trader, and land owner; made friends with 
 the Indians, and became a chief of the Mohawks ; and thus advanced 
 steadily to wealth and influence. He was a type of that class whose 
 ambition craved manorial estates in the new country after the usages of 
 England, and he was by far the most successful as well as the most de- 
 serving. The house where he accomplished most of his work, where 
 his children were born, and whence he marched to his victories, is still 
 known as " Fort Johnson," and may be seen by every traveler on the 
 New York Central railroad. It stands embowered in a locust grove, 
 three miles west of Amsterdam. 
 
 With the advance in immigration, and the increasing greed of the 
 land-speculator, the tenure of the Indian was evidently near its end. 
 The hunter, too, was doomed, for the agriculturalist was reaching con- 
 trol. It became a question only how and when any property would 
 pass into the hands, of the settlers, and what pittance would be paid to 
 its forrn.er owners. This was a question determined too often merely 
 by the greed and cunning of the purchaser; but, to Johnson's honor, it 
 was by him generally satisfactory to the Indians. 
 
 The territory, part of which forms the site of Gloversville and pur- 
 porting to be 20,000 acres, was purchased of the Indians, October 19, 
 1752, by Arent Stevens and nine others; and with the confirmation of 
 that purchase by the governor, June 23, 1753, begins the feudal tenure 
 of the Kingsborough farms. 
 
 The original Indian deed, the petition for confirmation, and the grant 
 by the government, may still be seen in the office of the secretary of 
 state. The Indian deed is very interesting. It conveys the whole site 
 of the present town of Johnstown to the king for the consideration of 
 " three peices of Showde" (an inferior kind of woolen cloth, the pre- 
 cursor and namesake of our " shoddy "), " six peices of gailing linnen, 
 three barrels of Beer, six gallons Rum, and a fatt Beast." The beer, 
 the rum and the beast, it will be noticed, are put in capitals, and no doubt 
 represented the larger share of the immediate inducement ; although 
 
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THE FIRST PURCHASE. 325 
 
 winter was close at hand and the " showde " would soon be needed. 
 Whether the Indian grantors, Esau-like, simply disposed of some part 
 of their birthright for this poor mess of " pottage," or whether in a dis- 
 couraged hour they foresaw the end and were glad to get something 
 tangible and drinkable for that which was slipping through their hands, 
 is a matter of conjecture. Certain it is, however, that the white man's 
 land occupation here, as often elsewhere, began with an Indian de- 
 bauch. 
 
 The grantors mentioned in this deed are, " Cechehoana, Seth, Hance 
 Raiiceer, Abraham Dow, Jacob, Hendrick, Petuis Hance, the Wild 
 Deaf Hendrick, Daniel Sayengaraghta, Native Indians, and sole and 
 absolute proprietors of the Mohawks in the country of America, and 
 also the Province of New York." Their names present an interesting 
 combination of Iroquois, Dutch, and English, suggestive of the con- 
 fusion of tongues and manners prevailing at that period in the Mohawk 
 valley. Only one of their number is famous in the history of the times ; 
 this was Hendrick, better known as " King Hendrick," who was one of 
 the greatest leaders and wisest counsellors among all the Indian chiefs. 
 It was he that chiefly helped Sir William Johnson to hold the Mohawks 
 in alliance during the French war, and was killed while fighting under 
 Sir William in the battle of Lake George. 
 
 The above mentioned grant is absolute and without reserve, but it is 
 neither made to Arent Stevens and his associates nor to Johnson, who 
 probably paid the price of purchase; but to "our said most gracious 
 sovereign King George the Second," in whose name Stevens and Douw 
 Fonda in behalf of the rest, had made the purchase. The Indian sign- 
 ers represent the three totems, or family distinctions of the tribe, two 
 turtles, two bears, and two wolves. They make their marks in a decid- 
 edly awkward manner, affixing each a seal, which in this instance is 
 probably that of Johnson, who acted as interpreter, and who seems to 
 have had a secret interest in the purchase from the first. He certifies 
 over his signature that the Indians knew what lands they were selling, 
 and the cloth, the liquor, and the " fatt Beast " had- been properly 
 delivered. 
 
 The purchasers represent the average population in the neighborhood. 
 They were Arent Stevens, Barent Vrooman, Mathew Ferrall, Robert 
 
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326 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 Adams, Cadwallader Golden, Junior, John Young, John Sewell, Ephraim 
 Arnold, Douw Fonda, and Jelles Fonda. Dutch and English names 
 predominate ; one is Scotch, and one probably Irish, but the German 
 element is wholly unrepresented. The purchasers were neighbors of 
 Johnson in the Mohawk valley. Arent Stevens was his interpreter, 
 agent, and messenger among the Indians. Golden was the surveyor 
 whose certificate of survey and list of boundaries accompanies the peti- 
 tion for the grant, and also the son of the surveyor- general (afterwards 
 lietuenantgovernor and acting governor), a man well known in the 
 history of the province, and as a botanical collector and student of In- 
 dian life. Douw and Jelles Fonda were brothers, prominent as business 
 men in the valley, their name being now preserved by the villages of 
 Fonda and Fonda's Bush. Jelles Fonda was a major in the provincial 
 militia, and did good service in the French and Indian war. He was 
 for years a close friend of Johnson, but embraced the patriot cause at 
 the outbreak of the Revolution. 
 
 In the original deed the name by which the tract was afterwards 
 known is not mentioned, but in the reference to the transaction, and in 
 other deeds (in which the boundaries are referred to) it is immediately 
 and always called the " Kingsborough Grant." Its location, and the 
 quality of a large part of its soil gave it distinction and its importance 
 was greatly increased by Johnson's settlement at Johnstown. How long 
 Arent Stevens and the ten held the property is not known ; and the 
 writer has not been able to find the record of transfer to Sir William. 
 It would be interesting to learn what consideration was mentioned in 
 the deed, and also its exact date. It is clear, however, that the Kings- 
 borough tract was not a royal grant in any other sense than a score of 
 others in the valley, and also that it came to Johnson as a purchase, 
 and not a reward. All titles in the valley then rested upon royal grants, 
 and this no more than others, but Kingsborough, purchased by Stevens 
 in 1752, has been confused with Kingsland. granted to Sir WiUiam as a 
 special reward in 1769. It seems probable, however, though it cannot 
 be proved, that the ten purchasers were originally Johnson's agents, and, 
 if this be true, he may in one sense be regarded as the purchaser, even 
 although his name was omhted. The government was already jealous 
 of the large landholders, of whom Johnson, even before the Kingsbor- 
 
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yOHNSON'S TENANTRY. 327 
 
 ough tract was granted, was chief, and hence hcenseto purchase Indian 
 lands in large parcels was only obtained witli difficulty, which indeed in 
 1763 became, by proclamation of the governor, an absolute prohibition, 
 so that Johnson's Kingsland estate only came info his possession by 
 special grant as an exceptional reward for brilliant service. 
 
 The landholders of Gioversville may be amused to know that their 
 property was originally granted by King George " to be holden of us 
 and our Heirs and Successors in free and common Soccage as of our 
 Manor of East Greenwich, in the county of Kent, yielding at our Custom- 
 House, in our city of New York, on the feast of Annunciation of the 
 blessed Virgin Mary, commonly called Lady Day, the yearly Rent of 
 two shillings and sixpence for each and every hundred acres, except the 
 highways," and that it was forbidden to cut trees above a certain size, 
 or of a shape suitable for the knees of vessels, all of which were reserved 
 for the king's use in shipbuilding. 
 
 Soccage, it may be added, is a feudal tenure, under which the rent is 
 fixed and definite. From the old world point of view it was a favor- 
 able tenure. It bound Johnson to the king, and he in the same manner 
 bound to himself the tenants to whom he granted leases. 
 
 In this point he was highly favored. A body of men to which the 
 strictest personal dependence was perfectly familiar, and which was sep- 
 arated in language and religion from all other inhabitants of the valley, 
 was ready to begin tenantry. They were the Gaelic- speaking Highlanders, 
 who, after the ruin of the Pretender's cause at Culloden, had been exiled 
 to America. They had been treated cruelly, and did not forget the lesson 
 they had learned, but in the breaking up of their clans and the loss of 
 their hereditary chiefs they were ready for the control of a man like 
 Johnson. 
 
 Macaulay in his history of England, after drawing a vivid picture of 
 the Highlands before 174S, expressly compares the inhabitants who 
 were the ancesters of the Kingsborough men, to American savages. 
 An observer, he says, would have found in the character of the High- 
 landers " closely intermingled the good and bad qualities of an unciv- 
 ilized nation. He would have found that the people had no love for 
 their country or for their king; that they had no attachment to any 
 commonwealth larger than the clan, or to any magistrate superior to the 
 
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328 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 chief. He would have learned that a stab in the back, or a shot from 
 behind a fragment of rock, were approved modes of taking satisfaction 
 for insults. He would have heard men relate boastfully how they or 
 their fathers had wreaked on hereditary enemies m a neighboring valley 
 such vengeance as would have made old soldiers of the Thirty Years 
 War shudder. He would have been struck by the spectacle of ath- 
 letic men basking in the sun, angling for salmon, or taking aim at 
 grouse, while their aged mothers, their wives, and their tender daugh- 
 ters were reaping the scanty harvest of oats. Yet even here there was 
 some compensation. It must in fairness be acknowledged that the patri- 
 cian virtues were not less widely diffused than the patrician vices. A 
 gentleman of Sky or Lochaber, whose clothes were begrimed with the 
 accumulated filth of years, and whose hovel smelt worse than an Eng- 
 lish hog-stye, would often do the honors of that hovel with a lofty 
 courtesy worthy of the splendid circle of Versailles. When the English 
 condescended to think of him at all, and it was seldom that they did so, 
 they considered him as a filthy abject savage, a cut- throat and a thief. 
 A Macdonald or a Macgregor in his tartan was to a citizen of Edinburg 
 or Glasgow what an Indian hunter in his warpaint is to an inhabitant of 
 Philadelphia or Boston. Artists and actors " (in the sentimental period 
 afterwards) " represented Bruce and Douglas in striped petticoats. 
 They might as well have represented Washington brandishing a toma- 
 hawk and girt with a string of scalps." The Macdonalds, from which 
 clan many of Johnson's Kingsborough tenants came, were among the 
 most powerful and warlike of all the Highlanders. To them belonged 
 some of the wildest valleys and most inaccessible retreats of Scotland ; 
 also the Western islands. Sky and Mull, the valleys of Ben Nevis, and 
 the Grampian Hills. Their chieftain claimed the proud title of "The 
 Lord of the Isles " and hated the Campbells who had usurped it. A 
 maiden of their name and race. Flora Macdonald, had gained fame by 
 aiding the escape of the Pretender after Culloden, while the son of an 
 exiled clansman became one of the Marshals of France. 
 
 Such were the elements which Johnson brought into his feudal settle- 
 ment, and, in their well tested loyalty as well as in their isolation from 
 the world, they promised to be all that his ambitipn could require. A 
 view of these characteristics and antecedents is necessary to render their 
 
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JOHNSON AND HIS SWAY. 329 
 
 history understood by readers of the present day. The scheme appeared 
 promising, for Johnson was a born leader. His consummate tact, know- 
 ing how far to go, and where to stop, when to threaten and when to 
 cajole, his real dignity and apparent familiarity enabled him to control 
 the Indians as no other man could, and served him almost equally well 
 when dealing with his Highland retainers. Their faithfulness to his son 
 in the dark days of the Revolution is really a tribute to the father's 
 genius The feudal period, however, was brief (less than twenty years 
 in all), but while it lasted, the Kingsborough farms were held by loyal 
 followers of the chief, sturdy fighters and unquestioning partisans. 
 
 We have no record of home life during this feudal tenure and we only 
 know that the men became accustomed to a northern climate and had 
 few and simple wants. The land they tilled was rough. Forests were 
 to be cleared and crops planted amid the stumps. The grain they 
 reaped was carried on horseback along the Indian trail and paid toll 
 at the landlord's mill. We hear nothing of schools or even of religious 
 service. The first years of their occupation were years of war, which 
 left Johnson little leisure for such matters, and the Roman Catholic 
 church, of which they were members, was still unorganized in the 
 northern colonies. It was more than thirty years before its first bishop 
 was ordained, so that it is not surprising if this little flock in the wilder- 
 ness was neglected. Close at hand lay the wide forest, with peril from 
 savages, but with its attraction for the hunter and the trapper. The 
 houses were log huts and their dwellers were deerskin shod, and clothed 
 in homespun. 
 
 For Johnson, however, and in some degree for his Kingsborough 
 followers, those were glorious and heroic days. He became a great 
 military hero and led the savages to the defence of British interests. 
 Assisted by the New England men he won the famous victory at Lake 
 George, and also captured Fort Niagara. Washington at the south and 
 Johnson at the north were the only chieftans who knew the wilderness 
 and could meet the enemy on their own ground, and also in the use of 
 their own weapons. If their advice had been heeded Braddock's defeat 
 would have been prevented and Montcalm would have been deprived of 
 his Indian allies, by which that long war would have been far earlier 
 brought to a close. Unfortunately it was not heeded. Englishmen 
 
 42 
 
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330 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 had still to learn how to adapt themselves to a wilderness and to a sav- 
 age foe. Washington's time had not yet come, but Johnson soon had 
 his opportunity, which he improved. He was rewarded with a baron- 
 etcy, which was a high exaltation for a provincial, and also by a liberal 
 gift of money, and the confirmation of his title to a wide extent of 
 wilderness which he had previously bought of the Mohawks, and which 
 was long known as Kingsland, or the Royal Grant. 
 
 The story of Johnson's life is elsewhere told at large in this book and 
 only so much of it is recalled here as is required in the outline of the 
 earlier days at Kingsborough. Most of the able bodied men of the 
 settlement were absent at the war, serving under Johnson's command, 
 and hence the labor of clearing and cultivating fell on the few who 
 remained at home. Women thus became accustomed to severe out- 
 door employment, but they were women of an indomitable spirit and 
 bore the burden so bravely that Gloversville may be proud that they 
 once occupied this historic spot. 
 
 At last Fort Niagara fell and then Quebec. The troops came home 
 again and Johnson, in the intervals of his work of pacifying the Indians, 
 began to build his house on the land which he had bought ten years 
 previously of Arent Stevens. Honors and rewards fell richly upon 
 him and the clansmen shared the honor even if they had but little of 
 the reward. 
 
 To picture life during the peaceful days of the Kingsborough settle- 
 ment we cannot do better than to follow the children of these same 
 Highlanders to their quiet Nova Scotia villages. The martial spirit 
 sleeps for want of opportunity, but the old-time simplicity remains. 
 The mental action of the community is but little modified by the lapse 
 of time, more democratic than of old, for lack, perhaps, of leaders and 
 also a cause, but it is isolated from the world, and they are Gaelic- 
 speaking Scotchmen still. They are also faithful adherents to the Roman 
 Catholic faith, farmers and fishermen whose simple self-dependent life 
 presents a striking contrast with the feverish activity of the outer world. 
 
 Ten years of peace followed Johnson's success at Fort Niagara and 
 Wolfe's crowning victory at Quebec. The dread of Indian forays ceased. 
 The open land again encroached upon the woods. The quiet life of the 
 Kingsborough farms promised to become a permanence. The varied 
 
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COLLAPSE OF THE FEUDAL STRUCTURE. 33 i 
 
 season brought their changes in labor, and they knew no greater excite- 
 ment than tiie rnerry- makings at Johnson Hall or the Indian councils 
 and the rough Irish games of which Johnson was so fond, with glimpses 
 of the visitors of rank and fashion who were so often his guests. Meth- 
 ods of farming were improved under his supervision ; improved breeds 
 of stock imported ; fruit trees planted and peace and content bade fair 
 to make the feudal experiment a success. 
 
 Troubles however were even then rising under all this peaceful sur- 
 face. Johnson's son and sons-in-law were men of less ability and far 
 less tact than their father, and the power which he held so easily was 
 certain to slip from their grasps. The democratic spirit was rapidly 
 increasing in the Mohawk valley, and while loyalty to the king was in 
 common parlance, there were open threats of opposition to his advisers. 
 The Albany Congress of 1754 had opened the eyes of the colonists to 
 the possibilities of strength in union, and race prejudices helped the 
 growing discontent. 
 
 Just as this spirit of independence reached bold utterance, and rev- 
 olutionary discussion became rife, Johnson died. It was fortunate for 
 his fame, for it was just before the decisive question could have been 
 forced upon him. Men were heard saying that he had killed himself 
 because he was afraid to face the choice between the king's cause and 
 that of the people. It was a cruel and baseless rumor and only showed 
 what extremes can be reached by conjecture. Johnson's degenerate 
 son hesitated, temporized, and at last broke his parole, and fled to Can- 
 ada, and with him went the loyal Kingsborough tenantry. Under the 
 strain of popular revolt the fabric which had been built so carefully in 
 the wilderness went to immediate ruin. 
 
 It is not surprising that the elder Johnson's baronial experiment 
 should have failed in the hands of his weak and arrogant son. The 
 personal force of its architect, and the Highland blood and training of 
 the Kingsborough men alone had made this possible. The land was too 
 wide for a system of tenantry to which neither the Dutch nor the Ger- 
 man took kindly, and still less the New Englander. Hence, the whole 
 structure went down; not only from internal weakness, but from irre- 
 sistible external pressure. 
 
 It may seem strange that the Highlanders who had fought so fiercely 
 to overthrow George Second, should be so ready to take up arms for 
 
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332 HISTORY OF PULTON COUNTY. 
 
 George Third, but it was really true to character. They cared little for 
 the government, but everything for their leader. The old clan instinct 
 was as strong as ever. They had few interests in common with their 
 neighbors, but they were Johnson's men, and where he went they fol- 
 lowed. In the barbarous forays by which Sir John Johnson laid waste 
 his native valley, and killed his former friends and neighbors, they bore 
 a congenial part. Disguised as savages they shot and scalped, enact- 
 ing the Indian role with more than savage spirit, and rendering the 
 names of Johnson and Kingsboro detested in the valley. 
 
 In May, 1777, the final Tory exodus took place. The men of the 
 settlement had gone to Canada with Sir John in his precipitate flight 
 the year previously, but the women and children remained, and the 
 settlement became at once the centre of information and the base of 
 supplies to the enemy. Spies and messengers came and went. The 
 trail along the Sacandaga and through the Adirondack woods was in 
 incessant use. Sympathy and supplies were always to be had from the 
 loyal Highland women. There were meeting places in the woods 
 where swift attacks upon unwary settlers further south and east were 
 planned. Agents of the king were active in their efforts to win the 
 lukewarm and wavering. Driven out of the other settlements, Kings- 
 borough was the beginning of the loyalist's safety on his way to Canada. 
 Hence, as viewed by the revolutionary leaders, the whole neighbor- 
 hood was a nest of treason. Mihtary force could not be employed 
 against women and children, but it was decided that they should be re- 
 moved to a place where they could do no further harm. In April, 
 1777, it was proposed to arrest and remove all who remained, "to the 
 number of four hundred." The matter was discussed by General 
 Schuyler with General Herkimer and the Tryon County Committee, 
 and became generally known, so that when the troops arrived the ex- 
 pected captives were gone. It must have been a painful journey for 
 the aged and also for the children, but they were used to hardships; 
 and there was no one to record their trials. It was the exodus of a 
 people whose very existence has been well nigh forgotten on the lands 
 which they cleared and cultivated, and where they hoped to make a 
 permanent home. Jacobites in Scotland, and Tories in America, they 
 had twice joined their fortunes with a sinking cause. 
 
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S/GATS OF REVIVICATION. 333 
 
 With them fell the fortunes of their leader. They did their best, 
 after their savage fashion, to restore him to his own, but their senseless 
 cruelty only made more inevitable his final loss. A Kingsborough Mac- 
 donald would have had small chance of life in the Mohawk valley after 
 the massacres of Cherry Valley and Schoharie. Popular feeling ran 
 high, and too many of the victims survived, with bitter memories of 
 what they had seen and suffered. 
 
 All the vast estates of the Johnsons were confiscated. The innocent 
 suffered with the guilty. There were to be no more great holdings in 
 the Mohawk country, and no more " loyal tenants." Thenceforth the 
 freeholder took the place of the soccager, and democracy expelled 
 feudalism. 
 
 There was some compensation, however, for both master and men. 
 The Johnsons continued to hold office under the British government, 
 and received large grants of land in Canada, while the Kingsborough 
 fugitives were provided for in Nova Scotia. The cruelties of their 
 campaigns will never be forgotten in the Mohawk valley, but let them 
 have at least the merit of an unquestioning loyalty. 
 
 Thus ended the feudal period at Kingsborough. The neglected 
 fields and ruined houses passed into the hands of the administrator of 
 forfeitures, and for a while lay vacant, awaiting the slow processes of 
 the law, and the rising of the tide of immigration. It was not however 
 a complete relapse into the wilderness. The story of the Johnson lands 
 and the Johnson confiscations was familiar to many in New England. 
 At Lake George and Ticonderoga, the militia had seen Johnson and his 
 Kingsborough troopers, and inquired, with Yankee curiosity, about 
 them. The very fact that the farms were partly cleared was an attrac- 
 tion at a time when the emigrant's heaviest work was his preliminary 
 battle with the forest. Squatters from the neighborhood came and 
 took possession. Some few of the former tenants, who were not of the 
 Highland blood, found their way back, but for the most part the fields 
 lay fallow under the summer sun, and buried by the snows of winter. 
 The law continually worked through its tedious processes, and the land 
 was sold ; plans of settlement began to be put in operation, and, with 
 the newcomers, the enduring life of the locality began. 
 
 After the hard- won triumph of the revolution there was a brief period 
 of uncertainty and exhaustion ; and then began that movement of the 
 
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334 HISTORY OP FULTON COVNTV. 
 
 population westward, which is the wonder of our history. Like the 
 bhnd instinct of the bees in swarming time, men in the older states, and 
 especially in New England, felt an unconquerable impulse to leave 
 home and bear the hardships of the wilderness, and the uncertainties of 
 travel through an unmapped land, in order to make their fortunes on 
 the newer soil. There was a great faith in the future of the country 
 behind those moving wagons, a faith which was too much a matter of 
 course to need expression in words, but which sustained men in the 
 loneliness of the woods 
 
 In New England " the west " at that time meant the Mohawk valley, 
 and also what we now call Western New York, and the journey took 
 as long as the present trip to California. The Mohawk valley was then, 
 as now, the natural path of western travel, but an eddy of the stream 
 turned aside to settle in Jolinstown and on the deserted Kingsborough 
 lands. 
 
 This immigration was largely of Anglo-Saxon elements. The Dutch 
 and Germans of the Mohawk valley were already dwelling upon richer 
 lands, and there was room enough and work enough for all their sons 
 at home. The New Englander, however, had seen little of the actual 
 fighting in the last years of the war ; his land at home was poor and 
 stony; he was naturally restless, and behind him was the ceaseless cur- 
 rent pouring into the Atlantic ports from the old world. 
 
 Broadalbin was rehabilitated first, the settlers being chiefly from 
 Scotland ; then Mayfield, and then the confiscated lands of Kings- 
 borough. The tradition of the household removal is preserved in more 
 than one of the older families of Gloversville. The breaking up of the 
 old home, the loaded wagon, the farewells at the departure for what 
 was deemed a lifelong separation, the slow progress over the hills and 
 through the valleys, the nooning while the cattle rested, the camping 
 out from night to night," the fording of the upper Hudson, the log 
 house, put in repair or built anew, and the slow progress of the settle- 
 ment. It may all seem dim to the present generation, but little more 
 than a century has passed since out of that school of hardship strong 
 characters were developed whose influence we feel to day. Rugged 
 endurance and steady thrift alone made success possible in the new con- 
 ditions. There were idlers and drunkards then as now, but they were 
 not numerous enough to change the character of the settlement. 
 
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RECKLESSNESS AND FRUGALITY. 335 
 
 It must not be imagined, however, that the new holders of the Kings- 
 borough farms constituted in any sense a model community. It im- 
 pressed a conscientious spectator of that time as being much above the 
 the average of the frontier tov/ns (as we shall have occasion to show 
 presently), but it also impressed him as much below the mark in moral- 
 ity. Perhaps he was too severe a critic, but there is evidence to show 
 that there was wickedness enough to have awakened fears in any 
 thoughtful man, for with elements which promised grand success, the 
 community suffered from the demoralization which always follows war, 
 and also from the recklessness which seems inseparable from frontier 
 life. There were men who would rather live from hand to mouth as 
 hunters and fishermen, than grow rich by steady industry. Hard drink- 
 ing was common, and met but little rebuke. Rum and cider were still 
 counted friends of man. The feeble remnant of the Mohawks hung 
 about the settlements, and intermarried with the negro slaves. The 
 license of the army had corrupted some, as its. discipline and high 
 patriotic spirit had uplifted others, and yet the puritan spirit, although 
 thus hindered and repressed, was still in the ascendant, as is shown by 
 the religious tendencies which soon appeared. 
 
 Land speculation was also one of the public dangers. A few men 
 bought and controlled large tracts in the very centre of the settlement, 
 and their tenacious grip for long years hindered its growth. They laid 
 the foundation of private fortunes, but diverted business from Kings- 
 borough to the lower ground, where it still has its center. 
 
 Among the early settlers, the Connecticut influence seems to have 
 been strongest. A large element of the population came from the 
 neighborhood of Hartford, and especially from West Hartford. They 
 brought their Congregationalism with them ; and it is to them that we 
 owe the gift of ground which makes the church park at the head of 
 Kinoborough avenue. They possessed the Yankee energy and thrift, 
 
 or rather, one is tempted to say these two qualities possessed them. 
 
 It was the Connecticut men who were the tinsmiths, and whose trading 
 wagons later on brought the raw supplies of buckskin to the earliest 
 tanners and glovers. 
 
 It was really as much an age of household industry as the present, 
 for the spinning wheel and the hand loom held the place now occupied 
 
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336 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 by the sewing machine. In 1824 48,952 yards of doth were woven in 
 the town of Johnstown, and every yard of it was done at home. At 
 first the roads were few. Supphes were brought from Schenectady by 
 the boats on the Mohawk, or on the state road which crossed the town. 
 The Hnen and the wool were home-grown, home-spun, home-woven, 
 and home-made, and were, it may be added, chiefly worn at home, 
 travel being at that time a laborious effort, not to be undertaken with- 
 out serious thought and careful preparation, while the excursion trains 
 which carry the present inhabitants of the city to Niagara or the sea- 
 shore would have seemed as much a fable as Aladdin's lamp. Self de- 
 pendence is still the law for the farmer, but it was then the absolute 
 law of a successful existence.' Money was scarce, and specie most of 
 all, and the continental paper with which the soldiers had been paid 
 was nearly worthless. It was a time of barter, rather than of sale ; of 
 hard work with imperfect tools ; of waiting for great results ; of laying 
 foundations for the success of a later generation. 
 
 We have, fortunately, a census of the population by the most compe- 
 tent and careful of observers, Elisha Yale, not indeed at the first settle- 
 ment, but in 1803. This was soon enough, however, to give us the 
 orifjinal society after the restless element has moved on, leaving a per- 
 manent character to the place. Early in May of that year, after six 
 weeks' study of the locality with a view to settlement as pastor of the 
 church, he thus describes it : " Kingsborough is a pleasant society, 
 five by seven miles in extent, about fifty miles from Albany, nine north 
 of the Mohawk, containing 233 families, a«d about 1,400 souls. Of the 
 families, 191 are of English descent, twenty- three Scotch, fourteen 
 Dutch, and five Irish. There are in this church about twenty male 
 members ; in the society fifteen Methodist families ; seven Baptist, and 
 five families of Friends." 
 
 Fortunately Mr. Yale's choice of a home did not rest upon his ex- 
 perience of six weeks' residence alone. He determined to " go West " 
 before deciding, and sp^ent some weeks in visiting what he calls the 
 " Whitestown country," now Oneida county. He traveled as far as 
 Fort Stanwix (Rome), and remarks of that and the neighboring towns 
 that "the state of society is very wretched in them all," so that he was 
 evidently glad to return to his friendly Kingsborough people. 
 
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RELIGIOUS INFLUENCES. 337 
 
 Of the families of English descent in the above census, much the 
 larger share, as has been already said, came from New England. Most 
 of them, indeed, were from Connecticut, and all acquainted with the 
 history of that state will recognize such names as Ward, Burr, Mills, 
 Bea.ch, Wells, Judson, Giles, Case, Cheadel, Churchill, Gillett, Hosmer, 
 Leonard, Potter, Parsons, Steele, Thomas and others. It was indeed 
 through the correspondence of the West Hartford people with their 
 former pastor, Mr. Strong, that Elisha Yale first came to Kingsborough. 
 Others of English descent were chiefly from the counties on the Hud- 
 son and other places in the state, including the southern part of Mont- 
 gomery county. The names of Burton, Heacock, Peake, Place, and 
 Smith will occur to every one as representatives. 
 
 The Scotch came partly from the Perth and Broadalbin settlements, 
 and partly direct from the "land o' cakes." The names of Livingston, 
 Miller, and Robertson occur in the early records. 
 
 These are but a few out of the many which have come down to us, 
 for an exhaustive list is far beyond the scope of an introductory sketch 
 of the history of Gloversville, 
 
 The intellectual life of the young community centered for long years 
 in its churches, whose story will be told in its appropriate place. It 
 was a time of controversy, and the tone of polemics now seems unnec- 
 essarily severe ; but it showed at least that men held their beliefs as 
 matters of more importance than mere opinion, and also that they were 
 willing to defend them at the expense of friendship. House to house 
 instruction was then more common than now ; the ministry was held in 
 more unquestioning reverence, the school houses were in constant use 
 for preaching, and revival after revival brought converts into the church, 
 and changed the face of society. There was certainly less distraction, 
 and more depth of thought. If the opinions of men seem less liberal in 
 this retrospect, they were at least not less sincere. 
 
 There were at first three principal sources of religious influence which 
 can be traced upon the records of the infant community. One was the 
 Congregationalism of New England, a novelty in that neighborhood^ 
 and yet holding from the first a commanding position and even a lead- 
 ership. Another was the Presbyterianism which had gained such influ- 
 ence in the middle states by its self-sacrificing support of the patriotic 
 43 
 
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338 til STORY OP FULTON COtJNTY, 
 
 cause. This element had from the beginning the sympathy and sup- 
 port of the old church in Johnstown, and also of the Dutch Reformed 
 church in Mayfield The Scotch, the Dutch, and the immigrants from 
 the valley of the Hudson were its natural supporters. A third was 
 Methodism, whose enthusiam had been kindled in New York a little 
 while before, and had spread like wildfire through the settlements. 
 There was soon a " class," and later on a camp- meeting within the cir- 
 cle of the Kingsborough farms, and though the fire burned low for a 
 season, it never died. The Methodism of that time was more puritan 
 than even the Puritans. Its sources of strength were in its self sac- 
 rificing zeal for evangelism, and also its genuine democracy. Incident- 
 ally it gained adherents as a protest against the rigid and excessive Gal- 
 vanism which tinctured much of the current theology. The camp- 
 meeting (which it borrowed from the Presbyterian evangelists of the 
 south), became a powerful influence, while its circuit preachers pene- 
 trated everywhere, and did much to turn the tide against the prevalent 
 French infidelity which came in during the revolution. 
 
 We hear no more of the " Friends " whom Pastor Yale found at the 
 beginning of the century, but the Baptists increased and have borne a 
 large share in the religious life and labors of the community. With the 
 growth of the population other elements came in, organized, and have 
 also had their share in leavening the pubHc with religious activity, and 
 the history of each of these will be found in its appropriate place. 
 
 Among the Congregationahsts Elisha Yale was for half a century the 
 commanding figure, and no description of the inception of religion in 
 the town would be complete without special reference to his work and 
 character. Although deficient in liberal education, he had the instinct 
 of scholarship, and a passionate devotion to learning. He made up in 
 hard work what he had missed in opportunity and thus became an ad- 
 mirable instructor of many pupils. He was so ignorant of every other 
 system of church government than the Congregational, that when he 
 first came to Kingsborough the Dutch Reformed methods filled him 
 with wonder, and yet he became himself a Presbyterian. This openness 
 of mind, full as much as the depth of conviction which showed itself to 
 every one who knew him, was the secret of his power. His genuine 
 reverence, his moral earnestness, his fearless expression of strong be - 
 
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PASTOR YALE AND THE SCHOOLS. 339 
 
 liefs, his unrivalled method in the business of the ministry, together 
 with a wide range of interest in all the movements of the day, and a 
 willingness to learn from all, won for him at first respect, and then an 
 almost reverent obedience. 
 
 Education was from the first a leading part of the duty of these New 
 England people and their like-minded neighbors. The district school- 
 house, we are told by Horace Sprague in his " Model Village," was " a 
 small wooden structure, built in the year 1800, and stood about a quar- 
 ter of a mile west of the Fulton street bridge. The second school- 
 house, a commodious brick building, was erected in 18 14, on the 
 northwest corner of Main and Fulton streets. The third, a two story 
 wooden building, was erected on the north side of Fulton street, near 
 the Cayadutta." The earliest of the present buildings, constituting the 
 Union Seminary of that day, was built in 1854. Since that time there 
 have been constant additions and improvements as the city increased. 
 What was then the Central school-house, at Kingsborough, was prob- 
 ably built some years before the earliest school-house of " Stump City," 
 or soon after 1786; and, at the beginning of the century, we discover 
 the whole district system in good working order. In the spring of 
 1803 we find the record in Yale's journal of meetings regularly held in 
 at least three school buildings in different parts of the neighborhood, of 
 which the structure referred to above (as erected in 1800), was probably 
 that which he calls "the South school-house." 
 
 Opportunities for higher education were meagre at first, depending 
 entirely upon the energy and charity of the young pastor. A year 
 after his arrival he had a young man studying with him, and afterward, 
 for thirty years, he was constantly a teacher, and his home was a school. 
 It added something to his slender income, but it greatly increased his 
 cares. He had an enthusiasm for education, and especially for classical 
 study, and delighted to share his own hard won attainments. Union 
 College, which had been founded in Schenectady in 1795, and which 
 enjoyed the presidency of Eliphalet Nott for sixty years after 1804, was 
 the natural alma mater of the Kingsborough students, and graduated 
 then (as now) many from the neighborhood who have made their mark. 
 In this way also the people were kept in sympathy with the larger 
 thought beyond their hills and valleys. After the lapse of a quarter 
 
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340 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 century the work of higher education had evidently grown beyond the 
 power of one busy man, and the financial ability of the people had 
 grown in a corresponding degree. Pastor Yale then planned a school 
 which should better do his work, and, in 1831, the academy was 
 founded and an edifice erected which (with enlargements) is still used 
 by the Kingsborough Avenue school. Of the record of this institution 
 the community may well be proud. It enlarged what the pastor had 
 been doing by personal effort. It educated the wives and mothers of 
 the people as well as the sons, and its surviving graduates may be found 
 all over the land, many of them indeed holding honored places in pub- 
 lic service. The names of Calvin Yale and Horace Sprague, its 
 teachers, are still remembered with grateful pleasure by the scattered 
 pupils, and also by many of our own citizens. After nearly half a cen- 
 tury of usefulness the academy was merged into the public school sys- 
 tem as a Union Free School, and its higher work is now carried on in 
 the High School of the city. 
 
 A natural result of these efforts for education was the beginning of 
 the library system. While Pastor Yale, with the help of his people, 
 was attempting to supply the needs of the destitute regions to the 
 north, the wants of his own flock were by no means neglected. Cir- 
 culating libraries of well- selected books were formed, and the pastor 
 acted as librarian. It was before the age of light reading, and religious 
 works formed a large proportion, but history and general information 
 were by no means omitted. Many of the books survive, and the printed 
 labelsj with their code of rules show the careful method with which they 
 were managed. In the "Farmer's Library'' there was a list of fines 
 and penalties for misuse which would delight the modern librarian's 
 heart if he could enforce them, as, for instance, " For lending it," (the 
 book), "ten cents, and suspension one month. For every letter, figure 
 or mark with a pen, two cents; a grease-spot, six cents; every leaf 
 through which it penetrates after the first, two cents; a spot made with 
 ink, or something similar, five cents ; a leaf turned down, two cents ; 
 a leaf torn, ten cents; a leaf torn off, but not lost, twenty- five cents; 
 other damages in proportion." Considering the fact that all the mend- 
 ing was to be done by the pastor, personally or by deputy, and taking 
 into account the cost of books at that day and the value of time to so 
 
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EARLY RESIDENTS. 341 
 
 busy a man, it must be conceded that the tariff on grease-spots and 
 dogears was not unreasonable. Even the-children were not forgotten, 
 as books belonging to the "Juvenih'an Library" prove. With the 
 founding of the academy a broad foundation for a larger collection was 
 laid, and the carefully selected volumes, containing the best works in 
 history, travel, and physical science of that day remained in the sphool- 
 house until the consolidation of the educational system of the city. 
 These beginnings of instruction for the people were a part of the foun- 
 dation for the future city : not unworthy forerunners (considering the 
 limited opportunities of that day) of the present well equipped and well 
 patronized Free Library of the city, whose story will be told in its own 
 place. 
 
 The original centre of population of Gloversville, as distinguished 
 from Kingsborough, was on the west branch of the Cayadutta, and 
 along the line of Fulton street. This is indicated by the position of the 
 early school-houses already referred to, as the direction of growth is 
 shown by their change to tne eastward at each new rebuilding. From 
 the present site of the railroad station to the locality now known as 
 Berkshire there were only two houses, one of them occupied by William 
 Ward, sr., who owned most of the land on which the present business 
 centre of the city now stands. 
 
 Horace Sprague, to whose researches we are indebted for the preser- 
 vation of so much information in regard to the early history of the town, 
 gives a partial list of the original inhabitants in these two localities, de- 
 rived no doubt from those who had been personally acquainted with 
 them. " The names of some of the heads of families at the mills," he 
 says, "were as follows: James Lard, a magistrate and a person of some 
 note ; Job Heacock, ancestor of the Heacocks of Kingsborough ; Jehial 
 Griswold ; Benjamin Crosset, a loyalist of the Revolution ; Robert, 
 Charles and John Wilson, brothers, with whom lived their mother, the 
 widow Wilson and their grandmother, the widow Greig, whose oldest 
 son. Captain Greig, was an officer in the American army, whose capture 
 by the Indians, as narrated in the story of ' Faithful American Dog,' 
 was familiar to every school boy, thirty years ago ; Thomas Mann, 
 father of William and John Mann, afterwards favorably knowti in the 
 community ; Asa Jones, grandfather of Colonel Harvey Jones ; Rev, 
 
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342 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 John Lindley, ' minister,' " (from 1797 until about the beginning of the 
 century), " of the church at Kingsborough Center " ; Samuel Giles, and 
 William C. Mills. Of those living at the four corners, on the hill, the 
 more conspicuous were as follows : Daniel Bedford, keeper of a store 
 and tavern ; Rev. George Throop, a Presbyterian minister, and George 
 B. Throop, an adopted son ; Colonel Josiah Throop, his brother, and 
 Rev. William Throop (who preached to a Baptist congregation in West 
 Kingsborough) ; and Stephen Hartshorn. " Most of the above named 
 families " he adds, " passed away, leaving no trace behind them ; but 
 Samuel Giles, William C. Mills, William Ward, and at a later period, 
 James Burr, with their immediate descendants, on account of their en- 
 terprise, energy and success, are generally considered to have been the 
 founders of Gloversville." To these must be added, of course, the 
 Kingsborough names which Sprague leaves wholly out of this enumera- 
 tion, but which must be considered in any view of the general advance 
 of the community; and also many others, who came in and bore- part 
 in the new life and progress of the place. 
 
 After 1808 the farm lands, which William Ward, sr., had held in the 
 center of the present city, came gradually into market, and the growth 
 of population to the eastward began, but in the beginning what is now 
 Fulton street was the main street of the village. The first store was 
 built on Main street, in 18 18, and was followed by a tavern (The Temp- 
 erance House in 1835), by which time the business supremacy of this 
 location was fixed. After 1855 catne a sudden expansion and growth, 
 which added 1 14 houses to the village in the space of three years. This 
 was checked at once by that sudden panic which bh"ghted the hopes of 
 the whole country in 1857; but it must have added nearly a third to 
 the size of the place, which in 1858 had only 500 dwellings, and 3,000 
 inhabitants. 
 
 That growth which seemed so phenomenal to Horace Sprague in 
 1858, has continued since then with accelerated speed. The land val- 
 ues which he announces with an air of wondering satisfaction, have 
 some of them, increaseid tenfold ; while the population has increased to 
 15,000 in 1892. Since 1825 there never has been a doubt that there 
 would be a thriving center of population and of trade at these upper 
 forks of the Cayadutta : but the lad who left the struggling but ambitious 
 
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PATRIOTISM AND POLITICS. 343 
 
 hamlet of that time would be astonished when returning, while yet in a 
 green old age, to find that there had grown up a large, and still enlarg- 
 ing, city on the site he knew so well. 
 
 The neighborhood was patriotic from the beginning. Some of the 
 original settlers, both of Kingsborough and of the lower mills, had been 
 soldiers of the revolution, and were object lessons of patriotism to the 
 growing children of the community. Bunker Hill and Saratoga, Val- 
 ley Forge and Monmouth, the execution of Andre, and the surrender 
 of Yorktown, would seem very real events as they talked with men like 
 Giles, and Beach, and Cheadle. A few from the neighborhood joined 
 the levies of 1812, but most of them saw only barrack service, or sentry 
 duty on the American side of the St. Lawrence. 
 
 When the great struggle for the Union began, it awoke a full re- 
 sponse. Public meetings were held, and many volunteered, so that 
 Gloversville was represented on the field through the whole war. Some 
 left their bones on the battle-field, or died in southern prisons. Some 
 returned to keep alive the spirit of patriotic devotion by stories of 
 camp life and hard fighting. The thinned ranks of the veterans stood 
 about the memorial of the dead, which was erected in the beautiful 
 cemetery on the hill in 1890, and year by year they awaken again the 
 gratitude and sympathy of the community as they march together to 
 lay flowers on the graves of their honored comrades. 
 
 Political excitement ran high in the earlier as it does in the later days 
 of the community, and the keen discussions, in public meetings and 
 private talk of each campaign, helped the education of the people. 
 For many years the Albany Journal, then the oracle of Thurlow Weed, 
 was the most widely circulated newspaper, and the weekly arrival of 
 that and the opposition sheets were important events. In 1855 the 
 first home newspaper, the Standard, was begun, and twelve years later 
 the Intelligencer appeared. 
 
 The political history of the locality is lost at first in that of the town 
 at large. At the openmg of the record this region was included within 
 the limits of Albany county, until, in 1772, Sir William Johnson ob- 
 tained a division and organization of Tryon county, with its county 
 seat at his new village of Johnstown. After the revolution its name 
 was changed to Montgomery in honor of the hero of Quebec; and 
 finally, Fulton county was set off from Montgomery in April, 1838. 
 
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344 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 The town of Caughnawaga was organized March 7, 1788. Five years 
 later it was divided into the four towns of Amsterdam, Mayfield, Broad- 
 albin, and Johnstown. The post village of Gloversvilie was incorpo- 
 rated in April, 1853, and its territory was set off" as a separate road dis- 
 trict by act of the legislature in the following year. After swift growth, 
 whose story is told in the following chapters, and can only be sketched 
 in the barest outline here, it absorbed its former rival, Kingsborough, 
 first into its postal territory with free delivery system, in 1887, and then 
 into full union, when it became a city, February 19, 1890. 
 
 What the life and occupation of the people was in the old Kingsbor- 
 ough days, we can only tell by gathering up such hints and traditions 
 as have come down to us on record, or tradition. We know that from 
 the first there was a steady and continuous home industry, the loom 
 and wheel giving place directly to the sewing machine. We know that 
 the Connecticut men were tinsmiths and obtained support from the 
 outer world by diligence in business. We find Ezekiel Case in 1803 as 
 far west as Cincinnati, bringing home the secret of the Indian tan for 
 dressing leather. A few years later we hear that William C. Mills is 
 making trips across the state road to the Holland patent, bringing home 
 flour and raw leather for the tanners. It was not long before the ped- 
 dling wagons, which at first brought home leather taken in trade, began 
 to take out gloves and mittens along with the ware ; finding a market 
 everywhere among men who were familiar with the ax and plow ; and 
 making wider and wider circuits, until, in 1825, a wagon load was sent 
 as far as Boston. 
 
 At first the men dressed the leather, and the women made the gloves. 
 It was a woman, it is said, who cut out the first pair, and for a long time 
 the sex had a monopoly. The leather was stretched on a table, the 
 shape of the glove marked out, as children mark out patterns with a flat 
 block and a pencil, and the leather was cut with sheep shears. With 
 the coming in of Fairbank's invention of the cutting die, greater strength 
 was needed, and the men took the place of the women, who found am- 
 ple compensation, however, in the use of the sewing machine, which 
 was introduced in 1852. 
 
 An interesting glimpse of the neighborhood in 1824 is afforded by 
 Spaffbrd's Gazetteer of the State of New York. At this time, we learn, 
 
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EVOLUTION OF "STUMP CITVr 345 
 
 there was no post-office either in Kingsboro or " Stump City," the 
 nearest establislied office being at Johnstown, four miles jway. Speak- 
 ing of the township, the writer says, " The present inhabitants are a 
 a mixture, rather than a compound, of Yankees, Scotch, Dutch, Ger- 
 man, and other immigrants and their descendants, remarkably sociable 
 and polite in their manners, and seem to be very industrious and intent 
 on keeping pace, in every improvement, with the progress of things 
 around them. At Kingsborough, four miles north of Johnstown vil- 
 lage, there are two meeting-houses, one for Methodists, and one for 
 Presbyterians, and extensive manufactories of tin ware, and leather 
 gloves and mittens; of the latter, in 1821, there were made here 4,000 
 dozen pair." 
 
 In 1848 Mather and Brockett write of the two villages in their Geo- 
 graphical History of the State of New York, as follows : " Kingsboro' is 
 another village in the same township, famous for the manufacture of 
 deerskin gloves and mittens. It has an academy of some note. Popu- 
 lation 400. Gloversville, in the same township, is also celebrated for 
 the manufacture of mittens, gloves, and moccasins of buckskin. Popu- 
 lation 400." 
 
 This date, then, marks the point of equality between the two villages, 
 but Gloversville passed rapidly ahead. The enterprise of the neighbor- 
 hood found in that village land which could be purchased at a reason- 
 able price ; while the owners on the hill had so serene a faith in the 
 future that they were unwilling to sell ; they found water for tanning, 
 the stumps had decayed, and a body of citizens had been drawn together 
 who were ready to welcome innovations if they promised to advance 
 their common or their individual interests. Kingsborough slept on 
 through the years, letting its opportunities pass unimproved, and found 
 itself, first outgrown, then overshadowed, and at last absorbed, by the 
 new city. 
 
 It is in 1 8 16 that the younger of the two villages first appears upon 
 the scene, emerging into the clear light of history out of the shadow of 
 its elder sister, Kingsborough. It was then content to be called 
 " Stump City," from the abundant stumps left by the woodman's ax, 
 among which were a few scattered dwellings. By 1828 there were 
 fourteen houses amid the stumps, and the place was thought worthy ^ 
 44 
 
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346 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 post office, for which Jeiinison Giles and Henry Churchill suggested the 
 name of Gloversville. 
 
 The Baptists and Methodists organized in 1838, the Congregational- 
 ists swarmed from the Kingsborough church and made a home for 
 themselves in 1852. A colony of Presbyterians from the same prolific 
 hive followed in 1858 ; and later on came the organization of the other 
 churches of the city, Protestant and Methodist Episcopal, Roman 
 Catholic, and Lutheran, whose story is told in its appropriate place. 
 
 The Fulton County Bank was organized in 1852, and the Manufac- 
 turers' and Merchants' in 1887. In 1854 the Cemetery Association 
 was incorporated, and its beautiful grounds purchased and dedicated. 
 The library was founded by public subscription, aided by the generous 
 gift of Levi Parsons, in 1880. The Kasson Opera House, or Memorial 
 Hall, was opened to public use in 1881. The Young Men's Christian 
 Association was organized in 1882, and the Board of Trade in 1890. 
 
 The means of transportation gradually improved. Indian trails gave 
 place to roads, and wagons took the place of pack-horses. In 1825 the 
 Erie canal was opened, and became the highway of travel, its packet 
 boats being a great advantage in speed and comfort over the lines of 
 stages which they occasionally superseded. Soon afterward public 
 meetings were held and serious efforts were made toward the building 
 of a canal from the Mohawk to the Sacandaga, which would have trav- 
 ersed the valley of the Cayadutta, and anticipated many of the advan- 
 tages of the railroad. The plank road, making the way to the canal 
 easily passable for loaded teams at all seasons, was another step in ad- 
 vance. Then came the Fonda, Johnstown and Gloversville railroad, and 
 penetrated at last the southern gateway of the Adirondacks, having 
 been opened as far as Gloversville in 1870. 
 
 In all these years there were vicissitudes in business, seasons of gen- 
 eral prosperity, and also years which threatened decadence. Com- 
 mercial panics in the great centres were naturally felt by the merchants 
 and manufacturers of Gloversville. The war for the Union brought its 
 trials and its triumphs. Many strong arms and warm hearts were 
 missed from shop and fireside; but the work was doubled for those who 
 remained, and the needs of the army gave a great enlargement to the 
 trade. There were losses and failures, as there are eddies on the sur- 
 
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GROWTH AND PROSPERITY. 347 
 
 face of the river; but the course of the stream has been in the main 
 unchecked, carrying on its bosom an ever increasing prosperity, and 
 still having room for more. 
 
 Of the history thus briefly sketched, it may be said that all changes 
 brought prosperity, and that every year opened the door of a new op- 
 portunity. The business of the city still gives promise of enlargement. 
 It already is world-wide in its scope. Hunters in South and Central 
 America, in Africa and India; in Europe, and in Australia, and also 
 both east and west in our own land, supply the skins, while the fisher- 
 men of Labrador and Newfoundland send oils to dress them. The 
 lady's dainty foot is clad in leather of our tanning, while her hands 
 are protected by our kids. Yes, and at the same time the miner wields 
 his pick, and the lumberman his ax, in mittens from Gloversville. 
 
 The town has already been in harmony with the progress of the 
 world. It commands resources everywhere, and pushes its business 
 over every line. It takes courage from the lessons and the triumphs of 
 the past, and looks with great hopes to the future. Youngest among 
 the cities of the Empire State, it does not propose to be least. The 
 promise of the days to come is now, as always, in the personal qualities 
 of its citizens. If they continue strong and reverent, as of old — if they 
 labor with the enterprise and perseverance of the years gone by — who 
 shall limit the triumphs which yet await them, in that great conflict 
 through which man will master the reluctant world ? 
 
 In the preceding portion of the present chapter the civil history of 
 Kingsborough has been given in connection with its pioneer and social 
 record. It never had a corporate existence except as it forms a part of 
 the city of Gloversville. It had, however, a local water supply com- 
 pany, of which Daniel Potter was the originator and chief owner. The 
 company is still in existence and furnishes water to the inhabitants in 
 the north part of the city. In 1825 a post office was established at 
 Kingsboro.i and four years later another about a mile further south, the 
 latter called Gloversville. However the name Stump City was continued 
 for several years thereafter, and was only dropped when the rival vil- 
 lage on the south became of more importance than the pioneer hamlet. 
 
 • The old name (Kingsborough) has been thus far retained in this work, but we now adopt the 
 more convenient abbreviation. 
 
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348 m STORY OF PULTON COUNTY. 
 
 Before leaving our record of old Kingsboro, which was eventnally in- 
 cluded within the corporate limits of the now progressive city, we may 
 properly furnish the succession of postmasters at that place as follows: 
 Abner Johnson, appointed February I2, 1825 ; Lucius F. Potter, April i, 
 1834; Isaac P. Harvey, April 9, 1835 ; Daniel Potter, March 19, 1840; 
 Isaac P. Harvey, December 17, 1847; Jonathan Wooster, June 6, 1849; 
 Daniel Potter, July 22, 1853; Horace Hulett, May 13, 1858; William 
 S. Wooster, June 20, 1861 ; George H. Wooster, April 4, 1870; Elihu 
 F. Enos, March 2, 1877; James H. Foote, March 29, 1880; Charles 
 W. Dennie, February 21, 1881 ; Daniel H. Cole, December 26, 1884; 
 Edward G. Cole, October 11, 1886, and who served as postmaster 
 until the office was discontinued. 
 
 It would indeed be difficult to accurately state just when Glovers- 
 ville became the larger and more important village of the two now in- 
 cluded within the same corporation, but so near as we can ascertain it 
 had acquired a business advantage as early as 1835, for there were then 
 in operation several fairly large manufacturing industries, and its popu- 
 lation was rapidly increasing with each succeeding year. As early as 
 1830 several streets had been laid out and opened, and although not 
 then named as at present, each had its principal industry and was gen- 
 erally designated by the proprietor's name. The present Kingsboro 
 avenue was then known as the "Johnstown road," which was in fact 
 one of the first highways in the region. West Fulton street was called 
 the " Bennett's Corners road," as it led west to the hamlet of that name. 
 West street was then the "Abram Pool road," and crossing it was a 
 highway leading east to Lemuel Gillett's farm called the " Gillett road." 
 Elast Fulton street was known as the " Fonda's Bush road," Cayadutta 
 street the " Mill Pond road," North Main street the " Kingsboro road," 
 South Main street the "Johnstown road," and the narrow lane leading 
 west from James Burr's was likewise known as the " Philo Mills road." 
 These were the principal thoroughfares of travel fifty and more years 
 ago, and under other names they are still in use by the people of the 
 locality. With succeeding years and the growth in population and 
 business interests new streets were necessary, and twenty years later we 
 find Gloversville an incorporated village. 
 
 In 1847 the legislature passed an act providing for the incorporation 
 of villages in the state upon petition to the Court of Sessions of the 
 
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INCORPORATION AND OFFICERS. 349 
 
 county in which they were situated. In pursuance of the act the village 
 of Gloversville was incorporated, although there are evidences tending 
 to show that an effort in this direction was at least the subject of dis- 
 cussion among the inhabitants as early as 1851. The petition to the 
 Court of Sessions was presented on the i6th of November, 1852, by J. 
 G. Ward, A. S. Shottenkirk and E. L. Burton, petitioneri, and the order 
 .of incorporation was at once granted by Judge Johnson, subject, how- 
 ever, to ratification by electors residing within the proposed village limits, 
 who were directed to vote upon the question on the 14th of January, 
 1853. A certificate filed with the county clerk showed that 194 votes 
 were cast, of which 119 were in favor of and seventy-five against the 
 proposed incorporation. The lands included within the village were 
 five hundred and twenty five acres in extent, and contained a resident 
 population of 1,318 persons. The number of families was 249, there 
 being an average of about six persons to each family, the largest being 
 that of Edwin Frisbie with sixteen persons, followed by David Spaul- 
 ding with fifteen, E. N. Spencer thirteen, and Alanson Hosmer, J. D. 
 Haggart and Smith Lake with twelve each. 
 
 The first village election was held March 15, 1853, and the following 
 officers were then chosen : Trustees, Samuel Gilchrist, W. C. Mills, 
 William Case, D. S. Frank and Samuel Mills ; assessors, Charles Sun- 
 derlin, Duncan McFarlin and Sherwood Haggart; treasurer, Timothy 
 W. Miller; clerk, W. D. Sunderlin ; collector, L. C.Washburn; pound 
 master, David Wilson. At the first trustees meeting, held March 26, 
 William Case was elected president, and Samuel Gilchrist vice-president. 
 The second annual election was held March 7, 1854, and resulted in 
 the re-election of the first officers with the exception of clerk, R. B. 
 Chadsey succeeding W. D Sunderlin. The following year, 1855, the 
 officers elected were as follows : Zina Case, Samuel Gilchrist, Robert 
 Earl, S. Mills and Sherwood Haggart, trustees ; Rufus Washburn, Will- 
 iam Van Vrankin and Charles Sunderlin, assessors ; T. W. Miller, 
 treasurer ; John D. Plummer, collector ; Seymour Sexton, clerk ; Isaac 
 M. Place, pound master. The next village officers were : T. W. Miller, 
 Edward Leonard, Darius C. Mills, Elisha L. Burton and Seymour 
 Sexton, trustees; N. J. Burton, clerk ; David Wilson, H. C. Thomas 
 and C. J. Fox, assessors ; Jonathan Carpenter, road commissioner ; L. 
 C. Washburn, collector; H. C. .Day, pound master. 
 
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3S0 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 Jonathan Carpenter was elected road commissioner in pursuance of 
 an act passed April i, 1854, by which the village was constituted a 
 separate road district of the town of Johnstown, although the act 
 designated the office as overseer of highways. This allusion, to legis- 
 lative action naturally leads us to now refer to the several acts of the 
 legislature that have been passed and which have had reference to 
 the municipal history of the village and city. By an act passed April 30, 
 i860, the village election was directed to be hereafter held on the first 
 Tuesday in April, instead of in March, as provided by the law of 
 1847. In 1866 another special act enlarged the powers of the cor- 
 poration, and authorized the trustees to regulate and control markets, 
 to appoint an inspector of wood, and enforce such by-laws and regu- 
 lations as should be adopted by them. The first extension of the village 
 limits was made under an act of the legislature passed in 1867. This 
 act also provided for the election of a police justice and " police con- 
 stable." Chapter 821 of the laws of 187 1 (passed April 28) provided for 
 the selection of village water commissioners. 
 
 From the time of original incorporation until 1873, Gloversville was 
 what has been commonly known as a municipality of the third class, but 
 in the year last mentioned it advanced to the second class, being then 
 granted a charter under the name of " the village of Gloversville," and 
 declared to be " a body politic and corporate." This was done by an 
 act passed May 14, 1873, which act provided for the election of a 
 president, eight trustees, a treasurer, clerk, three assessors, one po- 
 lice justice, one superintendent of streets, sewers, and village property, 
 a collector of corporation taxes and three inspectors of election ; also 
 for the appointment by the trustees of a health officer and other officers 
 authorized to be appointed by the board of trustees. The same act, 
 also made provision for a board of health (to comprise the president, 
 clerk, and two of the trustees), a police department, commissioners 
 of excise and a fire department. The office of superintendent of streets 
 was made elective by the act referred to, but in 1878, by an amenda- 
 tory act, that officer was to be appointed by the trustees. Another act, 
 passed May 5, 1886, again enlarged the powers of the village authorities, 
 made elective all offices except clerk, policemen and superintendent of 
 streets, but still the village remained a part of the town of Johnstown, 
 
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THE CITY OF GLOVERSVILLE. 
 
 351 
 
 and was not entirely separated therefrom until the granting of the city 
 charter in 1890, the latter constituting Gloversville a city of the " first 
 class," having all the powers and liabilities of cities in this state. 
 
 On the 9th of March, 1890, the legislature passed an act to incor- 
 porate the " City of Gloversville," by which the former village corpo- 
 ration was dissolved. The city was divided into six wards, and election 
 of officers was authorized as follows : Mayor, chamberlain, recorder, 
 two justices of the peace, two constables, nine members of the board 
 of education, five water commissioners, one commissioner of charities, 
 and three assessors. The officers directed to be appointed were three 
 excise commissioners, one city attorney, a clerk, one. superintendent of 
 streets, one chief of police, and policemen (as the common council 
 shall determine) and from two to four city physicians. It should be 
 stated, however, that an act passed in 1891 provided for the election of 
 school commissioners on the second Tuesday in September, instead of 
 the day of the annual city election. 
 
 The first mayor of Gloversville was Ashley D. L. Baker, elected in 
 1890, succeeded in 1892 by Clark L. Jordan. The first chamberlain 
 was J. Frank Davis, who was re-elected in 1892. Jerome Eggleston 
 was the first city recorder, and likewise re-elected for a second term of 
 office. Ralph Sexton has been twice elected commissioner of charities. 
 
 The foregoing record furnishes a brief municipal history of Glovers- 
 ville from the time of its original incorporation as a village to the grant- 
 ing of its city charter, the latter resulting in a complete separation of its 
 territory from the old town of Johnstown. When first incorporated 
 the village population was little more than 1,000, while now the city 
 has 15,000 inhabitants, a growth in forty years of nearly fifteen times 
 its original number. However interesting would be a detailed history 
 of the founding and growth of this remarkable municipality during the 
 last half century, the absence of records precludes the furnishing of 
 such a narrative, and whatever is known or accessible is fragmentary 
 and disconnected. From the original limited area of less than a square 
 mile of land there has grown a city of good proportions, and within its 
 boundaries is included the old and historic hamlet of Kingsboro. 
 The once remote lands of the village have been brought into service for 
 building purposes, the results of natural increase in population and the 
 
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352 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 enterprise of local capitalists. Several years ago a horse railroad was 
 put in operation between Gloversville and Kingsboro, but the project 
 not proving a financial success was therefore abandoned. More recently, 
 however, measures have been adopted for again connecting these points 
 by modern means of travel, by constructing a belt line of electric road 
 through various portions of the city. However, the most interesting 
 part of the history of Gloversville is that recorded in the history of its 
 institutions and business interests, public and private, and to those the 
 attention of the reader is directed ; but before entering into their detail 
 it is proper at this time to furnish the succession of postmasters, as has 
 been done in recording the history of Kingsboro.. In Gloversville the 
 postmasters, with date of their appointment, have been as follows : 
 Henry Churchill, January 29, 1829; Harvey Jones, August 26, 1841 ; 
 Henry Churchill, August 6, 1845 ! Lorain Sunderlin, August 26, 1845 ! 
 Henry Churchill, May 18, 1847; Elisha L. Burton, June 8, 1849; 
 Lloyd H. Copeland, June 15, 1853; Ebenezer R. Mackey, September 
 26, 1854; Isaac Combs, February 13, 1855; Elisha L. Burton, May 
 30, 1861 ; Esther L. Burton, October 28, 1862; Edward Ward, Jan- 
 uary 6, 1871 ; Albert W. Locklin, February 26, 1877 ; George C. Pot- 
 ter, February 9, 1891. 
 
 Public Schools of Gloversville. ^ — The first public school-house of 
 Gloversville was built of slabs in 1800. 
 
 It stood on the north side of West Fulton street, probably a little west 
 of Orchard street, but the exact locality is in dispute. It was removed 
 about 181 1 to a spot on South Main street, on land then owned by 
 James Burr, opposite the site of the Alvord House. 
 
 Three years later a second school-house was built, this time of brick, 
 near the present northwest corner of the Rose block, on Main and West 
 Fulton streets. This was a commodious building and was used until 
 1836, when it gave place to business structures. 
 
 The third school-house was a two story wooden building which stood 
 on the site of the present Martin house at the northwest corner of West 
 Fulton and School streets, and gave its name to School street. At the 
 end of thirteen years it was replaced by a larger building in which the 
 district school was held until the close of the summer term in 1868. 
 
 1 By Prof. H. A. Pratt. 
 
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THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 353 
 
 This building was arranged for three teachers and (somewhat raised and 
 enlarged) is known as the Martin House. 
 
 The district known as school district No. 16 of the town of Johns- 
 town, included the greater part, but not all, of the corporation of Glov- 
 ersville. Its boundaries were somewhat changed from time to time, but 
 were never the same as those of Gloversville. 
 
 In 1867 the school was an ordinary district school with accommoda- 
 tions entirely inadequate for the school population, and the attendance 
 was small and irregular. Many pupils were attending private schools, 
 of which there were three in the village, in addition to those at the 
 seminary. 
 
 The people were dissatisfied and after some agitation, on December 
 30, 1867, the following request was presented to the trustees of the dis- 
 trict, Charles C. Bowen, Elias C Burton, and Henry C. Thomas. " We, 
 the undersigned, do hereby request that a special meeting of the tax- 
 able inhabitants of this school district be called for the purpose of adopt- 
 ing measures and obtaining an expression of the minds of such tax- 
 payers, in relation to making an application to the legislature to change 
 the present system of schools in this district into that of a graded school, 
 and for such other business in relation to such object as may come be- 
 fore the meeting. [Signed by:] W. J. Heacock, E. Leavenworth, R. 
 Washburn, Phillip Graff, W. H. Place, Daniel Hays, J. K. Sexton, G. 
 S. Chadbourne, A. Simmons, Wm. C. Mills, M. W. Oderkirk, J. H. Sey- 
 mour, A. D. Brower, U. M. Place, V. S. Harmon, N. W. Welch, J. 
 McLaren and A. E. Porter." The result was that on February 25, 
 1868, at a meeting held in the district school-house, it was voted by 
 169 to 33 to change the system of the village schools by combining 
 them into a graded school, and to increase the number of trustees to 
 nine. At another meeting at the same place March 2, following, the 
 new board of trustees was chosen as follows : 
 
 For three years, James H. Seymour, Seymour Sexton, Joseph S. 
 Heacock ; two years, U. M. Place, E. Leavenworth, P. R. Furbeck ; 
 one year, Daniel Hayes, William H. Place, William A. Kasson. 
 
 On March 9, 1868, the new trustees organized as the Board of 
 Education of Gloversville Union Free School, otherwise known as 
 District No. 16, and elected W. M. Place, president; P. R. Furbeck, clerk. 
 
 45 
 
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354 ItlSTORY OP FULTOISt COUNTY. 
 
 The new system began operations May ii, 1868, at the old school- 
 house with about lOO pupils, Cyrus Stewart being principal, Miss Lizzie 
 Windoes and Miss Mary Wyckoff, assistants. Before the close of the 
 term the attendance fully doubled, the corps of assistants was raised to 
 five, and an additional building west of the Alvord House procured for 
 the overflow. 
 
 Mr. Stewart retired at the close of the term and H. A. Pratt, a grad- 
 uate of Yale College, who for the past year had been principal of the 
 seminary, succeeded him. 
 
 During the summer negotiations for the purchase of the seminary 
 property terminated successfully, the district paying !j5i7,388.88 for the 
 same, and on October 25, 1868, the fall term of Gloversville Union 
 School began at the old seminary with about 500 pupils under the 
 charge of nine teachers, Mr. Pratt being principal and Miss Rhoda 
 Waterbury preceptress. The old school- house on School street was no 
 longer used for school purposes, and all private schools had been dis- 
 continued. 
 
 The school rapidly increased in numbers, 783 pupils having been en- 
 rolled during the school year and two teachers added, the average daily 
 attendance having been 465. 
 
 As the school grew, new rooms were fitted up from time to time in 
 the seminary building, until it contained thirteen, with one recitation 
 room. 
 
 These being insufficient to accommodate all the pupils, a three story, 
 six room brick building, now known as the south building, was erected 
 on the seminary grounds in 1874-75, at a cost, including furniture, of 
 about $15,000. 
 
 In 1883 a similar building, now known as the north building, was 
 erected at about the same cost, this also being on the seminary grounds. 
 In 1888 another six room, three story brick building, now known as the 
 Spring street school-house, was erected on Spring street at a cost, in- 
 cluding site, of some $17,000. 
 
 In 1 89 1 the Park street street school- house, also a six room, three 
 story brick structure, was built at a cost, including site, of about 
 $16,000. 
 
 In 1892 $18,000 was voted by the school district for another school- 
 house, which will be built on the southwest corner of North Main 
 
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THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 355 
 
 street and Green avenue. This will probably be a two storj', eight 
 room building, 
 
 When Gloversville became a city on March 19, 1890, and all the 
 territory within its limits became a school district to be known as " The 
 School District of the City of Gloversville," it was found that this new 
 district embraced nearly all of the former districts Nos. 15, 16 and 
 17 of the town of Johnstown, No. 16 being also known as Glovers- 
 ville Union School, and No. 17 as Kingsboro Union School. This 
 gave the city of Gloversville the old school- house in Kingsboro, for- 
 merly occupied by the Kingsboro Academy, containing four rooms 
 and a two room building on South Main street, both wooden struct- 
 ures. In June 1892, therefore, " The School District of the City of 
 Gloversville" owned seven school-houses, containing forty- one school 
 rooms, with a seating capacity of upwards of 2,400. These, how- 
 ever, were not sufficient to accommodate all the pupils and the dis- 
 trict was forced to hire two additional rooms for the overflow. 
 
 In 1 88 1, by special act of the legislature, Gloversville Union School 
 became entitled to public money to the amount of $800 a year for a 
 superintendent of schools. Mr. H. A. Pratt was elected superintend- 
 ent, which office he continued to hold until his resignation. 
 
 In September, 1871, an academic department, subject to the visita- 
 tion of the Regents of the University, was opened under the charge of 
 George R. Donnan, a graduate of Union College. He served one year 
 and was succeeded by Mrs. M. A. Kelley, who held the position until 
 1878. 
 
 Other teachers in charge of this department were : Mi.ss Emma J. 
 Chriswell, 1878-85 ; Miss Villa F. Page, 1885-86; Miss Jessie Hughes, 
 1886-87; Miss Metta L. Persons, 1887-92. They were assisted by 
 Mr. A. L. Peck, 1877-88 ; Mr. B. C. Van Ingen, 1888-91 ; Mr. Robert 
 J. Hughes, 1891-92; Mrs. E. C. West, 1884-91 ; Miss Mattie J. Law, 
 1891-92; Miss Helen Lawn, 1 892. 
 
 In 1885 drawing was introduced into all of the rooms, and has ever 
 since been regularly and systematically taught with excellent results. 
 
 Kindergarten work was introduced in 1886, Miss Beulah Gilman, a 
 trained kindergartner from the Oswego Normal School, having been the 
 first teacher in that department. Miss Gilman proved very capable 
 
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3s6 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 and the experiment was so satisfactory that, later on, four kindergarten 
 teachers were employed at the same time and this has become one of 
 the most flourishing departments of the school system. 
 
 The study of vocal music began in 1887, under the efificient super- 
 vision of Miss Lizzie Macnee, and has been continued down to the 
 present time. 
 
 Mr. Pratt resigned in 1890, after having served continuously in 
 Gloversville as principal and superintendent of schools for twenty-three 
 years. He, was succeeded by James A. Estee, a graduate of Alfred 
 University, who is now superintendent. 
 
 The history of the public school system of Gloversville, since the or- 
 ganization of the Union School, is one of continuous growth and pros- 
 perity. Beginning the school year 1868-69 with nine teachers and less 
 than 500 pupils, the total enrollment for the year was 738, and it has 
 steadily increased year by year, until in 1891-92 it contains upwards of 
 2,800 pupils, under a superintendent with forty-seven assistant teachers. 
 
 The growth for a series of years is shown by the following extract 
 from Superintendent Pratt's last report, which, except for the last year, 
 includes residents only: 
 
 Average Number 
 Number Enrolled at School 
 
 School Year. as Pupils. Each Day. 
 
 1881-82 1,401 864 
 
 1882-83 1^376 877 
 
 1883-84 1,421 979 
 
 1884-85 1,466 1,005 
 
 1885-86 1,514 1,010 
 
 1886-87 1,605 1,083 
 
 1887-88...., 1,744 1,165 
 
 1888-89 1,938 1,284 
 
 1889-90 2,507 1,720 
 
 The Academic Department, now named the Gloversville High 
 School, has also grown steadily under its able corps of teachers and is 
 in a flourishing condition. Starting in 1871 with one teacher and less 
 than a dozen academic pupils, it now has four teachers and has en- 
 rolled during 1891-92, 140 students. Its pupils may take a three 
 years' English Course, a four years' Classical Course, or the Regent's 
 Academic Course, and may be fitted for the classical or other depart- 
 ments of college. 
 
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PRIVATE SCHOOLS. . 3:,^ 
 
 The "course of study" in the other departments, preparatory to the 
 High School, occupies eight years. 
 
 Appended is a list of the presidents of the Boards of Education : 
 U. M. Place, Dr. James H. Seymour, Dr. P. R. Furbeck, John Fergu- 
 son, James D. Foster, Solomon Jefifers, Dr. Eugene Beach, Dr. Charles 
 M. Lefler, F. M. Young, Daniel Hays. 
 
 Private Schools. — In 1849 Miss Emily Corwin opened the first pri- 
 vate school (of which there is any account) in Gloversville. In 1850 
 Miss Smith, with one assistant, established a select school for young 
 ladies, which proved very successful. She was succeeded in the fall of 
 185 I by Miss S. E. Roberts (now Mrs. E. R. Churchill), who conducted 
 the school for twenty- two weeks, her successor being Miss Sarah Sher- 
 man, under whose charge the school continued to flourish. In 1852 
 she left for a better position, and was succeeded by Miss Efner. 
 
 In 1853 Miss Bright came to Gloversville, expecting to take the 
 school, but the accommodations were so poor that she would not con- 
 sent, unless the people would build a suitable school house. A few 
 ladies and gentlemen met in the parlors of Mr. Alanson Judson to dis- 
 cuss the subject. Other meetings followed, resulting, in the formation 
 of a stock company and its incorporation under the name of Gloversville 
 Union Seminary. 
 
 The seminary was managed by a board of twelve trustees, four from 
 each of the then existing churches, the pastor of each church being 
 ex officio a member of this board. The original trustees were as 
 follows : 
 
 Congregational — Alanson Hosmer, Alanson Judson, U. M. Place, 
 Rev. Homer N. Dunning. 
 
 Baptist — Henry C. Churchill, Henry C. Thomas, James H. Burr, 
 Rev. Isaac Westcott. 
 
 Methodist — Harry C. Jones, J. G. Ward, Samuel Gilchrist, Rev. 
 Merritt Bates. 
 
 The trustees organized by the election of Mr. Churchill as president 
 and Mr. Ward as secretary, and soon after bought about two acres of 
 ground on the corner of North Main and Prospect streets for $100, and 
 in 1854 erected thereon the building long known as Gloversville Union 
 Seminary, now the center building of the three public school-houses on 
 
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358 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 the same plot. It is a three story brick building, 105 feet long, 51 
 feet wide, and was originally intended for a boarding-school for young 
 ladies, in connection with a day school for the more advanced pupils of 
 both sexes in the village. It was furnished throughout and contained 
 accommodations for upwards of fifty boarders, and about 200 day 
 scholars. The cost of the building, furniture, etc., was about $21,000. 
 
 The circular issued by the trustees in 1855 contains the following: 
 
 "This Seminary throughout is new : its Buildings, its Apparatus, its 
 Instruments, its Furniture are all new, neat, convenient, and as they 
 should be. Every window has blinds, every sash a pulley and weights, 
 and every room a ventilator. Its apartments are not cells, but high 
 and spacious. In every desirable appointment for a school purpose, its 
 equal can scarcely be found in the state . . . The Seminary has 
 the most ample accommodations for at least forty boarding scholars — 
 exclusively female." 
 
 All expenses for boarding pupils, music excepted, were given as $160 
 to $180 a year. 
 
 The school was opened September 12, 1855, under the charge of 
 Rev. Edgar Perkins, who was its principal for about five years. He 
 was succeeded by Fitz Henry Weld, who retired about 1865. Other 
 principals were George W. McLellan, 1865-66; R. S. Bingham, 
 1866-67, and H. A. Pratt, 1867-68. 
 
 Under the administration of Mr. Perkins the school soon gained a 
 high reputation and was well patronized, the rooms for boarders being 
 nearly all occupied, while the day school was largely attended and 
 proved of great benefit to the youth of the village. The original 
 design was not, however, rigidly adhered to, and male boarders were 
 soon admitted. 
 
 The school continued to pi-osper during the earlier portion of Mr. 
 Weld's administration, but later on for various reasons the boarding de- 
 partment dechned, and did not regain its importance under his suc- 
 cessors. 
 
 Under Mr. Weld a primary department was established, which was 
 continued until the sale of the property. 
 
 Although the seminary was for a time highly prosperous and un- 
 doubtedly of great importance to the village, it was never remunerative 
 
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LIBRARIES. 359 
 
 to the stockholders, and in 1868 the property was sold to the school 
 district of Gioversvilie, and ever since has been used for public school 
 purposes. 
 
 Since the establishment of the Union Free School there have been 
 no private schools of any great size or importance in Gioversvilie. 
 
 Libraries. — The history of the Gioversvilie library, including the de- 
 tails of united efforts to provide suitable reading matter for the public, is 
 of more interest than many of our citizens really suppose, and hence it 
 deserves a prominent place in our history. From books, time worn and 
 antiquated, and also from old "regulations" now in possession of the 
 Gioversvilie Free Library, it is evident that as early as 1803 and possibly 
 even previously, one well organized library association was in existence. 
 A bookplate pasted beneath another of later date shows that a small 
 association named " Juvenilian Library " supported a circulating library 
 which was afterwards united with a larger institution under the corpo- 
 rate name of the '' Farmers' Library." Both of these libraries seem to 
 have been managed in a systematic and careful manner, for in the regu- 
 lations printed on a bookplate (in Robertson's History of America) it is 
 required that " This book must be returned on the Friday next succeed- 
 ing the Second Tuesday in March, June, September and December, 
 three hours before sunset, under penalty of twenty- five cents." There 
 are also fines fixed for various damages such as tearing of covers or de- 
 facing. The librarian (then no less personage than Pastor Yale himself) 
 seems to have examined every book page by page, and he entered on 
 the fly leaf every injury the volume had suffered. Few libraries of 
 the present day indeed have such tender care. It is also known that in 
 1825 Philander Heacock, father of Willard J. Heacock, bought with the 
 proceeds of a lottery ticket a .small library which he gave to the Kings- 
 boro Sunday-school. Later on the Kingsboro Academy had at one 
 time an excellent distinct library which was by far the best in this 
 region. 
 
 In 1853 the Young Ladies' Library Association was established and 
 though the names of the original members are not all known, it is cer- 
 tain that Misses S. M. Wells, Jennie Case, Electa Hildredth (Mrs. Geo. 
 Fay), Abby Gillette (Mrs. Charles Fox), Helen Churchill (Mrs Root, of 
 Hartford, Conn.), Mary E. Leonard (the late Mrs. Post, of Chicago), 
 
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360 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 Elvira Champlin (Mrs. A. P. Smith, of Sterling, 111.), Eliza Stevens 
 (Mrs Geo. M. Thompson, of Albany), Hattie Judson (Mrs. Seth C. 
 Burton), Lucy J. Judson (Mrs. Nahum Grimes, Canandaigua), Lizzie 
 Windoes (Mrs. E. R. Bowen, Chicago), were the constituent members. 
 
 Miss Wells held the office of president about four years, and Miss 
 Stevens acted as secretary for ten years. 
 
 By-laws were adopted permitting gentlemen to become honorary 
 members by the payment of twenty-five cents annually, and then they 
 ■were entitled to attend the fortnightly gatherings to ;issist the young 
 ladies, and sometimes to escort them home. 
 
 The first books were purchased in 1855. As the records have been 
 destroyed there is a little difference of opinion as to the amount of 
 money invested, but we know that nearly one hundred volumes were 
 purchased. Miss Case was the first librarian, and generously allowed 
 the books to be kept at her home 
 
 In 1873 a new organization called " The Young Peoples' Library 
 Association " sprang up and was in need of books. Hence on April 
 9, 1874. at a meeting called by the president (Miss Lucy Judson), and 
 composed of directors Deacon Henry Thomas, U. M. Place and John 
 McLaren, Misses Case and Judson and Mrs. Lizzie Windoes Tyler, these 
 questions were considered, " What shall we do with our books ?" 
 " Where would they accomplish the most good ?" 
 
 After deliberation it was decided to loan the books to the Young 
 Peoples' Library. A memorandum shows that 66"] volumes were thus 
 transferred from the Young Ladies' Library Association to the new 
 institution. The Gloversville Young Peoples' Association took a stronger 
 hold and extended a greater influence upon the community. Our 
 present librarian has been unable to find records of its origin, but it is 
 certain that Drs. Furbeck and Beach, C. T. Brockway, now of Syracuse, 
 D. F. Cowles and James W. Green were very efficient in organizing and 
 sustaining it. Each of the two last named persons saved the institution 
 from bankruptcy for a time, the one by a large subscription, the other 
 by organizing a lecture course. Mainly through the enterprise of Mr. 
 Cowles there was secured the best course of piopular lectures which the 
 place has ever enjoyed. But there was at that time no thoroughly 
 trained librarian in Fulton county, the old books were not taken proper 
 
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O-L'iAyiL 
 
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LIBRARTES. 361 
 
 care of and few new ones were purchased. It is not surprising to find 
 how soon a library that secures only a few new books and fails to keep 
 up with the issues of the press, will fall behind the wants of the time. 
 In spite of noble efforts to sustain it, this library died at last because it 
 lacked the main elements of a library's life, viz. : money and a competent 
 librarian. The two institutions above named shared the usual error of 
 subscription libraries, they never reached the class of persons who 
 needed the books most. A subscription library only encourages a 
 class of persons who have been trained already to read. A free library 
 at once makes a new class of readers from the previously non reading 
 classes, and is the only real solution of the library problem. The two 
 libraries did, however, a most useful work, being the origin of that pub- 
 lic interest in libraries which has sustained the present institution. 
 
 The Levi Parsons Library, the third institution of the kind in Glovers- 
 ville, was founded by Judge Levi Parsons, a native of Kingsboro, who 
 had spent the greater part of his working years in successful business 
 enterprises in California. He was one of the founders of the Whig 
 party in that state in 1849, ^'^^ was the first judge appointed in San 
 Francisco. While on a visit to Kingsboro in October, 1879, Juf^gc 
 Parsons remarked to Dr. Eugene Beach that he would give $5,000 for 
 a public library in Gloversville, provided that the citizens would sub- 
 scribe an equal amount. This remark lay like a seed unplanted for 
 four months, until on February 27, 1880, Rev. William E. Park cas- 
 ually remarked at his breakfast table that he heard of such a proposal 
 having been made. His mother-in-law, the venerable Mrs. J. W. 
 Edwards, immediately remarked : "After breakfast, go right over and 
 and see Dr. B.; find out whether Judge Parsons did make that pro- 
 posal, if he did, write him at once asking if the offer remains good, and 
 have your letter off in to-night's mail." 
 
 The wise suggestion was heeded and the letter to Judge Parsons was 
 written the same day. In about a month a letter was received from 
 Judge Parsons (then in London) in which he stated that we might de- 
 pend upon receiving the $5,000. Rev. Mr. Park laid the offer before 
 the ministers of the place, who were then accustomed to meet every 
 week, thus forming an association which was a great moral force in the 
 community. The ministers promptly published a card in the papers 
 
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362 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 calling attention to Judge Parsons' proposal, and leading citizens from 
 all our churches began to take an interest in the matter. On the 14th 
 of April Rev. William E. Park visited Judge Parsons in New York and 
 was very favorably received by him; arrangements were completed and 
 the draft for the $5,000 reached Gloversville in a few days. There can 
 be no doubt that the enthusiasm and zealous energy of Mr. Park, next 
 to the generosity of Mr. Parsons, did much to found the library. Ever 
 since Mr. Park has been an active member of the board of directors and 
 chairman of the library committee. 
 
 On Saturday, April 17, the memorable meeting was held in the 
 rooms of the Fulton County Bank. D. B. Judson was appointed chair- 
 man and Clayton M. Parke secretary. The report of the visit to Judge 
 Parsons was presented, and the gentlemen present voted to raise the 
 required $5,000. During the meeting great enthusiasm was aroused 
 by a telegram that arrived from New York, stating that a much larger 
 sum would be given. The sum of $3,810 was pledged in a few 
 moments, and four energetic committees secured within a fortnight 
 pledges from which the sum of $8,569, was eventually realized. The 
 chairmen of these committees were H. C. Day, Aaron Simmons, Sey- 
 mour Sexton, E. A. Spencer, and D. B. Judson. 
 
 This effort was soon afterwards incorporated under the " Act of May 
 15, 1875, of the State of New York for the Incorporation of Library 
 Societies." A library association was organized in which each donor 
 secured a year's membership for every $2 of his subscription, and there 
 was formed at the same time the board of directors, which, remaining 
 in principle unchanged to the present day, has always been the working 
 force of the library. The official members of this body consisted of 
 the president of the village and the principal of the public school, to 
 whom were added the pastors of the six churches of Gloversville and 
 Kingsboro. Later on twelve additional directors were elected. The 
 late Alanson Judson, who, next to Judge Parsons, had been the largest 
 subscriber to the project, was made the first president and held the 
 office during the remainder of his Hfe. Daniel B. Judson was elected 
 vice-president, and Clayton M. Parke, secretary. A constitution and 
 by-laws were framed and adopted. A very important step was taken 
 in the selection of Prof. A. L. Peck, then a teacher in the Academic 
 
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LIBRARIES. 363 
 
 department of the public school, for the important position of librarian. 
 On July 26 following, D. B. Judson, Rev. H. C. Farrar, Rev. H. A. 
 Cordo, Rev. W. E. Park and the librarian went to New York and did a 
 hard week's work in the book stores, selecting and purchasing 3,262 
 volumes with which the institution afterwards began its work. In ad- 
 dition to the above the library received 714 volumes from the defunct 
 Gloversville Young People's Association. 
 
 The great task of preparing these books for distribution was per- 
 formed by Professor Peck and his assistants, and occupied nearly all 
 their time for four and a half months. Each book had to be collated, 
 stamped, labeled, covered, and catalogued. 
 
 The work was begun on August 18, 1880, and on January 3, 1881, 
 the printed catalogue was issued and the library was opened to the pub- 
 lic during the afternoon and evening of each day, in the room now 
 occupied by the Intelligencer office, over the Manufacturers' and Mer- 
 chants' Bank. The reading room had been opened, however, during 
 the previous November. To persons who had not secured memberships, 
 $1 a year was charged for the use of the books, a measure which was 
 unavoidable at the time, but which had the effect of closing the library 
 to persons not accustomed to read, who did not appreciate books enough 
 to pay for their use. A library fee always reserves the institution for 
 the educated class, and fences off the non-reading classes, for whom it 
 should principally exist. 
 
 Before the library was opened, however, a great accession to its in- 
 fluence was made. y. On December 21, 1880, an indenture was executed 
 by Judge Levi Parsons, vesting in the trustees of Union College the sum 
 of $50,000, the interest of which is to be mainly applied tc the educa- 
 tion of young men in Gloversville, Kingsboro, Johnstown and Fulton 
 county. The right of nomination to the scholarship rests solely 
 with the directors of the library. Thirteen scholarships are provided 
 by means of which ninety-seven of our young men have already 
 received a liberal education, few of whom would have entertained such 
 an expectation without this encouragement. The fund has done its 
 first work, while yet its future benefits must be of untold value. The 
 library not only furnishes the people with books but holds in its hands 
 the key to collegiate education. 
 
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364 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 For two years the library progressed without a book being lost or 
 unnecessaiilj' damaged, and the institution grew in use and favor within 
 a certain limited circle, but from his position the librarian saw the 
 necessity of pressing the circulation and reaching a new class. The free 
 library which he advocated and which was really needed, could not then 
 be thought of. Hence as the best means of increasing the usefulness 
 of the institution he recommended the reduction of subscription rates 
 to library clubs and the formation of such clubs. On December 22, 
 1882, the board of directors authorized the clubs, giving a reduced rate 
 to a certain number of subscribers. Mainly through the indefatigable 
 efforts of the librarian, clubs were formed in all our churches and in 
 the public schools, as well as in the largest of our shops. The rate was 
 diminished until it rested at fifty cents a year, a price too low to bring 
 the institution much income and yet still high enough to exclude those 
 who most needed the books. The income from the latter soon increased 
 from $187 to $388. This small encouragement, however, was the pre- 
 lude to a series of financial disasters, occurring at intervals through the 
 next three years. In the summer of 1885 the funds were utterly ex- 
 hausted, and temporary relief was obtained by a subscription of $1,200, 
 secured with considerable difficulty by the librarian. One-sixth of this 
 amount was contributed by Judge Parsons, who in November of the 
 following year gave to the library his last donation of $600. In this 
 time of distress and poverty, however, several great improvements 
 were made. The old quarters were found to be more and more un- 
 comfortable, and on February 1 1, 1885, the late Nathan Littauer offered 
 to the library rooms in his new building, rent free for one year. The 
 courteous proposal was accepted, and on March 13 following, the 
 library was opened in the commodious apartments which have been 
 used ever since. The friends of the library are grateful to Mr. Littauer 
 for the year's rent given. In spite of the scanty means of the institu- 
 tion, a new and much needed reading room was secured in 1886. This 
 was accomplished largely through the efforts of the librarian, by whose 
 earnest solicitations the citizens subscribed nearly $300. An event now 
 occurred which brought the library no immediate gain and yet led to 
 the most important future results. Largely through the management 
 of parties in this place, in May, 1887, » legislative bill was enacted 
 
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LIBRARIES. 365 
 
 whose main provision was, that any library in the state owning five 
 thousand volumes, paying a rental of $300, or owning $4,000 worth of 
 real estate, might apply to the trustees of its town for aid to the amount 
 of $1,000, for every 15,000 volumes circulated. This bill was framed 
 by the librarian after consultation with library officials in other places 
 and with many prominent citizens of Gloversville. 
 
 On October 23, 1887, Judge Parsons suddenly died. He was the 
 founder of the institution and gave to it in all the sum of $6,800, besides 
 books and engravings to the value of $1,000 more. To him alone the 
 library owes its share in the Union College scholarship fund and the 
 entire right of nominating the beneficiaries The gift really is a wise, 
 far-sighted and permanent contribution for the education of young men 
 in Fulton county. Judge Parson's early desire for a collegiate educa- 
 tion inclined him to make this provision for the young men of his native 
 district. He had planned at one time to do far more than this, but his 
 services to the library, though falling far short of his original purpose, 
 have been very great. 
 
 The year 1888, the brightest by far in the history of the institution, 
 opened in gloom and darkness. Debt which had been accumulating 
 for a long time, reached the sum of $1,800. All temporary expedients 
 to obtain money seemed to be exhausted. An offer to purchase the 
 books and furniture of the library was made and the plan of selling it 
 out was seriously considered. The directors were not then aware of 
 the interest felt by the outside public, and to many of them the sale of 
 the property seemed to be a sad but unavoidable measure. 
 
 At this point the utter destitution of the library obliged its managers 
 to do what they should have done long before, viz.: go to the public. 
 An energetic soliciting committee was appointed and their prompt suc- 
 cess astonished all parties. The seed of long continued good library 
 management ; the feeling that so much had been done for the people 
 with such scanty means ; the fact, rare in a library's history, that not a 
 book from a large stock had been lost or unnecessarily injured for eight 
 years ; the ceaseless efforts of the librarian to extend the influence of the 
 institution by the formation of reading clubs and study classes — all these 
 things told in the trial hour. The plan of selling the property grew 
 more and more objectionable, and to save the institution many contrib- 
 
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366 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 uted from the smallest incomes. It was found that the library had a 
 root in every family, we might say a rootlet in the heart of every school 
 child. After three weeks' hard work the committee reported contribu- 
 tions to the amount of nearly $4,000. 
 
 The names of these three men, immortal in the library's history, are 
 Seymour Sexton, A. D. L. Baker and Frederick Steele. The direct 
 consequence of their efforts was that the use of the library books was 
 made free on February 4, 1888. This was a result towards which 
 events had been tending for several years ; in fact the course had been 
 advocated by the librarian for years, and again recommended by him 
 in his annual report read on the previous July. The effect of this step 
 was felt instantly. The circulation of the books at once doubled. The 
 influence of the library immediately penetrated to quarters where it had 
 never before been felt. An entirely new class of readers was formed. 
 
 Steps were taken immediately to change the name to that of Glovers- 
 ville Free Library, but the legal forms were not completed until Octo- 
 ber II, 1888. Another equally important step was taken at the annual 
 meeting in July last, when the library committee recommended that the 
 salary of the librarian be increased so as to secure his whole time for 
 the institution, enabling him to keep the library open the whole day. 
 The debate on the question was shortened by a keen remark from Rev. 
 A. W. Bourne, who said : " Gentlemen, it is now to be decided whether 
 we will maintain this as a library or run it like a peanut stand." The 
 larger view prevailed and the " peanut " policy disappeared forever. 
 On February 11, 1889, a long growing public sentiment came to the 
 surface, and the trustees of the village generously voted to appropriate 
 for the library in accordance with the provisions of the legislative act 
 before mentioned the sum of $1,000 for every 15,000 volumes circu- 
 lated. 
 
 At the present day the Gloversville Free Library contains more than 
 10,000 volumes with an annual circulation of over 45,000, and every 
 book is of a pure and useful character. 
 
 The books of the hbrary are classified and catalogued ; every book 
 returned is carefully examined before it is permitted to leave the library 
 again; all minor repairs are made immediately and all willful mutilation 
 is checked by the collection of fines. The result of this systematic and 
 
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LIBRARIES. 367 
 
 faithful management is that with an issue of 317,562 volumes, during 
 the past twelve years not one has been lost. 
 
 The free reading room connected with tlie lib'rary enjoys a great 
 patronage and contains the leading dailies and weeklies, as well as all 
 prominent monthlies and quarterlies. During the past year it was util- 
 ized by nearly 20,000 readers. There is also a free reference library of 
 several hundred volumes in constant use, and the institution is growmg 
 in appreciation and popularity. 
 
 Private generosity has done a great deal for this educational institu- 
 tion ; during the past twelve years the citizens have contributed nearly 
 $20,000 ; in addition to this the ladies of the city united their efforts 
 and formed a Ladies' Auxiliary Association, whose efforts, increased by 
 the proceeds of a very successful fair (held at the then new railroad 
 depot) created a permanent fund for the purchase of books. A similar 
 fund has been given by Mrs. Sarah B. Place in memory of her husband 
 (the late Mr. U. M. Place) who was the main support of the Young 
 Ladies' Library of 1853, and in this manner his beneficent plans have 
 been carried into execution. 
 
 The library has also been remembered by substantial bequests in the 
 wills of two public spirited citizens lately deceased, Mr. Isaac V. Place 
 and Mr. Alexander J. Kasson. 
 
 The library management is vested in a board of directors numbering 
 twenty-four, twelve of which are elected by the association. An an- 
 nual payment of $3 constitutes a membership in the association ; the 
 payment of $50 secures a life membership. While the use of the library 
 is entirely free to all inhabitants of the city, only members of the associa- 
 tion have the right to vote and are eligible to office. There are at pres- 
 ent over one hundred life members. 
 
 The board of directors is constituted as follows: Directors for life, 
 Talmage L. Parsons, Seymour Sexton, A. D. L. Baker; directors ex- 
 officio, the mayor and superintendent of public instruction, the rector of 
 the St. John's Church in Johnstown and the pastors of the six Protest- 
 ant churches ; directors by election, D. B. Judson, J. S. Burr, C. M. 
 Parke, W. J. Heacock, Daniel Hayes, L. Caten, S. H. Shotwell, John 
 McNab, W. F. Steele, George M. Place, John L. Gelman, John C. Allen. 
 The officers of the association now are : President, Dr. Eugene Beach, 
 
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^6^ msTORV OF PULTON COUNTY. 
 
 1st vice-president, R B. Parsons; 2d vice-president, C. W. Judson ; 
 secretary, E. A. Spencer. Officers of the library are: President, 
 Daniel Hays ; vice president, Seymour Sexton ; secretary, C. M. Parke ; 
 treasurer, W. D. West; librarian, A. L. Peck; assistants. Miss Jennie 
 A. Bailey and Miss Lizzie M. Fosmire. 
 
 The library maintains also successfully free evening classes, various 
 reading circles and a centre for University extension. The latter con- 
 tained last year 79 members. 
 
 Gloversville Water Works. — The introduction of a systematic and 
 practicable supply of pure and wholesome water into a populous com- 
 munity is an important event. The first legal measures for such a pur- 
 pose in Gloversville were taken in May, 1875. During the year 1871, 
 a special act was passed by the legislature, forming a number of citizens 
 into a corporation, with full power to introduce water, and a similar act 
 was passed in 1873. Some preliminary examinations were made by 
 the later organization, but no definite plans were adopted. The neces- 
 sity of a supply of water for domestic use and also for extinguishing 
 fires was acknowledged by the great majority of citizens, and on May 
 25, 1875, in pursuance of the provisions of the law, the board of trustees 
 was duly organized as a board of water commissioners with the follow- 
 ing officers: John Ferguson, president; Eliphalet Veeder, secretary ; 
 C. M. Ballentine, treasurer. A special election was held July 31, 1875, 
 which resulted in 273 votes "for the water taxes," and 210 votes 
 "against them." From the date of this election until May 7, 1877, the 
 time was chiefly occupied in making surveys, examining various streams, 
 conferring with persons of experience, and other necessary preliminary 
 work. At a meeting of the board on the last mentioned date, it was 
 unanimously voted to select the " Poor House stream " as a source for 
 the supply. On May 18, 1877, the village board fully complied with 
 the law and filed their bond as a board of water commissioners, and 
 upon the next day organized with the following officers : President, 
 Harvey Z. Kasson ; secretary, A. D. Simmons; treasurer, John Sun- 
 derlin ; commissioners, Levi T. Marshall, Purdy Van Wart, Daniel 
 Lasher, James H. Johnson, Crosby McDougall, George W. Nickloy. 
 During the midst of this commendable activity the village was visited 
 by a disastrous conflagration. On May 21, 1877, between midnight 
 
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THE WATER WORKS. 369 
 
 and 5 A. M., a terrific fire raged through the very heart of the village, 
 leaving desolation and destruction in its path. In the brief space of five 
 hours, twenty- two buildings were entirely destroyed. The fire origi- 
 nated, it is said, in No. 133 Main street and burned everything within 
 reach, crossing Church street, consuming two large buildings, one of 
 which (a wooden structure) had formerly been occupied as the First 
 M. E. Church, and the other, which was of brick, had been used by the 
 National Bank. This disaster illustrated more vividly than anything 
 preceding it, the great necessity for a sufficient water supply. In June, 
 1877, the board advertised for proposals for constructing the works. 
 The plans and estimates were made by Peter Hogan, civil engineer, of 
 Albany, who continued in the employ of the water board until the work 
 was finished. The contract was awarded to Sherman, Flagler & Bab- 
 cock, June 26, at $50,243.63. July 3, one week later, work was com- 
 menced with C. W. Knight, of Rome, as assistant engineer. 
 
 The work was completed and the water turned on November 16, 
 1877, and a public trial and exhibition took place the following week. 
 The first application for water was made by John Ferguson, who was the 
 first president of the water board. The pipes were first tapped, how- 
 ever, for E. Veeder, to supply water for the Veeder block on Main 
 street. During the progress of construction some changes were made 
 in the plans, making the total cost of construction exceed the original 
 estimate. The works as completed in 1887, consisted of three reser- 
 voirs and eight miles and 4,904 feet of piping, fifty- two hydrants and 
 fifty-one gates. Extensions were made during 1878, at an expense of 
 about $10,000, nearly half of which was expended in improving the 
 reservoirs. In 1879 there were no extensions made, excepting a small 
 pipe to afiford temporary supply for domestic purposes. It was shown 
 from the report of Dr. Eugene Beach, health officer for 1879, that 
 the death rate for 1875 was 120, while in 1879 it was only fifty-three. 
 Undoubtedly much of this decrease in mortality may be attributed to 
 other causes, but there can be no question that pure and wholesome 
 water contributed to this beneficent result. There are at present five 
 reservoirs, as follows: The Poor-house, built in 1877, elevation 280 
 feet, capacity 3,000,000; Middle, built in 1877, elevation 281 feet, ca- 
 pacity 500,000 gallons; Bleecker, built in 1877, elevation 288 feet, ca- 
 47 
 
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370 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 pacity 1,500,000 gallons; the Potter, built in 1885, elevation 177 feet, 
 capacity 10,000,000 gallons; Rice Creek, built in 1889, elevation 245 
 feet, capacity 3,000,000 gallons. The total cost of the water works, 
 including land damages and construction, up to February i, 1892, was 
 $192,508.94. To meet this outlay there has been issued in bonds the 
 sum of $155,000, as follows: In 1877, $80,000, bearing interest at the 
 rate of six per cent. ; in 1885, $20,000, bearing interest at the rate of 
 five per cent. ; in 1889, $55,000, bearing interest at the rate of three per 
 cent. There have been paid of the second series in 1886 and 1888, 
 $2,500, leaving unpaid $152,500. The present board of water com- 
 missioners is composed of J. H. Richardson, president; James W. Fil- 
 mer, Charles E. Sweet, Zenas B. Whitney, Marcellus G. Burr. The 
 superintendent and clerk is J. B. Tuckerman 
 
 Opera House. — Kasson's Opera House, or Memorial Hall, occupies a 
 convenient site on Main street. This opera house was erected in 1880 
 by the late A. J. Kasson, at a cost of $70,000, and was opened to the 
 public February i, 1881. The theatre has a seating capacity of 1,200, 
 and is fitted with modern conveniences. The stage is thirty- three by 
 forty- five feet in dimensions, and has all the necessary appointments for 
 the display of scenic productions. 
 
 Gloversville Fire Department. — When the disastrous fire of 1877 vis- 
 ited the block of wooden buildings located on Main street between 
 Church and Middle, Gloversville was in great need of protection against 
 such conflagrations. Without suitable water works (as the steps for the 
 present supply were then only partially under way) and with nothing 
 more than a few buckets in the hands of such citizens as might volun- 
 teer their aid, any building which might become thoroughly ignited, 
 was almost sure to burn to the ground. The great fire above men- 
 tioned awoke the people to a sense of their danger, and within a remark- 
 ably short space of time, the village possessed a duly incorporated hose 
 company, as well as a hook and ladder brigade. 
 
 The present Neptune Hose Company was organized April 21, 1877, 
 under the name of " The A. J. Kasson Hose Company," and included 
 the following persons among its charter members : J. K. Belding, E. S. 
 Botsford, W. H. Browne, C. W. Brockway, W. F. Cole, H. G. Dewey, 
 B. J. Dye, M. D. Kasson, W. E. Lansing, Seymour Lebenheim, A. B, 
 
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THE EIRE E)EPARTMENT. 371 
 
 Peake, M. F. Button, and M. L. Shaffer. Meetings were held in a room 
 fitted for the purpose in A. J. Kasson's barn at the rear of the present 
 Memorial Hall. The only apparatus was a chemical engine worked by 
 hand pumps. Later on a small amount of hose was purchased and this 
 was carried upon the shoulders of the members when called out for duty. 
 Soon afterward two hose carts were purchased by the village trustees 
 and placed in the care of the hose company and considerable new hose 
 was also added to their equipment. 
 
 The first fire after the organization occurred December 5, 1878, and 
 destroyed Gorton's block, at the corner of Main and Washington streets. 
 The next large fire to which the company was called into service was 
 the burning of the Johnson block, on Bleecker street, March 25, 1883. 
 
 The name of the company was unanimously changed from A. J. Kas- 
 son Hose Company, to The Neptune Hose Company, July 12, 1882, 
 during the foremanship of C. W. Brockway. Shortly after this the head- 
 quarters were moved to rooms in the Collins block, on Main street. On 
 February 13, 1884, the headquarters were removed to the Miller block, 
 where they remained until the completion of the Corporation building, 
 in which three large rooms were fitted up for their exclusive use. They 
 moved into these elegant apartments in 1887. The company has thirty- 
 one members at present and the following officers : Foreman, Charles 
 H. Krause; first assistant, Frank Pryne ; second assistant, Herbert L. 
 Montanye ; treasurer; Frank J. Titcomb ; secretary, E. A. James ; sur- 
 geon, Dr. J. S. Phillips. 
 
 Without going into additional detail it is sufficient to say that the de- 
 partment has always displayed a willingness to serve to the best of its 
 ability, and deserves great credit for its promptness in responding to 
 every alarm. It may also be said that The Neptune Hose Company 
 has been very successful in winning prizes at running contests in various 
 parts of the state. The most conspicuous of these was the prize of 
 $250, won at the state firemen's convention at Herkimer, August 21, 
 1 89 1. The distance was 900 feet, make and break, and the running 
 time of the Neptune team was 44 f second, beating the next best com- 
 pany by one fifth of a second. 
 
 Mechanics' Hook and Ladder Company of Gloversville. — Although 
 this organization is no longer connected with the city fire department, 
 
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372 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 it was for many years composed of the most active fire fighters in the 
 village, and has always done gallant service. The company was organ- 
 ized May 1 6, 1877, with the following officers : Foreman, L. M. Holies; 
 first assistant, Wesley Lyons; second assistant, C. P. Bushman; secre- 
 tary, A. B. Pearce; treasurer, Walter Burling. Among the charter 
 members were Silas P. Back, John Aucock, Samuel Bellen, Andrew 
 Burns, Ed. Collins, James Delamater, P. V. Dwyer, James A. Furbeck, 
 James R. Haggart, Abram Hanson, James H. Johnson, W. C. Louns- 
 berry, Gustav Lever, Thomas McDermott, Frank Peek, Charles Mead, 
 Charles Porter, Charles Phelps, Charles Sunderlin, Henry Jenkins, C. 
 Hull, W. Allen, A. B. Bellis, E. R. Van Valkenburgh, Gilbert Van 
 Valkenburgh, John Mickel, Charles McCoy, Isaac Graff, C. R. Colder, 
 M. J. Orrup, Isaac Shonebergh, E. P. Shove, and possibly a few others. 
 
 The meetings, for several years, were held in the old truck- house at 
 the rear of Kasson's Memorial Hall, the rooms being occupied jointly 
 by the hook and ladder and hose companies. The company afterwards 
 had its headquarters in different buildings on Main street, but moved 
 into the Corporation building some time after its completion. During 
 the latter part of i8gi a difficulty arose between the members of the 
 company and the city authorities regarding certain changes in the man- 
 ner of selecting a chief for the fire department, and also concerning the 
 maintenance of a team of horses to draw the truck to the place of serv- 
 ice and return. These differences resulted in the resignation of the 
 Hook and Ladder Company as members of the fire department, on No- 
 vember 16, 1 89 1. The company at once assumed the title of The Me- 
 chanics' Club and Drill Corps, under which they had been incorporated 
 in July, 1890, and moved their furniture and other club property to 
 their present commodious and handsomely fitted rooms on the second 
 floor of the Helwig block. No. 22 North Main street. The organization 
 has since been conducted under the above name and maintains a social 
 club and efficient drill corps. 
 
 The successive foremen of the old Hook and Ladder company from 
 its organization down to November 16, 1891, with the dates of their 
 election are as follows; L. M. Bolles, May 16, 1877 ; Thomas McDer- 
 mott, February i, 1879; A. B. Pearce, June 4, 1879; H. J. Jenkins, 
 June I, 1880; Charles S. Phelps, August 13, 1880; Charles Mead, 
 
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THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. 373 
 
 May 3, 1881 ; Charles S. Phelps, May 2, 1882 ; John W. Mickel, April 
 I, 1884; Philip Fliegel, May 5, 1885 ; Elisha S. King, May 4, 1886. 
 
 There at present fifty- five or sixty members of the club and twenty- 
 seven members of the drill corps, E. S King being president of both. 
 The club secretary is George H. Amenta, and the treasurer, Thomas 
 Howland. The corps secretary is Herbert Steiner. 
 
 The Glove City Hook and Ladder Company was organized Decem- 
 ber 7, 1 89 1, with the following charter members: Charles Fox, fore- 
 man ; Will Safford, first assistant foreman ; A. C. Slocum, second as- 
 sistant foreman; George H. Junod, secretary; Fred Taylor, assistant 
 secretary; Frank Bassler, treasurer; F. E. Freeman, W. H. Downing, 
 J. M. Fort, Abram Nellis, Frank Hurdman, Frank Bush, William Loft, 
 George Fancher, Peter Ryan, Frank Kelly, Eugene Van Rensler, Albert 
 Mills, Philip Fairchilds and Charles Hillery. The company occupies 
 convenient rooms in the corporation building fitted for the purpose. 
 The present officers are : Foreman, Charles Fox; first assistant fore- 
 man, Charles Hillery; second assistant foreman, George Fancher; sec- 
 retary, Lester Hoag ; assistant secretary, George H. Junod ; treasurer, 
 J. M. Fort. 
 
 The Gloversville Fire Department came into existence December 28, 
 1877, on which day a meeting of the board of village trustees was held 
 and confirmed the follo\jving officers; Chief engineer, John W. Peek; 
 first assistant engineer, A. W. Locklin ; second assistant engineer, John 
 S. King, all of whom had been previously selected at a meeting of the 
 board of directors. John D. Knight was made secretary and John S. 
 King treasurer of the board. 
 
 The positions of chief, and also of first and second engineers, was held 
 by the above named persons until May 5, 1879, at which time A. W. 
 Locklin was elected chief, J. J. Hanson first, and John Fulton, second 
 assistants. At the next annual meeting, held May 3, 1880, the follow- 
 ing were elected : Chief, John Fulton ; first assistant, A. B. Pearce ; 
 second assistant, M. F. Button. The officers elected May 3, 1881, 
 were : Chief, John Fulton ; first assistant, M. F. Button ; second as- 
 sistant, James A. Furbeck. No change was made in the above named 
 officers in 1882. On May 7, 1883, M. F. Button, C. R. Colder and 
 M. L. Shaffer were elected chief, first and second assistants. May 5, 
 
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3H HISTORY OF FULTON COUNlY. 
 
 1884, Charles S. Phelps was elected chief; C. W. Brockway, first, and 
 F. H. Wilmarth, second as!;istants. 
 
 The officers for the year 1885-86 were: Chief, Charles S. Phelps; 
 first assistant, C. W. Brockway; second assistants, Fred B. Van Natter 
 and E. C. Boyle; 1886-87, cli'ef, E. C. Boyle; first assistant, William 
 Carson; second assistant, Philip Fliegel ; 1887-88, chief, P>ank Car- 
 son ; first assistant, F. Wurtzenburger ; second assistant, S. P. Back ; 
 1888-89, chief, C. W. Brockway; first assistant, S. P. Back; second 
 assistant, John E. Dye; 1889-90, chief, E. C. Boyle; first assistant, 
 S. P. Back; second assistant, John E. Dye; 1890-91, chief, E. C. 
 Boyle ; first assistant, S. P. Back ; second assistant, John E. Dye; 1891- 
 92, chief, E. C. Boyle ; first assistant, Archibald Wemple ; second as- 
 sistant, William Marriot. The present officers were elected in May, 
 1892, and are as follows: Chief, George L. Fort; first assistant, 
 Archibald Wemple; second assistant, William Marriot; secretary and 
 treasurer, William Marriot. Until within the last year the office of 
 chief, as well as all other positions in the department, have been with- 
 out salary and the duties have been performed voluntarily. With a 
 view of making the department more efficient if possible, the common 
 council have made the position of chief a salaried office and he is re- 
 quired to be present at the city building during. specified hours. 
 
 Fulton County National Bank. — This institution is a continuation of 
 the first bank established in Gloversville. Its history has been marked 
 by success and even during general financial pressure, when the great 
 majority ofbusiness and commercial institutions felt keenly the prevail- 
 ing panic, it has been exceptionally free from embarrassment. It was 
 first organized as a state bank, under the name of the Fulton County 
 Bank, in the year 1852, with a capital of $100,000, which was increased 
 in 1853 to $150,000. The first board of directors was composed of 
 John McNab, T. W. Miller, John McLaren, jr., R. P. Clark, W. N. 
 Clark, Joseph Blair, Fay Smith, Daniel Christie, Isaac Lefever, Duncan 
 McMartin, Daniel I. McMartin, James W. Miller, Alanson Judson, H. 
 Churchill, A. Hosmer. Isaac Lefever was made president, T. W. Miller 
 vice-president, and John McLaren, jr., cashier. In 1865 the institution 
 was reorganized as a national bank, and the name changed to the 
 National Fulton County Bank with the following directors: John 
 
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BANKS. 375 
 
 McNab, Henry Churchill, A. C. Churchill, Alanson Judson, Seymour 
 Sexton, William Case 2d, Austin Kasson, James H. Burr, H. C. 
 Thomas, T. W. Miller, U. M. Place, D. I. McMartin, James Sumner, 
 Stephen Hagedorn and John McLaren. In 1885 the bank, by mutual 
 consent of the stockholders, went into liquidation and paid off all obli- 
 gations. At the same time the Fulton County National Bank was 
 organized with a capital of $150,000, and with the following board of 
 directors and officers: John McNab, president; Daniel B. Judson, 
 vice-president; Wayland D. West, cashier; Alanson Judson, A. C. 
 Ciiurchili, Seymour Sexton, H. C. Thomas, H. Z. Kasson, F. M. 
 Young, Daniel Hays, J. R. Berry, W. L. Sporborg, I. V. Place, A D. 
 L. Baker, E. L. Heacock. The present officers are : John McNab, 
 president; Daniel B. Judson, vice-president; Wayland D. West, cash- 
 ier. The board of directors includes the above named officers with the 
 addition of A. D. L. Baker, C. W. Judson, Seymour Sexton, Daniel 
 Hays, W. L. Sporborg, F. M. Young, L. N. Littauer, James W. Green, 
 W. J. Heacock, E. L. Heacock, T. G. Fostor and John C. Allen. The 
 following report of the condition of the bank was issued December 2, 
 1891. 
 
 RESOURCES. 
 
 Loans and Discounts $955,224 40 
 
 Overdrafts, secured and unsecured 1,954 22 
 
 U. S. Bonds to secure circulation 37,500 00 
 
 Due from approved reserve agents 146,631 50 
 
 Due from other National Banks 71 6 41 
 
 Due from State Banks and Bankers 2,827 17 
 
 Banking House, furniture and fixtures 19,000 00 
 
 Other real estate 504 83 
 
 Current expenses and taxes paid 241 82 
 
 Premiums on U. S. Bonds 5,367 19 
 
 Checks and other cash items 4,808 05 
 
 Bills of other banks 1,696 00 
 
 Fractional paper currency, nickels and cents 187 41 
 
 Specie : ;.. 37,598 50 
 
 Legal Tender Notes .'. . 23,000 00 
 
 Redemption fund with U. S. Treasurer (5 per cent, of circulation) 1,687 50 
 
 Total , |1,238,945 00 
 
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376 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 LIABILITIES. 
 
 Capital Stock $150,000 00 
 
 Surplus 110,000 00 
 
 Undivided Profits 23,126.33 
 
 National Bank Notes outstanding 32,760 00 
 
 Due Depositors 914,281 45 
 
 Due Banks 8,777 22 
 
 Total $1,238,945 00 
 
 The Manufacturers' and Merchants' Bank was incorporated with a 
 capital of $50,000. May i, 1887. Its first president was William H. 
 Place, and its first vice president, Cyrus Stewart. Mr. Place still holds 
 his office. Mr. Stewart died in April, 1892. Edward Wells was the 
 first cashier and was succeeded by M. V. B. Stetson, January 21, 1889. 
 
 The original board of directors consisted of the following persons: 
 William H. Place, Cyrus Stewart, J. A. Miller, J. H. Drake, J. A. 
 Quackenbush, George C. Burr, Erastus Darling, E. Barton Whitney, 
 James M. Thompson and A.- J. Zimmer. Upon the removal of Mr. 
 Whitney from Gloversville, his place in the board was filled by D. F. 
 Cowles. The present capital of the bank is $100,000. to which amount 
 it was increased February i, 1891. Its financial standing is shown by 
 the following quarterly report, made December 12, 1891 : 
 
 RESOURCES. 
 
 Loans and Discounts, less due from Directors $308,705 91 
 
 Due from Directors 19,506 70 
 
 Overdrafts as per schedule 1,470 25 
 
 Due from Trust Companies, State and National Banks, as per schedule. . 90,465 69 
 
 Banking House and Lot, as per schedule 13,787 02 
 
 Stocks and Bonds, as per schedule 4,000 00 
 
 Specie 1,899 70 
 
 U. S. Legal Tender Notes and Circulating Notes of National Banks. . . . 13,1C3 00 
 
 Cash Items, viz : Bills and Checks for the next day's exchanges 2,484 95 
 
 Loss and expenses, viz.- 
 
 Current Expenses $38 23 
 
 Interest Account 20 60 58 83 
 
 Furniture and Fixtures 3,101 50 
 
 $458,583 55 
 
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BOARD OF TRADE— GAS. 377 
 
 LIABILITIES. 
 
 Capital Stock, paid in, in cash $100,000 00 
 
 Surplus fund 10,000 00' 
 
 Undivided Profits, viz.: 
 
 Discount $808 39 
 
 Exchange 153 21 
 
 Other profits 7,300 38 8,261 98 
 
 Due depositors, as follows, viz : 
 
 Deposits subject to check §220,047 77 
 
 Demand certificates of deposit 88,381 17 
 
 Due Treasurer of the State of New York 26,000 00 334,428 94 
 
 Certified Checks 
 
 Due Trust Companies, State and National Banks, as per schedule 5,892 63 
 
 $458,583 55 
 
 The Board of Trade of Gloversville held its first annual meeting at 
 Memorial hall, Monday evening, February 17, 1890. It was organized 
 with the following officers and managers, which remain unchanged at 
 the present time: President, Clayton M. Parke; vice-president, James 
 S. Hosmer ; second vice-president, Zenas B. Whitney ; secretary, Will- 
 iam C. Mills; treasurer, Charles W. Stewart. Managers, Daniel B. 
 Judson, George C. Burr, Philo R. Smith, Hervey Ross, Eugene Har- 
 rington, W. E. Leaning, Samuel H. Shotwell, Curtis S. Cummings^ 
 Seymour Sexton, James W. Green, Daniel F. Cowles, George M. 
 Place. The chief object of the association is to promote the prosperity 
 of the city by offering inducements to manufacturing and industrial 
 companies and business men to locate in Gloversville ; and also to ad- 
 vance and improve the labor interests in every legitimate manner. The 
 board has standing committees on manufacture and promotion of trade,, 
 on railroads and transportation, on taxation and insurance, laws and 
 legislation, statistics and publication, and other important subjects. In 
 1890 it published a comprehensive pamphlet, giving a description of 
 the condition of Gloversville as a healthy financial, social and com- 
 mercial centre. 
 
 Introduction of Gas. — During the years 1856 and 1857, Samuel 
 Stewart Mills built and conducted what is now known as the Windsor 
 Hotel, located at the corner of East Fulton and Main streets. Mr. 
 
 48 
 
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378 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 Mills determined to light the hotel with gas and established a small 
 resin gas works, under what is now used as a kitchen, and erected a 
 4,000-foot gas holder where the barns are at present located. The idea 
 was not only to light the hotel, but to furnish gas to some of the 
 churches and private houses, and accordingly a pipe was laid on Main 
 street, another on West Fulton and one on Bleecker street, connecting 
 the houses of those along the route who desired gas. In 1859 the 
 Mills brothers (Samuel and Darius), had become interested in several 
 business undertakings, and the gas plant was sold to Fox & Demarest, 
 livery men, for $5,000. The latter firm secured a lot where the gas 
 works are now located and put up two storage holders, of 4,000 and of 
 10,000 feet capacity, and also, in addition to the resin process, added a 
 patented invention for gas manufacture. The civil war stopped the 
 supply of resin (which came from the south), and since then coal has 
 been used exclusively. When gas was first made in Gloversville, it 
 cost the consumer $10 per thousand feet. Fox Sz: Demarest put in five 
 miles of pipe during their ownership of the plant, at a cost of about 
 $40,000. In 1870 Mr. Fox died and the junior partner hired his in- 
 terest for three years, purchasing it at the end of that time. In 1887 a 
 man named Elkins came to Gloversville from Philadelphia and secured 
 a franchise from the board of trustees for the purpose of laying pipes, 
 and the organization of another gas company. He also went to Johns- 
 town and took options on the purchase of the Johnstown Gas Company, 
 and sold them to the United Gas and Improvement Company of Phila- 
 delphia. The latter company then established itself in Gloversville and 
 b^^an competition with Mr. Demarest, laying pipes and furnishing gas. 
 In August, 1888, Mr. Demarest rented the Gloversville plant to this 
 company for a long term of years at an annual rental of $2,000, giving 
 them the use of all the mains and pipes and also a storage tank, the 
 latter being used to equalize the pressure of gas throughout the city. 
 The company is now known as the Johnstown and Gloversville Gas 
 Company, having been reorganized in 1886. The works are located 
 just north of the old cemetery on Market street, Johnstown, and the 
 company supplies both places with gas, maintaining one office at the 
 works and another on North Main street in Gloversville. 
 
 Electric Lighting. — The Gloversville Electric Company was incorpo- 
 rated with a capital stock of $100,000, and began business January i. 
 
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ELECTRIC LIGHTING— PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES. 379 
 
 1890. The officers of the company are as follows : President, James 
 Radford, Gloversville ; vice-president, John Marsh, Cooperstown ; sec- 
 retary, Edgar A. Sperfcer, Gloversville; treasurer, Lee B. Cruttenden, 
 Cooperstown ; directors, the officers, with Paul T. Brady, Syracuse ; 
 Henry L. Henman, Cooperstown ; John Marsh, Cooperstown ; H. J. 
 Brady, Cooperstown; Walter H. Bunn, Cooperstown. John Begley, is 
 electrician and superintendent of the plant. About one-third of the 
 company's stock is owned by residents of Gloversville. A two years 
 contract for lighting the streets of the city, acted as an inducement for 
 the formation of this company and work was begun on the plant De- 
 cember I, 1889. The motor circuit was in operation January i, 1 890, 
 and the street lamps were turned on a month later. At the expiration 
 of the first contract, which was for 1 2 o'clock lighting, the company se- 
 cured a new one, which requires all night lighting, and continues for 
 five years from January i, 1892. The plant, consisting of a brick boiler, 
 engine and dynamo house, is situated in the northern part of the city 
 and contains two condensing engines of 300 horse power ; four arc 
 dynamos, with a combined capacity of 200 lights; two incandescent 
 dynamos with a capacity of 1,300 lights and two boilers of 250 horse 
 power. The company have twenty-seven miles of arc street circuit - 
 four miles of commercial arc circuit; nine miles of motor circuit and 
 nine miles of incandescent circuit. They are at present furnishing the 
 city with eighty-five street lights and it is their intention to increase 
 this number to lOO. They are also furnishing forty large motors, which 
 give power to a multitude of industries throughout the city, including 
 two printing presses, 500 sewing machines, cooling fans, elevators, and 
 many other kinds of machinery. The company's office is located at 8 
 West Fulton street. 
 
 TIu Presbyterian Church of Kingsboro. — The society from which this 
 church originated was organized December 23, 1793. The chairman 
 of the meeting held for that purpose was Josiah Throop, sen., Enos 
 Seymour being clerk. At a meeting held one week later a covenant 
 drawn by Rev. Mr. Conduit, was accepted, pledging the members to join 
 together as a " congregational society of Christians," and embodying 
 simple regulations for its government. This covenant is dated December 
 30, 1793, and bears the following signatures: Josiah Throop, Matthew 
 
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38o HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 Clark, John Wells, Benjamin Hall, Stephen Gillett, Enos Seymour, 
 Elihu Case, John Ayres, Josiah Leonard, Horace Kellogg, Frederick 
 Steele, James Parsons, Darius Case, Horace Burr, Reuben Case, Lijah 
 Burr, Bissell Burr, Charles Belden, Timothy Haskins. 
 
 A church site was selected a little south of the burying- ground at the 
 head of the present park, on land bought of Frederick Steele and Da- 
 rius Case. In 1796 the society purchased of Mr. Steele an additional 
 plot of three and three- tenths acres. The dimensions of the proposed 
 building were fixed at 45 xSS feet. A subscription paper was circulated 
 by John Ayres and Asa Jones, and in May, 1794, a conti'act for erect- 
 ing the building was let to Asa Newton, at thirty- eight pounds, one 
 shilling. The work was begun April 15, 1795. 
 
 On the 6th of June, 1794, the society was designated " The Congre- 
 gational Society of Kingsboro, in Montgomery county, state of New 
 li'^ork." The first board of trustees, elected June 23, 1794, were Col. 
 Josiah Throop and James Parsons, three years ; Josiah Wells and John 
 Ayres, two years ; Elihu Case and Daniel Bedford, one year. 
 
 On the 19th of June, 1796 (the building being then merely enclosed), 
 an assessment was imposed to raise funds for its completion. The first 
 annual meeting in the new church was held June 30, 1796 ; Daniel 
 Judson and Daniel Case presided, and two trustees were elected. 
 
 On the 17th of June, 1-796, the society extended a call to Rev. John 
 Linsley, and voted to give him ^^150 a year for two years, with house 
 and firewood; and after two years, £\^o with house and firewood It 
 is apparent that the house thus promised was not a commodious man- 
 sion, for it is recorded that the minister went to Samuel Giles' to study, 
 where there were two rooms in the house. There is no record of the dates 
 when Mr. Linsley arrived and departed, but it is believed that he came 
 about the middle of 1797 and remained between two and three years. 
 A partially distracted condition of the society concerning its name and 
 church connection led to his retirement. It is recorded that " the so- 
 ciety do not consider themselves under the Northern Associated Pres- 
 bytery, but according to the Connecticut Association as practiced in 
 Hartford, Connecticut, which are Congregational." There seems to 
 have been two partially organized societies in the place, Presbyterian 
 and Congregational; for in November, 1798, there was a meeting of 
 
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PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES. 381 
 
 the Congregational trustees with the Presbyterians to settle disputed 
 points in the temporalities of the church. A union between these two 
 elements was not efifected until February 3, 1804. 
 
 From the year 1799 until the coming of Rev. Elisha Yale in March, 
 1803, there was only occasional preaching by supplies. In January, 
 
 1802, the seats were sold at an appraisal of $350 as a yearly rent for the 
 support of the gospel. Jonathan Hosmer and Rufus Mason, who were 
 elected June 22, 1803, were the first choristers, and at the same meeting 
 steps yvere taken to secure a Congregational library. 
 
 As evidence of the low ebb of religious sentiment at that period we 
 have only to quote the following from Pastor Yale's papers: "There 
 was but little union between the broken parts of the church. Their 
 condition was sorrowful. Contention soured the minds of the parents, 
 and folly occupied the minds of the children. In 1802, under the 
 preaching of Pitkin Cowles, some were excited to pray and hope that 
 God had neither forsaken or forgotten them. But in the winter of 
 
 1803, vanity and folly seemed so prevalent, especially among the young, 
 that saints hoped almost against hope." From the day, however, when 
 Pastor Yale preached his first sermon, April 3, 1803, religious senti- 
 ment and morality began to improve. He evidently came at an oppor- 
 tune time, and many believed his advent was in answer to prayer. A 
 revival began with his first sermon and continued during his month of 
 absence in June, which he spent in Oneida county. In October he re- 
 turned to his former home in Massachusetts, and then again returned to 
 Kingsboro. In the early part of 1804 he again visited Massachusetts, 
 and received a call to settle in Becket, where he had before preached, 
 but duty pointed to Kingsboro as offering a wider field of usefulness, and 
 hither he returned. He saw from the first the great necessity of a 
 union between the discordant elements in Kingsboro, and on the 26th 
 of January, 1804, ten months after his first arrival, he was gratified with 
 a meeting of the male members of the two partially organized societies 
 to devise measures for union. This meeting was held at the house of 
 Frederick Steele, and Daniel Judson presided. Mr Yale was present 
 and was invited to lay before the meeting a plan of union. The meet- 
 ing adjourned to February 3, when Rev. Conrad Ten Eyck, of the Re- 
 formed Church of Mayfield, was invited to meet with them, at which 
 
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382 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 time a union was effected in " a most remarkable and fraternal manner." 
 The united organization was called the Congregational Church of Kings- 
 boro, and the deacons of the two societies were retained in the new or- 
 ganization. On the 28th of March Mr. Yale propounded and the 
 church adopted twenty-nine articles of doctrine as a confession of faith, 
 a church covenant, and rules for the administration of church govern- 
 ment. The united church consisted of thirty-nine members. On the 
 Sth of April the society gave Mr. Yale a unanimous call with a salary 
 of $300 a year, thirty cords of wood, a house and the use of twenty- 
 two acres of land. He was installed on the 23d of May following. 
 
 In 1805 the church took into consideration its disconnected situation, 
 and at the pastor's suggestion was placed under care of the Northern 
 Associated Presbytery of New York on the 7th of October, 1806. In 
 February, 1 807, Pastor Yale and a number of other ministers met at 
 Milton, and formed themselves into " a Saratoga Associated Presby- 
 tery," under which the church remained until July, 1821. This Pres- 
 bytery was then dissolved and on the 2 1st of August following the 
 church was placed under care of the Presbytery of Albany, where it re- 
 mained until 1837. At that time, through the dispute between the 
 old school and the new school, the church withdrew from the Presby- 
 tery and was without ecclesiastical connection until June, 1853, when it 
 changed its organization from Congregational to Presbyterian, and was 
 again received under the care of the same Presbytery, where it still re- 
 mains. 
 
 A brief reference to the various revivals in the society will indicate 
 its growth. The first, as has already been noted, followed immediately 
 upon the arrival of Mr. Yale, and as a result forty-five converts united 
 with the church in 1804, including many of the most influential families. 
 This revival wrought a marked change in the leading men of the con- 
 gregation, and exercised a potent and highly beneficial influence on the 
 entire community. 
 
 The second revival took place in 1813-14, and followed a long period 
 of affliction and church trouble. After 1804 additions to the church 
 gradually declined, and in 1808 there were none; but in 1813 relig- 
 ion attracted renewed interest and attention. A revival of great power 
 followed, and during the four succeeding years more than seventy con- 
 verts united with the church. 
 
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PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES. 383 
 
 In 1 8 19 there was an extensive revival in most of the churches of the 
 Albany Presbytery and the good work reached this society, resulting in 
 the addition of twenty- nine members during 1820 and 1821. In 1822 
 a fourth revival began under the ministry of Rev. Calvin Yale, brother 
 of the pastor. Over sixty persons in twenty different families were 
 converted during the summer, and within the year forty- three joined 
 the church. 
 
 At the beginning of the year 1829 there were six hundred uncon- 
 verted persons within the bounds of the congregation. During the 
 year 1828 special preparations had been made for a revival, which be- 
 gan early in the following year and continued almost uninterruptedly 
 for five years. One hundred and twenty-four were added to the church, 
 three of whom became ministers. This was the most extensive revival 
 during Pastor Yale's ministry. 
 
 From the year 1833 and onward, the pastor and a part of the church 
 made special efforts for another revival, but a spirit of discord arose, 
 and during 1834—37 much bitterness prevailed, though the majority of 
 the congregation held with the pastor. At the end of 1837 the spirit- 
 ual life of the church was low because of dissension, but in May, 1838, 
 the present church was dedicated, and from that time an awakening 
 filled the church and increased until September, especially in that part 
 of the congregation residing in Gloversville, where meetings were held 
 in the school-house. Conviction and conversion followed and multi- 
 tudes flocked to the meetings. During the years 1839-40 about one 
 hundred persons united with the church, a large number of whom after- 
 wards joined the Methodist and Baptist churches in Gloversville. The 
 old Kingsboro church is, therefore, the real parent of those later organ- 
 izations. After 1839-40 there was no general revival, and yet there 
 were many yearly additions. In 1841, twenty, and in 1851 twenty- 
 three were added. 
 
 Up to 1832 the church had received as the fruit of revivals 335 per- 
 sons, and in other ways sixty-five, thus showing that the best growth 
 of the church was due to the revivals with which it had been favored. 
 Under the guidance of Pastor Yale (to a greater or less degree), twenty- 
 seven young men entered the ministry. Up to 1853 the government 
 of the church was Congregational in name and form, but really Presby- 
 
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384 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 terian in spirit. The pastor was a rigid self-disciplinarian, and had a 
 strong personal influence over his congregation. A committee of vig- 
 ilance did much to keep the wayward in the path of duty and also 
 strengthened the weak. In the crusade against liquor selling and 
 drinking, during a period when intemperance was almost universal, this 
 church exerted a powerful influence, and the same may be said with 
 reference to Sabbath breaking. 
 
 Pastor Yale's salary for fifty years made an aggregate of $25,000 
 In addition to this, $10,000 were expended for church building and 
 repairs; $6,000 for congregational expenses ; $6,016 were contributed 
 to the American Bible Society ; $616 to the American Tract Society, 
 and $13,000 to the American Board of Foreign Missions. Since 1855 
 the church has sent its funds to the Presbyterian board. 
 
 The following pastors have served this church : Rev. John Linsley, 
 installed about 1797, resigned about 1 800; Rev. Elisha Yale, installed 
 May 23, 1804, resigned June 23, 1852; Rev. Edward Wall, installed 
 June 30, 1853, resigned March 20, 1862; Rev. William Bannard, in- 
 stalled April 8, 1863, resigned February 8, 1869; Rev. George Hark- 
 ness, installed July 13, 1869, resigned September 24, 1877 ; Rev. John 
 C. Boyd, installed February 26, 1878, resigned in February, 1883 ;. 
 Rev. Isaac O. Rankin, installed in March, 1883, resigned August 11, 
 1891 ; Rev. George L. McClelland, installed January 27, 1892, and is 
 at present pastor of the church. Deacons : Darius Case, elected 1793, 
 died 1797; Daniel Judson, elected 1804, died 1817; Jedediah Ayres, 
 1804, died 181 1 ; Benjamin Hall, 1804, died 1830; Samuel Giles, 1809,. 
 died 1841 ; Duncan Robertson, 1817, died 1867; Jesse Smith, 1830; 
 Abraham Ward, 1830. Elders: Jennison Giles, 1853; Denton M. 
 Smith, 1856; Horace Sprague, 1853; W. J. Heacock, 1853; J. W. 
 Johnson, 1853 ; Eli Leavenworth, 1854; G. G. W. Green, 1854; D. B. 
 Judson, 1856; E. G. Warner, 1857; Joseph Steele, 1858; Peter Mc- 
 Laren, 1862; Humphrey Smith, 1862; Ebenezer Leavenworth, 1867; 
 James H. Foote, 1868; Jonathan Wooster, 1871 ; James W. Thomas, 
 1872; Robert Robertson, 1872; James C. Stewart, 1873. 
 
 The present officers of the church are as follows : Elders, Jeremiah 
 Skaine, William Barker, Talmadge Parsons, Charles Fiske, Eli Lasher 
 and Joseph Steele; trustees, Laban Brown, Aaron Putnam, Marcellus 
 
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PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES. 385 
 
 G. Burr, Homer Case, Charles Fiske and Eugene Heacock ; clerk of 
 session, Joseph Steele. The membership of the church is 130 and 
 Matthias Hertz is the present Sabbath-school superintendent. 
 
 Sabbath School. — This church took action for the religious education 
 of the young as early as 1806 and long before Sabbath-schools were 
 known, but in 1820 the Sabbath -school proper was begun ; prior to that 
 date, however, in addition to the pastor's Bible class, there were held 
 what was called "Bible readings" at the Phelps street school-house and 
 also at Gloversville.- At first the Sabbath- school was small but it grad- 
 ually increased until 1827, when special efforts were made to enlarge it 
 and in that year it numbered 300 scholars. During the long interval 
 between that time and the present the Sabbath school has been a prom- 
 inent factor in the growth and prosperity of the church, and has included 
 among its teachers and superintendents many of the most faithful 
 laborers in the society. 
 
 First Presbyterian Church of Gloversville. — This church was formally 
 organized at a meeting held in the hall at the rear of the Washburn 
 property, August 6, 1864. The organization took place under the di- 
 rection of a committee of the Presbytery of Albany, consisting of Rev. 
 Daniel Stewart, Rev. J. A. Priest, and Elder Jacob Burton. Upon this 
 occasion introductory services were conducted by Rev. R. A. Avery, 
 of the Presbytery of Onondaga, and a sermon was preached by Rev. 
 Daniel Stewart. There were thirty- four original menibeis, all but one 
 coming from other existing churches, as follows : From the Presbyter- 
 ian Church of Kingsboro, Willard J. Heacock, Mrs. Minerva Heacock,. 
 Mrs. Catherine Allen, John C. Allen, Sarah J. Allen, Mrs Maria Gor- 
 ton, Mrs. Adelia Clark, Virginia V. H. Fox, Orville S. Harmon, Mrs . 
 Ann O. Harmon, Michael Easterly, Mrs. Cynthia P. Ward, Mrs. Char-- 
 lotte A. Heacock, and Ann J. Green ; from the Congregational Churclii 
 of Gloversville, Mrs. Minerva Avery, Charles D. Beers, Mrs. Maria J.. 
 Beers, George W. Heaton, Mrs. Mary A. Heaton, Evert Wessel, Mrs.. 
 Sarah M. Wessel, Mrs Charlotte M. Heacock, and Nettie C. Smith ; 
 from the Central Presbyterian Church of Mayfield, Mrs. Rachel Scrim- 
 ger, Lydia Fonda, and Aaron Eikenbrach ; from the Presbyterian 
 Church of Johnstown, Mrs. Elizabeth Rose Brownell, Melissa Philer; 
 from the Presbyterian church of Cooperstown, George Wilson, and Mrs. 
 49 
 
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386 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 Martha L. Wilson ; from the Methodist Episcopal Church of Poultney, 
 Vt, Mrs. Agnes Steele ; from the Presbyterian Church of Vernon Cen- 
 tre, Mrs. Ann Lawson ; from the United Presbyterian Church of Coila, 
 Alexander Scrimger. In addition to the above, Jesse Heacock was 
 examined and admitted on profession of faith. 
 
 Willard J. Heacock, who had been an elder of the church at Kings- 
 boro, Charles D. Beers and George W. Heaton were elected ruling 
 elders, and Alexander Scrimger and Orville S. Harmon were elected 
 deacons. 
 
 Rev. J. A. Priest was the first pastor, beginning his labors July i, 
 1864, and a report made to the Albany Presbytery, February 13, 1866, 
 shows that the church had at that time seventy communicants while 
 the Sabbath-school had a membership of 183. A similar report made 
 in January, 1867, showed that the communicants had increased to 136, 
 while the teachers and scholars in the Sunday-school had risen to 210. 
 
 During the first two years of its existence the "church continued to 
 worship in the hall in which it was organized, but in the mean time its 
 ■members had been actively engaged in the erection of a house of wor- 
 ship. A lot was secured at the corner of Bleecker and Fulton streets, 
 .and the present handsome church edifice completed at a cost of $36,000, 
 the dedicatory services taking place on the 22d of May, 1866. The 
 first meeting of the session in the chapel of the new church was held 
 June 8 of the same year. So bountiful were the contributions towards 
 the payment of church obligations, that at the time of dedication the 
 society was free from debt. Joel B. Noyes and Denton M. Smith were 
 elected and installed as ruling elders, August 12, 1866. 
 
 The several pastors and the dates of their service are as follows : Rev. 
 J. A. Priest, July i, 1864-May, 1868; Rev. M. L. P. Hill, July 22, 
 1868-November 6, 1870; Rev. Avery S. Walker, July, 1871-October, 
 1877; Rev. W. W. Belden, January, 1878-August, 1879; Rev. John 
 H. Crum, November, 1879-August, 1883 I Rev. James Gardner came 
 as a supply July i, 1884, and was installed October 28, of the same 
 year. He still remains in pastoral charge of the congregation. 
 
 The church has been very successful in all its undertakings and its 
 membership has steadily increased, being 607 at the present time. In 
 addition to its home Sunday-school, it conducts two mission schools, 
 
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METHODIST CHURCHES. 387 
 
 one located in Berkshire (a suburb of Gloversville), and another at the 
 foot of South Main street. Wiilard J. Heacock was the superintendent 
 of the Sunday-school for many years, the position at present being 
 ably filled by Frank Egelston. As an indication of the activity of the 
 church it may be said that $2,706 were raised last year for benevolent 
 purposes, which was an increase of $1,140 over the previous year. 
 
 The present elders are: Wiilard J. Heacock, Edgar A. Spencer, John 
 C. Allen, George C. Potter, Peter R. Furbeck, E. Barton Whitney, 
 Adam Hunter, James W. Green, and Frank Egelston ; the deacons are : 
 Clement S. Hillabrandt, Hiram A. Belding, Myron C. Treadway, and 
 Lansing T. Loucks ; the trustees are : Wiilard J. Heacock, C. A. Ormis- 
 ton, jQ_hn C. Allen, M. C. Treadway, Z. B. Whitney, and A. W. Lock- 
 lin ; treasurer, J. P. Heacock ; clerk, F. P. Simmons. 
 
 First Methodist Episcopal Church. — The rapid and continued growth 
 of Methodism in Gloversville has been phenomenal, and, probably, not 
 another city of corresponding size in the state can claim so large a por- 
 tion of its inhabitants as adherents to this system. The pioneer 
 Methodist church of this vicinity, and hence that one to which all ex- 
 isting Methodist societies in Gloversville owe their ancestry, was organ- 
 ized north of Kingsboro, in 1790, by the Rev. Mr. Kefif. Enrolled on 
 the records of this primitive church were the family names of Easterly, 
 Clancy, Northrup, Porter, Powell, Phelps, Smith, Sutliff, Edwards, John- 
 son, Wait, and others. In 1791 Freebor.n Garrettson, then presiding: 
 elder of Hudson River district (New York Conference), reported that the- 
 society had secured a lot and also building materials, and that a chapell 
 was in process of erection. For many years succeeding the above date,, 
 services were conducted by the following pastors successively : Rev. 
 Keff, Abner Chase, Samuel Draper, Samuel Luckey, Daniel Ostrander,. 
 Samuel Howe, Samuel Eighmy, Trueman Seymour, H. Stearns, Noah 
 Levings, Jacob Beeman, Sherman Miner, James Covell, jr., Charles- 
 Pomeroy, John D. Moriarty, Jesse Lee, John Dempster, Arnold Schole- 
 field, Merritt Bates, Salmon Stebbins, Dillon Stevens, John B. Stratton, 
 John Alley, Tobias Spicer, Henry Eames, Seymour Coleman, Abiathar 
 M. Osbon, Joseph McCreary, J. B. Houghtaling, Ephraim Goss. 
 Among these men, Jesse Lee, Freeborn Garrettson, and John Demps- 
 ter, will ever be remembered as early and earnest workers in the cause 
 
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388 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 of Methodism and Christian intelligence. In the year 1837 there was a 
 small class in Gloversville which included among its members George 
 W. Clancy, Theodore Welch and wife, Valentine Place and wife, Nathan 
 C. Russell and wife, Father Barrett, Maria Wait, Phebe A. and Jane 
 M. Smith, Elias and Henry Houghton, Stephen S Sutliff, Isabel Morey 
 (afterward the wife of Elias G. Ward), Mrs. William Case, Niles Fair- 
 banks, David Clancy and wife, William Easterly and wife, Elijah East- 
 erly and wife, Purdy Hollett, Eldridge Northrup and wife, George 
 Northrup, sr., and wife, and Goodwin Phelps and wife. The annual 
 Troy Conference held in the spring of 1838, elected Rev. Charles Sher- 
 man to the station of presiding elder of the Albany district, which at 
 that time embraced a large part of Albany and Schoharie counties, and 
 the whole of Schenectady, Montgomery, Fulton, Saratoga, and Herkimer 
 counties. Rev. J. H. Taylor was assigned as preacher in charge of the 
 Johnstown circuit, embracing Johnstown, Kingsboro, and Pleasant Val- 
 ley, with Revs. L. L. Radley, and William Barnes as helpers with salaries 
 of about $300 per annum. During the month of August, 1838, Pastor 
 Taylor, while riding into the village from the south one Saturday after- 
 noon, suddenly became impressed with the conviction that a revival of 
 religion could be successfully conducted in " Stump City," by which 
 iname Gloversville was then known. After passing the old red school- 
 ;house which^ stood on what is now the corner of School and West Ful- 
 :ton streets, he turned back and hailed Jennison G.Ward, saying: "Will 
 you give out an appointment for next Thursday night at the school- 
 house ? " Ward replied, " Yes, but I don't believe they will come out." 
 They did come, however, and at the appointed time the house was 
 crowded with eager listeners. Interest had so increased by the latter 
 part of September that a series of revival prayer meetings was begun. 
 The first of these meetings, held during the daytime, was at the resi- 
 dence of Stephen S. Sutlifif, on Cayadutta street, and it is stated that 
 three conversions took place that afternoon. Methodists, Baptists, and 
 Congregationalists united in these gatherings and many of the early in- 
 habitants then experienced religion. This finally led to the formation 
 of a Methodist Episcopal society with sixty-nine members, among 
 whom were Jennison G. Ward, Elias G. Ward and wife, Benjamin Bai- 
 ley and wife, Harry C. Jones and wife, John Shanley, Lucinda Peake, 
 
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METHODIST CHURCHES. 389 
 
 •Charles C. Bowen and wife, and many others. On October 22, 1838, a 
 subscription was circulated by Rev. Charles Sherman, presiding elder, 
 and the names of many liberal donors were obtained, among whom may 
 be noted the name of Charles F. Powell, of Pleasant Square, whose 
 widow is still living, having been a member of the Methodist church 
 seventy- one years. Niies Fairbanks and Henry Houghton collected 
 about $300 worth of gloves, mittens and moccasins to sell and apply to 
 the church fund, and ground was broken for the foundation of the 
 church edifice on the 26th day of November, 1838. December 13, of 
 the same year, a meeting of the male members of the Methodist Epis- 
 copal society of Gloversville was held at the residence of Valentine 
 Place and seven trustees were elected, as follows : Elihu Enos, Valen- 
 tine C. Place, Harry C. Jones, A. S. Shottenkirk, George W. Clancy, 
 Charles F. Powell, and Henry Houghton. The trustees were consti- 
 tuted a building committee and were authorized to erect a house of 
 worship. A site was selected on what is now the southwest corner of 
 North Main and Church streets, and the contract for the carpenter work 
 was let to Samuel S. Mills for $2,725, to which an additional sum of 
 $240 was afterwards added for building a porch ten feet in width. The 
 structure was completed during the summer of 1839, and the dedicatory 
 services took place October 9, Rev. Noah Levings officiating in the 
 morning and Rev. Joseph Castle in the evening. The Sunday school 
 was organized on the first Sunday following the dedication and met 
 during the "first year in the old red school-house. It was conducted 
 partly as a Union school and was continued during the summer and fall 
 of 1839 with uninterrupted harmony and great success. On Novem- 
 ber 19, 1839, the Female Aid society was organized "for the express 
 purpose of rendering aid 4o the Methodist Episcopal church in Glovers- 
 ville." While the first pulpit was being built, the carpenter having the 
 piece of work in charge declared to his fellow laborers that he would 
 dedicate that part of the church himself, not willing to trust it to an- 
 other. As the man was not a Christian, this was interpreted as a joke, 
 but true to his word, the carpenter finished the pulpit, and then gath- 
 ering the other men about it, he denounced them as sinners in such 
 words of terror that one man " was smitten under deep conviction and 
 soon found peace in believing, afterward becoming a minister of the 
 gospel." 
 
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390 * HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 In 1840 this church belonged to the Johnstown and Gloversville 
 circuit and had Rev. William Griffin, Thomas W. Pearsons and Richard 
 T. Wade as pastors. The Sunday-school wa' reorganized during the 
 year, and Jennison G. Ward was elected superintendent. It had 129 
 scholars, and twenty- five officers and teachers. In 1 848 an arrangement 
 was made with the surviving trustees of the old Methodist Episcopal 
 church at Kingsboro, by which the sheds belonging to that church 
 were removed to Gloversville, and the church building itself was sold 
 for $27, which merely paid for tearing it down and paying off an old 
 debt of $17. In 1852 an addition of twenty feet was built on the rear 
 of the church, and the rededicating exercises were held November i, by 
 Rev. Barnes M. Hall. Further repairs and inprovements were made 
 from time to time, so that in 1866 the value of the church building was 
 placed at $10,000 and that of the parsonage, $3,500. In 1868 steps 
 were taken toward erecting a new church edifice. The lot on the cor- 
 ner of Elm, Church and Bleecker streets, on which the present house of 
 worship stands, was purchased of S. S. Plummer, October 6, 1868, for 
 $6,000. In 1 869 the old church was converted into a business block 
 and was entirely destroyed in the disastrous fire of 1877. The new 
 church building was completed at a cost of $65,000, and dedicated March 
 10, 1870, with preaching in the morning by Rev. Jesse T. Peck, and in 
 the evening by Rev. Benoni I. Ives. The presiding elder at that time 
 was Elisha Watson, and the pastor, George S. Chadbourne. In April, 
 1875, the Second Methodist Episcopal church (now the Fremont street 
 M. E. church) was organized, 135 of its members taking letters from the 
 mother church. In 1885 a lot on the corner of East Fulton and Chest- 
 nut streets for a mission chapel was purchased at a cost of $600. In 
 March of that year Rev. Henry Graham organized a class of twenty- 
 seven persons in Kingsboro and appointed James W. Rice as leader. 
 This class subsequently developed into the present North Main Street 
 Methodist Episcopal church, noticed at length further on in this work. 
 Of the original members of the first church there are now living Stephen 
 S. Sutliff, Silas Shutts, Henry Houghton, Mrs. Maria Houghton (for- 
 merly Wait), Mrs. S. A. Powell and Niles Fairbanks. The pastors who 
 have officiated at the pulpit of this church since its organization with the 
 dates of their service are as follows : 1838, J. H. Taylor, L. L. Radley 
 
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METHODIST CHURCHES. 391 
 
 and William Barnes ; 1839, J- H. Taylor, with Thomas W. Pearsons and 
 William Griffin as colleagues ; 1840, William Griffin, Thomas W. Pear- 
 sons and Richard T. Wade; 1841, Stephens Parks, Albert R. Spear 
 and Myron White ; 1842, Stephen Parks and John Seage ; 1843, Thomas 
 Armitage ; 1844-45, Dillon Stevens ; 1846-47, James Quinlan ; 1848- 
 49, Cicero Barber; 1850-51, Richard T. Wade; 1852-53, Merritt 
 Bates; 1854-55, Stephen Parks; 1856-57, Bostvvick Hawley ; 1858-59, 
 Nathaniel G. Spaulding; 1860-61; Elisha Watson; 1862-63, Isaac 
 Parks; 1864-65-66, Thomas A. Griffin; 1867-68-69, George S. Chad- 
 bourne ; 1870-71-72, Durrell W. Dayton ; 1873-74-75, Hiram C. Sex- 
 ton ; 1876-77-78, Oliver A. Brown ; 1879-80-81, Hubbard C. Farrar ; 
 1882-83-84, Henry Graham; 1885-86-87, John H. Coleman; 1888- 
 89-90, Charles W. Rowley; 1891 to date, John Z. Armstrong. The 
 present officers of the church are : Stewards, N. W. Welch, F. Pauley, 
 H. W. Smith, Dr. C. M. Lefler, J. A. Van Auken, E. C. ColHns, Wm. 
 McDougall, Henry Shipman, E. M. Bishop, Darius Filmer, J. H. Brown- 
 ell, Alden Henry, George H. Hilts ; trustees, Daniel Hays, O. C. Collins, 
 Peter V. Hill, L. A. Tate, J. E. Wood, P. R. Smith, George M. Place, J. 
 S. Zimmer and James A. McDougall. The membership of the church 
 is 1,127; the Sunday-school has a membership of 700. H. W. Smith 
 is superintendent. 
 
 Fremont Street Methodist Episcopal Church. — In the early part of 
 the year 1875 the membership of the First Methodist Episcopal Church 
 of Gloversville, numbering more than 900, had become so large that it 
 was deemed necessary to found a new Methodist society. In April of 
 the above mentioned year, a wooden church edifice on Fremont street, 
 built by the Episcopal society at a cost of about $9,000, became avail- 
 able property, and was purchased by Daniel Hays, W. H. Place, James 
 Kent, H. Jordan and F. W. Stevens, all of whom, with the single ex- 
 ception of Mr. Stevens, were members of the First Methodist Church. 
 Affairs of the new society now began to take definite form. An appli- 
 cation to conference resulted in the appointment of H. A. Starks as first 
 pastor, and the name given to the congregation was the Second Meth- 
 odist Episcopal Society of Gloversville. May 3, 1875, a meeting of 
 the First Church was held at the house of Pastor Sexton, a call was 
 made for volunteers to the new enterprise and about forty names of 
 
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392 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 members were pledged, as well as several who expressed their willing- 
 ness to become members of the new society. The following Sunday, 
 May 9, the first services were held in the new church, and on the first 
 succeeding Sabbath a Sunday-school was organized with the following 
 officers : Superintendent, H. Jordan ; assistant superintendent, E. H. 
 Caswell ; lady superintendent, Mrs. J. M. Wood ; secretary, William 
 Muddle; treasurer, J. Muddle. The first board of trustees was elected 
 May 1 8, as follows: Hiram Jordan, Harvey Kasson, Randolph Day, 
 Fred Stevens and J. M. Wood. At the same meeting J. W. Place, 
 George Wood and E. H. Eisenbury were appointed stewards, and John 
 Muddle, Hiram Jordan and P. J. Keck, class leaders. On Wednesday, 
 July 14, 1875, the church was dedicated to the worship of God, Bishop 
 Bowman officiating. The name of the society was changed to the 
 Fremont Street Methodist Episcopal Church on July 26 of the same 
 year, at a meeting called for that especial purpose. Pastor Starks re- 
 mained with the church two years and did much to make the infant so- 
 ciety a success. Upon his departure in 1877 he left a membership of 
 179, with fifty probationers. He was followed in the pastorate by J. H. 
 Coleman, during the third year of whose labor with the church the en- 
 tire indebtedness was paid off. Pastor Coleman was succeeded in 1880 
 by Rev. George C. Morehouse, who labored faithfully until April, 1883, 
 when Rev. W. P. Rulison was assigned to the pastorate. At this time 
 the question of a new church edifice was agitated, and the movement 
 assumed definite shape in 1885, when it was decided to build a house 
 of worship. The present beautiful structure on Fremont street was 
 completed early in July, 1886, during the first few months of the pastorate 
 ate of William M. Brundage. The church was dedicated July 1 1, by- 
 Rev. J. M. Hamilton. The auditorium is on the second floor, and ha» 
 a capacity of between seven and eight hundred persons. Pastor Brun- 
 dage was followed in 1889 by Rev. T. G. Thompson, who has served 
 the society very acceptably, the most pleasant relations existing be- 
 tween pastor and people. When the duration of his regular pastorate 
 expired in 1 891, he received an urgent call to continue his ministry for 
 another year, and hence is the first pastor in the history of the church 
 to extend his services beyond the three years limit. At present the 
 membership of the church is 950, while that of the Sunday school 
 is 681. 
 
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M£rHOD/ST CHURCHES. 393 
 
 The trustees of the church are C. S. Schermerhorn, W. N. Stewart, 
 J. M. Thompson, Charles Keifer, M. Hodder, P. J. Keck, G. W. Scher- 
 merhorn, Dr. John Edwards and Joseph Hemstreet. The stewards are 
 Ralph Sexton, William Muddle, F. Cuyler, C. J. Skiff, W. H. Jansen, 
 William Oaksford, N. E. Dutcher, David Warner, M. J. Owen, David 
 Burton, S. A. Moore, F. Denham and J. M. Lair. The class leaders 
 are T. Dobinson, Mrs. T. Dobinson, P. J. Keck, M. E. Brockway, 
 Lemuel Heacock, Mrs. L. Heacock, W. N. Stewart, J. G. Smith, John 
 Muddle, Solomon Jeffers, Robert Swan, Mrs. Christian Fosmire, G. S. 
 Wheaton and J. R. Thompson. J. M. Thompson is superintendent of 
 the Sunday-school and is assisted by P. J. Keck, Mrs. R. Glasgow and 
 Mrs. Charles Keifer. 
 
 North Main Street Methodist Episcopal Church. — This, the third of 
 its denomination in Gloversville, was the outgrowth of the Kingsboro 
 class of the First Methodist Episcopal church, formed in 1885 by Rev. 
 Henry Graham the pastor, and placed under the leadership of J. W. 
 Rice, a man whose services have been of great value to the society. 
 The first meeting of this class, consisting of twenty-seven members, was 
 held Thursday evening, March 19, 1885. Early in 1887 a house owned 
 by Daniel Hays (to whose Continued interest and generous financial 
 aid the young society is greatly indebted), was used for worship, and 
 Rev. J. H. Coleman, then pastor of the First church and a warm friend 
 of the mission, preached on Sunday afternoon. In the fall of 1887 
 Rev. R. T. Wade took charge of the work and continued his service 
 until the close of the conference year. A house, costing $2,000 and 
 having seating capacity for 225 persons, was dedicated January 15, 
 1888, and sufficient subscriptions were secured to cover all expenses. 
 The church was regularly organized February 21, 1888, -with forty- 
 eight members. At the following session of the Troy Conference Rev. 
 M. L. Fisher was appointed the first regular pas'or. Under his zeal- 
 ous labors for two years the society grew until 124 full members were 
 upon the records, and both Sunday school and congregation filled the 
 house to overflowing. Soon after the appointment of Rev. E. Wise- 
 man, in 1890, a movement was set on foot for a new church. It was 
 decided to build and finish the interior of the first story only for the 
 present. Rev. E. Wiseman, J. W. Rice, George Plue and J. G. Eaton, 
 
 50 
 
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394 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 of North Main street, Daniel Hays of the First church, and J. M. 
 Thompson of Fremont Street church were the building committee. 
 The new church was dedicated January 3, 1892, the First and Fre- 
 mont Street churches uniting in the services. Rev. J. Z Armstrong 
 preached in the morning, and Rev. T. G. Thompson in the evening. 
 Presiding Elder Graham preached in the afternoon, and also presented 
 the financial necessities. This resulted in the securing of $5,682, 
 enough to cover all remaining indebtedness and to fit the former house 
 of worship for a parsonage, for which purpose it had been originally 
 designed. The entire cost of the church to its present stage of com- 
 pletion has been $11,060, and its entire seating capacity is 700. It is 
 conveniently located on the corner of North Main and Potter streets, 
 and presents an imposing external appearance. When completed it 
 will cost about $20,000. March 8, 1892, the full membership was 208 
 with twelve probationers. This young church having just celebrated 
 its fourth anniversary, has 220 communicants, a Sunday-school of 300, 
 a Young People's society of sixty, and a property worth $13,000. 
 The following are its officers: Pastor, Eugene Wiseman ; superintend- 
 ent of Sunday-school, George Plue ; class leaders, J. W. Rice, E. J. 
 Anderson, Mrs. Benjamin Ellsworth ; stewards, J. W. Rice, D. H. Cole, 
 Morgan Putnam, George Plue, E. J. Anderson, P. H. Brown, J. G. 
 Eaton, T. F. -Hill, J. F. Loop, Elmer Tyrrell, William Hemstreet ; 
 trustees, Daniel Hays, Charles Keifer, J. W. Rice, William Hodder, 
 Benjamin Rice, M. L. Dennie, George Copeland and James H. Wash- 
 burn. 
 
 East Fulton Street Methodist Episcopal Church. — During the summer 
 of 1889 the members of the First Methodist Episcopal church became 
 impressed with the need of religious services in the eastern section of 
 the city, and erected a neat and commodious chapel at the corner of 
 East Fulton and Chestnut streets, at a cost of $4,000. The chapel was 
 dedicated November 17, 1889, Lewis A. Tate presenting the building 
 for dedication on behalf of the trustees. The services upon this occa- 
 sion were conducted by Rev. Henry Graham, presiding elder, and C. W. 
 Rowley, pastor of the First Methodist Episcopal church. As an evi- 
 dence of the interest taken in the undertaking, it may be added that 
 the entire cost of the edifice was provided for upon the day of dedica- 
 
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CATHOLIC CHURCH— BAPTIST CHURCH. 395 
 
 tion. A Sabbath-school was organized and was greatly appreciated 
 by the children in that part of the city. It was conducted under the 
 auspices of the First Methodist Episcopal church, and preaching was 
 had at intervals. Prayer meetings were held, however, regularly once a 
 week. This condition continued until April, 1892, when, at the annual 
 session of the Troy Conference held at Plattsburgh, the Rev. Robert H. 
 Washburne was appointed pastor in charge, and regular services are 
 now held every Sabbath. 
 
 St. Mary 5 Roman Catholic Church. — The first house of worship reg- 
 larly occupied by the Roman Catholics in Gloversville was a small 
 church on the Pine street hill, purchased by them in an unfinished state 
 in 1874. Rev. Gillem was the first pastor, but remained only a short 
 time. He was succeeded by Rev. W. Kempen, under whose charge 
 the Pine Street church was completed. He resigned in April, 1876, 
 and a year later Rev. Michael Killeen assumed charge of the parish. 
 Under his care the beautiful brick church on Fremont street was erected. 
 
 First Baptist Church. — Prior to 1838 there were only a few Baptists 
 scattered through the country in the immediate vicinity of Gloversville. 
 They had for two years or more enjoyed the labors of Revs. Knapp, 
 Groom, Hutchins and Whitman. In the summer of the above men- 
 tioned years. Rev. Erastus Miner, of Pleasant Valley, came to Glovers- 
 ville to preach a funeral sermon. His sympathies were at once enlisted 
 in behalf of the Baptists in that community, and he left his own people 
 and gave part of his time to religious efforts in the then primitive vil- 
 lage. Notice was given for all Baptist members to assemble on a given 
 day to decide the question of organizing either a branch connection 
 with Pleasant Valley or an independent church. It is said that when 
 the day arrived, it rained, and in consequence no one attended the pro- 
 posed meeting. The record says, " In order that the project should not 
 fail, Brother Abel S. Leaton started on foot from Johnstown and looked 
 them up again, and appointed a meeting the following week." At this 
 meeting, which was held in the village school- house, it was unanimous- 
 ly agreed, after consultation, to become a branch of the Pleasant Val- 
 ley Church, and the second Sunday following was appointed as the 
 time when the organization should be effected. No definite action was 
 taken then or directly afterward, but preaching was maintained and the 
 
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396 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 meetings were continued. Conversions were frequent and a number of 
 baptisms took place on October 28, November 5 and 25, 1838. On 
 January 6, 1839, ^ve were baptized on profession of faith. The follow- 
 ing Sunday evening, January 13, it was unanimously agreed to organize 
 an independent Baptist Church on Tuesday, January 15, 1839, and the 
 original purpose of becoming a branch of the Pleasant Valley Church 
 was abandoned. According to appointment a meeting was held in 
 Burr's assembly room January 15, 1839. Rev. Miner read the I32d 
 Psalm, and an opening prayer was oflered by Rev. Gale. Later on Mr. 
 Gale administered the charge and Mr. Miner gave the right hand of 
 fellowship, during which all those present, nineteen in number, arose 
 and stood in a semi-circle. The church was then and there organized 
 and named the First Baptist Church of Gloversville, N. Y. Abel S. 
 Leaton was chosen stated clerk, and an election of trustees resulted in 
 the choice of Henry Churchill, George Washburn, Abel S. Leaton, H. 
 C. Thomas, L. F. Cooper, and Joab Phelps. It was also resolved, 
 "That the building committee consist of the trustees, and they be and 
 are hereby authorized to purchase a site for a meeting house, and have 
 full power to act in all matters in relation to the erection and final com- 
 pletion of said meeting house." On the first Sunday in March, 1839, 
 the church celebrated the memorial ordinance of the Lord's supper for 
 the first time. The names of the nineteen constituent members are as 
 follows : H. C. Thomas, J. C. Valentine, Thomas B. Kenyon, Cuyler 
 Shottenkirk, William Billingham, John Whiting, Abel S. Leaton, Mrs. 
 Elizabeth Ward, Mrs. Nancy Hill, Mrs. Sarah Curtis, Mrs. Rachel Ken- 
 yon, Mrs. C. C. Warner, Miss Sarah Hare, Miss Maria Evinskey, Miss 
 Margaret Van Steinburgh. The church was formally admitted to the 
 Saratoga Baptist Association at the annual meeting held in Stillwater, 
 June 25, 1839. October 6, 1839, a call was extended to Rev. D. Cor- 
 win to become pastor, and on Sunday, November 3, he preached for 
 them and gave acceptance of the call. The first deacons of the church 
 were elected in August, 1841, as follows: H. C. Thomas and S. Jud- 
 son Deacon Thomas held the office continuously during a period of 
 forty-eight years, well beloved and honored by the church. The first 
 house of worship was situated on Main street, the building long known 
 as Fox's Block. It was completed and dedicated September 18, 1839, 
 
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BAPTIST CHURCH. 397 
 
 Rev. B. T. Welch, of Albany, and Rev. L. Raymond, of Cooperstown, 
 each delivering sermons on the occasion. At a business meeting held 
 May 23, 1855, steps were taken toward building a new church edifice 
 and a subscription paper was circulated by a committee consisting of 
 Henry Churchill, D. S. Frank, Austin Kasson, J. H. Burr, W. C. Allen, 
 H. C. Thomas, D. M. Burr, Charles Sunderlin, S. S. Wells, A. C. 
 Churchill, and J. H. Seymour. This committee soon reported that 
 $6,000 had been subscribed, whereupon a building committee was ap- 
 pointed and a lot secured, the location being the present site of the First 
 Baptist Church. The new building was completed early in 1857 and 
 the dedicatory services took place January 22 of that year. Two days 
 were devoted to this solemn occasion and sermons were preached by 
 Revs. Winegar, Peacock, Hawley, Gregory, Fisher, Wall and Dunning. 
 The cost of the structure was $15,398.61. In this house of worship the 
 society held services for a period of thirty- three years, when the won- 
 derful growth of the society necessitated the erection of a church of 
 greater dimerisions. The last service was held in the old building 
 April 13, 1890, and the work of demolition began during the following 
 week. Negotiations were entered into with Henry F. Kilburn, of New 
 York, who submitted plans for the present beautiful structure, and the 
 contract was let to Alden Henry, of Gloversviile. The building com- 
 mittee which has immediate supervision of the work is composed of the 
 following persons : Nicholas D. Wilson, J. H. Drake, John V. King, 
 Aaron Simmons, and S. H. Shotwell. The building, which is the most 
 valuable church edifice in Fulton county, was dedicated with fitting 
 ceremonies, October 9, 1891, Pastor Bourn officiating. Among those 
 present and taking part in the services were Rev. H. A. Cordo, of 
 Cortland, who was pastor of this church from 1878 to 1885; Rev. 
 George Cooper, of Richmond, Va., pastor from 1869 to 1873, and vari- 
 ous local clergymen. The cost of the building, exclusive of the lot and 
 material used from the old house, was $55,766.40. The first collection 
 of this church for benevolence was the small sum of fifty cents in the 
 year 1839. The largest total for all purposes in any one year was in 
 1 87 1, during the pastorate of Rev. George Cooper, the amount being 
 $7^875. 18. The church has had ten regularly setttled pastors. Rev. 
 Erastus Miner, serving as a supply during a part of the year 1839. 
 
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39S HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 The others with the dates of their service are as follows : Rev. David 
 Corwin, elected October 6, 1839, resigned November i, 1854; Rev. 
 Isaac Westcott, elected May 10, 1855, resigned March 27, 1859; ^^v. 
 Stephen Remington, elected May 10, 1859; resigned October, 1859; 
 Rev. Conant Sawyer, elected December 16, 1859, resigned May 31, 
 1867; Rev. Charles Y. Swan, elected September 30, 1867, resigned De- 
 cember 27, 1868 ; Rev. George Cooper, elected October 18, 1869, re- 
 signed April 7, 1873 ; Rev. C. N. Pattengill, elected May 19, 1873, re- 
 signed June 21, 1877; Rev. H. A. Cordo, elected April i, 1878, resigned 
 May 4, 1885 ; Rev. W. W. Dawley, elected August 17, 1885, resigned 
 July 31, 1887 ; Rev. A. W. Bourn, the present pastor, elected Septem- 
 ber, 19, 1887. The present membership is about 875. The first 
 superintendent of the Sunday-school was H. D. Everett, and the present 
 one is Dr. W. S. Garnsey, the total membership of the school being 
 about 750. The church oflficers are : Pastor, A. W. Bourn; treasurer, 
 L. K. Bourn ; clerk, C. M. C. Loyd ; deacons, A. Simmons, W. Shank- 
 land, F. White, S. T. O. Hart, J. S. Burr; trustees, A. D. Brower, S. 
 H. Shotwell, Charles King, J. H. Drake, W. D. West and Charles 
 Lyke. 
 
 Congregational Church. — The first active steps towards forming a so- 
 ciety in Gloversville to be known either as Presbyterian or Congrega- 
 tional, and also for building a church in which it should worship, were 
 taken at a meeting held in the Gloversville school-house, June 29, 1850. 
 Charles Mills was chosen chairman and S. Stewart Mills secretary. A 
 committee consisting of E. L. Burton, U. M. Place, and Alanson Judson, 
 was appointed to report some plan for carrying out the above mentioned 
 purpose, which they did at a meeting held on the 20th of July following. 
 A committee was then appointed to circulate a subscription for $7,000, 
 to be used in purchasing a site and building a house of worship. This 
 committee was composed of Edward Leonard, Darius C. Mills, Alanson 
 Judson, D. S. Tarr, and Alanson Hosmer, and the lot upon which the 
 edifice was erected was purchased of Alanson Judson. At a meeting 
 held January 7, 1851, a vote was taken and it was found that eighteen 
 were in favor of a Congregational society, while six preferred Presby- 
 terianism, and in this manner the Congregational society of Gloversville 
 had its origin. The first trustees of the new society, elected at a meet- 
 
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CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. 399 
 
 ing held January 25, 185 i, were Samuel S. Mills, Uriah M. Place, Zina 
 Case, Alanson Judson, H. C. Parsons, and Alanson Hosmer. These 
 men were constituted a building committee and the contract for the 
 edifice was let to Erastus Thorp, who completed it in the latter part of 
 1852. The total cost was about $10,000. A call was issued by the so- 
 ciety in November, 1852, to Homer N. Dunning, of the North River 
 Presbytery, to become pastor of the new church at a salary of $600. 
 The call was accepted and Mr. Dunning was ordained, and installed as 
 pastor Thursday morning, December 2, 1852. At the ecclesiastical 
 council held the previous evening there were present Rev. Ray Palmer, 
 pastor of the First Congregational church of Albany (who was chosen 
 moderator); Rev. Edward Wall, pastor of the Presbyterian church of 
 Kingsboro; Rev. L. F. Waldo, pastor First Congregational church, 
 Poughkeepsie ; Rev. H. G. Ludlow, pastor First Presbyterian church, 
 Poughkeepsie ; and Rev. Elisha Yale, of Kingsboro, who was invited to 
 sit as a corresponding member. The young society flourished under 
 the spiritual guidance of Pastor Dunning, and in i860 the trustees re- 
 ported the church to be free from debt. Mr. Dunning remained with 
 the church twelve years, resigning his pastorate in December, 1864. 
 The society was then without a regular minister until the following 
 May, when Rev. Charles J. Hill, of Cleveland, accepted a call with the 
 salary of $1,500. He remained with the church until August, 1868, 
 being succeeded in January, 1869, by Rev. W. A. McGinley, who filled 
 the pulpit until May, 1874. Rev. William E. Park, the present pastor, 
 was installed March, 1876, and has continued his spiritual charge with 
 devoted Christian zeal for a period of sixteen years. The first deacons 
 of the church were Charles Mills, H. Seth Smith, I. V. Place, and E. L. 
 Burton. A Sabbath- school was organized simultaneously with the 
 church, of which Elisha Burton was the first superintendent, an office 
 held by him continuously until his death. 
 
 The present officers of the church are: Deacons, De Witt Smith, Uriel 
 Case, Dr. Eugene Beach ; trustees, Charles W. Judson, Richard B. 
 Parsons, William E. Lansing, Daniel McEwen, jr., Warren E. Whitney, 
 Earl Karker, Curtis S. Cummings, E. L. Heacock, Hiram Darling. S. 
 Elmore Burton is clerk and treasurer. The present membership of the 
 church is 420. The superintendent of the Sabbath- school is W. F. Bur- 
 ton, son of Elisha Burton, first superintendent. 
 
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40O HISTORY OF PULTON COUNTY. 
 
 Christ Protestant Episcopal Mission Church. — Divine service in ac- 
 cordance with the usages of the Protestant Episcopal Church were first 
 held in Gloversville in the year 1852 by Rev. George N. Sleight, rector 
 of St. John's church at Johnstown. Mr. Sleight officiated regularly for 
 a year or more, until his resignation of the rectorship of St. John's, 
 when the services were continued regularly to the beginning of the year 
 1855, by his successor, tiie Rev. Lewis P. Clover. These services took 
 place in the public school-house on Fulton street, and were held on each 
 alternate Sunday afternoon. October i, 1856, a parish was formally 
 organized with the name of Trinity Church of Gloversville, Rev. Lewis 
 P. Clover presiding. Albert W. Gorton acted as secretary, and the 
 following persons were elected to compose the first vestry : Wardens, 
 Timothy W. Miller and Howard Hill; vestrymen, Albert W. Gorton, 
 George Snyder, Marcus T. Peake, Samuel Gilchrist, Charles Hutchin- 
 son, John Sunderlin, Nathan J. Burton and Joseph H. Westcott. Al- 
 though wardens and vestrymen were elected annually on Tuesday in 
 each Easter week until 1859 and social reunions were often held for the 
 purpose of raising funds, services were not held regularly, and from 
 1859 until 1866 there was but little activity in the parish. This unfor- 
 tunate state of affairs was due principally to the fact that many mem- 
 bers of the society had moved away, making the election of proper 
 officers difficult and also rendering the expenses burdensome on the 
 few that remained. In 1866, however, a happy change took place; 
 many persons of the Episcopal faith were known to have recently set- 
 tled in Gloversville and some of the original members had returned. 
 The parish was fully reorganized at a meeting held August 2, of that 
 year, and David H. Cuyler and Howard Hill were elected wardens, 
 with a vestry composed of John W. Cook, Albert W. Gorton, George 
 Shurbourne, Thomas M. Beach, Henry Hull, William Thorne, Frank 
 Anderson and William R. Washburn. Regular services were then be- 
 gun and were held on each alternate Sunday afternoon, a Sunday- 
 school was established with D. H. Cuyler as superintendent, and cler- 
 ical missionaries, with some other assistance, conducted the services. 
 Thus the parish continued until September, 1871, at which time the 
 session room of the Congregational church was used as a place for wor- 
 ship. Trinity church was formally admitted into union with the diocese 
 
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EPISCOPAL CHURCH — LUTHERAN CHURCH. 401 
 
 of Albany in 1 870. Regular morning and evening prayer was lield at 92 
 Main Street from November 24, 1872 until February 17, 1873 under 
 the auspices of Rev. James W. Stewart, rector of St. John's church, Johns- 
 town, the. evening services being conducted bj- Rev. C. F. A. Bielby, 
 the appointed missionary for this station and Fonda. Land was secured 
 and a church edifice partially completed on West Pine street, but it 
 was subsequently sold to the German Romanists for $2,200. George O. 
 Eddy assumed formal charge of the parish on Sunday, March 16, 1873, 
 and established regular services twice each Sabbath. A new church 
 was then erected on Fremont street at the corner of Middle, at a cost 
 of $3,600 exclusive of the lot, and was first occupied March 22, 1874. 
 This edifice was afterwards sold to the Fremont Street Methodist society 
 and Trinity Parish suffered another decline. With a view to revive the 
 Episcopal service in the village Rev. Charles C. Edmunds, jr., and 
 Rev. Robert H. Neide held services in a room on the third floor of the 
 Hanson block each evening following July i, 1880. August 31, of the 
 same year, an application was made to Bishop Doane, of the Albany 
 diocese, requesting the organization of a mission church, which was 
 granted and Christ Church Mission was formally established under the 
 supervision of the bishop, with the Revs. Charles C. Edmunds, jr., and 
 Robert H. Neide as officiating deacons. E. P. Newton was chosen 
 warden; Allen N. Ross, clerk, and Hervey Ross, treasurer. In October, 
 1883, the Rev. C. P. A. Burnett assumed charge of the mission as 
 rector, and services were held in the Mosher hall on Fulton street for 
 one year. The mission was then removed to the Kent block, where 
 services were held pending the erection of the present church edifice on 
 Spring street. The building was completed at a cost, including the lot, 
 of $8,000 and first occupied June 23, 1887. The church has 330 free 
 sittings. Rev. Mr. Burnet remained in the rectorship until December 
 I, 1 89 1, being succeeded by Rev. H, C. Smyth, who is at present in 
 charge of the parish. The church officers at present are James B. Eysa- 
 man, warden; James Hull, treasurer, and Emil Alexander, clerk. There 
 are no communicants, and the rector is superintendent of the Sunday- 
 school, which has a membership of six teachers and sixty-five pupils. 
 
 Saint James English Evangelical Lutheran Chnrch. — This church 
 was organized as a result of action taken by a committee appointed at 
 61 
 
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402 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 a meeting of the Hartvvick Synod, held at West Sandlake, N. Y., Octo- 
 ber 1 8 and 19, 1888. Of this committee, Rev. Peter FeUs, of St. Paul's 
 Lutheran church, Johnstown, was chairman. Efforts were made to 
 establish a mission in Gloversville and E. L. Dreibelbis, of Gettysburg 
 Theological Seminary, was secured. He visited many of the church 
 people with a view ofenlisting their aid in the proposed work. This ini- 
 tiatory movement was begun June 23, 1 889, and in three months the mis- 
 sion had about fifty-five members. The next important step was to 
 secure a suitable house of worship. The German Lutherans of the city, 
 under the direction of Alexander Arronet, had built and partially com- 
 pleted a brick church on Grand street, near Bleeck.er. They were una- 
 ble, however, to finish and occupy the building and it was offered for 
 sale. The English Lutherans, under the name of St. James Evangeli- 
 cal Lutheran Society, purchased this church and completed it at a total 
 cost of about $7,000. It is now worth about $10,000. It was dedi- 
 cated Sunday, March 2, 1890, Rev. Peter Felts, of Johnstown, preaching 
 the sermon. There were also present Rev. B. F. Fake, of Stone Arabia ; 
 Rev. W. C. Poore, of Tribes Hill, and Rev. William Baum, president 
 of Hartwick Synod. In the afternoon a general service was held in 
 which Revs. James Gardner, C. W. Rowley, and William Baunv took 
 part. Rev. A. M. Whetstone made an earnest appeal for financial aid 
 to pay the remainder of the church debt, and the sum of $131 was 
 secured. At the morning service $1,600 had been promised. Rev. 
 Mr. Whetstone was installed as first pastor of the church in the evening, 
 the charge to the pastor being given by Rev. William Baum, and the 
 charge to the congregation by Rev. B. F, Fake. A collection was also 
 taken which amounted to $313, making the total amount raised during 
 the day $2,044. 
 
 Although less than three years old, this church, under the zealous 
 care of Pastor Whetstone, has grown and prospered, until at present 
 there are 215 regular members, with a Sunday school of 230 scholars, 
 the superintendent being Alden Hart. The present officers of the 
 society are as follows : Elders, Jacob Haag, Jacob Weber, John Weintz, 
 Jost Grebe ; deacons, Alden Hart, Judson R. Empie, William Klohck, 
 William Oathout; secretary of the council, Alden Hart; treasurer, 
 Robert L. Barringer, 
 
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YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION. 403 
 
 Young Men's Christian Association of Gloversville — On Thursday 
 evening, March 2, 1882, twelve young men representing the several 
 churches of the village of Gloversville, met in the office of Churchill & 
 Getman on Main street, to take into consideration the duty of organiz- 
 ing a Young Men's Christian Association. After an opinion expressed 
 by every one present, on motion of F. W Stowell, it was resolved unan- 
 imously " That it is the sense of this meeting that a Young Men's 
 Christian Association be organized in this village." On the following 
 Tuesday a union meeting was held in the lecture room of the First M. 
 
 E. church. Remarks were made by a number of prominent citizens 
 favoring the work, after which a committee on organization was ap- 
 pointed by the chair. On Tuesday, March 14, a meeting was held in 
 the lecture room of the First Presbyterian church, at which time a con- 
 stitution and by-laws were adopted ; charter members to the number of 
 thirty-six paid their first annual dues, and a committee appointed for 
 the nomination of officers reported as follows: For president. Judge A. 
 D. L. Baker; vice-president, E. A. Spencer ; secretary, Lewis A. Tate ; 
 treasurer, W. D. West ; directors, Hervey Ross, F. Egelston, L. K. 
 Brown, C. M. Lefler, P. J. Keck and Earl Karker. Before a vote was 
 taken Judge Baker positively refused to accept the nomination and the 
 name of John L. Getman was substituted. A ballot was then taken and 
 the above named officers elected. 
 
 On Friday evening, March 17, a public meeting was held in the 
 Baptist church with addresses by Rev. George A. Hall, state secretary ; 
 D. H. Vaii Huesen, of Johnstown, and E. L. Mattice, of Fort Plain. 
 
 On Sunday afternoon, March 19, 1882, the first public prayer meet- 
 ing was held in the lecture room of the Congregational church, being 
 attended by about 200 persons. The meeting was conducted by Earl 
 Karker and was both profitable and spiritual. The first regular meet- 
 ing of the association was held Tuesday evening, March 21, at which 
 time about 150 new members joined. Up to that time the association 
 had been without rooms, having held their meetings in the several 
 churches from time to time, but at a meeting held April 18, the board 
 of managers were instructed to secure the rooms on the third floor of 
 
 F. M. Young's building on Main street, and fit them for use. 
 
 On Tuesday, June 6, 1882, the first annual meeting was held, at which 
 time the work was thoroughly discussed, and among other points it was 
 
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404 II /STORY OF FULTON COUNTV. 
 
 decided that on account of the frequent unavoidable absence of the 
 secretary, an assistant should be provided, and George M. Stone was 
 unanimously elected to the position. On August i6, 1882, a committee 
 was appointed to consider the advisability of securing a ticket, as a body, 
 at a reduced rate, in the Levi Parson's library, in order to give members 
 of the Y. M. C. A., the privileges of the reading room and library. 
 The committee reported favorably and such a ticket was purchased for 
 the sum of $50. 
 
 During the first nine months of the association's existence the work 
 had been done entirely by the members, but its constant growth and 
 increasing usefulness demanded that a man be secured to give his whole 
 time to the work, and President Getman was appointed to engage a 
 general secretary as soon as possible. At first it was hoped to obtain a 
 Mr. Shaw, of Indiana, but as he was not available the committee made 
 a further effort, finally succeeding in securing W. I Sweet, who on De- 
 cember 20, 1882, engaged in the work at a salary of $50 a month. 
 
 About this time the association made application to become a mem- 
 ber of the State Association, and was in due time admitted. At a 
 meeting held March 15, 1883, it was decided to change the Association's 
 quarters, and hence rooms on the third floor of the Hanson building 
 were secured for one year at the nominal price of $}o. The second 
 annual meeting of the Association was held June 5, 1883, and the follow- 
 ing officers elected : President, John L. Getman ; vice-president, Melvin 
 L. Fuller; secretary, Charles S. Schermerhorn ; treasurer, C. S. Hilde- 
 brandt. 
 
 On January 28, 1884, General Secretary Sweet tendered his resigna- 
 tion which was accepted, and L. L. Shaffer was elected to fill the vacancy. 
 During the spring of that year the association found itself in financial 
 trouble, but by dint of hard effort it was enabled to tide over the diffi- 
 culty with safety. At the third annual meeting held June 10, 1884, the 
 following officers were elected : President, Lewis A. Tate ; vice-presi- 
 dent, Frank Burton ; secretary, Frank Egelston, treasurer, W. D. 
 West. 
 
 On July 8, 1884, L. L. Shaffer discontinued his services as secretary. 
 In October of the same year the Third District N. Y. State Y. M. C. A., 
 held their annual convention at Gloversville and was entertained by the 
 
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YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION. 405 
 
 local association. On June 9, 1885, the fourth annual meeting and 
 election of officers was held with the following result : President, Lewis 
 A. Tate; vice-president, Albert P. Slade; secretary, Jay O. Karker ; 
 treasurer, Dr. P. R. Furbeck. 
 
 On January 28, 1886, a meeting of the association was held, at which 
 it was thought best to disband and then reorganize under the direction 
 of Assistant State Secretary Stanley, who was present. The plan was 
 carried into effect, and after reorganization the following officers were 
 elected : President, Dr. P. R. Furbeck , first vice-president, George W. 
 Stone; second vice-president, W. F. Burton; recording secretary, W. 
 N.Stewart; treasurer, W. D. West. After its reorganization the asso- 
 ciation seemed to grasp more thoroughly the genius of association 
 work, in its peculiar field, and it became more specific in its efforts for 
 young men. In the summer of 1886 another change of rooms was 
 made, qaarters being secured in the Littauer block. About the same 
 time it was also decided to again secure the services of a general secre- 
 tary, and Charles H. Harrington was employed. The anniversary for 
 1887 was held in the Fremont Street Methodist church and was ad- 
 dressed by D. J. De Camp, of Schenectady. Dr. Furbeck remained 
 president five years and did a very effective work in that capacity. In 
 the spring of 1887 the association changed quarters again, moving to 
 the Helwig building on North Main street. Mr. Harrington remained 
 as secretary until May, 1889. when he accepted a call from the associa- 
 tion at Batavia and moved to that place. He was succeeded by H. L. 
 Sellick, who remained about eight months, his successor being W M. 
 Scott. During the year in which Mr. Scott acted as secretary the asso- 
 ciation moved to the building which they now occupy at the corner of 
 Main and Fremont streets. 
 
 At the annual meeting held in February, 1891, the following officers 
 were elected, and continue in service: President, James S. Burr; first 
 vice president, J. M.Thompson; second vice president, Hervey Ross; 
 recording secretary, E. P. Bellows; treasurer, M. V. B. Stetson; trustees, 
 Daniel B. Judson, Charles Keifer, Aaron Simmons, Dr. P. R. Furbeck, 
 Daniel Hays, James S. Burr, and William C. Mills; board of directors, 
 James S. Burr, J. M. Thompson, E. C. Collins, O. L. Everest, E. P. 
 Bellows, M. V. B. Stetson, E. A. Spencer, Hervey Ross, C. W. Scher- 
 
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4o6 HISTORY OP FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 merhorn, A. Hart, Adam Hunter, N. D. Wilson, W. N. Stewart, and Dr. 
 W. S. Garnsey. 
 
 On May 15, 1 89 1, John F. Moore accepted an invitation to serve as 
 general secretary, a position lie has since filled with much credit. In 
 March, 1892, Elson Sheffield was engaged as assistant secretary. 
 
 The association, during the ten years of its existence, has had its full 
 share of difficulties and perplexities, but it has come out of them all 
 with increased usefulness and extended influence, At present the mem- 
 bership is about 400; all branches of the work are flourishing, and the 
 future is bright with promise. 
 
 Prospect Hill Cemetery of Gloversville. — The history of this beautiful 
 place of mortuary rest dates from the year 1854, prior to which time 
 most of the interments were made in the old burying- ground at Kings- 
 boro In order to organize a cemetery association, a public meeting 
 was held August 12, 1854, with Allen C. Churchill, chairman, and D. 
 M. Burr, secretary. The deUberations of the occasion resulted in the 
 formation of " The Rural Cemetery Association of Gloversville," and 
 on the 24th of the same month the following officers and trustees were 
 elected : President, Jennison G. Ward ; vice-president, Alanson Judson ; 
 secretary, E. L. Burton ; treasurer, Charles Sunderlin ; trustees, the 
 foregoing names, with Zina Case, Rufus Washburn, Henry C. Thomas, 
 Timothy W. Miller, and David Spaulding. 
 
 A committee, consisting of Charles Sunderlin and Rufus Washburn, 
 was appointed to consider several available localities for cemetery pur- 
 poses, and in due time it decided that a plot containing twenty acres, 
 situated about one-quarter of a mile east of the village, and belonging 
 to Othniel Gorton, was the most desirable. This ground was pur- 
 chased September 4, 1854, the price paid being $1,000. The soil was 
 inferior, being sand and unfit for culture, but it was admirably adapted 
 to its new use, both in its location and its natural features. The first 
 burial made in the new cemetery was that of Lewis H. Meade, Novem- 
 ber 6, 1854. 
 
 Subsequently four additional acres of the Gorton estate were pur- 
 chased, and also eighteen acres adjoining, thus increasing the cemetery 
 to about forty-two acres, which is its present area. 
 
 At a meeting of the trustees, held January 19, 1855, »t was voted to 
 petition the legislature to change the name of the incorporators from 
 
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SECRET SOCIETIES. 407 
 
 the Rural Cemetery Association to the Prospect Hill Cemetery Asso- 
 ciation, a name which has thus far been permanent. The cemetery con- 
 tains at the present time some very handsome monuments and much 
 care is given every year to beautifying the grounds. 
 
 Jennison G. Ward remained president of the association until No- 
 vember 16, i860, when he was succeeded by Rufus Washburn. Mr. 
 Washburn was recently removed by death, and his successor, James M. 
 Thompson, the present incumbent, was elected March 5, 1892. Charles 
 Snnderlin, the first treasurer, held that office until the time of his death, 
 as did also his brother, John Sunderlin, who succeeded him. William 
 A. Kasson, the present treasurer, followed Mr, Sunderlin in that office. 
 Elisha L. Burton, who first held the office of secretary, continued in 
 service until removed by death, when, on February 2, 1863, Jennison 
 G. Ward was elected to that office. His successor was Joseph S. 
 Heacock, who assumed the duties of the office December 11, 1869. 
 W. H. Place, the present secretary, was elected to that office April 15, 
 1872. It is a remarbable fact that of the nine original trustees not one 
 is now living, the last surviving member of that board being Rufus 
 Washburn, who died early in 1892. 
 
 A full list of the officers of the Cemetery Association at present is as 
 follows : President, James M. Thompson ; treasurer, William A. Kas- 
 son ; secretary, W. H. Place ; trustees, James M. Thompson, William 
 A. Kasson, W. H. Place, D. B. Judson, Daniel Potter, D. W. Smith, 
 John C. Allen, and Aaron Simmons. The vacancy in the board caused 
 by the death of Rufus Washburn was filled by the election of A. W. 
 Locklin at the annual meeting held on the first Tuesday in June, 1892. 
 
 Masonic and other Secret Societies. — Gloversville Lodge, No. 429, F. 
 and A. M. was organized and instituted April 9, 1857. It was consti- 
 tuted and consecrated July 27, of the same year. Timothy W. Miller 
 took a very active part in bringing about the establishment of the lodge. 
 He was at that time a member of St. Patrick's Lodge of Johnstown, be- 
 ing a son of Dr. James W. Miller, of that place. He came to Glovers- 
 ville as one of the founders of the Fulton County Bank and held the 
 position of teller in that institution for several years. He was al.so ac- 
 tive in securing the organization of the first Episcopal society in Glov- 
 ersville. In later years he returned to Johnstown, where he remained 
 
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4o8 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 until his death. The other members who assisted in organizing the 
 Gloversville lodge were Moses S. Adams, William Ward, John Sunder- 
 lin, Daniel Potter, George W. Hogeboom, all of St. Patrick's Lodge; 
 also William S. Ingraham, and Flavel B. Sprague, of Fish House Lodge, 
 which had originally been organized at Northville and subsequently re- 
 moved to Fish House; and John Hyman, of Temple Lodge, No. 14, 
 Troy. W. M. John L. Lewis, then grand master of the state, appointed 
 brothers Miller, Adams, and Ingraham, respectively, worshipful master 
 and also senior and junior warden. The first initiation took place im- 
 mediately after organization and while the lodge was working under 
 dispensation. Nathan J. Burton and Albert W.. Gorton were the first 
 persons initiated, and then came Harvey C. Jones, J. S. Green, John 
 Reddish, Seymour Sexton, and A. C. Kasson. After the warrant had 
 been granted, a full set of oflScers were chosen and installed as follows : 
 W. M., Timothy W^ Miller; S. W., William S. Ingraham ; J. W., Na- 
 than J. Burton ; treasurer, John Sunderlin ; secretary, Albert W. Gor- 
 ton ; S. D., William Ward ; J. D., John Hyman ; masters of ceremonies, 
 Seymour Sexton and John W. Peek ; tyler, John S. Green. The or- 
 ganization took place in Frederick Young's building on North Main 
 street, where the lodge continued to hold meetings for eighteen years. 
 In 1875 lodge rooms were leased in the Stewart building, 21 West Ful- 
 ton street, at which place the regular communications are still held. 
 
 Among the interesting relics in the possession of Gloversville Lodge 
 are the records of Constellation Lodge, No. 1.03, which was organized 
 in Mayfield, March 7, 1804. This old lodge had the power to meet 
 alternately at Mayfield and Kingsboro, and it held monthly communi- 
 cations at these places until 1835. Its first worshipful master was 
 Oliver Rice, who, when in his eightieth year, made the Gloversville 
 Lodge a visit shortly after its organization. Its first senior warden was 
 Benjamin Craft, and its first junior warden, Ripley Merrill. Among 
 the old and well-known Masons of this ancient lodge, who have served 
 as its worshipful masters at different times, and were buried with Ma- 
 sonic honors by 429, were Oliver Rice, Collins Odell, Charles Harts- 
 horn, Stephen Livingston and Alinos Matthews. 
 
 The following list comprises the names of the past masters of 
 Gloversville Lodge, No. 429, with the dates of their incumbency: 
 
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SECRET SOCIETIES. 409 
 
 Timothy W. Miller, 1857-58; Nathan J. Burton, 1859; George J. 
 Newton, 1860-61 ; Seymour Sexton, 1862; George J. Newton, 1863- 
 64-65; Miles Brown, 1866; George J. Newton, 1867; John S. King, 
 1868; George J. Newton, 1869; Edmund P. Fox, 1870-71-72; James 
 M. Kennedy, 1873-74; Andrew R. Bruce, 1875-76; George K. Hilts, 
 1877; Alexander D. Comrie, 1878-79; Eugene Beach, 1880-81-82; 
 Marcus H. Christie, 1883-84; Cyrus Stewart, 1885-86-87; Alvan 
 Quackenbush, 1888; Cyrus Stewart, 1889-90-91; Newton G. Snow, 
 1892. 
 
 The present officers are: W. M., Newton G. Snow; S. W., Arthur 
 E. Tuck; J. W , Nicholas M. Banker; treasurer, Jerry A; Van Auken ; 
 secretary, Charles W. Stewart; assistant secretary, Albert W. Gorton; 
 S D., D. W. S. Kearney; J. D., Eben Van Evera; organist, E. P. Fox ; 
 chaplain, Solomon Jeffers; S. M. C , Frank Tiedeman ; J. M. C, John 
 M. Noonan ; marshal, A. H. Lengfield ; tyler, Ezra D. Bice; finance 
 committee, A. W. Gorton, William F. Cole, Morris Klein ; trustees, 
 George H. Hilts, A. D. L. Baker, Hiram Darling. The lodge contains 
 214 master Masons. 
 
 Holy Cross Commandery, No. 51, Knights Templar, is stationed at 
 Gloversville, and holds regular convocations in the Masonic hall, 
 Stewart building, 21 West Fulton street. Dispensation was granted to 
 this commandery by the Grand Commandery of the state of New York, 
 December 20, 1870, and the charter was received October 11, 1871. 
 Among those who joined in the petition for institution were members 
 of Temple Commandery, No. 2, of Albany ; Utica Commandery, No. 
 3, of Utica, and St. George's Commandery, No. 37, of Schenectady. 
 Sir Knight James M. Dudley, of Utica, No. 3, was appointed eminent 
 commander; Sir Knight Wilham P. Brayton, of Temple, No. 2, gen- 
 eralissimo ; and Sir Knight Nicholas Wemple, of St. George's, No. 37, 
 captain general. 
 
 The commandery was instituted by the officers of Apollo Com- 
 mandery, No. 15, of Troy, at the request of the R. E. Gr. Com. 
 George Babcock. Twenty- six companions received the orders of the 
 Red Cross and of the Temple on the night of opening. In April fol- 
 lowing, Sir Knight Brayton sent in his resignation to the grand com- 
 mander, and Sir Knight George J. Newton was appointed to fill the 
 52 
 
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4 to HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 vacancy. The late James M. Dudley, whose death occurred recently at 
 Johnstown, was the first eminent commander. Sir Knight Dudley w;is 
 a highly honored member of the Masonic fraternity, and also was a 
 prominent and successful member of the P'ulton county bar. He de- 
 parted this world after a long and useful life of four score years, and was 
 lamented by all who knew him. 
 
 Among the past commanders of this body, who are still connected 
 with the commandery, are Edmund P. Fox, Alexander I). Comrie, Os- 
 car Woodworth, Alvan V. Quackenbush, Daniel F. Cowles, Albert N. 
 Simmons, and Simeon S. Gross. The commandery mourns the death 
 of Cyrus Stewart, one of its past commanders, which occurred April 
 15, 1892. 
 
 The first officers of this body were as follows: E. C, James M. 
 Dudley; generalissimo, Cyrus Stewart; captain general, William H. 
 Shaw; prelate, Edmund P. Fox; S. W., Charles Smith; J. W., Thomas 
 M. Beach ; treasurer, Lewis P. Johnson ; recorder, George Shurbourne ; 
 standard-bearer, William H. Munroe; sword-bearer, Marcus F; Pierson ; 
 warder, George W. C. Gillette; sentinel, Alexander D. Comrie. 
 
 The present officers are: E. C, William H. Browne; generalissimo, 
 James Frank McKee ; captain- general, Charles McCarty ; prelate, Ed- 
 mund P. Fox; S. W., Albert N. Simmons; J. W., Alexander D. Com- 
 rie; treasurer, Alvan V. Quackenbush ; recorder, Albert W. Gorton; 
 standard-bearer, Eugene W. Peck; sword-bearer, Howard G. Dewey; 
 warder, Harry A. Phillips; first guard, WiiUam E. Young; second 
 guard, Harrison R. Hall ; third guard, Milford F. Button ; sentinel, 
 Ezra D. Bice. 
 
 Odd Fellows. — The first lodge of Odd Fellows in Gloversville was in- 
 stituted by D. D. G. M. Lindsey, March 13, 1848. It was known as 
 Gloversville Lodge, No. 335, I. O. O. F., and its charter members were 
 Augustus Cheadel, Augustus Campbell, Richard Dyer, Sherwood Hag- 
 gart, Henry H. Leonard, William Ward, jr , and Rufus Washburn, jr. 
 The first officers of this lodge were Augustus Cheadel, N. G. ; Augus- 
 tus Campbell, V. G. ; William Ward, recording secretary ; H. H. Leon- 
 ard, permanent secretary ; and Sherwood Haggart, treasurer. In June, 
 1850, five members withdrew to form a lodge at Northville. In July of 
 the same year the number of the Gloversville Lodge was changed to 
 
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SECRET SOCIETIES — NEWSPAPERS. 411 
 
 84. The lodge surrendered its charter and became extinct in May, 
 185;. 
 
 A dispensation was granted by the standing committee of the Right 
 Worthy Grand Lodge of the state of New York, and presented by D. 
 
 D. G. M. David De Forest, of Amsterdam, N. Y., bearirgdate Decem- 
 ber 23, 1869, to the following Ancient Odd Fellows: John S. Green, 
 
 E. N. Spencer, John Drake, William Case, C. R. Bellows, Niles Fair- 
 banks, Moses Oderkirk, W. H. Demarest, James Berry, M. D., Aaron 
 Simmons, N. D. Phelps, A. J. Kasson and Sherman W. Case, all of 
 whom were formerly members of Gloversville Lodge No. 84, of North- 
 ern New York. This resulted in the institution of the present lodge, 
 which received its charter January 12, 1870, and is known and hailed as 
 Gloversville Lodge, No. 228, I. O. O. F. The first officers were John 
 Drake, N. G. ; John S. Green, V. G. ; A. W. Gorton, secretary; and 
 A J. Kasson, treasurer. Much credit is due to A. W. Gorton, who de- 
 voted himself zealously to the cause and was one of the prime movers in 
 bringing about the institution of this prosperous lodge. The present 
 membership is 117, and the officers are, George H. Cummings, N. G. ; 
 Charles H. Bennett, V. G. ; J. E. Belden, secretary ; J. N. Face, treas- 
 urer. The lodge was recently incorporated under the state laws gov- 
 erning such societies, with the following trustees: C. S. Cummings, A. 
 L. Carpenter and David Martin. 
 
 Gloversville Encampment, No. 49, L O. O. F., a higher branch of the 
 order, was instituted August 17, 1870. It was formed May 31, 1870, 
 by Patriarchs George Van Kleeck, John W. Peek, Alexander Baker, 
 George W. Marley, Orlando Cady and John H. Drake. The first offi- 
 cers were installed by D. D. G. P. David De Forest, as follows : Orlando 
 Cady, C. P. ; George W. Marley, H. P. ; John H. Drake, S. W. ; 
 John W. Peek, J. W. ; Alexander Baker, treasurer; A. W. Gorton, 
 scribe. The present membership is forty -five and the officers are J. H. 
 Snell, C. P. ; Charles Bennet, S. W. ; D A. Hays, H. P. ; Charles 
 Mead, J. W. ; J. H. Willsey, scribe ; David Martin, treasurer. 
 
 The Gloversville Standard was the first newspaper published in this 
 place. It was established in December, 1856, by William H. Case, who 
 conducted it until March, i860, when it came under the control of A. 
 Pierson. In January, 1861, George W. Heaton purchased the paper 
 
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412 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 and conducted it until his death, which occurred ten years afterward. 
 About two years before Mr. Heaton's death he sold a half interest to 
 J. R. Arrowsmith, who afterward became sole proprietor. 
 
 The Standard was established as a Republican paper soon after the 
 birth of that famous party, and continued to advocate its principles 
 until the liberal Republican movement in 1872, when, under the man- 
 agement of Mr. Arrowsmith it supported the presidential canvass of 
 Horace Greeley. The transition from liberal republicanism to straight- 
 out democracy was natural, and when in June, 1875, the Standard was 
 purchased by Hervey Ross (an old line Democrat), it at once held the 
 position as the democratic organ of Fulton county. When Mr. Ross 
 assumed its control it was a small folio sheet of limited circulation, but 
 it soon grew to a six column quarto, while its readers during the first 
 year increased threefold. In the spring of 1876 the Standard ab- 
 sorbed The Century, then recently established in Gloversville by C. G. 
 Johnston, and in January, 1877, added to its circulation the subscrip- 
 tion list of the Gloversville Times. 
 
 In August, 1888, the Standard was changed from a weekly to a 
 semi-weekly publication in order to meet popular demand, and on the 
 1st of December, 1890, the daily issue began. This efifort, though con- 
 sidered a venture, was a pronounced success from the start. Glovers- 
 ville had ceased to be a weekly newspaper town, and had not only 
 passed the semi-weekly stage, but demanded daily service. The busi- 
 ness increased so rapidly, with the attendant cares and responsibilities, 
 that Mr. Ross soon found it necessary to secure a partner, and on the 
 9th day of February, 1 891, he sold a half interest to Charles H Hill, 
 and the establishment is now conducted by the firm of Ross & Hill. 
 The Daily Standard has been twice enlarged since its first appearance 
 and is now an eight column folio sheet, handsomely printed and well 
 edited. 
 
 Ross & Hill also publish the Weekly Stattdard and the Hamilton 
 County Press. 
 
 The Gloversville Intelligencer, a weekly newspaper, was first issued 
 in January, 1867, when the village contained scarcely more than 4,000 
 inhabitants. Charles H. Kelly was the editor and publisher, and its 
 birth place was a cramped upper story in Park's block on Main street, 
 
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NEWSPAPERS. 413 
 
 which was subsequently destroyed by the disastrous fire of 1877. The 
 office possessed but a very limited amount of type, the paper was a 
 small six- column sheet, printed on a hand press, and the circulation 
 hardly exceeded 350 copies. When the paper was but a few months 
 old, Mr. Kelly died, and was succeeded by George M. Thompson, who 
 altered its political complexion so that from an Independent it became 
 a Republican journal. He also removed the office to more suitable 
 quarters, and laid the foundation for an extensive business. In July, 
 1870, Mr. Thompson began the Fulton county Republican, and under 
 that title opened a well equipped office in Johnstown, and also intro- 
 duced a cylinder press, upon which both newspapers were printed, a 
 method which (with better machinery and largely increased facilities) 
 was continued down to the dissolution of Blunck & Leaning in 1888. 
 
 In February, 1877, E. W. Capron, of Norwich, Chenango county, 
 became associated in the publishing business with Mr. Thompson, and 
 in August of the same year the latter retired, his interest being trans- 
 ferred to Hiram L. Ward, also of Norwich. The papers continued to 
 be published by Capron & Ward until January 9, 1879, when impaired 
 health occasioned the retirement of Mr. Capron, and Mr. Ward remained 
 in sole possession until April, 188 1. A new partnership was then 
 formed under the title of Ward & Blunck, the junior partner being from 
 Cooperstown. This union, however, was brief, for the senior partner 
 was soon attacked by an incurable malady, hence, in August, 1881 
 (shortly prior to his death), he sold his interest to W. E. Leaning, and 
 the business was conducted until March i, 1888, under the firm name 
 of Blunck & Leaning. Mr. Leaning then assumed entire control of the 
 Intelligencer, which he continued to publish in Gloversville, while Mr. 
 Blunck conducted the Republican at Johnstown. The Intelligencer re- 
 mained under the control of Mr. Leaning until his death, May 15, 1890. 
 It was then conducted by his administrators until February i, 1891, 
 when it was purchased by W. B. Collins and Mrs. F. M. Leaning, who 
 are the present proprietors. From December I, 1890, until February 
 I, 1 89 1, the Intelligencer was published daily. The offices of \\ic^ Daily 
 Leader and Intelligencer were then consolidated and the two papers 
 have since then been published by the firm of Collins & Leaning. The 
 weekly edition of the Intelligencer includes an edition of the Broad- 
 
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414 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 albiii Herald, edited by B. C. Smith. The paper is strongly Republi- 
 can, and always supports the best interests of that party. 
 
 The Gloversville Leader xa^A^ its first appearance in August, 1887, 
 as an independent daily newspaper. Fay Shaul was both editor and 
 proprietor until March 19, 1888, when W. B. Collins, a young man who 
 came to Gloversville from Albany, purchased a half interest, and the 
 firm continued the Leader as an independent daily until the next Sep- 
 tember, when it was made a Republican paper, and supported Harrison 
 and Morton. Until then it had been a laborious task for its publishers 
 to make both ends meet. Several attempts had been made during 
 previous years to establish daily newspapers in Gloversville, all of which 
 had proved failures. Fortunately for the Leader, the change in politi- 
 cal views was the beginning of success. Thenceforward the paper has 
 increased in size and importance and is now welcomed by many who 
 once thought a daily newspaper could not live in a place so near the 
 large commercial centres. The partnership of Shaul & Collins contin- 
 ued until September, 1889, when Mr. Collins purchased his partner's in- 
 terest and conducted the paper alone until February i, 1891, when (as 
 has been previously stated) the Leader and the Intelligencer were con- 
 solidated under the firm name of Collins & Leaning. 
 
 C. W. Brockway, who has been connected with the Intelligencer 
 twenty years, is city editor. Mr. Collins writes its editorials, a^nd the 
 gratifying success of the Leader has been due in a great measure to his 
 untiring energy and perseverance. 
 
 Extinct Daily Newspapers of Gloversville. — The first daily news- 
 paper in Gloversville was published in 1872 and was known as the 
 Daily Times, but it only had a sickly life of two months. The Daily 
 Advertiser, published by John H. Burtch, made its fir.st appearance in 
 March, 1873, and had a still briefer existence, its duration being only 
 thirty four days. The Evening News was started in April, 1884, by 
 J. W. F. Ruttenbur (from Newburgh), who also conducted the Fonda 
 Democrat. The publication of the paper was discontinued in the follow- 
 ing August. The Daily Times (under a different management than that 
 of the first paper of that name) was started in connection with the Intel- 
 ligencer \x\ November, 1884, but was only published for the short space 
 of one week, 
 
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HOTELS. 
 
 415 
 
 Hotels. — The first tavern within the present limits of Gloversville is 
 said to have stood opposite the northeast corner of Prospect Hill Cem- 
 etery, and was kept by Horace Burr from the beginning of the century 
 until 1807, when it was discontinued. 
 
 The first hotel in the central part of the village was the Temperance 
 House, built by H. L. Burr in 1835. It was the first public building of 
 any note, and stood on the west side of Main street opposite the old 
 Baptist church. James Burr, the father of the builder, opened the 
 house as a hotel in 1836, and continued as its proprietor for twelve 
 years. 
 
 The Windsor Hotel, at the corner of Main and East Fulton streets, 
 was built during the years 1856 and 1857 ^'^ ^ cost of $65,000, by 
 Samuel S. and Darius Mills. It was known as the Mills House, and 
 Samuel S. Mills was the proprietor. It is spoken of by Horace Sprague 
 in 1857, as forming "an era in the building operations of the 
 village." The same writer also speaks of it as " rising in solitary gran- 
 deur, and dwarfing by contrast all surrounding structures." It was 
 indeed a great undertaking to build so costly a structure in a village 
 which at that time could scarcely have had mo're than three thousand 
 inhabitants. The hotel was lighted by gas and heated by steam, both 
 of which were created for the purpose on the premises. It afterwards 
 came into the possession of John J. Mason, the present owner, and was 
 known as the Mason House. The name was subsequently changed to 
 the Windsor Hotel, and A. D. Kibbe became proprietor and conducted 
 the house for a number of years, gaining for the hotel a wide and envi- 
 able reputation. He was succeeded by the present proprietor, L. H. 
 Moore, October 19, 1891. 
 
 Tke Alvord House, situated at the junction of Main and Cayadutta 
 streets, was built by C. G. Alvord in 1866, and opened by him as a 
 hotel the following year. It stands on the site of the old James Burr 
 residence, one of the first brick dwellings in the village. Mr. Alvord 
 continued to conduct the hotel successfully for about twenty-five years, 
 becoming widely and popularly known among travelers as a good and 
 generous boniface. His house was always well filled, and his table en- 
 joyed a first class patronage. He was succeeded as proprietor by Will- 
 iam B. Green, who conducted the hotel until July 8, 1891, being followed 
 
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4.6 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 by Davis & Streeter, under whose management steam heat and elec- 
 tricity were introduced and various improvements made, making the 
 liouse one of the pleasantest in the county. On April 8, 1892, George 
 W. Davis, the senior member of the firm, purchased his partner's inter- 
 est and has since conducted the house alone. It is built of brick, four 
 stories high, and contains between sixty and seventy rooms. The 
 hotel was opened as a temperance house, and when it was considered 
 essential to change it to a licensed hotel Mr. Alvord encountered the 
 antagonism of the prohibition element of the village, which he contested 
 in the courts and finally succeeded in obtaining the privilege of opening 
 a bar, which has ever since been maintained. 
 
 The Palmer House, located on Cayadutta street between School and 
 Fulton, was built and opened by Robert Palmer in the year 1866. He 
 managed and operated it until 1891, when it was taken in charge by 
 Charles Palmer, his son. The house has accommodations for forty 
 guests, and has been ever since its erection a temperance hotel, no in- 
 toxicating liquors of any kind having been sold under its roof. 
 
 Among other hotels in Gloversville, established in recent years, may 
 be mentioned the Keystone, at the corner of Main and Washington ; 
 the Germania, on North Main street near Fremont, and the Martin 
 House at the corner of West Fulton and School streets. 
 
 The city has recently sustained a great loss in the burning of a five 
 story brick hotel, at the corner of Bleecker and Church streets, when 
 just approaching completion. 
 
 MANUFACTURING INTERESTS. 
 
 Gloves, Leather, etc. — In reviewing the origin, progress and develop- 
 ment of glove making in Fulton county, the writer has endeavored to 
 present concisely a combination of the most important facts connected 
 with its history. These facts pertain to Gloversville as well as other 
 portions of the county, and may be found in an earlier chapter of this 
 work. 
 
 Gloversville has, from its earliest settlement, been specially a glove 
 manufacturing centre, and it is to-day the largest glove producing com- 
 munity in this country ; perhaps in the world. The evidences of this 
 
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GLOVE MANUFACTURERS. 417 
 
 are apparent on every hand. In those portions of the city occupied by 
 the leather-mills, one can see acres of lamb, sheep, calf, hog, goat, deer, 
 kangaroo, and dog-skins hung upon racks to dry. Cart loads of skins 
 in every process of dressing are met on every street and alley, and every 
 thoroughfare contains its share of glove shops. A stranger who may 
 happen to be near one of the large factories at the noon or supper hour 
 is naturally surprised at the crowds both young and old, that hurry 
 forth from their labors, but he will find that our working population, 
 great as it may be, will compare favorably with that of the most favored 
 manufacturing towns. 
 
 The assertion has been made that every business interest in Glovers - 
 ville is dependent directly or indirectly upon the glove industry, and 
 careful investigation will prove the truth of the statement. A conserva- 
 tive estimate places the amount of capital invested in the different 
 branches of industry in the city at $2,500,000. 
 
 The following sketches of prominent manufacturers have been collected 
 with much care and they do much to illustrate the extent which glove 
 making has reached in Gloversville. 
 
 Daniel B. Judson, manufacturer of gloves and mittens, 15 East State 
 street. The name of Judson has been identified with the glove and 
 leather trade in Fulton and Montgomery counties for nearly three- 
 quarters of a century. Elisha Judson was engaged in it as early as 1824 
 or 1825, and Daniel B., his son, has been manufacturing gloves since 
 1850. He first began making a few leather mittens at the house of his 
 father, about two miles north of Kingsboro, removing to the latter 
 place abount 185 i. He occupied a rented shop for two years, locating 
 in 1853 o" ths site which he has made the scene of his industry for 
 nearly half a century. During this long period he has manufactured 
 gloves to the value of between seven and eight million dollars. His 
 plant includes, besides several commodious brick buildings used as glove 
 factories, two large leather- mills, where he manufactures and dresses 
 his own leather. He employs between 200 and 250 laborers, of which 
 number a large proportion work outside of the factory. Mr. Judson 
 also owns and operates two general stores, one located in the city and 
 the other at Northville. His speciality in the glove is the production 
 of heavy goods frorh buck, calf, horse-hide and sheep-skin, although 
 53 
 
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41 8 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 kid goods are also manufactured to a considerable extent. The output 
 in 1 89 1 was about 80,000 dozen. 
 
 Daniel Hays & Company, manufacturers of fine leather gloves and 
 mittens, occupy spacious factory buildings at 157 and 159 West Fulton 
 street. The foundation for this establishment was laid by Daniel Hays, 
 a native of Fulton county, who came to Gloversville in 185 1, from 
 Scotch Bush. He began by learning the trade thoroughly, being first 
 regularly employed by William C. Mills, in 1851, working in the little 
 old red mill which stood near the present site of the railway station in 
 Gloversville. He soon acquired a knowledge of the several branches 
 of tanning and milling leather, often working over the beam until late 
 at night, and arising next morning at sunrise to resume his labor. He 
 finally established himself as a manufacturer in 1854, taking his leather, 
 after it was cut, from house to house in a wheelbarrow to have the 
 gloves made. In 1855 he was made foreman in the glove factory of 
 Ward & McNab, where he continued until December, 1857, when he 
 found himself broken down in health, and, upon the advice of his phy- 
 sician, left Gloversville for California. Unwilling to separate entirely 
 from business, he went into the mines, and at the same time sold gloves 
 to the jobbers in San Francisco. A little more than a year sufficed to 
 restore his health, and in May, 1859, ^^ returned to Gloversville and 
 embarked again in the glove business. He was interested for one year 
 with his father-in-law, Elias G. Ward, and then bought out the latter's 
 interest. He was at that time located on Elm street, where he remained 
 four years. In this factory (about i860) he began cutting the cele- 
 brated Plymouth pattern gloves, which were then made from smoked, 
 oil, and Indian-tan leather. The Plymouth color he introduced into 
 Fulton county in 11874. This color was first made prominent by Ward 
 & McQuestion, of Plymouth, N. H., and Mr. Hays felt their competi- 
 tion so keenly, that he determined to secure the color. To do this he 
 was compelled to secure the services of one of the manufacturing tan- 
 ners in Plymouth (Curtis S. Cummings), who came to Gloversville and 
 remained in the employ of Mr. Hays for eight or nine years. In 1864 
 Mr. Hays purchased the property at the corner of Main and Fremont 
 streets, now occupied by the Young Men's Christian Association. Here 
 he was located for twenty- five years, in which period of time he intro- 
 
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S)-?:i^^^^UA 
 
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GLOVE MANUFACTURERS. 419 
 
 duced many important improvements in the manufacture of gloves. He 
 introduced power to propel sewing machines in 1867, using a caloric 
 engine, and during the same year he also began the use of waxed 
 thread on gloves. 
 
 Contemporary manufacturers were inclined to cry "hard seams," but 
 one by one they saw the advantage of the change, and it is now used 
 by all buckskin manufacturers. During the entire time of his occupan- 
 cy of the Main street shop he tanned all of his own leather, using a 
 mill on West Fulton street owned by Charles Mills. The value of the 
 carpincho, or South American water hog, became known early in the 
 sixties, and Mr. Hays tanned many thousand of these skins both during 
 and since the war. He was probably the first to tan them in large 
 quantities. He was also the first manufacturer to work the Para deer 
 skin successfully. He discovered that these skins were naturally so 
 tight in their nature that the usual practice of liming them before friez- 
 ing, only tended to make them tighter and more impracticable for glove 
 leather. He experimented with the skins, using no lime whatever, 
 simply water- friezing them, and was gratified by obtaining a beautiful 
 and elastic skin, which yielded him a large profit for more than ten 
 years, following i860. He practically controlled the market on these 
 skins for several years, and even after they began to come in larger 
 quantities than he could possibly handle, he sold them to his neighbor 
 manufacturers. He was the first to introduce the emery wheel, which 
 took the place of the old fashioned bucktail. This was about 1874, and 
 at nearly the same time he introduced the blower, a contrivance to take 
 the dust from the finishing wheels. It was in 1874 he conceived the 
 idea of drying the skins under cover and erected a dry-shed, which is 
 still standing near his present mill. Prior to that time leather manu- 
 facturers in Fulton county had dried their skins in the open yard. The 
 sheds are of particular value in hot or rainy weather, preventing in one 
 case, the hot rays of the summer sun, and in the other keeping the skins 
 dry during a rain, especially while in the parchment state. Mr. Hays 
 came into possession of the mill property he now occupies on West 
 Fulton street, in 1873. The present factory was erected in 1888. It 
 is a four- story brick building, 35 by 150 feet in area, fully equipped 
 with all modern machinery. The leather-mills are situated a short dis- 
 
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420 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 tance south of the factory. These mills comprise several buildings and 
 contain among other machinery, fourteen double setsof slocks. The beam 
 shop has about fifty-six vats, and the product of their facloiy includes 
 all kinds of buckskin goods, castor and kid of different styles and colors 
 and the well known Plymouth colored buck goods. The factory and 
 mill furnish employment to between 250 and 275 laborers, and the 
 business will average between $275,000 and $300,000 a year. The 
 present firm of Daniel Hays & Company was formed in January, 1890, 
 and consists of Daniel Hays and Lewis A Tate. The only other part- 
 ner Mr. Hays ever had was William H. Place, who was associated with 
 him during 1866. 
 
 Littauer Brothers, glove manufacturers, occupy extensive factory 
 buildings at 92 South Main street. This business was founded by Na- 
 than Littauer, a native of Breslau, Germany, who came to Gloversville 
 when it was a village of only a few hundred inhabitants. In 1850, or 
 thereabouts, he started a dry goods store near the corner of Main and 
 West Fulton streets, on the site now occupied by a portion of the Lit- 
 tauer bui'ding. For nearly forty years he continued in trade in Glov- 
 ersville, carrying a complete line of glove furnishings. He began manu- 
 facturing gloves about 1866, but prior to that time he had maintained, 
 as a dealer, an office in New York city, being the first American to es- 
 tablish a glove depot in that city. Nathan Littauer died May 8, 1891. 
 It was his business as manufacturer to which his sons succeeded in 1883. 
 
 The present firm is composed of Lucius N., and Eugene Littauer, 
 two eldest, who have greatly increased the capacity for manufacture, 
 and also the quality of goods produced. Their factory comprises sev- 
 eral buildings which have been constructed from time to time as neces- 
 sity required. The main building is four stories high, 30 by 278 feet, 
 and adjoining is another, three stories high, 25 by 100 feet in area. 
 This year an addition has been built 25 by 90 feet, with an L 25 by 30 
 feet, all uniform in height. The firm employs on an average 140 cut- 
 ters, and have 450 persons working for them in the Gloversville factory. 
 Their output at present from this source will average 12,000 dozen per 
 month. They also maintain a large leather- mill at Johnstown, inwhich 
 they produce an excellent quality of glove leather. The principal prod- 
 uct of the factory is buck, hog, calf, and sheep-skin, horsehide, kid, 
 
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GLOVE MANUFACTURERS. 421 
 
 and mocha gloves and mittens. The annual product of this firm is un- 
 doubtedly greater than that of any similar concern in this country. Lit- 
 tauer Brothers maintain a fully equipped store and warehouse at 250 
 Broadway, New York. 
 
 James H. Burr, manufacturer of gloves and mittens, has occupied his 
 present factory, 10 Mill street, since 1853, and his business is really the 
 outgrowth of the first glove and mitten establishment in the place. His 
 father, James Burr (as is mentioned in another portion of this work), 
 made buckskin mittens in 1809, having learned the art of tanning the 
 skins from Talmadge Edwards, who was a practical leather dresser. He 
 operated a leather mill for many years near the site of Aaron Simmons' 
 present mill on Forest street, and during the early part of his career as 
 a manufacturer he peddled his gloves through the Mohawk country with 
 horse and wagon, after the custom of the old Kingsboro tin manufact- 
 urers. The business of James Burr was continued by Francis and David 
 M. Burr, under the firm name of F. & D. M. Burr, but later on James 
 H. Burr was admitted to the firm, the name then becoming F. & D. M. 
 Burr & Company. This partnership continued from 1844 until 1848, 
 when the firm was dissolved and James H. Burr established business on 
 his own account, which he has conducted ever since. His partners' in- 
 terest in the old business was continued (after the death of Francis 
 Burr) by H. L. & D. M. Burr, and later still by D. M. Burr alone', un- 
 til the time of his death, which occurred in March, 1861. In the pres- 
 ent factory of James H. Burr, there are employed an average of sixty 
 workers, about thirty of whom are cutters. The capacity of the fac- 
 tory is 100 dozen per day, and includes a general line of superior 
 goods. 
 
 John C. Allen, glove manufacturer, succeeded to the business of 
 Berry & Allen in 1890. This extensive enterprise is the outgrowth of 
 a business established by Willard J. Heacock in Kingsboro, in the 
 spring of 1846. It was carried on by him until 1861, when he took 
 Joseph S. Heacock into partnership, and the firm was known as W. J. 
 & J. S. Heacock until 1867, when the house of Heacock, Berry & Com- 
 pany was formed by the withdrawal of J. S. Heacock and the addition 
 of John R. Berry. In 1868 Mr. Heacock withdrew entirely and the 
 firm of Berry & Allen was established. At that time they occupied a 
 
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42 2 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 building on the north side of Fulton street nearly opposite the present 
 factory of Mr. Allen, who has conducted the business alone since the 
 death of John R. Berry, which occurred April 30, 1890. He manu- 
 factures a general line of gloves and mittens, the Napa dressed buck 
 and goat goods having been a special feature of his business for the past 
 ten or twelve years. Mr. Allen also operates a leather- mill about a half 
 mile south of the city, in which he has been engaged a little more 
 than a year. The manufacture of kid leather at this mill marks an epoch 
 in the advance of the glove industry in America. Notwithstanding the 
 fact that kid skins have been manufactured in the United States to some 
 extent, it has mostly been in an experimental way, whereas Mr. Allen 
 has taken hold of this new feature of glove leather making with a deter- 
 mination to carry it on to ultimate success. The skins dressed are im- 
 ported goat skins which come- mostly from Arabia and are the same 
 class of skins made in Europe and imported to this country ready to be 
 made up into gloves. Aside from this kind of leather, Mr. Allen is 
 dressing an imported skin known as the black and white head mochas, 
 which also comes from Arabia. He is confident that kid leather for fine 
 gloves can be made in America of such quality indeed as will equal 
 in every particular that made in Europe. 
 
 J. A. & A. V. Quackenbush, glove manufacturers, are located at 6 
 Spring street. This business was established by Van Slyke, Quacken- 
 bush & Company in 1857. The firm at that time was composed of 
 Richard Van Slyke and J. A. and Adam Quackenbush and .it continued 
 three years. J. A. Quackenbush carried on the business alone for a 
 period, of fifteen years following 1875. In 1888 the present firm was 
 organized. They manufacture grain leather gloves exclusively, their 
 product including all styles and descriptions of glo\es and mittens in 
 this kind of leather. In 1891 they manufactured 10,000 dozen. 
 
 James McKee & Son manufacture gloves and mittens at 116 South 
 Main street. The business was begun by James McKee in 1857, at 
 which time he began to manufacture buckskin goods. He has occupied 
 his present premises for twenty years or more. J. F. McKee (his son) 
 was received as a partner in January, 1890 The firm now manufacture 
 calf and goat- skin grain leather goods, making a specialty of genuine 
 buckskin gloves. 
 
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GLOVE MANUFACTURERS. 423 
 
 Henry Shipman, 26 Cayadutta street, began making gloves in Sara- 
 toga county in 1857 or '58, but removed to Gloversville eleven years 
 ago. He makes a general line of gloves and mittens, including buckskin 
 goods of all kinds as well as Plymouth and imported kid leather gloves. 
 
 F. Pauley & Son, glove manufacturers, 53 Bleecker street. This busi- 
 ness was established in 1859 by F. Pauley, who began manufacturing 
 in a shop on East Fulton street, where he remained two or three years, 
 removing thence to his present location. In ■1884 Mr. Pauley admitted 
 his son, C. A. Pauley, as a partner, but the latter only continued inact- 
 ive business a few years when he died, August 26, 1891. The firm 
 name, however, continued unchanged. A general line of buck goods is 
 made at this factory, including the celebrated Plymouth gloves. The^ 
 output during 1891 was something more that 12,000 dozen. 
 
 Charles W. Rose, glove and mitten manufacturer, 1 1 Pine street. 
 Mr. Rose established himself as a manufactiirer about i860. He first 
 began cutting gloves at Bennett's Corners, at which place his uncle, 
 Willard Rose, had been engaged as a glove manufacturer and farmer 
 for many years. Mr. Rose first occupied a shop in Gloversville on 
 Bleecker street, 1862. He was also located for five or six years in a 
 wooden building at the corner of Main and Fulton streets, since replaced 
 by a brick building which he now owns. He erected the factory build- 
 ing he now occupies, at the corner of Pine and Mill streets, about 1872. 
 Since it was first constructed several additions have been made. Mr. 
 Rose makes a specialty of table cut goods of an excellent quality, con- 
 sisting almost wholly of imported kid leather. He employs on an aver- 
 age seventy- five workers in the factory, where most of the goods are 
 made up. There were manufactured at this factory in 1891 between 
 nine and ten thousand dozen. 
 
 P. Van Wart, 92 Spring street, began manufacturing gloves in 1861, 
 and had been engaged in various branches of the industry since 1837. 
 During the late civil war Mr. Van Wart was located in Kingsboro and 
 made gloves of all kinds. He now manufactures the one finger harvest 
 mittens, of which he made about 800 dozen pairs in 1891. 
 
 The business of Lowrey & Jeffers, glove manufacturers, 80 Bleecker 
 street, was established by A. J. Lowrey and Solomon Jeffers in 1867. 
 They continued in partnership two years, dissolving by mutual agree- 
 
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424 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 ment, and cacli man proceeding to manufacture gloves independently 
 until January i, 1852, when the partners became again associated under 
 the old firm. Chauncey R. Lowrey, a son of A. J. Lowrcy, was asso- 
 ciated with the latter for a period of three years, the firm from 1888 to 
 1892 being A. J. Lowery & Son. The present concern makes a fine line 
 of ladies' and gents' kid gloves and mittens. The product of the factory 
 during 1891 amounted to about 3,000 dozen. 
 
 Simon Hulett, 15 First? avenue, began manufacturing gloves and 
 mittens on a small scale at the corner of Spring and Elm streets in 1 865. 
 In March, 1871, he moved into the premises he now occupies, which he 
 purchased and erected the year previous. He rnakes a general line of 
 gloves including kid, calf, buck and sheep skin goods, and in 1891 he 
 manufactured about 3,000 dozen. 
 
 D. A. Mosher, glove manufacturer, 28 First avenue. Mr. Mosher is 
 a native of Mayfield and came to Gloversville in 1864. He began man- 
 ufacturing for himself in 1866, making a few gloves in a shop on East 
 Fulton street. In 1879 he erected the shop he now occupies on First 
 avenue. Mr. Mosher is engaged in making a fine line of kid goods, to 
 which he gives exclusive attention. In 1891 he made 5,260 dozen. 
 
 The firm of M. Beeber & Company, glove manufacturers, 58 South 
 Main street, is composed of Max Beeber and Jacob Lehman, who es- 
 tabhshed the business in 1867 in a shop on Bleecker street. They 
 remained there only a short time, removing to their present location 
 about 1870. They occupy a factory building three stories in height, 
 with a frontage of fifty feet on Main street with two wings extending to 
 the east 130 feet in depth. The firm confines itself to a high grade of 
 goods made for the jobbing trade, consisting of a general line of fine 
 kid, mocha, buck, horsehide and grain jack gloves and mittens. The 
 business furnishes employment to upwards of 300 operatives in Glovers- 
 ville, and the firm manufactured about 50,000 dozen during the year 
 1891. Their New York warehouse is located at 475 Broadway. This 
 firm has operated their factory in Gloversville eleven years. 
 
 E, M. %L L. S. Brown, are manufacturers of heavy buck gloves at g 
 East State street. Their business was established in 1868 by O. & T. 
 Brown who carried it on for about two years, the former being associ- 
 ated later with William Porter, and also with his son, E. M. Brown, the 
 
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GLOVE MANUFACTURERS. 425 
 
 latter entering the business in 1873. The firm of Brown Brothers suc- 
 ceeded to tlie business in 1886 and continued it for four years, when 
 upon the death of George L. Brown, the junior partner, in 1890, the 
 business was conducted by E. M. Brown alone. L. S. Brown, the jun- 
 ior member of the present firm is a cousin of his partner, and had man- 
 ufactured gloves in Kingsboro for sixteen years. He became a member 
 of the present firm in December, 1890. The site of their factory is among 
 the oldest of the glove manufacturing locations in the county. It was 
 occupied early in the fifties by D. B. Judson. The concern employs 
 six cutters on an average and in 1891 manufactured 6,500 dozen, hav- 
 ing a valuation of about $65,000. 
 
 James McSwiney, glove manufacturer, is located at 36 Cayadutta 
 street. This business was established by Thomas & McSwiney in 1868, 
 and was continued by them until 1880, when Mr. McSwiney became 
 sole proprietor. His factory building is a two story brick structure 46 
 by 30 feet in dimensions, with a frame wing, two stories in height, 30 
 by 36. He manufactures an extensive line of gloves and mittens of 
 heavy and medium weight. 
 
 A. Klein & Son, manufacturers of gloves and mittens, are located at 
 121 South Main street. Their business was established by Albert 
 Klein, the senior member of the present firm, in the year 1868. In 
 December, 1891, he admitted to partnership his son, Ervin Klein. 
 They manufacture a general line of light and heavy goods, including 
 250 to 300 styles. . They employ from sixty to eighty workers alto- 
 gether, and in 1891 made about 7,000 dozen. 
 
 Fear & White, 25 Yale street, glove manufacturers. This firm is 
 composed of S. Fear and A. R. White. The business was begun in 
 187b by S. Fear, father of the present senior member, who conducted 
 the shop for a period of nineteen years. In 1889 he went to San Fran- 
 cisco, where he has since been engaged in the manufacture of gloves, 
 his establishment being known as the Excelsior Glove Company. Fear 
 & White occupy a three story frame factory building, thirty by fifty- 
 two feet in dimensions, and make a high price class of fine kid goods. 
 They made in 1891 2,500 dozen. 
 
 W. E. Whitney, glove manufacturer, is located at 41 Prospect street. 
 He began manufacturing in January, 1871, at 14 School street, where 
 64 
 
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426 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 he remained two years, removing to the corner of Prospect and Yale in 
 January, 1873. The building which he then used as a factory has since 
 then been considerably enlarged to accommodate increasing business. 
 Mr. Whitney makes a fine line of ladies' and gents' kid gloves, and in 
 1 89 1 manufactured about 6,000 dozen. 
 
 Rudolph Stempfle, glove manufacturer, 50 First avenue, began busi- 
 ness in 1872 on School street. He has occupied his present factory 
 sixteen years. He makes a line of imported and domestic kid goods 
 both lined and unlined. His output for 1891 was about 4,000 dozen. 
 
 Phillip Ellsworth manufactures gloves at 85 School street. He first 
 began business in 1872, occupying at that time the same location as at 
 present He manufactures principally an extra fine quality of kid, Sar- 
 anac, and horsehide gloves. About twenty- five persons are employed 
 in the factory, but at least two thirds of the goods are made up outside. 
 He made in 1891 12,000 dozen. 
 
 Chauncey S. Kibbe, glove manufacturer, is located at 33 Cayadutta 
 street. This business was established about twenty or twenty-five 
 years ago by Uriel Case and carried on by him until 1873, when he ad- 
 mitted Chauncey S. Kibbe to partnership. The firm of Case & Kibbe 
 continned for two years, the junior partner withdrawing for one year, 
 and then assuming entire control of the business, which he has con- 
 ducted alone ever since. He has occupied his present factory since 
 1886. It is a three story brick building, forty by seventy five feet in 
 area, and employment is furnished to twenty-five or thirty persons in- 
 side the factory. Mr. Kibbe manufactures principally heavy goods, in- 
 cluding buck, calf and kid gloves, both lined and unlined. 
 
 A. V. Fonda, glove manufacturer, S Judson street, began business in 
 1873 on Main street. He has occupied his present factory since April, 
 1 89 1. He chiefly makes heavy goods, including certain lines of buck, 
 calf and sheep-skin gloves. His output in 1891 was about 2,500 dozen. 
 
 S. W. Hallenbeck & Son are glove manufacturers, located at 4 Mont- 
 gomery street. This business was established in 1874 by S. W. Hal- 
 lenbeck and Charles Dennie. The firm of Hallenbeck & Dennie con- 
 tinued about five years, and from that time until 1883 the senior mem- 
 ber conducted the business alone, with the exception of a few years 
 that he was associated with D. W. Smith. In 1883, S. W. Hallenbeck, 
 
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GLOVE MANUFACTURERS. 427 
 
 jr., was received as a partner, and tlie firm started what is known as a 
 road trade. Although the father died in May, 1 890, the firm remains 
 unchanged. Tiiey manufacture a general line for the retail trade, and 
 made in 1891 about 10,000 dozen. 
 
 Charles McEwen, glove manufacturer, 65 South Main street, began 
 manufacturing gloves in 1874. He had been connected with the glove 
 business for twenty-five years. He occupies the factory which was for 
 many years operated by Eliphalet Veeder. Mr. McEwen chiefly makes 
 kid goods and in 1891 manufactured 2,800 dozen. 
 
 The glove factory of Edwin H. Allen is located at the corner of Ful- 
 ton and Fremont streets. The business was established in 1876. He 
 makes a line of fine imported and domestic kid goods. Mr. Allen's 
 office and salesroom is at 489 Broadway, New York, his Gloversville 
 establishment being in charge of George Fursell, who has been engaged 
 in the fine glove trade for more than forty years. He came here in 1850 
 from Worcester, England, where he learned his trade. Mr. Allen em- 
 ploys on an average six or eight cutters. 
 
 Frederick Dade, glove manufacturer, 19 First avenue, is a native of 
 England, having established his present business in Gloversville in 1876. 
 He began making a few gloves on the site of his present shop, where 
 he has developed an enviable reputation for high class goods. He 
 manufactures a line of fine table cut gloves and mittens, and in 1891 
 made 2,500 dozen. 
 
 S. & H. Lebenheim, glove manufacturers, occupy the building at 26 
 Judson street. They established this business on South Main street in 
 1877, ''nd have occupied their present location about five years. Their 
 product consists of a general line of both light and heavy gloves and 
 mittens, and their output for 1891 was iO,ooo dozen. 
 
 Z. B. Whitney, 5 Burr street, is a wholesale jobber in all kinds of 
 glove leather. He began as a manufacturer of gloves in 1879, con- 
 tinuing as such seven years. In Jaiiuary, 1886, he engaged in the 
 leather business, dealing in both leather and gloves for two years, when 
 he relinquished the latter and has since devoted himself entirely to his 
 present business. He handled in 1891 about 16,000 dozen skins. 
 
 William McDougall, glove manufacturer, began business in January, 
 1879, with Thomas Fursell, the firm at that time being Fursell & Mc- 
 
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428 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 Dougall. It continued tlius for five years, when it was dissolved and 
 each member continued to manufacture independently. In 1883 Mr. 
 McDougall established a glove factory at the rear of his residence, and 
 this location he still retains. The building is 24 x 40 feet and three 
 stories in height. The product of his factory includes an excellent line 
 of sheep, kid and calf-skin gloves and mittens, and the output in 189 1 
 was about 10,000 dozen. 
 
 Dempster & Place, glove manufacturers, are located at 60 Bleecker 
 street. This firm was organized in January, 1879, and began manu- 
 facturing in a small way at the corner of Main and First avenue, where 
 they remained eight years. In January, i888, they moved into the 
 property on Bleecker street, which they had previously erected and 
 equipped for a modern glove factory. The firm manufactures a general 
 line of both light and heavy buckskin and also kid gloves of a 
 superior quality. Their factory is a three-story and basement brick 
 building 40x80 feet in area. 
 
 John R. Hamlen, 14 Fosdick street, first began manufacturing gloves 
 in 1879. He has occupied his present location continually since that 
 time. For four years, from 1884 to 1888, he was associated with W. 
 E. Ward under the firm of Hamlen & Ward. He makes ladies', 
 misses' and children's kid goods exclusively, and in 1891 manufactured 
 2,500 dozen. 
 
 Phair Brothers, glove manufacturers, occupy the building located at 
 7 Burr street. The firm is composed of John T. and James S. Phair, 
 who established this business in 1879. They employ twenty- nine 
 workers inside the factory, but the greater part of their goods is made 
 up outside. They make a specialty of men's, ladies' and children's kid 
 mitts. Their output during 1891 was about S,000 dozen. 
 
 Jesse Hall & Son, 31 Cayadutta street, are engaged in the manufac- 
 ture of gloves and mittens. The business of this firm was established 
 in 1875, by Jesse Hall. He was at that time located in a small shop on 
 Spring street, where he remained one year, removing then to a building 
 on East Fulton street. At the end of three years additional he moved 
 his business to a shop on South Main street, and in 1879, to accommo- 
 date increasing trade he built a large brick building, 35x60 in area, two 
 Stories high, this being an addition to a frame structure standing on his 
 
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GLOVE MANUFACTURERS. 429 
 
 present site on Cayadutta street. In 1887, his son George, who had 
 then reached his majority, was received as a partner. The firm manu- 
 facture a genera! line of light and heavy goods and employ between 
 forty and fifty operatives, turning out 6,000 dozen annually. 
 
 Thomas Pursell, glove manufacturer, 15 Temple street, came to 
 Gloversville from England in 1856. He established himself as a man- 
 ufacturer in 1879, and has constantly increased his capacity and im- 
 proved his facilities for making a fine class of goods. The product of 
 Mr. Pursell's factory consists mostly of fine domestic and imported kid 
 gloves and mittens. His output during the year 1891 was about 5,000 
 dozen. 
 
 George W. Mandrill, 6 Division street, manufactures gloves and mit- 
 tens. He began business in 1879 on Washington street. In 1886 he 
 built his present factory where he employs about seventy workers and 
 makes 12,000 dozen a year. 
 
 A. R. Crounse, glove manufacturer, 20 Kingsboro avenue, began 
 business about fifteen years ago. He makes sheep-skin gloves for work- 
 ingmen and in 1891 manufactured i,000 dozen. 
 
 Rea & White are glove manufacturers, occupying the premises 13^ 
 First avenue. The firm is composed of Robert Rea and Frederick 
 White who first established this enterprise in 1880 in the Veeder block 
 on Main street, where they remained two years. They moved into the 
 factory occupied at present in 1884. They manufacture a choice variety 
 of gents', ladies' and children's fine gloves and mittens. Forty opera- 
 tives are employed and the product of the factory in 1891 was about 
 8,000 dozen. 
 
 James A. McDougall & Company, manufacturers of gloves and mit- 
 tens, occupy the brick building located at 65 Bleeker street. The firm 
 is composed of James A. McDougall and Edward C. Collins, the busi- 
 ness having been originally established by James A. McDougall and H. 
 H. Pettit in 1880. Four years later Mr. McDougall sold his interest 
 to Mr. Pettit and established himself alone, continuing thus for four ad- 
 ditional years when the present firm was then formed. The factory 
 building now occupied was purchased by Mr. McDougall in 1885. It 
 is a three story brick building, 30 x 100 feet in area. The firm manu- 
 factures a well known line of buck and kid good^. 
 
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430 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 Chauncey J. Skiff, 7 Forest street, manufacturer of all kinds of grained 
 leather and kid gloves, began business in January, 1 881. He manufac- 
 tured in 1 89 1 between 3,000 and 3,500 dozen. 
 
 V. F. Guibert, 21 Forest street, manufacturer of gloves and white 
 hems, came to Gloversville from France in 1880. He makes a specialty 
 of ladies' white and yellow chamois gloves of very fine quality. The 
 white hems are made of kid leather and are used to hem the wrists of 
 gloves and mittens. Of these hems, Mr. Guibert makes about 70,000 
 dozen annually. 
 
 George Gillespie, 5 Prospect street, began manufacturing gloves in 
 1880, succeeding to the business of Mosher & Gillespie. He makes 
 ladies' and gentlemen's mocha and kid gloves and mittens, turning out 
 in 1 891 2,000 dozen. 
 
 E. L. Heacock, corner Main and State streets, manufacturer of me- 
 dium and heavy-weight gloves, began business in 1880, having been 
 engaged in making gloves with his father, Philander C. Heacock, who 
 had been a manufacturer for upwards of forty years. This shop pro- 
 duced in 1891 400 dozen. 
 
 Julius Kraus, corner Cayadutta and Vine streets, manufacturer of fine 
 light-weight gloves, established himself in the business in 1869, being 
 then located in New York. He began manufacturing in Gloversville 
 in 1 880, and employs at present about thirty workers inside the factory, 
 and in 1891 manufactured between 5,000 and 6,000 dozen. His factory 
 building was built in 1889. 
 
 A. B. Palmer, 3 Orchard street, established himself as a manufacturer 
 of gloves and mittens in 1880. At present he directs his attention to 
 the manufacture of a low priced grade of lined and unlined working 
 gloves, which he sells entirely to the jobbing trade. He made in 1891 
 5,000 dozen. 
 
 William Van Dresser, manufacturer of kid, sheep, and calf-skin gloves 
 and mittens, began his present business in 1880. He has increased his 
 capacity from time to time and at present employs between sixty and 
 seventy-five operatives. He made in 1 891 about 17,000 dozen. 
 
 I. A. Leonard, 123 South Main street, manufactures calf, Saranac, 
 and California leather gloves, and succeeded to the business of J. C. 
 Leonard & Son about twelve years ago. Twelve persons are employed 
 in the factory, and in 1891 11,000 dozen were manufactured, 
 
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GLOVE MANUFACTURERS. 431 
 
 A. J. Zimmer & Company, glove manufacturers, are located at 81 
 South Main street. This firm established its business in 1881, in a 
 small shop further south on the same street. In 1887 their business 
 had increased to such an extent that larger quarters were necessary and 
 the firm purchased the property they now occupy at the corner of Main 
 and Burr streets. Their factory consists of a double brick building, 
 comprising two connected wings, three and one -half stories in height, 
 and each 30 by 50 feet in area. They manufacture a line of working- 
 men's gloves, consisting of horsehide, calf, goat, dog, sheep-skin, and 
 California leather. In these grades they make up gloves and mittens 
 of every conceivable style and shape, and cut on an average 200 dozen 
 pairs a day. 
 
 William Orr, glove manufacturer, 9 Cottage street, began business in 
 1 88 1, on Lafayette street. In the fall of 1889 he built the factory he 
 now occupies. He makes medium priced workingmen's gloves exclu- 
 sively and in 1891 manufactured 4,000 dozen. 
 
 W. R. Young, manufacturer of gloves and mittens, 35 South Main 
 street, began business in 1881, with Charles H. Furness as a partner, 
 and the firm continued one year. Mr. Young then carried on the en- 
 terprise alone for a year when he admitted H. M. Ward as a partner. 
 This last union was of only one year's duration and closed in 1884, 
 since which time Mr. Young has been sole proprietor. His product 
 consists chiefly of heavy goods, and he manufactured in 1891 7,000 
 dozen. 
 
 A. AUerhand, 10 Jay street, began manufacturing gloves about eleven 
 years ago; He makes yellow leather, kid and buckskin goods. 
 
 George H. Hilts, manufacturer of domestic and imported kid gloves, 
 32 West Fulton street, began business in 1883, on School street. He 
 moved to his present location in 1890, where he employs about forty 
 workers altogether, ten of whom are in the factory. He made in 1891 
 5,000 dozen, 
 
 Myron Hilts, 52 West Fulton street, manufactures a line of fine gloves, 
 consisting of suedes, yellow tan, mochas, both lined and unlined and 
 red tan driving gloves. He began business in 1884 and has occupied 
 his present location two years. He made in 1891 1,600 dozen. 
 
 R. H. Gwillam, manufacturer of gloves and mittens, 36 Cayadutta 
 street, established himself in his present business in 1885, on South 
 
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432 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 Main street, succeeding to the factory of Z. B. Whitney. In 1891 he 
 purchased property on Cayadutta street, and erected the building he 
 now occupies. It is of brick, three stories in height, 26 by 30 feet in 
 area, and fully equipped with modern machinery and appliances. Mr. 
 Gwillam makes a general line ■of ladies' and gentlemen's fine kid goods, 
 lined and unlined, and an excellent grade of castors. His output in 
 1891 was about 2,000 dozen. 
 
 W. E. Ward, 84 North Main street, manufacturer of domestic kid 
 gloves and mittens. This business was established by John R. Hamlen 
 and W. E. Ward in February, 1885, and was continued by them for 
 three years. Since that time Mr. Ward has conducted the business 
 alone. In 1891 he made 3,000 dozen. 
 
 John H. Smith, glove manufacturer, 60 Prospect street, began his 
 present business in 1885. He had been previously engaged as a cutter 
 for many years and had manufactured for himself for three or four 
 years during the latter party of the fifties, but the panic of 1857 caused 
 him to give up his shop. He makes fine kid and castor gloves, and in 
 1 89 1 made about 1,000 dozen. 
 
 J. V. Bovee, glove manufacturer, 3 Kingsboro avenue, began business 
 in 1885 on North Main street. He makes a line of Saranac, kid and 
 smoked leather gloves and mittens, and in 1891 sold 2,000 dozen. 
 
 James K, Ball, glove manufacturer, 18 East Pine street, came to 
 Gloversville in 1881 and learned the trade of glove cutting. He began 
 to manufacture for himself in 1886 on a very small scale, and has in- 
 creased his capacity from time to time to accommodate a growing 
 business. In 1889 he erected the factory he now occupies. He makes 
 a superior line of grained leather, sheep and calf skin goods in sixty or 
 seventy styles, and in 1891 manufactured 9,000 dozen. 
 
 James K. Bradt, no Spring street, began manufacturing gloves in 
 January, 1886. He gives his attention mostly to the manufacture of 
 gentlemen's fine kid gloves, and in 1891 made about 4,000 dozen. 
 
 Thomas Brothers, glove manufacturers, are located at the corner of 
 North Main and East State streets. The firm is composed of Earl G. 
 and Charles D. Thomas, who began manufacturing in 1886. Their 
 father, Elliot Thomas, was a pioneer manufacturer, having been in the 
 business as early as 1836 or 1837. The present firm makes a general 
 
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GLOVE MANUFACTURERS. 433 
 
 line of calf, sheep and buckskin gloves, and employs twenty- five per- 
 sons in the factory, furnishing work to at least 100 outside. In 1891 
 they made about 12,000 dozen. 
 
 The Glove City Manufacturing Company, limited, was incorporated 
 in 1886 with a capital stock of $12,000, and is at present located at 
 3 High street. B. W. Hoag is president, A. Stowe, treasurer, and 
 J. Frank Davis, secretary. They make a specialty of gents' driving 
 gloves, made from imported stock, and in 1891 manufactured 3,000 
 dozen. 
 
 J. S. Zimmer & Co., 23 School street, are manufacturers of light and 
 heavy gloves. This business was established in 1886 by W. N. and 
 J. S. Zimmer, at the corner of Fulton and School streets. They have 
 occupied their present location about one year, and at present employ 
 five cutters, and in 1891 manufactured 5,000 dozen. 
 
 George M. Burdick, manufacturer of gloves and mittens, 260 North 
 Main street, began business in 1887 with John J. Madden as a partner. 
 The firm of Madden & Burdick continued three years, when the senior 
 member withdrew. Mr. Burdick manufactures heavy goods exclusively, 
 including goat, calf, hog and sheep-skin gloves, and employs twenty 
 workers. His business in 1891 amounted to $37,000. 
 
 J. F. Hawley, 78 East State street, glove manufacturer, began busi- 
 ness in 1887. He makes sheep-skin and yellow leather gloves of all 
 grades and a small quantity of calf-skin goods. In 1891 he made about 
 4,000 dozen. 
 
 J. O. Brown, glove manufacturer, 235 North Main street, began his. 
 present business in 1888, although he has been connected with the 
 glove trade for fifteen years. He manufactures buckskin and yellow 
 leather gloves exclusively, and in 1891 made about 4,000 dozen. 
 
 C. H. Palmer, 12 Cayadutta street, began manufacturing gloves in 
 1888. He makes an excellent California harvest glove, and sold in 1891 
 1,500 dozen. 
 
 S. Fry, jr., 8 Middle street, began manufacturing gloves in January,. 
 1888, and is engaged in making jersey cloth and kid goods. In 1891 
 he made 5,000 dozen. 
 
 Berry Brothers, 30 First avenue, began manufacturing gloves in Jan- 
 uary, 1888, at 23 School street, moving to their present location in 
 55 
 
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434 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 January, 1890. The firm is composed of C. H. and T. C. Berry. They 
 make a specialty of fine table cut kid goods and in 1891 manufactured 
 2,200 dozen. 
 
 France & Moore, glove manufacturers, are located at 34 West Fulton 
 street. The firm is composed of S. W. France and S. A. Moore, who 
 began business in 1888. They manufacture imported and domestic 
 kid gloves of a medium grade and in 1891 produced between 1,500 and 
 2,000 dozen. 
 
 S. Anibal, manufacturer of gloves, 5 Spring street, began business in 
 [888, on School street. He manufactures kid gloves mostly of a fine 
 quality and in 1891 made 1,500 dozen. 
 
 Lyke & Bishop, 72 South Main street, are glove manufacturers. 
 This business was established in 1888 by Lyke, Bishop %l Shaffer, the 
 latter firm having succeeded Charles Lyke, who had been a manufac- 
 turer in Gloversville for upwards of thirty years. They make dog, calf, 
 buck, sheep and hog- skin gloves in great variety, also making some 
 kid goods. 
 
 Louis Meyers & Son, glove manufacturers, conduct the factory lo- 
 cated at 102 and 104 South Main street, Gloversville. Mr. Meyers has 
 (been in the glove business for over twenty-five years, started manufac- 
 turing in New York City and removed his factory to Gloversville in 
 1877, occupying a shop on Fulton street to which he built additions 
 from time to time and where he remained until two years ago, when 
 the business was removed to its present quarters. He has been en- 
 gaged as a manufacturer and importer of gloves in New York for the 
 last twenty- five years, always handling the very finest class of gloves 
 manufactured. His son, Edward L. Meyers, was admitted to the firm 
 as a partner about five years ago, and gives his entire attention to the 
 importing department. The firm manufactured of high class goods 
 made of fine imported and domestic kid leather over i8,000 dozen 
 pairs during 1891. They have an office at 56 Wiesen Strasse, Chem- 
 nitz, Germany, one in Paris (France), and one in Naples (Italy) ; also an 
 office at 26 Chauncey street, Boston, Mass. At the New York store 
 and salesroom, 478, 480 and 482 Broadway and 40 Crosby street, which 
 is the largest store and salesroom in the glove trade in America, they 
 carry a complete line of samples and stock of gloves of all kinds made 
 
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GLOVE MANUFACTURERS. 435 
 
 from all varieties of leather and are known to have the most complete 
 line of gloves in America. 
 
 Fidoe & Radford, 10 School street, manufacture kid gloves exclu- 
 sively. Their business was established January I, 1870, by John Fidoe, 
 Henry Birbeck, and James Radford, the firm being known at that time 
 as John Fidoe & Company. Mr. Birbeck withdrew in December, 1872, 
 since which time the firm has consisted of the two remaining partners. 
 The present shop is located in a convenient brick building which they 
 have occupied since December, 1878. The product of their factory in- 
 cludes a fine line of gents' lined and unlined kid gloves. They employ 
 on an average about eight cutters and manufactured about 6,000 dozen 
 in 1 89 1. 
 
 Smith Brothers are glove manufacturers at 7 Place street. The firm 
 is composed of H. H. and W. L. Smith, who succeeded to the business 
 of Homer H. Smith, January i, 1892. The senior member has been 
 manufacturing since 1888. They make a line of domestic kid gloves 
 and mittens, both lined and unlined, and in 1891 manufactured 6,000 
 dozen. 
 
 Parsons & Potter, glove manufacturers, located at 27 West Fulton 
 street. James O. Parsons and Otis E. Potter succeeded to the business 
 of Parsons & Smith in January, 1889. Mr. Parsons died suddenly 
 September i, 1891, and his widow has taken his interest in the present 
 firm. They manufacture a general line of light and heavy goods. 
 
 J. H. Warner, 16 Marshall avenue, began manufacturing gloves iin 
 1889. He makes domestic kid gloves exclusively, and produced in' 
 1 89 1 2,000 dozen. 
 
 Amenzo Frey, 17 Second avenue, began manufacturing gloves in 
 1889. He makes a line of yellow leather and domestic and imported 
 kid goods, and in 1 891 made 500 dozen. 
 
 McGraw Sz: Zimmer, 45 Bleecker street, are glove manufacturers. 
 The firm is composed of William McGraw and W. N. Zimmer, who- 
 established their present business in January, 1889, both members of the 
 firm having been previously engaged in different branches of the glove 
 trade. They make imported and domestic kids, calf, goat and sheep- 
 skin gloves and mittens, and in 1891 manufactured 3,000 dozen. 
 
 George C. Ward, 4 Fosdick street, began manufacturing gloves in 
 1889. He gives his exclusive attention to Jersey goods, including 
 
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436 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 ladies', gents' and children gloves and mittens. He made 1,500 dozen 
 in 1 89 1. 
 
 Musgrave & Honeywell, 80 School street, are engaged in the manufac- 
 ture of grain leather, kid, sheep and buckskin gloves. They manu- 
 factured 500 dozen in 1891. The firm is composed of Charles Musgrave 
 and John H. Honeywell. 
 
 Kibbe & Parsons are glove manuiacturers at the corner of School 
 and Lincoln streets. This business was established in the fall of 1890 
 by John T. Parsons and A. D. Kibbe, under the firm name of J. T. 
 Parsons & Company. They occupied a building at 21 Fremont street, 
 remaining there one year. In the fall of 189 1 they purchased their 
 present factory building of H. H. Pettit, who had been an active manu- 
 facturer for several years. They make a large variety of fine imported 
 and domestic kid goods of a superior quality, and in 1891 manufactured 
 4,500 dozen. Mr. Parsons came to Gloversville in 1877 from Port 
 Jervis, N. Y., and has been engaged in the glove business twenty years, 
 having acted as manager for Edwin A. Allen a period often years. Mr. 
 Kibbe has been a resident of Gloversville for many years, gaining a wide 
 .acquaintance as proprietor of the Windsor hotel, in which capacity he 
 acted nine years. The firm was changed to its present style early in 
 1892. 
 
 Hodder, Ehle & Company, glove manufacturers, are located at the 
 •corner of Montgomery and Forest streets. The business was established 
 January, 1 890, by H. M. Hodder, A. R. White and E. E. Ehle. Mr. 
 White retired at the end of the first year, and since that time the firm 
 has been as at present. They make a general line of both light and 
 heavy goods, ranging from the highest to the lowest in price. Their 
 •output for 1 89 1 was about 4,000 dozen. 
 
 C. H. Dye, 37 West street, began manufacturing gloves in January, 
 
 1890, at 42 Lincoln street. He makes a large line of ladies', gents' and 
 children's kid gloves and mittens, and manufactured in 1891 2,500 
 dozen. 
 
 L. E. Winnie, lO- Lincoln street, began business as a glove manufac- 
 ture! January i, 1890. He makes domestic kid gloves exclusively, and 
 made 4,500 dozen in 1891. 
 
 George E. Miller, Tj School street, began manufacturing gloves in 
 
 1 89 1, with Fred Ward as a partner. The business was carried on by 
 
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LEATHER MANUFACTURERS. 437 
 
 them until November of that year when Mr. Miller purchased his part- 
 ner's interest and moved his shop from its first location at 93 Main 
 street to his present factory. He makes cloth and jersey gloves and 
 mittens exclusively, and in 1891 manufactured about 2,000 dozen. 
 
 J. W. Sherlock, 1 1 Orchard street, began making a line of ladies' 
 gauntlets and gentlemen's fine kid goods in 1891. He had previously 
 been engaged as a manufacturer, but his shop was destroyed by fire in 
 1884. Alex. Bryce occupies the same shop and has manufactured more 
 or less for the past ten years. 
 
 W. W. Phelps, 25 Second avenue, began manufacturing gloves in 
 1890. He makes domestic kid goods and produced 1,300 dozen in 
 1891. 
 
 C. N. Bovee, glove manufacturer, 179 North Main street, began his 
 present business in 1891, with Amos O. Brown, the partnership contin- 
 uing one year. He makes Saranac, jersey and kid goods of medium 
 quality, lined and unlined, and in 1891 manufactured 1,100 dozen. 
 
 W. H. Hulett, agent, loi North Main street, succeeded to the busi- 
 ness of his father, D. S. Hulett, who died March 7, 1891. He makes a 
 line of kid goods, but directs his attention to a specialty in knight 
 templar's gloves and gauntlets. The output of this shop in 1891 was 
 between 5,000 and 6,ooo dozen. 
 
 Mark W. Eddy, 7 Curtis street, succeeded to the glove business of 
 Daniel See in January, 1892. He makes a line of gentlemen's kid gloves 
 and mittens. 
 
 Martin & Co., 35 Forest street, began manufacturing gloves in 1892. 
 The firm is composed of Mynard Martin and Elisha Jefifers, and their 
 specialty is kid and yellow leather gloves and mittens. 
 
 W. S. Silvernail, 34 West Fulton street, began business as a glove 
 manufacturer in January, 1892. He makes fine kid goods exclusively. 
 
 Wilson Fries, 70 School street, succeeded to the business of John 
 Van Tuyl early in 1892. The latter has been engaged in the business 
 twelve or thirteen years. Mr. Fries manufactures gents' and youths' 
 kid goods. 
 
 Leather Manufacturers. — The manufacture of glove leather is an 
 allied industry to that of making the gloves and the process has been 
 treated in the earher pages of this work. But that branch of the indus- 
 
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438 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 try in Fulton county which confines itself to the production of upper 
 leather for shoes, is carried on almost exclusively in Gloversville where 
 it had its origin, and where it has been brought to its highest perfection. 
 Many of the useful and profitable inventions of the present time first 
 became known under accidental circumstances, or under circumstances 
 where emergency made experiment a necessity. It was so with the 
 first shoe leather made in Gloversville. The firm of Kent & Stevens, 
 of which the late James Kent was the senior member, introduced the 
 dressing of the famous " Dongola " for shoes, the first leather of this 
 kind being made from the skin of an African antelope. They were the 
 original manufacturers of this brand of leather in America, and their 
 entrance into this branch of tanning was in no small degree due to un- 
 foreseen events. About 1874 or 1875 the firm found themselves in the 
 possession of a large number of African antelope skins, which had been 
 originally purchased for glove leather, but were found to be too firm 
 and tight for that purpose. In order to dispose of the skins without 
 loss they decided to make the stock into shoe leather, and the entire 
 lot was sold to Orway & Clark, of Haverhill, Mass., who originated 
 the name " Dongola " and had it registered and protected as a trade- 
 mark. As long as the supply of African antelope continued the firm 
 continued to make the "Dongola," but the goat and kangaroo has been 
 successfuly worked later on into this class of leather, and the demand 
 has increased steadily since it was put upon the market. 
 
 It was fortunate that the tanning of shoe leather became an available 
 industry to the manufacturers of Gloversville just at the time it did, as 
 in 1877 a financial panic that spread over the entire country was severely 
 felt by many of the glove and glove leather manufacturers. In this 
 crisis the manufacture of shoe leather was of great benefit to the com- 
 munity as a whole. The leather industry, however, has remained al- 
 most stationary for two or three years, and some manufacturers express 
 the opinion that it will not advance materially in Gloversville, unless 
 they are enabled to compete on an equal basis with the manufacturers 
 of other cities, by a reduction of the present rates of transportation. 
 
 Among the brief sketches that follow, mention will be made of firms 
 that are engaged in the manufacture of shoe leather exclusively ; also of 
 those that make only glove leather, as well as of some who make both 
 kinds. 
 
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LEATHER MANUFACTURERS. 439 
 
 Aaron Simmons & Son, manufacturers of glove leather, 22 Forest 
 street. This business was established by Aaron Simmons, who came to 
 Gloversville in 1845, acquiring in the course of three years, together 
 with previous experience, a thorough knowledge of all branches of 
 leather dressing and tanning. He was the first man in the county that 
 grained a skin out of the water. This process he discovered accident- 
 ally while experimenting with the skin of a fawn. After soaking it in 
 water to loosen the hair he was surprised to find that the grain came off 
 easily when scraped on the beam. He began to tan skins with Alonzo 
 Brower as a partner, about 1848, being at that time located in a small 
 shop in the rear of what is now the Keystone hotel. So successful was 
 Mr. Simmons in what is known as Indian tanning, that he rented the 
 property known as the old " Burr Mill " (in which the first buckskin 
 tanned in Gloversville was made), and on this site he has been located 
 for a period of forty years. The old mill burned in 1868, after having 
 been a leather dressing centre for more than three years, and whence 
 thousands of skins had passed on their way to the glove cutters. Mr. 
 Simmons then erected a new mill which was also consumed by fire. 
 The mill he now occupies was built about ten years ago, and is a four 
 story frame building. Its product consists almost wholly of buckskin 
 and grained leather, the mill being amply equipped for tanning, color- 
 ing, splitting and dressing. About twenty years ago Mr. Simmons ad- 
 mitted his son, Albert, into partnership, and since then the firm has been 
 as at present. 
 
 Cummings & Burr, manufacturers of glove leather, 127 South Main 
 street. The business now conducted by this firm was established in 
 1857 by John Stewart and was carried on by him for several years, 
 when F. W. Steele and H. C. Day, under the firm of Steele & Day, be- 
 came associated with him. The property was purchased by John Stew- 
 art and C. S. Cummings in April, 1883. Two years later H. L. Burr 
 bought the interest of John Stewart, and the firm has since been known 
 as Cummings & Burr. The main building is 200 feet in length, forty 
 feet in width, three stories high, with a wing adjoining on the north, 
 40 X 80 feet in area. The beam shop contains twenty vats and is loca- 
 ted on the south side of Cayadutta creek, directly opposite the mill. 
 Besides these buildings, the property is equipped with a large scouring 
 
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440 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 mill and two extensive dry sheds, as well as thirteen double sets of 
 stocks, four paddles, and three drums. Exhaust steam is used for heat- 
 ing purposes and the Williams system is employed in the dry rooms. 
 The product includes all kinds of oil dressed and grained leather, hog, 
 calf, sheep, deer, and lamb-skins. Employment is furnished to about 
 sixty workers, and the product in 1891 was 150,000 skins. 
 
 Kennedy & Company, manufacturers of glove and shoe leather, 384 
 West Fulton street. This business was established by J. M. Kennedy 
 in i860, in a building that stood in the rear of the old Baptist church 
 on South Main street. There he continued to dress skins until \%Jl„ 
 removing thence to the site of his present mill, which was built shortly 
 afterward. In 1890 Mr. Kennedy's sons, Daniel and John, were taken 
 i nto the firm. A specialty is made at this mill of all kinds of dull don- 
 gola, kangaroo and glazed kid, and the average output is 1 00 dozen 
 skins per day. Employment is furnished to more than 100 men. 
 
 Frank Hevey, 74 Spring street, manufactures kid leather for S. H. 
 Shotwell. Mr. Hevey began making leather thirty- five years ago. His 
 mill is a three-story frame building, 50 x 100 feet in area, amply fitted 
 with modern machinery and appliances. He manufactures domestic 
 sheep and lamb-skins for glove leather, and the mill has a capacity of 
 forty dozen per day. 
 
 Louis Knoff, 149 South Main street, manufactures kid glove leather 
 from domestic lamb and sheep-skins. He learned his trade in Breslau, 
 Germany, establishing himself as a manufacturer in Gloversville in 1861. 
 At that time he was located in a mill near the present railway station. 
 He has occupied his present mill since 1866. It is a three-story frame 
 structure, 30 x 60 feet in dimensions. Mr. Knoff employs twelve ta 
 fifteen men and turns out about 3,500 dozen skins per annum. 
 
 Booth & Company, manufacturers of glove and shoe leather, are 
 located on the square bounded by Grand, Washburn and Lincoln 
 streets, and the F., J. & G. railway tracks. The business of this firm is 
 the outgrowth of an enterprise established by James Kent in 1869. Mr. 
 Kent began tanning glove leather in the old brewery building, on what 
 is now Grand street. In 1873 he became associated with F. W. Ste- 
 vens, under the firm name of Kent & Stevens, and this combination 
 continued until 1876. Mr. Stevens became involved in financial diffi- 
 
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LEATHER MANUpACTURERS. 441 
 
 culties and Mr. Kent formed a partnership with Henry Langenbach, of 
 New York, who had formerly been manager for Booth & Company, 
 and had come to New York in their interests. During his association 
 with Mr. Kent the firm was known as Kent & Companj' and continued 
 as such for three years, when an assignment was made and Booth & 
 Company took hold of the business with Mr. Kent, the style of the firm 
 being Booth & Kent. Upon the death of Mr. Kent in June, 1886, 
 Booth & Company assumed entire control of the business in Glovers- 
 ville. The firm is at present composed of Alfred Booth, Charles Booth, 
 and Thomas Fletcher, all of England. Additions have been made to 
 the old brewery building at different times, until at present the mill is 
 the largest in Fulton county, and possibly the largest of its kind in 
 America. From 360,000 to 400,000 sheep and lamb-skins are dressed 
 for glove leather each year; also 350,000 kangaroo- skins, and 150,000 
 goat-skins. In 1891 there were dressed in this mill more than 200 
 sides of horse hide, 20,000 sides of cow-hide, and 100,000 calf-skins. 
 Employment is furnished to about 350 men. The company has sales- 
 rooms and offices at 141 Purchase street, Boston, and also in the Healy 
 building, 90 Gold street. New York. The company owns and operates 
 a line of steamships consisting of a fleet of ten or more freight steamers, 
 which ply between Liverpool and Brazil, running up the Amazon river 
 1,000 miles. Asa B. Bellis represents the company in Gloversville, 
 having been connected with the mill about seventeen years. 
 
 S. H. Shotwell, 55 and 57 South Main street, is a manufacturer and 
 importer of leather and skins. Mr. Shotwell began business for Rose, 
 McAlpin & Company, of New York, in 1873, purchasing their interests 
 in 1885 and conducting the enterprise alone since that time. He ope- 
 rates two mills in Gloversville, one for the dressing of kid leather and 
 the other for the brand known as "Gold Tan." His products include 
 a line of domestic and imported kid, " gold tan," fleshers, buckskin, 
 bark, alum and Saranac leather, colored skivers and a full line of 
 glovers' materials. 
 
 Gustav Levor, manufacturer of dongola shoe leather, came to Glovers- 
 ville in 1875, engaging in business as a manufacturer in a small way at 
 the corner of Bleecker and Green streets, in 1877. ' He had at that time 
 a small shop and practically no machinery. After one year he re- 
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442 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 moved liis business to Sand Hill and occupied the old "Bartlett works, " 
 the machinery of which he purchased. In 1884 he commenced the 
 erection of his present large factory, and has added to its size and ca- 
 pacity every succeeding year to the present time. He has recently fin- 
 ished an elaborate office directly south of the mill, complete in modern 
 appointments. He employs 140 men, and the mill has a capacity of 
 250 dozen skins per day. 
 
 Filmer Brothers, manufacturers of shoe leather, 1 1 Burr street. This 
 firm consists of J. W. and J. H. Filmer and was organized in the latter 
 part of 1885. John Filmer, father of the present members, came hither 
 from Brooklyn in 1832. He was engaged in dressing leather for many 
 of the pioneer glove makers, and first began to manufacture on his own 
 account in 1857 in a little mill near where the railroad round house now 
 stands. He remained there until 1864, removing to what was known 
 as the "swamp mill," about one mile south of the village. In 1874 he 
 received as a partner his son, J. W. Filmer, the firm of John Filmer & 
 Son, continuing ten years. During the war there were large quantities 
 of sheep " flesher " gloves made, and the Filmers produced a great share 
 of these skins as well as those of the deer and elk. John Filmer, the 
 senior member, retired in 1884, and the firm of J. W. & M. Filmer was 
 formed and continued until January, 1890, when the business came into 
 the possession of M. T. & D. Filmer, who are still carrying on the man- 
 ufacture of leather at the "swamp mill." The present firm of Filmer 
 Brothers purchased the property on Burr street, known as the " Burr 
 saw- mill," and refitted and remodeled it into a shoe leather factory. 
 The main building runs parallel with the creek, and is 26x146 feet in 
 area, four stories high, with an addition on the south side, 26x88 feet. 
 The Williams system is used for heating and a large exhaust fan for 
 circulating hot air through the drying rooms. The mill is fully equip- 
 ped with improved leather machinery and employment is given to 
 seventy persons who turn out 100 dozen skins per day. The firm de- 
 votes its attention almost wholly to kangaroo shoe leather. 
 
 M. T. & D. Filmer, manufacturers of glove and shoe leather, occupy 
 the swamp mill, owned by D. B. & C. W. Judson, one mile south of 
 Gloversville. The foundation of this business, as mentioned in the 
 previous sketch, was laid by John Filmer on January i, 1864. His 
 
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LEATHER MANUFACTURERS. 443 
 
 death occurred May 4, 1886, and the firm of J. W. & M. Filmer was 
 tlien formed. The present firm of M. T. & D. Filmer dates from Janu- 
 ary I, 1890. The old portion of the mill they now occupj' is 40 x 84 
 feet in area, three stories high. To this an addition was built in the 
 fall of 1890, 40 X 80 feet and uniform in height with the old building. 
 The mill is fitted with eleven double stocks for the milling of oiled tanned 
 leather, three of which are used for scouring. Four large drums and 
 six paddles, together with other modern machinery, are used in the 
 different processes through which the skins are put. This machinery 
 includes staking and ironing machines and tables, with bucktails and 
 finishing wheels. The Sturtevant hot air system is used for drying. 
 The capacity of both mills will reach 200,000 skins per year. Messrs. 
 Filmer confine their product mostly to oil dressed and shoe leather, in- 
 cluding goat, kangaroo and deer skins. They employ on an average 
 sixty operatives. 
 
 James Hull, 23 Forest street, manufactures glove leather. This en- 
 terprise was established in 1878, by James Hull and Andrew J. Gulick, 
 the firm being Hull & Gulick. This partnership continued four 
 years, since which time Mr. Hull has been sole proprietor. The mill 
 is a three story frame structure, 40 x 65 feet in area with a wing 26 x 40. 
 Sheep-skin leather is produced, and employment is furnished to twelve 
 or fourteen workers, who turn out 250 dozen skins per week. 
 
 Brower %l Dodge, dj South Main street, are engaged in the manu- 
 facture of both shoe and glove leather. This firm was organized in 1883 
 and is composed of W. H. Brower and S. E. Dodge. Their leather- 
 mill, a large two story frame structure, and a coloring shop, also a two- 
 story building, are located at the rear of the office on South Main street. 
 Both members of the firm have had the benefit of many years' expe- 
 rience in the production of the better grades of glove leather. Their 
 product includes a fine line of domestic kid leather for gloves, and dull 
 dongola and glazed kid for shoes. They employ sixty men and turn 
 out 1,000 skins per day. 
 
 Mills Brothers, located at the corner of West Fulton and Grove 
 street, are manufacturers of shoe leather. The firm is composed of W. 
 E. and C. O. Mills and was organized December i, 1884. They are 
 descendants of William C. Mills, one of the founders of Gloversville, and 
 
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444 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 the family name has been prominent in the leather and glove industry 
 from its earliest history. The mill now occupied by the firm was built 
 by them during the summer of 1885. It is a commodious frame struct- 
 ure, having a floor surface exeeding 40,000 square feet. The product 
 of the mill is a line of Dongola kid leather for shoes, which has an ex- 
 tensive sale and is well known to the trade. The capacity of the plant 
 is 150 dozen per day, and employment is furnished to seventy- five 
 workers. Messrs. Mills Brothers are the progenitors of the Mills 
 Leather Conpany, which was organized January i, 1892, to carry on 
 the manufacture of glove leather in Johnstown. E. M. Wells has charge 
 of the business at that place. The firm has an office and salesroom at 
 178 William street, New York, and sales agents in Philadelphia, Boston 
 and Chicago. 
 
 T. G. Foster, manufacturer of shoe leather, is located at the Judson 
 Mill on Centre street. He began manufacturing kid leather in 1878, 
 employing two men and occupying a small shop near the railway cross- 
 ing on Bleecker street. In less than six months the business had out- 
 grown the capacity of the shop, and Mr. Foster moved his business to 
 the old " Cropsey barn " on Forest street, remaining there another six 
 months. He then moved into a new brick building opposite the passen- 
 ger station, and began the manufacture of shoe leather. It was in this 
 building that he imported his first kangaroo skins from Australia. At 
 the end of two years he moved to his present location, the building hav- 
 ing been erected by Daniel B. Judson, for whom Mr. Foster dressed a 
 large amount of kid leather, averaging at times fifty dozen per day. 
 About 1885 he discontinued the dressing of glove leather and directed 
 his attention for the next two years to the importation and dressing of 
 kangaroo skins, which at that time yielded a handsome profit. During 
 1888 he was associated with Henry Langenbach, in joint account, dress- 
 ing goat skins. For the past four years Mr. Foster has dressed leather 
 entirely for F. O. Winslow, of Boston, Mass. His mill at piesent is 
 furnishing employment to about seventy men, all of whom are working 
 at finishing, as no beam work is done in this mill. The product com- 
 prises the different varieties of goat skins, and the output will average 
 150 dozen skins per day. 
 
 Charles L. F. Giercke, leather dresser and tanner, 134 Green avenue. 
 In 1885 Mr. Giercke entered into a contract to put skins through the 
 
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LEATHER MANVFACTURERS. 445 
 
 process familiarly known to the trade as " beaming," for the firm of 
 Brower & Dodge. In 1889 he built the mill he now owns and occupies, 
 which is a frame building thirty by sixty feet, with an engine room 
 twenty by twenty- four feet, and a lime house twenty-eight by forty 
 feet, all two stories high. He emplo3'S fourteen men and the capacity of 
 the mill is 2,000 hides per daj'. 
 
 George L. Lake, dresser of fine shoe leather, is located at the rear of 
 74 Scjiool street. He first began to manufacture leather in Johnstown 
 in 1886, and remained there one year. He then came to Gloversville 
 and hired a portion of the mill he now occupies, which was then the 
 property of Daniel Lasher. He purchased the mill in 1890, and has 
 since made several extensive additions and improvements. Mr. Lake 
 employs fifty men, and the capacity of his mill is about forty- five 
 dozen skins per day. 
 
 West Mill Company, manufacturers of oil dressed and grained glove 
 leather, occupy the well-known West Mill property at the junction of 
 West Fulton and Rose streets. The West Mill Company was organ- 
 ized in the fall of 1 887, and the property they now occupy was purchcased 
 of John McNab. At organization the company consisted of T. G. Fos- 
 ter, Lawton Caton and W. D. West. H. G. Dewey became a member 
 of the firm in 1890. He has general supervision of the operating de- 
 partment of the mill, with an office located on the property. The main 
 building is a two and one- half story frame structure, 50 x 100 feet, 
 adjacent to which are several other buildings used as beam houses, etc., 
 in addition to which there is now in process of construction a building 
 thirty five by sixty- seven feet in area to be used as a beam shop. The 
 intention is to make the capacity of the mill 1,000 skins per day. The 
 West Mill Company are also extensively engaged in supplying the city 
 with ice. In this they furnish an excellent article, secured from a reser- 
 voir of pure water a short distance west of the mill. 
 
 Robinson Brothers, i 5 North street, are manufacturers of kid glove 
 leather. The firm is composed of John G. and Thomas Robinson, who 
 came to Gloversville from county Durham, England, in 1877. They 
 are nephews of the late James Kent, founder of the shoe leather indus- 
 try in this country. Robinson Brothers began manufacturing leather in 
 1887 at the rear ol 49 Spring street, moving at the end of one year to 
 
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446 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 a location on Forest street. They have occupied their present mill 
 since May, 1891. It is a fcur story frame building, 30 by lOO feet in 
 area, with a wing 30 by 60 feet. Thirty men are employed and their 
 present output is thirty-five dozen skins per day. 
 
 Stewart & Company, 22 South Main street, do a wholesale and job- 
 bers' business in threads, silks, linings and general glove materials, ex- 
 cepting leather. The business was established in January, 1883, as C. 
 W. Stewart & Company, the junior partner being E. M. Smith. That 
 firm continued until March i, 1887, when Henry C. Day purchased 
 the interest of Mr. Smith and the present firm was thus formed. 
 
 Joseph E. Wood manufactures shoe leather in a spacious factory on 
 Wood avenue in the northern part of the city. This business was es- 
 tablished in the fall of 1884 by Kennedy & Wood, that firm continuing 
 until January, 1890. During the spring and summer of 1891 Mr. 
 Wood erected his present mill, which is a frame structure 200 by 35 
 feet in area, and contains seven floors. The mill has a capacity of lOO 
 dozen skins per day and furnishes employment to fifty men. Kanga- 
 roo and goat shoe leather is its principal product. 
 
 George F. Troutwine manufactures shoe and glove leather at the cor- 
 ner of McNab avenue and Second street. This business was established 
 by Mr. Troutwine in company with Mill Brothers in the factory now 
 occupied by the latter, in April, 1889. Mr. Troutwine is a native of 
 Germany, in which country he learned his trade, coming to Gloversville 
 in 1880. He first worked for Booth & Kent, remaining with them two 
 years, then accepting a posi-tion with J. W. Filmer with whom he re- 
 mained until December, 1884. He then accepted a proposition from 
 Mills Brothers to superintend the manufacture of Dongola shoe leather. 
 They at first used domestic sheep-skin but soon adopted the genuine 
 goat, afterward called Jewell kid. Mr. Troutwine acquired an interest 
 in that firm and his association with them continued until October, 1890, 
 when he withdrew and established himself in the mill he now occupies. 
 He employs between twenty and twenty- five men and turns out on an 
 average 150 to ^00 dozen skins per week. The product includes don- 
 gola, kid, kangaroo and calf-skins. 
 
 Otto Geisler, manufactures kid glove leather from domestic lamb and 
 sheep-skins, and mocha kid and castor leather, in the Philip Pauley 
 
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MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURERS. 447 
 
 mill on South Main street. Mr. Geisler learned his trade in Berlin, 
 Germany, and came to this country in 1886. He began business in 
 1 890 and has occupied his present location since September of that year. 
 He employs twenty men and produces 300 skins per day. 
 
 An important branch of leather manufacture is called " mooning." 
 This work requires much skill and experience and the number of per- 
 sons engaged in it has greatly increased since the manufacture of fine 
 kid gloves became a part of the product of Fulton county manufacturers. 
 Following are a few of those engaged in this industry, known more 
 properly as " kid finishers." 
 
 George Brice, kid, buckskin and antelope colorer and finisher, came 
 to Gloversville from England in 1868 and began work in a little shop 
 near where the freight depot now stands. He has taken several prem- 
 iums at the fairs of the Fulton County Agricultural Society, for col- 
 oring and finishing buckskin and antelope. 
 
 E. T. Denham, 10 Marshall avenue, came to Gloversville from 
 England in 1869. He does custom " mooning" for kid glove manufac- 
 turers. 
 
 Edward Thorne, 5 Jay street, is also a native of England, coming to 
 Gloversville in 1864. He is engaged in custom "mooning," and so 
 also are his two sons, George and Charles. 
 
 A. Hodder & Sons, 19 Second avenue, are also engaged in this branch 
 of the leather industry. Mr. Hodder came from England in 1869 and 
 at present does custom " mooning," and so also do his three sons, Wal- 
 ter, Edwin and Harry. 
 
 Charles and William J. Dodge are among the native Americans en- 
 gaged in custom " mooning," and have carried on their present business 
 on Cayadutta street since 1884. 
 
 Miscellaneous Manufactures. — The Brower Glue Manufacturing Com- 
 pany succeeded to the business of A. Brower & Son, June i, 1888. 
 The company own and operate two mills, located in Gloversville and 
 Johnstown respectively. The Gloversville mill was formerly the prop- 
 erty of Robert Evans, who built it in 1856 and opened it as a glue fac- 
 tory, and in this business was at one time associated with John McNab. 
 The mill passed into the hands of Henry KnofT, of Johnstown, who sold 
 it to Daniel Hays and Alonzo Brower in 1867. The product of this 
 
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448 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 factory is principally used in the wood-working trade and amounts to 
 about 1,000 pounds of glue per day, for eight and one half months of 
 each year. 
 
 Jacob Haag, an experienced metal worker, came to Gloversville in 
 1867 and became engaged in making cutting dies for Niles Fairbanks. 
 In 1869 he estabhshed himself in business as a manufacturer of cutting 
 dies and has since conducted the enterprise on the same ground he now 
 occupies on Fifth street. 
 
 The D. M. Smith Company, refiners of hair, are located on the plank 
 road, near the southern limits of the city. The firm at present is com- 
 posed of Harlan P. Shutts and Edward Parkhurst. D. M. Smith es- 
 tablished the business about thirty years ago and was the first man in 
 the county to successfully utilize the superfluous hair from the skin- 
 mills. The present proprietors began business in 1885, and in 1891 
 purchased the building now occupied by them as a factory, the same 
 having been built by the Indianapolis Hair Company, a concern which 
 came to Gloversville to compete with the D. M. Smith Company. They 
 found, however, that almost the entire product of hair had been en- 
 gaged by the latter, and they readily withdrew from the field, selling 
 their plant to the above named firm. The present proprietors began in 
 a small way and have succeeded in building up an extensive business. 
 They wash, cleanse, and pick hair, such as is used in making mattresses, 
 saddle and other pads, and also produce plaster hair and some finer 
 grades of wool, which is used in the manufacture of underwear. 
 
 George H. Taylor came to Gloversville in 1873 and opened a music 
 and piano store. Ten years later he began in an experimental way to 
 make piano leather from buckskin. His efforts were very successful 
 and his product has reached a gratifying perfection. He has never had 
 the process patented in order to escape imitation. His first location 
 was on the site of the present city hall, but he subsequently moved to 
 the store now occupied by L. R. Van Ness & Company, and later on to 
 a place in the Opera House block. From thence he moved to the 
 southeast corner of Main and Fulton streets, and in 1891 to the store 
 at 23 West Fulton. He has occupied his present location, corner of 
 Fulton and School streets, since May i, 1892. 
 
 The business of Furbeck & Van Auken, dealers in drugs, chemicals, 
 paints and oils, was established in 1870. At that time their stock con- 
 
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MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURERS. 449 
 
 sisted solely of stationery goods, to which was added two years later a 
 full line of drugs, chemicals, glass, etc. The firm is composed of Dr. 
 P. R. Furbeck and J. A. Van Anken. 
 
 Addison Bloomingdale came to Gloversville from Albany county 
 about 1880 and engaged in the grocery business, which he carried on 
 for about five years. He then organized a company of ten members, 
 with himself as president, C. M. C. Loyd, secretary, and J. P. Heacock, 
 treasurer, to manufacture the celebrated Forestine cough syrup, a 
 formula for which he received from Charles H. Winney. After about 
 five months' the other members of the company withdrew, Mr. Bloom- 
 ingdale buying their interests, paying them the full, par value of their 
 stock. He then had as a partner for one year, Willard J. Heacock, 
 whose interest he bought in 1890 and has since conducted the business 
 alone. He has invested in the enterprise up to the present time over 
 $20,000 and has a plant and business that he considers worth $50,000. 
 He manufactures Forestine cough syrup, Forestine cough drops, For- 
 estine blood bitters, and also deals in extracts, Mr. Bloomingdale's 
 specialties find a large and growing sale in the west and are extensively 
 used throughout the New England and Middle Atlantic states. His 
 office and laboratory is at 24 South Main street. Mr. Bloomingdale 
 has also been a large dealer in real estate, having built 150 houses in 
 Gloversville and has bought and developed large tracts of land, greatly 
 adding to the attractiveness of the city. The real estate firm of Bloom- 
 ingdale & Roberts was formed February i, 1892. Aside from their 
 real estate interests they do a general fire, life, accident, live-stock and 
 plate glass insurance business. 
 
 Charles A. Brooks, manufacturer of cutting dies, is located at the 
 rear of 52 West Fulton street. He came to Gloversville in 1872 and 
 worked for E. P. Newton about three years. Later he went to Ilion, 
 but returned in 1878 and again entered the employ of Mr. Newton. 
 In 1880 he formed the junior partner of the firm of Titus & Brooks, 
 and engaged in the manufactureof cutting dies in Johnstown. In 1885 
 they removed to Gloversville and carried on the business until 1891, 
 when upon the death of Mr. Titus, the entire establishment came 
 into the possession of Mr. Brooks, by whom it has since been con- 
 ducted. 
 57 
 
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4<;o HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 Bradt & Shipman, lOO Spring street, are manufacturers of patent 
 glove fasteners under the Pringle patent. The business was established 
 in 1883 and has been carried on at the present location since 1886. 
 The fastener, which is ingenious in construction, is the invention of 
 Eugene Pringle, of Gloversville, and is extensively used on heavy and 
 medium weight gloves and mittens. The industry has grown from an 
 output of a few hundred gross per year to many thousand gross, and 
 the fastener is approved by the principal manufacturers of the United 
 States. The firm is composed of C. E. Bradt, M. D. Shipman and S. 
 E. Bradt, of De Kalb, Illinois. 
 
 John H. Drake, manufacturer of paper boxes, 40 Cayadutta street, 
 succeeded to the business established by his father, John Drake, in 1859. 
 The latter came 10 Gloversville in 1850 and was engaged in business 
 as a wagon maker for several years, having a shop where Charles F. 
 Allen's box factory is now located. In 1859 he began the manufacture 
 of glove boxes in the Helwig building on Main street. He died in 
 1876, since which time his son has conducted his business. 
 
 Charles F. Allen, manufacturer of paper boxes, is located at 79 South 
 Main street. Mr. Allen succeeded, in 1886, to the business of E. H. 
 Mills & Company, established some twenty- five years ago. He manu- 
 factures a general line of paper boxes, employing twenty persons and 
 turning out 2,500 boxes per day. 
 
 The Gloversville Knitting works occupy a portion of the brick build- 
 ing at 79 South Main street. F. W. Belden is the sole proprietor of 
 this establishment, having succeeded to the business of E. H. Mills & 
 Company in 1889. The product of the factory includes a line of knit 
 goods such as are used in the glove business, consisting chiefly of knit 
 backs and wristlets. Thirty operatives are employed and the capacity 
 of the factory is 300 dozen pairs per day. 
 
 The machine works of H. J. Anthony are located near the junction 
 of Main and Cayadutta streets. This business was established in what 
 is known as Anthony Hollow, in the town of Mayfield, in 1856, by the 
 father of the present proprietor. Mr. Anthonj'^ is at present engaged in 
 making edged tools for glove and shoe leather cutters, and a general 
 line of knives and machinery used in manufacturing leather and 
 gloves. 
 
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TOWN OF NORTHAMPTON. 451 
 
 The Gloversvillc Machine works, of which Peter Diehl is the proprie- 
 tor, is located at 40 Cayadutta street. This business was begun by 
 Mr. Diehl in 1875 and removed to Gloversville in 1884. He built the 
 frame structure he now occupies in the last mentioned year, and is at 
 present engaged in general jobbing and machine work, manufacturing 
 shafting, pulleys and hangers, and also does steam fitting and engineer- 
 ing work. 
 
 Burr Brothers' planing- mill, sash and blind factory and lumber yard, 
 are located on the North side of Green avenue. This business was es- 
 tablished in 1878 by Gaorge C. and James S. Burr, who at that time 
 were located uponStheir father's property on Burr street. They moved 
 to their present location about eight years ago and have recently com- 
 pleted a new mill, three stories in height, 60 x 80 feet in area, with a 
 wing 24 X 72. It will be fully equipped with various kinds of wood- 
 working machinery and will greatly increase the capacity of the plant. 
 Employment is furnished to about thirty men. 
 
 De Witt A. Hayes' planing-mill occupies ground between Willow and 
 North streets. Mr. Hayes came to Gloversville in 1876 from Oppen- 
 heim and was engaged for sevaral years as a contractor and builder. 
 He established his present mill in the spring of 1889 and now does all 
 kinds of planing, sawing and wood turning, and employs twenty- five 
 men. 
 
 CHAPTER XXn. 
 
 TOWN OF NORTHAMPTON. 
 
 '"r^'HIS is the extreme northeastern border town of the county. It is 
 \ bounded on the north by Hamilton county, on the east by Sara- 
 toga county, on the south by the town of Broadalbin and on the west 
 by the town of Mayfield. Its length is nearly twice as great as its 
 breadth and according to the latest survey it contains 1 8,545 j^ acres. 
 The town was named for the Northampton patent granted to Jacob 
 Mase, John R. Bleecker and others, October 17, 1741. Its surface is 
 
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452 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 made up partly of two extremes, lofty hills and flats, which are often 
 submerged. The eastern, northern and western borders of the town 
 constitute a range of formidable hills, while the beautiful Sacandaga runs 
 swiftly through a valley, almost as level as prairie land, from two to four 
 miles in width, and skirted on three sides by forest covered peaks. 
 This river enters the town on its northern boundary about a mile east 
 of the Mayfield line and runs in a southeasterly direction until within a 
 short distance of the village of Northampton, where it turns gracefully 
 to the east and enters Saratoga county. The Vlaie creek, which empties 
 into the Sacandaga river above Fish House, is formed by the junction of 
 Mayfield and Kennyetto creeks at Summer House Point, and runs 
 through an extensive marsh in the southern part of the town known as 
 the "Sacandaga Vlaie." In addition to these, which are the principal 
 streams, the entire country north of Fish House is well supplied with 
 trout brooks of clear running water. The soil on the hills is not adapted 
 to cultivation, but in some cases has been advantageously used for 
 grazing. Some portions of the valley contain rich alluvium, while the 
 remainder, which is possiBly the greater share, is a sandy and gravelly 
 loam. The soil, however, in no portion of the town, could be called 
 highly productive land, and such crops as are raised in the southern and 
 more fertile parts of the county are generally unknown in Northamp- 
 ton. Extensive pine forests at one time covered this whole region, and 
 many tracts of pine and hemlock land are still to be seen, especially on 
 the hills toward the north. 
 
 Northampton was set apart from the town of Broadalbin February i, 
 1799, and on May 24 of the same year the first town meeting was held. 
 The territory included parts of some patents and also the whole of others, 
 chief of which is the Northampton patent, already mentioned, for which 
 the town was named ; also a part of Bergen's purchase, which begins at 
 the northwest corner of the Northampton patent, the warrant for which 
 bears date October 7, 1785. A portion of Norman McLeod's grant of 
 3,000 acres, dated September 29, 1770, is in this town ; also thirty- one 
 of the lots originally belonging to Jeremiah Van Rensselaer. The 
 Baptist church at North ville is supposed to stand on lot No. 4 of this 
 patent; a small portion of the Sacandaga patent is also included in the 
 southwest part of this town. 
 
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TOWN OF NORTHAMPTON. 453 
 
 The first settlement in this town was due to Sir William Johnson, 
 who built a fishin<j house on the Sacandaga river, near the mouth of 
 Vlaie creek in 1762. It is from this structure that the village called 
 Fish House (in the south part of the town) derived it name, although 
 the post-office at that place is called Northampton. Sir William 
 undoubtedly became convinced that the section of valley land extend- 
 ing from the Vlaie northwest on both sides of the river was a proper 
 place for permanent settlement. He therefore soon induced Godfrey 
 Shew to come from Johnstown and locate in the vicinity of the Fish 
 House, Shew thus holding distinction as the first settler within the 
 present limits of the town. He was soon followed by John Eikler, Lent 
 and Nicholas Lewis, Robert Martin, Zebulon Alger and the families of 
 Ketchums and Chadwicks, Asahel Parkes, John Trumbull, John Rose- 
 velt, Alexander St. John and John Fay, all of whom settled in the neigh- 
 borhood of the Fish House, where some of their descendants are now 
 living, and will be mentioned in connection with the detailed history of 
 that village. Many of the pioneers who settled there prior to the Rev- 
 olution took an active part in the struggle for American Independence. 
 The northern portion of the town was not settled until after the great 
 war for liberty was over. In 1788 Zadoc Sherwood and Samuel 01m- 
 stead went up the river from Fish House in a canoe and built rude huts 
 a short distance below the present village of Northville, at what is known 
 as the Old Ford, on lands now owned by A. P. Resseguie. Following 
 close upon them came Daniel Lobdell and John Bryant, and prior to 
 1800 quite a number of New England families settled on the site of 
 Northville, or within a few miles' distance. Among these were Thomas 
 Foster, who built the first grist mill in the town, Daniel and Tim- 
 othy Resseguie, John McNeil, Calvin Young, Adam Olmsted, Cornelius 
 Richardson, Sylvanus Sweet, Robert Palmer, John Randall, Eli Sprague, 
 Green Wells, Cornelius Harving, Felix Porter and John Dennison. 
 Other early settlers in the vicinity of Northville were Isaac Penny, Jesse 
 Olmstead, a brother of the first settler, but coming later; also Garret 
 Van Ness, who settled a mile west of the village ; Aaron Olmsted, a 
 farmer who located on the west side of the river about a mile south of 
 the railway depot ; Eli Stone, Jere Olmsted, Zadoc Bass, Jeremiah Bass, 
 Paul HammondjAaron Case, Matthew Edmunds, Joseph Slocum, Caleb 
 
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454 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 Meeker (a blacksmith), Joseph Lewis and Timothy Gifford. Lewis 
 settled on the west side of the river on land now occupied by the rail- 
 way depot and yards at Northville. Jonathan, Samuel and Timothy 
 Price, three brothers, were early settlers in the northern part of the 
 town, locating on the west side of the river not far from Joseph Lewis. 
 Stephen Betts, Nathan Hull and David Scott also came up the river at 
 an early date. 
 
 About three miles south of Northville, in the neighborhood of Denton's 
 Corners, or Osborn's Bridge, a few New Englanders settled shortly be- 
 fore 1800. They were John Esseltyne, John Shoecraft, Elihu Coleman, 
 Joseph Brown, Elisha Foote, Nathaniel Meade, Henry King, Abel 
 Scribner and possibly a few others. 
 
 Among the early events was the building of the first school-house on 
 what is now district No. i, at Fish House. It is not definitely known 
 when this house was built, but it stood nearly on the site of the present 
 one at that place. The first log-house in the town, according to tra- 
 dition, was built near the south end of Fish House Bridge on the north 
 side of the road. It was subsequently owned by Andrew McNutt, but 
 has long since passed away. The first brick building was a store built 
 by John Fay in 1809 on the site of the present Osborn house at North- 
 ampton! village, The first birth in the town was that of Godfrey Shew, 
 which occurred about two years before the Revolution. The first 
 marriage was that of Alexander St. John and Martha Scribner, about 
 1798; and the first recorded death, that of Gideon Olmstead. 
 
 A portion of the early town records are missing, containing undoubt- 
 edly a description of the first roads laid out. From records still pre- 
 served, the reader is enabled to form an idea of some of the early high- 
 ways. The following extracts will be of interest : 
 
 " We have laid out a road four Rods wide Beginning on the road 
 nere the hogs back bridge on the line between Nathan Hull and Zadoc 
 Sherwood Continuing on the Same line easterly to intersect the County 
 line road and do require the same to be recorded. Given under our 
 hands and seals this i6th day of Nov'" 1797. 
 
 " Daniel Brownell, T. Clk. Elijah Sheldon ) Corns of 
 
 ' Calvin Young, j Highways." 
 
 J) C. 
 . \ Hij 
 
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TOWN OF NORTHAMPTON. 455 
 
 On the same day and date these commissioners record the laying out 
 of a road " four rods wide beginning at the road that leads from the 
 Hog's Back and Fish Rock on the hne between Richard Dodge and 
 John McNeil, running on said line easterly twenty four chane, thence 
 north thirty three degrees east five chane and forty three links, thence 
 forty-four degrees east eight chane, thence north thirty degrees cast to 
 intersect the east road." 
 
 The next year the following entry is made : "We have laid out a 
 road Beginning at the bank of Hunter's Creek, opposite Isaac Van 
 Tyle's house, thence on a strait line Northerly six rods east of a cer- 
 taine large Pine tree standing on the north bounds of John McNeil's 
 improvement, standing about Nine rods west of side bank above said 
 McNeil's barn, thence Northerly till said Road forms a Junction with a 
 certain road and lane passing Daniel Lobdell improved land which road 
 we lay out four rods wide and do hereby order the other road to be 
 shut up and order the Town Clerk to record the same. Given under 
 our hands this 14th June 1798. 
 
 " Daniel Brownell, T. Clerk. 
 
 " Daniel McDonald > Corns of 
 "Joseph Slocum, \ Highways." 
 
 In April 1805 it was voted at the annual town meeting "that John 
 Porter be exonerated for killing a deer out of season." 
 
 In 1809 it was voted " that any man killing or starting a wolf in sd 
 town and killing sd wolf Intitled to ten Dollars." From this and the 
 following it appears that the farmers must have been troubled by 
 wolves and panthers to some extent, as in 1812 it was voted that "ten 
 dollars be paid to any person killing a wolf or panther in the town of 
 Northampton." In 18 14 the bounty was reduced to $5. At the same 
 meeting it was voted that " Freeborn Joslin be exonerated from his fine 
 for selling cider, he discharging the costs." 
 
 In 18 13 the town was divided into thirteen school districts and an 
 entry was made in the town record of the description of each district. 
 Northampton was no exception to the maxim that the poor are always 
 with us, for at the town meeting in 1815 it was voted that $120 be raised 
 for the support of the poor. In 181 7 $300 were raised for the same 
 purpose, and the poormaster, together with the supervisor, was in- 
 structed to build or hire a house for the use of the town poor. 
 
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456 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 One of the earliest and most marked public improvements was the 
 building of the F"ish House bridge across the Sacandaga in 1818. Prior 
 to that time the river was crossed by canoe and by ford, the old fording 
 place beginning a few rods below where the south end of the bridge now 
 is, and crossing to a short distance above the north end. At that 
 time the little village of Fish House had every prospect of becoming 
 the centre of trade for a rich agricultural and lumbering region and the 
 fording place was much frequented. The spring and fall freshets each 
 year greatly inconvenienced the people who had to cross the river at 
 this point and the inhabitants petitioned the legislature for and received 
 an appropriation of $5,000 for the building of the. bridge. To this was 
 added $500 by local subscription. Daniel Stewart built the bridge, 
 which is still standing, and probably is the best wooden bridge in the 
 state, a marvel indeed in point of strength and age. Every timber in 
 the structure was hewn out of pine logs, some of the pieces being fully 
 two feet square. When it is considered that the bridge is 280 feet in 
 length, it will be seen what a wonderful task this must have been. The 
 Vlaie creek was also crossed by fording, at or near its mouth, a short 
 distance from Fish House. In 1835 fhe commissioners of highways 
 were authorized to build a "permanent covered bridge across the Flyi 
 creek near the Fish House." 
 
 The old bridge or archway across Hunter's Creek at the Hog's Back 
 gave way in July, 1859, and several persons received painful injuries, for 
 which the town reimbursed them at subsequent meetings. The present 
 stone bridge or archway at this place was built in 1859 and $250 was 
 raised that year by the town for this purpose. 
 
 The old lattice bridge across the Sacandaga at Northville was built in 
 i860, at a cost of about $2,500. It was several feet lower than the 
 present structure and was carried away with its piers and abutments 
 on the 2d of March, 1882, by high water and ice. A special meeting of 
 the town board was at once held and action taken toward the construc- 
 tion of a new bridge. The present iron structure was built during the 
 summer of 1882, by the Groton Iron Bridge Company, of Groton, N. 
 Y., and cost, including piers and and abutments, $11,100. The old 
 bridge across the Vlaie creek at Fish House, built in 1835, was de- 
 
 ' The local pronunciation of the word Vlaie is " Fly." 
 
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TOWN OF NORTHAMPTON. 457 
 
 stroyed by fire on the night of August 23, 1883, only two days after a 
 meeting had been held to take into consideration the project of build- 
 ing a new one. The present wooden covered bridge at that point was 
 finished during the same fall, the total cost being $883.87. 
 
 The Gloversville and Northville railroad, which is a continuation of 
 the Fonda, Johnstown and Gloversville line, was completed to its pres- 
 ent terminus at Northville in 1875. Bonds were issued by the town in 
 1872 to the amount of $20,000 to insure the construction of this rail- 
 road, and about $80,000 was invested in the line as individual subscrip- 
 tions by residents of the town. 
 
 In noting the progress and development of the town as an agricultu- 
 ral district, it may be said that it has never been highly productive of 
 best cereals, the principal crops in this line being rye and barley. 
 When first settled, certain portions of the river and table lands pro- 
 duced good crops of wheat, but as early as 1807 many of the farmers 
 complained that the soil had become impoverished and abandoned the 
 raising of that grain altogether. A large portion of the inhabitants, 
 particularly in the northern portion, are successful lumbermen. The 
 sugar maple grows in great abundance throughout the town and a con- 
 siderable business is carried on in the production of maple sugar for 
 market. Many of the farmers' wives and daughters are also engaged 
 in making gloves for the manufacturers at Gloversville and Johnstown. 
 It is also essential to note that among the resources of this town gold 
 must be included, although its recovery from the sand in which it is 
 found has not been sufficiently profitable to justify permanent efifort. On 
 the Eaton farm, south of Northville, experiments have been carried on 
 with improved machinery for several years, but it is thought the work 
 will soon be discontinued and the refining machinery moved elsewhere. 
 
 In educational matters Northampton compares favorably with other 
 towns of corresponding size and wealth. There are at present eleven 
 school districts, with as many houses, numbered as follows : i, S, 6, 7, 
 8, 9, 10, II, 12, 13 and 14, the last numbered district being in the vil- 
 lage of Northville. The total number of children attending school in 
 the town for the year ending July 25, 1891, was 444, and the aggre- 
 gate days' attendance during the school year was 42,879. There were 
 fourteen teachers employed. The total assessed valuation of school 
 
 58 
 
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458 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 property in the town is $10,075, and the assessed valuation of the dis- 
 tricts is $289,113. The town's share of public money received from 
 the state in 1891 was $1,708.36. 
 
 Many Northampton men have from time to time become prominent 
 in national and state legislation. John Fay, father of Charles Fay, 
 now living at Fish House, was a representative from this district in the 
 Congress of 1 820. The following men may also be mentioned as having 
 represented Montgomery, Fulton and Hamilton counties in the state 
 legislature during the years specified: John Fay, 1809 and 1812; 
 Samuel A. Gilbert, 1814; Alexander St. John, 1815 and 1825; Jacob 
 Shew, 1818 ; Joseph Spier, 1823 and 1829 ; Henry Cunningham, 1824; 
 Nathaniel Wescot, 1827-28; Jacob Van Arnam, 1832; Clark S. Grin- 
 nell, 1834 and 1846; Langdon I. Marvin, 1840; John Patterson, 1824; 
 Darius Moore, 1847; Alfred N. Haner, 1852 ; William A. Smith, 1853 
 and 1864; Wesley Gleason, 1854-55; Isaac LaFevre, 1856; Joseph 
 Co veil, 1866-67; William F. Barker, 1869; L. L. Boyce, 1884; Lewis 
 Brownell, 1888-89. 
 
 NORTHVILLE. 
 
 The village of Northville, picturesquely situated on the east bank of 
 of the Sacandaga river, about one mile south in a direct line from the 
 Hamilton county boundary, is the largest and most important village in 
 the town of Northampton. Its location is convenient from a commer- 
 cial point of view, excellent for building purposes, while it is surrounded 
 by scenery noted for its grandeur and beauty. The village covers an 
 almost level area, extending eastward from the river for a distance of 
 nearly a mile, where an abrupt descent is made into the little valley of 
 Hunter's creek. It is not difficult to imagine why the early settlers in 
 this portion of the present town of Northampton selected this as a site for 
 good farms and pleasant homes. Samuel Olmsted was the first settler 
 on the site of the village, being in fact, the first in this locality. He 
 came from Danbury, Conn., and settled here (then a part of Broadalbin) 
 in 1788. He came up the river from Fish House in a canoe and built 
 a rude shed to serve as a protection from the weather, probably con- 
 structing it entirely of logs. This was on what is known as farm lot 
 
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TOWN OF NORTHAMPTON. 459 
 
 No. 20, of the Northampton patent. His primitive dwelling-place was 
 destroyed by fire one day during his absence and he then built another 
 farther to the east, near Hunter's creek. Later on he built a log house 
 on the site of the one now occupied by Samuel Olmstead, just south of 
 the Resseguie Place on South Main street. The Olmstead who now 
 lives in this house (a portion of which is still standing and is the oldest 
 house in the village) is not a relative of the first settler. Samuel 
 Olmsted raised a family of eight children, and died in January, 1845. 
 His remains were buried in the village cemetery. He always followed 
 agriculture. 
 
 Next to Olmsted came Zadoc Sherwood, who married Olmsted's sis- 
 ter and lived in this place until 1817. Another of the early settlers was 
 Daniel Resseguie, of Richfield, Conn , who came here in 1790, and at 
 first settled very near the site of the present railway depot, but shortly 
 afterward moved one mile east of the settlement, where he raised a 
 large family, and died in 1825. Eli Stone was another pioneer, as was 
 also Benjamin Macomber, who afterward went to Lake Pleasant and 
 died there at an advanced age. Garrett Van Ness came in at an early 
 date and located on land about a mile south of the village. Prior to 
 1800 Thomas Foster settled on a farm on which the south part of the 
 village is located, the land being afterwards purchased by the late Jo- 
 seph Spier, who owned it for many years. John McNeil and Calvin 
 Young were in the vicinity prior to 1880 and the latter, as a commis- 
 sioner of the town of Broadalbin, surveyed and in 1797 laid out a 
 road running north and south, which is the present Main street of 
 Northville. Previous to that date the main road was on the hill east of 
 the village, and ran nearly parallel with what is now Main street. It 
 was laid out in 1794. Caleb Lobdell and Daniel Lobdell also settled in 
 the vicinity of what is now Northville at an early day. They were 
 brothers and came with their families from Danbury, Conn. Some of 
 their descendants are still living in this neighborhood. John Dennison 
 was a pioneer, probably from Greenfield, Saratoga county, in which 
 place he had raised a family. He died in the year 1804, and his remains 
 were interred in the old burying-ground. Abraham Van Arnam, and 
 his brother Jacob were early setttlers. Abraham became a prominent 
 man in the community ; he raised a large family, some of whose de- 
 
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460 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 scendants in the third, fourth, fifth and sixth generations are still living. 
 Constant Potter, Isaac Penny, Stephen Betts, Nathan Hull and Paul 
 Hammond, were all early inhabitants. Nathan Hull settled on what is 
 now the lower end of Main street and had lOO acres of land. Joseph 
 Lewis came at an early date and located on a farm on the west side of 
 the river, not far from the site of the present railway depot. Joseph 
 Spier was born near the present village of New Lebanon, Columbia 
 county, in this state. He settled at Lake Pleasant in 1800, remaining 
 there seven years. He came down to what is now Northville in January, 
 1807, and purchased a farm of Caleb Lobdell. He raised a family of 
 seven children, namely, Joseph F., Livia, Elizabeth, Angeline, William 
 E., Julia, and Richard. Of these children, two are now living — Joseph 
 F., who was born in October, 1799, and is consequently in his ninety- 
 third year ; and Julia, who was born September 24, 1813. She married 
 Dr. D. H. BuUard, and lives in Glens Falls. The father, Joseph Spier, 
 held several official positions in the town of Northampton. He was ap- 
 pointed justice of the peace about 1805 and held the office many years. 
 From 1815 to 1822 he was successively elected supervisor of this town, 
 and in 1822 and 1829 represented, with others, Montgomery county in 
 the state legislature. He died August 27, 1845, a""^ his remains are 
 buried in the village cemetery. 
 
 In the early part of 1807 there were only six families living on what 
 is now Main street, which at that time was the sole thoroughfare of the 
 village. The heads of five of these families were Nathan Hull, Samuel 
 Olmsted, Caleb Lobdell, Noble Lobdell, and Abraham Van Arnam. 
 
 A road was laid out on the 7th of August, ! 794, beginning at the 
 old fording place at the river and running easterly, crossing Main street 
 where the Methodist church now stands ; but there was no dwelling on 
 this road for years afterward. There were two log houses standing in 
 1807, one at the lower end of the street, built by Samuel Olmsted, 
 and the other a few rods north of the site of L. N. Johnson's present 
 store. A grist-mill was running at that time on Hunter's creek, built 
 in the year 1790 by Thomas Foster, who also built a saw-mill, the first 
 in that vicinity. The first store of any consequence was that of Abra- 
 ham Van Arnam, kept about 1800. It stood just north of the location 
 of the present Northville house on the site of the residence of Albert 
 
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TOWN OF NORTHAMPTON. 461 
 
 Van Arnam. In this old building a number of trades were carried on. 
 Van Arnam conducted a tavern there, and also a shoe shop. He nianu- 
 factured leather in a tannery on Hunter's creek about lOO rods east of 
 the -Store and tavern. Van Arnam also established a fulling-mill about 
 1800 which he carried on for several years, the business finally coming 
 into the hands of a man named Brewster, who was succeeded in 181 5 by 
 Joseph Slocuni. The mill long since passed away. 
 
 Caleb Meeker was the first blacksmith in the place and probably 
 began about 1804. In 1807 his. shop was situated on the hill east of 
 the village. A grist-mill and saw- mill a few rods apart were built 
 by Joseph Slocum in 1815, on the site now occupied by the saw and 
 grist-mill of John Willard. Slocum had to goto Albany to get the 
 mill stones, which he brought by wagon as far as Galway, where he 
 was suddenly taken sick and came home and died. His son, Reuben 
 Slocum, afterward brought the stones to their destination and finished 
 the mill, which is still standing. 
 
 Dr. Mitchell settled in the village about 1820 and was probably the 
 first local physician. 
 
 The Northville House, now standing, was originally built as a private 
 house for James Lobdell, son in-law of Abraham Van Arnam, about 
 18 1 3 or 1814. It afterwards passed into the possession of Jacob Van 
 Arnam and was subsequently converted into a public house, for which 
 purpose it is still used, though several additions have been made at dif- 
 ferent times. 
 
 During the first two decades of the present century, Northville was 
 only a mere hamlet, and had not even been designated by a permanent 
 name, but among its inhabitants were those who possibly foresaw the 
 development of a future village and took no little pains to make the 
 place attractive for homes. Joseph F. Spier, who is still living, remem- 
 bers the planting of a row of maples on the west side of Main street 
 from a point near his present office to the Baptist church. Many of 
 these stalwart trees are still alive, and from their height and beauty 
 bear evidence of the lapse of years. The little settlement grew slowly, 
 however, and for many years only a few houses were erected. The 
 brick house on the west side of Main street, now occupied by the de- 
 scendants .of Joseph Spier, was' built by him in 18 19, and was the first 
 
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462 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 brick dwelling in the village. The next brick building was a store 
 erected by Joseph F. Spier in 1841. It was sold in 1855 and after- 
 wards removed. This and the store of William F. Barker were the only 
 ones in the place in 1849. Barker's store was located on the east side 
 of Main street, a little north of the store now occupied by L. N. John- 
 son ; it was afterward burned. The only public house at that date was 
 the Northville House. 
 
 About that time a contemporary settlement of no small importance 
 had sprung up within a short distance. It was known as " The Dam," 
 and afterwards as " Parkville." A dam was built across the Sacandaga 
 about three quarters of a mile north of the village by Andrew McNutt, 
 about 1828 or 1830. It was constructed of timber, and furnished power 
 for a grist- mill on the west and a saw- mill on the east side of the river. 
 McNutt was a native of Scotland, coming to America from Edinburgh, 
 probably in the latter part uf the eighteenth century. From his prom- 
 inent native characteristics he became well known throughout the com- 
 munity. Isaac Le Fevre and Isaac Van Valkenburgh bought the dam 
 of McNutt in 1848. At that time it had almost disappeared, and they 
 replaced it with a dam made of poles fastened down with gravel and 
 stone. It was an expensive affair, as the ice and logs coming down 
 with the freshets each year carried away large quantities of poles. They 
 constructed a tannery on the east side of the river, which was known 
 as " The Park Tannery," from which the settlement took its name of 
 Parkville. A store was conducted there, and a school with seventy 
 scholars. At one time it was estimated that as much business was done 
 there as at Northville. John Patterson, now practicing law in North- 
 ville, taught school at the Dam as late as 1867. Among his scholars 
 at that time, and who are now living in the village, were Ray Hubbell 
 and his sister, Robertine Hubbell, now the wife of Charles B. Resseguie. 
 The tannery burned in 1867 and was rebuilt by the Le Fevre Brothers, 
 Isaac and Gilbert. All business activity at the Dam had subsided by 
 1874, at which time the tannery burned the second time, and with it 
 Sheldon Hubbell's saw-mill and turning shop. By this time bark had 
 become scarce, the tannery was not rebuilt, and business interests at 
 that point soon disappeared. 
 
 The Northville post- office was first established in 1824, and at that 
 time was called Sacandaga, a name it held until 1827, when it was 
 
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TOWN OF NORTHAMPTON. 463 
 
 changed to Northville. Joseph F. Spier was the first postmaster, and 
 it was through his efforts that the post office was established, and also 
 at his suggestion that the name was changed to Northville. The post- 
 office was kept in Mr. Spier's store during his occupancy of the office, 
 a period of twenty-one years. The store was located nearly opposite 
 the cemetery, on the site of the present residence of Lee S. Anibal. 
 The next postmaster was William A. Smith, who was appointed in 1845, 
 and held the office two or three years. He was succeeded by Nathan 
 B. Lobdell, a man well known and highly respected throughout the 
 county. Mr. Lobdell had the post-office eight or ten years and was 
 followed by W. F. Barker August 2, 1861, who held it until the year 
 1877. His successor was William D. Smith, who retained the office 
 about eight years. Adolph Robitshek was appointed in 1885, and was 
 postmaster during the Cleveland administration, being succeeded by 
 Frank Satterlee, July i, 1889. The present incumbent, Charles G. 
 Bacon, took charge of the office December 12, i8ci. When first es- 
 tablished mails were received by the way of F'ish House (now North- 
 ampton), about six miles south of Northville. There was no regular 
 stage line or mail carrier to this place at that time, and mails were re- 
 ceived only as the postmaster had an opportunity to send for them, or 
 by a special carrier sent by the postmaster. It was thought a wonder- 
 ful thing when the mails were brought three times a week, and it was 
 not until the stage line to Amsterdam was established that the mails 
 were received regularly each day. The office is now advantageously 
 located in the Heath block on Main street, which was built for this 
 purpose during the summer of 1891 by O. F. Heath. The postmaster 
 employs two assistants, the work of the office being quite extensive on 
 account of its position as a distributing point for towns in the valley 
 east and north. 
 
 The first school was kept in the village in 1800, and educational fa- 
 cilities have been increased from, time to time to keep pace with the 
 growing population. The present handsome and commodious brick 
 union free school was erected in 1888, and there have been, during the 
 winter term, 187 scholars on the register. B. C. Van Ingen is the 
 principal, with Miss Myra Stevens as first assistant, in charge of the 
 grammar department ; Miss Cora Blood, second assistant, in charge of 
 
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464 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 the intermediate department, and Miss Lila Sanford, in cliarge of the 
 primary grade. 
 
 Northville has witnessed its most rapid growth during the past two 
 years. The village is now, and has been for a long time, the financial 
 centre of a vast lumbering district, extending far into Hamilton county, 
 millions of feet of timber having passed down the Sacandaga on its way 
 to the Hudson, finding a market at Glens Falls and Fort Edward. When 
 lumbering was at its height, it was an ordinary scene to see a thousand 
 pieces of timber going down the river in one raft, and not unfrequently 
 100 or 150 of these rafts would be sent down in one season. In addi- 
 tion to this the village has been fortunate in the establishment of sev- 
 eral manufacturing concerns within the last few years and it bids fair to 
 become a prominent centre in that respect. 
 
 Under the provisions of a general act entitled "An act for the incor- 
 poration of villages," passed by the legislature April 20, 1870, a notice 
 of election was made on the 12th day of April, 1873, to determine 
 whether certain territory now included within the limits of Northville, 
 should be incorporated as a village The following names were signed 
 to this notice : H. N. Scidmore, John Resseguie, J. C. Carpenter, J. F. 
 Blake, J. A. Cole, H. Eglin, Phillip Van Kleck, T. H. Rooney, F. R. 
 Winney, A. C. Sclocum, George N. Brown, S. B. Benton, Andrew Pal- 
 mer, O. B. Olmstead, J. S. Barker, Gilbert Wilcox, W. F. Barker, W. 
 A. Smith, W. F. Krouse, Amos H. Van Arnam. 
 
 Pursuant to this notice a meeting was held at the old M. E. Church, 
 May 20, 1873, and by a vote of eighty- one to thirty- five it was decided 
 that Northville should become an incorporated village to include the 
 territory bounded as follows : 
 
 " Commencing, on the east bank of the Sacandaga river on the line 
 between lots No. 19 and 20 of Northampton patent and running from 
 thence south eighty-seven degrees east six thousand three hundred and 
 four feet; thence north twenty- nine and one- half degrees east nine 
 hundred eighty-four feet; thence north sixty-eight degrees west one 
 thousand five hundred feet ; thence west one thousand and four hun- 
 dred feet; thence south fifty- six degrees west to the highway leading 
 from Northville to Hope Falls; thence north thirty- five degrees west 
 one thousand eight hundred and fifty-four feet; thence eighty- five and 
 
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TOWN OF NORTHAMPTON. 465 
 
 one-fourth degrees west two hundred feet to the bank of the Sacan- 
 daga river; then down the bank of said river as it winds and turns, to 
 the place of beginning." 
 
 The amount proposed to be paid out for ordinary expenditures the 
 first year was $50. The first annual election was held at the old M. E. 
 Church, Thursday, June 26, 1873, and the following ofificers elected by 
 a unanimous vote, the total number cast for each candidate being forty- 
 two. President, Samuel B. Benton ; treasurer, Hiram J. Resseguie ; 
 collector, William Carpenter; trustees, Amos Van Arnam, Aaron C. 
 Slocum, and Thomas H. Rooney. These officers met at the store of J. 
 S. Barker and appointed him clerk of the village, and at the first regu- 
 lar meeting of the board for business the following resolution was 
 adopted : "That the bond of the village treasurer be of the amount of 
 two. thousand, $2,000." 
 
 The report of Treasurer Resseguie at the end of the first year of cor- 
 porate existence showed the financial condition of Northville to be in a 
 healthy state as there had been collected during the year by general 
 and special taxes, fines, licenses, etc., the sum of $831.90, and there 
 had been paid out on orders $817.79, leaving a balance on hand of 
 $14.81. 
 
 During the latter part of the year 1873 the sum of $400 was expended 
 in erecting a village lockup on ground leased from William F. Barker 
 and Alice Barker at a nominal yearly rental of one cent. 
 
 On August 26, 1890, an election was held to decide whether the vil- 
 lage would raise funds as provided in a special act passed in 1875 to fur- 
 nish the inhabitants with pure and wholesome water. Seventy votes 
 were cast, of which forty were in favor of the project, and thirty against 
 it. A board of water commissioners was forthwith elected, which was 
 composed of Ray Hubbell, president ; H. J. Resseguie, treasurer ; and 
 J. A. Willard, secretary. J. R. Van Ness was appointed clerk. E. B. 
 Baker, of Gloversville, was employed at a consideration of $180 to make 
 plans and specifications for a system of water works. March 6, 1891, 
 the contracts for the several features of the work were let. Among 
 those receiving awards were Dennis Sullivan, of Flushing. N. Y., for 
 the reservoir and pipe laying, $10,469.42; Charles Miller & Sons, of 
 Utica, pipes, and specials, $5,849.83 ; and Rennsselaer Manufacturing 
 59 
 
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466 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 Company, of Troy, valves and boxes, $867. Six acres of land were se- 
 cured from Charles Groff on which to erect the reservoir, and the right 
 of way for a pipe line also obtained. A dam was constructed across 
 Hunter's creek, one and three-fifths miles from the village, which gives 
 the reservoir a capacity of 3,000,000 gallons, and the water has a fall of 
 210 feet in the centre of the village, and 190 feet at the north end of 
 Main street. Mains were placed in all the principal streets, and water 
 was first used for commercial purposes on September 13, 1891. The 
 total cost of construction to date has been $32,300.14. To meet this 
 expenditure village bonds were issued to the amount of $32,000, and 
 the money secured through the comptroller from the common school 
 fund of the state of New York. Had this grand and much needed im- 
 provement been accomplished five or six years earlier, much loss by 
 fire would have been averted. Within the past six or seven years, 
 Northville has sustained several fires which were exceedingly disastrous. 
 First among them was the Rooney block, which was completely dis- 
 troyed in March, 1885. The hotel, dwelling house and barn of G. 
 Winney, and one house and carriage shop of William H. Van Dyke, 
 were burned September 5, 1888. The Metallic Binding factory, and 
 the Excelsior manufactory, two buildings owned by Ray Hubbell, were 
 destroyed February 7, 1890; the total losses on these two fires alone 
 was $27,000. June 19, 1890, the Wright & Satterlee building burned, 
 entailing a loss of about $10,000. The same fire included the building 
 of Dr. J. F. Blake, which was valued at $3,000. In addition to these, 
 which were the larger fires, several smaller buildings have also been 
 consumed, including three or four dwellings. It is gratifying to note 
 that the sites of all the conflagrations have been rebuilt with elegant 
 and substantial structures, all of which were better than their predeces- 
 sors. 
 
 The village presidents since its organization have been : Samuel B. 
 Benton, 1873; John Resseguie, 1874; Thomas H. Rooney, 1875; 
 Aaron G. Slocum, 1876 ; G. C. Van Dyke, 1877; Edward Allen, 1878 ; 
 •G. N. Brown, 1879; Robert P. Anibal, 1880; Charles B. Resseguie; 
 1881 ; B. N. Lobdell, 1882; John C. Cook, 1883; Adolph Robitshek, 
 1884-85; John F.Blake, 1886-87; George E. Van Arnam, 1888; 
 Harmon F. Fisher, 1889; Ray Hubbell, 1890. 
 
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TOWN OF NORTHAMPTON. 467 
 
 The village treasurers, with their terms of office, have been : Hiram 
 J. Resseguie, 1873; WiUiam A. Smith, 1874; Reuben Wiilard, 1875; 
 George N. Brown, 1776; Z. C. Ford, 1877; William D. Smith, 1878 
 to 1885 ; Frank L. Barker, 1886; Harmon F. Fisher, 1887-88; J. N. 
 Mead, 1889-90. 
 
 The following have held the office of village clerk : J. S. Barker, 
 1873 to 1878; L. L. Boyce, 1879; William Coppernoll, 1880; Lee S. 
 Anibal, 1881 ; L. L. Boyce, 1883 to 1885; James R. Van Ness, 1886 
 
 to the present time. 
 
 The officers for 1891 are: President, Ray Hubbell; trustees, Edwin 
 Allen, H. J. Resseguie, J. R. Wiilard; treasurer, Harmon F. Fisher; 
 collector, Ezra Horton ; public constable, Emmet J. Lobdell. 
 
 The village now contains a population of more than 1,100, and has 
 three churches, whose history will be reviewed a little further on in this 
 work; four large hotels, the Winney House, the Arlington, the North- 
 ville House, and the River View Hotel; a fine union free school, be- 
 sides numerous handsome and costly residences. While in 1849 there 
 were but two stores, at present the east side of Main street is well built 
 up with two and three story brick blocks, containing groceries, dry 
 goods houses, drug stores and their aggregate assortment contains al- 
 most everything that can be asked for in a first-class community. 
 
 BUSINESS INTERESTS. 
 
 The Northville Knitting Mill, located at the corner of Division and 
 Second streets, was built by Eli Van Brocklin and opened in Septem- 
 ber, 1 89 1. The factory buildings are commodious and fully equipped 
 with the most modern appliances known to the knit goods trade. The 
 main structure is a frame building, 94 by 145 feet in area, and three 
 stories high. A boiler and coal house, 22 by 65 feet, adjoins it on the 
 north, two stories in height. The establishment furnishes employment 
 to 115 workers at present, but when operated at its full capacity about 
 ICO more will be employed. The products of the mill include ladies', 
 gentlemen's and children's fine underwear, and specialties are made of 
 overshirts, athletic goods, children's goods and seamless sides. The 
 value of the average daily output of the mill is about $1,200. 
 
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468 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 The Globe Metallic Binding Company is an outgrowth of a business 
 established by Ray Hubbell in 1880. In the fall of 1879 Mr. Hubbell 
 conceived the idea of a metallic corner for oil cloths. He was then on 
 board a Hudson river boat, returning home from a trip to New York. 
 As he lay in his berth coveting sleep, he thought he saw before him the 
 outline of a successful invention. When he reached Albany he pur- 
 chased a small piece of brass and brought it home to Northville. From 
 this he made a rude " corner," and shortly afterwards established his 
 industry in a blacksmith shop on Bridge street, at first occupying two 
 rooms, but later on the business so increased that he required the use 
 of the entire building. In the fall of 1881 he erected a factory on the 
 ground on which his present establishment stands, introducing improve- 
 ments from time to time as new and valuable features were invented. 
 This factory was destroyed by fire February 7, 1890. The present 
 building was erected during the two months following the date of the 
 fire and business resumed as soon as it was finished. The Globe Me- 
 tallic Binding company was incorporated in 1 890 with a capital of 
 $30,000 and with the following officers: Ray Hubbell, president, 
 treasurer and general manager ; O. G. Tuttle, vice-president; J. A. Cole, 
 secretary; directors, Ray Hubbell, J. A. Cole, E. E. Johnson, M. J. 
 Wilson and O. G. Tuttle. The company operates in all four mills, two 
 located at Northville and two at Painesville, Ohio. In addition to the 
 mill at the corner of Bridge and Second streets, there is another at the 
 corner of Washington and First streets, managed by Mr. Cole, the secre- 
 tary. The total output of the four factories amounts to 3,000,000 yards 
 annually, about half of which is produced at Northville, where fifteen 
 workers are employed. 
 
 Willard & Partridge, dealers in all kinds of rough and dressed lum- 
 ber, sash, blinds and doors, operate an excelsior factory near the depot. 
 They succeeded to the business of W. S. Minor, January i, 1892. There 
 are six machines in use and the capacity of the factory averages one 
 ton of excelsior per day. The firm also operate a saw-mill about one- 
 third of a mile north of the village, on Hunter's creek. John Willard, 
 the senior member of the firm, also conducts a grist-mill at the same 
 place. 
 
 The cooper's trade has been an extensive one in Northville, although 
 it is small at present, when compared with its condition twenty years 
 
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TOWN OF NORTHAMPTON. 469 
 
 ago. Gilbert Rose was one of the early coopers, engaging in the busi- 
 ness about the middle of the century and carrying it on for fifteen years 
 or more. Samuel Benton came to Northville and began making bar- 
 rels in 1852. During the war he employed from six to eight men. He 
 still conducts a cooper shop on South Main street. Another cooper 
 still in business is Oscar Burgess, who began manufacturing on his own 
 account about 1867. Several others engaged in the business shortly 
 after the war, among them W. F. Barker, but of late years it has dimin- 
 ished to such an extent that the number of barrels now made is not 
 one-tenth the output when the industry was at its height in 1870. 
 
 The Methodist Episcopal Church. — Methodist preachers traveled 
 through the territory now included within the northern part of Fulton 
 county when the country was newly settled, probably prior to 1800. A 
 society of this denomination was first organized as a class in 1800, with 
 about twenty members. They held divine worship in the old school- 
 house, at private residences, and not infrequently in barns ; but in 1805 a 
 meeting-house was erected and used as a union church by both Meth- 
 odists and Baptists. About the year 18 12 the Methodists returned to 
 the old school-house again, where services were held until 1822. In 
 1 82 1 the society was greatly strengthened by a series of revivals which 
 prevailed in the community, and the following year they built a church 
 on the site of the present edifice, 50 x 34 feet in area, and costing $600. 
 It was dedicated December 14, 1822, Daniel Ostrander officiating. In 
 this building the society continued to worship for half a century. In 
 1849 the church underwent extensive repairs inside, and a bell was 
 purchased and placed in the belfry. In 1871 the old wooden structure 
 was removed to a lot just west of its original site, and it is now 
 used as a dwelling house for several families. Work was then begun on 
 a new brick church, which is one of the finest buildings of its kind in that 
 part of the country. Its construction was largely under the supervision 
 of Rev. Cabot M. Clark, who was known as " a church builder," and of- 
 ficiated as clergyman for this society from 1870 until 1874. The church 
 was finished at a cost of $22,000, and was dedicated December 31, 1872, 
 the services being in charge of Bishop J. T. Peck, assisted by Dr. B. I. 
 Ives. Among the early ministers who officiated at the meetings of this 
 society were E. Woolsey, presiding elder; Smith Arnold and Jesse Davis, 
 
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470 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 preachers, in 1804; Samuel Howe and John Cline, in 1809; Peter Mori- 
 arty, in 1 8 1 1 ; Henry Stead, Tobias Spicer, and Moses Amidon, in 1814; 
 Samuel Howe, John Clark, and Bradley Sellick, in 1821 ; John D. Mori- 
 arty, and John W. Denniston, in 1827; Ephraim Goss and William F. 
 Hurd, in 1831 ; James H.Taylor and Henry Williams, in 1837; ^• 
 Starks, Charles Pomeroy and A. J. Lyon, in 1850; Sanford Washburn 
 and Levi Warner, in 1854; and Robert Patterson, in 1859. Since 
 i860 the regular pastors have been as follows: Orrin Gregg, 1860-61 ; 
 John Pegg, 1862-63; Reuben Washburn, 1864-65; James G. Perkins, 
 1866-67; Manly Witherell, 1868-69; C. M. Clark, 1870-71-72-73; 
 William H. L. Starks, 1874-75-76; George C. Thomas, 1877-78; An- 
 drew McGilton, 1879-80; W. W. Foster, 1881-82; H. S. Rowe, 1883- 
 84; C. F. Wilcox, 1885-86-87 ; M. B. Mead, 1888 ; J. C. Russum, 1889 
 to the present date. 
 
 The present trustees of the church are William Gilman, James B. 
 Wilson, George N. Brown, Joseph F. Spier, A. P. Resseguie, George 
 E. Van Arnam. The Sunday-school was organized early in the church's 
 history and has always been well attended and prosperous. Among 
 those who early served as superintendents were Joseph Foot, J. W. 
 Slocum, Joseph Spier and in later years, W. F. Barker. The present 
 superintendent is Harmon F. Fisher. 
 
 The Northville Baptist Church. — In July 1802, twelve men and four 
 women met in one of the houses that overlooked the plain on which the 
 village of Northville now stands, and formed themselves into a body 
 called " A Brotherly Conference." During the two years of the con- 
 ference three attempts were made to secure the fellowship of the denomi- 
 nation by calling a council of brethren from other churches, the last 
 effort only being successful. At the first meeting of the council, which 
 was held February 25, 1803, Aaron Seamans was ordained to the work 
 of the gospel and the new organization was named "The Northampton 
 Baptist Church and Society." Aaron Seamans at once took charge of 
 the society as its pastor. In May, 1805, it was decided to build a house 
 of worship, and the lot upon which it was built was the gift of Abram 
 Van Arnam. It is the same land upon which the present Baptist church 
 now stands. The church was dedicated in 1806 and used for several 
 years as a union meeting-house by both Baptists and Methodists. For 
 
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TOWN OF NORTHAMPTON. 471 
 
 a number of years it was occupied while in an unfinished condition. 
 There was only one entrance, a door in the side toward the road, the 
 windows being without glass or even sash, and were simply protected by 
 a few boards. The swallows often flew in through the apertures during 
 service and in the winter the cold, frosty air found its way among the 
 worshipers without a fire to mitigate its sting. During 1809-10 and 
 181 1 Bartlett Dake, a licentiate, assisted Pastor Seamans in his work 
 and preached a part of the time regularly, being paid for his services. 
 Elder Seamans administered the ordinances and took an active part in 
 all the affairs of the church, receiving also some compensation. Waite 
 Palmer and Ebenezer Fuller were elected deacons about the time of 
 organization and later on Ira Brundage and William Davis were elected 
 to the same office. June 13, 18 12, Ezra Lyon and Timothy Gififord 
 were ordained as deacons and a general meeting was held, lasting two 
 days, to which ministers and also brethren from other churches were 
 invited. John Chalmers and Nathaniel Mead were elected deacons in 
 November, 1823, and in September, 1832, Ezra Lyon, jr., was elected 
 to a similar position. At the same time Mr. Mead and also Mr. Lyon 
 were ordained as deacons, and the first recorded protracted meeting on 
 the church record was held, continuing four days. In June, 1837, 
 Elder Seamans severed his connection with the church and removed to 
 Milton, Saratoga county, where he remained for a year and a half, when 
 he returned and resumed his church connection, Rev. Timothy Day 
 serving the society during his absence and for six months after his 
 return. Giles C. Van Dyke was elected a deacon in 1846. The follow- 
 ing year repairs and improvements were made to the church and the 
 building somewhat enlarged. The present house of worship was built 
 in the year 1869 and cost $8,000. The dedicatory services were held 
 in March, 1870. In 1876 the church was reincorporated under the 
 name of "The Baptist Church of Northville." We now add a list of the 
 pastors of this society,' with the year in which they began their pastor- 
 ate : Aaron Seamans, 1803, continuing for a period ofthirty-nine years; 
 Timothy Day, .1837; Myron Negus, 1845 ; Joseph Mosher, 1845; 
 Bradley K. Barber, 1846; Oscar F. A. Spinning, 1849; Nelson Combs, 
 1852 ; George Fisher, 1853 ; Clement Haven, 1857 \ Charles D. Lewis, 
 1859; JEli W. Brownell, 1862; Joshua Day, 1867; Charles F. Hull, 
 
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472 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 1873; J. G. Shrive, 1875; Moses W. Dillingham, 1877; S. C. More, 
 1880; E. D. Hammond, 1882; E. P. Smallidge, 1884; Joseph S. Gould, 
 1888; M. B. Russell, 1891. 
 
 The following men have served as church clerks : Joseph Cory, 
 elected 1803; Caleb W. Slocum, 1823; Nathaniel Hamilton, 1850; 
 Samuel B. Benton, 1853 ; Charles S. Smith, 1871 ; Joseph N. Mead, 
 1875. Among the deacons who were active workers for the welfare of 
 the society were Nathaniel Mead, elected in 1823 and held the office 
 fifty years, and Giles Van Dyke, elected in 1846, holding the office 
 thirty-nine years. The present deacons are Samuel B. Benton, elected 
 in 1854, and Orin Benton, elected in 1871. The trustees are Wm. H. 
 Van Dyke, John C. Berry, and Wm. N. Collins. The church member- 
 ship is 185 and that of the Sunday-school 180. Orin Benton is super- 
 intendent, assisted by Edgar G. Palmer. 
 
 The Presbyterian Church of Northville. — This society was organized 
 at a meeting held August 26, 1849, with fourteen members presenting 
 letters of dismission and recommendation as follows : From the Presby- 
 terian church at Northampton, Samuel Duncan, Anna Duncan, Sarah 
 S. Duncan, Helen Duncan, James S. Ayres, Cynthia A. Ayres, and 
 Hannah Barcalow ; from the Congregational church of Edinburgh, Bar- 
 zilla Gilbert, George Gilbert, Lucy Gilbert, Darius Moore, and Betsy 
 Moore ; from the Presbyterian church of Amsterdam, Alexander H. 
 Ayres. The meeting for organization was held in the Baptist church. 
 The late Rev. Jeremiah Wood, who was then pastor of the Presbyterian 
 church at Mayfield, and Rev. David Lyon were present, and the latter 
 was installed as pastor of the new church, Mr. Wood preaching the 
 sermon. For several years after organization the society held services 
 by permission, both in the Methodist and Baptist churches, usually 
 occupying them afternoons. The present meeting-house was built in 
 1857 and set apart to divine worship September 9 of that year. Rev. 
 David Tully, of Ballston Springs, preaching the sermon. Albert H. 
 Van Arnam gave the lot upon which the church was built, its value at 
 that time being $100. The building will seat 250 persons comfortably, 
 and the entire cost of construction was $2,169.51. This amount was 
 made up by liberal contributions from various churches in the eastern 
 part of the state, principally in the Albany Presbytery. The society 
 
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TOWN OF NORTHAMPTON. 473. 
 
 also received $150 from the church extension fund, a gift of $250 from 
 Darius Moore, $75 from Samuel Duncan, and $78.13 from Albert 
 Moore. Among the pastors who have officiated at the church are Da- 
 vid Lyon, P. J. Burnham, Henry Rincker, Rev. Mr. Pease, Isaac Devoe, 
 David Heron, Gordon Mitchell, Clarence W. Backus, Horace C. Stan- 
 ton, George K. Fraser and George L. McClellan. The first elders of 
 the church were Samuel Duncan, James S. Ayres, Barzilla Gilbert and 
 Darius Moore. The present officers are as follows : Elders, John Ford, 
 Sheldon Hubbell, John McKnight, Fay Duncan, James W. Miller, 
 A. M. Severance ; trustees, James W. Miller, William H. Seymour, C. B. 
 Resseguie, Ray Hubbell, J. F. Bownan, and Z. C. Ford. Fay Dun- 
 can acted in the capacity of Sunday-school superintendent for many 
 years. Z. C. Ford is the present incumbent. 
 
 In the old burying- ground on Main street may be found the graves 
 of many whose names have held prominence in the history of North- 
 ampton. The first burials were made there about the beginning of the 
 present century, and among the earlier graves are those of John Den- 
 nison and Phoebe Elwell, both of whom died in 1804. In this old 
 ground lie the remains of Samuel Olmsted, who was the first settler of 
 Northville, and his wife, Jerusha ; also Abraham Van Arnam and his 
 wife, Hannah ; Jeremiah Bass and his wife, Elizabeth ; Samuel Bass 
 and his wife, Charlotte ; Samuel L. Olmsted (a son of the first settler), 
 and his wife, Mary Ann; Nathan Lobdell ; Daniel Resseguie and his 
 wife, Mary ; Charles Resseguie and his wife, Lucy ; Sampson Sims and 
 his wife, Mary ; Samuel Randall and wife, Lydia ; Cyrus Brownell, 
 Orra Brownell ; Robert Brownell and his wife, Jane ; Samuel Lobdell ; 
 Daniel Resseguie ; Stephen Rowland and his wife, Lyndia ; Jacob F. 
 Van Ness ; Joseph Spier, who originally owned the land upon which 
 the cemetery is located ; Henry Van Ness ; Daniel Brownell and his 
 wife, Hannah, and many others. A Cemetery Association was organ- 
 ized in 1855, Joseph F. Spier acting as its treasurer for about thirty 
 years. Recently a new burying-ground has been opened on the hill at 
 the head of Main street. 
 
 Northampton village, more generally known as Fish House, is situ- 
 ated on the right bank of the Sacandaga River, at a point where that 
 stream takes a gradual turn in its course from southeast to northwest. 
 
 CO 
 
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474 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 The village is so close to the southern boundary of the town that part 
 of its dwellings are really in the town of Broadalbin. This is the oldest 
 settlement in Northampton, taking it name from a fish house which Sir 
 William Johnson built there in 1762, which gives the place deep his- 
 toric interest, and it seems unwise that the post office should have been 
 named Northampton instead of Fish House. From its geographical 
 situation the village at one time became the natural outlet to the south, 
 for an immense region of country lying to the east and north. 
 About the middle of the present century a plank road was laid 
 from this place to Amsterdam!, and shortly afterwards another was built 
 by the Northville and Fish House Plank Road Company, connecting 
 the latter two places. It was over this route that the Amsterdam and 
 Northville mail stages passed for many years, and an immense amount 
 of traffic was carried on. The road from Fish House to Northville, 
 however, became unprofitable, and indeed was only remunerative for a 
 few years, the first set of planks never being replaced. When the rail- 
 road was built to Northville, it naturally diverted a large share of the 
 Adirondack traffic which had found its way to the north' through Fish 
 House. 
 
 As has been stated in the foregoing history of the town, Godfrey 
 Shew, was the first permanent settler on the site of the village. Tradi- 
 tion says that during the Indian troubles which occurred during and 
 after the revolution, he was scalped near the little ditch a few rods west 
 of Charles Fay's present residence. His son, Jacob Shew, took part in 
 the revolution, where he gained the title of colonel. He was well 
 known throughout this entire section, and lived on the old Shew place 
 just east of the village. It is now owned and occupied by Robert S. 
 Pa:ge, a son of David Page, who came to Fish House from Saratoga 
 county in 1842. Jacob Shew had four sons, namely: John, Aaron, 
 Jacob and Putnam. Some of the latter's children are still living at 
 Batchelorville, Saratoga county. John Fay came to Fish House about 
 1805 or 1806 from Galway Corners. He was a native of Hardwick, 
 Mass., and became a very prominent man in the affairs of the village, 
 also in those of the town and county. He raised a family often chil- 
 dren, seven daughters and three sons, and lived to see them all married, 
 departing this life at the ripe age of eighty-two. His sons, John D., of 
 
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TOWN OF NORTHAMPTON. 475; 
 
 Rochester, N. Y., Charles H , of Fish House, and Hiram W., of Inde- 
 pendence, la., are all living. John Fay was followed to this place by 
 his brother Cyrus, a tanner and currier, who plied his trade at Fish 
 House for many years, and raised a large family of children. He was 
 succeeded in business after his death, by his son Alfred Fay. 
 
 Other pioneer settlers at Fish House have been mentioned in connec- 
 tion with the settlement of the town. The late Alva Wood was one of 
 the early physicians. He was a native of Montgomery county, settling 
 in this village in 1825, and practiced his profession there until old age 
 placed him upon the list of retired physicians. Dr. Langdon I. Marvin, 
 another prominent physician in Fish House, took an active part in the 
 affairs of the town and village. He held important positions in the 
 Masonic order, and represented his district in the State Legislature in 
 1840. Darius S. Orton, one of the leading physicians of the county, is 
 a native of Vermont. 
 
 Thomas H. Brown, living within three-quarters of a mile of the vil- 
 lage, is probably the oldest man in Fulton county. He was born near 
 Lexington, Mass., January 22, 1791, and is consequently in his I02d 
 year. His father was Abel Brown, a soldier in the revolutionary war, 
 having served six and one-half years under Colonel Sprout. Mr. 
 Brown himself was in the United States service in the war of 1812, and 
 is entitled to a pension therefor, if he wished to accept it. He comes 
 from a family, many of the members of which have shown exceptional 
 instances of longevity. One of his sisters lived to the age of ninety- 
 two, and another died in her ninetieth year. An own cousin of Mr. 
 Brown lived to the great age of 100 years, though his father was only 
 sixty-eight years old at the time of his death. Mr. Brown has reached 
 an age that few can hope to attain, and yet he possesses all his faculties 
 to a wonderful degree. He remembers distinctly the eclipse of the sun 
 in 1806, and relates many interesting anecdotes of pioneer life when 
 American independence was yet in its infancy. Coming to this town 
 when thirty-two years of age, he can recall many exciting scenes of the 
 hunt after the wild game which then abounded in this wilderness region. 
 He relates having killed twelve moose in this county in one winter, and 
 has always taken the liveliest interest in trapping and hunting. His avo- 
 cation in life has been that of a farmer, and he is still able to attend to 
 
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476 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 the affairs of his small farm, having each summer a garden noted for its 
 well kept appearance and productiveness. Always a strong Democrat 
 in political convictions, he has made it a point to cast his vote at every 
 presidential election since that of President Jackson, failing only twice 
 in all that time to be present at the polls. He passed a happy wedded 
 life of fifty years, Mrs. Brown having died fourteen years ago. His 
 present home is cared for by his eldest daughter, Mary, a maiden lady, 
 and their home is venerated by the whole community. 
 
 Fish House has not grown as fast as other villages in the county, and 
 this may be accounted for by the fact that its inhabitants have mostly 
 been wealthy, conservative people, with a love for their stately country 
 seats, and no desire to see their beautiful farms and gardens laid out 
 into building lots. It is a place distinctly noted for its pleasant and 
 substantial homesteads. 
 
 The post-office was established at an early date. Stephen B. Jackson 
 became postmaster in i860 and continued as such during President 
 Lincoln's administration. Robert Humphrey, the present postmaster, 
 was appointed in 1865 and held the office continuously until 1884, when 
 the Cleveland administration came into power. James H. Smith was 
 then appointed and held the position four years. When his term ex- 
 pired Mr. Humphrey was reappointed and has retained the office ever 
 since. The mail is received by way of Cranberry Creek once a day. 
 
 There are at present two general stores at Fish House; one kept by 
 Robert Humphrey, the other by James H. Smith. There are two 
 hotels, both occupying historic sites. The Fish House hotel was built 
 very early in the century, as is indicated by the massive pine timbers 
 used in its construction. It was built by John Fay and was intended 
 to be used as a residence, but subsequently became a tavern, for which 
 purpose it has since been used. Clarence L. Deuel, the present pro- 
 prietor, has conducted the house during the past four years. Among 
 those who have acted as hosts of this ancient inn the following names 
 are recalled : Cyrus Martin, Abram Van Denburg, Amasa Shippee, 
 Edward Pearl, Ephraim A. Duel, George O. Chamberlain, John Dunn, 
 a man named Cundy, James Leroy, Charles Osborn, Henry Eglin, 
 Hiram Osborn, and Joseph Benedict. Directly across the way is the 
 Osborn House, which occupies the site of the first brick building erected 
 
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TOWN OF NORTHAMPTON. 477 
 
 in the town of Northampton. It was a store built by John Fay about 
 1809 ^nd stood there for nearly eighty years. It was torn down in the 
 fall of 1887 and replaced by the present commodious hotel, built and 
 conducted by Hiram Osborn. 
 
 Before dismissing the subject of the early history of Fish House, it 
 seems fitting to quote briefly from the "Trappers of New York," a vol- 
 ume published by Jeptha Simms, in 1850, in which he speaks of the 
 village as follows : "Traversing the forest in the French war from Ti- 
 conderoga to Fort Johnson, his then residence, no doubt made Sir Wil- 
 liam Johnson familiar with the make of the country adjoining the 
 Sacandaga river ; and soon after the close of that war he erected a lodge 
 for his convenience while hunting and fishing, on the south side of the 
 river, nearly eighteen miles from his own dwelling. The lodge was 
 ever after called the Fish House. It was an oblong square frame build- 
 ing, with two rooms below, and walls sufficiently high (one and a half 
 stories) to have afforded pleasant chambers. Its site was on a knoll 
 within the present garden of Dr. Langdon I. Marvin, and about thirty 
 ro4s from the river. It fronted the south. Only one room in the 
 building was ever finished ; that was in the west end, and had a chimney 
 and fireplace. The house was never painted, and in the Revolution it 
 was burnt down ; but by whom or whose authority is unknown. The 
 ground from where the building stood slopes very prettily to the river. 
 No visible trace of the building remains. • * =^ 
 
 "About the Fish House Sir William Johnson reserved one hundred 
 acres of land, which was confiscated, with his son's estate, in the Revo- 
 lution. When sold by the sequestrating committee, it was purchased 
 by Major Nicholas Fish (he was adjutant-general of militia after the war) 
 for one hundred pounds. Major Fish sold it at the close of the war to 
 Asahel Parker, of Shaftesbury, Vermont, who resided several years upon 
 it. He built a dwelling upon the low ground, a few rods from the mouth 
 of Vlaie creek, and the following spring he was driven out of it by some 
 four feet of water. Traces of this building are still to be seen west of 
 the road, just above the river bridge. Parker sold the Fish House farm 
 to Alexander St. John. The village has since been built upon it." 
 
 The Presbyterian Church at Fish House is the oldest one in the place, 
 and was undoubtedly the first religious society organized within the 
 
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478 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 present limits of the town, in which for many years there was no other 
 Presbyterian Church. Among the early deacons of this society was 
 Samuel Duncan, who took a prominent part in organizing a Presby- 
 terian society at Northville in 1849. The present church edifice is a 
 handsome brick structure, occupying a sightly position near the centre 
 of the village. Among the ministers who have officiated in this church 
 may be mentioned H. L. Hoyt, who held the pastorate in 1877. ^^ 
 was followed by Joseph Thyne who served the congregation faithfully 
 from 1878 until 1883, and was succeeded by A. V. S. Wallace. Mr. 
 Wallace remained with the society two years, relinquishing his charge 
 in 1885 to George K. Frasier, who remained until 1888. During a part 
 of 1888 and 1889 Murray Gardner and William E. Renshaw occupied 
 the pulpit, each remaining six months. The latter was succeeded by- 
 William H. Hudnut, who remained until July, 1890, at which time the 
 present pastor, John G. Lovell, was installed. The church has a mem- 
 bership of sixty- one with a Sunday-school of fifty scholars. J. H. Smith 
 is the superintendent. The present officers are : Elders, William M. 
 Stark, Darius S. Orton, A. V. Beecher, J. H. Smith ; trustees, Darius S. 
 Orton, William M. Stark, Jerome Closson, James F. Beecher, William 
 Rhodes, W. B. Jones, Myron Darling, David Fay, J. H. Smith ; clerk, 
 William Rhodes. 
 
 The Methodist Episcopal Church of Northampton, located at Fish 
 House, was organized in 1859, with about fifteen members, under the 
 pastoral charge of Rev. Mr. Quinlan. Steps were soon taken to build 
 a house of worship, and during the following year it was completed, be- 
 ing built of wood 35 by 50 feet in area, the lot upon which it stood 
 having been given to the society by William Slocum and wife. The 
 total cost was $2,000, but since then sheds have been erected, making 
 the value of the church property at present about $2,500. The dedi- 
 cation took place in the fall of i860, the services being in charge of Rev. 
 Samud Meredith, presiding elder of the district, assisted by Rev. Sam- 
 uel McKean and Rev. Hannibal Smith. The Sunday-school was or- 
 ganized in 1 86 1, with about thirty scholars and Henry W. Slocum as 
 superintendent. The following ministers have officiated in this charge : 
 John W. Quinlan, Robert Patterson, Gilbert Ward, Henry Mortimer 
 Munsee, Sherman M. Williams, Henry W. Slocum, Messrs. SteWart 
 
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TOWN OF NORTHAMPTON. 479 
 
 Butcher, and Armstrong, Edwin Genge, Frank R. Sherwood, Jesse 
 Brown, Hannibal H. Smith, Charles E Green, Joel Hall, Jesse Brown, 
 second appointment ; William Trevor, R. W. C. Zeihmn, Joel H. Lin- 
 coln, and the present pastor who came to the society in April, 1891. 
 The stewards of the church are Robert Humphrey, J. C. Buell, May- 
 land Van Deusen, and Ezra Vanderhoof. Mayland Van Deusen is also 
 superintendent of the Sunday-school. 
 
 Golden Rule Lodge, No. 384 F. and A. M., was organized at North- 
 ville, December 25, 1823, and worked under dispensation until June i, 
 1827, when it received a charter. The first officers were: Nathan B. 
 Lobdell, W. M. ; Samuel Duncan, S. W. ; Simon Van Arnam, J. W. ; 
 William Parmenter, treasurer ; Daniel R. Potter, secretary ; and A. 
 Hawley, tyler. Other members at that time were Thomas H. Brown, 
 Hiram Lewis, Morgan Lewis, Samuel Dorrance, Thomas Eglin, Eben- 
 ezer F. Gifford, F. Van Steenburgh, Samuel L. Dorrance, R. Merril, 
 L. Copeland, E. Oakley, Simon Walker, Joseph Spier, John Sherwood, 
 Caleb R. Nichols, J. Corey, J. L. Graves, J. R. Mitchell, W. Hamilton, 
 Samuel Riddle, Samuel W. Groat, Timothy Spier, and Reuben Slocum. 
 The lodge continued to hold communication in the house of Daniel R. 
 Potter, which stood on the site afterwards occupied by W. F. Barker's 
 store. As a result of the anti-masonic feeling created by the disappear- 
 ance of Morgan, the lodge suspended labor April 28, 1830, and did not 
 receive a new charter until June 1 1, 1853, when it was removed to Fish 
 House, and the name changed to Fish House Lodge, No. 298, with the 
 following officers : Henry W. Spencer, W. M. ; Isaac Elithorpe, S. W. ; 
 and James Partridge, J. W. Among the past masters of the present 
 lodge were Langdon I. Marvin, Harvey D. Smith, George Van Slyke, 
 A. Newcomb Van Arnam, Sands C. Benedict, Cyrus Sumner, Darius 
 S. Orton, A. Burr Beecher, Harry C. Thorne, and Seymour F. Partridge. 
 Unfortunately the records of this lodge were burned in 1866, while 
 temporarily stored during the building of a new Masonic hall. The 
 present building is conveniently situated in the village on the east side 
 of the road leading to Northville and is owned by the lodge. The pres- 
 ent officers are ; Seymour F. Partridge,^ W. M. ; Charles L. Ackley, S. 
 W. ; James R. Van Ness, J. W. ; Adolph Robitshek, treasurer ; Darius 
 S. Orton, secretary ; M. K. Waite, S. D. ; John C. Berry, J. D. ; J. W. 
 
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480 H1S20RY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 Bogart, S. M. C. ; Eugene M. Wetlierbee, J. M. C. ; Rev. J. C. Russum, 
 chaplain ; Gardner Winney, marshal ; A. Burr Beecher, organist ; Tru- 
 man Partridge, tyler. The finance committee is composed of E. A. 
 Tanner, J. W. Bogart and Robert Humphrey; the trustees are Robert 
 Humphrey, H. A. Partridge, and B. A. King. 
 
 Sacandaga Chapter, No. 116, R. A. M., received its charter February 
 9, 1826, and was located at Northville. During the prevalence of the 
 Morgan excitement it suspended labor and was not rechartered until 
 February 24, 1853, when in company with the lodge it was removed to 
 Fish House. After reorganization Nathan B. Lobdell held the office of 
 H. P. ; Samuel Duncan was king and Ely Beecher scribe, retaining their 
 positions until December 14, 1853. The present officers are: Darius 
 S. Orton, M. E. H. P. ; Thomas H. Brown (the oldest mason in the 
 county), E. K. ; D. W. Partridge, E. S. ; H. A. Partridge, treasurer ; 
 James H. Smith, secretary; E. A. Tanner, C. H. ; C. S.- Tanner, P. S. ; 
 J. W. Olmstead, R. A. C. ; P. W. Persons, M. 3d V. ; Marion H. Frasier, 
 M. 2d V. ; C. M. Sumner, M. ist V. ; Rev. J. H. Lincoln, chaplain ; A. 
 B. Beecher, organist; Truman Partridge, tyler. The finance committee 
 consists of Lewis Brownell, John B. Cook, and A. J. Smith ; the trus- 
 tees are : H. A. Partridge, Marion H. Frasier, and C. M. Sumner. 
 
 Osborn's Bridge, or Denton's Corners, two names applied to a small 
 village situated on the right bank of the Sacandaga river, about half 
 ■way between Northville and Fish House, was settled shortly after the 
 war of the revolution. The names of the earliest settlers in this local- 
 ity have been noted in preceding pages of this work. Among those 
 who located there early in the present century were two men named 
 Osborn and Denton. It appears that both displayed an inclination to 
 perpetuate their family names by attaching them to fhe little settlement. 
 Denton lived at the road-crossing about half a mile from the bridge 
 across the Sacandaga, and the cluster of houses in his neighborhood 
 received the name of Denton's Corners, while Osborn secured distinc- 
 tion by naming the bridge after himself. Upon the establishment of a 
 post-office at this place the name Osborn's Bridge was selected, but the 
 village is widely known as Denton's Corners. Denton and Elihu Cole- 
 man were the owners of the first frame houses in or near the village. 
 
 The Methodist Episcopal church of Denton's Corners was first organ- 
 ized as a class or society about sixty-five years ago. Services are held 
 
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TOWN OF NORTHAMPTON. 481 
 
 in a wooden church building, conveniently situated near the " Corners." 
 It is included in the Northampton charge, of which W. S. Taylor is the 
 present officiating clergyman. 
 
 Cranberry Creek, so called from a stream by the same name upon 
 which it is situated, is a small village located close to the west line 'of 
 the town. It is a station on the F., J. and G. Railroad, and connection 
 is made there by stage for Osborn's Bridge and Northampton village. 
 M. A. Gilbert is station agent for the railroad company, a position he 
 has held for the past twelve years. A. G. Kiltz is the postmaster. The 
 village also contains two churches, the Christian and the Methodist 
 Episcopal; a store, a school-house, and twenty-five or thirty dwellings. 
 
 The Christian church at Cranberry Creek was organized in Septem- 
 ber, 1822. Elder Jacob Capron held services there for one year, com- 
 mencing in the autumn of 1820. He was followed by Elder Jabez 
 ICing, who conducted services a year and until the time of organization. 
 Thomas R. Tanner and Samuel Spaulding were the first deacons, and 
 the former was chosen clerk of the society. Meetings were held at 
 different places during a period of twenty years. The present church 
 edifice was built in 1845, the money being raised by subscription. The 
 total cost was about $1,000. Up to 1840 eighty-three persons had 
 enrolled their names as members of this society. Among the ministers 
 who have officiated at this church are Rev. Messrs. Capron, King, An- 
 drews, Haight, Haywood, Coffin, Evans, Bowdish, Teal, Warner, and 
 Pratt. The present pastor is Charles Mace. The trustees are John 
 Reynolds, E. R. Armstrong, and Wilbur Wilson ; clerk, J. E. Kiltz. 
 
 The Methodist Episcopal church has been recently organized at this 
 place, and is under the Northampton charge, W. S. Taylor, pastor. 
 
 Town Oncers. — The following lists comprise the names of super- 
 visors, town clerks and justices of the peace of Northampton, from the 
 first town meeting, held May 24, 1799, to the present time : 
 
 Supervisors. — 1799-1803, Alexander St. John ; 1804-5, John Nash ; 
 ^1806, Abram Van Arnam ; 1807-13, John Fay; 1814-22, Joseph 
 Spier; 1823-36, Nathaniel Westcott ; 1837-41, John Patterson ; 1842 
 -43, Nathan B. Lobdell ; 1844-5, Abram H. Van Arnam; 1846-7, 
 William Slocum ; 1848-9, Cyrus Stone; 1850-1, Fay Smith ; 1852, 
 William A. Smith; 1853-4, William Slocum; 1855-6, Morgan Lewis; 
 61 
 
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482 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 1857-8, Seth Cook; 1859-60, William F. Barker; 1861-2, H. D. 
 Smith; 1863-4, Gilbert Lefevre ; 1865-6, H. D.Smith; 1867-8, A. 
 Newcomb Van Arnam ; 1869-72, Thomas H. Rooney ; 1873-75. A. 
 Newcomb Van Arnam; 1776, George M. Gifford ; 1877-8, Robert 
 Humphrey; 1879-80. John McKnight ; 1881-2, James H. Smith; 
 1883-5, George E. Van Arnam; 1886-8, Albert J. Smith; 1889-90, 
 George N, Brown ; 1 89 1, John A. Cole. 
 
 Town Clerks. — 1800-3, John Dennison ; 1804-5, Abram Van Ar- 
 nam ; 1806. J. A. Van Arnam ; 1807, Daniel Brownell ; 1808-9, Jacob 
 Van Arnam; 1810-12, James Lobdell ; 1813, Wilham Hammond; 
 1 8 14-15, Godfrey T. Shew; 1816-20, Nathaniel Wescot; 1821, Abram 
 Van Arnam, jr.; 1822-8, Joseph F. Spier ; 1829-30, C. S. Grinnell ; 
 1831-3, Flavel B. Sprague ; 1834-5. John Patterson ; 1836-7, Wright 
 Newton; 1838, William H. Van Ness; 1839-40, Seth Cook; 1841, 
 D. R. Smith ; 1842-3, M. W. Newton ; 1844, Peter D. Gifford ; 1845- 
 46, Harvey D. Smith; 1847-8, Benjamin Smith; 1849, William H. 
 Van Ness; 1850-1, Seth Cook ; 1852, John W. Cook; 1853-4, Mor- 
 gan Lewis; 1855, Joseph M. Gifford; 1856-7, H. D. Smith ; 1858-9, 
 
 A. J. Smith; i860, S. B. Benton; 1861, Charles A. Baker; 1862-3, 
 John W. Cook; 1864. J. H. Smith; 1865, A. Pulling; 1866, B. N. 
 Lobdell ; 1867-8, Augustus Pulling ; 1869-70, P. Conkling; 1871, Ru- 
 fus P. Gifford ; 1872, Amos H. Van Arnam ; 1873, Theodore Scribner ; 
 
 1874, Harry C. Thome; 1875, Jonathan Baker; 1876, George N. 
 
 Brown; 1877-8, George E. Van Arnam ; 1879-80, Milo K. Waite; 
 
 1881-3, E. L. Deming; 1884, Albert J. Smith ; 1885-90, Joseph N. 
 
 Mead; 1891, Fred N. Benton. 
 
 Justices of the Peace.^ — 1830, Nathaniel Wescot; 183 1, Andrew 
 Chambers; 1832, Samuel Duncan; 1833, Flavel B. Sprague; 1834, 
 Nathaniel Wescot ; 1835, Abram Dedrick; 1836, Morgan Lewis, Sam- 
 uel Cale; 1837, Andrew Chambers; 1838, Thaddius St. John, Flavel 
 
 B. Sprague; 1839, Flavel B. Sprague, Harmon Seymour; 1840, Mor- 
 gan Lewis; 1841, Joseph M. Gifford ; 1842, David R. Smith; 1843,. 
 Charles A. Baker, Alva Wood; I844, Morgan Lewis; 1845, Joseph 
 M. Gifford; 1846, Alva Wood ; 1847, Charles A. Baker; 1848, Mor- 
 gan Lewis; 1849, Alfred N. Haner; 1850, George Pease; 185 1, Mar- 
 
 1 The records do not show any. justices to have been elected prior to 1830. 
 
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TOWN OF BROADALBIN. 485 
 
 tinFurkham; 1852, William E. Spier ; 1853, Alfred N. Haner, Nathan 
 B. Lobdell, SethCook; 1854, George Pease ; 1855, Seth Cook; 1856, 
 Nathan B. Lobdell, Caleb W. Slocum ; 1857, Caleb W. Slocum ; 1858, 
 George Pease ; 1859, Seth Cook; i860, Morgan Lewis; 1861, Lock- 
 wood Spalding; 1862, George Pease; 1867, Seth Cook; 1868, Mor- 
 gan Lewis; 1869, Joseph M. Gififord, Royal Shuts; 1870, George Pease ; 
 1871, Arnold P. Partridge, H. D. Smith; 1872, John McKnight; 1873, 
 George M. Gifford ; 1874, H. D. Smith, Clark S. Tanner; 1875, Clark 
 S. Tanner; 1876, William Coppernoll ; 1877, Nathaniel Hinkley; 1878, 
 John H. Hinkley ; 1879, Clark S. Tanner ; 1880, John W. Brown ; 1 88 1 , 
 N. Hinkley; 1882, PZzra Vanderhoof; 1883, Clark S. Tanner ; 1884, 
 John W. Brown ; 1885, Nathaniel Hinkley; 1886, Willis JHayden, Ed- 
 gar L. Deming; 1887, Clark S. Tanner; 1888, John W. Brown, John 
 McKnight; 1889, John Patterson, William M.Stark; 1890, William 
 M. Stark; 1 891, Fay Duncan. 
 
 The town officers for 1892 are as follows : Supervisor, George E. Van 
 Arnani ; town clerk, Clarence P. Willard ; justices of the peace, John 
 Patterson, William M. Stark, John W. Brown, Fay Duncan ; assessors, 
 Charles Palmateer, Z. C. Ford, George M. Gifford ; commissioner of 
 highways, William H. Miller; collector, Chase Chapman. 
 
 CHAPTER XXni. 
 TOWN OF BROADALBIN. 
 
 THIS is the central town on the east border of the county. As 
 originally organized it contained a portion of the present town of 
 Northampton, which bounds it on the north, and a portion of Perth, 
 which forms its southern boundary. The town is bounded on the east 
 by Saratoga county and on the west by the town of Mayfield. The 
 surface of the town is rolling, with scarcely any high hills, and the land 
 is mostly adapted to cultivation. It is not distinctively a rich farming 
 town, however, the soil partaking largely of the drift formation of sand. 
 
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484 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 In an agricultural way the farmers have devoted themselves to the 
 raising of oats and hay, while perhaps the greater portion of their fami- 
 lies are engaged to a certain extent in making gloves and mittens. The 
 "Sacandaga vlaie," a marshy tract of land containing about 12,000 
 acres of alluvial soil, extends into the northern portion of the town, 
 and as this territory is overflowed by water every spring, it is of little 
 agricultural value. During extremely dry seasons, however, farmers 
 are enabled to cut a species of coarse grass that grows there, and which 
 makes an inferior quality of hay. 
 
 The town is intersected by several rapid streams. Kennyetto creek, 
 sometimes called the " Little Sacandaga," has its source in Greenfield, 
 Saratoga county, and after flowing in a westerly direction through 
 Broadalbin and into the town of Mayfield, it turns gradually to the 
 northeast and, forming the Vlaie creek by a confluence with Mayfield 
 creek, empties into the Sacandaga river at Fish House, scarcely more 
 than three miles from its source. From this peculiar characteristic the 
 stream received the name " Kennyetto," which is of aboriginal origin, 
 and in the language of the Mohawks is said to mean " snake trying to 
 swallow its tail." Chuctenunda creek flows through the southeast cor- 
 ner of the town and Mayfield creek through the northwest corner. 
 Frenchman's creek flows northwest across the northern portion of the 
 town and empties into Kennyetto creek about a mile south of the 
 Northampton line. A pioneer Frenchman, named Joseph De Golyer, 
 located on this creek when the country was a wilderness, and the stream 
 has since been called " Frenchman's Creek." Another stream with a 
 singularly odd and historic name is Hons' creek, which also flows across 
 the northern portion of the town. The naming of this creek is as- 
 cribed to an incident that happened during a fishing excursion of Sir 
 William Johnson. Simms, in his "Trappers of New York," gives the 
 following description of the circumstance : 
 
 " Sir William Johnson and John Conyne were fishing for trout in the 
 mouth of this stream, when, as Conyne was standing up, an unexpected 
 lurch of the boat sent him floundering in the water. He shipped a sea 
 or two, as the sailor would say, before he was rescued by his compan- 
 ion from a watery grave. Sir William not only had a hearty laugh 
 over it then, but often afterwards when telling how Conyne plunged 
 
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TOWN OF BROADALBIN. 485 
 
 into the water to seek for trout. Hens being the Dutch for John, and 
 a familiar name by which Sir William called his companion in relating 
 the incident," the stream has ever since been called by that name. 
 
 Broadalbin was formerly a part of Caughnawaga, and was among the 
 first towns organized in the present county of Fulton. It was set apart 
 with Johnstown and Mayfield, March 12, 1793. The territory of which 
 it is composed is embraced in the Kayaderosseras, Sacandaga and Glen 
 patents, " the former of which was among the first grants by the Eng- 
 lish colonial government in this part of the state, having been issued to 
 Nanning Hermanse, and others, November 20, 1708." Later on sev- 
 eral thousand acres of the Kayaderosseras and Glen patents came into 
 the posession of Daniel Campbell, of Schenectady, who subsequently 
 divided it into small tracts, and prior to 1800 granted perpetual leases 
 to actual settlers for an annual rental according to the size of the farm 
 they occupied. 
 
 Early Settlers. — Henry Stoner was the first white man to locate with- 
 in the present limits of Broadalbin. He was a German and came to 
 this country about 1760, taking up his residence in New York city. He 
 subsequently went to Maryland and lived there for a time, coming to 
 this then wilderness with his family about 1770. He settled on the site 
 of the present village of Broadalbin and built a log cabin, the location 
 of which may yet be identified on a farm formerly owned by the late 
 Judge Weston. He married Catharine Barnes in Mayfield, and she 
 bore him two sons, Nicholas and John. The former was known far and 
 near as a sure shot with a rifle, and also a celebrated and successful 
 hunter and trapper, and with an inborn hatred for Indians. His name 
 has received a local fame from Simms' Frontier Tales of the Early Col- 
 onists. Henry Stoner removed to Johnstown in the summer of 1777 
 and enlisted in the American army, his two sons accompanying the reg- 
 iment as drummers. He spent the succeeding three years in active serv- 
 ice, and then, still zealous for the Hberty of his adopted land, he re- 
 enlisted for three months, at the end of which time he returned home. 
 It is related that in the summer of 1782 he was living on a farm near 
 Tribes Hill in Amsterdam, which locality was the scene of his untimely 
 death. While hoeing corn in a field one morning, he was silently ap- 
 proached by a small band of Indians who attacked him unawares, killed 
 
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486 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 and scalped him, and then plundered and burned his dwelling. Ac- 
 cording to Simms his death was avenged later on by his son Nicholas, 
 who killed the very Indian that committed the outrage while he was in 
 the act of boasting of the deed. Nicholas Stoner and N. D. Wilson, the 
 latter a prominent man in Gloversville, are descendants of this family. 
 
 •It was about the year 1773 when the next settler ventured into the 
 town. At that time Philip Helmer came in and located on land about 
 two miles east of the spot selected by Stoner. A short time prior to 
 the revolution the site of Broadalbin village became the nucleus of a few 
 settlers. Among them were Andrew Bowman, John Putnam, Herman 
 Salisbury, Charles Cady, Joseph Scott and Benjamin Deline. The 
 majority of these remained only a few years, as the settlement was re- 
 mote from other villages or places of refuge, and was exposed to scalp- 
 ing parties of Indians. The unsettled state of the country in conse- 
 quence of the opening of the war for liberty had much to do with the 
 removal of these pioneers, and in 1777 most of them removed to Johns- 
 town, only one or two families remaining in the locality. When the 
 independence of the American colonies was firmly established, how- 
 ever, and the danger of border warfare had passed away, settlers were 
 more venturesome and the pleasant rolling country north of the Mo- 
 hawk readily attracted the hardy New Englanders and also the Scotch 
 Highlanders, who subsequently settled the present towns of Perth and 
 Broadalbin. 
 
 About 1783, Samuel Demarest, a native of Holland, after living a 
 few years in Newark, N. J., came up the Hudson on a sloop and settled 
 in Broadalbin on lot No. 14, of subdivision No. 3, of the 21st allot- 
 ment of the Kayaderosseras patent. He was a soldier m the revolu- 
 tionary war and is believed to have kept the first hotel in the town- 
 He had three sons, Daniel, Samuel and Nicholas, and several daughters. 
 
 Shortly after him came Alexander Murray from Scotland, and located 
 in Broadalbin village. He was the first town clerk of Broadalbin and 
 held the office for many" years. William Chalmers located on what is 
 known as the Dyer Thompson farm in 1789. Ezra Wilson secured a 
 perpetual lease of 100 acres of land from Daniel Campbell of Schenec- 
 tady, September 7, 1792, and located on lot No. 5, in the subdivisioa 
 of lot No. 4, in the 21st allotment of the Kayaderosseras patent. Abra- 
 
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TOWN OF BROADALBIN. 487 
 
 ham Manchester, from Rhode Island, settled soon after on a farm two 
 miles east of Broadalbin village, now occupied by his son Abraham. 
 Among others who obtained leases and settled on portions of the Kaya- 
 derosseras and Glen patents about the year 1795 were John Blair, Ben- 
 jamin Earl, Ezekiel Olmstead, Nathaniel and Neil Pearse, Walter C. 
 Rathbone, J. Campbell, W. Demarest and William Stewart. 
 
 In 1796 Nathan Brockway, of Rhode Island, where he was born in 
 1764, removed with his family from Bridgeport, Conn.,4o Broadalbin. 
 His wife displayed heroic courage in accomplishing the entire journey 
 on horseback carrying an infant daughter in her arms. Brockway located 
 on " the ridge," about a mile and a half west of Hawley's Corners, 
 where he remained until his death in 1844. The place is now known 
 as "the old Babcock farm." 
 
 Richard Van Vranken was another early settler, coming from Schenec- 
 tady in 1798 and settling three-fourths of a mile east of Broadalbin 
 village. In 1799 John Roberts came from Connecticut and located in 
 the same neighborhood. 
 
 During the closing years of the last century the town had become 
 the centre of quite an active community, its boundaries had been estab- 
 lished, a name chosen, town officers elected and much of the original 
 forest cleared away. 
 
 In the fall of 1799 Reuben Burr came to Broadalbin from Litchfield, 
 Conn., performing the journey with an ox and a cow yoked together, 
 and bringing his family and household effects. The most important of 
 these was a loom and a chest filled with crockery and bedding. A 
 primitive log cabin without a roof, located between Broadalbin and 
 Mayfield, first served him as a place of abode, but he was not long in 
 roofing the rude house with poles, covered with bark and brush. The 
 next year he located on a farm recently known as the Isaac Mariam 
 place, now occupied by Reuben Phillips, about one mile east of Broad- 
 albin village. Burr died in August, 1859, having remained a resident 
 of the town until the time of his death. His son, Allen Burr, born in 
 June, 1801, became prominent in the affairs of the town, and had a 
 wide and enviable acquaintance. He held the office of justice of the 
 peace sixteen years, and was eight years postmaster during the admin- 
 istration of Andrew Jackson. He died May 3, 1879. His children 
 
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488 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTS. 
 
 now living are James and Samuel Burr, of Broadalbin ; C. H. Burr, of 
 Coldwater, Mich., and Emiline, who married Stewart Lansing, and 
 lives about one mile north of Broadalbin village. 
 
 James Sumner, a tanner and currier, came from Vermont prior to 
 1800 and located on the farm known as the Deacon Teller place. He 
 built the first tannery in the town , about 1805. It stood about two 
 miles northeast of the village of Broadalbin. He afterwards moved to 
 the western part of the state, where he died. About 1800 a store was 
 kept by Nicholas Van Vranken one mile east of the village. 
 
 Duncan McMartin, a man who achieved great prominence as a sur- 
 veyor and also lawyer and jurist, and who had the. respect and esteem 
 of the entire community, came to Broadalbin as early as 18 10 and 
 located on what has since been known as the Spencer farm near North 
 Broadalbin. There he built a grist-mill and saw-mill, and became a 
 man of wealth and influence. He was a master in chancery; was ap- 
 pointed a judge of the Court of Common Pleas in 1813, and afterwards 
 was elected State Senator. He was instrumental in forming a stock 
 company in 1813 to erect and conduct a woolen factory on his place. 
 The directors of the company were Duncan McMartin, Tiffany Brock- 
 way, James Sumner, John Fay, and John E. Hawley. They carried on 
 the manufacture of woolen goods for several years, until at the close of 
 the war of 18 12, the general depression of prices caused an unexpected 
 reduction in the price of their product, and the enterprise was tem- 
 porarily abandoned. The directors, on whose hands the responsibility 
 for the debts had fallen, succeeded after a time in canceling their obli- 
 gations and renewed the enterprise. Later on the property came 
 into the hands of John Culbert and Thomas Reddish, who oper- 
 ated the mill with much success for a number of years. After the death 
 of Thomas Reddish, his two sons, John and Daniel M , conducted the 
 business and since the death of the former, although the property is 
 still owned by Daniel M. Reddish (a highly respected resident of North 
 Broadalbin) the mill is leased and operated by outside parties. 
 
 Paul Earl came to Broadalbin about 1 800. He was a native of Rhode 
 Island and located on a farm near Mill's Corners in the eastern part of 
 the town. His son, Stephen Earl, was born in 18 12 and was one of its 
 respected residents; his death occurred in September, 1869. Stephen's- 
 
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TOWN OF BROADALBIN. 489 
 
 fourth son, Melvin Earl, is the present proprietor of "Earl's Hotel," in 
 Broadalbin village, a house well known to the traveling public. 
 
 Notes from. Town Records. — The first town meeting was held in 1793, 
 but for some reason not apparent, the proceedings were deemed illegal 
 and a second meeting was held at the house of Daniel Mclntyre, Tues- 
 day, April. I, 1794, at which time a full board of town officers was 
 elected. 
 
 Peter V. Veeder, Daniel Mclntyre and Alexander Murray, as com- 
 missioners of excise for the town of Broadalbin granted licenses for 
 " keeping inns or taverns " for the year 1794 at the rate of £2 each to 
 the following named persons : Willett Clark, Jeremiah Olmstead, James 
 Lowry, Calvin Young, Samuel Demarest, Joshua Briggs, Samuel Sears, 
 James Kennedy, Aaron Olmstead, Alexander Murray, Daniel Mcln- 
 tyre, sr., David Joslin, Thomas Foster, Peter Hubbell, Daniel Mcln- 
 tyre, jr., and Peter V. Veeder. 
 
 John McNeil, Henry Van Dalsem and James Kennedy were chosen, 
 April 7, 1795, to take the census for the town. 
 
 The following unique inscription is found in the town records for the 
 year 1797 : 
 
 "N. B. Peter V. Veeder, Esq., requested it might be Observed and 
 reported by the committee that he had paid out as overseer of the poor. 
 Forty- three pounds Ten shillings, which brings the Town indebted to 
 him three pounds, fifteen shillings and seven pence. Upon further ex- 
 amination of the books of Peter V. Veeder, Esqr, as poormaster, we 
 do find the accompts to be regular and that their is due to the said 
 Peter V. Veeder from the Town the sum of Three pounds. Fifteen shill- 
 ings as above noted, and do report and submit the same as the commit- 
 tee aforesaid. 
 
 "James Ford, 
 
 "Nathl Perkins." 
 "April 26, 1797." 
 
 In 1798 Daniel McDonald and Elijah Sheldon, two of the commis- 
 sioners of highways, made a division of the town into eighteen road 
 districts, a description of each of which is entered in the town record 
 of that year. In 1799 seven additional districts were added by Elijah 
 Sheldon, Henry Banta, and Benjamin Shepherd. 
 
 62 
 
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490 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 At the annual town meeting in 1803 it was voted' among other things, 
 that " all persons whatsoever (the inhabitants of Broadalbin, North- 
 ampton and Mayfield excepted) shall be prohibited from driving or 
 turning horses or cattle on the fly or commons of Broadalbin, under the 
 penalty of two dollars for each head so turned on the said commons. 
 One-half to the person who shall prosecute the same to effect and the 
 other half for the improvement of highways in said-town." 
 
 It was voted at the town meeting in 18 13 " that no cattle or horses 
 be allowed to run at large around stores, taverns or mills from the first 
 day of November to the first day of May on the penalty of one dollar a 
 head for each offence." 
 
 A careful inspection of the record does not disclose the occurrence of 
 any startling or extraordinary events in the history of the town. 
 
 A historic spot within the limits of Broadalbin is Summer House 
 Point. It is situated on the Sacandaga vlaie near its western end. It 
 consists of an elevated knoll of solid ground, oblong in shape, with a 
 perfectly level summit 60D feet long by 150 wide and gently sloping on 
 all sides. A narrow strip of arable ground connects the knoll with the 
 main land, and during high water this strip is entirely covered, thus 
 making an island of the point. The following description of Sir William 
 Johnson's summer house, which occupied the very centre of this knoll, 
 is given by a recent writer: "As early as 1761 he erected an elegant 
 one-story summer villa, conferring upon it the name of 'Castle Cum- 
 berland,' in honor of the vanquisher of the Pretender, To this spot he 
 afterward opened a carriage road from Johnstown. Here he placed a 
 pair of his slaves, who cultivated a garden, dug a well, set out fruit trees, 
 and made many other improvements ; and here Sir William spent much 
 of his time in summer, until his death. In the early part of the Revo- 
 lution Castle Cumberland was fortified, under the impression that the 
 enemy from the North might possibly attack that point by water. Part 
 of a regiment of troops under Colonel Nicholson, was stationed here 
 most of the summer of 1776. An intrenchment, six feet wide and sev- 
 eral feet deep, was cut across the eastern end of the point. At the end 
 of the summer it was abandoned as a military post. In 1781 the sum- 
 mer house was burned, probably by some of the emissaries of Sir John 
 Johnson, who, abandoning all hope of ever repossessing it, resolved 
 
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TOWN OF BROADALBIN. 491 
 
 upon its destruction. This spot has ever since been called Summer 
 House Point, but no traces of the castle remain. 
 
 " On the 15th of June, 1876, a grand centennial celebration was 
 held on the point, at which a large multitude of people participated. 
 An oration was delivered by the late R. H. Rosa, of Broadalbin. Din- 
 ner was served ; an address was delivered by Rev. Mr. Moody, of Troy, 
 followed by an allegorical representation of the last council of Sir 
 William with the chiefs of the Six Nations. A large collection of ancient 
 and revolutionary relics was also displayed." 
 
 Indian arrow heads are now frequently found in the neighborhood of 
 the point. 
 
 Villages. — Situated on both sides of Kennyetto creek at a point 
 where it enters the town of Mayfield, is the village of Broadalbin. To 
 a traveler approaching the place from the west, immediately after leav- 
 ing the village cemetery, on the hill, the town presents a striking appear- 
 ance, spreading as it docs, east and west along an almost level plain, 
 and the view unobstructed by trees or buildings. It might properly 
 by called a village of the plain, as almost every house and church-spire 
 can be seen at a considerable distance. The site of the village is the 
 earliest settled locality in the town. It is said that the name " Kenny- 
 etto " was given to the little settlement by the few scattering families 
 who located there prior to the Revolution. Of course when these families 
 abandoned their primitive homes at the outbreak of the war, the place 
 lost its early title and there was no necessity for another name until 
 the arrival of the Scotch and New England settlers. Prior to the Rev- 
 olution Major Jelles Fonda secured a title to several hundred acres of 
 land upon a section of which the village now stands. This land was 
 densely wooded at the time and as the word " bush" is a Scotch 
 synonym for " woods," the village became generally known as " Fon- 
 da's Bush," a name which is still used exclusively by some of the older 
 inhabitants. In deference to the wishes of the Scotch people, who loved 
 the names of their native heath, the post-office established about 1804, 
 was named Broadalbin. This name was originally given to the town 
 by Daniel Mclntyre, a native of Broadalbin, Scotland, who settled near 
 what is now Perth Centre, at an early day. In 181 5 the Dutch, who 
 had settled in this localty to a certain extent, made a successful effort 
 
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492 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 to incorporate the village, and the place was given the name of Raw- 
 sonville, in honor of Dr. E. G. Rawson. The provisions of the charter 
 have never been acted upon and probably few persons in the village 
 are aware that it was ever incorporated. 
 
 Dr. Rawson, above mentioned, was the first physician to locate in the 
 place. He came from Connecticut about 1805 and lived in a house 
 built of slabs, for which he paid Nicholas Van Vranken, a carpenter, 
 the sum of $5. Van Vranken furnished all material and built the house. 
 It stood on the site of the brick building recently built and now occupied 
 by Frank Fuller as a furniture store. The doctor raised a family and 
 died about 1850. None of his children is now living in the community. 
 Dr. William Chambers was another early physician. He died about 
 the same time as Dr. Rawson. Dr. C. C. Joslin came to Broadalbin 
 from Schenectady in 1841. He is a native of Onondaga county and a 
 graduate of Union college. He practiced in Broadalbin until fourteen 
 or fifteen years ago and then went to Johnstown. Old age had now 
 placed him on the retiring list and he is passing the latter years of his 
 life quietly in the village. Among the living physicians who have an 
 extensive practice in and about the village, and have been prominently 
 connected with its interests and welfare are Dr. H. C. Finch and Dr. 
 Drury. Prominent among Broadalbin's living lawyers are Emmet 
 Blair, Fitzhugh Littlejohn and John M. Drury. Joshua Green and 
 Thomas Bicknal were the first persons to keep stores in the place and 
 Samuel Demarestand Alexander Murray kept taverns as early as 1793. 
 The first grist-mill in the town was built there in 1808 by a man named 
 Herring, who also built and conducted a saw-mill. 
 
 The village was on the line of the Amsterdam and Fish House plank 
 road, built in 1849, ^"cl which was afterwards extended to Northville. 
 This road was much used and accommodated a great amount of traffic 
 between the Mohawk and the northern country, but the building of the 
 Gloversville and Northville railroad in 1874 gave a new outlet and the 
 plank road was soon abandoned. 
 
 The Broadalbin Herald, an eight- page weekly paper, was started by 
 Rev. R. G. Adams, November 29, 1877. It is now edited by B. C. 
 Smith and printed at the office of the Weekly Intelligencer in Glovers- 
 ville. 
 
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TOWN OF BROADALBIN. 493 
 
 The village has a population of about 800, and although its growth 
 has been slow, its people have been mostly personsof substantial fortunes, 
 with a desire for healthful, quiet homes. It is a favorite location for 
 families of wealth living in the large cities who spend their summer 
 months in picturesque summer houses located in the village and do much 
 for its improvement generally. 
 
 The place is well supplied with stores and shops. Among these are 
 the drug stores of J. T. Bradford, Finch & Lee and G. W. Burr ; the 
 dry goods, clothing and general stores of Archibald Robertson, who 
 with A. H. Van Arnam succeeded to the business of J. L. Hagadorn 
 five years ago, but for the past three years Mr. Robertson has been 
 alone; J. P. Rosa, who began his present business in April, 1891, al- 
 though he had formerly been engaged in the hardware business at Vail's 
 Mills ; J. E. Lasher & Company ; the grocery of Nelson Burr, and the 
 harness store of VV. E. Halladay. W. H. Halladay came from Mont- 
 gomery county and established a harness shop in Broadalbin in 1844 
 and carried on the business until the time of his death. During the 
 last thirty years of his life he was associated with his son, W. E. Halla- 
 day. James Burr and Reuben Fox, whom he succeeded in business, 
 are among the prominent men who have kept store in Broadalbin. 
 Harry G. Hawley started a hardware store there more than fifty years 
 ago and the business is now carried on by his son, F. S. Hawley. 
 
 The present brick business block on the east side of North street was 
 built upon the site of a number of old wooden structures that were 
 burned in December, 1878. 
 
 The Broadalbin Knitting Company, whose extensive factory is lo- 
 cated near Kennyetto creek, has done a great deal towards furnishing 
 employment to the industrial classes of the village. A line of small 
 pipe has been laid from the mill to the centre of the village, which 
 furnishes the stores with a supply of water that is greatly appreciated 
 for street purposes during dry, dusty weather. The village has three 
 hotels, namely : the Osborne House, a large and handsome building, 
 located at the lower end of Main street, conducted by Wm. Osborne, 
 who caters to summer visitors; Earl's Hotel, a commodious and well- 
 known house, located on Main street in the centre of the village, con- 
 ducted by Melvin Earl ; and the American House, on the corner of 
 Main and North streets, kept by Thomas Fulton. 
 
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494 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 Among those who are manufacturing gloves in the village may be 
 mentioned Arthur Smith, who came to Broadalbin from Perth in 1840 
 and who has been making gloves on a limited scale for the past thirty- 
 years ; also the firm of Dye & Bartlett, on North street, who began 
 business about four years ago. 
 
 The post-office was established in Broadalbin about 1804, but little is 
 known of the early postmasters. The office was generally kept by one 
 of the merchants of the village, and was moved from one store to another 
 as might be required by the changes in the national administration. 
 Allen Burr was postmaster for a number of years prior to 1840. He 
 was succeeded by Alexander Van Ness. Laban S. Capron also had the 
 office at one time. Dr. C. C. JosHn held it from 1857 until 1861. 
 Arthur Smith was appointed April 17, 1861, and continued as post- 
 master until September 29, 1866, at which time Daniel O. Cleveland 
 received the appointment and held it until April 2, 1867. Arthur Smith 
 was then reappointed and held the office two years, resigning in favor 
 of Daniel O. Cleveland, May 14, 1869. Mr. Cleveland then held the 
 office until October i, 1874, when his son, J. W. Cleveland, took charge 
 of the post-office and retained the position until November 9, 1880. 
 Frank Fuller was then appointed, holding the office until September, 
 1882, when he was succeeded by Loren Sunderlin, who was postmaster 
 until June 22, 1885. David Blair received the appointment under the 
 Cleveland administration and held the office four years. Mr. Blair was 
 succeeded by the present postmaster, Archibald Robertson, who as- 
 sumed the duties of the office May 22, 1889. Through eastern and 
 western mails are received twice daily by way of Mayfield. 
 
 The project of a railroad from Mayfield to Broadalbin, to connect at 
 the former place with the trains of the F., J. & G. railroad, has been 
 more or less agitated during the past few months. A survey was made 
 early in April, 1892, by J. W. Cleveland, who asserts that a practical 
 line can be built, three and one-half miles in length, at a cost of about 
 $40,000. The plans have been submitted to the officials of the F., J. & 
 G. Company at Gloversville, who have promised to take speedy action 
 in the matter. 
 
 The Broadalbin Kennyetto Fire Company was incorporated by special 
 consent of the town board, at a meeting of that body held at the office 
 
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TOWN OF BROADALBIN. 495 
 
 of John M. Gardner, October 2, 1886. Its first officers were Leonard 
 S. Northrup, president ; J. P. Rosa, secretary ; George O. Dickinson, 
 treasurer, who, together with John E. Lasher, T. Delap Smith, Cor- 
 nelius Vanderwerker, W. E. Halladay, James A. Bemis, and Charles H. 
 Butler, form the board of trustees. A hose and engine-house was built 
 in 1887 at a cost of $419.04. The company have a hose cart and hand 
 engine which render good service in cases of fire. The present officers 
 of the fire company are William H. Dye, foreman ; C. P. Vanderwerker, 
 first assistant foreman ; James Drought, second assistant foreman ; El- 
 mer Bartlett, treasurer ; William O. Cleveland, secretary, and Charles 
 Van Vranken, assistant secretary. The present officers of the corpora- 
 tion are J. P. Rosa, president ; F. G. Fuller, secretary ; J. E. Lasher, 
 treasurer, who, with E. J. Greensleet, Charles Van Vranken, William J. 
 Kennedy, William Satterlee, Cornelius Vanderwerker, and William H. 
 Dye, form the board of trustees. 
 
 The Baptist Church of Broadalbin and May field. — The Baptists were 
 probably the first religious denomination to organize a society in the 
 present town of Broadalbin. As was the custom in those early times, 
 in the absence of any .stated house of worship, the services were held 
 wherever time and opportunity seemed most fitting. This was often at 
 the homes of the members and sometimes in barns and sheds. Noth- 
 ing definite is known of the meeting of this society prior to October 18, 
 1792, at which time a church organization was made, under the name 
 of " The Baptist Church of Mayfield and Broadalbin." The following 
 is taken from the records made at that time : 
 
 "Oct. i8th, 1792. 
 
 A Number of Members as Delligates from North Galloway Baptist 
 Church, being convened at the house of Caleb Wood sworth in Mayfield 
 together with Elder Butler and Br. french in a single capacity, form 
 into a council to hear the Request of a Number of Members in Jesus 
 Christ which is to Be feloshipt as a church in gospel order. Members 
 of Council Elder Butler, french Elder finch Samuel Halsted Lemuel 
 Cavil Stutson Benson, after gaining an acquaintance of the adoption 
 Gifts and qualification of the above said Members we Do feloship 
 you as a church in Gospel order. Joel Butler Md. Stutson Benson, 
 Clerk." 
 
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496 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 The names or the number of members is not known, but it is sup- 
 posed the greater share of them v/ere residents of this town. The first 
 deacons were Robert Ryan and Seth Pettit, chosen December 15, 1792. 
 The first additions to this church were made on January 5, 1793, when 
 Mrs. Rebecca Marsh and Mrs. Daniel Mory united. Rev. John Finch 
 who was then pastor of the First Baptist church of Providence, Saratoga 
 county, was the first to minister to this society, which he did as cir- 
 cumstances permitted. On December 15 the church voted "to give 
 Elder Finch five pounds in grain, meat, flax, wool, and cloth, and forty 
 shillings in work." Hezekiah Gorton was also one of the early minis- 
 ters. He was one of the first members of this church, and was licensed 
 to preach as early as 1795, for on January 2, 1796, the church agreed 
 to raise " eight pounds by the first day of June next" for his services. 
 He was ordained January 31, 1798, by a council consisting of delegates 
 from the Baptist churches of Galway, Providence and Stephentown, and 
 also Alex. McQueen, David Gorton, and Caleb Woodworth from this 
 church. 'In June, 1796, the church united with the Shaftsbury Asso- 
 ciation, the first delegates to which were Hezekiah Gorton and Con- 
 sider Fox. The number of members at that time was 33. In Septem- 
 ber, 1797, a meeting of the church and society was held at Fonda's 
 Bush, at which it was decided " to build a meeting-house." Alexander 
 McQueen and Nathan Brockway were appointed a building committee, 
 and the erection of a frame church edifice was soon after commenced in 
 the village. A report from Nathaniel Perkins, Alexander McQueen, 
 and Caleb Woodruff, trustees, shows that up to May 17, 1798, the sum 
 oi £261 I2S. 3d. had been expended on the structure. The building 
 was so far completed in the summer of 1798 that it was occupied for 
 worship, but eight years more elapsed before the temporary pulpit and 
 rude seats were replaced by permanent ones. 
 
 The Saratoga Baptist Association was formed from a part of the 
 Shaftsbury Association, August 8, 1804, by a convention of churches 
 held at Milton, and the Broadalbin church united with it August 21, 
 1805. 
 
 Elder Gorton, after his ordination, remained with and ministered reg- 
 ularly to the congregation, but did not assume the pastoral charge of 
 the church until January 3, 1 807, when he became the first regular pas- 
 
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TOWN OF BROADALBIN. 497- 
 
 tor, which relation he maintained until 18 13. He then removed to the 
 western part of the state, where he remained until his death. In Au- 
 gust, 1813, the church employed Rev. Jonathan Nichols as preacher, 
 retaining him about three years. He was an Arminian in faith, and 
 succeeded through his influence in causing the church to withdraw from 
 the Saratoga Association, June i, 1816, but upon the installation of his 
 successor, Rev. William Groom, in 18 18, the society reunited with that 
 body. 
 
 A new house of worship was begun January 24, 1833, about twenty 
 rods to the eastward of the first one, on land purchased by the society 
 from Dr. E. G. Rawson. It was a frame dwelling, 43 by 60 feet in size, 
 and was built by Elijah Roberts. On August 6 following the trus- 
 tees, Gideon Tabor, Chauncey C. Alvord, and Ephraim Wetherbee, ob- 
 tained leave from a Court of Chancery, held at Saratoga Springs, to 
 dispose of the old church property and apply the proceeds towards the 
 completion of the new building, which was finished and dedicated in 
 
 1835. 
 
 Elder Groom's pastorate continued until July 9, 1836, at which time 
 he resigned, but by request he remained as a supply until January i, 
 1837. After being released from this charge he retired to private life 
 and later on moved from the village. In 1873 he returned to his old 
 home in Broadalbin, where he died in the summer of 1876. Oa 
 February i, 1837, James Delany, a licentiate, came as a supply. 
 He was ordained and installed as pastor of this church January- 
 10, 1838, and was succeeded in June following by Rev. William B. 
 Curtis, of Norway, who remained until April, 1842. During his pastor- 
 ate of less than four years, 120 converts became members and received 
 baptism. This church adopted the revised constitution of the Sara- 
 toga Association February 15, 1 841. Rev. Lodowick Salisbury, of 
 West Winfield, assumed pastoral charge June 20, 1842, and was suc- 
 ceeded in September of the same year by Rev. G. C. Baldwin, of Ham- 
 ilton, who supplied the congregation for about fifteen months. On 
 December 23, 1843, Rev. Charles A. Chandler, of Elba, Genesee 
 county, N. Y., accepted a call from this church at a salary of $400 per 
 annum, but did not commence his labors until April i following. The 
 pulpit was filled during the interval by Rev. H. H. Rouse. Mr. Chan ■ 
 63 
 
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498 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 dler remained until April, 1849, being succeeded by Rev. William W. 
 Smith, from Jersey City, who continued three years, resigning in April, 
 1852. Rev. William Garnett, from Providence, Saratoga county, be- 
 came pastor in May, 1852, and remained until August 18, 1855. The 
 church was then supplied for a short time by Rev. E. Wescott, and in 
 March, 1856, Rev. G. W. Abrams, from the Oppenheim church, took 
 charge of the pastoral duties and remained about six months. In the 
 early part of 1857 Rev. Frederick S. Park began his pastorate, re- 
 maining more than five years, and preaching his farewell sermon Feb- 
 ruary 10, 1863. He was succeeded the following April by Rev. Jo- 
 seph L. Barlow, a native of New England, who continued in the pastor- 
 ate until October, 1868. 
 
 In the fall of 1868 and the spring of 1869 about $2,400 was expended 
 on the church in repairs. In April, 1869, Rev. W. F. Benedict 
 assumed the pastoral charge, and continued in the position until the 
 latter part of July, 1872. He was succeeded January i, 1873, by Rev. 
 Hardin Wheat, who remained for one year only. Rev. J. K. Wilson, 
 from Philadelphia, came in June, 1874, and resigned March 20, 1875. 
 On April 13 of the same year, a unanimous call was extended to Rev. 
 A. K. Batcheldor, of Schenevus, Otsego county, N. Y., which he at 
 once accepted, commencing his labors in May following, and continuing 
 until May 29, (877, when he removed to Burnt Hills, Saratoga county. 
 
 On November 18, 1877, nearly six months after his resignation, the 
 church building was destroyed by fire, caught from adjacent buildings. 
 The society realized about $4,300 of the insurance on the building and 
 immediate steps were taken towards the erection of a new house of wor- 
 ship. On January 22, 1878, a building committee was appointed, con- 
 sisting of Reuben Halsted, Lewis Phillips and Denton Smith on the 
 part of the church, and James L. Hagadorn and William Vail on the 
 part of the society. The result of their "efforts was the present hand- 
 some brick edifice on Main street, which was built by Rev. Jacob Gray, 
 of Schenectady. The total cost of the building when completed and 
 furnished was about $7,000. 
 
 In October, 1878, before the present church was finished, a call was 
 extended to Rev. R. D. Grant, who came and served the congregation 
 iintil the latter part of 1881. John G. Dyar filled the pastorate for 
 
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TOWN OF BROADALBIN. 499 
 
 about one year from Januaiy 22, 1882, and was followed in 1883 by 
 W. J. Quincey, who remained until the fall of 1886. A. J. Wilcox, of 
 Noank, Conn., assumed pastoral charge in February, 1887, and contin- 
 ued this relation until July 31, 1889. In November, 1889, M. H. Cole- 
 man became pastor and remained until March, 1892. The society is at 
 present without a minister. 
 
 The church was reincorporated May 15, 1879, under the state law 
 governing religious organizations, as " the Baptist Church of Broadal- 
 bin and Mayfield," and the following trustees elected : Samuel B. 
 Thompson, C. J. Wetherbee, Lewis D. Phillips, William Vail, Denton 
 Smith and W. W. Finch. 
 
 The present deacons are E. G. Kasson, Addison A. Gardner, J. E. 
 Lasher, William W. Hays, Lewis M. Lee, Thomas Benedict ; trustees, 
 James P. Rosa, Denton Smith, George E. Manning, William M. Grin- 
 nell, James Granger, William Satterlee ; treasurer, F. S. Hawley ; clerk, 
 A. A. Gardner ; superintendent of Sunday-school, William Sheldon. 
 Present membership of the church is 295, and the Sunday-school has 
 140 scholars. 
 
 The^ First Presbyterian Church of Broadalbin. — This church was at 
 first organized by the Dutch Reformed Classis of Albany, about the 
 year 1792, and was called " The Dutch Reformed Church of New Haer- 
 lem." Its members were principally immigrants from other parts of 
 the country. The society continued in a very feeble condition, without 
 any pastor or house of worship for about seven years, having preaching 
 only occasionally and holding prayer and conference meetings among 
 themselves in private houses. Towards the latter part of this time, 
 however, they were favored with a revival of religion, which strength- 
 ened and encouraged them so much that they resolved if possible to 
 procure a stated pastor. The first consistory was composed of Rev. 
 Coanrod Ten Eick, moderator ; Dirk Banta, Samuel Demarest, elders, 
 and Abraham Westervelt and Peter Demarest, deacons. Among the 
 original members were Ashbal Cornwell, Isaac and Abraham Cole, Ja- 
 cobus and Peter Demarest, Thomas Vickory, David, Peter, Abraham,, 
 and Garnet Westervelt, Dirk Banta, Peter Van Nest, John Bant, and 
 Samuel Demarest. The first church edifice was built at Vail's Mills,, 
 then called "Lower Bush," about 1800. Rev. Coanrod Ten Eick re- 
 
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Soo HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 mained in charge until the end of the year i8i i, after which the church 
 was without a pastor for nearly four years, during which time the meet- 
 ings of the consistory were suspended until September 2, 1815, when 
 Rev. Sylvester Palmer, who came from Susquehanna, Pa., acted as 
 moderator. He remained until 1818, the last consistory meeting at 
 which he officiated being held in January of that year. On October I, 
 1822, Rev. Alexander McFarlan, from the Albany Presbytery, was en- 
 gaged to preach every other Sunday for six months. On the 13th of 
 January, 1823, the church was incorporated under the name of the 
 First Presbyterian Church of Mayfield, and Lucas Demarest, Peter Car- 
 michael, Samuel H. Munro, Samuel Bant, Williain Woodworth, and 
 Chauncey Foot were the trustees at that time. The church withdrew 
 from the Dutch Reformed Classis of Montgomery in August, 1823, and 
 united the following October with the Presbytery of Albany, conform- 
 ing to the discipline of that body and changing its name to " The First 
 Presbyterian Church of Mayfield." Rev John K. Davis, of Troy, 
 N. Y., began his duties as pastor in February, 1824, and the sacrament 
 was administered for the first time on the 23d of the following May. 
 On the 19th of August, 1828, the Presbytery of Albany met with this 
 church. Rev. Mr. Davis, after eight years' service, terminated his pas- 
 torate in March, 1832, and was succeeded on the isth of June follow- 
 ing by Rev. Loring Brewster, of Potsdam, St. Lawrence county, N. Y. 
 Mr Brewster remained until April i, 1835, ^^d for two years there- 
 after the congregation was without a minister, but meetings were held 
 regularly every Sunday, and there was occasional preaching by minis- 
 ters from other churches. In May, 1837, Rev. Lot B. Sullivan was 
 engaged to preach and remained one year. Rev. Wm. J. Monteath 
 was regularly installed October 4, 1838, although his connection with 
 the church as minister began July 1st, of the same year. 
 
 The venerable house of worship now occupied by this society on 
 Main street, dates back to the year 1839. On June 21st of that year 
 the church and society obtained a deed to the lot from Dr. E. G. Raw- 
 son, then a prominent physician of the village. The present frame 
 structure was built upon it and dedicated January 7, 1840, the services 
 being conducted by Rev. Hugh Mair, of Johnstown. 
 
 The church obtained a new charter February 8, 1850, at which time 
 the name was changed to "The First Presbyterian Church of Broad- 
 
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TOWN OF BROADALBIN. 501 
 
 albin." The trustees elected at that time were: Enoch Cornwell, and 
 Hiram Van Arnam, for one year ; John E. Hawley and Jeremiah V. 
 MarceHs, for two years ; Samuel E. Curtis and James L. Northrup, for 
 three years. Mr. Monteath remained as pastor for nearly eighteen years, 
 preaching his last sermon June 22, 1856, after which he removed to 
 Wisconsin. His successor was Rev. Charles Milne, who was installed 
 June 8, 1857. His pastoral relations with this church were dissolved 
 July 10, 1858, after which the pulpit was supplied by different ministers 
 until January i, 1859, when the Rev. James Ireland entered upon his 
 pastoral duties with the society. He remained four years, his farewell 
 discourse being preached on the first Sabbath in February, 1863. He 
 was followed in April by George A. Miller, who remained one year. 
 In July, 1864, Rev. Mr. Ingalls became minister, and, after a shortstay, 
 was succeeded by John Garrotson, a licentiate, who was ordained and 
 installed in October, 1868. He remained until his death, which occurred 
 September 6, 1869. Rev. R. Ennis came to the society January 11, 
 1870, and was released May 11, 1871. His successor was J. G. Cordell, 
 from Schenectady, who was employed at a salary of $800 per annum. 
 He remained until January i, 1873, being succeeded by Rev. Cyrus 
 Offer, who resigned after about two years' service. The next pastor was 
 Rev. P. J. Burnham, who officiated until October, 1876, after which the 
 church was supplied by various ministers, among whom was Willard 
 K. Spencer who only remained sixteen weeks. H. L. Hoyt, a licen- 
 tiate from Saratoga county, began his labors in November, 1877, and 
 tendered his resignation October 26, 1879. The pastors who have 
 regularly filled the pulpit of this church since the termination of Mr, 
 Hoyt's pastorate have been as follows : David M. Hunter, October 26, 
 1880, to the fall of 1882 ; H. T. Hunter, 1882-84; J. H. Trussell, Aug- 
 ust 23, 1885, until December 9, 1888; W. J. Thompson, November 
 10, 1889, until January i, 1891 ; Isaac O. Best, April, 1891, until the 
 present time. Mr. Best is an able minister and a zealous Christian 
 worker. Among those who have been elected ruling elders of this so- 
 ciety from time to time, with the dates of their ordination, the following 
 may be mentioned : Ashbal Cornwell, Ira Benedict, Enoch Cornwell, 
 December 17, 1823; Samuel Root, John M.Benedict, October 24, 
 1824; William Monteith, September i, 1827; Duncan McMartin, Peter 
 
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S02 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 Carmichael, May 30, 1834; Daniel Cole, October, 1838; John E. Haw- 
 ley, Peter. McFarlan, October 5, 1851; John A. Richards, Arthur 
 Smith, November 5, 1871. 
 
 The present elders are James P. McFarlan, Archibald Argotsinger,^ 
 J. W. Cleveland ; trustees, J. P. McFarlan, David Frank, A. H. Van 
 Arnam, Lindsey Herrick, J. T. Bradford ; clerk, J. W. Cleveland. The 
 church has a membership of seventy and the Sunday-school forty. The 
 superintendent of the latter is George M. Briggs. Lizzie Chapman 
 acted in the capacity of organist for several years and was succeeded by 
 the present one, Gertrude Best. 
 
 The Methodist Episcopal Church of Broadalbin. — This churcJh was 
 formally organized and incorporated March 9, 1824, at the house of 
 Tristam Dunham in the village of Broadalbin, but a considerable society 
 of this denomination had existed in the town for some time prior to 
 that date. The trustees then elected were : Charles Mitchel, Tristam 
 Dunham, Dodridge Smith, Reuben Thayer, and William Chambers. 
 Among those who were original menabers of this society may be men- 
 tioned Stephen, Asa and Fitch Fenton, Fernando Mudge, Reuben 
 Thayer, Ralph Mead, Josiah Hunt, William Chambers, Chauncey North, 
 Derrick Banta, Dr. Rosa, Edwin Wilcox, C. B. and C. S. Wait, Isaac 
 Osborn and John Gordon. The need of a proper house of worship soon 
 became apparent and work was begun without delay on a frame church 
 located on a lot obtained from Dodridge Smith. As originally built 
 the structure was 35 x 40 feet in size, and was finished and dedicated in 
 1825. In 1840 it was repaired and enlarged, and in 1868 a convenient 
 and much needed lecture room was formed by raising the building and 
 utilizing the basement. The present size of the church is 40 x 60 feet 
 and the property, together with the parsonage, is valued at $7,500. 
 
 Rev. William S. Pease was the first pastor stationed here by authori- 
 ty of the conference, being appointed in 1825. The pastors from that 
 time until 1877, named as near as possible in the order of their coming 
 have been as follows : Revs. William S. Pease, J. D. Moriarty, Jacob 
 Beeman, Samuel Covell, Joseph McCreary, Ephraim Goss, Cyrus 
 Meeker, James H. Taylor, Peter H. Smith, Oliver Emerson, Roswell 
 Kelley, Joseph Ames, Joel Squier, James Quinlan, William Ames,. 
 Seymour Coleman, Robert Patterson, J. Parker, Charles Pomeroy, O^ 
 
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TOWN OF BROADALBIN. 
 
 £03 
 
 E. Spicer, P. P. Harrower, J. G. Perkins, Alexander C. Reynolds, D. 
 B. Wright, B. M. Hall, — Rose, J. G. Perkins, — Wade, and R. G. 
 Adams, the latter coming from Chatham, Columbia county, in 1877. 
 The ministers who have occupied the pulpit of this church regularly 
 since the departure of Mr. Adams in 1879 have been as follows: S. W. 
 Coleman, 1879-1882 ; W. W. Cox, 1882-1885; D. M. Schell, 1885; 
 
 F. R. Sherwood, 1886-1889; H. M. Boyce, 1889-1891. The present 
 pastor. Rev. E. J. Guernsey, began his pastoral relations with the so- 
 ciety in 1 89 1. 
 
 The church has a membership of 210, and the Sunday-school, of 
 which George Fenton is superintendent, has 250 scholars. The present 
 stewards of the church are : D. D. Grouse, George Fenton, Oscar Hor- 
 ton, Lynas Jennings, Matthew Cunning, Edward Vosburgh, M. H. 
 Vosburgh, Matthew Leversee, William Lincolnfelter, James A. Burr, 
 R. H. Schoonmaker; recording steward, Edward Vosburgh; trustees, 
 D. D. Crouse, J. A. Burr, George Fenton, and William Atty. 
 
 The Roman Catholics have erected, recently, a church edifice in the 
 village in which frequent services are held. 
 
 The Broadalbin Free Reading Room. — This creditable institution was 
 established in June, 1891, in a building on North street, owned by the 
 Keene Post, G. A. R., which occupy its upper floor. The reading room 
 was endowed and is maintained by the relatives of the late Colonel 
 William H. Husted, who was accidentally shot and killed during the 
 summer of 1890, near his summer house in Broadalbin village. Among 
 the members of the family who contribute towards its support are Mrs. 
 Husted (mother of the colonel), Miss M. K. Husted, Charles S., and 
 Seymour Husted, Mrs. Cromwell and Mrs. Beers. The room is taste- 
 fully decorated and furnished with comfortable sittings and tables and 
 is supplied with all the leading daily, weekly and monthly papers and 
 magazines. It is open on week days from 9 o'clock in the forenoon 
 until 9.30 in the evening and on Sunday from 2 until 5 p. m. Its 
 privileges are free to all. The Husted family also maintains an Episco- 
 pal Chapel on Maple street, which is open during the summer months 
 and is supplied with a rector at their mdividual expense. 
 
 Kennyetto Lodge, No. 599, is stationed at Broadalbin. The lodge was 
 organized December 16, 1865, and worked under dispensation until 
 
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504 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 July 3, 1866, when the charter was granted. There were forty- three 
 original members and the following were the first officers elected under 
 the charter: Isaiah Fuller, W. M.; R. H. Rosa, S. W.; M. S. Northrup, 
 J. W.; D. O. Cleveland, secretary ; Amos Brown, S. D.; Isaiah Betts, 
 J. D.; Leander Hagadorn, tyler ; James M. Hill and Edwin Busby, 
 masters of ceremonies ; Rev. A. C. Reynolds, chaplain ; J. M. Richards, 
 marshal. 
 
 The past masters of this lodge and the dates of their service have 
 been as follows : 
 
 Isaac Fuller, 1866-67; R. H. Rosa, 1868-69-70-71 ; William Mar- 
 vin, 1872; L. S. Northrup, 1873-74; Edwin Busby, 1875-76; William 
 H. Halladay, 1877; J. R. Neugen, 1878; L. S. Northrup, 1879-80; J. 
 R. Neugen, 1881 ; S. D. Tomlinson, 1882 ; James P. McFarlan, 1883 ; 
 James R Rosa, 1884-85-86-87 ; T. Delap Smith, 1888 ; James P. Rosa,. 
 1889-90. The present officers are: F. G. Fuller, W. M.; J. W. Briggs, 
 S. W.; Charles E. Marriam, J. W.; W. E. Halladay, secretary ; E. H. 
 Lengfeld, treasurer; E. J. Greensleet, S. D.; George A. Stever, J. D.; 
 Eugene Smith, tyler. 
 
 Among those who were members of this lodge during their lifetime 
 may be mentioned Philo Earl, who died in April, 1881 ; L. S. Northrup, 
 who died September 28, 1891 ; W. H. Halladay, who died December 
 28, 1891 ; S. D. Demarest, who died x'\pril 9, 1889; Martin J. Wilkins, 
 who died at Kingsboro, October 15, 1889; William Fielding, who died 
 May 4, 1891 ; and R. H. Rosa, who took a demit November 25, 1878, 
 and became a member of St. Patrick's lodge at Johnstown, in which 
 place he died. 
 
 Union Mills is a village of between one and two hundred inhabitants, 
 situated on Frenchman's creek, near the east line of the town. Sey- 
 mour Carpenter was the first man to locate on or near the site of the 
 village, and he built a saw-mill there in 1827. A paper-mill was built 
 about 1828 by John Carpenter, John Schoonmaker, John Clark and. 
 Richard P. Clark. They continued the business until 1840, at which 
 time the mill was destroyed by fire. It was rebuilt the following year 
 by John Clark, and was again burned in 1867. A third mill was erected 
 immediately by N. W. Bacon, who conducted it until 1874, when -it 
 came into the possession of W. H Whitlock. In December, 1877, this- 
 mill also shared the fate of its predecessors. 
 
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TOWN OF BROADALBIN. 505 
 
 The first store in the place was kept by John Schoonmaker about 
 1828 or 1829. A printing office was establislied there by the Christian 
 General Book Association in 1833, a time when there were but very 
 few printing offices in the county. Rev. Joseph Badger was the man- 
 ager, and in addition to compiling and publishing several books for the 
 use of the " Christian " denomination, he published The Christian 
 Palladium, a weekly paper devoted to the interests of that church. 
 The paper was discontinued after a few years, however, and the outfit 
 passed into the possession of John and William Clark, who commenced 
 the publication of a political paper called The Banner, which was sub- 
 sequently altered into a religious paper under the title of The Visitor. 
 The enterprise proved unsuccessful, and another effort was made by the 
 proprietors in the publication of a family newspaper called The Garland. 
 
 The First Christian Church is located in the eastern part of the town. 
 The present society is the outcome of a religious body, denominated 
 "Christians," which organized themselves into a class on June 5, 1814. 
 Elder Jonathan S. Thompson administered the ordinance of baptism to 
 a large number of converts on the same day. Meetings were held at 
 different times in dwellings, and baptisms were performed at irregular 
 intervals by various ministers. A church was regularly organized May 
 9, 18 18, by Jabez King, who served as pastor, Jacob Capron being dea- 
 con. The original members were James and Joseph Clark, Philip Wait, 
 Isaac G. Fox, James and Joseph Sowle, John Clark, Salathial Cole and 
 forty-one others. On March 19, 1825, the church was incorporated 
 under the title of "The First Christian Church and Society of Broad- 
 albin." Among the first deacons were Salathial Cole and John Schoon- 
 maker. In 1826 a commodious church building was erected by the 
 society, about one mile east of Union Mills. A complete list of the 
 pastors who have labored at this church has not been preserved. 
 Among those who have preached for the congregation at different times 
 may be mentioned Revs. Jabez King, Jacob Capron, John Gardner, 
 Joseph Badger, Joseph Marsh, G. W. Burnham, Harvey V. Teal, James 
 Andrews, Hiram Pratt, Stephen B. F"anton, John Showers, Maxon 
 Hosher, Charles I. Butler, and a number of others. The society is at 
 present without a pastor. 
 
 North Broadalbin, or Benedict's Corners, is a small village in the 
 northern part of the town, about one mile from the Northampton line. 
 61 
 
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So6 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 It was at this place that a woolen factory was erected in 1813 by Dun- 
 can McMartin and others, the property afterwards passing into the pos- 
 session of the Reddish family, in whose liands it has remained for many 
 years. The " Hemlock Church" at North Broadalbin is a union house 
 of worship, and the pulpit is occupied by ministers of different denom- 
 inations, David Heron, an able and well-known clergyman now on the 
 retired list, being the most frequent supply. The Methodist, Baptist, 
 and Presbyterian pastors of Broadalbin, Mayfield and Northampton 
 often go there and conduct services and look after the Sunday-school, 
 Benedict's Corners has a Disciples church which has been in existence 
 for many years. 
 
 The first town officers of Broadalbin were as follows ; Peter V. Veeder, 
 supervisor ; Alexander Murray, town clerk ; John McNeil, James 
 Kennedy and Joshua Maxon, asses.sors ; Calvin Young, Allen Whitman 
 and Alexander Murray, commissioners of highway ; Daniel Mclntyre 
 and John Blair, overseers of the poor ; James Kennedy, Joshua Briggs 
 and Aaron Olmstead, constables ; James Kenny, collector ; John Mc- 
 Neil and Nathaniel Perkins, poundmasters ; Moses Elwell, hog-reeve, 
 and twenty- eight overseers of highways. 
 
 The supervisors of the town from its organization to the present time 
 have been as follows : Peter V. Veeder, 1794 ; Daniel Mclntyre, 1795- 
 1798 ; Peter V. Veeder, 1799-1800; Archibald Mclntyre, 1801 ; Henry 
 Banta, 1802; James Mclntyre, 1803-1805 ; Richard Belts, 1 806 ; John 
 E. Hawley, 1807-11 ; Duncan McMartin, 1812 ; John E. Hawley, 1813- 
 22; Thomas Hill, 1823-24; Lemuel C. Paine, 1825; Samuel Bant, 
 1826-29; Jo.seph Blair, 1830-32; Marcelius Weston, 1833; WilHam 
 Fox, 1834-35; Noah D. Cleveland, 1836-37; Daniel McMartin, 1838; 
 James Robertson, 1839-40; John Culbert, 1841-42; Henry C. Haw- 
 ley, 1843 ; John Culbert, 1844-45 ; William Logan, 1846 ; Isaac Bene- 
 dict, 1847; William Logan, 1848; Philander H. Sprague, 1849; Will- 
 iam Logan, 1850; John Clark, 1851-52 ; Henry W. Spencer, 1853: 
 William Wheeler, jr., 1854-55 ; Peter M. Ostrander, 1856; Henry W. 
 Spencer, 1857-1859 ; Elisha Alvord, i860; Laban S. Capron, 1861- 
 62 ; Henry W. Spencer, 1853-65 ; Richard H. Rosa, 1866-1867 ; Laban 
 S. Capron, 1868-1874; Henry W. Spencer, 1875-1876; James T. 
 Bradford, 1877-78; Denton Smith, 1879 ; George O. Dickinson, 1880; 
 
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TOWN OF MAYFIELD. 507 
 
 Archibald Robertson, 1881-84; David D. Grouse, 1885-86; Denton 
 Smith, 1887; Myron Darling, 1888; Denton Smith, 1889-90; D. D. 
 Grouse, 1891. 
 
 Town Clerks. — Alexander Murray, 1794- 1800; Richard Betts, 1801- 
 05-07-1815; Alexander Murray, 1802-1804; John E. Hawley, 1806; 
 Samuel Bant, 1816-24; Dodridge Smith, 1825; Noah D. Gleveland, 
 1826-27; Joseph Blair, 1828-29; Henry G. Hawley, 1830-35, 1838- 
 41; Sands Gole, 1836-1837; William G. Barrett, 1842-43; John E. 
 Hawley, 1844-45; Samuel E. Gurtiss, 1846; William Kennedy, 1847; 
 " G. W. Gleveland, 1848; Gornelius J. Rowley, 1849; John McFarlan, 
 1850-52; Samuel D. Demarest, 1853-54; -Rufus Cole, 1855; Asa 
 Gapron, 1856-57; John R. Neugen, 1858-59; George M. Briggs, 
 i860; Gharles F. Allen, 1861-62; Lucius F. Burr, 1863; James New- 
 ton, 1864-67; Theodore Bradford, 1868; Franklin S. Hawley, 1869- 
 71; Peter McDermid, 1872; James E. Kelly, 1873 ; Seymour D. 
 Tomlinsoii, 1874; James T. Bradford, 1875-76; Frank S. Hawley, 
 1877-78; William W. Finch, 1 879-1 880; Loren G. Sunderlin, 1881- 
 82; George F. Smith, 1883-86; Frank S. Hawley, 1887-88; George 
 F Smith, 1889-1890; Frank G. Fuller, 1891. 
 
 The present town officers of Broadalbin are: Supervisor, D. D. 
 Grouse; town clerk, Frank G. Fuller; justices, J. R. Neugen, A. A. 
 Gardner, D. M. Reddish, Gharles E. Deuel ; assessors, Eli Newman, 
 Matthew Leversee, Thomas Gorthy ; collector, G. P. Vanderwerker ; 
 commissioner of highways, Levi W. Sawyer. 
 
 GHAPTER XXIV. 
 
 TOWN OK MAYFIELD. 
 
 THIS town occupies a position next west of Northampton, on the 
 northern border of the county. Its length north and south is 
 nearly thrice as great as its breadth, and the surface embraced within 
 its borders is of a varied character. The northern portion is much 
 broken by formidable mountains, some of them having an altitude of 
 
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So8 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 nearly 2,000 feet. In the central and southern portion of the town the 
 surface is more rolling, and the land in some places is exceedingly fer- 
 tile and therefore well adapted to cultivation. Kennyetto creek enters 
 the town near the village of Vail's Mills and flows in a northerly direc- 
 tion for about two miles, thence returning to Broadalbin, in the northern 
 part of which it empties into Mayfield creek. Stony creek flows 
 diagonally across the northeast corner, and Cranberry creek flows south 
 along its eastern border and enters the town of Northampton, where it 
 forms the Vlaie creek by a confluence with Mayfield creek. Mayfield 
 creek flows through the town in a northeasterly direction, a little south 
 of the centre. The soil is not unlike that found in Northampton and 
 Broadalbin, containing sand and gravel to a considerable degree, and 
 the culture of wheat has never been profitable, though it was raised by 
 the early settlers. Large crops of buckwheat, however, are annually 
 produced and the soil yields an excellent quality of hay. These articles, 
 with potatoes, probably constitute the chief agricultural products. 
 
 Limestone and lumber are among the valuable resources of the town, 
 and although the supply of the latter has greatly diminished in recent 
 years, the business is still carried on to some extent in the hilly sections 
 of the north. 
 
 The tov/n received its name from the Mayfield patent, which was 
 granted June 27, 1770, in addition to which it embraces parts of the 
 Bleecker, Kingsboro, Sacandaga, Kayaderosseras, Glen, Daniel Claus 
 and Norman McLeod patents. It is bounded on the north by Hamil- 
 ton county, on the east by the towns of Northampton and Broadalbin, 
 on the south by the town of Perth, and on the west by Johnstown and 
 Bleecker. It contains 39,610 acres, the total assessed value of which is 
 $416,649. The town of Wells, Hamilton county, was taken off in 1805, 
 and another portion in 1812. A part was annexed to Perth in 1842. 
 
 Mayfield was one of the first three towns created in the present 
 county of Fulton. It was set off from Caughnawaga, with Johnstown 
 and Broadalbin, March 12, 1793, and was fully organized as a town on 
 the 1st of April, 1794. 
 
 Early Settlement. — The first permanent settlement within the present 
 limits of Mayfield was made under Sir William Johnson, about 1760. 
 This took place on an old road that led from Tribes Hill to the Sacan- 
 
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TOWN OF MAYFIELD. 509 
 
 daga, and the few early inhabitants called the settlement " Philadelphia 
 Bush," from the fact that some of their number came from Philadelphia 
 or vicinity. Few of the descendants of those who located there prior to 
 the revolution are now living. Among them were families of Dunhams, 
 Woodworths, Bishops, Grovers, Romeyns, McNitts, Hosmers, Wellses, 
 Williamsons, McQueins, Greens, Parsells, Dovernors, Christies, and 
 Dennies. Many of these were from Scotland and came hither on Sir 
 William's invitation, while a large number emigrated from the New 
 England states. Among those who settled in the vicinity after the close 
 of the war may be mentioned tne names of Courtney, Brown, Ander- 
 son, Shaddock, Duboyse, McKinlay, Seymour, Burr, Newton, Van 
 Buren, Galor, Jackson, Vail, Bemas, McDougal, Knapp, Lefferts, Bart- 
 lett and others. Alexander McKinlay, now living at an advanced age 
 in the village of Mayfield, is a descendant of one of the early families. 
 Farming was their principal occupation, but necessity required many of 
 them to pursue other trades and varied employment in order to supply 
 the community with the simplest comforts of life. Clothing was, of 
 course, one of the most needed articles, and the wives and daughters 
 took active part in its manufacture. In 1800 a Mr. Snyder located on 
 a farm about half way between what is now Mayfield and Anthonyville. 
 His wife, Eveline, was a professional weaver, in which art she excelled. 
 It was not long before she had all the work she could attend to, and 
 credit is given her for supporting in this way a large family. 
 
 The oldest deed of land, of which anything can be learned, was given 
 by the commissioners of forfeiture of the state, to Gershom Woodworth 
 in 1786. It conveys the farm first occupied by Truman Christie, and 
 afterwards owned by H. H. Woodworth. It was on this farm that the 
 first log house was built, as well as the first orchard planted, both of 
 which were done by Christie. As this farm was located on one of 
 the old Indian trails it is reasonable to suppose that it was the first 
 settled land in the town. The first grant or patent of land, lying 
 within the borders of Mayfield, was a tract of 14,000 acres, granted 
 to Achilles Preston and others, a portion of which is the farm next 
 north of Philander Gray's, occupied until a few years since by Fran- 
 cis Bishop. It is located about two miles north of the village of 
 Mayfield. The date of this grant was June 10, 1770, and the survey 
 
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510 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 was made by Alexander Colden, who was surveyor-general at that 
 time, hn the 8th of November, 1806, the Bishop farm was conveyed 
 by James Reynolds, of Columbia county, N. Y., to Luke Wood- 
 worth, of Mayfield. Another early deed is that of Cyrenus Wood- 
 worth and wife to Luke Woodworth of a farm afterwards owned by 
 P. N. Gray, which is also said to be a part of the 14,000 acre tract. 
 
 Solomon Woodworth, an intrepid pioneer, was born in Connecticut 
 about 1730, and came to Mayfield with his brother Selah, purchasing a 
 tract of land southeast of the village of Mayfield, part of which now con- 
 stitutes the farms of Jefferson Brooks and B. B. Vandenburgh. The 
 Indians at that time were very troublesome, and -this was so repulsive 
 to Selah that he tried to induce his brother to return with him to Con- 
 necticut until the war should be over and the country in a more settled 
 state. This Solomon would not consent to, and proceeded to locate on 
 the Brooks farm, while but a short distance from his house he built a 
 stockade of logs in which to shield himself from hostile assault. He 
 was a thorough American, anxious for the freedom of the colonists and 
 bitter in his hatred of the tories. The increasing hostilities of the Brit- 
 ish and their savage allies made the home of the few pioneers especially 
 exposed to danger, and Mr. Woodworth found it necessary during these 
 perilous times to remain inside the stockade at night. A well known 
 Mayfield writer, referring to this subject in an article written some 
 years ago, says: " Here in the winter of 1780, Solomon Woodworth was 
 attacked by a party of Indians. He was likely to run short of bullets, 
 and his faithful wife laid her little child by the fire, and with the spirit 
 that characterized heroines of that time, ran bullets as fast as her hus- 
 band could shoot. The result was the retreat of the Indians and tories 
 with one wounded. Early in the morning Captain Woodworth rallied 
 a few of his band, followed the retreating party for three days, arid at 
 length surprised and killed them all." The same writer continuing 
 says: 
 
 " Immediately after this successful expedition Woodworth was ap- 
 pointed lieutenant in a company of nine months' men. At the expira- 
 tion of this term, in the year 1781, he was appointed captain for the 
 purpose of forming a company of rangers to explore the woods. He at 
 once raised a company of able-bodied soldiers, all well armed and 
 
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TOWN OF MAYFIELD. 
 
 51' 
 
 equipped. From Fort Dayton, now the village of Herkimer, he started 
 at the head of his little band in a northerly direction to range the woods 
 and make discoveries. But he had been out only a few hours when one 
 of his foremost men discovered an Indian in ambush, and fired upon 
 him. They instantly found themselves surrounded by a band of red- 
 skins, outnumbering them two to one. A short, but bloody and de- 
 cisive conflict ensued. Captain Woodworth was killed, and out of the 
 forty-one men only fifteen escaped ; all the rest were either killed or 
 taken prisoners." Mr. Dunham, who then lived on the farm now 
 owned by Charles Wilkins, was one of Woodworth's party who es- 
 caped from that scene of peril. He survived the horrors of war, living 
 many years in the enjoyment of dear bought peace, and was always 
 ready to tell of " the times that tried men's souls." 
 
 It is said that wheat was first raised on a farm midway between 
 Shawville and Mayfield village, now occupied by Thomas Embling, 
 who conducts a brick store there. Forty acres of this farm is owned 
 by John Becker. The old homestead upon it was built more than 
 100 years ago by Abram Wells, grandfather of Mrs. John Becker. 
 The house, which is still standing, has undergone some repairs, and is 
 one of the oldest frame buildings in the town. It was occupied for 
 many years by Francis Wells,who died in July, 1889. 
 
 The first brick building erected in Mayfield is the one in which Alex- 
 ander McKinlay lived for many years. It was built in 1805 by his 
 father, John McKinlay, and in now occupied by Andrew Young, being 
 still in a fair state of preservation. 
 
 The site of the first grist or flour mill in the town is that now occu- 
 pied by the grist and saw- mill of Edward A. Elphie on Mayfield creek 
 at Shawville. It was erected under the direction of Sir WiUiam John- 
 son in 1773, but was burned during the revolution. The mill was con- 
 fiscated with other tory property, and at the close of the war was sold 
 to a son of Rev. Mr. Romeyn, who rebuilt it and carried on business 
 there for a number of years. It was known at that time as Romeyn's 
 Mills, and the creek upon which it was located was called Romeyn 
 creek, but in 1795 the property came into the possession of a man named 
 Bogert, who conducted it for a few years and then sold to William A. 
 Wells. He operated it for a time and then sold it to Robert Zule. The 
 
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S'2 
 
 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 mill passed from his hands into the possession of Horace Stanley, during 
 whose ownership it was rebuilt. About forty-five years ago it was 
 purchased by Sidney Chase, and from him the property came into the 
 possession of Mr. Elphie, its present owner. The mill has an excellent 
 water power and is fully equipped with modern machinery. 
 
 The claim has been made that each of three saw- mills in Mayfield 
 was the first to be erected. One of these is the above described mill 
 now owned by Mr. Elphie, at Shawville, another was located at Vail's 
 Mills, in the southeast part of the town, and the third occupied the site 
 of a mill at Woodworth's Corners, which has recently been torn down. 
 In all probability the first named mill was the earliest. 
 
 The first fulling-mill in this town was erected in or about the year 
 '795. by Oliver Rice, on his property at Riceville. He carried on the 
 business there until about 1835, when the mill was discontinued, and no 
 similar effort has since been renewed in the town. Mr. Rice was an old 
 and respected Mason and one of the foremost men in the community. 
 Harvey Rice, son of Lucius Rice (the latter for many years a justice of 
 the peace of Mayfield), is a grandchild of Oliver Rice and still lives on 
 the old homestead at Riceville. An iron foundry was also built at 
 Riceville, in 1815, by Josiah Wood, who erected and operated a grist " 
 and saw-mill at the same time. In spite of undaunted enterprise, Mr. 
 Wood's business undertakings were overwhelmed by the financial 
 troubles that followed the unfortunate litigations between Clark and 
 Clancey, who owned a great share of the property at Riceville. It is 
 claimed that the village would have grown to be a place of much busi- 
 ness importance had these troubles never occurred. 
 
 There was a skin-mill at Riceville, contemporary with the foundiy 
 and grist-mill, but it was also abandoned and soon went to decay. In 
 1866 (or the year following) Moses Kinney built a skin-mill, on the site 
 of Rice's fulling-mill. This mill is now owned by Wilkins & Close, 
 glove manufacturers, of Mayfield village. A year or two later George 
 C. Allen built a skin mill there, south of the highway, on the site of the 
 first skin- mill erected in the place. This mill is still owned by Mr. 
 Allen. 
 
 Flavel Bartlett was the father of the tanning industry in Mayfield. 
 He conducted a small tannery on the lot now occupied by the residence 
 
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TOWN OF MAYFIELD. 513 
 
 of Charles Wilkins. Mrs. Elizabeth Bartlett occupied this house for 
 many years prior to her death, which occurred about a year since. The 
 old tannery which stood there was built about 1795 and was operated 
 until 1825. There was another tannery at Jackson Summit, and still 
 another at Vail's Mills, both of which have been destroyed by fire with- 
 in the past ten years. A tannery was built at Woodworth's Corners in 
 1859 by Josiah M. Danforth, who limited his operations to the tanning 
 of upper leather. He afterward sold the property to William Wallace, 
 who operated it a few years and then sold it to Kasson & Johnson. In 
 a year or two more it came into the possession of Kent & Stevens, of 
 Gloversville, and later, Kent & Company. It has not been in use, how- 
 ever, in many years. 
 
 The first store in Mayfield was opened about the year 1800, by Wil- 
 liam McConnell, at Wilkins' Corners, a settlement two miles southwest 
 of Mayfield village. It was opposite the house now occupied by John 
 J. Wilkins. It is said that McConnell had in his store quite an exten- 
 sive assortment of goods for those early times, not the least among 
 which was the whiskey barrel. He continued to do business there un- 
 til about 1830. Prior to 1800 the early inhabitants weie obliged to 
 travel on foot or horseback over the Indian trails to Johnstown for 
 nearly all articles of merchandise. There were no taverns in the town 
 for the accommodation of strangers prior to 1808. In that year the 
 town meeting was held at the inn of William Van Buren, from which it 
 may be inferred that he had accommodations for travelers. There are 
 at present two hotels in the town, one at Mayfield and the ether at 
 Riceville. 
 
 John McKinlay, who came from Scotland in 1783, was probably the 
 first blacksmith in the town. He was followed a few years later by 
 William Williams, who conducted a shop at Wilkins' Corners. About 
 iSoi, Edward Kinnicutt came to Mayfield from Pittstown, N. Y., and 
 opened a blacksmith shop about half a mile north of the village. Smith 
 & Billingham were partners in the blacksmith trade during the early 
 part of the century, and such was the well proportioned stature of Bil- 
 lingham, that he was christened the " Old Vulcan," a name that clung 
 to him throughout life. 
 
 Lazarus Tucker, who came from Connecticut about 1790, was the 
 first physician to settle permanently in Mayfield. He located on the 
 65 
 
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.SI 4 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 site of John Laird's present residence in tiie village. He is remembered 
 as being one of the old school, but was always a welcome visitor in the 
 sick room. Among his successors have been Drs. Johnston, Vander- 
 pool and Drake ; the former has moved away from the town, and the 
 two latter are dead. Eugene H. Coons, M. D., is now a successful 
 practitioner in Mayfield village. 
 
 About 1825 Claik & Clancey built the first and only distillery in the 
 town of Mayfield It was located at Riceville and' for a number of years 
 this firm did a large business, as wheat and rye were then raised to a 
 considerable extent, the vast wheat belt of the western states being still 
 a wilderness. Later on when Clark & Clancey became involved in lit- 
 igation, followed by financial disaster, the distillery, which up to that 
 time did a pi'osperous business, was neglected and in a few years suc- 
 cumbed to the ravages of time and storm. 
 
 VILLAGES. 
 
 The village of Mayfield is situated near the centre of the town, about 
 half a mile north of the little hamlet called Shawville, which contains 
 the railway station of the Fonda, Johnstown and Gloversville railroad. 
 Selah Woodworth was the first owner of land upon which the village 
 was subsequently built. He came from Connecticut with his brother 
 Solomon two or three years prior to the revolution. Mr. Simms is 
 authority for the statement that he purchased of Sir William Johnson 
 100 acres of land at Mayfield, while his brother bought and located 
 upon an equal tract, a large portion of which is now known as Munson- 
 ville. Jonathan Canfield, Captain Flock and a man named Cadmanare 
 said to have settled in the immediate vicinity at an early day. Selah 
 Woodworth returned to his home in Salisbury, Conn., until the danger 
 of a border warfare was past, when he came again to Mayfield and set- 
 tled on a farm on the west side of the village, now owned by Wilkins & 
 Close and occupied by Charles Wilkins. It was formerly known as the 
 " Servis farm." Soon after 1800 Collins Odell started a store in what 
 is now the village, and in 18 19 a post route was established and he was 
 appointed postmaster. For the first two years he carried the mails on 
 horseback between Mayfield and Broadalbin for the stipulated sum of 
 
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TOWN OF MAYFIELD. 
 
 S'S 
 
 fifty cents a trip, making the trip twice a week. Shortly afterwards a 
 post-ofifice was estabhshed at Cranberry Creek, and Samuel A. Gilbert 
 appointed postmaster. The route was then changed from Broadalbin 
 to Fish House, Cranberry Creek, Mayfield village, and thence again to 
 Broadalbin. Before any of these routes were established, the head- 
 quarters for the mail was at the store of William McConncll, and the 
 inhabitants were wont to take their turn in going to Johnstown after it. 
 When a lad reached the age of twelve years he was considered old 
 enough to make this journey, and H. H. Woodworth accomplished it at 
 that age, going in place of his father. The distance was about nine 
 miles and the trail led through a forest most of the way. Later on a 
 post-office was established at Riceville, where it remained only a short 
 time, being transferred thence to Mayfield Corners. Collins Odell held 
 the office of postmaster for many years, relinquishing it to David Get- 
 man about the middle of the present century. Mr. Getman had the 
 office for seven or eight years, and was succeeded in i860 by Alonzo J. 
 Banks, who kept it until 1862. In that year A. B. Close, now of the 
 firm of Close & Christie, received the appointment, which he held until 
 the beginning of the Cleveland administration in 1885, when William 
 N. Wilkins was made postmaster. He retained the office four years and 
 was succeeded by the present incumbent, Baltie H. Dixon, who took 
 charge on the ist of July, 1889. 
 
 The village has had a slow but substantial growth and at present 
 shows signs of permanent prosperity. The manufacture of grained 
 leather, fleshers, and Saranac gloves has become its chief industry and 
 several firms are extensively engaged in the business. This supplies the 
 inhabitants with steady employment and adds much to their thrift and 
 progress. The following firms are engaged in the manufacture of gloves 
 at present: Wilkins & Close, Close & Christie, Wood & Wilkins (for- 
 merly Wood & Kelly), Christie Brothers, B. D. Brown, J. C. Titcomb, 
 Dixon & Wilkins, and Vandenburgh & Bartholf There are four gen- 
 eral stores, conducted by the following merchants : John C. Titcomb, 
 Elkhie & Mercer, W^ilkins & Close and Close & Christie." W. W. Dixon 
 has a grocery store but sells ready made clothing ; William Jerome con- 
 ducts a drug store and C. W. Tucker deals in flour and feed. Mayfield 
 village was the site of William Van Buren's old tavern, which occupied 
 
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Si6 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 the site of B. D. Brown's glove shop and residence. There were few 
 schools in any part of Mayfield prior to 1794, and only three are men- 
 tioned in the town records of that date. One of these was on a farm 
 afterwards occupied by Mrs. Patterson, near the centre of. the town. 
 Another was farther to the south, and the third was situated near the 
 little hamlet now known as Woodworth's Corners and was taught by 
 Alien Fraser about the year 1798. Among the pupils who attended 
 this last named school were Sarah Woodworth, Eliza Romyne, John 
 Romyne and Rosanah Woodworth. Both the town and village are now 
 amply supplied with district schools, conducted on a well defined sys- 
 tem. 
 
 Before taking up the history of the two churches now located in the 
 village it will be proper to briefly review the origin and character of 
 those religious organizations that have had an existence in the town 
 but are now extinct. A Baptist church was organized about three miles 
 south of the village in 1792, and was known as "The Mayfield and 
 Broadalbin Baptist Church." The house of worship was constructed of 
 logs, and it was in this building that the first town meeting of May- 
 field was held. Among the twenty original members were Jacob Par- 
 cells, Solomon Knapp, sr, Allen Kennicutt, and Jacob Woodworth. 
 The exact location of the church is said to have been half a mile west 
 of what is known as the "Nine-Mile Tree," that is, nine miles from 
 Johnson Hall, on the road used by Sir William to reach Summer- House 
 Point. Hezekiah Gorton was the first pastor. He was followed by 
 Rev. Mr. Nichols, and he in turn by Elder William Groom, who re- 
 tained the pastoral relation with the congregation for seventeen years. 
 During Mr. Groom's pastorate the little log church was abandoned and 
 the society built a much better house of worship in the village of Broad- 
 albin. 
 
 Among the extinct churches of Mayfield may be mentioned the 
 Quaker church, or Friends' meeting-house, which stood about half a 
 mile west of the village, and of which Welcome Capron, Orion Capron, 
 Daniel Mead, Levi, Hardy and Martin Seymour, Abram Cole, Benja- 
 min Anthony and Jonathan Brown were original members About 
 1840 the lot on which the meeting-house was located came into the 
 possession of John Servis, who purchased it from Orion Capron. This 
 
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TOWN OF MAYFIELD. 517 
 
 transaction terminated public meetings of this society in Mayfield, and 
 the building was afterwards used for other purposes. 
 
 A Christian church was organized at Jackson Summit about the year 
 1868, under the leadership of Elders Evans and Brown. Among the 
 original members of this society were Daniel Tempieton, Josiah and 
 John Dunning, David D. Bishop, Philip Kring, and others. Dissen- 
 sions afterwards arose among the congregation, which subsequently 
 caused it to disband. 
 
 A religious society was also organized at Jackson Summit in 1855, 
 by the Germans. It was known as the German M. E. Evangelical As- 
 sociation, and among its early members were Jacob Lairch, sr., Jacob 
 Lairch, jr., Barney Lairch, John Yost, John Behlen, John Brunce, and 
 Jacob Rivers. 
 
 One of the earliest churches in Mayfield was known as the Low Dutch 
 Reformed church, and was organized in 1793, with Conradt Ten Eyck, 
 (also spelled in early records Coanrod Ten Eick) as pastor. It num- 
 bered among its early members Resolvent Van Houten and wife, Abra- 
 ham Romeyn, Abraham Wells, Lucas Brinkerhoff, Peter Snyder, 
 David Becker, Elizabeth Turnuer, and Mary Van Buren. In a short 
 time after organization they built a church on the highest ground within 
 the old burying- ground south of Mayfield village. It is said the build- 
 ing was never painted, or even finished inside, the benches being rude 
 in construction, and the pulpit one of the old-fashioned elevated ones, 
 with steps leading up to it, and a sounding board overhead. Among 
 the preachers in this ancient church were Revs. Ten Eyck, Ammerman, 
 Palmer, and Wood- Ammerman and Palmer were both working in 
 this community at about the same time, and through some unknown 
 cause a difference of opinion arose between them which resulted in the 
 withdrawal of Mr. Palmer from the mother church about 1816, or pos- 
 sibly later, and with him a number of his followers. They erected an- 
 other house of worship at the four corners west of Munsonville, and 
 named their society the " Dutch Reformed Church of Mayfield." In 
 size their new church was about 30x45 feet, and being plastered 
 and painted, was an improvement on the edifice they had left. The 
 members of this church were familiarly known as " Palmerites," a 
 name derived from their leader, Rev. Sylvanus Palmer. The society 
 
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5,8 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 did not prosper, however, and the building was abandoned in the 
 course of a few years. Later on it was removed to Anthonj-ville 
 and converted to other uses. 
 
 The Low Dutch church in the burying-ground continued to flourish, 
 however, and Mr. Ammerman remained with his little flock, which be- 
 gan to increase in number. In 1825 he had reached an advanced age, 
 and as his feeble health rendered another pastor necessary, Jeremiah 
 Wood, then a young man and a graduate of Princeton, was appointed 
 .missionary to Mr. Ammerman's church. Mr. Wood was a native of 
 Greenfield, Saratoga county, and came to the Mayfield Society Sep- 
 tember 26, 1826. On the following day the church was reorganized 
 under the name of the Central Presbyterian church of Mayfield, by 
 which name it is still known. The installation of Mr. Wood took place 
 at once under the authority of the Albany Presbytery, the following 
 preachers being present on the occasion : Revs. Elisha Yale, of Kings- 
 boro ; John K. Davis, of Broadalbin ; John Clancey, of Charlton, and 
 Gilbert Morgan, of Johnstown. Barent Van Buren and Barent Wells 
 were chosen as elders, and Harmon T. Van Buren as deacon. During 
 the next three years the society worshiped in the primitive church in 
 the graveyard, but in 1828 they built a better edifice in the village, 
 which, having been repaired and remodeled at various times, is the one 
 used by the society at the present time. Rev. Mr. Wood remained 
 with the church, doing zealous Christian work for half a century, only 
 relinquishing his charge when death called him away. He died June 
 ,6, 1876. The pastors since then have remained from six months to 
 two years each, and are named as nearly as possible in the order of 
 their coming : Revs, Benjamin Bartholf, Charles Dye, Francis Dyer, 
 Joseph Thyne, of Johnstown ; Rev. Mr. Rule, John Colson, W. J. 
 Thompson, and the present pastor, Isaac O. Best, who came April i, 
 1 89 1 Mr. Best also officiates at the Presbyterian church in Broadal- 
 bin. The Sunday-school of this church was oiganized in 1826, with 
 Mr. Wood as superintendent, and a membership of thirty or forty 
 scholars. Benjamin F. Dennie and James H. Foote have both officiated 
 in the capacity of superintendent. The present incumbent of that po- 
 sition is James E. Wood. The school now has eighty scholars. The 
 trustees of the church are William Dixon, William Becker, John Laird, 
 
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TOWN OF MAYFIELD. 519 
 
 Edward Christie, and James E. Wood. The elders are H. H. Wood- 
 worth, Amos Christie, Charles Revis, and Samuel Vandenburgh. 
 
 The Methodist Episcopal Church of Mayfield. — In the beginning of 
 the present century, that part of Mayfield known as the " Corners," or 
 Mayfield village, was almost an unbroken wilderness, and the log cabins 
 of the pioneer settlers were few and far between ; as for stores, taverns, 
 school-houses and churches, there were none earlier than 1793, and no 
 tavern until 1805. The old fashioned itinerant preacher, however, 
 penetrated the forest and pitched his tent in or near Ezekiel Canfield's 
 barn, on the farm now owned by Benjamin Ferguson, half a mile north- 
 east from what is now Mayfield Corners. There is little doubt in the 
 minds of the oldest inhabitants of Mayfield, that Methodism in the town 
 had its origin in Canfield's barn, and probably between 1785 and 1790. 
 A clergyman by the name of Willis was there looking after the little 
 band of Methodists in the last named year. It is not definitely known 
 when the first steps towards building a house of worship were taken, 
 but preaching was kept up at stated intervals in log cabins, barns and 
 sheds, which were used in winter and groves during the summer, until 
 about the year 18 18 or 1820, when Parris G. Clark built what was for 
 many years after known as " Titcomb's Row," immediately west of the 
 hotel, in the upper part of which was a ball-room eighty feet in length 
 and extending the whole length of the building. It was in this ball- 
 room that the Methodists worshiped on Mr. Clark's invitation until 
 their church was built. There may be a few living in Mayfield who can 
 still remember the old ball-room and the spot where they once gathered 
 to worship God. The building stood until the autumn of 1886 when a 
 disastrous fire destroyed it together with the old hotel, j;he store and 
 several other adjecent buildings. The site of the ball-room is now 
 occupied by the Titcomb block in which the post-ofiice is located. 
 Steps were taken towards building a meeting-house as early as 1823. 
 On January 28, of that year, Selah Woodworth and his wife, Rebekah, 
 gave to the trustees of the Methodist Episcopal church of Mayfield and 
 their successors in office, a warranty deed of the lot now occupied by 
 the meeting-house and sheds. These trustees were Parris G. Clark, 
 William McConnell, Samuel Woodworth, John Cozzens and Jacob 
 Woodworth. The deed was sealed and delivered in the presence of 
 
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S20 
 
 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 Luke Woodworth and Noah Cleveland, but strange as it may appear 
 the indenture was not recorded until June 2, 1882. Linus Mathews 
 had charge of the erection of the church, being at that time considered 
 the best carpenter in the community. When completed the church 
 presented a far different appearance from its present convenient arrange- 
 ment. The pulpit was at the east end of the auditorium between the 
 two doors that occupied the place now held by the two front windows. 
 It was of the old box pattern, several steps higher than the floor, and 
 when the preacher was sitting in the pulpit, the greater part of the con 
 gregation was hidden from his view. There was a closed gallery across 
 the west end of the room, where the pulpit now stands. This gallery 
 was partitioned into two apartments which were used as class rooms 
 and also for business meetings. The seats of course faced east, or to 
 the front of the house and were of ancient pattern, without paint or var- 
 nish. In the old gallery class room of years gone by were seen on each 
 Thursday evening, in all kinds of weather, such well remembered men 
 as Elijah Porter, Samuel Woodworth, Edward Kennicutt, Jabez Foote, 
 John Cozzens, Sr., Valentine Brown, Isaac Osborn, Ezekiel Canfield, 
 Cornelius Van Dyke, and his brother, John Van Dyke, W^illiam Tooker, 
 Jonathan Canfield, Daniel Harris, John Halstead, Cornelius Cole, Harley 
 Bartlett, John Cozzens, jr., William Cozzens, Jacob Woodworth, Samuel 
 Brown, Elisha Stone, Caleb Canfield, Clement Canfield, William Fer- 
 guson, Hezekiah Tyrrell, Alexander McAllister, Gilbert W. Hayes, 
 John Hageman, Peter Van Buskirk, James Woodworth, Stephen J. 
 Hogeboom, Moses Kinney,. Daniel Ferguson, Jacob Dennie, James H. 
 Roberts, David N. Barker, M. D., Beriah Waite and many others who 
 held prominence in the history of the church both at earlier and later 
 dates. 
 
 The meeting-house was first occupied late in the summer of 1823, 
 although it was not then wholly completed. The dedication service 
 was conducted by Rev. Eben Smith, presiding elder of the Montgornery 
 district, assisted by Rev. Sherman Miner, senior preacher in charge of 
 the circuit. The sheds adjoining the church were built in 1838 and a 
 portion of the south end was destroyed by fire in 1866. A shed run- 
 ning from the northwest corner of the church lot to the building was 
 ^Iso built in 1838, but was removed in 1873 to make room for the pres- 
 
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TOWN OF MAYFIELD. 521 
 
 ent class-room. The church was thoroughly remodeled, repaired, en- 
 larged and supplied with a new roof in 1851. The whole work was 
 finished in the autumn and the church was rededicated by Revs. Caleb 
 C. Bedell, Araunali Lyon and Peter Harrower. Again in 1867 it was 
 thoroughly renovated, painted, recarpeted and materially improved at a 
 cost of about $400. The parlors adjoining the church on the west were 
 added in 1874, the total cost being about $890.57. The pulpit was 
 remodeled in 1877, the carpenter work being done gratuitously by 
 Albert A. Wells and the painting by William A. Richardson. Some 
 external improvements were also made in 1883. 
 
 In 1866 Mayfield dissolved its circuit relations with Broadalbin and 
 thus became the head of a circuit embracing Mayfield and its surround- 
 ing hamlets, such as Jackson Summit, Crosby's Corners, Munsonville, 
 Mayfield Centre, Riceville, Pleasant Square and West Bush, with Rev. 
 Henry W. Munsee as preacher in charge. 
 
 The first funeral service held in the church was that of Selah Wood- 
 worth, who was born August 1 1, 1750, and died October 25, 1823, only 
 about nine months after he had given the lot <on which the edifice was 
 built. 
 
 The early circuit preachers at this church, dating from 1785 were 
 Joseph Willis, Mr. Keff, Mr. Woolsey, Abner Chase, Ezekiel Canfield, 
 Samuel Draper, Daniel Ostrander, Samuel Howe, John Finnegan and 
 Andrew McKean. Among other preachers who were on this circuit 
 may be mentioned Samuel Howe, John Clark and Bradley Sellick in 
 1821 ; John Moriarty and John W. Denniston in 1827; Cyrus Meeker 
 and A. C. Mills in 1832; Charles Sherman and Roswell Kelly in 1838; 
 Ephraim Goss and Alpheus Wade in 1846. The regular pastors sta- 
 tioned at this church since 1854 have been as follows: 1854, John Par- 
 ker; 1855-56, Robert Patterson; 1857-58, Hannibal H. Smith, sr. ; 
 1859, Reuben Westcott; 1860-61, J. G. Phillips; 1862, James G. Per- 
 kins- 1863, J. G. Perkins and W. H. Smith; 1864, Jacob Leonard; 
 1865, A. C. Reynolds; 1866-68, Henry M. Munsee; 1869, Hannibal 
 H.Smith; 1870, Julius H. Stewart; 1871, John Hamlin Coleman; 
 1872, Edwin Potter; 1873-74, Robert Washburn; 1875-76, Amos Os- 
 born; 1877, Frank R. Sherwood; 1878-79, Joel Hall; 1880-82, Henry 
 Munsee; 1883-84, John P. Crane; 1885-86, Charles A. Beaudry; 
 66 
 
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522 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 1887—89, Charles B. Lewis; 1 890, James S. Clark; vacancy caused by 
 death of Mr. Clark filled by H. M. Munsee until April, 1 891, when the 
 present pastor, Rev. Lyman D. Cook, of New Hampshire, joined the 
 Troy conference, and was assigned to Ma3'field. He was returned to 
 his charge for the second year by the annual conference held in Platts- 
 burgh in 1892. 
 
 The Sunday-school of this church was organized by Harley Bartlett 
 and Jacob Woodworth in 1830. It now has 100 scholars and George 
 C. Hartin is superintendent 
 
 The trustees of the church are James H, Roberts, Baltie H. Dixon, 
 William Thompson, William Brownell, Charles Slade ; stewards, James 
 H. Roberts, Edward Thompson, George C. Hartin, John L. Bradt, 
 William A. Anthony, Jesse Kerchin, Mrs. Jennie Coons, Mrs. Jennie 
 Christie. 
 
 Mayfield was the home of old Constellation Lodge, No 103, F. & A. 
 M., organized March 7, 1804. The first officers were Oliver Rice, W. 
 M.; Ripley Merrill, J. W.; Rufus Mason, treasurer; Horace Burr, secre- 
 tary; David Adams, J. D.; Thomas Chase, tyler; John Anderson and 
 Jonathan Fisk, stewards. The lodge worked until 1835, after which 
 no meetings were held. The records of this body are now in the pos- 
 session of the Gloversville lodge. 
 
 The Union Rural^Cemetery, located south of the village of Mayfield, 
 was organized under the laws of the state of New York for 1847. The 
 association did not become fully organized, however, until 1872, when 
 the first officers were chosen. October 15, 1872, Rev. Jeremiah Wood 
 was chosen president; James Dennie, vice-president ; John C. Titcomb, 
 treasurer; William H. Shaw, secretary; Alonzo J. Banks, William 
 Jackson, Jeremiah Wood, James Dennie, John C. Titcomb and William 
 H. Shaw, trustees. The present officers are : President, William W. 
 Dixon ; vice-president, Edward Christie ; treasurer, J. C. Titcomb ; sec- 
 retary, J. Edward Wood ; the trustees include the above with Samuel 
 Mercer. 
 
 Riceville is a small village situated on Mayfield creek, about one and 
 a half miles southwest of the Corners. At one time it was the scene of 
 much activity and between the years 1785 and 1830 it contained two 
 taverns, four stores, a grist-mill, a saw-mill, foundry, distillery, fulling- 
 
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TOWN OF MAYFIELD. 523 
 
 mill, skin- mill and a well filled school-house. At that time the greater 
 share of property there belonged to Clark & Clancey, who subsequent- 
 ly quarreled and carried their controversy into the courts to such an 
 extent as to completely check the growth of the place, and the mills and 
 taverns which once did a prosperous business soon went to decay. The 
 village now contains two skin- mills, a grocery store, of which George 
 Lee is the proprietor, a school-house and twenty or twenty- five dwell- 
 ings. 
 
 Vail's Mills, formerly called " Lower Bush," is located on Kennyetto 
 creek, in the southeast part of Mayfield. Daniel Lefferts was the first 
 to settle in the immediate neighborhood, coming thither between 1790 
 and 1795. He also erected the first saw- mill in that part of the town. 
 William Vail came from Connecticut in 1804 and purchased the prop- 
 erty lately owned by Isaac George, as well as that now owned by his 
 grandson. The village containsa school house, a store, of which Ed- 
 ward Vosburgh is proprietor and also postmaster, a grist mill, a saw- 
 mill and several small shops. 
 
 Closeville is a hamlet in the southeastern part of the town. The 
 place was originally called Wood's Hollow by the inhabitants. It was 
 settled about 1795 by a man named .Harmon, who built and operated 
 a grist-mill there. It also contained at one time two large paper-mills, 
 but the business of the place has greatly diminished. 
 
 Anthonyville is the name of a small cluster of houses about two miles 
 southwest of Mayfield. The locality was settled between 18 1 2 and 
 18 1 5 by Lebbeus Barton, who came thither from Connecticut and built 
 a carding- mill (the first in the town), and ini8i6ori8i7a brick house, 
 which was the second one in the town. He also built a saw mill in 
 1820 at the same place. Soon afterward a blacksmith shop was built 
 there, and in a few years was fitted as an iron works and a trip hammer 
 placed in operation. John M. Anthony purchased the property about 
 1833 and did a large business as an iron worker. Orrin A. Anthony 
 now carries on the business, and is prepared to make axes and edge 
 tools, together with other useful implements. 
 
 Munsonville is a small hamlet located about two miles southeast of 
 Mayfield village on the Sacandaga road, and was settled by Solomon 
 Woodworth prior to the revolution. Other pioneers in this locality 
 
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52^ HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 were families of Snyders, McLarens and Goodmasters. Much of the 
 real property of the place afterwards passed into the possession of Van- 
 denburgh, Leversee and others, and is mostly owned at present by Mr. 
 Vandenburgh and the wife of the late E. B. Munson. The post-office 
 (and store) at this place is kept by Warren Perrigo. 
 
 Woodworth's Corners, a cluster of dwellings situated between May- 
 field village and Riceville, was settled about 1790. The place takes its 
 name from the Woodworth family, the land now occupied by it having 
 been conveyed by deed from Selah Woodworth to W. D. Woodworth. 
 
 Jackson Summit is another village, located three miles north of May- 
 field, which has been the scene of considerable business in its time, but 
 at present only contains a {^^ dwellings. A post-office was established 
 there July 17, 1861, and .W, H. Shaw appointed postmaster, the mail 
 to be carried between that place and Mayfield twice a week without 
 compensation, but in 1865 the office was closed. 
 
 Shawville is located on Mayfield creek, about one- half mile south of 
 the Corners. It contains a grist-mill, built on the site of the one erected 
 by Sir William Johnson in 1773, and also the railway station of the 
 Fonda, Johnstown and Gloversville Railroad. It also has a blacksmith 
 and wagon shop, and a harness and saddlery store, of which G. W. 
 Haines is proprietor. 
 
 The first town meeting was held at the log meeting-house about three 
 miles south of Mayfield village, on Tuesday, April i, 1794, and the 
 following officers elected : Supervisor, Selah Woodworth ; assessors, 
 John Grover, Robert Jackson, and Joseph Newton ; collector, Caleb 
 Woodworth ; constables, Caleb Woodworth and Adam Backer. 
 
 The town records from that time until 1826 have either been lost or 
 destroyed, and it is only possible to give a list of the supervisors and 
 town clerks from 1826 until the present time. 
 
 The supervisors have been as follows : Parris G. Clark, 1826 ; James 
 Canary, 1827-30; Darius Clark, 1831 ; Joseph A. Major, 1832; Col- 
 lins Odell, 1833-34; Elisha Bentley, jr., 1835; Thomas Sammons, 
 1836-37; Peter Carmichael, 1838; Francis Wells, 1839; Stephen 
 Wait, 1840; Francis B. Van Buren, 1841 ; John Cozzens, jr., 1842-43; 
 Warren Smith, 1844; James Berry, 1845 ; Bradford T. Simmons, 1846- 
 47; "Elisha Bentley, 1848-49; Sylvester D. Alvord, 1850-51 ; Miles 
 
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TOWN OF MAYFJELD. 525 
 
 Brown, 1852; Alexander McKinley, 1853-54; William G. Wait, 1855- 
 57; Alexander McKinlay, 1858-59; William Vail, i86c-6i ; John 
 Green, 1862-64; William Vail, 1865-66; George W. Lee, 1867; Niel 
 Stewart, 1868 ; Edward Christie, 1869; Niel Ste^vart, 1870-71 ; James 
 E. Wood, 1872; William H. Shaw, 1874-75; David Kennedy, 1876- 
 •]^ ; James H. Brown, 1878 ; William Van Ostrand, 1879; William H. 
 McFarlan, 1881; James H. Knapp, 1882-83; Alexander Kennedy, 
 1884-85; Philander Gray, 1886-87; Alexander Kennedy, 1888; Will- 
 iam N. Willkins, 1889; B. D. Brown, 1890-91. 
 
 Town Clerks. — William McConnell, 1826-30; Collins Odell, 1831-32; 
 David Clancy, 1833; Francis Wells, 1834-38; Peter Vosburgh, 1839; 
 Ahasuerus G. Marselis, 1840; William Easterly, 1841-44; Francis 
 Banta, 1845; Collins Odell, 1846; Ahasuerus G. Marselis, 1847-48; 
 James H. Kennicott, 1849; Francis Wells, 1850; Chauncey H. Rice, 
 1851; Abram H. Wells, 1852-54; Isaac T. Close, 1855; David N. 
 Barker, 1856; Hiram Berry, 1857-58; Stephen Dennie, 1859-60; 
 Jacob L. Haines, 1861 ; James E. Wood, 1862-66; N. E. Close, 1867; 
 John Laird, 1868 ; Charles E. Potter, 1869 ; Collins Odell, 1870 ; James 
 E. Wood, 1871 ; Collins Odell, 1872; J. C. Titcomb, 1874; Isaac 
 Brown, jr., 1875-77 ; Lochiel Johnston, 1878-79; A. H. Hale, 1880-81 ; 
 Byron D. Brown, 1882-85; George T. Close, 1886-87; George E, 
 Wilkins, 1888-89; G. E. Mercer, 1890-91. 
 
 The first justice of the peace in the town was Samuel A. Gilbert, 
 elected in 1830. 
 
 The present officers are as follows : Supervisor, Byron D. Brown ; 
 town clerk, George E. Mercer; justices of the peace, F. W. Brown, 
 Harvey Hall, S. A. Brown, Archibald McFarlan ; assessors, Ellery D. 
 Knapp, Josiah M. Danforth and William Griffis. 
 
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£26 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 CHAPTER XXV. 
 
 TOWN OF EPHRATAH. 
 
 THIS town lies on the southern border of Fulton county, next west of 
 Johnstown which forms its eastern boundary. It is bounded on the 
 north by the towns of Caroga and Stratford, on the south by Montgom- 
 ery county and on the west by Oppenheim. Its surface is mostly a hilly 
 upland, 400 to 1,500 feet above the Mohawk river. The soil in the 
 central and southwestern portions consists of a sandy loam, partaking 
 more of a clayey nature in the southeast, and light sand in the north- 
 west, while in the northeastern part high rocky hills tower above the 
 surrounding country. The town is noted for its numerous and rapid 
 streams, many of which have their source among the hills of the north 
 and flow with great velocity through deep valleys, finding an outlet in 
 the Mohawk or its tributaries. This is particularly true of Garoga 
 creek which flows in a southwesterly direction through the town, in a 
 deep valley, the hills on either side rising about 800 feet above the 
 water. Among other streams in different parts of the town are the 
 Klock, the Zimmerman, the North, the Sprite and the Sponable creeks. 
 They furnish abundant power for mill purposes, and in former years 
 when lumbering was carried on quite extensively many saw-mills were 
 driven by their power, but the greater portion of the valuable timber 
 has been cleared away, and now the farmers of Ephratah have turned 
 their attention to agricultural pursuits, in which dairying is the leading 
 feature. 
 
 Ephratah was formed from Palatine, March 27, 1827, but a part of the 
 town was reannexed to Palatine on the erection of Fulton county, April 
 18, 1838. The first land grant within its present bounds was the Stone 
 Arabia patent, consisting in all of 12,700 acres, which was granted 
 October 19, 1723, and included nearly all the land south of Garoga and 
 Sponable creeks. It is claimed that the town was named by Anthony 
 i3eck, who selected the Bible name of Ephratah, which signifies abun- 
 
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TOWN OF EPHRATAH. 527 
 
 dance- bearing fruit. Beck claimed the power of seeing into the future 
 and of describing coming events, and tliere were many persons of such 
 superstition as to give credence to his prophecies. He made the asser- 
 tion that he was able to penetrate coming events, however remote, and 
 many years prior to the invention of locomotives or the application of 
 steam power, he claimed to have seen it, and he took delight in describ- 
 ing moving things similar to modern railway trains, called by him 
 " smoking wagons " which rushed through the country, passing through 
 what is now the village of Ephratah, for which he prophesied a great ad- 
 vance. He also claimed to have seen, at midday, from " Spook Hill," 
 (a high piece of ground about a mile east of the village) a large and 
 wealthy city, full of business and active life, the scene of this vision being 
 the site of the present village of Ephratah. 
 
 Early Settlemettt. — The southern part of the town was among the 
 earliest settled portions of Fulton county As early as 1720 Frederick 
 Getman, Johannes Bearman, Frederick Empie, John Shoemaker, Johan- 
 nes Schell and Honnas Reed, all from Germany, came and located in 
 the southern part of what is now the town of Ephratah. They were 
 followed prior to the revolution by others, among whom were Jacob 
 Frey, Gerrit Marcellus, Michael Strayer, Christian Blopper, Nicholas 
 Rector, Lodowick Herring, John Herdick, Phillip Kreitzer, William 
 Cool, Henry Hart, Zechariah Tripp, John Casselman, Peter Schutt, 
 Nicholas and Henry Smith, John Sponable, Richard Young, Richard 
 CoppernoU and William Duesler. 
 
 In 1743 Frederick Getman (written Kittman at that time) and Johan- 
 nes Bearman purchased jointly from Hendrick Sic, lots 92, 94, 96 and 
 98, of the Stone Arabia patent. Mr. Bearman's interest in the land 
 was afterwards purchased by Mr. Getman. The latter had four sons 
 born here, namely: Frederick, jr., George, John and Christian, all of 
 whom took part'in the French war prior to 1757. During the revolu- 
 tion Christian Getman became captain of a company of Rangers. 
 George Getman, who succeeded his father in the possession of the home- 
 stead, had five sons, all of whom did service in the American cause dur- 
 ing the revolution, one of them, George, jr., holding a lieutenant's 
 commission under Colonel Willett The old farm came to him as a 
 legacy, and mention may be made of the remarkable fact that of his 
 
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528 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 five sons, each bore arms as soldiers in the war of i8i2. One of them, 
 Frederick, lived to an advanced age on the old farm. He was the 
 father of Oliver Getman, once sheriff of the county and for many years 
 a respected resident of Ephratah village. 
 
 Frederick Empie came in and settled on lots 86 and 88 of the 
 Stone Arabia Patent, in 1743. The farm came into the hands of 
 the son of each successive generation and finally into the possession 
 of John F. Empie, of Ephratah village, who was born there in 1821. 
 His grandfather, John Empie, was a soldier in the revolution, and 
 another member of the family, Philip Empie, was captured by the 
 Indians, who started with him for Canada. He suffered the torture 
 of being bound at night with a rope, the ends of which were placed 
 beneath the bodies of two or more savages, who laid down upon either 
 side of him. As remarkable as the fact may appear, he succeeded in 
 loosening the cords that bound him without disturbing or awakening 
 his captors and made his escape. 
 
 Nicholas Rector settled a short distance north of Georgia village, on 
 the farm more recently owned by Sanford Snell. He was captain of 
 militia during the revolution, and his family passed through some very 
 trying and painful experiences. Upon one occasion when they were 
 attacked by the Indians, a son who was working in a sugar bush, 
 unaware of the proximity of the savages, returned to. the house and 
 was brutally killed. Mr. Rector escaped without fuither injury than 
 a wound in the wrist, and his wife, after receiving a. painful wound in 
 the leg, displayed heroic courage by walking to Stone Arabia. It is 
 related that while on her journey thither she discovered the body of 
 a white man who had been killed and scalped by the same band of 
 Indians, and that she took the shoes from his feet and wore them to 
 the fort. 
 
 Henry Herring came in and settled on the place afterwards occupied 
 by Benjamin Snell, and Philip Kreitzer and William Cool settled about 
 two miles northwest of Ephratah village. Henry Hart took up his resi- 
 dence two miles northeast. Nicholas Smith and his brother, Henry, 
 both soldiers of the revolution, came in at an early day, the former 
 settling where Wallace McLaughlin afterward lived, and the latter on the 
 place more recently occupied by Daniel Smith. Richard Young and 
 
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TOWN OF EPHRATAH. 
 
 529 
 
 Richard Coppernoll were also soldiers of the revolution, and settled in 
 what is now the town of Ephratah prior to the close of the war. The 
 former lived on the farm owned in recent jears by Hiram Lighthall, 
 and the latter on the place afterwards occupied by Stephen Gray. 
 Francis Lighthall, grandfather of Hiram Lighthall, did gallant service 
 at the battle of Oriskany, was captured by the Indians and was taken 
 to Canada, where he remained in imprisonment three years. Richard 
 Putnam also took part in that famous battle, avenging the death of 
 Captain Davis, by whose side he was standing when that officer re- 
 ceived his death wound. Henry Saltsman and James Keith also did 
 service in the revolutionary war. John Argersinger, who died in 
 Ephratah about 1830, fought in the revolution when only seventeen 
 years of age. He was engaged in the fight near Johnson Hall with Ross 
 and Butler, in which battle he received a slight wound. 
 
 Sir William Johnson owned considerable land south of Garoga and 
 Sprite creeks, and in 1770 built a stone grist mill on what is now the 
 site of Wade's tannery, in the village of Ephratah. This mill was at- 
 tacked and burned during the revolution by a party of Indians and 
 tories, and William Cool, who happened then to be in the mill, was 
 killed and scalped. Ozias Krep, the miller, was taken prisoner and 
 carried to Canada. Prior to this he had concealed in the stone walls of 
 the mill some specie. Returning after the close of the war, in company 
 with George Getman, he went to the spot and succeeded in finding his 
 hidden treasure, which was an amount sufficient to comfortably sup- 
 port him during the remainder of his life. 
 
 Another grist- mill was erected prior to the revolution by Johannes 
 Winkle, on the site now occupied by Yauney's woolen mill, in Ephratah 
 village. This mill was also destroyed by fire during the war, but was 
 afterwards rebuilt by a man named ShuU, and was subsequently pur- 
 chased by Henry Yauney. William Duesler, one of the pioneers, was a 
 carpenter by trade and built on the farm afterwards owned by James 
 Yauney, a barn, which withstood the effects of time and storm for more 
 than a hundred years. 
 
 Within a few years after the close of the revolution many new settlers 
 made their way into the present town, and peace naturally brought 
 prosperity and progress. Farms were worked with a confidence that 
 67 
 
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^2,0 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 bountiful crops would be reaped as a reward for labor, and homes were 
 established with a consciousness of safety from invasion which up to that 
 time had been unknown. This was the inception of the thriving agri- 
 culture, and the active manufactures and busy villages of the present 
 day. In 1794 Isaac Everest, a native of Connecticut, settled on a farm 
 about two and a half miles south of Caroga, the place afterwards com- 
 ing into the possession of Andrew Christman. Everest brought with 
 him his son, David C, who remained on Hie old place until 1856. 
 
 Mention may be made of the interesting fact that the first survey of 
 a road was made by Christian Getman, under the direction of Sir 
 William Johnson, the lines being made with a pocket compass. The 
 road began near Johnson Hall and passed through the central part of 
 the town of Lassellsville. The first school in the town was kept by a 
 man named McLean, and the first store by Johannes Winkle, the latter 
 being located in what is now Ephratah village. An inventory of 
 Winkle's effects was made after his death, and the document bears the 
 date 1789. It afterwards came into the possession of the Getman fam- 
 ily. A German school was taught by Honnas Moot at an early day, 
 being located about a mile south of Ephratah village. John Empie 
 conducted the first tavern, and the old sign, made in 1 809, is yet in the 
 possession of his son, John F. Empie. 
 
 Probably the first marriage in the town was that of Christian Getman 
 to Anna Timmerman, a widow lady, who prior to her marriage with 
 Getman, had experienced a miraculous escape from death during the 
 French war, having been shot and scalped by Indians. She survived, 
 however, and afterwards became the happy mother of four sons. 
 
 VILLAGES. 
 
 Ephratah village is situated on Garoga creek in the southern part of 
 the town. The foundation for the present village was laid by Henry 
 Yauney in 1803, who owned a grist-mill that occupied the site of the 
 present woolen-mill. In that year he 'made a purchase of 100 acres 
 of land adjacent to the mill and laid a portion of it out into building 
 lots. In 1808 he erected a saw-mill on the creek, and in 1832, having 
 removed the grist-mill, he built a woolen-mill on the same site. During 
 
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TOWN OF EPHRATAH. 
 
 531 
 
 the war of 1812 he was captain of a troop numbering eighty, and known 
 as the "Tillaborough Company." He afterwards became a major of 
 New York State Militia. Thomas A. Benedict built and conducted a 
 store in the village in 18 10, and a distillery was erected by George 
 Getman and Stephen Cogswell in 18 12. They also opened a store. 
 Nicholas Gray built and operated a tannery in the village at an early 
 date, this being the first one in the town. John Gray built the first 
 blacksmith shop. Peter Schram built and conducted a tavern or inn at 
 a very early day. Philip Empie, a second cousin of John F. Empie, 
 was one of the first proprietors of the hotel now conducted by Reuben 
 Saltsman. Among other proprietors of this hotel in years gone by, 
 may be mentioned Professor Hill, Hiram Putnam, Nicholas Fancher, 
 and Henry Quackenbush, during whose ownership the house was par- 
 tially rebuilt and greatly improved. Reuben Saltsman bought the 
 property and opened the house in January, 1890. Another old hotel 
 stood where John E. Van Voast now lives. Abijah Eldridge kept it 
 for a time, as did John H. Allen. It was burned about 1852, while 
 being conducted by John K. Fuller. 
 
 A post route was established between Canajoharie and Ephratah vil- 
 lage at an early day and Christopher Getman was appointed the first 
 postmaster. Alexander Ercanbrack was postmaster about i860, and 
 he was succeeded in about two years by James G. Van Voast, who held 
 the office for many years, being followed by his son, James E. Van 
 Voast. Charles Yauney, the present postmaster, received his appoint- 
 ment July 10, 1882. 
 
 Among the present business men of Ephratah may be mentioned 
 Garret Snell, who keeps the store conducted for many years by James 
 E. Van Voast ; Charles Yauney, who keeps a general stock of mer- 
 chandise ; Lester Getman, an old and highly respected resident, and 
 Norman Snell. Levi Yauney conducts a large woolen mill at the foot 
 of Mill street, connected with which is a fully equipped saw-mill. The 
 knitting and fulling-mill of Abner Yauney is also located in the village. 
 It is amply fitted with modern machinery, but is not in operation at 
 present. Mortimer Wade, for many years a resident of Ephratah, but 
 now of Johnstown, owns and operates a tannery in the eastern part of 
 the village. This tannery occupies the site of the old stone grist-mill 
 
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532 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 erected by Sir William Johnson and burned during the revolution. 
 Wilson Sanderson has a steam planing and cider-mill about one-half 
 mile nortlieast of the village. 
 
 Rockwood is picturesquely situated on Garoga creek, near the east 
 line of the town, and about a mile south of its northern boundary. The 
 first settlers in the vicinity of this village came in about the year 1800. 
 Among them were families of Pettits, Herringtons, Garfields and Nic- 
 loys. They were followed within a short time by others, the family 
 names of some of which were Orton, Simmons, Halstead, Potter, Phil- 
 lips, Dye, Durfee and Dennis. The first saw-mill in the village was 
 built in 1805 by Mr. Halstead, and the first carding-mill in 1815, by 
 Abram Durfee and Ira Simmons. During the following year Joseph 
 Dennis built the first grist-mill. The first store was opened in 1 826 by 
 Azel Hough, and in 183 1 Thomas Simmons built and conducted the 
 first hotel. The first physician in this part of the town was Dr. Whit- 
 ney, who settled a mile or more southwest of the place in 1807. The 
 little village was originally called Pleasant Valley, but when the post- 
 office was established there in 1850 the name was changed to Rockwood. 
 The present postmaster is Asa Benjamin, who also conducts a store. 
 The Rockwood House, a large and commodious hotel, and the Cottage 
 Hotel, adjoining, are owned by C. A. Long. One of the principal in- 
 dustries of the village is the straw board manufactory of Stahl & Martin. 
 Levi Stahl the senior partner, also conducts a saw- mill and lumber busi- 
 ness with his son Charles, and a grocery store with his son Whitney. 
 
 Lassellsville is situated near the west line of the town about midway 
 between its northern and southern boundaries. The first settlement 
 there was made prior to the revolution by a man named Flander. He 
 was subsequently followed by Daniel and Henry Phye and a number of 
 others. The village contains two churches, two stores, a hotel, a mill, 
 a cheese factory, and about two hundred inhabitants. 
 
 Garoga is a small village situated on the creek from which it derives 
 its name, about one mile south of Rockwood. The chief industries of 
 the place are the manufacture of cheese and straw board. 
 
 Church History — The " Tillaborough Church lot," a piece of land 
 containing one hundred acres, located on a hill about two miles north 
 of Ephratah village, was the first land set aside for religious purposes 
 
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TOWN OF EPHRATAH. 533 
 
 within the present town of Ephratah. The name " Tillaborough " is 
 said to be a corruption of " Dillenburgh," a place in Germany from 
 whence a large number of the early settlers of this neighborhood are 
 supposed to have come. The lot was No. 13 of the Magin purchase, 
 and was given by " Rev. John Ogilvie, clerk, and Isaac Lowe, mer- 
 chant, both of the city of New York," by deed in trust to Johannes 
 Winkle, Jury Frey, Hendrick Herring and Philip Cool, to be used for 
 church and school purposes, September i, 1757. The conditions of the 
 deed were " that a church edifice be erected thereon within seventy 
 years, for the worship of God according to the usage of any of the re- 
 formed Protestant denominations in Europe or these provinces," further 
 stipulating that if the land was not thus used it was to revert to the 
 heirs of the donors. 
 
 A school-house was erected on this lot early in the century, and on 
 April 7, 1823, a meeting was held there and a religious society formed, 
 bearing the title of "The United Reformed Dutch and Lutheran Church 
 of Tillaborough, in the Town of Palatine." The trustees elected upon 
 this occasion were Nicholas Smith, Philip Cool, Jacob Cool, Jacob 
 Duesler and Peter Smith. A church was built upon the lot in 1827, 
 and during the first few years of its existence the society was supplied 
 by Lutheran and Reformed ministers from Stone Arabia. For ten 
 years following 1830 the congregation received the services of Rev. 
 John J. Wack, and he was allowed the rentals of the land. At the end 
 of that time he was ejected, and for many years the building was sel- 
 dom used and the rents accruing from the land amounted to very little. 
 As a matter of form, however, trustees were elected each year for sev- 
 eral years, but the society finally became inactive. With the idea in 
 view of forming a new Lutheran and Reformed church, an organization 
 was perfected February i, 1866, and an attempt was made to take and 
 control the lands that were in the care of the previously elected trustees. 
 Litigation ensued, resulting in favor of the former trustees, who contin- 
 ued to hold the lot and the new organization soon afterwards became 
 extinct. On March 13, 1876, the Supreme Court of the state of New 
 York granted a permit to the trustees to sell the lands, invest the pro- 
 ceeds and expend the interest therefrom for religious services in the 
 school-houses in Districts Nos, 4 and 1 1 of the town of Ephratah. The 
 
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534 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 board of trustees at that time consisted of Benjamin and Edward Dues- 
 ler, Henry Cretser, Philip Cool, and Wallace McLaughlin. Solomon 
 Gray was treasurer and Nathaniel Chrisman, clerk. The original house 
 of worship had long since been in ruins, and there was no church nearer 
 than Ephratah village. The inhabitants of the neighborhood, however, 
 felt that another church should be erected on the lot, and this senti- 
 ment resulted in the building of the present frame church, which is a 
 Convenient structure, and was completed in 1882. Services are now 
 held there every other Sunday by the Reformed church pastor of 
 Ephratah. The present trustees are Eli Duesler, Edward S. Duesler, 
 Peter Dockstader, Wallace McLaughlin, and Avery Duesler. 
 
 Among religious societies that have once had an organization in 
 Ephratah, but are no more, maybe mentioned the " Six Principle Bap- 
 tist " Society formed at Pleasant Valley, now known as Rockwood, May 
 2, 18 18. It was probably the first organization of a religious nature in 
 the present town. This body had its origin in Rhode Island about the 
 year 1700, and takes its creed from the six things mentioned in He- 
 brews, vi. 1—2, namely : Repentance from dead works, faith toward God, 
 the doctrine of baptism, of repentance, fire and suffering, laying on of 
 hands, resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. The denomina- 
 tion flourished during the first half of the present century, and at one 
 time had thirty- nine churches in this country, including five in New 
 York. In 1867, however, the number had decreased to eighteen 
 churches and about 3,000 members. At the present time there are no 
 churches of this denomination in Fulton county. The Rockwood soci- 
 ety was formed as the "Palatine Branch " of a church of similar faith 
 located at Amsterdam ; and for a number of years the congregation re- 
 ceived the services at irregular intervals of Revs. Ezra Allen, James T. 
 Joslin and William Groom. A reorganization as an independent 
 church took place June 10, 1830, consisting of thirty nine members, 
 who adopted the title of " The Six Principle Baptist Church of Christ." 
 The first regular pastor of this society was Rev. William Thompson, 
 who began his services January 29, 1 831. The new organization was 
 not destined to be of great permanence, as many of its members soon 
 afterward expressed a desire to join the regular Baptist denomination, 
 and upon the formation of the Otsego Baptist Association, March 20, 
 
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TOWN OF EPHRATAH. 535 
 
 1834, the Six Principle Baptist church of Pleasant Valley (with the ex- 
 ception of two dissenters), joined that body, changing for conformity 
 their name and articles of faith. From that time until the present the 
 society has been known as the Baptist Church of Pleasant Valley. 
 Erastus Miner was ordained and installed as pastor of this new and 
 distinct organization, in December, 1835, '""^ the congregation con- 
 tinued to hold their services in the Union church building, alternating 
 with the Methodist Episcopal Society until 1842, after which the house 
 of worship was improved and kept in repair by the Baptists, who occu- 
 pied it exclusively. Among the pastors of this church from the time 
 of the departure of Rev. Mr. Miner until within recent years, may be 
 mentioned the following: Daniel Robinson, James S. McCullum, E. G. 
 R. Joslin, Joseph K. Barry, Homer Clark, E. D. Towner, George W. 
 Abrams, Hezekiah West, William Brown, Roswell Collins, R. D. Pierce, 
 David Peck and a few others. 
 
 The Union Society of Pleasant Valley was organized January 24, 
 1834, at which time the election of officers took place and resulted in 
 the selection of Joseph Dennis, Rouse Simmons, Dutee Joslin, Robert 
 Weaver, Chauncey Orton, and Azel Hough as trustees. The society 
 was soon afterward incorporated and included among its members, four 
 religious denominations, as follows: Six Principle Baptist, Methodist 
 Episcopal, regular Baptist and Presbyterian. The Union Church was 
 erected in 1833 and it appears in the records that the Six Principle Bap- 
 tists were to occupy the building every Sunday forenoon ; the remain- 
 der of the day being apportioned as follows : To the Methodist Episco- 
 pal Society, 22 Sundays in each year; to the Baptist, 18; and 
 to the Presbyterian, 12. This arrangement was not of many years' 
 duration, as the Six Principle Baptists afterwards merged into the regu- 
 lar Baptist Society, and the Presbyterians diminished in number until 
 they became extinct ; while the Methodists erected a church for their 
 own use. The Baptists therefore continued in sole occupation of the 
 building, but the title to the property remains unchanged. 
 
 The Methodist Episcopal Church of Rockwood. — The early history of 
 Methodism in Fulton county is so well known to the reader who has 
 reviewed foregoing pages of this work, that its renewed detail here 
 would seem Hke repetition. The adherents to this faith who lived in the 
 
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536 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 neighborhood of Ephratah and Rockwood were wont to assemble on 
 the Sabbath for worship at the dwellings of some of the members, and 
 at different times were favored with preaching by ministers from Johns- 
 town and Gloversville. This continued .until 1833, when regular serv- 
 ices were held in the Union Church of Rockwood. The first pastor 
 was Rev. Stephen Parks, who also filled appointments at Ephratah vil- 
 lage, Keek's Centre, Garoga Lake and North Bush. 
 
 The present organization, as well as that of the Methodist Episcopal 
 Church of Ephratah village, was perfected January 24, 1842, and com- 
 prised forty-five members, of whom the following were chosen trustees : 
 George Jeffers, Giles S. Day, Peter Simmons and Peter R. Simmons. 
 Incorporation took place immediately under the name of the " Methodist 
 Episcopal Church of Pleasant Valley." The erection of a church was 
 at once begun, the consecration taking place in the same year. Rev. 
 S. L. Stillman, of Albany, officiated upon this occasion. The first pas- 
 tor of the new church was Rev. James Connor. Among his successors 
 have been Dillon Stevens, M. Townsend, J. Quinlan, A. Mosher, B. Is- 
 bell, O. E. Spicer, Henry Williams, James Tubbs, C. A. Anderson, N. 
 Whitman, L. Warner, J. C. Walker, A. Robins, T. F. Hannah, E. E. 
 Taylor, William J. Sands, Henry White, Milton Taylor, M. D. Jump, 
 H. Harris, Joel Hall, Legrand Jones, and D. M. C. Schell, who re- 
 mained until 1880. 
 
 The Methodist Episcopal Church at Ephratah village is virtually one 
 and the same with that at Rockwood, its organization having been ef- 
 fected under that name. The'present house of worship was erected in 
 1861 as a result of the efforts put forward by a building committee ap- 
 pointed at a quarterly meeting held at Rockwood January 18, of that 
 year. This committee consisted of W. Randall, S. Peters, A. Coolman, 
 J. Getman, and Adam Getmah. The pastors of this church have also 
 officiated at Rockwood, the parsonage being located at Ephratah. 
 Those who have received appointments to this charge since 1880 are 
 as follows: H. Vandecar, 1880 ; H. S. Rowe, 1881 ; W. J. Sands, 1883 ; 
 Robert Washburn, 1884; Samuel McChesney, 1884; Samuel H. Kirk- 
 bridge, 1886; C. A. Beaudry, 1888 ; H. B. Shires, 1889. Samuel W. 
 Snow, the present pastor, came in April, 1891. The present stewards 
 of the church are Ambrose Coolman, Willard Snell, Jacob G. Snell, 
 
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TOWN OF EPHRATAH. 537 
 
 Ervin Smith, Charles Yauney, and Israel Underwood. The present 
 membership is about forty, and the church maintains an active Sunday- 
 school of which Charles Yauney is superintendent. The trustees are 
 Thomas Wakeman, Nelson Everest, Lorenzo Brookins, Jeremiah Smith, 
 D. M. Durfee and Loren A. Green. Jacob G. Snell is recording stew- 
 ard and D. M. Durfee, district steward. 
 
 The Reformed Church of Ephratah. — The organization of a religious 
 society, of which the present church is an outgrowth, took place at a 
 meeting held in the school- house of district No. 9, in the town of Pala- 
 tine, March 17, 1823. Peter G. Getman, Thomas Davies, James Get- 
 man, Philip Kring, William Lassell, Jonathan Selter, Timothy Riggs, 
 Chauncey Hutchinson and Caleb Johnson were elected trustees, and 
 James W. Johnson, clerk. The society was incorporated the following 
 week under the name of " The First Presbyterian Church and Society 
 of the town of Palatine." Rev. Elisha Yale, who was at that time pas- 
 tor of the Presbyterian church at Ktngsboro, came to Ephratah occasion- 
 ally during the first year of the new society's existence and preached 
 for the congregation. The first regular pastor was Rev. Caleb Knight, 
 who began his labors June 20, 1824. His first meeting was held in the 
 school-house at Lassellsville and his salary was fixed at $275 per annum 
 for three-fourths of the time. A subscription paper was circulated to 
 raise this amount, the greatest donation to which was $10 and the 
 smallest a bushel of rye. Services were held in the various school- 
 houses during the next two years, at the end of which time Mr. Knight 
 took his departure. The members seemed to lose interest in their meet- 
 ing after their pastor had gone and the society became very inactive, 
 finally discontinuing all services, the last one being held in September, 
 1827. As an indication that there was yet a spark of hope existing 
 among some of the members, it is recorded that in 1829 Dr. Solomon 
 Cummings, who had acted as the last clerk of the old society, engaged 
 with a few others in the erection of a house of worship in Ephratah 
 village. This led to the organization of a new society on July 2, 1832, 
 It was composed largely of the members of the original body and was 
 organized under the name of " The Presbyterian and Reformed Dutch 
 Church of Ephratah." The first elders were John S. Lasher, John Ja- 
 cob Snell and Christian Suits ; the first deacons, Peter Putnam and 
 
 68 
 
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538 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 Moses Suits. The first pastor was Rev. Isaac S. Ketchum, of Stone 
 Arabia, who came and preached every Sunday afternoon. This he 
 continued until 1836, being succeeded the following year by Rev. B. B. 
 Westfall, who remained until 1838. John Robb was the next pastor, 
 beginning his labors in 1841 and continuing about eighteen months. In 
 1844 a call was extended to Rev. Charles Jukes, who came and preached 
 for this society and the one at Stone Arabia. His successor was Rev. 
 John C. Van Liew, who came in 1850. In April of the same year 
 the society was incorporated as " The Reformed Protestant Dutch 
 Church of Ephratah." The consistory at that time included James G. 
 Van Voast, Peter G. Getman and Peter Putnam, elders ; James Yauney 
 and James Edwards, deacons. Mr. Van Liew continued his pastoral 
 relations with the church until 1856 and was succeeded in 1857 by Rev. 
 John P. Westervelt who remained until 1859. The society was then 
 without a pastor for a period of five years, but was occasionally supplied 
 by Revs. George H. Hewlings, Miles G. Merwin and James Abell. 
 The next regular pastor was Rev. W. H. Smith, who came in 1864 and 
 was succeeded in 1868 by Rev. G. M. Compton. He was followed 
 in 1872 by Rev. W. B. Van Benschoten, during whose pastorate many 
 new members were added to the church. His successor was Rev. 
 Rufus M. Stanburgh, who preached his first sermon on the third Sun- 
 day in June, 1881, and remained with tbe congregation until 1884. 
 Rev. WilHam W. Whitney came in January, 1886, and remained until 
 February, 1889. The present pastor. Rev. Peter Q. Wilson, began his 
 pastorate in December, 189 1. 
 
 The church was thoroughly repaired and greatly improved during 
 the summer of 1890, the work being done by John F. Empie. The re- 
 dedication took place in March, 1891, the Revs. Philip Furbeck and 
 Henry H. Sangree officiating at the time. The church has a member- 
 ship of sixty-five and an active Sunday-school, of which Daniel W. 
 Duesler is superintendent. The present elders are James E. Van Voast, 
 Richard Getman, Hiram Lighthall and John Yauney ; the deacons are 
 Seymour Snell, Peter Dockstader, James H. Hager and Norman Salts- 
 man. 
 
 The Methodist Episcopal Church of Lassellsville. — The present church 
 was built and dedicated in 1852. The first structure was built early in 
 
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TOWN OF EPHRATAH. 
 
 539 
 
 the present century and stood directly opposite. Prior to 1884 this 
 church belonged to the St. Johnsville charge ; since that time it has 
 formed a charge together with the society at Oppenheim. Rev. Mr. 
 Hawkins was one of the early pastors and has been succeeded in recent 
 years by Rev. Mr. Van Valkenburgh, S. M. Kelley, Richard B. Rob- 
 bins, S. L. Littlefield, and the present pastor, George F. Armington, 
 who began his labors in April, 1892. The church has between sixty 
 and seventy members and a well attended Sunday-school, of which 
 Daniel Bronk is the superintendent. Mrs. Julia Barker is the recording 
 steward of the charge. The present trustees are H. F. Butler, Cyrus 
 Sponable, Ezekiel Brown, Z. B. Dempster and Moses Keck. 
 
 Lassellsville Union Church. — The present church was built by the 
 members of the Dutch Reformed, Baptist and Universalist societies of 
 Lassellsville, and dedicated in January, 1852. Half of the expense was 
 borne by the Dutch Reformed society, and a quarter each by the Bap- 
 tists and Universalists. The building has been used by these and other 
 denominations, chief among which have been the Lutherans. Among 
 the pastors that have ofificiated at this church may be mentioned Rev. 
 Jonas Dievendorfif, Rev. Mr. Robinson and Rev. Mr. Francisco, the latter 
 of whom afterward went to reside in the western part of the state. The 
 present trustees of the property are Edward McLaughlin, Philip Mi- 
 chael, and one vacancy, caused by the death of Orlando Handy in the 
 spring of 1891. 
 
 Town Officers. — The legislative act passed March 27, 1827, that 
 created the town of Ephratah also provided that the officers elected 
 shortly prior to the division should continue to serve in the same capac- 
 ity for the territory to which they belonged. Accordingly at the time 
 of its formation Ephratah had the following officers : Supervisor, Thomas 
 R. Benedict; town clerk, Edward Burdick ; justices of the peace, Chaun- 
 cey Hutchinson, Joseph Getman, Peter Smith and Edward Burdick. A 
 special town meeting was held at the house of Philip Empie, on the last 
 Tuesday in April, 1827, and resulted in the organization of a complete 
 board of town officers, as follows : Assessors, Joseph Getman, Henry 
 Souls and David C. Everest; overseers of the poor, John Empie, sr., 
 and Caleb Johnson ; collector, George Beck ; commissioners of schools, 
 Peter W. Saltsman, and John McLaughlin ; commissioners of highways, 
 
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S40 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 James Caldwell and Chauncey Orton ; inspector of schools, Samuel R. 
 Dudley; poundmasters and fence viewers, Michael Dorn, jr., Joseph 
 Dennis and Phillip Young. 
 
 The first regular town meeting did not take place until the first Tues- 
 day in March, 1828. It was held at the house of Philip Empie, and the 
 following officers elected : Supervisor, Thomas R. Benedict ; town clerk, 
 Charles Getman; assessors, Henry Souls, Daniel S. Gray and David C. 
 Everest; overseers of poor, John F. Empie, sr., and John Shaver; col- 
 lector, Joseph Scouten ; commissioners of highways, Peter W. Saltsman, 
 Edward Burdick and James Hall ; commissioners of schools, James C. 
 Ott, Philip Kring and Samuel R. Dudley; inspectors of schools, Henry 
 Edwards, Caleb Johnson and Solomon Cummings. 
 
 The supervisors of the town since 1855, with the exception of a few 
 years when no return was made by the town clerk, have been as follows : 
 Mortimer Wade, 1855; Richard Murray, 1856-7; Mortimer Wade, 
 1858-9; George Keith, 1860-1 ; P. H. Burnap, 1862; Hiram Allen, 
 1863; Daniel Lassell, 1865; Isaac M. Everest, 1866; John F. Empie, 
 1867-71; Daniel M. Durfee, 1872-75; Levi Yauney, 1876; Alpha 
 Nellis, 1877-8; Ralph Sexton, 1879-82; Eli Gray, 1883; John P. 
 Darby, 1884; James H. Yauney, 1885 ; John.P. Darby, 1886-7 ; Levi 
 Yauney, 1888; Richard Dorn, 1889-90; Abner Yauney, 1891. 
 
 Town Clerks. — Daniel Snell, 1855; John H. Shults, 1856; Ezra 
 Van Slyck, 1857-8; John H. Lassell, 1859; J. E. Van Voast, i860; 
 William Spencer, 1861 ; James W. McLaughlin, 1862 ; H. D. Trum- 
 bull, 1863; Oscar Ercanbrack, 1865; Nicholas Fancher, 1866; Jacob 
 C. Duesler, 1867; Oscar Ercanbrack, 1868; Amaziah Duesler, 1869; 
 Jacob C. Duesler, 1870; Zalmon Gilbert, 1871 ; Veeder Caldwell, 1872; 
 Ezra Van Slyck, 1873; Alfred Dorn, 1864; Darius Getman, 1875; 
 Frederick Baum, 1876; Thomas R. Rossiter, 1877; Oscar Ercanbrack, 
 1878; James Y. Jukes, 1879: Benjapiin F. Soules, 1880; Byron Wal- 
 rath, 1881; Edgar Shibley, 1882; Daniel W. Duesler, 1883-4; Nor- 
 man A. Lassell, 1885-7 i Benjamin F. Soules, 1888 ; Richard McLaugh- 
 lin, 1889; Eugene Bradt, 1890; Henry Leroy, 189 1. 
 
 The present officers of Ephratah are as follows: Supervisor, John E. 
 Standing; town clerk, Byron J. Walrath ; justices of the peace, H. V. 
 Berry, Z. B. Dempster, D. F. Snell and W. J. Stahl; assessors, Peter 
 Dockstader, William Foster, Alfred C. Everest; collector, Peter Smith. 
 
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TOWN OF OPPENHEIM. 54, 
 
 CHAPTER XXVI. 
 
 TOWN OF OPPENHEIM. 
 
 OPPENHEIM is the southwest corner town of Fulton county. Its 
 northern boundary is formed by the town of Stratford and its eastern 
 boundary by the town of Ephratah. Montgomery county bounds it on 
 the south and Herkimer county on the west. The surface consists 
 mostly of a hilly upland, gradually rising towards the north and east, 
 where many of the hills attain an altitude of from 1,200 to 1,500 feet 
 above the Mohawk river. The soil in the southwestern portion of the 
 town is composed largely of clay, while in the southeastern part it is 
 mixed with loam, and in the centre and north a light, sandy and grav- 
 elly loam is found. Boulders of various sizes appear upon the surface 
 in nearly every portion of the town ; and primary rock is noticeable in 
 the north. Limestone has also been extensively quarried in the south- 
 western part, much of which was used in constructing and repairing the 
 Erie canal. The territory comprised within the present limits of Op- 
 penheim is well watered with a number of rapid streams. Among these 
 are East Canada creek, which flows in a southerly direction along the west 
 border of the town, forming the dividing line between Fulton and Her- 
 kimer counties ; Fish creek, which flows across the northwest corner ; 
 Little Sprite, Crum, Zimmerman's and Fox creeks, all of which flow 
 in a southwesterly direction, finding an ultimate outlet in the Mohawk. 
 
 The soil of Oppenheim is well adapted to coarse grains and for graz- 
 ing purposes, and hence the farmers are chiefly engaged in stock rais- 
 iug and dairying. Wheat has been successfully raised in the southern 
 part of the town, but it is not considered a leading product. 
 
 Oppenheim was formed from the town of Palatine, March 18, 1808, 
 and at that time extended south as far as the Mohawk river, but when 
 Fulton county was formed (April 18, 1838), the town of St. Johnsville 
 was set off, and was included in Montgomery county. Oppenheim con- 
 tains 31,127 acres, about two thirds of which is under cultivation. The 
 
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542 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 assessed valuation of real estate is $365,006, and the aggregate taxation 
 for 1 891 was $3,618.05. The territory within the present limits of the 
 town embraces parts of the Klock, Magin and Lott patents. 
 
 Early Settlement. — Oppenheim was first settled by Germans, and the 
 history of its pioneers is much interwoven with that of the towns of 
 Palatine and St. Johnsville. Tradition says that Rudolph Youker 
 was the first settler, being followed in a few years by John Shaf- 
 fer, Jacob Goram, Daniel Dikeman, Henry Burkdorfif, Frederick Bel- 
 linger, and Simeon Schuyler For many years the greater portion 
 of the population was confined to the southern part of the present 
 town, and but few attempts were made to establish permanent settle- 
 ments in the northern sections, where the exposed condition of the 
 country made pioneer life very dangerous. During the revolution, 
 David Davis located in the southeastern part of the town on the farm 
 afterwards occupied by Benjamin Grouse, and in 1 79 1 Jacob Baum 
 moved into the neighborhood and settled in the eastern part, on the 
 place more recently occupied by Jacob Baum. He purchased 100 
 acres of the Klock and Nellis patent, for which he paid $1.25 per acre. 
 Harvey Nellis settled a short distance from him in 1792. Daniel Inger- 
 soll came from Saratoga county in 1794, and settled on the property 
 for many years known as the IngersoU place, in the southwestern part 
 of the town. Another pioneer was Moses Johnson, who came from 
 New Hampshire, in January, 1794, bringing his family with him and 
 settling about two miles west of the centre, where he purchased 219 
 acres of land at $2.50 per acre., On this land he had erected, during 
 the previous summer, a log house, the covering of which was made 
 from bark split from the trees surrounding it. He also brought two 
 horses with him from his native state, and so scarce was food during the 
 first summer of his stay, that he was compelled to sell one of them, 
 using the money to purchase provisions. The land upon which he 
 located is now owned and occupied by Emerthew Johnson and William 
 H. and Alexander IngersoU. In 1796 Peter Mosher came in and 
 located a short distance south of the centre of the town on the place 
 afterwards occupied by Leonard Mosher, and now the. home of his son, 
 Chauncey Mosher. In the same year Marcus Dusler located on the 
 present David Dusler place in the southeastern part of the town. Others 
 
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TOWN OF OPPENHEIM. 543 
 
 who came in about 1796 and 1797 were James Johnson, Jacob Laude, 
 William Bean, Richard Hewitt and Randall Hewitt, all of whom were 
 from the New England states. In 1797 John Swartwout and Peter 
 Cline located in the town, the former taking up his residence near the 
 centre, and the latter a short distance east. Peter Cline's two sons, 
 Knapthalee and John P., were born on the old homestead in 1797 and 
 1800 respectively and were for many years prominent residents, living 
 to ripe old age. John N. Cline, a son of John P., still resides on his 
 father's place in the village of Oppenheim. Daniel Guile came in about 
 1798 and settled on the farm now owned by Peter Yost and occupied 
 as a dairy by Robert Bydleman. Guile was a soldier in the revolution 
 and came from Saratoga county. Andrew Claus and Jacob Rarich also 
 came in 1798, the former locating on the farm afterwards occupied 
 by Jacob Claus, and at present occupied by Albert Claus, who 
 lives next to it, and the latter on the place now occupied by Hiram 
 Turner. In 1799 Christian House, a soldier of the revolution, settled 
 where Nathan Cross now lives, and his son, John C. House, 
 came in and located in the southern part of the town. Gordon Tur- 
 ner also came at the same time and located near the centre of the 
 town and Henry H. Hayes settled on the place now owned by Eugene 
 Mosher. Peter Claus came from Rensselaer county in 1801, and 
 located on the farm now owned and occupied by Morgan Hoffman. He 
 made a purchase of 100 acres of land paying $2 20 per acre for it. 
 Richard Hewitt came into the town during the latter part of the last 
 century, and settled on the place afterwards owned by his son, Joseph 
 Hewitt, and at present in the possession of one of his grandchildren. 
 
 Many of the pioneers and early inhabitants of Oppenheim took part 
 in the war for liberty, and sufiTered heroically from the depredations of 
 savage warriors and brutal tories. The names of some of these have 
 been preserved, together with brief incidents in their lives that have 
 made them famous in local history. One of these brave men was 
 Peter Getman, who, when only sixteen, joined a company of militia and 
 went in search of a party of Indians, which had committed outrages in 
 the neighborhood. These Indians had stopped at the house of the 
 Rector family, asking for something to eat. After being told to help 
 themselves, instead of doing so in ^^^ orderly and decent manner, they 
 
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544 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 proceeded to lay hands on everything within reach and were boldly 
 upbraided by Mr. Rector. They became angry at his remonstrances 
 and as they were departing, they turned and fired a volley from their 
 muskets through the upper half of the door, which was open. Quick 
 to realize the danger, Mrs. Rector held up a frying pan to protect her 
 husband from the bullets of the enemy, one of which passed through 
 the pan and shattered the arm of her husband. Maddened with rage 
 at the futile attempt to murder their innocent victims, the Indians 
 rushed forward with upraised tomahawks, and felled Mrs. Rector to the 
 ground, afterwards taking her scalp and leaving her as they supposed 
 dead. While this conflict was going on an old grandfather, who was 
 living with his children and grandchildren, escaped to the woods with 
 two of the youngest, but one of them, a little boy six years old, was 
 captured and killed, and his body was thrown into the adjacent creek. 
 Mrs. Rector afterwards regained consciousness, dressed her wounds, and 
 walked to Stone Arabia, remaining there until she entirely recovered. 
 
 Among others who were prominent in those perilous times were 
 Frederick Baum, a mail carrier ; Andrew and Marcus Busier, John 
 Flander, Peter Bidleman, Jacob Vedder, John Sponable, and Capt. 
 Elijah Cloyes. Jacob Youker was taken prisoner at the battle of Oris- 
 kany, forced to accompany the British to Canada, where he enlisted in 
 their army. Having been marched to the vicinity of Little Falls he, 
 with a few others, made his escape, hiding among the rocks until the 
 army left, and finally reaching their friends. Peter Davis, an old set- 
 tler, was killed while at work in the field. His wife escaped, but his 
 daughter was captured and, together with a prisoner named Pring, was 
 taken to Canada, where they suffered imprisonment, but eventually 
 escaped and were married after their return. 
 
 VILLAGES. 
 
 Oppenheim village, situated on both sides of Crum creek near the 
 centre of the town, is surrounded by an excellent agricultural and stock 
 raising region. It was in the immediate neighborhood of this village 
 that many of the pioneer settlers of Oppenheim first located. The first 
 hotel in the place was opened in 1805 by Peter Cline, his first license 
 
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TOWN OF OPPENHEIM. 545 
 
 being secured by a number of the citizens who were anxious to have 
 him establish an inn. He built a tannery about the same time, operat- 
 ing it with his son, Knapthalee, until the year 1836, when the stream 
 upon which it was situated failed, and the establishment was thereupon 
 discontinued. A saw- mill was built about 1806 by Henry Cline, a 
 brother of Peter, and two years later a grist mill was erected by Henry 
 Miller. The grist-mill was the scene of active operations for a period 
 of twenty years or more, but was subsequently neglected and abandond. 
 The first store was built and conducted by Henry I. Ostrom about 
 the year 1810. A distillery was also built and operated by him soon 
 after, but was continued as such for a short time only. Anson E. Brown, 
 the present postmaster at Oppenheim, was first appointed during the 
 administration of President Arthur, but the office was held during the 
 Cleveland administration by Charles E. Brown. Anson E. Brown was 
 again appointed, July 24, 1889. The office is located in the general 
 store of Brown Brothers, of which Anson E, and George A. Brown are 
 proprietors. 
 
 The first Union church in the village was erected about 1820, and 
 was occasionally occupied by different denominations, but remained in 
 an unfinished condition and was finally sold and moved away. The 
 present edifice was built in 1834, but has undergone material improve- 
 ments from time to time. It is built of wood, convenient and commo- 
 dious, and being situated near the centre of the town, is easily accessible 
 to the inhabitants of a large district. Rev. Jacob Trisband held the 
 first religious services in the town about 1800, but since 1825 the Meth- 
 odist and Baptist denominations have been the more prominent ones in 
 keeping up the church. Prior to 1 861 there had been no officers of 
 the Baptist or Methodist societies elected for ten years. On the 23d of 
 April of that year, however, trustees were chosen as follows : Peter B. 
 Claus, William S. Stewart, Lucian Healy, Leonard Mosher, Harry V. 
 Velding, John P. Swartwout, Daniel A. Sherwood, John D. Robinson, 
 and Cyrus D. Dean, the last named being chosen clerk of the board. 
 
 Since that time trustees have been elected regularly, but for the past 
 fifteen years the Methodist Episcopal denomination has used the 
 church. almost entirely, as the members of the Baptist and other de- 
 nominations have diminished in number, some by death, while others 
 6^ 
 
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■546 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 have moved from the vicinity. The Methodist Society of Oppenheim 
 was on the charge with St. Johnsville for a number of years, and after- 
 wards transferred to that of Doigeville, but since 1884 it has formed a 
 joint charge with Lassellsvilie, and regular services have been held each 
 Sunday afternoon by the pastor. A parsonage, located at Lassellsvilie, 
 was erected by the society four years ago. The Oppenheim church has 
 an active Sunday-school, of which Byron Leavitt, a member of the 
 Methodist Episcopal Society, is superintendent. Mrs. Julia Barker, who 
 lives about three miles north of the village, is recording steward of this 
 charge. The present trustees of the church are M. E. Barker, William 
 S. Hess, Watson Turner, Nathan Cross, and James H. Cline. 
 
 Doigeville, also called Brockett's Bridge, is situated on East Canada 
 creek, but the greater part of the village lies in the adjoining county of 
 Herkimer. The place has attained considerable importance as a man- 
 ufacturing centre during the past few years, and with the completion of 
 the Little Falls and Doigeville Railroad, of. which the grade has been 
 made and a large amount of the track laid, the village will be put in 
 quick communication with other commercial centres, and will undoubt- 
 edly reach a substantial growth. 
 
 Middlesprite, in the northeast part of the town; Lottville, in the 
 northern part ; and Crura Creek in the southern part, are hamlets, with 
 post-offices and stores. 
 
 Dairying, including the manufacture of cheese, is the principal indus- 
 try of Oppenheim, and at different times there have been as many as 
 five large cheese factories in active operation within the limits of the 
 town. An extensive plant, known as the Willow Spring factory, situ- 
 ated three-fourths of a mile east of Oppenheim village, was built by a 
 stock company in 1867 and operated by them for a number of years 
 This factory is now owned and conducted by James O. Bennett, who 
 does a large and increasing business. Three miles west of the village 
 is located another cheese factory, owned by Warren H. Bacon, and 
 operated by Nelson C. Radley. On the west border of the town, near 
 the village of Ingham's Mills, is located the Johnson factory, and the 
 Youker factory in the south part of the town is owned and operated by 
 William H. Youker. There is a building formerly used as a cheese 
 factory near Lottville. It was built by a man named Galusha, and 
 
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TOWN OF OPPENHEIM. 
 
 S47 
 
 afterwards purchased by Peter Van Allen, who operated it for two or 
 three years, but it has recently been closed. It is customary during the 
 months of June, July and August for the patrons of the factories to de- 
 liver their milk both night and morning. After September i, only one 
 delivery per day is made, usually in the morning, the previous night's 
 milk being skimmed before coming to the factory. During the winter 
 months deliveries are made only once in two or three days, each milk- 
 ing before the last being skimmed before being brought in. Each cus- 
 tomer is given credit for the number of pounds of milk delivered, and 
 after the product is sold the final settlement is made upon this basis. 
 
 Town Officers. — The first town meeting of Oppenheim was held at 
 the house of Jacob Zimmerman, April 15, 1801, at which time the 
 following officers were elected : Supervisor, Andrew Zabriskie ; town 
 clerk, John C. Nellis ; assessors, Peter I. Nellis, Jacob I. Failing, and 
 Ricard Hewett ; commissioners of highways, Rufus Ballard, Jacob G. 
 Klock, and Daniel Guile ; overseers of the poor, John L. Bellinger and 
 John I. Klock ; collector, John Tingue ; constables, Samuel Frame, Jo- 
 seph B. Grover, Cornelius Swartwout, David Lyon, and Joel Daniels ; 
 poundmasters, Thomas T. Ballard and Christopher Fox ; viewers of 
 fences, Conrad Hellingas and Jacob Frey. The election of the above 
 officers was certified to by Henry Beekman and Jacob G. Klock, jus- 
 tices of the peace. 
 
 The present town officers are as follows : Supervisor, John C. Davis ; 
 town clerk, Anson E. Brown ; justices of the peace, Samuel Cramer, 
 Henry Schuyler, M. E. Barker, and Marvin Hayes ; assessors, George 
 W. Youker, Edgar L. Cline, and George P. Davis ; collector, William 
 demons. 
 
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548 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 CHAPTER XXVII. 
 
 TOWN OF PERTH 
 
 THIS is the southeastern corner town of the county. It is bounded 
 by Mayfield and Broadalbin on the north ; by Saratoga county 
 on the east; by Montgomery county on the south, and by Johnstown 
 on the west. Its surface is gently rolling and was originally covered 
 with a vigorous growth of pine. Limestone is found in several places 
 throughout the town, but ledges of slate are much more extensive. 
 The soil is mostly a yellow sandy loam, and the town contains some 
 very excellent farms, the average condition of the land being equal, if 
 not superior to that in any other section of the county. The farmers of 
 Perth have devoted themselves largely to the raising of stock and the 
 growing of some of the coarser cereals. The houses, barns and agri- 
 cultural equipments of the town arc noticeable for their size, beauty 
 and generally well kept condition, and on every side are to be seen 
 signs of progress and thrift. Chuctenunda creek is the principal stream, 
 flowing in an irregular southern direction through the east end of the 
 town. Two smaller streams, known as the Fly creek and the Rees 
 creek, flow in a southerly direction in the southwestern part. 
 
 Perth was formed from the town of Amsterdam, and became a sep- 
 arate town in Fulton county, April i8, 1838, the same date that this 
 county was erected. Parts of Mayfield and Broadalbin were annexed 
 to the northern part of Perth, February 17, 1842, since which time its 
 boundaries have remained unchanged. The town contains 15,878 acres, 
 with an assessed valuation of $373,939, and the aggregate tax levy for 
 1891 was $2,411.40. 
 
 Early Settlers. — The earliest settlements within the present limits of 
 the town of Perth were made prior to the revolution, on the road lead- 
 ing from Tribes Hill to Sacandaga. The pioneers were mostly from 
 the Highlands of Scotland, and came hither about the year 1772 or 
 1773. Among the number were Daniel and Duncan Mclntyre, David 
 
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TOWN OF PERTH. 549 
 
 Walker, a Mr. McGlashan, Duncan McCarty, James McLaren, Charles 
 Mereness and Marcus Reese. The Mclntyre brothers, Daniel and Dun- 
 can, settled near the site of Perth Centre, and David Walker and James 
 McLaren took up their residence in close vicinity. The experience of 
 these early settlers was much the same as that of other pioneers who 
 settled in desolate and far removed sections of this part of the state, and 
 during the raids instigated by Sir John Johnson, and carried out by the 
 tories and savages, they found their primitive homes so insecure that 
 several of the families moved to Albany. Among them were Daniel 
 Mclntyre, David Walker, and, probably, a number of others, but when 
 the danger was past most of them returned and occupied nearly the 
 same ground. 
 
 What is now the eastern and northern portion of the town, and the 
 vicinity of West Galway, was settled about the year 1774, by the ar- 
 rival of ten families from Gallowayshire, Scotland, among them James 
 Ford and a family of McMartins. No other families are known to have 
 settled there until after the war, when the population increased quite 
 rapidly. Among those who located in different parts of the present 
 town subsequent to the revolution were John Mcintosh and Daniel 
 Creighton, who came from Perthshire, Scotland, in 1783, and settled at 
 what is now Perth Centre ; William and Peter Robb, from the same 
 place, and settling directly west of them ; Alexander McFarlan and 
 Archibald McQueen, both from Perthshire, the former coming in 1790, 
 and the latter in 1793 ; Ira Benedict also came in 1790, followed in 1795 
 by James Canary, all of whom settled in the vicinity of Perth Centre. 
 Henry Van Der Bogart, coming in 1793, located a short distance west 
 of the Centre. Descendants of nearly all of these early settlers are still 
 living in the community, many of whom have been, and are to day, 
 prominently connected with the civil affairs of the town. Among oth- 
 ers who may be mentioned as having located in the present town at an 
 early date were Lawrence E. Van Allen, Conrad and Francis Winne, 
 Derby Newman and Peter Vosburgh. Also Michael Swobe, a native 
 of Germany, who came to this country in 1766, locating in Perth in 
 1776. He was followed in 1796 by his son, Michael Swobe, jr., who 
 settled on the farm adjoining the one afterwards occupied by his grand- 
 son, J. H. Swobe. James Kennedy, who was afterward a, colonel in the 
 
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55° 
 
 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 war of i8 12, came to Perth in 1792, from Saratoga county with his 
 parents, when only two years old. He was a resident of the town un- 
 til the time of his death. 
 
 Perth Centre is a small village near the north line of the town, and 
 about midway between the east and west lines. It contains a church, 
 school-house, hotel, store and saw-mill, with the dwellings of the in- 
 habitants, many of whom are prosperous farmers. The Perth Centre 
 hotel was built nearly one hundred years ago, probably by a Mr. At- 
 kins. Among the proprietors of this old tavern during the past half 
 century David L. Demarest holds prominence. He kept it for a num- 
 ber of years, and was followed by Otis Lapham, Jacob Swobe, Alexan- 
 der Stewart, Hugh Stewart, and George Stewart (three brothers), also 
 by Thomas Knapp, Jonathan Carey, George Seeley, George Robb, 
 William Wishart, Daniel Creighton, William Lamont,, Simon Leroy, 
 and the present proprietor, John H. Mosher, who has conducted it since 
 December, 1890. Charles C. Codding, who keeps a general store at 
 Perth Centre, is also the postmaster. The saw- mill at this place is 
 operated by Jacob C. Lair. 
 
 West Perth, a hamlet containing a blacksmith shop and the houses of 
 a number of farmers, is located on the Johnstown road, about four miles 
 west of Perth Centre. 
 
 West Galway is a small village located in the northeast corner of the 
 town, a number of its houses being in the adjoining county of Saratoga. 
 The place contains three churches, Presbyterian, United Presbyterian 
 and Methodist Episcopal, but the congregations of them all are very 
 small, and there is but one settled pastor in the village. E. G. Powers, 
 who keeps a store at this place is the postmaster, and mails are received 
 by stage from Amsterdam. 
 
 Churches. — The United Presbyterian church of Broadalbin is located 
 at Perth Centre, the organization of the society having taken place un- 
 der the name of "The Associate Reformed Church of Broadalbin," at 
 a time when this section of Perth was included in Broadalbin. Although 
 the title is now a misnomer, it has never been changed, but the society 
 has under present consideration a plan for changing the name to " The 
 United Presbyterian Church of Perth." It will be remembered that 
 shortly after the revolution a number of families from Scotland settled 
 
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TOWN OF PERTH. 551 
 
 both at West Galway and Perth Centre, all of whom were Presbyteri- 
 ans; and attached to the principles and mode of worship of their native 
 church. It is known that the Presbytery of Albany at an early day 
 sent one of its ministers, Rev. John McDonald, to organize tliose who 
 were attached to the Presbyterian church at Ballston, West Galway, 
 Broadalbin, and Johnstown, into religious societies, and services were 
 conducted at times in these societies by ministers of that Presbyteiy. 
 Probably during the greater portion of the time there was no supply 
 for this place, and at such times the people were wont to assemble at 
 the house of Daniel Mclntyre for social worship. The exercises con- 
 ducted by him consisted of reading the scriptures, with comments, sing- 
 ing and praying. It is probable that at first these services were con- 
 ducted in the Gaelic tongue, as many of his neighbors could not speak 
 English, but toward the close of the century they were conducted in the 
 English language. It cannot be definitely stated when the societies of 
 West Galway and Broadalbin were organized, but it must have been 
 about 1790, as the Presbyterian congregation of that place was formed 
 in that year. The society at this place probably erected their first house 
 of worship about 1797 or 1798. It was occupied, however, for several 
 years before the building had been entirely completed. At the begin- 
 ning of the present century, both this society and that at West Galway 
 were connected with the Presbyterian church and were supplied by a 
 licentiate from Ireland, neither church being able to support a settled 
 pastor. A portion of this society which felt aggrieved at certain 
 changes made in the manner of conducting the singing, withdrew in 
 1802, and having united with a small congregation at Manny's Corners, 
 called the Rev. John I. Christie as pastor. By that time a number of 
 families had settled at Perth who were members of the Associate Re- 
 formed church at West Charlton, then under the care of Rev. James 
 Mairs. The latter was occasionally invited to preach at this place on 
 week days, and his doctrines and mode of conducting the services 
 pleased the people very much. In 1803, the church was, by request, 
 taken under the care of the Associate Reformed Presbytery of Wash- 
 ington, then embracing all the churches of this denomination in the 
 northern and western portion of the state of New York. That body 
 furnished this congregation with a few supplies, among whom was the 
 
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552 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 Rev. Robert Easton. When the church was formally received under 
 the care of the Presbytery it was intended to retain Mr. Easton per- 
 manently as pastor, but as he was compelled to keep previous promises 
 to a church in Montreal, he was unable to remain. A unanimous call 
 was then made for Rev. Robert Proudfit, a licentiate from Pennsyl- 
 vania, who came and was installed as pastor of this congregation April 
 lO, 1804. The church then began to enjoy the advantages of a stated 
 ministry, and not until this took place was_ the Lord's supper adminis- 
 - tered to its communicants. 
 
 The first church building in this place was originally located on the 
 site of the present one, and was erected (as has been stated) two or three 
 years before the close of the last century. It is described as being, at 
 the time of Rev. Mr. Proudfit's arrival, "a large barn-like structure," 
 being merely enclosed with clapboards, without plaster, with a floor 
 made of loose boards. It was destitute of a pulpit, and the pews were 
 constructed of slabs fastened to upright standards. This building was 
 soon removed and taken to a lot directly opposite and on the south side 
 of the road. This change was due to the fact that the trustees did not 
 have a secure title to the land and a removal was necessary. The lot 
 upon which it afterwards was placed was conveyed to the congregation 
 by Daniel Mclntyre as a free gift, the deed being dated March 15, 1805. 
 The church was removed without being turned around, which placed 
 the door in the rear end of the building, and in 1805 John Cameron was 
 engaged to finish the interior at a cost of $550, which he did, still leav- 
 ing the entrance at the rear. 
 
 The following persons were elected trustees of the church May 10, 
 1804, and their election is recorded in the clerk's office at Johnstown 
 under the date of May 29, of the same year : James Robb, Daniel 
 Mclntyre, jr., Peter McGlash,an, John Cameron, Peter Robertson, Dun- 
 can Stewart. The election of elders was postponed until September 20, 
 1804, when John Walker, John McBeath and John Mcintosh Were in- 
 stalled as elders of the congregation. 
 
 The repairs to the interior of the edifice must have been completed 
 in 1806, as the sale of pews took place in January of that year, and the 
 total amount realized was $1,179 50 The old church was used until 
 1 83 1, when the present brick structure was finished and occupied dur- 
 
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TOWN OF PERTH. 353 
 
 ing the summer. In 1861 improvements were made to this building at 
 an expense of $600, and in 1867, $700 were expended in repairing the 
 parsonage, the latter having been built in 1833. 
 
 In 1858 a union of the Associate and Associate Reformed churches 
 was effected, forming the body known as the United Presbyterian 
 church, and since that time the congregation at Perth Centre has been 
 known as the " United Presbyterian Church of Broadalbin." 
 
 Rev. Mr. Proudfit remained with this church until October 18, 18 18, 
 when he resigned to take a professorship of Latin and Greek in Union 
 college. He was followed by Rev. James Otterson, who was installed 
 September 12, 1821, and continued as pastor until May 17, 1827. His 
 successor was Rev. Malcolm N. McLaren, who came November 2, 1827, 
 resigning in April, 1833. Rev. David Caw, from Scotland, was the 
 next pastor, and was installed February 12, 1834, and released from the 
 charge May 14, 1845. The congregation was then without a regular 
 minister until the summer of 1847 when Rev. John M. Graham, of Ohio, 
 came and remained with them ten years, resigning in August, 1857. 
 His successor was Rev. J. L. Clark, who came May 10, 1858, and re- 
 mained until June 10, 1872. Rev. Andrew Henry began his pastorate 
 in July, 1873, and continued in the office for seventeen years. The 
 present pastor, Rev. John M. Adair, came to this congregation in May, 
 1890, from Stone Valley church in central Pennsylvania, a charge which 
 he had held for thirty years. The present membership of the church is 
 about 100, and the Sunday- school contains about 135 scholars and 
 teachers. The pastor acts as superintendent and is assisted by H. B. 
 Major. The present elders are James Donnan, Joseph Clark, George 
 Clark, William McEwen, Daniel McLaren, Archibald Robertson and W. 
 J. McQueen; the trustees are James H. Van Der Bogart, James W. 
 Robb, Alexander McFarlan, Jay D. Mosher, John A. Chalmer and 
 Daniel Reddish. 
 
 Nearly opposite the church is a beautiful cemetery, originally the 
 burying place of the family of Daniel Mclntyre, but laid out as a cem- 
 etery by the church trustees in 1 807. Since that time it has been greatly 
 enlarged and improved. In March, 1874, it was duly incorporated, 
 and shortly afterwards inclosed with a handsome iron fence and stone 
 wall. It may be proper at this time to make some mention of Daniel 
 70 
 
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554 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 Mclntyre, whose personal character cannot be more clearly illustrated 
 than by adopting the language of the first pastor of this church, who 
 knew him well : " In his character were combined the most inflexible 
 integrity, unfeigned compassion for the distressed, kindness and affabil- 
 ity to all ; and sincere though unobtrusive piety manifested by actions 
 rather than by words His unwearied exertion in the religious instruction 
 of the youth, his care in collecting his neighbors on the Sabbath for private 
 social worship, his well merited influence and impressive example, evi- 
 dently laid the foundation for the present Christian church in this place. 
 Few men in private station with as little noise and show have contribu- 
 ted more effectually to the cause of morality and religion. His memory 
 is cherished most cordially by those who knew him best." 
 
 The United Presbyterian church at West Galway was organized in 
 March, 1867, with twenty- six members. The church edifice occupied 
 by them was built the following year. The congregation is quite small 
 and there is no settled pastor. 
 
 The Presbyterian church of West Galway was organized on the con- 
 gregational plan in 1790, by Rev. John Camp, of New Canaan, and the 
 Presbyterian form of government was adopted in 1793. Their first 
 house of worship was erected in 1795 and was the first church edifice 
 built within the present limits of the town. Charles Herbert is the 
 .present pastor. 
 
 The Methodist Episcopal society have a church edifice in West Gal- 
 way and a small congregation, which is supplied occasionally with min- 
 isters from other places. 
 
 Town Officers. — The first town meeting of Perth was held at the 
 house of John Robb, on what is now known as the Calvin McQueen 
 farm, on the Johnstown road. May i, 1838. The following town of- 
 ficers were at that time elected : Supervisor, William Robb ; town clerk, 
 John M. Benedict; justices of the peace, Stephenson T. Bostwick, Ar- 
 thur Smith, Henry Banta, and Jacob B. Heagle; assessors, Jacob Banta, 
 Arthur Smith, James Robb; commissioners of highway, Godfrey Swobe, 
 George S. Joslyn, and Henry Banta ; commissioners of schools, John 
 B. Heagle, John McQueen, jr., Henry G. Van Nest ; collector, Abraham 
 Mosher, jr. ; overseers of the poor, Abel Dunning and Peter Vosburgh ; 
 constables, Abraham Mosher, jr., Francis Snyder, Isaiah McNeil, and 
 Jacob M. Coon. 
 
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TOIVN OF PERTIt. SSS 
 
 The supervisors since the organization of the. town have been as fol- 
 lows: William Robb, 1838; David L. Demarest, 1839-40; Arthur 
 Smith, 1 841-2 ; James Kennedy, 1843; George Clark, 1845-5; John 
 Robb, 1846; Arthur Smith; 1847; John McQueen, jr., 1848-9; Pat- 
 rick McFarlan, 1850; Barent Vosburgh, 1851-2; John F. Nox, 1853 ; 
 William Stewart, 1854-5 ; William J. Robb, 1856; John Moir, 1857-8; 
 Barnard K. Lee, sr., 1859; Walter M. Major, 1860-1 ; George Clark, 
 jr.; 1862 ; Andrew I. Rogers, 1863 ; John McQueen, 1864; James R. 
 Calderwood, 1865-7; Barney Vosburgh, 1868-9; Hugh B. Major, 
 1870-1 ; Benjamin F. Jeffers, 1872 ; Ansel D. Joshn, 1873-5 ; George 
 Clark, 1876-7; Seth C. Hathaway, 1878; Orren Hart, 1879; Seth C. 
 Hathaway, 1880 ; Ansel D. JosHn, 188 1-2 ; William J. McQueen, 1883- 
 4; Orren Hart, 1885-92. 
 
 Town Clerks — John M. Benedict, 1838; Thomas Newman, 1839-41 ; 
 Lawrence E. Van Allen, 1842 ; Henry W. Hayes, 1843 > John McQueen, 
 jr., 1844; Daniel A. Creighton, 1845-6; James Davis, 1847-8; James 
 Stewart, 1849; Samuel D. Gaylord, 1850; Peter H. Mann, 185 i ; James 
 I. Cameron, 1852; Ansel D. Joslin, 1853-4; Barnard K. Lee, jr., 
 1855 ; Duncan A. McBeth, 1856; Solomon S. Jeffers, 1857—9; Thomas 
 C. Knapp, 1860-2 ; Cornelius A. Dievendorff, 1863 ; Ansel D. Joslin, 
 1864; Solomon S. Jeffers, 1865-6; John Chalmers, 1867; William H. 
 Cameron, 1868-9; Peter A. Kling, 1870; J. D. Mclntyre, 187 1-2; 
 John Chalmers, 1873-4; Collins A. Kinsley, 1875-6; John D. Mcln- 
 tyre, 1877 ; Harvey B. Goodemote, 1878 ; John D. Mclntyre, 1879-84; 
 Samuel Shields, 1885-6; William Lamont, 1887; Charles L. Codding, 
 1888; William H. Cramer, jr , 1889; Simon Leroy, 1890; James H. 
 Van Der Bogart 1 891-2. 
 
 The present officers of the town are as follows: Supervisor, Orren 
 Hart ; town clerk, James H. Van Der Bogart ; justices of the peace, 
 John H. Banta, Charles L. Codding, and William J. Stewart ; assessors, 
 Joseph Horth, Cornelius Stairs, and Rensselaer Dorman; collector, 
 Spencer S. Cuyler. 
 
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5s6 HISTORY OF PULTON COUNTY. 
 
 CHAPTER XXVIII. 
 
 TOWN OF STRATFORD. 
 
 STRATFORD is the northwest corner town of the county, being 
 bounded by Hamilton county on the north, Caroga on the east, 
 Ephratah and Oppenheim on the south, and Herkimer county on the 
 west. Its surface is high, rolling and hilly, being 800 to 1,200 feet 
 above the Mohawk, and in the extreme north 1,800 to 2,000 feet above 
 tide water, with a general inclination toward the southwest. East 
 Canada creek flows through the northwest corner and forms a part of 
 the western boundary. North creek, which has its source iri several 
 small lakes near the north line of the town, flows in a westerly direc- 
 tion and finds an outlet in East Canada creek. Ayers creek rises at 
 Lake Pleasant and flows in a southwesterly direction, emptying into East 
 Canada creek at Stratford village. Fish creek has its source in east 
 Fish lake in the town of Caroga, and flows in a westerly direction 
 through the southwest corner of Stratford. In the northern part are 
 several small lakes, the principal of which are Dexter, Spectacle, North, 
 Pleasant and Ayers lakes. The soil in the southwest and in the valley 
 of East Canada creek is a clayey loam ; and in other parts is light and 
 gravelly. 
 
 Lumbering is the chief industry of Stratford, and at one time there 
 were sixteen saw-mills and five tanneries within the town, but this busi- 
 ness has declined by reason of the destruction of the forests by the lum- 
 bermen and bark peelers. The manufacture of cheese is a leading agri- 
 cultural interest, and has been highly profitable to the farmers in the 
 neighborhood of Stratford and Emmonsburg. 
 
 Stratford was formed from Palatine, April 10, 1805, and a part was 
 taken off and added to Caroga in 1842. The town comprises parts of 
 Glen, and Bleecker & Company's patents, also one tier of lots of Lott 
 %L Low's patent, and a part of the Jerseyfield patent, granted to Henry 
 Glen and others April 12, 1770. The celebrated "Royal Grant," be- 
 
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TOWN OF STRATFORD. 557 
 
 stowed on Sir William Johnson by the king, extends into the southwest 
 corner of this town as far as Mouse creek. Stratford contains 47,560 
 acres, which makes it the largest town in the co-jnty. The total assessed 
 valuation of real estate is $95,980, and the aggregate taxation for the 
 year 1891 was $1,587.44. The population in 1890 was 997. 
 
 Early Settlement. — Stratford was named after a town in Fairfield 
 county, Connecticut, the place whence came some of its early settlers. 
 John Wells is supposed to have been the first white man to locate 
 within the present limits of the town, settling on what has more re- 
 cently been known as the Mallett farm. Others coming about 1800 
 were Samuel Bennett, Abiel Kibbe and Levi, Eleazer and Samuel 
 Bliss, all of whom located on the Johnstown road. Among others who 
 came in and took up land in different parts of the town were Isaac 
 Wood, Ebenezer Bliss, Joseph Mallet, Nathan Gurney, Amos Kinney. 
 Silas and Abijah Phillips, Chauncey Orton, Eli Winchell, Peter Buck- 
 ley, Daniel Shottenkirk, Jesse and Ephraim Jennings, Daniel Bleek- 
 man, and Hezekiah Warner. Nearly all of the early settlers were from 
 the New England states, but few (comparatively) of their descendants 
 are now living in the town. 
 
 Unlike many parts of Fulton county, the town of Stratford was not 
 the scene of Indian depredations, the pioneers seldom suffering from the 
 savages. Occasionally the latter would call at the houses of some of 
 the inhabitants and ask for food, but this was usually done in a peace- 
 able manner. During the early days of the pioneers the region was in- 
 fested by wild annimals, such as the wolf, bear and even panther, whose 
 cry often filled the little settlement. Many hunting stories of intense 
 interest have been told by the old residents, several of whom had well 
 earned reputations as hunters and trappers. One of the most success- 
 ful of these was Abiel Kibbee, who, during his lifetime, had caught fifty 
 bears and eleven wolves. It is related that upon one occasion, when 
 accompanied by Eben Beekman, he caught three bears on one trip ; 
 while on another hiint they captured a large wolf, which Kibbe man- 
 aged to get in such a position that he could hold it by the ears, while 
 Beekman bound its legs with rope and cord. They then carried their 
 prize out of the woods and exhibited it at a militia training which was 
 being held at Kibbe's. Another notable adventure occurred to Richard 
 
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5s8 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 Bullock and Williarp Avery, who discovered the track of a panther 
 while returning from their traps. They followed it to a cave, into which 
 the animal had retired. Taking the risk of the number of such beasts 
 that might be in the cave, and possessing but one gun between them, 
 they found themselves in a precarious situation. Avery was the surest 
 shot of the two, and therefore took the gun and stationed himself at the 
 entrance of the cave. Bullock secured a stout stick, one end of which 
 he sharpened to a point, and with unflinching nerve entered the cave 
 and made his way into utter darkness. He soon perceived a pair of 
 eyes glaring at him, but still undismayed, he still went onward being 
 determined to learn what animal might be his foe. Avery, who was 
 ready for any emeigency, soon heard cries from within, after which all 
 was quiet. He rushed quickly into the cave expecting to find the 
 wounded body of his companion, but instead he met Bullock with three 
 young panthers, the result of his wonderful daring. Highly elated over 
 their capture and anxious to exhibit something as a proof of their ad- 
 venture, they brought out two of the heads and one whole carcass. 
 
 Among the interesting events in social life may be mentioned the 
 birth of the first male child, Lansing Wells, which occurred in 1800. 
 The first female birth was that of Betsey Bliss, who was able to, spin five 
 knots of tow when only five years old. The first death was that of 
 Jesse Wilson, who was killed by the falling of a tree in 1802. The 
 earliest marriage was that of Samuel Ellis to Polly Gurney, the latter 
 coming from a family which had some aristocratic pretensions, and it 
 was therefore required that the daughter should be married by a magis- 
 trate from another town, hence Colonel Drake, of Salisbury, Herkimer 
 county, was invited to ofificiate. Squire Thomas Bennett, of Stratford, 
 however, was also invited as a guest. As was the custom in those 
 days, upon any festive occasion, the guests indulged in wine to excess, 
 and Colonel Drake plied the decanter so frequently that when the time 
 for the ceremony arrived he was totally incompetent and it was neces- 
 sary to call upon Squire Bennett to tie the knot. 
 
 The first road laid out through the town was the work of Clarence 
 Brookins, who made a contract with the state in 1799 to build a pass- 
 able road from Johnstown to Salisbury, Herkimer county. This road 
 passed through Palatine District (as it was then called), crossing East 
 Canada creek at Hart's Bridge, now Emmonsburg. 
 
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TOWN OF STRATFORD. 
 
 SS9 
 
 The first saw mill was built in 1806 by Martin Nichols, on the site 
 more recently occupied by Livingston's mill. The following year he 
 also built a frame house, the first one in the town. It stood on the lot 
 afterwards occupied by the lodge-room. The first bridge across East 
 Canada creek in Stratford was built in 1809, ^^^ connected Nichols- 
 ville and Devereaux. The first grist mill was built in 1810 by Sanders 
 Lansing, patentee of the Lansing patent. Martin Nichols built the sec- 
 ond grist-mill as well as the first blacksmith shop, and the settlement 
 was for a long time called Nicholsville. The; first school- house was built 
 of logs and stood on the farm more recently owned by Henry Leavitt. 
 Daniel Cross built the first tannery in 1812 The first burying- ground 
 was the one known as the Mallett burying place. 
 
 Willys Bennet, who died in September, 1877, was the oldest inhab- 
 itant then living in the town, having reached the advanced age of ninety- 
 nine years. He was a native of Connecticut and became noted as a 
 lumberman, making a specialty of furnishing sounding board timber to 
 piano manufacturers in New York and Boston. He sought the finest 
 hemlock for this purpose and thus acquired a reputation. 
 
 Stratford, with a population of about 125, is the largest village in the 
 town. Stephen P. Cade kept the first store and post-office, and David 
 Potter was the first mail carrier. Bliss Kibbe is the present postmaster 
 and also conducts a general store. 
 
 Emmonsburgh, formerly called Whitesburgh, is a hamlet situated on 
 East Canada creek in the southwest part of the town, distant about two 
 miles from Stratford post-office. The present postmaster at this place 
 is Frank Bliss. 
 
 Town Officers. — The following officers were elected at the first town 
 meeting, held in 1805: Supervisor, Samuel Bennett; town clerk, Na- 
 than Gurney ; justices of the peace, David Orton, Jonathan Gillett and 
 William Deans; commissioners of highways, James Odell, Ebenezer 
 Bliss and Silas Phillips ; overseers of poor, Joseph Mallett and Amos 
 Kinney; constable and collector, Samuel Bliss; constables, Chauncey 
 Orton and Daniel Bleekman ; fence viewers, Chauncey Orton and Eli 
 Winchell ; poundmasters, Joseph Mallett and Samuel Van Scriver. 
 During the early history of the town William Bliss held the office of 
 supervisor for many years, as did also other members of the Bliss fam- 
 
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S6o HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 ily, and Abijah Phillips held the office of town clerk for ten years. With 
 the exception of a few years, when the town clerk failed to make re- 
 turns to the proper officials of the names of the persons elected at an- 
 nual town meetings, the following is a complete list of the supervisors 
 since 1855: William Bliss, 1855-6; Ormel Leavitt, 1857-9; William 
 Bliss, i860; N. R. Grossman, 1861 ; Wheeler Knapp, 1867; William 
 Bliss, 1869-71 ; David Helterline, 1872 and 1885 ; Ezra W. Leavitt, 
 1886-7; Jeremiah S. Austin, 1888-9; Frank M. Pierce, 1890-92. 
 
 Town Clerks. — Myron M. Phillips, 1855; Jerome Bleekman, 1856; 
 W. H. Bennett, 1857-8; William M. Smith, 1859-61; Thomas B. 
 Stewart, 1862; W. H. Bennett, 1863 ; J. E. B Stewart, 1867-9; George 
 Shaad, 1 870-2; A. L. Leavitt, 1874-6; V. S. Ferris, 1877; W. H. 
 Bennett, 1885; John P. Lewis, 1886; William H. Scorsby, 1887-8; 
 'Frank M. Pierce, 1889; Frank Shaad, 1 890-2. 
 
 The principal officers of the town at present are : Supervisor, F. M. 
 Pierce; town clerk, Frank Shaad; justices of the peace, Samuel E. 
 Hoxsie, Daniel F. Wood, James B Austin, D. S. Watson ; collector, 
 Allie Wood. 
 
 CHAPTER XXIX. 
 
 TOWN OF BLEECKER. 
 
 I~'HIS is the central town of the north line of the county, its 
 boundaries being Hamilton county on the north, Mayfield on the 
 east, Johnstown on the south, and Caroga on the west. Its surface is 
 hilly and mountainous, gradually rising toward the northern border, 
 where the highest summits reach an altitude of more than 2,000 feet 
 above sea level. Ledges of rock crop out in every part of the town, 
 creating a formidable barrier to good roads and also to agricultural pur- 
 suits. Notwithstanding this, however, farming is carried on in the more 
 fertile portions of the town, but the crops consist mostly of hay and 
 potatoes. Stony creek, which rises in the southwest part of the town, 
 flows in a northeasterly direction through Mayfield and thence into 
 
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TOWN OF BLEECKER. 561 
 
 Hamilton county, is the most important stream in Bleecker. It finds 
 an outlet in the Sacandaga river, and is of great service to those en- 
 gaged in lumbering, as it enables them to float their logs down to the 
 Hudson, finding sale at the extensive saw-mills at Glens Falls and Fort 
 Edward. Within the limits of the town are several small lakes or ponds, 
 among which may be mentioned Chase's lake in the northern part, 
 Woodworth's in the southeastern corner, and Peck's pond in the south- 
 western corner. They form both the source and the outlet to many 
 small but rapid streams, which are in many cases utilized for mill sites 
 in a profitable manner. 
 
 The most important industry of the town is lumbering, and although 
 much of the valuable timber has been cleared away, the sound of the 
 woodman's axe, and the busy hum of the saw- mill are familiar to the 
 inhabitants. Tanning was carried on quite extensively for many years, 
 but at present nothing is being done in that line and it is not probable 
 that it will be resumed. 
 
 Bleecker was formed from Johnstown, April 4, 1831, but a part was 
 reannexed to that town in 1841, and then in 1842 a part of Caroga was 
 taken off. The town derives its name from Barent Bleecker, who was 
 contemporary with Glen and Lansing, the three having purchased a 
 large tract of land in this region April 4, 1793. The other portions of 
 the town were embraced in Chase's and Mayfield patents, the former 
 granted March 23, 1792, and the latter, June 27, 1770. Mr. Simms is 
 to be credited with the following notice of Chase, to whom one of these 
 patents was granted: 
 
 "William Chase, the patentee, was in early life a sea captain, and in 
 the revolution became an American privateer. He was captured and 
 taken to Europe, and while there visited France. After the war he re- 
 moved from Providence, R. I., to Hoosick, N. Y. At the latter place he 
 built a bridge, by constructing which he was enabled to purchase some 
 12,000 acres of land in the western part of Fulton county. A large 
 tract of land adjoining his, and which Chase intended to buy, was sub- 
 sequently sold in Albany by auction, and was purchased by Barent 
 Bleecker, Cornelius Glen and Abraham G. Lansing. It was known as 
 Bleecker and Lansing's patent. Failing to secure this tract of land, on 
 which he seems to have set his affections, Captain Chase was heard to 
 71 
 
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S62 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 exclaim, with an oath, ' I would rather have lost my right in heaven 
 than a title to this soil.'" 
 
 The town contains 36,668 acres, with an assessed valuation of $53,- 
 790. The fact that no railroad enters the town and that there are many 
 acres of waste land within its borders accounts for its low valuation. 
 
 Early Settlement. — When Bleecker was first settled, its territory was 
 included in the township of Johnstown. Through it ran an old Indian 
 trail, leading through what is now Bleecker village, passing the old pine 
 tannery in the north part of the town, and entering Hamilton county. 
 The wilderness was first settled permanently about the year 1800. 
 Among those who located there were James Morse,Willam Rood, Hiram 
 Lindsley, William Eglan, Gad Hamilton, Samuel Shaffer, Frederick 
 Mills and others, a majority of whom were from New England. Within 
 a few years others also settled in the same vicinity, among whom may 
 be mentioned John Donaldson, William Bowler, Henry Lippart and 
 several others. William Chase, to whom the patent for 12, OCX) acres of 
 land was granted, built a grist-mill on West Stony creek, a short dis- 
 tance east of Lindley's Corners, about 1804, being the first mill of the 
 kind erected in the town. Lindley's Corners was also the site of the 
 first rude house of unhewn logs built in the town, but by whom is not 
 known. The first house of hewn logs was located on the Caroga road, 
 west of the Corners, and was built by Martin Hopfield. The first frame 
 house was built on the site afterwards occupied by John M. Peter's 
 house at Lindley's Corners, which was for a number of years a place of 
 considerable business importance. It is situated near the centre of the 
 town, and was at first surrounded by a large portion of the early settlers, 
 but the erection of Richard & Company's tannery (known as the 
 "Bleecker Tannery"), near the south line of the town, led to the forma- 
 tion of Bleecker village, which attracted the local business. It is a re- 
 markable fact that the first brick house in the town was not built until 
 1874, being erected in the western part, near the Caroga line, by John 
 Holler. 
 
 Joseph Eastman, an influential resident, who lived in the northern 
 part of the town, was chiefly instrumental in bringing about the erection 
 of a school-house there (the first in the community), in 1824. 
 
 Among the many tanneries that have been operated from time to time 
 within the limits of Bleecker, the first was built by William I. Bell- 
 
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TOWN OF SLEECKER. 563 
 
 inger and others, at what is now Bleecker village. This old establish- 
 ment went to ruin nearly thirty-five years ago. Hiram Deming, of the 
 well remembered firm of Smith & Deming, was for a long time engaged 
 in tanning in this town, their plant being located in the northeastern 
 portion. Among the first events maybe mentioned the first blacksmith 
 shop, which was built and operated by Gad Hamilton north of Lindley's 
 Corners; also the first tavern, which was conducted by S. S. Eastman 
 near the south line of the town. The first store was built and managed 
 in connection with Richards & Hamlin's tannery at Bleecker village. 
 
 Bleecker village, located near the outlet of a small lake on the south 
 line of the town, is the only important settlement within its limits. The 
 land upon which it is situated was formerly owned by Isaac Van Nos- 
 trand. Hiram Van Denburgh, who has been for many years a resident 
 of this place (holding at different times the office of supervisor of the 
 town), owns and controls large lumber tracts within its borders and con- 
 ducts two saw-mills, one at Bleecker village and another nine miles 
 farther north. The former mill has been twice destroyed by fire, and 
 Mr. Van Denburgh is at the present time engaged in reconstructing it. 
 Unfortunately these calamities have occurred at that time of year when 
 the damage was most severely felt. Mr. Van Denburgh is also the 
 present postmaster, the office having been established in 1844 by the 
 appointment of E. A. Campbell. The village also contains a Methodist 
 Episcopal Church, of which more will be said, a school-house, a store, 
 and about twenty dwellings. 
 
 Among the religous societies that have had an existence in the town, 
 but are now extinct, may be mentioned the Presbyterians, who built 
 the church at Bleecker village now owned and occupied by the Metho- 
 dists. It was erected by the former denomination in 1855, and was 
 placed under the pastoral charge of Rev. Abijah Green. The society 
 had an unpromising existence of nineteen years, at the end of which 
 time, in 1874, the church property was leased to Hiram Van Denburgh 
 for a term of ninety-nine years, the consideration being one dollar. 
 Shortly afterwards it was taken in charge by the Methodist Episcopal 
 Society, by whom it has since been occupied. 
 
 The Christian denomination also had an existence in Bleecker at one 
 time, and held services in the school-house of district No. i, at Lind- 
 ley's Corners. 
 
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S64 BISTORV OF PULTON COt/NTY. 
 
 The Methodist Episcopal Society did not have a stated house of wor- 
 ship prior to their occupancy of the edifice built by the Presbyterians, 
 but persons professing the Methodist faith have lived in Bleecker since 
 its earliest settlement. Such well remembered circuit preachers as 
 Ephraim Goss and William F. Hurd came through there during the 
 early part of the present century. Since the society has occupied its 
 present location, its pulpit has been filled by many pastors now promi- 
 nent in the Troy conference. Among those who had this charge dur- 
 ing the period of its connection with the church at West Bush, may be 
 mentioned Revs. Edwin Gence, John Wesley Coons, a local preacher ; 
 Edward Taylor, in 1876; Amos Osborn, in 1877 ; John P. Crane, in 
 1 878-79. The following pastors have held the appointment since 1883: 
 H. M. Munsee, April 1883-April 1885; G. H. La Grange, April 1885- 
 May 1887; C. A. Beaudry, May 1887-April 1888; B. M, Grant, jr., 
 April 1888-April 1890; G. H. Marvin, April 1890-January 1892; Joel 
 Hall, April 15, 1892 until the present time. Pastor Hall preached his 
 first sermon for this church on May i. The church has twenty -five 
 members at present, and conducts an active Sunday-school cf which 
 Ivory L. Bartlett is superintendent. It also conducts a Sunday-school 
 at Lindley's Corners, which is held in the school-house, and of which 
 Casper Peters is superintendent. 
 
 The Evangelical Methodist Church (composed of Germans), is the 
 oldest religious organization in the town, its date being 1850. The 
 church edifice of this society is located about three miles north of 
 Bleecker village on the old plank road. 
 
 The Lutheran Church, built in 1852, is also located on the old plank 
 road, and is distant in a northwesterly direction from Bleecker village 
 about two miles. 
 
 The Roman CathoHcs worship in a neat edifice about four miles 
 northwest of Bleecker village. 
 
 The following items are taken from the old town records and may be 
 of interest : 
 
 The first road laid out by the conimissioners of highways, November 
 12, 1831, is described as beginning at the state road, "four chains 
 northerly from Isaac Van Nostrand's, and running to the road laid out 
 by Mr. Burr's house." This road changes its course upwards of twenty- 
 
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Town op niEEckER. 565 
 
 five times. The supervisor's expenses in 1832 were $7.42. Under date 
 of September 8, 1831, James Leslie gave a deed of one acre of land to 
 Nicholas Stoner, John Mead, and Jacob Mead, trustees of school dis- 
 trict No. 4, for school purposes. 
 
 The first town meeting of Bleecker was held at the house of Gad 
 Hamilton, on the first Tuesday of May, 1831, and the following officers 
 elected : Supervisor, Isaac Van Nostrand ; town clerk, Jonathan Dean ; 
 justices of the peace, Jonathan Dean, William Lindsley, John Mead, 
 Joseph Eastman ; assessors, Amasa Stevens, Ephraim Lindsley, Joseph 
 Eastman ; commissioners of highways, John Mead, Elijah Lindsley, 
 Othniel Allen ; overseers of the poor, Richard Hart, Joseph Eastman ; 
 collector, Daniel Mead; commissioners of common schools, Lodewick 
 P. Stevens, Rilas Eastman, Eli R. Burr; inspectors of schools, Amasa 
 Stevens, Joseph Eastman, Elijah Lindsley, Adam Long. At the same 
 meeting it was resolved that fence viewers should have seventy-five 
 cents per day, and that $30 be raised for school money. 
 
 The following is a list of the supervisors of the town from its organ- 
 ization to the present time : Isaac Van Nostrand, 1831 ; Artois Ham- 
 ilton, 1832-4; William J. Bellinger, 1835; Garret A. Newkirk, 1836- 
 7; Jonathan Dean, 1838; Garret A. Newkirk, 1839-41; Benjamin K. 
 Eaton, 1842-4; David Foote, 1845; William Bowler, 1846; David 
 Foote, 1847: William Bowler, 1848-9; Samuel W. Odell, 1850-1 ; 
 Truman Enos, 1852; Eugene W. Enos, 1853-4; Robert Campbell, 
 1855 ; Zachariah J. Smith, 1856; Eugene W. Enos, 1857 ; Theron A. 
 HamHn, 1858; Eugene W. Enos, 1859; Joseph C. Zeyst, i860; George 
 A. Burr, 1861 ; Marshall G. Hunt, 1862-4 ; John M. Peters, 1865-7; 
 Marshall G. Hunt, 1 870-1 ; Hiram Deming, 1872-4; Charles Bowler, 
 1875-8; Philo R. Smith, 1879-80; Charles Bowler, 1881-2; C. C. 
 Schabacker, 1883-6; Hiram Van Denburgh, 1887; C. C. Schabacker, 
 1888 ; George F. Bowman, 1889; Hiram Van Denburgh, 1890; John 
 M. Peters, 1891. 
 
 Town Clerks. — Jonathan Dean, 1831 and 1837; Jacob Spaulding, 1832; 
 WilHam J. BeUinger, 1833-4; WiUiam W. Collins, 1835-6; James Mc- 
 Kinlay, 1838; William Conine, 1839-40 ; Willard C. Wright, 1841, 1843, 
 1846-7, 1850; Robert A. Van Nest, 1842; Ephraim A. Campbell, 1844- 
 5; John D. Yenney, 1848-9; Z.J. Smith, 1851; John Rychen, jr.. 
 
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S66 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 1852-3; P. O. Belden, 1854; M. Van Steenburgh, 1855, i860; John 
 Meyer, 1856, 1863, 1866-9 and ^'^7^\ Isacher R. Ford, 1 857-8; Joseph 
 Zeyst, 1859; Hiram Van Denburgh, 1 861, 1870-1 ; John H. Smith, 1862, 
 1873; Daniel Doice, 1 864 ; Marshall G. Hunt, 1865; Wallace Yost, 1872; 
 August Ernst, 1874-5; Francis Unger, 1877-86; Charles Sandfordt, 
 1887; Francis Unger, 1 888-9; Lewis G. Langfritz, 1890; Charles 
 Sandfordt, 1891. 
 
 The present officers of the town are: Supervisor, John M. Peters, 
 jr.; town clerk, John Unger; justices of the peace, Frank Unger, jr. ; 
 Fred Berghoff, Charles Tiederman and Englebert Fisher; assessors, 
 George Conrick, George F. Bowman and Honier Baird; collector, 
 Jacob Hartman. 
 
 CHAPTER XXX. 
 
 TOWN OF CAROGA. 
 
 CAROGA lies on the north border of the county, and is bounded 
 on the north by Hamilton county, on the south by the towns of 
 Johnstown and Ephratah; on the east by Bleecker, and on the west by 
 Stratford. Its surface is rolling in the south, but is broken in the north 
 by small mountains, some of which are sharply peaked. A large hill 
 stands west of Garoga creek, and there is an eminence of land about 300 
 feet high between its principal branches. The creek has its source in 
 Garoga lake, and flows in a southerly direction through the centre of the 
 town. The numerous lakes in the centre and northern part of the town 
 form a striking feature in the landscape, the most noticeable being East 
 and West Fish lakes, Garoga lake, Stink lake. Bellows, Prairie, Green 
 and Pine lakes. The soil is light and consists largely of sand and hence 
 only a small portion of the area is adapted to cultivation. Lumbering 
 and tanning and gathering hemlock bark have formed the principal 
 business of the inhabitants, and though tanning has declined, lumbering 
 is still continued in the northern section of the town. 
 
 Caroga was formed from Johnstown and also from Stratford and 
 Bleecker by an act of the legislature, passed April 1 1, 1842. It received 
 
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TOWN OF CAROGA. 567 
 
 its name from "Garoga Creek," but while custom has applied the name 
 " Garoga" to the stream and also the lake, it has changed one letter in 
 the name of the town which is called Caroga. It embraces portions of 
 the Glen and Bleecker & Lansing patents, and contains 31,628 acres. 
 The assessed valuation of real estate in 1891 was $57,680, and the pop- 
 ulation in 1890 was 624. 
 
 Early Settlement. — It is claimed that two Indian villages existed 
 within the present limits of Caroga, prior to the revolution, but that 
 they were broken up and deserted during the early part of the war. 
 One was located near Garoga lake, and the other near Stink lakes. The 
 naming of the latter is attributed to a circumstance that occurred during 
 a hunting trip, in which Nicholas Stoner and a companion were en- 
 gaged. On reaching these lakes they discovered large quantities of fish 
 which had been carried over a beaver dam during a freshet, and being 
 unable to return, died when the water abated. This caused a foul odor, 
 which suggested to the two hunters a name which they applied to the 
 lake. Flint arrowheads and other relics of Indian occupation are fre- 
 quently found in the vicinity of these bodies of water. 
 
 White men first began to locate in the town shortly after the revolu- 
 tion, one of the earliest being Isaac Peckham, who settled there in 1783, 
 on the farm more recently occupied by Jacob Dorn. He was a grand- 
 father of Isaac Peckham Christiancy, at one time United States senator 
 from Michigan. The latter was born in this town and spent a great 
 share of his youth there. Contemporary with the settlement of Mr. 
 Peckham came Reuben Brookins, who located on the place afterwards 
 occupied by William Harden. About 1785, James McClellan secured a 
 title to 1,000 acres of land in what is now Caroga, and the property is 
 at present owned by twenty or more individuals. 
 
 Cornelius Van Allen, who built the first saw-mill in the town, came 
 about 1790 and was followed in 1798 by Daniel, Robert and Solomon 
 JefTers. Among other pioneers who settled there prior to 1800 were 
 Samuel Gage, William Jefferson, Abram Garley, Anthony Stewart, Na- 
 than Lovelace, Elijah Gardner, Ira Beach, John Mead, Titus Foster, 
 Lemuel Lewis, and Daniel Goff. Nicholas Stoner, who first located in 
 what is now the town of Broadalbin, came and settled in this town early 
 in the present century. 
 
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S68 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 The first tannery in the town was built by Garret A. Newkirk and 
 John Littlejohn in 1843. The first tanner and currier was Lewis Rider 
 who rented the new tannery building, stocked it and carried on the tan- 
 ning business for the first two years, after which G. A. Newkirk be- 
 came proprietor and conducted the establishment until 1857, when it 
 was discontinued. 
 
 The first school-house was erected at North Bush in the southern part 
 of the town. 
 
 A Methodist Episcopal society was organized at Garoga lake in Oc- 
 tober, 1842, by Stephen Parks, at that time living in Gloversville. John 
 Mead was chosen its first class leader, and in 1843, S. M. Foster, one 
 of the members of the society, became a licensed exhorter, and served 
 the little congregation in that capacity until 1 850, at which time he 
 was granted authority to preach, and continued in this service for many 
 years. The society erected a house of worship at Wheelerville in 1872, 
 the dedication taking place under the auspices of Rev. D. C. Dayton. 
 
 Newkirk's Mills, a little hamlet located on Garoga creek, about one 
 mile south of the lake bearing the same name, is the only settlement of 
 any importance in the town. Daniel Francisco, one of the principal 
 lumber merchants of the<own, conducts a store at this place and is also 
 postmaster. He has also held important positions in the town's civil 
 affairs. 
 
 Town Officers. — The first town meeting for Caroga was held at the 
 house of G. A. Newkirk, on the second Tuesday of February, 1843, ^t 
 which time the following officers were elected : Supervisor, Garret A. 
 Newkirk ; town clerk, Nelson Brobkins ; justices of the peace, A. Van 
 Nest, Silas June, and James Timmerman. 
 
 The supervisors of this town, with the exception of two or three years, 
 when no returns were made by the town clerk, have been as follows : 
 Garret A. Newkirk, 1855; James D. Foster, 1856-7; Ralph Sexton, 
 1858 ; Abner Swan, 1859; Ralph Sexton, 1860-61 ; Samuel M. Fos- 
 ter, 1862; Daniel Francisco, 1867-71 ; Zachariah Smith, 1875 ; Daniel 
 Francisco, 1 876-7 ; Thomas Bradley, 1879; Joseph Sherman, 1882; 
 Thomas Bradley, 1883 ; Joseph Sherman, 1884; Alanson Morey, 1885- 
 7 ; Van Rensselaer Caldwell, 1888 ; Cyrus Durey, 1889; J. W. Gage, 
 1890; Cyrus Durey, 1891-2. 
 
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BIOGRAPHICAL. 569 
 
 Town Clerks. — Uriel C. Buck, 1855 ; Asa Streeter, 1856-7 ; Samuel 
 Worth, 1858; James T. McMartin, 1859; Daniel Francisco, 1860-2; 
 Joseph C. Zeyst, 1867-71; Frederick Baum, 1872; Nathan Oathout, 
 1874; Alanson Morey, 1875-9; William B. Caldwell, 1881-2 ; Alan- 
 son Morey, 1883; Van Rensselaer Caldwell, 1884; James J. Houck, 
 1885-7 ; Chauncey E. Francisco, 1888 ; F. H. Argersinger, 1889; Felix 
 Kernan, 1890-2. 
 
 The principal town officers at present are : Supervisor, Cyrus Durey ; 
 town clerk, Felix Kernan ; justices of the peace, James Shaw, Alanson 
 Morey, Lewis Ballou, and Frank A. Hill ; assessors, Christopher Horth, 
 Henry Morey, and Fred L. Morey ; collector, George Hine. 
 
 CHAPTER XXXI. 
 
 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 SMITH, HORACE E., LL D., was born in Weston, Vt, and ob- 
 tained his early education in the common schools, Chester Acad- 
 emy, Chester, Vt, Franklin Academy, Shelburne Falls, Mass., and by 
 private instruction and study. So well had he improved his time and 
 opportunities that, on application for admission to the Supreme Court 
 of the State of New York, under the then existing rules, which required 
 seven years of preparatory study, four of classical and three of law, he 
 was allowed for the four years of classical study, the same as credited to 
 a graduate of a college or university. 
 
 His father. Dr. Rogers Smith, of English parentage, was a native of 
 Massachusetts ; but in early life he removed with his parents to Mt. 
 Vernon, N. H., where he studied and practiced medicine until his re- 
 moval to Greenbush, N. Y., as hereinafter stated. Possessing a fine 
 literary taste, and an ardent passion for books, he achieved a broad and 
 varied culture, ranked well in his profession, and, during his residence 
 in New Hampshire, he was an active politician of the Jeffersonian school. 
 In 1812 he was commissioned by President Madison as hospital sur- 
 72 
 
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570 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 geon's mate in the United States army, and was stationed at the General 
 Hospital, Greenbush cantonment, at Greenbush, N. Y. After the close 
 of the war he removed to Weston, Vt., where he died in 1845, leaving 
 two sons and three daughters. The elder son, Asa D. Smith, D.D., 
 LL.D., was for twenty-nine years a successful pastor of a Presbyterian 
 church in New York city, and for the last thirteen years of his active 
 life, president .of Dartmouth College. The younger son, Horace E. 
 Smith, is the subject of this sketch. The wife of Dr. Rogers Smith, 
 whose maiden name was Sally Dodge, was of English and Welsh ex- 
 traction, and a descendant on the father's side from the same original 
 stock as the well known philanthropist of New York city, the late Hon. 
 William E. Dodge. She was a woman of strong character, marked in- 
 telligence and indomitable energy. It seemed to her children, on whom 
 she strongly impressed herself, that she was equal to all demands upon 
 her wisdom, efficiency, and maternal instincts. 
 
 Horace E. Smith inherited in happy combination the literary quali- 
 ties of his father and the executive ability of his mother. While pur- 
 suing his studies he spent considerable time in teaching in common 
 schools, select schools and academies. This experience he ever regarded 
 as greatly beneficial to him in after life. He studied law at Broadalbin, 
 N. Y., with Abram P. Demarest, esq., a thoroughly educated lawyer, 
 and was admitted as an attorney of the Supreme Court of the State of 
 New York, January 12, 1844. After practicing as attorney three years, 
 as the rules then required, he was admitted as counsellor of the same 
 court, both degrees being awarded on a thorough examination. In 
 March following he was admitted to the Court of Chancery by the last 
 Chancellor, Hon. Reuben H. Walworth, on examination and recom- 
 mendation of the late Judge Amasa J. Parker, of Albany, then circuit 
 judge and master in chancery. Subsequently he was admitted to the 
 Supreme Court of the United States, the United States Circuit and Dis- 
 trict Courts of the Northern and Southern Districts of New York; and 
 also to all the courts of Massachusetts, State and Federal. In all these 
 courts he had more or less practice, and in some of them his practice 
 ^ was extensive and varied, including cases of large interest. 
 
 From his admission to the bar in 1844 to the spring of 1847, Mr. 
 Smith practiced law at Broadalbin, Fulton county, N. Y., at first with 
 
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BIOGRAPHICAL. 571 
 
 t he late Hon. James M. Dudley, and last with Hon. Thomas L. Wake 
 field, both of whom were his early friends and schoolmates, and who 
 afterwards became distinguished members of the profession. While prac- 
 ticing at Broadalbin Mr, Smith achieved marked success for a tyro, and 
 enjoyed the favor and counsel of Judge Daniel Cady, of Johnstown, who 
 was widely known as a noble man and great lawyer. 
 
 In the spring of 1847 ^i"- Smith removed to Boston, Mass., and 
 formed a partnership with the late Hon. Henry B. Stanton, whose wife 
 was the celebrated Elizabeth Cady Stanton, a daughter of Judge Cady. 
 After the lapse of six months Mr. Stanton left Boston on account of 
 his health, and Mr. Smith succeeded to his extensive law practice. He 
 was subsequently joined by his former partner in Broadalbin, the late 
 Hon, Thomas L. Wakefield. While in practice there Mr. Smith came in 
 contact professionally with some of the most distinguished members of 
 the bar, among whom may be mentioned Rufus Choate, Benjamin R. 
 Curtis (afterwards a judge of the United States Supreme Court), Charles 
 Sumner, and Benjamin F. Butler. Among other important cases in 
 which he was retained, was one which severely tested his mettle and 
 legal ability, and the issue of which was peculiarly gratifying to a young 
 and ambitious lawyer. It was an action in the United States Circuit 
 Court for an infringement of a patent, in which he was retained as 
 attorney for the defendant. As Rufus Choate and several other counsel 
 were engaged for the plaintiff, Mr. Smith retained Daniel Webster as 
 counsel for the defendant. About a week prior to the trial, and when 
 it was too late to employ and instruct other counsel, Mr. Webster's 
 health compelled him to retire from the case. The consequence was 
 that Mr. Smith had to fight the battle alone against an array of counsel 
 which would have been formidable to the most experienced and best 
 equipped lawyer. On the trial, which lasted three weeks, there was 
 much evidence taken, many experts examined, and numerous questions 
 of law argued. The result was a verdict by the jury for defendant. Mr. 
 Smith's gratification at the result was increased by the generous and 
 encouraging words of commendation by Mr. Choate, and by Mr. Web- 
 ster's expression reported to him by the law partner of the latter, " I 
 like the bearing of the young man." 
 
 While in Massachusetts Mr. Smith took an active part in the stirring 
 political movements which revolutionized the State, and, in co-operation 
 
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572 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 with the friends of freedom in other parts of the country, culminated in 
 the organization of the RepubHcan party. He was a member of the 
 State central committee of the Free Soil party, and, in the campaign of 
 185 1, in connection with Francis W. Bird and John B. Alley, edited and 
 published a paper entitled " The Free Soiler," which was circulated in all 
 parts of the State. It was printed in the office of the " Boston Republican,'' 
 a paper edited and published by Hon. Henry Wilson, afterwards vice- 
 president of the United States. 
 
 Mr. Smith was a member of the Massachusetts legislature in 185 1—2, 
 and took an active part in its proceedings, being on the judiciary com- 
 mittee and other important committees. He introduced the mammoth 
 petition signed by Ex- Governor Briggs and upwards of 150,000 others, 
 praying for the enactment of the " Maine Law" ; was the chairman on 
 the part of the House of the joint special committee, to which the petition 
 was referred, framed the report of the committee, and fought a bill 
 through favorable to the prayer of the petitioners, gaining thereby un- 
 stinted abuse from the liquor organs. In 1852 he received and declined 
 a nomination for Congress, to the seat made vacant by the death of 
 Hon. Robert Rantoul, jr. John B. Alley, nominated in place of Mr. 
 Smith, afterwards represented the district in Congress for several terms. 
 
 The climate proving too rigorous for the health of his wife, who was 
 suffering from pulmonary disease, Mr. Smith removed from Boston in 
 the spring of 1854, and in the fall of that year opened an office in the 
 city of New York. There he soon established a prosperous, and as he 
 hoped, a permanent business. But, at the end of five years, Mrs. Smith 
 died, after a lingering illness, leaving him with four small children, and 
 impaired health from the combined effect of exhausting professional 
 labor, and long watching by the sick bed. In about a year thereafter 
 he retired to Johnstown for rest and recuperation, without designing to 
 make it his permanent home and place of business. But, on regaining 
 his health, business came to him, the climate and surroundings proved 
 agreeable, and he has retained his residence in the old historic town un- 
 til the present time. 
 
 He was elected and served as a member of the Constitutional Conven- 
 tion of New York, held in the city of Albany in 1867-8, and took an 
 active part in its deliberations. 
 
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BIOGRAPHICAL. 573 
 
 By act of Congress, approved June i, 1872, Horace E. Smith was 
 named as one of the corporators for the State of New York, of the 
 " Centennial Board of Finance," chartered and organized for the pur- 
 pose of carrying into effect the act of Congress relative to the Centen- 
 nial International Exhibition, held in the city of Philadelphia in 1876. 
 
 In the summer of 1879 he was elected dean and professor of the Al- 
 bany Law School, to the position made vacant by the death of Isaac 
 Edwards, LL.D. Accepting the position, he entered upon the dis 
 charge of its duties in the autumn of that year, and held the office for a 
 period of ten years, when he tendered his peremptory resignation. 
 As dean, the whole business and management of the school devolved 
 mainly upon him, and in addition to weekly oral examinations, written 
 examinations at the close of each term, and moot courts, together with 
 much incidental work, he delivered in each school-year upwards of 200 
 lectures, treating with more or less fullness the following subjects : 
 Municipal Law, Personal Property, Contracts, Agency, Contracts of 
 Sale, Partnership, Negotiable Instruments, Suretyship and Guaranty, 
 Bailments, Insurance, Corporations, Insolvent and Bankrupt Laws, 
 Pleading, Torts, and some years a few lectures on Medical Jurispru- 
 dence. 
 
 During all this time he was chairman of the committee appointed an- 
 nually by the General Term of the Supreme Court, to examine and re- 
 port upon applicants for admission to the bar. He was also a member 
 of the Albany Institute, a literary and scientific association of long 
 standing, taking part in its discussions, and contributing several papers 
 to the library of its published transactions. 
 
 In June, 1880, Mr. Smith received the honorary degree of Doctor of 
 Laws from Dartmouth college, under the presidency of Dr. Bartlett. 
 
 One of Mr. Smith's professional brethren, who is intimately acquainted 
 with him, says, that " since Daniel Cady there has not been in Fulton 
 county his superior as an all-around lawyer. Others might excel him 
 as an advocate ; in nothing else has he been excelled. He was kindly 
 and helpful to his students, faithful to and zealous for his clients, and of 
 scrupulous integrity. Pure in mind, fastidiously methodical in all his 
 habits, gentle and kindly to all, he has been one of the pillars of so- 
 ciety and of the Presbyterian church during his residence in Johnstown. 
 
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574 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 His native modesty and retiring temperament have prevented more 
 public recognition of his worth." 
 
 Since his retirement from the Albany Law School, he has been en 
 gaged as counsel in several important matters, in the trial of causes as 
 referee, and in the preparation of a work on Personal Property. On 
 the formation recently of the Johnstown Historical Society, Mr. Smith 
 was elected president. 
 
 For many years past he has been connected by membership, and 
 much of the time ofiRcially, with religious organizations. As an elder of 
 the Presbyterian church in Johnstown, he has frequently represented his 
 church in Presbytery ; and, since his liberation from the Albany Law 
 School, he has been twice commissioned by the Albany Presbytery as 
 a delegate to Synod, and twice as a commissioner to the General As- 
 sembly. He is now — June i, 1892 — absent in attendance upon that 
 body at Portland, Oregon. He has also been an earnest worker with 
 tongue and pen in various reformatory and benevolent enterprises of 
 the day, and in political campaigns involving questions of great public 
 interest. Acting upon the principle that it is both the duty and the 
 privilege of every man to make the most of his abilities and opportuni- 
 ties, and to contribute all in his power to the welfare of humanity, his 
 life has been one of hard and persistent work. 
 
 Mr. Smith's first wife was a daughter of George Mills, of Broadalbin, 
 N. Y., was a most excellent daughter, wife, and mother, and an ex- 
 emplary Christian. She left four children, one son and three daugh- 
 ters. The son, Borden D. Smith, is practicing law at Johnstown, the 
 senior member of the firm of Smith & Nellis. Horace E. Smith subse- 
 quently married a daughter of George Davidson, of Johnstown, who 
 was the preceptress of Johnstown Academy. She died about four years 
 subsequent to her marriage, leaving one child, George R. Smith, who 
 is now practicing law at Westmoreland, Kans. Mr. Smith's present wife, 
 a cousin of the last named, is a daughter of Richard Davidson, of New 
 York city. The fruit of this marriage is two daughters, both now liv- 
 ing. Mrs. Smith is quite devoted to literature, having written much 
 for the papers and magazines, and is the author of a book of poems en- 
 titled " Day Lilies," besides several prose works. 
 
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BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 575 
 
 rRASER, McINTYRE, Hon., was born in Johnstown, N. Y., March 
 30, 1822. His father, George Fraser, a son of James Fraser, was 
 a descendant of an old Scotch family. His mother, whose maiden name 
 was Catharine Mclntyre, was a descendant of another ancient Scotch 
 family. His grandmother, the wife of James Fraser, of Holland ex- 
 traction, was a member of the wealthy and distinguished Spraker fam- 
 ily of the Mohawk Valley. By heredity, therefore, the subject of this 
 sketch shared in the sterling characteristics of the unique Scotch race, 
 modified somewhat, but not deteriorated in quality, by a mingling of 
 Holland blood. His father, George Fraser, was a thrifty and independ- 
 ent farmer residing near the village of Johnstown. He was a man of 
 great personal worth; a just, kind, and peace-loving neighbor; a sym- 
 pathetic and true friend ; a liberal minded and useful citizen, and a con- 
 sistent Christian, to whose wise counsels and generous contributions the 
 Presbyterian church of Johnstown is largely indebted for its prosperity. 
 His death, at the advanced age of eighty- three years, was sincerely 
 mourned in the community in which his life had been so worthily spent, 
 and his memory is honored by all who knew him. His wife, the mother 
 of the subject of this sketch, was a woman of note, and highly esteemed 
 in the circles which she adorned and distinguished by her presence. 
 Tall in person and well formed, with an attractive face, marked intelli- 
 gence, fine social qualities, engaging manners and a kind heart, she 
 could not fail to command the respect and esteem of all with whom she 
 associated. Affectionate in her nature, and possessing indomitable en- 
 ergy and strong will-power, yet holding correct views of the marital 
 relation, she made an ideal wife and mother. There were five children 
 of this marriage, four boys and one girl. The latter died at the age of 
 nine years ; and from the shock caused by the death of this child, to 
 whom the mother was tenderly devoted, she never fully recovered. It 
 was to her thereafter a life-long grief She died at the age of sixty- 
 four, many years before the death of her husband. 
 
 Mclntyre Fraser, the subject of this sketch, received his early edu- 
 cation in the common schools, supplemented by a course in Johnstown 
 Academy, of which Peter Burke was then the principal. In 1845 he 
 began the study of law with Judge John Wells at Johnstown, and in 
 September, 1847, he was admitted to the bar and entered upon the 
 
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576 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 practice of his profession in his native village. Here he has remained 
 in practice until the present time (1892); but in 1869 and 1870, with 
 his partner, Hon. John M. Carroll, he had an office in Albany in con- 
 nection with the home office. In the practice of law he has had as 
 partners at diffisrent periods, Martin McMartin, Judge John Stewart, 
 Daniel Cameron, Hon. John M. Carroll, and John C. Mason. The 
 present firm name is Carroll, Fraser & Mason. 
 
 Mr. Fraser has been twice .married ; first, to Louisa, a daughter of 
 Eleazur and Amy Wells, whose death occurred in 1874, and second, to 
 Sarah B., eldest daughter of Thomas R and Rachel Briggs, late of 
 Johnstown. The issue of the first marriage was one son, George, and 
 of the second union one son named Mclntyre, born January i, 188 1. 
 
 In 1871 Mr. Fraser was elected county judge of Fulton county, and 
 served for the term of six years, both as county judge and surrogate, 
 the two offices being united in one incumbent. Prior to his election to 
 the judgeship, Mr. Fraser was president of the village of Johnstown for 
 a term, and by his wisdom and firmness in the administration of the 
 office inaugurated improvements and reforms greatly needed, and which 
 proved of lasting benefit to the place. Johnstown village, planted by 
 Sir William Johnson, was one of the oldest in the State and decidedly 
 conservative. At the time Judge Fraser took up the burden of initiat- 
 ing improvements, the streets and sidewalks were in a deplorable, not 
 to say disgraceful, condition. Some of the older inhabitants, who were 
 large taxpayers, had seen and used them substantially as they were 
 from their childhood, and thought what had served them was good 
 enough for their children and importations from the outside world. 
 The judge met with considerable opposition in the execution of his 
 plans, but with his usual independence and decision of character, he 
 moved right on in disregard of grumblers, setting an example which 
 has since been followed, to a greater or less extent, by the village au- 
 thorities, and earning for himself the gratitude of all liberal minded men 
 having knowledge of his agency in the reforms which resulted in put- 
 ting their village in a condition of which they are proud. 
 
 Judge Fraser has met with marked success in the practice of his pro- 
 fession. His services have been sought in cases of difficulty and mag- 
 nitude, not only in his own county, but in a wide circuit beyond its 
 
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BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 577 
 
 limits. His knowledge of business is'extensive and unusually accurate 
 for a professional man, which is of much value to his clients, and con- 
 tributes largely to his success. In dealing with the facts of a case he 
 has few superiors. He grasps the facts apparently by intuition, and 
 generally with an unerring discrimination, and admirable self- poise, he 
 moves through the trial without confusion of thought, or embarrassment 
 from unexpected developments. Vigilant and ready, he allows no op- 
 portunity for securing an advantage to pass unimproved. In the diffi- 
 cult art of cross-examination he especially excels, rarely failing to 
 unmask and discredit a dishonest and hostile witness. With a clear 
 discernment of character, a ready command of language, and admirable 
 tact, his addresses to the jury are generally quite effective. His style 
 is direct, strong, earnest, and persuasive ; and he possesses in a remark- 
 able degree the faculty of so adroitly blending fiction with the facts that 
 an ordinary jury is often quite unable to distinguish the true from the 
 false. But, while always a dangerous antagonist in the trial of a cause, 
 requiring constant vigilance and all the resources of an opponent, he is 
 a generous adversary and always liberal and honorable with his profes- 
 sional brothers. 
 
 The judicial business of Fulton county was never more intelligently, 
 justly, and satisfactorily administered, than during the incumbency of 
 Judge Fraser. Quick to comprehend the facts and grasp the salient 
 points of a case, prompt to decide, impartial in the treatment of parties 
 and their counsel, and dignified in bearing, the county court of Fulton 
 county, under his administration, was a model worthy of imitation by 
 any tribunal in the land. 
 
 Of Mr. Fraser as a man of distinguished ability, a generous friend, a 
 liberal and public spirited citizen, a deservedly eminentjawyer, and an 
 able and upright judge, the writer of this sketch speaks from personal 
 knowledge ; as, also, of the character of his father, George Fraser, The 
 account of his ancestry and early life is given upon reliable information. 
 
 LITTAUER, NATHAN, the subject of this sketch, was one of the 
 men who bore a conspicuous part in the development of the great 
 chief industry of Gloversville. Born in Breslau, Germany, of Jewish 
 parents, December 17, 1829, he came to America when sixteen years 
 73 
 
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578 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 of age, and began work as a clerk in a store at Albany. His business 
 ambition soon impelled him to reach out farther in mercantile channels, 
 and as the readiest and most practical road to that end, he peddled 
 goods a few years in the territory westward of Albany and including 
 Gloversville. He foresaw the probable growth of that village and about 
 1848 settled there permanently, opening a dry goods store near the 
 corner of Main and West Fulton streets, the site being now covered by 
 a portion of the Littauer block. For the land and the store, house and 
 barn then occupying it, he paid Rufus Washburn $3,600. The glove 
 industry was increasing and about the year 1857 ^''' Littauer added to 
 his stock a small line of imported glove materials. Previous to the 
 time under consideration, the linings of many of the gloves were of 
 woolen goods, blankets being cut up for that purpose, and came legit- 
 imately in the dry goods line ; but Mr. Littauer found a better article 
 for glove linings and was the first person to import lamb-skins for that 
 use. This branch of his business rapidly increased with the growth of 
 glove making and he gradually withdrew from the dry goods trade. 
 While subsequently giving almost his entire attention to the sale of glove 
 furnishings, he was many times of great assistance to those who wished 
 to begin, or had already begun as small manufacturers, by selling them 
 the required stock and giving them such terms as would enable them to 
 make and sell their product. 
 
 Mr. Littauer eventually began placing the finished product of glove 
 makers in the New York market, and also established a factory of his 
 own in Gloversville. In 1865 he removed his family to New York, 
 leaving his factory under competent superintendence, and to him must 
 be given the credit of being the first American to establish a glove depot 
 in that city. From that time until he transferred his large interests to 
 his sons in 1882, Mr. Littauer continued in the successful management 
 of his successful business in manufacturing and dealing in gloves and 
 glove materials, and his trade in glove furnishings he continued until 
 1886, when he wholly retired from active life. 
 
 Mr. Littauer enjoyed to the fullest extent the respect and confidence 
 of the people of Gloversville, as he did of those with whom he had 
 relations in New York and elsewhere. He was public spirited and the 
 growth of the great industry of his adopted home was a cause of especial 
 
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BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 579 
 
 pride with him. He erected the block which bears his name in 1882. 
 He was for many years a director in the National Fulton County Bank 
 and in the Fonda, Johnstown and Gloversville railroad, where his pru- 
 dent counsel was fully appreciated. By the older inhabitants of Glovers- 
 ville and Johnstown he is remembered and held in high regard as one 
 who not only was largely instrumental in developing the glove industry, 
 but was also a man of character and high purposes. 
 
 Mr. Littauer was married in the year 1856, in Albany, to Harriet 
 Sporborg, who is still living in New York. They had five children, 
 three of whom are sons. Of these Lucius N. and Eugene are successors 
 to the business of their father, which they have largely developed, as 
 described in another chapter of this work. 
 
 WELLS, JOHN E. The name of Wells is conspicuous in the his- 
 tory of Johnston and Fulton county. Eleazer Wells was one of 
 the pioneers of Johnstown and for many years was a prominent citizen. 
 He long owned and operated the grist-mill here and before his death 
 became a large owner of real estate, included in which was Johnson 
 Hall, the historic seat of Sir William Johnson, which has been described 
 in this volume. He was the father of fourteen children, among whom 
 was the subject of this sketch, and also David. A. and Edward Wells. 
 
 John E. Wells was born on the 7th day of August, 1822, and received 
 a good English education in the district school and the Johnstown 
 Academy. Early in life, after leaving school, he leased the grist-mill 
 of his father, purchased it at a later date and continued to operate it 
 about twenty years. In the year 1866 he removed to the Johnson 
 homestead, which came to him from the estate of his father, and there 
 his family still resides. The place has been in possession of members of 
 this family about one hundred years. After 'giving up the grist-mill, 
 Mr. Wells entered largely into real estate operations. He purchased 
 tracts of land in addition to what he already possessed, divided it into 
 suitable building lots, furnished lumber from mills of his own, and sold 
 houses and lots thus provided on long time to many persons of limited 
 means, thus enabling them to acquire homes for themselves. This class 
 of operations was not beneficial alone to purchasers, many of whom 
 
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S8o HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 perhaps would never otherwise have owned homes, but it aided in build- 
 ing up the village. 
 
 Mr. Wells was a public- spirited man. Every movement that seemed 
 to promise prosperity to Johnstown found in him a ready and practical 
 helper. His judgment in business matters was excellent and his coun- 
 sel was often sought regarding public affairs. He was a Republican in 
 politics, but not an aggressive politician nor an office seeker. He 
 was intimately and actively associated with the building of the railroad 
 northward from Fonda and was long a director in the company. He 
 was a man of pure mind, unbending integrity, and occupied a high 
 position in the estimation of the community. 
 
 Mr. Wells married first, Sabra M. Steele, of Kingsboro. They had 
 one daughter, now Mrs. R. D. Burr. On the 31st of January, 1848, 
 he married Margaret E. oldest daughter of Jacob and Maria Burton, of 
 Johnstown. Mr. Burton was a life-long merchant and a respected citi- 
 zen of his town. 
 
 NORTHRUP, JAMES LOUIS, was born at Galway, Saratoga 
 county, N. Y., September i, 1818. He worked on his father's 
 farm and attended the district school until he was fifteen years old, 
 when he went to Schenectady and spent three years in learning the 
 wagon making trade. When eighteen years old he settled in Broad- 
 albin, Fulton county, and in February, 1839, married Sarah Ann Corn- 
 well. He carried on a wagon making business at Broadalbin for a few 
 years, and then operated a sole leather tannery a few years at the same 
 place. At that time the glove making industry was in its infancy, and 
 manufacturers were just beginning to learn the advantage of sending re- 
 liable, energetic men on the road to sell their product. In 1844 David 
 Spaulding, of Gloversville, the first large manufacturer of that place, in- 
 duced Mr. Northrup to make a trip with his goods. He was eminently 
 successful. His genial, whole-souled manner, ready humor, and his innate 
 honesty of purpose which inspired his determination to never sell a glove 
 that would not prove equal to his representation, soon created for him 
 hosts of friends in the retail trade, who adhered to him and dealt with 
 him as long as he was on the road. In 1854 he joined with his brother- 
 in-law, J. N. Richards, in the manufacture of gloves in Broadalbin, and 
 
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BIOGRAPHICAL. 581 
 
 continued to i860. The outbreak of the civil war greatly increased the 
 demand for gloves, and the well known ability of Mr. Northrup as a 
 salesman, induced the Messrs. Heacock, of Kingsboro, to secure his 
 services in the sale of their large production. In May, 1864, he re- 
 moved to Johnstown and at once identified himself with its best inter- 
 ests, and from that time until near his death, no project of public im- 
 provement was undertaken that did not receive his hearty and Uberal 
 co-operation. 
 
 In 1875 he united with his brother, William S. Northrup, in building 
 what is known as the Northrup factory, on Market street, Johnstown. 
 This has been several times enlarged, and is now owned and occupied 
 by the Northrup Glove Manufacturing Company. In 1880 Mr. North- 
 rup ceased traveling, and with his son, L. F. Northrup, established the 
 firm of J. L. Northrup & Son, which continued until December, 1887, 
 manufacturing chiefly buckskin gloves. 
 
 In March, 1877, Mr. Northrup's fellow citizens elected him president 
 of the village. The people were then without an adequate water sup- 
 ply, and he at once began agitating the subject. He called a public 
 meeting at the court-house for discussion of the subject, and on that 
 occasion, when a vote was taken and the result was adverse to the un- 
 dertaking, he immediately called another meeting within the shortest 
 legal time, declaring that if the vote of the second meeting was un- 
 favorable, he would continue the calls until a favorable issue was reached. 
 His public spirit and determination were finally rewarded in the present 
 admirable water supply, which was established during his administra- 
 tion. 1 
 
 Mr. Northrup was a staunch Republican and a believer in the doc- 
 trine of protection to American industries, and, while he gave such at- 
 tention to politics as is demanded of intelligent and progressive citizens, 
 he never sought nor accepted political office. 
 
 He was a life-long member of the Presbyterian church and was an 
 elder for many years. His Christianity was never austere, but was of 
 a warm and sympathetic character, based upon a broad charity for all. 
 
 In his later years Mr. Northrup was afflicted with asthma, and sought 
 relief by passing winters in the south, and the hot months of summer in 
 the Adirondacks. 
 
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S82 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 Mr. Northrup's children were M. Sexton, born March 17, 1844; 
 married Lizzie Sherman, of Galway, N. Y., in March, 1871. John, born 
 November 21, 1845, died September 5, 1889, leaving his widow, who 
 was E. Frances Northrop, of Brookfield, Conn., and a son, James A., 
 who is the only grandson of the subject of this sketch. Lucy A., who 
 married Isaac Morris, of Amsterdam. 
 
 The widow of James L. Northrup is still living at the advanced age 
 of seventy-four years. She has been, with her husband, a member of 
 the Presbyterian church most of her life. 
 
 Mr. Northrup died on the 2Sth of October, 1888, in the seventy-first 
 year of his age, mourned by all who knew him. During his life he had 
 won the permanent regard of many young business men by giving 
 them kindly help and advice at the beginning of their career, while his 
 position in the community at large was such as to merit this memorial 
 among the honored citizens of Johnstown. 
 
 WELLS, JOHN. — Prominent among the names of those who have 
 honored Fulton county in the bar, on the judicial bench, and in 
 the legislative halls of the nation, stands that of John Wells. He was a 
 native of Johnstown, and was born July i, 18 17. His father was Nathan 
 P. Wells, one of the early settlers in this locality. He obtained an aca- 
 demic education in his native village, and was graduated from Union 
 College in 1835. In pursuance of his determination to enter the legal 
 profession, he entered the office of the eminent jurist, Daniel Cady, and 
 was admitted to the bar in 1839. He began his practice in the village 
 of Palmyra, N. Y., but soon returned to Johnstown, opened an office and 
 continued in practice by himself until 1843-44, when he formed a co- 
 partnership with Donald McMartin, under the firm name of Wells & 
 McMartin; this co-partnership continued only a year or two. Mr. 
 Wells had now attained a position at the bar which was highly creditable 
 for one of his years; and under the constitution of 1846 he was elected 
 county judge for the term beginning July i, 1847, ^"d ending Decem- 
 ber 31, 1851. During his term of office as judge "he developed those 
 qualities which made him conspicuous as a profound lawyer and an up- 
 right and incorruptible judge, whom neither fear nor favor could swerve- 
 
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BIOGRAPHICAL. 583 
 
 from that righteousness which should ever characterize those who are 
 called to the responsible positions which he filled with such credit to 
 himself, and such general approval of all who had occasion to know his 
 peculiar qualities of mind and heart." 
 
 Before the expiration of his term as judge he received the nomina- 
 tion for Congress, without seeking on his part, or even a desire for it, and 
 was elected in the fall of 185 1. He resigned the office of judge in 
 November, 1852, to take his seat in the House of Representatives in the 
 December following. During his congressional term he made several 
 speeches which attracted very general attention. "His speech on non- 
 intervention was a masterly and exhaustive effort, in which he took 
 strong grounds in favor of the United States embracing every oppor- 
 tunity to promulgate Republican views to the world. It is a searching 
 criticism of what is known as the Monroe doctrine." 
 
 He was present in Washington at the reception of the Hungarian 
 patriot, Louis Kossuth, for whom and the struggling people he repre- 
 sented, Judge Wells expressed his warm sympathy. 
 
 At the close of his first term in Congress he declined to be a candi- 
 date for re-election, as public life in the National Capital, and the gen- 
 eral turmoil of legislation and politics were not congenial with his more 
 quiet tastes and habits. From that time onward, although an unswerv- 
 ing Republican and taking great interest in the public affairs of State 
 and nation, he steadily refused to be a candidate for any office. For 
 some time after his return from Congress he gave much of his attention 
 to literary labor and published several of his works, which were circu- 
 lated among his friends. In these was exhibited a high order of literary 
 ability, which might have given him an honorable standing in the great 
 world of letters, but for his habitual dislike for notoriety. 
 
 In 1857 Judge Wells entered into copartnership with James M. Dud- 
 ley in the practice of law. This firm subsequently commanded a very 
 extensive practice, and continued in existence just twenty years. After 
 years of active practice, younger men were admitted to the firm to as- 
 sist in the increasing business. Judge Wells died on the 30th of May, 
 
 1877. 
 
 A meeting of the bar was held on the 12th of June, to take action 
 upon the death of Judge Wells. A series of memorial resolutions was 
 
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S84 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 adopted, and leading judges and lawyers spoke of the life and character 
 of their associate. Mr. Dudley presided at the meeting and paid a high 
 and feeling tribute to the noble qualities and eminent attainments of his 
 former partner. And at the opening of the court, June 13, the resolu- 
 tions adopted by the bar were presented and accepted by the court. 
 Several prominent members of the profession who were present spoke 
 in eulogy of their deceased associate and friend. The remarks of Hon. 
 John Stewart on that occasion were biographical in character and in 
 their course he said: "When I say that Judge Wells was a friend of 
 mankind, I speak from a knowledge based upon an intimate acquaint- 
 ance with him for nearly thirty years. He was an excellent lawyer, 
 and independent, upright and impartial judge. He was not only an able 
 lawyer, but a statesman as well. The speeches delivered by him in 
 Congress furnished unmistakable evidence of his rare capacity for states- 
 manship. Some of us who have argued cases before him on the bench; 
 others of us have met him at the bar in many hard-fought and closely 
 contested legal controversies, and all of us have met him more or less 
 frequently at the social circle and in the walks of private life, and speak- 
 ing for myself alone I am free to say that I never knew a man who 
 possessed a more evenly balanced mind and temperament than he pos- 
 sessed; nor is it too much to say that in his death our profession has lost 
 one of its brightest ornaments, and this community one of its most 
 valued and worthy citizens. * » • Judge Wells was an honest man; 
 he was also a sincere, earnest and true man — sincere in his counsel to 
 every one who sought it, and earnest and true to his convictions of 
 right and duty. He was also a good man — good in the broadest and 
 most catholic acceptation of that term." 
 
 Judge Wells was twice married: first on the 5th of September, 1843, 
 o Margaret Stewart; second, on the 12th of January, 1869, to Mrs- 
 Catharine D. Hagaman, who survives him. 
 
 nEACOCK FAMILY, THE.— The ancestry of the Heacock family 
 was of German origin. Job Heacock, the first of that name to- 
 locate within the present bounds of Fulton county, came from Connect- 
 icut shortly subsequent to the close of the revolutionary war. He set- 
 tled in Kingsboro and had three sons: Lemuel, Philander and Isaac. 
 
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BIOGRAPHICAL. 585 
 
 Lemuel Heacock was born in Kingsboro, October 8, 1786; married 
 Sophia Leavenworth, May 28, 18 16, and settled on the side of Kings- 
 boro mountain where he raised a family of seven children, namely: 
 Abigail L., Maryette, Lemuel, Philander C, Roswell, David G., and 
 Catharine S. Abigail L. married Daniel S. Tarr, of Gloversville, and 
 had two sons, one of whom, David, survives his mother, who died in 
 June, 1892. Maryette married J. C. Leonard, whom she survives, and 
 is at present a resident of Gloversville. Philander C. married Jeanette 
 Thomas, of Kingsboro, who still survives him. They had one son, 
 Lemuel, and a daughter, Nettie, both now living at Kingsboro. David 
 G. married Jane Ann Van Wyck, of Dutchess county, and had one son, 
 Eugene, and a daughter, Helena, who married John D. Knight and now 
 lives in Lincoln, Nebr. Catherine S. married Charles R. Bellows, of 
 Gloversville, and had two sons, the elder of whom died in infancy. 
 
 Philander, the second son of Job, was born in Kingsboro, September 
 27, 1791. He learned the tanner's and shoemaker's trades and after- 
 wards carried on farming to a considerable extent, also entering into 
 the manufacture of gloves, being one of the earliest manufacturers. He 
 married Margaret Smith, daughter of Joseph Smith, April 22, 18 16. 
 She was born August 10, 1796, on the old Smith farm at West Bush, at 
 present occupied by the county poor-house, "a portion of the original 
 house still standing. Philander died June 22, 1837, and his wife April 
 6, of the same year. Their children were Joseph S., Willard J., Mary 
 L , who married Ebenezer Leavenworth, of Kingsboro, both deceased ; 
 Ann Elizabeth, died in infancy. Mills D., now living at Springfield, 
 Nebr., Jesse died in Rochester, N. Y., 1890; Edwin H., now living in 
 San Francisco ; Margaret Ann Elizabeth, married James Perkins, of 
 Santa Cruz, Cal., both deceased ; Lemuel, now living in Gloversville, 
 married Emily Harmon and has one son, Smith, and four daughers, 
 Katharine, Mary, Anna, and Sarah, still living. 
 
 Joseph S., the first child of Philander, was born August 9, 18 18, and 
 died June i, 1889. He married Charlotte M. Smith, of West Haven, 
 Conn., April 25, 1853. They had three sons, Willard, Elmore, and 
 Jermain, the first two dying in infancy, and one daughter, Mildred H. 
 Jermain married Minnie Smith, of West Haven. 
 
 Willard J., whose portrait is found in this work, was born April 5. 
 1821. He married first, Minerva M. Avery, February 11, 1845, who 
 74 
 
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5 86 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 <lied May 8, 1890. They had four children: Marion L., now Mrs. Fred 
 E. Hotchkiss, of Redlands, Cal. ; Annette, who died when four years of 
 age ; Lillian, now Mrs. Henry H. Pettit, also of Redlands, Cal. ; and 
 Willard A., physician in New York city. Willard J. married for his 
 second wife, May 14, 1891, Clara Barton Perry, of Geneseo, III. 
 
 nEACOCK'S, WILLARD J., business life began in the dry goods 
 store of Jacob and Elisha Burton, at Kingsboro, when he was twenty 
 years old. He continued with them four years, when, in the spring of 
 1845, h^ began the manufacture of gloves at Kingsboro, which he contin- 
 tied until the spring of 186 1 ; he then took as a partner J. S. Heacock, and 
 they continued under the firm name of W. J. & J. S. Heacock, about five 
 years. At this time the agitation of the subject of building the rail- 
 road from Fonda through Johnstown to Gloversville was at its height. 
 Into this project Mr. Heacock threw his whole energy and became the 
 leader in the enterprise. Several times it seemed that the work must 
 fail for the want of public confidence ; but through his perseverance and 
 influence it was finally completed. The same may be said of the under- 
 taking to extend the road to Northville, the company for which was or- 
 ganized in 1872. Mr. Heacock was made president of this company, 
 as he had been of the other Since its inception, and was very largely in- 
 strumental in its success. (The reader will find further details of this 
 railroad enterprise in an earlier chapter of this volume.) Mr. Heacock 
 is a Republican in politics and although not an active partisan,he has been 
 honored by several positions of responsibility. He was- elected to the 
 Assembly in 1863, and was made chairman of the committee on trade 
 and manufactures ; he was again elected in 1873, and was chairman of 
 the important committee on railroads. He has also served four years 
 as a member of the Republican State committee. In Gloversville, where 
 he resides, Mr. Heacock is a director in the National Fulton County 
 Bank, and a trustee of the Free Library. He was one of the principal 
 founders and a charter member of the First Presbyterian Church of 
 Gloversville, having furnished more than half of the necessary means 
 for the erection of the church edifice still occupied by them. He is now 
 senior ruling elder in the church, having served in that capacity from 
 
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BIOGRAPHICAL. 587 
 
 its organization. In these several capacities he has brought to bear the 
 same efficient and estimable qualities that gave him signal success as a 
 business man. 
 
 SNYDER, WILLIAM S.— The parents of the subject of this sketch 
 were born in Montgomery county, N. Y. Their family consisted 
 of seven children, three of whom were sons ; of these three William S. 
 is the eldest. He was born in the town of Charleston, Montgomery 
 county, on the 31st of July, 1832. He attended the district school 
 until the close of his twelfth year, and his zeal in study may be in- 
 ferred from the fact that during his thirteenth year he taught a school 
 to the satisfaction of those who employed him. During most of the 
 long period that has succeeded that early experience as a teacher, 
 Mr. Snyder's individual time and energy has been devoted to the 
 advancement of the cause of education and the adding to his own store 
 of knowledge." The year succeeding his first experience as a teacher, 
 Mr. Snyder attended the Fonda Academy. Leaving school, he spent 
 five years as a clerk in a store at Auriesville, Montgomery county, 
 then purchased the store and conducted it with success for three more 
 years. During this comparatively brief business experience Mr. Sny- 
 der kept up his studies as far as he was able, and when he left the 
 store he began teaching in the district where he lived, devoting 
 every leisure hour to persistent study. At the end of a year he was 
 engaged as teacher at Tribes Hill, where he remained two years. This 
 brings his career down to i860, when he came to Johnstown, and here 
 for nearly thirty- two years he has been the faithful, progressive and 
 efficient head of the village schools. 
 
 Mr. Snyder found in Johnstown two district schools with an attend- 
 ance perhaps of 250 scholars, and the old academy. Mr. Snyder came 
 as principal of the Main street school. He at once began the inaugura- 
 tion of reforms and the infusion of new life into local educational affairs. 
 His work gave the utmost satisfaction to parents, and received efficient 
 co-operation from the school authorities. In 1869 the schools passed 
 under the graded system, with Regents' examinations, and Mr. Snyder 
 was made superintendent in the following year, an honorable oiflSce which 
 he has efficiently filled to the present time. (The reader will find a his- 
 
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588 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 tory of the village schools in an earlier chapter of this volume.) There 
 are now four schools in the village, one of the buildings being among 
 the finest in the State ; the number of teachers under Mr. Snyder is 
 twenty-six, and the number of pupils about 1,500. In this great ad- 
 vancement he has been the chief moving factor. Persistent, watchful of 
 new methods, faithful far beyond the ordinary, it is not a wonder that 
 the schools of Johnstown rank high among those under the Regents, 
 or that Mr. Snyder has so long been kept at his post. 
 
 Mr. Snyder was married November 2, 1853, to Octavia Montony, of 
 Auriesville, Montgomery county, N. Y. They have one daughter, who 
 married William F. Gage, of Fort Plain, N. Y. She has three sons, 
 Snyder, Walker and William J. 
 
 nAYS, DANIEL. — The subject of this sketch is descended from 
 one of the very early settlers of Fulton county. About three 
 miles southwest of Gloversville is situated what has been known as the 
 old Hays farm, where James Hays, father of Daniel, was born. He 
 passed nearly his whole life there and died in the enjoyment of the re- 
 spect of the community, in June, 1869. His wife was Lois Dawley be- 
 fore her first marriage to Aaron Simmons. She was born in Glovers- 
 ville. Their family consisted of two sons and two daughters. 
 
 Daniel Hays was born on the 14th of June, 1833. His educational 
 advantages were limited to the district school, and when eighteen years 
 old he went to Gloversville and began work in the skin-mill of William 
 C Mills, continuing one year; this term was followed by one year with 
 Bildad Mills and James Christie; a year with Aaron Simmons and Alonzo 
 Brower and during the fourth year he put out leather for Sherwood 
 Haggart. It was during these four years of labor for others that Dan- 
 iel Hays demonstrated his possession of qualities which early presaged 
 his after success. He began at $8 a month, and in his third year re- 
 ceived only $15, and it was his regular practice to devote his noon 
 hours to working " over the beam," and a little later to finishing also, 
 instead of resting in idleness. He was determined to master every de- 
 tail of the glove business, from the raw skin to the finished glove, and 
 his industrious practice alluded to, enabled him to substantially learn 
 two or three trades at once. He was a close observer, also, and made a 
 
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BIOGRAPHICAL. 589 
 
 study of the various kinds of skins and the action upon them of the 
 materials used in dressing, thus acquiring knowledge that was to repa}' 
 him a hundred fold in later years. 
 
 In the winter of the fourth year of his work in the mill, Mr. Hays 
 was married to Helen Adelia Ward, daughter of Elias G. Ward, one of 
 the older and prominent citizens of Gloversville, the marriage occurring 
 on Christmas day, 1854. He had already arranged to go into business 
 as a manufacturer for himself, and to make sure of securing all advan- 
 tages possessed by others, he went to New York to purchase skins with- 
 out capital or introduction. The first dealer to whom he applied for 
 credit was Scott Campbell, who refused it, acknowledging that he liked 
 the young man's appearance and talk, but could not depart from his 
 business rule of not selling to persons who were without means. Mr. 
 Hays then called on William R. and C. B. Fosdick, who heard his 
 statement, asked him for references in Gloversville, and sent him home 
 with the assurance that he would probably receive the desired bale of 
 skins. Mr. Hays had given them the name of Rufus Washburn as a 
 reference, and it will be correctly inferred that Mr. Washburn's report 
 on the young man was entirely satisfactory to the Messrs. Fosdick in 
 New York. That was the beginning of Mr. Hays's career as a manu- 
 facturer. He dressed his skins, took them in a ba.sket and wheel-bar- 
 row to the makers, and when the gloves were finished, went out on the 
 road in neighboring counties and sold them, thus gaining further busi- 
 ness experience. From that early time to the present, Mr. Hays has 
 continued in manufacturing, though he served a year or two with his 
 father-in-law, and Ward & McNab as foreman, in 1856-57. In 1857 
 his health failed and by his physician's order he took his wife to Cali- 
 fornia, leaving her in San Francisco, while he went into the mines 
 in the Frazer River country. A year and a half in California fully re- 
 stored his health, and he returned to Gloversvile and at once joined 
 with Elias G. Ward in glove manufacturing. At^the end of two years 
 he bought Mr. Ward's interest in the business, and was alone (with the 
 exception of the year 1866, when he was associated with Willliam H. 
 Place), up to 1890, when the concern of Daniel Hays & Co. was formed 
 
 Daniel Hays and Lewis A. Tate — and so exists at the present time. 
 
 Mr. Hays's factory was on Elm street four years, and in 1 864 he re- 
 
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590 HISTORY OF FULTOlSr COUNTY. 
 
 moved to the corner of Main and Middle streets, where he remained 
 twenty- five years. He erected his present large brick factory on West 
 Fulton street in 1888. His handsome residence, corner of North Main 
 and First avenues, he built in 1883. 
 
 The above record covers a period of Mr. Hays's manufacturing in 
 gloves of nearly forty years ; and in order to reach a fair understanding 
 of some of the factors of his success, it must be stated that he 
 introduced at different times new processes and methods of manufacture 
 which gave him decided advantages over most others. Some of these im- 
 provements are probably traceable directly to the many hours spent by 
 him while an apprentice, for which he received no other pay than his 
 acquired knowledge. For example. Para deer-skins were a drug in the 
 American market, on account of difficulty in dressing them. Mr. Hays 
 came to the conclusion, after much experiment, that other workmen 
 were liming them too much in order to remove the hair. He discov- 
 ered a process of dressing these skins which avoided all the difficulty, 
 and he kept it secret several years, practically controlling the market 
 in the skins, and thus securing excellent leather at a fraction of the cost 
 paid by other manufacturers. At the present day this process is in use 
 by all manufacturers. He was the first to adopt power in the operation 
 of glove sewing machines, and he used it about ten years before other 
 makers took it up, as nearly all have since done. The first Buenos 
 Ayres hog-skins, also, were an object of persistent effort by many 
 makers to dress them without losing a large proportion. Mr. Hays 
 was the first manufacturer to successfully dress these now valuable skins 
 by methods of his own, and for several years they were a fruitful source 
 of profit to him, while he almost wholly controlled their use. 
 
 The long and successful business life of Mr. Hays has, of course,^ 
 firmly established his position in the confidence of the community ; 
 while his modest deportment and genial disposition have made him 
 many social friends. Many positions of honor and trust have been 
 offered him in the past, which he felt it inconsistent to accept while 
 deeply engrossed in business. In later years his public spirit and ability 
 to shift some of the care of his factory to others have inclined him to 
 accept such public recognition as has been freely tendered him. In 
 politics he is a Republican. He has been a member of the Board of 
 
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BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 59' 
 
 School Commissioners during two periods, the first in 1868, and the last 
 in 1891-92, and is now chairman of the board. He was made presi- 
 dent of the hospital board in 1890, and at the last Republican State con- 
 vention (1892), he was chosen one of the presidential electors. He has 
 been for several years president of the Gloversville Free Library, and 
 from its beginning has taken a deep interest in its prosperity. He has 
 been a director in the National Fulton County Bank for many years. 
 He is a consistent member of the First M. E. church of Gloversville. 
 In all of these relations Mr. Hays is an efficient worker, and commands 
 the respect of his associates. Mr. and Mrs. Hays have one daughter, 
 who is married. 
 
 PLACE, URIAH MORRIS, was born near the village of Johns- 
 town on the 6th of September, 1807. His father was John Place, 
 who was one of the early settlers in this locality, and carried on a mill- 
 ing business in connection with farming. The family of John Place 
 consisted of fifteen children, and it is not, therefore, to be wondered at 
 that some of them early took up the burdens of life for themselves. 
 
 The subject of this sketch went out to work at an early age, first for 
 Eleazer Wells, the pioneer at Johnstown, who long resided on the Sir 
 William Johnson homestead. He also worked for other members of 
 the Wells family. He early developed the sterling traits of character 
 which distinguished him and contributed to his success throughout his 
 life — industry, perseverance, integrity, and economy of a practical kind. 
 Before his marriage Mr. Place worked at leather-dressing for others, 
 and acquired a thorough mastery of that business. On the 28th of 
 February, 1832, he married Miss Sarah B. Brown, a native of the town 
 of Warren, Herkimer county, where her parents were early settlers. 
 At this time Mr. Place had resolved to engage in the leather business 
 on his own account, and had made arrangements to do so. An inci- 
 dent connected with his first business undertaking is related, which 
 clearly pictures his character in at least one respect. Nathan Wells was 
 then in the Johnstown Bank, and through him Mr. Place had obtained 
 some money with which to establish his small factory, giving his note 
 for it. After his marriage, and while on a visit to the home of his wife 
 fifty miles away in mid-winter, they became snow-bound. The woods 
 
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592 HISTORY OF FUL20N COUNTY. 
 
 were absolutely impassable for teams for many days. Meanwhile the 
 bank note given by Mr. Place fell due. As the day of payment ap- 
 proached his agitation increased, and when finally prevented from start- 
 ing for Johnstown in a sleigh, he took a horse and saddle and rode 
 through the great depth of snow fifty miles, paid his note and then re- 
 turned to his wife. This is related merely to show that one of his chief 
 guiding principles was never to default in any engagement, however 
 trivial. His credit was never impeached. 
 
 Mr. Place was among the very early leather dressers, and though his 
 operations were for a time limited, his business rapidly increased and 
 finally became very large. He also in later years devoted much atten- 
 tion to real estate operations, built the second new house at Glovers- 
 ville, and followed it by the erection of many more. Through his en- 
 ergy and his unfailing readiness to give aid to every worthy undertak- 
 ing for the prosperity of the village, he became the one who was 
 habitually looked to for a leader. His counsel was uniformly prudent 
 and wise, and his good offices and kindness of heart boundless. In 
 these respects it has been said that his place has never been filled. He 
 was of a retiring and modest temperament, never seeking place of any 
 kind. He was a director in the Fonda, Johnstown and Gloversville 
 Railroad, and took an active part in its construction. He was also a 
 director in the National Fulton County Bank, and these institutions ex- 
 pressed their appreciation of his high qualities in resolutions published 
 at the time of his death. 
 
 Mr. Place was long a member of Dr. Yale's Presbyterian church at 
 Kingsboro, and later joined with the Congregational church at Glovers- 
 ville. He lived the religion that he professed. It was written of him 
 at the time of his death, which occurred on the 27th of February, 1876, 
 that the " community has lost one who was early associated with its 
 growth and prosperity in all that has been noble and Christian in its 
 history." 
 
 BURDICK, FRANCIS, M. D.— Among the early residents of 
 Johnstown was Daniel Burdick, a native of Rhode Island. He 
 was a farmer, lived a life of respectability and died, leaving seven sons. 
 Most of these took up the occupation of their father, and all are now 
 
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Biographical. S93 
 
 deceased. One of these sons was Francis Burdick, the subject of this 
 sketch. He was born in Johnstown on the i6th of April, 1818. After 
 securing such education as was possible in the district schools and at 
 the Johnstown Academy, he attended the medical college at Fairfield 
 and graduated in the winter of 1839-40. Among the professors at 
 that institution were Dr. T. Romeyn Beck, who lectured on materia 
 medica and jurisprudence, and Dr. Frank Hamilton, professor of sur- 
 gery, both of whom attained great eminence. Young Burdick had 
 previously studied with the late Dr. James W. Miller, of Johnstown, 
 with whom after his graduation he immediately formed a partnership 
 which continued five years. At the end of that period he opened an 
 ofifice by himself, and soon rose to eminence in his profession, especially 
 in surgery. He found keen professional rivalry, but succeeded beyond 
 his highest expectations. The fees were then very small, being fifty 
 cents for a ride of three or four miles and twenty-five cents in the vil- 
 lage; but the young physician devoted himself with faithful persever- 
 ance to his patients, and he felt that a Divine blessing followed his 
 labors. The County Medical Society, of which he was an active mem- 
 ber, was for many years almost indebted wholly to him for its very ex- 
 istence, and he often paid from his personal means the annual dues to 
 the State Society. Dr. Burdick was a frequent representative of the 
 County Society ; he also on several occasions was a representative of the 
 State Medical Society. He was for one year vice-president of the last 
 mentioned society, and was appointed a delegate to represent that 
 society at the meeting of the State Medical Society of Illinois, held at 
 Chicago. He was also a delegate from the State Medical Society to 
 the American Medical Association which met in New Orleans in 1869. 
 He was elected permanent member from the fourth district of the Medi- 
 cal Society of the State of New York in 1870, and in 1873 was a dele- 
 gate to represent that institution in St. Louis. In 1875 he was delegate 
 to the American Medical Association which met in Louisville, and in" 
 1876 he represented the State Medical Society at the International 
 Medical Congress held in Philadelphia. He was also one of the cura- 
 tors of the Medical University of Buffalo. These various appointments 
 indicate the high position occupied by Dr. Burdick in his profession. 
 All his life he was a student, and kept abreast in the great advance of 
 
 75 
 
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594 tiiSTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 medical knowledge. In the community where he lived he enjoyed in 
 the highest degree the confidence of the people in his professional skill, 
 as well as their esteem for his many noble qualities. Outside of his 
 profession he was a public spirited citizen, and was ready at all times 
 to lend his assistance to any undertaking that promised to benefit the 
 community. He was pure minded in all things, kind and generous, 
 and his integrity was unimpeachable. He was long a communicant of 
 the Episcopal church. 
 
 On the 26th of September, 1849, Dr. Burdick was married to Cath- 
 arine May, only child of the late Jedediah and Margaret (Spraker) 
 Holmes. They had five children, four of whom died in infancy. One 
 daughter, Margaret H., survives and resides with her mother in Johns- 
 town. 
 
 STEWART, DANIEL.— Peter Stewart and his wife both came to 
 this country from Scotland and settled near the beginning of 
 this century at Johnstown. Brothers of Peter also came from the 
 same country and settled in this locality. Peter was a mechanic, 
 and was a respected member of the thrifty and hardy class of Scotch- 
 men who settled in what is now Fulton county. Here Daniel Stewart 
 was born, November 7, 18 10, and securing such English education as 
 the district schools afforded at that early day, he learned the carpenter's 
 trade, but followed it very little in after years. He inherited the ster- 
 ling qualities of his ancestors, as well as their physical hardihood ; for 
 though he died at sixty-one years of age, he never experienced a day 
 of sickness until a short time before his death, which was caused by an 
 internal abscess. More than six feet tall, his straight and commanding 
 figure attracted attention wherever he went. 
 
 Mr. Stewart took an early and active interest in politics, and ulti- 
 mately became very influential in the Whig and Republican parties, 
 not for the purpose of obtaining public office, for which he always felt a 
 distaste, but because he believed in the principles governing those par- 
 ties, and hence desired their triumph. His time, energy and means 
 were always freely given in support of his political principles, and in 
 times of close campaigns, when his own business demanded his atten- 
 tion during the day, he was wont to ride over the county in night hours 
 
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BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 S9S 
 
 whenever he could thus advance the interests of his party. In recogni- 
 tion of his unselfish service, Mr. Stewart was often solicited to accept 
 public ofifice, but usually 'declined. He served the county as under 
 sherifif, was nominated for sheriff, but through local dissension in the 
 party he was defeated by one vote. Later he was elected loan com- 
 missioner, serving the State faithfully and efficiently. 
 
 In the village of Johnstown Mr. Stewart was one who was habitually 
 called upon for aid in alt good work, and his benevolence and kindly 
 heart never failed to prompt him to respond. In the aid of churches, 
 schools, and public works of every description he was always found 
 among the foremost. Through these traits and his ever-present genial- 
 ity and kindness he won friends wherever he made acquaintances. 
 
 Mr. Stewart was engaged for nearly thirty years in the wholesale and 
 retail grocery business, a part of the time with his brother, and was 
 uniformly successful. His unbending integrity and fairness gave him 
 a standing above reproach in the business world. He was an active, 
 liberal and consistent member of the Presbyterian church. 
 
 Mr. Stewart married, September 14, 1842, Lucinda Kennedy, of 
 West Galway, Fulton county, where her family was prominent in busi- 
 ness and social circles. She survives him with three of their four daugh- 
 ters. These are Mrs. William Wooster, Mrs. Frank D. Oliver, and 
 Jennie, who resides with her mother. The other daughter married 
 Charles C. Graham, and is deceased. 
 
 SHOTWELL, SAMUEL H., was born in East Woodbridge, Mid- 
 dlesex county, N. J., on the 9th of January, 1836. His father, 
 Benjamin, was a native of Rahway Port, in the same State, born Au- 
 gust 18, 1793, and died at East Woodbridge, January 17, 1859. He 
 was a farmer by occupation. His wife was Mary Hunt, of Rahway, 
 who was born September 2, 1800, and is now living with her son, the 
 subject of this sketch, in Gloversville, at the great age of ninety-two 
 years, in full possession of all her faculties and with fair promise of 
 years of declining life. The ancestors of the family and Benjamin 
 Shotwell were members of the sect of Friends. Benjamin's father was 
 William Shotwell, also a native of Rahway Port, and a farmer and ves- 
 sel owner. They were both men of respectability and character. Ben- 
 
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5^6 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 jamin's children were eight, as follows: Elizabeth V., Lydia D., Har- 
 riet H., Sarah S., William J., Janette C, Samuel H., and Esther E. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was given good opportunity to secure an 
 education in the district schools and finishing at a select school in 
 Perth Amboy, which he left when he had reached eighteen years of 
 age. It had been his determination from early years to follow mercan- 
 tile business, and he began on leaving school by engaging as a grocery 
 clerk at Rahway. A year and a half later, in quest of a broader field, 
 he went to New York city, where as clerk and partner in the wholesale 
 house of David H. Decker he remained fourteen years. Here he 
 acquired business experience and habits which have formed the basis of 
 his business life since and given him an enviable standing in commer- 
 cial circles. 
 
 Leaving New York in 1873, Mr. Shotwell came to Gloversville to 
 assume charge of the branch of the wholesale and importing house of 
 Rose, McAIpin & Co., in the sale of all kinds of glovers' materials. 
 For twelve years he continued in this capacity, meeting the expecta- 
 tions of his employers and making a position for himself in the business 
 life of the village which gave him the respect of his fellow citizens. 
 In the year 1885 he purchased the establishment of his employers and 
 has since that time successfully carried on the business by himself. In 
 addition to the sale of glovers' goods, Mr. Shotwell established in 1885 
 a leather dressing concern, which he still conducts, though the greater 
 part of the leather sold by him is dressed by others outside. 
 
 In politics Mr. Shotwell is a Republican ; but he has never accepted 
 political oflSce, though such honor has been tendered him. He gives to 
 his party that intelligent support which he believes to be due from 
 every progressive citizen. He was trustee of the village in 1886 ; was 
 placed on the school board in 1890 ; has in the past been a trustee and 
 treasurer of the Baptist Church, and was a member of the building 
 committee which erected the new edifice in 1890. In matters affecting 
 the growth and welfare of Gloversville, Mr. Shotwell always shows a 
 laudable public spirit and gives liberally of his time and means to such 
 objects. He is interested in the construction of the new electric rail- 
 road to Fonda, and altogether has the fullest faith in the future of the 
 city which he has made his permanent home, 
 
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BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 597 
 
 Mr. Shotwell was married on the 8th of December, 1874, to Jane E. 
 Everit, of Rahway, N. J., daughter of Richard Everit, a leather mer- 
 chant of New York, who was born February 27, 1798, and died De- 
 cember 13, 1880. His wife was Mary C. Carle, who died October 2i, 
 i860. Mr. and Mrs. Shotwell have tour children, as follows: Marie 
 Louise, born October 2, 1875 ; Edward C, born May 14, 1877 ; Wal- 
 ter H., born May 24, 1884; Everit C, born April 20, 1886. 
 
 KASSON, ALEXANDER JAMES, was born in Broadalbin, Ful- 
 ton county, N. Y., in 1829, and for many years of his life was 
 intimately identified with the growth of Gloversville. He came to 
 the village when it was still of almost insignificant proportions, and 
 from that time onward to his death he neglected no opportunity to 
 promote its prosperity, often at considerable sacrifice to himself. Pre- 
 vious to the breaking out of the civil war he formed a copartnership 
 with his brother, Harvey Z. Kasson, in the manufacture of gloves and 
 mittens, and for several years the firm was among the most successful 
 business houses of the place. Soon after the close of the war he retired 
 from that business and gave his attention to other matters. Early in 
 the history of the village he held the office of trustee, in which office he 
 demonstrated his possession of a degree of public spirit that never there- 
 after declined. He took a deep interest in local musical matters, par- 
 ticularly in the organization and support of the brass bands that have 
 existed in the village and city. From his private means he often lib- 
 erally contributed to this object, and was the responsible cause that 
 produced in Gloversville such excellent musical material of this class. 
 The first sewer pipe laid in the village was done under contract by him, 
 and the establishment of the postal telegraph in the place was almost 
 wholly due to his efforts and his liberality. The construction of the 
 line was almost, or quite, wholly paid for out of his private means. At 
 about the beginning of the war period he was chosen as one of the dep- 
 uty sheriffs of the county, and for more than thirty years he honorably 
 wore the badge of that office and performed its duties to the entire sat- 
 isfaction of the community. Later in life he became the owner of con- 
 sideraTjle real estate, and with the welfare of the village always upper- 
 
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598 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 most in his thoughts, he crowned his work by the erection of the present 
 Memorial Opera House, at a time when the village had only very un- 
 satisfactory facilities for public entertainments. Indeed, there was no 
 measure brought before the public for the apparent good of the village 
 in which he did not take an active and liberal part. 
 
 Mr. Kasson was an honored member of the Holy Cross Commandery, 
 Knights Templar, and at his death, which occurred on the 2ist of Jan- 
 uary, 1892, he was buried with Masonic honors. In the social life of the 
 place and among his immediate fellow citizens he was esteemed for his 
 many excellent qualities, his geniality and courteous demeanor, and the 
 number of his friends was limited only by his acquaintance. 
 
 On the nth of January, 1869, Mr. Kasson was married to Miss Mary 
 Allen, daughter of Shadrack Allen, of Saratoga county, who survives 
 him, and resides in the beautiful homestead in Gloversville. 
 
 WELLS, DAVID AKIN.— John Wells was among the very early 
 settlers, and one of the most prominent at Kingsboro, and was a 
 native of Connecticut. Among his children was Eleazer Wells, who 
 located at Johnstown, where he was a leading citizen for many years, 
 and engaged in milling and farming. He became a large owner of real 
 estate, included in which was the historic seat of Sir William Johnson, 
 known for a century and a half as "Johnson Hall." In that building 
 David Akin Wells was born on the 17th of May, 1828. He was the 
 twelfth of the fourteen children of his parents. His education was ob- 
 tained in the district school and the Johnstown Academy. After leav- 
 ing school he worked at home on his father's farm until 1845, when he 
 went to Johnstown village and began work as a clerk in the dry goods 
 store of Edwards & Yauney, who were his brothers-in-law. Later he 
 was in the store of Burton & Gross, and in 1848 became a partner with 
 Jacob Burton, Mr. Gross having retired. The partnership continued 
 until 1851, when Mr. Wells sold his interest in the business to his 
 brother Edward, and formed a copartnership with Marcellus Gilbert, 
 under the style of Gilbert & Wells, in the manufacture of gloves. A 
 business was thus founded by them which increased to large propor- 
 tions and was in every way successful. The partnership continued 
 about eighteen years, until 1869, when Mr. Gilbert died. Mr, Wells 
 
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BIOGRAPHICAL, S99 
 
 Carried on the business a year or two, when his factory burned, with 
 considerable loss. Meanwhile his close attention to business developed 
 a serious break in his health, and he remained substantially idle a few 
 years, during which the project of building the Fonda, Johnstown and 
 Gloversvilie railroad was inaugurated. Mr. Wells was chosen vice- 
 president of the corporation and entered actively into the labors attend- 
 ing the building and equipment of the road. In this work his capacity 
 for grasping large undertakings was signally displayed, and he has re- 
 tained the office of vice-president ever since the road went into opera- 
 tion in 1870. The large success of the company may in a considerble 
 measure be fairly credited to him. 
 
 It was never a trait of Mr. Wells's character to aspire to office or posi- 
 tion of trust of any kind, but his exceptional business qualifications and 
 his sterling integrity and good judgment have led to his being called to 
 several stations of honor and responsibility. He is a director in the 
 People's Bank of Johnstown ; president of the Savings Bank since its 
 organization ; was elected by his Republican fellow citizens to the office 
 of county treasurer in i860, and efficiently discharged the duties of the 
 place; was elected to the State legislature in 1880-81, and has been 
 trustee and president of the village. He is also now a director in the 
 company which is about to start a large knitting factory in Johnstown, 
 and is president of the Gloversvilie Foundry and Machine Company ; 
 also was chosen president of the Opera House Company at its organiza- 
 tion. In these numerous public offices and positions of trust Mr. Wells 
 has made a record that is satisfactory to his constituents and his asso- 
 ciates, and in every way honorable to himself. 
 
 At the time of Mr. Gilbert's death, before mentioned, the firm owned 
 a large amount of property, which was purchased by Mr. Wells, includ- 
 ing the grist-mill, which was sold by Mr. Wells to its present owners ; 
 and the skin- mill now operated by Thompson, Lord & Co. ; also the 
 skin-mill and property attached to the Mills Leather Co. 
 
 In 1869 Mr. Wells purchased his present attractive and commodious 
 homestead of his cousin, Edward Wells. He has in recent years prac- 
 tically retired from active business, except as he gives much of his time 
 to the welfare of the railroad over which he is a prominent officer, and 
 in which he feels a deep interest and pardonable pride. 
 
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6oo tilSiOkV OF FULTON COVNTY. 
 
 The principal characteristics of Mr. Wells, which have enabled him 
 to attain the success he has enjoyed, are foresight and judgment, which 
 have enabled iiim to see the end of broad undertakings from the begin- 
 ning ; strong perseverance and determination, and that lofty integrity 
 which must underlie all successful effort. He has always been and is, a 
 public spirited citizen, and ready to aid in every undertaking promising 
 to promote the welfare of his town and county. 
 
 Mr. Wells was married on the lOth of April, 1850, to Alida G. John- 
 son, daughter of George and Frances Johnson. They have had six chil- 
 dren, five sons and one daughter. The eldest son, and another, a babe, 
 are deceased. The oldest living son is Eleazer M. Wells, who is at the 
 head of the Mills Leather Co. Nathan P. is the next son, and lives 
 at home and superintends his father's business interests. David A. 
 Wells, jr., is agent for the coal company of Fulton county, in which his 
 father is largely interested. The daughter is Anna G., now wife of 
 Joseph D. Oliver, one of the proprietors of the Oliver Chilled Plow 
 Works, of South Bend, Ind. 
 
 N ELLIS, ANDREW J. — The name of Nellis is found among those 
 of the earliest settlers in the territory now embraced in Herkimer, 
 Montgomery, Fulton and Schoharie counties. The German Palatines 
 came to this country in 1710 and 1723 and many of them acquired 
 lands within a few years thereafter in the the valley of the Mohawk and 
 on the adjoining uplands, where they soon cleared farms and established 
 prosperous homes, only to see many of them devastated in the French 
 and Indian war and in the memorable struggle which ended in the 
 founding of a free country. 
 
 Among the German Palatines who came here in 1 7 10 was William 
 Nellis to whom, with twenty-six others, in 1723, was granted the 
 " Stone Arabia Patent," and to whom, with George Klock, was granted 
 the "Klock & Nellis Patent." He was born in 1688 and lived near the 
 site of the Palatine stone church. The subject of this sketch is his de- 
 scendant, the line of his ancestry being William, born in 1688, Andrew 
 in 1715, Philip in 1746, Peter P. in 1783, and James in 1816. His an- 
 cestors all lived in the limits of the present town of Palatine in Mont- 
 
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BIOGRAPHICAL. 60 r 
 
 gomery county, and all were members of the Lutheran Church and 
 aided in the building and maintaining of the Palatine stone church and 
 the Stone Arabia church. In the spring of 1808 his grandfather, Peter 
 P. Nellis, removed to the town of Fairfield and remained there fifteen 
 years, and his father, James Nellis, was born in that town. Soon after 
 Peter P. returned to Palatine and purchased the " old homestead " which 
 his wife's father, John Spraker, had established in 1781. Here he lived 
 the plain and useful life of a Christian farmer ; and here in 1872, he died, 
 upwards of eighty-nine years of age. His son, James Nellis, succeeded 
 to the farm and lived upon it the life of an honest, upright, Christian 
 farmer until his death which occurred in 1888. His family was a large 
 one, consisting of fourteen children, eight of whom were sons. One of 
 them was Andrew J., who was born on the home farm July 22, 1852. 
 His mother was Mary Wert, a native of Johnstown, Fulton county, and 
 also directly descended from one of the German Lutheran Palatines 
 who came to this country in 17 10. She was a noble, intelligent and 
 energetic woman. She leaves a family of sons and daughters whose 
 lives are monuments to her worth and teaching. She died in i886. 
 
 Andrew J. Nellis was fortunate in securing exceptional educational 
 advantages, born as he was in the country, and forced to depend 
 wholly upon himself for the means necessary to carry himself through 
 school. He was given a studious nature, coupled with perseverance, 
 and he very early in life formed a determination to educate himself and 
 eventually take a place in the ranks of the legal profession. At twelve 
 years of age he began his studies in the Canajoharie Academy. At 
 fifteen he began to teach school and continued in teaching thereafter 
 until September, 1874, except for four terms, one and one- third years, 
 he attended at Fairfield Seminary, and in 1871 he graduated from that 
 institution in the regular five year's course, the valedictorian of his class. 
 In June, 1873, just before he was twenty- one years of age, he was elected 
 principal of Macedon Academy in Wayne county. In September he 
 commenced his duties there with a corps of five teachers. Eager for 
 admission to the bar and having continued his studies while teaching, 
 he declined an urgent invitation to continue at an advanced salary, and 
 in September, 1874, entered the Albany Law School and was gradu- 
 ated and admitted to the bar in May of the following year. In June, 
 76 
 
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6o2 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 1875, he came to Johnstown to continue his studies with Hon. Horace 
 E. Smith and with little thought of making Johnstown his permanent 
 home. In September of the same year, he became a member of the 
 firm of Smith & Nellis, and has been engaged in business in that firm 
 ever since. In 1879 Hon. Horace E. Smith retired from the firm to 
 become dean of the Albany Law School, leaving his son, Borden D. 
 Smith, as partner with Mr. Nellis. The firm has the full confidence 
 and a fair portion of the legal business of the people of the county. 
 
 Mr. Nellis's rank in his profession and his flattering success as a law- 
 yer may be judged, perhaps, by what has been written of his habits of 
 study, his natural and acquired mental power, and his unflinching de- 
 termination to reach the front. No case, however unimportant, comes 
 to his hands without receiving his most careful thought and preparation 
 — a practice which commonly insures success when guided by a thor- 
 ough knowledge of the law. 
 
 Mr. Nellis is a Republican in politics of a radical type, and was once 
 a prominent candidate for the nomination as State senator for his dis- 
 trict ; he has never held any political office, but gives liberally of his 
 time and labor to the party. He is attorney for the village of Johns- 
 town and also for the Johnstown Bank, of which he is a stockholder. 
 Since the first year of its organization he has been president of the 
 Johnstown Electric Light and Power company, a corporation organized 
 under his guidance and in which he has always been a director and 
 stockholder. He is also a stockholder in the Fonda, Johnstown and 
 Gloversville Railroad company, positions which to some extent indicate 
 the confidence felt in him by his fellow citizens. For three years he 
 was master of St. Patrick's Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons; and 
 for two years he was high priest in Johnstown Chapter. Mr. Nellis is 
 a member, since his boyhood, of the Lutheran Church, the church home 
 of his ancestors. 
 
 Mr. Nellis was married on the 6th of September, 1876, to Miss Mary 
 E. Humphrey, of Catskill, N. Y. Her parents are Oscar T. Humphrey, 
 who has been member of Assembly from his district, and Mary A. 
 Humphrey. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Nellis are Ruth, born Octo- 
 ber 24, 1880, and Merwyn Humphrey, August il, 1885. 
 
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BIOGRAPHICAL. 605 
 
 STEWART. JOHN.— The subject of this sketch was born in May- 
 field, Fulton county, N. Y., on the 30th day of October, 1820 
 His parents were James and Margaret (McFarian) Stewart, natives of 
 Scotland, who came to this country in 1795 and settled in the town of 
 Mayfield. The son was given ample opportunity to attend the district 
 schools, where he was exceptionally forward in his studies, developing 
 a strong taste for mathematics. With characteristic wisdom his parents 
 placed him in the academy of Kingsboro to gain such further education 
 as that institution afforded. Meanwhile, he acquired a taste for law 
 study, and finally determined to devote himself to that profession His 
 academic studies finished at the age of twenty-three. Mr. Stewart be- 
 gan the study of law in the office of Clark S. Grinnell, of Northampton, 
 which study he continued in alternation with terms of teaching until 
 1850, when he was admitted to the bar. As early as 1851 he was 
 elected to, the Assembly, serving one year. In 1855 he was chosen for 
 the office of county judge and surrogate of Fulton county. In this 
 honorable position Judge Stewart remained sixteen years, when he vol- 
 untarily resigned the office. His re-elections to this position indicate 
 the degree of satisfaction given by his judicial acts. He was at one time 
 prominent as a candidate for justice of the Supreme Court, and was fre- 
 quently urged by his party friends to accept a nomination for Congress, 
 but this honor he steadfastly refused. 
 
 After his retirement from the bench Judge Stewart resumed the act- 
 ive practice of his profession, in which he met with eminent success. 
 In 1879, on the organization of the First National Bank of Johnstown, 
 he was made president, and administered the duties of the position until 
 his death, which occurred November 20, 1882. 
 
 Elected to the Assembly as a Democrat, Judge Stewart, in 1856, 
 transferred his fealty to the Republican party, and ever afterwards was 
 a consistent and influential member of that organization. 
 
 He was a worthy and active member of the Presbyterian church and 
 earnestly devoted to its welfare. In social life he was much beloved for 
 his unfailing kindness, courtesy and sympathy. 
 
 Judge Stewart was married in 1848 to Catharine Wells, daughter of 
 Eleazer Wells, who still survives, a resident of Johnstown. They have 
 three children: Margaret, wife of J. P. Argersinger, and James, the 
 
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6o4 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 onlj' son, who married Miss Emmaroy Bradley, of Little Falls, N. Y., 
 reside in Johnstown. Isabel, the wife of John B. Judson, resides with 
 her husband in the city of Gloversville. Catherine, the eldest of the 
 children, died in 1867, shortly after her marriage to H, B. Livingston. 
 
 In concluding this brief sketch of Judge Stewart, it is appropriate to 
 quote as follows from the writing of one who knew him intimately: 
 
 " Judge Stewart, perhaps more than any other attorney in this county 
 since the days of Daniel Cady, held the position of a counsellor and ad- 
 viser for families in all their ordinary legal affairs and in the settlement 
 of estates, and maintained and deserved the confidence of the people in 
 that respect. Careful, methodical, honest, devoted to the interests of 
 his clients, who could better be adapted for such work ? It needed not 
 the brilliant advocate to subserve the property interests of the multitude 
 of people who confided the managemenc of their estates while living 
 and after death to the hands of Judge Stewart, but it did require the 
 calm, cool, discriminating judgment and sound, practical sense with 
 which he was so liberally endowed. His place will be hard to fill in 
 this respect. 
 
 " Uncompromising as he was in all contests where difference of con- 
 viction and belief urged on to stormy contests, he was genial and com- 
 panionable in social life when the storm was o'er. Despite differences 
 of opinion and belief and the warmth and earnestness with which he 
 urged his own, he still maintained the respect and kind regard even of 
 his opponents. To his friends he was bound with a band of steel. No 
 man ever proved more true to his friends than the deceased. To them 
 he was an open book ever ready to grant them what they desired. All 
 in all. Judge Stewart was a man of importance in this community ; an 
 honest, worthy, upright, intelligent, able and progressive citizen, one 
 whom we could ill afford to lose, and the memory of whose worth and 
 virtues will have an enduring effect upon the future life of Johnstown." 
 
 WELCH, NATHANIEL W.— The subject of this sketch was born 
 in the town of Salem, Washington county, N. Y., in 1806. His 
 parents were respected farmers, and until he was seventeen years of age 
 their son alternated between the hard toil of the parental farm and the 
 
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BIOGRAPHICAL. 605 
 
 -sessions, generally in winter, of the district school. At the age just 
 mentioned he felt the spirit of independence so strong that he deter- 
 mined to venture out into the world for himself; accordingly, with just 
 a dollar and a half of money, he left home and came directly to Glov- 
 ■ersville. There were then, as he often said, only twelve houses in the 
 place, and the manufacture of skins and gloves was in its infancy. The 
 young man was not long in finding work in a skin-mill, nor did he neg- 
 lect his opportunities to save a little of his slender income for the 
 future. Trained to industry and naturally prudent, he soon found him- 
 self in possession of a small capital, for which he sought profitable in- 
 vestment. Foreseeing the probable future rapid growth of the village, 
 he wisely put his little savings in real estate, buying first a tract of land 
 on the east side of South Main street for $1,800, and giving a mort- 
 gage for a large part of the purchase paice. This investment yielded a 
 good return and laid the foundation for the considerable fortune which 
 Mr. Welch was afterwards enabled to accumulate. He sold this land 
 to J. G. Ward at a good advance, and then invested on the opposite 
 side of the same street, where he built the first store in Gloversville, 
 about where Heacock & Co. are now located. As returns came in from 
 his real estate operations, Mr. Welch engaged in glove manufacturing, 
 and was among the early successful operators in that now great indus- 
 try. He followed it with success many years, but finally retired to give 
 his whole attention to his real estate business. This became very large 
 -and profitable ; many of the now prominent streets of the city were 
 laid out and improved by Mr. Welch, and his public spirit in this re- 
 spect was always in advance of the times. In his daily life and charac- 
 ter Mr. Welch was accorded the unqualified respect and confidence of 
 his fellow citizens. His good works were numerous, particularly in the 
 direction of church and missionary fields. For the erection of the beau- 
 tiful Methodist Episcopal church on Church street he gave $7,000, and 
 in many other ways his contributions to religious work were liberal and 
 judicious. To the poor and the unfortunate he always held an open 
 hand, and his kindly disposition surrounded -^him with many friends. 
 
 Mr. Welch was twice married ; first to Eliza Ann Ward in 183 1. 
 She bore him two children, both of whom died young. Second, to 
 Emily Gillett, daughter of Lemuel Gillett, who survives, a resident of 
 Gloversville. 
 
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6o6 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 rURBECK, PETER R.. M.D.— The subject of this sketch is of 
 German extraction, his grandfather, John Furbeck, having emi- 
 grated from Frankfort, Germany, in his early manhood, in good time 
 to take an active part in the American struggle for independence — a 
 true man and a good citizen of his adopted country. He married 
 Susannah Koon, of Dutchess county, N. Y., in 1784, and in due time 
 thirteen children were born to them, seven sons and six daughters. 
 Five of those sons grew to manhood, and became prominent and influ- 
 ential in the various communities in which they resided. The sec- 
 ond son, Henry R., the father of the subject of this sketch, was 
 born at New Scotland, Albany county, N. Y.,,in 1793. He was a 
 iarmer, and for the greater part of his life pursued his avocation in Al- 
 bany county. In 1852 he removed to the city of Schenectady, where 
 he continued to reside until the time of his death, March 5, 1867. He 
 was twice married. His first wife was Rachel Winne, by whom he had 
 three sons, only one of whom, John H., lived to manhood. His second 
 wife was Eve Passage, by whom he had nine children, five sons and 
 four daughters. Two of the sons, George and Philip, studied theology 
 •and became ministers of the Reformed Dutch Church. George located 
 at Mt. Vernon, N. J., and died in the first year of his ministry. PhiUp 
 is at present pastor of the Reformed Church at St. Johnsville, N. Y. 
 William Henry is a farmer at the old homestead in Albany county, and 
 James is a confectioner in the city of Gloversville. Peter R., the im- 
 mediate subject of this sketch, was born in Guilderland, Albany county, 
 on the 9th of August, 1835. After pursuing the usual studies of the 
 district school, he entered the Academy of Chesterville, Albany county, 
 then under the charge of his brother, George Furbeck. Following this 
 he went to New Brunswick, N. J., whither his brother George had re- 
 moved, and was by him prepared for college. In 1851 he and his 
 brother Philip entered the Freshman class at Union College, Schenec- 
 tady, and together graduated in 1854. While a student at college he 
 was a member of the Delta Upsilon and Philomathean Societies, and 
 on graduation was elected by the faculty of the college a member of the 
 Phi Beta Kappa Society. After graduation he taught in various acad- 
 emies for several years; in the Troy Academy, the Schoharie Acad- 
 emy, the University of Milwaukee, Wis., the Coxsackie Academy, the 
 
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BIOGRAPHICAL. 607 
 
 Lansingburg Academy, and in the Troy High School. During these 
 years of teaching he quietly prosecuted his medical studies, and when 
 he finally closed his work as teacher he entered the Albany Medical 
 College, and on the following year the Long Island College Hospital, 
 whence he graduated in 1865. It should be mentioned that in the 
 furtherance of his determination to have a thorough practical training 
 in medicine and surgery, he spent some time in the Albany City Hos- 
 pital, and in the Ira Harris Military Hospital as assistant physician and 
 surgeon. In the fall of 1865 he removed to Gloversville, and at once 
 opened an office. He soon bujlt up an extended practice, which he 
 has ever since steadily maintained. He is a member of the Fulton 
 County Medical Society, and has always taken an active part in its de- 
 liberations, preparing and reading papers of scientific value, and dis- 
 cussing questions of vital interest alike to physicians and patients. He 
 is also a member of the Schenectady County Medical Society; of the 
 New York Academy of Medicine ; and of the Medical Society of the 
 State of New York. Before the State Society he read an able paper on 
 the subject, " A State Board of Medical Examiners," which has received 
 professional commendation. In the "Transactions" of the State Soci- 
 ety may also be found an article descriptive of a device for the treat- 
 ment of fractures of the leg, arm and forearm. It is an extension splint 
 of his own invention, of practical merit. Though Dr. Furbeck is to all 
 intents and purposes a general practitioner, he has developed a 
 special aptitude for surgery, in which he has scored many successes. 
 Several noted operations have been performed by him with good re- 
 sults, as for example, exsection of the hip joint, numerous amputations, 
 several cases of tracheotomy, etc., etc. 
 
 He is the senior member of the drug firm, Furbeck & Van Auken, 
 No. 17 North Main street, and has since 1871 been thus identified with 
 the business interests of the city of his adoption. 
 
 In the fall of 1 891 he received the Independent Republican nomina- 
 tion for Member of Assembly, but, though receiving a very compli- 
 mentary vote, failed of an election. 
 
 In 1867 the doctor was married to Miss Susan H. Richards, of Lan- 
 singburg, N. Y. They have had five children : Eva Linda, who died in 
 the sixth year of her age ; Annie Louisa, wife of Rev. Philip H. Cole, 
 
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6o8 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 pastor of the Second Reformed Church of Schenectad).;, and professor 
 in Union College ; George H., who graduated at Union College in the 
 class of 1892, and is now pursuing his medical studies at the Long 
 Island College Hospital ; and William W. and Mabel S., who are pupils 
 at the Gloversville Union School. 
 
 In the community where so much of his active life has been spent, 
 Dr. Furbeck has ever received evidences of the confidence and respect 
 of his fellow citizens. He was president of the Young Men's Christian 
 Association for many years, and is now secretary of their Board of 
 Trustees. He has been a trustee, elder, and superintendent of the 
 Sabbath-school, of the Presbyterian Church, of which he is a member. 
 He has always shown a deep interest in educational affairs, and was for 
 twenty years a member of the Board of Education. His early expe- 
 rience as teacher specially qualified him for school work, and he has ren- 
 dered most efficient aid in raising the schools of Gloversville to the high 
 standard of efficiency which they hold among the public schools of the 
 Empire State. 
 
 He has held the positions of health officer, coroner, county physician, 
 United States examiner for pensions, and in 1885 was honored by the 
 alumni of his Alma Mater in being elected one of the alumni trustees 
 of Union College. 
 
 A careful physician, a skillful surgeon, a public spirited citizen, he 
 has ever shown himself worthy of the confidence and respect freely ac- 
 corded him by his fellow citizens and his professional brethren. 
 
 I/^ECK, JEREMIAH. — In recording the development of an impor- 
 I \ tant county its characters as well as its events arfe necessary to 
 render it complete, and this is specially the case when such lives are 
 clo.sely allied with industrial, .political or official history. Hence it is 
 important that in this connection a brief record should be made of 
 Jeremiah Keck, the present judge and surrogate of Fulton county, 
 who has already filled this station with ability for eight years and has 
 been conspicuous at the bar in the county for nearly a quarter of a 
 century. 
 
 In doing this, however, we may better reach our purpose by repro- 
 ducing what has already been published concerning Judge Keck at each- 
 advancing step in his career. 
 
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BIOGRAPHICAL. 609 
 
 He was born near Keek's Centre in the town of Johnstown, Novem- 
 ber 9, 1845, his father, Isaac Keck, having been a reputable farmer of 
 limited means, who was born in Johnstown village on May 15, 1814, 
 and departed this life in the same place October 30, 1884. Judge 
 Keek's grandfather settled in the country before the Revolution and 
 bore part as a soldier in that struggle, receiving a saber wound while 
 engaged in battle, the scar of which he carried to his grave. The 
 judge's mother, Eliza Ann Burns, was born February 13, 1818, near 
 Spraker's Basin, and was of Scotch descent. She departed this life in 
 February, 1857, leaving the subject of this sketch and six other children 
 (whose names are given in another part of this work), all young and to 
 be protected and guided in the start of life by the wisdom of a kind 
 father, who was universally respected by all who knew him. She was 
 an amiable Christian lady, possessing more than ordinary mental en- 
 dowments, and although removed from her children early in life, left 
 an impression which has been to them a beacon light. 
 
 Like many of our prominent men. Judge Keck spent his early years 
 serving his father on the farm and attending the district school in win- 
 ter, until the rebellion broke out, when he volunteered as a private in 
 Company C, 77th regiment New York infantry volunteers, being at the 
 time only sixteen years of age and among the first to start for the front 
 at his country's call. He served at Yorktown, Malvern Hill, Gaines 
 Mills and Fair Oaks, and then being stricken with fever, he was hon- 
 orably discharged and returned to his home broken down in health, 
 but with the purpose to do good service in the battle of life still before 
 him. He is a member of Martin McMartin Post, No. 257, Grand 
 Army of the Republic, of Johnstown, N. Y. 
 
 After acquiring an academical education at Clinton Liberal Institute, 
 then at Clinton, N. Y., and also at Whitestown Seminary, he began the 
 study of law in April, 1868, with the late Judge John Wells and James 
 M. Dudley, and by close application passed a successful examination at 
 the general term of the Supreme Court at Schenectady, and was ad- 
 mitted April 8, 1869. He at once formed a partnership with his pre- 
 ceptors and became the junior member of the well- remembered firm of 
 Wells, Dudley & Keck, which conducted a large law practice until its 
 dissolution in 1877. He then became the senior member of the law 
 
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6io HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 firm of J. & P. Keck (the latter his brother), and continued such until 
 the fall of 1883, when he was elected to the important judicial position 
 which he now holds. 
 
 In politics Judge Keck has always been a Republican, casting his 
 first presidential vote for General Grant in 1868. In 1874, although 
 then young in his profession, he was nominated for the office of district 
 attorney, and one of the leading newspapers published the following 
 expression of public opinion : 
 
 " As a successor to R. H. Rosa, no one better fitted can be found 
 than Mr. Keck. Mr. Keck is a self-made man. He worked himself 
 up to his present position through untiring energy and perseverance. 
 His legal attainments admirably adapt him for his future official func- 
 tions." 
 
 This statement clearly shows the position the young lawyer had won. 
 He was elected by a flattering majority, and on January i, 1875, he 
 entered upon his official duties, which were so ably fulfilled that in the 
 fall of 1877 ^^ was renominated and by a large majority retained in his 
 office for another term of three years. During these years, times being 
 hard by reason of the gradual resumption of specie payment, many 
 were out of employment and the criminal business was unusually large. 
 Mr. Keck, however, was always adequate to the occasion and con- 
 ducted the public business with such ability as to give entire satisfac- 
 tion. The first case he prepared and presented to the grand jury was 
 one of the most important ever conducted in the county, being the 
 murder of Edward Yost, who was killed in the banking house of Hays 
 & Wells on the night of the 6th of March, 1875. In the prosecution 
 of criminal cases Mr. Keck almost invariably conducted the trial with- 
 out assistance and very rarely failed to obtain a conviction, as is shown 
 by the county records, and for these reasons he became early known as 
 one of the ablest trial lawyers in the county. In addition to his legal 
 acumen he became noted as a ready and able public speaker, and one 
 of the newspapers, when publishing an address delivered by him on 
 May 30, 1873, in decorating the soldiers' graves at Johnstown, added 
 the following criticism : 
 
 " The address of Mr. Keck was a perfect gem, which added much to 
 the reputation already won by that gentleman as a public speaker." 
 
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BIOGRAPHICAL. 6 1 r 
 
 And again, in the same year, on December 30, at the centennial cele- 
 bration of the Johnstown Chapter No. 78 (of which he is a member) held 
 at Johnstown, where he responded to the toast, "The town of Johns- 
 town, distinguished as one of the earliest settlements, one of the earliest 
 homes of Freemasonry," etc., another leading journal said : 
 
 "Mr. Keek's response to this toast was evidently shortened in con- 
 sideration of the lateness of the hour, but was given with his usual ease 
 and force. It may not be out of place in this connection to say that 
 Mr. Keck promises to become, if he is not already, one of our ablest 
 lawyers and public speakers." 
 
 The following brief address delivered by him at Gettysburg, Pa., at 
 the dedication of the monument to the memory of his old regiment, on 
 October 29, 1889, taken and reported by the Daily Saratogian and 
 noted by some of the New York and Washington journals, and which 
 as an impromptu speech, shows something of his readiness and ability. 
 
 " Commander, Comrades, Ladies and Gentlemen : Nothing new can be 
 said and nothing new need be sought, for the greatness of the struggle 
 and the grandeur of the victory are more appreciated as they are more 
 studied and better understood. And so it will be while patriotism 
 dwells in the hearts of the American people. What was done here was 
 not done for that day and that time, but for all days and for all times. 
 It was not a mere contest between union and rebel forces, but between 
 the eternal principles of right and wrong. 
 
 " When the martyred Lincoln here expressed the hope that the result 
 of the great conflict might be ' that this government of the people, by 
 the people and for the people shall not perish from the earth,' the dark 
 clouds of war rolled over and enshrouded the land. That hope has 
 been triumphantly fulfilled. Not only has this government been estab- 
 lished, but before the eyes of all other nations has a grand proof been 
 given of the permanence of free institutions and the power of an intelli- 
 gent and devoted people to maintain the stability of their country ir^ 
 times of the greatest trial. Times of trial and danger may come upon 
 the nation very different from those we commemorate, and yet very 
 great, and when those times do come, we believe it is not in vain to hope 
 that the memory of this struggle will encourage and animate the breast.= 
 of her citizens to maintain that union which has been purchased with so 
 much blood. 
 
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6i2 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 . " We felt that our country was at stake, but the nations of the civil- 
 ized world felt that something still greater was imperiled — the principle 
 that a republic could, by the devotion of her citizens, save her national 
 life in the greatest struggle that has been yet recorded in the history of 
 the world. We, my comrades, have done what we could here, in the 
 time of our country's need, now do this as the last permanent thing that 
 we can do, for we shall soon pass away to join our comrades, and our 
 names will be forgotten, but the work we have done will live for us, and 
 this monument will speak for us to the generations to come, and tell 
 where the Bemis Heights battalion stood in this harvest-field of death." 
 
 During Judge Keek's professional career he has been connected with 
 as many important cases as any of his professional brethren of the 
 county. Immediately after his admission to the bar he began the trial 
 of cases in the Circuit Courts, and soon afterward made his first argu- 
 ment in the Supreme Court at General Term in Albany, in a case of 
 which he had taken charge which involved the question of the power 
 of a co-operative company to make a valid general assignment, he hav- 
 ing taken the ground that it could not and had caused the property 
 which had been so assigned to be attached in behalf of his client; the 
 attachment was set aside by order of the Special Term by an able jurist 
 now a member of the Court of Appeals of the State, but the Supreme 
 Court held that the position taken was right and reversed the order and 
 restored the attachments, thus giving him his first case, to his great 
 satisfaction and that of his client. He has also frequently argued cases 
 in the Court of Appeals, his first one there involving the question of 
 the right or power of the trial court to direct a verdict of guilty in a 
 criminal case. In an article written by Rev. Washington Frothingham, 
 for the press in 1883, after paying a visit to Johnstown, he said: 
 
 " Among the leading lawyers of this place is Mr. J. Keck, who oc- 
 cupies a beautiful suite of rooms in the Kibbe building. He has a very 
 fine law library, which includes a large number of ancient and very 
 curious volumes. One may find in this collection law books issued in 
 London during the days of King James, two centuries and a half ago." 
 
 The constant and favorable growth of Judge Keck in his profession, 
 commended him to the people of the county to such an extent that, 
 although a young man at the time, he was nominated in the fall of 
 
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BIOGRAPHICAL. 613 
 
 1883 for the office he now holds and to which he was soon afterward 
 elected by a flattering majority over a very strong and able competitor, 
 and on January i thereafter he entered upon the discharge of the duties 
 of the office. At the end of six years (his first term), he was, by reason 
 of the able and satisfactory manner in which he had performed the duties 
 of his office, paid the high compliment of being renominated by accla- 
 mation, and the still higher compliment of being re-elected without 
 opposition, a tribute given to no other man thus far in the history of 
 the county. Here again, at this period of his life, we can give the best 
 reflection of the judgment of the public by setting forth what was 
 written by a correspondent of an Albany paper and published therein, 
 as well as in the local papers, under the heading of " A Deserved 
 Tribute : " 
 
 " The Republican county convention paid a most deserved tribute to 
 a worthy official when, by acclamation, it renominated Judge Keck to 
 succeed himself as county judge and surrogate. It was a tribute not 
 awarded by reason of affiliation with any political faction in his party, 
 because all favored him, but for recognized and deserving merit as an 
 earnest, able and faithful public officer, which alone, judging from the 
 sentiment of the people of every political cast, has made him stronger 
 than his party, and demanded*the recognition so unanimously accorded 
 to him by the convention. Of his life it is needless to speak for he is 
 too well known to require it. In the practice of his profession he early 
 took rank with the oldest and ablest members of the bar of this county. 
 He was elected to the office of county judge and surrogate in 1883, 
 before he reached the age of thirty- eight years, and entered upon the 
 discharge of the duties of that office on January i, following. At that 
 time it was thought by some who were not familiar with his legal at- 
 tainments, that he was rather too young and inexperienced to prop- 
 erly discharge the duties of so responsible an office. But he very soon 
 fully demonstrated to his constituents that he was not only a sound 
 lawyer, but an upright, conscientious and able lawyer. To the older 
 members of the profession, who have had much to do before him in 
 matters of importance in court, he has been respectful and courteous; 
 to the younger members who are more or less under embarrassment, 
 patient and indulgent; to the people of every class who have come be- 
 
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6 14 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 fore him, especially in the Surrogate's Court, wherein so many must trans- 
 act legal business with him, he has been kind, painstaking, fair and im- 
 partial in the discharge of the business in hand. That he has won and 
 now enjoys in the fullest measure the esteem and confidence of all is 
 well known. He is a man of ability, strictest integrity and a kind 
 hearted gentleman with whom it is a pleasure to transact business, and 
 of whom it may be said without exaggeration, that in the administra- 
 tion of his official duties he has shown himself to be the right man in 
 the right place. Judge Keck is a self-made man in the truest sense of 
 the term, and owes his success thus far in life to his correct habits, un- 
 tiring industry, unquestioned integrity and kind and courteous dispo- 
 sition." 
 
 Another writer, in speaking of Judge Keek's career on the bench,, 
 says: " During the eight years jthat he has been county judge and sur- 
 rogate, many important cases have been tried before him, both civil and 
 criminal, and a considerable number reviewed by the higher courts 
 upon appeal, and in every case, with two or three exceptions (when new 
 trials were granted), his decisions have been affirmed, a fact which may 
 very properly be considered in judging of his fitness for promotion (al- 
 luding to his probable elevation to the Supreme Court bench.) In dis- 
 posing of cases brought before him (and there have been many of them), 
 he has with but few exceptions written opinions, setting forth fully the 
 reasons and rules of law controlling the case in hand, and a considera- 
 ble number of these opinions may be found in the reports of the State." 
 
 In concluding this sketch it needs only to be stated, that Judge Keck 
 occupies a position outside his profession, and in the hearts of his .fel- 
 low citizens of Fulton county, that gives him and those who know him 
 best the deepest gratification. His friends, in the broadest and truest, 
 sense of the term, are numerous and steadfast, while for his many attri- 
 butes of character and temperament he is respected and esteemed by 
 all who know him. 
 
 Turning to private life it may be said that in 1874 Judge Keck 
 married Jennie A. (now deceased), a daughter of the late Thompson P^ 
 Kibble, who was a relative of the old De Fon Claire family of Johns- 
 town, of which marriage he has one daughter, Flora De Fon Claire. 
 In November, 1890, he married Sarah R., daughter of Joseph Riggs,. 
 
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BIOGRAPHICAL. 615 
 
 of Detroit, Mich. His domestic life has been uniform with his pubhc 
 character, and he is one of that class whom the people delight to honor. 
 
 CATEN, LAWTON, was born at Hewlett Hill, a short distance 
 from the city of Syracuse, Onondaga county, N. Y., on the 23d 
 of September, 1835. 'f^'s father, Leonard Caten, was a native of 
 Shaftsbury, Vt., but removed at an early age and settled at Hewlett 
 Hill, where he resided until a short time before his death, which 
 occurred in Syracuse, N. Y., in 1876. His mother was Nancy A. Pryor, 
 of Howlett Hill, an estimable woman, who died when the subject of 
 this sketch, the eldest of three children, was but six years of age. The 
 other two, Mrs. Mary A. Kenyon and Oscar N., reside in Syracuse. 
 
 Lawton Caten enjoyed an opportunity to secure a good education 
 and irhproved it thoroughly, particularly in mathematics, for which and 
 kindred branches he has always had a natural fondness. After leaving 
 school at Howlett Hill he entered the Onondaga Academy, near Syra- 
 cuse, then as now an educational institution noted for the thoroughness 
 of its instruction and the high character of its graduates. After finish- 
 ing his education Mr. Caten remained a short time in the academy as 
 instructor of mathematics, leaving there in 1858. Down to this time 
 his school life had been interspersed with periods of labor on the farm 
 and with close study of surveying and engineering, which profession he 
 had determined to follow in the future. Before he reached his seven- 
 teenth year he had mastered land surveying, and between that time 
 and 1864 his occupation was divided between that profession and farm- 
 ing. In April, 1864, he abandoned farming permanently and was em- 
 ployed with George Geddes in making surveys for the railroad between 
 Corning and Watkins for John Magee. This work engaged his service 
 until January i, 1865. He then spent about six months in the Penn- 
 sylvania oil region in engineering and surveying. From that time un- 
 til January i, 1866, he was in the employ of the Onondaga Salt Co. as 
 engineer in their mining operations at Blossburg, Pa. Upon the 
 organizing of the Blossburg Coal and Mining Co. about that time he 
 was engaged in building and opening their railroad from the mines near 
 Blossburg for the shipment of their output of coal. This was followed 
 
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6i6 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 by the building of their trestles at Watkins for the transfer of coal to 
 boats on the lake. This service continued to May i, 1869, when he 
 made the change which brought his career within the province of this 
 history. The building of the Fonda, Johnstown and Gloversville rail- 
 road had been let by contract and was partly done, but the work had 
 not been prosecuted in an entirely satisfactory manner, and Mr. Caten 
 was called hither to assume charge of the undertaking. From that 
 time until its completion the work was pushed with energy and intelli- 
 gence until the opening of the road, November 28, 1870. 
 
 Of the appreciation of Mr. Caten's services and character it will be 
 sufficient to state that upon the opening of the road he was promptly 
 appointed its superintendent, which position he has ever since held. 
 Moreover, from 1872 to 1875 he was given charge of the location and 
 construction of the extension of the road to Northville, and the faithful 
 and successful performance of this task still further established his posi- 
 tion and reputation with the other officials and stockholders of the 
 company. In December, 1890, he was made manager of the Johns- 
 town and Gloversville street railroad and still occupies the position. 
 He is also treasurer and manager of the Coal Company of Fulton 
 County. Mr. Caten is a master of his business and every detail of the 
 practical business of the railroad receives his personal, intelligent direc- 
 tion. Genial and courteous to all, regardless of station, he has en- 
 deared himself not only to his brother officials, but to every employe 
 of the company. 
 
 Mr. Caten is a Republican in politics, but only takes the part in that 
 field that should devolve upon all intelligent and progressive citizens. 
 
 In 1859 he was married to Miss Flora R. Hoyt, of Onondaga, by 
 whom he had five children. Two sons, William L.- and Frederick A.,^ 
 are engaged in coal business. Eva, the eldest daughter, is the wife of 
 Frederic Remington, an eminent artist whose works have made him 
 famous in America and Europe. Clara E. is the wife of Horatio L. 
 Burr, a prominent business man living in Gloversville, N. Y. The 
 youngest daughter, Emma L., resides at home. Mrs. Caten died in- 
 1880. In 1882 Mr. Caten was again married to Mrs. Sara B. McCol- 
 lom, of Oswego, N. Y. Their home is in Gloversville, N. Y., where 
 are located the general offices of the railroads and coal business. 
 
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BlOGkAPHlCAL. 617 
 
 PLACE, WILLIAM HALL.— This well known citizen of Glovers- 
 ville was born in the town of Benson, Hamilton county, N. Y., 
 December 29, 1830, and received his name from his grandfather on his 
 mother's side, William Hall, who was a native of Danbury, Conn. 
 His father was John S. Place, a native of Johnstown, but whose life was 
 passed in Hamilton and what is now Fulton county. Two years pre- 
 vious to his death the father went to Illinois in the expectation of 
 settling there permanently, and whither his family were to follow him ; 
 but he was taken sick and died in Wisconsin. His wife was Adaline E. 
 Hall, who died in Benson, September 5, 1849. They had four chil- 
 dren, two of whom died in infancy ; the others are Mrs. A. C. Curtis, 
 wife of R. G. Curtis, of Minnesota, and the subject of this sketch. 
 
 William H. Place was denied the opportunity of securing a liberal ed- 
 ucation, but he made the most of his privileges in the district school in 
 his native place and the public school of Gloversville after his removal 
 hither, and one term in the locally celebrated school of Horace Sprague 
 at Kingsboro. His life was mostly passed at home until he was about 
 twenty years old, and his first work on his own account was for a neigh- 
 boring farmer at five dollars a month. In about the year 1850 he went 
 to Johnstown as a clerk in a grocery, and there cast his first vote. 
 After a year and a half he went to Gloversville to enter the employ of 
 his uncle, Uriah M. Place, in the manufacture of gloves, interspersed 
 with a little farming. By this time the young man had acquired fixed 
 habits of life which have governed his conduct ever since. Industry, 
 economy, perseverance, these were marked characteristics, and they un- 
 doubtedly made a favorable impression upon his kind hearted uncle, 
 for in less than a year after he began work he was called into the office, 
 and offered a partnership in the business. He had then saved out of a 
 slender income a little less than $300, and it will be readily understood 
 that the offer referred to came to him as a welcome surprise. This 
 partnership continued seven years, with a degree of success that was 
 satisfactory, when his benefactor, U. M. Place, retired to give his atten- 
 tion to other engrossing matters, and William H. Place continued it ten 
 years longer. During all that period he devoted to his manufactory 
 his undivided energies and most careful, conservative and prudent at- 
 tention. His methods as a successful and extensive (for that time) 
 78 
 
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6i8 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 manufacturer were the same that marked his life when a grocer's clerk. 
 While he felt that he might propably have further extended his field of 
 operations and possibly realized greater profits, such a course was not 
 characteristic of the man. Never niggardly or narrow-minded, he still 
 possessed the prudence that generally characterizes the successful man 
 of business, and the perseverance and patience to wait a proper length 
 of time for the development of fortune. During the last year of his ex- 
 perience as a manufacturer, which was in 1866, he was associated with 
 Daniel Hays, who is still in business in Gloversville. After Mr. Place's 
 marriage he began housekeeping in a dwelhng that is now occupied by 
 the Young Men's Christian Association. In the year 1864 he sold 
 this property to Mr. Hays and went to live with the family of his wife's 
 father, Benjamin Bailey, one of whose sons had died, and the other was 
 in the army. Two years later Mr. Place had retired from manufatur- 
 ing, and he purchased of Robert Earl seven acres of land in what was 
 then the partially settled suburbs of the village, lying between Pros- 
 pect street and First avenue, divided the tract into building lots, had it 
 surveyed, built a dwelling on First avenue and occupied it two years, 
 while his present handsome residence was being erected, and soon sold 
 the remainder at a substantial advance on its cost, though at a far less 
 price than its present value. By that time the prospects of future 
 growth in the village were becoming more promising, and Mr. Place 
 was encouraged to invest his means and devote his time to the purchase, 
 improvement and sale of real estate. He accordingly bought nineteen 
 acres adjoining on the east his former purchase. On portions of this he 
 carried on farming, but ultimately it was all divided into lots and sold. 
 He next purchased four acres more in the same vicinity, which was also 
 sold in lots. He also purchased the site and erected two brick stores 
 adjoining what is now the Darling block, and two years later followed 
 with the erection of three more stores adjoining the first. This is now 
 among the most valuable and desirable business property in the city. 
 He next purchased the homestead of his wife's father, on West Fulton 
 street, and there in 1890-91 erected the handsome brick block now 
 standing on that site, comprising five stores, making ten now owned by 
 him. Besides these extensive operations and improvements he has 
 built and purchased many dwelling houses in various parts of the city,- 
 
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BIOGRAPHICAL. 6 1 9 
 
 so that at the present time his tenants number about eighty, and his 
 tax list is among the largest in the place. 
 
 At a time when his own business cares were the most exacting, and 
 when he thought his time must be wholly given to his own property, 
 Mr. Place was called to the bedside of his uncle, Uriah M. Place (whose 
 death occurred soon afterward), and informed that he was appointed 
 executor of the large and somewhat complicated estate. In that con- 
 nection it need only be stated that in association with his aunt he closed 
 up the scattered investments, consolidated the property, and so care- 
 fully managed it that it could hardly be in better condition than it 
 now is. While this additional burden was a severe tax upon his health, 
 it is nevertheless a source of personal gratification that he was able to 
 reach this result. 
 
 The reader will not need to be told that the common phrase, he is a 
 self made man, applies in its broadest sense to Mr. Place. Starting 
 without means, and from the humblest beginning, he has reached the 
 front rank of real property owners in Gloversville, and in his every 
 transaction, great or small, has adhered to his early formed determina- 
 tion to so conduct his affairs as to win the approbation and confidence of 
 his fellow-citizens. 
 
 Mr. Place was formerly a Republican in politics, but in late years he 
 became convinced that neither of the two dominant parties of the 
 country could or would ever cope with the giant evil of intemperance, 
 and since the nomination of St. John for the presidency of the United 
 States, he has labored with the Prohibition party with his voice and his 
 means. He was never a seeker after political or other public station, and 
 while the Prohibitionists have honored him with the nomination for mem- 
 ber of assembly and for member of congress, he did not, of course, expect 
 an election. He was trustee of the village several terms, and was a 
 member of the prosecuting committee which attempted to stop the 
 illegal selling of liquor in the place, for which performance of his duty, 
 he, with others on the committee, was marked for persecution by the 
 element which he had antagonized. But he did what he conceived to 
 be his duty, with the probability of suffering loss through the burning 
 and destruction of his property. He has been a trustee of the cemetery 
 association since April 29, 1870, and its secretary since 1872, and fe^ls 
 
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620 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 a commendable degree of pride in that beautiful city of the dead. He 
 was trustee and treasurer of the Methodist Church for about twenty 
 years, and has been president and director of the Manufacturers' and 
 Merchants' Bank since its organization. He was also a member of the 
 school board for several years, and only gave up some of these positions 
 on account of the pressure of his own private affairs. 
 
 In all of these various stations Mr. Place has endeavored to do his 
 duty with the same conscientiousness that has governed his more per- 
 sonal concerns. With a character for integrity and business ability, and 
 a reputation for having done much for the growth and prosperity of 
 Gloversville, he enjoys the full esteem and respect of the community. 
 
 Mr. Place was married on the 2d of April, 1857, to Sarah J. Bailey, 
 daughter of Benjamin Bailey, before mentioned. Her mother was Jane 
 Musgrave, a native of England. Mr. Bailey was a leather dresser by 
 occupation, and a man of the most unblemished character for integrity 
 and uprightness. No person, perhaps, who has passed a lifetime in 
 Gloversville was more universally respected for good, manly qualities 
 than Mr. Bailey. His death occurred on April 7, 1891. He was 
 the father of Benjamin Bailey, jr., whose sad death is remembered as 
 having been caused by poisoning while handling skins. Edward Bailey, 
 now a cutter for Daniel Hays, is his son. Mr. and Mrs. Place have had 
 four children, two of whom died in infancy. Their names are as fol- 
 lows : George M., now of the glove manufacturing firm of Dempster & 
 Place, of Gloversville; he married on February 22, 1883, Miss Lou 
 Barnum, and they have a daughter, Bertha, six years old ; Adaline A. 
 deceased; John Howard, book-keeper for Dempster & Place, married 
 Miss Emma Smith, November 12, 1890; and Eddie, who died Octo- 
 ber 4, 1872. 
 
 CAMERON, Dr. RICHARD H., was born at Perth, Fulton county, 
 N. Y., in 1843. He was of Scotch descent, and inherited the ster- 
 ling qualities so generally recognized in the people "north of the 
 Tweed." In 1867 he went to Amsterdam, Montgomery county, N. Y., 
 and studied with Dr. Carroll. In 1869 he attended a course of medical 
 lectures at Geneva, N. Y. In 1870 he attended lectures at the Albany 
 Medical College, and graduated at the end of the course. Whilst at- 
 
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BIOGRAPHICAL. 621 
 
 tending this course he was the student of Dr. George T. Stevens, one 
 of the most scientific ophthalmic and aural surgeons in the country. 
 Under his guidance Dr. Cameron became skillful in the treatment of the 
 eye and ear, which he made a specialty of. 
 
 He died on the 26th of April, 1890, from an injury he received by 
 being thrown from his sulky while speeding a horse on the Fulton 
 county fair grounds, near Johnstown. 
 
 YOUNG, Dr. WILLAM S., was born at Quaker Street, Albany 
 county, in the year 18 18, where his father then resided. From 
 Quaker Street the family removed to Berne, in the same county, where 
 William S. spent some years. At the age of nineteen he was sent to 
 Knox to attend school, and from thence to Rensselaerville, where he 
 spent two and a half years studying under Dr. Weeks. He then went 
 to Albany and studied in the office of Dr. Alden March, with whom he 
 remained until he graduated at the Albany Medical College in 1841. 
 He was then twenty- two years of age. About that time he married 
 Miss Esther Kilbourne, of Winsted, Conn., and started practicing med- 
 icine in Syracuse, N. Y., where he remained two years. He then went 
 to Berne, his old home, and opened an office. There he practiced about 
 four years, and then removed to Hadley, Saratoga county, where he 
 practiced about nine years, when he reriioved to Mayfield, Fulton 
 county, N. Y., and practiced there for about ten years. In September, 
 1 86 1, he entered the Union army as assistant surgeon in the Forty- 
 seventh Regiment New York Volunteers, and remained in the service 
 until the close of the war, when he removed to Johnstown, Fulton 
 county, N. Y., and remained there until his death, which occurred No- 
 vember, 9, 1880. 
 
 He was an excellent general practitioner, highly esteemed in the 
 community, more especially in the families where he was known best. 
 His son. Dr. James K. Young, worthily represents him. 
 
 ROSS, HERVEY, editor of the Gloversville Standand, was born in 
 Jordan, Ont , May 19, 1851. He is a son of William Ross, a con- 
 tractor and builder, who removed to Lyons, la., when Hervey was only 
 four years old. Until he was sixteen years old Hervey Ross attended the 
 
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62 2 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 district schools at Lyons, and there entered that potent educational insti- 
 tution — the printing office — in this instance the office of the Lyons Advo- 
 cate, where he finished his apprenticeship. In 1873 he came east to the 
 state of New York and formed a connection with a publication at Islip, 
 L. I. One year later he changed his field of activity to Johnstown, and 
 from that time until June, 1875, was employed as local editor of the 
 Johnstown Journal. On the date last mentioned he purchased the 
 Gloversville Standard, a history of which paper is given in an earlier 
 chapter of this volume. For seventeen years Mr. Ross has given his 
 whole energy to the upbuilding of his able journal and the expounding 
 of Democratic political doctrines for the benefit of his readers. Mr. 
 Ross is a fluent writer, while the circumstances and surroundings of his 
 life have given him practical business knowledge and experience that 
 have contributed largely to his success. 
 
 Mr. Ross was married first, December i, 1875, to Marion W. Clock, 
 of Islip, L. I., and they had one daughter, now sixteen years old. Mrs. 
 Ross died in January, 1881. He married, April 7, 1886, Florence 
 Peake, of Gloversville. 
 
 COLLINS, WILLIAM BURTIS, was born in St. Johnsville, Mont- 
 gomery county, on the 21st of January, i860. He is a son of 
 David S. Collins, who was a merchant of St. Johnsville, served in the 
 army in the One Hundred and Fifteenth and One Hundred and Fifty- 
 third Regiments as a private, and died in 1865 of disease contracted in 
 the service. William B. Collins was educated in the St. Johnsville 
 schools, and when he reached sixteen years of age (1876) he entered 
 the Weekly Portrait office in St. Johnsville. After four ye.ars of labor 
 at the printing business, giving him a mastery of the trade, he worked 
 in various offices in the Mohawk valley, and during the three years pre- 
 vious to 1888 was employed in the composing room of the Albany 
 Evening Journal. In 1888 he settled in Gloversville and. purchased a 
 half interest in the Leader, which was then about five months old and 
 apparently nearly ready to collapse. The Leader establishment and the 
 Intelligencer have since been consolidated, and a copartnership formed 
 between Mr. Collins and Mrs. F. M. Leaning, as described in an earlier 
 chapter of this work. With broad, practical knowledge, unbounded 
 
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Biographical, 623 
 
 energy, and physical strength sufficient to endure a vast amount of 
 labor, Mr. Collins has rapidly advanced his journal to the front rank. 
 A Republican in politics, Mr. Collins upholds the doctrines of that 
 party with a trenchant pen, and the Leader already wields a powerful 
 influence among its constituents. 
 
 Mr. Collins was married in 1882 to Carrie A. Neahr, of Fonda, N. Y. 
 They have one daughter. 
 
 KECK, PHILIP, was born in the town of Johnstown, October 26, 
 1848. He is a son of Isaac Keck, a respected farmer of the town, 
 who died in the village of John'stown in 1884. His mother was Eliza 
 Ann Burns, who also died in Johnstown. The family are now in 
 possession of ample evidence that she is a direct descendant of Rob- 
 ert Burns, the Scotch poet. The family of Isaac Keck consisted of 
 seven children, five of whom were sons. 
 
 Philip Keck obtained his education in the district schools, Clinton 
 Institute, Whitestown Seminary, and finally in Hamilton College, which 
 he left in 1873. With one brother already established in the practice 
 of law, it was natural that he too should enter that profession, which 
 he did by beginning study in 1874 in the ofiSce of Wells, Dudley & 
 Keck, in Johnstown. This period of study was followed by a term in 
 the law department of Union University at Albany, from which he 
 graduated in 1876. Coming to Johnstown immediately thereafter, he 
 formed a partnership with his brother (now county judge of Fulton 
 county), under the style of J. & P. Keck, which continued until 1884. 
 At this time the firm was dissolved and Mr. Keck continued alone from 
 that time until January i, 1890. Being unable to conduct alone his 
 constantly increasing business, he associated with himself Clarence W. 
 Smith, under the firm name of Keck & Smith, which relations have 
 continued to the present time. During his professional career in this 
 county Mr. Keck has reached an enviable degree of success. As a 
 student he was industrious and persevering, and gained a basis of pro- 
 fessional knowledge which has since been supplemented by continued 
 reading and the indispensable acquirements to be obtained only in 
 extended practice. He is a terse, logical and impressive speaker, while 
 the effort he puts into the preparation of cases has contributed to the 
 flattering success he has already received at the bar. 
 
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^24 HlSiORV OF Ft/LTOJSt COUNTY. 
 
 Mr. Keck is a Republican in politics, but has never been an aspirant 
 for political office. He was appointed and held the office of deputy 
 collector of internal revenue a term, and in the fall of 1892, without so- 
 licitation or effort on his part, received the nomination and election to 
 the office of member of assembly from his district. That his legislative 
 career will entirely meet the expectations of his constituents is assured. 
 He is a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity. 
 
 Mr. Keck was married on the 8th of October, 1879, to Florence M., 
 oldest daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Spraker) Mitchell, of Mont- 
 gomery county. 
 
 WRIGHT, HORTON D.— Among the early immigrants to this 
 country from England was Daniel H. Wright, who came over at 
 the age of fifteen years with his parents and settled near Troy. He 
 was a cabinet maker by occupation, which he followed many years, 
 marked only by the plain and substantial success characteristic of the 
 average American citizen, and still lives in West Troy. His wife was 
 Sarah Abbott, of Brunswick, Rensselaer county, N. Y., and who is still 
 living. Their family consisted of four children, of whom the subject of 
 this sketch was one, and was born at Brunswick, N. Y„ on the 7th of 
 December, 1862. After preliminary education at the Hoosick High 
 School, he entered Cornell University, but after two years of study and 
 at the age of nineteen years, he was reluctantly compelled to abandon 
 his ambition for a complete collegiate course by the partial failure of 
 his health. In pursuance, however, of his previously formed determi- 
 nation to make the legal profession his life-work, he began study in 
 Troy in February, 1883, where he continued until the following winter 
 when he went to Hoosick Falls and continued his study in the office of 
 Stroud & Greene. Remaining there until September, 1886, he was 
 admitted to the bar at Saratoga and in the following month of October 
 located in Gloversville with the intention of making it his permanent 
 home. I 
 
 Since settling in Gloversville Mr. Wright has advanced in his profes- 
 sion with rapid strides. His industry and energy are remarkable 
 
 qualities that contributed materially towards giving him a thorough 
 knowledge of the law as a result of his studies. At the same time his 
 
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BIOGRAPHICAL, 62.^ 
 
 course in the political field and in his business life has been such as to 
 establish his character as that of a straightforward and honorable man 
 in the estimation of his fellow citizens. This is shown in his selection 
 in the fall of 1892, as the candidate of the Republican party for the im- 
 portant office of district attorney. This was a high tribute to Mr. 
 Wright in both a professional and a political sense. His election fol- 
 lowed by a majority that was satisfactory to himself and his constituents, 
 and he enters into the discharge of the duties of the office under ex- 
 cellent auspices. Mr. Wright's work as a Republican in the political 
 field has been eff'ective and deserving of the appreciation it has received. 
 He is a logical and earnest speaker and seldom fails to impress his 
 hearers, whether from the rostrum or at the bar. 
 
 Mr. Wright was married on May 27, 1885, to Gertrude Carnrick, of 
 Arietta, Hamilton county, N. Y. They have two children, Ivan H., 
 and Alan E. 
 
 KENNEDY, MARTIN, was born at West Galway, Fulton county, 
 N. Y , on the ist of October, 1829. His father, James, was also a 
 native of this county and in its early history was a conspicuous citizen. 
 He took part as an officer in the war of 18 [2 and was member of As- 
 sembly from his district one term. He died at West Galway. The 
 wife of James Kennedy was Lucinda Grinnell, of Saratoga county. 
 
 Martin Kennedy belongs to that large class of American citizens who 
 are termed self-made. Attending the district school, alternating with 
 work on the home farm, through his boyhood, he started a small hard- 
 ware business in his native place, which he continued with fair success 
 until he reached his majority, soon after which he permanently settled 
 in Johnstown. Here he opened a tin-shop, hardware and stove busi- 
 ness next east of the site of the old Cayadutta Hotel on Main street. 
 He continued at that location until the fall of 1857, when the Kennedy 
 building was erected by his brother, but wholly under Martin's super- 
 vision. He owned a portion of the site of the building, which he sold 
 at that time to his brother. Removing his business across the street to 
 the new block, Mr. Kennedy continued his very successful hardware 
 trade until 1889, when he sold it to his sons; they continued it until 
 1 89 1 under the style of Kennedy Brothers. During his business career 
 79 
 
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626 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 of forty years in Johnstown, Mr. Kennedy not only accumulated a 
 competence, but firmly established himself in the confidence and respect 
 of his fellow citizens. He has been a director in the People's Bank 
 since its organization, an,d also of the Johnstown Savings Bank. He 
 has been a director in the Street Railway Company since its beginning; 
 has held the office of village trustee ; has been a trustee in the cemetery 
 association many years ; has been an officer in the Presbyterian church 
 for thirty years and president of the board during much of that time. 
 A Democrat in politics, he has never solicited nor accepted nomination 
 to any political office. In latter years Mr. Kennedy has become the 
 owner of considerable real estate, including the Kennedy building, 
 which receives much of his attention since his retirement from business. 
 He is now one of the plain, staunch and respected citizens of Fulton 
 county, who has reached his present station through his own unaided 
 efforts. 
 
 Mr. Kennedy was married May 22, 1851, to Elizabeth Ann Clark, 
 daughter of Asa Clark, of West Gal way. They have five children, 
 three of whom are sons and reside in Johnstown. One daughter mar- 
 ried M. D. Moore, of Fonda, and the other married William T. Briggs, 
 a glove maufacturer of Johnstown. 
 
 DUDLEY, JAMES M., was born in the town of Peru, Bennington 
 county, Vt, July 19, 1813. His father was a farmer, and James 
 passed his youth in farm work, attending school in its season, and labor- 
 ing during the summer until he was about seventeen, when he was sent 
 to the academy at Chester, Vt. He completed his elementary education 
 at the Burr Collegiate Seminary, at Manchester, and then read law under 
 the direction of Judge Washburn and Peter T. Washburn, both at 
 Ludlow, Vt. About the year 1840 Mr. Dudley came to this State, lo- 
 cating at Broadalbin, and there continued his law study, but afterward 
 moved to Oppenheim. In July, 1845, he was admitted in the State courts, 
 and in 1854 he made a permanent location at Johnstown, and opened 
 an office. Three years later Mr. Dudley became professionally asso- 
 ciated with Judge John Wells, forming a legal firm which ranked among 
 the first in Fulton county, and which continued until about the time of 
 
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BIOGRAPHICAL. 627 
 
 Judge Wells's death. Jeremiah Keck, however, who had studied law in 
 the office of Wells & Dudley, was admitted in 1869, and soon after- 
 ward became a member of the firm, under the style of Wells, Dudley 
 & Keck. This partnership was dissolved in 1877, and was succeeded 
 by Dudley, Dennison & Dudley, James M. being senior member, and 
 his associates being his son-in-law and son. In 1882 Mr. Dennison left 
 the firm to take the appointment of deputy attorney- general, and Mr. 
 Dudley and his son Harwood continued in partnership until the death 
 of the former, April 9, 1892. 
 
 James M. Dudley is remembered as one of the leaders of the Fulton 
 county bar. In many respects he was a strong lawyer, but in every 
 transaction, whether professional or in private business, he was honor- 
 able and just. He loved the practice of the law, not because he loved 
 litigation itself, but because it was a profession in which men of his legal 
 attainments and honorable purposes had full scope for their powers, and 
 at the same time could aid in the administration of justice. His clients 
 knew that he would not betray their confidence, his professional associ- 
 ates also knew that he was incapable of chicanery, and the bench was 
 convinced that candor and honesty were his characteristics. Mr. Dud- 
 ley wielded influence in Fulton county politics, but was in no sense an 
 office seeker. He was appointed district attorney by Horatio Seymour, 
 and in 1866 was chairman of the Board of Supervisors. In 1871 he 
 was the Republican candidate for the office of county judge, but was 
 defeated by Judge Fraser. In 1872 and 1873 he served as one of the 
 committee to revise the State Constitution. He held for many years 
 prior to his death the office of United States Commissioner. He was 
 one of the trustees of the old Johnstown Academy and in the year 1869 
 it became merged into the Union Free School, and he was in that year 
 elected president of Board of Education, and held that position down to 
 the last election prior to his death. He was married in 1844 to Maria 
 Swartwout, of Oppenheim, who died in 1882. 
 
 I ORDAN, CLARK L. — The subject of this sketch was born at Rock- 
 qJ wood, Fulton county, N. Y., on the 2d of January, 1861. His 
 father was the late Hiram Jordan, who took up his residence in Glov- 
 ersville in the year 1871, and until his death in Greeley, Col, in Decem- 
 
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628 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTS. 
 
 ber, 1888 (whither he went in quest of better health), he was a successful 
 manufacturer of gloves and a citizen of character and respectability in 
 the place. He was a native of the town of Ephratah, Fulton county, 
 where his ancestors were pioneers. His wife was Jane E. Lassells, of 
 Lassellsville, Fulton county. They had four children : the subject of 
 this sketch ; a son Merritt, who died at two years of age ; one daughter, 
 who is deceased ; and a daughter, Mary E., who is the wife of Chas. S. 
 Schermerhorn, of Gloversville. 
 
 Clark L. Jordan obtained a good education in the public schools of 
 Gloversville and a course in the Cazenovia Seminary. He began 
 the study of law in 1879, in the office of Welch & Francis, at 
 Carthage, N. Y., and finished in the office of C. M. Parke in Glovers- 
 ville. He was admitted to the bar in 1882 and immediately began 
 practice in the last named place under the most favorable auspices. 
 Endowed with a personal manner that promptly wins confidence and 
 friends, an excellent knowledge of the law, with character and habits 
 that are above reproach, it is not a marvel that Mr. Jordan now occupies 
 a position seldom reached in so few years by so young a man. Almost 
 immediately after his admission to the bar in 1882 he was made clerk 
 of the village and superintendent of the water works, a combined office 
 which he resigned seven months later, on account of the demands of 
 his profession upon his time In 1884, Mr. Jordan's health having be- 
 come impaired, he removed to Tryon City, N. C, where he was benefited 
 and soon attained a conspicuous position in his profession. He was 
 there made United States commissioner, a position he filled very accept- 
 ably until 1889. At this time, chiefly on account of the death of his 
 father, Mr. Jordan returned north and settled permanently in Glovers- 
 ville. Here his ability as a lawyer, his thorough business capacity and 
 his popularity with all classes were quickly recognized, and he was soon 
 surrounded by numerous friends and supporters. He entered the polit- 
 ical field with earnest and effective work on the Democratic side, and in 
 March, 1892, received the nomination for mayor of Gloversville. It is 
 a remarkable tribute to his popularity and the esteem and confidence in 
 which he is held that he was elected against his Republican opponent who 
 had the customary majority of about one thousand on which to base his 
 hope of election. In this responsible office Mr. Jordan has thus far shown 
 
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BIOGRAPHICAL. 629 
 
 that fairness to all classes and that firmness in carrying out his ideas of 
 municipal government which entitle him to the very liberal commenda- 
 tion which he has received. That he has made a successful and popular 
 official is attested by the fact that the Democrats at their county conven- 
 tion in the fall of 1892 unanimously gave him the nomination for the re- 
 sponsible office of district attorney. 
 
 Mr. Jordan married Maggie B. Wiers, daughter of Philip S., of Spra- 
 kers, November, 1872. They have two children, Hiram, born March 17, 
 1884, and Clark L., born November 24, 1887. 
 
 IRELAND, JOHN STUART. The parents of John S. Ireland, 
 \ whose names were James and Agnes (Stuart), were natives of Scot- 
 land, whence they emigrated to America about the year i860, locating 
 first at Three Rivers, Canada. In the following year they settled in 
 Broadalbin. They subsequently removed to Sodus, Wayne county, N. 
 Y., where they resided about ten years, and afterwards lived at Marion, 
 Wayne county, N. Y., where Mr. Ireland died, in September, 1873. 
 He was a Presbyterian minister. 
 
 John Stuart Ireland was born in Scotland, May 18, 1843, '^"d hence 
 had passed his boyhood in his native country previous to accompanying 
 his parents to America. After having secured a good English educa- 
 tion, he went to Niles, O., and worked about three years as manager 
 of a store. From there he went to Cleveland, O., where for three years 
 he was in charge of a department in the large store of E. J. Baldwin, 
 Hatch & Co. In these positions he acquired thorough business knowl- 
 edge and valuable experience. 
 
 In 1872 Mr. Ireland came from Cleveland to Johnstown and, in com- 
 pany with Thomas Rowles and Mr. Ireland's brother James, formed 
 the glove manufacturing firm of Rowles & Ireland Brothers. This firm 
 continued until 1874, when Mr. Rowles retired, and the name was 
 changed to Ireland Brothers. In all of his business relations in Johns- 
 town Mr. Ireland bore a reputation for integrity and industry. In 
 politics he was a Republican, but sought no office. He had held the 
 office of village trustee and was a member of the water board ; he was 
 also vice-president of the former First National Bank which was merged 
 in the People's Bank. 
 
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630 
 
 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 On the 6th day of May, 1873, Mr. Ireland married Kate M., third 
 daughter of Lewis and Eliza Dorn, of Johnstown. 
 
 Mr. Ireland died October 26, 1891, leaving his wife and five children : 
 James Stuart, Nellie Pierson, Lizzie D., John, and Catherine. 
 
 ANIBAL, ROBERT PHILIP. — Although not a native of Fulton 
 county, the subject of this brief sketch has passed the greater 
 part of his professional life within its limits, and attained a measure of 
 prominence that fully entitles him to a place in the pages of this his- 
 tory. 
 
 Mr. Anibal was born in Benson, Hamilton county, on the 22d of 
 February, 1845. His father was a respectable farmer of that county, 
 and a man of advanced ideas and progressive liberal tendencies. He 
 died in Benson on the 3d of July, 1878. His wife was Mary E. Orcutt, 
 also of Hamilton, a woman of excellent education and personal quali- 
 ties. She died November 15, 1859. Their children were Robert F., 
 the subject of this sketch; DeHlah, born September 12, 1847, and died 
 in the following February, and Franklin W., born July 14, 1858, and 
 now a resident of Saratoga Springs. 
 
 Rober P. enjoyed rather exceptional opportunities to secure an edu- 
 cation, and his inclinations and natural endowments were such that he 
 improved those opportunities to the utmost. In his efforts to obtain a 
 more than common education he was entirely in sympathy with the 
 wishes, of his parents, and after the customary period in the district 
 school, and one year under the private instruction of the Rev. Ira 
 Holmes, an excellent scholar and teacher he attended the Fort Edward 
 Collegiate Institute for five years, teaching meanwhile in the winters. 
 He had, however, begun teaching previous to that time, and when only 
 seventeen years old. 
 
 The greater part of his labor as a teacher was performed in Fulton 
 county, and he finally gave up that profession in 1869. During the 
 latter two and ja half years of the period he was engaged in teaching, he 
 was principal of the Northville school, and made it one of the best edu- 
 cational institutions of its character in the State. Possessed of what is 
 almost a phenomenal memory with immense capacity for study, Mr. 
 Anibal had gained a very liberal education. For four years previous 
 
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BIOGRAPHICAL. 631 
 
 to the date last mentioned he had given up most of his leisure time to 
 the study of law, with the object of ultimately entering that profession. . 
 Under these circumstances, with a theoretical knowledge of law that 
 was broad and complete, he, at the suggestion of his friends and the 
 counsel of his father, abandoned the idea of taking a full college course. 
 During the term that he was a student at the Fort Edward Collegiate 
 Institute, he was a student in the law office of Judge Wait, of Fort Ed- 
 ward, and in March of 1 870 entered the law office of Carrol & Eraser, 
 in the city of Albany. In February, 1871, Mr. Anibal was admitted 
 to practice in Albany, and he remained with the firm of Carrol & Eraser 
 until May, 1872, aiding in the prosecution of the large business that 
 came to their hands. Going thence to Northville, Fulton county, he 
 opened an office and secured a large and lucrative practice, which has 
 continued to increase ever since. In January, 1886, he finally settled 
 in Johnstown, the county seat of Fulton county, where his services as 
 an attorney and counselor are in constant demand, as the records of the 
 courts and the trial of important and difficult cases show. 
 
 Mr. Anibal is a Democrat in politics, and as early as 187 1, while he 
 was yet in the office of Carrol & Eraser, and only a few months after 
 his admission to the bar, he received the nomination and was elected to 
 the office of judge of Hamilton county, his residence having been kept 
 at his father's in Benson. He served one term of six years, presiding 
 over the courts with dignity and ability, and demonstrating the fact 
 that his knowledge of law was profound. 
 
 In the political field Judge AnLbal has habitually done great service 
 for his party; not with the object in view of profiting thereby or of 
 securing high and lucrative offices, but because he believes thoroughly 
 in the principles he advocates. His geniality and good fellowship, and 
 his readiness at all times to give aid to his party, have led to most fre- 
 quent calls upon him to address the voters in his own and surrounding 
 counties upon the important pohtical topics of the day. Judge Anibal 
 has never sought office, for it has been his purpose and his pleasure to 
 give his entire energies to the practice of his profession. As a public 
 speaker his efforts are highly appreciated ; he is an eloquent speaker, a 
 profound reasoner, with an individuality that makes a favorable and 
 lasting impression upon an audience. 
 
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632 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 Since Judge Anibal has been in practice very many of the most im- 
 portant cases in the county and vicinity where he resides, both in the 
 civil and criminal courts, have been entrusted to him, and his success 
 and that of his clients have been of the most flattering nature. The 
 confidence of his fellow citizens has never been misplaced, for whatever 
 trusts have been committed to the care of Judge Anibal have received 
 his earnest and careful attention ; he has brought to their support a 
 thorough and well trained mind, and a zealous and conscientious regard 
 of duty to his client and his cause, that has given him a place in public 
 esteem well worthy of emulation. 
 
 Judge Anibal was married April 24, 1872, to Frances E. Van Arnam, 
 of Northville. They have one daughter, Frances Luella, born Septem- 
 ber 10, 1880. 
 
 BLUNCK, ALBERT E., editor and publisher of the Johnstown 
 Daily Republican and the Fulton County Republican, a weekly 
 newspaper, was born in 1854, of German parentage, on a farm near 
 Cooperstown, Otsego county, N. Y. He attended the public schools 
 and the Cooperstown Seminary until he was thirteen years of age, 
 when he left home to learn the printer's trade in the office of the 
 Cooperstown Freeman's Journal. He remained there until he was 
 twenty- one years of age, proving himself to be one of the most expert 
 printers in the country at that time. He went from there to New York 
 and secured an engagement on the Evening Post. From there he 
 went to Albany and worked at his trade with the firm of Weed, Par- 
 sons & Co. until 1879, being one of the most efficient men in their 
 employ and noted as a rapid workman. During that year he received 
 an appointment in the U; S. signal service at Albany and held it until 
 1881, when he came to Johnstown, N. Y., and purchased from H. L. 
 Ward a half interest in the Fulton County Republican and the Glovers- 
 ville Intelligencer. In the fall of the same year W. E. Leaning, of 
 Cooperstown, purchased the interest of Mr. Ward in the two papers 
 and thereafter until 1888 they were conducted by the firm of Blunck & 
 Leaning. The energy, enterprise and progressiveness of the firm soon 
 placed both papers upon a more successful business basis than had 
 ever previously been attained by any newspaper publishers in Fultoa 
 
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B/OGRAPff/CAL. 635 
 
 county. In 1888 the firm was dissolved, Mr. Blunck becoming the sole 
 editor and proprietor of the Republican and Mr. Leaning assuming con- 
 trol of the Intelligencer. In response to the demand for a daily paper 
 which came with the rapid growth of Johnstown in population and busi- 
 ness importance, Mr. Blunck, on July i, 1890, commenced the publication 
 of the Daily Republican and has continued the same with marked success. 
 Similar ventures on the part of others resulted in failures, but by good 
 business management, by furnishing an excellent paper at a low price and 
 even publishing it for a time at a loss, Mr. Blunck succeeded in building- 
 up a valuable daily newspaper with an unusually large circulation and 
 acknowledged to be a publication of great merit and influence. Mr. 
 Blunck was married in 1880 to Miss Frances H. Leaning, of New York 
 city, daughter of William Leaning, who was on the editorial staff of the 
 New York Herald under the elder Bennett. He has a famil)^ of four chil- 
 dren and occupies a commodious residence on South William street. 
 Mr. Blunck is recognized as a successful business man, a man of integ- 
 rity, enterprising and industrious, and a worthy citizen. He is a mem- 
 ber of St. Patrick's Lodge, No. 4, F. and A. M , Johnstown Chapter R. 
 A. M., and Holy Cross Commandery, No. 51. He is also a member of 
 the Lotus Club, a social organization, Although he has never held any 
 public office, Mr. Blunck has been prominently identified with the 
 politics of his county and district, being an active Republican worker. 
 He has twice represented his county in state conventions and frequently 
 in district and local conventions. 
 
 CUYLER, DAVID H., was born in the village of Johnstown, Ful- 
 ton county, N. Y., on the 31st of July, 18 16. He was the son of 
 Joseph and Mary Rust Cuyler, and resided with his parents, in attend- 
 ance at the public schools during his boyhood, until the year 1830, 
 when he removed to Alabama. He lived for a time at Mobile and af- 
 terwards removed to Montgomery. While a resident of the latter place 
 he joined the troops in the Creek Indian war in the United States ser- 
 vice, remaining until the close of the struggle, a period of eight months. 
 Mr. Cuyler returned to Johnstown at the age of twenty years, and two 
 years later married Helen Settle. He at once engaged in the manu- 
 
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634 HISTORY OF. FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 facture of gloves, which he continued successfully until the outbreak 
 of the civil war. He promptly responded to the call of his coun- 
 try, aided for a time in raising recruits, and on the 23d of October, 
 1862, was commissioned by Governor Morgan as Captain of Company 
 D, 153d regiment, New York State Volunteers. In the army his record 
 was most creditable. For two years he bore the hardship and danger 
 of active service, greatly endearing himself to the men under his com- 
 mand, and winning the approbation of superior officers for courage and 
 ability. After two years of service he was badly injured by an acci- 
 dent to a supply train on the Orange and Alexandria railroad, which 
 disabled him for further active service, and he joined the Veteran Re- 
 serve corps in which he held a captain's commission. He had command 
 of the Long Bridge between the District of Columbia and Virginia dur- 
 ing the greater part of the eight months in which he was attached to the 
 Reserve corps. The confidence reposed in Captain Cuyler is further 
 shown by his selection to preside over several important courts martial 
 and his intimacy with all the department commanders who were in 
 Washington during that period. In all of these various posts he evinced 
 natural qualifications for military duties of a high order, as well as man- 
 ly attributes and characteristics that won him friends on every side. 
 
 Upon his retirement from the army Captain Cuyler came to Glovers- 
 ville and engaged in the glove business until his tragic death, which 
 occurred on the 3d of November, 1876, through the collision of a street 
 car on which he was riding, and a train on the Fonda, Johnstown & 
 Gloversville railroad, at the Gloversville Main street crossing. The 
 funeral took place on the following Sunday, and was attended by Canby 
 Post G. A. R., of which the deceased was a prominent member, and a 
 large concourse of people. It was written of him soon after his death 
 that "In his character was what commanded the respect of all men and 
 won the regard of all who knew him intimately. During all the years 
 of his useful life he preserved his character unsullied. He was for many 
 years connected with the Protestant Episcopal church and was very 
 prominent in that society in Gloversville. He was a man without os- 
 tentation or display, but of such sterling qualities of heart and mind as 
 to make his friendship courted and his counsel valued. Mr. Cuyler was 
 connected with many of the oldest families in New York State, and his 
 
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BIOGRAPHICAL. 635. 
 
 circle of relatives in Fulton county was very large. His death not only 
 bereaves a family, but leaves a void in the community that cannot well 
 be filled." 
 
 Captain Cuyler left an invalid widow who died on the 29th of No- 
 vember, 1878. They had five children, as follows: Catherine A. C. 
 Abbott, wife of Dr. Frank Abbott, of 'New York ; Sarah C. Bame, wife 
 of O. H. Bame, of Gloversville ; A. Rust Cuyler, Frank M. Cuyler, 
 and Cornelius Cuyler. 
 
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PART IL 
 
 FAMILY SKETCHES. 
 
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Between two breaths what crowded mysteries lie — 
 The first short gasp, the last and long-drawn sigh ! 
 Like phantoms painted on the magic slide, 
 Forth from the darkness of the past we glide. 
 As living shadows for a moment seen 
 In airy pageant on the eternal screen ; 
 Traced by a ray from one unchanging flame, 
 Then seek the dust and stillness whence we came. 
 
 — Oliver Wendell Holmes. 
 
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FAMILY SKETCHES. 
 
 ACKBRKNEOHT. ERNEST, Johnstown p. o., was born on the 29th of No^gmber, 
 1859, in New York, and came hither with his parents when a young boy, and was 
 educated in our public schools. He is one of Johnstown's leather manufacturers. On the 
 30th of November, 1887, he married Martha L., second daughter of Carl and Willemena 
 Klaus, formerly of Glauchau, Germany, but now of Johnstown. They have one daugh- 
 ter, Matilda C, born Decemcer 3, 1891. The family is of German origin. 
 
 Adams, Amos M., Johnstown p. o., was born in Stillwater, Saratoga county, and was 
 educated in the public schools. He was raised on a farm until he was nineteen years 
 old, when he became a leather dresser, working by the day until 1862, when he started 
 to manufacture for himself. He has been married twice, first on the 30th of August, 
 1861, to Emily J., second daughter of William S. and Naomi Miller, by whom he had 
 two children : Willie, who died when he was three years and three months old, the 
 other dying in infancy. Mrs. Adams died November 1, 1864. On the 5th of Novem- 
 ber, 1865, he married Adeline, youngest daughter of James S. and Anna Miller, of 
 Ephratah. They have one son, Frank, who was born December 21, 1870 ; he is in busi- 
 ness with his father under the firm of A. M. Adams & Son. Ira L. Adams, the father 
 of Amos, was born in 1806 in the town of Easton, Washington county, and married 
 Lucinda Burdick, by whom he had five sons and three daughters. Mr. Adams' mother 
 is still living, aged eighty-four years. 
 
 Adams, John Q., Johnstown p. c, was born on the 31st of January, 1843, in Still- 
 water, Saratoga county, and was educated in the public schools. He was raised on a 
 farm until he was twenty years old, when he became a leather manufacturer; his busi- 
 ness has increased to enormous dimensions. On the 9th of November, 1864, he mar- 
 ried Phebe J., second daughter of James S. and Annie Miller, of the town of Ephratah. 
 They have had four children : one daughter, Lewella A., died at the age of eight years, 
 Jennie, William J., and Arthur. 
 
 Allen, Alfred, Ephratah p. o., was born in Ephratah, and after receiving a common 
 school education chose the occupation of farming, which he has carried on very suc- 
 cessfully. He married Alice Saltsman, daughter of Nathan Saltsman, by whom he has 
 four daughters. His parents were Hiram and Betsey A. (Getman) Allen, who reared 
 a family of eight children, of whom six are living : Alfred, James H., Elijah, Elmira 
 and Elmina (twins), and Clark J. Mrs. Allen died September 17, 1876, and Hiram then 
 married Melvina (Duesler) Gray, who was born March 22, 1840. She is a daughter of 
 William and Elizabeth (Sponable) Duesler. To Hiram Allen and Melvina, his wife, 
 
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2 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 one daughter has been born, Cora B. The parents of Hiram Allen were Archibald 
 Alien, who was born in 1782, and Annie (Getman) Allen, also born in 1782. They 
 reared a family of ten children. His death occurred in 1870 and hers in 1865. They 
 both died on the farm now owned by Hiram Allen. Hiram Allen had been supervisor 
 a'ld collector one term. He was chairman of the meeting at the time the Ephratah 
 Cemetery Association was organized. He has always taken an active part in church 
 matters, and is a member of the M. E. Church. 
 
 Allen, Dr. Herbert, Johnstown p. o., was born on the 15th of October, 1850, in the 
 town of Charleston, Montgomery county. He was educated in the public schools, 
 Philadelphia Dental College, and graduated from the New York Dental Society in 1884, 
 when he received his diploma. He came to Johnstown the same year to practice. On 
 the 14th of September, 1880, he married Dora M. Richards. They have two children, 
 one son and one daughter: Homer C, and Mabel D. 
 
 Amidon, Walter D., Bleecker p. o., was born June 1, 1848, in Rensselaer county, 
 a son of Darius and Evaiine (Pollock) Amidon, who were also born in the latter county 
 The grandfather of Walter D. was John also, a native of Rensselaer county, and a 
 farmer. He was a. Democrat in politics. He reared two sons and three daughters, and 
 they were members of the Baptist church. Our subject's father was a lumberman and 
 merchant, located thirteen miles east of Troy, where he died in 1884. He had been 
 twice married. His first wife died about 1874, and was the mother of seven children, 
 as follows: Frank, who served in the war in Col. Swain's Regiment three years; 
 Philip, who served in the Seventh N. Y. Heavy Artillery and was killed at Cold Har- 
 bor; Walter D., Mary, Charles, William and George, who died aged two years. Mr. 
 Amidon's second wife was a Mrs. Niles. Walter D. was reared on a farm and 
 received his education in the district schools of the day. In February, 1865, he enlisted 
 in Co. G, 192d N. Y. Inf., and was wounded "in the left leg while on picket duty at 
 Summit Point, Va. He was mustered out at Cumberland and discharged at Albany in 
 the fall of 1865. He worked at various occupations until the fall of 1876, when he came 
 to the place where he now resides and erected the Troy Lake House where he has con- 
 tinued in business ever since. In politics he is a Democrat. March 12, 1877, he 
 married Lizzie Guthaur, who was born in Bleecker, a daughter of Charles and Christina 
 (Dalmen) Guthaur, who reared two sons and three daughters. Walter D. has five 
 children: Ella D., Harry W., Ida B., Clara E. and Leonard. They are members of the 
 Lutheran church. 
 
 Andrews, George S., Johnstown p. o., was born in Sageville, Hamilton county, on 
 the 8th day of March, 1862. He was educated in the common schools and for some 
 years was steward in his father's summer hotel in the Adirondacks. In the year 1882 
 he came to Johnstown and was a clerk in a grocery store for three years. For about 
 three years he was a glove cutter, and about the 1st of January, 1892, he began to man- 
 ufacture gloves in company with John Johns, under the firm name of Andrews & 
 Johns. On the 3d of July, 1882, he married Rosilla S.. fourth daughter of Joseph and 
 Adehne Fish, of the same place. They have two children, namely, George A., and 
 Carrie G. 
 
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FAMILY SKETCHES. 3 
 
 Anibal, Lee S., a lawyer of Northville, was born in Benson, Hamilton connty, April 
 20, 1855. He is a son of Samuel L. and Emeline (Brownell) Anibal, both natives of the 
 same county. Samuel L. was for many years engaged in the lumber business. In 
 politics he was a Democrat, and held several positions of public trust. Leonard Anibal, 
 grandfather of Lee S., was one of the pioneers of the county. IJe was a farmer and 
 lumberman and for many years justice of the peace. The mother of Lee S. was a 
 daughter of Cyrus II. Brownell, of Benson, a prominent lawyer and an able orator 
 and advocate. He was county judge, and represented his district in the Assembly 
 several terms. Mr. Anibal was educated at Northville, Buffalo, and Fort Plain Academy, 
 and studied law with Judge R. P. Anibal, of Johnstown. He was admitted to the bar 
 in 1879, and immediately entered upon and has since enjoyed an extensive and lucrative 
 practice.. He has the most complete and extensive law library in Fulton county, includ- 
 ing many rare and expensive volumes. November 28, 1890, he married Laura C. 
 Billington, of Amsterdam. Mr. Anibal is a Democrat and takes a lively interest in the 
 affairs of his party. He is a Free Mason of the 32d degree and has held prominent 
 positions in the fraternity. He owns a fine residence on Main street in the village, and 
 is one of the rising men in his profession in the county. 
 
 Anibal, Robert P., Johnstown, was born in Benson, Hamilton county, February 22, 
 1845. He was educated in the district school of his native place, and the Fort Edward 
 Collegiate Institute, from which he graduated in 1866. He began teaching at the age 
 of sixteen years and taught a part of each year until 1869. His legal studies com- 
 menced when attending school at Fort Edward, with Judge A. D. Wait, of that place. 
 He completed his legal education with Carrol & Fraser, of Johnstown, and was ad- 
 mitted to practice in the year 1871. He was elected county judge of his native county, 
 Hamilton, in the fall of 1871, and served as such a full term of six years. Upon his ad- 
 mission to the bar he opened a law office at Northville. In 1886 he moved to Johns- 
 town, where he is now engaged in active practice. Judge Anibal has devoted himself 
 exclusively to the practice of his profession, and has taken a leading part as counsel and 
 advocate in nearly all of the important litigations of the counties of Fulton and Hamil- 
 ton since his admission to practice. At the expiration of his term as county judge of 
 the county of Hamilton, in 1878, he moved to the village of Northville, where his office 
 was located, and continued a resident there until he removed to Johnstown. While at 
 Northville he was a member of the Board of Education ; also president of the village. 
 In 1872 he married Frances E. Van Arnam, of Northville, and they have one daughter, 
 Luella. His father, Philo Anibal, was born in Hamilton county, and married Mary 
 Orcutt, of that county. They had two children, Robert P. and Franklin W., the latter 
 being engaged in business at Saratoga Springs. In early life Judge Anibal identified 
 himself with the Democratic party, and in all campaigns as a citizen and as a member 
 of Democratic organizations, and as a public speaker he has supported his party and its 
 nominees with zeal and interest. 
 
 Argersinger, Charles H., Johnstown, was born on the 5th day of January, 1839, in 
 the town of Johnstown and was educated in the public schools. He is a farmer by oc- 
 cupation, and on the 19th day of January, 1876, he married Elizabeth K., only daugh- 
 
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4 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 ter of James and Anna (McCarthy) Campbell. James Campbell's family was one of 
 the old representative families in the town. Mr. Argersinger's father, Philip, was born 
 in the 3'ear 1799, in this county; he was one of the pioneers of this county and married 
 Eleanor Pierson, of his native town, by whom he had eleven children, nine of whom 
 survive, namely: Amanda, Elizabeth, James P., Jane, Charles H., Margaret, Philetus 
 P., Hiram, and Carohne P. 
 
 Argersinger, James P., Johnstown, was born on the 22d of September, 1834, in 
 Johnstown, and was educated in the common schools. In 1860 he went to the 
 Pacific coast, remaining there four years. He then returned to Johnstown and became 
 a glove manufacturer. He has been married twice, first on the 19th of January, 1870, 
 to Asenath Mathews, who died April 26, 1874. His second wife was Margaret, sec- 
 ond daughter of the late Judge Stewart. They have five children, two sons and three 
 daughters, John Stewart, James P. jr., Katherine Stewart, Isabelle Judson, and 
 Bleanore Pierson. The ancestry of the family is German and Scotch. Mr. Arger- 
 singer is a member of St. Patrick's Lodge, No. 4, F. & A. M., also of Johnstown Chap- 
 ter No. 78, and of the Holy Cross Commandery No. 51, Gloversville. 
 
 Argersinger, Michael, Johnstown, was born about two miles east of Johnstown vil- 
 lage, April 14, 1825. He was educated in the public school and is now a retired farmer 
 and became a resident of the village in 1882. He has married twice, first on Januarv 
 11, 1849, Sophia Atty, by whom he had five children : Sophia, who married David 
 Van Ness ; Alice M., who married Myndert A. Vosburgh ; Harriet, who married Aaron 
 M. Putnam, and died May 9, 1884 ; Edward, who died aged eleven ; and W. Scott 
 who married Hattie N. Morgan. Mrs. Argersinger died March 3, 1876. December 13, 
 1877, he married Mrs. Charlotte A. Vosburgh, and they have had one daughter, Luella, 
 who died in infancy. She had three sons by her former husband, Henry Vosburgh viz.: 
 Myndert H., who married Bttie HoUenbeck ; Edward, who married Jennie Atty ; and 
 Chester, who married Violetta Coughnet. The ancestry of the family is Dutch and 
 Grerman. 
 
 Argersinger, William, Johnstown, was born on the 7th of January, 1851, and was 
 educated in the public schools. He is now one of Johnstown's clothing and fur- 
 nishing goods merchants. On the 28th day of November, 1877, he married Mary Er- 
 canbrack, of the town of Ephratah, by whom he has one daughter, Mary A. Mr. 
 Argersinger's father, Philip, was born in the town of Perth on the 12th of Novem- 
 ber, 1819, and married Amanda Argersinger, of the town of Johnstown. They 
 have five children, three daughters and two sons; Sidney, Alice, Williams, Mary 
 C, and Elizabeth. The grandfather, John Argersinger, was in the war of 1812. The 
 ancestry of the family is German. 
 
 Atty, Edward, Johnstown, was born in the village of Johnstown, August 7, 1837, 
 educated in the graded schools, and is a farmer by occupation. February 21, 1860, he 
 married Sarah C, youngest daughter of John and Mary Sophia Cook, of the town of 
 Mohawk. They have had five children, one who died in infancy, and two sons and two 
 daughters : Althena M., who married Theodore Sammons, of Sammonsville ; Delbert 
 H., who married Selma F., youngest daughter of Edward and Rozella Schoenfeldt, of 
 
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FAMILY SKETCHES. 
 
 S 
 
 this place; W. Morris, and Florence C. Mr. A.tty's father, Henry, married Sophia 
 Parker, and came hither from England with his wife and one child in the year 1827. 
 They had ten children, of whom three died in infancy, seven surviving: Sophia, John 
 H., William R., Edward, Alice P., and James R. 
 
 Baker, Thomas B., Johnstown, was born in Milborne Port, Somersetshire, England, 
 June 9, 1839. He was educated in the public .schools and learned the trade of glove- 
 cutting there. In 1859 he married Ellen Vincent, of his native place, and moved to 
 Worcester, where he remained as a glove cutter for Dent, Alcroft & Co. until 1864, and 
 then came to the United States, locating in Johnstown, where he worked in the same 
 business. In 1879 he opened an office to sell glovers' materials. He has been prosper- 
 ous in business, especially in his real estate transactions. In 1888 he bought the old 
 Gady property and built the Baker block, on Market street, also the Decker property 
 the same year, on North Perry street. The Opera House was built by the public spirited 
 people of Johnstown, but largely through his efforts. He was an enterprising citizen, 
 taking much interest in his town, and when he passed away (in 1892) his loss was 
 mourned by all who had the pleasure of his acquaintance. 
 
 Banta, John H., Perth, Hagaman's Mills post-office, was born within half a mile of 
 his present residence in Perth, March 29, 1844, a son of Henry and Ann Eliza (Van 
 Buren) Banta. His early life was spent on the old Banta homestead where his 
 falther was born April 5, 1806. He always lived on the same farm, and died there 
 February 13, 1880. John H. Banta was educated in the public schools of Perth and 
 assisted his father on the farm until 1864, when he had the gold fever and went to 
 Montana, going across the plains with ox teams from St. Joseph, Mo. He spent two 
 years in the west, roughing it, then returned because his parents needed him. He 
 took charge of the farm and has ever since conducted it. At his father's death, he 
 being the only child, he inherited the place, and is indeed a successful farmer. Octo- 
 ber 16, 1867, he married Hester J. Vosburgh, daughter of John and Nellie (Olough) 
 Vosburgh, of Glenville, and their union has been blessed with three children, two 
 are living: Anna E., now Mrs. William E, Parker, of Perth, born March 10, 1871; 
 and Abert, of Perth, born May 9, 1874. Mr. Banta's ancestors on his father's side 
 came from Holland in the year 1654 and settled at Hackensack, N. J., a record of 
 which he has in his possession, together with an old will of his great-grandfather 
 bequeathing among other property, a lot of slaves. Mr, Banta also possesses the 
 commission given his grandfather, Barent F. Van Buren, as ensign, dated 1784; 
 also the commission given his grandfather, Hendrick Banta, as captain, dated 1786. 
 Both are signed by Gov. George Clinton. Mr. Banta has never been an office seeker, 
 but has held offices of honor and trust, and is now justice of the peace. His prin- 
 cipal ambition has been to be a successful farmer, an honest, upright citizen. 
 
 Barker, Melvin E., Oppenheim, was born in Oppenheim, May 25, 1850. He is the 
 oldest son of Elbridge G. and Mary (Stone) Barker, who reared four children : Melvin 
 E., Lewis H., Sarah A., and Edgar E. The grandfather of Melvin E. was Samuel 
 Barker, a native of Antrim, N. H. He came to Oppenheim about 1817, and settled on 
 the farm where his daughter, Susan Cook, now resides. The father of said SamueJ 
 
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6 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 was Peter Barker, wlio was a revolutionary soldier and fought and received a wound at 
 (he battle of Bunker Hill. They had the following cliildren: Kancy, Susan, Elbridge 
 G., Sallie, Elizabeth, Mary, Willicm B., Samuel jr., Lucy and Peter. All except Lucy 
 lived to mature age. Mr. Barker was superintendent of the poor and held other town 
 offices. He was an active Methodist for many years. Elbridge G. was born Septem- 
 ber 25, 1816, at Antrim, N. H., and was two years of age when his parents came to 
 Oppenheim. In 1849 he married Mary Stone, a daughter of Henry Stone. Melvin E. 
 Barker received a common school education with several terms at the Fairfield Sem- 
 inary, and he afterwards taught school for several terms. In 1873-74 he took a course 
 in the law department of Union University, having previous to this read law with H. 
 E. Smith & Son, of Johnstown, N. Y. He then taught school and practiced his pro- 
 fession till 1889, since which time he has devoted himself entirely to his profession 
 in his native town. Mr. Barker was census enumerator in 1880 and 1890; has been 
 notary public for a number of years, and justice of the peace for more than twelve 
 years. He has also held the office of town clerk and other town offices. March 24, 
 1874, Mr. Barker married Elvira H., daughter of Charles A. and Emeline (Weston) 
 Brown. They have one daughter, Minnie E., born April 7, 1876. 
 
 Barker, George A., Oppenheim, was born in Oppenheim, July 25, 1847, a son of 
 Samuel Barker, jr. The latter was born in Oppenheim, December 4, 1819,and in 1846 he 
 married Eliza J. Foster, by whom he had six children. He followed farming, and was 
 at one time inspector of elections. He died in 1868, and his wife survives him, aged 
 seventy-five years. She resides with her son George. The latter was reared on a 
 farm, and received a common school education. In 1870 he married Julia L. Ives 
 daughter of Henry and Margaret M. (Stewart) Ives, who reared three children. 
 Mr. Ives was a native of Jefferson county. His father, Erastus Ives, was a na- 
 tive of Connecticut, who settled in Jefferson county about 1812. He and two broth- 
 ers participated in the war of that year. Mr. Ives died in 1867 and his wife married 
 the second time Watson Turner, of Oppenheim. To our subject one child, Jennie, was 
 born, who died in infancy. Mr. Barker has held the office of excise commissioner 
 three years. He and his wife are Methodists. 
 
 Barrett, James, Oppenheim, was born in County Clare, Ireland, in 1839. He is the 
 son of Thomas and Anne (Mungivan) Barrett, who reared twelve children, and lived 
 and died in Ireland. The father died in 1850 and the mother about 1889. James re- 
 ceived no education. He came to America in 1861 and settled in Herkimer'county 
 afterwards removing to Fulton county. He has always followed farming. In 1868 he 
 married Jane Comings, a native of County Clare, Ireland, born December 12 1849 and 
 a daughter of Thomas and Mary (Mascall) Comings, who reared four sons and two 
 daughters. Her mother still lives. To our subject and wife three children have been 
 born: Mary A., born December 20, 1870, is a teacher. She was educated in the pub- 
 lic schools and then completed the teachers' course at Little Falls. James T. was born 
 March 4, 1875 and lives with his parents; Jennie, who died November 3, 1885 at the 
 age of twelve years, Mr. Barrett and family are members of the Roman Catholic 
 church. 
 
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FAMILY SKETCHES. 7 
 
 Bass, Isaac C, a farmer and manufacturer of Northville, was born in Northampton, 
 November 29, 1847, a son of Solomon B. and Harriet (Brundige) Bass, both natives of 
 tlie town, end grandson of Jeremiah, one of the first settlers in this vicinitj', a farmer 
 and great hunter, who died at an advanced age. The mother's people were also early 
 settlers in the township. The family on the maternal side are of Dutch origin, the 
 Whitneys having been among the early settlers of New York city. Isaac C. was reared 
 on a farm and at the age of seventeen enlisted in Company H, of the Sixty-ninth New 
 York Infantry, and went to the front in the late war. He was at the battles of Five 
 Forks, Bethesda Church, South Side Road, and many others. He was wounded in 
 front of Petersburg and draws a pension. He was honorably discharged June 27, 1865. 
 Since that time he has followed teaching and the manufacture of brush handles, the 
 only enterprise of the kind in the State. On November 24, 1867, he married Mary L. 
 Grennell, who was born October 4, 1849, in Northampton, a daughter of Graves C. and 
 Nancy A. (Van Ness) G-rennell, of Dutch ancestry. They have one son, William H., 
 born April 29, 18C9, and a student at Fairfield Military Seminary. Mr. Bass is a Re- 
 publican in politics, and takes an active interest in the affairs of the party. 
 
 Bates, Charles A., a farmer of Northampton, was born in Providence, Saratoga 
 county, March 20, 1836, was a soldier in the civil war in Company D, Ninety-third New 
 York Volunteer Infantry, enlisting in 1863 and remaining until the close of the war. 
 He participated in the battles of the Wilderness, and at that time was injured by being 
 struck by a piece of timber falling across his spine. This caused paralysis, and he has 
 been helpless ever since. He receives the largest pension paid to private soldiers. 
 October 3, 1866, he married Julia Fitzgerald, of Pottsville, Pa. She was born May 15, 
 1845, and they have three children : Seward A., born February 14, 1868 ; Nelson E., 
 born July 9, 1871; and Georgia A., born October 1, 1873. Mr. Bates is a son of Syl- 
 via and Perley (Cook) Bates, natives of Massachusetts. He owns a fine farm, and is a 
 man much respected. 
 
 Bearcroft, Wilham, Johnstown, was born in Johnstown and was educated in the 
 common schools and Johnstown Academy. After his education was completed he be- 
 came a dry goods merchant, and is now living a retired life in bachelor apartments on 
 Main Street. 
 
 Benjamin, A. L., Ephratah, was born April 28, 1822, in Herkimer county, a son of 
 Josiah and Elizabeth (Lake) Benjamin, who reared a family of six children. Josiah 
 was born in Stillwater, and at an early age removed to Herkimer county. His wife 
 died in 1846, and Mr. Benjamin spent his last days in Fulton county with his children. 
 He died in 1850. His father was in the revolutionary war. A. L. Benjamin received 
 a common school education, and started in life working on a farm by the month. He 
 afterwards taught school, then followed farming until about thirty-two years of age, 
 when he engaged in the sale of gloves and mittens. Since 1873 he has been engaged 
 in the mercantile business in Rockwood. January 20, 1850, he married Jane A., 
 daughter of Alexander Macbeth, a native of Scotland. He and two brothers and a 
 sister came to Johnstown. He died in 1867, and his wife died a few years previous. 
 His sister married Abram Durfee. Mr. Benjamin was appointed postmaster in 1881, 
 and, except during Cleveland's administration, has held the office since. 
 
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8 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 Benton, Samuel B., a cooper of NorthviHe, born in Greenfield, Saratoga county, on 
 September 28, 1850, is a son of George and Almena (Rugg) Benton. George Benton 
 was a native of Connecticut and by trade a cooper and farmer. He was a prominent 
 man in the cliurcli and in politics, being a Democrat and a strong anti-slavery and tem- 
 perance advocate. His wife was also a native of the above county, her father having 
 been one of the early settlers of the place. Samuel B. learned the cooper's trade with 
 his father and came to NorthviHe in 1852, where he has followed the business ever 
 since. He has been a strong Republican in politics, though his sympathies are now 
 with the Prohibitionists. He has been an officer and a substantial supporter of the 
 Baptist church, having been interested in the' choir over fifty years. March 5, 1846, 
 he married Matilda B., daughter of Jacob Van Arnam, by whom he has had three 
 children, one surviving, Frederick N. The latter was born November 8, 1852, and 
 married Lydia F. Brooker, a granddaughter of John Ressequie. Frederick N. is an 
 artistic decorator and house finisher, and is much interested in musical affairs, being a 
 very fine organist. 
 
 Berry, Henry V., Bphratah, was born in Mohawk, Montgomery county, November 
 2, 1839. He is a son of George W. and Jerusha (Murray) Berry, who reared a family 
 of eleven children, of whom Henry V. is the oldest. George W. was self-educated and 
 self-made. He was a great reader and well informed. By occupation he was a farmer. 
 The family trace their ancestry back to Captain Berry, of revolutionary times. He was 
 the father of Henry V., who was the grandfather of the subject of this sketch, and was 
 member of Assembly in 1836. Henry V. Berry received a common school education, 
 and was graduated from the Fort Edwards Institute in 1861. He followed the profes- 
 sion of teaching for eleven years, and afterwards was a farmer. In 1864 he married 
 Eleanor Nellis, daughter of Col. Dewitt and Elizabeth (Miller) Nellis. Mr. Berry and 
 wife were blessed with five children, two of whom died in infancy. The three living 
 are Kittie, wife of Garry H. Snell, of Ephratah: Maggie, now Mrs. Norman Getman, 
 and James V., who resides at home. Mrs. Berry died in 1888. Mr. Berry is one of 
 the charter members of the Oriskany Monument Association. He has been justice of 
 the peace since 1870 exceptmg for three year, has been justice of sessions for five years, 
 chairman of the Board of Education for a number of years, and was among those who 
 organized the Ephratah Rural Cemetery Association, and has perhaps done more than 
 any other man to make the association a success. He has been trustee and secretary 
 since its organization in 1875 for the greater part, and is at present superintendent. He 
 is a Mason and member of Lodge Garoga, No. 300. 
 
 Bertrand, Lucien, Johnstown, was born inMillauin the province of Avignon, France, 
 but before coming here spent most of his life in Paris, and in the year 1840 came to the 
 United States, locating at Johnstown. Mr. Bertrand was the first man to manufact- 
 ure fine kid gloves in Johnstown. On the 10th of May, 1855, he married Ann, 
 youngest daughter of Gran John.son, who was surgeon in the War of 1812 from Con- 
 necticut, and located here then, or soon after. Mr. Bertrand died March 28, 1888, be- 
 ing well esteemed by all who had the pleasure of his acquaintance. 
 
 Best, Isaac 0., Broadalbin, was born in Oswegatchie, St. Lawrence county, January 
 4, 1841, a, son of John M. and Elizabeth Best, natives of Pickering, Yorkshire, Bng- 
 
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FAMILY SKETCHES. 9 
 
 land, who emigrated to the United States and settled in St. Lawrence county, where 
 they reared six children, five sons and one daughter. Isaac was the fifth child. He 
 prepared for college in Ogdensburgh Academy, and entered Hamilton College in 1861. 
 He enlisted in the Sixteenth New York Volunteers in 1862, and served in that and the 
 One Hundred Twenty-first until the close of the war. He returned to college in 
 1865 and was graduated in 1867, earning a Phi Beta Kappa key. He was called to 
 the Bloomsburg State Normal School as teacher of classics in 1867, and served as assist- 
 ant principal from 1868 to 1871. He was principal of the Academy at Mount Morris, 
 Livingston county, one year, 1871-72. In June of the latter year he was licensed by 
 the Rochester Presbytery, and ordained by the Syracuse Presbytery over the church 
 at Otisco, Onondaga county, June 17, 1873. He became principal of Clmton Gram- 
 mar School in 1875, and resigned in January, 1891, nfter which, in April of the same 
 year he became pastor of Broadalbin and Mayfield churches. Mr. Best married, July 
 2, 1868, Harriet C, daughter of Amos and Hannah Lindsley, of Dorchester, Mass., 
 and they have four children : Harriet 'Gertrude, Isaac Lindsley, Ruth Elizabeth, and 
 Marilla Rachel. 
 
 Blake, Dr. John P., of Northville, was born in Greenwich, Washington county, on 
 Juue 8, 1822. He received an academic education, and was graduated with high 
 honors at Oastleton, Vt. He commenced the practice of medicine in Saratoga county 
 in 1845, and after some time he spent two years with Dr. E. L. Chichester, of New York 
 city, and attended private instructions and operations in surgery under the celebrated 
 Dr. Valentine Mott. He then practiced two years in Sacramento, Cal. Since 1852 he 
 has practiced at Northville, where he has enjoyed a wide and extensive patronage. He 
 has been a member of the County Medical Society since 1856, was president of the so- 
 ciety in 1878. His grandfather Blake emigrated from Scotland with a colony of Scotch 
 Presbyterians, who settled near where the doctor was born. His parents were Andrew 
 and Electa (Wood) Blake. He married, first, Louisa Rowland, by whom he had one 
 son and one daughter. His second wife was Minerva Resseguie, of Northville, who 
 was born May 4, 1840, by whom he has two daughters and one son, Clarence R., a 
 physician in practice with his father, and a graduate of Burlington (Vt.) University in, 
 June 1884 and a member of the New York State Medical Association. 
 
 Bliss, William, Stratford, was born on the 20th of May, 1820, in Stratford, and fs jt 
 son of Ebenezer Bliss, a native of Massachusetts, who was born on the 4th of Decem- 
 ber 1772. The father of Ebenezer was Levi Bliss, who came to Stratford after his son 
 had settled there, and here he died. Ebenezer was one of the first settlers of Stratford 
 coming to that place about 1805; here he endured the hardships of a pioneer hfe, clear- 
 ins his own farm, and bought one hundred acres of land which his son now owns. He 
 was a prominent citizen and held all of the township otfices, having been justice of 
 peace twenty-four years in succession. His wife was Roxey Blakely, who was born 
 on the 28th of April, 1779, by whom he had nine children, six^sons and three daughters. 
 Mrs. Bliss was a Baptist and died in 1858, and Mr. Bliss died in 1852. William was 
 reared on a farm, but received a common school education, and in 1850 married Lucre- 
 tia M. Yale, a native of Herkimer county, who was born in October, 1829. She is a. 
 
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10 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 daughter of Allen and Laura (Smith) Yale, natives of Sahsbury. Mr. bale's father 
 was Divan Yale, a native of Connecticut and an early settler of Herkimer county. 
 Allen Yale was active in politics and was justice of peace for a number of years. He 
 formerly came to Fulton county, and then returned to Salisbury where he died on ihe 
 nth of August, 1865. His wife died August 18, 1859. Linus Yale, the inventor of 
 the Yale Lock, is an uncle of Mrs. Bliss. Mr. and Mrs. Bliss have had six children, 
 Rose, Ella, Eh, Laura, Alma and Clayton. Ella died in 1861. Mr. Bliss has always 
 followed farming. He has been collector, inspector of elections, constable, clerk of the 
 township, commissioner of highways, and for eleven years was supervisor. 
 
 Boshart, Jacob, Johnstown, was born on the old homestead, April 12, 1814, in Mont- 
 gomery county (now Fulton county). He was educated in the public schools, supple- 
 mented by several terms at the Academy, and is a farmer by occupation. November 
 28, 1838, he married Elizabeth, oldest daughter of Frederick M. and Dorothy Moore. 
 They have had ten children, nine of whom survive, as follows: Frederick M., Jennie, 
 Catherine Y., Dorothy, Daniel M., Helen M., Alice V., M. Isabella, Josephine F. Jacob, 
 his father, was born here also, and married Catherine Yanney, of this place, December 
 26, 1809. They had three children, John, Jacob and Henry. Mr. Boshart's great- 
 grandfather came from Alsace, near Strassburg, Germany; first located in New Jersey, 
 and afterwards removed to Johnstown, and in 1756 to the place where Mr. Boshart 
 now lives. The grandmother of the latter, Mrs. Margaret E. Yanney, (born Kline,) 
 was captured by the tories and Indians during the battle near Sir William Johnson's 
 hall, cruelly treated, and imprisoned in Tryon county jail, while her husband and his 
 brothers were away fighting them. His father freed his slaves a number of years be- 
 :fore the State set them free, and built a house at a place called " The Cliffs " for those 
 ±hat left him. 
 
 Bower, Charles, Stratford, was born on the 16th of August, 1863, in Stratford, and 
 is a son of Sebastian and Carrie (Miller) Bower. Charles was educated in the public 
 schools and was reared as a farmer and lumberman. At the age of twenty-two years, 
 he married Libbie Knapp, a native of Stratford and a daughter of James E. and Mary 
 J. (Jeffers) Knapp, who are residents of Gloversville. The father (James B. Knapp), 
 was an early settler of Stratford, where he lived and died. They had five children, two 
 sons and three daughters. Mr. Knapp has always been a lumberman. Mr, Charles 
 Bower and wife had two children, George and Maud. Mr. Bower has always been 
 engaged in the lumber business and he has been highway commissioner of Stratford 
 two terras, besides holding other offices. 
 
 Bower, Joseph W., Stratford, waa born on the 14th of June, 1855, in Stratford. 
 He is a son of Sebastian and Carrie (Miller) Bower, and was educated in the common 
 schools and was brought up on the farm and in the lumber business. On the 27lh of 
 August, 1877, he married Laura Bliss, a native of Stratford, and a daughter of M. Wm. 
 and Lucretia (Yale) Bliss. Mr. Bower and wife have had three children : Lloyd A., 
 James M. and Bertie B. Mr. Bower learned the carpenter's trade and also that of mill- 
 wright. He has also been engaged in lumber business with Frank Shead. He is gen- 
 eral superintendent of the Oregon department for Livingston & Co. and has an inter- 
 
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FAMILY SKETCHES. ii 
 
 est in the business. They are extensive lumber manufacturers and have a general 
 store at Oregon. He has held this position for five years. 
 
 Bower, Sebastian, Stratford, was born on the 26lh of December, 1828, m Germany, 
 and is a son of Adam Bower, a native of Germany. Adam Bower was a farmer and 
 died when Sebastian was about one year old, and his wife died when he was six weeks 
 old. Sebastian was brought up by his guardian, Sebastian Wagner, and learned the 
 profession of veterinary surgeon from his uncle, Joseph Bower. In 1850 Sebastian 
 married Carrie Miller, a native of Germany, who was born on the 24th of September, 
 1829, and is a daughter of George and Margaret Hager Miller, who reared a family of 
 thirteen children. Sebastian had one sister, Maggie, who died in Germany at the age 
 of twenty-two years. Mr. and Mrs. Bower had the following children : Mike, deceased ; 
 George ; Joseph ; Emma, who is Mrs. Douglas Smith, of Waterloo, and has one child 
 named Iva May ; Dena, who is the widow of Horace Horton, ot Glens Falls ; Charles ; 
 Edward, who married Elba Gibson, a daughter of Ephraim Gibson, ot Stratford, and 
 Maggie, who still lives with her parents. In 1852 Sebastian Bower came to America 
 and remained in New York city and in Brooklyn for two years. He then went to 
 Stratford and has since resided in the township. He first worked in a tannery for Joseph 
 Helterline, and afterwards dealt in lumber and bark. He owns about 1,200 acres of 
 land aud has cleared considerable. He practices veterinary surgery, and is a member of 
 GarogJ. Lodge, No. 300 F. and A. M. He was one of the firsi settlers of the north part. 
 of the township. 
 
 Bowman, Julius F., a farmer of Northville, was born in Columbia county, January 4, 
 1834, a son of Isaac and Submit (Frary) Bowman. His father was a native of the 
 above county and of French ancestry; his grandfather was a soldier with La Fayette 
 in the revolutionary army and came from France. His mother was a native of Con- 
 necticut; her father was a revolutionary soldier, having enlisted at sixteen years of age. 
 His father was a farmer and came to Hamilton county in 1840, settling in Hope, near 
 Northville. He was a strong Republican and an active member and one of the found- 
 ers of the Presbyterian church of Northville. Julius F. Bowman was a soldier in the 
 civil war, and saw nearly four years' service. He enlisted December 9, 1861, in Com- 
 pany D, 93d New York "Vol Inf , served three years, and re-enlisted in the same regi- 
 ment. He was in the army of the Potomac and participated in the following battles: 
 Yorktown, Fredericksburg, The Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, and many 
 others. Mr. Bowman was first sergeant when discharged, and was several times 
 wounded. He received an honorable discharge on July 12, 1865. He is a pensioner 
 since December, 1891. He owns a. fine farm in Northampton and has built himself a 
 pleasant residence m the village. In politics he is a Republican, and is a member of 
 the G. A. R. He was married April 8, 1857, to Matilda R. Lobdell, who was born May 
 1 1837. They have two children : Ward M., born July 4, 1859, who married Libbie 
 Ames ; and Isaac E., born June 4, 1861, a photographer in Northville. Mr. Bowman 
 and wife are members of the Presbyterian church. 
 
 Boyce, Linn L., Northampton, a lawyer and ex-member of the legislature was born 
 May 16, 1851, in New Berlin, Chenango county, a son of Christopher and Betsey (Cor- 
 
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12 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 bin) Boyce. His father was of Sotch-Irish origin and his mother of Enghsh and French 
 Huguenot, his father being a native of Worcester and his mother of Wilhamstown, 
 Mass. Mr. Boyce is the third in a family of five, having two sisters and two brothers. 
 His father was a captain in the state mihtia and held many offices in the gift of the peo- 
 ple. Linn L. received his education in the common schools and New Berlin Academy, 
 and in 1872 commenced the study of the law at Norwich, with Calvin L. Tefft, who 
 was district attorney. He was admitted to the bar at Albany, November, 1875, and at 
 once entered upon the practice of his profession at Norwich, where he remained until 
 the spring of 1877, when he came to Norlhville. He was elected to the legislature in 
 the fall of 1883, and was a member of the judiciary and public lands committees, and is 
 one of the leading attorneys in the county. He has been a member and clerk of the 
 Board of Education of Northville Union School since 1877. On May 29, 1878, he mar- 
 ried Eva, daughter of Andrew J. and Elizabeth (Wales) Davis, of New Berlin, his na- 
 tive place. Mrs Boyce is of English descent. They have one child (Clara E.), born 
 July 14, 1886. Mr. Boyce enjoys an extensive and lucrative practice and holds an hon- 
 ored place in his profession. He is a Republican in politics, and an active workei- in 
 the party. He has acted as assistant to the district attorney of Hamilton county most 
 of the time since his residence in Northville. 
 
 Bradford, J. Theodore, Broadalbin, was born in Broadalbin in 1845. a son of James 
 and Mary (Koontz) Bradford. His father was a farmer, and of late years a butcher. 
 In politics he was a Democrat. T. J. Bradford was educated in the common schools, 
 :and afterwards engaged as clerk in a drug and dry goods store, where he remained for 
 .several years. In 1866 he started in the drug business at Broadalbin, under the firm of 
 Knapp & Bradford. In 1868 the name was changed to Bradford & Dickenson, which 
 ■continued until the death of the latter in 1870. Mr. B.'had an interest in the same 
 business at Northville for several years. He has also been connected with the drug 
 itrade at Amsterdam since 1883. Mr. Bradford married, in 1867, Antoinette, daughter 
 of John Thompson, who has been a paper manufacturer for many years. Her mother 
 was Mary B. Capron. They have three children, as follows: Celestia, Ralph and Le- 
 roy. Mr. Bradford is an active member of the Presbyterian Church, and his wife of 
 the Baptist Church. He is a Democrat in politics, and one of the most influential 
 citizens of the community. 
 
 Briggs, Charles E., Johnstown, was born at the old homestead near Johnstown, 
 April 24, 1831. He was educated in the public schools, and by occupation is a farmer. 
 He married twice ; first on December 16, 1856, to Julia H. Failing, of Palatine, and 
 they had three children : George R., who died aged 19, Gertrude, who married DeWitt 
 C. Smith, of St. Johnsville, and Mary C, who married John P. Snell, of Palatine. His 
 second wife was Sabia, fourth daughter of Jacob and Maria (Green) Burton, by whom 
 he had three children, one daughter and two sons: Sabra, Charles and Archibald. Mr. 
 Briggs' father, Elisha, was born in Washington county in 1787, and came.to Johnstown 
 in 1816. He was also twice married, the first wife being Debora Weir, and they had 
 four children : Eliza, Nancy Y., Alma and John W. His second wife was Sarah Bab- 
 cock, of Chatham, Albany county, by whom he had seven children: Garrett E., Thomas 
 
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FAMILY SKETCHES. 13 
 
 R., William A., Delevan, Charles E., Daniel C. and Mary E. The anceftors of both 
 £ides of the families were in the revolutionary war. 
 
 Briggs, Garrett E., Johnstown, was born in Johnstown on the 17th of May, 1823, 
 and was educated in the public schools. He was one of Johnstown's progressive farm- 
 ers. On the 29th day of February, 1848, he married Almira Dillenbeck, of Canajo- 
 harie. They had six children: one died in infancy, and the survivors are Daniel; 
 Helen B. ; Nancy Y., who married Fred Mister, of Kmgston, N. M. ; Garrett W., who 
 conducts a first class harness store in Johnstown; and Almira. Helen E. is the farmer 
 on the old homestead. Mr. Briggs died January 18,. 1866, and Mrs. Briggs December 
 11, 1874. 
 
 Briggs, William T., Johnstown, was born in Johnstown October 6, 1856. He was 
 educated in the common schools and also took a scientific course at Phillips Academy 
 at Andover, Mass. He was afterwards associated with his father in the various enter- 
 prises which he so ably conducted, and is now a glove manufacturer in company with 
 James Stewart, under the well know name of Stewart & Briggs. On June 3, 1870, he 
 married Libbie A., second daughter of Martin and Elizabeth Kennedy, of Johnstown, 
 and they have had four children: Willie T., who died aged eight years; M. Kennedy, 
 who died aged one year ; Rachel S. ; and Elizabeth. Mr. Briggs' father, Thomas R., 
 was born in Johnstown December 29, 1824. He married Rachel Sammons, of Mont- 
 gomery county, and they had five children: Sarah B., Juha A., William T., Charles E., 
 and Sidney L. Mr. Briggs' father, Thomas R., owned a large amount of real estate, 
 and William T. follows in his footsteps in those secure investments. The families of 
 Sammons and Briggs were among the earhest pioneers in this region of country, " caus- 
 ing the wilderness to blossom as the rose." 
 
 Brockett, Clinton, Oppenheim, was born in Oppenheim November 6, 1826. He is a 
 son of Zephi Brockett, a native of Wollcott, Hartford county. Conn., born June 21, 
 1784. He was a son of Amos Brockett, a native of Connecticut, born April 10, 1757, 
 who in 1803 moved to Salisbury, Herkimer county, and resided there until his death, 
 June 10 1824. Zephi Brockett was educated in the public schools of Connecticut and 
 brought up on a farm. He married Sally P. Plant, February 3, 1803, a native of 
 Southington, Hartford county. Conn., born April 11, 1784, and they had eleven child- 
 ren of whom two survive: Clinton and Amos. In 1800 Zephi came to this place, 
 fording East Canada creek in a two-wheeled cart, peddling tinware. In 1803 Zephi 
 moved to Salisbury, then went to Norway, Herkimer county, and in 1813 to Oppenheim, 
 where he lived until his death, April 20, 1850. When he came to Oppenheim in 1813 
 he kept a hotel until 1835 ; then his two sons, James P. and Charles G. Brockett kept 
 it for some twenty-five years. Charles G. died April 5, 1874 ; James P. Brockett died 
 April 12 1887. Zephi was postmaster at Brockett's Bridge from 1826, when the office 
 was first established, to the time of his death. He was at one time supervisor .and 
 and assessor of his town, and also held other minor offices. His wife died May 23, 
 1874. Clinton Brockett was reared on a farm and received a common school educa- 
 tion. He remained at home until the death of his father. February 24, 1881, he mar- 
 ried Ruth A. Leek, who was born in Oppenheim in 1836. She is a daughter of John 
 
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14 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 Leek, of the same town. Mr. Brockett has been a farmer and carpenter all his life, and 
 both he and his wife are members of the M. B. Church at Dolgeville. 
 
 Brockett, Zephi G., Oppenlieim, was born in Brockett's Bridge (Oppenheim), Febru- 
 ary 19, 1863. He is a son of James P. and Josephine (Brown) Brockett, who reared 
 two children, Zephi and Nellie. James P. was born in Salisbury, Herkimer county, 
 August 3, 1807. When a boy he came to Oppenheim with his parents, who settled at 
 Brockett's Bridge. Here he resided until his death. He married first Christina P. Judd, 
 and after her death he married, on April 28, 1861, Josephine Brown, daughter of 
 Nathan and Polly (Churchill) Brown. Mr. Brockett succeeded his father as post- 
 master at Brockett's Bridge, which office he filled until 1882. He was justice of 
 the peace a number of years, and held numerous offices. He died April 12, 1887. 
 Zephi G. received his education at Dolgeville, and the Albany Normal College, after- 
 wards teaching school. In 1889 he engaged in the drug and grocery business at 
 Dolgeville, carrying a full line of diugs, paints, groceries, etc. He is a member of 
 the Dolgeville Lodge, No. 796, P. & A. M.; Dolgeville Lodge, No. 137, I. O. 0. P. 
 and also a member of Dolgeville Lodge, No. 1263, R. A. He is also an active member 
 of the Utica Cycling Club, of Utica, N. T. 
 
 Bronk, Bphraim, Ephratah, was born December 11, 1836, in Bphratah, a son of John 
 and Rachel (Friedrich) Bronk. Bphraim received a common school education, together 
 with several terms at the Johnstown and Fort Plain Academies. He married, in 1858, 
 Helen A., daughter of Daniel and Bmily (Burnham) Lassell, who reared ten children. 
 Daniel was a son of William Lassell, who was born in Schenectady, and came to Las- 
 sellsville in 1803. He was a son of George Lassell, a Frenchman, and a very early 
 settler of Schenectady. He and his wife, Mary, both died in Fulton county. William 
 Lassell was a hotel-keeper at Lassellsville for a number of years, and was the first post- 
 master at that place. Daniel Lassell was a merchant in Lassellsville for sixty years. He 
 was justice of the peace and supervisor. He died in 1883, and his wife in 1861. 
 His second wife was Mary Powers. The children of Bphraim Bronk and wife are: 
 Calvin, Bernice, John C, Daniel L., Charles D., Kittie L., Eddie C. and Freddie (twins), 
 Ida, Fay, and Rossie. Mr. Bronk was a practical surveyor for thirty years, and also 
 followed teaching a number of years. He was justice of the peace thirteen years; is 
 a member of Garoga Lodge, No. 300, F. & A. M., a Lutheran, and was justice of ses- 
 sions two terms. His parents reared three children, of whom Bphraim is the oldest 
 and only one living. John was a son of Caspar Bronk, who came from Greene county, 
 and settled in Fulton county in 1825. He lived and died in the town of Johnstown. 
 John Bronk was born in Greene county in 1813 and married in 1836. His wife died in 
 1842 and he then married Esther Bell. She. died and he married, third, Annice Bissel. 
 Mr. Bronk has been engaged in selling nursery stock for fifteen years. 
 
 Brower, Delos, Johnstown, was born on the 10th day of October, 1855, in St. Johns- 
 ville, and was educated in the common schools. For five years he was a clerk in a grocery 
 store, and in every position of trust he has occupied he has been known as a reliable and 
 industrious clerk. He afterwards was employed by the Fonda, Johnstown and Glovers- 
 ville railway, but is now manufacturing leather, and if attention to business, and good 
 
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FAMILY SKETCHES. 15 
 
 judgment count anything, we shall hear from him later. He married Sata, second 
 daughter of Simeon Dye, by whom he has two sons, Ernest and John D. 
 
 Brown. Anson, Oppenheim, is a son of Charles A. Brown, a native of Temples, 
 Hillsborough county, N. H., born May 31, 1811. The latter was the second son of 
 Jonas and Mary (Barker) Brown, who reared three children : David B., Charles A., 
 and Jonas D. The father of Jonas (Jonas, sr.) was a native of Concord, Mass., born 
 December 1.0, 1753. He was in the revolutionary war, and at the battle of Bunker 
 Hill. His wife was Hannah Hale, daughter of Major Hale, of revolutionary fame. 
 Their children were as follows: Jonas, Charles, Ephraim, Lucas, John, Polly, Cyrus, 
 and Thomas B. When a young man Jonas came to Temples, N. H., where he lived 
 and died July 31, 1834. His wife died April 27, 1838. Their son, Jonas, jr., was born 
 July 10, 1785, at Temples, and there grew to manhood and married Nancy Barker. He 
 came to Fulton county in February, 1839, and engaged in farming, and there he died 
 November 1, 1870, His wife, who was born December 24, 1786, died in Hancock, N. 
 H., on July 25, 1859. The father of Nancy Barker was David, who served seven years 
 in the revolutionary war. He was a drummer, and beat the drum to the death march 
 of Major Andre. He died in Hancock, N. H., in 1820. Charles A. Brown received a 
 common school edusation, supplemented by several terms in New Ipswich and Willton 
 Academies. He married Sarah French, August 25, 1836, who bore him two children, 
 both of whom died in infancy. His wife died March 26, 1838, and November 26, 1841, 
 Mr. Brown married Erameline Weston, daughter of Ezra Weston, a native of Pittsfield, 
 Mass. Charles Brown and wife have seven children: Charles F., Alvira, Anson E., 
 Newton W., Mancy C, Sarah E. and George A. Mr. Brown has been school commis- 
 sioner, assessor and town clerk, also coroner. He taught school for a number of years. 
 His brother, Jonas, was in the' late war, and died at Fortress Monroe. Mrs. Brown 
 and her parents were members of the Baptist church. 
 
 Brown, Anson E., Oppenheim, was born March 31, 1850, in Oppenheim, was reared 
 on a farm, and after receiving a common school education attended the Fairfield 
 Academy for several terms. He afterwards studied medicine and attended the medical 
 school at Ann Arbor, Mich. His health faihng, he was obliged to discontinue the study 
 of medicine. He followed farming and teaching for a number of years. May 27, 1879, 
 he married Adelia Robinson, who was born in Oppenheim in November, 1860. To 
 Anson Brown and wife one son has been born. Newel, on March 5, 1880. Soon after 
 his marriage, Mr. Brown engaged in the mercantile business in partnership with Mr. D. 
 C. Leak, his brother-in-law, with whom he was connected eight years, when the part- 
 nership was dissolved, and Mr. Brown and his brother George entered into partnership 
 in the mercantile business at Oppenheim, where they continued until June 2, 1892, when 
 the firm dissolved and the business is now conducted by A. E. Brown. Mr. Brown was 
 elected town clerk in 1892. 
 
 Brown, Augustus, Oppenheim, was born in Oppenheim May 15, 1814, a son of Joisah 
 and Betsey (Galusha) Brown, who reared ten children. Josiah, the grandfather, a 
 native of Massachusetts, was a .soldier in the revolutionary war, who afterwards came 
 to Oppenheim, where he died. Josiah, jr., was born in 1783, came to this town, and 
 
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1 6 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 followed farming. He represented Fulton county in the Assembly in 1831, was super- 
 visor, assessor, and highway commissioner for a number of years. He died in 1852. 
 His son, Augustus, was reared on the farm, and received a common school education. 
 October 17, 1838, he married Juliette Hickox, a native of Massachusetts, and they had' 
 children as follows: Sarah E., now Mrs. Archibald Allen, who resides at St. Johns- 
 ville ; Stephen H., who lives at home and is an egg dealer; Lottie M., who resides 
 with her parents ; Frank, who resides in Canada and is an egg dealer ; Chauncey Gr., 
 married Delia, daughter of John and Barbara Sheffer, St. Johnsville ; Chauncey G-. 
 Brown is a traveling salesman. He and his wife have two children, Augustus and 
 DeWitt. Mr. Brown has been supervisor for four years in succession. Augustus Brown 
 has served his town as overseer of the poor and excise commissioner for five years; also 
 postmaster under James Buchanan's administration. 
 
 Brown, Byron D., glove manufacturer of Mayfield, was born in Broadalbin, August 
 4, 1854, and is a son of Isaac and Laura M. (Smith) Brown, natives of this county. 
 Isaac Brown was a manufacturer of paper at the Eagle Mills, near Union Mills, in the 
 town of Broadalbin, for about twenty years, and returned to Mayfield to the farm, 
 where he died November 21, 1880. Byron D. was reared on the farm, and in 1876 he 
 came to Mayfield. In 1881 he engaged in the manufacture of gloves and mittens, in 
 which he has been doing a fine business. He owns a very pleasant residence in the 
 village, and a large factory near. He is a grandson of "Quaker Nathaniel Brown," who 
 came to Mayfield in 1807 from Saratoga county, and was one of the first settlers, being 
 of English origin. Byron D. Brown was married April 15, 1884, to Elizabeth A., 
 daughter of William Griffis, of Gloversville. He is a Republican in politics and has 
 been town clerk for four years, and is now serving his third year as supervisor, last 
 year being chairman of the board. He is one of the representative men of the town- 
 ship. 
 
 Brown, Firmer W., manufacturer of knit glovebacks and justice of the peace of May- 
 field, was born in Mayfield, November 12, 1858, son of Nathaniel W. and Sarah J. 
 (Richardson) Brown, both natives of this town. His father was born in 1821, and was 
 the son of Nathaniel, known as '• Quaker Brown." The father was a manufacturer of 
 gloves at Riceyille for a number of years. He served three years in Company T, Tenth 
 New York Cavalry, in the civil war, and took part in the famous Stoneman raid. He 
 was a pensioner after the war until he died, in 1889. He was a Republican in politics, 
 and a farmer during the latter part of his life. His mother was born August 6, 1827, 
 both of her parents being of Scotch origm, and among the early settlers of Mayfield. 
 Firmer W. Brown was educated in the village school and at Kingsboro Academy, and 
 became a farmer, an occupation which he followed until 1886, when he engaged in the 
 manufacture of knit backs for gloves, which is the only business of the kind in the town. 
 On July 21, 1888, he married Alice C, daughter of John Curran, who was captain of a 
 steamer and manager of a grain elevator, and was killed in 1879. Mrs. Brown was 
 born on July 26, 1866, in Kingston, Ontario. They have two children, Edward C. and 
 Harland N. Mr. Brown is a Republican in politics, and is serving his second year as 
 justice of the peace. His wife is a member of the M. E. church. 
 
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I'AMILY SKETCHES. 17 
 
 Brown, Greorge N., a druggist of Northville, was born in Mayfield, on August 25, 
 1844, and was a son of Isaac and Laura (Smith) Brown, the latter a farmer and native 
 of this county, who was for many years a paper maker at Union Mills. The great- 
 grandfather came from Wales, and the grandfather, who was known as "Quaker" 
 Brown, was a very active man in the church. George N. was educated at the schools 
 of his native village and was in business with his father. In 1865 he engaged in manu- 
 facturing paper at Broadalbin as manager for two years, when he purchased an interest 
 at Thompson with his brother and engaged in the manufacture of tobacco paper, con- 
 tinuing two years, when they built a mill at Rockton, near Amsterdam. They soon 
 sold out, however, and in 1872 he engaged in the drug business at Northville, where 
 he is doing a successful trade in drugs and medicines. He is a Republican in politics 
 and has been town clerk and member of the School Board, also supervisor of the town, 
 in which office he served two years. He has been a member of the Masonic fraternity 
 for twenty-five years. 
 
 Brown, Ira, was born in Oppenheim, December 22, 1848, He is a son of tPeter and 
 Laura A. (Storing) Brown, who reared six children. Peter was a son of William, an 
 early settler of Oppenheim, in which place he lived and died. He had six children. 
 Peter was born in Oppenheim in 1818, in which place he has since resided, being a far- 
 mer. Ira Brown was reared on a farm and educated in the public schools of the state. 
 In November, 1866, he married Martha Hoover, a native of Jefferson county, N. Y., 
 and a daughter of Joseph and Mary Hoover. (They were the parents of twelve chil- 
 dren.) Mr. Hoover formerly followed farming and carpentering, but at the present 
 time lives a retired life in Madison county, at the age of eighty-three years. His wife 
 died some years ago. To Ira Brown twelve children were born : Dorphas (deceased). 
 Prances, Nettie, Charles, Joseph, Eugene, Lansus, Stella, Clarence, (Jay, Pearl and 
 Earl. Mr. Brown. is a farmer. 
 
 Brown, John W., a farmer, of Northville, born in Northampton, May 12, 1832, is a 
 son of Thomas H. and Nancy (Watson) Brown. His father was born in Concord, 
 Mass., in 1791 (January 22), and is looked upon as the oldest man in the county. He 
 remembers having seen General Washington, and was a soldier in the war of 1812. He 
 reared a family of nine children, six of whom are living. Mr. Brovi-n still retains all 
 his faculties. He has been quite a politician and was superintendent of the poor for 
 many years and held other offices. His father was a soldier in the revolutionary war 
 nearly seven years and in many of the hard-fought battles. They are of New Eng- 
 land stock. John W. is now the owner of several farms, comprising altogether about 
 220 acres, and is dealing largely in phosphates, furs and wool. Mr. Brown is an active 
 Democrat, has been justice of sessions, etc., and is now serving his twelfth year as jus- 
 tice of the peace. On February 8, 1859, he married Betsey E., daughter of William 
 and Jane (Hageboon) Housman, of French and Dutch origin. She was born July 14. 
 1820. Her family were descendants of some of the earliest settlers of the town. 
 
 Bruce family. The branch of this family to which this sketch refers is of Scotch 
 
 origin. Abijah Bruce, the first of that name to settle within the bounds of present 
 Fulton county, came to Broadalbin from Massachusetts soon after the revolution, and 
 
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1 8 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 located near what is now known as Mills Corners. He brought with him a family of 
 eight children, namely: Justus, Abijah, Moses, Charles, Patience, Patty, Martha, and 
 Hannah. Many of the sons moved to western states when young men. Moses, how- 
 ever, remained in Broadalbin, following his trade, that of a carpenter. He married 
 first Sally Brown, who bore him three children, two daughters and a son, all of whom 
 are dead. His second wife was Rebecca Roger.«, daughter of James Rogers, of Broad- 
 albin, a family of Protestant Irish descent. Six children resulted from this union, 
 namely: Sally, James, Abijah, Betsey, Andrew R.. and Richard. Sally and Abijah are 
 both deceased. The others are now residents of Gloversville. Andrew R., the third 
 son, was born November 24, 1832, and moved to Gloversville from Broadalbin, when 
 sixteen years of age. He married Mary J. Billingham, May 5, 1855. They have had 
 four children, only one of whom, a daughter named Ella, is living. Mr. Bruce has upon 
 different occasions held the offices of supervisor and assessor, and is at present a justice 
 of the peace. 
 
 Buchanan, John J., Johnstown, was born in Amsterdam, June 26, 1834. He was 
 educated in the public -schools, and in 1855 was appointed deputy postmaster in Johns- 
 itown; continuing in the postal service until 1862. He was then authorized by the gov- 
 ernor to recruit a company of men, which he did — Company D, of the 153d N. Y. Vol- 
 unteers, and was commissioned its first lieutenant. He was promoted captain Septem- 
 ber 14, 1863, and was in the service until the close of the war. Captain Buchanan is 
 in the front rank in G. A. R. circles. He was commander of Post Willard Allen, No, 
 17, department of New York, in 1870, and was commander of M'Martin Post 257, De- 
 partment of New York, in 1882, both of Johnstown. He is also a prominent mason of 
 the Scottish Rite 32°, and senior warden of St. Patrick's Lodge, No. 4. F. and A. M. 
 of Johnstown. In 1883 lie was appointed superintendent of the water works, also vil- 
 lage clerk, both of which positions he still holds, and has, with the exception of village 
 clerk one interval of two years. September 16, I860, he married Catherine, only child 
 of Abram and Fanny Thompson, of Johnstown, and they have five living children, four 
 daugnters and one son : Inez, who married Lewis Shutts; Linda; Fannie R., who mar- 
 ried George J. S. Chant; Charles A. ; and Bertha M. The latter two, and Linda, reside 
 at home. 
 
 Bullock, Chester D., Stratford, was born on the 8th day of November, 1836, and was 
 the fifth of eight children of Henry and Caroline (Ball) Bullock. Daniel, the father of 
 Henry Bullock, was a native of Connecticut. Henry Bullock was born in Stratford, 
 and resided here during his whole life. He practiced medicme for a number of years, 
 and was a prominent man in the township, holding the offices of constable and collector. 
 In 1862 he enlisted in the 97th N. Y. Vols., and was at Gettysburg and Bull Run. His 
 wife died in 1882 and he in 1887. Chester D. received a common school education, 
 and was brought up on a farm. On the 13th of March, 1862, he married Malvina A. 
 Bliss, B daughter of Eli and Amanda (Phillips) Bliss, who reared three children. Mr. 
 and Mrs. Bullock have had two children, Hilda and Harrie E. One died when four 
 years of age. Mr. Bullock is a farmer. 
 
 Burdick, Dr. John E., Johnstown, was born in Johnstown, October 29, 1838. He 
 was educated in the common schools and the Johnstown Academy. In_ the spring of 
 
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FAMILY SKETCHES. 19 
 
 1859 he began to study medicine with the late Dr. Francis Burdick. September 2, 
 1861, he entered the Albany Medical College and graduated May 28, 1863. He prac- 
 ticed with Dr. Francis Burdick until April, 1864. He then moved to Rockwood, where 
 he practiced seventeen years. February 2, 1882, he opened an olTice in Johnstown. 
 On February 8, 1865, he married Caroline, fourth daughter of Silas and Ann (Smith) 
 Shutts, of his native town. Mrs. Burdick died February 2, 1890. While the doctor 
 •was in Rockwood he was health officer for the towns of Caroga and Ephratah, and has 
 held the same position here for ten years. He was one of the examiners of the United 
 States Medical Board four years. His father, Nathan, was born in Johnstown in the 
 year 1814. He married Mrs. Maria (McDougall) Burdick, of this county, by whom he 
 had two children, John B. and George. Mrs. Burdick had a son by her first husband, 
 (George Burdick), whose name was Jason, now a respected farmer of this town. 
 
 Burr Family. — Nathaniel Burr came to Kingsboro about the year 1784, from Connect- 
 icut, his father, John Burr, being a native of the town of Farmington, in that state. 
 Nathaniel and his wife, Abigail, both died in 1822. Their children who lived to matur- 
 ity were Horace, who afterwards went to Ohio; Elijah; Bissell. also went to Ohio; 
 Nathan and James. Elijah moved to Bleeoker, but died in Gloversville. Nathan re- 
 mained in Kingsboro. James Burr was born in Kingsboro, December 12, 1779, and 
 passed part of his married life there, but later on removed to what is now Gloversville 
 where he subsequently carried on the glove and mitten business, and erected the second 
 brick dwelling in the place, the site of which is now occupied by the Alvord House. 
 He married Amarillis Mills, of Kingsboro, in 1804, and their children who lived and 
 raised families were: Caroline A., Selina S., married Henry Churchill; Horatio L, 
 James H., William H., Francis, David M., all born in Kingsboro except the four last 
 mentioned. Horatio L. was born September, 1810, and came to Gloversville with his 
 father when yet a youTig man. During twenty years of his life he was engaged in the 
 lumber business. He married^Betsey Hosmer in 1836, and she died in 1845 without 
 issue. In 1850 he married Lucina Sumner, and their children are : George C, James 
 S., and Horatio L. The fornier two constitute the lumber firm of Burr Brothers, and 
 the latter is the junior partner in the leather manufacturing firm of Cummings & Burr. 
 James H. Burr was born May 9, 1816. He married Azuba M. Warner, September 29, 
 1841. His children are: Harvey W., now living in Gloversville; and Julia A., who 
 married Hubert A. Wood, and resides in Chicago. William H. Burr became an artist, 
 and the only portrait of Pastor Tale was painted by him. He afterward pursued pho- 
 nography with great success in New York, and removed thence to Washington, where 
 he has resided during the last thirty years. 
 
 Callahan, John P., Johnstown, was born in Ireland, December 15, 1849, and came to 
 America in 1859, locating in Troy. He has had charge of the gas works in Troy, Al- 
 bion and Albany. On June 17, 1872, he married Sarah De Wan, of -Canada, and they 
 left Albany and came to Johnstown. They have ten children, six sons and four daugh- 
 ters: Carrie, Minnie, Theobald E., John F. jr., Henry P., W. Alfred, E. Maude, T. De 
 Wan, Mabel M., and B. Sarchfield. Mr. Callahan has had charge of the Johnstown gas 
 works fourteen years, and was first assistant chief of the fire department. He was 
 
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20 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 chief of police three years, deputy sheriff under Humphrey one year, and under Sutlifl 
 three years. On March 1, 1892, he was elected one of the aldermen. In 1887 he en- 
 tered into business for himself in plumbing and gas-fitting. 
 
 Campbell, Daniel Walker, Johnstown, was born on the home farm in the town of 
 Mohawk, Montgomery county, November 10, 1833. He was educated in the public 
 schools and Johnstown Academy, and is a graduate of Westminster College, Pa. In 
 the spring of 1865 he came to Johnstown, and is a member of the firm of Mason, Camp- 
 bell & Co., glove manufacturers. On June 4, 1868, he married Margaret B., second 
 daughter of Andrew and Anna Fulton, and they had four children : John F., Jessie M., 
 Daniel R., and Anna M. Mrs. Campbell died January 28, 1892. Mr. Campbell's 
 father, Duncan, was born in Washington county, December 14, 1803. At the death 
 of his parents, about 181 3, he came here from Schenectady, and made his home with 
 Judge Daniel Walker, where he received an academic education. March 8, 1827, he 
 he married Catherine, youngest daughter of Judge Walker, and went to reside in the 
 town of Mohawk, Montgomery county. They had six children : Margaret, John D., 
 Elizabeth, Daniel W., Jane I., and Catherine M. Mr. Campbell's grandfather and 
 grandmother, and his wife's parents, were all born in Scotland. 
 
 Capron, Laban S., Broadalbin, was born in Broadalbin, February 22, 1821, a son of 
 Orrin and Rosalinda (Knight) Capron, the former a native of Rhode Island, and the lat- 
 ter of Oxford, N. y. The paternal grandparents of Laban S. settled on the farm ad- 
 joining where he now lives, and his great-grandmother was also a resident here. Both 
 families were of English ancestry. Three brothers of Orin were preachers. Two were 
 Baptist and one a Christian preacher. Mr. Capron was reared on the farm, and came 
 to his present location in 1861. His farm contains 112 acres of fine land, and he also 
 owns another good farm of 126 acres. He has been for many years identified with the 
 affairs of the Republican party. He was nine years supervisor of the town, and nine 
 years superintendent of the poor of the county, in which offices he has always acquitted 
 himself to the satisfaction of the people. September 27, 1855, he married Catherine 
 Thompson, born April 30, 1825, a daughter of Dyer and Anna (Robertson) Thompson, 
 who were among the early settlers and influential families of the township. 
 
 Carncross, John, Johnstown, was born in the town of Johnstown, on the 13th of 
 September, 1843. He was educated in the public schools and Johnstown Academy, 
 and followed the honorable occupation of farming until he was twenty-one years old. 
 On the 15th of October, 1865, he married Sarah A., oldest daughter of John Van Ant- 
 werp. They have one daughter, Fannie L. Mr. Carncross is one of Johnstown's en- 
 terprising glove and leather manufacturers, and is identified and interested in the growth 
 and prosperity of the enterprising village of Johnstown. 
 
 Carroll, John M., was born in Springfield, Otsego county, April 27, 1823. His earliest 
 paternal ancestor in this country emigrated from England in 1670. The family is 
 traced to the same stock as that from which Charles Carroll, of CarroUton, descended. 
 His father, Davis Carroll, removed from Connecticut to Otsego county, in 1817, and 
 was a classmate and life-long friend of Governor William L. Maroy. His mother. 
 
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FAMILY SKETCHES. 21 
 
 Plicebe Tourtellot, was of a Huguenot family, whose ancestors emigrated from Bordeaux 
 in 1688. After thorough prehminary studies at Cherry Valley and Fairfield Academies, 
 he entered the junior class at Union College, whence he was graduated in 1846 with 
 the first honors in the classical course, and was one of the three on whom was conferred 
 a special diploma in the course of civil engineering. In the choice of a profession he 
 was strongly inclined toward civil engineering, but finally cho'e the law, which he 
 studied with Judge Hammond of Cherry Valley, and also with Judge Cushney of Fonda. 
 He commenced practice at Broadalbin in 1849, remaining there until 1862, when he be- 
 came a permanent resident of Johnstown. Mr. Carroll was imbued in his youth with 
 the doctrines of Jefferson and has never swerved from the principles of the highest 
 school of Democracy. In 1859 he was elected district attorney of Fulton county, and 
 after the expiration of his term was nominated to the ofiice of State senator, but de- 
 clined. In 1870 Mr. Carroll was elected to the Forty-second Congress and served his 
 term with marked ability. He served on the committee of post-offices and post-roads, 
 and devoted much time and labor to the preparation of bills abolishing the franking 
 privilege, establishing the modern system of postal cards, and revising and codifying 
 the postal laws ; which bills were passed by that Congress. During the year 1872 the 
 tariff was revised and Mr. Carroll succeeded in having raw-hides and skins placed upon 
 the free-list, and also the tariff on gloves continued ; both of which were of great bene- 
 fit to his constituents and materially aided the glove industry of Fulton county in at- 
 taining its present distinction. At the close of his term Mr. Carroll declined a renomi- 
 nation, and since then has invariably declined nominations to other offices. He 
 preferred to devote himself exclusively to the practice of his profession, in which he 
 has attained an eminence which few have equaled and none excelled in this section of 
 the state. He was married, December 16, 1862, to Augusta Marion, daughter of Dr. 
 Freeman Tourtellot, of Saratoga county. They have three sons : Edward Tourtellot, 
 who graduated from Union College in 1889 and is now a student at the Episcopal 
 Theological School at Cambridge, Mass. ; Fred Linus, who graduated from Union Col- 
 lege in 1890 and is now reading law in the offices of Carroll, Fraser & Mason ; and John 
 Davis, who is prepared to enter Union College at the beginning of the next college 
 year. 
 
 Case Joseph W., Johnstown, was born December 18, 1826, and was educated in the 
 public schools. Mr. Case has had a variety of occupations, and he is now a farmer, 
 a small-fruit grower, and a first-class poultry raiser. On the 29th of December, 1859, 
 he married Margaret Miller. They have one son, Miller L., born July 7, 1861. He is 
 well educated, and on the 18th of September, 1884, he married Lulu Belding. She died 
 May 4,' 1885. 
 
 Chant, Ralph R., Johnstown, was born in Milborne Port, Somersetshire, England, 
 August 11, 1858, and came with his parents to Johnstown when he was but fourteen 
 years old, where he finished his education in the academy. He learned the glove trade 
 from his step-father, Charles Weare, and is now manufacturing gloves under the firm 
 of Weare & Chant. On the 17th day of July, 1889, he married Anna M., second 
 daughter of Stephen Sutliff, of Johnstown. They have one son, James L. R. R., born 
 
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22 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 May 7, 1890. Mr. Chant's father, James, was born at the old home in 1809 ; he mar- 
 ried Harriet G. Belben, by whom he had two children, Ralph R., as above noted, and 
 George J. S, who is a glover with his brother. Mr. Chant died November 11, 1867, 
 and is buried in the family plot in St. John's churchyard, at their former home in 
 England. On the 3d of September, 1871, Mrs. Chant married Charles Weare, all now 
 being of Johnstown. 
 
 Chapman, George H., John.stown, was born in Broadalbin, August 17. 1862. He 
 was educated in the public schools and always resided at home until he came to Johns- 
 town, a few years ago. November 18, 1883, he married Catharine B. Crouse, of 
 Oneida, and they have two children, both boys, James B., and George R. Mr. Chap- 
 man's father, James B., was born in Otsego county, andformany years was a resident of 
 Broadalbin. He married Rhoda Fuller, of the above town, and they have three chil- 
 dren, William, George H., and Edwin C. 
 
 Chapman, James B., Broadalbin, a salesman of gloves and mittens, was born on the 
 30th of December, 1831, in Middlefield, Otsego county, and is a son of William and 
 Mary Ax tell Chapman, both natives of Leicestershire, England. They came to Amer- 
 ica in 1830. His father was a farmer and came to Fulton county in 1839, and located 
 near Gloversville. He was a Democrat in politics, and he and his wife were members 
 of the Baptist church. He died at the age of seventy-nine years, and his wife at the 
 age of eighty-four years. They had eleven children, of whom James B. is the fifth. 
 Mr. Chapman was reared on a farm, and about 1850 he engaged in the manufacture of 
 gloves and mittens ; about 1858 he engaged with Melancton Belden as a traveling sales- 
 man in gloves and mittens, and after two years he was connected with I. V. Place in 
 the same line, with whom he continued for about twenty-six years. Since that time he 
 has partly retired from business. He was married on the 15th of November, 1855, to 
 Rhoda M. Fuller, a native of Berlin, Rensselaer county, and a daughter of Moses P. and 
 Polly Rhodes Fuller, both natives of the above place. Her maternal great-grandfather 
 Perrigo was a surgeon all through the war of the revolution ; her grandfather, Samuel 
 Rhodes, was a soldier in the same war. She was born September 7, 1829. Mr. and 
 Mrs. Chapman have three sons, William F., George H., Edwin N., who is shipping 
 clerk for the Broadalbin Knitting Company. The two former are manufacturers of 
 gloves and mittens in Johnstown and under the name of Chapman Brothers ; Mr. 
 Chapman is a Democrat as well as all the sons. He is a Mason. Mrs. Chapman is a 
 member of the Baptist church. 
 
 Christie, Donald, a native of Scotland, came to this country in 1802, settling with his 
 family in the town of Mayfield. The family afterward became scattered, three of the 
 sons and all of the girls locating m Livingston county. John, the oldest child, remained 
 on the home farm, and on him devolved the care of the property. He first married a. 
 Miss MoKinley, by whom he had one child. His second wife was Janette Robertson, 
 who bore him five children : Mary, Lucy, Janette, Sarah and John, jr. John Christie, 
 jr., was born in Mayfield, October 20, 1824. His young life was spent on the farm, 
 but later on he built a tannery in Mayfield, which he conducted some years, but with 
 indifferent success. In 1864 he came to Gloversville and became connected with the 
 
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FAMILY SKETCHES. 23 
 
 glove industry, but not as proprietor. Mr. Christie married Mary Ann Vrooman, Jan- 
 uary 20, 1848, and had seven children. In 1890 and 1891 Mr. Christie represented his 
 district in the State Legislature. 
 
 Christie, Duncan, Johnstown, was born June 17, 1853. He was educated in the 
 Union School of Johnstown until he began to learn his father's trade of painting, pa- 
 pering and ornamental work, and he is now a contractor on his own account. March 
 28, 1888, he married Kate Oliver, of Johnstown, formerly of Otsego county, and they 
 have one son, George Hugh, born January 7, 1892. Hugh, father of Duncan, was born 
 in Mayfield in 1826. In 1849 he married Mary Monroe, of Johnstown, and they had 
 four children, three of whom survive : Duncan ; Kate, who married Frank Hudson, of 
 Detroit, Mich.; and Walter D., who married Amanda Meyer, of Johnstown, where 
 they reside. 
 
 Christman, James L., Johnstown, was born in the town of Root, June 7, 1834. He 
 was educated in the public schools and learned the carpenter's trade, and afterwards 
 became a millwright, and as such is appreciated in the several mills in Johnstown and 
 vicinity. Fie came here on March 26, 1875. In the year 1864 he enlisted in Company 
 K, 142d New York Volunteers, and was honorably discharged at the close of the war. 
 March 18, 1855, he married Harriet, daughter of Victor I. and Mary Vosburg. They 
 have six children, three sons and three daughters: Millard, Kate, Delmer, John, Eva 
 and Alpha. 
 
 Clark, David, Johnstown, was born April 11, 1828. He was educated in the public 
 schools and Johnstown Academy, and is a farmer by occupation. January 28, 1857 
 he married Hannah, oldest daughter of Benjamin and Eliza A. (Palmer) Baker, by 
 whom he had six children, three sons and three daughters, namely: Kitty, now Mrs. 
 Charles Miller of Johnstown ; Nelson B., Lisa P., Anna E., Harry D. and Arthur B. 
 The last five named reside at home. David's father, Duncan Clark, was born May 20, 
 1791. He married Anna Walker, of this town, and had five children : Christiana, Eliza- 
 beth, Ann, Robert and David. Mrs. Clark's father, Benjamin Baker, was born in 
 Northampton in 1806 and her mother in 1807. Their three children were Hannah L., 
 Nelson and Emily. 
 
 Clark, George, Perth, Amsterdam p. o., was born on the farm of his present resi- 
 dence, June 6, 1818, a son of George and Mary (Major) Clark. George, the father, 
 came to this country in 1801 from Perthshire, Scotland, and was married in 1808 to 
 Mary (Hetherington) Major, who came from Scotland previously. They were the par- 
 ents of seven children, four of whom are living: Joseph, of Amsterdam; Margaret E. 
 Campbell, of Johnstown ; Jane M. McVain, of Caledonia, N. Y. ; and George, the sub- 
 ject. When his father came here he bought fifty acres which he cleared off and kept 
 adding to it until his death, when he left about 140 acres. He died in 1862, eighty-two 
 years old. George was left the old homestead farm, and it has always been his home. 
 He was educated in the common schools, and worked the farm on shares until it became 
 his own. September 16, 1856, he married Mary H. Wilde, daughter of Joshua and 
 Phoebe (Bostwigk) Wilde, and they were the parents of five children, two of whom are 
 
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24 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 ■living : Edward W., a druggist of Amsterdam, and George M., a dentist at Gloversville. 
 Mrs. Clark died August 7, 1872, thirty-six years of age. Mr. Clark has always taken an 
 interest in the politics of his town, has held the honored position of supervisor three 
 years, first elected in 1862 again in 1876, and again in 1877, which shows the high es- 
 teem of his townsmen. He is the only living original director of the First National 
 Bank in Amsterdam and still holds that office. He is also a director of the Farmer's 
 Insurance Company of Fulton and Montgomery counties. October 15, 1879, he mar- 
 ried Mary C. Glenn, of Glenville, and they have had one child, Jessie Alice, born 
 August 21, 1881, who lived long enough to become loved by all who knew her, dying 
 December 7,' 1887. Mr. Clark is one of the leading farmers of Fulton county, cultivat- 
 ing 250 acres out of 470. 
 
 Clark, James B., Stratford, was born on the 14th of March, 1825, in Westchester 
 county, and is a son of Nathaniel Clark and Hester (Banks) Clark, who had a family of 
 eight children. Nathaniel Clark's father, Henry, was a native of Westchester county,, 
 where he died in 1843. He married Miss Newman, who died several years before him. 
 They had two sons and two daughters. Nathaniel was born in 1782 in Mt. Pleasant, 
 Westchester county, and was a Methodist for fifty years, dying in 1857 ; his wife died 
 in 1866. James received a common school education and was reared on a farm. In 
 1847 he married Catherine Paulding, by whom he had three children, Hattie, Eliza P., 
 and Julia P., none of whom are living. His wife died in 1878, and he married Nancy 
 A. Rogers. With the exception of six years in New York city, he always resided in 
 Westchester county, until 1874, when he came to Stratford, were he now resides. 
 Mr. Clark is a carpenter and practical surveyor, and has been assessor one term and has 
 taken the enumeration. 
 
 Claus, Eli P., Oppenheim, was born in Oppenheim, Christmas day, 1833. On the 
 same day in 1866 he married Elizabeth C, daughter of .Lyman and Betsey (Forbes) 
 Goff, by whom he has had three children : Chauncy, born January 20, 1868, died March 
 30, 1881 ; the second child died in infancy ; and Jennie E., born April 3, 1877 lives at 
 home. Mr. Glaus has kept hotel in Oppeheim for twenty-three years. He is a son of 
 Peter and Catherine (Maby) Claus, who reared five children. Peter, by a previous 
 marriage to Hannah Vennetta, had four children. He was a son of William Claus a 
 native of Albany county, where he lived and died. Peter was born in Albany county 
 in 1760 and came to Oppenheim about 1795, where he lived until his death in 1847. 
 His second wife died in 1888. He was a prominent man and well known, having kept 
 hotel in Oppenheim many years. The parents of Mrs. Eli P. Claus were born in Madi- 
 son county, where both died, the father in 1887, aged seventy-nine years, and the 
 mother in 1892, aged seventy-nine years. Jonathan Gofl', father of Lyman was a 
 native of Connecticut, and a very early settler of Madison county, where he died. 
 
 demons, John D., Oppenheim, was born in Oppenheim, April 30, 1823. a son of 
 Daniel and Katie (McCoy) Clemons, who reared nine children. Daniel was born in 
 Massachusetts in 1791 and came to Oppenheim with his father (Abijah) in 1820. He 
 was a farmer and member of the Methodist Church, in which he was a class leader for 
 twenty years. He died in 1878, and his wife in 1877. His father married Eleanor 
 
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FAMILY SKETCHES. 25 
 
 Mclntyre, by whom he had eight children. He died in Massacliuselts in 1830. John 
 D. was reared on a farm and received a common school education. In 1850 he married 
 Lena Strobeck, of Oppenheim, daughter of Philip Strobeck, a native of Ephratah. The 
 Strobeck family were early settlers of Fulton county. To John D. and his wife were 
 born seven children : JuHa A., Mary, Emma J., Martha, Salem. William and Charles, 
 all of whom are living. Mr. demons and family are Methodists. 
 
 Cleveland, William, Broadalbin, boss knitter, was born in this town February 11, 
 1862, a son of Daniel 0. and Catharine H. (Laicher) Cleveland. Hi.« father was a 
 native of this county, and his mother of New York city. This family traces its ances- 
 try back to' the thirteenth century. The first known in America was Moses Cleveland, 
 who came from Ipswich, England, in 1635, and settled at Woburn, Mass. All by this 
 name in the United States are descendants from Moses Cleveland. William Cleveland 
 was railroading and engineering when he became connected with the knitting company. 
 November 12, 1885, he married Mary B., daughter of Chauncy Close, of Mayfield, a 
 gardener, and son of Berith Close, who was a man of some note, and many years con- 
 nected with his son in the paper manufacturing business, at what has been known as 
 Closeville. Mrs. Cleveland was born September 10, 1862, and they have one daughter, 
 Jessie L., born December 22, 1888. 
 
 Cline, John W., Johnstown, was born in Oppenheim, April 19, 1830, was educated in 
 the public schools and at Johnstown Academy, and in the early years of his life con- 
 ducted a drug and grocery business at Johnstown, afterwards becoming a glove manu- 
 facturer. In 1879 the Johnstown Bank was organized, and two years later he became 
 its president. In 1885 he ceased the manufacture of gloves. On March 5, 1874, he 
 married Henrietta, youngest daughter of James and Jane (Potter) Bearcroft (of English 
 ancestry). They have one daughter, Nina B. Mr. Cline's father, Knapthale Cline, 
 was born in Oppenheim in 1798, and married Catherine Yost, of Johnstown, by whom 
 he had one daughter, Ruth A., and two sons, Watson C, who died when a boy, and 
 John W. The ancestry of the family is (German and English. 
 
 Close, Abram B., Mayfield, was born in ihe town of Mayfield, September 16, 1827, 
 and is a son of Peter and Mary A. (Brown) Close. Mrs. Mary A. Clo.^ie was a daugh- 
 ter of " Quaker Nathaniel Brown,'' who was one of the earliest settlers of the town- 
 ship and for many years a man of much local influence. Peter Close, Ihe father, was 
 connected with the scythe manufacture for many years at Mayfield, and then became a 
 farmer in Jefferson county. Abram B. was reared on the farm, and at the age of 
 eighteen he engaged as an apprentice in tVie making of gloves. About 1851 he em- 
 barked in the mercantile trade at Mayfield, in which he has continued, and in 1869 en- 
 gaged in the manufacture of gloves and mittens, which he continues at the present 
 time. He has been fortunate in his business enterprises, and is now one of the largest 
 real estate owners in the village. He lost his business place by fire in 1887, and with 
 Amos Christie, of the firm of Close & Christie, immediately erected & large and fine 
 brick block 60x65 feet and three stories in height, in which he now conducts his store 
 and manufactory. He has now connected with him in business Mr. Amos Christie. 
 
 d 
 
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26 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 Mr. Close married, in 1852, Harriet, daughter of John and Mary A. (Woodworth) Hol- 
 lenbeck, who were among the earliest settlers of the town. Mrs. Close's uncle, Wood- 
 worth Solomon, was killed by Indians in the time of the revolutionary war. Mr. and 
 Mrs. Close have had three children : Mary Ann, wife of G. M. Woodworth ; John P., 
 who married Eliza Goodemafe, and is a farmer ; and Hattie, wife of Alva 0. Seeley, 
 who is connected with Mr. Close's firm. Mr. Close has been postmaster for about 
 thirty-two years, justice of the peace for about seventeen years, and is now a notary 
 public. He is a Republican, and has always been a worker in his party. 
 
 Cluuis, Henry, speculator, Broadalbin, was a soldier in the late civil war, having en- 
 listed on the 8th day of October, 1861, in Company D, 77th N. Y. Vols., Bemis Heights 
 battalion, Army of the Potomac, and served three years, participating in the following 
 battles: South Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, Warrenton Junction, 
 Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Winchester, Fisher's Hill and Cedar 
 Creek. He escaped without a mishap, though many balls passed through his clothes, 
 and was honorably discharged December 9, 1864. He has been a dealer in furs and ice, 
 and a speculator since the war. He was born in Corinth, Saratoga county, on the 23d 
 of December, 1839, and is the son of John and Sarah Kinney Clunis. His father was 
 a native of the same place and his mother of Day. Grandfather Clunis was in the war 
 of 1812, and at the battle of Plattsburg. Mr. Clunis was married on the 3d day of May, 
 1860 to Emma Briggs, of Providence, Saratoga county. Her people were among the 
 first settlers of that county. She lost two brothers in the civil war. Mr. and Mrs. 
 Clunis have two children : Frank and Nettie. Mr. Clunis is an independent Democrat, 
 a member of the G. A. R., and, having lost an eye by a sunstroke, has been a pensioner 
 since the time of his discharge. 
 
 Codding, Charles L., Perth, was born in the town of Amsterdam, near Fort Johnson, 
 December 30, 1860, a son of Lorenzo and Lucinda (Stearns) Codding. The original 
 name of this family was Coddington. The grandfather of our subject, Hosea Codding, 
 whose father served with distinction in the revolution, came from Vermont before the 
 war of 1812. He was a blacksmith, and the grandmother of our subject has been told 
 many interesting stories of how the cavalry during that war would stop at this shop in 
 Johnstown to have their horses shod. He died in 1859, leaving six children, four are 
 now living : Hosea P., and Sally Mole, of Whitewater, Wis. ; Emily Van Sickler, of 
 Gloversville, and George W., of Clark, S. D. Lorenzo, father of the subject, died 
 October 14, 1866, thirty-three years of age. He was born in the town of Johnstown 
 and always lived in this section ; was married to Lucinda Stearns, February 8, 1860. 
 They were the parents of but one child, Charles L., the subject. He was six years old 
 when his parents moved to the town of Perth, and where he has since lived. He was 
 educated in the Amsterdam Academy, and the first business he adopted was teaching 
 school. He taught three terms in his own district, and one in an adjoining district. 
 February 1, 1888, he bought the only general store at Perth Centre, where he is doing 
 a good business. April 1, 1888, he received the appointment as postmaster and holds 
 the oflice still. Was town clerk one year and acting justice of the peace. December 
 12, 1888, he married Fanny Canary, of this town, and they have two children, Charles 
 L., jr., born November 26, 1889, and James W., born November 8, 1801. Mrs. Lorenzo 
 Codding makes her home with her son. 
 
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FAMILY SKETCHES. 27 
 
 Coe, James A., Gloversville, p. o., one of the oldest residents of Johnstown, was 
 born February 7, 1818, three miles north of Gloversville. He is a son of George and 
 Amy (Carpenter) Coe. His father was born in 17G9 in Johnstown, and the latter's 
 father was born in Germany and came to the United States and selftled in Johnstown, 
 where he engaged in farming. Durmg the revolutionary war, while in the field at 
 work with his son George, they were captured by the Britisli and taken to Canada, 
 where they were held prisoners until the close of the war. He reared two sons, George 
 and Christopher, and three daughters, all of whom were born in Johnstown. One died 
 there and two in Canada. George engaged in farming. He died in March, 1852, three 
 miles north of Gloversville. In politics he was a Whig. He and his wife were mem- 
 bers of the Presbyterian church. They raised seven children : Phoebe, George, Henry, 
 John, Margaret, James, and Mariah. The mother of James A. was born m Rhode 
 Island and was a daughter of John Carpenter, who came from England. James A. 
 was reared on a farm, received a common school education, supplemented by a course 
 at the academy, and at fifteen years of age began life as a cabinet maker in Kingsboro, 
 where he served as an apprentice four years, spending a year and a half at journey 
 work, after which he began farming on the homestead. Here he continued fifteen 
 years, and in the meantime purchased 300 acres of land, on which he lived about one 
 year, when he removed to Kingsboro and erected a livery and stage barn, the first ever 
 built in the place. Six years later he sold his business, and purchased twenty acres of 
 land northwest of Kingsboro, now in the city limits. Here he has conducted a vege- 
 table garden ever since. He still owns the 300 acres, which is in timber. He was 
 formerly a Whig, and is now a Republican, and has served his town as assessor. In 
 October, 1839, he married Juliett Baird, who was born in Johnstown, a daughter of 
 George and Esther (Elton) Baird, who came from Connecticut to New York after the 
 war of 1812. Mr. and Mrs. Coe have been life members of the Presbyterian church. 
 They reared eight children : Amanda, widow of Harvey Jacobs ; Alvira (deceased) ; 
 Esther; Alice, wife of Chauncy Nott ; George (deceased) ; Louisa; Ettie (deceased); 
 and Reuben, of Minnesota. George, with two sisters, Alvira and Ettie, were drowned 
 while pleasure riding on Canada lake. Mr. Coe has always possessed remarkable 
 energy and good health. 
 
 Cole, James A., is a manufacturer of Northville. He was born in Lansmgburg, Sep- 
 tember 8, 1833. His parents were John and Hearty (Albro) Cole. His father was a 
 native of Vermont, and when a boy came to Northville with his father, Jeremiah, the 
 grandfather of James A. A brother of this grandfather, "Foanes," served in the revo- 
 lutionary army, and James A. has in his possession a wooden canteen carried by that 
 great-uncle in the war. The father of James A. Cole was a physician and was gradu- 
 ted at Union College. He practiced at Lansingburg, Northville, and New York city. 
 In the latter place James A. received his education. He was employed as a clerk for 
 some years, and afterwards engaged in farming for some time. Finally in 1860 he 
 came to Northville and began a mercantile and lumbering business, which he followed 
 for about twenty yeans. In 1880 he invented, patented and manufactured a metallic 
 oilcloth binding. In 1890 a stock company was formed for the manufacture of this and 
 
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28 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 similar articles, of which Mr. Cole is the secretary and Mr. Ray Hubbell is tlie president. 
 This company controls all this class of goods in the United States. James A. Cole is a 
 Republican and one of the substantial and enterprising men of the town, being Past 
 Sachem Sacandaga Tribe, I. O. R. M., and president of cemetery association. Mr. Cole 
 was one of the incorporators of the Gloversville and Northville R. R. Co., and an active 
 member of board of trustees in incorporating said village. March 24, 1861, he married 
 Emeline N., daughter of William A. Smith. She was born August 22, 1839, in North- 
 ville. Mr. and Mrs. Cole have three children, as follows : Carrie, born December 30, 
 1861 ; John A., born March 11, 1866 (has been supervisor of the town) ; and Etta, born 
 August 13, 1870, now the wife of Edgar Palmer. All the family are members of the 
 Baptist church. 
 
 Colgrove, William H., John?town, war born in Charleston, Montgomery county, on 
 the 31st day of January, 1845, and was educated in the public schools and the Fort 
 Plain and Whitestown Seminaries and graduated from the Philadelphia Dental College 
 in the year 1879. For six years he was president of the Fourth District Dental Society, 
 which embraces eleven counties. He has also been censor of the State Dental Society 
 twelve years, and has been re-elected for four years to the same position. He was re- 
 cently elected curator to the dental department of the University of Buffalo. Dr. Col- 
 grove is eminently qualified by education and experience for every department of the 
 profession. He studied with Dr. J. H. Seymour, of Gloversville, the leading dentist of 
 the county, and has practiced in Johnstown since 1872. On the 28th of May, 1873, he 
 married Ella K., the elder daughter of the late William C. and Maria Maxwell, of 
 Xenia, 0. They have had three children ; two girls (twins), died in infancy ; one 
 daughter, Carrie L., survives. 
 
 Collins Family. — This family setted in Connecticut probably during the early part of 
 the eighteenth century. In 1814 Joseph Collins emigrated from Greenville, Greene 
 county (where he had married Hannah Silkman), to Montgomery county, and located 
 two and one-half miles north of Amsterdam village, on the Chuctenunda creek. He 
 had a family of thirteen children, namely: Mahala, Sally, John S., Josiah, Thurza, 
 Abby, Stephen H., Lydia, Edward, Ira, Oliver C, Japhet, William. Of these Abby, 
 Stephen, Ira, Oliver C. and Japhet are still living. Oliver C. was born on the old farm, 
 November 6, 1821, and made it his home until 1854, when he moved to Gloversville, 
 and until recently has carried on his trade of carpenter and builder. He married Sarah 
 C. Wilkins, of Mayfield, March, 1853. Their children have been Edward C, born June 
 16, 1856 ; Cyrus S., born October 17, 1857 ; E. Watson, born August 10, 1861. They 
 all reside with their families in Gloversville. 
 
 Cool, Eli, Johnstown, was born in the town of Ephratah on the 9th of October, 1836. 
 In early life he was a farmer, and was educated in the district schools of the day. He 
 moved from Ephratah to Johnstown in the [year 1870, and has since been a leather 
 manufacturer. On the 31st day of December, 1862, he married Jerusha, eldest daugh- 
 ter of James and Annie Miller, of Ephratah. They have had six sons, one of whom 
 (Arthur) died at the age of two years. The survivors are: Elmer, Fred, Charles, Mil- 
 lard and James. On the 28th of April, 1892, Elmer married Nettie, only daughter of 
 David H. Vrooman, of Johnstown. 
 
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FAMILY SKETCHES. 
 
 29 
 
 Cool, Jay B., Oppenheim, was born in Oppenheim, January 18, 1868, a son of Jacob 
 and Marinda (Bliss) Cool. He received a common school education, being reared on a 
 farm, and afterwards learned the carpenter's trade, which he now follows, together with 
 farming. He is a young man of good habit£, and bids fair to make a successful busi- 
 ness man. He resides with his mother and two sisters, Arvilla and Ida, on the home- 
 stead. Jacob and Marinda Cool were the parents of five children : Benjamin B., Al- 
 mira A., Arvilla J., Jay B., and Ida. Daniel J., father of Jacob, was a native of New 
 York, and a son of John Cool, who, with two brothers, came from Germany and settled 
 in the state about revolutionary times, John settling in Montgomery county, where he 
 lived and died. Daniel J. was born in 1788, was reared on a farm, which he followed 
 his entire life. He was married early in life and had eight sons and three daughters. 
 Mr. Cool was an early settler of the township, and bought the farm on which the sub- 
 ject now resides, about 1828, Jacob Cool was born in Oppenheim, April 10, 1827. On 
 June 16, 1858, he married Marinda Bliss, a daughter of Benjamin Bliss and Almira Phil- 
 lips, the parents of two sons and two daughters. Benjamin was a son of Ebenezer 
 Bliss, a native of Cheshire, Mass. He came to Stratford at an early day. His wife 
 was Roxy Lana Blakely, by whom he had six sons and three daughters. He and his 
 wife both died in Stratford. Benjamin Bliss was born in Stratford, February 6, 1809, 
 and his wife on December 12, 1810. Mr. Bliss was supervisor and assessor of the 
 town, and both himself and family were members of the Baptist Church. His wife 
 died in 1838, and he married in 1839 Lydia Bean, by whom he had five daughters and 
 one son. Mr. Bliss died April 28, 1884. 
 
 Coons, Eugene H., a physician of Mayfield, was born in Schultzville, Dutchess 
 county, April 2, 1859, and is a son of Philip F. and Charlotte A. (Hull) Coons, both na- 
 tives of Columbia county. The family is of German origin. Dr. Coons was educated 
 in the schools of his native village and at Kingston High School. He studied medicine 
 with Dr. Hoyt of Schultzville, and attended lectures at the Albany Medical College, 
 from which he graduated in the clasp of 1886. He at once began the practice of his 
 profession at Mayfield, where he has since had an extensive and lucrative business. He 
 is a member of the County Medical Society, and a Mason, also a member of the Albany 
 Alumni Association. He is a Republican in politics, and has been the health officer of 
 the town for six years. He was county physician in 1889 and 1 881. December 16, 
 1884, he married Jennie L., daughter of Frederick and Martha (Welsh) Selmser. She 
 was born January 21, 1858. Her father was of German origin, and her mother's people 
 were among the early settlers of the county, and of English ancestry. Two of her 
 brothers were in the late civil war, Edward and James. The latter lost his eye-sight 
 by sunstroke. Dr. Coon's father was a miller, which business he carried on for many 
 years. 
 
 Coughnet, James H., Johnstown, was born near Keck Centre, December 2, 1834. 
 He was educated in the common schools, and has been a lumberman and farmer by occu- 
 pation. October 17, 1860, he marriedj Anna, oldest daughter of Frederick and Anna 
 (Nellis) Brower, of Palatine. They have had five children ; one son, Peter, died on 
 February 13, 1864, and four daughters survive, namely: Kate E., Margaret A., Mary 
 
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30 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 and Jennie. Margaret A. married Seward Keck, of Keck Centre, January 22, 1889, 
 and they have one daughter, Anna M., born July 23, 1890. John L. Coughnet was 
 the first of the family in this part of the county in 1791. He married Christina Bos- 
 hart. One of his sons, Peter L, was born on the old homestead on May 20, 1793. Ho 
 married on February 20, 1819, Catherine Groodemout, of the same locality, and they 
 had nine children, seven daughters and two sons: Catharine A., Christina, Dorothy, 
 Elizabeth, Mary M., Hannah, John N., James H. and Abigail. It has been well said of 
 Peter I. Coughnet that he did much good in his day and generation, for the elevation 
 of mankind in his locality. William P. Coughnet was a branch of this family and was 
 born in 1799. On October 16, 1834, he married Abigail B. Tiffany, of Massachusetts. 
 He died March 4, 1887. Mrs. Coughnet survives, aged eighty-seven years, and resides 
 with the above family. 
 
 Cramer, David, Oppenheim, was born in Oppenheim, March 25, 1843, and is the sec- 
 ond son of Peter P. and Lany (Casler) Cramer, who reared a family of two sons and 
 three daughters. The grandfather of David was Phillip Cramer, a native of New 
 York, who came to Oppenheim early in life and remained until his death. His wife 
 was Catherine Hadcock. Peter P. was born in the above place in 1806, was reared 
 on a farm and educated in the public schools. He was a farmer by occupation, and 
 was at one time captain in the mihtia. His wife died in 1880. He now resides 
 at Dolgeville. His son David was reared on a farm and received a common school 
 education. In 1869 he he married Candace, daughter of Aaron and Margaret (You- 
 ker) Cross, and they had four children : Frank and Herbert (both deceased), and Lot- 
 tie and Madge. Mr. Cramer has been a farmer, horse dealer, and cheese manufacturer. 
 He resided in Oppenheim twenty-three years, in Herkimer county three years, and in 
 the state of Pennsylvania fourteen years. In 1884 he purchased his present farm. He 
 is Master Mason in the Dolgeville Lodge, and a member of the grange at Crum Creek. 
 When in Pennsylvania he was supervisor for two years, and collector and school di- 
 rector for six years. 
 
 Creighton, David, Perth, was born on the farm of his present residence, March 30, 
 1852, a son of Duncan and Ursula K. (Major) Creighton. Duncan was a son of Daniel' 
 Creighton, who came to this country from Perthshire, Scotland, and was the first 
 settler in this section. At that time there was no road to Johnstown, only a bridle- 
 path by which they traveled back and forth to the Johnstown church. He was the 
 father of ten children, none of them now living; the last one (Peter, of Amster- 
 dam,) died in April, 1891, sevehty-nine years of age. Duncan was the eighth child 
 born in 1809, and always made his home in this historic place. He was educated in 
 the common schools and March,23, 1836, he married Ursula Major, daughter of John 
 and Jane (Maxwell) Major, of Perth. They have been blessed with five children four 
 are living : Daniel M., of Brooklyn, born December 25, 1837 ; John M., of Fresno 
 county, Oal., born April 13, 1847 ; Mary U., who lives at home, born October 24 1857 
 and David, the subject. David has always lived on the old homestead farm, and at the 
 death of his father, which occurred March 3, 1886, he assumed control of the farm and 
 has since successfully conducted it. He has one of the prettiest places on the Johns- 
 
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FAMILY SKETCHES. 31 
 
 town road, and a fine farm of 100 acres called " Woodlawn," devoted to dairy, hay and 
 grain. He has held offices of honor and trust in his town, which proves the high es- 
 teem in which he is held by his townsmen. His mother still lives in her eightieth 
 year, a true comfort to her children. 
 
 Creighton, William J., Perth, was born on the farm of his present residence March 26, 
 1844, a son of James and Ann (Frazer) Creighton. His grandfather, Daniel Creighton, 
 was born in Perthshire, Scotland, in 1763, and came to this country when twenty-five 
 years of age, and located on the same farm where William J. now lives. His wife, 
 Isabella Cameron, was also born in Perthshire, Scotland, in 1770. They were married 
 in this country, and were the parents of nine children, of which James was the third. 
 Daniel Creighton was a shoemaker, and learned his trade in Scotland. He died De- 
 cember 25, 1838. James Creighton was born September 1, 1804, and always lived on 
 the old homestead. November 12, 1835, he married Ann Frazer, of Albany. They 
 were the parents of five children, four of whom are living: Jennie, wife of James P. 
 Major, of Rochester : Isabella, wife of Alexander McFarlan, of Mayfield ; Mary, wife 
 of Alexander Carmichael, of Johnstown ; and William J., our subject. James Creigh- 
 ton died in 1890, and his wife, Ann, died in 1871. William J. has always lived on the 
 homestead farm. He was educated in the common schools of Perth, and assisted his 
 father on the farm until 1877, when he assumed control of the farm and has since suc- 
 oessfuUy conducted it. At the death of his father it was left to him, and he is proud of 
 being the owner of the old historic spot. It is a place of 100 acres, mostly under cul- 
 tivation for general farming. Mr. Creighton has never been much interested in politics, 
 being content to be known as a successful farmer and good citizen. 
 
 Cross, Charles O., Johnstown, was born in Gloversville on the 30th day of December, 
 1849. He was educated in the common schools and Johnstown Academy, and now is 
 the proprietor of a fine grocery store, corner of West Main and North William streets. 
 He is also owner of the Crown Creamery, situated on Bast Main street. On the 13th 
 day of May, 1874, he married Belle, the youngest daughter of the late James and Grace 
 Cameron, of Perth. They have had four children ; one boy died in infancy, the other 
 three are still living: Flora, Egbert Tracy and Donald Cameron. Mr. Cross's father, 
 Luther M., was born in Poultney, Vt,, in 1819, and came to this county in 1825. He 
 married Mary A. Kennedy and had seven children, three sons and four daughters, and 
 died September 26, 1884, but his wife survives and resides in this village. 
 
 Cross, Nathan, Oppenheim, was_^born in Oppenheim, March 5, 1841, a son of Aaron 
 and Margaret (Youker) Cross, who were the parents of three sons and three daughters. 
 Aaron Cross is the son of Cephas, a farmer and very early settler of Oppenheim. Aaron 
 was born in Oppenheim in 1805 and lived there a great many years, following the oc- 
 cupation of farming; at present he resides in Mayfield. Nathan was reared on a farm 
 and received a common school" education. June 28, 1864, he married Martha Smith 
 daughter of John and Rebecca (Cramer) Smith. The children of Mr. Cross and wife 
 are Gilbert, Maggie (deceased), Johnnie and Healy. Gilbert is a resident of Dolgeville. 
 Mr. Cross is a farmer and stock dealer and has been assessor. He and family are Metho- 
 dists. He is a member of the Grange at Crum Creek, 584. 
 
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32 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 Grossman, Delos W., Stratford, was born in Stratford, July 8, 1839, the third of four 
 children born to Nathaniel R. and Sarah (Wood) Grossman. Nathaniel was a son of 
 Joshua Grossman, a native of Gonnecticut, who came to Stratford about 1808, where 
 he lived and died. He was a farmer, and the father of seven children. He died in 1851 
 and his wife in 1860. Nathaniel R. was born in Gooperstown, Otsego county, and was 
 four years of age when his parents came to Stratford. He learned the carpenter's 
 trade at the age of sixteen and was married in 183G. He was a millwright for a num- 
 ber of years, and then engaged in the manufacture of butter tubs and cheese hoops, 
 which he continued in Stratford about ten years. He was supervisor of his town and 
 held other minor offices. He and his family were prominent Baptists. He died in 
 1874, and his wife now survives at the age of seventy-five years. Delos W. received a 
 common school education, and several terms at Ganandaigua, Fairfield, and Little Falls. 
 At twenty-one years of age he married Etta, daughter of Henry and Esther Morse, of 
 Herkimer county. His wife died in 1866, and he married in 1869 Mary, daughter of 
 William and Mary Philler, of Fulton county, by whom he has had two children, Ralph 
 W. and Fannie B. Mr. Grossman engaged in the mercantile business in Stratford when 
 twenty-one, and followed it about three years, then began the manufacture of butter 
 tubs and cheese hoops, which he followed for twenty years, together with the mercan- 
 tile business, when he sold out to Mr. Helterline. He has been highway commissioner 
 one year, supervisor in 1873-74, and was again elected in 1881-82. He was justice of 
 peace twelve years, justice of sessions one term, and notary public eight years, 
 
 Dade, Frederick, Gloversville, was born in Somersetshire, England, April 5, 1836, and 
 was the son of (Jharles and Maria (Farley) Dade. His father was a glove cutter and 
 Frederick learned the same trade. In 1865 he came to this county and worked three 
 years for Northrup & Richards, in Broadalbin. He also worked six more years at 
 Kingsboro, but in 1876 became a manufacturer. His means at the outset were small, 
 and were the earnings of years of labor. His business life has been entirely successful. 
 Mr. Dade married Jane Harper in Worcestershire, and they have two children : Rosa 
 Maria, wife of Arthur White, and Glara, who died at Kingsboro. 
 
 Darby, George, Bphratah, was born October 24, 1844. His parents were Samuel and 
 Amelia (Wood) Darby, who reared ten children, of whom George was the seventh. 
 Samuel Darby was born in Vermont in 1803 and was educated in the common schools. 
 He died in 1852 in Fulton county where'he had resided for a number of years. His 
 wife now resides in Ephratah, aged eighty-two. George Darby received a common 
 school education, and during the late war enlisted in the Second New York Heavy 
 Artillery in 1863 and served until the close of the war. He was in the battles of Pine 
 Grove, North Anna River and Tolopotamy River, and was there wounded and remained 
 in hospitalfor one year. In 1868 he married Jane, daughter of Henry and Maria (Van 
 Alstine) Soules, who were the parents of ten children. George Darby and wife have 
 two children, John P. and WilHam. Mr. Darby and family are members of the Re- 
 formed Church. 
 
 Davis, John 0., Oppenheim, was born April 16, 1838, in Wales, and is the son of 
 John W. and Esther (Nichols) Davis, both natives of Wales. John W. Davis was born. 
 
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FAMILY SKETCHES. 33 
 
 April 14, 1802 and his wife in 1809. They reared a family of nine children. He came 
 to America in 1845 and settled in Stratford. Mrs. Davis died in 1862, and Mr. Davis 
 married second a Mrs. Austin of Fulton county, by whom he had one child. Mr. Davis 
 died in 1878. John C. Davis received a common school education and was reared on a 
 farm. He has always been engaged in farming and the manufacture of lumber. He 
 married on January 19, 1869, Mary H.JSmith, daughter of Joseph and Amanda (Hurd) 
 Smith. Mr. Smith was a son of Henry Smith, an early settler of Ephratah. Joseph 
 Smith and wife had seven children. His wife died April 28, 1873, and he married » 
 Mrs. Schulenburg. He died May 11, 1884. To ilr. Davis and wife have been born 
 these children : Hattie E., Jennie, Edwin, Laura and Latimer. In 1869 he came to 
 Oppenheim, where he has since resided. He has been justice of the peace for four 
 years. In 1892 he was elected supervisor. 
 
 Decker, John H., Johnstown, was born in the town of Johnstown, on the 15th day 
 of July, 1826 and was educated in the public schools, being a farmer in early life. On 
 the 8th day of February, 1854 he married Marion E. only daughter of Josiah C. and 
 Mary Leonard of his native town. They have had five children, as follows" Minnie L. 
 Edward C, Celia A., Willard H., who died at the age of eighteen years, and Luella O. 
 They came to reside in Johnstown village in 1855. Mr. Decker has served three terms 
 as trustee of the village, and trustee of the district sixteen years, and is now president 
 of the Board of Education. (See business chapter for account of the business). Mr. 
 Decker's father, Jobn G., was born in Columbia county and came here when a young 
 man. He married Nancy Ruport and had six children, three sons and three daughters : 
 John H., Elizabeth M., George F., Eleanor B., William A. and Ann S. The family are 
 among the first known in the county. Edward 0., the oldest son of John H., was 
 born in Johnstown, October 26, 1858, and was first educated in Johnstown Union School, 
 supplemented by a complete academic education. On the 20th of October, 1886, he 
 married Louise, oldest daughter of Robert Henry, of Johnstown ; they have two daugh- 
 ters, namely, Marion L. and Katherine B. Sidney Argersinger was born in the town 
 of Johnstown November 25, 1846, and was educated in the public schools and Johns- 
 town Academy. - On the 8th of January, 1880, he married Minnie L., oldest daughter 
 of John H. and Marion E. Decker, of Johnstown. They have one son, namely, Ed- 
 ward D., born December 10, 1886. Asa J. Browne was born in the town of Mayfield 
 on the 7th day of April, 1840 and was educated in the common schools and Fort Ed- 
 ward Institute and in early life helped his father to manufacture straw paper. On the 
 14th day of April, 1886, he married Celia A., second daughter of John H. and Marion 
 E. Decker, of Johnstown. 
 
 Deuel, Charles E., a Broadalbin lawyer, was born in Providence, Saratoga county, 
 November 15, 1839, a son of Seneca and Elizabeth (Warden) Deuel. His father was 
 also born in Providence, December 26, 1803, and died April 22, 1884. He was a 
 blacksmith, and was justice of the peace for twenty years, and justice of sessions in Sar- 
 atoga county. He also practiced law for many years, and was a man much respected. 
 The mother was born June 9, 1819, and died May 11, 1860. Tristram Deuel, father of 
 Sen»ca came from Rhode Island about 1795. He was of Dutch origin, and a black- 
 
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34 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 8mith by trade. Charles E. taught school^ for several years, and in 1861 enlisted in 
 Company D., Seventy-Seventh New York Volunteers, serving until May, 18C3. He 
 was a clerk in the commissary department, but failed in health and received an honor- 
 able discharge. He is a pensioner, a member of the G. A. R., and the order of Red 
 Men. He served in his native town for twelve years as justice of the peace and has 
 practiced law since 1875. He came to this place in 1881, and is now serving his third 
 term as justice of the peace, also his third term as justice of sessions. In January, 1862, 
 he married Joanna Bentley, who died in 1867, and by whom he has one son, Edward. 
 He then married Sarah Wert, who died September 3, 1886, by whom he had four chil- 
 dren: George, Seneca, Charles H., and Dora E. He married his present wife March 8, 
 1887. She was Jennie Flansburg, born in Day, Saratoga county. Her father, Nich- 
 olas, was a soldier in the civil war, where he lost his life. Mr. Deuel is a Republican, 
 and always an active worker for his party. 
 
 Deuel, Clarence L., hotel proprietor of Northampton, succeeded to the business of 
 James E. Benedict. He was born August 23, 1857, in Providence, Saratoga County, a 
 son of Seneca Deuel, who was also born in the above town, and whose father was one 
 of the early settleis of that town and a blacksmith. Seneca Deuel succeeded to that 
 business at the village of Northampton for fifty years, and was for twenty years justice 
 of the peace and associate justice, the latter for several years. He was a very success- 
 ful lawyer, and a man of good influence. He was a RepubHcan, as were also his three 
 sons, one of whom, Charles E., is a lawyer in Broadalbin, and a justice of sessions and 
 justice of the peace. Another son, George B., was a blacksmith and died at Northville. 
 Our subject was educated in his native village, and was a teacher for several years. 
 He has refitted very largely and refurnished the old hotel, which was built about ninety 
 years ago and known as the Fish House Hotel, and has one of the most popular places 
 of resort in the county, and a fine patronage of summer tourists. Mr. Deuel was a can- 
 didate for collector when he cast his first vote, and was the only man on his ticket who 
 was elected. He has served two terms in this office. 
 
 Dewey, Howard G., Gloversville, was born in Great Barrington, Mass., October 7, 
 1857, a son of William and Maria (Stoddard) Dewey, natives of Berkshire, Mass., and 
 of English origin. William was a farmer and lumberman by occupation, a Republican 
 in politics, and represented his county in the Massachusetts Assembly. He was also 
 United States revenue collector under President Lincoln, and also under President 
 Johnson. He reared four children : Alice, Howard G., Elizabeth and Edward S. In 
 1868 he came to Gloversville and engaged in the manufacture of lumber. Howard G. 
 received his education in Gloversville, and at sixteen began as jeweler, continuing two 
 years. He then spent two years as insurance agent, was connected with F., J. & G. 
 Railway in difi^erent capacities for three years, then spent nine years as coal agent for 
 the same company. In 1889 he entered as an active partner in the West Mill Co. at 
 Gloversville, which firm dresses about 300,000 skins per year. He is also interested in 
 the ice business. Mr. Dewey is a Knight Templar, and a member of the Episcopal 
 church. In politics he is a Republican, and is city alderman, enjoying the honor and 
 respect of his town. 
 
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FAMILY SKETCHES. 35 
 
 Dewey, John, Johnstown, was born on the 23d day of October, 1847, in Johnstown, 
 and was educated in the public schools and Johnstown Academy. On the 6th of July, 
 1871, he married Harriet A., only daughter of David and ilary A. Underbill, formerly 
 of Cohoes. They have one daughter, Laura U. Mr. Dewey's father, Burnet Hildreth, 
 was bom in the town of Johnstown. lie married Ann S., oldest daughter of Lucius 
 and Cornelia A. Smith, of Johnstown. They have had six children. Four survive, 
 three sons and one daughter: John, Smith, Burnet and Anna, who married John G. 
 Ferres, of Johnstown. 
 
 Dixon, Walter W., a merchant of Mayfield, was born in this town in 1830, a son of 
 WiUiam and Dorothy (Dennie) Dixon. His father, William, was born in Kinderhook 
 in 1797, and was a son of Walter Dixon, who was born in Newcastle, England, and 
 came to this country with his parents when a youth, settling on the Hudson. The 
 grandfather (Walter) was a hotel proprietor all his life, and his son, William, a farmer. 
 He came to Fulton county about 1802, and had a family of three sons and two daugh- 
 ters. Both grandfathers of Walter S. were in the Revolutionary War. Walter W. 
 has been a farmer most of his life, on the same farm that his grandfather owned. In 
 1885 he engaged in the general merchandise trade, and he was also for many years a 
 carpenter and builder. December 18, 1861, he married Jane E., daughter of Peter 
 Leversee and Mary Vanderberg, who were among the early settlers of the vicinity. 
 Her paternal grandfather was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and the gun he car- 
 ried is now a family relic, and she has also the old family Bible, printed in German 
 which has been in the family for 200 years, it being dated 1664. Mr. and Mrs. Dixon 
 have one son, Baltie H., who married Clara L. Childs, by whom he has orfe son, Harry. 
 He is in the glove business, under the firm of Dixon & Wilkins, and he is also the post- 
 master of Mayfield. They are a Republican family, Mr. Dixon having held many local 
 offices. 
 
 Dodge, Charles, Gloversville, was a native of Somersetshire, England, and a practical 
 leather dresser. He came to the United States about I80I and became a successful 
 business man. He died in 1881. His wife was Louisa Lawrence, also a native of 
 England. Their children were Charles, jr., Louisa, Edward, Lizzie and William J. The 
 latter was born at Philadelphia, July 30, 1862. Like his father he was brought up to 
 the trade of leather dressing and became an expert workman. During 1882 and 1883 
 he was engaged by the famous Saranac Glove Company to superintend the dressing of 
 their leather at Littleton, N. H., and while there he married Laura Belle Simpson, and 
 they have two children. Returning to Gloversville, Mr. Dodge again engaged in his 
 trade, and is now one of the firm of C. & W. J. Dodge, leather shavers, or mooners, 
 and in addition he operates one of the largest groceries in Gloversville. Mr. Dodge is 
 an ardent Republican and active in party interests. The Dodge block on Church street 
 was built by him in 1889. 
 
 Dorn, Albert, Ephratah, was born May 4, 1852, in Ephratah, and is a son of J. H. 
 and Mary E. (Suits) Dorn, who were the parents of five children: Annie C, Alfred, 
 Albert, Richard, and Charles, all living. J. H. Dorn was born in Ephratah in August, 
 1825. He was reared as a farmer and followed that occupation most of his life. His 
 
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36 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 wife died May 6, 1858, and Mr. Dorn then married Hannah Ropeter, widow of Chris- 
 tian J. Ropeter, who was killed in the late war. Mr. Dorn has been engaged in the 
 mercantile business in Garoga for several years, but now lives a retired life. His father, 
 Michael Dorn, was born in Johnstown, and married Maria Miller, a daughter of Giles 
 Miller, of Fulton county. The grandfather of J. H. Dorn was Michael, one of the first 
 settlers of Fulton county. After receiving a common school education, Albert Dorn 
 followed farming, marrying, in 1873, Marion, daughter of Alonzo Trumbull apd Esther 
 A. Hills. To Albert Dorn and wife one child, Charles A., has been born. For three 
 years Mr. Dorn has been constable, and he is a member of Garoga Grange, No. 679. 
 
 Dorn, Nicholas, Johnstown, was born May 25, 1818, two miles west of the village of 
 Johnstown, and was educated in the district schools. He has been one of the true 
 representative farmers of his day, and is now retired. December 29, 1840, he married 
 Delilah, oldest daughter of Thomas and Dinah (Spraker) Merrill. They had five children : 
 Eli, who married Mary Haring, and died March 29, 1877 ; Mary H., who married 
 Stephen Wemple, and died March 29, 1883 ; Elizabeth, who married Frederick Young, 
 of Gloversville ; Peter, who married Jane Wirt (deceased) and resides in Illinois, and 
 John, who resides on the homestead. The marriage of the latter will be found in the 
 sketch of the Veghte family. Elizabeth, mother of Nicholas Dorn, died July 27, 1878, 
 aged one hundred years four months and twelve days. 
 
 Dorn, Richard, Ephratah, is the fourth of a family of five children born to John H. 
 and Mary E. (Suits) Dorn. Richard was born February 9, 1856, in Ephratah, and was 
 educated at the common schools. He is a farmer by occupation, and is of the fourth 
 generation of those who have lived in Fulton county. In 1875 he married Lucinda, 
 daughter of William P. and Adela (Darby) Smith. Mr. Dorn and 'wife have been 
 blessed with three children : John, William and Mabel L., all at home. Mr. Dorn has 
 been supervisor for two years, 1889 and 1890. He is at present master of the Ephratah 
 Grange No. 678. 
 
 Dorn, William, Johnstown, was born on the 12th of July, 1809, in the town of Johns- 
 town, and was educated in the public schools. He was raised on a farm but in the 
 year 1838 he moved to the village. On the 12th day of October, 1830, he married 
 Hannah, oldest daughter of the late Nehemiah and Margaret (Coughnet) Harden, of 
 Johnstown. They had six children, three of whom are dead : Dr. John H. Dorn, 
 residing in New York, and who married Margaret S. Johnson, who died in April, 1888 ; 
 Elizabeth, who married Dr. James S. Schofield, of New York, and they have two 
 children, both of whom are daughters, Grace B. and Florence S. ; Charles W., a druggist 
 in New York, who married Josephine Price. Mr. Dorn was a merchant in company 
 with the late John McLaren for about ten years. He afterwards became a manufacturer, 
 and in 1878 he retired from business. The ancestry of the family is Dutch and 
 Scotch. 
 
 Doxtater, Orzo, Stratford, was born on the 16th of May, 1858, and has always lived 
 on a farm. He received a common school education and on the 18th of March, 1891, 
 he married Dora Gammon, a native of Akron, Erie county. Orzo Doxtater was one of 
 
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FAMILY SKETCHES. 37 
 
 the eleven children born to William and Ester D. (Moshure) Doxtater. William Dox- 
 tater was born in Oppenheim, on the 27th of November, 1814, and is a son of Henry 
 Doxtater, virho is b son of Nicholas Doxtater. The latter was a native of Montgomery 
 county, where he spent his whole life. He was born in 1752, and died in 1836. He 
 was the father of eight children, three sons and five daughters. The father of Nicholas 
 was a native of Germany and came to this country during Revolutionary times. Henry 
 Doxtater was born in the year 1789, in Danube, and married Mary Causilman, by whom 
 he had eleven children, seven sons and four daughters. Mr. Doxtater was a farmer and 
 ■died in 1865, in Stratford, and his wife died in 1869, in Michigan. The father of Orzo, 
 was reared on a farm and always followed farming, and in 1837 he married Esther D. 
 Moshure, who was born in Stratford on the 14th day of November, 1819. She is a 
 slaughter of Abiatha Moshure, a native of Milan, Dutchess county, who was born on 
 the 18th of March, 1779, and came to Stratford about 1803, remaining there until his 
 death in 1854. His wife was Phoebe Maples, by whom he had three children. She 
 •died in the year 1851. Mr. Moshure was justice of peace for several terms, assessor 
 and constable. 
 
 Drum, Edwin H., Johnstown, was born in Johnstown and is a glove manufacturer 
 in partnership with his brother, Clifford H. He married Sarah L. Johnson, and they 
 have five children : Alice N., Charles H., Emmitt W., Francis B. and Maud. Mr. Drum's 
 father, Peter Z., was born in Schoharie county, in the year 1813, and was educated in 
 the public schools of his day. In early life he was a farmer, and afterwards a glove 
 cutter and manufacturer. He married Philura Hawley, of Carlisle, Schoharie county, 
 and they had six children: Anna M., Edwin H., James O., Mary J., Rosa S. and 
 Clifford H. James 0. Drum is now an able preacher of the Episcopal order. 
 
 Drury, John M., a lawyer of Broadalbin, was born at Vail's Mills, January 16, 1862. 
 He spent his early life on the farm of his father, and in the schools of his native village. 
 At the age of seventeen years he became a teacher, and two years thereafter in a close- 
 ly contested examination he won the free scholarship to Cornell University, for the 
 eighteenth assembly district. Two years were then spent at Cornell, after which he 
 resumed teaching. In 1886 he commenced the study of law and after a three years' 
 course and clerkship in the office of N. H. Anibal, of Gloversville, he was admitted to 
 the bar, and has since been engaged in practice at. Broadalbin. He is a brother of Dr. 
 M. F. Drury, of the same village, and of Counsellor James H. Drury, of Gloversville. 
 Mr. Drury is a young man of bright abilities and marked integrity and is favorably 
 known in his profession. His parents, who are natives of Ireland, came to America in 
 1856, and soon after engaged in farming at Tail's Mills, where they now reside. 
 
 Duesler, Eli, Ephratah, was born in Ephratah, February 27, 1836, and was reared on 
 his father's farm, and his occupation has been farming. William J. Duesler, Eli's 
 father was born April 1, 1799, and his occupation was also farming, and he died on his 
 farm April 15, 1889. In 1820 he married Elizabeth Sponable. She was born Septem- 
 ber 6 1804 and died March 19, 1880. William J. Duesler was the father of twelve 
 children, of which eleven survived him, and he was the grandfather of thirty-eight 
 children, and the great-grandfather of forty-three children. In 1862, May 22, Eli 
 
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38 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 Duesler married Delia M. Casler. Delia was born in Montgomery county, May 16, 
 1831, and died in Bphratah November 11, 1877. She was a daughter of John and 
 Mary Casler. Mary L. Duesler, daughter of Eli Duesler, was born March 5, 1865; 
 Isaiah Duesler, son of Eli, was born February 5, 1868, and married Mary A. Argersinger, 
 June 30, 1886 ; he resides on his father's farm. 
 
 Duesler, Jacob C, Garoga, was born in Ephratah, June 12, 1833, a son of Cyrus, also 
 a native of Ephratah, born March 16, 1819. His ancestors came from Germany at » 
 very early day. At the breaking out of the Revolutionary war Jacob Duesler, grand- 
 father of our subject, and his son William joined the American forces. They were 
 often exposed to danger and at one time while making their escape it was necessary to 
 pass through a gate. Here Jacob fell and the Indians supposing him dead, passed over 
 him, and thus his life was saved. At another time Jacob, being in the garden with his 
 sister, heard the Indians approaching, and together they hid in a potato mound, which 
 saved them. Jacob and his wife died in Ephratah. His son, Cyrus, was a farmer, and 
 married Lavina Hesse, by whom he had five children. He was at one time collector. 
 He and his wife are Lutherans, and at present reside in St. Johnsville. Our subject 
 was reared on a farm and received a common school education. January 23, 1856, he 
 married Martha Rupert, a daughter of Francis and Margaret (Dome) Rupert, of Sam- 
 monsville, and they have had five children: Magdaline W., born October 14,1856; 
 Francis H., born May 20, 1858; Rev. Marshal C, born March 6, 1861; Cyrus, born 
 September 15, 1863, and one who died in infancy. Marshal C. is a Methodist minister 
 at Norway. Jacob C. worked on a farm until 1869, then for fourteen years was a mer- 
 chant in Lassellsville and Oppenheim. In 1879 he came to Garoga Lake, where he has 
 since been engaged in the'mercantile business. In politics he is a Democrat, and has 
 held the offices of town clerk and collector in Bphratah. He has been assessor in Ca- 
 roga six years. 
 
 Duesler, Stephen, Ephratah, was born February 28, 1825, in Ephratah. His parents 
 were William J. and Elizabeth (Sponable) Duesler, natives of Ephratah, and to whom 
 were born twelve children. Mr. Duesler traces his ancestry back to his great-grand- 
 father, who participated in the war of the Revolution, and was an early settler of Ful- 
 ton county, where he lived and died. The grandfather was Jacob Duesler, who was 
 also a native of Fulton county, where he died. Stephen Duesler, with limited educa- 
 tion and without help, by industrious habits and economy, accumulated considerable 
 property. His occupation was farming. In 1853 he married Eleanor Duesler, daughter 
 of Simeon and Catherine (Godwin) Duesler, by whom he has had two daughters, Har- 
 riet, now Mrs. Adam Suits, who has three children, Carrie Cora, Anson and Elizabeth, 
 now Mrs. Leander Claus, of Fulton county. Mr. Duesler is a member of the Dutch. 
 Reformed Church. 
 
 Dugdale, Thomas I., Perth, West Galway p. o., was born on what is known as the 
 old Dugdale farm a mile west of West Galway, October 1, 1858, a son of William and 
 Elizabeth (Fair) Dugdale. William Dugdale was born in Lancashire, England October 
 5, 1815, and came to this country when thirty years of age, and located at Charleston, 
 Saratoga county, where he married Elizabeth Fair, April 17, 1846. They were the pa- 
 
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FAMILY SKETCHES. 39 
 
 rents of four children, three are living: Margaret R, now Mrs. Charles II. Jackson, 
 •of West Galway ; William, of Carthage, 111., and Thomas, our subject, whose life has 
 ■been spent in this village and the town of Perth. He was educated in the public school 
 of this district and a course in Fort Edward Institute. He assisted his father on the 
 farm until he was about twenty years old, he then kept an apiary for four years, then 
 bought the Stephen B. Mann store at west Galway, and has since successfully con- 
 ducted it until the present time he has been obliged to give it up on account of poor 
 health, and he now devotes his time to his bees. March 28, 1888, he married Martha 
 (Hoes) Mann, daughter of Peter I. Hoes, and widow of Stephen B. Mann. Mr. Dug- 
 -dale has never had any political aspirations, but desires to be known as a successful 
 business man, and an honest, upright citizen. 
 
 Durfee, Daniel M., Ephratah, was born February 16, 1831, a sonof Abraham and Jane 
 (McBeth) Durfee, who reared a family of nine children, namely : Sarah M., Margaret 
 A., William B., Charlotte J., Ruth A., Daniel M., Phebe C, Libbie C, and Jennette. 
 Abraham was born in Rhode Island, July 8, 1789, and came to Ephratah in 1815, being 
 " the first settler where Rockwood now stands. Here he engaged in the manufacture of 
 woolen goods, which he continued for many years. He was a Mason, and at one time 
 was superintendent of the poor. He died May 10, 1852, and his wife August 17, 1874. 
 Daniel M. Durfee received a common school education and assisted his father in the 
 manufacture of woolen goods. When he arrived at manhood he engaged in the manu- 
 facture of staves, and also of gloves and mittens, in Rockwood. February 22, 1866, he 
 married Mary A. daughter of John L. and Sarah (Gay) Hutchinson, who reared eight 
 children. Daniel M. Durfee and wife have one daughter, Anna, born December 28, 
 1870. Mr. Durfee and family are members of the M. E. church, in which he has held 
 the offices of steward, leader, trustee and superintendent. He was lay delegate at 
 Troy, in 1888. He was one of the organizers and one of the committee of two to draft 
 iDy-laws for Garoga lodge, No. 300, F. & A. M. In 1864 he united with the Johns- 
 town Chapter, No. 78, F. & A. M. He was an active Democrat until 1884. He was 
 supervisor from 1872 to 1875, and also held other town offices. He was delegate to the 
 state convention at Syracuse. Since 1884 he has been a Prohibitionist. In 1871 Mr. 
 Durfee was one of the organizers of the Rockwood Rural Cemetery Association, and 
 was made treasurer, which office he has held for twenty years, having charge of the 
 deeding of lots, etc. He was on the war committee, and assisted in filling the quota 
 for Ephratah, and also furnished a substitute for three years. He was elected W. 
 Master of his lodge several times, and as such he represented Garoga Lodge, No. 300 
 P. & A. M. at the laying of the corner stone of the new capitol by the Masonic fratern- 
 ity, June 27, 1871. 
 
 Durey, Cyrus, Caroga, was born in Caroga, May 16, 1864, a son of Josiah and Anne 
 (Bradt) Durey, who reared seven children. Josiah was born in England and came to 
 America in 1840, first settling in Buffalo, where he resided two years. He afterwards 
 came to Caroga, where he has since lived, engaging in the lumber business. He was 
 assessor for about twenty years. He and his wife are both living. After receiving a 
 common school education, the subject of our sketch attended the Johnstown Academy, 
 
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40 \JI1 STORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 from which he graduated in 1880, receiving the first diploma given by the institution. 
 He next taught school for four years, then engaged in lumbering, which he has since 
 followed. He has been supervisor for three years, and is at present holding that office. 
 He was also clerk of the board of supervisors one year. He is also a member of Ga- 
 roga Lodge, No. 300, P. & A. M., and past master of the same, and also a member of 
 the Graroga Grange. 
 
 Duncan, Fay, Northampton, justice of the peace, was born in Northville, in which 
 place he now resides, on November 17, 1829; His parents were Samuel and Anna S. 
 (Sargent) Duncan, both born in Vermont. His father was a mechanic, and came to 
 this county about 1814, and settled at Cranberry Creejc. He first built a residence for 
 Judge Gilbert, and about 1818 established a wool-carding and cloth-dressing factory, 
 which he continued for some years, and then came to Northampton and followed in 
 the same business, at the place now called Parkville, on the ground afterwards occupied 
 by Lefevre's tannery. He was a justice of the peace, a Mason, and an active member 
 and one of the founders and an elder in the Presbyterian church of Northville. Grand- 
 father Duncan was a captain of Minute Men in Vermont, in the Revolutionary War. 
 Fay Duncan was educated in Northville, learned his trade with his father, and has been 
 a millwright and builder many years. He is a Republican, a Mason, and an elder in 
 the Presbyterian church. February 28, 1857, he married Rhoda A., daughter of John 
 Barker, a merchant, whose father, Jesse, was a soldier of the Revolution, and lived at 
 Edinburg, Saratoga county. Mrs. Duncan's grandmother, Rhoda Cornell, whose maiden 
 name was Pierce, was a relative of President Pierce. She was one of the makers of the 
 big cheese sent to General Jackson. Mr. and Mrs. Duncan have four children : Jennie 
 H., wife of Rev. G. W. May ; Ida B., wife of A. J. Perkins ; Angie, and Charles H. 
 The whole family, with but one exception, are church members. 
 
 Dunn, John, Johnstown, was born on the 21st day of December, 1824, in Johnstown, 
 and was educated in the public schools. He was a farmer in early life, but has since 
 had a variety of occupations. On the 30th of July, 1853, he married Julia Thompson, 
 of the town of Johiistown. She was born on the 5th of November, 1833. They had 
 six children, three sons and three daughters: Emma H., who married James S. Clark; 
 Julia, who married George R. Smith ; Catherine, who resides at home; Earl, who mar- 
 ried Anna Spike, of Broadalbin ; Walter and John are both dead. Mrs. Dunn was 
 formerly of Broadalbin, and when five years old came here with her parents. 
 
 Dye, William H., Broadalbin, was born in this town June 4, 1861, a son of Isaac and 
 Margaret (Miller) Dye, both natives of Broadalbin, whose parents were among the 
 early settlers here. He was educated in the schools of the village, and was for two 
 years in the factory of N. J. Brockway, at Gloversville, as an apprentice and work- 
 man. In 1887 he engaged in business at this place' under the firm name of Dye & 
 Bartlett, which has been successful in its enterprise, and has promise of becoming one 
 of the large firms of the county. He married, September 25, 1883, Julia S. Manning, 
 of Ballston. He is a Republican in politics, and one of the substantial young men oi 
 his town. 
 
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FAMILY SKETCHES. 41 
 
 Earl, Melvin, Broadalbin, was born in this town in 1838, and reared on a farm. 
 He engaged in the hotel business at Vail's Mills, which he continued for some years, 
 then came 10 Broadalbin, where he has been for many years successfully engaged in 
 the management of the Earl Hotel, one of the best managed hostelries in the county, 
 and deserving of the fine patronage it receives. He has also an extensive summer pat- 
 ronage of tourists. Mr. Earl aIso owns a fine farm, which he manages successfully. He 
 is a gentleman of quiet and unassuming manner, and much respected by a wide circle 
 of friends. 
 
 Edwards Family.— This old and well known family is of English ancestry, the name 
 being brought to America by two brothers during the latter part of the eighteenth cen- 
 tury. One of these brothers was Talmadge, but the name of the other is unknown, as 
 they became separated during the revolutionary war and never met or heard from one 
 another again. Talmadge first settled in New England, but afterwards came with his 
 two sons, John and Thomas, and located in Johnstown, and was the first to introduce 
 his trade, that of a leather dresser, among the subsequent manufacturers of buckskin 
 mittens in Kingsboro. Thomas went to Fultonville to live, but John remained in Johns- 
 town and achieved much prominence, being elected to Congress in 1837. He had a fam- 
 ily of eight children, namely: John, Henry, Daniel, James, Mary, Ann, Margaret, and 
 Susan. All of these are now deceased, James, the last surviver, having died February 
 20, 1892. These sons settled in and about the country between Johnstown and St. 
 Johnsville, where a number of their descendants are still living. Daniel, the third son, 
 was born December 1, 1804, in Johnstown, where he always lived. He married Sally 
 Maria Wells, February 5, 1828. She still survives him in her eighty-third year. 
 Thomas, the fourth son, was born March 23, 1812, and folowed the avocation of a 
 farmer in Ephratah, retiring during the later years of his life. He married Anna F. 
 Fox, daughter of Christopher C. Fox, an old Palatine family, June 29, 1836. She still 
 survives him, and lives in Gloversville. Their children were Peter, Thomas, John, and 
 James. John, the third son, was born June 3, 1847, and is at present a practicing phy- 
 sician in Gloversville. 
 
 Edwards, John Y., Ephratah, was born December 5, 1851, a son of Benjamin and 
 Margaret (Klock) Edwards, who reared ten children : Kate, Annie, Susan, Alice, Mar- 
 garet and Ambrose (all deceased), and Adam K., John Y., Frank and Amos, who 
 survive. The father of Benjamin was John, born at Johnstown, and his' father was a 
 very early settler of Fulton county. Benjamin was a farmer and saw-miller, and was 
 a member of the Reformed church. He died in Ephratah in 1863, and the death of his 
 wife occurred in 1881. John Y. received a common school education, and has followed 
 farming and lumbering. In 1873 he married Celestia Saltsman, daughter of Jacob H. 
 Saltsman, of Montgomery county. They have four children : Morris J., R. W., Gary 
 B., John v., jr., and Carrie (deceased). 
 
 Edwards, John, Gloversville, was born in Ephratah, June 3, 1847. He is a descend- 
 ant of Talmadge Edwards, the founder of the glove industry in the county. He was 
 brought up on the farm and was educated in the district schools. He read medicine 
 with Dr. P. H. Burnap, of Canajoharie, and attended the Albany Medical College in 
 f 
 
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42 HISTORY OF FULTOA COUNTY. 
 
 1866. This was supplemented with two courses of lectures at the College of Physicans 
 and Surgeons of New York, from which institution he graduated in 1869. The same 
 year Dr. Edwards commenced practice in Ephratah, but in 1872 located at Westford, 
 Otsego county. In 1873 he came to Gloversvilie, where he has since resided and where 
 also he has established a desirable practice. 
 
 Eisenbrey, Edward H., Gloversvilie, the recognized adherent to the doctrine of 
 "similia similibus curantur" in Gloversvilie, was born in Montgomery county, Pa., 
 January 17, 1840. His elementary education was acquired in the common schools, and 
 in 1861 he enlisted in Co. G., First Pennsylvania Res. Corps, and served three years. 
 Returning home, he soon commenced a, course of medical study with Dr. Wilson, and 
 then attended the Philadelphia Homeopathic Medical College, where he was graduated 
 in 1869. In 1870 Dr. Eisenbrey came to Gloversvilie and soon became prominent in 
 the medical profession, especially so in his particular branch of practice. The doctor 
 deservedly enjoys a large and remunerative practice. 
 
 Elphee, Edward A., merchant, miller and farmer of Mayfield, was born in Johnstown, 
 August 20, 1833. He is a son of John and Almira (Johnson) Elphee. John was of 
 English origin, and Mrs. Elphee of New England stock. Grandfather Elphee lived at 
 Gloversvilie and was a miller, as was also his father. Mr. Elphee was reared at the 
 same trade, and first engaged in business for himself at Mayfield about 1855, having the 
 only grist-mill in the town. About 1881 he engaged in the mercantile business at May- 
 field, and owns one of the best brick business blocks in the city. He also owns and 
 manages a fine farm of about 200 acres. He married, in December, 1857, Hannah A., 
 daughter of Michael Dennie, of Mayfield. They have two children, Bruce B., in busi- 
 ness with his father, and AUie, wife of G. E. Mercer, a partner of Mr. Elphee, and the 
 present town clerk. Mr. Elphee is a Republican in politics. 
 
 Ely, William Alfred, Johnstown, was born in Johnstown on the 23d of August, 1844, 
 and was educated in the common schools and was a printer by trade. On the 15th 
 of June he enlisted in the 10th Massachusetts Volunteers, and re-enlisted in June, 1862, 
 in Company G. 37th Massachusetts Infantry. He was a scout under Captain Young, 
 of the 2d Rhode Island Regiment, for five months, and was honorably discharged on 
 the 4th of July, 1866, at Readville, Mass. On the 25th of December, 1890, he married 
 Frances C, youngest daughter of Cornelius and Maria Putman, by whom he had two 
 children, a son and a daughter, Harry and Carrie D., both of whom died young, the 
 former at the age of seven and the latter at the age of five. His father, Alfred R., was 
 born about the year 1815 and married Jane Foreman, of Fonda, by whom he had three 
 sons, Eleanzer A., George H., and William A. 
 
 Empie, John F., Ephratah, was born in Ephrataii, March 10, 1821, a son of Frederick 
 and grandson of John F. Empie, who were also natives of Ephratah, the family being 
 one of the first in the town, coming previous to the revolution. The father, Frederick, 
 was a farmer by occupation, and married Nancy Klock, daughter of John and Elizabeth 
 Klock, of Germany. They had seven children, of whom John P. was the second. Mr. 
 Empie married again, his second wife being Charlotte Lovejoy, a widow, whose maiden 
 
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FAMILY SKETCHES. 43 
 
 name was Allen, and three children were born to them. John F. Empie received a 
 common school education and became a farmer, in which he has succeeded. In 1884 
 he married Elenor M., daughter of James D. and Mary Van Vost, natives of New York 
 state. Mr. Empie has been supervisor for five years and was a member of Assembly in 
 1871. 
 
 Everest, Alfred C, Ephratah, was born April 10, 1827, and is the second in a family 
 of five children born to David and Jane (Frye) Everest. David was » son of Isaac 
 Everest, who came to Fulton county in 1782, engaging in the lumber business. Here 
 he lived and died. His wife was a Miss Chittenden, niece of Governor Chittenden, of 
 New Hampshire. The father of his wife was an early settler of Fulton county, and 
 came from Connecticut when a young man. David Everest received a common school 
 education and occupied himself with farming and lumbering. His grandfather was 
 twice married, and by his first wife had eighteen children. By his second wife he had 
 nine children, being father of twenty-seven children in all. Alfred C. Everest received 
 a limited education, but having a love for books became a great reader, and is a well 
 informed man. He was a carpenter and millwright. At present he lives o retired life. 
 In 1851 he married Elizabeth, daughter of William Snell, of Fulton county, by whom 
 he has had two children : Nelson, who is a physician at Rockwood, and Annie, who is 
 now Mrs. W. K. Brown, of Garoga. Mr. Everest is the present assessor of Ephratah 
 township, and at one time was inspector of the county poor. He was postmaster at 
 Garoga for eight years. In 1864 he enlisted in the 115th N. Y. Infantry and. served 
 until the close of the war. He was in action at Petersburg, Richmond, Fort Fisher, and 
 in many skirmishes. . He was also in the hospital about two months. The maternal 
 grandfather of Mr. Everest was a captain in the British army during the revolution. 
 The family settled in Montgomery county at a very early date. 
 
 Fairchild, Eugene Irving, Johnstown, was born at Oak Hill, Schoharie county, De- 
 cember 4 1864. He was educated at the public schools. In 1878 he came with his 
 parents to Gloversville. After some time he learned the jeweller's trade with Mr. Nor- 
 ton of the above city, with whom he remained eight years. November 14, 1888, he 
 came to Johnstown and opened a first class jeweler's establishment, with an optical de- 
 partment. June 2, 1887, he married Nellie, youngest daughter of Moulton and Eliza- 
 beth Hodder, formerly of England. They have one daughter, E. Pauline, born October 
 10 1890. Mrs. Fairchild was born in Yeovil, Somersetshire, England, and came with 
 her parents to the United States when fourteen months old. 
 
 Pancher, Peter J., Ephratah, was born in Ephratah, May 26, 1853. He is the oldest 
 of seven children born to Nicholas and Harriet (Smith) Fancher. Nicholas was born 
 in Ephratah, May 10, 1829, and is a son of Joshua and Hannah (Van Lone) Fancher, 
 who reared twelve children. Joshua Fancher was born in Montgomery county, and 
 followed farming. He died in October, 1880, and his wife December 22, of the same 
 year. Nicholas Fancher married September 16, 1852, and he and his wife have had 
 twelve children, of whom three died in infancy, the others being Peter J., William, 
 Close, Sthephen, Dorn, Richard, Charles (deceased), John (deceased), and Nellis (de- 
 ceased). Mr. Fancher is a blacksmith by trade. He has also been a butcher and has 
 
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44 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 been in the mercantile business ; at present he is a farmer. Peter J. Fancher received 
 a common school education and learned the trade of wagon making. He married, Feb- 
 ruary 16, 1875, Ella J. Sponable, daughter of Levi and Lottie (Empie) Sponable, to 
 whom two children have been born. Mr. Fancher is foreman in the saw-mill of Levi 
 Yanney, and is also the only undertaker in Ephratah. 
 
 Felts, Rev. Peter, Johnstown, was born in Ancram, Columbia county, November 3, 
 1830. His parents were farmers, and of German descent. He was baptized in infancy 
 by the Rev. A, Wackerhagen, and very early inTlife became a devoted student. The 
 spring of 1845 found him at Amenia Seminary, which was then regarded as one of the 
 best academic institutions of the state. Here he remained until prepared for college, 
 when he contracted a severe cold, which resulted in an affection of the lungs, and he 
 was compelled to abandon the idea of prosecuting his studies. His ambition at the time 
 was to become a lawyer. With crushed hopes he returned to the farm for two years, 
 at the expiration of which time he taught school for two years. Just before reaching 
 his majority he married Laura A. Griswold, of Gallatin. For the two years following 
 this he followed mercantile pursuits in his native village. In the autumn of 1853 he 
 was confirmed as a member of St. John's Lutheran church, of Ancram, and soon began 
 to study for the ministry, and pursued his classical and theological studies for seven 
 years. His theological course was taken at Hartwick Seminary. He was licensed by 
 the Ministerium of New York, at Rochester, September 3, 1861, and ordained by the 
 same ecclesiastical body at Newark, N. J., September 9, 1862. Before his graduation 
 he received a call from Christ Church, Ghent, and after his ordination assumed full 
 charge of that pastorate, where he remained nearly nine years, when he resigned to ac- 
 cept a call given him by St. Paul's church at Johnstown, where he has had continuous 
 charge since, and without the least intimation of waning influence. Pastor Felts has 
 had several invitations to other fields, but invariably declined. In June, 1873, the 
 Board of Trustees of Hartwick Seminary unanimously elected him professor of theology 
 in that institution, but he preferred the pulpit, and that invitation was also declined. 
 He has served his synod in the capacity of president and secretary for six successive 
 years. Since the year 1880 he has been a trustee of Hartwick Seminary. Prof. Pitchen 
 says of him that he is one of the most able and successful preachers in the church, and 
 is abreast of the times in all that pertains to the advancement oC his people. 
 
 Fenton, George W., farmer, Broadalbin. More than a century ago Roswell Fenton, 
 who came from Hanover, N. H., settled in Broadalbin. He was the father of ten chil- 
 dren, and with them, in 1806, emigrated to Ohio. While looking for a place of resi- 
 dence in Kentucky he was murdered for his money. His children then became scat- 
 tered. The mother and a number of them settled in Cincinnati, and became identified 
 with the early history of that place and other Ohio towns ; two of them returned to 
 Ohautauqua county, and one, Stephen, came to the old home in Broadalbin. Roswell 
 Fenton had sixty-three grandchildren ; of these two became founders, and four presi- 
 dents of colleges, numbering among their pupils both presidents Hayes and Harrison; 
 seven were clergymen, several were physicians and congressmen ; and one (Reuben E.), 
 governor of New York and United States senator. Stephen Fenton married Roxy 
 
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FAMILY SKETCHES. 45 
 
 Fitch. She traced her ancestry directly to " Alfred the Great." They had ten chil- 
 •dren ; the three sons became Methodist clergymen ; one of them, Asa R., after twenty 
 years, located on the old home in Broadalbin. Asa Fenton married Sarah E. Fisk, a 
 native of Vermont, and of the same family as Gen. Clinton B. Fisk, James Fisk, jr., and 
 Rev. Wilbur Fisk, first president of the Weslyan University. They^had one son, George 
 W., who owns and occupies the homestead farm, which has been in the family for four 
 generations. He is also a representative of the American Book Company of New York. 
 He was born on the 11th of September, 1853. Has been twice married; his wife, nde 
 Mary A. Kinnan, daughter of J. H. Kinnan, of Seneca county. 
 
 Ferres, John Giles, was born in New^York, July 19, 1844, was educated in the pub- 
 lic schools of that city, including the College of the City of New York. In 1861 he en- 
 tered the employ of the large dry goods jobbing house of Dibblee, Work & Moore, 
 where he remained until the spring of 1863, when he removed to Johnstown and en- 
 tered the employ of the Livingston Manufacturing Company. In 1866 he formed a co- 
 partnership with John Dewey in the hardware business, under the firm name of Ferres 
 & Dewey, and succeeded to the business of Burnet H. Dewey. The partnership termi- 
 nated in 1880, and he continued the business personally. In 1879 and 1880 he was 
 president of the village of Johnstown, and also of the Board of Water Commissioners. 
 He has been a member of the Board of Education since 1874, having been secretary of 
 the board since 1877. He is a member of St. John's Episcopal church, also of St. Pat- 
 rick's Lodge No. 4 F. and A. M. ; and also of Johnstown Chapter No. 78 R. A. M., be- 
 ing at present high priest. On December 20, 1865, he married Anna, only surviving 
 daughter of Burnet H. and Ann Sarah Dewey, of Johnstown. They have three chil- 
 dren : William D., Addie, and Florence. 
 
 Fidoe, John, Gloversville, was born in the city of Worcester, Eng., September 1, 
 1844. His father was a laborer, but at the age of fourteen John was apprenticed to 
 learn glove cutting. After serving as such for five years and working at the trade one 
 year, he came to Quebec and soon afterward to Gloversville. He worked as a laborer 
 for about five years, and in 1870 formed a partnership called John Fidoe & Company. 
 Later the firm became Fidoe & Radford as at present constituted. In March, 1871, 
 John Fidoe married Harriet Mumm by whom he had three children, all of whom died 
 in infancy. Harriet Fidoe, his wife, died in January, 1876. His second wife was 
 Minnie Nettle, of New York city, by whom he has had two children, Clarence and 
 Fanny. 
 
 Finch, Dr. Henry Clement, of Broadalbin, was born at Northampton, April 27, 1858, 
 one of a family of six children, as follows : Elizabeth A., William W., Susan E., Alice 
 C, and one who died in infancy. He is a son of Samuel Rogers Finch and Pamelia 
 Shew, both natives of Providence, Saratoga county, the former born August 18, 1815 
 (a farmer now retired, and Uving in Broadalbin), and the latter born May 11, 1821. 
 The great-grandfather. Rev. Jonathan Finch, was born March 31, 1759, and was the 
 first pastor of the Baptist Church at Broadalbin, to which place he came in December, 
 1793. He had been a Revolutionary soldier, in which service he received a gun-shot 
 
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46 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 wound which crippled one of his hands. Dr. Finch was educated at the Albany Medi- 
 cal CoUlege and graduated there in 1882, and at once entered the practice of his choseiv 
 profession at Broadalbin, where he has since enjoyed an extensive and lucrative practice. 
 He is a Republican in politics, a member of the Masons and of the Red Men and an 
 active member of the Baptist Church for the last twenty years. September 1, 1881, 
 he married Lottie A., daughter of Dr. Barker, of Broadalbin. She was born February 
 27, 1862. They have three children : Burton Roland, born September 20, 1882 ; Grace 
 May, born August 19, 1884 ; Percy Henry, born January 21, 1890. Dr. Pinch is con- 
 sidered one of the most successful practitioners in the county. 
 
 Fisher, Harmon F., is a barber and resides in Northville. He was born in Neustadt, 
 Saxe Weimar, Germany, on February 1, 1857, and came with his parents, Frederick 
 and Theresa (Krouse) Fisher, both natives of Neustadt, Saxe Weimar, to this country, 
 in 1860, settling at Gloversville. Mr. Fisher, sr., is a leather dresser. Harmon F. 
 Fisher is the oldest of twelve children. He was educated in the schools of Johnstown 
 and Gloversville and learned his trade in the former place. In 1871 he came to North- 
 ville, commencing business for himself in 1879. He has a fine trade and has accumu- 
 lated a good property. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and super- 
 intendent of the Sunday-school. He is also one of the officers of the church, of which 
 his wife is also a member, and is the organist of the church. March 31, 1880, he 
 married Libbie, daughter of Joseph C. Carpenter, of Northville (deceased). The latter 
 was a cabinet maker, and one of the early settlers of the town, as well as a prominent 
 member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. H. F. Fisher is a Republican in politics. 
 He has been president of the village, and is treasurer at the present time. They have- 
 three children : Theresa, Evaline and Florence. 
 
 Flint, Gustavus, Perth, was born at Cherry Valley, April 30, 1849, a son of Peter and 
 Mary J. (Leonard) Flint. Our subject traces his ancestry back to Holland. His early 
 life was spent in Otsego county, where he was educated in the common schools and 
 learned the blacksmith's trade at Salt Springville. He came to Fulton county in 1874 
 and located at Johnstown, where he was engaged with David Smith, blacksmithing for 
 nine years. February 20, 1877, he married Florence B. Freeman, daughter of George 
 and Elizabeth (Pepper) Freeman. Her ancestry is English. Mr. Flint built the first 
 house on Gilbert street, Johnstown, and made his home there nntil 1883, when he made 
 an exchange of his city property for the McLaren farm and blacksmith shop at West 
 Perth, a farm of 120 acres, as nicely located^as any in the town and good land for any 
 kind of farm produce. They were the parents of five children: Everett A., born 
 December 22, ' 1878 ; Homer, born May 13, 1880 ; Roy T., born August 29, 1882 • 
 Grover C, born November 3, 1888 ; and Elizabeth, born October 22, 1891. Mrs. Flint 
 mother of our subject, is living at the age of eighty-three years. Mr. Flint devotes his 
 whole time to his business, which accounts for his success and many friends. 
 
 Foote, William D., Johnstown, was born in the town of Johnstown, September 25, 
 1836, was educated in the common schools and Kingsboro Academy, and from 1855 ta 
 1867 was in the grocery business. On January 19, 1859, he married Mary C. oldest 
 daughter of Levi and Harriet (Gray) Shults, of this place, and they have four daugh- 
 
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FAMILY SKETCHES. 47 
 
 ters : Alice G., who married Daniel Dillenbeck ; Carrie S., who married Murray Bryant ; 
 Mary L., and Harriet A. The latter two reside at home. Mr. Foote began the manu- 
 facture of gloves in 1868. His father, Jesse F., was born in Connecticut, and came 
 with his parents here when but five years of age. He married Angelica Van Buren, of 
 May field, and they had ten children, six daughters and four sons: Robert, Catherine S., 
 Sarah M., James H., Daniel, Orilla, Mary C, William D., Ellen E. and Harriet B. His 
 grandfather, Jesse, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and a pensioner for many 
 years. 
 
 Forbes, William H., Broadalbin, was born in Montgomery county, November 29, 
 1840, a son of John and Olive (Briggs) Forbes. His father was born in this country, 
 and both his parents came from Perthshire, Scotland, in 1800. His grandfather, Peter 
 Forbes, settled here where he lived for fifty years. John died in early hfe. William 
 H. was reared on the farm of his grandfather, and is now the owner of over seventy- 
 five acres of land, and is one of the first business men of the town, having been usually 
 successful in his enterprises. His brother, Daniel 0., was a soldier in the late war, 
 where he served three years and saw hard service. He is now a grape grower in 
 Chautauqua county. Mr. Forbes is a Democrat in politics. He was justice of the peace 
 for four years and assessor for three years, and has been a notary public for the past 
 seven years. October 23, 1861, he married Hannah Goodemoote, of Broadalbin, and 
 they have had two children. Dexter and Myron. 
 
 Fosmire, Daniel A., Broadalbin, was born in Broadalbin, April 8, 1841, son of Jacob 
 and Ann (Robertson) Fosmire, of Dutch ancestry. His father settled here when a 
 joung man, and earned on the business of carpenter and builder all his life; he lives at 
 North Broadalbin where he has a fine farm. The mother was born in this town ; her 
 father (Daniel Robertson) having come from Scotland. Mr. Fosmire learned his trade 
 from his father, and was for many years associated with him in the building business. 
 In connection with Charles Harlow he had the contract for building the knitting mills 
 and the Roman catholic church of Broadalbin ; also many of the fine residences in town. 
 He has been very successful in his business. In the fall of 1863 he enlisted in Com- 
 pany B. 115th N. Y. Vols., and received his discharge in July, 1865. He was in the 
 battles of Fort Gilmore, Fort Fisher, Petersburg and many others. He is a member of 
 the G. A. R. a Good Templar, and is Democratic in politics. In August, 1861, he 
 married Mary J. Vandenbvirg, and they have two children : Anna, and Frances M,, 
 wife of William Mason, of Broadalbin. Mrs. Fosmire's father, Asa, was of Dutch 
 ancestry, his father having come from Holland. All were early settlers in this town. 
 
 Francisco, Daniel, Caroga, was born in Glen, Montgomery county, September 11, 
 1736, the son of John Francisco, a native of Florida, Montgomery county. His father 
 was Daniel Francisco, and the father of Daniel was Josiah, a native of France, who 
 early came to this country and settled in Florida, where he spent the remainder of his 
 life. Daniel Francisco was reared on a farm, and received a common school education 
 He married Anna Voris, by whom he had six sons and two daughters. He and his 
 wife both died in Florida. John was born August 16, 1812, and married Catherine 
 Vedder who was born in Florida, January 7, 1816. Her parents were Albert and 
 
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48 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 Mary (Stilson) Vedder, who had two sons and eight daughters. To John Francisco and 
 wife were born six children : Daniel, Henriette (deceased), Mary A., Ellen (deceased), 
 Elizabeth and Francis. John came to Caroga in 1851, and engaged in lun^bering, which 
 he followed until his death, June 13, 1873. He also kept a general store at Newkirk's 
 Mills. Daniel Francisco received a good education, was reared to the country store 
 and hotel business, and married in Caroga, Nancy E., daughter of John and Sarah 
 Argersinger. The children of Mr. Francisco and wife are : Chauncey (deceased), 
 John, Daniel, Jay (deceased), Kate, Hattie, Flora, Sarah E., Annie (deceased). Mr. 
 Francisco was a boy of fifteen when his parents came to Caroga, and after the death of 
 his father he continued his business, and has been a successful lumberman and merchant ; 
 also postmaster for twenty-one years. He was town clerk and supervisor for several 
 years, and is a member of Caroga Lodge No. 300 F. & A. M. 
 
 Frederick, Abram, Johnstown, was born on the 14th of November, 1843. In early 
 life he was a farmer, and is now the owner of several farms, and is superintending the 
 work on them. He has been for many years a citizen of Johnstown, and is proprietor 
 of one of the largest teaming industries in the county, and owner of good property in 
 the corporate limits. On the 1st of October, 1871, he married Kate, oldest daughter of 
 Ebenezer and Catherine Miller Adams, of Ohio, formerly of this country. They have 
 four children, all girls, namely : Libbie, Almeda, Belle and Alfraetta. The family is of 
 German extraction. 
 
 Frosher, Joseph P., Gloversville, as written in English, or Frossard in French, was a 
 native of France. Coming to the United States with his family, he located first in Ohio, 
 afterwards came to Buflalo. He was a leather dresser and worked at that trade in 
 Buffalo and in Johnstown, coming to the latter place in 1850. He died August 10, 
 1890. Joseph Frosher, the popular grocer of Gloversville, was born in BuflTalo, March 
 22, 1850, and was but ten weeks old when his parents moved to Johnstown. The 
 other children of Joseph were : Eugene, Frank, Louisa, Jennie, William C, Hattie, 
 and three others who died in infancy. In 1873 he went into business with James Put- 
 nam, in Gloversville, and continued three years. Later he was clerk for John Hatmaker, 
 John B. Foster and O. C. Collins in succession. In 1880 he started in trade on Church 
 street and has since done a fairly successful business. His wife, whom he married July 
 9, 1871, was Julia Cartwright, by whom he had two children. 
 
 Fulton, James Y., Johnstown, was born on the 10th of April, 1839, in Ayershire, 
 Scotland, and in 1841 came with patents to the United States. They first located in 
 Amsterdam, and came to this town in 1846 where their son was educated. In early life 
 he was a printer, also a clerk in a drug store for two vears, and was also a marble cutter 
 and carried on the business for some years. He was justice of the peace for four years 
 and was town clerk in 1877-8, and is now conducting a summer resort at Bast Canada 
 lake in Caroga. On the 10th of April, 1862, he married Lucinda C, seventh daughter 
 of Francis and Margaret (Dorn) Buport. They have six children, four sons and two 
 daughters: George E., a jewler in town, Margaret, Andrew J., who is a physician in 
 New York, Annie Y., a graduate of Albany Normal College, Francis R., James B. and 
 Bessie who died in 1874. 
 
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FAMILY SKETCHES. 49 
 
 Gardner, Addison A., Broadalbin, insurance and pension agent and justice of the 
 peace, was born on the 10th of October, 1844, at Athens, Greene county, and is a son 
 of Sylvester and Mary A. Perry Gardner, of the same place. Sylvester was a brick- 
 maker. Addison A. was the sixth of a family of nine children. He was educated at 
 his native village, and in August, 1861, when he was seventeen years old, he enlisted in 
 the Ninety-third New York Volunteers, serving with the Army of the Potomac anJ 
 participating in the following battles : Wilderness, Williamsburg, Spottsylvania, CoW 
 Harbor, Petersburg, and many others. Mr. Gardner re-enlisted as a veteran and served 
 altogether three and a half years ; he was in the hospital about one year. He was- 
 wounded at the Wilderness, May 5, 1864, and his left leg was amputated. At this 
 battle the regiment went into battle with 420 men and lost 240 of them. He is a pen- 
 sioner, and is a ijiember of the G. A. R, a Republican in politics, has been a justice of 
 the peace for the last six years, and was formerly justice of sessions. He is considered 
 a successful insurance and business man. He was married, December 23, 1874, to 
 Susan French, of Broadalbin, a sister of Dr. French. They have five children : Fran- 
 cis P., Henry P., John W., Elizabeth B., and Addison P. Mr. Gardner and wife are 
 members of the Baptist church, of which he is a deacon. 
 
 Getman, Clark, Ephratah, is a son of Joshua A. and Catherine (Lampman) Getman, 
 who reared a family of seven children : Charles, James, Mary, Annie, Pearl, Clark, and 
 Ellsworth. Joshua Getman was born in 1820 in Ephratah, and was a farmer by occu- 
 pation. He was at one time assessor and also supervisor of his township. His father 
 was Adam Getman, son of Christopher J., who is the pioneer of the Getman family, 
 and was a soldier in the revolution. Clark Getman was married, October 2, 1884, to 
 Hattie E., daughter of George and Jerusha (Murray) Berry. They have one child, 
 Clarence B., born March 25, 1890. James H., a brother of Clark, was wounded during 
 the late war at Fort Fisher, having enlisted in the One Hundred and Fifteenth New 
 York Infantry in 1862, and remained until the close of the war in 1865. 
 
 Getman, David, jr., a stock farmer of Mayfield, was born in Ephratah, January 21, 
 1836, a son of David and Mary (Burdick) Getman, both natives of the above town. 
 The grandfather, George Getman, was a captain in the war of 1812, and also a resident 
 of Ephratah all his life. The family is of German origin. David Getman, sr., came to 
 Mayfield in 1846 and engaged in the mercantile trade, continuing until 1863, when he 
 retired. He was justice of the peace for about twenty years, a member of the Ger- 
 man Reformed church of his native town, and a liberal contributor to the church of 
 Mayfield. He died March 3, 1890. David, jr., was educated at Kingsboro Academy. 
 In August, 1861, he enlisted in Company F, Seventh New York Volunteers, and was 
 promoted to first lieutenant, and later to captain and assigned to the Tenth New York 
 Cavalry. He was in the army of the Potomac, and participated in the battle of Brandy 
 Station when his horse was shot from under him, and he was captured and taken 
 prisoner to Libby prison, where he remained eleven months. He drew lots for execu- 
 tion in July, 1863, and was placed under fire of the Federal guns, to protect the city 
 of Charleston, for sixty-four days. Thence he was removed to Columbia, where he, 
 with four others, made his escape, joining Sherman's army, and ultimately his com- 
 
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50 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTS. 
 
 mand, serving until August, 1865. He was wounded in the left arm at the battle above 
 named, and is a pensioner. He has been an extensive stock raiser of fine horses since 
 the war. A Republican in politics, he is a notary public and a much respected citizen 
 of the county. November 6, 1881, he married Helen VanBuren, of Fultonville, Mont- 
 gomery county, a sister of Cornelius and Martin Van Buren, of Amsterdam, and Mrs. 
 Boyd Hudson, of Fort Hunter, vyho are descendants of President Martin VanBuren. 
 
 Getman, Leander, Ephratah, is the youngest child of James and Nancy (Brower) 
 Getman, who reared six children. He was bom March 27, 1850, in Ephratah, was ed- 
 ucated in the common schools and chose farming as his occupation. He married Susan, 
 daughter of Benjamin and Mary (Smith) Getman, on May 2, 1871, and they have one 
 daughter, Blmira. Mr. Getman is a member of the Ephratah grange. His father is a 
 son of Adam Getman, who atone time owned 500 acres of land, part of which Leander 
 now owns. The great-grandfather of Leander was one of the first settlers of the 
 county. His wife was scalped by the Indians, but afterwards escaped. James Get- 
 man was assessor for twenty years, and director of the Farmers' Insurance Co. for forty 
 years. He died August 26, 1889, and the death of his wife occurred January 11, 1892. 
 
 Gilbert, Myron A., of Cranberry creek, was born in Mayfield, September 15, 1833. 
 His grandfather, Samuel A., came to Montgomery county in 1800, and soon after set- 
 tled in Mayfield. He was a farmer, as was also his son, Lucian A. The latter was 
 born in Mayfield on December 11, 1806, and was for some years a merchant. He mar- 
 ried. May 22, 1832, Miranda Yeotnans, who was born in Cairo, Greene county, Decem- 
 ber 14 1808. They came to Northampton in 1840, settling near Cranberry creek. A 
 Democrat in politics, Lucian A. is now living in his eighty-sixth year. His wife died 
 April 27, 1890. They had one son, Byron A., who was reared on the farm. About 
 September 13, 1880, he was engaged as agent for the railroajl company at Cranberry 
 Creek. October 9, 1866, he married Eliza E., daughter of Lyman and Susan (Van Ar- 
 nam) Tanner. She was born February 25, 1847. Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert have one son, 
 Lucien M., born January 22, 1882. Though a Democrat in politics, Mr. Gilbert gives 
 little attention to politics. His wife is a member of the Episcopal church, and her 
 family is one of the oldest in the county. 
 
 Getman, Oliver, Johnstown, was born on the old homestead in Ephratah on the 4th 
 of March, 1829, and was educated in the public schools. He has spent the greater part 
 of his life as a farmer, but has had a variety of occupations and offices. In 1862 he was 
 appointed deputy sheriff, and in 1863 he was appointed special deputy provost marshal 
 until the close of the war, but holding at the same time the first named office, until 
 1871, when he was elected sheriff. He moved to Cleveland, Oswego county, where he 
 was elected supervisor and held the office four years, but in 1889 he returned to 
 Johnstown. In 1890 he was re-elected supervisor and re-elected in 1891. In 1890 
 he was elected water commissioner and re-elected in 1892. He has been director of the 
 First National Bank of Johnstown, of the People's Bank of Johnstown and of the 
 Fulton County Savings Bank of ^Johnstown; also president of Fulton County Agricul- 
 tural Society. He is also president of Getman Glass Manufacturing Company of Avon- 
 more, Pa. On the 31st of October, 1885, he married Lovina, only daughter of Dr. 
 
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FAMILY SKETCHES. 51 
 
 Henry Wood, of Ephratah. Mr. Getman's father, Benjamin, was born June 1, 1791, on 
 the old homestead, and died atHhe age of eighty-eight years. He married Mary Van 
 Antwerp, of the town of Mohawk, Montgomery county, and they had thirteen children; 
 seven daughters and six sons. The grandfather, George, jr., wa.-; born there and he 
 held a lieutenant's commission under Colonel Willett. He had six sons, one of them) 
 Benjamin, inherited the farm, with the farmer's old maple tree, which Uberally dispensed 
 its sweet products to the several generations of this family. Oliver inherited the 
 old homestead. Frederick Getman, great-great-grandfather of OHver, settled here in 
 1720. Mr. Oliver Getman is now a retired farmer residing in Johnstown. 
 
 Getman, Thomas, Johnstown, was born in the town of Ephratah, February 10, 1831. 
 He was educated in the common schools and was a carpenter by occupation, but for 
 many years past has followed farming. November 26, 1852, he married Alida, sixth 
 daughter of Volkert and Maria Vrooman, of the town of Mohawk, Montgomery county, 
 and they had eight children, of whom one boy, Charles, died aged sixteen. The sur- 
 vivors are : Robert, who married Hattie Weller and resides in Chicago ; Martin, who 
 married Libbie Sexton and resides in Gloversville ; Anna M., who married John H. 
 Dookstader and lives in the town of Mohawk ; Volkert L., who resides in New York, 
 and Sidney and Sarah, who live with their parents. Mr. Getman's father, Eobert, was 
 born in Ephratah, May 4, 1805. On June 1, 1828, he married Lucy Young, by whom 
 he had nine children that grew to maturity : Darius, Thomas, Mary E., George, Joshua, 
 Elizabeth, Aaron, Laney A., and Nancy 0. Mr. Getman has resided in Johnstown for 
 many years. 
 
 Getman, William D., Johnstown, was born the 27th of April, 1865, in the town of 
 Ephratah, and was educated in the public schools. Until 1886 he worked at farming, 
 when he came to Johnstown, and in the year 1891 he became a leather manufacturer. 
 On the 20th of January, 1889, he married Ella, the youngest daughter of John and 
 Sarah Stokes, of the town of Root, Montgomery county. Aaron Getman, the father of 
 William, was born about the year'1839, and married Sarah Sweetyee. They had three 
 children, all sons, William D., Henry and Ernie. The ancestry of the family is German 
 and English. 
 
 Gidley, Dr. Fenton I., Johnstown, was born in the town of Charleston, Montgomery 
 county, March 8, 1861, was educated in the common schools, and first studied medicine 
 with Dr. DevoU, of Burtonville, alternating with teaching school. He afterwards grad- 
 uated from the medical department of the University of Vermont, and practiced at his 
 old home three years. He then took an office course with Dr. W. F. Mittendorf, an eye 
 and ear specialist, and a course in Manhattan-'Hospital, also one in the New York Post 
 Graduate Medical School, and came to Johnstown September 1, 1890. October 21, 
 1891, he married Carrie E., oldest daughter of Joseph H. and Jane A. Gordon, of Sloan- 
 ville, Schoharie couny. 
 
 Giercke, Charles L. P., Gloversville, was born in Germany. He was a tanner by 
 trade. In 1867 he came to Gloversville and worked for Samuel Dodge two years. 
 After that he worked in Brooklyn, Gloversville, Canada, Saratoga, but eventually re- 
 turned to the Glove City. In 1885 he took a contract to " beam " the leather for the 
 
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52 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 firm of Brower & Dodge ; for this he erected the buildings that now comprise his plant, 
 and in which he employs about fifteen men. This factory has a capacity for turning out 
 about 1,000 hides per day. While residing in Brooklyn Mr. Giercke married Louisa 
 Rodegerdt, by whom he has five children, viz : Freda, Harry, Louisa, John and Clara, 
 
 Gilford, George M., a farmer of Northville, was born in Northampton, March 3, 
 1846, a son of Joseph M. and Arvilla (Edmond) Gifi"ord. The father was a native of 
 Mayfield, a son of Ananias. The latter's father, Joseph, was a captain in the revolu- 
 tionary war, and a great Indian fighter. It is said that the British offered twenty 
 "uineas for Captain Gifford's scalp. He was a resident of Pittston, Rensselaer county, 
 and was a farmer and slaveholder, at the time New York was a slavery State. He had 
 seven sons, all of whom came to Fulton county and all settled near together. Our sub- 
 ject's father was a farmer and merchant, was a Democrat in politics, and held several 
 town offices. George M. was the only son. He had one sister living. He is a farmer, 
 merchant and lumberman by occupation, and owns a fine farm of 100 acres. In politics 
 Mr. Gifford is a Democrat and has been supervisor of the town. On September 13, 
 1871, he married Antoinette Herrin, of Pittsfield, Mass., and they have had three chil- 
 dren, as follows : Carrie A., born March 2, 1776 ; Lloyd, born July 4, 1880 ; and 
 Mary, born September,21, 1888. i Mr. Gifford is one of the enterprising men of the 
 town. 
 
 Gifford, George W., Northampton, a farmer, was born on the farm which he now 
 occupies, July 30, 1843, a son of Aaron and Betsey (Breed) Gifford. The father 
 was also born on the same farm, and the mother in Massachusetts. William Gif- 
 ford, grandfather of George, and the founder of the family in this country, was one 
 of the original settlers in the county. He was a soldier of the war of 1812, and 
 the family is of Dutch origin. George W. was one of a family of seven children, all 
 now living except one. He married, January 7, 1886, Dellah Gardner, of North- 
 ampton, who was born November 26, 1863, a daughter of John and Theoda (Hages) 
 Gardner. They have one child. Mr. Gifford is a Democrat in politics, and has served 
 several years in different town offices. He was assessor for nine years, and is a sub^ 
 stantial man. He is the owner of a fine dairy and stock farm. 
 
 Gifford, Rufus S., of Cranberry Creek, a farmer and lumberman, was born in North- 
 ampton on April 5, 1840, a son of Aaron and Betsey (Breed) Gifford. His father, who 
 was a farmer, was born on the farm where George W. Gifford now lives, and was a 
 Democrat in politics, having been commissioner for seventeen years. He died aged 
 eighty-eight years. Rufus was educated in the district schools, and at the age of six- 
 teen engaged in teaching, in which he continued winters for eleven years. At the end 
 of that period he engaged in the mercantile business at Osborn Bridge. In the mean 
 time he began the building of his steam saw-mill at Cranberry Creek, where he manu- 
 factures lumber in large quantities. He also owns and manages several farms, owning 
 over 300 acres of land. In poHtics he is a Democrat, and has held several important 
 local offices. September 18, 1863, he married Emily J. Fritcher, daughter of Adam 
 and Sarah (Lowell) Fritcher, natives of Schoharie county. Mr. and Mrs. Gifford have 
 five children : Linus G., Ella, Ethie, Lionel C. and Delia. Mrs. Giffiord and children 
 are members of the M. E. church. 
 
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FAMILY SKETCHES. S3 
 
 Gilbert, Roland, a farmer of Cranberry Creek, was born in this town on January 9, 
 1846, a son of Russell C. and Mary A. (Wells) Gilbert. His father was born in this 
 county, and died aged sixty years. His mother was born in Hartford, Conn., and died 
 aged fifty-three years. His grandfather, Samuel Gilbert, was county judge for many 
 years. Roland was the youngest of three children, having had one brother and one 
 sister, both deceased. He was reared on the farm where he now lives, and which con- 
 sists of over 200 acres of cultivated land. By perseverance Mr. Gilbert has accumu- 
 lated a fine property. He is a Democrat in politics, to which, however, he gives little 
 attention. In 1876 he married Mary Ford, of Northville, who was born October 10, 
 1852. They have one child, Mary A., born April 9, 1877. Mr. Gilbert is one of the 
 substantial farmers of the county. 
 
 Gilslider, John, Perth Centre p. o., was born in Bavaria, Germany, January 1, 1839, 
 a son of John and Mary (Stuppie) Gilslider. His father died in 1850, and three years 
 after Mr-s. Gilslider brought her three boys and settled in Bleecker, Fulton county. 
 Their names were Jacob and John Gilslider, and Jacob Bushower, their half brother. 
 The latter bought a farm in Bleecker and the family made this their home until 
 1860. May 22, 1861, John married Mary Beddingham, daughter of Edward and Pran- 
 ces (Elwood) Beddingham. After his marriage he bought a farm in the town of Johns- 
 town, lived there three years, then went to Gloversville, where they lived thirteen 
 years, then came to Perth and bought the farm of 100 acres known as the Bumphrey 
 farm, which he has since successfully conducted, adding many improvements, which 
 have greatly increased the value of the place, until now he owns one of the best farms 
 on the old plank road. They are the parents of six children, three now living : F. Au- 
 gusta, now Mrs. Lafayette Noonan, born April 3, 1862 ; Arthur J., born January 13, 
 1872 ; Benjamin B., born December 30, 1875. Mr. Gilslider has held offices of honor 
 and trust in his town five years, and has been school trustee in his district four years. 
 The family are regular attendants of the Perth Presbyterian church, and one of the 
 leading families of this section. Mr. Gilslider's principal ambition is to be known as an 
 honest, upright citizen. 
 
 Gorthy, James, a farmer of Union Mills, was borta February 14, 1825, in Broadalbin. 
 He is a son of William and Jenney (Cameron) Gorthy. His father was a native of 
 Scotland, and came to America when a young man. He was a shoemaker by trade, 
 and carried on business for many years at North Broadalbin, of which town his 
 wife was a native. Her parents were both natives of Scotland, and came to America 
 about 1790. James Gorthy married Lois E. Clarke February 12, 1851, a daughter of 
 John Clarke, of Union Mills ; she was born 'September 3, 1825. He was for many 
 years an extensive paper manufacturer, and was one of the founders of the Christian 
 church of that place. He was also a justice of the peace for several years, and super- 
 visor of the town for several terms. He was a son of Samuel Clarke, whose father 
 Walter was a. captain in the revolutionary war, and a descendant of one of three 
 brothers who came to America with Roger Williams, and settled in Rhode Island, 
 and who were the first rope manufacturers in this country. Samuel Clarke, grand- 
 father of Mrs. Gorthy, came to this section about 1790, where her father was born 
 
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54 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 in 1802. He married Sybil Bacon, of Meriden, Conn., and they had two children, 
 Olive C, who married George Tatlack; and Mrs. Gorthy. Mr. Gorthy was an ex- 
 tensive farmer, he and his wife owning over 230 acres of fine farming land. They 
 have no children. 
 
 Samuel Gray, father of Misj Susan Gray, of Johnstown, was born in the town of 
 Floyd, Oneida county, about the year 1789. In September, 1809 he married Sarah Yates 
 in Lucerne, Saratoga county. They had seven children, two sons and five daughters, 
 namely : Sarah, Catherine, Joseph, John, Anna A., Elizabeth and Susan M. Samuel 
 Gray died April 1, 1827. Miss Gray has resided in Johnstown about sixty years. Her 
 grandfather, Asahel Gray, was a captain m the revolutionary army. 
 
 Green family. — James Green, a native of New Hampshire, who served in Colonel 
 Poor's regiment during the revolutionary war, came to what is now , Fulton county in 
 1783 and settled on the road leading from Kingsboro to Mayfield, on the farm still 
 known as the Green place and now owned by James W. Green, of Gloversville. His 
 daughters were Margaret, married to John Putman of Glen ; Maria, married to Jacob 
 Burton, of Johnstown ; and Susan, married to Frederick Steele, of Kingsboro ; and his 
 sons were Moses, Timothy, Ebenezer and Gideon G. W. The latter was the young- 
 est child and was born on the old farm in 1799. He married Margaret McKinley, a 
 daughter of John McKinley, a native of Scotland who came to America at the outbreak 
 of the revolution, in which he served as an artillery artificer. Their marriage took 
 place in 1826, and they both lived to raise a large family, Gideon dying in 1884, and 
 his widow January 7, 1892. She was born in 1801, and was remarkably bright until 
 within a week or two of her death. Their children were Margaret J., married Archi- 
 bald McEwen ; Susan D., died in 1864 ; Sarah, married Malcolm Carmichael ; Mary E., 
 now living in Gloversville ; Anna M., married Rev. E. K. Miller, of Hannibal, Mo., and 
 died in 1861 ; Catherine E., married Jacob S. Van Wyck, of Brooklyn, where they are 
 at present living ; William, now district attorney of Fulton county, to which office he 
 was first elected in 1886 and again in 1889 ; and James W., a lumber merchant of Glov- 
 ersville. 
 
 Greenslete, Edgar J, blacksmith, Broadalbin, was born in Northampton, July 18, 
 1858, a son of James and Fanny (Bracey) Greenslete, natives of Bennington, Vt> 
 James Greenslete came to Fulton county about 1850. He was a soldier in the civil 
 war for about three years and is now a pensioner. He lives at Northampton. Edgar 
 J. was reared at the village, and at the age of seventeen he was apprenticed at his trade, 
 remaining ten years. He came to Broadalbin in 1886 and engaged in business for him- 
 self, which he has carried on successfully. He is a Republican in politics, a member of 
 the Masonic fraternity, also of the order of Red Men, and a Good Templar. November 
 18, 1879, he married Mary Volker, whose parents were born in Germany, but at present 
 are residents of St. Louis. Mr. and Mrs. Greenslete have two children, Fanny E., and 
 Willie. He and his wife are inembers of the Presbyterian church, and Mr. Greenslete 
 is a member of the fire department of the village. 
 
 Grennell, William H., is a liveryman at Northville. He was born in Hamilton county,. 
 May 4, 1851, and is a son of Graves C. and Nancy (Van Ness) Grennell. William H, 
 
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FAMILY SKETCHES. 55 
 
 owns and manages one of the finest livery establishments in the county, and does a 
 large business in the summer season with tourists. He also owns and manages the 
 mail route and stage from Northville to Lake Pleasant, and which he has conducted for 
 the last three years. Mr. Grennell is a self-made man, and by industry and perserver- 
 ance has accumulated a fine property. On July 4, 1878, he married Gertrude, daugh- 
 ter of Abram and Ohve (Kent) Bowman, natives of Northville. Mrs. Grennell was 
 born January 5, 1861. They have one son, John H., born December 13, 1879. Mrs. 
 Grennell's father had two brothers in the late war. Mr. Grennell is a Democrat and 
 a member of the order of Red Men. 
 
 Grewen, Mathias, Johnstown, was born in Prussia, on the 8th of June, 1835, being 
 educated in the public schools, and after learning the tailoring trade, he, in the year 
 1857, came to the United States. Finally he located in Johnstown, and is now one of 
 its leading merchant tailors. His son, William, is the draughtsman and cutter in the 
 establishment. On the 17th of October, 1867, he married Catherine Fendel (of his na- 
 tive place), in Boston. They have six children, three sons and three daughters: Will- 
 iam, Mary, Frederick, John, Carrie, and Catherine. 
 
 Grofif, Daniel B., Oppenhoim, was born in St. Johnsville, January 29, 1841, a son of 
 Benjamin and Lany A. (Smith) Grofi', who reared six children. The father of Benjamin 
 was Christain, a native of Stone Arabia, Montgomery county. His father, John Groff, 
 came from Germany previous to the revolutionary war. He died in Stone Arabia, and 
 his wife, Hannah, in St. Johnsville, at the age of ninety-six years. Christian was born in 
 Stone Arabia in 1768. His wife was Catharine Nestle, by whom he had three sons 
 and four daughters. He died in 1842 at St. Johnsville, and his wife in 1856. Benjamin 
 G-roff was born in 1812 at St. Johnsville, and in 1833 married. His wife died in 1879. 
 Mr. Groff" resides with his son. He and family are members of the Lutheran church. 
 Daniel B. received a common school education, with several terms in the Fairfield and 
 Cazenovia Seminaries. In 1864 he married Lany, daughter of William and Mary Tim- 
 merman Davy, of Herkimer county. The Timmermans are of German descent, and 
 were early settlers of the county. To Daniel B. Groff seven children have been born : 
 Alonzo B., William D., Nettie M., Josiah E., John W., Ada A., and Katie L., all now 
 living except Alonzo, who died when four years of age. Mr. Groff has always been a 
 farmer. He settled in Oppenheim about 1866, where he still resides. He is a member 
 of Acacia Lodge No. 307, K. of P., in which he is master of the exchequer. He is a 
 member of Crum Creek Grange No. 584, of which he is master. Mr. Groff and family 
 are Lutherans. 
 
 Gross, John S., Johnstown, was born[December 23, 1847, was educated in the pub- 
 lic schools, supplemented by several terms in the Academy, and is a farmer by occupa- 
 tion. December 12, 1878, he married Emma, only daughter of Abraham and Christina 
 Hanson, of Schoharie county. They haVe five children, three daughters and two sons : 
 Clara, Christina, Eliza, Henry, and Frank. John Henry Gross, great-grandfather of 
 John S., came from Germany at an early day. In order to pay his passage, he bound 
 himself to a wealthy Quaker, who, after some years, having complete confidence in the 
 young man, set him up in business as a traveling salesman, whose stock of goods were 
 
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56 HIS20RY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 carried by .him from house to house, until he found his way into the Mohawk valley, 
 and thence to Johnstown, where he bought a large tract of land of several hundred 
 acres, west of the village, and the Gross family have owned the greater part of it ever 
 since. He at once began to utilize the timber in the making of potash, which was 
 available as a cash article, and his evenings were occupied in selling goods to his neigh- 
 bors. He also built a house, and after some years a store. One of his sons, Henry 1st, 
 came next in order, and finally Henry 3d acquired the original settlement by purchase. 
 January 28, 1836. he married Eliza, fourth daughter of Christian and Magdalene StoUer 
 (who were an old representative German family also), and they had five children, three 
 sons and two daughters : Henry, Magdalene, Simeon S., who reside in Gloversville ; 
 John S., and Alice (deceased). 
 
 Guibert, Eugene A., Johnstown, was born in France, and after finishing his educa- 
 tion, he learned the trade of glove cutting. He came to the United States in 1873 and 
 located in Johnstown, where he followed the glove cutting trade until about 1890, when 
 he became a leather dresser and manufacturer. Having recently sufiered a loss by fire 
 he has removed to Gloversville. In the year 1876 he married Flora Julien, by whom 
 he has two children. 
 
 Hagadorn, Birdsley, Johnstown, was born in Canajoharie, on the 6th day of Decem- 
 ber, 1861. He was educated in the common schools; afterward he entered the grocery 
 business, which he earned on until his death, March 5, 1891. October 3d, 1883, he 
 married Mary, the second daughter of John and Julia Lipe, of Sharon. They had three 
 children, all of whom were eirls : Blanche, who died when she was four years and five 
 months old ; Mabel S., and Marguerite. Mrs. Hagadorn's father and mother were bora 
 in Stone Arabia ; they had eight children: Catherine, Remain, Stewart, Mary, Eliza, 
 Emma, Carrie and Ida. 
 
 Hagadorn, Dwight, was born on the 5th of March, 1846, in Stratford, and is a son- 
 of Abraham Hagadorn, who was a son of Gilbert Hagadorn, a native of Columbia. 
 Gilbert Hagadorn came to Fulton county and settled in Stratford in 1839, where he re- 
 mained until his death, which happened on the 28th of November, 1876. He married! 
 Mary Link, by whom he had six children. She died in 1880. Abraham Hagadorn was 
 a native of New York, and in 1839, when a young man, came to Stratford, spending 
 most of his life as a farmer, until his death in 1889. His wife survives him and resides 
 with her son Dwight. He was raised on a farm and received a common school educa- 
 tion, and has always been a farmer. In 1874 he married Emma G. Avery, a native of 
 Stratford. Her parents were Smith and Mary (Rockwell) Avery, who reared a family 
 of eleven children. The father of Smith Avery was William Avery, an early settler of 
 the township. Mr. and Mrs. Dwight Hagadorn have had two children : Orva, who 
 died, and Bertha. Mr. Hagadorn is a farmer and has always resided in the township. 
 
 Hagadorn, John W., Johnstown, was born in Canajoharie, September 8, 1843, and 
 was educated in the public schools, and in early life was a clerk in the post-office there. 
 On the 18th of August, 1861, he enlisted in Company I, 43d New York State Volun- 
 teers, and was promoted orderly sergeant and was honorably discharged September 12, 
 1863. In December, 1863, he re-enlisted in Company I, 115th New York VolunteerSr 
 
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FAMILY SKETCHES. 57- 
 
 and was again promoted to orderly sergeant and was honorably discharged September 
 12, 1865. On the 24th of January, 1867, he married Catherine B., oldest daughter of 
 Frederick and Margaret Webber, of Johnstown, by whom he had two children, one son 
 and one daughter, Katie and John E. Mr. Hagadorn came to Johnstown in the year 
 1866 and since 1874 has been a leather manufacturer. 
 
 Hall, Jesse, Gloversville, who ranks among the successful and progressive business 
 men of Gloversville, was born in Oxfordshire, Bng., in 1836. Having become a prac- 
 tical glove cutter he came to America in 1863, and worked at Galway and Broadalbin 
 before coming to Gloversville. In 1867 he made the latter place his permanent home,, 
 working for such prominent manufacturers as Isaac V. Place and Berry & Allen. In 
 1875 he started in business for himself, first on Spring street, then on Bast Fulton and 
 Main streets in succession. In 1879 he built his present large factory, being an addition, 
 to an older building that still is a part of his plant. Mr. Hall's business career has been' 
 abundantly successful and he now stands among the solid men of the glove city. In 
 1865 he married Annie E. Durkee, by whom he has three children. The Hall Block, « 
 large double building on South Main street, was built in 1890. 
 
 Hamlin, Alden I., Gloversville, was born in Cummington, Hampshire county, Mass.. 
 November 16, 1822, and was married in 1844 to Angeline Lovell, by whom he had six 
 children, only three of whom are now living. He became a resident and tanner in. 
 Bleecker about 1850, and during his residence there Mr. Hamlin was one of the fore- 
 most business men of the locality, engaging not only in sole leather tanning, but as well 
 in the lumber busmess and helping to build the Presbyterian Church there. Since 
 coming to Gloversville in 1866 his attention has been principally devoted to building. 
 Mr. Hamlin is a member of the Presbyterian Church of Gloversville, and at one time 
 was one of its deacons. 
 
 Hanson, Frank, Johnstown, was born in Argusville, Schoharie county, and came 
 with his parents to Johnstown when eight years old. He was educated in the public 
 schools and Johnstown Academy, and after finishing his education he became a clerk. 
 He began the grocery business in 1879, under the firm of Collins & Hanson, being as- 
 sociated with Martin Collins, a partnership which still continues. On the 13th of 
 October, 1880, he married Sadie, second daughter of F. J. and Sarah Moore, of Johns- 
 town. They have three children, two daughters and one son : Bertha, Fred and Emma. 
 Mr. Hanson's father, Abram, was born at the old home. He married Christina Bouck, 
 of Middleburg, Schoharie county. They had three children, namely : Emma, Frank as 
 noted above, and his twin brother Fred, who died when a year old. 
 
 Haring, James H., Johnstown, was the youngest of a family of nine children, and 
 was educated m the public schools and Johnstown Academy. He was in the mercantile 
 business many years as a general store keeper. On the 4th of November, 1857, he 
 married Margaret Sammons, oldest child in a family of eight. They had six children, 
 three sons and three daughters, namely : James, Maggie, Helen, Josephine F., Freder- 
 ick S. and R. Earl. Mr. Haring's father was the late Judge Aaron Haring, who was 
 born in New Jersey on the 19th of October, 1778, and married an English lady, Sarah 
 
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S8 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 Moorhouse, in the year 1801, by whom he had nine children, three daughters and six 
 sons. Judge Haring died id 1864. The family are of Dutch, German and English ex- 
 traction. 
 
 Harlow, Charles H., builder of Broadalbin, was born in Ballston, on the 28th of July, 
 1853. Mr. Harlow is an architect and builder, and has been in Broadalbin since 1877, 
 being for several years associated with Daniel Fosmire; the firm had the contract for 
 building the knitting mills and the Bcman Catholic Church, and several of the fine resi- 
 dences in town. Mr. Harlow had three brothers in the war of the rebellion : James, 
 John and Smith ; John was a captain ; he lost an arm after two years, but continued 
 in service until the close of the war, since which time he has been in the United States 
 Treasury Department. Mr. Harlow is a son of Ellis and Mary Eodford Harlow, natives 
 of Saratoga county. Ellis was a farmer. Grandfather Harlow was a soldier in the 
 Revolutionary war and of English origin. Charles H. was married on the 8th of Feb- 
 ruary, 1877, to Sarah Harton, of Broadalbin. They have had one son, Frank James, 
 who was born on the 23d of January, 1878. Mr. Harlow.is a Republican in politics 
 and has been deputy sherifi' two years and constable ; he is a member of the order of 
 Red Men. Mrs. Harlow is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
 
 Harris, Peter, a farmer of Northville, resides in the town of North Hope, Hamilton 
 county. He was bom in the above town, August 27, 1832, and is a son of James and 
 Catherine (Van Vleeck) Harris. James Harris was born in Scotland and came to 
 America with his parents about 1802, settling on land now owned by Peter Harris, 
 which was then a dense wilderness. Peter Harris's grandchild is the fifth genera- 
 tion living on the same farm. James Harris by perseverance gained a knowledge 
 of public affairs while quite young. He was a Democrat in politics, and was the first 
 sherifi" of Hamilton county ; also represented his district in the State Legislature ; was 
 supervisor of his town for many years, and was a justice of the peace, besides fill- 
 ing several other oflBcial stations. He died at the age of eighty-nine years. Peter 
 Harris is also a Democrat. In 1875 he was elected treasurer of the county, and has 
 served in that capacity for eighteen years. He owns a fine farm of 160 acres at the 
 old homestead, and about 1200 acres of land besides, and has been an extensive lum- 
 berman. In April, 1859, he married Lydia Potter, of Northampton, by whom he has 
 five children, as follows : Mary K,, Emma, Belle, Eva, and Fred J. Mr. Harris is one 
 of the most prominent and influential citizens of Hamilton county. 
 
 Harris, William, is a hotel proprietor in Northville.", Few men are better known in 
 Fulton county than he. He has one of the finest hotels in the county, and a popular 
 place of resort for tourists passing through the country. He located his present place 
 in 1871 and embarked in the hotel business, and in [1885 he built his present fine and 
 commodious hotel, which is located on the river road from Northville to Sageville, about 
 three miles north of the former place, a charming situation in a beautiful valley. Mr. 
 Harris was born in Hope, Hamilton county, November 27, 1849. He is a son of Will- 
 iam and Susan (Wadsworth) Harris, the former of Scotch origin and the latter of Eng- 
 lish. William Harris, sr., was engaged in lumbering. He was a Republican and was 
 treasurer of Hamilton county three years. Grandfather Harris was a Scotchman, and 
 
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FAMILY SKETCHES. 59 
 
 came to America with two brothers in early life. William Harris married, September 
 19, 1872, AUie J. Russell, of Hope, and they have three children: Samuel, Leona, and 
 Susan. Mr. Harris is a Republican and takes an active interest in the affairs of his 
 party. 
 
 Hart, Orren, Perth, Tribes Hill p. o., was born in the town of Amsterdam, April 10,. 
 1843, a son of Henry and Dorothy (Stoller) Hart. The great-grandfather of our sub- 
 ject came to this country from Holland, where he had been a merchant. He started! 
 from that country with the goods from his store, but was shipwrecked and lost every- 
 thing he had. He located in Tryon county and lived there until the massacre at Caugh- 
 nawaga, when his house and out-buildings were. burned and he was scalped by the In- 
 dians. He was the father of Henry, grandfather of our subject, who was the father of seven 
 children, of which Henry, jr., father of our subject, was the oldest. Henry, the grand- 
 father, was a revolutionary soldier and fought and suffered great hardships during that 
 war. After the war was over he bought a farm in Amsterdam, remained a few years 
 and then went to Jefferson county, where he lived until his death. Henry, his son, 
 was born June 13, 1796, in Palatine town, and married Dorothy Stoller, September 2, 
 1819. They were the parents of eight children ; five are living : Magdalen Mosher, of 
 Dakota; William, of Amsterdam; James A., Elizabeth and Orren, all of Perth. The 
 early life of our subject was spent on the farm, and at his father's death, which occurred 
 November 11, 1863, he and his brother James bought out the other heirs and have 
 since conducted the farm. He was married to Maggie A. Culbert, March 19, 1868. 
 Mrs. Hart's ancestry was Scotch. They have had four children : Jennie, now Mrs» 
 Henry Moore, of Johnstown ; Nettie, Dora and Libbie. Nettie died October 7, 1888, 
 aged eighteen years. Dora died May 23, 1875, aged about two years. Mrs. Hart, 
 mother of our subject, still lives at ninety years of age. Mr. Hart has always had a 
 deep interest in the politics of his town, and has held the office of supervisor for nine 
 years. Was first elected in 1879 and again in 1885, and has held the office since, which 
 shows his popularity and the esteem his neighbors have for him, also his ability to act 
 as their representative. 
 
 Hart, Smith T. 0., Gloversville, the well known Fulton street furniture dealer and 
 undertaker, was born in Broadalbin, March 10, 1851. When Smith was a youth his 
 family moved to Cazenovia. and there our subject was brought up to the business in 
 which he is now engaged. About twenty-five years ago he came to Gloversville and 
 started in business, first in Bleecker street, and thence moved to his present location 
 at 67 W. Pulton street. Mr. Hart's wife was Anna Hatmaker, daughter of Joseph 
 Hatmaker. They have one child. Mr. Hart is one of the deacons of the Baptist church. 
 
 Hayden, John C, a farmer of Northville, was a soldier in the late civil war in the 
 Ninety-first New York Volunteers. He was at the battle of Hatcher's Run, and was 
 wounded by a gunshot in both knees, for which he draws a pension. He was born 
 March 13, 1834, in Day, Saratoga county, a son of Solomon and Anna (Blass) Hayden. 
 He was an early settler in the county. John 0. was reared on a farm and has always 
 followed that occupation, owning now a fine place of 121 acres under good cultivation. 
 
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6o HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTS. 
 
 He married Martha Quimby (since deceased), by whom he had six children: Albert, 
 Willie, Charles, Mary, George and Eugene. In politics Mr. Hayden is a Democrat and 
 is a substantial farmer and a good neighbor. George L., a younger brother, was in 
 the war also, and was lost at sea in transportation. 
 
 Hayes, Amos, Oppenheim, was born in Manheim in 1832, and two years afterwards 
 his parents moved to Oppenheim. He was the third of six born to Henry J. and 
 Mary (Windecker) Hayes. Henry J. was a son of Jacob H., and was born May 24, 
 1805, in Oppenheim. He moved to Manheim with his parents, but afterwards re- 
 turned to Oppenheim, where he purchased a farm, on which he lived until his death 
 in 1881. His wife died in 1846. They were both members of the Dutch Reformed 
 church, and Mr. Hayes was at one time overseer of the poor. Amos Hayes received 
 a common school education and has always followed farming, being the owner of the 
 old homestead. In 1853 he married Martha Ann, daughter of Jacob and Rosanna 
 (House) Vosler, who had ten children, eight of whom lived to maturity. Mr. Vosler 
 came from Charleston when a young man, and here he resided until his death in 1888. 
 His wife died in 1877. To Amos three children were born : Marietta, born March 7, 
 1854, who married James M. Porter and resides at St. Johns ville; Melvin, who married 
 Ella D. Decker ; and Ella, who married William E. Hayes, and resides at Oppenheim. 
 Amos Hayes was assessor one term, and both he and his wife are members of the 
 Dutch Reformed church. 
 
 Hayes, Benjamin, Oppenheim, was born in Oppenheim, April 23, 1832. He was a 
 son of Henry I. and Polly Davis Hayes, who reared a family of ten children. Henry I. 
 was a son of John Hayes, a native of Germany, who came to this country in an early 
 day and engaged in farming. His wife was Mary Bellinger, by whom he had eight 
 children. Mr. Hayes and wife both died in Oppenheim. Henry I. was a mechanic 
 and farmer. He and his wife were members of the Dutch Reformed church. Mr. 
 Hayes died in 1888 and his wife in 1867. Benjamin Hayes was reared on the farm and 
 educated in the public schools. He has a good farm. He learned the carpenter's 
 trade with his father, and also the mason's trade. He married Catharine Cretzer, and 
 to them two sons were born : Nathaniel and Marvin. Mr. Hayes is a granger. 
 
 Hayes, J. J., Oppenheim, was born in Manheim Center, Herkimer county, February 
 1, 1828, a son of Jacob H. and Charity (Rarick) Hayes, who reared nine children. 
 The father of Jacob H. was Henry Hayes, a native of Germany, who came to New 
 York previous to the Revolutionary war. He settled in Oppenheim, where he lived and 
 died. He was the first teacher in Tryon county. He married in Germany and had two 
 children. By a second marriage with Catherine Bellinger, he had seven sons and three 
 daughters. Jacob Hayes was born in Oppenheim, August 22, 1784. He was a man of 
 good education, a farmer and school teacher ; and also a teacher of music. He moved 
 to Herkimer county about 1820 and settled in Manheim, where he followed teaching 
 and local preaching until his death, September 7, 1828. J. J. Hayes received a common 
 school education, supplemented by several terms in Little Falls Academy. After he 
 was ten years of age Mr. Hayes earned his own living. He afterwards learned the 
 tianner's trade, then attended school and followed teaching in Fulton and Herkimer 
 
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FAMILY SKETCHES. 6i 
 
 counties for a number of years. He is at present engaged in farming. March 8, 1849, 
 he married Cyrene House, who was born m Oppenheim, June 11, 1832. She was a 
 daughter of John J. and Nancy (Hofl'man) House. John J. House, father of Cyrene 
 House, wife of J. J. Hayes, was a^grandson of Christian House, a captain during the 
 Revokitionary war. Captain^House served under General Herkimer. He helped build 
 some of the forts in the Mohawk Valley, one of which was named Fort House in honor 
 of Captain House. He was with General Herkimer in the battle when Herkimer fell 
 mortally wounded, and helped bear him from the field after the battle. To J. J. Hayes 
 and wife have been born two children : Walter, born May 11, 1850 ; married Roxy 
 Clause, by whom he had one daughter and one son. He is a graduate of the Pennsyl- 
 vania Medical College and at present is practicing medicine in Gloversville ; Frances, 
 born August 12, 1854, married Nathaniel Hayes in 1872, and died April 5, 1874. The 
 subject of this sketch has held the ofBce of justice of the peace for thirteen years, justice 
 of sessions two years and excise commissioner two terms. He and wife are members 
 of the Dutch Reformed church. 
 
 Hayes, Simon P., Oppenheim, was born in Oppenheim, March 29, 1835, and is a son 
 of Henry J. and Mary (Windecker) Hayes. . Mr. Hayes was reared on a farm and 
 received a common school education. He married on the 14th of October, 1853, Mary 
 A. Hayes, who was born August 19, 1837, a daughter of Levi and Mary (Hilts) Hayes. 
 Levi was reared in Oppenheim, and Mary in Herkimer. Simon P. Hayes and wife had 
 six children : Mary C, born March 28, 1855 ; William B., born July 12, 1856 ; Alvena, 
 born February 15, 1859, died September 18,;i861 ; Cordelia A., born July 14, 1862 ; 
 Cora L, born April 3, 1870; Forba D., born July 24, 1875. All are married exeept the 
 latter, leaving but three at home, the father, mother and youngest child. Mary C, 
 married Albert Flanders, a farmer, born April 26, 1853; they have three children: 
 EttaM. , born November 5, 1874; Brvin J., born February 11, 1880; Lela M., born 
 April 17, 1890; William E., married Ella Hayes, who wa« born November 1, 1864. 
 They are now erecting buildings on lands first settled by Henry Hayes. Cordelia A. 
 married Edgar C. Hoffman, a machinist, who was born September 6, 1859) they have 
 two children : Delcia M., born November 8, 1879 ; Ethel L., born September 14, 1890. 
 They are now living in Herkimer. Cora married Wilson Kresge, a cabinet maker, born 
 March 10, 1863. They have two children : Eva C, born October 3, 1889, and Floyd 
 W., born October 14, 1891. They live in Herkimer. Simon P. Hayes was a laborer 
 until 1863, when he was drafted, and exempted by paying $300, that amount taking 
 almost every dollar he had. In 1769 he started a drain tile yard, in which he was 
 quite successful. He was elected assessor of the town of Oppenheim in 1888, and 
 served three years. Of late he has been in the poultry business. Both he and his 
 family are members of the Christian church, of which he has been trustee and member 
 of the ministerial committee. He has always strived to do to others as he would have 
 them do by him. 
 
 Hays, Daniel, Gloversville, was born' June 14, 1833, at Scotch Bush, a small settle- 
 ment within a few miles of Johnstown. His grandfather, Alexander Hays, was a 
 Scotch Highlander, and came to America just at the eve of the Revolutionary war, join- 
 
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62 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 ing the United states forces and serving throughout the struggle. He received his honor- 
 able discharge while under the command of General Washington. He was the father 
 of seven children, namely : John, Peter, Alexander, Daniel, Mary, James and Duncan. 
 He was a very devoted Christian, attending the Scotch Presbyterian church at Johns- 
 town when far advanced in life and at times when his hearing was so impaired as to 
 make it impossible for him to understand a word of the sermon. The example he thus 
 laid out for his children amply paid him for devotion. He died when in his ninety- 
 seventh year, and was buried in the old cemetery in Johnstown. JamesHays, next to 
 the youngest son, was born in 1800, and married Mrs. Lois Simmons, a daughter of 
 Elias Dawley, and widow of Aaron Simmons, of Oneida county. She was born in 1796. 
 Their children were : Elizabeth, Catherine, Daniel and James. Mr. Hays died in June, 
 1869, and his wife in 1887, and were both buried,in Prospect Hill cemetery, Q-loversville. 
 Daniel Hays came to Gloversville in 1851 from Scotch Bush, and has since been prom- 
 inently identified with the manufacture of gloves. He married Helen Adelia Ward, 
 daughter of Elias G-. and Sarah Van Nostrand Ward, December 25, 1854, and has one 
 daughter, Ida Isabel, who married Lewis A. Tate, October 30, 1879. They have three 
 children, namely : Jessie C, Helen H. and D. Hays Tate. 
 
 Heacock, David G., the son of Lemuel and Sophia (Leavenworth) Heacock, was born 
 in Johnstown township in January, 1827. He married Jane Ann Van Wyck and had 
 two children: Helena, wife of John D. Knight, and now living at Lincoln, Neb.; and 
 Eugene D. Heacock, of Gloversville, David G. Heacock died January 24, 1878. He 
 is remembered as a thorough and straightforward business man, and one whose efforts 
 in life were abundantly rewarded. He was a manufacturer of gloves for about thirty 
 years, and had his place of business and residence at Kingsboro. His son, Eugene D.,. 
 married Lydia E. Gary. They have one child. A further record of the Heacock fam- 
 ily will be found elsewhere in this book. 
 
 Heacock, Philamier C, the son of Lemuel Heacock, the latter a pioneer of Kings- 
 boro, was born in 1822. He was one of the leading glovers of the town and one, also^ 
 who made a success of the business, although during the last score or more years of 
 life he was constantly suffering from bodily afflictions. On March 12, 1850, he mar- 
 ried Janet A. Thomas, by whom he had three children, viz.: Elbert Lemuel, William. 
 L., and Nettie T. Philander 0. Heacock died August 22, 1888. 
 
 Heagle, Chauncey, Johnstown, a son of the late George Heagle, was born on the 
 27th of January, 1860, on a road two miles east of the village, leading to Tribes Hill,, 
 where he resided until he was thirteen years old, at which age he entered the Johns- 
 town Union School. He graduated from there at the age of fifteen, and the following 
 year taught the^district school at Perth. At the age of eighteen he entered the employ 
 of his uncle in the grocery store in this village, where he remained two years, and after 
 that time became]^an equal partner in the concern. This he continued until the year 
 1885, when he opened a clothing and furnishing goods business, and now has the largest 
 and best equipped store in Fulton county. On the 18th of May, 1881, he married 
 Anna R., youngest daughter of the late Richard H. Rosa, of Johnstown, and they have- 
 one daughter, Helen R. 
 
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FAMILY SKETCHES. 6^ 
 
 Heagle, James, Johnstown, was born on ihe 7tli of October, 1842, in Johnstown, and 
 ■was educated in the common schools. Until twenty-one years he was a farmer and 
 since that time has followed the glove business. In 1867 he married Amy W., the old- 
 est daughter of John H. and Rhoda (Wells) Gross, of this town. They have two daugh- 
 ters, Grace W., and Florence, and one son, Frank. Mr. Heagle's father, Adam, was 
 born in Johnstown, and married Matilda Winnie, of the town of Perth. They had 
 eight children, four sons and four daughters. Mr. Heagle's grandfather, Baltus Heag- 
 ler, came from Germany. 
 
 Heagle, William H., Johnstown, was born on the old homestead on April 12, 1830. 
 He was educated in the district schools and has always been a farmer. Mr. Heagle was 
 twice married. On June 10, 1852, he married Dorothy Moore, of Mohawk, and they 
 had two children, a son and a daughter, namely : Michael, who married Georgiana 
 Smith, of Johnstown, by whom he had three children : Charles H., Mina B., and Doro- 
 thy; and Kattie, who died in infancy. Mrs. Heagle died in 1874. His second wife 
 was Jane E., fifth daughter of Peter and Jane Quilhot, of the town of Perth. Her 
 father, Peter, was born in Johnstown and married Jane Van Nest, of the town of 
 Mohawk, and they had nine children who grew to maturity : Maria, Henry, Arien, 
 Anna G., Sarah, John, Jane E., Stephen and Peter. 
 
 Hellwig, Melchoir, Gloversville, was born in Hesse Cassel, Germany, in 1816. His 
 wife, Rachel Wilkins, was born on Isle of Wight in 1818. Melchoir came to this coun- 
 try and located at Kingsboro in 1839. He was a tailor and clothier by trade, and did 
 a prosperous business in the little community. He continued work at his trade un- 
 til about 1869, when he purchased a forty acre farm in the now eastern part of the 
 <;ity of Gloversville, where he has ever since resided. Mr. and Mrs. Hellwig have had 
 three children : Albert ; Ferdinand W. (now in Lincoln, Neb.) ; and George Dana, a 
 resident of Austin, Penn. Mr. Hellwig was formerly an Abolitionist, but since Presi- 
 dent Lincoln's time has been earnest in the advocacy of prohibition. He has been a 
 member of the Baptist church for fifty-one years, and his wife for forty-four years. 
 
 Helterline, David, Stratford, was born in Bavaria, Germany, March 5, 1831, a son of 
 Joseph and Mary (Amend) Helterline, who reared six children, of whom David is the 
 oldest. Joseph Helterline was born in Germany, May 11, 1798, was a shoemaker, far- 
 mer, and trader. He was a man of good education, and quite an extensive land owner 
 in Germany. He was at one time justice of the peace. His death occurred in 1862, 
 and that of his wife in 1858. David Helterline was reared on a farm, and received a 
 common school education. In 1852 he came to Stratford, and in the same year mar- 
 ried Margaretta Lorse, a native of Bavaria, and to them were boru eleven children : 
 Rosina (deceased), Annie M., Sophia, Joseph, George, David H., Nichola, Maggie, 
 Freddie J., Willie, and Lizzie. After coming to Stratford Mr. Helterline dealt in bark 
 and lumber. In 1882 he purchased a saw-mill, and has since manufactured lumber on 
 a large scale, owning at present two saw-mills, a tub factory, and about 6,000 acres 
 of land. He has been supervisor of his town four years, highway commissioner seven 
 terms and was postmaster during Cleveland's administration. His family are Roman 
 Catholics. Mr. Helterline and son are engaged in mercantile business, in which they 
 have been very successful. 
 
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64 HIS20RY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 Helterline George, Stratford, was born on the 9th of April, 1861, in Stratford, and is 
 a son of David and Maggie (Lorse) Helterline. George received a common school edu- 
 cation and was brought up as a farmer and lumberman. For five years he followed 
 jobbing in lumber, but at present he farms exclusively. On the 26th of June, 1888, he 
 married Jennie Holian, a native of Stratford, and a daughter of Thomas Holian, wha 
 had a family of eight. Mr. and Mrs. Helterline had one child who died in infancy. 
 They are both Roman Catholics. 
 
 Henry, Alden L., Gloversville, was born in Caroga, October 11, 1848, and is the soa 
 of David and Naoma T. Henry. His father (a shoemaker and tanner), died in 1867, and 
 his mother in 1891. Alden L. Henry came to Gloversville in 1872, and worked as a 
 carpenter twelve years and then became a contracting builder. Many of the best and 
 most prominent residences and business blocks in the city have been built by him, viz : 
 the dwelling houses of Daniel Hays, Jason A. Miller, N. W. Welch, Dr. Davis, Dr. Lefler, 
 J. A. Quackenbush, W. E. Mills, James Burr, Cyrus Stewart, A. N. Simmons, David 
 Dempster, and such buildings as the Littauer block, Hill block. Park street and Spring 
 street school-houses, Gustav Livor's large tannery and residence as well, and others of 
 more or less prominence and cost. Mr. Henry is an independent Republican ; was at 
 one time one of the trustees of the village. On October 7, 1868, Mr. Henry married. 
 Mary Lyke. She died July 14, 1891. 
 
 Hess, Jonah, Johnstown, was the eighth in a family of twelve children. He was bom. 
 in Montgomery county and was educated in the public schools and Fort Plain Acad- 
 emy. He was a farmer in early life. In the last year of the war he enlisted in Com- 
 pany K, 192d N. Y. Volunteers, and was honorably discharged at the close of the war. 
 He then learned the carpenter's trade and located in Johnstown in the year 1867. 
 He soon became a contractor and builder, and some of the fine buildings he has erected 
 attest his skill. He married Isabella Hill, of New York, on May 13, 1867, and their two 
 living children are Wallace E., who is a builder with his father, and Mary E. John Hess, 
 father of Jonah, was born in 1818 and married Magdalena Fox of his native county. 
 They had twelve children, seven sons and five daughters. 
 
 Hewitt, Horace, Oppenheim, was born in Oppenheim, in 1822, a son of Joseph Hewitt,, 
 who was a son of Richard, who at an early day came and settled in Oppenheim, where 
 he lived and died. His wife was Desire Hewitt, by whom he had three sons and two 
 daughters. Joseph Hewitt was born in Oppenheim in 1799 ; here he grew to manhood, 
 and married, being the father of nine children. He held several town offices. He 
 was a Mason, a member of the M. E. Church, and died in 1881. His widow died in 
 1887. She was a Miss Higbee. Horace Hewitt received a common school education,, 
 was reared on a farm, and has always been thus engaged. He resided in Oppenheim. 
 until the last two years, having spent that time in Norway, N. Y. He owns the old 
 homestead, and lives a retired life. 
 
 Highbie, William, Johnstown, was born a half mile west of Oppenheim Centre on. 
 what is tiow known as the Alfred Gibson ,place. He was educated in the common 
 schools of his day, alternating with work on his father's 600 acre farm, and had also- 
 
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FAMILY SKETCHES. 65 
 
 one term at the Fairfield Academy. Mr. Highbie began to read law with Lake & Cap- 
 ron, of Little Falls March 9, 1844, and was admitted to the bar October 19, 1847, and 
 practiced there nineteen years, then moved to Geneva, where he practiced twenty-two- 
 years, and then returned to his old home at Little Falls. On January 8, 1846, he mar- 
 red Harriet, only daughter of Peter and Deborah (Cline) Yost. They have one daugh- 
 ter, Hattie H., born September 8, 1852. About the year 1869 she married Dr. H. M. 
 Eddy a practicing physician of Geneva, and they have two children, one daughter and 
 one son, Kathie and William, who reside in Geneva. Mr. Highbie's grandfather 
 (George) came from Long Island, and was of German and English descent. He located 
 on Long Island in 1767, and when the British had possession of New York in 1781, he 
 was captured by them and taken prisoner of war to Nova Scotia, being liberated in the 
 year 1783. When peace was declared, and he returned to his old home on Long Island, 
 he found upon his arrival that his people had moved to Virginia and Pennsylvania. He 
 then came up the Hudson and the Mohawk, locating in the town of Florida, Montgom- 
 ery county, where he married Margaret McCredy, a Scotch lady of many accomplish- 
 ments of mind and heart. They had seven children, five sons and two daughters: 
 Robert, Oliver, Elston, Shuler Ransom, Nancy, and Eliza. Three of the children were 
 born in the town of Florida, among them being Robert, father of William, who was- 
 about ten years old when the family moved to Oppenheim. He was educated in the 
 pioneer schools of his day, and was a farmer by occupation. In 1819 he married Cath- 
 erine Powell of that town, by whom he had five children, as follows : Emma J., who- 
 died in infancy; William, Jeannette C, Delos and Cordelia (twins). When they first 
 moved to the town of Oppenheim it was a dense wilderness and wolves and bears were 
 very numerous, destroying cattle and sheep faster than they could raise them. The boys- 
 caught brook trout in one of the little streams on the farm, securing so many that they 
 could hardly carry them home. These sturdy pioneers were of English, German and 
 Scotch descent, and '' made the wilderness bud and blossom as the rose." 
 
 Hillabrandt, Asa, Johnstown, was born in Johnstown on the old homestead. May 2,. 
 1826, was educated in the district schools, and is a farmer by occupation. September 
 22, 1853, he married Alice E. Lobdel, and they had nine children, namely : Le Grand^ 
 who married Minnie Corry, of Michigan, and resides in that State; William, who mar- 
 ried Melissa Seely, of this county ; Anna L., who married Daniel West, of Johnstown - 
 Mary A., Letitia, Emily, Alice A., Viola C, and Eva. William, father of Mr. Hilla- 
 brandt, was born in this town in 1795 and married Lettie Ostrom, by whom he had five 
 children : Ira, Asa, Amanda, Emily, and Mary K. The family resides near KeckV 
 Centre. 
 
 Hillabrandt, Jacob, of German descent, settled in Fulton county near the village of 
 Sammonsville about one hundred years ago, on the farm that was owned and occupied 
 in after years by Nicholas and his sons. The family consisted of the parents and tert 
 children : Jacob, Caty, John, Elisabeth, William, Nicholas, Mary, Nancy, Lany and 
 Joseph. Jacob, the oldest, was born in 1790. Joseph, the youngest, was born on thi.'v 
 farm in 1811. He was well educated and in early life was a school teacher. His oc- 
 cupation of later years was that of a straw board manufacturer. He married twice ; 
 
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66 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 his first wife was Mary A. Sadleir, daughter of John C. Sadleir, a farmer near Sam- 
 monsville, and she was also a niece of Clement Sadleir, who lived in Johnstown, and 
 was a druggist. Joseph's family, besides father and mother, consisted of six sons and 
 one daughter: Lawrence S., Clement S., Edwin, Leslie S., Mary S. Edgar and Arthur. 
 September 11, 1856, he married a second time Catharine Carmichael, of Scotch parent- 
 age. L. S. and Clement were born in Fultonville. The remainder of the children were 
 born ill Sammonsville. Clement was born in 1-841, married in 1862 Jennie Corey, and 
 settled in Saramonsville, following as his occupation that of a wagon maker. In 1865 
 he moved to Grloversville, continuing in the same business for a number of years. His 
 occupation since 1876 has been that of a grocer. 
 
 Hillabrandt, Joseph, Johnstown, was born in Sammonsville in 1811. He was well 
 educated and in early life was a school teacher. His real occupation was that of the 
 straw board manufacturer. He was twice married, first to Mary A. Sadlier, by whom 
 he had five children: Lawrence S., Clement S., Arthur and Edgar (twins), and Mary S. 
 September 11, 1856, he married a second time, Catharine Carmichael, of Scotch parent- 
 age, who was born in Albany. Mr. Hillabrandt died on November 12, 1891. 
 
 Hilts, Elman, the well known real estate agent of Gloversville, was born at Cobles- 
 kill, Schoharie county, October 12, 1841, and first came to this city in 1870, when he 
 learned to cut gloves and became a practical man at that work. He returned home 
 for a time and worked on a farm near Howe's Cave. In 1877 he hired the Howe's 
 Cave property for two years, but in 1880 he returned again to glove cutting in this 
 city, and so continued until 1890. Following this for about one year, Mr. Hilts trav- 
 eled on the road with a line of glove samples, but in connection thereVith directed his 
 attention to real estate interests and values in the southwest and where he traveled. 
 In March, 1891, he opened a real estate sale and exchange office, and has succeeded 
 i n building up a profitable business in a very short "time. More than this, Mr. Hilts is 
 directly interested in all that pertains to the welfare of Gloversville as a city. He was 
 chiefly instrumental in the electric road enterprise, and has been identified with every 
 measure looking to the building up and improvement of the Glove City. In politics he 
 has always been active ; was town collector in 1888, and in 1892 was the Repub- 
 lican candidate for the mayoralty, but a serious division in the party ranks led 
 to his undeserved defeat. 
 
 Hoffman, Morgan, Oppenheim, was born in Oppenheim, August 3,. 1834, and is a 
 son of Samuel and Polly (Sternburg) Hoffman, who reared a family of five children. 
 John, father of Samuel Hoffman, was a native of Herkimer county, came to Oppen- 
 heim when a young man and settled on a farm, where he died. His wife was Nancy 
 Bidleman, also a native of Herkimer county, who died in Oppenheim. John Hoffman 
 participated in the war of 1812, and his father was in the revolutionary war. Samuel 
 Hoffman was born in 1808 in Herkimer, and has always been a farmer. He was at one 
 time overseer of the poor and highway commisioner, and he died in 1889. His wife 
 died in 1877. Their son Morgan, was married in 1879 to Ursula Touker, daughter of 
 Benjamin and Nancy M. (Bellinger) Youker, who reared six children, all now living. 
 Benjamin was a son of Jacob Touker, an early settler of Fulton county, who died in 
 
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FAMILY SKETCHES. 67 
 
 1850. His father, John, was an early settler of Oppenlieim. Our subject, Morgan 
 Hoffman, has one son, Delos H., born January 31, 1881. 
 
 Hollenbeck, Jacob, Johnstown, was born March 22, 1824, about two miles east of 
 Johnstown. He was educated in the public schools, and in early life was a farmer, 
 but has now retired. September 11, 1851, he married Magdalene Hollenbeck, and 
 they had five children who survived, namely : Alraira, who first married Marcus Leper, 
 of Amsterdam, and second John Sanders, of the above town ; Kate, who married El- 
 doras Hedden, of Johnstown ; Annie, who married James Brothers, of Johnstown ; 
 Lottie, who married David Smith, of Johnstown; and Edward J., who resides at. 
 home with his parents. They had one daughter who died, Ida M., who married 
 Geoege S. Maylander. The family on both sides is of Dutch and German descent. 
 
 Hosmer Family. — Daniel Hosmer, a native of Connecticut, settled in the vicinity of 
 Kingsboro during the latter part of the last century. He returned to his native State 
 on a visit, making the journey on horseback, and died there in 1800. He brought with 
 him to this State his family, consisting of a wife, three sons and two daughters. The 
 sons, Daniel, Jonathan and Edmund, remained in the neighborhood of Kingsboro and 
 raised families there. Daniel was born December 5, 1774, and married Thankful John- 
 son, December 11, 1801; and for his second wife, Matilda Goodman, May 29, 1805. 
 His third wife was Ruth Sedgwick, to whom he was married June 14, 1814. He had 
 one daughter by each wife, namely : Thankful T., Mary and Laura. Jonathan, the 
 second son, married Marion Leonard, of Kingsboro, and his children were all born in 
 that place. They were Kufus L., Belden, Alanson and Betsey. Rufus and Belden both 
 married and died in Gloversville. Alanson Hosmer married Mary A. Sexton, daughter 
 of William Sexton, of Mayfield, February 4, 1840. She was born February 20, 1820. 
 Their children were James S., Frances M., deceased;^ Mary A., and Frances B. Betsey, 
 the last child of Jonathan, married Horatio L. Burr, May 20, 1836. James S. Hosmer 
 was born November 15, 1840, and married Julia A. Wortman, April 25, 1872. They 
 have lived in Gloversville a great part of the time since. They have one child, n daugh- 
 ter, Katie S. 
 
 Howe, William C, postmaster at Union Mills, was born on the 11th of August, 1829, 
 in Northampton, and is a son of Jessie and Charlotte Reed Howe, natives of Rensselaer 
 county, who came to Northampton in 1825. They are farmers and are both living, 
 the father eighty-eight years old. Mr. Howe was a soldier in the civil war and enlisted 
 on the 1st of November, 1861, in Company C, 77th New York Volunteers, Army of 
 the Potomac. He took part in the battles of Torktown and Lee's Mills, and was dis- 
 charged after eleven months' service on account of disability ; since that time he has 
 been a pensioner. He is a member of the G. A. R. Post of Broadalbin and is a Repub- 
 lican in politics. He has been postmaster since May 13, 1889, at Union Mills. On the 
 1st of October, 1851, he married Polly F. Palmer, who was born September 24, 1833. 
 They have had six children: Emily Jane, deceased; Emily Agnes; Wendell R., Jennie 
 E. ; Mary E. ; and George H. Mr. Howe owns a nice piece of property at Union Mills. 
 He manufactured hand rakes from 1876 to 1886. His brother, Wendell B., was in the 
 115th New York Volunteers, and was killed in battle in front of Petersburg. 
 
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68 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 Hubbell, Ray, a manufacturer of Northville, was born in Southeast, Putnam county, 
 July 9, 1849. He is a son of Sheldon and Laura Warring Hubbell, natives of the above 
 place. Sheldon Hubbell was a shoemaker in early life, and afterwards engaged in the 
 lumbering business. The Hubbells trace their ancestry back to an early day in the 
 history of England, to one Hubba, a Danish King, who came over to the British Isles 
 in about 870. The name has since been spelled Hubble, Hubcll, and Hubeli and Hub- 
 bell. In a family history is found the name of one Hugo Hubbell, who was a warrior 
 in William the Conqueror's army in lOCO. Many members of the family have been 
 known as educators, clergymen, philanthropists, statesmen, soldiers, bankers and mer- 
 chants. One Truman Hubbell was personally acquainted with James Feniraore Cooper 
 and was the original " Deer-slayer " in Cooper's novel of that name. Ray Hubbell was 
 educated at Troy Business College and was for a time with his father in the lumbering 
 business, but in the year 1871 he embarked in the mercantile trade at Northville which he 
 followed for nine years, when he invented and obtained a patent on a metallic corner 
 and binding for floor oilcloths, and has recently formed a stock company for the manu- 
 facture of these goods. The company controls all this class of goods in the United 
 States and has two factories at Northville, and two at Painesville, 0. The concern is 
 known as the Globe Metallic Binding company, of which Mr. Hubbell is the president, 
 treasurer and manager. He has been a Republican, though his sympathies are at pres- 
 ent with the prohibitionists, and he was a candidate for Congress on that ticket. He 
 is now president of the village, and one of the most enterprising men of his town. 
 June 11, 1873, he married Emma T. Beecher, whose grandfather was one of the first 
 settlers in the township, and who was a cousin of the Rev. Lyman Beecher. Mr. and 
 Mrs. Hubbell have one son, Frank B., born May 6, 1877. 
 
 Hulett, Simon, Gloversville, was born in Washington county, July 26, 1845, and was 
 the fifth of eleven children of William and Deborah Hulett; and although born in 
 another country, Mr. Hulett is descended from a family who were pioneers of Fulton 
 county. The family came to this locality when our subject was but two years old. 
 Simon was brought up to work. He learned the glove trade of D. S. Hulett, and for 
 years worked at the table. In 1868 he commenced business for himself, having as 
 starting capital his own earnings. His business life has been successful and every 
 financial storm he has weathered without a failure. In 1870 he built hfs present house 
 and factory at First avenue. In 1865, September 9, Mr. Hulett married Emma Hodder, 
 by whom he has three children. Mr. Hulett is a Republican in politics, but has strong 
 leanings toward prohibition. He is deeply interested in temperance work, and is a 
 member of the Royal Templars of Temperance. 
 
 Hull, James, Gloversville, was born in Somersetshire, England, June 10, 1851, and 
 was the son of Charles Hull, a tin and coppersmith. At the age of thirteen James was 
 apprenticed to a machinist, but managed to secure his release before the end of his 
 term. In 1872 he came to Gloversville and worked at his trade, making improved 
 glove cutting dies. Later on the firm of Hull Brothers was formed and continued 
 seven years, when Charles Hull, one of the firm, returned to England. James then 
 ■ engaged in the business of pulling wool, his partner therein being Harry Hull. Then 
 
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FAMILY SKETCHES. 69 
 
 in less than two years, the firm of Hull & Gulick, kid leather dressers, was formed, 
 •continuing four years. For the next three years James Hull engaged in glove making. 
 In 188C he became a commission dealer in hides and skins, which is his present busi- 
 ness. In 1889 Mr. Hull married Mary Emily Bushby, daughter of P. C. Van Brocklin, 
 of Branford, Canada. In 1890 Mr. Hull became a general agent for a number of 
 steamship lines between America and foreign ports. 
 
 Hfunt, Marshall G., Gloversville, was born in Cummington, Mass., October 7, 1827, 
 and was the son of Ebenezer and Maria Hunt; he was the eldest of eleven children. 
 When about twenty years old he came to Bleecker and found employment as a tanner 
 and finisher of sole leather in the works of Richards, Tower & Hamlin, tanners of that 
 place. After three years he returned to his native State and remained tour years, but 
 came again to Bleecker at the end of that time and became clerk in the store of Theron 
 A. Hamlin, and also worked in a saw-mill one year. In 1857 Mr. Hunt and George A. 
 Streeter bought out the Hamlin store and run it until I860, when Mr. Hunt became 
 sole proprietor. He was a merchant in Bleecker until 1875, when his store was 
 burned. The next year Mr. Hunt came to Gloversville, bought the property and built 
 the store he now occupies, and in which he has done a successful business. For seven 
 years Mr. Hunt was supervisor of Bleecker, and in 1878 was one of the trustees of 
 Gloversville. By appointment he was president of the board for a time. Mr. Hunt is 
 a Democrat. On January 14, 1854, he married Charlotte Wallace, of Johnstown, by 
 whom he has had four children, only one of whom is now living. 
 
 Hutchinson, John C, Johnstown, was born on the 3d day of May, 1840, in Las- 
 sellsville, and was educated in the district school. He has in some capacity always 
 been connected with the glove business, and in the year 1859 he was a salesman on the 
 road, but he is now and has been for twenty-five years, a manufacturer of gloves. On 
 the 25th of January, 1865, he married Louisa, youngest daughter of Bzekiel Brownell, 
 of Gloversville. They have four children living : John C, jr., William B., Harvey E., 
 and James L. Mr. Hutchinson's father, William, married William Lassell's daughter 
 Elizabeth, by whom he had five children ; two sons and three daughters. He was a 
 soldier in the war of 1812, and his father, Chauncey Hutchinson, came from Connecti- 
 ■cut in the last century, and was one of the foremost pioneers helping to settle this part 
 of the country. 
 
 IngersoU, Alexander, Oppenheim, was born in Oppenheim, March 14, 1836, a, son of 
 John and Margaret IngersoU, who were the parents of the following children ; Martha, 
 Alexander, Jordan, Morgan, Delvina, William H. and Cordelia (Martha and Jordan are 
 deceased). Daniel, grandfather of Alexander, and son of Daniel, sr., was a native 
 of Connecticut, and an early settler of Oppenheim, coming here in 1788, where he died. 
 Daniel, jr., came here with his parents when twelve years of age, where he lived and 
 died. His wife was Elizabeth Burksdorfi', whose father was a soldier in Burgoyne's 
 army. Daniel IngersoU had five sons and one daughter. His death occurred in 1853, 
 and that of his wife some years earlier. 
 
 Ingraham, Levi T., a farmer of Union Mills, was born in Mayfield, December 2, 1813, 
 a. son of Joshua and Philinda (Taylor) Ingraham. His father was a native of Saybrook, 
 
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70 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 Conn., and came to Fulton county when a young man, where he was a farmer, currier, 
 and shoemaker. He was for many years in business at Mayfield, and died at Broadal- 
 bin in his seventy-sixth year. Levi T. came to this town when sixteen years of age, 
 and learned the carpenter's trade, which he has successfully followed for many years, 
 and has also managed a fine farm, which he owns. September 27, 1835, he married 
 Lucy A. Wait, who was born April 8, 1815, a daughter of Clark and Betsey (Osborn) 
 Wait, who came from Rhode Island in the last century. Mrs. Ingraham's uncle George 
 Wait was a soldier in the war of 1812, as was also the father of Mr. Ingraham. They 
 have had three children, but one of whom is living, Frank E., wife of Lindsay Herrick, 
 a farmer on the old homestead. Mr. Ingraham was a Whig, and is a Republican in 
 politics. He voted for President William H. Harrison and John Sanford for Congress, 
 and he also voted for Benjamin Harrison for president and John Sandford again for 
 Congress, each of the latter a grandson of the former, all of whom were elected. Mr. 
 and Mrs. Ingraham are members of the Christian church, and Mr. and Mrs. Herrick of 
 the Presbyterian church of Broadalbin. William Ingraham, grandfather of Levi T. In- 
 graham, fought during the revolution, and volunteered at Fort Griswold, as there were 
 few soldiers. He was present at its surrender, and only escaped the general massacre- 
 by escaping through an embrasure. 
 
 Jefifers Family. — Robert Jefifers was the first of this family to move into the state. 
 He came from Connecticut and settled in Pittstown, Washington county, at an early 
 day, and afterwards, with four sons, Solomon, Robert, Daniel and Nathan, emigrated 
 to what is now the town of Caroga, Fulton county. About 1820 or 1825 Solomon 
 moved from Oaroga with his father to what is known as the '' Clipp Hill," and the 
 other sons emigrated to different parts of the state. In 1835 Solomon moved to Rock- 
 wood, town of Bphratah, and with his son-in-law, Peter R. Simmons, built a tannery 
 and shoe-shop, which he operated until the time of his death, 1843. His children were 
 Elisha, George, Mary, Clara, and Martha. Mary married Richard Clute, of Wayne 
 county, and afterwards died in Albany ; Clara married Peter R. Simmons, of Rock- 
 wood ; and Martha married Rev. K. G. R. Joslin, of Rockwood. Elisha, the eldest 
 son, was born in 1795. He was a farmer and lived on the old '" Clipp Hill " farm until 
 the time of his death in 1864. During the war of 1812 he drove a team in the govern- 
 ment service from Schenectady to Sacketts Harbor, and carried cannon balls and other 
 munitions of war. He married Catharine Stahl, who bore him six children, as follows : 
 George W., died in Gloversville ; De Witt C, died in Johnstown ; John, died in Glov- 
 ersville, April 13, 1892; Solomon, of Gloversville, and Robert L., now living in Johns- 
 town; Martha, married Andrew Robb, of Chicago, both deceased; Sylvia B., married 
 Elon Schoolraaker and lives in Johnstown. Solomon, the fifth child, was born August 
 16, 1830, and came to Gloversville in 1855, since which time he has been engaged in 
 the manufacture of gloves. He married Frank B. Hale, January 6, 1857. Their only 
 child is Hattie M. He has held the office of trustee of the village of Gloversville for 
 four years, and president of the village for one year. He has been a member of the 
 Board of Education for twelve years, and president of the board for four years. 
 
 Jerome, William C, druggist of Mayfield, was born in Liverpool, England, Novem- 
 ber 13, 1848. He is a son of Chauncey Jerome, jr., and Caroline S. (Chambers) Jerome„ 
 
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FAMILY SKETCHES. 71 
 
 His father was born in Connecticut, a son of Chauncey, who was the inventor of the 
 first brass clocks used in America, and also their manufacturer. He was the senior 
 member of the Jerome ClocJk Co. of New Haven, and was a manufacturer of wooden 
 clock movements for years before. He was the first exporter of brass clocks to Europe, 
 controlled his own vessel, and was established for several years in Liverpool, where his 
 son was born. He was also connected with the factory at New Haven, and with a 
 wholesale house in Courtlandt street, New York. He died in New Haven in 1852. 
 His wife was a daughter of Dr. William Chambers, of Broadalbin, one of the most em- 
 inent physicians in the county in his day. Mr. Jerome was reared in Broadalbin from 
 the age of five years with the doctor, and was educated in the village school, also at 
 New Haven and Adelphi Academy, Brooklyn. He commenced the drug trade as clerk 
 zX Pontiac, 111., and began business in Broadalbin in 1876. He was burned out in 1879 
 and came to Mayfield in 1888, where he has the only drug business in town. He mar- 
 ried, in 1874, Fannie Kuapp, of South Norwalk, Conn., and a daughter of William K. 
 Knapp, an architect. They have three children : Alice, Louis E., and Chauncy. He 
 is a Sepublican in politics, as were his father and grandfather. The latter was mayor 
 of New Haven, Conn. 
 
 Johns, John, Johnstown, was born on the 2d day of February, 1871, in Glastonbury, 
 Somersetshire, England, and came with his parents to Gloversville when he was less 
 than a year old. They moved several times and finally located in Johnstown in 1876, 
 where he was educated in the Union School until he was fourteen years old. He af- 
 terwards became a glover, and January 1, 1892, he joined a copartnership with George 
 S. Andrews, under the firm of Andrews & Johns. His father, George, was born in 
 Devonshire, England, and married Rebecca Ripple, |of Glastonbury. They had six 
 children, four sons and two daughters. Two sons died. John, Flossie and Flora 
 (twins), and Charles survive. The family came to the United States about 1872. 
 
 Johnson, Charles W., Johnstown, was born on the 20th of January, 1845, and grad- 
 uated from Union College in 1866. His profession is that of civil engineer, and for 
 the past thirteen years he has been chief engineer of the Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapo- 
 lis and Omaha Railway Co., being located at St. Paul, Minn. On the 14th of June, 
 1875 he married Maria 0. Bronson, by whom he has three daughters and one son, as 
 follows : Harriet L., Maria S., Elizabeth K. and William L. 
 
 Johnson, Emarthew P., Oppenheim, was born in Oppenheim, October 9, 1848. He 
 is the eldest of three children reared by Emarthew and Mary (Perse) Johnson. The 
 father of Emarthew was Moses, jr„ whose father was Moses, a soldier in the Revolu- 
 tion, who came to New York at an early day and settled on a farm which has been 
 handed down to the present generation. Moses died about 1850, aged ninety-three. 
 Moses jr., was born in New York in 1786, and was two years of age when his parents 
 came to Oppenheim. He married Polly Ward and they reared thirteen children. Moses 
 died about 1870. The father of Emarthew P. was educated in the public schools and 
 brought up OD a farm. He died in 1884 and his wife in 1891. Emarthew P. was reared 
 on a farm and educated in the public schools and in Fairfield Academy. In 1873 he 
 married Mary E. Flanders, daughter of Eunice and Christopher Flanders, residents of 
 
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72 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 JeflFerson county. The children of Emarthew P. and wife are as follows ; Arthur E., 
 Edgar (deceased), Eugene, Clarence (deceased), Minnie (deceased), Ross and Jessie. 
 They have also an adopted child Grace. 
 
 Johnson, Enoch, Johnstown, was born in Oppenheim, January 18, 1836. He was 
 educated in the public schools, and by occupation was a carpenter and farmer. In 
 1859 he miirried Polly, oldest daughter of Stanton and Lydia Johnson of his native 
 town. They have had three children, two sons and one daughter : Ellrey, Cornelia A., 
 and Albert. Cornelia A. married George Ecker, of Johnstown. Mr. Johnson's father 
 (Moses) was born in Connecticut, September 22, 1785, and married Polly Ward, by 
 whom he had thirteen children, eight sons and five daughters, viz. : Starnthew, Mathew, 
 Moses, Obadiah, Sherebiah, Ezrora, Enoch, Zepheniah, Eunice, Dorcas, Zenas, PoUy^ 
 and Keziah. The family is of English^descent. 
 
 Johnson, Dr. William L., Johnstown, was born in Johnstown, and was educated in^ 
 the common schools, Johnstown Academy and also in Trinity College, Hartford, Conn. 
 On the 25th of December, 1865, he graduated from the Albany Medical College, and 
 has since practiced successfully at his old home. They have been a family of physicians 
 for generations. On the 10th of June, 1868, he married Mary A., youngest daughter of 
 E. P. Clark, of Johnstown. They have one daughter, Louise C, who married James F. 
 Dean, of New York. Dr. Johnson's father, William H., was a physician in Johnstown 
 and married Harriet McCarthy, of the same town. They had seven children ; five sons 
 and two daughters. The doctor's grandfather, Oran, was a surgeon of the war of 1812 
 and located here soon after the close of hostilities. 
 
 Joslin, Ansel D., Perth Amsterdam p. o., was born one-half mile from his present 
 residence in the town of Amsterdam, now Perth, July 3, 1827, a son of George S. and 
 Priscilla (Hopkins) Joslin. The ancestors of this family came over on the Mayflower. 
 The grandfather of our subject, James T. Joslin, came to this section from Rhode Island 
 in 1806 and settled in Washington county, remained there about ten years, then came 
 to Montgomery (now Fulton county), and located in Broadalbin, stayed there a short 
 time, and then came to the town of Amsterdam (now Perth), and bought a farm of fifty 
 acres, the birthplace of our subject. He married, in Rhode Island, Hannah Irish, and 
 they were the parents of four children: George S., Sally, John, and Patience; the last 
 named is the only one living, and is now Mrs. Job Hedden, of Lansingburg. George 
 S., father of our subject, was born July 4, 1803. His life was spent in Perth. June 
 20, 1824, he married Priscilla Hopkins, of Amsterdam (now Perth). Three years after 
 he bought the farm of 100 acres where Ansel D. now resides; he lived and died here 
 June 13, 1842. He was the father of five children, three are now living : Thomas H. 
 of West Troy ; Elizabeth Inman, of Amsterdam ; and Ansel D., our subject. His life 
 has been spent on the old homestead farm ; be was educated in the common schools, 
 and at the death of hij father he assumed control of the farm, and guardian to his 
 younger brother and three sisters, and when they reached their majority, bought their 
 interest in the farm. September 29, 1853, he married Sarah Allen, daughter of Hiram 
 and Angeline (Allen) Allen, of Broadalbin. They are the parents of four children: 
 George A. Joslin, who works his father's farm, was born June 17, 1854; Charles B. a- 
 
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FAMILY SKETCHES. ts. 
 
 shoe dealer, of Amsterdam, born June 11, 1858; Maggie L., now Mrs. Allen Smith, of 
 Perth, born February 19, 1863 ; and Nellie A., a teacher of Perth, born October 24, 1865. 
 Mr. Joslin has taken an active part in politics and has been elected supervisor of his 
 town five different terms ; his first term in 1873, re-elected in '74 and '75, and again in 
 '81 and '82, showing his popularity among his fellow-townsmen. 
 
 Joslin. Dr. John W., Johnstown, was born in Hoosick, Rensselaer county. He was- 
 educated in the public schools and graduated from the Albany Medical College in medi- 
 cine and surgery, and also completed a course of training in the Polyclinic Hospital of 
 New York. He married Florence E., the fifth daughter of Albert and Mellisa (Coville). 
 Brown. They have one son, John W., jr., who was born December 26, 1887. The- 
 doctor is doing a successful business in the thrifty town of Johnstown and the vicinity. 
 He is vice-president of the Fulton County Medical Society. His father, J. C. Joslin, 
 was born in Hoosick, Rensselaer county, on the 6th day of July, 1824, and was edu- 
 cated in the common schools, followed by several years of academic instruction. On 
 October 16, 1850, he married Margaret E. Grove, by whom he had two children : Henry 
 D. Gr., and John W., as mentioned above. 
 
 Judson Family. — Deacon Daniel Judson was among the earliest settlers of Kingsboro.. 
 and took an active part in the organization of the first church in that place. He wa.* 
 born in 1729 and died in 1817. His son, Elisha,'was born in 1765, married Lucy Case 
 in 1787, and had a family of six children, as follows : Sylvester, Sylvanus, Gurdon, 
 Elisha, Lucy, and Alanson. Blisha, the fourth son, was born at Kingsboro, June 28,. 
 1796, and married Rachel B. Brown, March 20, 1828. She was born August 24, 1804. 
 Their children were Daniel B., John W., and Elisha. Daniel B.. who is now living in 
 Kingsboro, a part of Gloversville since 1890, was born December 30, 1828, and ha.« 
 achieved wealth as a manufacturer, and much prominence as a citizen, who has ever ir> 
 mind the best interests of the entire community. He married Phebe B. Brown, March- 
 10, 1852. She was born January 9, 1831. Their children have been Edward W., Dan- 
 iel B. (deceased), Mary L., John B., Horace S., and Daniel Bingham. Horace S. was » 
 member of New York Legislature in 1892. Alanson, the youngest son, also attained 
 wealth and prominence as a manufacturer of gloves, and was identified with the Con- 
 gregational church in Gloversville until the time of his death. He was born November 
 15, 1806, and married Jane Ellison, October 22, 1833. Their children were: Charles- 
 W., Harriet A. Lucy J., Ella M., Sarah A., Alice L., Marion L., and Catherine M. 
 Charles W., the only son, was born in Johnstown, July 18, 1834. He has lived in 
 Gloversville since 1839, and married Jennie Bryce, of Broadalbin, May 15, 1872, who- 
 bore him two children, both deceased. His second wife was Caroline C. Bryce, a sister 
 of his former wife, whom he married in July, 1879. They have one daughter, Harriet. 
 A. Judson. 
 
 Jukes, James Y., Ephratah, was born in Ephratah, March 25, 1846. His father, 
 Thomas Jukes, a native of Frome, Somersetshire, England, married Mary Yanney, 
 daughter of James and Hannah (Bedford) Yanney, by whom he had two sons, James 
 Y. being the elder. He was a shoemaker by trade and afterwards a hotel keeper. Hifi 
 father, the Rev. Charles Jukes, was a minister in Kulton county for several years. 
 
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74 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 Thomas was drowned in Iowa on June 7, 1856, aged thirty-four years. His wife died 
 July 23, 1885, aged sixty-two years. James Y. Jukes received a common school edu- 
 cation and afterwards learned the business of carding woolen goods, and is now fore- 
 man over this department in Levy Yanney's factory atEphratah. January 5, 1871, he 
 married Ida B., daughter of John A. and Caroline (Hapeman) Beck, who were of Ger- 
 man descent. They have had three children ; Maud (Mrs. Delos Smith, of Ephratah) ; 
 Charles H., who resides at home; and Maggie Y., who died December 23, 1887, aged 
 seven years. Mr. Jukes and family are members of the Reformed church. Mr. Jukes 
 is a member of the Grange, and has been town clerk, collector, and inspector of elec- 
 tions. He acts as correspondent for the Johnstown Republican, Ft. Plain Standard, and 
 Fi-ee Press. 
 
 Karg, John A., Johnstown, was born in Albany, July 26, 1845. When twelve years 
 of age he came with his parents to the town of Caroga, and was educated in the public 
 school. July 26, 1866, he married Mary A., oldest daughter of John and Mary Heagle, 
 of Caroga, and they have had four children: Edward H., a glove manufacturer; John 
 F., also a glover, with his brother; Charles M., who is attending school; and a daugh- 
 ter, Julia, who died in infancy. Mr. Karg is assistant superintendent of the Johnstown 
 water works, aud has been street superintendent for five years. On August 8, 1861, he 
 enlisted in Company B, 43d K. Y. Volunteers, re-enlisting in the same regiment De- 
 cember 23, 1863. He was severely wounded in the head at Cedar Creek, October 19, 
 1864, and was honorably discharged at the close of the war. He is a member of the 
 G. A. R., of McMartin Post, 257, department of New York; a member of St. Patrick's 
 Lodge No. 4, F. and A. M. ; Johnstown Chapter No. 78, R. A. M. ; Johnstown Council 
 No. 72, R. & S. M. ; and of Holy Cross Commandery K. T., of Gloversville. 
 
 Kasson, Adam, and Jane (Hall), French Huguenots, were driven from France at the 
 time of the great expulsion and took refuge in Ireland. In 1722 they came to America, 
 locating at Voluntown, Conn. There Adam died in 1752, and his wife in 1767. They 
 had nine children, seven sons and two daughters. Robert Kasson, son of William and 
 grandson of Adam, was born in 1741. He was a pioneer of Broadalbin. He served 
 with the Continental army during the French wars, and also during the revolution, but 
 on the arrival of the French allies, whom he hated, he left the service. He was a man 
 of many peculiarities and eccentricities, but withal a good citizen. By occupation he 
 was a wheelwright. He died September 25, 1826, aged eighty-five years. His wife 
 was Jennie Gaston, by whom he had eight children : Robert, William, Harvey, Alexan- 
 der, Anna, Phebe, Olive, and Polly or Mary. Robert, the eldest of these children, was 
 born April 10, 1773, and died in Broadalbin, in September, 1846. He married Polly 
 Brockway, by whom he had the following children : Thompson, l;0vina, James, Nancy, 
 Charles B., Elizabeth, Margaret, Mason G., Ephraim, and Nathan. Harvey B. Kasson, 
 son of old Robert, was born December 4, 1781, and died August 26, 1836. He married 
 Wealthy Burt. Their children were : James, Alvin, Sinira, Doney, Chauncey C, Austin, 
 Sally Ann, Amasa C, George B., Lydia, Harvey L., and Alexander J., twelve in all. 
 Thompson Kasson, son of young Robert, was born October 2, 1795 ; married Mary 
 Warner, and had ten children, as follows: Sophronia, Orange H., Emma Jane, Mary, 
 
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FAMILY SKETCHES. 75 
 
 James W., William Earle, William Alexander, Mason T., Bernard R. and Burrill W. 
 (twins). By a second marriage Thompson had two children, Robert and Jane Kasson. 
 
 Keck, Isaac, Johnstown, was born in the village of Johnstown on the 15th day of 
 May, 1814, and was educated in the public schools, being a farmer by occupation. On 
 the 15th of October, 1836, he married Eliza A., oldest daughter of Wendell and Ellen 
 Burns, of Montgomery county, by whom he had eight children, six sons and two daugh- 
 ters, namely : Timothy ; George H. ; Leandor, who resides in Montgomery, Til. ; Mary 
 E. ; Jeremiah; Philip; William, who is dead; Melissa, married William H. Meserve, 
 now of Johnstown, and have four children, one daughter and three sons ; Lora, Frank, 
 Earl and William K. Wendell Burns is a descendant of Robert Burns. 
 
 Keck, Joseph, Johnstown, vras born in the town of Johnstown, near Keek's Center, 
 on the 22d of March, 1820, and was educated in the public schools. He is a straw- 
 board manufacturer, store-keeper of general merchandise, postmaster, and farmer. He 
 has been married twice, first on the 31st of October, 1847, to Sarah Burdick, by whom 
 he had five children, all of whom are dead. On August 29, 1858, he married Mary, the 
 fourth daughter of Richard and Ellen (Smith) Nixon, by whom he had seven children, 
 viz. : Ida E., who married William Berry, of Johnstown; Regenia, who married William 
 V. S. Olmstead of the town of Root ; George J., who married Jennie Olmstead of the 
 same place ; Seward, whose marriage is noted elsewhere ; Carrie, Ella, and Joseph, 
 who reside at home. Mrs. Keek's father, Richard Nixon, came from Northumberland, 
 England ; he married Ellen Smith, of Ephratah, by whom he had eight children. He 
 died in Jefierson county. 
 
 Keck, Timothy, Johnstown, was born on the 15th of February, 1838, in Stone Ara- 
 bia, and was educated in the public schools. In the year 1874 he came to Johnstown 
 and began to naanufacture gloves, which business he still continues. On the 20th of 
 November, 1862, he married Charlotte, third daughter of Philip and Elizabeth Martin, 
 a family well known and respected here. They have two ghildren : Elizabeth A., who 
 married Frederick Fisher, jr., of Johnstown ; they had one daughter, Charlotte Etha, 
 who died in infancy ; William T., who married Charlotte M., fourth daughter of Martin 
 J. and Elizabeth M. (Shear) Anthony. They have one daughter, Elsie May. William 
 T. Keck is in company with his father. Timothy is a manufacturer of gloves. 
 
 Kennedy, Lauren 0., Perth, West Galway p. o., was born near West Galway, Ful- 
 ton county, January 18, 1818, a son of James and Lucinda (Grinnell) Kennedy. His 
 grandfather, Thomas Kennedy, was born in the North of Ireland, October 19, 1735, and 
 came to this country before the war of the revolution, locating in Ballston, Saratoga 
 county. He was once taken prisoner by the Indians and carried into Canada. They 
 left his wife and child on the roadside as they were troublesome, and they wandered 
 back to their home. He was the original settler of the Kennedy homestead and farm 
 the father of eight children. James, who was the youngest, was born August 11, 1794, 
 and married Lucinda Grinnell September 11, 1816; they were the parents of seven 
 children, three are now living : Lucinda Stewart, of Johnstown ; Martin Kennedy, of 
 Johnstown; William Kennedy, of New York; James Kennedy died February 7, 1875. 
 
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76 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 His son, Lauren 0., is the subject of this sketch. His early life was spent at home. He 
 was educated in the public school at West Galway. At the age of twenty-one he went 
 into the lumbering business which he followed until 1855, when he came to West Gal- 
 way and engaged in the mercantile business. February 12, 1845, he married Caroline 
 Cook, of Carlton, Saratoga county, and they were the parents of eight children, five are 
 living : James, of New York ; Madison B., of Chicago ; Edward C, of Wisconsin ; Har- 
 vey Lauren, of New York; and Jane Elizabeth, who lives at home with her mother, 
 who is still living. Lauren 0., our subject, died December 23, 1891, and no citizen 
 ■could have been missed more than he in the community. He was always influential in 
 politics, and was twice elected supervisor of the town of Galway. 
 
 Kennedy, William J., Broadalbin, superintendent of the Broadalbin Knitting Co., Lim- 
 ited, was born in Little Falls, May 2, 1853 ; attended school for some years, and at 
 fourteen years of age was apprenticed to the trade in Cobe Krisher's cotton mill at 
 Kinderhook, where lie remained about four years; after which, for the next eight years, 
 he worked at several places. In 1884 he moved to Broadalbin, where he, with James 
 W. Bailey, P. A. Higgins and S. Higgms, engaged in the knit goods business, and 
 built a knitting mill known as the Higgin.s Bros. & Kennedy, with James W. Bailey as 
 special, and in May, 1889, the business formed into a stock company with a paid in 
 capital of $75,000. Of this company C. H. Butler is president and Mr. W. J. Kennedy 
 is superintendent, and the firm is doing a prosperous business. Mr. Kennedy is a son 
 of Thomas and Mary (Keiff) Kennedy, both natives of Limerick, Ireland. In March, 
 1878, Mr. Kennedy married Mary West, of Weavertown, Warren county, and they had 
 three children. Willie (deceased). Earl J. and William. In politics Mr. Kennedy is a 
 Republican. 
 
 Kibbe, Bliss, Stratford, was born in Stratford, March 13, 1848, a son of William H. 
 and Eleanor (Bliss) Kibbe. They reared four children of whom Bliss is the oldest. 
 William H. is a son of Abiel Kibbe, a native of Vermont, who, in 1800, moved to Strat- 
 ford, there being at that time but six families in the town. He was a farmer and car- 
 penter, was justice of the peace for twenty years, supervisor, and held other town offices. 
 He was also a Mason, and a member of Aurora lodge of Salisbury. He died May 17, 
 1867, and his wife, on June 24, 1851. WilHam H. Kibbe was born February 22, 1818, 
 in Stratford, was reared on a farm and received his education at the district schools of 
 the day. In 1847 he married Eleanor, youngest daughter of Ebenezer and Eoxey 
 (Blakesley) Blits, who moved into town in 1802. Mr. Kibbe was a farmer and lumber- 
 man, and was at one time assessor of his town. Bliss Kibbe was reared on the farm, 
 which occupation he followed, together with lumbering. He received his education at 
 the public schools and the Clinton Liberal Institute. September 21, 1875, he married 
 Emma Shaver, a native of Herkimer county, born December 13, 1853. She is a daugh- 
 ter of Robert and Hannah (Bulson) Shaver, the former a native of Herkimer county 
 and the latter of Otsego county. After his marriage, Mr. Kibbe engaged in farming 
 and lumbering, and in 1877 in the general merchandise busines, which he conducts upon 
 a large scale. He has always belonged to the Republican party, is an active politician 
 .but never aspired to public office. He was clerk of the town for two years, and was 
 
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FAMILY SKETCHES. 77 
 
 postmaster for thirteen years. He is a member of Dodgeviile lodge No. 796, F. & A. 
 M., of the Equitable Aid Union- of Stratford, No, 732. He has one son, Howard, born 
 September 5, 1886. 
 
 King, John V., Johnstown, was born in Johnstown on the 15th day of August, 1836, 
 and was educated in the public schools. In early life he was a farmer, but in 1866 he 
 began to manufacture leather, and has since continued the business in company with 
 his son, Charles. Mr. King has married twice : First, on the 4th of July, 1855, to 
 Anna, youngest daughter of Robert and Janett Ballantine, of Broadalbin, formerly of 
 Scotland. They had six children, three of whom are dead. Three survive : Charles, 
 Harriet and Clara. Mrs. King died May 12, 1887. On the 28th of August, 1888, he 
 married Mrs. Emma W. Comrie, whose maiden name was Washburn. Charles was 
 "well educated, and married Anna S., youngest daughter of the late Anson Decker, of 
 Johnstown. They have three children, two sons and a daughter, namely, John V., 
 Anson, and Margaret. 
 
 Knapp, Benjamin, Stratford, was born on the 30th of July, 1862, in Stratford. His 
 father was Wheeler Knapp and his grandfather was John Knapp. The latter was a 
 native of Providence, Saratoga county, and came to Stratford, where he spent the rest 
 of his life. His wife was Jane M. Daniels, by whom he had five children, three sons 
 and two daughters. Mr. Knapp was a lumberman. He and his wife died in 1870. 
 Wheeler Knapp was born on the 25th of January, 1835, in West Milton, Saratoga 
 county, and in 1860 he came to Stratford and married Emilia Cramer, a native of Op- 
 penheim and a daughter of Benjamin Cramer. Mr. and Mrs. Cramer had seven chil- 
 dren. He died in Dolgeville in 1883, and she in 1887. Wheeler Knapp has always 
 been a farmer and lumberman, and is a member of Dolgeville Lodge No. 137, 1. O. 0. P., 
 of the Dolgeville Lodge of F. and A. M., of the Little Falls, No. 26, K. T. He was 
 supervisor for a number of years and was highway commissioner. He resided in Strat- 
 ford until 1882, when he moved to Lewis county where he lived one year and then went 
 to Dolgeville, where he now resides. Mr. and Mrs. Knapp had seven children, five 
 sons and two daughters. Mrs. Knapp died in 1869 and in the year 1870 he married 
 Marion Bliss, a native of Stratford and a daughter of Jefierson Bliss of the same place. 
 They had three children. Benjamin received a common school education, and was reared 
 on a farm, and on the 1st of November, 1887, married Kate Zimmerman, a native of 
 Dolgeville, and a daughter of Jacob and Mary (Willey) Zimmerman, who reared nine 
 children, by whom he had two daughters, Clara M., and Ida B. Benjamin is a member 
 of Dolgeville Lodge, No. 137, I. 0. 0. F. 
 
 Knapp, William, Stratford, was born on the 9th of September, 1858, in Stratford, 
 and is a son of Wheeler and Harriet B. Cramer Knapp. William was educated in the 
 public schools, and in 1878 he married Eliza A. Davis, a native of Stratford, and a 
 daughter of John Davis, by whom he had six children : Wmnie, Ella, Mary, Wheeler, 
 Earl and Guy, all of whom are living. When a young man Mr. Knapp worked in a 
 saw- mill, and after his marriage worked'.for his father several years at that business. 
 He then engaged in the lumber business for himself at Knappville and at present carries 
 on quite an exten.oive business. Mr. Knapp is a member of Equitable Aid Union of 
 Stratford. 
 
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78 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 Knoff, Louis, Gloversville, was born in Prussia, January 8, 1828. In his native 
 country he learned the trade of glove leather dressing, at which he served as an appren- 
 tice five years and at which he also worked two years before coming to America. In 
 1849 he came to Gloversville, finding employment with Gilbert Burr. Later on he 
 worked several years in Johnstown, but in 1862 he embarked m business for himself at 
 a point where now stands the Gloversville depot. Three years afterwards he built his 
 present factory and tannery on South Main street and has succeeded in building up 
 not only a large trade, but as well a comfortable fortune. He is now about to retire 
 from active life, and passes his works into the care of his elder son, Herman Knoff. 
 In 1856 Mr. Knoff married Paulina Gausel, by whom he had one child, Herman. His 
 wife died in 1862 and in 1866 he married Rosa Fliegel, who died in 1891, leaving one 
 child, Louis, jr. Mr. Knott is a firm Democrat, but not active in public affairs. He is 
 member of the Congregational church. 
 
 Kno?, Charles M., Johnstown, was born in Mapletown, Montgomery county, October 
 16, 1828. He married Mary E. Briggs, a member of one of the oldest families of this 
 town. They had five children, four sons and one daughter. Three survive : Elisha B., 
 a bachelor who resides in California ; Anna S., who married James L. Northrup, and 
 Charles B., who was born on the old homestead October 8, 1855. He was educated in 
 the public schools and also attended two years at the High School. February 15, 1883, 
 he married H. Rose, youngest daughter of David and Amanda Markward, of Mansfield, 
 0., and they have one son, Charles M., born March 13, 1888. They all reside in the 
 village of Johnstown. 
 
 Lair, Jacob C, Perth p. o., was born m Germany, August 7, 1847, a son of Panhardt 
 and Annie Lair. His father came to this country in 1851 and located in Bleecker, where 
 he lived one year. After short residence at Caroga and Peckville, he moved back to 
 Bleecker for another year, then to Mayfield, where he bought a farm of 180 acres, 
 where he still resides, and is now fifty-six years of age. The early life of our subject- 
 was spent with his parents. He was educated in the public schools of Bleecker, Johns- 
 town, and Mayfield. When twenty-one years of age he went into the lumber business- 
 and is still interested in that. In 1870 he bought a hundred acres which he cleared off, 
 the next year bought 1000 acres, which he owned three weeks, selling it with a large 
 profit. In 1871 he bought the Jackson saw-mill, at Jackson Summit, which he still 
 operates. At this time he built a fine brick block at Mayfield, which he ran as a hotel 
 for one year then sold. In 1883 he bought thirty-two building lots in the city of Am- 
 sterdam for speculation, three of the four houses which he built here he traded for Burt's 
 planing-mill; he ran this five years, tore down and built a block of tenements; built 
 also a mill at Port Jackson. In 1888 he sold out and came to Perth, and is now run- 
 ning a steam saw and planing-mill with a business of $100,000 a year. December 30,. 
 1872, he married Sarah Templeton, of Mayfield, who died April 11, 1877, leaving one 
 child, James A. November 13, 1877, he married Emily A. Edwards, and this union has 
 been blessed with one child, Rene E., born April 1, 1880. Mr. Lair has always been in- 
 terested in politics, not as an office seeker, but for public welfare, and is known as a. 
 successful business man. 
 
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FAMILY SKETCHES. 79 
 
 Lake, George L., Gloversville, has been known to the business community of Glov- 
 ersville only since 1886, but during that time he has succeeded in building up an in- 
 dustry worthy of a longer residence in the city. Mr. Lake was born at Glasgow, Scot- 
 land, March 27, 1844, and there learned leather dressing, but he perfected himself in the 
 art in other places. In 1869 he came to this country, locating in Philadelphia first, and 
 then in Troy, remaining in the latter city until 1885, when he came to Johnstown and 
 became one of the firm of Stewart & Lake. In 1886 he bought the Daniel Lasher tan- 
 nery on West Fulton street, where he has since conducted a successful business. His 
 finished products comprise Dongola, kangaroo, and glazed stock of leathers. While re- 
 siding in Troy Mr. Lake married Charlotte Herden, by whom he has seven children : 
 Maggie, Lottie, George, Lillie, Nettie, Jennie, and one other. 
 
 Lamb, Pardee E., agent, Broadalbin, was born in Harpersfield, Delaware county, on 
 the 1st of November, 1848, and is a son of William and Mary Merrill Lamb. His father 
 was born on the same farm. His mother was a native of Schoharie county. Grand- 
 father John Lamb was also a farmer on the same farm. Mr. Lamb was a soldier in the 
 oivil war; he enlisted in August, 1864, in Company B, 91st N. Y. Heavy Artillery, 
 which was changed to an infantry regiment. He was in the pioneer corps and was un- 
 der fire many times from sharp-shooters; he was only fifteen years of age when he en- 
 listed. He served until the last of June, 1865, when^he was honorably discharged. He 
 -had a brother in the same regiment ; his brothers, John and William, were also in the 
 army and served three years each. Mr. Lamb has been in the paper manufacturing 
 business for several years, and at the present time is the agent of Mrs M. K. Husted 
 and is also librarian of the reading-rooms. He was married on the 1st of November, 
 1868, to Elizabeth A. Baton, of Providence, Saratoga county, who was born in 1846. 
 They have had three children, one livmg, Georgia Ann, born in June, 1870. Mr. Lamb 
 is a Democrat in politics, a member of the G. A. R., the Good Templars, and the order 
 of Red Men. 
 
 Lamberson, Addison, Oppenheim, was born in Herkimer county, January 25, 1820. 
 His father was James Lamberson, a native of New Jersey, born in 1777, and in an 
 «arly day came to Salisbury. He married Mercy Curtis, by whom he had ten children. 
 He was » farmer and held several town offices. He and his family were Methodists. 
 He was one of the founders of the Methodist church at Brockett's Bridge. He died in 
 1858 and his wife in 1860. Addison Lamberson was reared on a farm and received a 
 common school education, supplemented by several terms at the Fairfield Academy. 
 December 11, 1845, he married Mary Brown, who was born January 17, 1823. She is 
 a daughter of Nathan Brown and Polly Churchill, who reared six sons and six daugh- 
 ters. Nathan Brown was born in Williamstown, Mass., September 20, 1787. His father 
 was Josiah Brown, born in England in 1755. He and his brother Elijah came to 
 America previous to the revolution. Both were soldiers in the war. Josiah afterwards 
 settled in Williamstown, Mass., where he married Elizabeth (Dodge) Olmstead. She 
 was a widow, to whom Mr. Brown carried the news of the death of her husband in the 
 war. They reared nine children. In 1807 Josiah came to Saratoga county, and in 
 1811 to Oppenheim, where he died. Nathan Brown first came to Oppenheim when 
 
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8o HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 fourteen years of age, walking from Williametown, Mass. He had a bundle of clothes 
 and twenty-five cents when he reached the town. After the death of his mother, 
 about 1811, he brought his father's family to Oppenheim. He was a thorough busi- 
 ness man and accumulated a great deal of property, owning at one time about 1800 
 acres of land. He kept a hotel at Oppenheim for a number of years. He sailed with 
 Governor Clinton on the first boat through the Erie canal, and in an early day he 
 freighted goods from Albany to Buffalo. He held several town offices, among others 
 that of county judge. He was also at one time member of Assembly. He was a Ma- 
 son, and died in 1857, and his wife in 1872. The children of Mr. Lamberson and wife 
 are : Dora J., Francis A., James N., Jennie M., and Fred A. The last two are the only 
 ones living. In 1850 Mr. Lamberson became engaged in the mercantile business at 
 Brockett's Bridge (now Dolgeville), where he has since been in business. He also has 
 represented some of the leading insurance companies of the country. He has been no- 
 tary public for twenty years in succession. He was government assessor, and has been 
 justice of the peace for four years, and also associate judge two years. 
 
 Leavitt, E. W.. Ktratford, was born in Martinsburg, Lewis county, August 27, 1827. 
 His parents, Joseph and Lydia (Bliss) Leavitt, had eight children. Sherwood, father of 
 Joseph, was a native of Connecticut, who came to Herkimer county. Later he moved 
 to Burnt Hills, Schenectady county, where he lived until within two years of his death, 
 when he came to Stratford. His second wife was Miss Bennett, who died in Strat- 
 ford, his first wife having died in Burnt Hills. Joseph B. Leavitt, born in 1802, in Con- 
 necticut, came to Fulton county when a boy and taught school several years. He was 
 also the first man who kept the Fulton county poor-house. He was justice of the peace, 
 supervisor, and county superintendent and died April 5, 1860. His wife died the same 
 year, on April 9. The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm and received a com- 
 mon school education. July 17, 1861, he married Celia Wilde, a native of Johnstown, 
 born March 3, 1841, and the daughter of Jacob C. and Gertrude A. (Applegate) Wilde. 
 They had these children : Ellsworth (deceased) ; Herman B. (deceased) ; Willard J. and 
 Lillian M. (twins) ; the former living with his uncle at Johnstown, and the latter liv- 
 ing at home ; when five years of age our subject came to Stratford, and except during 
 1856 to 1862, while at Johnstown, he has resided at Stratford. He is the owner of a 
 saw-mill and cheese factory, and also considerable real estate. He was supervisor in 
 1886-87, and justice of the peace for eight years. He is a member of the Dolgeville 
 Lodge No. 137 L 0. 0. F. His wife died August 14, 1878. 
 
 Leavitt, John E., Johnstown, was born on the 4th of November, 1839, in Martins- 
 burg, Lewis county, being educated in the public schools ; his education was obtained 
 by earnest effort, working on the farm in summer and attending school in winter. In 
 early life he was a farmer, but in 1870 he engaged in the meat business in what is now" 
 the flourishing city of Gloversville, and continued that business until 1883, when he 
 was elected sheriff of Fulton county and served a term of three years, and in 1889 was 
 again elected for the same office, he being the only man in the history of the county 
 twice honored with the office of sheriff. He has always been a staunch Republican^ 
 On the 20th of August, 1863, he married Catherine Nellis, of Ephratah, who died Jan- 
 
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FAMILY SKETCHES. 8r 
 
 uary 7, 1882. They had three children: one son, Eugene A., who died September 13, 
 1890, and two daughters, Cora B. and Jennie E. Cora B. married George E. Miller, 
 jr., of Johnstown; she has had charge of her father's home since the death of her 
 mother, which happened when she was about sixteen years old. 
 
 Lefler, Jehiel, Dr., Johnstown, was born on the 22d of April, 1843, at Tribes Hill, 
 Montgomery county, and was educated in the public schools. In 1860 he began the 
 study of medicine with Dr. Samuel Pettingell, of Tribes Hill, and continued for two 
 years and then with Dr. Newman one year. In 1883 he came to Johnstown and con- 
 tinued his studies with Dr. Francis Burdick, after which he took a course in the JefiFer- 
 son Medical College, Philadelphia. He graduated from the Albany Medical College in 
 1864 and practiced medicine as assistant to Dr. Burdick, but on the 1st of May, 1868,. 
 the latter admitted him to a full copartnership, which continued until 1872. He then 
 began to practice on his own account, and he has had a successful business to the pres- 
 ent time. On the 25th of October, 1871, he married Josephine L., only daughter and 
 child of Captain B. J. and Margaret Hayes, of Johnstown, by whom he has one daugh- 
 ter, Florence V., born May 2, 1876. The ancestry of the family is G-erman, Dutch and 
 English. 
 
 Le Roy, Henry, Ephratah was born in Ephratah, January 19, 1830, a son of John 
 and Annie (Soule) Le Roy, who reared eight children, of whom Henry is the oldest. 
 John was born in the town of Root, Montgomery county, July 10, 1808, and died in 
 Canajoharie, October 21, 1843. In 1846 his wife married Peter Snell, and she died 
 February 12, 1874, her husband dying February 27,1875. The father of John (Abra- 
 ham Le Roy), was three years of age when he came to America, and he died in Mont- 
 gomery county. The family is of French descent. Henry Soule, father of Annie, par- 
 ticipated in the war of 1812, and his father was a soldier in the revolution, and was 
 killed fighting Indians and tories at Cherry Valley. Our subject received a good edu- 
 cation, and early in life commenced boating on the Erie canal, which he followed for a 
 number of years. April 21, 1865, he married Mary I., daughter of Henry Howard, and 
 by her has had four children : Ida, born January 25, 1866 ; Howard, born February 9, 
 1868; Charlotte, born January 20, 1872; and Olive, born December 31, 1877. In the 
 year 1872 Mr. Le Roy came back to Ephratah, where he has since been a farmer. He 
 has held the office of inspector of elections, town clerk, and is at present excise commis- 
 sioner. Mr. Le Roy's maternal ancestry came over in the May Flower. 
 
 Lewis, George E., was born on the farm of his present residence, in Perth, October 
 1, 1838, a son of Henry and Jane (Allen) Lewis. Henry Lewis was a son of Jacob 
 Lewis, who came to this town from near New Tork, in company with his father John 
 Lewis, two brothers and one sister. They bought altogether 700 acres, and the family 
 has since then lived here. Jacob Lewis was the father of eight children. Henry was 
 the fourth son, born August 27, 1803, married, September 86, 1832, Jane Allen, and 
 they were the parents of ten children, seven are now living: Cornelia A. and Ann 
 Lewis, of Perth ; Sarah J., now Mrs. Timothy Shea, of Albany ; Mary E. Lewis, a 
 teacher at Cranesville ; Frances C, also a teacher at Florida, Montgomery county ; 
 
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82 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 Abram L. B., of Amsterdam, and George E., our subject, whose early life was spent on 
 the farm. When the war broke out he enlisted in the 12th New York Ind. battery, 
 and saw service in many important battles, among them Spotsylvania, Cold Harbor, 
 Petersburg and at Richmond. He was mustered out June 12, 1865. In 1866 he bought 
 a store at Little Falls which he conducted four years, then went to Rochester where he 
 worked at the carpenter's trade until 1877, when he came back to the homestead farm. 
 September 10, 1867, he married Isabella Lee, daughter of Joseph Lee, of Little Falls, 
 and they have two children, Bertram E., born September 8, 1869, and Helen Lee, bom 
 May 30, 1871. Mr. Lewis conducts a farm of 184 acres, 140 acres under cultivation for 
 hay and grain. Mr. Lewis is not a politician, but is a representative citizen. Mrs. 
 Lewis died February 28, 1876. 
 
 Limousin, Ferdinand Eugene E., Johnstown, was born in St. Julien, Haute Vienne, 
 France, and was educated at Limoges, Haute Vienne, France. He came to the United 
 States in June, 188 1 , and located in Johnstown, where he resided one year and then 
 went to Gloversville, to work on kid shoe and glove leather at the beam. In the fall 
 of 1888 he again located in Johnstown, where he began business dressing mocha, kid 
 and castor. He married Marie Chauvaud, on April 24, 1880. They have two children, 
 a girl and a boy, namely : Josephine Annie Marie Clothilde, and Eli Marie Louis. 
 Both parents are of French birth. 
 
 Littlejohn, Fitz Hugh, a lawyer of Broadalbin, was born in this village April 29, 1850, 
 a son of Frederick and Lillias (Larchar) Littlejohn. His father was a native of New 
 York, a brother of Dewitt C. Littlejohn, the well known statesman, and a cousin of 
 Bishop A. N. Littlejohn, of Long Island. His father was in the forwarding business in 
 the old Oswego line, on the Erie canal for many years. His maternal great-grand- 
 father was the French Count Larchar, who fought in the war of the Revolution. The 
 grandfather, Levi S. Littlejohn, was prominently connected with the building of the 
 Brie canal. Fitz Hugh was educated at the Polytechnic Institute, Brooklyn, was in a 
 banking office in New York for two years. He was four years a civil engineer, also 
 in the People's Gas Light Company, of Brooklyn, nine years, and three years with the 
 Mutual Life Insurance Company, of New York, when he came to Broadalbin, studied 
 law, and was admitted to the bar in 1887, since which time he has practiced in his 
 native village. Mr. Littlejohn now owns and manages a printing establishment, and is 
 a Republican. Thomas Littlejohn, of Edinburgh, Scotland, came to America in 1718, 
 and was the founder of the family in this country. 
 
 Lobdell, Bradley N., is a capitalist of Northville, and was born in Benson, Hamilton 
 -county, on June 20, 1832. He is a son of Nathan B. and Nancy (Richardson) Lobdell. 
 The grandfather of Bradley N., Daniel Lobdell, was the third settler in Northville, and 
 ■experienced all the privations of a pioneer's life. He was a man of influence and sterl- 
 ing worth, and was a royalist soldier in the Revolutionary war. Nathan B. Lobdell, 
 father of Bradley N., was a native of Brookfield, Conn., and of Welsh descent, the orig- 
 inal stock coming to America about 1660. He was a man of prominence and enjoyed 
 the confidence of the people. When Fulton and Hamilton comities were set off from 
 Montgomery he had charge of the transcribing of the records. He was a man of thor- 
 
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'FAMILY SKETCHES. 83. 
 
 ough integrity and his name is much respected by a]l who claimed his acquaintance. 
 His wife was a descendant of General Montgomery of Revolutionary fame. Bradley 
 N.'s residence is situated on land originally taken by his great uncle, Caleb Lobdell, 
 who came here with his brother Daniel, about 1790. Mr. L. has been engaged in the 
 manufacture of gloves and mittens, but for the last few years has dealt in real estate. 
 He married on November 7, 1856, Sabrina, daughter of David M. and Mardulla E. 
 (Olmstead) Miller, natives of Fulton county, by whom he had three children, one of 
 whom survives, Josie, born June 24, 1866, now the wife of William HoUearn, of North- 
 ville, who is in the grain trade. Mr. Lobdell is a Democrat and has held several offices 
 in the township, acquitting himself to the satisfaction of the people. He is a Mason. 
 His oldest brother, Daniel G., now decesead, was a lawyer of prominence. He was for 
 several years in the custom house at New York, under President Pierce's administration, 
 and instituted many reforms. He was for a long time, till his death in 1875, special 
 supervising agent of the customs department of the United States. 
 
 Loomer, A. P., Oppenheim, was born in Stratford, May 29, 1822, a son of George 
 and Hannah (Chase) Loomer. He was reared on a farm, and received a common school 
 education. November 6, 1845, he married Esther Healy, daughter of Ebenezer and 
 Keziah (Wood) Healy, who reared two children. Mr. and Mrs. Loomer have three 
 sons, one residing in Washington, one in Wisconsin, and one in Texas. Mrs. Loomer 
 died December 11, 1863, and Mr. Loomer then married Calista, daughter of Edwin 
 Snell, of Stone Arabia. Our subject has been a farmer and cattle dealer and for the 
 past twenty-six years has been a hotel proprietor. He has kept hotel in St. Johnsville 
 five years, Rockwood eight years, Little Falls and Gloversville, and also in Dolgeville 
 where he is at present proprietor of the Loomer House, where he has been for five 
 years. He was justice of the peace for six years, and has held other town offices. 
 George Loomer was a native of Connecticut, and an early settler of Montgomery coun- 
 ty. He was of Welsh descent, one of two brothers who came from Wales in an early 
 day and settled in Connecticut. He had but one child, A. P. Mr. Loomer died in 
 Ohio, while inspecting land. His widow married Jesse White, and died January 4, 
 1891, aged ninety-four years. 
 
 Lucas, Edward J., Johnstown, was born in Yeovil, England, on the 10th day of 
 August, 1864, and was educated in the school in that place. In January, 1883, he came 
 to the United States and located at Johnstown. He learned the trade of glover in 
 England and worked at the business for others until 1890, when he started to manu- 
 facture gloves on his own account. On the 25th of August, 1887, he married Bmilie, 
 daughter of Ferdinand Ackerkneckt, of Johnstown, and though the name is German 
 she is a native of America. They have two children, both of whom are boys, namely ; 
 Ernest and Milton F. 
 
 McConkey, Henry D., Johnstown, was born in Currietown, Montgomery county, 
 April 10, 1843. He was educated in the public schools and Canajoharie Academy and 
 in the State Normal School at Albany. He has been an efficient school teacher for 
 fifl)een years in Montgomery and Fulton counties, and came to reside permanently in 
 Johnstown in 1878 as a dry goods merchant. He is now a leather manufacturer. His 
 
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84 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 wife also does a fine millinery business on North Perry street. On October 9, 
 1872, he married Helen, second daughter of James and Rozanna Irving, of this place, 
 and they have two children, Irving H. and Grace k. His father, Henry V., was born 
 in the town of Glen. He married Hannah, daughter of Judge Deivendorf, of the same 
 county, by whom he had eight children. The ancestry of the family is Scotch and 
 Oerman. The grandfathers on both sides were in the Revolutionary War. Mr. Mc- 
 Oonkey's great-grandfather served on Washington's staff, and helped ferry him across 
 jVIcConkey's Ferry, Delaware River, the night he surprised and routed the Hessians. 
 
 McDougall, Robert, Gloversville, was born in this State, June 6, 1814. His wife, 
 Sarah Ann Hagaman, was born in this State, January 1, 1820. They were married in 
 1840 and had the following children: Crosby, of Plattsburg; Robert, who died in 1891, 
 leaving a family ; John H., of Gloversville ; James A., of Gloversville ; Ann Mary, who 
 died aged five years; Hester, who married Archibald HoUenbeck, of Gloversville; Wil- 
 liam, a manufacturer of Gloversville ; Sarah Jane, wife of J. Wesley Stockley, of Glov- 
 ersville ; David B., of Kansas ; Margaret, wife of Alex. Linesberg, of Gloversville ; 
 and Anna, who married Henry Penrose, of Troy. Robert McDougall, sr., was a tan- 
 ner and currier of this locality, and a man highly respected by all his acquaintances. 
 James A. McDougall was born in this township February 23, 1846. He was brought 
 up to his father's occupation, but when about seventeen years old he worked for him- 
 self. He has traveled on the road since he was twenty-three years of age and has 
 been identified with the glove industry for many years, although only since 1880 has 
 he been a manufacturer. The present firm of James A. McDougall & Co. was formed 
 in 1888. On April 4, 1877, James A. McDougall was married to Arabelle, daughter 
 of Rev. Jacob A. Brown, a clergyman of the M. E. church of Delaware, 0. 
 
 Mclntyre, John D., Perth, was born in Will county, 111., March 27, 1844, a son of 
 Duncan and Lucinda (Hardsall) Mclntyre. His grandfather, John Mclntyre, was born 
 in Kenmore, Scotland, August 5, 1766, and came to this country before the war of the 
 Revolution and located in the town of Perth, buying a farm of 100 acres, a portion of 
 which is the home of our subject. He was driven from this town by the Indians and 
 sought a refuge in Albany, going from there to Philadelphia where he stayed during 
 the war. At the close of the war he returned to Perth, and joined with Robert Mac- 
 beth and John Stewart and took government contracts for mason work, among them 
 some of the locks in the Erie canal, and work on the fort at Ticonderoga and Fort Niag- 
 ara. His wife, Ann, was also born at Kenmore, Scotland, March 20, 1770, and died 
 May 6, 1857. John Mclntyre Died July 31, 1848. They were the parents of seven 
 children : Duncan, the father of our subject, was the oldest son ; the 'others were Dan- 
 iel, Archibald, Eliza, who married John Culbert; Ann who married Thos. Reddish; 
 Ellen and Margaret. Duncan was born March 20, 1802, and lived with his parents on 
 the homestead farm until he was twenty-three years of age, when he joined a party of 
 young men who went west, setthng in Will county. 111. They each took up a home- 
 stead. In 1840 Duncan married Lucinda Hadsall, of Illinois. They were blessed with 
 seven children, four are now livmg. Daniel, of Will county, 111.; Archibald, of Joliet, 
 111.; James W., of Willmington, 111.; and John D., our subject. His parents came back. 
 
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FAMILY SKETCHES. 85 
 
 to their old home in 1845 to be with Mr. Mclntyre's father in his old age. The whole 
 life of John D. has been spent on the old homestead. At the death of his grandfather, 
 his parents moved back to Illinois, and John remained with hio aunts. He was edu- 
 cated in the Johnstown Academy, and a course in the Bryant and Stratton Business 
 College at Albany, where he received his diploma. April 8, 1865, he married Sarah 
 Ferguson, of Florida. Mr. Mclntyre has held the office of town clerk for a number of 
 years, was also justice of the peace five years. 
 
 McKnight, John, a lawyer of Northville, was born in Hebron, Washington county, 
 April 1, 1817. He is a son of James and Elizabeth (Mathews) McKnight. George, the 
 grandfather of John, was a Scotchman who came to this country before the Revolution- 
 ary war, during which he was a second lieutenant in the American army. The father 
 was a farmer and an elder in the Scotch Presbyterian church for many years. Con. 
 Mathews, a brother of John's mother, was in the war of 1812. John McKnight was 
 educated in the common schools of the county and the academy in Salem. He 
 followed school teaching for many years and studied law in the meantime. He was 
 admitted to the bar in 1858 at Plattsburg, when he at once entered into the practice of 
 his profession at Warrensburgh, Warren connty. He came to Northville in 1871 
 where he has since continued in a large and lucrative practice. He is the oldest 
 member of the bar, with one exception, in the county. He is a Democrat in politics 
 has twice served as supervisor, and is one of the substantial men of the town. Novem- 
 ber 10, 1840, he married Elizabeth Quay, by whom he has one daughter and one son. 
 The latter was in the civil war from 1861 to its close, and died in January, 1877. 
 
 McLaren, Daniel, Perth, Johnstown p. o., was born in the town of Perth, near his 
 present residence, May 21, 1816, a son of Robert and Christie (Mcintosh) McLaren, 
 who came from Perthshire, Scotland, in 1806, bringing with them four children. Rob- 
 ert located in this town and bought the farm of the family's present residence, finished 
 clearing it ofi^, and always lived here. Three more children were born to them, and of 
 the seven but three are Uving : William, a clergyman of Toledo, 0. ; Jane McLaren, of 
 Perth, and Daniel, our subject. Daniel's whole life has been spent on the homestead 
 farm, educated^at the public school and at Johnstown academy. February 28, 1846 he 
 married Jeannette McKab, of Gloversville, who died September 21, 1883. He married 
 again, September 20, 1888, Mary A. Major, daughter of John and Jane (Maxwell) 
 Major, and sister of Hugh and Joseph Major. Mr. McLaren has never been an oflSce 
 seeker in the politics of his town, but has given his whole time and attention to the 
 farm. He has always been deeply interested in church work, and is to-day one of the 
 oldest members of the Perth Presbyterian church. 
 
 McLaren, James D., Johnstown, was born in May field on the 9th of October, 1809 
 and came to Johnstown with his parents when a boy about five years old. He was 
 educated in Johnstown and studied law with Judge Cady and graduated from the New 
 York Law Institute. He was admitted to the bar and practiced law a number of years 
 in New York, also in Fonda, and at Ogdensburg. On the 12th of May, 1870, he 
 ■married Ruth B., youngest daughter of David and Dorothy Yauney Bedford. Her 
 father, David, came here from Dutchess county, and one of his ancestors came over on 
 the Mayflower. Mr. McLaren died in the year 1886. 
 
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86 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 McLaren, John, Johnstown, was born in the town of Johnstown on the 7th of April, 
 1815, he was educated in the pubUc schools and was a general merchant for many years 
 with William Dorn. In 1851 he went to Gloversville and aided in founding the Fulton 
 County Bank of which he was the first cashier. In 1872 he returned to Johnstown 
 and in company with Donald Mclntyre, opened the Johnstown Bank, which after some 
 years was incorporated as a stock company. Mr. McLaren was its cashier until his- 
 death. On the first of July, 1847, he married Mary, only daughter of Duncan and 
 Isabella McLaren. For many years he was a Sunday-school teacher in the Congrega- 
 tional church of Gloversville, and was always an active Christian. On the 28th of April, 
 1890, he died. His widow still survives him. 
 
 McLaren, William, Perth, Amsterdam p. o., was born at West Perth, April 8, 1846,. 
 a son of Robert and Rebecca (Vedder) McLaren. Robert was a son of Robert McLaren, 
 who came to this country from Perthshire, Scotland, in 1806, with his wife and three 
 children: Peter, John, and William. William is still living at Toledo, 0., a faithful 
 preacher of the gospel. Robert was born in 1808 and always made his home on the 
 old McLaren farm at Benedict's Corners. In 1840 he married Rebecca Vedder, daugh- 
 ter of William Vedder, of Broadalbin. They were the parents of but one child, Will- 
 iam, our subject. Robert McLaren died August 1, 1870, and Mrs. McLaren died April 
 6, 1879. The early life of our subject was spent on the old farm, educated in the pub- 
 lic school and Johnstown Academy. June 13, 1873, he married Mary H. Dougall, 
 daughter of Thomas Dougall, of Duanesburg, and they are the parents of two children : 
 Harriet, born June 13, 1874, and Flora, born March 6, 1879. In 1884 Mr. McLaren 
 sold the old homestead farm and bought a farm of 130 acres known as the "Old Canary 
 Farm," in the southern part of Perth. Mr. McLaren has always taken a deep interest 
 in church work, and has been a member of the Perth Presbyterian church for over 
 twenty years. 
 
 McLaughlin, Alexander, Ephratah, was born in Lassellsville, July 20, 1833, a son of 
 John and Abigail (Kennicutt) McLaughlin, whose people came from Rhode Island. 
 They reared six children. John was a son of Fergus, a native of Scotland, who came 
 to America about 1812. His wife was a Miss McLaughlin, by whom he had one son 
 and two daughters, and had one son and two daughters also by a previous marriage. 
 John McLaughlin was a gardener in Scotland, and in America carried on farming. In 
 reUgious belief he was a Lutheran, and he served one term as assessor. A. McLaugh- 
 lin received a common school education and was reared on the farm. He married 
 June 14, 1856, Mary J., daughter of John and Rachel (Frederick) Bronk, elsewhere 
 mentioned in this work. They have two children : Richard, who married Julia A. 
 Miles, and Jessie, who married Charles B. Christman. Both reside in Lassellsville. 
 Mr. McLaughlin is a farmer and lumber dealer. In 1885 he came to Lassellsville and 
 is one of the trustees and stockholders of the Excelsior Manufacturing Company of Las- 
 sellsville. He has been assessor of the town for eleven years. He and his wife are 
 members of the Lutheran church. 
 
 McQueen, James M., Perth, was born in the house of his present residence, Septem- 
 ber 11, 1822. Joseph McQueen was born in this same house on the McQueen home- 
 
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FAMILY SKETCHES. 87 
 
 stead farm, December 22, 1824. These two brothers were sons of John McQueen, who 
 came to this country from Perthshire, Scotland, in 1795, in company with his cousin, 
 Archibald. When they settled in this section they cleared together the farm they 
 bought in the wilderness, each built a log house, and John occupied his after his mar- 
 riage to Ann Major, daughter of John Major, of Galway, Saratoga county, May 17, 
 1803. He remained on this place and worked it until 1815, when he built the large 
 frame house now called the 'Old John McQueen Homestead,'' near the original fog house. 
 He was the father of nine children. Three are living, these two brothers and their 
 sister, Jeannette, now Mrs. Daniel Potter, of Gloversville, born January 1, 1819. 
 James was sent to the public school of the town, but Joseph had the advantage of a 
 ■course in the Amsterdam Academy. The whole family has always lived on the farm, 
 and the most of them (thus far) have died there. John McQueen, their father, died 
 February 22, 1857. After his death the sons took charge of the place and have never 
 left it. They have no desire for political honors, but to be known as honest, upright 
 citizens. They have increased the old place, until now they have over 300 acres, about 
 200 under cultivation. A cousin of theirs is the housekeeper, Ellen McQueen, who 
 came to this country in 1879, from Sterlingshire, Scotland. 
 
 McQueen, John C, Perth, was born in the town of Amsterdam, August 19, 1812, a 
 son of Archibald and Jeannette (McKinley) McQueen. The early life of our subject 
 was spent at home, attending the common schools and assisting his father on the farm 
 until the latter's death in 1849, leaving him the old homestead farm, which he con- 
 ducted until 1862, when he bought what was known as the old Leflfer farm of 108 
 acres, which he has improved until now he has one of the prettiest places on the Johns- 
 town road. November 6, 1862, he married Ellen Robb, daughter of James and Mary 
 (Carmichael) Robb. Mr. McQueen has never had any particular interest in politics, 
 and his only zeal is shown in his success as a farmer, and desires his name handed down 
 to history only as a good, honest, upright citizen. 
 
 McQueen, William J., Perth, was born in the town of Amsterdam, December 18, 
 1835, a son of Archibald and Ann (Alexander) McQueen. Archibald was born in 
 Perthshire, Scotland, in 1777, and came to this country when he was twenty years old 
 and settled in Amsterdam, buying land in its original condidion, and with his cousin, 
 John McQueen, they built log houses at first and afterwards frame buildings. Here they 
 lived until their deaths, about forty-seven years. They were of the earliest settlers in 
 this section, and Archibald .was remembered by all as a good Christian. He married, 
 in 1807, Jennette McKinley, who was the mother of two children, John 0. McQueen 
 and Jennette McQueen Donnan. In 1825 he married May Wilson ; she died in four 
 years, leaving one child, Margaret McQueen Walker. His third wife was Ann Alex- 
 ander, and they had two children, Ruth A. McQueen and William J., our subject. 
 Mrs. Archibald McQueen died April 1, 1880, eighty-five years old. The, early life of 
 William was spent at home ; he attended school at Kingsboro Academy under Prof. 
 Horace Sprague. His father died in 1849, and left to him the farm of his present resi- 
 dence a fine one of 128 acres, where William has built a nice residence and a cider and 
 feed mill. January 27, 1857, he married Nettie Speir, daughter of George and Bliza- 
 
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88 HISTOR\ OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 betth (Donnan) Speir, and they have two 'children: Archie and George S. Mr. Mc- 
 Queen combines with his farm duties the manufacture of cider and yinegar, also run- 
 ning a custom-mill. In 1883 he was elected supervisor of the town, and the popularity 
 and esteem he commands is shown by his being elected to a second term in 1884, the 
 first Democrat ever accorded that honor in this town. 
 
 McMartin, James I., was born near Kingsboro, April 20, 1816. Some time previous 
 to 1843 he began the manufacture of gloves and mittens at Johnstown, which business 
 he followed during the rest of his life. On April 3, 1851, he married Mary Amanda 
 Pierson, who died March 29, 1873 ; their family consisted of seven children : Caroline, 
 Anna, Daniel, Eli Pierson, Archibald, James and Mary Amanda, all of whom were 
 living at the time of their father's death, January 2, 1888. Eli P. McMartin died May 
 17, 1891. Daniel McMartin, the father of James I. McMartin was born in this country, 
 and his father, Peter, came from Scotland to the United States before the revolution. 
 
 McNab Family. — John McNab, sr., was a native of Perthshire, Scotland, and came to 
 America in the latter part of the year 1802. In 1803 he purchased what was after- 
 wards known as the McNab homestead property, consisting of 125 acres, for which he 
 paid Adam Vedder $2,000. All of this land is now within the limits of Gloversville, 
 West Fulton street passing through the center of the property. Mr. McNab was a far- 
 mer, and built a farm house upon this land, part of which is still standing. He at once 
 took steps toward becoming a citizen, and his naturalization papers, now in the posses- 
 sion of his son, were granted on the 19th of January, 1808. He also became a mem- 
 ber of the Scotch Presbyterian church at Johnstown, then under the spiritual charge of 
 Pastor Hosack. He married Margaret Walker, daughter of David Walker, in 1804, and 
 had ten children, the first, Christie, being born in 1806. The other children were 
 Eliza, Catharine, Margaret, Jannette, John, David, Helen, James and Anna. Christie 
 married Robert Kirkpatrick, of Johnstown ; Eliza married James Robertson, of Broad- 
 albin ; Margaret married Peter McGregor, resident of the town of Johnstown ; Helen 
 married John Hays, of Ogdensburg ; Catharine married James Evans, of Troy ; Jan- 
 nette married Daniel McLaren, of Perth ; and Anna married Rev. James M. Arthur, of 
 Monmouth, 111. John McNab, jr., was born on the old homestead in October, 1816, and 
 attended school at the brick school-house in what was then known as " Stump City." 
 He married Eliza E. Clark, daughter of R. P. Clark, of Johnstown, June 10, 1863, three 
 children resulting from the union : Emma M., Lillian, and John. Lillian died when in 
 her seventeenth year and John in his sixth. Emma M. married Frank Burton, of the 
 law firm of Baker & Burton, and has one daughter, Lilhan. 
 
 McVean, Daniel D., was born in Perthshire, Scotland, in the year 1754, and came 
 here when a young man. He married Janett Cameron, of Albany. She was bom in 
 1757, and their children numbered five. One of the sons, John D., was the father of 
 the present generation, and was born where they now reside, February[18, 1797. He 
 married on May 3, 1832, Catherine McVean, and they had nine children, of whom eight 
 survive : Daniel D., Grace A., John J., James A., Catherine, Charles F., Edward and 
 Duncan. James A. married Grace A. Robertson ; John J., Charles P., Duncan, and Ed- 
 ward reside on the homestead. October 13, 1869, Catherine married Volney S. Hoff,. 
 
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FAMILY SKETCHES. 89 
 
 formerly of Steuben county, and they had four children : Nettie, John JL, Albert E., 
 and Grace F. Mr. Hoff enlisted August 15, 1862, in Company B, 148th N. Y. Vols., 
 and was honorably discharged on account of wounds May 31, 1865. Daniel D. and 
 Grace A. are dead. 
 
 Major, Hugh B., a farmer of Perth, was born in that place August 14, 1835, a son of 
 John and Jane (Maxwell) Major, both natives of Saratoga county. His father was 
 born in Galway, in 1785, and his mother in Charlton in 1792. His grandfather, John 
 Major, was a native of Galway, Scotland, and came to this country in 1775. He settled 
 in Galvvay, and was one of the prominent men in the early history of the town. His- 
 mother's people were among the early settlers here, and came from the north of Ireland. 
 John Major was a Republican, and was honored by several local offices. He died aged' 
 sixty-seven years. Hugh B. Major was reared on the farm, and has followed that oc- 
 cupation, being now the owner of a fine farm of 100 acres. Since 1856 he has been 
 connected with the Pulton and Montgomery Counties Farmer's Insurance Company, and 
 has been the secretary of the company for the last thirty-five years in succession. He 
 has been an uncompromising Republican, and has been supervisor of the town two 
 years, and held other important local offices. He is one of the influential men of the 
 town. On October 11, 1871, he married Annie R., daiighter of William and Rachel 
 (Van Duzen) Brower, of Fonda, who was born July 31, 1848. They were among the 
 early settlers of the county. Mr. and Mrs. Major have three children : Ten Eyck, born 
 November 4, 1872; Jennie, born October 20, 1876; and Alice B., born June 6, 1879. 
 He and his wife are connected with the Presbyterian church at the Centre. The fathei- 
 and grandfather were also members of the same church. 
 
 Marvin, John H., a farmer and native of Northampton, was born September 16, 1833. 
 a son of Dr. Langdon I. and Laura (Beecher) Marvin. The father was born in Con- 
 necticut, and came to Fulton county when twelve years of age, with his father, David, 
 who was one of the first settlers in the township. He was a blacksmith and tool 
 maker and lived to the age of eighty years. Dr. Marvin studied medicine under Dr. J. 
 A. Mitchell and attended lectures at Fairfi eld, Herkimer county, graduating there, and 
 he at once began the practice of medicine at Northampton, where he was very success- 
 ful. He lived to the age of sixty-four, kindly remembered by all who knew him. His 
 wife's people, the Beechers, were among the early settlers in the town and were related 
 to the Rev. Lyman Beecher. John A, Marvin was a brave soldier in the late war, en- 
 listing at the age of twenty- two in Company 1, 18th New York Volunteers, and served 
 two years, when he re-enlisted in the 2d New York Veteran Cavalry in July, 1863, 
 and served till the close of the war. He was commissary sergeant and color corporal 
 and participated in all the battles of the Peninsula campaign, without receiving a 
 wound. He was discharged at Mobile, Ala., in November, 1865. He has been a pen- 
 sioner for several years. In politics a Republican, he is a member of the Masonic fra- 
 ternity, and of the G. A. R. 
 
 Mason, James Fraser, Johnstown, is a descendant of one of the oldest families in 
 Johnstown, his parents having been among the earliest settlers of nearly a century ago. 
 His father, John Mason, married Ann Fraser. They had two children, James F. 
 1 
 
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90 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 and John C, the latter of whom died at Johnstown, on the 10th of April, 1850, aged 
 sixteen years. James F. was born on the 14th of April, 1828, at Johnstown, where he 
 has always resided and been engaged in business for the past forty years. It is sup- 
 posed that John Mason was the first of the family in Johnstown. He was a carpenter 
 and came either from Massachusetts or Connecticut. He died in Johnstown January 
 22, 1876, aged eighty years. His ancestry came to this country in the May Flmoer, in 
 1620. Ann Fraser, the wife of John Mason, was born on the 3d of December, 1799, on 
 what is known as the old Fraser farm east of the village. She was the daughter of the 
 late James Fraser, who died March 12, 1851, in his eighty-sixth year. His wife, who 
 died July 18, 1830, in her sixty-first year, was Mary Spraker, and was related to 
 the Sprakers of Montgomery county. She died August 11, 1888, aged ninety 
 years. The Sprakers were among the earliest settlers in Montgomery county, from 
 Germany. Mason & Campbell began to manufacture gloves at Johnstown in 
 1869, in which they have been engaged ever since. On the 13th of December, 
 1854, Mr. Mason married Elizabeth, second daughter of the late Duncan Camp- 
 bell, of Fonda, who passed the closing hours of his life in Johnstown. They 
 had four children, all sons, who reside in Johnstown : James F., jr., and Duncan 
 C, who are junior members of the manufacturing and importing firm of Mason, 
 Campbell & Company, and Daniel W., who is associated with this house as book-keeper 
 and general correspondent; also John G. Mason, a lawyer by profession and the junior 
 member of the law firm of Carroll, Fraser & Mason. Mr. Mason has several times been 
 elected to places of trust in his native town. He has been collector and also three terms 
 a member of the board of trustees of the village of Johnstown. He is a stockholder in 
 the Opera House Company, and for many years has been stockholder and director of 
 The Johnstown Bank. He is a Republican in politics. 
 
 Mead Family.— Joshua Mead was a native of Westchester county, N. T. His son, 
 Jacob, emigrated to what is now the town of Caroga, early in the present century. 
 His son, Isaac Mead, now living in Qloversville, was born March 12, 1817, and lived at 
 the old homestead until sixteen years of age. He married Catherine Ann Carncross in 
 December, 1844, and in 1848 came to Gloversville. His children by this marriage were 
 William Henry, died in 1872; Nicholas.^died 1857; Charles, Eugene, John, all residents 
 of Gloversville. Mr. Mead's first wife died January 1, 1869. His second wife, now 
 living, was Rachel M. Clark, to whom he was married in December, 1869. 
 
 Maylander, Max, Johnstown, was born in the year 1822 in Hungary, where he was 
 educated. He came to the United States in the year 1840 and at once located in 
 Johnstown. In the year 1849 he married Amelia Knofi^, formerly of Prussia. They 
 have had ten children, nine of whom are living : Louis K., Christine, Emily, Frances, 
 Charles S., Margaret, George William, Eva and Ida. Mr. Maylander through industry 
 and thrift has retired from the leather business with a competency. 
 
 Meserve, John B., Johnstown, was born in Vermont on the 4th of June, 1832, and 
 was educated in the public schools and is now real estate operator. On the 4th of 
 May, 1868, he married Mallisa Carry, of the town of Parma, Monroe county. They 
 have three children, two sons and one daughter, namely : Mattie, the oldest, who resides 
 
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FAMILY SKETCHES. 91 
 
 at home ; Charles C, who is one ot Johnstown's steady young men, a plumber by trade ; 
 and Clarence L., who is being educated. 
 
 Meyer, Frederick, Johnstown, was born in Wurtemburg, Germany, August 1, 1836. 
 He was educated in the public schools of his country and learned the trade of shoe- 
 making. In 1853 he came to the United States and located in the town of Ephratah, 
 where he followed his trade for many years. In 1862 he enlisted in Company E, lloth 
 New York Volunteers, and was honorably discharged as corporal at the close of the 
 war. February 1, 1870, he married Margaret, youngest daughter of John and Margaret 
 Mead, of Caroga. They have two daughters, Barbara L. and Loella A. Both at pres- 
 ent reside with their parents. Mr. Meyer is one of Johnstown's popular boot and shoe 
 merchants. 
 
 Miller, Eli J., Johnstown, was born on the 11th of March, 1850, and was educated 
 in the common schools, and in early life learned to be a carpenter and joiner. He is 
 now one of Johnstown's contractors and builders. He married Laura, third daughter 
 of Cline and Phebe (Holcombe) Tripp, formerly of St. Lawrence county. They have 
 three children, namely : Willard C, born November 2<5, 1867, he is a carpenter and 
 joiner with his father; Arthur P., born on the 16th of April, 1872; and Earl H., born 
 February 14, 1877. His father, Jacob S., was born about the year 1800 in Fulton 
 county. He married Maria Btig, ot the same place, by whom he had twelve children,, 
 of whom there are now living ten who are men and women. 
 
 Miller, Prank, Johnstown, was born on the 19th of January, 1854, and was educated 
 in the common schools and Johnstown academy. For ten years he was a commercial 
 traveler, selling the products of the glove factories. About nine years ago he became 
 a hardware merchant and still pursues that business. He is a member of St. Patrick's 
 Lodge No. 4, F. & A. M., also a member of the I. 0. of 0. P., a Knight of Pythias and 
 a member of I. 0. of Red Men. He is president of the Johnstown Merchants^ Eetail 
 Association, and secretary of the Lotus Club. On the 17th of January, 1881, he mar- 
 ried M. Eleanor, only daughter of Daniel C. Livingston. They have two daughters,^ 
 Margaret L. and Agnes S. 
 
 Miller, Jacob P., Johnstown, was born May 21, 1829, at Palatine Bridge, Montgom- 
 ery county, and came in 1831 with his parents to Johnstown, but shortly after they, 
 moved to Canada, where he was educated. In the early years of his life he was a sad- 
 dler and harness-maker. He returned to the United States in 1841, and has been 
 sheriff and under-sheriff for twelve years. He is now » glove manufacturer and presi- 
 dent of the People's Bank of Johnstown. On the 7th of February, 1857, he married 
 Isabella, third daughter of David and Margaret Miller, of Johnstown. He has four liv- 
 ing children, one son and three daughters : Margaret I., who married George S. Fraser ; 
 Jennie, who married James H. Cross ; Charles A., who married Sarah Humphrey ; and 
 Nellie P. For his second wife he married Eleanor M., daughter of Philip and Eleanor 
 Argersinger. Margaret I. and Jennie were by the first marriage, and Charles A. and 
 Nellie P. by the second. 
 
 Miller, Nathan, Johnstown, was born May 28, 1848, in the town of Ephratah, being 
 educated in the public schools. For about nineteen years he has been foreman in the 
 
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92 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 leather department of the Northrup Glove Manufacturing establishment. He has been 
 married twice, first on the 11th of January, 1871, to Libbie Getman, of Ephratah, by 
 ■whom he had a son, Howard; Mrs. Miller died on the 30th of May, 1881. On the 
 Sth of November, 1883, he married Mary, sister of his first wife ; they have two chil- 
 dren, James S. and Luella A. 
 
 The Mills Family. — William C. Mills, the ancestor of this old and respected family, 
 was one of the founders of Gloversville. He was born August 19, 1758, and married 
 Phebe Prindle, who was born February, 4, 1763, and died May 15, 1833. Their 
 eleven children were as follows: William T., Amaryllis, Polly, Betsey, Philo, Ros" 
 well, David, Charles, Sidney, Abraham W. and Mary. The latter married I. F. 
 Hough and is living in Port Jervis at an advanced age. William T., the oldest 
 «on, was born May 17, 1788, and married Polly Case, April 20, 1808. Their children 
 were Huldah, William A., Samuel S., Willard C, Darius C, and Jane H. Philo, the 
 second son, was born March 28, 1791, and married Susan Steele in April, 1817. They 
 had one child, Sidney, deceased. Charles, the fifth son, was born August 13, 1800, and 
 married Lucinda H. Burr, April 24, 1825. They had ten children, as follows : Lu- 
 cinda B., William C, Mary J., Harriet N., Celia A., Charles J., Philo M., Charlotte A., 
 Delia P. and Albert B., of whom three are still living, viz.: Charles J., in Gloversville ; 
 Philo M., in California, and Delia P., in Port Jervis. Samuel Stewart Mills (formerly 
 known during his life by his middle name), was the second son of William T., and was 
 the builder and first proprietor of what is now the Windsor Hotel. He was born April 
 15, 1813, and for his first wife married Delia A. Potter, who died March 4, 1848. His 
 second wife was Cynthia Thomas, whom he married March 11, 1850. Their children 
 were William T., Darius C, Elliot T. and Samuel S. Darius C, the youngest son of 
 William T., was born August 23, 1818. He married A. E. Leonard, and their children 
 were Celia A., married Charles F. Doyle, of Cohoes ; Edward H., Leonard C, William 
 Ellison, Elsina F., married Eleazer M. Wells, of Johnstown ; Charles 0., Carrie E., and 
 Emma S. William C, oldest son of Charles, was born April 6, 1826, and married Mar- 
 garet Steele, January 28, 1851. Their children were Susan M., Charles C, and Fred- 
 erick S. 
 
 Moore, John, was born near Sammonsville, where he now resides, June 18, 1834, 
 was educated in the public schools and is a farmer. He married twice, first on No- 
 vember 17, 1852, Frances Sadler, by whom he had two children, both now dead. Au- 
 gust 10, 1859, he married Eleanor Schults, and they have had five children, three sons 
 and two daughters. Only two survive, one son and one daughter. The son, Charles, 
 is the farmer and owner of the property, and resides at home. Katie, the daughter, 
 married Cornelius Wessels, of Johnstown, and they have two children, Eleanor and 
 Walter. Frederick (father of John), was born in Montgomery county, and married 
 Dorothy Brower, by whom he had nine children, four sons and five daughters : Eliza- 
 beth, Jacob, Michael, Margaret, Henry, Laney, Sarah, Mary and John. 
 
 Morey, Alanson, Caroga, was born in Vermont, May 29, 1826, a son of Alanson Mo- 
 rey, a native of Connecticut. His father, Thomas, was a native of the same state, and 
 at an early day went to New Hampshire, where he died. He was a blacksmith, and 
 
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FAMILY SKETCHES. 93 
 
 "was in the war of 1812. His father, Alanson Morey, was a native of Vermont, and 
 married Laney Fellows, by whom he had seven children. He was a prominent Free 
 Mason in his native state, where he died in 1862. His wife died in 1887, aged eighty 
 years. The maternal grandfather of Alanson, Macy Fellows, participated in the war of 
 1812. Our subject was reared on a farm and received a common school education. 
 Early in life he dealt in horses, and was also stage driver. He came to Caroga in 1847 
 and worked for John D. Stewart. In 1848 he married Mary Jane, daughter of Blisha 
 and Catherine (Sanders) Mead. His wife was a native of Amsterdam, and her father 
 ■died in Caroga in 1862. To Mr. Morey and wife have been born the following chil- 
 dren : Frank, James, Laney, Eber, Hattie, and, George (deceased). Mr. Morey is a 
 blacksmith by trade, and also follows farming. He has been supervisor three years, 
 highway commissioner two years, town clerk four years, assessor four years, constable 
 three years, and at present is justice of the peace. He is a member of the Caroga 
 Lodge, No. 380, F. and A. M. 
 
 Morris, Isaac, Johnstown, was born on the 3d of April, 1842, in Amsterdam, and was 
 educated in the public schools of that place. From 1863 until 1870 he was a resident 
 of Washington, D. C, being appointment clerk to Postmaster- General William Denni- 
 son, of Ohio; also held the same position under Postmaster-General A. W. Randall, of 
 Wisconsin. He resigned his position in Washington on account of his health and went 
 south as private secretary to Governor Harrison Reed, of Florida. In 1872 he returned 
 north and married Lucy A., only daughter of James L. and Sarah A. Northrup, of 
 ■Johnstown, and has since resided in his handsome dwelling on the corner of Madison 
 avenue and South Melcher street. Mr. Morris is a member of St. Patrick's Lodge No. 
 4, F. and A. M., and one of the directors of the Johnstown Bank. He belongs to one 
 of the oldest and well known families in the Mohawk Valley. The Morris family are 
 of Welsh origin, while on his mother's side the Vroomans are of Dutch extraction. 
 
 Mosher, Ohauncy, Oppenheira, was born in Oppenheim, November 10, 1842, and is a 
 son of Leonard and Adelia (Bellinger) Mosher, who are elsewhere mentioned in this 
 work. Mr. Mosher received a common school education, and was reared on a, farm, 
 which gave him a practical knowledge of agriculture, in which business he has been 
 Tery successful. In 1889 he married Nellie M., daughter of Joseph and Sophia (Shulen- 
 burg) Smith, of Fulton county, and they have one son, Chftord R., born January 15, 
 1891. 
 
 Mosher Family. — This family is of English descent. Hugh Mosher came from Eng- 
 land and settled in Massachusetts about 200 years ago. Abraham Mosher, the fifth 
 generation in this country, came to what is now Pulton county in 1836. He emigrated 
 from Columbia county and settled in the present town of Perth. He brought his wife 
 and ten children, namely : Jonathan H., William A., Abraham, David, Daniel, Barna- 
 bus W., Clark D., Charles, Wilson and Annie. Jonathan and WiUiam were married at 
 the time of their arrival and also brought their families. Abraham, sr., died in 1869 
 and was buried in the town of Amsterdam, as was also his wife Annie, William A., 
 the second son, was born May 20, 1814. He married Sarah Jane Johnson, of Columbia 
 •county, December 11, 1834. Their children were born in Fulton county and were as 
 
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94 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 follows : David A., born March 12, 1838 ; Asa, who lived in Gloversville, vphere he died 
 in 1876 ; William W., now living in Gloversville ; Sarah Maria, married Lucius A. 
 Phelps, and is also living in Gloversville. David A., the eldest son, married Hester 
 Conyne, daughter of Abraham Conyne, a descendant of one of the early Mohawk 
 pioneers, January 1, 1861. He came to Gloversville in 1864, where he has since been 
 engaged in the glove business. Mr. and Mrs. Mosher have had two children, namely : 
 Ida May, born September 3, 1868, died February 13, 1871 ; Clarence D., born August 
 25, 1872. 
 
 Mosher, Frederick, Oppenheim, was born September 8, 1832, and is the oldest of six 
 children reared by Leonard and Adelia (Bellinger) Mosher. Frederick was reared on a. 
 farm and received a common school education. In 1856 he married Lydia, daughter of 
 Silas and Elisabeth (Acker) Adams. Frederick was a poor boy and worked on a farm. 
 He is now well to do, occupying himself with farming and bee-keeping. He has no 
 children. Leonard Mosher was the son of Peter Mosher, who was a pioneer of Oppen- 
 heim, having come to that town in 1796. His wife was a Miss Kerick, by whom he 
 had six sons and three daughters. Leonard was born in Oppenheim in 1811, and re- 
 ceived a common school education, afterwards following farming. In 1831 he married 
 Adelia Bellinger, daughter of Frederick Bellinger, an early settler of the township. 
 Leonard was commissioner of highways, and collector of Oppenheim, and died Septem- 
 ber 14, 1889. His wife died Marsh 22, 1852. Silas Adams, father of Mrs. Mosher, 
 was a shoemaker and came to Fulton county, where he lived about two years, then 
 moved to Herkimer county. Afterwards he removed to Illinois, where he died. 
 
 Mosher, John Henry, Perth, was born in the town of Amsterdam near Fort Johnson, 
 December 30, 1845, a son of Daniel and Susan (Lingenfelter) Mosher (a great-grandson 
 of Barney Mosher whose biography is traced in Wilson Mosher's sketch). Daniel was 
 a son of Abram Mosher, and was born in Columbia county, came to this section at the 
 age of seventeen and married Susan, daughter of Abram Lingenfelter, of Amsterdam 
 in 1841. They were the parents of six children, three are now living: Mary C. Van 
 Brocklin, of Northville; Matilda Joslyn, of Rockton (in the town of Amsterdam); and 
 John Henry, our subject, whose early life was spent in Perth on the old Mosher farm. 
 He attended the public school. When ten years of age his mother died, and he made 
 his home with his uncles, Wilson and Chas. Mosher. May 11, 1864, he enlisted in Com- 
 pany F., Forty-Sixth Regiment New York Volunteers, under Oapt. James D. Bailey, 
 and saw service with the Army of the Potomac at Poplar Grove Church, along the 
 Weldon Railroad and thence to the Horseshoe and before Petersburg ; mustered out 
 June 23, 1865, he returned home and May 3, 1866, was married to Helen Wade, daugh- 
 ter of Alpheus and Mary (Newman) Wade, of Perth. They have one child living, 
 Mary E., born December 6, 1877. The year of 1870 he spent in Wisconsin, came back 
 and located in Rockton; In 1887 he went into the butchering business until 1890. He 
 bought the hotel at Perth Centre which he has since conducted. While at Rockton 
 he was road commissioner from 1887 to 1890. He has also held the ofifice of school 
 trustee of district No. 9, Rockton. 
 
 Mosher, Maurice, Perth, Amsterdam p. o., was born March 7, 1865, a son of Charles 
 and Catherine (Newman) Mosher. He has always made hia home on the farm left to 
 
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FAMILY SKETCHES. 95 
 
 the brothers at the death of their father. He was educated in the common schools of 
 this vicinity. December 15, 1886, he married Jennie Hanson, daughter of Orville Han- 
 son, of Amsterdam. They have two children : Earl W., born October 20,1887; and 
 Edith, born June 3, 1889. Mrs. Mosher, mother of these two brothers, still lives, being 
 sixty-eight years of age. There are 110 acres in the farm, all under cultivation, and it 
 is considered the best farm in the southern part of the town. The land is suitable for 
 any class of farming, but the Mosher brothers conduct it as a dairy and hay farm. 
 Newman has held offices of honor and trust in the town, and both brothers are held in 
 high esteem by their neighbors and friends. 
 
 Mosher, Wilson, Perth, was born in Columbia county, June 13, 1836, a son of Abram 
 and Annie (Haight) Mosher. His grandfather, Barney Mosher, was one of the earliest 
 settlers of Columbia county. He was the father of seven children, of whom Abram 
 was one. He was born May 11, 1788, and always lived in Columbia county until 1838 
 when he came to Per^h, where he bought the " Peter Stewart farm,'' containing 306 
 acres and still owned in the family. He w as the father of fourteen children of whom 
 five are living : William A. of Gloversville ; Barney W., of Johnstown; Clark, of Johns- 
 town ; Annie, now Mrs. Geo. Noonan, of Perth ; and Wilson, our subject. This is one 
 of the old historic families of the county. They were the only family of Quakers in 
 this town and were obliged to go to Galway to attend their own meeting. Wilson 
 was educated in the common school and assisted on the farm until his marriage, Janu- 
 ary 15, 1857. He married Levina Newman, of Perth. After this he joined with his 
 brother Charles and bought the '" Elias Newman farm " of 110 acres, where he remained 
 until 1885. His brother died February 23, 1872, forty years of age ; as he left four 
 small children, Wilson acted as their guardian until they were of age, then he left them 
 on the old farm and came to his present home. Mr. Mosher has always been interested 
 in town politics, but would never accept an office himself. Newman Mosher was born 
 June 26, 1858, a son of Charles and Catherine (Newman) Mosher, and always lived on 
 the farm left him and his brother, Maurice C, by his father. August 24, 1882, he mar- 
 ried Ida Van Allen, of Amsterdam. They have one child, Floyd S., born March 9, 
 1884. 
 
 Moyer, Charles M., Johnstown, was born on the 3d of November, 1838, in Minden, 
 Montgomery county, and was educated in the public schools. He is by occupation a 
 carpenter, contractor and builder. On the 1st of July, 1863, he married Lydia J. Hess, 
 a native of his own county. They have had five children, one daughter who died in in- 
 fancy, and four sons, namely : Fayette E., Charles H., Burnell W., and W. Earl. Mr. 
 Moyer's father, Henry F., was born May 7, 1814, at the old home. He married Mar- 
 garet Garlock, by whom he had seven children, three are still living : Martha, Charles 
 M. and John F. Fayette E. Moyer is a lawyer and one of the justices of the peace of 
 the town of Johnstown. 
 
 Murphy, Joseph, Oppenheim, was born in county Cork, Ireland, in 1826, and came 
 to America when a young man. He married Sarah Murray, a native of Ireland, and to 
 them the following children were born, viz. . Joseph, Mary, Hannah, John, Katie, Sarah, 
 Thomas, and one who died in infancy. Sarah and Thomas are living. Mr. Murphy 
 
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96 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 formerly resided in Salisbury, but the last six years of his life have been spent in Op- 
 penheim. He owns 180 acres of land, and is a member of the Roman Catholic church. 
 His wife died in February, 1892. 
 
 Nare, Daniel, Perth, Amsterdam p. o., was born in the town of Mohawk, near Fonda, 
 July 8, 1847, a son of Adam and Adaline (Martin) Nare. His grandfather, Zachariah 
 Nare, was one of the early settlers of Mohawk. He was the father of ten children ; 
 Adam was the third. He was born November 15, 1823, spent his early life on the old 
 homestead farm, and lived there until 1871, when he went to Iowa and other places in 
 the west for three years, then returned and settled in Amsterdam, where they re- 
 mained four years, going from there to Canajoharie in 1878. Mrs. Nare died July 9, 
 1887, aged fifty-six years. They were the parents of two children, Delolla, wife of 
 Albert M. Klock, a merchant of Canajoharie, and Daniel, our subject. His boyhood 
 days were spent on the farm of his father, was educated in Fairfield Seminary, stayed 
 with his father until he was twenty-one, when he married Ahce Fonda, daughter of 
 Henry and Evaline (Doxstader) Fonda, of Fonda, January 13, 1869. After this he 
 moved to his present residence in Perth, a dairy farm of eighty-four acres, called Maple- 
 Grove, which he purchased the year previous, and where they have since lived with 
 the exception of two years, traveling in the west one year, and lived in Amsterdam 
 one year. He met with a severe loss December 1, 1891, by the burning of his house 
 but has since built a very fine residence. A niece and nephew of Mrs. Nare now re- 
 side with them, May A. Hall and Harry F. Hall, grandchildren of the late Henry 
 Fonda, of Fonda. 
 
 Nare, Ezra, was born on the 25th of January, 1849, in the town of Mohawk, and was 
 educated in the public schools and Johnstown Academy. In early life he was a farmer, 
 and since then he has made a success of several enterprises. February, 1883, he pur- 
 chased a controlling interest in the Fultonville and Johnstown plank road, and has held 
 the office of treasurer and superintendent of said company since the date of purchase. 
 October, 1886, he was nominated by the Republicans of Fulton county for the office of 
 superintendent of the poor for three years, and was elected, served his term, and Octo- 
 ber, 1889, was renominated and elected. In addition to being superintendent he has 
 lived at and superintended the Pulton county poor-house farm. On the 21st of Sep- 
 tember, 1869, he married Gertrude, second daughter of Robert and Sarah M. Wemple. 
 Mr. Nare's father, John Nare, was born in the same town and county in the year 1828, 
 and married Lucinda Everson, by whom he had six children. Mrs. Nare's father was- 
 born in the same town in the year 1831. He married Sarah M. Vroman, and had 
 eleven children, five sons and six daughters. 
 
 Nellis, Alpha, Ephratah, was born in St. Johnsville on March 5, 1836. His father,. 
 Daniel F. Nellis, a native of the same town, born in 1809, was a farmer, and married 
 Elizabeth, daughter of William I. Nellis. He reared a family of six sons and one 
 daughter, of whom three survive: Mary M., Adam D., and Alpha. Daniel was a mem- 
 ber of Assembly in the year 1840, and his death occurred in 1873, that of his wife in 
 1867. The family is of German descent, and for years have been identified with the 
 Evangelical Lutheran church. The subject of this sketch started in life a poor boy, ed- 
 
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FAMILY SKETCHES. 
 
 9T 
 
 ucating himself and engaged in teaching, which he followed for many years. He has 
 also been engaged in farming, being at present the owner of a fine farm, and being en- 
 gaged in the mercantile business also. He married Mary M. Van Vost, daughter of 
 James G. and Mary A. Vanvost, natives of New York State. Mr. Nellis and wife 
 have three children: Mary L., a graduate of the Clinton Liberal Institute of Fort 
 Plain, and also a graduate of music in the same place; James G., a student in the mili- 
 tary school of Fort Plain ; and Daniel, who lives at home. Mr. Nellis was supervisor 
 during the years 1877 and 1878, assessor one term, excise commissioner three years, 
 and at present is notary public. . He 'was inspector of elections at Palatine for four 
 years. 
 
 Norton, Cornehus H., came to Gloversville in April, 1869, from Rome, Oneida 
 county, and started a jewelry store at No. 3 South Main street, on the site now occu- 
 pied by the " Candy Kitchen." One month later Alfred D. Norton, son of Cornelius, 
 came at his father's request to take charge of the store. In April, 1870, the son pur- 
 chased the business, and maintained a first-class store at No. 13 West Fulton street un- 
 til 1889, and then removed to the large and well appointed building at No. 18 South Main 
 street. From twenty-two years of uninterrupted business life in the village and city,. 
 Mr. Norton is regarded as one of the pioneers of trade in this locality ; and it is an 
 undeniable fact that his present stock of jewelry and art goods is not excelled in the 
 county or its vicinity. In June, 1890, Mr. Norton's store was robbed of $20,000 worth 
 of diamonds and fine jewelry. One-fourth of the amount was recovered from the 
 burglars, but only on payment to their representatives of two-fifths the value of the 
 goods. One-half of the amount stolen was found buried in the woods in Perth. Mr.. 
 Norton paid a liberal reward for the recovery of the latter. 
 
 Orton, Dr. Darius S., Northampton, was born in Fair Haven, Vt., January 7, 1841, 
 a son of Luther M. and Sarah A. (Ward) Orton, natives of Warren county, and 
 both of English origin. The first members of these families came to America about 
 the year 1700 and settled in Rhode Island. Dr. Orton's paternal grandfather came 
 to Warren county about 1800, and was 'a soldier in the wars of the revolution and 
 1812. Darius S. was educated in his native village and at Hudson Eiver Institute 
 at ClaveracTj;. He was in the service of the United States from August 28, 1862, 
 to the close of the civil war, most of which time he was engaged in hospital du- 
 ties. He attended four courses of lectures in the Georgetown Medical College at 
 Washington, D. C, and graduated at the Albany Medical College in the class of 
 1866. He immediately entered upon the practice of his profession at Northampton, 
 where he has been United States examining surgeon from 1869 to this date, and 
 has been a coroner four terms. He is an active Republican, and a member of the 
 Masons. He married, January 18, 1868, Anna M. Austin, born November 2, 1846. 
 They have five children, as follows: Percy, George D., Zenas Van D., Adrain Van 
 "Z., and Anna. The doctor and his wife are active members of the Presbyterian 
 church. They own the old C. S. Grinnell homestead, beautifully situated, and 
 which has been refitted and remodeled. 
 
 Osborn, William, of Broadalbin, is the proprietor of the Hotel Osborn, one of the 
 finest hotels in the county. This house was built in 1881 by C. W. Boss. Mr. Osbora 
 
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^8 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 opened business here in Iilarcb, 1891, and had his house full during the summer of that 
 year. The property is deserving of its popularity, as it is beautifully situated. Mr. ■ 
 Osborn was reared in the hotel business at Northampton, his father being the present 
 proprietor of the Osborn House of that place. He has given the best of satisfaction in 
 his present enterprise, and is becoming very popular with the traveling public. The 
 hotel is fitted up in fine shape, having a large dining hall, and dancing parlor, elec- 
 tric bells, and can accommodate 100 guests, furnished in first-class shape. Mr. Osborn 
 was born in Iowa. His father was reared in Northampton. He is a young man and 
 thoroughly understands his business. This hotel is one of the most popular hotels 
 in the county for fish and game dinners, as the proprietor makes that a specialty. 
 
 Palmateer, Charles, Northampton, born in Montgomery county, July 25, 1841, is a 
 son of Nicholas and Sarah (Douglas) Palmateer, natives of the same town and county, 
 of Dutch origin. The paternal grandfather of Charles was in the war of 1812, and at 
 the battle of Plattsburgh. Charles was reared on the farm and at the age of twenty 
 years he enlisted in Company C, 77th New York Volunteers, joming the Army of the 
 Potomac, and participated in the following battles : In front of Richmond, Antietam, 
 Yorktown, Mechanicsville, and others ; was wounded several limes, and crippled for 
 life in his left hand. He is a pensioner and a member of the G. A. R. He was taken 
 prisoner at Cedar Creek and was taken to Salisbury prison for four months, when he 
 escaped. He was in the service three years and seven months, and was discharged 
 April 10, 1865. He has been a successful farmer and lumberman, and is the owner of 
 230 acres of land, including a fine farm on which he resides. He is a Democrat in 
 politics, and has held several town offices, being now assessor. March 18, 1867, he 
 married Leah, daughter of Thomas and Sarah (Baker) Coward, natives of England. 
 They have six children : Sarah, Mary, Georgia A., Laura, Delia and Thomas. Mrs. 
 Palmateer is a member of the M. E. Church at Benson. 
 
 Palmer, Henry, was born at Fisher's Ferry, and came when a young man, in 1804, 
 with his wife, Mary Kennedy, and settled in Johnstown township, on a new farm which 
 he cleared and improved. He died at the age of sixty-six, his wife surviving him about 
 twelve years. Their children were Silas H., who emigrated to Wisconsin and there 
 died, aged sixty- five; Thornton, a carpenter and wagon-maker of this county and 
 Saratoga, and who died at seventy-five years ; Hugh, a tanner of Gloversville, who 
 died at seventy- two; Esther, wife of Adam Fletcher, who is still living in Gloversville ; 
 Fatima, who married Robert Milligan, of Montgomery county ; Perlina, who married 
 Joseph Back, of Gloversville ; Cordelia, wife of Rensselaer Wood, now in Dakota ; 
 Rucilla, who married William Avery and lives in Herkimer county ; Henry A., who 
 lived and died in Wisconsin. Robert Palmer was born June 21, 1810. He was brought 
 up on a farm and received only a common school education, but he afterwards success- 
 fully taught school four winter terms. By trade he was a tanner, but naturally pre- 
 ferred farming life. On October 22, 1835, he married Betsey Marvel Gaige, and by 
 her had seven children, viz.: George, Charles, Mary Jane, Lydia Ann, Anna, James and 
 Milf ord. Robert Palmer has been a successful business man, but he commenced with 
 small means. He has taken an interest in public afiairs, but he has never aspired to 
 
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FAMILY' SKETCHES. 9^ 
 
 political honor. He was a Whig and now is a Republican. He built and opened the 
 Palmer House in Gloversyille in 1866, and -was its proprietor until 1891, when its care 
 and management was turned over to his son Charles. No intoxicating liquors have- 
 ever been sold at this public house, end its proprietors have never inclined to profit by 
 this traffic. Robert Palmer and his wife are members of the Baptist Church. 
 
 Parsons Family. — This family is of English ancestry and traces its lineage in America 
 back to James Parsons, who was born in Windsor, Conn., in 1748. He was a de- 
 scendant of Thomas Parsons, who resided at Milton, near Oxford, England. James had 
 eight children, seven of whom accompanied him to Kingsboro in 1792. In the early 
 records of the settlement the name is often found connected with events of social and 
 religious interest to the inhabitants, and many of the descendants have achieved promi- 
 nence in the state and county, among them Judge Levi Parsons, founder of and whose- 
 collection of valuable books formed the nucleus for the present Free Library of Glov- 
 ersville. The fourth child of James was John, who was born October 2, 1777, and 
 married Charity Dayton Johnson, June 24, 1804. Their children were Amelia T.. 
 Homer J., Hiram A., John, Harriet N., and Harriet C. The first three were the only 
 ones who lived to maturity. Homer was born October 27, 1806, and married Almira 
 A. Allen, October 6, 18.^1. Their children were Mary, Esther A., and John H. Mary 
 married Eli Lasher and had four children, namely : Ella, who married James Steele, son 
 of Joseph Steele, of Kingsboro ; Minnie, who married Professor J. H. Weineman, pres- 
 ent school commissioner of Montgomery county ; Selina L., and Earl Parsons Lasher. 
 Esther married Samuel Sweet, of Northampton. Their children are Ella, Anna M., 
 and Grace. Hiram A., the third child of John Parsons, was born May 20, 1809, and 
 married Mary E. Brown, January 26, 1841, who bore him three children, namely : John, 
 Eichard B., and Hiram W. ..John is a practicing physician and resides in New York; 
 Richard B. is the junior partner of the drug firm of J. A. Miller & Company, of Glovers- 
 ville. He was born in Kingboro, October 30, 1844, and married Ruth A. Griffls, De- 
 cember 15, 1869. 
 
 Parsons, Tallmadge Jj., Johnstown, is a lineaL descendant of Thomas Parsons, who- 
 was buried at Grand Milton, Oxfordshire, England, in 1597. Deacon Benjamin Parsons, 
 a grandson of Thomas, came to America about 1650, and settled at Springfield, Mass, 
 On November 6, 1653, he married at Windsor, Conn., and died at Springfield. Gurdon 
 Parsons, of the fifth generation, and grandfather of Tallmadge L., was born at Wind- 
 sor, Conn., July 4, 1780, and was twelve years old when his parents settled two miles 
 north of Gloversville. Here he became an active farmer and resided nearly all his life. 
 He died in Kingsboro, October 5, 1848. He was twice married, the grandmother of 
 our subject being Sally P. Leavenworth. By her he had five sons and three daughters. 
 They were active and original members of the Congregational church in their commu- 
 nity. One of their sons was Tallmadge L., born on the homestead settled by his grand- 
 father, January 13, 1813, where he resided as a farmer until his death, January 13, 
 1847. He was a staunch and active Whig. His wife was Jane McGregor, by whom he 
 had one child, Tallmadge L., born July 2, 1843, and resides on the farm settled by his 
 great-grandfather, which he owns. He received a good academic education, is an 
 
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,oo HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 active and staunch Republican, and is a member of the Presbyterian church, having 
 joined that society in his twentieth year. He married JuHette, daughter of Geoi^ge and 
 Elizabeth (Potter) Musgrave, and they have five children: Jennie, Elizabeth, Levi, 
 Duncan M., and Margaret. y 
 
 Patrick, Uriah, a blacksmith of Northville, was born in Quebec, April 18, 18C4, a son 
 of John and Mary (Bell) Patrick. His father was a native of Scotland, while his 
 mother was of Irish origin. They came to America in their early married life, first to 
 Philadelphia and thence to Canada. Uriah has made his own way in life. At the age 
 of thirteen he left home, and in 1882, being then eighteen, he settled at Northville, 
 having previously learned his trade. He has the leading business in his line in' the town. 
 He has recently built a fine residence and a large shop. February 11, 1885, he married 
 Phebe Bell, daughter of John F. Van Arnam, of this place. Mr. Patrick is a Prohibi- 
 tionist and a thorough worker in the party. He and his wife are members of the Meth- 
 odist Episcopal church, of which he is steward. 
 
 Patterson, John, a lawyer of Northville, was born at Osborn's Bridge, Northampton, 
 on the 11th of July, 1842, and received his early education at the best schools in his 
 native county. He read law with the late Richard H. Rosa, at Broadalbin in the sum- 
 mer of 1869, and was admitted to practice in the spring of 1870, having since been en- 
 gaged in the practice of his profession at Northville. He has a wife and four children, 
 two sons and two daughters. He has twice been a candidate for the ofiSce of district 
 attorney of his native county, once on the Democratic ticket and once on the Prohibi- 
 tion ticket, and in the fall of 1891 received the unanimous nomination of the senatorial 
 convention of the Prohibition party at Schenectady for the office of state Senator for 
 the Eighteenth Senate District of New York. He is at present serving as justice of 
 the peace of his native town. His grandfather on the paternal side emigrated to this 
 country from Scotland about 1769, and rendered valuable service as a surgeon in the 
 Revolutionary army. He died at Kinderhook in 1798. His father, John Patterson, 
 moved from Kinderhook to Northampton about the year 1830, where he subsequently 
 married Jane G-roesbeck, a most estimable woman, by whom he had three children, the 
 subject of this sketch and two daughters. He was a man of unusual ability, and held 
 many important local offices, represented the Fulton and Hamilton Districts in the New 
 York Assembly in 1842, and died at Northampton, June 14, 1857. 
 
 Pauley, Frank, Gloversville, was born in Prussia, February 25, 1832. He came to 
 this country in 1853 and located in Broadalbin, but soon after came to Gloversville and 
 worked in the beam house for John McNab. Two years later he started in business 
 for himself and continued about two years on job work. In 1859 he commenced mak- 
 ing gloves, in a small way at first, but gradually enlarging the capacity of his factory as 
 increased trade demanded. Mr. Pauley has been a successful glover, and the firm of 
 Frank Pauley & Son ranks well in the glove industry of the city. In 1857 Mr. Pauley 
 married Elizabeth Newton, by whom he has had five children, viz.: Minnie, Charles A., 
 William, Lois, and May. As early as 1855 Mr. Pauley united with the Metliodist 
 Episcopal church, and has ever since been active in the interests of that society. He 
 was steward twenty-four years, and assistant superintendent of the Sabbath-school 
 one year. 
 
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FAMILY SKETCHES. loi 
 
 Pauly, J. C, was born in Darmstadt, Germany, February 12, 1836. He is a son of 
 John Pauly, who passed his whole hfe in Germany. John Pauly was the father of 
 four sons and one daughter, and was a carpenter by trade. J. C. Pauly was reared on 
 a farm and educated in the common schools and the high school. His mother died 
 when he was an infant, and at sixteen years of age he and his sister came to America 
 and located at Little Falls, where he worked in the grocery business for six years. He 
 then worked on a farm for about the same length of time. In 1857 he married Rosetta 
 Youngs, a native of Germany, and a daughter of Conrad Youngs, who came to Strat- 
 ford in 1852, where he died. After the marriage of Mr. Pauly he engaged in farming 
 and lumbering, and for twenty-three years resided in Hamilton county. In 1887 he 
 came to Stratford, where he kept hotel for one year, and then resumed his former 
 occupations. To Mr. Pauly and wife have been born two sons : Charles and Harry. 
 In 1861 he enlisted in Company D, Ninety-Seventh New York Volunteers, and was 
 honorably discharged in 1862. He was in the battles of Front Royal and Bull Run, 
 and was woiinded while domg picket duty. He is a member of the G. A. R., Bunel 
 Post No. 503, Salisbury Center. Mr. Pauly was highway commissioner in Hamilton 
 county and constable for two years. He and family are Methodists. 
 
 Peck, Albert T., Gloversville, was born April 22, 1850, at Peck's Park, Johnstown. 
 His father was John Peck, a resident of the latter place since his eighteenth year. He 
 established himself in the tanning and lumber business at Peck's Park, and had many 
 offers to be placed on the ticket for important ofiBces always declining on account of his 
 large business. He was an active Republican. He began life with limited means, by 
 industry accumulating a large estate. He was honorable in all his dealings, and lost 
 heavily during the war on contracts made prior to the war at low prices, and filled 
 when prices were greatly advanced. During those times he and his wife were very 
 active, looking after the poor and the families of the soldiers. He was one of the heavi- 
 est taxpayers in his town. He married Phebe 0. Taylor, of Clinton, Conn., by whom 
 he had nine children, seven of whom grew to maturity: John F., Albert T.. Jerome A., 
 Almina H., Anna M., and Ella and Esther J. John Peck never used liquors or tobacco 
 in any form and died March 15, 1882, aged sixty-four. His wife died January 18, 
 1881. Both were active and devoted members of the M. E. Church. Mr. Peck built a 
 school-house in his community and employed and paid the teachers out of his own 
 private means for twenty-five years. Albert T. Peck received a good common school 
 education, at seventeen taking charge of his father's books, at which he became very 
 expert. In 1879, after an eleven-weeks' course he graduated at the head of his class 
 at the Poughkeepsie Commercial College, standing the third highest of all who had 
 graduated prior to 1879. Since his father's death he has carried on the business, and 
 has completed the park started by his father. He has cleared and owns 5,000 acres, 
 1 000 of which is a private reservoir and lake for propagating fish and the balance tim- 
 ber and stock farm. He is a Republican, a Mason, Knight of Pythias and Red Man, 
 and takes an active interest in politics. At twenty-four he married Grace A., daugh- 
 ter of William A. and Eliza (Buell) Bushnell. Her father is a ship carpenter and builder 
 at Westbrook Conn., and a son of Col. Aaron Bushnell who died March 4, 1881, ninety- 
 six years of age. He was a shipbuilder and drill master, and for many years colonel of 
 
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102 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. ^ 
 
 the State militia. William A. died of pneumonia in 1888, aged sixty-six years. They 
 are of Puritan stock. Mrs. Peck is devoted to the church and the temperance cause, 
 in which she takes a leading part. She has organized over 100 temperance work- 
 ers in her community. 
 
 Peck, Ichabod, Gloversville, was born November 26, 1761, and came to this county 
 from New Hampshire, settling in Johnstown township. His wife was Mary Dean, 
 whom he married in 1780. Their settlement in this county must have been about 1800 J 
 but they afterwards moved to Saratoga county. Their children were Mary, Sarah, 
 Charles, Lydia, George, Samuel, Oliver D., Sally Ann and Alexander. Charles Peck, 
 the third of these children, was born January 14, 1786 ; married Phebe Seeley Decem- 
 ber 10, 1815, and had children, viz. : Sally Jane, John, Adeline, Esther C, Lydia A., 
 Charles J., Mary, Mariam, Charles J. (second), George W., Philander W., Olivia E. and 
 Daniel A. Philander "W. Peck, the well known lumberman of this vicinity, but who 
 afterward moved west,was born January 20, 1834. He married first Lodusky Wilde, and 
 by her had two children, William W. and Eugene W. His second wife was Sybil 
 Plaisted, who went with him to Stockton, Gal., in 1885. Nine children were born of 
 this second marriage : Frank L., William E., James B., Hattie J., Jerome A., Bertie P., 
 George W. and Lillie. Eugene W. Peck was born March 6, 1859. He was brought 
 up to such work as his father was engaged in, but afterward conducted a glove laundry, 
 and was also engaged in the shoe leather trade. In 1887 he purchased the wood-yard 
 which, together with his cider-mill and the city coal delivery and Burr Brothers lumber 
 dehvery, engaged his present attention. He also owns and works a farm. He owns 
 twenty-two horses and does a large and successful business. Eugene W. Peck married 
 October 17, 1881, Anna B., daughter of George and Jane A. Palmer. They have one 
 child, Howard Eugene Peck, born June 28, 1890. Mr. Peck has been elected alderman 
 of the ward in which he resides, and is a prominent member of a number of societies,, 
 being interested in whatever promotes public benefit. 
 
 Peckham, Charles Easton, Johnstown," was born in Johnstown, October 5, 1826.. 
 and was educated in the public schools and Johnstown Academy. His father, Ben- 
 jamin Peckham, died while Charles was young and his grandfather brought him up 
 on his farm. He is now one of Johnstown's glove manufacturers. On the 2d of 
 March, 1853, he married Sarah C, only daughter and child of Stephen and Harriet 
 Palmer, of Chenango county. They have two children, both daughters. 
 
 Peek, Joseph C; a farmer of Northville, was born in Amsterdam, April 19, 1835, and! 
 was a son of John C. and Catharine (Peek) Peck, of Montgomery county. His father 
 was a shoemaker by trade, and both parents were of Dutch origin. For many years 
 Mr. Peek was a stage driver. In July, 1863, he enlisted in Company B, 95th New 
 York Volunteers, Army of the Potomac, and participated in the battles of Mine Run 
 Wilderness, besides other skirmishes. At the last named battle he received a gun shot 
 wound in the right hip, and carries the ball still near his spine. He lay on the field 
 two days and nights, and was taken prisoner by the rebels and removed to Anderson- 
 ville, where he remained two months. He was taken to Savannah prison and paroled 
 on November 19, 1864. He was at the parole camp at Annapolis, Md., where, after- 
 
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FAMILY SKETCHES. 103 
 
 three weeks, he was exchanged and joined the regiment at Petersburg. He was again 
 in several battles, and had his left leg broken by a gun shot, and was disabled for 
 actual service till the close of the war. He was mustered out of service at Albany. 
 Mr. Peek is a pensioner and a member of the G. A. R. and is a Republican in politics. 
 March 16, 1859, he married Sabra E. Bass, by whom he had one child, Charles. 
 
 Peek, John W., was born at Auburn, April 15, 1818, and died in Gloversville March 
 1, 1883. At the age of twelve years he started out to earn his own living, and at that 
 time was apprenticed to the trade of tinsmith in Schenectady. This was his chief oc- 
 cupation in life, in connection with mercantile business. In 1866 Mr. Peek came to 
 <xloversville and became a merchant and tinsmith. He also became actively interested 
 in village affairs and was one of the organizers of the local fire department, and for two 
 years had been its chief engineer. He served on the board of trustees and was presi- 
 dent of that body. He was also identified closely with the Masonic and Oddfellow 
 fraternities. In 1877 Mr. Peek was elected to the Assembly, and was re-elected the 
 succeeding year. It is no fulsome compliment to say in memory of Mr. Peek that he 
 was one of the most popular men in the village. His wife, whom he married in 1848, 
 was Elizabeth Hodges. The marriage ceremony was performed by the father of the 
 late president Arthur. The children of the union were Frank C, of Gloversville; 
 Fannie, who married Frank P. Zimmer ; Alice I. and John W. Mr. Peek was a highly 
 respected member of the Baptist church, and took an especial interest in church affairs 
 during the latter part of his life. 
 
 Pentland, William, Stratford, was born on the 26th of August, 1855, near the city 
 of Belfast, Ireland, and is a son of Robert and Catherine Pentland, who reared a family 
 of nine children, William being the seventh. Robert Pentland,when a young man was a 
 weaver of linen, but later in life he followed farming. Mr. Pentland died in 1884 at 
 the age of eighty-two years ; his wife died in 1865 at the age of sixty-two. The 
 grandparents of William were Edward and Eliza Pentland. His mother was Catherine 
 Brownlee, a daughter of Joseph and Margaret Brownlee. The latter was Miss John- 
 son, a relative of Sir William Johnson. William received a common school education 
 and was reared on a farm. He now follows blacksmithing in connection with farming. 
 On the 6th of June, 1869, he married Addie M. Ellis, a daughter of Ezariah and Sarah 
 Ellis, natives of Oneida county. The father of Sarah was Amos Ellis, who was a son 
 of a Mr. Ellis who came from England jit a very early date and settled in Oneida 
 county. Ezariah Ellis and wife had four children, one son and three daughters. The 
 parents of Mrs. Pentland died when she was young and she was reared by Harrison 
 Grossman a native of Fulton county. William and Addie Pentland had seven children : 
 William H., James R., John J., Fred S., Ray B., Jessie and Carrie L. In 1865 William 
 came to Oneida county, where he resided three years, and afterward moved to Strat- 
 ford where he still resides. He is a member of the Protestant Association, is a Good 
 Templar, and he and his family are Baptists. 
 
 Perkins, Watson N., Stratford, was born on the 26th of May, 1830, in Norway, 
 Herkimer county, and is a son of Alvah Perkins, who was a son of Nathaniel Perkins, 
 a native of Connecticut. The latter came to New York in a very early day and was 
 
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104 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 among the first settlers of Salisbury, Herkimer county. He was in the revolutionary 
 war, and married Martha Rodgers, by whom he had seven children, five sons and two 
 daughters. Alvah Perkins was a native of New York, and when a boy, came with his 
 father to Salisbury. He was a miller and followed his trade many years, but during 
 the latter part of his life he followed the trade of mason. He married Mary Grossman, 
 a daughter of Joshua and Luy (Torry) Grossman, by whom he had eight children, five 
 sous and three daughters. Watson N. received a common school education. His 
 father dying when he was fourteen years of age, left his mother with eight children to 
 support. Watson was obliged to work and sometimes for very low wages, having at 
 one time worked for $2.50 a month. He learned the carpenter's trade, which he fol- 
 lowed many years, and on the 23d of May, 1858, he married Matilda Shaver, a daugh- 
 ter of Robert and Hannah (Bulsom) Shaver. Matilda was born on the 5th of August, 
 1837, at Salisbury and is the mother of one son, Garlton A., who was born on the 28d 
 of April, 1859, in Stratford. He is a printer and is foreman for Knapp, Peck & Thomp- 
 son, of Auburn, N. T. His wife is Florence Hallett, by whom he had one son, Hallett 
 W. Mrs. Perkins is an artist. The subject of the sketch at present is engaged with 
 Livingston & Gompany, where he has been for nine years. He is a member of the 
 board of health, and has resided in Stratford forty years. 
 
 Peters, John M., sr., Bleecker, was born January 9, 1829, in Germany, a son of 
 Jacob M. and Rosanna 0. (Nuesby) Peters. The father was a painter, and reared one 
 son and one daughter. He died in G-ermany, and his widow married Jacob Lesser, by 
 whom she had one son and two daughters, all of whom came to the United States in 
 1851, where the mother died at the home of her son, John M. The latter landed in 
 New York on July 12, 1846, and the next March came to Fonda, where he worked two 
 years, and thence to Bennett's Gorners, where he worked at tanning seven years. In 
 1854 he came to Bleecker and bought 350 acres of land, where he built and ran a saw- 
 mill. He then bought 1,500 acres of land where he now resides, and has been engaged 
 in lumbering since. Mr. Peters has served his town as supervisor, is a Democrat and 
 an active Mason. He has been twice married, first to Ruth A. Duell, by whom he had 
 one child, Ruth A. (Mrs. Skifi'). After her death he married Gatherine, daughter of 
 Ghristian and Abbolonia Hoffman, both of whom died in Germany. They left one son 
 and two daughters. Gatherine came to this country about 1857 ; she is the mother of 
 ten children : John M., Jacob M., Gatherine G., George H., Gasper J., Frank D., Amelia 
 (Mrs. Tiedeman), Carrie A., Lillie M., and Mrs. Wideman. 
 
 Phelps, Gharles A., Johnstown, was born in Johnstown, March 6, 1815. He was 
 educated in the district schools, and is by occupation a glove maker and manufacturer,, 
 having been in that business for forty years. He is now retired. He resided on 
 Phelps street, near Gloversville, when thirteen families of that name owned the entire 
 street. Mr. Phelps has resided in Johnstown thirty-two years. March 18, 1846, he 
 married Jane R., second daughter of Frederick and Anna Brownell, of this place, and 
 of their children two survive : Emerson J., who married Lizzie Belding ; and Andella . 
 B., who married Dr. Joseph Raymond. Mr. Phelps's father, Oliver, was born in Hart- 
 ford county, Gonn., and married Abigail Brown, of his native county. They had six 
 children : Julia E., Nathan D., Charles A., Lucy M., Van Rensselaer and Miles B. Soon, 
 after their marriage they moved to this place. 
 
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FAMILY SKETCHES. 105 
 
 Phillips, Dr. John[S., Gloversville, was born at Fonda, November 14, 1861. His early 
 education was limited to the common schools as necessity compelled him to early earn 
 a livelihood. He spent some time in his father's drug store and also sold newspapers on 
 the Central road. Later on he obtained a situation in an Albany drug store, and at the 
 age of nineteen commenced reading medicine under the instruction of Dr. John Swin- 
 burne. In 1884 he entered Albany Medical College and graduated with the class of 
 '87. He then served one and one-half years at St. Peter's Hospital, and in 1888 began, 
 practice in Gloversville,' where he has been highly successful. 
 
 Pierce, Frank M., Stratford, was born May 2, 1855, in Schuyler, Herkimer county. 
 He is a son of Rev. F. K. Pierce, a native of Herkimer. The latter was educated in 
 the common schools and in the Fairfield Seminary, and married Martha, daughter of 
 Thomas and Maruva Minott, natives of Vermont. In early life Mr. Pierce was a far- 
 mer. He was a member of the M. E. Church, and in 1878 united with the M. E. con- 
 ference and became pastor of the M. E. Church of Salisbury Centre. At present he is 
 pastor at Jordanville, where he has been for five years. He was at one time justice of 
 the peace. His father was Alvin Pierce, a native of Connecticut, who early settled in- 
 Herkimer county, where he resided until his death. He married Miss Burt and to them 
 were born five sons and a daughter. F. M. Pierce received a common school education 
 supplemented by several terms at Cazenovia Seminary. He taught school four years 
 and then engaged in the lumber business about the same length of time. January 22, 
 1884, he married Bessie Brissee, a native of Herkimer county, and a daughter of Cor- 
 nelius and Emily (Cady) Brissee. She was born May 26, 1864. Mr. Brissee, who was- 
 a lawyer, came to Stratford a number of years ago, and still resides there. His wife 
 died in 1891. To Prank M. Pierce and wife two children were born : Claude A. and 
 Madge E. In 1886 Mr. Pierce came to Stratford and was engaged as foreman in the 
 Livingstone Sounding Board works until 1890. He has since then engaged in the 
 manufacture of piano bridges. He was town clerk a year and a half, and has been 
 supervisor for the past three years. He is a member of the Dolgeville Lodge No. 796,. 
 F. & A. M., of the Equitable Aid Union of Stratford, and is also a granger. 
 
 Plantz, David, Perth, Fort Johnson p. o., was born at Albany Bush August 25, 1835, 
 a son of Michael, jr., and Charlotte Plantz. Michael Plantz, jr., was a son of Michaef 
 Plantz. The great-grandfather of our subject was born in Germany, and was one of 
 the earliest settlers of Montgomery county. The grandfather on the mother's side was- 
 named Peter, and he was the father of twelve children ; Charlotte was next to the 
 oldest. The grandfather on the father's side was the father of six children, of which 
 Michael jr., was next to the oldest. Michael jr., and Charlotte were married June 19, 
 1834, and they were the parents of eight children, four are living : Elizabeth, wife of 
 John H. Putnam; Giles H., of Amsterdam ; Melissa, wife of George Joslin, of Perth ; 
 and David, our subject, whose whole life has been spent on this farm. His parents 
 came here when he was but a year old ; at the death of his father, March 18, 1852, he 
 and his brother Giles bought out the interest[of the other heirs, and have since conducted' 
 it, and have added thirty acres of the "H. V Khne farm, ''which adjoins the homestead 
 farm of 112 acres, and have 130 acres under cultivation. January 9, 1867, David married 
 
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io6 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 Emma Jackson, and they have one child, George M., born Augusts, 1870. Mr. Plantz 
 has always taken an active part in the politics of his town, and has held many offices 
 of honor and trust. He is also interested in church work and is an elder in the Lutheran 
 church at West Amsterdam, is also a member of Amsterdam Grange No. 705. His 
 mother lives with them and is now seventy-six years of age. 
 
 Potter, Daniel and Ambrose, brothers, were from Connecticut, and were pioneers in 
 the town of Johnstown. Daniel had a wife but nochildren. He was a public house 
 and store keeper at Kingsboro, and as well an extensive land owner and farmer. He 
 died in 1837. Ambrose Potter came from Hartford, Conn., bringing with him three 
 children : Lucius, Charles, Daniel and Delia (twins). Ambrose Potter died April 15, 
 1829, and his wife February 25, 1864. The children of Nathan Potter, brother of 
 Daniel and Ambrose, also came to this locality, bnt all are now dead or moved to the 
 West. Daniel Potter, at present a resident at Kingsboro, was born May 11, 1817. He 
 married first Emily Otis, July 7, 1842, and had three children, only one of whom, Otis 
 E. Potter, is now living. Emily Potter died August 1, 1848. January 26, 1853, Daniel 
 Potter married Janette G. McQueen, of Perth, by whom he had two children, only one 
 of whom, Anna D., wife of Wm. C. Mills, esq., is hving. Daniel Potter has lived a 
 farmer's life, but public affairs have claimed a share of his time. He was elected 
 sheriff of Pulton county in the fall of 1848 and was twice a candidate for the 
 assembly against J. Howard Burr. Under Martin Van Buren Mr. Potter was post- 
 master at Kingsboro, an office he held about eight or ten years. As is well known Mr. 
 Potter is a firm Democrat. The house in which he lives was built by his uncle, Daniel 
 Potter, in 1800. 
 
 Potter family. — This old Kingsboro family traces its ancestry back to France, some 
 of its members having accompanied William the conqueror, from Normandy to England. 
 Three brothers came from England to America in 1629, and settled in New England. 
 The first descendants of these to locate in what is now Fulton county, were Daniel and 
 Ambrose, who settled in Kingsboro about the beginning of the present century. They 
 were natives of Connecticut. Daniel was familiarly known as " King " Potter from 
 his distinction as a business man. He married but no children resulted from the union. 
 His death occurred in 1837. Ambrose raised a family of three children, namely : 
 Charles, who went to California in 1848, afterwards returning to this state and dying 
 in Schenectady. His son, Charles E., now lives in Gloversville ; Daniel, now living in 
 Kingsboro, and Adelia, who married Samuel S. Mills. Nathan Potter, grandfather of 
 George C. Potter, was a native of Connecticut and never left that State. His children 
 were : Amelia, married Daniel Leonard ; Hannah, married Gurdon Judson ; Cynthia, 
 married William Ward ; Anna, married Darius Case, all of Kingsboro ; Daniel removed 
 to Jefferson county ; Ambrose, married Narcissa Burr, daughter of Nathan Burr ; Luther, 
 married LuciajC. Burr, also daughter of Nathan ; Thankful, John and Cicero, air of whom 
 moved to Jefferson county when young. Luther came to Kingsboro with his widowed 
 mother in 1818, and lived with his uncle, " King Potter.'' His children were : Cyrus L., 
 George C, Lucien J., Edmund C, Henry H., Charles Mills, Nathan Burr., Lucia, Frances 
 and Daniel A. George C, the second son, was born in Mayfield June 7, 1833, married 
 
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FAMILY SKETCHES. lof 
 
 Cynthia Close, daughter of Peter Close, of Mayfield, and is at present postmaster in 
 Gloversville. He has one child, Marion L., who married Edward L. Waldron, and' 
 resides in Gloversville. 
 
 Potter, Henry W., Johnstown, was born on the 26th of September, 1852, in the 
 town of Johnstown, and was educated in the public schools and Johnstown Academy. 
 He has had a busy life with several occupations, being in the Johnstown Bank eleven 
 years, as clerk, book-keeper and cashier, and from 1884-1890 was county treasurer. 
 In the spring of 1892 he was elected supervisor of the town and at the present time is 
 a dry goods merchant. On the 12th of December, 1877, he married Annette, second 
 daughter of Charles Morgan, by whom he had two children, one daughter and one son : 
 Bessie and Henry, jr. Mr. Potter's father, Matthew, was born in the year 1812, in 
 Yorkshire, England, and in the year 1832 came to the United States, locating in Johns- 
 town. He was a farmer by occupation, and married Eliza Veghte, by whom he had' 
 seven children. Two are living : William, who resides in town, and Henry W. The 
 ancestry of the family is English and Dutch. 
 
 Porter, Sumner W., a farmer of Northville, was born in Northampton, June 28, 1830. 
 a son of Hiram and Sarah (Gifford) Porter. The father came here when a young man, 
 and the mother was a native of this town. The grandfather, Felix, was a resident oi 
 the place also, where he died at a great age. Summer W. was reared on the farm, and 
 at the age of thirty years he enlisted in the late war, on April 25, 1861, being one ol 
 the first to answer to the call for 75,000 men, issued by the president. He served until 
 June 9, 1863. He was in Co. B, 32d N. T. Vols., army of the Potomac, and partici- 
 pated in the following battles : South Mountain, Antietam, Malvern Hill, West Point 
 and Fredericksburg, besides others. At the first battle he was in, West Point, he was 
 wounded, and had several close calls from being shot. One ball passed through his cap 
 and one knocked him down by striking his breastplate. His brother, Elias, was killed 
 at Malvern Hill. Mr. Porter has been extensively engaged in farming and lumbering 
 for many years, having about 180 acres of land. He has been a Democrat in politics, 
 but for the past few years has sided with the Prohibitionists. He has been several 
 terms supervisor of Benson, Hamilton county, and one of the prominent men of the 
 town. December 1, 1853, he married Marinda Kidney, by whom he had one son, 
 Mortimer L. His wife died February 5, 1858, and he married second on July 19, 1863, 
 Sarah A. Gifibrd, of Northampton, who was born May 9, 1845. She was a daughter of 
 Rufus Gifi"ord. Their children are : Giles F., who married Mary E. King ; Nettie J., 
 wife of F. R. Snell, and Addie M. 
 
 Prindle, Charles, Johnstown, was born February 8, 1835, and was educated in the 
 public schools, supplemented by several terms at Johnstown Academy, and is a farmer- 
 of that place. Though never seeking public ofiice, he has yet taken his share of respon- 
 sibility as village and school trustee, and has been associated with and interested in 
 the agricultural society since 1858, and his father (Elijah W. Prindle) since its organ- 
 ization. Mr. Prindle has been twice married, first on March 29, 1859, to Jennie, daugh- 
 ter of Joseph P. and Mary Ames, of Lisbon, St. Lawrence county. She was born in 
 Morristown, of the same county, April 1, 1834, They had six children, two of whom. 
 
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io8 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 died ; a son, Henry W., when about three years old, and Mary A., aged about eight. 
 Those Uving are : Margaret W., born August 24, 1862, who married Arthur A, Tyme- 
 son, and they have one daughter, Maigaret A., born December 11, 1889; Charles W., 
 born May 14, 1865, married Mary Boehn, on June 25, 1890, and they have one child, 
 Catherine, born April 1, 1892 ; George D., born April 23, 1867, is unmarried and resides 
 on the homestead ; Frank A., born March 24, 1869, is also unmarried and is book-keeper 
 for J. P. Miller & Co. Mrs. Prindle died September 2, 1871. On May 24, 1888, he 
 married second, Caroline G. Nessle, who was born September 18, 1841, in Albany. Mr. 
 Prindle's grandfather, Elias, was born in New Haven. Conn. Elijah Wheaton Prindle, 
 father of Charles, was born in Dutchess county September 26, 1805, and March 20, 
 1834, he married Nancy, daughter of Lyman and Elizabeth Scovel, by whom he had 
 two children, Charles (as above noted) and Elizabeth. The family is of Scotch and 
 Irish ancestry. 
 
 Pringle, Eugene, came to Gloversville from Albany county. His occupation in 
 Gloversville was that of a carpenter and builder, up to 1880, when he invented the now 
 famous Pringle glove button. The product of his genius are in themselves simple, but 
 to bring about this desirable result Mr. Pringle spent years in thought and study. His 
 first patent was issued July 4, 1882. In 1883 the firm of Bradt & Shipman purchased 
 a half interest in the patent, and the manufacture of the button was commenced. 
 From this date Mr. Pringle spent a great deal of time and thought in the line of inven- 
 tion, and upwards of thirty patents have been granted him on buttons and button 
 machinery, of which Bradt & Shipman are now the sole owners. Mr. Pringle, how- 
 ever, superintends the factory and constructs machinery for the manufacture of buttons. 
 Eugene Pringle was born in 1850, and has lived in Gloversville since 1865. 
 
 Pursell, Thomas, Gloversville, was born in Worcester, England, October 23, 1843. 
 When thirteen years old he came to America and learned glove cutting with George 
 Pursell, after which he worked at the trade until September, 1861, when he enlisted as 
 private in Company D, 93d New York Volunteers. During^ his army life Mr. Pursell 
 was variously employed, but his. most prominent duty was that of a body guard to 
 every general commanding the army of the Potomac. He was slightly wounded in 
 the head at the first day's fight in the Wilderness, but was not incapacitated for duty. 
 Again, at Bloody Angle, at Spottsylvania, he was wounded in the thigh, but not ser- 
 iously. At North Anna he was wounded in the foot and sent to the rear. He did 
 not leave the service, but continued, and was promoted for gallantry. He was mus- 
 tered out June 29, 1865. Eetiring from the army, Mr. Pursell resumed work at his 
 trade, and continued until 1878, when he started a factory in the glove city. Mr. 
 Pursell is prominent in Grand Army circles ; is past commander of Canby Post No. 
 17. Also he takes an interest in local Republican politics, but has never sought public 
 office. On January 28, 1866, he married Elizabeth Geelan, by whom he has three 
 sons : Charles W., Thomas H., and Frederick Daniel. 
 
 Putnam, Aaron, Johnstown, was born at Albany Bush, southeast of the village of 
 Johnstown, April 30, 1819. He married Sarah A. Hubbs, of Root, Montgomery county, 
 by whom he had five children, four daughters and one son : Margaret, who married 
 
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FAMILY SKETCHES. 109 
 
 Adam Lipe ; Henrietta, who married Giles Plantz ; Mary, who married Archie Hollen- 
 beck; and Libbie, who married David B. Johnson, of the town of Perth. The son 
 died in infancy. Mrs. Putnam died October 17, 1889. Mr. Putnam's father, Aaron V., 
 was one of the first settlers, erecting the old homestead at Albany Bush in 1779. He 
 married Margaret HoUenbeck, and had ten children : John, Mary, Margaret, Magdalene, 
 Catherine, George, Victor, Michael, Aaron, and James. 
 
 Putnam, Bernard, Johnstown, was born on the 13th of February, 1853, in Johnstown 
 and was educated in the public schools and Johnstown Academy. He has always been 
 a glove manufacturer. On the 22d of January, 1890, he married Elsie, youngest daugh- 
 ter of John and Catberina Teflft, of this town. They had one girl, Evelyn L., who died 
 in infancy. Mr. Futman's father was bom in Stone Arabia. He married Louisa Beese, 
 of his native county. They had three children, two sons and one daughter : Margaret, 
 who died in infancy, Bernard, and J. Willard who married Georgia Skaine of Kings- 
 boro. They reside in Johnstown. 
 
 Radford, James, Gloversville, was born in Worcester, England, May 7, 1844, and 
 was apprenticed when at an early age in Dent's glove factory, where he learned his 
 trade. He came to America in March, 1864, and located in Johnstown where he re- 
 mained one year, removing then to Kingsboro, in which place he lived two years. In 
 1867 he returned again to Johnstown, where on December 17 of that year he married 
 Nettie C. Durfee, daughter of Abram and Jane (MoBeth) Durfee, the former a pioneer 
 settler of Rockwood, Pulton county. In March, 1868, Mr. Radford moved to Illinois 
 and followed the avocation of a farmer until April, 1869, when he returned to Johns- 
 town. In January, 1870, he moved to Gloversville, in which place he has since been 
 actively engaged in the manufacture of gloves. Mr. and Mrs. Radford have one child, 
 Emma, bom June 30, 1869. 
 
 Randall, Frank, Johnstown, was born on the 10th of May, 1848, in the southwest 
 of England and was educated in the public schools. In the year 1868 he came to the 
 United States, locating in New York. In about two years he came to Tonkers, thence 
 to Amsterdam and afterward to Johnstown, where he remained about a year when he 
 returned home. In February, 1874, he married Jane Frances, of Trowbridge, and the 
 following March returned to the United States, locating permanently in Johnstown. They 
 have had five children, only one daughter survives, namely. Belle. Mr. Randall con- 
 ducts a plumbing, steam and gas fitting establishment. 
 
 Raymond, Francis James, was born in Milborne Port, Somersetshire, England, Aug- 
 ust 19, 1843. He was educated in a private school with a view of a position in the 
 civil service • having successfully passed the necessary examinations, he was ofiiered a 
 position in the educational department, but thisnotbeing to his taste he was apprenticed 
 for seven years to the celebrated glove manufacturer, Ensor & Co., of that country. 
 October 20, 1864, he married Anna M. Tavener, and the next year they came to Amer- 
 ica locating in Johnstown. They returned to England at the close of a year, where 
 they remained until the death of their son, in 1881, when they returned to the United 
 States and again located in Johnstown as a permanent home. In 1885 Mr. Raymond 
 
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no HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 began the manufacture of fine gloves and also does an extensive jobbing business in 
 heavy gloves. They have five children : William J., Alfred H., Louisa A., Percy J., 
 and Florence E. William J. married Kate Stanton, of Johnstown, January 9, 1889, 
 and they have one son, Harold S., born November 3, 1890. The business is now con- 
 ducted under the firm of F. J. Raymond & Son. 
 
 Rea, Robert, Gloversville, senior member of the firm of Rea & White, glovers, was 
 born in Worcester, England, June 4, 1851. He was the son of Edward and Eliza Rea 
 and the fourth of their eight children. His father was a glove cutter, and to the same 
 occupation Robert was apprenticed, commencing work in the shop at less than twelve 
 years of age. In 1 871 he came to Gloversville, and was thereafter employed by various 
 manufacturers, among whom were William Hannis, Fidoe & Radford, C. W. Rose and 
 Charles McEwen. In 1880 the firm of Rea & White was formed.'and has since done a 
 successful business in the manufacture of a general stock of gloves. January 28, 1880, 
 Robert Rea married Pauline Knettel, by whom he has had three children. 
 
 Reddish, Daniel M., u farmer of North Broadalbin, was born on the farm where he 
 now resides, October 9, 1838, a son of Thomas and Ann (Mclntyre) Reddish. Thomas 
 was a native of England, who came here when eighteen years of age and engaged in 
 the manufacture of woolen goods on the property now owned by the subject of this- 
 sketch. The grandfather of Daniel M. was a cotton manufacturer of Machelsfield, 
 England. Daniel was reared at the business with his father, and succeeded to the 
 same, which he continued thirty years, the property at present being under lease to- 
 other parties. Mr. Reddish owns a fine farm of 200 acres in Perth, as well as the old 
 farm of 171 acres. He is a Republican and has been fourteen years justice of the peace. 
 When his present term expires he will have served sixteen years. December 27, 1865, 
 he married Sarah J. Vanderwerken, the father being of Dutch ancestry and the moth- 
 er's family among the very early settlers in the town. Her paternal grandfather, Syl- 
 vanus, was a Reformed Dutch clergyman. Mr. and Mrs. Reddish have had three chil- 
 dren, as follows: Thomas H., born September 2], 1860, who is a graduate of Unioa 
 College, a civil engineer ; George N., born June 24, 1868, died December 10, 1870 ; 
 Anna, born June 28, 1871. The parents and son are members of the Perth Presbyter- 
 ian church. The mother of Mr. Reddish was a granddaughter of Daniel Mclntyre. the- 
 first settler of Perth, who came from Perthshire, Scotland, a man of worth and sterling 
 integrity. 
 
 Reese, George, Oppenheim, was born in Oppenheim, October 12, 1864, the oldest 
 child of Gideon and Nancy (Keeler) Reese. The grandfather of George (Gideon 
 Reese), was an early settler of the town. George was reared on the farm and educated^ 
 in the public schools and at Starkey Seminary. In 1887 he married Nellie, daughter of 
 Robert and Carrie Ryder, of Brooklyn. Mrs. Reese's parents were natives of England, 
 but have resided in Brooklyn for a number of years. They have four daughters and 
 one son living. To George and wife two children were born : Alfred and Hazel. Mr. 
 Reese is postmaster at Crum Creek, having filled that position three years. He is a- 
 farmer by occupation. 
 
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FAMILY SKETCHES. iii 
 
 Reese, Stephen, Oppenheim, was born in Oppenheim, October 16, 1871, a son of 
 Gideon and Nancy (Keeler) Reese, who reared six children, five of whom are living, as 
 follows : George, Delia (now Mrs. Edward Ward), who married a native of Starkville, 
 Herkimer county ; Valira, who married Fred Tausley, of Salisbury Centre; Barbara, 
 who resides with her mother at St. Johnsville ; and Stephen, who now resides on a 
 farm at Crum Creek. Gideon Reese was born in Oppenheim in 1803, where he 
 resided until his death in 1879. He has always lived on a farm, and here his son 
 Stephen was reared and educated. 
 
 Reid, John Henry, Johnstown, was born on the 3d of October, 1804, in New York, 
 and received a collegiate education. He married Malvina Philes, who was born in 
 Fonda, by whom he had ten children, five sons and five daughters : William H. was a 
 Presbyterian preacher, and died in Cairo, Egypt ; Eliza J. is married and resides in 
 New York; Charlotte A. married and died in New I'ork ; Philip was accidentally 
 «hot ; Andrew B. resides in Titusville, Pa. ; George B. resides in town ; Amanda M. is 
 married and lives in the village ; Dr. Archibald A. resides in Oneonta ; Virginia and Cor- 
 nelius S. reside at home with their mother. Mr. Reid died on the 27th of January, 
 1878. His great-grandfather, Archibald A. Reid, died at Annapolis, being then 103 
 years old. He came to this country at an early day, and was a distinguished surgeon 
 in the Revolutionary army. One of his sons, William H., was a practicing physician in 
 Johnstown. The family have been remowned in the various professions, especially 
 ministers and physicians. 
 
 Ressequie, Alexander P., a manufacturer of Northville, was born April 26, 1835, m 
 that place. He is a son of John, and abrother <if Hiram J., whose sketch is given 
 elsewhere. He was for some years with his father in the tanning business, but has 
 been for the past few years engaged in the manufacture of shoe lasts, of which he 
 turns out from 75,000 to 100,000 a year — the only enterprise of the kind in this sec- 
 tion of the State. At the time of the building of the railroad to Northville, Alexander P. 
 and bis father were contractors on the work. Mr. Ressequie married, January 8, 1857, 
 Mary A. Lawton, who was born May 15, 1835, a daughter of Squire and Zarnih 
 (Finch) Lawton. Her father was in the war of 1812, and her great-grandfather Pix- 
 ley was a soldier in the revolutionary war. Mr. and Mrs. Ressequie are members of 
 the M. E. church, of which he is one of the officials. He is a Republican and an active 
 member of the Masons. They have had two daughters : Estella A., born November 
 16 1857 • Louie D., born February 17, 1863. Mr. Ressequie is a genial and much re- 
 spected man. 
 
 Ressequie, Hiram J., a merchant of Northville, was born in Northampton, on Sep- 
 tember 5 1833, and is a son of John F. and Velitta (Palmer) Ressequie, both natives 
 of Northampton, and active members of the M. E. Church. John F. Ressequie has 
 been engaged in the lumbering business and in tanning and currying, and was a 
 contractor in the building of the railroad to Northville. Be is living at the age of 
 eighty-four years. His grandfather, David Ressequie, was a pioneer in the county. 
 This family trace their ancestry back to the French Huguenots, to one Alexander 
 Ressequie, who settled at Norwalk, Conn., in 1709. On the maternal side John R. is of 
 
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112 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTS. 
 
 Scotch origin, his great- grandmother Monroe having been born in Scotland. Mr. 
 Ressequie has seen the members of seven generations of his family, including both of 
 his great-grandfathers, and two of his great-grandchildren. David, the grandfather of 
 Hiram J., was a soldier in the war of 1812. He was also one of the founders of the 
 M. E. Church at the village and a member for over four years. He died at the age of 
 ninety-seven years. Hiram J. has been a successful business man, and is actively con- 
 nected with the public improvements of the village. He is a firm Republican, but has 
 eschewed politics and attended strictly to business, whereby he has accumulated a fine 
 property and is conducting the largest flour, feed and provision trade in the village. 
 August 4, 1861, he married Charlotte M. Stoddard, who was born in Saratoga county. 
 They have three children, as follows: AUie C, born April 21, 1864, the wife of T. M. 
 Parker; Charles H., born March 9, 1866, who married Louise Bascom ; and Harriet A., 
 born April 27, 1868, the wife of A. J. Cooper. Mr. and Mrs. Ressequie are members 
 of the M. E. Church. 
 
 The Rice Family. — The records show the family to have been of English descent, and 
 the name was originally Aprice. On account of their Calvinistic and anti-Catholic views, 
 they were driven from England to France and changed the name to Price, and finally 
 to Rice. In France they found shelter among the Huguenots. At the close of the 
 sixteenth century they came to America with the Huguenots, under Jean Ribault, and 
 landed at Charlestown, S. C, in 1682. Three brothers of the family came north, one 
 locating in Virginia, one m Connecticut, and one in Massachusetts. Of the latter, Vic- 
 tor M. Rice, of Rochester, late State superintendent of instruction, and ex-Governor 
 Alexander Rice, of Massachusetts, are descendants. Of the Virginia branch we are 
 unable to find any record. Of the Connecticut branch, Oliver Rice was a descendant, 
 born July 15, 1764. He took part in the Revolution, and soon after the close of the 
 war came with his brother, Ebenezer, and located in Fulton county, Ebenezer near 
 Kingsboro, and Oliver at the place that bears his name, upon a piece of land granted to 
 him, which has been in uninterrupted possession of the family since that time. In 
 1794 Mr. Rice built and operated the first and only woolen mill in the town, which 
 continued in operation until 1832. He was instrumental in establishing the Masonic 
 lodge in the town and was for many years its grand master. For a number of years 
 he and the late Collins Odell were the only members, and upon the removal of Mr. 
 Odell to Michigan, Mr. Rice was the only member. Upon the organization 
 of the GloversviUe lodge he transferred to it the property, and made the lodge 
 many gifts, some of which were in money. He was prominent in all public af- 
 fairs, both in town and county, and filled many ofiices with credit and honor. He was 
 known throughout the country as " Squire Rice," and was a strong supporter of the 
 Democratic party. He was the first postmaster of the town, and held the office as late 
 as the presidency of Andrew Jackson, by whom he was last appointed. His wife was 
 Alice Parrish, born June 1, 1772, at Windham, Conn. She died at the homestead May 
 3, 1847, and was buried in the family lot in the cemetery at Riceville. By this union 
 seven children were born, four of whom left no descendants. They were as follows : 
 Harry, born September 21, 1793, married September 19, 1814, Patty , (record 
 
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FAMILY SKETCHES. 113. 
 
 so faded as to be unreadable) ; died January 28, 1822, near Syracuse, and was buried 
 in Syracuse by tlie side of his brother Chauncey. Chauncey, second son, was born 
 November 8, 1796, and died September 25, 1823 ; married September 14, 1822, Lydia, 
 daughter of John Cozzens, sr.; by this union one son was born, ex-Mayor Chauncy H. 
 Rice, of Waukegan, 111.; his wife was Frances Bristol ; their only son, George, is now 
 a resident of Louisa Court House, Va., and has a family of seven children. Lory, born 
 February 19, 1799 ; married, February 23, 1826, to John Anderson, and shortly after 
 moved to Michigan, where her husband became the first judge of Kalamazoo county. 
 She died on her eightieth birthday, and at her death was the last and oldest of Oliver 
 Rice's family. She left many children and grandchildren, who now reside at Plain- 
 well, Mich. Harvey Parrish, born May 9, 1802; died and was buried at Saratoga 
 Springs, N. Y., February 10, 1832. George 0., born July 6, 1804; died July 4, 1834, 
 and was buried in the family cemetery. Orrin, born May 8, 1811 ; married October 3, 
 1832, Naomi Johnston, of West Milton, Saratoga county, and. died July 6, 1839, at 
 Philadelphia, Pa., and was buried there. Lucius Rice, born May 6, 1807 ; educated in 
 the common schools; married January 31, 1834, Harriet B. Cozzens, daughter of John 
 Cozzens, jr. Mr. Rice assisted his father in the woolen factory until 1832, when it was 
 closed ; he held many offices of the town, being inspector of schools for many years and 
 in the year 1840 he was elected justice of the peace, which office he held until he re- 
 signed on account of ill health in 1860. He was noted for his honesty, uprightness,, 
 and fairness, and like his father was termed " Squire Rice " ; from 1852 to 1856 he was 
 justice of sessions. Jane Alice, daughter of Lucius and Harriet B. Rice, was born July 
 19, 1844, married January 6, 1869, to Edgar L. DeGolyer. Harvey Parrish Rice was 
 born December 5, 1838, and was educated in the common schools. He has been called 
 upon to serve his town in offices of public trust, all of which he has filled with credit. 
 He held the office of commissioner of highways for two terms, and in 1868 he laid out 
 the road between Mayfield and Northville, leading through Dennia Hollow; in 1888 
 he was instrumental in laying out a new street from Riceville to Mayfield. In politics 
 he has always been an ardent Democrat. He lives a quiet and retired life in the house 
 which his grandfather built seventy-five years ago. In 1862 he married Sarah Chris- 
 tina, daughter of the late James McVean. Mrs. Rice was born March 19, 1842, on the 
 McVean homestead, three miles west of Johnstown, which is now owned by one of the 
 family. She was educated at Johnstown Academy, and came with her father to May- 
 field in 1861. The latter (James McVean), was born March 3, 1813, at Johnstown. 
 He was a member and office holder for many years, in the Presbyterian Churches at 
 Mayfield and Johnstown. His wife, Jane Robertson, was born in Johnstown, July 10 
 1817; she was of Scotch parentage; she died January 19, 1868, and her husband on 
 November 10, 1885. Both were buried at Johnstown. Mrs. Rice's grandparents im- 
 migrated from Scotland and located at Johnstown. Mrs. Rice was one of eight chil- 
 dren of whom five are living: Maggie and Helen, of Gloversville ; Hugh M., of 
 Sopinero, Cal.; Captain John H., of Brooklyn; Charles E., who died at New Orleans 
 of yellow fever, September 22, 1885, and was buried there ; Catherine H. died in 1 869 
 and Mary in 1854 and were both buried on the family lot at Johnstown. To Mr. and 
 Mrs. H. P. Rice have been born three children : Lucius Cozzens, the following biogra- 
 
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114 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 phy of whom is taken from a Union College publication : " L. C. Rice, son of Harvey 
 P. Rice, of the town of Mayfield. He was born at Riceville, June 10, 1867, taught 
 school at Mayfield and Riceville; prepared for college at Hamilton College preparatory, 
 with Rev. J. 0. Best, A. M., as principal ; entered Union College with the class of '90 
 and now has the honor of being president of his class ; he is taking a classical course ; 
 college society, Alpha Delta Phi," Charles R. Dell was born August 2, 1872, died 
 October 22, 1888, aged sixteen years, of typhoid fever, and was buried on the family 
 lot in the cemetery at Mayfield. Jennie A., was born May 26, 1874, and is now 
 pursuing a course of study in the Grioversville High School. 
 
 Ricketts, Jonathan, Johnstown, was born in Yeovil, Somersetshire, England, Febru- 
 ary 11, 1819, and came to this country in 1837, where he first located in Aurora, and 
 remained ten months. Afterwards he removed seven miles west of Rochester, staying, 
 however, only eight months, when he came to Johnstown in 1839. At first he cut 
 gloves for others, but in 1841-42 he began their manufacture on his own account, 
 continuing successfully until 1889 when he retired from business. November 4, 1847, 
 he married Mary, daughter of James Pierson, by whom he had seven children. The 
 sons, Greorge and James P., are deceased, and five daughters survive : Mary E., who 
 married William Van Voast ; Isabella, who married Horace Greeley, of Syracuse ; 
 Emma, who married Willis Devendorf, of Fort Plain ; Etta, who married Charles C. 
 Shults (deceased) ; and Catherine, who resides with Mrs. Shults, at home. 
 
 Ricketts, Thomas E., Johnstown, was born on the 4th of December, 1840, in Yeovil, 
 Somersetshire, England, and came in the year 1853 with his parents to the United 
 States, and located in Johnstown, where he was educated in the common schools. In 
 1859 he went to North Carolina and was there through the war up to November, 
 1863, when he returned home. In 1864, he went west to Dubuque, la., and started 
 in the hardware business, but in 1868 he again returned to Johnstown, for a permanent 
 home, and has been engaged in manufacturing gloves ever since. On the 4th of Novem- 
 ber, 1868, he married Jennie, fourth daughter of Charles H. and Charlotte Pyne, form- 
 erly of his native place. They have three living children, two sons and one daughter: 
 Harrett A., Frederick T. and Ralph P., all of whom reside at home. 
 
 Ripton, Benjamin, T., Johnstown, was born in Johnstown, and moved with his parents 
 to Brooklyn in 1856, where he was educated. He studied law and graduated from the 
 law department of the University of New York, and has practiced in Brooklyn ever 
 since. (He was admitted to the bar in 1878). Mr. Ripton says : '' I have done nothing 
 remarkable, except to preserve a good name and reputation, the capacity to do which 
 I inherit, but not the capacity to write my own biography." The only fault we can 
 find with the above is that he is not married. The Riptons are of English origin, and 
 Benjamin Ripton came with his wife, Dorothy Toplass, from Derbyshire, England, in 
 1821, and engaged in farming. He died in 1848, aged sixty-two years. Four children 
 were born to them at Johnstown. One of his sons, Thomas, (father of Benjamin T.) 
 was educated in Johnstown and was a business man. He married Lucy J. Wayne of 
 Broadalbin, and they had seven children, of whom two died m infancy, and the remain- 
 ing five are as follows : Benjamin T., Angelo., who is in the dry goods business and 
 
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FAMILY SKETCHES. 115: 
 
 married Agnes J. Logan, a native of Scotland, by whom he had one son, James L. ; and' 
 Elizabeth D., Mary I. and Catherine M., residents of Brooklyn. 
 
 Riton, Mrs. Eugenie, Johnstown. The late Joseph Jean Riton was born in Strasburg, 
 France, in 1825, where he was educated. He came to this country in 1849 and located' 
 in Johnstown, where he engaged in the cutting and manufacture of gloves. In 1850 he 
 married Eugenie Bertrand, of Johnstown, formerly of Millau, South of France, and 
 they had seven children: Suzette, who married James I. Younglove; Victor, who 
 married Fannie Miller, and resides in Wisconsin ; Charles J. and Eugene, glove manu- 
 facturers, who reside at home with their mother, and Josephine, who married 0. M. 
 Edwards, of Syracuse. Two of the children died, and the others are among the repre- 
 sentative people of the town where they reside. 
 
 Robertson, Archibald, merchant and postmaster of Broadalbin, was born there August 
 1, 1843, a son of James and Eliza (McNab) Robertson, both natives of this country. 
 Peter Robertson (father of James) came to America from Scotland in early life, and 
 married Margaret Mclntyre in this state. They settled in this country about three 
 miles south of the village on a farm whose title was given by George III before the 
 Revolutionary war. Archibald still owns the same land. A barn is yet standing on 
 the farm, which is believed to have been built by G-randfather Peter. He was a prom- 
 inent member and one of the organizers of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian church, 
 and one of the first trustees of the United Presbyterian church at Perth Centre. He 
 reared a large family and died at the age of sixty-five years, on the old homestead on 
 which he had passed his whole life. In politics he was a Republican, and was super- 
 visor of the town for several terms. He was also a member of the session, and a ruling 
 elder of the same church as his father. He died in 1876, at the age of eighty-four 
 years. Archibald Robertson was reared on the farm and educated in the schools of his 
 native town and at the Gloversville Seminary. He taught school for some years, then 
 followed farming for a number of years on the old homestead. In 1886 he came to- 
 Broadalbin and embarked in the mercantile trade, in which he has enjoyed a fine pat- 
 ronage. He is a Republican, and is postmaster of the village. He has been supervisor 
 of the town for four successive terms and is now clerk of the board. 
 
 Robinson, Theron D., Oppenheim, was born in Oppenheim January 22, 1852, is a son 
 of John D. and Eliza (Kleeck) Robinson, who reared eight children, of whom six are- 
 now living. John D. is a son of John, who was a native of Hancock, N. H., and one 
 of the early settlers in Oppenheim, where he lived and died. His wife was a Mrs. 
 McCoughlin, by whom he had four sons and seven daughters. John D. was born in 
 New Hampshire and came to Oppenheim when six years old, where he died October 
 11 1890. His wife resides in St. Johnsville. Theron D. received a common school 
 education was reared on a farm, and afterwards learned the trade of cheese manufac- 
 turer, which he followed for several years. He married Nettie Faihng, a native of 
 Manheim, by whom he had three children : Merton, Howard and Myron. Mr. Failing 
 (father of Mrs. Robinson) was a farmer and manufacturer of cheese. He died in Her- 
 kimer county where his widow is now living. Mr. Robinson has never aspired to public 
 office, preferring the life of an independent farmer. 
 
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ri6 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 Rodgers, Peter M., Perth, waTS born on the farm of his president residence in Perth, 
 May 10, 1833, a son of James and Jennet (McKinley) Rodgers. James Rodgers was 
 born in Scotland, August 20, 1795, and came to this country in 1820 with his wife 
 (Elizabeth McQueen), an aunt of J. C. and William J. McQueen. They settled in 
 Perth and in 1826 bought the farm where Peter M. now resides. Mrs. Elizabeth 
 Rodgers died October 14, 1828, leaving no children. In 1830 or 1831 he married Jen- 
 net, daughter of Peter McKinley of Mayfield. Their union was blessed by two chil- 
 dren : Andrew J., born June 20, 1835, and died February 6, 1867. James Rodgers 
 died April 27, 1884, and Mrs. Rodgers died August 1, 1874. Peter M., our subject, 
 has always lived on the old homestead ; educated in the common schools and Amster- 
 dam Academy. He succeeded to the farm at the death of his father, and has since suc- 
 cessfully conducted it. Mr. Rodgers has held political office in his town, which shows 
 his popularity with his townsmen, but his ambition is to be a. successful farmer, and an 
 honest, upright citizen. He has about 120 acres under cultivation, and twenty acres 
 of wood-land. Mr. Rodgers is the last one of this family, with the exception of two 
 nephews, James and Andrew J., of Johnstown. 
 
 Rosa, James P., Broadalbin, was born in Broadalbin, May 6, 1848, a son of Isaac R- 
 and Pheba A. (Alvord) Rosa. His father was born in Schenectady, September 8, 1797, 
 and his grandfather, Richard Henry Rosa, was a Hollander, who came to America 
 about 1779. He died in 1809, leaving seven children. Isaac was a hotel-keeper for 
 many years at the place now owned by Melvin Earl, where he died in 1849, esteemed 
 by the entire community. He left four children : Richard H., who was a well-known 
 lawyer and prosecuting attorney of Fulton county for many years ; Isaac A., Elijah A., 
 and James P. The latter was educated in the village schools, and was engaged as 
 clerk for some time in New York city. At the age of nineteen years he entered busi- 
 ness as general merchant at Union Mills, thence to Vail's Mills, where he remained 
 fourteen years ; and about 1880 he opened a hardware store at Broadalbin. He is now 
 in the dry goods and men's furnishing trade. He has been successful in all his enter- 
 prises. January 26, 1870, he married Ruth A. Pettit, of Edinburg, Saratoga county. 
 She was born October 7, 1846, a daughter of John G. and Eliza C. (Smith) Pettit, na- 
 tives of that county. They have two children : Martha C, born September 15, 1870 ; 
 Nellie B., born February 5, 1880. Mr. and Mrs. Rosa and elder daughter are members 
 of the Baptist church, of which Mr. Rosa is one of the trustees. He is a Democrat in 
 politics, and locally very popular in his party. His brother, I. A. Rosa, of Fonda, was 
 sherifif one term, and supervisor eight years, and is an extensive lumberman, con- 
 tractor and builder. 
 
 Rowe, George, was born on the 19th of January, 1839, in Schoharie county, and 
 was brought up on a farm, but became a clerk in a drug store. He was also a 
 graduate from Schoharie Academy. He read medicine with Dr. Hill, of Quaker 
 street, after which he entered the Albany Medical College and was graduated in 1865. 
 This was supplemented with six months' service in a hospital at Nashville, Tenn. Dr. 
 Rowe practiced eighteen years in Schenectady county, but the hard work and long 
 riding impaired his health. In 1872 he came to Gloversville and established a drug 
 store, being practically out of professional life except as necessitated by his treatment 
 ■oi special cases. 
 
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FAMILY SKETCHES. 117 
 
 Rowles, Charles W., Johnstown, was born in Broadalbin on the 3d of January, 1861, 
 and, when a few months old, his parents moved to Johnstown, where he was educated, 
 in the union school and Johnstown Academy. He has always worked at the glove 
 business, first as a glover with his father, the firm being Rowles & Mister, and then in 
 1879 he became his father's partner in place of William Mister. On the 12th of Octo- 
 ber, 1887, he married Flora, only living daughter of the late John J. and Emily StoUer, 
 of this town. His father, William Rowles, came from England to the United States 
 about 1856, and sent for his intended wife, Elizabeth Simmes. She, accompanied by 
 his sister, came to New York, and upon the arrival of the steamer was united in mar- 
 riage to Mr. Rowles. They had four children, one daughter and three sons : Anna, 
 who died when she was five years old ; Charles, Frederick and Walter. Their father 
 died in California, March 29, 1889, and their mother here on the 6th of June following. 
 
 The Ruport Family. — The ancestors of this family came from Germany. Francis, 
 father of Joshua, was born on the Gross place, near Johnstown. He married Elizabeth 
 Coughnet, and they had thirteen children, of whom only Joshua and Henry survive. 
 Joshua, father of David and William J., was born near Johnstown, April 14, 1809, and 
 was educated in the public schools. He was a carpenter by occupation. December 18, 
 1833, he married Margaret, second daughter of Dow and Angelica Wemple. They 
 have three children, David, William and Angelica. The latter was born January 16, 
 1841, and married John C. Vrooman of the town of Mohawk. David was born Sep- 
 tember 12i 1834, was educ&ted in the public schools of Sammonsville, and is a farmer by 
 occupation. On August 16, 1855, he married Catherine Sadler, by whom he had six 
 children. Three only survive : Anna, born December 13, 1867, married Henry Getman 
 of Johnstown ; Janet was born September 9, 1856, and married Charles Sammons of 
 this town; and Joshua S., born November 28, 1859, married Ida Showerman, of the 
 town of Mohawk. Mrs. Ruport died September 20, 1884. William J. Ruport was 
 born July 14, 1837, on the place near Sammonsville where he resides, and which he 
 owns. He was educated in the common schools and is a farmer by occupation. He 
 has been highway commissioner three years. November 24, 1858, he married Sarah 
 M., only daughter of Benjamin and Mary A. Toram, formerly of the town of Oppen- 
 heim. They had one daughter, Mary A., born September 16, 1859, who died Decem- 
 ber 28, 1862. 
 
 Saltsman, Benjamin, Ephratah, was born April 8, 1 827, in Palatine. His father was 
 George H., who was born in the same place in 1783. He was a son of Henry Salts- 
 man' who came from Germany in a very early day. He was one of the first settlers 
 of Montgomery county. His wife was Fannie Cook, whom he married in 1779. George 
 H. Saltsman was married in 1800 to Catherine Coppern'oll, and their children were 
 John G. Hiram, Betsey, Fannie and Benjamin. He was a Free Mason. Both he and 
 his wife died in Montgomery county. Benjamin Saltsman was reared on a farm and 
 married Betsey Gray, daughter of Daniel Gray, an early settler of Fulton county. 
 The children of Benjamin Saltsman and wife were George, Daniel, Stephen, Lyman, 
 John G., Mary, Nancy, and Reuben B. He has served the town as highway master, 
 and has always been a farmer and hard working man. 
 
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ii8 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 Saltsman Daniel, Ephratah, was born April 20, 1846, in Palatine, and is a son of Ben- 
 jamin and Elizabeth (Gray) Saltsman. He received a common school education and 
 commenced working on a farm, which occupation he has since followed. He married, 
 November 5, 1881, Annie, daughter of Benjamin L. and Mary (Smith) Getman, of 
 Ephratah. They have three children, Ada, Elmer, and Loyd, all at present living at 
 home. Mr. Saltsman and family are members of the Reformed Church. He has been, 
 highway commissioner one term. Mr. and Mrs. Getman had a family of nine children. 
 
 Saltsman, Lyman, Ephratah, was born February 29, 1852, in the above town, 
 and is a son of Benjamin Saltsman, elsewhere mentioned in this book. He received 
 a common school education and was reared on a farm. He is a very energetic 
 man; and so far has been successful. In January, 1874, he married Lettie Whit- 
 lock, by whom he has four children : Lena, Herman, Morris, and Benjamin A., all 
 at home. His wife is a daughter of Stephen Whitlock, whose sketch appears else- 
 where. Mr. Saltsman is the owner of a -good farm in Montgomery county, his 
 post-office address being Stone Arabia. 
 
 Saltsman, Norman, Ephratah, was born November 22, 1841, in Ephratah, his 
 parents being John P. and Mary (Getman) Saltsman, who reared a family of four 
 sons of whom Norman is the oldest. Josiah P. Saltsman was born in Montgomery 
 county in 1813. He was by trade a lumberman and manufacturer of cheese boxes. 
 He moved to Johnstown, where he spent his last years. Norman Saltsman received 
 a common school education and chose farming as a business for life. In 1863 he 
 married Annie Beck, by whom he had three children : Mary, Ida and Bertha. His 
 wife died in 1873, and he then married Lottie Sponable. After her death Mr. 
 Saltsman again married, his present wife being Jennie Murray, daughter of Oliver 
 and Margaret (McAlister) Murray. Mr. Murray was born November 16, 1808, in 
 Saratoga county. He was married October 23, 1834, and had three daughters. The 
 Murray family settled in Fulton county about 1800. The grandfather of Oliver 
 Murray was killed in the Revolutionary War. Mr. Murray died April 12, 1878. 
 Mr. and Mrs. Saltsman have one son, Murray, and one daughter, Annie, both of 
 whom reside at home. 
 
 Saltsman, Reuben, Ephratah, was born in Palatine, May 11, 1841. His father was 
 John C, who was born in 1805 and died March, 1869. He was reared on a farm and 
 in 1830 married Mary Snell, daughter of Jacob I. Snell. The latter lived and died in 
 Palatine. He married a Miss Shults, by whom he had two sons and two daughters. 
 Mr. Snell was at one time constable and sheriff. He was a farmer and a man of con- 
 siderable wealth. The children of John C. and wife were as follows : Catharine 
 Julia A., Jacob I., Harriet, Reuben, Harrison and Florence. The father of John C. 
 Saltsman was George H., and he was born in Palatine in 1783. His father was Henry 
 Saltsman, born in 1752, who came from Germany and settled in Palatine previous to 
 the revolution. Reuben Saltsman, after receiving a common school education chose 
 farming as his occupation. He married, on April 14, 1868, Violetta, daughter of Oliver 
 Gray and Eliza Saltsman, who reared two daughters, Violetta and Julia A. The latter 
 married Jacob I. Saltsman, brother of our subject. The children of Reuben Saltsman 
 
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FAMILY SKETCHES. 119 
 
 and wife are Carrie, who died aged five years, Ida, Mary and John 0., all living at 
 home. Mr. Saltsman has kept a hotel at Little Falls and Palatine, and is at present 
 proprietor of a hotel at Ephratah. He has never aspired to public office, but has taken 
 an active part in politics, and is an ardent Republican. 
 
 Sammons, Edward H., Johnstown, was born in Montgomery county, September 6, 
 1848, and was educated in the public schools. January 22, 1873, he married Josephine 
 Everson, of the town of Mohawk, and they had three children, Bertha E.,born Feb- 
 ruary 10, 1875 ; Starin T., born July 30, 1884 ; died January 22, 1885 ; and Romeyn 
 B., born October 13, 1887. Mis. Sammons' father, Levi Everson, was born in Mont- 
 gomery county, June 13, 1828, and married Elizabeth Shults, of the town of Palatine. 
 They had six children, five sons and one daughter : Leander, William, Josephine, Henry 
 B., Ellsworth and Raymond Gr. Mrs. Sammons was born December 15, 1854. 
 
 Sammons, Jacob J., Johnstown, was born in Johnstown, October 23, 1859. He was 
 educated in the public schools, and is a farmer by occupation. August 18, 1881, he 
 married Emma, oldest daughter of Richard and Maria Sammons, of Johnstown. They 
 have five sons : Eoscoe H., Simeon H., Richard L., Clyde B. and Ernest K. Mr. Sam- 
 mons traces his ancestry back for many generations. Richard Sammons came from 
 England nearly 200 years ago and first located on Manhattan Island. Of the second 
 generation, Sampson Sammons, a patriot of the revolution, and president of the com- 
 mittee of safety of Tryon county, and Frederick, who was murdered by the Indians in 
 1760; of the third generation, Thomas was a soldier in the revolution; of the fifth gen- 
 eration, Simeon and Richard ; of the sixth generation, Jacob S. and Emma. Simeon 
 J., father of Jacob J., was born March 1, 1829. November 19, 1850, he married 
 Elizabeth Schuyler, and they had four children : Margaret, Catherine, Jacob J. and 
 Alice. 
 
 Sammons, Richard, Johnstown, was born on the Colonel Sammons place in Mont- 
 gomery county on the 20th of January, 1820. He was educated in the district schools 
 and has had a variety of occupations. He has been twice married, first, February 20, 
 1845, to Matilda P., daughter of John 0. Sadler, by whom he had two children, Har- 
 riet and Richard W. On the 31st of January, 1856, he married Mary, daughter of 
 Garrett A. Newkirk, by whom he had six children, four sons and two daughters : 
 Garrett, Jacob, Emma, George T., Emery and Mattie. Garrett, George and Emery 
 reside at home. (See general history of county for full account of the Sammons family 
 from the days of the revolution.) 
 
 Sammons, Williard S., Johnstown, was born in Sammonsville, and is an extensive 
 manufacturer of lumber there. He married Jennie Martin, of this place. His father, 
 Thomas Sammons, was also born there, October 14, 1819. He was educated in the 
 common schools and carried on the lumber business in connection with farming. He 
 sold out the former business to his son, Willard S. February 18, 1841. He married 
 Catharine Schenck, of the town of Mohawk, by whom he had eleven children. Nine 
 survive as follows : May, who is at home ; Sampson, who married Francana Bently, of 
 Mohawk • Edward H., who married Josephine Everson, of Stone Arabia; Joanna, who 
 
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I20 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 married James H. Selmser, of Johnstown; Ella B., who married Jeremiah Schuyler; 
 Letitia A., who lives at home ; Florence H., who married Casper Getman, of Stone 
 Arkbia ; and Catalina, who is also at home. Sampson, father of Thomas S. Sammons, 
 was born here, as was also the grandfather, Thomas Sammons. Sampson Sammons, 
 great-grandfather of our subject, located here before the revolutionary war, and the 
 place is named after the family. 
 
 Saunders, Alfred C, Gloversville, a son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Darting) Saunders, 
 was born in Worcester, England, May 29, 1859. He learned the glove maker's trade 
 in his native place, and came to America and settled in Gloversville in 1878. He first 
 occupied a position as foreman, and later as superintendent in the large glove factory 
 of Littauer Brothers, and still discharges the duties of the latter position with much 
 ability. He married Frances Potter, of Kingsboro, in October, 1883, and have four 
 children, namely : Eugene Clarence, Leonard Cyrus, Frank Harold, and Oscar Hale, 
 all living. 
 
 Sanderson, Wilson, Bphratah, was born in 1857 in Bphratah. He is the ninth of a 
 family of twelve children born to George and Margaret (Brooksby) Sanderson. George 
 came to Fulton county when a young man. He was a tanner, and was engaged in that 
 business in Bphratah for a number of years. His death occurred August 14, 1888. 
 His wife survives him at the age of sixty -three years. Wilson Sanderson, after re- 
 ceiving a common school education, learned the carpenter's and builder's trade, and at 
 the age of fifteen started in business for himself. He married, January 17, 1884, Tzora 
 Shults, daughter of Stephen and Catharine Shults, by whom he has had five children : 
 Orin W., Ada, Wiltord, Zora, and Grace. Mr. Sanderson was inspector of elections 
 one term. He is a member of the Dutch Reformed church. 
 
 Sohram, Stephen, Bphratah, was born March 25, 1838, in Ephratah, a son of Peter W. 
 and Eliza (Reese) Schram, natives of Fulton county. Peter was born in 1805, and he 
 and his wife reared a family of seven children. Mr. Schram was a farmer by occupa- 
 tion, and Peter was educated in the common schools and brought up on a farm. In 
 1862 he enlisted in the One Hundred Fifty-third New York Infantry, serving until the 
 close of the war, and was in every battle in which the One Hundred Fifty-third was 
 engaged, but was never wounded. He married Mary J. Miller, by whom he had three 
 daughters : Annie, who died, aged two years, and Lizzie and Kittie. Mr. Schram is a 
 tanner by trade, and has a pleasant home in the village of Bphratah, where his mother 
 at present resides. 
 
 Schuyler, Henry F., Oppenheim, was born in Manheim, September 4, 1857, the son 
 of Horatio H. and Annie (Snell) Schuyler, who reared four children : Willard I., born 
 October 23, 1860 ; Margaret G., born September 20, 1862 ; John W., born December 
 8, 1866 ; and Henry F., as above noted. Horatio H. was born in Herkimer county, 
 February 27, 1827, and in 1854 he married Annie, daughter of Simeon Snell, a native 
 of Manheim. R. Fancher Schuyler, father of Horatio H., was a native of New Tork, 
 the son of Jacob and Abigail Schuyler. He married Gertrude Vedder, by whom he 
 had twelve children, all but three of whom are living. He settled in Herkimer county 
 
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FAMILY SKETCHES. 121 
 
 in an early day, and there 'died in 1851. His widow died in 1881. Their children 
 were Harvey, Horatio H., Windsor D., Samuel, Alfred, Charles N. H., Eliza A., 
 Mary B., Maria A., Francis, Janette, and Margaret G. Horatio died in 18V0. His 
 widow is still living and resides with her son. Henry F. Schuyler received a common 
 school education and married, in 1886, Jennie E., daughter of Jacob and Ellen (Davis) 
 Yonker, of Wales. They have one child. Homer, born July 26, 1889. Mr. Schuyler 
 is a carpenter and builder. He was collector one year and is now justice of the peace. 
 His great-great-grandfather was a native of Germany. He was in Burgoyne's army, 
 but went over to the Americans and fought for them through the Revolutionary War. 
 He settled at Snell Bush, Herkimer county, in an early day. 
 
 Schuyler, Jay, Johnstown, was born in the town of Mohawk, March 20, 1828. He 
 was educated in the public schools, and has been a successful farmer. For nine years 
 he has been highway commissioner, and one of the directors of the Montgomery and 
 Fulton County Agricultural Fire Insurance Company for many years. He came to- 
 Fulton county in 1851, and June 2, 1852, he married Almira , fourth daughter of Dan- 
 iel W. and Helena Oarneu, of Montgomery county. They have one daughter, Cath- 
 erine, who married Wesley HiUabrandt, of this town. They have one daughter, Grace 
 S., born July 18, 1875. Mr. Schuyler's father, Eichard, was born in New Jersey, 
 June 7, 1788. January 1, 1809, He married Catherine MacMaster, of Montgomery 
 county, and they had ten children, eight sons and two daughters : Jacob R., Hamilton,. 
 Thomas, George,, Eva, Alonzo, John J., Jay, Hiram and Sarah Jane. 
 
 Selmser, David D., Johnstown, was born at Albany Bush, Johnstown, September 13, 
 1827. He was educated in the Johnstown Academy, and in early life was a school 
 teacher arid afterwards an insurance agent, and for twenty-five years was in the dry 
 goods business. Five years before his death, which occurred September 13, 1889, he 
 retired from business with a competency. On November 27, 1858, he married Miss 
 J. S. Wooster, of Kingsboro, by whom he had two daughters, viz.: Sarah F., now Mrs. 
 Harwood Dudley, of Johnstown, and Anna E., who married John M. Russell, of Coop- 
 erstown, now of Johnstown. Henry Selmser, grandfather of David D., came with his 
 parents to Albany Bush (this town) when he was ten years old. One of his sons, David, 
 the father of David D., was born in the above place in 1781, was educated in the public 
 schools and was a farmer of the pioneer type. In the year 1807 he married Catharine 
 Lingenfelter, of the town of Mohawk, by whom he had eight children, three sons and 
 five daughters. Mrs. D. D. Selmser's father, Charles Wooster, was born in Danbury, 
 Conn., about the year 1799, and married Jerutia Soule, of Schenectady county. They 
 located at Kingsboro and had five sons and four daughters, viz.: Jonathan, Benjamin, 
 Reuben, William, Sarah, Anna, Charles and Jerutia. One daughter died in infancy. 
 The other children as they became older, located in different parts of the state, where 
 their children are now residing, and three are located in New York city. The family 
 were once slave owners in this county. 
 
 Selmser, John T., Johnstown, was born in the town of Johnstown and has taught 
 school several terms. In 1875 he was engaged as clerk by the firm of Argersinger & 
 Fraser, grocers, and remained in their employ until 1876, when he formed a copartner- 
 p 
 
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122 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 ship with Jay L. Lum, the firm being Selmser & Lum, grocers. In March, 1881, he 
 purchased the. interest of Mr. Lum and continued the business until he was elected 
 county clerk in 1886. He is now serving his second term. On the 19th of June, 1881, 
 he married Lilla B. Vosberg, of the town of Mayfield. They have had three children, 
 all sons; one died in infancy; Charles H., born April 10, 1882; and J. Guy, born 
 August 12, 1883. Mr. Selmser's great-grandfather came to this town when lie was but 
 ten years old. One of his sons, David, was born at the old home in Albany Bush in 
 1781. He was a farmer, and in 1807 married Catherine Lingenfelter, of Johnstown. 
 They had eight children, three sons and five daughters: Catherine, Mary, Michael, 
 Elizabeth, Magdalen, Margaret, Henry D., and David D. Michael, father of John T., 
 was born September 22, 1811 ; he was a farmer by occupation. On the 7th of Febru- 
 ary, 1838, he married Sarah E., oldest daughter of John and Anna Hanson ; they have 
 had ten children, three sons are dead, the following survive : Catherine, James, Willard, 
 Henry D., John T., Anna M. and Carrie S. 
 
 Sexton, Ealph, Gloversville, was born in Rome, Oneida county, March 29, 1825, 
 and moved with his father to what is now Fulton county, in 1836, settling in the 
 present town of Caroga, where he lived until 1874. He married Lydia Gage, 
 •daughter of Marvel and Rebecca (Lake) Gage, June 29, 1853, and had five chil- 
 dren, namely : James, Mary A., Libbie, Hattie, and Henry, all of whom are living. 
 Mr. Sexton represented the towns of Ephratah and Caroga in the board of super- 
 visors fourteen different terms, and also held the office of superintendent of the 
 poor for Fulton county three years. In 1890, at the first charter election of the 
 city of Gloversville, he was elected commissioner of charities, and still holds the 
 office, having been re-elected for two years in 1892. 
 
 Sexton, Seymour, Gloversville, the son of William and Mary (McDonald) Sexton, 
 was born m Palmyra, Wayne county, November 1, 1820. When two years old, 
 he came with his mother, then a widow, and lived in Johnstown, where he grew 
 to manhood. He married Francis B. Smith (born January 1, 1828), a daughter of 
 Silas Smith, of Rochester, April 18, 1850, and on the following day moved to 
 Gloversville. In May of the same year he embarked in the mercantile business in 
 that village, which he still continues. Mr. and Mrs. Sexton have had three chil- 
 dren, namely : William S., Caroline B., and Frank Seymour. The first two are de- 
 ceased. Frank Seymour Sexton is at present teller in the Fulton County National 
 Bank. He married Alice Stevens, daughter of Ann Stevens, of Gloversville. 
 
 Shaver, Webster, Ephratah, was born in Ephratah, February 7, 1841, and is a son of 
 Benjamin and Nancy (Klock) Shaver,' who were the parents of nine children. The 
 fatherof Benjamin was John, a major in the war of 1812, who was wounded at Sackett's 
 Harbor. He was an early settler of Fulton county, where he died in 1860. His wife 
 died in 1869, aged eighty-five years. Benjamin Shaver was born October 5, 1805, and 
 died February 9, 1879. His wife died March 27, 1881. At the age of nineteen, Web- 
 ster Shaver enlisted in the Seventh New York Cavalry, in which he remained six 
 months, and afterwards in the One Hundred and Fifteenth Infantry, and served three 
 years. He participated in the following battles: Harper's Ferry, Olustee, Fla. (where 
 
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FAMILY SKETCHES. 12 j 
 
 he was wounded in both legs and taken to the hospital, where he remained for two 
 months), and also Maryland Heights. He was afterwards wounded in the left shoulder 
 at Chester Heights, Va., and again remained in the hospital for three months. He wa.s 
 also in the battles of Deep Bottom, Fort Gillmore, Darby Tavern Road, Fort Fisher, 
 and Cemetery Hill, besides many skirmishes. October 1, 1868, he married Loretta 
 Haughton daughter of Richard and Rebecca Haughton, natives of Connecticut. To 
 Mr. Shaver and wife have been born two children : Augustus (deceased), and Katie, » 
 teacher, who resides at home. Mr. Shaver is a farmer, and has made his own property. 
 He is a member of Ephratah Grange, No. 678. 
 
 Sherman, Joseph, Cai-oga, was born in New Chatham, July 12, 1837. He was the 
 second of five children born to Abner and Phoebe (Ray) Sherman. Abner was born in 
 Rhode Island and he was drafted in war of 1812. His father, William Sherman, was 
 of English descent and came to New Lebanon about 1789, Abner then being three 
 years of age. The latter was a Free Mason, and a member of the M. E. church. He 
 died in 1861, and his wife, who was a member of the Friend's church, died June, 1889. 
 Joseph received a common school education, together with several terms at Claverack 
 Academy. He was reared on the farm, and in 1867 he married Elizabeth, daughter of 
 John and Catherine (Vedder) Francisco, natives of Montgomery county. To Mr. Sher- 
 man and wife seven children have been born : Frank, Clara, Minnie, Fred, John B., and. 
 Belle and George, the two latter deceased. Mr. Sherman was for several years a car- 
 penter and millwright, but in 1871 he was employed in a hotel at Garoga lake, where 
 he remained two years, then went to Canada lake, and was proprietor of a hotel there 
 for four years. He returned to Garoga lake, where he built a large hotel, and became 
 its proprietor. He was the town clerk of Caroga for two years, and justice of the 
 peace for two terms. He has been supervisor four years, and one term chairman of the 
 board. He is a member of Caroga Lodge No. 300 F. & A. M., and the Johnstown- 
 Chapter No. 78. 
 
 Sholtus, George H., Johnstown, was born in Madison county. May 8, 1824, and came 
 to Johnstown with his mother, to live with his uncle, Jedediah M. Holmes. He was 
 educated in the public schools and in early life was a painter, and also clerk in a gen- 
 eral store. He is now a farmer and justice of the peace. January 2, 1859, he mar- 
 ried Barbara A., second daughter of Francis and Margaret D. Rupert, of Sammonsville, 
 and they had two children, both sons, Francis R., who died at the age of two years and 
 Jedediah H., who was born February 28, 1860. He was educated in the public schools 
 and is a farmer. April 20, 1882, he married Sarah M., oldest daughter of John and 
 Eliza J. Welton, of Sammonsville, and they have two daughters, Anna B., born Feb- 
 ruary 25; 1884, and Florence S., born November 7, 1887. Mrs. Sholtus died February 
 23, 1873. The family is of German ancestry and located here before the Revolution. 
 
 Shults, Byron G., Johnstown, was born September 16, 1832, in the town of Palatine. 
 When but a year old his parents moved to Johnstown, where he was educated in the 
 common schools and by evening study, and is now one of Johnstown's prominent glove 
 manufacturers. He has been married twice, first on the 30th of June, 1855, to Gert- 
 rude C, third daughter of Edward Walter, of Palatine. On May 1, 1870, Mrs. Gertrude 
 
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124 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 C. Shulta died. On the 7th of May, 1873, he married Mary, daughter of George Henry. 
 They have two children, Nellie G., and Bessie R. 
 
 Shults, Edward W., Johnstown, was born on December 12, 1859, a son of Byron G. 
 and Catherine 0. (Walter) Shults. He received his education in the public schools and 
 the Peekskill Military Academy. On the 9th of October, 1885, he married Annie 
 Hogan, of Johnstown, and they have two sons and one daughter : Edward W., jr., 
 Byron G. and Gertrude W. Mr. Shults is a glove manufacturer, in business with his 
 father. 
 
 Shutts, Silas, Gloversville, was born in Canada, October 29, 1807, and came to Johns- 
 town in 1827. His wife was Ann Maria Smith, by whom he had twelve children, viz., 
 Ophelia, who married Ephriam Wheeler ; Emily, wife of James Holcomb ; DeWitt, 
 who died in 1861; Mary B., wife of Henry Wright; Cordelia, who married Dr. John 
 Burdick ; Harlan P., of Gloversville, a manufacturer ; Millard F., and William L., also 
 of Gloversville ; Minerva, wife of James W. Eice ; Edward, of Schenectady ; Ella, 
 now Mrs. Charles Powell ; and Howard, who died, aged seven years. 
 
 Simmons, Aaron and Lois (Dawley), came from Oneida county to Fulton county in 
 1823. They had two children, Aaron and David. Soon after coming hither Aaron, the 
 father, died, after which his widow married James Hays. The children of this mar- 
 riage were Elizabeth, James, Catherme and Daniel. Aaron Simmons married, Novem- 
 ber 8, 1840, Julia Ann Fox, and had two children, Louisa J. and Albert. On May 4, 
 1874, Julia Ann Simmons died, and on May 2, 1876, Mr. Simmons was married to 
 Fannie Richmond. She died April 20, 1891. Aaron, or (as more familiarly called) 
 Deacon Simmons, commenced his business life working by the day or inonth, and sp 
 continued more than twenty years. He was a leather dresser, and since 1850 he has 
 been engaged in business with gratifying success. He has been a member of the Bap- 
 tist Church since 1839, and one of the deacons of the society for more than thirty-five 
 years. 
 
 Smith, Albert J., a grocer of Northville, was born in Albany, July 30, 1833, and is a 
 son of William A. and Emily (Brundige) Smith, both natives of Albany county. Wil- 
 liam A. Smith came to Northville in 1836 and engaged in the hotel business for some 
 years and then embarked in the tanning business at Hope Falls, Hamilton county, under 
 the firm of William A. Smi^h & Company, and continued in that until his death. He 
 waaa Democrat in early life and afterwards a Republican, and was representative of the 
 district to the State Legislature. He has also held many other ofiBces. He was a well- 
 known and honored citizen, and a prominent member of the Baptist Church, also one 
 of the founders of the church at Northville. Albert J. Smith was educated in his na- 
 tive village and also at Gilbertsville Academy, Otsego county. When his schooling 
 was finished he engaged in the mercantile trade at Northville for some years, followed 
 by nine years in the tanning business. at Wells. He then returned to Northville and 
 engaged in business as a general merchant, and has continued in trade ever since. He 
 has been a Democrat in politics, and was a candidate on his ticket for member of As- 
 sembly. He was also supervisor three terms, chairman of the board, and has held 
 
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FAMILY SKETCHES. 125 
 
 several other oflBces. On February 14, 1868, he married Susannah Brown, of Wells, 
 Hamilton county, a daughter of Truman and Harriet (Whitman) Brown, who were 
 among the very early settlers of the county. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have three children : 
 •George T., William A., and Hattie E., wife of James Moore. The two sons are in 
 business with their father. Mr. Smith and wife are members of the M. E. Church. 
 
 Smith, Benjamin J., Perth, was born in the town of Mayfield, December 11, 1833, a 
 son of George and Sally (Close) Smith. George, father of our subject, came to May- 
 field from Saratoga county in 1825, and bought a farm with his brother-in-law of 110 
 acres, and lived there until his death, January 25, 1868. He left seven children, three 
 are still living : Ann Kested, a widow of Broadalbin ; John, of Mechanicsville, Saratoga 
 <!0unty ; and Benjamin J., our subject, whose early life was spent on the farm at May- 
 field, attending common school and assisting his father, until 1857. February 8, 1855, 
 he married Elizabeth Allen, daughter of David and Mary (McQueen) Allen, of Perth. 
 One child is the result of this union, Allen, born October 10, 1864. After leaving his 
 father's farm in 1857, Benjamin spent two years on a leased farm in Mayfield, one year 
 in Amsterdam, nine years on the Allen farm in Perth, then came to his present resi- 
 dence on the old Daniel McQueen farm. Mr. Smith has never been interested in poli- 
 tics but devotes his whole time and attention to his business, and is known as a very 
 successful farmer. Mrs. Smith is a granddaughter of Daniel McQueen, who came to 
 this country from Scotland about the year 1803. He married Elizabeth Major and they 
 were the parents of three children, Mary, Jeannette, and John. Mrs. Smith is a daugh- 
 ter of Mary McQueen, who married David Allen|in 1833, the parents of three children : 
 ■Catherine Allen, of Vail's Mills, David W. Allen, of Albany, and Mrs. Smith. Allen 
 Smith was married December 5, 1883, to Maggie Joslin, daughter of Ansel D. and 
 Sarah M. (Allen) Joslin, of Perth. 
 
 Smith, Caleb, Gloversville, came from New Jersey when a young man and settled in 
 Johnstown township. He was one of the pioneers of the locality, and withal a valued 
 resident of the town. His children were Anna, Martha, Polly, Nancy, James, Thomas 
 and Samuel. Samuel, the younger child, married Mary B. Bard. Their children were 
 Humphrey, Ann Maria, DeWitt, Denton, James, Hoda, Jane, Thankful and Charlotte. 
 
 Smith, Charles, Ephratah, was born in Ephratah, August 25, 1845. He is the 
 youngest of ten children born to Fred I. and Margaret (Walters) Smith. The family 
 is of Dutch descent, and those who first settled in Fulton county came from Dutchess 
 county in the winter of 1833. Fred I. Smith was always a farmer, and was a member 
 of the New York militia. His grandson, Reuben'|K., now has his sword, of which he 
 is very proud. Charles Smith is a. farmer and bee-keeper. He married August 14, 
 1864, Julia A., daughter of Tunis and May (Ward) Bradt, who reared a family of ten 
 ■children, Julia being the sixth. Her father is living at Eockwood. Her mother died 
 in 1867. Mr. Smith and wife have had five children : Hiram (deceased), Reuben K., 
 Mary M. (deceased), Stewart (deceased), and Viola. 
 
 Smith, Charles R., Jphnstown, was born on the 8th of October, 1853, in Hancock, 
 Md., and came with his parents to this state when quite young and was educated in the 
 
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126 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 public schools. In early life he was a railroad man, and is now superintendent and 
 manager of the John De Garrao leather factory. Se understands the leather business 
 from a to z. On the 28th of October, 1874, he married Christine, oldest daughter of 
 Max Maylander. They have two children, namely, Louis M. and Mary K. 
 
 Smith, Clarence W., Johnstown, was born in the town of Jay, Essex county, Octo- 
 ber 19, 1855, and is the second son of Eli and Mary A. Smith. His father was a black- 
 smith, and the son attended the common school of the village and assisted his father 
 until he was sixteen years of age. He was determined to have an education, and at 
 the age of nmeteen became a teacher. He saved enough by working on a farm and 
 teaching to enable him to attend the academy at Elizabethtown, Essex county, several 
 terms. In October, 1877, he entered the law department of the University of Michi- 
 gan at Ann Arbor, and graduated with the degree of LL.B. March 26, 1879, he was 
 admitted to the bar in Michigan. After a trip through the west he returned to Jay, 
 and continued his legal studies. November 10, 1881, he married Cora, youngest daugh- 
 ter of Joshua F. Bruce, of Jay, a very refined and intelligent lady. In April, 1882, 
 they removed to Wells, Hamilton county, where Mr. Smith taught school two terms. 
 In November, 1883, he was the Republican candidate for county judge, and although 
 the county was strongly Democratic, he was elected by a good majority. He entered 
 upon the duties of the office January 1, 1884, continuing until January 1, 1890. He 
 then formed a law copartnership with Philip Keck, of Johnstown (under the firm of 
 Keck & Smith), where he continues to reside. In politics he is an ardent' Republican, 
 and prominent in the councils of his party, both in Fulton and Hamilton counties. 
 
 Smith, Denton, Broadalbin, lumberman, was born in Amsterdam, Montgomery 
 county, on the 26th of August, 1830, and is a son of Arthur and Helen Simpson Smith. 
 His grandfather was William Smith, a revolutionary soldier, whose father, with two 
 brothers, was also in the same war. The family came from Wales just before the war 
 for independence. The grandfather settled on the farm where Arthur and Denton 
 were born, four miles north of Amsterdam. The property was in the hands of the 
 family for about 100 years. Arthur Smith was a farmer and came to Broadalbin 
 twenty-five years ago ; he was a Whig and later a strong Republican ; he held all the 
 important local offices for many years. Denton Smith came to Broadalbin in 1863 and 
 has followed the lumbering business ; he now owns a large saw and planing-mill and is 
 a contractor and builder. His mother's parents were of English and Scotch birth and 
 were early settlers in Montgomery county. Mr. Smith is a Republican in politics and 
 haa been a supervisor for four terms, and has held other important local oflBces. 
 
 Smith, Erastus L., of Northville, is a farmer and wagonmaker. He was born in 
 Chenango, Broome county, November 23, 1828. His parents were Earlsaman and' 
 Chloe E. (Sheppard) Smith, natives of Massachusetts, who came to Broome county in 
 early life. The father of Erastus L. was a genius in his way, and a mechanic. He man- 
 ufactured a great many spinning wheels and swifts, and was a very clever " Jack of all 
 trades," and Erastus inherited his father's talebt. He was a soldier in the civil war en- 
 listing December 30, 1863, in Company R, 4th New York Heavy Artillery. He was 
 at Pine BlufiF, Spottsylvania, and many other hard contested battles. He is a pensioner 
 
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FAMILY SKETCHES. 127 
 
 of the war, and received an honorable discharge June 9, 1865. Mr. Smith has a fine 
 farm, and al^o carries on wagon making, and sleigh manufacturing. He is a Democrat 
 in politics, and a man much respected by his neighbors. August 1, 1858, he married 
 Margaret M. Blowers. They have had eight children, five of whom are living, as fol- 
 lows : Emily L., wife of William D. Gifford ; Catharine C, wife of Silas Gifford ; Lot- 
 tie M., Julia and Ruby. 
 
 Smith, Ervin W., Ephratah, born April 17, 1853, in Oppenheim, is the oldest son of 
 William F. and Lucinda (Wright) Smith. He was educated at the common schools of 
 Ephratah, and has been a farmer, but is at present employed by the firm of J. H. 
 Decker, Son & Company, glove manufacturers of Johnstown. January 1, 1873, Mr. 
 Smith married Amanda, oldest daughter of Henry and Mary (Darby) Duesler, of Rock- 
 wood. They have one child, Delos, who has been educated at Fairfield, and has fol- 
 lowed teaching several years. At present he is foreman of the knitting mill of A. V. 
 Moriss & Sons, at Fort Johnson. Mr. Smith is a Master Mason, a member of Garoga 
 Lodge No. 300, and both himself and family are members of the M. E. church. 
 
 Smith, George R., Johnstown, was born in Milbornport, Somersetshire, England, on 
 May 12, 1853, and came to the United States in the year 1872, at once locating in 
 Johnstown. He learned the trade of glove making in England and began to manufac- 
 ture here in 1879. May 17, 1877, he married Juha, second daughter of ex-sheriff John 
 Dunn, and they have four sons: Earl H., Guy D., Tracy 0. and George E. 
 
 Smith, Lucius J., Ephratah, was born in Newkirk Mills, Fulton county, August 24, 
 1858, a son of Thomas and Sarah (Argersinger) Smith, who reared the following 
 children : Sarah M., John, Putnam and Jay. Thomas was born in Caroga, N. Y., April 
 20, 1819. His father (John) came from Scotland to America when twenty-one years 
 of age, and settled in Fulton county, where he died in 1844. He was a soldier in the 
 war of 1812. His wife was Sarah Cooper, who died in 1850. Our subject was edu- 
 cated in the common schools and reared on the farm. In 1882 he engaged in the mak- 
 ing of gloves in Rockwood, having since carried on a very successful business. In 1882 
 he married Sarah Hutchinson Cline, daughter of Walter and Sarah (Hutchinson) Cline. 
 She was reared by her grandparents. Judge John L. Hutchinson and wife. Mr. Cline 
 was born in Oppenheim, and at present resides m Lyons. His wife died when Sarah 
 was four months old. Lucius J. and wife had two children: Walter C, born Novem- 
 ter 18, 1884, and Charles H., born March25, 1887, died December 27, 1890. Mr. Smith 
 has been town clerk one term. 
 
 Smith, Stephen A., Ephratah, was born September 20, 1857, at St. Johnsville. His 
 father was Aaron Smith, born in Fulton county in 1818. Bis grandfather was Peter, 
 also a native of Fulton county. The family settled in the county some years previous 
 to the Revolution, and the subject of this sketch is of the fifth generation living in the 
 county. The family is of Holland descent, the great-grandfather of Stephen having 
 been one of the first manufacturers of woolen goods in Ephratah. The wife of Aaron 
 Smith was the daughter of Jacob Snell. The great-grandfather Snell had seven 
 brothers and one nephew in the battle of Oriskany, making eight with himself ; six 
 brothers were killed, also the nephew. Aaron Smith was the father of six sons and 
 
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128 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 three daughters. Stephen A. Smith after receiving a common school education, followed 
 teaching for about five years. He then manufactured cheese and also manufactured 
 brick in St. Johnsville. At present he is engaged in the lumber business and also a 
 shipper of produce. He married December 22, 1875, Elizabeth Gray, only daughter of 
 Reuben and Maria (Duesler) Gray. The latter family is of Irish descent and for four 
 generations have owned the same farm where Reuben Gray now resides. Mr. Smith 
 and wife have one child, Clarence A. Smith. 
 
 Smith, William 1'., Ephratah, was born in Johnstown, November 9, 1829. His 
 father was Peter J. Smith, who was born in Ephratah in 1801. He received a fair 
 education, and afterwards learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed for a number 
 of years. He was also a farmer. He married Magaline Doru, by whom he had ten 
 children, of whom William F. was the second. Peter J. Smith was at one time high- 
 way commissioner and collector of his township. He was a member of the Dutch 
 Reformed church. The family is of Holland descent, and five generations have lived 
 on the same farm in Fulton county. William F. Smith was educated in the common 
 schools of Fulton county and has followed farming, except for three years during which 
 he sold goods on the road. He married Lucinda A. Wright, by whom he had one 
 child, Edwin W. Afier the death of his first wife he married Delia Darby, by whom 
 he had two sons and two daughters. Mr. Smith has been collector of his town and is 
 at present president of the Ephratah Cemetery Association. He is also a Granger. 
 
 Snyder, George, Johnstown, was born in Johnstown, February 29, 1816. He was 
 educated in Johnstown Academy. February 13, 1844, he married Susan, fifth daugh- 
 ter of William and Persis (Skinner) Van Voast. They had nine children : Ella E., who 
 married Benjamin Berry, of Gloversville ; Malvina J., who married Elias D. Sawyer, of 
 Austerlitz, Columbia county ; Charles J., who married Mary J. Wemple, of Fonda, N. Y.; 
 William S., who married Mary A. Hermann, of Utica ; Mary L., who married John H. Fil- 
 mer, of Gloversville ; Walter U., who married Jannette Platts, of Otsego county ; 
 George W., Paul and Suzette reside at home. Mr. Snyder died May 2, 1882. The 
 family is of Dutch ancestry. Mrs. Snyder's great-grandfather, Amaziah Rust, was a 
 captain in the Revolution. 
 
 Snyder, Henry R., Johnstown, was born on the 22d of June, 1807, in the town of 
 Johnstown, and was educated in the common schools and also attended the Rensselaer 
 Polytechnic Institute, where he graduated in 1837, after a three years' course, which 
 qualified him in an eminent manner for his life work of surveyor and civil engineer. 
 He was a close student and thorough in all that he did, consequently a good pains- 
 taking engineer and surveyor, and has had continuous service in the profession for over 
 forty years in four states in the union, but has traveled through seventeen states, and 
 is now living a retired life. His father, Abram Snyder, was born in this State near the 
 Vermont line. About 1765 he married Rhoda, third daughter of Edward and Elizabeth 
 Aikin. They had ten children, five sons and five daughters. Mr. Snyder's ancestors 
 on his father's side were in the Revolutionary war. 
 
 Snyder, Morgan L., a farmer of NorthviUe, was born in Fulton county, October 15, 
 1839, a son of Joseph C. and Sylvia (Lewis) Snyder. The father was a farmer, a native- 
 
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FAMILY SKETCHES. 129. 
 
 of Holland, and came to America with his parents when a child. They settled in 
 Northville, where he died aged eighty-two years. His mother's people were among 
 the early settlers in this county, where she was born and is now living, aged eighty. 
 Morgan L. was reared on a farm, and at the age of twenty-five enlif.ted in Company I, 
 91st N. Y. Vols., in 18G4. He participated in the following battles: Hatcher's Run, Five 
 Forks, and front of Petersburg, at which latter place he was wounded by a gunshot in 
 the right eye, which destroyed the sight. He is a pensioner, was a good soldier and 
 received his honorable discharge July 5, 1865. He has since been engaged in farming, 
 he and his father owning a farm of 120 acres, in a fine state of cultivation. December 
 15, 1866, he married Catherine Latcher, of Northampton, by whom he had two children, 
 Carrie A. and Gracie. He is a member of the Gr. A. R., and is also a Mason. He is a 
 Democrat in politics. 
 
 Soules, Benjamin, Bphratah, was born June 9, 1844, in Ephratah, and is a son of 
 Henry and Maria (Van Alstine) Soules, also natives of Ephratah. Henry was a son of 
 an early settler in Montgomery county and was reared on a farm. He and his wife re- 
 side in Bphratah and have reared nine children. Benjamin received a common school' 
 education, and at the age of seventeen enlisted in the Second New York Heavy Artil- 
 lery, serving until December, 1865. He was in the following battles: Bull Run, the 
 Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, North Anna, Petersburg, Fredericksburg, and 
 in many skirmishes. In 1870 he married Lucy Kneeskern. She was a daughter of 
 John Kneeskern, of Schoharie county, where he died. He was the father of eight 
 children. Mr. Soules and wife have two children, Ladoria and Frank, both living at 
 home. Mr. and Mrs. S. are members of the Reformed church. 
 
 Sponable, Philip, Bphratah, was born December 2, 1856, in Bphratah, and is a son of 
 Henry and Mary (Snell) Sponable, who reared a family of six children, of whom Philip 
 was the fifth. The grandfather of the latter was Henry Sponable, who was born in 
 Fulton county, his father being one of the pioneers of the county. Henry, jr., was a 
 farmer by occupation. He died in Fulton county m 1878, and his wife died in 1885. 
 After receiving a common school education, Philip Sponable followed the occupation 
 of farming. In 1881 he married Emily, daughter of Joshua Getman, by whom he had 
 one child. His wife died in 1883, and Mr. Sponable then married Annie, daughter of 
 Daniel Getman. They are members of the Reformed church. 
 
 Stafford, D. C, Stratford, was born on the 30th of December, 1848, in Danube, Her- 
 kimer county, and is a son of Stephen T. Stafford, a native of New York, who came 
 when young with his parents to Herkimer county. Stephen's parents were Thomas 
 and Bllen (Wilcox) Stafford, and were early settlers of Herkimer county and natives of 
 Canada. Stephen Stafford was reared on a farm, and is a carpenter and has followed' 
 it all his life. He married Nancy Covel, a native of Danube, Herkimer county, by 
 whom he had two sons. His wife died in 1869, at Salisbury, and he afterward lived 
 with his son, D. C. Stafford. D. C. Stafford received a common school education, and' 
 was reared on a farm and has always followed farming and lumbering. On the 4th of 
 July, 1868, he married Amelia Fish, a native of Lake Pleasant, Hamilton county, by 
 whom he had four children : Edward, Clinton, Matie and Minnie. Mrs. Stafford died< 
 
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I JO HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 in March, 1874, and in 1876 Mr. Stafford married Maggie J. Davis, a native of Salis- 
 bury, by whom he had three children : Ella, Johnnie and May. The latter died in 1888. 
 Mr. StafiTord came to Stratford in 1878, and except for a period of seven years has re- 
 sided there. He is now serving a second term as assessor. 
 
 Stahl, Levi, Ephratah, was born August 4, 1838, in Bphratah. He received a com- 
 mon school education, supplemented by several terms in Fort Plain Academy. After 
 teaching for several years he learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed for ten 
 years. In 1862 he moved to the village of Rockwood, and followed farming and car- 
 pentering, afterwards engaging in' the manufacture and sale of lumber, and about the 
 year 1875 began the manufacture of paper. He is a thorough-going business man, and 
 in addition to the above mentioned occupations, he and his son, Whitney J., are en- 
 gaged in the mercantile business. Mr. Stahl married, December, 12, 1861, Gertrude E. 
 Burnham, a daughter of Harlow E. Burnham, of Herkimer county, and at present is a 
 resident of Niagara county. To Mr. Stahl and wife four children have been born : 
 Charles, who married Eliza Cline, daughter of Lewis Cline, of Fulton county, by whom 
 he has three children : Harlow, Minnie and Gertrude. Charles is in the lumber busi- 
 ness with his father; Harlow (deceased); Whitney J., born August 13, 1865, in Eock- 
 wood, received a common school education, supplemented by several terms at Johns- 
 town Academy. He was reared in the lumber business, and followed same for a time. 
 In March, 1883, he married Ida, daughter of Cornelius Wemple, of Kockwood, by 
 whom he had one child, Eaymond. Mrs. Stahl died in August, 1889. November 12, 
 1890, Mr. Stahl married, second, Beryl, daughter of Nathan Christman, of Eockwood. 
 Whitney J. is a Master Mason, a member of Caroga Lodge, No. 300, and is at present 
 senior warden. He now holds the office of justice of the peace. Edwin E., youngest 
 son of Levi Stahl, resides at home. Levi is the son of John and Eve (Snell) Stahl, 
 who reared seven children. The father of John was Peter, who came from Germany 
 with his parents when a child. He was a farmer by occupation, and lived and died in 
 Fulton county. John Stahl was born in Ephratah in 1804, and was a carpenter and 
 millwright by trade. He died in 1865, and the death of his wife occurred in 1888. 
 Levi Stahl is a member of Garoga Grange, No. 679. 
 
 Stairs, Cornelius G., Perth, Tail's Mills p. o., was born in Broadalbin, July 19, 1844, 
 a son of John and Sarah (Olmstead) Stairs. John Stairs was born at Kilsyth, Scot- 
 land, May 1, 1806, and came to this country in 1826. He first settled in Ballston, Sar- 
 atoga county, where he married Sarah, daughter of Moses Olmstead, of Milton. He 
 lived in different places, including Hagaman's Mills and Hill's Corners, where he kept a 
 giocery and dry goods store. In 1850 he bought a farm of 100 acres in the town of 
 Perth, where he remained about nineteen years, then bought the farm where our subject 
 now lives. He was the father of nine children, eight are now living : Jane Wanmer, 
 of Schenectady ; James, of Perth ; William, of Bound Lake, Saratoga county ; Thom- 
 as, of Ballston ; David, of Michigan ; Edward, of Amsterdam ; Sarah Geer, of Valatie ; 
 and Cornelius, our subject. One son, Seymour, was killed in the war of the rebellion 
 at the battle of Antietam, September 17, 1862. The early life of our subject was spent 
 with his parents, and attending the common school of this town. February 23, 1870, 
 
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FAMILY SKETCHES. 13 r 
 
 he married Mary E. Gorham, daughter of James and Hannah (Maynardj Gorham, of 
 Ballston, and they are the parents of six children : Hattie A., a teachc in Broadalbin ; 
 Seymour A., a teacher of Mayfield ; Sarah H., Mary E., Charlotte J., and Elmer C. 
 Mr. Stairs is one of the town officers, and is one of the leading men of the town ; a 
 successful farmer, the owner of 130 acres. 
 
 Stairs, James, Perth, Hagaman's Mills p. o., was born in Galway, Saratoga county, 
 December 29, 1832, a son of John and Sarah (Olmstead) Stairs. (For paternal an- 
 cestry see Cornelius Stairs.) The ancestry on the mother's side as far as can be traced, 
 were natives of this country. Our subject's grandfather, Moses Olmstead, was born in 
 Ballston on the farm where he died in 1862. His father emigrated from Vermont or 
 Connecticut to Saratoga county when that section was a wilderness. James has heard 
 his grandfather tell how they were driven from their homes by Indians, and the houses 
 and all the buildings were burned by them. Moses Olmstead was the father of four 
 children, of which Sarah, mother of our subject, was the oldest. She was bom Janu- 
 ary 1, 1810, and was married to John Stairs January 1, 1829. They were the parents 
 of nine children ; James was the second. He has always lived in this neighborhood. 
 His father was a cloth-dresser by trade. James was early sent to work and has worked 
 since. November 17, 1858, he married Eliza Gage, of Duanesburg, Schenectady 
 county. They are the parents of five children : Clarissa, now Mrs. John Pollock ; Em- 
 ily, now Mrs. J. W. Collins, of Hagaman's Mills; Lillie E, James R., and WiUiam. 
 Previous to his marriage Mr. Stairs bought the farm of 100 acres, his present residence, 
 and in 1884 he came into possession of the old Leonard Gage farm of 136 acres, and is- 
 now conducting both places, with about 150 acres under cultivation. He has never 
 had political aspirations, being content to let others govern. 
 
 Standring, John, Johnstown, was born in Fulton county on July 12, 1823. He was 
 educated in the public schools and has been a farmer all his life. He was twice mar- 
 ried, first, March 24, 1853, to Sarah K. Veeder, of Johnstown, and they had one daugh- 
 ter, Maggie Louisa, born June 28, 1854, who died March 5, 1871. Mrs. Standring was 
 born July 1, 1831, and died August 24, 1886. April 17, 1889, Mr. Standring married 
 for his second wife Sarah H., youngest daughter of William and Hannah Hoswell, of 
 the town of Broadalbin. They have a pleasant and valuable farm east of the village. 
 
 Standring, John E., Ephratah, was born August 23, 1860, in Ephratah. He is the 
 only son of a family of seven children born to Cornelius and Maria (Wemple) Stand- 
 ring. Cornelius was born in Manchester, England, in 1811. His father, James 
 Standring, came to America in 1814, settling in Johnstown. His was the first mill for 
 carding wool established in that locality. He was also a manufacturer of machinery 
 for carding. Cornelius, after receiving a common school education, learned the black- 
 smith's trade, which he worked at many years. His health became impaired and he 
 was obliged after a time to retire from active business. In 1870 he moved to Ephratah, 
 where he resided until his death in 1876, and where his wife and family still live. John 
 E. Standring, after receiving a common school education, took a commercial course in 
 the Troy Business College. He has been compelled to make his own way in life, which 
 he has done successfully. He taught school, and for a number of years has been in the 
 
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132 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 employ of Levi Yanney, at present having charge of the spinning department. Mr. 
 Standring in the spring of 1892 was elected supervisor of his town. 
 
 Stark, William A., a farmer of Northampton, was born in Edinburgh, Saratoga county, 
 a son of Squire and Lovisa (Higly) Stark. His father was a native of Connecticut, of 
 the same stock as General Stark of revolutionary fame. The father came here with his 
 friends early in the history of the county, and both families are of English origin. Will- 
 iam M. was reared on the farm and educated in the common schools of his native town. 
 He engaged in teaching winters, and at the age of twenty-one years went to the State 
 Normal School at Albany and graduated there in 1854. For nearly ten years he w'as 
 engaged in teaching, and then commenced farming, teaching school winters. He now 
 owns a fine farm of nearly 200 acres and also a pleasant residence in the village. He 
 was a Republican previous to the time of St. John's candidacy for president, when he 
 voted the Prohibition ticket, and has been identified with that party ever since. He 
 has been justice of the peace several terms, and is still holding that office. He was mar- 
 ried twice, first in 1860 to Helen Pease, by whom he had one son. On September 20, 
 1870, he married Caroline Pease, a sister of his first wife, by whom he has two daugh- 
 ters, Mary H. and Emily L. Mr. and Mrs. Stark and daughters are all members of tlje 
 Presbyterian church. 
 
 Starr, Zadoc B., Grloversville, has been a resident of Grloversville' since April, 1874. 
 He was born in Schoharie county, in November, 1841, and was brought up on a farm. 
 When a j'oung man he engaged in operating stone quarries, beginning in a small way, 
 but enlarging until his is now a wholesale as well as retail bilsiness. During the early 
 part of thti war Mr. S. volunteered, but not having a strong constitution at the time he 
 ■was rejected. Later, when a draft was made he was drawn, and was compelled to pay 
 $300 exemption money. This took all his savings up to that time. Not discouraged, 
 Mr. Starr began again, and has been abundantly rewarded for his perseverance and in- 
 dustry. The recently erected Starr block is evidence of this fact. Besides doing a 
 general business in flag stone, Mr. S. is a dealer in cut stone for trimmings. On March 
 18, 1869, Zadoc B. Starr married Lydia A. Coates, by whom he had one child. His 
 wife was the widow of John Coates, and her maiden name was Lydia A. Morris. 
 
 Starrs, John, Oppenheim, was born in Ireland, September 14, 1840. He is a son of 
 Owen and Mary (McBrity) Starrs, natives of county Tyrone, Ireland. They came to 
 this country in 1848, settling in Oppenheim, where they lived and died. There were 
 born to them eight sons and three daughters. Mr. Starrs cleared his own farm. He 
 and his wife both died in 1888. John Starrs was reared on a farm and received a com- 
 mon school education. For some time he was a bark and lumber dealer, but during the 
 last fourteen years has followed farming. In 1870 he married Ann Starrs, a native of 
 Ireland. Mr. Starrs owns a hundred acres of land, and resides one and a half miles from 
 Oppenheim village. He and his wife are members of the Roman Catholic church. 
 
 Stearns, William A., Perth, was born in the town of Perth, November 28, 1848, a 
 son of William C. and Rosina (Chase) Stearns. William C. was a son of Ezra Stearns 
 who was one of the earliest settlers of this section, and as far back as we can trace, the 
 ancestry were natives of this country. He was the father of nine children, of whom 
 
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FAMILY SKETCHES. 133 
 
 William was the fourth. The family was separated in 1852 by Ezra and the most of 
 the family moving and settling in Dakota and Wisconsin. Three brothers remained 
 bare, Alva, John, and William C, who was married October 31, 1839, and was the 
 father of four children, two are now living : Lucinda, now Mrs. Lorenzo Codding, a 
 widow of Perth Centre ; and William A., our subject His life has been spent on the 
 farm, and when he reached his majority took charge of it himself. His father died No- 
 vember 30, 1888. His mother still lives at the age of seventy-one. Mr. Stearns has 
 held political office in his town, but does not devote his time to politics or anything else 
 but his business, which with his close attention he has made a success. 
 
 Stephenson, Levi, Johnstown, was born on the 25th of July, 1829, in Chesterfield, 
 Hampshire county, Mass., and was educated in the district schools ; he was a farmer 
 boy until he was eighteen years old. On the 10th of May, 1853, he married Martha R., 
 the youngest daughter of Jason Miller, of Williamsburgh, Mass., and in the year 1855 
 they came to this region. They have four children, three sons and one daughter : Jason 
 M., who married Alice Gardner; Charles S., who married AnnaV. Vosburg; C. Winne- 
 f red, who married Winnie Hatmaker ; Henry E., who married Hattie Shaffer. The 
 Stephensons conduct an extensive lumber enterprise. 
 
 Stewart, Charles H., Johnstown, was born in Johnstown, December 29, 1842. He 
 was educated in the public schools, and learned the millwright trade with his father, 
 and now he manufactures all kinds of machinery for leather dressing. On the 27th of 
 May, 1868, he married Cornelia, daughter of John B. Yost. They have had four chil- 
 dren, three sons, and one daughter: E. Jennie, Edward T., Harry S., and Charles H., 
 who was the oldest and died in infancy. Mr. Stewart's father, C. Nelson, was born in 
 this county in the year 1809 ; he married Phebe J. Andrews, of the town of Northamp- 
 ton, and they had four children : Mary J., Caroline, Emily S., and Charles H., as noted 
 above. Mr. Stewart's mother died when he was an infant. 
 
 Steele, Frederick, Gloversville, came to Kingsboro from West Hartford, Conn., at an 
 «arly day, bringing with him his wife and children. The latter were : Frederick, jr., 
 Susan, who married first Philo Mills, and, after his accidental death, Abner Leonard ; 
 Ruth who became the wife of Jonathan Belden; and Joseph, who went to live in Ver- 
 mont. Frederick Steele, jr., married Susan Greene, and had by her six children : 
 James, who died about ten years ago ; Sabra M., wife of John B. Wells ; Joseph, now 
 residing in Kingsboro ; Susan, who died in 1885 ; Magaret, wife of Curtis Mills ; and 
 W. Frederick Steele, of Gloversville. Frederick Steele, jr., son of the pioneer, was a 
 leather dresser by occupation. He was a prominent man in local affairs, and was com- 
 monly called " Captain " by reason of his connection with the militia organization of the 
 town. He died in 1849, and his wife in 1864. 
 
 Stewart, George, Perth, was born in the town of Florida, Montgomery county. May 
 21 1819, a son of John and Margaret Stewart. His parents were born in Scotland. 
 His father came to this country in 1790 and settled in Florida and began the work of 
 farming. He was one of the founders of the Scotch Presbyterian church in that place, 
 which is still at present in a prosperous condition. They are a very long-lived family. 
 
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134 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 many of the ancestors of George living to be over the age of 100 years — his grand- 
 father living to the age of 103 years and his grandmother to the age of 101 years; and 
 the subject of this sketch is now over seventy-three years of age, healthy and strong 
 and having no ailments, and appears to be much less than that age, and now looks as 
 if he might live to the old age that his grandfather did. In 1857 he came to Perth Cen- 
 tre and was proprietor of the hotel at Perth for six years, when he moved to the farm 
 upon which he now lives, which is one of the moat pleasant residences, with its environ- 
 ment of shade trees, lawn and natural scenery, in Fulton county, containing a row of 
 maple trees along the highway the whole length of his farm, being uniform in size, shape 
 and distance apart, having been set there about eighty years ago. The subject of this 
 sketch has been married three times, his first wife being Margaret Conover, his second 
 Lydia A. Schuyler and his present wife Mary Carmichael Eobb, a daughter of James 
 and Mary (Carmichael) Robb, residents of Perth. This marriage took place April 12, 
 1861. Mr. and Mrs. George Stewart have two children : William J., born December 
 21, 1863, a tiller of the soil and one of the present justices of the sessions of Fulton 
 county, is unmarried and lives on the old homestead with his parents; also George 
 Carmichael, born February 12, 1869, graduated fron Union College in June, 1890, with 
 high honors, receiving two prizes while at '' Union " for superiority in essay writing- 
 At the commencement in June, 1890, he was elected to the honorary fraternity of the 
 Sigma Xi, a society to which only those of the highest standing are eligible. At pres- 
 ent he is studying law with Charles S. Nisbet, of Amsterdam. They are both Demo- 
 crats. 
 
 Stewart, George A., Johnstown, was born in Johnstown, December 20, 1845. He 
 was educated in the public schools here and in Chicago, and is a skillful machinist and 
 real estate owner. March 13, 1873, he married Elizabeth, second daughter of John B. 
 and Mary A. Yost, of Johnstown, and they have two children, one daughter and one 
 son, Anna and George. Mr. Stewart's father. Nelson, was born here and married 
 Phoebe Jane Andrews, and had four children by his first wife : Mary, Caroline, Emma 
 and Charles. He married second, his first wife's sister, Pauline Andrews, by whom he 
 had four children : George A., Nathan H., Lyman and Carrie. The ancestry of the- 
 family is Scotch and German. 
 
 Stewart, Mclntyre, Johnstown, was born in Johnstown, August 4, 1844, was edu- 
 cated in the public schools, and is now a retired farmer, residing with his brother Peter, 
 on the old homestead. His father, John, was born in Scotland in 1782, and came with 
 his parents to the United States when three years old. They located northwest of 
 Johnstown as farmers, and he attended the district schools of his day, In 1833 he 
 married Jane Mclntyre, of Johnstown, by whom he had five children, three sons and 
 two daughters: Peter, who is a farmer, married Margaret Musgrave, of Johnstown, 
 and they have one daughter, Jennie. They reside on the homestead; and Mary, 
 James, and Margaret, all deceased, and Mclntyre, the subject of this sketch. 
 
 Stewart, William D., Johnstown, was born on the old homestead, north of Sammons- 
 ville, January 27, 1839. He was educated in the public school and is a farmer by occu- 
 pation. He has been highway commissioner for two terms. On March 19, 1862 he- 
 
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FAMILY SKETCHES. 135 
 
 married Julia A. Veghte. His nephew, Charles Stewart, married Emma Suits, and 
 they have three children : Blanch, Archie and Grace. William Stewart, father of 
 William D., was born in the same place in 1799, and in 1825 married Elizabeth Dorn, 
 and they had six children, four daughters and two sons : Catherine, who married John 
 M. Dillenbeck; Robert, who married Catherine Reid ; Elizabeth, who married William 
 Craig; Jane M., who married Daniel C. Livingston ; and William D. The grandfather, 
 Robert Stewart, located here two years after the Revolutionary War. 
 
 Stewart, W. Frank, a native of Massachusets, settled in Northampton in 1850 and 
 followed the avocation of a farmer until the beginning of the rebellion, in which he en- 
 listed and served four years. He died in 1864 while on his way home from the war. 
 He married Hester Dobbs, a member of the Dobba family of Westchester county, after 
 which Dobbs Ferry was named. Their only child, Charles W. Stewart, was born in 
 Northampton, November 10, 1858, and came with his mother to Gloversville in 1870. 
 He married Rita Rathmire, August 11, 1885. They have one daughter named Bessie 
 Wood. * 
 
 Steele, William Frederick, Gloversville, the son of Frederick and Susan (Green) Steele, 
 was born in Kingsboro, January 15, 1833, and continued to live there until twenty 
 years of age, moving then to Gloversville where he was engaged in the glove and mitten 
 business for many years. He married Agnes E. Hall, daughter of Horace Hall, M. D., 
 and Mary (Graham), of Poultney, Vt., February 25, 1862. She was born December 9, 
 1837. Their children are Frederick, born February 20, 1863 (died in infancy); Edward 
 Hall, born January 5, 1866; Mary Graham, born May 10, 1868; William Frank, born 
 July 9, 1874 ; Harry Arthur, born April 4, 1876. 
 
 Still, Dr. David Vedder, Johnstown, was born April 9, 1855, at Fultonville, and was 
 educated in the public schools. He graduated from Bellevue Hospital Medical College, 
 New York, in 1876, and upon his return began to practice at his old home. He came 
 to Johnstown in 1879 and practiced until 1882, when he went to Colorado, practicing 
 there until 1884, when he returned to Johnstown for his permanent home and practice. 
 On the 20th of December, 1882, he married Jeanette M., third daughter of David Smith, 
 of Johnstown. They have one daughter, Marion E. The doctor's father, John D., was 
 born in Fulton county and married Maria Vedder, by whom he had three children. 
 The ancestry of the family is Dutch, Scotch and French. From both the paternal and 
 maternal sides of the family the doctor is descended from Revolutionary stock, his 
 great-great-grandfather, Henry Ostrom, having been a captain of militia under General 
 Van Rensselaer. 
 
 Stockmore, Bartholmew, Gloversville, was a native of Germany, but settled in 
 Bleecker in 1830. He had four children: Barbara, who married Joseph Dean, and, 
 second, Henry Hewes; Mary, who became the wife of Avery Allen; Jacob and 
 Michael the latter of whom died in Bleecker. Jacob was born December 9, 1822, and 
 was brought up on the farm, but in 1874 he purchased land and built a store in the north 
 part of Gloversville, and where he has since done business. In May, 1846, he married 
 Margaretta Ahl, by whom he had ten children. His wife died about 1880, after which, 
 November 3 1881 he married Corinda Van Scoy Shepard. Bartholmew Stockmore 
 ■died in 1846, surviving his wife only a few months. 
 
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136 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 Stoller, Hezekiah, Johnstown, was born at the old home in Johnstown, April 3, 1855. 
 He was educated in the public schools and is a dairy farmer by occupation. November 
 14, 1883, he married Mary, fourth daughter of John and Harriet Firo, of Johnstown. 
 They have two daughters, namely : May, born August 4, 1886, and Effie, born July 14, 
 1890. Mr. StoUer's father, Adam, was born in Mohawk, in 1818. About the year 
 1848 he married Hannah Houck, of his native town, and they had 'seven children, as 
 follows: Margaret, Abijah, Hezekiah, James, Anna, Adam and Mary. The ancestry on 
 both sides is German. 
 
 Streeter, Lucius L., Johnstown, was born in Cummington, Hampshire county, Mass., 
 August 10, 1837, aud was educated in the public and special schools of his day. He 
 was a farmer until reaching the age of twenty-eight years. On November 22, 1864, 
 he married Catharine A., second daughter of Jacob and Maria (Green) Burton, of 
 Johnstown, and they have five children, three daughters and two sons, namely : Kate, 
 Maria G., Amy, Lucius and J. Burton. The Streeter family are of English descent. 
 The first known of them in this country (Stephen Streeter) was a real estate owner, in- 
 Gloucester, Mass., in the year 1642. The father of Lucius L, Streeter was named Augus- 
 tine, and was born in Plainfield, Mass., February 24, 1799. He married Wealthy 
 Packard, of Goshen, Mass., and they had six children, one daughter and five sons : Henry 
 A., George A., Charles C, Lucius L., Leneus C. and Keziah W. Mrs. Streeter's father, 
 Jacob Burton, was born in Charleston, Montgomery county ; about the year 1805, he 
 married Maria Green, of Kingsboro, and they had five children, four daughters and one 
 son, the latter died in infancy : Margaret B., Catharine A., Susan M. and Sabra J. Mr. 
 Burton's second wife was Elizabeth Wells, and they had three daughters and a son : 
 Amy W., Elizabeth, Sarah L. and Jacob. Mr. Streeter is an elder in the Presbyterian 
 church. In pofitics he is a prohibitionist. 
 
 Styer, John, Johnstown, was born on the 10th of November, 1840, in Luxembourg, 
 Germany, and was educated in the public schools, and came here with his parents about 
 the year 1856 and located at Johnstown. He is one of the pioneer leather manufac- 
 turers of this place. On the 14th of February, 1874, he married Barbara Tilman, 
 formerly of Germany. They had three children, tyo died in infancy: Katie and 
 Henry. Mary still survives and resides with her father. Mrs. Styer died October 21,. 
 1878. 
 
 Swobe, Jesse, Perth, Johnstown p. o., was born on the farm where he now resides, 
 November 5, 1864, a son of John H. and Mary Keith Swobe. Michael Swobe, the 
 great-great-grandfather of our subject, was born in Germany in 1732 and emigrated 
 with his wife Dorothy in 1766, settling on land only a half mile from the present fam- 
 ily residence His son Michael was the father of ten children : John M., Elizabeth, 
 Mary, Jacob, Godfrey, Catherine, Margaret, Michael, David and Sarah. He died in 
 1872 at the age of aeventy-two, John M., the oldest son, was for many years post- 
 master at West Perth, and is remembered by the older residents for his eccentricities 
 and quaint philosophy. Jacob was landlord of the Perth Centre hotel for several years, 
 and moved to the western part of the State, where he died in 1878. Michael, jr., lived 
 on the old homestead until 1860, when he moved to Michigan, where he lived until his- 
 
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FAMILY SKETCHES. 137- 
 
 death. He was the father of fourteen children, one of whom (John A.) is a resident of 
 Omaha. He was captain of a ferry boat between that city and Council Bluflf and after- 
 wards in the employ of the Union Pacific Transfer Company, and has crossed the Mis- 
 souri river oftener than any other living man. Anolher son (Colonel Thomas Swobe)^ 
 a wealthy capitalist of Omaha. He obtained his title in the civil war and is well known 
 throughout the west. The youngest son (David) was a graduate of Union College, 
 and studied theology at Hartwick Lutheran Seminary. Accepting a charge in Ken- 
 tucky, he married a Southern lady, threw in his fortunes with the " lost cause,'' and 
 fought in the confederate army during the war. A fine fruit plantation which he owned 
 in Georgia was destroyed and his home was ruined by the raids of both armies. After 
 the war he lived in Mississippi, New Orleans and Tennessee, and at last found a con- 
 genial home in Denver, where he died in 1874. He was a profound scholar, and a ver- 
 satile thinker and writer. The third son, Godfrey (Jesse's grandfather), bought land 
 adjoining the homestead, married and lived there until his death in 1875. He had one 
 child, John H., who also married and lived on the farm inherited from his father until 
 his death in 1889. The home is occupied by John H.'s three children : Margaret, Jesse 
 and Mary Herkimer. In politics the Swobe family has been unwavering in their allegi- 
 ance to the Democratic party. Positions of trust and honor in town and county have 
 been held by different members of the family. Godfrey Swobe was for many years 
 vice-president of the Farmers' Insurance Company of Fulton and Montgomery counties. 
 
 Synaugh, Patrick, Johnstown, was born in County Mayo, Ireland, February 1, 1825, 
 and came hither in 1845, locating in the town of Johnstown. November 18, 1849, he 
 married Margaret, second daughter of Patrick and Mary McGraw. In the year 1856 
 they moved to their present farm, about two miles northwest of the village of Johns- 
 town. They had seven children, six sons and one daughter : Mary A., John W., Peter, 
 Mathew, Daniel, Bernard and Patrick. Mathew married Esther Brower, of Ephratah ; 
 Daniel died January 25, 1890. He was a young man of much promise; Bernard mar- 
 ried Sarah, oldest daughter of Nelson and Helena A. Frederick ; Mary A. and Patrick 
 reside at home, also John W. and Peter, who work the farm. The father is a retired 
 farmer. 
 
 Taylor, George A., Johnstown, was born on the 4th of September, 1865, and was 
 educated in the public schools and Franklin Academy. His father. Dr. Alonzo C. Tay- 
 lor, was born about the year 1830, in South Bangor, and graduated from the Burlington 
 Medical College in Vermont. He married Anna P. Phillips, of Moira, Franklin county, 
 and practiced medicine in Heuvelton, St. Lawrence county, for fifteen years and then 
 moved to Malone. They had four children, one son and one daughter died. George 
 A. and Allen H. survive. The last named was born on the 6th of October, 1869. 
 George A. is manager of the Sir William Johnson Hotel and is also proprietor of the 
 Regent stock farm. He is acknowledged one of the best posted horsemen in the 
 country. 
 
 Taylor, Rev. "William S., a clergyman and farmer of Northampton, was born in Crich, 
 Derbyshire, England, May 2, 1844, a son of James and Elizabeth (Leonard) Taylor, 
 both of English ancestry. His maternal grandfather was seven years in the marine- 
 
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1381 HISTORY.OF, FULTONwaaUNTY. 
 
 servicelin 6reat^ritaiQ'(We8t'In'dies)^r«^d bis (father ;was a landscape gardener. ijiH^, 
 and'tinteeiteotherscame toirthis couiltryjwith their families in ,1850v ^Mr. Ttyloniwasi 
 tlie Idldest'ofeight'ChildrerLriHe (Was .educated jfit Luzerne aindiFort lEdward, and at'tbe 
 Ajjeiotrfighteeri he eolisted lin: Comptiny 0,:lli8th Newi..Yorkfi7blunteerS, Augusi:9,- 
 18&2,iand < served :toithe Close of tfaeTrar, .being rone of! the dfirstitb enter Richmond/at i 
 the^eiid' otthe.confliot.M'iHe was at the batsles of ithe Wilderness,. Eetersbwrg.Druryi'si 
 BlaffI and Eair.iOaks, 1 i^e was wounded-initheihead,at Druty'siiBluflf',. ■ May.lfi, 1864yi 
 After the I war -Mr. Taylor 'was lor some, jfears engaged in putting .up niaclilneryi for -^hei 
 manufacture of .',wood : pulp, of iwhich/iiis 1 father was, :tiie inventor., : , , In ,1886 be:CQim-i 
 raeiio'ed .preaching jihithe'M.' E-fChUricbjiiriHe came >to ^Northampton! in I May, ilgSljitUidi 
 isrpastor iofjtheiChurch;Qf ,thatjvillagejEdinbui?gh and, Osborn-.BHdgeJjj /Decennber-3,j 
 18.67', ;h6 marrifed.'Mtiry'(WMljams,-toyiWho.mVfafe hashadisix/children/iasf IfolloiWSjii Jessie^ 
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 teen years of age he attended school, when he was apprenticed for five years, wTflitiHt:* 
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 he went to Manhattan, Kan., and attended the State College, through which -hflng^^r, 
 pected to pay his way by thje sale of gloves and mittens a,nd practicing shorthand. But 
 he failed m the sale of gjoveg and soon after the end*-6fthe first ierna hismoW nWrly 
 gave out. , After spendmg some time with a college' chum: arid completing 4, course m 
 
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 uous reading: in public for six successive days of his original stenographic notes of 
 'teftTmOny 't&en 't(p'titf W ii!i'le^t'i|kon%''i feoniiMty^ 'of • 'a"56i'rd'-''of ^upej-viidi^? " A t 
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 ,^P,?t?99«a5^4-,}ias, ppej?te,d,;n,^e^l e?;;atf,^|icse?,sfpljJf,fft,,qohnstgwfl^. ^„]S(^^y ,\^ ^^§^,^^ 
 
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 '^'''4^itcdmfej J^oKni'G" MayiBfeld; wjtsibo'm-iini'Ooxsabkiej^Greejnie ^ouniy; onitheT'thTief 
 ■3'Uti&^18Si,'«Leonl«jtl3ia'meS(aSid'>Hel«na'(St6ne)!Titoonibii! 'His'father',':Js(mesTitc<itflb,. 
 ,<ifclsis "-^native"' bf'Bextehire/ En'^aadj'aiid game to-Aiiierici'With>hiis-patentsiWheni'fi b^f , 
 Brittiteg'fii*b'4h'Iianfeirigb'ut'gia'na'aft6Tfwa'rd8 in'336xsa<;kie'."''Be came'to Mayfieid 'abWlt 
 'fifty-fiVfe-yeafa ag<jj'abd-\va'S' there'a pt6speroa^'aie!rihBntiiaiitt farmer/ind was fii^t'^ahd 
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 •P'iieSbytfeh'in-ihuTCh'<T«ith the'bf!fllnow4n'useji'rLeWvifag.">Mayfi«ldihei;remoyed'to'5i.'m- 
 sterdam, where he died in 1876, a faithful' and highly esteemed Chris.tian;.';Qrohn'D., 
 
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 j^ti,jg-un4er^tflc)^ that,;frof5 Jbiis„^r^t,e;jgp.gi/igi,i;ibus^^^^ 
 
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i4o HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 with increasing prosperity. In 1863 he married Elizabeth, daughter of David Stewart, 
 of Mayfield. Mr. and Mrs. Titcomb have three children : Anna, Eugenia, a student at 
 Syracuse University, and John William, at school in Gloversville. Mr. Titcomb is a 
 Democrat in politics, and occupies one of the finest residences in town. He has been 
 an efficient promoter of the material interests of the village, and in advancing the public 
 welfare generally. In his relations as a man his character is unsullied. 
 
 Topp, William, Johnstown, was born on the 8th of February, 1846, in Soham, Eng- 
 land, and came with his parents to the United States in the year 1857. They first 
 located at Waterloo, Seneca county, and the following year found them at Dresden, 
 Yate."! county, where they remained seventeen years. From Dresden he went to Penn 
 Yan, remaining three years, and next to Buffalo as superintendent of a barrel factory, 
 where he stayed two years. He then came to Johnstown, and at the age of thirty- 
 four, established himself as a manufacturer of gloves, and also of shoe and glove leather, 
 and after many ups and downs we find him firmly entrenched on a solid basis. On the 
 23d of March he married Ellen Edgar, formerly of his native place, by whom he had 
 four children: Lena A., Gracie S., Herbert W., and Florence M. 
 
 Trumbull, E. S., Ephratah, was born February 2, 1851, in Ephratah. He is a son of 
 A. D. and Esther (Hills) Trumbull, who reared a family of five children, all of whom 
 are now living. A. D. Trumbull was born in Ephratah, received a common school ed- 
 ucation, and followed farming and lumbering. He was a manufacturer of paper. He 
 moved to Eockwood, where he followed tanning, and he and a brother were engaged 
 in glove manufacturing in Johnstown. Mr. Hills, after residing in Fulton county a 
 number of years, in 1854 drove a team through to Mmnesota, where he died. His wife 
 died in Ephratah. Mr. Trumbull died in 1888, and his widow now resides in Johns- 
 town. The father of A. D. Trumbull was John W., who was born in Fulton county. 
 He was a farmer by occupation. He married Alma Everest, a daughter of Isaac M. 
 Everest, mentioned elsewhere in this work. Mr. Trumbull and wife had six sons and 
 one daughter. He was at Sacketts Harbor in the war of 1812. He died in 1836 and 
 his wife in 1869. The father of John W. was William Trumbull, the pioneer of the 
 family, who settled in Ephratah at .a very early day, and lived and died there. The 
 family is of English descent and are related to Governor Trumbull, of New Hampshire. 
 Mr. Trumbull came from Massachusetts. E. S. Trumbull, the subject of this sketch, 
 was reared on a farm. October 24, 1871, he married Catherine A. Christman, daughter 
 of John and Margaret (Empie) Christman. Mr. Trumbull and wife have had three 
 children : Florence (deceased), Elsie D., and Mabel (deceased). Mr. Trumbull is an 
 artist, a paper manufacturer, and a lumber dealer. He is a member of the Grange, No. 
 679, at Garoga. 
 
 Turner, Watson, Oppenheim, was born July 5, 1839, in Oppeuheim, and is the sur- 
 vivor of two children born to Hiram and Abbie (Munson) Turner. After attending the 
 common schools he spent several terms at the Johnstown Academy. He married Maria 
 M., daughter of William Stewart. Her father came to Oppenheim about 1800. His 
 wife was Sarah Sheldon, by whom he reared thirteen children. To Mr. Turner and 
 wife have been born two children; Mary A., born August 21, 1868; Willie W., born 
 
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FAMILY SKETCHES. 141 
 
 January 9, 1871. Mr. Turner has been justice o£ the peace for twenty years in suc- 
 cession, and was re-elected in 1892. He and family are members of the M. E. church. 
 John, grandfather of Watson Turner, was born in New Haven, Conn., July 9, 1776, 
 and settled in Oppenbeim in 1802, where he became a farmer and cattle dealer. He 
 married in 1803 Sallie Baldwin, a native of Saybrook, Conn., born January 26, 1786, 
 and they had four children, one daughter and three sons. John T. died July 12, 1860, 
 -and his wife October 1, 1875. Their children were Sally, born November 22, 1805, 
 now living in Oppenbeim ; and John, born July 17, 1807, who died in Oppenheim Jan- 
 uary 7, 1892 ; and Hiram, father of Watson, born August 2, 1811. He was reared on 
 A farm and received a common school education. In 1836 he married Abbie Munson. 
 born February 10, 1813, in Litchfield, Conn. She died April 25, 1859 Mr. Turner 
 was at one time town clerk. He and his wife were Methodists. 
 
 Ty meson, Arthur A., Johnstown, was born in San Francisco, September 22, 1858. 
 His father, Abram M. Tymeson, was born at Mapletown, Montgomery ijounty, Janu- 
 -ary 28, 1823. He married Margaret I. Anderson, of Johnstown, August 3, 1857, im- 
 mediately going to California, where he died August 15, 1861. Soon after mother and 
 son returned to Fulton county, where the son received his education in the public 
 schools. His grandfather, Archibald Anderson, was born at Galway, Saratoga county, 
 March 7, 1794. He married Margaret Yost, of Johnstown. They had nine children, 
 two only growing to maturity: Mary E. and Margaret I., the first of whom died De- 
 cember 6, 1891, in her sixty-seventh year. Margaret I. died April 22, 1862, in her 
 fifty-fifth year. Archibald Anderson held many public trusts, having been elected 
 county treasurer and county clerk of Fulton county for two terms each. He was also 
 the first treasurer of the Fulton County Agricultural Society, when it was organized 
 nearly fifty years ago. He died November 11, 186u ; his wife died July 6, 1872. 
 
 Uhlinger, John W., Johnstown, was born (n the 4th of May, 1849, in Fonda, and 
 came here with his parents when but eight years old. He was educated in the public 
 schools and Johnstown Academy. Afterwards he was a salesman in his father's furni- 
 ture store until 1871, when he was admitted as a partner under the firm of Philip 
 Uhlinger & Son. He has married twice, first, April 11, 1883, to Florence M. Yost, of 
 Theresa, Jefierson county. She died on the 5th of July, 1888. His second wife is 
 Mary A., daughter of the late James I. McMartin, of Johnstown. They have one 
 •daughter, born the 3d of May, 1892. His father, Philip, was born in Switzerland, July 
 14 1823, and came to the United States in 1848 and located first in Montgomery 
 countv. On the 4th of July, 1848, he married Margaret Meyer, of his native place, by 
 whom he had two children : John and Margaret ; the latter died January 19, 1891. His 
 mother died the 14th of March, 1891. His business was established in 1861. 
 
 Underbill, Edwin, Oppenbeim, was born in Carlisle, Schoharie county, Septem- 
 ber 30, 1833, and is a son of John and Elizabeth (Norbury) Underbill, who had 
 three children. Joel, father of John, was a native of Schoharie county, where he 
 ■died. His wife was Deborah Curran, by whom he had three daughters and two 
 sons. He was a farmer and member of the Quaker fraternity. John Uiiderhill 
 was born in Carlisle in 1805. Here he grew to manhood, and at eighteen he learned 
 
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i Vz ff/ST(^JiW-&f^^'Pt/Z^^^'''(^ UNT\. 
 
 'the tarifi'ei-'s 'ti'afl^'at'b?^^h'iBiktf,''^fc/llbVibg''^'tHat''biiSihS4i' riikny yeSk'^ Iiatet-'in 
 life'li'^ •tiol4d''t'o''G-rfe'eii6'"-'cbt3frty5''Wlifefe'h6^ VesidicI' \Si i*'^ie'trrtib,"*fid"-(if tWWai'ds 
 'r^nioVed 'ti Sf'Jolinyv'aiiJ,' -wflife^e fife gW^igea"iri-tIiS'Sartlif kcVlire 'of -leWHe!*-.''' -H* ^alio 
 '"wIb liit'^r'ekSef^itt te tiUlttftk'- *^6'P*(JuHfe^'^yg'ar8'K6 nvea'fiii^eti**a'«f<-i!iM Idled 
 •in^ ifer^'r '^Hi^'4ife;!Eiiza't/eth' N8rBtJi«s^',^te '-B"ffaTSghtSr"ofi'J^bBti'ittifd-jrslry'(foSdiek> 
 •5#orbury.'.'''4'hfe'&triet''af '' JoKti'^Nbribliry'-'^dii'd ^Hi'Eriglrind.-'and'-vt'hfen Hik '.ycfeifg-'of 
 age' Joiin'''6'aa'6'Wrtk' His niither' te""G'rtfetafe''i(ioiiifttyi.' Th^ ifaiiily''«V^ 'destendantV'Of 
 "L'ord'-'Ndfbtfry.* ^ohiiMie'dMn'lA'theftk <^r^enfe"coanty,'i4i'a857;'ittd!'bU''wi^^ 4n 1868. 
 ■'EdTi7lh''*U&'agrHM was^etju'cat^a^iji th'^'jpilbl{c''gaiotola'-bf4he''Sti{e;4iid at'^ffort PMa 
 •Semliiary'. ' ' ^ ^e' first ' 'eri'gage^ f irf ^ the"%tffltfteetafe'-«E MiSki^r 4nid 'Ihfe -Sale'' lOf > ■ boots 
 '■arid'shtfSs, an'd''^sl"t!led=Sb;'^Wnl^a&^fortv'(Pii?, .!toVit'v(r<i'Iy^re;fgfte?fw1iieh''li'eimoVe!d 
 to Oppenheim and en|'%'iea''Ja'^ai''i!tffflg;-'Whic:i'J'be'-6is si{i'6ie'foH«\v6d::iT 'Itt'a864;he 
 .BiaitrieduErarjceSij^, daughterpf.iJam^PiPiQd iA,Waftda,,^3fg§£a^ |l}Sy,Jia|s;.g,flnp p}iild, 
 -Haity/B(ijrno^i;)ii:Bji!lorWa,ri7Afr/:fj&pSe^Jiillui^^i7Jiigl^T'''*J/?ongtm,i^^ 
 -and'js-'a birtbrigljt .memberi.pf tlj,e rQuafes'rj<!hpi;9J?/;siH* '9)?te9:!?oW®™l??'^J°t;'^?'?P' 
 ■ Greek; .G^ange';i;Novl584,,!ofiwMchs.be;Ibg3Jb?pn,,;le(;^^T^^,s^nc^^o^ga_niza^ 
 :a;nd|Anianda (Bates, iteared ajfasnijy ,p£i^ sjxjc^ildreD./jiM^^ >PM?s, di^dr^ji, ,i8§^, |.fjjyd 
 Mr. Batesitheti marriedi SanahjBeai^-, siid,tor.them;iT7,^e/,bQrpi,fiii5ej<;bildj;en. ^^,y^s 
 the son of' Jacob 'Bates, .and.>gta,odBO!i,j of. .ayspldierjp tbe:ir^,v:plu.tjonairyYjwar.,j ,,, ji/r 
 
 '' 'Uii'der^o'id', i&afel['Ei>hrataK',''^a^' ifoi'tf'DeSeiii'be^ Tj 1820',"ifl Schohj(fie'%otiflty','a&'d 
 .'is'a'Wof'C'hiarte;trn&drWolod,'1a'Jnati^e or'-MaisabhiiSetts?WHb;^wheii'''tf 'ydufig'nlan, 
 'c'am4VSclioKirier'yoati£y;'Vh«'re''h€;'MiVrifea^k^ Ga'hbbri/jor ■i'ev'&- 
 
 aty; 
 
 Iceivediai'^ottttoibtftBchooil'Ie'duCatioOna tppbtupthe pccupati^jij, o^/fafn)[jng.,„,B,^ipar- 
 •ined,! J*nuar^iB^,1846, Emm^lL.,. daughter of iBVeaeripk,gmi.iJi<)£|f)iit9}i|ess.jpojip,ty.|,jg§r 
 -motheh w(as !Mai-garet/Hapeman,',of CoUlwbia-^pjjnty.y ,(i^r,.-]7Ji^^TiW59(lo%"i'^iFi|ft,^i?je 
 qhadise'veniichildren.i. .Edw.aidj.fpelia,: 4i)?ftTidas: A^rofll W^waseji^gMiyriOji ^^i^p^ea^), 
 jglmos''(dfebeased)y iand ; Enuna. I [ AmftS -vrasikilled iwJiU^ iiffix> h\iDitipg by^be, ^ccielf flt;il 
 .^discharge ofi-a^o!6mrade'S gutijiN]OTembeij|?9,(188Pi, j;4war4,jfljarripd,i^i?i,^Jinie,^^fPji;tJi, 
 ■and haalfouridhildren. - Celia is Mrs. .MO'wrreyj, of St,iJ9h!Jsv4}l,€,jaud,|ia§^np S9n„fll}^r- 
 (enceJ>iA.manaa is Mrs.: John Refinbwgi of iGoJHni:ibia;c,opnty;.|/;Airofls n\arr|e^, Pearl it)i;al5e 
 Tanai'hasKoh'e ichiiaj. named , Amos. J^lEmntayvflPW, Mj;SnJrfi"-itputpag),,,Ji,aS|flnef5^^ 
 (Mr.i Piif nam died i tbe same year;;of his, marriage. >M^'•: ^■n,agris^qpj4 has ,>>een ai|.^iw,a 
 ^ivirbrkitig ImaDj-anaicleared. considerable i lana. ]/. He iaR<i. .^lis family ,ar^„m,erQ,be,i;s,pf,,itJ^e 
 M. B. ohiirchl (tHeiiwaA.a member of, the-:Kew.lYprk^^5ni,]iii%,a,^id;sv-.ai3,difRha^ 
 
 -L-7\.[s^ ,vl,::, ., 4,i,;,lu,iM> .■.'.ii,,/;) „i :n<,J v„7/ ,.i .-i.iii'.q.iO .nr//!,:i .llii|-,^L,i,:j 
 iisiiVari Arnam,. George E.; ;of -: NorthTilli?; isij|iheiflge»t ^pr|]the ,C.,^,fjQlep[^enit GJ^ngfiy 
 lOo.iiiHe wasirborn.MiaiiHope, Hamilto» county,. April ^4,,ij8^2, j^iifi fatl]er,i]iy;as.,^ft]^p- 
 'jP;'andfhi8mother>Phebe Ai,'(Ogborn) ,yapiAfpam,)3o;^h.,flaJ(Te8^j9f Hfiipilfpfl coi^qty. 
 I JohnF.Ihaslb^en anMexteDsive,|armp,.apd is still iliyipg,,a,t th^.^ge^ of »ix^y.';f9ur y.ejaj;S. 
 I Abraham; ■V:an; Arnam,[greatTgra.ndfather ,pf ,Gr§prge,g., vr3,p.ja ^^tij^^jjqf ;jV",^rr^qpt,^jai)d 
 
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i \ I F4MIJ.'y'^^m£TQffE^i^i :\ . , 143,, 
 
 ■cams tp thU.toyp^nphip.^bout 18p,Q,,9Q,ttling .^wher^j the ;pl<J ISTorthyiUe House, which 1?,^/ 
 bHilti,nQw;,ptaads.,iH;e.owiied,all of tlje ppitlv^pstpprtjon of the yillagp,] the, southeastern , 
 -cocqer of] his jlaud ^feing.tht! lot on , wijich the baptist, churdi now stand^,. which he gave ] 
 to )tbat, pooi^ty; , :JIf was ,t)orn Octp,beri29, .I762,,aqd died at the age.of seyenty-three, 
 yeajr?. i.Bds-sony Jact^l^ ^he grandfather of, the su^'ect of this sketch, was borp in Xer-,, 
 n}ftntiiQ,;j!784„aB?l qameiJii§re,with,l;}iS|fat}ieij. ,■ Jlje ,w.a^.» iarflier;flRd:,ir)erohaflt;fand alsQ , 
 matjufact^ied , }arg^ quantities ofijxjtash. ,,Geo,i:ge,E,;.YaQ A;;nam was,e,d,);icated| in.the.; 
 schdofe of the ,y;illage;.and at Fort lEdwaird Instjitute. ^.A^terleaying sghool lie was J^o^i;., 
 soime y earS; a olprk , afld bo.9k-keepe;ri , 1 . p,e.,«ngaged,'jn[,tlje ,liy ery ibusiness, which h^ suc+ 1 
 ■cessfully;;iBonduoted,!an,til ^g85,,.i^heij .he,i^aS|einplciy;?fi as lageatfor.the ,large ia^nery,; 
 fir,mi]-vy;ith. which, h,? ]6\&p^ epflnec1je4,;,(HAFlWi:ie.4l<>n Msy:!?^(.W3,,^;pttj,e J„ ^iljUard,,. 
 wbOiSVftSjbom-.Qc^qber 5,71:85:^, iijTheyiiavq^th^ee,icihJ 
 
 Mfiiiy^ft^rpsffl, i^,a Og!floqra^;,;;}s i^ayjr. sfiryipg,as.Buperyj?pFjfior,^is,'f9!;|-it,h,t9rp}.,, -,.He j 
 wa^iPqOTnisgipnjBijfof .|hiEeg,y^ajsi He^Ryfi)s,-png ^f ,^)ie ;6p,e§tiresid^flpej,in,t;he yillage, , 
 an4A?afge»ial!and.poBHl?rtgeQtlep,ap;,r sKibuloru :v>±^-i'i\^\ rii !.i...!; :■,■, vfv.i, i>'"\c. .,(i,v„ 
 'iVat Bi'6bklih,'1flli;''-ai'^miiWu'fatfttiV6r''6'f' Jfbrtbf-illej'^Tlcrfs' fe^n ih ' Athsterdaib, "No- ' 
 vethbfeV^^3/%84fe;^%*li'is ,a'-sotf of i'M^tth1a!8'''^&"<3hafl6ttff Xfetdfler) Van Brocklin: 
 n'ativte'^ of?iM6'htgomlry 'cbutj'ty, 'and' Both of©iitlBhiaescenti their'ahiiiekbrs having beeW 
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 «tock) Van Denburgh. The greatl^i'^'af«th4P(Sf'H?^a\floT\^aii'©eiiWl^liok4fVld jfa^ithe' 
 
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144 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 Martin (the father of Hiram) was born in Saratoga county, where he married and had 
 seven children. In 1843 he settled in Johnstown, and two years later he located in 
 Bleecker, where he carried on a saw-mill for the rest of his days. He died in Bleecker 
 in 1855, and his wife followed ten years later. He was a Democrat, and they were both 
 members of the M. E. Church. Hiram Van Denburgh received a common school edu- 
 cation. When seventeen years of age he left home and worked on a farm. Later on 
 be became a millwright, then a lumberman, and ran the first circular saw-mill in the 
 county. He worked for Burr Bros., then with L. A. Hamlin and then one year alone. 
 He engaged in 1883 with Jonathan Wooster, which he continued until 1876, since which 
 he has been alone in business. He has been twice burned out, the loss being $7,000 in 
 each fire, as he had no insurance. Mr. Van Denburgh was a Whig, and is now a Pro- 
 hibitionist, having joined their ranks in 1884, before that having been a Republican. 
 He was a candidate for member of assembly in 1884, and in 1886 for state treasurer, 
 receiving the highest number of votes on his ticket. He is an active Mason. He now 
 owns 5,000 acres of land in Bleecker, including 1,700 acres of timber. Mr. Van Den- 
 burgh was married in 1853 to Prudence E. Van Steensburg, of Northampton. They 
 had four children: Emily B., who died aged eighteen ; Lillian, wife of W. E. Werner; 
 Wooster, died at four years, and Rutherford. His wife died in 1882, having been a 
 leading member in the M. E. Church. He then married in May, 1883, Christina Ernst, 
 daughter of August and Anna (Kline) Ernst, by whom he had three children : Frank, 
 Clinton (who died aged ten months), and Floyd. They are members of the M. E. 
 Church. 
 
 Vanderhoof, Ezra, is a farmer residing in Northampton. He was born in Wells, 
 Hamilton county, July 3, 1829, a son of William and Fannie (Hutchinson) Vander- 
 hoof. William was a native of Hamilton county. He was a farmer and shoemaker, 
 and a Democrat in politics; his wife was a native of Dutchess county. Ezra Vander- 
 hoof was reared on the farm. December 20, 1863, he enlisted in Company D, 4th New 
 York Heavy Artillery, serving in the army of the Potomac until the close of the war. 
 He was engaged in the battles of the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, Deep- 
 Bottom, in front of Petersburg, and in many minor engagements, and at the closing 
 scenes of the Rebellion. The only wound he received was a scratch on the left elbow 
 by a bayonet, at the battle of Cold Harbor. He was honorably discharged at Wash- 
 ington, in June, 1865, and has been a pensioner since 1883, having been unable since 
 the war to perform m^anual labor on account of loss of health. He recently sold a fine 
 farm of 200 acres. He married on December 15, 1852, Matilda Parmenter, of Northamp- 
 ton. They have had two children : Philo, who died at seven years of age, and Hettie, 
 born August 30, 1862, who is now the wife of Willis Hayden, a farmer and trader. 
 Mr. Vanderhoof has been a Republican since the war. He has been highway com- 
 missioner seven full terms, justice of the peace four years, excise commissioner two 
 yeais, and is now assessor of his town. He and his family are members of the M. E. 
 church, of which Mr. Vanderhoof is one of the officials. 
 
 Van Heusen, David H., Johnstown, was born on the 15th of February, 1839, at 
 Tribes Hill, Montgomery county, and was educated in the public schools. In early 
 
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FAMILY SKETCHES. 145. 
 
 life he lived on his uncle's farm, but at the age of seventeen he became a clerk in a dry 
 goods store in Connecticut In 1857 he returned to Fultonville, where he was clerk in 
 a dry goods store until the year 1859 when he went to Fonda, and occupied a position 
 there as dry goods clerk and news agent. In 1862 he went into the drug business, 
 continuing the same until 1870, when he came to Johnstown and started his present 
 drug store. On the 31st of December, 1861, he married Maggie, second daughter of 
 Jacob and Catherine Whitmore, of Tribes Hill. They have one adopted daughter, 
 Bertha. Mr. Van Heusen's father, Charles, was born at the old home, and married 
 Hannah Sanford, of the same village. They had nine children. The ancestry of the 
 family is Dutch. Four brothers came from Holland, and one located at Tribes Hill. 
 
 Van Ness, James E., a lawyer of Northville, born in Northampton, November 5, 
 1861, is a son of Garrett L., and great-grandson of Garrett Van Ness, one of the first 
 four men to settle in Northampton, who came from Holland. The mother of James 
 was Margaret D. Robertson, a descendant of the Beechers. His father was in business 
 for many years at Osborn's Bridge. James was educated in the common schools, and 
 at the age of sixteen years entered Cornell University, where he remained two years, 
 then spent some time in teaching, when he entered Union College and graduated there 
 in 1883, receiving the degree of A. B. He was the winner of $200 in prizes ; was a 
 member of Beta Theta Pi and Theta Nu Bpsilon, college fraternities. In the fall of 
 1883 he entered the office of Lee S. Anibal, of Northville, for the study of law, and in 
 1885 was admitted to the bar. In 1887 he opened an office for himself, and has been 
 very successful in his chosen profession, as well as having a nice business in insurance 
 both fire and life. He is clerk of the village and of the board of water commissioners. 
 He is an active Mason and a member of the Improved Order of Red Men, and is secre- 
 tary and treasurer of the Co-operative Savings Bank. 
 
 Van Slyke, Ezra, Johnstown, was born in the town of Mayfield, November 16, 1833, 
 was educated in the public schools, and in early life was a manufacturer. He is now a 
 merchant. December 30, 1856, he married Augusta J. A. Joslin. They have one sod, 
 Thomas W., born July 11, 1868. He was educated in the graded schools at Fonda and 
 is now in business with his father. Mr. Van Slyke enlisted August 23, 1862, in Com- 
 pany B, 153d New York Volunteers, and was honorably discharged in October, 1865. 
 The family are of Dutch and German ancestry. The father, Richard, was born in 
 Mayfield in 1799, and married Gertrude Snyder, by whom he had six children: Cor- 
 nelius, Julia A., Jane, Henrietta, Ezra, and Margaret. His father was Peter W., and 
 Mr. Van Slyke's great-grandfather was Jacob. 
 
 Van Voast, James E., Ephratah, was born July 29, 1829, in Schenectady. He is a 
 son of James G. and Mary (Kittle) Van Voast, natives of Schenectady, who reared a 
 family of four children : Sarah, wife of Mortimer Wade, of Johnstown ; Eleanor, wife 
 of John S. Empie, of Ephratah ; Mary, wife of Alpha Ne.llis, of Ephratah ; and James 
 E. James G. Van Voast came to Fulton county in 1832 and engaged in the mercantile 
 business, following it until 1869. His son, James E., worked in his store after he was 
 thirteen years of age, and at his father's death took possession of the business, doing « 
 successful trade until 1892, when he retired from business. Jamis G. was postmaster 
 
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146 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 in Ephratah for about fifteen years. He was a member of the Reformed Church. 
 James E. married on July 1, 1857, Catharine Nellia, daughter of Dewitt and Elizabeth 
 (Mills) Nellis. Her father was a native of Montgomery county. She was born in 
 Fulton county, coming from one of its leading families. She had one sister, Eleanor. 
 One son, an only child, has been born to James E. and wife, Nellis, born August 12, 
 1858, in Ephratah. He was engaged in his father's store until 1885, when he and his. 
 father entered into partnership and continued in business until 1892. Nellis Van Voast 
 married, February 4, 1880, Helen, daughter of John and Charlotte Peek, of Fonda. 
 Mr. Van Voast is a Free Mason and a member of the Garoga Lodge No. 300. 
 
 Vedder, W. G., Oppenheim, was born in Oppenheim, April 4, 1834, a son of Henry 
 and Elizabeth (Parker) Vedder, who had twelve children. Henry was a son of John 
 Vedder, whose father was A. M. Vedder, a native of Holland, who first settled in Nis- 
 keona, and afterwards at St. Johnsville. He owned 600 acres of land, was a slave 
 owner, and had six sons who served in the war of 1812. John Vedder was born in 
 Montgomery county, but early came to Fulton county, where he spent the remainder 
 of his life. He married Lena Timmerman, by whom he had six sons and four daugh- 
 ters. He was justice of the peace thirty-two years. Henry Vedder was born in Op- 
 penheim in 1801, where he died in 1881, and his wife in 1889. He was a farmer and 
 lumberman. W. J. Vedder was reared on a farm, and received a common school 
 education. He married Amanda, daughter of James and Nancy Rodgers, of Saratoga 
 county, and they have one child, Henry, born in 1887. Mr. Vedder has been a con- 
 tractor, farmer, and lumberman. He is a member of St. Johnsville Lodge No. 611, F. 
 & A. M., Little Falls Chapter, and Utica Commandery No. 3. 
 
 The Veghte family is of Dutch origin, intermarried with Germans. John Veghte, 
 grandfather of Lewis and Henry W., came here from Six Mile Run, N. J., at an early 
 day, and married Catherine Vanderbilt in 1759. They had seven children, of whom 
 Nicholas was born December 1, 1755, and was educated in the common schools of his 
 day. He was a pioneer farmer. December 1, 1805, he married Barbara Carncross, of 
 this town, and they had eight children: John, who died in infancy; John second, 
 Catherine, Elizabeth, Henry W., Lewis, Mary A. and Jane. Lewis was born on the 
 old homestead May 16, 1817, and was educated in the public schools, with some aca- 
 demic instruction. In the early years of his life he was a farmer, but is now retired. 
 Mr. Veghte is a member of the executive committee and one of the directors and 
 largest stockholders of the Fonda, Johnstown and Gloversville Railway. He is also 
 one of the directors of the People's Bank. On March 19, 1846, he married Catherine, 
 oldest daughter of John B. and Mary A. Yost, and they had twelve children. Three 
 died in infancy and nine survive, namely: Nicholas, John, Elizabeth (who married 
 John Dorn), Mary, Henry, George (who is clerk in the freight office), Kate, William 
 and Lewis. John, William and Lewis are dead ; Mary, Kate and Henry reside at home 
 the latter being the farmer of the homestead, and one of the directors of the Fonda 
 Johnstown and Gloversville Railway Company. The old homestead was bought in 
 1766, and the deed, which bears the above date, reads as follows : Bought on March 
 25th, 1766, by Martmeus Waldorf, witnessed by Patk. Daly and James Gager with the 
 
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FAMILY SKETCHES. i4f 
 
 autograph of Sir William Johnson, appended, in the county of Albanj and the province- 
 of New York. Ten years later this property was bought by the late John Veghte,. 
 and has been in the family ever since. Nicholas, the oldest son of Lewis, was born on 
 the old homestead, December 10, 1846. He was educated in the public schools, and by 
 occupation is a farmer. December 28, 1881, he married Anna M., oldest daughter of 
 Daniel and Charlotte Khudes, of Arietta. They have one son, John E., bom January 
 26, 1884. Henry Wycoff Veghte, brother of Lewis, was born on the liomestead, De- 
 cember 8, 1815, and was educated in the public schools, supplemented by several terms 
 at the academy. He is now retired. He has married twice, first on August 15, 1842, 
 Margaret A. Hardin, by whom he had three daughters: Mary J., who died aged four- 
 teen years ; Barbara A., who married Henry F. TiflFany ; and Margaret, who married 
 William Van Dusen. Mrs. Veghte died May 23, 1850, and on June 12, 1851, he mar- 
 ried Christiana, oldest daughter of Duncan and Anna (Walker) Clark, by whom he had 
 five children : Clark, who is a farmer, married March 2, 1876, Esther Van Duzen ; John 
 W., a manufacturer, residing at Johnstown, married Adelia S. Bolans ; David, a farmer 
 who resides at home ; Ann E., who married William J. McEwen, of Le Roy ; and 
 Charles, who married Carrie, youngest daughter of Michael and' Sarah E. Selmser. 
 They have one daughter, Olive H., born December 8, 1887. Michael, father of Mrs. 
 Charles Veghte, was one of a family of eight children, born September 22, 1811. He 
 was educated in the public schools and was a farmer by occupation. February 7, 1838, 
 he married Sarah E., oldest daughter of John and Anna Hanson, of Montgomery 
 county. Mr. Selmser is a retired farmer, residing in the village of Johnstown. 
 
 Vosburgh, Alexander W., Perth, Johnstown p. o., was born on farm of present resi- 
 dence, September 8, 1864, a son of James and Mary B. (Walker) Vosburgh. As far 
 back as "we can trace, the family ancestors were born in this country. Myndert Vos- 
 burgh, grandfather of our subject, was one of the early settlers of this county and 
 owned a farm in Johnstown. He was the father of four children : Abram, James 
 Henry and Libbie, now Mrs. Albert Wilde, of Johnstown ; she is the only one living. 
 James F., father of our subject, was born in 1829, always lived with his parents until he- 
 was twenty-five, when his father gave him a farm of 133 acres in Perth, where he re- 
 mained until his death, which occurred December 17, 1876. He left four children : 
 James, of Johnstown, Henry, of Gloversville, Elizabeth (now Mrs. William Vosburgh. 
 of Perth) ; and Alexander, our subject. He has always lived on the',old homestead 
 farm, was educated in the common schools of Perth. After the death of his father he 
 assisted his mother in the management of the farm. In 1889 the estate was settled up- 
 and Alexander secured the farm as his share. He now owns 245 acres, 200 of which 
 are under cultivation. March 18, 1891, he married Emma Sbutts, daughter of Lewis 
 Shutts, of Perth. Mrs. Vosburgh, his mother, died March 22, 1889, fifty-six years of 
 age. 
 
 Vosburgh, Barney, Johnstown, was born in the town of Perth, on the 25th of Novem- 
 ber, 1843. He was educated in the common schools and the old Academy of Johns- 
 town. At sixteen he commenced teaching school, at the same time studying in prep- 
 aration for a college course. His health failing he was obliged to abandon this 
 
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i48 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 expectation, and although yet in his minority, opened a store at West Perth, which he 
 conducted several years with success. In the spring of 1870 he came to Johnstown and 
 opened a coal yard, which he abandoned at the end of the first year, and then con- 
 ducted an extensive furniture and undertaking business until the time of his death. On 
 the 2d of November, 1869, he married Jennie W., oldest daughter of Isaac and Agnes 
 A. Hayes, formerly of Galway, Saratoga county, by whom he had two children, George 
 A. and Nellie A. Mr. Vosburgh died on the 10th of May, 1890, in full hope of a better 
 world. He became a member of St. Paul's Lutheran church in his sixteenth year and 
 was a shining light both in the church and in the community in which he lived. He 
 served his church for many years in the capacity of deacon, and for fifteen years was 
 the superintendent of the Sunday-School. 
 
 Vosburg, Manley B., Johnstown, was born in Charlton, Saratoga county, and edu- 
 cated in the public schools. In the year 1872 he came to Johnstown, and in 1874 he 
 began to manufacture gloves, which business he still successfully continues. On the 
 10th of December, 1867, He married Emma F., daughter of James Sherman, of the 
 same county. They have two children, both daughters, namely, Lillie A., and Florence. 
 The family is of Dutch ancestry. 
 
 Vorel, Joseph, Johnstown, was born on the 28th of November, 1860, in Vienna, Aus- 
 tria, being educated in his native city and in 1880 'he immigrated to the United States. 
 He first settled at Tonkers, and afterward came to Johnstown. He served a regular 
 apprenticeship of three years as a tanner and one year as a colorer, but for the past 
 three years he has tanned and dressed leather on his own account. He is a naturalized 
 citizen of the United States and resides in Johnstown. 
 
 Vrooman, David H., Johnstown, was born in the town of Mohawk, April 3, 1831. 
 He was educated in the public schools and is a farmer by occupation. December 24, 
 1857, he married Elizabeth Sponenberg, of his native town, and they have two chil- 
 dren, Martin and Annette, both living at home and assisting their parents in conduct- 
 ing the Vrooman hotel. Garrett P. Vrooman was born January 18, 1834, wag edu- 
 cated in the public schools, and was in early life a farmer. In October, 1855, he mar- 
 ried Maria Dockstator, of Mohawk, and they have two children : Juliett, who married 
 Giles Vrooman of Mohawk, where they reside ; and a son, Orville, who is on the police 
 force. Mr. Vrooman is proprietor of the American House. 
 
 Vrooman, Nelson, Johnstown, was born in Marshall, Mich., June 21, 1845, and came 
 with his mother to this state when an infant, locating in Eockwood, where he was ed- 
 ucated in the public schools, until he reached sixteen. He then came to Johnstown, 
 first as a clerk, and later, in the fall of 1873, he began the manufacture of paper boxes 
 (see business chapter), and now is a glove manufacturer on his own account. April 8, 
 1867, he married Mary, second daughter of Timothy and Sarah M. (La Mont) Mullins, 
 of Lexington, Greene county. They have had six children, four sons and two daughters. 
 Charles D. died at the age of fourteen ; Martm J. L. died in infancy ; William P. died 
 aged seven years; Ernest N. also died in infancy; Catherine and Lizzie survive and 
 reside at home. The ancestry of the family is Dutch, French and Irish. 
 
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FAMILY SKETCHES. 149 
 
 Wade, Mortimer, Johnstown, was born in St. Johnsville, Montgomery county, Docem- 
 ter 23, 1821. He was educated in the public schools, and in early life was a clerk in a 
 general store, afterwards a school teacher. On December 19, 1844, he married Sarah 
 A. Van Voaet of the town of Ephratah. Of their five children three survive : Arabella, 
 who married James W. Miller, and has two children (M. Wade, and James); Franklin 
 B,, a manufacturer of gloves with his father; and Mortimer, jr., the second son in tlie 
 family, who is clerk in the surrogate's court. Mr. Wade first identified himself in poli- 
 tics with the Whig party, and since its organization, with the Republican party. In 
 1846 he was elected school commissioner and held the office for three years. He was 
 the first supervisor other than a Democrat elected from Ephratah for twenty- two years, 
 and he was re-elected in 1858 and 1869. He has held the office of county clerk for 
 ■five successive terms, commencing January 1, 1860, in all fifteen years. In 1879 he 
 was elected member of Assembly, and was also president of the village. In 1879, 1880 
 and 1881 was assistant journal clerk of the legislature, one of the trustees of the board 
 •of education for fifteen years. He is also and has been for many years one of the trus- 
 tees of the Presbyterian church, and a director of the Fonda, J. & G. E. E. Co. since 
 its organization. 
 
 Walrath, Adam, M. D., Ephratah, was born January 8, 1854, in St. Johnsville, the 
 son of Martin and Julia (Flanders) Walrath, who reared twelve children, Adam being 
 the eighth child. Martin was a son of Adam Walrath, who settled in St. Johnsville in 
 1785 with his parents. Martin was born in St. Johnsville in 1815, received a common 
 fichool education and was reared on a farm. He was a lieutenant in the state militia. 
 His wife was a daughter of Jacob Flanders, who was a soldier in the war of 1812. Dr. 
 Walrath was educated in the schools of St. Johnsville and took a medical course at Al- 
 bany, graduating in 1879. In 1876 he married Came Thumb, born in Oppenheim, 
 June 29, 1856, a daughter of Emanuel and Mary (Helmer) Thumb. Mr. Thumb was 
 an early settler of Oppenheim, where he lived and died. Dr. Walrath and wife have 
 ■one child, George, born March 15, 1880. In 1879 Dr. Walrath came to Lassellsville, 
 where he has since practiced. He is a member of the Fulton County Medical Society, 
 also a member of the Albany Medical College Society. 
 
 Walrath, Herman, Oppenheim, was born March 26, 1870, in Oppenheim, was edu- 
 cated in the common schools and chose farming for an occupation. He resides at his 
 father's home. He is economical, industrious, and has thus far been successful finan- 
 ■cially. He is a son of Solomon and Melissa (Failing) Walrath (married in 1855), who 
 have reared eight children : Adam, Martha, Chauncey (died July 26, 1889, aged twenty- 
 seven), John, Cora, Herman, Bertha and Dwight. Solomon Walrath was born Octo- 
 ber 29, 1830, a son of Henry A. and Polly (Campbell) Walrath. Henry A. was born 
 in Oppenheim in 1800 and died in 1859. His wife died in 1884. John E. Failing, 
 grandfather of Mrs. Walrath, was captured during the Revolutionary War by the In- 
 dians and held prisoner until the close of the war, when he was permitted to return 
 home. Mr. and Mrs. Walrath are members of the Dutch Eeformed church. 
 
 Walrath, Stephen E., Johnstown, was born in the town of Canajoharie, Montgom- 
 ■ery county, on the 29th of October, 1859, and was educated in the public schools. He 
 
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ISO HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 has had a variety of occupations, but now is one of Johnstown's leather manufacturers. 
 On the 2d of July, 1879, he married Carrie L., oldest daughter of Frederick and Sophia 
 Ackerknecht. They have had five children, two boys died in infancy, three daughters 
 survive. Lillie E., born on the 22d of August, 1882 ; Ida C, born September 17, 1885 ; 
 Sophia C, born July 13, 1888. The family is of German origin. 
 
 Washburn, James, Grloversville, was born in Benson, Hamilton county, December 16, 
 1846, a son of William W. and Susan (Hall) Washburn. The grandfather, Rufus, was 
 born near Worcester, Mass. His wife was Thankful Cutting, of English descent, but 
 born in Massachusetts. He was a blacksmith by trade and came to Hamilton county 
 about 1810, where he followed his trade. In 1850 he came to G-loversville, where he 
 and his wife both died, he in 1874 and his wife about 1880. Both were members of 
 the Methodist Episcopal church. They reared eight sons and two daughters, all mar- 
 ried. Our subject's father was born in Hamilton county January 2, 1820, and was a 
 farmer, and in 1858 moved to a place near Kingsboro, purchasing sixty- six acres of 
 land and remaining there until 1872, when he was appointed county superintendent of 
 the poor, and died while holding that office, October 28, 1874. His wife survives him. 
 They were both members of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which they took an 
 active and liberal interest. Mr. Washburn was a lifelong Democrat. His wife was 
 born in the north of Ireland. James H. Washburn was reared on a farm and had a com- 
 mon school education, besides attending the Kingsboro High Schools. He taught two- 
 terms, and after some experience in trade began to work on his father's farm, and upon 
 the latter's death bought the homestead, which contains 200 acres. January 10, 1872 
 he married Melvina, daughter of Joseph and Mary C. (Zeiley) Saltsman, of Montgom- 
 ery county, who were of German ancestry. Mr. and Mrs. Washburn have four chil- 
 dren: Susan Z., Emily B., William L., and Ruth. They are members of the Methodist 
 Episcopal church. They located in Gloversville in 1882, where they erected a fine 
 residence on Main street. 
 
 Washburne, Rev. William H., was born in Rensselaerville, Albany county, on the 
 18th of October, 1839, and was educated in the common schools, and also at Jonesville 
 Academy. He graduated from the Biblical Institute at Concord, and began to preach 
 the Gospel in Hoosick Falls in 1866. He was pastor of the First Methodist Episcopal 
 Church of Johnstown during the years 1881, 1882, 1883, and was returned again to the 
 same church, by the Troy annual conference in the spring of 1891. On the 10th of 
 July, 1886, he married Betsie S., youngest daughter and child of Washington and 
 Catherine Swartwout, of Westerlo, Albany county. They have two sons: Robert 
 Hoosick, born April 9, 1869, who graduated from Union College in 1889, and also from 
 the .Boston University School of Theology, in June, 1892, and is now pastor of the- 
 East Fulton Street Church, Gloversville ; Ernest S., the other son, was born February 
 13, 1876, and is now in the Johnstown High School. 
 
 Waterstreet, Andrew J ., a manufacturer of North Broadalbin, was born in Glenville 
 November 18, 1862, a son of Lewis and Louise (Brandmille) Waterstreet, both natives of 
 Germany, near Berlin. They came to this country with their parents when children. 
 The paternal grandparents are still living, aged eighty-six ; the maternal grandparents are- 
 
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FAMILY SKETCHES. 151 
 
 also living. The father is a carpenter and builder at Hagaman's Mills. Andrew J. is the 
 third of a family of eight children, four boys and four girls. He served an apprentice- 
 ship as carder at Amsterdam and in June, 1891, he came to North Broadalbin and 
 formed a partnership with Robert Wilson in the manufacture of fulled mittens, and the 
 present indications are that their enterprise will prove very successful. Mr. Water- 
 street married, December 24, 1889, Louise Bremer, of Amsterdam, who was born in 
 Germany August 18, 1868, and came to America with her parents when four years of 
 Age. Her father is John Bremer, foreman at Sandford's carpet mill, at Amsterdam. 
 He is a Republican, and a member of the order of Red Men. Mrs. Waterstreet is a 
 member of the Evangelical Church of Amsterdam. 
 
 Watson, D. S., Stratford, was born on the 6th of July, 1855, in Stratford. He is a 
 son of Nathan Watson, a native of Newport, Herkimer county. His grandfather, Jude 
 Watson, was a native of Connecticut, and his great-grandfather, Jude Watson, was a 
 native of Ireland and came to Massachusetts about 150 years ago. Jude Watson, jr., 
 was born in 1758 and in the year 1781 married Mary Jinks, daughter of Captain Samuel 
 Jinks, of Revolutionary fame, by whom he had four sons and two daughters. In 1800 
 Mr. Watson came to Newport and in 1831 went to Oppenheim, where he remained 
 until his death, which occurred on the 19th of August, 1846, and his wife on the 9th 
 of August, 1803. He was a Baptist. Nathan Watson was born on the 17th day of 
 February, 1802, in Newport and in youth learned the tanner, currier and shoemaker's 
 trades. On the 14th of August, 1853, Mr. Watson married Mrs. Mary A. Smith, his 
 third wife, whose maiden name was Freeman, by whom he had a son, D. S., born on 
 the 22d of February, 1815. In 1854 Nathan Watson came to Stratford and was class 
 leader in the M. E. Church for a number of years. He was a Democrat, Whig and 
 Republican and finally a Prohibitionist. He died on the 11th of December, 1889, and 
 his wife on the 24th of October, 1878. D. S. Watson received a common school educa- 
 tion and at the age of seventeen years began running wood working machinery. On 
 the 19th of December, 1877, he married Eva L. Kibbe, a daughter of Elisha D. and 
 Hulda (Jennings) Kibbe, who was born on the 28th of September, 1856. They have 
 the following children : Blanche E., Mary B., Grace E., Nellie E., and Fred A. Mr. 
 Watson is a wagon-maker by trade, but being a man of genius, has invented a pressure 
 jack and glue table and a pendant clothes dryer. In 1881 he received a patent for a 
 dumping box which can be applied to a farm or lumber wagon and is used for excavat- 
 ing and grading purposes. In 1888 he received a patent on a dumping wagon and is 
 at present preparing to manufacture them on a large scale. D. S. Watson was elected 
 justice of the peace in 1890, and he is deacon in the Baptist Church, He has been a 
 Good Templar since he was fifteen years old and is a member of the Equitable Aid 
 Union No. 732, of Stratford, N. T. 
 
 Wavne, George B., Johnstown, was born in the town of Broadalbin, January 24, 
 1857, and was educated in the public schools and Amsterdam Academy. He remained 
 with his father on the farm until twenty-one years of age, and then came to Johnstown, 
 where he bought out the business of Captain Thomas Wayne, who served three years 
 in the great rebellion, the only brother of his father. November 15, 1888, he married 
 
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152 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 Lydia, second daughter of Aaron and Mary Pepper, of Fort Johnson, Montgomery 
 county. Mr. Wayne's father, John, was born at Lake Pleasant, Hamilton county,. 
 January 13, 1828, where his parents resided until he was five years old. After being 
 educated in the public schools, lie learned the trade of m^king woolen cloth at North 
 Broadalbin in the mill known as the Culbert Raddish mill. In 1849 Jie married Ange- 
 line Brewer, of Fulton county, by whom he had ten children : Elizabeth, Anna, Fran- 
 cis, George B., Catharine, Ida, Alice, Beatrice, Archibald and Grace. Then he took up 
 the industry of farming at Charlton, Saratoga county, afterwards removing to Orleans 
 county. He remained there three years, then returned to Gloversville, where he con- 
 tinued farming and manufacturing gloves and mittens. In 1869 he purchased the farm 
 known as the Ora Banta farm in the town of Broadalbin, where he still resides, the 
 house being the first brick structure built in that town. Thomas Wayne was grandfather 
 of George B., and was born in Brassington, England, April 10, 1879. He came to Amer- 
 ica in 1819, and first settled in Johnstown, in July, 1824. He moved to Elm Lake, 
 Saratoga county, on the Rylander farm, and in 1828 bought two farms between Lake 
 Pleasant and Round Lake, where he lived seven years. He also bought land at Piseco 
 Lake, and built the first saw-mill that was erected in Hamilton county. He afterwards 
 bought a farm at North Broadalbin, where he died in 1865. The archway, leading to 
 the old homestead in Brassington, England, still stands, on which is inscribed, '■ George 
 Wayne, 1402." 
 
 Weaver, Andrew, Ephratah, was born October 1, 1824, and is a son of Thomas 
 Weaver, who was a son of George M. Weaver, one of the oldest settlers of Oneida 
 county. The father of George M. was captured by the Indians, taken to Quebec, and 
 held for a number of months, when he was taken to England by the British, exchanged, 
 and permitted to return to the Mohawk valley, where he spent the remainder of his 
 days. Thomas Weaver was married in Herkimer county to Nancy Myers, to whom 
 were born three children, Andrew being the youngest of the family. Thomas Weaver 
 was a blacksmith by trade, and died in 1832. His wife died in Fulton county in 1874. 
 Andrew, being young at the death of his father, was reared by his uncle, Frederick G. 
 Weaver, of Deerfield. After receiving a common school education, he engaged in the 
 mercantile business at Richfield Springs, and finally came to Fulton county in 1856, 
 and settled on a farm in Ephratah, where he has since resided. January 27, 1852, he 
 married in Richfield Springs, Sarah, daughter of Cornelius and Elizabeth (Furman)' 
 Tunnicliff. Mr. Tunnicliff was a prominent man, and one of the early settlers of Otsego 
 county. He was proprietor of a saw-mill and grist-mill; was a hotel keeper and a 
 farmer. His father, William Tunnicliff, in a very early day came to Richfield Springs. 
 
 Wells, Edward, Johnstown, was born on the 21st of May, 1862, in Johnstown, and 
 was educated in the public schools and Johnstown Academy. He has occupied every 
 position in the bank up to cashier, which he now holds. He was cashier for two years 
 of the Manufacturers' and Merchants' of Gloversville. January 16, 1889, the People's 
 Bank was organized and incorporated, of which he became the first cashier. On the 
 16th of September, 1886, he married Harriet N., only daughter of William 0. and Mar- 
 garet Mills, of Gloversville. They have three children : Edward C, who was born No- 
 
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FAMILY SKETCHES. 155 
 
 vember 26, 1887; Margaret L., -who was born January 9, 1889; and Arthur M., who- 
 was born June 15, 1892. 
 
 Wells, Edward A., Johnstown, was born October 6, 1830, at Johnson Hall. He re- 
 ceived an anademic education, and has been a fanner, merchant, and manufacturer.. 
 He is now retired. June 15, 1853 he married Anna E. Burton; of Gloversville, and 
 they have have h^d eight children, three of whom survive: Edward A., jr., who mar- 
 ried Bessie Parrish ; Jennie, who married Edward L. Fonda; and E Burton. John 
 Wells, grandfather of Edward A., came from Hartford^ Conn., and located at Kingsboro 
 at an early day. One of his sons, Eleazer, father of Edward A., was born there on 
 March 30, 1782. He married Amy Akin, of Johnstown, and they had fourteen chil- 
 dren, six sons and eight daughters : Sally M., George W., Eleazer, Almira, Ann S., 
 Elizabeth, Louisa, John E., Rhoda, Catharine, Nathan P., David A., Edward A., and 
 Melinda. This family is one of the oldest in Johnstown. 
 
 Wells, James, son of N. P. Wells, senior, was born' in Johnstown on the 1st of 
 March, 1820, and was educated in the public schools. He was one of Johnstown's hon- 
 est merchants, and was also a glove manufacturer. He married Helen McKie, of 
 Johnstown, by whom he had five children, two sons and three daughters, as follows : 
 Helen, Grace, Sarah, James jr., and Peter McKie. Both Mr. and Mrs. James Wells 
 were members of the Presbyterian church. 
 
 Wever, S. Melvin, Ephratah, was born in Berlin, Eensselaer county, January 23, 
 1820, the oldest child of Dr. Robert and Amy (Sweet) Wever, who reared four chil- 
 dren. The father of Robert was Captain Langford Wever, born in Coventry, Kent 
 county, R. I., May 19, 1750, and served during the entire revolutionary war. His wife 
 was Margaret Green, born May 17, 1749, a cousin of Gen. Nathaniel Green, of revo- 
 lutionary fame. He reared a family of eight sons and two daughters, and died in 
 1819 in Rensselaer county, where he had resided since 1811. Ilis wife died May 17, 
 1822. The family had members in the British army since the time of Cromwell to the 
 date of its settlement in Rhode Island, previous to the French and Indian war. Our 
 subject has a sword that has been in the family since the time of Cromwell. Dr. Rob- 
 ert Wever was born July 4, 17S5, in Coventry, Kent county, R. I., was reared on a 
 farm, educated in the common schools, and afterwards studied medicine, and practiced 
 hi' profession about forty years. He also worked at ship building at Providence, R. I., 
 and came to Berlin, Rensselaer county, with his father. On December 15, 1813, he 
 married Amy Sweet, born June 1, 1789. She was of Welsh descent, her mother's 
 maiden name having been Babcock. May 1, 1821, Mr. Wever came to Fulton county 
 and purchased a farm in Ephratah and built a mill. He returned to the old farm in 
 1832, and in 1834 came to Garoga, and here built a grist-mill and saw-mill and started 
 the village of Garoga. Here he died March 23, 1855, and his wife February, 8th, 1880. 
 Cinderella, second child of Dr. Wever, was born July 16, 1822, married Joseph Putnam, 
 of Pulton county, and at present resides in Littleton, Col. Joseph, the third child, was 
 born October 16, 1824, graduated at the Albany Medical College, and at present re- 
 sides in Leavenworth, Kans. He was surgeon under Colonel Mitchell during the late 
 war, and is now surgeon and physician at the Soldier's Home in Leavenworth. 
 
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1S4 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 Amy M., the youngest child, was born December 16, 1827, and died in 18&2 in Ful- 
 ton county. S. Melvin, after receiving a common school education, engaged in the 
 mercantile business in partnership with William Spencer at Garoga. He was in busi- 
 ness a number of years. On May 12, 1844, he married Elizabeth, daughter of Allen 
 Hill, of JefiFerson county. His wife died March 26, 1887. Mr. "Weaver was in the steam 
 towing and forwarding business two years iu the employ of Van Sanford & Co. He 
 has never aspired to public office, but prefered to live an independent life. He is a Free 
 Mason, a member of Garoga Lodge, No. 300, an Odd Fellow, a member of Johnstown 
 Lodge, and is also a member of the grange at Garoga, No. 679. The family burying 
 ground is at Eockwood, where his father, mother and wife now lie. 
 
 White, Frederick, junior member of the enterprising firm of Rea & White, glovers, 
 was born in Somerset, England, July 25, 1842. Mr. White commenced learning the 
 trade of glove cutting at the age of twelve years, and under his father's instruction. 
 He worked in England until 1869, when he came to this country. He had successively 
 worked for Max Maylander, Daniel Hays, D. S. Hulett, H. C. Leavenworth, Plummer 
 & Wells, Fidoe & Radford, and Frederick Dade. In 1880 he became partner with Rob- 
 ert Rea, a connection which has been maintained to the present time. Both members 
 of the firm are successful, self-made young men. Although devoted to his business, 
 Mr. White has taken an active interest in the affairs of his adopted city, and has been 
 occasionally chosen to Republican conventions. In 1871 he became a member of the 
 Baptist church, and for four years has been one of the deacons of the society. In 1863, 
 May 21, Frederick White was married to Amelia Hyde. They have had four children, 
 three of whom are now living. 
 
 Whitlock, J. P., Ephratah, was born February 20, 1845, in Ephratah. His parents 
 were Stephen and Elizabeth (Putnam) Whitlock, natives of Fulton county, the family 
 bemg among the early settlers of the county. They reared seven children, of whom J. 
 P. was the third. Stephen was at one time highway commissioner. He was a mem- 
 ber of the Dutch Reformed church. The grandfather of J. P. was in the war of 1812. 
 His brother, Aaron C, was a general in the same war. The father of J. P. died August 
 19, 1884, and the death of his mother occurred in 1857. J. P., after receiving a com- 
 mon school education, chose farming for his occupation. He has also been a lumberman 
 and manufacturer of cheese boxes, owning at the present time a cheese factory. Mr. 
 Whitlock is considered one of the leading farmers of the town. In 1864 he enlisted in 
 the 44th N. T. Vols., and afterwards in the 140th, serving until the close of the war. 
 He fought at Hatcher's Run, Five Forks, and Weldon Railroad receiving a slight wound 
 at Hatcher's Run. Mr. Whitlock married EHzabeth Nellis, daughter of Ira, a native 
 of Montgomery county, by whom he had three children, asfollows : Ira S., who married 
 Cora McLaughlin ; John A., and Dora M. Mr. Whitlock has been highway commis- 
 sioner two terms, is a member of the Dutch Reformed church, and also of Ephratah 
 Grange No. 678. 
 
 Whitlock, Robert I., deceased, was born in Broadalbin, June 10, 1823, a son of Simon 
 and Polly (Potter) Whitlock. Simon's father was Abel, and his father was Robert, who 
 was the original member of the family to settle in Fulton county. The family is of 
 
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FAMILY SKETCHES. . 155 
 
 English extraction, and first of whom came to America in 1700. Robert I. Whitlock 
 was a man of influence, a large buyer of wool, and dealer in thoroughbred cattle and 
 sheep. He was a Democrat in politics, and for many years a justice of the peace. He 
 married Helen Reddish, daughter of Thomas and Ann (Mclntyre) Reddish, whose 
 father was a native of Lancashire, England, and came to America at the age of nineteen 
 years. He was a woolen manufacturer at North Broadalbm. Her mother was grand- 
 daughter of Daniel Mclntyre, a native of Scotland, who came to this country before 
 the Revolution and settled in Perth. He was a man of many virtues. He gave the 
 name of Broadalbin and Perth to the two townships bearing those names. Mr. and 
 Mrs. Whitlock had three children : Florence M., wife of James P. McFarlan, a farmer ; 
 William H., a wholesale shoe salesman, who married Agnes Verry, by whom he had' 
 one son, Robert H., and Olive E. 
 
 Whitman, Rev. Nelson, Northampton, was born in Wells, Hamilton county, June 28, 
 ] 821. He is a son of Isaiah and Sarah (Turner) Whitman, natives of the above county, 
 but of English ancestry. Mr. Whitman's maternal grandfather was a soldier in the war 
 of the Revolution, and a pensioner. He was one of the first settlers in the above 
 county. Isaiah Whitman was a farmer. In politics he was a Republican, and held 
 many important local offices. Nelson was educated at the Academy of Poultney, Vt., 
 and joined the Troy Conference of the M. E. Church; after some years he removed to 
 Wisconsin, where he was in charge of the schools at Green Bay, and pastor of the church 
 at that place. In 1861, the day after the arrival of the news of the firing on Fort 
 Sumter, he commenced recruiting. In the fall of 1862 he went to the front as the 
 captain of Company F, 21st Wisconsin Vols., and served to the close of the war, acting 
 as chaplain part of the time. He served in the Army of the Gulf, and was at the siege 
 of Mobile, Vicksburg and Fort Morgan. He was mustered out at Galveston, Tex. 
 Since the war he has been engaged in mercantile pursuits and in farming. He returned 
 to Northville in 1876, where he owns several farms and considerable village property, 
 and deals in real estate. June 13, 1872, he married Melissa C. Stone, of St. Johnsville, 
 by whom he had one son, Elmer G., born May 9, 1885. Mr. Whitman is a Republican, 
 although his sympathies are with the Prohibitionists. 
 
 Willard, Henry C, Johnstown, was born in Windsor, Vt. When a young man he- 
 was a stationary and also railway engineer. He married twice, first in 1866 to Anna 
 Converse, but she died in the year 1871. His second wife was Ella, fourth daughter of 
 Erastus and Betsey Lindsly, of Brandon, Vt., and the marriage took place on the 15th 
 of March 1874. Mr. Willard kept a restaurant ten years and was a hotel keeper at 
 Saratoga, Troy and Johnstown altogether eight years. He enlisted twice, first in 
 January, 1862, in Company D, 7th Vermont Volunteers ; for his second term of service 
 he enlisted in Company B, 2d Vermont Volunteer.s, and was honorable discharged at 
 the close of the war. Mr. Willard is a member of the Rising Sun Lodge No. 103, P. & 
 A.M. of Saratoga, N. T. ; also of Washington Commandery No. 331. His uncle Oliver 
 was a soldier in the Mexican war, and his two brothers in the late war. His father 
 was a model soldier six feet tall, and an officer in the old Vermont State militia. 
 
 Williams, William, a farmer of Northville, was born in Hope, Hamilton county, a son' 
 of Tunis and Geta (Conklin) Williams, natives of the above county. His maternal" 
 
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ts6 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 grandparents were among the pioneers of the town and county, and they died at 
 an advanced age. His father was a farmer and lumberman and held several offices in 
 the town. He died at the age of eighty-six years. Mr. Williams was the eighth in a 
 family of eleven children, six of whom are now living. He was reared on the farm 
 and educated at the common schools, and has followed farming and lumbering, owning 
 a farm of 100 acres under a good state of cultivation. Having attended strictly to 
 home matters he has accumulated a fine property. In politics he is a Democrat. De- 
 ■cember 18, 1867, he married Fidelia Walthart, born September 24, 1842, a daughter of 
 Christopher and Mary (Robinson) Walthart, of Northampton. Her father was a native 
 ■of Switzerland and came to this county with his parents in early life. He was a car- 
 penter. Her mother was a native of this county. Mrs. Williams' grandfather Robin- 
 son was in the war of 1812 and was a pensioner. Her great-grandfather was in the 
 revolutionary war. They have three children, Dora, Jessie and Lola (deceased). 
 
 Wilsey, Charles G., Johnstown, was born February 20, 1844, at East Springfield, 
 a,nd was educated in the common schools. He is a contractor and builder by occupa- 
 tion. On the 2d of July, 1868, he married at Cherry Valley, Laura E., only daughter 
 of Elijah Bush, of the town of Ames, Montgomery county. They afterwards moved 
 to this town. They have" only one daughter living, Hattie M., who was born on the 
 16th of April, 1870. She has attended the East Springfield Academy, Otsego county. 
 The ancestry of the family .is Dutch and Scotch. 
 
 The Wilson Family. — John Wilson, a native of Scotland, came to America in the 
 latter part of the eighteenth century, and settled in the town of Johnstown, where he 
 raised a family of five children, namely : Victor, Jacob, John T., Jane and Elizabeth. 
 Victor was born in Johnstown but removed to Jefferson county and raised a family 
 there, but they now all reside in Gloversville. The sons all raised families, as did also 
 Jane, wh'o married John Van Nostrand, and had thirteen children, many of the de- 
 scendants of whom are now living in Fulton county. Elizabeth married John North- 
 rup and moved to Jefferson county, this State. Victor also moved to Jefferson county 
 and raised a family of children, of which Willard Wilson was the oldest. The latte 
 was born in the town of Johnstown, in 1817, and accompanied his father to Jefferson 
 county, but returned while still a young man, and married Catharine Stoner, a daugh- 
 ter of Jeremiah Stoner, and a granddaughter of Nicholas Stoner, famous as one of the 
 early trappers and Indian fighters of New York. Willard raised a family of seven 
 children, namely : John T., deceased ; Nicholas D. ; Elizabeth, now the wife of James 
 Q. Brown, of Gloversville ; Ella ; Anna, married Cornelius Howland and resides at Sar- 
 atoga Springs ; Willard, jr., and Mark. Nicholas D., who was born March 15, 1846, 
 and married Katie Shaffer, January 12, 1870. Their children have been Arthur, Fred 
 and Mabel. Arthur died in infanoy. 
 
 Windsor, William, Johnstown, was born in Yeovil, Somersetshire, England, August 
 6, 1841. He was educated in the public schools, and was by occupation a glove cut- 
 ter, but on coming' to this country engaged in manufacture. In October, 1863, he 
 married Sarah, third daughter of Jesse Baker, of England, and they had five sons and 
 four daughters : George W., who married May Fleming and resides in Buffalo, and is a 
 
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FAMILY SKETCHES. 157 
 
 member of the Niagara Whip Company ; John, a glove cutter, resides with his parents ; 
 Arthur A. is junior member of the firm of William Windsor & Son, glove manufactur- 
 ers; he married Rosamund D., only daughter of the lateWilliam Argersinger; Wilham, 
 jr., is a glove cutter for the above firm, and the daughters are Kate, Lillian, Amy 
 and Ada. One son died in infancy (Charles Windsor). Four of the children were born 
 in the United States, and five in England. 
 
 Winney, Gardner, proprietor of the " Winney House,"' of Northville, one of the 
 most popular resorts in this section of the State, was born in Saratoga county, March 
 7, 1836, and is a son of Nathan and Elizabeth (Boyce) Winney, who were natives of 
 Saratoga county. They are of Dutch descent, both of the grandfathers coming from 
 Holland and settling in this country when young men. They were farmers. G-ardner 
 Winnie was also in early life a farmer. He came to Northville in 1867 and engaged in 
 the hotel business, enjoying an extensive patronage, and reaping, a bountiful return for 
 bis hospitality. His place is the most commodious north of Gloversville in a large ex- 
 tent of the country, and is a very popular resort in the summer season for tourists. 
 Mr. Winney is a staunch Republican and a member of the Masonic order. June 29, 1868, 
 he married Melissa Hinckley, of Northville, daughter of George and Rosina (Cowles) 
 Hinckley, old residents of this place. Mr. and Mrs. Winney have had no children. Mr. 
 Winney was in Company D, 25th New York Cavalry, enhsting in February, 1864, and 
 remaining till the close of the war. He had also three brothers in the Service ; Robert 
 B., John C. and Frank M. They all saw good service, and came through without 
 wounds. Mr. Winney is one of the public spirited men of the place, and interested in 
 the material growth and improvement of the village. 
 
 Wood, Daniel F., Stratford, was born in Stratford, July 25, 1862, a son of Ezra D. 
 Wood, whose father was Daniel, a native of Massachusetts, who came to Stratford 
 with his father when six years old. The father of Daniel was Isaac, whom we have 
 ■elsewhere mentioned. Daniel was born in Cheshire, April 23, 1800. He married De- 
 maris Butler, a native of Vermont, and to them two children were born. After her 
 •death he married Huldah Jennings, and after her death he married Crete McLoth, in 
 1866. She was a native of Massachusetts, and died March 23, 1872. Mr. Wood died 
 in 1882, while on a visit to Michigan. Ezra Wood was born in Stratford, January 22, 
 1829, was educated in the common schools and at Fairfield. He taught school for 
 eleven winters, and was also a farmer and lumberman. July 7, 1859, he married Au- 
 gusta M. Schuyler, a native of Ingham's Mills, N. Y., by whom he had these children : 
 Daniel F., Annie L. (deceased), George S., Ettie M. His wife died in 1882, and he 
 married second, Carrie J. Birdseye, of Trenton, Oneida county, and they had one child, 
 Annie P. Ezra Wood, for the last ten years, has resided in Oneida county. While in 
 Stratford he held all the town offices except supervisor. He was a Good Templar and 
 a Granger, and was for many years a Baptist. Daniel F. Wood was in early life en- 
 gaged in the manufacture of lumber, and latterly has manufactured clothes pins. In 
 1882 he married Mary L. Jones, a native of Herkimer county, born June 16, 1861, a 
 daughter of Henry and Drucilla (Hayes) Jones. Her father came from Prospect, 
 Oneida county, in 1860, and settled in Salisbury. They had two children. Mr. Jones 
 
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iS8 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNl Y. 
 
 ■was killed by the falling of a tree in 1863. To Mr. Wood and wife has been born one 
 son, Schuyler A., born May 14, 1883. Of recent years'Mr. Wood has been a farmer 
 and lumberman. He was elected justice of the peace in 1891. He and his wife are 
 Baptists. 
 
 Wood, James E., a glove manufacturer of Mayfield, was born in this town January 
 10, 1839, and is a son of Jeremiah and Thankful (Hewitt) Wood. His father was born 
 in Grreenfield, Saratoga county, in 1801, and was a farmer, and his father was Jonathan, 
 of English parentage and a settler in Connecticut. Jeremiah Wood came to Mayfield 
 in 1826. He had been a missionary, and with two brothers was a clergyman of the 
 Presbyterian church. He became pastor of that church at Mayfield in 1826, and con- 
 tinued in that capacity until his death in 1876. He was the arbitrator and frequently 
 medical adviser of the place for many years, and a man of great influence. The moth- 
 er's people came from Connecticut in 1801. She died in 1886,.a very estimable woman. 
 Mr. Wood was educated at the district schools and at Eingsboro Academy, and soon 
 engaged m the manufacture, of gloves. After some years he engaged in farming and 
 lumbering, at which he continued for several years, when he again, in the fall of 1886, 
 began glove manufacturing and is still in that business, under the firm of Wood & Wil- 
 kins. Mr. Wood has been successful in all his business enterprises. He owns a nice 
 farm, as well as considerable real estate in the village. In 1868 he married Catherine,, 
 daughter of James Titcomb, of Amsterdam, and they have three children : Jeremiah, 
 Catherine E., and James Hewitt. Mr. Wood is a Republican in politics. He has been 
 town clerk for six years, supervisor for three years, and has held other important 
 local offices. He and his wife have been members of the Presbyterian church since 
 early life. 
 
 Wood, Levi, Stratford, was born in Stratford, Fulton county, February 7, 1812. He 
 is a son of Isaac Wood, a native of Cheshire, Mass. The father of Isaac was Nathan, a 
 native of England, who, with two brothers, came to America in an early day, Daniel 
 settling in Massachusetts, where he engaged in farming. He had three sons and six 
 daughters. Isaac was born August 21, 1773. He married Rhoda Mason, who was 
 born April 18, 1777, and they had two daughters and nine sons. In 1804 Isaac came 
 to Stratford, where he lived until his death in 1861. His wife survived him two years. 
 He was in the war of 1812. He filled the offices of supervisor, poor master, assessor 
 and highway commissioner. Levi Wood received a common school education, was 
 reared on a farm, and in 1837 he married Caroline, daughter of William B. Jennings, a 
 native of Connecticut, and one of the early settlers of Stratford, coming about 1809. 
 He had two brothers, who also came to Stratford, Jesse and Ephraim, and one sister, 
 Huldah. Mr. Jennings was a prominent farmer and a man of good education. He was^ 
 justice of the peace eight years. His death occurred in 1871. To Levi Wood and wife 
 have been born eight children : William, who was drowned at the age of twelve years ; 
 Nathan, Sarah, Julia, Charles, Jane, Clark and Flora. Mr. Wood was traveling sales- 
 man for twenty years, and has since followed farming. \ He has been constable six 
 years. The wife of our subject died in 1860, and August 5, 1874, he married Eliza. 
 House, of Oppenheim. Her father was Henry House, an early settler and farmer of 
 
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FAMILY SKETCHES. 159 
 
 that town. He was a very constant member of the Reformed Church of Tonkers Bush 
 at Oppenheim. He held the office of deacon for twenty years in that church, also of 
 •commissioner and assessor. 
 
 Wood, William Clark, Gloversville, was born on the 22d of October, 1858, at Lyons, 
 Wayne county. His father was a lawyer and likewise a prominent man in state poli- 
 tics. William was educated at the Wolcott union free school, and the Albany city 
 schools, where he resided with his father during the latter's incumbency of state office. 
 He read medicine with Drs. A. P. Crafts, of Wolcott, and James S. Bailey and John 
 Swinburne, of Albany. He entered the Albany Medical College in March, 1876, and 
 graduated with the class of '80. For eight months Dr. Wood practiced medicine at 
 Wolcott, but was for eighteen months one of the house stafiF in the hospital at Albany. 
 In 1882 he came to Gloversville, practicing for one year with Dr. Isaac DeZousche, 
 t)ut since that time without a partner. Dr. Wood's practice is general to the profes- 
 sion, but his special work lies in the treatment of throat, nose and ear diseases. 
 
 Wooster, Lemuel, G-loversville, was born in Plymouth, N. H., December 22, 1811, 
 and was the son of David and Polly (Woodbury) Wooster ; the eldest of their twelve 
 children. During his early manhood Mr. Wooster learned the carpenter's trade, but 
 his chief business in life has been that of building and constructing railroads in Ver- 
 mont, New York, and some of the western states. The Wooster family came to Al- 
 bany county about 1814, since which time our subject has lived in this part of New 
 York. About 1837 he located at Amsterdam and resided there until 1865, when he 
 moved to Gloversville. At the latter place he has cut gloves, and at one time was in- 
 terested in lumbering at Newkirk's Mills. He is now retired from active business life. 
 In 1837 Mr. W. married Emeline Foster, by whom he had seven children. They are 
 all dead. In politics Mr. Wooster was formerly a Democrat, but since Mr. Lincoln's 
 time he has allied himself with the Prohibition party. He is a member of the Baptist 
 ■church of Gloversville. 
 
 Wooster, William E., Johnstown, was born on the 15th of February, 1840, in New 
 York, and came with his parents to this county when but five years old. They located 
 in Kingsboro, now Gloversville, and he was educated in the public schools, supplemented 
 by academic instruction. In early life he was a clerk in his father's store, but at the 
 age of twenty he became a clerk in the post-office at Gloversville and afterwards a 
 commercial traveler. On the 21st of June, 1865, he married Olive M., oldest daughter 
 of the late Daniel Stewart, of Johnstown. Mr. Wooster is a gentleman of leisure. 
 
 Wright, Dr. Frank N., a practicing physician in Northville, was born at Niagara Falls, 
 April 10, 1852. He received his education at Adrian, Mich., and at Fort Plain Semi- 
 nary. He studied medicine with his father in New York city and attended one 
 course of lectures at Bellevue Hospital Medical College. He then entered the Eclectic 
 Medical College, where he graduated in 1875, having attended a three years course. 
 He at once entered upon the practice of his profession at Northville, where he has since 
 been actively and extensively employed. The doctor has built one of the most impos- 
 ing brick buildings in the village, in which he has a very tastily arranged office. He is 
 
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i6o HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 a Republican, and was the first county committee man from his town. He is also a 
 Mason and belongs to the order of Red Men. He is unmarried. His father, ^r. Nor- 
 man L. Wright, has been a physician for seventy years and is still in practice. His 
 grandfather Wright was a Presbyterian clergyman and his maternal grandfather Weiz- 
 ner was a Baptist clergyman. 
 
 Yanney, Charles, Ephratah, was born September 12, 1848, in Ephratah. He was a 
 son of Henry Yanney, also a native of Ephratah, and a tanner and shoemaker by trade. 
 The latter married Lydia A., daughter of John and Margaret Mead, natives of New 
 York, and they had three sons, Hiram, Albert, and Charles, who is the only, one now 
 living. Henry died September 18, 1862, when Charles was fourteen years of age, and 
 the latter commenced work in the woolen mills, and afterwards started out in the mer- 
 cantile business in his native town, where he has since been a resident and merchant. 
 He has also been postmaster for ten years. September 12, 1872, Mr. Yanney married 
 Isabel McLaughlin, who is of Scotch descent, a daughter of John and Johanna Mc- 
 Laughlin. Mr. Yanney is a member of the M. B. Church. 
 
 Yanney, Isaiah, Johnstown, was born in Johnstown on the 7th of May, 1826, and 
 was educated in the common schools and Johnstown Academy, and was a farmer by 
 occupation. On the 30th of August, 1870, he married Mary B., fourth daughter of 
 Thomas A. and Hannah Clark, of Chittenango, Madison county. They have five chil- 
 dren, three daughters and two sons : Kate C, Irene M., Henry P., Margaret, and Guy 
 W. Mr. Yanney's father, Philip, was born on the old homestead, August 17, 1796, and 
 married Maria Lasher. They had five children, two sons and three daughters. His 
 grandfather, Henry Yanney, came from New Jersey and married Elizabeth Kline. Mr. 
 Yanney has been president of the Agricultural Society and its secretary. His grand- 
 father, Henry, was in the Revolutionary War and was taken prisoner and sent to Can- 
 ada and released on close of hostilities. Major Henry, jr., was a soldier of 1812. The 
 ancestors of the family on each side came from Alsace and Strassburg. 
 
 Yanney, John, M. D., Ephratah, born in Sammonsville, is a son of James and Han- 
 nah (Bedford) Yanney, elsewhere mentioned in this work. When he was one year of 
 age his parents came to Ephratah. Dr. Yanney was educated in the common schools 
 of Ephratah, and afterwards took a medical course at Albany Medical College, grad- 
 uating in June, 1857. He first practiced his profession in Herkimer county, and later 
 on spent four years in the drug business in Kentucky. He has for many years prac- 
 ticed medicine in Ephratah, and has also carried on farming quite extensively. In Jan- 
 uary, 1871, he married Margaret M. Van Arnam, oldest child of Thomas B. and Eva M. ' 
 (Pratt) Van Arnam, natives of Albany. The children of Dr. Yanney and wife are 
 Thomas V., who is now at Union College ; Benjamin E. ; and Eva M., the latter two 
 living at home. 
 
 Yanney, Levi, Ephratah, was born in Ephratah, June 28, 1832. His father, James 
 Yanney, was born in Johnstown, September 10, 1800, received a common school edu- 
 cation and took up the occupation of a farmer. In 1821 he married Hannah Bedford,, 
 youngest child of Daniel and Hannah Bedford, of English descent, who were very early 
 settlers of Dutchess county. They had nine children, of whom two died in infancy. 
 
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FAMILY SKETCHES. i6i 
 
 In 1829 he came to Ephratak where he engaged in farming and the manufacture of 
 woolen goods, being very successful. In November, 1838, he was elected member of 
 Assembly, being the first member after the organization of the county of Fulton. His 
 death occured in May, 1888. Levi received a common school education, supplemented 
 by several terms in the Academy. He married Lucinda, youngest daughter of David 
 and Margaret (Passage) Pratt, of Albany county. The family were of English descent, 
 and among the earliest settlers of Massachusetts. Mr. Yanney has an extensive dairy 
 business and is engaged in the manufacture of woolen goods since 1862. He has been 
 supervisor of his township for two terms, 1876 and 1888. 
 
 Tanney, Persse, Ephratah, born July 3, 1837, in Palatine, is a son of James and Han- 
 nah (Bedford) Yanney. Persse received a common school education, and has been en- 
 gaged in farming and mercantile business. Also for a number of years he has been a 
 traveling salesman for Levi Yanney. February 1, 1866, he married Susan, daughter of 
 Samuel Hodges, a native of England. To Mr. Yanney and wife have been born three 
 sons and four daughters: Estella, Kattie, Samuel D., Sarah, Arthur, Grace, and Roy, all 
 living except Samuel D., who died aged seventeen years. During the war Mr. Yanney 
 engaged in the naval service ; he also recruited thirty-five men for the lo3d N. Y. 
 Vols., expending $300 tor the same. He received an honorable discharge at expiration 
 of term of service. He now resides on the homestead at Ephratah. 
 
 Yost, Peter T., Johnstown, was born in the town of Johnstown, July 31, 1814, and 
 was educated in the public schools, supplemented by several terms at the Academy. 
 He is a farmer by occupation. March 30, 1842, he married Elizabeth Wallace, of his 
 native town, and their children who survive are Richard, George and Wallace. Rich- 
 ard married Adda L. Shuman, of Tennesee ; George married Caroline (Gregory) Boyd, 
 Wallace is with his parents on the homestead. Nicholas, father of Peter T., was born 
 in Albany in 1786 and was a farmer. In 1807 he married Esther Sammons, of Johns- 
 town, and they had seven children : Julia, George, Richard, Peter T., Mary, Ruth C, 
 and Daniel. The family is of Dutch and German ancestry. 
 
 Youker, William H., Oppenheim, was born in Oppenheim, August 19, 1831, the young- 
 son of eleven children of Jacob and Anne E. Youker. The father of Jacob was Jacob 
 sr., and his father was the first Youker who settled in Oppenheim, at a place afterwards 
 named Youker Bush. The grandfather participated in the Revolutionary War, having 
 been taken prisoner, but afterwards escaping. He died in the above town at the age of 
 ninety-two. The first wife of Jacob, sr., was a Miss Duesler, and the second a Miss 
 Mosher. Jacob, jr., was born in Oppenheim in June, 1782, was a prosperous farmer, 
 and by trade a tailor. He died May 2, 1850. William H. was reared on a farm and 
 educated in the public schools of the state. He has followed farming and the manufac- 
 ture of cheese. He built the first cheese factory in the county, and has had it in suc- 
 cessful operation for many years. October 12, 1854, he married Catherine, daughter 
 of John Vedder, by whom he had three children : William V., (deceased) ; Frances A., 
 who married Jeremiah Timmerman, and resides in Herkimer county, and Willard J., 
 who married Florence L. Vedder. 
 
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i62 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 
 
 Young, C. S., and Alonzo M., Johnstown. Ha/vey Young, their father, was born 
 on March 25, 1810, and was educated in the schools of his day, and became a merchant 
 tailor in Johnstown. On the 14th of April, 1834, he married Lydia Coflfin, by whom he 
 had four children, three sons and one daughter, namely, Elizabeth C, who resides with 
 her brother, Charles S. James M. was a soldier in the late war in the 115th New York 
 State Volunteers, and died eight days after his arrival home. Charles S. is a merchant 
 and clothier and dealer in men's furnishing goods. Alonzo M. is a book-keeper in the 
 Johnstown Bank. On the 22d of October, 1873, he married Henrietta Fancher. They 
 have two children, a son and a daughter Ada M., and Charles S. 
 
 Young, Everett, Ephratah, was born in Ephratah, July 20, 1848, a son of Peleg and 
 Vercylla (Shaw) Young, who reared eight children. Peleg was the son of an early set- 
 tler of Fulton county, who was a minister. He died m the same town. * Peleg was a 
 farmer and spent most of his life in Ephratah. He and his wife w^re Six Principle 
 Baptists. He died March 6, 1888, and his wife November 9, 1887, aged seventy-nine 
 years. Mr. Young received a common School education and was reared on a farm. He 
 engaged in mercantile business, which he continued for several years, and at present 
 has a store in connection with his other business. He has also been engaged in the 
 manufacture of paper, though his present business is chiefly lumber. He is the owner 
 of 700 acres of land, and also owns a saw and planing-mill. July 23, 1883, he married 
 Amy Everest, daughter of Isaac M. Everest, of Caroga, N. Y. Mr. Everest was born 
 in Ephratah, and married Esther Snell, by whom he had six children. He has been 
 a miller and traveling salesman. He is a member of Garoga Lodge No. 300, F. & A. 
 M. and Johnstown Chapter No. 78. Mr. Young is a member of Garoga Lodge No. 300, 
 F. & A. M., and both he and his wife are Baptists. 
 
 Young, James K., Johnstown, was born in Berne, Albany county, June 18, 1848, 
 and came with his parents to Johnstown when ten years of age. He was educated in 
 the public schools and began the study of medicine with his father in 1870, aud gradu- 
 ated from the Albany Medical College in March, 1875. He practiced in Montgomery 
 county for five years, then came to Johnstown in November, 1880. On December 6, 
 1876, he married E. Jennie, second daughter of Edward and Eliza Williams, of Cana- 
 joharie. They have two children, Laura H. and AnnaO. Dr. Young's father, William 
 S., was born at the old homestead and married Esther Kilbourn, of Knox (formerly of 
 Connecticut), and they had six children. The ancestry of the family is Scotch and 
 Welsh. 
 
 Younglove, James I., Johnstown, was born on the 13th day of October, 1850, and 
 was educated in the union schools and at Cornell University. He has been one of 
 Johnstown's leading lumber merchants for twenty-two years. On the 18th of October, 
 1882, he married Suzette, oldest daughter of the late J. J. Riton, of Johnstown. They 
 have two children, both sons, namely : William J., born on the first day of January, 
 1884, and David, born on the 9th of May, 1889. Mr. Younglove's father, James, was 
 born on the 7th of February, 1821, and married Mary A. Davies, of the town of Ephra- 
 tah, by whom he had three children : Annie S., James I., and Mary B., who married 
 
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FAMILY SKETCHES. 163. 
 
 Robert J. Evans. The Rev. John Younglove came to America from Scotland about 
 1640, and Isaiah Younglove, great-great-grandfather of James I., in the month of April 
 1772, came from New Jersey with a family of six sons and six daughters, and located 
 at Cambridge, now Washington county. Five of his sons were in the Revolutionary 
 War, three of whom were taken to Canada as prisoners of war. Isaiah, jr., was the 
 first to return and gave important information to General Schuyler respecting the 
 strength and intentioqs of the British. The youngest brother, Samuel, was one of the 
 life guards of General Clinton and took part in the Hall battle. Mr. Younglove is a 
 member of St. Patrick's Lodge No. 4 F. & A. M. of Johnstown, of Johnstown Chapter 
 78, Johnstown Council and Holy Cross Commandery of Gloversville. The ancestry of 
 the family are of various nationalities, Scotch, French, German, Welsh and Swiss. 
 
 Ellsworth, Philip, was born in Mayfield, July 8, 1836. His father was also named 
 Philip, a son of Gideon, who married Prudy Ann Ellsworth. Philip's great-grand- 
 father was a native of England and settled very early in Mayfield ; his name was Wil- 
 liam. Gideon and Prudy Ann Ellsworth had children : John, Philip, Samuel, David, 
 Prudy Ann and Maria. Philip, father of the subject, had children: John, Susan Ann, 
 Francis, Dyer, Hannah, George, Benjamin, Philip, and Warren. After reaching his 
 majority Philip Ellsworth worked in a leather mill three years, worked at glove cutting 
 in Galway two years, and then came to Gloversville and worked eleven years for J. C. 
 Leonard & Co. Began manufacturing in 1870, continued seven years, then went into 
 the knitting business and continued four years. Closed out and went to Colorado in 
 cattle business, which continued three years. He then came back to Gloversville and 
 has carried on manufacturing gloves since. He married, December 19, 1866, Elizabeth 
 Allen of West Galway. They have no children. 
 
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INDEX 
 
 Abercrombie, General, 50 et seq. 
 Academic department Gloversville Union 
 
 school, list of teachers in, 355. 
 Academy, Johnstown, 249. 
 A.dair, Rev. John M., 353. 
 Adams, Dr. William, 210. 
 Agricultural fair, early, 176. 
 
 Society, Fulton County, 176. 
 officers of, 177. 
 Aix-la-Chapelle, treaty of, 42. 
 Allen, Edwin, 467. 
 
 Lauren M., 217. 
 Alvord, Hallock C, 205. 
 Anderson, Frank L., 200. 
 Anibal, Lee S., 206. 
 
 Nelson H., 203. 
 
 Robert P., 196. 
 
 biography of, 630. 
 portrait of, facing 630. 
 Anne, Queen, accession of, 37. 
 Anthonyville, 523. 
 Argersinger, 0. E., 281. 
 
 James P., 272, 279, 280, 285. 
 
 Philetus P., 282. 
 Armstrong, Rev. John Z., 391. 
 Atrocities of Sir John Johnson's raid, 95 
 
 et seq. 
 Aubert, French discoverer, 23. 
 Avery, Jerome A., 218. 
 
 Bach, Christian G., early tanner, 169. 
 Baker, A. D. L., 175, 176, 202, 351, 366, 
 403. 
 
 Thomas B., 285. 
 Balcom, Lafayette, 221. 
 Ball, Charles H., 245, 285. 
 Ballantine, C. M., 368. 
 Bank. Fulton County National, 374. 
 
 Fulton County Savings, Johnstown, 
 282. 
 
 Johnstown, 281. 
 
 Manufacturers' and Merchants', 376. 
 
 People's, Johnstown, 279. 
 
 Banker, Nicholas M., 205. 
 
 Bar of Fulton county, 187 et seq. 
 
 the present, 194 et seq. 
 Barker, David N., 217. 
 
 M. E., 207. 
 
 W. F., 174 
 Bayarc?, Edward, 188. 
 Baylies, Edwin, 197. 
 Beach, Eugene, 217. 
 Beakley, George F., 282. 
 Bedford, Arthur D., 240. 
 Beebe, Frank, 219. 
 Bellows, Edwin P., 204. 
 Benedict's Corners, 505. 
 Benton, S. B., 174. 
 Berry, Dr. James, 214. 
 Biography of Anibal, Robert P., 630. 
 
 Blunck, Albert E., 632. 
 
 Burdick, Francis, M. D., 592. 
 
 Cameron, Dr. Richard H., 620. 
 
 Caten, Lawton, 615. 
 
 Collins, William Burtis, 622. 
 
 Cuyler, David H., 633. 
 
 Dudley, James M., 625. 
 
 Fraser, Mclntyre, 575. 
 
 Furbeck, Peter R., M. D., 606: 
 
 Hays, Daniel, 588. 
 
 Heacock Family, the, 584. 
 
 Heacock, Willard J.. 586. 
 
 Ireland, John S., 628. 
 
 Jordan, Clark L., 626. 
 
 Kasson, A. J., 597. 
 
 Keck, Jeremiah, 608. 
 
 Keck, Philip, 623. 
 
 Kennedy, Martin, 629. 
 
 Littauer, Nathan, 577. 
 
 Ne'lis, Andrew J., 600. 
 
 Northrup, James Louis, 580. 
 
 Place, Uriah Morris, 591. 
 
 Place, William H., 617. 
 
 Ross, Hervey, 621. 
 
 Shotwell, Samuel H., 595. 
 
 Smith, Horace E., 564. 
 
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INDEX. 
 
 ^6S 
 
 Biography of Snyder, William S. 587. 
 
 Stewart, Daniel, 594. 
 
 Stewart, John, 603. 
 
 Welch, Nathaniel W., 604. 
 
 Wells, David A., 598. 
 
 Wells, John, 582. 
 
 Wells, John E., 579. 
 
 Wright, Horton D., 624. 
 
 Young, Dr. William S., 621. 
 Bissell, Daniel A., 220. 
 Blair, Emmet, 207. 
 Blake, Charles R., 219. 
 
 John P., 218, 
 Bleecker, early settlers of, 562. 
 
 extract from town records of, 564. 
 
 topography of, 560. 
 
 town officers of, 565. 
 
 village, 563. 
 Blunck, Albert K, 283. 
 
 biography of, 632. 
 portrait of, facing 284. 
 Board, William, 245. 
 Bourn, Rev. A. W., 398. 
 Bowen, Charles C, 353. 
 Boyce, Linn L., 206. 
 Braddock's expeditions, 44 et seq. 
 Brant, Mohawk chief, 85. 
 Breda, treaty of peace of, 33. 
 Briggs, Charles G., 220. 
 
 William T., 282. 
 Broadalbin, Baptist church at, 496. 
 
 business interests of, 493. 
 
 early settlers of, 485. 
 
 First Christian church in, 505. 
 
 First Presbyterian church at, 499. 
 
 Free Reading Room, 503. 
 
 EeraLd, 492. 
 
 Kennyetto Fire Company of, 494. 
 
 Knitting Company, 493. 
 
 Masonic Societies in, 503. 
 
 Episcopal church at, 502. 
 
 post-office, 494. 
 
 railroad from, to Mayfield, 494. 
 
 Summer House Point in, 490. 
 
 topography of, 483. 
 town officers, 506. 
 records of, 489. 
 village, 491. 
 Brockway. C. W., 414. 
 Bronk, Marvin, 277. 
 Brooks, Peter, 188. 
 Brown, A. D., 353. 
 Brown, L. K., 403. 
 
 S. A., 207. 
 Buchanan, J. J., 277. 
 
 Burdick, Dr. Francis, 215. 
 biography of, 592. 
 portrait of, facing 214. 
 John E., 217. 
 Burr, George C, 377. 
 Marcellus G., 370. 
 Nathaniel, 225. 
 Burton, Elias C, 353. 
 Frank, 204, 278: 
 S. Elmore, 272. 
 Burying-ground, the old, in Johnstown, 
 
 270. 
 Butler's patent, 59. 
 
 Cady, Daniel, 183, 190, et seq. 
 portrait of, facing 190. 
 John W., 190.- 
 Cahill, John F., 280. 
 Cameron, Richard H., 217. 
 biography of, 620. 
 Campaign of 1758, 50, et seq. 
 Campbell, Daniel W., 277. 
 Carleton, Major, capture of Fort Ann and 
 
 Fort George by, 103. 
 Caroga, early settlers of, 567. 
 topography of, 566. 
 town officers of, 568. 
 Carroll, Fred L., 272. 
 Cartier, Jacques, 23. 
 Oaten, Lawton. 173-176, 278. 
 biography of, 615. 
 portrait of, facing 172. 
 Caughnawaga, division of, 114. 
 Cemetery Association, Johnstown, 271. 
 Chace, Alonzo, 201. 
 Chadbourne, G. S., 353. 
 Chamberlain, Benjamin, 188. 
 Caroline Parker, 219. 
 Otis K, 219. 
 Chambers, Dr. William, 215. 
 Champlain, Samuel de, 24. 
 Charters of New York and Pennsylvania, 
 
 57. 
 Cheedle, Dr. Elijah, 214. 
 Church, Baptist, at Broada'bin, 495. 
 at Johnstown, 267 et seq. 
 at Northville, 470. 
 Central Presbyterian, at Mayfield, 
 
 518. 
 Christ Protestant Episcopal Mission, 
 
 at Gloversville, 400. 
 Christian, at Cranberry Creek, 481. 
 Congregational, at Gloversville, 398. 
 East Fulton Street Methodist Episco- 
 pal, at Gloversville, 394. 
 
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1 66 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 Church, Evangelical Methodist,at Bleecker, 
 564. 
 First Baptist, at Gloversville, 395. 
 First Christian, at Broadalbin, 505. 
 First Methodist Episcopal, at Glovers- 
 ville, 387. 
 First Presbyterian, at Broadalbin, 
 499. 
 
 at Gloversville, 388. 
 Fremont Street Methodist Episco- 
 pal, at Gloversville, 391. 
 Hemlock," at Broadalbin, 506. 
 Lutheran, at Bleecker, 564. 
 Methodist Episcopal, at Bleecker, 564. 
 at Broadalbin, 502. 
 at Caroga, 568. 
 at Cranberry Creek, 481. 
 at Ephratah, 536. 
 at Johnstown, 264. 
 at Lassellsville, 538. 
 at Mayfield, 519. 
 at Northampton village, 478. 
 at Northville, 469. 
 at Osbor'n's Bridge, 480. 
 at Rockvrood, 555. 
 North Main Street Methodist Episco- 
 pal, at Gloversville, 393. 
 Presbyterian, at Johnstovrn, 2 fd 
 seq. 
 
 of Kingsboro, 479 et seq. 
 
 pastors and officers of, 384. 
 at Northampton village, 477. 
 at Northville, 472. 
 at West Galway, 554. 
 Reformed, at Ephratah, 537. 
 St. James English Evangelical Lu- 
 theran, at Gloversville, 401. 
 St. John's Episcopal, at Johnstown, 
 
 250 et seq. 
 St Mary's Roman Catholic, at Glov- 
 ersville, 395. 
 St. Patrick's, at Johnstown, 269. 
 St. Paul's Lutheran, at Johnstown, 
 
 261 et seq. 
 Union, at Lassellsville, 539. 
 Union, at Oppenheim, 545. 
 United Presbyterian of Broadalbin, 
 at Perth, 550. 
 
 at Johnstown, 269. 
 at West Galway, 554. 
 Churchill & Co., introducers of the sewing 
 
 machine in glove making, 162. 
 Civil list of Fulton county, 122. 
 
 of Tryon and Montgomery 
 counties, 115. 
 
 Claims, foundation of French and English,. 
 38. 
 
 to territory, three, 25. 
 Clark, Walter N., 282. 
 Claus patent, the, 60. 
 Cline, John W., 272, 281. 
 Clinton, Governor, 42. 
 Closeville, 523. 
 Clowe, Charles F., 220. 
 Cobleskill, Indian attack upon, 93. 
 Code of Procedure, 182. 
 Collins tract, the, 59. 
 
 William B., 414. 
 
 biography of, 622. 
 portrait of, facing 414. 
 Colonization schgmes, 23. 
 Columbus, Christopher, 22. 
 Committee of safety, meeting of, 80. 
 Condition of the Mohawk vallev in 1812.. 
 
 117. 
 Coons, Eugene H., 219. 
 Copeland, L. H., 201. 
 Corwin, Miss Emily, 357. 
 Coughnet, James H., 275. 
 Council and committees of safety, 83. 
 Counties, erection of, 113. 
 County buildings and Sir John Johnson's- 
 claim, 112. 
 
 removal of, 17. 
 
 change of name of, 112. 
 
 Court, 183. 
 
 organization, 121. 
 Court-house and jail, the first, 112. 
 Court of Appeals, 180. 
 
 of Chancery, 181. 
 Courts, arrangement and powers of the, 
 179, it seq. 
 
 organization of, in Fulton county, 186, 
 
 the first, 178. 
 Cowles, Daniel F., 377. 
 Craig, Horatio, 217. 
 Cranberry Creek. 481. 
 Cross, Charles O!, 279, 280. 
 
 James H., 278, 279. 
 CuUings, M. Helen, 220. 
 Cummings, Curtis S., 377. 
 Cunningham, Henry, 188 it seq. 
 Cuyler, David H., biography of, 633. 
 portrait of, facing 142. 
 
 Dailey, Lawrence J., 221. 
 Daily Republican, Johnstown, 283. 
 Davidson, William R., 281. 
 Davis J. Frank, 350. 
 William, 219. 
 
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INDEX\ 
 
 x6t 
 
 Dawley, Elias, 225. 
 Day, Dr. John B., 214. 
 Decker, John H., 280, 282. 
 De Courcelles, Lord, expedition of, 33. 
 De Frontenac, Count, 34. 
 De la Barre, administration of, 34. 
 De Lancey, Governor, 42. 
 Delawares and Five Nations, the, 28. 
 Democrat, Fulton county, 282. 
 Denonville, treachery of, 34. 
 Denton's Corners, 480. 
 Deplorable condition of the Mohawk val- 
 ley after Johnson's raids, 105. 
 Depredations of French and Indians, 41. 
 Dewey, Burnet H., 281. 
 De Zouche, Isaac, 218. 
 Discoveries, early, 22 et seq. 
 Dies, cutting, for gloves, 163. 
 Disturbing elements in the settlement of 
 
 the Mohawk valley, 75. 
 Dodge, William I., 188. 
 Dolgeville, 546. 
 Donnan, George R., 355. 
 Dorn, Eli J., 281. 
 Douglass; John M., 277. 
 Donw, Dr. Volkert, 213. 
 Drake, D. D., 220. 
 
 John a, 217. 
 Drury, James H., 205. 
 
 John M., 207. 
 
 M. Francis, 220. 
 Dudley, Edgar S., 272. 
 
 Harwood, 198. 
 
 James M., 192, et seq. 
 biography of, 625. 
 portrait of, facing 192. 
 Dutch claim to territory, 26. 
 
 dominion, end of, 26. 
 
 West India Company, 25. 
 Dye, Daniel C, 219. 
 
 Edwards, John, 217. 
 
 Effect of parliamentary measures on the 
 
 colonies, 76. 
 Eggleston, F., 403. 
 
 Jerome, 203, 351. 
 Eisenbrey, Edward H., 217. 
 Elders, list of, of Presbyterian church at 
 
 Johnstown, 261. 
 Ely, William A., 245. 
 Emmonsburgh, 559. 
 English claim to territory, 25. 
 
 influence upon the Indians during the 
 Revolutionary war, 85. 
 
 retaliation, 35. 
 
 settlement at Johnstown, 25. 
 
 Enmity between the French and Iroquois, 
 
 causes of the, 32. 
 Enos, John S., 200. 
 Ephratah, church liistory of, 532. 
 
 early settlers of, 527. 
 
 first town meeting in, 540. 
 
 Methodist Episcopal church at, 536. ' 
 
 topography of, 526. 
 
 town officers of, 539. 
 
 Reformed church at, 537. 
 
 village, 530. 
 
 business interests of, 531. 
 postal history of, 531. 
 Estee, James A., 350. 
 Evans, Richard, 279. 
 
 Robert, J , 279, 280. 
 Evening News, Johnstown, 284. 
 Everest, Nelson, 218. 
 
 Fairbanks, Niles, introducer of cutting 
 dies for gloves, 163. 
 
 introduction of the Howe Sew- 
 ing machine by, 162. 
 Ferguson, John, 368. 
 Ferres, John G., 272, 276, 278, 281. 
 Felts, Rev. Peter, 264, 272. 
 Filmer, James W., 370. 
 
 John, 160. 
 Finch, Henry C, 219. 
 Fish House, history of, 477. 
 
 Howland, 279. 
 Fisher, Harmon F., 467. 
 Fonda, Johnstown and Gloversville Rail- 
 roads, construction of, 173. 
 
 financial difficulties of, 174. 
 company, organization of, 
 173. 
 Fort St. Anne massacre, 33. 
 
 Schuyler, attack upon, 87. 
 Franklin, Benjamm, 44. 
 Fraser, Donald, 272. 
 Mclntyre, 194. 
 
 biography of, 575. 
 portrait of, facing 112. 
 French, Benjamin F., 221. 
 and English rivalry, 38. 
 campaign of 1756, 47. 
 campaign of 1757, 48. 
 and Iroquois, the, 32. 
 claim to territory, 26. 
 discoveries, 23. 
 ■ encroachments, 40. 
 invasions, 34. 
 Frisbie, John H. H., 201. 
 Frothingham, John, 190. 
 
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 Fulton county, erection of, 17, 122. 
 
 geography, of, 17. 
 
 geology of, l9. 
 
 in the Rebellion. 127. 
 
 topography of, 18. 
 
 soil of, 1 9. 
 Purbeck, Peter R., 217, 353. 
 
 biography of, 606. 
 
 portrait of, facing 216. 
 
 Oallows, Montgomery county, 234. 
 
 Gardner, Rev. James, 386. 
 
 Garnsey, William S., 218. 
 
 Garoga, 532. 
 
 Gas Company, Johnstown and Glovers- 
 
 ville, 378. 
 Getman, John L., 403. 
 
 Oliver, 277, 280, 282. 
 Gidley, Fenton I., 272. 
 Gilbert, Marcellus, 160, 172. 
 
 Zalmon, 281. 
 Gilman, Miss Beulah, 355. 
 Glen patents, the, 60. 
 Glove City Hook and Ladder Company, 
 373. 
 
 history, 154. 
 
 making, early processes in, 160. 
 manufacture, beginning of the, 155. 
 manufacturers, early; 
 Burr, James, 156. 
 Case, Ezekiel, 156, 
 Heacock, Philander, 157. 
 Judson family, the. 157. 
 Leonard, Joseph, Daniel and Ab- 
 
 ner, 157. 
 McNab, John, 158. 
 Mills, William C, 156. 
 Place, U. M., 158. 
 Ricketts, Jonathan, 169. 
 Rose, Willard, 157. 
 Smith, Humphrey and D. W., 
 
 158. 
 Van Voast, A. S., 158. 
 Ward, John, 157. 
 Washburn, Rufus, 158. 
 trade, impetus given to the, by the 
 war, ,164. 
 Gloversville Bar Association, 201. 
 birth of, 319 et. seq. 
 Board of Trade, 377. 
 center of intellectual life in, 337. 
 Christ Protestant. Episcopal Mission 
 
 church in, 400. 
 Congregational church in, 398, 
 early facilities for .education in> 339. 
 
 Gloversville, early famihes in, 337. 
 religious life in, 337. 
 views of, 344. 
 East Fulton street Methodist Episcor 
 
 pal church in, 394. 
 Electric Company, 378. 
 extinct newspapers of, 414. 
 '' Farmer's Library " of, 359. 
 feudal life in, 329. 
 fire department, 370 etseq. 
 
 officers of the, 373. 
 fire in, in 1887, 369. 
 First Baptist church in, 395. 
 mayor of, 351. 
 Methodist Episcopal church in, 387. ■ 
 
 officers of, 349. i 
 
 Presbyterian church in, 385. i 
 
 public school-house in, 352. 1 
 
 village election of, 349. i 
 
 Free Library, board of directors of, 
 367. 
 
 incorporation of, 362. , i 
 Fremont Street Methodist Episcopal 
 
 Church in, 391. 
 four stages in the history of, 321 
 glove manufacturers of : 
 
 Allen, Edwin H., 427. 
 
 Allen, John C, 421. 
 
 AUerhand, A., 431. 
 
 Anibal, S., 434. 
 
 Ball, James K., 432. 
 
 Beeber & Co., M., 424. 
 
 Berry Bros., 433. 
 
 Bovee, C. N., 437. 
 
 Bovee, J. V., 432. 
 
 Bradt, James K., 432. 
 
 Brown, E. M; & L. S., 424. 
 
 Brown, J. O., 433. 
 
 Burdick, George M., 433. 
 
 Burr, James H., 421. 
 
 Crounse, A. R., 429. 
 
 Dade, Frederick, 427. 
 
 Dempster & Place, 428. 
 
 Dye, C. H., 436. 
 
 Eddy, Mark W., 437. 
 
 Ellsworth, Philip, 426. 
 
 Fear & White, 425, 
 
 Fidoe & Radford, 435. 
 
 Fonda, A. N., 426; ' 
 
 France & Moore, 434. 
 
 Frey, Amenzo, 435. 
 
 Fries, Wilson, 437. 
 
 Fry, jr., S., 433. 
 
 Gillepsie, George, 430. 
 
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INDEX. 
 
 169. 
 
 Qloversville, glove manufacturers of: 
 
 Glove City Manufacluring 
 
 Co., 433. 
 Guibert, V. P., 430. 
 Uwillara, R. H., 431. 
 Hallenbeck & Son, S. W., 
 
 42C. 
 Haralen, John R., 428. 
 Hawley, J. R, 433. 
 Hays & Co., Daniel, 418. 
 Hall & Son, Jesse, 428. 
 Heacock, B. L., 430. 
 Hilts, George H., 431. 
 Hilts, Myron 431. 
 Hodder, Ehle & Co., 436. 
 Hulett, Simon, 424. 
 Hulett, W. H., 437. 
 Judson, Daniel B., 417. 
 Judson, Elisha, 417- 
 Kibbe, Chauncey S., 426. 
 Kibbe & Parsons, 436. 
 Klein & Son, A., 425. 
 Kraus, Julius, 430. 
 Lebenheim, S. & H., 427. 
 Leonard, I. A., 430. 
 Littauer Bros., 420. 
 Lowrey & Jeffers, 423. 
 Lyke & Bishop. 434. 
 McDougall, William, 427. 
 McEwen, Charles, 427. 
 McGraw & Zimmer, 435. 
 McKee & Son, James, 422. 
 McSwiney, James, 425. 
 Mandrill, George W., 429 
 Martin & Co., 437. 
 Meyers & Son, Louis, 434. 
 Miller, Georg.e B., 436. 
 Mosher, D. A., 424. 
 Musgrave & Honeywell, 436. 
 Orr, William, 431. 
 Palmer, A. B., 430. 
 Palmer, C. H., 433. 
 Parsons & Potter, 435. 
 Pauley & Son, F., 423. 
 Phair Bros., 428. 
 Phelp.s W. W., 437. 
 Pursell, Thomas, 429. 
 Quackenbush. J. A. & A.V., 
 
 422. 
 Rea & White, 429. 
 Rose. Cnarles F., 423. 
 Sherlock, J. W., 437. 
 Shipman, Henrv, 423. 
 Silvernail, W. S., 437. 
 Skiff, ChauQoey J., 430. 
 
 Gloveraville, glove manufacturers of : 
 
 Smith Brothers, 435. 
 
 Smith, John H., 432. 
 
 Stemfle, Rudolph, 426. 
 
 Tate, Lewis A., 420. 
 
 Thomas Bros., 432. 
 
 Van Dresser, William, 430. 
 
 Van Wart, P., 423. 
 
 Ward, George C, 435. 
 
 Ward, W. E., 432. 
 
 Warner J. H., 435. 
 
 Whitney, W. E., 425. 
 
 Whitney, Z. B., 427. 
 
 Winnie, L. E., 436. 
 
 Young, W. R., 431. 
 
 Zimmer & Co., A. J., 43L 
 
 Zimmer & Co;, J. S., 433. 
 growth of, 342. 
 growth of organization in, 346. 
 
 of schools ni, 354 
 hotels of, 415. 
 incorporation of, as a city, 351. 
 
 as a village, 349. 
 Intelligencer, 412. 
 introduction of gas in, 377. 
 
 graded school system in, 353. 
 " Juvenilian Library " of, 359. 
 Ladies' Auxiliary Association, 367, 
 Leader, 414. 
 leather manufacturers of: 
 
 Booth & Co., 440. 
 
 Brice, George, 447. 
 
 Brower & Dodge, 443. 
 
 Cummings & Burr, 439. 
 
 Denham, E. T.. 447. 
 
 Dodge, Chas. & Wm. J., 447. 
 
 Filmer Bros., 442. 
 
 Filmer, M. T. & D., 442. 
 
 Foster, T. G., 444. ' 
 
 Geisler, Otto, 446. 
 
 Giercke, Charles L. F., 444. 
 
 Hevey, Frank, 440. 
 
 Hodder & Son, A.. 447. 
 
 Hull, James, 443. 
 
 Kennedy & Co., 440. 
 
 Kent & Stevens, 43f. 
 
 Knofif, Louis, 440. 
 
 Lake, George L., 445. 
 
 Levor, Gustav, 441. 
 
 Mills Bros., 443. . 
 • Robinson Bros., 445. 
 
 Shotweli; S. H., 441. 
 
 Simmons &'S6h, Aaron, 439. 
 
 Stewart & Co., 446. 
 
 Thome, Edward, 447. 
 
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170 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 Gloversville, leather manufacturers of : 
 Troutwine, George F., 446. 
 West Mill Company, 445. 
 Wood, Joseph E., 446. 
 legislative acts in relation to, 350. 
 Levi Parsons Library of, 361. 
 library history of, 359. 
 list of school trustees, and boards of 
 
 education in, 353. 
 Masonic societies in, 407, 
 miscellaneous manufacturers of : 
 Allen, Charles F., 450. 
 Anthony, H. J., 450. 
 Belden, F. W., 450. 
 Bloomingdale, Addison, 449. 
 Bradt & Shipman, 450. 
 Brooks, Charles A., 449. 
 Brower Glue Manufacturing 
 
 Co., 447. 
 Burr Brothers, 451. 
 Drake, John H., 450. 
 Haag, Jacob, 448. 
 Hayes. De Witt A., 451. 
 Machine Works, 451. 
 Smith Company, D. M.,448 
 North Main Street Methodist Episco- 
 
 church in, 393. 
 occupations of early inhabitants of, 
 
 344. 
 Odd Fellows, societies of, in, 410. 
 original center of population of, 341. 
 deed of territory of, 324. 
 purchases of territory of, 325. 
 opera house, 370. 
 patriotism and politics in, 343. 
 ■ population of, in 1803, 336. 
 postmasters.of, 352. 
 Presbyterian church of Kingsboro in, 
 379 et seq. 
 
 pastors and ofiBcers of, 384. 
 presidents of boards of education of, 
 
 357. 
 private schools in, 357. 
 Prospect Hill Cemetery in, 406. 
 roads of, in 1830, 348. 
 St. James English Evangelical Lu- 
 theran church in, 401. 
 St. Mary's Roman Catholic church in, 
 
 395. 
 schools of, 352 et seq. 
 settlement and settlers of, 320 et seq. 
 Sir William Johnson in connection 
 
 with, 323 et seq. 
 Standard, 411. 
 teachers of Union School of, 355. 
 
 Gloversville Union School, 355. 
 
 Union Seminary, 357. 
 
 water works, 368. 
 
 Young Ladles' Library Association, 
 of, 359. 
 
 Young Men's Christian Associatioa 
 of, 403. 
 
 Young People's Library Association 
 of, 360. 
 Gott, William B., 220. 
 GraflF, Phihp, 353. 
 Grant, the Duke of York's, 56. 
 Grants, conflicting, 56. 
 Green, James W., 377. 
 
 William, 202. 
 Grewen, Mathias, 282. 
 Grist-mills, early, in Johnstown, 227. 
 Gross, Charles 0., 272. 
 
 ^ar, John A., 221. 
 Hagedorn, Arthur E., 221. 
 Hambridge, M. L., 28L 
 Haring, Aaron, 187. 
 Harmon, V. S., 353. 
 Harrington, Eugene, 377. 
 Hays, Daniel, 353. 
 
 biography of, 588. 
 
 portrait of, facing 418. 
 Hayes, Walter, 218. 
 Heacock Family, the, 584. 
 Joseph S.. 353. 
 Williard J., 172-176, 278, 353, 421. 
 
 biography of, 586. 
 
 portrait of, facing 128. 
 Hendrick, King, 43. 
 Henry, G, D., 277. 283. 
 Hess, Jonah, 273, 276. 
 Hildreth, Matthias B., 187. 
 Historical Society, Johnstown, 272. 
 Holland patent, the, 59. 
 Hosmer, James S , 377. 
 Hubbell, Ray, 466, 467, 468. 
 Hudson, Henry, 25. 
 Hutchinson, John C, 281. 
 
 Indian maraudings, 92 et seq. 
 
 Indians, treatment of, after the Revolu- 
 tion, 109. 
 
 Influence of the Johnsons during the Rev- 
 olution, 75. 
 
 Ingatls, Gilbert, 219. 
 
 Invasion, Sir John Johnson's second, 104. 
 
 Intelligencer, Gloversville, 412. 
 
 Ireland, David, 285. 
 John S., 279. 
 
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INDEX. 
 
 i-jt 
 
 Ireland, John S., biography of, 628. 
 
 portrait of, facing 294. 
 Iroquois, the, 27. 
 
 and Cbamplain, meeting of, 24. 
 
 as a nation, characteristics of, 28 et 
 
 Jackson, B. Rush, 221. 
 Summit, 524. 
 William, 174. 
 Jealousy of French and English, 27. 
 Jennings, Amos W., 220. 
 Jesuits and Mohawks, the, 30. 
 Johnson, Alexander L.. 220. » 
 Edward L., 221. 
 Hall, battle at, 107. 
 James H., 368. 
 John W., 201. 
 
 Sir John, declaration of sentiments of 
 82. 
 
 doings of, after the death of Sir 
 
 William, 240. 
 flight of, 81. 
 raids by, 82. 
 power of, 79. 
 
 punished by Col. Willett, 107. 
 Sir William, 42. 
 
 agricultural operations of, 67. 
 and Governor OHnton, 63. 
 appointment of, as "Colonial 
 
 Agent," 66. 
 as a factor in the organization of 
 
 counties, 72. 
 at Crown Point, 45. 
 at the siege of Fort Niagara, 66. 
 beginning of career of, 62. 
 death and funeral of, 239. 
 early tenants of, 224. 
 efforts of, to establish schools in 
 
 Johnstown, 248. 
 family health of, 71. 
 family affairs of, 70. 
 growth of Johnstown under the 
 
 care of, 71. 
 in Pontiac's war, 68. 
 interest of, in behalf of agricul- 
 ture, 176. 
 interest of, in schools and mis- 
 sions, 64. 
 last public duty of, 73. 
 life of, at Johnstown, 332. 
 marriage and children of, 63. 
 military services of, 65-70. 
 part taken by, in establishing 
 Johnstown village, 231. 
 
 Johnson, Sir William, probable couVse of,, 
 in the Revolution, 74. 
 
 services of, in settling difficulties' 
 
 with the Indians, 69. 
 stpps taken by, for the improve- 
 ment of Johnstown, 236. 
 titles conferred upon, 64. 
 visited at his home by Governor 
 
 Tryon and wife, 72. 
 will of, 73. 
 William L., 217, 281. 
 Johnsons, Dr., the four, 213. 
 
 the, Claus, and the Indians, 77. 
 Johnstown Academy,-249. 
 as seat of justice, 184. 
 boundaries, etc., of, 222. 
 Century Association, 271. 
 Council, R. & S. M., 290. 
 court-house at, 236. 
 early settlers of, 224. 
 
 town records of, 229. 
 Electric Light and Power Co., 278. 
 Gloversville and Kingsboro Hi^se 
 
 Railroad Company, 277. 
 hamlets and villages in, 225. 
 Historical Society, 272. 
 jail at, 237. 
 
 land patents composing, 224. 
 organization of, 114. 
 soil of, 223. 
 supervisors of, 229. 
 topography of, 222. ~ 
 
 town clerks of, 230. 
 Utica and Syracuse Railroad Com- 
 pany, 171. 
 water workis, 272 et. seq. 
 village of, 230. 
 
 appearance of, in 1790, 242. 
 Baptist church in, 267 et. seq. 
 beginning of, 231. 
 development of glove industry 
 
 in, 247. 
 district school S3'stem of, 249. 
 early fire ordinanries of, 244:. 
 early incidents in, 233. 
 early measures for improvement 
 
 in, 243. 
 fire department of, in recent 
 
 years, 245. 
 first fire company of, 243. 
 first merchant of, 245. 
 glove manufacturers of: 
 Andrews & Johns, 303. 
 Argersinger & Co., P. P., 
 290. 
 
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172 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 Johnstown village, glove manufacturers of: 
 
 Bradr, Emenzo, 298. 
 
 Chapman Brothers, 303. 
 
 Davies, Thomas, 299. 
 
 Decker, Son & Company, 
 
 J. H., 293. 
 Dougall, John M., 304. 
 
 Drumm's Sons, P. Z., 294. 
 Evans, R. J. & R., 294. 
 
 Foote, James H., 304. 
 
 Foote, William D., 304. 
 
 Gearv, George, 303. 
 
 Hall & Van Sickler, 298. 
 
 Hallock, Arthur T., 300. 
 
 Hambridge & Co., Mark L., 
 300. 
 
 Hewitt & Hillock, 304. 
 
 Hutchinson, J. C. 296. 
 
 Ireland Brothers, 294. 
 
 Larcombe, William J., 302. 
 
 Lefler, John D. 304. 
 
 Lucas, E. J., 302. 
 
 McMartin's Sons, J. I., 303. 
 
 Mason. Campbell & Co., 
 294. 
 
 Miller"& Co., J. P., 301. 
 
 Northrup Glove Manufactur- 
 ing Company, 291. 
 
 Peckham, Powell & Co., 301. 
 
 Penny, Albert, 304. 
 
 Pierson, James D., 299. 
 
 Pierson, James H., 300. 
 
 Putnam, Bernard, 297. 
 
 Raymond & Son, F. J., 304. 
 
 Rickets, Thomas E., 295. 
 
 Riton Brothers, 302. 
 
 Rowell, C. M., 297. 
 
 Rowles, C. W., 296. 
 
 Shults & Co., ^95. 
 
 Smith, Edward H., 299. 
 
 Smith, George R., 298. 
 
 Stewart & Briggs, 300. 
 
 Streeter, William H., 300. 
 
 Trumbull, S. E., 302. 
 
 Vosburgh, M. B., 297. 
 
 Vrooman, Nelson, 298. 
 
 Wade & Son, M., 302. 
 
 Wayne, George B., 301. 
 
 Weare & Chant, 296. 
 
 Windsor & Son, William, 
 297. 
 immigrants to, at the close of the 
 
 Revolution, 242. 
 incorporation of, 243. 
 
 Johnstown village, leather manufacturers 
 of: 
 
 Ackernecht, E., 309. 
 
 Adams, J. Q., 304. 
 
 Adams & Son, A. M.. 312. 
 
 Brower, Delos, 313. 
 
 Carncross, John, 313. 
 
 Cool, Eli. 310. 
 
 De Garmo, John, 311. 
 
 Guibert & Lauret, 308. 
 
 Hagadorn, John W., 311. 
 
 Hall, Mark M., 314. 
 
 King, J. V. & C, 305. 
 
 Lebenheim & Co., 312. 
 
 Lynaugh, Matthew, 312. 
 
 McConkey, Henry D., 306. 
 
 Maylander Brothers, 306. 
 
 Miller, Argersinger & Co., 
 314. 
 
 Mills Leather Company, 307. 
 
 Morris, Isaac, 310. 
 
 Roucoules & Limousin, 308. 
 
 Stokes & Getman, 313. 
 
 Styer & Behlen, 309. 
 
 Thompson, Lord & Co., 309. 
 
 Topp, William, 307. 
 
 Vorel, Joseph, 310. 
 
 Walrath, S. E., 311. 
 list of scholars of first free school 
 
 in, 248. 
 Methodist Episcopal church in, 
 
 264 et seq. 
 miscellaneous manufactures of: 
 
 Boehnlein, S., 318. 
 
 Brower Glue Manufacturing 
 Co., 315. 
 
 Burke & Co., R., 318. 
 
 Connelly & Shubert, 318. 
 
 Getman, Peter. 318. 
 
 Hess, Jonah, 317. 
 
 Knox, Charles B., 314. 
 
 Metallic Binding Co., 318. 
 
 Royal Knitting Co., 317. 
 
 Sands, R. R., 318. 
 
 Seaman & Co., John E., 316. 
 
 Stephenson, L., 317. 
 
 Wessel, Burt, 318. 
 
 Younglove, James I., 316. 
 old buildings of, 246. 
 old burying-ground in, 270. 
 .post-office of, 248. , 
 Presbyterian church in,256 etseq. 
 prosperity of, until opening of 
 Erie canal, 247. 
 
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INDEX. 
 
 173 
 
 Johnstown village, removal of county 
 ofSces from, 247. 
 
 residents of, at the opening of 
 
 the Revolution, 241. 
 St. John's Episcopal church in, 
 
 250 et 8eq. 
 St. Patrick's church in, 269. 
 St. Paul's Lutheran church in, 
 
 261 et seq. 
 schools of, 248. 
 
 ' United Presbyterian church in, 
 269. 
 ■ Jones, Arthur A., 219. 
 Jordan, Clark L., 204, 351. 
 biography of, 626. 
 portrait of, facing 204. 
 Joslin, Chauncey C, 218. 
 
 John W., 221. 
 Judges of Fulton County Court, 185. 
 
 of the early courts, 184. 
 Judicial system, origin of, 178. 
 Judson, Alan.'on, 172-175. 
 
 Charles W., 175, 176, 278. 
 Daniel, B., 173, 176, 377. 
 
 Karker, Earl, 403. 
 Kasson Alexander J., 367, 370. 
 biography of, 597. 
 portrait of, facing 370. 
 Harvey Z., 368. 
 William A., 353. 
 Kathan, Sherman S., 221. 
 Kayaderosseras patent, the, 59. 
 Keck, George H., 282. 
 Jeremiah, 196. 
 
 biography of, 608. 
 portrait of, facing 608. 
 Philip, 197, 272, 285, 403. 
 biography of, 623. 
 portrait of, facing 196. 
 Keek's Centre, 227. 
 Kennedy, Martin, 272, 278, 280, 282. 
 biography of, 629. 
 portrait of, facing 624. ^ 
 
 Kingsborough, 347. 
 Grant," the, 326. 
 patent, the, 60. 
 Kline, Sanford V., 219. 
 Klock patent, the, 60. 
 Knox, Elisha B., 279. 
 
 Land grants, schedule, of, 59 et seq. 
 
 patents, miscellaneous, 61. 
 Lasher, Daniel, 368. 
 Lasaellsville, 532. 
 
 Leader, Glovesrville, 414. 
 Leaning, William E., 283, 337, 413. 
 Leather manufacturers of Johnstovrn, 304 
 
 et seq. 
 Leavenworth, E., 353. 
 Leavitt, John, 285. 
 Lee, Merritt F., 221. 
 Lefler, Charles M., 218, 403. 
 
 Jehiel. 217. 
 Legislation regulating the medical pro- 
 fession, 210, et seq. 
 Littauer, Eugene, 420. 
 
 Lucius N., 420. 
 
 Nathan, 364. 
 
 biography of, 577. 
 portrait of, facing 344. 
 
 William, 176, 278. 
 Littlejohn, Fitzhugh, 207. 
 Livingston patent, the, 60. 
 
 William A., 272. 
 Lott patent, the, 60. 
 
 Macaulay's picture of the Highlanders, 
 
 327. 
 McDermott, Rev. P. H., 270, 282. 
 McDougall, Crosby, 368. 
 
 & Co.. James A., 429. 
 MoEwen's' Corners, 226. 
 Mclntyre, Daniel, 188, 553. 
 
 Donald, 281. 
 McKie, William S., 272, 281. 
 McKnight, John, 205. 
 McLaren, John, 175, 281, 353. 
 
 jr., John, 173. 
 McLeod's patent, 60. 
 McMartin, Archibald, 277, 279, 280. 
 
 Donald, 197. 
 " James, 282. 
 
 Martin arid John, 193. 
 McNab, John, 172-176, 278. 
 McVean, Charles. 188. 
 Magin's patent, 60. 
 Manhattan, settlement of, 25. 
 Marshall, Levi T., 368. 
 Marvin, Rev. John N., 272. 
 Mase patent, the, 59. 
 Mason, James F., 273. 
 
 John C, 200. 
 Masonic and other societies, in Johnstown, 
 285 et. seq. 
 
 societies in Gloversville, 407. 
 Mathewson, Walter B., 282. 
 Maxwell, Dr. Samuel, 213. 
 MayGeld, business industries of, 511. 
 
 Central Presbyterian church at, 418 
 
 Digitized by Microsoft® 
 
»74 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 If ajr field, early settlement of, 508. 
 first town meeting in, 024. 
 patent, the, 60. 
 topograpliy of, 507. 
 town officers of, §24. 
 Union Rural cemetery in, 522. 
 village, 514. 
 
 business interests of, 515. 
 church history of, 516. 
 Methodist Episcopal church at, 
 519. 
 Mead, Frederick A., 221. 
 Measures, first, to build a railroad, 171 et 
 
 seq. 
 Meclianics' Club and Drill Corps, G-lovers- 
 ville, 372. 
 
 Hook and Ladder Company, G-lovers- 
 ville, 371. 
 Medical profession, the, in the early days 
 of Fulton county, 210 et. seq. 
 science, beginning of, 208. 
 Merrill, Rev. Cyrus H., 268. 
 Middlesprite, 546. 
 Militia of the Mohawk valley in the war 
 
 of 1812, 120. 
 Miller, Dr. James W., 213. 
 Jacob P., 273, 278-280. 
 T. W., 172, 173, 175. 
 W. G., 245. 
 Mills, George F., 172, 173. 
 
 William C, 205, 353, 377. 
 Missionaries to the Mohawks, 31. 
 Moak, Austin S., 220. 
 Mohawk valley after the Revolution, 109. 
 early settlement of, 54. 
 progress of, after Revolution, 117. 
 sacking of, in 1757, 49. , 
 Montcalm, General, 52 et seq. 
 Montgomery county, erection of, 122. 
 Moore, De Witt C, 198. 
 Morrell, Abraham, 187. 
 Morris, Isaac, 281. 
 Moyer, Fayette E., 199. 
 Munsonville, 523. 
 Murder trials, the first, 234 et seq. 
 Murray, James F.. 218. 
 Michael D., 199. 
 
 Nellis, Andrew J., 197, 272, 279. 
 biography of, 600. , 
 portrait of, facing 600. 
 Charles, 219. 
 Neptune Hose Company, GloversviUe, 
 
 370. 
 New Englanders, influx of. 111. 
 
 Newspapers, 281 et seq., 411 et seq., 492. 
 Newton, Michael W., 174. 
 Nickloy, George W., 368. 
 Northampton, agricultural progress o^ 
 457. 
 bridges in, 456. 
 educational matters in, 457. 
 first settlement of, 453. 
 GloversviUe and Northville Railroad 
 
 in, 457. 
 legislators from, 458. 
 patent, the, 60. 
 school districts of, 455. 
 topography of, 451. 
 town officers of, 481. 
 town records of, 454. 
 village, 473. 
 
 business interests .of, 476. 
 Masonic societies at, 479. 
 Methodist Episcopal church at^ 
 
 478. 
 post-office, 476. 
 Presbyterian church at, 477. 
 settlers of, 474. 
 North Broadalbin, 505. 
 Northrop, J. C, 280. 
 
 James L., 273, 276, 285, 
 
 biography of, 580. , 
 portrait of, facing 580. 
 M. B., 280, 285. 
 William S., 272. 278. 281. 
 Northville, Baptist church in, 470. 
 business concerns of : 
 coopers, 468. 
 
 Globe Metallic Binding Co., 468- 
 Knitting Mill, 467. 
 Willard & Partridge, 468. 
 early settlers of, 459. 
 first school in, 463. 
 improvements in, 465. 
 incorporation of, 464. 
 location of, 458. 
 
 Methodist Episcopal church in, 469. 
 old burying-ground of, 473. 
 post-office, 462. 
 Presbyterian church in, 472. 
 recent rapid growth of, 464. 
 village officers of, 466. 
 
 Object of the contest of 1744-48, 41. 
 
 Odd Fellows, societies of, in GloversviUe^ 
 410. 
 
 Oderkirk, M. W., 353. 
 
 Officers, list of, of Baptist church at Johns- 
 town, 269. 
 
 Digitized by Microsoft® 
 
INDEX. 
 
 17s 
 
 Officers, list of, of Johnstown Cemetery 
 
 Association, 272. 
 Opera House, Grand, 284, 
 Oppenheim, dairying interests in, 546. 
 
 early settlers of, 542. 
 
 topography of, 541. 
 
 town officers of, 547. 
 
 village, 544. _ 
 Organization of military companies and 
 
 rangers, 86. 
 Oriskany, battle of, 88 et seq. 
 Orton, Darius S., 217. 
 Osborn's Bridge, 480. 
 Ostrander, R. C, 174. 
 
 Palatinates, the, 54 et seq. 
 Palmer, Robert, 220. 
 Paris, Daniel, 187. 
 Park, Rev. William B., 361, 391. 
 Parke, Clayton M., 202, 377. 
 Parker, Henry H., 204 
 '' Parkville," 462. 
 Parrish, John W., 220. 
 Parsons, Levi, 361-65. 
 Pastors, list of, of M. E. Church at Johns- 
 town, 266. 
 Patterson, John, 206. 
 Peake, Dr. Marcus T., 214. 
 
 Dr. WiUiam C, 214. 
 Peck, Prof. A. L., 562. 
 
 John, 173. 
 Pensioner, the first, 92. 
 Perth, early settlers of, 548. 
 
 topography of, 548. 
 
 town officers of, 554. 
 
 Centre, 550. 
 Peters, George H., 221. 
 Philis, Alonzo, 245. 
 Phillips, John S., 220, 
 Pike, James H., 273, 277. 
 Pierson, Eli, 281. 
 
 M. P., 281. 
 Place, George M., 377. 
 
 Isaac v., 160, 367. 
 
 Mrs. Sarah B., 367. 
 
 U. M., 172, 175, 353. 
 
 biography of, 591. 
 portrait of, facing 590. 
 
 William H., 353. 
 
 biography of, 617. 
 portrait of, facing 616. 
 Pomeroy, A. B., 281. 
 Population, 125. 
 Postmasters of Gloversville, 352. 
 
 of Johnstown, .248. 
 
 of Kingsboro, 348. 
 
 Porter, A. E., 353. 
 
 Potter, Henry 278. 
 
 Pratt, H. A., 354-356. 
 
 Presidents, list of, of waterworks, 276. 
 
 Prospect Hill Cemetery of Gloversville, 
 
 406. 
 Provisional townships, 114. 
 
 Quinlan, John, 221. 
 
 Radford. James, 379. 
 
 " Raid, Sir John Johnson's," 95 et seq. 
 
 Railroad, demands for a, 171. 
 
 Gloversville and Northville, 457. 
 Randall, N. J., 201. 
 Rattrey, Charles J., 219. 
 Raymond, Joseph, 220. 
 Rectors, list of, of St. John's Episcopal 
 
 church, 255. 
 Reeves, Rev. D. McLane, 261. 
 Regiment, the Fourteenth Heavy Artil- 
 lery, 152. 
 
 the Ninety-seventh, 132. 
 
 the Ninety- third, 131. 
 
 the One Hundred Fifteenth, 135. 
 
 the One Hundred Fifty-third, 141. 
 
 the Second Cavaly, 150. 
 
 the Seventy-seventh, 128. 
 
 the Sixteenth Artillery, 153. 
 
 the Tenth Cavalry, 146. 
 
 the Third Cavalry, 151. 
 
 the Thirteenth Heavy Artillery, 151. 
 " Registration law " for physicians, 216. 
 Relic, an interesting, 254. 
 Republican, Fulton county, 283. 
 Resseguie, H. J., 174, 467. 
 Rioeville, 522. 
 Richardson, J. H., 370. 
 Ricketts, Jonathan, early tanner, 169, 278, 
 280. 
 
 Thomas E., 282, 285. 
 Roads, early, in Johnstown, 227. 
 Roberts patent, the, 61. 
 Robertson, Clark, 245. 
 Roberval, Francis de, 23. 
 Rockwood, 532. 
 Ross, Hervey, 377, 403, 412. 
 biography of, 621. 
 portrait of, facing 412. 
 Roster of killed, wounded and prisoners 
 
 at Oriskany, 89 et seq. 
 Rowe, George, 219. 
 Rowell, C. M., 277, 282, 285. 
 Royal Arch Masons, Johnstown Chapter 
 of, 289. 
 
 Grant," the, 58. 
 
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176 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 Ryswick, treaty of, 36. 
 
 Sacandaga patent, the, 59. 
 St. Patrick's Lodge, F. & A. M., masters 
 of, 288. 
 
 present officers of, 289. 
 Sammons, Jacob, thrilling narrative of the 
 escape of, 97 etseq. 
 Sampson, and Guy Johnson affair at 
 Caughnawaga, 78. 
 Sammonsville, 225. 
 Scandinavian discoverers, 22. 
 Schenectady, sacking of, 34. 
 Schuyler, John, 35. 
 Major Peter, 35. 
 patent, the, 59 
 Scott, James D., 245. 
 Selmser, John T., 272, 285. 
 Sequestration of the Johnson estate, 110. 
 Settlers, names of first, of Northampton, 
 
 453. 
 Settlements, first, in America, 23 et seq. 
 Sevring machine, the, in glove making, 161. 
 Sexton, Ralph, 351. 
 
 Seymour, 353, 366, 377. 
 Seymour, J. H., 353. 
 Shafer, Friend W., 218. 
 Shaul, L. Fay, 284, 285, 414. 
 Shawville, 514, 524. 
 Sherman, Charles F., 221. 
 Shotwell, Samuel H., 377. 
 biography of, 595. 
 : portrait of facing 440. 
 Shults, Byron G., 173. 
 Simmons, Andrew, 175, 353. 
 
 A. D., 368. 
 " Six Principle Baptists," 534. 
 Skins, dressing and tanning of, 167 et. seq. 
 processs of milling oil-dressed, 169 et 
 
 .seq. 
 varieties used in glove making, 164 
 et. seq. 
 Smith, Borden D., 195, 281. 
 Clarence W., 199. 
 Dennis M., 220. 
 Horace B., 272. 
 
 biography of, 569. 
 portrait of, facing 36. 
 Philo R., 377. 
 Thomas Delap, 218. 
 Smyth, Rev. H. C, 401. 
 Snyder, William S., 249, 282. 
 biography of, 587. 
 portrait of, facing 250. 
 Society, Fulton County Medical, 212. 
 Montgomery County. Medical, 211. 
 
 Spaulding, David, introducer of theGrover 
 
 & Baker sewing machine, 162. 
 Special Sessions Court, 186. 
 Spencer, Edgar A., 303, 379, 403. 
 Spier, Joseph F., 461. 
 Sprague, Horace, researches of, 341. 
 
 Wilham G., 221. 
 Stage route, first, 228. 
 Standard, Gloversville, 411. 
 Steele, Frederick, 366. 
 Stephens patent, the, 59. 
 Stephenson, Levi, 273. 
 Stewart, Charles W., 377. 
 
 Cyrus, 354. 
 
 Daniel, biography of, 594. 
 portrait of, facing 594. 
 
 David B., 205. 
 
 John, 279. 
 
 biography of, 603. 
 portrait of, facing 72. 
 
 Rev. James C, 384. 
 Still, David V., 218. 
 Stone Arabia patent, the, 59. 
 Streeter, George A., 276, 281. 
 Stoner, Henry, killing of, 108. 
 
 Nicholas, 225. 
 Stratford, early settlers of, 557. 
 
 topography of, 556. 
 
 town officers of, 559. 
 " Stump city," 345. 
 Sullivan's expedition, 95. 
 Summer House Point, 490. 
 Sunderlin, John, 368. 
 Supreme Court, 180. 
 Surrogates, 186. 
 
 Court, 185. 
 Sweet, Charles B., 370. 
 
 Taber, Theodore B., 219. 
 Talbot, Frank, 205. 
 Tate, Lewis A., 403. 
 Terwilliger, Rufus W., 220. 
 " The Dam," 461. 
 Thomas, Henry C, 353. 
 Thompson, A. J., 245. 
 
 Rev. T. G., 392. 
 Thome, John K., 217. , 
 
 Henry D., 199. 
 
 Henry W., 282. 
 Throop, Governor, description of Johns- 
 town by, 242i 
 Ticonderoga, fall of, 53. 
 Tories and Indians under Sir John John' 
 son, doings of, 79. 
 
 resolutions regarding, 110; 
 
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INDEX. 
 
 177 
 
 Tory efifrontery, 110. 
 
 Towns, erection of, 114. 
 
 Treaties with the Indians, importance of, 
 
 39. 
 Trumbull, Sidney B., 285. 
 Trustees, list of the first, of the Johnstown 
 
 Academy, 249. 
 Tryon, A. Walker, 220. 
 
 county, divison of into districts, 77. 
 preceding and during the Revo- 
 lution, 74. 
 Governor, hatred of the settlers for, 
 111. 
 Tuck, Arthur E., 220. 
 Tuckerman, J. B., 370. 
 
 Union Mills, 504. 
 
 Vail's Mills, 523. 
 Van Corlear, Arent, 33, 38, 54. 
 Van Heusen, D. H., 281, 282. 
 Van Ness, Ira H., 218. 
 
 James, 206. 
 Van Nostrand, E. E., 245. 
 Van Rensselaer patent, the, 61. 
 Van Vleck, P.. 174. 
 Van Vliet, William B., 281. 
 Van Voast, A. S., 246, 272. 
 
 William J., 246, 249. 
 Van Wart, Purdy, 368. 
 Veeder, Eliphalet, 368. 
 
 James L., 194. 
 Veghte, Henry, 176. 
 
 Lewis, 172-176, 278, 280. 
 Verrazzani, Jean, 23. 
 Vlaie, the, 18, 20. 
 
 Wade, Mortimer, 174-176. 
 Wagner, Webster, 281. 
 Wait, William, 197. 
 Walrad, 0. B., 217. 
 VValrath, Adam, 218. 
 
 War between France and England, decla- 
 ration of, in 1744, 40. 
 
 of 1812, causes which brought on the, 
 118. 
 Washburn, R., 353. 
 
 Rev. Robert H., 395. 
 
 Rev. W. H., 266. 
 Water courses, 18. 
 
 works, Johnstown, 272 et seq. 
 
 Weaver, Dr. Robert, 215. 
 Welch, Nathaniel W., 353. 
 biography of, 604. 
 portrait of, facmg 328. 
 Wells, Alexander U., 283. 
 Darius, 283. 
 
 David A., 172-176, 278, 280, 282, 285, 
 biography of, 598. 
 portrait of, facing 282. 
 Edward, 279, 280, 282. 
 John, 172, 192. 
 
 biography of, 582. 
 portrait of, facing 88. 
 John B., 172, 173, 175. 
 biography of, 579. 
 portrait of, facing 230. 
 Nathan P., 279. 
 West Galway, 550. 
 Perth 550. 
 W. D., 403. 
 Whetstone, Rev. A. M., 402. 
 Whitney, Zenas B., 370, 377. 
 Wilcox, William J., 218. 
 Willard, J. R., 467. 
 Willett, Colonel, check upon the tories and 
 
 Indians by, 106. 
 Williamson, Rev. J. A., 269. 
 Wiseman, Rev. Eugene, 394. 
 Wood, William Clark, 219. 
 
 Levi, 218. 
 Woodworth's Corners, 524. 
 Wooster, William E. 280. 
 Wright, Franklin N., 218. 
 Horton D., 204. 
 
 biography of, 624. 
 portrait of, facing 360. 
 
 Yale, Elisha, 336, 338, 381. 
 Tauney, John, 218. 
 
 Levi. 280. 
 Young, James K., 219. 
 
 William H., 280. 
 
 Dr. William S., 217. 
 biography of 621. 
 Younglove, James L, 272, 278, 279, 280, 
 
 282, 285. 
 Young Men's Christian Association of 
 
 Gloversville, 403. 
 
 present officers of, 405. 
 
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