This, the 16th Township, as well as the 17th, as we have previously seen, were purchased by John TAYLOR, of Albany, in the interest of himself and associates, John I. MORGAN, William SIMMONS and William B BOYD, of New York city.
The first settlement in New Berlin was made in 1790, by Daniel SCRIBNER, who came with his family from Ballston, Saratoga county, intending at first to settle in Morris, Otsego county, but learning of Indian improvements on the Unadilla that could be purchased, he left his family at the head of Otsego Lake, and set out for that place, traveling through the woods until he arrived at a small clearing on the west bank of the Unadilla, opposite the Indian Fields in Pittsfield, where he found apple trees growing from seeds planted by the Indians, and there he located. Having decided upon his location he returned for his family, which he brought by canoe down the Susquehanna and up the Unadilla to the locality selected for his future home. He built a large and commodious log house on a piece of high ground a short distance from the river, commanding a fine view of the valley. There he opened the first inn in the town. There, too, occasionally, the town meetings of Norwich, which then embraced this town, were held. He was an industrious, prudent farmer, and with the help of his two sons, Samuel and Gamaliel, who were nearly grown up, he soon cleared up his farm.
During the first year of his residence in this place he was obliged to go to Chenango Forks for grain for subsistence. This journey he performed in a canoe, down the Unadilla and Susquehanna to Binghamton, thence up the Chenango to the Forks. Having purchased his grain he returned by the same route, extending his journey up the Susquehanna to Wattles Ferry, where was the most accessible grist-mill. The journey occupied eighteen days and the distance traveled was nearly two hundred miles. So great was the labor of carrying grists to mill that the primitive method of reducing the grain by the mortar and pestle was resorted to. A little later when the number of settlers had increased, in order to lessen the burden, their grists were united and brought to Scribner's, whence they were conveyed in a canoe constructed from an immense pine tree, to Tubb's mill at Toddsville, near Cooperstown. Two men, though sometimes only one, took charge of the cargo. The journey there and back occupied a week, and sometimes more.
ANDERSON came from Massachusetts the latter part of the last century and erected his dwelling on the north bank of the creek which runs through New Berlin village, between the creek and S. L. MORGAN's store.
Silas BURLINGAME came from Providence, R.I., and settled on lot 76, south-east of the bank. He had several children, some of whom settled near him. Josiah, his eldest son, built his house near where the old factory store now stands, the latter being now occupied as a dwelling. His barn yet remains as one of the old landmarks of former times. The premises are now owned by Delos MEDBURY. Josiah taught the first school in New Berlin. The first frame school-house stood near the iron bridge across the Unadilla in the village of New Berlin. Another son, Daniel, was a distinguished pioneer preacher of the Methodist church. His house stood on the east street near the iron bridge. Joel, son of Daniel, and father of Hon. Anson Burlingame, was born in that house. He was a man of strong mind, great energy and considerable acquirements. He removed in 1824 to a farm in Seneca county, Ohio, where he lived for ten years, and in 1833, again removed to Detroit, and from thence two years later to a farm at Branch, in Michigan. He was a delegate from Oregon to the Convention which nominated Abraham Lincoln for President.
Anson Burlingame, the distinguished diplomatist, was born in Ambler Settlement in this town, Nov. 14, 1820, and was three years old when his father removed to Ohio.
Charles KNAP came to New Berlin in the spring of 1801 and commenced the business of tanning. The same spring he married Betsey, daughter of Thomas LOOMIS, a soldier of the Revolution. He afterwards built a mill to manufacture oil from flax seed, a woolen factory, and the store owned by J. S. BRADLEY. Gen. H. DeFOREST was his partner in the mercantile business and the manufacture of woolen cloth. Mr. Knap was once the President of the Bank of Chenango, at Norwich, and his son Tracy was the President of the First National Bank of New Berlin at its organization. Only one child, Charles, now living in Philadelphia, is left. The elder Knap died Oct. 21, 1852, aged 78, and his wife, Oct. 7, 1849, aged 66.
Joseph MOSS was born Sept. 8, 1775, and was one of the early settlers of the town. In 1812, when the Farmers' and Mechanics' Manufacturing Company was chartered, he became its agent. Under his supervision the dam across the Unadilla in New Berlin village was built, and a canal was constructed from it to the place of business, a small wooden building which stood on the site of the new grist-mill, where the manufacture of cotton cloth was begun. The yarn was spun by water-power machinery, but wove into cloth by hand, as water-power looms were not then in use. Weavers from near and distant neighborhoods were employed to weave the yarn into cloth, and performed the labor at their homes. The business increased to such an extent and in 1827 a large stone factory was erected and water-power looms introduced to accommodate it. That building was destroyed by fire the same season, and rebuilt in 1828, and the business was continued under the agency of Mr. Moss till 1849, when the business agency terminated. Mr. Moss died Oct. 29, 1859. Horace Moss, son of Joseph, who during his father's agency in the cotton mill was engaged there as clerk, is the only child remaining here.
Jeremy GOODRICH came from Connecticut in the latter part of the last century. He married Lydia, daughter of the widow Abigail DOWNING, who then lived in a log house on the Captain Samuel WHITE farm, now occupied by the widow of his son Samuel White, nearly opposite to where the old brewery stood. Goodrich commenced the manufacture of potash and pearlash from black salts. In the early settlement of the town the business of clearing the lands and boiling black salts was an important one, for that was the only product the settlers relied onto obtain money to pay for their farms. No other product could be sold for money in those primitive days. His ashery was on the north side of the village creek, near the North street bridge.
Mr. Goodrich became the owner by purchase from Samuel ANDERSON, of the land where the ashery stood, on both sides of the creek down to the Unadilla. In 1798, he built on the south side of the creek a small structure which was the first frame house in the town. There for a term, from about 1802, he sold merchandise, and in the process of business, about 1814 or '15, he erected a large wooden building fronting the east and north streets. The eastern part was made into a dwelling for the family, and the other part into a large store, in which he carried on mercantile business for many years in connection with his potash and pearlash business. He also kept tavern in that building for a while. The building was recently torn down by Mr. JACOBS, who bought the property. In addition to his other multifarious business, he was postmaster for some years. He died Jan. 9, 1830, aged 61, leaving a valuable property. His wife died April 6, 1833, aged 52; and her mother in 1841, aged 83, retaining full vigor of her mental faculties to the last.
Thomas STEERE left his farm to his children on his decease, and after passing through the hands of seven owners, it is now owned by Warren REYNOLDS, a son-in-law of Welcome ARNOLD's, who has lately erected a large, commodious and splendid dwelling on the ground.
Thomas Brown died about 1814. His son James inherited the homestead and at his death it descended to his heirs. It is now owned by the heirs of Jason MATTHEWSON.
Barnabas Brown married Nancy, daughter of Nathaniel MEDBURY and settled on the lot next to Samuel ANDERSON's on the west, about a half mile west of New Berlin, on the farm now occupied by Thomas LOW. He commenced house-keeping in a new log house erected for that purpose near where the old orchard stands, on the north side of the road running east and west through the farm. The orchard was among his first works after he commenced clearing up his farm. After a few years he built a more commodious house, where yet may be seen the old red-painted, one story, steeple-roof building which was the residence of Judge Barnabas Brown, amidst his happy family of sons and daughters, through a long and useful life spent in private and public employment. He was commissioned Justice of the town of New Berlin by the Council of Appointment and served in that capacity several years. He was Supervisor for several years in succession, in which office he has been reputed even to the present day the best Supervisor the town every had. He was Judge in the Common Pleas Court in the Clintonian times of State politics. He died Dec. 6, 1855, at the ripe age of 93 years, 11 months and 3 days. His wife died March 6, 1846, aged 69. Lewis Brown, son of Barnabas, is residing in New Berlin village; and Peleg, another son, is a resident of Alabama.
The ARNOLDs and MEDBURYs came from Rhode Island. Nathaniel MEDBURY was the leading one. He purchased the wild lot adjoining on the south the farm of Thomas BROWN on Great Brook, and with the help of his son Hezekiah, a stalwart young man, soon transformed the wild woods into well-cultivated fields. He represented this county in the Assembly in 1812-'13, but was stricken down before the close of his term by a virulent epidemic which entered the Hall of Legislature. His son Hezekiah remained on the farm many years after his father's death. He finally sold the homestead and removed to the town of Bainbridge, where he died Feb. 22, 1859, aged 79.
Benjamin MEDBURY, a relative of Hon. Nathaniel Medbury's, and co-immigrant with him settled on the next lot south of the latter. Joseph Medbury, a brother of Benjamin's, settled on a lot a short distance north of the James Brown premises, where he remained till his death. Stephen Medbury, another brother of Benjamin's, settled on the hill west of New Berlin village. He was a good enterprising farmer and turned his wild lot into an excellent farm. He also carried on the trade of cooper. He died May 2, 1856, aged 85, and Tabitha, his wife, April 25, 1852, aged 75.
Jabez ARNOLD came from Gloucester, R.I., his native place, in 1802, and settled about one and one-fourth miles west of New Berlin, on the farm now occupied by his grandson Eddy Arnold, where he resided till his death. He had a large family of sons and daughters, who occupied distinguished places among New Berlin's inhabitants. Five sons and two daughters accompanied him in the settlement. [Benjamin, Thomas, Lucy, Lucretia, Samuel, Eddy and Jabez.] One son, Welcome, remained behind, and followed the family in 1805, Othniel, the eldest son, came in 1799, in company with Thomas RICHMOND, a carpenter and joiner, of whom he was learning the trade, and with whom he staid {sic} until his father came in. William, the youngest, was born here, and died at the age of about nineteen. The MEDBURYs, BROWNs, and ARNOLDs were intimately connected by intermarriage and were a numerous class among the settlers.
Asa WILLIAMS settled on a wild lot some little distance from the DILLEY's, towards Norwich.
Nehemiah LEACH came from Connecticut about 1804, and settled on a side-hill lot beyond Asa WILLIAMS, near the west line of the town, which was afterwards known as Leach Hill. The farm is now occupied by Josiah ROWLEY. About this time he married Anne AYLESWORTH, of Edmeston, Otsego county. He lived there till within a few years of his death, when he removed to an adjacent farm in the town of North Norwich, where he died in 1847. He had a numerous family, six of whom are still living in the county, viz:-Athelinda, widow of Harvey SHERMAN, Eliza Ann, who is living in Pitcher; Lavinia, widow of Brown TIFFANY, living in Norwich; Nehemiah, the keeper of the Chenango county poor-house; and Julania, wife of Alvin COOK, now living in Lincklaen.
Isaac SHERMAN settled on the brook emptying into Great Brook, west of the Mayhews, and built on his farm a saw-mill. It was among the first erected in the town and furnished much valuable pine lumber. It is still in operation and it, as well as the farm, are still in possession of his descendants.
Isaac and Abner BURLINGAME, brothers, settled on Great Brook, on the lot next north of the SIMMONS' lots.
Stephen SKINNER, at an early day, settled on the same highland ridge some miles north of MATTHEWSON's farm, and near the north line of the town. The place is known as Skinner Hill.
Stephen and Nathaniel KINNEY were among the first settlers in the neighborhood of Mr. SKINNER. William ROBINSON was one of the first settlers in the same neighborhood.
Thomas SARLE, a native of Rhode Island, settled on a river lot a short distance below SCRIBNER tavern.
Asa ANGELL settled on the lot below the SARLE farm. He came from Rhode Island, moving his young family on an ox sled. The journey occupied four weeks. Mr. Angell was an exemplary man.
William, Pliny and Joseph PHELPS, brothers, settled on the river on adjoining farms, a little below the Dr. FOOTE farm. William, as he advanced in years, occasionally went forth to preach the gospel, which he conceived to be his duty.
Captain Lemuel MUNROE was also a blacksmith. He came about the beginning of the present century and opened a shop on the south side of the street in New Berlin village. His home stood on the place now owned by the widow of Benajah CHAPIN. At his death, May 28, 1818, aged 58, he left the homestead property to his son, Lines W. Munroe.
Jacob BREWER another blacksmith, settled on the opposite side of the street. The shop he occupied is still standing, though but a wreck of its former usefulness.
John PIKE, also a blacksmith, purchased the old shop and carried on the blacksmith business several years. He married Parmelia, sister of General WELCH, who died April 25, 1830, aged 37. After her death he married the widow HARRIS. He died May 31, 1860, aged 68.
A man named TAMMANY, who was a tailor, had a shop and worked at his trade where the widow of Albert SPENCER now lives. He was the first person to engage in that business in New Berlin.
Russel CHENEY, who became the owner of JUDSON's place and whose widow still owns it, married Phila, daughter of Charles HARRIS, and during her life worked at the shoemaker's trade. Some time after her death, (Sept. 5, 1860, aged 59,) he sold the place formerly occupied, purchased the Judson premises, and married Miss PRATT. He died Feb. 27, 1871, aged 73.
David ATHERTON, who was a saddler, came from Connecticut and built a one-story dwelling on the premises now occupied by Amenzo CADY's shop and the MEDBURY store in New Berlin village. He afterwards sold to Isaac VANDYKE and removed to the adjoining town of Columbus. His wife died here Dec. 2, 1809, aged 27.
Lawrence McINTYRE, an Irishman, traded a few years in the building now occupied by George SAGE, the frame part of which he built about 1805 or '6. The building has since been remodeled and repaired.
About 1815, Charles KNAP, who came from Connecticut, in 1801, and was engaged in the tanning business in New Berlin, built the brick store now occupied by Jesse S. BRADLEY, and commenced mercantile business in company with Henry DeFOREST, who came from Connecticut to Edmeston, in Otsego county, and from thence about 1815 to New Berlin. After they dissolved partnership, DeForest built the store now occupied by S. L. MORGAN, where he traded in company with Silas A. CONKEY.
Wm. Turpin BROWN, son of Barnabas Brown, a pioneer settler in this town, traded here some five or six years immediately preceding his death, which occurred March 9, 1856.
Coleman & Joyce opened the first drug store in the early part of the present century, in the small gamble-roof building on the north side of East street, now occupied as a dwelling by the widow RHODES. They traded here several years, but had moved previous to 1816. Asahel HATCH came from Hamilton about 1814 and after Dr. COLEMAN's removal engaged in the drug business, to which both he and Coleman had been specially educated. Hatch occupied the store built by Isaac VAN DYKE on South street, known as the Medbury store. He left New Berlin about 1818. Ebenezar BIVINS succeeded Hatch in the drug business in the same store. He married here the eldest daughter of Levi BLAKESLEE.
The following are engaged in mercantile business in New Berlin: Morgan Finch & Phelps, dealers in general merchandise. The business represented by this firm was commenced in 1857 by Solomon L. MORGAN.
George SAGE is carrying on a general merchandise business which was established in the fall of 1860, by W. A. LULL and William A. MEDBURY, the former from Morris and the latter a native of New Berlin. They continued in company till August 7, 1868, when Medbury sold to C. L. ROBINSON and E. A. SAGE, and the name became Robinson, Lull & Sage. April 7, 1873, Robinson withdrew and George and Andrew J. Sage became partners, under the name of Lull, Sage & Co. In 1875, Andrew J. Sage, retired, and the remaining partners continued the business till the fall of 1878, when they sold to George Sage, the present proprietor.
Fuller, Ball & Co., general merchants, are the successors to a business established in 1863, by E. R. FULLER, a native of Cooperstown, who removed to New Berlin with his parents in 1836, at the age of two years. In 1865, Henry M. CUSHING became his partner, and the business was conducted under the name of Fuller & Cushing till 1868, when Cushing retired and I. K. BALL and J. M. ANGELL became his associates. The business has since been conducted under the name of Fuller, Ball & Co., though Mr. Angell retired in 1878.
James McFARLAND, clothier, commenced business in 1864. He had worked the three preceding years for Morgan & Hawkins of New Berlin.
Jesse B. BRADLEY, hardware merchant, commenced business in 1865, in which year he bought of Henry TEW, who came from Morris and traded five years.
Charles H. POPE, dealer in boots, shoes, groceries and ready made clothing, commenced business in 1866, in which year he bought out I. T. BUTTERFIELD, for whom he had clerked seven years.
Dimock & Matterson, (George C. C. DIMOCK and Truman I. MATTERSON,) general merchants, have done business in company since 1867.
Church, Morgan & Co., (C. A. CHURCH, S. L. MORGAN and C. L. ROBINSON,) dealers in flour, feed, coal, lime, plaster and grain, commenced business in 1870. The only change which has taken place in the firm occurred in 1876, when C. L. ROBINSON took the place of George and Eugene A. SAGE and W. A. LULL, who were members of the original firm.
Hazard & Dykes, (Dr. A. C. HAZARD and James L. DYKES,) druggists, commenced business Jan. 10, 1871. They bought, at his death, the stock of E. E. BLOSSOM, who came from Norwich in the fall of 1868.
Henry J. HALSTEAD, hardware dealer, commenced business here in 1871, in company with B. J. HAIGHT under the name of B. J. Haight & Co. In March, 1879, he bought Mr. Haight's interest. Mr. Halstead is a native of Otsego county and came here from Oxford.
L. Spafard & Co., (Lewis SPAFARD and A D. SPRAGUE,) general merchants, commenced business in 1875.
Adelbert H. HANDY, grocer and baker, commenced business in October, 1874, at which time he bought out Adelbert SNOW, who did business here about a year and a half. Mr. Handy is a native of New Berlin.
G. W. BENTLEY & Son, (Edward C.,) furniture dealers and undertakers, came in 1876 from Brookfield, where the Elder Bentley established the business in 1853, continuing there the manufacturing interest, in company with his son Edward C. from 1872, until Feb. 10, 1879, when the establishment at Brookfield was burned. After the fire at Brookfield, the manufacturing department, which gives employment to eight persons, was transferred to New Berlin, where the sales department had been since 1876. A building, thirty by fifty feet, three stories high, was erected for its accommodation on Mill Creek, in New Berlin village, which affords a fall at this point of about thirty feet. The building was begun May 1, 1879, and was ready for occupancy July 1st, following. They manufactured all kinds of furniture and burial caskets. Their ware-house is in the building formerly occupied by E. A. BELL as a dry goods store, which they remodeled and repaired in November, 1879.
Sidney E. OLIN, grocer, is a native of New Berlin, and commenced business in 1876. Tracey H. MORSE, merchant tailor, came here from Unadilla in 1877. Horace J. WOOD, druggist and grocer, commenced business in April, 1879. He came from Greene, where he had carried on the drug business ten years, and bought out the grocery stock of J. C. Oatley, to which he added drugs. He is a native of Utica. M. S. Willard & Co., (Mrs. G. W. ARCHAMBAULT,) bakers and confectioners commenced business August 14, 1879.
Royal ROSS, nephew of Dr. Ebenezer Ross, who had lived and studied with his uncle, came from Connecticut, and attended Fairfield Medical College in company with Nathan BEARDSLEE, and with him removed to Sherburne and commenced the practice of medicine. He was licensed by the Chenango County Medical Society Nov. 10, 1821.
Russell B. BURCH, from Hartwick, Otsego county, commenced practice here as early as 1830, and continued till within a short time of his death, from consumption, June 21, 1861, aged 54. Dr. P. H. HARD, who studied medicine with Dr. MITCHELL, of Norwich, and was licensed by the Chenango Medical Society in March, 1825, practiced here a year or two before 1840, and removed to Oswego. D. Herman GREY came here from the Eastern States about 1834, and removed in 1841 to Wisconsin. Caleb G. HALL was practicing here in 1840, and removed in the fall of that year to Cooperstown. James HARRINGTON, who was licensed by the Chenango County Medical Society in the fall of 1830, and was practicing with Dr. Hall, removed the same year to Pennsylvania. A. T. LYON was practicing here in 1850. Frank B. ABBOTT was practicing here in 1861, and G. A. JONES in 1868. They remained only two or three years. Abbott removed to Vallonia Springs, Broome county, and Jones to Albany.
The present physicians are Dyer LOOMIS, Alvin C. HAZARD, James B. NOYES, Hobert S. DYE and Floyd D. BROOKS.
Dyer LOOMIS was born in Ashfield, Mass., Feb. 5, 1801, and was educated in Sanderson's Academy in Ashfield. He pursued his medical studies with Dr. Barney Colwell, of St. Johnsville, N.Y., and subsequently with Dr. Daniel Ayers, of East Canada Creek, N.Y. He was licensed by the Montgomery County Medical Society in June, 1826, and was graduated at Fairfield Medical College Jan. 31, 1827. He commenced practice in Palatine and remained there five years. He removed thence to Butternuts, and after five years' practice there attended another course of lectures at Fairfield Medical College. After completing the course, in 1840, he removed to New Berlin, where he has practiced till within the last two years, when he retired from active practice. He still resides in New Berlin. He is the third son of Rev. Josiah Loomis.
Alvin C. HAZARD was born in Great Bend, Penn., June 21, 1838, and was educated in the Academy in his native place. He commenced the study of medicine in 1860 with Dr. E. A. Wilmot, of Great Bend. In 1863, he entered the United States Railroad Medical Department, connected with the army, as assistant surgeon, serving in that capacity two years, and one year in charge of the United States Military Railroad Hospital at Alexandria, Va. He left the military service in January, 1866, and located at South New Berlin, where he practiced his profession for five years, removing in 1871 to the village of New Berlin, where he has since practiced. He was licensed by the Chenango County Medical Society in May, 1866. He was Supervisor of New Berlin in 1869, and was elected Sheriff of Chenango county in November, 1879, on the Republican ticket.
Noah ELY, who was born in Berkshire county, Mass., in 1786, came from thence to New Berlin about 1814 or '15, and practiced till old age compelled him to desist. He died here in January, 1871.
Henry BENNETT was born in New Lisbon, Otsego county, Sept. 29, 1808. He studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1832. He located about this time in New Berlin and continued to practice here till his death. He was elected to Congress in 1848, and served in that capacity ten successive years, from 1849 to 1859. He lacked only one vote of being nominated for the sixth time to that office. In the 34th Congress, 1855-57, he was Chairman of the Committee on Public Lands, and reported a number of important bills for the benefit of the Western States. He was a member of the same committee in the 35th Congress.
John P. USHER came from Brookfield, N.Y., about 1831 or '2, and read law with Hon. Henry BENNETT and subsequently with John HYDE, both of New Berlin. He was admitted about 1837, and practiced in company with his preceptor, Mr. Hyde, two years, when he removed to Indiana.
Alonzo JOHNSON came from Milford, Otsego county, between 1830 and 1840. After practicing a year or two he removed to Greene.
Henry O. SOUTHWORTH came from Bridgewater, Oneida county, about 1841 or '2, and completed his legal studies with Noah ELY. He practiced here a few years and removed to Rome.
Samuel S. RANDALL, a native of Norwich, son of Perez Randall, practiced law here a few years previous to 1840, and married here.
Nathan BEARDSLEE, a native of Pittsfield, Otsego county, came here about 1825 or '6, from Sherburne, where he lived a year or two. He practiced here till his death, Oct. 16, 1831, aged 35.
George W. SUMNER, a native of Guilford, in this county, came to New Berlin as a student and read law with Henry BENNETT. He served as Justice of New Berlin two successive terms; and represented this county in the Assembly in 1864 and '5. He was drowned in Crooked Lake, Aug. 10, 1865, while visiting an associate Member of Assembly. He was born Dec. 27, 1821.
The present lawyers in New Berlin are John HYDE, Oscar F. MATTERSON and Henry H. HARRINGTON.
John HYDE was born in Franklin, Conn., June 24, 1791, and removed with his parents in 1802 to Columbus, then Brookfield. He commenced his law studies in 1811 with Stephen O. RUNYAN, of Oxford, and completed them with John TRACY. He was admitted in 1816 and commenced the practice of his profession that year in New Berlin, where he has since continued. Mr. Hyde is the author of some admirably written sketches on the early history of New Berlin and Columbus, which he has kindly placed at our disposal, and as he is an authority on these subjects we have made liberal extracts from them. In his old age he enjoys in an eminent degree the respect and confidence of his fellow townsmen, who have honored him at different times with various town offices.
Oscar F. MATTERSON was born in Burlington, Otsego county, Aug. 29, 1832, and was educated in the common and select schools of his native town. He commenced the study of law in 1852, with George S. GORHAM, of Burlington, and was admitted in 1854. He commenced practice in December, 1855, in New Berlin, where he has since continued in company with W. F. JENKS.
Henry H. HARRINGTON was born in Garrettsville, Otsego county, Oct. 17, 1838, and was educated in the academies of Cooperstown, Fort Plain and New Berlin, to which latter town his parents removed in 1854. He commenced the study of law in 1859, with James E. DEWEY, of Cherry Valley, with whom he remained till his admission in 1861. He was supervisor of New Berlin in 1868.
Merchants:- The first merchant of whom we have any definite information was Judge Nathan TAYLOR, a native of Rhode Island, who came from Pittsfield, Mass., in 1803, with his young wife, and cleared up a farm in the south part of the village. He was the founder of South New Berlin, and was prominently identified with all its substantial interests. He was a Justice for fourteen years. He commenced trading here about 1812, in a building which stood on the south-east corner, on the site of Chancellor BABCOCK's store, and was afterwards burned.
Caleb BOTTS came from Delaware county about 1820 and opened a store in a building which stood on the north-west corner, where the BREFFLE House now stands.
Ephraim WOOD, who had been engaged in shoemaking at New Berlin, and had kept a small store a short time in Holmesville, commenced mercantile business here about 1835. He was a prominent merchant here for a good many years.
The following are the merchants now engaged in business in South New Berlin:-
C. B. and H. BABCOCK, (Charles B. and Hobart,) general merchants. This business was established in 1841, by Ephriam Wood, Jr., who was associated with Charles B. Babcock from 1854 to 1857, under the name of Wood & Babcock.
Chancellor H. BABCOCK, general merchant, commenced business in 1863, at which time he bought out E. D. JACKSON.
Frank VAN VALKENBURG, general merchant, commenced business in 1866, in company with his father-in-law, Elijah B. DIXON, whose interest he bought in February, 1871.
George E. HAWLEY, druggist, commenced the general merchandise business here in 1867, in company with Charles E. BRETT. December, 1875, he established himself in the drug business.
De Florence H. WALES, dealer in hardware and tinware, commenced business here April 1, 1878.
There are two millinery shops in the village, one kept by Mrs. E. A. B ROOKS, who came from Burlington, Otsego county, in 1876, and commenced business in April, of that year; the other, by Mrs. William BASSETT, a native of South New Berlin, who commenced business in 1876.
The present physicians in South New Berlin are Stanford C. GIBSON, William H. KINNIER and James R. WALKER. [Dr. Walker came from Mt. Upton Oct. 23, 1879. See page 243 (Mount Upton).]
Stanford C. GIBSON was born in Berne, Albany county, Jan. 14, 1810.
William H. KINNIER was born in Smithville, July 5, 1844.
Merchants:- The first merchant at Holmesville was Waterman FIELDS, a native of the town, whose father came from Rhode Island among the first settlers and located two miles west of New Berlin. Waterman Fields built his store in 1833, on the site of the store now occupied by Martin A. BURLINGAME. It is still standing, having been removed from its original location, and is now occupied as a residence by Mrs. Almira CASE.
Abraham HOLMES, James ISBELL and Zara ARNOLD opened a store about 1844, in the building now occupied by Charles H. THORNTON, which was built for the purpose by Mr. Holmes about that time.
Charles H. THORNTON, a native of Holmesville, is now trading here. The only other merchant now trading here is Martin A. BURLINGAME, who is a native of the place, but came here from New York, and commenced business Feb. 1, 1879.
[The monument bears the inscription- "Erected May 30, 1877."]