CHAPTER XVIII.
PROGRESS OF IMPROVEMENT IN TOWNS CONTINUED --- DE RUYTER AND GEORGETOWN.
The once large town of De Ruyter, which included the territory of the present towns of German, Lincklaen, Otselic and Pitcher in Chenango county, and Georgetown in Madison county, was reduced to its present area in 1815, when the last-named town was set off. There was no important change in the town other than the gradual increase in population during the first quarter of the century, the development of agricultural operations, and the growth of the village that gathered in early years about the mills on the Tioughnioga, and the store of Samuel Bowen. In early years this village gained considerable business importance and had so increased in population by 1833 that it was incorporated on the 15th of April; it was reincorporated December 7, 1847, and again on February 18, 1878, under the law of April 20, 1870. We are able to give a nearly complete list of the presidents and clerks from the first incorporation to the present time, as follows:
Presidents -- 1833, Jeremiah Gage; 1834, Elmer D. Jenks; 1835, Ephraim Arnold; 1836, Stephen G. Sears; 1837, Samuel Gage; 1838, Abijah N. Annas; 1839, R. D. Dellay (Dillaye); 1840, Abram Hart; 1841, Zadock T. Bentley; 1842, James Nye; 1843, Charles Benjamin; 1844, Israel Smith; 1845, Silas G. Walker; 1846, Ira Gage Barnes; 1847, Barton G. Stillman; 1848, Elmer D. Jenks; 1849, J. S. Bentley; 1850, Willard D. Wilcox; 1851, Thomas Russell; 1 1852; 2 1853, Allen Sutton; 1854, C. H. Maxson; 1855, Allen Sutton; 1856, Allen Shepherd; 1857, William J. Ayer; 1858, Allen Sutton; 1859 . J. W. Merchant; 1860; 3 1861-63, Barton G. Stillman; 1864, J. R. Rider; 1865-66, B. G. Stillman; 1867-68, H. C. Miner; 1869, B. G. Stillman; 1870, Allen Sutton; 1871, B. G. Stillman; 1872, H. C. Miner; 1873-74, B. G. Stillman; 1875, Horace Benjamin; 1876, James P. Russell; 1877-84, Byron S. Bryant; 1885, Henry K. Nash; 1886, Ransom F. Clark; 1887, Edwin N. Coon; 1888-89, Charles H. Maxson; 1890-92, William J. Annas; 1893-94, Wallace E. Burdick; 1895-96, Harlan D. Preston; 1897, Wallace E. Burdick; 1898, Harlan D. Preston.
Clerks -- 1833, Le Baron Goodwin; 1834, George Sears; 1835-36, Z. T. Bentley; 1837, Martin Spear; 1838, Charles, Charles H. Maxson; 1839-42, George Sears; 1843-46, Artemas V. Bentley; 1847, William B. Wooley; 1848-51, Charles H. Maxson; 1853-54, J. B. Wells; 1855, Arza Coon; 1856, A. V. Bentley; 1857-58, Jacob Merritt; 1859-61, Robert P. York; 1862, Henry Russell; 1863, Thomas Fisher; 1864-65, George W. Blodgett; 1866, Jason B. Wells; 1867, L. B. Kern; 1868-72, W. E. Burdick; 1873, Jason B. Wells; 1874-78, W. Judson Annas; 4 1879-82, W. E. Burdick; 1883-87, William J. Annas; 1888-92, Ory G. Hayes; 1893-95, Frank D. Simons; 1896-97, H. Julian Fellows; 1898, William H. Hill.
While De Ruyter village was developing into a business center of some importance a number of families not yet mentioned came in and settled in various parts of the town. Among these may be mentioned Pliny Sabins, who built the first frame house at Shed's Corners in early years. David Maine, who was well known as a very successful school teacher and lived at the head, of the reservoir; he reared a large family, his son David becoming a surveyor and member of assembly in 1849. James Nye, father of the prominent lawyer, James W. Nye. Eleazer H. Sears, father of Stephen G., George S., and Francis Sears, who were all well known citizens. Aaron, Belden, Isaac, and Nathan Paddock, who came with their mothers from Dutchess county. Jonathan, Luke, and Pardon Coon, who were successful farmers in the north part of the town. Col. Elmer D. Jencks, a prominent business man. Dr. Hubbard Smith, who was the first postmaster at the village. Abraham Payne, the first regular attorney, and others who will be noticed as we proceed.
There was a saw mill on the site of the later one which was probably built as early as the beginning of the century. The second one on the site was built by Joseph H. Crumb, who sold it to George Angel about 1877. The foundry, established also by Mr. Crumb, passed to Angel with the mill. The mill subsequently fell into decay and the foundry became the property of the Cazenovia Coal and Lumber Company and was used for storage. It was recently burned.
About a mile above the site of the village mills was formerly a saw and a grist mill which was operated many years by Jonathan Neil, and a part of the time by Frank Antes; both now idle and going to decay. The village grist mill was built about sixty years ago by Stephen Hubbard and afterwards passed through the hands of Hiram Webster, Horace Hill, Lewis Sears, William and Julius Hill and H. E. Hill, sons of Horace, and to the present proprietors, Thompson & Church.
A soap and candle factory was started about 1850 by Alexander Campbell who took his son, George A., as partner soon afterward. The latter was the next year associated with his brother-in-law, Edward Spicer, who purchased the elder Campbell's interest. After several changes in proprietorship the business passed to Barton G. Stillman, who was also a harness maker. The industry was never an important one and is now discontinued.
The tannery established at an early day by Ephraim Arnold, was long the important industry of the village; but even that has succumbed to the inevitable business changes of recent years. Abraham Sutton and his son Lindley acquired a half interest in the tannery and later Lewis Sears and James Sutton purchased Arnold's interest, the firm becoming Sutton, Sears & Co. When subsequently Abraham and James Sutton sold to the other partners and Simeon Rider was admitted, the firm name was made Sutton, Sears & Rider. The next change was the purchase of Rider's interest by Allen Sutton. After the death of Lindley Sutton, about 1845, Lewis Sears and Allen Sutton took the business, which soon afterward was all acquired by Sutton; he continued it until 1875, when it was abandoned. When Simeon Rider sold his interest in this tannery he purchased an old carding factory which had stood for many years on the north side of the stream, and converted it into a tannery, which operated until his death. It passed to Carlos Bennett and J. Harvey Delamater. The later was connected with the industry until it ceased operation about 1874.
Another manufacturing industry of De Ruyter was the chair factory of E. M. Pope, who came from Cincinnatus in 1878 and established it; but it was removed to Crane's Mills the next year.
There is almost no manufacturing in this town at the present time aside from that connected with the dairying interest. With the changes that recent years have wrought in agricultural methods in this vicinity, grain and stock raising and mixed farming that once predominated have been superseded by the manufacture of butter and cheese and the sale of milk. In 1880 there were five creameries and cheese factories in the town, which were taking the milk from 1,900 cows; these were the Case factory, named for its former owner, Milton L. Case, who purchased it from De Grand Benjamin, by whom it was converted in 1870 from a grist mill, the mill becoming useless through the construction of the reservoir which destroyed the water power; this factory was burned in 1894 and rebuilt. The reservoir factory was built in 1865 by a stock company about four miles north of the village; it is now owned by De Lloyd Burdick. The Shed's Corners factory was built about the close of the Civil war by A. B. White and passed to his children; it is now owned by Buckingham & McCoy. The Quaker Basin factory was converted from a Quaker meeting house by a Mr. Mack in 1869 and was subsequently burned. A new creamery is now operated here by Frank Harris, and owned by a stock company. The Crumb Hill factory was built about 1875 by L. D. Nichols, who operated it a number of years; it is now idle.
Within quite recent years the raising of potatoes for distant markets has become an important industry with the farmers, and large quantities have been shipped. Hay, also, is produced in large quantities and has been shipped largely to Pennsylvania. Paul Billings & Co., have large hay storage facilities near the village. Hard wood lumber is still sold to a limited extent to the Byrant Furniture Company, who operate a steam saw mill near the station and have a factory in Truxton.
The first merchant at De Ruyter was Samuel Bowen, who came soon after 1800 and opened a store in a small building which stood a little north of the site of the Taber House. A man named Gray was in trade in 1805 and built the first frame store. Nathan B. Wilbur, a native of Brookfield, opened a store about 1818 and was in business several years. James Benjamin was another early merchant, and Eli Spear kept a store on the southwest corner in 1809 and afterwards kept a public house in the same building.
Col. Elmer D. Jencks came into Smyrna with his parents in 1791, and in 1809 settled in De Ruyter where he established an early distillery a mile north of the village. In 1814 he located in the village and opened a store where he was in trade until about 1860. Sylvester Tylesworth was an early merchant who removed to Utica about 1824. Israel Smith was clerk for Mr. Jencks and from about 1831 for nearly fifteen years was in business for himself. Stephen G. and George Sears, merchants from about 1830 to 1837, failed in the latter year. John Elmore, from Connecticut was an early merchant, and kept a tavern in the same building on the site of the Taber House; he moved to Oberlin, Ohio. Martin Spear was a business contemporary of Elmore and for some years kept the tavern of which the latter was proprietor; he removed to Cazenovia where he was a merchant and tavern keeper, and died there in 1877. Crandall & Alvord built a brick store in 1835 which was burned in 1878. About four years together in trade Alvord removed to Cazenovia and Crandall subsequently took his nephew, Silas C. Walker, as partner. The latter continued alone after about five years until 1857 when he failed. John L. Elmore, son of John, began trade about 1837 and soon took as partners Abijah N. Annas and William J. Ayer; they in 1839 built the finest brick and stone business block in the village; it was burned in 1858. After ten or twelve years together, Elmore retired and went to Elmira and Annas & Ayer continued a few years when Annas retired and his partner continued alone until the building was burned.
H. A. & F. C. Dillaye began trade about 1838 and continued to 1844 when Henry A. removed to Syracuse where he became a prominent business man. His brother continued a few years and sold to Benjamin Birdsall and Bradley Merchant. Their partnership was dissolved in 1849, Birdsall going to Michigan, and Mr. Merchant took his son, J. Warren, as partner. The senior withdrew in 1860 and the son continued to the close of the war when he sold to his brother, M. R. Merchant. He continued in successful trade more than fifteen years and finally failed.
In 1833 John R. Rider bought the former harness business of Joshua Curtis and was connected with the business nearly half a century. About 1853 he took the stock of his brother, Nathan G., who had traded in Hamilton about two years, and brought it to De Ruyter. In 1865 he took as partner his son-in-law, George D. Blye, and the firm continued many years longer but ultimately failed.
Noah T. Coleman opened a general store in 1835 with Israel Smith. They separated at the end of year dividing the stock, Smith continuing in trade a few years, and selling to Norman Otis. Mr. Coleman about 1840 took his brother Horatio as partner, but the firm dissolved a few years later and Noah T. continued about forty years and retired from business. He built the store he long occupied, which is now a dwelling. Joseph H. Crumb settled in the village about 1847, began manufacturing furniture and was for many years and to near his death engaged in various undertakings. Henry S. Walker began as a hard-ware dealer about 1868 and still continues. Haight and Burdick began dealing in drugs and groceries, purchasing a former stock, and continued for a period, when Burdick removed from the place; Haight continued until his tragic death, which is elsewhere noticed. The firm of Burdick & Stillman also dealt in drugs and groceries, Mr. Stillman finally retired and Burdick continued until his death. Erastus H. Lee, now a general merchant, began business in 1874. Henry Howes carried on a book and stationary store some years, beginning in 1876, and is now a live stock dealer. Robert P. York began as a dry goods and clothing dealer in 1876; he is deceased. Rouse & Howes, boot and Shoe dealers, began as successors to a business established in 1877 but subsequently went out of trade. H. C. Blanchard, clothing, began in 1895 with W. P. Campbell, who retired in 1897. C. E. Maxson, in jewelry trade, began in 1893. M. R. Smith opened a clothing business in 1881 which he recently sold and removed to Pennsylvania. Stanton & Nichols, milliners, began in 1898. J. D. Allen conducts a plumbing business and O. M. Blanchard is a wagon maker and blacksmith, beginning in 1883.
Other present business interests of the village, with data regarding establishment, are as follows: F. S. Mitchell, drugs and medicines, established in 1882; F. M. Russell, groceries and hardware, began in 1887; A. W. Francis, flour and feed, 1885, recently sold to E. M. Stanton; Ira E. Smith, furniture and undertaking, succeeding J. H. Crumb, 1886; H. P. Mitchell, insurance, 1881; E. D. Benjamin, photographer, 1883; W. G. Weed, baker, 1870; H. B. Griffiths, 1883; Hardie & Orvis, dry goods, 1894, succeeded by W. H. Hardie in 1899; E. M. Stanton, general store, 1895; S. W. Fiske, grocer, succeeded by B. E. Craw; M. E. Tallett, coal, produce, etc.; W.W. Rainey, harness, 1893; E. S. Newitt, hardware and groceries; C.A. Rainbow, meats, 1898; R. F. Clark, groceries, 1898.
After the failure of the old bank, noticed later on, the De Ruyter Banking Company was organized in 1889, with a capital of $10,000, and a successful banking business has been carried on since. The first and present officers are as follows : B. S. Bryant, president; M. E. Tallett, vice-president; F. S. Mitchell, treasurer and cashier.
During the past twenty years De Ruyter has had a good newspaper which has been liberally supported by the inhabitants. The first paper published in the village was the De Ruyter Herald, which was published in 1835 by C. W. Mason; in the next year the Protestant Sentinel was issued and continued under other titles for several years. In October, 1847, the National Banner was started by A. C. Hill and lived two years. From 1848 to 1851 the Central New Yorker was published by E. F. & C. B. Gould. The Banner of the Times was published a few years closing with 1855 by Walker & Hill. The De Ruyter Weekly News was established in 1862 by J. E. N. Backus, and was discontinued in 1864. The De Ruyter New Era was started September 29, 1870, by John R. Beden, and had a fairly successful career for many years. On September 18, 1878, Warren W. Ames started the Weekly Gleaner, which absorbed the New Era in 1884. The Gleaner is still published as a progressive Republican newspaper by Mr. Ames, and is the only paper in the village. The De Ruyter American was started December 24, 1896, by N.E. Bugbee, and was discontinued in November, 1897.
Succeeding the tavern of Eli Page, which was in existence previous to 1809 and continued with many changes for more than half a century, the hotel of Eli Spear was purchased by Thomas C. Nye, was remodeled and enlarged and was kept under the name of the Madison House. Mr. Nye ran stages to neighboring points and his house was popular with travelers. In later years the Page hotel, before mentioned, was rebuilt by Abijah Annas, and kept as the Annas House about two years from 1849. He leased it to Guest & Harris who kept it about two years; they were succeeded by Gilson & Warfield about three years, and they by Henry Marsh for a like period, when it was sold in 1859 to J. W. Clark, who transferred it in 1864 to Gilbert Taber. He kept it until 1879, when he leased it to I. M. Judd. After a few other changes it passed to the present proprietor, John Coye.
The Central Hotel was built soon after the opening of the railroad by Charles Jones and his son, C. L. H. Jones, and occupied as a saloon. It was converted into a hotel in 1878 by Martin Blanchard, who was succeeded by Charles Perry, and he by C. E. Beekman, who improved the house and changed its name to the Park Hotel; it is now kept by W.W. Owens. The De Ruyter Hotel was built for a residence by M. R. Merchant. At his failure it passed to Isaac Sampson, who sold it to W. M. Baldwin; it was converted to hotel uses in 1893, and is now owned by George C. Satterlee.
De Ruyter village became a post station about 1810 and Dr. Hubbard Smith was the first postmaster. The number of inhabitants was then very small and the little collection of dwellings were mainly built of logs. The census of 1810 gave the town a population of 1,503, but it then included the territory of Georgetown. The construction of the turnpike from Cooperstown through to Homer gave considerable impetus to settlements along its route, a share of which was located in this village. The first school house in the village was built in 1812 and continued to be the only one for many years. There were a few log school houses at that date in different parts of the town. The growth of the village was slow during the first quarter of the century. Col. Elmer D. Jenks was appointed the second postmaster in 1818, and he held the office until about 1833. Between that date and 1861 the postmasters were Noah T. Coleman, George Sears, Stephen G. Sears, William P. Guest, Benjamin Birdsall and Stephen G. Sears again. The latter was succeeded in 1861 by A. V. Bentley, who held the office more than twenty years. His successors have been W. E. Burdick, F. Schellinger, W. G. Weed and H. P. Mitchell.
The most prosperous period of De Ruyter village was perhaps from 1830 to 1840, or thereabouts. There were lively expectations that the proposed railroad from Chittenango to Cazenovia would be extended to the village, to the great advantage of the place. The first railroad meeting ever held throughout a wide extent of territory surrounding De Ruyter was held in the winter of 1832-3 at T. C. Nye's public house, and was attended by many of the prominent men of Madison county of that day, as well as many from adjoining counties. There were Judge Yates, Col. Elmer D. Jencks, Gen. J. D. Ledyard, Hon. William K. Fuller, then member of congress, John Fairchild, editor of the Cazenovia Monitor; James Nye, Elias P. Benjamin, Benjamin Enos, Z. T. Bentley, Bradley Merchant, Stephen G. Sears, and others, all of whom took a deep interest in the project. As is well known it was abandoned for a time. It was at the beginning of this period of prosperity that the village was incorporated, as before noticed.
The first physician in De Ruyter was Dr. Hubbard Smith, who came from Rensselaer county at an early day; he joined the Madison County Medical Society in 1808, soon after its formation, and practiced until about 1836, when he removed to near Jamesville and there died. Dr. Ephraim Otis was contemporary with Dr. Smith and practiced until his death prior to 1850. Dr. Nathan Collins came from Brookfield to New Woodstock in 1826 and studied with his brother, Dr. Stephen Collins. He began practice in De Ruyter in the early part of 1829 and continued to about 1832, when he removed to Illinois and soon afterwards died. Dr. Ira Spencer was in practice from 1839 for nearly half a century and until his death. Dr. James Whitford was his partner about two years. Dr. Russell Ballou began practice about 1835 and continued until his death.
Dr. Silas Clark, a native of Brookfield, born June 17, 1824, studied his profession with Dr. Spencer and graduated from the medical department of the University of New York in 1848 and at once began practice here, which he has continued to the present time, a period of more than fifty years.
Dr. E. S. Mumford came from New Woodstock in 1862 and practiced in partnership with Dr. Ira Spencer five years, when he removed to Schuyler county. A few years later he returned to De Ruyter and practiced until 1870, when he removed to Syracuse, where he died. Dr. Edwin N. Coon is a native of Brookfield and a graduate of the homoeopathic department of the University of Michigan in 1872; he at once began practice here and has continued ever since. Dr. Adelbert W. Truman, a graduate of the Eclectic Medical College of Philadelphia, practiced in De Ruyter from 1876 to 1895, when he removed to Rochester. Dr. James E. McClellan began practice here in 1885. C. P. Monroe also is in practice, and J. H. Schaffer dentist. A number of other physicians have practiced in the village for brief periods.
The legal profession has been ably represented in past years in De Ruyter, as the reader will more fully learn in the chapter devoted to the Bench and Bar. The first attorney in the village was Abraham Payne, son of Elisha Payne, the prominent pioneer of the town of Hamilton. Abraham Payne settled in this village about 1824 and practiced about ten years, removing then to Seneca Falls where he became prominently identified with the milling business; he subsequently died in Ohio. Martin P. Sweet practiced from 1832 to 1836 and Lorenzo Sherburne studied with him and practiced here from about 1834 to 1839, when he removed with James W. Nye, his student, to Hamilton. Sherwood's brother Luman was in partnership with him from 1834 to 1839. Zadock T. Bentley was not only an able lawyer, but a prominent citizen in every way. A native of Washington county, he studied law with Alonzo G. Hammond, at Berlin, N.Y., beginning in 1829. He was admitted in Madison county in 1833 and until 1836 was a partner with Martin P. Sweet. Mr. Bentley continued in practice until 1844 when he removed to Morrisville, having been elected county clerk. He practiced in Morrisville after his term expired until about 1862, when he removed to Oneida and died there July 4, 1870.
George P. Stone came from Homer about 1836, just after his admission, and practiced in partnership with Mr. Bentley until 1839, when he removed to Georgia on account of failing health; he died about a year later. Artemas V. Bentley was born in De Ruyter and was a brother of Zadock T., with whom he studied law. He was admitted in 1841 and practiced until 1861, when he was appointed postmaster and held the office more than twenty years. Andrew Scott Sloan, son of Judge Andrew S. Sloan of Morrisville, practiced in De Ruyter from 1844 to 1854, when he went to Wisconsin. His younger brother, Ithamar C., studied with him and was in practice a number of years. David J. Mitchell and Henry C. Goodwin both studied with A. V. Bentley, and practiced in Hamilton as partners until the death of Mr. Goodwin in 1860. Mr. Mitchell subsequently became a leader of the Onondaga bar at Syracuse and died there.
Other attorneys who have practiced in De Ruyter are Harris C. Miner, a man of fine natural qualifications, who was in partnership with his brother, R. L. Miner, from 1859 until the death of the latter in 1863, and with L. B. Kern, a prominent citizen, member of assembly four years and also district attorney one term, from 1864 to 1870, all of whom are deceased. Daniel O. Mitchell, a brother of David J., practiced more than twenty years and is deceased. Sidney T. Holmes began practice here in 1864. Wallace E. Burdick began practice in 1868 and still continues, and H. D. Messenger, who has been in practice about three years, and J. H. Pool and H. D. Preston, who began about five years ago.
At about the close of the Civil war, when business interests of all kinds were at high tide, banking facilities were needed in De Ruyter and John R. Rider opened a private banking business. This was the only institution of the kind until E. B. Parsons & Co. opened their bank with the firm name in January, 1870, the partner being E. B. Crandall. In the winter of 1875-76 Mr. Parsons purchased his partner's interest and at the same time took his father, Cyrus Parsons, as partner. The capital was $15,000. After a number of years of successful business the bank failed and was closed.
The fire department in De Ruyter village dates from the incorporation of the place in 1833 when, on August 8, the trustees were authorized to purchase a fire engine and equipment, and to supply a house in which to keep them. The engine was bought at a cost of $207. In the village by-laws governing the village after the first incorporation, the customary regulations were incorporated regarding the placing of fire buckets in taverns, stores and dwellings. In December, 1834, the trustees were directed to purchase " forty feet of fire hose and provide a ladder for the use of the fire company." The first engine house was built in 1839; it must have been a small affair, as only $100 was appropriated, and part of that was to be expended for sidewalks.
An ordinance was adopted July 1, 1841, for the organization of a fire company with twenty-four members, with a captain, foreman, mate and one chief engineer and two assistants. The members were required to provide themselves with a leather or oil cloth cap and a linen or " tow cloth " coat. The first officers of this company, as far as can be ascertained, were Lindley M. Sutton, captain; William I. Ayer, foreman; D. F. Talbot, mate; William B. Blye, chief engineer; H. A. Dillaye and Luke Burdick, assistant engineers.
A second fire company, called Tioughnioga Fire Company No. 2, was organized January 19, 1855, with fifty members. In that year an engine was purchased costing $650, with considerable additional hose. On March 26, 1855, arrangements were perfected by the town and village for the erection of a town hall and engine house combined and the purchase of a site, the town agreeing to pay $780 and the village $300 of the cost. The old engine house was sold in April 1855, for $22.25, and was burned December 26, 1878, while some of the fire department apparatus was stored in it. Another structure was erected on the site in 1879. In the burning of the town hall most of the town records were destroyed, to the great loss of every one interested in the history of the locality.
The fire department continued in substantially the same condition down to recent years, and at the present time consists of a hose company and an engine company, although from this time forward the latter will probably find little to do, as the new water system is adequate for the extinguishment of fires.
The new water works were commenced in the spring of 1897, the supply being taken from springs, and a concrete reservoir was constructed about a fourth of a mile south of the village at such an elevation as to give a pressure of 134 pounds and with 500,000 gallons capacity. There are now twenty-eight hydrants placed in the village, and the supply for them is separate from that for drinking purposes. The cost of the works was about $15,000. The first board of commissioners consisted of A. W. Francis, president; E. N. Coon, secretary; E. H. Lee, treasurer; H. C. Blanchard, and W. W. Owens.
The only church in the village not elsewhere noticed, is the Congregational, which was organized in 1897 and is now enjoying a healthy existence. In the year of its organization a neat church edifice was erected.
The De Ruyter Institute, for many years a somewhat educational institution, was founded in 1836 by the Seventh Day Baptist religious sect, of whom there were many in this section. This institution, which was finally merged in the Union School of De Ruyter, is adequately described in Chapter XXIV., as is the Union School now in existence.
De Ruyter had one of the early Masonic lodges of the county. It was established probably as early as 1816, and continued in active life until 1827, when it surrendered its charter with the hundreds of others that were overwhelmed in the Morgan anti-Masonic crusade. The existing Lodge m No. 692, was organized December 28, 1868, with the following as the first officers: I. H. Babcock, W. M.; George W. Blodgett, S. W.; William J. Mills, J. W.; Carlos Bennett, treasurer; Charles Mudge, secretary; A. M. Kibbie, S. D.; Bishop Bennett, J. D.; Frank Taylor, S. M. C.; M. R. Merchant, J. M. C.; George W. Haight, tiler.
The settlement in the northeast part of the town that took the name of Shed's Corners, from the pioneer family of that name, has always been the center of a few small business interest. The post-office name has recently been changed to Shed's, and there is a store and a milk station there on the railroad, and a blacksmith. Allen Randall formerly kept a hotel, which was burned and not rebuilt. John Daniels has a blacksmith shop where he succeeded his father, Stephen.
The adjoining town of Georgetown was a part of De Ruyter until April 7, 1815, when it was set off and organized as described in Chapter VIII. The territory of this town was quite fully settled long before the formation of Madison county by a sturdy class of pioneers, who cleared away the heavy forests, cultivated the land, built churches and school houses, and made comfortable houses for themselves and their posterity, while at the same time they incidentally fought the wild animals that roamed in this section to a later date than in almost any part of the county. It is an authenticated fact that a large wolf was killed on the Muller farm as late as 1847 by Mr. Sisson. Some of his sheep were killed and when he and his neighbors became convinced that it was done by a wild beast, they turned out in great numbers and surrounded a large tract of forest in which it was believed the animal was hiding. Slowly and carefully contracting their lines the wolf at last made a break for liberty, but as he approached the line of men was quickly dispatched. This was the last wolf killed in the town, if not the county. In the early years deer and other species of wild game were very abundant, as well as fish in streams and lakes, both of which contributed largely to the food supply of the settlers. It is told that Isaac Purdy and William Drake, on one occasion went out before breakfast and killed four large bucks near their homes south of the village. A panther was heard and seen in this town as late as 1843. With increasing inhabitants and the warfare that never ceases between civilization and savagery, all these accompaniments of the pioneer's life have passed away.
Among settlers in this town not already mentioned and who came in after the formation of the county, should be noted Deacon Hanford Nichols, who was the first collector of Georgetown; John Pritchard, Deacon Pitt Lawrence, who was one of the first assessors; Elijah and David Williams, who settled in the south part of the town; Elijah Shepard, William Rhoades, Capt. Samuel White, one of the first school commissioners; Elijah Jackson, settled in the northern part and was one of the first overseers of highways; John Brown, the second town clerk; John Jackson, brother of Elijah; Jesse Jerrold, settled on lot 35 in 1816; John Gibson, on lot 48; Nathan Benedict, on lot 21, about 1812, and S. B. Hoffman, who was supervisor in 1827.
Around the first saw mill built by Eleazer Hunt and Joseph Bishop in 1805 and the grist mill erected by the same men in 1807, began to gather the nucleus of a hamlet soon after settlement began, which later developed into the village of Georgetown. It is situated a little southeast of the center of the town in the pleasant valley of the Otselic, about two and three-fourths miles from the station of the same name on the Chenango Valley branch of the West Shore Railroad.
The first grist mill stood on the site of the later one burned in 1875, and the saw mill near by. A number of other saw mills were built in early years in various parts of the town where water power was available, most of which have gone to decay. One of these was situated about two miles south of the village and was built by Manning Drake, who sold it several years later to Gideon Peckham. Five or six years later Wheeler Dryer bought it and while in his possession it went to ruin. A shingle shop was established in the mill by Charles De Clercq while Mr. Peckham owned it. Dryer sold the mill privilege to Jonathan Robie, who built another mill in 1841 and operated it many years, transferring it to his son Harry, who built a grist mill near by about 1865 and sold both to Henry Wadsworth in 1872. These mills became well known as the Wadsworth mills. In 1879 he sold them to Richard Bliss, from whom they passed to the present owners, E.W. Brown & Co.; they are conducted by W.F. Cossett, and have been put in good repair, and are now in successful operation, manufacturing buckwheat flour, feed, etc.; a saw mill, cider mill and shingle mill are connected.
It is related that the name of Slab City was bestowed upon Georgetown village at the raising of the first saw mill, by Apollos Drake, who remarked at that time that there were three slab houses in the place, which entitled it to the appellation that has clung to it to some extent ever since. Bradford Payne built a saw mill half a mile north of the village in 1852. It was burned about 1858 and rebuilt in the same year by Mr. Payne, who operated it a few years and after his death it was sold to Eber Salisbury, who conducted it about fifteen years and sold it to Edward Hart, who also operated the grist mill at that point. During Eber Salisbury's ownership it burned but he rebuilt it. In very early years there was a small wool-carding factory there.
Cutting lumber from the forest trees in this town has continued to be profitable to a later date than most other towns of the county and has given occupation to several mills in recent years. A steam saw mill one-half mile south of the village is operated by E.W. Pease; another in the southeast part by Van Ness Baldwin; another near the Otselic town line in the southeast part by M. C. Aiken; and still another at the railroad station, in connection with a stave mill, was established by W. H. Lynn and is now owned by E. E. Collins, of Fayetteville; no business has been done at the latter in late years. There are also three water mills remaining in the town --- one west of the village, operated by a Mr. Northrup; one by E. C. Hart, and one by Warren and E. V. Brown.
William Bostwick built a tannery in the village about 1834 which he conducted upwards of twenty years. It passed from him into the possession of J. W. Dryer and was subsequently burned. Mr. Dryer rebuilt it in 1859. In 1875 it came into possession of Christian Hartjen who occupied it until his death in 1879. His widow then continued the business a few years when it was closed. The building is now occupied as a blacksmith shop by George Jackson.
The first store kept in the house of Bethel Hurd, who was a pioneer on lot 68, near where his sons, Benjamin, Daniel, Ezra, David and Stephen, lived on farms, was conducted by a Mr. Truesdale. The first merchants in the village were Messrs. Dudley & Bemis, who began trading soon after the first settlement in the lower story of a building which stood opposite the site of the Methodist church. In 1817, this firm having quit business, John F. Fairchild came from Sherburne and opened a store; he also kept a tavern many years and was the first postmaster. He subsequently removed to Cazenovia, where he published the Republican Monitor. He was father of Sidney Fairchild and grandfather of Charles Fairchild.
Ira B. Howard opened a store about 1825 and carried on a successful business about ten years when he sold to Samuel and Charles Wickwire and removed to Michigan. The Wickwire brothers came from Hamilton, whither Charles returned after about a year, selling out to his brother; the latter soon took as partner Zinah J. Moseley. The firm of Wickwire & Moseley continued about seven years when Samuel Ballard, from Lebanon, became a partner and the firm of Wickwire, Moseley & Ballard conducted the business nearly two years, when they sold to Elnathan Ellis. He took as partner J. L. Hare and they subsequently closed the business. When they vacated the store it was occupied by Nelson Parmalee and Enoch L. Savage, who came from Cazenovia about a year before and began trade. Soon afterward Parmalee sold his interest to John Clough.
The storehouse now owned by A. C. Stanton was formerly a store where John Northrop, Northrop & Wray, Northrop & Priest, Northrop & Henry, and Jerome A. Norton carried on business, most of them for only short periods. About 1873 Zinah N. Dutton, a native of Georgetown, brought a stock of goods from Canastota and after trading here about two years, removed to Oneida. In December, 1877, Jerome A. Norton, in company with Mrs. Nancy Norton, his brother's wife, occupied this store, which business was continued for a time by Mr. Norton after Mrs. Norton's death.
W. A. Hare, dealer in boots, shoes, drugs and groceries, was succeeded April 1, 1893, by J. J. Parker & Co. Dwight Whitmore began dealing in groceries and furnishing goods in 1874. Albert C. Stanton came from Otselic in 1842, where his ancestors were pioneers, and for some years was engaged in carpenter and joiner work, carriage making and the boot and shoe business, began the flour and feed business in 1876 and is now retired. George M. Griffith established a flour and feed business in 1886, with which he connected insurance. He was formerly engaged with S. M. Faulkner in cooperage business, beginning in 1861. Faulkner retired in 1872. Floyd Currier started in a general store in 1892, which he conducted a number of years. In 1897 Currier succeeded J. Q. Hawks in the undertaking business, which he now conducts. J. F. Stoddard opened a general store in 1884, and in the same year H.J. Evans established a hardware and tin business. E. D. Halbert has a meat market which was opened in 1894, and in which he had as partners for a time E. C. Hart and Van Ness Peckham. S. G. Holmes conducts a flour and feed store; C. H. Rice a livery stable and Mrs. C. H. Rice a millinery store. L. Edgerton has carried on blacksmithing several years.
It is not known just when the post-office at Georgetown was established, but John F. Fairchild, who was undoubtedly the first postmaster, was succeeded by David Parker, and he by Dr. Epaphroditus Whitmore, who held the office nineteen years. Since his incumbency the office has been administered by Zinah J. Moseley, William W. Hare, James Hare, William H. Johnson, Harry Robie, William Way, W. A. Hare, A. A. Stoddard, and W. A. Hare again. Charles Wagoner is postmaster at the station.
A hotel was built very early in the century, probably by 1810, on the site of what became known as the Blakesley House, and now as the Stewart House. The present building was erected as early as 1840 by Ebenezer Hall, and has had a great many landlords. It is now kept by Oscar M. Stewart & Son.
The first physician of Georgetown, and a man who was prominent in other ways, was Dr. Epaphroditus Whitmore, who was a native of Haddam, Conn., whence he removed to Hamilton about 1804 and there studied medicine with Dr. Thomas Greenly. He was licensed in 1810 and established himself in Georgetown, where he continued practice until his death in 1851. Dr. Whitmore taught the first winter school in the town in Seth Smith's kitchen. A summer school had been previously kept in John C. Payne's house. Succeeding or contemporary with Dr. Whitmore were Drs. Guthrie, Blakeslee, Truman, and Elliott Stewart, none of whom remained long; Dr. Truman was located at Otselic. Dr. George W. Harris practiced many years and until his death; with him was associated at one period Dr. Reynolds. Dr. Benjamin Franklin practiced many years and until his death; Albright Dunham for a few years, and Charles M. White since 1884. The only other physician is Dr. E. F. Lamb, who has practiced here several years.
On the 19th of December, 1849, the inhabitants of Georgetown and Otselic met and made the necessary arrangements for forming an organization to build a plank road from Georgetown village to Otselic. A committee was appointed to receive subscription to the capital stock, which was $4,400. The first board of directors was composed of Owen Thorpe, Elijah W. Brown, William H. Amsbry, and Elijah Moore. This was one of the early plank roads of Madison county.
A convenient town hall, which is used for entertainments, was erected in 1894, by Minor & Thorpe, at a cost of about $2,000. What was known as Brown's Free Hall, now occupied as a residence by John Currier, is a curious example of architecture which was built by Timothy Brown between 1870 and 1875. He claimed to have built the structure under the influence of spirits and for the benefit of spiritualism and free speech. Although not a carpenter and unused to their tools and trade, it is said he erected an excellent frame and executed all the work of the building with his own hands excepting the doors and sashes. On the upper floor was a hall thirty-five feet square and he and his wife occupied the lower part. In 1874 he purchased the old Presbyterian church building, placed it in the rear of his building, built a piazza, laid a floor to divide it into two stories, and by throwing the upper floor of the whole structure together obtained a hall 35 by 70 feet in area.
Only two churches have been organized in Georgetown since the early formation of the Presbyterian, which has been noticed; this society erected its church in 1824. In 1874 it was sold to Timothy Brown and went into his Free Hall.
The Methodist Church was the outcome of work preformed by Rev. J. M. Snyder about 1830, when he was invited to come from Earlville and hold services in the Atwood school house, about two miles north of the village. A class was soon formed and the work went on, resulting in the formation of another in the village. In 1841 they were united. Their church building was erected by the Free Church which was formed in 1845 by a division in the old Presbyterian society and was purchased by the Methodists for $650. Several years ago the building was greatly improved with seats and other modern conveniences, and the society is prospering under the ministration of Rev. E. E. Benson.
The Georgetown Baptist Church was formed as a branch of one established in Otselic in 1813, and mainly through the conversion and influence of Pitt Lawrence. R. H. Benedict, who was then pastor in De Ruyter, did missionary work here, and Elders Cooly and Mealthy also preached and baptized. Other preachers who are mentioned were Jonathan Wade, Jacob Knapp, J. L. Moore, Allen B. Freeman. The church was formed on November 12, 1831, with twenty-one members. An edifice was built in 1834 and used many years, when it was used for a time as a shop and subsequently burned. The present frame church was built in 1885. The present pastor is Rev. George Bowler.
A newspaper called the Georgetown Mutual was established in 1877 by L. D. Blanchard, who sold to Edward Van Valen. While under his management the paper was discontinued.
1 - September 15, 1851, E. Hubbard was chosen president vice Thomas Russell, removed.
2 - The records do not show who were president and clerk in 1852.
3 - The records do not show who was president in 1860.
4 - July 3, 1878, W. E. Burdick was appointed clerk in place of Annas.
Copied Exactly as Printed by
James Knapp
March 21, 2003
If you have resources for Madison County or would like to volunteer to help with look-ups, please e-mail me at Tim StowellMadison Co, NY Page
You are our 3404 visitor since 23 Mar 2003 -- thanks for stopping by!
Last updated: 15 May 2011