town of Milford, erected a store nearly opposite the residence of D.M.
Miller. These stores--Dinninny's, mentioned in the preceding chapter,
Dietz's and Westcott's--were all of the most primitive order, and,
especially the first named, contained but a meagre stock of goods, the
stock generally consisting of a barrel of New England rum of the most
violent nature, several old bull ploughs, a little crockery ware, a
few cooking utensils, and a small amount of dry goods. There was but
little money and the merchant's trade was carried on mostly in the way
of barter, the tradesman exchanging his merchandise for grain, lumber
and shingles.
Early in the history of the town, a Mr. Walling, the grandfather of
J.R.L. Walling, located to the east of Oneonta creek, near where his
descendant above named now lives. One Newkirk also settled on Chestnut
street, on the lot adjoining Philander Lane's. Lawrence Swart settled
on the farm now owned and occupied by Henry Wilcox, about the same
time that Jacob Dietz came into the settlement.[A]
[Footnote A: There were other families among the settlers by the name
of Hillsinger, Couse, Whitmarsh, Harsen, Sullivan, White and Morrell.]
At the time of Swart's settlement the land on the lower end of River
street was covered by a dense forest of hemlock and maple. Over those
attractive and well-tilled fields now composing Mr. Wilcox's farm,
roamed at that time the bear and the panther, and glided with little
molestation numberless rattlesnakes of the largest and most poisonous
species. The settlement along the river, below the residence of George
Scramling, seemed to proceed slowly, as the land below this point was
considered of but little value, while the heavy growth of hemlock
precluded the rapid clearing away of the forest. To the north and east
of the village the hillsides yielded a vast quantity of the more
valuable timber.
For news outside of the little settlement the inhabitants had recourse
to the _Freeman's Journal_, at that time published by one of the
pioneers of journalism in Otsego county, John H. Prentiss. The mails
were conveyed from one settlement to another by the postman, who
traveled over the hills and through the valleys on horseback, and made
known his approach to each post-village by the winding of a huge horn,
which was always carried by his saddle-bows ready for use.
During the war of 1812-14, the winding of the postman's horn caused
the settlers both in the village and without to assemble rapidly and
in full force, men, women and children, to learn the news from the
"Canada border." Early in that war a number of men entered the army
from Oneonta. Some of them were stationed at Sackett's Harbor and
Oswego, while others did good service at Lundy's Lane and the Heights
of Queenstown. But few of those veterans yet remain to tell
"Of their strange ventures happed by land or sea."
At the time of its first settlement, Oneonta was in the old county of
Tryon, which was formed from Albany county in 1772. Tryon county then
embraced the whole western portion of the state, from a line extending
north and south through the centre of the present county of Schoharie,
to Lake Erie. In 1784 the name was changed from Tryon to Montgomery.
Oneonta was then in the old town of Suffrage.
During the period of which we have written, Oneonta as a distinct town
had no existence. The village of Oneonta was then in the town of
Milford, and was known as Milfordville. Through the brawl of two old
bruisers, it was sometimes vulgarly called "Klipknocky."[A] This
nickname lasted a long while, and was known at a long distance from
home.
[Footnote A: On the banks of the Susquehanna, in Pennsylvania, there
is a thriving little hamlet known as "Klipknocky Jr." It was first
settled by an emigrant from Oneonta. While the river was the highway
the most easily traveled, fugitives from the older settlement found a
landing-place for their canoes and a safe retreat for themselves at
"Klipknocky Jr."]
In 1830 the town of Oneonta was formed from the adjoining towns of
Milford and Otego. It is said that it received the name Oneonta at the
suggestion of Gen. Erastus Root.
Among the early inhabitants of Oneonta, whose enterprise contributed
to the development of the resources of the town, was William Angell,
who soon after his settlement here became the most prominent
inhabitant of the village. He built the Oneonta House, where he acted
as host for a number of years. He was also one of the proprietors of
the Charlotte turnpike, which upon its completion in 1834, was made
the great highway from Catskill to the southwestern portion of the
state.
Any attempted sketch of our early history would be very far from
complete and far from just, were mention not made of a class of
citizens, some of whom are still living, whose labors were early
identified with the history of the town, a part of whom were here born
and here grew to manhood; a part of whom came to the village while it
was yet an outlying hamlet, but whose labors have largely aided in
advancing the growth and prosperity of the community.
Among these was Timothy Sabin, a native of the town, who, upon
arriving at the age of manhood, embarked in mercantile pursuits, and
continued to an advanced age to lend his aid to the management of an
extensive business. Another of the older class of men of the village
is John M. Watkins, who was born in Oneonta in 1806. For thirty years
Mr. Watkins was one of the leading hotel keepers of the village, and
during this long period in which he acted the part of host, his house
was known far and wide as the best kept hostelry in this section.
There are many more "to the manor born" whose names it would be a
pleasure to mention, but for lack of data which their friends or
representatives have neglected or failed to furnish, we are compelled
to forego any more extended notice.
Occupying a prominent position among those who, at an early date,
emigrated into the town was Eliakim R. Ford. Mr. Ford was born in
Albany county in 1797, and removed to Greenville, Greene county, when
quite young. From the latter place he removed to Oneonta in 1822, he
then being twenty-five years of age. He at once embarked in mercantile
enterprises and so conducted his business matters as to rapidly win
both the confidence and trade of his fellow citizens. His first store
stood near the Free Baptist church. From that point he removed to a
store next to the lot where now the opera house stands, and in 1828 he
again moved into a store which he had built near the residence of
Harvey Baker. His late residence and the stone store recently
destroyed by fire were built in 1839-40.
Dr. Samuel H. Case settled in the village of Oneonta in 1829. He was
born in Franklin, N.Y., in 1808, and at the age of twenty-one was
graduated at the medical college at Fairfield, N.Y. More than fifty
years he has continued the practice of medicine in the village and
throughout the surrounding country. There are but a few among the
longer resident population of the community who have not, at one time
or another, been under the Doctor's treatment. He built the office
still occupied by him, in 1832, and his house in 1834--soon after his
marriage--and has never moved from either since he began to occupy
them. When he moved into the village, the latter contained only two
painted houses, and the whole business prosperity of the hamlet was
then centered in two stores--Dietz's and Ford's--one potash and two
distilleries. Dr. Case is of New England ancestry, his father having
emigrated to Franklin from Tolland county, Connecticut, in 1792.
Col. William W. Snow came to Oneonta, a few years after the last
named, and early engaged in manufacturing. The Colonel was born in the
town of Heath, Franklin county, Mass. He became interested in the
organization and welfare of the militia. He was elected to a
colonelcy, whence his military title. He was elected to congress from
Otsego and Schoharie counties in 1848. He has been several times
elected to our state legislature, and has been a member of the third
house many years.
Though not a resident of the town, yet his business relations have
been such as to identify the name of Jared Goodyear with its history.
Mr. Goodyear for a long term of years resided upon the borders of
Oneonta, and from an early period was largely interested in the
business of the village. He was born in Connecticut, and while a boy
removed to Schoharie county, whence he came to Colliersville while yet
a young man, and there he resided the remainder of his life. By
persistent industry Mr. Goodyear accumulated a large fortune, and won
a high reputation for integrity.
The following is a column of business cards from the "ONEONTA
WEEKLY JOURNAL," of July 1, 1841. It is nearly a correct showing
of what the business of the village then was:[A]
Headquarters at the foot of Chestnut street. New Fall and
Winter goods. Timothy Sabin is now receiving a fresh supply
of Spring and Summer Goods, comprising a general assortment
of Dry Goods, Groceries, Crockery, Hardware, Dye Stuffs,
Paints, Oils, etc., etc., for sale as low as at any
establishment west of the Hudson river. Please call and
examine goods and prices; they are well selected, and will
be sold cheap for Cash, Produce, or a liberal credit.
Oneonta, May 13, 1841.
Cabinet and Chair Warehouse, No. 10 Chestnut st., Oneonta.
The subscriber respectfully informs his friends, and the
public generally, that he has opened a Cabinet Warehouse at
No. 10 Chestnut st., Oneonta, where he manufactures and
keeps constantly on hand, a general assortment of Cabinet
Furniture, comprising Mahogany, Cherry and Maple work. Also,
a good assortment of Chairs, will be kept constantly on
hand, and all other articles generally found at an
establishment of this kind.
N.B. Most kinds of Lumber and grain will be received in
payment.
Oneonta, Sept. 17, 1840. R.W. HOPKINS
A Card Executed at the office of the Oneonta Weekly Journal
with neatness and dispatch and on reasonable terms, Job
Printing of every description.
E. Cooke, Attorney at Law, Oneonta, Otsego County, N.Y.
John B. Steele, Attorney, &c., Oneonta, Otsego County, N.Y.
Office, in the stone building opposite the Otsego House,
Main street.
Mason Gilbert, Hatter, Main street, Oneonta.
Cooke & Brown, retail dealers in Dry Goods, Groceries,
Crockery, Hardware, Iron, Steel, &c., &c. Store under the
office of the Oneonta Weekly Journal, Main street, Oneonta.
Potter C. Burton, dealer in Watches, Clocks, Jewelry. Silver
and German Silver Ware, &c., &c. One door north of Cooke &
Brown's Store, Main street, Oneonta.
Timothy Sabin, retail dealer in Dry Goods, Groceries,
Crockery, Hardware, Iron, Steel, &c., &c. Store opposite the
Oneonta House, Main street, foot of Chestnut, Oneonta.
Clyde & Cook, retail dealers in Dry Goods, Groceries,
Crockery, Hardware, Drugs & Medicines, Dye Woods & Dye
Stuffs, &c., &c. Store nearly opposite the Otsego House,
Main street, Oneonta.
Snow & Van Woert, manufacturers of, and wholesale and retail
dealers in Tin, Sheet-Iron, and Copper ware, Stoves, &c.,
&c. Over Clyde & Cook's Store, Main street, Oneonta.
C. Noble, manufacturer of, and wholesale and retail dealer
in Beach's Patent Shaving Soap, Beach's Liquid Opodeldoc,
and Black Varnish, &c., &c. Main street, Oneonta.
Robert W. Hopkins, manufacturer of, and dealer in Cabinet
Ware and Chairs of every description. Chestnut street,
Oneonta.
Cushing & Potter, manufacturers of, and wholesale and retail
dealers in Barrels & Firkins, &c., &c. Main st., Oneonta.
W.W. Snow's Wool Carding and Cloth Dressing Establishment.
Opposite E.R. Ford's Store, Main street, Oneonta.
Bennet & Smith, dealers in Morocco, Boots and Shoes, Thread,
Nails, and Findings, &c., &c., Chestnut street, Oneonta,
Otsego Co., N.Y.
George W. Andrews, Chair Maker, and House & Sign Painter,
(Chestnut street,) Oneonta, Otsego Co., N.Y.
C.G. Cross, Waggon and Carriage Maker, Chestnut street,
Oneonta.
E.R. Ford, retail dealer in Dry Goods, Groceries, Crockery,
Hardware, Drugs & Medicines, Dye Woods & Dye Stuffs, Iron,
Steel, &c., &c., Main street, Oneonta.
[Footnote A: The following advertisement from the "Weekly Journal," of
July 1, 1841, will show that people were not more honest in former
times than they are now:
FENCE IN THE FOG.
The fence around the Baptist Church in this village, has
disappeared very mysteriously during the past winter.
Whether _strayed or stolen_ it is not yet definitely
ascertained; but from circumstances recently developed, the
latter idea seems most conclusive. Rumor says it has been
tracked going Westward; but still, as the Church is located
on quite an elevated piece of ground, and near the brink of
the hill, it is possible that it may have slid off to the
Eastward.
Any person who will give correct information where said
fence may be found, or where it was last seen after leaving
the premises, will be liberally rewarded by the trustees of
the Baptist society. Any person wishing to make any
confession in relation to it, may rely upon having profound
secrecy maintained by applying soon to _one_ of the Deacons
of the Church.
Oneonta, May 20, 1841.]
From the town book the following copy of the doings of the people, at
their first town meeting, has been made:
"At an annual town meeting held in the town of Oneonta at the house of
Thomas D. Alexander, on the 1st day of March, present
Eliakim R. Ford,} _Justices in_
Robert Cook, } _said town._
"After the opening of the meeting by proclamation, it was resolved,
1st, That there be three assessors elected for said town.
2d, That there be four constables elected for said town.
3d, That there be four pound-masters chosen for said town.
4th, That an amount, equal to the sum which may be distributed to said
town from the common school fund, be raised by tax for the support of
common schools in said town.
5th, That the sum of one dollar per day be allowed to the fence
viewers of said town.
6th, That five per cent. be allowed as the compensation to the
collector, as his fees for collecting the taxes for said town.
7th, That all circular and partition fences, in said town, shall be at
least four feet and six inches high.
8th, That widows, who have no land, shall be entitled to let their
cattle run at large in the public highways, from the first of April to
the first of December.
9th, That the annual town meeting shall be held on the first Thursday
of March. The following officers were then elected for the town:
_Supervisor_, William Richardson.
_Town Clerk_, Adam Brown.
{ John Dillingham,
_Justices of the peace_ { Jonah Northrup,
{ John S. Yager.
{ John Van Woert,
_Assessors_ { John Fritts,
{ John T. Quackenboss.
{ Isaac Shepherd,
_Commissioners of Highways_ { Asel Marvin,
{ William Angel.
_Overseers of the poor_ { George W. Smith,
{ Samuel Carpenter.
_Collector_, Hiram Shepherd.
{ Hiram Shepherd,
_Constables_ { David Sullivan,
{ Emanuel Northrup,
{ Robert S. Cook.
{ Obadiah Gifford,
_Commissioners of schools_ { Peter Dietz,
{ Joseph Walling.
{ Samuel H. Case,
_Inspectors of schools_ { Washington Throop,
{ Amos Cook.
_Sealer of weights and measures_, Eliakim R. Ford.
{ Beers Peet,
_Pound-masters_ { Joseph Walling,
{ William Dietz,
{ Elisha Shepherd."
In 1835, five years after the organization of the town, the whole
tax-paying population of Oneonta was 261. The grand total tax-levy of
the town was $781.48. The amount of public school money raised by the
town was $100.45. William Angel was supervisor and David Sullivan
collector for that year.[A]
[Footnote A: No historical sketch of Oneonta would be regarded
complete that failed to mention another name which no one can recall
without a feeling of good-will. Dr. David T. Evans was born in
Washington county, in 1789 and settled here in 1829. He first began
business as a tailor, but afterwards became a well-known and
successful farrier. He was a famous story-teller and everybody gave a
respectful hearing to the Doctor's tales regarding the strange
characters he had known or heard of. At least two generations of boys
have grown up and gone out from the village who have listened to his
stories. Wherever those boys are now--scattered far and wide--they
recall no scenes or events of their springtime without a remembrance
of Dr. Evans and his tales, none of which were wanting in pith or
amusement.]
In 1840, a newspaper was established here which was thereafter
conducted by Wm. J. Knapp for about two years when, owing to poor
health, Mr. Knapp was compelled to discontinue its publication. It
was the "Oneonta Weekly Journal."
The growth of the village of Oneonta from 1840 to 1850 must have been
very slow. The building of a house in those days was an act of no
little importance. For ten years there were but few dwellings erected,
and those few were of a cheap and inferior class. The population
hardly kept pace with the building. The young went west, and the
number of families that moved out was about equal to the number that
moved in.
From 1850 to 1860 there was but little building and but a small
increase in population. There are no accessible figures showing the
population of the village at the different decades, but the census
returns for the town may be taken as safe guides in forming an
estimate of the village population at different periods. In 1830, when
the town was organized, it contained a population of eleven hundred
and forty-nine. In 1840 it had increased to nineteen hundred and
thirty-six. In 1850 it had slightly decreased, then being nineteen
hundred and two. In 1855 it was twenty-one hundred and sixty-seven.
These are the figures for the town. If the village population had
increased in the same ratio, it could not have been far from two
hundred and fifty when the town was formed in 1830. It is hardly fair
to infer that the village ratio of increase was quite equal to that
of the town. The western emigration was made up more largely from the
village than from the farms. The same cause--lack of profitable
employment--that has transferred the young men of New England from the
plow to the manufacturing centres, transferred our young men from a
place where no industry was encouraged, to remote but wider fields of
usefulness.
In 1851 the Albany & Susquehanna railroad company was organized and
chartered. Samuel S. Beach and Woodbury K. Cooke drew up the first
notice of the railroad project and at the same time drew up a notice
of a meeting to be held in Oneonta for the purpose of enlisting the
interest of capitalists in the proposed road. These notices Messrs.
Cooke and Beach caused to be printed and distributed at their own
expense. This meeting resulted in the formation of the Albany &
Susquehanna railroad company. High hopes of its speedy completion were
then entertained. But could its projectors have forseen the
difficulties and obstacles that they had to overcome, and the length
of time that elapsed before the road was built to Oneonta, they would
have wearied of the project and abandoned the enterprise. The road was
completed to this place in 1865--a little more than fourteen years
after the organization of the company.
An improved appearance was at once given the village. New stores and
new dwellings were built. Old, weather-stained buildings were
brightened with paint, and the Dutch stoop with its half doors gave
place to more pretentious verandas.
Then about 1872 the machine shops were established here, and the
village began to increase rapidly, and new industries were developed.
In 1860, there was but one newspaper published in the village. That
was the HERALD, which had been established in 1853 by L.P.
Carpenter, and his brother, J.B. Carpenter--the former now of the
Morris Chronicle. L.P. continued the publication of the paper, as
editor and proprietor, for a long time, and at last succeeded in
gaining for his journal a firm foothold in the community. He labored
early and late at the work that was before him--editor, compositor and
pressman--often beset with discouragements, always feebly supported in
his efforts, but still hopeful and plucky. He could hardly, in 1860,
have dreamed that within twenty years, steam presses would be brought
into the same village to follow in the wake of the clumsy press whose
only motive power was his own strong arm. But few of our citizens can
now justly appreciate the obligation the community is under to Mr.
Carpenter for the large part of his life-work which he here so
unostentatiously performed.
In 1860 there was no bank here, and merchants were compelled to adopt
a round-about way of making exchanges with their creditors. Money was
sent miles away, by the stage-driver, or by special messenger, to a
bank where at a round premium a draft was bought. The stores of the
village had each a general assortment of merchandise, including silks,
broadcloths, groceries, plows, and schoolbooks. On either side of
Main-st. was a hard-beaten path, which served for a sidewalk. On the
south side of the street stood a number of dingy rookeries, in a half
tumble-down condition. Pigs and cows roamed at large, and were only
known to be home at supper-time, when old brindle, in more instances
than one, might have been seen peering through the front window with a
covetous look upon the family group around the table.
Marked improvements are now to be observed in every direction. With
the multiplication of industries, and the introduction of new ones,
calling for the outlay of more capital and the employment of more
labor, the growth of the village, in population and wealth, bids fair
to continue. A comparison of figures is, at least, encouraging. In
1860, Oneonta was a thriftless hamlet with only about six hundred
inhabitants. It is now a thriving village with a population of over
four thousand.
_CHAPTER IV._
Calvin Eaton, one of the first settlers about West Oneonta, settled on
the farm now owned by Isaac Holmes. He came from Wyoming, Pa., date
uncertain. He was a famous story-teller. Many of his stories have been
preserved by tradition, and are now told in the neighborhood with
great zest. His wife, familiarly known as Aunt Olive Eaton, died about
1844 or 1845, at a very advanced age, he having died many years
before. They brought up several of their nephews and nieces, having no
children of their own, William Holmes, father of Isaac Holmes, being
one of them.
Elder Emanuel Northrup, a Baptist minister, settled on the farm now
owned by his grandson, Isaac Northrup, about 1794. He came originally,
it is believed, from Rhode Island. He had lived in Connecticut, but
came last from Stephentown, Rensselaer-co. His son, Josiah Northrup,
who was afterwards a justice of the peace for many years, having been
elected at the first town meeting, a prominent man in town affairs and
a leading member of the Baptist church, was, at the time of his
father's coming, about fourteen years of age; he died in 1844.
The farm now occupied by the Niles family was settled by Abner Mack, a
Rhode Island man. He sold a part of his possession, what is now the
Niles farm, in 1797, to Nathaniel Niles; there were two of the name,
father and son, the father being the purchaser. He was at that time
about seventy years of age; he brought with him some apple seeds,
planted a nursery, raised trees, set out an orchard, and lived to
drink cider made from the apples. The orchard became quite famous in
the neighborhood, and was known to all the boys for miles around; many
of the trees are yet bearing. Upon the death of the father, his son,
Nathaniel Niles, who had occupied the farm with his father, became the
owner, who lived upon the farm until his death in 1852, at
eighty-seven years of age.