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IR  NO.  12. 


CAMDEN,  N.  Y 


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"GRIP'S" 


Historical  Souvenir  of  Camden,  ^.  V. 


THE  LIBI»»HV  OF 

CONGRESS, 
Two  Co*>.€s  Receive* 

AUG.  8     t902 

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Cl.*9S«^  XXc.  No, 
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copr  A. 


'GEIP'S"  HISTORICAL  SOUVENIR  OF  CAMDEN. 


Skianer,  PLioto 


MAIN  STHEET,  LOCKING  SOUTH  FKOM  PKESBYTERIAN  CHCJRCH. 


>*^AMDEN,  the  Queen  Village  of  Central 
fl  Si.    New  York,  situated  at  the  junction  of  the 

Si^  three  principal  north  and  sovith  raih'oad 
systems  of  the  state,  has  proven  the  natural 
advantages  which  it  possesses  by  the  steady  and 
healthful  growth  which  has  distinguished  it  in 
later  years,  as  well  as  by  the  commercial  standing- 
it  has  attained.  In  the  county  of  Oneida  which 
ranks  second  for  wealth,  enterprise  and  product- 
iveness, with  the  central  tier  counties,  Camden  is 


the  largest  of  its  numerous  villages.  Its  location 
is  within  an  hour's  ride  of  the  four  chief  cities  of 
Central  New  York — Syracuse,  Utica,  Watertown 
and  Oswego.  Within  the  radius  of  fifty  miles  are 
comprised  all  of  the  towns  and  cities  that  contrib- 
ute to  the  wealth  of  this  great  agricultural  section 
of  the  state.  As  is  shown  on  the  map  accompany- 
ing this  work,  Camden  is  equidistant  from  the 
four  cardinal  points  between  which  great  streams 
of  travel  are  constantlv  moving:  Lake  Ontario  to 


yicinner.  Photo. 


MAIN  STREET,  LOOKING  NORTH  PROM  POST  OFFICE. 


'GRIP'S"  HISTOEICAL  SOUVENIR  OF  CAMDEN. 


Huested,  Photo.  DIRECTORS  OF  THE  BOARD  OF  TRADE. 

C.  .J.  Williams,  Second  Vice-President.  E.  N.  Hamnuind,  Secretarv. 

W.  T.  Stoddard,  First  Vice-President.  I.  D.  West,  President.  A.  W.  Abbott    Treasurer. 

the  nortli-west,  the  Adirondacks  to  the  north-east,       lages   over  two   hundred   samples   of  chairs  are 

Utica  to  the  south-east  and  Syractise  to  the 

southwest. 

Hub  of  Trade. — Its  local  field  of  trade 
includes  a  score  of  growing  villages  and 
hamlets  in  the  counties  of  Oneida,  Oswego, 
Jefferson  and  Lewis,  with  which  it  is  con- 
nected by  rail  and  highway. 

Roads  cutting  through  the  adjacent  agri- 
cultui'al  districts,  radiating  from  Camden 
like  spokes  from  the  hub  of  a  wheel,  bring 
thousands  of  dollars  to  the  coffers  of  its 
merchants  every  year. 

All  kinds  of  produce  are  raised  l)y  the 
farmers  who  do  their  trading  at  Camden. 
Duiing  the  past  ten  years  the  postoftice 
business  has  been  nearly  doubled,  showing 
that  with  the  steady  advance  of  population 
and  wealth  Camden  is  constantly  extending 
its  circle  of  trade. 

Furniture  Factories. — Camden's  great- 
est bulk  of  wealth  is  invested  in  manufactur- 
ing which  in  comparatively  a  few  years  has 
advanced  the  village  to  its  present  high 
position  as  an   industrial  center. 

The  chief  prodttction  is  furniture,  princi- 
pally chairs,  which  is  manufactured  in 
.several  factories  in  Camden  and  two  suburban 
viUages,  West  Camden  and  McConnellsviUe. 
All  grades,  including  largely  the  best  class 
•of  goods,  are  produced  and  shipjjed  to  all 
sections  of  the  country,  and  are  also  quite  ex- 
tensively   exported.      From  the   three  vil- 


Ahbott,  CliicajfO,  Photci. 

SECOND  STREET,  SHADE  AND  WALK. 


'GRIP'S"  HISTOEICAL  SOUVENIR  OF  CAMDEN. 


VILLAGE  BOARD  OF  TRUSTEES, 
1,  Chas.  J.  Williams,  President;    3,  Warren  E.  Stone,  3,  J: 
Fish,  o,  Albert  E.  Gunther,  6,  Asa  B.  LaClere. 

semi-annually  placed  in  the  exhibitions  at  Grand 
Rapids,  Mich.,  and  New  York  city.  There  they 
are  sold  on  orders  taken  from  dealers  who  are 
present  from  all  sections  of  the  states.  The  fac- 
tories also  sell  their  goods  direct  to  the  dealer 
through  traveling  salesmen. 

Centre  of  Knit  Goods. — The  greatest  knit 
goods  industry  of  the  central  part  of  the  state  had 
its  beginning  in  this  village,  where  is  located  the 
parent  factory  of  a  cordon  of  mUls  stretching 
across  Central  New  York,  chief  of  which  is  the 
factory  in  Camden,  the  village  which  is  the  home 
of  the  jirincipal  owner  of  them  all.  In  this  factory 
is  manufactured  the  superior  grade  of  women's 
and  children's  underwear. 

The  Camden  Water  Wheel  is  another  im- 
portant article  of  producti(m  \\hith  has  equallv  a 
high  standing  among 
purchasers  all  over  the 
country  and  which  is 
made  for  the  markets 
both  home  and  abroad. 

Other       Products.  - 

Camden  also  produces 
very  largely  a  sectional 
bookcase,  made  after  a 
sjjecial  pattern  which 
ranks  among  the  liest. 

There  are  also  large 
annual  productions  ot 
wagons  and  sleighs,  novel- 
ties made  out  of  wood 
and  sold  extensively  in 
New  York,  and  a  paper 
manufactured  especially 
for  use  on  typewriters 
and  in  telephone  booths 
which  is  cut  into  all  sizes 


and  put  up  in  rolls  like 
ribbon.  Machinery  of  the 
finer  pattern,  novelties  in 
wood,  a  special  fancy 
article  of  footwear  and 
packing  boxes  of  all  sizes 
are  among7the  other  pro- 
ductions of  Camden 
factories. 

Altogether  hundreds 
of  people  find  employ- 
ment in  that  and  its 
suburban  villages,  who, 
many  of  them,  have 
pleasant  homes  and  in- 
teresting families  and  are 
living  well  and  enjoying 
themselves. 

Corn     Canning^. — 

Camden  is  also  the  .seat  of 
the  corn  canning  indus- 
try. In  fact  it  is  the  pio- 
neer town  of  the  state  in 
The  soil  for  miles  around 
for  raising  sweet  com 
which  for  tenderness  and  flavor  is  superior  to  any 
other  growth.  The  crops  from  hundreds  of  acres 
are  brought  to  the  village  and  then  canned  for 
shipment  to  home  and  foreign  markets. 

Agricultural  productions  besides  corn  are  raised 
thereabouts  and  shipped  extensively  from  Cam- 
den. Cheese  is  an  important  staple,  as  are  also 
potatoes  and  veal.  Dairying  is  also  carried  on, 
considerable  quantities  of  milk  being  shij^ped 
daily.  Strawberries  of  the  better  quahty  have 
been  found  to  yield  abundantly  and  the  agricul- 
turalists are  going  into  that  line  quite  largely. 
There  are  also  large  sugar  orchards  and  the  Cam- 
den maple  syrup  has  become  recognized  as  ^ 
piinie  article  which  commands  a  large  market. 


1901. 

imes  W.  Stark,   i,  E.  W. 

that  line  of  production, 
is  especially    favorable 


BOARD  OF  HEALTH,  IfiOI. 
1,  .James  Grossart,  Presirlent;    3,  Dr.  C.  W.  Shaver,  Health  Officer;    3,  O.  A.  Mauzer 
Secretary;  4,  James  D.  Biirrill. 


"GEIP'S"  HISTOEICAL  SOUVENIR  OF  CAMDEN. 


MAIN  8TREBT  WATER  POWEK  DAM. 

Has  Competing  Railroads. — Camden's  ship- 
ping facilities  together  with  its  siiecial  advantages 
lor  water  power  has  much  to  do  with  attracting 
mannfactui'ers.  But  more  than  all  its  business  men 
are  ever  awake  to  the  possibilities  of  a  new  enter- 
prise and  tlu-ough  their  organization,  the  Board  of 
Trade,  are  ready  to  offer  inducements  to  legiti- 
mate entei-prise  which  is  seeking  a  favorable  point 
in  which  to  locate  and  which  has  the  backing  and 
substantial  standing  essential  for  a  successful  man- 
ufacturing jjlaut. 

The  three  competing 
railroad  systems  over 
■which  Camden's  products 
may  be  shipped  to  the 
chief  maikets  of  the 
country  are  the  E.W.  &  O. 
(New  York  Central&Hud- 
son  E.  EE.  lessee),  the 
Lehigh  VaUey  and  the 
New  York  Ontario&West- 
em.  "WhUe  the  latter 
does  not  touch  the  village 
proper,  connections  can 
be  made  with  it  by  a  short 
haul. 

The  E.  W.  &  O.,  be- 
sides its  advantage  as  a 
shiioping  line  is,  under 
the  management  of  the 
New  York  Central, becom- 
ing a  trunk  line  for  pas- 
senger travel  to  the  St. 
Xiawi'ence  river  and  other 


northern  resoi-ts.  The  Lehigh  Valley  gives 
the  Camden  resident  a  direct  means  of 
reaching  not  only  New  York,  but  Washing- 
ton. Philadelphia  and  other  southern  and 
Pennsylvania  points,  and  also  brings  coal 
here  direct  from  the  mines. 

A  train  can  be  taken  for  either  Syracuse, 
Utica  or  Watertown  in  the  morning  and  re- 
turn at  night.  Fast  trains  with  sleeping 
cars  afford  the  Camdenite  means  for  getting 
to  New  York  and  back  after  having  all  day 
to  do  business  there,  wdth  an  absence  of 
only  one  night. 

"Water  Povrer .— For  manufacturing  pui'" 
poses  few  towns  in  the  state  boast  of  as 
extensive  water  i^ower  i^rivileges,  developed 
and    undeveloped. 

Two  consequential  streams  with  an  abun- 
dant flow  of  water  summer  and  winter  pass 
through  and  in  fact  unite  in  the  corporation 
limits.  A  thii-d  stream,  not  so  large,  flows 
nearby;  and  on  either  of  the  three.  Mad 
Eiver,  Fish  Creek  or  Cobb  Brook,  there  is 
a  favorable  head  for  generating  sufficient 
power  to  drive  any  ordinary  factory 
machinery;  part  of  which  is  developed  and 
in  use  and  a  great  deal  of  which  only  needs 
developing  at  a  comparatively  moderate  expense 
to  serve  the  j)uri50se  of  any  plant. 

Business  Men  Organize.  The  Camden  Boai'd 
of  Trade  is  the  best  evidence  of  the  enterprise  and 
push  of  the  men  who  are  making  that  village  one 
of  the  leading  and  most  widely  Imown  in  the  state. 
Only  a  year  ago  they  organized,  taking  in  on  the 
payment  of  a  nominal  membership  fee,  nearly 
every  man  doing  business  in  the  village.  The  as- 
sociation was   incorporated,  articles  being  legally 


MliXiro  .'^TllEET  WATER  POWER  DAM. 


'GRIP'S"  HISTORICAL  SOUVENIR  OF  CAMDEN. 


filed  and  through  the  activity  of  the  officers  and 
directors  it  has  accomplished  great  results,  having 
seoiu'ed  a  considerable  investment  in  manufactur- 
ing plants  and  consequently  a  large  increase  in 
property  valuations  due  to  the  influx  of  ^vorking 
Ijeoijle  looking  for  homes,  as  "well  as  in  the  pro- 
ductive capacity  and  the  general  business  im- 
provement of  the  community. 

Queenly  Village. — But  the  commercial  and 
Inisiness  supremacy  of  Camden  with  its  2,500 
population  is  by  no  means  its  only  attraction.  It 
is  a  remarkably  pretty  place,  laid  out  as  it  is  on 
level  ground  with  just  sufficient  elevation  above 
the  surrounding  country  for  a  perfect  di'ainage, 
and  with  its  wide,  straight  streets  and  avenues,  its 


organization  for  mutual  literary  and  social  bene- 
fit as  the  several  societies  represented  in  this  work 
bear  witness.  They  are  also  of  one  mind  as  re- 
gards the  improvement  of  their  beautiful  village. 
It  was  due  to  Forest  Park  Imjirovement  society  of 
Camden,  whose  membership  consists  of  the  ladies 
of  the  village,  that  Forest  Park,  a  very  jDretty 
tract  of  woodland  with  small  and  large  streams 
flowing  through  it,  lying  in  the  outsku'ts  of  the 
village  and  consisting  of  over  a  hundred  acres, 
was  secured  as  a  permanent  pleasure  ground  and 
improved  so  that  the  village  might  possess  such  a 
park  as  would  be  a  credit  to  any  lai'ge  city — a  park 
which  for  natural  lieauty  with  its  ojjen  and  wooded 
scenery,  trout  streams,  rustic  ijavdion,  river  views 


Skinner,  Photo.  CAMDEN  STREET  VIEWS 

Clnu-ch  Street  West  from  Fifth  Street  Foiirtli  Street  Soutb  from  Church  Street 

Upper  Main  Street  looking-  North  Mexico  Street  east  from  Masonic  Avenue 

Second  Street  North  from  Union  Street  Lower  Third  Street  looking  North 


thoroughly  graded  roadways  and  cement  wallis, 
its  profusion  of  foliage,  vistas  of  shade  trees  and 
finely  kept  lawns  and  lu'etty  residences;  and  its 
substantially  constructed  business  places  fronting 
on  a  well  macadamized  street  together  mth  its 
commodious  and  ornamental  churches,  handsome 
opera  house,  free  public  library,  excellent  schools 
comprising  the  higher  grades  and  its  attractive 
public  sipiare  and  ])articularly  its  extensive  park. 
Enterprising  Women. — Very  few  villages  of 
its  size  offer  the  new  comer  better  social  advan- 
tages. The  women  of  Camden  are  as  a  rule  ad- 
mii'able  hostesses  and  are  particularly  inclined   to 


and  two  and  a  half  miles  of  drives  is  unparalleled 
by  any  park  in  a  town  the  size  of  Camden — at 
least  in  this  state — and  is  unexcelled  in  any   city. 

The  latlies  are  also  entitled  to  the  credit  of  hav- 
ing founded  and  largely  sttpplied  the  ptrbUc  lib- 
rary which  is  fiu'nished  with  about  2,500  volumes 
of  the  latest  and  best  works  of  all  kinds  and  is 
open  at  regular  hours  for  every  resident  of  the 
village  and  vicinity. 

The  Camden  opera  house  is  another  monument 
to  the  social  advancement  of  the  village,  erected 
by  the  business  men  of  the  town  who  incorporated 
an  association  for  that  purjjose.     It  is  a  three  story 


'GRIP'S"  HISTORICAL  SOUVENIR  OF  CAMDEN. 


brick  structure,  modem  in  its  exterior  and  interior 

architectural  arrangemeuts,  -witli  two  large  stores 
on  the  ground  floor,  a  club  room  and  offices  occu- 
pying the  front  of  the  second  floor  and  lodge 
rooms  in  the  third  story. 

Remarkable  Water  Supply.— The  water 
system  of  the  village  is  a  pulilic  convenience  of 
which  Camden   rightly   has  reason  to  boast.     Its 


evidence  of  diminishing  the  flow  of  water.  These 
springs  are  so  numerous  that  the  ground  is  an  un- 
broken tract  of  wet  soil.  Stranger  than  all  else  is 
the  fact  that  the  springs  are  tui'ned  into  the  pipes 
way  below  the  surface  of  the  ground,  eo  that  the 
water  actually  reaches  the  consumer  in  his  house 
or  i^lace  of  business  dii-ectly  from  the  bowels  of 
the  earth.     Some  of  the  spruigs  are  diverted  into 


Skinner,  Photo.  CAMDEN  STREET  VIEWS 

Church  Street,  East  I'rom  Main  Street  Oswego  Street,  lookina  East 

Miner  Avenue,   East  from  Second  Street  Second  Street,  North  from  Miner  Avenue 

Fifth  Street,  North  from  Miner  Avenue  Union  Street,  West  from  Fourth  Street 

Railroad  Street,  North  Irom  Liberty  Street  Liberty  Street,  East  from  Railroad  Street 


soiu'ce  is  a  bed  of  .springs  from  which  the  water 
flows  directly  to  the  consumer.  Any  stranger 
visiting  Camden  who  fails  to  see  this  remarkable 
fountain  head  of  water  misses  a  rare  sight.  In 
the  midst  of  a  group  of  hiUs  and  scattered  over 
several  acres  are  countless  springs  all  of  which 
bubble  from  the  ground  without  any  appreciable 


covered  reservoii's  from  which  they  are  piped  to  the 
village  three  miles  distant  with  a' fall  of  175  feet. 
As  fast  as  additional  i)ipe  lines  are  laid  connections 
are  made  with  new  springs,  there  apparently  be- 
ing many  which  have  not  been  tapped  containing 
an  immeasttrable  store  of  the  purest  sisring  water 
that  the  earth  aflbrds. 


10 


'GEIP'S"  HISTORICAL  SOUVENIR  OF  CAMDEN. 


THE  WATER  BOAED. 

J.  G.  Dorrance,  President. 

George  W.  Dana.  A.  H.  Maloney,  Secretary  and  Treasurer. 

That  the  village  found  such  a  rare  and  unitsual 
source  of  water  available  for  use  is  a  most  curious 
tact;  and  that  it  took  advantage  of  it  is  a  testi- 
monial of  the  foresight  and  wisdom  of  the  pro- 
moters of  its  water  system. 

In  a  liasin  several  feet  below  the  springs,  which 
is  dammed  with  solid  masonry  and  earth  is  a  nat- 
ural  reservoir'   several   acres   in   extent  fed  by  a 
stream  of  deep,  clear  water  which  also   receives 
the  waste  from  the  sijrings.     This  reservoir-  is  so 
piped  into  the  main  line  leading  to  the  village  that 
when  an  unusu;rl  quantity  of  water  is  being  di'awn 
from  the  hydrants  such  as  in  case  of  fire  the  reser- 
voir suppUes  the  extra  amount.     The  system  was 
constnrcted  in  1886  at  a  cost  of  $10,000  the  money 
being  raised  by  a   bond   issue.     Extensions   have 
since  brought  the  cost  up  to  .$60,000,  but  the  plant 
is  paying  and  has  not  been  a  tax  on  the  commun- 
ity.    A  board   of  three  water  commissioners  has 
control  of  it.    The  village 
is    supi^lied    with     fifty 
hydi'ants    and  with    the 
water  head  that  is  obtain- 
ed the  firemen  are  enabled 
to  throw  a  stream  100  feet 
high.  The  gi'ound  entu-e- 
ly   enclosing  the  springs 
and  reservoir,  for  the  pur- 
pose    of    protecting   the 
supply   from  contamina- 
tion,   is   included  in  the 
property   owned   l)y   the 
village. 

Camden  people  take 
25ride  in  theh  fire  depart- 
ment, which  consists  of 
two  hose  and  a  hook  and 
ladder  company.  Since 
its  organization  was  fin- 
ally projected  and  the 
village  had  obtained  its 
present  supply  of  hose 
together    with    the    pre-       Chapin,  Photo. 


sent  water  system  there  has  been  no  fire  of 
any  consequence. 

Large  Trade  Circle.— The  business  men 
of  Camden  get  a  trade  coming  to  the  village 
from  counti-y  included  in  a  radius  of  twenty 
miles.  They  are  prosperous  and  public 
spirited  and  are  prompt  to  respond  to  any 
demand  that  is  made  in  the  name  of  charity 
or  enterprise.  The  character  of  the  schools, 
the  prosperity  of  the  churches,  the  growth 
of  the  village,  the  liberahty  shown  in  the 
construction  of  the  residences  and  the  care 
of  private  grounds  are  the  best  proofs  of  the 
above  statement. 

The  village  is  Ughted  by  electric  lights 
and  great  pride  is  taken  in  keeping  the  san- 
itary conditions  of  the  community  at  their 
best.  Camden,  like  all  other  enterprising 
villages  up  to  date,  has  a  prosperous  news- 
jiaper,  a  conservative  national  liauk  and  a 
local  telephone  exchange  as  well  as  con- 
nections in  all  du-ections  liy  long  distance 
telephone. 

Trout    and    Bass    Streams. — Many  of 
the    Camden   people  are  sjiortsmen  in   the 
sense  that  they  indulge  much  of  their  spare 
time  in  the  chase  for  game,  hunting  diu'ing 
the  season  for  the  bu-ds  and  deer  that  are 
killed  in  the  fields  and   woods  of  Northern 
New  York   and    fishing    in   the    many     streams 
which  afford   a  plentiful  supjaly   of  brook  trout 
and    black    bass    in    the    town   of   Camden  and 
vicinity.     While  this  work  was  being  compiled 
about  60  business   men   organized   a   sportsmen's 
club   which   has  been  incorporated  and  the  object 
of  which  is  to  jn-event  depredations.     During  the 
past  few  years   by   co-operative   individual   effort 
several   of  the    streams,  some  of  them  within  the 
corporation  hmits  have  lieen  slocked  with    thou- 
sands of  trout. 

Camden  is  one  of  the  few  villages  that  has  been 
richly  endowed  by  the  bountiful  hand  of  nature 
with  her  best  gifts.  The  people  are  happy  as  a 
consequence  especially  as  there  is  comparatively 
little  poverty  in  the  community.  Some  of  the 
best  known  of  Oneida's  sons  and  daughters  who 
have  scattered  to  the  various  piarts  of  the  earth  are 
natives  of  Camdem,  as  may  be  seen  by  glancing  at 
a  list  i^ublished  elsewhere. 


MAD  lUVEll  VALLEY. 


'GEIP'S"  HISTORICAL  SOUVENIE  OF  CAMDEN. 


H 


The  Camden  Public  Library. — In  Novem- 
bei-  of  1890,  after  having  given  the  subject  of  a 
public  library  much  thought,  Mrs.  W.  J.  Frisbie 
asked  a  few  ladies  to  her  home  and  told  them  of 
the  purpose  of  the  meeting,  explaining  how  it 
seemed  possible  to  obtain  a  library  for  the  use  of 
the  large  number  of  students  and  readers  who  then 
had  no  access  to  the  necessary  books.  It  seemed 
best  to  call  a  public  meeting  and  accordingly  Mrs. 
Frisliie  wrote  the  following  notice  which  aijjjeared 
in  the  Advance-Journal,  issue  of  Dec  4,  1890:  "A 
Good  Move. — Camden  has  no  ]3ublic  library,  and 
that  possessed  by  the  school  is  an  insignificant 
affair  Some  of  our  energetic  ladies  are  intei'ested 
in  the  matter  and  projiose  organizing  an  associ- 
ation with  this  object  in  view — the  establishment 
of  a   village  librai-y.     Every  lady  in  Camden   in- 


dent; Mrs.  W.  T.  Stevens,  first  vice  president; 
Mrs.  Jane  L.  Williams,  second  vice  president; 
Miss  Tessie  M.  Dm-r,  secretary;  Mrs.  M.  P.  Os- 
borne, treasui'er.  Thus  the  Camden  Library  As- 
sociation became  an  assurance.  The  fee  for  mem- 
bership was  to  be  one  dollar  a  year,  and  in  this 
way  the  first  money  was  raised.  Mrs.  Frisbie 
contributed  the  first  books,  thii'teen  in  number, 
Jan  12,  1891.  From  time  to  time  others  contrib- 
uted books.  A  book  social  also  was  held  and  Mr. 
W.  C.  Stone  gave  eighty  volumes  from  his  loan 
library.  On  Aug.  1,  1891,  the  association  having 
in  its  possession  218  volumes,  a  room  was  opened 
to  the  public  in  B.  A.  Curtiss'  block.  Each  mem- 
ber acted  as  librarian  for  two  weeks.  At  the  end 
of  the  first  year  the  number  of  volumes  had  in- 
creased to  54:9.  The  second  year  IMrs.  W.  J.  Fris- 
bie served  as  j^resident,  and  at  the  end  of  this  year 


A.  H.  Maloney,  Pboto.  CAMDEN'S  SOUKCES  OF  WATER  SUPPLY. 

Reserve  Reservoir.  Lower  Spring  House. 

Fountain  Head  (Hidilen  Spriii;;  under  the  Roots  of  Trees.) 
Upper  Spring  House.  Dam  (lower  end  of  l{eservoir.) 


terested  in  the  project  is  requested  to  meet  at  the 
residence  of  Mrs.  W.  T.  Stevens  on  Miner  avenue, 
Saturday,  Dec.  G,  at  2 :30  o'clock,  at  which  time, 
if  it  seems  advisable,  an  organization  will  be 
effected.  There  is  no  necessity  for  enumerating 
the  benefits  derivable  from  a  well  stocked,  well 
selected  lil)rarv.  We  all  know  what  they  are. 
Should  the  ladies  succeed  in  their  endeavor  and 
make  a  good  lieginning,  which  we  aie  confident 
they  win  if  they  receive  a  reasonalile  amount  of 
encotii'agement,  why  wouldn't  it  be  a  good  idea 
for  the  gentlemen  of  the  town  to  furnish  rooms,  or 
better  yet,  a  building  to  contain  it?" 

There  was  a  good  attendance  in  resj5on.se  to  this 
call,  about  forty  ladies  being  present.  Officers 
were   elected   as   follows;  Mrs.  E.  T.  Pike,  presi- 


there  was  deposited  to  the  credit  of  the  association 
as  a  result  of  the  two  years'  work,  $1,137.78.  Mrs. 
E.  H.  Conant  was  jiresident  the  thii'd  year.  Mrs. 
C.  J.  Bacon  was  elected  president,  Jan.  1,  1894. 
In  February  a  commodious  room  in  the  Opera 
House  Block  was  taken  by  the  association  whose 
willing  hands  and  open  hearts  furnished  the 
library  more  attractively  than  public  hlirai'ies 
usually  are.  In  March  of  the  same  year  the 
library  was  declared  free  to  the  jjublic.  With  the 
increasing  circ\ilation  came  the  demand  for  a  per- 
manent librarian,  and  August  1,  1894,  Mrs.  E.  C. 
Case  was  appointed,  she  .serving  nearly  three 
years.  To  her  faithful  and  conscientious  lalior 
much  of  the  success  of  the  library  is  due.  Mrs. 
T.  A.  Farnsworth  was  chosen  jiresident  for  1895, 


12 


'GRIP'S"  HI8T0BI0AL  SOUVENIR  OF  CABIDEN. 


Huested,  Photo.  FORMER  PRESIDENTS  OF  THE  LIBRARY  ASSOCIATION 

l',*^''?A  Elzabevh  T.  Pike,  ISSO-'iK;  3,  Mre.  W.  J.  Fi-lsbie,  'Hl-'Sa;  3,  Mrs.  E.  H.  Couant.  ■S3-'93;  4,  Mrs.  C  J    Bacon   'dS-'m- 

17;  7,  Mrs.  E.  Edic,  ■97-'S8;  8,  Mrs.  S.  S.  Tipple,  'SIS-'r)9;'  9,  Mrs.' 


■5,  Mrs.  T.  A.  Farnsworth,  '94-'9.5;  li,  Mrs.  D.  G.  Dorrance 
C.  A.  Phelps,  '99-1900;  10,  Mrs.  E.  C.  Case,  1900-'91. 


and  that  year  marked  another  stride  in  the  growtli 
of  the  association.  Through  the  generosity  of  the 
townsi^eople,  a  large  room  in  the  new  Town  Hall 
was  oSered  the  association  free  of  charge.  It  was 
thankfully  accepted  and  in  December,  1895,  the 
library  was  moved  into  the  beautiful  room  which 
it  still  occupies.  Mrs.  J.  G.  Dorrance,  Mrs.  E. 
Edic,  Mrs.  S.  E.  Tipple,  Mrs     C.  A.  Phelps  and 


Mrs.  E  C.  Case  w-ere  succeeding  presidents.  Mrs. 
W.  J.  Frisbie  is  holding  the  ol!ice  now  for  the 
second  time.  Prom  .$100  to  .$200  worth  of  books 
have  been  added  each  year  during  the  past  six 
years.  The  library  now  contains  over  2,100  vol- 
iimes  with  an  average  weekly  circidation  of  about 
300  volumes  and  is  ojaen  to  the  public.  Miss 
Annie  More  is  the  very  efficient  librarian  working 


'GRIP'S"  HISTORICAL  SOUVENIR  OF  CAMDEN. 


13 


Huested,  Photo.  ENTBEPEISB  HOSE  CO.,  NO.  2,  C.  F.  D. 

1,  Clarence  Mose,  Foreman;  3,  H.  C.  Philpot,  Seoretarv;  3,  A.  G.  Parke,  Treasurer— Second  Assistant  Enginocri 
C.  F.  D.;  i,  Charles  Snow,  5,  W.  B.  Smith,  (i,  Otis  Fuller,  ",  Georg-e  Moses,  8,  Andrew  Smith  9,  William  Pond,  10,  Clinton 
Woodhouse,  11,  Fred  Schott,  12,  Harvev  Moses,  13,  Freeman  Sohott,  14,  Peter  Beebe,  15,  H.  M.  Parke. 


for  tlie  libraiy  interests  in  every  -way  and  greatly 
aiding  in  its  success.  We  liave  a  goodly  sum  at 
interest  for  a  library  building,  or  if  some  one 
should  give  us  a  building  the  fund  would  materi- 
ally aid  in  other  imjjortant  ways.  One  incident 
of  its  early  career  shows  the  zeal  displayed  by  the 
ladies  in  behalf  of  the  library,  who,  in  order-to 
wipe  out  a  deficiency,  got  together  and  dividilig 


the  work  between  them,  made  and  by  personal 
soHcitation  sold,  enough  confections  to  raise  the 
necessary  amount. 

The  Improvement  Society  was  organized  at 
a  meeting  held  at  the  home  of  the  president,  Mrs. 
W.  J.  Erisbie,  in  June,  1892.  The  first  coUection, 
made  by  caUing  on  every  woman  and  girl  in  town, 
amounted  to  .$146,  which   was   paid   over  to  the 


Huested,  Photo.  RESCUE  H.  &  L.  CO.,  C.  F.  D, 

1,  Charles  Tyler,  Foreman;  3,  Albert  Woods,  First  Assistant;  3,  Charles  Shaw,  Second  Assistant;  1,  Harry  Loomis, 
Secretary;  5,  j.  K.  Littler,  Treasurer;  6,  Henry  Ruscher,  7,  W.  McGillis,  8,  A.  Percival,  !l,  Spencer  Matteson,  10,  Emory 
Hanna,  11,  T.  J.  Lowry,  12,  MyerWinkelstein,  13,  Albert  Barnes,  li,  Ora  Vandawalker,  1.5,  Dc.xter  Hubbard.  16,  Fred 
Boehm,  17,  H.  Fowser. 


14 


"GRIP'S"  HISTOEICAL  SOUVENIE  OF  CAMDEN. 


Cemetery  association  to  assist  in  constructing  the 
first  drive  made  in  Forest  Park.  In  the  summer 
of  1893  the  ladies  instigated  a  "bee"  calling  upon 
all  male  residents  of  the  village  to  contribute  a 
day's  work  in  Forest  Park  or  one  doUar.  This 
met  with  a  hearty  response.  The  ladies  gave  the 
laborers  an  oiit-of  doors  dinner.  The  past  year 
the  Improvement  society  added  more  than".S15 
to  its  treasury  which  was  nearly  all  used  ifor 
other  Forest  Park  improvements.  In  AprU,  1891, 
by  means  of  a  minstrel  entertainment  of  home 
talent  given  at  the  opera  house  .$126  was  raised. 
A   balance  left  from   one  of  the  season's  lecture 


furtherance  of  more  improvements.  The  Village 
and  Park  Improvement  society  has  an  unlimited 
membership  and  no  membership  fees.  It  is  com- 
posed of  all  the  ladies  in  town  who  are  interested 
in  its  imj^rovement.  The  present  officers  of  the 
society  are:  President,  Mrs.  Elizabeth  T.  Pike; 
Vice  ir'resideut,  Mrs.  Ella  M.  Conant;  Secretary, 
Mrs.  E.  H.  Conant;  Treasurer,  Mrs.  Susan  B. 
Cromfl-ell. 

Camden  Opera  House. — On  November  9, 
1892,  twenty -two  of  the  leading  citizens  of  Cam- 
den organized  an  Opera  House  Co.,   with  Eugene 


Borrower]  Cut. 
THE  TOWN  HALL,  PUBLEC  LIBRARY  AND  FIRE  DEPARTMENT  HEADQUARTERS 


courses  was  divided  between  the  Library  and  the 
Improvement  society,  the  latter  organization  receiv- 
ing about  $65.  The  amount  on  hand  was  found 
to  be  iJilOG,  which  paid  for  putting  the  water  into 
Forest  Park  and  building  a  bridge  over  Fish  creek 
on  the  foot  path  to  the  park.  I'he  organization 
also  built  the  pavilion  in  Forest  Park  which  is  so 
much  ajipreciated  by  i:iicuic  parties.  The  baud 
stand  in  the  vihage  itiiTk,  built  in  189.5,  was  also 
the  work  of  the  ladies.  In  1900  between  $30  and 
•iflO  was  expended  m  Forest  Park  for  improve- 
ments in  and  around  the  pavilion.  The  organiza- 
tion  still   has    a   balance   in   its  treasurv  for  the 


H.  Conant  as  president,  Walter  C.  Stone  secretary, 
John  G.  Dorrauce  treasurer  and  Eugene  H.  Co- 
nant, James  H.  Cxamble,  John  G.  Dorrance,  Wil- 
lard  J.  Frisbie,  Byron  A.  Curtiss,  David  J.  Crim- 
mins  and  Walter  C.  Stone,  directors.  The  site, 
.51x135  feet,  was  purchased  of  Penfield  &  Stone 
in  January,  1893.  The  plans  for  the  Imildiug, 
drawn  by  Leon  H.  Lampert  &  Sons  of  Rochester, 
were  accepted  and  the  contract  was  awarded  to 
Raymond  Bros,  of  this  viUage,  ground  being 
broken  about  the  first  of  June.  The  building  is 
of  brick,  three  stories  high,  the  front  being  of 
the  Romanesque  style  of  architecture  in  pressed 


"GRIP'S"  HISTOKICAL  SOUVENIE  OF  CAMDEN. 


15 


MAIN  STREET  BRIDGE. 

brick  trimmed  with  Loug  Meadow  brownstone 
and  terra  cotta.  It  has  a  grand  entrance  twelve 
feet  wide,  a  lobby  15  by  25  feet  with  interior  en- 
trance through  double  doors  and  two  sejjarate 
exits  each  six  feet  wide.  From  every  point  in  the 
aiiditorinm,  which  is  50x70  feet,  an  excellent  view 
can  be  had  of  the  entire  stage.  Thei-e  are  410 
folding  opera  chairs  and  two  jirivate  boxes,  the 
latter  richly  draped  with  silk  and  Chenille  cur- 
tains. The  box  and  gallery  ornamentations  con- 
sist of  garlands,  medalion  heads,  scroll  work,  etc., 
in  stereo-relief  work.  Bnft',  salmon,  cream  and 
terra  cotta  are  the  prevailing  colors.  The  top  of 
the  orchestra  raUs  and  box  rails  are  covered 
with  old  gold  plush.  The  stage  is  50  feet  deep 
and  o'd  feet  wide,  with  a  proscenium  arch  20x35 
feet  and  will  accommodate  almost  any  scenery  de- 
su'ed  by  the  companies  playing  in  Camden,  be- 
sides the  many  fine  stage  settings  owned  by  the 
Opera  House  Co.  The  drop  curtain  is  a  scene  in 
Rome,  Italy;  abridge  crossing  the  river  Tiber, 
near  the  Castle  of  St.  Angelo  with  St.  Peters  and 
the  Vatican  in  the  dis- 
tance. The  orchestra  pit 
is  large  enough  to  accom- 
modate 16orl8  musicians. 
There  are  eight  large 
dressing  rooms  and  the 
entire  house  is  lighted  by 
electricity.  The  oi^era 
house  was  opened  to  the 
public  Thursday  night, 
January  18,  1894,  with 
the  Swedish  play  Ole  01- 
sen.  The  original  stock- 
holders of  theopera  house 
were:  E.  H.  Conaut,  W. 
T.  Stevens,  B.  A.  Curtiss, 
Gai-dner  &  Dana,  Knitting 
Co.,  A.  Ct.  Eobson,  James 
H.  Gamble,  G.  F.  Conant, 
A.  H.  Malonev,  A.  C. 
Woodruff,  C.  M.  Tibbits, 
Elizabeth  T.  Pike,  W.  C. 
Stone,  Penfield  &  Stone, 
Harold  T.  Conant,  D.  J. 
Crimmins,    E.  Edio,  W. 


C.  Stoddard,  Library- 
Association  of  Camden, 
E.  A.  Harvey,  J.  G.  Dor- 
rance,  Daniel  Crimmins. 
W.  C.  Stone  is  the  resi- 
dent manager  represent- 
ing the  lessees  who  are 
out-of-town  parties.  Smce 
the  opening  of  the  opera 
house  the  people  of  Cam- 
den have  had  rare  oj^por- 
tunities  of  hearing  many 
fine  theatrical  companies, 
as  well  as  fine  musical 
Ijrograms.  It  is  conceded 
by  professionals  who 
come  here  to  be  a  gem 
in  its  way  and  to  far  sur- 
pass amusement  halls  in 
many  larger  places. 

Forest  Park. — It  is 
rarely  that  a  village  is  so 
fortunate  as  to  have  a 
tract  of  woodland — a  park 
— within  a  few  moments 
walk  or  drive,  set  apart 
for  the  pleasure  of  its  citizens.  Camden  is  highly 
favored  in  this  regard.  The  resort,  now  known  as 
Forest  Park,  had  formerly  been  Raymond's  woods, 
it  having  then  been  owned  by  the  late  Mr.  Alva 
Raymond.  Farther  back  in  the  history  of  our 
town  a  part  of  what  is  now  our  much  admii-ed 
park  belonged  to  the  Ransom  estate  and  the  re- 
mainder to  the  late  Mr.  Daniel  Parke,  both  of 
whom  were  pioneers  in  Camden's  development. 
There  were  sixty -two  acres  in  the  first  jnu'chase 
made  in  1891  and  forty  in  the  second  made  in  1897, 
a  total  of  one  hundred  and  two  acres.  The 
amount  i>aid  for  the  whole  was  about  twenty-four 
hundred  dollars.  The  first  piece  of  property  was 
negotiated  and  paid  for  by  the  officers  of  the 
Cemetery  association  who  were  as  follows:  Presi- 
dent, Job.  Batchelor;  Secretary,  Geo.  H.  Smith; 
Treasui-er,  A.  G.  Wood:  Trustees,  J.  G.  Dorrance 
and  H.  G.  DuBois.  Minstrel  performances,  pic- 
nics, lecture  courses,  subscription  lists,  etc.,  are 
among  the  many  devices  that  helped  them  raise 


■bJ 

1- 

iHill  -  '  • 

"  \tr,r\ , ... 

HHTlJrlK^^^        , 

r^^:^fm=i-:^r' 

■■I 

'  * ''^^^^^^^^^^1 

k    ^ 

- — ^^Mubr 

?*• - 

«il^    ■'■-.■:;.  V     ..r,J»-.7»i7jif,;;   V^i.,             -    .u 

MEXICO  STREET  BRIDGE. 


16 


'GRIP'S"  HISTORICAL  SOUVENIR  OF  CAMDEN. 


known    as    "The    Pines. 


Of 


:Skinner,  Photo. 


THE  (JAMDEN  OPERA  HOTSE. 


eiglit  hundred  dollars,  wliioli  paid  for  a  drive, 
running  water,  pavilion,  tables,  seats,  clearing  out 
stumps,  bridging  streams  and  other  improve- 
ments. It  is  due  to  Mr.  Andres  Meeker  that 
great  praise  be  given  for  the  judicious,  wise  use  of 
the  money  put  into  the  hands  of  the  association 
for  park  uses,  and  expended  under  his  personal 
dii'ection,  exhibiting,  as  he  did,  good  taste  in  lay- 
ing oiit  the  drives  and  walks  and  in  taking  advan- 
tage of  nature's  bountiful 
resources  for  enhancing 
the  pictiu-esqueness  of 
the  landscape  as  well  as 
in  otherwise  beautifying 
the  place.  The  sum  of 
one  thousand  doUars  was 
given  for  a  drive  skirting 
the  forty  acre  tract,  by 
the  Hon.  P.  C.  Costello 
of  New  York,  an  old  resi- 
dent of  Camden,  which 
is  called  "Costello  Road." 
Altogether  there  are  two 
and  one-half  miles  of  de- 
lightful drives  in  our 
park.  The  first  drive, 
named  "Woodland  Ave- 
nue," and  circling  the 
sixty  acre  tract,  was 
built  liy  money  fur- 
nished by  the  ladies. 
Beech,  maple,  hemlock, 
birch,  S23ruce,  oak  and 
pine  timber  are  within 
its  boundaries,  but  per- 
haps the  choicest  portion 
of  the  resort  is  along  the 
Costello  Road  thi'ough  a 
gi'owth       of      evergreen 


course  the  great  charm  of  For- 
est Park  is  the  spring  and 
summer  season  when  the  banks 
along  the  drive  approaching 
the  park  are  Aihite  with  bloom 
and  the  entii'e  area  is  carjjeted 
with  flowers  and  ferns  in  their 
season.  Birds  of  many  var- 
ieties make  the  green  vaulted 
bowers  echo  and  resound  with 
"songs  in  many  keys. "  Little 
streamlets  of  cold  spring  water, 
stocked  with  trout,  babble  and 
sing  the  joys  of  existence,  cheer- 
ing the  visitor  as  he  rides  or 
saunters  amid  its  haunts  of 
beauty.  The  streams  between 
which  the  village  is  situ.ated. 
Mad  River  and  Fish  Creek,  form 
a  junction  within  its  shady  bow- 
ers, presenting  a  pretty  picture 
as  they  wind  and  turn,  theii' 
ripples  glinting  in  the  .sunhght. 
Charm  after  charm  greets  the 
eye  of  the  visitor  as  he  wanders 
through  the  labyrinths  of  this 
magnificent  park,  which  is 
largely  as  nature  formed  it. 

League-of  Iroquois. — Cam- 
den is  also  historic  ground.  It 
is  the  home  of  the  most  dis- 
tinguished of  the  Iroquois 
tribes,  the  Oneidas.  The  legend  of  Hiawatha 
(ascribed  to  Al.iraham  C.  Fort,  an  Onondaga 
Indian  and  a  graduate  of  Geneva  college  and 
immortalized  in  verse  by  Longfellow)  is  the 
traditional  beginning  of  the  Iroquois,  the 
French  name  for  the  league  of  the  six  nations 
whose  .strongholds  and  hunting  grounds — native 
fastness — comprised  the  whole  of  the  great  heart 
of   New    York    state    including    Oneida    county. 


A.  H.  Maloucv.  Photo. 

OPERA  HOUSE  INTERIOR -STAGE  AND  SETTING. 


'GEIP'S"  HISTOKICAL  SOUVENIR  OF  CAMDEN. 


17 


THE  PUBLIC  SQUARE. 

Hiawatha,  a  wise  Indian  who  gave  his  people — the 
Onondagas — laws  and  maxims  from  the  great 
sijirit,  resided  on  Cross  (Tiota)  lake.  Eoreseeing 
the  invasion  of  the  whites  (from  Canada),  Hiawa- 
tha caUed  together  his  people  with  aU  of  their  red 
brothers  to  the  east  and  west,  who  at  an  ap- 
piointed  time  gathered  on  the  north  shoi  e 
of  Onondaga  lake  in  a  great  multitude  for 
the  purpose  of  irniting  in  a  gi'eat  confederacy. 
Hiawatha  and  his  daughter  appeared  in  a 
canoe  which  moved  without  apparent  means 
of  propulsion.  As  father  and  daughter  dis- 
embarked and  ascended  the  bank  a  clovid  in 
the  dim  distance  descended  upon  them,  as- 
suming more  definite  proportions  as  it  ap- 
piroached  rrntil  it  revealed  the  shape  of  a 
gigantic  white  bird,  the  white  heron 
(wahkeon),  which  in  a  sudden,  short,  down- 
ward plunge  struck  the  girl  to  the  earth.  80 
great  was  the  size  of  this  bii'd  that  as  it 
lay  wounded  upon  the  ground  where  it  was 
quickly  dispatched  by  the  assembled  war- 
iors,  it  seemed  to  entii'ely  cover  the  stricken 
giii.  But  when  the  bu'd  was  removed  not 
a  trace  of  the  girl  could  be  found.  She  had 
disappeared  from  the  earth.  Her  parent 
did  not  even  have  the  consolation  of  paying 
the  last  sad  rites  to  the  memory  of  his  be- 
loved. It  was  the  great  sacrifice  he  had 
been  called  upon  to  make  that  his  people 
might  live — that  his  words  soon  to  be  spoken 
might  bear  the  neces.sary  weight  and,  with 
the  influence  of  this  supernatural  demon- 
stration working  upon  the  minds  of  his 
countrymen,  they  would  heed  his  admoni- 
tions. The  following  day  Hiawatha's  coun- 
sels prevailed.  Words  of  wisdom  and  u  „  der- 
standing  flowed  from  his  lips.  "Unite,  ye 
Ave  nations!"  he  exclaimed,  "And  no  foe 
shall  disturb  and  subdue  you."  This  w;is 
the  keynote  he  struck.  To  each  of  the  Ave 
nations,  Mohawks,  Oneidas,  Onondagas, 
Cayugas  and   Henecas,  he   assigned  a   posi- 


tion, in  the  confederacy.  Then  he 
went  down  to  the  shore  and  seated 
himself  in  his  mystic  canoe.  Sweet 
music  flUed  the  air,  and  while  the 
awestricken  multitude  gazed  upon 
their  beloved  leader,  he  was  silently 
raised  in  his  canoe  to  the  skies 
where  he  disappeared  like  a  speck 
melting  from  sight. 

"Tims  depai'ted  Hiawatha." 

— LongfelloM'. 

There  the  great  confederacy 
began,  Hiawatha's  plans  being 
adopted  the  following  day  by  the 
great  council  of  the  Ir'oquois. 

Iroquois  Lands. — The  original 
territory  of  the  six  nations  com- 
prised a  greater  part  of  Ne-s\-  York 
state  west  of  Lake  Champlain  and 
portions  of  Penn.sylvaniaand  Ohio. 
The  boundary  line  inclosing  their 
domains,  ran  aliout  as  follows: 
On  the  north,  from  Maumee  Bay 
along  the  south  shore  of  Lakes 
Erie  and  Ontario  and  Niagara 
river  and  along  the  St.  Lawrence 
river  to  the  mouth  ol  the  Grasse 
river;  thence  east  on  the  45th 
paridlel  half  way  to  Lake  Chamiilain;  south-east 
to  Lake  Chamijlain ;  along  the  west  shore  of  Lake 
Chami^lain  from  Plattsburgh  to  and  along  the 
Hudson  river  to  the  Mohawk  river;  south  l;)y  west 
along  the  east  range  of  hills  skh-ting  the  Susque- 


liASD  yTANU,  I'UHLIC  SyrAlil 


18 


'GEIP'S"  HISTORICAL  SOUVENIE  OF  CAMDEN. 


hanna  valley  to  the  jnuction  of  the  Snsquehanna 
rivei-  and  Schene-viis  creek;  west  along  the  former 
to  the  west  liranch  at  Athens,  Pa. ;  along  the  west 
branch  to  its  head  waters;  thence  sontliwest  in  a 
direct  hne  to  the  Monongahela  river ;  thence  west 
to  and  along  the  Monongahela  and  Ohio  rivers  to 
the  Miami  river;  along  the  west  branch  of  the 
Miami  river  to  a  point  east  of  the  headwaters  of 
the  east  branch  of  the  "Wabash  river;  thence  di- 
rectly northeast  to  the  head  of  Manmee  bay  on 
Lake  Erie,  at  the  site  of  the  present  city  of  Toledo. 


T.  C.  Stone  taught  a  private  school  in  1843,  EDiott 
W.  Stewart  having  the  previous  year  taught  in  the 
town  hall.  The  latter  year,  1842,  the  Camden  In- 
stitute was  oijened  in  the  same  place  by  Donald 
G.  Frazier.  In  the  meantime  a  high  school  had 
been  established  (previous  to  1847).  In  the  latter 
year  Miss  A.  Howd  advertised  a  select  school  in 
the  basement  of  the  Episcopal  church.  Miss  Lu.cy 
Bowen  taught  select  school  in  the  house  now  occu- 
pied by  Mrs.  L.  Stoddard  Sanford,  and  at  the 
eame  time  Mrs.  C.  C.  Balicock   taught  across  the 


FOREST  PARK. 
Flower  Bed,  .Junction  of  Drives.    (Ncsbitt.) 
Mt.  Prospect.    (A.  B.  Powell.)  The  Pines.    (A.  B.  Powell.) 

Drive  to  Pavilion.    (A.  B.  Powell.) 
At  the  Point.    (Neshitt.)  Drive 


The  Terrace.    (Nesbitt.) 

Prospect  Cove.    (A.  B.  Powell.) 

at  the  Entrance.    (Nesbitt.) 


The  Early  Schools  of  (lamden  were  largely 
select  schools  tatight  in  jjrivate  houses.  S.  E. 
Sweet  taught  a  temporary  normal  school  in  the 
town  hall  which  the  coianty  and  town  superin- 
tendents established  in  Camden  for  the  term  from 
Sept.  24  to  Nov.  1,  1844.  Miss  Putnam,  later  the 
wife  of  Col.  Eichard  Empey,  taught  in  the  first 
regular  district  school  building  about  1821.     Miss 


street.  The  j^resent  Union  school  is  the  consolid- 
ation of  districts  1  and  13,  effected  May  11,  1853. 
The  original  building  in  school  district  No.  1 
which  stood  near  the  south  end  of  Second  street, 
was  then  sold  to  Eeubeu  Bettis  and  moved  on  to 
Main  street  where  it  was  burned  down.  The  red 
school  house  of  district  No.  13,  which  stood  near 
the  upper  end  of  Main  street,  built  in  1836,  was 
sold  to  Eiley  Rush,  who  now  occupies  it. 


'GRIP'S"  HISTORICAL  SOUVENIR  OF  CAMDEN. 


19 


Boi-rowed  Pliotii. 

ANDRES  MEEKEK, 
Superintendent  of  Forest  Park. 

The  Oneida  Indians,  one  of  the  original  Ave 
nations  included  in  tlie  League  of  the  Iroquois 
(called  the  Macjuas  by  the  Dutch),  at  one  time 
claimed  ownership  to  all  the  lands  now  included 
in  Oneida  county,  but  in  their  treaties  with  the 
whites  their  claims  north  of  Wood  creek  were  not 
recognized,  except  t(5  the  lands  1)ordering  the 
shores  of  Oneida  Lake.     But  theu-  trails  followed 


the  nirmerous  water  courses  which  cross  the  town 
of  Camden  and  theu'  "lower  castle"  at  the  head  of 
Oneida  Lake  was  a  few  miles  soitth  of  this  vil- 
lage. During  certain  seasons  of  the  year  they 
repaired  to  Salmon  river  on  the  north  for  fishing 
and  in  going  and  coming  followed  a  trail  leading 
along  the  west  shore  of  the  west  branch  of  Fish 
creek  upon  which  the  village  of  Camden  is  located. 
One  of  the  earliest  villages  of  the  tribe  stood  on 
the  shore  of  Fish  creek  near  its  junction  with 
Little  river,  about  three  mUes  below  Camden. 
Here,  at  the  time  Benjamin  Phelps,  after  whom 
the  locality  was  subsequently  called  Phelpsville, 
settled  the  village  was  still  standing  and  he  found 
himself  surrounded  by  a  neighborly  lot  of  red 
men.  The  Indians,  who  had  then  become  ac- 
customed to  then-  white  neighbors,  gathered  ma- 
terial for  making  baskets  which  they  sold  to  the 
settlers. 

At  the  forks  of  the  east  and  west  branches  of 
Fish  creek  the  Oneidas  held  annual  fishing  feasts, 
attended  by  large  numbers  of  the  tribe. 

Vaiious  treaties  between  the  Oneidas  and  the 
state  of  New  York  gradually  reduced  theii-  land 
area  until  in  1890  they  possessed  in  the  state  of 
New  York  but  about  3.50  acres,  situated  foiu-  miles 
south  of  the  city  of  Oneida,  which  they  held  in 
severalty.  Their  first  sale  of  lands  to  the  state 
was  made  in  the  treaty  at  Fort  Herkimer,  June 
28,  1785,  when  they  disposed  of  a  tract  between  the 
Chenango  and  Unadilla  rivers  for  .'$11,500  in  cash 
and  goods.  In  1788  they  disposed  of  another  slice 
for  an  annuity  of  .fOOO.  On  September  15,  1795, 
they  agreed  to  another  transfer  for  $2,952  in  cash 
and  a  second  annuity  of  $600.  On  June  1,  1798, 
still  another  sale  was  made  for  .$300  and  an  annu- 
ity of  $700.  On  March  5,  1802,  they  received 
from  the  state  for  another  parcel  $900  and  an  an- 


Borruwed  Cut. 


I'.VIilC  VlliW  DlilVE  AND  Pld  ISl'ECT  MT. 


20 


■GRIP'S"  HISTORICAL  SOUVENIR  OF  CAMDEN. 


FOREST  PARK  CEMETERY. 

nuity  of  $300.  In  1805  their  lands  were  divided 
among  themselves.  In  1846,  the  main  part  of  the 
tribe  removed  to  Brown  county,  Wis.,  where  they 
settled  on  a  reservation  of  65,540  acres  granted  to 
them  by  the  United  States  government. 

The  Oneidas  were  considered  faithful  to  the 
colonists  dnring  the  revolution  and  they  prevented 
united  offensive  action  against  the  colonists  on  the 
jjart  of  the  Iroqiiois. 

An  address  by  Congi-ess  to  the  Oneidas  and  their 
tribal  allies,  the  Tuscaroras,  December,  1777,reads 
as  follows:  "It  rejoices  our  hearts  that  we  have  no 
reason  to  reproach  you  in  common  with  the  rest 
of  the  Six  Nations.  We  have  exjjerienced  your 
love,  strong  as  the  oak;  and  your  iidelity, 
unchangeable  as  truth.  You  have  kept  fast 
hold  of  the  ancient  covenant  chain,  and 
preserved  it  free  from  rust  and  decay  and 
bright  as  silver.  Like  brave  men,  for 
glory  you  despise  danger;  you  stood  forth 
in  the  cause  of  your  friends,  and  ventured 
yo^^r  lives  in  our  battles.  While  the  sun 
and  moon  continue  to  give  light  to  the 
world,  we  shall  love  and  respect  you.  As 
our  trusty  friends  we  shall  protect  you, 
and  shall  at  all  times  consider  your  welfare 
as  our  own." 

Rev.  John  Richards,  pastor  of  the  M. 
E.  church,  was  born  in  Mold,  Flintshire, 
Wales,  May  17,  1863.  He  was  graduated 
from  King's  College,  Chester, England,  at  the 
head  of  his  class,  and  soon  after  entered 
mercantile  Hfe,  holding  positions  of  triist  in 
the  cities  of  Livei'pool  and  London,  England. 
Converted  at  the  age  of  twenty-three,  he 
was  soon  after  called  of  God  to  preach  and 
entered  at  once  upon  a  theological  course  of 
studies.  He  entered  the  Montreal  Confer- 
ence of  the  Methodist  ehiirch  in  Canada  in 
1888  and  was  stationed  at  MaEorytown, 
whence  he  was  transferred  in  1889  to  Cata- 
raque,  Kingston.  In  1890  he  joined  the 
Northern  New  York  Conference  of  the 
Metliodist  Episcopal  Church  and  was 
stationed   at   Evans'   Mills.      In     1891     he 


moved  to  Natural  Bridge 
and  Harrisville  charge 
which  he  left  two  years 
later,  after  a  most  suc- 
cessful pastorate,  to  enter 
Boston,  Mass., University 
as  a  special  student. 
While  there  he  filled  the 
pull^it  of  the  East  Black- 
stone  church.  In  1895 
he  went  to  Beaver  Falls, 
N.  Y.,  and  two  years 
later  to  Adams,  N!  Y., 
where  he  was  pastor  foiu- 
years,  coming  hence  to 
Camden.  His  labors  here 
were  blessed  with  a  re- 
vival in  the  whiter  of  1901 
and  '02  in  which  a  hun- 
dred peo2ile  knelt  at  the 
altar  to  imi^lore  Divine 
forgiveness.  On  July  15, 
189(5,  he  was  married  to 
Maud  Aiiiue,  the  j'oung- 
est  daughter  of  the  Hon.  Americus  Welch  of 
Blackstone,  Mass.,  to  whose  earnest  and  constant 
co-operation  in  his  choson  work  much  of  his  suc- 
cess is  due.  They  have  one  child,  a  daughter, 
Dorrice  Armyle,  born  December  15,  1899. 

Asbury  Chapter,  No.  13868,  Epworth  League, 
Fu-st  Methodist  Church,  was  organized  in  the 
summer  of  1893,  through  the  efforts  of  Mr.  Frank 
A.  McAdam  and  the  pastor.  Rev.  W.  D.  Chase. 
On  June  7,  1893,  a  Christian  Endeavor  society  was 
organized  with  seventy-one  members.  R.  C. 
Knapp  was  the  first  president  (since  elected  for 
eighteen     successive     terms)     and     Miss   Jennie 


Abbott,  Chicas'o,  Photo. 

SCENE  ON  THE  PARK  STREAM. 


"GEIP'S"  HISTORICAL  SOUVENIE  OF  CAMDEN. 


21 


Abbott,  Cbicayo,  Photo, 


PHELPS  BRIDGE. 


Chapman  (now  Mrs.  E.  J.  Castle,)  the  fii-st  secre- 
tary. The  society  did  not  grow  preceptibly,  and 
on  December  7,  1894,  at  the  suggestion  of  the 
pastor,  Kev.  W.  F.  Brown,  the  society  by  unani- 
mous vote  merged  into  the  Ejjworth  League. 
There  are  at  the  present  time  181  active  members 
and  .S80  in  the  treasury. 

The  Junior  League  numljers  ninety  members 
;md  is  jsrosperous  under  the  management  of  Mrs. 
Kichards,  superintendent,  and  Mary  Williams, 
president.  The  teachers  are  Mrs.  W.  D.  Towsley, 
Mrs.  Ezra  Tracey,  Miss  Sadie  Waldron,  Miss 
Ethel  Dilible,  Miss  NeUie  Wilkinson  and  Miss 
Mattie  York.  The  League  has  organized  a  sew- 
ing cii'cle  with  Helen 
Crowner  president,  a 
Mercy  and  Help  depart- 
ment wdth  Alice  Towsley 
president,  and  a  choii'  of 
fifteen  with  Erwin  Kima 
■chorister  and  Leona 
Knajjp  pianist. 

The    Ladies'    Guild, 

Trinity  church,  was  for- 
merly known  as  the 
"Sewing  Society,"  and 
has  existed  from  soon 
after  the  organization  of 
the  pai'ish.  It  now  con- 
tributes largely  to  chui'ch 
expenses,  sends  away 
two  missonary  bo.xes  a 
year,  besides  other  mis- 
sionary work  at  home 
and  abroad.  The  present 
(ifficers  are,  President, 
Mrs.  E.  H.  Conant;  Vice- 
President,  Mrs.  D.  L. 
Mann;  Secretarv,  Blrs. 
S.  C.  Cromwell';  Treas- 
urer, Mrs.  P.  B.  MiUer. 
The  Sunday  School  is 
■doing     good    work,    the 


officers  of  which  are.  Su- 
perintendent, the  rector; 
Secretary,  Miss  Marion 
Potter;  Treasurer,  Mrs. 
S.  B.  Cromwell.  Four 
grades  of  the  young  peo- 
ple of  the  parish  meet 
statedly  at  the  rector's 
house  for  instiiiction  and 
social  purposes.  The 
young  peoijle  have  raised 
funds  for  various  repau's. 

The       Great      Fire, 

(reckoned  from  the  ex- 
tent of  territory  devas- 
tated, if  not  from  aggre- 
gate losses),  occurred  in 
1882,  entirely  destroying 
all  of  the  liuildings  on  the 
west  side  of  Main  street 
between  the  Barnes  block 
on  the  north  (where  the 
desti-ucti  ve  Park  hotel  fire 
of  1867  was  stopped)  to  Mexico  street,  then 
west  along  the  north  side  of  the  latter  street  to 
Fish  Creek.  The  fire  originated  at  3  a. 
m.,  in  Mr.  Short's  ice  cream  saloon,  a  small,  ten- 
foot  bivilding  connecting  the  Exchange  building 
with  the  Central  Hotel.  Among  those  burned  out 
were  J.  H.  Tracey,  clothing;  IMrs.  C.  Hornung, 
millinery;  J.  M.  Peck,  druggist;  J.  Olden,  land- 
lord of  the  Central.  (J.  D.  Cavarly  was  the  owner) ; 
Churchill  &  Tibbitts,  meat  mai'ket;  C.  S.  Pai'ke, 
harness  shop,  L.  Duncan,  jeweler,  and  E.  Edie, 
restaurant.  T.  D.  Penfield  o^Tied  the  Exchange 
building.  Not  a  building  in  the  territory  escaped 
total  destruction. 


Abbott,  ('liica^'o.  Photo. 

IIIRAL  TUDI'T  HULK,  XORTH  IIK.VXCH  FISH  CUEEK. 


22 


'GRIP'S"  HISTOKICAL  SOUVENIR  OF  CAMDEN. 


Public  Schools  of  Camden. — On  the25tli  day 
of  April,  18()7,  tlie  taxpayers  of  the  village  of  Cam- 
den met  and  organized  a  Union  Free  school  dist- 
rict.    The  population  of  the  village  at  that  date 


ities  requisite  for  academic  training.  The  village 
was  comparatively  young  in  those  days  and  it  was 
the  great  desire  of  manj'  of  its  peojile  that  there 
should  be   a  school  here  which  would  supply  the 


Hufsted,  Pliotc)!?. 


THE  BOARD  OF  EDUCATION. 


1,  Jobn  M.  Yoiinj'',  Presirlent;2,  A.  C.  Woortruff,  Secretary;  S,  A.  H.   Malonev,  4,   "\V.    I.  Stoddard.  .5,   B.   D.   Stoue, 
6,  S.  L.  Harding',  T,  Byron  A.  Ciirtiss,  8,  G.  J.  Williams,  H,  D.  G.  Dorraiice. 


was  much  less  than  at  present  and  the  school  was 
jjroportionately  small.  Previous  to  this  there 
had  been  several  small  schools  in  and  near  the  vil- 
lage, but  none  of  these  seemed  to  furnish  the  facil- 


edueational  needs  of  the  growing  town.  How  well 
the  plan  worked  and  to  what  extent  the  school  has 
met  the  expectations  can  liest  be  answered  by  a 
large  majority  of  the  present  citizens  of  the  town, 


"GEIP'S"  HISTOKICAL  SOUVENIR  OF  CAMDEN. 


23 


who  at  some  time  or  other  have  been  in  actnal  at- 
tendance. Keeping  pace  with  the  growing  village 
the  school  has  increased  in  actual  attendance  until 
today  it  is  the  largest  graded  school  in  the  county 
outside  of  the  two  cities,  Rome  and  Utica.  It  has 
also  developed  in  character  since  those  early  days 
and  is  now  one  of  the  best  schools  in  Central  New 
York.  As  in  most  towns  of  the  state,  the  village 
s3hool  system  of  Camden  consists  of  primary, 
grammar   and   high  schools.     The  work  of  these 


perienee.  Quite  a  large  per  cent,  of  the  teachers 
in  this  department  are  Normal  graduates,  while  all 
have  had  considerable  experience  in  actual  teach- 
ing before  theii'  connection  with  this  school.  The 
primary  grades  are  under  the  care  of  teachers  who 
have  made  primary  and  kindergarten  work  a  spec- 
ial study.  The  most  approved  pedagogic  methods 
are  in  use  in  all  these  grades,  and  everything  is 
being  done  to  make  the  teaching  therein  both  effi- 
cient  and   eulminative.       While   the   sTades   are 


Hiiestecl,  Photos.  THE  FACULTY. 

1,  Prof.  E.  S.  Babcoek.  3,  Harriftte  A.  H.vnes.  3,  Jossie  M.  Waketleld.  4,  L.  Gcrtrarto  Lftoiiiird, 
6,  Clara  E.  Ciirtiss,  7,  Emma  J.  Gardner,  8,  Jennii'  Slooro,  fl,    Miiiiiio   M.  San  lord,   10 
Clclland,  12,  Glendora  Leig-li,  13,  .Jane  Hanford. 


..  Winnit'red  It.  Perkins. 

Harriet    Seriviii,    11.  Effle  JI. 


three  schools  is  so  arranged  that,  althoiTgh  there  is 
a  division  lietweeu  the  three  departments,  there  is 
also  an  element  of  continuity  extending  from  the 
lowest  grade  primary  to  the  senior  year  of  the 
High  school.  The  first  eight  or  nine  years  are  de- 
voted to  the  study  of  elementary  subjects.  The 
grammar  department,  in  which  most  of  these  sub- 
jects are  taught,  is  under  the  care  of  instructors 
who  are  well  qualified  both  Ijv  scholarship  and  ex- 


taught  in  sections,  still  the  individual  pupil  is  not 
lost  sight  of  and  each  one  is  given  the  widest  lati- 
tude for  promotion  consistent  with  the  merits  of 
the  individual  case.  The  aim  of  the  primaiw  and 
grammar  departments  is  a  (horongh  luiowleilge  of 
elementary  subjects  enaljliug  tlie  pupil  to  enter  the 
High  school  with  sufficient  mental  eiiuipmeut  to 
do  good  work  in  that  department.  These  two  de- 
partments have  a  registration  of  about  four  huu- 


2i 


'GBIP'S"  HISTORICAL  SOUVENIE  OF  CAMDEN. 


Abbott,  Chicago,  Photo. 


THE  GRAMMAR  SCHOOL. 


dred  pupils  and  a  faculty  of  eight  teachers.  The 
High  school  dates  from  Dec.  7,  1897,  when  the 
University  of  New  York  issued  its  charter.  It  oc- 
cupies the  second  floor  of  the  new  eastern  wing 
and  has  a  student  registi-ation  of  over  eightj'.  Its 
present  faculty  consists  of  three  college  graduates 
and  one  Normal  gi'aduate,  each  one  of  whom  was 
selected  hj  the  Board  of  Education  for  a  sjoecial 
line  of  work.  The  course  of  study  in  this  depart- 
ment continues  through  four  years,  at  the  end  of 
which  time  the  student  is  snpjjosed  to  be  well  pre- 
pared for  any  coUege.  If,  however,  the  student 
is  contemplating  a  technical  or  special  course  else- 
where, he  may,  with  the  consent  and  at  the  direc- 
tion of  the  faculty,  pursue  such  studies  in  this  de- 
partment as  seem  liest  adapted  to  the  needs  of  the 
individual  case.  Latin,  Greek,  French,  German, 
History,  Literatm-e,  Science,  Mathematics  (includ- 
ing plane  and  si^herical  trigonometry)  can  here  be 
studied  under  competent  and  experienced  instruct- 
ors. That  excellent  results  are  being  seciu'ed  in 
this  department  is  shown 
by  the  fact  that  during 
the  last  year  the  Regents' 
Department  has  volun- 
tarily wi'itten three  letters 
commending  the  work 
actually  done.  The  reg- 
istration of  this  depart- 
ment has  increased  near- 
ly 3U0  per  cent,  in  the  last 
twelve  months  and  under 
the  many  improvements 
which  the  Board  of  Edu- 
cation are  now  contemp- 
lating, the  attendance  is 
destined  to  become  much 
larger.  The  High  School 
library  contains  over 
1.500  volumes,  of  which 
number  about  1000  vol- 
umes have  been  pur- 
chased during  the  past 
year.  These  books  have 
all  been  selected  with 
reference  to  their  specisil 
fitness    for  High  School      Abbott,  Chicago,  Photo. 


work.  A  very  large  per 
cent,  of  the  total  number 
of  volumes  are  reference 
books  and  there  is  no 
Regents  subject  which  is 
not  represented.  It  is  the 
intention  of  the  school 
authorities  to  sujjple- 
ment  the  list  of  boolis 
already  on  hand  by  sub- 
stantial additions  each 
year  hereafter.  Concern- 
ing this  library  a  I'epre- 
sentative  of  one  of  the 
state  departments  re- 
cently said  that,  for  its 
size,  it  is  the  best  High 
School  hbrary  in  the 
state.  This  library  is 
open  to  students  for  refer- 
ence work  during  school 
hours.  During  the  com- 
ing year  it  is  the  intention 
to  place  in  the  school 
physical  and  chemical 
laboratories  of  the  latest 
and  most  ajjproved  types. 
With  the  development  of  the  school  in  other  lines 
the  authorities  are  determined  that  opportunities 
for  the  mtelligent  and  systematic  teaching  of 
science  shall  not  be  inferior  to  the  teaching  of  the 
other  departments;  hence,  they  propose  in  the 
near  future  to  make  its  scientific  equipment  thor- 
oughly efficient  and  commensurate  with  all  the 
demands  of  High  School  work.  The  public 
schools  occupy  a  large  two-story  brick  building- 
located  at  the  intersection  of  Union  and  Thu'd 
.streets.  The  entire  buOding  is  heated  with  steam, 
is  well  lighted  and  is  supi^lied  with  pure  spring 
water  from  the  village  water  system.  The  venti- 
lation of  the  building  is  ijerfect,  the  aii-  coming 
directly  from  the  outside  and  jiassing  through  the 
radiators  into  the  rooms  and  thence  to  the  outside 
again.  Having  been  greatly  improved  this  year 
by  the  introduction  of  the  Smead  system  of  clos- 
ets, the  sanitation  is  exceedingly  good.  The 
building  is  in  the  center  of  a  lai'ge,  shady  and 
beautiful   lawn  which,  with  its  isolation  from  the 


THE  HIGH  SCHOOL. 


"GEIP'S"  HISTORICAL  SOUVENIR  OF  CAMDEN. 


25 


active  business  portion  of  the  village,  renders  its 
location  as  a  school  site  advantageous.  Aside 
from  the  expenditui-e  of  over  $800  for  cement 
walks  for  these  grounds,  much  attention  is  yeai'ly 
given  to  their  proper  care.  There  is,  perhaps,  no 
more  beautiful  school  campus  in  Central  New 
York  than  the  one  in  Camden.  The  school  au- 
thorities are  of  the  oi:)inion  that  not  only  in  clean 
and  wholesome  liuUdings  \n\t  also  in  well  kept 
grounds  about  them,  there  is  a  certain  educational 
value  which  should  not  be  overlooked.  For  sev- 
eral yeai-s  the  Camden  High  school  has  had  quite 
a  reputation   for   the   number   of  students  it  pre- 


are  below  that  of  Camden.  It  will  be  seen  by 
reading  the  above  that  the  people  of  Camden  de- 
su'e  that  the  very  best  educational  facilities  be 
provided  in  this  village.  Both  ui  its  teaching- 
force  and  in  its  equipment  the  school  ranks  high. 
This  fact,  together  with  the  high  moral  tone  of 
the  community,  makes  the  village  an  ideal  place 
for  a  i^ermanent  home.  The  present  Board  of 
Trustees  consists  of  John  M.  Young,  president; 
Arthiu'  C.  Woodruff',  secretary;  George  J.  Wil- 
liams, Byron  A.  Curtiss,  Benjamin  D.  Stone,  Dan- 
iel G.  Dorrance,  William  I.  Stoddard,  Selden  L. 
Harding  and  Andrew  H.  Maloney.     The  present 


IN"1'EI![(IR  VIEWS  CAMDEN  inHiLIC  SCHOOL. 
Pi-incipal's  Olliuc.  (Miilone.y,  Pliotos.)  Tlic  Libnirv. 

HiK'h  Scluiol  DL'|.mrtnK.'nl..  (Skirinnr.) 


Dr:iwiny-  CIiis.s.    (Maloney.) 

pared  for  college.  The  numljer  of  such  ])ersons  is 
constantly  increasing  and  they  are  found  in  a  half 
a  dozen  or  more  colleges  of  the  state.  Encourage- 
ment is  always  given  to  this  class  of  students  and 
everything  pf)ssible  is  done  here  to  give  them  a 
good,  thorough  preparation  for  college  work. 
One  reason  for  the  present  excellent  c(mditic)n  of 
the  Camdcm  schools,  it  is  believed,  lies  in  the  fact 
that  in  their  care  and  supervision  there  is  no  par- 
tisan politics.  In  the  actual  management  of 
sc^hool  affairs  great  care  is  exercised  and  for  every 
dollar  expended  there  is  value  received.  The  an- 
nual .school  tax  is  much  lower  than  that  in  two 
other  villages  in  Oneidacounty  whose  populations 


Kinderfjiu'ten.  (Skinner.) 

faculty  consists  of:  High  School,  E.  S.  Babeock 
A.  M.,  Principal;  Harriette  A.  Hynes,  A.  W. 
Preceptress;  Jennie  M.  AVaketieldj  Ph.  B. ;  L 
Gertrude  Leonai'd.  Grammar  and  Primary 
Winifred  B.  Perkins,  Clara  E.  Curtiss,  Emma  J. 
Gardner,  Jennie  INIoore,  Minnie  M.  Sanford,  Har- 
riet Si-riven,  Efiie  Clelland,  Glendora  Leigh  and 
Jane  Hauford. 

Fire  of  '66,  winch  broke  out  in  the  morning  of 
August  1'),  burned  the  building  on  South  Park 
street,  occupied  liy  A.  G.  Mott's  wagon  shop,  Jul- 
ius Allen's  jiaint  slio))  and  INIyron  and  Edwin  Sim- 
mons' blacksmith  shop. 


Huestcd's  and  lioi'iowcd  riiutiis,  THE  WHIST  CLL'B  rsap^k        ■'- 

1,  E.  H.  Conant  2  Mrs.  E.  H.  Coiiant,  3,  W.  J.  r.-isbie,  4.  Mrs.  W.  ,J.  Frisbie  5  A   C  Woudi-uff  fi  Mrs  "a   r  Wonrt'rntf 

7,  J.  C.  Davies  8    Mrs.  J.  C.  Davies,  8,  R.  S.  John,son,  10,  Mrs.  R.  S.  JolVnson  11   IJ   G   Doir\ncp  ]■'  M,'^'   n    r     lin?' 


■GRIP'S"  HISTORICAL  SOUVENIR  OF  CAIMDEN. 


27 


ORVILLE  A.  MANZEK  JR.  MARJOEIE  MANZER.  SPENCER  A.  MANZER 
ORVILLE  A.  MANZER.  MRS.  MARY  A.  MANZER. 

seven 

Orville  Adelbert  Manzer  was  born  in  Ver-  trade  in  tlie  same  store, 
non,  Oneida  county,  June  5,  18i9.  His  boyhood 
"svas  spent  in  Otsego  county  near  Cooperstown  and 
also  in  Madison  county.  At  the  age  of  eighteen 
years  he  entered  the  office  of  the  Cazenoida  Re- 
publican and  served  a  complete  course  at  the 
l^rinting  trade.  After  finishing  there,  he  was  fore- 
man of  the  Fayetteville  Recorder  for  several 
months  and  afterwards  worked  on  the  Democrat 
and  Chronicle  in  Rochester,  N.  Y.  In  January, 
1871,  he  came  to  Camden  and  entered  the  employ 
of  J.  H.  Hunger  on  the  Camden  Journal.  He  re- 
mained with  the  Journal  until  the  fall  of  1873 
when  he  accepted  a  jjlace  in  the  office  of  the  Cam- 
den Advance,  which  he  has  ccntinued  to  hold  for 
nearly  twenty-nine  years.  In  AprU,  1875,  he  Avas 
married  to  Lvdia  S.  Hull,  widow  of  the  late  Hora- 


tio Empey.     She   died   April  29, 

1881,  leaving  two  daughters,  Mrs. 
George  Underwood  and  Mrs.  G. 
L.  Marks,  both  residents  of  Cort- 
land, N.  Y.  On  June  4,  1885,  he 
was  again  married  to  Miss  Mary 
A.,  the  daughter  of  the  late  John 
Whaley,  of  Camden.  The  fruit  of 
this  union  are  three  children, 
Orville  A.  Jr.,  Spencer  A.  and 
Marjorie.  Mr.  Manzer  has  lieen 
one  of  the  important  factors  in  the 
newspaper  life  of  Camden  for  over 
a  quarter  of  a  century.  He  is  the 
Keeper  of  Records  and  Seals  in  the 
Camden  Lodge,  K.  of  P.,  and  has 
been  since  its  institution.  Upon 
the  conclusion  of  his  present  term 
as  secretary  of  the  Board  of  Health 
he  will  have  served  in  that  position 
continuously  twelve  years. 

C.  O.  Biederman,  the  optician 
and  jeweler,  came  to   Camden   in 
May,  1895,  and  bought   the  busi- 
ness, AA'here  he  is  now  located,  of 
H.    A.    Williams,    who    had    for 
years   been  in   the   jeweh'v 
Included  in  the   stock 
carried   at  this  jjlace  are  hollow,  jjlated  and  solid 
silverware   of  all  grades,  comprising  the  Rogers 
make,    clocks,    silver  novelties,   watches,  jeweh-y 
and  diamonds.     Mr.  Biederman  has  been  engaged 
in  fitting  glasses  for  twenty -five  yeai's,  including  a 
five  years'  course  of  instruction  which  he  took  with 
Dr.  Wiriam  McCraw  at   Geneva,  N.  Y.     He   was 
born  at  Frankfort,  Herkimer  county,  June  2,  1818, 
and  for  several  years,  from  the  time  he  was  three 
years  old,  resided   at   Mohawk,  where  his  father. 
Christian  Biederman,  carried  on  the  harness  busi- 
ness   until    his   death,  which   occurred   in   1892; 
the    death    of    the    latter's    wife    was    in     1898. 
During  a  period  of  two  or  three   years  following 
his  majority  Mr.  Biederman  was  employed  in  the 
armory  at  Hion,  afterwai'ds  going  into  the  sewing 
machine  Irasiness  at  Middletown,  Ct.,  then  becom- 


Skinnor,  Photo; 


('.  O.  ISIEDEKMAX. 


C.  (1.  BIEDERMANS  JEWELRY  STORE. 


'GEIP'S"  HISTORICAL  SOUVENIE  OF  CAMDEN. 


HATTIE  L.  WOOD. 
WILLIAM  DEAN  WOOD.  MKS.  ELIZA  M.  WOOD. 

ing  engaged  with  the  New  Haven  Clock  company 
where  he  learned  to  make  and  repau-  watches  and 
clocks.  Two  or  three  years  later  he  was  in  Buf- 
falo in  the  same  business  and  for  a  ^-eai-  after  ■ 
wards,  again  in  the  Ilion  armory.  In  1878  he 
went  into  the  harness  and  jewelry  business  at 
Bridgewater,  N.  Y.,  where  he  engaged  continu- 
ously in  trade  until  he  came  here,  serving  for  sev- 
eral years  as  to-svn  clerk.  On  March  19,  1876,  he 
married  Mary  E.  Innes,  of  North  Bay,  N.  Y.,  by 
whom  he  has  one  child,  Chaa-les  Innes  Biederman. 
Mr.  Biederman  is  a  member  of  the  Pre-sliyterian 
chui'ch  and  is  affiliated  with  the  Masonic  order,  the 
I.  O.  R.  M.,  and  the  Maccabees, 

William  Dean  Wood  came  to  Camden  thirty 
years  ago  and  started  a 
miUinery  and  fancy 
goods  store  in  a  building- 
after  wards  biu-ned  down, 
which  stood  where  Miss 
Hornung's  place  of  busi- 
ness now  is.  Erom  1875 
to  1880Mr.Wood  traveled 
as  a  salesman  and  on  Jan. 
1,  1881,  desiring  to  make 
for  himself  a  business 
which  would  permit  him 
to  remain  at  home,  and 
yet  such  as  would  demand 
no  great  care  and  atten- 
tion, bought  the  property 
of  the  Mitchell  estate  on 
Main  street,  next  north 
of  the  Episcopal  church. 
By  building  an  additioQ 
to  the  rear  and  greatly 
improving  the  building 
that  was  then  standing, 
he  obtained  a  spacious 
store  with  pleasant  living 
apartments  in  the  rear 
and  on  the  second  floor. 
Here    he    opened  a  five      skinner,  Plmtci 


and  ten  ceait  store,  a  line  of  trade 
which    at    that   time   was   hardly 
more   than  experimental.     So  he, 
shortly    after,    turned     it    into   a 
fancy    goods    store,    a      business 
which  his  daughter,  Miss  Hattie  L . 
Wood,    has  carried   on   since  her 
father's    death.      That   sad   event 
occurred  March   14,  1896,  and  was 
the  termination   of   a  long  period 
of  physical  debility  and  a  winter's 
illness  which  had  seized  upon  Mr. 
Wood.       Now     his     widow     and 
daughter   occupy  the  place,  where 
they   are    very  comfortably  situ- 
ated,   enjoying  the   social  calls  of 
their   friends  and  the  comfort  of  a 
quiet  life,  with  a  promising  future 
for  which  they  are  amply  provided. 
Mrs.  Wood  was  born   in  Fairfield, 
Herkimer,    county,  N.  Y.,  Aug.  4, 
1819,  and  is,  therefore  in  her  88d 
year.      She   enjoys  generally   fair 
health  and  a  remarkably  w  ell  pre- 
served eyesight.     Some  of  her  time 
is   spent  emliroidering,  and  when 
the  weather  is  fine  and  the  walk- 
ing favorable  she  walks  to  Sunday 
services  at  the  Methodist  church  of  which  she  is  a 
member,  or  to  a  neighbor's  to  make  a  call.     She 
is  Eliza,  the  daughter  of  the  late  Eli  McConnell, 
for  whom  MeConnellsville  was  named.     Her  mar- 
riage with  Mr.  Wood  was  celebrated  Jan.  20, 1810. 
Joseiohine  (Mrs.  Charles  N.    Hildreth),   of  Rome, 
and  Miss  Hattie  L.  Wood  were,  respectively,  the 
eldest  and   youngest  of  their   children;     Eugene 
M.  Wood  died  at  Bergen,  Monroe  county,  N.  Y'^., 
and    J.    E.,   the  wife   of  A.  W.  Kenfleld,  died  at 
Little  Falls.     Mr.  Wood  was  at  one  time  a  very 
heavy   tradesman   and   contractor.     Although   he 
lost  a  great   deal  of  money  he  left  his  widow  and 
daughter  in  comfortable  chcumstances.     To  all  of 
his   family   he  was  kind  and  indulgent.     SociaUv 


MAIUA  PIEHf^ALL'S  HESIDENCE. 


"GRIP'S"  HISTORICAL  SOUVENIR  OF  CAMDEN. 


29 


^sara^ 


CAMBEN  WOOD  TURNING  COMPANY'S  FACTORY 

inclined  and  with  an  agreeable  disposition  he  was 
good  company  at  or  away  from  home.  He  was 
born  at  Westmoreland,  Oneida  county,  N.  Y.,  Dec. 
19,  1814.  When  twelve  years  old  he  became  a 
clerk  for  Hathaway  at  Rome  and  in  1837,  when 
twenty -three  years  of  age,  he  went  to  McConnells- 
ville  and  opened  a  general  store  which  he  con- 
ducted for  many  years.  His  residence  in  that  vil- 
lage which  stood  across  the  street  from  his  store  is 
now  the  Grove  Hotel.  For  about  four  years  N. 
B.  Foot,  of  Rome,  was  his  partner.  After  that  he 
carried  on  business  alone.  At  that  time  stages 
were  running  between  Rome  and  Oswego  on  the 
dii-ect  road,  passing  through  Camden  and  Wil- 
liamstown  and  other  northern  towns,  and  Mr. 
Wood  got  the  contract  for  planking  the  highway 
over  the  whole  route.  This  required  more  lumber 
than  he  could  turn  out  in  the  required  time  in  the 
saw  mill  which  he  was  then  running  at  McCon- 
nellsvOle  and  he  brought  into  requisition  aU  of  the' 
mills  he  could  reach  to  an  advantage  to  piroduce 
the  pilanks  his  contract  called  for.  He  was  also  at 
that  time,  the  proprietor  of  the  grist  mOl  at  that 
place  and  to  supply  the  demand  for  flour,  he  was 
forced  to  buy  wheat  in  lai'ge  bulk  at  Buffalo  and 
have  it  trans'ported  to  McConnelsviUe.  He  had 
contracts  for  jilanking  other  roads  in  the  state 
which  he  secured  by  filing  his  liids  at  Albany. 

For  twenty-five  years  he  was  ijostmaster  at 
McConnellsvilIe  and  twice  represented  his  town 
on  the  board  of  supervisors.  In  1862  he  was  ap- 
pointed one  of  the  recruiting  officers  in  Oneida 
county,  a  position  which  he  held  until  the  close 
of  the  war.  Mr.  Wood's  last  days  were  spent 
restfuUy  with  his  wife  and  his  daughter  Hattie. 
To  the  last  three  months  of  his  life  he  was  active 
and  .spent  most  of  his  time  in  the  store.  It  was 
only  about  a  month  ]irior  to  his 
death  that  he  kept  mostly  to  his 
bed. 

Camden  Wood  Working 
Company  was  organized  in  April, 
1901,  J.  M.  Dunscomb,  president 
and  manager  and  J.  B.  Fitchett, 
secretary  and  treasurer,  for  the 
purpose  of  maniifaoturing  hard 
wood  turnings,  ten  pms,  Indian 
clubs,  dumb  bells,  dowels,  tool 
handles,  caster  wheels,  roUer  skate 
wheels  and  a  host  of  other  useful 
articles.  The  company  has  a 
factory  building  at  Camden  and 
seven  buildings  at  Osceola  includ- 
ing the  saw  mill,  novelty  works, 
store  houses,  stables  and  seasoning 


shed.     The  novelty  works  are  run. 
by  steam  which  is  also  used  in  the 
dry  kiln.     The  saw  mill,  where  all 
the   lumber    that   is   used   in  the 
plant  is  sawed  out  of  the  logs,  is 
run  by  water  power.      An  electric 
light   plant    furnishes    the   lights 
for  the  buddings.       The  capacity 
of  the  novelty   works   is  sufficient 
to   supply  the   large   li'ade  which 
this  company  has  biiilt  up   in   all 
sections  of  the  country,  and  is  be- 
ing increased  as  fast  as  conditions 
warrant.       The   goods  are    sold  to 
dealers  throughout  the  New  Eng- 
land and  Middle  states  and  a  part 
of  the  west.      About  thu-ty   men 
are  at  present  employed,  but  this  force  wdl  be  in- 
creased as  rapidly  as  the  accommodations  can  be 
enlarged  to  work  more  men.     The  company  has 
lately  erected  a  new  saw  miU  and  dam  and  has  put 
in  several  thousand  dollars'  worth  of  the  latest  and 
most  apiDroved  machinery.      Men  who  have  had 
years  of  experience  in  devising  novelties  as  well  as 
skilled   mechanics   who   are   experienced   in   fine 
mechanical  work,  are  employed  in  putting  out  the 
most  saleable  articles.     Licluding  the  two  plants, 
at   Camden   and   Osceola,    the   company   is  in   a 
position  to  cater  to  the  largest  users  of  this  class 
of  goods.     The  parties  interested  in  the  enterprise 
are  mostly  New  York  men,  who  are  determined  to 
make  this  one  of  the  leading  novelty  works  in  the 
country. 

The  Camden  Whist  Club  is  one  of  the  leading 
-  social  organizations  of  the  village  and  was  formed 
by  a  few  of  the  married  ladies  who  were  socially 
inclined  and  who  are  yet  numbered  among  its 
membership,  in  the  year  1883.  The  charter  mem- 
bers were:  Mr.  and  Mrs.  C.  S.  Munger,  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  C.  J.  Wright,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  W.  H.  Stans- 
fleld,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  AV.  J.  Frisbie,  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
C.  A.  Wetmore,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  A.  W.  Abbott,  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  G.  F.  Conant,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  A.  C. 
Woodruff  and  Mr.  and  Mrs.  E.  H.  Conant.  The 
initial  partj'  was  given  at  the  residence  of  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  George  F.  Conant  on  the  evening  of  Oct.  30, 
1883,  and  the  gatherings,  which  are  now  evening- 
dress  affairs,  at  once  became  popular.  The  pre- 
sent membership  complete  is  represented  in  the 
accompanying  group  of  portraits,  page  26. 


CAMDEX  WOOD  TUKNINU  COMPANY'S  EACTORY. 


30 


'GEIP'S"  HISTORICAL  SOUVENIR  OF  CAMDEN. 


KEY.  .\.  E.  DUNHAM. 

Trinity  Episcopal  Church. — The  first  ser- 
vice of  the  Epi.seopal  chureli  lield  in  Camdeu  was 
in  1839,  liy  the  Rev.  Nathaniel  Burgess,  who  held 
services  for  a  time  in  the  Town  Hall.  The  mis- 
sion was  known  as  that  of  St.  Thomas  and  in- 
cluded Williamstown,  Anusville,  Florence,  Vienna, 
Carterviile  and  various  school  houses.  On  Nov. 
28,  1842,  the  church  society  was  formally  iuoorjjo- 
rated  under  the  laws  of  the  state  of  New  i'ui-k  with 
the  title  linown  in  law  as  that  of  "The 
rectors,  wardens  and  vestrymen  of  Trinity 
Episcopal  church  in  the  town  of  Camden, 
county  of  Oneida."  At  that  time  Artemas 
Trowbridge  and  Hiram  J.  IMiner  were 
elected  wardens  and  John  A.  Seewir,  Edwin 
Rockwell,  Henry  Bacon,  A.  H.  Hinckley, 
William  Plumb,  Edwin  S.  Dunbar,  George 
Trowbridge  and  Jeiferson  Colton,  vestry- 
men. The  Rev.  Edward  D.  Kennicott  was 
in  charge.  There  were  al)out  fifty  families 
— one  hundred  and  thirty -eight  adults  and 
niiiety-niue  children  in  the  parish.  Services 
were  later  held  in  an  upjier  room  of  the  Aca- 
demy which  was  lt>cated  on  the  south  side 
of  the  village  park.  Meanwhile  the  church 
people  were  anxious  to  have  a  church  home 
of  their  own  and  were  putting  forth  every 
effort  for  that  j.iurpose.  Through  the  efforts 
of  Artemus  Trowbridge  the  vestry  of  Trinity 
church.  New  York,  had  given  .SSOO  with  the 
provision  that  the  new  church  liear  the  name 
of  Trin.it3^  At  a  meeting  of  the  vesti-y  on 
Jan.  30,  1843,  the  matter  of  purchasing  a 
site  for  the  church  was  considered.  The 
offer  of  Mr.  J.  Colton  to  deed  the  lot  on 
which  the  church  now  stands  to  any  ot  the 
members  of  the  church  for  the  sum  of  $400 
to  be  paid  Avithin  a  yeiu-,  provided  such  per- 
sons would  bind  themselves  to  convey  the 
said  lot  to  tlie  vestry  of  Trinity  church, 
was  promptly  accepted.  Messrs  A.  Trow- 
bridge, H.  J.  Miner,  A.  H.  Hinckley  and  J. 
Ooltou,  were  appointed  a  IraUding  com- 
mittee and  the  work  on  the  church  was 
pushed  to  completion,  The  building  was 
consecrated    by    the     Rt.     Rev.      William 


Heathcote  DeLancy,  Bishop  of  Western  New 
York.  It  was  a  large,  square,  unpretentious  build- 
ing of  wood,  painted  white,  with  a  long  flight  of 
steps  reaching  almost  across  the  entir'e  front.  It 
stood  nearer  the  street  than  the  present  church, 
and  there  was  a  sweet  toned  bell  in  the  tower. 
In  the  gallery,  which  ran  across  the  east  end  of  the 
Iniilding,  there  was  a  fine  organ,  the  first  in  the 
town,  a  gift  of  Artemas  Trowbridge.  The  choir' 
was  led  by  Mr.  Roswell  Ballard  and  Miss  Jane 
Bright  was  organist.  The  chancel  was  beautiful- 
ly furnished  with  royal  piirjile  velvet  with  heavy 
fringe  and  tassels  on  the  corners  of  the  pulpit  and 
reading  desk  cushions.  The  material  was  given 
liy  Mrs.  Jamieson,  a  devoted  and  generous  church 
woman.  At  a  meeting  of  the  Vestry,  Dec.  6,  1848, 
it  was  unanimously  resolved  to  erect  a  tablet  in 
the  church  to  her  memory  justly  due  as  a  token 
of  grateful  remembrance  of  her  active  exertions 
and  lilieral  donations  in  establishing  the  Parish, 
and  in  the  building  and  furnishing  of  the  church 
edifice.  This  tablet  was  where  the  hymn  board 
is  now  placed  on  the  south  side  of  the  chancel. 
After  the  death  of  Mr.  Jefferson  Colton,  the  vestry, 
at  a  meeting,  on  May  19,  1849,  adopted  appropri- 
ate resolutions  and  voted  to  erect  in  the  church  a 
suitable  tablet  to  his  memory.  At  a  meeting  of 
the  Vestry,  Aug.  11,  1849,  it  was  annoimced  that 
the  parish  was  free  from  debt,  and  the  rector,  the 
Rev.  A.  P.  Smith,  was  highly  commended  for  his 
untiring  efforts  for  this  object,  and  also  for  his 
personal  attention  to  various  alterations.  On  May 
29,  1867,  the  Vestry  decided  to  sell  the  buUding 
and  lot  at  private  or  public  sale  on  the  15th  of  the 
next  month.  For  some  reason  the  sale  was  de- 
layed. 0)i  the  22nd  the  church  was  burned  togeth- 
er with  many  adjoinmg  buildings.  There  was  no 
insiirance,  because  of  the  irrespective  sale   of  the 


TlUXm'  l-U'ISCOPAL  CHURCH. 


"GKIP'S"  HISTORICAL  SOUVENIR  OF  CAMDEN. 


31 


TRINITY  CH 

1,  Miss  Nellie  L.  Case.  Orsaaist;  2,  Mrs.  G.  H.  Abbott,  3, 

6,  Miss  Cora  Wiles,  7,  Miss  Persis  P.  Parke,  S,  Miss  Jennie 

11,  Miss  Jennie  Low,  12,  Miss  Carrie  De.Yter,  13,  Miss  BeuL 

Kendall, 

property.     The  building  committee,  consisting  of 
Stephen  Cromwell,  H.  A.  Case   and   A.  L.  Stone, 
began   active    operations  with   no    money  m  the 
treasury,  but  the  townspeople   contriljuted  gener- 
ously, as  did   also   the  neighboring  parishes.     In 
the  meantime  services  were  held  in  the  Town  Hall 
and  in  the  Wesleyan  chm-ch.     On  September   12 
the  comer  stone  was  laid  by  Bishop  Coxe,  assisted 
l>y  the  rector,  the  Rev.  Francis  GUhat.    The  work 
was  progressing  rapidly,  the  brick  walls  and  the 
ratters  being  up,  when,  on  Nov.  2,  a  terrilic  wind 
storm   passed    over    this 
section,  doing  much  dam- 
age.    It  blew   down  the 
west  wall  of  the  church, 
and  that,    together  with 
the  roof  timbers,  fell  into 
the  building,  injuring  the 
east  end  and  side  waUs. 
The    damage    was  esti- 
mated    at    about     seven 
hundred   dollars.     Again 
the     townspeople     and 
neighboring     parishes 
were  called  upon  and  re- 
sponded  freely.     At  last 
the    building    was    com- 
pleted,   and    was    conse- 
crated Feb.  21,   1869,  l)y 
the    Rt.     Rev.     Arthur 
Cleveland  Coxe,   assisted 
by    the    clergy    of    the 
neighboring   parishes. 
The  financial    statement 
was   read   by  Mr.  Steph- 
en   Cromwell,    the    in- 


URCH  CHOIR. 

Mrs.  H.  J.  Kittrick,!,  Geortje  H.  Abbott,  n,  Frank  A.  Mann, 
C.  Nicliols,  9,  Miss  Marion  Potter,  10,  Miss  Mamie  Dexter, 
ah  Batchelor,  li,  Miss  Cornelia  Jackson,  1.5,  Miss  Mar.iorie 

strument  of  donation  l.iy  the  Rev.  Francis  Gilliatt, 
and  the  sentence  of  consecration  by  the  Rev.  Dr. 
VanDuesen,  of  Utica.  The  teachers  and  scholars 
of  the  Sunday  school,  with  the  assistance  of  the 
rector,  presented  to  the  church  the  beautiful 
chancel  window.  A  rectory  was  purchased  in 
jNIay  18-51,  being  the  residence,  No.  16  Washing- 
ton'St.  This  was  sold  in  May  1867.  Tlie  present 
Vestrv  is  as  follows:  Wardens,  A.  W.  Abbott  and 
A.  C.Woodruff;  Vestrymen,  G.  H.  Abliott,  P.  B. 
Miller,  J.  E.  Overacker,  R.  S.  Tnttle,  Dr.  J.  B. 
Low,  A.  P.  Jackson  and  T.  C.  Phelps.  Rev.  A.  E. 
Dunham,  B.  S.,  is  the  present  rector. 


LOUISA  M.  ABBOTT'S  RESIDENCE. 


32 


"GKIP'S"  HISTORICAL  SOUVENIR  OF  CAMDEN. 


KEY.  .lOHN  RICflAKDS. 

First  Methodist  Episcopal  Church — (Con- 
densed from  compilation  by  Rev.  H.  M.  Danfortb) 
The  first  record  of  Methodism  in  Camden  is  the 
invitation  that  was  extended  to  Rev.  David  Dun- 
ham, in  1801,  liy  Mrs.  Esther  Parke  and  Mrs.  Har- 
ris, who  walked  to  Western,  18  miles,  for  that 
purpose.  He  formed  a  class  composed  of  Mrs 
Esther  Parke,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Oliver  Case  and 
Mrs.    Fish.      There     was     then     no     conference 


here,  the  preachers  being  sent  as  missionaries  by 
the     Baltimore     conference     and    expected     to 
travel   the    '-Herkimer   Cii-cuit."      In   1803  Rev. 
William  Keith  and   Rev.    Henry  WiUis   came  to 
Camden  once  in  four  weelvS.     Rev.  John  Taylor, 
from  New  Hampshii-e,  AugiLst  24,   1802,    reported 
the  people  of  Camden  "to  be  all  Congregational- 
istsbuttwo."     The  first  from  this   section   to   be 
licensed   to   exhort   was   Zadock   Covey.       Caleb 
Preston,  of  Preston    Hill,    was  then  a    licensed 
preacher.     In  180i  the  Methodists  held   a  quar- 
terly  meeting   in   Caleb   Preston's    barn.     From 
1803  to    1806  Lorenzo   Dow,  Rev.  Knowlton  and 
Rev.  Paddock  were  travelmg  preachers   who   vis- 
ited Camden.     Rev  Ehakim  Stoddard   preached  a 
sermon  at  Mrs.  CoUins'  funeral  in   the   Congrega- 
tional church  about  this  time.     The  second   quar- 
terly   meeting    was   held   in   Rev.  C.  Danforth's 
house  near  the  cemetery.     Among  other  preachers 
who  were   in   Camden  'prior  to   1831   were   Rev 
Charles   Giles   1812-13,     Rev.    A.    Gilibrd,    Rev.' 
James  Brown  and  Revs.  Lambert,  Lowery,  Beach, 
Isaac  Puffer,    Stebbins,    Corey,    Saten,    Haa-mon' 
Pomeroy  and  Halstead.     The  first  presiding  elder 
was  Rev.  William  Case.     In  1820  the  church  soci- 
ety was  organized  and  at  a  meeting  on  October  23, 
1820,_  the  trustees  were  authorized  to  purchase  a 
site  for  a  building.     Land  sufficient  for  the  church 
and  parsonage,   upon  which  those  buildings  now 
stand,  was  purchased  of  Joel  and  Abel  CoUins   for 
•fSO.  This  was  in  1821.     In  18.51  an  adjoining  piece 
was  purchased  of  T.  D.  Penfield   for  .«85.     Joel 
B.    Smith    secured    the     contract     for    erecting 
the  structure  40x50  feet,  enclosed  and  outside  work 
completed   September   15,  1821,    and  the   follow- 
ing year  he  contracted  to  finish  the  interior.     The 
trustees  then  were  Isaac  Allen,  Ei)hraim  Sanford, 
Jesse   Penfield,  E.  Humphrev,  Lyman  Steadman' 


Borrowed  Cut 


METHODIST  EPISCOI'AL  CHUKCH  AND  PAK.SONAGE. 


'GKIP'S"  HISTORICAL  SOUVENIE  OF  CAMDEN. 


33 


TOWN  BOAKD,  1901-'03. 
1   I.  D.  West,  Supervisor;  2,  R.  H.  Robertson,  Town  Clerk;  3,  R.  M.  Rush,  Justice; 
4,  Ambrose  Osborne,  Justice;  5,  Georg-e  L.  Tniflern,  Justice;  6,  Jolin  G.  Jeffrey. 

Eliplialet  Johnson,  EHakim  Stoddard,  Sage  Parke  Eev.  E.  H.  Joy  1897, 
and  Jehial  Higgins.  The  church  was  dedicated  in 
the  spring  of  1823,  Eev.  Charles  Giles,  Presiding 
Elder  of  the  Oneida  Conference,preachingthe  ser- 
mon. In  1829  the  church  headed  off  a  scheme 
for  taking  part  of  its  land  for  a  public  highway  hy 
erecting  horse  sheds  in  the  course  of  one  night. 
In  1831,  at  the  session  of  the  Oneida  Conference 
in  Lowville,  Camden  was  made  a  station,  Eev. 
Eol)ert  Fox  receiving  the  appointment  of  pastor. 
He  was  followed  by  Eev.  Goodwin  Stoddard  1832, 
Eev.  Eliakim  Stoddard,  1831,  Eev.  Eobert  Eey- 
nolds,  (supply)  1836,  Eev.  A.  Blackman  1836,  Eev. 
E.  W.  E.  Allen  1839,    Eev.  G.  C.  Woodruff  1810, 


Eev.Harvey  Chapin  1812, 
Eev.  Eussell  West  1844, 
Eev.  P.  D.  Garrie  1845, 
Eev.  Ezra  S.Squier  1847, 
Eev.  F.  H.  Stanton  1849, 
Eev.  Almon  Chapin 
1851,  Eev.  George  Gary 

1853,  Eev.  O.  M.  Legate 

1854,  Eev.  D.  M.  Sogers 

1856,  Eev.    Wm.    Jones 

1857,  Eev.  W.  S.  Titus 
1859,  Eev.  Eliakim  Stod- 
dard 1860,  Eev.  Lenuiel 
Clark  1861,  Eev.  J.  T. 
Alden  1863,  Eev.  J.  C. 
Vandercook  (supply) 
1863,  Eev.  J.  H.  Lamb 
1865,  Eev.  O.  C.  Cole 
1867,  Eev.  H.  M.  Dan- 
forth  1871-4,  1880-3,  Eev. 
T.  Eichey  1874,  Eev.  A. 
L.  York  1875,  Eev.  B. 
F.  Barker  1877,  Eev.  W. 
E.  Cobb  1878,  Eev.  W. 
L.  Tisdale  1883,  Eev.  C. 
H.  (inile  1886,  Eev.  W. 
Dempster  Chase  1891, 
Eev.  W.  F.  Brown  1894, 

Eev.  E.  H.  Joy  1897,  Eev.  A.  P.  Pahner  1899, 
Eev.  John  Eichards  1901.  The  first  parsonage 
was  built  in  1842.  'The  present  church  building 
was  built  in  1852  and  dedicated  December  22 
of  the  same  year,  the  old  clmrch  being  sold  and 
moved  away.  A  bell  was  purchased  by  subscrip- 
tion. The  first  organist  was  Zopher  More  who 
played  the  instrument  thirteen  years  free  of  charge. 
During  Eev.  C.  H.  Guile's  pastorate,  1886-91,  the 
church  was  remodeled  and  a  new  tower  and  an  ex- 
tension were  constructed.  The  new  parsonage 
was  constructed  m  1893.  George  J.  Williams 
gave  his  services  as  the  architect  and  T.  D.  Pen- 
field  contributed  his  time  superintending  the  work. 


EPWOliTH  LEAGUE  CABINET. 
1  Rev  Joliu  Richards,  2,  R.  C.  Knapp,  a,  Mrs.Jobn  Hiclmrds,  4,  Mrs.  E.  Van  Biiren,  "i,  Mr.s.   U.   T.  Wood,  li,    H.   B. 
Rosenthal,  T,  Mrs.  Frank  E.  Woodard,  8,  Geori^e  Shaw,  H,  Miss  Emma  Kiel,  10,  Ehner  Rush,  11,   W.  C.  Stoddard,  13, 
Mrs.  K.  C.  Knaup. 


34 


'GEIP'S"  HISTOBICAL  SOUVENIE  OF  CAMDEN. 


DAVID  J01IXS(JN.  .JAMES  H    GAJIIJLE.  UUtfSlTKK  J.  GAMBLE. 

LAUHA  JOHNSON.  CHAKLOTTE  M.  GAMBLE.  ELIZABETH  GAMBLE  YOUNG 

David  Johnson,  a  native  of  Connecticut,  born 
in  1789,  came  to  Camden  in  the  early  days  of  its 
settlement  and  followed  the  trade  of  blacksmith. 
He  was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  1812.     He  died  in 
187-3,  aged  84  years.     His  wife,  A\ho  was  also  from 
Connecticnt,    was    Laura    Wilson,    daughter    of 
Sylvanus  and  Chloe  Wilson.     They  were  married 
in   1828   by   the  Eev.  Henry    Smith,    of  beloved 
memory,  shortly  before  his  death.     Five  children 
were  born  to  them,  Elizal)eth,  Lucien,   Horace, 
Eliza  and  Charlotte.  The 
latter   is    the   only   sur- 
viving    member    of   the 
family.     Elizabeth   died 
March  4,  1879.     Lucien 
was  a  soldier  in  the  civil 
war,  being  a  member  of 
the  9th  Illinois   Cavalry. 
When  on  a  foraging  ex- 
pedition,   he  suffered    a 
sunstroke,  from  which  he 
died     in     camp     at     St. 
Helena,      Arkansas,      in 
1862.     Although    buried 
in  that  far  away  state  he 
is     recognized     by     our 
veterans    as    a    Camden 
soldier,  who  on  Memorial 
Day  place  flowers  under 
the    inscription     on   the 
family  monument.    Eliza 
died    from    injuries    re- 
ceived from  a  stroke   of 
lightning    when     eleveu 
years  of  age.     Charlotte 
was  also  severely  burned 
but  received  no  perma- 


nent injury.  Horace  died 
at  the  age  of  28. 

JamesHenryGamblq 

was  born  -A.ug.  18,   1835, 
and   died   May  30,  1899. 
He   married  for  his  first 
wife    Philomela  Sperry, 
daughter     of     Sherman 
Sperry.     At    her     death 
she   left   one   son,    Fred 
Sperry      Gamble.       Mr. 
Gamble's  first  venture  in 
trade  for  himself  was  in 
the  grocery  business  in 
jiartnership     with      Mr. 
(t)uincy  Barber.     After  a 
time  that  partnership  was 
dissolved    and     Spencer 
J.     Upson    became     his 
partner.    Mr.Gamllewas 
also  engaged  in  the  book 
and   stationery  business. 
Later  he  ■^^•as   appointed 
deputy     postmaster   and 
served  in  that    capacity 
for  about   fifteen   years. 
Af terA\ards he  estaljh^hed 
the  shoe  business,  which 
is  now  carried  on  by   his 
son,    Fred    S.     Gamble. 
Mr.  Gamble  married  for 
his  second  wife  Charlotte 
Maria      Johnson.      Two 
children    were    born    to 
them,  Elizabeth  A.  Gam- 
ble and  Eossiter  Johnson 
Gamble.    Mrs.     Gamble 
held  the   position  as  or- 
ganist in  the  Congregational  ohureh  for  about  22 
years,  commencing  on  a  httle,  old,  squeaky  melo- 
deon  which  often  called  for  repairs  liefore  the  ser- 
vice was  concluded.     By  untiring  eflbrt,  labor  and 
expense,  the   present    instrument  was  placed  in 
position  when  the  church  was  built.     Elizabeth, 
daughter  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.Gamlile,  married  George 
WUsonQ'oung.     ^Irs.  Young, the  present  organist, 
has  held  the  position  for   the   jiast  eleven   years. 
Eossiter  died  in  189.5,  at  the  age  of  18  vears. 


Bon-owed  Photo. 


MRS.  CHARLOTTE  M.  GAMBLE'S  RESIDENCE. 


'GKIP'S"  HISTORICAL  SOUVENIR  OF  CAMDEN. 


35 


St.  John's  Church. — It  is  sixty-foui"  years 
since  Eev.  Father  Beecbam,  commonly  known  as 
the  i30X3e  of  Rome,  N.  Y.,  pushed  his  way  thi-ough 
forest  roads  to  Florence  to  say  mass  ia  private 
houses  and  baptize  the  children.  His  manly 
form,  mounted  on  horseback,  with  vestments  for 
mass  strajiped  on  behind  him,  became  familial  on 
these  visits  along  the  lonely  forest  roads.  The 
few  Cathohc  families  dwelling  in  Camden  and  its 
neighborhood  joined  him  m  Florence  on  these  oc- 
casions. Whether  Rev.  Father  KeUiher,  the  first 
resident  priest  at  Florence,  ever  celebrated  mass 
in  Camden  is  not  known  with  certainty.  Succeed- 
ing him  came  Fathers  Fitzpatrick  and  Ladden,  the 
latter  the  cousin  of  the  present  bishop  of  Syracuse. 
In  1852,  Father  Fitzpatrick,  then  pastor  of  Flor- 
ence and  siu-rouuding  missions,  Williamstown, 
Camden,  Taberg  and  Cleveland,  thought  of 
making  his  residence  in  Camden,  as  being  more 
central  and  convenient;  and,  with  this  idea  in 
view,  he  pui'ohased  the  old  Methodist  church  and 
rented  a  house  onChui'ch  street,  opposite  the  present 
rectory.  He  moved  to  Camden,  but  the  opposition 
of  his  Florence  pM'ishioners  was  so  great  that,  on 
the  advice  of  his  bishop,  he  returned  to  Florence, 
having  resided  in  Camden  about  three  year's.  The 
old  chiu'ch,  which  was  purchased  by  him,  was 
fitted  up  and  mass  celebrated  regularly  by  him 
and  Father  John  Ludden,his  successor,  down  to  the 
year  1876.  In  January  of  that  year,  through  the 
influential  petition  of  P.  H.  Costello,  Rt,  Rev. 
Bishop  McNierny  of  Albany,  appointed  Rev. 
Patrick  H.  Beacham,  now  of  Baldwinsville,  as  the 
first  resident  pastor  He  occupied  a  rented  house 
on  Third  street,  a  few  steps  from  the  church.  On 
March  6,  1886,  Rev.  Father  Brenuan  took  charge. 
Father  Brtnnan  did  not  remain  quite  a  year,  be- 
ing called  to  Bmghamton.  He  was  succeeded  at 
St.  John's  by  the  Rev.  John  H.  MoGraw,  now  of 
ClayviUe.  Father  McGraw  rented  a  house  at  150 
Main  street,  in  which  he  dwelt  untU  his  appoint- 
ment to  St.  Patrick's,  Clay\'iLle,  in  June,  1891. 
On  Ash  Wednesday,  1889,  St.  John's  chui-ch  w:«3 
badly    gutted    by    fire.     It   was  then  decided  to 


i^kiiunT,  Photo 


ST.  JOHN'S  CATHOLIC  CHURCH. 


REV.  FATHER  JOHN  TIERNAN. 

build  a  new  frame  church  on  the  site  occupied  by 
the  old  one,  the  latter  being  move  1  aside  to  the 
rear  of  the  carriage  shop  where  it  still  stands.  The 
corner  stone  of  the  new  church  was  laid  in  the 
early  fall  and  on  Christmas  day  mass  was  cele- 
brated for  the  first  time  in  the  new  structiu'e,  mass 
having  been  said  in  the  meantime  m  Cui'tiss  Hall. 
On  June  1,  18J1,  Rev.  Joseph  S.  Tiernan  was  ap- 
pointed from  St.  Patrick's  church,  Binghamtou, 
N.  Y. ,  as  the  fourth  resident  pastor  of  St.  John's. 
It  was  his  fir.st  pastox-al  appointment.  He  is  stUl 
pastor  of  this  beautiful  church.  During  his  nearly 
eight  years  tenure  he  has  been  public  spirited  and 
has  imjaroved  the  property  very  much.  The  num- 
ber of  Cathohc  famihes  m  Camden  and  vicinity 
has  never  been  large,  yet 
their  work,  under  the 
leadership  of  Rev.  Father 
Tiei'nan,  assisted  by  the 
kind  non-Catholic  com- 
munity, wOl  show  well  in 
comparison  with  any 
parish  or  vill'ige  of  its  size 
and  uumliers.  In  the  first 
nine  months  of  his  ad- 
ministration a  new  steel 
roof  was  placed  upon  the 
clnu'ch  and  its  mortgage, 
,11;l,060,  paid.  In  the 
year  1897  the  interior  of 
the  church  was  beauti- 
fully frescoed,  the  balance 
of  pews  put  in,  electric 
lights  placed  in  position 
and  a  new  parochial  resi- 
dence, costing  |;2,700,  was 
piu'chised  and  fitted  up 
as  the  residence  of  the 
pastor.  There  was  quite 
a  celebration  on  his  tak- 
ing possession  of  the  new 
I'ectory.  In  1898  an  ad- 
dition costing  .'§11,000  was 


36 


'GRIP'S"  HISTORICAL  SOUVENIR  OF  CAMDEN. 


Skinuer,  Photo.      KEV.  T.  WHIFFEN. 

buDt.  to  the  hou.se.  In  1899  the  eutu-e  property 
received  a  handsome  coat  of  i^aint  and  the  grounds 
were  laid  out  and  beautified.  In  1901  an  addition 
was  built  to  the  barn  which  has  completed  all 
needed  improvements  and  the  congregation  of  this 
thriving  parish  are  now  contemplating  the  cele- 
bration of  the  golden  jubilee  of  its  foundation, 
which  will  occur  ui  June,  1902.  The  celebration 
will  partake  of  the  nature  of  a  grand  mis.sion,  the 
erection  of  a  marble  tablet  in  the  church,  the  bless- 
ing of  a  new  beU  and  the  payment  of  .$2,000  mort- 
gage on  the  rectory.  With  the  exceijtion  of  this 
mortgage  the  entne  property  is  out  of  debt  and 
both  church  and  house  furnished  with  all  the  con- 
veniences of  a  city  parish.  During  the  adminis- 
tration of  Rev.  Father  Tiernan,  besides  these 
many  improvements,  there  have  lieen  several  dona- 
tions on  the  part  of  societies  to  the  cburch,  viz: 
Beautiful  sanctuary  carpet  by  the  Rosary 
society;  brass  candelabra  to  the  altar  by  the 
Holy  Name  society;  statue  of  Sacred  Heart, 
by  the  League  of  the  Sacred  Heart;  sanctu- 
£ay  chairs,  by  the  Young  Ladies'  Sodality, 
jmd  a  statue  of  St.  Anthony  by  his  many 
friends  in  the  parish,  chiefly  through  the 
.exertions  of  Miss  Anna  Farrell. 

There  are  several  Societies  connected  with 
M;he  chiu'cli,  the  same  as  will  be  found  in  .ill 
well  organized  Catholic  parishes. 

Free  Methodist  Church. — Camden  was 
first  served  by  Free  Methodist  preachers,  in 
■connection  with  what  was  called  the  "big 
'Cii-cuit,"  after  the  old  order  of  Methodist 
itinerancy.  The  "big  circuit"  included 
(Camden,  Rome,  Blossdale,  New  Loudon, 
Oneida  and  Vienna  The  old  Wesle3'aii 
church,  on  the  corner  of  Third  and  Church 
streets,  was  bought  and  repaired.  M.  L. 
Atwood,  of  Rome,  contributed  some  $!)dO, 
others  doing  nobly.  Later  the  cliuroh  was 
again  altered  anil  repaired,  the  present 
pleasant  and  convenient  building,  known 
;is   the  Free  Methodist   church,    lieing   the    sk 


result.  The  following  preachers  have  been  sta- 
tioned at  Camden:  F.  J.  Dunham,  C.  Beeman,  M. 
S.  Babcock,  M.  D.  McDougal,  L.  H.  Robinson, 
E.  N.  Jenks,  D.  C.  Johnson,  F.  AV.  Catliey  and 
T.  Whiffen,  the  present  pastor.  The  present  trus- 
tees are  J.  C.  McDonald,  V.  D.  Skinner  and  O. 
Morse.  Rev.  T.  AVliiffen,  who  is  now  pastor  of  the 
Free  Methodist  church,  of  Camden,  united  with 
the  Susquehanna  conference  in  1867,  in  the 
twenty-first  year  of  his  age,  and  has  served  practi- 
cally without  intermission.  The  following  are 
among  his  pastorates:  Saratoga,  Philadelphia, 
Ithaca,  Watertown,  Rome,  Utica,  Syracuse,  Bing- 
hamton  and  Oswego,  besides  several  years  as  dis- 
trict (presiding)  elder. 

The  Woman's  Foreign  Missionary  Society  of  the 
Free  Methodist  church,  of  Camden,  was  organized 
in  October,  1900.  The  object  of  the  society  is  to 
awaken  mterest  in  foreign  mis.sions,  to  secure  sys- 
tematic giving  to  the  missionary  cause  and  to  'in- 
crease missionary  Imowledge  among  us  as  a  cliuroh. 
The  society  is  supportirg  an  orphan  gul  at  Yeot- 
mal,  India,  one  of  many  who  were  gathered  in  by 
Free  Methodist  missionaries  at  that  place  durmo- 
the  recent  famuie.  The  officers  are:  President" 
Mrs.  F.  W.  Oathey;  Fu-st  Vice  President,  Mrs.  o! 
Morse;  Second  Vice  President,  Miss  Carrie 
Wight;  Secretary,  Mrs.  Anna  Loomis;  Treasurer, 
Mrs.  Jennie  Handy. 

The  Home  Missionary  Society  of  the  Free 
Methodist  Church,  of  Camden,  was  organized  m 
December,  1900.  Contributions  have  been  sent 
at  different  tunes  during  the  year  to  the  Open 
Door  Mission  in  Syracuse,  N.  Y.,  and  to  the 
Gerry  Orphanage  and  Home,  located  at  Gerry, 
N.  Y.  The  officers  are  the  same  as  the  Woman's 
Foreign  Missionary  Society. 

The  W.  C.  T.  U.  of  Camden,  was  organized  bv 
Mrs.  Bullock  May  16,  1889.  The  presidents  have 
been:  Mrs.  C.  M.  Tibbits,  Mrs.  M.  Tiiiple,  Mrs. 
Helen  M.  Rush  and,  Mrs.  W.  D.  Towsley.  The 
departments  of  work  taken  up  have  l)een  scientific 
temperance  instruction,  juvenile  or  loyal  temiier- 
ance  legion  worli,  evangelistic,  press  work,  Sundav 
school  department  and  nnfermented  Avine,  supple- 
mented fl-ith  parlor  meetings,   mother's  meetings 


inner,  Plioto.    FHEE  METHODIST  CKUKCH. 


'GEIP'S"  HISTOEICAL  SOUVENIE  OF  CAMDEN. 


37 


Huested,  Plioto. 


H.  R.  HUESTED. 


and  flower  mission  work.  The  members  of  the 
Camden  union  who  have  held  county  offices  are: 
Mrs.  Pahner,  vice  president;  Mrs.  C.  M.  Tibbits, 
superintendent  of  scientific  temperance  instruc- 
tion; Mrs.  Helen  M.  Eush,  of  unfermented  wine 
and  later  of  Sunday  school  work.  The  speakers 
seciared  liy  the  union  have  been  Mrs.  Boole,  Mrs. 
Bullock,  Mrs.  Hadley,  Mrs.  Graham,  Mrs.  Baxter, 
Mrs.  Blair,  Rev.  Stanley  Eoberts,  Eev.  Gurnev, 
Mrs.  Surges  and  many  others.  The  present  offi- 
cers are;  President,  Mrs.  W.  D.  Towsley;  Corres- 
ponding Secretary,  Mrs.  H.  Goodwin  Stark; 
Treasurer,  Mrs.  Helen  M.  Eush. 

H.  R.  Huested,  the  photographer  who  made 
many  first-class  portraits  from  which  the  half-tone 
jjlates  in  this  woi'k  were  produced,  besides  pro- 
viding other  excellent  photographic  work  for 
"Grip's"  Historical  Souvenir's,  is  an  acknowledged 
artist  in  all  branches  of  his  profession.  Modern 
ishotography  has  found  in  him  an  adept  as  an  ex- 
IJonent  of  new  and  rare  productions,  such,  for  in- 
stance, as  the  platinums  which  are  made  to 
resemble  the  charcoal  drawings  of  the  16th  century 
and  which,  in  keeping  with  the  twentieth  centiiry 
fad  for  colonial  ideas  in  art  and  mechanics,  are 
becoming  very  popular.  Some  of  his  newest  work 
includes  "Artists'  Proofs"  in  which  the  portraits 
are  finished  in  exquisite  stvle. 

Mr.  Huested,  in  March,  1899,  bought  out  Artluir 
Moses,  whose  gallery  stood  on  Second  street  in 
this  village.  This  he  has  converted  into  a  tasty 
and  comfortable  studio  which,  owing  to  his  busi- 
ness engagements  elsewhere,  is  opened  only  one 
day  a  w^ek — on  Thursdays.  He  also  has  a  fully 
equipped  studio  at  Pulaski  Avhere  he  makes  sit- 
tings on  Tuesdavs. 


Mr.  Huested  -nas  born  in  Adams,  Jefferson 
county,  N.  Y.,  May  26,  1874.  His  early 
schooling  was  obtained  in  that  village  and 
i7i  Mannsville,  Jeflerson  county,  and  was  fol- 
lowed by  a  three  years'  course  in  Owego 
academy.  When  19  years  old  he  engaged  to 
learn  ijhotography  of  his  father,  G.  P. 
Huested,  and  sjjent  six  years  with  him.  He 
then  took  a  course  with  N.  L.  Stone  at  Pots- 
dam, N.  Y.,  and  afterwards  spent  a  year  in 
his  father's  gallery  at  Sandy  Creek,  N.  Y. 
The  latter  has  been  engaged  in  the  business 
for  thirty  years.  Mr.  Huested  first  started 
in  business  in  the  Pulaski  gallery.  Sub- 
sequently he  opened  a  gallery  at  Altmar 
and  afterwards  at  Orwell.  He  disjjosed  of 
the  Altmar  gallery  at  the  time  he  bought  the 
Camden  gallery.  In  1901  he  sold  out  the 
Orwell  business. 

C.  W.  Shaver,  M.  D.,  began  practice  in 
Camdem  in  1S97,  but  for  more  than  twenty 
years  he  has  followed  his  profession  in  the 
vicinity  of  that  village,  duruig  that  time 
having  a  practice  extending  over  a  con- 
siderable portion  of  the  northtrn  part  of 
Oneida  county.  For  seven  years,  or  from 
1880  to  1887,  his  residence  was  in  Vienna, 
where  he  first  located  to  begin  practice  upon 
leaving  his  studies.  Then  he  moved  to 
Florence,  his  dailj'  cu'cuits  taking  in  that 
part  of  the  county  lying  on  the  other  side  of 
Camden,  and  there  for  ten  years  he  pursued  a 
protitalJe  practice,  becoming  widely  known 
throughout  that  section.  So  that  when  he 
Came  to  Camden  he  was  already  well  estabHshed  m 
his  calling.  He  bought  the  property  near  the  corner 
of  Second  street  and  Miner  avenue  where  he  has  a 
pleasant  residence  as  well  as  a  commodious  office 
buildiag.  In  1901  he  was  chosen  health  officer  of 
the  vOlage,  a  position  he  continues  to  occupy  and 
the  duties  incumbent  thereof  as  well  as  the  ex- 
tended practice  he  has  enjoyed   during  the  five 


Huested,  Pholo.    C.  W.  SHAVEli,  M.  D. 


38 


'GRIP'S"  HISTORICAL  SOUVENIR  OF  CAMDEN. 


Huested,  Photo.    JOHN  G.  DORRANCE. 

years  he  has  been  in  Camden,  fiilly  oocuisy  his 
time  io  the  exchision  of  other  matters, ,  although 
lie  is  an  active  member  of  lociil  fraternities,  includ- 
ing the  Masonic  orders,  the  Odd  FeUows  and  the 
Maccabes,  to  which  he  devotes  a  part  of  his  per- 
sonal attention.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the  medi- 
cal societies  of  Oswego  and  Oneida  counties. 

Dr.  Shaver  was  born  in  Vienna.  Oneida  Co. ,  N. 
Y.,  Oct.  25,  1856,  but  when  he  was  a  child  his  par- 
ents moved  to  Buttalo  where  he  attended  the  piil)- 
lic  schools,  graduatmg  from  the  Central  school  in 
1876.  His  medical  coui'se  of  studies  was  taken  in 
the  University  of  Huifalo,  from  which  he  was 
graduated  in  1879.  It  was  after  locating  at  Vienna 
that  he  was  married,  Sept.  1-',  1883,  to  Miss  Kate 
Fox,  of  that  vUlage.  They  have  one  daughter, 
Charlotte,  who  attends  the  Camden 
school. 


J.  G.  Dorrance,  President  of 
The  Fu-st  Xational  Bank,  has  been 
in  business  in  Camden  since  1865. 
For  the  fir,st  eleven  years,  until  tlie 
fail  of  1876,  he  carried  on  mercantile 
trade  in  what  was  then  known  as  the 
Trowl;>ridge  store,  which  stood  on 
the  Corner  of  Main  and  Mexico 
streets,  the  present  site  of  the  Dor- 
ranceBlock  He  was  then  associated 
with  his  father,  Daniel  G.  Dorrance, 
in  establishing  a  private  back— in 
May,  1876 — which  bore  the  f  r  n 
name,  D.  G.  &  J.  G.  Dorrance. 
This  was  loc  ited  on  the  east  side  of 
Main  street,  where  a  large  jirivate 
banking  business  was  carried  on 
until  .January,  18S0.  when  it  was 
succeeded  by  the  Fhst  National 
Bank  of  Caiuden,  in  which  Messrs. 
D.  G.  &  J.  G.  Dorrance  ^vere  the 
principal  incorporators,  hulding 
the  majority  shares  of  stock. 

Mr.  J.  G.  Dorrance's  father, 
Daniel  G.  Dorrance,  was  never  a 
resident  of  Camden,  although  he 
was  possessed  of  considt-ralile  pro- 


perty interests  in  the  village  and  was  the  founder 
and  the  head  of  the  banking  interests  liere  until 
his  death,  which  occurred  at  Oneida  Castle, 
BL'u-ch  26,  1896.  He  was  born  in  Peterboro, 
Madison  county,  March  13,  1811,  and  in  1832 
went  into  business  in  Florence,  one  of  the  towns 
adjoining  Camden.  In  1859  he  moved  to  Oneida 
Castle.  He  enjoyed  tlie  quiet  of  his  home  as 
well  as  the  historic  associations  attached  to  the 
place,  and  he  invested  quite  largely  in  lands  there. 
He  was  the  President  of  the  Oneida  Savings  and 
the  Oneida  Valley  National  Banks  and  the  West- 
cott  Chock  works,  of  Oneida,  besides  being  finan- 
cially and  actively  interested  to  a  large  extent  in 
other  parts  of  the  county.  At  first  a  Whig  and 
then,  lieguming  with  its  organization,  a  Republi- 
can, he  had  represented  Oneida  county  in  both  the 
state  senate  and  assembly.  Of  the  three  sons  and 
daughters  who  survive  him,  idl  of  whom  are  now 
living,  J.  G.  Dorrance  was  the  oldest.  The 
others  were  D.  G.  and  W.  H.  Dorrance,  of  Cam- 
den, and  Mrs.  Dr.  H.  H.  Bronson  and  Mrs. 
Charles  L.  Knapp  (wife  of  a  weh-kuown  state  sena- 
tor) of  LowviUe. 

Mr.  J.  G.  Dorrance  was  born  at  Florence, 
Oneida  county,  Dec.  17,  1837,  and  was  educated 
in  the  Cazenovia  Seminm-y.  In  1856  he  went  into 
business  at  East  Troy,  Wis. ,  which  he  carried  on 
untn  he  Came  to  Camden  hi  1865.  On  Feb.  5, 
1861,  he  married  Miss  Ellen  E.  Browai,  of  Oneida, 
to  whom  w^ere  born  two  cliUdren,  Daniel  J.  Dor- 
rance, cashier  of  the  Fhst  National  Bank,  and 
Mrs  J.  C.  Davies,  wife  of  Attorney  General 
Davies.  Mr.  Dorrance  was  appointed  Commis- 
sioner of  Prisons  from  the  Fifth  Judicial  District, 
for  the  term  of  five  years,  by  Gov.  Morton,  in  1895, 
and  was  re-appointed  for  the  full  term  by  Gov. 
Roosevelt.  Mr.  Dorrance's  support  of  pubhc  im- 
provement for  town  or  village  is  ever  expected  and 
never  withheld.  He  is  one  of  the  members  of  the 
VOlage  Board  of  Water  Commissioners  and  has 
served  in  other  town  and  viUage  offices. 


CluiliiTi,  I'liotc; 


.luHiN  UOKKANOE'S  RESIDENCE. 


'GKIP'S"  HISTOEICAL  SOUVENIR  OF  CAMDEN. 


39 


Hiiested.Pliiito.     [>AXIi:i.  .1.  DuRRANUE. 

Daniel  J.  Dorrance,  cashier  of  the  Fh-st  Na- 
tional Bank  of  Camden,  was  appointed  teller  on 
January  12,  1866,  assistant  cashier  September  14, 
1893,  and  cashier  July  16,  1836.  He  was  bom  in 
East  Troy,  Wis.,  July  25,  1862,  and  became  a 
resident  of  Camden  when  his  parents  returned 
from  the  west,  three  years  later.  On  leaving  the 
Public  School,  at  Camden,  he  pursued  higher 
courses  of  study  at  the  Clinton  Grammar  school 
and  the  Caze'novia  seminary,  and  entered  the 
bank  as  clerk  in  1884.  His  marriage  with  Miss 
Edith  L.  Turner,  of  LowviUe,  was  celebrated  Feb. 
22,  1887. 

The  First  National  Bank  of  Camden  suc- 
ceeded the  private  banking  firm  of  D.  G.  and  J. 
G.  Dorrance  on  January  26,  188;),  with  a  capital 
of  $50,000.  The  last  report  made  by  this  bank,  at 
the  close  of  the-  year  of  1901,  shows  the  surplus 
and  undivided  profits  to  be  about  |30,000.  The 
original  officers  of  the  new  bank  were  Daniel  G. 
Dorrance,  president;  A.  T.  VanValkenbnrgh,  vice 
president;  John  G.  Dorrance,  cashier.  The  other 
members  of  the  first  board  ol  directors  were 
George  Berry,  Lucius  B.  Goodyear  and  Aaron 
Cornish.  Mr.  Daniel  G.  Dorrance  was  continued 
as  president  ujj  to  his  death,  March  26,  1836,  and 
was  succeeded  by  his  son,  Jolin  G.  Dorrance, 
July  16,  1896.  Upon  the  date  of  the  resignation 
of  A.  T.  VanValkenliurgh  as  vice  jiresident,  Janu- 
ary 13,  1886,  Edwin  A.  Harvey  was  elected  to  fill 
the  position,  which  he  held  to  the  time  of  his 
death,  July  6,  1896.  Since  then  the  office  has 
been  vacant.  Daniel  J.  Dorrance,  the  present 
cashier,  was  appointed  July  16,  1896.  The  pres- 
ent officers  and  du-ectors  are:  J.  G.  Dorrance, 
l^resident;  Daniel  J.  Dorrance,  cashier;  W.  H. 
Dorrance,  A.  T.  VanValk  juburgh  and  Lucius  B. 
Goodyear. 

Supervisors  from  Camden. — JohnW.  Bloom- 
field,  1799-1801 ;  John  Kogers,  1802;  John  Hun- 
niston,  1803-5;  Israel  Stoddard,  1806-8;  Elihu 
Curtiss,  1809-10;  Phineas  Tuttle,  1811-12;  Seth 
Dunbar,  1813-16;  Israel  Stoddard,    1817-24,  Seth 


Dunbar,  1825;  Israel  Stoddard,  1826-28;  Seth  Dun- 
bar, 1829-31;  Israel  Stoddard,  1832;  Seth  Dun- 
bar, 1833;  Seymour  Curtis,  1834;  Gerritt  Smith, 
1835;  John  Smith,  1836:  Samuel  B.  Hinckley, 
1837-38;  Seth  Dunbar,  1839;  D.  A.  Gatchel,  1840; 
Junius  Woods,  1841-2;  Samuel  B.  Hinckley,  1843; 
Horace  Dunbar,  1844-45;  Ambrose  Curtiss,  1846-7; 
Edwin  S.  Dunbar,  1848-9;  George  W.  Wood,  1850; 
Thomas  D.  Penfield,  1851-3;  Edwin  S.  Dunbar, 
1854;  Jarius  H.  Munger,  1855;  Horace  Dunbar, 
1856-7;  Alfred  Chamberlin,  1858;  Thomas  D.  Pen- 
field,  1859;  Albert  Bickford,  1860;  Thomas  D. 
Penfield,  1861;  Pliny  Phelps,  1862;  P.  C.  CosteUo, 
1863-6;  Henry  S.  Waterman,  1867-8;  Benjamin  D. 
Stone,  1869-70;  Curtis  J.  Wright,  1871-2;  Spencer 
J.  Upson,  1873-4;  B.  A.  Curtiss,  1875-6;  Thomas 
D.  Penfield,  1877-81;  Benjamin  D.  Stone,  1882-3; 
Chauncev  M.  Phelps,  1884-5;  Thomas  D.  Pen- 
field,  1886;  Jaliez  Ford,  1887-8;  Andrew  W.  Craig, 
1889-9;  Orson  C.  Woods,  1831-2;  William  H.  Gif- 
ford,  1893-5;  William  S.  Peck,  1896-7;  I.  D.West, 
1900-'02. 

The  Earliest  Brickyard  in  the  vicinity  of  the 
village  was  owned  by  Alexander  liilpatrick,  who 
opened  it  in  1847.  It  was  in  the  town  of  Vienna, 
about  three-fourths  of  a  mile  east  of  Little  Kiver 
bridge.  Only  one  kiln  of  brick  was  tirrned  out 
(in  1848)  by"Mr.  Kilpatrick  and  its  entire  output 
was  sold  to  A.  G.  Ohustead  for.S2.50  perfhoirsand, 
JMr.  Kilpatrick  who  was  teaching  school,  desu-ing 
the  money  to  assist  him  in  getting  an  education. 


-Wfrf-niffWTir 


li.  H.  stone,  I'luito.    FIK8T  N.\TIn.\AI.  li.VNK. 


40 


'GBIP'S"  HISTORICAL  SOUVENIR  OF  CAMDEN. 


J.  C.  DAVIES. 

John  C.  Davies,  Attorney-General  of  the  state 
of  New  York,  is  a  resident  of  Camden,  the  village 
in  which  he  made  his  home  before  he  entered 
public  life.  Here,  among  all  of  his  family  con- 
nections, he  passes  the  occasional  brief  periods  of 
time,  which  his  jjublic  duties  grudgingly  sj^are 
him,  as  plain  "Jack"  Davies,  interesting  himself 
in  village  affairs  with  that  spirit  of  home  loyalty 
which  he  displayed  when,  as  a  practicing  attorney, 
he  set  out  to  win  his  political  spurs  in  the  town 
caTicus  and  succeeded  in  rallying  a  strong  and  en- 
thusiastic following  around  his  banner.  Begin- 
ning at   corjjoration   gatherings   called   to   select 


candidates  for  local  oifice, 
yotmger  class  of  voters, 
by  organization  in  the 
caucus,  the  means  to  en- 
force their  demands  of 
the  controlling  political 
powers,  he  gradually  ex- 
tended his  leadership  to 
town  meetings  and  finally 
to  assembly  district  con- 
ventions. In  a  very  few- 
months  Jack  Davies  was 
recognized  throughotit 
Oneida  county — the  home 
of  Bosooe  Conklin  —  the 
nursery  of  republican 
statesmen  —  as  a  factor 
which  the  republican 
leaders  had  always  to  deal 
with  in  making  up  their 
party  programs. 

It  was  the  Oneida 
county  republican  voters 
of  the  independ  e  n  t, 
hustling  stamp, — men  of 
means,  lawyers,  trades- 
men, farmers — Avho  in  a 
body,  three  hundred 
strong,  went  to  the  re- 
jjublican     state    conven- 


where   he  offered  the 


tion  at  Saratoga  in  the  summer  of  1898  and 
upset  all  party  precedent  in  this  state  by  substi- 
tuting their  claims  for  the  mandate  of  the  organ- 
ization and  triumphantly  securing  an  important 
place  on  the  state  ticket  for  their  candidate,  Mr. 
Davies.  The  great  victory  at  the  election  the 
following  November,  (1898)  which  started  Theodore 
Roosevelt  on  the  road  to  national  honors,  also  gave 
Jack  Davies  the  place  of  Attorney-General  at  Al- 
liany,  and  united  these  two  men  in  a  strong, 
mutual  friendship. 

The  courage  as  well  as  staying  qualities  of 
young  Davies  was  conspicuously  exhibited  by  that 
march  on  Saratoga,  in  view  of  the  fact  that  in  1896, 
two  years  before,  Mr.  Davies  and  his  friends  were 
turned  out  of  the  convention  of  their  party,  owing" 
to  his  pernicious  activity  as  an  Oneida  county 
"original  McKinley  man,"  W'ho,  in  1896,  stalked 
and  captured  the  delegates  in  his  own  assembly 
district  for  the  Ohio  statesman.  It  was  a 
political  object  lesson  which  was  not  lost  in,  the 
amen  councils  in  New  York.  But  Mr.  Davies 
has  all  of  his  life  been  "a  good  hand,"  as  his 
farmer  friends  say,  at  stalking  delegates  and  so, 
when,  in  spite  of  his  two  years'  campaign 
with  a  battle  axe  against  the  machine  in 
Oneida  county — a  natural  sequence  with  one  of 
his  aggressiveness — he  brought  back  in  '98  a  de- 
termined looking  lot  of  fellows,  he  commanded 
attention. 

His  nomination  stm-ed  the  pride  of  his  fellow 
townsmen  in  Camden,  as  evinced  by  the  illumin- 
ations and  speech  making  that  greeted  his  return 
home  from  Saratoga.  The  characteristic  of 
American  communities  is  local  jjride,  and  Camden 
is  not  a  whit  behind  any  other  place  in  that 
respect. 

That  everybody  in  Oneida  county  had  both  eyes 
turned  upon  the  second  man  to  represent  the 
county  in  an  elective  state  office  since  the  days  of 
Horatio  Seymour  is  not  strange,  and  that  he  car- 
ried the  county  by  368  more  votes  than  what  the 
head  of  the  ticket  received,  is  what  was  to  have 


Skinner,  Photo. 


J.  C.  DAVIES-  RESIDENCE. 


'GEIP'S"  HISTORICAL  SOUVENIR  OF  CAMDEN. 


41 


been  expected.  Tlie  total  vote  lie  received  in  the 
state  -was  654,167  against  tlie  democratic  vote, 
641,691.  His  vote  in  his  own  town  beat  tbe  record, 
his  plurality  being  630—99  ahead  of  Roosevelt. 
MeKinley's  plnrality  two  years  before  (1836)  was 
then  the  record  lireaker  in  the  tow  n  at  567  majority. 
Two  years  later,  (19U0)  having  been  renominated 
for  Attorney-General  without  opposition,  he  re- 
ceived in  the  state  the  highest  vote  of  any  can- 
didate on  the  ticket,  8il,b88,  as  against  6S7,3i!l, 
the  vote  cast  for  his  democratic  opponent. 

At    the    convention    which    renominated     Mr. 


action  he  so  promptly  took  in  reference  to  the 
Eamapo  matter  and  the  ice  trust,  his  alert  vigil- 
ance on  behalf  of  the  people,  but  he  has,  outside 
of  the  regular  duties  of  the  office,  aided  in  every 
effort  to  secure  better  laws  and  better  administra- 
tion of  the  law.  In  especial  I  shall  never  forget 
the  action  he  took  at  the  time  of  the  enactment  of 
the  ii-anchise  tax  bill  into  a  law,  a  law  than  which  no 
other  that  has  been  enacted  in  this  state  in  recent 
years  will  be  more  beneficial  or  of  such  vital  im- 
portance. No  man  was  more  active  than  the  At- 
torney-tTeneral  in  working  for  its  passage  at  every 


H\iestcd,  Phutii. 

Corner  of  the  Library. 

Davies  for  Attorney-General,  Gov.  Roosevelt, 
taking  the  platform— an  act  which  demonstrated 
more  than  anything  else  he  could  have  done  how 
strongly  his  Oneida  county  friend  had  grown  into 
his  affections — spoke  as  follows : 

'  'With  all  of  the  state  officials  I  have  been  (in 
close  and  intimate  terms,  but  of  course  more 
peculiarlv  so  with  the  Attorney-General,  my  offi- 
cial advisor.  Not  merely  has  the  Attorney-General 
performed  all  of  the  duties  pertaining  to  his  office 
in  a  way  that  must  (-hallenge  the  respect  of  every 
honest  'citizen,  not  merely  has  he  shown  by  the 


Entrance  to  the  Drawing  Koom. 


.1.  ('.  DAVIES'  ]i,ESIDENCE. 
Nook  in  the  Drawing  Room. 

stage,  and  it  was  the  Attorney -General  who  first 
came  to  me  with  the  news  that  it  had  passed." 

In  Mr.  Davies'  library  at  home  stands  an  im- 
l)erial  size  photo  of  President  Roosevelt,  a  gift 
following  that  election,  which  came  to  him  Nov- 
ember 22,  191)0,  and  in  whi(^h  betakes  much  pride. 
Across  the  l)()ttom  is  written  in  the  President's 
own  hand  the  following  which  needs  no  comment: 
"To  the  Hon.  J.  C.  Davies,  as  faithful  a  public 
officer  as  he  is  staunch  friend,  from 

THEODORE  ROOSEVELT." 

November  22,  1900." 

IConchidetl  on  pages  1)4  and  IB] 


42 


'GRIP'S"  HISTORICAL  SOUVENIR  OF  CAMDEN. 


Borrowed  Photo.      F.  F.  FIFIELD. 

F.  F.  Fifield  was  for  many  years  a  iDromment 
mercliant  and  leading  citizen  of  Camden,  who  at 
the  time  he  moved  away  had  been  engaged  in 
business  here  thii'ty-foiu'  years,  a  greater  length 
of  time  than  any  of  his  contemporaries.  He  in 
company  with  his  brother,  F.  D.  Fifield,  came  to 
Camden  from  WilhamstowTi,  N.  Y  ,  in  1818,  and 
established  the  hai'dware  business  with  which  he 
was  connected  untU  188:^,  and  which  is  still  c;u-- 
ried  on  by  "W.  H.  Dorrance  &  Son.  The  Messrs. 
Fifield,  while  residents  of  William  rtown,  where 
they  were  m  general  business  for  two  years  ;ind 
handled  lumber  quite  extensively,  were  among  the 
original  contractors  in  building  the  old  Rome  and 
Oswego  plank  road.  Until  1869,  when  the  brothers 
dissolved  jsartnership,  the  hai-dware  business  was 
carried  on  under  the  name  of  F.  F.  Fifield  &  Co. 
Under  the  conservative  management  of  Mr.  F.  F. 
Fifield,  whose  main  purijose  was  to  conduct  a 
first-class  hardware  store,  the  business  was  made 
to  succeed  and  became  widely  known  and  ijatron- 
ized.  About  ten  years  after  coming  to  Camden 
the  brothers  in  company  Avith  James  E.  Tripp, 
formed  the  firm  of  Tripp  &  Fiflelds  and  estabhshed 
(he  Eagle  foundry  in  which  they  were  reijresented 
by  F.  D.  Fifield  who  left  the  managemmt  of  the 
store  exclusively  with  his  lii'other.  At  the  time  of 
then-  business  dissolution,  in  1869,  F.  D.  Fifield 
reth-ed  from  the  store  and  his  brother  severed  his 
connection  with  tbe  foundry.  It  was  about  a  year 
latar,  1870,  thatW.  H.  Dorrance,  the  senior  mem- 
ber of  the  j:iresent  firm,  then  a  clerk  in  the  store, 
l^urchased  a  part  interest,  the  business  being  con- 
ducted for  the  following  twelve  years  by  Fifield  & 
Dorrance.  Mr.  Fifield  came  to  this  secticm  of  the 
state  from  the  east.  He  was  born  in  Warner.  N. 
H.,  Sept.  12,  1818.  In  1883  he  removed  to  New- 
ark, N.  Y.,  where  he  died  May  9,  18.)3,  lieing  in 
his  seventy-fifth  year.  His  wife  siu'vlved  him 
three  year-,  her  death  occurring  at  the  home  of 
her  adopted  daughter,  Mrs.  W.  H.  Dorr.mce. 


W.  H.  Dorrance,  the  senior  partner  in  the 
hardware  house  of  W.  H.  Dorrance  &  Son,  en- 
tered the  store  as  a  clerk  for  F.  F.  Fifield  when 
twenty-five  years  of  age.  On  Sept.  28,  1868,  he 
married  Emma  G.,  the  adopted  daughter  of  F.  F. 
Fifield,  and  on  Jan.  1,  1870,  bought  a  one-half 
interest  m  the  business  of  his  f<ither-iu-law.  Then- 
business  steadily  grew  under  the  stimulating  in- 
fluence of  experience  and  push,  drawing  then  as  it 
does  now,  about  all  of  the  hardware  trade  of  the 
viUage  and  tr.liutary  sections  of  country.  A  few 
years  later  the  enlargement  of  the  store  was  de- 
manded owing  to  the  greatly  e.xpandmg  volume  of 
goods  tint  neee.ssarily  had  to  be  carried  in  stock 
in  order  to  accommodate  the  demand,  and  in  1879 
the  building  was  extended  back  forty  additional 
feet,  making  the  store  altogether  20x110  feet.  In 
1882  W.  H.  Dorrance  bought  his  partner's  interest 
and  carried  on  the  business  alone  until  1893,  when 
his  son,  F.  F.  Dorrance,  became  a  partner.  It  is 
now  a  large  and  completely  equipped  store  with 
which  is  connected  a  repaii-  and  tin  shop  where  all 
classes  of  work  are  done  including  the  making  up 
of  fine  tinware.  The  firm  has  kept  up  with  the 
requirements  of  the  time  and  does  its  share  of  the 
plumbing  and  furnace  work  of  the  town.  It  also 
devotes  much  of  its  time  to  the  sale  of  agricul- 
tural implements,  fertilizers  and  paints  in  their 
seasons,  making  a  thorough  canvass  of  Camden 
and  adjoining  towns  and  putting  out  in  the  course 
of  the  year  a  great  deal  of  farm  machinery. 

Mr.  W.  H.  Dorrance,  a  son  of  D.  G.  Dorrance 
who  is  mentione.l  elsewhere,  was  born  in  the  town 
of  Florence,  Oneida  county,  N.  Y.,  July  18,  1844. 
Upon  leaving  the  puljlic  school  he  attended  the 
Whitestown  Seminary  and  subsequently  took  a 
course  of  business  instruction  in  Eastman's  Com- 
mercial college  at  Poughkeepsie,  N.  Y.  He  is  a 
director  of  the  Fii-st  National  bank  of  Camden,  a 
member  of  the  Masonic  order  and  is  identified  with 
the  Presbyterian  chirrch.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Dorrance 
have  two  sons,  F.  F.  and  John  P.  Dorrance  and  a 
daughter  Bertha.  F.  F.  Dorrance,  the  oldest, 
who  is  a  partner  in  the  store,  was  born  at  Cam- 
den, Sept.  11,  1869.     After  attending   the   pulilic 


Huested.  Photo.      W.  H.  IX.HiKANCE. 


'GBIP'S"  HISTOEICAL  SOUVENIB  OF  CAMDEN. 


43 


Hueste.1,  Pboto.       F.  F.  DORKANCE. 

.school  of  that  viUage  he  took  a  classical  course  of 
three  vears  at  the  Cazenovia  seminary  where  he 
1%'as  graduated  in  1889.     Upon  his  return  home  he 

•  entered  the  store  as  a  clerk,  taking  a  one- 
quarter  interest  in  1893.  In  18t6  he  ^va". 
admitted  to  an  equal  partner.ship  with  bis 
father  and  recently  acquired  an  additional 
interest,  since  when  he  has  taken  the  most 
actiye  part  in  the  management  ot  the  busi- 
ness He  was  married  Noy.  24,  lb\)o,  to 
Miss  Minne  Lohnes  of  Camden.  Mr.  John 
Dorrance  is  engaged  in  the  canning  Imsmess 
at  Pennellyille,  N.  Y. 

George    Elden's  Recollections.-   'In 

my  younger  days  elections  [in  Camden]  oc- 
■  curredthis  way.  Three  justices  stood  at  the 
-altar  of  the  Congregational  church,  using 
their  hats  for  ballot  boxes.  Supervisor  was 
yotecj  for  first,  the  votes  "were  counted  and 
the  declaration  made,  'Gentlemen,  you  have 

made   vour    choice   of  Mr.    for   your 

supervisor  for  the  ensuing  year;  yo^^ /7^Vi,-.ve 
now  prepare  your  ballots  tor  town  clerk.  ilieie 
were  probably  50  or  75  votes  cast,  no  poll  list 
lieiu"-  kept,  so  it  did  not  take  long  to  get  through. 
Curt'iss  Pond,  living  on  Mexico  street   was  town 

■  clerk   for  fifteen   or   twenty   years.       Col.    Israel 
Stoddard  was  the  leading 
political  man  of  the  town, 
and    for   a   time    of    the 

■  county.  When  he  said 
he  must  be  supervisor  he 
had  it;  when  he  wanted 
the  county  judgeship  he 
had  it;  and  when  he 
■wanted     to     go     to    the 

■  assembly  he  went.     *     * 
Later  on  came  the  politi- 

■  cal   cyclone    of   Masonry 
and  anti-Masonry.    Then 

■  came    the   slavery    ques- 
tion." 

CamdenTent  ,No.395 
K.  O.  T.  M.,  was  (ii-giui- 

ized  August  30, 1895,  with 
ihe  following  charter 
member.s:  Emory  Lane. 
C.  I.  Durr,  B.  A.  Horr, 


Geo    Seelev.   Edwin  Eowe,  W.   E.  Jones,   H.  L. 
Borland,  W.   B.  Nesbitt,  Horace  Orr,  W.  C.  Dal- 
ton   J    H.  Littler,  Geo.  Schuster,  C.    W.    Miller, 
Myron   Simmons,    Jr.,    C.    H.  Bowsam,  Adelbert 
Laws,  Enoch  Simpldns,  C.    W.    Bowsam,    L.  W. 
Vanwinkle,  John  Foley,  John  Pennington,  A.  A. 
Bavmond,     C.     B.    Wilson,    M.    W.   Willanson, 
Woodard   Perkins,    C.    O.  Biederman,  S.  H.  Soo- 
ville,    C.    A.    Yerdon,    Frank  Woodard  and  C.  F. 
Ward.     The  following  officers  were  elected:   Past 
Commander,    Emory   Lane;    Commander,    C.    J. 
Durr;    Lieutenant  Commander,    W.  B.  Nesbitt; 
Eecord    Keeper,    Myron   Simmons,  Jr.;  Finance 
Kee.^er,    W.    C.    Dalton;    Chaplin,  Edwm  B owe; 
Serg-eant,  W.  E.  Jones;  Physician,  H.  L.Borland, 
Master   at   Ai-ms,    J.    H.  Littler;    Fir.st  M.  ot  &., 
Geo.  Seelev;.  Second  M.    of  G.    Chas.    Bawsom; 
Sentinel,  B.  A.  Horr;  Picket,    Horace   Orr.     The 
tent   has   lost   one   beneficiary  member  by  deatfi, 
the  late  Sr.  Kt.  H.  Baldwin,    who   died  Aug     lb, 
1901.     The   present   membersnip  is   id.     ine  le- 


tkinntr.  Photo.      W.  H.  DUKRANCE  &  SON. 

views  are  held  each  Thursday  in  the  Eoyal  Arca- 
num hall.  Opera  House  block.  The  officers 
elected  for  1902  are:  Past  Commander,  Lewie 
Perin;  Commander,  Wm.  Quance;  Lieutenant 
Commander,  Sidney  Garrow;  E.  Iv.,  A.    J.    iiay- 


Slunn.r,  P.,oto.    INTEmOK  VIEW  „F  W.  „.  DORRANCE  ^  SON'S  STOKE. 


u 


'GKIP'S"  HISTOBICAL  SOUVENIR  OF  OAMDENl 


Huestfil,  Photo.    OFFICERS  CAMDEN  LODGE,  No.  370, 
1,  A.  A.  Raymond,  ('.  C;  3,  C.  F.  Ware],  V.  C.-  3  C   E.  Ori 
¥-nrv  \-A-  "^^  Hornuna-,  M.  A.;  6,  A.  W.  Abbott,  Guard; 
8,  O.  A.  Hunger,  K.  of  H.  and  S.;  9,  R.  D.  Gough,  M.  F.;  10. 

moncl;  F.  K.,  A.  J.  Eaymond;  CliapJain,  W.  H. 
Skiniier;  Sergeant,  Harry  Loomis;  Physician,  C. 
W.  Shaver;  M.  at  A.,  Chas.  Keil;  First  M.  of 
Ci.,  Fred  B.  Damon;  Second  M.  of  G.,  J.  .Andrew 
Smith;  Sentinel,  Henry  Qnance;  Picket,  Eugene 
Waterman. 

Camden  Lodge,  Knights  of  Pythias,  No. 
370,  was  in.stituted  Jan.  IC.  ISSt,"),  wi  h  twenty  five 
candidates.  The  first  session  of  the  lodge  which 
worked  the  three  ranks  of  knighthood,  lasted  for 
fourteen  hours.  The  Order  of  the  Knights  of 
Pythias  is  of  more  than  ordinary  importance  in 
this  vicinity,  a <  the  founder,  Justus  H.   Eathbone, 


was  a  native  of  this  county 
and  is  buried  in  the 
city  of  Utica,  where  his 
memory  was  honored  two 
years  ago  by  the  erection 
of  a  gTand  monument, 
toward  which  the  lodges 
of  every  state  in  tlie 
union  oontriliutel.  The 
following  is  the  h'st  of 
charter  members:  Charles 
P.  Ward,  A.  C.  Hor- 
nuug,  A.  A.  Eaymi  nd, 
Ed.  St.  Mary,W.  L.  Por- 
ter, B.  Jackson,  James 
W.  Stark,  C.  L.  Eoberts, 

D.  S.  Tremain,  Emory  E. 
Lane,  Chas.  M.  Tibbits, 
H.  J.  Newland,  G.  E. 
Shejaard,  O.  A.  Pierce,  C. 
J.Williams,  C.  J.  Baeo-. 
L.  H.  Fmch,  Edwin  H. 
Stanford,  GeorgeJ.Batcli- 
elor,  J.  W.   Eoberts.   C. 

E.  Orr,  Fred  S.  Gamble, 
O.  A.  Manzer,  T.  A. 
Farnsworth,W.  C.  Stone. 
The  first  officers,  elected 
at  its  institution, were:  C. 
C.,A.  A.  Eaymond;  V.C, 
W.  C.  Stone;  Prelate,  C. 

C.  F.  Wai-d;  K.  E.  S.,  O.    A. 

A.  C.  Hornung;  M.  of  E.,G.E. 

C.  L.  Eoberts;  P.  C,  Emory 
Lane,T.A.Farnsworth,  C.  F.Ward,  Geo.  J.  Batche- 
lor;  trii.stees:  three  years,  J.  W.  Eoberts,  two  yeai's, 
W.  L.  Porter,  one'year,  C.  M.  Tibbits;  O.  Gr.,  J. 
W.  Stark;  I.  G.,  Ed.  St.  Marie;  Eep.,  T.  A. 
Farnswort'i;  alternate,  Emory  Lane.  There  have 
been  three  deaths  of  members:  George  E.  Shep- 
ard,  George  J.  Batchelor  and  Eobert  Truax. 
Among  those  who  have  held  the  office  of  chance- 
lor  commander  are :  1895,  A.  A.  Raymond;  1896, 
W.  0.  Stone;  1897,  T.  A.  Farnsworth;  1898,  W. 
L.  Porter;  1899-1900,  A.  W.  Abbott;    1901,  E.  D., 


K.  of  P.,  1001. 
Pretntp:    4,  C.  L.  Roberts, 
.  H.H.  Chapman, 
T.  A.  Farnswoi-tb. 


E.  Orr;  M.  of  W., 
Manzer;  M.  of  P., 
Shepard;  M.  at  A., 


Borrowed  Photo. 


J.  PARSON  STONE  POST,  No.  483,  G.  A.  R. 
Plioto  taken  at  reunion.  Decoration  Day,  1898. 


[See  sketch,  P.  45 


'GBIP'S"  HISTORICAL  SOUVENIR  OF  CAMDEN. 


45- 


Huestea,  Photo.  D.  G.  DOHKA.M  K. 
Gough;  1902,  A.  A.  Raymond.  The  meetmg.s  are 
held  in  Ai-canum  HaU  the  first  and  third  Mon- 
day evenings  of  each  month.  Section  No.  2987 
of  the  Endowment  Ranlv,  is  loca'ed  iii  Camden 
and  has  a  good  membership.  Tlie  present  officers 
are:  President,  R.  D.  Gough;  vice  president,  Or- 
\-iIleA.  Manzer;  Secretary.  Anthony  W.  Abbott; 
examuiing  phvsician,  H.  W.  Borland.  The  offi- 
cers of  the  lo"ge  for  the  year  1902  ai'e:  C.  C,  A. 
W.  Raymond;  V.  C,  C.  F.  Ward;  M.  of  F.,  A. 
W.  Abbott;  M.  of  E.,  J.  W.  Stark;  K.  R.  S.,  O. 
A.  Manzer;  M.  at  A.,  A.  C.  Hornnng;  Prelate,  R. 
D.  Goiigh;  trustee,  A.  W.  Abbott;  Rep.,  A.  W. 
Abbott;  alternate,  C.  F.  Ward. 

J.  Parson  Stone  Post,  No.  482,  G.  A.  R., 
was  organized  May  16,  1884,  by  the  mustering  ui 
of  twelve  charter  members  as  follows:  Chas.  H. 
Ray,  Henry  G.  Littler,  Richard  H.  Gardner, 
Francis  E.  Townsend,  Andrew  J.  Cook,  Chas.  H- 
Habershon,  David  L.  Mann,  Charles  W.  Blanch- 
ard,  Solon  C.  Smith,  Edward  TOlinghast,  Freder- 
erick  Cain,  Lorenzo 
Moyer.  The  officers  were 
installed  by  Commander 
WUson  Smith,  of  SkOleu 
Post,  of  Rome,  N.  Y.,  as- 
sisted by  Chaplain  Jones, 

S.    V.    C.    Paddock   and 

x^ssistant  Inspector  E.  E. 

Van  Slyke,  also  of  Rome. 

The  officers  chosen  were : 

Com.,  Chas.   H.  Ray;  S. 

V.    C,    Chas.  H.  Haber- 
shon; J.  V.C.,  Henry  G. 

Littler;    Q.   M.,  Richard 

Gardner;  O.D.,  Lorenzo 

Moyer;   O.    G.,    Francis 

Townsend;  Surgeon,  An- 
drew    Cook;      Chaplam, 

SolonSmith ;  Adj  't. ,  David 

L.  Mann;   Sarg't.,  Major 

Frederick   Cain;    Q.     M 

Sarg't,,  Chas.  Blanchard 

There  have  been  in  all  171       ykiimer.  Photo. 


members;  have  lost  by  death  and  removal  all  biit  74. 
Present  officers:  Com.,WalterW.Elden;  S.V.Com., 
Solon  C.  Smith;  J.  V.  Com  ,  PhUip  E.  Howland; 
Surgeon,  Wm.  MUler;  Chap.,  Daniel  Dimton; 
Adj't.,  John  H.  Chamberlain;  Q.  M.,  George  W. 
Vandawalker;  O.  D.,  Joseph  Waldron;  O.  G., 
Sam'l  E.  Rowe;  Q.  M.  S.,  Chas.  D.  Lozier;  S.  M., 
J.  A.  Lane;  Sent.,  Wm.  B.  Towle. 

D.  G.  Dorrance,  Jr.,  came  to  Camden   to   re- 
side   Oct.    1,    1875,  and  entered  into  partnership 
with  his  brother,  J.  G.  Dorrance,    who   was   con- 
ducting  a  general  store  in  the  "Dorrance  Block," 
on  the  corner  of  Main  and   Mexico   streets.     This 
partnership  continued  only  for  a  short  time — until 
the  spring  of  1876— when  J.  G.    Dorrance   retired 
from  the  firm,  having  sold  his  interests  to  Geo.  IT. 
Smith.     The  business  was  then   continued   under 
the  firm  name  of  Smith  &  Dorrance  for  about  five 
years   when   Mr.    Dorrance   retired  from  the  firm 
and  entered  into  partnership  with  C.  E.  Orr  in  the 
grocery  business  under  the  firm  name  of  Dorrance 
&    Orr.     This   partnership   continued    for    about 
three  years  when  he  purchased  Mr.  Orr's  interest 
and   then   continued  the  business  alone  for -about 
two  years.    He  then  closed  out  to  accept  the  position 
of  confidential  clerk  for  his  father— -the  late  Daniel 
G.    Dorrance— which   position   he   held   until  his 
father's   death,    March  26,  1896.     Since  that  time 
he  has  acted  in  the  same  capacity   for  the   execu- 
tors  of   his   father's   estate.     For  this  purpose  he^ 
occupies  an  office  in  the  bank,  where  he  is  always 
to  be  found  during  regular  Irasiness   hours.     For 
the  last  fifteen  years  he  has  been  a  memlier  of  the 
Board    of  Education— the   public  schools  having 
for   him   a   more  than  a  passing  interest.     At  one 
time  he  occupied  the  position  of  one   of  the    '  'vil- 
lage fathers."     As  Justice  of  the  Peace,  which   of- 
fice he  held  for  twelve  years,  he  was  a  member  of 
the  town  board  which  built  the  town  hall,  a  struc- 
ture which  is  a  credit  to  the  enterprise  of  the  town 
and  adds  to  the  beauty  of  the  village,  and  a  work 
well    done    under   the   personal   direction    of  the 
building  committee  and  the  memliers  of  the   town 
board.     Mr.  Dorrance  is  one  of  the   stocldiolders 
of    the   First  National  bank,  is  a  member  of  the 
Presliyterian  church  and  is  secretary  and  treasurer 
of  that  organization.     He  was  l)orn   in   Florence, 
N   Y.,  on  Februarv  28,  18.50.     In  1859  his  father's 


D.  G.  DORRANCE'S  RESIDENCE. 


46 


'GBIP'S"  HISTOBICAL  SOUVENIR  OF  CAMDEN. 


Huested,  Photo. 


W.  J.  FRISBIE. 


family  moved  to  Oneida  Castle,  Oneida  Co.,  N.  Y., 
where  lie  receiyed  his  education,  preparatory  for  a 
college  course,  attending  the  public  .schools  of 
that  village  and  the  old  Oneida  seminary.  Ke 
entered  Hamilton  college  in  1868,  from  which  he 
was  graduated  in  1872.  On  Oct.  4,  1876,  he  mar- 
ried Miss  Ellen  J.  Lambie  of  Camden.  Their 
children  are  Ella  M.,  Eessie  L.,  James  G.  and 
Harold  S. 

Willard  J.  Frisbie  of  the  Camden  Knitting 
Company,  is  one  of  the  most  largely  interested 
knitting  mill  men  iu  Central  New  York,  in  aU  of 
which  territory  there  is  probably  no  other  individual 
who  has  been  as  active  in  esta  ii.shiug  factories  for 
that  hne  of  production.  In  financuig  an  enterprise, 
it  is  said,  there  is  no  one  more  cajiable.  In  early 
life  he  had  valuable  ex- 
jjerience  in  banking ; 
later,  in  trade ;  and  flnaUy 
in  manufactiu'ing.  Cam- 
den, where  he  was  l)orn 
AprO  14,  1818,  lia.s  always 
been  his  home  and  to  pro- 
mote its  commercial  and 
social  welfare  he  has  ever 
been  among  the  most 
active  of  its  citizens.  No 
man  has  ever  responded 
more  readily  to  all  re- 
quests for  his  personal 
support  of  local  enter- 
prises. He  has  been  a 
member  of  the  village 
board  of  trustees,  where 
he  could  ahvays  be  de- 
pended upon  to  stand  by 
Ijroposed  improvement. 
He  is  also  one  of  the 
principal  stock  holders 
and  a  du'ector  of  the 
opera  house  which  he 
was  active  in  causing  to 
be  erected  by  a  eoinj)any       Skinner,  Photo. 


organized  for  that  purpose.  For  several  years  he 
was  a  truste=  of  the  Congregational  ciiurch  society. 
At  the  present  time  he  is  one  of  the  trustees  of  the 
Cazenovia  Semmary,  and  is  President  of  the  Cam- 
den Club. 

Mr.  Frisbie  owns  considerable  property  iii  and 
around  Camden.  His  handsome  brick  residence 
on  Main  street  is  conceded  to  be  second  to  no 
other  in  Oneida  county  for  architectural  and  im- 
posing beauty.  Its  tower  and  gables  jjresent  a 
striking  api^earance  from  the  roads  leading  into' 
the  village  and  can  be  seen  at  a  considerable  dis- 
tance out  of  town.  When  illuminated  throughout, 
as  it  generaUy  is  in  the  evening  when  the  family 
ai'e  at  home,  it  presents  a  cheerful  and  hospitable 
picture.  The  fui'nishings  throughout  are  rich  and 
tastefid.  The  decorations  are  of  the  same  delight- 
ful order. 

Mr.  Frisbie  was  educated  at  the  Camden  High 
school.  At  an  early  age  he  was  for  two  years  a 
clerk  in  the  general  store  and  post  office  kept  by 
Earlier  &  Gamble  in  the  Penfield  block  The 
position  of  ca.shier  and  book  keeper  in  G.  B.  Mil- 
ler's department  .store  he  occupied  for  a  year,  when 
he  became  book  keeper  and  teller  in  the  banking- 
house  of  H.  F.  Curtiss  <t  Co.,  a  position  he  filled 
during  the  time  of  their  successors,  A.  Ciutiss  & 
Carman,  remaining  there  altogether  seven  years. 

Alter  that  his  history  merges  with  that  of  the 
Camden  Knitting  Co.,  de.scribed  on  the  opposite 
page. 

On  October  18,  1870,  Mr.  Frisbie  wedded  Miss 
Emma  S.,  the  daughtei'  of  the  late  Albert  Plielps, 
who  was  a  prominent  resident  of  Camden,  the 
descendant  of  one  of  the  early  families  in  that 
vaUey. 

Mrs.  Frisbie,  a  woman  of  literary  taste,  was  one 
of  the  four  enterprising  ladies  who  compiled  The 
Pioneer  History  of  Camden,  which  is  described 
elsewhere  ui  this  work.  A  great  deal  of  her  time 
is  devoted  to  literary  Avork  as  well  as  social  matters. 
Largely  through  her  efforts  the  ijublic  hbnuy  was 
estabhshed. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  .Frisbie  have  one  son,  George 
Albert,   who  was   born  November  14,   1872.     He 


W.  .1.  FltlSBIE'S  RESIDENCE. 


■GRIP'S"  HISTOBICAL  SOUVENIR  OF  CAMDEN. 


47 


was  educated  at  the  Camden  High  School  and  Col- 
gateAcadeniy,  Hamilton,  N.  Y.,  fromwhich  school 
lie  graduated  with  honors  June  12,  1891.  Choos- 
ing a  commercial  instead  of  a  iwofessional  cai'eei" 
soon  after  leaving  school  lie  entered  the  office  of 
t^^e  Camden  Knitting  Company,  where  lie  remained 
i  oil  the  fall  of  1895,  when  the  Kendall  Knitting 
Company  was  organized,  of  wliich  he  was  ma  le 
secretary,  and  he  then  removed  to  Utica,  where  he 
has  resided  since.  During  the  past  year  he  has 
moved  into  a  fine  residence  which  he  bnUt  on  up- 
per Genesee  street.  At  the  piesent  time  he  is  the 
Treasurer  of  the  Keudall  Knitting  Company,  the 
Regal  Textile  Company  and  the  Richelieu  Knit- 
ting ComxJany  of  Utica  and  the  Oneida  Hosiery 
Company  of  Oneida,  and  is  also  member  of  the 
Utica  Paper  Rox  Company.  On  October  14,  1896, 
he  married  Miss  Ahce  Irene  Owen  of  Camden,  and 
they  have  one  sou,  Owen  Phelps  Frisbie,  born  Oc- 
tober 28,  1897. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  W.  J.  Frisbie  also  have  one 
daughter,  Ruth  Lucde,  who  was  born  November 
24,  1885. 


tion  of  different  companies  who  were  selected  be- 
cause of  theii'  business  ability  and  special  fitness 
for  the  particular  line  of  goods  the  several  mills 
produce. 

With  the  large  capital  which  Frisbie  &  Stansfield 
command  and  the  facilities  this  firm  possesses,  the 
aggregate  output  of  these  mills  annually  is  enor- 
mous. 

There  are  seven,  including  a  iiaper  box  factory 
that  manufactures  all  the  boxes  used  hi  the  mills, 
and  a  large  quantity,  as  weU,  which  is  sold  to 
other  establishments. 

Each  is  conducted  independently  of  the  other  so 
far  as  management  goes  and  produces  a  special 
line  of  its  own.  The  goods  from  all  of  these  fac- 
tories are  sold  to  the  leading  jobbing  houses  all 
over  the  United  States,  that  branch  of  the  busi- 
iiess  being  in  charge  of  one  general  salesman,  and 
their  combined  pay  roUs,  with  an  aggregate  of 
about  a  thousand  employes,  distribute  thousands  of 
doU;u'S  in  weekly  and  monthly  payments  m  three 
of  the  most  populas  counties  in  Central  New  York. 

The  Camden   Knitting   Company,    from   which 


(  ,.|,ii-.l  Iniin  prinl.  THE  CAMDEN  K 

The  Camden  Knitting  Co. -The  Camden 
knit  goods  industry  is  the  parent  from  which  there 
has  sprung  within  the  past  ten  or  eleven  years  a 
cordon  of  mills  stretching  across  Central  New 
York  that  prodiice  annually  an  immense  quantity 
of  knit  goods.  The  loucdtrs,  and  today  the  prin- 
cipal owners,  are  W.  J.  Fri',bie,  of  Camdeo,  N.  Y., 
and  W.  H.  Stansfield,  of  Syracuse,  N.  Y.,  who, 
from  a  small  begiunmg  and  a  hmited  amount  of 
capital,  Ijut  with  pusu  and  business  fores  ght, 
without  which  such  marvelous  results  could  not 
have  been  obtained,  have  from  year  to  year 
erected  new  mills  in  lociihties  most  favorable  for 
carrying  out  the  details  ot  tbeir  plans. 

In  some  cases  the  sole  ownership  of  difl'erent 
mnis  has  been  retained  by  Frisbie  &  Stansfield. 
In  other  cases  the  firm  has  incorporated  itself  as 
the  principal  iiait  of  a  new  company,  lieing  asso- 
ciated  with   different  individu.ds  in  the  organiza- 


these  mdls  have  sprung,  established  in  1878  under 
the  firm  name  of  Frisbie  &  Stansfield  and  re- 
organized Feb.  1,  1891,  with  Charles  F.  Kendall 
as  the  thu-d  partner,  produces  union  suits  of  un- 
derwear for  ladies,  notably  those  wliicli  have  ob- 
tained a  wide  reputation  iinder  the  trade  name, 
"The  Florence."  Mr.  KendaU  died  in  1898  ai'd 
Messrs.  Frisbie  and  Stansfield  are  now  the  .sole 
proprietors.  This  comxi'iny  gives  employment  to 
about  two  hundred  people. 

The  t'lintou  Knitting  Co.  of  Syracuse,  Frisbie 
&  Stansfield  proprietors,  was  estaiilished  in  189:! 
lor  the  manufactme  of  ribbed  underwear  and  it 
now  has  about  two  hundred  eniiloyes. 

The  Kendall  Knitting  Co.  of  Utica.  was  estaii- 
lished ill  189.5.  W.  J.  Frisbie  is  the  president,  W. 
H.  Stansfield,  vice  president,  G.  A.  Frisbie,  treas- 
urer and  C.  A.  Ryington  secretary  and  niiiuiiger. 
The  goods  manufactured  are  ladies'  and  children's. 


48 


'GRIP'S"  HISTORICAL  SOUVENIR  OF  CAMDEN. 


Huested,  Photo, 

MRS.  EMMA  PHELPS  FRISBIE, 
Regent  CiiuHlt-n  Chap.,  D.  A.  R. 

riblied  tiuderwear.     Three  liuuclred  people  are  em- 
jdoyed  here. 

The  Regal  TextOe  Co.  of  Utica,  established  in 
1899,  also  employs  about  two  hundred  hands, 
producing  ladies'  and  children's  fleece  back,  ribbed 
vests,  pants  and  union  suits.  The  officers  are : 
W.  J.  Frisbie,  president;  E.  I.  Good-ich,  vice 
president;  Geo.  A.  Frisbie,  treasm-er;  C.  A.  By- 
ington,  secretary. 

The  Oneida  Hosiery  Co.  of  Oneida,  N.  Y., 
founded  in  WOO,  employs  aliout  a  hundred  peo- 
ple and  produces  seamless  hosiery.  W.  J.  Fris- 
bie, president;  G.  A.  Frisbie,  treasurer;  J.  F.  Bur- 
ton, vice  president  and  salesman  and  C.  H.  Oakes, 
secretary  and  manager. 

The  Richelieu  Knitting  Co .  of  Utica,  estab- 
lished 1901,  produces  high  grade  ladies'  and  chil- 
dren's hght  weight  summer  underwear.  There  are 
about  one  hundred  emi^loyes.  C.  A.  Byingtou  is 
the  president,  W.  J.  Frisltie,  vice  president.  G.  A. 
Frisbie,  treasurer  and  WUliam  J.  McQuade,  secre- 
tary and  manager. 

Utica  Paper  Box  Co.  of  Utica,  establislisd  in 
1902,  employs  seventy-live  people.  AV.  J.  Fris- 
bie, W.  H.  Stansfield,  G.  A.  Frisbie  and  C.  A. 
Byington  are  the  p)'oprietors. 

These  mills  manufacttu'e  more  ladies'  ribbed  un- 
derwear than  any  other  concern  in  the  world. 

The  history  of  Messrs.  Frisbie  and  Stan.stield's 
a,chievements  is  interesting,  both  as  a  recital  of 
incidents  conspicuous  in  local  chronology  and  as 
illustrating  the  remarkable  success  accomplished 
in  a  comparatively  short  time. 

The  two  began  business  as  jiartners,  an  associa- 
tion which  has  lieeu  maintained  without  interrup- 
tion for  al)out  thirty  years.  On  Dec.  1,  1873,  thev 
formed  a  co-partnership  in  Camden  where  theV 
both  resided  and  purchased  the  dry  goods  business 
of  Ct.  B.  Miller,  who  then  occupied  a  store  in  the 
Curtiss  block. 

They  disposed  of  the  liusiness  April  1,  188i,  to 
C.  A.  and  A.  C.  Phelps,  to  enable  them  to  devote 
their  whole  attention  to  manufacturing,  they  hav- 
ing, in  1878,  begun  the  manufacture  of  knit  goods, 
such  as  leggins,  scarfs,  mittens,  etc.,  in  the  build- 
ing   at  the   foot   of  'Third   street,    known  as  the 


Huyck  woolen  factory,  which  they  had  leased  for 
that  purpose.  They  had  also,  in  the  meantime,  ' 
placed  hand  knitting  machines  in  the  top  story  of 
the  Barnes  block,  where  by  this  means  they  were 
able  to  increase  their  ]jroduction  and  where  they 
also  occu2Jied  an  additional  floor,  giving  them  space 
in  which  to  finish  and  ship  all  of  the  goods  manu^^- 
factured  in  both  jjlaces. 

But  still  they  found  they  had  not  room  enough  » 
and  were  considerably  short  of  the  facilities  which 
they  required  in  order  to  accommodate  all  of  the 
trade  that  was  in  sight.  So,  in  the  spring  of  1883 
they  bought  a  tract  of  ground  at  the  foot  of  Ma- 
sonic avenue  where  they  at  once  erected  a  three- 
story  building,  72x36 "  feet,  to  which  they  soon 
after  made  a  three-story  addition,  30x60  feet. 
They  moved  into  the  new  building  as  soon  as  it 
was  completed  and  the  following  year  disposed  of 
their  dry  goods  business  as  above'  stated. 

This  change  was  made  the  occasion  for  adding 
seamless  hosiery  to  their  productions  and  also  for 
the  manufacture  of  ladies'  and  children's  ribbed 
underwear,  which  was  then  in  its  infancy.  In- 
deed, Frisbie  &  Stansfleld  were  among  the  first  to 
place  that  line  to  any  extent  upon  the  market. 
This  lead,  in  fact,  at  once  opened  up  such  a  wide 
field  for  their  productions  that  they  have  since 
then  gradually  dropped  the  manufacture  of  leg- 
gins,  scarfs  and  mittens. 

Their  new  works  consisting  of  mill  and  dye  and 
store  house,  which  were  run  l)y  steam  power,  were 
then  supposed  to  be  adequate  for  the  needs  of  the 
firm  for  some  time  to  come.  Very  soon,  however, 
it  was  deemed  desirable  to  manufacture  yarn  for 
their  own  use,  which  would  demand  more  room. 
Their  manufacturing  had  also  increased  to  the  ex- 
tent that  it  was  plain  they  would  eventually  be 
driven  from  theu-  new  quarters  for  lack  of  accom- 
modations. 

Accordingly,  when  the  opportunity  was  finally 
offered,  they  bought  the  Costello  tannery  proiJ- 
erty  at  the  foot  of  Main  street,  a  considerable 
tract  of  ground  laying  along  the  south  shore  of 
Fish  creek,  upon  which  sfood,  liesides  the  half  a 
dozen  tenement  houses  tliat  are  still  there,  the  old 


Huested,  Photo.       MRS.  ELLA  M.  CONANT, 
Present  Regent  Camden  Chap.,  B.  A.  H. 


'GEIP'S"  HISTORICAL  SOUVENIE  OF  CAMDEN. 


49 


Borrowed  Photo. 

MRS.  MARY  MOWER  BALDWIN. 
Keal  Daugiiter  of  the  Rt-volution. 

tannerv  building, a  two-story  sti-uetui-e,  214x42  feet. 

This  for  the  time  being  afforded  a  place  for  their 
yarn  mill.  Bitt  they  had  also,  through  theii'  sales- 
man, Mr.  Charles  F.  Kendall,  got  into  a  jol)bing 
Irasiness.  The  firm  of  C.  F.  Ivendall  &  Co.,  Fris- 
1  )ie  ir  Stansfield  being  the  company,  was  organized 
and  a  three-story  lirick  edifice,  150x40  feet,  which 
is  now  the  main  factory  building  standing  along- 
side of  Main  street,  was  erected  for  the  rise  of  the 
joliliing  business. 

On  February  1,  1891,  it  having  been  decided  to 
make  some  important  changes,  the  firm  leased  the 
Masonic  avenue  proiaerty  to  the  Corbin  Cabinet 
Lock  Works,  and  together  with  Mr.  Charles  F. 
Kendall  organized  the  Camden  Knitting  Co.,  the 
jobbing  firm  of  C.  F.  Kendall  &  Co.  being  dis- 
solved and  the  jobbing  business,  to  be  conducted 
after  that  by  the  comjjany,  removed  to  Syracuse. 
Mr.  Kendall's  connection  with  the  business,  both 
as  a  partner  and  as  its  salesman,  continued  np  to 
the  time  of  his  death,  which  occurred  at  Cincin- 
nati in  January,  1898.  Messrs.  Frisbie  and 
Stansfield  purchased  his  interest  and  have  since 
carried  on  the  business  as  eqtial  owners  and  sole 
proprietors.  Mr.E.  I.  Goodrich,  of  NeA\' York,  suc- 
ceeded Mr.  Kendall  as  general  salesman  in  charge 
of  selling  the  products  of  all  the  mills,  a  position 
he  still  occupies. 

An  addition  to  the  yarn  mill  was  constructed:  a 
mill  for  manufacturing  seamless  hosiery,  and  the 
big  building  on  Main  street  was  taken  for  manii- 
facturing  underwear. 

On  the  afternoon  of  March  23;  1833,  tire  cleaned 
out  ]5art  of  the  plant  which  then  consisted  of  six 
liuildings,  destroying  the  yarn  and  hosiery  mills 
and  the  store  house.  The  fire  is  supposed  to  have 
been  started  by  a  sparli  strucl^  fi'om  a  jjiece  of 
knitting  needle  which,  having  lodged  in  inrtam- 
able  stock,  had  passed  into  the  moA'ing  machinery. 

The  company  at  once  replaced  the  burned  struc- 
tures with  more  modern  buildings,  dropping  the 
manufacture  of  yarn  and  hosiery  and  devoting  all 
of  its  facilities  to  the  ])roditction  of  riblied  under- 
weav.  This  at  last  led  to  the  manufacture  at  these 
mUls  of  "The  Florence"  union   .suits   exclusivelv. 


During  the  early  part  of  the  year  1893  Mr.  Wil- 
liam H.  Stansfield  removed  to  Syracuse  to  look 
after  the  jobbing  branch  of  the  business,  which  was 
continued  until  1894,  when  this  branch  of  the 
business  was  closed  out-and  the  Clinton  Knitting- 
company  was  established.  Mr.  Stansfield  now 
owns  and  occupies  one  of  the  finest  residences  of 
Syracuse.  He  is  president  of  the  Salt  Springs 
National  banlv.  and  is  also  largely  interested  in 
several  other  enterprises,  in  and  about  Syracuse, 
outside  of  the  knit  goods  business. 

The  Camden  Knitting  Co.  's  plant  now  comprises 
five  brick  Iniildings  and  the  office  which  is  located 
in  a  neat,  spacious  building  of  itself,  connected 
^^■ith  the  others  by  telejjhone. 

The  main  buikling,  three  stones  and  basement, 
40x1.50  feet,  contains  the  knitting  machines.  There 
are  also  the  store  house,  42x110  feet,  the  dry  house 
and  machine  shop,  and  the  boiler  and  the  dye  and 
bleach  houses.  There  are  both  water  and'steam 
power,  the  former  cajpable  of  furnishing  forty 
horse  power.  The  engines  are  50,  35  and  30  hor.se 
jiower.  All  of  the  buildings,  as  well  as  Mr. 
Frisbie's  residence  are  lighted  by  a  650  light 
dynamo. 

'During  the  year  of  19;)1  the  exports  from  the 
several  mills  included  in  the  Frisbie  &  Stansfield 
system  included  large  shipments  to  England, 
South  Africa  and  Australia.  Although  it  was  the 
first  year  of  exports  from  these  factories  the  ag- 
gregate amount  sent  al  )road  is  considered  an  indica- 
tion of  a  large  export  business  in  the  near  future. 

The  Camden  Chapter  D.  A.  R.  was  organized 
Nov.  16,  1896,  through  the  efforts  of  Mrs.  Ella  M. 
Conant,  who  invited  a  few  ladies  whom  she  thought 
would  be  interested  in  forming  a  Chapter,  on  the 
above  date,  to  meet  at  her  home  Miss  Mary  I. 
Forsyth  of  Kingston,  N.  Y.,  who  was  State  Eegent 
at  this  time.  The  chapter  was  organized  with 
sixteen  charter  memtiers  and  Mrs.  Conant  as  Ee- 
gent. She  a2)pointed  the  following  officers  to 
serve  one  yeai-:  Vice  regent,   Mrs.   W.  .T.  Frisbie; 


I-Jort'owud  L'lil, 

J[KS.  HARRIET  ALLEN   WE.ST. 
Late  Keal  Daiiyliter  ol'  the  Revohitio 


50 


■GRIP'S"  HISTORICAL  SOUVENIR  OF  CAMDEN. 


Hucstca  Photo.  AUTHOKS  AND  PUBLISHERS  CAMDENS  PIONEER  HISTORY 

Mrs.  E.  H.  Conant,  [See  .sketch  P.  .52. 

-     Mrs.  W.  J.  Frisbie,  Mrs.  E.  Edio.  Mrs.  E.  T.  Pike. 

seci-etai-T,  Miss  S.  Lucy  Miller;  treasurer,  Mrs.  E. 
H.  Conant;  registrar,  Mrs.  Clara  Harvey  Stoddard ; 
liistorian,  ]Mrs.  E.  Edie;  board  of  uuxnagement, 
Mrs.  E.  T.  Pike,  Mrs.  Su.san  B.  Cromwell  and 
Mrs.  E.  C.  Case.  Tlae  first  work  of  the  Chapter 
was  to  mark  in  a  suitable  manner  the  graves  of 
the  thirtv-three  Revolutionary  patriots  who  are 
buried  in  the  town.  After  due  consideration  it 
was  decided  to  erect  a  suitable  monument  to  lie 
placed  in  the  iNIexico  Street  Cemetery  with  the 
names  of  all  the  Revolutionary  heroes  uijon  it.  In 
November,  1S98,  Mrs.  W.  .7. 'Frisbie  was  elected 
Regent  of  the  Chapter.  A  fund  of  $300  was  raised 
for°a  monument  which,  on  July  4,  1899,  was  un- 
veiled by  Mrs.  Mary  Mower  Baldwin,  an  aged  and 
highly  respected  lady  and  a  real  Daughter  of  a 
Revolutionary  soldier  and  a  memlier  of  the  Cam- 
den Chapter. 

The   monument  is   of  Quincey   granite  and  is 
beautiful  and   massive. 

It  was  manufactured  at 

the  shop  of  N.  Salladin 

in    this    village.      The 

work   of   lettering   is  a 

model   of  neatness  and 

good  taste.     The  base  is 

comi^osed  of  two  blocks. 

One     is     thii-ty  -  eight 

inches   square    by    six- 
teen inches   thick;    the 

other     is      thu'ty  -  five 

inches  square  by  twelve 

inches  thick,     they  are 

surmounted  by  a  shaft 

thirty-six   inches   high, 

twenty  -  four       inches 

square   at    the    bottom 

and  twenty-three  inches 

at  the  top.     The  whole 

is   seven  feet  high.     In 

June,  1900,  the  Chapter 

placed  a  pole  about  fifty 

feet  in  height,  surmount- 
ed by  a  gilt  ball,  near 

the   monument  and  on 


July   4th   of  the   same- 
year,  a  beautiful  bunting- 
flag,     eight    by   twelve 
feet,    was    unfurled    in 
commemoration   of  the. 
Revolutionary    soldiers 
in  the  town.  A  pleasing- 
feature  of  the   program 
at  this  ceremony  was  the 
l^resence  of  the  veterans 
of    the    civil  war.     On 
this  occasion  Rev.  Rich- 
ard Al)bott  gave  a  very 
able  address  upon  Our 
National      Flag.       The 
Revolutionary      heroes 
whose  service  this  mon- 
ument    commemorates 
and  whose    names    are 
engraved   upon   it,   are 
Daniel     Parke,     David 
Wood,      Elijah    Baley, 
Aaron  Seth  Rice,  Beriali 
Pond,  Ichaliod  Brown, 
Jonah  Sanford,  Lemuel 
Steadman,        S  a  m  u  e  1 
Wood,  Zophar  Barnes, 
Jesse  Penfield,  Col.  Joseph  Johnson,  John  Cain, 
Ashbel  Upson,  Noah  Preston,  Timothy  Wood,  Jona- 
than Harvey,  William  Stevens,  Capt.  John  Wilson, 
Maj.  Jesse  Curliss,  Jonathan    Barnes,    Eliphalet 
Johnson,  TheophilusWhaley.  These  men,  who  with 
the  exception  of  three  emigrated  from  the  state  of 
Connecticut,  did  valiant  service  for  their  country 
as  the  records  show.     Levi  Mnnson  had  five  sons 
who  also  served  in   the  war  of  the  Revolution. 
The  Chapter  is  much  interested  in  the  Camden 
free  public  librarv,  contributing  to  it  both  money 
and  books,  and  has,  within  the  last  year,  had  set 
apart  a  space  which  it  is  filling  with  Colonial  and 
Revolutionarv  books  of  historv,  records  and  fiction. 
On  Februarv"2,  1902,  at  the  home  other  daughter, 
Mrs.  Ira  J.   Howland,  occurred  the  death  of  Mrs. 
Harriet  Allen  West,  the  Camden  Chapter's  oldest 
original  Daughter   of  the   American  Revolution, 
^Ih'    Inniiiu    ii;i-^.  d    Inr   niuetv-eighth    birthday. 


Huostcd,  Photo. 

Miss  Ruth  FrisWe, 


THE  yn  VIVE  (Lri). 

Miss  .Tennie  Low. 
Miss  Estelle  Rheubottom, 


[See  sketch  P.  .51. 
Miss  Ruth  Stone. 


'GRIP'S"  HISTOEIOAL  SOUVENIE  OF  CAMDEN. 


51 


HiiesTed,  Photo. 


W.  T.  STEVENS. 


Slie  was,  a  daughter  of  Benjamin  Alien,  a  Eevolu- 
tionary  patriot,  who  was  a  brother  of  Col.  Ethan 
Allen,'  of  Ticonderoga  fame.     Her  husband,  Leon- 
ard West,  was  a  soldier  of  the  war  of  1812,  who 
died  October,  1888.     Mrs.  Mary  Mower  Baldwin, 
daughter  of  Peter  Mower,  was  born  at  Danube, 
Herkimer  county,  N.  Y.,  November  .5,  1814.  Peter 
Mower  served  two  years  as  a  private  in  the  New 
York  State  troops  under  Capt.  Putnam  and  Col. 
MiUett.     Each  of  these  real  daughters  has  been 
presented  with  a  gold  spoon  by  the  National  So- 
ciety, D.  A.  E.     The  Chapter  is  in  a  very  flourish- 
ing     condition     at     present    date    (May,     1902) 
having  a   membership  of  seventy-six,   Mrs.  EUa 
M.  Conant  being  its  present  Regent.      The  other 
officers  are:  Vice  regent,  Mrs.  E.  H.  Conant;  2nd 
vice   regent,   Mrs.   Flora  M.    Borland;  secretary. 
Miss  Ella  M.  Dorrance;  corresponding  secretary, 
Mrs.  E.  C.  Case;   treasurer,  Mrs. 
W.  I.  Stoddard;  registrar,  Mrs.  E. 
T.  Pilse;  historian,  Mrs.  Susan  B. 
Cromwell;  board  of  management, 
Mrs.   B.  D.  Stone,   Miss  S.  Lucy 
Miller  and  Mrs.  L.  J.  Aldrich. 

Qui  Vive  Club.— EuthFrisbie, 

Euth  Stone,  Estelle  Eheubottom 
and  .Jennie  Low  are  the  young  gii-ls 
who  compose  the  membership  of 
this  organization.  The  first  plan 
was  to  meet  for  pleasure,  but  after 
mature  thought  it  seemed  lietter 
to  improve  their  time  to  some  ad- 
vantage. It  was  decided  to  raise 
money  for  the  liljrary.  So  they 
gave  little  entertainments,  selling 
tickets  to  the  same  at  five  cents 
each.  They  played  to  full  audi 
ences  and  the  enthusiasm  was  siich 
as  would  have  turned  older  heads. 
Boys  and  girls  of  all  ages  were  then- 
patrons  and  were  not  critics. 
They  raised  the  sum  of  twelve 
dollars  in  four  efforts.    Ten  dollars       sicinncr,  Plioto. 


was  given  to  the  libraiy,  which  drew  a  duplicate 
ten  dollars  from  the  state,  the  members  of  the 
club  sending  in  a  list  of  the  books  they  wished 
purchased  with  the  money.  The  remainder  they 
gave  to  aid  an  unfortunate  family. 

Walter  T.  Stevens,  in  1898,  established  an 
agency  for  handling  real  estate  and  for  writing  up 
fire,  life  and  accident  insurance.  His  office,  fitted 
up  at  that  time,  is  next  to  the  postofflce.  From 
the  start  the  business  was  good  and  it  has  in- 
creased each  year  since.  Now  it  is  known  as  one 
of  the  sound  and  substantial  business  ventures  of 
Camden.  Mr.  Stevens  is  quite  extensively  inter- 
ested in  village  real  estate  and  owns  several  build- 
ings in  town,  including  business  blocks  and  resi- 
dences. He  is  one  of  the  oldest  among  the  pre- 
sent memliership  of  the  local  Masonic  lodge,  as  he 
joined  the  order  in  1868.  All  of  his  life  a  resident 
of  Camden,  where  he  was  born,  he  is  widely 
known  throughout  all  of  that  section.  His  father, 
Martin  H.  Stevens,  came  to  Camden  from  Nauga- 
tuck,  Ct.,  in  1826,  being  then  in  his  twentieth 
year.  For  several  years  he  followed  cabinet  mak- 
ing, his  shop  which  was  afterwards  liurned,  stand- 
ing on  Main  street  south  of  the  present  Stevens 
building.  His  father's  business,  started  in  183.5, 
passed  into  the  hands  of  W.  T.  Stevens  in  1860,  it 
having  in  the  meantime  been  enlarged  so  as  to 
take  in  furniture  and  caskets,  which  at  that  time 
were  altogether  made  by  hand  by  local  under- 
takers. Mr.  Stevens,  who  had  still  further  en- 
larged the  business  by  adding  house  furnishing 
goods,  in  1867  erected  the  building  now  occupied 
by  Williams  &  Norton,  with  a  corner  office  both 
for  them  and  Mr.  Stevens.  In  this  place  the  lat- 
ter carried  on  his  business  until  1893  when  he  sold 
out  to  the  present  occupants.  In  the  early  days 
when  the  boys  ran  with  the  machine,  Mr.  Stevens 
was  an  ardent  fireman.  On  May  20,  1863,  he 
married  Lene  M.  Norton  and  they  have  one  child, 
Grace  Ii-ene,  who  on  July  3,  1893,  was  wedded  to 
the  Eev.  Eobert  Tufft,  and  who  has  now  a  pleas- 
ant home  in  Philadelphia. 


W.  T.  STEVENS'  RESIDENCE. 


-52 


"GRIP'S"  HISTORICAL  SOUVENIR  OF  CAMDEN. 


Borrowed  Phot.,1.^.    A.  C.  PHELPS. 
The  Camden  Pioneer  History .- 

dnriuK  the  year  cii'  189i  it  ^\as  tViniul  that  mnch 
Ijertaining  to  the  earlier  days  of  Camden  was  fast 
passing  into  oblivion  and  tliat  unless  some  means 
Avere  taken  to  preserve  what  was  then  obtainable 
of  old  records  and  other  paper.s  all  would  soonbe 
lost.  It  was  thought  the  best  way  to  preserve 
these  was  to  compile  a  history  of  the  town.  Pour 
ladies,  Mrs.  W.  J.  Frisbie,  Mrs.  E.  Edic,  Mrs.  E. 
H.  Conant  and  Mrs.  E.  T.  Pike,  all  of  whom  were 
born  in  and  are  residents  of  Camden,  undertook 
the  arduous  task  which  entailed  unremitting  lalior 
for  two  years.  The  work  was  tedious  but  well 
done  as  all  mirst  admit.  It  was  not  undertaken 
with  any  view  of  a  financial  gain  but  simply  for 
the  love  of  the  old  town  and  to  preserve  for  others 
what  could  at  the  time  be  found  of  its  earliest  his- 
tory. Those  who  have  perused  its  pages  can  best 
understand  and  know  something  of  the  time  and 
labor  it  took  to  compile  such  a  volume,  for  which 
too  much  credit  cannot  be  given  these  ladies .  This 
book  is  daily  becoming  more  valuable  and  even 
to-day  some  records  which  it  contains  would  have 
Ijeen  lost  forever  if  they  had  not  been  secured  at 
the  time  they  were.  The  older  citizens  \\ho  gave 
valualile  information,  have  passed  from  earth. 
This  history  is  a  most  valuable  record  book  and 
will  be  of  untold  value  to  those  who  are  to  follow 
the  present  generation.  Much  of  the  success  of 
founding  so  large  a  Chapter  of  the  Daughters  of 
theAmericanRevolution  in  Camden  is  due  to  these 
four  ladies,  as  it  was  they  who  in  their  researches 
found  that  thu-ty-three  Revolutionary  patriots 
were  buried  in  the"  town,  and  had  the  military  ser- 
vice of  each  recorded  in  the  history.  The  book  is 
a  far  greater  momrment  to  these  daughters  of 
Camden  than  any  granite  talilet. 

C.  A.  &  A.  C.  Phelps. — Charles  A.  and  Al- 
bert Case  Phelps  are  sons  of  the  late  Mr.  Albert 
Phel[is,  and  grandsons  of  the  jjioneer,  Benjamin 
Phelps,  who  came  from Simsbury,  Conn.,  in  ISOU, 
and  located  on  the  McOonnellsville  road  three 
miles  south  of  Camden  village.  In  the  sul)stan- 
tial  lirick  structirre  which  has  its  place  in  the 
mi'nory  of  older  residents  as  the  "Phelps  Home- 


stead"  they   were   born — Albert   C,  on 

June   2,  1859,  and  Charles  A. ,   on  June 

21,    1857.     Their  mother  was  a  lady  of 

gentle  bu'th,  Mai-tha  Lothrop,  dairghter 

of  Jessie  Fish,    of  Williamstown,  New 

York — one  of  seven  sisters,  of  more  than 

usual  intelligence.     To  her  children  she 

devoted   her  time  largely,  imijartiug  of 

her  superior  character  to  them  that  which 

would  serve  them  in  after  years.     Their 

youth  was  spent  on  the  homestead  until 

iier  death   in  1880,  and  that  of  an  elder 

lirother,  Benjamin,  in   1882.     The  farm 

was   sold  to  the  present  occupant,   Mr. 

Douglass  Hirbbard,  Ai:iril  1,  1881,  when 

ihey  purchased  the  dry  goods  stock  and 

trade  of  Messrs.  Frisbie  and  Stansfleld, 

an  established brrsiness  of  j'ears  standing. 

With  the  above  firm,  Albert,  or  "Bert" 

Phelps   as  he  is  more   familiarly  known, 

spent   a   year  or  more  learning  the  ways 

of  the  trade.     In  1880  he   married  Miss 

Ida  M.  Penfield,  a  resident  of   Camden. 

In  1887  Charles  married  Miss  Harriet  E. 

J'lattoon,  of  Albany,  New  York.     Their 

place   of  business  at  the  time  of  the  pur- 

C  A  PHBLPP.  chase  was  the  .store  now  occupied  byDaniel 

Some  time       Grimmins   as    a   clothing  store,  on  the   east   side 

of  Main  street,  where  the  business  was  continued 

until  1890,    when   they   purchased  the  fine  brick 

store   on   the  West    side    of   Main  street  next  to 

the   First    National  Bank,   which  was  originally 

Iniilt    by    G.     S.     Wetmore    for    a    drug     store. 

After  making  the  necessary  changes  they  removed 

then-   business   to   this   building  which   they  still 

occupy.     For  sixteen  years  their  stock   consisted 

of  dry  goods,  notions,  carpets  and  wall  paper,  but 


skinner 
C. 


Pliolo. 
A  ..t  A. 


C.  PHELPS-  DKV  GOODS  STORE. 


'GKIP'S"  HISTOBICAL  SOUVENIR  OF  CAMDEN. 


53 


Borrowed  Cut.    GEOKGE  TROWBRIDGE. 

in  1900  they  added  a  clioioe  lino  of  hotisehold  fiir- 
iiitui-e  which  has  proven  a  gratifying  acquisition 
to  theii'  business.  Albert — the  junior  member  of 
the  firm — makes  frequent  trips  to  New  York  for 
the  selection  of  desu'able  stock.  Miss  Margaret 
C.  Eobson  is  a  highly  valued  assistant,  whose 
judgment  is  sought  by  proprietor  and  customer 
alike.  She  has  been  associated  with  the  business 
for  a  period  of  upwards  of  thii'ty  years  and  is 
courteous  and  obliging  to  an  unusual  degree.  She 
is  of  Scotch  parentage  and  Canadian  birth,  faith- 
ful and  earnest  in  serving  her  employers. 

George  Trowbridge  was  one  of  Camden's 
early  merchants,  coming  here  in  1826  from  Pom- 
Iret,"  Conn.,  and  engaging  in  business  with  his 
brother  Artemas.  Theii-  store  stood  on  Main  street, 
nearly  opposite  Washington. 
Later  the  Irailding  was 
moved  down  to  the  corner 
of  Main  and  Mexico  streets. 
Mr.  Trowbridge  was  iden- 
tified with  the  schools  of  the 
town  for  many  years,  hold- 
ing the  office  of  school 
superintendent.  He  wa^ 
one  of  the  first  village 
assessors  after  its  incorpor- 
ation in  1831  and  was  clerk 
of  the  board  of  trustees  of 
the  village  for  thu'teen  con- 
secutive years.  For  many 
years  he  was  agent  for  wild 
land  in  Camden,  Vienna  and 
Florence.  He  was  an  active, 
energetic  and  influential 
citizen.  The  homestead  Mr. 
Trowbridge  built  on  1827, 
on  the  corner  of  Main  and 
Washington  streets.  It  is 
now  owned  by  his  children 
and  outwardly  is  the  same 
as  when  first  built.  He  was 
anarried    in    1828    to     Miss       Borrowed  Cut. 


Juliana  Allin.  He  was  born  at  Pomfret,  Conn., 
Aug.  11,  1796,  and  died  at  Camden  Sept.  23,  1888. 
His  wife  was  born  at  Providence,  R.  I.,  May  20, 
1805,  and  died  at  Camden  March  24,  1892.  Their 
children  areChas.  Edward,  of  Whitinsville,  Mass., 
Mrs.  Julia  A.  Chubbuch,  of  New  Torlv  city  and 
Wm.  Henry  and  Mrs.  Elizalieth  T.  Pike,  of  Cam- 
den. A  son,  George  Frederick,  died  in  1871, 
aged  25  years. 

The  Ladies'  Aid  Society  of  the  Methodist 
church. — There  is  in  existence  a  pulpit  biV)le  on  the 
fly  leaf  of  which  is  written  "Methodist  Episcopal 
chm-ch,  Camden.  Presented  by  the  Ladies'  of  the 
Sewing  Society,  April  1st,  1846. "  We  do  not  find 
any  record  of  a  ladies' society  until  August  17,  1859, 
when  an  organization  was  effected  to  be  called  the 
Half  Dime  Society  of  the  M.  E.  chiu'ch  in  Cam- 
di  n.  Officers  chosen  were:  President,  Mrs. 
Iho.uas  Demilt  Penfleld;  Vice  Presidents,  Mrs. 
Frankhn  Washbm-n,  Mrs.  David  Sears;  Secretary 
and  Treasurer,  Mrs.  Washburn.  Mrs.  Pen- 
field  was  president  for  thirteen  consecu- 
tive years.  In  1866  the  name  was 
changed  to  Dime  Society  and  still  agam  in  1878 
to  Ladies'  Aid  Society.  The  following  have 
seivei  as  officers:  Presidents — Mrs.  T.  D.  Pen- 
field,  Mrs.  H.  M.  Danforth,  Mrs.  Thos.  Richie, 
Jlrs.  A.  L.  York,  Mrs.  W.  K.  Cobb,  Mrs.  E.  A. 
Harvey,  Mrs.  W.  A.  Stoddard,  Mrs.  M.  Tipple, 
Mrs.  Clara  Harvey  Stoddard,  Mrs.  A.  C.  Phelps, 
Mrs.  Walter  C.  Stoddard,  Mrs.  Dewitt  T.  Wood, 
Mrs.  Myron  Simmons,  Mrs.  B.  A.  Curtiss.  Vice 
Pre.sident.s — Mrs.  F.  Washburn,  Mrs.  A.  W. 
WUder.  now  Sanford,  Mrs.  T.  D.  Penfield,  Mrs. 
W.  D.  Wood,  Mrs.  Melzar  P.  B.  Cook,  Mrs.  E. 
A.  Harvey,  Mrs.  J.  D.  Chamberlain,  Mrs.  M. 
Tipple,  Mrs.  J.  Rush,  Mrs.  Sarah  Broughton, 
Mrs.  W.  W.  WilHams,  Mrs.  M.  Simmons,  Mrs. 
David  Sears,  Mrs.  B.  A.  Curtiss,  Mrs.  G.  C. 
Huyck,  Mrs.  W.  Mis,  Mrs.  S.  S.  McCaU,  Mrs.  B. 
N.  BaeU,  Mrs.  J.  M.  Orth,  Mrs.  W.  A.  Stoddard, 
Miss  H.  L.  Bii-d,  Mrs.  Mary  L.  Eldeu,  Mrs.  O.  H. 
Kniflin,  Mrs.  Geo.  Stoddard,  Mrs.  D.  T.  Wood, 
Mrs.    Mattie   Adams,  Mrs.  A.  C.  Phelps,  Mrs.  O. 


THE  TROWBRIDGE  HOME. 


54 


'GRIP'S"  HISTORICAL  SOUVENIR  OF  CAMDEN. 


Huested,  Plioto.  A.  C.  WOODRUFF. 
H.  Pierce,  Miss  Jennie  Spencer,  Mrs.  C.  J.  Bacon, 
Mrs.  W.  J.  HiiU,  Mrs,  E.  E.  Dempsey,  Mrs.  W. 
E.  Patohen,  Mrs.  S.  H.  Weed,  Mrs.  W.  A.  Park, 
Mrs.  Dana  Ward,  Mrs.  F.  N.  Cliristian,  Mrs.  W. 
E.  Stone,  Mrs.  McAdam,  Mrs.  A.  Brown,  Mrs. 
N.  WTiitcomb,  Mrs.  H.  H.  Cliapman,  Mrs.  A. 
H.  Vandawalker,  Mrs.  Frank  Woodard,  Mrs. 
James  Dunlop,  Mrs.  Jolin  H.  Cook.  Secretaries 
—  Mrs.  Washbiu-n,  Miss  MoUie  Barber,  Mrs.  M. 
Elden,  Miss  Hattie  L.  Bii'd,  Mrs.  O.  H.  Knifleii, 
Miss  Mary  Tripp,  Miss  Minnie  Simmons.  Mrs.  (i. 
C.  Huyck,  Miss  Helen  M.  Tipple,  Miss  FideHa 
Dick,  '  Mrs.  H.  T.  Skerritt.  Treasiu-ers— Mrs. 
Wasbbm-n,  Mrs.  M.  E.  Cook,  Miss  Orelia  Steele, 
Miss  M.  Simmons,  Mrs. 
C.  Palmer,  Mrs.  31. 
Elden,  Miss  Hattie  L. 
Bii-d,  Mrs.H.  J.  Newland, 
Mrs.  B.  A.  Ciirtiss.  The 
present  officers  are:  Pres- 
ident, Mrs.  Martin  Tiiiple ; 
Vice  Presidents,  Mrs.  H. 
H.  Cliapman,  Mrs.  Walter 
C.  Stoddard,  Mrs.  Caro- 
line P.  Harvey,  Mrs.  E. 
C.  Knapp.  Secretary, 
Miss  Fidelia  Dick.  Treas- 
ui-er.  Miss  H.  L.  Bu'd. 


Arthur  Cleveland 
Woodruff,  a  leading 
memlier  ol'  tbe  legal 
fraternity  in  Camden, -svas 
admitted  to  the  bar  at 
Bufialo,  June  13,  1873, 
and  began  the  pi-actice  of 
law  in  Camden  in  partner- 
ship with  George  K. 
Carroll,  with  whom  he  was 
associated  for  three  years. 
For  about  twenty  years 
he  has  been  an  active 
member   of    the    Oneida 


county  bar  association  and,  although  a  democrat, 
has  occupied  several  important  public  positions. 
For  the  past  eighteen  years  he  has  been  a  member 
of  the  village  board  of  education,  of  which  he  is  at 
the  present  time  the  secretary.  He  served  as 
magistrate  twelve  years,  was  on  the  water  coni- 
mission  five  years,  soon  after  the  system  was  in- 
stalled, the  last  year  serving  as  president  of  the 
board,  and  was  vUlage  trustee  for  several  terms. 
During  his  term  as  president  of  the  village,  1891, 
a  special  election  was  held,  by  which  the  extension 
of  the  water  mains  was  ordered.  Mr.  Woodi-uff 
was  one  of  the  incorporators  of  the  opera  house 
association,  the  organization  of  which,  in  which  he 
w-as  most  active,  has  given  the  village  a  commodi- 
ous and  attractive  place  of  amusement.  During 
twenty  consecutive  years  he  filled  the  picsition  of 
vestryman  of  Trinity  Episcopal  church  where  he  is 
at  the  present  time  a  warden. 

Beginning  the  practice  of  his  profession  with 
one  of  the  "older  members  of  the  bar,  a  lawyer 
A\idely  known  in  the  county,  and  continuing  to 
the  present  time  with  a  practice  that  has  steadily 
grown  and  has  usually  been  rewarded  with  success, 
Mr.  Woodruff,  todayi  has  a  widely  extended  law^ 
business.  His  acquaintanceship  throughout  the 
county,  in  which  he  has  to  his  credit  a  longer  period 
of  practice  than  any  other  Camden  lawyer,  and 
his  thorough  knowledge  of  the  many  large  estates 
in  this  vicinity  places  him  in  the  position  where  he 
is  al>le  to  attend  promptly  and  intelligently  to  all 
requests  for  information'  of  that  character  which 
may  be  desired  by  parties  living  outside  of  the 
county. 

Mr.  Woodruff  was  born  in  Camden,  June  13, 
1851,  and  with  the  exception  of  the  time  he  was 
pursuing  his  studies  and  preparing  himself  for  his 
profession,  his  whole  life  has  been  devoted  to  his 
prai'tice  in  that  village.  At  the  close  of  his  studies 
in  the  Camden  school  he  attended  the  Union 
academv  at  Belleville,  N.  Y.,  and  from  there  went 
to  the  Lowville,  N.  Y.,  academy,  where  he  was 
graduated  in  1870.     The  next  three  years  were  de- 


Chapin,  Photo. 


A.  ('.  WiioDUUFF'S  RESIDENCE. 


'GBIP'S"  HISTOEICAL  SOUVENIR  OF  CAMDEN. 


55 


Borrowed  Photo.    GEORGE  K.  CARROLL. 

voted  to  the  study  of  law,  principally  in  the  office 
of  George  K.  Carroll.  After  an  association  of  three 
years  with  the  latter  gentleman,  Mr.  Woodrnif 
jJiirsued  his  practice  until  1883,  when  his  brother, 
Eben  C,  became  a  partner.  This  arrangement 
was  terminated  by  the  retirement  of  the  latter 
from  a  business  copartnership,  January  1,  1895. 

On  Christmas  day,  1880,  Mr.  Woodruft'  married 
Theresa  A.,  the  daughter  of  George  K.  Carroll, 
Mr.  Woodrutt"s  legal  preceptor.  They  have  two 
sons,  George  Carroll  Woodruff',  born  February  9, 
1885,  and  Laurence  Abbott  Woodruff',  born  Nov- 
ember 25,  1888.  Mr.  Woocb-uff's  father  was  Dr. 
Hurll;)ert  H.  Woodruff",  a  graduate  of  Trinity  Col- 
lege, Hai'tford,  Ct. ,  who  came  to  Camden  in  1850 
and  opened  the  first  store  in  the  village  devoted 
exclusively  to  the  sale  of  drugs.  He  was  in  active 
practice  until  his  death,  which  occurred  in  Cam- 
den, Nov.  2,  1881,  he  being-then  in  his  fifty-seventh 
year.  His  wife,  Calista  Alibott,  the  daughter  of 
Eben  Abbott  an  American  officer  in  the  war  of 
1812  who  settled  in  Camden  in  1840,  died  Nov- 
ember 27,  1895,  being  sixty-eight  years  of  age. 
Besides  the  two  brothers  now  living  in  Camden, 
their  children  incliide  Marietta  (Mrs.  E.  Wagner) 
and  H.  C.  Woodruff,  both  living  in  Troy. 

Robert  Prazier,  M.  D.,  who  was  born  at 
Bethleliam,  Albany  Co.,  N.  Y.,  Feb.  17,  1817,  was 
for  many  years  one  of  the  distinguished  practicing 
2>hysicians  of  Oneida  county.  Coming  to  Camden 
about  1858  he  at  once  sprung  into  jjublic  notice  as 
a  man  possessing  a  strong,  impressive  character 
and  many  sterling  qualities.  It  was  about  1839 
or  '40  when  he  settled  at  McConnellsville,  where 
he  first  began  the  practice  of  his  profession  and 
where  four  or  five  years  later  he  married  Miss 
Theresa  McConnell,  having  been  graduated  at  the 
Vermont  Medical  academy,  Castleton,  Vt.,  in  1839. 
His  professional  skill,  excellent  disposition  and 
iTUselfish  devotion  to  duty  soon  attracted  to  him 
numerous  friends,  and  his  practice  begun  to  en- 
large to  the  extent  that  he  was  not  long  in  decid- 
ing to  locate  in  Camden  where  a  wider  field  Avas 
off'ered  him.     He  at  once  turned  his   attention   to 


public  affairs,  believing  that  he  had  a  duty  to  per- 
form as  a  citizen  which  demanded  some  personal 
sacrifice.  The  proposition  to  supply  the  village 
with  a  water  system  was  one  which  he  pondered 
over  for  years.  When  it  appeared  that  the  time 
was  ripe  he  began  a  vigorous  agitation  of  the  sub- 
ject. Although  others  may  have  had  as  miTch  if 
not  more  to  do  with  securing  the  present  very  ex- 
cellent system,  Dr.  Frazier  is  generally  accorded 
the  credit  of  being  the  father  of  it.  His  service  in 
that  du-ection  was  recognized  by  making  him  the 
president  of  the  first  water  board.  As  showing- 
how  quickly  he  became  popiilar,  his  election  to 
the  state  legislature  as  member  of  the  assembly 
while  he  was  residing  in  McConnellsville  from 
that  district  occurred  in  1859,  only  two  or  three 
years  after  locating  there.  He  was  a  democrat  of 
the  uncompromising  school,  aggressive  to  a  fault, 
serving  his  party  devotedly  and  well  on  any  and 
all  occasions.  His  stirring,  faithful  efforts  to  keep 
the  community  awake  and  exclude  dry  rot  from 
the  body  politic  raised  up  a  faction  against  him — 
a  faction  which  has  since  disappeared.  Today 
nobody  in  Camden  opposes  ijublic  utility  and  cor- 
porate growth.  Dr.  Frazier  always  stood  by  his 
guns.  The  community  appreciated  him.  He  be- 
came postmaster.  For  seven  years  he  was  presi- 
dent of  the  village  and  for  twenty  years  was  presi- 
dent of  the  board  of  education.  He  loved  to^  in- 
dulge his  literary  tastes  and  socially  was  a  jolly 
good  fellow.  His  nature  was  overbrimming  with 
hospitality.  The  love  of  Scotland,  the  home  of 
his  forefathers,  and  its  traditions  was  a  distin- 
n-uishing  trait  of  his  character  and  as  an  active 
mend>er  of  the  local  Eobert  Burns  association  he 
delighted  in  all  that  fostered  the  memory  of  that 
bard.  His  death  occurred  on  the  morning  of  Sun- 
day, May  10,  1891,  he  Ijeing  then  in  his  75th  year. 
On  the'  preceding  Sunday,  in  company  with  a 
friend,  while  taking  a  stroll  through  the  woods, 
now  comprised  in  Forest  park,  the  doctor  com- 
plained of  feeling  ill.  The  next  day  the  first 
symptoms  of  pneumonia  appeared,  and  although 
as  a  physician  he  knew  that  his  life  was  hazarded, 
he  insisted  on  going  out  to  attend  to  patients. 
One   of   them   had   been   dangerously  ill  and  her 


norvowcil  Photo.     L)K.  UOUEKT  PR A/.l  Kli. 


66 


'QRIP'S"  HISTORICAL  SOUVENIR  OF  CAMDEN. 


Huested,  Photo. 

CHARLES  J.  WILLIAMS. 


T.  H.  NOKTON. 


situation  was  critical,  but  lie  had  felt  that  the 
crisis  was  passed  and  that  she  might  be  brought 
back  to  health.  On  account  of  the  age  of  the  lady 
he  regarded  successful  treatment  of  her  case  as  al- 
most miraculous.  On  that  account  alone  he 
would  not  have  permitted  any  interference  with 
his  attention  to  his  practice  that  Monday  mornii  g 
when  if  he  had  stayed  in,  his  life  might  have  been 
consideraVily  prolonged.  Friends  watched  at  his 
bed.side  during  the  hours  of  the  night  that  he 
breathed  his  last,  and  the  community  was  greatly 
shocked  when  the  next  morning,  at  the  time  the 
church  Viells  were  ringing,  it  learned  of  his  death. 
His  wife  and  four  daughters  survived  him.  The 
latter  were  Mrs.  A.  G.  Robson,  Mrs.  Chester 
Dinkfleld  and  the  Misses  Grace  and  Florence 
Frazier,  all  then  hving 
in  Camden.  The  funeral 
at  the  Congregational 
church  on  Tuesday,  May 
12,  was  an  event  of  con- 
siderable importance,  the 
attendance  of  village  peo- 
ple  being  general.  The 
village  trustees  and  the 
board  of  education  at- 
tended in  a  body  and  the 
lousiness  places  were 
closed  during  the  hours 
of  service.  A  profusion 
of  flowers  were  jjlaced 
upon  his  bier.  Rev.  Joel 
Davies  delivered  the  dis- 
course and  the  choirs  of 
the  Congregational  and 
Episcojial  churches  fur- 
nished the  music. 


ness  of  Walter  T.  Stevens,  with  whom  Mr. 
Norton  had  been  associated  for  several  years. 
It  was  back  in  1860  that  Mr.  Stevens  bought 
the  cabinet  making,  undertaking  and  furn- 
iture establishment,  which  his  father  had 
founded  several  years  before.  In  1890  Mr. 
Norton,  then  a  clerk  for  Mr.  Stevens,  bought 
a  partner's  interestwith  him  and  the  firm  was 
then  for  a  short  time  Stevens  &  Norton. 
Williams  &  Norton,  three  years  after  taking- 
possession,  put  in  dry  goods,  subsequently 
extending  the  business  to  the  seojie  of  a  de- 
l^artment  store.  The  crockery  dejjartment 
Avas  removed  to  the  basement  to  make  room 
for  dry  goods,  but  after  the  building  had 
been  enlarged  it  was  ulaced  in  the  annex, 
27x80  feet.  About  the  same  time  an  addition 
to  the  rear  of  the  building,  18x30  feet,  was 
erected  to  make  room  for  cloaks  and  ladies' 
ready  made  splits.  The  main  store,  2ix80 
feet,  and  the  annex  have  each  three  stories, 
so  that  the  firm  now  has  more  than  double 
the  floor  space  that  was  comprised  in  the 
original  store.  Altogether  there  are  ten 
show  rooms  with  an  aggregate  floor  area  of 
15,000  square  feet.  The  store,  well  lighted 
with  side  and  rear  as  well  as  large  front 
show  windows,  is  equipped  with  the  Barr  cash 
carrier  system.  Electricity  and  gas,  the  latter 
manufactured  by  the  Ransom  machine,  are  used. 
Furnaces  supply  the  heat. 

On  the  main  floor  is  the  dry  goods  dei«xrtmeut. 
In  the  second  story  of  the  main  building  are  car- 
pets and  drajieries  and  in  the  thuxl,  furniture.  A 
large,  comfortably  fitted  private  oflice  occiapies  the 
front  of  the  annex.  On  the  second  floor  over  the 
crockery  department  is  the  display  of  house  fur- 
nishing goods  and  toys.  A  suite  of  rooms  on  this 
floor,  together  with  an  oflice,  constitute  the  under- 
taking department.  The  third  floor  annex  is  used 
as  the  furniture  store  room.  In  the  basement 
under  the  main  floor  are  ware  rooms  for  oil 
cloths  and  crockery.  The  rear  of  the  second  floor 
is  used  for  bedding  and  the  front    for    furniture. 


'Williams    &    Norton 

foi'med  their  co-partner- 
ship in  the  spring  of  1893, 
and  purchased  the  busi- 


Hucsted,  Plioto.    WILLIAMS  &  NORTON'S  FORCE  OF  CLERKS. 
Peter  Hayman.  Ben  Short. 


E.  B.  Parke. 


Mrs.  E.  B,  Parke. 


Charles  Edic. 


'GBIP'S"  HISTOEICAL  SOUVENIE  OF  CAMDEN. 


57 


three  years 
where  he 
spent  three 
farm.  The 
changed   for 


at  Eedfleld 

afterwards 

year.s    on   a 

farm   he  ex- 

the  e'eneral 


Y(|LLIAMS>»  NORTON 


■*.3^?gir«!r. 


^.' 


Skinner,  Photo.       WILLIAMS  &  NORTON'S  GENERAL  STOKE. 


A  two  storj'  building  in  the  rear,  20x40  feet,  gives 
space  on  the  first  floor  for  the  display  of  second 
hand  furniture  and  overhead  as  a  work  shojj  where 
pictures  are  framed  and  furniture  repau-ed. 

Williams  &  Norton  aim  to  supply  all  necessities 
and  the  ordinary  hixiiries  of  life.  Their  trade 
slogan  is  to  flU  the  wants  of  the  people  from  the 
cradle  to  the  grave,  including  both  of  these  im- 
portant items. 

Their  undertaking  business,  which  is  in  charge 
of  Mr.  Williams,  a  licensed  funeral  dii'ector,  is  a 
eomi^lete  department  in  itself.  The  parlors,  com- 
fortable and  roomy,  are  fitted  up  in  modern  style 
with  quartered  oak  cabinets  and  with  a  pleasant 
front  oftice.  Their  para- 
phernalia comprises  three 
hearses  with  black  or 
white  drapery ,  as  occasion 
requu-es,  and  the  Cham- 
pion truck,  which  is  the 
newest  invention  for  ex- 
pediting the  undertaker's 
duties.  Other  depart- 
ments in  this  large  busi- 
ness include  trunks  and 
bags  and  toys  which  are 
found  on  the  second  floor 
of  the  annex. 

Mr. Charles  .T.Williams 
was  born  in  Fiilton,  N. 
Y.,  Dec.  3,  1859.  His 
jiarents  moved  to  Bed- 
field,  N.  Y.,  -when  he  was 
a  year  old,  where  he  spent 
fourteen  years  of  his  boy- 
hood. At  Sandy  Creek, 
N.  Y.,  he  completed  his 
schooling  by  attending 
the  high  school.  Mr. 
Williams    taught   school 


store  of  Eobert  Cooper  in 
that  village,  which  he 
and  Charles  Crow,  his 
brother-in-law,  owned  in 
partnership  for  three 
years.  Then,  in  1886, 
Mr  Williams  bought  the 
f ui  niture  and  undertak- 
ing business  of  J.  B.  Castle 
at  Wrlliamstown,  which 
he  sold  five  years  later  to 
Littlefield.  In  the  mean- 
tune,  m  1889,  as  one  of 
the  firm  of  Williams  & 
^N'hite,  he  engaged  in  the 
manufacture  of  bedroom 
suits  and  bedsteads  at 
Kasoag,  a  factory  which 
this  firm  established  in 
that  village  and  three 
years  later  sold  out  to  the 
Northern  Manufacturing 
Co.  Mr.  Williams  has 
always  been  an  active 
Eepul)lican.  President 
1885,    appointed  him   post- 


Ai'thur,  on  Jan.  29, 
master  of  Eedfield,  a  position  President  Cleveland 
Ijermitted  him  to  hold  the  full  term.  In  Williams- 
town,  in  a  canvass  for  election  to  the  office  of 
supervisor,  although  defeated,  he  reduced  the  nor- 
mal democratic  majority  of  about  75  to  8,  to  the 
unusually  narrow  margin  of  (3  votes,  the  canvass 
being  made  against  Thomas  Laing,  who,  the  pre- 
ceeding  year  was  elected  l)y  128  majority.  In 
1899  he  was  elected  trustee  of  the  village  of  Cam- 
den and  was  afterwards,  without  opposition, 
chosen  president,  the  office  he  now  holds.  He  is 
also  one  of  the  dii'ectors  of  the  Board  of  Trade. 
On  Dee.  22,  1881,  he  Avas   married   to    jNIiss    Eva 


Hucstcd,  Photo. 

INTEHIOU  VIEW  (JF  WILLIAM.S  \-  XOUTON'S  GENERAL  STORE. 


58 


'GRIP'S"  HI8T0RICAX,  SOUVENIR  OF  CAMDEN. 


Crow,  of  Redfleld.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Am- 
bo}'  lodge,  F.  &  A.  M. ,  and  the  local  lodges  of  the 
following  orders  in  Camden:  I.  O.  O.  P.,  K.  of  P 
and  O.  U.  A.  M. 

T.  H.  Norton  was  born  at  Camden  April  7,  1854. 
He  was  educated  in  the  higher  branches  of  study 
at  the  Clinton,  N.  Y.,  high  school  and  the  Caze- 
novia  seminary.  After  spending  one  year  in  the 
west  he  returned  to  Camden  and  entered  the  store 
of  W.  T.  Stevens,  where  he  was  employed  lioth  as 
a  cabinet  maker  and  upholsterer  and  a  clerk  and 
where  he  became  a  partner  in  1890.  Having 
■worked  at  the  bench  for  seven  or  eight  years,  he 
is  a  practical  furniture  man.  He  is  a  member  of 
the  Masonic  order,  the  Odd  Fellows  and  the 
Royal  Ai-canum.  In  1883  he  married  Frances 
Pond  of  Camden. 


free  passage  to  and  from  the  lodge  room.  In 
those  earlier  years  the  membership  of  Philan- 
thropic lodge  was  made  up  of  those  living  ia 
Camden,  Rediiekl,  WiUiamstown,  Amboy,  Vien- 
na, Taberg,  Glenmore  and  AnnsviUe,  many  of 
them  coming  18  or  20  miles  on  horseback  and 
sometimes  afoot  to  spend  a  few  houi'S  in  Camden 
amid  the  mysteries  of  Masonry.  At  nearly  eveiy 
meeting  refreshments  were  served;  besides,  the 
more  elaborate  St.  John's  festiviils,  which  w'ere 
held  twice  each  year.  On  the  records  of  1823  is 
found  that  Brother  T.  B.  Segar  was  voted  $2.00 
for  the  trouble  of  writing  and  delivering  an  ora- 
tion which,  as  the  minutes  state,  "was  done  to 
the  satisfaction  and  gi'atification  of  all  worthy 
members."  An  interesting  fact  is  also  discovered 
from  the  old  records  that  the  tiler's  sword  now  in 


Huested,  Photo.  OFFICERS  PHILANTHKOI'IC  LODGE  NO.  164,  F.  &  A.  Jt. 

1,  E.  N.  Hammand;  3,  T.  A.  Farnswortb;  3,  C.  W.  Sbaver;  -t,  R.  A.  Magee;  .5,  A.  W.  Abbott;  (i,  James  Moore;  7,  G. 
P.  Burden;  8.  Peter  Hayraan;  9,  T.  C.  Phelps;  10,  A.  M.  Fariisworth;  11,  Rev.  A.  B.  Dimham;  IS,  G.  W.  Vaudawalker  . 


Philanthropic  Lodge,  No.  164,  F.  &  A.  M., 

the  oldest  of  all  secret  orders  in  Camden,  was 
instituted  Supt.  19,  1816,  by  Rt.  W.  Joseph  Enos, 
who  installed  the  following  officers:  Olny  Hines, 
W.  M. ;  Asa  T.  Smith,  S.  W. ;  Joshua  Ransom, 
J.  W. ;  Lyman  Mathews,  secretary ;  Heman 
Byington,  Treasurer;  Wm.  Hemstead,  S.  D. ; 
Aaron  Bailey,  J.  D.;  Jere  Rathbun  and  William 
West,  Stewards;  Jesse  Merrils,  tiler.  It  was 
voted  at  their  first  meeting  that  the  regular  com- 
munications should  be  on  Thursday  preceding 
the  full  moon  of  each  month  at  2  o'clock  p.  m. 
and  close  at  7. 

From  the  time  of  its  institution  the  lodge  had 
a  healthy,  steady  growth.  Having  no  regular 
place  for  meetings  they  met  at  the  homes  of  dif- 
ferent members.  Brothers  Amasa  Doolittle,  Nor- 
man Porter  and  Ranny  Park's  homes  are  men- 
tioned m  the  old  minutes  as  some  of  the  meeting 
places.  The  brothers  at  whose  houses  the  meet- 
ings were  held  were  each  voted  two  shillings  for 
the    use    of   the  rooms   and  candles  and  fuel  and 


use  was  purchased  of  Brother  Elijah  Perkins  by  a 
vote  of  the  lodge  held  in  May,  1817,  for  the  con- 
sideration of  .fl.OO.  Sometime  afterward  Brother 
Perkins  presented  an  apron  to  the  lodge  which 
was  worn  by  his  father  in  Woodbridge,  Conn., 
previous  to  the  year  1775.  This  apron  is  pre- 
served in  a  frame  and  hangs  on  the  walls  of  the 
lodge  room  beside  another  which  was  presented 
to  the  lodge  by  Brother  J.  H.  Tracy,  it  having 
been  worn  by  his  grandfather,  Hezakiah  Tracy, 
previous  to  the  year  1767. 

In  1821  a  jietition  from  the  Vienna  brothers 
was  granted  to  institute  a  lodge  at  Vienna.  It 
was  also  voted  to  lend  them  all  the  money  that 
could  be  spared  ($10)  trom  the  treasury  to  enable 
them  to  equip  a  lodge  room.  In  this  same  year, 
when  the  financial  aftairs  of  the  lodge  seemed  to 
■warrant  such  a  step,  it  ^\■as  voted  to  have  a  com- 
mittee apijointed  to  consider  the  feasi])ihty  of 
buying  a  building  lot  and  erecting  a  suitalile  hall. 
Brothers  J.  Bradley,  Geo.  L.  Coe  and  Lyman 
Curtiss   were   apjiointed  as  ^\'ays  and  means  com- 


'GBIP'S"  HISTORICAL  SOUVENIR  OF  CAMDEN. 


59 


Skinner,  Photo.    THE  MASONIC  TEMPLE. 

mittee  and  a  building  committee  consisting  of 
Joel  B.  Smith,  R.  H.  Bnrr,  Geo.  L.  Coe,  T.  B. 
Segar,  Wm.  Plumb,  Ezra  Abbott  and  Ranny  Park 
-was  also  appointed.  The  lodge  granted  them 
power  to  build  a  hall  not  to  exceed  30x40  feet. 
For  some  reason  the  building  was  not  comijleted 
until  the  year  1830.  This  Ijuilding  stood  in  the 
Ticinity  of  Hon.  B.  D.  Stones'  residence  m  Main 
street. 

In  1834  the  original  Philanthroiaic  lodge.  No. 
188,  held  its  last  meeting  and  shortly  afterwards 
surrendered  its  charter  and  nothing  is  known  of 
masonry  in  Camden  until  the  year  1850  "when, 
rising  like  the  Phoenix  from  the  ashes  of  its 
I'ormer  self,  the  order  took  new  life  and  secured  a 
new  charter,  the  number  of  the  lodge  being 
■changed  to  164.  In  1856  a  resolution  was  passed 
recommending  that  a  new  lodge  be  formed  at  New 
London  of  members  of  Philanthroi^ic  and  in  1857 
a  like  recommendation  was  approved  of  for  a  new 
lodge  at  Vienna,  which  had  like  many  others  sur- 
rendered its  iirevious  charter. 

In  April,  1861,  the  building  in  which  lodge  was 
held  was  luirned,  together  with  the  furniture,  re- 
galia, etc.,  nothing  being  saved  excejjt  the  records. 
Communications  were  then  held  in  the  rooms 
formerly  used  by  the  Odd  Fellows 
in  the  Cavarly  block. 

In  1862  a  building  lot  was  pur- 
chased on  the  corner  of  Mexico 
and  Robertson  streets  and  in 
March,  1863,  the  contract  was  let 
for  the  erection  of  the  present 
Masonic  haU.  In  1866  and  1867 
petitions  were  made  V)y  lirothers 
residing  at  Taberg  and  West  Am- 
lioy,  respectively,  for  the  forma- 
tion of  new  lodges  at  those  places. 
From  time  to  time  since  the 
Imilding  of  the  Masonic  haU  im- 
j)rovements  have  been  made  in 
and  aliout  the  building,  cement 
walks  laid,  shade  trees  planted, 
and  an  equipped  kitchen  and  china 
closet,  lavatcn-ies  and  banquet  hall 
furnished. 

In  1900  through  the  efforts  of 
Worshipful  Master  E.W.  Fish  and 
associate  oiiicers,  the  lodge  was  in- 
terested in  the  matter  of  refurnish- 
ing and  refitting  the  assembly  hall 
which  had  received  no  attention 
since  the  building  was  completed. 


Through  the  energy  and  untiring  efforts  of  the 
committee  appointed  for  that  purpose  consisting 
of  Brothers  Russel  S.  Johnson,  Isaac  D.  West  and 
Amli-ew  W.  Craig  the  work  was  completed  in  a 
most  satisfactory  manner,  the  hall  being  recar- 
peted  and  refurnished  with  settees  done  in  oak 
upholstered  in  plush,  officers  stations  and  with 
other  furniture  corresponding  colors  and  tone  of 
finish.  The  waUs  and  ceiling  were  done  in  colors 
harmonizing  iierfectly  with  the  carpets  and  fui'- 
niture.  The  building  throughout  was  fitted  with 
electric  lights.  The  opening  night,  Nov.  21, 
1900,  which  was  attended  by  representatives  from 
Utica,  Rome,  Waterville,  New  London,  Baron 
Steuben,  Vienna  and  Amboy  lodges,  was  one  of 
the  principal  events  in  the  history  of  Philan- 
thropic lodge.  The  visiting  brothers  pronounced 
the  temple  one  of  the  best  equipped  in  central 
New  York. 

The  enthusiasm  and  interest  attending  the  beau- 
tifving  of  the  lodge  rooms  did  much  toward  the 
increase  of  nieml)ership  in  1901  which  was  the 
largest  of  any  year  since  1866. 

During  the  life  of  Philanthropic  lodge  it  has 
seen  four  svstems  of  hghting  used,  taUow  candles 
from  1816  to  1834,  lamps  from  1850  to  1861,  kero- 
sene lamps  from  1861  to  1900  and  now  the  electric 
light,  recently  installed. 

The  foUo-n-ing  are  the  names  of  those  who  have 
been  master  of  Philanthropic  lodge  since  its  or- 
ganization: Olnev  Hines,  1816;  Asa  T.  Smith, 
1817-18;  Wm.  Pliimb,  1819;  Oliver  Kinnie,  1820; 
Jesse  Penfield,  Jr.,  1821-22;  Joel  B.  Smith,  1823; 
Jonathan  Tremain,  1824;  Friend  Morse,  1825; 
Jesse  Penfield,  Jr.,  1826;  Lvman  Curtiss,  1827; 
Benj.  F.  Beard,  1828-29;  Wm.  Plumb,  1830:  Ai'- 
temus  Trowbridge,  1831-32-33;  Chas.  Trowbridge, 
1834;  (sixteen  vears  interval);  Artemus  Trow- 
bridge, 1850-51-52-53;  Geo.  W.  Wood,  1854-55; 
Ai-temus  Trowbridge,  1856-57-58-59;  F.  M. 
Fields,  1860;  Joshua  H.  Tracv,  1861-62-^63;  A. 
H.  Thompson,  1864;  J.  H.  Tracy,  1865;  F.  M. 
Fields,  1866;  J.  H.  Tracv,  1867;  Martin  R.  Cook, 
1868-69-70;  Robert  Robotham,  1871;  J.  H. 
Tracy,  1872;  Bvron  A.  Curtiss,  1873-74;  Heman 
Snow,  1875-76;' Spencer  J.    Upson,    1877-78-79; 


SkiTiner,  Plioto. 

HOME  OF  PHILANTHUOPIC 


LODGE,  No.  10-t,  F.  &  A.  M. 


60 


'GKIP'S"  HISTORICAL  SOUVENIR  OF  CAMDEN. 


Bun-owed  Photo.    FRANCIS  H.  CONANT. 

Founder  of  F.  H.  Conanfs  Sons'  Furniture  and 
Chair  Factor.v. 

Benj.  D.  Stone,  1880-81-82;  Spencer  J.  Upson, 
1883;  J.  E.  Woleott,  1881-85;  Andrew  W.  Craig, 
1886-87;  W.  H.  Crenan,  1888-89;  C.  S.  Park, 
1890-91;  W.  H.  Gifford,  1892-9.3;  A.  A.  Ray- 
mond, 1894;  H.  A.  WiUiams,  1895;  F.  B.  Har- 
rington, 1896;  E.  N.  Cliri.stian,  1897;  Edward  W. 
Fish,  1898-99-1900;  E.  N.  Hammand,  1901-02. 

Francis  H.  Conant  Avasl)orn  in  Albany,  N.  Y., 
Sept.  19,  181.->.  His  childhood  was  passed  at 
Stow,  Mass.  On  Sept.  19,  1836,  he  married  Miss 
Mary  E.  Gates  and  to  them  were  born  six  sons, 
the  oldest  dying  in  infancy.  Frank  E.  en- 
listed in  the  ci\'il  war  and  was  killed  at  the  l)attle 
of  Antietam.  Walter  N.,  Eugene  H.,  John  A.  and 
George  F.  were  all  engaged  in  the  furniture  busi- 
ness. 

Soon  after  his  marriage  Mr.  Conant  located   in 


North  Bay,  N.  Y.,  where  he  conducted  a  store  of 
general  merchandise  and  engaged  in  some  outside 
business. 

He  remained  there  several  years,  then  returned 
to  Stow,  Mass.  About  181:9  he  came  to  Camden, 
liringing  his  family.  He  entered  into  partnership 
\\  ith  Gen.  Lyman  Curtiss  in  the  milling  bttsiness 
and  later  liecame  a  partner  of  the  Hon.  T.  IJ. 
Penfield.  He  began  the  manufacture  of  chairs 
■nith  limited  facilities  in  1851,  on  the  site  of  the 
Grove  mills,  and  in  1854  bought  the  property  in 
the  valley,  where  the  modern  factories  now  stand 
and  where  he  then  established  the  Camden  Chair 
Factory,  which  has  been  in  operation  down  to 
the  present  time. 

About  1865  he  purchased  the  Detroit  chair- 
factory,  taking  his  family  there  to  reside,  and 
carried  on  the  business  for  several  years.  While 
in  Detroit  he  was  also  associated  with  S.  P.  Duf- 
tield  in  the  manufacture  of  fluid  extracts  for 
medicinal  purposes. 

From  Detroit  he  went  to  Adrian,  Mich.,  to  live, 
but  eventually  returned  to  Camden  where  he- 
made  his  home  until  after  the  death  of  his  wife, 
which  occt-irred  in  Toledo,  Ohio,  while  she  was 
visiting  her  son,  Walter  N.  Conant.  For  the  re- 
mainder of  his  life  Mr.  Conant  resided  west.  He 
married  Mrs.  Sarah  Beach  of  Coldwater,  Mich. 
His  death  occun-ed  there  May  12,  1887,  aged  71 
years. 

Mr.  Conant  was  a  man  of  unusiial  energy  and 
enterprise  and  was  interested  in  all  that  pertained 
to  the  welfare  of  the  town.  He  was  closely  iden- 
tified with  the  Congregational  cht-irch  and  was 
for  many  years  a  trustee  of  the  society,  as  well 
as  the  superintendent  of  the  Sunday  school,  giv- 
ing generously  for  the  maintainence  of  the  gosj^el. 

At  various  times  he  was  elected  a  trustee  of  the 
corporation  and  a  member  of  the  board  of  educa- 
tion. He  will  be  remembered  by  many  as  one  of 
Camden's  most  progressive  citizens. 

Eugene  Henry-  Conant  was  born  in  North 
Bay,  N.  Y.,  June  12,  1847,  and  came  to  Camden 
with  his  parents  when  about  three  years  old. 

His  early  education  was  gained  in  the  public 
schools  and  later  he  took  a  thorough  course  in  the 
Utica  Business  college.  He  was  first  actively  en- 
gaged in  liusiness  in  his  father's  chair  faetorv  at 


ff, 


~      ^~^=-  n>,   i  2 


IS   la      jirni  {  5,- 


5  ij    «    »  , 


'c    - 


Copied  from  print. 


F.  H.  COXAXT'S  SONS'  FURNITURE  AND  l^'HAIH  F.VCTORY. 


'GBIP'S"  HISTOKICAL   SOUVENIE  OF  CAMDEN. 


61 


Detroit,  as  bookkeeper,  T\-lao  also  had  charge  of 
the  shipping  department.  "Upon  his  return  to  Cam- 
den he  in  comiDany  with  his  brother,  W.  N.  Co- 
nant,  resumed  the  business  of  the  Camden  Chair 
company.  In  1S69  he  became  interested  in  the 
Rochester  Furniture  and  Cliair  company  and  was 


Mr.  F.  H.  Conant  then  withdrew  and  Eugene 
and  George  succeeded  him.  They  rebuUt,  hav- 
ing at  once  formed  the  co-partnership  which  was 
terminated  only  by  the  death  of  George  F.  Co- 
nant in  1898.  The  surviving  brother  has  since 
then  carried  it  on  alone. 


Huc.-stL-d,  Plioto. 


>'.  H.  CONA.NT'S  SON'S'  FUKNITUKK  AND  CIIAIK  WnltKf^ 


Fancy  Rocker. 

Factor}'. 

Ware  Rooms— Easy  Chair. 

secretary  of  that  company  for  about  three  years, 
when  he  again  returned  to  Camden  and  became  a 
partner  with  his  father,  F.  H.  Conant  &  Son  car- 
rying on  the  chair  business  until  1876  when  a 
most  disastrous  fire  occurred  destroying  nearly 
the  whole  plant. 


Finishing  liiMun 
Jlorris  Rccliniii] 
OlHcc. 


Cliair. 


Mr.  Eugene  H.  Conant  married  Miss  Cai-oline 
E.  Phelps  of  Camden,  Nov.  4,  1871.  They  have 
been  blessed  with  three  children,  Harold  P. 
Conant,  who  is  associated  with  his  father  in  ihe 
manufacture  of  chairs,  Alice  P.  Conant,  ^^  ho  re- 
cently married    Charles   F.    Sisson,  Jr.    of   Bing- 


62 


'GRIP'S"  HISTORICAL  SOUVENIR  OF  CAMDEN. 


hamton,  and  I'esides  in  that  city  and  Mary  E. 
Conaut,  who  attends  school. 

A  man  of  wide  experience  is  Mr.  Conant  who 
has  traveled  extensively  in  his  own  country  as 
well  as  most  of  the  countries  of  Europe,  the  land 
of  the  midnight  sun,  Egypt,  the  Nile,  the  Holy 
Land  and  in  some  parts  of  the  Turkish  Empire. 
He  has  always  been  interested  in  the  welfare  of 
the  town,  serving  as  president  of  the  village;  and 
it  was  largely  through  his  energy  and  personal 
attention  that  the  citizens  of  Camden  are  enjoy- 
ing a  tine  modern  opera  house.  He  was  one  of 
those  who  succeeded  in  getting  the  raih'oad  com- 
jjany  to  extend  the  E.  C.  &  N.  (now  the  Lehigh 
Valley)  road  through  to  Camden. 

Gov.  Morton  appointed  him  one  of  the  trustees 
of  the  state  custodial  asylum  at  Rome,  for  a  term 
of  four  years.  At  the  expiration  of  that  time  he 
was  again  ofi'ered  the  i>osition  by  Gov.  Roosevelt 
but  Inisiness  cares  had  become  more  pressing  and 
he  was  obliged  to  decline. 

F.  H.  Conant's  Sons, 

the  chau-  manufacturers, 
in  the  .spring  of  1.S76  suc- 
ceeded the  Arm  of  E.  H. 
Conant  &  Son,  at  which 
time  Mr.  Francis  H. 
Conant,  who  in  1851 
estabhshed  the  business, 
rethed,  giving  place  to 
his  younger  son,  Mr. 
George  F.  Conant,  to  be- 
come the  i_iartuer  with  his 
brother,  Mr.  Eugene  H. 
Conant.  The  business 
connections  between  the 
brothers  continued  un- 
interruptedly to  the  time 
of  the  death  of  Mr. 
George  Conant,  which 
occm'red  in  1898.  Since 
then  this  large  enter- 
prise, which  had  through 
hustling  methods  and 
keen  i)erception  of  trade 

requii-ements   attained   a    „       .    ,  „,    »       t^tt/it^^tt^ 
i,,vV  ,  „„-4.-  Huested,  Pboto.    EUGENE 

high  i)OSition  among  pro- 
ductive institutions,  has  been  conducted  exclusive- 
ly liy  Mr.  E.  H.  Conant,  who  bought  all  his   late 
brother's  interest  but  h^s   seen   fit   to   retain   the 
business  name  that  for  over  a  quarter  of  a  century 

has  commanded  confidence  in  the  widest  cu'cles  oi 
the  trade. 

His  connection  with  the  business  as  one  of  the 
liroprietors  Ijegan  in  1867  or  '68,  at  about  the  time 
Walter  M.  Conant  who  had  been  connected  with  it 
for  a  short  time  went  to  Toledo,  O. 

The  factory  was  then  producing  the  cheap,  com- 
mon wood  and  cane  seat  chairs,  tables,  hall  racks 
and  other  articles  of  furniture  in  a  small  way. 
Originally  started  in  the  building  known  as 
Owens'  miUs,  the  accommodations  there  were 
finally  found  to  be  inadequate  and  in  1854  Mr. 
Francis  Conant  had  purchased  the  property  of 
Edwin  H.  Hills  and  Alexander  Gift'ord,  farther  up 
stream  on  Itoth  shores  of  Mad  river,  the  site 
now  almost  wholly  covered  with  buildings  and 
sheds  M-hich  from  time  to  time  have  been  con- 
structed to  meet  the  demands  of  a  steadily  grow- 
ing bu.siness. 

A  grist  mUl  having  ample  water    power  which 


was  altered  and  equipped  to  provide  the  conven- 
iences required  by  the  new  occupant,  answered 
the  iRirposes  for  a  short  time.  The  steady  gTo^^■th 
of  the  business  gave  promise  of  the  large  and 
lucrative  industry  that  was  finally  developed  from 
a  small  undertaking. 

After  the  fire  of  1876,  which  swept  away  the  en- 
the  plant  and  ended  Mr.  Francis  Conant's  con- 
nection -nith  the  business,  his  two  sons  constitut- 
ing the  ne  w  firm  erected  a  building  which,  although 
large  enough  for  their  purpose  at  that  time,  af- 
forded about  a  tliu-d  of  the  facilities  now  in  u.se. 
They  also  turned  theii'  attention  entirely  to  the 
manufacture  of  chau's  and  greatly  improved  the 
grades  thereof.  From  year  to  year  they  added 
new  lines,  keeping  pace  with  the  demand  of  the 
better  class  of  consumers  for  more  expensive 
chau's. 

To  meet  new  conditions  in  a  field  of  strenuous 
competition  they  are  constantly  ottering  new  and 
original  patterns,  which  requu'e  the  services  of  a 
special  designer,  so  that 
to  make  room  for  the  bet- 
ter class  of  goods  they 
are  graduaUy  laying  aside 
the  common,  cheap  hues. 
Their  best  and  most 
artistic  chahs  aheady 
comprise  the  greatest 
l^art  of  their  productions 
and  include  the  Morris 
rechning,  solid  and  imita- 
tion mahoghanys,  colo- 
nial, hanil  decorated,  re- 
ception and  desk  and  the 
Vernis  Martin. 

These  and  a  few  of  the 
cheajjer  grades  have 
made  necessary  the  de- 
signing of  hundreds  of 
new  patterns  covering  the 
l^eriod  of  twenty-six 
years.  Besides,  there  are 
Imes  of  chairs  including 
what  is  called  the  plat- 
form rocker,  which  are 
made  for  export  to  Aus- 
traUa,  New  Zealand  and 
South  Africa.  They  were 
the  original  makers  of  the  widely  sold  Morris 
chairs. 

Mahogany  obtained  from  Me.xico.  Cuba  and 
Africa  and  oak  from  Indiana  and  Tennessee  are 
very  largely  used.  Quartered  oak  and  birch  enter 
into  much  of  their  productions. 

Their  goods  are  sold  in  all  the  i)rinci]ial  markets 
of  this  country,  eight  salesmen  being  employed  to 
take  orders  from  retailers.  There  is  also  a  sides- 
man to  dispose  of  the  exports. 

This  large  plant  has  the  capacity  for  producing 
manufactured  articles  aggregating  in  value  from 
.•$250,000  to  ,'|;300,000. 

The  site  of  this  large  plant  includes  aliout  twenty 
acres  of  level  land  in  the  north  part  of  the  village. 
The  buildings  are  all  constructed  especially  for 
the  work,  with  the  best  known  modern  conveni- 
ences for  heating,  lighting  and  protection  from 
fire.  The  main  structures  comprise  two  imposing 
buildings  fronting  one  of  the  main  roads  leading 
out  of  the  vUlage  which  separates  them.  One 
is  the  factory,  60x150  feet,  with  four  floors.  This 
is  where  the  wood  is  cut,  shaped,  curved  and  con- 
structed into  the  chair  frames,  ready  for  the  finish- 


H.  C(L\A.M. 


'GBIP'S"  HISTORICAL  SOUVENIR  OF  CAMDEN. 


63 


ers  and  upholsterers.  Connected  witli  it  is  a 
double  kiln,  having  a  total  capacity  of  40,000  feet, 
the  lumber  being  run  in  from  the  yards  on  cars 
made  for  that  purpose. 

Across  the  street  are  two  connecting  buildings 
where  the  chaii-s  are  taken  for  finishing  and  ship- 
ping. Each  of  these  buildings  has  three  fioors. 
One  of  them,  40x100  feet,  includes  the  office,  the 
upholstering  department  and  the  storage  and  ship- 
ping rooms.  The  other,  40x150  feet,  is  where  the 
finishing  of  the  wood  work  is  done,  such  as  var- 
nishing, hand  decorating  and  polishing. 

Then  comes  the  building,  40x80  feet,  which  is 


are  repaired,  also  furnishes  conveniences  for  re- 
placing broken  tools  and  parts  of  machinery. 
The  latter  shelters  thousands  of  feet  of  lumber 
which  the  great  output  of  the  factory  requii-es 
constantly  at  hand.  An  average  of  a  million  feet 
is  stored  in  these  sheds. 

Rising  above  the  rest  of  the  buddings  sixty  feet 
from  the  ground  and  supported  by  a  steel  frame, 
is  the  water  tower,  holding  30,000  gallons  of  water 
supplied  by  the  village  water  system.  It  feeds  the 
automatic  'sprinklers  with  which  any  one  of  the 
liuddings  may  be  qnicldy  flooded  in  case  tire  breaks 
out. 


Borrowed  Photos.  EUGENE  H 

used  for  the  storage  of  excelsior  and  other  ma 


terial  that  enter  into  the  upholstering. 

There  are  the  house  for  the  storage  of  rough 
stock,  rooms  where  oil  and  varnish  are  kept  and 
the  IjoUer  and  engine  house  where  there  are  two 
boilers  with  a  combined  capacity  of  280  horse 
power,  which  furnish  heat  as  well  as  power,  a  200 
horse  power  Corhss  engine  and  an  Edison  dynamo 
that  win  run  250  Ughts  for  lighting  the  factory  and 
Mr.  E.  H.  Conant's  residence  which  stands  nearly 
an  eighth  of  a  mde  distant. 

Then  there  are  the  lilacksmitb  shop  and  the 
lumber  sheds.  The  former,  where  the  horses  used 
for  teaming  are  shod  and  the  sleighs  and  wagons 


CONANT'S  KESIDENCE. 

The  visitor  to  the  several  departments  of  the 
works  is  impressed  with  the  numerous  operations 
required  to  complete  a  chau',  as  weU  as  the  variety 
of  tools  used  to  perform  the  work. 

Beginning  with  the  pencil  sketches  in  which 
many  curious  and  intricate  patterns  are  traced  by 
the  ingenious  designer,  one  follows  step  by  step 
the  procedure  of  evolving  a  finished  chaii'  with  in- 
creasing interest  as  he  moves  through  various 
buildings. 

The  geuerid  superintendent  of  the  factory,  Mr. 
George^M.  Wilson,  receives  an  order  for  a  certain 
number  of  a  particular  chau-,  accompanied  liy  the 
drawings  made  by  the  designer.     This  is  booked 


■64 


'GRIP'S"  HISTORICAL  SOUVENIR  OF  CAMDEN. 


and  a  slip  containing  the  number  by  whicli  tlie 
chair  is  designated  and  the  amoimt  of  stock  re- 
quii'ed  together  with  the  kind  of  wood  to  be  used 
is  sent  to  Stockman  Pond. 

The  wood  must  be  taken  from  the  kihi.  It  must 
then  go  t'jrough  the  jjrocess  of  culling,  sawing, 
shaping  and  moulding.  It  must  go  to  the  planing 
machines,  the  lathes,  the  saws,  the  joiners.  The 
several  pieces  intended  finally  to  l)e  brought  to- 
gether into  a  chau-  may  be  distributed  all  over  three 
floors  of  the  factory.  Some  may  have  to  be 
steamed,  then  j:)laced  in  a  bending  machine  and 
after  being  made  into  the  form  of  a  crescent  or  an 
o.x  bow  left  to  dry.  Others  may  go  to  the  carving- 
machines  where  the  patterns,  by  a  combination  of 
tracers  and  heads,  are  carved  by  means  of  ma- 
chinery. The  finest  work  in  that  Ime  is  of  course 
done  by  exj^ert  carvers  entirely  by  hand,  several  of 
whom  are  emialoyed  by  Mr.  C'onant.  Then  there 
.are  sections  intended  tor  a  different  class  of  chairs 


from  floor  to  floor  are  finally  stored  for  drying, 
each  chair  marked  with  date  on  which  it  was 
placed  on  that  floor.  When  sufficiently  dry  it 
goes  to  the  poUshers.  Finally  into  the  shipping 
room.  The  ijrincipal  styles  of  finish  are  golden 
oak,  imitation  mahogany  and  sohd  mahogany. 
There  are  the  Vernise  Martin  which  is  the  French 
school  of  gilding  and  hand  painting  and  the 
Marketry  inlaid. 

The  former  as  shown  in  the  work  turned  out  liy 
E.  H.  Conant's  Sons  is  indeed  very  beautiful. 
The  young  ladies  skilled  in  this  work,  who  are 
employed  by  this  firm,  copying  a  pencil  sketch 
off  hand  and  filling  in  the  colors  with  rare  taste, 
l^roduce  hand  painting  in  different  subjects  that 
are  master  pieces  in  this  line. 

T^lien  the  number  of  ehau-s  this  firm  turns  or^t 
is  considered  it  is  remarkable  that  year  after  year 
entirely  new  patterns  can  be  created.  Twice  a 
year  samples  of  theu-  liest  woi'k,  made  new  especi- 


Huested,  Photo.  HISTORICAL  SOCIETY. 

1,  Mrs.  L.  J.  Aldrich,  President;  2,  Mrs.  J.  G.  Dori-ance,  Vice-President;  3,  Mrs.  E.  C.  Case,  Secretary;  4,  Mrs.  E.  H. 
Conant.  Treasurer;  .5,  Mrs.  E.  N.  Manley,  Criiic;  (i,  Mrs.  M.  J.  Strong-;  7,  Mrs.  J.  H.  Gamble;  S,  Mrs.  W.  .1.  Frisbie;  ii, 
Mrs.  B.  D.  Stone;  10,  Mrs.  D.  G.  Dorrance;  11,  Miss  Clara  E.  Curtiss;  13,  Mrs.  C.  A.  Pbelps;  13,  Mrs.  Ella  M.  Conant; 
14,  Mrs.  H.  L.  Borland;  1.5,  Mrs.  M.  F.  Simmons;  Ki,  Mrs.  C.  A.  Wetmore;  17,  Mi-s.  D.  L.  Mann;  IS,  Miss  Ella  Devoy. 


that  must  be  veneered.  To  describe  aU  the  ma- 
chines and  jirocesses  -\vould  reqirire  more  space 
than  is  available.  There  are  machines  for  roping, 
sanduig  and  polishing  and  for  filing  and  griuding. 
There  must  be  boring,  glueing  and  pressing; 
shaping  and  sawing;  eml^ossing,  carving  and 
vaneering. 

It  is  said  that  there  are  .53  operations  to  com- 
Tpleie  a  chair. 

Finally  the  several  parts  are  brought  together — 
assembled  it  is  called — and  the  chair  is  then  ready 
to  be  taken  aoro.ss  the  road  to  be  finished.  Among 
the  numerous  things  to  be  assembled  are  what  are 
not  the  least  important,  the  seats,  which  are  many 
in  style,  notably  saddle  .seats,  rush  seats,  cobljler's 
seats,  ujjhplstered  .seats 

In  the  finishing  department  Foreman  D.  B. 
Fogg  receives  the  wares  that  are  to  be  decorated 
or  perhaps  upholstered.  There  must  lie  filling, 
shellacing,  varnishing  and  polishing.  The  chairs 
come  in  at  one  side  of  ihe  building  and  after  going- 


ally  for  the  purpose,  are  sent  to  the  furniture  ex- 
position at  (irand  Rapids,  Mich.  They  must  lie 
different  from  previous  exhiliits  and  of  a  popular 
and  attractive  pattern.  From  these  samples  or- 
ders are  taken  to  be  filled  out  during  the  ensuing- 
six  months.  F.  H.  Conant's  Sons  usually  send 
about  200  samples  each  time,  of  -which  50  are  en- 
tii-ely  new.  During  the  busy  season  'H)0  employes 
are  engaged  in  the  works. 

The  office  staff'  consists  of  Harold  T.  Conant, 
general  manager;  O.  F.  Dyer,  liookkeeper;  John  K. 
Littler,  shipping  clerk;  E.  C.  Ellis,  assistant  book- 
keeper and  stenographer,  John  D.  Raab,  designer. 

Heads  of  Departments — General  Superinten- 
dent. George  M.  Wilson;  Fmishing  Foreman,  D. 
B.  Fogg;  Machine  Foreman,  E.  L.  Soper;  Boss 
Carver,  John  Dorey;  Polishing  Foreman,  Arthur 
Parks;  Cushion  Foreman,  D.  C.  Logan. 


J.  C.  Davies     [Concluded — see  page  40] 

Mr.  Davies'  public  life  has  been  illustrated  with 
acts  of  conspicuous  merit      Duruig  his  service  as 


'GRIP'S"  HISTOKICA.L  SOUVENIE  OF  CAMDEN. 


65 


dejiuty  to  Attorney-General  Hancock,  -which  be- 
gan January  1,  1894,  he  had  chai'ge  of  all  the 
bnsuiess  of  the  office  which  came  before  the  Court 
of  Claims.  During  his  own  administration  the 
cases  presented  under  the  inheritance  tax  law 
brought  into  this  sta'e  $3,500,000.  It  was  also 
due  to  him  that  an  anti-trust  law  which  his  party 
enacted,  was  vindicated  liy  his  prosecution  of  the 
ice  trust  in  New  York  city,  which,  under  his  re- 
lentless blows,  was  driven  to  dissolution.  In  1899, 
by  vigorous  work  Mr.  Davies  headed  oft'  the  great 
Eamapo  water  deal  of  New  York  city,  a  timely  in- 
terference of  the  Attorney-General,  which  alone 
prevented  the  consummation  of  a  great  public 
steal.  That  Mr.  Davies  never  permitted  party 
prejudice  to  influence  his  official  action  is  shown 
l)y  the  fact  that  after  a  fair  hearing  he  dismissed 
oharges  which  had  been  brought  against  Bh'd  S. 
Coler,  of  New  Y'ork,  an  action  takt-n  at  that  time 
lo  discredit  a  public  man  who  represented   the 


Davies,  died,  and  during  the  eaily  years  of  his  life 
he  was  thrown  upon  his  o\\ti  resources.  He  began 
to  earn  a  living  as  a  messenger  boy  and  grocer's 
errand  l;)oy  ui  Utica.  His  early  schooling  was  in 
a  district  school  in  the  village  of  Florence.  By 
economy  and  industry  he  saved  money  enough  to 
give  himself  a  higher  education  and  legal  instruc- 
tion at  HiimUton  law  school,  from  '\\hich  he  was 
graduated  in  1877.  At  twenty-one  years  of  age  he 
was  admitted  to  the  practice  of  law  and  during  the 
following  two  years  was  in  a  law  office  at  DeBuy- 
ter,  Madison  county,  N.  Y.  In  the  meantime — 
when  in  his  twenty-third  year — he  became  a  resi- 
dent of  Camden,  where  he  very  soon  engaged  in 
an  active  and  profitable  law  practice.  In  1S8B  he 
was  elected  member  of  the  state  assembly  from 
his  own,  the  Oneida  third,  district,  1)}'  1,000 
majority,  running  •100  ahead  of  the  ticket  He 
was  the  youngest  member  in  the  legislature  that 
year.  About  that  time  he  became  a  law  partner 
of  RusseU  Johnson,  a  co-partnership  which  lasted 


Huested,  Photo. 
1,  Jlrs.  Sarali  Ti|iiile,  President; 


PHILOMATH IC  SOCIETY. 
,  ,  Mrs.  P.  B.  MilJer.  Vice-President;  3,  Mrs.  S.  L.  Harding,  Seci'etary;  i,  Mrs.  Walter 
Stoddard,  'i'rrasiirer-;  .5,  Mrs.  William  Stoddard,  Critic;  6,  Miss  Lucy  Miller,  Assistant  Critic;  7,  Mrs.  A.  C.  Phelps;  8, 
Mrs.  A.  E.  Duiiliaiii;  U,  Mrs.  Lilian  Smith;  10,  Mrs.  Joseph  Stark;  M,  Mrs.  G.  L.  Traffavn;  12,  Mrs.  Susan  Cromwell: 
13,  JNIrs.  W .  ,1 .  F.  \'an  Allen;  14.  Mrs.  Wells  Stoddard;  1,5,  Mrs.  W.  B.  Budlong-;  Hi,  Mrs.  W.  T.  Stevens;  IT,  Mrs.  C.  P. 
Harvey  . 


opposition  party.  Mr.  Davies  also  denied  an  ap- 
l^hcatiou — that  had  been  made  jjrobably  for 
political  purposes— to  proceed  again.st  Mayor  Mc- 
Guh'e,  of  Syracuse.  His  most  recent  action  in 
which  he  liegan  the  investigation  of  the  charge 
that  an  illegid  combination  had  been  formed  to 
advance  the  price  of  beef  (in  April,  1902)  was 
taken  in  the  usual,  eai'nest  and  prompt  manner, 
characteristic  of  Mr.  Davies,  which  has  won  for 
him  the  couftdence  of  tfie  people  at  large  through- 
out the  state  and  justified  the  large  vote  which  two 
years  ago  elected  him  to  liis  high  office. 

Mr.  Davies  is  a  self  made  man.  He  was  born  in 
Utica  in  1857,  the  only  son  of  a  family  of  six 
children.  His  great-grandfather  was  a  soldier  in 
the  patriot  service,  war  of  the  revolution,  and  his 
maternal  grandfather  was  in  the  war  of  1812. 
"When  John  was  twelve  years  old  his  father,  Josejih 


several  years  and  which  Anally  became  one  of  the 
leading  law  firms  of  the  county. 

Mr.  Davies  was  a  member  of  the  state  constitu- 
tional convention  of  1893,  where  his  ability  was 
recognized  by  his  appointment  as  chairman  of  the 
committee  on  Eailroads,  and  member  of  the  com- 
mittees on  Rules  and  Legislative  Appointments, 
the  three  most  important  committees;  and  lie  was 
chaii'man  of  the  Oneida  county  republican  com- 
mittee in  1893-'5.  He  is  alw.iys  ready  to  contril  lute 
his  time  and  means  for  local  village  imiu'ovement. 
For  eight  years  he  was  an  active  fireman  and  is 
now  an  exempt.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the 
Masonic  ordei',  the  Odd  Fellows  and  the  Royal 
Arcanum. 

On  Heptember  9,  1890,  Mr.  Davies  married 
Elma  Brown  Dorrance,  the  daughter  of  J.  G.  Dor- 
rauce,  of  Camden,  a  union  blessed  with  four  oh  1- 


66 


'GRIP'S"  HISTOEIOAL  SOUVENIR  OF  CAMDEN. 


JSoirowed  Photo.     THOMAS  ll.  PE.NFIELI). 

dren,  Marjorie,  ten  yeai-s  old,  Gladys,  nine  years, 
John  Dorrance  Davies,  five  years,  and  Enssell 
Johnson  Davies,  two  months  old.  While  Mr. 
Davies  is  as  deej)  in  politics  and  public  affair's  as 
any  man  in  the  comity,  he  is  a  great  lover  of  home 
hfe  and  is  never  Ijetter  pleased  than  when  he  is 
eomfortalily  ensconced  in  his  own  librai'y  or  buried 
in  the  problem  of  hne  fences,  dairy  cattle  or 
l^lanting.  His  home  comprises  several  acres  of 
good  farming  land  in  Mad  Biver  valley,  all  of 
which  is  overlooked  by  a  large  pretty  residence 
standing  in  the  out;-Iiiits  of  Camden  village  and 
immediately  enclossd  by  a  well  kept  lawm.  _  Mr. 
Davies  here  receives  many  of  his  politioid  friends 
who  come  to  him  for  coirnsel,  advice  or  prefer- 
ment, and  none  of  whom  are  ever  turned  away. 
Here  are  oft«n  gathered  his  neighliors  from  the 
village,  or  his  friends  from  adjacent  farms  with 
whom  he  exchanges  seasonable  information  con- 
cerning stock,  the  crops  or  other  farm  matters. 
Mrs.  Davies  often  entertains  hbeniUy  her  friends 
in  the  social  set  of  Camden  in  which  she  is  a 
prominent  tigure.and  she  is  :dso  a  woman  of  strong 
iiiiection  for  her  husband,  her 
home  and  her  children. 

Thomas  Demilt  Penfield  was 

a  native  of  Camden  and  was  iden 
tifled  with  its  history  for  more 
than  four  score  years.  He  was 
honored  in  both  public  and  private. 
At  the  time  of  his  death  he  was  the 
oldest  native  resident  of  the  town 
and  through  him  was  handed  down 
many  traditions  of  its  early  history. 
His  whole  life  was  one  of  activity. 
He  was  one  of  the  town's  most  in- 
fluential citizens,  social  and  genia 
in  every  day  life  and  wise  in  coun- 
cils in  matters  of  public  impor- 
tance. Personally  he  was  a  man 
of  commanding  appearance.      He 


was  a  son  of  Fowler  and  Jane  DeMilt  Penfield  and 
a  grandson  of  Jessie  Penfield,  a  revolutionary  pa- 
triot who   came   to   this   town   from   Connecticut 
in    1803.     Mr.    Penfield  by  trade  was  a  boot  and 
shoemaker.     He  was  born  Nov.  22,  1813.     In  1850 
he  built  his  residence  on  Main  street  and  soon  after 
constructed  the  dock  at  Cape  Vincent.     In   ISSl 
he   purchased   an  interest  in  the  Camden  flouring 
mills  of  Gen,  Lyman  Curtiss  and  became   a   part- 
ner   of    F.    H.    Conant.     In    1856    Mr.    Conant 
sold  his  interest  to  Thomas  Stone,   a  brother-in- 
law  of  Mr.  Penfield,  and  four  years  later,  in  1860, 
Mr.  Stone  died,  after  which  his  son,  Benjamin  D. 
Stone,  took  his  father's  interest  and  since  the  death 
of  Mr.  Penfield,  which  occurred  Sept.  1,  1898,  his 
son,   I.  Stoddard  Penfield  has  taken  his  interest' 
in  the  business.     The  firm  of  Penfield  &  Stone  in 
name  is  practically  unchanged  and  is  one  of  the 
strong    and    rehable    business    concerns    of    our 
thriving  village.     Mr.  Penfield  was  brought  most 
prominently  before  the  peoi^le  of  the  town  through 
his  political  career.    The  corporation  and  the  toAvn, 
also  the  county  of  Oneida,  have  many  times  hon- 
ored him.     He  was  for  many  years  a  leader  in  the 
Democratic  party  and  a  director  in  its  councils. 
In  181:2  he  was  elected  school  commissioner.     He 
served  as  justice  of  the  peace  for  eight  years.     He 
was  first  elected  as  supervisor  in  1851,  in  which 
capacity   at  diflerent  intervals  he  represented  the 
town  for  eleven  terms.     In  1856  he  was  elected 
assemblyman  by  a  handsome  majority.     In  1862 
he  was  again  elected  a  member  of  assembly  and 
as  he  was  a  WiU-  democrat  he  received  the  heai'ty 
support  of  many  republicans.     It  was  diu-ing  that 
session  that  a  b'ill  was  introduced  endorsing  Presi- 
dent Lincoln's  policy  in  abolishing  slavery,  and  it 
wlQ  forever  stand  to  the  credit   of  Mr.  Penfield 
that  he  was  the  only  democrat  to  vote  for  it  on  the 
first  ballot.     On  the  final  vote  he  was  joine  I  by 
eleven    other    democrats.      Twice    afterward    he 
represented  this  district  in  the  assembly,  in  1865 
and  1879.     He  was  also  meniljer  of  the  board  of 
equalization.      In  1882  he  was  elected  sheriff'  of 
Oneida  county  by  a  majority  of  693,  and  had  the 
honor  of  being  the  first  democrat  elected  to  that 
office  since  1.S61 .  He  continued  as  sherifl'during  1883 
-4-5.    He  joined  the  M.  E.  church  in  1836.  For  more 
than  25  yijars  he  was  chairman  of  the  board  of  trus- 
tees,and  on  many  occasions  acted  on  importantcom- 
mittees  connected  with  the  material  improvement 
of  the  church  property,  the  last  instance  being  the 
building   of    the    lieautiful    parsonage.     He  was 


Hoi-rowe;!  Photo. 


THE  PEXFIELD  HOME. 


"GBIP'S"  HISTOEICAL  SOUVENIK  OF  CAMDEN. 


67 


Huested,  Photo.        B.  D.  STONE. 


I.  S.  PENFIELD 


most  geuerous  with  his  means  and  efforts  in  sus- 
taining the  church  in  this  village.  In  the  welfare 
of  his  native  town  and  vUlage  he  always  took  an 
active  interest.  He  was  president  of  our  village 
seven  years  and  was  many  times  numbered  among 
the  trustees.  He  was  highway  commissioner  for 
years,  the  second  president  of  the  board  of  water 
commissioners,  a  member  of  the  board  of  educa- 
tion and  chau-man  of  the  commission  that  had 
charge  of  building  the  new  town  hall,  This  was 
his  last  public  act,  one  which  will  be  among  the 
enduring  monuments  of  his  loyalty  and  enterprise. 
He  was  twice  married.  His  first  wife  was  Joanna 
I.,    daiighter   of  Kev.  Eliakim  Stoddard,  and   his 


his  brother-in-law,  T.  D.  Penfield.  These 
mills  are  the  oldest  industry  in  the  village, 
though  many  changes  in  the  general  plan 
upon  which  they  have  run  and  few  changes 
in  their  ownershifj   have  taken  i^lace.     As 

early  as  the  beginning  of  the  last  century 
a  saw  and  grist  mill  stood  on  the  site  of  the 
l^resent  budding,  or  very  nearly  so.  All 
of  the  land  extending  from  the  creek  to 
Main  street  on  the  east  and  Mexico  street 
on  the  north,  was  then  a  mil]  yard,  includ- 
ing the  site  of  the  Dorrance  block  on  the 
corner  of  Main  and  Mexico  streets,  which 
at  that  time  was  covered  with  logs  brought 
to  the  mill  by  oxen  or  u])on  the  bosom 
of  the  river  for  sawing.  In  fact,  the  begm- 
ning  of  the  settlement  of  Camden,  as  early 
as  1795  or  179(3,  according  to  the  best 
accounts,  was  the  erection  of  a  saw  mill  a 
little  south  of  the  present  flouring  mill,  by 
Jesse  Ciu'tiss.  Just  when  the  original  grist 
mill  was  built  does  not  apjjear,  but  after  the 
death  of  Ehhu,  the  son  of  Jesse  Curtiss, 
Judge  Israel  Stoddard,  in  1818,  j^urchased 
the  property  which  consisted  of  a  grist 
mill,  saw  mill  and  two  acres  of  ground. 
Four  years  later  Judge  Stoddard  and 
Gen.  Lyman  Curtiss  conducted  the  gri.st 
mill  in  the  basement  of  which  Edward  Goodyear 
oai'ried  on  a  distillery.  In  1834  Erastus  Upson 
purchased  the  interest  of  Judge  Stoddard.  In 
1851  Francis  H.  Conant  became  the  jjartner  of 
General  Curtiss,  Erastus  Upson  retii'ing,  and  the 
firm  was  known  as  Curtiss  &  Conant  until  October 
23,  1851,  when  the  former  disposed  of  his  interest 
to  Thomas  D.  Penfield.  Conant  &  Penfield  con- 
ducted the  basiuess  for  two  years,  then  Mr.  Co- 
nant sold  out  to  Thomas  Stone,  which  was  the 
beginning  of  the  firm  of  Penfield  &  Stone.  The 
latter  died  in  1800, and  his  son,  Mr. B.D.Stone,  was 
called  from  school  to  take  his  father's  place  in  the 
mdl.  It  was  not  until  1867,  however,  that  he  per- 
sonally liecame  partner,  his  father's  interests  then 


PENFIELD  &  STONE'S 


The  Old  Mill. 


second  wife  was  Miss  Lucinthia,  daughter  of 
Judge  Israel  Stoddard.  His  widow  and  son,  I. 
Stoddard  Penfield,  reside  at  his  old  home  on  Main 
street.  Mr.  Penfield  was  a  kind  and  loving  hus- 
liand  and  an  affectionate  and  thoughtful  father. 

Penfield  &  Stone,  as  a  co-partnership  name 
dates  back  to  1856,  when  the  late  Thomas  Stone 
bought  the  interest  of  Francis  H.  Conant  in  the 
Camden  Flouring  Mills,  to  become  the  partner  of 


FLOUK  AND  FliED  MILL. 

The  Present  Mill. 

becoming  his  own.  But  the  firm  name  was  con- 
tinued uninterruptedly  down  to  that  time,  and  in- 
deed ever  since.  Mr.  T.  D.  Penfield  died  Sep- 
tember 1,  1898.  The  firm  now  consists  of  B.  I). 
Stone  and  I.  S.  Penfield,  who  is  the  son  of  T.  D. 
Penfield  and  who,  so  far  as  the  name  goes,  repre- 
sents the  senior  interests,  although  his  actual  con- 
nection with  the  business  is  of  much  later  date 
than  that  of  Mr.  Stone,  and  he  is  a  much  younger 
man. 


68 


'GRIP'S"  HISTORICAL  SOUVENIR  OF  CAMDEN. 


At  the  time  Lyman  Curtiss  succeeded  his  father 
an  old  red  mill  which  had  been  standing  on  the 
west  side  of  the  stream  was  moved  away.  A  new 
dam  was  built  and  afterwards  the  saw  mill  was  re- 
moved or  torn  down  to  make  room  for  new  build- 
ings that  were  subsequently  erected  along  the  west 
side  of  Main  street.  The  flouring  mill  which  had 
been  run  for  many  years  was  biirned  early  in  the 
morning  of  September  27,  1882,  the  tire  occasion- 
ing a  total  loss,  amoirnting  to  aV)out  .$10,000,  on 
which  there  was  an  insurance  of  .'$5,000.  Penfleld 
&  Stone  erected  a  hemlock  hut,  it  being  too  late 
in  the  season  to  build  such  a  strvicture  as  they  con- 
templated, in  which  they  ran  during  the  winter 
one  run  of  stone,  using,  of  course,  the  old  water 
wheel  which  was  intact.  The  new  building,  one 
of  the  finest  and  most  commodious  mills  in  the 
country,  was  occupiei  November  1,  188  ^.  Ten 
thousand  dollars  was  the  first  cost  of  the  building 
and    equipments,    although   improvements    have 


1857.  After  completing  his  studies  in  the  Caze- 
novia  Seminary  he  went  west,  being  gone  about 
three  years,  from  1879  to  1882.  Upon  his  retm'u 
to  Camden  he  attached  himself  to  his  father's  in. 
terests.  During  tlie  time  the  latter  was  sherift'  he 
occupied  the  post  of  undersheriff. 

B.  D.  Stone  was  born  in  Camden,  April  16,  1812, 
and  was  educated  in  the  Camden  schools  aud  Pal- 
ley  Seminary  at  Fulton,  N.  Y.  In  1868  he  mar- 
ried Miss  Elma  Berry,  of  Oneida,  who  died  in 
1870.  He  was  married  to  his  present  wife,  who 
was  Miss  Lizzie  H.  Putnam,  of  Saratoga  Sj^rings, 
May  3,  187(1.  Mr.  Stone  has  occupied  sevei'al 
official  pcsitions  including  president  of  the  vil- 
lage and  for  several  years  village  trustee.  At 
the  present  time  he  is  member  of  the  Board  of 
Education,  a  jxisiiion  he  has  filled  hve  years.  Al- 
though a  democrat  he  served  as  member  of  as- 
sembly from  the  third  Oneida  district  in  1877  and 
as  supervisor  from  the  town  of  Camden  in  1869-'70 


Huested,  Photo.  THE  EARNEST  WOKKERS. 

1,  Lydia  Klett,  2,  Ruth  Stone,  3,  Florence  Peck,  4,  Marian  Malonev,  .5,  Fontella  Farnswortli,  «,  Hiiiilali  Stoddard, 
Estelle  Rheubottom,  8.  Emma  Williams, !).  Jennie  Low,  10,  Ruth  Fi-isble,  11,  Mary  Abel,  12,  Carrie  Plielps. 


from  time  to  time  been  added  which  have  greatly 
enhanced  the  value  of  the  property.  Every  means 
for  the  convenience  for  handling  grist  has  been 
adopted.  Wagons  driven  from  the  cars  pass  into 
the  building  where  the  feed  or  grain  is  spouted 
into  the  hopper  scales  and  then  elevated  into  the 
bins  overhead.  The  storage  capacity  of  the  build- 
ing is  10,000  bushels  of  grain  and  250  tons  of  feed. 
There  are  two  runs  of  stone  for  grist,  including 
buckwheat  and  rye  Hour,  and  a  Robinson  portable 
mill  for  grinding  grain  into  me  il  and  feed.  Five 
water  wheels  with  a  capacity  of  forty  horse  power 
are  available  for  use  at  any  time.  The  supply  of 
water  in  the  stream  has  never  lieen  reduced  to  the 
point  where  what  power  was  needed  could  not  l>e 
obtained. 

I.  S.  Penfleld  w.is   born  in   Camden,  June  17, 


and  1882-'83.  His  father,  Thomas  Stone,  came  to 
Camden  from  Salem,  Blass.,  and  married  Brittania 
E. ,  the  sister  of  Thomas  D.  Penfleld.  He  was  a 
cabinet  maker  by  trade  and  at  one  time  had  a  shoj) 
on  Main  street  where  Spencer  &  Adams'  store 
now  is. 

Earnest  Workers. — In  the  autumn  of  1900 
eleven  young  misses,  averaging  fom'teen  years  of 
age,  flred  with  the  zeal  for  doing  a  substantial 
work,  banded  together  hand  and  heart,  in  the  eii- 
terjjrise  to  which  they  pledge  1  loyalty.  We  will 
not  explain  then-  methods  except  to  say  they 
employ  their  thought  in  doing  good.  They  are  a 
busy  company,  and  their  meetings  are  held  once  a 
week.  This  they  continue  until  the  holiday  sea- 
son, when  they  busy  themselves  along  other  lines. 


"GEIP'S"  HISTORICAL  SOUVENIR  OF  CAMDEN. 


69 


all  highly  commendable.  Sometimes  for  diversion 
they  have  a  "picnic"  supper,  to  the  menu  all 
members  contributing.  The  meml)ersliip  is  as 
follows:  President,  Lydia  Klett;  secretary  and 
■treasurer,  Emma  Williams ;  Hulda  Stoddard,  Car- 
rie Phelps,  Estelle  Rheubottoni,  Ruth  Frisbie, 
Euth  Stone,  Jennie  Low,  Mary  Abel,  Floi'ence 
Peck,  Fontella  Farnsworth.  It  is  a  pretty  sight 
to  see  these  interested  girls  employed  for  good 
objects,  and  we  can  well  imagine  that  in  the  future 
they  wiU  be  known,  as  now,  in  works  as  well  as 
words.  There  are  many  of  their  elders  who  might 
learn  lessons  of  activity,  charity,  diligence,  loving- 
kindness,  from  this  little  comj^any  of  "Earnest 
Workers. "  Thus  it  is  that  the  girls  of  our  village 
are  becoming-  adepts  in  many  useful  directions. 

The  Merry-Go-Round  is  a  club  composed  of 
young  women  from  Camden's  younger  social  cir- 
cle. It  was  organized  in  1896.  The  meetings 
Are  held  twice  a  month  at  the  homes  of  the  differ- 


Miss  Ella  M.  Dorrance,  Miss  Bessie  L.  Dorrance, 
Mrs.  Charles  Edward  Edic,  Miss  Mary  S.  Hinck- 
ley, Mrs.  Russell  S.  Johnson,  Mrs.  Myron  Fisher 
Simmons,  Miss  M.  Edith  Wood.  Honorary  mem- 
bers: Mrs.  George  Albert  Frisbie,  Utica,  N.  Y., 
and  Mrs.  Charles  Franklin  Sisson,  Jr.,  Bingham- 
ton,  N.  Y. 

West  Camden  was  first  settled  by  Manning- 
Barnes  who  arrived  from  Connecticut  in  1802,  and 
built  a  log  house  where  for  years  he  conducted  a 
tavern.  Wilburt  his  son  opened  the  flr.st  store  in 
the  village  and  was  postmaster  for  a  time.  Merritt 
Munson  was  supposedly  the  first  postmaster. 
David  Smith  was  an  eai'ly  o-\vner  of  a  large  tract 
of  land  here ;  Joseph  Northrop  also  appears  as  an 
early  purchaser  of  a  jolat  of  land  from  Mr.  Smith, 
which  he  probably  afterwanls  sold  to  Manning- 
Barnes  [Pioneer  Hist.  Camden],  whose  home  was 
the  last  outpost  on  the  northern  road,  beyond 
which  was  a  blazed  jjath  followed  by   Oneida  In- 


Hucstcd,  Photo.  MERKY-GO- ROUND  CLUB. 

1,  Mi-s.MjTOn  Fisher  Simmons,  3,  Mrs. Harry  Wilson  Curtiss,  3,  Miss  Mary  S.Hinckley,  4,  Mrs.  H.  L.  Borland,  .5,  Miss 
Uertlia  S.  Dorrance,  6,  Mrs.  Georse  Albert  Frisbie,  7,  Mrs.  Frank  F.  Dorrance,  8,  Edith  M.  Wood,  9,  Bessie  L.  Dor- 
rance, 10,  Susie  B.  CrimmiQS,  11,  Ella  M.  Dorrance,  13,  Mrs.  Charles  E.  Edic,  13,  Mrs.  Henry  J.  Kitirick. 


ent  members,  and  are  distinctly  of  a  social  nature. 
Occasionally  a  musical  program  is  prepared  and  at 
six  o'clock  an  elaborate  su^Dper  is  served,  which  is 
furnished  by  the  members,  who  are  noted  for  their 
protioiency  in  the  culinary  art.  Twice  a  year  the 
husbands  and  gentlemen  friends  of  the  ladies,  are 
entertained,  and  the  Merry-Go-Round  suppers  are 
events  much  anticipated  by  those  who  are  fortu- 
nate enough  to  have  received  invitations. 

In  this  club  gossiping  is  strictly  forbidden.  At 
the  writing  of  this  article  a  cook  liook  containing 
the  favorite  receipes  of  the  members,  is  under 
preparation.  The  officers  and  members  are  as 
follows:  President,  Mrs.  ,Iohn  C.  Davies;  vice 
president,  Mrs.  Harry  Wilson  Curtiss;  secretary 
and  treasurer,  Mrs.  Harry  Lincoln  Borland. 
Members:  Mrs.  Harry  Lincoln  Borland,  Miss 
Suzanne  Brower  Crimmins,  Mrs.  Harry  Wilson 
Curtiss,  Mrs.  Franldin  Fiiield  Dorrance,  Mrs. 
..John  C.  Davies,  Miss  Bertha   Costello  Dorrance, 


dians  on  then-  atitumnal  salmon  tishing  expeditions. 
Daniel  Stacey  in  1818  erected  a  grist  and  a  carding 
mill  here.  The  mail  was  first  carried  through  on 
horse  back.  The  village  today  has  fine  possibili- 
ties for  mill  privileges,  having  a  saw-miU,  two 
chair  factories,  coal  and  lumber  yards,  stores  and  a 
blacksmith  shop.  Among  the  older  residents  are 
S.  L.  Smith  and  A.  Osborn  a  justice  of  the  peace, 
both  families  living  in  pleasant  homes.  William 
E.  Russell  is  a  jirosperous  farmer  and  dairyman 
and  J.  H.  Taylor  is  the  village  blacksmith  and 
postmaster.  Both  occupy  very  comfortable  and 
sightly  residences. 

West  Camden  Missionaries.— Dr.  Adalaine 
D.  H.  Kelsey  liasapjilied  her  distinguished  talents 
and  ccmtributed  liberally  of  her  personal  means  in 
the  fields  of  tlhina  and  Jai^an.  Her  periodical  re- 
turn home  brings  new  people  from  the  eastern 
countries  who  are  given  lib:ral  instruction  by  her 


70 


'GEIP'S"  HISTOEICAL  SOUVENIR  OF  CAMDEN. 


Borrowed  Cut. 

METHODIST  CHURCH,  WEST  CAMDEN,  N.  Y. 

and  returned  to  labor  in  mission  fields.  Dr. 
Kelsey  is  a  graduate  of  Mt.  Holyoke  Seminary 
and  the  Woman's  Medical  College  of  New  York 
Infirmary.  Rev.  John  B.  Devins,  a  i^upil  of  Dr. 
Kelsey's,  after  valuable  experience  as  a  New  York 
reporter,  became  engaged  in  benevolent  work 
there.  Miss  Arma  Smith,  daughter  of  L.  S. 
Smith  and  a  lady  of  high  attainments,  for  several 
years  taught  in  the  American  College  for  giiis  in 
Constantinople.  Miss 
Carrie  Bates,  daughter 
of  Rev.  Eli  Bates,  is  now 
doing  much  good  work 
as  a  missionary  in  Ivham- 
gaon,  India. 

Methodist      Church, 

West  Camden.  —  For 
twenty  years  this  society 
worshipped  in  the  Pres- 
byterian church  bunding. 
In  1878,  Mrs.  A.  Gil^son 
having  coutrilnited  a  site, 
money  was  raised  by  sub- 
scription and  an  edifice 
constructed.  The  first 
trustees  were  Elias  Chap- 
man, Hamilton  Gifl'ord 
and  G.  T.  Luther. 

PresbyterianChurch 

West  Camden. — This  so- 
ciety was  organized  No- 
vember 5.  1851,  with  six- 
teen members  and  Kev. 
Samuel  Sweezy  as  pastor. 


The  church  was  erected  in  1858.  The 
charter  members  were  Charles  Curtiss, 
Sabriua  Curtiss,  L.  S.  and  Mrs.  L.  S.  Smith, 
Fannie  Gillett,  Sophronia  Gamble,  John 
Gamble,  E.  M.  Higbee,  Polly  Humaston, 
Christine  Lifts,  Harriett  Lifts,  Seth  Rice, 
Mary  Rice,  Daniel  Lifts,  Amanda  Kelsey 
and  Rebecca  Winchester.  The  church  was 
dedicated  in  the  fall  of  1858,  Leveritt 
Munson  contrilniting  the  site. 

The  Historical  Club  of  Camden  had  its 
lieginning  in  188i  with  ten  members.  The 
organization  now  has  eighteen  active  and 
seven  honorary  members.  Our  annual 
season  begins  on  the  evening  of  the  first 
Monday  in  October  and  continues  twenty- 
four  nights.  The  plan  for  study  is  to 
take  some  country,  giving  attention  to  its 
history  and  literature,  with  occasional  essays 
upon  some  popular  or  scientific  subject. 
Four  evenings  in  the  season  are  given  tO' 
some  author  under  the  leadershiji  of  a  mem- 
ber who  arranges  such  a  program  for  read- 
ings, recitations  and  music  as  she  pleases. 
Dm'ing  the  season  we  have  occasional  social 
features.  We  l)elong  to  the  New  York 
State  Federation,  are  registered  at  Albany, 
and  have  recently  joined  the  National 
Federation.  Our  officers  are:  President, 
Mrs.  L.  J.  Aldrich;  Vice-President,  Mrs. 
J.  G.  Dorrance;  Secretary,  Mrs.  E.  C.  Case; 
Treasurer,  Mrs.  E.  H.  Conant;  Critic,  Mrs. 
E.  N.Manlv.  The  list  of  members : — Mrs.L 
J.   Aldrich,   Mrs.    H.   L.  Borland,  Mrs.  E' 

C.  Case,  Miss  C.  E.  Curtiss,  Mrs.  E.  H.  Conant^ 
Mrs.  Ella  M.  Conant,  Mrs.  J.  G.  Dorrance,  Mrs. 

D.  G.  Dorrance,  Miss  M.  E.  DeVoy,  Mrs.  W.  J. 
Frisbie,  Mrs.  J.  H.  Gamble,  Mrs.  R.  S.  Johnson, 
Mrs.  D.  L.  Mann,  Mrs.  E.  N.  Manley,  Mrs.  C.  A. 
Phelps,  Mrs.  B.  D.  Stone,  Mrs.  M.  P.  Simmons, 
Mrs.  C.  A.  Wetmore.  The  honorarv  members: — 
Mrs.  Ethan  Curtiss,  Mrs.  A.  W.  Allen,  Mrs.  W.  H. 
Stansfield,    Mrs.    D.    D.   Van  Allen,    Mrs.    M.    J. 


BoriMnved  Cut. 


I'laiSllVIKlUA.N'  CHCUCH,  WEST  CAMDEN,  N.  V. 


'GEIP'S"  HISTOKICAL  SOUVENIR  OF  CAMDEN. 


71 


Strong,  Miss  Helen  Eobson,  Mrs.  L.  H.  Kendall. 
Mrs.  L.  J.  Aldrich  originated  the  Club  and 
lias  been  its  President  from  the  first.  She  has 
been  an  earnest,  interested  leader  through  the 
jears  of  study  and  her  eflforts  are  highly  ajspreci- 
ated  by  us  all. 

A.  H.  Maloney,  the  druggist  who  has  carried 
•on  that  liusiness  at  the  same  stand  seventeen  years, 
began  in  company  with  Elmer  E.  Sanford  in  the 
spring  of  1885.  Chauncey  M.  and  Theron  Phelps 
liad  a  drug  and  jewelry  store  with  a  line  of  sta- 
tionery and  books,  which  they  sold  out  to  Messrs. 
Maloney  and  Sanford.  The  latter  was  in  poor 
health  at  the  time,  but  was  ambitious   and   indus- 


macist,  a  task  which  he  accomplished  by  hard 
study.  To  make  room  for  a  complete  drug  line  it 
was  necessary  to  close  out  the  other  branches  of 
the  business,  the  stock  of  jeweh-y  and  books  being 
disposed  of  as  soon  as  possible  and  the  available 
room  being  taken  with  the  goods  which  naturally 
belong  to  the  exclusive  and  fuUy  equipped  drug 
store.  Even  then  more  space  was  found  to  be 
needed  and  the  store  was  enlarged  by  the  removal 
of  a  rear  partition,  the  old  fashioned  front  being 
replaced  by  plate  glass  show  windows.  The  new 
business  met  with  that  popular  favor  which  it  has 
continued  to  merit.  A  few  years  ago  Mr.  Ma- 
loney branched  out  into  the  proprietary  medicine 
business,  which  he  has  carried  on  to  a  considerable 


A.  H.  Maloney,  Photos. 

The  Butrance. 


MALONBY'S  PHARMACY. 
A.  H.  Maloney. 
Soda  Fountain. 


The  Store. 


trious  with  prospects  of  a  successful  business 
career  ahead  of  him.  He  was  the  practical  phar- 
macist of  the  new  firm  whose  intention  it  was  to 
carry  out  the  plan  which  his  jjartner  has  since  e.xe- 
cuted,  that  of  giving  to  Camden  an  independent 
drug  store,  a  business  which  at  that  time  was  con- 
ducted in  connection  with  other  lines.  But  Mr. 
Sanford  lived  only  a  few  months  after  the  firm  had 
taken  possession  of  the  store,  his  death  removing 
i'rom  the  community  a  pojjular  young  man  with 
many  friends  who  regretted  the  unfortunate  event 
:as  a  personal  infliction.  This  placed  Mr.  Maloney 
in  the  jjosition  where  he  had  a  considerable  busi- 
ness venture  to  manage  out  of  which  he  also  had 
to  find  the  time  to  fit  himself  as  a  competent  phar- 


extent,  by  judicioits  advertising.  He  has  placed 
on  the  market  several  remedies,  but  has  directed 
his  greatest  efforts  and  achieved  the  largest  degree 
of  su-ccess  from  "Dr.  TuUey's  1180  Prescription," 
the  sale  of  which  has  steadily  increased  since  it  was 
uitroduced  about  ten  years  ago.  Mr.  Maloney 
was  born  in  Camden,  Dec.  25,  1855,  and  that  vil- 
lage has  always  been  his  home.  On  Jan.  30,  1882, 
he  married  Lilian  A.  Parke.  They  have  three 
childi-en,  Marion  K.,  Edmund  T.  and  Mildred. 
Mr.  Maloney  is  at  present  a  member  of  the  l)oaril 
of  education  and  also  a  member  of  (he  board  of 
water  commissioners.  He  was  one  of  the  incor- 
porators of  the  Camden  Opera  House  company,  is 


72 


'GKIP'S"  HISTORICAL  SOUVENIR  OF  CAMDEN. 


Huested,  Photo.       W.  C.  STONE, 
one  of  the   directors   and   lias   held  the  office   of 
treasm-er  of  that  company  for  a  number  of   years. 
He  was  also  a  charter  member  of  the  Royal  Arca- 
num. 

Walter  C.  Stone,  proprietor  of  the  Advance- 
Journal  and  of  the  only  book  as  well  as  the  largest 
stationery  store  m  town,  was  born  iu  Mexico,  Os- 
wego county,  Deo.  27,  1847.  He  was  educated  in 
Mexico  academy,  from  which  iastitution  he  gi-adu- 
ated  with  high  honors  in  1867.  In  1861  he  began 
learning  the  printer's  trade  in  the  office  of  the 
Mexico  Independent,  on  which  piaper  he  also  did 
his  first  newspaper  work.  In  1871  he  bought  the 
Canastota  Herald,  which  he  conducted  for  two 
Tears.  In  Septemljer,  1872.  he  manned  Sarah  C. 
Hosley,  of  Canastota.  They  have  fovir  children, 
Benjamin  H.,  who  resides  in  Camden  and  has 
charge  of  the  book  store, 
Ralph  W.,  connected 
with  the  United  States 
Geological  Survey,  and 
Robert  C.  and  Bessie  at 
home.  Coming  to  Cam- 
den in  1873,  he  establish- 
ed the  Camden  Advance, 
of  which  he  has  since 
been  editor  and  proprie- 
tor. In  1878  he  added 
to  his  printing  and  pub- 
hshing  liusiness  a  small 
book  and  stationery  store, 
which  has  grown  to  its 
jiresent  jiroportions  —  a 
credit  to  many  a  larger 
town  than  Camden.  Mr. 
Stone  has  never  taken 
any  .special  interest  in 
politics,  but  he  has  twice 
served  as  trustee  of  the 
village  and  was  for  two 
years  .secretary  of  the 
board  of  education.     He      Borrowed  Photo. 


has  fo)'  eighteen  years  looked  after  the  inter- 
ests of  the  Central  New  York  Telephone  company 
here,  and  from  its  organization  has  been  a  dii'ec- 
tor  and  the  secretary  of  the  Camden  Opera  House 
comi-iauy  and  manager  of  the  house.  He  is  a 
charter  member  of  Camden  lodge.  No.  370, 
Knights  of  Pythias,  and  a  member  of  Mt.  Par- 
nassus Council,  No.  IISO,  Eoyal  Ai-canum,  iu  both 
of  which  orders  he  has  filled  imiiortant  chau-s,  and 
has  several  times  represented  them  in  the  grand 
lodge.  He  has  for  many  years  been  one  of  the 
trustees  of  the  Presbyterian  chiu'ch,  was  for  fifteen 
yetu's  a  member  of  its  volunteer  choir  and  during" 
his  residence  here  identified  with  its  Sunday 
school  work.  In  December,  1879,  he  moved  intO' 
a  new  house,  No.  141  Main  street,  his  present 
pretty  residence,  which  he  bought  a  year  or  two 
later. 

The  Newspapers. — If  history  can  be  de- 
pended upcm  the  pioneer  newspaper  in  Camden 
Avas  the  Gazette,  estalilished  by  E.  C.  Hattou  hi 
May,  1842.  Under  several  different  o\\Tiers  it 
managed  to  exist  about  six  years.  Others,  nearly 
all  still  shorter  lived,  succeeded  it, the  Freeman,  in 
1862,  changing  ownership  twice  within  four 
months.  In  1864  J.  H.  Munger  estabhshed  the 
Joiu'nal,  which  he  conducted  until  his  death,  in 
1878 — fourteen  years,  when  he  was  succeeded  by 
his  son  Charles  S.,  who  continued  the  business 
until  the  paper  was  consohdated  with  the  Advance, 
January  1,  1885,  under  the  name  of  the  Advance- 
Journal,  the  paper  of  today.  In  July,  1873, Walter 
C.  Stone  estalilished  the'  Advance,  a  four-page, 
seven-column  paper,  the  office  being  on  the  thii-d 
floor  back  of  the  Dorrance  building,  corner  of 
Main  and  Mexico  streets.  The  material  was  all 
new  and  up-to-date,  what  there  w-as  of  it,  but  a 
Washington  hand  press  and  a  small  power,  met 
all  the  requiiements,  and  the  "boss"  and  two 
lioys  or  a  boy  and  a  gu-1  constituted  the  entii'6 
force,  who  were  not  always  rushed.  Little  by 
little  more  material  was  added,  and  at  the  end  of 
five  vears  the  plant  was  moved  into  the  Imilding 
on  Main  street  now  occupied  by  Simmons'  cigar 


W.  C.  STONE'S  RESIDENCE. 


'GBIP'S"  HISTOEICAL  SOUVENIR  OF  CAMDEN. 


73 


store,  and  a  small  stock  of  books  and  stationery 
was  added.  A  year  later  the  old  time  hand  press 
was  displaced  by  a  Campbell  cylinder,  and  during 
the  following  year  a  steam  engine  was  added  to  the 
outfit.  In  1883  the  paper,  as  a  result  of  increas- 
ing business,  was  enlarged  to  an  eight-column 
sheet.  For  eleven  and  a  halt  years  both  the  pi  o- 
prietor  and  tue  town  suffered  fi'om  the  disad\'an- 
tages  of  two  newsj^apers  in  a  community  which  then 
aftorded  and  still  affords 
but  a  fair  business  for 
one,  and  the  consolidation 
in  1885  was  the  natural 
oiitcome.  With  the  com- 
bined business  more  ma- 
terial and  increased  facil- 
ities were  leq^iii'ed,  and 
for  these  more  room  was 
needed.  To  secure  this 
in  July,  1887,  Mr.  Stone 
bought  the  lot  now  105 
Main  Street,  next  north 
of  the  First  National 
Bank,  and  began  the  erec- 
tion of  a  building  espec- 
ially adapted  to  his  re- 
quti'ements  —  the  Ad- 
vance -  Journal  building 
of  today.  It  was  com- 
pleted and  the  office  again 
moved  early  in  the  fol- 
lowing February,  and  all 
except  a  front  office  on 
the  second  floor  is  oc- 
cupied by  the  printing 
and  stationery  business. 
A  half  medium  Gordon 
job  press,  a  lever  paper 
cutter  and  considerable 
new  material  weie  in- 
stalled, and  in  July  of 
that  year  the  paper  was 
again  enlarged  to  a  nine- 
column  sheet,  its  presert 
size.  Something  like  a 
year  later  a  folding  ma- 
chine was  added,  and  thus 
step  by  step  the  enterprise 
developed  untrl  the  Ad- 
vance-Journal has  one  of 
the  best  equijiped  and 
most  conveniently  ar- 
ranged country  printing 
offices  in  the  state.  Con- 
sidering the  large  numlier 
of  papers  published  in 
the  county  and  Camden's 
proximity  to  the  county 
seats,  the  paper  ha-s  an 
excellent  cu'culatiou  both 
at  home  and  in  all  the 
nearby  towns,  and  its 
single  list  is  scattered 
aU  over  the  United  States, 
while  the  product  of 
its  job  department, 
esiiecially  in  legal  and  commercial  printing,  ranks 
among  the  very  best.  Distinguished  as  having 
continued  under  one  continuous  management  for 
thirty-nine  years — more  than  twice  as  long  as  any 
other  paper  published  in  the  town.  The  office  is 
also  noted  for  the  faithfulness  and  long  continu- 
ance of  its  employes.  Not  to  mention  several 
young  men  who,  after  some  ye.irs  of  service  have 


gone  to  broader  fields,  and  several  gu-ls  who  have  laid 
down  the  stick  and  rule  to  brighten  new  homes  or 
bear  duties  and  Irardens  elsewhere.  Orville  A.  Man- 
zer,  foreman,  and  since  1887  local  editor,  has  held 
the  former  jaosition  since  September  1,  1873;  Al- 
bert E.  Gunther,  formerly  with  the  Journal,  has 
had  charge  of  the  job  department  since  the  con- 
solidation— seventeen  ye.ars;  Frank  Colclough,be- 
ginning  as  an  aijprentice,  has  been  with  the  paper 


Borrowea  Photos.       THE 
Frank  Colclouyb. 
Orville  A.  Miinzer. 
Robert  C.  Stoue. 


ADVANCE-JOURNAL  STAFF. 


Ben  H.  Stone. 

Albert  E.  Guuther. 

Bessie  Stone. 


fifteen  years;  and  Ben  H.  Stone,  in  charge  of  the 
store  and  stock  department,  has  occupied  his  ])o- 
sition  nearly  eight  years.  Robert  C.  and  Bessie 
Stone,  the  former  a compositiu- and  the  latter  emer- 
gency assistant  in  the  store,  include  later  acquisi- 
tions. 

The  First  Marriage  in  Camden  was  that  of 
Elilm  Curtiss  and  Anna  Northrup. 


74 


'GRIP'S"  HISTOKICAL  SOUVENIR  OF  CAMDEN. 


Skinuer,  Photo.        CHAKTEll  MEMBERS  CAMDEN  G 

1.  Frances  Park,  2,  W.  3.  Walker,  3,  W.  ,T.  Parke,  i.  B. 

fi,  D.  J.  Yose,   T,  Mrs.  A.  Meeker.  8,  A.  Meoker,    9,  B.  N. 

11,  Mrs.  Y.  Park.  13,  Miss  Carrie  Park,  13,  It.  M.  Rush,  14, 

Camden  Grange  No.  354  was  organized  by 
O.  B.  CJridley  of  WaterviUe  with  W01)ur  Sanford 
as  Master  and  Henry  J.  Walker  Secretary.  The 
first  meeting  was  held  in  November,  1875.  There 
were  thirty  charter  members  of  whom  eleven  have 
continued  for  more  than  a  quarter  of  a  century 
and  are  noAV  [1902]  "in  good  standing"  in  the 
(t range.  [See  list  in  group  of  portraits.]  When 
first  organized  there  was  no  other  Grange  in  any 
adjoining  town  nor  within  twenty-five  miles  of 
Camden  Grange  which  was  then  known  as  the 
North  Star  Grange.  Since  its  organization  some 
two  hundi-ed  persons  have  joined,  thirty  have 
died,  forty  have  moved  away,  and  there  are  at 
present  about  one  hundred  members  in  good 
standing. 

Camden  grange  has  never  been  in  debt  nor  had 
an  empty  treasury.  Fraternal  feeling  has  been 
cultivated  and  the  grange  has  been  remarkably 
free  from  internal  dissensions.  During  the  winter 
months  scarcely  a  week  passes  without"  a  surprise 
or  invited  party  finding  itself  cordially  and  hos- 
pitably entertained  in  some  gi-anger  home.  Very 
many  of  the  best  class  of  farmers  and  then-  families 
have  been  united  in  an  organization  of  real  and 
substantial  lienefit. 

Oswegatchie  Tribe,  No.  306,  Improved  Order 
of  Red  Men,  [see  portraits  of  officers  page  134], 
was  instituted  on  the  9th  Sun  of  Flower  Moon, 
Great  Svm  of  Discovery  404,  common  era  9th  day 
of  May,  1895,  with  twenty  charter  members: 
Emery  Lane,  John  Beckwith,  M.  McClelland,  J. 
P.  Smith,  F.  Becker,  Wm.  Buchanan,  R.  A.  Ma- 
gee,  J.  Wood,  E.  Smith,  A.  Yorton,  R.  C.  Vos- 
burgh,  M.  N.  Stark,  J.  Maloney,  W.  H.  Smith. 
Wm.  Nesbett,  .1.  WiUiams,  Erwiir  Root,  E.  Rowe. 
Otis  Fuller,  R.  Saunders,  Semour  Scovill,  F. 
West  and  H.  J.  Wallcer.  The  officers  are: 
Charles  Lai'rison;  James  Jeffrie,  C  Waldrin,  E. 
Rowe,  F.  Wait,  D.  B.  Fogg,  F.  Hoffinan,  R.  A. 
Magee,  J.  McCaflferv,  G.  M.  Wilson,  Tom  Batsou, 
J.  Lifts,  T.  Yorton.  J.  P.  Smith,  R.  Williams,  F. 
Waldo,  M.  Winkelstein,  A.  Yorton,  P.  Beebee. 


RANGE. 

L.  Osborne,  .5,  O.  C.  Woods, 

Buel,  10,  >rrs.  K.  Sparrow, 

,  Mrs.  R.  M.  Rush. 


Corn  Canning. — [See 

L.  P.  Haviland's  sketch] 
— The  earliest  factory  was 
established  in  1855  by 
Edgett  Brothers,  who, 
ten  years  later  were  fol- 
lowed by  J.  W.  Mix. 
Then  came  Godfrey  k 
Stoddard,  who  in  1878 
built  a  factory  on  Mad 
river.  This  building  was 
subsequently  b  u  r  n  e  d  . 
The  Camden  Packing 
companj'  established  in 
1876  two  factories,  one  a 
mile  and  a  half  west  of 
the  village  which  had 
been  built  in  1874  by  J. 
E.  Woods,  and  the  other 
two  miles  south  of  the 
village  built  by  Stephen 
McCall  in  1872.  James 
Gerow  erected  a  factory 
in  1878,  and  was  foUow-ed 
at  ditt'erent  periods  of 
time  by  Godfrey  &  Stod- 


dard, Pliny  Phelps,  Byron  Phelps,    W.    I.    Stod- 
dard and  Paddock  Brothers. 

Organist. — Mrs.  Phila  Barnes  Hendley  served 
eighteen  consecutive  years  as  organist  and  singer 
in  the  First  Congregational  church  and  eight 
years  in  the  First  M.  E.  church  where  she  is  the 
jjresent  organist. 


i 


*SSSE;ffi>Sfflaj 


B.  H.  Stone,  Photo. 

ADVANCE- JOURNAL    BUILDING, 


'GRIP'S"  HISTOBIOAL  SOUVENIE  OF  CAMDEN. 


75 


P.  C.  Costello,  uow  residing  in  a  beautiful 
house  at  No.  13  East  66tli  street,  New  York  City, 
1  who  is  one  of  the  managing  officers  of  the  United 
States  Leather  Co. ,  of  which  he  is  a  dhector  and 
member  of  its  executive  committee,  was  for  many 
years  a  resident  and  active  business  man  and  one 
of  the  pohtical  leaders  of  the  vUlage  of  Camden. 
In  1873,  at  the  time  Mr.  CosteUo  was  most  actively 
engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  leather,  the  busi- 
ness of  this  firm  had  so  largely  develoi^ed  that  it 
was  found  necessary  for  Mr.  CosteUo  to  remove  to 
New  York  in  order  to  take  j:iersonal  charge  of  the 
commercial  and  linanciid  part  of  their  lai'ge  busi- 
ness. During  the  twenty-five  yeai'S  that  Mr. 
Costello  resided  m  Camden,  engaged  in  manufac- 
turing leather,  by  close  attention  to  business  and 
the  production  of  the  best  class  of  goods,  he 
achieved  a  business  and  financial  success  that 
placed  him  in  the  front  rank  of  the  large  manu- 
factui-ers  of  this  state.  During  the  time  they  con- 
ducted a  tannery  here,  with  the  exception  of  the 
first  two  years,  P.  &  P.  Costello  engaged  in  the 
manufacture  of  sole  leather  exclusively. 
The  lirand  that  they  put  upon  the  market, 
known  as  Camden  leather,  soon  obtained  a 
widespread  reputation  which  it  has  main- 
tained to  the  present  time. 

Mr.  P.  0.  CosteUo  was  born  in  1830  in  the 
Parish  of  MohiU,  County  Leitrim,  Ireland, 
where  for  years  his  ancestors  were  largely 
engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  leather.  He 
attended  school  and  worked  in  his  father's 
tannery  most  of  the  time  until  he  was  four- 
teen years  of  age  when  he  came  to  America, 
saihng  for  New  York,  and  from  there  going 
at  once  to  New  Hartford,  Oneida  Co.,  N.  Y., 
where  he  found  emjiloym.ent  in  the  cm-rying 
Tjusiness.  In  August,  lSi8,  he  and  his  cousin, 
P.  H.  CosteUo,  came  to  Camden  to  look  for 
an  opportunity  for  going  into  the  tannery 
busine!3S.  The  f oUowdng  mouth  they  1  )Ought 
of  Andrew  C.  Bettis  the  laroperty  lying  on 
the  south  side  of  Fish  Creek  on  which  there 
stood  a  tannery  carried  on  by  George  Smith 
and  where  for  many  years  they  eonlinued 
the  enterprise.  P.  C,  P.  H.  and  John  Cos- 
teUo entered  into  a  copartnership  which  con- 
tinued without  interruption  to  tlie  time  of 
.John's  death  in  1850.  The  firm  of  P.  &  P. 
CosteUo  then  entered  into  the  manufacture 
•of  sole  leather  exclusively.  In  1870  they 
bought  the  Bay  State  tannery  property 
Dwight  F.  Morss,  at  WUliamstown,  N.  Y. .  se- 
several  thousands  acres  of  bark  lands 
laid     in     the     towns     of     WiUiamstown 


tannery  was  closed  and  the  proi^erty  was  afterwards 
disposed  of.  During  the  time  Mr.  Costello  was  a 
resident  of  Camden  he  was  actively  engaged  in 
the  public  affairs  of  the  viUage  and  county.  He 
was  regarded  for  many  years  as  one  of  the  leading- 
republicans  in  Oneida  county  and  on  several  occa- 
sions he  reiDresented  the  party  in  town  and  county 
conventions.  As  a  firm  friend  of  Eoscoe  Conkhng 
he  was  largely  consvdted  by  the  party  leaders  in 
this  section  of  the  state.  As  a  member  of  assem- 
bly he  represented  his  home  district  in  the  state 
legislature  in  1859,  and  in  1868  he  was  one  of  the 
Grant  i^residential  electors  from  New  York  state. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  CosteUo  were  married  at  Camden 
in  1855.  She  was  a  daughter  of  Edward  Goodyear 
and  a  cousin  of  Charles  Goodyear  the  inventor  of 
vulcanized  rubber.  They  have  three  children, 
one  son,  Harrv,  and  two  daughters,  Anna  (Mrs.  E. 
W.  Eopes)  and  Bertha  (Mrs.  J.  P.  GiUispie)  aU 
of  whom  are  Uving  in  New  York.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Costello  have  large  socitd  interests  there,  the  for- 
mer being  a  member  of  several  clubs  in  that  city. 


7inrr(>wecl  Photci 


P.  C.  COSTELLO. 


of 


■curing 
which 


iind  Redfield.  Ten  years  later,  the  l)ark  supply 
being  nearly  exhausted,  they  closed  the  plant  and 
-sold  the  property.  Taldng  Alfred  and  John  H., 
the  sons  of  P.  H.  Costello,  mto  copartnership, 
they  organized  the  firm  of  A.  Co.stello  &  Co.,  and 
purchasing  25,000  acres  of  rich  bark  kinds  in  Potter 
■county,  Pa.,  buUt  a  plant  around  which  the  thriv- 
ing village  of  CosteUo  very  soon  sprung  up.  From 
time  to  time  additional  tracts  of  land  were  acquired 
nntU  at  the  time  that  the  property  was  dijjosed  of 
there  were  altogether  5(),()00  acres.  The  Costello 
tannery  was  opened  in  1880.  P.  H.  CosteUo  died 
.at  the  home  of  his  daughter  in  Brooklyn  Decem- 
ber 17,  1890.  In  1893  the  Costello  property  was 
.sold  to  the  United  States  Leather  Co.  The  Cam- 
den tannery  was  conducted  until  188^1,  when  the 
supply   of    bark   having   become   insufficient   the 


Village  Presidents  -  1834-42,  Lyman  Cur- 
tiss;  1835,  Humphrey  Brown;  183(5,  Aaron  Stone, 
1837-8,  1810  1,  Aitemus  Trowbridge;  1839,  1850; 
Eichard  Empy;  1843,  Hubliard  Tuttle;  1844-5-6, 
Jefferson  Coltou;  1847,  Edwin  EockweU;  1848, 
WiUiam  E.  Paddock;  1849,  1853,  Baldwin  Tuthill; 
1851-2,  1858-9,  Alfonso  W.  Eansom;  1854,  1865-6; 
1873-4,  1887-8,  Thomas  D.  Penfield;  1855,  Joshua 
H.  Tracy;  1856-7,  1860,  Ambrose  Curtiss;  1861, 
Ivers  Monroe;  1862-3,  Aaron  Stone;  1864,  1867-8. 
1870,  Stephen  Cromwell;  1869,  1872,  P.  H.  Cos- 
teUo; 1872,  George  Abbott;  1875,  188,1-90,  Benja- 
min D.  Stone;  1876,  Aaron  J.  Stone;  1877,  Lewis 
J.  Conlan;  1878,  John  G.  Dorrance;  1879-80, 
1886,  Eobert  Frazier;  1881,  Edwin  A.  Harvey; 
1882-3,  Eugene  H.  Conant;  1884,  Joseph  C.  Mc- 
Donald; 18.S5,  Egbert  More;  1891,  A.  C.  Wood- 
ruff'; 1892,  W.  H.  Stansfield;  1893,  189(!-7,  Theron 
A.  Farnsworth;  1894-5,  D.  T.  Wood;  1898-9, 
John  Penningtou;  1900-1,  Charles  J.  Williams; 
1902,  James  W.  Stark. 


76 


'GEIP'S"  HISTOBICAL  SOUVENIE  OF  CAMDEN. 


Hucstr.l,  I'lioti; 


MUS.  li.  li.  TUTHILL.     K.  li.  TUTHILL. 


Camden  Council,  No.  175,  Royal  Templars  of 
Temperance,  was  organized  Sept.  9,  1886,  by  G. 
W.  North  and  H.  H.  Gurley.  The  charter  mem- 
bers are  A.  J.  Daniels,  J.  C.  McDonald,  M.  W. 
Wilkinson,  C.  H.  Stearns,  J.  C.  Eaton,  C.  E. 
Kinue,  O.  E.  Kinne,  F.  B.  Harrington,  B.  Phelps, 
D.  A.  Simons,  F.  Skinner,  Wm.  Streater,  L.  B, 
Story,  G.  E.  Orr,  B.  Jackson  and  Dr.  A.  H. 
Smith.  Since  its  organization  here  we  have  lo.st 
t'onr  beneflciary  members  by  death  for  which 
there  has  been  paid  $5,000.  It  is  now  in  a  flunr- 
ishing  condition,  having  twenty  beneficiary  mem- 
bers beside  some  honorary  members.  It  has  a 
nicely  furnished  hall  in  the  Churchill  &  Tibbitts 
block  where  meetings  are  held  Wednesday  eve- 
nings. The  officers  are:  Select 
councilor,  Mrs.  J.  C.  Eaton;  vice 
councilor.  Miss  Mary  Williams; 
past  councilor,  .J.  C.  McDonald; 
chaplain,  Wm.  Streater;  E.  S., 
Nellie  Wilkinson;  F.  S.,  J.  C. 
Eaton;  Treasurer,  Mrs.  H.  E. 
Wilkinson;  Herald,  C.  F.  Ward; 
Guard,  Mrs.  H. Brogue;  Sentinel, 
Mrs.  W.  D.  Towsley;  Medical  Ex- 
aminers, Drs.  A.  H.  Smith  and  W. 
D.  Towsley. 

Executions. — Geoi-ge  Peters,  a 
Montauk  Indian,  was  executed, 
Aug.  28,  1801;  Sherifl'  Broadhead 
on  a  hill  west  of  Whiteslioro,  for 
killing  his  wife,  Feb.  21,  1800; 
John  Tube,  for  killing  Josejjh  Tu- 
lie  (V)oth  Brotlierton  Indians)  was 
executed  on  Barn  Hill.  Utica,July 
25,  1817;  Eobert  Miller  was  hang- 
ed in  the  jail  at  Whitestown  early 
in  December,  1839,  for  the  murder 
of  Barney  at  Utica;  on  Nov.  9,18-17, 
Mary  Eunlde,  for  the  murder  of  her 
husliand  at  Utica,  was  executed  in 
the  Whitesboro  jail.  Pkimier,  Photo, 


The  Camden  Oil  and  Gas  Company- 
was  organized  some  yeai's  ago  for  the  pur- 
pose of  "boring  wells  or  shafts  for  gas,  oil 
and  other  minerals  in  the  county  of  Oneida 
and  counties  adjacent  thereto. "  The  capital 
stock  was  $4,000  divided  into  .shares  of  .$10 
each  with  a  paid  up  capital  of  .$1,000.  The 
dii'ectors  were  L.  P.  Ha^■iland,  A.  H.  Ma- 
loney,  Dr.  H.  G.  Dubois,  J.  G.  Dorrance, 
A.  G.  Wood,  W.  I.  Stoddard,  E.  S.  John- 
son. The  first  boring  was  on  the  shore  of 
Mad  river  on  the  Hon.  J.  C.  Davies'  farm, 
A\  here  the  appearance  of  gas  for  a  time  gave 
promise  of  success.  This  well  was  sunk  to  . 
the  depth  of  1 ,  iOO  or  1 ,  600  feet.  Wells  were 
also  bored  on  the  property  of  Walter  Eden, 
Charles  McCarthy  and  James  Eaton.  The 
returns  did  not  warrant  farther  expendi- 
tures and  the  work  was  abandoned.  About 
$5,000  was  expended. 

First  Murder  Trial. — The  first  convic- 
tion ill  Oneida  (tlien  Herkimer)  county  for 
capital  offence  was  that  of  Syhaa  Wood  alias 
Brown,  for  shooting  her  husl  laud.  On  June 
5,  1798,  sentenced  to  be  hanged  the  29tli  of 
same  month.  On  the  morning  fixed  she  was- 
found  dead,  having  killed  herself  in  her  cell. 

Filibuster's  Trial. — By  change  of  venue  froiu 
Niagara  county,  Onei<la  county  became  the  scene 
of  an  historical  trial  which  resulted  in  the  verdict 
not  guilty,  setting  free  the  prisoner,  Alexander 
McLeod.  Taking  part  in  the  famous  Canadian  re- 
bellion of  1837,  he  on  the  night  of  December  30  of 
that  year  crossed  Niagara  river  to  the  Axnerican 
shore  and  set  lire  to  the  steamboat  Caroline  at  the 
wharf  at  Schlosser,  at  the  same  time  murdering 
Amos  Durfee.  Philo  Gridlev,  in  circuit,  presided 
over  the  trial  held  October  4-12,  1841,  in  the  Acad- 
emy at  Utica.  The  prosecuting  officers  were  Hon. 
Willis  Hall,  Attorney-Generaf  and  J.  L.  Wood 
and  T.  Jenkins,  District  Attorneys  resijectively 
for  the  counties  of  Niagara  and  Oneida.  The 
people  swore  thirty-tliree  witnesses  and  the  de- 
fense fourteen. 


TW77 


^-*-^  -•- 


R.  B.  TtlTHILL'S  RESIDENCE. 


'GEIP'S"  HISTORICAL  SOUVENIR  OF  CAMDEN. 


77 


means  to  defray  expenses. 
At  the  present  time  we 
have  46  members  enrolled 
and  are  continnmg  the 
good  work  of  our  prede- 
cessors. 


Skinner,  Photo.  A.  G.  TIMIAN'S  BARBER  SHOP 

Coburn's  Orchestra.— In  the  fall  of  1877  Co- 
bnrn's  orchestra  of  six  pieces  was  organized  by 
C.  B.  Col)iu-n,  a  musician,  who  had  served  for 
nearly  five  years  in  the  Fii-st  Connecticut  Heavy 
Artillery  Brigade  Band  diu'ing  the  war  of  1861-65. 
The  object  of  the  orchestra  is  of  a  social,  charit- 
able and  business  nature.  In  1892  it  was  enlarged 
and  for  a  year  included  a  !)rass  band.  The  or- 
ehesti'a  has  a  large  repertoire  and  furnishes  music 
for  all  kinds  of  entertainments  including  opera 
house  work,  concerts,  etc.  All  of  its  members 
have  maintained  mutually  agreeable  relations  for 
fifteen  years  and  they  are  always  faithful  in  per- 
forming their  duties. 

The  Woman's  Home 
Missionary  Hociety  of 
of  the  Camden  M.  E 
church  was  organized  Viy 
Mrs.  C.  H.  Guile,  Janu- 
ary 21,  1891,  with  the 
following  officers:  Presi- 
dent, Mrs.  C  J.  Bacon; 
First  Vice  President,  Mrs. 
W.  A.  Stoddard;  Second 
Vice  President,  Mrs.  E. 
A.  Harvey;  Third  Vice 
President, Mrs. A.  Barnes; 
Recording  Secretary, 
Mrs.  W.  J.  Hull;  Corres- 
ponding Secretary,  Mrs, 
M.  Tijiple;  Treasurer, 
Mrs.  B.  A.  Curtiss, 
Twenty  -  five  memljers 
were  enrolled  at  this  time 
of  whom  three  are 
still  members.  The 
work  of  the  society 
has  been  to  look  after  the 
needy  in  our  own  midst, 
to  prepare  and  send  bar- 
rels to  the  frontier  and 
missionary  homes.  Mon- 
ey has  also  been  con- 
triVinted  at  different  times 
for  Ijenevolent  purposes. 
Four  teas  are  held  each 
year    thereby    obtaining 


The   Young  Ladies' 

Mission  Circle  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal 
church  was  organized 
June  3,  1898.  The  work 
is  partly  home  and  partly 
foreign.  They  also  di- 
vide their  yearly  dues  be- 
tween the  Ladies'  Home 
Missionary  society  and 
the  Ladies'  Foreign  Mis- 
sionary society.  Their 
present  home  missionary 
work  is  the  care  and  cloth- 
ing'of  Gertrude  Poppen- 
haggan,  aged  twelve,  who 
is  an  inmate  of  the  Watts  Depeyster  Home  for 
girls,  at  Tivoli,  N.  Y.  The  foreign  work  of  the 
Cii-cle  is  money  which  they  contribute  toward  the 
support  of  the  Harriet  Bond  Skidmore  Memorial 
school,  Madras,  India.  They  also  have  done  con- 
siderable local  work,  such  as  making  comfortables 
for  needy  ones  and  in  other  ways  doing  work  for 
the  Master. 

The  First  Birth  of  a  male  child  in  Camden 
was  that  of  Daniel,  the  son  of  Noah  Tuttle,  born 
a  half  a  mile  soathwest  of  the  village  April  22, 
1788. 


Sliinncr,  Photo.  C.  B.  COBURN'S  ORCHESTRA. 

G    H.  \Villirtm,<<.  Georiio  Traffarn,  A.J.Raymond, 

Richard  Collins,  C.  B.  Cobnrn, 


Misa  Lizzie  Brooks. 


78 


"GBIP'S"  HISTORICAL  SOUVENIR  OF  CAMDEN. 


Borrowed  Photo.    L.  n.  GOODYEAK. 

Lucius  B.  Goodyear  was  born  June  16,  1817. 
Hi.s  pai'ents  came  t(.i  Camden  from  Connecticut  in 
1820.  At  that  time  Camden  was  a  mere  hamlet  of 
twelve  or  fifteen  houses.  The  west  side  of  Main 
street  was  then  in  woods.  Edward  Goodyear, 
father  of  Lucius,  o^^^led  a  small  farm  extending 
from  what  is  now  Forest  pai'k,  on  the  east 
side  of  the  street,  as  far  north  as  Starks' 
carriage  shop.  The  Goodyear  family  then 
lived  in  the  only  house  standing  on  that 
side  of  the  sti'eet.  It  had  previously  been 
used  for  a  tavern  and  it  was  the  first  and  only  loub- 
lic  house  in  the  village.  It  stood  on  the  same  S23ot 
where  now  stands  the  hardware  store  owned  by 
the  Peniield  estate.  The  house  was  later  moved 
to  Thii-d  street  and  is  now  a  dweUing  owned  by 
Geo.  Williams.  When  Lueiiis  Goodyear  was  eight 
years  of  age  his  pta-ents  moved  to  a  farm  consist- 
ing of  100  acres  of  wild  wood  laud  near  Russell's 
miUs.  Here  Lucius  hved  imtd  his  twenty-first 
year  when  he  started  for  Connecticut  on  foot  to 
visit  the  bu'thplace  of 
his  parents.  A  carpet  l)ag 
■contained  his  entire  outfit. 
Upon  reaching  Sche- 
nectady he  took  the  first 
and  only  raih-oad  then  in 
New  York  state.  It  ex- 
tended a  distance  of  16 
niHes,  from  Schenectady 
to  Albany  and  was  cou- 
stnicted  of  sticks  of  tim- 
ber running  lengthwise 
with  two-inch  bars  of  iron 
.spilved  to  the  tnnbers. 
The  engine  and  cars  were 
dra-wn  wp  the  hiU  at  Al- 
bany with  horses.  After 
reaching  Connecticut  he 
taught  school  there  dur- 
ing that  wuiter,  retui'umg 
to  his  home  in  the  spring. 
The  two  following  winters 


he  taught  school  on  Wolcott  HiU.  On  Jime  16, 
1842,  he  mirried  Miss  Arma  Smith,  daughter  of 
Hiiam  Smith.  In  1863  he  built  the  house  which 
he  now  occvipies  as  his  residence.  In  January, 
1893,  his  wife  died  and  in  December,  1895,  he 
maiTied  Elizabeth  Schuyler,  daughter  of  Captain 
Barnet  Schuyler.  Mr.  Goodyear,  not  having  any 
children  of  his  own,  has  taken  and  educated,  at 
ditterent  times  of  his  life,  eight  orphans.  He  is  a 
man  of  means,  which  he  has  accumulated  by 
industry  and  good  management. 

Camden  Lodge,  718,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  was  institut- 
ed Friday,  Nov.  11,  1891,  ^dth  twenty-five  mem- 
bers, viz:  N.  E.  Newton,  Noble  Grand;  R.  H. 
Robertson,  Vice  Grand;  J.  D.  Bm-rill,  Recording 
Secretary;  John  S.  Robertson,  Financial  Secre- 
tary; D.  Ct.  Hubbard,  Treasurer;  E.  C.  Case, 
Warden;  E.  D.  Morss,  R.  S.  N.  G. ;  R.  M.  Rush, 
L.  S.  N.  G.;  Geo.  H.  Abbott,  R.  S.  V.  G.;  Jas. 
W.  Stark,  L.  S.  V.  G. ;  E.  N.  Hammand,  R.  S.  S. ; 
T.  N.  Norton,  L.  S.  S. ;  Chas.  J.  Williams,  I.  G. ; 
H.  J.  Newland,  O.  G. ;  R.  A.  McGee,  Conductor; 
A.  E.  Gunther,  Chaplain;  Hon.  J.  C  Davies, 
Hon.  R.  S.  Johnson,  Prank  P.  Miller,  W.  E. 
Stone,  John  G.  Acklev,  Geo.  L.  Traflfarn,  H.  J. 
Walker,  Alex.  Fmdlay  and  G.  J.  Quance.  The 
lodge  has  at  the  present  writmg  a  membership  of 
sixty  and  is  gaining  steadily  in  nicmbershij]. 
It  has  been  honored  by  the  district  by  making  one 
of  its  members  district  deputy  grand  master,  Geo. 
H.  Abbott,  who  served  in  that  capacity  for  the 
term  of  1901.  It  has  been  presided  over  by  the 
following  Noble  Grands :  N.  E.  Newton,  R.  H. 
Robertson,  E.  C.  Case,  J.  D.  BurriU,  J.  S.  Rob- 
ertson, Geo.  L.  Tratfarn,  Wm.  J.  Hull,  Geo.  H. 
Abliott,  Chas.  W.  Shaver,  F.  J.  Hoffmann,  E.  N. 
Hammand,  T.  A.  Farnsworth  and  Fred  Osliorue. 
Its  officers  are:  Noble  Grand,  Alex.  Findlay;  Vice 
Cirand,  H.  L.  Monroe;  Secretary,  A.  E.  Gunther; 
Financial  Secretary,  W.  E.  Stone;  Treasurer,  Jas. 
W.  Stark. 

Woolen  Factory.  -  This  enterinisv  was  started 
in  the  early  thirties  by  John  Norton.  It  finally 
burned  and  was  reliuilt  only  to  again  burn.  The 
third  was  owned  and  oijerated  liy  C.  T.  E.Huyck. 
It  finally  became  a  x'laning  mill  (now  George  W. 
Dana's). 


SUinner,  Photo. 


L.  B.  GOODYEAH'S  RESIDENCE. 


'GKIP'S"  HISTOBICAL   SOUVENIR  OF  CAMDEN. 


79 


Skiuner,  Photo. 


V.  D.  Skinner. 
RIVERSIDE  GALLERY,  V.  D.  SKINN 


V.  D.  Skinner,  wlio  made  several  of  tlie  pic- 
tures used  iu  this  pul)lieation  and  has  done  excel- 
lent work,  conducted  the  old  Gould  gallery  in 
this  villag-e  in  1893  and  '94.  Afterwards  he  had  a 
portable  gallery  on  Railroad  street  and  in  1897  he 
opened  the  gallery  where  he  is  now  doing  business 
and  which  is  known  as  the  Riverside  gallery.  The 
second  year  he  was  there  he  had  a  partner,  the 
firm  then  being  Skinner  &  Moses.  They  pur- 
chased the  Powell  gallery  that  year  and  when  they 
dissolved  partnership  the  following  year  Mr. 
Skinner  kept  the  Riverside  gallery  and  Mr.  Moses 
the  other.  The  former  has  recently  added  to  his 
line  of  work  an  agency  for  what  is  called  the 
Royal  Oil  color  productions  which  are  copies  of 
smaU  pictm-es  enlarged  in  colors.  He  also  takes 
orders  for  crayons,  water  colors  and  pastels  and 
sells  kodaks  'and  kodak  supphes.  His  Imsiness 
includes  the   sale   of   the   Columbia   and   Edison 


phonographs  andrecords. 
Mr.  Skinner  was  born  in 
Camden  June  29,  1858, 
and  after  leaving  school 
was  employed  first  for 
five  years '  in  Finch's 
furniture  factory  and 
later  in  J.  M.  Young's, 
at  Camden.  On  May  16, 
1879,  he  was  married  to 
Miss  Ella  M.  Cleveland 
of  Vienna. 

The  Philomathic 
Club.  The  idea  of  our 
club  originated  with  Mrs. 
Caroline  Harvey,  who,  in 
the  fall  of  1889,  invited  a 
few  ladies  to  meet  at  her 
home  and  join  with  her 
in  forming  a  literary 
society.  At  that  meeting 
Mrs.  C.  H.  Guile,  wife  of 
the  pastor  of  the  M.  E. 
church,  was  chosen  presi- 
dent and  it  was  decided 
to  take  up  theChautauqua 
Course  for  four  years 
under  the  name  of  Chau- 
tauqua Home  College 
ER.  P™P-  Class.     After  that  course 

was  finished  one  year  was  spent  in  the  study  of 
United  States  history  and  American  authors,  then 
two  years  in  France,  the  same  length  of  time  in 
Germany,  followed  by  a  year  in  Holland.  Last 
year  was  spent  in  studying  Italy  and  America. 
At  the  close  of  the  second  year  of  the  society's  ex- 
istence, Mrs.  Guile  moved  to  Fulton,  so  Mrs. 
Wells  Stoddard  presided  for  a  few  months,  but 
owing  to  sickness  she  resigned,  when  Mrs.  Sarah 
Tipple  was  elected  and  has  been  our  faithful 
president  for  the  past  nine  years.  In  1891  the 
name  of  the  societv  was  changed  to  the  present 
one  — Philomathic"  Club  — and  its  membership 
limited  to  eighteen.  The  society  joined  the  New 
York  State  Federation  of  Women's  Clubs  m  1896. 
We  have  lost  onlv  one  member  by  death.  Mrs. 
Bvrou  A.  Curtiss,'  one  of  our  charter  members, 
aitei-  a  short  illness,  fell  asleep  April  4,  1897.  The 
officers   for   1901-02;    President,    Mrs.    Sarah   E. 


Skinner,  Photos.  CHARLES  McCARTHyS  RESIDENCE  AND  BUSINESS  BLOCK. 


80 


'GEIP'S"  HISTOKICAL  SOUVENIR  OF  CAMDEN. 


Huested,  Photo.    PEKRY  B.  MILLER. 
Tipple;  vice  president,  Mrs.  P.  B.  Miller;  secre- 
tary, Mrs.  S.  L.  Harding;  treasm-er,  Mrs.  Walter 
Stoddard;    critics,    Mrs.    W.    I.    Stoddard,    Miss 
Xiircy  Miller. 

The  Woman's  Missionary  Society,  First 
Presl>yteriau  Church,  is  auxiliary  to  the  Utica 
Branch  to  which  are  committed  all  the  contribu- 
tions of  the  Camden  Society.  Meetings  are  held 
regularly  the  second  Thursday  evening  of  each 
month.  Every  contributor  is  i-egarded  as  a  mem- 
ber of  the  societv.  Fifty  names  are  on  the  roll 
for  this  year.  The  officers  are  President,  Mrs.  E. 
N.  Man'ley;  Vii-e-President,  Mrs.  L.  J.  Aldrich; 
Secretary  "and  Treasurer,  Mrs.  D.  G.  Dorranoe. 

The  Christian  Endeavor  Society,  Presby- 
terian churcli,  diirin.g  its  entire  existance  of  more 
than  fifteen  years  has  lieen  a  source  of  spu'itual 
strength  to  the  church 
and  under  the  present 
otficers  is  doing  better 
"svork  than  ever.  Presi- 
dent, Miss  Bessie  Stone; 
Tice  president.  Miss  Hat- 
tie  Scriven;  recording- 
secretary,  Mrs.  Hugh 
Wa  s  s  o  n ;  corresponding 
secretary.  Miss  Lottie 
Hart;  treasurer,  Miss 
Maggie  McKillip;  organ- 
ist,  Miss   Bertha  Woods. 

Mexico  Street  is  the 

name  of  what  was  the 
main  road  in  early  years 
of  Camden's  settlement, 
connecting  Rome  with 
Mexico,  N.  Y.,  which 
passed  through  Vienna 
village  and  over  Preston 
Hill  thence  uniting  with 
the  "Mexico  Road," 
linown    in     Camden     as      Skinner,  Photo. 


Mexico  street,  which  ran  direct  between  that  vil- 
lage and  Vera  Cruz  on  Lake  Ontario,  passing- 
through  the  towns  of  Amboy,  Parish  and  Mexico. 

Perry  Brockett  Miller,  who  conducts  a  large 
wholesale  and  retail  dry  goods  and  grocery  busi- 
ness in  the  Dorrance  block  at  the  corner  of  Main 
and  Mexico  streets,  began  trade  in  that  store  in 
January,  1898.  Occupying  a  most  favorable  loca- 
tion, a  real  centre  for  trade,  his  business  has  pros- 
pered to  a  flattering  extent.  Mr.  Miller  is  a  vet- 
eran of  the  late  civil  war,  in  which  he  had  the 
honor  of  having  served  in  some  of  the  hottest  en- 
gugemeuts.  It  was  the  troop  of  which  he  was  a 
member  which  participated  in  that  famous  assault 
on  Fort  Fisher,  North  Carolina,  January  15,  1865, 
and  it  was  his  fortune  to  be  among  the  members 
who  in  spite  of  the  terrible  rain  of  fire  and  lead 
that  poured  uito  then:i,  charged  over  the  ramparts. 

Mr.  Miller  was  born  in  Ansville,  Oneida  Coxmty, 
N.  Y  ,  February  22,  18il,  the  son  of  Smith  and 
Lydia  Brockett  Miller.  Before  the  war  he  was 
engaged  in  business  with  Giles  B.  and  Lucius  C. 
Miller  in  the  store  now  occupied  by  Daniel  Crim- 
mins.  On  July  28,  1862,  he  enlisted  in  Co.  B, 
117th  Regiment,  N.  Y.  V.,  serving  until  the  close 
of  the  war  and  being  mustered  out  in  June,  1865. 
Having  the  fortunate  experience  of  passing  through 
the  many  serious  perils  unscathed  he  participated 
in  every  march  and  fight  in  which  his  regiment 
took  part. 

Returning  from  the  war  he  engaged  in  business 
at  Aml)oy  Centre,  N.  Y.,  untd,  1868,  when  he 
went  upon  the  road  as  a  commercial  traveler,  an 
occupation  which  he  followed  for  twenty- nine 
years. 

On  October  18,  1866,  he  married  Phebe  Joes- 
hnrj  of  Catskill,  N.  Y.  They  have  two  children, 
Miss  Lucy  S.  Miller  of  Camden  and  Dr.  F.  P. 
Miller,  a  jjracticing  dentist  having  a  residence  at 
Whitesboro,  N.  Y.,  and  office  in  the  Gardner 
block,  Utica,  who  married  Miss  Harriett  Hume  of 
Camden,  N.  Y.  They  have  two  children.  Britan- 
nia the  daughter  and  Perry  Brockett  the  son. 

The  First  Death  in  Camden  village  was  that 
of  Mrs.  Bacon  who,  with  her  child,  was  drowned 
in  1799  while  attempting-  to  cross  Mad  River  in  a 
canoe. 


PERRY  B,  MILLER'S  GENERAL  STORE. 


'GBIP'S"  HISTOKIOAL  SOUVENIR  OF  C\MDEN. 


81 


Huestcd,  Photo. 


W.  H.  GILES. 


Mt.  Parnassus  Council,  No.  1180,  Eoyal  Ar- 
canum, [see  portrait  of  officers  j^age  13-1]  was  in- 
stituted August  22,  1889,  with  a  charter  list  of 
seventeen  members.  Meetings  were  held  in  the 
G.  A.  B.  rooms  until  April  5,  1894,  when  Arcanum 
hall,  in  the  new  Opera  House  bloelv,  was  formally 
<.ipened  and  dedicated.  These  commodious  apart- 
ments were  fitted  up  with  convenient  cloak  rooms 
and  suitable  furniture  and  have  since  beooine  a 
Ijopular   meeting   place   for  other  societies. 


The 


council  derives  its  name  from  Moiaut  Parnassus,  a 
beautiful  elevation  overlooking  the  village,  and  is 
thus  tvpified  in  nature  by  stability,  beauty  and 
iiromiiience,  which  are  symbolic  of  the  order  it- 
self. While  the  growth  of  the  council  has  not 
been  as  phenomenal  as  the  growth  of  the  order  at 
large,  there  has  been  a  normal  increase  each  year, 
and  1901  closes  with  a  roll  of  sixty-one  members. 

Early  Hotels — Elihu  Curtiss  had  an  hotel  on 
Miner  avenue  which  was  opened  in  1803.  The 
Park  Hotel,  Imrned  June  22,  1867,  was  conducted 
by  Jefferson  Colton.  The 
Seymour  House  which 
stood  on  the  site  of  B.  D. 
Stone's  residence,  was 
burned  in  1880.  The 
Commercial  w  a  s  built 
about  1886  by  John  Ol- 
den. The  Whitney 
House  was  btiilt  by  Moses 
L.  Whitney  early  in  the 
seventies,  who  conducted 
it  for  about  five  years, 
until  his  death.  The 
Empire  House  was  built 
by  William  Moses. 

Fish  of  New  York  State 
— Three  hun(b-ed  and  four 
dift'erent  species  are 
found  in  the  waters  of 
ihe  state.  Skinner,  Photo. 


W.  H.  Giles  ijurchased  the  Baymond  saw  miU 
property  in  1892,  which  includes  besides  the  mill 
with  a  forty -horse  water  power,  about  an  acre  of 
land.  Here  logs  are  cut  into  required  lengths  and 
converted  into  all  kinds  of  material  used  by  build- 
ers for  manufacturing.  Since  Mr.  Giles  came  into 
possession  of  the  business,  it  has  been  developed 
for  the  production  principally  of  building  material 
used  in  the  framing  of  buildings.  The  mUl  has 
the  capacity  for  cutting  up  700,000  feet  of  lumber 
a  year  and  is  operated  both  in  turning  out  custom 
work  and  producing  lumber  to  lie  sold  on  demand. 
Mr.  Giles  has  put  up  dwellings  as  an  investment  to 
be  rented  or  sold.  His  other  business  interests 
include  a  dairy  farm  of  100  acres  which  is  located 
on  the  Taberg  road,  a  mile  east  of  the  village  and 
which  is  now  his  home.  From  1884  to  1892  he 
was  engaged  in  the  sale  of  milk.  Mr,  Giles  was 
born  in  Columbus,  Chenango  Co.,  N.  Y.,  Septem- 
ber 15,  1860.  In  1865  his  home  was  removed 
from  Aurora,  111.,  where  he  had  resided  a  short 
time,  to  Camden,  where  he  attended  school.  In 
1874  his  father's  family  moved  to  a  farm  in  the 
northern  part  of  the  town  and  in  1881  purchased 
the  Cobb  place  near  the  village.  On  November 
27,  1879,  he  married  Ida  M.  Brewster.  They  have 
three  children,  J.  Brewster,  Susan  and  Leslie. 
Mr.  Giles  is  a  member  of  the  Camden  Grange  and 
the  Boyal  Arcanum. 

The  Ladies'  Foreign  Missionary  Society  of 
the  First  M.  E.  Church  of  Camden,  was  organized 
by  Mrs.  W.  B.  Cobb  in  1880,  she  being  the  wife 
of  Bev.  W.  B.  Cobb,  pastor  of  the  Church  at  that 
time.  Since  then  the  wives  of  the  pastors  (with 
but  few  exceijtions)  have  acted  as  i^residents  of 
the  society.  The  society  has  been  active  and  suc- 
cessful in  its  work.  The  names  of  the  present 
officers  are:  President,  Mrs.  W,  H.  Park;  First 
Vice-President,  Mrs.  B.  Gardner;  Second  Vice- 
President,  Mrs.  Catherine  Garnish;  Third  Vice- 
President,  Mrs.  Walter  Stoddard;  Becording  Sec- 
retary, Mrs.  Lillian  Smith;  Corresponding  Secre- 
tary, Mrs.  Hiram  Chapman;  Treasurer,  Mrs.  Jane 
Williams. 


Plants  of   New 

sijecies  there 


York  State — Of  the  flowering 

are    1,450—1,200    herbacious,    250 

Woody  plants  comprise  250  species 


ornamental. 

of  which  80  attain  the  stature  of  trees.    Medicinal, 

about  160  species.     Naturalized,  160  species. 


W.  H.  GILES'  SAW  MILL. 


82 


"GRIP'S"  HISTOEIOAL  SOUVENIR  OF  CAMDEN. 


Borrowed  Photos.  AMBROSE  CURTISS. 

BYRON  A.  CURTTSS.  HARRY  W, 

Byron  A.  Curtiss  lias  ])een  engaged  longer  in 
business  in  Camden,  in-obably,  than  any  other  mer- 
chaut.  He  began,  a  clerk  for  his  father,  Ambrose 
Cnrtiss,  and  G.  S.  Wetmore,  in  1858,  when  they 
became  partners  in  business  where  W.  H.  Dor- 
rauce  &  Son  are  now  located;  and  with  the  exceij- 
tion  of  a  short  time  when  he  was  in  school  at 
Fulton,  has  continued  in  trade  steadily  ever  since. 
Mr.  Wetmore  was  a  son-in-law  of  Ambrose  Curtiss, 
and  they  carried  on  business  together  under  the 
firm  name  of  A.  Curtiss  &  Son  until  1862, 
when  they  moved  into  the  new  block  which 
Mr.  Curtiss  built,  and  which  was  completed 
that  year.  In  1865  Mr.  Byron  A.  Curtiss 
succeeded  to  his  father's  interest,  and  in 
company  with  Mr.  Wetmore,  his  brother-in- 
law,  carried  on  the  busuiess  until  1870,  the 
firm  being  known  as  Wetmore  &  Cui-tiss. 
The  former  then  withdrew  and  Mr.  Curtiss 
is  still  in  Inisiness  in  the  same  place.  At 
the  time  this  building,  the  Curtiss  block,  was 
erected,  it  was  regarded  as  one  of  the  largest 
and  most  modern  business  lilocks  in  the  vil- 
lage. It  stands  at  the  corner  of  Main  and 
South  Park  streets,  a  three-story  brick 
structiu-e  with  a  frontage  of  thii'ty  feet  and 
a  depth  of  seventy-five  feet.  The  third 
door  has  a  large  hall  and  offices.  The 
second  floor  is  largely  occupied  by  Mr. 
Curtiss  as  a  store  room  for  his  goods,  the 
two  front  rooms  being  used  by  the  telejihone 
exchange. 

Ambrose  Curtiss  was  born  on  a  farm  in 
what  is  known  as  the  "seventh,"  a  term 
which  years  iigo  was  first  applied  to  a  tract 
of  country  just  north  of  the  village,  wherein 
was  located  a  settlement  which  in  those 
days  w-as  a  more  important  place  than 
Camden  vUlage.  The  date  of  his  bu-th  was 
March  26,  1803.  He  was  a  carpenter, 
cal)inet  and  furniture  maker,  an  occupation 
which  he  followed  for  some  years.  And 
he  was   also   in  the  earlier  years  of  his  life, 


active  in  local  politics.  In  the 
sirring  of  18-19  he  moved  into  the 
viUage  and,  in  company  with  his 
son-in-law,  H.  F.  Curtiss,  bought 
out  the  business  which  Francis 
Snow  was  then  conducting  in  a 
store  on  the  site  now  occupied  by 
Daniel  Crimmins.  They  enlarged 
the  business  and  carried  it  on  until 
1856,  ^^•hen  they  were  burned  out; 
by  the  lire  which  that  year  swept 
the  entire  east  side  of  Main  street 
from  the  park  corner  to  the  Miner 
block.  When  he  next  went  into 
bvisiness  it  was  with  Mr.  Wetmore, 
as  has  lieen  stated.  When  he  was 
sixcceeded  by  his  son  he  engaged 
in  banking  with  John  B.  Carman, 
the  venture  which,  unfortunately, 
resulted  in  failure  in  1876.  This 
w.as  a  blow,  terminating  an  active 
1  lusiness  career  of  over  fifty  years, 
which  undoubtedly  ha.stened  his 
death,  as  no  one  felt  it  more  keen- 
ly than  he  did.  During  the  earlier 
part  of  his  life  he  served  as  super- 
visor and  also  as  a  village  trustee. 
He  was  for  some  time  jiostmaster 
of  Camden  and  for  many  years  was  justice  of  the 
peace.  Ambrose  Curtiss  married  Polly  L.  San- 
ford,  December  29,  1825.  She  died  December 
16,  1863.  His  death  occuiTed  November  4,  1880. 
They  had  four  daughters  and  one  son.  The  for- 
mer, all  of  whom  are  now  dead,  were  Mrs.  H.  F. 
Curtiss,  Mrs.  Gardner  Preston,  Mrs.  C.  G.  Phin- 
ney  and  Mrs.  G.  S.  Wetmore.  He  subsequently 
married  Betsey  Ann  Brown,  the   weddmg  occur- 


CURTISS. 


Sliitiner,  Photo.    B.  A.  CURTISS'  GENERAL  STORE. 


'GRIP'S"  HISTORICAL  SOUVENIR  OF  CAMDEN. 


83 


Huested,  Photo.    A.  H.  VANDAWALKEE. 
ring  Noveml)er  20,  1865,  who  now  resides  in  Mil- 
ford,  N.  H. 

Byron  A.  Curtiss  was  born  on  his  father's  fai-m 
in  the  "seventh,"  town  of  Camden,  June  26,  18M. 
By  his  marriage  with  Philoma  8.  Wilson,  of  Cam- 
den, November  4,  1867,  there  are  two  children, 
Mrs.  LiUian  O.  Vandawalker,  of  this  village,  born 
February  16,  1873,  and  HaiTV  W.  Cm-tiss,  l)orn 
February  16.  1876.  Mrs.  Curtiss  died  April  3, 
1897.  Mr.  Curtiss  has  interested  himself  in  public 
matters  to  the  extent  that  he  has  served  as  siiper- 
visor  for  two  terms,  on  the  village  board  of  trus- 
tees at  diiferent  times  and  on  the  board  of  educa- 
tion of  which  he  is  still 
a  member.  He  is  Past- 
Master  of  the  Masonic 
order. 

Harry  W.  Curtiss,  after 
completing  a  covirse  of 
study  in  the  Clinton  Lib- 
eral Institute  at  Fort 
Plain,  entered  his  father's 
store  where  he  has  since 
continued  as  a  business 
associate.  On  October 
26,  189S,  he  married 
Bertha,  the  daughter  (jf 
James  P.  Owen.  He  is 
now  sul)-deacon  in  the 
Masonic  lodge.  Seven 
years  ago  he  Ijecame  a 
member  of  Hose  Co.  No. 
1,  of  which  he  served  as 
foreman  the  past  two 
years.  He  is  now  the 
chief  engineer  of  the  fire 
department  to  which 
office  he  was  elected   in 

December  1901. 


A.  H.  Vandawalker,  proprietor  of  the  Cam- 
den Steam  Laundry,  in  1894  bought  the  old  hand 
laundry  of  O.  A.  Pierce  who  was  then  located  on 
the  second  floor  of  the  Newland  block.  Trade 
steadily  increased  under  the  new  management 
until  it  outgi'ew  the  fiicihties  at  his  command  and 
Mr.  Vandawalker  in  1899  leased  and  took  posses- 
sion of  the  gi'ound  floor  headquarters  in  the  Opera 
House  block  where  he  is  now  carrying  on  the 
business.  New  machinery  with  steam  power,  in- 
cluding the  latest  mangles  and  the  newest  machine 
for  smoothing  edges  was  pirt  in.  Agencies  were 
then  established  in  near-by  villages,  including 
Constantia,  Cleveland,  North  Bay,  McConnels- 
ville,  Cazenovia  and  WilHamstown,  and  a  large 
out-of-town  trade  was  secured  by  producing  satis- 
factory work  and  paying  for  carriage.  Mr.  Van 
dawalker  was  boi-n  in  Osceola,  January  27,  1869. 
He  attended  Ives'  Seminary  in  1881  and  was  at  the 
Cazenovia  Seminary  in  1882.  In  1887  he  came  to 
Camden  and  was  for  seven  years  a  clerk  in  B.  A. 
Ciu-tiss'  store.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic 
order  and  the  Odd  Fellows. 

Former  Residents  of  Camden,  including 
many  who  are  native  born  and  most  all  of  whom 
have  made  a  success  in  life,  many  having  distin- 
guished themselves,  include  the  following:  P.  C. 
CosteUo,  capitalist.  New  York  city;  H.  C.  Cos- 
tello,  capitalist.  New  York  city;  John  C.  CosteUo, 
leather  manufacturer,  Buflalo,  N.  Y. ;  Miss  Joseph- 
ine Kelsey,  missionary  to  Japan;  Miss  A.  Smith, 
missionary  to  Turkey;  Stearn  Stevens,  Episcopal 
clergyman ;  George  Upson,  Utica  Saturday  Globe, 
Utica,  N.  Y. ;  Arthur  Whelock  Upson,  author  and 
poet,  St.  Paul,  Minn.;  E.  Clinton  Harvey,  lawyer, 
New  York;  Fayette  Ohnstead,  fruit  grower,  Po- 
mona, Cal. ;  W.  H.  Stansfield,  knit  goods  manu- 
facturer, Syracuse,  N.  Y. ;  G.  H.  Frisbie,  knit 
goods  manufacturer,  Utica,  N.  Y. ;  C.  E.  Conant, 
lawyer,  Albany,  N.  Y. ;  John  P.  Don-ance,  Pen- 
nellville,  N.  Y. ;  Miss  Julia  Ciu-tiss,  missionai-y, 
N.  C. ;  Frank   Abbott,    dealer  in   musical  instm- 


^kinnir.  Photo. 

CAMDEN  STEAM  LAUNDRV, 


A.  H.  VANDAWALKER,  I'ro]-. 


84 


"GEIP'S"  HISTORICAL  SOUVENIK  OF  CAMDEN. 


Boirowfd  Photos. 

C.  A.  WETMORE. 


G.  S.  WETMUUE 


meiits,  New  York;  G.  B.  Miller,  dealer  in   mii.si- 
cal  instiiTments,  Rochester,  N.  Y. ;  fc'eth  B.   Cleve- 
land,   tobacconist,    Buffalo,    N.  Y. ;  .1.  F.  Burton, 
manufacturer,     Oneida,   N.    Y. ;     Thomas   Hume, 
clerk  city  court.  New  York  city;  George  William- 
son, humoi-ist,  Mass. ;  Jesse  Sheapard,    merchant, 
Sherburn,  N.  Y. ;  Frank  Phalon,  Unitarian  clergy- 
man,   Worcester,    Mass. ;  Ezra  Tipple,  Methodist 
Eijiscopal   clergyman,    New   York   city;  Bertram 
Tipple,     Methodist   Episcopal    clergyman.     New 
York  city;    A.  P.  Stone,    banker,    Clinton,    Iowa; 
A.  L.  Smith,  banker,  Clinton,  Iowa;  C.  H.  Truax, 
judge  supreme  court.  New  York  city;  L.  H.    C'.on- 
ian,  city  court  judge,  New  Y'ork  city ;  W.   H.  Tor- 
bert,    wholesale   druggist,    Dubuque,  Iowa;  John 
Stewai't,    merchant,   Clinton,    Iowa;     Francis   C. 
Bacon,    banker   and   merchant,  ^liltou  Junction, 
Iowa;    Albert   Paddock,    lawyer   Clinton,     Iowa; 
ZopherMore,  mining  and  real  estate,  Denver,  Col  ; 
Martin  Cook,  mining  and  real  estate,  Denver,  Col. ; 
M.    P.    B.    Cook,  manufacturer,  Lockport,  N.  Y. ; 
Wm.    H.    Tripp,    lawyer 
and  mining,  Denver,  Col. ; 
C.  G.  Wilcox,   connected 
with  State  Board  of  Ag- 
riculture, DePere,   Wis. ; 
Arthur   Strong,    machin- 
ist,   New    York  city;   J. 
R.       Simmons,      Baptist 
clergyman;    S.   T.    For<l, 
Baptist  clergvman ;  Willis 
T.   Ford,  Baptist  clergy- 
man; Fowler  Stone,  lum- 
ber  mei'chant,    Wausan, 
Wis, ;     Disbrow      Stone, 
mining  and  dentist.  Den- 
ver, Col. ;  John  B.Devins, 
city  missionary  and  man- 
aging editor  of  New  Vork 
Observer,  New  York  City ; 
W.   F.  Woods,  editor  of 
Legal  Advertiser,  Chica- 
go, 111. ;    H.   G.  Munger,        Skinner,  Pliot, 


merchant,  Herkimer,  N.  Y. ;  C.  S.  Munger, 
editor  of  Herkimer  Republican,  Herkimer, 
N.Y. ;  Egbert  More,  real  estate  and  mining, 
Denver,  Col.;  Jane  and  Ella  Jamieson, 
ladies'  furnishing  goods,  Brooklyn,  N.  Y. ; 
Mrs.  Nettie  M.TarbeU,  hail- and  fancy  goods, 
Utica,  N.  Y. ;  Albert  Downes,  Kansas  City, 
Mo. ;  Fred  Voorhes,  Clark  Stoddard,  Wash- 
ington, D.  C. ;  Clarence  Doten,  Washington, 
D.  C. ;  Atwood  Stoddard,  Mich. 

Charles  A.  Wetmore,  who  for  the  pa.st 
two  years   has   been   interested   in  placing 
mining  properties  and  who  is  now  engaged 
in  the  sale  of  securities,  is  the  treasurer  of 
the    National    Security   and   Trust   Co.    of 
Wilmington,  Del.,  whose  executive  offices 
are  at  No.  32  Broadway,   New  Y'ork.     He 
is   largely   interested   in   and   promoter  of 
the  Merganthaler-Horton   Basket   Machine 
Co.,  whose  offices  are  at  No.  287  Broadway, 
corner   of   Reade   street,    New  York.     Mr. 
Wetmore   was  born   in  Camden,  April  24, 
1859,  the  son  of  Giles  S.  and  Charlotte  M. 
\Vetmore.     Leaving  Camden  May  15,  1900, 
to    accept    a    position    with   McKesson    & 
Robbins,  manufacturers  and  wholesale  druggists, 
New  York, still  retaining  his  hom^  in  t^^^  villagg^ 
Mr.  Wetmore  became  identified  ^^•ith  railroad  oji- 
erations  in   Honduras,   Central   America,  and   in 
mining  in  Nova  Scotia.     On  Jan.  1,  1901,  he  with- 
drew from  all  connection  with  the  drug  house  in 
order  to  accept  the  position  of   secretarv   in   the 
North  Coast  and  Olancho  Valley  Railroad  Co.   of 
Honduras.     Among  the  several  mining  properties 
in  which  he  has  been  interested  are  the  Sultana 
Mining    Comi)any    of   Angel's   Camp,    Calaveras 
cmnty,  Cal.,  and  the  Colonial  Copper  Comi^any 
of  New  York,     ^ilthough  his  business  headquar- 
ters are  in  New  York,    Mr.   Wetmore  still  makes 
Camden  his  home,  residing  in  the  house  which  his 
father  built  several  years  ago  and   which  since  it 
came  into  his  possession  he  has   fitted   with   all 
modern  improvements. 

He  was  educated  in  the  Camden  .'-chools,  in  the 
Whitestown  Seminary,  which  he  attendeil  in  1871 
and  187(),  and  in  the  Cazenovia  Seminary  where 
he  Ax-as  instructed  in  1876-8,     Then  he  became  a 


C.  A.  WET.MOKEti  KESIDEXCE, 


'GRIP'S'  HISTOJIIOAL  SOUVENIK  OF  CAMDEN. 


85 


Huested,  Plioto.  OFFICERS  CAMDEN  LODGE,  No.  718,  I.  O.  0.  F..  1901. 

1  Fred  Osborne,  N.  G.;  3,  Alexander  Findlay,  V.  G.;  3,  A.  B.  Gunther,  Sec;  4,  W.  E.  Stone  Fin.  Sec.;  .5,  J  W  Stark 
Treas  •  6,  W.  J.  Hull,  D.  M.;  7,  J.  L.  Storms,  S.  V.  G.;  8,  R.  A.  Mag-ee,  Cbap.;  9,  W.  A.  Budlon|;,  L.S.S.;  10,  Howard 
Monroe,  R.  S.  S.;  11,  E.  N.  Hamraand,  P.  G.;  13,  F.  J.  Hoffman,  P.  G.;  13,  G.  H.  Abbott,  P.  G.;  14,  T.  A.Farnsworth.P.G. 

in  October  5,  1853,  was  a  dangliter  of  Ambrose 
Cnrtiss.  She  was  born  October  5,  1833,  and  died 
October  10,  1896.     Soon  after  their  marriage,  Mr. 


clerk  in  his  father's  drug  store  (now  W.  I.  Stod- 
dard's) and  in  1886  received  a  license  as  a  pharma- 
cist. He  next  became  the  buyer  for  John  H. 
Sheehan  &  Co.,  wholesale  druggists  of  Utica,  N. 
T,.  for  whom  he  subsequently  traveled,  finally 
going  to  McKesson  &  Rolibins  in  New  York.  His 
only  social  connection  outside  of  his  home  circle 
is  with  the  Arcanum  club  of  Utica.  By  his  mar- 
riage with  Miss  Mary  S.,  the  daughter  of  Dr.  Al- 
bert Bickford  who  during  his  lifetime  was  aiirom- 
inent  practicing  physician 
of  Camden,  which  oc- 
curred June  21,  1882, 
there  are  three  sons,  Al- 
bert Bickford,  Charles 
Cnrtiss  and  Donald  Tor- 
bert.  Mrs.  Wetmore's 
gi-andfather,  Dr.  Horatio 
Torbert  and  her  great- 
grandfather, Dr.  Joshua 
Ransom,  both  on  her 
mother's  side,  were  also 
well  known  practicing 
phyisicians  of  Camden. 

Giles  S.  Wetmore  who 
was  for  many  years  en- 
gaged in  business  in 
Camden,  is  now  a  general 
salesman  for  the  Rubljer 
Paint  Co.  of  New  York, 
with  headquarters  in 
Chicago.  He  was  born  in 
Camden,  July  23,  1833, 
and  after  receiving  a  com- 
mon school  education 
became  a  stone  mason. 
His  wife,  Charlotte  M., 
to  whom  he  was  married       Borrowuil  Flioii 


and  Mrs.  Wetmore  moved  to  Amboy,  111.  Upon 
their  return  to  Camden  two  years  later,  Mr.  Wet- 
more formed  a  co-partnership  with  his  father-in- 
law,  Amltrose  Cnrtiss,  and  they  for  some  time  car- 
ried on  a  general  store  in  the  location  now  occu- 
pied by  W.  H.  Dorrance  &  Son.  From  1862, 
when   Messrs.   Cnrtiss   &  Wetmore   had   resumed 


GKOKGE  VANDAWALKERS  RESIDENCE. 


86 


'GBIP'S"  HISTORICAL  SOUVENIR  OF  CAMDEN. 


Borrowed  Photos. 

A.  W.  ABBUTT. 


GEOHGE  ABBOTT. 

GEORGE  H. 


business  in  the  Cnrtiss  block,  the  latter  continued 
in  mercantile  trade,  first  with  his  father-in-law 
and  subsequently  with  his  brother-in-law,  By- 
ron A.  Cnrtiss  to  whom  he  sold  out  in  1870. 
Upon  his  retii-ement  from  the  drug  and  grocery 
business  which  he  conducted  in  what  is  now  the 
Stoddard  store,  he  built  and  occupied  as  a  drag 
store  for  manv  years  the  building  now  owned  and 
occupied  by  C.  A.  &  A.  C.  Phelps.  He  sold  the 
property  and  stock  of  goods  in  1890  and  removed 
to  Chicago  where  he  was  engaged  for  three  years 
with  a  jobbing  house.  In  1898  he  went  to  Mil- 
waukee as  general  agent  for  Heins  &  Co.,  severing 
his  connection  with  that  firm  three  years  later  to 
take  the  position  he  now  holds  with  the  Rubber 
Paint  Co. 

George  Abbott's  Sons  succeeded  their  fath- 
er to  the  business  in  which  they  are  at  present  en- 
gaged, July  19,  1890.  The  firm  consists  of  An- 
thony W.  Abbott  and  his 
younger  brother,  George 
H.  Abbott.  The  business 
comprises  a  general  line 
of  groceries,  in  connec- 
tion with  which  the  firm 
handles  coal,  lime, 
cement,  plaster  and  other 
material  used  by  masons 
for  building.  The  history 
of  the  business,its growth 
and  steadily  increasing 
importance  constitute  a 
lasting  monument  to  the 
business  career  of  its 
founder  as  weU  as  an  im- 
portant part  of  the  busi- 
ness history  of  Camden. 

George  Abbott  came  to 
Camden  from  New  Haven, 
Ct..  in  1850,  the  ye:u-  in 
which  the  B.,  W.  &  O. 
railroad  was  completed  gkinner  Photo 
as    ftu-    as    that    village,       ""  GEOItGE 


and  took  the  position  of  station  and 
ticket  agent,  being  the  first  of 
several  who  have  since  occupied 
the  same  place.  In  1852,  while 
still  in  the  employ  of  the  raihoad 
company,  he  entered  into  co- 
partnership with  his  brother-in- 
law,  Edwin  S.  Dunbar,  and 
Lyman  Raymond,  to  carry  on  a 
general  mercantile  business.  They 
at  once  erected  the  building  in 
which  the  business  has  been  car- 
ried on  ever  since.  It  is  a  large, 
two-story  frame  structm-e  which 
formerly  fronted  Mexico  street  and 
includes  an  addition  which  was 
built  in  1878  at  the  time  the  main 
part  was  altered  to  o^jen  on  to  Rail- 
road street. 

The]  partnershiiJ  of  Dunbar, 
Raymond  &  Abbott  was  of  short 
duration,  the  latter  soon  succeed- 
ing his  two  partners  and  continuing 
the  business  alone  until  1857  when 
he  received  as  a  partner  his 
brother-in-law,  L.  L.  Clarke,  of 
New  Haven,  Ct.,a  merchant  tailor. 
,  TIT,,  .o-n.  This  association  continued  for  two 

vears  under  the  fti'm  name  or 
Abbott  &  Clarke.  After  that,  from  May  1, 
1859,  to  April  1,  1882,  Blr.  Abbott  personally 
conducted  and  whoUy  owned  the  business. 
When  Mr.  Clarke  was  associated  with  him 
they  had  a  merchant  tailoring  deijartment, 
besides  the  general  stock  of  goods  usually 
found  in  country  stores.  In  the  earlier  years  of 
the  enterprise  large  quantities  of  lumber  were 
produced  at  Camden  and  INlr.  Abbott  dealt  exten- 
sively with  lumbermen,  buying  and  shipping  lum- 
ber and  shingles  as  well  as  butter  and  cheese  in 
which  he  was  also  a  lai-ge  dealer.  On  the  decline 
of  the  lumber  interests  the  several  lines  of  goods 
necessary  for  a  general  stock  were  discontinued 
until  he  carried  nothing  more  than  groceries  in 
connection  with  building  material  such  as  cement, 
lirick,  lath,  etc.  About  1871  he  opened  a  coal 
yard  which  still  forms  a  large  part  of  the  business 
now   carried   on   by   his  sons.     On  April  1,  1882, 


ABBOTTS  SONS'  COAL,  LIME  AND  GROCERY  STORE. 


'GBIP'S"  HISTOBICAL  SOUVENIR  OF  CAMDEN. 


87 


Skinuer,  Photo.       L.  HOKNUNG'S  MILLINEKY  STORE. 

Anthony  W.  Abbott  became  a  partner  with  his 
father  and,  (until  the  latter  was  finally  succeeded 
by  George  H.  Abbott)the  name  of  the  firm  was 
George  Abbott  &  Son.  The  retirement  of  their 
father,  (leaving  the  firm  of  George  AbV)ott's  Sons 
to  continue  the  business)  on  July  19,  1890,  was 
due  to  his  failing  health  and  he  did  not  long  sur- 
Yive,  his  death  occurring  Oct.  11,  1890. 

Anthony  W.  Abbott  was  born  at  New  Haven, 
Ct.,  Aug.  2,  1846,  and  was  ediicated  in  the  Cam- 
den schools.  From  1869  to  1875  he  occupied  a 
clerkship  in  the  hardware  store  of  F.  Fifleld  &  Co., 
which  before  he  left  was  changed  to  Fifield  & 
Dorrance.  Later  he  wa.s  a  clerk  for  an  uncle  at 
Port  Jervis,  N.  Y.,  who 
was  the  secretary  and 
treasurer  of  the  Locomo- 
tive Engineers'Tnsurance 
association.  Four  years 
after  leaving  Camden  he 
returned  to  his  old  posi- 
tion with  Fifield  &  Dor- 
rance, which  he  held  until 
he  went  into  business 
"with  his  father.  On  Sept. 
3,  1879,  he  was  married 
to  Lene  B.  Lamb,  of 
Borne,  by  whom  there  is 
one  son,  GeorgeL.  Abbott, 
now  14  years  of  age. 

Mr.  Abbott  is  an  active 
member  of  the  Masonic 
Lodge  and  Chapter.  In 
the  lodge  he  holds  the 
post  of  treasurer.  In  1901 
he  held  the  ofiice  of 
King  in  the  chapter  to 
which  he  was  re-elected 
this  year.  He  is  also  a 
member   of  the  Knights      skimu-r,  Photo. 


of  Pythias,  where  he  has  served  as 

Chancellor  Commander  two  terms 
and  as  representative  to  the  grand 
lodge  and  where  he  is  now  the 
Master  of  Finance;  also  being 
secretary  of  the  insurance  branch 
linown  as  the  endowment  rank- 
His  activity  in  public  afl'aii's  was 
recognized  by  the  Board  of  Trade 
when  he  was  made  treasurer  and 
director  of  that  body.  The  posi- 
tion of  junior  warden  in  the  Episco- 
pal church  he  has  held  for  several 
years,  and  during  the  past  year 
iie  was  elected  senior  warden. 

George  H.  Abbott  was  born  at 
Camden,  Feb.  8,  1855.  After  a 
year's  clerkship  in  W.C.  Carmen's 
grocery,  when  in  his  eighteenth 
year,  Mr.  Abbott  became  clerk  in 
his  father's  store.  In  1884  he 
entered  the  emj)loy  of  F.  H. 
Conant's  Sons  as  shipping  clerk 
and  three  years  later  left  the  jjlace 
to  go  uito  business  with  his  father 
and  lirother,  where  he  became  a 
partner  upon  the  retirement  of  the 
former.  All  of  the  oflicial  honors 
that  the  local  lodge  I.  O.  O.  F. 
can  bestow  have  been  his.  In  1901 
he  was  district  deputy  grand  mas- 
ter of  that  order.  He  has  occupied  the  jjositions  of 
treasurer,  regent  and  representative  to  the  grand 
council  in  the  Boyal  Arcanum.  He  was  village 
collector  and  cori^oration  clerk.  On  Oct.  19,  1892, 
he  was  married  to  Francis  M.  Webster,  of  Pierre- 
pont  Manor,  Jetferson  county,  and  they  have  one 
daughter,  Sara  Abbott,  who  is  six  years  of  age. 

Village  Clerks. -1867,  John  G.  Dorrance; 
1868,  S,  J.  Upson;  1869,  F.  W.  Olmstead;  1870, 
B.  A.  Curtiss;  1871,  Egbert  More;  1872-3,  L.  J. 
Conlan;  1874,  A.  C.  Woodrufi';  1875-7,  C.  F. 
Linkfield;  1878,  C.  F.  Linkfield  and  C.  S.  Mun- 
ger;  1879,  1881,  C.  S.  Munger;  1880,  J.  C.  Davies; 


A.  W.  AISIiOTT'S  RESIDENCE. 


'GRIP'S"  HISTORICAL  SOUVENIR  OF  CAMDEN. 


Huesteil,  Photo.  W.  S.  PECK. 
1882-3,  Fred  A.  Voorhees;  1884,  Charles  W.  Stu- 
art; 1885,  E.  C.  Woodniff;  1886,  1891-2,  George 
H.  Abbott;  1887,  Georg-e  H.  Abbott  and  E.  C. 
Woodruff;  1888,  1902,  A.  E.  Gunther;  18S9  E  D 
Morss:  1890,  W.  K.  Buchanan;  1893,  J  E  Van 
Dyke;  1894-5,  C.  M.  Tyler;  1896-7,  John  K.  Litt- 
ler; 1898,  Fred  Osborne;  1899,  A.  C.  Parke;  1900, 
Ralph  DoTv-nes  and  B.  B.  Johnson;  1901,  R.  c! 
Knapp. 

W.  S.  Peck,  the  owner  of  one  of  the  largest 
dairy  farms  in  the  town  of  Camden,  consisting  of 
200  acres  and  located  on  the  Taberg  road  two 
miles  from  the  village,  was  born  on  that  place 
February  25,  1856.  The  farm  which  is  in  high 
state  of  cultivation,  has  been  In  the  Peck  family 
for  nearly  a  century.  Eleazer  and  his  wife  Han- 
nah Peck  were  Connecticut  people.  The  first 
named  was  born  January 
6,  1793,  and  his  wife 
July  27,1796.  About  the, 
time  of  their  marriage 
which  occurred  February 
16,  1815,  they  came  to 
Camden  and  built  their- 
habitation  in  the  woods. 
The  small  frame  residence 
which  they  occuiaied 
many  years  afforded  a 
home  for  theu-  son,  Daniel 
Parke  Peck  and  his 
family,  who  succeeded 
them  to  the  ownershij:)  of 
the  farm,  until  1873,  when 
the  old  dwelling  was 
moved  one  side  to  give 
place  to  the  handsome, 
two-story  residence  now 
standing.  Daniel  Parke 
Peck  married  Julia  War- 
ing in  1845.  She  died 
March  10,  1881.  Theii- 
children  were  Emma 
(Mrs.  Stephen  McCall), 
Louisa    (Mrs.  Miles  Kel-       Pkiuncr,  Photo. 


lar),  Hannah  (Mrs.  Charles  Kniffin),  Mary 
(Mrs.  Otto  Johnson),  and  W.  S.  Peck.  The 
latter  on  February  24,  1881,  was  married  to  Anna 
C.  Smith  of  this  village.  They  have  two  daugh- 
ters, Florence,  boi-n  July  27, 1885,  and  Mary  born 
January  6,  1889. 

Mr.  Peck  has  spared  neither  time,  labor  nor  ex- 
pense to  bring  his  farm  up  to  its  2)resent  flourish- 
ing condition,  and  there  are  no  farm  buildings  in 
the  town  which  afford  more  conveniences.  They 
are  liberally  supplied  with  spring  water  from  un- 
failing sources.  The  house  is  modern  in  apjjoint- 
ments  and  the  barns  are  large  and  well  arranged 
for  their  respective  purposes.  One  of  them  with 
its  cement  floor  basement  for  the  dairy,  fitted  with 
modern  stanchions  and  improved  conveniences  for 
watering  and  feeding  stock,  with  a  mow  floor 
above,  accommodates  fifty  head  of  cattle.  This 
daii-y,  comprising  Jerseys,  Ayrshires  and  Hol- 
steins,  supplies  milk  to  a  large  village  jjatronage, 
over  a  route  which  Mr.  Peck  started  in  1890.  As 
corn  canning  is  one  of  the  great  industries  of 
Camden,  the  farm  has  largely  been  devoted  to 
raising  that  product,  as  high  as  five  thousand 
bushels  of  sweet  corn  having  been  produced  on 
the  farm  in  one  year. 

Mr.  Peck  is  also  interested  with  Mr.  J.  E. 
Woods  in  the  canning  industry  known  as  the 
Camden  Packing  Co.  In  1896  he  was  chosen  to 
represent  the  toAvn  on  the  board  of  supervisors 
and  he  served  in  that  capacity  for  two  years.  The 
fine  residence  occupied  by  himself  and  family, 
which  is  situated  at  the  corner  or  Main  street  and 
Empey  avenue,  was  erected  by  him  in  1900. 

Oneida  County,  on  February  16,  1791,  when 
the  county  of  Mi)ntgomery  was  divided,  was  a  part 
of  the  new  county  of  Herkimer,  which  was  then 
made  to  comprise  the  tract  bounded  westerly  by- 
Ontario  county,  northerly  by  the  northern  b-ound- 
ary  of  the  State,  easterly  by  the  counties  of  Chn- 
ton,  Washington  and  Saratoga,  and  southerly  by 
the  counties  of  Montgomery,  Otsego  and  Tioga. 
By  an  act  of  LegislatiU'e,  March  5,  1798,  Oneida 
and  Chenango  counties  were  erected  from  Herki- 
mer.    The  former  was  made  to  extend  from  tlie 


W.  S.  PECK'S  RESIDENCE. 


'GBIP'S"  HISTORICAL  SOUVENIR  OF  CAMDEN. 


89 


northern  boiuidary  of  the  State  south  to  an  m-eg- 
ular  boundary  line  running  from  the  southwest 
corner  of  the  town  of  Bridgewater  in  a  northerly 
and  easterly  direction  to  the  northerly  limits  of 
the  State.  The  western  boundary,  beginning  on 
Ontario  lake  at  the  mouth  of  the  Oswego  river, 
followed  that  stream  and  the  southern  shore  of 
Oneida  lake  to  Oneida  creek,  thence  in  a  southerly 
and  easterly  dii'ection  until  by  various  windings 
it  reached  the  point  of  beginning.  On  March  3, 
181)2,  the  county  .  f  St.  La\^Tence  and  on   March 


June  8,  1892.  The  gi-owth  of  this  Council  was 
phenomenal  the  first  and  second  years  of  its  exis- 
tence. Degree  work  was  participated  in  on  every 
meeting  night.  Sometimes  the  whole  three  de- 
grees were  conferred  upon  classes  ranging  fiom 
two  to  eight  candidates  in  a  sing  e  evening.  The 
Council  gi'ew  to  such  large  numbers  that  in  June, 
1894,  rooms  were  fitted  up  in  the  Ciu-tiss  block 
where  it  remained  until  June,  1901,  when  it  re- 
moved to  its  present  quarters,  in  the  ChurchUl  & 
Tibbitts  block.     The  foUowing  were  charter  mem- 


Skinner,  Pbotos, 

Crack  Farm  Horses. 

Star  liutlrr  Milkers. 

Great  Milk  I'loducers. 

28,  1805,  the  counties  of  Jefferson  and  Lewis  were 
erected  fi'om  Oneida  county.  The  last  legislative 
enactment  completing  the  present  boundaries  of 
Oneida  county  was  passed  May  12,  1846,  forming 
the  town  of  Ava  out  of  the  to"ivn  of  Boonevihe. 

The   O.    U.   A.   M.  [See    group    of     officers, 
page  149.  J — Camden  Council  No.  65,  was  organized 


THE  PECK  HOMESTEAD. 
Farm  llcsidcnco. 


Ayrsbires  and  Jerseys. 

Hiyh  Grade  Jerseys. 

Holsteins. 


bers:  Aaron  A.  Raymond,  John  E.  HalstaacI, 
Charles  F.  Ward,  R.  H.  Gardner,  W.  R.  Halstead, 
Joseph  A.  Hull,  Gilbert  Quance,  A.  McCarthy , 
L.  B.  Ward,  John  Wood,  G.  H.  Rush,  Frank 
Miiyer,  Emory  Diine,  A.  B.  Moyer,  O.  C.  Doyle, 
W.'A.  Rowell,  James  H.  Miller,  George  W.  Dana, 
Byron  Franklin,  Frankhn  Skinner,  Will  M.  Pond, 
James  W.  Stark. 


90 


'GEIP'S"  HISTOBICAL  SOUVENIE  OF  CAMDEN. 


Borrowed  t'lit. 


L.  P.  HAVILAND'S  RESTnENCE. 


all  done  three  hun- 
dred and  fifty  hands 
are  employed  at  this 
iactory.  The  three 
store  honses  cou- 
nected  with  it,  hav- 
ing an  aggregate  ca- 
pacity for  35,000 
cases,  which  is  840,- 
000  cans,  are  then 
filled  to  siipjjly  the 
trade  dviring  the  en- 
suing year,  besides 
what  cans  are  sent 
out  to  meet  the  im- 
mediate demand. 
The  factory  is 
equipped  for  the 
manufacture  of  all 
the  cans  that  are 
used,  from  stamping 
them  out  of  the  sheet 
tin  to  putting  on  the 
finishing  touches. 
The  jirocess  of  can- 
ning, little  known  to 
the  public,  is  inter- 
esting. The  corn  is 
deliyered  at  the  fac- 


L.  P.  Haviland's  canning  business  was  devel- 
oped from  a  small  plant  which  had  its  beginning 
as  far  back  as  1866.  At  that  time  Mr.  James  A 
Day  erected  the  building  which  now  forms  a  part 
of  the  i^resent  factory.  He  carried  on  canning 
until  1870  when  he  disposed  of  the  business  to 
John  W.  Mix.  In  1881  it  feU  into  the  hands  of 
Phelps  Bros,  who  ran  it  for  about  three  years. 
Mr.  Hayiland  came  to  Camden  from  New  York 
and  took  possession  of 
the  plant  m  1888.  In  the 
outset  under  his  man- 
agement the  product  of 
the  factory  consisted  of 
canned  fruit  and  vegeta- 
bles. It  was  demon- 
strated, however,  that  the 
soil  about  Camden  was 
especially  favorable  for 
raising  sweet  corn,  so  as 
fast  as  Mr.  Haviland  could 
contract  for  increased 
acreage,  the  resoiu'ces  of 
the  jjlant  wei'e  lai'gely 
devoted  to  caiming  corn. 
A  considerable  quantity 
of  beans  are  also  put  up, 
the  principal  jsart  of 
which  are  the  sti'ings. 
The  goods  that  go  out 
fi'om  this  factory  are  sold 
through  the  large  job- 
bers, principally  in  New 
York  city  and  to  a  con- 
siderable extent  in  other 
parts  of  the  country.  The 
average  annual  produc- 
tion is  about  a  million 
cans.  There  are  several 
brands  all  of  which  find  a 
ready  market.  There  is 
also  an  export  trade  for 
these  goods.  Din-ing  Ju- 
ly, Aiigust  and  Septem- 
ber  when  the  canning  is 


tory  and  weighed  in  husks  which  are  stripjjed  ott'  1  )y 
hand.  The  percentage  of  weight  for  the  corn  out 
of  the  husks  is  obtained  for  each  grower's  crop  by 
sample.  Machines  ciit  the  corn  from  the  colj  and 
it  then  goes  into  a  "silker"  which  sifts  the  corn 
from  liits  of  col)  and  husks  and  cleans  out  the  silk. 
From  the  vat  where  the  com  is  cooked  by  a  heat 
of  200  degrees,  it  jjasses  into  the  cans  fiUmg  them 
at  the  rate  of  68  a  minute.  The  cans  carried  along 
on   an   endless   chain   ai'e   soldered  and  sealed  by 


Skinner,  Photos. 


HAVILAND'S  CANNING  FACTORY. 
Factory  Bnildins.    Ollice. 


'GBIP'S"  HISTORICAL  SOUVENIR  OF  CAMDEN. 


91 


Borrowed  Photo. 


E.  W.  FISHS  KESIUENCE. 


macliinerY.  Those  imperfectly  sealed  are  sorted 
■out.  The  others  are  jailed  iu  metal  crates  and 
placed  in  large,  tightly  closed  steam  retorts  where 
they  are  kept  for  an  hour  in  a  temperatui-e  of  248 
•degrees.  On  coming  from  the  retorts  the  cans  are 
•cooled  and  packed  away  ready  for  labeling. 

Schools,  their  Origin. — The  first  in  the  State 
•was  opened  iu  New  Amsterdam  in  1633  by  Adam 
Borlaudsen.  In  1702  the  pro'i'ince  ajiproi^riated 
:.f2.50  per  annum  for  a  gi'ammar  school  in  New 
York.  In  1732  a  free  school  was  endowed  with 
$200  per  annum  for  five  years,  providing  for  ten 
scholars  from  New  York,  two  from  Albany  and  one 
•each  from  the  other  countie°.  This  was  the  germ 
■of  Columbia  College.  In  174;3  at  Cherry  VaUey, 
the  first  grammar  school  ui  the  State  west  of  Al- 
laany  was  estabUshed  by  Rev.   Dunlap.     In  17-16 


and  1756  money  was  raised  by  lottery  to  estabhsh 
a  college  in  New  York.  In  175-1  Kings  (Columbia) 
college  was  chartered.  In  1795  the  common 
school  system  was  established  and  .$50,000  annu- 
ally provided  therefor.  In  1801  four  lotteries  were 
estabhshed  to  raise,  each,  $25,000.  This  was  the 
foundation  of  the  literature  and  common  school 
fund.  In  1805  the  net  proceeds  of  500,000  acres  of 
pubhc  lands  and  3,000  shares  of  bank  stock  were 
appropriated  as  a  fund  for  the  use  of  the  common 
schook  to  accumulate  until  the  interest  should 
amount  to  $50,000  jser  annum,  which  was  then  to 
be  distributed  as  the  legislature  should  direct.  In 
1811  preparatory  measures,  and  in  1812,  final  ac- 
tion were  taken  to  organize  the  school  system.  In 
1H13  Gideon  Hawley  was  appointed  superintendent 
of  the  common  schools,  the  beginning  of  the  pres- 
ent system  of  jjubhc  schools. 


liorroweii  Photo 


KDHEKT  HUMXEICS  liESIDENCE. 


92 


'GRIP'S"  HISTORICAX,  SOUVENIR  OF  CAMDEN. 


Huested,  Photo.    S.  G.  McKILLIP. 

S.  G.  McKillip,  whose  success  as  a  farmer 
Jairvman  has  been  fairly  earned  through  his  nn- 
tu-ing  industry  and  careful,  painstaldng  manage- 
ment of  small  property  interests  which  he  in- 
creased as  fast  as  his  well  husbanded  resources 
permitted,  was  born  in  Kii-kcutbrightshire,  village 
of  Rhonehouse,  Scotland,  November  11,  1836. 
His  father  was  what  is  known  in  that  country  as  a 
trafficker;  that  is,  one  whobiays  and  sells  produce, 
his  dealings  being  largely  in  farmers'  produce 
which  he  bought  for  the  Liveri^ool  market. 
Through  a  friend  of  his  mother,  a  youQg  woman 
who  lived  in  the  town  of  Florence,  Mr.  S.  G.  Mc- 
Killip's  parent.s  had  theii'  attention  attracted  to 
this  part  of  the  State.  On  August  12,  18i9  they 
landed  in  New  York,  whence  they  at  once  came  to 
Florence  and  settled  on  a  small  farm  of  which  the 
elder  McKillip  forthwith  V)ecame  the  owner. 
Afterwards  he  purchased  a  farm  of  52  acres  on 
AVolcott  Hill  in  the  town  of  Camden,  which  sub- 
sequently passed  into  the 
hands  of  his  son.  The 
latter  upon  his  maiTiage 
with  ElizabethMcFerren, 
March  1,  1865,  took  pos- 
session of  the  place  which 
then  comprised  65  acres, 
Mr.  McKillij)  was  a  good 
ilau'vman  and  a  careful 
manager  and,  in  the  fall 
of  1888  when  he  disposed 
of  the  place  to  make  his 
home  on  a  small  farm 
which  he  had  bought 
near  the  -^dllage  of  Cam- 
den, it  included  130  acres 
and  was  a  first  class  dairy 
farm.  No  small  sum  of 
money  had  been  spent  m 
improving  the  buildings 
and  the  dairy  had  l)een 
brought  up  to  a  highly 
productive  c  o  n  d  ition. 
After      leaving     Wolcott       Borrowed  Pboto. 


Hill  Mr.  McKillip  bought  and  sold  farming- 
property  near  Camden  with  fair  profits  on  his  in- 
vestments. At  that  time  there  was  a  demand  for" 
lumber  at  the  furniture  factories  and  for  bark  at 
the  tanneries  at  home.  He  bought  tracts  of 
Avoodland  for  the  lumber  and  bark  which  he 
largely  cut  down  with  his  own  hands,  and  which 
proved  i^rofitable  investments.  In  1896  he  erected 
the  pretty  dwelling  on  Osw^ego  street  where  he 
now  resides,  and  in  the  fall  of  that  year  moved 
into  it.  For  the  past  fourteen  years  he  has  been 
in  the  employ  of  L.  P.  Havilaud,  making  eon- 
tracts  with  the  farmers  for  the  sujjplies  for  Havi- 
land's  cnnning  factory,  inspecting  the  crops  and 
re|.orting  estimates  of  the  harvest  and  making' 
himself  otherwise  useful  to  that  institirtion.  In 
his  earlier  years  Mr.  McKillip  was  an  active  Re- 
publican worker  in  his  district.  Owing  to  his 
knowledge  of  real  estate  valuations  he  was  selected 
as  one  of  the  State  appraisers  to  determine  the 
value  of  public  proijerty  A\hieh,  under  the  old 
State  lunacy  law,  taking  the  care  of  the  insane  out 
of  the  hands  of  counties,  was  to  be  [laid  for  liy  the 
State.  In  1897.  when  the  Board  of  Sujiervisors 
of  Lewis  County  appointed  a  compromise  com- 
mission on  equalization  for  the  towns  of  that 
county,  Mr.  McKilhp  was  selected  as  one  of  the 
number,  a  position  he  filled  for  the  term  of  three 
yeai's,  receiving  in  1901  a  reapiaointment  for  the 
second  term.  Mr.  McKiUip  since  becoming  a 
resident  of  the  ^dllage  has  shown  an  interest  in  its 
welfare  m  many  ways,  at  one  time  serving  as  a 
member  of  the  board  of  trustees,  and  at  another 
time  as  a  water  commissioner  for  three  years. 
Becoming  identified  with  the  Presbyterian  cliureh 
he  has  contril)uted  according  to  his  means  to  its 
support.  Of  five  children,  Margaret  is  the  only 
one  now  living.  Mrs.  C.  M.  Letts,  a  sister  of  Mr. 
McKillip,  resides  in  Camden.  Their  father  died 
at  Glens  Falls  in  1900  and  their  mother  at  Cam- 
den in  1877. 

Population  U.  S.  Cities  {above  200,r00).— 
New  York,  3,f:37,202,  CUiicago,  1,698,575,  Philadel- 
phia, Pa.  1,293,697,  St.  Louis,  Mo.  575,238,  Bos- 
ton, Mass.  560,892,  Baltimore,  Md.  508,957,  Cleve- 
land, O.  381,768,  Buffalo,  N.  Y.  352,387,  S.an 
Francisco,  Cal.   312,782,    Cincinnati,   O.    325,902. 


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W.  E.  STONE'S  RESIDENCE. 


'GEIP'S"  HISTORICAL  SOUVENIR  OF  CAMDEN. 


93 


Huested,  Photos. 

CHARLES  E.  OKR. 


RICHARD  H.  GARDNER. 


Pittsburg,  Pa.  321,616,  New  Orleans,  La.  287,104- 
Deti-oit,  Mich.  285,701:,  Milwaukee,  Wis.  285,31.5, 
Washington.  D.  C.  278,718,  Newark,  N.  J.  240,070, 
Jersey  City,  N.  J.  20(j,l:33,  Louisville,  Ky.  20i,731, 
Minneapolis,  Minn.  202,718. 

Orr  &  Gardner  formed,  the  co-partnershiji  for 
dealing  in  farmers'  supplies,  such  as  flour,  feed, 
provisions,  farm  implements,  wood,  salt,  etc.,  in 
the  spring  of  1901.  They  bought  of  C.  M.  Tib- 
betts  on  Masonic  avenue  a  tract  of  ground  extend- 
ing eleven  rods  along  the  street  and  sixteen  rods 
along  the  raih'oad  and  having  a  depth  of  from  100 
to  150  feet.  They  first  erected  a  store  house  28x 
68  feet.  This  was  in  June,  1901.  In  July  they 
erected  in  the  rear  a  building  30x40  feet  which 
they  equipped  with  the  latest  Noyes  six -roll  feed 
mUl  capable  of  grinding  into  feed  four  tons  of 
grain  an  hoiu'.  Before 
the  close  of  the  year  they 
had  installed  in  a  new 
engine  house,  18x31  feet, 
a  forty-horse  power 
engine  and  fifty -horse 
power  boiler. 

The  growth  of  their 
business  was  such  as  de- 
manded, at  once,  facilities 
for  handling  grain  in  the 
most  exjjeditious  manner. 
The  fai'mers  soon  learned 
that  anything  they  had 
to  dispose  of  could  br 
exchanged  with  Orr  ct 
Gardner,  and  their  jjlace 
soon  became  knoA\u  for 
miles  around  Camden  as 
the  Farmers'  Exchange, 
the  name  they  fortliwitli 
adopted  and  had  painted 
upon   their  buildings. 

In  the  rear  is  a  side 
track  180  feet  long  which 


enables  them  to  load  or  unload  cars  direct 
with  the  mm.  A  steam  elevator  lifts  to  the 
upiier  floor  where  there  are  sixteen  bins  each 
of  Avhieh  connects  with  the  hopper  by 
means  of  a  shute.  The  miller  without  leav- 
ing his  post,  liy  drawing  a  slide,  opens 
any  of  the  bins  he  may  deshe.  By  means 
of  a  lever  he  can  adjust  the  roUs  instantly 
so  as  to  grind  into  the  finest  meal  or  the 
coarsest  feed. 

The  api^roach  to  the  mUl  leads  to  a  large 
platform  where  farmers  unload.  At  ihe 
right  of  the  entrance  is  the  office,  and  be- 
yond, the  floor  occupied  by  articles  brought 
in  for  exchange.  This  opens  into  the  mill 
with  doors  opening  ujion  the  trades  in  the 
rear  and  into  the  engine  room  at  the  right. 
The  bins  have  an  aggregate  capacity  for 
storing  30,000  liushels  of  grain,  500  barrels 
of  flour  and  twenty  cars  of  feed.  The 
cellar  is  constructed  for  storing  potatoes 
and  apples,  where  they  may  Vie  kept  in  the 
best  condition  that  is  possilile  in  ordinary 
storage. 

Charles  E.  Orr   was    born     in     Taberg, 
Oneida    County,    N.    Y.,    April    5,     1850. 
fcteubenville,     O.,    became   his   home    two 
years  later  and   on   March  1,  1865,  it  was 
changed   to  Camden.     At  13  years  of  age, 
while    Hving     at     Steubenville,     he   was   placed 
in  the  engine  room  of  an  Ohio  river  boat,  and  had 
two  years'  experience  learning  to  rmi  an  engine. 
In  1866  he  obtained  a  position  in  the  cotton  fac- 
tory at  Clark's  MiUs,  N.  Y.,  which  he  held  three 
years. 

On  April  1,  1868,  he  accepted  a  clerkship  with 
C.  J.  Wi-ight,  Camden,  who  was  then  engaged  in 
the  grocery  and  drug  business  in  the  Hendley 
block.  On  March  1,  1877,  in  company  with  D. 
G.  Dorrance  he  bought  out  the  general  store  of 
O.  H.  Kniffin  &  Co.,  on  the  j^re-sent  site  of  Roscoe 
Smith's,  which  the  two  conducted  for  three  years 
under  the  name  of  Dorrance  &  Orr.  Mr.  Orr 
sold  out  to  Mr.  Dorrance  and  on  August  1,  1880, 
entered  into  company  with  W.  H.  Hodges  who 
was  conducting  a  drug  and  grocerj'  business 
across  the  street.  The  firm  of  Hodges  &  Orr 
continued  seven  years  when  the  latter  took  the 


Skinner,  Photo. 
ORR  &  GARDNERS  RAILROAD  FEED  MILLS  AND  FARMERS  EXCHANGE. 


94 


'GfllP'S"  HI8T0KICAL  SOUVENIE  OF  CAMDEN. 


Huested,  Photo.     W.  A.  BUDLONG. 

entire  business  and  carried  it  on  until  June  1, 
1901,  when  he  sold  ont  to  Orr  &  Horuung,  the 
flrst  of  -whom  is  his  son. 

On  September  30,  1872,  Mr.  Orr  manied  Miss 
Libbie  Wilson  of  Camden.  They  had  twelve 
sons  and  a  daughter  of  whom  all  but  three  are 
living.  Mr.  Orr  is  a  charter  member  of  the 
Knights  of  Pythias  where  he  held  the  ijost  of  Pre- 
late for  three  years.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the 
Congregational  Church. 

Mr.  Richard  H.  Gardner,  Mr.  Orr's  brother-in- 
law,  was  born  July  14,  18i2,  at  Florence,  Oneida 
county,  N.  Y.  \\Tjiile  he  was  attending  school 
there,"  his  father  and  mother  both  died.  Until 
the  spring  of  1859,  when  he  found  employment  at 
Borne  with  Doig  &  Lee,  contractors  and  builders, 
his  time  was  occupied  in  learning  the  trade  and 
getting  an  ediTcation. 
Thrown  upon  his  own  re- 
sources when  quite  young 
he  was  compelled  to  earn 
enough  in  the  summer  to 
provide  for  his  necessi- 
ties and  go  to  school  in 
the  winter.  In  the  win- 
ter of  18.58-9  he  attended 
the  Camden  high  school. 

On  September  5,  1861, 
he  enlisted  at  Rome  in 
Co.  C,  50th  New  York 
Engineering  Corps, 
which  was  mustered  in 
at  Elnm-a,  N.  Y.  He 
served  three  years  in  the 
Army  of  the  Potomac, 
returning  home  in  Sep- 
tember, 1864.  His  army 
record  includes  the  hot- 
test campaigns  under  the 
several  commanders  of 
that  army. 

Returniog  to  a  life  of 
loeaceful       pursuits      he 


worked  at  his  trade  nearly  two  years  at  Osceola, 
Lewis  County,  N.  Y.  Then  he  located  at  Cam- 
den, first  finding  employment  with  Cox  &  Stone, 
and  later  on,  in  1885,  going  into  partnertship  under 
the  tirm  name  of  Gardner  &  Wakefield.  They 
conducted  the  planing  mill  now  owned  by  George 
W.  Dana  for  two  years,  when  Mr.  Dana  became 
Mr.  Gardner's  partner,  the  latter  retiring  from 
that  business  in  1896. 

Mr.  Gardner  is  a  charter  member  and  was  the 
flrst  Quarter-master  of  J.  Parson  Stone  Post  No. 
482,  G.  A.  E.,  and  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic 
order.  He  is  a  member  of  the  M.  E.  Church. 
He  was  assessor  of  the  corporation  seven  years 
and  town  collector  one  year.  On  May  21,  1866, 
he  married  Elizabeth  Orr  of  New  York  Mills. 
Miss  Emma  Gardner,  one  of  the  public  school 
teachers  in  C'aniden,  is  their  daughter. 

Dr.  Wi  A.  Budlong  was  born  in  Clinton,  N. 
Y.,  in  1852.  He  began  the  .study  of  dentistry  with 
Dr.  J.  D.  Huntiagton,  of  Watertown,  N.  Y.,  in 
187(),  and  in  the  whiter  of  1877  and  '78  he  attended 
the  Philadelphia  Dental  college,  at  Philadelphia, 
Pa.  In  1879  he  married  Miss  Addie  E.  Thomas, 
of  Remsen,  N.  Y.,  and  commenced  the  practice  of 
dentistry  in  Chnton,  N.  Y.  During  the  year  of 
1881  he"  bought  the  office  of  Dr.  Robinson  at 
Utica,  and  removed  to  that  city.  With  the  ex- 
ception of  three  years  spent  in  Omaha,  Neb.,  he 
has  since  continuously  practiced  his  jirofession  in 
this  state.  In  1895  he  came  to  Camden  and 
bought  the  business  of  Dr.  Frank  MUler.  Here 
his  practice  has  grown  by  reason  of  competent  and 
faithful  attention  to  a  first-class  ]iat-ronage.  Five 
children  were  born  to  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Bndlong, 
three  sons  and  two  daughters.  The  eldest  son, 
George  M.,  is  a  student  in  the  Bufi'alo  Dental 
college. 

First  Village  Officers. — They  were  the  fol- 
lowing, elected  June  27,  1834:  President,  Lyman 
Curtis;  Tru.stees,  Humphrey  Bi-own,  A.  H.  Hink- 
ley,  Hubbard  Tuthill  and  Aaron  Stone;  Assess- 
ors, Rufus  Byiugton,  David  Johnson  and  (ieorge 
Trowbridge;  Collector  and  Constable,  Martin  H. 
Stevens;  Treasiu'er,  Robert  H.  Biut. 


Borrowed  Photo, 

LANSING  TUTTLE'S  RESIDENCE  AND  STORE,  (THE  POSTOFFICE). 
McConnellsville,  N.  Y. 


"GRIP'S"  HISTORICAL  SOUVENIR  OF  CAMDEN. 


95 


HuesTed.  Photo. 


GEORGE  W.  DANA. 


Cabinet  Officers;  when  created. — Secretai'y  of 
State,  July,  1789;  Secretary  of  the  Treasury,  Sep- 
tember 2,  1789;  Secretary  of  War,  August  7,  1789; 
Postmaster-General,  September  22, 1789;  Attorney- 
General,  September  22,  1789;  Secretaiy  of  the 
Navy,  April  30,  1798;  Secretary  of  the  Interior, 
1849;  Secretary  of  AgTicultui-e,  Febniary  9,  1889. 
The  latest  cabinet  position  for  which  Congress  has 
enacted  a  law  is  that  of  Secretary  of  Commerce. 
Cabinet  officers  are  not  specifically  recognized  in 
the  constitution.  All  are  created  by  statute. 
The  constitution  simply  authorizes  the  president 
to  "requii-e  the  opinion  in  wi-iting  of  the  jarinci- 
pal  officer  in  each  of  the  executive  departments 
upon  any  subject  relating  to  the  duties  of  their 
i  respective  offices." 

,  Population,  Cities,  100,000  to  200,000  [see 
larger  cities  jjage  92]. — Providence,  R.  I.  175,597, 
Indianai^ohs,  dd.  1(59,- 
164,  Kansas  City,  Mo.  163, 
752,  St.  Paul,  Minn.  163,- 
065,  Rochester,  N.  Y. 
162,608,  Denver,  Col. 
133,859,  Toledo,  O.  131,- 
822,  AUegheny,  Pa.  129,- 
896,  Columbus,  0.125,- 
560,  Worcester,  Mass. 
118,421,  Syracuse,  N.  Y., 
108,374,  New  Haven,  Ct. 
108,027,  Paterson,  N.  J. 
105,171,  Fall  River,  Mass. 
104,863,  St.  Joseph,  Mo. 
102,979,  Omaha,  Neb. 
102,555,  Los  Angeles,  Cal, 
102,479,  Memphis,  Tenn. 
102,320,  Scianton,  Pii. 
102,026. 

The  trustee  of  state 
buildings  are  the  Gov- 
ernor, Lieutenant-Gover- 
nor and  Speaker  of  the 
Assembly. 


George  W.  Dana,  manufacturer  of  a  line  of 
si^ecialties  in  furniture  and  builders'  supphes, 
bought  an  interest  in  the  firm  of  R.  H.  Gardner  & 
Co.,  in  1888,  when  Mr.  Wakefield  of  the  firm  of 
Wakefield,  Gardner  &  Co.,  retu-ed.  At  that  time- 
they  conducted  a  jjlaning  mill.  Quincey  Barber 
■was  a  me  caber  of  the  firm  until  1890  when  he 
withdrevT  and  it  was  thereafter  Gardner  &  Dana. 
In  1896,  Mr.  Dana  bought  the  enthe  plant  of  his- 
partner,  Mr.  Gardner,  and  subsequently  added  the 
furniture  specialties.  These  comprise  center  ta- 
bles made  of  golden,  plain  and  quartered  oak  and 
imitation  mahogany;  golden  oak  tabourettes, 
combination  book  cases  and  commodes,  all  of 
which  are  sold  du-ect  to  the  retailer  by  Mr.  Dana's 
salesmen.  The  buildings  comprised  in  this  lurge 
factory  ai'e  the  main  work  shop,  equipped  with  the 
necessary  machinery,  driven  by  water  j:)ower 
which  can  be  made  to  develop  forty  horse  jaower, 
a  store  house  20x50  feet  with  double  floor  space, 
and  lumber  sheds  48x76,  having  the  capacity  for 
twenty  car  loads  of  lumber.  The  shop,  40x80  feet, 
includes  a  basement  and  two  floors,  with  planing,, 
matching  and  re-sawing  machines  in  the  basement,, 
the  first  floor  being  used  for  cutting  up  the  ma- 
terial and  the  second  floor  for  finishing.  There  is 
a  steam  dry  kOn  ^rith  a  capacity  sufficient  to  jsre- 
pare  for  use  aU  of  the  lumber  that  can  be  worked 
up,  as  fast  as  is  needed.  A  brick  boiler  house, 
30x30  feet,  shelters  a  25-horse  pow-er  engine  ancl 
40-horse  power  boiler  which  furnish  power  for  the 
dynamo  used  in  fighting  the  buildings  and  supply 
the  steam  requii-ed  for  the  kfln  and  for  heating. 
The  lumber  used  consists  of  Georgia  and  Michigan 
pine,  and  oak  which  is  largely  obtained  in  the- 
West,  the  South  and  in  Canada.  George  W. 
Diina  was  bom  in  Camden  October  20,  1863,  andl 
in  1871  moved  to  Utica  with  his  parents  and  there 
attended  school  until  1880,  when  he  retiu'ned  to 
Camden  and  went  to  farming  on  the  Mexico  road. 
On  January  23,  1884  he  married  LiUie  D.  Cui-tiss 
of  this  village.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Presbyter- 
ian cburch  and  is  both  an  Odd  Fellow  and  a. 
Mason. 


Skinner,  Photo. 

CAMDEN  PLANING  MILL,  GEORGE  W.  DANA,  Proprietor. 


"GKIP'S"  HISTORICAL  SOUVENIE  OF  CABIDEN. 


A.  C.  HORNUNG.  (Borrowed) 


J.  H.  ORU  (Huestcd) 


Orr  &  Hornung,  grocers,  succeeded  C.  E.  Orr 
in  Jime,  1901,  ami  the  husiness  under  tlieii-   care- 
ful management,  which  prior  to  the  time  it  came 
into  their  jjossession  was  considered  to  be  one  of 
the  leading  places  for  trade,    has   thrived  and  in- 
creased both  in  volume  and  chai'aoter.     Both  are 
young  men    whose     endeavors  to     please     their 
patrons  have  not  been   in   vara.     Their   stock   in- 
cludes all  that  is  usually  sold  by   grocers   and   in 
addition  thereto  a  special  line  of  teas  and   cofl'ees 
Mr.  J.  H.  Orr,  the  son  of  C.   E.    Orr,   the   former 
proprietor   of  the  store,  clerked  for  Hodges  &  Orr 
when  that  fii-m  carried  on  the  business  and  after- 
■\\iu-ds,  when  C.  E.  Orr  succeeded  to  his  partner's 
interest,  his   son   was   the   bookkeeper.     Mr.  Orr 
Wius  born  in  Camden,  Feb.  26,  1877,  and  was  edu- 
cated in  the  Camden  schools.     On  Oct.   20,    1896, 
he   married   Gertrude  Tufts,  of  Vienna.     He  is  a 
member  of  the  Odd  Fel- 
lows fraternity.     During 
his    sjiare   hours   he  has 
used  the  camera  to  a  good 
advantage    and    has    be- 
come  quite  an  expert  in 
amateur    viewing.      Mr. 
A.  C.  Hornung  was  l)orn 
in  Utica,  Aug.  25,    1862. 
When   he  was  four  years 
of  age  his  jjarents  removed 
to   Booneville    where    he 
resided  twelve  years,  lie- 
ing  employed   for  a  time 
as  an  ujiholsterer.     Com- 
ing to  Camden  when  16 
years  of  age  to  take  em- 
laloyment      in      Conant's 
furniture   factory    where 
he  was  employed  twenty - 
one  years,  he  became   so 
well  pleased  with  the  vil- 
lage that  he    decided    to 
make  it  his  home.     Tak- 
ing    an     active    interest 
in   the   tire    department, 
he   was,  seven  years  ago, 
elected  chief  which  jiosi- 
tion  he  held  for   a  year. 
He   is   affiliated  witli  the 


orders  of  American  Mechanics  and  the 
Knights  of  Pythias.  He  was  married  to 
Elizabeth  Tassey,  of  Watertown,  June  25, 
1890. 

State  Officers,  Salaries  —  Governor, 
■IflO.OOO;  lieutenant-governor,  15,000;  secre- 
tary of  state,  ,$5,000;  comptroller,  ,$6,000; 
state  treasurer,  .$5,000;  attorney  general, 
$5,000;  state  engineer  and  surveyor,  $5,000; 
superintendent  of  public  instruction,  $5,000; 
snperinteudeut  of  ]inl:)lic  works,  .$6,000; 
superintendent  of  insurance,  $7,000;  super- 
intendent of  prisons,  $6,000;  excise  com- 
missioner, $5,000;  state  charity  commis- 
sioner, $10  per  day  actual  duties'  (limited  to 
$500) ;  state  prison  commissioner,  same  (lim- 
ited to  $i,000  for  all);  superintendent  of  state 
prisons,  .$6,000;  railroad  commissioner,  $8,- 
00(1;  judge  of  the  court  of  claims,  $5,000; 
tax  commissioner,  .$2,500;  commissioner  of 
agriculture,  $4,000;  commissioner  of  fish- 
eries ixnd  game,  .$2,500  (president,  .$3,000); 
state  factory  inspector,  $3,000;  labor  arbi- 
trator, .$3,000;  civil  service  commissioner,  $2,000; 
commissioner  of  labor  statistics,  $3,000. 

Rivers,  Longest    in    the  World.— Amazon, 

3,600  miles;  Nile,  3,000  mUes;  Missouri  (to:  its 
junction  with  the  Mississippi),  2,900;  Missouri  to 
the  sea,  4,100;  Blississippi,  4,000;  Lena,  2,600; 
Niger,  2,600;  Obe,  2,500;  St.  Lawrence,  2,200; 
Maderia,  2,000,  Arkansas,  2,000;  Volga,  2,000; 
Rio  Gr,ande,  1,800;  Danube,  1,600;  St.  Francisco, 
1,300;  Columbia,  1,200;  Nebraska,  1,200;  Red 
River,  1,200;  Colorado  (in  California),  1,100; 
Yellowstone,  1,000;  Ohio,  950;  Rhine,  950;  Kan- 
sas, 900;  Tennessee,  800;  Red  River  of  the  north, 
700;  Cumberland,  600;  Alabama,  600;  Susque- 
hanna, 500;  Potomac,  500;  James,  500;  Connecti- 
cut, 450;  Delaware,  400;  Hudson,  350;  Kenebec, 
300;  Thames,  233. 


J.  H.  Urr,  PUdti: 


I.NTliltlUK  VIEW  (IF  ()U|{  i  HORNUNG'S  STORE. 


^■GRIP'S"  HISTORICAL  SOUVENIR  OF  CAMDEN. 


97 


Huested,  Photo.    H.  L.  BORLAND,  M.  D. 

Van  Dyke  &  Hammand,  the  merchant  tailors 
and  gentlemen's  iiirnishers,  began  biisiness  hj  the 
organization  of  the  above  firm,  at  the  place  where 
they  are  now  located,  in  October,  1898.  The 
l)u8iness,  started  by  them  entuvly  new,  has 
steadily  grown  in  public  favor  and  commands  u 
patronage  from  the  several  outlying  villages  and 
adjacent  country  as  well  as  in  the  village  of  Cam- 
den. It  is  carried  on  strictly  on  a  cash  basis. 
This  firm  occupies  a  largely  equipped  store  with 
work  rooms  for  custom  made  goods  on  the  second 
floor.  Both  partners  were  connected  with  other 
mercantile  establishments  in  town  previous  to  the 
time  they  opened  this  store  and  are,  therefore, 
well  acquainted  with  the  trade  and  its  demands. 
They  are  both   identified   with  the  leading  social 


and  fraternal  orders.  Mr.  J.  E.  Van  Dyke  was 
born  in  Vienna,  Oneida  county,  N.  Y.,  December 
17,  1865.  For  the  first  few  years  after  commg  to 
Camden,  in  1888  and  189.5  inclusive,  he  was  en- 
gaged in  the  grocery  business.  After  that  he 
clerked  for  George  J.  Batchelor,  the  clothier. 
On  Christmas  day,  1887,  he  married  Miss  Etta  E 
Audiis,  of  Vienna.  He  has  served  as  clerk  of  the 
viUage  corporation  and  as  police  justice.  At  the 
present  time  he  is  village  collector.  He  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Masonic  lodge  and  the  Royal  Arcanum. 


Hiu-stp<l,  Fhoto.'i. 

J.  E.  VAN  DYKE. 


E.  N.  HA.MMAND. 


Skinner,  Photo. 

ORE  &  HORNUNGS  GROCERY. 

Mr.  E.  N.  Hammand,  was  born  at  Heuvelton,  St. 
Lawrence  county,  N.  Y.,  April  15,  1869,  and' was 
educated  in  the  schools  at  Rensselaer  Falls,  N.  Y. 
For  a1)out  a  year  he  was  emploved  in  the  sash 
and  blind  factory  of  M.  D.  Moore  &  Sons  at  Low- 
ville,  Lewis  Co.,  N.  Y.,  after  which  he 
accepted  the  position  of  clerk  with  Weber 
&  Co.,  a  dry  goods  house  of  that  village 
which  he  filled  for  four  vears.  Then  he 
came  to  Camden  to  take  a' similar  position 
m  the  clothing  house  of  Charles  J.  Durr  & 
Co.,  where  he  was  located  three  vears  and 
SIX  months.  Then  he  took  charge  of  the 
dry  goods  department  in  the  store  of  Wil- 
liams &  Norton  and  was  with  that  firm 
about  four  years,  a  business  connection 
which  he  severed  to  engage  in  trade 
with  Ins  present  jiartner.  Mr.  Hammand 
and  Miss  Lillian  Barber,  of  West  Camden, 
were  united  in  marriage  June  19,  1895.  He 
occupies  the  position  of  Master  of  PhDan- 
thropic  lodge,  No.  164,  F.  &  A.  M.,  being 
now  in  the  second  term,  and  is  past  grand 
of  Camden  lodge,  No.  718,  I.  O.  O.  F  He 
is  also  a  du'ector  in  the  Camden  Board  of 
Trade. 

Harry    Lincoln    Borland,    M.  D.,   was 

born  at  Franklin,  Venango  Co.,  Pa.,  August 
9,  1866.  His  academic  education  began  in 
the  fall  of  1882,  with  his  entrance  to  Cham- 
erlam  Institute  at  Randolph,  Cattaraugus 
Co.,  N.  Y.,  where  he  remained  for  one 
year.     After  an   interval  of  six  years,  four 


98 


'GRIP'S"  HISTORICAL  SOUVENIR  OF  CAMDEN. 


Huested,  Photo.    W.  I.  STODDARD. 

of  which  were  spent  in  teaching,  he  entered  Caz- 
enovia  Seminary,  in  1889,  graduating  in  1891, 
with  the  honor  of  class  president.  In  the  fall  of 
1891  he  entered  Wesleyan  University  at  Middle- 
town  Ct.,  in  the  classical  course.  While  there  he 
became  a  member  of  the  freshman  class  society 
"Kai  Gar,"  and  the  Greek  letter  fraternity  Beta 
Theta  Pi.  The  following  year  he  entered  the 
medical  department  of  the  University  of  the  City 
of  New  York,  graduating  in  1895  as  valedictorian 
of  his  class  of  one  hundred  and  one  graduates. 
On  June  1,  1895,  he  passed  the  State  Board  exam- 
ination in  medicine  and  surgery  and  on  Jime  25th 
of  the  same  year  opened  an  office  in  Camden, 
where  he  has  been  active- 
ly engaged  in  the  prac- 
tice of  his  profession  ever 
since.  Dr.  Borland  is 
a  member  of  the  Oneida 
County  Medical  Society, 
and  is  also  a  member  of 
the  consulting  staff  of  St. 
Luke's  Hosijital,  Utica, 
N.  Y.  On  September  4, 
1895,  he  married  Flora 
A.  Moon  of  Cold  Brook, 
Herkimer  Co.,  N.  Y., 
and  in  April,  1901,  they 
purchased  theu'  present 
home  on  the  corner  of 
Main  and  Washington 
streets. 

Getting     Popular.  — 

Why  are  bald  headed 
men  getting  more  popu- 
lar with  the  ladies?  "Be- 
cause," replied  a  Camden 
lady,  "the  condition  of 
the  jJoU  indicates  that  the 
fortunate  geulenien  have 
already  been  subdued." 


W.  I.  Stoddard,  the  druggist  and  grocer,  in. 

May,  1895,  bought  the  whole  mterest  in  his  Main 
street  business  of  his  partner,  Mr.  E.  A.  Harvey. 
This  store  was  conducted  by  Mr.  Harvey  for  many 
years.  It  is  one  of  the  oldest  places  of  business 
in  the  village,  where  several  difterent  parties  have 
at  various  times  been  engaged  in  trade.  Stone 
&  Smith  erected  the  building,  comprising  Mr. 
Stoddard's  and  the  store  next  to  it  on  the  south, 
w  hich  then  together  formed  a  double  store.  Jlr. 
Stone  finally  went  west  and  Mr.  Smith  took  what 
is  now  the  Stoddard  store  which  he  had  separated 
from  the  other  by  running  a  partition  through  and 
put  in  a  stock  of"  drugs.  After  running  this  busi- 
ness awhile  he  sold  out  to  G.  S.  Wetmore,  ^ho 
subsequently  moved  his  stock  across  the  way. 
Mr.  Harvey  then  rented  the  store  formerly  occu- 
pied by  Mr.  Wetmore.  The  business  now  com- 
jn-ises  a  grocers'  general  line  an<l  a  complete  drug- 
department,  inchiding  the  usual  accessories  such 
as  oils  and  paints.  Mr.  Stoddard  is  a  member  of 
the  Board  of  Educatian,  going  on  his  second  year 
of  service,  and  a  director  of  the  board  of  trade. 
He  was  born  on  a  farm  south  of  the  village  of 
Camden,  Feb.  9,  1857.  His  father,  Israel  Stod- 
dard, was  the  son  of  one  of  the  first  settlers  in  the 
town.  The  latter,  Judge  Israel  Stoddard,  was  born 
in  Watertown,  Ct.,  in  1776.  When  he  was  in  his 
twenty-second  year  he  came  to  this  section  on 
horseback,  carrying  his  supphes  for  the  journev  in 
his  saddlebags.  He  purchased  the  timber  covered 
acres  two  miles  south  of  the  village  of  Ezra  Dev- 
ereaux,  which  he  subsequently  cleared,  largely 
with  his  own  hands.  The  winter  following  his 
pioneer  journey  to  Camden  lie  retiu-ned  east  and 
married  Polly  WOson  at  Harwinton,  Ct.,  and  in 
the  sprmg,  1799,  they  came  on  to  the  primative 
home  that  was  partly  jn-epai-ed  by  Mr.  Stoddard 
to  receive  his  bride.  '  In  1802  he  sold  the  place  to 
John  Wilson,  Sr.,  liut  it  afterwiuds  came  into  the 
possession  of  his  son  Israel,  and  it  was  there  that 
W.  I.  Stoddard  was  born.     In  1895,  Judge  Stod- 


r,:..I.J..X.QSD.A;BB. 


?kinner,  Photo. 

W.  I.  STODDAKD'y  DRUG  AND  GltOCEKY  STORE. 


'GRIP'S"  HISTORICAL  SOUVENIR  OF  CAMDEN. 


99 


Huested,  Photo.  S.L.HARDING, 
darcl  bouglit  the  farm  where  lie  afterwards  lived 
and  where  on  April  i,  1859,  he  died.  Thii3  farm 
has  since  been  known  as  the  Judge  Stoddard 
place.  His  first  wife  died  in  1820.  A  few  years 
later  he  married  Mary  Wilson,  who  sui'vived  him 
about  ten  years,  her  death  occurring  May  22,1869. 
Judge  Stoddard  was  a  militiaman  during  the 
war  of  1812,  although  his  service  consisted  wholly 
in  mai-ching  to  Saokett's  Hai-bor  and  back  again 
with  his  reghnent.  His  childi-en  were  WeUs, 
Israel,  John,  Mrs.  T.  D.  Penfield  and  Mrs.  H.  B. 
Judson,  aU  of  whom  are  now  Imng,  and  Cynis. 
Mrs.  Lansing  McConnell,  Hicox,  Mrs.  Martha, 
Baker  and  Mary  Stoddard  who  ai'e  dead.  Mr. 
W.  I.  Stoddard  in  1874  began  can- 
ning corn  in  a  building  on  his 
father's  farm,  which  he  equipped 
for  that  purpose.  This  he  carried 
on  for  a  few  years.  On  April  .5, 
1883,he  married  Clai-a,the  daughter 
of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  E.  A.  Harvey. 
Theu-  two  children  are  Huldah,  the 
eldest,  and  Carohne.  In  the  fah 
of  that  year  Mr.  Stoddard  began 
a  clerkship  for  his  father-in-law, 
which  continued  for  three  and  a 
hall  years.     Dui-ing  the  season  of 

1887  he  and  B.  B.  Tuthill  con- 
ducted what  is  now  the  Haviland 
factory,    and    the   following  year 

Mr.  Stoddai-d  carried  on  the  same 

enterprise  at  Oriskauy   FiJls.     In 

1891,    again  in  company  with  B. 

B.  Tiithhl,  he  engaged  in  canning 

corn     in     this     village,     erecting 

the     factory    on     Liberty    street, 

which    they     now     occupy,     a,ud 

equipping   it   with  facilities  which 

enalile  them  to  put  up  a  fan-  share 

of  the  product  that  aimuidly  goes 

out  of  Camden. 


S.  L.  Harding,  the  jeweler  and  optician,   has 
carried   on   business   at  his  present  location  for 
nearly  fifteen  years,   he  in  company  with  E.  G. 
Shader  having  in  1887  bought  the  stock  in  trade 
which  I.  Duncan  was  at  that  time  carrying.     It 
included  besides  jeweh-y,  tobacco  and  cigars  and 
the  lines  generally  can-ied  in  a  stationery  store  and 
newsroom.     Mr.  Shader  reth-ed  from  the  business 
three   years   later  but   before  he  got  out  the  firm 
disposed  of  the  news  and  tobacco  lines  to   E.    D. 
Morss.     The  next  year  Mr.  Harding  added  crock- 
ery which  has  been  made  a  complete  department 
to' the  extent  that  it  includes  the  finer  grades  only, 
taking   in   also   cut   glass,  art  pottery  and  lamps. 
Having   prepared   himself  by   taking   a  practical 
course  as  an  optician  Mr.  Harding   makes   a   spe- 
cialty of  fitting  glasses  for  the  eyes.     He  employs 
for  r'epah-ing  time  pieces  and  optical  goods  Mr.  O. 
P.  Philips,  a  graduate  of  the  Waltham  horological 
school  and  also  an  optician  and  engi'aver  on  jewelry. 
The   jewelry   department   comprises,   among   the 
usual'  lines  a  great  variety  of  solid  silverware  and 
diamonds.     Mr.    Harding   was    born    m  Amboy, 
Oswego  county,  N.  Y.,  Aug.  12,  1862.     When  ten 
yeai-s  old  he  became  a  resident  of  Camden.     Bow- 
land  Harding,  his  father,   had  then  gone  into  the 
grocery  business  in  this  village.     Later  the   latter 
was   associated  with  George  R.  Sheppard  in  the 
same  business   and  it   was  in  then-  store  that  his 
son  after  leaving  school,  filled  a  clerkship  of  three 
years.     He  was  also  for  six  years  a  clerk  for  Fifield 
&  Dorrance.     In  June,  1888,  he  was   married  to 
Miss   Mary   S.    Harvey.     He   was  elected  school 
commissioner  in  1893  and  served  for  three  years, 
and  is  now  on  his  second  term  as  member   of   the 
board.     For  several  years   he  held  the  office  of 
town  clerk.     He  is    a    member    of  the   Masonic 
lodge  and  chapter  and  the  Royal  Arcanum. 

Globe,  Trip  Around. — Chicago  to  PortlanI, 
Ore.,  2,374  miles — 3  days  8  hours  time;  Portland 
to  Behring  Strait,  2,864  m  —5  d.  10  h. ;  Behrmg 
Strait  to  Irkutsk,  3,200  m.— 6  d.  16  h. ;  Irkutsk  t3 


'''^'"""'s.^l'Tiakuing-s  jewelry  and  crockery  store. 


100 


'GEIP'S"  HISTORICAL  SOUVENIE  OF  CAMDEN. 


EDWIN  A.  HARVEY  (Bori-owcdi 

MES.  CAROLINE  P.  HARVEY  (Huestc 

St.  Peterslrai-gh,  3,670  m.— 7  d.  15  h. ;  St.  Peters- 
Irargh  to  Berlin,  983  m. — 1  d.  6  h. ;  Berlin  to 
Paris,  667  m. — 17  li. ;  Paris  to  London,  2£8  m. — 
8  h. ;  London  to  Liverpool,  '202  m. — 4  h. ;  London 
to  Southamton,  79  m. — 2  li. ;  Liverpool  to  New 
York,  3,068  m. — 5d.  Sli. ;  Southampton  to  New 
York,  3,098  m.— 5  d.  16  h. ;  New  York  to  Chicago, 
912  m.— 1  d.  Total  distance  traveled,  18,277  m.; 
total  time  occupied,  31  d.  21  h. 

E.  A.  Harvey  was  for  years  one  of  Cam- 
den's well  known  and  much  resj^ected  business 
men  who  conducted  a  drug  and  grocery  store  on 
"the  sunny  side  of  Main  street."  For  nearly 
thu'ty  years  he  was  in  Varsiness  and  the  genial, 
whole  souled  face  of  Mr.  Harvey  was  one  of  the 
most  familiar  on  the  street.  E(h\in  Augustus 
Harvey  was  born  in 
Vienna,  N.  Y.,  Jan.  27, 
1842,  and  died  in  Cam- 
den,N.  Y.,  July  6,  1896. 
He  was  the  only  child  of 
Ambrose  and  Sopronia 
Harvey  and  spent  his 
eai'ly  life  on  the  farm 
assisting  his  parents  and 
attending  the  district 
school.  Hence  his  early 
advantages  were  of  neces- 
sity, meagre,  but  such 
surroundings  helped  to 
develop  habits  of  industry 
and  economy,  which  were 
of  great  service  to  him 
in  after  years.  At  a  very 
early  age  his  spirit  of  in- 
dependence manifested 
itself  in  the  desire  to  sup- 
port himself,  and  various 
kinds  of  employment 
kept  him  busy.  Some 
part  of  his  boyhood  days 
were     spent    with     Eev.       Skiuuer,  riwito 


Elijah  Gaylord,  at  that  time  a  manufacturer 
of  hand  rakes.  Later  on  he  traveled  for 
Lewis  J.  Burton  with  a  horse  and  carriage, 
supplying  district  libraries  with  books.  In 
this  -way  he  visited  nearly  every  county  in 
New  York  state.  At  the  age  of  23  he  was 
clerking  in  the  produce  store  of  L.  S.  San- 
ford  &  J.  A.  Dodge,  Camden,  and  soon  after 
entered  into  partnershij:)  with  Mr.  Sanford, 
the  firm  doing  business  in  a  basement  on 
the  west  side  of  Main  street.  The  following- 
year  he  purchased  Mr.  Sanford's  interest 
and  ever  after  condircted  business  alone. 
A  little  later  he  moved  into  G.  K.  Shepjaard's 
store,  now  occupied  by  E.  J.  Castle,  and 
soon  after  into  a  store  of  his  own,  where  he 
added  a  drug  department  and  where  the 
business  is  now  carried  on  by  his  son-in-law, 
W.  I.  Stoddard.  He  was  a  natural  business 
man  and  unusually  successful  in  his  busi- 
ness career,  possessing  a  deal  of  energy, 
economy  and  tact;  as  a  result,  by  his  own 
unaided  efforts,  he  became  one  of  the  most 
successful  and  influential  men  of  Camden. 
Mr.  Harvey  was  in  the  true  sense  of  the 
term  a  self-made  man,  true  to  his  convictions 
of  right,  of  sterling  integrity  and  honesty 
and  with  a  kind  and  generous  disposition.  No 
needy  person  or  just  cause  was  ever  turned  aside 
without  help.  He  was  of  a  pleasant  disposition 
and  an  interesting  conversationalist;  naturally 
modest,  unassuming,  gentle  and  kind;  a  public 
spirited,  l)road-minded  man  which  led  him  to  sev- 
eriil  positions  of  honor.  He  was  for  eight  terms 
a  trustee  of  the  village  and  for  severixl  years  a 
member  of  the  Board  of  Education,  although  in 
politics  he  was  a  democrat.  For  four  years  he 
was  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Water  Commission- 
ers; also  its  treasui'er  during  that  time.  He  was 
for  some  time  treasurer  of  the  village,  at  one  time 
a  trustee  of  the  Camden  Cemetery  association  and 
was  a  member  of  PhUanthroijic  lodge,  No.  164,  F.  & 
A.  M.  of  which  he  was  treasurer  for  fourteen  y  ears. 
He  was  an  active  member  of  the   Business   Men's 


d) 


MRS.  CAROLINE  !>.  HARVEY'S  RESIDENCE. 


'GRIP'S"  HISTOEICAL  SOUVENIR  OF  CAMDEN. 


101 


Borrowed  Cut. 


OLD  COLTON  TAVERN. 


association  from  its  organization  until  he  retu'ed 
from  business  about  two  year.s  before  Ms  death, 
and  for  several  years  one  of  its  officers.  He  was 
elected  vice  president  of  the  Fii'st  National  bank 
of  Camden  Jan.  12,  1885,  and  held  that  position 
until  his  death.  He  became  a  member  of  the  M. 
E.  church  in  1872,  was  an  official  member  of  that 
ohui'ch  for  years  and  a  trustee  at  the  time  of  his 
death.  In  his  early  manhood,  in  1861,  he  was 
married  to  Miss  CaroHne  P.  Pecli  and  found  in  her 
gentle  strength  the  complement  of  his  sterner 
qualities.  With  three  daughters  and  two  sons  she 
siu'vives  him;  Clara  A.,  the  wife  of  William  I.  Stod- 
dard; Mary  S.,  the  wife  of  Selden  L.  Harding; 
Mildred  E.,  the  wite  of  Clarence  C.  Magee;  Ches- 
ter D.  Harvey  of  Camden  and  Edwin  C.  Harvey 
of  New  York  city.  In  the  welfare  of  the  village, 
in  educational,  religious  and  all  moral  movements, 
he  always  took  a  deep  interest  and  fre- 
quently an  active  part. 

In  jjolitics  he  was  a  democrat  but  his 
business  interests  prevented  him  from 
accepting  pubhe  office,  although  he  was 
often  urged  to  do  so. 

Lakes  of  New  York,  boundaries, 
•dimensions,  etc.  (FigTU'es  in  parenthesis 
indicate  rank  in  point  of  size).  Ekie,  (1) : 
New  York,  Pennsylvania,  Ohio,  Michi- 
gan, Out.  (Canada);  268m.  long,  30 to .50 
m.  wide,  .565  feet  altitude,  270  feet  great- 
est depth,  120  feet  mean  depth;  Buffalo, 
Black  Rock,  Dunldils;,  harbors.  On- 
TjURIo,  (2) :  New  York,  Ontario,  (Canada) ; 
190  m.  long,  55  m.  extreme  width,  231 
leet  altitude,  over  600  feet  greatest  depth, 
492  feet  mean  depth;  Oswego,  Saekets 
Harbor  and  Charlotte.  Champlain,  (3) : 
New  Y'ork,  Vermont,  Quebec,  (Canada) ; 
1476  sq.  m.,  126  m.  long,  10  rods  to  12 
m.  wide,  93  feet  altitude,  54  to  282  feet 
deep;  Rouses  Point,  Plattsburgh,  Port 
Kent,  WestiDort,  Port  Henrv,  Crown 
Pouit,  Whitehall,  Burlington,  "(Vt.),  St. 
Albans,  (Vt  )  Geobge,  (5) :  Horicon  (In- 
dian), or  Las  Sacrament  (French);  War- 
ren, Essex  and  Washington  coiinties;  36 
m.  long,  1  to  3  m.  wide,  243  feet  altitude, 
40  feet  mean  depth;  Lake  George,  Ti- 
conderoga,  Bolton,  Sabbath  Day  Point 
Baldwin,  Roger's  Rock,  South  Bay, 
Kattskill  Bay.  Caitiga,  (4) :  Cayuga, 
Seneca,  Wayne  and  Tompkins  counties; 
8  m.  long,  1  to  4  m.  wide;  Cayuga, 
Union   Springs,    Aurora,    King's  Ferry, 


Ludlow,  Ithaca,  Sheldrake.  Seneca,  (5) :  On- 
tario, Seneca,  Yates  and  Schuyler  coixnties; 
32?,  m.  long,  1^  to  3^  m.  wide;  Geneva, 
Ovid,  Hillsborough,  Willard  and  Watkins. 
OxEiDA,  (6) :  Oneida,  Oswego,  Onondaga, 
Madison  counties;  20  m.  long,  li  to  6;  m. 
wide;  Brewerton,  North  Bay,  Sylvan  Beach, 
South  Bay,  Constantia,  Cleveland.  Ketjka, 
(7):  Y'ates  and  Steuben  counties;  12  to  18i 
m.  long,  (Y  shaped)  }  to  4  m.  wide;  Penn 
Yan,  BranchPort,  Keuka,  Urbana,  Hani- 
mandsport.  Sakanacs,  (8) ;  Franklin  county ; 
chain  of  three  lakes.  Upper,  Middle  or 
Round  and  Lower;  18i  m.  long,  4  in  maxi- 
mum width;  Saranac  P.  O.,  Saranac  Inn. 
Black,  (9);  Jefferson  county;  18^  m.  long, 
3^  m.  maximum  width,  -1  m.  average  width. 
Chautaitqua,  (10):  Chautauqua  county;  18 
m.  long,  i  to  3-J  m.  wide;  Chautauqua,  May\'ille, 
Jamestown.  Fxtlton  Chain,  (11):  Herkimer,  Ham- 
ilton counties;  8  pond.s,  18  m.  long;  li  m. 
maximum  width ;  Old  Forge.  Skaneateles,  (12) : 
Onondaga,  Cayuga  and  Cortland  ooiinties;  16  m. 
long,  J  to  2  m.  wide;  Skaneateles,  Borodino,  Look 
Haven.  Long,  (13):  Hamilton  county;  16  m.  long, 
i  to  1  m.  wide;  Long  Lake  harbor.  Little  Forked 
Carry.  Tuppees,  (14):  Hamilton  county;  Upper 
and  Lower  connected  by  narrow  stream  li  m. 
long;  whole  chain  14  m.  long,  20  rods  to  2  m. 
wide;  Tupper  Lake  Postofflce.  Canandaigua, 
(15):  Ontario  and  Yates  counties;  14  m.  long,  1  to 
2  m.  wide;  Canandaigua  and  Vienna.  Scheoon, 
(16):  Warren  and  Essex  counties;  11;  m  long,  1 
mile  maximvim  width.  Owasco,  (17):  Cayuga  and 
Tompkins  counties;  11  m.  long,  i  to  li  m.  wide. 
Ot.sego.  (18):  Otsego  county;  8^  m.  long,   I   to  1-V 


PETER  REAFEL'S  RESIDENCE. 


102 


'GRIP'S"  HISTORICAL  SOUVENIR  OF  CAMDEN. 


I.  D.  WEST,  SUPERVISOR  OF  CAMDEN. 

m.  wide;  Cooijerstown,  Sjoringfield  Centre. 
Raqitette,  (19) :  Hamilton  county;  8  m.  long,  from 
50  rods  to  6  m.  wide;  Antlers,  Raquette  Lake  P.  O. 
Hemlock,  (20):  Livingston  and  Ontario  counties; 
7i  m.  long,  1  m.  wide;  Conesus.  Piseco,  (21): 
Hamilton  county;  6  m.  by  1  m.  maximum.  In- 
dian, (22):  Hamilton  county;  5  m.  long;  j  m.  in 
maximum  width.  Uppeb  Chateaugay,  (23) :  Clin- 
ton county;  5  m.  long,  J  m.  maximum  width. 
OswEC4ATCHiE  OK  Ckanbehby,  (24) :  St.  Lawrence 
county;  5}  m.  long,  i  to  3  m.  wide.  Onondaga, 
(25) :  Onondaga  county;  5  m.  long,  1  to  li  m.  wide; 
Liverpool,  Geddes,  Solvay,  Salina.  Blue  Mt., 
(26) :  Hamilton  county ;  6  miles  cii-cumference,  2  m. 
maximum  width.  Honeoxe,  (27):  Ontario  county; 
U  by  1  m.  Ckoss,  (28) : 
Oswego,  Cayuga  coun- 
ties; 4  m.  long,  1  m. 
maximum  width.  Pleas- 
ant, (29) :  Hamilton  coun- 
ty;  4  m.  long,  j^  to  1  m. 
wide.  Placid,  (30) :  Clin- 
ton coun+y;  3  m.  long,  } 
to  2  m.  wide.  Fokked, 
(31):  Hamilton  county ;  3 
m.  long,  100  feet  to  1  m. 
wide.  ScHUYLEK,  (32) : 
Otsego  county;  2 J  m. 
long,  1  mUe  maximum 
width.  Necklace,  (33) : 
Hamilton  county ;  a  chain 
of  small,  clear,  Aeep 
loonds  forming  a  water- 
and  -  carry  way  from 
Forked  to  Upper,  or 
Little  Tupper  lakes,  (the 
prettiest  and  wddest 
scenery  in  the  state) ; 
Bottle,  Bound,  Pocket 
ponds  each  ha'^-ing  a  cii'- 
cumference  of  from  1  to 
li  miles.  The  necklace 
is  4A  miles  long.  ( '  'Grip" 
has  been  over  it).  cimpin,  rhoii 


I.  D.  West,  the  supervisor  from  Camden,  was 
first  elected  to  that  position  in  1898.  Since  then 
he  has  served  continuously  with  the  excei^tion  of 
one  year,  1901.  During  one  of  his  terms  the 
board  politically  was  tied  up.  The  democrats, 
with  the  aid  of  the  members  from  Utica,  during 
his  other  terms,  organized  and  controlled  the 
board.  During  1897  and  '99,  inclusive,  for  the 
period  of  three  years,  Mr.  West  was  one  of  the 
water  commissioners  of  the  vdlage  of  Camden. 
As  president  of  the  Board  of  Trade  it  has  devolved 
upon  him  to  present  to  that  organization  such  en- 
tei-prises  as  he  may  get  into  touch  with,  that  are 
desirous  of  locating  in  the  vdiage,  and  to  direct  the 
carrying  out  of  such  plans  as  that  body  may  de- 
termine to  be  for  the  benefit  of  the  village.  Mr. 
West  is  the  secretary  of  the  Camden  Water  Wheel 
works,  having  been  identified  with  that  enterprise 
since  1894.  In  May,  1886,  he  came  to  Camden  to 
reside,  at  that  time  being  connected  vnth  Wheeler 
&  Meliok  company,  manufacturei-s  of  farming  im- 
lilements,  for  whom  he  had  been  ti'aveling  sales- 
man during  the  previous  year  and  a  half.  The 
following  foiu'teen  years  he  spent  in  traveling  as 
general  salesman  for  the  Bowker  Fertilizer  Co.  of 
Boston,  but  severed  his  relation  with  that  house  in 
November,  1900,  in  order  to  devote  his  entu-e  time 
to  his  present  business  connections.  Mr.  West 
was  born  in  WiUiamstown,  November  3,  1862,  and 
was  married  to  Miss  .Florence,  the  daughter  of 
William  G.  Percival.one  of  his  business  associates, 
March  31,  1893.  His  father  and  mother,  Ansel  F. 
and  Clarissa  West  are  residents  of  Camden.  Mr. 
West  is  an  active  republican,  closely  affiliated  with 
the  county  leaders  in  the  party.  He  is  a  member 
of  the  Philantlu-opic  Lodge  No.  164,  and  Darius 
Chai)ter  No.  144.  F.  &  A.  M.,  of  Camden,  and  the 
Rome  Commandery,  No.  45,  K.  T. ,  of  Rome. 


■•'^■'^"-     ■■' 


I.  1).  WKST'S  RESIDENCE. 


'GKIP'S"  HISTOEICAL  SOUVENIE  OF  CAMDEN. 


103 


Camden  Water  Wheel  Works.— The  plant 
of  tkis  comijany  Avho  manufacture  the  latest  and 
most  approved  Turbine  water  wheels  and  appur- 
tenances, stich  as  iron  flumes,  gearing,  shafting, 
etc.,  is  located  at  the  foot  of  Main  street.  The 
Infant  in  part  was  erected  for  the  Eagle  foundry 
and  machine  shoi),  but  since  passing  into  the 
hands  of  the  present  owners  has  been  enlarged. 
As  the  business  has  expanded  from  year  to  year, 
new  buildings  have  been  requii-ed,  and  the  i^lant 
is  now  fully  equipped  for  btrilding  machinery  for 
water  power  plants  complete.  All  the  machinery 
used  in  machine  shop,  foundry,  and  for  lighting 
the  works,  is  driven  by  water  power.  The  Eagle 
foundrv  and  machine  shop  was  established  by 
James  "Tripp  and  F.  D.  Fitield  in  18.59  for  the 
pirrpose  of  manufacturing  machinery  for  saw  and 
grist  mills  and  tanneries,  and  they  also  made  a  few 
water  wheels. 


Camden  Hive,  No.  311,  L.  of  M.— In  August, 
1898,  Deputy  Lady  Murray,  met  with  the  Ladies 
of  Camden  in  Mechanic's  hall  and  received  names 
for  a  charter  of  the  Ladies  of  the  Maccabees.  The 
first  regular  review  of  Camden  Hive,  No. 
311,  was  held  in  Mechanic's  haU  Aug.  20,  1898, 
the  following  officers  presiding:  Past  Com.,  Mrs. 
Carrie  Donovan;  Com.,  Mrs.  Mary  A.  WilUams; 
Lieut.  Com.,  Mrs.  Dora  Bush;  E.  K.  and  F.  K., 
Mrs.  Lewis;  Chap.,  Mrs.  Wade;  M.  at  A.,  Mrs. 
Simpkins;  Sentinel,  Mrs.  Seely;  Picket,  Mrs. 
Carrie  Perin.  There  were  only  fifteen  charter 
members  and  the  roU  call  now  shows  a  favorable 
iacrease  of  membership,  though  many  have  been 
granted  transfer  cards  while  others  stUl  remaining 
members  of  the  Hive  have  made  their  homes  in 
distant  towns.  The  officers  for  the  past  year  were : 
Past  Com.,  Mrs.  Marietta  Simpkins;  Com..  Mrs. 
Mary  Williams;  Lieut.  Com.,  Mrs.  Carrie  Perin; 
E,  K.  and  F.  K.,  Mrs.  Dora  Boomer;  Chap.,  Mrs. 


Copy  from  Print. 

In  1882,  Wood  Brothers  (Atrgustus  and  Henry) 
and  W.  G.  Percival  stai-ted  the  manufacture  of 
tm-bine  water  wheels  in  a  plant  located  at  the  foot 
of  Thh-d  street.  The  buildings  were  burned  the 
following  year.  In  the  meantinie,Mr.  Fifleld  died 
and  his  interest  in  the  Eagle  foundry  and  machine 
shop  as  well  as  that  of  Mr.  Tripp  passed  into  the 
possession  of  Mi'.  Fifield's  son,  Franklin.  From 
him  the  property  was  purchased  by  Mr.  Percival 
and  his  partners  who  continued  the  manufacture 
of  water  wheels  at  this  place. 

In  1891  the  Camden  Water  Wheel  Works  was 
organized  by  W.  G.  Percival,  D.  T.  Wood  and  I. 
D.  West.  New  machinery  has  since  been  installed 
and  the  manufacture  of  water  wheels  has  been 
carried  on  more  extensively  than  ever.  The  Cam- 
den water  wheel  is  now  used  by  many  of  the  most 
progressive  manufactui'ers  in  this  country,  and 
within  the  last  two  years  this  company  has  ex- 
ported a  number  of  the  wheels. 


THE  CAMDEN  WATER  WHEEL  WORKS. 

Dora  Smith;  M.  at  A.,  Mrs.  Mina  Cutler;  Serg., 
Mrs.  Augusta  Turner;  Sent.,  Mrs.  Mamie  Eima; 
Picket,  Mrs.  Schuster;  Organist,  Mrs.  Grace 
Spencer. 

Water,  Size  of  Large  Bodies.- Oceans- 
Pacific,  8(),()(M),I)0()  sq.  miles;  Atlantic,  10,000,000; 
Indian,  20,000.000;  Southern,  10,000,000;  Arctic, 
5,000,000.  Sea,s— Mediterranean,  2,000  miles  long; 
Caribbean,  1,800;  China,  1,700;  Bed,  1,400;  Japan, 
1,000;  Black,  932;  Caspian,  610;  Baltic,  600;  Ok- 
hatsk,  600;  White,  150:  Ai-al,  250.  Lakes— Su- 
perior, 380  by  120  miles  iu  area;  Michigan,  330  by 
60  miles ;  Ontario,  180  by  40;  Erie.  270  by  50; 
Huron,  2.50  bv  90;  Champlam,  123  by  12;  Cayuga, 
36  by  4;  George,  36  by  3;  Baikal,  360  by  35; 
Great  Slave,  300  by  45;  Winnipeg,  240  by  40: 
Athabasca,  200  by  20';  Maracabo,  150  by  60;  Great 
Bear,  1.50  bv  40;  Ladoga,  125  by.  75;  Constance, 
45  bv  10;  Geneva,  50  by  10;  Lake  of  the  Woods, 
70  bv  25. 


104 


'GRIP'S"  HISTORICAL  SOUVENIR  OF  OAMDEN. 


J.  M.  Young  &  Son,  the  copartnership  which 
ill  1890  was  formed  between  George  W.  Young 
and  his  father,  the  same  year  erected  the  two-story 
factory  building,  40x90  feet,  where  they  are  man- 
ufacturing tables  and  chaii's  to  an  extent  Avhich 
gives  them  a  trade  direct  with  retaUers  over  a  sec- 
tion of  country  covering  a  considerable  portion  of 
New  York,  Pennsylvania  and  the  New  England 
states.  There  are  twenty -four  styles  of  chairs  and 
sixteen  styles  of  tables  included  in  their  output, 
which  are  sold  through  traveling  salesmen.  They 
comprise  the  better  grades  designed  to  meet  the 
wants  of  those  who  purchase  a  handsome  and  sub- 
stantial article. 

The  factory,  comparatively  new  and  fully 
equipped   with   necessary   machinery    driven    by 


as  the  Satohell  mill  which  stood  a  mile  and  a  half 
north  of  the  village  on  Mad  river. 

Mr.  Young  purchased  the  property  of  David 
Maxted  and  manufactui'ed  furniture  there  until 
about  1877  or  "78,  when  the  building  and  all  of  its 
contents  were  destroyed  by  tire. 

Mr.  Young  then  went  into  company  with  J.  M. 
Dexter  under  the  name  of  Young  &  Dexter  and 
the  business  was  resumed  in  the  old  building 
belonging  to  Peniield  &  Stone  which  is  still  stand- 
ing near  the  site  of  the  present  factory.  In  1888  or 
'89  Mr.  Dexter,  on  account  of  ill  health,  retired 
and  the  following  two  years,  untU  his  son  became 
his  partner,  Mr.  Young  conducted  the  factory 
alone. 

The   present  capacity   of  the  works  which  in- 


Sklnner,  Photos.  J.  M. 

J.  M.  Young''s  Residence. 
The  Factory  Builditig". 

steam  power,  was  jilanned  by  Mr.  J.  M.  Young. 
It  is  a  substantial,  well  constructed  building  bet- 
ter arranged  for  the  comfort  of  the  workmen 
especially  in  the  matter  of  light  and  air  space,  than 
is  common  m  factories  where  a  great  amount  of 
machinery  is  requned. 

Being  located  close  to  the  R.  W.  &  O. ,  and  the 
Lehigh  Valley  trades,  the  two  competing  roads 
which  enter  Camden,  it  has  side  track  facilities 
which  enables  the  firm  to  ship  its  goods,  by 
loading  the  cars  with  only  once  handling  them 
and  without  the  expense  and  inconvenience  of 
teaming. 

The  business  was  started  by  Mr.  J.  M.  Young 
in  a  small  way  in  March,  1872,  in  what  was  known 


YOUNG  &  SON'S  FUllNITUKE  FACT(JEY. 


J.  M.  Young 


The  Storehovise. 
Georg-e  W.  Young. 


eludes  the  factory  and  the  storehouse,  is  for  the 
employment  of  twenty-five  men  without  any  in- 
convenience. During  last  year  the  change  hr 
which  the  storehouse  was  moved  alongside  of  the 
tracks  for  convenience  of  loading  cars,  was  made. 
Mr.  John  M.  Young  was  born  in  Darval,  Ayr- 
shire, Scotland,  April  11,  1815.  Roliert  Mcintosh, 
his  uncle,  a  farmer  living  at  HiUslioro,  town  of 
Camden,  was  the  means  of  determining  Mr.  Young- 
to  come  here.  The  steamship  and  railroad  com- 
panies managed  the  matter  so  that,  saiUng  on  May 
25,  1865,  Mr.  Young  finally  reached  Camden  by 
landing  at  Quebec  and  coming  from  there  l)y  the 
way  of  New  York  city.  His  brother,  David,  came 
soon  after.     They  have  a  sister,  Mrs.  James  Gaw> 


'GBIP'S"  HISTORICAL  SOUVENIR  OF  CAMDEN. 


105 


VIEW  OF  HALE  SECTIONAL  BOOK  CASE. 


living  at  Boston,  and  another,  Mrs.  Gilbert  Davis, 
living  at  Cooperstowu. 

From  Augnst,  1865,  until  he  stai'ted  the  works 
in  the  Satchell  mill,  Mr.  Young  wan  employed  by 
F.  H.  Conant  &  Son. 

On  Feb.  4,  1868,  he  married  Nancy  M.  Baldwin, 
of  Camden,  and  to  them  were  born  four  sons, 
George  W.,  the  bu.siness  partner  of  his  father, 
Vincent  J. ,  the  head  bookkeeper  of  the  First  Na- 
tional bank,  Clarence  E.,  assistant  boolikeeper  in 
the  sanae  bank,  and  Aaron  B.,  who  died  when 
two  and  a  haK  years  old.  In  1892  Mr.  Young 
erected  the  commodioiis  residence  on  Mexico 
street  now  his  home. 

Mr.  I'oung  has  always  interested  himself  in 
public  matters,  serving  as  a  trustee  of  the  village 
at  different  times  and  is  now  in  the  nineteenth 
year  as  member  of  the  school  board,  of  which  he 
is  at  present  the  president,  a  position  he  has  held 
during  the  i)a.st  three  years.  He  is  also  a  deacon 
of  the  Congregational  chui-ch  of  which  he  is  an 
earnest  supporter,  and  has  several  times  served  as 
superintendent  of  the  Sunday  school. 

George  W.  Y'oung  was  born  in  Camden,  Oct.  6, 
1869.  "When  he  had  completed  his  education, 
which  was  obtained  in 
the  Camden  High  school 
and  at  the  Cazenovia  sem- 
inary, he  went  into  the 
factory  to  learn  the  busi- 
ness. In  a  public  capacity 
he  has  served  as  treasurer 
of  the  village.  He  was 
on  the  water  board  two 
years  and  is  at  present 
the  secretary  and  treas- 
urer of  the  Congrega- 
tional church.  On  Mav 
17,  1893,  he  wedded 
Elizabeth  A.  Gamble, 
of  Camden. 

Authors,  ages  at  which 
they  died: — Abl)ott,John 
C,  72;  Agassiz,  66;  An- 
derson, Hans,  70;  Aristo, 
59;  Bacon,  Francis,  65; 
Barlow,  Joel,57;  Barnes,  si-iuucr  Phnti> 
Albert,  72;  Baxter,  Rich-      "  '  '  CAMDEN  BllANCll  OF  A. 


ard,  76;  Beranger,  77; 
Boccaccio,  62;  Bremer, 
Frederika,  64;  Bronte, 
Charlotte,  39;  Brown- 
ing, Mrs.  52;  Buckle, 
40;  Bulwer,  68;  Bun- 
yon,  60;  Burns,  37; 
Byron,  Lord,  36;  Car- 
lyle,  Thomas,  86;  Camp- 
beU,  67;  Chaucer,  72; 
Coleridge,  62;  Cooper, 
62 ;  Cowper,  69 ;  DeQirin- 
cey,  74;  Dickens,  68; 
Disraeli,  Benj.,  76; 
Dryden,69;  Edgeworth, 
Mrs.,  82;    Eliot,    Mrs., 

(Mrs.  Lewes)  61;  Gib- 
bon, 57;  Goethe,  83; 
Go]dsmith,46;'  Greeley, 

Horace,  61;  Halleck,77; 
Hawthorne,  60;  Hil- 
dreth,      Richard,      53; 

Johnson,   Samuel,    75; 


Irving,    Washington,   76; 

Keats,  25;  Kingsley,  Charles,  56;  Lamb,  Charles, 
59;  Macauley,  59;  Martineau,  Harriet,  74;  Moore, 
Thomas,  73;  Mill,  J.  S.,  67;  Milton,  60;  Mon- 
taigne, 59;  Poe,  40;  Prescott,  63;  Scott,  61; 
Shakespeare,  52;  Thackery,  52;  Taylor,  Bayard, 53. 

Tlie  A.  J.  Wells  Manufacturing  Co.,  of  Syra- 
cuse, N.  Y.,  started  the  Camden  branch  of  their 
A\orks  April  1,  1901,  leasing  for  that  purpose  the 
building  which  stands  at  the  Main  street  crossing 
of  the  river.  During  the  foUowmg  winter  the 
capacity  of  the  building  was  enlarged  by  the  erec- 
tion of  an  addition  of  the  same  size,  in  the  east 
end,  and  by  the  construction  of  a  steam  power 
house  in  the' rear,  these  improvements  being  made 
necessary  by  the  increase  of  the  business  which  had 
been  foiind'to  overtax  the  original  capacity  of  the 
piaut.  The  factory  is  equipped  after  modern  ideas 
with  steam  x)Ower  and  heat  and  electric  lights. 
The  product  of  the  plant  consi-ts  of  the  Hale  sec- 
tional book  case,  made  of  plain  and  quartered 
oak,  and  mahogany  and  imitation  of  mahogany. 
This  style  of  book  case  which  is  constructed  on  a 
highly  ornamental  as  well  as  useful  plan,  consists 


J.  WELLS'  MANUFACTURING  CO. 


106 


'GRIP'S"  HISTORICAL  SOUVENIR  OF  CAMDEN. 


SkimicT,  Phol.o.    NICHOLAS  SALLADIX. 

of  several  sections  or  suits,  wliich  are  put  together, 
one  on  toja  of  the  other,  as  fast  as  an  increase  of 
one's  Kbrary  makes  necessary  more  room  for  the 
books.  They  are  made  in  fifteen  sizes  to  accom- 
modate any  corner  or  room  plan  that  may  be  de- 
sired for  library  purposes,  and  in  four  styles. 
When  the  Camden  branch  was  opened  its  capacity 
was  for  fifty  sections  a  day.  Now  125  sect  ons  can 
be  turned  out  complete  in  the  same  time.  The 
plant,  now  running  at  its  full  capacity  gives  em- 
ployment to  fifty  workmen.  Its  products  are 
sold  through  agencies. 

Structures,  Highest  in  the  World. — Eiffel, 
Paris,  981  feet;  Washington,  monument,  555; 
Pyramid  of  Cheops,  Egyi^t,  186;  Antwerp  Cathe- 
dral, Belgium,  176;  Strasbiu-g  Cathedral,  Germany, 
174;  Pyramid  of  Cephi'enes,  Egypt,  156;  St. 
Peter's  church,  Rome,  118;  St.  5lartin's  church, 
Landshut,  Germany,  111;  St.  Paul's  church,  Lon- 
don, 365;  SaHsV)ury  Cathedi-al,  England.  400;  Ca- 
thedral, Florence,  Italy,  387;  Cathedra],  Cremona, 
Lombardy.  396;  Cathedral,  Fribom-g,  Germanv, 
386;  Cathedral,  Seville,  Spain,  360;  Cathedral 
Milan,  Lombardy,  355; 
Cathedral,  Utrecht,  Hol- 
land, 356;  Pyramid  of 
Oakkai'ah,  Egypt,  356 ; 
Cathedral  of  Notre  Dame, 
Mimich,  Bavaria,  318; 
St.  Mai-ks  church,  Ven- 
ice, 328;  AsseneJli  Tower, 
Bologna,  Italy,  272;  Trin- 
ity chru'ch.  New  York, 
281;  Column  at  DeUii, 
Hindoostan,  262;  C!hm-ch 
of  Notre  Dame,  Paris, 
224;  Bunker  Hill  Monu- 
ment, Boston,  221;  Lean- 
ing Tower  of  Pisa,  Italy, 
179;  Wasliington  Monu- 
ment, Baltimore,  175; 
Monument,  Place  Ven- 
dome,    Paris,    153;    Tra- 


jan's PiUar,  Rome,  151 ;  Obelisk  of  Luxor,  Paris, 
110;  Egyptian  Obehsk,  New  York,  69.  Many  of- 
fice buUdingsin  New  Y'ork  are  higher  than  several 
of  the  above  structures,  which,  however,  are  men- 
tioned as  among  the  most  notable  structures 
^^sited  by  sightseers. 

Nicholas  Salladin,  is  the  oldest  continuous 
business  man  and  the  oldest  mason  in  Camden. 
He  is  a  dealer  in  foreign  and  American  marble, 
granite  and  free  stone,  also  monuments  and  head 
stones,  at  170  Main  street.  Mr.  Salladm  was  born 
in  Montbroun,  France,  in  1820,  and  although  now 
in  his  eighty-second  year,  is  active  in  personally 
conducting  his  business,  and  does  manuel  labor 
day  after  day  mth  as  much  energy  as  many 
younger  men.  He  comes  from  a  family  of  sculp- 
tors and  all  his  work  is  done  with  neatness  and  in 
good  taste.  His  first  coming  to  Camden  was  at 
the  age  of  seventeen  years.  His  first  marble  es- 
tablishment was  a  wagon  containing  foiu'  tomb 
stones  which  are  still  standing.  From  this  small 
beginning  has  grown  his  extensive  business  which 
is  conducted  in  his  shop  on  the  east  side  of  Main 
street  next  to  his  home.  His  motto  has  always  been 
"Honesty  is  the  best  j^olicy."  Mr.  Salladin's 
wife  passed  away  about  twenty  years  ago,  since 
which  time  his  daughter,  Mrs.  Mattie  Adams,  has 
been  his  housekeeper.  He  has  three  other  chil- 
dren living,  Mrs.  James  D.  Rowe,  John  H.  and 
William  N.  Salladin. 

Population  Facts,  New  York  State  (Federal 
Census,  1900)— 21  cities,  over  20,000,  total  popu- 
lation 1,662,572,  average  222,027.5;  21  cities, 
under  20,000,  total  population  256,678,  average 
12,222.35;  1  incorporated  villages  over  10,000,  to- 
tal population  17,975,  average  11,993.5;  20  incor- 
porated villages  5,000  to  10,000,  total  population 
133,126,  average  t;,656.3;  38  incoriiorated  villages 
3,000  to  5,000,  total  population  150,101,  average 
3,958;  52  incorporated  ^•illages  2,000  to  3,000,  to- 
tal ijoi^ulation  125,280,  average  2,109.3;  109  in- 
coriiorated vUlages  1,000  to  2,000,  total  popula- 
tion 151,082,  average  1,113.65;  119  incorpoi'ated 
villages  500  to  1,000,  total  population  85,735, 
average  720,55;  76  incorporated  -sallages,  under 
500,  total  population,  27,311,  average,  359.57.  To- 
tal population  12  c  ties,  1,919,250;  total  418  incor- 
porated villages,  723,943;  total  rural  or  agricul- 
tural, 1,621,819;  total,  state,  7,268,012.  State 
constitution   classifies   the   cities,    viz:    1st   class. 


Skinner,  Photo. 

NICHOLAS  SALLADIN'S  RESinENCE  AND  MARBLE  WORKS. 


■GEIP'S"  HISTOEICAIi  SOUVENIE  OF  CAMDEN. 


107 


Huested.  Photos. 

G.  J.  WILLIAMS. 


G.  H.  WILLIAMS. 


250,000  and  over  (New  York  aud  Buffalo).  2nd 
class,  50,000  and  over  (Albany,  Troy,  Syracuse 
and  Rochester).  3d  class,  under  50,000,  altogether 
36  cities  (Utica,  by  the  federal  census  eligible  to  2d 
class,  cannot  be  so  ranked  until  the  next  state 
census) . 

George  J.  Williams  was  for  several  years  a 
large  liuilder  in  Ciaiiulen,  his  handiwork  being 
shown  in  such  structures  as  the  First  National 
bank,  C.  A.  &  A.  C.  Phelps'  dry  goods  store,  the 
M.  E.  parsonage,  some  of  the  churches,  many  of 
the  business  blocks  on  the  west  side  of  Main 
street,  and  several  residences  scattered  about  the 
village. 

It  was  in  the  summer  of  1886  that  Mr.  Williams 
came  to  Camden  to  permanently  engage  in  busi- 
ness. The  earlier  years  of  his  life  had  been  spent 
in  leai'ning  the  trade  of  a 
carjjenter  and  acquiring 
the  necessary  knowledge 
of  an  architect  as  well  as 
a  builder,  so  that  many 
of  the  best  edifices  he 
erected  were  after  plans 
either  inspired  or  drawn 
by  himself.  Even  after 
Mr.  Williams  had  gone 
into  trade  with  the  inten- 
tion of  retii-ing  from  active 
building  ojoerations,  he 
was  frequently  called 
upon  to  furnish  plans  and 
supervise  the  erection  of 
structures.  In  1890  he 
was  made  niemlier  of  the 
board  of  education  and 
chaii'man  of  the  building 
committee,  in  which  posi- 
tions he  has  since  served, 
making  the  i:)lans  and 
personally  supervising 
the  work  of  constructing 
the  annexes,  remodehng      Skinner,  Photo. 


the  original  building  and  putting  in  the 
sanitary  conveniences  which  now  make  the 
Camden  High  school  building  modern  in  its 
apiiointments  and  uij-to-date.  Mr. Williams 
has  also  served  as  a  trustee  of  the  vUlage 
and  is  an  active  member  of  the  Odd  Fellows. 
He  was  born  at  Verona  Mdls,  Oneida  county, 
N.  Y.,  May  21,  1843,  and  resided  there  until 
1864.  The  following  year  his  work  brought 
him  to  Camden  temporarily,  where,  in  the 
succeeding  year  he  became  a  resident  to 
engage  in  the  building  and  architectural 
business.  In  1868  he  bought  a  one-fourth 
interest  in  the  sash,  blind,  door  and  planing 
mill  of  Cox  &  Stone  and  thereafter  they 
conducted  the  liuildiDg  business  in  connec- 
tion with  it.  The  firm  then  became  Stone, 
Williams  &  Co.,  and  consisted  of  Andrew 
J.  Stone,  Jacob  Eush,  James  Goshart  and 
Mr.  Wniiams.  This  partnership  was  suc- 
ceeded four  years  later  by  Williams  &  Eush, 
the  other  memliers  of  the  firm  retu-ing.  In 
1883  ]Mr.  Williams  sold  out  his  interest  to 
Jacob  Eush  who  continued  the  business  for 
several  years.  In  1881  Mr. Williams  carried 
on  biuli'ling  and  dealt  in  lumber.  In  1885 
he  purchased  the  boot  and  shoe  business  of 
his  brother's  estate  which  had  lieen  running 
for  twenty-three  years,  commencing  with 
all  bench  work,  'and  at  one  time  employing  from 
twelve  to  fourteen  shoemakers.  The  concentra- 
tion of  shoe  making  in  large  factories  has  since 
made  hand  work  unprofitable  and  now  the  only 
work  done  where  at  one  time  it  was  all  hand  work 
is  that  of  repairing.  The  present  store  was 
erected  in  1865  by  Mr.  Silas  Frazee  who  engaged 
in  business  for  some  years  with  his  son-in-law, Mr. 
W.  W.  Williams,  the  brother  of  the  present  pro- 
prietor, now  dead.  Mr.  WUliams  married  Celestia 
Eosa  in  1871,  and  thev  have  two  sons,  George  H. 
and  Clayton.  The  former,  Mr.  G.  H.  WiUiams, 
has  been  associated  with  his  father  in  trade  for  the 
past  six  years,  he  having  taken  up  the  business 
with  the'  intention  of  having  it  continued  under 
the  name  of  Williams,  as  it  has  been  for  the  past 
forty  years. 


G.  J.  WILLIAMS'  SHOE  STOKE. 


108 


'GBIP'S"  HISTORICAL  SOUVENIR  OF  CAMDEN. 


Hiiested,  Photo. 

Boehm    Bros. 

factui'mg     wagous 


A.  BOEHJr. 

been  engaged 


have    lieen  engaged   m   manu- 
aud     sleighs      in      Camden 
since      August,      1871.       Their   wood    and    ii'on 
working      shops       are       located       on       Church 
street   next    east    of    the    t(.iwu    hall,    and   then' 
repository,  a  high,  broad  structure  capable  of   ac- 
commodating   a   lai-ge   number   of  manufactured 
veliicles   set   up   ready   for  use,  is  on  South  Park 
street.     Tliis  was  originally  erected  and  used  for  a 
roller  skating  rink  and  its  big  heayy  floor  and  wide 
gallery  are  as  spacious  and  convenient  for  making 
the  display  that  Boehm  Bros,  reqiiire,  as  though 
they   were   jilanned   especially  for   that  purpose. 
The  building  encloses  an  area  of  .50x100  feet.  Tnis 
firm  manufactures  all  kinds  of  vehicles,  but  makes 
a  special  line  of  Travoes  sleighs,    which  were   j)ut 
on   the   market   over   twenty-five   years  ago,  and 
Travoes  cutters  which  came  only  about  six   years 
ago   and   which   are   finished  and 
upholstered  in  an  attractive   man- 
ner.    They  also  manufacture  lum- 
ber and  niai-ket  wagons  and   fine 
carriages.      The    shops   comprise 
two   buildings.     The   main   struc- 
ture takes  in  the  blacksmith  shop 
on  the  first  floor,  the   wood   shop 
on   the  second  and   the    finishing 
room   on    the   thiixl.      The   other 
budding  is  used  as  a  store  house 
for  himber  and  other  raw  material. 
This  structure  is  an  old  landmark. 
Yeiu-s  ago  it  stood  on  the  the  public 
square,  a  place  of  worship  for  the 
Methodists.       Afterwards    it    was 
moved  over  on  church  street  where 
for  some  years   it  was  occupied  by 
the  Catholic   church   society.     In 
1889  it  came  into  the  jiossession  of 
Boehm  Bros,    who  then  moved  it 
on  to  its  present  site  in  the  rear  of 
their  factory. 

Christian  Andrew  Boehm  was 
born  at  Wittemberg,  Germany, 
Dec.  24,  1831,  and  when  a  boy  he       Borrowed  Photo. 


entered  uponj  the  trade  of  wagon  making.  In 
May,  1852,  he  arrived  in  this  country  and  located 
at  Oswego.  After  the  big  fire  in  that  city  in  IS.j-t, 
he  went  to  Utica  to  work  for  W.  D.  Haudin,  where 
he  resided  seven  or  eight  years,  working  at  his 
trade.  Then  he  found  empiloyment  at  Booneville 
and  finally  moved  to  Camden  where  he  first  asso- 
ciated himself  in  wagon  making  with  James  Stark, 
on  April  1,  1861,  they  purchasing  the  business  of 
John  Owens  and  continuing  together  for  more  than 
seven  years.  Upon  tlie  dissolution  of  the  partner- 
ship between  Messrs.  Boehm  and  Stark,  which  oc- 
curred Aug.  3],  1871,  Paul  Eoehm,  his  brother, 
became  his  j^artner,  forming  the  present  firm. 
Mr.  C.  A.  Boehm  was  married  at  Eome  to  Miss 
Veronaka  WooUey,  March  19,  1858.  Atone  time 
Mr.  Boelim  was  a  member  of  the  viUage  board  of 
tru.steef. 

Speakers,    House    of    Representatives.  - 

Frederick  A.  Mithlenburgh,  Pa.,  1st,  3d  Cong.; 
Jonathan  Trumbull,  Ct.,  2d  Cong. ;  Jonathan  Day- 
ton, N.  J.,  4th-5th  Cong.;  Theodore  Sedgwick, 
Mass.,  6th  Cong. ;  Nathan  Macon,  N.  C,  7th,  8th^ 
9th  Cong. ;  Joseph  B.  Varnum,  Mass.,  lOth-llth 
Cong.;  Henry  Clay,  Ky.,  12th-16th,  18th  Cong.; 
Philip  P.  Barbour,  Va  ,  17th  Cong. ;  John  W. 
Taylor,  N.  Y.,  19th  Cong.;  Andrew  Stephenson, 
Va",  20th-21st  Cong.;  James  K.  Polk,  Tenn., 
21th-2.5th  Cong. ;  Rol)ert  M.  T.  Hunter,  Va.,  26th 
Cong. ;  John  White  Ky. ,  27th  Cong. ;  John  W. 
Jones,  Va. ,  28th  Cong.;  John  AV.  Davis,  Ind., 
29th  Cong.;  Robert  C.  Winthrop, 
Cong. ;  Howell  Cobb,  Ga.,  31st  Cong. 
Ky.,  32d-33d  Cong.;  Nathaniel  P. 
Mass.,  Sith  Cong.;  Jas.  L.  Orr,  S.  C. 
William  Pennington,  N.  J., 
A.  Grow,  Pa.,  37th  Cong 


Jlass.,  30th 
. ;  Linn  Boyd, 
Banks,  Jr. , 
3.5th  Cong. ; 
36th  Cong. ;  Galusha 
Schuyler  Colfax,  Ind., 
38th-l:0th  Cong.;  James'G.  Blaine,  Me.,  41.st-43d 
Cong. ;  Michael  C.  Kerr,  Ind.,  14th  Cong. ;  Samuel 
J.  Randall,  Pa.,  45th^46th  Cong.;  J.  Warren 
Kiefer,  O.,  47th  Cong.;  John  G.  Carlisle,  Ky., 
48th-50th  Cong.;  Thomas  B.  Reed,  Me.,  51st, 
54th,  .5.5th  Cong. ;  Charles  P.  Crisp,  Ga..,  52d,  53d 
Cong.     David  B.  Henderson,  la.,  56th-57th  Cong. 


liliEHM  BUIJb.    WAbUN  &HUP. 


'GEIP'S"  HISTOBICAL  SOUVENIE  OF  CAMDEN. 


109- 


Huested,  Photos. 

MKS.  D.  S.  WILLIAMS. 


D.  S.  WILLIAMS. 


D.    S.   Williams,    "wlio   condncts     a     grocery, 
meat,  market  and   bakery  at  Nos.  3  and  5  South 
Park  street,  first  began  business  in   Camden   in 
1888,  being  located  for  a  short  time  in  the  Dubois 
block,  Main   street.     An   opportunity  to  buy  the 
l^roperty  where  he  is  now  located  of  Penfield  & 
Stone  was  soon  offered,  and  the  deal  was  quickly 
consummated.      The  building,   in  the  beginning 
erected  and  occuijied  for  a  residence,  offered  small 
quarters  so  that  when  the  doors  were  thrown  open 
for  trade  Mr.  Williams  had  lor  a  store  a  small  room 
iu  one  corner  with  a  stock  of  hardly  more  than 
fifty  dollars  in  value.     As  trade  increased,   parti- 
tions were  removed  and  enlarged  arcommodations 
obtained,  until  now  the  -svhole  of  the  main  piart  of 
the  buUding  accommodates  three  complete  lines 
of     business,     including 
the    grocery,    the     meat 
market    and   the   bakery 
with  a    modern  portable 
oven,  together  with  a  re- 
frigerator,   a  store  room 
and    the    private    office. 
There    is    also     a    large 
cellar  for  the  storage  of 
l^roduce.     Mr.  Williams, 
assisted  by  his  son,  Leon 
D.,    who    on   March    5, 
1901,    was    graduated   at 
the  Albany  Business  Col- 
lege,   is     extending    the 
trade  to  the  fullest  capac- 
ity  of  the    place.     That 
the  housekeeper  may  be 
supplied  with  everything 
for  the  table  that  is  de- 
sired is  the  main  motive 
of  combiniag  three  stores 
in  one.   Both  a  competent 
meat  cutter  and   a  baker 
are    employed    and    the 
trade,  as   well  as  private      ^^^^^^^..^  pi,oto. 
families,    is  served    with  D.  s.  WILLIAMS' 


meats  and  bake  stuffs.  Mr.  Williams  also 
caters  to  weddings  and  jsiu-ties.  From  a 
farm  which  he  owns,  comi^risiug  92  acres, 
which  Mr.  Williams  recently  purchased  of 
Casi^er  Brooks,  known  as  the  Lambie  farm 
and  situated  within  the  corporation  limits, 
he  supplies  cream  from  a  herd  of  Jersey 
cows.  Upon  this  place  he  jsroposes  to  erect 
a  large  creamery  and  an  ice  house.  Here 
he  will  raise  poultry  and  other  home  fed 
meats,  which  will  be  slaughtered  fresh  for 
the  trade  in  an  abbatoir  which  he  will  erect 
for  that  purpose.  As  the  growth  of  busi- 
ness may  warrant,  Mr.  Williams  can  in- 
crease his  store  accommodations,  as  he  has 
a  frontage  of  sixty -three  feet  in  a  location 
which  will  Justify  the  construction  of  a 
large  building.  D.  S.  Williams  was  born 
at  Sandy  Creek,  Oswego  county,  Sept.  1, 
1860.  Sylvanus  Williams,  his  father,  who 
moved  his  family  to  Osceola  when  the  sub- 
ject of  this  sketch  was  quite  young,  con- 
ducted a  hotel  there  for  a  long  time,  being 
justice  of  the  peace  for  thuty  years  and 
also  having  held  the  offices  of  town  clerk 
and  supervisor.  His  death  occurred  in 
Camden  two  years  ago,  following  that  of  his 
vdie,  who  died  in  this  village  in  1896.  D. 
S.  WiUiams  and  Ella  S.  Vandawalker,  of  Osceola, 
were  married  Sei^tember  6,  1880.  Their  children 
are  Leon  D. ,  who  is  in  the  store  "with  his  father, 
Martha,  who  is  at  the  Cazenovia  seminary,  and 
Mary,  Ida,  Kay  and  Edna,  who  are  pupils  of  the 
Camden  public  school.  Mr.  Williams  is  a  member 
of  the  Masonic  order,  the  Odd  Fellows,  the  O.  U. 
A.  M.  and  the  Grangers. 

State  Board  of  Equalization.  —  It  consists 
of  the  Lieut.  -  Governor,  Secretary  of  State, 
Comptroller,  State  Treasurer,  Attorney-General, 
Speaker  of  the  Assembly,  State  Engineer  and  State 
Tax  Commissioners.  They  are  charged  with  the 
duty  of  equalizing  the  .state  tax  among  ihe  several 
counties  of  the  state  and  fixing  the  amount  of 
assessment  on  real  and  personal  property  on  which 
the  state  tax  is  levied. 


MEAT  MARKET,  BAKEKY  AND  GIIOCEKY, 


110 


'GRIP'S"  HISTOEICAL  SOUVENIR  OF  CAMDEN. 


Borrowed  Pbotos. 
BEKNICE  E.  BATCHELOR 


JOSEPH  BATCHELOR 

Job    Batchelor     was   a   very   active   business 
man  of  Ciinulen  for  about  40  years,  a  man  who  had 
deeply  at  heart  the  improvement  and  welfare   of 
the  commimity.     He  was  a  great  admher  of  nature 
and  loved  to  beautify  with  fiowers  and  shrubbery 
wherever  it  was  possilile  to  be  done.     rorest-Hill 
cemetery  was  a  place  he  especially  desii-ed  to  see 
improved   in   a   manner  that  would  malie  its  siu-- 
roundiugs  attractive  and  during  the  time   he   was 
trustee   of   that    associa- 
tion,   which    was     about 
ten  years,    he   was    con- 
stantly agitating  the  ex- 
penditure   of    money  to 
beautify  the  jjlace.     The 
most  appropriate  monu- 
ment  to   his  love  of  the 
beautiful  is  the  row  of  ma- 
ples standing  along  Main 
street  from  the  cemetery 
■entrance  to  the  knitting 
mill    property  which   he 
caused    to    be     .set     oiri 
while  he  was  the   presi- 
dent of   the   association, 
the  i:)osition  he  oceujiicd 
for  several  years  and  also 
at  the  time  of  his  death. 
It  was  about   1851   when 
he  came  to  Camden  from 
Utica,  having  during  the 
previous     year     married 
Miss  Bernice  Smith.   His 
•trade  was   that  of  a  ma- 
chinist   and    diu'ing  the 
first  nineteen  years  of  his 
residence    here    he    fol- 
lowed   that     occupation 
working  first  for   George 
W.  Wood  and  afterwards 
for  Tripp  &  Fifield.    For 
about  a  year  he  was  in 


the   shoe  business  in  company  with  Frank 
Snow  and  dui-ing  the  following   three  years 
was    engaged  in  insurance  with  the  firm 
of  Howell  &  More.     Then   he  formed  a  co- 
partnership with  F.    W.  Olmstead   in  the 
clothing  trade  and  at  the  end  of  three  years 
sold  out  to  his  partner.     He  then  started  the 
clothing  store  which  he  conducted  up  to  the 
time  of  his  death.     About  three  years  prior 
to  his  death  his  son  George  became  associat- 
ed with  him  under  the  firm  name  of  Batch- 
elor  &  Son.     Mr.    Batchelor   was   born   at 
Bradford-on-the-Avon,    England,    Aug.    15, 
1829.     Coming  to  this  country  when  twelve 
years   of   age   he   found   a    home   with  his 
brother  in  Utica  where   he   lived  until  he 
came  to  Camden,  with  the  exception  of  the 
first  year  after  his  marriage  when  he  resid- 
ed m  Koine.     His  interest  in  village  affau-s 
was  displayed  whenever  occasion  called  for 
individual'  effort  and   being  a  rea,dy  talker 
as  weU  as  a  good  public  speaker  his  oratori- 
cal powers  were  freqirently  called  into   ser- 
vice in  beh  ilf  of  pending   pubhc   qirestions, 
being  often  exercised  in  the  councils  of  the 
repul)lican  party  of  which  he  was  an   active 
member.     To  his  skill   as  an  organizer  was 
due  the  existence  of   the   first  fire   engine 
company,    known   as   Engine   Co.    No.     1, 
which      was     organized     to    take     the    place    of 
the    crude   methods   for   protection   against    fire 
which   had   proven   inadequate.     Then   came  the 
question  of  a  public  water  system  of  which  he  also 
was  an  enthusiastic  supporter  and  which  of  course 
took   the   place  of  the  engine  company.     He  Tvas 
also   the   organizer   of   the  Merchants'  Protective 
association    and   was   at  one   time    United  States 
revenue    collector.     On  several  occasions  he  was 


Borrower!  Photo. 


MRS.  BERNICE  H.  BATCHELOR'S  RESIDENCE. 


'GRIP'S"  HISTORICAL  SOUVENIR  OF  CAMDEN. 


Ill 


elected  a  village  trustee.  He  had  a  taste  for  the 
best  literary  productions  and  greatly  loved  to  read 
Shakespeare  and  Burns.  After  some  months  of 
jjoor  health,  during  which  he  was  confined  to  the 
house  for  aliout  six  weeks,  he  died,  Oct.  19,  1891, 
survived  by  his  wife  and  one  son.  His  widow  is 
still  living  comfortably  in  the  family  home  on  Main 
street.  The  funeral,  held  at  the  Congregational 
church,  was  very  largely  attended,  the  Masonic 
order  of  w-hich  he  was  a  member  and  the  busi- 
ness men  generally  turning  out  in  a  body. 

George  J.  Batchelor,  the  only  son  of  Job  and 

Bernice  Smith  Batchelor,  was  engaged  in  the 
clothing  business  in  this  village  for  about  ten 
years.  Three  years  prior  to  the  death  of  his  father 
he  was  taken  in  as  a  partner,  and  after  the  loss  of  his 
father,  he  continued  to  carry  on  the  business  until 
his  own  death  which  occurred  October  21,  1899. 
He  was  born  in  Camden,  June  23,  1864,  and  was 
one  of  the  brightest  pupils  of  the  public  schools  of 
this  village.  He  possessed  a  natural  keenness 
which  gi'eatly  aided  him  to  successfully  carry  on 
the  liusiness  which  had  been  left  him  by  his  father 
after  he  had  had  l)ut  comparatively  a  brief  experi- 
ence in  trade.  But  he  had  been  an  apt  scholar  at 
school  and  a  sociable  companion  and  had  made 
many  friends,  and  these  qualities  reinforced  by  a 
natiu'ally  energetic  sphit  served  him  well  in  push- 
ing along  the  road  which,  if  he  had  lived,  would 
have  led  to  success.  In  a  large  measui-e  he  pos- 
sessed the  kind,  liberal  nature  of  his  father,  ever 
ready  to  freely  contriljute  his  time  and  means 
when  asked  to  do  so. 

By  his  marriage  to  Josephine  Craig  there  were 
two  children,  Dannie  and  Beulah,  who  w'ith  theu' 
mother  still  survive  him.  He  was  a  charter  mem- 
ber and  at  the  time  of  his  death  Past  ChanceUor 
of  the  Camden  Lodge,  Knights  of  Pythias,  and  a 
member  of  the  Rescue  H.  &  L.  Co.  of  the  Camden 
Fire  Department. 

E.  J.  Castle  is  doing  business  in  the  store 
where  for  some  years  E.  A.  Harvey  and  G.  R. 
Sheppai'd  carried  on  trade — a  business  which  was 
estabhshed  in  1878,  and  which  today  is  one  of  the 
best  laiown  stands  for  trade  in  town.  While  Mr. 
Castle  deals  largely  in  country  produce, his  .s]3eciid 
line  of  trade  comprises  fancy  gToceries,  teas  and 
coffees,  aU  the  new  cereals  that  are  in  the  market, 
fancy  biscuits,  crackers  and  canned  and  bottled 
goods.  Mr.  Castle,  after  completing  his  studies 
in  the  Camden  High  school,  1889-'9(),  accepted  a 
clerkship  with  G.  R.  Sheppard  which  he  held  until 
1898,  when  he  succeeded  to  the  business  as  sole 
proprietor.  He  was  born  in  Florence,  July  20, 
1874,  and  before  coming  to  Camden  he  lived  at 
WiUiamstown  nine  years,  where  he  attended  the 
Williamstown  Union  school.  On  October  16, 
1895,  he  was  married  to  Jennie  U.  Chapman,  of 
this  viUage.  Mr.  Castle  is  a  member  of  the  O.  U. 
A.  M.  and  an  active  member  of  the  Methodist 
church.  Taking  a  special  interest  in  the  Sunday 
school  he  became  its  superintendent  in  which 
capacity  his  services  are  fully  devoted  to  the  wel- 
fare of  his  charge. 

Solon  Cook,  the  eldest  child  of  Martin  and 
Clarissa  Cook,  who  came  with  several  others  from 
Connecticut  in  1800  and  settled  iu  Camden,  was  a 
resident  of  this  village  up  to  the  time  of  his  death, 
Avhich  occurred  July  2,  1876.    Born  in  Harwinton, 


Ct.,  September  30,  1795,  he  was,  therefore,  in 
his  fifth  year  when  his  ijarents  came  to  Camden. 
Among  those  who  accompanied  them  hither  were 
his  gTandfather,  Ohver  Cook,  a  revolutionary  sol- 
dier, and  the  latter's  wife.  They  settled  two  miles 
south  of  Camden,  on  lands  which  Solon  Cook's 
father,  Martin  Cook,  and  the  latter's  brother-in- 
law,  Joseph  ScoviUe,  had  begun  to  clear  the  pre- 
vious year.  Oliver  Cook  died  on  the  place  origi- 
nally settled,  December  30,  1838,  and  his  wile. 
Submit,  July  20,  1846.  Then-  son,  Martm,  Solon's 
father,  died  March  20,  1855,  and  his  -n-ife,  Aug-ust 
28,  1848.  Solon  Cook's  early  years  were  hke  those 
of  all  pioneers  engaged  in  clearing  a  new  country, 
devoted  to  hard  work  and  subjected  to  many  j^riva- 
tions.  At  the  time  of  the  outbreak  of  the  war  of 
1812  he  enlisted  and  was  enrolled  as  a  private  in 
Captain  John  Smith's  company  which  at  once 
marched  to  Sacketts  Harbor.  On  April  3,  1815, 
he  married  Elvira  Bvington.  Her  death  occurred 
May  4,  1822,  and  on  October  25,  1824,  Solon  Cook 


i:^w  -a^  ■.  '^^ 


Borrowud  Pbotn.    GEDKGE  BATCHELOR. 

married  Elizabeth  Peck.  There  were  three  chil- 
dren by  the  first  wife  and  seven  by  the  other. 
Angeline  E.  (Mrs.  Philander  Smith)  was  one  of 
the  three.  Mrs.  Elizabeth  (Quincey)  Barber  was 
a  daughter  of  the  second  wife.  Three  of  his  sons 
are  living,  M.  P.  B.  Cook,  of  Lockport,  N.  Y.,  M. 
R.  Cook,  of  Denver,  Colo.,  and  George  G.  Cook, 
who  occupies  the  home  farm. 

Mr.  Cook  was  persistent  in  his  aims  and  indus- 
trious. He  was  a  vigorous  supporter  of  the 
Methodist  church  with  which  he  was  identified  for 
many  years,  and  of  which  he  was  class  leader, 
trustee  and  steward.  In  poHtics  he  was  a  whig 
and  afterwards  a  repubhcan,  and  at  one  time 
served  as  town  assessor.  He  was  a  large  land 
owner.  Included  in  his  tract  was  a  settlement 
^^•hich  liecame  known  as  Salisbury.  Mrs.  Eliza- 
beth Peck  Cook,  Ms  second  wife,  the  daughter  of 
Henry  Peck,  who  came  to  Camden  early  in  the  last 
century,  was  a  prominent  school  mistress  and  an 
accomplished  Bible  student.  She  died  September 
12.  1885. 


112 


•GRIP'S"  HISTORICAL  SOUVENIR  OF  CAMDEN. 


SOLON  COOK.        (See  sk.  page  111.)        ISETSEY  P.  OOO 
QUINCEY  BARBER.  ELIZABETH  BARBER 

Quincey  Barber  was  identified  with  the  busi- 
ness interests  ol  Camden  for  forty-six  years.  The 
estabhshmeut  of  one  of  the  largest  gim  manufac- 
tories in  this  ooiuitry,  that  for  the  production  of 
the  Lefever  gun,  ^\as  largely  due  to  him  who  with 
his  brother  and  the  mventor  of  the  gun,  equipped 
the  factory  at  Syracuse  in   1875.     Mr.  Barber  was 


a  man  of  sterling  abilities,  honest  and  up- 
right in  all  business  transactions,  faithful  as 
an  official  and  a  man  of  good  judgment  in 
all  things  pertaining  to  the  highest  type 
of  citizenship.  He  was  an  active  member 
of  the  Methodist  church  from  boyhood,  de- 
youtly  regnilar  in  attendance  and  a  powerful 
exhorter.  For  fifty  years  he  was  class  lead- 
er in  the  Sunday  school  of  the  Camden 
Methodist  Episcopal  church  of  which  he 
was  also  superintendent  fourteen  years.  In 
religious  matters  and  church  duties  his  ex- 
ample and  services  were  of  the  highest  order 
and  every  burden  as  a  Christian  man  and  re- 
sponsible member  of  society,  was  fitly  taken 
up  and  cheerfully  borne.  He  was  born  in 
Winsor,  Mass,  July  12,  182y,  and  in  early 
life  leai'ned  the  trade  of  wagon  making. 
Comhig  to  Camden  in  18^6,  he  engaged  for 
several  years  in  that  business  with  S.  G.  Sta- 
ples, his  brother-in-law,  and  afterwards  in 
the  insurance  business.  Then  he  was  a 
partner  in  a  grocery  with  James  Gamble, 
afterwards  m  the  dry  goods  business  with 
Cook  Bros.,  and  for  eight  years  a  member  of 
the  boot  and  shoe  firm  of  Wilhams,  Locke 
tt  Barber.  Later  on  he  engaged  in  pro- 
ducing oil  in  Pennsylvania.  Returning  to 
Camden  in  1883,  he  became  one  of  the  firm 
of  Gardner,  Wakefield  &Co.,  manufacturers 
of  sash,  doors  and  bUnds  and  was  more 
or  less  active  in  building  operations. 
DiU'ing  the  later  years  of  his  life  he  was 
employed  in  the  Corbin  Lock  Co.'s  factory. 
On  May  24,  1848,  he  was  appointed  deputy 
postmaster  under  Dr.  Bickford  and  served 
one  term.  He  married  Elizabeth,  the 
daughter  of  Solon  Cook,  who  with  two  daughters 
survive  him.  The  latter  are  Miss  M.  E.  Barber, 
who  conducts  a  studio  in  Syracuse,  taking  high 
rank  among  the  artists  and  art  patrons  of  that  city, 
and  Mrs.  Alice  B.  Robinson,  who  resides  with  her 
mother  in  Camden,  devoting  much  of  her  time  to 
miniature   painting   for   which    she    obtains    the 


K. 


E.  J.  CASTLE. 


B.  J.  CASTLE'S  GROCERY. 


[Seesk.  passe  111. 


'GRIP'S"  HISTOEIOAL  SOUVENIR  OF  CAMDEN. 


113 


Huested,  Photo. 


CHAKLES  P.  POND. 


greater  share  of  her  patronage  in  the  cities  of  this 
state.  At  the  time  of  his  death,  June  2,  1895,  Mr. 
Barber  was  in  active  trade,  although  72  years  old. 
His  funeral  in  the  prayer  room  of  the  church,  was 
largely  attended,  the  casket,  in  accordance  with 
his  known  wishes,  being  placed  where  for  many 
years  he  had  been  a  conspicuous  figure  at  devo- 
tional exercises. 

Charles  Putnum  Pond,  the  leading  architect 
and  contract.  buUder  in  Camden,  has  designed  and 
construded  some  of  the  finest  re.sidences  in  the 
village,  besides  numerous  other  pretty  homes. 
Diu'iug  the  building  seasons  lie  has  given  e  n- 
ployment  to  a  conside fable  number  of  workmen. 
In  footing  up  the  money  put  into  buildings  which 
he  has  erected  during  the  past  ten  years  he 
reaches  an  aggregate  of  alioitt  .f;50,000.  Mr.  Pond 
is  also  a  wood  carver  in  which  he  has  turned  out 
excellent  work.  Among  the  residences  he  has 
constructed  which  are 
shown  in  this  work,  are 
Attorney  GeneralDavies', 
page  40;  L.  P.  Havi- 
land's,  page  90;  ex-Super- 
visor W.  S.  Peck's, 
page  88;  Charles  McCar- 
thy's, page  79,  and  his 
own  on  this  page.  For 
the  last  ten  years  he  has 
made  a  specialty  of 
artistic  designing  and 
building  as  weU  as  the 
construction  of  jjiazzas, 
porte  co-cheres,  stair 
cases,  book  cases, mantels 
and  ornamental  fixtures 
and  additions  to  fine 
residences.  Mr.  Pond 
was  born  February  9. 
1857,  on  the  Pond  home- 
stead on  Mexico  street 
which  his    great     grand-       Borrowed  Ph.jti 


father,  Bartholomew  Pond,  carved  out  of  the  wild- 
erness. Amos  P.  Pond,  his  father,  was  a  builder 
as  was  also  Col.  Richard  Emijoy,  his  maternal 
grandfather,  by  whom  he  was  adopted  on  the 
death  of  his  mother,  Olaiissa  R.  Empey,  which 
occurred  when  he  was  two  years  old.  He  lived 
with  Col.  Empey's  family  at  the  Empey  home- 
stead, on  Emjiey  avenue,  until  1886,  when  he  mar- 
ried Miss  Lizzie  E.  Keating  and  moved  to  his  pre- 
sent home — delightfully  situated  house  and 
grounds  at  the  foot  of  Mt.  Parnassus  in  the  north- 
ern suburbs  of  the  viQage.  They  have  four  chil- 
dren, Douglass,  Gordon,  Richard  and  Clarisssa. 
At  16  years  of  age  Mr.  Pond  began  work  as  a  car- 
penter. Evincing  a  taste  for  designing,  at  which 
he  spent  all  of  his  .spare  hours  with  promising  re- 
sults, he  later  on  obtained  the  opportunity  to  take 
a  course  in  architectui-e  at  Albany.  Since  then 
his  whole  time,  covering  the  period  of  more  than 
twenty -five  years,  has  been  devoted  to  the  occu- 
pation which  he  has  made  a  study  as  well  as  a 
trade.  Mr.  Pond  has  gained  some  renown 
among  poultry  fanciers  as  the  originator  of  the 
Buff  Wyandotte  fowls,  known  all  over  this  country, 
Canada  and  England,  and  is  a  active  member  of 
a  club  bearing  that  name,  composed  of  two  hun- 
dred members  from  various  .sections  of  the  state. 

Camden,  How  Situated. — The  queen  village 
of  Oneida  county  is  situated  in  the  north-western 
corner  of  the  county  and  joins  Oswego  county. 
The  town  of  Florence  is  on  the  north-east  and 
Annsville  on  the  east.  Little  River  divides  it  on 
the  south  from  Vienna.  The  west  branch  of  Fish 
Creek  and  Mad  River  are  its  principal  streams. 
They  unite  below  the  village  and  empty  into 
Oneida  lake.  The  village  is  nearly  level  The 
soil  is  sandy  loam  in  some  jjlaces;  gravelly  and 
stony  in  others.  Seldom  can  be  found  a  more 
beautiful  village  with  its  magnificent  shade  trees 
of  maple,  comfoi  table  homes  and  Avell  kept  lawns 
stirrounding  them. 

Bridges,  Longest. — Montreal,  8,701  feet; 
Brooklyn,  5,989;  Dneiper,  4,213;  Havre  de  Grace, 
6,000;  Homestead,  (Pa.,)  5,300.  The  longest 
bridge  in  the  world  is  in  China.     It  is  23,000  feet. 


(JHAltLES  p.  POND'S  KE.SIDENOE. 


114 


'GKIP'S"  HISTOKIOAL  SOUVENIR  OF  CAMDEN. 


CHAULES  HARDEN,  McCounellsville.  N.  Y. 
Charles  Harden,  the  supervisor  from  the 
town  of  Vienna,  has  for  several  years  jjast  carried 
on  himbering  very  extensively;  supplying 
his  saw  mill  at  McConnellsville  with  timber 
which  is  made  into  building  supplies  and 
excelsior.  Including  several  pieces  of  land 
lying  in  the  town  of  Annsville,  Vienna  and 
Camden,  his  real  estate  holdings  aggregate 
about  one  thousand  acres,  most  of  which  is 
woodland  more  or  less  cleared,  having  been 
cut  down  bv  Mr.  Harden  to  feed  the  ravenous 
maw  of  tlie  saw  mill  that  he  himself  has 
conducted  for  38  years.  These  several 
pieces  include  the  Abram  L.  Wood  place, 
the  original  McConneU  farm  which  he 
bought  ten  vears  ago,  and  the  Allen 
Nichols  place,  purchased  during  the  present 
year.  When  he  arrived  in  McConnellsviUe 
in  18G4,  Mr.  Harden  expected  to  lie  able 
to  out  down  what  available  timber  he  had 
bought  and  in  the  course  of  that  year  have  ^^^  ^ 
it  sawed  up  in  the  miU  which  was  then 
run  liv  Alexis  Beeman.     The  proi>erty  was  owned 


by  John  Halstead  from  whom  it  was  bought  bj 
Mr.  Harden,  the  latter  taking  possession  in  1865. 
Large  tracts  of  hemlock,  spruce  and  pine  were 
found  to  aflbrd  an  almost  inexhaustible  supply. 
So  that  a  few  years  later,  in  1884,  Mr.  Harden  and 
his  son  started  the  chair  factory  which  enabled 
them  for  many  years  to  convert  the  timber  largely 
into  manufactured  articles.  Eleven  years  later,in 
189.5,  however,  Mr.  Harden  severed  his  connection 
with  the  chair  factory.  From  the  time  he  bought 
the  mill  he  has  made  such  changes  as  were  neces- 
sary to  increase  its  capacity  and  keep  up  with  the 
times.  The  old  antiquated  wheel  gave  place  to 
two  modem  turbine  wheels  which  have  a  com- 
bined capacity  of  forty  horse  power;  and  a  oii-ou- 
lar  saw  soon' replaced  the  old  fashioned  vertical 
saw.  The  jiresent  capacity  of  the  miU  is  for  cut- 
ting up  ten  thousand  feet  'of  lumber  a  day.  Its 
products  have  gone  into  all  kinds  of  buildinge  and 
structures,  besides  supplying  the  local  demand 
for  lumber  as  well  as  being  shipped  to  other  mar- 
kets. Mr.  Harden  has  carried  on  building  irnder 
contract  to  a  considerable  extent,  having  built, 
among  other  structm-es,highway  and  canal  bridges. 
At  the  time  of  the  construction  of  the  old  Mid- 
land, now  the   N.  Y.  O.  &  W.  KB.,  Mr.  Harden 


CHARLES  HARDEN'S  SAW  MILL,  McCoimcUsvi 


KLES  HARDEN'S  RESI UE-NTE,  McConnellsviUe,  N.  Y. 
had  the  contract  for  building  the  depots  along  the 
line  from  Sidney  Plains,  Chenango 
county,  to  North  Bay,  Oneida, 
county  —  altogether  about  seven- 
teen of  them. 

The  year  after  he  came  to 
McConnellsviUe  Mr.  Harden  built 
a  home  on  the  knoll  overlooking 
the  mill  and  stream.  The  house 
was  burned  in  November,  1896, 
and  so  quickly  was  a  new  one  con- 
structed, now  the  pretty  and 
modern  residence  standing  on  the 
same  site,  that  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Har- 
den occupied  it  by  Christmas  day 
of  the  same  yeiu-. 

Mr.  Harden  served  the  town  of 
Vienna  as  road  commissioner  six 
or  seven  years  and  is  now  in  his 
sixth  year  as  supervisor  from  that 
town,  being  a  member  of  the  com- 
mittee which  has  charge  of  the 
repairing  of  the  court  house  at 
Borne.  The  Harden  mill  is  one 
of  the  oldest  in  the  northern  part 


le,  N.  Y. 


'GRIP'S"  HISTORICAL  SOUVENIR  OF  CAMDEN. 


115 


Bon-owed  Photo.    WILLIAM  E.  RUSSELL'S  EESIDENCE,  ATest  Camden,  N.  Y. 

of  the  coimty.     The  first  mill  standing  on  this  site 

was   oonstrneted   in    1801    by  Mr.   Hammill,  and 

operated    by    a    company   composed  of  WiUiam 

Smith,  Timothy  Hallstead   and  others.     The  grist 

miU  across  the  stream,  now  a  part  of  the  furniture 

factory,  was  erected  in  1801  by  WiUiam  Smith. 

Mr.  Charles  Harden  was  born  in  Verona,  Oneida 
county,  November  7,  1828.     His  father's  farm  laid 
between  Oneida  village  and  Dui-hamviUe.     When 
he  was   twenty-one  years   old,  Mr.  Harden  and 
John  Dygert  opened  a  bank   of  clay  on  the  farm 
and   for   three   years   engaged   in   manufacturing 
brick.     This  yard  was  conducted  for  several  years 
thereafter,  first  passing  into  the  hands  of  a  man 
named  Hall  and  being  afterwards  conducted  by 
Tibbitts.     Mr.   Harden  boated  on  the  canal  two 
years,  draAviug  grain  from  Buti'alo  to  New  York, 
and  then  located  in  Illinois,  in  1854.     Three  years 
later  he     married    Jane 
Cook,  of  Manteno,  111.,  by 
whom  he  had  two  child- 
ren, of  whom  one,  Frank 
S.  Harden,  is  now  living. 
She  died   in   1863.      His 
second  wife    was    Jessie 
Neef,  by  whom  there  was 
one  child,  GeorgeHarden, 
a     resident     of    McCon- 
nellsville.      His    preseait 
wife   was    Mrs.    Caroline 
Lamphere,     of    McCon- 
nellsviUe,  whom  he  mar- 
ried     March      5,     187:2. 
During   his  residence  in 
the     west     Mr.     Harden 
made  an  overland  trip  to 
Colorado  with  a  party  of 
prospectors     who     were 
looking  for  gold  and  who 
travelled  across  the  plains 
with    oxen   and   wagons. 
During  the  time  he  "was 
in  the  west  Mr.   Harden 
engaged  in  railroading.  Borrowed  Photo. 


Governors    of    New 
York. — George  Clinton, 
(Ulster  Co.)  elected  July 
9,  1776.  and  April,  1801; 
John  Jay     (New    York) 
April,  1795;  MorganLewis 
(Dutchess)     AprU,   1804; 
DanielD.Tonipkins(Eich- 
mond)    April  1807;  John 
Taylor,  Lieut.  -Governor 
(Albany),    March     1817; 
DeWitt      Clinton     (New 
York)  Nov.  1817,  Nov.  8, 
1824;    Joseph    C.    Yates 
(Schenectady)      Nov.     6, 
1822;  Nathaniel  Pitcher, 
Lieut. -Gov.       (Washing- 
ton) Feb.  11, 1828;  Martin 
VanBuren        (Columbia) 
Nov.    5,    1828;    Enos   T. 
Throop,        Lieut.  -  Gov. 
(Cayuga)  March  12, 1829; 
WdliamL.  Marcy  (Renss- 
elaer)     Nov.      7,      1832; 
William  H.  Seward  (Cay- 
uga)   Nov.  7,  1838;  Will- 
iam  C.    Bouck   (Schoharie)  Nov.    8,    1842;    Silas 
Wright  (St.  Lawrence)   Nov.  5,  1844;  John  Y'oung 
(Livingston)    Nov.  3,   1846;  Hamilton  Fish  (New 
York),  Nov.  7,  1848;  Washington  Hunt   (Niagara) 
Nov.  5,  1850;  Horatio  Seymour  (Oneida)    Nov.  2, 
1852,  Nov.  4,   1862;    Myron  H.   Clark  (Ontario) 
Nov.  7,  1854;JohnA.  King  (Queens)   Nov.  4,1856; 
Edwin   D.   Morgan   (New   York)     Nov.   2,    1858; 
Reuben   E.    Fenton  (Chautauqua)    Nov.  8,  1864; 
John  T.  Hoffman  (New  York)    Nov.  3,  1868;  John 
A.  Dix  (New  York)    Nov.  5,  1872;  Samuel  J.  Til- 
den  (New  York)    Nov.  3,  1874;  Lucius  Robinson 
(Chemung),  Nov.  7,  1876;  Alonzo  B.  Cornell  (New 
York)  Nov.  4,  1879;  Grover  Cleveland*  (Erie)  Nov. 
7,  1882 ;  David  B.Hill,Liet. -Gov.,  (Chemung)  Jan. 
6,  1885;  elected  November,   1885,  and  re-elected 
November  1888;  Roswell  P.  Flower    (New  York) 
Nov.  3,  1891;  Levi  P.  Morton  (Dutchess)   Nov.  6. 
1894;  Frank  S.  Black  (Rensselaer)     Nov.  3,  1896; 


JOHN  H.  TAYLOR'S  RESIDENCE,  West  Camdeu,  N.  Y. 


116 


'GEIP'S"  HI8T0EICAL  SOUVENIB  OF  CAMDEN. 


F.  S.  HARDEN,  MoConueUsviUe,  N.  Y. 
Theodore  Eoosevelt  (QiTeens)   Nov.  8,  1898;  Ben- 
jamia  D.  OdeU  (Orange)   Nov.  6,  1900. 

♦Only  governor  elected   to   aiid  occupying  the 
Presidential   ohaii-  before  the   expiration  of 
his  term  as  governor. 

Frank  S.  Harden,  the  ehaii-  manufac- 
turer at  McCouneUs\alle,  since  the  enterprise 
was  started  has  doubled  the  capacity  of  the 
works  and  increased  its  output  from  $12,000 
the  first  year  to  approximately  .$50,000  in 
1901.  At  first  there  were  manufactured 
plain  and  inexpensive  kitchen  and  dining 
room  chairs.  A  year  later  improved  styles 
were  added.  Four  years  after  that,  having 
increased  the  facilities  of  his  ijlant  by  the 
erection  of  a  building,  30x104  feet,  with 
better  accommodations  for  finishing  and 
upholstering  as  well  as  to  include  packing 
and  ware  rooms  and  a  ijrettOy  finished  and 
commodious  office,  he  branched  out  into  the 
higher  priced  chau-s.  Since  then,  as  new 
ideas  have  prompted,  he  has  adopted  patterns  of 
the  still  more  expensive  kinds  which  now  include 
fancy  rockers  of  all  descriptions  with  leather,  cane, 


upholstered  and  polished  wood  seats.  The  pro- 
duct also  largely  comprises  what  is  called  mission 
styles,  which  are  copied  from  the  old  Spanish  mis- 
sion furnitui-e  and  are  made  with  either  rush  or 
Spanish  leather  seats.  On  June  1,  1884,  the  fac- 
toi  y  was  started  by  Mr.  Harden  and  his  father,  the 
firm  bemg  Charles  Haixlen  &  Son,  who  bought  the 
property  of  N.  B.  Foote,  of  Rome,  comprising  j 
of  an  acre  of  land  stretched  along  the  east  side  of 
the  river  and  the  old  grist  mill  liuilding  that  had 
stood  fifty  years.  This  was  the  nucleus  for  the 
present  works.  An  addition  to  the  mill  30x36  feet 
was  erected,  the  original  structure  being  30x60  feet 
with  three  stories.  The  water  power  was  all  that 
could  be  desired.  The  broad,  deep  channel  of 
Fish  creek  has  never  been  known  to  fail,  the  siiii- 
ply  of  water  being  more  than  is  required  in  the 
driest  of  seasons.  Five  years  after  begmning  to 
manufacture,  a  second  addition  of  three  stories, 
30x36  feet,  was  erected,  the  big  main  building  for 
the  office  and  finishing  departments  having  been 
constructed  the  previous  year.  In  1894  the  steam 
plant  consisting  of  a  60  horse  power  boiler,  used 
for  heating  and  for  drying  and  bending,  was  put 
in.  The  next  year,  'January,  1895,  the  partner- 
ship between  father  and  son  was  dissolved,  the 
former   continuing   thereafter  to  run  the  saw  mill 


F.  S.  HARDENS  FURNITURE  FACTORY,  McConneUsvilk-,  N.  Y. 


y.  HARDEN'S  RESIDENCE.  McConuellsvllle,  N.  Y. 

on  the  opposite  side  of  the  river  and  leaving  Mr. 
Frank  S.  Harden  the  sole  jn-oprietor  of  the  chaii' 
works.  With  two  main  liuildmgs  and  additions 
comprising  twelve  floors 
and  aggregating  a  floor 
space  of  over  21,000 
square  feet,  besides  the 
engine  house  and  dry 
kiln,  the  latter  having  the 
capacity  for  holding  from 
8,000  to  10,000  feet  of 
lumber  this  is  one  of  the 
most  sisacioiis  chau-  man- 
ufacturing plants  in  the 
t-ounty.  Most  of  the 
time  it  gives  employment 
to  thirty-five  people,  who 
with  then-  families  con- 
stitute a  material  part  of 
the  poxiulation  of  McCon- 
nellsviUe.  Its  products 
are  sold  to  dealers 
through  agents  in  the 
eastern  markets.  Twice 
a  year,    in   January    and 


"GRIP'S"  HISTORICAL  SOUVENIR  OF  CAMDEN. 


117 


Aboiit  this  time  a  school 
honse  Avas  built  upon 
what  is  now  the  village 
park  —  then  a  swampy 
piece  of  land  covered 
with  stumps.  Near  the 
site  of  the  present  Pen- 
field  &  Stone  mill,  as  early 
as  1795,  a  saw  mill  was 
built  by  Jesse  Cui-tiss. 
From  that  time  to  the 
present  this  part  of  the 


liorrowud  I'liotii.        S.   I..  SMITHS  RESIDENCE,  West  Caindcn,  N.  Y 

July,  Mr.  Harden  places  a  large  number  of  sam- 
ples on  exhibition  in  New  York,  and  while  orders 
are  usually  taken  at  that  time,  the  trade  has  to  be 
seen  afterwards.  Until  the  partnership  was  dis- 
solved—at the  time  the  plant  tm-ned  out  cheap 
chairs— the  saw  mill  supplied  a  great  deal  of  the 
lumber  that  was  used.  But  since  higher  priced 
chau's  are  being  made  most  of  the  lumber  is  the 
kind  that  is  piu-chased  in  other  markets.  Frank 
S.  Harden  was  born  at  Peotone,  111.,  Sept.  1,  1858, 
and  was  but  three  years  old  when  his  parents 
moved  east  to  make  theii-  home  in  Oneida.  Their 
coming  to  McConnells^-ille  was  in  1864,  when  he 
was  four  years  old.  His  father  having  bought  the 
saw  mill  there,  his  son's  earUer  life   was 


village  has   been  a  busy 
one.     The   first  religious 
society,  the  Fii-st  Church 
of      Christ       (Congrega- 
tional),   was    formed    in 
1798.     Dr.JoelKathburn 
was     Camden's     pioneer 
physician,  coming  to  the 
new     settlement     about 
1,S(  II .    Judge  Israel  Stod- 
dard was  the  first  perma- 
nent lawyer.     He    came 
from  Connecticut  in  1798 
on  horseback,  the  mode  of 
traveling  in  those  times. 
A  lirick  kiln  was   in   operation   as  early  as  1801. 
The  first  tavern  was   liuilt  by  Henian  Bymgton 
in  1816.     The  same  year  a  Masonic  lodge  was  or- 
ganized.    The  first  postmaster  and  merchant  was 
Timothy  Wood,  who  was  also  the  first  justice   of 
the  peace,  the  courts  being  held  in  the  rooms  of 
his  home.     He  was  here  as  early  as  1801.     Earlier 
than  1842  a  woolen  factory  was  in  fuU  operation. 
In  1832  a  foundry  was  established  at  the  foot  of 
Third  street.     In  1838  a  planing  mUl  was  domg  a 
thrivmg  business.     In  1822  a  cloth  dressing  and 
carding  estabhshment  (near  the  present  F.  H.  Co- 
nant's  &  Son's  chair  factory)  was  in  full  operation. 
Richard  Empey  had  a  gi'ist  mill   in  this  vicinity, 


On  Sept.  19,  1882,  he 
Chrestien  of  McCon- 


spent  in  the  mill, 
married   Olive  M 
nellsville. 

History  of  Camden.— In  1794  Cam- 
den was  a  part  of  the  town  of  Mexico  and 
not  until  1799  was  it  set  apart  to  become 
a  town  of  itself.     Samuel  Royce  was  one 
of  the  earhest  pioneers,    removing  here 
from  Clinton,  N.  Y.,  in  1794,     He  pur- 
chased    5,000     acres   of   land  from  one 
John  Murray  for   the   consideration   of 
£4,000.     It  was  a  portion   of  what   was 
the  Roosevelt  purchase  while  this  part 
of    New    York    state   was  in  Herkimer 
county.     The   Royce   home,  situated  at 
the  head  of  Main  street,  was  a  rude  hiit 
built    of    logs   in    the    forest.     In    this 
structure  was  held  the  first  town  meeting, 
in   1799.      The   settlement  of  the  town 
was  slow,  most   of   the   earhest   settlers 
comuig  from  Connecticut  on  foot  or  with 
ox  teams.     During  the  war  of  the  Revolu- 
tion a  Connecticut  regiment  was  stationed 
at  Fort  Stanwix  (now  Rome)  and  many 
of  these  patriots,  after  the  close  of   the 
war,  came  a  few   miles   north   to  make 
hou'ies  for   themselves   in   this   locality. 
Owing  to  the  increase  of  the  population 
a  school  was   opened   as  early  as  1800. 


Borrowed  Plioto.      A.  OSBORN'S  RESIDENCE,  West  Camden,  N.  Y. 


118 


'GEIP'S"  HISTOEICAL  SOUVENIR  OF  CAMDEN. 


Borrowed  Photos. 

MRS.  SAKAH  SNOW. 
C.  F.  KENDALL. 


FRANCIS  SNOW. 
MRS.  LOIS  H.  KENDALL 


In  1834  the  village 
of  1842  was  an  ini- 


also  a  saw  mill,  prior  to  1854. 
was  incori)orated.  The  year 
portant  one  as  it  witnessed  the  e.stablishment  of 
the  Camden  Gazette,  a  weekly  paper.  Its  editor 
was  E.  C.  Hatten.  In  1866  was  organized  a 
ladies'  literary  society  called  "Tlie  Coralline  So- 
ciety." In  1861  a  tire 
ben  was  haiug  in  the  old 
town  hall.  Since  1856 
nearly  the  entire  business 
portion  of  Main  street 
has  been  rebuilt,  having 
been  destroyed  by  fire. 
The  Camden  knitting- 
mill  was  started  in  1879. 
The  Camden  water  works 
were  established  by  the 
corporation  in  1886. 

Credit  must  be  given 
the  ladies  who  compiled 
the  Pioneer  History  of 
Camden  for  dates  and 
facts  contained  in  the 
foregoing  article.  Their 
work  of  two  years,  with- 
out compensation,  is  of 
untold  value  to  posterity. 

Ho-sv  to  Keep  Butter 
Sweet. — "Eat  it,"  was 
the  rajjly  a  Schoharie 
farmer  received  to  an  in- 
quiry accompanied  Ijy 
ten  dollars.  Burrowed  Phofo. 


Charles  F.  Kendall,  who  was  for  several 
years  connected  with  the  Camden  Knitting- 
Co. ,  as  salesman,  and  during  the  last  few 
years  of  his  life  as  partner,  was  born  in 
Dorchester,  Mass.,  Feb.  5,  1856.  When 
fifteen  years  of  age  he  went  into  a  luiitting 
mill  as  a  workman,  and  although  a  mere 
boy,  obtained  such  kno\\' ledge  of  the  work 
as  proved,  later  on,  of  practical  value  to  him. 
It  was  in  1878,  at  the  time  that  Frisbie  & 
Stansfield  established  the  Imitting  mills  in 
this  \-iIlage,  that  they  through  the  channels 
usual  in  such  cases,  found  Mr.  Kendall  in 
Boston  and  secured  his  services  as  their- 
salesman.  Th^y  had  heard  favorable  reports 
of  his  ability  to  sell  goods  and  he  came  to 
them  with  a  flattering  introduction.  Dur- 
ing the  twenty  years  following,  uji  to  the 
time  of  his  death,  which  occurred  Jan.  9, 
1898,  he  proved  his  capacity  as  a  .salesman 
with  profit  both  to  himself  and  his  em- 
ployers. Extending  his  acquaintanceship 
all  over  the  country,  where  his  business 
trips  were  taken,  observing  carefully  the 
demands  of  the  trade,  which  enabled  him 
to  suggest  from  time  to  time  the  several 
lines  that  it  appeared  to  him  desuable  to 
put  on  the  market  and  keeping  in  close 
touch  with  what  opposition  miUs  were  doing- 
he  became  a  finished  salesman.  The  fact 
that  -^x-hen  Frisbie  &  Stiin.sfield,  in  February, 
1891,  re-organized  as  the  Camden  Knitting 
Co. ,  they  accepted  him  as  a  member  of  the 
company,  is  evidence  of  the  high  value  they 
placed  upon  his  ser"\dces.  Prior  to  that  and 
before  he  came  to  Camden,  he  had  had  a 
brief  experience  in  conducting  a  mill  at 
Lakeport,  N.  H.,  wdth  ofHces  in  Boston. 
But  he  was  only  a  part  owner  and  the  enter- 
prise did  not  last  long.  At  the  time  Frisbie 
&  Stansfield  bought  the  Costello  tannery  property, 
they  formed  a  co-partner- hip  with  Mr.  Kendall, 
outside  of  the  manufacturing  business,  under  the 
firm  name  of  C.  F.  Kendall   &   Co.,  to  conduct  a 


MRS.  LOIS  H.  KENDALL'S  RESIDENCE. 


'GEIP'S"  HISTOEICAL  SOUVENIR  OF  CAMDEN. 


119 


Borrowed  Cut. 


MAIN  AND  MEXICO  STREETS,  186' 


jobbing  trade  which  continued  until  the  re-organ- 
ization of  the  knitting  com]>any  which  has  ah-eady 
Tieen  mentioned.  Mr.  Kendall  was  greatly  be- 
loved by  all  who  knew  him,  especially  his  feUow 
townsmen.  He  was  frank  and  open,  detesting 
both  hypocricy  and  unfair  dealings.  Whatever 
lie  had  to  say  was  stated  ui  plain  language  and 
directly  to  the  point.  On  Jan.  27,  18S8,  he  mar- 
ried Lois  H.,  the  daughter  of  Francis  Snow,  who 
bore  him  two  children,  Lois  Marjorie,  now  eleven 
years  old,  and  Charles  Hallet,  a  year  younger. 
Dearly  attached  to  his  family,  he  made  for  them  a 
nice  home  on  Second  street,  and  he  looked  for- 
ward to  the  time,  as  he  often  said,  when  his  busi- 


ness would  permit  him  to 
spend  more  of  his  time 
at  his  own  fireside.  Al- 
though tall  and  fine  look- 
ing, possessing  a  flgiu'e 
that  was  commanding  m 
appearance  and  apparent- 
ly robust,  he  did  not 
have  a  strong  constitu- 
tion. He  had  never  been 
laid  up  with  sickness,  but 
he  suftered  from  poor 
health  and  had  been 
advised  by  his  physicians 
that  he  was  constantly 
in  danger  from  heart 
trouble,  the  insidious 
disease  which  terminated 
in  his  sudden  death  while 
at  .sujaper  in  the  Burnet 
House,  Cincinnati.  But 
he  possessed  indomitalile 
energy  and  an  non  will, 
so  he  stuck  to  his  duties, 
hoping  that  he  might 
conquor  the  functional 
weakness  and  sjjan  the 
period  of  business  activ- 
ity which  lay  between  him  and  the  life  at  home  he 
had  long  looked  forward  to.  One  trait  of  his  char- 
acter deserves  mention  before  closing.  His  was  a 
generous,  open  handed  natiu'e.  In  no  deserving- 
cause  was  a  demand  upon  his  purse  repulsed.  An 
incident  which  was  not  learned  until  after  his 
death  illustrates  his  generosity.  While  in  a  crowd 
on  a  street  of  Chicago  where  a  salvation  army 
squad  was  seeking  contributions  to  pay  for  din- 
ners for  the  poor,  and  where  Mr.  Kendall  and  a 
friend  had  paused  for  the  moment  as  they  were 
jjassing,  he  di'ew  a  coin  from  his  jjocket  and 
flipped  it  over  the  heads  of  those  in  front  of  him 
into  the  hat  which  was  extended  towards  him.     A 


Huested,  Photo.    OFFICERS  MT.  PARNASSUS  COUNCIL,  NO.  1180,  ROYAL  ARCANUM,  1901.    [See  sk.  p.  81. 
1,  E.  L.  Soper,   3,  R.  C.  Kuapp,  3,  F.  B.  HarriiiKton,  4,  B.  H.  Stone,   .5,  E.  W.  Fish,   15,  John  G.  Jeffrey.    7.  Georyc  J. 
Skinner,  8,  R.  R.  Cook,  9,  Christian  Fouser,  10,  Georg-e  B.  Doty,  11,  W.  B.  Curtiss,  13,  E.  C.  Case,  13,  W.  E.  Stone,  U, 
J.  N.  Nichols. 


120 


"GEIP'S"  HI8T0KICAL  SOUVENIR  OF  CAMDEN. 


HEV.  KICHARD  ABBOTT, 
gleam  of  light  on  the  coin  disclosed  to  him  and 
his  friend,  after  it  had  left  his  hand,  that  he  had 
thrown  a  t\Yenty  dollar  gold  piece.  "I  thought 
it  was  a  silver  dollar,"  said  he  to  his  companion 
in  explanation  of  such  a  unu.sually  large  contribu- 
tion. "It  doesn't  matter.  It  will  buy  more  din- 
ners for  the  poor.     I  am  not  sorry  I  gave  it. " 

The  \-illage  of  Camden  was  shocked  on  that 
Monday  morning  that  the  news  of  his  death 
reached  there.  His  remains  anived  on  Tuesday 
and  the  funeral  was  held  Thiu-sday.  The  mills 
and  business  places  were  aU  closed"  during 
the  entii-e  day  of  the  services.  The  whole 
village  seemed  to  have  turned  out  with  re- 
spect for  his  memory.  Many  there  were 
present  who  felt  they  had  lost  a  personal 
friend. 

Francis  Snow,  born  at  Boston,  Mass.,  of 
Mayflower  ancestry,  was  a  descendant  of 
Nicholas  Snow,  who  came  to  America  in  the 
ship,  Ann,  in  1627.  Nicholas  married  Con- 
stance, daughter  of  Steven  Hopkins,  who 
was  a  signer  of  the  compact.  Hon.  Nicholas 
Snow  was  the  founder  of  Eastham,  Maiss. 
Prancis  Snow  came  to  Camden  in  18i2  and 
was  engaged  in  active  busines.s  there  some 
fifty  years.  At  one  time  he  was  in  company 
w-ith  J.  D.  Cavarly  in  the  drv  goods  and 
clothing  busmess.  He  married  Miss  Sarah 
Johnson,  a  most  estimable  lady  who  died 
June  17,  1894.  Five  children  were  bom  to 
them  of  whom  there  were  Marion,  Jennie 
Lois  and  William.  A  daughter  died  voung! 
The  only  one  living  in  Camden  is  Lois,  who 
married  Mr.  C.  F.  Kendall.  Mr.  Snow 
resides  with  this  daughter. 

Presbyterian  Church. — On  July  2.5, 
1867,  th^•ty-t^^-o  memliers  of  the  "Union 
Congregational  church"  under  the  care  of 
the  Pi-esbytery  of  Utica,  asked  and  received 
certificates  of  dismission  with  the  expressed 
view  of  forming  with  others  a  Presbvterian 
church  in  Camden,  and  aljout  tha"t  time 
commenced  worship  in  Curtiss  hall,Kev  Sel- 


den  Haines   of  Eome,    preaching   to   them   with 
Ealph  L.  Howell,  as  superintendent  of  the  Sunday 
school.     On    September  17  the  First  Presbyterian 
society  of  Camden  was  organized  by  the   election 
of  the  following  as  trustees:  JohnLambie,  Lucius 
B.  Goodyear.  James  Stark,  Giles  S.  Wetmore  and 
John  G.  Dorrance.     The  following   became   trus- 
tees   in    due    course    of  annual   elections:    Silas 
Frazee,  Robert  Eobotham,  George  Swanson,  Jacob 
More,    James   Lambie,  Daniel  G   Dorrance,  Jr., 
and   Walter   C.    Stone.     John  Lambie  was  iM-esi- 
dent  of  the  board   from  the   beginning   until  his 
sudden    death    December   1,    1875.     WiUiard   J. 
Fnsbie  was  the  first  clerk  and  treasurer  of  the   so- 
ciety.    His  immediate  successors  were    Philemon 
L.  Hoadley,  Egbert  More  and  George   H.  Smith. 
On    the    Lord's   day,    September   29,    the    First 
Presbyterian  church  of  Camden,  N.    Y. ,  was   con- 
stituted  of  twenty -seven  of  tliose  holding  certifi- 
cates for  the  purpose,  the  Rev.  Selden  Haines  offi- 
ciating.    On  October  9  it  was  received  under  the 
care  of  the  Presbytery,  thus  restoring  to  its  roll  of 
churches  the  name  "Camden"  that  an  hour  or  two 
before  had  been  regi-etfuUv  dropped  upon  notice 
being  received  that  the  l)odv   it   had  represented 
"had  voted  to  withdraw  from  Presbytery  with  the 
view  of  retm-uing  to  an  associational  connection." 
The  first  ruling  eiders  of  this  church  were  Horatio 
G.  Torbei-t,  M.  D.,  who  died  in  office  October   i, 
18(59,  and  Philetus  W.  Laney  who  also  served  un- 
til his  death.     On  March  18,  1868,    Messrs.    Has- 
tings  F.    Curtiss  and   Franklin   F.    Fifield  were 
added  to   the  board  and  the  term-service   system 
was  adopted.     A  full  term  was  two  years,  the  body 
being  divided  into  two  classes.     On  April  1,  1895, 
the  term  was  extended  to  three  years  and  the  num- 
ber of  classes  to  three.     The  following  have   been 
members  of  this  board:  Egbert  More,   Samuel   G. 
McKillii)  and  Thomas  B.  Norton.     There  are  now 


PKESBYTEKIAX  CHURCH. 


'GRIP'S"  HISTORICAL  SOUVENIR  OF  CAMDEN. 


121 


Huested,  Photo.        H.  G.  DUBOIS,  it.  D. 

six  ruling  elders:  James  Stark,  Wm.  Swanson, 
Daniel  Dunton,  A.  H.  Smith,  M.  D.,  W.  C.  Stone 
iind  George  W.  Dana. 

The  early  growth  in  church  membershiiJ  was 
gradual,  the  accessions  for  the  iirst  fifteen  vears 
being  as  follows:  49,  31,  36,  1.5,  16,  5,  6,  11,  1,5, 
15,  2,  5,  16,  11,  10;  a  total  of  236.  The  church  is 
in  a  flourishing  condition  under  the  isastorate  of 
the  Rev.  Richard  Aliliott,  who  has  served  the 
church  during  the  past  seven  years.  The  present 
ofiicial  board  of  trustees  is  as  follows:  L.  P. 
Havihind,  Hon.  J.  C.  Davies,  W.  C.  Stone,  W. 
H.  Dorranoe,  C.  J.  Williams,  Andrew  Craig  and 
I.  D.  West.  The  pastors  in  their  order  of  ser- 
vice: Rev.  (later  Rev.  Dr.)  Selden  Haines,  the 
first  three  mouths;  Rev.  E.  N.  Manlev,  from  Jan. 
15,  1868,  to  April  13,  1886;  Rev.  Albert  W.  AUen, 
July  1,  1886,  to  April  14,  1890;  Rev.  Geo.  Be- 
naugh,  July  1,  1890,  to  Nov.  9,  1891;  Rev.  C.  L. 
Patchell,  for  a  few  weeks  from  Jan.  11,  1892:  Rev. 
Wesley  W.  Cole,  Jan.  9,  1893,  until  Oct.  29,  1894; 
Rev.  Richard  Abl  )ott  from 
May  1,  1895— still  the 
pastor. 

The  Ladies  Aid  society 
is  a  most  efficient  and 
indiisti'ious  organization 
and  under  its  officers  and 
executive  committee  it 
does  most  effective  work 
for  the  general  good  of 
the  church.  Its  officers 
are:  President,  Mrs. 
Lucius  B. Goodyear;  Vice 
President,  Mrs.  James 
Stark;  Secretary  -  Treas- 
urer, Mrs.  C.  J.WiUiams. 

The  Rev.  Richard  Ab- 
1  )ott,  the  present  jiastor  of 
the  First  Presbyterian 
churcli,  was  born  and  edu- 
cated in  Maine.  At  the 
outbreak  of  the  civil  war 
while  yet  a  lad  he  enlisted 
in  tiie        Seventeenth       Skinner    Photo. 


Regiment,  Maine  Volunteers,  and  served  nearly 
three  years  being  discharged  at  the  end  of  the  war. 
During  his  ai'my  experience  he  was  in  seventeen 
1  lattles  and  skirmishes,  was  taken  prisoner  by  the 
rebel  forces  at  the  battle  of  Chancellorsville,  Va. , 
and  was  confined  in  the  famous  Libby  prison  at 
Richmond,  Va.  He  was  paroled  and  exchanged 
— among  the  last  released  from  rebel 
prisons  until  the  close  of  the  war.  Returning  to 
his  regiment  after  his  exchange  he  continued  with 
it  taking  part  in  the  seige  and  capture  of  Peters- 
burg, Va.,  and  the  final  .surrender  of  Leeat  Appo- 
matox  coiu't  house.  On  his  return  to  civil  life  he 
was  engaged  for  a  time  in  business,  but  feeling  a 
strong  call  to  the  ministry  he  prejjared  himself  for 
that  calling  and  after  a  most  exhaustive  and  thor- 
ough examination  he  was  licensed  to  i^reach  and 
ordained  to  the  ministry  by  Troy  Presbytery  of 
New  York.  For  some  years  he  was  in  charge  of 
the  Old  Scotch  Presbyterian  church  in  Glens 
Falls,  N.  Y.,  under  the  care  of  the  Home  Mission- 
ary Society  of  the  Presbyterian  church.  In  1895 
he  received  a  unanimous  call  to  the  pastorate  of 
the  First  Presbyterian. 

Hira,m  Getman  DuBois,  M.  D.,  was  born  in 
Norway,  Herkimer  county,  N.  Y.,  Feb.  17,  1837. 
When  twelve  years  of  age  he  removed  with  his 
parents  to  East  Florence,  Oneida  county,  N.  Y. , 
returning  the  two  following  winters  to  attend 
school  at  his  old  home.  The  next  four  years  of 
his  hfe  was  sjient  at  home  farming  and  logging, 
without  the  privilege  of  schooling.  In  1856  he 
attended  the  fall  term  of  the  Camden  Union  Fx-ee 
school.  In  1857  he  attended  the  fall  term  at  the 
Whitestown  seminary  and  taught  a  district  school 
the  following  winter,  working  on  his  father's  farm 
the  next  summer.  In  the  fall  of  1858  he  attended 
the  academy  m  Watertown,  N.  Y'".,  and  taught 
school  the  following  five  successive  wuiters.  In 
1859  or  early  in  186t)  he  commenced  the  study  of 
medicine,  it  l)eing  certified  to  by  the  late  Dr.  H. 
W.  Leonard,  then  of  Florence,  N.  Y.  In  1861  he 
attended  a  spring  course  of  lectures  at  Harvard 
Medical  college,  Boston.  Sickness  prevented  at- 
tending the  full  course.  In  1862  he  attended  the 
spring  course  of  the  Albany  Medical  college,  at  the 
close   of   which    he   was  oft'ered  a  position  in  the 


DK.  H.  G.  DUBOIS'  RESIDENCE. 


122 


"GBIP'S"  HISTOEICAL  SOUVENIB  OF  CAMDEN. 


Borrowed  Photo.    .\LEXANDER  FINDLAY. 

army  by  tlie  late  Professor  Quackenbusb,  then 
sui-geon  general  of  the  state,  but  bis  health  would 
not  permit  of  aooeiDtance.  In  the  fall  of  1862  he 
opened  an  office  at  East  Florence,  N.  Y. ,  and  com- 
menced the  practice  of  medicine  as  an  under 
graduate  which  he  continued  with  the  interim  of 
teaching  until  the  faU  of  186.5  when  he  was  ad- 
mitted to  the  medical  department  of  the  Univer- 
sity of  Bnfl'alo  from  which  he  was  graduated  the 
following  spring  and  at  once  commenced  the  prac- 
tice of  medicine  in  Taberg,  N.  Y.  He  remained 
there  in  practice  between  three  and  four  years, 
moving  to  Camden  May  28,  1869,  where  he  has 
remained  in  active  practice  since.  He  joined  the 
Oneida  County  Medical  society  in  1867.  Soon 
after,  he  was  elected  a  delegate  from  that  society 
to  the  New  York  State  Medical  society  serving 
four  years  and  being  made  ehgible  to  pennauent 
membershiiJ.  He  was 
elected  a  permanent 
member  of  the  society  in 
1876  and  was  made  a  re- 
tired permanent  mem- 
ber in  1900.  He  has 
served  four  times  as  a 
delegate  to  the  American 
Medical  association,  once 
represented  the  New 
York  State  Medical  soci- 
ety to  the  Michigan 
State  Medical  society  and 
was  elected  a  delegate  to 
the  Canadian  Medical 
association  from  NeA\ 
York  State  Medical  socie- 
ty. He  served  as  vice 
president  of  Oneida 
County  Medical  society 
one  year  and  as  president 
in  1875.  He  has  served 
Oneida  county  as  coroner 
one  term  and  is  a  demo- 
crat of  the  Jeffersonian 
type.  He  has  been  twice 
married;       first     to     the 


daughter  of  the  late  Hon.  Ealph  Fowler  of  Fow- 
lervUle,  Michigan,  in  1880,  who  died  in  1891,  and 
in  1892  to  Miss  Mowers,  of  Camden,  N.  Y.,  who 
has  made  for  them  both  a  pleasant  home  at  No. 
55  Miner  avenue.  Dr.  DuBois  was  a  school  trus- 
tes  16  years  and  has  been  a  Mason  30  years. 

Alexander  Findlay  in  May,  1893,  came  to 
Camden  from  Dulutli,  Minn.,  where  for  two  years 
in  company  with  his  brother,  James  J.,  he  had 
engaged  in  veterinary  practice.  In  the  summer 
of  1896  he  constructed  a  brick  building  on  the 
rear  of  a  Main  street  lot  he  had  purchased,  which 
he  calls  the  veterinary  hospital  and  which  he" 
equipped  with  more  complete  apparatus  for  use 
in  his  business  than  it  is  possible  to  find  in  the 
service  of  any  other  veterinarian  in  this  locality. 
Not  even  in  Utica,  with  perhajis  an  exception,  or 
Eome,  he  says,  is  there  a  structure  built  and 
equipped  expressly  for  the  care  of  domestic  ani- 
mals, such  as  he  has  raised  and  fitted  up  here. 
That  his  efforts  to  accomplish  what  he  undertakes 
are  appreciated  is  shown  by  the  fact  that  his  call- 
ing circuit  extends  into  Lewis  and  Oswego  coun- 
ties. He  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  and  Odd 
Fellows'  lodges  in  Camden,  occupying  the  posi- 
tion of  Noble  Grand  in  the  latter  order.  He  has 
been  a  member  of  the  village  board  of  health.  On 
Nov.  18,  1896  he  married  LiUiau  Macauley  by 
whom  there  are  two  children,  a  boy  four  yeai'S 
and  a  girl  one  year  old. 

Mr.  Fiu<llay  was  born  on  a  farm  near  Aberdeen, 
Scotland,  Ajiril  25,  1862,  and  received  a  common 
school  education.  In  comjiany  with  his  parents, 
he  arrived  at  Quebec,  July  9,  1883.  One  year 
was  spent  in  Bichmond,  Province  of  Quebec,  and 
two  years  near  Lancaster,  Glencarry  Co.,  Ont. 
In  1886  he  went  to  Toronto  where  he  took  a 
course  in  the  Ontario  Veterinary  College  from 
which  he  was  graduated  in  1891, the  year  in  which 
he  joined  his  brother,  who  is  also  a  veterinarian, 
at  Duluth.  Mr.  Findlay 's  i^arents,  who  came  to 
Camden  two  years  after  he  did,  are  comfortably 
situated  (m  a  farm  near  the  village. 


Borrowed  Photo. 


ALEXANUElf  FIXDLAY'fi  VETEUIXAKY  HOSPITAL. 


'GEIP'S"  HISTORICAL  SOUVENIR  OF  CAMDEN. 


123 


Old  Pictures.  CHAUNCEY  W.  McCALL. 

STEPHEN  S.  McCALL.  JAMES  P.  McCALL 

Chauncey  W.  McCall  was  born  lu  Watertown, 
Ct.,  in  1803.     He  learned  the  tanners'  and  shoe- 
makers' trade  of  Mr.  Whitney  in  Litchtield,  Ct. , 
and  in  1824  came  to  Camden,  for  some  years  run- 
ning a   tannery   situated  north-east  of  F.  H.  Co- 
nant's  Sons'  chair  factory  and  a  shoe  shop  which 
stood   near  the   tannery.      In   1826  he    married 
Ehoda   Sherman,    of  Litchfield,    Ct.,    and    then 
bought  land  on  the  west  side  of  Mam  street,  also 
■erecting  a  house  on  the  corner  of  Main  and  Mex- 
ico streets.     This  he  subsequently  sold,  building  a 
■small  cottage  farther  south  on  Main  street  where 
his  first  wife  died  in    1842,  leaving  two  children, 
JamesP.  McCall,  now  of  Chattanoga,  Tenn., where 
he  is  engaged  as  a  broker,   and  Mrs.  Frances  P. 
Nichols,  of  No.  25  Second   street,  Camden.     On 
April  24,  1842,  Mr.  McCall  married  Mrs.  Bailey. 
He  sold  his  home  on  Main  street  to  Mr.  Bacon  and 
l:iought  the  house  situated  on  the  corner  of  Miner 
■avenue   and   Third   street,  which   Mr.  P.  Phelps 
built  for  him.     In  comi^any  with  Mr.  Stewart  he 
opened  a  shoe  store  situ- 
.ated  on  the  east  side  of 
Main  street.    Mr.  McCaU 
■died    of    typhoid    fever, 
Nov.    5,    1853,   leaving  a 
■wife  and  five  children,  viz : 
■James  P.  McCall,  Frances 
B.  Nichols,    Maryette  M. 
Stephen  S.  and  Joanna  J. 
McCall.    Stephen  S.  Mc- 
Call learned  the  canning 
lousiness    of    Mr.  Edget. 
He  was  married  to  Emma 
Peck,  Jan.  19,  1872.     He 
ibuilt  a  factory    on    Mr. 
Peck's    farm   which    w;is 
then  said  to  be  the  finest 
in   the   state.      His  first 
l^artner  was  H.  H.  Cook, 
of  New  York  City.    Then 
the  firm  was  McCall,  Cook 


&  Moor.  In  1878  McCaU  Brothers  took  the 
plant  and  ran  it  until  1879,  when  the  firm 
became  McCall  &  Leggett.  After  that  year 
Mr.  McCall  went  west.  At  one  time  he  had 
seven  factories  in  operation.  Finally  he 
was  placed  in  a  sanitarium  in  Michigan 
where  he  had  a  stroke  of  palsy.  From  that 
time  his  case  was  pronounced  incurable. 
His  lirother  took  him  to  his  home  in  Chatta- 
nooga, where  he  received  the  tender,  loving 
care  of  the  entii'e  family.  He  became  help- 
less, still  he  seemed  to  appreciate  every  act 
of  kindness  until  the  last  stroke  which  oc- 
curred Feb.  10,  1897.  He  is  buried,  in 
Bloomington,  HI,  His  wdfe,  Maryette  M., 
died  .lune  7,  1900,  at  her  home  in  Taberg,  of 
a  stroke  of  palsy. 

The  State  Excise  Department  often 
receives  queer  and  absurd  requests.  One 
lady  writes  to  know  if  there  is  no  way  to 
stop  a  neighbor  from  shaving  his  friends  in 
the  front  dooryard  under  a  tree  on  Sunday. 
Another  writer  inquires  if  the  law  wdl  per- 
mit a  man  to  drink  whiskey  in  a  blacksmith 
shop.  The  following  is  an  accur-ate  copy  of 
a  letter  received  by  the  Commissioner: 
"Dear  Sik — I  now  rite  you  these  few  lines 
to  In-form  you  that  such  a  woman,  the  name 
of  Mary  Scots  and  Joseph  Trespass  sells  beers 
and  everj'  thing  and  every  day  and  the  havant  got 
no  lisons  the  maik  trobel  every  day  in  the  house 
the  police  man  dont  car  becos  the  boss  of  this  plase 
treates  him  this  plase  lives  in  crothon  utson  new 
york  this  fello  that  maiks  the  complant  lives  up  at 
the  corry  [quarry]." 

Balloon  "Voyages. — The  high  altitude  of  34,- 
400  feet  (about  6^  mUes),  was  reached  by  Drs. 
Berden  and  Quering,  in  an  ascension  at  Berlin. 
At  33,()00  feet  lioth  men  became  uucoucious,  a 
condition  in  which  they  lingered  three-quarters  of 
an  hour.  At  3,280  feet  they  heard  the  cries  of 
geese  and  lowing  of  cattle.  At  20,000  feet  the 
whistle  of  a  locomotive  was  audible.  The  cold 
had  then  become  so  severe  that  they  had  to  put  on 
furs,  12,400  feet  being  the  altitude  where 
the  meroiiry  registered  at  freezing  point.  At  30,- 
000  feet  they  resorted  to  artificial  inhalation, using 
the  newly  invented  thermophor.  Gleisher  and 
Coxwell  are  said  to  have  sailed  as  high  as  3G,000 
or  37,000  feet. 


Old  Pictures. 


S.  S.  McCALL'S  CANNING  FACTOKY. 


124 


'GKIP'S"  HISTOBIOAL  SOUVENIR  OF  CAMDEN. 


REV.  ELLIOTT  A.  BOYLE. 

The  First  Congregational  Church  of  Cam- 
den is  one  of  the  most  historic  orgauizatious  of  the 
vilhige,  it  haying  been  organized  one  year  previous 
to  the  organization  of  the  town.  On  February  19, 
1798,  at  Paris  Hill,  now  in  Oneida  county,  Ben- 
jamin Barnes,  Jemima,  his  wife,  Benjamin  Barnes, 
Jr. ,  Philip  Barnes  and  Laura,  his  wife,  Marshall 
Mii'iam,  Noah  Tuttleand  Thankful,  his  wife,  being 
al)Out  to  move  to  the  place  now  known  as  Camden, 
formed  a  chiu'ch 
organization  under 
the  direction  and 
guidance  of  then- 
pastor,  Kev.Eliph- 
alet  Steel.  These 
men  and  women 
were  descendants 
of  the  Pilgrims  and 
richly  endowed 
with    their    piety 

The    first     sermon 
Xn'eached     in      the 

new   settlement  at 

Camden  was  by  the 

Bev.  Joshua  John- 
son    of     Redfield. 

Public  worship  was 

first  held  in  a  log 

house.       In     1807 

the    Fu'st   Congre- 
gational       church 

society      built     a 

meeting         house 

where  the  present 

edifice  now  stands, 

56x44   feet,'  which 

was  furnished  with 

rough  benches  and 

a  temporary  puljiit, 

with   no  means  of 

warming  the  house. 

On     October      16, 

1809,  they  extend- 
ed  a    call    to   the 

Eev.Ebenezer  Lea- 
venworth      which 

was  accepted.  Dui'- 


ing  his  ministry  over  sixty  were  added  to  the 
church.  He  was  dismissed  October  18,  1813,  at 
his  own  request.  In  December,  1809,  Bartholo- 
mew Pond,  Abel  Collins,  EHhu  Curtiss  and  Jesse 
Curtiss,  with  theu-  wives,  all  of  Camden,  conveyed 
l)y  deed  to  Hiram  Byington,  Israel  Stoddard, 
Reuben  OsViorn,  Elihu  Curtiss  and  Ehsha  Curtiss, 
trustees  of  the  First  Congregational  chiu'ch  society, 
aliout  three  and  three-foui'ths  acres  of  land,  in- 
cluding ground  on  which  the  church  stands,  to  be 
held  by  the  society  which  they  represented  and  to 
be  controlled  by  theii'  successors  in  office.  There 
were  no  means  devised  for  warming  the  house. 
The  women  still  carried  foot  stoves  which  were 
replenished  with  coals  from  the  fire  places  of  the 
neighboring  houses.  In  February,  1817,  the  Rev. 
Henry  Smith,  of  Durham,  N.  H.,  was  called  with 
a  promised  salary  of  six  hundred  dollai'S  and  a  set- 
tlement of  six  hundi'ed  doUars  more,  i.  e.,  $600 
were  to  be  expended  in  a  house  and  land  and  pre- 
sented to  the  pastor,  which  was  done.  This  house, 
always  known  as  the  "Priest  Smith  house,"  occu- 
pied the  land  now  owned  by  Mr.  L.  P.  Haviland 
and  upon  which  he  has  I'ecently  erected  a  fine 
residence.  Dui'ing  Mr.  Smith's  pastorate  the 
membership  was  increased  from  one  to  six  hun- 
dred. The  plan  of  seUiug  or  renting  pews  was 
inaiigurated  in  1818  and  in  1824  choir  singing  was 
introduced,  while  instrumental  music  had  lieen  at 
least  attempted  in  the  use  of  the  bass  viol.  Diir- 
ing  the  same  year  the  first  Sunday  school  was  or- 
ganized and  a  chmrch  bell  was  pvu'chased.  The 
arrival  of  the  bell  in  town  was  an  occasion  of  much 
festivity,  everybody  being  anxious  to  see  and  hear 


,J, 


Borrowed  Cut. 


FIKST  CONGREGATIONAL  CHUKCH. 


'GKIP'S"  HISTORICAL  SOUVENIR  OF  CAMDEN. 


125 


OLD  TOWN  HALL.     OLD  METHODIST  CHUHCH  AND  PARSONAGE 

it.     On  Jnly  29,  1828,  Mr.  Smitli  died  after  an  iU- 
ness  of  only  ten  days,  sincerely   mourned   by  the 
whole  community.     It  is  said  by   Mrs.    Charlotte 
Stoddai'd  that  '  'the  bell  was  first  toUed  for  a  death 
when  Mr.    Smith   died."     This  practice  was  con- 
tinued for  many  yeai's.     After  the   death   of  Mr. 
Smith  the  chiu'ch  was  without  a  j)aster  for  about 
one  year  diu'ing  which  time  it  was  sujipHed  by  the 
Rev.    Herman   Norton  and   Lewis  H.  Loss.     On 
November  11,  1829,  Mr.  Loss  was  called  and   or- 
dained  as  pastor  and  at  the  close  of  the  year  he 
asked  for  dismissal,  which  was  rehictantly  granted. 
Then   came   as   pastors   Rev.    John  Burton,   two 
years.  Rev.  John  Gray,  six  months.  Rev.  WiUiam 
Lusk,  installed  Feb.  19,  1831,  one  year  and  a  half, 
followed  by  William  Fuller  and  JohnCross  as  tem- 
poi-ary  supi^lies  for  a  year  and  a  half.     In  1886  the 
meeting  house  was  greatly  altered  and  refurnished. 
The  square  pews  were  taken  out  and  the  seats  were 
built  in  slips  facing  the  pulpit,  each  with  a   door. 
The   chou'   was   in  the  gallery  facing  the  pulpit. 
When  the  congi'egation  arose  during  the   siugmg 
they   would   deliberately  turn  and  face  the  choir. 
The  custom   was   changed   at   the  request  of  the 
Rev.  George B.  Rowley..  In  1837ihe-t.ru,steeswere 
requested  to  furnish""one  large  stove  and  pipe  and 
also  to  secure  them  with  sheet  u'on.'"     A  call   was 
now     extended   to 
the  Rev.  John  Bar- 
ton, who  was  suc- 
ceeded     by       the 
Rev.  R.    R.    Kh-k, 
installed    Oct.     7, 
184.5.     In  Septem- 
lier,    1849,  he  was 
dismissed    at     his 
own  request.     The 
Rev.    E.  G.  Town- 
send   of     Sacketts 
Harbor,     followed 
by  the  Rev.  H.  H. 
Morgan   and    sub- 
sequently the  Rev. 
Henry  Bridge  sup- 
plied   the   pulpit, 
each    two     years. 
The       Rev.      Mr. 
PoweU     succeeded 
the     latter     for     a 
few  months.  From 
July    1,    18.59,    to 
July  1,  1861,  Rev. 
George  B.  Rowley 
was  stated  supply,       Bon-owfd  Cut. 


followed  by  Rev.   W.  S. 
Franklin,    who    was   the 
regular  xiastor  from  Octo- 
l)er'31,  1861,  to  May  11, 
1867.      On   the   22nd  of 
June,    1867,    the   church 
edifice  was   entu-ely   de- 
stroyed by  fire.    A  month 
later  about  forty  persons 
withdrew  from  the  church 
to   form   a    Presbyterian 
church.     In  less  than  one 
year   and  a  half  from  the 
burning  of  the  old  meet- 
ing house,  during  which 
time  services  were  held  in 
Curtiss  hall   and   the  old 
Wesleyan   chiu'ch,  a  new 
brick  edifice,  costing  over  .f20, 000, stood  in  its  place 
supplied   with  an  organ  costing  $2,500.     Groimd 
was  broken  Aug.  7,  1867,  and  the  corner  stone  was 
laid  Oct.  2,  the  Rev.  S.  S.  A.  Greely,  of  Oswego, 
dehvering  the  address.     The  first  service  was  held 
in  the   chapel  on  February  22,  1868.     The  build- 
ing was  completed  in  Octol)er,  1868,  and  dedicated 
in  January,   1869.     From  May,  1867,  to  October, 
1868,  the  church  was  without  a  pastor.     During  a 
portion  of  this  time  Mr.  A.   H.    Bradford,    then  a 
student  in  Aulau-n  seminary,  supplied  the  pulpit. 
(He  is  at  present  a  very  influential  pastor  in  Mont- 
clair,  N.   J.)     He   was   succeeded  by    the    Rev. 
Ethan   Curtis     of   WiUiams  college  and  Andover 
seminarv.    Mr.  Curtis  wa.s  ordained  and   installed 
Oct.    11,    1868,    and   served  the  church  19  years. 
During  that  time  there  were  added  to  the   church 
231  members.     On  June  9,   1869,    he   brought   to 
Camden  his  bride.  Miss  Maria  Howard,    of   Hart- 
ford, Ct.    Mrs.  Cm-tis   died  very  suddenly  on  Feb. 
28,  1880.     On  April  16,  1875,  the  trustees  of  the 
Fii-st  Congregational  church  leased  unto  the  trus- 
tees  of   Camden   village  the  south  park  "for  and 
during  the  •  term   of  fifty  years,  to  have  the  right 
and  privilege  of  beautifying  said  gTonnds  for  the 
lienefit  of  the  pubhc.''  "  Mr.  Curtiss  was  followed 
bv  the  Rev.  M.  L.  Dalton,  who  served  from  April 


OLD  CONGREGATIONAL  CHURCH. 


126 


'GRIP'S"  HISTOEIC.iL  SOUVENIR  OF  CAMDEN. 


IIEV.  B.  N.  MANLEY. 

1,  188S  to  April  1,  1891,  The  Rev.  Eohert  Tuft, 
-n-ho  was  pastor  from  June,  1891,  to  April,  1892, 
witlidrew  to  enter  tlie  Episcopalian  ministry. 
Then  came  Rev.  W.  F.  Berger,  October,  1892,  to 
May,  1895,  followed  the  ensuing  November  by  the 
Rev.  Edward  Evans,  of  Rochdale,  Lancashue, 
England,  who,  after  a  pastorate  of  five  and  a  haH 
years  left  Camden  to  accept  a  call  to  the  Congre- 
gational chiu-ch  in  Foxboro,  Mass,  During  his 
ministry  the  one  hundredth  anniversary  of  the 
church,  1798-1898,  was  observed  with  appropriate 
services.  Mr.  B.  L.  Osborne  read  a  very  interest- 
ing historical  sketch  of  the  church  prepared  by 
liimself,  from  which  much  contained  in  this  brief 
sketch  was  collected.  Following  Mr.  Evans'  de- 
parture and  until  the  arrival  ofRev.A.EUiottBoyle, 
ofSoranton,Pa.,April  5, to  accept  a  unanimoris  call, 
the  pulpit  was  supplied  by  a  committee.  The  fol- 
lowing are  the  names  of  the  deacons  from  1809  to 
1891 :  Abner  Matthews,  David  Osliorne,  Jesse 
Curtiss,  Amlirose  Curtiss,  Ashbel  Upson,  Billi\ais 
Pond,  Erastus  Upson,  Leverett  Brvaut,  Bennett 
Cobb,  Lvman  Tuttle,  Uriah  Hill,  LentM.  Upson, 
Roswell  "Ballard,  Horatio  G.  Torl:)ert,  Leverett 
Bryant,  (re-elected),  William  C.  Carman,  Joseph 
Stark,  John  M.  Young,  E.  J.  Nelson.  Rowland 
Harding,  John  E.  Ross,  S.  P.  Bryant,  Joseph 
Psiero  and  Ebenezer  G.  Stevens. 

Rev.  Elliott  A.  Bovle  was  born  in  Kimberhn, 
Boon  county,  Ind.,  May  19,  1872.  His  academic 
education  was  acquired'  in  the  Southern  Kansas 
academy.  Later  he  studied  in  Olympia  College 
and  Puget  Sound  University.  In  1893  he  entered 
the  Ohio  Wesylan  University,  and  subsequently 
completed  a  course  in  the  Nation.al  University, 
where  he  received  the  degree  of  A.  B.  His  theo- 
logical training  was  dii'ected  by  President  Angel, 
of  Ann  Arbor,  and  President  Sperry,  of  Olivet, 
Mich.  He  is  also  a  graduate  from  King's  College 
of  Elocution  and  Oratory  at  Pittsbui-g,  Pa.  Un- 
der the  management  of  the  Western  Star  Lecture 
Bureau  he  has  occupied  the  lecture  platform.  His 
first  pastorate  was  in  Clare,  Mich.,  from  which 
place  he  went  to  Scranton,  Pa.,  about  three  years 


ago,  where  he  was  ordained  Oct.  31,  1900.  It  was 
there  he  accepted  the  call  of  the  Fii'st  Congrega- 
tional church  of  Camden. 

Elizur  Newell  Manley,  a  son  of  Rev.  George 
Manley,  from  Western  Massachusetts,  was  born 
Nov.  20,  1826.  Reared  on  a  farm  with  the  ad- 
vantages of  district,  select  and  academic  schools, 
he  was  duly  graduated  from  WiUiams  coUege  in 
1856,  and  from  Auburn  Theological  Seminary  in 
1859.  His  forty  years  of  service  in  the  gospel 
ministry,  including  two  years  of  vacations  because 
of  illness,  comprised  live  fields,  viz:  Oakfield, 
N.  Y.,  18.58-1862;  BooneviUe,  N.  Y.,  1863-1866; 
Elba,  N.  Y.,  1867;  Camden,  N.  Y.,  1868-1886; 
Oakfield,N.  Y,,  1887-1895;  Boston,  Mass., as  assist- 
ant pastor,  1895-1898,  from  whence  he  returned 
to  Camden  to  reside.  For  a  period  of  thu'teen 
years  jMr.  Manley  was  the  Stated  Clerk  of  the 
Synod  of  Utica.  The  closing  seven  weeks  of  1864 
he  served  the  soldiers  for  the  Union  under  the 
Christian  Commission  at  Point  Rocks,  Va.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Manley  were  married  in  1858.  They 
have  two  daughters  and  seven  grandchildren. 

Rev.  Horace  M.  Danforth  was  born  in  Fort 
Coving-ton,  N.  Y.,  in  182().  His  early  days  were 
spent  on  a  farm  and  atieniling  school  at  the  Fort 
Covington  academy.  Closing  his  school  days  at 
Gouverneur  seminary  he  entered  the  ministry  in 
the  Black  River  conference  (now  Northern  New 
York)  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  in 
which  he  spent  forty -four  years.  His  first  field 
of  labor  was  at  Waddington,  N.  Y.,  he  serving 
nearly  the  full  term  in  twelve  of  the  churches 
within  the  bounds  of  the  conference,  two  years  as 
presiding  elder  of  Rome  district  and  six  years  on 
the  Oswego  district.  After  the  first  few  ye.ars  he 
was  sent  to  some  of  the  larger  and  imiiortant 
fields,  where  the  work  was  hard  and  the  responsi- 
bility great.  In  1870  he  came  from  Trinity  church 
in  Oswego,  N.  Y.,  to  Camden,  remaining  here 
three  years.  Years  of  pleasure  and  profit  he  found 
with  Rev.  Mr.  Manley  in  the  Presbyterian  church 


KEV.  11.  M.^UANFOKTH. 


"GRIP'S"  HISTOEICAL  SOUVENIR  OF  CAMDEN. 


127 


Hiiestert,  Photo.       A.  G.  WOOD. 

and  'Kev.  Mr.  Curtiss  in  the  CongregatiDnal 
cliurcli  as  fellow-laborers  ia  the  gospel.  After  an 
absence  of  six  years  he  returned  to  Camden  where 
he  found  Eev.  Mr.  Manley  still  in  the  held ;  and 
together  as  brothers  they  labored  another  three 
years,  making  six  years  of  pastoral  work  iu  the 
Camden  church ;  also  serving  eight  years  as  their 
Ijresiding  elder.  He  became  strongly  attached  to 
the  people  and  the  place,  and  when  poor  health 
compeUed  him  to  leave  the  field,  he  made  Camden 
his  home,  to  enjoy  its  l:)eauty  and  the  pleasant 
association  of  the  people.  In  1853  he  entered  the 
army  as  Second  Lieut,  in  the  14th  Eeg.  Heavy  Ai-- 
tiUery.  In  January  he  was  transfei-red  to  the  6th 
Kegiment,  N.  Y.  V",  and  promoted  to  First  Lieu- 
tenant, and  soon  after  promoted  to  cajjiain  of 
Company  L.,  6th  Regi- 
ment Heavy  ArtiUery, 
where  he  served  to  the 
end  of  the  war. 

;    Battles,    Decisive. — 

jMaeathon,  B.  C,  I'JO, 
Athenians  defeated  the 
Persians;  Sxkaouse,  B. 
C,  413,  Syracusans  de- 
feated the  Athenians; 
Akbela,  B.  C,  331, 
Macedonians  and  Greeks 
defeated  the  Persians; 
Mbtaubus,  B.  C,  207, 
Romans  defeated  the 
Carthagenians;  Phiuppi, 
B.  C,  4'i,  Octavius  and 
Antony  defeated  Brutus 
and  Cassius;  AcTroM  (sea) 
B.  C,  31,  the  Roman 
imperialists  under  Oc- 
tavius defeated  the  naval 
forces  of  Antony  and 
Cleopatra;  Lutzbn,  1632, 
which  gave  religious  lib- 
erty  to   Germany;  Cha- 


lons, 451,  confederates  defeated  the  Huns;  Touks, 
732,  Christians  defeated  the  Saracens;  Hastings, 
1066,  William,  the  conqueror,  commanding  the 
Normans  defeated  the  English;  defeat  of  the  Span- 
ish Armada  in  the  English  channel  by  the  Eng- 
lish in  1.588;  Blenheim,  1704,  English  under  Marl- 
borough defeated  the  French  and  Bavarians  un- 
der Marshall  Tallard;  Piiltowa,  1709,  Peter  the 
Great,  of  Russia,  defeated  Charles  XII  of  Sweden ; 
Saratoga,  1777,  victory  of  Gates  over  Bui'goyne; 
Valmy,  1792,  Prussians,  Austrians  and  Hess'ians 
under  the  Duke  of  Brunswick  defeated  an  attempt 
to  invade  France  by  the  French  under  Du- 
mouriez;  Watekloo,  1815,  Russians,  Austrians, 
Prussians  and  English  under  Duke  of  Wellington 
defeated  the  French  under  Napoleon ;  Tkafalgar 
(sea)  1805,  English  under  Lord  Nelson  defeated 
the  French  and  Spanish ;  Appomattox,  1865,  the 
Union  armies  under  Grant  defeated  the  confeder- 
ates under  Lee;  Manilla,  1898,  (sea)  the  Ameri- 
can war  vessels  under  Dewey  sunk  the  Spanish 
fleet  under  Admiral  Montojo. 

Augustus  G.  Wood  was  born  in  Camden  in 
1837.  After  attending  the  village  schools  he 
learned  the  machinists'  trade  in  the  foundry  and 
machine  shop  of  his  father,  George  W.  Wood, who 
was- also  born  in  Camden  in  the  year  of  1803.  A 
co-i3artnership  was  formed  by  George  W.  Wood 
and  A.  G.  Wood  in  1858,  under  the  firm  name  of 
G.  W.  Wood  &  Son,  iron  founders  and  machinists, 
which  was  continued  until  1867,  when  George  W. 
Wood  retu-ed  from  the  business  and  a  brother,. 
Henry  D.  Wood,  succeeded  him,  the  firm  then 
being  known  as  Wood  Brothers,  who  carried  on 
the  business  until  1881  when  W.  G.  Percival  was 
made  partner,  giving  to  the  firm  the  name  of 
Wood  Brothers  &  Percival.  In  1883  Henry  D. 
Wood  died.  Later  the  business  was  carried  on  by 
Wood  &  Percival  untU  1890,  when  A.  G.  Wood 
went  out  of  business  on  account  of  his  health  and, 
sold  his  interest  to  his  brother,  DeWitt  T.  Wood. 
Mr.  A.  G  Wood  took  an  active  intei-est  m  the 
Camden  village  waterworks  and  located  the  reser- 


Borrowed,  Photo. 


A.  G.  WOOD'S  RESIDEX(_'K. 


128 


'GRIP'S"  HISTOBICAL  SOUVENIE  OF  CAMDEN. 


partnership  with  G.  A.  Healy  in  the  drug  and 
printing  business  which  was  continued  for  five 
years.  In  1881  he  was  aj^pointed  to  a  position  in 
the  railway  mail  service  which  he  held  about  a  year 
when  he  was  appointed  postmaster  at  WiUiams- 
town,  N.  Y.  During  the  four  years  that  he  was 
postmaster  he  commenced  the  manufacture  of 
postoffiee  equipments,  and  at  tlie  expu'ation  of 
his  term  of  office,  in  the  summer  of  1886,  removed 
to  Camden,  wliere  a  new  factory  had  been  built 
especially  for  his  hue  of  work.  "  In  1890  he  sold 


H  nested,  Photo.    T.  A.  FAHNSWORTH. 

voir  on  Wolcott  Hill.  He  has  been  a  trustee  of 
Forest  Park  cemetery  for  nearly  a  quai'ter  of  a 
centiuy  and  was  one  of  those  who  were  interested 
in  promoting  Forest  Park.  When  the  building  of 
the  Elmira,  Cortland  &  Northern  railroad  was  con- 
templated, he  was  one  of  the  committee  to  buy 
the  right  of  way  through  the  farms  in  the  town  of 
Camden. 

Therou  A.  Farnsworth  was  boru  in  Hermon, 
St.  Lawrence  county,  N.  Y.,  Sept.  13,  1851.  He 
w-as  educated  in  the  common  schools  of  his  native 
town  and  at  LowvOle  academy.  He  commenced 
his  business  hfe  in  1871  liy  learning  the  jirinters' 
trade  at  Lowville,  after  which  he  worked  in  Eome 
until  1874  when  he  returned  to  Hermon  and 
started  the  first  newspaper  there — "The  Union" — 
which  was  published  until  the  year  following, 
when  the  entire  business  portion  of  the  village 
was  destroyed  by  fire.  In  the  fall  of  1875  he 
moved  to  Williamstown,  where  he  formed   a   co- 


Bon-owed  Photo.       T.  A.  FAKNSWORTH'S  RESIDENCE, 


Hiie.'ited,  Photo.  ALMON  M.  FARNSWORTH. 
his  business  to  the  Corbin  Cabruet  Lock  Co.,  who 
he  induced  to  locate  here,  and  for  seven  and  one- 
half  years  carried  on  the  tbii-d  largest  in- 
dustry of  the  town,  and  during  which  time  he  was 
the  sole  manager  of  then-  works.  Wlien  the  Cor- 
l)in  works  were  moved  to  New  Britain  in  1897,  he 
accepted  a  position  with  the  Yale  &  Tov.-ae  Lock 
Co.,  as  travehng  salesman  of  postoffiee  fixtures. 
At  the  present  time  he  is  the  general  eastern  agent 
for  the  Signal  Mail  Box  Company,  of  Joliet,  lU. 
Since  residing  in  Camden  he  has 
taken  an  active  iuterest  in  all  pub- 
lic aflau-s,  es25eciaUy  in  vUlage 
corporation  matters.  He  was  the 
first  repubhcan  president  of  the 
village  to  be  elected  on  a  strictly 
party  ticket,  holding  the  office 
three  years,  and  a  member  of  the 
board  of  trustees  for  four  years. 
Dm-ing  his  administration  many 
changes  from  the  old  time  way  of 
doing  business  were  made,  'and 
the  improved  conditions  of  the 
streets,  sidewalks  and  parks  tu'e 
lasting  monuments  of  his  eiforts. 
In  the  Masonic  order  he  belongs 
to  Philanthrojiic  Lodge,  F.  &  A. 
IM.,  Darius  Chapter,  E.  A.  M., 
Camden,  and  is  a  Sir  Knight 
the  Eome  Commandery.  He 
also  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  O. 
and  K.  P.  lodges  in  Camden.  On 
Dec.  23,  1874,  he  married  Fontella 
S.  Healy,  of  Hermon.  Thev  have 
two  children,  Almon  M.  and  Fon- 
teUa.  Their  beautiful  residence  at 
No.  30  Fourth  street,  was  built 
m  1893. 


of 
of 
is 
F. 


^'GRIP'S"  HISTOEIOAL  SOUVENIR  OF  CAMDEN. 


129 


Hiiested,  Photo.    WILLIAM  D.  TOWSLEY,  M.  D. 

Almon  M.  Farnsworth  was  born  in  Williams- 
town,  N.  Y.,  July  16,  1877.  In  the  fall  of  1886  he 
accompanied  his  parents  to  Camden  where  he  at- 
tended the  Camden  Union  school  and  academy. 
At  eighteen  years  of  age,  after  completing  his 
education,  he  started  in  the  printing  business  for 
himself  in  the  Barnes  block.  After  one  year  in 
business  Mr.  Farnsworth  found  it  necessary  to 
double  the  capacity  of  his  ofiice  and  by  strict  at- 
tenion  to  details  he  has  steadily  increased  his 
business  until  now  he  has  a  thoroughly  modern 
office  adapted  for  a  -ndde  range  of  work.  In  ad- 
dition to  his  local  work  he  has  built  up  a  consid- 
erable trade  for  advertising  specialties  through- 
out Central  and  Northern  New  York,  and  does 
an  extensive  mail  order  Ijusiness  in  church  and 
society  printing.  On 
Oct.  18,  1900,  Mr  Farns- 
worth was  married  to 
Miss  Florence  Geniveve 
Low.  He  is  a  member 
and  officer  of  Philan- 
thropic Lodge,  No.  164, 
F.  &  A.  M. 

Camden    Inventors. 

— Alexander  Morton,  the 
inventor  of  "Morton's 
celebrated  gold  pen,  "who 
acquu-ed  a  large  fortune 
from  it  and  James  Mor- 
ton, his  brother  and  suc- 
cessor to  the  world-ex- 
tended business,  lived  in 
Camden  when  boys.  O. 
P.  Loomis,  electrical 
expert  and  inventor  and 
member  of  Institute  of 
Electrical  Engineers,  and 
Lyman  Smith,  inventor 
of  the  noted  pneumatic 
grain  elevator  at  Chicago, 
were  also  residents  of  the 
village  in  their  early 
years. 


Or.  William  D.  Towsley,  the  only  son  of 
Thomas  J.  and  Phoebe  M.  Towsley,  was  bom  at 
Diu-hamville,  Oneida  county,  N.  Y.,  Dec.  14, 
1856.  The  following  year  his  jjarents  moved  to 
Sandy  Creek,  Oswego  county,  N.  Y.,  where  his 
childhood  days  were  spent  upon  the  farm  and  in 
the  common  school.  The  farm  is  now  occupied 
by  his  father  and  has  been  for  forty-four  years, 
his  mother  having  died  in  1887.  When  seventeen 
years  of  age  he  entered  the  Union  High  school  of 
Sandy  Creek  where  he  sp)ent  one  year,  after  which 
he  entered  the  Pulaski  academy,  pursuing  a  course 
there  of  three  years.  He  taught  school  two  win- 
ters at  Port  Ontario,  N.  Y.,  after  which  he  entered 
the  office  of  Dr.  Frank  S.  Low,  of  Pulaski,  N.  Y., 
«  here  he  began  the  study  of  medicine.  In  Sej)- 
tember,  1878,  he  entered  the  University  of  tbecity 
of  New  Y'ork,  from  which  he  was  gi'aduated  with 
honors,  March  8,  1881.  He  immediately  began 
the  jjractice  of  his  profession  at  Fernwood,  N.  Y., 
where  he  practiced  for  six  years,  coming  to  Cam- 
den in  the  spring  of  1887.  Two  years  later  he 
erected  bis  fine  residence  in  that  village  at  No. 
135  Main  street.  On  April  27,  1881,  he  was  tmited 
in  marriage  with  Miss  Jennie  Calkins,  the  only 
daughter  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Nelson  Callvins,  of  Dex- 
ter, N.  Y.  They  have  one  daughter,  Alice,  aged 
eleven  years,  and  one  son.  DeAlton,  aged  five 
years.  In  June,  1881,  he  was  elected  a  member 
of  the  Oswego  County  Medical  society,  and  in 
Jul}',  1887,  of  the  Oneida  county  society.  He  has 
for  many  years  been  examining  iJiysician  and  sur- 
geon for  several  leading  life  insurance  companies 
— among  them  the  New  Y'ork  Life,  the  Mutual 
Life  of  New  I'ork,  and  several  others.  AVhile  re- 
siding at  Fernwood,  N.  Y"".,  he  was  postmaster, 
and  he  also  served  as  coroner  of  Oswego  county. 
Dr.  and  Mrs.  Towsley  have  been  members  of  the 
M.  E.  church  for  many  years.  In  jjolitics  the 
doctor  is  a  staunch  Prohibitionist. 


Skinner,  I'lioto.        JJU.  WILLIAM  1).  T(_lWSLEY'S  RESIDENCE. 


130 


'GRIP'S"  HISTOEICAL  SOUVENIE  OF  CAMDEN. 


Huested,  Photo.       .JAMES  STAKK. 

Governors,  Colonial,  New  York — [Dutcli] 
Peter  Miuuit,  term  began  1624,  Woiiter  Van 
Twiller  1633,  William  Kieft  1637,  Peter  Stiayve- 
sant  1647.  [EngKsli]  Bichard  NicoUs  1664,  Fran- 
cis Lovelace  1667;  [Dutch]  Anthony  Colve  1673, 
[EngKsh]  Edmond  Andross  1674  and  '88,  Thomas 
Dongan  1683,  Jacob  Leisler  1689,  Henry  Sloughter 
1691,  Bicharil  Ingoldsbv  1691  and  1709,  Benjamin 
Fletcher  1692,  Bichard  Earl  of  Belmont  1698,  Col. 
WUliam  Smith,  Col.  Abraham  DePeyster  and  Col. 
Peter  Schiiyler  administrators  of  the  state  govern- 
ment on  the  death  of  Earl  of  Bellomont  and  ab- 
sence of  the  lieutenant-governor  1701,  John  Nau- 
fan,  1701,  Lord  Coruliury  May  3  1702,  *Lord 
Lovelace  Dec.  18,  1708,  Peter  Schuyler,  jiresideut 
Mav  6  1709,  Mav  25  1709,  July  21  1719,  Gerardus 
Beekman  president  June  24  1710,  Boberf  Hunter 
June  14  1710,  Wm.  Biarnet  Sept.  17  1720,  *John 
Montgomerie  April  1  5 
1 728,  Bip  Van  Dam  presi- 
dent Julv  1  1731,  ♦Will- 


ing military  governor  during  the  war),  Peter  Van. 
Brugh  Livingston  May  23  1775.  Provincial  Con- 
gress (rulers) — Nathaniel  WoodhuU,  resident  pro 
tern  Aug.  28  1775,  Dec.  61775,  Abraham  Yates,  Jr., 
president  pro  tern  Nov.  2  1775,  president  pro  tem 
Aug  10  1776,  Aug.  28,  1776,  John  Harding  presi- 
dent pro  tem  Dec.  16,  1775,  Peter  Livingston 
Sept  26  1776,  Abraham  TenBroeck,  March  6  1777, 
Leonard  Ganesvoort,  president  pro  tem  April  18 
1777,  Pierre  Van  Cortlandt,  president  council 
safety  May  14  1777. 

*DK'd  iu  office. 

tTbis  governor's  name  is  down  to  this  day  used  as  a 
term  of  reproacli  in  the  single  county  of  Schoharie, 
whose  foref  ;itlii'vs  claimed  to  have  been  treated  vilely  by 
him.  To  ii])i>ly  tlic  term  "a  Sloughter"  in  that  county  is 
regarded  as  a  heinous  insult. 

James  Stark,  son  of  John  and  Janet  Stark,  was 
born  in  Cumbernauld,  near  Glascow,  Scotland, 
August  14,  1828.  When  five  years  old  he  came 
with  the  rest  of  his  family  to  America  in  a  saiHng 
vessel,  the  voyage  occupying  seven  weeks.  Lai^d- 
ing  at  New  York  they  obtained  passage  on  a  canal 
boat  which  brought  them  to  Utica,  whence  they 
travelled  with  a  horse  and  wagon  to  a  new  home 
on  a  farm  in  Amboy,  Oswego  county.  At  the  age 
of  thirteen  Mr.  Stark  went  to  work  in  the  factory 
of  Walcott  &  Campbell  at  the  New  York  Mills. 
When  twenty  years  old  he  entered  as  aioprentice 
in  the  blacksmith's  department  of  a  wheelwright's 
shop  in  Utica.  Upon  completing  his  apprentice- 
ship he  went  to  work  at  his  trade  in  Wliitesboro. 
After  seven  years  service  there  he,  in  1864,  came 
to  Camden,  entering  iato  partnership  with  Chris- 
tian A.  Boehm,  the  firm  buying  the  John  Owen's 
carriage  shop  on  Church  street,  which  they  ran 
for  seven  years  when  Mr.  Stark  withdrew  and  pttt- 
chased  the  wagon  and  sleigh  shop  on  Main  sti-eet, 
still  owned  by  him  Irat  for  several  years  occuijied 
by  his  sons  who  continue  the  business.  Mr. 
James  Stark  and  Miss  Sarah  A.  Wilson  of  New 
York  iSIills,  were  married  May  11,  1852.  Eleven 
children— six  sons  and  five  daughters — were  born 
to  them.  Of  tbese  eight. — with  eighteen  grand- 
children—are still  living.  While  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Stark  were  on  a  visit  to  their  daughter  in  Califor- 
nia,   Mrs.    Stark   died,   November  15,  1897.     She 


iam  Crosby  Aiig.  1  1732, 
George  Clarke  president 
George 


I  Crosby 
,..^.orge  Clai^^^  j^^. 
March  10  1736, 
Clinton  Sept.  2  1743,  *Sir 
Danvers  Osborne,  Bart., 
Oct  10  1753,  James  De 
Lancey  Oct.  12  17  53, 
*1757,  Sir  Charles  Hardy, 
Knt.,  Sept.  3  1755,  Cad- 
weller  Cold  en  president 
Aug.  4  1760  '61  '69,  Bob- 
ert  aionckton  Oct.  26 
1761,  June  14  1762,  *Su- 
Henry  Moore,  Bart., Nov. 
13,  1765,  Earl  of  Dun- 
more  Oct.  19  1770,  Will- 
iam Tryon  July  9  1771, 
June  28  1775,  James  Bob- 
ertson  (military  governor 
iluring  the  war  not  recog- 
nized by  the  state)  from 
June  28  1775  March  23 
1780,  Amil-ew  Elliott  (act- 


Skinner,  Photo. 


.JA.MES'  STAKIC  S  RESIDENCE. 


"GBIP'S"  HISTOEICAI.  SOUVENIR  OF  CAMDEN. 


131 


HiR-sted,  Photo.  JAMES  W.  STARK. 
was  buried  in  the  Foresf^Park  cemetery  in  tliis 
'S'illage.  On  December  27,  1838,  Mr.  Stark  mar- 
ried Mrs.  Harriet  Goodwin  Devereanx  of  Syracuse. 
Mr.  Stark  is  a  ruling  elder  in  Camden  Presby- 
terian clim-cli  of  which  he  has  been  a  member 
thirty-three  years. 

Village   Board    of    Health.— There   are   no 
records   of   the   doings   of  the   viUage  Board   of 
Health  prior  to  1893.     Among  the  health  officers 
before  this  date  were  Dr.  A.  H.  Smith,  Dr.  H.  G. 
DuBois  and  the  late  H.  W.  Leonard.     In  1893  the 
Board  was  organized  on  a  more  systematic  and 
practical  i>lan.     The  citizens  now  co-operate  fully 
with  the   Board   to   keep   the    village   clean   and 
healthful.     The  Board  organized  in  1893  with  the 
late   Dr.   H.    W.    Leonard   as   health   officer   and 
Thomas  O'Neil  president,  O.  A.  Mauzer  secretary 
and  Henry   B.   Adams  as   citizen   member.     The 
most  aggi-essive  fighter  of  this  Board  was  President 
O'Neil.      Dr.    Leonard   resigned    in   September, 
1893,  and  Dr.  H.  G.  DuBois  was  appointed  to  fill 
the  iinexpii-ed  term.    His 
administration      was 
marke<l  1  ly  the  removal  of 
the   slaughter  house  and 
stock   yards   in   the  resi- 
dential   jjart    of    Third 
street.     In  May,  1834,the 
jjersonell  of    the     Board 
changed.     Dr.C.-J.Bacon 
was      appointed      health 
officer  and  the  members 
were  John  E.  Cook  pres- 
ident,    G.      E.      Watkin 
secretary,      and      James 
Grossart  citizen.    In  1895 
the  same  board  acted  with 
the    exceptioa    of    Alex. 
McCarthy  in  the  place  of 
G.  E,   Watkin.     In    189(i 
the      ad  m  i  n  i  s  t  r  a  t  i  o  n 
changed  again  and  Dr.H, 
L.    Borland    was     made 
health     officer    and    the 


members  were:  President,  J.  A.  Hull,  Searetary, 
O.  A.  Maazer  and  citizen  member  J.  E.  VanDyke. 
Beginning  with  this  year  a  new  plan  of  appoint- 
ments was  adopted,  one  for  one  year,  one  for  two 
years  and  one  for  three.  In  1897  the  only  change 
was  the  appointment  of  Charles  B.  Chapin  in  the 
place  of  J.  E.  VanDyke  whose  term  of  service 
expii-ed.  Dr.  Borland  was  contmued  as  health 
officer.  In  1898  J.  A.  Hull  was  reappointed,  as 
was  also  health  officer  Borland.  Dr.  Borland  was 
a  good  worker  and  to  his  ettorts  are  due  the  fact 
that  every  expedient  was  adopted  to  make  the  drink- 
ing water  as  pure  as  possible.  In  1899  there  was 
a  change  in  the  health  officer,  Dr.  J.  B.  Low  being 
appointed.  O.  A.  Manzer  was  appointed  to  suc- 
ceed himself.  Dr.  Low  was  also  health  officer  in 
1900.  Horace  J.  Eush  was  aijpointed  to  fill  the 
vacancy  of  C.  B.  Chapin  whose  term  of  office  had 
expii-ed,  and  Dr.  Alexander  Fiudlay  to  fill  the 
vacancy  made  by  J.  A.  Hull  who  moved  out  of 
town.  In  1901  the  Board  was  composed  of  Dr. 
C.  W.  Shaver,  health  officer,  James  Grossart 
president,  O.  A.  Manzer  secretary,  and  James  S. 
Burrill  citizen.  The  emoluments  of  the  health 
officer  are  a  fixed  compensation  of  $50  a  year 
ordinary,  with  extra  in  case  of  certain  emergencies; 
and  the  members  of  the  Board  are  allowed  $12 
each,  a  yeai-. 

James  W.  Stark  succeeded  to  his  father's  busi- 
ness in  the  manufacture  of  wagons  and  sleighs, 
with  his  brother,  M.  N.  Stark,  five  years  ago,  the 
co-partnership  between  the  brothers  continuing 
only  for  three  years  since  which  time  the  former 
has  continued  it  alone.  Mr.  James  Stark  at  the 
time  the  business  passed  into  his  sons'  hands,  re- 
tired from  active  business  life.  For  some  years 
it  had  been  carried  on  by  J.  &  J.  P.  Owens,"  who 
sold  out  to  Mr.  Stark.  Since  then  it  has  been  ex- 
tended and  several  styles  of  vehicles  added.  In 
1901  Mr.  James  W.  Stark  fitted  up  a  paint  shop, 
30x80  feet,  in  the  rear  of  the  main  building,  giving 
him  doulile  the  accommodations  he  formerly  had. 
The  facilities  for  repair  work  are  better  than  ever 
before  and  anything  on  wheels  or  runners  that 
modern  methods  have  provided  can  be  purchased, 
exchanged  or  fitted  up  at  these  shops,  including 
light  and  heavy  carriages,  farm  and  road  wagons, 
trucks  and  delivery  carts,  sleighs  and  cutters.  As 
this  is  one  of  the  old  stands  in"  Camden  it  is  widely 


SIviniier,  Photr; 


.I.VMIiti  W.  STAIUv'S  CARRIAGE  REPOSITORV. 


132 


'GBIP'S"  HISTORICAL,  SOUVENIR  OF  CAMDEN. 


Borrowed  Photo. 

A.  W.  CRAIG,  POSTMASTER  OF  CAMDEN. 

known  and  lias  a  trade  ranging  to  a  cii'cunifeience 
of  thirty  miles.  The  largest  part  of  the  business 
however,  is  in  lumber  wagons  and  sleighs,  which 
are  sent  to  customers  in  many  distant  sections  o^ 
the  state. 

Mr.  Stark  was  born  at  Whitesboro,  Oneida 
county,  N.  Y.,  April  19,  18fi3.  For  many  years 
he  was  employed  by  his  father.  On  Aug.  4,  1887, 
he  married  Lena  Hornung  of  Camden.  At  the 
present  ^^ritrng  he  is  jiresident  of  the  village 
board  of  trustees,  having  at  one  time  also  served  as 
viUage  overseer  of  the  poor.  He  is  the  treasurer 
of  the  Odd  Fellows  lodge  in  Camden  and  is  a 
member  of  the  Masonic  order  and  the  Knights  of 
Pythias. 


A.  W.  Craig,  the  present  postmaster  of  Camden, 
received  his  commission  from  the  late  president 
McKiiiley.Feb.  9,  1899,  his  .selection  for  the  office 
being  made  in  deference  to  the  general  sentiment 
of  the  pul  ilic  and  because  of  his  standing  as  a  re- 
publican in  which  party  he  has  alwaysbeen  an  act- 
ive worker  and  an  organization  man.  His  father, 
Andrew  Craig,  who  was  a  native  of  Darvil,  Ayr- 
shire, Scotland,  and  who  came  to  this  country 
when  eighteen  years  old,  settled  upon  a  farm 
near  the  village.  He  became  locally  famous  as  a 
composer  and  pubUsher  of  poetry.  Of  the  nine 
children  included  in  his  family  three  survive,  A. 
W.,  Robert  and  David.  The  first  named  was  born 
in  Camden,  Oct.  21,  1853.  When  twenty-one 
years  of  age  he  bought  out  Heman  Snow,  who  was 
engaged  in  business  in  the  building  now  occupied 
by  Skinner's  gallery.  There  for  fifteen  years  he  car- 
ried on  the  business  and  then  sold  oiitto  Harvey 
Snow.  Then  for  four  years  he  conducted  a  livery 
on  Mexico  street,  retiring  at  the  end  of  that  time 
to  engage  in  insurance.  Now  lie  represents  the 
..Etna,  Hartford,  Merchants',  North  British  and 
Imperial  Fire  Insarance  companies,  in  which  he 
is  associated  with  George  Skiiiner.  He  has  also 
engaged  in  dealing  in  lumber  and  wood.  Mr.  Craig 
was  married  to  Theresa  Pierce,  April  12,  1879,  and 
they  have  two  daughters,  Jean  and  Reba.  For 
many  years  he  has  Ijeen  active  in  town  and  village 
affairs, having  served  as  supervisor  and  town  cleA, 
each  two  terms,  justice  of  the  peace  for  four  years 
and  water  commissioner  two  terms.  All  of  the 
honors  that  the  several  offices  in  the  local  masonic 
lodge  could  give  have  lieen  his.  He  is  also  a 
a  member  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias  and  the  Royal 
Arcanum. 

The  Scriba.  Patent.— On  April  7,  1792, George 
Scriba  ptiichased  199,135  acres  of  land,  a  portion 
of  which  is  the  town  of  Camden.  Mr.  Scriba 
received  his  patent  in  December,  1794.  He  had 
it  surveyed  and  divided  into  24  townships,  eight 
of   which  are  in  Oneida  countv.     (Jeorae  Scriba 


Skinner,  Photos.    F.  S.  GAMBLE'S  SHOE  STORE. 


FRED  S.  GAMBLE. 


'GRIP'S"  HISTOKICAL  SOUVENIR  OF  CAMDEN. 


133 


Borrowed  Photo.      C.  C.  TILLSON. 

was  a  wealthy  HoUauder  who  came  to  this  locality 
Ts-ith  .$200,000  in  gold  with  which  to  purchase 
land,  and  amassed  a  fortune  estimated  at  .Sl,.500,- 
000.  He  built  a  home  ior  himself  on  the  banks  of 
Oneida  Lake  at  a  time  when  his  neai-est  neighbors 
were  the  Indians  of  the  Six  Nations.  That  was 
in  1794. 

Calvin  Chaddock  Tillson  was  born  in  Carver, 
Plymouth  county,  Ma.ss.,  May  23,  1821.  He  was 
the  son  of  Isaiah  and  Hannah  Tillson.  In  1827  he 
came  to  Camden  and  lived  with  his  uncle,  Deacon 
Bennett  Cobb,  on  the  Taberg  road.  On  June  25, 
1842,  he  married  Jane' Eliza  Franklin.  After  liv- 
ing here  aliout  one  year  they  moved  to  Parish, 
Oswego  county,  N.  Y.  To  them  were  born  lour 
children,  Adell,  who  married  J.  H.  Eedington, 
and  who  resides  in  Parish,  N.  Y. ;  Florence,  who 
married  M.  J.  Borless  and  after  his  death  C.  S. 
Wightman  and  who  died  June  4,  1886;  a  son, 
Charles,  who  died  when  three  months  old,  and 
EUen,  who  married  L.  A.  Fav  and  now  resides  in 
Camden.     On  Julv  18,   1877,"  Mrs.    Tillson   died. 


aged  53  years.  Soon  after  her  death,  he  came  to 
Camden  to  live  and  in  1886  bought  a  very  pretty 
little  home,  where  he  now  resides  with  his  daugh- 
ter, Mrs.  Fay,  who  carefully  administers  to  her 
father  now  81  years  old.  Mr.  TiUson  has  always 
been  a  great  reader  and  converses  with  much  in- 
terest upon  matters  pertaining  to  the  past.  He  is 
a  genial,  hearty  man  who  has  many  friends,  and  a 
good  citizen  who  is  much  respected  by  all  and  who 
looks  and  seems  much  younger  than  he  reaUy   is. 

Fred  Osborne,  Jan.  1,  1901,  bought  the  bicy- 
cle business  of  J.  E.  Schott.  While  he  was  .ship- 
plug  clerk  at  F.  H.  Conant's  Sons'  furniture  fac- 
tory, the  position  he  occupied  fourteen  years,  he 
dealt  in  bicycles  to  the  extent  his  spare  time 
permitted,  so  that  taking  up  the  line  as  a  main 
venture  he  was,  alter  buying  out  Schott,  in  the 
position  to  largely  extend  the  scope  of  the  original 
business.  This  is  the  only  exclusive  bicycle  reposi  - 
tory  and  repair  shop  in  the  village.  As  an  agency 
it  represents  the  Cleveland,  Imperial,  Stearns  and 
Tribune  bicycles.  Mr.  Osborne  is  also  sole  agent 
in  Camden  for  the  latest  wheel  built  for  speeding 
known  as  the  Eacycle.  This  he  pushed  for 
three  years  before  '  leaving  Conant's,  and  it  still 
continues  to  be  his  deserving  leader.  Occupying 
large  quarters  in  a  building  devoted  whoUy 
to  his  purpose,  Mr.  Osborne  has  an  exceed- 
ingly advantageous  show  room,  with  work  shop 
in  the  rear  equipped  with  the  necessary  tools 
and  machinery.  The  record  of  his  year's  sales 
in  new  and  second  hand  wheels  for  1901  is  250. 
He  also  handles  quite  hu'gely  the  Edson  phono- 
graphs and  records.  Mr.  Osborne  was  born  at 
AnnsviUe,  Oneida  Co.,  N.  Y.,  Jan.  9,  1861. 
Coming  to  Camden  in  the  fall  of  1879  he  entered 
the  store  of  B.  A.  Curtiss  and  clerked  there  four 
and  a  half  years.  For  a  year  and  a  half  he  was  at 
Arlington, 'la.,  a  clerk  in  a  general  store,  then  re- 
turning to  Camden  and  entermg  the  employ  of  F. 
H.  Conant's  Sons.  He  married  Miss  Angelina  L. 
Storm  of  Florence.  He  is  past  gnmd  in  the  Odd 
Fellows  and  a  trustee  in  the  I.  O.  R.  .VI . 

Camden  Hose  Co.  No.  1,  which  is  the  legiti- 
mate offspring  of  the  first  hose  company  m  the 
village,  organized  Aug.  20,  1841,  but  its  present 
form  of  organization  dates  March  4,  1857,  when 
the  piesent  by-laws  were  adopted  by  Dr.  J.  H. 
Tracy,  F.  D.  Fifield  and  Augustus  L.  Stone,  who 


T-EED  CSEOBNE'S  BICYCLE  SALESROOM  AND  KEPAIR  SHOP. 


THE  RACYCLE. 


(Skinnei',  Photo.; 
(From  Priut.) 


134 


'GBIP'S"  HISTOBICAL  SOUVENIR  OF  CAMDEN. 


Borrowed  Plioto.  L.  STODDAKD  SANFORD 
were  apijointed  a  committee  for  that  purpose.  The 
original  companT  (of  1841)  con.si.sted  of  S.  B. 
Hinckley,  captain  of  Hose  Co.  No.  1.,  with  the 
following  membership:  Henry  Bacon,  Nelson  F. 
Simmons,  Martin  H.  Stevens,  Samiiel  B.  Lobl), 
Albro  Ivnapp,  Geo.  S.  Ferriss,  Nelson  E.  Benedict, 
Geo.  W.  Wood,  Harvey  Sweet,  Albro  Pheljis,  Jos- 
eph J.  Page,  Nerritt  Muuson,  John  A.  Bettis, 
Warren  Mix,  Abram  P.  Plumb,  W.  W.  Penfield, 
Eeuben  Barlier,  Hii'am  Hammond,  D.  Connie, 
Channcey  W.  McCall,  D.  Putnam  Cox.  Albert 
Godfrey,'  Alfred  Hazen,  Eanney  Park.  The  ma- 
jority of  the  company  as  now  constituted  are  busi- 
ness men.  The  officers  and  meml;)ers  are:  Fore- 
man, F  A.  Mann;  assistant  foreman,  B.  Tuthill; 
secretary,  F.  A.  MoAdam;  treasurer,  John  Pen- 
nington; H,  W.  Ciirtiss,  Joseph  P.aymond,  Fred 
Anson,  John  H.  Cook,  Howard  Monroe,  Oscar 
Wilhams,  Leon  Wilhanis,  Geo.  Williams,  LeRoy 
Ives,  R.  Robson,  Fred  Boomer,  Wm.  Durgan, 
Edward  Secor,  C!linton  Phelps,  LeEoy  Cleveland, 
Jav  Kittrick,  T.  D.  Aird,  Clinton  Smith,  Geo.  J. 
Skinner,  H.  Gwyn  and  Charles  Biedermann. 

L.  Stoddard  Sanford  was  for  several  years  an 
active  merchant  and  dealer  in  produce  in  Camden. 
He  was  born  in  the  town  of  Camden,  Sept.  29, 
1S33,  on  the  old  homestead  on  the  Preston  Hill 
road  two  lailes  out  of  the  village.  Ephraim  and 
Temperance  Sanford,  his  parents,  who  were  from 
Connecticut,  Avere  among  the  early  settlers  of  the 
town.  There  were  twelve  children,  of  which  the 
snljject  of  this  sketch  ■was  next  to  the  youngest, 
the  oldest  of  whom,  only,  is  now  living,  Melanthou 
D.  Sanford,  87  years  old,  who  resides  on  a  farm 
near  his  father's  old  place  on  Preston  H  ill.  Mr. 
L.  S.  Sanford  received  his  education  in  the  Cam- 
den schools  and  the  Falley  Seminary  at  Fulton, 
N.  Y.  He  was  for  three  years  in  a  l>ank  at  Cin- 
cinnati, O. ,  of  which  one  of  his  brothers  was  pres- 
ident, after  which  he  lived  a  year  at  Camden,  then 
returnmg  to  the  west  took  np  his  residence  at 
jNIarshaltown.  la.,  where  he  was  a  clerk  for  four 
years.  He  then  returned  to  Camden  and  clerked 
for   his   brother  Francis   for   about   a  vear.     On 


December  6,  1860,  he  married  Frances  E.  Frisbie 
of  this  village  and  a  year  or  two  later  opened  a 
grocery  store  in  the  building  now  occupied  by  E. 
J.  Castle,  where  he  was  burned  out  in  1864. 
Securing  a  place  across  the  street  he  began  deail- 
ing  in  l)utter  and  eggs.  Mr.  E.  A.  Harvey  soon 
after  became  his  jjartner  and  they  jjut  in  a  line  of 
groceries.  This  co-partnership  was  terminated 
about  two  years  afterward  and  for  saveral  years 
Mr.  Sanford  carried  on  the  produce  business.  In 
company  with  Mr.  Joseph  Stark  he  was  in  the 
produce  V)usiness  several  years  in  the  Curtiss 
building.  Wlien  this  partnership  was  dissolved 
Mr.  Sanford  started  a  grocery  at  the  corner  of 
South  Park  and  Second  streets,  which  in  the 
spring  of  1895  he  sold  out  to  Messrs.  Hinckley  & 
Barber.  Mr.  Sanford  always  had  a  desire  to  spend 
his  last  days  doing  small  farming  and  raising  fruit, 
and  it  was  gratified.  He  bought  a  small  farm  near 
the  village  which  he  cultivated  largely  by  his  own 
personal  eftorts.  He  put  out  a  number  of  apple, 
cherry,  pear  and  plum  trees  and  currant  and  berry 
liushes.  They  were  beginning  to  bear  nicely  at  the 
time  of  his  death,  which  occurred  at  his  home 
on  Union  street  where  he  had  lived  about  32  years 
and  where  his  widow  and  only  living  child,  Edith, 
now  reside.  Mr.  Sanford  was  an  active  republican 
and  favored  all  well  disijosed  idans  to  improve 
the  village.  For  nine  years  he  was  member  of 
the  board  of  education  and  had  also  served  as  col- 
lector. In  the  early  days  of  the  fire  department 
when  the  boys  ran  with  a  hand  engine  he  was  one 
of  their  most  enthusiastic  memljers.  For  twenty- 
one  consecutive  years  he  did  hard  and  useful  work 
in  that  branch  of  pulilic  service. 

W.  J.  P.  Van  Allen,  located  in  Camden 
for  the  practice  of  dentistry  in  June,  1891,  upon 
his  graduation  at  one  of  the  best  dental  colleges 
in  the  country  which  occurred  the  same  year. 
From  the  first  his  business  has  prosjiered  and  his 
practice  includes  the  best  class  of  patronage.  Two 
years  after  coming  to  Camden  he  married  Miss 
Lepha  V.  Gilroy,  of  Heckston,  Ont.,  Canada,  and 
as  on,  William  Roy,  and  daughter,  Dorrit  .Frank- 


Burrowed  I'hoto.     W.  ,1.  F.  VAX  ALLliX. 


'GEIP'S"  HISTOEIOAL  SOUVENIE  OF  CAMDEN. 


135 


fully  compete  with  the  other  hotels  in  town. 
There  was  miich  to  be  done  and  it  was  attended  to 
at  once,  the  house  being  fitted  with  closets,  bath 
rooms,  steam  heat  and  electric  lights.  The  thii-d 
floor,  which  was  in  an  unfinished  state  when  Mr. 
Roberts  took  the  house,  had  to  be  completed, 
thereby  adding  several  more  rooms  for  the  ac- 
commodation of  guests.  The  office  had  to  be  re- 
fm-nished  and  otherwise  renovated  and  the  house 
throughout  newly  painted  and  pajjered  and  newly 
furnished.  The  second  Year  he  was  in  the  hotel 
Mr.  Roberts  spent  .fl,500  in  making  these  im- 
provements and  since  then  a  much  larger  sum  has 
loeen  swallowed  up  in  exi^euditures,  including  the 
outlay  of  a  considerable  sum  which  he  has  made 
every  year.  Mrs.  Roberts,  who  died  in  1898,  ren- 
dered her  husband  much  assistance,  devotmg  her 
fullest  energies  toward  making  the  cuisine  of  the 
house  the  liest  that  could  be  provided  and  giving  it 
the  high  reputation  it  has  since  continued  to  de- 
serve. Mr.  Roberts  .serves  his  guests  with  game  and 
brook  trout  in  the  season,  making  a  specialty  of 
game  dinners.  He  also  caters  for  parties.  The  hotel 
is  a  brick  structure  with  three  floors.  The  rooms 
are  fitted  uj)  in  good  order.  The  halls  are  large 
and  the  sitting  room  on  the  first  fioor  spacious  and 
comfortable.  The  dining  room,  furnished  with 
large  and  small  tables  to  accommodate  any  sized 
party,  has  larger  seating  capacity  than  is  usually 
provided  in  hotels  of  small  towns.  The  table  ser- 
vice is  complete,  absolute  care  being  observed  to 
make  it  agreeable  to  the  taste  in  every  respect. 
The  house  is  supplied  with  adequate  accessories 
including  a  hvery  and  good  stabling.  In  a  sep- 
arate two-story  building  adjacent  to  the  hotel 
which  Mr.  Roberts  purchased  for  annex,  there  are 
rooms,  all  heated  by  steam,  comfortably  fur- 
nished which  will  accommodate  fourteen  gTiests. 

Enterprise  Hose  Co.  No.  2.— In  the  spring  of 

1887  the  trustees  of  the  vfllags  decided  that  the 
best  interests  of  the  village  demanded  that  anoth- 
er hose  company  be  added  to  the  fire  department. 
Accordingly  those  interested  in  the  matter  met  on 
or  al.)out  April  1,  at  the  ofti3e  of  Attorney  A.  C. 
Woodi-ntl,    whore   the    following   inscribed   their 


HiH'stcd,  I'lioto.    C.  L.  ROBERTS. 

leen,  brighten  theu'  home.  Dr.  Van  Allen  was 
born  at  Mountain,  Out.,  Canada,  where  he  passed 
the  early  years  of  his  boyhood  and  obtained  his 
earliest  edtication.  Later,  he  attended  the  Mus- 
grove's  Institute,  Ottawa,  Canada,  where  he  was 
gTaduated  in  1888.  After  teaching  in  that  insti- 
tution for  a  time  he  decided  to  study  dentistry. 
Fortunately  he  was  able  to  j^repare  for  his  life's 
work  by  obtaining  instruction  from  the  best  insti- 
tutions. He  first  studied  for  a  year  in  Ottawa, 
then  he  took  a  two  years'  course  in  Philadelphia, 
Pa.,  becoming  an  active  member  of  the  D.  D.  S. 
and  the  Garretsonian  societies  of  the  Philadelphia 
Dental  College,  and  attending  clinical  lectiu'es  at 
the  Medico-Chirurgical  Hasijitsil  in  the  sessions  of 
1890  and  '91.  His  graduation  from  the  Philadel- 
phia Dental  College  was  with  honors  after  taking 
a  full  course  in  lectures 
and  study. 

Cyrus     L.    Roberts, 

the  i^roisrietor  of  the 
Commercial  House,  one 
of  the  leading  hotels  in 
Camden,  came  to  this 
village  from  McConnels- 
ville,  where  he  had  been 
conducting  a  re-taurant, 
and  took  possession  of  the 
ijropertv  under  lease, 
April  '19,  1890.  The 
l)ufldiug  was  then  owned 
by  Mrs.  Olden,  but  as  an 
hotel  it  was  considerably 
run  down.  In  the  fall  of 
1890,  Mr.  Roberts  pur- 
chased the  property,  and 
with  that  enterprise 
which  a  natural  hotel 
man  would  display, 
proceeded  to  make  such 
improvements  and  ad- 
ditions as  would  place 
the  bu.siness  on  a  footing 
where     it   could  success-       Uorrowed  Photo.       COMMERCIAL  HOTEL,  C.  L.  ROBERTS,  Proi). 


136 


•GBIP'S"  HISTOBIOAL  SOUVENIR  OF  CAMDEN. 


Borrowed  I'liolo. 

ANSON  GATES  OLMSTEAD. 

names  as  charter  members  of  the  new  company : 
J.  0.  McDonald,  Henry  Clark,  W.  H.  Eowell, 
Albert  Orr,  B.  O.  Stone,  Charles  Snow,  A.  W. 
Craig,  0.  W.  Graves,  H.  B.  Snow,  B.  Gardner, 
R.  Boyd  and  J.  K.  Littler.  The  charter  which 
was  issned  to  them  at  the  time  of  their  organiza- 
tion allowed  them  a  membership  of  seventeen 
men.  No  subsequent  meetings  were  held  by  the 
comjiany  untU  the  arrival  of  then'  ai:iparatus  on 
Sept.  1,  on  the  evening  of  which  day  they  met  at 
the  engine  house  and  elected  their  first  officers  as 
follows:  Foreman,  J.  C.  McDonald;  Fh-st  Assis- 
tant, C.  W.  Graves;  Second  Assistant,  B.  Boyd; 
Secretary,  J.  K.  Littler;  Treasui'er,  A.  W.  Craig. 
A  committee  composed  of  B.  D.  Stone,  C.  W. 
Graves  and  A.  W.  Craig  was  appointed  by  the 
foreman  to  draft  l:)y-laws  for  the  company.  It  was 
also  decided  to  call  the  company  Camden  Hose 
No.  2.  The  first  alarm  to  which  they 
responded  was  on  Jan.  4,  1888,  and  the 
promptness  with  which  they  reached  the 
fire  and  the  efficiency  of  their  work  were 
very  creditable.  At  the  regular-  meeting- 
held  on  Aug.  5,  1889,  by  a  unanimous  vote 
the  name  of  the  company  was  changed  to 
Enterprise  Hose  No.  2.  Diiring  the  fifteen 
years  which  they  have  existed  the  com- 
Ijany  has  responded  to  about  60  fires. 
The  present  membershii)  is  twenty-seven. 
The  officers  elected  at  the  last  annual  elec- 
tion for  the  present  year  are:  Foreman, 
Clarence  Moses;  First  Assistant,  Milo 
Turner;  Second  Assistant,  Gordon  Eoberts; 
Secretary,  Hope  Philj)ot;  Treasurer,  A.  G. 
Parke;  trustees,  W.  B.  Smith,  Otis  Fuller, 
and    Freeman  Schott. 


Commissioners  of  Canal  Fund. — This 
body  compi-iscs  the  Lieutenant-Governor, 
Secretary  of  State,  Comptroller,  State  Treas- 
urer and  Attorney  General.  As  the  name 
implies,  it  controls  the  canal  fund. 


Anson  Gates  Olmstead  came  to  Camden  in 
the  spring  of  1811,  liringing  his  wife  and  two  chil- 
dren with  him  from  Sandy  Creek  together  -with 
their-  effects  on  a  lumber  wagon,  and  driving- 
through  in  spite  of  ice  and  snow  which  made 
traveling  extremely  uncomfortable  and  greatly 
impeded  then-  progress.  After  some  adventures 
they  reached  the  village  and  unloaded  their  goods 
in  Truman  Spencer's  building  then  known  as  the 
Exchange.  In  the  fall  of  1847  he  purchased  of 
Lynns  Stevens  the  lot  on  Main  street  where  the 
following  spring  he  built  the  large  residence  which 
was  his  home  irntLl  his  death  and  is  still  the  home 
of  his  widow.  It  was  the  first  brick  structure 
erected  in  the  village  and  on  that  account  his 
neighbors  joined  with  him  in  a  pubhc  ceremony 
in  placing  the  first  brick.  The  same  year 
Phelps  &  Matoon,  contractors,  began  building  the 
B.,  W.  &  O.  B.  B.,  trains  on  which  were  run  be- 
tween Borne  and  Bichland  the  fall  of  the  next  year 
(1849).  The  plank  road  was  then  constructed  be- 
tween Bome  and  Oswego.  Mr.  Olmstead,  who 
was  ever  wide  awake  to  the  need  of  pulilic  im- 
in-ovement,  was  always  in  symjjathy  wiih  any  pro- 
ject that  promised  to  make  the  vOlage  grow. 
When  with  his  family  and  chattels  he  arrived  in 
town  he  found  Artemus  and  George  Trowbridge 
and  Mr.  Jamison  doing  liusiness  at  the  head  of 
Main  street,  a  locality  now  wholly  occupied  with 
handsome  residences.  Jefierson  Colton  was  mine 
host  at  the  public  house  on  the  present  site  of  the 
Presbyterian  church;  Orville  and  Bradford  Hinck- 
ley had  a  store  where  the  opera  house  now  stands; 
Truman  Spencer,  a  hat  factory  in  the  rear  of  the 
Exchange  liuUding;  .J.  D.  Cavarly,  a  store  on  the 
northwest  corner  of  Main  and  Mexico  streets; 
Messrs.  Dayton  &  Pettis,  shoe  shojis  filled  with 
workmen;  H.  J.  Miner,  general  store  on  the 
northeast  corner  of  Main  street  and  M  ner  avenue; 
Martin  H.  Stevens,  cabinet  shop;  George  W. 
Wood  and  Albro  Phelps,  foundry  and  m.achine 
shop  at  I  he  foot  of  Mechanic  street;  General  Ly- 
man Curtiss,  flouring  mill;  Thomas  D.  Penfie'ld 
and  John  F.  Mix,  merchants.  The  practicing 
physicians  were  Drs.  Torbert  and  Ely.  Alexander 
Kilpatrick  taught  the  "lower"  district  school  in  a 
building  where  Mr.  L.  P.  Haviland's  residence 
now   stands.     After   the   disastrous   tire   of   1872, 


SliiluuT,   I'lmlo. 

MRS.  A.  G.  OLMSTEAUS  KESIUBNL'E,  binlt 


ISIS. 


"GBIP'S"  HISTOEICAL  SOUVENIR  OF  CAMDEN. 


137 


Boi-i-owed  Photo.  D,  E.  KENNEDY, 
which  was  stopped  in  its  raging  course  by  the 
brick  -walls  of  Mr.  Olmstead's  residence,  he  and 
Jairns  Munger  drew  ujd  an  amendment  to  the  vil- 
lage charter,  which  was  at  once  made  a  law  by  the 
legislature,  providing  for  established  fire  limits, 
Avhioh  resulted  in  the  erection,  thereafter,  of  sub- 
stantial buildings.  Mr.  Olmstead,  who  for  a  long 
time  was  justice  of  the  peace  and  had  also  served 
as  collector,  was  the  first  few  years  of  his  residence 
in  Camden  engaged  in  buying  and  selling  produce. 
In  1856  he  bought  the  general  store  of  J.  Wiggins 
and  in  connection  with  his  i^roduce  business  car- 
ried on  trade  in  a  buUding  at  the  southwest  corner 
of  Main  and  Mexico  streets.  He  afterwards  locat- 
ed his  store  in  the  Cavarly  block  and  still  later  in 
the  Barnes  block,  where  in  1869  or  '70  he  sold  out 
to  his  son,  F.  W.  Olmstead  and  Henry  M.  Mea- 
cham,  who  conducted  the  business  two  years  when 
Meacham  sold  out  to  his  partner.  Two  years 
later  Job  Batchelor  bought  a  half 
interest,  retiring  three  years  after- 
wards. In  February,  1885,  F.  W. 
■Ohnstead  sold  out  to  W.  D.  Olm- 
stead and  Herbert  P.  Soper.  The 
latter  died  in  the  spring  of  1889, 
and  in  June  of  that  year  F.  W. 
Olmstead  and  George  C.  Weber 
hought  the  stock  and  carried  on 
lousiness  until  C.  J.  Durr  finally 
•succeeded  Weljer.  In  1892  Mr. 
Olmstead  sold  out  to  C.  J.  Durr 
ct  Co.  Mr.  F.  W.  Olmstead,  from 
whom  many  of  these  facts  are 
gathered,  is  now  a  resident  of 
Pomona,  Cal.  After  seUiug  out 
to  his  son  Mr.  Olmstead  became 
interested  in  a  paper  mill  at 
Pulaski,  but  was  there  only  a  few 
months.  Meeting  with  a  severe 
accident  he  was  unable  thereafter 
to  engage  in  active  business  life. 
;Mr.  A.  G.  Olmstead  at  one  time 
manufactured  clothing  and  diu'ing      ciuii.in,  I'liutn. 


the  war  was  one  of  Camden's  most  e.\ten- 
sive  tradesmen.  On  Jan.  1,  1839,  he  married  Al- 
myra  Plumley  of  Sandy  Creek,  by  whom  he  had 
four  children,  Fayette  W.,  Maronette  P.,  Mary 
and  Francis.  In  1856  he  married  Miss  Martha  F. 
Cropsey  of  Pulaski,  by  whom  there  were  two 
children,  William  and  George  Olmstead.  Mrs. 
A.  G.  Olmstead,  who  still  fives  in  Camden,  was 
Miss  Melinda  Lathers  to  whom  he  was  married  in 
May,  1862.  His  death  occurred  in  his  8ith  year, 
on  March  15,  1898.  The  funeral  service  was  con- 
ducted at  the  family  residence  by  Eev.  E.  H.  Joy 
and  Piev.  Edward  Evans,  pastors,  re.specttively,  of 
the  M.  E.  and  Congregational  churches.  The 
1  learers  were  Byron  A.  Curtiss,  John  G.  Dorrance, 
Adam  G.  Kobson  and  James  P.  Owen.  Mrs.  K.  H. 
Pobertson,  Mrs.  George  L.  Trafi'arn,  the  Misses 
Eugenia  Heed  and  Josephine  Myers  and  F.  K. 
Hynes  furnished  the  music. 

The  Hotel  Kennedy  at  the  corner  of  Main 
and  Mexico  streets,  was  opened  in  June,  1899. 
D.  E.  Kennedy  and  his  wife  had  both  had  hotel 
experience.  The  former  was  a  clerk  in  Congress 
Hall,  Syracuse,  for  about  three  years,  where  he 
obtained  a  large  acquaintanceship  among  traveling- 
men.  He  came  to  Camden  in  1890.  His  wife, 
whom  he  married  Oct.  16,  of  that  year,  had  been 
connected  with  Utica  Hotels.  They  first  leased 
the  big  three-story  brick  building  on  the 
corner  which  constitutes  the  main  jsart  of  the 
house.  Then,  jn  March  of  the  same  year,  they 
began  to  build  the  three  story  brick  addition  on 
Mexico  street.  With  remarkable  celerity  the  new 
part  was  completed  and  the  hotel  was  then  as- 
sumed to  have  all  the  necessary  rooms.  But  in 
less  than  a  year  it  was  discovered  that  more  room 
was  required  to  accommodate  the  business  that 
came  to  the  ne  w  hotel.  So  he  bought  the  build- 
ing- adjoining  the  annex  and  the  three  separate 
structures  were  connected  by  inside  haUs,  making 
the  hotel  in  the  aggregate  spacious  as  well  as  com- 
fortable. In  the  rear  of  the  office  on  the  ground 
floor  is  the  dining  room  which  is  prettUy  finished 
and  A\ell  lighted.  The  table  is  well  provided 
under  'Sivy..  Kennedy's  jiersonal  supervision.     The 


^ft-^-^jff.         ^ 


i^ 


IIUTEL  KENNEDY,  D.  E.  KENNEDY,  Piop. 


138 


'GEIP'S"  HI8T0BI0AL  SOUVENIK  OF  CAMDEN. 


Borrowed  Pboto.  T.  LLOYD  THOMAS, 
guests  of  the  house  receive  every  personal  atten- 
tion that  can  be  expected  from  tlie  host  and 
hostess,  who  make  it  their  gTeat  desire  to  accom- 
modate their  patrons  in  a  manner  that  -nail  induce 
them  to  come  again.  Mr.  Kennedy  was  born  in 
Annsville,  the  adjacent  to^^^l.  He  was  for  a  long- 
time connected  with  the  firm  of  Conger  &  Son, 
large  dealers  in  hops  at  Waterville,  Oneida  county, 
N.  Y. ,  which  for  many  years  was  his  home.  Going 
to  Syracuse  in  1888  he  accepted  the  position  of 
clerk  for  C.  A.  Nott  <fe  Co.,  proprietors  of  Congi-ess 
Hall  in  that  city.  After  coming  to  Camden  he 
for  several  years  catered  to  the  pubhc  both  here 
and  at  Eome. 


T.  Liloyd  Thomas,  merchant  and  custom  tailor 
on  ladies'  and  men's  garments,  came  to  Caiuden 
in  1892  and  for  two  years  worked  as  a  general 
hand,  first  for  Crimmins  and  afterwards  for  Edic. 
In  January-,  1895,  he  started  in  business  for  him- 
self, locating  at  No.  45  Main  Street,  where  by 
reason  of  his  previous  e.xtended  ex]jerience  as  a 
practical  tailor,  he  had  di-awn  to  his  shop  a  trade 
which  is  steadily  increasing. 

Mr.  Thomas  was  born  in  Wales,  Aug.  8,  1818, 
lieing  the  youngest  of  eleven  children,  all  of 
whom  he  survives.  After  receiving  a  high  school 
educalion  he  was  apprenticed,  iu  1860,  in  a  ladies' 
and  men's  custom  tailor  shop  where  he  served  his 
employer  faithfully  for  five  years.  For  two  years 
he  worked  under  the  instruction  of  the  best  coat 
maker  and  was  also  under  instruction  with  experi- 
enced ladies'  garment  makers.  He  was  employed 
at  Pool's,  London,  at  Coon's,  Isle  of  Wight  and  in 
Liverpool,  Chester  and  Manchester.  He  arrived 
in  this  country  in  1891,  coming  to  Camden,  as  has 
been  stated,  a  year  later. 

He  carries  a  stock  of  foreign  and  domestic 
woolens  and  makes  up  the  styles  such  as  his  cus- 
tomers desire.  Mr.  Thomas  this  year  presented 
to  the  public  library  ten  volumes  of  new  books 
which  he  purchased  for  that  purpose. 

F.  E.  Woodard,  the  Commercial  House  livery- 
man, located  in  Camden  in  1895,  when  he  made 
an  exchange  of  business  stands  with  Albert  Durst. 
Since  he  was  twenty  years  old  Mr.  Woodard  has 
largely  followed  the  business  of  matching  teams 
for  the  city  market,  his  first  venture  lieing  to  pick 
up  hor.ses  in  company  with  Philetus  Bettinger,  of 
Elhsburg,  N.  Y. ,  and  take  them  to  Pittsfield,  Mass. 
This  continued  for  two  or  three  seasons,  enabling- 
him  to  form  acquaintanceships  in  the  east  that 
have,  since  he  has  come  to  the  vihage,  jjlaced  a 
f>re  it  manv  orders  in  Mr.  Woodard's  way.     Those 


Skinner  Photos. 

F.  E.  WOODAKD. 


F.  E.  WOODARD'S  LIVERY  AND  SALE  STABLE. 


'GEIP'S"  HISTORICAL  SOUVENIR  OF  CAMDEN. 


139 


/'*« 


BoiTowt-a  Photo.    STEPHEN  CROMWELL. 

coming  by  mail  are  promptly  attended  to,  many 
times  necessitating  a  hurried  journey  and  a  trade 
or  two  before  the  order  is  filled.  Mr.  Woodard  was 
liorn  at  Sandy  Creek,  Nov.  10,  1866,  and  when  a 
boy  worked  at  lumbering  and  farming.  When  he 
was  eighteen  years  old  his  father  was  cripjiled, 
leaving  him  in  charge  of  his  business,  sawing  and 
marketing  lumber.  The  year  before  coming  to 
Camden,  Nov.  22,  1894,  he  married  Miss  Nettie 
Clark,  of  Ellisburg.  Fire  which  swept  through 
one  of  his  stables  in  this  vUlage  in  December, 
1901,  occasioned  the  loss  of  part  of  his  vehicles. 
Since  then  he  has  put  in  others  and  in  other  ways 
improved  liis  livery. 

Stephen  Cromwell,  for  more  than  forty  years 
a  promint^ut  law3-er  of  Camden,  was  born  in  Car- 
lisle, Schoharie  Co.,  N.  Y.,  Sept.  18,  1815.  With 
a  limited  common  school  educa- 
tion he  left  home  at  the  age  of 
seventeen  to  seek  his  fortune  in 
the  west  and  for  two  years  was  em- 
ployed on  the  MississiiDi^i  river 
.steamboats.  He  sj:ient  another 
two  years  in  the  south  and  then 
went  to  Ohio,  where  he  read  law 
with  his  brother,  teaching  school 
at  the  same  time  as  a  means  of 
gaining  a  livelihood.  He  was  ad- 
mitted to  the  Ohio  bar  in  1842  but 
in  the  following  year  returned  to 
New  York  and  in  1844  was  ad- 
mitted to  the  courts  of  this  state. 
He  then  located  permanently  in 
Camden  and  emered  the  office  of 
D.  Minor  K.  John.son,  to  whose 
legal  business  he  soon  succeeded. 
For  more  than  twenty  years  he 
liad  for  his  jjartner  Ivors  Monroe. 
Mr.  Cromwell  continued  in  the 
active  practice  of  his  profession 
until  1877  when  he  retired. 

He  built  a  home  on  the  corner 
of  Main  and  North  Park  streets 
in   1860   and   died   there  July   7,       Borrowed  I'l.oio. 


1895.  Mr.  Cromwell  was  a  prominent  member  of 
the  Oneida  county  bar  and  conducted  an  extensive 
professional  business  for  many  years.  He  was 
well  versed  in  law,  i^ossessed  a  good  analytical 
mind  and  a  wonderfully  i-etentive  memory;  he 
was  a  student  and  a  scholar  and  seldom  lost  a  case 
in  the  appellate  courts.  He  was  blunt  in  argu- 
ment and  of  a  nervous  temperament  and  before  a 
jury  lacked  the  expression  and  tact  which  his 
talents  really  warranted  and  demanded.  But  as 
an  office  lawyer  and  counsellor  he  had  no  suiserior 
in  the  county.  He  won  the  respect  and  confi- 
dence of  all  with  whom  he  had  j^rofessional  rela- 
tions and  among  many  acquaintances  was  highly 
esteemed  for  his  many  excellent  qiialities  of  head 
and  heart.  He  was  a  staunch  repulilican  and  in 
local  politics  became  quite  a  prominent  factor,  yet 
he  never  sought  nor  had  any  desire  for  public  pre- 
ferment. He  served  as  village  president  and  trus- 
tee and  as  a  member  of  the  board  of  education 
several  years  and  always  supported  and  encouraged 
every  movement  which  promised  benefit  to  the 
<-ommunity.  He  was  identifled  with  the  tanning 
industry  in  West  Amboy,  Oswego  county,  and 
with  his  son  was  at  one  time  heavily  interested  in 
the  salt  and  lumber  business  in  Saginaw,  Mich. 
He  was  also  connected  with  the  old  Camden  bank. 
A  devoted  chru-chman,  he  was  for  over  forty  years 
a  vestryman  of  Trinity  church  in  the  prosperity  of 
which  he  took  great  pride  and  was  a  generous  con- 
tributor to  its  support.  He  gave  liberally  in 
money  and  time  toward  the  rebuilding  of  the  pre- 
sent edifice.  He  traveled  extensively  visiting  near- 
ly every  state  in  the  union  and  was  well  informed 
on  all  matters  of  general  interest.  On  Jan.  1, 
1845,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Jeannette  Giflbrd, 
daughter  of  Elihu  and  sLster  of  H.  W.  Giftbrd,  of 
West  Camden,  who  bore  him  three  children: 
James  G.  of  Glen  Ellen,  Cal.,  WiUiam  (deceased) 
and  Charles  who  died  in  iufancv.  She  died  Janu- 
ary 27,  1884.  On  September  12,  1887,  he  married 
Mrs.  Susan  (Brownell)  Owen  of  Utica,  who  siu'- 
vives  him  and  i-esides  in  the  Cromwell  homestead. 
His  only  grandson,  W.  H.  B.  Cromwell  (son  of 
William)  resides  in  Cleveland,  Ohio. 


THE  CKOMWELL  RESIDENCE. 


140 


'GRIP'S"  HISTOEICAL  SOUVENIE  OF  CAMDEN. 


W.  E.  Tiffany,  in  1894,  erected  the  large, 
handsome  three-story  brick  buikling  on  South 
Park  street  where  his  business  is  now  located,  and 
took  possession  of  it  in  the  fall  of  the  same  year-. 
The  store  occupies  the  ground  floor  with  a  work 
shop  in  the  rear.  It  is  18x65  feet,  including  the 
shop,  with  high  ceiling,  a  finely  finished  interior 
and  has  a  high,  Viroad  show  window.  The  shelves 
and  racks  are  arranged  so  as  to  best  display  the 
goods,  the  principal  part  of  which  is  wall  paper. 
Tift'any's  is  the  only  store  in  the  -loUage  devoted 
exclusively  to  wall  paper,  it  being  his  purpose  to 
carry  in  stock  or  supply  on  order  any  design  that 
the  trade  affords.  He  'is  a  practical  house  painter, 
hardwood  finisher,  decorator  and  sign  writer.  His 
work  in  interior  decorations  is  shown  especially 
in  some  of  the  churches  in  the  vicinity  of  Camden, 


he  worked  under  instruction  from  Berlin.  In 
1883  he  returned  to  Camden  and  thereafter  de- 
voted his  energies  to  his  trade,  three  years  later, 
Dec.  22,  1886,  marrying  Miss  Jennie  Staft'ord,  of 
Hion,  who  has  borne  him  two  children,  Eva  and 
Walter. 

The  Fire  Department.— On  July  9,  1834,  the 
village  board  voted  to  purchase  four  ladders,  two 
of  25  feet  and  two  of  14  feet,  and  ordered  every 
householder  to  keep  a  leather  bucket  to  be  used 
in  extinguishing  fires.  On  Feb.  6,  1838,  the  board 
ordered  the  organization  of  a  hook  and  lad.dei- 
company  which  consisted  of  nine  men  with  Eich- 
ard  Empey  as  captain.  William  Bird  succeeded 
him  four  days  later  and  reported  the  foUo's^'ing■ 
raster — members  of  the  first  organized  fire  com- 
pany in  Camden:  Wm.  E.  Paddock,  John  A.  Bet- 


View  of  Building'.    {Skinner.) 


TIFFANY'S  W 
Mrs.  W.  E. 


including  those  at  West  Camden,  WUhamstown, 
Eedfield  and  Glenmore.  Durmg  the  present  year 
he  has  more  than  ever  lief  ore  branched  out  in  wail 
l^aper;  and  is  also  making  the  framing  of  pictures  a 
specialty.  With  the  assistance  of  Mrs.  Tiflany  to 
care  for  the  store  trade,  he  is  able  to  give  personal 
attention  to  all  work  that  comes  to  him.  Mr.  Tif- 
fany was  born  in  Annsville,  Oneida  county,  N.  Y. , 
Api-il  20,  1860.  After  finishing  his  studies  in 
school  he  taught  one  term.  Then  in  company 
with  his  father,  Leander  Tiffany,  engaged  in  can- 
ning corn,  having  erected  and  equipped  a  building 
for  that  purpose  three  miles  north  of  the  village. 
The  plant  was  started  in  the  fall  of  1880.  Four 
years  later  he  turned  his  attention  to  house  paint- 
ing, which  resulted  in  his  going  to  Utica   where 


ALL  PAPER  STORE. 

Tiffany.    (Huested.)       W.  E.  Tiffany.    (Huested.) 
View  of  tbe  Interior.    (Siiinner.) 

tis,  Horace  Mclntyre,  Thomas  DelMilt  Penfield, 
Aaron  Stone,  Hham  J.  Miner,  Heman  Delimen, 
Cebma  Leonard,  J.  L.  Babcock.  On  July  13, 
1839,  the  town  of  Camden  voted  |250  for  a  hand 
fire  engine.  On  August  20,  1841,  the  first  hose 
company  No.  1  was  organized.  On  March  24, 
1844,  the  lioard  voted  to  fine  every  male  absentee 
from  a  night  fire  #2  and  every  householder  who 
failed  to  place  a  light  in  one  of  his  windows  next 
to  the  street  on  the  occasion  of  a  night  alarm,  50 
cents.  The  earliest  records  of  a  fire  chief  give  the 
name  of  A.  J.  Stone,  appointed  in  1858,  with  two 
assistants.  About  this  time  two  notable  fires  de- 
stroyed considerable  property  in  the  village,  one  on 
June  26,  1856,  and  the  other  on  June  22,  1867. 
On  Sept.  26,  1861,  announcement  of  the   hanging 


'GRIP'S"  HISTORICAL  SOUVENIR  OF  CAMDEN. 


141 


with  the  faculty  of  gaining  the  esteem  of  his 
hearers  and  the  affection  of  his  friends.  His 
Christian  philanthropy  and  benevolence  knew  no 
limit  but  inability  to  meet  their  demands."  His 
much  resjjected  widow  continued  to  reside  in  Cam- 
den among  dear  friends  until  her  decease  in  1890, 
aged  76  years. 

Martin  Tipple  was  born  in  Vei'ona,  Oneida 
county,  N.  Y.,  March  7,  1819,  and  obtained  a  fail- 
education  for  those  early  days.  After  attaining 
his  majority  he  became  much  interested  in  iiolitics 
and  held  many  offices,  becoming  a  staunch  repub- 


Borrowcd  Photo. 

REV. 


EZRA  S.  SQUIER. 


of  a  new  fire  bell  was  made.  On  the  same  date 
the  village  purchased  a  new  hand  engine  and  800 
feet  of  hose.  This  engine  was  uised  until  18S7 
when  it  gave  place  to  the  i:)resent  water  system 
which  was  put  in  the  previous  year. 

The  present  officers  of  the  department  are  as 
follows: 

Chief  Engineer,  H.  W.  Curtiss  of  Hose  Co.  No. 
1;  Fir.st  Assistant,  Adelbert  Percival  of  Rescue 
H.  &  L.  Co. ;  Second  Assistant,  A.  G.  Parke  of 
Enterprise  Hose  Co.  No.  2 ;  Secretary,  J.  K.  Lit- 
tler of  Ee.seue  H.  &  L.  Co. ;  Treasurer,  H.  L. 
Monroe  of  Hose  Co.  No.  1. 

Re\r.  Ezra  S.  Squier  was  born  at  Bridgeport, 
Vt. ,  August  23,  1814,  and  died  at  Camden,  N.  Y. , 
March  4,  1849.  He  was  ordained  a  Methodist 
Episcopal  minister  at  Ithaca,  N.  Y.,  in  1842.  In 
1839  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Naomi 
Coates,  and  to  them  were  born  five  children.  The 
youngest  were  twins  who  died  in  infancy.  Helen 
M.  died  at  20  years  of  age.  Mrs.  Sarah  E.  Tipple 
and  Mrs.  W.  H.  Pilkington  are  living.  The  rec- 
oi'ds  say  that  Mr.  Squier  had  "an  amiable  disjjosi- 
tion"  and  "was  in  every  way  endowed   by   nature 


Borrowed  Photo. 

MARTIN  TIPPLE, 


SR. 


Borrowed  Photo. 


THE  TIPPLE  HOME. 


lican  at  the  ti'ne  the~party  was  organized.  He 
came  to  Camden  in  1859  and  resided  here  until 
his  death,  May  16,  1901.  Two  terms  he  held  the 
office  of  postmaster  of  the  town  and  was  the  pion- 
eer market  gardener,  having  built  the  first  green- 
house in  the  place.  He  was  twice  married.  His 
first  wife  was  Miss  Sophronia  Ladd,  by  whom 
there  are  four  children,  ;Mrs.  E.  M.  Valentine, 
George  L.  Tipple,  Mrs.  D.  T.  Wood  and  Mrs.  W. 
C.  Stoddard.  Her  death  occurred  in  1859:  In 
1860  he  was  united  in  marriage  with  Mi.ss  Sarah 
E.  Squier,  of  this  village. 
To  them  were  given 
four  children.  Rev.  Ezra 
Squier  Tipple  of  New 
York  Conference,  Rev. 
Bertrand  M.  Tipple  of 
New  York  East  Confer- 
ence, Helen  M. Tipple  and 
Martin  Tipple.  Mr.  Tip- 
ple was  a  member  of  the 
Methodist  church  for 
sixty  years  and  of  the  Ma- 
sonic order  for  fifty  years, 
being  one  of  the  oldest 
members  of  Camden 
lodge. 

The  Board  of  Trade 

of  Camden  is  one  of  the 
most  active  of  organiza- 
tions in  the  smaller  muni- 
cipalities of  the  state  in 
secui'ing  the  investment 
of  capital  and  otherwise 
promoting  the  interests  of 


142 


'GBIP'S"  HISTORICAL  SOUVENIR  OF  CAMDEN. 


( 

1 

i^-^j 

\ 

W 

W.    J.    Eiisbie,    J.    G. 
P.  Haviland  and  W.  S. 


Skinner,  Photos. 

C.  F.  WARD.  MRS.-  C.  F.  WARD. 

tlie  village.  Its  members  are  a' ways  ready  to  con- 
tribute generously  for  any  purjjose  that  is  plainly 
to  tlie  advantage  of  the  corporate  gTowth  of  the 
town.  That  a  work  costing  as  much  money,  time 
and  intellectual  effort  as  this  Historical  Souvenir 
could  obtain  the  necessary  su2:)port  in  a  village  of 
2500  population,  is  the  best  proof  of  the  prosperity 
of  the  community,  its  enterprise  and  the  activity 
of  its  Board  of  Trade. 

The  names  of  the  officers  who  constitute  the 
board  of  five  dii-ectors  are  as  follows: 

President,  I.  D.  West;  Fii-st  Vice  President, 
W.  I.  Stoddard;  Second  Vice  President,  C.  J. 
WOliams;  Secretarv,  E.  N.  Hammand;  Treasurer, 
A.  W.  Abbott. 

Committees—  Finance : 
Dorrance,  A.  Meeker,  L 
Peck.  Manufactures:  B. 
A.  Curtiss,  G.  F.  Morss, 
A.  H.  Maloney,  S.  L. 
Harding  and  P.  B.  MUler. 
BaOroads:  A.  W.  Oraig, 
W.  T.  Stevens,  G.  E. 
Watkin,  R.  B.  Tuthill 
and  W.  W.  Elden.  In- 
sui'ance:  A.  C.  Phelps, 
D.  E.  Kennedy,  W.  R. 
Becker,  Daniel  Crimmins 
and  A.  G.Wood.  Enter- 
tainment: JohnO.Davies, 
A.  C.  Woodruff,  G.  J. 
Skinner,  M.  F.  Simmons 
and  W.  C.  Stone.  Pub- 
lic Improvement:  S.  G. 
McKihip,  Fletcher  Snow, 
C.  E.  Orr,  A.  .J.  Henrv 
and  J.  W.  Stark.  Print- 
ing: E.  W.  Fish,  Frank 
Hynes,  Frank  Dorrance, 
Horace  Adams  and  E.  .J. 
Castle. 


C.  F.  Ward,  the  undertaker,  started  bus- 
iness for  himself  in  Camden  on  the  east 
side  of  Main  street  in  1890.  His  store, 
which  was  stocked  largely  with  furniture, 
was  liurned  Jidy  18,  1892.  On  Oct.  1,  1896, 
he  fitted  up  his  present  commodious  quai'ters 
at  the  head  of  the  west  side  of  Main  street, 
exclusively  for  undertaking  with  cabinets, 
equipments  for  his  business  as  an  undertaker 
and  all  of  the  necessary  paraphernalia  for 
trimming  caskets  and  conducting  funerals. 
Owing  to  an  extensive  bu.siness  he  does 
considerable  driving  out  of  town,  calls  com- 
ing in  from  Annsville,  Florence  and  adjacent 
towns.  Three  years  ago  he  accepted  the 
agency  for  the  Mutual  Life  Insurance  Co. 
and  with  adequate  help,  especially  assisted 
as  he  is  by  his  wife,  he  has  also  been  able 
to  handle  sewing  machmes.  Mrs.  Ward 
occupies  the  ijosifion  of  being  one  of  the 
few  ladies  in  this  state  who  is  a  practical 
embalmer  and  undertaker,  having  a  state 
certificate  ax  hich  was  granted  her  after  com- 
pleting a  course  of  instruction  and  proving 
her  aliility  in  the  required  manner.  The 
calls  received  by  her  are  therefore  numerous 
as  she  personally  attends  to  most  of  them 
where  a  woman's  services  would  most 
natui'ally  be  desired.  Her  experience  covers 
a  period  of  eight  years.  Mr.  Ward  was  born 
in  the  town  of  Annsville,  Oneida  countv,  N. 
Y.,  Dec.  29,  1857.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ward '  were 
married  Fell.  10,  1886.  Her  maidcii  name  was 
Alice  Carlisle  and  her  home  was  in  Annsville. 
They  moved  to  Camden  in  1887  and,  until  he 
started  a  business  of  his  own  three  years  later, 
Mr.  Ward  was  employed  in  the  store  of  W. 
T.  Stevens.  Taking  a  course  in  embalming  in  the 
Champion  college  Mr.  Ward  obtained  a  state  cer- 
tificate as  an  embalmer.  They  have  one  son, 
Robert. 

Early  Land  Buyers. — Tlie  names  of  the 
earUest  purchasers  of  land  included  in  the  present 
site  of  Camden  are  given  in  an  old  document  now 
in  the  possession  of  Mrs.  W.  J.  Frisbie,  which 
was   handed   down   in   her   father's,  the   Pheljis, 


SkinniT, 


Plloto. 
C.  F. 


WARD'S  RESIDENCE,  COSTLY  HEARSE  AND  TEAM. 


'GKIP'S"  HISTOKICAIi  SOUVENIR  OF  CAMDEN. 


143 


Hiiested, Photo.        A.  H.  SMITH,  M.  D. 

family.  It  is  a  copy  of  a  power  of  attorney  con- 
ferred on  John  W.  Bloomfield  of  Camden  who 
^•as  a  land  agent  and  attorney  for  George  Scriba, 
the  patentee  of  a  tract  of  Oswego  and  Oneida 
county  lands  comprising  several  hundreds  of 
acres.  By  the  authority  of  this  document  Mr. 
Bloomfield  was  authorized  to  deed  and  convey 
lands  "situated  in  the  west  half  of  township  No.  8, 
in  Scriba's  patent,  iji,^the  county  of  Oneida  and 
state  of  New  York"— said  deeds  and  conveyances 
to  1)6  "agreealily  to  the  contracts  [for  land]  made 
with  the  following  persons,  namely:  Ezra  Barnes, 
Charles  Carr,  Aaron  Mathews,  Elihu  Ctirtiss,  Levi 
Mathews,  George  Stai)les,  Phillip  Williams, 
Pernet  Parke,  Thurston  Fish,  Henry  WiUiams, 
Ephriam  Wright,  Erastus  Devereux,  Benjamin 
Woodruti',  Ichabod  Comstock,  Abner  Mathews, 
Israel  Stoddard,  Aaron  Fargo,  Isaac  Cook, 
William  Smith,  Joel  Dunbar,  Clement  Tayler, 
Henry  Filkins,  Elisaph  and  Abner  Preston,  Amaria 
Carrier,  Jonathan  Carrier,  Oliver  Case,  Thomas 
Comstock,  Ebenezer  Cory,  Pernet  Stilson, Chester 
Gould  and  John  Ely.  This  power  of  attorney  was 
executed  before  Thomas  Coojjer,  Master  in  Chan- 
cery, Feljnrary  18,  1800,  and  was  recorded  on 
March  10th,  following.  It  v,as  signed  by  Isaac 
W.  Bostwick  clerk.  The  accuracy  of  the  copy 
which  was  made  April  3,  1848,  is  attested  l)y 
Patrick  Mahon,  clerk  of  Oneida  county. 

Albert  H.  Smith,  M.  D.,  is  a  native  of  Cam- 
den. He  began  the  study  of  medicine  with  the 
late  Dr.  H.  W.  Leonard,  continuing  his  studies  in 
the  medical  schools  of  New  York  and  graduating 
from  the  College  of  Physicians  and  Surgeons  in 
1876.  The  same  year  he  was  appointed  one  of  the 
house  surgeons  in  the  Charity  hospital  of  New- 
York  with  which  institution  he  was  connected  for 
eighteen  months.  He  afterward  practiced  for  a 
time  in  Parish,  N.  Y. ,  removing  to  Camden  in 
1880,  where  he  has  since  practiced  his  profession. 
His  wife  was  Miss  Anna  Laney  of  Camden,  to 
whom  he  was  married  in  1879. 


Joseph  Stark,  the  youngest  son  of  John  and 
Janette  Home  Stark,  natives  of  Comberwauld, 
Scotland,  was  born  March  17,  1835,  in  Amboy, 
Oswego  county,  N.  Y.  When  he  was  five  years  of 
age,  his  i^arents  moved  to  New  York  Mills,  N.  Y., 
where  he  remained  until  a  yoirng  man,  when  he 
with  his  parents  returned  to  Amboy,  where  he 
engaged  in  farming.  In  November,  1858,  he  mar- 
ried Miss  Helen  A.  Griswold,  formerly  of  Troy, 
N.  Y.  To  them  were  born  two  beautiful  daugh- 
ters, both  of  whom  died  in  their  chUdhood,  and 
within  the  same  week  being  stricken  with  diph- 
theria. Soon  after  the  death  of  their  children  he 
sold  his  property  there  and  located  in  Camden, 
IJurchasing  the  residence.  No.  157  Main  street, 
which  he  now  occupies.  He  at  once  engaged  in 
the  flour  and  feed  business  under  the  firm  name 
of  Stark  &  Wilson.  In  about  two  years  he  sold  his 
interest  m  the  busmess  to  the  late  George  Swan- 
son,  and  immediately  engaged  in  the  produce 
business,  which  he  has  successfully  canied  on  ever 
since.  He  had  associated  with  liim  at  one  time 
the  late  George  Elden  and  later  on  L.  S.  Sanford, 
deceased.  In  1882  he  built  the  lirick  store  in 
which  he  now  has  an  oflice,  the  remaining  part  of 
the  store  being  occui^ied  by  C.  O.  Biederman, 
jeweler  and  optician.  In  October,  1893,  Mrs. 
Stark  died  after  an  illness  of  several  years  dura- 
tion. In  June,  1895,  he  married  Mrs.  Lillian  H. 
Ford  of  this  village.  He  has  twice  visited  Evu'ope. 
He  united  with  the  Fii-st  Congregational  chiu-ch 
of  Camden  in  1866.  He  has  been  church  treas- 
urer since  1869  and  a  deacon  since  1870;  has  been 
a  teacher  in  the  Sabbath  school  for  over  thirty 
years,  making  it  a  point  never  to  be  absent  unless 
circumstances  compelled  him  to  be.  He  has  always 
been  a  liberal  supporter  of  the  gospel,  and  dee^jly 
interested  in  all  that  i^er  tains  to  the  highest  good 
of  the  church.  In  j^olitics  he  has  always  been  a 
staunch  rei>ublican.  While  never  aspiring  to  the 
notoriety  of  a  pohtieian,  he  has  several  times 
held  offices  of  trust  in  the  town.  For  several  years 
heserved  as  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Education. 


^ 

■***>- 

V 

f 

■, 

/ 

lidlTOWi'il  I'll. .1(1.     .TdSEPH  S'l'AHK. 


144 


'GEIP'S"  HISTORICAL  SOUVENIR  OF  CAMDEN. 


Huested,  Photo. 

ROBERT  ROBERTSON. 


MRS.  ROBERTSON. 


Robert  Robertson,  now  comfortably  settled 
at  his  home  ou  Masonic  avenue,  where  he  and  his 
wife  began  housekeeping  over  40  years  ago,  came  to 
Camden  in  the  spring  of  1848,  and  in  June  of  that 
year  he  found  employment  in  McNamee's  cooper 
shop  which  then  stood  on  the  corner  of  Miner 
avenue  and  Second  street.  Thi.?  shop  was  one  of 
the  old  landmarks  which  was  eventually  moved 
from  there.  In  less  than  ele%-en  years  he  had 
bought  the  stock  and  good  wiU  of  his  employer 
and  moved  over  into  a  building  on  Mexico  street 
next  to  McDonald's  wagon  shop  where  he  carried 
ou  the  work  for  about  nine  years.  In  those  days 
there  were  no  creameries  or  cheese  factories  and  as 
all  of  the  butter  that  was  consumed  was  made  by 
farmers  the  demand  for  firkins  made  the  village 
cooperage  a  thriving  institution,  and  Mr.  Robert- 
son made  it  a  paying  business.  Finally  he  dis- 
jjosed  of  the  shop  to  Jerry  Sullivan,  a  Idacksmith, 
and  he  and  his  Inother  went  into  the  meat  busi- 
ness on  Main  street  which  they  conducted  ))ut  a 
short  time  under  the  name  of  John  &  Robert  Roli- 
ertson.  On  July  2,  1860,  Mr.  Robertson  married 
Mary  Holmes  of  Camden.  By  this  marriage  there 
are  three  sous,  John  who  is  a  successful  i^lumber 
at  Fort  Plain,  William  a  traveling  salesman  and 
Robert  who  runs  a  l)arber  shop  in  Camden,  and 
one  daughter,  Mrs.  Arthur  New  of  Canastota. 
Mr.  and  Sirs.  Robertson  have  been  members  of  the 
First  Congregational  church  since  before  their 
marriage,  the  church  of 
which  he  has  been  janitor 
for  40  years  and  which  is 
still  in  his  care  also  where 
in  his  younger  years  he 
sang  in  the  choir.  Mr. 
Robertson  is  the  sexton 
of  Park  cemetery,  a  i:)0si- 
tion  which  he  has  held 
twenty  years. 

Canals  of  New  York — 
The  first  was  constructed 
around  the  rapids  at 
Little  FaUs,  1796,  2;; 
miles  long,  and  the  same 
year  another  at  German 
Flats  1|  miles  long.  In 
1797  the  Wood  creek  ca- 
nal was  constructed,  l;j 
miles  long.  These  togeth- 
er   with  improvement  of 


navigation  in  the  Mohawk  river  cost  $4.50,- 
000  and  secured  free  navigation  between 
Schenectady  and  Oneida  lake.  Gov.  Clin- 
ton in  his  message  (1791)  first  proposed 
these  improvements,  which  however  were 
carried  out  by  the  Western  Inland  Lock 
Navigation  company.  Mr.  Weston,  an  Eng- 
lishman, was  the  engineer.  Governeur  Mor- 
ris first  proposed  a  continuous  canal  be- 
tween Lake  Erie  and  the  Hudson  river 
(1800).  In  1807-8  Jesse  Hawley  in  a  series 
of  articles  in  the  Genesee  Messenger  urged 
the  scheme.  In  1808  the  legislature  passed 
the  Joshua  Foreman  resolution  requhing  a 
joint  committee  to  ascertain  the  best  route. 
In  1809  James  Geddes  made  the  survey  and 
Commissioners  Governeur  Morris,  DeWitt 
Clinton,  Stephen  Van  Rensselaer,  Simeon 
DeWitt,  Wm.  North,  Thomas  Eddy  and 
Peter  B.  Porter  in  1811  reported  favorably 
ujiou  the  route.  The  legislature  appropriated 
.f5,000,U00.  The  war  of  1812  delayed  action  for 
some  years.  In  1815  the  legislatiire  repealed  the 
appropriation  act.  Under  an  act  passed  (1817) 
Stephen  Van  Rensselaer,  DeWitt  Clinton,  Samuel 
Young,  Joseph  Ellicott  and  Myron  Holley  were 
named  commissioners  with  power  to  construct  the 
canal  and  borrow  the  necessary  moans  on  the 
credit  of  the  state.  On  July  4,  1817,  ground  was 
broken  at  Rome  with  great  ceremony.  Governor 
DeWitt  Clinton  presiding.  In  1818  an  act  wa'i 
passed  authorizing  the  construction  of  the  Chit- 
tenango  canal  and  a  navigable  feeder  (Oneida). 
In  October,  1819,  the  first  section  of  the  Erie — 
from  Uticato  Rome — was  open  for  navigation  and 
the  Champlain  that  year  admitted  boats.  The 
same  year  an  act  was  passed  to  construct  the  Os- 
wego cana).  In  1820  the  Wood  Creek,  German 
Flats  and  Little  Falls  canals  were  transferred  to 
the  state  for  $1.50,828.  The  same  year  the  first 
board  of  canal  commissioners  with  salary,  was 
named,  viz:  Messrs.  Y'^ouug,  Holley,  Seymour  and 
Bouck.  In  July,  1823,  the  canal  was  opened  for 
navigation  between  Rochester  and  Schenectady. 
In  1824  the  Chamijlain  canal  was  completed.  In 
1822  the  second  act  for  the  building  of  the  Os- 
wego canal  was  passed.  The  Erie  was  completed 
October,  1826,  and  ou  November  4  of  that  year 
the  first  canal  boat  from  Lake  Erie  reached  New 


Sklnuev,  Photo. 


ROBERT  UOHEKTSON'S  RESIDENCE. 


■GEIP'S"  HISTOBICAL  SOUVENIB  OF  CAJNIDEN. 


145. 


KEV.  ELIAKIM  STDDDAKD. 
MRS.  JOAXXA  KNIFFIX. 


GEORGE  ST(.)DDARD 
MRS.  LOIS  COOK. 


York  and  was  received  with,  a  public  celebration. 
Tlie  entire  cost  of  the  Erie  and  Cliami3la.in  canals 
was  .$9, 130,000.  The  indebtedness  was  $7, 738, 000 
which  was  extingirislied  in  1835  mainly  by  tolls. 
In  1827  the  legislature  appropriated  a  sum  to  aid 
the  Delaware  &  Hudson  caiial  and  in  1833  author- 
ized the  construction  of  the  Chenango  canal.  In 
1836  the  construction  of  the  Genesee  and  Black  river 
canals  was  authorized 
and  in  1838  .fl,  000, 000 
was  appropriated  to  en- 
large the  Erie.  The  same 
year  the  state  loaned  its 
credit  to  aid  the  Catskill 
&  Canajoharie,  the  Au- 
Inirn  &  Syracuse  and 
the  Ithaca  &  Oswego  rail- 
road companies. 

New  York  ranks  first  of 
all  the  states  in  the  Union 
in  manufactures,  printing 
and  pubhshing,  hops, 
hay,  potatoes,  l:)uckwheat 
and  milch  cows;  second 
in  salt,  silk  goods,  malt 
and  distilled  liquors, 
miles  of  railway  and  bar- 
ley; thii'd  in  agricultural 
implements,  ii'on  ore, 
iron  and  steel,  oats  and 
rye;  foiu'th  in  wool. 


Rev.  Eliakim  Stoddard  was  born  in 
1773.  In  1801  he  married  Miss  Lois  Mat- 
hews. Theii-  first  home  was  on  the  site  of 
the  home  of  the  late  Albert  Phel^js.  They 
left  here  Irat  returned  about  1816,  locating 
on  the  site  of  the  home  of  the  late  George 
Stoddard.  To  them  were  given  these  chil- 
dren: Philomela,  Cynthia,  Polly,  Ann,  Is- 
rael, Flora  and  George.  Mr.  Stoddard  was 
endowed  by  nature  with  gifts  and  gi'aces. 
He  was  a  local  preacher  for  many  years, 
dee^Jy  siiii-itual,  "a  friend  in  need  and  a 
friend  indeed."  The  loving -^vife  and  moth- 
er was  ever  a  heli^meet.  The  children  grew 
to  womanhood  and  manhood  making  for 
themselves  a  name  and  a  place  in  the  world. 
Mr.  Stoddard  performed  the  marriage  cere- 
mony for  over  a  thousand  couples.  la 
those  days  the  fee  was  not  always  in  coin. 
A  load  of  fence  raUs,  a  half  bushel  of  beans 
or  some  other  commodity  was  given.  If  it 
was  money  one  dollar  was  the  usual  amount. 
Mrs.  Stoddard  died  December  12,  1812, 
aged  61.  Kev.  Eliakim  Stoddard  died  Feb- 
ruary 28,  1860,  aged  87.  They  rest  in 
Forest  Park  cemetery. 

Mr.  George  Stoddard,  son  of  Bev.  Elia- 
kim and  Lois  Stoddard,  was  born  Septem- 
lier  6,  1823.  He  was  married  to  Miss  Re- 
becca Owen  in  1852.  They  remained  in 
Camden  five  years  at  which  time  they  as- 
sumed responsibilities  at  Falley  seminary, 
Fulton,  N.  Y.  Five  years  later  they  re- 
turned and  settled  on  the  homestead.  "  Mr. 
Stoddard  was  ever  a  quiet,  unassuming,  con- 
scientious man.  There  were  no  children  but 
the  pleasant  home  they  made  for  the 
great  numlier  of  friends  remains  a  ju-e- 
cious  memory.  Mr.  Stoddard  died  January  26, 
1894.  The  widow  remained  six  years  in  the  home 
then  moved  into  town  and  still  lives  surrounded 
by  many  loving  friends.  Mrs.  ]Martin  E.  (Lois) 
Cook  and  the  late  Mrs.  Oren  H.  (Joanna)  Kniflen 
were  grandchildren  of  Bev.  Eliakim  Stoddard. 


Bon-owed  Photo.       GEORGE  G.  STODDARD'S  FORMER  RESIDENCE 


lie 


'GEIP'S"  HISTOEICAL  SOUVENIK  OF  CAMDEN. 


Old  Photos. 

MAKY  PORTER  OSBORN. 


DAVrD  OSBORN 


Deacon  David  Osborn  of  Hanvmtou,  Coun., 
and  Esther  Potter  of  Plymouth,  Conn.,  were  mar- 
ried Deo.  22,  1802.  They  passed  the  -n-mter  at  his 
father's  house  at  Harwinton  in  preparation  for  mi- 
grating-"West.'"  In  the  following  spring,  1803, 
they  came  to  Camden,  ISl".  Y.,  in  an  oxcart,  located 
on  the  hard  maple  hills  a  mile  and  a  half  west  of 
the  primitive  village  and  built  a  log  house  covered 
with  hemlock  bark  about  thu-ty  rods  southwest 
of  the  present  Osborn  homestead.  Seven  children 
were  born  to  them.  Five  of  them  lived  to  years  of 
matiu-ity,  viz :  Sherman,  Lucy,  David,  Jr.,  Elam 
and  Esther.  A  frame 
house  was  afterwards 
built  and  is  now  (1902) 
the  John  Swanson  place. 

David  0.sborn,Jr.  ,l)orn 
Eeb.  20,  1809,  married 
Mercy  D.  Cobb,  daughter 
of  Deacon  Bennett  Col>b, 
April  20,  1837.  To  them 
was  born  one  child,  Henry 
Sherman  Osborn.  The 
mother  died  March  14, 
1812,  and  the  father 
married,  Oct.  6,  1812,  for 
a  second  wife,  Mary 
Porter,  then  recently 
moved  to  Camden  from 
Taunton,  Mass.,  with  her 
mother,  PoUy  Lincoln 
Porter,  and  her  brother, 
William  Porter,  who 
settled  on  what  has  ever 
since  been  known  as  the 
"Porter  j^lace,"  on  the 
hill  jiTst  east  of  the  old 
McCall  corn  factory. 
From  this  second  ma'r- 
Tiage  were  born  three  Huested,  Photo, 
children— two    of   whom  1.  B.  L.  Osborn,  _ 

i:    ^j  *.        1    li.  •  -lames  L.  Osborn.   .: 

lived  to  adult  years,  viz:      c>sborn. 


Betsey  Porter  Osborn  Matthewson,  born 
Feb. 16,  184.5,and  Benjamin  Lincoln  Osborn, 
born  Oct.  25,  1846.  David  Osborn,  Jr., 
huilt  the  present  Osborn  homstead  in  1854. 
He  devoted  himself  especially  to  frnit  grow- 
ing, raising  his  own  stock  from  the  seed, 
and  had  diiring  the  sixties  the  best  apple 
orchard  iu  the  town  of  Camden. 

The  present  owner  of  the  Osborn  home- 
stead is  Benj.  L.  Osborn,  mentioned  above, 
whose  family  group  is  given  herewith.  He 
received  the  common  district  school  educa- 
tion specially  excelling  in  elocution  and 
declamation  in  the  country  spelling  schools, 
spent  two  or  three  winters  in  the  Camden 
village  school,  went  four  terms,  in  '67  and 
'68,  to  Cazenovia  seminary,  was  princijjal  of 
Fii'st  ward  schools  in  Bay  City,  Mich.,  for 
the  year  of  '68-'9,  Avas  next  year  in  Bay  City 
High  .school  dividing  his  time  lietw-een 
teaching  and  studying,  and  finally  came 
back  to  Cazenovia  seminary  to  take  up  a 
classical  course  of  study.  But  lack  of 
means  compelled  him  to  devote  much  of  his 
time  in  teaching.  Portions  of  the  years 
'74  and  '75  were  spent  at  Phillips  academy, 
Andover,  under  Prof.  C.  F.  P.  Bancroft, 
wliere  by  excellence  in  both  the  writing 
the  dehvery  of  an  original  article  on 
"Culture"  the  much  coveted  "Means"  j^rize  was 
won.  BIr.  Osborn  returned  to  Cazenovia  semi- 
nary and  graduated  as  president  of  the  class 
of  '76.  The  following  two  years  were  de- 
voted by  him  to  teaching  as  principal  of  Camden 
Union  school,  and  some  five  years  later  he  was 
again  principal  of  the  same  school  for  three  years, 
the  intervening  time  and  since  lieing  divided  be- 
tween farm  work  and  teaching  out  broken  school 
years  or  terms  in  several  school  districts  in  the 
town  and  at  West  Camden. 
Lnmediately    after  gradiiating     at     Cazenovia 


and 


,  Mrs.   E.  Lavantia  Northrup  Osborn,  3,  Warren  N. 
Lydia  Osborn,  6.  Russie  Osborn,    T.  Reua  Osborn,  S, 


Osborn,  4, 
Charles  P. 


'GKIP'S"  HISTOEICAL  SOUVENIB  OF  CAMDEN. 


147 


in  '76,  B.  L.  Osborn  married  E.  Lavantia  Nor- 
throp of  Binghamton,  N.  Y.,  who  had  been  teach- 
ing at  Cincinnatus  and  at  Binghamton.  Miss 
Northmp  graduated  as  vice  president  of  the  class 
of  '74  at  Cazenovia  seminary  in  both  miisical  and 
Latin-scientific  courses.  Six  children  have  been 
born,  all  of  whom  have  lived  to  bless  their  home. 
A  strenuous  effort  has  been  made  to  establish  a 
typical  American  home,  combining  ths  amenities 
of  literature  and  manual  labor,  music  and  art  with 
industrial  activity. 

The  old  homestead  farm  being  found  best 
adapted  to  grass  and  grazing,  it  has  gradually  de- 
veloped into  one  of  the  best  grass  farms  in  this 
locality,  the  average  hay  crop  per  acre  having 
been  quadrupled  in  the  past  twenty  years.  The 
hve  stock  from  this  farm  took  more  prizes  one 
year  during  the  existence  of  the  Camden  Indus- 
trial association  than  the  live  stock  from  any  other 
one  farm.  The  location  is  one  of  the  finest  over- 
looking Camden  village. 


Only  seven  decreased  from  1890  to  1900.  In 
twenty  years  Spokane,  Washington,  increased 
over  five  thousand  per  cent.;  Duluth,  Minn.,  and 
Tacoma,  Wash.,  each  over  three  thousand  per 
cent.;  Seattle,  Wash.,  and  Kansas  City,  Kan. ^ 
each  over  one  thousand  per  cent. ;  Birmingham, 
Ala.,  over  seven  hundred  per  cent. ;  Pueblo,  Col., 
over  six  hundred  per  cent. ;  Sioux  City,  la.,  over 
four  hunih-ed  per  cent.;  Omaha,  Neb.,  Los  An- 
geles, Cal.,  Saginaw  City,  Mich.,  and  Lincoln, 
Neb.,  over  three  hundred  per  cent.;  Minneapolis 
and  St.  Paul,  Minn.,  Dallas  and  Fort  Worth, 
Texas,  and  Butte,  Mont. ,  over  two  hundred  per 
cent. ;  Chicago,  III.,  Kansas  City,  Mo.,  Denver, 
Col.,  Portland,  Ore.,  Des  Moines,  la.,  Salt  Lake 
City,  Utah,  Youngstown,  O.,  Brockton,  Mass., 
Binghamton,  N.  Y.,  Johnstown,  Pa.,  McKeesport, 
Pa.,  Toi^eka,  Kan.,  Bayonue,  N.  J.,  Knoxville, 
Tenn.,  Chattanooga,  Tenn.,  Canton,  O.,  Jackson- 
ville, Fla.,  and  Atlantic  City,  N.  J.,  over  one  hun- 
dred per  cent. 


THE  OSUORN  HOMESTEAD. 


Skinner,  Photos. 

The  Farm  Residence. 
Yoke  o(  Prize  O.ven. 

Cities,  U.  S.  (Federal  census  1900)  —  159 
have  an  aggregate  population  of  19,694,625, 
classified  as  follows:  19,  each  above  200  thousand, 
aggregate  11,795,809;  19,  each  between  100  and  200 
thousand,  aggregate  2,412,538;  40,  each  50  to  100 
thousand,  aggregate  2,709,388;  81,  each  25  to  50 
thousand,  aggregate  2,776,940.  There  is  one  city 
having  over  3  miUion  population;  2,  each  over  1 
million;  3,  each  over  half  a  million;  5,  each  over 
three  hundred  thousand;  8,  each  over  two  hun- 
dred thousand;  5,  each  between  150,000  and  200,- 
000;  14,  each  between  100,000  and  150,000;  4,  be- 
tween 90,000  and  100,000;  6  in  the  eighty  thou- 
sands; 6  in  the  seventy  thousands;  8  in  the  sixty 
thousands;  16  in  the  fifty  thousands;  14  in  the 
forty  thousands;  43  in  the  thirty  thousands;  24 
between  25,000  and  30,000. 

The  smallest  city  in  this  fist  is  Jackson,    Mich. 

Every  one  show's  an  increase  from  1880  to  1890. 


B.  L.  OSBOKN',  Proprietor. 
Herd  ot  O.xen. 

Some  of  tlie  Dairy  Herd. 

Population,  villages  state  of  New  York,  5000 
and  upwards,  (census  1900) — Batavia  9180,  Canan- 
daigua  6151,  Catskill  5484,  Glens  Falls  12613, 
Haverstraw  5935,  Herkimer  5555,  Hoosick  Falls 
5671,  Ilion  5138,  Lansingburg  12595,  Maloue  5935, 
Matteawau  5807,  Norwich  5766,  Oueonta  7147, 
Owego  5039,  Peekskdl  10358,  Plattsburg  8434, 
Port  Chester  7440,  Port  Jervis  9385,  Sai-atoga 
Springs  12409,  Seneca  FaUs  6519,  Sing  Sing  7939, 
Tonawanda  7421,  White  Plains  7899. 

The  Camden  Fire  of  '72,  in  the  night  or  early 
morning  of  January  4,  started  in  John  Stuart's 
shoe  shop  and  consumed  all  buildings  on  the 
west  side  of  Main  street,  from  Mexico  street  south 
to  A.  G.  Olinstead's  brick  residence.  The  owner 
of  the  latter  by  closing  iron  shutters  to  the  win- 
dows cut  ott  further  progress  of  the  fire. 


148 


' 'GRIP'S"  HISTOEICAL  SOUVENIR  OF  CAMDEN. 


Borrowed  Plioto.       JACOli  HUSH. 

A  Destructive  Fire  occurred  Saturday,  June 
22,  1867,  and  for  a  time  threatened  to  .spread  de- 
struction by  means  of  blazing  spark.s  to  the  re- 
motest portions  of  the  village.  While  the  aggre- 
gate loss  was  not  as  great  as  in  either  of  the  fires  of 
1856  or  1863,  it  was  a  more  sensational  fire,  more 
difficult  to  restrain  and  occasioned  greater  sorrow, 
■consuming  as  it  did  not  only  the  Whitney  House 
(Coltou  tavern)  and  barns  which  then  stood  on  the 
west  side  of  Main  street  opposite  the  village  park 
making  several  people  homeless,  but  the  Trinity 
and  the  Congregational  church  Iniildmgs  The  fire 
broke  out  at  1 :3()  p.  m.  and,  by  the  assistance  of  a 
steamer  brought  from  Rome,  was  subdued  late  in 
the  afternoon.  Women  and  children  ascended  to 
roofs  of  adjacent  buildmgs  to  watch  for  indications 
of  Its  spreadmg.  Trinity  church  stood  to  the  north 
of  the  hotel  and  the  Congregational  church  across 
the  street  in  the  park.  Brands  of 
fire  were  carried  by  the  wind  to  the 
east  and  north.  The  town  clock 
in  the  steeple  of  the  Congregation- 
al church  struck  2  just  l>el'ore  it 
toppled  over  falling  to  the  ground 
in  charred  fragments.  John  C. 
Owen's  dwelling  in  Second  street 
a  quarter  of  a  mile  distant,  was  de- 
stroyed, placing  the  north  end  of 
the  village  in  great  jeoiiardy  but 
happily  with  no  further  disaster. 

Factory  Fires,— P.  &  P.  Cos- 
tello's  tannery  Inirned  August  16. 
1883,  when  several  thousand  dol- 
lars worth  of  leather  was  Irarned. 
They  rebuilt  but  soon  after  sold 
the  property. 

Penfield  &  Stone's  grist  mill 
burned  Sept.27,1882.  the  present 
-commodious  mill  stands  on  the 
same  site. 

The  Camden  Knitting  Co's.  plant 
•on  the  afternoon  of  March  23,1893, 
was  mostly  destroyed  by  the  fire      jacobTush's 


which  started  in  the  Costello  tannery  building  then 
in  use  by  the  Knittiug  Co.  The  site  was  relniilt 
with  large,  modern  buildings  for  the  same  industry. 

Jacob  Rush  was  born  in  Utica,  Oneida  county, 
N.  Y.,  August  20,  1828,  and  came  to  this  to-mi 
with  his  parents  when  he  was  three  years  old. 
With  the  exception  of  one  year,  about  the  time  he 
was  eighteen  years  old,  when  he  was  in  West- 
chester county,  N.  Y. ,  he  has  ever  since  resided 
in  Camden.  In  early  life  he  learned  the  trade  of 
carpenter  and  joiner  which  he  followed  untn  1860, 
when  he  entered  the  .sash  and  blind  factory  and 
planing  mill  of  Cox  &  Stone  as  partner,  having 
bought  a  one-foui-th  interest  with  them.  At  one 
time  he  was  associated  \Yith  G.  J.  Williams  in  the 
same  business.  In  1S81  he  bought  out  his  part- 
ners and  conducted  the  business^ilone  very  suc- 
cessfully for  many  years.  Peeling  that  old  age 
had  begun  to  weigh  rather  heavily  upon  him  he 
sold  out  to  his  two  sons  in  1891,  although  he  has 
since  continued  to  work  at  the  factory  and  help 
the  boys  all  he  can.  He  has  always  been  a  repub- 
lican, voting  with  that  party  since' its  organization 
and  holdmg  diflerent  offices  in  the  gift  of  his 
townsmen,  such  as  collector,  overseer  of  the  poor 
and  iissessor  for  many  years,  which  office  he  now 
holds  both  in  the  town  and  in  the  vUlage,  He 
was  the  class  leader  and  a  member  of  the  official 
board  in  the  Methodist  church  for  several  years, 
having  united  with  that  society  in  this  viUaa-e  in 
1856.  " 

Early  Academy  Teachers.— Linus  Sanford 
was  one  of  the  first  to  teach  in  the  old  academy  on 
the  park.  Then  came  Thomas  Seagar  with  a  se- 
lect school  about  1823-1;  MissFreelove  Southworth 
had  a  young  ladies'  select  school;  Aaron 
Matthews  was  a  district  school  teacher ;  Miss  Flora, 
daughter  of  Eliakim  Stoddard,  taught  select  school 
and  S.  S.  Sheldon  pulilic  school."  Miss  Adeline 
Pond  taught  in  1838  and  Miss  Lettice  Blake.sleein 
1834.  All  above  mentioned  taught  in  the  academy, 
also  including  Miss  Wealthy  Blakeslee,  Miss  Ruth 
Warner,  Walter  and  WiUiam  Jerome  and  Rosauna 
and  Marion  Reynolds. 


SASH  AND  BLIND  FACTORY  AND  PLANING  MILL. 


•GRIP'S"  HISTOKICAL  SOUVENIR  OF  CAMDEN. 


149 


Huested,  Photo.  OFFICERS  CAMDEN  COUNCIL,  No.  B.5,  O.  U.  A.  M.  ^    „„,.„. 

1,  M.  W.  Wilkinson,  Councillor;  3,  C.  F.  Ward  V  C.;  3,  Grant  H«^I'^;,'l'  Gl^  ex-C.;  4,  D  S  Wilhams,  S  ; 
.5  R  A  Ma"-ee  F  S.;  i3,  James  Eaton,  Sr.  ex-C;  1,  A.  B.  Gnnther,  T.;  8,  H.  H.  Chapman,  Cliap.,  a,  w.  rona, 
Examiner;  10.  E.  .1.  Castle,  Inductor;  11,  W.  A.  Rowell,  I.  P. 


INDEX    TO    "GRI 

(ExPL.\N.iTiON  ot  Abbreviations;;— p 
portrait;  v,  view;  r,  residence;  s 
sketch.] 

Abbott's  Sons,  George,  SO 

Abbott,  L  M,  r  31 

Antliovs,  10.5 

liudlong,  W  A,  94 

lioard  of  Trade,  p  .5,3  141 

Bank,  1st  Nat'l,  39 

Baldwin,  Mrs  Mary,  49 

Borland,  Dr  H  L,  97 

Batchelor,  Job,  110 

Bridges,  Longest,  113 

Boehm  Bros,  lO.-i 

Barber,  Mr  and  Mrs  Quinccy,  113 

Battles.  Decisive,  137 

Biedermann,  C  O,  37 

Bridges,  Main  and  Me.xico  Sts,  v  1.5 

Curtiss,  B  A.  83 

Cobnrn's  Orchestra,  77 

Camden  Oil  &  Gas,  76 

Corn  Canning,  74 

Colton  Tavern,  v  101 

Craig,  A  W,  133 

Catholic  Church,  35 

Cromwell,  Stephen,  189 

Camden  Knitting  Co,  47 

Camden  Wood  Turning,  39 

Conant,  Mrs  Ella  M,  48 

Carroll,  Geo  F,  .55 

Conant,  F  H,  tiO 

Conant,  E  H  s  00,  p  03 

Costello,  P  C,  75 

Camden  Inventors,  139 

Camden,  Description,  4 

Camden,  History,  117 

Cook,  Mr  and  Mrs  Solon,  s  HI,  iJ  112 

Castle,  E  J,  s  111,  p  113 

Congresiational  Chuj-ch,  v  134,  old,v  13 

Clerks.  Village,  87 

Camden,  Mow  .Situated,  113 

Camden  Hose  Co  No  1.  p  13 

Cemetery,  Forest  Park,  v  30 

Canals,  144 

Dana,  G  W,  95 

Dubois,  Dr  H  G,  131 

Dorrance,  J  G,  38 

Dorrance,  D  G,  45 

Dorrance,  W  H  ,.%  Sou,  43 

Davies,  J  C.  40 

Dantorth,  Rev  H  M,  130 

Daughters,  A  R,  49 

Dams,  Mill,  v  1 

Episcopal  Church,  30 

Episcopal  Church  Choir,  p  31 

Earnest  AVorkers,  p  08 

Epwortli  League.  |i33 

Eldeii's  Kecollcili.ius,  43 

Enterprise  llos.'Co  No  3,  p  13,  s  13;) 

Free  Methodist  CInu-ch,  30 

Fifield,  F  F,  43 

Prisbie,  W  J,  40 

Frisbie,  Mrs  Ennua  Phelps,  48 

Frazier,  Di-  l!ol»  it  r« 

Former  Kesideuts  Camden,  813 

Fish,  E  W,r9l 

T-ire  Dept  Hist,  140 

Findlav,  Alexander,  132 

Farnsworth,  T  A  &  A  M,  138 


P'S"     HISTORICAL    SOUVE 

Fire  ot  '72,  147 
(ianible  Fred,  133 
Goodyear,  L  B,  78 
G  A  K,  J  Parson  Stone  Post  45,  p  44 
Grange,  74 
Giles,  W  H,  81 

Governors  ot  N  Y,  115;  Colonial  1-30 
Gamble,  Mrs  Charlotte,  34. 
Harding.  S  L.  99 
Harvey,  E  A,  100 
Harden,  C,  114 
Harden,  F  S,  110 
II  nested.  H  R,  37 
Historical  Society,  p  04,  s  70 
Hotels.  Early.  81 
Horniing's  Store,  L,  87 
Ilaviland,  L  P.  90 
Health  Board,  \t  0 
Kendall,  C  F,  118 
Kennedy,  D  E  137 
Lakes  of  N  Y,  101 
Ladies  of  Maccabees,  p  103 
Ladies'  Foreign  Mission  M  E  ch,  81 
Library  Presidents,  p  13 
JlethiKlist  clnireh,  33,  old  v  135 
:\Ietliiidisl  Ladies' Aid,  .53 
Masons,  Philantlu-opic  No.  104,  .58 
Merry-go-Roiuid,  p  09 
Maloney,  A  H,  71 
McCarthy's  Residence,  Chas  v  i9 
Miller,  P  B  80 
McKillip,  S  G  93 
McCall,  C  W  133 
Manly,  Rev  N  M  130 
Mef  ker,  Andrew  p  19 
Manzer,  O  H  37 
Newspaiiers  73 
Osborne.  B  L  140 
5  olmstead,  A  G  130 
Oilil  Fellows,  s  78  p  85 
Oneida  county  88 
OU  AM,  s89,  pH9 
Orr  &  Gardner  93 
Orr  &  Hornung  90 
Osborn,  A,  rll7 
Opera  House,  v  10 
Osborne,  Fred  133 

Population,  villages  147,  cities  95,  92, 
Population,  Facts,  100 
Pythias,  K  ol.  ]>  44 
pioneer  Historians,  p  .50,  s  .52 
Phelps,  C  A  &  A  C,  .53 
Philomathic  Club,  p  0.5,  s  79 
Penheld,  T  D,  00 
Pentield  &  Stone,  67 
Presidents,  'Village,  s  75 
Peck,  W  S  88 
Pond,  C  P,  113 
Presbyterian  Church,  120 
Presbyterian  Endeayors,  s  80 
Public  Square  v  17 
Park,  V  18,  30,  31, 
Phelps  Bridge,  v  31 
Piersall,  Mrs  M,  r28 
t;iui  Vive  Club  p  .50,  s  .51 
Rivers,  Longest,  90 
Red  Men,  s  74 
Royal  Templars,  s  76 
Royal  Arcanum,  s  81,  p  119 


NIR    OF    CAMDEN. 

Reaflels,  Peter,  r  101 
Russell,  W  E,  r  115 
Rescue,  H  &  L  Co,  p  13 
Roberts,  C  S,  135 
Itoliertson.  Uoh.-rt.  U4 
Rush.  .hie<.li.  US 
Stoddard,  W  1,  98 
Supervisors,  39 
Stevens,  W  C,  51 
Stone,  W  C,  73 
Skinner,  V  D,  79 
Sumners,  Robert,  r  91 
Stone,  \V  E,  r  93 
Salladin,  N,  100 
Structures,  Highest,  108 
Sneakers,  H  ot  Rep,  1  8 
Smith,  S  L,  r  117 
Stark,  James,  130 
School,  32,  their  origin 
Stark,  James  W,  131 
Sanford,  L.  S,  134 
Stark,  Joseph,  143 
Shaver,  Dr  C  W,  37 
Squier,  Ezra,  141 
Stoddard,  Rev  Eliakim,  r  145 
Stoddard,  liclireea,  r  145 
Smith,  lir  A  H,14:5 
Street  Views,  4,  5,  8,  9, 119 
Scenery  Views,  10,  20,  31 
Trowbridge,  Geo,  .53 
Timian's  Shop,  v  77 
Tuttle,  Lansing,  r  94 
Taylor,  J  H,  rH5 
To'wsh-v,  Dr  W  1),  139 
Trusters.  19111.  N'illage,  0 
Town  Hall,  14,  (old)  135 
Town  Board,  p  33 
Tillson,  C  C,  m 

Thomas,  T  Lloyd,  138 

Titlany,  W  C,  140 

Tipple,  Martin,  141 

Vandawalker,  A  H,  8:3 

Vandawalker,  Gi'o,  r  85 

Van  Dvki'  &  llanimand,  97 

Van  Allen,  W  J,  134 

West,  I  D,  103 

Wetmore,  C  A  84 
147  Water  Wheel  Works,  103 

Water,  Largest  Bodies,  103 

Wells  Mfg  Co,  105 

Williams,  G  J,  107 

Williams.  Mr  and  Mrs  D  S.  109 

Woodrutt.  A  ('.  54 

Williams  &  Norton,  50 

West  Camden,  09,  70 

AVomen's  Missionary  Pres  ch,  80 

Wood,  A  G,  137 

Water  Board,  p  10 

Water  S\'Stem,  v  11 

Woodard,  F  E,  138 

Wood,  W  D,  38 

Ward,  C  P,  142 

Whist  Club,  36 

W  C  T  U,  30 

West,  Mrs  Harriett  Allen,  49 

Woman's  Home  Missionary,  M  lich,  .1 

Young,  J  M  &  Son.  104 

Yo\ing  Ladies'  Circle,  77 


i9u2 


ADVEETISING  DEPAETMENT  "GEIP'S"  HISTOEICAL  SOUVENIE  OF  CAMDEN. 


RICHARD     WlLiLiIA]V[S 

MERCHANT 
TAILOR——— 

Ladies'     and    Gents'    Garments 


Over  S.  L.  Harding's  store 


JMISS     IVIARV     J.    ALLAN 

FASHIONABLE   DRESSMAKING 
Cutting  on2  Fitting  a  Specialty 

6  Third  Street  CAMDEN,  N.  Y. 


T.  M.  WOODRUFF 

Groceries,  Provisions, 
Confectionery 

Cigars  and  Tobacco  j-  Hosiery  and  Notions 

CAMDEN,  N.  Y. 


FRANK  A.  McADAM  representing  northwestern  mutual  life  ins,  co. 

The  only  second  class  agent  in  town  representing  a  first  class  company  that  pavs  dividends  an- 
nually, not  asking  vou  to  wait  20  years  with  a  chance  of  losing  them  if  voii  die  previous  to  that  time 
Morethan  that,  this  company  makes  the  Ijest  return  to  the  policy  holder' 

Kindly  send  me  name  and  age  and  I  will  gladly  fiu'nish  you" illustrations. 


J.  L.  STORM 


CITY  CARTING  AND 
BAGGAGE   TRANSFER 

AU  kinds  of  tvuckint!' and  teaniinf;'  and   bay"-ii'>-e 

carried  to  and  train  raiU-oad  stations. 

5It>ving-  Furniture  etc., 

Eesidence  Ki  Tliird  St.  CAMJOEN',  N.  Y. 


H.  B.  SNOW,   q7;e  Ce^mden  Florist 

Plants  and  Cut  Flowers  for  Funerals  and  Reeefi- 
tiODS.     Emblematic  Designs  a  Specialty. 

Telephone  Orders  Proinptly  Filled 

Gri'enhonse  No.  2-5  Railroad  Street 


FOR 


Insurance  that  Insures 


.GO  TO. 


GEORGE  J.  SKIHNEI^ 


iVlain  Street,  Camden,  IN.  V. 


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