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copyright by Cornell University Library
1994.History of Cobleskill
BY
THE STUDENTS
Cobleskill High School
19 12
INDEX PRINTING HOUSE
Cobleskill, New YorkCOBLESKILL HIGH SCHOOL BUILDINGHISTORY OF COBLESKILL
3
EDITORS
M. Berna Hunt, Teacher of History
Ralph Young Ralph Maxwell Julia Mahar
Alphonzo Goff, Business Manager
CONTRIBUTORS
Brown, Zilplia	Neville, Homer
Dorn, Arzula	Parslow, Fanchon
Empie, Carlos	Robinson, Ruth
Goff, Alphonzo	Shafer, Florence
Harris, Gertrude	Sexton, Blanche
Hunt, Calvin W.	Settle, Jay
Hynds, Flossie	Simmons, Mildred
Jennings, Mildred	Van Derwerker, Harriet
Kling, Edith	Vosburg, Marguerite
Linster, Frances	Young, Ralph
Maliar, Julia	Warner, Charles
Maxwell, Ralph	Warner, Relah
Warner, Sarah4
HISTORY OF COBLESKILL
BIBLIOGRAPHY OF SOURCES
Roscoe—History of Schoharie County
Simms—History of Schoharie County and Border Wars.
Simms—Frontiersmen of New York.
Warner—History of Military Veterans of Four Wars.
Business Directory of Schoharie County.
Interviews with old inhabitants.
Inscriptions on monuments.
Files of local newspapers, the Cobleskill ‘‘index'* and
“Times.”
Unpublished history of Schoharie county compiled by
George W. Bellinger.HISTORY OF COBLESKILL
5
1752.
1760.
1770.
1778.
1781.
1794.
1797.
1810.
1819.
1855.
1859.
1859.
1864.
1868.
1873.
1876.
1880.
1887.
1890.
1892.
1893.
1911.
1912.
The Principal Events in the History of Cobleskill
First settlement was made.
The first flour mill was erected.
The first school house was built.
Battle of Cobleskill.
The second invasion of Cobleskill occurred.
First Lutheran Church was established.
The town was formed from the town of Schoharie.
The first factory was established. Hats were made.
First Reformed Church was established.
The first Methodist Episcopal society was organized.
The Schoharie County Jeffersonian, the first newspaper
published at Cobleskill, was issued.
Establishment of the Harder Manufacturing Company.
Albany and Susquehanna railroad was completed.
The village was incorporated.
The Great Fire.
The Cobleskill Agricultural Society was formed.
A quarry was opened.
The system of water works was established.
The park was purchased by the village.
Sewer system was established.
The village was lighted by electricity.
The state legislature passed a law appropriating money
to build an agricultural college at Cobleskill.
Appropriation for a new high school building was made.Though Cobleskill was but a frontier settlement; even in its
earliest days it sent forth men who achieved distinction and re-
flected honor upon their native town, and this record of splendid
achievement has been added to by succeeding generations.
Lieutenant Borst was a sturdy pioneer of 1776.
Captain Brown was commander of the patriot forces in the
battle of Cobleskill, 1778.
James Dana was a meritorious officer in the struggle for lib-
erty, participating in the battles of Lake Champlain and Bunker
Hill and serving under Putnam and Washington.
John Redington was a private in the Revolution, serving in
campaigns about Boston. In 1812 he was elected to the State
Legislature. He was instrumental in building the Reformed
church. Redington was under Washington’s command and
when the ex-President died he and Mr. James Dana held a
funeral service at the former’s home.
Geo. Warner, a member of the Schoharie county Committee
of Safety during the Revolution, was a valuable man to the
patriots. The British placed a price upon his head, his dwell-
ing was burned, and he himself captured:
Lieutenant William Elmandorf was a brave soldier in Kel-
logg’s company of artillery in the war of 1812.
Isaac Hall Tiffany was appointed one of the judges of the
court of Common Pleas in 1811.
Jedediah Miller was a classmate of Daniel Webster in Dart-
mouth, and although he came to Cobleskill unknown, he was
the most prominent man in public life in his time. In his
office many of our most honored lawyers were educated.
John S. Pindar was appointed district attorney of the county
in 1822, elected assemblyman in 1845, and to the high office of
Congressman in 1880.HISTORY OF COBLESKILL
7
Thomas Lawyer was distinguished in civil life, filling with
honor many positions. He was counselor of the Supreme court,
Counselor and Solicitor in Chancery and in the United States
court for the northern District of New York.
Augustus F. Lawyer was a naval surgeon. He dis-
tinguished himself at the siege of Vera Cruz and the capture of
San Juan d’ Ulloa in the Mexican war. As naval surgeon on
board the sloop “Pennsylvania” and frigate ’Brandywine” he
cruised about gulf of Mexico, South America, China and the
East Indies.
Joseph Ramsay was a man of enterprise and action. He
was a promoter of the Albany and Susquehanna* railroad, and
state Senator in 1855.
Lieutenant George Snyder was a graduate of West Point in
1858, and was afterwards made Major for his bravery in the first
attack on Fort Sumter.
Charles Holmes wTas member of assembly in 1855 and
county judge in 1871. His life is spoken of in the highest
terms.
Father Weiting was an exhorter and preacher. His last
sermon was preached in the new Lutheran church of Cobleskill
on July 18, 1869.
Charles Courter was one of the leading spirits in the con-
struction of the Susquehanna railroad. For many years he was
one of the directors. In 1841, he represented the town in the
board of Supervisors, and in 1868 was placed upon the Demo-
cratic electoral ticket and received the largest majority the
county ever gave in a Presidential contest.
Minard Harder, the founder of the present Harder manu-
facturing works, was chairman of the county committee and in
1872 a presidential elector, casting his vote for Grant and Wil-
son. He was postmaster of Cobleskill in 1873.
Henry Smith was a famous lawyer, in partnership with
Bancroft and Moak of Albany. In 1872 he was elected to the
State Assembly and chosen speaker.
Dr. Willis Mac Donald was a famous surgeon of Albany
18904911.8
HISTORY OF COBLESKILL
INDIAN TRAILS
When the whites first settled among the Indians in the
Schoharie valley, there were several foot paths extending in
different directions through the valley.. These trails were used
by the Indians and also by the early German settlers in coming
to Schoharie.
One of these trails began at Catskill, followed the course of
the Catskill creek and then down to Middleburg. Another be-
gan at Albany, led across the Helderburgs and terminated at
Schoharie. This was the path used by the early settlers in
reaching Schoharie. A third route led from Schenectady to
Schoharie. The Dutch who settled at Schoharie, entered by
this path and also used it in carrying grist to and from Sche-
nectady. Another trail led from the junction of the Schoharie
and Cobleskill creeks, down the Schoharie to Sloansville and
ended at Fort Hunter in the Mohawk valley. In his history of
Schoharie county, Prof. Si as says this trail was used by the
natives in going from the Mohawk to the Susquehanna valley.
Leading from the same point was a trail which went northwest
to Canajoharie. Although these were the most important trails,
there were many others less well known, used by the hunters and
one of which followed the course of the Cobleskill creek and
thence to Otsego Lake. The two last mentioned were the ones
most used by the settlers coming into the Cobleskill valley from
Schoharie and in visiting their friends in the Mohawk valley .HISTORY OF COBLESKILL
TOWN Dr COBLESKILL, NY.
MAP OF THE TOWN OF COBLESKILL10
HISTORY OF COBLESKILL
THE EARLY SETTLEMENT OF COBLESKILL
The settlement of Cobleskill began during the middle and
latter part of the eighteenth century, just before the Revolution-
ary War. The homes of the Schoharie pioneers had become so
crowded that it became necessary for some to seek new homes.
This led many to settle on the Cobleskill creek near the site of
the present village.
The first building to be erected near what is now the pres-
ent village, was a mill, built in 1752 by the since famous Jacob
Cobel (after whom tradition tells us the village was named) and
situated at the junction of two streams. The first settlement,
however, was made in 1749 by Johannes Schafer Sr. on .the
Peter Lawyer farm east of the village.
During the same year that the mill was erected, Johannes
Schafer Jr., Hendrick Schafer Jr., Jacobus Schafer and several
others bought 6000 acres of vacant land on the northern side of
the creek, including the present site of the village.
About the same time or a little later, Lawrence Lawyer set-
tled on what is now the Tingue farm south of Cobleskill and
later upon the Coburn farm thus owning land on both sides of
the creek. Peter and John Bellinger settled two miles south.
Two years later, 1754, they were followed by John F. Bauch
(Bouck), Christian Zehe, Michael Warner, Johannes Kniskern
(Kneiskern) and others who obtained a patent for a tract of
4800 acres of land situated on the southern side of the creek (or
kill, in German),which they had purchased from the Indians on
November ninth, 1753. Their little settlement came to be
known at first as Kneiskern’s Dorf. The patent, granted by
Governor Clinton in the reign of George II, gave to the settlers
the right of fishing, fowling, hunting and hawking, but reserv-
ed for the King all gold or silver mines which might be discov-
ered in their grant, and all trees twenty-four inches in diameter
and upwards at twelve inches from the ground for masts in the
Royal navy. The purchasers and their heirs were subject to
England and were to pay yearly rents of two shillings and sixHISTORY OF COBLESKILL
11
pence for every hundred acres of land and likewise in propor-
tion to any lesser quantity to the collector and receiver at the
Custom House in New York City.
Another patent was granted to Cobleskill in 1761 recogniz-
ing it as a separate settlement, which had hitherto been known
as part of the Schoharie settlement.
In 1765 Christian Brown built a saw and grist mill on the
creek, the second to be erected near the village.
In 1780 fort Du Bois was erected near the lower end of what
is now East Main street. This afforded the inhabitants protec-
tion from the Indians and from then on the little settlement
grew rapidly.
The early settlers of Cobleskill were mostly descendants of
the early pioneers of Schoharie, Albany and Schenectady who
had left their home on the Rhine in consequence of the wars of
Louis XIV of France. Later, when the settlements were made
by the Palatines from Germany at Kneiskerns Dorf, schools were
established in which the German and Dutch languages were
taught. They were a sturdy, hard-working class of people who
were mostly engaged in agriculture. Their farm implements
were very rude and old-fashioned and the mode of farming was
patterned after the old customs in Germany and Holland.
Nevertheless it was the prosperity of these enterprising Palatines
which laid the foundation for the growth and advancement of
the old Cobleskill of Revolutionary times into the Cobleskill of
to-day.12
HISTORY OF COBLESKILL
LAWYERSVILLE
In the early spring of 1760 a number of families from
Rhine -beck-011 -the-Hudson, settling to the north and northwest
of the present village, named it New Rhinebeck. Later it was
known as The Patent, being part of the royal patent. It was
also known as New Boston because many settlers came from
Boston. Its final and present name is Lawyersville, called such
from the name of prominent men going by that name and also
men of wide practice in that profession. The large white house
owned by the late S. B. Wakeman is one of the oldest buildings
and was once occupied by Thomas Lawyer, one of the promi-
nent men of that profession. His name is carved on the marble
of the fireplace in one of the rooms. One of the earliest farms
was the Angle farm, now the Hutt farm, and General James
Dana settled to the south of that farm on what is known as the
L. N. Dana farm. Lawyersville in its earlier days had more
prominent men than Cobleskill and was the business center of
all the surrounding country. But after the building of the rail-
road through Cobleskill the business shifted to that village.HISTORY OF COBLESKILL
13
Attacks on Cobleskill During the Revolution
The historical interest that clusters about Cobleskill and
the surrounding country is great and of such a nature as to ex-
cite one’s sympathy and patriotism. Here was a border settle-
ment, during the struggle for liberty—of staunch patriots, whose
valor and stability have few equals and no superiors,—here the
ruthless Tories and Indians blighted many a fireside and saturat-
ed the soil with patriot blood.
The settlement of Cobleskill consisted of about twenty
families, mostly patriots, and extended nearly three miles. It
was during the year 1778 of the American Revolution, that the
settlers were continually harassed by the Tories and Indians.
The first appearance of the enemy in Schoharie county was in
May, when parties of straggling Indians and Tories were notic-
ed in the vicinity of Cobleskill. As the lower and middle forts
had for a long time been too small and too far distant to accom-
modate the settlers, and Fort Du Bois was not yet constructed,
Capt. Patrick was dispatched with a small company of volun-
teers, from the fort at Middleburg to Cobleskill, as assistance.
He arrived at the residence of Capt. Brown, now the John R.
Becker farm, on the 26th and remained there until the 28th,
when he and Capt. Brown with their company moved up the
valley across Cobleskill creek and stopped at the residence of
Lawrence Lawyer, two miles from Brown’s. This Lawyer resi-
dence was just south of the creek, against the first rise of
ground. Lieut. Jacob Borst, with his brother, Joseph, and one
of the Freemires were sent to scout up the creek. Nothing
worthy of any notice was heard until two days later when two
Indians approached them and after a short encounter with the
scouts, fled.
The day following the Borst encounter with the Indians,
the first real battle of Cobleskill was fought. It was on Satur-
day morning, June 1st, that Capt. Miller, who was sent from
the Schoharie fort with part of a company to reconnoitre, arriv-
ed at the Lawyer residence and joined the other forces. Several14
HISTORY OF COBLESKILL
of Capt. Miller’s men volunteered to remain with Capt. Patrick,
so Miller accepted the conditions and returned to the fort with-
out being discovered by the enemy. There were now between
thirty and forty regulars under Capt. Patrick and.fifteen militia
volunteers under Capt. Brown. These troops, under the com-
mand of Patrick, marched up the valley and halted at the
residence of George Warner, one of the Schoharie committee-
men, a sterling patriot, living about one mile south of the creek.
The Warner homestead at that time was a frame structure and
was the southern most house in the settlement. It stood on the
top of a bluff at Cobleskill Center. An orchard now covers the
site. The troops had been at Warner’s but a short time,
when fifteen or twenty Indians under Brant were noticed just
west of the building. Patrick at once ordered that they be pur-
sued, while Brown, who was more familiar with the Indians,
opposed, as he was afraid of an ambuscade. Patrick ridiculed
Brown’s idea until he agreed to consent and after a running
fight, it was noticed the number of the Indians was increasing.
At last both parties made a halt at a swamp east of Lambert
Lawyer, where a sharp engagement followed. It was plain
from the firing that the enemy was stronger in number. Both
parties fought in Indian style, under the cover of trees. Several
of Capt. Partick’s men began to fall and soon afterward Capt.
Patrick received a shot which broke his thigh. In an attempt
of two of his brave soldiers, to carry him from the field, they
were surrounded by the enemy and shared his unhappy fate.
Capt. Brown now ordered retreat and most fortunate was the
order, for in just a few moments more delay, the whole force
would have been surrounded and killed.
On returning after the retreat the enemy now halted at the
Warner house to dislodge its inmates as they had been fired
upon from that direction, and found that three of Patrick’s men
and two of Brown’s, had taken refuge within, from which the
whole force had not long before left in high spirits. The enemy
set fire to the house and three of the inmates were burned while
the other two, attempting to escape, were slain.
The enemy next plundered and burned all the dwellings inHISTORY OF COBLESKILL
15
the settlement as far down as the churches, except an old log
house, formerly occupied by George Warner. It is supposed
that this old house was left, that its owner might return and
occupy it, which would afford an opportunity to capture a com-
mittee-man, It is recorded that twenty buildings were burned
at this time.
The families in the settlement, on hearing the firing of the
enemy and forces promptly sought safety in the depths of the
forest or fled to Schoharie, ten miles distant. The two militia-
men, who took shelter in the Warner house were Martinus
Fester and John Freemire. The remains of Fester were found
in a tub of soap in the cellar and identified by his tobacco box,
while Freemire was known by his knee-buckles and gun-barrel.
The bodies of several were not discovered until some days later,
although scouts were sent out to reconnoitre and look after the
wounded. Lawyer Belknap sought refuge in a hollow log
where he remained until the next day, when he crawled out cold
and stiff and made his way to the old Warner house, from where
he was afterward conveyed to the Schoharie fort.
Many were wounded and suffered cruel treatment from the
enemy in this first attack. The night following the attack it
rained, making a very dreary night for the surviving citizens of
the Cobleskill valley, as many were in the forest where they had
fled, others hidden in caves, all being exposed to the mercy of
wild beasts. The wife of Lawrence Lawyer with three others
was in the woods three days and finally came out near the
mouth of the Cobleskill. The dead were buried in piteous
manner; pits were dug, near where the George Warner house
had stood, in such a manner that the bodies required but little
moving, in these the bodies of Capt. Patrick and other soldiers
were deposited.
As a result of this battle about twenty-two men including
Capt. Patrick were killed, beside five or six men wounded and
two were made prisoners. As to the enemy, consisting of Indians,
mostly Senecas, Schoharies and Oquagos, and Tories, their loss
was never exactly known but is supposed to be equal if it did
not exceed that of the settlers. After this hostile invasion the16
HISTORY OF COBLESKILL
settlers decided to build a fort for their own self-defense.
So in 1781 the fort of Du Bois was erected under the super-,
vision of a government officer named Du Bois, who with other
ITugenots had fled from France and taken up station in the
Schoharie fort in the fall of 1778. This fort was located about
three-fourths of a mile east from the present business center of
the village of Cobleskill. It embraced about three acres of
land and was large enough to accommodate all the residents of
the valley without the aid of log huts. A stream of water made
a moat around the fort and it was also surrounded by a picket
enclosure. The residence of Jacob Shaffer also was enclosed
by pickets, as the land on which the fort was built had belonged
to him. The building of Fort Du Bois was begun in the spring
and through the efforts of soldiers and citizens it was complet-
ed by harvest time.
The second invasion occurred in the year 1781. The Co-
bleskill militia had taken many supplies from the Tories of
New Rhinebeck, (now Lawyersville). After they had helped
themselves to their production, the Tories in turn devastated the
valley, assisted by the Indians from the Mohawk. Every home
was laid in ashes except the fort and Jacob Shafer’s, (enclosed
in pickets) and Hans Shafer’s, (on the Wieting farm of to-day).
This was the last important hostile invasion except perhaps at
different times the bloody work of an Indian, or the burning of
homes by a few ruthless Tories.HISTORY OF COBLESKILL
17
COBLESKILL AND THE WAR OF 1812
When the second war for Independence broke out, Cobles-
kill furnished forty-eight men, for the most part enlisted as
officers and privates in Kellogg’s Volunteer Aritllery, of which
Giles Kellogg was captain, except fourteen men enlisted in the
infantry, one of whom was Jeremiah Brown, a captain.
On December 26, 1812, Kellogg’s Volunteer Artillery was
assembled and paraded at the Gun House in Cobleskill, and on
the 28th, with their baggage, were transported to Little Falls
by Peter Shafer and Adam Vrooman. They were stationed at
Ogdensburg, inactive, until February 22, 1813, when the enemy
stationed at Prescott, opposite Ogdensburg, attacked and defeat-
ed them with heavy loss. They retreated to Sacketts Harbor
where they were again repulsed by the British. These two bat’
ties are the only ones recorded in which they met defeat. They
formed part of the division under Colonel Pike in the expedi-
tion against York (Toronto) and were also a part of the division
under Wilkinson when he went down the St. Lawrence.
They went into winter quarters at Sacketts Harbor in Nov-
ember, 1813, and were soon afterwards discharged. That they
enjoyed themselves there is evident from the record of an item-
ized account of oyster suppers, numerous items of gin, brandy
and rum charged to Captain Giles, One, John Mickle Jr., a
member of the company, lived to be a hundred and three years
old. His remains were buried at Warnerville in October, 1883.
COBLESKILL AND THE WAR WITH MEXICO
Only three men from Cobleskill served in the army during
the Mexican war, Augustus F. Lawyer, Gilbert Youngs and
Edward Butterworth. Of these, Lawyer had been a cadet at
West Point and was a commissioned surgeon in the United States
Navy in 1836. He honorably performed his duty in several
engagements, winning great distinction at the siege of Vera
Cruz and the capture of San Juan de Ulloa. He died at Cobles-
kill in 1883. Of the others, Youngs was killed in a battle and
Butterworth was honorably discharged.18
HISTORY OF COBLESKILL
Services of the Town of Cobleskill in the Civil War
Although the people of Cobleskill were mainly in sympa-
thy with the South, sixty four men from that place were enlist-
ed in the Union army September 22 1862. They were for the
most part enlisted in the One Hundred and Thirty fourth New
York Volunteer Infantry, companies C, D, E, G, and I. A
few, however, enlisted in other regiments; the principal officers
from Cobleskill were:	Peter E. Borst, First Lieutenant, Com"
pany D, First New York Mounted Rifles; Wilbur Fisk Ramsey,
First Lieutenant company G, One Hundred Thirty fourth New
York Volunteers; Henry Cook, Captain, Company G, One
Hundred Thirty fourth New York Volunteers; Martin L.
Shafer, Second Lieutenant, Battery M, Third New York Light
Artillery; George W. Guernsey, Sergeant, company G, One
Hundred Thirty fourth New York Volunteers; William W.
Herron, Quartermaster Sergeant, Company G. One Hundred
Thirty fourth New York Volunteers; George D. Mann, Ser-
geant, Company G, One Hundred Thirty fourth New York
Volunteers; Andrew Smith, Sergeant, Company G, David A.
Watson, Corporal, Company G, One Hundred Thirty fourth
New York Volunteers.
The Volunteers from Cobleskill marched to New York, Sep-
tember 26th, received military equipment and were sent with
their regiment to Washington and then by way of Arlington
Heights to Fairfax. About a month and a half was spent in
drilling and then being assigned to the Second Division of the
Eleventh Corps, they took part in the movements about Thor-
oughfare gap and Germantown Heights. On December 8th
they marched through mud and snow toward Fredericksburg
reaching that place during the battle, December 13. Soon after
exchanging their old rifles for new ones, they took up the un-
pleasant duties of outposts.
From Feb. 5tli to Apr. 27th, they made a series of marches
from Stafford Courthouse to Hope Landing, and to Brooks Sta-
tion.HISTORY OF COBLESKILL
19
From there they started, April 27th, on the Chaticellorsville
campaign. On May 2d, they were sent into the Wilderness to
reconnoitre. They were cut off from the main body by Jackson,
but by cautious countermarching they again joined the main
body and Jackson retreated.
From May 3d to July 1st, they occupied unimportant posi-
tions near the Rappahanock and Potomac rivers and in Mary-
land. July 1st, they started for Gettysburg in a misty rain.
About noon they were attacked by the enemy and, their guns
being damp, they were defeated with a loss of 250 men. The
remainder of the regiment retreated to a position on Cemetery
Hill, where they took part in the battle of Gettysburg. The
remainder of the summer was spent in guard duty and drilling
new recruits.
About the last of September they were sent in boxcars to
Bridgeport, Alabama. October 26th, more troops having arriv-
ed, they started for Chattanooga. They took part in the battle
of Lookout Mountain and later in Sherman’s Chattanooga cam-
paign. The next spring, May 3, 1864, they took part in Sher-
man’s Altanta campaign, suffering heavy loss at Rocky Ford
Ridge and at Peach Tree Creek. They formed apart of the.left
wing of Sherman’s army on his famous “March to the Sea/’
They took an active part in the siege of Savannah and remained
there a month after its surrender.
On January 27, 1865 they left Savannah on their homeward
march. The first stage of their march ended March 24th, at
Goldsboro where they rested until April 10. The second stage
of their march ended at Raleigh and April 30 they began their
last stage which ended at Alexandria. At Bladensburg they
were mustered out of the service of the United States, June 10,
1865.
The Cobleskill veterans returned to their homes shortly
afterward but the southern sympathy of the most of the inhabi-
tants made it uncomfortable for them. They were despised
and shunned and those who received pensions were called “gov-
ernment paupers.” An illustration of the animosity toward
Union men we have on record the names of two union men, Rev.20
HISTORY OF COBLESKILL
Hall and Captain Calkins. Rev. Hall awoke one morning to
find the hair all cut from his horse’s tail. Captain Calkins’
property was destro}7ed, his buildings burned, and he was oblig-
ed to carry a revolver to guard against being mobbed.
INDUSTRIES OF COBLESKILL
At the settlement of Cobleskill, agriculture was the chief
occupation and wheat was the chief product. There were no
mills at this time and the wheat had to be carried to Schenec-
tady, a distance of over thirty miles, to be made into flour. In
1760, a mill was erected for this purpose a short distance to the
east of South Grand street. The first owner was David Bouck,
but in 1830 was purchased by Milton Borst. Later two more
mills were erected; one on Quarry street, owned by Borst and
Burlians, which at present is owned by George Ming}7, the
other on Railroad avenue, earlier known as Kilts’ mill and is at
present conducted by A. Robbins. At present twTo of the largest
mills are west of Grove street, France Brothers on the north side
of the railroad track and Borst and Burhans on the south side.
Both make a specialty of prepared Buckwheat flour and each
year their business increases until now, they export more flour
then any other mill in this part of the state.
The first regular manufactury of the town outside of flour
and lumber, was a hattery established in the year 1810. About
1820, Benjamin Barton manufactured the well known Barton
Grain Cradle.
Then came the manufacture of agricultural machinery
carried on by Jacob Shafer. He manufactured a two-handle
plow which was considered a humbug by some, but it did good
service for those who used them. In 1859 the Empire Agricul-
tural Works were established by Minard Harder. Like most
great enterprises, its beginning was small and only threshing
machines were manufactured. It employed aboilt twenty-five
hands and in 1870, sold about $50,000 worth of machines. At
the National Implement Trial in 1866 at Auburn, a gold medalHISTORY OF COBLESKILL
21
was awarded to Mr. Harder for the best combined thresher and
cleaner. The factory was located on North Grand street until
October, 1912, when it was moved to the south of West Main
street. The business had increased so greatly that a more
spacious and convenient brick plant was erected. For many
years, Messrs. Ryder have had control of it, and silos and other
farm implements are manufactured. Nearly two hundred men
are employed here and daily large shipments are made to dis-
tant villages.
In 1780 the manufacture of shoes was unknown in Cobles-
kill. The settlers must journey to Schenectady if they wanted
a new pair of shoes. To be sure only one pair was the 37early
allowance. This pair was kept in constant repair by a travel-
ing cobbler. In 1880, however, the manufacture of boots and
shoes was begun by William and H. B. Davis of Quaker Street.
They made a specialty of kid and calf goods, employing from
ten to fifteen men.
Mr. Peter Feek of Gallupville began the manufacture of
carriages in Cobleskill first in 1870. He was succeeded the
next year by James Kennedy. They made a speciality of light
buggies, carriages and cutters. Beside supplying the increas-
ing demand at home, large shipments were made to distant
parts of the country. In 1872, John Feek took possession of
some buildings near the fair grounds and in 1873, joined by
Thomas Perrine, made a specialty of manufacturing wagons.
In 1872, John H. Overpaugh and Charles Courter purchased
the sash and blind factory of Me Hench and Co. The building
was a large brick structure on South Grand street. This was
the first firm making a specialty of articles for building houses.
About 1905, Mr. Rheinhart purchased the buildings and be-
gan the manufacture of harps. This continued for a short time,
then Mr. Duppler purchased his interest. Furniture was then
manufactured, such as tables and stands. At the present the
buildings are unoccupied.
In 1880 a partnership was formed between John Van Voris
and H. Harder of Eminence for the production of curb and
mantle stone. The quarry was situated on Quany street, which22
HISTORY OF COBLESKILL
was later purchased by Charles Brandenstein. Stone for many
of the first sidewalks of Cobleskill were secured here. About
the same time, a quarry was purchased by a Mr. Roger of
Albany, just east of North street. This employed many men of
the village and many foreigners, as Italians and Hungarians,
who began to migrate to this part of the state. Huge stones
were cut from the rock for making bridges and barns, some
were crushed to put on roads. Another somewhat larger quarry
was opened about two miles east of the village on land owned
by Charles Weiting. It is still in operation and owned and
conducted by A. L. Norton. The special work is crushing
stone for making state roads, now in progress.
These are the larger industries of Cobleskill, past and
present. There are other small ones, such as cigar manufactur-
ing, and cidar and vinegar making that help to add to the
growing prosperity.HISTORY OF COBLESKILL
23
SCHOOL BUILDINGS
The first school house of Cobleskill was situated near the
Charles Wieting residence on Main street. It was a log build-
ing and for the want of a creaking door, a large blanket was
pinned up in winter under which the pupils were forced to
crawl in going in and out. A small hole was made in the south
side for a window, over which the teacher’s cloak was hung to
keep out the wind.
A large hole in the roof allowed the smoke to escape from
the fireplace and through this light was admitted to enable the
pupils to study. The first teacher was Mr. Panghoer who
taught as early as 1770.
At the close of the war a frame building was erected upon
the same spot, in which many of the oldest inhabitants living
well remember attending school.
Two buildings for that purpose have since been erected be-
fore the present structure was built, each exhibiting the degree
of prosperity and pride the people possessed. The present
school house, a two story brick building, is fitted with all
modern improvements, has a well equipped laboratory and a
library of about three thousand volumes.
The increased attendance for the past two years has made
it impossible to accomodate all the pupils, so at a meeting held
in October an appropriation of $68,000 was made for the erec-
tion of a new high school building.24
HISTORY OF COBLESKILL
THE FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCHHISTORY OF COBLESKILL
25
BEGINNINGS OF RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS
Cobleskill is justly proud of her fine churches whose history
began with the earliest settlements of the valley. The religious
societies first organized were the Lutheran and Reformed
churches. The Methodist Episcopal, Baptist and Catholic
churches grew up at a later date.
The exact date of the organization of the Zion Lutheran
church is not known, but about 1700, dissatisfaction over the
union with the New Dorloch church existed and about that time
steps were taken to form a new church society. It must have
been completed during the summer of 1793, for Sept. 23, 1793,
one acre of land was deeded to Lawrence Lawyer, Johannes
Shafer and David Bouck, the trustees of the Lutheran Church-
Lpon this land was built the “old brick church.’’ The
site was a knoll in the center of the village and on the north
side of the highway. The church was about 40x50 feet in size,
built of brick, with ample sheds in the rear and a burying
ground on the west side. A steeple graced the structure, the
base of which was brick for about ten feet above the roof, and
this was surmounted by a pointed, tin covered spire, about
thirty feet in height. In the front gable end, were the iron
figures showing date of erection in “1794.’’
The timber was cut and hewn by hand and drawn from
the forests principally by oxen. The shingles were made by
hand, and the brick at a near by yard. The contributions for
its erection were not in cash alone, but consisted more largely
of timber and labor. The interior was handsomely finished, the
pews built with high substantial backs having doors at the end
to keep the occupants in place. The pulpit was at the north
end with a sounding board overhead.
The interior arrangements were reversed in 1846, when the
church was remodeled and rededicated, by placing the pupit
in the south end; and at the same time the steeple was torn
down and the square, two storied tower, crowned with a round
dome, placed on the original brick base. The church was the26
HISTORY OF COBLESKILL
finest within a radius of many miles, and for eighty )rears stood
as a monument to the zeal and piety of the congregation through
whose liberality and perseverance its building was made pos-
sible.
In the early part of the 19th century, in the confines of
what is now the village of Cobleskill, there was an organization
under the auspices of the Reformed people. For some unknown
reason it was discontinued until the year 1886 when a new
church was erected on the corner of West Main and Washing-
ton avenue. Andrew Carnegie donated money toward an
organ. Before the church was fully paid for, it burned, to-
gether with the organ. After it burned, they continued the
meetings in the old skating rink where the apple evaporating
plant now stands. In 1903 a new church was erected upon the
same site of the old building.
During the first half of the ninteenth century, there had
been occasional visits of the Methodist circuit riders who held
services in such halls as could be obtained and once in a /while
in the Lutheran and Reformed churches. But at a quarterly
conference held October 23, 1852 a committee was appointed to
negotiate for the purchase or rental of the Dutch Reformed
church of Cobleskill which was not in use. It was impossible
to make the bargain so another committee was appointed to
circulate a subscription for a new church. This commitee pur-
chased a site for one thousand dollars.
Meanwhile preaching was first held in the wagon shop of
J. D. Me Lean just across the bridge west of the Courter resi-
dence and afterward at the house of J. S. Schermerhorn, one of
their members, on Main street.
Later Minard Harder opened a place for them in his newly
purchased residence on Grand street, which is now the home
of Mr. George Dana. Here they found a room twenty feet by
twenty feet fitted up by its former owner, J. Harris, as a school
room and which was now adapted to its new use. The first
vSunday school was organized here. The members of the church
and congregation met October 2, 1854 at their place of worship
and organized as a religious society. This was the beginingHISTORY OF COBLESKILL
27
of the Methodist Episcopal church as an organization in the
village of Cobleskill.
January 10, 1855, the contract for building the church was
let. The building was completed and October 4, 1855 was
dedicated by the Reverend Stephen D. Brown. It has since be-
come one of the leading churches in Cobleskill.
The Catholic church of Cobleskill was organized in 1870
by Rev. T. B. Rielly with seventy-five members. The edifice is
a substantial brick structure, and was built the same year at a
cost of eight thousand dollars.
The First Baptist church of Cobleskill was organized Octo-
ber 25th, 1885, in a private house on South Grand street in this
village. The services of Recognition were held Nov. 2d, 1885
in Union Hall. From then on, services were held in private
houses, halls and rented rooms until the year 1889. The corner
stone for a new church was laid Sept. 19, 1887, and the church
was dedicated April 23, 1889.
There had been a mortgage placed upon the church and
parsonage of about $1600 at the time of building and it was
burned in the year 1900. Since then, it has been a prosperous
church.28
HISTORY OF COBLESKILL
COBLESKILL DEPOT
The first depot of Cobleskill was a very rude building with
one large room which accommodated passengers and baggage.
Both the east and west ends were exposed but later a substantial
cover was erected, affording a protection to persons and bag-
gage from sun and tain.
At a later date, the baggage room and express office were
taken from the depot building and the whole was thrown into
one commodious room. Heretofore the passengers on rainy
days were unable to get in the room but now it accommodates
all. The express office was changed to the west end of the
building.
In the east end of the building is a thoroughly up-to-date
restaurant where travelers are provided with meals at any hour.
The waiting room is large, well lighted by electricity and well
ventilated. The depot of Cobleskill is in every respect an
object of pride to the village.ONE OF THE WOODEN BRIDGES SPANNING COBLESKILL CREEK30
HISTORY OF COBLESKILL
LANDMARKS
In the village of Cobleskill are many houses dating back to
the period of 1850 or earlier. One of the typical houses of the
earlier half of the nineteenth century is the residence of Stanton
Courter on the corner of Main and South Grand streets. The
rooms and hall are high and spacious. The United States Hotel
at the corner of Main and Union streets was built in 1826 and
was orignially a small building, but additions have since been
made to meet the growing needs of the village. The building
which is now occupied by the Star Motion picture theatre and
Douglass meat market was the Dutch Reformed church of 1819.
Then there is the Bor§t and Burhans grist mill on Quarry street
and the factory on North Grand street which the Harder Mann-
factoring company recently vacated for a more up-to-date estab-
lishment, both of these were built about fifty years ago.
Perhaps the most interesting landmarks are the two wooden
bridges, one on South Grand street and one east of the village,
spanning Cobleskill creek. As the picture shows, there are no
supports from beneath but the bridge is held upright by means
of heavy wooden timbers bolted together in the form of an X
and joined to the framework of the roof and floor. These
bridges, although of an antiquated construction, have out lasted
many built more recently.
The picture of the house at Mineral Springs gives a very
good idea of the farm house of 1800.
There is a similar house in the Rock district, one of the
earliest school districts in the town. This house was built by
Thomas Fichter in 1797 and the massive beams and doors may
still be seen. Both of these houses are in a fair state of preser-
vation and still occupied by tenants.THE GROTTO32
HISTORY OF COBLESKILL
PLACES OF HISTORIC INTEREST
In the immediate vicinity of Cobleskill are a few places
associated with the early settlement and Revolutionary war.
One of these is the stone grotto on the opposite page in which
Jane Burchard, an elderly lady too feeble to accompany the
settlers in their flight to the fort at Schoharie during an Indian
raid of the French and Indian War, was hidden for fourteen
days. Another spot is the former Lawyer place on the brook
near Mineral Springs where one of the first mills was erected.
There is nothing to mark the site of Fort Du Bois which was
located on the Wieting farm at the confluence of a small stream
with the Cobleskill about a mile east of the present village.
Coburn Hill was the site of the Warner residence near
which the battle of Cobleskill occurred. Here, too, is the
earliest cemetery of the vicinity, where the Peter Bouck,
Lawerence Lawyer, and McLean families are buried. These
were among the first settlers in the valley. Near the vil-
lage of Hyndsville is the grave of Catherine Merckley, the
circumstances of whose murder by Indians and Tories, are
similar to those of the massacre of Jane McCrea near Fort
Edward.FARMHOUSE AT MINERAL SPRINGS BUILT EARLY IN NINETEENTH CENTURY34
HISTORY OF COBLESKlLL
RELICS
Since Schoharie figured more prominently in the Revolution
and was settled before Cobleskill, more interest has centered
about that town and the old stone fort which is still standing.
Here a museum has been established and the relics of Schoharie
County for the colonial and Revolutionary periods have been
gathered.
Among the few things of interest that have been found in
Cobleskill are •* a little mahogany settee used in the first Luth •
eran church pulpit and an old kerosene lamp used in the same
church; one of the first kerosene lamps used in this section, and
an old knapsack carried in the Revolutionary war. All these
are now in the possession of Mrs. Sarah Lawyer. There is a
mahogany table reputed to have been used at Washington’s
headquarters at Dobbs Ferry, which is in the home of Mrs. L.
T. Browne.
There are a few collections of Indian relics. Charles
Roscoe of Howes, Cave has a large collection of arrow and
spear heads, stone hammers and tomahawks. Mr. Parslow of
Cobleskill has an old stone mill, used by the Indians for grind-
ing corn. The stone basin is worn smooth by the stamping of
the pestle.
At Howes Cave, there are also some Revolutionary relics.
Delevan Robinson owns a collection of cartridges, some of
which are wrapped in paper, a canteen, army knife with U. S.
A. engraved on the side, and a gun with ammunition for it.
An old newspaper dated January 4, 1800, containing an
account of the death of Washington and President Adams’ mes-
sage to Congress, is one of the most interesting relics found.
There are several advertisements, among which is one of a sale
of slaves.
In the possession of Dr. L. T. Browne is a German Bible,
dated 1748, and containing the family record of Christian
Browne and his descendants.
At the “Times” office in Cobleskill is a copy of “The35
HISTORY OF COBLESKILL
Schoharie County Jeffersonian” issued December 27, 1860.
This was the first paper to be published in Cobleskill and was
edited by Matthew Freeman. In this issue is an announcement
of the full electoral vote as a result of the election of 1860 show^
ing Lincoln’s majority to be fifty-seven.36
HISTORY OF COBLESKILL
DISASTROUS FIRES
The largest and most disastrous fire that the people of Co-
bleskill have ever been called upon to witness, occurred on the
evening of Aug. 13, 1873, when the National Hotel, owned by
Augustus C. Smith, was destroyed. The large barns and
stables connected with it, the residence of John Hall, and the
drug store of Jonas Dillenback were also consumed. The Rus-
sell block, a brick building, then in the course of construction,
had all the interior woodwork burned out, and the total loss was
estimated at $100,000.
On Jan. 27, 1876, Cobleskill was again visited by another
large fire, which consumed a dwelling house, barn and store-
house, owned by Darius Wood, situated on the north side of the
present site of Center Park.
On the morning of Oct. 8, 1907, the large barns and stables
of the Hotel Augustan were again burned to the ground. A
number of business blocks and residences were threatened and
only by the prompt action of the firemen and a heavy downpour
of rain, was a disastrous conflagration averted. The origin is
unknown and the loss far exceeded the insurance of $3,500.HISTORY OF COBLESKILL
37
Geographic and Climatic Conditions of Cobleskill
In the Heart of Schoharie county is the town of Cobleskill,
extending eight miles from east to west and six miles from north
to south over the low-rounded hills which descend gradually from
the Catskills to the Mohawk valley. Cobleskill creek flows
across the town, from the west, joining the Schoharie river not
far from the eastern border. This valley is also traversed by the
Delaware and Hudson railroad, connecting Albany and Bing-
hamton. In the center of this valley lies the village of Cobles-
kill, forty-five miles from Albany and ninety-eight miles from
Binghamton. From Cobleskill a branch railroad also extends
to Cherry Valley. The village has an altitude of about one
thousand feet. The climate is especially beautiful and invig-
orating.
The soil and geographical conditions are such as make the
farmer rejoice. The soil is a rich sandy loam, so productive of
all crops raised in northern latitudes, and there are but few
stones to oppose the advance of the plow. Because of the
action of glaciers in far distant ages, the hills are rounded and
even topped, thus forming admirable forest lands and pastures.
The river bottom is level and free from bogs and swamps.
The out cropping ledges are of limestone formation which
is of the greatest value for flagging and crushed stone. Some of
the quarried stone has been found excellent for building pur-
poses, and the making of Portland cement.
Thus Cobleskill offers many advantages to the farmer and
investor, the pleasure seeker and home builder.38
HISTORY OF COBLESKILL
BIOGRAPHY
The history of Cobleskill is identified with the public spirit
of her citizens. In every stage of her history, there have not
been lacking men who have given their interest, their time and
their wealth to the promotion of the public welfare.
George W. Bellinger was born in Cobleskill in 1844, a de-
scendant of German stock, his father being a representative
of a local pioneer family, his mother a descendant from the
Sprakers, a prominent family in the Mohawk valley. He se-
cured a good education in the village school and in 1865, learned
the art of photography of Oswald Burnett. He enlarged this bus-
iness and successfully conducted it until August, 1873, when his
place of business was destroyed by fire. In September, 1873, Mr.
Bellinger purchased the Index and managed it most successfully
until 1902, when he sold it to Mr. A. T. Warner. He was a
member of the Cobleskill Agricultural Society, a director of the
Cobleskill Rural Cemetery Association and one of the projectors
of the Farmers and Merchants Bank. His death in 1906 was
a deep regret to many people.
Mr. Bellinger was an enthusiastic student of history and
was particularly interested in his own county and village.
From data which he had collected was gleaned much of the
material used in preparing this booklet.
Capt. W. B. Calkins opened North, Chapel, and Lark
streets and gave them to the village.
Charles Courter was born at Schoharie, June 4, 1808, of
very respectable parents. His early life was spent in his birth-
place, where he received his education. Later he moved to
Cobleskill and became one of its most active citizens, promot-
ing the Frist National Bank and the Susquehanna railroad and
also adding to the business section of Cobleskill, substantial
rows of brick stores. He was a loyal citizen and always on
the lookout for any 1 king that would promote the village ofHISTORY OF COBLESKILL
39
which he was a resident. He died January 1, 1879, and was
buried at Cobleskill.
Janies Dana was a native of Ashford, Connecticut. At the
outbreak of the Revolutionary war, he enlisted as a private in
the army. Later he was promoted to the rank of Captain and
held that position to the end of the war. At the close of the
war, he located at Lawyersville, New York. He was a personal
friend of I. II. Tiffany and through the latter’s influence he
secured the position of Brigadier General of militia in Schoharie
county, being the first man in the county to hold that office.
He died at Lawyersville, New York, October 16, 1817, at the
age of eighty-five.
DeWitt C. Dow was born in West Fulton, Schoharie county,
August 24, 1852. Shortly afterwards his parents moved to Co-
bleskill, where he received his education, and later on entered the
First National Bank as a clerk, from which positiion he worked
up to cashier.
DeWitt Dow was one of the foremost and most prominent
men in the village. Many of the improvements which Cobleskill
possesses, such as flag walks, the system of electric lighting and
the water supply were largely brought about through his influ-
ence and aid. He held the office of president of the village
and county treasurer, and was president of the First National
bank until his death, Oct. 25, 1910.
Dr. David Frazier opened East street and gave it to the
village.
Minard Harder was born in Germantown, N. Y., December
5, 1822. The next year his parents moved to Summit and there
died. After holding the position of clerk in several towns, he
engaged in business with Chas. Courter. In 1859, in partner-
ship with his brother, bought a small machine shop and started
in the business of manufacturing farm machinery. This has
grown to be a large and thriving industry furnishing employ-
ment for many of Cobleskill’s citizens.
Minard Harder was active in the bonding of the towns for40
HISTORY OF COBLESKILL
the Albany and Susquehanna railway. He died November 8,
1901.
Lambert Lawyer was born in the town of Schoharie, N. Y.,
in 1762, and moved to Cobleskill in 1800, purchasing of George
Ferster the site of the present Courter home and there erected a
log house. He afterwards built a hotel where the Augustan
hotel now stands. This was destroyed in the great fire of 1873.
Lambert Lawyer changed the course of the creek and
erected a sawmill. He also built the dam which holds the
water supply of Cobleskill. His death took place August 12,
1824.
Dr. Willis G. Mac Donald, the noted surgeon, was born in
1862. For two years he was a student under Dr. Lemuel Cross,
then entered the Albany Normal, and Cornell. In 1887 he grad*
uated from Albany Medical college and was immediately ap-
pointed head surgeon at the Albany hospital. Fie made sur-
gery his specialty and went abroad several times to pursue
special investigations. While there, he entered the University
of Berlin, and was a volunteer assistant to August Martin and
Ernest von Bergman, two of Germany’s mcst noted surgeons.
After matriculating in his course in surgery, surgical pathology
and bacterology in Berlin, he returned to Albany and began
the practise of his profession. His fame soon spread far and
wide.
When the Spanish war broke out in 1898, Dr. Mac Donald
volunteered his services and left his practice to defend his
country. He was commissioned Major and surgeon of the United
States Volunteers and had charge of the hospital at Fort Mc-
Pherson, Ga.
His death in 1911 was a great blow to his friends, for by it
the world lost an eminent physician and a noble friend.
Jedediali Miller was born at Middleborough, Plymouth
county, Mass., on June 16, 1782. While on a visit to Schoharie
county, he was persuaded to settle there. He located at Law-
yersville, New York, where he took up the study of law. Later
he became a prominent politician and was elected to the NewHISTORY OF COBLESKILL
41
York legislature several times. He was one of the three most
noted lawyers of Schoharie county at that time The record of
his death cannot be found.
Augustus C. Smith was a business man of Cobleskill. For
many years he taught school and in 1856, was elected school
commissioner of the western district of Schoharie county. In
1867 he purchased the old hotel near the site of the present
Augustan. When it was burned in 1873, he erected the brick
hotel, the Augustan.
Joseph H. Ramsey was born at Sharon, January 29, 1816, of
German and English descent. His early life was spent near
the place of his birth, where he received his education. Later
he studied law and was admitted to the bar to practice. He
established a law office at Lawyersville, New York, and was
for several years a prominent business man of that place. When
the project of constructing a railroad between Albany and
Binghamton was proposed, he was one of the foremost advo-
cates.
In 1863 he moved to Albany, where he was connected with
the Albany and Susquehanna railroad company. The latter
part of his life was spent in Albany, where he died about 1890.
He was buried in the new cemetery at Cobleskill.
John Redington was a private in Capt. Dana’s company of
Connecticut troops. At the close of the Revolutionary war he
moved from Connecticut to Cobleskill and settled near the home
of Mr. Dana. He was a very enterprising^ tnan and through
his influence the Reformed Dutch church was erected.
In appreciation of his services rendered during the Revo-
lution, he was given a commission as commander of the second
company of cavalry ever organized in Schoharie county. He
died April 12, 1830, in his 74tli year.
Isaac Hall Tiffany was born at Keene, New Hampshire,
October 6, 1776. At the early age of seventeen he was a grad-
uate of Dartmouth College. Later he took up the study of law
in the office of Aaron Burr, one of the most distinguished mem-42
HISTORY OF COBLESKILL
bers of the American bar. From the office of Mr. Burr he
entered that of his brother, George, at Schoharie.
On the completion of his legal studies, he established him-
self in its profession at a little hamlet called “The Patent,”
near Cobleskill, later called Lawyersville.
After several years of successful labor, he moved to
Esperance, New York, were he finished his legal practice. In
In 1818 he was a candidate for Congress, but was defeated.
He later became a member of the Common Pleas bench at
Schoharie. Some years before his death, he went to reside at
Fultonville, Montgomery county, where he owned a small farm.
He died at Fultonville, Montgomery county, February 23, 1859,
and was buried in the new cemetery at Cobleskill, New York.
Matthew Wilson, as village night watchman, became a
martyr November 26, 1900, His life was given to protect the
property of the village, and was an evidence of his duty to his
fellow men.
William H. Young was the father of the charter of Co-
bleskilL