IR NO. 12. CAMDEN, N. Y 'RICt FIFTY CENTS. .lAGf '< O^/ if i> ^^ F .uaW Euu.i.~e-} 5±e*„£;SSb"'S. »• "JS- „...„„,...-".»•"—■■' ,i i •\. :opyrig:hted by "Grip", 1902. C ^clo: V l>. \A/e.iah/j ^^ 1 S iSFc "GRIP'S" Historical Souvenir of Camden, ^. V. THE LIBI»»HV OF CONGRESS, Two Co*>.€s Receive* AUG. 8 t902 (\ CnwmtMT ewTdv Cl.*9S«^ XXc. No, i C] -) -I- 1^ 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 fle 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, Oneiyteriau 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. 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. Fiuly 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 markeank 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 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 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, 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. Old llirpe Stock Companies bow Plates