Читать книгу The History of Orange County New York - Группа авторов - Страница 24

INCORPORATION.

The movement for both our present water supply and for the incorporation of the village first took effective shape in the year 1891, when a few public-spirited citizens of the village subscribed to a fund to be expended in a survey to determine whether the water of Little Long Pond, now known as "Walton Lake," could be brought to the village under such pressure as would make it available for fire protection. The preliminary survey was made under the direction of Joseph Board and George M. Roe. The facts were convincing that this was a most favorable project for a water supply. First, the organization of a private company was proposed, and from this developed the incorporation of our village, the citizens realizing that if we were to have a water supply it must be owned by the village. Accordingly this was done with the happy result that has made us the envy of our neighboring villages.

On October 17, 1892, Mr. Joseph Board was appointed as resident superintendent in the construction of the water works, and when the water was turned on, in exactly a year, October 17, 1893, the inhabitants of our village had the satisfaction of knowing that each length of pipe so laid had been under the inspection of our superintendent.

The village of Chester was incorporated June 23, 1892. having a population of 1,400; 125 voters favored the incorporation and only the small number of thirteen opposed the proposition. At the first caucus, held July 12, 1892, were nominated W. A. Lawrence as president; Joseph Durland, George M. Roe and Thad. S. Durland, trustees. At the first election, held July 20, 1892, the above citizens were elected to their respective offices. The village board was organized on the same date, naming Joseph Board as village clerk.

The board of water commissioners was organized August 15, 1892, with Messrs. W. A. Lawrence, Joseph Durland, George M. Roe and T. S. Durland as commissioners, and Joseph Board, clerk. A taxpayers' meeting was called September 2, 1892, to vote on the question of assessment for water-works, with the following results: Sixty-eight in favor, against seven. Contract was executed at a total cost of $53,000 at their final completion.

This water supply for the village of Chester is one of the best in the State. The source is Walton Lake, formerly known as Little Long Pond, a beautiful sheet of spring water, covering an area of 127 acres, with a storage capacity of 3-1/2 feet, each foot of water giving a supply of over 40,000,000 gallons. This supply is a gravity system. From this lake, at an elevation of 250 feet above the level of Main street, at Chester Station, giving a working pressure of 80 to 90 pounds, there was laid for water-mains, 8,197 feet of 12-in. pipe, 6,978 feet of 19-in. pipe, 14,820 feet of 8-in. pipe, 5,748 feet of 6-in. pipe, 6,312 feet of 4-in. pipe.

Since the introduction of Walton Lake water, both the Walton Hose Company and Hook and Ladder Company have been organized.

After the incorporation the present municipal brick building was erected at a cost of $5,000. In this building rooms for village officers and parlors used by the fire department are located. In connection with our fire department, there is an annual inspection at which time the Chester military band of twenty-five members, under the leadership of George W. Ball, adds greatly to the village life.

In the year 1905, the Orange and Rockland Electric Company was organized, with R. W. Smith as president, and G. M. Roe as vice-president; Zael Paddleford, secretary; Frank Durland, treasurer. This company was organized and stock subscribed for by the citizens of Chester and Monroe.

The streets of the village, which were formerly lighted by kerosene, are now illuminated by electric current, generated by this company. Our Telford streets were laid in the year 1901, at a cost of $17,000. A distance of two and one-quarter miles were constructed through the main streets of the village.

CHURCHES.

The Presbyterian Church of Chester, while it had been ministering to the spiritual needs of the community for more than a quarter of a century, effected its legal organization December 26, 1826, with David Roe, Henry Seely, James Holbert, Elnathan Satterly, Joseph Sherwood and Townsend Seely as trustees.

The present house of worship, being the third erected by this congregation, was dedicated January 4, 1854. The present chapel was added in the year 1884. The church was remodeled and memorial windows added in the year 1898. In the year 1898 the church celebrated the centennial of its existence with impressive services and the publication of an interesting history of its century of church life.

The commodious parsonage adjoining the church was erected in 1895 at a cost of about $8,000.

Methodist Episcopal Church, Sugar Loaf.—Rev. Isaac Condee was the first Methodist preacher to visit Sugar Loaf, which he did in the year 1803 or 1804, and first preached in the home of John D. Conklin.

In the fall of 1804 he organized the first class and appointed John D. Conklin, leader. It is the mother of all the Methodist churches within a radius of ten or twelve miles.

The certificate of incorporation was executed on August 6, 1809. The trustees then chosen were Henry Wisner, Jr., Joseph Beach, Andrew Cunningham, Benjamin Wells, Richard Wisner, Horace Ketchem, Elijah Stevens, John D. Conklin and Benjamin Horton.

A subscription was taken and the first church was built in year 1810. Ten years later, in the year 1820, the Sunday school was established. The parsonage was erected in the year 1832. The second church, the present building, was built in 1852, and at three separate times it has undergone repairs. Rev. J. B. Wakeley, D.D., preached the sermon at the dedication of the church in the year 1852, and following the extensive repairs to the church, made in 1872, Bishop Cyrus D. Foss preached the dedication sermon. The church celebrated the centennial of its existence in the fall of 1904, at which time many of the former pastors were present to participate in the services, when Bishop Foss was again present.

A long list of worthy men have served this church as pastors. Rev. P. N. Chase, Ph.D., is at present in charge; M. D. Stevens, superintendent of the Sunday school; Miss Alice Turfler, president of the Epworth league.

The Methodist Episcopal Church of Chester was organized in the year 1837, and for some time used the academy for worship; afterwards used the "Ball Room" of Yelverton Inn. In the year 1852 the present property was purchased and the church, edifice erected in charge of the following trustees:

C. B. Wood, W. L. Foster, Daniel Conklin, S. R. Banker, John T. Johnson, William Masterson, G. B. McCabe.

In 1867 the church was enlarged and in 1878 the present parsonage was purchased. In the year 1879 the sum of $3,000 was expended in beautifying the church building.

St. Paul's Episcopal Church.—The organization of St. Paul's Episcopal Mission was effected on May 25, 1897, at which time Samuel Wilkins and James A. Parkin were elected trustees. Services were held in various places until the summer of 1898, when land was purchased and the present church edifice on Main street was erected. The church was dedicated by Archdeacon William R. Thomas, D.D., on August 6, 1898. The church was consecrated by Bishop Henry Cadman Potter on July 25, 1899. Prior to this, the usual organization of the Episcopal Church was effected. Mr. Samuel Wilkin and R. W. Chamberlain, wardens, were elected. J. A. Parkin, E. T. Jackson and W. F. Depew, vestrymen. Articles of incorporation were filed on February 27, 1899.

The clergyman, Rev. J. Holmes McGuinness, D.D., at this time was elected.

St. John's African Union Chapel.—This church was organized on June 22, 1904, under the auspices of the African Union First Colored Methodist Protestant Church in America and Canada, with five members and Rev. Edward Nicholas as pastor. The church and Sunday School has at present a total membership of eighty-eight.

Rev. Mr. Nicholas was assigned to this field of labor by the ninetieth annual conference of the above named denomination, held at the mother church in Wilmington, Delaware County, May 18, 1904.

The citizens of the place have done much to encourage this well begun work.

ORGANIZATIONS.

Chester Lodge No. 363, Knights of Pythias, was organized in the year 1894, and the lodge charter is dated July 25 of that year. The lodge was started with a membership of twenty-one, which has increased to forty Knights. The lodge conventions are held every Thursday evening at Castle Hall, in the Wilkin building. The sums paid to members in sick benefits since the organization amount to $1,000.

Standard Lodge No. 711, F. & A. M., was instituted July 27, 1871, and continued to meet in this place, where many of its members resided until a few years ago, when a majority decided to change its place of meeting to Monroe.

The Chester National Bank was organized in the year 1845 as a State bank, and became a national bank on June 6, 1865.

The bank occupies the up-to-date quarters in its new building, erected in 1896, on Main street. The building is of brick, with Quincy granite facing, built at a cost of $10,000, its fire and burglar-proof vault containing 100 safe-deposit boxes, at an added cost of $8,000.

Chester free library, organized through the effort of Chester Library and Social Club, was chartered by the University of the State of New York, December 19, 1901. The original trustees were Hiram Tuthill, president; Charles W. Kerner, secretary and treasurer; Joseph Board, Joseph Durland and Roswell W. Chamberlain, trustees. Mrs. Abbie Masters is librarian. The library owns about 800 volumes, and in 1907 circulated 3,543 books. It is supported by voluntary contributions and entertainments. The reading room, which is well supplied with periodicals and the library, are open to the public on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday evening's and Saturday afternoons.

The Young Men's Christian Association was organized March 1, 1907, with 110 members. The members occupy the rooms in the Lawrence building. The society started in a very flourishing condition.

There have been various organizations from time to time in Chester to advance its interests. The Board of Trade was organized October 1, 1900, with Frank Durland, president; W. A. Lawrence, vice-president; Charles W. Kerner, secretary; Hiram Tuthill, treasurer. Directors, Joseph Board, William Osborne, George Vail, G. M. Roe.

The Board of Trade represents the spirit that has effected co-operation in many ways for advancing the interests of the town. Among them are the incorporation of our village and the securing of the water supply from Walton Lake, and the Telford streets. At present the officers are looking forward to the development of the suburban idea on the beautiful site that our village affords, and will welcome desirable manufacturing interests.

From a small beginning in the year 1874, the manufacture of Neufchatel and square cream cheese has grown until at the present time the Lawrence & Son's cheese factory is using over 300 cans or 12,000 quarts of milk daily, employing a daily average of twenty-five men. This factory, consuming such a large amount of milk, together with Borden's large receiving station, with a receiving average of 100 cans daily, proves the high productiveness of the land in this section.

The Sugar Milk factory is located adjoining this cheese plant for the manufacture of milk sugar.

This sugar is made from the whey, a by-product delivered by the cheese factory.

MILITARY.

The military record of Chester is a worthy one. Quite a number of Chester residents made up a company during the Revolutionary War, under Colonel Allison, and were attached to the Goshen regiment.

In the second war with England there was a representation of hardy men of this town to endure the hardships of the war. Some of them survived until the year 1880.

During the general training days that followed the second war with England, Captain John Yelverton, whose sword is still prized as a relic of those days of patriotic zeal, led the men of the town to Durland's Square, where the volunteer militia were inspected.

During the Civil War nearly 200 men represented this town in defending the Union. Many of them suffered upon the battlefield. A few citizens from the young men of the town enlisted in the Spanish American War.

SUGAR LOAF.

Sugar Loaf is one of the oldest communities of Orange County and as a trading center was established shortly after the settlement of Goshen.

It is one of the villages of Chester township to which we may look with interest in these early times. It was named by these pioneer settlers from the cone-like mountain which towers above the quiet village to an elevation of 1,226 feet above sea level. The mountain, which consists mostly of greywacke slate, resembles in appearance, as viewed from the village, a loaf of sugar, such as was used in the homes of the early settlers before the day of granulated sugar as an article of commerce. This sublime eminence, the highest in the county, affords from its summit one of the most commanding views in the county. This view is best secured by entering the field near George H. Mapes's place on the road to Sugar Loaf Valley and walking, as it were, from the tail to the head of the lion-like mountain, for this is the shape of the mountain as viewed from Chester depot.

N. P. Willis, the American poet and literary genius, who loved old Orange County's hills from Butler Hill on the Hudson, which he renamed Storm King, to Adam and Eve in the drowned lands, speaks of Sugar Loaf Mountain when viewed from the Chester Hills as being like a crouching lion ready to spring upon its prey.

The earliest record of inhabitants includes Hugh Dobbin, who lived near Sugar Loaf Mountain in 1738. Mr. Perry lived near the pond, which bore his name and later was called Wickham Pond. This was prior to the middle of the eighteenth century, when Clinton, the surveyor, marked the Chesekook claim line, which extended from the base of Goose Pond Mountain to Bellevale and thence to the Jersey line.

Stephen W. Perry, who lived in the Sugar Loaf Valley a century ago, was probably related to the Perry with whom the surveyors stopped in those Colonial days when the Indians still lived in the mountains and the surveyors were accustomed to use the Indian wigwams for shelter during their journey, blazing the trees on the Chesekook line through the trackless forest.

Nathaniel Knapp lived for a time on the Levi Geer place, and a headstone with the date 1804, the initials N. K., aged sixty-four years, marks the place of his burial. For some sentimental reason he was buried under a great oak on the farm upon which Hugh Dobbin probably lived in the year 1738. According to tradition the old log house of this early pioneer was at the curve of the road near the entrance to the meadow. Among other men that have been prominent about Sugar Loaf were Henry Wisner, Horace Ketchum, Squire James Hallock, Jesse H. Knapp, Vincent Wood, who lived on the Asa Dolson farm, and John Holbert, born 1773, who lived on the farm now occupied by his grandson, Samuel Holbert.

The Knapp family came from Connecticut, and settled on three different farms. Some of the family emigrated later through a trackless forest to the Butternut Creek in Otsego County.

The Nicholas Demerest family, of Chester, descended from James Demerest's family, who came from Bergen County, New Jersey, and settled on the ridge near Sugar Loaf, occupying a farm of five hundred acres. John Bigger is mentioned by John Wood, the assessor, in 1775, as a taxpayer, together with David Rumsey, Samuel Wickham, Jacobus Bertholf and Barnabas Horton.

In Sugar Loaf Valley, east of the mountain, John King settled soon after his marriage in 1784, upon a farm of two hundred acres. Among his neighbors were Cornelius Board and George Davis. Thomas Fitzgerald lived near the line of the town of Warwick. More recently in the community life of Sugar Loaf the following men may be mentioned: Joseph Cooper, Crinis Laroe, David Dyer, Lewis Rhodes, Jesse Wood, John D. Conklin, John Bertholf, Silas Rose, David W. Stevens, Charles Fitzgerald and Elisha Stevens.

Miss Martha Odell, of Chester, now ninety-four years of age, remembers the visits of "Frank Forrester" and his companion, "Tom Draw," passing through the village and over the hills to the valley and beyond for game and fish.

The school of Sugar Loaf village in the past century has educated many bright boys and girls. The old school-house stood on the road that leads from the village to the northwest. The house was on the westerly side of the road. Reeder Feagles and Lieutenant Wood were among the teachers in the early part of the nineteenth century.

The fact that men with patriotic zeal have been identified with Sugar Loaf may be summarized by the statement that in the home of Mrs. H. C. Baker are mementos of her husband's service in the Civil War, Jesse H. Knapp, who was an officer in the second war with England, and Caleb Knapp, who served in the American Revolution.

The Committee of Safety during the Revolutionary War included other patriots like Jacobus and Gillion Bertholf, David Rumsey, father of Royal Rumsey, and Captain Henry Wisner. Jacob, John and Josiah Feagles were patriotic citizens of this section during these times.

The interesting story is told of Hugh Dobbin, the pioneer of Sugar Loaf, that during the Revolution he was exempt from service, but pointed with pride to the fact that in 1757, in the struggle with the French and Indians, he assisted the Government by pasturing one hundred and fifteen horses belonging to Captain John Wisner's company.

We cannot turn from the story of this section without alluding to the loss of one of its interesting objects, now only a tradition. Mr. Thomas Burt, of Warwick, at the age of eighty-seven, remembers the time when on the side of Sugar Loaf Mountain there was an eminence upon which was the profile of a man with broad shoulders, narrow neck and enlarged head with hat on. This was called the "Old Giant," and near it was a fissure in the rock called the "Giant's Cellar." Tradition says that Claudius Smith, after his depredations through the county, hid in this cleft of the rock.