History of Montgomery & Fulton Counties by F. W. Beers & Co. Montgomery County, Village of Fort Plain

FORT PLAIN.

About the year 1738, George Clarke, Governor of the colony of New York from 1736 to 1743, built in a solitary forest, on the site of A. J. Wagner's dwelling, the first house within the village of Fort Plain. It was a two-story edifice, with a hall passing through the centre and large square rooms on either side. The second floor was reached by a broad stairway, with white oak bannisters and easy steps of the same material. The house had a frontage of nearly forty feet, and its walls were built of a slaty stone taken from the bed of the neighboring creek. It had four chimnies of the same material. The steps to the front door are remembered as having also been of slate, but a limestone step used at one of the doors still serves its purpose. Mr. Wagner's house was built on the cellar of the Clarke mansion, by Col. Robert Crouse. The latter was, for its time, a structure of no mean pretensions. It is said to have been erected by Governor Clarke for two sons of fast proclivities, to remove them from city associations. For a time the family resided here, in a commanding position, having a force of slaves to do their bidding. Tradition says that at the river's bank Governor Clarke had a good landing for his pleasure boats, in which it may be supposed he made an occasional trip to Schenectady, or a visit to some distinguished family along the river, such as the Herkimers, Foxes and Freys, or the Episcopal clergyman at Fort Hunter, Clarke brought to his new home several goats, then a novelty in the region, and on some occasion they strayed away and were lost. They were finally found on the high ground several miles southwest of Fort Plain, which from this circumstance has since been called Geissenberg-goat hill. The Clarke family could not be contented in the wilderness, perhaps Mrs. Clarke did not like the Indian surroundings of her border home ; and at the end of a few years they abandoned their romantic situation and returned to New York. The house then acquired the reputation of being haunted, and was allowed to stand empty and decay. Not only did children give it a wide berth in their play, but many a man and woman hastened their steps in passing it, lest they should see or hear something supernatural. In 1807 Dr. Joshua Webster and Jonathan Stickney, enterprising New Englanders, built a tannery across the creek from the material in this old mansion, and its elves and ghouls were ousted.

About the middle of the last century, George Crouse came from Gemany, settled on the lot adjoining the Clarke property on the north, and built a log house, which was burned by Brant in 1780. The Clarke farm came into the possession of Isaac Paris, jr., the famous trader, and was sold by him to Geo. Crouse, jr. It is said the place was to be paid for in wheat at eighteen, cents per skipple (three pecks) at which rate Crouse was advised to buy it by Col, Willett, who was boarding with him. The next lot north of the elder Crouse's was owned by Peter Young, and the next by Johannes Lipe.

Another neighboring estate was owned by a German named John Abeel, an early Indian trader, which term implied a speculator in goods that were bartered for furs with the Indians. After being thus engaged for a time, not only among the Mohawks, but with all of the Six Nations, he settled just west of Fort Plain, as it is thought, about 1757 or the next vear. He married the daughter of an early German settler named Knouts, as recorded in a "book of marriages," at Albany, pursuant to the legal requirements of the time. The famous chief Cornplanter was the son of Abeel by a Seneca princess. In a historical address at Fort Plain, in 1860 P. G. Webster, Esq., alluded to Abeel's settling in this vicinity; his trading excursions among the Indians ; his capture in 1780, near home, by the warriors of Brant and Cornplanter ; and his release by the latter, who afterward visited his parent at Fort Plain and later at Albany, where the trader recognized him, and would have given him valuable presents, but forthe natural objections of his German wife.

Joseph Wagner, who settled in 1805 on a farm occupying a large part of the site of Fort Plain,'is regarded as one of the founders of the village. There were but few buildings on the spot prior to his arrival. Among them was a small tavern kept by Isaac Soule, as early as 1804. In 1806 Mr. Wagner put up a small public house, which was kept as such until 1850, when it became a private residence. The building is still standing and is owned by Andrew Dunn. John C. Lipe opened a store in the old tavern building of Isaac Soule about 1808 ; there was then also a tailor's shop in the building.

The first post office, called the Fort Plain post office, was established in 1816, on Sand Hill, then the business portion of the village. Conrad Lipe was the first postmaster. The place was incorporated in 1828, taking its name from the local fortification.

The earliest physician of the village was Joshua Webster, from Scarboro, Maine, who settled here in 1797. The first established lawyer was Peter J. Wagner, a gentleman of ability, who once represented old Montgomery county in Congress. The first hatter in the place was Wm. A. Haslet, who began business in 1826. Harvey E. Williams opened the first tin and hardware store in 1827. Numerous other professional and business men established themselves in Fort Plain in the five years after the completion of the Erie Canal in 1825.

THE CHURCHES OF FORT PLAIN.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL.

The first Methodist class in Fort Plain was formed June 24, 1832, by Rev. Jonas Diefendorf, assistant pastor, Rev. Eleazur Whipple being pastor in charge of what was then known as the Canajoharie circuit, and Rev. George Harmon presiding elder of the district to which it belonged. Thirteen members composed the class, including Solomon Countryman, the leader, and his wife ; Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Wendell, and Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Davis. In September, 1835, the class had thirty members, of whom Peter A. Brumfield was leader. After the two clergymen above-named, the following officiated, two at a time, on the Canajoharie circuit, which included Fort Plain, Freysbush, and other places : James Kelsey, Abraham Diefendorf, Milton French, Peter Dedrick, James P. Backus, Isaac Grant,: Lewis G. Weaver, Alvin Torry, Edwin Dennison, John Padham, and Ben- jamin Diefendorf. The last two had charge of the circuit in 1838 and 1839 ; and from that time for two years Fort Plain formed a charge with Palatine Bridge under the same pastor, and for the next three years with Canajoharie, after the dedication of a Methodist church there in 1841. In 1844, Fort Plain became a separate charge with a resident pastor. From 1839 to 1852, inclusive, the following clergymen were the pastors for about equal periods : Joseph Eames, Cyrus Meeker, dark Fuller, Chas. C. Gilbert, Thomas Armitage, Bishop Isbell, Asa F. Fenton, and Hiram Chase. In 1852 Fort Plain was transferred from the Troy to the Oneida Conference, which action was reversed in 1860. From 1852 to the present, the pastors have been : Robert Fox, John P. Newman, J. T. Wright, L. Bowdish, Selah Stocking, Isaac Parks, Homer Eaton, William Bedell, Bostwick Hawley, Wm. H. Hughes, T. Dwight Walker, William Ryan and I. C. Fenton.

In early times the Methodist preachers occasionally officiated in the church that formerly stood on Sand Hill, but more frequently in the second story of a building near Mr. William Clark's present residence, and in the same room after the building was moved to a spot a few feet north of the brick building at the corner of Canal and Main streets ; then for several years before 1842 in what was until that time the district school-house, which occupied the site of the present one, but stood much nearer the road. The first Methodist church was dedicated Feb. 20, 1845. In 1854 it was enlarged and re-dedicated.

UNIVERSALIST.

The first Universalist society of Minden, located at Fort Plain, was organized April 6, 1833. Jacob Hand, Daniel Gros, John Lighthall, Henry Cook and Henry S. Moyer were elected trustees, Solomon Sanders clerk, and Jacob Hand treasurer. The church edifice was dedicated December 25 of the same year. With the usual fluctuations attending the growth of a religious body, the society has continued to the present time, under the pastoral teaching of the following clergymen: Job Potter, W. Billiard, Jesse Bushnell, L. C. Browne, H. Belding, H. Lyon, J. D. Hicks, H. B. Soule, A. C. Barry, H. L. Hayward, G. W. Gage, A. B. Grosh, C. E. Hews, H. H. Baker, Adolphus Skinner, D. D., B. L. Bennett, D. Ballou and E. W. Fuller, the present pastor.

The church building has been twice remodeled, once in 1855, and again in 1874, on December 30 of which year it was re-dedicated. It is a very pretty and convenient edifice, having a fine session or Sunday-school room on the ground floor, and an auditorium seating four hundred, with frescoed walls and ceiling. The society has no debt.

The Sunday-school was organized soon after the church, and has now one hundred and forty pupils, and a library of two hundred and fifty volumes. The pastor has generally been the superintendent.

THE REFORMED CHURCH.

After the village had grown to some size, the Reformed church on Sand Hill, which has been elsewhere treated of, being nearly a mile away, that congregation, in 1834, erected another within the village limits; but scarcely was it completed when, from some defect in carrying a stovepipe through a wall, it took fire one Saturday night and was burned down. Upon its site the next season a brick structure was reared, which was enlarged and repaired in 1872, at an expense of over $13,000, and now seats about five hundred persons. While the present church was being built, the congregation used the old one on Sand Hill, but on the completion of the new building it was demolished. The following ministers have served as pastors of the Fort Plain Reformed Church: N. Bogardus, 1834-5 ; Arthur Burtis, 1835-6; John Page Pepper, 1836-40; S. Van Vechten, 1841-4; C. G. McLean, 1844-52; M. L. Schenck, 1853-7; J. G. Hall, 1858-64. From 1864 to 1868 the pulpit was supplied by Rev. G. D. Consaul, and by Rev. W. Whittaker, a Presbyterian minister. Rev. Alexander B. Biggs took charge of the church in July, 1870, and remained until April, 1876. Rev. Samuel J. Rogers, the present pastor, immediately succeeded him. The ecclesiastical relations of this church are with the Classis of Montgomery, and through it with the General Synod of the Reformed Church in America. The society has now one hundred and sixty-seven members, and the Sunday-school over two hundred.

LUTHERAN.

The first meetings of this body were held in 1842, in private houses, by a visiting clergyman, Rev. G. Saul. The first church building was erected in 1853. The Rev. Mr. Roll was pastor. He has had up to the present twelve successors. The membership of the church is seventy, aud of the Sunday-school fifty. Tile latter opened in 1871, with forty scholars. The present commodious brick church was built in 1874.

Y.M.C.A.

March 21, 1871, Hugh M. Boice, Alfred D. Cary, B. Frank Dievendorff, Charles C. Edwards, Adam Hix, W. P. Webster and A. H. Williams met at the rooms of the first named, at the Fort Plain depot, and organized as a young men's prayer association ; but by the advice of Rev. A. B. Riggs, they assumed in the following week the name Young Men's Christian Association. They were visited afterward, but not previously, by representatives of the general organization of that name. At the close of the first year the membership numbered seventeen. There are now forty-two " active " and a number of " associate " members. H. M. Boice and A. D. Cary have each been president of the association one year, and W, P. Webster five years, Mr. Boice the first year, and Mr. Cary the fourth. After meeting for two months at Mr. Boice's room, the association secured rooms in the block next north of the bank, which it held nearly five years, removing May 10, 1876, to the present more commodious quarters, in the Uunn Block. The work of the association has been almost entirely religious. In six years two hundred and sixty-four Monday evening prayer meetings were held, beside praise and " promise " meetings, song services, Sabbath-school sessions, Bible classes, " cottage " meetings, etc., during part of the time, generally on the Sabbath.

THE PRESS OF FORT PLAIN.

The first newspaper in Montgomery county was started at Fort Plain in 1827, by S. N. S. Grant, under the title of the Fort Plain Watch Tower. In 1829 Grant was succeeded by John Calhoun, who made way for a journalist named Platt, in 1830. Platt named the paper The Fort Plain Sentinel, and this title it bore during the short remainder of its existence.

The Fort Plain Gazette was published from 1834 to 1836, by Henry L. Gross. The Fort Plain Journal was started in 1836, by E. W. Gill, who continued its publication until he was succeeded in 1838 by Wm. I,. Fish, who managed the concern until the close of the Presidential campaign of 1840. During Mr. Gill's management the paper was edited firs by Henry Link, Esq., and afterward by Henry Roseboom. While printed by Mr. Fish, the Journal was edited by P. G. Webster, who on May 1, 1839, caused the name of Winfield Scott to be placed at the head of the editorial column as a candidate for the Presidency. This is said to have been the first nomination of that distinguished officer for the chief magistracy. In February, 1841, the Journal passed into the hands of Levi S. Backus, a deaf mute, who changed the name of the paper to The Montgomery Phoenix. D. F. Young was the editor. Mr. Backus continued the publication until 1854, when he sold out to Wendell and Stansel, who changed the name of the paper to The Mohawk Valley Register. In 1855 Stansel sold out to D. S. Kellogg, and he in June 1856, to C. W. Webster, the firm becoming Webster & Wendell. May 12, 1859, Mr. Wendell sold his interest to L. Crounse, who in three weeks parted with it to Chas. Bradbury. In less than a year Mr. Bradbury sold to Angell Matthewson, and the Register was published by Webster & Matthewson until July, 1865, when Mr. Webster retired, the circulation of the paper having increased during his connection with it from 600 to 1000. Mr. Matthewson remained in sole proprietorship until 1868, and during his administration provided the office with powerpresses and a new stock of type ; enlarged the paper and ran its circulation up to 1,500. He sold out to Elliott & Bowen, the former of whom in 1872 sold his interest to Charles Bowen, and in March, 1876, the concern was purchased by Horace L. Greene, who has since managed it.

The Tocsin was published a short time by H. Link.

The Lutheran Herald was published semi-monthly in 1839, by W. L. Fish, and edited by Rev. J. D. Lawyer.

THE SEMINARY.

The Fort Plain Seminary and Collegiate Institute was erected in 1853; by a stock company, with a capital of $32,000, and chartered by the Regents of the University, Oct. 20, of that year. Hon. Peter J. Wagner was president of the first board of trustees. Rev. Alonzo Flack was the lessee, Rev Joseph E. King the first principal, with Miss Angelina Ensign as preceptress and thirteen other teachers. The first scholastic year of the institution began Nov. 7, 1853, with 513 students. At its close the first graduating honors of the school were conferred upon Miss Hannah Waddell, of Schenectady. To the regret of all concerned, Prof. King resigned the principalship, to accept a similar position at Fort Edward, N. Y.

Rev. James E. Latimer was unanimously elected to fill the vacancy, Nov. 9, 1854. During his four years' successful management of the school, the position of preceptress was held by Mrs. Latimer, Miss Jennie Latimer and Miss Hannah Waddell successively. Prof. Latimer resigned in the summer of 1858, to take a professorship in Elmira Female College. The school then came under the control of Prof. W. H. Bannister, who, in his second year, associated with him Rev. Charles W. Bennett, now a Doctor of Divinity, and the excellent and popular Professor of History in Syracuse University. Prof. Bannister, with Miss Louisa Bannister as preceptress, continued in charge until 1861, ivhen he was succeeded by Rev. Benjamin I. Diefendorf. The next two principals were Messrs. Henry A. Merrill and Frank H. Graham.

The period of the civil war was a time of frequent change of administration. In 1873 the present principal, Rev. Abraham Mattice, A.M., with Miss Kate M. Thomas as preceptress, took charge of the school, and it is now in successful operation. It has always been unsectarian, welcoming to its halls students from all denominations throughout the land. Among its scores of graduates are many occupying enviable professional positions.

The location of the Institute is all that can be desired. It is easy of access, on an elevation that admits of perfect drainage and free circulation of air, and that affords a fine view of the surrounding country, it is also blessed with an abundance of excellent water. The Seminary, as may be seen from the engraving, is large and commodious, and well calculated to furnish a pleasant home to pupils of both sexes. Under the inspiration of the motto, "ACCURACY, EARNESTNESS, ENTHUSIASM, VICTORY," much has been attempted and accomplished by this institution towards realizing the highest ideal of a true education, viz., the systematic development of the whole being, physical, mental, moral and spiritual.

Its officers and teachers at present are as follows : Trustees : Hon. William dark, president; Reuben Elwood, vice president; Morgan Snyder, M. D,, Joshua Vedder, Worthington S. Parley, Simon Klock, Josiah Roof, Peter G. Webster, Esq., William Davy, Edwin W. Wood, Simeon Tingue, William Griffith, Robert H. Shearer, David T. Timmerman, Daniel S. Devoe. Alfred Cary, secretary and treasurer.

Teachers : Abraham Mattice, principal, Ancient.Languages ; James Edmonson, Mathematics and Sciences ; Otto F. Ebert, French and German ; Kate M. Thomas, preceptress, Geography, Rhetoric, and Elocution ; Mrs. Harriet C. Smeallie, principal of primary department, Grammar, Drawing and Oil Painting ; Franc Knowlton, Common English ; Fannie A. Conkling, Piano, Organ, and Vocalization.

PROMINENT BUSINESS ESTABLISHMENTS.

The first banking house in the village was the Fort Plain Bank, organized Dec. 25, 1838, with $100,000 capital. The first directors were J. Webster, J. Reid, Robert Hall, Nicholas Moyer, P. J. Wagner, Wm. A. Haslett, John 1. Dievendorff, Daniel Moyer, J. I. Zoller, Jacob Abeel, J. H. Moyer, Adam A. Nestell, H. Adams, J. Cady and Jacob Sanders. In February, 1839, Joshua Webster was elected president, and Peter F. Bellinger cashier. Mr. Bellinger resigned in a few weeks, and was followed by J. C. Dann, who held the place for five years, when he gave way to I. C. Babcock. Mr. Webster resigned the presidency, Aug. 12, 1848, when J. H. Moyer was chosen president, and Livingston Spraker vice president. In January, 1854, the capital of the bank was increased to $150,000. Wm. A. Haslett succeeded Mr. Moyer as president, in January, 1859, and J. I. Dievendorff became vice president. Three years later J. S. Shearer was elected cashier, ind these were the first officers of the National Fort Plain Bank, when it was formed by a reorganization of the Fort Plain Bank, in May, 1864, and began business in September of that year. Mr. Haslett died in October, 1874, and was succeeded in the presidency by E. W. Wood.

The Fort Plain Spring and Axle Works were established about nine years ago, and most of the time, until 1876, the business was managed by Clark, Smith & Co. The firm is now Wood, Smith & Co. The factory premises comprise about three acres of land, a short distance from the railroad, bounded in the rear by the canal. The main building is 380 by 50 feet, and a central section of it, 75 feet long, is two stories in height. Two wings in the rear of the main building are each 50 by 75 feet. The best machinery is used, operated by more than one hundred workmen. One thousand tons of bar iron, five hundred tons of steel and one hundred tons of pig iron are annually worked up. From $1,000 to $1,200 is paid oul weekly to the workmen. For protection against fire there is a powerful steam pump connecting with the canal, capable of throwing five inch-and-a-half streams, for which three hundred and fifty feet of hose are always ready. The boilers can furnish steam for an eighty horse-power engine The forging and blacksmithing department is equipped with six fires, one vertical and three horizontal trip-hammers, and heavy shears, which easily cut three-inch iron. The best Swedish and English steel is used.

Andrew Dunn was born August 9th, 1831, in Kilmarnock, Ayrshire. Scotland, and emigrated to this country, with his parents, in 1841. He lived a short time in Fulton, Columbia and Herkimer counties, working at various occupations. In 1847 he went to Amsterdam, Montgomery county. where he learned the watch and jewelry trade. In 1851 he settled in Fort Plain, where he now resides, and where, before attaining his majority, he commenced the watch and jewelry business, which occupation he still continues. In 1855 he united in marriage with Louisa, youngest daughter of the late Nicholas Gross, of Palatine. He has a family of three children named respectively, Nellie I., David E. and Andrew G. Through honesty industry and promptness he has been very successful in trade, and is at present connected with some of the leading business interests of Fort Plain.

There are in the village, two newspaper offices, two grist-mills, four dry goods, two hardware, one crockery, three drug, about a dozen grocery and provision, half as many boot and shoe, one paper hangings and two clothing stores ; two news rooms, two steam saw-inills, four lumber-yards, a furnact for plow and other castings, several carriage and harness shops, six blacksmith shops, several coal-yards and livery stables, and four hotels. The population of the village is over two thousand.

MISCELLANEOUS.

The association managing the beautiful cemetery of Fort Plain was organized March 4, 1864, with the following trustees : Alfred Cary, William Crouse, James H. Congdon, Peter Dievendorff, Theodore B. Farley, Morgan Snyder, James W. Cronkhite, John B. Haslet and Alexander H. Ayres, An executive committee of three has the supervision of the grounds, under a set of by-laws adopted by the association.

Fort Plain Lodge No. 433 F. and A. M. was organized Aug. 20, 1857,and chartered June 17, 1858. The first officers were : Peter Snyder, Master ; George Yost, S. W. ; David Hackney, J. W. ; F. Dievendorff, Secretary ; A. Dievendorff, Treasurer ; C. L. Sims, Deacon ; L. Hester, Junior Deacon; J. Smith, Tiler. There are one hundred and fifty-seven members. Battery K of the First Regiment of Artillery was organized at Fort Plain in September, 1861, and known as Fort Plain Battery. It was mustered in at Elmira, Oct. 4, 1861, with Lorenzo Crounse, Captain ; Solon W. Stocking, First Lieutenant ; and Angell Matthewson, Second Lieutenant. This battery participated in the battles of Harper's F'erry, Cedar Mountain, Beverly Ford, Rappahannock Station, Chantilly, Fredericksburg (first), Chancellorsville, Gettysburg and Mine Run, and was in the defences- of Washington from April 1, 1864, until mustered out of service.